The Classic Previn

This trio set by Shelly Manne & His Friends (consisting of the drummer/leader, pianist Andre Previn, and bassist Leroy Vinnegar) was a surprise best-seller and is now considered a classic. Previn (who is really the main voice) leads the group through eight themes from the famous Broadway play, including "Get Me to the Church on Time," "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," "I Could Have Danced All Night," and "On the Street Where You Live." A very appealing set that is easily recommended.

Hoping that "Old Fiends" had the rockability of Ted Nugent's "Good Friends and a Bottle of Wine", I went out on a limb and purchased it. I must say that Mundell Lowe could out play Ted N. on his worst day. The passion and fire of every note brought tears to my eyes. Never before have I heard three men play with such great rhythm, grace, and grandeur. Previn was remarkable as usual. Ray Brown brought the hammer down. I have to admit that the star was Mundell Lowe. Without him, there would be no friends.

This double CD features Prokofiev's ballet Cinderella (Op. 87), performed by London Symphony Orchestra conducted by André Previn, as well as highlights from Raymonda Suite by A. Glazunov, performed by Lovro Von Matacic & Philharmonia Orchestra.

Delightful classic title tracks, themes and suites from films that became legends during Hollywood's Golden Age. Performed with great style by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Grammy nominated conductor José Serebrier, and with Gramophone Award-winning American conductor Richard Bernas.

Released as part of the Acoustic Sounds Series celebrating 70 years of Contemporary Records, Shelly Manne & Friends' My Fair Lady is the first album to ever consist of jazz versions of songs from just a single Broadway musical.

Conductor, composer and pianist André Previn has received a number of awards and honors for his outstanding musical accomplishments, including both the Austrian and German Cross of Merit, and the Glenn Gould Prize. He is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Kennedy Center, the London Symphony Orchestra, Gramophone Classic FM, and this year was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy. He has also received several Grammy awards for recordings, including the CD of his violin concerto "Anne-Sophie" and Bernstein’s Serenade featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter together with the Boston and London Symphony orchestras.

By the time he began working on his First Symphony, William Walton had already established himself as the most exciting young British composer of the day. The work proved to be one of the twentieth century's greatest symphonies. Volcanic sentiments simmer beneath its surface and the music conveys the tensions of the 1930s whilst always remaining consistently timeless in its appeal. For fans of the English symphony, of the twentieth century symphony, and of the just plain great symphony, this 2005 recording of Walton's First by Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra will irrefutably prove that God is in his heaven and all is right in the world.

By the time he began working on his First Symphony, William Walton had already established himself as the most exciting young British composer of the day. The work proved to be one of the twentieth century's greatest symphonies. Volcanic sentiments simmer beneath its surface and the music conveys the tensions of the 1930s whilst always remaining consistently timeless in its appeal. For fans of the English symphony, of the twentieth century symphony, and of the just plain great symphony, this 2005 recording of Walton's First by Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra will irrefutably prove that God is in his heaven and all is right in the world.