Search - Mary Martin, Richard Rodgers :: Mary Martin Sings Richard Rodgers Plays

A historic recording of two musical theatre legends

01/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""South Pacific" and "The Sound of Music" are two classic musicals for which composer Richard Rodgers and singer/actress Mary Martin will forever be identified. They both have left an incomparable legacy to Broadway music and theatre.This recording, made in April 1957, is a testament to that legacy. Mary Martin rarely made solo recordings during her long tenure as a Broadway star and Richard Rodgers was rarely ever heard playing his own music on a recording. The album is a collections of songs Rodgers wrote with Oscar Hammerstein & Lorenz Hart, with Martin providing the vocals and Rodgers featured on piano, with a full orchestra.The recording allows Martin to sing songs she wasn't associated with (no "Sound of Music" recordings here, the show didn't appear on B'way until 1959). Martin's lyric soprano is full of warmth, honesty, and respect for these songs. Rodgers is featured on piano in certain sections of each song and it's fun to hear him play in intimate arrangements of his music. My favorite tracks include: "Getting To Know You", "It Might As Well Be Spring", "You're Nearer", and "It Never Entered My Mind".The album closes with Martin doing her take on "Some Enchanted Evening" (which she didn't get to sing in "South Pacific"), and it's a joy to hear her perform it with such reverence and beauty.This album is a historical recording that deserves to be a part of any music collection."

Splendid recording from Mary and Richard

Pope | Wisconsin, United States | 01/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being the Mary Martin fan that I am, I had to get this album. It is well worth the money spent! Very crisp clear sound quality and Martin in peak voice. It features Mary singing great Rodgers and Hart/Hammerstein songs, along with Richard Rodgers accompanying on piano and directing the orchestra. If you're a fan of Richard Rodgers, Larry Hart, Oscar Hammerstein, Mary Martin, or a combo of all 4, this CD is for you and trust me - you WILL NOT be disappointed!"

Wonderful!

alemartini | 09/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think that it's always good to hear a song played by the author who wrote it.
Mr. Rodgers's performance in this record is pretty good and Mary's performance is , as always, quite perfect. A good mix of famous standards and unknown gems."