Street Ballet [Import]

street ballet [import]

Track Listings

1. Love Can Last Forever

2. Downtown

3. New York City

4. Hats Off

5. I Don't Want To Be Alone

6. Whistle These Old Blues

7. Writing Down This Song

8. Simple Song

9. Old Timer

10. Lady Craves Love

11. Blackbird

12. Dream No.2

Street Ballet,Ken Tobias,Attic,Rock

Street Ballet [Import]

Bernstein Century - Copland: Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, etc / Bernstein, New York PO

Average customer rating:

What more could one ask for?
Definitive Is Right
Definitive Recordings of Copland's Popular Ballet Scores From Bernstein, NYPO
American Music at its Highest
The best of Copland

Bernstein Century - Copland: Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, etc / Bernstein, New York PO

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, etc
Bernstein: Candide; West Side Story; On the Waterfront; Fancy Free
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris
Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue/An American In Paris
Stravinsky: Rite Of Spring, Fireworks, Petrouchka / Ozawa, Tilson Thomas, Chicago Symphony

ASIN: B0000029XG
Release Date: 1997-10-28

Tracks:

Appalachian Spring: Very Slowly
Appalachian Spring: Allegro
Appalachian Spring: Moderato
Appalachian Spring: Fast
Appalachian Spring: Subito Allegro
Appalachian Spring: As At First (Slowly)
Appalachian Spring: Doppio movimento
Appalachian Spring: Moderato - Coda
Rodeo: Buckaroo Holiday - Allegro con spirito
Rodeo: Corral Nocturne - Moderato
Rodeo: aturday Night Waltz - Introduction - Slow Waltz
Rodeo: Hoe-Down - Allegro
Billy The Kid: Introduction. The Open Prairie
Billy The Kid: Street In A Frontier Town
Billy The Kid: Mexican Dance And Finale
Billy The Kid: Prairie Night (Card Game At Night)
Billy The Kid: Gun Battle
Billy The Kid: Celbration (After Billy's Capture)
Billy The Kid: Billy's Death
Billy The Kid: The Open Prairie Again
Fanfare for the Common Man: Molto deliberato

Amazon.com essential recording

Happy is the composer who has an advocate as passionate and talented as Leonard Bernstein. These Copland performances have been the preferred versions since they were first issued--better even than the composer's own, later recordings. Originally they were spread over two discs, but thanks to the extended playing time of the compact disc, you can now get all three great Copland ballets together, along with the ever popular Fanfare for the Common Man. Bernstein brings to this music the right sharpness of rhythm but also a typically open-hearted warmth. He coaxes a virtuoso response from the New York Philharmonic, which knows this music as well (or better) than anyone. Self- recommending. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

What more could one ask for?.......2007-06-27

Aaron Copland's masterful works are here interpreted by Bernstein. Nothing says the American sound like Copland, and there is no better interpreter than Bernstein. This recording is one of the best in my collection. I would recommend this to anyone (even non-classical music fans).

Definitive Is Right.......2007-02-27

I have the SACD version of these recordings (except for the "Fanfare" which, in this case, is the version taken from Bernstein's recording of Copland's Third Symphony) and I must agree with others here that the performances are definitive. The "Rodeo" has more energy than any other recording I know of, in fact it can almost go over the top! "Billy the Kid" is quiet and tender, dramatic and bold and "Appalachian Spring" is dead-on. The last section of this ballet is one of my very favorite pieces of music and Bernstein's tempo and phrasing here could well be called perfect.

Definitive Recordings of Copland's Popular Ballet Scores From Bernstein, NYPO.......2007-02-11

Without question, this splendid CD is my favorite recording of some of Aaron Copland's most popular orchestral ballet scores. In Leonard Bernstein he had both a good friend and a devout ally, who successfully championed Copland's music, helping to ensure his reputation as one of the greatest - if not the greatest - 20th Century American composer. Sony has done a superb job in digitally remastering this recording, offering some of the best sound I've heard from a vintage Leonard Bernstein/New York Philharmonic recording. But more importantly than the recording's superb sonic quality is the quality of these performances of Copland's scores. Bernstein leads in New York Philharmonic in these virtuoso performances, replete with lush, vibrant playing from the winds, horns and strings. His warm, truly heart-felt interpretation of "Applachian Spring" is truly mesmerizing, and the best I have heard from a recording. And yet, I am am just as impressed with his conducting of both "Rodeo" and "Billy the Kid"; the latter replete with superb solos from the orchestra's timpanist. An elegant performance of "Fanfare for the Common Man" closes out this CD recording. Fans of Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra shouldn't hesitate in acquiring this superb CD.

American Music at its Highest .......2007-02-04

If I was forced to recommend one CD of American music, I would feel very safe in backing this one. These interpretations have yet to be surpassed, and not even Copland himself could muster the same type of perfection that Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic did in this recording. Bernstein's way with Rodeo is unbelievable, and this alone is worth the price of the disc. The music on this recording has a lot to do with why, as Americans, we can all be proud of our place in the history of western music.

With 39 reviews under me, I will dispense with the adjectives to try and describe each interpretation of each piece on this disc, and simply say that these performances have been recommended by almost everyone (professional critics included of course) since they appeared; get it and find out why.

The best of Copland.......2007-01-09

For the Aaron Copland fan, this CD has the essentials: the most popular and easy listening of the Copland body of creations. Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Decent interpretation marred by terrible intonation
excellent choice for Romeo & Juliet
Superior interpretation, same remastering

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake (complete ballet); Wolfgang Sawallisch; Philadelphia Orchestra
Prokofiev: Cinderella; 'Classical' Symphony
Prokofiev: Cinderella, Op. 87; Glazunov: Seasons Op67
Prokofiev: Cinderella

ASIN: B0002XV310
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

No.1 Introduction
No.2 Romeo
No.3 The Street Awakens
No.4 Morning Dance
No.5 The Quarrel
No.6 The Fight
No.7 The Prince Gives His Order
No.8 Interlude
No.9 Preparing For The Ball
No.10 Juliet As A Young Girl
No.11 Arrival Of The Guests
No.12 Masks
No.13 Dance Of The Knights
No.14 Juliet's Variation
No.15 Mercutio
No.16 Madrigal
No.17 Tybalt Recognises Romeo
No.18 Departure Of The Guests (Gavotte)
No.19 Balcony Scene
No.20 Romeo's Variation
No.21 Love Dance
No.22 Folk Dance
No.23 Romeo And Mercutio
No.24 Dance Of The Five Couples
No.25 Dance With The Mandolins
No.26 The Nurse

Tracks:

No.27 The Nurse Gives Romeo The Note From Juliet
No.28 Romeo With Friar Laurence
No.29 Juliet With Friar Laurence
No.30 The People Continue To Make Merry
No.31 Folk Dance
No.32 Tybalt Meets Mercutio
No.33 Tybalt And Mercutio Fight
No.34 Mercutio Dies
No.35 Romeo Decides To Avenge Mercutio's Death
No.36 Finale
No.37 Introduction
No.38 Romeo And Juliet (Juliet's Bedroom)
No.39 The Last Farewell
No.40 The Nurse
No.41 Juliet Refuses To Marry Paris
No.42 Juliet Alone
No.43 Interlude
No.44 At Friar Laurence's
No.45 Interlude
No.46 Juliet's Bedroom
No.47 Juliet Alone
No.48 Morning Serenade
No.49 Dance Of The Girls With The Lillies
No.50 At Juliet's Bedside
No.51 Juliet's Funeral
No.52 Death Of Juliet

Customer Reviews:

Decent interpretation marred by terrible intonation.......2007-04-06

I had great difficulty restraining myself from turning this off when listening to it for the first time, because London does such a terrible job of being anywhere near in tune for much of it. Combined with many missed notes in the brass, messy passagework in the strings, and woodwind playing that seems intent on doing anything BUT creating any sort of phrase, it's doubtful this is worth even the small price Amazon has it listed for.

For a budget recording of this that's actually decent, I'd be much more inclined to buy Naxos' release of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine's version under Andrew Mogrelia.

excellent choice for Romeo & Juliet.......2006-04-14

I am writing mainly in response to Sarman (Sweden). I own the fforte edition and have played this many years on several systems. On Onkyo DR-UN7 dvd receiver driving Epos 22's, the sound is excellent, as it was using Panasonic dvd player, NAD amplifier, and Epos 11's. Previn is one of best interpreters of Prokofiev--after all, he is a Russian born in Berlin. I don't know who could call either the playing or the re-mastering "dull". The natural alternative is Gergiev, re-issued on Philips great 50 recordings at medium price. That is also quite good. I would avoid the others.

Superior interpretation, same remastering.......2006-04-01

This interpretation is dramatic and organic, for example the "Death of Tybalt" is real spooky, whereas in "the people continue to make merry" the orchestra sounds like a local band in a parade, and so on. It sounds Prokofiev ingenious to me. This is clearly my favourite out of R&J recordings. The Ancerl/CPO heartbreaking recording of some 10 scenes might be the most delicious of them all, but again it does not diminish the Previn recording.

Someone called this Previn recording "lackluster". It could have to do with the recording technique, the sound is slightly dull at times. This is the same remastering as previously released on EMI double forte. However at times I think it sounds fine. It might have to do with my HiFi system or small speakers, I might try another pair. I'd appreciate comments from other reviewers on this.

Average customer rating:

Best of the the popular Copland...
A Great American Album
Must have this one...

Ultimate Copland Album

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Copland: Music for Films
Bernstein Century - Copland: Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, etc / Bernstein, New York PO
Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Fanfare for the Common Man
Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, etc
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris

ASIN: B00002S5EW
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Fanfare For The Common Man
From Four Dance Episodes From 'Rodeo': Saturday Night Waltz
From Four Dance Episodes From 'Rodeo': Hoe-Down
From Old American Songs: Simple Gifts
Appalachian Spring: Variations On A Shaker Hymn
From Music For Movies: Grovers Corners (From Our Town)
From Billy The Kid: Introduction - The Open Prairie
From Billy The Kid: Street In A Frontier Town
From Billy The Kid: Mexican Dance
From Billy The Kid: Gun Battle
From Billy The Kid: Celebration (After Billy's Capture)
From Billy The Kid: The Open Prairie Again
From Billy The Kid: El Salon Mexico
Appalachian Spring: Very Slowly
Appalachian Spring: Allegro
Appalachian Spring: Moderato: The Bride And Her Intended
Appalachian Spring: Fast: The Revivalist And His Flock
Appalachian Spring: Allegro: Solo Dance Of The Bride
Appalachian Spring: Meno Mosso
Appalachian Spring: Doppio Movimento: Variations On A Shaker Hymn
Appalachian Spring: Moderato: Coda

Customer Reviews:

Best of the the popular Copland..........2004-12-26

Here's a great introduction to the popular music of Aaron Copland. When "Fanfare for the Common Man" begins, sparks of recognition will fly for most listeners. This song has been everywhere: presidential inaugurations, the olympics, commercials, movies, etc. Some flatten it as hopelessly clichéd, while others find it moving and inspiring. Copland also reprised it in the finale of his Third Symphony. Arguably Copland's most famous piece, "Appalachian Spring" closes the CD. In between, more great Copland: excerpts from 'Rodeo' (apparently the beef lobby has appropriated "Hoe-Down" as one of their themes); a great vocal rendition of "Simple Gifts" and a large chunk of another of Copland's best known works: "Billy the Kid". The only confusing piece is the "Variations on a Shaker Hymn" from Appalachian Spring when the entire Appalachian Spring is already included. Seems slightly redundant.

Though most of the pieces on this CD were written in the 1930s and 1940s, they tend to evoke the old west. With titles such as "Rodeo" and "Billy the Kid" this shouldn't surprise too many people.

Copland went on to compose more dissonant and twelve tone compositions later on in his career. These obviously weren't as popular with the public in general as the pieces on this CD. Nonetheless, if this disc whets the appetite, a foray into Copland's less popular works will yield much. It will help to expose the totality of Copland's output. This disc only represents a small portion of his work. Regardless, this disc is a great starting point for getting to know one of the United States' best known composers of the twentieth century.

A Great American Album.......2004-02-13

This is a great album representing true patriotic American music. Songs like "Hoe-Down" are lively and energetic and give rememberance to what one can imagine as the true American spirit.

Must have this one..........2002-09-17

I like all types of music, I wanted this album because I liked the song "RODEO" that is used on the beef commercials. This CD has made me into a Copland fan. It has many great songs. If you want a CD that says "I am an American." This is it. I am sending copies to a friend in Bombay and Tel Aviv. This is who I am put to music.

Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid and Rodeo Suite; Ferde Grofé:Grand Canyon Suite

Average customer rating:

Astounding "Canyon"; "Rodeo" Rivals NYP
Superb recordings of American classics.
Copland and Gould - LSC-2195
Gould conducts Copland and Grofe
Superlative performance of Copeland

Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid and Rodeo Suite; Ferde Grofé:Grand Canyon Suite

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Copland: Appalachian Spring/Fanfare For The Common Man/El Salón México/Danzón Cubano
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Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Fanfare for the Common Man

ASIN: B000003FGZ
Release Date: 1993-05-11

Tracks:

Billy The Kid: Suite: Introduction: The Open Prarie
Billy The Kid: Suite: Street In A Frontier Town
Billy The Kid: Suite: Mexican Dance And Finale
Billy The Kid: Suite: Prairie Night: Card Game
Billy The Kid: Suite: Gun Battle
Billy The Kid: Suite: Celebration: After Billy's Capture
Billy The Kid: Suite: Billy's Death
Billy The Kid: Suite: The Open Prairie (reprise)
Rodeo: Suite: Buckaroo Holiday
Rodeo: Suite: Corral Nocturne
Rodeo: Suite: Honky Tonk Interlude
Rodeo: Suite: Saturday Night Waltz
Rodeo: Suite: Hoe-Down
Grand Canyon Suite: Sunrise
Grand Canyon Suite: Painted Desert
Grand Canyon Suite: On The Trail
Grand Canyon Suite: Sunset
Grand Canyon Suite: Cloudburst

Customer Reviews:

Astounding "Canyon"; "Rodeo" Rivals NYP.......2007-01-05

Close your eyes and be transported to the Canyon. In this remastering of a 1960 recording, Morton Gould shows his chops as a superlative conductor and interpreter of this Grofe classic. The work itself is wonderful, but Gould and his orchestra provide nuances that absolutely delight. Of the five movements of "Grand Canyon Suite", the final, "Cloudburst", ceases becoming music and is elevated to pure sensory experience. It is no longer notes on a page finely executed; it IS the sky, the wind, the sheets of rain (a sheer, shimmering slide of sound), the thunder, and it is perfect. The four prior movements are nearly as excellent, with the second, "Painted Desert", casting an eerie shadow over the listener's mind with spellbinding brush strokes. This is a performance delivered with painstaking care.

Gould's treatment of Copland's works, recorded three years earlier, were of great personal interest, as one of my earliest exposures to "serious" music was the great Bernstein recording of "Rodeo", and "Buckaroo Holiday" in particular. Surprisingly, Gould and company give the NYPO a run for its money. They are just as energized, brash and even raw (hear the horns, and it's fitting) as New York; ditto the "Gun Battle" episode of "Billy". Gould threw himself into Copland's scores and whipped his musicians into a frenzy when called for, and the results place Gould's readings of these two pieces of Americana right behind Bernstein.

This CD - beautifully remastered - is a bargain.

Superb recordings of American classics........2004-04-27

I thoroughly agree with all other reviewers (though I wish some would spell Copland's name right!) Morton Gould conducts with great verve and sensitivity. "Rodeo" is terrific and it also includes the seldom heard "Honky-Tonk Interlude" which is a delight in itself.
The Grand Canyon Suite is a highlight with its marvellous orchestration and melodic richness. Although the score is influenced by a number of composers such as Dukas, Ravel, Respighi and even Richard Strauss, it nevertheless feels entirely
original. "On the trail" is beautifully rhythmical,one can really feel the trotting
of the donkeys, and the sound effects are pure joy. Note the
ee-ah-ing of the donkeys, so superbly part of the music. (somewhat reminescent of Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream overture.) The Cloudburst is a sonic triumph.
This recording comes from 1957, but digitally remastered. Sound is demonstration quality. Still probably the best available, highly recommended.

Copland and Gould - LSC-2195.......2004-02-12

I've heard Copland conducting these two works on recordings and I've heard the famous NYPO/Bernstein's 1960 recording of these two works on Columbia Records, yet Gould and his Orchestra fills in the blank spaces that was left out in previous and recent recordings.

He takes his troup to NYC to Manhatten Center, in Oct of 1957, and have the legendary RCA producer, John Pfeiffer and Lewis Layton, produce and engineer this recording session to be encaptured on 3-track tape (where the "Billy the Kid" was released on RCA "New Orthophonic tape recording" - the BCS-130), then to eventual vinyl (LM/LSC-2195). Gould, being somewhat of an arrangement conductor in the 50's, manage to pull the stops out in how these two Copland pieces are to be presented-to where the listener can feel that they themselves are back in the Wild, Wild West of the 1880's. He doesn't rush through these two pieces like some other conductors do. Gould takes his time trying to tell the story within the music. He uses emphasis, emotion, tempo and dynamics where it should be per each chapter in a story. Excellent listening for all!

This BMG "Living Stereo" release of the LSC-2195 Copland/Gould is a faithful reproduction as it can be of the original vinyl release.

Gould conducts Copland and Grofe.......2003-11-21

It may surprise some to discover that American composer/conductor Morton Gould conducted such fine performances of other American composers' music. These RCA Victor "Living Stereo" recordings are vivid, excellent proof that Gould was a really fine conductor and not just of his own music.

The performances of the suites from Copland's ballets "Billy the Kid" and "Rodeo" are among the best ever recorded. They benefit not only from Gould's wonderful sensitivity and appreciation but from excellent playing by the "pickup" orchestra and the still remarkable "Living Stereo" recording process, in which RCA used only three microphones and advanced mastering techniques.

Ferde Grofe's "Grand Canyon Suite" was a "labor of love" as the skilled composer/arranger spent considerable time carefully depicting his impressions of one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Grofe had been a very successful arranger for Paul Whiteman and is still remembered for the very first orchestration of George Gershwin's "An American in Paris," premiered by Gershwin at the piano with Whiteman conducting in New York's Aeolian Hall in February 1924.

Grofe composed a number of original orchestral works in later years and the "Grand Canyon Suite" is probably his best. It contains memorable melodies and is skillfully orchestrated throughout. It so impressed Arturo Toscanini that he recorded it in 1945 for RCA Victor, under the supervision of the composer. Grofe himself conducted a recording of the suite for Everest Records in 1960. Gould's recording is excellent. The final movement, depicting a spectacular thunderstorm, is absolutely awesome. I think this recording may surpass an earlier favorite, also recorded for RCA Victor, by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston "Pops" Orchestra.

This is all very fun and very exciting American music.

Superlative performance of Copeland.......1999-12-26

Billy the Kid & Rodeo were both etched in my soul when as a young boy I listened along with my mother. This performance by Morton Gould remains for me above any other that I have heard and I have heard many given my love for them. This is a re-issue of an original 3 microphone/3 track TRUE stero recording made by RCA in their 'Living Stero' series and originally recorded in 1957. A must have for Copeland listeners. It is a bonus that it also contains 'Grand Canyon Suite.'

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Average customer rating:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover
Top Shelf
TERRIFIC CD'S
Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs
Great Compilation!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals

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

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating:

Reissue of a much-praised MTT debut
The best available version of this music, hands down.
Fantastic

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; Concerto in F; An American in Paris
Prokofiev: The Five Piano Concertos
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Copland: Rodeo/Billy The Kid

ASIN: B0001TSWNW
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Customer Reviews:

Reissue of a much-praised MTT debut.......2006-06-26

At 78 min., this is much more generous than other collections that pair Prokofiev's two Suites from Romeo and Juliet. The angry reviewer below is mistaken to accuse Tilson Thomas of composing any transitions of his own devising--he only placed portions of the ballet in dramatic sequence (Prokofiev's suites are in no particular order). This was MTT's first recording with RCA as music director in San Francisco, and when it was released in 1996, the U.S. reviews were rapturous.

Not so the British. The Gramophone grumbled about 'slick efficiency' and 'stickiness.' I think that's not true. The only problems that keep this recording from the highest rank, as far as my ears tell me, are first, the recorded sound. Though wide-ranging and dynamic, the original release tended to be coarse and thuddy (I don't own the reissue at mid-price, but perhaps something has been done to correct this).

The second and more important reservation isn't MTT's fault. Great conductors have already preceded him. Ancerl, Mravinsky, and Mitropoulos are among the old maestros who made outstanding versions of excerpts from the ballet. Among moderns we have had sonic blockbusters from Salonen and Abbado, both of whom dig into the score as MTT does not, and both of whom benefit from the astounding viruosity of the Berlin Phil. As for the complete ballet, versions by Lorin Maazel with the Cleveland Orch. on Decca and Gergiev with the Kirov Orch. on Philips stand out. MTT has a lighter touch than all of the above, which isn't necessarily a bad thing--his avoidance of shmaltz is admirable to me.

In fact, there are stretches here that sound just as good as the best. I can see why other listeners give this recording five stars; in light of so many great ones, I settled for four.

The best available version of this music, hands down........2005-05-19

When Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony released their version of Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" a decade ago, critics hailed it as the gold standard among all recorded versions of this music. Even now, there seems no reason to revise that opinion. Choosing from among several available suites prepared by Prokofiev himself, Tilson Thomas shaped a version that is both dramatically and musically complete. He and his orchestra do full justice to the bittersweet lyricism and astonishing emotional range of Prokofiev's music. Especially at its mid-range price, this CD is a must for anyone who loves Prokofiev.

Fantastic.......2004-08-04

Michael Tilson Thomas is truly one of the great living conductors. The things he has been doing with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for a decade now have been wonderful. This is one of the conductor's earliest collaborations with RCA Victor in selections from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Although other reviews have summed up most of my feelings on this CD, I do just want to emphasize MTT's musical vision in creating his own suite. The performance is incisive, dramatic, forceful, and thoroughly pleasing. As always, the SFSO plays with totally conviction and total faith in their music director. As one of the leading Russian experts of today, MTT has created here a fantastic disc.

Average customer rating:

I love these guys!!!
Excellent album
This is only a warning
Recent Purchase that I'm Joyed to Find and Enjoy
Simply Amazing

Best of L.A.G.Q.

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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For Thy Pleasure
LAGQ's Guitar Heroes
LAGQ: Latin
L.A. Guitar Quartet: Evening In Granada
L.A. Guitar Quartet: Dances from Renaissance to Nutcracker

ASIN: B00000DCXY
Release Date: 1998-09-22

Tracks:

Hoe-Down
Jumpin' At The Woodside
Nutcracker Suite, Waltz Of The Flowers
El Amor Brujo, Danza Del Juego De Amor
El amor brujo, Danza del juego del fuego (Para Ahuyentar Los Malos Espiritus)
Black Horse Troop
Capriol Suite, Pieds-en-l'air
Capriol Suite, Mattachins
Traditional: Shenandoah
Simple Gifts
Corral Nocturne
Introduction & Fandango, Introduction
Introduction & Fandango, Fandango
My Lord Of Oxenfordes Maske
Canzon Per Sonar Primi Toni
Dance Suite, Gavottes 1,2,3 & 6
Dance Suite, Volte II
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, III: Allegro
La SoirDans Grenade (Evening In Granada)
Main Street Electrical Parade (Baroque Hoedown) Disneyland in the Style of Vivaldi

Customer Reviews:

I love these guys!!!.......2007-01-02

At first I did not know anything about LAGQ. I was taking an intro to guitar class on the campus of USC. One of my assignments was to attend two guitar performances happening on campus and write about each. I was so fortunate to have picked LAGQ. I fell in love with their music and their humor. I was amazed by the variety of sounds coming out of the guitars. Although guitar playing is a hobby for me... these guys inspire me to study the guitar more seriously. This is the first album of theirs I bought. Their rendition of Shenandoah is the best. It is so beautiful I fall asleep to it. Simple Gifts is the most lovely version too. Jumpin' at the Woodside is another favorite... it jazzy bounce makes it a popular choice for background music to any situation. The Main Street Electrical Parade never fails to delight me and surprise my friends when I play it. These guys are silly...but in a good way. Its 2007 now and I still go back to the songs on this album. Great variety. This is a good starter to a LAGQ collection. Go see them live if you can!!!

Excellent album.......2004-11-23

Recently I learned about LAGQ and bought this album. I have been impressed by the arrangements and interpretation, the texture, innovative touches and originality. It is a treat!

This is only a warning.......2004-09-19

The LAGQ are fine players, and the music here is first rate as a summary of what they do, or for any purpose. HOWEVER, the transfer to CD on my disc was very poorly chosen, so that the top octave and a half was mostly missing (worse on some pieces than others, though). This takes the snap! out of guitar strings and notably attenuates your ability to tell what the 4 are doing with guitar timbre and the like. So, if you have wide-range audio gear, you might want to look elsewhere for an introduction to these players.

Recent Purchase that I'm Joyed to Find and Enjoy.......2001-01-27

Not until recently did I know about this guitar four. Hearing a number of their songs on internet classical radio, I decided I'd try this one.

What a great surprise --- their arrangements of Copeland to Sousa to Praetorius are excellent and in taste. I'll be venturing into their other works.

Simply Amazing.......2000-06-12

LAGQ is wonderful and this CD is a great compilation of some of their best work to date. Extremely versatile musicians, they perform swing music, Sousa march music, a Main Street Electrical Parade tune from Disneyland, as well as music by Copland and Praetorius. It's amazing how they are able to produce the sounds they do. A great compilation and one that would nicely add to your LAGQ collection or a great CD to start that collection!

Average customer rating:

Totally infectious
Surprisingingly enjoyable stuff

Shostakovich: Waltzes

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Shostakovich: The Jazz Album
Shostakovich: The Film Album
Shostakovich: Ballet Suites Nos. 1-4
Shostakovich: Cheryomushki, The Bolt, The Gadfly (The Dance Album)
Jazz Suites 1 & 2

ASIN: B00001IVR2
Release Date: 1999-08-31

Tracks:

Shostakovich Waltzes

Customer Reviews:

Totally infectious.......2003-01-07

Shostakovich is mostly known for his serious works, his symphonies and string quartets, however he wrote a large number of film, incidental, and ballet music. This CD compiles many of his waltzes and some other pieces from these. While this is mainly what could be considered "light" music, many of the pieces have wonderful melodies and coloful orchestrations.

Some of my favorite waltzes include the one from Return of Maxim, the one from Golden Hills, and the one from The First Echelon (aka Waltz #2 from the 2nd Jazz Suite). Beyond the waltzes there are some other pieces, including the famous Polka from The Age of Gold and Folk Festival (Spanish Dance) from The Gadfly.

The only caveat is that some of the pieces don't reference their original source (rather they are listed as being from various ballet suites, when they in fact come from The Limpid Stream and other sources), but this is a very minor complaint. The performance and sound is wonderful, and unless you are one who can't stand this sort of compilation, it gets my highest recommendation.

Surprisingingly enjoyable stuff.......1999-10-04

After years of my hearing and not thinking very much of Shastakovich's symphonies, this Delos delight came as a total surprise. Containing just under an hour of mostly waltzes mixed with some polkas, a galop, and even setting of "Tahiti Trot" (inspired by "Tea for Two" of all things), this concert gives us a rare chance to hear a good deal of music this composer wrote for films seldom if ever seen outside of Russia as well as some more familiar stuff from his ballets. Not one really great piece, nor not really boring one. Just a boxful of what Thomas Beecham used to call "Bonbons" from a very unexpected source. Lots of fun from Delos.

Average customer rating:

Not Bernstien and not for serious listeners
Pristinely Beautiful
WONDERFUL CD!
Magnificent Carmen

Carmen Without Words
Georges Bizet , Manuel de Falla , Mikhail Glinka , Maurice Ravel , and Andre Kostelanetz
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Puccini Without Words
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Opera without Words
Opera Without Words
Opera Without Words

ASIN: B000002765
Release Date: 1990-11-10

Tracks:

Carmen Without Words: Prelude: Act I - No. 3 Chorus Of Street Boys, No. 4 Fragment: Entrance Of Carmen, No. 5 Habanera, No. 6 Fragment: Don Jose Picks Up Carmen's Flower, No. 10 Seguidilla, No. 11 Finale
Carmen Without Words: Act II: No. 12 Gypsy Song, No. 14 Toreador Song, Exit Of Escamillo, Entra'acte Between Act I And Act II (Theme Of Canzonetta), No. 17 Flower Song
Carmen Without Words: Entr'acte: Act III - No. 19 March Of The Smugglers, No. 20 Card Scene, No. 21 Fragment: Exit Of Smugglers And Card Players, No. 22 Micaela's Aria
Carmen Without Words: Entr'acte (Aragonnaise): Act IV - No. 26 March And Chorus, No. 27 Don Jose And Carmen's Duet, Final Chorus
Carmen Without Words: Bolero
From: El Amor Brujo: Ritual Fire Dance
Carmen Without Words: Capriccio brillante On The jota aragonesa
From: La vida Breave: Spanish Dance

Customer Reviews:

Not Bernstien and not for serious listeners.......2003-06-30

I ordered this cd (used) mainly to get the Glinka capriccio (assumedly) by Bernstein, thinking I might enjoy the orchestral versions from Carmen as well. Received the disk and was shocked to see the name Andre Kostelanetz on it...only couple tracks are by Bernstein. The pieces are mostly played at a breakneck tempo that tramples the music. The recording quality is poor. Sounds like a studio remix where the players were recorded at different times. This CD is a poor choice; even in the bargain bin; even for casual listeners. There are much better played and recorded orchestrations of these Spanish-themed works available.

Pristinely Beautiful.......2002-03-12

This is really a beautiful recording. I am not an opera expert, but during the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics I was transfixed by the Carmen music that Sasha Cohen skated her Long Program to. I simply had to hear it again as soon as possible, and saw this "Carmen Without Words" CD on Amazon. This CD does not have any "libretto", or words. It is just a Carmen 'suite' of the tunes from the opera. Opera connoisseurs will probably want to order a multi-disc set of the entire unabridged Carmen opera, but for opera hacks like myself this CD is perfect for enjoyable times in front of the computer or while reading magazines, to just enjoy Carmen's great tunes. The sound is clean, crisp, and the music is perfectly played by Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra. It's amazing how well they play, actually, it borders on perfect. Anyway, you are sure to love this CD. It is lovely to listen to, and I don't see how anything about it could disappoint you. By the way, the CD also contains four bonus tracks from several other composers to really top it all off.

WONDERFUL CD!.......2002-01-19

THIS IS A GREAT CD FOR THOSE WHO, LIKE ME, JUST WANT TO HEAR THE MUSIC FROM OPERA WITHOUT THE SINGING. I PLAY IT OVER AND OVER ALONG WITH THE OTHER "OPERA WITHOUT WORDS" CDS.

Magnificent Carmen.......2000-08-07

I have not heard a Carmen performance which compares with this one.

Wonderful Town (Original 1953 Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Town is a wonderful show
Light and lively musical comedy
a must-have recording for REAL Broadway fans
Leonard Bart-stein? Listen for yourself....
Quality over quantity

Wonderful Town (Original 1953 Broadway Cast)
Leonard Bernstein , Betty Comden , and Adolph Green
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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On the Town
Wonderful Town (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)
Bernstein - Wonderful Town / Audra McDonald, Kim Criswell, Thomas Hampson, Wayne Marshall, Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic
Fiorello! (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
Redhead (1959 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00005O6KS
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Tracks:

Christopher Street
Ohio
One Hundred Easy Ways
What a Waste
A Little Bit in Love
Pass the Football
Conversation Piece
A Quiet Girl
Conga!
My Darlin' Eileen
Swing!
It's Love
Ballet at the Village Vortex
Wrong Note Rag
Opening (from the original Decca recording of "On the Town")
Carried Away (from "On the Town")
Lonely Town (from "On the Town")
I Can Cook Too (from "On the Town")
Lucky to Be Me (from "On the Town")
Ya Got Me (from "On the Town")

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Town is a wonderful show.......2004-10-25

This is a terrific show. It has a famous composer, great tunes and a good, upbeat story. Why it has so thoroughly faded from memory is a question that puzzles me greatly.

The orchestrations are attributed to another individual, but Bernstein must have taken some substantial role in their creation, for large parts of "Wonderful Town" resemble only one other musical, "West Side Story."

Rosalind Russell is the star here, and rightly so. She sings--or rather croaks--her material very well, indeed. Only in "Swing" is she overmatched by the musical requirements and even then she fights them to a draw.

Edith Adams is very good, too, as Eileen. I think of her as Edie Adams, a sixties icon, wife of comedian Ernie Kovacs, mayhem-minded member of the Nairobi Trio and super-sexy pitchwoman for White Owl Cigars. I had no idea that she had also starred on Broadway. It was a pleasant surprise to find her here.

The men in the lead parts sing in that typical Broadway growl: perfect diction and lousy tone. They are endearingly awful. And I mean that in the best possible sense.

Five stars, no doubt about it!

Light and lively musical comedy .......2004-08-07

The first cast album of WONDERFUL TOWN sounds even better than ever in Decca's latest remastering. The sound is still somewhat flat (as are all Decca albums from the 40s/50s) but the Decca engineers have worked wonders on the 50 year old tapes making them sound as good as possible. Rosalind Russell was a perfect choice to play the acerbic Ruth. She doesn't have much of a singing voice but the songs were tailored to her limited range and she makes the character come alive. Edith Adams sounds properly winsome as her sister Eileen. In the supporing roles, Jordan Bentley comes off best as Wreck, but George Gaynes makes for a ponderous, somehwat stuffy Bob Baker.

In terms of album production, Decca eliminated the Overture and some of the dance music, and re-arranged "Christopher Street" to eliminate the spoken vignettes. Otherwise the score is presented in a faithful aural re-creation. The booklet offers a detailed synopsis to guide you through the score.

The bonus tracks are six songs from ON THE TOWN originally recorded when that show was playing on Broadway. This is NOT the definitive recording of ON THE TOWN. For that you need the 1960 album avaialble on Sony. But, the excerpts heard here provide an enjoyable bonus.

a must-have recording for REAL Broadway fans.......2002-12-26

This marvellous new re-issue of WONDERFUL TOWN is a must-have for Broadway buffs. In fact, this is really two albums in one, as it also contains the rare 1945 studio recording of ON THE TOWN as a bonus!

The story is based on the play "My Sister Eileen", written by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov; as well as the stories written by Ruth McKenney. The play was later turned into a successful Columbia film starring Rosalind Russell (as Ruth Sherwood) and Janet Blair as Eileen. Several years later Columbia released a musical version (following the success of WONDERFUL TOWN) which starred Janet Leigh and Betty Garrett.

WONDERFUL TOWN originally starred Rosalind Russell (repeating her film role) as Ruth and Edith 'Edie' Adams as Eileen. The cast also included George Gaynes (GIGI, 'Punky Brewster') as the romantic male lead.

The score by Betty Comden and the late Adolph Green is gorgeous, and features the comical "100 Easy Ways", the lilting "A Little Bit in Love" and the showstopping "Conga!" and "Wrong-Note Rag".

No Broadway-recording collection is complete without the original cast of this landmark musical.

This re-issue from the superb Decca Broadway range also includes the rare 1945 set of ON THE TOWN, which featured original cast-members Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Nancy Walker singing their songs from the show, with Mary Martin singing "Lonely Town" and "Lucky to Be Me".

Highly-recommended.

Leonard Bart-stein? Listen for yourself...........2002-09-23

Leonard Bernstein never erred on the side of subtlety, and this original-cast album contains two of his most enjoyable essays in musical near-mayhem: "Christopher Street" and "The Wrong Note Rag." The former is vastly like the theme music to "The Simpsons," and the listener can decide for himself how much of a coincidence this is or isn't. "The Wrong Note Rag" uses the tritone of the scale and a varied meter to make life difficult for the singers and anyone trying to count along. Unlike so many send-ups of the 1920s, this song ingenioulsy captures the musical and lyrical feel of novelty numbers like 1924's "Fascinating Rhythm"--or, better yet, the slightly later "Crazy Rhythm." A parody of the 1920s that shows any sense of the 1920s is a rare item, indeed. "Wonderful Town" is an interesting, enjoyable, and valuable historical piece, and I can only imagine what later performers did with it. I don't want to know.

Quality over quantity.......2002-05-19

Yes, the original 1953 cast recording of "Wonderful Town" may not be the most complete cast recording of the hit musical BUT I would wholeheartedly reccommend this CD over any other version. Why? Because of its original cast members and its original orchestrations! Rosalind Russell is peerless as Ruth Sherwood (I consider her version of "One Hundred Easy Ways" one of the funniest songs in musical theatre history) and Edie Adams shines through radiantly. Listen to her sing "A Little Bit In Love" to understand what I'm talking about. Also, the original orchestrations gtive this CD more vibrance than any of the later incarnations INCLUDING the 1999 studio recording, which to me sounds too mechanical and the British orchestrator doesn't seem to get the rhythms right. The original cast recording is A MUST for the true theatre fan, abridged score or not

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