Written in 1947, Rodgers & Hammerstein's ALLEGRO was preceded by OKLAHOMA! (1943) and CAROUSEL (1945), and followed by SOUTH PACIFIC (1949) and THE KING AND I (1951), a period when R&H were at their creative zenith. An original musical, it tells the story of an earnest country doctor, Joseph Taylor, Jr., following his life from cradle to adulthood, and his journey - both literal and moral - from small town to big city, and back again. The score is unconventional: fragments of song move in and out of the action like passing thoughts; melodies flit by in one scene only to take hold and blossom in the next. Major songs are given to minor characters, while the central character has comparatively little solo work; at the same time, a chorus provides spoken commentary and sings aloud their inner thoughts. Original director/choreographer Agnes de Mille's extended ballet sequences are reflected in intriguing orchestral pieces alongside such songs as "The Gentleman is a Dope," "So Far," "A Fellow Needs a Girl" and the spirited title song.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Allegro" (First Complete Recording) Track Listing:

Disc 1

1. Overture
2. I Know It Can Happen Again
3. Pudgy Legs
4. Dialogue - One Foot, Other Foot
5. One Foot, Other Foot
6. Children's Dance
7. Grandmother's Death
8. Winters Go By
9. Dialogue - Poor Joe
10. Poor Joe
11. Diploma
12. A Fellow Needs A Girl
13. Freshmen Get Together
14. Dream Sequence
15. Pas de Deux
16. End of College Dance
17. Wildcats
18. Jennie Reads Letter
19. Scene of Professors
20. So Far
21. You Are Never Away
22. You Are Never Away (Encore)
23. Dialogue - Poor Joe (Reprise)
24. Poor Joe (Reprise)
25. Marjorie's Death
26. What A Lovely Day For A Wedding!
27. It May Be A Good Idea
28. Finale Act I

Disc 2

1. Entr'acte
2. Money Isn't Everything
3. Dance (Money Isn't Everything)
4. Dialogue - Poor Joe (Second Reprise)
5. Poor Joe (Second Reprise)
6. You Are Never Away (Reprise)
7. A Fellow Needs A Girl (Reprise)
8. Yatata
9. The Gentleman Is a Dope
10. Dialogue - Allegro
11. Allegro
12. Allegro Ballet
13. Come Home
14. Finale Ultimo