Like the Willow Tree

Like the Willow Tree

Track Listings

1. Track 1

2. Track 2

3. Track 3

4. Track 4

5. Track 5

6. Track 6

7. Track 7

8. Track 8

9. Track 9

10. Track 10

11. Track 11

12. Track 12

Editorial Reviews
Andy McKnight, New England Performer
The rich tapestry of music that is woven into Like the Willow Tree, Atwater-Donnelly's absolutely mesmerizing combination of beautiful traditional American ballads and Irish folk music, is one of the warmest recordings that has been cradled into my CD player for a long time. I've been told that to see this talented pair live is quite a moving experience, but, then again, Like the Willow Tree is so enriching that I could just play it all day long.--

Product Description
Traditional Celtic, American, and Original Folk Music played with a variety of instruments and stunning vocal harmonies.

Like the Willow Tree

Like the Willow Tree,Atwater-Donnelly,Beacon,Celtic,Celtic Folk,Popular Music,Traditional Folk

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Average customer rating:

The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan

Pure delight

Delicious G&S samplings abound here.

Fine Intro to G&S

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Nicholas Folwell , Arthur Sullivan , Marie McLaughlin , Rebecca Evans , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , John Mark Ainsley , Alwyn Mellor , Anne Howells , Barry Banks , Eric Garrett , Felicity Palmer , Gareth Rhys Davies , Janice Watson , Julie Gossage , Neill Archer , Pamela Helen Stephen , Peter Savidge , Richard Stuart , Richard Suart , Richard Van Allan , Sir Thomas Allen [baritone] , Sir Charles Mackerras , and Welsh National Opera
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Allen, Thomas | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
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The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection

Topsy-Turvy - The Music of Gilbert & Sullivan: From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan

The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan

The Gilbert and Sullivan Overtures

ASIN: B000003D1Y
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

A Wandering Minstrel I
Behold The Lord High Executioner!
Three Little Maids From School Are We
Braid The Raven Hair
The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring
On A Tree By A River, A Little Tom-tit Sang, 'Willow, Tit-willow'
For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum
We Sail The Ocean Blue
I'm Called Little Buttercup
My Gallant Crew
When I Was A Lad
Things Are Seldom What They Seem
Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
Poor Wand'ring One
How Beautifully Blue The Sky
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
When The Foeman Bares His Steel
Ah, Leave Me Not To Pine
With Cat-Like Tread
Is Life A Boon?
I Have A Song To Sing, O!
Were I Thy Bride
Oh, A Private Buffoon Is A Light-Hearted Loon
When A Wooer Goes A-Wooing
When I, Good Friends, Was Called To The Bar
A Nice Dilemma We Have Here
Oh, Joy Unbounded

Customer Reviews:

The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan.......2004-03-15

At the end of the 19th century (1870's, 80's and 90's) the compatible duo of librettist and composer Gilbert and Sullivan popularized the pre-Broadway entertainment of Savoy opera. These were light operas or operettas whose content was satire and comedy, full of bouncy melodies and beautiful singing, highly entertaining theatrical works staged at London's Savoy theatre. Gilbert and Sullivan did not always get along and in fact there was a time when they ended their professional relationship because personal conflicts surfaced. But they managed to create the world's most beloved light operas, over 40 of them. Their most famous are what I call the Big Three- The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance and The Mikado. Other works include their first hit Trial By Jury, The Yeomen Of The Guard, Princess Ida, The Gondoliers, Patience and several others. A standard signature of Gilbert and Sullivan was in the colorful cast- a comic actor with a special kind of baritone voice, a canary-like and sweet-voiced coloratura or lyric diva, a mezzo soprano with strong chest register and a lyric tenor as the romantic hero. On this album, English conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, a popular figure in the classical music scene and opera, guides the Chorus and Orchestra Of the Welsh National Opera in generally well-delivered performances of excerpts from the operas The Mikado, The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance, Yeomen Of The Guard and Trial By Jury. Although I feel that the recordings made by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, with Isodore Godfrey conducting and starring the best cast of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire- the singers of the 60's and 70's- tenor Phillip Potter, soprano Valerie Masterson, baritone John Reed, Donald Adams and mezzo soprano Christine Palmer. Their version of the Pirates Of Penzance and the Mikado far outshine the Welsh National Opera in technical mastery and vibrant tone color.

But these are fine excerpts. Especially appealing is the famous and cheerful "Three Little Maids From School Are We", a trio that imitates Japanese style melody. Most of the Mikado does this, for it was inspired by Japanisme or the new fashion in Victorian England- everything Japanese, from prints to paintings to poetry. Gilbert and Sullivan simply "Japanized" their English operettas. The Finale "For He's Gone To Marry Yum Yum" is an ebullient and pleasant finale. Not featured here is the domineering and powerful Katisha, a figure who stands out in the Mikado.

The H.M.S. Pinafore is Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular work. The sea chanty "We Sail The Ocean Blue" opens the opera with appropriate atmosphere and it seems to fit perfectly with the other scene in which the Captain greets his crew and they sing his praises "My Gallant Crew..I am the Captain Of The Pinafore". A beautiful melody that seems to come out of a romantic Offenbach tune is "I"m Called Little Buttercup". The finale, not featured here, is also very engaging "For He Is An Englishman" which can almost resemble a British national anthem. The Yeomen Of The Guard was Gilbert and Sullivan's "serious opera" eventhough it remains very Savoyard. The plot deals with Tudor England and takes place at the London Tower. "I have a song to sing" makes use of what can be taken for an English ballad of the Renaissance. Trial By Jury, about the eccentric and hilarious activity of a court trial, has a sextet that although different in composition, has the sextet "Che Mi Frena" from Donizetti's Lucia Di Lammermoor in mind. All in all, an excellent recording sure to delight young and old.

Pure delight.......2003-08-02

--Gilbert & Sullivan--
William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were a match made in heaven, yet on earth their pairing seems even with hindsight a most unlikely coupling. Both were destined for other things, Gilbert in fact for decidedly non-musical careers. Introduced by a mutual friend, Fred Clay, the fledgling lyricist Gilbert met the military-band-leader's son Sullivan and together continued to conspire to inspire the delights of audiences from high Victorian times down to the present, as their work in musical theatre comedy continues to provide merriment throughout the English-speaking world and beyond.

--The Music--
This collection includes highlights from five of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operettas: The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Yeoman of the Guard, and Trial by Jury. The arrangements and orchestrations are delightfully energetic and clear; the characterisation and vocal qualities of the leads are perfect for their roles. The haughty if misplaced Lord of the Admiralty has the perfect combination of insecurity and pompous officiousness. The Plaintiff and the Defendant in the Trial are perfectly cast. This is a collection of highlights - at least three but no more than seven songs each, but this gives a good flavour of the music. The recordings on this collection come from complete performances by Mackerras and the WNO.

--Sir Charles Mackerras--
Mackerras is one of the geniuses of the twentieth century musical scene. Having a conducting career that includes the Hamburg Opera, the English National Opera (formerly Sadlers Wells Opera), and the Welsh National Opera (the performers for this piece), he has also conducted major orchestras on the continent of Europe and in the United States. The holder of many major awards and honourary doctorates, he has devoted much time and energy to the preservation and performance of eighteenth and nineteenth century music, as well the restoration of historical musical venues, such as the Estates Theatre in Prague, scene of the original production of Don Giovanni (Mackerras conducted the opera there to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Mozart).

--Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Chorus--
The seeds of the WNO were planted in Cardiff during World War II by music lovers; the first performances occurred a year after the war's end, with Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci on the bill, with Faust the next night. Popular appeal was so great that the WNO was established, later adding choruses in both Cardiff and Swansea. The professional chorus was established in 1973, with a strength that matches the orchestra. They continue an ambitious performance schedule for recording and live events; Mackerras remains the Conductor Emeritus, as the WNO continues under the direction of Carlo Rizzi. The list of awards the WNO has won over the years is staggering - they are a world class institution by any measure.

--Other performers--
Notable singers such as Richard Stuart, Rebecca Evans, Felicity Palmer, John Mark Ainsley and Anne Howells lead the chorus with stunning vocals and clever characterisations of the parts they play. Many (such as Stuart and Evans) play the leading roles across several of the pieces of the disc.

--Liner Notes--
The liner notes give a good introduction and biographical information about Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as synopses of the five pieces presented here. It does not, unfortunately, include any information about Mackerras, the WNO Orchestra and Chorus, or the other special performers. It also does not include the lyrics to the songs. Were the quality of the CD not so great, this might cost it a star in rating.

--Overall Impressions--
I play this CD in my car, in my home and in my office frequently. It is a great sing-along work and a great comedic relief from the stresses of the day. The music is bubbly and clear; the recording quality is excellent and crisp. I recommend this to any Gilbert & Sullivan lover, any fan of musical comedy, opera and operettas, and anyone who delights in good music.

Delicious G&S samplings abound here........2003-05-06

The first thing I should be saying is "What an infectuous G&S CD." Indeed this is, with this fine sampling of the peppy and bright Mackerras series. I know I have praised its "Mercedes-Benz quality" elsewhere on these pages, but that doesn't stop me from saying that everyone is in fine voice. This generously filled CD may only focus on five operas, but at least you can savour a reasonable choice sampling of delights from each one. Of particular interest is Richard Suart's patter-baritone parts and the soaring lyric soprano of Rebecca Evans. The selection on this disc is filled with a mixture of familiar favourites and lesser-known gems such as the female choruses in Mikado and Pirates. Mackerras is a true G&S conductor, but one who always springs rhythms crisply, and adopts peppy tempo for the fast bits. The one drawback is that this selection is far too infectuous that you'll want to shell out money to buy the full 5-CD Mackerras cycle - an incredible bargain with most of the operas fitted onto one disc each. But still, this is at least a decent G&S sampling for beginners, capped with Steven Ledbetter's copious liner notes. It will leave you wanting to say "dammit I'm going to play it again."

Fine Intro to G&S.......2000-12-30

This is the perfect CD for those who may not be familiar with G&S, or for the initiated who want a smattering but don't have the mother of all CD changers. The difficulty with any G&S Greatest Hits CD is determining which pieces to leave off; while one could easily point to any number equally good bits, it would be difficult to argue about the quality of the choices included. The only problem, such as it is, is that after listening to it I am usually induced to go back and listen to the whole opera anyway. The Mackerras recordings are uniformly excellent. I have read elsewhere the criticism that they are too 'operatic' for light opera. If by this it is meant that the singers are too good, then I leave it to the discretion of the listener when the singing becomes too good to be enjoyable.

The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection

Average customer rating:

Well worth the price
Not Exactly "The Ultimate" Collection...
Where's the chicks?!?!
Not quite the ultimate....
Great Music - Questionable Selection

The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection
Arthur Sullivan , Isidore Godfrey , Royston Nash , New Symphony Orchestra of London , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Colin Wright , Donald Adams , George Cook , Gillian Knight , Jean Hindmarsh , Jeffrey Skitch , John Ayldon , John Reed , Joyce Wright , Kenneth Sandford , Lyndsie Holland , Owen Brannigan , Pauline Wales , Peggy Ann Jones , Thomas Round , Valerie Masterson , and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan
Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Topsy-Turvy - The Music of Gilbert & Sullivan: From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Topsy-Turvy
The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan

ASIN: B000007OU0
Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

H.M.S. Pinafore: We Shall Sail The Ocean Blue
H.M.S. Pinafore: I'm Called Little Buttercup
H.M.S. Pinafore: My Galant Crew, Good Morning
H.M.S. Pinafore: I'm The Monarch Of The Sea
H.M.S. Pinafore: When I Was A Lad
H.M.S. Pinafore: Nevermind The Why And Wherefore
H.M.S. Pinafore: Kind Captain, I've Important Information
H.M.S. Pinafore: Carefully On Tip - Toe Stealing
H.M.S. Pinafore: For He Is An Englishman
The Pirates Of Penzance: I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major - General
The Pirates Of Penzance: When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
The Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat Like Tread
The Sorcerer: My Name Is John Wellinton Wells
The Gondoliers: Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes
Patience: If You're Anxious To Shine
The Mikado: If You Want To Know Who We Are
The Mikado: A Wand'ring Minstrel I
The Mikado: Behold The Lord High Executioner
The Mikado: As Someday It May Happen
The Mikado: Three Little Maids From School Are We
The Mikado: The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze
The Mikado: Here's A How - De - Do!
The Mikado: From Ev'ry Kind Of Man Obedience I Expect
The Mikado: A More Humane Mikado Never Did In Japan Exist
The Mikado: The Criminal Cried As He Dropp'd Him Down
The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring, Tra La
The Mikado: On A Tree By A River A Little Tom Tit
The Mikado: There Is Beauty In The Bellow Of The Blast
The Mikado: For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum

Customer Reviews:

Well worth the price.......2006-04-13

I love this CD. No, despite its name it is not the "ultimate" collection, as scarcely could be expected from a single CD. It is heavy on Mikado, as others have stated. It leaves out things I would have included and includes things I would have left out. But the performances are wonderful, traditional and all you expect from G&S. Considering the low price, it is well worth including in your G&S collection ... as PART of your collection. After the disappointment of the godawful Opera World video series (Don't buy it!) this CD is a joy and a relief.

Not Exactly "The Ultimate" Collection..........2004-12-23

It seems that a collection of Gilbert & Sullivan music that has the name "The Ultimate Collection" in its title would boast a wide range of music, but I found the selection disappointing. Half of the tracks are songs from The Mikado, and the other half is divided between five... yes, FIVE other operettas. This means that the representation from each operetta is awfully scant. I would have liked to see less Mikado and more of everything else, and perhaps some highlights from the more obscure operettas (Princess Ida and The Sorcerer, namely).

In addition, while most of the music is very well performed, some of the vocalists either go a bit overboard or, at the very opposite end, seem to lack expression. For example, this Nanki-Poo (in The Mikado) seems to be overly occupied with vibrato. Katisha's voice is annoying, and The Mikado's low voice often seems to lack feeling and humor. The other idiosyncracies, like the very frightening evil laughing during "A More Humane Mikado" and hissing during "Three Little Maids" really bug me.

Then again, I'm new to Gilbert and Sullivan, and was introduced to the music through the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, which has a noticeably less operatic style, and hardly includes "stage noise"... so perhaps all this is the norm. Do listen to the tracks for yourself, though, before you purchase the CD. Personally, I find that the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, while considerably less ecompassing, is much lighthearted and easier listening.

Where's the chicks?!?!.......2003-05-15

It wouldn't be G&S if not for the ladies - so where are they? How could they leave out Mabel's aria - or Josephine's!? The only female aria included on this disc comes from Mikado, which is the least exciting (if G&S could be un-exciting) of the three! Everything else on the recording is great, but I am still quite disappointed.

Not quite the ultimate...........2002-03-25

This is a great collection, but unfortunately it doesn't have songs from all the works of G&S. Most notably, there is nothing from the "Yeoman of the Guard". I still reccommed it however as John Reed is wonderful!!

Great Music - Questionable Selection.......2002-02-05

It's an ongoing challenge to find a recording of Gilbert and Sullivan that combines premium musicality and great theatrical performance. This recording is a true gem on both fronts. My only complaint is that for a "Best of" collection, this compilation is Mikado-heavy and scarcely touches on highlights from other masterpieces, particularly The Pirates of Penzance. This would be my favorite G&S CD of all time, of only it included tracks like "When the Foeman Bares his Steel," "Poor Wand'ring One," and "Dry the Glist'ning Tear," but then again, I guess there's no real consensus as to which are Gilbert and Sullivan's best works, and there are too many to fit on one CD.

Phase 4 Stereo: Gilbert & Sullivan: HMS Pinafore / D'Oyly Carte Opera Company

Average customer rating:

Great CD's
A much maligned joy!
A Pinafore performance that deserves more acceptance
A good Pinafore, bird, boards and brine included
A fun, lighthearted, well-done musical comedy.

Phase 4 Stereo: Gilbert & Sullivan: HMS Pinafore / D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
Arthur Sullivan , Arthur Jackson , Thomas Lawlor , Ralph Mason , Valerie Masterson , Donald Adams , John Reed , Christene Palmer , John Ayldon , Pauline Walkes , James Walker , and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance
Gilbert & Sullivan; The Mikado
Gilbert & Sullivan: Iolanthe
Gilbert & Sullivan: The Mikado
HMS Pinafore: or The Lass That Loved a Sailor Vocal Score

ASIN: B0000042GK
Release Date: 1997-11-11

Tracks:

HMS Pinafore: Overture
HMS Pinafore - Act I: We Sail The Ocean Blue
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Hail, Men-O'-Wars' Men
HMS Pinafore - Act I: I'm Called Little Buttercup
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Aye, Little Buttercup - And Well Called
HMS Pinafore - Act I: But, Tell Me - Who's The Youth?
HMS Pinafore - Act I: The Nightingale Sighed
HMS Pinafore - Act I: A Maiden Fair To See
Ah, My Poor Lad, You've Climbed Too High
My Gallant Crew, Good Morning
HMS Pinafore: I Am The Captain Of The Pinafore
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Sir, You Are Sad!
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Sorry Her Lot Who Loves Too Well
HMS Pinafore - Act I: My Child, I Grieve To See
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Over The Bright Blue Sea
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Now Give Three Cheers...I Am The Monarch Of The Sea
HMS Pinafore - Act I: When I Was A Lad I Served A Term
HMS Pinafore - Act I: You've A Remarkably Fine Crew
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Ah! Sir Joseph's ATrue Gentleman
HMS Pinafore - Act I: A British Tar Is A Soaring Soul
HMS Pinafore - Act I: It Is Useless - Sir Joseph's Attentions Nauseate Me
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Refrain, Audacious Tar
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Can I Survive this Overbearing?
HMS Pinafore - Act I: O Joy, O Rapture Unforeseen
HMS Pinafore - Act I: This Very Night
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Let's Give Three Cheers For The Sailor's Bride

Tracks:

HMS Pinafore - Act II: Entracte
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Fair Moon, To Thee I Sing
HMS Pinafore - Act II: How Sweetly He Carols Forth
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Things Are Seldom What They Seem
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Incomprehensible As Her Utterances Are
HMS Pinafore - Act II: The Hours Creep On Apace
HMS Pinafore - Act II: A Simple Sailor, Lowly Born
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Madam, It Has Been Misrepresented To Me
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Sir Joseph, I Cannot Express To You My Delight
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Kind Captain, I've Important Information
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Dick Deadeye - I ank Yoiu For Your Warning...Carefully On Tiptoe Stealing
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Hold! Pretty Daughter Of Mine
HMS Pinafore - Act II: In Uttering A Reprobation
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Now Tell Me, My Fine Fellow
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Farewell, My Own
HMS Pinafore - Act II: A Many Years Ago
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Then I Am To Understand
HMS Pinafore - Act II: O Joy, O Rapture Unforeseen
The Pirates Of Penzance: Hold, Monsters
The Pirates Of Penzance: I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
The Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat-Like Tread
The Pirates Of Penzance: When the Foeman Bares His Steel
Ruddigore: Ruddigore - There Grew a Little Flower (Dame Hannah) (Sir Roderic Murgatroyd)
The Mikado: A Wand'ring Minstrel I
The Mikado: A More Humane Mikado
The Mikado: Three Little Maids From School Are We
The Mikado: On A Tree By A Willow, 'Tit Willow'
The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring

Customer Reviews:

Great CD's.......2005-09-20

I love the versions of "I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General" and "When I Was A Lad". The lyrics were fairly easy to understand and the vocals were fun and spunky, just as Gilbert & Sullivan should be:). I have no complaints (even the price was right); all in all two great CDs.

A much maligned joy!.......2001-01-20

This recording dating from 1971 is now realised on CD with superb sound quality. The cast was probably the last great line up of the late years of the former D'Oyly Carte Company.

John Reed does appear tired and stale, this is due to the closeness of the recording making for a 'radio broadcast' effect. Thomas Lawler as Capt Corcoran (at the time husband of Pauline Wales, Cousin Hebe) is excellent. I remember seeing this cast in performance, minus Valerie Masterson, who was brought in as guest artiste for the recording. They were superb then, with particular mention of the brilliant Christene Palmer (a fantastic Katisha in The Mikado), Arthur Jackson who had a great presence on stage and was a superb Pooh-Bah, his round tones suit admirably the role of Carpenters-Mate.

Ralph Mason, as Ralph Rackstraw (pronounced as Rafe, a Victorian English idiosyncracy) made a superb attempt at all the parts he played in repertory, of particular note being Earl Tolloller in Iolanthe.

This recording is worth the purchase to recall or find for the first time the last glimpses of this much lamented troupe. Except for the weak John Ayldon, Dick Deadeye, who does not have the satanic glitter of the late Donald Adams or Darrell Fancourt, the rest are superb. A pity the newer, yet fresher company does not have the subtlety of tradition or performance quality. Ah well, lack-a-day! we can't have everything...Can we?

A Pinafore performance that deserves more acceptance.......2000-11-25

Ever since D'Oyly Carte made this wonderful recording of Pinafore in 1971, it has been given somewhat unfair critiques, including one that called it "infamous." That criticism came about because of the distorted sound on the original LP issue, but things seem to have improved with this CD reissue, allowing the performance to be heard more clearly. Nevertheless, the artistic distinction of the performance still manages to shine through brightly, and this alone can contribute to the winning appeal of its admirers.

Even despite the fact that John Reed gives a memorable performance of the Ruler of the Queen's Navee, his portrayal seems to have deteriorated a little bit. This is due to the obvious staleness of his voice (well, it was a feature of all the D'Oyly Carte recordings that were made from the 1968 Pirates onwards, so you mustn't blame him!) and his deteriorating diction. Some of the words were not pronounced clearly, as in his character's famous comical autobiographical song, and there is evidence of sloppiness of hte notes in places. The other major drawback is John Ayldon's Deadeye. Like all D'Oyly Carte recordings to which he contributed, this one was ruined by the unpleasant gruffness of his voice. His portrayal seems not to match Donald Adams on every level. However, for the rest of the cast, there is much to please the ear. Thomas Lawlor makes as first-class a Captain as Jeffrey Stitch, Gordon Sandison or Thomas Allen, but even though he has a slightly heavy and dark-timbred voice, he nevertheless manages to remove it from this recording. He is certainly better suited to this role than to Deadeye, the role he played on the New Sadler's Wells recording. Ralph Mason makes a heady-toned Rackstraw, and he certainly is a joy to hear on record, determined to win the hand of Josephine, who is memorably characterised by the best G&S prima donna, Valerie Masterson. She sings with a full-blooded mature soprano voice with which she gives a melancholy air to her opening ballad and blood to her grand operatic scene. She is certainly better than Jean Hindmarsh, if only by a small margin, even though the twitter in the latter's voice does not hurt at all. And lastly, I would like to highlight the underrated Christene Palmer's fruity portrayal of Little Buttercup, which is on par with Gillian Knight and Felicity Palmer. The rest of the cast is splendid, the choral singing as well-disciplined as the orchestra, and James Walker paces the tempi nicely, with some small quibbles that don't matter a lot. The recording has transferred well to CD, and the sound effects kept to a minimum, to help give a sense of atmosphere. The dry recording is also characteristic of all D'Oyly Carte recordings made from their 1968 Pirates onwards. The major complaint is the Spectacular fill-ups which don't seem to fit in with Pinafore, as they are too improperly chosen and the tempi too slow. If the CD ends with The flowers that bloom in the spring, it does not give a definite sense of an ending.

Overall, I would safely say that while this is not necessarily a first-choice, its artistic merits shine through compellingly to make it be one. Let me advise you to ignore the Spectacular items by programming them out. Anyone who wants a standard D'Oyly Carte performance will be well pleased with this.

A good Pinafore, bird, boards and brine included.......1998-09-30

This CD release of an early 70s recording has been given something of a reprieve from the original branding of it as "the most infamous Pinafore". The added sound effects of seagull, creaking timbers and the sea sloshing against the ship's sides seems mostly to have been forgiven. These aural props are only present between songs and when present provide a pleasant theatrical quality to the recording. D'Oyly Carte is in good form here and the close microphone Phase 4 recording makes audibility excellent - something Gilbert would have appreciated if the Savoy had offered anything as good.

A fun, lighthearted, well-done musical comedy........1998-09-24

This recording of Pinafore is well done. The listener can really get a sense of the enjoyment the singers experience in this show. It brought back pleasant memories of my own cast experience.

Average customer rating:

Typical of Cambridge Singers--A good thing
Beautifully Lyrical Folk Melodies a la Rutter
The Lark touches my own heart!
Rolicking English folk music

The Lark in the Clear Air

Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000031HX
Release Date: 1993-09-13

Tracks:

I know where I'm going
She moved through the fair
The lark in the clear air
Down by the sally gardens
Dashing away with the smoothing iron
The spring time of the year
The sprig of thyme
The bold grenadier
The British Grenadiers
The dark eyed sailor
The keel row
The girl I left behind me
Just as the tide was flowing
The cuckoo
O waly, waly
She's like the swallow
The lover's ghost
Willow song
The willow tree
Wassail song
The miller of Dee
O can ye sew cushions
Afton water
Golden slumbers

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A whole disc of choral arrangements of folk tunes could be too much--except in this case, the choir is the excellent Cambridge Singers, and the well-chosen arrangements cover a variety of composers and styles. Among the arrangers are Rutter, Vaughan Williams, and Daryl Runswick; the repertoire includes a hauntingly gorgeous "She moved through the fair" and 23 other selections. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Typical of Cambridge Singers--A good thing.......2005-06-14

This is very typical of John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers. Superbly performed, meaning not too forceful or too delicate. Diction and tone excellent. The folk song is not necessairly as entertaining or enjoyable as some of their other repertoire, nor is it as meaningful, but it still a powerful listening experience. The money for this recording will be well spent. The arrangements, well chosen, showcase beautiful, evocative choral singing. Vaughan Williams' arrangements are best, and he is well known for his arrangements of folk songs. Rutter's are good, but his harmonies are too often predictable or saccharine.

Best are: Dashing away with the smoothing iron (5), The Dark Eyed Sailor (10), The Girl I Left Behind Me (12), Just as the tide was flowing (13), O waly, waly (15)

Beautifully Lyrical Folk Melodies a la Rutter.......2000-09-28

This is a collection of Irish, Scottish, and English folk songs beautifully caressed by The Cambridge Singers under the masterful direction of John Rutter. He seems to possess an uncanny ability to create a uniquely lush and lyrical sound with a choir.

In listening to these songs, I find that they have the capacity to simultaneously evoke feelings of melancholy and joy, and, ultimately leave me to conclude that I have been visited by sheer beauty.

The Lark touches my own heart!.......2000-04-27

In this review I am going to be exceptionally candid! This CD is a wonderfully arranged and performed set of traditional songs that will be treasured by any lover of this delicate yet vigorous music. I was a child of post war England in a poor suburb of South East England and our music teacher used to make us sing these songs which came from The National Song Book and from the folk song collectors, notably Vaughan Williams who put so much of this national flavor into his two collections, 'The English Hymnal' and 'Songs of Praise'. Before our generation the BBC had set up a radio programme called 'Listen with Mother' which we followed the established tradition of listening to them in those years of austerity (its funny you know, but we did not seem to get bored like they do today) on November evenings when the pea souper fogs swirled around the blue mercury lamps as the coal glowed orange in the grate. This music transported us to May mornings, harvesting, landscapes peopled with grenadiers, young love sick swains tip toeing in forbidden rooms at night etc. from these bleak afternoons and gave us the promise of the return of the season when we will be able to walk the Downs under blue skies once more. They also made us think that we were part of a continuum of being young, loving, having children and growing old and dying on this misty offshore island as hundred of generations had done before us. This self-consciousness of these characteristics that made us English and in their understated passion they revealed to us the promises of adulthood together with its victories, disillusionments and inevitable tragedies. Alas, the powers that dictate the conventional wisdom today have consigned these songs to the trash basket of history in the name of multiculturalism and globalism. The songs are not sung today as they appear too ethnocentric in a pluralistic society for our contemporary captains of society. This is a shame for those of us with no real English blood could still participate and enjoy these lovely songs that summon up the freshness of a spring morning or the pangs of a spurned lover in a few lines of beautifully stated verse. These are universal feelings that just happened to be in an English setting, which was where we were! The arrangements here are sublime, particularly 'She moved through the Fair' which always moves me to tears. The subject 'What are the English?' is a current topic for the UK is still settling down after Devolution and finding its own identity. They could do worse than playing 'The Lark in the Clear Air' to answer this question tout court. Please buy, but be warned: this stuff can be dangerously upsetting in its waves of nostalgia. It is like meeting a long lost (and forgotten) friend. That is an (almost lost) part of yourself.

Rolicking English folk music.......1999-06-13

Beautifully sung under Rutter's usual masterful directions. Dashing Away with the Smoothing Iron and the Dark Eyed Sailor were my favorites.

Average customer rating:

fabulous!
One of the best recordings I've ever heard
Wonderful listening for fans of traditional folk
Wonderful Celtic/American folk

Like the Willow Tree
Atwater-Donnelly
Manufacturer: Bcn Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Celtic Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Where the Wild Birds Do Whistle
The Blackest Crow
She Waits for Night

ASIN: B000001U6M
Release Date: 1994-07-08

Tracks:

Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7
Track 8
Track 9
Track 10
Track 11
Track 12

Album Description

Traditional Celtic, American, and Original Folk Music played with a variety of instruments and stunning vocal harmonies.

Customer Reviews:

fabulous!.......2003-04-29

This music is a breath-taking. Age-old melodies with an artful new spin; if all artists today were as talented as these two we would indeed be a lucky planet.

One of the best recordings I've ever heard.......2002-10-24

I live in proximity to Atwater-Donnelly and have heard them play live...It's an incredible experience and this is probably their best recording. Soulful and poignant yet uplifting. I love their music and so do my step-children. In fact anyone that hears this recording loves it even if they're not fans of folk music.

Don't miss this one!

Wonderful listening for fans of traditional folk.......2000-02-08

This is my favorite of Aubrey and Elwood's albums. Where the Wild Birds Do Whistle may be _better_, but there's something about Willow Tree that talks to me.

"Kilkelly" almost made me cry the first time I heard it: it still sometimes has that effect.

Wonderful Celtic/American folk.......1996-07-07

Atwater-Donnelly (note the 'y') is a folk group from Rhode Island. They've beenplaying together since 1987, and are two of the moving forces behind folk music in thearea. I've been following them since the late 80s, and currently run a web site for them ( ).This is Aubrey and Elwood's fourth album, and each one improves on the last. It starts off with the powerful revival hymn "Angel Gabriel", and goes on to visit thefather of an Irish immigrant ("Kilkelly"), a murdered mother-to-be ("Omie Wise"),and the fields of Scotland ("Love and Freedom"). There are also traditional instrumentals,and original songs by Elwood.I can't recommend this album highly enough. END

Ballads, Songs and Snatches: Vintage Gilbert and Sullivan

Average customer rating:

Ballads, Songs and Snatches: Vintage Gilbert and Sullivan

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000AE7BN
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

A Wand'ring Minstrel I
Three Little Maids From School
The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze
The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring
On A Tree By A River A Little Tom-Tit (Tit Willow)
When I, Good Friends, Was Called To The Bar
We Sail The Ocean Blue
I'm Called Little Buttercup
I Am The Captain Of The Pinafore
When I Was A Lad I Served A Term
Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
Poor Wand'ring One
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
Then, Fred'ric, Let Your Escort ... When The Foeman Bares His Steel
When A Felon's Not Engaged
With Cat-Like Tread
I Cannot Tell What This Love May Be
So Go To Him And Say To Him
Loudly Let The Trumpet Bray (March Of Peers) ... Bow, Ye Lower Middle Classes
Love Unrequited Robs Me Of My Rest ... When You're Lying Awake With A Dismal Headache
If You Go In, You're Sure To Win
When Our Gallant Norman Foes
I Have A Song To sing, O!
Were I Thy Bride
There Was A Time
Do Not Give Way ... Then One Of Us
Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes
Dance A Cachucha

Unforgettable Classics: Gilbert and Sullivan

Average customer rating:

Great Sampling of Gilbert & Sullivan Gems

Unforgettable Classics: Gilbert and Sullivan

Manufacturer: Classics for Pleasur
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000026KR3
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

HMS Pinafore: We Sail the Ocean Blue
HMS Pinafore: My Gallant Crew, Good Morning
HMS Pinafore: Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
Pirates Of Penzance: Oh, Better Far To Live And Die
Pirates Of Penzance: Oh, Sisters Deaf To Pity's Name... Poor Wand'ring One!
Pirates Of Penzance: When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat-Like Tread
Iolanthe: Loudly Let The Trumpet Bray
Iolanthe: If You Go In
Iolanthe: If We're Weak Enough To Tarry
The Mikado: A Wand'ring Minstrel I
The Mikado: Behold The Lord High Executioner
The Mikado: As Some Day It Might Happen
The Mikado: Three Little Maids From School
The Mikado: The Sun Whose Rays Are Ablaze
The Mikado: Here's A How-de-do
The Mikado: A More Humane Mikado
The Mikado: On a Tree By A River (Willow, Tit Willow)
Patience: The Soldiers Of Our Queen
Patience: A Magnet Hung In A Hardware Shop
The Gondoliers: When A Merry Maiden Marries
The Gondoliers: Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes

Customer Reviews:

Great Sampling of Gilbert & Sullivan Gems.......2001-08-22

Gilbert & Sullivan have been well-served on disc and this compliation of 22 tracks taken from of some of their most popular operettas is certainly no exception. Contained here are tuneful hits from HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, Mikado, Patience, and the Gondoliers. These performances are taken from the complete sets by Sir Malcolm Sargent conducting the Pro Arte Orchestra, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, and several outstanding soloists. I own several of these complete operettas by this group and can attest to their excellence in both singing and orchestral playing. I feel these performances are the best available, and that's a huge compliment given the fine competition. I love playing this disc in my car whenever I'm in a Gilbert & Sullivan "greatest hits" mood. Whether you're a novice or veteran to these works, you can't beat this highly enjoyable CD. Recommended!

Average customer rating:

Of great historical interest to G&S fans

Arthur Sullivan Sesquicentenial, Vol.2

Manufacturer: Symposium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001XX2
Release Date: 1996-10-01

Customer Reviews:

Of great historical interest to G&S fans.......1999-06-03

I've got it into my head somehow that the older a recording is, the closer it brings me to the original intentions of the composer. Walter Passmore's singing voice is 1 on a 1-to-10 scale...but oh what style he has! Gilbert always insisted that his words be heard and understood (hear that, ye modern singers who mumble into mikes?) and Passmore's enunciation is perfect. Workman had a far better singing voice, but he takes a good deal of liberties here and there. Still most people who will purchase this disc already own, no doubt, more modern recordings; and this one will take us on a time-trip back towards (though not quite to) the Victorian days that drew Gilbert's barbs and inspired Sullivan's melodies. And don't forget to look at Volume 1.

Average customer rating:

Like the Willow Tree
Atwater-Donnelly
Manufacturer: Beacon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Celtic Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008ERB5
Release Date: 1994-05-13

Tracks: