- Richard Freed, WETA
Belkis, Queen of Sheba - Suite
Dance of the Gnomes
The Pines of Rome
EIJI OUE
MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA
RR-95CD
[HDCD]
"Dazzling orchestral colors", is one way to describe the music of Ottorino Respighi.
BELKIS, QUEEN OF SHEBA was conceived as an evening-long ballet with singing whose lavishness has kept it from view since its La Scala premiere. This is only the second recording of a suite prepared by the composer - for the first time with the tenor solo (sung by Chad Shelton), and with the movements in the correct order. The music's oriental perfumes and barbaric splendor guarantee the enthusiasm of anyone who hears it.
DANCE OF THE GNOMES is a little-known but characteristically dramatic and colorful tone poem.
"Prof." Johnson's stunning HDCD® sonics make Respighi's "greatest hit" THE PINES OF ROME (with extra brasses and organ!) a dazzling conclusion to this unusual, inventive program.
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Related back catalog on Reference Recordings featuring Eiji Oue & the Minnesota Orchestra RR-93 - Copland 100 RR-92 - Bolero! RR-91 - Valentino Dances RR-88 - Mahler - Das Lied RR-87 - Bernstein RR-83 - Richard Strauss RR-82 - Mephisto & Co. RR-80 - Ports of Call RR-79 - Pictures at an Exhibition RR-71 - Exotic Dances RR-70 - Stravinsky |
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Belkis, Queen of Sheba - Suite 1. Solomon's Dream 2. The Dance of Belkis at Dawn 3. War Dance 4. Orgiastic Dance (Chad Shelton, Tenor) Dance of the Gnomes 5. Allegro Vivace 6. Meno Mosso 7. Alla Marcia Funebre 8. Allegro The Pines of Rome 9. The Pines of the Villa Borghese 10. The Pines Near a Catacomb 11. The Pines of the Janiculum 12. The Pines of the Appian Way Total Time: 62:30 |
Reference Recordings are distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading