- As most of you know, the first Lanza release on BMG Sony's
new HYBRID SACD format - a pairing of the much-praised MARIO! album with
THE VAGABOND KING - will be available in February.
-
- I had recommended that BMG couple the MARIO! album with
LANZA SINGS CARUSO FAVORITES instead, but the SACD series is an extension
of existing compilations so the original twofer remains the same. As a
bonus, however, several Friml tracks missing from BMG's earlier "Living
Stereo" CD have been added to the new disc: two solos from Judith
Raskin - "Love for Sale" and "Huguette Waltz", the
pleasant "Hunting" with orchestra and chorus, and one never-before-released
snippet from Mario, a brief reprise of "Nocturne". I had mentioned
this rare track to the producer, who also found an instrumental interlude
to the piece. Performance-wise it's a minor addition to the Lanza catalogue,
but it does complete his contribution to this particular Rome session.
The Introduction with orchestra and chorus is the only track from the original
album missing from the new CD.
-
- Selections on the SACD MARIO! album remain the same
and the revised track list for THE VAGABOND KING is as follows:
-
- Drinking Song
- Someday
- Love Me Tonight
- Only a Rose
- Tomorrow
- Love for Sale
- Hunting
- Nocturne
- Instrumental Interlude & Nocturne (reprise)
- Huguette Waltz
- Song of the Vagabonds
- Finale
-
- The SACD remastering for these two albums was carried
out last October. I have yet to hear the finished result but hopefully
it will do full justice to the new format.
-
- DEREK MANNERING
|