Plays Rodgers & Hammerstein

Fred Hersch | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 20, 1996)
• Original Release Date: August 20, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005J49
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,192 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Gorgeous, January 20, 2000

By 

Joseph DeMarco (Providence, RI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plays Rodgers & Hammerstein (Audio CD)

Fred is marvelous (as usual) on this recording. His unique treatment of these old standards -- including his clever use of harmony, and surprising command of improvisatory counterpoint -- makes them all the more beautiful, and breathes new life into them. I could not recommend this recording more highly. It's an absolute favorite of mine.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive Readings of R&H, February 22, 2004

By 

E. C Goodstein (Northern CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Plays Rodgers & Hammerstein (Audio CD)

Yes, this is a 'jazz' approach to Rodgers & Hammerstein, but that's what makes it interesting, even exciting to me. These songs have sometimes eluded jazz players' but although he's very 'true' to the melodies, Hersch does indeed catch interesting nuances in the harmonies. And the variations, while subtle, show simultaneously just how simple and complex this music really is, and I think why it has remained so appealing. Okay it's quiet, but one of the
best 'improvising' approaches to Rodgers and Hammerstein I've heard.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fred Hersch - another stellar recording, February 9, 2010

By 

D. Walczak "88 Fingers" (Twin Cities, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Plays Rodgers & Hammerstein (Audio CD)

I'll never forget the first time I heard the incredible Ahmad Jamal collection "The legendary OKEH & Epic Recordings" -- the opening tune on the CD is "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" - which Jamal plays in his incredible crisp, light, and almost un-pedaled style. I said to myself "that interpretation will never be topped..." Well, Fred has outdone himself, again, with his heartfelt and sensitive interpretation of this, and other R&H standards; who, by the way, should (perhaps arguably) be ranked with the Gershwins, with Rogers & Hart, and Lennon-McCartney as the consummate types of music-lyric composing partnerships. Fred never disappoints with his interpretations. I couldn't agree more with the New Yorker magazine's impression of his playing: "specializes in high lyricism and high danger".... Those of you who love Rodgers & Hammerstein in a solo piano setting will be elated with this recording. And incidentally, I agree with the comments to the 1-star rating of this recording. It is not fair, since the buyer had not her homework on understanding the setting of the performance.