Tracks: 1. The Gift of the Magi: Overture / Opening Song 2. The Gift of the Magi: Tomorrow Is Christmas 3. The Gift of the Magi: Now I've Got You! 4. The Gift of the Magi: Jim and the Queen of Sheba 5. The Gift of the Magi: If We Had Money 6. The Gift of the Magi: Look at My Watch 7. The Gift of the Magi: What Can I Give Him? 8. The Gift of the Magi: I Shall Let My Hair Down / Madame Sofronie 9. The Gift of the Magi: Entre Scene / Della Returns 10. The Gift of the Magi: Your Hair Is Gone! 11. The Gift of the Magi: Jim and Della Open Their Gifts 12. The Last Leaf: Overture 13. The Last Leaf: What's She Like? 14. The Last Leaf: Let's Drink a Toast! 15. The Last Leaf: I Want to Paint the Bay of Naples 16. The Last Leaf: The Last Leaf 17. The Last Leaf: Tomorrow When You're Feeling Well Again 18. The Last Leaf: Come in to My Humble Abode 19. The Last Leaf: I'm a Failure in Art 20. The Last Leaf: Listen to the Wind 21. The Last Leaf: How the Wind Howled 22. The Last Leaf: The Last Leaf Finale
Posted 2007-08-05 20:52:47: Amazon.com Editoral Review: The stories of O.Henry are the basis for this pair of one-act chamber-sized musicals by Peter Ekstrom (Kiss Me Quick Before the Lava Reaches the Village). "The Gift of the Magi" is the famous tale about a couple who sacrifice everything to give each other a Christmas present. (The story is printed in full in the CD booklet.) Emily Loesser (Frank's daughter) and husband Don Stephenson deliver the warm and witty score (the lilting "Tomorrow Is Christmas," the frenzied "Your Hair Is Gone!"), then are joined by Theresa McCarthy and Bruce Adler for "The Last Leaf," another tale of selfless giving. It's more somber than "Magi," but has some lovely, soaring songs, especially for the women ("Listen to the Wind," the title tune), and the minimal accompaniment of piano, cello, harp, and clarinet conveys the perfect atmosphere. --David Horiuchi
