O Melhor De [Live] [Import]

Product Description
Greatest hits compilations. Indie. 2004.

O Melhor De,Wando,Indie,Brazilian,Samba,World Music

Average customer rating: It's Dreamy My Favorite Composer of all time An American classic from Hampson that brings smiles and tears OMG!!! More than 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 stars, one of the best album in the world!!! It's simply lovely

American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason Thomas Hampson , Jay Ungar , Molly Mason , Garrison Keillor , David Alpher , Mark Rust , Michael Parloff , Peter Ecklund , John Kirk , Arnold Kinsella , and Stephen Foster Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Hampson, Thomas | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Tin Pan Alley | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Hampson, Thomas | ( H ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Song of Home Song of America Harvest Home Civil War Classics Stephen Foster Song Book ASIN: B000002SK7 Release Date: 1992-10-20

Tracks:

1. Opening Solo Violin
2. Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
3. Hard Times Come Again No More
4. The Voice Of Bygone Days
5. Foster Favorites Medley (Ring, Ring The Banjo (1851) Oh! Susanna (1848) Camptown Races (1850)
6. Open Thy Lattice, Love (1844)
7. Beautiful Dreamer (1864)
8. That's What's The Matter
9. Old Home Medley (Old Folks at Home (1851) My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night (1853)
10. Molly! Do You Love Me? (1850)
11. Sweetly She Sleeps, My Alice Fair (1851)
12. Comrades, Fill No Glass For Me (1855)
13. Dancing On The River (Nelly Bly (1850) The Glendy Burk (1860) Angelina Baker (1850)
14. My Wife Is A Most Knowing Woman (1863)
15. Gentle Annie (1856)
16. Linger In Blissful Repose (1858)
17. Ah! May The Red Rose Live Alway (1850)

Customer Reviews:

It's Dreamy.......2007-01-10

This is a very wonderful recording of Stephen Foster by a master singer.
Foster's songs are of a more innocent and naive time in the American psyche, a time that it would not hurt us to remember, given the wretched brutality of American culture today (something you'll appreciate after listening to this recording).

The songs are beautifully sung by Mr. Hamspon, and the musical accompaniment with piano, mandolin, tuba, banjo, etc. seems a perfect setting for this period music. I enjoyed the musical interludes of Foster songs (not sung by Mr. Hampson), such as "Oh, Suzanna", "My Old Kentucky Home", and "Camptown Races." They are foot-stompin' and finger-snappin' good in a non-syncopated way.

Mr. Hampson's voice is so beautiful, and he has done such a wonderful job with these song's you'll just have to hear it, and when you do, tell me that you're not dreaming.

I remember reading a quote by John Phillip Sousa that decried the use of syncopation in American popular music. I never understood it until listening to this recording. The richness and intensity of American popular music (as experienced in the work of Stephen Foster) has been lost.
Everything has to be so cool today, thanks to syncopation, and "cool" really means no emotion.

If emotion is what you want, emotion is what you'll get with Stephen Foster's songs. It was a time when the death of loved ones (especially those who died in their youth) was experienced more often (see "I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair" and "Gentle Annie"). And we were not protected from the vicissitudes of fate by myriad government programs, modern medicine and universal prosperity (see "Hard Times").
Husbands and wives had their differences then, as today, (see the amusing song "My Wife is a Most Knowin' Woman") The passion of the Civil War (Foster was a Unionist),is reflected in a wonderful, fun song, "That's What's the Matter."

If you love good music, and you have heart which can be stirred, and you love your country, this is for you.

I love this recording. It has opened up the door to my "beautiful dreams," dreams of bygone days, lost love, and whatever else we pine for.

I wanted to buy several copies for my friends, but somehow I felt that the impact of this recording was so personal, that it could not be shared with others. Not that they couldn't enjoy it, but that I could not begin to share the intense emotion and reverie stirred in my heart by these beautiful songs.

My Favorite Composer of all time.......2006-08-20

Growing up playing his stuff on piano, I love the instrumentality of this CD..the violins give off that wail that he speaks of..I am not sure what it is about Stephen Foster but these verses..grab me like no other..there is so much sensitivity to it..

I dream of Jeannie with the light brown hair
Born like a vapor on the summer air
I see her tripping where the bright streams play
Happy as the daisies that dance on her way
Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour

but the violins in this CD make this CD the best out there..
FYI should you be into astrology Stephen Foster is definition of Cancer...Sun and Moon conjunct in Cancer with mars in Scorpio..i love his lyrics..almost to the point of obsession..

An American classic from Hampson that brings smiles and tears.......2006-07-17

Stephen Foster was the greatest American composer of sentimental parlor ballads--he so perfectly imitated folk songs that his music wound up turning into them. In an age of home music-making and later of families sitting around the radio, Foster's songs were a staple, often performed by crossover artists from opera like Lawrence Tibbett. Those were plump, ripe styles of singing, highly flavored by church hymns.

In this 1992 collection of 17 Foster favorites, plus a few rareties, Hampson drops the platform manner and goes straight for heartfelt sincerity. His tone is plain yet sweet, his expression intimate. He is accompanied by instruments redolent of the Victorian drawing room (guitar, fiddle, upright piano), and the mood they create brings tears and smiles of remembrance. This music is embedded in America's genes, and it's wonderful to realize that every note is still alive and throbbing with feeling.

OMG!!! More than 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 stars, one of the best album in the world!!!.......2005-11-25

Simply one word, WOW!!!
Thomas Hampson's voice is simply fantasic. His voice is very different from regular operatic baritone voice, very sweet, and rich. I really cant believe an operatic baritone can sing folk song like THIS good, in my opinion he sounds even better than his opera works in this album. His voice and the background music matches perfectly, the outcome would move u to tears, and u can feel the origin of MUSIC. This album really shows what the word MUSIC means, and the songs simply just ALL beautiful. I like his "beautiful dreamer", "my life is well knowing woman", and "jeanie with the light brown hair" the most. When I listen the songs I would just imagine that I am in the world of past USA, and I can feel the life of the ppl in the past USA~ just like watching an old classic movie, it would touch ur heart and fall in love with this album.

It's simply lovely.......2004-12-14

I didn't know Stephen Foster (I thought): wrong: Oh Susanna, etc, I knew, but had no idea who the composer was.

This CD is a revelation. The melodies are so beautiful, as are the poems, and Thomas Hampson just brings them to life as wonderfully as ever. I especially love "Beautiful Dreamer" - it gives me butterflies - and "My wife is a most knowing woman" - the way he makes the voices and the indignation is just brilliant. If one needed reminding what a brilliant singer Mr Hampson is - this disk does it.

Average customer rating: Verdi: Macbeth The Goddess An Observation of Gino Penno's Macduff! MARIA ONCE AGAIN Bone-chilling and Evil

Verdi: Macbeth (complete opera live 1952) with Maria Callas, Enzo Mascherini, Victor de Sabata, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Giuseppe Verdi , Victor De Sabata , Maria Callas , Enzo Mascherini , Orchestra e coro del Teatro alla Scala , Italo Tajo , Gino Penno , Andrea Maffei , Dario Caselli , and Attilio Barbesi Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Donizetti: Anna Bolena (complete opera live 1957) with Maria Callas, Gianni Raimondi, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Verdi: Aida (complete opera live 1951) with Maria Callas, Mario del Monaco, Oliviero de Fabritis, Orchestra & Chorus of del Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City Bellini: I Puritani Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana & Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (complete operas) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B00000630X Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

1. Macbeth: Preludio
2. Macbeth: Act One: Scene One - Che faceste? Dite su!
3. Macbeth: Act One: Scene One - Giorno non vidi mai (Macbeth - Banco)
4. Macbeth: Act One: Scene One - Pro Macbetto! Il tuo signore
5. Macbeth: Act One: Scene One - Due vaticini compiuti or sono (Macbeth - Banco)
6. Macbeth: Act One: Scene One - S'allontanarono!
7. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Nel di della vittoria io le incontrai
8. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Vien! t'affretta! (Lady Macbeth)
9. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Al cader della sera il re qui giunge (Lady Macbeth)
10. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Or tutti sorgete, ministri infernali (Lady Macbeth)
11. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Oh, donna mia! (Macbeth - Lady Macbeth)
12. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Sappia la sposa mia (Macbeth)
13. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Regna il sonno su tutti
14. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Fatal mia donna! un murmure
15. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Allor questa voce m'intesi nel petto
16. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Il pugnal la riportate (Lady Macbeth - Macbeth)
17. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Di destarlo per tempo il re m'impose
18. Macbeth: Act One: Scene Two - Schiudi, inferno (Macduff - Banco - Lady Macbeth - Macbeth)
19. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene One - Perche mi sfuggi (Lady Macbeth - Macbeth)
20. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene One - La luce langue (Lady Macbeth)
21. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene Two - Chi v'impose unirvi a noi?
22. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene Two - Studia il passo, o mio figlio!
23. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene Two - Come dal ciel precipita (Banco)
24. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene Three - Salve, o re! (Macbeth - Lady Macbeth)
25. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene Three - Si colmi il calice (Lady Macbeth - Macduff)
26. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene Three - Tu di sangue hai brutto il volto (Macbeth)
27. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene Three - Che ti scosta, o re mio sposo (Lady Macbeth - Macbeth)
28. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene Three - Si colmi il calice
29. Macbeth: Act Two: Scene Three - Sangue a me quell'ombra chiede (Lady Macbeth - Macduff - Macbeth)

Tracks:

1. Macbeth: Act Three - Tre volte miagola la gatta in fregola
2. Macbeth: Act Three - Ballo
3. Macbeth: Act Three - Finche appelli (Macbeth)
4. Macbeth: Act Three - Fuggi, regal fantasima (Macbeth)
5. Macbeth: Act Three - Ondine e silfidi dall'ali candide
6. Macbeth: Act Three - Ove son io? (Macbeth - Lady Macbeth)
7. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene One - Patria oppressa!
8. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene One - O figli miei!
9. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene One - Ah, la paterna mano (Macduff)
10. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene One - Dove siam? che bosco e quello? (Macduff)
11. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene Two - Vegliammo invan due notti
12. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene Two - Una macchia e qui tuttora (Lady Macbeth)
13. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene Three - Perfidi! All'Anglo contro me v'unite!
14. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene Three - Pieta, rispetto, amore (Macbeth)
15. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene Three - Ella e morta!
16. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene Four - All'armi! all'armi! (Macduff - Macbeth)
17. Macbeth: Act Four: Scene Four - Vittoria! (Macduff)

Customer Reviews:

Verdi: Macbeth.......2007-03-11

While not on the level on the level of the sound quality of a recent digital recording, it is good, and its historic value makes up for the sound quality. I am glad I bought it.

The Goddess.......2006-01-17

I have to say that Callas, for me, despite all her versatility, has a voice that reminds me of these kinds of roles- Lady Macbeth, Abigaila or Tosca. "Hard and shouting roles". This recording proves me right, because rarely her voice sounds so adequately casted. She is absolutely brilliant. Baritone Macbeth is very expressive vocally as well, and the tenor is of a very interesting dramatic voice color. The quality of sound can be disapointing for those who are looking for an opportunity to enjoy the grand energy of "Macbeth", but that is not the prime purpose of this recording. Value it as a fantastic opportunity to expirience atmosphere in which a real diva and real opera lovers spent a wonderful and memorable night.

An Observation of Gino Penno's Macduff!.......2005-09-16

A great historical Macduff, Penno is available on two recordings in this role; very rare for this role and even more rare that his career lasted less then 8 years. I never "got" the role of Macduff, even though many famous tenors have spoken of its importance, they never have seemed to imbue this character with the excruciating pain and bereavement he endures. That was before I heard Gino Penno.

Penno's sound had been a mystery to me because it seemed too vacuous and throaty. I did not like it then, but I found out that he had one of the largest voices, if not the THE largest voice on the stage at that time, not just among tenors but all voices. Gruadually, I understood the unique timbre and grew to respect his tendency to hold back his voice and protect his musicality, which is quite careful and delicate.

In this performance, he brings Macduff to a Shakespearean level. His "innigkeit" is a surpassing experience. His plea "O figli, miei" is a sympathetic outpouring of pure pity and affection. He says it the way a real man and father would do. It is touching, of course, as it should be.

Penno is easy to ignore, especially when the Callasian volcano is erupting about him, but listen intently with a libretto in one hand and a hankerchief in the other ... to dry your tears.

MARIA ONCE AGAIN.......2005-08-26

I fell under Maria Callas' "spell" very early in my teens which coincided with the conclusion of her performing career. It was a time long before she was the legend that she is today. In fact, at that time (late 50's early 60's) for a person to even state in public that they liked (or in my case adored) Maria Callas put that person at risk of receiving a lot of ridicule which could very easily turn to scorn. At the time, she was either loved or hated. I'm afraid that during my teen years I, alas, seemed to find more hate than love for her. Therefore, being the nerdy kid that I was I retreated into my own private world which consisted mainly of my record player and the recordings of Maria Callas. I eventually succeeded in procuring all of her commercial recordings-which were my prized possessions. However, I avoided (mainly due to their poor sound quality) the (what was known at that time as) "pirated" recordings.
Now that I, again, have reached a time in my life that I am, sort of, retreating into my own private world, I find myself turning, once again, to Maria Callas and to her singing for some solace. This time, my emphasis is (and will be) her "live" recordings--what used to be called the "pirated" recordings. After all, the technology restoring these live recordings has advanced unbelievably far. This recording of Maria's complete Lady Macbeth is a prime example. It is stupendous to hear Maria tackle the entire opera and to hear it in reasonably good sound. This performance catches her at her vocal peak! There is nothing Verdi throws at her that she can't do. In addition, even at the young age that she was during these La Scala performances, she was a very mature artist and was dramatically awesome-no wonder she became a legend. At this time she was vocally able to do anything. WOW, what a performance!!
Do yourself a favor by purchasing this recording to hear WHY Maria Callas is the operatic legend that she is today

Bone-chilling and Evil.......2005-01-26

When Arturo Toscanini was making plans to conduct a performance of Verdi's Macbeth at La Scala, he had one singer in mind--Maria Meneghini Callas. For more than a hundred years, this Verdi opera was much neglected by hundreds of great artist because of the composer's demands for the voice--choked, evil, not even singing. Of course, with the passing of time, a great artist with the genius of bel canto singing, the ability to color each and every phrase accurately, and with the most powerful stage and dramatic presence, came along the scene. Such a soprano was Maria Callas. Of course, because of her disputes with the damned Antonio Ghirangelli, the head of La Scala at the time, the Toscanini Macbeth never took place. How fortunate we truly are, however, to have Callas sing the role in La Scala a few years later with the great Victor de Sabata conducting. Here, we hear a totally different Callas, an antiheroine bent on achieving her goals without care for moral justice. No other soprano or mezzo for that matter could have captured the Lady Macbeth that Callas poured out on La Scala for the audiences that she mesmerized with her ability to portray such a despicable character. What a brilliant artist she truly was! Her letter scene is undoubtedly the benchmark for any other letter scene read by successive ladies after her career. Her La Luce Langue is simply amazing. Her sleepwalking scene caused only her to gain more legions of fans. Her colleagues weren't too bad either. Enzo Mascherini was evil yet cowardly as Macbeth. Truly a great performance that night. Do not miss out on this recording.

Average customer rating: Worst Wanderer Fantasy EVER? Pianistic Glory at its best!!!! An outstanding performance and story of a child prodigy Most Impressive! Trust the peanut gallery? Or trust experts. Your choice ...

Lang Lang Live at Carnegie Hall Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Memory [Includes Bonus CD] Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Scriabin Etudes Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn: First Piano Concertos Haydn, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Balakirev / Lang Lang ASIN: B00017NLHG Release Date: 2004-03-02

Tracks:

1. Applause
2. Abegg Variations, Op.1
3. 1. Allegro [Piano Sonata in C, H.XVI No.50]
4. 2. Adagio [Piano Sonata in C, H.XVI No.50]
5. 3. Allegro molto [Piano Sonata in C, H.XVI No.50]
6. 1. Allegro con fuoco ma non troppo [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
7. 2. Adagio [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
8. 3. Presto [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
9. 4. Allegro [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
10. 1. Missing Moon [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
11. 2. Beans [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
12. 03. Herdboy's Song [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
13. 4. Blue Nun [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
14. 7. Red Wilderness [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
15. 5. Ancient Burial [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
16. 6. Floating Clouds [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
17. 8. Sunrain [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
18. Nocturne No.8 In D Flat Op.27 No.2
19. Reminiscences de Don Juan, S. 418 (after Mozart)
20. 7. Tr=E4umerei [Kinderszenen, Op.15]
21. Horses (after pieces by Huang Hai Hwai, Chen Rao Xing and Shen Li Qun) - Arr. by Lang Lang and Lang Guo-ren
22. Liebestraum No.3 in A flat, S.541 No.3

Amazon.com

This is a dazzling recital, taped live at Carnegie Hall in November 2003--complete with applause. Lang Lang's virtuosity is almost frightening: the Liszt "Reminiscenses du Don Juan" is a showpiece when played "normally." Here, Lang plays it to its extremes, with soft passages amazingly soft and subtly delineated and the bigger moments heaven-thundering. And it is played so fast, and so accurately (a cascade of notes in mid-"La ci darem la mano" sounds like a waterfall), that it leaves the listener breathless--surely just what Liszt wanted. In a Haydn sonata, Lang's classical line is impeccable, but he's not afraid to shine through the music and embellish occasionally. The Schumann "Traumerei" is suitably dreamy and hushed; Schubert's "Wanderer" Fantasy, a real crowd-pleaser, is just that--beautifully played, familiar yet fresh sounding. And an encore, with Lang's father playing a two-string fiddle called the erhu, is a fascinating look into Eastern music. There's more (this is a 2-CD set), and it's stunning--and highly recommended for all admirers of great piano playing. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Worst Wanderer Fantasy EVER?.......2007-02-14

I can't believe the positive reviews this recording has gotten. Don't believe the hype folks; Lang Lang may have technique to burn, but most 1st-year conservatory students possess at least the same interpretive depth, if not more. When he isn't indulging himself in interpretive excess, then Lang Lang is playing as if he really doesn't care much at all.

His Schubert is garbage. Let him stick to playing Chinese compositions unknown to Western audiences, because virtually none of us will have any way of drawing comparisons between his interpretation and that of others. I can only assume that his interpretation of Dun Tan is the definitive version --- but I doubt it.

Pianistic Glory at its best!!!!.......2006-11-07

Wow!!
I have read several of the 'negative' reviews here and can only conclude (after viewing the DVD four times and counting) that what may be going on with these folks is something they themselves simply don't understand (about themselves!). They cannot or will not accept that here with Lang Lang, as with Evgeny Kissin (ever notice?) the world is being introduced to the next and even greater generation of pianistic virtuosos, young prodigies who can do everything that Horowitz and even Lizst ever did and more... I have no doubt those two would agree were they alive today. Karajan wept (for joy)when he heard the young Kissin perform Chopin's Fantasy in F# minor, Mehta was so taken with Kissin's performance under his baton that he could not refrain from hugging the young boy after a stellar performance... Andre Watts, not often praising his contemporaries, mused about finding the nearest bridge to jump off after hearing Kissin play realizing he was not in the same league and one other recent winner of an International Competition had to pull his car over to the side of the road, he was so taken with Kissin.... yes, I know it seems like I forgot we are talking about Lang Lang.... Lang Lang can do everything Kissin can and maybe more...Are we to believe that these aforementioned individuals are musical idiots prone to such actions?!!

Folks! accept it, embrace it and thank God for it!... just as he did when simultaneously brought Chopin and Liszt to our world in the early 1800's (they were the same age except for a year) He has now given us another Double Blast of Pianistic Glory in Kissin and Lang Lang! Pity those who can't get beyond their envy, jealously, general jadedness with life... or whatever ails them... they need help, lots of help!

As for me and many like me (BTW, it doesnt count for much but I am a pianist myself)... we are so grateful and blessed to have these 2 young men and the miracle of DVD technology to bring their concerts right into our living room!

An outstanding performance and story of a child prodigy.......2006-06-14

Lang Lang has the charm of an ebullient child as he plays the piano. I have never seen a pianists enjoy himself with such gay abandon, a delight that lured me into a space of complete attention. I sat with a smile on my face thoughout most of the performance. However, his wonderful performance air was only second to his pianism. You will gasp in awe during Reminiscenses de Don Juan. Lang Lang conveys powerful energy though the piano without losing the delicate touches and grace. The skill is a contradiction that few virtuosos have. Bravo!

Most Impressive!.......2006-05-18

When I first heard Lang Lang on the Internet, I thought he only played fast. When I heard him again (this time live), I thought, wow! He really is amazing! Lang Lang was born in 1982 in Shenyang, China. He started piano at the age of three, and played in his first public recital at age 5. He studied piano with many teachers. I love piano, too. Although I am not going to be like him, I must say that he is one of a kind. When he plays, he doesn't just play. He feels it, too, and uses his body to show his different emotions. And he's only 23!

Trust the peanut gallery? Or trust experts. Your choice ..........2006-01-05

o Lang Lang. German Echo Klassic 2004 Award Winner. Best Pianist.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_Klassik

o About this Carnegie Hall recording? The one given some pretty bad reviews from the peanut gallery? Well, the recording won a 2005 Amadeus Austrian Music Award. And a DVD of this recital with documentary footage won the 2005 "Music DVD of the Year" Echo Klassik Award.

Music has always been interpretive and a vital mark of virtuosity is having your own voice - Lang has his own voice and he masterfully distinguishes himself with it. Lang is a refreshing draft of fresh air in a typically stagnant arena. Technically, the kid can flat out play. Period. Interpretively, he is bold, unafraid, and lets it all hang out.

Nuff said ...

Cheers!

Average customer rating: Quite average A world rhapsody All that a performance can be. Good music, engineering could be better a classical-Latin music blend

Obrigado Brazil Live in Concert Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ma, Yo-Yo | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Obrigado Brazil Soul of the Tango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla Amorosa Paris La Belle Époque Entre Amigos/Among Friends ASIN: B0001CCX4S Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks:

1. Libertango
2. Chega de Saudade
3. Merengue
4. Menino
5. Aguas de Marco
6. Wapango
7. Doce de coco
8. Cristal
9. Andante and Allegro from Tango Suite
10. Afro
11. Bodas de Prata & Quatro Cantos
12. Aquarela do Brazil
13. Zita
14. So Danco Samba

Customer Reviews:

Quite average.......2007-06-27

It's not a bad quality CD but the music is variable and different. Even though I like most types of music, I think the composition is just average.

A world rhapsody.......2006-12-28

This is suberbly enhanced performance CD that captures Yo-Yo Ma and friends at their musical heights. The accompanying musicians, the Assasds, Paquito you-know-who, Kathyrn Stott and others add beautiful textures to the compositions of Piazzolla and Jobim to create a Latin influenced classical painting. This is music to play, go about your business at home and enjoy the different influences coming together. The sadness and happiness blend to reveal the emotions of life. Favorite songs include D'Rivera's "Afro" that sneaks up on you like breaking dawn to reveal the sunshine and life anew. Also Piazzolla's "Tango Suite" is a frenzied Yo-Yo Ma performance with suttle breaks on cello giving way to the Assadd's beautiful quite work on guitars to spike and peak your interest numerous times.This is good background music but it grabs your attention and makes you listen carefully so it can turn on you and be very demanding. Good for those quite times of work or reading.

All that a performance can be........2006-02-11

Keep in mind that The studio version of this performance is nothing short of brilliant. The material includes pieces from the likes of Astor Piazzolla, Jobim and Paquito D'Rivera. Then you come to discover that there is a live concert version (and Dvd) of the disc. There is nothing like having your cake and your ice cream in the same bowl. Well that is what the release of this disc is, Cake and Ice cream with the cherry on the top.

Peace:
The*Hot*Wax*Kid

Good music, engineering could be better.......2005-05-05

I bought the disk after hearing about the colaboration on NPR. The songs and performances are impecable, the variety is satisfying and fun. My only complaint is that the quality of the recording leaves something to be desired. Several times the recording level is not balanced between the instruments so that when listening to YoYo Ma playing, when joined by the saxaphone, it comes in too loud and ruins the mood.

I almost always prefer the live perfomances when the energy of the audience carries over to the performers. This is one case when I wish I had gotten the studio version.

a classical-Latin music blend.......2005-04-22

Yo Yo Ma and his fellow musicians make beautiful music in this mellow adaptation of melodies that have their origin in Latin America.
The opening track is a version of "Libertango", heard in the fabulous soundtrack of the film "The Tango Lesson", and one of the three compositions by Astor Piazzolla, in this concert that was recorded live at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall in 2003. The group of assorted and marvelous musicians toured the world with this music, and there is a cohesion between the performers and the material they are playing that is evident, and a pleasure to hear. One hears the applause, but it is not obtrusive, and the sound is excellent for a live recording.

Very impressive is the clarinet of 6 time Grammy Award winner and composer Paquito D'Rivera, who wrote 3 of the tracks, and shows his virtuosity and Cuban soul in 7 pieces, and I especially like his "Merengue".
Rosa Passos sings and plays guitar on 4 tracks, and has a soft, clear, and pleasing voice, and 3 of the songs she interprets so well are by her fellow countryman and Brazilian bossa nova artist Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Other musicians are Sergio and Odair Assad on guitars, Kathryn Scott on piano, Nilson Matta on bass, and Cyro Baptista on percussion. Yo Yo Ma is of course the household name among them, and is masterful in his interpretations throughout; I especially like him in D'Rivera's "Afro", a fascinating piece with some experimental sounds.
Other favorites for me are D'Rivera's "Wapango", and "Cristal" (Camargo Mariano), a rhythmic duet between Ma and Scott that is terrific.
This CD has the feel of a classical chamber concert, with the warmth of melodious Latin compositions, and is a nice and unique musical treat.
The foldout insert has liner notes by D'Rivera, recording info, and mini bios of Ma's 7 fellow musicians; total playing time is 72'07.

This package contains a bonus DVD, that includes 3 videos:
1. Piazzolla's "Libertango", from the original soundtrack of Sally Potter's film "The Tango Lesson", with clips of the great tango dancer Pablo Veron.
2. "Brasileirinho", by Waldir Azevedo, featuring Paquito D'Rivera, from the "Obrigado Brazil" CD.
3. Jobim's "Chega de Saudage" interpreted by Rosa Passos, from the "Obrigado Brazil" CD.
It also includes a very short interview with Yo Yo Ma.

Average customer rating: Why 5... Find Out! Callas Aida, Mex. City, 1951 Callas's most famous Aida -- all I can say is wow All hail to the E Flat Goddess Nuclear Aida!!!

Verdi: Aida (complete opera live 1951) with Maria Callas, Mario del Monaco, Oliviero de Fabritis, Orchestra & Chorus of del Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: Macbeth (complete opera live 1952) with Maria Callas, Enzo Mascherini, Victor de Sabata, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Donizetti: Anna Bolena (complete opera live 1957) with Maria Callas, Gianni Raimondi, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) EMI's Great Recordings of the Century with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Tullio Serafin ASIN: B0000BWTKC Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

1. Preludio
2. Si, Corre Voce Che L'Etiope Ardisca
3. Se Quel Guerriero Io Fossi!
4. Celeste Aida
5. Quale Insolita Gioia Nel Tuo Sguardo!
6. Vieni, O Diletta, Appressati
7. Alta Cagion V'aduna
8. Su! Del Nilo Al Sacro Lido
9. Ritorna Vincitor!
10. Possente Ftha...Tu Che Dal Nulia Hai Tratto
11. Immenso Ftha!...Mortal, Diletto Ai Numi
12. Nume, Custode E Vindice
13. Chi Mai Fra Gl'inni E I Plausi
14. Dance Of The Moorish Slaves
15. Vieni, Sul Crin Ti Piovano
16. Fu La Sorte Dell'armi A' Tuoi Funesta
17. Pieta Ti Prenda Del Mio Dolor
18. Su! Del Nilo Al Sacro Lido...Numi, Pieta
19. Gloria All'Egitto, Ad Iside
20. Triumphal March
21. Ballet
22. Vieni, O Guerriero Vindice
23. Salvator Della Patria
24. Che Veggo! Egli? Mio Padre!...Anch'io Pugnai...Ma Tu, Re, Tu Signore Possente
25. Il Dolor Che In Quel Volto Favella
26. O Re, Pei Sacri Numi...Gloria All'Egitto

Tracks:

1. O Tu Che Sei D'Osiride
2. Vieni D'Iside Al Tempio
3. Qui Radames Verra!
4. O Patria Mia
5. Ciel! Mio Padre!
6. Rivedrai Le Foreste Imbalsamate
7. Pur Ti Riveggo, Mia Dolce Aida
8. Nel Fiero Anelito Di Nuova Guerra
9. Fuggiam Gli Ardori Inospiti...La, Tra Foreste Vergini
10. Ma Dimmi: Per Qual Via
11. L'aborrita Rivale A Me Sfuggia
12. Gia I Sacerdoti Adunansi
13. Ohime! Morir Mi Sento!
14. Spirto Del Nume
15. A Lui Vivo, La Tomba!...Sacerdoti: Compiste Un Delitto!
16. La Fatal Pietra Sovra Me Si Chiuse
17. Vedi? Di Morte L'angelo...Immenso Ftha
18. O Terra, Addio

Customer Reviews:

Why 5... Find Out!.......2006-10-12

This Aida is perhaps the best I've ever heard. Even in the libretto it states that it is a full-blooded performance. I whole-heartedly agree. Callas, once again giving her exciting performances in Mexico City, turns her Aida into the stuff of legend. Again. Del Monaco is the best of any Radames. Yes, Domingo had the dramatic capability, but Del Monaco's overpowering voice should well be the trademark of the overpowering Egyptian military leader. Dominguez is the best of any Amneris I've heard, and also is mentioned in the libretto as having "opulent" tones. The word "opulent" doesn't begin to describe the effect she had on me in "L'aborrita rivale a me sfuggia". In the "Rivedrai le foreste imbalsamate" duet with Aida and Amonasro, Giuseppe Taddei tops all expectations, blowing back even Tito Gobbi. Altogether, this recording is a must even for people who hate Callas. 5 stars.

Callas Aida, Mex. City, 1951.......2006-07-21

Everyone is on fire in this performance. Singers today do not have that "fuoco". Thanks to recordings like these, opera fans of the post Callas era, like myself, can get a "glimpse" into her glorious past. Callas and Del Monaco soar over everything else in the second act! And of course, the famous E flat! O. Dominguez as Amneris! I became an instant fan; hard to find other recordings of her. Some of the reviewers refer to Anmeris as Simionato, it is Dominguez! Taddei is perfect as Amonasro - great visceral singing- no baritones like him around anymore. Who cares if the sound is not perfect? I like all the environmental sounds, it makes me feel like I am right there. I only listen to live stuff anyway, because it is the real deal; I find most studio recordings boring. It is the best AIDA I have heard. Get it!

Callas's most famous Aida -- all I can say is wow.......2006-02-17

This 1951 Mexico City performance of Aida has become legendary, largely due to Callas's unbelievable performance in the title role. Aida was not a role strongly associated with Callas (the way, say, Norma was). She dropped it from her repertoire in 1953, only making a studio recording in 1955, which I always found to be a disappointment.
But in this 1951 Mexico City performance, Callas was on fire. Her voice of course never had the glowing beauty of a Tebaldi or Price, but Callas makes her Aida a firy princess. Her "Ritorna vincitor" might be the best sung version I've ever heard. Rosa Ponselle and Giannina Arangi-Lombardi and Renata Tebaldi may sound more beauty but Callas inflects the text to great emotional effect. Her "O patria mia" is a rough moment -- high C was always a rough note for Callas, and she can't sing it "dolce" as marked in the score. But her Act 3 duets with del Monaco and Taddei are remarkable, as is her "O terra addio." And of course, she caps off the Triumphal Scene with the famous E-flat that lasts 7 seconds (yes I've counted). Legend has it that in 1950, when she sang Aida at Mex City with Kurt Baum, she was so annoyed with the tenor that she did the E-flat at the Triumphal Scene. It worked so well that the next year she tried the same stunt.
The rest of the cast is strong. I prefer a Radames who is better able to control dynamics like Franco Corelli or Carlo Bergonzi. Mario del Monaco seems to sing in two ways -- loud and louder. But del Monaco is certainly stentorian and heroic and there just aren't voices like him anymore. Giuseppe Taddei is a wonderfully nasty Amonasoro. His voice practically drips hatred and bitterness. And Oralia Dominguez is not as well-known as the rest of the cast but she's terrific nonetheless, with a beautiful, powerful mezzo voice.
The sound is admittedly bad, but the performance more than makes up for it.

All hail to the E Flat Goddess.......2005-08-23

I have always love Aida I have heard 3 versions but nothing can compare to this. Although the recording quality is terrible, this 1951 gala captures The La Divina in the prime of her vocal prowess. The first time I heard the e flat in the Triumphant schene, my jaw dropped.I could not describe the feeling I had that time. I just closed my eyes and thank the Creator above for giving the world "Maria Callas the greatest suprano in living memory".

Nuclear Aida!!!.......2005-03-18

Ever imagine a large voiced Callas singing Aida? Here it is! Ever wanted her paired with an amazing Radames with a large, robust voice? You have it here! What about an explosive Amneris? Oralia Dominguez is also cast in this performance! What about a 12-second, interpolated E-flat? Callas sings it, and with a huge blazing voice too! Very unlike the standard canary E-flats you hear today! What about a great performance and a dramatically convincing Aida with Giuseppe Taddei as Amonasro? Well, this is it! Although her fabulous studio Aida wasn't as accepted as the Price Aida, this live recording from Mexico puts Leontyne's recording to second place. No other Aida will be able to achieve such a miraculous job of singing the role with that kind of forza, and with that kind of passion. The studio recording with Callas is recommended too, if you want to hear the several colors of Aida.

Average customer rating: A Superb Collection of Music This is a delightful combination of music talents to enjoy! This will tenderize your heart. Phenomenal !! A must have for any music library. Outstanding Music, bringing Pavarotti to new heights.

Pavarotti & Friends - For The Children Of Liberia Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works Featuring Luciano Pavarotti | Pavarotti, Luciano | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Bernstein, Leonard | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Pavarotti & Friends For Guatemala And Kosovo Together for the Children of Bosnia Pavarotti & Friends: For Cambodia and Tibet Pavarotti & Friends 2 Pavarotti & Friends ASIN: B00000DBVG Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

1. Let It Rain
2. Stop
3. How Do I Live Without You
4. I Hate You Then I Love You
5. Higher Ground
6. 'O Surdato 'Nnammurato
7. Se Bastasse Una Canzone
8. Betcha Never
9. Viva Forever
10. Va, Pensiero
11. Napule e'
12. Une Place Pour Moi
13. Non Ti Scordar Di Me
14. Tonight
15. Dreams
16. Adeste Fideles
17. Peace Wanted Just To Be Free

Amazon.com

Is music for a good cause a good cause for music? Not really, if you expect artistry. But this smorgasbord of popular international musical stars brings together extreme musical genres for an excellent purpose, and is enjoyable enough for almost anyone. Pavarotti's relaxed and buoyant leadership and still gorgeous tenor add beauty to the rock/pop selections. Trisha Yearwood, Celine Dion, and Stevie Wonder impressively hold their own against Opera Spice; but the other artists pale against the master's presence. The Spice Girls will never be confused with Anonymous 4; Zucchero's growling is scary; Florent Pagny exemplifies French rock; and Pino Daniele's breathy tenor is mellow and soothing. Best for those wanting to experience Pavarotti's vocal beauty in a more popular idiom. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

A Superb Collection of Music.......2002-11-14

As a musician, I first ran into this disk as a PBS broadcast. What caught my ear was that every song in the concert has "the groove." Other than a children's choral cut, not a single song in the entire collection has a flaw. You'd think the Spice Girls would be a silly addition to the concert, but they do a tremendous job. Each artist appears twice, usually with Pavaotti in one of their songs, sometimes twice. Vanessa Williams is Hot! and does an incredible dance number. The engineering is excellent, with solid side-to-side separation for a really "big" sound. All in all, this is one of the favorite CDs in my music library.

This is a delightful combination of music talents to enjoy!.......1999-04-01

We first saw Pavarotti and Friends on Public Television as a fundraising event. We found the CD and especially love to listen to this CD in our car which has a great sound system. Each vocalist is so special and you will be singing along with them after a couple of plays!

This will tenderize your heart........1999-03-07

Brilliant talent for needy children, that touches the soul, and sets it on fire. Your tears will soak your socks. James

Phenomenal !! A must have for any music library........1998-12-29

A most wonderful gathering of some of the world's greatest vocalists. Such a unique blend of international Modern & Classical. If one were to put to test the ability of a vocalist to adapt to a variety of melodies, this is it. Grab your lover and take a trip in their arms with this CD!!

Outstanding Music, bringing Pavarotti to new heights........1998-12-06

Easily the best in the Pavarotti & Friends series. Always an artist on the cutting edge, with this album, Pavarotti's work will have great appeal to his fans and to scores of new enthusiasts. His duets with the Spice Girls, Vanessa Williams, Zucchero, and Stevie Wonder make it obvious that his voice has adaptability and a passion that takes it into many musical genres with ease. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Sting once commented that great music occurs in the "synaptic gaps" where many different styles come together - this is an album that epitomizes the concept. Neopolitan music is a folk music in Italy, with overtones of American folk/country/jazz/rock, and Pavarotti is the Neopolitan master. This is a perfect fit of artists and selected titles. Earlier combinations of artists in this series were often much too somber, much less fun. Give this one to your teens or your great grandmother ... they'll find they have more musical tastes in common than they'd have ever imagined.

Average customer rating: "cinema's main stay themes prevail ~ City of Prague"

Reel Chill: The Cinematic Chillout Album Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Albinoni | Albinoni, Tomaso | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Morricone, Ennio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Nyman | Nyman, Michael | ( N ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rota, Nino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sakamoto, Ryuichi | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vangelis | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Reel Love: The Cinematic Romance Album Classical Chillout Classic Chillout, Vol. 2 Ultimate Movie Album Cinema Choral Classics ASIN: B0002IQGT4 Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

1. Sarabande [From Barry Lyndon]
2. Main Theme [From Midnight Cowboy]
3. Promenade Sentimentale [From Dive] - Mark Ayres
4. May It Be [From the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the]
5. Women of Ireland [From Barry Lyndon]
6. Adagio for Strings & Organ [From Gallipoli [
7. Romeo/Love Theme [From Romeo & Juliet)
8. Balcony Scene [From Romeo + Juliet]
9. Main Theme [From Chariots of Fire] - Mark Ayres
10. Main Theme [From Bilitis] - Mark Ayres
11. Main Theme [From Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence] - Mark Ayres
12. Main Theme [From Cinema Paradiso]
13. Main Theme [From Once Upon A Time in the West]
14. Deborah's Theme [From Once Upon A Time in America]
15. Suite: The Mission/Gabriel's Oboe/On Earth as It Is in Heaven ... - City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Crouch End Festival Chorus

Tracks:

1. Suite: Mountains and Sunsets/The Wedding/You Only Live Twice [From You
2. Heart Asks Pleasure First [From The Piano]
3. Agnus Dei [From Platoon] - Crouch End Festival Chorus
4. Vide Cor Meum [From Hannibal]
5. Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 [From DeAth in Venice]
6. Any Other Name/Dead Already [from American Beauty] - Rick Clark,
7. Into the West [From the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King]
8. Where Dreams Are Made [From Artificial Intelligence]
9. Main Theme [From Somewhere in Time]
10. We Have All the Time in the World [From on Her Majesty's Secret ...]
11. Electronic Battlefield [From Patriot Games]
12. Now We Are Free [From Gladiator]
13. Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana [From Raging Bull]
14. Cavatina [From the DeErhunter]
15. Main Theme [From Out of Africa]

Customer Reviews:

"cinema's main stay themes prevail ~ City of Prague".......2004-08-15

What a crowning achievement to bring "Reel Chill:Cinematic Chillout Album", released by Silva America and featuring The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus ~ conductors are Mark Ayres, Paul Bateman, Rick Clark, James Fitzpatrick, Nic Raine and David Temple director of the chorus ~ one can only expect the highest quality of performances and quench the thirst of all "film-score-buffs".

Sit back and unleash the first disc with composers ~ Albinoni, Craig Armstrong, John Barry, Vladimir Cosma, Enya & Nicky Ryan, Handel, Francis Lai, Ennio Morricone, Sean O'Riorda, Nino Rota, Ryvichi Sakamoto and Vangelis ~ taking each film score cue "BILITIS", "CHARIOTS OF FIRE", "CINEMA PARADISO", "DIVA", "GALLIPOLI", "THE LORD OF THE RINGS:THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING", "BARRY LYNDON", "MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE", "MIDNIGHT COWBOY", "THE MISSION", "ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA", "ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST", "ROMEO & JULIET" and "ROMEO + JULIET", with arrangements that soar and then simmer into pure meditation of grandeur ~ classic film music prevails, as orchestration comes to the surface with pure originality ~ one masterpiece after another is long last presented as it should have been, is cause for celebration ~ each cue is a distinctive gift for striking modernism, touching on the transition of the period in this planets history.

Second disc is waiting in the wings are composers ~ Samuel Barber, John Barry, Patrick Cassidy, James Horner, Mahler, Mascagni, Stanley Myers, Thomas Newman, Michael Nyman, Howard Shore, John Williams and Hans Zimmer/Lisa Gerrard ~ take a musical ride with "AMERICAN BEAUTY", "A.I. ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE", "DEATH IN VENICE", "DEER HUNTER", "GLADIATOR", "HANNIBAL", "THE LORD OF THE RINGS:RETURN OF THE KING", "ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE", "OUT OF AFRICA", "PATRIOT GAMES", "THE PIANO", "PLATOON", "RAGING BULL", "SOMEWHERE IN TIME" and "YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE" ~ our composers with passion and skill for exploring human emotions, coupled with a unique gift for striking exotic orchestral colors, make this with all it's splendor unforgettable ~ themes that ring with familiarity as each film comes to mind through music.

Silva America gives the collector a treasure of thirty film cues that any "film-score-buff" would die for ~ in the past James Fitzpatrick (producer), Reynold da Silva (executive producer), mastered by Rick Clark and David Stoner (release co-ordinator) have given us compilation with such expertise and this one is no exception ~ keep up the outstanding limited editions and deluxe package releases, with your signature tidbits for all film music fans that's in all of us...gotta love it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Silva America 1161 ~ (8/10/2004)

Average customer rating: Wondrous, beautiful playing - Stunning, vibrant recording piano jazz trio Possibly his best album Still Live is one of the best by this trio Still LIve

Still Live Keith Jarrett Trio with Gary Peacock and Jack De Johnette Manufacturer: Ecm Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music ECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Standards, Vol. 1 Whisper Not (Live in Paris 1999) Standards, Vol. 2 Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note: The Complete Recordings Standards in Norway ASIN: B0000260CN Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

1. My Funny Valentine
2. Autumn Leaves
3. When I Fall In Love
4. The Song Is You

Tracks:

1. Come Rain Or Come Shine
2. Late Lament
3. You And The Night And The Music
4. Extension/Intro/Someday My Prince Will Come
5. Billie's Bounce
6. I Remember Clifford

Customer Reviews:

Wondrous, beautiful playing - Stunning, vibrant recording.......2007-03-04

How to convey the incredible music and inspired music-making here? Words that might give an adequate impression might be: vibrant, ecstatic, sparkling, explosive, swinging, lyrical, poetic, and maybe plenty more besides..., but you would already getting the idea by now.

I couldn't agree more about the stunning performance of 'My Funny Valentine' noted by the reviewer below - it is absolutely spellbinding. It is truly superb, and for me it's simply one of the most moving and magical performances I've experienced in a lifetime of music.

This whole record shimmers with a radiance of some kind. There's an almost electric buzz in the air from start to finish, and it is superbly captured on this recording by ECM's first maestro of the recording art: engineer Martin Wieland. What a beautiful recording!

And what astonishing performances by these great, great players. I've got umpteen recordings by this trio, and yet this one is one of the very finest. It's a very special album indeed. Electrifying performances and pristine, sparking sound. Highest recommendation.

piano jazz trio.......2007-01-24

One of the all time favourite records!
Have been listening to it for years, never got tired of it.

Possibly his best album.......2004-12-24

Possibly the best album Jarrett has ever put out. This would be a great CD to give anyone to introduce them to this jazz piano great. His trio is in top form as they add their unique flavor to these enduring jazz standards. There is not a single bad song on this album. Great for jazz neophytes, fans, and curious listeners alike.

Still Live is one of the best by this trio.......2004-06-24

The best albums by the Standards Trio, in my opinion, is the live recordings. That's where the intimacy and the spontanity has top priority, and that's what makes good music even better. The first disc begins with "My Funny Valentine", followed by the often played "Autumn Leaves" and "When I Fall In Love", and finally "The Song is You". The second disc is also standards only, excluding a short "Extension" and an "Intro".

If you're not new to the trio, you won't be surprised to learn that the form is the same as ever, but that the music is fresh, and that under the immediate layer (the output as such) there's a symbolic layer hidden. That's how _I_ hear the trio: The structure, the melody, the notes, the drums means something more than just mere sound. A philosopher names Schopenhauer once said that "music is the only art form which created direct contact to the world." Call me crazy, but I like the music not for the melody of the songs themselves, but for the deeper thoughts hidden under the surface.

"Still Live" is one of the best by the trio (as I have said), but not the best. If you want the best, go for "Up For It". But "Still Live" is still better than many other by the trio, so buying these two discs won't be a bad decision. However, newcomers should propably start elsewhere.

Still LIve.......2003-06-29

As a trained Musician with 20 years of playing and touring experience with many Jazz ensembles and big bands, and with experience on stage with well known pros, I can say with assuredness, this is one of the finest, most sensitive Jazz albums I've ever heard. The introduction to My Funny Valentine alone will send chills up your spine. For P2P folks, this is one that's hard to find and well worth the money to own.

Average customer rating: Buy two and give one to someone you love! A joyful sample of the human voice. A sheer delight from start to finish Exquisite Cecilia Live

Cecilia Bartoli - Live in Italy / Jean-Yves Thibaudet George Frideric Handel , Antonio Vivaldi , Giulio Caccini , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Franz Schubert , Pauline Viardot , Hector Berlioz , Vincenzo Bellini , Gaetano Donizetti , Gioachino Rossini , Umberto Giordano , Xavier Montsalvatge , Georges Bizet , Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca , Cecilia Bartoli , and Jean-Yves Thibaudet Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Bartoli, Cecilia | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works Featuring Bartoli | Bartoli, Cecilia | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bartoli, Cecilia | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Cecilia Bartoli - The Vivaldi Album / Il Giardino Armonico Cecilia Bartoli - A Portrait Cecilia Bartoli - An Italian Songbook (Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini) Cecilia Bartoli - If You Love Me (Se tu m'ami ), 18th-Century Italian Songs Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski ASIN: B00000DBTM Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

1. Tu ch'hai le penne, Amore
2. Amarilli
3. Al fonte, al prato
4. Lascia la spina
5. Agitata da due venti
6. Oiseaux, si tous les ans, K. 307
7. La Pastorella, D 528
8. Havanaise
9. Hai luli!
10. Zaide
11. Malinconia, ninfa gentile
12. Ma rendi pur contento
13. La conocchia
14. Me voglio fa 'na casa
15. Mi lagnero tacendo
16. Mi lagnero tacendo (Il Risentimento)
17. Mi lagnero tacendo (Sorzico)
18. L' Orpheline du Tyrol
19. Riedi al soglio (Zelmira)
20. Le nozze di Figaro: Voi che sapete
21. Canzonetta Spagnuola
22. Caro mio ben
23. Cinco Canciones negras, No. 5: Canto negro
24. Carmen: Seguedille (Carmen)

Amazon.com essential recording

In the beginning, Cecilia Bartoli seemed to do one thing better than anybody, i.e., Rossini arias, which would not guarantee a long career even for a singer of her ebullience. This live performance from the Teatro Olympico in Vincenza, Italy, shows how much she's expanded, both linguistically and musically. The first five selections reflect her newfound specialty, early opera. The three Caccini selections from the 17th century--accompanied by small string ensemble--are deeply felt and stylistically convincing enough to make one eager for future forays. She's guilty of spinning out Handel's "Lascia la spina" excessively but hits new heights of virtuosity in Vivaldi's "Agitata da due venti." The rest of the disc is for voice and piano, in a program including both some genuine discoveries by French composer Pauline Viardot-Garcia that reveal the singer's increasing emotional depths and less consequential ones by Donizetti and Rossini. Bartoli also sings Spanish songs, most notably Montsalvatge's "Canto negro," proving that the singer doesn't venture into a new language until she can truly feel in it. Remarkably, her voice maintains its strength and body in the deeper, mezzo-ish regions as well as in the high, soprano-range areas. Might she have two voices? --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Buy two and give one to someone you love!.......2007-03-08

(That way, you can get free shipping!) Or, buy Opera Proibita also.

If you think you don't like listening to soprano soloists, you should buy this CD. I must say that I HATE listening to solo singing in general and soprano solo in particular! Well, this lady has stolen my heart! If you see her anywhere on the N American continent, please tell me.

The one-minute limit for listening on-line will simply not allow you to make a judgement. If I could legally allow you to hear track 5 "Griselda - Agitata da Due Venti" (Vivaldi), you would buy the CD without hearing anything else.

When I first heard Cecilia Bartoli on "Performance Today", the subject was "Opera Proibita" and I wrote to a friend who teaches voice at a local college and asked "Is she as good as I think, or am I just overreacting?" His simple response was "She's THAT good!"

This CD is of a live performance and you won't be disappointed except to realize that you COULD have been there, but weren't!

If she ever performs where I am able to see her, I'll be there. If I can talk to her, I will -- but I won't ask for my heart.

Highly recommended!

A joyful sample of the human voice........2006-06-12

'Live in Italy' by mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, accompanied by pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet is, for those of us who do not know Italian and are not avid opera fans, a simply delightful essay in the beauty of the human voice. I am really happy this is not the first Bartoli album I have bought, as others, such as her recordings of French and Italian love songs have more substance to offer (if you don't know the operas from which these pieces are taken) but this recording, with its live ambiance, is a great pleasure all by itself, a very nice change from the somewhat frostier Fraulain Von Otter from the northern climes.

A sheer delight from start to finish.......2005-07-14

Although I rarely follow singers, even I am totally disarmed by Cecilia's magic spell of charm that criticism fails me. You will see that most of my reviews of music are about modern or Renaissance music, so for me to go out and lavish praise on her is really something totally out of the ordinary. Then again her singing is out of the ordinary in that it has an instantly recognisable warmth and captivating personality that makes her the outstanding singer of the current generation for me.

I have been impressed by Cecilia's tendency to avoid the well worn paths of 19th century Italian operas in favour of championing neglected earlier music whether that be Vivaldi, Haydn, or Salieri. She has always talked about how the centre of gravity of Western music seems to be shifting backwards in time, and in her case this means away from the Austro-German tradition to the time when the Italians dominated music. After all the musical elite of even Wagner's time could be still be heard muttering 'but he just isn't as good as those Italian...' at premiers of works such as Tannhäuser and it took a lot of convincing before the the idea of German opera became accepted. This shift backward in time here is exemplified by way the recital begins with the music of Caccini, the father of opera.

Here on this recording I particularly love the spontaneity of the live music making. Her ability to capture the declamatory nature of much older music such as with Caccini, Vivaldi and Handel suite live recording perfectly. Her manner of conveying the meaning of the words especially when singing in Italian is simply unrivalled in this situation. This is the sort of thing that all too often gets lost in studio recordings so it is a blessing that this is a live recording, where Cecilia seems to just glow. The spontaneity, the sheer magic of the moment - it is all a sheer delight from start to finish. At moments her voice seems so etheral, the hushed and rapt awe of the music making so breathtaking, that it simply beggers belief that the human voice can be so beautiful an instrument. This is what great music making should be all about.

As far as the recording itself goes I have never noticed any disturbing audience noises anywhere even on my system which tends to makes the slightest of rustling blatantly obvious. The recording engineers do an excellent job of capturing the ambience of the acoustic of the Teatro Olimpico in Vincenzo despite the presence of the audience.

A stunning recording and an absolute favourite to relax to or just to be inspired by.

Exquisite.......2003-01-31

"Her natural command of messa di voce phrasing, willingness to shade the voice away to the quietest pianissimo and acute sensitivity to the words of Caccini's love songs proved irresistible, attracting a generous mix of applause and foot stamping."

Such was the appreciation from the audience that the director had to request that the audience not stamp their feet as they would set off the alarm system.

There are hardly words to describe Cecilia Bartoli's remarkable vocal qualities, emotional range and warmth. When I listen to this CD, I am calmed completely. There is an element of comfort in her style. Maybe one could explain it as a lullaby for the soul.

She has the ability to support the longest of phrases on the back of a single breath all while varying the tone color and dynamic level. Singing seems as effortless as breathing as she becomes emotion all while capturing the drama and mood.

In this live performance from the Teatro Olympico in Vincenza, Italy, she performs each piece as if she is intimately entwined with the notes. How can music be this sensual and this comforting all at once? It just is. She can express a wide range of emotions, from profound despair to extreme joy.

The Teatro Olimpico is the worlds' oldest surviving covered theatre. It has fine acoustics, a sky-blue ceiling and marble. Cecilia Bartoli wanted to perform in one of the great treasures of Italy's cultural heritage and this led to this live performance with concert pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet who seems to sense every emotion in Cecilia's voice. It is a sublime combination of talent which is further enhanced by violins, viola, cello, violone, archlute and harpsichord.

Tu ch'hai le penne, Amore - A song to love asking love to fly to where the heart lies and to promise that his heart and soul were ever hers.

Amarilli - Delicate and beautiful expression of true love.

Al fonte, al prato - You can feel spring approaching and this song has a certain energy Cecilia embraces as she sings away troubles and sadness to allow in merriment.

Lascia la spina - Melancholy. "Old age will creep up on you when your heart does not expect it."

Agitata da due venti - Cecilia's voice takes flight in this song about waves raging in a stormy sea. She almost becomes the force of the ocean as her voice surges and dives and wow.

Oiseaux, si tous les ans, K307 - She embodies a haunting vulnerability and the freshness of spring/summer. This song ends far too quickly.

La pastorella, D528 - Calm beauty to reflect a shepherdess in a meadow. Innocent love.

Havanaise - It seems like she has a completely different voice in this song as she reaches
to new ranges in depth. Charmed by a song? Perhaps.

Hai luli! - A seductive treatment of a song asking "where can my love be?"

"What's the point of living without a lover?"

Zaide - High energy and fast paced. A song about an orphan.

Malinconia, ninfa gentile - Gorgeous and poetic song.

Ma rendi pur contento - She really captures longing and an almost delicate purity.

La conocchia - Light and breezy.

Me voglio fa 'na casa - A song about the desire to build a house surrounded by the sea. Fantasy and happiness.

Mi langero tacendo - Poignant moment.

"I shall not complain of my bitter fate;
but, my beloved, do not hope for me not to love you."

Mi lagnero tacendo ll resentimento - the sorrow continues. The lover is said to be cruel.

Mi lagnero tacendo Sorzico - more complaints of cruelty and sorrow. She seems to capture frustration so exquisitely and is that stomping I hear? ;)

L'Orpheline du Tyrol - The Tyrolean orphan girl. Jean-Yves Thibaudet really takes the stage at first and Cecilia follows almost timidly. A song of tragedy, hunger and suffering.

Riedi al soglio from Rossini's opera Zelmira left seasoned connoisseurs dazzled. After the aria's final cadence, they broke from their awe-struck silence to add to the shouts of "encore."

Voi che sapete - Light and yet still dramatic. Desire, torment, ice. All explored fully by her voice. You can hear "torment" when she sings "martir" even if you could not see the words or follow along. Her voice really "flutters" when she sings "palpito e tremo." It is just amazing.

Canzonetta spagnuola - A muse comes to torment a painter.

Caro mio ben - A lover grows faint without love. Solitary melodies and you can almost feel the chill in the room or the feeling of despair the lover feels.

Canto negro - Is there anything she can't sing? This piece might seem completely out of place, but by now everyone is completely drunk with emotion from this performance.

Seguidille - Pleasure comes when two people are together. Definitely so when Cecilia Bartoli and Jean-Yves Thibaudet perform together. This song is almost a metaphor of the entire intoxicating experience. I just love how the audience goes absolutely wild after this song.

And too soon, it is over. I look forward to one day viewing the performance on DVD. It will be so much easier to understand the words now that I've literally studied this performance. Knowing the words definitely adds to the subtle emotions and more expressive moments.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Cecilia Live.......2002-07-12

I have loved her low and warm voice ever since the first time I listened to her, the Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli. With respect and tenderness she treats the composers, whose works she performs while adding her own dimension. She transports me with her art. It is as if we become one person, and I experience her joy of music. Together we share a glimpse of eternity.

On this album which was recorded live at the Teatro Olimpico, Vicenza, Italy in 1998 Cecilia Bartoli offers her listeners a varied programme comprised of several composers: Caccini, Haendel, Vivaldi, Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Viardot, Schubert, Montsalvatge and Bizet. She's accompanied in Caccini, Haendel and Vivaldi by the Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca (Baroque string ensemble) and for the other pieces by Jean-Yves Thibaudet on piano. The accompanying booklet contains the lyrics, translations and further information.

Ms. Bartoli certainly has expanded her musical horizons here in several ways. On this disc she sings in Italian, French and Spanish. I loved her intense and heartfelt rendition of Caccini's and Haendel's arias. The passionate acrobatics of Vivaldi. And the Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca gave her a fine support. She made a warm and lovely Cherubino in Mozart's famous 'Voi che sapete'. I also loved her sparkling interpretations of Viardot's 'Havanaise', Rossini's 'Mi lagnero tacendo' or his 'Canzonetta spagnuola'. But Montsalvatge's 'Canto negro' made me feel definitely uncomfortable and Ms. Bartoli herself didn't connect with it. Although I liked her rendition of Bizet's 'Seguedille, I still missed something there. Jean-Yves Thibaudet lends her an excellent, attentive and expressive support.

Although I would have preferred some more Baroque pieces at this concert, this live album is a keeper for me. Everytime the bundle of pure joy that is Cecilia Bartoli has the power to move me deeply!

Average customer rating: Technical virtuosity! GREAT STUFF A Walk in the Park A Master shines !!! Supreme artist and virtuoso playing spellbinding music!

Midori - Live at Carnegie Hall Ludwig van Beethoven , Richard Strauss , Claude Debussy , Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst , Fryderyk Chopin , Maurice Ravel , Midori (Goto) , and Robert McDonald Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ernst, Heinrich Wilhelm | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Midori | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Midori ~ Encore! French Violin Sonatas Midori ~ Sibelius - Violin Concerto · Bruch - Scottish Fantasy / Israel PO · Mehta Mendelssohn, Bruch: Violin Concertos Dvorák: Violin Concerto, Op.53 ASIN: B0000027CW Release Date: 1991-04-19

Tracks:

1. Sonata for violin & piano No. 8 in G major, Op. 30/3 No.3
2. Sonata for violin & piano in E flat major, Op. 18
3. Nocturne for piano No. 21 in C minor, B. 108
4. Variations on "The Last Rose of Summer" for violin solo
5. Beau soir ("Lorsque au soleil couchant les rivihres sont roses"), song for voice & piano, L. 6 Transcribed for violin & piano
6. Tzigane, rhapsodie de concert for violin & piano (or orchestra)

Customer Reviews:

Technical virtuosity!.......2005-11-26

I'll preface this review by saying that I've been disappointed in the past with some of Midori's recordings. She was never lacking in technical skill, and RARELY does she have intonation problems. I did have issues with her musicalty. It is in technically difficult pieces (like the Paganini caprices) that her skills shine.

This recording is a dazzling display of technical ability and artistry. Midori has the audacity to attempt Ernst's 6th polyphonic etude (The Last Rose of Summer) in a LIVE recital. She pulls it off without error except intonation issues on a few notes (easily forgiven!). The CD is worth owning for this one piece alone.

The Beethoven and Strauss sonatas are played with wonderful clarity and.. dare I say... musicality. The sound quality is excellent save a few audible coughs from the audience which come with live recordings.

GREAT STUFF.......2003-11-02

This CD is ample evidence of Midori's virtuosity, coupled with first-rate musicality. However, I have to disagree with one reviewer's assertion that she is non-pareil. Indeed, her Ernst is not perfect, though it comes very close. Careful listening will pick up slight intonation errors.Ricci performed with more facility. It is utterly ridiculous to place her above Heifetz, or even Perlman. And it is even more ridiculous to suggest that those two violinists were afraid to record the Ernst. Midori is great, but not as great as Heifetz or Perlman or Ricci.

A Walk in the Park.......2001-08-07

Not to toot my own horn; I play four instruments for over forty years. So what? Don't just listen to the music. Listen to the notes. Midori miss a note? I rather doubt it. The orchestra may be taking a day off for a walk in the park; but, Midori's persisting drive brings them back time and time again. All of the artists seem to be a bit stiff in their presentation. It's noticeable if you listen. One never knows if their review will be implemented. Mine will always deal with the worlds of difference between hearing the work and listening. This reviewer is not concerned with Midori's ability to equal or surpass another's work. I am interested in what her presentation does for me on it's own merit. Frankly, I am surprised that she doesn't catch her instrument on fire much like the rubing of sticks together until the heat brings forth fire. Midori is fire.

A Master shines !!!.......1999-06-12

What can be said about Midori that a fan doesn't already know ? Again, her unique, beautiful style is on display.

I've listened to this Strauss Sonata many many times and I feel Midori has created a miracle on a CD. Such emotion, timbre, richness of tone... a violin can NOT sound better...

I luv Midori..... !!

Supreme artist and virtuoso playing spellbinding music!.......1998-09-10

Four days before her nineteenth birthday, standing for the first time on the stage of a legendary building, in front of a sellout crowd (3000), Midori delivers an extraordinary 100-minute long program, from memory. Unfortunately, the CD version can only include 75 minutes of it, and thus excluded Mozart's sonata K.301 and a resplendent tour de force of Sarasate's Zapateado. Therefore, I sincerely exhort anyone who's interested in Midori to buy the LD or VHS version.

The second piece of the program is the magnificent, hyper-romantic, yet seldom recorded sonata by the young Richard Strauss. In contrast with the previous piece, this ultra-dramatic sonata is marvellously rich in content and expressive opportunities, and one can scarcely imagine it being played more effectively by someone else. Midori's technical finesse and enchanting tone, governed by a contemplative mind and a feverishly ardent heart, ready to pump out into the rapt audience at any moment, culminate in an immensely moving rendition. The listener must also credit the pianist Robert McDonald's spirited and sensitive playing. One can't help wondering why one so rarely hears this splendid piece.

This enigma is not so confounding after one listens to Heifetz's 1954 studio recording of the same piece. Seasoned critic Henry Roth declares that the Strauss Sonata "belongs" to Heifetz in the sense that few would dispute his supremacy. Indeed, Heifetz championed this work throughout his career, yet apparently to little avail; were Midori in Heifetz's position, she would positively have widely popularized the work.

Midori begins the second half with Beethoven's Sonata No. 8. She captures the gaiety and animation of the outer movements as well as anyone else, yet they are not fully gratifying. In the first movement, the exposition is repeated, later recapitulated, but unbelievably, her interpretations-though individually superb-of these three times are virtually the same, lacking in variety. In the third movement, her pursuit of wanton vivacity in a certain passage sacrifices the tone quality. Yet her slow movement is super-sensitive, particularly in transitional passages; it is the finest rendition of this movement I've ever heard--even superior to Szeryng's.

The following piece--Ernst's Variations on "The Last Rose of Summer"--I consider to be one of the three most technically demanding pieces ever written for the violin, together with Paganini's variations on Nel cor piu non mi sento and God Save the Queen.

The most horrendous part is about halfway through the middle, when the left hand plucks the celebrated theme, and the bow plays legato arpeggios across all four strings as an accompaniment at the same time. Don't forget that the left hand also has to press the swift arpeggio notes! Then the left-hand pizzicato is exchanged for artificial harmonics, singing the melody while the arpeggios still whirl around. The pizzicato returns to repeat the dumbfounding passage, and then she heads into the final variation, designed to exhibit the violin's kaleidoscopic tone colors: Harmonic staccatos-one of the ultimate tests in precision and coordination of both hands-juxtaposed alternately with a blizzard of double-harmonics, huge octave leaps, full-pelt runs up and down a single string, fingered octaves, pizzicato, etc.

Midori audaciously elected to play in her New York debut this terrifying piece which, as far as I know, only Ricci, Kremer and Vengerov to date have recorded in history; Heifetz and Perlman undoubtedly have never dared to take up its stratospheric challenge. Double-harmonics often make a good violinist sound like two bad ones, but Midori, with her exceptionally lengthy, slender, and agile fingers, effortlessly negotiates these intricacies and makes them sound as if they were played by two fine flutists. This will no doubt render multitudes of violinists, such as Heifetz, green with envy. The fiendishly difficult fireworks are all tossed off with lithe gracefulness and seeming ease; the left-hand pizzicatos are articulate, the harmonics pellucid, the octave shifts pure in intonation, and the tone quality immaculate. To be relentlessly critical, in this live concert, there were a paltry two or three fleeting notes that weren't of perfect pitch. See if you can find an edited studio recording closer to perfection.

Midori's prodigious prowess lies not only in her ability to make the most herculean pieces sound easy, but make them sound musical. We can try to forget about all the pyrotechnics; rather than marvel at her unprecedented instrumental mastery, we can immerse ourselves in the wonderfully beautiful music, and savour the bountiful nuances.

Anyone would badly need a respite after performing such a strenuous piece, and Midori gave her hands--but not her mind and heart--a brief relief in Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp minor. Here's another meticulously thought out and superbly expressive rendition that, complemented with a most sympathetic tone, can hardly fail to melt the attentive listener's heart.

Ravel's Tzigane [gypsy] begins with a long oration of the solo violin, the first part of it entirely on the G string. In some other versions, e.g. by Francescatti, the solo part sounds inert, mundane, and monotonous; certainly that is not what I expect from Midori. Even solely on one string, Midori, by dint of divergent bow pressures, portamentos and vibrato, plus rubato, creates a most colorful, elastic, luscious, bewitching, yet doleful tone. Throughout the piece, she perpetually captivates the audience with her breathtaking technical wizardry, variegated and multi-dimensional tone, boundless array of expressive devices, stark dynamic contrasts, and subtle phrasing.

Due to the limited space here, I cannot pinpoint several startling details of Midori's innovative rendition. To sum up, one can only be awe-struck by her sophisticated mind, natural gypsy spirit, and dazzling virtuosity, which results in a performance that brought the house down.

It seems that the 19-year-old Midori has nearly reached the pinnacle of violin art. Every rational, experienced and impartial person who had the privilege to witness this unforgettable concert will have to concede that, at least in expressive and virtuosic music, Midori is already a nonpareil.

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