Skies of America - Premium Travel & Adventure Gear for Outdoor Enthusiasts | Perfect for Hiking, Camping & Road Trips

Back in the days immediately after the attacks of 9/11, National Public Radio began asking well known musical types what music they thought Americans should be listening to. They never got around to asking me, but this was my choice. It still is.Skies of America is a very moving, very poignant, powerful work for symphony orchestra with solo interludes on this recording from Ornette. The hustle and bustle of daily life in America, as portrayed by the winds and percussion, contrasted by the ethereal, eternal nature of the skies above, as portrayed by the strings, brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to this album. The work as a whole is broken down into titled sections. Those with titles like "The Military" or "The Silver Screen" can sound chaotic, aggressive and confounding. Other sections like "Birthdays and Funerals", "Love Life" or "Sunday in America" feature music for strings that is simply breathtaking in its beauty. I find it difficult not to be affected by music of such a strong, emotional character.It's a scandal that Ornette has never been recognized as a symphonic composer. Skies of America really belongs in modern classical repertoire. It eloquently speaks of a love for country far beyond the sort of militaristic nationalism we see all too often in public life.