The Classic Della

The Classic Della is an album by actress and singer Della Reese. The songs are based on classical music pieces by Tchaikovsky ("Symphony No. 6," "Melodie Op. 42"), Debussy ("Reverie"), Schubert ("Serenade"), Chopin ("Etude in E, Op. 10 No. 3," "Polonaise No. 6 Op. 53"), and Puccini ("Musetta's Waltz Song" from La Bohème). The album was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser and produced by Hugo and Luigi who wrote in the liner notes,

"It was after the album was finished and we were listening to the first playbacks that we decided on the title ... the only title that can describe the content and the artistry captured in these grooves ... THE CLASSIC DELLA." Hugo and Luigi

The Classic Della
Studio album by Della Reese
Released	1962
Recorded	1962
Genre	Classical music, traditional pop
Label	RCA Victor
Producer	Hugo and Luigi

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Track listing

1. "The Story of a Starry Night" (Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky adpt. Mann Curtis, Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston) 2:50
2. "These Are the Things I Love" (Tchaikovsky adpt. Barlow, Harris) 3:35
3. "If You Are But a Dream" (Rubenstein adapt. Nat Bonx, Jack Fulton, Moe Jaffe) 3:07
4. "My Reverie" (Claude Debussy adapt. Clinton) 3:39
5. "Take My Heart" (Albert Ketèlbey adapt. Luigi Creatore, Peretti, Wess) 2:44
6. "Stranger in Paradise" (Alexander Borodin adapt. Forrest, Wright) 3:01
7. "Gone" (Riccardo Drigo adapt. Peretti, Creatore, Weiss) 2:38
8. "Serenade" (Franz Schubert adapt. Peretti, Creatore, Weiss) 3:24
9. "Moon Love" (Tchaikovsky adapt. David, Davis, Kostelanetz) 2:58
10. "Softly My Love" (Chopin adapt. Bennett, Tepper) 2:42
11. "Till the End of Time" (Chopin adapt. Kaye, Mossman) 3:30
12. "Don't You Know?" (Puccini adapt. Bobby Worth) 2:35

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1962	Billboard Album Chart	94

Single

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1959	"Don't You Know"	Billboard Pop Singles	2
1959	"Don't You Know"	Billboard Black Singles	1

References

1. AllMusic review by John Bush.