Ellstein: Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Vol. 1 (Milken Archive of American Jewish Music)

Robert Abelson (Performer), Reuben Doctor (Composer), Abraham Ellstein (Composer), David Meyerowitz (Composer), Abe Schwartz (Composer), Ilia Trilling (Composer), Herman Yablokoff (Composer), Elli Jaffe (Conductor), Elizabeth Shammash (Performer), Joanne Borts (Performer), Barcelona Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), National Orchestra of Catalonia (Orchestra), Wiener Kammerorchester (Orchestra), Amy Goldstein (Performer), Nell Snaidas (Performer), Benzion Miller (Performer), Bruce Adler (Performer), Robert Bloch (Performer), Simon Spiro (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Robert Abelson, Elizabeth Shammash, Joanne Borts, Amy Goldstein, Nell Snaidas, et al.
• Orchestra: Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, National Orchestra of Catalonia, Wiener Kammerorchester
• Conductor: Elli Jaffe
• Composer: Reuben Doctor, Abraham Ellstein, David Meyerowitz, Abe Schwartz, Ilia Trilling, et al.
• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Milken Archive
• ASIN: B0000C508K
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,570 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #20 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Israel
  • #70 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Operettas

Editorial Reviews

The American Yiddish musical theater, a vibrant expression of the immigrant experience, became famous during its heyday in the 1920s–1940s. Combining the musical flavors of Viennese operetta, Tin Pan Alley, and eastern European nostalgia, these songs and duets are quintessential American popular music—with a Yiddish voice. Volume 1 spotlights the hit songs of Abe Ellstein, one of the genre’s premier songwriters. New, historically accurate orchestrations re-create the unforgettable glory days of Yiddish radio and film, the uproarious vaudeville houses, and the thrill of a night at the theater on old New York’s fabled "Second Avenue."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great New Addition to the Milken Archive!, March 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Ellstein: Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Vol. 1 (Milken Archive of American Jewish Music) (Audio CD)

This CD is perfect for fans of Yiddish folk music and newcomers to the genre alike. It is a great introduction to some of the treasures of the Yiddish stage. Especially worth noting are the four tracks sung by Elizabeth Shammash, whose rich Mezzo-Soprano voice brings a great sensitivity and tone to her pieces.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great collection, nice orchestrations, January 18, 2005

By 

Coco Pazzo (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ellstein: Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Vol. 1 (Milken Archive of American Jewish Music) (Audio CD)

Great collection of yiddish musical theatre favorites. Unfortunately the singers were told to sing the songs in a supposedly "authentic" galician accent which in certain instances is completely incomprehensible to any yiddish speaker.The singers are quite good and the orchestrations are lush and well done.

5.0 out of 5 stars I finally got to hear my grandfather's work, October 9, 2011

By 

Mr. Mike "Mr. Mike" (Cary, NC) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ellstein: Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage, Vol. 1 (Milken Archive of American Jewish Music) (Audio CD)

My grandfather is Ilia Trilling, one of the composers on this CD, who passed away before I was born. I have piles of his sheet music but can't read notes so it was a thrill to finally hear his work performed.