Music and lyrics by Lionel Bart.

Principal cast includes: Ron Moody (Fagin), Jack Wild (Artful Dodger), Mark Lester (Oliver), Shani Wallis (Nancy), Harry Secombe (Bumble), Peggy Mount (Mrs. Bumble), and Sheila White (Bet).

Ron Moody recreates his magnificent stage performance as Fagin on this soundtrack album of what must be the best British musical film ever. Shani Wallis replaced Georgia Brown as Nancy, and, together with Mark Lester (Oliver), Jack Wild (Artful Dodger) and Oliver Reed (the sinister Bill Sikes), gives Lionel Bart's marvellous score the full treatment. Highlights are impossible to select; Oliver's tender "Where Is Love?" and Fagin's "You've Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two" linger in the memory, but the complete set is as fresh now as when it was released over 25 years ago. In those pre-Lloyd Webber days, musicals had lots of strong songs, not just one.

Classical Music

This new release is an eclectic collection of 22 folk songs from all over the world. Cathy Berberian performs these works exceptionally well, performing in 17 different languages. Pianist Harold Lester accompanies Berberian on this recording.

Brahms originally wrote the Piano Quintet, Op. 34, for string quintet before recasting the work as a two-piano sonata. However, the sheet music has not ever been recovered. So, finnish cellist Karttunen set about its reconstruction. The result has all the vigor and power of the music we know but now recast in a different sonority.

REVIEW:

Another triumph for a small independent label. Brilliant thought provoking re-evaluations of ‘standard’ works by Brahms. The double viola version of the clarinet quintet in Brahms’ own arrangement is especially rewarding featuring some of the most beautiful viola playing I have ever heard from Steven Dann. Life-enhancing stuff.

-- MusicWeb International

4 trumpets, 4 trombones, bass & drums, feat. Lester Bowie and Malachi Thompson-tpt & arrangements.

More recordings from the closely guarded vaults of the legendary Onyx Records, inc. 2 unforgettable sets of late Lester circa 1956, when Pres' playing was at it's most communicative & introverted; here he shines on a selection of standards & 2 signature tunes, "Lester Leaps In" & "Lester's European Blues," which have been unavailable since their initial release on LP in '73