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John McCormack: The Acoustic Victor and HMV Recordings (1912-14)

Romophone

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1. Maire my girl
2. Like Stars Above
3. Take, O Take Those Lips Away
4. A Masque: A Child's Song
5. Asthore
6. A Farewell
7. My Commander as Envoy Bids Me Come, song (from 'Natoma')
8. I Know of Two Bright Eyes
9. Eileen Aroon (Eibhlin a Ruin)
10. The Wearing of the Green
11. The Rosary, for voice & piano
12. The Harp That Once through Tara's Halls
13. Silver Threads Among the Gold, song for voice & piano
14. I gioielli della Madonna, opera: T'eri in giorno ammalato
15. At Dawning for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 29
16. Mefistofele, opera in prologue, 4 acts & epilogue: Dai campi, dai prati
17. Mefistofele, opera in prologue, 4 acts & epilogue: Giunto sul passo
18. Les Pêcheurs de perles, opera in 3 acts: Mi par d'udir ancora
19. Nirvana, ballad for voice & piano
20. Maritana, opera: There is a Flower that Bloometh
21. My Dreams, for voice & piano or orchestra, C.S. 143
22. Sweet Genevieve
23. I'll sing thee songs of Araby
24. Where the river Shannon flows
25. Silver Threads Among the Gold, song for voice & piano
26. Within the Garden of My Heart
27. Dear Love, Remember Me
28. Manon, opera in 5 acts: Chiudo gli occhi 'Il Sogno'
29. Molly Brannigan
30. A Foggy Dew
31. The Low Back'd Car
32. Sospiri Miei for voice & piano
33. Say 'Au Revoir', but not 'Goodbye'
34. Mother O' Mine for voice & piano (or orchestra)
35. Down In The Forest
36. Carmen, opera: Votre mère avec moi sortait de la chapelle
37. I Hear a Thrush at Eventide, song ('Serenade')
38. Goodbye (Addio), for voice & piano or orchestra, C.S. 68
39. A Little Love, A Little Kiss
40. Rigoletto, opera: Questa o quella
41. Nearer My God to Thee, for voice & piano (or orchestra)
42. Eileen Alannah
43. Goodbye, sweetheart, goodbye
44. Le Portrait for voice & piano
45. The Angel's Serenade
46. Le Nil
47. Jocelyn, opera: Beneath the Quivering Leaves
48. Ellens Gesang III ('Ave Maria'), song for voice & piano, D. 839 (Op. 52
    6)
49. Meditation on Prelude No. 1 of Bach, for violin or cello & piano with organ or cello ad lib. (or other instrumental arrangement)

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When looking for "the most"

A local New York professional opera enthusiast has concluded that Corelli is the most popular operatic tenor, followed by Jussi Bjoerling. But if the question is, who had the most beautiful tenor voice ever impressed upon wax, we must lift up John McCormack. Here is true bel canto which no one else has ever equalled. These two CD's contain some of the most exquisite sounds ever issued by a human throat. Let the galleries declare their enthusiasm for stentorian high C's, the real lover of great singing will find much more to their like her than in all the verisssimo arias. Listen to the two "Mefistofele" Arias (Boito) and ask yourself if they have ever since been so beautifully sung. This recording belongs in the collection of every aspiring tenor, just to remind what can be accomplished by art and perfect singing.

A superb McCormack collection

If you remember hearing transfers of acoustic recordings to LP, you remember how hard it was to really connect with the music and performer through all the rumble, noise and resonance. This audio restoration is the most astonishing technical feat I have ever heard. The noise is now only a gentle background presence, not the roar of yesteryear. And even more important, it is constant in volume- in other words not a distraction. The fidelity really lets us hear what the early recording engineers really achieved. That said, what this brings to us are the performances of one of the world's greatest singers in richly emotional popular songs (and a few opera arias). There are so many of those old sentimental pieces no one could get away with recording anymore, but hold such a splendid reward for those of us who love them. John McCormack's recordings receive with this reissue the wonderful presentation they so richly deserve. Many many thanks to the label and Mr. Marston who made it possible.

Simply the Best

This along with Vol. 1 is simply the best McCormack transfers available from this period. The master of the trade, Ward Marston has outdone himself this time. Waiting for Vols. 3,4,5!