Masterworks Broadway has re-examined three Rodgers and Hammerstein classics and released a new special digital-only edition of the original cast recording of “Flower Drum Song,” the 1964 revival cast recording of “The King and I” and “The Rodgers and Hammerstein Songbook, which is a compilation of some of Broadway’s best 6 all-star events.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein Songbook is a must for those who love some of the most beautiful songs ever written for Broadway. This includes songs like “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” and “People Will Say We’re in Love” from “Oklahoma.” On the same CD, which features such clarity that you’ll never want to listen to these songs any other way are selections from “Carousel,” “Allegro,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” “Me and Juliet,” “Cinderella,” “Flower Drum Song and “The Sound of Music.”
Individually, Rodgers and Hammerstein have created quite a body of work. However, the body of work which represents their collaboration is quite immense. Broadway musicals, film musicals, and a television musical reflect their enormous musical contribution. It has been reported that in 1940 Lawrence Longner, founder of the Theatre Guild approached Rodgers and Hart about a new musical, “Green Grow the Lilacs.” Because Hart was in poor health, Hammerstein, who had been librettist, assumed the role of lyricist as well. After giving the work a new title, the show ran for more than 2,000 performances making “Oklahoma” a smash hit.
In 1993, “The Rodgers and Hammerstein Songbook” was created to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their partnership. This Masterworks Broadway catalogue has been expanded and includes some cast recordings that were not available before. The release of these three CDs comes in the middle of a year in which Masterworks Broadway is celebrating the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalogue that started in February with the long-awaited complete recording of “Allegro” and which culminates in October with a special 50th anniversary edition of the original Broadway cast recording of “The Sound of Music.” This is certainly something that music lovers will look forward to.
“Flower Drum Song” is a distinctive, often over-looked title that is now fully appreciated through its original Broadway cast recording , which introduced songs like: “I Enjoy Being a Girl,” “Love, Look Away,” which was sung by Pat Suzuki, and “Sunday.” On the other track Sandra Church is featured, just as she was about to become the legendary original Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee in “Gypsy.”
“The King and I” original cast recording on the Decca label was recorded in mono in 1951 with cuts to the score. When Rodgers took on the position of producing director of a musical theater company at the newly opened Lincoln Center in the mid1960s, he recorded a more complete representation of the musical in stereo. Featured on this CD are Darren McGavin, Rise Stevens, Patricia Neway, Lee Venora, and Frank Poretta. Three tracks are studio recordings made around the time of the show’s Broadway premiere – an all-star event featuring Dinah Shore in “I Whistle a Happy Tune.”
These three outstanding CDs feature the best of the best. With uncommon clarity and authenticity, they are treasures that belong in every music lover’s collection. The CDs, with each album’s original cover art and liner notes, are available exclusively through ArkivMusic.com
“The Rodgers & Hammerstein Songbook”
Release Date: 05/19/2009 – $16.99
The King And I / 1964 Lincoln Center Cast Recording $16.99
Release Date: 05/19/2009
Flower Drum Song / 1959 Studio Cast Recording $16.99
Release Date: 05/19/2009