Paper Music isn't for purists, but if you're among those of us who believe that mixing the new with the old can be good for classical music, and win new audience members besides, then you might consider hearing Bobby McFerrin's 1995 recording with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. From the opening bars of the first track, we sense that McFerrin has not missed his calling. Unafraid to unleash the fire that's in Mozart, he draws a tight, spirited performance of the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, in which we are struck by the tremendous force of the piece's many rhythmic jolts. Mozart gets further tribute later in the entire Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, a rather uneventful addition to the slew of recordings available of this piece, which is unfortunate considering the sizable percentage of space it takes up on the CD. The only other selections in which McFerrin rests his vocal folds are the Minuetto and Finale from Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite, and the Scherzo from Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream--both faithful performances of these composers at their best. Ultimately, the non-vocal tracks are not the album's selling points, and, admittedly, not being able to see McFerrin conduct, one wonders how frequently to credit him for the sound of the SPCO. Boccherini's Menuet from String Quintet No. 1, arranged for string orchestra, flute, and voice, is the first we hear of McFerrin's "instrumental vocals." JMRL
T r a c k L i s t i n g s
1. Overture to "The Marriage of Figaro" K. 492
2. Minuet from String Quintet No. 1 in E Major, Op. 13 No. 5, G. 275
3. Minuetto & Finale from Pulcinella Suite (Rev. 1949)
4. Concerto for 2 Cellos, String Orchestra and Continuo in G Minor
5. I. Allegro
6. II. Largo
7. III. Allegro
8. Scherzo, Op. 61 No. 1 from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
9. First Movement from Concerto for Violin, String Orchestra and Continuo
10. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525
11. I. Allegro
12. II. Romance. Andante
13. III. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
14. IV. Rondo. Allegro
bobby mcferrin - paper music (1995)
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