Jack Gottlieb R Murray Schafer Gian Carlo Menotti - Menotti The Unicorn the Gorgon and the Manticore (39 tracks) +Album Reviews

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Jack Gottlieb, R. Murray Schafer, Gian Carlo Menotti
Menotti: The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore
Genres: Special Interest, Classical

Track Listings (39) - Disc #1
1. Presidential Ste:I. Ask Not (JFK)
2. Presidential Ste: II. Advice From Honest Abe
3. Presidential Ste: III. Calvin's Creed
4. Presidential Ste: IV. Whistle Stop (HST)
5. Presidential Ste: V. No News (Thomas J.)
6. Presidential Ste: VI. In The Jungle (Teddy R.)
7. Presidential Ste: VII. Rendezvous (FDR)
8. A Medieval Bestiary: 1. Leo The Lion
9. A Medieval Bestiary: 2. The Panther
10. A Medieval Bestiary: 3. The Antelope
11. A Medieval Bestiary: 4. The Elephant
12. A Medieval Bestiary: 5. Castor The Beaver
13. A Medieval Bestiary: 6. The Unicorn
14. A Medieval Bestiary: 7. The Weasel
15. A Medieval Bestiary: 8. The Manticore
16. A Medieval Bestiary: 9. The Hyaena
17. A Medieval Bestiary: 10. The Bonnacon (Bison)
18. A Medieval Bestiary: 11. The Bestiary
19. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Intro
20. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Interlude I
21. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: First Madrigal
22. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Interlude II
23. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Second Madrigal
24. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Intro/Third Madrigal
25. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Fourth Madrigal
26. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Interlude III
27. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Interlude III
28. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Sixth Madrigal
29. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Seventh Madrigal
30. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Interlude IV
31. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Eight Madrigal
32. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Ninth Madrigal
33. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Interlude V
34. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Tenth Madrigal
35. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Interlude VI
36. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Eleventh Madrigal
37. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: The March To The Castle
38. The Unicorn, The Gorgon, And The Manticore: Twelfth Madrigal
39. Bonus Track

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CD Details

All Artists: Jack Gottlieb, R. Murray Schafer, Gian Carlo Menotti, Timothy Koch, Lynn McMurtry, Kirstin Chávez, Trevor Smith
Title: Menotti: The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Albany Records
Release Date: 9/25/2001
Genres: Special Interest, Classical
Styles: Comedy & Spoken Word, Opera & Classical Vocal, Ballets & Dances, Ballets, Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 034061045229

CD Reviews

Three Choral Masterworks Including a Menotti Treasure

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kudos to The Carolina Chm Chorale and Timothy Koch for recording these three works. The first two works are engaging, witty, and accessible works for a cappella Chorus and soloists. 'Presidential Suite' by Jack Gottlieb is based on words by famous presidents (e.g. 'Ask not' by JFK) and is fine choral writing. 'A Medieval Bestiary, for chorus' by R. Murray Schafer describes the various creatures of the jungle and of mythology and uses solo voices in tandem with the chorus to bring each animal alive.

But the important work on this recording is the exquisite Madrigal Fable for Chorus, 10 dancers and 9 instruments - THE UNICORN, THE GORGON AND THE MANTICORE composed by Gian Carlo Menotti. This wondrous work tells the story of a strange man in a castle 'who doesn't even go to church on Sundays' and who parades his various 'beasts' of the title through the town on three consecutive Sundays. The prince of the village, egged on by his envious wife, mimics the strange man, procuring the odd beasts, and the envy of the unknown eventually drives the village to accept the fact that the strange man is simply a poet.

The work is written as a ballet/mime and has had intermittent festival performances. It is a beautiful story, with Menotti's finest choral writing, and interspersed with the madrigal narrative are instrumental interludes for nine instruments that are likewise some of Menotti's best chamber writing. The visual aspects of this work greatly enhance the appreciation of the superb piece, but this performance conducted by Timothy Koch is very fine. This is a lesser-known work that would be a welcome addition to those who love choral music and modern interpretations of the art of madrigal singing. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 05

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