Growing up as I did in the New England prep-school tradition, I had the opportunity to sing in some half-dozen Gilbert and Sullivan operettas (we did one every year), and saw many more in local productions in and around Connecticut. I remember particularly memorable productions of Iolanthe and Patience (dragoons on motorcycles), but at one time or another I had the good fortune to see or act in most of these pieces, some on multiple occasions. Although Gilbert’s verbal wit does not export well, at least according to my friends on the continent, Sullivan’s tunes remain some of the finest and most memorable ever to grace operetta. I’ll take him over those Viennese schlockmeisters any day, though Offenbach is another story entirely.
All of which is a long way of saying that Pineapple Poll, Charles Mackerras’ balletic answer to Gaîté Parisienne, is a masterpiece of musical pastiche, and a delicious treat for anyone who just wants to relax and revel in delicious melodies, dressed up in “bright as a shiny new penny” orchestration.
Mackerras himself recorded “Poll” at least twice, for EMI and later for Decca in the early digital days, and both performances are splendid, as might be expected. But so is this one. It’s every bit as rhythmically infectious, exceptionally well played, and brilliantly recorded. David Lloyd-Jones’ vivacious take on the Irish Symphony provides a very substantial bonus, making this new release a prime recommendation if you want to hear Sullivan’s major orchestral work alongside many of his best tunes, but without the voices. Marvellous! [9/25/2007]
