Customer Reviews

Masters and Commanders

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Kunzel does a fine job here, as he does in the vast majority of his recordings. Above all, he shows respect for the music at all times, and makes no attempt to glitz or schmaltz it up. In this reording, he brings out the majesty and fun of the music while respecting it. Great film scores are rare these days, and Kunzel, with recordings like these, is one of the few still taking up the cause

I've enjoyed the Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops discs I've owned and have always appreciated the clever mix and variety of selections programmed - a few warhorses and some very out-of-the-way things.

Most of the music on MASTERS AND COMMANDERS is wonderful. A few other reviewers complain of the performance of the suite from Korngold's THE SEA HAWK, but for me it's OK. I find the Newman, Rozsa and Kaper very well done. I was completely unfamiliar with the ultra-romantic Waxman piece from ANNE OF THE INDIES and it's tremendous. So is his CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS. Other music I didn't know and am now very happy to have: the Bernstein, Mancini (very impressive) and the obscure Gould. The cue from Debney's CUTTHROAT ISLAND is a rousing finish, too.

However, the music by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer for the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films is out of its league between two masterworks, Rozsa's PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE and Korngold's CAPTAIN BLOOD. I know it's good to include something from popular new films, but these pieces just don't hold up. I program the disc to skip over the offending tracks (3-7) and it's so much improved for the omission. Also, I don't know how the microphones were placed for these sessions but most of this CD sounds as if the orchestra were set up somewhere just outside the studio. The brass is getting through, but the strings are weak and turning up the volume doesn't solve the problem. The other Kunzel discs I've had haven't sounded like this to me.

Still, recommended for the appealing program.

Not a classical music buff, but a fan of swashbuckler movies, I'd rate this first rate effort entertaining, fun and evocative of the movies from whence the material came. Thouroughly enjoyable. Mancini's Artic Whale Hunt never fails to impress me with the energy contained in the score. Can almost feel the cold water. Selections from Pirates of the Carribean are all first rate. And the bit from the forgettable Cutthroat Island is fine as well. If you like action movies depecting old time sailing vessels and the life aboard, real or fiction, you'll enjoy this disc.

Masters and Commanders is full of great music from the movies. You will not be disappointed if you buy this CD. We have bought many of Erich Kunzel's recordings and this is one of the best. We will miss this great conductor, but will enjoy his music for many years to come.

There are some very nice moments in this release. The Badalt/Zimmer cues from the Pirates of the Caribbean films, while perhaps not quite up to some of the stalwart composers surrounding them, are given, I think, a bit more attention than a lot of conductors would offer, with the result that they come off as a bit better than they really are, although, fair being fair, they are fun cues.

Also, any CD that makes room for the enormously underrated Morton Gould, and his glorious "Windjammer" title at that, is a winner in my book.

A word about the performance as a whole: I think it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize Maestro Kunzel's conducting here is not quite as tight, not quite up to the standard we are accustomed to from him, good though it is.

As we all now know, Erich Kunzel was diagnosed with cancer in April, 2009. Of course, that is long after the dates of this recording. However, considering how advanced the cancer was at the time of the diagnosis (he passed less than four months later) I can't help but wonder if perhaps, unbeknown to anyone,including him, that horrible disease had not already invaded his body and had an affect on his work here? There is, of course, no way to know the answer to that question. But this is still a fine recording.

Erich Kunzel left a legacy of recordings (over 90) and countless concerts (44 years with the Cincinnati Pops, which he founded) that will probably never be equaled.

We owe him a lot.

Masters and Commanders mixes well known movie themes and some not so well known. Whatever-I enjoyed it. Provider sent offered material in good condition and on time.LTD

Is it possible to make "The Sea Hawk" boring? Apparently yes, with another sturdy but tepid Kunzel recording. A very nice selection of music, but, other than demonstrating the quality or limits of your home theater system, nothing memorable.

Telarc Records presents "MASTERS AND COMMANDERS - MUSIC FROM SEAFARING FILM CLASSICS" --- Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops deliver a superior quality performance --- The presentation of themes from various swashbuckling films becomes an enjoyable experience --- The sound is vintage Telarc with the rich embodied texture that we've come to expect and Kunzel makes the most of it --- Like a breeze filling the sails of his pirate ship Kunzel keeps us straight on course captive and spellbound --- This collection from the Golden Age of film music represent treasures from the past --- With brilliant and vibrant direction Kunzel keeps the orchestra within his grasp and the listener is completely engulfed and loving every minute and morsel --- Some inside information, Kunzel loves sailing, so this album was given the utmost care for his love of the sea and music.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra is a pops orchestra based in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, founded in 1977 --- Erich Kunzel, celebrating his 30th season with the orchestra in 2005-2006, continues to lead the Pops today.

It was Maestro Max Rudolf who, in 1965, invited Erich Kunzel, then a young conductor on the faculty of Brown University, to join the Cincinnati Symphony --- That October the Dartmouth graduate, who had been personal assistant to the great French conductor Pierre Monteux, conducted his first sold-out 8 O'Clock Pops concert --- From this orchestra eventually sprang the Cincinnati Pops --- It was the beginning of a modern orchestral legend and, 30 years later, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under its first and only conductor is still performing for packed houses in Cincinnati's Music Hall and gaining new fans the world over through tour performances and its recordings on the Telarc label.

Kunzel and the CPO made history by becoming the first American pops orchestra to perform in China in October, 2005 --- In 2006, Kunzel was awarded the National Medal of Arts. --- (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Masters and Commanders - Music from Seafaring Film Classics - Performed by Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - Conducted by Erich Kunzel
(Track Listings)

1. Captain from Castile, film score: Conquest [3:38]
Composed by Alfred Newman

2. Plymouth Adventure, film score: The Mayflower [4:02]
Composed by Miklós Rózsa

3. Pirates of the Carribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, film score: The Medallion Calls [1:13]
Composed by Klaus Badelt

4. Pirates of the Carribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, film score: The Black Pearl [2:19]
Composed by Klaus Badelt

5. Pirates of the Carribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, film score: He's a Pirate [1:21]
Composed by Klaus Badelt

6. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, film score: Jack Sparrow [4:06]
Composed by Hans Zimmer

7. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, film score: Hornpipe [1:26]
Composed by Hans Zimmer

8. Captain Blood, film score: Overture [3:27]
Composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold

9. String Quintet (Quintettino) for 2 violins, viola & 2 cellos in C major
("La musica notturna delle strade di Madrid"), G. 324 (Op. 30: Los Manolos
(as used in the film "Master and Comma [3:32]
Composed by Luigi Boccherini
Performed by Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Timothy Lees
Conducted by Erich Kunzel

10. The Buccaneer, film score: Prelude [3:18]
Composed by Elmer Bernstein

11. The Buccaneer, film score: Out to Sea [3:24]
Composed by Elmer Bernstein

12. Anne of the Indies, film score: Overture [4:23]
Composed by Franz Waxman

13. The White Dawn, film score: Arctic Whale Hunt [3:45]
Composed by Henry Mancini

14. The Sea Hawk, film score: Suite [5:36]
Composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold

15. Mutiny on the Bounty, film score (1962): Main Title [2:09]
Composed by Bronislaw Kaper

16. Captains Courageous, film score: Suite [5:39]
Composed by Franz Waxman

17. Windjammer, film score: Main Title ("The Ship") [3:08]
Composed by Morton Gould

18. Cutthroat Island, film score: End Title [5:08]
Composed by John Debney

Hats off to Telarc Records --- strongly recommend this CD to all music lovers and others who need to hear some great film music --- Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Erich Kunzel (conductor) please stand up and take a bow for this well deserved rare gem you've given us --- this is a keeper!

Total Time: 68 mins on 18 Tracks ~ Telarc Records ~ (7/24/2007)

1. Small ensembles are asking for it when re-recording film music of recent vintage (or when competing with modern recordings of classic-film scores by orchestras almost twice their size). The comparisons can be brutal. This is exactly what the listener is confronted with on this CD. And by boosting the bass on most tracks, not only is it flat-out annoying, but it often covers up what the orchestra is trying to convey.
2. That said, there are some great tracks here especially the OVERTURE TO ANNE OF THE INDIES composed by Golden Age Film Music Magician, Franz Waxman. Selection from PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN composed by Klass Badelt (PIRATES I) and Hans Zimmerr (PIRATES II) also seem to hold their own when compared with the films' sound tracks (the most effective use of bass blast). Not so for many of the other 18 tracks on this CD--Elmer Bernstein (THE BUCCANEER), John Deney (CUTTHROAT ISLAND), Alfred Newman (CAPTAIN FROM CASTILE), etc.
3. Suites from film scores composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold are, well, pedestrian. Korngold's OVERTURE TO CAPTAIN BLOOD is rather poorly orchestrated, sounds under rehearsed, and suffers from small ensemble whimpiness and bass blast. Pretty much the same for Korngold's SUITE FROM THE SEA HAWK except this version (one of close to two dozen and counting) is only half awake. No energy here. Which is astonishing, since Korngold's film scores and conducting performances approach the music equivant of the speed of light!
4. Bottom line: Nice CD, but conductor Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra have released better.

William Flanigan, Ph.D.

Here is another of Mr Kunzel's recordings of film music which concentrates not on what is good music, but what is current film music. Discerning Mr Kunzel is not, which is why we can have music by such first-rate musicians as Newman, Rozsa and Waxman (not to mention Korngold) side by side with that of Mr Zimmer and the other less-than-notable current crop.

One really wishes that Mr Kunzel would at last get serious and start recording music that has stood the test of time, rather than music from the most recent box-office success.