|
KEEPING TRACK
Dateline September 2007
Orchestral
BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC PREMIERES VOLUME 4 Ernest
Tomlinson:Aladdin (1974) -Jewel Dances, Aladdin’s Dance
of Joy, Young Man in Love; John Fox: A Surrey Rhapsody (2006);
Jim Cooke: Concert Jig (2004); Phillip Lord: Nautical Overture
(1965); Richard Valery: The Magic Carpet (1940); Lionel
Sainsbury: Cuban Dance No.2 (1991); Adam Saunders: Overture
- Pirates Ahoy! (2006); Carey Blyton: The Golden Road to
Samarkand (1991); Peter Flinn: Cinema Suite (2006). Royal
Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Gavin Sutherland and Paul Murphy
(Dutton Epoch CDLX7190).
The advance publicity for this new release states: This
is the latest instalment in Dutton Epoch’s prestigious
series of light music CDs and, as with the previous volumes,
features Gavin Sutherland conducting the Birmingham Royal
Ballet Sinfonia through sparkling recordings of charming
light music scores by some of the finest British composers
working in the genre. Ernest Tomlinson’s Aladdin
opens the disc and bears the hallmarks of grace, elegance
and melodic invention for which this figurehead of British
light music is so well-known. Among the many other delights
on offer include Surrey-born composer John Fox’s orchestral
ode to his home county A Surrey Rhapsody,
and Carey Blyton’s enchanting The Golden Road
to Samarkand orchestral suite. As ever, Gavin Sutherland’s
inspired conducting and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia’s
impeccable and sensitive playing combine to bring this colourful,
beautiful music to life in spectacular fashion. A review
of this important new release will appear in our next issue.
NEW GUILD "GOLDEN AGE OF LIGHT MUSIC" CDs
5129 "Beyond The Blue Horizon" full
tracklisting in JIM 170, page 15
5130 "Cornflakes" full tracklisting
in JIM 171, page 80
5131 "Light Music On The Move" full
tracklisting in JIM 171, page 82
Readers who remember the late pianist and composer Albert
Semprini may recall how he introduced his regular BBC Radio
programmes with what we would today term a ‘mission
statement’ – ‘Old ones – New ones –
Loved ones – Neglected ones’. This formula could
well apply to the entire GUILD series and to these three
CDs in particular. [The ‘new’ ones are not actually
new, of course - just unfamiliar!]
Beyond The Blue Horizon is a collection of Light
Music which presents ‘…a mix of likeable melodies
featuring different colours.’ Not surprisingly, Blue
definitely predominates here, as it seems many composers
have a ‘thing’ about that colour, and it’s
featured in 14 of the 27 tracks. Many of these originate
from commercial 78s, although there are some interesting
library pieces, including Out Of The Blue (Robert
Busby) and Blue Mink (Peter Yorke), both of which
I well remember were used in BBC tv demonstration transmissions
during the early ’50s. Also included is, I believe,
another first for GUILD – a rare BBC Transcription
recording (The White Scarf by Edgar Bainton). There’s
a wonderful Robert Farnon arrangement of Irving Berlin’s
Blue Skies, which features the great Dave Goldberg
on guitar, and an equally superb Angela Morley treatment
of Deep Purple (Parish, De Rose). The highly enjoyable
programme is rounded off with another rarity – George
Melachrino’s Fantasy Ballet, based on the traditional
Little Brown Jug. This is taken from a 1947 recording
for the EMI library, which Melachrino was instrumental in
setting-up in association with the record company in the
early years after WWII.
Cornflakes was not necessarily designed to accompany
your breakfast – although it would perform that duty
admirably – but, like a number of other GUILD CDs,
takes its name from the title of one of its tracks, in this
case a Norrie Paramor composition. There are many familiar
numbers featuring some leading ’50s musical directors,
including Frank Cordell, the aforementioned George Melachrino,
Werner Müller, Cyril Stapleton, Mantovani and Malcolm
Lockyer. Almost half of the items are grouped together under
the title The Polygon Legacy and included in this
section are most of the latter company’s tracks which
have not already appeared on other GUILD releases. There
are some very informative liner notes detailing Polygon’s
history and its subsequent demise, when it was subsumed
into PYE Records in the mid ’50s. One unfortunate omission,
however, is apparent in Song Of The Pearl Fishers’
Tango by the Laurie Johnson Orchestra, which is credited
to ‘Heno Gaze – (arr Johnson)’. Whatever
became of the actual composer of the tune in question –
one Georges Bizet?!
Light Music On The Move is a compilation of mainly
upbeat pieces depicting movement in many forms on Land,
Sea and Air. Transport features prominently and besides
several trains (inevitably!), we are treated to such delights
as a Cycling Chimp (Pagan), a few horses and a donkey, a
couple of fairground roundabouts and John Malcolm’s
famous Non Stop, which must have earned him a penny
or two as it was used for many years as the signature tune
for Independent Television News on British TV [see also
my comments towards the end of this feature]. In contrast
you’ll find an Amsterdam Sleepwalker (Steggerda),
a space journey, and if you hanker after a more relaxed
form of movement, try Drifting On A Cloud (D’Artega
- Syracuse ). As with all of these new offerings, LMOTM
is a clever assemblage of excellent tracks with Alan Bunting’s
digital transfers being of his usual superlative quality.
Tony Clayden
BEST OF BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC 2CD compilation
CD 1 includes CURZON: Robin Hood Suite: March of the
Bowmen; HEDGES: Overture: Heigham Sound; TOYE: Concert Waltz:
The Haunted Ballroom; FARNON: Melody Fair; WOOD: Serenade
to Youth; COLLINS: Vanity Fair; TOMLINSON: A Little Serenade;
QUILTER: A Children’s Overture; WORLAND: Millennium
— A Celebration March; KETELBEY: In a Persian Market;
GRAINGER: Country Gardens; ADDINSELL: Goodbye Mr Chips:
Theme; GOODWIN: Theme from 633 Squadron"
CD 2 includes BENNETT: Theme and Waltz from ‘Murder
on the Orient Express’; WHITE: Puffin’ Billy;
TORCH: ALL Strings and Fancy Free; MAYERL: Marigold; DUNCAN:
High Heels; ELLIS: Coronation Scot; FARNON: Colditz March;
KETELBEY: In a Monastery Garden; BINGE: Elizabethan Serenade;
COATES: By the Sleepy Lagoon; COLERIDGE-TAYLOR: Hiawatha
Overture; GERMAN: Tom Jones, Act III: For Tonight (Sophia’s
Waltz-Song); COATES: Dam Busters’ March Various
Orchestras Naxos 8570575-76 (2 CDs). Naxos decided to make
this compilation ‘CD Of The Month’ for August,
which demonstrates their faith in Light Music. The tracks
are taken from previous Naxos and Marco Polo CDs, and represent
some of the finest composers of the last century.
MUSIC FROM MOTION PICTURES
Exodus, Cimarron, King of Kings, Ben-Hur, The Bible,
Butterfield 8, Colonel Bogey/River Kwai March, The Robe,
Lygia, Julie, Romeo and Juliet, Spellbound, Spartacus and
more
David Rose and his orchestra (Frank Bristow, FBCD161)
MUSIC FROM STAGE AND SCREEN
Humoresque, Great Pretender, Fascination, Love is a
Many Splendoured Thing, Bewitched, Just a Memory, Take My
Love, Serenade, What’s New Pussycat, Forbidden Planet,
La Strada, I’ll Take Romance, And I Love Her, Pigeon
and more
David Rose and his orchestra (Frank Bristow, FBCD162)
A DAVID ROSE COLLECTION
Intermezzo, Beautiful Ohio, Diane, Was It a Dream?,
Remember, Satisfaction, King of the Road, Estudiantina,
Every Time We Say Goodbye, Downtown, Are You Sincere? and
more
David Rose and his orchestra (Frank Bristow, FBCD163)
Our Australian friend, Frank Bristow, has already issued
a dozen or so David Rose CDs but he has found another 85
ex-MGM tracks to issue over the span of three CDs (all available
separately) with a total playing time of nearly four hours!
Without checking each individual track, I can’t say
offhand whether there is any duplication with previously
issued material, but I’d be inclined to say not. Taking
the discs in numerical order, the first one is the best
with works by the elite composers of Hollywood embracing
works by Steiner, Rota, Tiomkin, Rozsa, Newman et al. It
has such best sellers as The Green Leaves of Summer,
Laura, Around the World, Summertime in Venice and
Tara’s Theme. In fact there isn’t one dud
track among them (well, you wouldn’t expect one, would
you?)
"Stage and Screen" has more of the same (including
the only Rose composition in the whole set, something called
Pigeon) plus semi classical pieces, a Beatles hit
and other songs of the late 50’s and early 60’s.
There are also ten songs from the Moose Charlap and Norman
Gimbel’s 1948 Broadway flop "Whoop Up" which,
as far as I could hear from the selection, deserved better.
"The Rose Collection" is a hybrid (you could
say a motley) melange ranging from Strauss and Romberg to
Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. Eleven tracks are devoted
to jazzed-up versions of Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Grieg which
(to be quite frank) are neither one thing nor the other!
Arthur Jackson
Frank Bristow CD’s are ONLY available directly
from him at 2 Cross Street, Brighton, Victoria 3186, Australia.
Tel. 03-9528-3167. Email: franbris@ozemail.com.au Credit
cards and Paypal are accepted, but no cheques — details
on request. Please visit his website for further details
on CDs in his catalogue www.musicfromthepast.com
SONGS TO REMEMBER/THE INCOMPARABLE MANTOVANI
With These Hands, Faraway Places, A Very Precious Love,
Jamaica Farewell, Tenderly, Blue Star, Gigi, When I Fall
In Love, No Other Love, Vaya Con Dios, Two Different Worlds,
Tonight/I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now, As Time Goes
By, Catch A Falling Star, Where Are You, (I Left My Heart)
In San Francisco, I’ll Be Seeing You, Yesterdays, Fly
Me To The Moon, I’ll Get By, September In The Rain,
Long Ago, More
Mantovani and his orchestra (Vocalion CDLK 4347)
78.07
These albums were both originally issued in 1960 —
neither have been issued on CD in Europe or America before
— and the first includes some of the best songs of
the previous decade in which Mantovani had become world
famous. Monty-meister Colin Mackenzie tells me that it is
in his top five of favourite albums. The well remembered
Edward Rubach is the pianist on Blue Star, which
was the theme for the US TV series ‘Medic’; Monty
himself plays piano on the lovely When I Fall In Love.
My favourite track is Jamaica Farewell with an arrangement
by Roland Shaw which I have treasured in my mind for years
but for some long forgotten reason did not buy on LP at
the time! Richard Rodgers’ No Other Love is
delicately played, the big Les Paul and Mary Ford hit Vaya
Con Dios (meaning go with God in Spanish) has a nice
touch of accordion, and the Bernstein piece is given a powerful
rendition. In the June issue of JIM, I was highly enthusiastic
about the last Vocalion reissue from Mantovani — my
enthusiasm is maintained for this album. The second selection
is also attractive with Monty’s trademark swoop of
strings very strikingly used on Catch A Falling Star
(catchy being the word to describe the Cecil Milner arrangement!),
a couple of beautifully arranged Jerome Kern classics, and
I Wonder with its effective use of Ivor Mairant’s
electric guitar. Incidentally, I was surprised to learn
from Colin’s comprehensive liner notes that the song
dates from as far back as 1909! We all, including those
readers who still resist the Venice born maestro, should
be thankful to Mike Dutton for not only enabling Mantovanians
to obtain well-loved recordings in a CD format, as well
as filling a few gaps in our collections, but also for giving
new light music enthusiasts an opportunity to hear someone
who really was incomparable.
Peter Burt
LOST ENGLAND
George Butterworth: 2 English Idylls, The Banks of Green
Willow
Walter Leigh: Squadron 992, Overture — Jolly Roger,
Harpsichord Concertino, The Fairy of the Phone
Kent Sinfonia/Malcolm Riley with Marion Whitehead (harpsichord)
‘Lost’ because both George Butterworth and Walter
Leigh were killed in combat during the world wars. The Butterworth
pieces have been recorded previously, and possibly better,
but these thoughtful performances are worth having. The
discs principle interest comes with the Water Leigh items
as his music is little heard. Before his premature death,
he composed chamber music (issued fairly recently on a Dutton
CD), two operettas and some twenty film scores. Here we
have the overture to one of the operettas, which is cheerfully
nautical, the Harpsichord Concertino is light in
touch, but with a hint of his study with Hindemith and two
film scores lovingly reconstructed by Malcolm Riley. The
Fairy of the Phone was written for a GPO film unit
release on how to use the telephone; it is for six vocalists
and ten instrumentalists (six of them woodwind) in an engaging
‘1930s popular’ idiom. Squadron 992 comes
from a 1940 documentary on the move of an RAF balloon unit
and recalls the music of Vaughan Williams and Sir William
Walton. All told, a valuable issue well played by Kent Sinfonia
whose fresh sound I like, and recorded with commendable
clarity if less full toned than many modern releases. Strongly
recommended.
Philip L Scowcroft
This CD is only available from Kent Sinfonia, 5 Pine
Grove, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2AJ (kwsoloists@hotmail.com)
£11 incl. P&P
TOWARDS AN UNKNOWN LAND
Quay and Departure, Towards an Unknown Land, Stars My
Compass, Song to the Sea, Dream in the Sun, Lifetime Ago,
Eastern Waltz, Loch, Out in the Cold, Sirens
Michael Buck (Prestige, CDSGP9041) 54:40
Close your eyes and listen to the music and you are sure
to be transported away on a unique musical journey. What
has been achieved in the past with a full orchestra is created
here by one man and his imagination. The composer of all
ten tracks plays high quality samples that ‘live’
in his computer and are controlled by him from a digital
piano (Yamaha P90). Michael also uses several virtual synthesizers
(Spectrasonics Atmosphere Synthesizer and East West Symphonic
Choirs) to get some of the lovely textured backgrounds.
The entire album was produced and recorded in Michael’s
own studio which is set-up in his home. Michael would love
one day to record with a full real orchestra, but this is
currently beyond his reach, but he is nevertheless very
happy with this, his first album. Listening to the tracks
is like watching a film in your mind, by simply sitting
back, relaxing and hearing this musical story. This is a
CD to dip in and out of, as listened to in full, readers
may find this repetitive and the tracks merge into one.
The title track is a highlight along with A Lifetime
Ago which are both very reflective. There is certainly
some influence from John Barry and Ennio Morricone in some
of these tracks. So if you want something new to try, then
you won’t be disappointed with this CD release.
Adam Endacott
SPIRIT OF VIENNA Overture "Reiche Madchen"
(Strauss II), music from Operetta "Katz und Maus"
(Strauss III), Traumverloren Waltz (Siegfried Translateur),
march and waltz from Operetta "Casanova" (Paul
Lincke), also works by Alfons Czibulka, Edmund Eysler, Richard
Eilenburg and Joseph Hellmesberger Die Flotten Geister,
Czech Republic Conducted by Christian Pollack The press
release from The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain
describes this as a scintillating new recording of rare
operetta & Viennese dance music which has been co-issued
by the Johann Strauss Societies of Great Britain and the
Czech Republic. This album features the renowned European
orchestra ‘Die Flotten Geister’ and Viennese supremo
Christian Pollack conducting. Warning — this is no
ordinary Strauss & Co album — for a start there’s
no ‘Blue Danube’ or ‘Radetzky March’!
The music featured on this disc comprises worthwhile compositions
which have until now escaped the recording studio, making
it a premiere recording in every respect. Johann Strauss
II (the Waltz King) is represented with two virtually unknown
operetta overtures Reiche Mädchen and Fanny
Elssler. The waltz is by no means forgotten and the
transfix of three/four time is represented by the respective
pens of nephew Johann Strauss, Siegfried Translateur, Edmund
Eysler, Paul Lincke, and Joseph Hellmesberger. There are
marches, polkas, and gavottes by Paul Lincke, Alfons Czibulka
and Richard Eilenberg to fill up this jam packed disc which
runs for a truly melodic 79 minutes. The recording was produced
in the Czech Republic.
"Spirit of Vienna" is available online from:
The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain www.johann-strauss.org.uk
or through Discovery Records Limited, Nursted Road,
Devizes, Wilts. SNIO 3DY. www.discovery-records.com
Price £12.99 UK inc. P&P
CASINO DANCES
Hiawatha, Fox Intermezzo, Marusja*,
Yearning (Just for You), Musette,
Da Capo, Londonderry
Air*, Hello Ma Baby, Donkey Serenade,
Serenata, Pizzicato
Violins, Casino Dances,
Sparrow Concerto, Monna
Vanna*, Zigeuner Boogie,
By the Waters of Minnetonka, Von
der Puszta
Aspidistra Drawing Room Orchestra with Elizabeth
Menezes* (soprano).
This CD seeks to recreate the sound of the once popular
saloon orchestra with its seven players and follows their
previous two CDs in the series. This is indeed a foot-tapping
confection, mainly of less familiar material from the light
music genre. The Londonderry Air is heard in a less
usual version, by the composer Geoffrey O’Connor-Morris.
Of the rest I particularly enjoyed Helmut Zacharias’
two gypsy-based titles and it is good to hear a Jacob Gade
tango which is not Jealousy. Performances by the
orchestra, which includes flute and oboe to add colour,
are splendid and well recorded. Highly recommendable.
Philip L Scowcroft
This CD can only be purchased directly from the Aspidistra
Drawing Room Orchestra; please see www.aspidistra.org for
further details or send a cheque made payable to ‘Aspidistra
Drawing Room Orchestra’ for £11 (incl. P&P) to
49 Bankside, London, SE1 9JE, England.
THE BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC COLLECTION Volume 1 2CD
set Royal Ballet Sinfonia Conducted by Gavin Sutherland
Sanctuary CD RSB 205. This is a reissue of two ASV White
Line collections: the first was originally released on CD
WHL 2113 as "Brian Kay’s British Light Music Discoveries"
in 1998; the second CD first appeared in 2000 as "British
Light Music Discoveries 2" on CD WHL 2126. The composers
include Sir Malcolm Arnold (The Roots of Heaven and
Little Suite No. 4), William Alwyn (Suite of Scottish
Dances), Clifton Parker (The Glass Slipper –
Overture), Sir Richard Rodney Bennett (Little Suite);
David Lyon (Joie de Vivre), Paul Lewis (English
Overture) and Philip Lane (Suite of Cotswold Folk
Dances). These works (and there are more on these CDs)
should be in every serious light music collection, so if
you missed these the first time round this is your opportunity
to remedy the omission. The booklet says there are two more
similar volumes of reissues to follow – hopefully the
purchase of Sanctuary by Universal will not disrupt these
plans. David Ades
CALYPSO/CALYPSO MAN
Saturday Night, All Night Tonight, Sll the Pussy, Papa
Says, Margie, Limbo Bar, High Cheek Bones, Run for the Doctor,
Melodie d’amour and many more
Edmundo Ros and his orchestra (Vocalion CDLK 4348).
How pleasant it is to be able to hear every word on this
album (unlike the music of today) especially so as every
song tells a story, again unlike today’s music. This
is Edmundo Ros at his very best and I highly recommend this
release to add to your Latin American collections.
Alec Hellyer
HIGH IN SIERRA
Tap Tap, Sururu, Chica Boa, Jamaica Way, To Be or Not
To Be, High in Sierra, Off Shore, Wonderful, Latin Lady,
When You’re in Love, So Deep My Love and many more
Roberto Inglez and his orchestra (Vocalion CDEA
6131) 75:39 This disc is great stuff and is the third CD
that Vocalion have issued of Roberto Inglez — it is
always a pleasure to listen to his orchestra. With 27 tracks
this is certainly great value. With the so called summer
weather we are having at the moment, it is nice to get this
CD to bring some sunshine into the room.
Alec Hellyer
SERENATA
Love is Blue, Hungarian Dance No. 5, Penelope, Sabre
Dance, A Frenchman in Dublin, Paris Musette, Angelic Demon,
Rio Forever, Le Piano Sur La Vague, A Whole New World, Great
Brilliant Waltz Op 18, Entr’act of L’Arlesienne,
Intermezzo from Carmen, Invitation to the Dance
Paul Mauriat and his orchestra (GLD GK38359)
MOVIE THEMES
Unchained Melody, Lara’s Theme, Calling You (from
‘Baghdad Café’), Beauty and the Beast,
I Will Always Love You, Charade, Chariots of Fire, Colours
of the Wind, Schindler’s List, Conquest of Paradise
Paul Mauriat and his orchestra (GLD GK38361)
SAYONARA CONCERT
Space Race, My Heart Will Go On, Invitation to the Dance,
Etude in a New Form, Piano Concerto No. 21 Andante, Caravan,
Thais Meditation, Czardas, Dolls and Dreams, Serenade a
Coline, Begin the Beguine, Toccata, Penelope, Love is Blue/El
Bimbo, Hungarian Dance No. 5
Paul Mauriat and his orchestra (GLD GK38360)
These three CD’s, released only in Argentina, contain
a compilation of songs recorded by Paul Mauriat during the
nineties. The ‘Serenata’ CD contains great hits
of the sixties and seventies such as Love is Blue,
Penelope and Le Piano Sur La Vague whereas
the ‘Movie Themes’ CD has a repertoire of film
songs of the nineties plus some remembered themes like Lara’s
Theme from ‘Doctor Zhivago’ and Charade.
The third CD is a live concert released in Osaka, Japan
and dated 29 November 1998. Mauriat offers us an interesting
selection of his best hits, world-known melodies and some
classics. This is a collection of CD’s for every Mauriat
fan and collector of his recordings.
Mario Luis Kocian Rossi
GRANDES EXITOS
Que C’est Triste Venice, A Man Without Love, Lamento
Borincano, My Sweet Lord, Mariachi, All of Me, Sunny, Aranjuez,
Sentimental Paris, Brigitte, Mona Lisa, Unforgettable, Ecology,
A Man and a Woman
Franck Pourcel and his orchestra (EMI 72434997278)
This is an interesting compilation released by EMI in Argentina
with a total of fourteen tracks including great Pourcel
hits. The songs are digitally remastered and the sound quality
is excellent.
Mario Luis Kocian Rossi
GRANDES MELODIAS
Strangers in the Night*, My Sweet Lord^, Bridge Over
Troubled Water~, Only You, Somewhere My Love*, The Most
Beautiful Girl^, Last Tango in Paris~, Singing in the Rain,
Melodie D’Amour*, Michelle^, Love Story~, Moon River
Ray Conniff*, Percy Faith^, Andre Kostelanetz~ and Caravelli
(Columbia 2-470045)
A reissue product containing songs digitally remastered
on CD by Columbia Argentina. This is a good release for
lovers of good compilations.
Mario Luis Kocian Rossi
SLEEPY SHORES
Sleepy Shores, Live and Let Die, Aranjuez Concerto,
Killing Me Softly, The Morning is Broken, Brother Sun Sister
Moon, Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree, Summer
of 42, If, You’re a Lady, The Green Leaves of Summer,
People, Sing, Zarathustra
Johnny Pearson and his orchestra (Carmusic 0203-02)
This rare recording of the composer of the remembered Sleepy
Shores contains an interesting repertoire of songs from
films of the seventies and great hits like Tie a Yellow
Ribbon, Killing Me Softly and Green Leaves of Summer.
Now available on CD in Argentina and also available (like
the other Argentine releases) for members and collectors.
Mario Luis Kocian Rossi
RFS members who are interested in buying any of the
CDs from Argentina reviewed above are invited to write to:
Mario Luis Kocian Rossi, Sucre 2815, C 1428, DVY, Buenos
Aires, Argentina.
THE COMPLETE MANHATTAN TOWER
Magical City, Happiness Cocktail, I’m Learnin’
My Latin, Once Upon a Dream, Never Leave Me, This Close
to the Dawn, Repeat After Me, The Magic Fire, Married I
Can Always Get, The Statue of Liberty, The Party, New York’s
My Home and bonus tracks
Gordon Jenkins (Sepia Records, 1087) 76:00
Although I am not a fan of the work of Gordon Jenkins,
I listened to this CD with a fresh mind and to reappraise
his work. The Manhattan Tower work has quite a following
and it is released here in its entirety, recorded back in
July 1956. The music is well orchestrated and a very polished
performance is given by the Gordon Jenkins orchestra but
the linking narrative becomes dull and irritating for me.
The highlight for me was Never Leave Me which is
a very dramatic piece with Elliott Lewis and the Ralph Brewster
singers. The bonus tracks are a range of vocal and instrumental
pieces from 1953-55 with Gordon at the piano for Angel’s
Lullaby. Remastered by RFS member Robin Cherry, the
sound quality is excellent and accompanying CD booklet is
very detailed and includes all recording dates and personnel.
This is certainly for those who remember the Manhattan Tower
with affection and for those not accustomed to the work
of Gordon Jenkins.
Adam Endacott
ROMANTIC EUROPE Love in Madrid, Under the bridges
of Paris, In old Lisbon, Swedish Rhapsody, London by night,
Tulips from Amsterdam, Vienna, city of my dreams, Summertime
in Venice, Wonderful Copenhagen, Stars over Crete, La Belle
Suisse, Wonderland by night
GLAMOROUS HOLIDAY Evening in Paris, Ca c’est
Paris, J’attendrai, Mademoiselle de Paris, Clopin-clopant,
Parlez-moi d’amour, La vie en rose, Can can, Evening
in Rome, Santa Lucia, Anema e core, Mattinata, Catari, Catari,
The echo told me a lie, Mama, Come back to Sorrento
Frank Chacksfield and his Orchestra (Vocalion
CDLK 4345) 73:45. Another collectable 2-on-1 from one of
Britain’s most popular ever orchestra leaders who,
as another reviewer once wrote, "rarely, if ever, puts
a foot wrong." The first album was originally issued
on a Decca Eclipse album in 1972. In the complete absence
of any booklet notes, I am left wondering if like some earlier
Ace of Clubs budget issues it was aimed at the North American
market. Among the highlights for me is the evocative French
horn on London by night and Stars over Crete with
its shimmering strings. La Paloma is not as overblown
as it sometimes is, and it is interesting to hear Chacksfield’s
take on items more associated with Riddle, Faith, Mantovani
and Kaempfert. In old Lisbon is different
from Frank’s 78 rpm version.
The second album was an early stereo issue in 1958. The
titles had already appeared on the 1954/55 mono LPs ‘Evening
in Paris’ and ’Evening in Rome’,
the CD of which was recently deleted by Vocalion
[CDLK 4167]. This has been a disc I have often returned
to, and for anyone who missed it here is a chance to get
half of the 28 tracks in twin-channelled sound. Chacksfield
had a way with Italian melodies throughout his celebrated
career. As far as I could tell from the limited time I had
to compare them, the arrangements here are not exact copies
of the earlier albums. The arrangements throughout the disc
[only Leon Young is credited on two tracks] are always interesting
and keep the listener involved. The use of accordion, guitar
and mandolin is well-judged. The sound is enhanced by Mike
Dutton’s customary fine remastering. Peter Burt
GUILD "GOLDEN AGE OF LIGHT MUSIC" CDs
5132 "Continental Flavour" full tracklisting
in JIM 172, page 72
5133 "Amor Amor" full tracklisting in JIM
172, page 73
Continuing their successful policy of developing different
themes for the series, David Ades and Alan Bunting have
come up with one or two new ideas. New to GUILD, that is
– both CDs are very much in a similar vein to many
albums which made their appearance in the heyday of the
LP, although naturally there is a wider variety of performing
styles represented here than would normally be the case
on a one- orchestra disc.
Continental Flavour provides a mix of European,
British and American orchestras; a good number of pieces
are by Continental composers, with some British notables
(and a sole American) making up the balance. As usual, the
familiar ‘rubs shoulders’ with the ‘rarely-if-ever-heard-of’
variety, but there are some most welcome surprises. Listening
to this selection a few times, it struck me that there is
often a marked difference between the ‘sound’
of British composers and their French, Italian, German and
Spanish counterparts. It has a lot to do with the orchestration
and sometimes the instrumental lineup employed.
The team is to be congratulated in putting together another
very imaginative and thoroughly enjoyable collection, which
I’m sure will win many new friends.
Amor Amor – Music For Romance again takes its
title from an eponymous track, in this instance by the Frank
Cordell Orchestra. The original plan was to call it Cocktails
For Two after the opening number, a marvellous arrangement
of the Johnson-Coslow composition (originally written to
celebrate the end of prohibition in the USA); this could
only have been created by Robert Farnon and is faultlessly
executed under his baton. The full roll call of orchestras
is impressive and includes those of Ron Goodwin, David Rose,
Stanley Black, Werner Müller, Philip Green and Gordon
Jenkins – several other equals share the honours, with
a total of 24 tracks of the highest quality – they
don’t come any better than this. The mood is very relaxed
and the whole CD would undoubtedly make a perfect accompaniment
to an intimate candlelit dinner for two; the only things
missing are a suitably exotic meal and some appropriately
fine wine - but regrettably, these items are not included
in the price!
These two latest releases, together with the previous three
reviewed at the top of this feature, were excellent company
on a recent lengthy drive from my home in North London to
the North West of England and back. They are all extremely
worthy additions to the GUILD catalogue, which has now topped
well over the 30-mark, but stand by for some more newcomers
which I hope to review in the near future.
Tony Clayden
AT THE MOVIES
Over the Rainbow, Moon River, As Time Goes By, Somewhere
(from ‘West Side Story’), The Shadow of your Smile,
The Pink Panther, The Way We Were, The Summer Knows, It
Might be You, Cinema Paradiso Suite, A Whole New World,
Schindler’s List Dave Koz, saxophone (Capitol
383 6582). It’s always nice when something turns out
to be so much better than you expect. When this CD arrived
from EMI I took a quick glance though the booklet (with
my magnifying glass!) and read the publicity blurb. Until
I actually played the CD I had no idea that the talented
jazz musicians were going to be supported by a lush-sounding
concert orchestra performing some very pleasant arrangements.
Dave Koz is obviously a talented player who solos on soprano,
alto and tenor sax (at times supported by trumpeter Chris
Botti), with guest singers on most of the tracks –
among them Barry Manilow, Anita Baker, Johnny Mathis and
Donna Summer. The opening track features an excerpt from
Judy Garland singing her most famous song, while there are
some spoken words from Ingrid Bergman to introduce As
Time Goes By. Rob Mounsey, Rob Mathes, Randy Waldman
and Victor Vanacore share the arranging and conducting credits,
and at times it seems that the great arrangers of the past
half-century are looking over their shoulders. Two numbers
– It Might be You and The Shadow of your
Smile are reprised at the end in instrumental-only versions.
A lot of money has been spent on this recording and the
quality is obvious. If you enjoy popular music that is melodious
and slightly jazzy, without being too abrasive, then you
would do well to sample this. Of course, it isn’t light
music in any sense, but I certainly like it and I suspect
that many readers of this magazine might also welcome it
into their collections as a fine example of today’s
younger musicians. David Ades
Classical
BBC LEGENDS: SILVESTRI — ELGAR SYMPHONY NO.1 ETC
Cockaigne Overture, Symphony No. 1 (Sir Edward Elgar),
Beckus the Dandipratt (Sir Malcolm Arnold), Symphony No.
2 (Tchaikovsky), Jeux (Debussy), Four Sea Interludes (Sir
Benjamin Britten), Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 (Enescu)
Constantin Silvestri and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
(BBC Legends, BBCL 4182-2). I always tell people if
they want to hear a piece of music done the right way, then
listen to the old ones — such is the case with this
breath taking two CD set! The heart of this release is the
greatest single recording ever of Elgar’s First
Symphony — it can be made to sound shapeless and
formless in less caring hands. Here, Silvestri keeps everything
in check with great attention paid to each individual strand
and the result is a sharply focused performance with every
player knowing their parts and executing them with confidence
and assuredness. The same qualities are heard in another
troublesome score that of Debussy’s Jeux which
is very clear cut. The Tchaikovsky Second Symphony
also benefits from Silvestri’s inspired leadership,
matching many points brought out by this work’s greatest
advocate, composer Igor Stravinsky. The Britten Sea Interludes
come from an entirely different concept than Previn’s
rather hasty, sloppy performance. Silvestri’s penetrating
insight into the gnarled textures of this work result in
one of the most satisfying readings available to the general
public. The crowning glory was always a great favourite
of Silvestri’s, Enescu’s fabulously colourful
Roumanian Rhapsody No.1 in which images of a true
Roumanian band are more vividly caught than in any other
reading. Even if classical music is not your ‘bag’,
buy this immensely rewarding set. It will become one of
the jewels in your treasure box of favourites!
Richard Jessen
SONG OF THE BIRDS – ENGLISH CELLO MUSIC (Sanctuary
White Line CD WHL 2153).
At JIM we do our best to make available details of interesting
CDs as soon as they are released; unfortunately, this is
one that got away! Published way back in 2004, it seems
to have escaped the notice of our stalwart band of reviewers,
and might still be in a state of limbo were it not for a
chance remark made to me recently by Marjorie Cullerne,
on the telephone from Canada, when I was preparing for the
unveiling of the commemoration plaque to her great uncle,
Haydn Wood (see more details on page ????). The strange
thing is, I was aware of plans for a recording of
Wood’s Philharmonic Variations For Cello And Orchestra;
it was being spoken about by Ray Crick, of Sanctuary Records,
a good eight or nine years ago and forms part of this splendid
collection. Although the CD box bears the label British
Light Music, the four compositions are really at the
‘serious’ end of the genre. They were all published
between 1936 and 1951, with the exception of the Rubra work.
Herbert Murill (1909-1952) had become organ scholar at Worcester
College, Oxford, by the age of 19 and after studying (and
later teaching) composition at the RAM, became Assistant
Head of Music and then Director of Music at the BBC, an
appointment abruptly curtailed by his death at the age of
only 43. Written for the composer’s cellist wife, Vera
Canning, the Cello Concerto is dedicated ‘…in
respect and affection…’ to the great Pablo Casals
and features a Catalan folk melody Song Of The Birds
which permeates the entire concerto and from which the CD
takes its name. Sir George Dyson (1883-1964) was the son
of a Halifax, Yorkshire, blacksmith and having gained his
FRCO at 16, won an open scholarship to the RCM where he
studied under Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. The Prelude,
Fantasy and Chaconne was written in 1936 for his daughter
Alice who was a cello student at the time, and in effect
is a miniature three-movement concerto. Edmund Rubra (1901-1986)
hailed from Northampton and although originally a railway
booking clerk eventually studied with Gustav Holst at Reading
University and later went on to the RCM. His career as a
pianist and composer flourished during the 1930s; the Soliloquy
was written during WWII, when the composer was the pianist
for the Army Classical Music Group. This is no miniature,
but a full-blown symphonic movement scored for strings,
two horns and timpani. And so to the jewel in the crown;
Haydn Wood (1882-1959) also studied with Stanford at the
RCM, and has been recounted before, produced a large canon
of compositions in both ‘light’ and ‘serious’
genres. In the latter category are Piano and Violin concertos
and these Philharmonic Variations, which were given
for the first time in 1939 by the BBC Symphony Orchestra
under the composer’s baton. After an introductory solo
passage, which seems to allude to the Elgar Cello Concerto,
the main theme is stated, followed by seven variations and
an extended finale with an elaborate cadenza. The whole
work has echoes of Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations;
it lay forgotten for half a century until revived for a
concert performance in 1990 at Eton College. This piece
is further proof, if such were needed, of the undoubted
composing talents of Haydn Wood, who is only now receiving
the recognition which he so richly deserves. The performances
are in the highly capable hands of cellist Rafael Wallfisch
and the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted this time by the
greatly underrated Vernon Hanley, whilst recording engineer
Paul Waton has worked the same magic with the acoustic at
BBC’s Maida Vale studios that he would repeat some
seven months later for the first Montague Phillips (Vocalion)
CD.
Tony Clayden
Keyboard
SO WHAT’S NEW?
Calling All Workers, Estrellita, Waltz from Masquerade,
Eternally, Temptation Rag, The Rose, Medley: Downtown/YMCA/Avenues
and Alleyways, Serenade, Medley: The Girl from Ipanema/Moving
South/Eso Beso, Medley: Almost Like Being in Love/May I
Have the Next Dream with You/I've Heard That Song Before,
Medley: Ragtime/And All That Jazz, The Whistler and His
Dog, The Trolley Song, Medley: Under the Sea/You've Got
a Friend in Me, Medley: Ciribiribin/Oh Maria Marie/Autumn
in Rome/On an Evening in Roma, The Harry Lime Theme, Medley:
I Wish You Love/If You Love Me, Medley: So What's New?/Jeepers
Creepers/Everything's in Rhythm With My Heart
Phil Kelsall (Grasmere, GRCD127) 71:56
You can always rely on Phil Kelsall to release a CD with
a variety of tunes and tempos and ‘So What’s New?’
will not disappoint with just over an hour of Wurlitzer
at its best with all the stops pulled out. Tim Wills co-wrote
Moving South and Eso Beso (although not credited
after the tunes) and also produced this CD. Old favourites
such as Calling All Workers, Waltz from Masquerade
and The Harry Lime Theme mingle with lesser heard
tunes. The Rose has an enjoyable church organ section.
Covering three decades Downtown, YMCA and Avenues
and Alleyways start the foot tapping and the medley
of Italian related songs have you thinking of warm nights
and holidays. Disney is not forgotten with Under the
Sea and You’ve Got a Friend in Me. This
CD was recorded in January 2007 on the Wurlitzer Organ at
the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool.
Gillian Endacott
ALFRED HOLLINS — ORGAN WORKS
Concert Overture in C major , Benediction Nuptiale,
A Trumpet Minuet, Allegretto grazioso, Concert Overture
in C minor, Evening Rest, Concert Overture in F minor, Andante
in D, A Song of Sunshine, Maytime Gavotte, Theme with Variations
and Fugue
Timothy Byram-Wigfield (Delphian DCD34044) 80:00
www.delphianrecords.co.uk
The composer, Alfred Hollins, born in Hull in 1865 had
the very considerable handicap of being totally blind, but
he enjoyed a high reputation as both a virtuoso concert
pianist and organist. His compositions for the latter instrument
despite the vagaries of musical fashion have always continued
to feature in the repertoire of many organists. It is in
this latter regard that a review of this new Delphian disc
seems appropriate since Hollins was often dubbed ‘the
Eric Coates of the organ loft’. He wrote a number of
delightful, often delicate light miniatures, for the ‘king’
of instruments of which several are included here. There’s
a radiant A Song of Sunrise, a charming Maytime
Gavotte and a resplendent A Trumpet Minuet, Handelian |
