Although Copland wrote three symphonies only one of them is actually numbered. The 1928 Symphony No.1 is, in fact, an arrangement of the earlier Organ Symphony from 1924; the Dance Symphony is the second in order of composition and No.3 dates from 1944-46.

The première took place in October, 1946, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Serge Koussevitsky.

It is known as the essential American symphony and it amalgamates his distinct "Americana" style of the ballets with symphonic form. The Fanfare for the Common Man, written in 1942, is used as a theme in the fourth movement and fragments from the Fanfare are also used for thematic material in the first three movements.

Both conductors on this CD were born in 1942 in Mexico City. Eduardo Mata was killed when, in 1995, the plane that he was piloting crashed shortly after take off for Dallas: he was aged 53. Enrique Bátiz is still very much with us and has become one of the most famous orchestra conductors, winning international popularity and fame.