I remember seeing Sinatra on Johnny Carson when there was a discussion among the guests as to the best music to put on for a romantic evening at home. After everyone else suggested famous pop standards, Sinatra said The Sunken Cathedral. Everyone looked at him perplexed. The guy really did know his music.
There is a Capitol CD, "Tone Poems of Color", conducted by Sinatra, which consists of short works specially written for this project by well-known film composers, including Wilder. The themes are excellent and there is a variety of styles. A mono recording, it is still available used from several sources.
I remember my stepfather bringing this album home and then passing it on to me because Sinatra didn't sing on it. I've loved this music since I discovered it on the original Columbia green-label 78's (back then Columbia had three label colors: red for popular, blue for classical, and green for Broadway show songs and other semi-classical pieces). It's nice to see this music getting some of the attention it deserves.
I hope I live to see Dave review Stan Kenton Plays Bob Graettinger's City of Glass album. It's basically avant-garde classical music played by a large jazz orchestra and I love it.
@@arcajour-i2r Hear, hear! I have the Kenton recording of Graettinger's scores, not only "City of Glass" but "This Modern World," as well as two CD's by the Ebony Band of The Netherlands of Graettinger's scores, both published and unpublished. Alas, the Capitol "Kenton Plays Graettinger" CD does not have the movements of "This Modern World" in the right order. The correct order is "A Horn," "Some Saxophones," "A Cello," "A Thought," "A Trumpet," and "An Orchestra."
When violinist Lea Luboschutz (Boris Goldovsky's mother) visited America, a cigar chomping NY reporter asked her, "Whaddaya think of Frank Sinatra?" She said, "Oh, I adore Franck Sonata!"
Great remembrance Dave! Speaking of Mitch Miller, much of his talent as a world class musician was overshadowed by his “Sing Along With Mitch” persona. One of my favorite “Rhapsody In Blue” recordings is the one he conducted with David Golub.
When I met with Mitch in '99, he offered me a box of his newly-recorded CDs, which include some excellent Gershwin performances (I declined, and accepted single copies). I asked about the Vaughan Williams Oboe concerto (performed over CBS radio in 1948 (?), but Mitch said he decided NOT to include it on the new Cds, because he wasn't happy with the original performance. LR
In 1975 I bought an LP of 3 woodwind quintets by Wilder. I had no idea who he was but it looked interesting. I still listen to that disc occasionally and have enjoyed it immensely.
When I was young and ignorant, I thought Frank Sinatra was just some old guy that my parents liked. When I got beyond my own prejudices, I realized what a great singer he was. And a terrific musician.
The new swing revival, the rise of the internet, the comeback of Tony Bennett and the revived public fascination with the Rat Pack that all happened in the 1990s helped a lot of us re-evaluate the old timers in a new light. Plus we were starting to become old timers ourselves and could vibe with it.
When I was also young and ignorant, I thought that Sinatra just sang his songs the way they were supposed to be sung. Subconsciously, I was comparing almost every other singer to Sinatra. It did take me some time to recognize how artful he was.
I came to Sinatra from the wrong direction. As a teenager I bought his Strangers in the Night, which I found to be weak sentimental dreck. But then in college I listened to his original recordings with Tommy Dorsey and realized how thoroughly original he was (And also learned a significant chunk of the Great American Songbook that way). It was only in my 30s that I finally came to his great Capitol records albums and realized the full depth of his artistry. But that’s probably where to start if you’ve never delved into his oeuvre.
How fascinating. Thanks for sharing. Having a piece called " his first long pants" reminds me that there really ought to be an album of songs with titles that are now thought to be amusing or just odd. This came to me when listening to Ella Fitzgerald singing "Santa Claus got stuck up my chimney"
Dave, this reminds me: did you ever hear the mono Lp (also on Col. Special Products, I think) of Handel Oboe Concerti with "Mitchell Miller and the Arthur Fiedler Sinfonietta"?
Mitch Miller graduated from Eastman/Rochester in 1932; in November, '99 they invited him back to conduct their student orchestra, and I attended a couple of rehearsals. There were many problems due to Mitch's rather tempestuous (and NON-woke) personal style on the podium, but the results that got from the players were stupendous. I wouldn't have minded if I never heard the finale of the Tchaik 4th Symphony again....until I heard Mitch (w/great understanding of the rhythmic inflections, etc of Russian folk music) make this music sound totally fresh and thrilling (at age 89, I think). Afterwards, I had an enjoyable time chatting with him during which he told me of his experiences with George Gershwin. Mitch was the principal oboist in Gershwin's big national "PR tour" orchestra [by train], performing Gershwin's symphonic works; the same players then ended up as the pit orchestra for the world-premiere of "Porgy and Bess" in 1935, w/ Mitch as principal oboist. Quite a guy. Mitch would eventually have an epic falling-out with Sinatra in 1952, when Miller was the powerful A&R man with Columbia and Frank's career had crashed. Mitch was always pushing "Pop/novelty" tunes onto Columbia's "serious" singers, and he convinced Sinatra to record "Mama Will Bark" (a duet with singer Dagmar), in which Frank had to bark like a dog. Sinatra never forgave Mitch, forever referring to him as a "low-life rat-fink", and probably threatening to kneecap him as well (knowing Frank's atavistic tendencies). LR
There once were three discs of Wilder's music on the Newport Classics and Kleos labels. They were conducted by Richard Auldon Clark with the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra.The titles of the albums were "For the friends of Alec Wilder," "Neurotic goldfsih," and "Such a tender night." Many of the octet pieces, works for full orchestra, and even a song cycle, all in excellent sound. Sinatra's readings perhaps are more idiomatic but these recordings also are treasures. Well worth trying to track down.
Years ago, I owned a set of CDs of Sinatra which included some of Wilder's music - presumably from the CD you discuss. I also remember an excellent book on American popular song by Wilder. The writing of chapter on Irving Berlin was hampered by the refusal of Belin's publishers to let Wilder quote music or lyrics.
Another intriguing rarity I've only read about: During the musicians union strike in the 40s, players were banned from making records. Frank Sinatra had Wilder arrange songs for unaccompanied men's chorus. Since singers weren't considered musicians by the union, Sinatra got around the ban. Anybody heard these?
You never mentioned how you thought The Chairman actually did as a conductor. He had a great musical sense so it wouldn't be surprising if it came off well.
Mitch Miller would become the A&R man at Columbia in the late 1940s replacing Mannie Sachs. Miller and Sinatra in those roles did not get along. Sinatra hated Miller in the end. Wilder arranged the first 10 sides Sinatra recorded for Columbia during the recording bad of 1943. Sinatra wanted to make those Aris and Dances more well known, even if he had to conduct the work so that Columbia would release those sides. Later on, the Airs and Dances were combined with the other Wilder pieces to make an extended LP and subsequent CD.
Robert Conrad of WCLV has said Mitch Mitchell claimed he really conducted the Wilder sessions. Who knows. Obviously, there was no love between Old Blue Eyes and Sing-A-Long.
I remember seeing Sinatra on Johnny Carson when there was a discussion among the guests as to the best music to put on for a romantic evening at home. After everyone else suggested famous pop standards, Sinatra said The Sunken Cathedral. Everyone looked at him perplexed. The guy really did know his music.
There is a Capitol CD, "Tone Poems of Color", conducted by Sinatra, which consists of short works specially written for this project by well-known film composers, including Wilder. The themes are excellent and there is a variety of styles. A mono recording, it is still available used from several sources.
fun fact: “Frank Sinatra conducts Tone Poems of Color” was the first album recorded at the then-new Capitol tower in Hollywood
I remember my stepfather bringing this album home and then passing it on to me because Sinatra didn't sing on it. I've loved this music since I discovered it on the original Columbia green-label 78's (back then Columbia had three label colors: red for popular, blue for classical, and green for Broadway show songs and other semi-classical pieces). It's nice to see this music getting some of the attention it deserves.
I hope I live to see Dave review Stan Kenton Plays Bob Graettinger's City of Glass album. It's basically avant-garde classical music played by a large jazz orchestra and I love it.
Yes, that would be fascinating.
@@arcajour-i2r Hear, hear! I have the Kenton recording of Graettinger's scores, not only "City of Glass" but "This Modern World," as well as two CD's by the Ebony Band of The Netherlands of Graettinger's scores, both published and unpublished. Alas, the Capitol "Kenton Plays Graettinger" CD does not have the movements of "This Modern World" in the right order. The correct order is "A Horn," "Some Saxophones," "A Cello," "A Thought," "A Trumpet," and "An Orchestra."
When violinist Lea Luboschutz (Boris Goldovsky's mother) visited America, a cigar chomping NY reporter asked her, "Whaddaya think of Frank Sinatra?" She said, "Oh, I adore Franck Sonata!"
Great to see you talk about Wilder, please do more.
Great remembrance Dave! Speaking of Mitch Miller, much of his talent as a world class musician was overshadowed by his “Sing Along With Mitch” persona. One of my favorite “Rhapsody In Blue” recordings is the one he conducted with David Golub.
Mitch Miller also played the U. S. premiere of Vaughan Williams' Oboe Concerto, conducted by the equally-versatile Bernard Herrmann.
When I met with Mitch in '99, he offered me a box of his newly-recorded CDs, which include some excellent Gershwin performances (I declined, and accepted single copies). I asked about the Vaughan Williams Oboe concerto (performed over CBS radio in 1948 (?), but Mitch said he decided NOT to include it on the new Cds, because he wasn't happy with the original performance. LR
In 1975 I bought an LP of 3 woodwind quintets by Wilder. I had no idea who he was but it looked interesting. I still listen to that disc occasionally and have enjoyed it immensely.
When I was young and ignorant, I thought Frank Sinatra was just some old guy that my parents liked. When I got beyond my own prejudices, I realized what a great singer he was. And a terrific musician.
The new swing revival, the rise of the internet, the comeback of Tony Bennett and the revived public fascination with the Rat Pack that all happened in the 1990s helped a lot of us re-evaluate the old timers in a new light. Plus we were starting to become old timers ourselves and could vibe with it.
When I was also young and ignorant, I thought that Sinatra just sang his songs the way they were supposed to be sung. Subconsciously, I was comparing almost every other singer to Sinatra. It did take me some time to recognize how artful he was.
I came to Sinatra from the wrong direction. As a teenager I bought his Strangers in the Night, which I found to be weak sentimental dreck. But then in college I listened to his original recordings with Tommy Dorsey and realized how thoroughly original he was (And also learned a significant chunk of the Great American Songbook that way). It was only in my 30s that I finally came to his great Capitol records albums and realized the full depth of his artistry. But that’s probably where to start if you’ve never delved into his oeuvre.
How fascinating. Thanks for sharing. Having a piece called " his first long pants" reminds me that there really ought to be an album of songs with titles that are now thought to be amusing or just odd. This came to me when listening to Ella Fitzgerald singing "Santa Claus got stuck up my chimney"
Dave, this reminds me: did you ever hear the mono Lp (also on Col. Special Products, I think) of Handel Oboe Concerti with "Mitchell Miller and the Arthur Fiedler Sinfonietta"?
Mitch Miller graduated from Eastman/Rochester in 1932; in November, '99 they invited him back to conduct their student orchestra, and I attended a couple of rehearsals. There were many problems due to Mitch's rather tempestuous (and NON-woke) personal style on the podium, but the results that got from the players were stupendous. I wouldn't have minded if I never heard the finale of the Tchaik 4th Symphony again....until I heard Mitch (w/great understanding of the rhythmic inflections, etc of Russian folk music) make this music sound totally fresh and thrilling (at age 89, I think). Afterwards, I had an enjoyable time chatting with him during which he told me of his experiences with George Gershwin. Mitch was the principal oboist in Gershwin's big national "PR tour" orchestra [by train], performing Gershwin's symphonic works; the same players then ended up as the pit orchestra for the world-premiere of "Porgy and Bess" in 1935, w/ Mitch as principal oboist. Quite a guy.
Mitch would eventually have an epic falling-out with Sinatra in 1952, when Miller was the powerful A&R man with Columbia and Frank's career had crashed. Mitch was always pushing "Pop/novelty" tunes onto Columbia's "serious" singers, and he convinced Sinatra to record "Mama Will Bark" (a duet with singer Dagmar), in which Frank had to bark like a dog. Sinatra never forgave Mitch, forever referring to him as a "low-life rat-fink", and probably threatening to kneecap him as well (knowing Frank's atavistic tendencies). LR
Actually I knew this one, and I love Sinatra, he was great. Quite a different release to bring to the channel
There once were three discs of Wilder's music on the Newport Classics and Kleos labels. They were conducted by Richard Auldon Clark with the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra.The titles of the albums were "For the friends of Alec Wilder," "Neurotic goldfsih," and "Such a tender night." Many of the octet pieces, works for full orchestra, and even a song cycle, all in excellent sound. Sinatra's readings perhaps are more idiomatic but these recordings also are treasures. Well worth trying to track down.
Yes, I played (and recorded) with Clark and the MCO, but sadly not on those discs.
Years ago, I owned a set of CDs of Sinatra which included some of Wilder's music - presumably from the CD you discuss. I also remember an excellent book on American popular song by Wilder. The writing of chapter on Irving Berlin was hampered by the refusal of Belin's publishers to let Wilder quote music or lyrics.
"Irving Berlin's publisher" was Irving Berlin himself.
Interesting. As far as i've read, is that Sinatra didnt/couldnt read music, but he definitely had good ears. So I wonder how this came about
Yes, I had the same question.
I did not know it existed. Thank you.
I've been looking for this disc for years.
A check on the internet tells me that the disc can be yours for a mere $100 (incl. shipping).
There are six copies available on discogs starting at $ 10.16.
@classicalmusiclists Thank you. Just ordered mine.
@@steveschwartz8944 glad to help.
Another intriguing rarity I've only read about: During the musicians union strike in the 40s, players were banned from making records. Frank Sinatra had Wilder arrange songs for unaccompanied men's chorus. Since singers weren't considered musicians by the union, Sinatra got around the ban. Anybody heard these?
Love seeing the kitties
You never mentioned how you thought The Chairman actually did as a conductor. He had a great musical sense so it wouldn't be surprising if it came off well.
It did.
Anyone finding it on streaming? I realize it’s a stretch
It's available on Spotify and several RUclips channels.
I found it on Apple Music as a 2011 release by the Crates Digger Music Group
@@itsagasgasgasif you can share a link that would be much appreciated - still having trouble
Mitch Miller would become the A&R man at Columbia in the late 1940s replacing Mannie Sachs. Miller and Sinatra in those roles did not get along. Sinatra hated Miller in the end. Wilder arranged the first 10 sides Sinatra recorded for Columbia during the recording bad of 1943. Sinatra wanted to make those Aris and Dances more well known, even if he had to conduct the work so that Columbia would release those sides. Later on, the Airs and Dances were combined with the other Wilder pieces to make an extended LP and subsequent CD.
Robert Conrad of WCLV has said Mitch Mitchell claimed he really conducted the Wilder sessions. Who knows. Obviously, there was no love between Old Blue Eyes and Sing-A-Long.
When i see a cat, I click!!!