Passion of Scrooge
A stereoscopic, circle surround Christmas Carol, with KEITH BRAMICH
Innova innova 545
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The familiar story of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843)
is presented on this disc as a kind of hi-tech radio play. The music of
American composer Jon Deak (born 1943) is performed by the nine instrumentalists
of the excellent 20th Century Consort under Christopher Kendall. Baritone
William Sharp, in a skillful spoken and sung role, plays all the characters
[listen -- track 17, 0:08-1:08], with occasional
help from the consort members.
The CD booklet contains a full libretto -- adapted by Deak from the work
of Isaiah Sheffer, based on Dickens' story -- and reproduces various computer-generated
stereograms of imaginary scenes from the story.
Written for concert performance, the challenge in making this recording
was to replace the visual clues picked up by a concert hall audience with
sound effects to help convey the story to the listener at home. The CD is
encoded for five channel reproduction using 'Circle Surround', and can also
be played on normal stereophonic equipment. Specially produced sound effects
are mixed with those produced by Sharp and the players.
The result is certainly professional, and goes a considerable way towards
captivating the listener throughout this two act 50-minute drama, from bah
humbug to '... in the words of our dear Tiny Tim: God bless us! God
bless us, every one!' [listen -- track 20, 2:13-3:08].
Copyright © 20 December 2000
Keith Bramich, London, UK
CD INFORMATION - INNOVA RECORDINGS INNOVA 545
PURCHASE THIS DISC FROM AMAZON
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