Customer Reviews

Kiri Sings Gershwin

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you like Gershin and Kiri Te Kanawa you'll probably enjoy this album as much as I do!

I can imagine Nick and Nora Charles listening to this at one of Nick's favorite dives! It will transport you to a sophisticated time and place that may have never existed except in literature and debutante coming out parties.

Gatsby would have loved it, and surely would have invited Kiri to all his parties!

Original arrangements of Gershwin tunes are rare these days, but that's what you'll hear in this album by Kiri Te Kanawa. Granted, the arrangements sound somewhat dated according to 21st century tastes, but that's what makes them fascinating. These were like nothing anyone else was writing when the George and Ira first brought them to life. Kiri uses a different, somewhat breathier voice than you might be used to on her classical albums, probably not the type of voice Gershwin had in mind, but I think it generally works pretty well.

This is a delightful CD. Esteemed soprano Kiri Te Kanawa sings Gershwin. One hook making this CD interesting is the use of the original scores and choral arrangements. It adds a most pleasant element to this recording. In essence, this is simply a lot of fun to listen to. Kiri Te Kanawa takes the music for what it is, sings it with gusto, and produces a very satisfying CD.

Some examples. . . . "Somebody loves me" demonstrates her lush voice. This is a nice version of a fine Gershwin tune. The orchestral backing is solid and enjoyable. All in all, very satisfying. "Summertime," from "Porgy and Bess," is well known. This is well sung; her operatic voice handles the song most satisfactorily. A very fine version. . . .

"Nice work if you can get it" is a clever bob-bon. Dame Kiri sings this in a most sprightly fashion. She sings in the proper spirit for the song and seems to be enjoying herself in the process! There is a nice high note at the end which does not seem simply for effect (compare with Mario Lanza's efforts at ending almost any song with a high C).

"Embraceable you" is charming and well done. "I got rhythm" closes this CD. Again, very nicely done with lush orchestration and choral singing. The song is taken at a quick pace and the result is delightful. Her rich voice works well on this cut. The chorus is energetic and the orchestra sparkles.

This is a most enjoyable album. Great music sung in a charming style by a great singer

The instrumental accompaniment is too loud, otherwise 5-stars. If you want only one of this beautiful voice, get Kiri sings Kern.

This is one of my favourite CDs. Dame Kiri's voice is simply beautiful. She's even better than my singing teacher, Rachel, whose voice is wonderful as well. Dame Kiri singing Gershwin is not to be missed. Listen especially to "Love Walked In".

I am so glad this CD is still in print. It is a wonderful album of Gershwin songs sung buy the wonderful Soprano Kiri Te Kanawa. Here voice is so versatile she can sing anything. This album is one to put in any ones CD collection. Kiri never disappoints. Every album I get from here is different and I think that is just wonderful. Here voice has not changed a bit she still have the same opera range today as when she recorded this album. Kiri is one of my favourite opera singer, she can sing it all.

The New Zealand soprano brings out the Gershwin music how it was supposed to be. That's nice. The great composer wrote his numbers for theatrical shows and this CD captures that mood perfectly. True, the interpretations of Dame Kiri sport a certain level of sameness, yet I dare say the spirit of Gershwin is captured in all its vibrancy and vigor, mostly in the tunes like "Things Are Looking Up", "Love Walked In" and "I Got Rhythm". Certainly, this is no Ella Fitzgerald, whose interpretations once and again probed large depths of the beautiful melodies. But if you are going for a Gershwin in a musical, Broadway kind of mode, this will fit you almost certainly.

i was made to listen to this album as a requirement for my A Level course into perfrming gershwin songs...its amazing..the way kiri sings each one in a different style and makes it her own..go and buy it..u wont take it out of your CD player

There is no denying Dame Kiri's voice is beautiful, but it just doesn't work. These songs are not meant to be beautiful classics, they are meant to be hip, jazzy, spirited, American, and Kiri just does not get anywhere near the essence of these great American songs. I much prefer Ella, or Astaire, or almost anyone, backed by a jazz ensemble. If you want these songs rendered with purity of voice, then this will work for you, but if you want genuine Gershwin, I would look elsewhere, maybe to Ella's songbook, or to one of the fabulous Astaire compilations.

Kiri's Gershwin recordings are totally UNSURPASSED compared to any other opera singer alive today!! This album is beautiful - people have said the orchestra is a little loud, I don't find it too bad at all....besides, Kiri sounds so beautiful who cares if it was anyway?!