Customer Reviews

Menotti: The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore

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Kudos to The Carolina Chm Chorale and Timothy Koch for recording these three works. The first two works are engaging, witty, and accessible works for a cappella Chorus and soloists. 'Presidential Suite' by Jack Gottlieb is based on words by famous presidents (e.g. 'Ask not' by JFK) and is fine choral writing. 'A Medieval Bestiary, for chorus' by R. Murray Schafer describes the various creatures of the jungle and of mythology and uses solo voices in tandem with the chorus to bring each animal alive.

But the important work on this recording is the exquisite Madrigal Fable for Chorus, 10 dancers and 9 instruments - THE UNICORN, THE GORGON AND THE MANTICORE composed by Gian Carlo Menotti. This wondrous work tells the story of a strange man in a castle 'who doesn't even go to church on Sundays' and who parades his various 'beasts' of the title through the town on three consecutive Sundays. The prince of the village, egged on by his envious wife, mimics the strange man, procuring the odd beasts, and the envy of the unknown eventually drives the village to accept the fact that the strange man is simply a poet.

The work is written as a ballet/mime and has had intermittent festival performances. It is a beautiful story, with Menotti's finest choral writing, and interspersed with the madrigal narrative are instrumental interludes for nine instruments that are likewise some of Menotti's best chamber writing. The visual aspects of this work greatly enhance the appreciation of the superb piece, but this performance conducted by Timothy Koch is very fine. This is a lesser-known work that would be a welcome addition to those who love choral music and modern interpretations of the art of madrigal singing. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 05

I have searched for a good recording of this piece for many years. The recording is well done and brings back fond memories. Many years ago I appeared in production of this madrigal. I highly recommend this CD.