Credits:

Darel An, Reel National Orchestra

Description:

Offenbach is known for his many comedies and operettas. In this album, the up-and-coming conductor Darrell Ann conducts a delightful overture. The last work on this album, “Grand Overture,” was composed in 1843, when Offenbach was 24 years old. Offenbach was a cellist at the Paris Salon at the time, but he began composing operettas little by little around this time. The first piece, “Orphee in Hell,” is a well-known masterpiece. Known in Japan as “Heaven and Hell” when it was first performed, it is a satire based on the tragedy of Orpheus in Greek mythology. Darrell Ann moves the piece along at a comfortable tempo. The gorgeous can-can scene will make your heart skip a beat. The other pieces are also parodies of classical works and the world’s affairs, which were not only highly acclaimed by the audiences of the time, but also have a modern-day relevance and fun.