Frederick Fennell, Eastman-Rochester "Pops" Orchestra* – Hi-Fi A La Espaňola

The Old and New Worlds meet in this colorful program by the Eastman-Rochester "Pops" Orchestra under the baton of Frederick Fennell. Nine composers from six countries are represented in music tributes to the artistic influence of Iberia: Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla and Joaquin Turina from Spain; Ernesto Lecuona from Cuba; Jaime Texidor from Mexico; Camargo Mozart Gaurnieri and Oscar Lorenzo Fernandez from Brazil; Percy Faith from the United States; and Arthur Benjamin from Australia.

This album was recorded in the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, New York, the home of the Eastman-Rochester "Pops" Orchestra. A normal concert set-up was maintained throughout the session, with three omni-directional microphones of extremely high sensitivity hung in a plane approximately 15 feet above and slightly behind the conductor's podium. The special percussion effects called for in many of the works were never allowed to overwhelm the other instruments: maracas, marimbas, bells and drums are quite distinctly etched in to the orchestral picture, providing sonorous highlights which do not at the same time blot out the rest of the instrumentation. Dramatic contrasts in dynamics abound. In "Malaguena", for instance, there are powerful sections for full orchestra alternating with passages played by solo guitar with harp and marimba back-ground. "Batuque" opens with no more than a murmur in the bass and swells out to an awe-inspiring climax.

Features:

• • 180g heavyweight vinyl pressing

Musicians:
Eastman-Rochester Pops
Frederick Fennell, conductor
Percy Faith
Ernesto Lecuona
Enrique Granados
Arthur Benjamin
Oscar Lorenzo Fernandez
Jaime Texidor
Joaquin Turina
Manuel de Falla
Camargo Mozart Gaurnieri

Selections:
Side 1:
Percy Faith (1908-1976)
1. Brazilian Sleigh Bells
Ernesto Lecuona (1896-1963)
2. Andalucia
3. Malaguena (guitar solo Rolando Valdes-Blain)
Enrique Granados (1867-1916)
4. Goyescas (Opera): Intermezzo
Arthur Benjamin (1893-1960)
5. Jamaican Rumba
Oscar Lorenzo Fernandez (1897-1948)
6. Batuque
Side 2:
Jaime Texidor
7. Amparito Roca
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
8. El Amor Brujo: Ritual Fire Dance
Joaquin Turina (1882-1949)
9. The Bullfighter's Prayer (La Oracion del Torero)
Camargo Mozart Guarnieri (1907- 1993)
10. Brazilian Dance (Dansa Brasiliera)