The Emperor Waltz (album) explained

The Emperor Waltz: Selections from Paramount’s Technicolor Picture
Type:studio
Artist:Bing Crosby
Cover:Selections_from_The Emperor Waltz _(album_cover).jpg
Released:Original 78 album: 1948
Recorded:January / March 1947
Genre:Popular
Label:Decca Records
Chronology:Bing Crosby
Prev Title:Selections from Showboat
Prev Year:1947
Next Title:St. Valentine's Day
Next Year:1948

The Emperor Waltz is an album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby of songs featured in his film The Emperor Waltz.

Background

This was not a soundtrack recording as Crosby recorded the songs separately some months after completing the film in September 1946. A song called "Get Yourself a Phonograph" had been recorded for the film but was eventually omitted. Crosby had previously recorded "I Kiss Your Hand, Madame" on May 24, 1929[1] with a trio giving support but this time he has the benefit of a full orchestral backing. The song "The Kiss in Your Eyes" was adapted from a slow waltz called "Im Chambre séparée" ("Separate Rooms") written by Richard Heuberger. "Friendly Mountains" was arranged by Joseph J. Lilley based on original Swiss airs and the music for "Emperor Waltz" was written by Johann Strauss the younger in 1888.[2] Johnny Burke wrote the lyrics for the last three mentioned tunes.

Reception

The album reached the No. 2 spot in the Billboard best-selling popular record albums chart on August 7, 1948. It was 9th in the year's top-selling popular record albums listing.[3]

Track listing

These songs were featured on a 2-disc, 78 rpm album set, Decca Album No. A-620.

The Emperor Waltz (album) track listing
Side / Title Writer(s) Recording date Performed with Time
Disc 1 (24204):
A. "Friendly Mountains" March 17, 1947 Victor Young and His Orchestra 3:04
B. "The Kiss in Your Eyes" Richard Heuberger, Johnny Burke January 17, 1947Victor Young and His Orchestra 3:01
Disc 2 (24170):
A. "I Kiss Your Hand, Madame" January 17, 1947 Victor Young and His Orchestra 3:09
B. "Emperor Waltz" Johann Strauss, Johnny Burke March 17, 1947 Victor Young and His Orchestra 2:38

LP releases

The songs from A-620 were included in the 10" vinyl LP Top o' the Morning / Emperor Waltz issued by Decca Records in 1950 with catalog No. DL 5272. In 1962, the songs were also included in the Decca 12" LP But Beautiful (DL 4260) in the 15 part Bing's Hollywood series.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Reynolds. Fred. The Crosby Collection 1926–1977. John Joyce. 82–83. Part One 1926–1934.
  2. Book: Reynolds. Fred. The Crosby Collection 1926–1977. John Joyce. 178–182. Part Three 1942–50.
  3. Billboard. Billboard. January 1, 1949.