Kiri Sings Kern: Dame Kiri TeKanawa

Dame Kiri TeKanawa (Artist), Jerome Kern (Artist), Jonathan Tunick (Artist), London Sinfonietta (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 16, 1993)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000002SK3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #99,291 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As Hammerstein writes in the opening song, "Many dames with lofty aims strive for lofty goals"--and Te Kanawa strives for successful crossover. Her beautiful singing exhibits impeccable diction and excellent phrasing; but "A Fine Romance" lacks anger and humor, "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" lacks a storyteller, and "All the Things You Are" lacks romanticism. However, happy songs like "All Through the Day," "Look for the Silver Lining," and "The Folks Who Live on the Hill," are successfully interpreted. Jonathan Tunick's orchestrations enhance Kern's beauty through his captivating use of obbligato instruments. A pleasant, if not wholly satisfactory, listening experience. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars White Glove Kern, May 19, 2001

By	Steven Eldredge (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am the first to admit that most "crossover" albums, be they of classical performers singing pop or vice versa never quite cross over. This album does splendidly. Kern's music is the most related to classical operetta , and therefore the least jazziest. Operatic soprano Kiri Te Kanawa gives luscious, heartfelt readings of these wonderful songs, backed by glamorous orchestrations. Hearing a voice of such opulence and beauty in this music is a rare treat. Just listen to "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" ,"Long Ago and Far Away" or "The Song is You" and prepare to be swept away to another, more elegant time.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars mildly disappointing, September 29, 2000

By	"pspa" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Sometimes cross-over works, sometimes not. While Kiri te Kanawa has a beautiful voice, she never gets into the idiom of these Jerome Kern masterpieces sufficiently to convey their stories or their subtleties. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes especially stands out, she sings it with none of the pathos the song demands and her version pales compared to the Platters. The orchestral arrangements are decent and in many of the songs the purity of her voice is enough to carry them, but overall I would say this is a disappointing example of a crossover record. Ms. te Kanawa should stick to what she does best.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kiri sing Kern is a great experience, January 17, 2004

By	herb alfasso "herbie" (clifton park, ny United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love the way she sings Kern's songs. Though certainly not opera, Kern's songs benefit from an an operatic approach--not all of them, but certainly ones such Smoke gets in your Eyes, The song is you, All the things you are. I love Kern;s songs sung in many styles but Kiri's way is one of the best.

On the other hand, I did not like Kiri singing Berlin.