Many different instruments contribute to the full and rich world of musical sounds but only a few are equipped in range and flexibility for solo parts. The Symphonic ”Pops” Orchestra, conducted by Nathaniel Shilkret, highlights some of these virtuoso instruments in unusual and brilliant arrangements and combines them in a thoroughly effective and delightful album... ‘Twilight Serenade, Vol. 11.’ The versatile piano is featured by Introduction And Allegro, Part II, with Sherman Frank displaying his impressive keyboard technique. This particular section of Benjamin L. Godard’s concerto-like composition bears strong traces of Russian influence but the main melodic passages reflect the florid beauty of 19th century French styling. Strings claim the attention in Niel Hallet’s composition, Perfume which is a finely distilled essence of tender romanticism. There’s an airy, illusive quality in this 20th-century fantasy, designed to enthrall and exhilarate the listener. To represent the most delicate and fascinating of all instruments – the human voice, members of the Broadway Opera Company lend their artistry to two excerpts, one of which contains great musical moments from Donizetti’s dramatic opera ‘Lucia di Lammermoor.’ Yvonne Cianella, soprano and Jon Crain, tenor, lend their extraordinary vocal talents to the exciting duet and two famous arias. For the rich splendor of full orchestral sounds, this album offers the fairy-tale aura of The Wizard, Part II – an enchanted work by the British composer, Josef Holbrooke, the haunting, simple beauty of Ernst Fischer’s Francois Villon Suite No. 1, Prologue, and some lasting musical memories from Jacques Offenbach and Richard Strauss.