Tchaikovsky, "1812 Overture"

Mariinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev, conductor, (Mariinsky Live)

My parents had an old LP of the "1812 Overture" and maybe Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, probably with the Mantovani Orchestra, and that, along with the Quaker Oats TV commercial that used the overture to ill effect, is how I tend to think of the overture -- as kitsch. But it's more than that, as are the other pieces of "official" music that Tchaikovsky composed for state occasions, such as the "Moscow Cantata," which he wrote for the coronation of Tsar Alexander III. The latter has moments of extraordinary depth and power; the arioso featuring mezzo-soprano Lyubov Sokolova is as much sacred music as anything Tchaikovsky wrote, and the choral work throughout the piece is wonderfully effective.

The "1812 Festival Overture," to give the piece its full name, gets a superbly sensitive treatment from Gergiev and his Mariinsky Theater orchestra. Sure, the cannon and bells are fun at the end, but it's the intensely tender opening measures, quoting a religious hymn, in the moments before the war that provide the context for the picturesque battle music to come.

-- Jay Furst, Post-Bulletin

"Glee: The Music, Volume 1"

Various Artists, (Columbia)

Fans of Fox's irreverent musical comedy "Glee" will love this soundtrack, which includes 17 songs from the show about a high school glee club performed by its talented cast.

They'll remember cute teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) pop-locking as he raps on Kanye West's "Gold Digger," feel self-centered star Rachel Berry's (Lea Michele) heartache as she sings into a hairbrush on Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and picture the fast-paced routine led by cheer captain Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) to the Supremes'"Keep Me Hanging On."

They'll relish the harmonies and recall the group's triumph on Queen's "Somebody to Love" and smile again at Will's bowling-alley duet with Kristin Chenoweth on Heart's "Alone."

Though the vocal performances are top-notch, those unfamiliar with "Glee" may prefer the originals to the cover versions on the soundtrack. But the album's eclectic mix of songs has its own appeal: Where else would you find a mix tape that includes tracks from Neil Diamond, Young MC, REO Speedwagon and "Cabaret?"

Missing from the soundtrack, though, are the memorable mash-ups of Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" with Usher's "Confessions" and Beyonce's "Halo" with Katrina and the Waves'"Walking on Sunshine." A second volume of "Glee" music is set to hit stores next month.

-- Sandy Cohen, Associated Press

"!Let Freedom Ring!"

Chuck Prophet, (Yep Roc)

It sounds like a collection of disasters that could befall a character from one of his songs: When Chuck Prophet went to Mexico City to make this record, he encountered a pandemic, an earthquake, and an antiquated studio. But with the grit and resilience that have typified his work since his days in Green on Red, Prophet soldiered through. The result is "!Let Freedom Ring!," another solid collection of his sturdy, rootsy rock 'n' roll.

Prophet is a storyteller with a sharp eye for detail and a deft sense of character. His ninth solo album nods to Bob Dylan ("Hot Talk,""You and Me Baby"), Randy Newman ("Barely Exist") and John Mellencamp ("American Man"), with a bit of Texas roadhouse blues thrown in ("Where the Hell Is Henry?"). As always, Prophet's stories ring true.

-- Steve Klinge, The Philadelphia Inquirer

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