Mario Lanza- Long Ago and Far Away (Kern-Gershwin)

Mario Lanza (1921-1959)

'Long Ago and Far Away' (Kern-Gershwin). Recorded for the July 29, 1951, of "The Mario Lanza Show", with studio orchestra conducted by Ray Sinatra.

Lanza seemed to have a particular affinity for the music of Jerome Kern. His recordings of 'All the Things You Are' and 'They Didn't Believe Me' are considered classics, and rightfully so. Another that can be placed alongside them is this radio performance of 'Long Ago and Far Away', originally written by Jerome Kern and Ira Gershwin for the 1944 film "Cover Girl", starring Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. This was definitely the one outstanding song in an otherwise mediocre, forgettable score (at least I think so; sorry if you like it!), and Lanza's rendition stands among its best recordings.

Few classically-trained singers have been able to move successfully between opera and the Great American Songbook, but Lanza does so effortlessly. His phrasing is utterly natural, instinctive, and unforced, yet full of nuance. And his obvious enthusiasm and sincerity convince the listener of the rightness of almost every musical gesture. Combined with that incredible voice, these elements make Lanza's legacy of popular song an enduring, ever-inviting musical treasure.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mario
• Lanza
• tenor
• song
• Long
• Ago
• and
• Far
• Away
• Jerome
• Kern
• Ira
• Gershwin
• film
• Cover
• Girl

[toots440]

mario lanza had the most magnificent voice

in a century just so beautiful for words forget

caruso and all the opera singers he will never

be replaced wish i had met him he brings tears to my eyes every time I HEARS HIS

BEAUTIFUL VOICE.

[opelske]

The talent is out there, we just have to celebrate it more. Today we celebrate all that is vulgar, on TV, the stage and in the movies. When we stop buying into it, it will change. There must be some brave film makers out there willing to take on a Tony Pastor risk - believe me there is a family audience craving for decent entertainment.

[somedude1939]

withing the first 5 seconds of this video i could already tell that i was going to fall in love with this song. that voice is sooo...soooo perfect

[jeffrecordman1958]

Gorgeous, I have a Readers Digest Box set of his music. Awesome post, Thankyou.

[Meanman332]

@badpdx Yeah, I guess I just don't like classical singing in general. Didn't like any of those.

[badpdx]

@Meanman332: That's okay. I'm a huge fan of other singing styles as well, and some of my favorite singers include Sam Cooke, Robert Plant, Patsy Cline, early Frank Sinatra, Blind Willie Johnson and Sinead O' Connor. I find all of them to be soulful in their own way. I'm curious if perhaps you're just not a fan of "classical" singing. Or, perhaps, you might find Enrico Caruso or Jussi Bjoerling to be more emotionally touching than Lanza within the realm of operatic tenors.

[Meanman332]

@badpdx Not on the first listen. I don't think I relate to his singing style. It just sounds like the emotional climaxes of his pieces are very affected. They're probably not, that's just how it sounds to me.

[badpdx]

@Meanman332: You might like this better, perhaps. /watch?v=ylw16H7_kak

[badpdx]

@Meanman332: I suspect the reaction you will get from calling Mario Lanza's voice "constrained" and "formal" is that within classical music circles he was known for his lack of restraint and informality. He didn't wear a tuxedo in concert, drank and ate onstage, and sang with reckless abandon at times. His MGM career basically ended when he refused to reign in his passionate interpretation of "Beloved" in SERENADE. It would be like saying Michael Jackson was conventional and down to earth.

[Meanman332]

@barochial Fair enough. As I said music is very subjective, and I think I realise now that arguing about it is actually quite pointless.

[barochial]

@Meanman332 In case my earlier response didn't post I shall reiterate: I publically and openly defer to your argument and respect your opinion (of course, I stand firmly by my position as I feel you do as well,,, ;)

[Meanman332]

@barochial I didn't really say anything about his ability, just that he is too formal and constrained, which is a style I don't like. Opinions by themselves are always worthless, though, mine included, because it's not the opinion itself that matters, it's the reason for that opinion. I agree he has a very powerful voice, but that doesn't make up for the lack of freedom in his voice for me. Music is a very subjective thing, though, so I suppose reason isn't actually that effective with it.