A Richard Crooks Serenade

Sigmund Romberg (Composer), Victor Herbert (Composer), Antoni Perez Moya (Composer), McCarthy [1] (Composer), Rudolf Friml (Composer), John Davison (Composer), Rudolf Sieczynski (Composer), Franz Lehar (Composer), J. Borganoff (Composer), Dermot MacMurrough (Composer), Arthur [1] Penn (Composer), Shilkret / Shayon (Composer), Stephen [Composer] Adams (Composer), Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Stephen [1] Foster (Composer), Franz [Vienna] Schubert (Composer), Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), Nathaniel Shilkret (Conductor), Rosario Bourdon (Conductor), Ray Noble (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: Nathaniel Shilkret, Rosario Bourdon, Ray Noble
• Composer: Sigmund Romberg, Victor Herbert, Antoni Perez Moya, McCarthy [1], Rudolf Friml, et al.
• Audio CD (February 17, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Asv Living Era
• ASIN: B000001HKI
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,259 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Student Prince: Ser: Overhead The Moon Is Beaming - Richard Crooks/Lewis James

2. Ah, Sweet Mystery Of Life

3. The Song Of Songs

4. When You're Away

5. Rio Rita

6. Only A Rose

7. Because

8. I Bring A Love Song - Richard Crooks/Edna Kellogg

9. Vienna, City Of My Dreams

10. Only My Song

11. Gipsy Moon

12. Macushla

13. Smilin' Through

14. If I Should Send A Rose To You

15. The Holy City - Richard Crooks/Herbert Dawson

16. Songs My Mother Taught Me - Richard Crooks/Frederick Schauwecker

17. Beautiful Dreamer - Richard Crooks/Frank La Forge

18. Oh, Susannah! - Richard Crooks/The Balladeers Male Qt/Frank La Forge/Ralph Colicchio

19. Ah, May The Red Rose Live Alway - Richard Crooks/Frank La Forge

20. Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair - Richard Crooks/Frank La Forge

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly awesome voice!, June 2, 2000

By 

Rod Tierman - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Richard Crooks Serenade (Audio CD)

"A Richard Crooks Serenade" is a marvelous sampling of one of the greatest singers America had produced in the 30's and 40's. One gets to witness that honey Crooks sound in such classics as Ah, "Sweet Mystery of Life" (catch that magnificent High C at the end), "Macushla", the three Stephen Foster songs, and "If I should Send a Rose to You" (sort of Crook's theme song). This entire CD is a gem, but some REAL standouts are "The Holy City", "Because", "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death" (from the seldom performed St Paul by Mendelssohn). "Be Thou Faithful" will literally tug at your heartstrings. The "Serenade" from The Student Prince is a masterpiece of fine singing (Crooks, by the way, was Romberg's original choice for the lead role in this operetta). Crooks' voice literally pours out in this recording of "Serenade", culminating in two excellently placed High C's (the only real serious competition to Crooks on this song, in my opinion, is the great Mario Lanza). Crooks was one of the primo American Tenors of the 30's/40's era, displaying a technique and style that was unmatched, and after examining this CD, one will surely understand why. By all means, treat yourself to this recording and see what truly great singing is all about.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a fabulous Tenor!!!!!, May 23, 2000

By 

Rod Tierman - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Richard Crooks Serenade (Audio CD)

If one has not had the oportunity of hearing the great voice of Richard Crooks, they have really missed out. Richard Crooks possessed an intense lyricism that is unmatched today. Crooks' "Serenade" from The Student Prince is sheer perfection (singing it in the original key, not lowered a whole step, like most Tenors), culminating on two very vibrant High C's. It is interesting to note that Crooks was Romberg's original choice for the role of Karl Franz (the lead) in the Student Prince, but, due to opera commitments, was unable to debut the role. This is a performance rivaled only by the great Mario Lanza. Other musical highlights on this CD are "Macushla", "Song of Songs", "The Holy City", and "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life". "Ah May the Red Rose live Alway" is sure to bring a tear to one's eye. A nuance on "Ah Sweey Mystery of Life" finds Crooks soaring up to a High C at the end (a feat one finds no other Tenor attempting on any other recording) and with Crooks, it works well. Crooks' "Because" is the standard by which all others are measured. One of the real finds on this disk is Crooks' "Be Thou Faithful unto Death" from the rarely performed "Paul" by Felix Mendelssohn. What heartfelt singing this truly is. Crooks genuinely excelled in this music and one simply MUST purchase this CD to listen to a true master. So if one is not that familiar with the incomparable voice of Richard Crooks, treat yourself and puchase this recording now! This collection is pure enjoyment from the Student Prince "Serenade" to the final selection "Be Thou Faithful unto Death". A real gem.