Sonne In Der Nacht [Import]

1. Diese Sucht, Die Leben Heißt

2. Zeichen Auf Der Stirn

3. Hunger Nach Dem Leben

4. Ich Geh' Unter

5. Hey, Himmelstor

6. Alter Mann

7. Somme in Der Nacht

8. Ein Wort Bricht das Schweigen

9. Auf Sand Gebaut

10. Zweimal Täglich

11. Der Andere Mann

12. Für Immer

Sonne In Der Nacht,Peter Maffay,Ariola,Euro-Pop,Pop/Rock,Rock/Pop,World Music

Average customer rating: Ring introduction critique FASCINATING STUDY FOR NOVICES AND AFFICIONADOS ALIKE Welcome back to a classic analysis Essential for Understanding Wagner's Ring Cycle Very Functional

An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen Deryck Cooke , Georg Solti , Wiener Philharmoniker , Anita Valkki , Berit Lindholm , Birgit Nilsson , Brigitte Fassbaender , Christa Ludwig , Claire Watson , Claudia Hellmann , Dame Gwyneth Jones , Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau , Eberhard Wächter , George London , Gerhard Stolze , Gottlob Frick , Grace Hoffmann , Gustav Neidlinger , Hans Hotter , Helen Watts , Helga Dernesch , Hetty Plumacher , Ira Malaniuk , James King , Jean Madeira , Joan Sutherland , Kirsten Flagstad , Kurt Böhme , Lucia Popp , Marga Höffgen , Marilyn Tyler , Maureen Guy , Oda Balsborg , Paul Kuen , Régine Crespin , Set Svanholm , Vera Little , Vera Schlosser , Waldemar Kmentt , Walter Kreppel , and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baritones | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner's Ring: Turning the Sky Round Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sir Georg Solti Decoding Wagner: An Invitation to His World of Music Drama (includes 2 CDs) Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle) Ring of the Nibelung ASIN: B00000424H Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Of All Great Musical Compositions... (Examples 1-4)
2. The Fundamental Symbol... (Examples 5-11)
3. Returning Now To The Nature Motive... (Examples 6, 12-16)
4. A Number Of Further Motives... (Examples 5, 17-21)
5. A Second, Much Smaller Family... (Examples 22-25)
6. So Much For Nature. (Examples 26-38)
7. The Cause Of The Deterioration... (Examples 39-44)
8. The Other Transformation... (Examples 45-48)
9. Several Other Motives... (Examples 49-52)
10. Two Further Motives... (Examples 41, 53-61)
11. The Basic Motive Associated With The Spear... (Examples 62-68)
12. Along Another, More Complex Line... (Examples 69-72)
13. In Act Two Of Walkure... (Examples 69, 73-75)
14. Returning Now To Act Two Of Walkure... (Examples 76-79)
15. Love Is Another Of The Central Symbols... (Examples 80-83)
16. Later In The Same Scene... (Examples 84-87)
17. Freia's Motive Has Two Independent Segments... (Examples 88-91)
18. The Label 'Flight'... (Example 92)
19. When Fasolt, In Scene Two Of Rhinegold... (Examples 93-98)
20. A Little Later In The Interlude... (Examples 99-103)

Tracks:

1. The Other New Motive... (Examples 104-109)
2. There Are Several Independent Love-Motives... (Examples 110-114)
3. The Characters In Whose Lives... (Examples 115-120)
4. One Further Motive Belongs... (Example 121)
5. The Sword Motive Recurs... (Examples 122-130)
6. Ironically, This Phrase... (Examples 131-135)
7. Closely Associated With Gutrune's Motive... (Examples 136-140)
8. Here We Come To The End... (Examples 141-146)
9. Complemtary To This Symbol... (Examples 147-149)
10. One Last Central Symbol... (Examples 150-157)
11. One Further Motive Connected... (Examples 158-161)
12. There Are One Or Two Motives... (Examples 162-168)
13. These Motives Of Alberich And Mime... (Examples 169-171)
14. Quite A Number Of The Subsidiary Motives... (Examples 172-176)
15. Besides This Family Of Motives... (Examples 177-180)
16. Our Final Example... (Examples 10, 181, 182)
17. In The Final Scene Of Gotterdammerung... (Examples 181-183)
18. Even More Masterly... (Examples 184-188)
19. Now If We Return... (Examples 189-191)
20. This Masterly Way... (Examples 192, 193)

Amazon.com

When Wagner set the Ring to music, he intended the orchestra to act in the fashion of a chorus from a classic Greek tragedy--setting the mood and commenting on the action. In order to allow a nonverbal musical line to reflect on the plot, Wagner developed a psychologically and musically complex symbology to communicate his thoughts to the listener. From the beginning the Ring has spawned numerous written commentaries on the relationships of the motif structure, but by using examples from the Decca Ring recording, Deryck Cooke's thoughtful spoken commentary is by far the most accessible guide for either the fledgling Ring enthusiast or the seasoned veteran. --Christian C. Rix

Customer Reviews:

Ring introduction critique.......2006-11-04

This is very worthwhile, at the same time it requires time, patience and attention, but it does provide some keys to better enjoyment of a sensational piece of music.

FASCINATING STUDY FOR NOVICES AND AFFICIONADOS ALIKE.......2006-08-16

This may look an intimidating, daunting and dull prospect - a 2+ hour lecture on the motifs in the Ring. Don't be put off. Whether you're a relative novice to the Ring and want to find out what it's all about, more experienced with a desire to understand the composer's methods better or an afficionado who thinks he knows it all inside out, there is great pleasure as well as elucidation to be had from this set. Originally made to accompany the Decca Solti Ring, it contains a multitude of musical illustrations taken from those recordings as well as some specially recorded by Solti just for this Introduction.

It wasn't the first time this has been tried. The famous HMV sets from the late 20's also included recorded examples of over 100 motifs. (These, by the way, are available as part of the Pearl reissue of those wonderful HMV recordings). What that set lacked was the wonderful insights as well as the approachability of the talk by Deryck Cooke. Cooke was a great and much missed musicologist - a Mahler expert responsible for the performing edition of the Tenth Symphony still most played today, a fascinating explorer into the nature of music's basic building-blocks in his excellent book, The Language of Music, and an inspiring and elucidating critic of Wagner's work as shown by the fascinating book he left unfinished at his death, I Saw the World End.

On these CDs he does much more than list the leitmotifs and identify them as calling-cards. He shows the amazingly integrated and organic growth of the musical material that Wagner uses throughout his vast work. He demonstrates how motifs can change their sense and meaning as they evolve through the drama. And he shows how the complex combinations of motifs can radically advance both the musical and the dramatic narrative of the piece. There are even places where he corrects the misinterpretation of some of the motifs that had become ingrained from early commentators' false labels.

This set should engage and enlighten anyone with an interest in Wagner's huge and inexhaustible tetralogy. Do give it a try - no matter how far down the road to Wagnerianism you are.

Welcome back to a classic analysis.......2006-05-28

Deryck Cooke's lecture series upon THE RING is almost as much a classic by now as the Solti RING cycle, with which it was originally issued on LP, and from which it derives its musical examples. The difference is that whereas the Solti RING has been continuously in print ever since it was completed, and was among the first opera sets to benefit from the CD revolution, the Cooke analysis was for long almost totally unobtainable. Now we have it back. It should be welcomed: it is a classic. Cooke's mellow, deep voice with the hint of a Celtic burr - which made him ideal on BBC radio - patiently explains Wagner's melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic metamorphoses to such good effect that if you own this recording, you really require no other RING analysis. (A pity about the abrupt beginnings and endings of too many vocal and orchestral illustrations, though.) Musicology lost a fine, sensitive thinker with Cooke's premature death in 1976.

If all you want is dilettantish baby food, there are plenty of dumbed-down Wagner commentaries on the market, stretching from Anna Russell's famous monologue (which doesn't pretend to be anything other than a parody aimed at morons) to the latest standard-issue "Wagner-was-a-Nazi-boo-hiss" feuilleton (which, unfortunately, does). Without reasonable score-reading skill you will find Cooke useless, however diligently you have ploughed through Marx, Jung, Freud, or other gurus purportedly relevant to THE RING. Cooke expects you to use your brains and your musical sense. Quelle horreur. At today's BBC his "elitism" would render him unemployable.

Essential for Understanding Wagner's Ring Cycle.......2006-05-15

I originally bought this set on vinyl in the early 70s when I discovered the Ring in college. I studied the records and booklet assiduously, and after about three run-throughs I finally started getting it. Wow! Thirty-five years later, I still remember Mr. Cooke's analyses of various motive families, and I don't know how I could have mastered and loved the Ring without him. I now own this set on CD and listen again on the rare occasion of attending a Ring performance. My wife calls me a "Ring nut," but of course I'm nuts about many other things as well.

Bottom line, buy this set and study it if the Ring has captivated you as it has countless others. The presentation is dry, but sticking with it brings measureless and longlasting rewards.

Very Functional.......2006-03-19

This CD set is excellent for what it sets out to do: present the leitmotives of the Ring according to their relationship to one another and their role in developing both characters and plotlines. Deryck Cooke's lectures on each motive are very insightful, very helpful at cueing the listener into the semantic aspect of Wagner's orchestral writing. The one drawback is that the musical examples are a bit jarring. Without fade-ins or -outs, the engineering is quite barbaric. And though the orchestra was, I believe, conducted by Solti, and is beautifully done, the vocal performances can be quite unpleasant. Point being: this is not background music, but in accomplishing what it sets out to do, it is very successful, and I don't know of anything else like it.

Average customer rating: A good gift for novice

Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set] Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( 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 Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chabrier | Chabrier, Alexis Emanuel | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, 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Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rhapsody in Blue - Ultimate Piano Collection [20 CD Set] Little Night Music - Ultimate Mozart Collection [20 CD Set] Rendezvous of Angels - Concert Collection [20 CD Set] Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set] Classical Evolution: Spanish Guitar Music ASIN: B00012QLTQ Release Date: 2003-12-09

Album Description

Music can be both calming and relaxing, or invigorating and passionate...this phenomenal 20-CD set is definitely the latter. This amazing collection brings together for the first time the most passionate music of all time, from Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Wagner's Magic Fire Music to Ravel's La Valse, Orff 's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This is a must have collection for every passionate music lover.

Customer Reviews:

A good gift for novice.......2007-05-12

This was a good gift for somebody learning about Classical music in Japan.

Average customer rating: Sensuality Personified!

The Very Best of Régine Crespin Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Canteloube, Joseph | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | 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 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 | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | 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 General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Legend: Régine Crespin [CD & DVD] The Very Best of Lucia Popp Very Best of Italian Opera Arias Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; et al / Crespin, Ansermet ASIN: B0006VYEJQ Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. Ils S'Eloignent Enfin...Sombre Foret
2. D'Amour L'Ardente Flamme
3. Les Grecs Ont Disparu...Malheureux Roi!
4. Nous Avons Vu Finir...Chers Tyriens
5. Je Vais Mourir...Adieu, Fiere Cite
6. Ah! Salome! Dans Ce Palais...Il Est Doux, Il Est Bon
7. Je Souffre
8. Mes Cheres Filles, J'Ai Encore A Vous Dire
9. Soir
10. Le Secret
11. Apres Un Reve
12. Clair De Lune
13. Lo Fiolaire
14. Lou Coucut
15. Coeur En Peril
16. Berceuse Creole

Tracks:

1. Einsam In Truben Tagen
2. Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen
3. Eine Waffe Lass Mich Dir Weisen...Der Manner Sippe
4. Ich Sah Das Kind
5. I. Der Engel
6. II. Stehe Still!
7. III. Im Treibhaus
8. IV. Schmerzen
9. V. Traume
10. I. In Der Fremde
11. II. Intermezzo
12. III. Waldesgesprach
13. Timor Di Me?...D'Amor Sull'Ali Rosee
14. Ecco L'Orrido Campo...Ma Dall'Arido Stelo Divulsa
15. Tu Che Le Vanita
16. D'Art Et D'Amour

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Sensuality Personified!.......2005-04-27

This is one of the best collections of Regine Crespin. Of course, her Berlioz/Ravel set with Ansermet is definitive, but the beauty and soft womanliness of her voice can be heard in all the selections on this disc. The engineers went for her vocal best and they created a fine collection aptly titled "The Best of..." One would be unduly captious to find Crespin "brittle" of tone here.

It is by now, very difficult to imagine anyone singing "Il est doux" with more apt expression of the line than La Crespin. Wagner's Wesendonk lieder is simply sublime from start to finish and the Faure takes on new meaning. That she is comical, melancholy, fun and happy by turns singles her out. This collection captures all her awesome talent. Underneath it all seems to be a very, if I may, sexual energy.

Crespin must be heard to be believed and the miracle lies in that even her softest tones are really enveloping, never thin. All tones are open and this is why there are enough colors in Regine Crespin's delicious voice to paint the world a thousand times, but it may also be why she infamous for being short and edgy on top but I remind, never here is she such. She is a relaxed singer in superb voice, comfortable in her own olive skin and makes the most out of every word those poets wrote.

The whole collection is unique in pace, style, and voice. It is Regine Crespin...in a nutshell fabulous!

Average customer rating: A Grand Lady, A Grand Collection

Legend: Régine Crespin [CD & DVD] Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | 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 Similar Items: The Very Best of Régine Crespin Russian Album ASIN: B0009275XO Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

1. I. Der Engel
2. II. Stehe Still!
3. III. Im Treibhaus
4. IV. Schmerzen
5. V. Traume
6. Einsam In Truben Tagen
7. Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen
8. Eine Waffe Lass Mich Dir Weisen
9. Ich Sah Das Kind
10. Dich, Teure Halle
11. Allmacht'ge Jungfrau
12. D'Amour L'Ardente Flamme
13. Nous Avons Vu Finir... Chers Tyriens
14. Ah, Je Vais Mourir... Adieu, Fiere Cite

Customer Reviews:

A Grand Lady, A Grand Collection.......2005-09-28

Few who have had the privilege of seeing and hearing Régine Crespin in person will be able to pass this fine album by. A beautiful voice, a beautiful presence, an intelligent and sensitive mind all informed her singing whether on the grand stages of opera or in recitals. Who could ever forget her inimitable Berlioz' 'Les Nuits d'été or Ravel's 'Shéhérazade'? Indeed, Crespin is a legend.

In this very fine album we hear a stunning 'Wesendonck Lieder' of Wagner with Georges Prêtre conducting the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française. While some singers find these songs matronly Crespin infuses the poems with frail and tender love. Staying with Wagner (she was after all a reigning Sieglinde in her day) she offers arias from 'Lohengrin', 'Die Walküre', 'Parsifal', and 'Tannhäuser' (with Otto Ackermann
conducting the Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris)
demonstrating that this very French singer could produce a huge sound that easily sails over Wagner's orchestration. Finally she is heard in Berlioz' 'Les Troyens' and 'La Damnation de Faust' (again with Otto Ackermann). There is not a weak moment in these selections.

Included with this CD is a well-produced DVD of Crespin singing French art songs, showing the poise and involvement she brought to every performance. This is a treasureable package and certainly commands the respect of the title 'Legend. It is brilliant! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 05

Average customer rating: Wicked Funny Music Gift Idea Octoberfest fun A great CD!

Opera's Greatest Drinking Songs Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( 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 Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | 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 All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | 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 Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, 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Classical 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 Similar Items: German Drinking and Beer Garden Songs: 14 All-time Favorites ZOUNDS!: A Browser's Dictionary of Interjections German Beer Drinking & Merrymaking Songs: Featuring Music From The Octoberfest In Munich Yiddish with Dick and Jane A John Waters Christmas ASIN: B000003FV4 Release Date: 1995-04-11

Tracks:

1. La Traviata: Brindisi
2. Martha: Lasst mich euch fragen
3. The Student Prince: Drink, Drink, Drink
4. Il Trovatore: Anvil chorus
5. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intanto, amici
6. Carmen: Votre toast (Toreador Song)
7. Carmina Burana: In taberna quando sumus
8. Cherubin: Vous parlex de peril And La Manola
9. Rigoletto: La donna obile
10. What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor
11. Das Lied von der Erde: Der trunkene im fr
12. Wiener Blut: Stoss an!
13. Lucrezia Borgia: Il segreto per esser felici
14. Der Freischutz: Hier im ird'schen Jammertal
15. La Damnation de Faust: Song Of The Rat
16. Don Giovanni: Finch'han dal vino
17. La forza del destino: Holholhol
18. Tafellied
19. Eine Nacht In Venedig: Solch ein wirtshaus lob ich mir
20. Otello: Inaffia l'ugola!
21. The Bartered Bride: Welch Gottesgabe is das Bier
22. Die Fledermaus: O Fledermaus; Champagne hat's verschuldet

Customer Reviews:

Wicked Funny Music.......2007-05-18

Excellent choices for drunken idiots to sing to. Get some culture while you get smashed!

Gift Idea.......2007-01-17

This was a gift for a man in my life who is a beer conosouir and fluent in German. I fell in love with the cover art because it was so humourous. According to him, the music is also fun and entertaining. This could make an excellent unique gift for someone, even as a joke.

Octoberfest fun.......2000-12-12

My father got this as a joke, ... I heard it and had to have it,, perfect for drinking beer in October. Just a wonderful hearty mix!

A great CD!.......1998-12-12

This CD is so much fun, and has great music! Buy it...you'll love it

Average customer rating: Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights) Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; The Gypsy Baron (Highlights) Offenbach: La Belle Hélène; Orpheus in the Underworld; La Vie Parisienne (Highlights) Music of Sigmund Romberg Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights) The Best of Operetta, Vol. 3 ASIN: B00009KHY2 Release Date: 2003-09-02

Customer Reviews:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow ".......2006-09-12

This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!

The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.

Average customer rating:

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Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set] Masters of Classical Music (Box Set) ASIN: B00008L428 Release Date: 2003-02-13

Average customer rating: Relaxing music at its finest! Get it for $9.99 at Sam's Club! Beautiful, moving music! You'll recognize many of the pieces Meditative, But Not Boring A Bargain and Beautiful

Meditation: Classical Relaxation (Box Set) Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | 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 Carl Philipp Emman. Bach | Bach, Carl Philipp Emman. | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. 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Beethoven for Relaxation Vivaldi for Relaxation ASIN: B000001VUT Release Date: 1991-10-11

Tracks:

1. Canon
2. Andante From Piano Concerto No. 21: Elvira Madigan
3. Coppelia: Notturno
4. String Quintet In C: Adagio - Schubert
5. Orchestral Suite No. 3: Air - Bach
6. Clarinet Concerto: Adagio
7. Symphony No. 8 'Unfinished': Andante con moto - Schubert
8. Concerto, Op. 9 No. 2: Adagio
9. Orpheus And Eurydice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits

Tracks:

1. Thais: Meditation
2. Romance In G, Op. 26
3. The Last Spring
4. Minuet
5. Serenade, Op. 3 No. 5
6. Poeme, Op. 41 No.6
7. Elegiac Melody No. 1
8. Serenade For String Orchestra: Elegia
9. I Love You
10. La Gioconda: Dance Of The Hours

Tracks:

1. Adagio
2. Romance In F Minor, Op. 11
3. Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
4. Romance For Violin No. 2 In F, Op. 50
5. Rosamunde: Ballet Music In G
6. Symphony No. 5: Adagietto

Tracks:

1. Peer Gynt: Morning
2. Standchen (Serenade)
3. Mozartiana Suite: Preghiera (Ave Verum)
4. Moonlight Sonata: Adagio sostenuto
5. Piano Concerto No. 23 in A: 2nd Movement
6. Rosamunde: Intermezzo
7. Violin Concerto In E Minor: 2nd Movement
8. Serenade For String Orchestra: 1st Movement
9. L'Arlesienne, Suite No. 2: Intermezzo
10. Concierto De Aranjuea: 2nd Movement
11. Trout Quintet: Theme And Variations

Tracks:

1. The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
2. Valse Triste
3. Liebestraum No. 3 In A Flat
4. Minuet
5. Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Oboe Concerto In D Minor (Excerpt)
6. Piano Sonata No. 8: Pathetique: 2nd Movement
7. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo sinfonico
8. Christmas Oratorio: Sinfonia
9. Ave Maria
10. Horn Concerto No.3: 2nd Movement
11. Symphony No. 1: 3rd Movement
12. Traumerei
13. Peer Gynt: Ase's Death
14. Xerves: Largo
15. Symphony No. 9: From The New World: 2nd Movement

Tracks:

1. Swan Lake
2. Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romance
3. Nocturne In B Major, Op. 9 No. 3
4. Madama Butterfly: Humming Chorus
5. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Notturno
6. Symphony No. 35: Haffner: Andante
7. Carmen Suite No. 1: Intermezzo
8. Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, D.960: Andante sostenuto
9. Sinfonia Concertante In E Flat Major: Andante
10. Piano Concerto No. 2: Larghetto

Tracks:

1. Impromptu In G Flat Major
2. Evening Song
3. Serenade No. 1: Adagio non troppo
4. The Merry Peasant
5. Flute Quartet In G Major
6. Symphony No. 7: Allegretto
7. Cradle Song
8. Quartet in G Major: Theme And Variations
9. Barcarolle: The Seasons: June
10. Symphony No.36 'Linz': Poco adagio

Tracks:

1. Prelude In C Minor - Meditation
2. Piano Concerto In A Minor: Adagio - Meditation
3. Flute Concerto No. 2: Adagio non troppo - Meditation
4. Andante - Meditation
5. Impromptu In B Flat Major - Meditation
6. Clair de lune - Meditation
7. Divertimento In D, K.251: Andantino - Meditation
8. Caro mio ben - Meditation
9. Piano Concerto No. 9: Jeunehomme: Andante - Meditation
10. Theme And Variations - Meditation

Tracks:

1. The Sleeping Beauty: Panorama
2. Waltz, Op.39 No.15
3. Flute Concerto In G Minor: Andante
4. Impromptu In A Flat
5. Violin Concerto No. 5: Adagio
6. Symphony No. 3: Allegretto
7. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2: Andante
8. Piano Sonata No. 3: Largo
9. Suite No. 1: Intermezzo
10. Piano Concerto No. 3: Largo

Tracks:

1. La Traviata: Act 1: Prelude
2. Kinderscenen: Foreign Countries And People
3. Chanson triste
4. Symphony No. 5: Andante
5. La Campanella
6. Flute Concerto in B Flat: Adagio
7. Piano Sonata No. 2: Funeral March
8. Symphony No. 94: Surprise: Andante
9. Concerto for Flute and Harp: Andantino
10. Symphony No. 6: Pathetique: Adagio lamentoso

Customer Reviews:

Relaxing music at its finest!.......2005-10-14

This is a GREAT 10-CD set!The performances are top-notch, the music is varied, and the feelings engendered are wondrously beautiful.

Get it for $9.99 at Sam's Club!.......2005-06-22

Very nice set of CD's, very beatiful and relaxing, but don't pay $27, get it for $9 at Sam's Club. I know this will be censored but come on, how can you guys charge those saps that much! Amazon should try to find the best price for its customers, even if it sends them to different vendors. Censoring this message is a crime, DON'T DO IT. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Beautiful, moving music! You'll recognize many of the pieces.......2004-02-24

John Cheng's review, below, said it's "an undeniable bargain," and I whole heartedly agree! I especially LOVE Volume 5. I have a Typing/Resume business, and I listen to Volume 5 ALL the time on my computer while I'm doing my work. It inspires me to be creative and calms me down when I'm stressed.

I would say I've _easily_ listened to Volume 5 at least 100 times, and I'm still not tired of it. That's amazing for me, because I'm also a musician (singer/pianist) and I get bored easily. I actually found the Volume 5 CD at a Thrift store, and loved it so much that I bought the whole set recently. So I've only listened to a few of the other CD's in this set, so far, and they're also great.

This is NOT boring music. My clients and family have heard it also, and they've also mentioned how soothing and wonderful these pieces are. Most of you will probably recognize a lot of these songs! You'll be saying, "OH! I remember THIS one! I haven't heard this for YEARS!!!"

It's well worth the money for 10 very full CD's!!! Try it! You won't be disappointed!

Happy listening!
Betty, Owner of Betty's Desk Typing Service and Quality Resumes

Meditative, But Not Boring.......2002-06-21

Here's the deal: If you check out the individual CDs of this collection, you'll pay way too much. That said, compare this price, and realize it is a steal at twice the price.

The list of selections is immense. 101 selections. Most of it you've heard before, but that's OK. Despite the various cute names -- quite creative -- "Vol. 9"!... you can load your CD player and enjoy them without feeling a transition of style.

It's true these aren't meditative in the sense of a Gregorian chant. Anyone familiar with classical music will recognize the composers and various movements to know this. What is true is that you can sit down and write Amazon reviews with it in the background quite comfortably. No weird interpretations, just the music as you know it.

It is also meditative in the sense of popping on it your portable player as you go for a Sunday afternoon walk. The music has just the right pacing: no quite aerobics class, but not ready for the office elevator either.

The box and jewel cases are not that flimsy kind of thing often associated with box sets. It sounds silly to review the jewel cases, but I'm frustrated with the ones I've received lately that have no meat to them. This'll do the job.

I fully recommend "Meditation: Classical Relaxation, 10 Volume Set [BOX SET].

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

A Bargain and Beautiful.......2002-02-28

This is a wonderful collection of some of my most favorite classical selections. Most I already own, but still like having these all together. I could only wish that the recording level was the same for all selections. Yes, some are written to be softer, but I found it often necessary to turn the volume up or down for different selections. But aside from this minor preference, the quality, the choices, and the price are all super.

Average customer rating: The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording Incredible, even if only highlights Highlights From The Classic Live Performance Good introduction to the Ring; good value. Fire! Fire!

Wagner: The Best of the Ring Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Nilsson, Birgit | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Panorama (Highlights from der fliegende Hollander, Lohengrin, Tannhauser, Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, Parsifal, Tristan und Isolde) Wagner: Extracts from the operas Highlights from Der Ring des Nibelungen Wagner: The "Ring" Without Words An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen ASIN: B0000041EJ Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

1. Das Rheingold: Prelude
2. Das Rheingold - Scene One: Weia! Waga! Woge, du Welle!
3. Das Rheingold - Scene One: Garstig glatter glitschriger Glimmer
4. Das Rheingold - Scene One: Wallala! Lalaleia! Leialei!
5. Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Bin ich nun frei?
6. Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Schwules Gedunst schwebt In der Luft
7. Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Zur Burg Fuhrt die Brucke
8. Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Rheingold! Rheingold!
9. Die Walkure - Act One: Prelude
10. Die Walkure - Act One, Scene 3: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond
11. Die Walkure - Act One, Scene Three: Wehwalt heisst du furwahr? Siegmund heiss ich
12. Die Walkure - Act II: Prelude to Act II
13. Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Siegmund! sieh auf mich!
14. Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Du sahest der Walkure sehrenden Blick
15. Die Walkure - Act III, Scene One: Hojotoho! Heiaha!

Tracks:

1. Die Walkure - Act III, Scene Three: Leb wohl, du k herrliches Kind!
2. Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Loge, hLausche hieher!
3. Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Hoho! Hoho! Hohei!
4. Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Den der Bruder schuf, den schimmernden Reif!
5. Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Aber, wie sah meine Mutter wohl aus?
6. Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Du holdes Vin! Dich hort' ich noch nie
7. Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Es schweigt und lauscht
8. Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Siegfrieds Horn-call
9. Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich
10. Gotterdammerung - Prologue: Orchestral Interlude
11. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Brde, heilige Braut
12. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Orchestral Interlude: Funeral March
13. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort
14. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Mein Erbe nun nehm ich zu eigen
15. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Grane, mein Ross, sei mir gegr
16. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Zurm Ring

Customer Reviews:

The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording.......2006-03-23

CAST: DAS RHEINGOLD:
Gustav Neidlinger (baritone, Alberich) Theo Adam (baritone, Wotan) Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor, Loge) Annelies Burmeister (mezzo-soprano, Fricka) Hermin Esser (soprano Froh) Ruth Hesse (soprano Flosshilde) Helga Dernesch (soprano Wellgunde) Dorothea Siebert (soprano, Woglinde)

DIE WALKURE: James King (tenor, Siegmund) Leonie Rysanek (soprano, Sieglende) Theo Adam (Wotan) Birgit Nilsson (soprano, Brunhilde) Danica Mastilovic (soprano, Fricka) Sieglende Wagner (soprano, Schwertleite) Liane Synek (soprano, Helmwige) and the Valkyries Elisabeth Schartel (Grimgerde) and Anneliese Burmister (Siegrunde)

SIEGFRIED: Wolgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Erwin Wohlfahrt (Mime)

GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Josef Greindl (bass-baritone, Hagen)...* Conductor Karl Bohm, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra

If you're already an opera fan but have not yet discovered Wagner and wish to be introduced to his biggest most famous opera cycle- Der Ring Des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs) then this CD is one you should definately own. From live performances at Bayreuth on July of 1967, these same operas are available on seperate CD's and on a box set from the Phillips label. With a cast of brilliant, experienced Wagnerian singers such as baritone Theo Adam (Odin) soprano Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) and tenor Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) you can't go wrong with this set. These singers represent a style of Wagnerian singing that no singer alive today can measure up to. Powerful, invective yet lyrical, passionate voices are equally in balance with dramatic acting. They lived their roles so that everytime I hear the Ring operas, I can't think of a greater Brunhilde than the unbeatable Birgit Nilsson or a greater Odin than that of Theo Adam. Maestro Karl Bohm was a prominent Wagner conductor and a Bayreuth icon in the 60's. He allowed enough natural "fresh air" for his singers, and the orchestra never truly drowns out their voices nor becomes overpowering. Nevertheless, Bohm provides the score, layered with dozens of leitmotifs, with spirituality, grandeur, nobility and the typical Wagnerian fatalism. Bohm understood Wagner more than any other conductor of his time. Although the George Solti studio Ring set is largely considered the greatest, I think this set is possibly better. There is more of a sense of tradition in this recording, since, after all, these are Bayreuth performances. The music and singingremains true to Wagner's original concept and this is not a "conductor's Ring" it is truly Wagner's Ring. The Ring of the Nibelung can become a complex, overanalyzed work of music but beneath its many layers it is an epic panorama of heroes, gods and villains. Its theme is the folly of man in his greedy lust for power, as represented by the titular ring.

Das Rheingold: The first opera deals with the greedy, deformed dwarf Alberich, who foresaking any chance of ever finding love, steals the Gold of the Rhine River from the Rhinemaidens. Baritone Gustav Neidlinger is possibly the greatest interpretor of Albrecht. This is a baritone role that is not in any way meant to be sung beautifully. Neidlinger sounds harsh and ugly, he is in full character. The music for Alberich is equally ugly and dissonant. In contrast, the Rhinemaidens are sung by beautiful, lyric sopranos who must evoke youthfulness, playfulness and a slight sexual flirtation. Their music is at first playful and flirty but after the gold is stolen, their song becomes a lament and remains melancholy in consequent motifs even up to Gotterdammerung when they reappear to reclaim their stolen gold from "the ashes of Brunhilde's Immolation". Donner, the Bridge Keeper of Valhalla, is a high bass who must step up to the exclamations of "Heda! Heda Hedo!", one of the great scenes in this opera, in which the gods enter the newly built glittering palace called Valhalla. But Odin, king of the gods, and suposed god of oaths, has broken his own oath (he promised the spring goddess Freya to the Giants who built Valhalla but didn't keep his word) And the tragedy is set in motion......

Die Walkure: In tenor and soprano James King and Leonie Rysanek, we get the most dramatic and golden Siegmund and Sieglende. More than others who have sung this romantic pair, King and Rysanek become involved, even lost in the music of their characters and are by far the most passionate interpretors. First of all, James King was endowed with a huge, heroic voice so perfect for Wagner. He is also featured in the Solti studio Ring recording but here, he is in better shape and sings with intensity, vocal heft and dramatic prowess. Also, his Siegmund is romantically sung, as if he could just as easily be a Verdi hero. His German diction never falters and he has command of the voice and melodic line. He passed away recently and left behind numerous recordings, including a Parsifal he recorded late in his career, which is still quite amazing. Leonie Rysanek actually screams out during the Love Duet in which Siegmund shows her his great sword Nothung. She was made famous not only for that hair-raising scream but for her powerful, dramatic voice and her first-rate performances as Strauss' Salome (also under Karl Bohm) Elektra and Verdi's Lady Macbeth which she first sang as a replacement to an ill and indisposed Maria Callas. Rysanek died of cancer in the mid 90's, and she was still singing then. In Die Walkure, we are first introduced to Odin's daughter, the lead Valkyrie goddess Brunhilde (she's the gal in the winged helmet, wielding a spear and flying on a horse). Birgit Nilsson owned this role, no doubt about it. Long after she had retired, she could still belt out the Hojo-to-hos (Valkyrie War Cries). She identified with Brunhilde's Nordic roots (Nilsson was born in Sweden) and she understood Wagner and dramatic German opera. All her huge successes were in German opera- Salome, Elektra most notably. She is also the Brunhilde of Solti's ring but here she is singing a hell of a lot better and she isn't overpowered by the Vienna Phil and its gargantuan musical forces. At the end of the opera, Odin punishes Brunhilde for sympathizing with the lovers Siegmund and Sieglende and saving Sieglende (pregnant with Siegfried). She is to sleep inside a ring of fire on a mountain or rock and only a great hero can awaken her and claim her as his bride. Theo Adam as Wotan is by far the best. He has a huge voice and is able to stir our emotions as he bids his daughter farewell in that great final scene.

Siegfried and Gotterdammerung: The son of Siegmund and Sieglende, he grows up not knowing his heritage as a hero. He discovers Nothung, his father's sword, kills Mime, yet another greedy, power-hungry dwarf and slays the dragon Fafner. He is now able to communicate and bond with nature as one of his special powers. He confronts Odin himself and saves Brunhilde from her nearly eternal sleep. Wolfgang Windgassen sang in the old-school Wagnerian tenor style which meant he had the "Bayreuth bark". He could throw his voice high above the big Wagnerian orchestra but it was a voice that was in no way attractive or emotional. It was cold and at times too harsh. But he is the only tenor to truly master the difficult role of Siegfried. Nowadays, some tenors can either sing the Siegfried of Siegfried or the Siegfried in Gotterdammerung, but rarely can they sing both like Windgassen. In addition, Windgassen achieved success in other Wagner heroic roles like Tristan and Tannhauser. In Gotterdammerung (Twilight of the Gods), Wagner's music has never been more fatalistic. Siegfried bids farewell to Brunhilde and sets out on an adventure down the Rhine river. He is captured by the vindictive and evil Gibechung giants, drugged and forced to wed Gutrune. And it gets worse. The Gibechungs also kidnap Brunhilde and force her to marry one of the giants. Eventually, Siegfried is slain by the cruel giant Hagen. The last minutes of singing are left to Brunhilde (it aint over till the fat lady sings). And what great singing it is. In the Immolation Scene, Brunhilde orders for a funeral pyre to be made for Siegfried. She curses the gods for breaking their oaths, declares that the end is near and summons Grane her old Valkyrie horse. Straddling him, she leaps into the funeral pyre and brings about the Ragnarok- the end of the gods. Valhalla is consumed by a firestorm, the Rhine overfloods and the world of man is destroyed. Birgit Nilsson's high, heroic voice has never sounded better in this scene.

Affordable price, great music, great singing. Please don't hesitate to get this recording if you are interested in hearing The Ring the way it should be sung and if you wish to get only chunks and pieces from an otherwise long 4 opera cycle. Enjoy!!

Incredible, even if only highlights.......2004-12-20

I have to say, usually I HATE highlights of anything, but in this case, I will say, I am impressed. It is so hard to choose what should be included, and often the things I want in highlights are the things that are NOT there (example is the highlights of Nabucco with Sintow, the really hard arias are gone; the same with her highlights of Macbeth, no sleepwalking scene). In this case, I was gladly surprised. Most all the really telling moments of the various operas are there. It is a great introduction for those who are just coming to Wagner's Ring. I would say like the Tolken books of Lord of the Rings (stories completely not related, though elements of this are in that), one has to prepare to enjoy them to get the full affect. Wagner is the same. His operas are extremely long, and there are long moments where nothing much is actually happening at all. To come to him unprepared can prove the end of even trying to understand his works at all. This highlight version is simply great. We are introduced to the Rhinemaidens right off and the drama begins. Just enough of each opera is there to give a really good feel for the works, and unlike most highlights with an aria or two, these are full scenes that are presented to us. I have to say, the editors did a masterful job at choosing the "exciting parts" to whet our desire for Wagner. Ending the entire set with the uncut version of the Immolation Scene is simply wonderful. So often when it is recorded as a highlight we begin only on the ending pronouncements where Brunhilde addresses her horse thus bringing the end to the opera. Here we are treated to the entire scene from beginning to end so we can follow the drama (interestingly, while singing the scene, stage actions are going on, for the pyre is prepared, Siegfried's body brought in, Brunhilde removes the ring, his body is put on the pyre, Grane, Brunhilde's horse is brought in -- well, in the score he is called for, but in most performances one has to imagine him being there, and if there, the singer never rides him into the fire as Wagner wanted; I think the only time that happened was with Marjorie Lawrence --- and the entire world is destroyed, including Valhalla, the Rhine overflows and the rhinemaidens get their ring/gold back).

This is a masterful choosing of highlights and they work to present the work as a whole in a wonderful way. When one then buys the entire ring, there are going to be many wonderful parts now fully appreciated and loved that will come up and the work will not seen as long.

For those of us who love Wagner, well, there are days we don't wish to get out all the CD's of each opera to listen to the few scenes we want to hear, and this highlight set is great to hear those moments that one would find exciting to hear when not in the mood to listen to the whole. The only scene I would have added, because it is exciting and good to listen to, is the oath scene (trio between Gunther, Hoggan, and Brunhilde) that ends Act 2 of Gotterdammerung. It is quite exciting and makes a wonderful contrast to the orchestra of the Rhine Journey that begins the Gotterdammerung highlights and the death of Siegfried which on the highlights follows the Rhine Journey. I know only so much can fit on a CD, but one could have begun that trio with the words "Siegfried's Todd" sung by Gunther and then the trio would not have been so long.

However, great introduction of a massive work.

Highlights From The Classic Live Performance.......2003-12-30

In the sixties, conductor Karl Bohm found himself treading on the ground that most conductors would think twice because of the huge risk factor - conducting Richard Wagner's The Ring Of the Nibelung (Das Ring Des Nibelungen) a series of four operas dealing with the ancient Norse saga of the legendary ring of power coveted by gods, mortals and giants. The myth also tells the love story of Siegfried and Brunhilde and the end of the world. For Wagner, this would be his ultimate masterpiece. These four opera cycle goes beyond everything he had ever composed musically and for the theatre. Only Tristan and Isolde and Parsifal reach such dramatic heights and is as musically masterful.

This classic recording has value, even if it is the highlights and excerpts from the operas. There is a full recording in its entirety with Karl Bohm conducting and with the same singers- Birgit Nilsson as Brunhilde, Wolfgang Windgassen as Siegfried, Leonie Rysanek as Sieglende, James King as Siegmund and Theo Adam as Wotan, king of the gods. These singers were regarded as the best interpretors of their day. Certainly, Birgit Nilsson was born to sing Brunhilde. She has all the drama just in her voice. The inflection is dramatic, her stage presence was commanding, and a voice that even Maria Callas would kill for. Maria Callas sang Brunhilde once in the 40's, but it was never good nor became her signature role. Callas was primarily an Italian singer and she had complications singing German. In Callas' day, Kirsten Flagstad was the reigning Brunhilde interpretor. But Birgit Nilsson's voice far surpasses even Flagstad. Birgit Nilsson has all the heigh notes, the passion, the fire and the Wagnerian touch to a fine art. Theo Adam makes a superb Wotan- imperious, commanding, greedy, regial. His voice was well-trained in German and in the art of Wagner music drama. The same applies to James King, a top-notch German heldentenor who made such roles as Siegfried and Theseus (from Strauss' Ariadne) his own.

To sing Wagner is no walk in the park. Only the best heldentenors and Wagnerian soprano divas are employed in this recording. Among them the diva Leonie Rysanek, whose vocals and theatrics on stage was always to her advantage. Here she sings the role of Sieglende- Siegfried's mother and wife of Siegmund. In her dramatic duet with Siegmund, Leonie Rysanek heightens the drama of the moment by actually SCREAMING. It's brilliant. It was well known that Rysanek would always scream her lines when warranted. She has sung other heavy German repertoire- such as Strauss' Salome.

Karl Bohm has been criticized for overemphasizing the music, for directing at lightning speed and making a "sloppy", disappointing score for Wagner's Ring. Most fans of the Ring favor George Solti, who was the first to produce the first studio recording of the Ring. Still others prefer Furtwangler, who was a native German and who knew the music so well because for a long time he had been associated with Wagner's descendant family who operate the Bayreuth Festival Opera House. But Karl Bohm, despite his failure in some portions, has his moments. His strength lies in conducting Gotterdammerung's final scene- the Immolation and end of the world. Brunhilde, the last bearer of the cursed ring, has lost her beloved Siegfried to death by traitorous murderer- giants, curses the gods and commits suicide by throwing herself into Siegfrie'ds funeral pyre. The curse of the ring is lifted, the palace of the gods in Vallhalla is consumed in a devastating fire and the world is flooded by the overflowing Rhine river.

The theme of the Ring is not too complicated to understand. In much the same vein as J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" novels, and the recent film adaptations, the curse of a powerful ring is that of corrupted power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, in the words of philosopher John Locke. The ring, who entitled its beare to total power, was desired by everyone in the opera- from an ugly dwarf (Albrecht) who was willing to sacrifice sexual relations and love for possession of the ring. Albrecht is the instigator. Stealing the gold of the Rhine from the mermaid-like Rhinemaidens, he begins to build a mine and city under the earth. The gods of Valhalla have their own troubles- the giants who built Valhalla want to claim their promised reward- Wotan's wife, the goddess Freya. The powerful god Wotan will not accept the terms. This occurs in the first opera - Das Rhinegold (The Rhinegold). In the second installment, "Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) we are introduced to Siegmund and Sieglende. Because theirs is an illicit romance, Freya convinces Wotan to decree their deaths. But Brunhilde, Wotan's divine daughter opposes the decree and even saves the life of Sieglende who gives birth to the hero Siegfried. Brunhilde is the Valkyrie warrior woman (she is the stereotypical Wagner opera singer wearing a horned helmet , spear, shield, breast plate and battle costume. When Brunhilde's defiance is discovered, Wotan puts a spell over her. She is to sleep inside a ring of fire until the kiss of a demi-god hero awakens her. In this opera, the famous "Ride of the Valkyries" is featured, a dramatic music which has been used time and again in movies and television, most notably in the film "Apocalypse Now". In Siegfried, we follow the quest of Siegfried. He pulls his father's sword from a tree (like King Arthur does in Excalibur only Arthur pulls the sword from a stone and anvil). Siegfried, with the help of the mentor dwarf Mime, journeys into Albrecht's layer, defeats him and slays the vile dragon Falfner. Of course, he kisses Brunhilde and breaks the spell. In the last opera, Gotterdamerung or "Twilight of the Gods", the saga comes to an end when Siegfried is slain by the Gibechung giants. Brunhilde has her famous Immolation Scene and the world of mortals, and even the gods, die during the end of the world. The highlghts here include Siegfried's Rhine Jounrey and Siegfried's Funeral March (this March was used in John Boorman's Excalibur) and the concluding music.

Good introduction to the Ring; good value........2001-09-11

I'm recommending this 2-disc set because it's the best way I know of at the present time to get an inexpensive, manageable, accessible introduction to Wagner's masterpiece, Der Ring des Nibelungen, commonly called the Ring. The Ring is a sequential cycle of four operas, Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, and Gotterdammerung. With the exception of Das Rheingold, they are all of great length (Wagner was a colossal egotist who seemed to believe that no opera could be too long if he was its composer). As a result, acquiring and getting familiar with the entire Ring is an expensive and time-consuming proposition (my choice among complete Ring recordings, the landmark Solti/Vienna Philharmonic set on Decca/London, is 14 CDs costing around $145-$160). Wagner purists will object to any attempt to excerpt "highlights" from the Ring, and they do have a point: unlike the standard Italian and French operas, which are readily divisible into recitatives, arias, duets, etc., the Wagner operas do not lend themselves to excerpting, with the result that "highlights" sets like this one are a collection of "bleeding chunks" torn from the body of the whole work.

Nevertheless there is a need for a way to approach the Ring, to be introduced to it and to get its flavor, and this generously filled (2 hours 28 minutes of music) 2-disc set fills that requirement reasonably well. These are excerpts from all four Ring operas from live 1966-67 performances (the second Wieland Wagner production) at Bayreuth, the famed Wagner Festspielhaus in Bavaria; they are not studio recordings. They are not great performances, but they are good, capable, workmanlike ones. The sound is not the equal of the better studio recordings (like the Solti and von Karajan cycles), but it is good enough: clear and never objectionable. The conductor, Karl Bohm, was not a great Wagnerian; he gives a competent reading, favoring brisk tempos, generally lacking repose, keeping things moving along in a business-like manner, but the result is that he seems more interested in moving on to the next scene than in shaping the scene at hand to realize its full potential. His performance overall is characterized by persistent, even relentless, forward pressure. Sometimes this works, sometimes not; if he can be accused of insensitivity, of failing to make the most of his opportunities, he can't be accused of lingering, melting, dawdling, going slack. He is certainly not in the class of Solti or Furtwangler as a Wagner conductor. The notes all get played, but there is little magic fire coming from the pit here.

Most of the singers are able and well suited to their roles, and they are all singers who actually sang their roles on the operatic stage (not just in the recording studio). Outstanding are Birgit Nilsson and James King. Here is a chance to hear Nilsson, the greatest Wagnerian soprano of the second half of the twentieth century, "live" in her most celebrated role, Brunnhilde (who figures in the last three Ring operas), and that is an opportunity not to be sneezed at. She offers ringing vocal power, amplitude, stamina, with a brillliant, secure top, an unusual combination that is rarely found in Wagnerian sopranos, and she has no competition in any of the other complete sets except the Solti, where she is competing with herself. When it comes to unleashing her huge voice and letting it soar out over the potent Wagner orchestra, she has no peer, and reminds us of what great Wagnerian singing, heroic singing, used to be all about. James King is the Siegmund in Die Walkure (as he is in the Solti set), and his bright, attractive tenor and musicianly singing are a treat after the ersatz, makeshift Heldentenorizing we've usually had to make do with in Wagner since Melchior retired in 1950. Compare his singing here with the dry, threadbare, underpowered Siegfried of Wolfgang Windgassen--whose creditable performance is a triumph of professional skill over lack of natural resources--and you will see what I mean. Theo Adam as Wotan knows his stuff (he was a well-regarded Wotan) but his vocal endowment is not prepossessing either; he too, like so many Wagner singers of the post-Flagstad-Traubel-Melchior era (i.e., after 1950), is underpowered for the role.

This 2-CD set has direct, head-on competition from a similar (and similarly priced) Deutsche Grammophon 2-CD set of highlights from the Ring. The DG set is from the Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic studio recordings of the Ring operas (1967-1970). Here's how I stack up their pros and cons: The Bohm set has generally superior, more involved singing, including Nilsson as Brunnhilde, by singers who sing the same roles throughout (no switching horses in midstream, as in the Karajan, which has two different Wotans, two different Brunnhildes, and two different Siegfrieds), and who actually sang their roles in the opera house, not just in the recording studio (this is a problem with the more "artificial" Karajan set). Also, since the performances are "live," there is a certain sense of vividness, immediacy, and excitement missing in a studio recording. On the other hand, the Karajan set offers generally superior conducting and orchestral playing; his studio recording can be more note-perfect (with its opportunities for re-takes); and the sound of Karajan's set is better than that of Bohm's live performances (although still not as good as Solti's Ring, or the best more recent opera recordings).

So, between the Karajan and Bohm 2-CD Ring highlights sets, there is not a clearcut winner. To make choosing more difficult, both are priced the same and both offer very generously filled CDs (both have about two and a half hours of music). I marginally prefer the Bohm "live" performances, but I couldn't argue with anyone who listened to them both and preferred the Karajan.

Fire! Fire!.......2000-08-23

Taken from live performances of "Der Ring des Nibelungen" at Bayreuth in 1967, this double-disc compilation of excerpts from Wagner's epic provides a generous selection for persons who want to explore the Ring beyond the usual "highlights" albums without taking on the entire cycle. Although not necessary for those familiar with the Ring, the liner notes contain a brief history of its development, historical and social context, and a synopsis. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one's attitude towards Wagner's prose style), the notes do not provide translations of the excerpts for neophytes.

Renowned for his performances of Wagner, conductor Karl Bohm evokes fiery playing from the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. Particularly at the climaxes, his tempi may seem too brisk for those wanting a more langorous Wagner. Nevertheless, Bohm manages to evoke the same white-hot intensity that make many of his other opera recordings riveting, with piercing horns and thunderous percussion. For opera lovers who already own other versions of Wagner's epic, this compilation may whet their appetites for buying the reasonably-priced complete set of Bohm's interpretation.

Average customer rating: Well sung and varied repertoire from a legend. Terrifying, Thrilling, Gorgeous! Satanic!

Of Gods and Demons Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rubinstein | Rubinstein, Anton | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London, George | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Berlioz, Hector | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Boito, Arrigo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Borodin, Alexander | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical 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 Similar Items: Ljuba Welitsch The Complete Columbia Recordings Famous Voices of the Past George London - The Singers Eileen Farrell Sings Verdi Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov (Excerpts); Pictures at an Exhibition ASIN: B0000029U5 Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

1. Faust: 'Le veau d'or'
2. La Damnation de Faust: 'Mephistopheles' Serenade'
3. Mefistofele: 'Ecco il mondo'
4. The Demon: 'Ne plach', ditya'
5. Patrie: 'Pauvre martyr obscur'
6. Thais: 'Voila donc la terrible cite'
7. Don Quichotte: Act V (Complete) - Massenet
8. Prince Igor: 'Ni sna, ni otdykha'
9. Boris Godunov: 'Dostig ya vysshei Vlasti'
10. Boris Godunov: 'Uf, tyazhelo! Dai dukh perevadu'
11. Das Rheingold: 'Abendlich strahlt der Sonne Auge'
12. Die Walkure: Wotans Scheidegruss und Feuerzauber
13. The Emperor Jones, Op. 36: 'Standin' In The Need Of Prayer'
14. Goethe: 'Pesnya Mefistofely o blokhe' - Mussorgsky

Customer Reviews:

Well sung and varied repertoire from a legend........2005-09-21

I first heard London as Wotan in a recording of das Rheindgold under Solti. I remember the voice as if resembling molten lava containing vast amounts of energy yet never too quick to release it. The voice was magnificent! When I read that its owner was passed his prime at the time of recording the role, I got quite excited and looked forward to getting to know this voice at the highpoint of its years portraying ( as is it is nicely put) gods and demons.

I value this CD mostly as a historic document of an artist not too well known, because I am missing the emotional build up and thus my own emotional engagement in the music. This is ofcourse often the case with anthologies such as this.

This being said, as I tread my way through more and more complete productions of operas I can see myself coming back to this recording comparing styles, textual insights and ofcourse the vocal techniques used by the different singers in the arias.

It does not sound as if George Londong did anything half heartedly and I believe his renditions are most definately to be reckoned with.

Terrifying, Thrilling, Gorgeous!.......2003-08-29

George London is my idol as far as singing goes. I'm a bass-baritone, myself and I've always admired him. I particulary love the Mussorgsky and Wagner selections. The 'Clock Scene' was absolutely terrifying and the two Wagner songs were majestic and powerful.
London could take any song and do amazing things simply because of the sheer vocal quality of his voice. Not to mention his great acting ability.

Satanic!.......2003-07-14

This is an excellent collection of a some of London's best roles, plus the recordings are clear and lively. His voice is very focused and totally overwhelming. While his "Le veau d'or" can't compare to that of Christoff, London still makes for a great devil.. and his acting is superb. It's unfortunate that they didn't include London's Scarpia (see the 1960 recording of Tosca with Tebaldi and del Monaco) or one of his villains from the Tales of Hoffmann. This CD is a necessity for all fans of one of the century's finest bass-baritones and actors!

International Music:

1. Tausend Dankeschon
2. Tausend Träume Weit [Import]
3. The Best [Import]
4. Und Es War Sommer [Import]
5. Unter Dem Himmel Von Paris
6. Verlieben Verloren [Import]
7. Weil Mein Herz Dich Nie Mehr Vergisst [Import]
8. Weiss [Import]
9. Wilde Jahre [Import]
10. Winn Man Sich Lieb Hat [Import]

International Music

International Music