Surprise hugely successful album with an unorthodox approach
big ears | MA USA | 08/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"okay...i confess. this recording is more than just a recording for me. it was my gateway into becoming a lover and performer of serious classical music. i was a mere 13 years old when i first heard this recording played often during my class study times by my classroom teacher. i listened and learned and grew to love this sound...but more importantly, those familiar popular tunes i knew....hey, i didn't know they were classical works, too!
conniff takes some of the most loved classical melodies and gives them his magical treatment. the sounds are wonderfully haunting as well as mightly and majestic. "rhapsody in blue" is perhaps one of ray's most swinging arrangements, but even the "side one" selections (with strings of the new york philharmonic) swing righteously at a danceable pace.
the public had not heard such upbeat arrangements before nor had they heard such a polished sound, and as a result, this recording became one of ray's most successful top sellers and brought wide recognition of "the conniff sound".
this really is a classic and a guaranteed favorite."
Classics the Ray Conniff way!!
PATRICK J.POWERS | Duncombe,IA | 10/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ray Conniff and his orchestra livened up the classics in this offering. Tchaikovsky,Debussy and Ravel's music receives the Conniff touch in this C.D. which was first released over 46 years ago. My personal favorites are Rhapsody in Blue and On The Trail. It's great to listen to these tunes still today as when they first came out!!"
One of Ray Conniffs best
Jens-peter Moreitz | HAZELBROOK, NSW Australia | 09/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Since this is a live album you should very surprised of the
quality. Also the selection of tracks is very beautiful.
The release year as far as I can remember was 1959 when
I was just 13. Since than I have an addiction to Ray Conniff
and saw him live in Duesseldorf in 1969.
"
THE CLASSIC CONNIFF
C. Bellegarrigue | El Salvador | 05/06/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is Ray conniff playing classical masterpieces like Tchaikovski's FIRST PIANO CONCERTO, SWAN LAKE BALLET and ROMEO AND JULIET, the great Debussy's REVERIE, the gracious ON THE TRAIL (from Grand Canyon Suite), the incredible RHAPSODY IN BLUE (this is the best), and what a surprise!! a one Ray Conniff's composition, the precious EARLY EVENING (what a wonderful song); including Rachmaninoff's SECOND PIANO CONCERTO (simply excellent)...this cd is the fusion of classical and swing music in the unique Ray Conniff Style!!!"