Erich Kunzel

[Lance]

Having been tutored by the legendary conductor Pierre Monteux, the late Erich Kunzel recorded prolifically, mostly for Telarc in exceptional sound recordings, but also for Vox in his earlier days, and mostly with the Cincinnati Pops, which included light programming but also some very serious classical repertoire. I have been thinking of giving him a two week tribute on my radio program. He was an "experimental" conductor, blending in electronic music, tape, applause, and creating some excellent results in the mixing process.

Lately I have been appraising Kunzel's Vox Box 3035 [3 CDs] entitled As American As Apple Pie, which includes Tilzer's Take Me Out to the Ball Game followed by the American National Anthem, and Proto's Casey at the Bat with Johnny Bench, narrator, and the composer at the piano, 12 Sousa marches, some of Gershwin's music, and other works by Rodgers, Hayman, Kern, and Victor Herbert. All these Vox recordings were made between 1976 and 1982 and produced by Judith Sherman and have been beautifully remastered.

[Lance]

Not much interest in Kunzel?

[barney]

sorry Lance, no.

[david johnson]

I greatly enjoy the Kunzel music I have and have heard.

[John F]

Kumzel was the first choice t o succeed John Williams with the Boston Pops, but he turned it down and Keith Lockhart got the job.

[Lance]

Bbbut Barney, why? A protege of Monteux!

sorry Lance, no.