Search - Sigmund Romberg, Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin :: All American Showcase

Incomparable Orchestrations of Great Åmerican Composers

Thomas E. DeJulio | Bronxville, NY USA | 05/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The timeless melodies of Irving Berlin, Rudolf Friml, Victor Herbert and Sigmund Romberg are featured on this brand new Vocalion CD of the original orchestra recording under the baton of Mantovani. These tracks were among the earliest produced in stereo sound in 1958 and 1959. Included are 24 absolutely spectacular orchestrations of some of the greatest works of those legendary composers. Mantovani's title as the world's most successful light orchestra leader was rightfully earned by his recording their works on four Long Playing records between 1953 and 1956. This stereo re-recording of those enormously popular monaural LPs truly solidified his standing as the unparalleled interpreter of their melodies. Listeners will be dazzled by the Mantovani sound applied to Berlin's Always, Marie, and the Girl That I Marry; and the hauntingly beautiful Victor Herbert gems, Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life, Kiss Me Again, and Indian Summer; along with Friml's most poignant melody, Love Everlasting, the comical Donkey Serenade, and his great classics, Sympathy and Indian Love Call. Indeed, those who enjoy the Mantovani touch will surely be transcended by his stunning arrangements of Romberg's When I Grow Too Old to Dream, Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise, and the Mantovani concert chestnut, Serenade from the Student Prince. This CD will make a delightful addition to the many now emerging from the maestro's prolific discography. It should be "showcased" in every musical library of great American music of the early 20th Century, music which Mantovani and his orchestra immortalized for all succeeding generations."