Ives: The Four Symphonies

(Harold Farberman, New Philharmonia Orchestra; Vanguard-Cardinal VCS-10032/4). Young Farberman doesn’t quite match the exuberance of Bernstein or exaltation of Stokowski in their competitive recordings of Nos. 2 and 4. But this is a remarkable package just the same, and at its bargain price almost irresistible, especially for anyone still unacquainted with this giant among American composers.