Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, John Mauceri - Rodgers & Hammerstein Overtures (1992)

They may have had a few equals, but no pair ever surpassed Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II when it came to writing musical plays for both theater and motion pictures. The list of their creations reads like a what's what of great American musical theater. Not only were their productions well above the ordinary when it came to the music, but they often dared to deal with sensitive social issues. One of the subplots in South Pacific concerned itself with interracial love. The King and I may well have been one of the earliest vehicles for dealing with issues affecting women in the mid-20th century, as well as cultural conflict between East and West. But most did not go to see these productions because they were morality plays in disguise. They wanted to enjoy the magical spectacle created around the words and music of these two geniuses. In its continuing effort to keep the products of this unique American cultural institution before the public, Decca Broadway has reissued this album of overtures to 11 Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, nine written for the stage, one for the screen, and one for television (Cinderella). The album was originally issued in 1991. They are played by one of the more legendary musical aggregations in the country, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, under the direction of John Mauceri. An overture to a musical is much like a prologue to a Shakespeare play. It creates for the audience an anticipation of what's to come. The result is an excellent 60-plus minutes CD capturing some of the highest-order entertainment for the musical stage and screen wonderfully and endearingly performed. The CD is packaged with a well-written booklet on the musicals and their composers. Recommended.