Customer Reviews

Peter & The Commissar

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4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Allan Sherman was known for making great parodies of songs. Sometimes he even added lyrics to tunes that never had lyrics to begin with. Much of his work is dated now due to changing cultural reference but many of the gags can be understood by anyone. Unfortunately, most of his work is no longer available. There is a "Greatest Hits" album that is well worth the money and now there is this album, an album very different from his other works.

This was recorded with the Boston Pops Symphony during its heyday under the baton of Arthur Fiedler. The longest single piece is PETER AND THE COMMISSAR which runs for over 20 minutes. Instead of adding his own lyrics to the tune from the classic PETER AND THE WOLF, he substitutes his own narration for the original. The orchestra does its own part by parodying famous works from great composers. Beethoven's 5th Symphony done as a blues piece is but one example.

Another example of this type of parody is the VARIATIONS ON A THEME FROM "HOW DRY I AM". Again, different music is taken from out of context and played in counterintuitive styles. All the while, the tune from "How Dry I am" keeps appearing. In this respect this work is a direct ancestor of Peter Shickle and his PDQ Bach albums.

The final piece is called END OF A SYMPHONY. It is a parody of the bombastic and grandiose endings that symphonies tend to have. Sherman narrates and the Pops plays...and plays...and plays.

A great piece for lovers of classical music!

I owned a mono LP of this at its first release, and I'm pleased to finally have it on CD. I'm happy to find the laughs still intact! The huge Tanglewood audience is clearly having a great time (I have a friend who was in the audience in the Shed that night and he said it was even more hilarious in person) and Sherman's brilliant parodies seem even funnier after more than 40 years. Did Peter Schikele get his inspiration for PDQ Bach from this album?

This by the way is just about the best "live" recording I've ever heard. Produced by Peter Dellheim and engineered by Edwin Begley, two stars in the Victor recording firmament, they capture the "live" sound of the Pops well, keep the audience response low enough so the orchestra can be heard (though the more than 13,000 people in the Shed are still most definately in the room!), and hearing it in stereo for the first time, on a "surround" system, is quite an experience.

The reproduction of the notes on the back of the original Red Seal album IS hard to read, though under a lens it's possible. The essay on the inside, though also difficult to read, explains much about this album and its place in Sherman's life.

I met Sherman in late 1967 in a deli on East 60th Street here in Manhattan, introduced myself as a music student, told him how much I loved this album, and thanked him for it. HIs surly and curt response shocked me at the time, but, reading the essay in this CD, now I understand it. This night, 22 July 1964, was indeed, sadly, the "most exciting night" of his life.

Comedy and Classical Music don't always go well together. PDQ Bach misses as often as he hits, but this album by Allan Sherman and the Boston Pops is just perfect. The jokes are a bit dated -- it's from the 1960s -- but this is a must-own for any Classical Music fan with a sense of humor.

Years ago (I lost count) I owned this recording on 8-track cassette. I've been searching for the past 20 years or so, trying to explain to friends what a treat it was. Today, on a whim, I visited amazon.com and got a very pleasant surprise. A superb recording, to be enjoyed by lovers of classical music, musical comedy, general humor...hell, anyone that appreciates beautiful music and enjoys a good laugh...

I just finished listening to this CD. This is the only one of Allan Sherman's original albums that have been re-issued on CD. For whatever reason, Warner Brothers has not re-issued any of the original albums nor produced a box set. Until now, there was only the greatist hits collection. This albums was originally issued by RCA, which is why I believe that it was able to be re-issued.

The album is different than any of his other albums in that it doesn't contain song parodies. Rather, the title track is about a boy, Peter, trying to get his song approved by the commisar. The music is set to 'Peter and the Wolf'.

Two other track are variations on 'How dry I am' and Allan Sherman's musings on how all symphony endings seem to sound the same.

The CD contains liner notes on Allan Sherman and the 'Peter and the Commisar' recording with the Boston Pops. The one negative is that the back cover of the album was photographed and reproduced. The quality of the copy is so poor that it is almost impossible to read.

This is a must have for serious Allan Sherman fans.

This is the most hilarious CD with a classical bent I have ever heard. Allen Sherman is gifted when it comes to imaginative uses of classical themes. Anyone who has heard any of these famous melodies will laugh themselves silly when they hear what is done to them! It's a super pick-me-up when I'm feeling blue. It's a must-hear for all you classical music buffs!

According to most people, I am "far too young to get Allan Sherman". Meh! shows what they know. I first found Peter and the Commisar about 15 years ago at a garage sale. My record player has long since gone to dust, but not my memory of this hillarious album. Arthur Fiedler (sp) performing the "solo burp" - absolutely timeless. I am thrilled beyond measure that RCA has seen fit to release this on CD. I just hope it will still have the same feel without all the pings and scratches from the old 33.3 <G>

Of all the CD's (and LP's) I have listened to over the years, this is without doubt my favorite. Allan Sherman was a pretty funny comic in the early 60's and The Boston Pops were (and are), well, The Boston Pops. This was a very clever combination of a funny guy, a world renowned orchestra and a witty story and music line. Classical music lovers with a sense of humor will love this CD.

For years I was only familiar with this recording from a promotional album (only partial tracks and interview snippets) my Grandfather had and was excited to see that the full version was available on CD. I still love it but after having heard the "best bits" version some of the new (to me) stuff feels like filler. Regardless, the "best bits" are very funny and the album - I mean - CD is worth getting. Even my boys (ages 10 and 12) enjoy it....Hey, don't forget to pick up the Allan Sherman Boxed Set as well...it's another family favorite.

I can't yet vouch for the quality of this CD as I'm only familiar with the original vinyl. But having been among the audience that night, I can definitely vouch for Alan Sherman's originality and humor. Oh, and the Boston Pops weren't bad either. :D