Search - Richard Rodgers, Morton Gould, Leonard Bernstein :: Rodgers: Slaughter on Tenth Avenue

Unique collection of Dances

Merlin L. Miller | Bend, Oregon | 03/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first purchased this music in vinyl record form in 1960. At the time, I was looking for a hi-fi version of Slaughter On Tenth Avenue and this recording was the only one available in town. The title music was all I wanted it to be and it was pure serendipity to also receive the rest of the selections on the record. Some I was familiar with, but the rest have since become some of my favorite music. The fact that I am back getting a CD of the music helps attest to its timeless value. After almost exactly 40 years I am still not tired of it and am looking forward to being able to hear it again in about the clearest form possible. Now I will be able to listen to it in my car as well as at home. Maybe it will help to know that I think Slaughter On Tenth Avenue is the best piece of American music ever composed.My tastes run toward music with strong melody lines (such as Greig's music) and all of the selections in this disc meet that criterium."

It's a starry, moonlit night in 50's Manhattan....

Photoscribe | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA | 02/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...And this album is the perfect soundtrack to it. In this compilation are the creme de la creme of modern nocturnal classical pieces, with the exception of Khatchaturian's Sabre Dance. Here is the anthem of Manhattan itself, "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue" by Richard Rodgers, "Gavotte and Blues" by Morton Gould, "Fancy Free: Gallop, Danzon and Waltz" by Bernstein, "The Three Cornered Hat" By De Falla and the "Age of Gold Polka" by Shostakovich, a piece to help bring up images of an old string-marionette puppet show. However, for some odd reason, "Petrouschka" by Igor Stravinsky and one of the most beautiful melodies you'll ever hear, Gian-Carlo Menotti's "Barcarolle from 'Sebastian'" have been left off of this version of the album, to be replaced by the woefully out-of-place, (and totally mediocre,) "Estancia: Malambo" by somebody named Ginastera. This is a bloody shame, for the left out pieces really enhanced the feel of the whole album! Still, though, what is left will mentally put you in a cherry paneled den with subdued ligting, in a big red leather easy chair, puffing on the most aromatic pipe you own, (if you smoke,) reading your favorite Raymond Chandler novel. I can't recommend it highly enough! (The album, not smoking!)By all means, beware of later incarnations of this album which were altered beyond all recongition, with only "Rodeo" and "Fancy Free" left on it, along with the title tune. It is NOT the same album! Somebody at BMG had the good sense to find THIS incarnation in RCA's catalog, which isn't TOO mangled, to represent Fiedler and the Pops at their finest, and market it in lieu of the latter mistake! The original, "Orthophonic" version, which included "Sebastian" and "Petrouschka", is, apparently, either still buried in RCA's vaults, or, regrettably, no more....I often picture Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse traipsing down 1st Ave. to the best music on this album. The "Fancy Free" pieces would have made GREAT title themes for Tim Burton's "Batman " movies. (Okay, Warner's...remember me when you use that idea!)If you lived through the fifties either as an adult or a child, or if you want to know what nighttime felt like in a good urban neighborhood between 1930 and 1960, GET THIS ALBUM!!"

Outstanding!

markmcg@webtv.net | 08/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great collection of 20th Century music. Each selection provides a wonderful interpretation of modern music for the dance. Some, such as "The Sabre Dance" and "Hoedown", are well known. Others, such as de Falla's "Three-Cornered Hat" and Bernstein's three exquisite dances from "Fancy Free" deserve a place in every music lover's heart. Richard Rodgers' "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" may be the most exciting music he ever composed. Arthur Fiedler leads the Boston Pops in the defiitive versions of these works. A must-have for any music collection."