Kernis is yet another underrated US composer of symphonies, along with Harris, Creston, Piston, Adler, Bolcom, Rouse et al.
Whilst there are recordings of some symphonies by these composers, there is no comprehensive coverage of their works, let alone complete symphony sets in most cases. Even ignoring the present Covid-related problems of recording and performing, there seems little interest within most US orchestras to promote their own symphonic legacies, so potential audiences are missing out on a glorious selection of music deserving of multiple hearings.
George Rochberg is also fantastic. His Symphony No. 6 reminds me of Shostakovitch, Malcolm Arnold, and Bernard Herrmann. A great cross sample of styles. His symphonies are epic too, with no. 1 being 65 minutes. American symphonies are excellent actually because it is a melting pot of ethnicity. Sort of like how Mahler incorporated pastorals, beer tunes and funeral marches of his bohemian youth in his symphonies, the same was the case with American symphonies with jazz, french, Russian, film, etc., into tragic history.
