Search - John Philip Sousa, W. Fred Mills, Morton Gould :: American Light Music Classics

Good for all collections

Jim T | 12/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, here is an English orchestra recording pieces that some American orchestra should have done long ago. This is music to have fun with and much to my delight was a piece that I have only heard on a 10 inch LP. That is Sym 5 1/2 by Don Gillis. This is one of the best light pieces written in the 20th Century by an American, but sadly little performed. Buy it just for the Gillis piece and consider all the others as frosting on the cake. Take a break from Wagner and Glass and get this one and the three CD's of British Light Music. Just enjoy. Aloha.."

A Disc that is a good time all by itself!

Jim T | 05/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is the kind that some American "Pops" Orchestras should be making. Most of these light classics are ones that the Boston Pops have recorded before, but I don't think have been done as well as Mr. Corp and the New London Orch., have done them. This disc is a real treat and I hope just the first of many. We as Americans need to rediscover our musical works."

An excellent compilation of light American classics

Jim T | 12/08/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"British composers are well known for writing for the "Proms" concerts that feature light symphonic fare. There is much less American music in the same vein as Eric Coates, Edward German and Ronald Quilter, but conductor Ronald Corp has unearthed some real treasures on this disc of mostly short, light pieces. Amazon's listing doesn't include two of the best selections on the disc, Richard Rogers' Carousel Waltz and Don Gillis entertaining Symphony 5 1/2, subtitled "Symphony for Fun." It's a real crowd pleaser, and the fine sound on the recording is a good match for the entertaining repertoire."