Classical Editor: Rob Barnett
 

Music Webmaster
Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com



ROBERT FARNON
: From the Highlands, From the Emerald Isle.

Robert Farnon and his Orchestra.
Dutton Laboratories Vocalion Series CDLK4100 78m ADD (Mastered from Decca originals 1957 Mono/Stereo).

Rarely have I been so enamoured of a CD. This is a magnificent example of traditional melodies arranged by the master orchestrator and composer, Canadian, Robert Farnon. This album is a straightforward pairing of two LP classics which in the adroit words of David Ades, 'have never been surpassed'. The sheer beauty of the melodies strikes to the heart and the way they are orchestrated tends to brings tears to the eyes. Tunes such as the 'The Campbells are coming', 'Barbara Allen' and 'Blue Bells of Scotland' come alive in such a way that you feel that you could not have known them before except in Farnon's colourfully vivid orchestration. All the tunes have some special instrument permeating the background and some of them are blissfully poignant in their imagination. If perhaps, 'From the Highlands' remains the most memorable of them all, the LP 'From the Emerald Isle' is far from short on inspiration. There are a host of familiar melodies like the wonderful 'Londonderry Air', the hilarious 'Irish washerwoman' and the poignant 'The girl I left behind me'. Everything comes alive in Farnon's hands and the orchestra sing like a hundred pipers! It is difficult to express the magic that this music creates, but it is easy to participate in it. All you have to do is grab hold of a copy before it is too late!

Dutton's vivid remastering is, as usual, state of the art whilst the original LP covers and colourful notes make a package of the utmost desirability.

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:


Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:


Reviews from previous months


You can purchase CDs, tickets and musician's accessories and Save around 22% with these retailers :



Concert and Show tickets

Ticketlinks

Musicians accessories

Click here to visit piedog.com



Return to Index