Grand Polonaise

On this CD:

1. Mazurka for piano in C minor, Op. 30/1, CT 68
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

2. Mazurka for piano in B minor, Op. 30/2, CT 69
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

3. Mazurka for piano in D flat major, Op. 30/3, CT 70
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

4. Mazurka for piano in C sharp minor, Op. 30/4, CT 71
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

5. Waltz for piano in A flat major, Op. 42, CT 211
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

6. Waltz for piano in D flat major ("Minute"), Op. 64/1, CT 212
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

7. Ballade for piano No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23, CT 2 (Four Ballades)
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

8. Ballade for piano No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52, CT 5 (Four Ballades)
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

9. Nocturne for piano in C minor, Op. 48/1, CT 120
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

10. Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise for piano, Op. 22.
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Anna Malikova

Tracks:

Celeste Aida
Amor Ti Vieta
Di All'azzurro Spazio [From "Andrea Chenier]
O Soave Fanciulla
Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee
O Paradiso
Tal Giocco/Vesti la Giubba
Stolta Paura l'Amor - Mario Lanza,
Donna E Mobile
Vesti la Giubba
M'Appari
Nessun Dorma
Testa Adorata
Come un Bel Di Maggio
Lamento Di Federico
Dio Ti Giocondi - Licia Albanese, Mario Lanza

Customer Reviews:

Mario Lanza Opera.......2007-05-12

This CD of mario is absolutely fabulous. It is the only recording I have managed to find of him singing Nessum Dorma. It is not to be missed. One of operas greatest.

Outstanding.......2006-11-06

Hey, this is Mario Lanza, it can't get any better. A great collection of the best Arias!

Unsurpassed!.......2005-12-13

I am sick and tired of all these technical reviews and critical remarks leveled against everything Mario Lanza did in his short life!

True, musically Mario made some mistakes....but so has every other great tenor in history....from Caruso to Pavarotti and beyond!
And perhaps he sang some arias with too much fortissimo....so what?
Every single song on here, be it among his best or worst work, is a masterpiece when compared to renditions of the same arias by other, more legit and operatically acclaimed tenors.

In order to "get" Lanza one must discard all notions of "finesse", "grace" and " elegance" for Lanza operated, and sang on raw, unadulterated, gut wrenching emotion.
THAT was the genious of Mario Lanza.

We can argue for another 40 years as to his operatic legitimacy...for nought!
Lanza was a VOCAL master and his approach to song was as unconventional and idiosyncratic as was his life.
That's what makes these songs so special and unique.

No one other than perhaps Corelli had the voice and the balls to sing with such uninhibited emotion and that's what this CD is all about.
It is a testament of a great voice.
The fact that Lanza did not have the benefit of a great conductor or teacher guiding him through most of his career, makes these recordings all the more great.

He sang the music as he felt it and that's a big no-no in the stuffy, overbearing and self-righteous world of opera.
Lanza earned millions of dollars because his voice touched all who heard it. His art brought more people to opera than all the leading tenors of his day combined....and this during the golden age of tenors and opera as a whole!

The only word of lesser praise I can offer is the inclusion of the duets. Mario did not have the temprament for duet singing, and subsequently he ended up drowning his partners out, or engaging in a sort of vocal warfare which was the case with much of what he and Grayson recorded during his MGM days.
The arias are great....the duets are medicore on all accounts.

In closing, I apologize for not having spen time on the actual songs. It's been done to death.
All I can say is that, if you wish to hear opera arias sung in a way such as will never be heard again in our lifetime, then this is a CD for you.
If you want proper, technically proficient opera, sung by some big name opera jerk, then stick to that....you'll only end up feeling like all the other good people who have so much negative to say about this CD.

BMG Needs to hire Folks in the Know.......2004-06-15

There are several cuts on this CD that Lnaza did in fact record much better at other times. I have all his records LPs, 78s and movies and I wish BMG would consult a Lanza fan,or me,for the cuts would make the perfect CD. I think its great that we have such a wonderful collection of recordings of Lanza and this one warts and all is still one of the best. The best Lanza set was the RCA LP 2 record set put out in the 70s with Lanza on the cover in M. Butterfly. Where oh where can it be??? Long live Mario Lanza!

Mario Lanza WAS a trained opera singer.......2003-11-13

To the reviewer from Michigan who said Mario never performed an opera on stage, you are wrong. He did two performances as Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly before going off to Hollywood.

Mario had extensive operatic training from some top teachers. He was sought after by many opera companies, including the Met in New York.

It is true that some of Mario's recordings are not as good as others. He did various versions of much of his material, both live and studio, so of course you will find some you prefer to others. But the beauty, power and expressiveness of his voice is unmatched by any tenor I have ever heard.

The Faces All Look On
Average customer rating:

Stop complaining and just listen

Boxstep is awesome!!! (This punctuation is facetious.)

I Find It Funny...

A very pretty record

Somewhere between Type O Negative and Britney Spears...

The Faces All Look On
Boxstep
Manufacturer: Overcoat Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000I73I
Release Date: 2001-07-17

Tracks:

Ryan's Glacier
Airport Arrivals
UPS Worker
My Slate Roof
Irish Elk
11:55
I Will Forget
Love That Well
Second Wedding Anniversary

Customer Reviews:

Stop complaining and just listen.......2004-04-19

I love that the only reviews are from others bitching about how his students are his only fans. First of all, Eric Graf is a lyrical genius. The reason that his concert crowds consist of most of his students, is because he is very open about Boxstep and continually keeps them updated on his show dates. So do not start criticizing their band for their age 17-20 crowds. Its all about advertising and marketing. Once they start telling friends, those friends will tell friends,those friends will tell family members and possibly fathers in the business.... its not rocket science here. Come on, don't you people know anything. So before you start giving a bad review just based upon the listening crowd, you should listen to their newest cd, "Back Roads" for amazing voice duets, lyrics, and band jamming. Boxstep is simply amazing, and I am not just trying to get an "A".

Boxstep is awesome!!! (This punctuation is facetious.).......2004-01-03

Like seemingly everyone else who's reviewed-or even heard of-Boxstep, I attended North Allegheny Senior High School, where Eric Graf teaches English and Creative Writing. Having never been a student of his, my involvement with Mr. Graf was mostly peripheral. Virtually every one of my friends swore by his easy classroom manner and quirky charm, and insisted that I see Boxstep live. Though I feared that a rock band helmed by a literature teacher (and rather a conceited one, in my opinion) would reach toxic levels of hubris, I reluctantly accompanied my friends to a Boxstep show at Carnegie Mellon University. I should point out that although the venue was on campus, to say that it was "at" the university is perhaps a mite disingenuous: Boxstep played between two dormitories in what was essentially a small gazebo. Turnout was unimpressive, as the majority of fans in attendance were adoring students of Mr. Graf's; I soon realized that the other half of the crowd was Boxstep's opening act, the Boas, whose workmanlike performance was actually the highlight of the evening. When Graf et al assumed the stage, we were indeed buffeted by a "wall of noise," as a fellow skeptic described the band's bludgeon-by-numbers guitar work. The incorporation of viola and accordion harmonies into conventional folk rock, a promising touch, did little more than ratchet up the decibels in that tiny portico. I was certain that one of our number would collapse in a heap, blood issuing from a ruptured eardrum, as the octet pounded away. As it turns out, the venue's heinous acoustics were something of a godsend: Graf's lyrics, lost in the din, slavishly aped tired love-and-loss bromides, with a pinch of postmodernism thrown in for flavor.
To make a long review short, Boxstep is a breathtakingly unoriginal band whose quasi-intellectual posturing belies a profound, numbing ordinariness. No one but high school girls and recent graduates with an abiding love for Eric Graf (who is oh-so-dreamy) should give the unfortunately titled Faces All Look On a second look.
That pun was unintentional.

I Find It Funny..........2003-05-05

I find it funny that half of the reviews for this album are by lead singer's Eric Graf's students from the high school he teaches at. Are his students the only ones who listen to it or go to their shows? It sure seems like it if one were to look at these reviews.

Anyway, this album is pretty decent. Although I think a lot of it sounds similar and all the tracks seem to have this formula to them (that being intro-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-long instrumental outro), Mr. Graf's lyrics are quite good on such songs as "I Will Forget," and "UPS Worker." But still, there is something missing from this album. Maybe 1 solid rock track would be nice (look for thier next release which promises to be more rock oriented). I dunno, after hearing this album it kinda' makes me want to kill somebody, not because it's bad, but because I know Boxstep is capable of more.

A very pretty record.......2002-05-15

I saw Boxstep by accident at TT the Bears in Boston. A friend's band was playing there first show and they were good, followed by a very mediocre rock band. Then Boxstep comes on with mounds upon mounds of people and gear with violins and pianos and all. And they calmly begin to play some of the most gorgeous music I had ever heard live. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen. Very nearly a religious experience. There were maybe 10 people in the room. I was practicly drooling when I asked one of the violinists for a cd which I happily gave $10 for and would have paid more. The CD doesn't quite capture the experience of Boxstep live, and I have to take off a star just for the ine "and pardons come from a govener" but those are the only flaws on a brillient, poignent and beautiful CD that everyone should own. This CD sings me to sleep nearly every night, accompany's me on rainy days....Sounds like nothing else. They are not afraid to be pretty or to rock. Great slide guitar playing, great vocal harmonies. Great textures and brilliant songwriting. The closest thing I would say would be the Cowboy Junkies, but thats still nothing like it. Just buy it, support original artists.

Somewhere between Type O Negative and Britney Spears..........2002-02-12

What can I say about this band? Well, I can first let everyone know that many of these songs have deep, lovely meaning...to someone, that is. And since that someone is rarely myself, I must step back and look at this thing more objectively. Perhaps I can take a New Critical Formalist Approach. Better yet, why don't I Deconstruct it??? I could easily continue to talk about this CD in terms of ME, but instead I choose to shift to the third person so that the CD can become the topic of discussion.

This CD can be thought of in terms of other bands, not because it is derivative or cliched, but rather so that the reader can have a reference point with which to approach, and hopefully appreciate, the music. Artists like Johny Cash, Leonard Cohen, and Tom Waits, with their not-so-lovely voices, may come to mind in lead singer Eric Graf's terrestrial tales of location and longing. The sound is somewhere to the north of Low, to the southeast of Godspeed You Black Emperor!, a walk down from the Galaxie 500 river near the city of Dirty Three. The music creates a background of wistful desert nights and long red-eye flights across the hills and the sea, but the added dimension of Graf's vocals, with their existential need for love to try and fill the otherwise rhetorical landscape, give a feeling of eternity to the music. Sure, the search for true love will continue to elude man, but there is some hope amidst the disappointment of knowing that he will continue to pursue it until he ceases to exist.
These sorts of emotions have a hard-earned place in the hearts of anyone who has dared to give a part of themselves to someone who they find hope and security in.
Metaphors and deceptively simple lyrics give the lyrics a sort of levity that allows one to not have to walk away while scratching their head and pondering just what that guy meant anyway.

The production quality fits the organic feel of the album, and although the word "organic" could just about describe most of the music that exists in the world, this particular CD has its rightful place in being given that title.
There is a passionate approach to the material, as the artists are not dominated by musical knowledge, but more so by the spirit of their instruments and the collective feel of their sound.

Shifting to second person, if you have the urge to listen to music that lends itself to the type of emotions conveyed in the above paragraphs, then this album may very well rest comfortably on your shelf, between Luna's Penthouse and Palace Music's Viva Last Blues!.

Tracks:

Be My Love
Drink, Drink, Drink
Rigoletto: Act IV: La Donna E Mobile
Danny Boy
Granada
Because You're Mine
Ave Maria
Valencia
The Loveliest Night Of The Year
Song Of India
Because
O Sole Mio
The Donkey Serenade
I Paggliacci: Act I: Vesti La Giubba
Serenade
Funiculi, Funicula
Golden Days
Arrivederci Roma
You'll Never Walk Alone
Beloved
Come Prima
Tosca: Act III: E Lucevan Le Stelle
Santa Lucia
I'll Walk With God

Tracks:

And This Is My Beloved
Cielo E Mar (La Gioconda)
If I Loved You
Deep In My Heart
Core 'Ngrato
Una Furtiva Lagrima (L' Elisir D'Amore)
Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life
Canta Pe' Me
Santa Lucia Luntana
Memories
With A Song In My Heart
O Paradiso! (L' Africana)
Temptation
Aida: Act I: Celeste Aida
Feneste Che Lucive
A Night To Remember
Non Ti Scordar Di Me
Somewhere A Voice Is Calling
Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
All The Things You Are
Passione
One Night Of Love
La Danza

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest Tenor.......2004-05-25

I'm more a fan of classic popular standards than of classical music, but as the classical numbers give Mario Lanza a little more opportunity to show off his glorious voice, I find myself enjoying these fully as much as the popular selections.

His approach to popular song is admittedly on the operatic side, and it's fascinating to hear how well such pieces translate into a more classical orchestration. And Lanza's versions stand as equals alongside the popular versions (by such greats as Perry Como, Frankie Laine, Kate Smith, Georgia Gibbs, Dean Martin, Vic Damone and Vaughn Monroe) that have been among my favorites for many years.

The spoken introductions on the selections from his show are an added bonus, and (contrary to one of the reviews below) these songs are beautifully done. The fact that they are live and only minimally rehearsed only makes them all the more amazing.

The 2-cd set consists of high quality recordings of 47 songs and is a real bargain at the price.

THE GREAT MARIO SINGS BEAUTIFULY!.......2002-03-03

THIS IS A WINNER THE MUSIC GREAT! THIS IS A REALY GREAT CD! HE SINGS SO WELL IN ALL THE MUSIC. I GAVE IT 4 STARS. ENJOY!

The good and the bad in one collection.......2001-09-02

This is (unintentionally, I'm sure) a warts-and-all illustration of Mario Lanza. True, there are magnificent recordings scattered throughout (Serenade, Beloved, E Lucevan Le Stelle, Passione, etc) but the overall impression one is left with is of a sloppy and undisciplined singer who just happened to possess a great voice. The fault lies squarely with BMG and their predilection for selecting the very worst of Lanza, and placing it next to the best. Many of the inferior choices come from Lanza's Coca-Cola radio show, recorded between 1951 and 1952, and featuring prominently on Disc Two. (Disc One is a more consistent selection, and repeats the same tracks from the British one-CD set "The Ultimate Collection", reviewed elsewhere on this site.)

The "Coke" shows were generally under-rehearsed, and represent what in many respects was the most chaotic period of Lanza's short life. Thus it's not surprising that the tenor often sounds unfamiliar with his material, is sometimes off-key, and also makes numerous stylistic lapses. Never intended to be heard beyond their initial broadcast, these supposedly "one-off affairs" nevertheless did produce the occasional gem, but one needs to look elsewhere for examples of those. The three exceptions on this set are the gloriously romantic If I Loved You, One Night of Love, and the poignant Memories. Danny Boy also deserves honorable mention, although the ending should have been remade.

O Paradiso, Somewhere a Voice is Calling, Core 'Ngrato, Deep in My Heart, and With a Song in My Heart represent low points from the Coke Shows. Other poor choices include And This is My Beloved, from the disastrous Lanza on Broadway LP; a rough-as-old-boots Una Furtiva Lagrima; and an off-pitch Cielo E Mar (ironically the one studio recording on this set that *is* inferior to Lanza's Coke Show rendition).

Mario Lanza was blessed with the most spectacular natural tenor voice of the 20th century. Is it too much to expect for BMG to honor his memory more selectively? Where are Lanza's sublime recordings of Che Gelida Manina from "La Boheme", his M'appari, the Improvviso from Andrea Chenier and his unsurpassed Otello Monologue? Or the fabulous Some Day, the gorgeous 'A Vucchella and Lanza's own favorite recording, the haunting Voce E Notte? For the very best of Mario Lanza, buyers will need to look elsewhere.

New Fan.......2000-08-27

I am an 18-year old student. I bought this album after I heard a few of Lanza's songs in the Peter Jackson film, "Heavenly Creatures" and I must say that it is one of the best albums I have ever bought. Lanza was a master of his vocal instrument, drawing every ounce of feeling and energy from the notes and words to create a masterpiece of every song. The resulting pieces in this album combine to make up a beautiful and varied work, with something for every mood you may be in. The classics (such as "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life"), are obviously appealing, but the lesser-known pieces (my favourite: "Una Furtiva Lagrima") make this a wonderfully enlightening experience. This is a truly Great album.

Another CD from the best!.......2000-03-18

When I heard that Mario Lanza had died so many years ago, I was a college student who already owned five or six LP's of his songs. I was truly brokenhearted We had lost such a fine singer at such an early age. This CD is one of the best because of the diversity of songs, all marvelous.A fine addition to any collection.

Average customer rating:

Essential Gold

Manufacturer: Essential Gold
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000274TFS
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Tracks:

Be My Love
Loveliest Night of the Year
Che Gelida Manina [From LA Boh]
Serenade
You Do Something to Me
Deep in My Heart, Dear
Core 'ngrato
Without a Song
Vesti la Giubba [From Pagliacci]
Golden Days
They Didn't Believe Me
Danny Boy
Cielo E Mar (La Gioconda)
M'Appari [From Martha]
Kiss
Parlami d'Amore Mariu
None But the Lonely Heart
E Lucevan le Stelle [From Tosca]
Song of India
Danza
Hills of Home
Trees

Tracks:

Because You're Mine
Drink, Drink, Drink
Questa O Quella [From Rigoletto]
Toselli's Serenade
Temptation
Mattinata
Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
If
Marechiare
You Are Love
Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee [From Carmen]
Thine Alone
FuniculFunicul
Because
Lolita
'A Vucchella
For You Alone
Una Furtiva Lagrima [From l'Elisir d'Amore]
I'll Never Love You
Drigo Serenade
You'll Never Walk Alone
Ave Maria

Tracks:

O Sole Mio
Granada
I'm Falling in Love With Someone
Mamma Mia, Che Vo' Sap
Donkey Serenade
Diane
Memories
Donna E Mobile [From Rigoleto]
Recondita Armonia (Tosca)
O Holy Night
More Than You Know
Valnecia
Celeste Aida [From Aida]
Santa Lucia
O Paradiso (L'Africaine) [From Because You're Mine]
I Love Thee
Cosi Cosa
Torna a Surriento
Addio Alla Madre (Cavalleria Rusticana)
My Song, My Love
Song Angels Sing
I'll Walk With God
Lord's Prayer

Average customer rating:

Lanza in (mostly) top form

Serenade / A Cavalcade of Show Tunes

Manufacturer: Sony / Bmg Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

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Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mario Lanza ~ Opera Arias & Duets, from Andréa Chenier · La Bohème · I Pagliacci · Madama Butterfly · Otello
Mario Lanza: At His Best!
American Caruso
Casino Royale (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0002K0ZTE
Release Date: 2004-08-23

Tracks:

Serenade
Danza
Torna a Surriento
O Soave Fanciulla [La Boh]
Der Rosenkavalier- Di Rigori Armato
Trovatore - Di Quella Pria
Fedora - Amor Ti Vieta
Africaine - O Paradiso
Otello: Dio to Gioconda [Excerpt]
Otello: Dio Mi Potevi [Monologue]
Ave Maria - Mario Lanza,
Arlesiana - Lemento Do Federico
Turandot - Nessun Dorma
My Destiny
Serenade [Previoulsy Unreleased Bonus Track]
Lover, Come Back to Me
I've Told Every Little Star [From Music in the Air]
Donkey Serenade [From Firefly]
All the Things You Are
Giannina Mia [From the Firefly]
Rose Marie [From Rose Marie]
Yours in My Heart Alone (Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz) [from "The Land of]
Thine Alone [From Eileen]
Will You Remember? [From Maytime]
Only a Rose
Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! [From Naughty Marietta]

Album Description

UK twofer combines the legendary vocalists 1956 & 1957 albums. BMG.

Customer Reviews:

Lanza in (mostly) top form.......2004-11-28

This is a "twofer" CD, consisting of the 1955 soundtrack to the movie Serenade and the 1956 Cavalcade of Show Tunes album. Before I go any further, however, I should acknowledge that I was one of the liner note writers for this release. But I have no financial interest in the CD, and am simply reviewing it here because to date no one else has commented on it!

Serenade marked Lanza's return to films after an absence of three years, and revealed a voice that had darkened considerably, while still retaining its brilliant upper register. Stylistically, this is also a much-improved artist in many respects from the sometimes-wayward tenor of the early 1950s. Anyone who compares Lanza's superbly operatic renditions here of Amor Ti Vieta, Lamento di Federico, and O Paradiso with his earlier versions (all featured on the CD Mario Lanza Sings Opera Arias and Duets) will immediately detect the new-found control in his singing.

That's not to say that all of the Serenade material is outstanding. Lanza's renditions of Nessun Dorma, O Soave Fanciulla, Di Quella Pira, and the title song are below par, with the tenor uncharacteristically strained in the upper register and rough in his approach. But redeeming everything are the oustanding renditions of the arias mentioned in the previous paragraph, together with Lanza's sensitive singing of Di Rigori Armato from Der Rosenkavalier, a superb Torna a Surriento, and an unsurpassed Dio! Mi Potevi Scagliar from Otello. Lanza also recorded the Act III duet from Otello with Licia Albanese for this film, but time constraints have reduced it to a brief extract here. (The entire duet, however, can be heard on the aforementioned Arias & Duets CD.)

The other album featured here showcases the romantic side of Lanza. Beautifully recorded, Cavalcade includes passionate renditions of Yours is My Heart Alone, Only a Rose, Will You Remember, and other selections from operetta and musical comedy. Although Lanza may indeed be *too* zestful here for some tastes, vocally at least, he is at the height of his powers. The voice is rich and round - gloriously consistent throughout its registers - and the abundance of effortless B flats, Bs, and even a high C reveal a tenor in formidable form.

Highly recommended.

Live at Hollywood Bowl: Historical Recordings (1947 & 1951)

Average customer rating:

The Young Lanza impresses
A Rare Find!
One of the great performances of all time
Buy this for the first six tracks only!

Live at Hollywood Bowl: Historical Recordings (1947 & 1951)

Manufacturer: Gala
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Similar Items:

Mario Lanza ~ Opera Arias & Duets, from Andréa Chenier · La Bohème · I Pagliacci · Madama Butterfly · Otello
Mario Lanza: At His Best!
The MARIO LANZA Collection
American Caruso
Mario Lanza

ASIN: B000001XM0
Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

L'Elisir DAmore: Una Furtiva Lagrima
Andrea Chenier: Un Di All'Azzurro Spazio
TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle
La Traviata: Parigi, O Cara
Madama Butterfly: Vogliatemi Bene, Un Bene Piccolino
La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla
Funiculi Funicula
My Song My Love
Diane
Thine Alone
A Vuchella
Toselli's Serenade
Because You're Mine
The Loveliest Night Of The Year
O Paradiso
The Rosary
If
They Didn't Believe Me
The Lords Prayer
Be My Love

Customer Reviews:

The Young Lanza impresses.......2007-04-11

I am a singer and have been a Mario Lanza fan since becoming interested in opera in my teens. The quality of his singing varied a great deal, especially in his later years. But this Hollywood Bowl concert, at age 26, shows him with a freshness and ease of production that failed him later in life. Highlights for me were the Boheme Duet - I don't know of any of the current tenor stars who would dare to hold the High A for so long and then jump right to the High C and be able to sustain it. The Andrea Chenier demonstrates his spinto side and the beauty of his middle and lower voice. One weeps for what might have been. But I will put this recording against Mr. Alagna any day of the week.

A Rare Find!.......2002-12-19

The "Live From London" is my favorite cd and this is a close second. I usually listen to the Bowl selections only and save the Coca-Cola radio program for another time. The recording quality is not the best, but this is a wonderful sourvenir of the young singer in excellent voice and delivery at the begining of his career. The selections with soprano Frances Yeend are a wonderful addition since there are few recorded "live concert" Lanza duets available outside of this venue (there are recordings of his later Bowl appearances you may want to check out). Mario's introductions show his warmth and humor. It was at this concert that MGM took notice and his career moved to the movie studios. We are fortunate to have this recording. One of the highlights of the Coke show program is Mario's introduction to the "Our Father". Disregard the liner notes. For value delivered, this cd rates five stars!

One of the great performances of all time.......2002-05-12

The first six tracks of this CD capture Mario Lanza's legendary 1947 Hollywood Bowl debut. These recordings, by themselves, would rate 7 stars in my book. (The rest of the CD would probably merit about 2 stars, but those live tracks are worth the ridiculously low price of this collection many times over.) Renowned baritone George London, Lanza's frequent singing partner, later said he never heard Mario sing better than he did that night, and it would be hard to disagree with him. Lanza, on the eve of signing his contract with MGM, was at the peak of his vocal discipline, fresh off 15 months of training with Enrico Rosati. And while his interpretive abilities may have not reached their full potential, then or ever, the voice itself was magnificent: brilliant, rich and indescribably glorious. The concert opens with "Una furtiva lagrima," by Donizetti, which, if somewhat raw, is certainly more refined and lyrical than his later studio recording. His phrasing of "Cielo, si puo morir" can bring tears to my eyes. Next up is a thrilling rendition of "Un di all'azzuro spazio" from ANDREA CHENIER. Lanza's performance of this aria is as good as any I've ever heard, including Caruso's. He positively caresses the phrase "Su dalla terra a la mia fronte veniva una ca'rezza viva," then passionately spits out the aria's middle section: "un uom vi calunniave bestemmiando il suolo che l'erario a pena sazia e contro a Dio scagliava, e contro a li uomini le lagrime dei figli!" Lanza's vocal tone, in this performance, was more focused than it was in his later recording of this aria, and his later recordings in general, and the effect is very impressive to those who have only heard his studio recordings. Then, for an encore, he sings "E lucevan le stelle," from TOSCA by Puccini, another aria which, in my opinion, Lanza sang as well if not better than anyone. True, he does not sing the pianissimo like Gigli or Di Stefano, but then neither did Caruso or Domingo. In fact, to my way of thinking Lanza's interpretation is more in character with a man who is about to die: it is not a simple love song but a cry of desperation. Next come three gorgeous duets with Frances Yeend, a singer with limited interpretive abilities but a rich, full voice. On the duet from LA TRAVIATA, Lanza showcases a wonderful legato line, and the timing of the two singers is nearly perfect. By this time in the concert, Lanza's voice had reached its peak of richness and beauty. The love duet from MADAME BUTTERFLY that follows is a positive tour de force: I have never heard a more exciting and musical performance: neither singer allows interpretation to get in the way of the melody, which is always a good idea with Puccini. Lanza is at his most passionate here, and his high C at the end is devastating. Yeend would later say that Lanza's singing was "Always thrilling. . .he never spared the horses," and this duet is a good example. Finally, a tasteful and lovely rendition of the duet from LA BOHEME closes out the show, with the richness of each singer's voice on full display. Lanza sings the line "Dammi il braccio mia piccina" as romantically as anyone, and the interplay between the two singers is nearly perfect. This is a performance for the ages: anyone who loves Italian opera and especially great tenor singing should love this album. The rest of the album is pretty much a waste, except for an interesting version of "A Vuchella" in which Lanza does his best Gigli impression. Notably, this album contains possibly the worst version of any song I have ever heard: an English language rendition of "Funiculi funicula" that is positively dreadful, although you can't really blame that on Lanza's singing.

Buy this for the first six tracks only!.......2001-08-22

This CD contains both the very best and the very worst of the vastly underrated Mario Lanza. First things first, ignore the absurdly inaccurate liner notes. Lanza did NOT have a small voice - indeed fellow musicians who sang with him often remarked that it was a huge and powerful instrument. Lanza's voice did not "crack down" in his last years, as the liner notes writer asserts; rather it was his health that "cracked down" in the final year of his life.

These recordings, however, demonstrate the tenor in the full bloom of health. The outstanding selections are tracks 1-6, which come from his extraordinary Hollywood Bowl debut in 1947. You'll never hear a better Lanza rendition of the Madama Butterfly Love Duet (with soprano Frances Yeend) than the one included here. This is sensitive AND passionate singing of the highest order, and listening to this rendition today it is not surprising that MGM signed the tenor up for a movie career the very next day. All six selections are outstanding, and many will be surprised by the beautiful legato Lanza employs in the difficult Parigi, O Cara from La Traviata.

The six initial tracks are more than worth the price of the CD, and make up for the shortcomings of the remaining selections, all of which come from Lanza's Coca-Cola radio show of 1951-52. The latter tracks show the tenor at his commercial worst. Diane is an abomination, and there are several other selections that should never have seen the light of day. Fortunately, however, there are a few nuggets among the dross, and "If" is a most attractive and exciting performance.

The sound is not brilliant on the Coke Show selections (these are not the pristine BMG recordings, and all come with overlaid applause tracks). Ironically, the live Hollywood Bowl selections have much better sound.

Tracks:

Donna E Mobile [From Rigoleto]
Serenade: Vien Al Mio Grido d'Amor
Core 'Ngrato (Catari, (Catari)
Recondita Armonia
E Lucevan le Stelle
Parigi, O Cara
Love Duet: Vogliatemi Bene
O Soave Fanciulla
Parlami d'Amore Mariu
Una Furtiva Lagrima
Mamma Mia, Che Vo' Sap
Improvviso: Un Di All'azzuro Spazio
Vesti la Giubba
'A Vucchella
O Paradiso
Marechiare
Lolita
Mattinata
Spagnola
Torna a Surriento
O Sole Mio

Tracks:

Donkey Serenade
More Than You Know
Loveliest Night of the Year
I Love Thee (Ich Liebe Dich)
Kiss
Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
Song of Songs
Granada
Without a Song
My Song, My Love
Diane
Thine Alone
Rosary
Ave Maria
Lord's Prayer
If
They Didn't Believe Me
Cosi Cosa
FuniculFuniculIn English]
Because
Be My Love

Customer Reviews:

THE Golden Voice of All Time!.......2005-02-01

I first became a fan of Mario Lanza as a child, (though I didn't know it then), hearing my mother play his music so often in the 1950's. I think something told me even then that his was a very special voice. As a young adult, I eventually matched that unmistakable voice with the handsome face, when his movies appeared on T.V. occasionally, and later still, I purchased my own copies of all 7 films and some of his recordings, which I still enjoy today. My latest acquisition is "42 Great Performances", which I originally bought because it had the most songs & arias I could find and at a great price!! I think it is still an excellent value, because it has 21 popular songs, in English (except Granada), and an equal number - 21 operatic arias, all in Italian - on this 2-disc CD set.

I think the low price of this beautiful collection may be, as I realized upon playing it the first time, that a few of the operatic arias on the first disc are presented out of order of the track list. This starts with #7 which says "A Stranger in My Arms", clearly out of place among the Italian arias, and in fact, is not there. So the next few are out of order, until #10 when one NOT listed is included, "Una Furtiva Lagrima", then after that they are all correct. There is no problem like this on the 2nd CD in the set. This wasn't a problem for us, as we would much rather have "Una Furtiva Lagrima" than that other unknown song!

The important thing is hearing Mario's supremely gorgeous voice, as he sings song after song in all their splendor. He has a very rich, warm baritone-tenor voice, or spinto tenor, with high notes that are up there with the best tenors of the world! His Italian diction is impeccable too, due to his background with the language growing up in Philadelphia. Even his Neopolitan dialect diction on those songs here is excellent, which is no easy feat. For example, Andrea Bocelli, who is from the area of Toscano (Tuscany) in Italy, really has quite a strong Toscano accent which distracts a bit when he sings Neopolitan songs. Mario Lanza is a natural in English, Italian & Neopolitan dialect.

Besides Mario's powerful tenor when singing operatic arias, I love his beautiful mezza-voce, which is both sweet and caressing. You'll hear this especially on Disc 2, in most of the popular songs & ballads, but also on Disc 1,(the Italian disc) when he sings such lovely songs as "A Vucchella", "Mattinata", and Parlami D'Amore, Mariu`", 3 of my FAVORITE Italian love songs. I also love "Cuore 'n Grato", "O Sole Mio", as well as all the opera highlights, in particular the three from La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, and I Pagliacci. Both discs have so much to enjoy, from religious songs like the "Lord's Prayer" and "Ave Maria" to wonderful love songs, like "If, "The Loveliest Night of the Year", "They Didn't Believe Me", and "Be My Love", one of Mario's biggest hits. There are too many to mention - I even grew fond of some of the lessor known songs like, "A Kiss" and "Thine Alone". There are even a couple lively fun songs - "Cosi Cosa" and "Funiculi-Funicula , interestingly sung in English! I do prefer the Italian versions though.

Mario has a very distinctive voice, both very powerful as well as tender, and the great versatility needed to sing equally well opera as well as these popular songs, as you will see. The other thing you should know is that many of the songs are from live recordings, so there is applause at the beginning & endings of many. But when you hear this album set, you'll know what the applause is all about!! Mario Lanza's voice is as relevant today as it was in his prime in the late 40's, and 50's. Because of his ease with both English and Italian, and the natural sound of his voice, it outshined even many big opera stars of the times, who didn't sing popular song as well. I highly recommend this set of Cds, and most other recordings of Mario Lanza you can find on Amazon or anywhere!

An American Salute: Spirit of the Nation

Average customer rating:

Disappointing To Me

An American Salute: Spirit of the Nation

Manufacturer: Naxos American
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Military Band: Salute to the Services

ASIN: B000068CA9
Release Date: 2002-06-18

Tracks:

An American Salute - Morton Gould
Rodeo 'Hoe Down' - Aaron Copland
Hail To The Spirit Of Liberty - John Philip Sousa
Pan Americana - Victor Herbert
Foster Gallery 'Camptown Races' - Morton Gould
Sunrise - Ferde Grofe
Liberty Fanfare - John Williams
Adagio For Strings - Samuel Barber
Variations On 'America' - Charles Ives
Amber Waves - Morton Gould
Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Anonymous
Stars And Stripes Forever - John Philip Sousa
Star Spangled Banner - Francis Scott Key

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing To Me.......2006-07-31

I'm just one person but this isn't what I expected. It's good and I've listened to it several times but it isn't what I anticipated it would be.

The advertising I'd heard on the radio led me to order this product. I'm learning to be more cautious. I assumed that what was said on the radio would be true when the product arrived.

I'd not buy again.

Average customer rating:

Great Caruso

Manufacturer: Soundtrack Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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American Caruso
The Great Caruso [Import]
Great Caruso

ASIN: B00005UNZO
Release Date: 2002-02-06

Tracks:

Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba
Magnificat
'A Vucchella
Danza
Consecration Scene /Voglio Avvertirlo Io Stessa [From Aida] - Dorothy Kirsten, Mario Lanza
Donna E Mobile [From Rigoleto]
Numi PietFrom Aida] - Dorothy Kirsten, Mario Lanza
Celeste Aida [From Aida]
Torna a Surriento
O Terra, Addio [From Aida] - Dorothy Kirsten, Mario Lanza
Che Gelida Manina [From LA Boh]
Mattinata
Miserere/Trio/E Iucevan le Stelle/Brindisi [From II Trovatore/Rigo ... - Dorothy Kirsten, Mario Lanza
Sweethearts [From Sweet Hearts] - Dorothy Kirsten
Recitativo/Vesti la Guibba [From Pagliacci]
Ave Maria - Jacqueline May Allen, Mario Lanza, ,
Loveliest Night of the Year - Ann Blyth
Sesteto [From Lucia di Lammermoor] - Dorothy Kirsten, Mario Lanza, , , , Giuseppe Valdengo
Because
M'Appari [From Martha]
Finale [From Martha] - Dorothy Kirsten, Mario Lanza
Mamma Mia, Che Vo' Sap
Core 'Ngrato
O Paradiso (L'Africaine) [From Because You're Mine]
Che Gelida Manina [From LA Boh]
Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee [From Carmen]
Libiamo, Libiamo, Ne' Lieti Calice [From La Traviata]

Regina is...the songs of Dinah Washishington

Average customer rating:

this cd is fantastic

Regina is...the songs of Dinah Washishington
Regina Marie Williams
Manufacturer: crown
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

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Good Night, And Good Luck

ASIN: B0006TXYAI
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

Showtime
Baby You've Got What it Takes
Slick Chick (on the mellow side)
What A Difference A Day Made
I Wanna Be Loved
There is No Greater love
Long John Blues
I Won't Cry Anymore
Come Rain or Come Shine
This Bitter Earth
Sometimes I'm Happy
Rockin' Good Way
I Don't Hurt Anymore

Album Description

"Down with the barriers! Regina delivers (in tribute to Dinah Washington) Compelling performances of ballads and blues. Shaded with grand legacy of the gospel and the spiritual."

Regina's is a voice that conveys the raw emotion the music demands whether triumph or sadness. Pam Lundell KLBB 1400

Regina Marie Williams is a powerful and tasteful singer. Whatever a song needs- tenderness, sass or high flying acrobatics-she can provide it with intensity, character and charm. Dale Connelly, The Morning Show, Minnesota Public Radio

Customer Reviews:

this cd is fantastic.......2005-08-28

if you love Dinah Washington, do your cd collection a favor and get this cd...you won't be able to take it out of your player...if you don't know who Dinah Washington is, this cd will still be "stuck" in your cd player..you'll love it

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