> ''Bohemian Rhapsody''. Benaud Trio. Melba CD.
Following its earlier release on this label, this fine
Australian piano trio plays Smetana's Piano Trio in G
minor, Op.15 and Dvorak's ''Dumky'' Piano Trio in E
Minor Op.90 B166. The two Czech composers were great
Bohemians and these romantic works are masterpieces, but the
disc really awards its title to its closing brevity that is a
world premiere recording.
This is Nicholas Buc's amusing arrangement of the late
Freddie Mercury's song Bohemian Rhapsody, a huge hit
for the Queen pop group. This trio performs serious music
most impressively but enjoys playing with pop encores; it has
had Youtube hits with this and Stairway to Heaven. As
usual Melba enhances the performances with immaculate sound
recording, deluxe packaging and notes.
Highlight: Freddie Mercury's song lives as a fun piano
trio item!
> ''Choral Reflection on the Lord's
Prayer''. The King's Singers. Naxos CD.
This famous male sextet (two countertenors, tenor, two
baritones, and bass) has recorded an inspiring musical
exploration of Pater Noster. The album includes
different versions of ''The Lord's Prayer'', alongside other
pieces focusing on each line of text. It begins with Schutz's
setting of Psalm 19 and the early 17th-century Polish
composer Zielenski's Benedicimus Deum coeli,
illuminating ''Our Father, who art in heaven''.
''Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven'' uses Igor
Stravinsky's Pater noster, Poulenc's Quatre Petites
Priéres de François d'Assise, and Lassus' Domine
Dominus noster.
''And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil''
employs Bernstein's The Lord's Prayer from his
Mass. Other composers in a 25-track project include
Palestrina, Purcell, Byrd and Tavener.
Highlight: Heavenly singing throughout.
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