Louis Alter's Jewels from Cartier

Louis Alter is known primarily for his "Manhattan Serenade," popularized by Paul Whiteman, and for writing the music for such standards as "Nina Never Knew," "My Kinda Love," "You Turned the Tables on Me" and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans."

Today's post - courtesy of our great friend Ernie - captures Alter's 1953 suite "Jewels from Cartier," as released in 1956 on an RCA Victor LP. The artists involved are Claude Yvoire and his Orchestra, who do very well by the lush material that Alter has provided.

Yvoire was for many years a conductor for Radio-Genève, so it seems likely that this is a Swiss ensemble we are hearing. They are very well recorded, and Ernie's transfer is excellent.

Louis Alter

As you might have guessed, Alter has named each number in his suite after a Cartier jewel, not that there is any particularly significance to the titles, which for the most part could have been assigned at random for all the difference it makes sonically. The notes don't tell us whether Cartier commissioned the suite, but again, it seems likely.

Those of you who have downloaded my post of Alter's album of Manhattan may be expecting similar music, but instead you will hear light music that could have been written by any number of artists working in that genre at the time. Only "Cat's Eye in the Night" sounds like it is from the same pen as "Manhattan Serenade." Not that the music isn't enjoyable - a more pleasant half-hour would be hard to imagine.

Thanks again, Ernie!

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