John W. Bubbles, William Warfield - Porgy & Bess: High Performance
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Free Music Notes for Porgy & Bess: High Performance
Free Music Review: Gorgeous
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the first "Porgy and Bess recording I ever heard, and though it's not complete, it is the BEST. Bess is sung definitively by Leontyne Price, and the Porgy is every bit equal to her performance. Gershwin's music for this opera is amazing. It is jazz and black culture put into operatic form, and you can't get more soulful than that. "Summertime" (my favorite song ever) of course was wonderful, and "My Man's Gone Now" is the saddest thing I have ever heard - you can listen to it over and over. "Bess, you is my Woman Now" makes me cry too, it's so sweet. The acting is convincing as could be wished. As for Sportin' Life, he is played by the creator of the role who was NOT an opera singer but rather a vaudeville star, and chosen by Gershwin himself. At first he seems rather out of place beside the rest of the cast (Leontyne Price, for goodness' sake!) but he grows on you. I once heard a bass rendition of "It Ain't Neccisarily So" that was sung very low and deep, and very straight - and although I'm aware that Sportin' Life is a tenor role, it was a very effective rendition. However, as an indiviudual, this Sportin' Life was not bad at all, and his "There's a Boat dat's Leavin' Soon for New York" was VERY good and almost seductive, I thought.
Really, you couldn't get much better for $12.00!
Free Music Review: Wow!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is one of the two best excerpt recordings of Porgy, the other being the soundtrack to the Preminger movie. However, this has the advantage of actually being composed by Gershwin, rather than by Gershwin-Previn. The glories of this account include William Warfield as Porgy and Leontyne Price as Bess. Price is, of course, beyond price. Warfield was simply one of the most communicative singers around. Both had built their early careers on these roles. John W. Bubbles, the original Sportin' Life, reprises his role here. Despite Gershwin's championing of Bubbles in the role (he wanted him when both the director (Rouben Mamoulian) and the music director - was it Smallens? - were eager to fire him), he really did envision the part with Cab Calloway in mind, and, frankly, nobody beat Calloway in the role, not even Bubbles. Nevertheless, Bubbles comes pretty close to Calloway's level.
The other advantage of this account is Skitch Henderson, the orchestra, and the choir. Everybody knows how to inhabit Porgy's fluid space between grand opera and pop. Basically, they're trained musicians who know how to entertain. The purely "operatic" parts have been done better by others, but overall this highlights recording has absolutely nothing to apologize for. I agree - a desert-island disc.
Free Music Review: Stunning Achievement
Hit: 5 Stars
This recording of scenes from Gershwin's opera is a stunning achievement and a gem for anyone who loves great music and great singing. Ms. Price was a world-renowned Bess and created a sensation when she toured in the opera's celebrated revival during the 1950's. People unfamiliar with the entire score may be surpised to discover that two famous arias, "Summertime" and
"My Man's Gone Now", aren't sung by Bess. It's thrilling to hear Ms. Price perform these, which were signature pieces
throughout her career. As Porgy, Mr. Warfield toured with Leontyne Price, and the power and poignancy of his characterization are comparable to hers. He is extraordinary in his solos, and his love duet with Ms. Price wil give the listener chills. The chorus and orchestra are superb. Skitch Henderson, former maestro of The Tonight Show, might seem an unusual choice for conductor, but his leadership is skilled, idiomatic, and electrifying. (He was a fine musician and composer who often guest-conducted for symphony orchestras.)
This is a wonderful example of recorded musical drama and will appeal to those who don't consider themselves opera fans as well as to those who do. Highly recommended and a Grammy Award winner.
Free Music Review: Definitely a keeper!!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is my absolute favorite recording of "Porgy and Bess." The orchestrations are just exquisite and I love the tempo. Leontyne Price is my favorite Bess. She gives the right attitude and vocal technique that Bess needs. Another reason why I love this recording is because there are great performances all around. "Summertime" is just marvelous; not soft and operatic with no feeling like many opera singers make it, but real and with real feeling. I have yet to find a better rendition of "My man's gone now." Again, REAL attitude and I love the personality that the singer brings to it; and the last notes are not mushy, like many singers do with it. The only criticism is with Sportin' Life, he's not a real opera singer. It seemed like they just cast him because of his speaking voice and acting skill. William Warfield, by the way, gives Porgy that delicious huskiness and cut that only a good baritone can give to it. Just a marvelous recording, definitely a keeper!!
Free Music Review: Leontyne Price and William Warfield in great form
Hit: 5 Stars
We were lucky that RCA was willing to record these highlights of Porgy and Bess and there were not contractual problems that prevented a Leontyne Price/William Warfield record of Handel's Messiah. Price and Warfield were performing Messiah with Ormandy/Philadephia Orchestra and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. When Columbia Records originally planned to record, Ormandy, the choir and Warfield were under contract to them Price was under contract to RCA. In those days there was very little loaning out so Columbia substituted Eileen Farrell, their top soprano at the time for the record....ah what could have been. But in the meantime we have this remastered recording which was released at the same time as RCA debuted Dynagrove in the vinyl days. Listen to, "My Man's Gone Now." It will bring you to tears.