Search - Ketelby :: In a Persian Market

KETELBEY -- MASTER OF EVOCATIVE MOODS

Larry L. Looney | Austin, Texas USA | 11/21/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The music of Albert W. Ketelbey appealed to me on first hearing, many years ago. His works are not 'heavy' classical compositions, but rather light, gently and sweetlt evocative of distant places and exotic cultures -- embodying a particularly British, empirical reflection of these cultures without belittling them in the least.This cd is an assemblage of historic recordings, lovingly transferred from 78s from the 1920s and 1930s. Ketelbey himself conducts the orchestra on several tracks, and is featured on piano on two ('The clock and the Dresden figures' and 'Algerian scene') -- his presence here gives the modern listener a rare opportunity to hear the composer's interpretation of his own works. The collection was assembled from the recorded library of Stuart Upton, who also serves as producer and contributes some informative notes.As valuable as this collection is -- and I'm happy to have it -- I would love to get a copy on cd of the wonderful recording released (and deleted) by Angel. The performances as well as the sound quality on that long-lost jewel are astonishing."