CD92311 Babes in Toyland - 'complete' score
Product Description
CD92311 Babes in Toyland - 'complete' score
Babes in Toyland by Victor Herbert
Complete (see below) recording of a live concert performance
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra & Minnesota Chorale
Elizabeth Futral
Hugh Pennaro
Vern Sutton
Conducted by John McGlynn
1993
From a radio broadcast
Stereo
mp3 320kps
No, this is not the never released recording that McGlynn made in London in
2001. But, since it is far more complete than any other
recording I have ever heard, it is a valuable resource for any collector of
American operetta. It is not, contrary to what McGlynn says in the interview,
complete. Since the characters of Gonzorgo and Rodrigo are omitted (as well as
Mother Hubbard and Inspector Marmaduke) we don't get the song "He won't be happy
'till he gets it", and "Before and After" is reassigned to Mary and Alan - which
makes no sense dramatically. Also, the Eccentric Dance for Grumio and, sadly,
the "Rockabye Baby" variations are absent. (The latter was recorded on the Kenny
Baker/Decca disc - it was re-released on CD, but the Mammy verse was cut in the
name of political correctness. Although it could never be performed today -
except perhaps at Rick Perry's ranch - if anyone has a copy of the original I'd
love to hear it.)
McGlynn's conducting is wonderful in the instrumental numbers and a bit sluggish
in the vocals.
Still, well worth having if you're an operetta fan.
Carl S