KIDS CLASSICS

- My Favourite Things -
 

Vanessa-Mae's second recording at the age of 12

Kids Classics - track listing

Vanessa-Mae on the violin accompanied by the New Belgian Chamber Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Cleobury

1 Figaro - Castelnuovo-Tedesco/Heifetz, orch. C. James
2 Liebesleid - Kreisler, orch. Chas c. Roberts
3 Liebesfreud - Kreisler, orch. Chas c. Roberts
4 Schon Rosmarin - Kreisler, orch. Chas c. Roberts
5 La Campanella - Paganini/Kreisler, orch. Chas c. Roberts
6 Air on A G String - Bach/Wilhelmj
7 Frere Jacques - James
8 Yellow Submarine - McCartney/James, edited by Vanessa-Mae
9 Salut d'Amor - Elgar, orch. C. James
10 Russian Dance - Tchaikovsky, orch C. James
11 Lullaby - Brahms/James
12 Les Parapluies De Cherbourg - Le grand/Vanessa-Mae, orch. C. James
13 Summertime - Gershwin/Heifetz, orch. C. James
14 My Favourites - Roger/James
15 One Moment In Time - Bettis/Vanessa-Mae, orch. C. James
16 Tambourin Chinois - Kreisler, orch. L. Artok
17 Chinese Folk Tune - Sze-Du/James
18 Pink Panther - Mancini/James 

(Recorded at the Studio Steurbaut, Ghent Belgium, September 1991)

Overall impression
Kids Classics is Vanessa-Mae's second recording. Vanessa-Mae, shortly before her 13th birthday, together with her mother travelled to Belgium early September 1991 to record the album in cooperation with the New Belgium chamber Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Cleobury. Vanessa-Mae received great applause for the dazzling virtuosity that she exhibited at the recording sessions. The music on the album features show pieces of famous composers like Tchaikovsky, Paganini, Kreisler, Brahms, Gershwin and Elgar, some in the original versions, others in modernised arrangements, and modern tunes by contemporary composers like James, Bettis, Le Grand, Mancini, McCartney and Sze-Du. Vanessa-Mae herself transcribed several pieces, had some others done for her, or used suitable arrangements that were available already. The choice for this repertoire proofs Vanessa-Mae out coming as a unique, personal and daring artist and musician.

The quality of the recording is only reasonable, but considerable less that Vanessa-Mae's first album 'Violin' (1990) and her third album 'Tchaikovsky & Beethoven violin concertos' that she would record only a few months later. Striking is the sharp high tone of Vanessa-Mae's violin audible in several pieces. Nevertheless, this album can be seen a preview of Vanessa-Mae's coming fame as a daring and  renewing adventurous artist with a repertoire described later as techno acoustic fusion that would emerge in her career since 1995.

Vanessa-Mae's 'Kids Classics' was released end October 1991 by the Trittico label that was owned by the Nicholson family. Vanessa-Mae donated part her royalties to the NSPCC,  the National Society for the Protection of Children against Cruelty.

The art work
The art work consists of a 15 page booklet, including front and backside. The cover is a photo of an innocent looking young Vanessa-Mae who really shows joy and pride with her smile. The backside of the booklet holds a track listing with time table. Inside the booklet, is also a track listing, a description of the various pieces, and biographies of Vanessa-Mae and Nicholas Cleobury, and information about the New Belgium Chamber Orchestra and the NSPCC. The drawings inside are probable made by Vanessa-Mae.

cover	back side	disc	page 1	page 2	page 3
page 4	page 5	page 6	page 7	page 8	page 9
page 10	page 11	page 12	page 13	page 14	page 15

Description of the tracks

1 Figaro - Castelnuovo- Tedesco/Heifetz, orch. C. James
Vanessa-Mae adequately performs the original and dazzling transcription of Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Heifetz of the aria 'Largo Al Factotum' from Rossini's opera 'The Barber of Seville,' in passing the mood of both the energy and good humour to the listener. Vanessa-Mae showcases her fluent technique perfectly.

2 Liebesleid - Kreisler, orch. Chas c. Roberts
Liebesleid is a sweet piece of music by the violinist-composer Kreisler that he made for himself to play at his concerts. Vanessa-Mae would use this piece in her Red Hot Tour concerts in 1995-1996. The music is very suitable to combine virtuosity and elegance. Vanessa-Mae succeeds in showcasing both. The pieces # 2, 3 and 4 forms a triptych.

3 Liebesfreud - Kreisler, orch. Chas c. Roberts
The comments of piece # 2 are applicable here too

4 Schon Rosmarin - Kreisler, orch. Chas c. Roberts
The comments of piece # 2 are applicable here too

5 La Campanella - Paganini/Kreisler, orch. Chas c. Roberts
Listening to this famous piece by violinist virtuoso Niccolo Paganini makes it clear and understandable why Paganini was such a star in his times and impressed everyone with his dazzling and devilish way of playing. La Campanella is a fantastic piece and Vanessa-Mae, especially considering her very young age, passes the exam with superiority, grace and perfection: she is in command, in agreement with her talent.

6 Air on A G String - Bach/Wilhelmj
This famous piece by Bach is more known for its versions played on the organ by bands like EKseption, for which instrument  this composition works better. The violin version is quite flat and monotonous.

7 Frere Jacques - James
Frere Jacque is an exciting one movement piece for solo violin and was especially commissioned for Vanessa-Mae. The work is composed around a central theme with variations around the famous tune of Frere Jacques, a song sung by many young children all over the world, including Vanessa-Mae herself as she had learnt it in Singapore in Chinese language. The opening with 'perpetunuum mobile' play of the violin accompanied by the orchestra is brilliant. Vanessa-Mae's play here is nice and well touched. Other variations can be described as increasingly difficult for the violin which demands the attention of the listener more and more, and dramatic romantic passages.

8 Yellow Submarine - McCartney/James, edited by Vanessa-Mae
This is Vanessa-Mae's sympathetic and sweet adoption of the famous McCartney song. This piece is a real piece that will appeal to children.

9 Salut d'Amor - Elgar, orch. C. James
This piece by Elgar has a high melancholic and sentimental character. It is a beautiful composition and adequately played by Vanessa-Mae and orchestra.

10 Russian Dance - Tchaikovsky, orch C. James
Russian Dance from Swan Lake (1875-1876) is a brilliant composition by Tchaikovsky in which the solo violinist can showcase technique and musical understanding. Some of the motives used in this piece can be recognised in Tchaikovsky's violin concerto (1878) that he would write about 2 years later. Vanessa-Mae shows by playing this piece her already perfect technique, but her rendition lacks maturity somehow. Later, with her 3rd recording, Vanessa-Mae would show that she had learnt and had grown into this when she recorded Tchaikovsky's violin concerto.

11 Lullaby - Brahms/James
Lullaby is a real charming piece of music originally composed by Brahms as a song for mezzo soprano and piano to bring children to sleep. Vanessa-Mae shows that it works well for solo violin and orchestra.

12 Les Parapluies De Cherbourg - Le Grand/Vanessa-Mae, orch. C. James
Most famous work of Le Grand for the tearjerker movie Love Story. Vanessa-Mae made the arrangement for violin. The openings theme for the violin resume at the end in passionate octaves. A nice arrangement by Vanessa-Mae.

13 Summertime - Gershwin/Heifetz, orch. C. James
Vanessa-Mae plays the transcription by Heifetz in a personal unique interpretation with a jazzy mood. Well done Vanessa-Mae!!

14 My Favourites - Roger/James
This the theme from 'The Sound Of Music and Vanessa-Mae plays the violin solo gracefully and passionately

15 One Moment In Time - Bettis/Vanessa-Mae, orch. C. James
Vanessa-Mae made the arrangement for the solo violin part. This song is one of her favourites and the fact that it was on top of the charts in the time she prepared for this album inspired her to make this arrangement and record it.

16 Tambourin Chinois - Kreisler, orch. L. Artok
This composition made by Kreisler is full of ebullient charm and virtuosity. Vanessa-Mae plays that fast parts with the decisiveness boldness of an experienced performer. The music has some oriental characteristics.

17 Chinese Folk Tune - Sze-Du/James
Originally composed for a duet on 2 solo 2-string Chinese violins. Here in this arrangement for Vanessa-Mae, the 2 solo Chinese parts have been combined into one solo violin demonstration using double stop techniques. Vanessa-Mae shows maturity and self-confidence to adopt this composition here.

18 Pink Panther - Mancini/James 
This famous theme form the Pink Panther is a funny piece of music as closing piece on this album. Vanessa-Mae's rendition is full of individual extemporisation, a sign of her out coming as a unique artist and musician.

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