Whether or not you want this souvenir disc depends on how you feel about the concept. On the plus side, the “bonus disc” is in fact the main attraction. It contains a serviceable mono aircheck of JFK’s actual inauguration concert in 1961, consisting of The Star-Spangled Banner, John La Montaine’s attractive overture From Sea to Shining Sea, the first movement of Randall Thompson’s The Testament of Freedom, and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue performed by the incomparable Earl Wild, all with the National Symphony led by Howard Mitchell. The original radio commentary adds a nice period flavor to the occasion. It really is an appealing bit of musical/political history.
The modern concert is far less desirable. The Symphonic Dances are very well performed, though the recorded balance is unflattering to the strings (throughout). Peter Lieberson’s piece, for speaker and orchestra, is a glum knockoff of Copland’s Lincoln Portrait. What made the Copland work outstanding was that it sounded like Copland first and an occasional piece second. Lieberson’s effort doesn’t sound much like anything at all; it’s drab. As for the Gershwin, Earl Wild’s benchmark recording takes 28 minutes; this one takes 38, with Barto and Eschenbach locked in a grim contest to see who can give the most comatose, mannered, limp, and dreary account of the work possible. Barto wins, just barely. As I said, this is a souvenir.
