The Not-So-Classical Chamber Ensemble - Classical Expressions (1981/2013) [DSD128]

The Not-So-Classical Chamber Ensemble was formed by Richard Amoroso in 1979 as an offshoot of a cello recital program which incorporated many exotic and colorful instruments in unique combinations. Originally named “Our Masters Voice”, it was renamed in 1981 to more accurately represent the musical sphere of the group. The Ensemble concentrates primarily on light Romantic popular music, with particular emphasis on Spanish music. The group has performed on college campuses and in recitals in and around the Delaware Valley (Pennsylvania/New Jersey/ Delaware) area. Richard Amoroso is the leader, chief arranger, and cellist for the group. He studied cello with Samuel Mayes and Lorne Monroe and is currently a member of the faculty of the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts. He has performed throughout the United States as solo cellist with the Air Force Symphony, in addition to frequent appearances with the Concerto Soloists. Other members of the ensemble represented on this recording include Ronald Amoroso, classical accordian, who attended the Philadelphia Musical Academy and won major national accordian competitions while still in his teens. Patrick Mercuri and Regecca Mercuri, mandolin and guitars, are both graduates of the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. Mr. Mercuri has performed with many major theater orchestras in Philadelphia. Mrs. Mercuri is currently a faculty member at the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts. Walter Pfeil, harp, was formerly principal harpist with the Minneapolis, Baltimore, and St. Louis Symphony, and is presently a member of the Delaware Symphony. Nick Mastripolito, piano, is music director of the Maywood Ballet and founder of the Maywood Ensemble, a concert group that performs regularly in the Delaware Valley area. Nick D’Amico, marimba, is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and is currently on the teaching staff of the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts. John Leitham, string bass, is a frequent performer in the Delaware Valley, specializing in jazz. Harvey Price, percussion, is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts and a freelance percussionist.

Tracks:

1. Sabre Dance (Aram Khachaturian) 2:18
2. Nostalgia (Eloysa Barroso, arr. Almeida) 2:18
3. Whielwind (Carlos Salzedo) 2:58
4. Orientale - Spanish Dance No. 2 (Enrique Granados) 3:54
5. Zapateado (Pablo de Saraste) 3:34
6. Prelude in G (Rachmaninoff, an. Ron Amoroso) 3:32
7. Piece in the Form of a Habanera (Ravel) 3:15
8. The Bee (Franz Schubert) 1:20
9. Prelude II (Gershwin, arr.Pat Mercuri) 4:23
10. Flight of the Bumble Bee (Rimsky-Kor sakov) 1:19
11. The Girl with Flaxen Hair (Debussy) 2:48
12. Tico Tico (Zequinha) 1:38