Pied Piper

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
He used to be called Mellow Yellow, but these days Donovan answers to Pied Piper, or so he sings on the title track to his third record for kids. No matter what he goes by, though, the former '60s groove daddy continues to churn out tunes that tickle everybody, from kids as young as 2 on up, in a trippy, sherbet-hued sort of way. Boomer parents will dig the retooled originals, including "Little Boy in Corduroy" and "Happiness Runs," and kids'll come away copying the original Hurdy Gurdy Man's distinctively British vocal quirks on "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" (they'll also warm to "Little Teddy Bear" and get a kick out of the peculiarly clad "Funny Man"). Best of all, unlike his rustier-piped contemporaries, Donovan proves vocally sturdy. Pair him with the honey-voiced Aine Whelan, Van Morrison's former backup singer, as this record's producers have on a couple of numbers, and his melodic musings never sounded sweeter. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description
Donovan classics, with age appropriate lyrics plus 4 new tracks. Packaged in a Digipak. Kid Rhino Records.

Tracks:

A Favourite Waltz
Forest Ballad
Nocturne
Birthday Waltz
Ave Maria
Bluebird March
Star
Mister Prelude
Waltz In A Minor
Rondo
Summer In Kitakaru
Winter
Requiem For M
Lullaby For Keiko
Dance
Siciliano
Landler
Grief
Magic Flute
Sad Waltz
Pied Piper
Stream
Barcarolle
Hiroshima Requiem
Graduation (With Variations)

Customer Reviews:

Simply Amazing.......2004-01-02

I first heard of Hikari Oe many years ago when he was featured on a news program. I was so moved by his story, that I went out to buy his CD. I fell in love. I am so amazed that this man who can do nothing for himself, can write such beautiful music. He is simply amazing. This is a wonderful cd from a wonderful man. Don't miss it!!!!

Music of Hikari Oe.......2000-06-11

Listend, loved. I don't listen to classical music often, but I listen to this one almost every day.

Music of Hikari Oe.......2000-06-11

First reccomended to by Orson Scott Card in Xenocide, I orded it and was not dissapointed. This music is beautiful. I listen to it almost every day.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Style
Yes, a true travesty
This album is not a travesty, rather a breath of fresh air
A long awaited new album

Pied Piper
Donovan
Manufacturer: Music Little People
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
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HMS Donovan
7-Tease/Slow Down World
Open Road
The Hurdy Gurdy Man
In Concert: The Complete 1967 Anaheim Show

ASIN: B000063129
Release Date: 2002-03-19

Tracks:

I Love My Shirt
Happiness Runs
Sun Magic
People Call Me The Pied Piper
Little Boy In Corduroy
Colours
Jackie Beanstalk
A Funny Man
Mandolin Man And His Secret
Nature Friends
Wynken, Blynken And Nod
Little Teddy Bear
Voyage To The Moon

Amazon.com

He used to be called Mellow Yellow, but these days Donovan answers to Pied Piper, or so he sings on the title track to his third record for kids. No matter what he goes by, though, the former '60s groove daddy continues to churn out tunes that tickle everybody, from kids as young as 2 on up, in a trippy, sherbet-hued sort of way. Boomer parents will dig the retooled originals, including "Little Boy in Corduroy" and "Happiness Runs," and kids'll come away copying the original Hurdy Gurdy Man's distinctively British vocal quirks on "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" (they'll also warm to "Little Teddy Bear" and get a kick out of the peculiarly clad "Funny Man"). Best of all, unlike his rustier-piped contemporaries, Donovan proves vocally sturdy. Pair him with the honey-voiced Aine Whelan, Van Morrison's former backup singer, as this record's producers have on a couple of numbers, and his melodic musings never sounded sweeter. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Donovan classics, with age appropriate lyrics plus 4 new tracks. Packaged in a Digipak. Kid Rhino Records.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Style.......2005-09-30

Donovan has always had a marvelous style of music. His unique lyrics and melodies are a joy to us fans. This CD is a nice grouping that young and old can enjoy. To get an idea just listen to the clips that Amazon has provided. I don't think you will be disappointed. I am looking forward to the next CD that another reviewer mentioned. As for the reviewer that gave it one star, I think you need more fiber in your diet. You obviously aren't feeling well to be so negative about a Donovan album. It's good to hear from Donovan again after so many years.

Yes, a true travesty.......2002-12-13

Are you kidding me? These old and lovely songs are presented in a ridulous style. Children are more intelligent than the simple-minded cuteness of this recording. The inclusion of cute children's singing and talking makes this unappealing to an adult. This is not a Donovan album. Forget it.

This album is not a travesty, rather a breath of fresh air.......2002-12-07

Donovan (who is a living legend as far as I'm concerned) still continues to record in this, his fifth decade of recording. With all due to respect to the reviewer from Victoria, Australia, I find myself liking this album quite a bit. I agree that this album is not the legendary classic that his earlier output is. However, this album should not be compared to the classics like "A Gift", "HMS", etc... This album is basically an album geared for children done with vintage Donovan guitars, melodies, and singing (backed up by children and a female vocalist). If you're expecting classic 60's/70's Donovan or "Sutras", perhaps you need to wait for his 2003 album "Beatnik Cafe" which may satisfy. I just like Donovan's guitar playing, singing and his positive attitude (which is so often sadly mistaken for 'sappy') on life so much that this album did not disappoint. There's some remakes of classics from his "For Little Ones" (2nd half of A Gift) and "HMS Donovan"(a monster classic which I consider one of the best albums of all time) done with the classic childlike innocence. Remember his purpose for this album (geared for children *but* very enjoyable for 30-and-40-and-50-somethings like myself) and don't get tangled up in comparing this to the Donovan of the 60's and 70's. This is quite an enjoyable album. Although his voice is a little more crackly and weary (heck, we all age) and worn, his voice is still "classic" Donovan. Make no mistake about it, Donovan is back and quite active. I look forward to his "Beatnik Cafe" and any of his future albums. Donovan is a living legend and this album is another chapter in his extensive discography. If you like/play accoustic guitar, you should consider giving this album a chance. One thing that seperates Donovan from other accoustical songwritting legends (Nick Drake, Jim Croce, Eric Clapton, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, etc..) is that Donovan has always possessed such an amazing positive outlook on life. He's a "the glass is half full" rather than "the glass is half empty" kind of a person. And it reflects in his amazing lyrics. Donovan prooves that you don't have to write tragic sad songs to be considered a legend. I think some folks consider that a "negative" trait and put Donovan in the "goody goody" category (which is a grave mistake to make). Oh well, their loss. I have "all" of Donovan's albums on cd just about and I can tell you that this album is worth a listen. If you listen to it with the intention that he geared this more towards a child (but not excluding an adult from really liking the melodies, arrangements and instrumentations), then I think you'll like this album. If you're expecting another "HMS Donovan" or "Sunshine Superman", this is not it. Not to say though that his "Beatnik Cafe" or future albums won't be like that as they could possibly be. Thank God this living legend is not ready to retire. Check out his www.donovan.ie official web-site...

A long awaited new album.......2002-03-28

I have just received my copy of this new album, and it is wonderful not to be disappointed! Although there are well established songs featured (and new ones, of course) they are all new arrangements, and very good arrangements at that.
The songs featured will be well known to Donovan's fans everywhere, but the addition of childrens' voices in places, as well as new instruments, makes for a refreshingly bouyant collection of happy songs. 'Happiness Runs' and 'Mandolin Man...' are already favourites of mine!
Also featured on this CD is the Pied Piper's song 'People Call Me the Pied Piper'. If memory serves me correctly this was not used in the film (much, I think, to Donovan's disappointment) but he has performed the song several times to my knowledge here in the UK at least, and clearly rates it highly himself. And rightly so!
His new arrangement of 'Colours' will delight everyone I am sure, with new lyric much more suited to the youngsters of the family. Further, there is the story of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' which every child knows and loves, and retold in the song 'Jackie Beanstalk'.
'Voyage of the Moon' is a new arrangement where the melody line is very slightly changed. I must say, I prefer the original to the one featured here, but at least it's different. Finally, I can just imagine classes of kids in schools up and down the country singing along to 'Nature Friends'!
You've scored highly with this one, Donovan, but please don't make us wait quite so long for the next one. As for the fans, you won't be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

A long overdue collection by one of the English masters of the clarinet.
Great Collection

The Complete American Decca Recordings

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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Swing Low Sweet Clarinet: Reginald Kell & His Quiet Music
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ASIN: B0009ONYPA
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Rondo. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Larghetto
III. Menuetto-Trio I/II
IV. Allegretto Con Variazioni I-IV/Adagio-Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Minuetto In Canone-Trio In Canone Al Rovescio
IV. Allegro

Tracks:

I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Menuetto I-Trio
III. Adagio
IV. Menuetto II-Trio
V. Finale. Allegro
I. Allegro Con Brio - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
II. Adagio - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
III. Tema. 'Pria Ch'Io L'Impegno'. Allegretto-Allegro - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
I. Andante - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
II. Menuetto - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
III. Rondeaux. Allegretto - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
I. Zart Und Mit Ausdruck
II. Lebhaft, Leicht-Coda: Nach Und Nach Ruhiger
III. Rasch Und Mit Feuer-Coda-Schneller

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Fuoco
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Rondo. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Andantino-Presto Non Assai, Ma Con Sentimento
IV. Con Moto-Un Poco Meno Mosso
I. Allegro - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
II. Adagio - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
III. Andantino Grazioso - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
IV. Allegro - Mieczyslaw Horszowski

Tracks:

I. Allegro Appassionato
II. Andante, Un Poco Adagio
III. Allegretto Grazioso
IV. Vivace
I. Allegro Amiabile
II. Allegro Appassionato
III. Andante Con Moto-Allegro
I. Allegretto - Brooks Smith
II. Allegro Animato - Brooks Smith
III. Lento - Brooks Smith
IV. Molto Allegro - Brooks Smith
I. Improvisation: Tempo Rubato-Espressivo - Brooks Smith
II. Modal Blues: Tempo Di Blues - Brooks Smith
III. In Rhythm: Moderato - Brooks Smith
I. Allegro Non Troppo - Brooks Smith
II. Larghetto - Brooks Smith
III. Allegro - Brooks Smith

Tracks:

Premiere Rhapsodie For Clarinet And Piano
I. Massig Bewegt
II. Lebhaft
III. Sehr Langsam
V. Kleines Rondo, Gemachlich
I. Sempre Piano E Molto Tranquillo
II. MM=168
III. MM=160
I. Verbunkos (Recruiting Dance). Moderato, Ben Ritmato
II. Piheno (Relaxation). Lento
III. Sebes (Fast Dance). Allegro
La Plus Que Lente
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
Reverie
Le Petit Berger
Ecstasy
The Pied Piper
Blue Haze
Dance Of The Three Old Maids

Tracks:

I. Ouverture. Vif Et Gai
II. Divertissement. Anime
III. Jeu. Vif
IV. Introduction Et Final. Modere-Vif
I. Adagio 'Lovely On The Water - Brooks Smith
II. Andante Sostenuto 'Spurn Point' - Brooks Smith
III. Larghetto 'Van Dieman's Land' - Brooks Smith
IV. Lento 'She Borrowed Some Of Her Mother's Gold' - Brooks Smith
V. Andante Tranquillo 'The Lady And The Dragon' - Brooks Smith
VI. Allegro Vivace 'As I Walked Over London Bridge' - Brooks Smith
Siciliana And Gigue
Adagio
Allegro
Giga
Rondino Uber Ein Thema Von Beethoven
Piece En Forme De Habanera
Petite Piece
Roundelay
Berceuse
Jamaican Rumba - Brooks Smith
Caprice Viennoois Op.2
Liebesleid
Liebesfreud
Stars In My Eyes
Schon Rosmarin

Customer Reviews:

A long overdue collection by one of the English masters of the clarinet........2007-01-05

The Yorkshireman Reg Kell became famous for using vibrato in the classical world when it was unfashionable. He used it tastefully, and other artists such as Jack Brymer and Emma Johnson have continued to use it. He also had a series of tutorials with Benny Goodman (for Goodman's benefit) which led to Goodman changing his embouchure from the upper teeth on mouthpiece to the upper lip - as well as lower, -on mouthpiece, which perhaps in Goodmans's case was not a good move, as he had it right the first time!.

However these recordings originally came out a very long time ago in the early days of vinyl, and a re-issue is long overdue. Kell's excursion in to light music is interesting, though he stops well short of anything resembling jazz, although he had earlier recorded one record with Bert Ambrose's band in the 1940 which was the nearest he got, - but that is not included here. His main forte is in the works of Mozart, Weber, Beethoven and Brahms, but he also plays Bartok and Templeton. It shows what an accomplished performer he was. All were recorded after he left the UK to live and play in America.

This set shows his rightful place as a performer in the history of clarinet playing. He had raised the standard of the time, and had the benefits of improved recording techniques and length of play boudaries were removed with the LP record.

Great Collection.......2006-07-30

My only negative comment is that he rushes some of the runs; everything else is great!

Average customer rating:

Unique, Terrific Double Bass Music!

Miller & Ramsier Play Ramsier
Ramsier , and Miller
Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00007IG1C
Release Date: 2002-12-24

Customer Reviews:

Unique, Terrific Double Bass Music!.......2003-03-21

This marvelous record is the definitive execution of Paul Ramsier's double bass music, because the composer himself plays piano accompaniment for bassist John Miller. Fans of solo double bass will recognize the lush lines of these works. Ramsier is the foremost composer for the double bass in the last hundred years, and his writing here amounts to fireworks in strings. John Miller is a remarkable young virtuouso, and here he joins Ramsier in first-rate ensemble playing.

Average customer rating:

John Corigliano: Pied Piper Fantasy

Manufacturer: Koch Int'l Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0002MPQLE
Release Date: 2004-09-21

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Katherine Hoover: Medieval Suite I: Virelai
Katherine Hoover: Medieval Suite II: The Black Knight
Katherine Hoover: Medieval Suite III: The Drunken Friar
Katherine Hoover: Medieval Suite IV: On the Betrothal of Princess Isabelle of France, Aged Six Years
Katherine Hoover: Medieval Suite V: Demon's Dance
John Corigliano: The Pied Piper Fantasy I: Sunrise and The Piper's Song
John Corigliano: The Pied Piper Fantasy II: The Rats
John Corigliano: The Pied Piper Fantasy III: Battle with the Rats
John Corigliano: The Pied Piper Fantasy IV: War Cadenza
John Corigliano: The Pied Piper Fantasy V: The Piper's Victory
John Corigliano: The Pied Piper Fantasy VI: The Burghers' Chorale
John Corigliano: The Pied Piper Fantasy VII: The Children's March
Chen Yi: The Golden Flute for flute and orchestra I
Chen Yi: The Golden Flute for flute and orchestra II
Chen Yi: The Golden Flute for flute and orchestra III: Allegro

Average customer rating:

You can get started
You Can Get Started Here
Miracle Man of Swing
Gotta have it
Bunny Plays Great.. even the liner notes rock..!

The Pied Piper
Bunny Berigan
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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The Radio Years 1937-1940

ASIN: B000002WTU
Release Date: 1995-06-13

Tracks:

Nothin' But The Blues
Troubled
Sometimes I'm Happy
King Porter Stomp
Jingle Bells
Santa Claus Came In The Spring
Honeysuckle Rose
Blues
Song Of India
Marie
Liebestraum
Mendelssohn's Spring Song
Blue Lou
I Can't Get Started
The Prisoner's Song
Trees
Russian Lullaby
The Wearin' Of The Green
The Pied Piper
Jelly Roll Blues
Candelights
I've Found A New Baby

Customer Reviews:

You can get started.......2006-11-23

Dad was a big fan of Bunny Berigan, always saying what a great musician he was and what a shame it was he died so young. Au usual, Dad was right. This is a pleasure to listen to while providing a good overview of Bunny's work. The 22 tracks include the Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey orchestra and a host of well-known names. "Sometimes I'm Happy" is not one of the more common tracks on Berigan collections. This is an excellent collection, well done with good sound quality and a nice selection of songs. Richard M. Sudhalter's notes give a good account of the songs and the man.

You Can Get Started Here.......2004-12-07

How good was Bunny Berigan? Here's one hint: legendary producer and scout John Hammond talked a reluctant Gene Krupa into giving one more try with a new Benny Goodman orchestra (this would be the one to launch the Swing Era officially in short order) by, among other things, highlighting that Berigan had agreed to join the band.

If you prefer to dip slowly into Berigan's pool, this disc is the place to do it. A better overview of his career as sideman and leader alike isn't likely to be had, even if I'm docking a star because one of his loveliest turns--on Benny Goodman's beautiful "Goodbye"--is missing. Maybe the best trumpeter of the 1930s and 40s who wasn't named Louis Armstrong, Berigan's insecurities and business reluctance drove him to alcohol and bankruptcy and a too-early death. Yet he was so decent a person, seemingly, that Fox Lake, Wisconsin, where he grew up, commemorates him annually even today.

Berigan sent every drop of his soul turmoil into a striking tone, a rare dynamism as an improvisor in short settings, and a remarkable consistency whether blowing in the high or low register. He even sounded better making the occasional mistake than most trumpetmeisters sounded getting it note perfect. That's how good Bunny Berigan really was. His gift was so complete that he could take even the most trite material and make you sit through it just to hear his turn, but on this disc there's very little trite and nearly all solid meat.

And if you go from here to examining his discography in more depth (any side of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, or Artie Shaw that features him is worth the hunt, as are some of his radio broadcasts under his own name), you'll figure out soon enough that "I Can't Get Started" was merely his biggest hit and his signature. (And it deserved to be; it is Berigan who turned the song from perhaps a Vernon Duke-Ira Gershwin by-the-way number into an unquestioned standard. He also had, by the way, a pleasant enough singing voice; no threat to Frank Sinatra but not exactly a throwaway, either.) Bunny Berigan deserves his legend, but every note you hear from him will inform you how much of a waste it was that no one, including and especially himself, could obstruct his destroying himself.

Miracle Man of Swing.......2003-07-23

Crisp audio, superb selections, and sensitive liner notes by Bix and Hoagy biographer Richard Sudhalter create an altogether revelatory introduction to this Swing Era giant. Trumpeter Bunny Berigan deserves better than the meager jazz history footnotes he's been given lately. His artistry's been obscured by his reputation as a tragic white jazz legend, and yes, the details of his early death are heartbreaking, but concentrate on his music instead: it sighs with regret, simmers with desire, and dances with joy.
"The Pied Piper" showcases Bunny as he shines as one of the 1930's busiest sidemen ("Nothin' But The Blues", "Troubled"), kicks off the Swing stampede with Benny Goodman ("King Porter Stomp"), skyrockets Tommy Dorsey's band to major success ("Marie", "Song of India"), and debuts his own orchestra ("I Can't Get Started", of course, and many others). You won't find a better overview of Berigan's career on any other single CD.
In the indifferent world of today's music, grab this chance to listen to a real man, filled with real humanity and a pure passion for life, and for music.

Gotta have it.......2002-09-10

The incomparable Bunny with Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Gene Gifford, Frankie Trumbauer...If you like this era, it doesn't get any better than this...Rare and precious cuts you can't find anywhere else.

Bunny Plays Great.. even the liner notes rock..!.......2002-07-20

yup.. the liner notes by jazzologist Richard Sudhalter are terrific, too: great background on the player and the era where men were nicknamed Cootie, Bunny, Doc, or Shorty..
the tunes are fabulous.. and there's lots of them, too.. ranging from Bunny's powerful work in the early 30's with Gene Gifford (Nothin but the Blues), Frankie Trumbauer (Troubled), Benny Goodman (King Porter Stomp, Sometimes I'm Happy), to his later stuff with Tommy Dorsey--orchestras and all-star jam groups: "Honeysuckle Rose" (with Fats Waller), "Blue Lou", "Song of India" and "Marie".
Then, we get the incomparable "I Can't Get Started" featuring Bunny's high register-then-low-register-riffs and smooth, haunting vocal, as Bunny led his own orchestra. Sudhalter figgers that the work Bunny's band turned out was amazing, considering the financial, and alcoholic, fracas this 'laughing band'(Johnny Napton-trumpeter) was in--constantly! but you also hear his group turn out hot tunes including "Russian Lullaby", "Prisoner's Song", and maybe the best version of "Jelly Roll Blues" ever.
The last cut is a radio aircheck from 1940 with Tommy Dorsey: "I've Found a New Baby".. ah yes, there was hope that Bunny might survive the medical crises he had recently faced---but it was not to be. Shortly after, he succumbed to alcoholism--reminiscent of that previous tragic figure Bix - oh how nice it would have been if these two virtuosos had survived.
But listen to this first-rate Bunny collection - and lament.

Average customer rating:

An Unusual Programmatic Flute Concerto

Corigliano: Pied Piper Fantasy / Voyage
John Corigliano , James Galway , and David Effron Eastman Philharmonia
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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John Corigliano: Symphony No. 2; Suite from 'The Red Violin' [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B000003EPV
Release Date: 1987-01-01

Tracks:

Pied Piper Fantasy: Sunrise and The Piper's Song
Pied Piper Fantasy: The Rats
Pied Piper Fantasy: Battle with the Rats
Pied Piper Fantasy: War Cadenza
Pied Piper Fantasy: The Piper's Victory
Pied Piper Fantasy: The Burghers' Chorale
Pied Piper Fantasy: The Children's March
Pied Piper Fantasy: VOYAGE for Flute and String Orchestra

Amazon.com essential recording

John Corigliano is one of America's finest living composers, best known outside the classical-music world as the composer of the film score for Altered States. His music is invariably brilliant in orchestration and rhythmically exciting. The Pied Piper Fantasy is no exception and marks a major contribution to the modern repertoire for the flute. Galway's performance is exceptional. This disc clearly belongs on the shortlist for anyone who loves great flute playing as well as approachable modern music. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

An Unusual Programmatic Flute Concerto.......2000-07-10

According to the liner notes, the "Pied Piper Fantasy" originated with a request from the famous flautist, James Galway, for a flute concerto, for the opening of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra's season in 1980. Well, Corigliani was really not interested in composing another concerto, having done an oboe and a clarinet concerto already. However, his admiration for the flamboyant and charismatic Galway and the occasion got him thinking, and the association of the flute with various "pipes" led him to the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

Well, OK, it's a great story, but the piper only gets to play his pipe to charm the rats to lead them away and then to charm the village children and lead them away. Not much contrast for a concerto for a virtuoso flautist! No allegro. So, he decided to add some drama: it surely could not have been so easy to charm all those rats, he notes, "So I had to modify the story a bit, and I included battle scenes between the Piper and the rats and other elements that could set the soloist's fingers racing."

The piece opens sombrely, not quite what one expects for a "Sunrise and the Piper's Song." "The Rats" has some rather nasty sounds. In "The Battle with the Rats," "War Cadenza, and "The Piper's Victory," we find that the Piper, though initially meets with some success, he finds the rats regroup and gather reinforcements. He has to try different tunes before he finds one which will properly mesmerize the rats, only succeeding in the nick of time.

We then find "The Burgher's Chorale," in which the townspeople try to renege on the payment. One can hear them: "Well, we really don't have any problem now." "Prove that you got rid of the rats, perhaps they left on their own. Have you done a Double Blind Test with other rats with your tune against recordings by Jean Pierre Rampal and Aurele Nicolet?" OK, that's not quite Corigliani's story, but it's in the spirit of the original. So, the Piper pulls out a tin flute (yes, the poor soloist has to play a tin flute, too) and a bunch of children all playing flutes, come out and follow him away, or something like that.

The sound is quite spectacular, in keeping with such a dramtic work. It can surely show off your system, if desired!

The CD booklet has a couple of photographs of the bearded Galway, ever the showman, wearing a striking red and gold costume, playing his flute to charm one and all.

The "Voyage" for flute and string orchestra is peaceful and lovely.

The music is not great on an absolute, but it's excellent for this genre of program music, with plenty of atmosphere and drama. As well, the performance and sound quality are first rate.

Good Girls Love the Pipe
Average customer rating:
Good Girls Love the Pipe

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004U2HO
Release Date: 2000-06-01

Tracks:

Blow Some Funk This Way
Piper's Dream
Good Girls Love The Pipe
Take Me Tonight
Take Care Of Business
I Like Your Smile
I Wonder
Pied Piper's Health

Album Description

This CD contains a mixture of instrumental, jazzy rap, dance tracks that are based around a flute as the main instrument.

Copland: Concerto for clarinet, strings, harp; Finzi: Concerto for clarinet in Cm

Average customer rating:

Excellent variation, wonderful composers, ideal soloist ...

Copland: Concerto for clarinet, strings, harp; Finzi: Concerto for clarinet in Cm

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000030QF
Release Date: 1993-12-09

Tracks:

Cl Con
The Pied Piper
Cl Con, Op.31: 1st Movt. Allegro Vigoroso
Cl Con, Op.31: 2nd Movt. Adagio Ma Senza Rigore
Cl Con, Op.31: 3rd Movt. Rondo (Allegro)

Customer Reviews:

Excellent variation, wonderful composers, ideal soloist ..........2000-02-08

This album is one of the best collection of clarinet concertos ever to be graced by such an illustrious group as the Northern Sinfonia of England. The soloist, Canadian-born George MacDonald, readily demonstrates the both the range and versatility of the instrument through varied compositions. Mourant's "The Pied Piper" presents a surreal, albeit ethereal, composition that the soloist not only is able to perform, but perform with a certain degree of empathy that enhances the entire experience of the composition itself.

Average customer rating:

Children's Games

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

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0009MWB0G
Release Date: 2005-08-23

Tracks:

March (Trumpet And Drum) - Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra
Lullaby (The Doll) - Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra
Impromptu (The Top) - Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra
Duo (Little Husband, Little Wife) - Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra
Galop (The Ball) - Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra
The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra
Berceuse - Gabriel Faure
Mi-A-Ou - Gabriel Faure
Le Jardin De Dolly - Gabriel Faure
Kitty-Valse - Gabriel Faure
Tendresse - Gabriel Faure
Le Pas Espagnol - Gabriel Faure
The Musical Box - Anatole Konstantinovich Liadov
No.1: Ouverture Miniature - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
No 2a: Danses Caracterisiques - Marche - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
No.2b: Danses Caracteristiques - Danse De La Fee Drageee (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
No.2c: Danses Caracteristiques - Danse Russe (Trepak) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
No.2 d: Danses Caracteristiques - Danse Arabe - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
No. 2E: danses Caracteristiques - Danse Chinoise - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Danses Caracteristiques - Danse des Mirlitons (Dance Of The Reed Pipes) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
No3: Valses Des Fleurs (Waltz Of The Flowers) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Pied Piper - Northern Sinfonia Of England
Themes For Narnia - From The Narnia Suite - The Marisa Robles Ensemble
Braziliera - Emma Johnson

Music:

Music

Music