Eastside Sinfonietta: Don't Be Afraid

Eastside Sinfonietta (Artist), Kurt Weill (Composer), Bertolt Brecht (Composer), Hanns Eisler (Composer), Dan Clucas (Composer), Scot Ray (Composer), David Black (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, Hanns Eisler, Dan Clucas, Scot Ray, et al.
• Audio CD (June 24, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Catasonic Records
• ASIN: B00009ZYBA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,962 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eisler and Weill with an edge, February 23, 2004

By 

James K. Miller "Corno di Bassetto" (Cleveland Heights, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eastside Sinfonietta: Don't Be Afraid (Audio CD)

The Eastside Sinfonietta's "Don't Be Afraid," featuring the nuanced, cutting vocals of Weba Garretson, adds a (West Coast) American voice to the current of Weill and Eisler songs sung in English (and sung as they should be sung. ) In recent decades the Australian Robyn Archer and the German Dagmar Krause have released wonderful CDs in English, to add to Gisela May's benchmark German language recordings. This recording belongs in that exalted league, recreating these songs, forcing them to full and bitter flowering once again for this century and this generation of listeners. The musical interpretations here grow out of an avant garde/club scene sensibility. There are other ways to do this music, but this approach tends to strip off the cloying nostagia which sometimes comes with Weimar era music, nostalgia which is in truth completely opposed to the spirit of Brecht's words, and Eisler's and Weill's music. One has to hope that Ms. Garretson and the Eastside Sinfonietta of Los Angeles will attempt an album devoted exclusively to Hanns Eisler's powerful songs -- so little known by American singers and audiences.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Nothing to Fear !, February 6, 2004

By 

Alan Ronay "alan ronway" (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eastside Sinfonietta: Don't Be Afraid (Audio CD)

One has reason to fear the too well traveled Weil/Brecht musical terrain. It' s been trampled to death with second rate homages. So it was with a jolt of excitement and welcome surprise that I experienced the Don't' Be Afraid album. The Eastside Sinfonietta, and the remarkable Weba Garretson, have infused the repertoire (plus the happy inclusion of Hanss Eisler pieces) with a fresh and inspired take on the songs. The extremely gifted ensemble performs the difficult trick of channeling the Weimar standards so that they are born again with a rare clarity and contemporary impact. Weba Garretson dazzles with her version of Youkali Tango and personalizes all the favorites that had lost their impact until she came along. This CD is a fearsome experience. Don't hesitate for a minute. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Weill, May 13, 2005

By 

Collyer Brother - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eastside Sinfonietta: Don't Be Afraid (Audio CD)

I second the comments of the previous review--Weba Garretson's "Youkeli Tango" is remarkably beautiful. The whole cd is terrific, with the orchestrations contributing what amounts to half of a spectacular duet.