Stephen Porter - Piano

Track Listings

1. Liszt - Sonata in B minor

2. Liszt - Consolation in D-flat major

3. Rachmaninoff - Prelude in G major

4. Ravel - Oiseaux Tristes

5. Beethoven - Andante Favori

6. Schubert - Klavierstuck D. 946 no. 2

7. Chopin - Polonaise-Fantaisie

Tracks:

Oklahoma!: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' - John Raitt/Franz Allers
On The Town: New York, New York - Michael Kermoyan/Adolph Green/John Reardon/Cris Alexander & Chorus/Leonard Bernstein
Annie Get Your Gun: I Got The Sun In The Morning - Doris Day/Franz Allers
Fiddler On The Roof: If I Were A Rich Man - Topol/Gareth Davies
West Side Story: Tonight - Larry Kert/Carol Lawrence/Max Goberman
The Sound Of Music: The Sound Of Music - Mary Martin/Frederick Dvonch
My Fair Lady: On The Street Where You Live - Jerry Lanning/Theodore Saidenberg
Annie: Tomorrow - Andrea McArdle/Peter Howard
The Music Man: Seventy-Six Trombones - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
Anything Goes: You're The Top - Eileen Rodgers/Hal Linden/Julian Stein
Bye Bye Birdie: Put On A Happy Face - Dick Van Dyke/Elliot Lawrence
Mame: Open A New Window - Angela Lansbury & Cast/Don Pippin
Strike Up The Band: Strike Up The Band - The Chestnut Brass Co.
Sweet Charity: Hey, Big Spender - Helen Gallagher/Thelma Oliver/Fan-Dango Girls/Fred Werner
Bells Are Ringing: Just In Time - Judy Holliday/Sydney Chaplin/Milton Rosenstock
Gypst: Together, Wherever We Go - Ethel Merman/Jack Klugman/Sandra Church/Milton Rosenstock
Cabaret: Cabaret - Jill Haworth/Harold Hastings
Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - The Boston Pops Orchestra/John Williams
Show Boat: Ol' Man River - William Warfield/Franz Allers
A Chorus Line: What I Did For Love - Priscilla Lopez & Cast/Don Pippin
A Little Night Music: Send In The Clowns - Glynis Johns/Harold Hastings

Customer Reviews:

Great to Hear All those great Voices from the Past.......2007-07-05

I just wanted to confirm what the first reviewer had to say about this CD. To hear Ethyl Merman, Mary Martin, Andrea McCardle etc. singing their trademark songs brought a lot of memories from the mid-centry musical theater back again. The last song by Glynis Johns is especially poignant.
You certainly can't beat the price!

A Good One!.......2006-11-10

This is a very good CD, mostly because it's the original artists. I've had some that were re-recorded by no name artists that were ghastly. This one is a really good one--including the sound quality. If I had one wish, I would wish it were longer!

The Greatest Love Songs From The Musicals (Musical Compilation)

Average customer rating:

NOT BAD
NOT BAD

The Greatest Love Songs From The Musicals (Musical Compilation)

Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Broadway's Greatest Love Songs
My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs
More Broadway's Greatest Love Songs
Greatest Songs from the Musicals

ASIN: B000000KAR
Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - John Barrowman
The King And I: Hello Young Lovers - Valerie Masterson
My Fair Lady: On The Street Where You Live - Henry Wickham
Oliver!: As Long As He Needs Me - Josephine Barstow
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - John Barrowman/Claire Moore
Once On This Island: The Human Heart - P.P. Arnold
Grease: Hopelessly Devoted To You - Shona Lindsay
Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Maria Friedman
Camelot: If Ever I Would Leave You - Robert Meadmore
The Merry Widow: Words Forbidden (The Merry Widow Waltz) - Eiddwen Harrhy/Alan Oake
South Pacific: Some Enchanted Evening - Thomas Allen
Kiss Me Kate: So In Love - Diana Montague

Customer Reviews:

NOT BAD.......2001-05-06

OK MANY GREAT SONGS THOUGH SOME UNNECCARY AND MISSING SOME

NOT BAD.......2001-05-06

OK MANY GREAT SONGS THOUGH SOME UNNECCARY AND MISSING SOME

Average customer rating:

Jessye Norman Collection

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Jessye Norman Classics
The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]

ASIN: B00000411W
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

All The Things You Are
Spring Is Here
Love Is Here To Stay
In The Still Of The Night
With A Song In My Heart
Ave Maria
Amazing Grace
Greensleeves (What Child Is This)
The Holy City
Panis Angelicus
Messe solennelle de Ste. Cecile: Sanctus
There Is A Man Going Round
Give Me Jesus
Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
Do Lawd, Oh Do Lawd
Gospel Train
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands

Tracks:

'Le nozze di Figaro': Porgi, amor
'Le nozze di Figaro': Dove sono i bei momenti
Zueignung, Op.10 No.1
'Ariadne Auf Naxos': Es gibt ein reich
Fruhling
Schlechtes Wetter, Op.69 No.5
'Dido and Aeneas': Dido's Lament: When I'm laid In Earth
'Les Nuits D'Ete': Le Spectre De La Rose
Gretchen am spinnrade
L'invitation au voyage
Je te veux
Les chemins de L'amour
'Tristan und Isolde': Tristan und Isolde: Isoldes Liebestod

Average customer rating:

The best is wonderful, but there are a few duds
Beautiful Voice, Bad Choices
A Great Showcase of Hampson's Voice and Artistry
Comprehensive coverage of Hampson's range in song

Thomas Hampson - A Portrait

Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
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Song of America
Cole Porter: Night & Day - Thomas Hampson, John McGlinn, London Symphony Orchestra, Ambrosian Chorus

ASIN: B000024D1I
Release Date: 1997-01-01

Customer Reviews:

The best is wonderful, but there are a few duds.......2006-07-17

No portrait of a singer can satisfy all cmers, so EMI has shrugged its shoulders and tossed a bit of everything into the pot. (Without including any bonus tracks, one should note.) Hampson is without a doubt the successor to Fischer-Dieskau as the world's most famous operatic baritone. His strengths, like F-D's, are in song, especially American song. Seven of the 19 cuts here are American songs, which isn't enough. We don't really need Hampson's rather plodding and earnest Viennese operetta aria, nor his duet, "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" with the shrill Kim Criswell (to tell the truth, neither does very well). Two small slivers from Schumann's Dichterlieve cycle seems rather silly, too.

But that leaves a lot that's wonderful--all the American selections, the Rossini and Liszt songs, the aria form Korngold's Die Tote Stadt, and above all Hampson's rollicking, let-'er-rip rendition of Figaro's aria form the Barber of Seville. If this omnium gatherum entices listeners to bu the complete recordings, it will serve a very good purpose.

Beautiful Voice, Bad Choices.......2003-11-25

Short and Sweet.

I love listening to this beautiful baritone's voice, but I really don't like his choice of songs on this album. Beautiful Dreamer is so hackneyed and I can't stand to listen to it (also why I didn't buy the Stephen Foster album). I did like is choice of two classic lieder by Schumann. I would have chosen more lieder for a different album, he does great things with it. The Live recording of Largo al factotum from Barber is distracting with audience claps and poor mics for the recording. You can hear him walking away from the mics (fading in and out). The absolute worst choice is "Anything You Can Do" from Annie Get Your Gun. It sounds nice but I hate this song. The rest of the songs swing from Sappy awful to beautifully sung.

Bottom Line: Inconsistent and Not worth your money. He can do much better

A Great Showcase of Hampson's Voice and Artistry.......2002-02-23

Thomas Hampson is definitely one of the greatest artists on today's musical scene. This CD displays the beauty of Hampson's voice and the intelligence and artistry that he brings to a great variety of musical styles (German, French and Italian Opera; Italian, French and German art song, and American music). Among the highlights are the first selection, the beautiful "Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen" from DIE TOTE STADT by Korngold, sung with great control and melting pianissimos. The same can be said of the aria from TANNHAUSER. His live "Largo al Factotum" from IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA is just virtuosistic, with effortless high notes (even a cadenza up to high C) and energetic vocal acting. In the art songs he is no less impressive, with total involvement in the style and mood of the songs, being particularly impressive "Oh, quand je dors" by Lizt. The American repertoire is also a delight. Hampson displays all kind of nuances for this repertoire, from the estatic quality of "Beautiful Dreamer" to the humor and bawdiness of "Where Is The Life that Late I Led". In summary, this is a delightful and eclectic souvenir from one of the most charismatic and intelligent singers of our time.

Comprehensive coverage of Hampson's range in song.......2001-11-01

This EMI disc, "Thomas Hampson, Portrait" is an excellent example of the wide range of this melliflous baritone. From the first German aria, Korngold's "Mein Sehnen, mein Wahnen" one of my personal favourites, to Jerome Kern's "The Last Time I saw Paris" you have great variety of opera, lieder and popular song offering you examples of Hampson's great talent. Buy and enjoy! Jill Whitburn

Samuel Ramey: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye: Songs of Barber,

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
The greatest American bass
Good, but one dimensional
Primo basso assolutto!!

Samuel Ramey: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye: Songs of Barber,
Samuel Barber , Stephen Foster , Charles T. Griffes , George Gershwin , Edwin Gerschefski , Paul Bowles , Cole Porter , Samuel Ramey , and Warren Jones
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Very Best of Thomas Hampson

ASIN: B000002C08
Release Date: 1996-10-01

Tracks:

No. 6 from Hermit Songs, Op. 29: Sea-Snatch
I Hear An Army
Sure On This Shining Night
Bessie Bobtail
If You've Only Got A Moustache
Gentle Annie
Don't Bet Your Money On The Shanghai
Evening Song
An Old Song Re-Sung
No. 1 From Three Poems, Op. 11: The Lament Of Ian The Proud
Song Of The Dagger
A Damsel In Distress: Nice Work If You Can Get It
Shall We Dance?: They All Laughed
Girl Crazy: Embraceable You
The Goldwyn Follies: Just Another Rhumba
They Cannot Stop Death - Blue Mountain Ballads
Heavenly Grass
Lonesome Man
Cabin
Sugar In The Cane
Anything Goes: Blow, Gabriel Blow
Jubilee: Begin The Beguine
Seven Lively Arts: Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
FIFTY MILLION FRENCHMEN: The Tale Of The Oyster

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-26

This is such a great collection of 20th century songs, that it behooves me to say something brief about each composer on this disc. I think that by doing so the listener gains more insight and thus more appreciation of all aspects of the song material.

The music of Samuel Barber (1910-1981), whether his symphonies, concertos,operas, chamber music or songs, is notable above all for a pronounced and refined lyricism. Barbr wrote songs thruout his career, and his published vocal output, though relatively small, is perhaps the most distinguished of an American composer. He preferred lyrical , romantic poetry, and his word-setting was perfect.
Stephen Foster (1826-1864) published his first song when he was 18 and by dint of hundreds more became, in the words of Aaron Copland,"our own national hero (who) had a naturalness and sweetness of sentiment that transformed his melodies into the equivalent of folk song." He was truly a songwriter rather than a composer, for he wrote no concert works or operas.
Charles Tomlinson Griffes (1884-1920) assimilated Debussian impressionism and,somewhat later, Oriental exoticism. During his brief career, he composed 64 songs, including four song-cycles.
George Gershwim(1898-1937) began his career in Tin Pan Alley and eventually, with works such as 'Rhapsody in blue' for piano and orchestra and some other works, brought Jazz into the concert hall.
Paul Bowles (1910- ) has long enjoyed celebrity status as an author,a writer of novels, short stories and essays. After a brief study with Aaron Copland, he made a considerable reputation as a composer of incidenal music. Virgil Thompson once described Bowles's songs as "enchanting for their sweetness of mood, their lightness of texture, for in general their way of being wholly alive and right".
Cole Porter (1891-1964) had the rare ability to invent superior catchpenny tunes; deceptively simple, often elegant melodies that stay in the ear. Consequently,he became one of the most successful American songwriter of his era.

As to Samuel Ramey's performance of these songs, one can only say 'business as usual', and that means great sound, great diction, great interpretation and always with that extra something that only a few bassos have!!!!The variety of works is varied and interesting and, if you please, is NOT a cross-over album. There are too many songs that denote the classical element. He was wise enough to vary his selection to avoid that particular situation. I really like this disc!!!!!

The greatest American bass.......2007-01-10

Ramey fans will not be disappointed by this charming collection of vocal gems.

Good, but one dimensional.......2000-04-26

Samuel Ramey is undoubtedly one of the finest and most versatile opera singers of his generation. However, these songs do not show his voice off at his best. One of Ramey's main faults is a lack of variety and vocal colour which is ABSOLUTELY needed in a song recital. This lack of colouring means that most of the songs come out sounding the same. The other major concern is that Mr Ramey's vibrato is quite pronounced. Most opera singers can get away with this when singing with an orchestra, but when he just has piano accompaniment it is much more noticeable. Still, it is good to have a recording of some of these lesser known songs and it is still an enjoyable cd.

Primo basso assolutto!!.......1998-11-17

Having attended Mr. Ramey's recent recital in Chicago where he sang a number of the songs on this recording, I can say that there is simply no bass today to rival him for sheer vocal glory. Whether it is the bel canto repetoire, baroque decorations, or as here, the American literature, Ramey is THE bass of the day. Unlike the former days when bassos were relagated to either buffoon, rich uncle, or some other supporting role, Ramey has almost single-handedly elevated the basso to star status. Roles that languished for years because there was no one up to their demands are now staples of Ramey's catalogue. Warren Jones is a sensetive and intelligent accompanist. In fact he played the entire recital from memory.

Best of Broadway: Give My Regards To Broadway

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Best of Broadway: Give My Regards To Broadway

Manufacturer: Reader's Digest
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Best of Broadway: There's No Business
Best of Broadway: Anything Goes
Best of Broadway: Till There Was You
Best of Broadway: The Music of the Night
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ASIN: B00006312V
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

Little Johnny Jones: Give My Regards To Broadway
Finian's Rainbow: How Are Things In Glocca Morra? - Tony Mansell
Oklahoma: Oklahoma!
Carousel (Medley): June Is Bustin' Out All Over/If I Loved You/When I Marry Mr. Snow/What's The Use Of Wond'rin/You'll Never Walk Alone
Can-Can: C'est Magnifique - The Romantic Strings Orchestra
No, No Nanette: Tea For Two - Margaret Whiting
The Baker's Wife: Meadowlark
St. Louis Woman: Come Rain Or Come Shine
Damn Yankees: Whatever Lola Wants - Rosemary Squires
Funny Girl: People - Jo Stafford
The Threepenny Opera: Mack The Knife
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Roger Williams

Average customer rating:

Lute Unleashed

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000049MQ
Release Date: 1994-06-16

Tracks:

Steal Away
Look over Yonder/Another Man Done Gone
Deep River
Go Down Moses
Palms of Victory
Irish Suite
Night and Day
Begin the Beguine
My Baby Left Me
Here's That Rainy Day
Baby Let's Play House
Hard Times Come Again No More
Susanna's Fancy
Virignia Belle
Since You Went Away
Southern Suite

Average customer rating:

Stunning debut!
compelling recital
Excellent Choice!
A great debut CD!

Stephen Porter - Piano
Liszt et al
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B00005A0TX
Release Date: 2001-02-15

Tracks:

Liszt - Sonata in B minor
Liszt - Consolation in D-flat major
Rachmaninoff - Prelude in G major
Ravel - Oiseaux Tristes
Beethoven - Andante Favori
Schubert - Klavierstuck D. 946 no. 2
Chopin - Polonaise-Fantaisie

Customer Reviews:

Stunning debut!.......2003-07-16

This is a well chosen, eclectic collection of beautiful sonatas. I found Mr. Porter's playing to be passionate with uncommon vigor and yet with a quiet intensity. The Chopin piece is especially poignant and lyrical.

compelling recital.......2001-05-22

I would echo the comments of previous reviewers and add that this is an extremely generous recital and contains much spectacular playing. This pianist deserves a wider audience and this disc may go a long way in achieving that. I strongly recommend this recital to anyone interested in a fascinating program that is well recorded and played. As an aside, the notes are quite informative and well-written, adding greatly to the enjoyment of this disc.

Excellent Choice!.......2001-05-08

A passionate yet crystal-clear Liszt sonata. Even the pauses are eloquent. I found this performance more enjoyable than the Richter Philips CD.

A great debut CD!.......2001-04-20

It was a loss to the Boston classical scene when Stephen Porter moved to St. Louis recently. Fortunately we now have this disc to supplement his occasional visits to the Boston area. Bravo, Steve!!

Average customer rating:

Great music, horrible voice
I'm glad I don't live in Australia.
Wonderful CD

Out and About

Manufacturer: Music for a G'day Pro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Boleros | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Lee Hoiby: The Serpent
Richard Hundley: Come Ready and See Me
Cole Porter: The Tale of the Oyster
Percy Grainger: Early One Morning
William Bolcom: Song of Black Max
Stephen Schwartz: With You
William Bolcom: Lime Jello, Marshmallow, Cottage Cheese Surprise

Album Description

Performed by the exciting duo of Australian soprano Lesley Pryde and New York pianist Laura Leon, "Out and About" is a fresh and exciting musical adventure.

"Out and About" is a unique collection of 'classical cabaret' and Broadway songs, ranging from passionate,sentimental love songs to the dark ambiance of temptation and seduction.

And for those who love food, Cole Porter's elegantly humorous "The Tale of the Oyster" and William Bolcom's stunning luncheon parody "Lime Jello, Marshmallow, Cottage Cheese Surprise" are simply 'delicious.'

Together, Laura Leon and Lesley Pryde blend their sparkling techniques, dynamic theatricality and a wonderful sense of humor into these musical vignettes.

Customer Reviews:

Great music, horrible voice.......2007-01-22

As the previous reviewer points out, the choice of music is fantastic, and would be a lovely program. Ms. Pryde, though, ought not sing until she works out her vocal problems, of which there are many. The straight tone, often landing south of the pitch, is absolutely frightful. It smacks of serious vocal pathology. I also question the genre-style of attempting chest voice to such high registers wherein the voice cannot sustain it properly. Proper coaching and editing could have elminated the poor pitch issues (the ascending tones of the Schwartz comes to mind), but the vocal problems overshadow it all. Ms. Leon's piano is lovely, and very sensitive, but alas, poorly matched in Ms. Pryde.

I'm glad I don't live in Australia........2007-01-13

While I can appreciate that some may be enamoured with the repertoire presented here (as, truly, the selections on this disc are all excellent in their own right), I simply cannot get past the absolutely grating cacophony of noise that this soprano produces.

Yes, "The Serpent" is a poem (by Roethke) intended for children. And quite possibly, Hoiby would approve a performance that is a bit less stuffy than the average classical voice recital in favor of one more on the "giacoso" side. What is, however, not forgiveable is the deafening use of straight tone and sheer shrill of any pitch above C5.

"The Song of Black Max" features "rubatic" liberties that should not be taken. The character of the piece relies on a careful examination of the score: Bolcom didn't choose note values arbitrarily for fun; he penned a specific formula that when followed correctly (much like a cake recipe) produces a desirable end result. To mess with it ruins everything.

And Hundley should be beautiful, not piercing.

Finding an alternative to this disc would be great, but it's just not easy enough to do. On the Bolcom side, you should keep an eye out for the Marc-André Hamelin/Jody Applebaum recording. For the Hoiby, you'll probably have to check out student recitals at your local music college. (It's regrettable that Leontyne Price did not record The Serpent, but you can find other songs from "her" set on such albums as "Price Rediscovered.")

That said: two stars for a nice selection of rep and an attempt (however distasteful in my view) at an original interpretation. To give any higher a rating would be an injustice to mankind.

Wonderful CD.......2001-11-12

I think this cd is wonderful and that you should all buy it!!

Average customer rating:

A Salute to American Music

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Country | Styles | Music

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English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000E6PJ
Release Date: 1992-12-01

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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The Definitive Collection

1. Liszt - Sonata in B minor
2. Liszt - Consolation in D-flat major
3. Rachmaninoff - Prelude in G major
4. Ravel - Oiseaux Tristes
5. Beethoven - Andante Favori
6. Schubert - Klavierstuck D. 946 no. 2
7. Chopin - Polonaise-Fantaisie