Bachianas 1 & 4 & 5 [Import]

1. Introducao (Embolada)

2. Preludio (Modinha)

3. Fuga (Conversa)

4. Preludio (Introducao)

5. Coral (Canto Do Sertao)

6. Aria (Cantiga)

7. Danca (Miudinho)

8. Aria (Cantilena)

9. Danca (Martelo)

Bachianas 1 & 4 & 5,Heitor Villa-Lobos,Kuaru,World Music

Average customer rating: Two-and-a-half hours of bliss not what i expected excellent guitar performances Essential Guitar... Lives up to its Name!

Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: 300 Years of Guitar Masterpieces Spanish Guitar Music Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar Art of Segovia Reflections of Spain: Spanish Favorites for Guitar ASIN: B000069KIT Release Date: 2002-08-13

Customer Reviews:

Two-and-a-half hours of bliss.......2007-04-04

This may be the best money I've ever spent. I got 2-1/2 hours of bliss for less than what I'd usually pay for one CD -- and you know how it is with music. You buy an album because of a song or two that you love, and you find that you like maybe half the songs on it. There's not a single selection in this one that I would've left out. It includes Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, performed by Pepe Romero on the guitar with the Acadamy of St. Martin in the Fields. I needed to replace my old LP recording of that. But I also get 30 other classical compositions and traditional Spanish pieces, each special in its own way.

Have you ever heard music that you wanted to last forever, maybe even to dive inside and live there for a while, immersing yourself in sound? That's how I feel about this collection. The only problem I have with it is that I bought it thinking it might be nice to listen to while I write. Not so. It's terrible for that. I'll sit with my hands poised above the laptop keyboard, assuring myself I'll get some work done while I listen. The music takes hold and carries me away.

I'm not expert at describing this or any type of music. I just know what I love. You might too, if you enjoy classical or Spanish guitar -- unless you have absurd expectations about combining listening with work.

not what i expected.......2007-03-26

This CD for me was a waste of money. Its just not what i thought it would be. Others may enjoy it but for me..it wasnt what i was hoping to hear.

excellent guitar performances.......2006-07-27

Outstanding guitar performances. I gave it only 4 stars because I do not personally like some of the compositions.

Essential Guitar..........2005-07-26

Up until this collection, I'd never heard the "Cavatina" played in the Deer Hunter movie. After hearing it, I could play it all day and not tire of it! It moves me that much, considering that it's almost "not" a classical guitar selection. The rest of the music is first rate! Excellent playing, but the "Cavatina..."
Buy it and enjoy!!!!

Lives up to its Name!.......2005-06-10

If you only bought this double CD set, you'd have a good starter collection of classical guitar music. It includes most of the standards, as well as rarer pieces. In addition to the many solo pieces, there are several excerpts from orchestral works, with Rodrigo's indispensible Adagio from "Concierto de Aranjuez" topping the list. There are also several flamenco numbers included, complete with heel taps and castanets.

The recording quality is uniformly good, even on the tracks by Segovia. I don't know if they were remastered or recorded late in his career, but they're free of the surface noise present in so many of his recordings. The set clocks in at a generous 2 1/2 hours - one of the greatest deals in instrumental music; this is not a "bargain" quality set. Listen to the samples online - great stuff.

My only mild criticism is in the marketing. The advertising features John Williams and Julian Bream. Each contributes exactly one track. I would have enjoyed more pieces by them for stylistic comparison. But the less well-known (at least to guitar music neophytes like me) artists are every bit as good, and I intend to obtain more of their work.

Average customer rating: Breathtaking operatica "o" First few songs are good, the rest are??? This is the pits. . . the absolute pits Adding To My List Of Vices: A Continuation

O: Operatica, Vol. 1 Manufacturer: E-Magine Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( 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 General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | 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 Computer | Electronic | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Operatica: Shine Myth of Red Trance Opera: The Complete Masterworks - Classic Meets Pop Etterna The Fifth Element: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ASIN: B00004Z42O Release Date: 2000-10-03

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria
2. Vocalise
3. Melancholy Rose
4. L'Heure Exquise
5. O Del Mio Dolce Ardor
6. Charmed By A Rose
7. In The City
8. Get Off My Land
9. Dite Oime
10. Bachianas Brasileiras No.5
11. Maria's Dream (Instrumental)
12. Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

Breathtaking.......2006-12-17

I bought this CD before it was even well-known, though I wonder how many people even know about it right now. This is truly a gem of a find. The fusion of electronica and opera is amazing and the vocals are haunting and beautiful. I have had several friends listen to this CD and all of them fall in love with it, just like I did when I first heard it. I have since bought Operatica: Shine and the more recent Operatica: Christmas Classics and I can truly say I am just as pleased with both follow-up albums. I listen to a variety of music and have a large collection, and this is one of my favourite CDs! Bravo to the creators, composers, vocalist(s) and artists that brought this compilation together.

operatica "o".......2005-09-19

I have this album and think it is unusually beautiful, innovative, a woman with a lovely voice.

Why is she not mentioned or given the credit she deserves, it would appear she is some kind of a secret!

Maureen O'Flynn is only mentioned in the booklet of credits in the jewel case itself, why?
Enter her name in the search in CDNOW and it comes up blank! Why?

First few songs are good, the rest are???.......2004-02-13

First few songs are good, but the rest of the album is no good!

This is the pits. . . the absolute pits.......2003-08-23

Maureen O'Flynn is a perfectly good singer, but whoever thought this "marriage" of opera and pop was a good idea is the same guy that thinks John Tesh is a great composer. People have simply stopped listening seriously to music, and it is a real shame. This recording is for the scrap heap. The accompaniment is cheesier than a big wedge of provolone. There isn't a single live musician in the studio with this young lady. The people who think this is good music are the same ones that aren't bothered by the prospect of a canned sound track in a Broadway show or the "pop stylings" of Charlotte Church. Go out and find some REAL MUSIC, people! It's there if you look. As the great American composer Charles Ives wrote: "Open your ears!"

Adding To My List Of Vices: A Continuation.......2003-05-05

When coupling sounds from two opposing polarities into one another and blending them into the perfect texturization of harmonics, one has to have a few things that fit nicely together in order to succeed. One has to first have a musical stylization that works when placed into an arena that isn't normally associated with its feel, making sure that the seams that could be ripe for the picking aren't taken advantage of. Next, one has to make sure that the voice behind the work, if there is a vocal combination in the work at all, is something that will work smoothly and will not let the vehicle of sense assailment down. Otherwise, the end result is painful and the art, it is merely noise. This is especially true when one is trying to fit a glove on the hand that isn't accustomed to wearing it, making certain that the fit is right and that the end result isn't too rudimentary because something was overlooked.

With Operatica: "O" Volume 1, the components come together fabulously and the seams don't really show at all except on the rarest of occasions (two songs out of eleven by my count, and perhaps that's more beat than anything), throwing a mixture of motions into a vocally moving ocean that would, on many occasions, be seen as items that wouldn't fit together. Here, the beautiful voice of Maureen O'Flynn mixes the operatic sounds I had never truly experienced into a sea of electronic beats, ambient rhythms, speaking pianos, and other vessels to compose the perfect structure. This takes a classical form and introduces it to a world that paints new scenes that couldn't have been painted otherwise, letting its audience ingest a spectrum of thoughts that they wouldn't intake normally. I, myself, was stunned to find that I was instantly addicted to the release, listening to it over and over again and wondering where Opera had been all of my life. Honestly, being a child of electronic music that drifts into heavier organisms of feeling, I never thought I would ever think such thoughts.

For people that can't bridge the span of biases and enjoy items that span gaps in tastes and in sensations, then this wouldn't be something that you would enjoy. There are many things within it, like the work itself, that aren't traditional and that a person looking for the flairless would find flavorless, from the sound clips used as accents to the beats that infest the sounds and make them dance through the mind with zeal. For someone that is looking for something that breaks outside the mundane drum and bass notions of music and that wants to hear an angelic voice pouring through synthetically fashioned skylines, then this might be something you'd look into tasting. Me, I never thought that something like this would find its way into my home, but it did more than that. It actually made me listen to things I hadn't really listened to, liking them for what might amount to a first time.

Average customer rating: The composer is different! Fond memories Interesting fusin Excellent The best record of Bachianas

Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 1, 2, 5 & 9 / ORTF National Orchestra, De Los Angeles Victoria De Los Angeles , and Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Villa-Lobos: Complete Music for Solo Guitar Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras (Complete) Villa-Lobos: Forest of the Amazon Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Symphony no 9 / Furtwangler, Schwarzkopf Chopin: Waltzes Nos. 1-14 ASIN: B00000GCAG Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

1. Bachianas Brasileras No. 5: Aria (Cantilena)
2. Bachianas Brasileras No. 5: Danca (Martelo)
3. Bachianas Brasileras No. 2: Preludio (O Canto do Capadocio)
4. Bachianas Brasileras No. 2: Aria (O canto da Nassa Terra)
5. Bachianas Brasileras No. 2: Danca (Lembranca do Sertao)
6. Bachianas Brasileras No. 2: Tocata (O Trenzinho do Caipira)
7. Bachianas Brasileras No. 1: Introducao (Embolada)
8. Bachianas Brasileras No. 1: Preludio (Modinha)
9. Bachianas Brasileras No. 1: Fuga (Conversa)
10. Bachianas Brasileras No. 9: Preludio
11. Bachianas Brasileras No. 9: Fuga

Customer Reviews:

The composer is different!.......2007-06-24

This is of course an unusual relic of a dead conmposer conducting his own signature works. And with a top-notch soloist too, albeit a second-rate
orchestra. As such it has great value per se.

First, be warned (again) that this is mono. It's well miked mono, but unfortunately not well balanced, as if the orchestra was not properly placed for recording with a single mike, and sounds like a hack at the editing console has had a go at it to try and fix some of this. The results is, among other things, screeching violins.

But what an ususual mix of sound comes through all this! This is not the usual recording of any of the very familiar B. B.'s! Orchestral balances (as opposed to recorded balances ... you can tell the difference if you listen for the difference between overall sound and that of single instruments) are unusual and so is phrasing and articulation.

Highly recommended to the specialist, not so otherwise. These are fine,
if idiosyncratic, performances and if some newbee were to "imprint" on this recording, they might never enjoy a live modern performance or recording.

Doug McDonald

Fond memories.......2007-01-04

I was thrilled to find a CD copy of the vinyl album I bought in about 1964! I had bought another rendition of these Villa-Lobos pieces but it just didn't do it for me. De Los Angeles has a wonderful soprano and the Bachianas Brasilleiras need a great voice.

Interesting fusin.......2006-03-21

This was new music to me so I listened with an open mind. I enjoyed the fusion of Brazilian with classic.

Excellent.......2005-04-08

I spotted this in a music store and bought it because I'm a fan of Villa-Lobos' compositions for guitar. Honestly, I was not familiar with the music on this disc at all. But wow, what a pleasant surprise. I downloaded it to my mp3 player last night so now I can listen to it anywhere.

The best record of Bachianas.......2005-01-03

During his life, Heitor Villa-Lobos recorded almost all his orchestral works, mainly in France with ORTF Orchestra.

I see some customers saying this Bachianas collection isn't a wonderful recording quality (it was recorded in the 50's), this is mono, etc, etc.

I think some listeners are bad accustomed with digital recording, with technologically perfect sounds, superb mastering, and things like that, and they seems forget the principal: the quality of music, of the composition. How many Cds are so "perfect" in recording quality, and the recorded music is a trash, with no artistic value?

So, in my opinion this Bachianas recording is one of the best classical music recording of the XX century, because it has the own composer direction. A few classical composers got the opportunity to record their music with their own interpretation. At this point, Villa-Lobos was probably the most successful composer of all times (neither Stravinsky nor Richard Strauss recorded so many works during their lives).

In this collection, we have the rare opportunity to listen the music as the composer imagined.

About the music, I can say Bachianas Brasileiras has a melancholic taste at all. I agree with the review that say "this isn't happy, sunny day, birds, etc". Just the third movement of the Bachiana 8 (Catira Batida, an old brazilian folk dance) has a happy feeling. Even so, the middle of this movement is a melancholic valse in the old style of Rio de Janeiro serenaders (chorões).

But the "Trenzinho do Caipira" ("country train" of Bachiana 2), the Martelo dance (second movement of the famous Bachiana 5), and all the other dance movements have a pinch of melancholy, a characteristic of the neo-romantic style.

If you want to listen some more animated Villa-Lobos music, search for the "Choros" serie, "Mandú-Çarará", "Prole do Bebê" (Baby's Family), "Momoprecoce" (Carnival of the Brazilian children), and more of his early compositions, which has more freshness, vivid colors and stronger rhythm, including exciting percussion instruments.

Average customer rating: Beautiful Cello Music thought it would be better

The Most Relaxing Cello Album in the World Ever Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Cello for Relaxation The Most Relaxing Violin Album in the World ... Ever! The Most Relaxing Chamber Music Album in the World ... Ever! The Most Relaxing Harp Album in the World... Ever! The Most Relaxing Piano Album in the World...Ever! ASIN: B0000D9WWR Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

1. The Swan - Philharmonia Orchestra
2. Apres Un Reve, Op.7 No.1 - Han-Na-Chang
3. Vocalise, Op.34 No.14 - Han-Na Chang
4. I. Prelude - Mstislav Rostropovich
5. I. Aria - Juliane Banse
6. III. Largo - Jacqueline Du Pre & Daniel Barenboim
7. Sicilienne, Op.78.80 - Han-Na Chang
8. III. Adagio - Jacqueline Du Pre
9. V. Bourre I-II-I - Mstislav Rostropovich
10. I. Alegro Non Troppo - Daniel Barenboim
11. Wiegenlied, Op.49 No.4 - Juhani Lagerspetz
12. Adios Nonino - Berlin Philharmonica

Tracks:

1. Elegie in C Minor, Op.24 - Gerald Moore
2. Four Pieces, Op.78-'Romance' - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
3. Nocturne. Op.19 No.4 - Han-Na Chang
4. I . Prelude - Jacqueline Du Pre
5. Intermezzo In A Minor - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
6. Four Pieces, Op.78-'Religioso' - Truls Mork
7. Minnelied, Op.71 No.5 - Juhani Lagerspetz
8. Klid, B 182/Op.68 No.5 (Silent Woods) - Han-Na Chang
9. Feldeinsamkeit, Op.86 No.2 - Juhani Lagerspetz
10. III. Adagio, Ma Non Troppo - Mstislav Rostropovich
11. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen - Berlin Philharmonic
12. Moonlight Serenade - Berlin Philharmonic

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Cello Music.......2006-11-28

Different than what other people say, this is an extremely beautiful Cello CD; check it out for yourself.

thought it would be better.......2006-11-09

i have been ordering from you but this one wasn't good at all

Average customer rating: We love this C.D.! Glorious sound

Baby Cello: Soothing Music from 24 Cellos Manufacturer: Cala Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ellington | Ellington, Edward Duke | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | 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 General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Categories | Baby Products | Apparel | Bathing & Skin Care | Bedding | Car Seats | Diapering | Feeding | For Moms | Furniture | Gear | Gifts | Health & Baby Care | Nursery Décor | Potty Training | Safety | Strollers Similar Items: Baby Sleep Sweet Dreams Planet Sleeps Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby Masters of the Bow ASIN: B0006UYOO2 Release Date: 2005-01-18

Tracks:

1. The Swan
2. Ave Maria
3. Greensleeves
4. Black Orpheus
5. The Dove
6. Vocalise
7. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
8. El Condor Pasa
9. Begin The Beguine
10. A Child's Folksong
11. Farewell To Cuba
12. Songs My Mother Taught Me
13. Blessing
14. Satin Doll
15. The Girl From Ipanema
16. Coventry Fantasy

Product Description

Baby Cello CD. Soothing Music From 24 Cellos 1. The Swan 2. Ave Maria 3. Greensleeves 4. Black Orpheus 5. The Dove 6. Vocalise 7. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy 8. El Condor Pasa 9. Begin the Beguine 10. A Childs Folksong 11. Farewell to Cuba 12. Songs my Mother Taught Me 13. Blessing 14. Satin Doll 15. The Girl from Ipanema 16. Coventry Fantasy

Customer Reviews:

We love this C.D.!.......2005-04-03

We received the Baby Cello C.D. as a gift, and my husband and I just love it. The music is truly moving in the most uplifting way, and the songs chosen are just beautiful; not at all stuffy. The true test was when our two-year-old, who had not had a nap all day, got completely wired and still would not go to sleep after 10 p.m. She screamed for 20 minutes as we tried to get her down, until I put Baby Cello on, and the screaming stopped instantaneously! She went to sleep to the C.D. without another wimper! We highly recommend Baby Cello for parents and babies alike, and have bought it for other parents with babies that we know. It uplifts, as well as soothes, depending upon what time of day we put it on, and it serves as wonderful dinner music as well. We can't imagine anyone not loving this C.D.! A.and J. Pieri, Albany,CA

Glorious sound.......2005-01-23

I am so pleased with Baby Cello. The sound of this music is utterly glorious. Soothing doesn't begin to describe it. My 2 year old and I love listening to it at all times of day.

Average customer rating: Brazilian Music Extraordinaire rare gem The best introduction to Villa-Lobos available A Wonderful New Recording of the Great Cycle A Glowing Performance of the Entire Cycle of Bachianas Brasileiras

Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras (Complete) the Nashville Symphony Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Villa-Lobos: Complete Music for Solo Guitar Kurt Weill: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2; Lady in the Dark - Symphonic Nocturne Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 1, 2, 5 & 9 / ORTF National Orchestra, De Los Angeles Villa-Lobos: Forest of the Amazon Villa-Lobos: Choros 1-7 ASIN: B000BK53DI Release Date: 2005-11-15

Tracks:

1. Introducao - Embolada
2. Preludio - Modinha
3. Fuga - Conversa (Conversation)
4. Preludio - O Canto Do Capadocio (Scamp's Song)
5. Aria - O Canto Da Nossa Terra (Song Of Our Lamb)
6. Danca - Lembranca Do Sertao (Rememberance Of The Bush)
7. Toccata - O Trenzinho Do Caipira (The Peasant's Little Train)
8. Preludio (Ponteio)
9. Fantasia (Devaneio) (Digression)
10. Aria - Modinha
11. Toccata (Picapu)

Tracks:

1. Preludio (Introducao)
2. Coral (Canto Do Sertao) (Song Of The Bush)
3. Aria (Cantiga)
4. Danca (Miudinho)
5. Aria (Cantilena)
6. Danca (Martelo)
7. Aria (Choro)
8. Fantasia

Tracks:

1. Preludio (Ponteio)
2. Giga (Quadrilha Caipira) (Country Quadrille)
3. Toccata (Desafio) (Joust)
4. Fuga (Conversa) (Conversation)
5. Preludio
6. Aria (Modinha)
7. Toccata (Catira Batida)
8. Fuga
9. Preludio (Vagaroso E Mistico)
10. Fuga (Poco Apressado)

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This is a three-CD set that includes all of Villa-Lobos' moody Bachianas Brasileiras. The best known is the fifth, for soprano and eight cellos (well performed here), but there is a wealth hidden among the others. There are dance movements galore; the second builds to a wonderfully percussive and powerful final movement; the eighth, despite an upbeat old folk dance as its centerpiece, has a melancholic warmth that is irresistible. The flute and bassoon duet that makes up No. 6 is rich and expressive, and the solo pianist has his work cut out for him in No. 3. All of them show a use of counterpoint that is truly skillful, and these performances--the only complete, modern set, not to mention at a bargain price--bring out all of the delicacies in the music. A real find. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Brazilian Music Extraordinaire.......2007-01-26

Jose Feghali is a Brazilian pianist, and interprets this music with great artistic flair! The whole recording was a pleasant surprise, since I didn't expect a high level of playing from the Nashville Symphony. I highly recommend this recording as an especially good value for the price.

rare gem.......2007-01-04

Villa-Lobos is a Brazilian composer of the 20th century who deserves more attention. There are relatively few recordings of his works. This complete recording of the 9 Bachianas Brasileiras is a rare pleasure. The Bachianas are considered some of the lighter and easier works of Villa-Lobos and are based on Bach's music. Still, they can't be considered easy listening at first. After a few hearings, however, the music grows on you and you come to realize their beauty.

The best introduction to Villa-Lobos available.......2006-07-23

The Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) was very prolific, composing 12 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 17 string quartets, 14 "Choros," numerous ballets and other orchestral works, and 9 "Bachianas Brasileiras." Although Villa-Lobos' style is firmly nationalistic, his individual works are highly varied, with some pieces being highly structured while others are virtually improvisatory. Likewise, the forces employed by Villa-Lobos vary substantially. For instance, compare the 9 minute Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6 scored for flute and bassoon against the half hour long Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3 for piano and orchestra. However, the scoring of Bachianas is more uniform and the style more traditional in comparison to, say, the Choros, making them a good entry point for those unfamiliar with this composer.

You may ask "What exactly is a Bachianas Brasileiras?" Well, a Bachianas Brasileiras is a multi-movement musical form developed by Villa-Lobos in which the harmonic and contrapuntal traits of Bach are combined with elements of Brazilian music. Each Bachianas can be thought of as a Baroque suite, with each movement containing two titles; one signifying a Baroque form, such as "Toccata" or "Fugue," and a second title borrowed from Brazilian music, such as "Picapu" or "Modhinha." This combination may seem a little strange, but Villa-Lobos combines the two elements naturally. For Villa-Lobos the combination was almost logical, as the traditional music of Brazil is itself very contrapuntal.

What makes the Bachianas attractive are their consistent high level of inventiveness and variety. The tunes are memorable, while the counterpoint and orchestral coloring are highly distinctive. One of my favorites is the second Bachianas, the final movement of which is a depiction of a train chugging through the forests of Brazil. This Bachianas also features some highly memorable trombone and saxophone solos. Yet, undoubtedly the composer's favorite instrument is the cello. The first Bachianas is scored for "an orchestra of cellos" and the fifth (the most popular) is scored for soprano and eight cellos. The composer's characteristic use of this instrument throughout the set creates a sensuous atmosphere.

These works are filled with other interesting tidbits, such as the composer's incorporation of bird calls into several movements (the woodpecker in toccata of No. 3, the blacksmith bird in the chorale of No. 4, with various birds emulated by the soprano in No. 5). The movements of the works range from exciting dance pieces to lamenting arias. The aria of No. 4 is especially lovely. Another favorite is the toccata of No. 7, with its exotic sounding percussion and aggressive orchestral playing representative of improvised singing contests Villa-Lobos heard on the streets of Brazil, with a Bach-like violin line emerging from the texture.

What makes this set, in particular, a must have is the great playing by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra (especially the strings), the Naxos price, and the fact that this release constitutes the complete Bachianas. But, this isn't the only set out there. I can mention that the sound quality here blows the (very poor) sound quality of Villa-Lobos' recordings of certain of these works (dating from the 1950's) clear out of the water. The second, third and fourth Bachianas have been recently recorded by the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra on the BIS label. That recording is very good, and some of the playing by that orchestra slightly cleaner, although I would recommend the Naxos recording over that one, as a starting point, on the basis of completeness.

Fans of twentieth century orchestral music need not hesitate. These colorful, immediately accessible, works will give you years of listening pleasure. Get it.

CD 1: 73:10
CD 2: 40:42
CD 3: 62:22

A Wonderful New Recording of the Great Cycle.......2006-06-16

How wonderful it is to have a fresh, new, all-digital interpretation of the great 9-piece cycle of the Bachianas Brasilieras of Villa-Lobos. We so often hear just the highlights -- the 5th, with soporano and eight cellos, and the "Little Train" of the second -- but here is a thoughtful performance of all these unusual and creative compositions combining the discipline and chromatic transitions of Bach with the untempered wildness and melodic exuberance of Brazil.

While I enjoyed the earlier recording by Alfonso Moreno and the Orquestra Filharmonica de la Ciudad de Mexico on EMI, that recording seems to have all the notes, but not all of the music -- in places it sounds heavy, mechanical, and not imbued with deep understanding of the music. This new recording is a great effort, and it's a shame that this music is so seldom programmed by the major symphony orchestras.

There are a few items I could quibble with -- I don't like the wide vibrato of soprano Rosana Lamosa in the fifth, and the bassoon sound of the unattributed player in the sixth is somewhat muffled, as if played in the French style. But these are really minor points when considered in the light of the overall performance cycle. You have the wonderful cello sound of the Modinha (2nd movement of No. 1 -- "one long sigh" as one reviewer has called it); the excellent trombone solos in the 2nd; an accurate playing of the "Little Train," not a caricature, and still perhaps the best "train" image in music; and I could go on and on.

But let's just stop here and say that this is a really wonderful addition to the Villa-Lobos literature, as well as to all music, and let's hope that others will become aware of the marvelous music of this most prolific Brazilian composer.

A Glowing Performance of the Entire Cycle of Bachianas Brasileiras .......2005-12-17

Heitor Villa-Lobos is probably best known for this cycle of works under the title 'Bachianas Brasileiras' and while certain of these enchanting pieces are standard repertoire ('Toccata - O Trenzinho Do Caipira' and the luxuriously gorgeous 'Cantilena' for soprano and eight celli), the remainder of this startlingly fine composition is rarely heard.

Fortunate we are, then, that Kenneth Schermerhorn and the Nashville Symphony made this complete set. The individual works are varied and disparate in orchestration, sort of a 'Concerto for Chamber Orchestra'! Each piece is never less than fascinating in rhythmic detail and structure and there are some very beautiful melodies strung throughout the cycle.

The total of twenty-nine pieces are comfortably spaced over three discs and the recorded sound is rich and warm. This is an important recording and priced at the level that it is generally affordable! Highly recommended on all levels. Grady Harp, December 05

Average customer rating: relation through beautiful music A Great Find!

Guitar Adagios Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Albinoni | Albinoni, Tomaso | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Boccherini | Boccherini, Luigi | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tarrega | Tarrega, Francisco | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Turina | Turina, Joaquin | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Alessandro Marcello | Marcello, Alessandro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | 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 General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Albinoni, Tomaso | ( A ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Boccherini, Luigi | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Marcello, Alessandro | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Tarrega, Francisco | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Turina, Joaquin | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Cello Adagios Baroque Adagios Violin Adagios Movie Adagios Piano Adagios ASIN: B00028DNCW Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

1. Adagio In G Minor - Dominic Miller
2. The Deer Hunter - Goran Sollscher
3. Largo - Eduardo Fernandez
4. Prelude - John Williams
5. Apres Un Reve - Steve Erquiaga
6. Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte - Steve Erquiaga
7. Courante - Pepe Romero
8. Torija (Elegia) - Segovia
9. Andantino - Piu Mosso - Primo Tempo - Julian Bream
10. Andaluza - Pepe Romero
11. Granada (Serenata) - Pepe Romero
12. Bachians Brasileiras No.1 - Alexandre Lagoya
13. Andante Cantabile - Segovia
14. Cancion De Cuna - Eduardo Fernandez
15. Arioso - Steve Erquiaga
16. Romance D'Amour - Goran Sollscher
17. Adagio - Christine Pendrill
18. Qui Tollis - Dominic Miller

Tracks:

1. Air On A G String - Dominic Miller
2. Largo - Alexandre Lagoya
3. Andante Sostenuto - Alexandre Lagoya
4. La Maja De Goya - Pepe Romero
5. Romance De Los Pinos - Pepe Romero
6. Sarabande - John Williams
7. Sonata, Op.16 - Pepe Romero
8. Recuerdos De La Alhambra - Eduardo Fernandez
9. Barcarolle - John Williams
10. Bourees I & II - John Williams
11. Sarabande - John Williams
12. Andante - Alexandre Lagoya
13. Oriental - Alexandre Lagoya
14. Cantabile - Alexandre Lagoya
15. Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Alexandre Lagoya
16. Andante - Alexandre Lagoya
17. Canzone In E Minor - Alexandre Lagoya
18. Sicilienne - Steve Erquiaga
19. Clair De Lune - Alexandre Lagoya

Customer Reviews:

relation through beautiful music.......2005-10-02

This is arguably the most relaxing music anywhere. It is lovely to take a nap to, fall asleep to..... use your imagination to......

A Great Find!.......2004-08-02

These are wonderful cds. They include Andres Segovia,Julian Bream, John Williams, Presti/Lagoya and Pepe Romero among other guitarist's. This two cd set has a rare performance of Segovia with the "Symphony Of The Air"performing Boccherini's "Cello Concerto in D". John Williams performing Bach's "Cello Suite In D" at seventeen years old. Also Ida Presti and Alexandre Lagoya performing Debussy's "Clair de Lune" and Granado's "Spanish Dance No.2 The Oriental". Presti/Lagoya's music has long been out of print and to the best of my knowledge this is the first time their music has been available on cd.These cd's have over 2 and a half hours of music and are well worth the money.

Average customer rating: Simply beautiful Simply Sublime LUSH AND PASSIONATE! Beautiful! Only Kiri

Kiri Te Kanawa - Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne, Villa-Lobos: Bachianas brasileiras Marie-Joseph Canteloube , Heitor Villa-Lobos , Jeffrey Tate , Kiri Te Kanawa , English Chamber Orchestra , and Instrumental Ensemble Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Canteloube, Joseph | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Te Kanawa, Dame Kiri | ( T ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Te Kanawa, Kiri | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Canteloube, Joseph | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Te Kanawa, Dame Kiri | ( T ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Canteloube - Chants d'Auvergne / Victoria de los Angeles Kiri Joseph Canteloube: Songs Of the Auvergne Joseph Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne ASIN: B00000427R Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

1. La Pastoura als Camps
2. Bail ro
3. Trois Bourr es
4. Pastourelle
5. L'Antou no
6. La Pastrouletta lou Chibali
7. La Dela ssado
8. Bour es
9. Lo Fiolair
10. Passo pel Prat
11. Lou Boussu
12. Brezairola
13. Malurous qu'o uno Fenno

Tracks:

1. Chants d'Auvergne: Jou l'pount d'o Mirabel
2. Chants d'Auvergne: Oi ayai
3. Chants d'Auvergne: Per l'efon
4. Chants d'Auvergne: Tchut, tchut
5. Chants d'Auvergne: Pastorale
6. Chants d'Auvergne: Lou Coucut
7. Chants d'Auvergne: Obal, din lo coumb
8. Chants d'Auvergne: Quand z'eyro petitoune
9. Chants d'Auvergne: Laut, sur le rocher
10. Chants d'Auvergne: HBeyla-z-y dau f
11. Chants d'Auvergne: Postouro, su m'aymo
12. Chants d'Auvergne: Uno jionto postouro
13. Chants d'Auvergne: Lou diziou b
14. Bachianas brasileiras: Aria (Cantilena)
15. Bachianas brasileiras: Dansa (Martelo)

Customer Reviews:

Simply beautiful.......2005-08-07

Kiri Te Kanawa has one of the most beautiful operatic voices and no cd displays this better than Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne. These folk songs, sung in a french dialect, are sung perfectly by Kiri Te Kanawa. You do not need to understand the language to feel the emotions the songs evoke. This is a simply beautiful cd and Kiri is flawless.

Simply Sublime.......2004-02-27

What is it about these wonderful songs that tend to bring out the best in some of the world's finest sopranos?

There are so many fine recordings of these songs.

The great Frederica Von Stade recorded a quite mesmerizing selection of the Auvergne songs at about the same time as Dame Kiri. There is the lovely recording by the legendary Victoria De Los Angeles, a selection of the songs many of us grew up on.
There is the seminal first complete recording (and then some, as I recall) by the late Natania Davrath, a much under-appreciated artist who, in many ways, is responsible for the popularity these songs enjoy today. Even Anna Moffo recorded a lovely handful of the songs in the 60s conducted by no less than Leopold Stokowski!

And then there is Dame Kiri. We know her. We love her. We have come to expect the best from her. We have come to always expect more from her, in fact, than from just about anyone else.

So unfair. We expect her to jump the musical hurdles of our emotional connections to music and art in a way we expect from few others.

And yet she so seldom disappoints. Is this the absolute best recording of the Chants d'Auvergne ever? Such a personal choice. Who is to say?

I can tell you this, once I heard this truly remarkable set, which has literally sent chills up my back since the the first time I heard it all those years ago, I knew my search for the recording of these songs I would keep near me forever was over.

Here is an interpretation combining, in equal measure, patrician elegance with almost peasant-like eloquence. She renders song after song, some deceptively complicated, with a divine simplicity that simply defies the imagination.

I don't know how Dame Kiri achieved this miraculous feat. It must have come from the heart, because it certainly goes to mine.

And finally, it would be unthinkable not to give credit to the exquisite playing of the English Chamber Orchestra and the always sensitive collaboration of conductor Jeffrey Tate.

LUSH AND PASSIONATE!.......2003-03-09

These traditional songs from the Auvergne region of France, arranged and orchestrated by Joseph Canteloube, are so intensely beautiful that when I requested a classical radio station to play some of them, motorists stopped on the highway to phone in their thanks.

I first heard a selection of these songs 30 years ago, performed by Anna Moffo, and fell in love with them. It's wonderful to find a complete recording of all 5 series on this 2 CD set, sung by Kiri te Kanawa with enormous talent and verve. Whether the mood is passionate, playful, mocking, tender, mournful or-an emotion few composers have ever captured-helpless with pleasure, these pieces have one thing in common: they are the work of a master orchestrator at the height of his powers, using the fullest resources of the modern orchestra. You will not find more beautiful music than this!

Beautiful!.......2001-08-28

In my opinion, this is one of Kiri's better recordings. Her voice, while always gorgeous, is fresh and light here, and her interpretation, while not riveting, is certainly not boring. Musically, this is a wonderful collection, very romantic and lush in sound. A very worth-while recording.

Only Kiri.......2001-07-13

Dame Kiri te Kanawa has just the voice and character to make this music live. Her voice has a spiritual quality (as opposed to a human quality) that suits the fantasy and seductive qualities of the music. However, her characterization is not void of human qualities, a reminder that these are human feelings. The orchestra under Jeffrey Tate copes very well with the virtuosic writing for woodwinds and stratospheric strings. I heard Renee Fleming's recent interpretation of Bailero and the characterization was more human. Their voices are quite similar, but if you want angelic qualities, Kiri is the angel.

Average customer rating: Enjoying The Pleasures of K. Battle & C. Parkening Great blending of the talents of two top-notch artists in their respective fields. Parkening on the guitar and Battle singing. Superb technique, emotionally flat, but enjoyable even so. ONE OF MY FAVOURITES Fans will be delighted!

Kathleen Battle & Christopher Parkening ~ Pleasures of Their Company John Dowland , Manuel de Falla , Charles Gounod , Heitor Villa-Lobos , Enrique Granados , Fini Henriques , Jaime Ovalle , Joaquim Antonio Barroso Neto , Franz Xaver Richter , Anonymous , William Levi Dawson , Robert MacGimsey , Kathleen Battle , and Christopher Parkening Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Dowland | Dowland, John | ( D ) | 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 Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | 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 Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Battle, Kathleen | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Battle, Kathleen | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Angels' Glory Kathleen Battle · Wynton Marsalis ~ Baroque Duet / Anthony Newman · Orch St. Luke's · Nelson So Many Stars The Best of Kathleen Battle Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart ASIN: B000002RNM Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Music By John Dowland: Come Again! Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
2. Music By John Dowland: Allemande (Guitar Solo)
3. Music By John Dowland: What If I Never Speed?
4. Music By John Dowland: Galliard (Guitar Solo)
5. Music By John Dowland: Fine Knacks For Ladies
6. Ave Maria
7. Bachianas Brasileiras No.5: Aria
8. Coleccion De Tonadillas: La Maja De Goya
9. Three Brazilian Songs: Boi-Bumba
10. Three Brazilian Songs: Azulao
11. Three Brazilian Songs: Para Ninar
12. Three Spanish Folk Songs: Cancion
13. Three Spanish Folk Songs: Nana
14. Three Spanish Folk Songs: Seguidillia Murciana
15. Six Spirituals: Ain't Got No Time To Die
16. Six Spirituals: I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
17. Six Spirituals: Ain't That Good News!
18. Six Spirituals: Sweet Little Jesus Boy
19. Six Spirituals: This Little Light Of Mine
20. Six Spirituals: Ride On King Jesus

Customer Reviews:

Enjoying The Pleasures of K. Battle & C. Parkening.......2007-05-06

Whether you are very familiar with these two artists or have never heard either one, you will delight in this musical collaboration. Only a guitarist of Christopher Parkening's stature could be the ideal accompaniment to the perfection of Kathleen Battle's voice. The music ranges from selections by John Dowland to American spirituals, Bach/Gounod, Villa-Lobos, Granados and some Spanish folk songs. The result is a coherent, soothing and utterly delightful listening experience. You will revisit this album often, and always be glad that you have it. For fans of Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening, I think it is a must.

Great blending of the talents of two top-notch artists in their respective fields. Parkening on the guitar and Battle singing........2006-01-31

We always enjoyed seeing and hearing Battle in concerts, usually on the television and Parkening has been a favorite guitarist. To listen to these two fine artists in concert is a real treat.

Superb technique, emotionally flat, but enjoyable even so........2005-05-25

I can't imagine these songs being performed with any greater technical brilliance than they are by Parkening and Battle on this CD. Both are virtuosos, him in the guitar, her the voice. Their skill is particularly apparent in the Dowland songs, the "Ave Maria", and the Bachianas brasileiras no. 5 (for me, the high point of the recording), which are all in a formal style well suited to the talents of the performers.

I compare the Brazilian songs to the version recorded by Salli Terri with Laurindo Almeida in the late '50's on "Duets with Spanish Guitar", which I have listened to repeatedly since I first heard it in 1959. Battle's phrasing, enunciation, and vocal skill are far superior to Terri's, but Terri brought a level of emotion to her singing that Battle seems to lack. Where Battle's perfection enhances her superb performances of the Dowland and Villa-Lobos pieces, it seems to detract from her performance of the Brazilian folk pieces.

I find this to be true again in the spirituals - vocal perfection and control detracting from the "soul" required to bring out the "spiritual" feeling. Imagine these same pieces sung by Mahalia Jackson or Aretha Franklin and you'll understand my point.

Parkening's performance has the same quality - technical virtuosity, especially noticeable in his lute-like technique in the Dowland solo - but lacking in emotional depth.

The classical selections are highly recommended, the folk pieces a bit disappointing, but overall an enjoyable recording.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITES.......2004-03-19

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BATTLE ALBUMS, HER SWEET VOICE IS ACCOMPAINED BY THE GUITAR VIRTUOSO CHRISTOPHER PARKENING, TOGETHER CREATE A TENDER, DELIGHTFUL & BEAUTIFUL LISTENING EXPERIENCE. BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS N- 5 HAS IT`S BEST PERFORMANCE IN THIS CD.

Fans will be delighted!.......2003-08-25

Fans, maybe, but I must say I'm not a huge fan of Kathleen Battle or opera or songs in different languages, either. My mom is, though. And through her I have heard Kathleen's best. And her very best (if you ask me) is one of the tracks ON THIS CD titled "Ain't that good news," even though it should be called "Ain'ta dat good news," since that is how its sung. It is a really good song (ask anybody) with a little surprise high-note at the end. If I were you I would (if not buy this CD right here and now) then go to [a book store] and see if their computers will let you hear "Ain't that good news" because that song is great.

Average customer rating: Good musical selection

Dinner for Two Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music 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 General | Finzi, Gerald | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | 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 Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( 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 Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | 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 General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - 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Tracks:

1. Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata: Adagio
2. Finzi: Romance For String Orchestra
3. Chopin: Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52
4. Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 1: Andante Cantabile
5. Grieg: Two Elegaic Melodies: The Last Spring
6. Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
7. Massenet: Thais: Meditation
8. Mascagni: Cavelleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
9. Haydn: Serenade
10. Beethoven: Adagio Cantabile "Pathetique" Sonata
11. Rachmaninoff: Vocalise
12. Gluck: Melodie
13. Bizet: Carmen: Intermezzo
14. Schubert: Serenade

Customer Reviews:

Good musical selection .......2005-08-14

This record boasts it's name "Dinner for Two", in order to enjoy a dinner in company of very special person, excellent interpretations to let itself surround in a full atmosphereof tranquillity and vibrant emotions.

Without doubt, a selection that it must have in your classical collection.

International Music:

1. Bailão de Peão [Import]
2. Barra 69 [Import]
3. Best of Irish Showbands [Import]
4. Caetano, Gal, Gil & Bethania [Import]
5. Cantoria De Festa [Import]
6. Celtic Pride [Import]
7. Chorinhos De Ouro V.1 [Import]
8. Chorinhos De Ouro V.2 [Import]
9. Chorinhos De Ouro V.3 [Import]
10. Circulado Vivo [Import]

International Music

International Music