"56 Show-Stoppers from the Last Century ~ Paul Bateman"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 04/16/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Some of the best musicals from the last century appear on this 4-CD compilation "Musicals:The Gold Collection", featuring many stars of the London Stage with Paul Bateman (conductor), The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philharmonia, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the world renown Crouch End Festival Chorus ~ sharing the spotlight, blending voice and music within the boundaries of great compositions from sold out musical shows from the past ~ all songs presented on this collection have been performed by a diverse set of artists ~ share the beauty of simplicity that exists in the music of each performance. Here's just a sampling with "Annie", Annie Get Your Gun", "Anything Goes", "Aspects of Love", "Cabaret", "Carmen Jones", "Carousel", "Cats", "Chess", "Evita", "The Fantastics", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Gigi", "Guys and Dolls", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "Kismet", "Kiss Me Kate", "La Cage Aux Folles", "Les Miserables", "A Little Night Music", "Man of La Mancha", "Oklahoma", "Phantom of the Opera", "Porgy & Bess", "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers", "Showboat", "The Sound of Music", "South Pacific", "Starlight Express", "Sunset Boulevard", "Tell Me On Sunday", "There's No Business Like Show Business", "West Side Story" ~ each cue is just the icing on the cake presented in this one of a kind event.Let's take a look at the stars of the London Stage ~ Meredith Braun, Keith Burns, Sharon Campbell, Mary Carewe, Gerard Casey, Chris Corcoran, Keith Ferreira, Lesley Garrett (always a favorite in everyones collection), Helen Hobson, Michele Hooper, Christopher Howard, Jason Howard, Ria Jones, John Langley, David Shannon, Deorah Steel, Jill Washington, Dave Willetts, Tania Williams ~ so much talent under one banner, perfection is the only description that comes to mind. Paul Bateman has come up with a instrumental masterpiece, with emotional peaks and valleys that we've experienced over decades in the tumultuous world of musicals in the theatre. Silva America, James Fitzpatrick, Reynold da Silva and David Stoner have paid homage to this genre ~ brought to the forefront in one universal voice the magnitude and influence for all it's listeners ~ powerful and personal touch of each track makes you feel the melody is still ringing in your ears, that's what the composer hoped for and it works ~ this musical collection is a keeper ~ gotta love it!Total Time: 4-CD-Set ~ Silva America 3605 ~ (4/06/2004)"