Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) was another of the greatest composers of American popular song. New York-born, he enjoyed a remarkably long career that divides into two contrasted but equally successful periods. During the first period he composed delightful song-and-dance musicals with librettist Lorenz Hart. In the second, with lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, he significantly extended the range of the American musical with works of unprecedented international success. One of the greatest of these was
Carousel (1945), whose ground-breaking nature is demonstrated by its symphonic waltz which sets the scene for the show in place of the traditional medley overture. This recording uses the original orchestration by Don Walker (1907–1989).
from notes by Andrew Lamb © 1998
