Boston Pops Orchestra Albums (51)
'Peter & The Commissar'
Release Date 11/9/2004
Tracks 4
Label Collectors' Choice Music
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What The Critics Say
When Allan Sherman called his night with Arthur Fiedler & the Boston Pops "the most exciting night of my life," it turned out to be the literal truth. This was probably the apex of his meteoric career as a musical comedian, a tumultuous live appearance at Tanglewood in front of a guess-timated 13,327 fans, where he took on classical music and a whole bunch of other things. This being Cold War time, "Peter and the Commissar" -- a complete rewrite of Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" (with the help of orchestrator Jerry Fielding) -- had an obvious resonance for armchair patriots. But Sherman was careful to poke fun at commissars and committees of all ideologies, so even today, this tale of a young songwriter whose work is rejected and rewritten by authorities who think they know what the public wants has ominous resonance. Besides Sherman's clever rhymes, the piece has a dead-on parody of Stan Getz in his bossa nova period by The Tonight Show tenor saxophonist Tommy Newsom and other really funny musical surprises. In Variations on 'How Dry I Am'," Sherman takes the baton from Fielding, who is content to be a guest soloist (he hiccups -- twice). This turns out to be a precursor of Peter Schickele's P.D.Q. Bach quodlibets (which went public the following year), as the old drunk tune leads into several well-known tunes from several idioms to the general amusement of all. Finally, the wicked parodist takes careful aim at the repetitious codas of many a great composer in "The End of a Symphony," in which not a note of Schubert, Mozart, or Beethoven is altered. From this high point, Sherman's career entered a sad, rapid decline, ending with his premature death at 48 (ironically aggravated by alcohol) in 1973. Never reissued, this remains one of the more elusive and most hilarious Sherman albums, having been pressed in lesser quantities than his Warner Bros. output -- and on a classical label at that. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide
'Adagios: Romantic Escapes for the Dreamer in You'
Release Date 6/25/2002
Tracks 18
Label RCA
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'Christmas Favorites'
Release Date 3/7/2000
Tracks 10
Label BMG Special Products
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What The Critics Say
Christmas Favorites features Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra performing a variety of holiday favorites. Most of the songs should be familiar: "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Sleigh Ride," "Parade of the Wooden Soldier," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," along with six others. This is a rather straightforward collection of holiday music that should please listeners who appreciate orchestral holiday music. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Boston Pops' spring 2000 album is called Encore because it offers encore appearances of some of the most popular tunes ever performed by the orchestra. In other words, it's a greatest-hits collection, featuring 50 minutes of highlights from the Keith Lockhart era -- the recordings the Boston Pops made for RCA during the '90s. There is only one new piece here: a tribute to Elvis Presley written by Patrick Hollenbeck. Since it's just a medley of oldies, however, it feels as familiar as anything else here, but that's not necessarily a complaint either. It's nice for casual fans to have such popular favorites as "Sleigh Ride," "Song of the Volga Boatmen," "Hymn to New England," "Farandole," "Doodletown Fifers," and "Stars and Stripes Forever" on one disc. Such a melodic, welcoming set list will be reason enough for most casual enthusiasts to acquire Encore. It's a good sampler, even if it doesn't have the cohesion of an actual Pops concert or record. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Designed as an aural souvenir of the Boston Pops' annual Fourth of July concert, A Splash of the Pops is another celebration of America and Americana. Although it contains a handful of new orchestral pieces, such as "With Voices Raised," it is primarily a celebration of classic American music, both classical pieces and pop songs alike. Of course, there's not a whole lot of pop songs -- the "Overture to State Fair," "Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy," and Paul Simon's "America" are chief among them -- but they fit in well with "The Star-Spangled Banner," "Stars and Stripes Forever," "1812 Overture," "America the Beautiful," and "Lift Every Voice and Sing" because Keith Lockhart's arrangements and conducting give it all a uniform style that is distinctly, undeniably the Pops. It's to Lockhart's credit that he keeps the tradition of the Pops alive while subtly developing his own style; this is certainly a Pops record, but he's infusing the group with his own taste, such as Paul Simon. And that's what makes A Splash of the Pops so entertaining -- not only does it capture the feeling of a Pops Fourth of July concert, it sounds contemporary, as well. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'At the Movies'
Release Date 3/30/1999
Tracks 10
Label BMG Special Products
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What The Critics Say
Since "Celtic" music became immensely popular in the late '90s, especially in the wake of Titanic, it makes sense that the Boston Pops Orchestra would make a Celtic Album -- after all, it had become the easy listening music of the mainstream. As expected, the Boston Pops builds on Celtic-flavored new age instead of concentrating on authentic Celtic music, but that's good, because that strain of Celtic music lends itself to these relaxed, easy interpretations. Ultimately, The Celtic Album is a far cry from genuine Celtic music, but it's a pleasant listen in its own right. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
