The History of the Musical.

Richard Fawkes. 2001. Rad by Kim Criswell. 4 tapes. 5.25 hrs. Naxos Audio. 9-6263-4727-9. $22.98. Cardboard, plastic; content notes. SA

Musical excerpts, most of satisfying length, from musicals produced in England and America make this a most diverting and relaxing, as well as informative, production. Fawkes hits just the right balance of information about how the genre ebbed and flowed over almost two centuries, influencing--and being influenced by--popular music and the culture as well. The musical began, in this account, with The Beggar's Opera (1728), continued in such forms as operetta, vaudeville, and loosely constructed musical comedies, and it continues to evolve today. Fawkes highlights the contribution of major authors and composers. The last part of the audiobook seems hurried as the sheer amount of material overwhelms. The large number of loved and almost universally known tunes originally composed for musicals (the jacket says that almost 100 are excerpted here) is impressive. Criswell's reading clearly shows her delight in her subject. This work is ideally suited to the audiobook format, and will be well received by a wide range of listeners both in classes and for fun listening. The performers are named in the audio text, and a booklet provides additional details on sources of the selections. Edna M. Boardman, Bismark, ND