Victor Herbert: Beloved Songs and Classic Miniatures

Victor Herbert (Composer), Keith Brion (Conductor), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava) (Orchestra), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Bratislava (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Bratislava
• Conductor: Keith Brion
• Composer: Victor Herbert
• Audio CD (January 25, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos American
• ASIN: B000042ODX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,842 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable addition to recorded Americana, January 18, 2000

By 

F. Behrens "Frank Behrens" (Keene, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Victor Herbert: Beloved Songs and Classic Miniatures (Audio CD)

It is a Good Thing that Naxos is starting an American Classics series at their usual budget price and that Victor Herbert is featured on two of them. We have as of this writing the purely instrumental <Babes in Toyland/The Red Mill> (8.559025) and its sequel <Beloved Songs and Classic Miniatures> (8.559026). The latter features soprano Virginia Croskery and the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra under Keith Brion. Yes, this offers an interesting comparison with the old Beverly Sills offering of much the same material. Ms. Croskery's vocalizing is very good indeed and perhaps more in keeping with the kind of voice for which much of this music was composed; but while Ms. Sills' voice is quite thrilling, it is perhaps a touch too operatic for this lightweight material. On the other hand, the Naxos sound is far beyond what the older set can give us. Of the 16 selections on this CD, 5 are instrumental. Of the vocals, not all were written for the soprano voice ("Toyland" for example); but most were and we have here what you would expect: "Romany Life," "Kiss in the Dark," "Italian Street Song," "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," and so on. Some listeners might have some trouble with the singer's very top notes; but at this price and for lack of anything competitive that is still available, this is still a very good purchase. This disc makes a fine companion piece, not only to the other Naxos set, but also to a concert of Herbert and Romberg duets on Newport Classic label titled "Sweethearts."

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars He deserves better, February 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Victor Herbert: Beloved Songs and Classic Miniatures (Audio CD)

This new Victor Herbert is a disaster. The soloist is bad and destroys Romany Life. Her other songs aren't much better. Most of the vocal music was written with a chorus in mind. No chorus. Over half the vocal selections are mutilated. 2/3rds of Kiss Me Again is gone, about 1/2 of Moonbeams cannot be found, the second verse of A Kiss in the Dark is among the missing, etc. Thine Alone was written as a duet. Molly was written for a tenor. They are sung by a soprano. Herbert wrote so much music beautiful music but onl;y his most famous can be found here. Three or four orchestral selections are all that can be recommended. Until John McGlinn or Richard Bonynge realize that Herbert once existed he is in trouble. Naxos and Brion are not the answer.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an elegant and sensitive treatment of classic favorites!, January 12, 2004

By 

Nancy J Roehm (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Victor Herbert: Beloved Songs and Classic Miniatures (Audio CD)

Totally enchanted with this CD. The soprano supremely gifted and the orchestra - stunning. I highly recommend it for the sensitive music lover!