Customer Reviews

Rodgers: Slaughter on Tenth Avenue

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A great collection of 20th Century music. Each selection provides a wonderful interpretation of modern music for the dance. Some, such as "The Sabre Dance" and "Hoedown", are well known. Others, such as de Falla's "Three-Cornered Hat" and Bernstein's three exquisite dances from "Fancy Free" deserve a place in every music lover's heart. Richard Rodgers' "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" may be the most exciting music he ever composed. Arthur Fiedler leads the Boston Pops in the defiitive versions of these works. A must-have for any music collection.

I first purchased this music in vinyl record form in 1960. At the time, I was looking for a hi-fi version of Slaughter On Tenth Avenue and this recording was the only one available in town.

The title music was all I wanted it to be and it was pure serendipity to also receive the rest of the selections on the record. Some I was familiar with, but the rest have since become some of my favorite music. The fact that I am back getting a CD of the music helps attest to its timeless value. After almost exactly 40 years I am still not tired of it and am looking forward to being able to hear it again in about the clearest form possible. Now I will be able to listen to it in my car as well as at home.

Maybe it will help to know that I think Slaughter On Tenth Avenue is the best piece of American music ever composed.

My tastes run toward music with strong melody lines (such as Greig's music) and all of the selections in this disc meet that criterium.

...And this album is the perfect soundtrack to it. In this compilation are the creme de la creme of modern nocturnal classical pieces, with the exception of Khachaturian's Sabre Dance. Here is the anthem of Manhattan itself, "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue" by Richard Rodgers, "Gavotte and Blues" by Morton Gould, "Fancy Free: Gallop, Danzon and Waltz" by Bernstein, "The Three Cornered Hat" By De Falla and the "Age of Gold Polka" by Shostakovitch, a piece to help bring up images of an old string-marionette puppet show. However, for some odd reason, "Petrouschka" by Igor Stravinsky and one of the most beautiful melodies you'll ever hear, Gian-Carlo Menotti's "Barcarole from 'Sebastian'" have been left off of this version of the album, to be replaced by the woefully out-of-place, (and totally mediocre,) "Estancia: Malambo" by somebody named Ginastera. This is a bloody shame, for the left out pieces really enhanced the feel of the whole album! The "Waltz" portion of "Rodeo" is missing as well, leaving only the "Hoedown". Still, though, what is left will mentally put you in a cherry paneled den with subdued lighting, in a big red leather easy chair, puffing on the most aromatic pipe you own, (if you smoke,) reading your favorite Raymond Chandler novel. I can't recommend it highly enough! (The album, not smoking!)

By all means, beware of later incarnations of this album which were altered beyond all recognition, with only "Rodeo" and "Fancy Free" left on it, along with the title tune. It is NOT the same album! Somebody at BMG had the good sense to find THIS incarnation in RCA's catalog, which isn't TOO mangled, to represent Fiedler and the Pops at their finest, and market it in lieu of the latter mistake! The original, "Orthophonic" version, which included "Sebastian" and "Petrouschka" (and a better version of "Fancy Free" than this one has,) is, apparently, either still buried in RCA's vaults, or, regrettably, no more....

I often picture Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse traipsing down 1st Ave. to the best music on this album. The "Fancy Free" pieces would have made GREAT title themes for Tim Burton's "Batman " movies. (Okay, Warner's...remember me when you use that idea!)

If you lived through the fifties either as an adult or a child, or if you want to know what nighttime felt like in a good urban neighborhood between 1930 and 1960, GET THIS ALBUM!!

This CD is a great collection of modern-style moving ballet music by famous composers. Really swings!
Nice range of music styles, excellent orchestration & performances.

Serious music lovers shoud buy it!

John Norville

Excellent piece of music and done by the master.Played it on the radio and the reception was excellent.
Just goes to show that many people have a great taste in music

You have to be a lover of the music of Richard Rogers to enjoy this CD..as I am one, I have always enjoyed this particular song..my father had the original version on a 78LP...a great classic! The CD is ideal for relaxing background music, very soothing.

I ordered this CD just for Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, and honestly I was a little disappointed in this version. It seems to lack the drama, and I cant put my finger on it, maybe a little more bass, maybe more of a crescendo needed when the main theme kicks in, something. The tempo seemed wrong somehow. This song used to make me teary, but this version doesnt. This isnt the version played in the film "On Your Toes" is it? because it is definitely different.

On this album, recorded in 1958, Fiedler is at its best. "Slaughter on Tenth Ave" is a great musical score and a famous black and white, gangster film was made of it back in 1951 and released in 1952, starring Richard Egan.
This album is another reason why the Boston Pops is my favorite classical orchestra and the late maestro Arthur Fiedler was a true master of his profession. His work will never be forgotten. Having lived in Boston for nearly 17 years, made the Boston Pops my favorite of the genre.
I highly recommend this album.

I've always loved "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" for the way it captures the texture of American urban experience in its time. In my mind, it fits squarely between Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and Bernstein's "West Side Story."
But this recording by the highly esteemed Boston Pops Orchestra is over-arranged and over-produced to my ear. It lacks the snap and sassiness of the much smaller pit orchestras that accompanied the original Broadway performances.
The rest of the album is wonderful, but I bought it for "Slaughter" so I am disappointed.

I THOUGHT THIS CD WAS VERY BAD. I REALLY DIDN'T LIKE IT AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE WILL. IT IS OLD FASHIONED AND NOT A GOOD CD FOR PEOPLE TO LISTEN TO NOWADAYS.