by Peter Cates Berlioz: L’Enfance du Christ Andre Cluytens conducts Paris Conservatory Orchestra with chorus and soloists. EMI, Recorded 1964, 2 CDs. Composer Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) left a Christmas oratorio, the above-listed Birth of Christ and quite exceptional in its own sublime beauty. The work focuses on three episodes of the Christmas story- Herod’s dream […]
by Peter Cates Christmas at the Brooklyn Tabernacle The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and Singers, with the London Studio Orchestra; Warner Alliance 9460042, CD, recorded 1995. Brooklyn, New York’s Tabernacle church has this very good choir as part of its weekly services and worldwide ministry. This cd is one that should please those who enjoy the […]
by Peter Cates Christmas Eve with Burl Ives Decca, DL 8391, mono LP, released 1957. One very endearing album of the many Burl Ives (1909-1995) left in his discography was this astutely balanced program of 11 Xmas titles, familiar and not so familiar. The six familiars – Silent Night, There Were Three Ships, Oh Little […]
by Peter Cates Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony Anton Nanut conducting the Ljublana Symphony Orchestra- Point Classics, 265023, CD, released 1994. The catalog of recordings of this Symphony is teeming with very fine ones. This entry can be added to the honor roll. I have written previously in this column and elsewhere about the merits of Anton […]
by Peter Cates Jim Thompson Pop. 1280, 1964 crime novel, roughly 217 pages. Vastly underrated during his lifetime, Jim Thompson (1906-1977) wrote over 30 novels mainly set in the “golden triangle” of Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma during the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. Most of his characters were clueless misfits, self-serving blowhards and nihilistic villains. Pop. […]
by Peter Cates Louis Armstrong Early Satch Philips 429739BE, 45 ep, extended play, Holland release. Originally 78s from 1927-1928. Four sides from the group known as the Louis Armstrong Hot Five are contained in this mid-’50s Dutch Philips reissue. All were recorded in Chicago; two done in May,1927 with the others in December, 1928. Several […]
by Peter Cates Bartok Divertimento; 5 Chants for Children’s Chorus and Orchestra; 12 Miniatures for Orchestra Vassil Kazandjiev conducting the Sofia Chamber Orchestra, with the Bodra Smyana Children’s Chorus directed by Liliana Bocheva singing the five chants – Balkanton/Harmonia Mundi HMB 103, stereo LP, released early 1980s. Also a noted Bulgarian composer and now 84, […]
by Peter Cates John D. MacDonald A Deadly Shade of Gold. Fawcett paperback, 1965, 287 pages. Novelist John MacDonald (1916-1986) produced over 70 pulsating examples of the suspense genre. They included the classic thriller Cape Fear which was transformed into the 1962 film starring Robert Mitchum as the villain Max Cady and the 1991 remake […]
by Peter Cates Classical Journey Volume 4:France; Laserlight 79 669, cassette, released 1991. Some of the best of France’s shorter classical works are to be found here – Offenbach La Vie Parissienne, the always riveting Auber Fra Diavolo Overture, Herold Zampa Overture, Boieldieu The Lady in White Overture – quite engaging and new to me, […]
by Peter Cates NCIS Current Netflix 15th season This program featuring naval intelligence stories is one that keeps on giving. I am convinced some viewers watch it for the facial expressions of Mark Harmon alone. The balance of humor and suspense is another factor. The addition of Maria Bello as special agent Jack is a […]