MARILYN HORNE: Lullabies. Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano; Martin...

MARILYN HORNE: Lullabies. Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano; Martin Katz, piano; orchestra, conductor uncredited. BMC 09026-60278-2. Twenty-nine lullabies from Bach to Portia Nelson, with the mezzo sometimes using electronic trickery to sing duets with herself, might seem a bit sticky even for the most devoted parent. Oddly enough, Horne often pulls it off. Standouts are the Montsalvage “Ninghe, Ninghe,” the American folk song “All the Pretty Little Horses,” Puccini’s “E’ l’uccellino” and Ginastera’s “Arrorro.” You can skip “Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,” “Baby Mine” from “Dumbo” and Irving Berlin’s “Russian Lullaby.” Decidedly not top-draw Gershwin is “Lonely Boy,” wisely cut from “Porgy and Bess.” Horne, some occasional pitch problems aside, is in good vocal shape, and she chooses low keys that show her to current best advantage. Katz is, as always, a fine collaborator.