Search - Sigmund Romberg Orchestra, Larry Douglas, Lawrence Brooks :: Sigmund Romberg: The New Moon; Up in Central Park; Viennese Nights

Romberg conducts Romberg.... who better? Nice, cleaned up r

Penumbra | Atlanta, GA USA | 07/10/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is volume 2 of "Romberg conducts Romberg." The selections on here are from Romberg's operettas:

"My Maryland"

"The New Moon"

"Viennese Nights"

"May Wine"

"Sunny River"

"Up in Central Park"





Obviously I'm no Romberg scholar. I listen to him because my parents and grandparents listened and enjoyed Romberg. I complained about it at the time, but it seems some of it rubbed off on me. There are Romberg songs that I simply adore and I bought this CD only on the strength of "Stout Hearted Men," "Lover Come Back to Me," and "Wanting You." Many songs on here must be considered rather obscure today, and for the most part they didn't grab me. The Viennese waltzes were nice though. If you're looking for more familiar Romberg numbers, you might want to seek out the operettas "The Student Prince" and "The Desert Song."



The songs on here were recorded between 1945 and 1950. Naxos has done a superb job with remastering the recordings. They sound very clean and fresh. Sure, it's not stereo, but that's the trade-off we make to hear the master himself. If Romberg can't do a great job conducting Romberg, who can?



I was very grateful that these singers lean more to a robust 1940's interpretation than the 1920's style. (Think more Gordon MacRae than Nelson Eddy.)



All together I have to say that this CD is an impressive effort and much better than I expected. If I were a more devoted Romberg fan, I think I would be over the (new) moon with this CD.



Recommended.

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