REVIEW POTPOURRI – TV Series: Breakout Kings; Conductor: Jonel Perlea; Composer: Maurice Ravel

by Peter Cates

Breakout Kings

starring Laz Alonso, Dominick Lombardozzi, Malcolm Goodwin, Serinda Swan, Jimmi Simpson and Brooke Nevin, produced for A&E, 2011-12, 23 episodes, 43 minutes each.

Laz Alonso

Dominick Lombardozzi

Breakout Kings dealt with a special task force, led by an investigator, Charlie (Laz Alonso), and his assistant, Ray (Dominick Lom­bar­dozzi), to catch prisonors who have escaped, usually ones with violent criminal pasts. However, the two are utilizing the talents of three convicted felons because of their special insights into the criminal mind.

They are a former wholesaler of drugs and weapons, Shea (Malcolm Goodwin); a murderer of five gang members for killing her dad, Erica (Serinda Swan); and a prescriber of illegal pharmaceuticals and a professional behaviorist, Lowery (Jimmi Simpson). All are compensated for their services by being transferred from maximum pens to minimum security residencies, and given one month off their remaining years for each recapture. But, if even one tries to escape, all three will be returned to their previous joint and have their sentences doubled.

Serinda Swan

Malcolm Goodwin

Finally, there is Julianne, the talented analyst and researcher, who was top in her police academy class before being overtaken by depression and other emotional disorders and who is portrayed in a very high-calibre performance by the Canadian actress, Brooke Nevin.

Brooke Nevin

I have already viewed season one and found each episode entertaining, even though a bit predictable. The cast does good work in making their characters believable and, especially as the series proceeds along, quite engaging and sympathetic.

Rimsky-Korsakov

Scheherazade
Jonel Perlea conducts the Bamberg Symphony; Vox-STPL 510.220, stereo lp, recorded 1963.

Jonel Perlea

Conductor Jonel Perlea (1900-1970) recorded a number of LPs for Vox after a 1957 stroke limited him to his left arm. But he delivered a number of good performances, including exceptionally fine readings of the Beethoven Emperor and Chopin First with pianist Guiomar Novaes, and this intense Scheherazade, one of a really good catalog of different recordings of the work.

Ravel

Bolero
Pavan for a Dead Princess; Menuet Antique; Rhapsodie Espagnole- Manuel Rosenthal conducting the Orchestra of the National Opera of Paris; Westminster, WST 14023, recorded early ‘60s.

Maurice Ravel

Manuel Rosenthal (1904-2003) was most prominent for his concoction of Offenbach tunes, known as the Gaite Parisienne ballet. His conducting of these Ravel four staples is very good and, for collectors of duplicates, Ravel and conductors below the radar, this LP is worth a search.