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 Once As I Remember: The Story of Christmas $16.98 MY ADVICE IS LISTEN TWICE, THE FIRST TIME WITHOUT READING; TIME NUMBER TWO IS UP TO YOU. IF LINER NOTES YOU'RE NEEDING. This CD is a nativity play entitled 'ONCE AS I REMEMBER', made up of music, speech, dance and mime. It took place in the Millroom at Springhead, home of the Gardiner family in Dorset. In the accompanying booklet there is a detailed outline of the history of the play and pertinent information. In addition, the liner notes can be followed as you listen, but if you follow my introductory suggestion, I think that you might get more overall enjoyment from the recording. Most of the music is for small, unaccompanied choir, an eclectic miscellany of carols, some familiar others less so, from all around the world, and more sophistocated polyphony from the sixteenth century, chosen primarily for its suitability as accompaniment to a given stage of mimed action. Simple plainsong would be followed by the most elaborate polyphony of Byrd, French and German carols would rub shoulders with Palestrina or with contemporary music, specially composed for the play. Gardiner states that for this particular recording he added a few favorite pieces, as with Tavener's 'The Lamb' that was composed after the play was discontinued in 1971. The performance of the Monteverdi Choir and respective soloists is vibrant, exciting, dictionally perfect employing good phrasing and that buoyant tone quality that rises to the top and moves forward. Although it is mostly unaccompanied, there are some carols that make use of such instruments as for example: 'Hodie Christus Natus est' (Bassano)(Sweelinck)'Quem vidistes Pastores?' uses two cornets, four sackbutts and organ.- 'Ach Herr, Du Schopfer' (Schutz) uses organ- 'Guillo, pran ton tamborin' uses recorder and drum- 'Psallite' uses one cornet and three sackbutts and organ- 'Entry of the three Kings' uses oboe. The instrumentalists provided a skilled an attractive accompaniment. Granted that this is a personal memoir of Gardiner's, the music itself stands on its own merit. I really found that the accompanying liner notes and story line was totally irrelevant to my enjoyment of the music, which is superb. BUT, seriously, has Gardiner ever produced any recording without some merit????  Permit Me Voyage: Songs by American Composers $17.98 This is a terrific recording of some familar and some little-known American composers. The most substantial work in this varied collection is certainly the Argento setting of selections from the diary of Virginia Woolf. Mary Ann Hart must be just about the ideal interpretter of these powerful songs. Great vocalism, great musicianship, and a special ability to do what the music demands without short-changing the words - which is essential to the success of this cycle. The entire CD - while varied both stylistically an in terms of the quality of compositions - is consistent in the brilliance of the performances and in the appeal of these songs. Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in contemporary American art songs, or who just loves great singing.  Lerner & Loewe Songbook for Orchestra $17.98 Great music from the creators of Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, My Fair Lady, Gigi, Camelot, and others. Good CD and I am pleased I bought it, but not as good as I normal expect from Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops |
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