[Contemporary Classical ] Andre Kostelanetz - And God Created Great Whales (1971)

Andre Kostelanetz (1901-1980) was a renowned Russian-American conductor and arranger known for his significant contributions to orchestral and easy listening music. Kostelanetz emigrated to the United States in 1922, where he began his career as a pianist and later transitioned to conducting and arranging. He became a prominent figure in the American music scene during the 1930s and 1940s, known for his lush orchestrations and innovative arrangements of popular music. His work often bridged the gap between classical and popular genres, making orchestral music accessible to a broader audience.

In the 1970s, Kostelanetz continued to innovate and captivate audiences with his unique musical projects. One of his most notable works from this period is the composition "And God Created Great Whales," released in 1971. This piece is remarkable for its integration of natural whale sounds with orchestral music, creating a haunting and evocative auditory experience. The album features recordings of humpback whale songs, which Kostelanetz blended with his orchestra's performance to highlight the beauty and mystery of these majestic creatures.

"And God Created Great Whales" received widespread acclaim for its originality and environmental message, reflecting Kostelanetz's ability to fuse artistic expression with a poignant awareness of the natural world. The composition is considered one of the earliest and most influential examples of incorporating natural sounds into orchestral music, paving the way for future explorations in this genre.

The songs of humpback whales are among the most complex and captivating vocalizations in the animal kingdom, characterized by their hauntingly beautiful and intricate patterns. These songs are composed of a series of moans, howls, cries, and other vocalizations that can last for hours and are typically sung by male whales during the breeding season, serving as a display of fitness to attract females and assert dominance over other males. These ethereal sounds can travel great distances across the ocean, creating a mesmerizing underwater symphony that has fascinated scientists and the public alike.

Tracklist:
A1 Hovhanes: And God Created Great Whales 11m25s
A2.1 Sibelius: From The Tempest - The Mermaids 1m13s
A2.2 Sibelius: From The Tempest - Miranda 3m10s
A2.3 Sibelius: From The Tempest - Caliban's Song 1m01s
B1.1 Skalkottas: Three Greek Dances - Epiroticos 2m09s
B1.2 Skalkottas: Three Greek Dances - Peloponnisiaskos 3m05s
B1.3 Skalkottas: Three Greek Dances - Klefticos 2m01s
B2 Weill: Mack The Knife From "The Three Penny Opera" (The Original Orchestration) 2m04s
B3 Glink: Jota Aragonesa (Spanish Dance) 7m26

Label: Columbia Masterworks – M 30390
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: Contemporary Classical

Recording chain: PRO-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Turntable -- iFi Audio Zen Phono Preamp -- MOTU M4 (ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC ) -- RX 10 De-crackle -- RX 10 De-Click -- Ozone 11 Maximizer IRC IV-Transient. Recorded at 24-bit/96000 Hz.

This upload is part of a music preservation project. I will be scouring record stores for music forgotten in the digital age, recording and restoring the audio, and uploading it for the general public. If you are a copyright holder and would like your work removed, please contact me.