X fuer en U [Import]

1. Denn Mer Sinn Widder Wer

2. Vis A Vis

3. Bleifooss

4. Alles Em Lot

5. Happy End

6. Freio

7. Sie Maat Suchtig

8. Wat, Usser Rock'n'roll?

9. Domohls

10. Griefbar Noh

11. Land En Sicht

X fuer en U,Bap,EMI,World Music

Average customer rating: Good job Masterful! Great CD of Classical music's power pieces!

Time Life Presents: Classical Thunder Manufacturer: Time Life Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | 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 Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Janácek, Leos | ( J ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Respighi | Respighi, Ottorino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | 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 Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | 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 Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sinfonia | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | 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 Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Thunderous Classics Thunder & Lightning 25 Thunderous Classics Classical Thunder II: Time Life Library of Classical Favorites Heavy Classix ASIN: B00081U6XC Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. Introduction
2. Ride Of The Valkyries
3. Mars, The Bringer Of War
4. Montagues And Capulets
5. Sabre Dance
6. William Tell Overture (Conclusion)
7. In The Hall Of The Mountain King
8. The Hut On Fowl's Legs
9. The Great Gate At Kiev
10. Fanfare For The Common Man
11. Allegro Con Brio
12. Marche Au Supplice (March To The Scaffold)
13. Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One)
14. Circus Maximus
15. Les Toreadors
16. Finlandia, Op.26
17. 1812 Overture, Op.49 (Conclusion)

Tracks:

1. Procession Of The Nobles
2. Rakoczy March
3. Ritual Fire Dance
4. The Hero's Battlefield
5. Pines Of The Appian Way
6. Dies Irae
7. Allegro Con Brio
8. Allegretto
9. Air Et Danse Bacchanale
10. Farandole
11. Infernal Dance Of King Kastchei
12. O Fortuna
13. The Wedding Of Kije
14. Hurricane
15. Marche Slave, Op.31

Customer Reviews:

Good job.......2005-08-26

I remember when I was little, I had this cd, but i lost it. I bought a similiar type of one through TIme Life and decided to try the Classical Thunder one. I have like it so far.

Masterful!.......2005-06-15

This two CD set is magnificent. I got the set in the early 1990's when it was advertised on television, along with other releases in Time Life's set. I was struck by the interpretations of the conductors. Whenever I hear these pieces now, I judge them against this recording. Amazing selection as well. There are staples of orchestra repetoire, like Beethoven symphonies, but also gems that are not heard very often, like the Rimsky-Korsakov "Procession of the Nobles." A very impressive recording.

Great CD of Classical music's power pieces!.......2005-06-07

I got this CD when I was around 16 because I loved a lot of the music on this double CD set. As a student pursuing a Music Education major, it has been a great asset for my musically, and just great for listening to. I will drive on short trips and take this with me and blast it louder than the guy in the next car blasting rap music. I also take it skiing as it sets a great tempo down the mountain. This is a great CD for anyone that loves music.

Average customer rating: I can name that tune in three notes A Fabulous CD Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks! Fun Sampler Useful.

Idiot's Guide to Classical Music Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | 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 J.S. 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Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Music Classical Guitar, Vol. 2 Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Book & CD) ASIN: B000003FPT Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

1. Adagio
2. Air on the G String: Air on the G String, Excerpt
3. Brandenburg Concerto: Third Movement, Excerpt
4. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Excerpt
5. Tocatta & Fugue: Excerpt
6. Adagio for Strings: Excerpt
7. Synphony No. 5: First Movement, Excerpt
8. Symphony No. 9: Fourth Movement, Excerpt
9. Fse: Excerpt
10. Turkish March: Turkish March, Excerpt
11. Moonlight Sonata: Excerpt
12. Symphonie Fantastique: March Ot the Scaffold, Excerpt
13. Damnation of Faust: Excerpt
14. Carmen - Habanera: Habanera, Excerpt
15. Toreador Song [From Carmen]
16. Minuet: Minuet, Excerpt
17. Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dance No 17, Excerpt
18. Hungarian Dance No. 5: No 5, Excerpt
19. Lullaby: No 4, Lullaby, Excerpt
20. "Minute" Waltz: Excerpt
21. Grande Valse Brillante: Excerpt
22. Marche Fune: Marche Fune
23. Appalachian Spring: Excerpt
24. Fanfare for the Common Man: Excerpt
25. Clair de Lune: Excerpt
26. Prelude to the Afternoon: Excerpt
27. Lakm Flower Duet: Flower Duet, Excerpt
28. Symphony No. 9 "New World": Second Movement, "Going Home" Theme, ...
29. The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Excerpt
30. Pomp & Circumstance: Excerpt
31. El Amor Brujo
32. Pavane: Excerpt
33. Rhapsody in Blue: Excerpt
34. American in Paris: Excerpt
35. Funeral March of Marionette: Excerpt
36. Piano Concerto in a Minor: Excerpt
37. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Morning: Morning, Excerpt
38. Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus: Hallelujah Chorus, Excerpt
39. Water Music - Hornpipe: Hornpipe, Excerpt
40. Symphony No. 94 "Surprise": Second Movement, Excerpt
41. The Planets - Mars: Mars, Excerpt
42. Sabre Dance: Sabre Dance, Excerpt
43. Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba, Excerpt
44. Hungarian Rhapsody
45. Liebestraum No. 3: No 3, Excerpt
46. Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo: Intermezzo, Excerpt
47. Midsummer Night's Dream - Wedding March: Wedding March, Excerpt
48. Symphony No. 4 "Italian": Fourth Movement, Excerpt
49. Rondeau: No 1, Rondeau
50. Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante, Excerpt
51. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: First Movement, Excerpt
52. The Marriage of Figaro - Overture: Overture, Excerpt
53. Sonata in A - Rondo Alla Turca: Rondo Alla Turca, Excerpt
54. Symphony No. 40: First Movement, Excerpt
55. Night on Bald Mountain: Excerpt
56. Pictures at an Exhibition - Great Cave of Kiev: Great Gate of ...
57. Barcarolle: Barcarolle, Excerpt
58. Orpheus in Hades - Theme II: Excerpt (Theme)
59. Carmina Burana - O Fortuna: O Fortuna, Excerpt
60. Canon: Canon, Excerpt
61. Romeo & Juliet - Montagues & Capulets: Montagues & Capulets, Excerpt
62. Lt. Kije's Wedding: Lt. Kije's Wedding, Excerpt
63. Turandot - Nessun Dorma: Nessun Dorma, Excerpt
64. Piano Concerto No. 2: Second Movement, Excerpt
65. Symphony No. 2: Third Movement, Opening, Excerpt
66. Rhapsody on a Theme: Variation 18, Excerpt
67. Bolero
68. Flight of the Bumblebee
69. Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio: Adagio, Excerpt
70. The Barber of Seville - Overture: Excerpt
71. The Barber of Sville - Largo Al Factotum: Largo Al Factotum, Excerpt
72. William Tell Overture - Theme II: Excerpt
73. Danse Macabre: Excerpt
74. Gymnope No. 1
75. Symphony N0. 8 "Unfinished": Excerpt
76. Ave Maria: Excerpt
77. Finlandia [Finale: Finale, Excerpt]
78. Valse Triste: No 1, Valse Triste, Excerpt
79. Stars & Stripes Forever: Excerpt
80. Semper Fidelis: Excerpt
81. Blue Danube Waltz: Excerpt
82. Tales from the Vienna Woods: Excerpt
83. Also Sprach Zarathustra: Fanfare, Excerpt
84. Firebird - Infernal Dance & Main Theme: Infernal Dance & Main ...
85. The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers: Waltz of the Flowers, Excerpt
86. Swan Lake - Waltz: Waltz, Excerpt
87. Sleeping Beauty -: Waltz, Excerpt
88. Romeo & Juliet - Theme II: Theme LL, Excerpt
89. Piano Concerto No. 1 - Opening: Opening, Excerpt
90. 1812 Overture - Finale: Finale, Excerpt
91. Fantasia on "Greensleeves": Excerpt
92. Alda - Grand March: Grand March, Excerpt
93. Il Trovatore - Anvil Chorus: Anvil Chorus, Excerpt
94. Requiem - Dies Irae: Dies Irae, Excerpt
95. Rigoletto - La Donna Mobile: La Donna Mobile, Excerpt
96. The Four Seasons "Spring" - Allegro: Allegro, Excerpt
97. The Four Season "Winter" - Largo: Largo, Excerpt
98. Lohengrin - Bridal Chorus: Bridal Chorus, Excerpt
99. Die WalkRide of the Valkyries: Ride of the Valkyries, Excerpt

Customer Reviews:

I can name that tune in three notes.......2005-02-19

My family likes to put this disc in on shuffle and play name that tune. I wish they made more discs like this, only with more obscure works.

A Fabulous CD.......2004-10-14

The Idiot's Guide to Calssical Music is an awesome Cd for those people who want to have a tiny sample of all the great classical compositions. Track 61 and 63 are my favorite.

Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!.......2002-03-20

Yes, this CD really does have 99 tracks. How do they do it? Each is about a minuet long. Some are longer, some are shorter, but you get the micro-essential moments of the music.

If you like burning your own CDs, then this is a great source for intra-track fillers, along the lines of They Might Be Giants' "Apollo 18" album, which has all of those short tracks on the end. The idea is to put your CD player on shuffle, so the short tracks get mixed in with the bona fide songs. The result being a very unusual album.

The booklet gives an explanation of the track, where you heard it (i.e. the Warner Brother's Cartoons, or on famous films), and where you can get the full piece of music. So it's a mega sampler CD.

I can honestly say that this CD is a great gift for the friend who has everything.

Fun Sampler.......2001-11-09

For the beginner. You will be surprised at how many of the 99 themes you recognize here. It is an easy introduction to classical music. Nice booklet too.

Useful........1999-03-22

Take it for what it is, a clever and useful GUIDE to classical music. No, it is NOT an uncut rendition of Beethoven's 9th symphony. It IS a cd that will jog your memory. You have heard many of the tunes presented here, but not always knowing what the work was. This is your chance to catch up with all the great classical music you have been exposed to. Cheap too.

Average customer rating: A good recording as far as it goes

Janos Starker Virtuoso Music for Cello Manufacturer: Denon Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | 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 Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Paganini, Niccolò | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | 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 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 Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Starker Encore Album The Road To Cello Playing Italian Cello Sonatas Popper: Romantic Cello Showpieces Romantic Cello Favorites ASIN: B0000034O8 Release Date: 1993-08-27

Tracks:

1. Sicilienne
2. Variations On One String On A Theme By Rossini: Moses Fantasie
3. Apres Un Reve
4. Hungarian Rhapsodie, Op. 68
5. 'Goyescas': Intermezzo
6. Danse Rituelle Du Feu
7. La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
8. Piece En Forme De Habanera
9. 'The Barber Of Seville': Figaro

Customer Reviews:

A good recording as far as it goes.......2000-09-14

Janos Starker is undoubtedly on of the best cellists of our time, and his technique is effortless on all of these virtuoso selections. Not only is his execution flawless, he is one of a few artists who can make their individual styles come out beautifully in a recording. His tone is strong and compelling in all of the selections, never forced but also never obsessed with smoothing over every trace of an individual performance. As a result the recording has a wonderfully spontaneous and solid flavor. Highlights are David Popper's Hungarian Rhapsody and the Falla Danse Rituelle. Unfortunately, it is true that many of these virtuoso pieces simply do not hold the listener time and time again as do, for example, the Brahms cello sonatas or the Dvorak concerto. So though you may listen to this recording many times (and get to love Janos Starker's playing in the process) also buy his recording of the Dvorak.

Average customer rating: It's only snippets of the music!

Classical Music 101 Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | 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 J.S. 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Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever! ASIN: B0002XEECK Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

1. Adagio - Baroque Chamber Orchestra
2. Air On The G String - Festival Strings Lucerne
3. Mvmt. III - Festival Strings Lucerne
4. Aria - Peter Serkin
5. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Norman Luboff Choir
6. Toccata & Fugue In D Minor - Philadelphia Orchestra
7. Adagio For Strings - Boston Symphony Orchestra
8. Mvmt. I - Boston Symphony Orchestra
9. Mvmt. IV - New York Philharmonic
10. Fur Elise - Nellie Kokinos
11. Turkish March - Arthur Fiedler
12. 'Moonlight' Sonata - Jorg Demus
13. March To The Scaffold - Boston Symphony Orchestra
14. Rakoczy March - Arthur Fiedler
15. Habanera/Toreador Song - Arthur Fiedler
16. Minuet - Arthur Fiedler
17. Polovtsian Dance No.17 - Arthur Fiedler
18. Hungarian Dance No.5 - London Festival Orchestra
19. Lullaby - Arthur Fiedler
20. Minute Waltz - Geza Anda
21. Grande Valse Brillante - Geza Anda
22. Marche Funebre - Emanuel Ax
23. Simple Gifts - Copland
24. Fanfare For The Common Man - Philadelphia Orchestra
25. Clair De Lune - Arthur Fiedler
26. Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun - Philadelphia Orchestra
27. Flower Duet - Philharmonia Virtuosi
28. Mvmt II. Going Home Theme - Arthur Fiedler
29. The Sorcerer's apprentice - Philadelphia Orchestra
30. March No.1 - Arthur Fiedler
31. Ritual Fire Dance - Arthur Fiedler
32. Pavane - National Philharmonic
33. Rhapsody In Blue - Arthur Fiedler
34. An American In Paris - Arthur Fiedler
35. Funeral March Of A Marionette - Arthur Fiedler
36. Piano Concerto In A Minor - Kjel Baekkelund
37. Morning - Philadelphia Orchestra
38. Hallelujah Chorus - Royal Philharmonic Chorus
39. Alla Hornpipe - Festival Strings Lucerne
40. Mvmt. II - English Chamber Orchestra
41. Mars - Philadelphia Orchestra
42. Sabre Dance - Arthur Fiedler
43. Vesti La Giubba - Placido Domingo
44. Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 - Philadelphia Orchestra
45. Liebestraum No.3 - Arthur Fiedler
46. Intermezzo - National Philharmonic
47. Wedding March - Philadelphia Orchestra
48. Mvmt. IV - Boston Symphony Orchestra
49. Rondeau - U.K. Symphony
50. Andante - Geza Anda
51. Mvmt. I - Boston Symphony Orchestra
52. Overture - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
53. Rondo Alla Turca - Walter Hautzig
54. Mvmt. I - English Chamber Orchestra
55. A Night On Bald Mountain - Philadelphia Orchestra
56. Great Gate Of Kiev - Philadelphia Orchestra
57. Barcarolle - Arthur Fiedler
58. Theme II (Can Can) - Arthur Fiedler
59. O Fortuna - New England Conservatory Chorus
60. Canon - Baroque Chamber Orchestra
61. Montagues & Capulets - Boston Symphony Orchestra
62. Lt. Kije's Wedding - Arthur Fiedler
63. Nessun Dorma - Jussi Bjorling
64. Mvmt. III - Rome Opera Chorus
65. Mvmt. III. Opening - London Symphony Orchestra
66. Var. 18 - Leonard Pennario
67. Bolero - Boston Symphony Orchestra
68. Flight Of The Bumblebee - Arthur Fiedler
69. Adagio - Julian Beam
70. Overture/Largo Al Factotum - Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
71. Theme II - Arthur Fiedler
72. Danse Macabre - Philadelphia Orchestra
73. Gymnopedie No.1 - National Philharmonic
74. Symphony No.8 'Unfinished' - Boston Symphony Orchestra
75. Ave Maria - Robert Shaw Chorale
76. Finle - Morton Gould & His Orchestra
77. Valse Triste - Finnish Radio Orchestra
78. Stars & Stripes Forever - Arthur Fiedler
79. Semper Fidelis - Arthur Fiedler
80. Blue Danube Waltz - Arthur Fiedler
81. Tales From The Vienna Woods - Arthur Fiedler
82. Fanfare - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
83. Infernal Dance & Main Theme - Boston Symphony Orchestra
84. Waltz Of The Flowers - Arthur Fiedler
85. Waltz - Philadelphia Orchestra
86. Waltz - Philadelphia Orchestra
87. Theme II - Philadelphia Orchestra
88. Opening - Barry Douglas
89. Finale - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
90. Fantasia On Greensleeves - Philadelphia Orchestra
91. Grand March - Arthur Fiedler
92. Anvil Chorus - Rome Opera Chorus
93. Libiamo (Drinking Song) - Carlo Bergonzi
94. Die Irae - Chicago Symphony Chorus
95. Rigoletto - Placido Domingo
96. Allegro - Jose-Luis Garcia
97. Largo - Jose-Luis Garcia
98. Bridal Chorus - Robert Shaw Chorale
99. Ride Of The Valkyries - Philadelphia Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

It's only snippets of the music!.......2006-02-12

This CD only contains 30-60 second long snippets of each of the pieces. It could be a teaching tool but is not something you can just put on to listen. It does contain reference to popular TV and Film works that contain the music.

Average customer rating:

Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sinfonia Concertante | Symphonies | 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 Trumpet | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set) Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set] Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set) ASIN: B00062FLJM Release Date: 2004-11-30

Average customer rating:

Piano Fantasy: Music for Two Pianos Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Lecuona | Lecuona, Ernesto | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Milhaud | Milhaud, Darius | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Scriabin, Alexander | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Scriabin, Alexander | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Little Girl Blue Encore! Gladrags En blanc et noir: The Debussy Album Symphonic Dances & Songs from West Side Story ASIN: B00008CLIF Release Date: 2003-10-14

Average customer rating:

Fireworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Clérambault,Louis-Nicolas | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( 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 Stanley | Stanley, John | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Canons | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Organ | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | 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 Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music ASIN: B000001QBV Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

1. Sinf To Cant, BWV 29 'Wir Danken Dir Gott, Wir Danken Dir'
2. Choral: 'Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme', BWV 645
3. Badinerie-Ste For Orch No.2 in b, BWV 1067
4. Voluntary in a
5. Trumpet Tune in D
6. Toccata in d
7. Toccata in f
8. Toccata in g
9. Allegro From Organ Con No. 10 in d, Op.7
10. Sarabande, BWV 977
11. Basse Et Dessus De Trompette
12. Fugue in G, BWV 577 ('Gigue')
13. Hornpipe From The Water Music
14. Flotenuhrstucke (Pieces for Musical Clock) in C
15. Flotenuhrstucke in D
16. Flotenuhrstucke in G
17. Canon in A-Flat
18. Canon in b
19. Valse Oubliee No.1
20. March From 'The Love Of the Three Oranges'
21. Hautbois D'Armour From 'Jeux D'Orgue'
22. Tutti Ostinati From 'Jeux D'Orgue'
23. Improvisation On The Theme, 'Greensleeves'

Tracks:

1. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
2. Pictures At An Exhibition: Gnomus
3. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
4. Pictures At An Exhibition: The Ancient Castle
5. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
6. Pictures At An Exhibition: Argument Among The Children
7. Pictures At An Exhibition: A Polish Oxcart
8. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
9. Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet Of The Chicks In The Shells
10. Pictures At An Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg And Schmuyle
11. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
12. Pictures At An Exhibition: The Market Place At Limoges
13. Pictures At An Exhibition: Catacombs-Roman Sepulchre
14. Pictures At An Exhibition: Baba Yaga, The Hut On Fowl's Legs
15. Pictures At An Exhibition: The Great Gate At Kiev
16. Three Dances From Petrouchka: Danse Russe
17. Three Dances From Petrouchka: Chez Petrouchka
18. Three Dances From Petrouchka: La Semaine Grasse

Tracks:

1. Toccata And Fugue in d, BWV 565
2. Recit De Tierce En Taille
3. Fant in f, K.608
4. Hyperion, Or The Rhetoric Of Fire: First Movt: Hermes
5. Hyperion, or The Rhetoric Of Fire: Second Movt: The Fires Of Silence
6. Hyperion, Or The Rhetoric Of Fire: Third Movt: The Inflamed Soul
7. Hyperion, Or The Rhetoric Of Fire: Fourth Movt: Agni-Ignis
8. First Movt From Sym No.5, Allegro Vivace
9. Fant And Fugue On The Name 'B.A.C.H.'

Average customer rating: Best of the Best

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Customer Reviews:

Best of the Best.......2005-10-02

First rate selections, performed by first rate musicians.
Here are some of the most haunting melodies ever created.

Average customer rating: Rubinstein's Love Affair with Spain Rubinstein Topples de Larrocha Rubinstein "Speaks" Spanish Without an Accent

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 18 Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | 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 St. Louis Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 42 Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 24 Artur Rubinstein Collection, Vol 25 Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 72 Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 22 ASIN: B000031WBO Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

1. Andaluza: Danza espanola No. 5 In E Minor
2. The Three-Cornered Hat: Miller's Dance
3. Cordoba, Op. 232, No. 4
4. Goyescas, No. 4: The Maiden And The Nightingale
5. Cancon i dansa No. I
6. Pieces espagnoles, No. 4: Andaluza
7. Iberia, No. I: Evocacion
8. Navarra (Completed By Severac)
9. Suite espanola, No. 3: Sevillanas
10. El Amor Brujo: Dance Of Terror
11. Cancon i dansa No. 6
12. Nights in the Gardens of Spain: En el Generalife
13. Nights in the Gardens of Spain: Danza lejana
14. Nights in the Gardens of Spain: En los jardines de la Sierra de Cordoba
15. El Amor Brujo: Ritual Fire Dance

Customer Reviews:

Rubinstein's Love Affair with Spain.......2006-09-06

Arthur Rubinstein was from the earliest days of his long fabled career a proponent of the music of Spain. Whether in that extraordinary follow-up to the protean display pieces of Liszt, Albeniz's Iberia, or the memorable lyrical passages of the ill-fated Granados, Rubinstein's way with this music stood out in that bygone era of legendary virtuosi. (Of note - Granados tragically was killed trying in vain to rescue his wife following a U-boat attack on their return to Barcelona following the succesful 1916 Met premiere of his opera Goyescas. His success was so great in America he even played at the White House for President Wilson. The CD has one selection from Goyescas, the famous "The Maiden and the Nightingale" in a wonderfully evocative performance by Rubinstein.)
At the same time as the Goyescas' Met premiere the young Artur Rubinstein was traveling across the breadth of the Iberian peninsula, giving over a hundred concerts between 1916 and 1917. Rubinstein became friends with the Albeniz family. (The composer had died in 1909.) He became a huge public favorite and was feted far and wide in Spain, including by the Spanish Royal family. Throughout his life he kept a home in Spain in that extraodinary Costa del Sol cityscape that is Marbella. Rubinstein's appreciation for Spain and Spanish music was unparalled among any other non-Spanish performers of the last century.
This selection was made according to the back cover between 1947 and 1955, but actually, as one reviewer correctly noted, the earliest recording, Navarra from Iberia, was made earlier, in June of 1941. The remainder are from 1947 or later. The performance of the delightful Spanish piano concerto, De Falla's Noches en los Jardins de Espana, captures Rubinstein at the peak of his career - his later stereo performance lacks the froth, sparkle and genuine magic given off in this version. The piano sounds wonderful and has been superbly restored in this issue. The only downside to this CD is that it represents most of the Spanish music Rubinstein recorded.
If you thought Rubinstein simply meant Chopin then this CD will certainly be a revelation. Some of the greatest Spanish piano music played by one of its greatest interpretators. Highest possible recomendation!
P.S. When a customer searches for this title why does Amazon insist on listing an old no longer available CD of this RCA CD and not this much more recent and in stock remastering? This version has a drawing of Rubinstein by Picasso.

Rubinstein Topples de Larrocha.......2001-02-10

Dear Readers, Rubinstein does not deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with de Larrocha. The fact is that he "LOVED" Spanish music and de Larrocha made her career on it. It's very beautiful what she does, but Rubinstein goes to the heart everytime. You'll get a glimpse of this if you compare the two. They are in very different zones.

Rubinstein "Speaks" Spanish Without an Accent.......2001-01-02

After Alicia De Larrocha, Arthur Rubinstein was the 20th century's greatest exponent of Spanish piano music. On his first tour of Spain, in 1915, the Polish pianist fell in love with the country--its food, wine, women, and music. The love was mutual. Spain took Rubinstein to heart and became friends with some of the composers featured on this CD. Critical reactions to Rubinstein's performances of Spanish music were ecstatic--many musicians remakring that he played Spanish music "without an accent," i.e., like a born Spaniard.

The performances on this CD were recorded from 1941-1955. Every track on this disc demonstrates what the critics in Spain were writing at the time, Rubinstein had a natural feel for this repertoire that defies born nationality. Particularly effective are the Albeniz and Falla selections.

It is a pity that Rubinstein was not persuaded to re-record all of these works in stereo (there are stereo versions of Falla's Fire Dance, Nights in the Gardens of Spain, and Albeniz' Navarra), as there are those closed-minded individuals who will refuse to buy this CD simply because the recordings featured on it are monaural. The loss is theirs.

The sound has been superbly remastered.

Average customer rating: Which Hofmann? Supplement to my earlier review of Hofmann's Brunswick recor Hofmann: The Greatest Pianist. Josef Hofmann: Wonderful playing, a little surface noise

Josef Hofmann, Vol. 4 Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gavottes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Nonets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | 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 All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rubinstein | Rubinstein, Anton | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music 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 Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Complete Josef Hofmann, Vol. 3 The Complete Josef Hofmann, Vol. 2 The Chopin Concertos The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present The Art of the Piano: Its Performers, Literature, and Recordings Revised and Expanded Edition ASIN: B000003LJI Release Date: 1995-06-02

Tracks:

1. Pastorale And Capriccio
2. Gavotte
3. Turkish March
4. Melody in F, Op.3, No.1
5. Mignonettes: Nocturne
6. Prld in c#, Op.3, No.2
7. Prld in g, Op.23, No.5
8. Magic Fire Music
9. Scherzo No.1 in b, Op.20, Abbreviated
10. Nocturne in F#, Op.15 No.2
11. Waltz in c#, Op.64, No.2
12. Polonaise in A 'Military' Op.40, No.1
13. Chant Polonais, 'My Joys'
14. Conc Study No.1, 'Waldesrauschen'
15. Paganini Etude No.3 in a flat, 'La Campanella'
16. Hungarian Rhap No.2
17. Hungarian Rhap No.2, Abbreviated Version

Customer Reviews:

Which Hofmann?.......2004-09-06

Hofmann - particularly late Hofmann - may be an acquired taste.
Despite having been the protégé of Anton Rubinstein, "the wonderful boy" was recognized from quite an early age as the exemplar of a modern style of playing - textually faithful, eschewing swooning or bombast. (See, for example, the references to Hofmann in Henry Lahee's wonderful survey from 1900, Famous Pianists of Today and Yesterday.)
Still, a number of younger colleagues expressed ambivalence. Horowitz was floored by Hofmann's keyboard command - everyone was - but he, Artur Rubinstein and Arrau, to name just three - seem not to have been terribly moved by Hofmann's musicianship.
But which Hofmann are we considering? His playing for the gramophone - as early as 1903 and as late as 1935 - was as disciplined as it was imaginative and dazzling. The late Harold Schonberg called it "perfection plus."
However, as Gregor Benko makes clear in his essays for the Marston reissues, Hofmann switched on what the pianist called a "spectacular" style for many public performances. This may sound cynical. Often it sounds terribly cynical. Hofmann was not speaking merely of the need to project in a large concert hall. In public performance - at least those performances we have from the late `30s and early `40s - the aristocrat often becomes a mountebank, lurching from the softest pianissimos to explosive fortissimos, rattling off passages or entire pieces even faster than Simon Barere boasted he could do.
Schonberg - and Hofmann's friend and admirer Rachmaninoff - reminded us that during this period Hofmann had many personal troubles, including a severe drinking problem. We must believe that at his greatest Hofmann played as scrupulously and with as much refined feeling in public as he did on many of his studio recordings, though his manner may have differed somewhat. And there are some marvelous live performances. The Rubinstein 4th from his Golden Jubilee concert beggars description.
So where does that leave us? As an introduction to Hofmann, I would recommend the early Columbia recordings, those he made somewhat later for Brunswick, and the American and British test pressings from 1935 - perhaps his greatest recorded playing. These are Volumes 3, 4 and 5 of the complete Hofmann series. Serious listeners will also want the ups and downs of the Golden Jubilee (Volume 2). The Chopin concertos in Volume 1 have some splendid moments, but the superlative (not spectacular; superlative) performance there is a fragment of the first movement of the E minor concerto performed in London -- far more poised and committed than its counterpart from New York. (I wonder if Hofmann played differently in America than he did in Europe? Some musicians - for instance, Mahler, Toscanini, Bernstein - for varying reasons apparently did.)
Having said all this, the entire Hofmann series is priceless. Heartfelt thanks to Gregor Benko and Ward Marston for making it available in superb transfers with fascinating notes.

Supplement to my earlier review of Hofmann's Brunswick recor.......2000-04-23

Since my last review, I went to see my piano teacher once again (on April 14, 2000). She was amazed at the further dramatic improvement in my technique.

The only occasion that I saw and heard Hofmann perform was when I was a teenager: the Schumann concerto, at Lewissohn Stadium in Queens, New York City. What impressed me most was his wrist motions, jumping away from the piano keys. In my opinion, therein lies one of the secrets of his tone quality, which I now can imitate only very, very approximately. My piano teacher does much better, although she does it naturally and without understanding the physical principles involved.

I presently believe that another one of the secrets of Hofmann's playing was his good touch -- partly attributable to his wrist motions, partly to his finger relaxation. In this way he avoided banging, for banging on the keys produce harsh tone quality. I can prove all this on physical grounds.

When I worked at Bell Telephone Laboratories and told my colleagues, both engineers and physicists, that I could control the tone quality by the way in which I would push the keys, they all doubted it very vigorously. They rightfully believed that when the hammer strikes the key the hammer is in what physicists call "free fall" -- that is, not under the control of the pianist. But they wrongfully believed that therefore the tone quality is independent of the pianist's touch. When I explained to them my theory, based upon a combination of advanced and elementary physics, they all agreed.

Apparently Josef Hofmann, a genius in his own right with many patents to his name, either instinctively or by a combination of instinct and listening, discovered how to control the tone. On the other hand, as I recall from watching a child prodigy when I was a teenager, it seemed to me that he had also mastered the art of controlling the tone.

At any rate, I would urge you to listen to the Brunswick recording, and to do so before listening to the Casimir unless you enjoy hypermodern music or enjoy Hofmann no matter what he plays.

Hofmann: The Greatest Pianist........2000-04-09

I am an amateur pianist who, as of 50 years ago, had the greatest technique of any amateur pianist that my cousin, who then played trumpet under Toscanini, had ever heard. On the other hand, I should like to say upfront that Hofmann's technique is the only technique of all the greats that I cannot begin to touch. I say this even as of today when my technique is far better than 50 years ago -- attributable to a new method of piano practicing that I have discovered, aided by listening to Hofmann's Brunswick and Casimir recordings combined with learning and practicing Tai Chi under a Chinese master, who once took second prize in an all-China contest.

This Brunswick recording includes some really phenomenal playing. I myself play some of the pieces on it, including the Rachmaninoff Prelude in g. My piano teacher of 55 years ago - who had studied under Schnabel and Alexander Siloti, and who later concertized regularly in Boston - once told me that Rachmaninoff said that Hofmann played the Rachmaninoff g minor Prelude better than he himself could!

On another note, about a year ago my wife and I went to a piano concert at which the pianist played the Rachmaninoff g minor Prelude. My wife, my greatest critic, told me that I played it better. Then we went into our automobile, where I just happened to have record player set at the beginning of the Hofmann Brunswick recording of this g minor prelude. She did not recognize the piece! She could not believe it when I told her it was the same piece that the pianist had just played and that she had correctly identified as one of the pieces that I play!

Hofmann's tempo is breathtaking. Yet Hofmann makes it sound so easy. The same can be said for other pieces in this Brunswick Recording.

In the slow middle section of the g minor Prelude, Hofmann makes all the polyphonic lines stand out with impeccable clarity. Listening to this playing from start to finish gave me a clue as to how to practice to achieve his tone and improve my technique, all at the same time. As a result, my playing has dramatically improved in the past three or four months. For example, today I can trill with my second and third fingers, which I could never do before with any degree of usefulness compared to with other fingerings. I no longer avoid trilling with the second and third fingers. I can do all my trills much faster and more controllably as to dynamics than I ever dreamed I was capable of doing. I also was able to bring out polyphonic lines much more clearly than ever before. Lest it was all imagination and ego, I went to another, more recent one of my piano teachers who hadn't seen me in eight years. She agreed that my playing both musically and technically had dramatically improved and was ready to believe me when I said that I had been taking lessons with several other teachers in the interim. When I told her that of these teachers the most important one was Josef Hofmann, she gave a laugh of relief. Parenthetically, she herself gave her debut at Carnegie and earned a rather good revue in the New York Times that she distributes as advertising.

I attribute my own dramatic improvement in no small measure to listening to Hofmann's playing on this Brunswick Recording, and figuring out what he was doing and how he was doing it. But it has not enabled me to play the Rachmanioff g minor Prelude anywhere even remotely nearly as fast.

I have rated this CD with 5 stars.!

For those of you who don't know me - probably all of you - I hold a PhD degree in mathematical physics.

Josef Hofmann: Wonderful playing, a little surface noise.......2000-03-15

Volume 4 is a single CD containing recordings of Josef Hofmann from 1922-23 known as the Acoustic Brunswicks. The surface noise is much better than Volume 3, but these are still a little noisy. This is Hofmann in his prime, about age 46. The playing is delectable, as always with Hofmann. It is again Hofmann in the shorter pieces -- a nice selection without much duplication. My assumption is that anyone interested in Hofmann will start by getting Volumes 1 & 2 -- the Chopin Concertos and the 1937 Golden Jubilee Recital. Beyond that, in choosing among Volumes 3 to 6, Volume 4 probably the best choice, if you can take a little surface noise. (Otherwise, Volume 5 would be my suggestion.)

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