The Typewriter: Leroy Anderson Favorites

Leroy Anderson (Composer), Leonard Slatkin (Conductor), Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Barbara Liberman (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Barbara Liberman
• Orchestra: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Slatkin
• Composer: Leroy Anderson
• Audio CD (September 4, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Classics
• ASIN: B000003FTR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,625 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Leroy Anderson's most famous piece is The Syncopated Clock, which became a well-known television tune in the 1950s. Anderson, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, was one of those composers who new his limitations exactly, and never wrote beyond them. He was a master at orchestral miniatures: short, tuneful pieces of musical fluff--but very high-quality fluff. Anderson lavished as much attention on one of his miniatures as Wagner did on his monster operas. They are the musical equivalent of Fabergé eggs. Slatkin treats these little gems with the loving attention they deserve, and you'll be amazed by how many of the tunes jog your memory. A delight. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Recording of a Lovable American Composer's Music, April 7, 2004

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Typewriter: Leroy Anderson Favorites (Audio CD)

I've always loved the music of Leroy Anderson. It has a magical quality that tends to pull a person right into the piece. For example, who, when listening to "Sleigh Ride," does not imagine going on a ride through the snow in Vermont on a winter's day? Titles such as the" Waltzing Cat," "The Syncopated Clock" and "Belle of the Ball" all sound as their titles imply. While the music could be termed `light classical," musicians playing the pieces have to be versatile as the solo parts for works such as "Bugler's Holiday" and "Clarinet Candy" easily demonstrate.

I will have to admit, when it comes to Anderson's music, usually no one beats the Boston Pops, especially under the direction of Arthur Fiedler. For many years Anderson was a collaborator of Fielder's and many of the Pops best known arrangements are those of Anderson. Perhaps this is why the Boston Pops performances of Anderson's music have an authentic feel to them. Yet if there is a close second to The Boston Pops' performances, it would be this collection by Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony. Slatkin has a love and appreciation for the music and lead the orchestra in a competent and enjoyable manner.

This collection includes many of Anderson's favorites such as "Blue Tango," "Phantom Regiment," "Trumpeter's Lullaby," and "Fiddle Faddle" as well as many of Anderson's lesser known works. Which make the collection a real treat.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine but lacks the last ounce of vitality, May 10, 2005

By 

Issei Takechi (Saitama, Japan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Typewriter: Leroy Anderson Favorites (Audio CD)

This is a fine Leroy Anderson disc. No one happening upon this disc will likely be seriously disappointed. But wait! Try the recording conducted by the composer himself or the one by Arthur Fieldler before you have any last word. They both have so much verve and vitality that the music literally leaps out of the speakers. The difference hits home immediately after such numbers as Fiddle Faddle or Bugler's Holiday begin. Coming back to Slatkin, you will probably feel that his interepretaton is a bit on a sedate side. However, Slatkin brings wonderful warmth to slower numbers and has the advantage of modern digital recording. The choice is yours.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anderson CD, March 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Typewriter: Leroy Anderson Favorites (Audio CD)

Really enjoyed this CD. Has all the best Anderson songs and some I didn't even know about that are now favorites... for example Sandpaper ballet and the Waltzing Cat. It has a good articles on the inside flap with bios of the conductor and composer. Very interesting to read. All the songs are taken at the perfect tempo and the St. Louis Symphony does a great job. Worth the buy.