| 1. On My Mind |
| 2. Sweetness (Band Room Demo) |
| 3. On My Mind (Band Room Demo) |
| 4. This Song Has Gone To Hell (Studio Out Take) |
| 5. (Exclusive Enhanced Component) |
Editorial Reviews
Limited Australian single taken from the 2003 album, 'Vulture Street'. The title track is backed with three non-LP tracks, 'Sweetness' (Band Room Demo), 'On My Mind' (Band Room Demo), & 'This Song Has Gone To Hell' (Studio Out Take), plus exclusive enhanced component. Digipak. Universal.
On My Mind,Powderfinger,Umvd Import,5"CD Singles,Pop,Rock
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You Were on My Mind/Make Someone Happy
We Five Manufacturer: Collector's Choice ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000064F8 Release Date: 1998-04-21 |
Tracks:
- Love Me Not Tomorrow
- Somewhere Beyond The Sea
- My Favorite Things
- If I Were Alone
- Tonight
- Cast Your Fate To The Winds
- You Were On My Mind
- Can't Help Falling In Love
- Small World
- I got Plenty Of Nothin'
- Softly As I Leave You
- I Can Never Go Home Again
- Let's Get Together
- High Flying Bird
- Make Someone Happy
- Five Will Get You Ten
- Somewhere
- What Do I Do Now
- The First Time
- Our Day Will Come
- Poet
- What's Goin' On
- The Inch Worm
- You Let A Love Burn Out
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing transfer to CD.......2007-07-01
2 great albums for the price of 1 CD........2007-03-30
The sequel is not the equal.......2007-03-26
A great listen and a great memory.
An incredible voice with good arrangements .......2006-12-24
This CD offers: Foke Rock, Blues, Show Tunes, Standards and a couple "Quirkies." The arrangements are nicely done. Although the re-mastering is not what it could be; the CD is well worth owning.
BEV BIVENS - simply the best.......2006-12-04
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At The Movies
Manufacturer: Denon Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0001HAGPG Release Date: 2004-03-23 |
Tracks:
- Love Theme - Romeo and Juliet
- Lara's Theme / Somewhere My Love - Dr. Zhivago
- My Heart Will Go On - Titanic
- The Second Waltz - Eyes Wide Shut
- Heigh-Ho - Snow White
- Moonriver - Breakfast at Tiffany's
- Sirtaki / Zorba's Dance - Zorba the Greek
- Main Title - The Godfather
- Bolero - "10"
- John Dunbar's Theme - Dances with Wolves
- The Windmills of Your Mind - The Thomas Crown Affair
- Edelweiss - The Sound of Music
- True Love - High Society
- Stranger in Paradise - Kismet
- Romance - The Gadfly
- Main Title - Once Upon a Time in the West
Customer Reviews:
At The Movies by Andre Rieu.......2007-05-20
very beautiful.......2007-01-09
Refreshing Music.......2006-11-03
from texas--AND FROM A MUSIC LOVER.......2006-08-30
Andre Rieu - Music for the masses.......2006-08-10
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Got You on My Mind
Madeleine Peyroux , and William Galison Manufacturer: Waking Up Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0002VERC4 Release Date: 2004-09-07 |
Tracks:
- Back In Your Own Backyard
- J'ai Duex Amours
- Flambee Mantalbanese
- Got You On My Mind
- Jealous Guy
- The Way You Look Tonight
- Rag for Madi
- Playin'
- Shoulda Known
- Heaven To Me
- Heaven Help Us All
Album Description
Got you on my mind is the collaboration between chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux and harmonica virtuoso/ guitarist William Galison, with whom she has toured extensively in recent years. On Ms. Peyroux's first recording since Deamland, Madeleine and William cover a wide variety of tunes, from a Josephine Baker classic through tunes made famous by Willy Dixon, Stevie Wonder and John Lennon, as well as three delightful original compositions. The accompanying musicians are stars in their own right, including Bob Dylan's bassist Tony Garnier and Saturday Night Live's drummer Shawn Pelton, and there is a delightful cameo by none other than Carly Simon. To many of Madeleine's fans, Got You On My Mind represents her exquisite singing at its most natural and unconstrained -- in an informal, musical context close to her roots and to her heart. What comes across most strongly from this CD however, is the amazing musical chemistry between these two extraordinary artists.Customer Reviews:
Great CD.......2007-05-07
Melodious Madeliene, Magnificent!.......2007-03-26
Wonderful Cd.......2007-03-13
fun stuff.......2007-03-09
Addicting.......2007-01-03
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Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls
Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000005J1I Release Date: 1993-11-09 |
Tracks:
- Sweet And Lowdown
- Novelette In Fourths
- That Certain Feeling
- So Am I
- Rhapsody In Blue
- Swanee
- When You Want 'Em, You Can't Get 'Em...
- Kickin' The Clouds Away
- Idol Dreams
- On My Mind The Whole Night Long
- Scandal Walk
- An American In Paris
Customer Reviews:
Wonderfully American.......2007-05-14
When I listen to this CD now, and which is most surpring to me, I hear a profound pride in America - back "before." I play it when I have people over and we put burgers on the grill. This CD is the song of sitting in my back yard with the clouds blowing by and for the moment things feel OK.
"Before" - OK, there is no old perfect Amercia; but I'm thinking of the time before we learned to distill petroleum into toxic pollution, before pride meant vanity and thuggery, before hate-filled invective became public amusement, and before presidents went to war because it was good for business.
A Gersh-winner.......2007-01-07
The existing films of Gershwin (who died of a brain tumor at age 38 in 1937) show him to be a virtuoso at his instrument. His 1924 acoustic recording of Rhapsody In Blue (with the Paul Whiteman orchestra) is further evidence of this. But no film or recording has what is contained within the album GERSHWIN PLAYS GERSHWIN: THE PIANO ROLLS, and that is-- full fidelity range.
The CD comes in a standard jewel case packaged in a heavy paper slipcover. Biographical liner notes are included along with details on the rolls. The earliest performance in this set is from 1916, made when Gershwin was an 18-year-old song plugger. My favorites here are "Swanee," from 1920, and "An American In Paris," from 1933, which is undoubtedly one of the last significant piano rolls ever made.
Gershwin's dynamic performances are not in the least obscured by the few extra notes added to the piano rolls (such practice was standard in those days). Listening to these recordings is like sitting next to this brilliant man, observing his fingers fly over the keys as he plays some of his best work.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 60:36
Interesting... but I think I'd prefer a good Gershwin interpreter.......2006-05-14
This album is charming in its own way -- a taste of the music and performance style of a bygone era. Someone complained that these rolls were edited. So what? I'm going to review the final product, now how it was made. Do you eat sausage? Ask not what's in it!
I like to listen to this CD in short bits -- a few songs at a time. For some reason I find it to be fatiguing if I listen for more than 20 minutes or so. I'm not absolutely sure why this is so. Possibly the meter is just a little too metronomic on many of the songs. This lends a "mechanical" quality to the performances.
Additionally, I felt that the dynamic range was restricted. The music does get louder and softer, because of the piano rolls themselves and because of the computer programming used to read the piano rolls -- the dynamics were deliberately adjusted by the record producers in some spots, if I read the liner notes correctly. And yet. And yet. Still these songs do not dynamically "breathe" fully in and out the way they ought to. I find this disappointing, but I think it has something to do with inherent limitations in piano roll recording technique. I'm guessing.
Taken for what it is, it is an interesting concept, and the sound quality is very pleasant. The performances are very good for piano rolls, but fall short of what a good interpreter could do. Take, for example, the Rhapsody in Blue from Woody Allen's Manhattan soundtrack. Listen specifically to the piano part -- the dynamics and variations in rhythm. This is not by any means the best performance of Rhapsody, but it is better than the Gershwin rolls.
Gershwin's playing overated.......2006-04-09
transcriptions of Jelly Roll Morton's piano rolls (on the same label) instead because most of those are exactly how he played them and in my opinion Morton was a better musician in every way than Gershwin.
The jazzy Gershwin. What a CD!!!!!!!.......2006-02-23
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Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00064ADMK Release Date: 2004-10-19 |
Tracks:
- Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
- Swanee- Al Jolson
- When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
- A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
- My Man- Fanny Brice
- Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
- If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
- Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
- Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
- Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
- Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
- Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
- Body And Soul- Libby Holman
- Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
- Night And Day- Fred Astaire
- Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
- You're The Top- Ethel Merman
- Summertime- Anne Brown
- September Song- Walter Huston
- My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
- It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
- Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
- Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
- Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake
Tracks:
- New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
- If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
- Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
- There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
- How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
- Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
- Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
- Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
- Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
- Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
- Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
- Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
- Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
- Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
- Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
- Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
- Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
- I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
- Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
- The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
- Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
- Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence
Tracks:
- Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
- I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
- Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
- My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
- Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
- Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
- Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
- Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
- I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
- The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
- Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
- What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
- As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
- Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
- People- Barbra Streisand
- Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
- If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
- Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
- If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
- Open a New Window- from Mame Voice
Tracks:
- Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
- Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
- I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
- The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
- Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
- I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
- I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
- We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
- Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
- Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
- Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
- One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
- All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
- Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
- Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
- Come Follow The Band
- Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
- And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
- The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia
Tracks:
- Memory- Betty Buckley
- I Am What I Am- George Hearn
- Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
- Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
- The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
- You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
- The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
- Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
- With One Look- Glenn Close
- On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
- Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
- Seasons Of Love-
- Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
- I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
- Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
- Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
- Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
- I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
- Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel
Customer Reviews:
Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30
Top Shelf.......2007-01-04
TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23
Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14
Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17
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Gentle on My Mind
Glen Campbell Manufacturer: EMI Special Products ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005Q3A3 Release Date: 2001-10-09 |
Tracks:
- Gentle On My Mind
- Catch The Wind
- It's Over
- Bowling Green
- Just Another Man
- You're My World
- The World I Used To Know
- Without Her
- Mary In The Morning
- Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow
- Cryin'
Customer Reviews:
Still the best.......2006-08-24
What of this disc? "Gentle on My Mind" is the greatest of a list of great Campbell songs; it was his starmaker. This album sounds quite a lot like the title track; it doesn't have as many of the orchestrations and "produced" sounds of his later hits. Those are fine too (especially "By the Time I get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", and "Rhinestone Cowboy") but these songs focus more on the voice and the guitar. If you like the produced sound, you'll enjoy "You're My World" and some of the others. Besides the title track, I remember loving "Mary in the Morning" and "Without Her". The album closes with a convincing cover of "Crying".
Wow, and this is four bucks? Gotta have it at that price.
Still A Great Listen.......2002-07-06
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Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church
Charlotte Church Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00006LFGG Release Date: 2002-11-26 |
Tracks:
- Pie Jesu from Requiem
- My Lagan Love
- In Trutina (from Carmina Burana)
- Panis Angelicus
- Amazing Grace
- Just Wave Hello
- La Pastorella (The Little Shepherdess)
- She Moved Through The Fair
- Ave Maria
- Dream A Dream (w/ Billy Gilman)
- The Flower Duet
- Haba
- The Prayer (w/ Josh Groban)
- All Love Can Be
- It's The Heart That Matters Most
- Tantum Ergo
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Sancta Maria
Amazon.com
Need more evidence of the record industry's obsession with youth? Consider that budding Welsh diva Charlotte Church was a ripe, old 16 when this, her first greatest-hits anthology was released. Spanning her first four releases, as well as some outside collaborations and unreleased material, this 18-track collection underscores the soprano's seemingly boundless potential--as well as some potential career obstacles ahead. Her crystalline, still-maturing voice is best showcased on classically oriented works like Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu," Franck's "Panis Angelicus," and her now-ubiquitous rendering of Delibes' "Flower Duet." She also excels on folk traditionals such as "She Moved Through the Fair" and "My Langan Love." But overwrought productions like the already-dated "Dream a Dream" and "Habanera," a faux-flamenco take on Bizet, nearly get the best of her. Still, her promising duet with fellow young phenom Josh Groban on "The Prayer" and her mature, dreamy reading of A Beautiful Mind's "All Love Can Be," as well as strong performances on the previously unreleased "It's the Heart That Matters Most" and "Bridge over Troubled Waters," are ample evidence of her potential for rewarding pop crossover--if she doesn't retire by 21. --Jerry McCulleyCustomer Reviews:
A Beautiful, Relaxing Project.......2007-06-15
I love her rendition of "Amazing Grace". She also did good on covering "Bridge Over Troubled Water", though I was disappointed she didn't try the high note on the verses as Garfunkel did. My favorite on the project was "It's the Heart That Matters Most".
If I want some beautiful sounding music to relax to while I'm working, this would be a very good project for that.
It just cannot be the end for Charlotte's classical career! :(.......2006-08-20
Her beginning pieces (Pie Jesu, My Lagan Love, In Trutina, Panis Angelicus, and Amazing Grace) were sung at the beginning of her classical career, and you can hear her flat vowels and shaky low notes. You can also hear it in "She Moved Thru the Fair". It's really annoying!
La Pastorella is a beautiful song to sing, and Church masters it beautifully! Just Wave Hello - the Ford Anthem, is also a beautiful piece, with amazing work from the orchestra.
Ave Maria is a complete annoyance! Church lays on the high notes too much, putting too much emphasis on them, and it's an annoyance! Her vowels are also flat on the high notes - I just hate it!
Dream a Dream is a very nice piece, leaning more towards the pop scene. Church still seems to make it work, and I would listen to it all day!
The Flower Duet is a beautiful song, but Church's vocals are strained, which makes it hard to listen to with a smile on your face! It's still beautiful!
The Prayer (w/ Josh Groban) is a very nice piece, originally sung by Celine Dion. She's still a little bit flat here!
All That Love can Be is sung beautifully, completely smooth and connected. The vocals are flawless and have a mezmerizing effect.
It's the Heart that Knows is a pop piece that Church sings with strong vocals. It's just showing us that she's ending her career as a classical superstar!
Tantum Ergo, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and Sancta Maria, are all beautiful pieces!
I am a Charlotte Chruch fan, no doubt, but I really didn't like this album! I still wish that she would stay with opera, but I guess dreams don't come true! I wouldn't advise you to buy this CD - but as long as you have Voice of an Angel, Charlotte Church (the Self Titled Album) and Enchantment, there's no need for this CD!
Sorry Charlotte!
Charlotte Church.......2006-07-29
Somewhat decent but still mediocre.......2006-06-07
Charlotte's voice is very well trained - maybe too trained. From a very young age she's been hitting the same notes as Sarah Brightman. But I feel that Charlotte's over-worked and not to mention overdone voice has been declining tremendously.
But I guess none of this really matters now because I haven't heard her do anything classical for a while. If you want to listen to Charlotte now, go find the song 'Crazy Chick.'
If you want to listen to other angel voiced sopranos, I'd go with Sarah Brightman or Renee' Fleming.
R&B For Charlotte .......2006-05-07
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Sondheim - A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992 Concert Cast)
Stephen Sondheim , Betty Buckley , Paul Gemignani , Patti LuPone , Liza Minnelli , and Bernadette Peters Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003FDW Release Date: 1993-02-23 |
Tracks:
- Symphonic Sondheim: Sweeney Todd--orchestra, Jerry Hadley ("Johanna"), Eugene Perry,Herbert Perry ("Pretty Women")
- Evening Introduction--Bill Irwin
- Loveland/Getting Married Today--Ensemble, Jeanne Lehman, Mark Jacoby, Madeline Kahn
- Waiting for the Girls Upstairs--George Lee Andrews, Michael Jeter, James Naughton/Love, I Hear--Michael Jeter/Live Alone and Like It--James Naughton
- Someone Is Waiting--Richard Muenz/Symphonic Sondheim: Barcelona--orchestra
- Being Alive--Patti LuPone
- Good Thing Going--The Tonics
- Losing My Mind/You Could Drive a Person Crazy--Dorothy Loudon
- Our Time--Boys Choir of Harlem/Children Will Listen--Betty Buckley
- Anyone Can Whistle--Billy Stritch
- Water Under the Bridge--Liza Minnellli, Billy Stritch
- Back in Business--Liza Minnellli, Billy Stritch, Ensemble
Tracks:
- Symphonic Sondheim: Comedy Tonight--Bill Irwin, orchestra
- Sooner or Later--Karen Ziemba
- Pretty Lady--Mark Jacoby, Eugene Perry, Herbert Perry
- Green Finch and Linnet Bird--Harolyn Blackwell
- The Ballad of Booth--Patrick Cassidy, Victor Garber
- Broadway Baby--Daisy Eagan
- I Never Do Anything Twice--BETTY
- With So Little to Be Sure Of--Jerry Hadley, Carolann Page
- Not a Day Goes By--Bernadette Peters
- Remember?--Ron Baker, Peter Blanchet, Carol Meyer, Bronwyn Thomas, Blythe Walker (Quintet)/A Weekend in the Country--Kevin Anderson, George Lee Andrews, Mark Jacoby, Beverly Lambert, Maureen Moore, Susan Terry, Quintet
- Send in the Clowns--Glenn Close
- Old Friends--Liza Minnelli
- Sunday--Bernadette Peters, Broadway Chorus
Customer Reviews:
Great CD.......2006-08-06
Simply the Best.......2005-06-29
In a compilation of songs like this you're always going to have tracks that you prefer over others, but the majority of the renditions in this CD are great. This is simply one of the best collections of Sondheim out there. You get interpretations that span from "classical" (Green Finch), to bordering on insane (Anything Twice). This is to demonstrate how versatile this composer really is.
In my opinion, some of the best renditions are "Not a Day Goes By," "Anyone Can Whistle", "Girls Upstairs Medley," "Losing My Mind/Drive a Person Crazy," and "Weekend inthe Country." Makes me wish I had been there to witness it first hand.
If you love Sondheim and enjoy hearing Broadway performers, get this CD. A great recording.
Inconsistent, but mostly excellent.......2004-03-21
"Celebration" is not strong enough a word.......2003-04-30
I have been a major Sondheim fan for quite some time, and I finally obtained a copy of this album. I was blown away by the excellent cast and phenomenal selection of music. It is obvious how much work went into this production, considering that this is the live recording of a one time show, and it's flawless. The songs cover all of his shows with the exception of "Passion," which was released 3 years after this show. Also, the shows for which he wrote only lyrics are ommited, like West Side Story, Gypsy, etc. Thus, you can find material from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Merrily we Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Assassins.
There are two striking things about this CD (besides the music and performers themselves). First of all, some of the songs are completely stylistically reworked. The most obvious are "Good Thing Going" and "I Never do Anything Twice." Both are traditionally very ballady with a piano accompaniment, but here they have been redone as jazzy tunes. The result is excellent. Such reworkings demonstrate that Sondheim writes music for virtually any style, and in these cases, across several styles. It's a great example of his variety. The other interesting thing is how many songs have overlapping melodies of songs from different shows. Case in point, "Our Time" and "No one is Alone" are sung seperately by the Harlem Boys Choir and Betty Buckley (the original Grizabella in Webber's atrocious "CATS," although Buckley was excellent) respectively, and then combined. Putting these two songs together offer different meanings to each, and the music is only enhanced. Another example, the trio of "Waiting for the Girls Upstairs," "Love, I Hear," and "Live Alone and Like It" are sung in that order, and then the latter two are combined. Again, the meanings of the songs change, this time in an almost narrative style, and offering different takes on love in the same montage. Lastly (at least for this review, there are more), Dorothy Laudon's (the original Ms. Hannigan in Annie) combination of "Losing my Mind" and "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" is brilliant. Those who are familiar with these songs will wonder how exactly they fit, but trust me, they do. She swtiches back and forth between melodies to create a number that starts poignant and beautiful, and soon moves to become uproariously funny. Both the song reworkings and overlapping melodies of unrelated songs are all for the better.
I recommend this recording to anyone wanting to get better acquainted with some of Sondheim's best work, or those already familiar who want to hear a tour de force of phenomenal music. It has been said that Sondheim is a masterful lyricist (which he is), but lacks real talent for music. This CD is the final proof that such critics are wrong. His music may take a few listenings to get into, contrary to Webber or Wildhorn, but unlike those two, he doesn't cater to the audience. He challenges them to think outside of traditional musical theater in a glorious repertoise of shows that reach for a smarter, more sophisticated form.
A maginificent evening, a magnificent album.......2001-12-16
This wonderful double CD shows off the best and brightest of the musical theatre composer and it is, as one person put it, "an embarassment of riches." With songs from his finest works done in amazing arrangements (listen to that harmony in "We Had a Good Thing Going"!) combined with fabulous performers this is a Sondheim lovers delight.
My favorite song is, without a doubt, Dorothy Louden and her wonderful medley of "Losing My Mind" into "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" followed very closely by the recently departed Madeline Kahn singing "Getting Married Today."
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Dowland - The Collected Works / The Consort of Musicke, Rooley
John Dowland , Anthony Rooley , Emma Kirkby , Christopher Wilson , The Consort of Musicke , Colin Tilney , Anthony Bailes , Jakob Lindberg , Nigel North , Glenda Simpson , Peter Holman , and John Donne Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000004CYV Release Date: 2007-03-13 |
Tracks:
- First Booke Of Songes: I. Unquiet Thoughts
- First Booke Of Songes: II. Who Ever Thinks Or Hopes Of Love
- First Booke Of Songes: III. My Thoughts Are Wing'd With Hopes
- First Booke Of Songes: IV. If My Complaints Could Passions Move
- First Booke Of Songes: V. Can She Excuse My Wrongs
- First Booke Of Songes: VI. Now, O Now, I Needs Must Part
- First Booke Of Songes: VII. Dear, If You Change
- First Booke Of Songes: VIII. Burst Fourth My Tears
- First Booke Of Songes: IX. Go Crystal Tears
- First Booke Of Songes: X. Think'st Thou Then By Thy Feigning
- First Booke Of Songes: XI. Come Away, Come Sweet Love
- First Booke Of Songes: XII. Rest Awhile, You Cruel Cares
- First Booke Of Songes: XIII. Sleep, Wayward Thoughts
- First Booke Of Songes: XIV. All Ye, Whom Love Or Fortune Hath Betray'd
- First Booke Of Songes: XV. Wilt Thou Unkind Thus Reave Me
- First Booke Of Songes: XVI. Would My Conceit
- First Booke Of Songes: XVII. Come Again: Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
- First Booke Of Songes: XVIII. His Golden Locks
- First Booke Of Songes: XIX. Awake, Sweet Love
- First Booke Of Songes: XX. Come, Heavy Sleep
- First Booke Of Songes: XXI. Away With These Self-Loving Lads
Tracks:
- Second Booke Of Songs: I. I Saw My Lady Weep
- Second Booke Of Songs: II. Flow My Tears
- Second Booke Of Songs: III. Sorrow, Stay
- Second Booke Of Songs: IV. Die Not Before Thy Day
- Second Booke Of Songs: V. Mourn, Mourn, Day Is With Darkness Fled
- Second Booke Of Songs: VI. Time's Eldest Son
- Second Booke Of Songs: VII. Then Sit Thee Down
- Second Booke Of Songs: VIII. When Others Sing Venite
- Second Booke Of Songs: IX. Praise Blindness Eyes
- Second Booke Of Songs: X. O Sweet Woods
- Second Booke Of Songs: XI. If Floods Of Tears
- Second Booke Of Songs: XII. Fine Knacks For Ladies
- Second Booke Of Songs: XIII. Now Cease My Wand'ring Eyes
- Second Booke Of Songs: XIV. Come Ye Heavy States Of Night
- Second Booke Of Songs: XV. White As Lilies Was Her Face
- Second Booke Of Songs: XVI. Woeful Heart
- Second Booke Of Songs: XVII. A Shepherd In A Shade
- Second Booke Of Songs: XVIII. Faction That Ever Dwells
- Second Booke Of Songs: XIX. Shall I Sue
- Second Booke Of Songs: XX. Toss Not My Soul
- Second Booke Of Songs: XXI. Clear Or Cloudy
- Second Booke Of Songs: XXII. Humour Say What Mak'st Thou Here
Tracks:
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: I. Farewell, Too Fair
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: II. Time Stands Still
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: III. Behold A Wonder Here
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IV. Daphne Was Not So Chaste
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: V. Me, Me, And None But Me
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VI. When Phoebus First Did Daphne Love
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VII. Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VIII. Flow Not So Fast, Ye Fountains
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IX. What If I Never Speed?
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: X. Love Stood Amazed
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XI. Lend Your Ears To My Sorrow
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XII. By A Fountain Where I Lay
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIII. O What Hath Overwrought
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIV. Farewell, Unkind
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XV. Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVI. Fie On This Feigning!
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVII. I Must Complain
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVIII. It Was A Time When Silly Bees
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIX. The Lowest Trees Have Tops
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XX. What Poor Astronomers Are They
- Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XXI. Come When I Call
Tracks:
- A Pilgrimes Solace: I. Disdain Me Still
- A Pilgrimes Solace: II. Sweet Stay Awhile
- A Pilgrimes Solace: III. To Ask For All Thy Love
- A Pilgrimes Solace: IV. Love, Those Beams That Breed
- A Pilgrimes Solace: V. Shall I Strive Wih Words To Move?
- A Pilgrimes Solace: VI. Were Every Thought An Eye
- A Pilgrimes Solace: VII. Stay, Time, Awhile Thy Flying
- A Pilgrimes Solace: VIII. Tell Me, True Love
- A Pilgrimes Solace: IX. Go Nightly Cares
- A Pilgrimes Solace: X. From Silent Night
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XI. Lasso vita mia
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XII. In This Trembling Shadow Cast
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XIII. If That A Sinner's Sights
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XIV. Thou Mighty God
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XV. When David's Life
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XVI. When The Poor Cripple
Tracks:
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XVII. Where Sin Sore Wounding
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XVIII. My Heart And Tongue Were Twins
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XIX. Up Merry Mates
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XX. Welcome Black Night
- A Pilgrimes Solace: XXI. Cease, Cease These False Sports
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Lachrimae Pavane
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can Shee
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: The Frogge
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Frog's Galliard
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavana And Galiarda
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana Lachrymae
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can She Excuse
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavion Solus cum sola
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Dowland's Almayne
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Piper's Paven And Galliard
- Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavan Lachrymae
Tracks:
- Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: I. The Lamentation Of A Sinner
- Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: II. Domine ne in furore
- Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: III. Miserere mei Deus
- Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: IV. The Humble Suit Of A Sinner
- Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: V. The Humble Complaint Of A Sinner
- Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VI. De profundis
- Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VII. Domine exaudi
- Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae
- Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae
- Lachrimae: Lachrimae Gementes
- Lachrimae: Lachrimae Tristes
- Lachrimae: Lachrimae Coactae
- Lachrimae: Lachrimae Amantis
- Lachrimae: Lachrimae Verae
- Lachrimae: Mr. John Langton's Pavan
- Lachrimae: Mr. Nicholas Gryffith His Galiard
- Lachrimae: Sir John Souch His Galiard
- Lachrimae: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens
- Lachrimae: Mr. Giles Hobies Galiard
- Lachrimae: The King Of Denmark's Galiard
- Lachrimae: Sir Henry Umpton's Funerall
- Lachrimae: Mr. Henry Noell His Galiard
- Lachrimae: The Earl Of Essex Galiard
- Lachrimae: Mr. Bucton His Galiard
- Lachrimae: Mr. George Whitehead His Almand
- Lachrimae: Captain Digorie Piper His Galiard
- Lachrimae: Mr. Thomas Collier His Galiard
- Lachrimae: Mrs. Nichols Almand
Tracks:
- Sacred Songs: Sorrow, Come!
- Sacred Songs: I Shame At Mine Unworthiness
- Sacred Songs: An Heart That's Broken And Contrite
- Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
- Psalms: Psalm 38: Put Me Not To Rebuke O Lord
- Psalms: Psalm 130: Lord To Thee I Make My Moan
- Psalms: Psalm 104: My Soul Praise The Lord
- Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
- Psalms: Psalm 134: Behold And Have Regard
- A Prayer For The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
- Instrumental Music: Solus cum sola pavan
- Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
- Instrumental Music: Galliard
- Instrumental Music: Pipers Pavan
- Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
- Instrumental Music: Lady Rich Galliard
- Instrumental Music: Earl Of Essex Galliard
- Instrumental Music: If My Complaints
- Instrumental Music: Lachrimae Doolande
- Instrumental Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home
- Instrumental Music: My Lord Chamberlaine His Galliard
- Instrumental Music: Comagain
- Instrumental Music: Pavan Lachrymae
- Instrumental Music: Sorrow Stay
Tracks:
- Lute Music: Preludium
- Lute Music: Lachrimae
- Lute Music: Can She Excuse
- Lute Music: Dr. Case's Pavan
- Lute Music: Melancholy Galliard
- Lute Music: Sir John Smith, His Almain
- Lute Music: Fantasia
- Lute Music: A Dream
- Lute Music: Almain
- Lute Music: The Queen's Galliard
- Lute Music: Coranto
- Lute Music: Resolution
- Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux Galliard
- Lute Music: Almain
- Lute Music: Mr. Dowland's MIdnight
- Lute Music: Fantasia
- Lute Music: Loth To Depart
- Lute Music: The Most Sacred Queen Elizabeth, Her Galliard
- Lute Music: The Earl Of Essex, His Galliard
- Lute Music: Pavan
- Lute Music: John Dowland's Galliard
- Lute Music: Aloe
- Lute Music: The Lady Clifton's Spirit
- Lute Music: What If A Day
- Lute Music: Mr. Giles Hobie's Galliard
- Lute Music: Come Away (Song arrangement)
- Lute Music: Galliard
- Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
Tracks:
- Lute Music: Lachrimae (Basic Version)
- Lute Music: Galliard To Lachrimae
- Lute Music: [Jig]
- Lute Music: Galliard On 'Wasingham'
- Lute Music: Complaint (Ballad Setting)
- Lute Music: Mignarda (Galliard)
- Lute Music: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens (Pavan)
- Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
- Lute Music: A Fancy (Fantasia)
- Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
- Lute Music: Piper's Pavan
- Lute Music: Captain Digorie Piper's Galliard
- Lute Music: Lady Laiton's Almain
- Lute Music: Dowland's Galliard
- Lute Music: Dowland's First Galliard
- Lute Music: Tarleton's Jig
- Lute Music: Walsingham (ballad Setting)
- Lute Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home (Ballad Setting)
- Lute Music: Sir Henry Guilforde, His Almain
- Lute Music: Pavan (Related To 'Lachrimae')
- Lute Music: Mr. Langton's Galliard
- Lute Music: Mrs. Clifton's Almain
- Lute Music: Galliard
- Lute Music: Lady Hunsdon's Puffe (Almain)
- Lute Music: Galliard
- Lute Music: Go From My Window (Ballad Setting)
- Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
Tracks:
- Lute Music: Pavana Johan Douland
- Lute Music: Mrs. Brigide Fleetwood's Pavan (Solus sine sola)
- Lute Music: La mia Barbara
- Lute Music: Sir Henry Umpton's Funeral (Pavan)
- Lute Music: Lachrimae
- Lute Music: Farewell Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)
- Lute Music: Farewell (On The 'In Nomine' Theme)
- Lute Music: The King of Denmark's Galliard
- Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux's Jig
- Lute Music: Mrs. Nichol's Almain
- Lute Music: Galliard
- Lute Music: Lord Strang's March
- Lute Music: Mrs. Winter's Jump
- Lute Music: Can She Excuse (Galliard)
- Lute Music: The Shoemaker's Wife, A Toy
- Lute Music: Mrs. Norrish's Delight
- Lute Music: Galliard
- Lute Music: Mrs. White's Thing (Almain)
- Lute Music: Mrs. White's Nothing
- Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
- Lute Music: Solus cum sola
- Lute Music: The Lord Viscount Lisle, His Galliard
- Lute Music: Orlando Sleepeth (Ballad Setting)
- Lute Music: Robin (Ballad Setting)
- Lute Music: Galliard (On A Galliard By Daniel Bacheler)
- Lute Music: Forlorn Hope Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)
Tracks:
- Lute Music: The Lady Russell's Pavan
- Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
- Lute Music: Sir John Langton's Pavan
- Lute Music: Earl Of Derby, His Galliard
- Lute Music: A Coy Toy
- Lute Music: Fortune My Foe
- Lute Music: [Almain]
- Lute Music: Mr. Knight's Galliard
- Lute Music: Sir John Souch His Galliard
- Lute Music: Tarletone's Riserrectione
- Lute Music: The Lady Rich, Her Galliard
- Consort Music: Lachrimae Pavan
- Consort Music: Can She Excuse Galliard
- Consort Music: Captain Piper's Pavan And Galliard
- Consort Music: The Frog Galliard
- Consort Music: Round Battell Galliard
- Consort Music: Fortune My Foe
- Consort Music: Dowland's First Galliard
- Consort Music: Katherine Darcie's Galliard
- Consort Music: Tarleton's Jigge
- Consort Music: Almain a 2
- Consort Music: Mistress Nichols Almain a 2
- Fullsack And Hildebrandt: Auserlesener Paduanen und Galliarden: Susanna Fair (Galliard)
- Haussmann: Rest von polnischen und andern Tanzen: Mistress Nichols Alman a 5
- Opusculum: Mr. John Langton Pavan And Galliard
- Opusculum: La mia Barbara Pavan and Galliard
- Opusculum: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae Pavan and Galliard
Tracks:
- Consort Music: Mistress NIchols Almain
- Consort Music: Volta a 4 ('Ioh. Douland')
- Consort Music: Were Every Thought an Eye
- Consort Music: Lady If You So Spite Me
- Consort Music: Pavan a 4
- A Musicall Banquet: I. My Heavy Sprite (Anthony Holborne)
- A Musicall Banquet: II. Change Thy Mind Since She Doth Change (Richard Martin)
- A Musicall Banquet: III. O Eyes, Leave Off Your Weeping (Robert Hales)
- A Musicall Banquet: IV. Go, My Flock, Go Get You Hence (Anon.)
- A Musicall Banquet: V. O Dear Life, When Shall It Be? (Anon.)
- A Musicall Banquet: VI. To Plead My Faith (Daniel Bacheler)
- A Musicall Banquet: VII. In A Grove Most Rich Of Shade (Guillaume Tessier)
- A Musicall Banquet: VIII. Far From Triumphing Court
- A Musicall Banquet: IX. Lady, If You So Spite Me
- A Musicall Banquet: X. In Darkness Let Me Dwell
- A Musicall Banquet: XI. Si le parler et le silence (Pierre Guedron)
- A Musicall Banquet: XII. Ce penser qui sans fin tirannise ma vie (Pierre Guedron)
- A Musicall Banquet: XIII. Vous que le Bonheur rappelle (Pierre Guedron)
- A Musicall Banquet: XIV. Passava Amor su arco desarmado (Anon. Spanish)
- A Musicall Banquet: XV. Sta notte mi sognava (Anon. Italian)
- A Musicall Banquet: XVI. Vuestros ojos tienen d'Amor (Anon. Spanish)
- A Musicall Banquet: XVII. Se di farmi morire (Domenico Maria Megli)
- A Musicall Banquet: XVIII. Dovro dunque morire? (Giulio Caccini)
- A Musicall Banquet: XIX. Amarilli mia bella (Giulio Caccini)
- A Musicall Banquet: XX. O bella piu (Anon, Italian)
Customer Reviews:
A musical treasure-box.......2006-09-10
The First, Second, Third and Fourth Bookes of Songes, A Musicall Banquet, the keyboard transcriptions, all the lute music, consort music are here and virtually everything else written or supposedly written by John Dowland. Anthony Rooley and The Consort of Musicke perform this music with style and feeling throughout. This 12 CD set is something of a monument to the ensemble - I only wish they'd finished their collection of Monteverdi madrigals, which was equally good (La Venexiana are currently doing a magnificent job of recording all Monteverdi's books of madrigals for the GLOSSA label).
This is an expensive set, however, you will probably never need to buy another John Dowland CD again after buying and listening to this collection.
I bought this CD set on a mild Summer evening of 1998 and listened to it while sitting in my sun room - which a glorious orange sunset in progress, and a glass of wine. It brought back so many memories.
a beautiful journey into melancholy.......2001-06-15
Dowland, a contemporary of Shakespeare, discovered that meditating on a sad theme is, at the same time, a way of discovering a special beauty that we tend to avoid (maybe because of the "tragic" heritage of the Romantics). So, in the end, meditating on sadness is an uplifting experience! This box set is a journey into melancholy that includes songs, chamber music, pieces for lute, some rare sacred music and -as a highlight- Dowland's beautiful collection of seven pieces for viola which he called "Lachrimae" (Tears).
Average customer rating:
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Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Nicholas Folwell , Arthur Sullivan , Marie McLaughlin , Rebecca Evans , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , John Mark Ainsley , Alwyn Mellor , Anne Howells , Barry Banks , Eric Garrett , Felicity Palmer , Gareth Rhys Davies , Janice Watson , Julie Gossage , Neill Archer , Pamela Helen Stephen , Peter Savidge , Richard Stuart , Richard Suart , Richard Van Allan , Sir Thomas Allen [baritone] , Sir Charles Mackerras , and Welsh National Opera Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003D1Y Release Date: 1996-01-23 |
Tracks:
- A Wandering Minstrel I
- Behold The Lord High Executioner!
- Three Little Maids From School Are We
- Braid The Raven Hair
- The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring
- On A Tree By A River, A Little Tom-tit Sang, 'Willow, Tit-willow'
- For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum
- We Sail The Ocean Blue
- I'm Called Little Buttercup
- My Gallant Crew
- When I Was A Lad
- Things Are Seldom What They Seem
- Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
- Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
- Poor Wand'ring One
- How Beautifully Blue The Sky
- I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
- When The Foeman Bares His Steel
- Ah, Leave Me Not To Pine
- With Cat-Like Tread
- Is Life A Boon?
- I Have A Song To Sing, O!
- Were I Thy Bride
- Oh, A Private Buffoon Is A Light-Hearted Loon
- When A Wooer Goes A-Wooing
- When I, Good Friends, Was Called To The Bar
- A Nice Dilemma We Have Here
- Oh, Joy Unbounded
Customer Reviews:
The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan.......2004-03-15
But these are fine excerpts. Especially appealing is the famous and cheerful "Three Little Maids From School Are We", a trio that imitates Japanese style melody. Most of the Mikado does this, for it was inspired by Japanisme or the new fashion in Victorian England- everything Japanese, from prints to paintings to poetry. Gilbert and Sullivan simply "Japanized" their English operettas. The Finale "For He's Gone To Marry Yum Yum" is an ebullient and pleasant finale. Not featured here is the domineering and powerful Katisha, a figure who stands out in the Mikado.
The H.M.S. Pinafore is Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular work. The sea chanty "We Sail The Ocean Blue" opens the opera with appropriate atmosphere and it seems to fit perfectly with the other scene in which the Captain greets his crew and they sing his praises "My Gallant Crew..I am the Captain Of The Pinafore". A beautiful melody that seems to come out of a romantic Offenbach tune is "I"m Called Little Buttercup". The finale, not featured here, is also very engaging "For He Is An Englishman" which can almost resemble a British national anthem. The Yeomen Of The Guard was Gilbert and Sullivan's "serious opera" eventhough it remains very Savoyard. The plot deals with Tudor England and takes place at the London Tower. "I have a song to sing" makes use of what can be taken for an English ballad of the Renaissance. Trial By Jury, about the eccentric and hilarious activity of a court trial, has a sextet that although different in composition, has the sextet "Che Mi Frena" from Donizetti's Lucia Di Lammermoor in mind. All in all, an excellent recording sure to delight young and old.
Pure delight.......2003-08-02
William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were a match made in heaven, yet on earth their pairing seems even with hindsight a most unlikely coupling. Both were destined for other things, Gilbert in fact for decidedly non-musical careers. Introduced by a mutual friend, Fred Clay, the fledgling lyricist Gilbert met the military-band-leader's son Sullivan and together continued to conspire to inspire the delights of audiences from high Victorian times down to the present, as their work in musical theatre comedy continues to provide merriment throughout the English-speaking world and beyond.
--The Music--
This collection includes highlights from five of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operettas: The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Yeoman of the Guard, and Trial by Jury. The arrangements and orchestrations are delightfully energetic and clear; the characterisation and vocal qualities of the leads are perfect for their roles. The haughty if misplaced Lord of the Admiralty has the perfect combination of insecurity and pompous officiousness. The Plaintiff and the Defendant in the Trial are perfectly cast. This is a collection of highlights - at least three but no more than seven songs each, but this gives a good flavour of the music. The recordings on this collection come from complete performances by Mackerras and the WNO.
--Sir Charles Mackerras--
Mackerras is one of the geniuses of the twentieth century musical scene. Having a conducting career that includes the Hamburg Opera, the English National Opera (formerly Sadlers Wells Opera), and the Welsh National Opera (the performers for this piece), he has also conducted major orchestras on the continent of Europe and in the United States. The holder of many major awards and honourary doctorates, he has devoted much time and energy to the preservation and performance of eighteenth and nineteenth century music, as well the restoration of historical musical venues, such as the Estates Theatre in Prague, scene of the original production of Don Giovanni (Mackerras conducted the opera there to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Mozart).
--Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Chorus--
The seeds of the WNO were planted in Cardiff during World War II by music lovers; the first performances occurred a year after the war's end, with Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci on the bill, with Faust the next night. Popular appeal was so great that the WNO was established, later adding choruses in both Cardiff and Swansea. The professional chorus was established in 1973, with a strength that matches the orchestra. They continue an ambitious performance schedule for recording and live events; Mackerras remains the Conductor Emeritus, as the WNO continues under the direction of Carlo Rizzi. The list of awards the WNO has won over the years is staggering - they are a world class institution by any measure.
--Other performers--
Notable singers such as Richard Stuart, Rebecca Evans, Felicity Palmer, John Mark Ainsley and Anne Howells lead the chorus with stunning vocals and clever characterisations of the parts they play. Many (such as Stuart and Evans) play the leading roles across several of the pieces of the disc.
--Liner Notes--
The liner notes give a good introduction and biographical information about Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as synopses of the five pieces presented here. It does not, unfortunately, include any information about Mackerras, the WNO Orchestra and Chorus, or the other special performers. It also does not include the lyrics to the songs. Were the quality of the CD not so great, this might cost it a star in rating.
--Overall Impressions--
I play this CD in my car, in my home and in my office frequently. It is a great sing-along work and a great comedic relief from the stresses of the day. The music is bubbly and clear; the recording quality is excellent and crisp. I recommend this to any Gilbert & Sullivan lover, any fan of musical comedy, opera and operettas, and anyone who delights in good music.
Delicious G&S samplings abound here........2003-05-06
Fine Intro to G&S.......2000-12-30
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