Voices of Eternity

1. Awakening To Power

2. Emergence of Life

3. Eternity’s Call

4. Heaven On Earth

5. Gate Of Forever

6. Holy Christos

7. Loving Diata

8. The Miracle Within

9. You Are The Light

10. Amazing Grace

Editorial Reviews

~ A.C. Bushnell
"Hearing Sarah’s singing is hearing the Sound of Eternity.”

Product Description
Voices of Eternity ~ Messages from Heaven is a phenomenal collection of LIVE recordings delivered at International Peace Events from the White House Ellipse ~ to Mt. Shasta to the A.R.E.-Edgar Cayce Center and more. Come listen and be touched and awakened by the tranquil voice of Sarah West! She is one of the most amazing voices of our time. To experience her work is to experiece palpable peace.

“When I was in New York City recently, I had an amazing experience. At a service I attended, a young woman named Sarah West got up and sang one song. It was a song without words, and I never had heard anything like it before. All I can say is that it sounded like the Original Sound of God. It came through Sarah and was the clearest and most powerful spiritual call I have ever heard. I thought I was going to dissolve right on the spot.

Voices of Eternity

Tracks:

Eternity's Sunrise
Song Of The Angel
Petra: A Ritual Dream
Sappho: Lyrical Fragments
Funeral Canticle

Amazon.com

Listening to Tavener's music requires not so much an open mind as one that has been emptied. Onto this blank slate, or tabula rasa, Tavener projects two sorts of basic materials: ecstatic melismas or slow-moving, simple chants. At first, the effects can be pleasant, as the popularity of discs such as The Protecting Veil no doubt attests; the sounds are usually sweet and often soothing. Soon, the lack of movement becomes evident, at which point listeners can either fall into appreciatively soporific contemplation or regard themselves as victims of a musical form of the ancient Chinese water torture. The use of period instruments and performers (most notably Patricia Rozario and Andrew Manze) changes nothing about the description offered above. Expert singers wail, a few delicate plucks of the harp are transferred to the theorbo, and such fanciful titles as "Petra: A Ritual Dream" suggest far more than they deliver. Listeners seeking mystically oriented music that goes beyond New Age pabulum might prefer to try Messiaen's Éclairs sur l'Au-Delà or Trois petites liturgies de la Presence Divine. --Paul Turok

Amazon.com

Eternity's Sunrise got a critical drubbing (see other review) when it was released in spring 1999--a puzzlingly strong response to such a gentle piece. In part, this was probably a reaction against the label's hype, but some fault lies with the composer as well. For example, in his booklet essay Tavener makes rather much of the work's text--a mystical poem by William Blake--yet he has set that text to music so slow and so high-lying that singing the words intelligibly is just about impossible. Add to this Tavener's bit about the instruments (in the balcony) representing heaven while the soloist (at floor level) represents the earthly believer--it's no surprise that cynical critics dismissed the whole thing as pretentious claptrap. Now that nearly a year has passed, maybe we can appreciate Eternity's Sunrise for what it is: a sweet, simple piece with two melodies that alternate like verses of a hymn. The Academy of Ancient Music's baroque strings really do shimmer, especially in combination with the handbells, and soprano Patricia Rozario sings with the same skill and aplomb she always brings to Tavener's demanding writing. If you just relax and float with the music, it can work magic (especially on repeated hearings), but it's a slight little gem that can't really bear the weight of the expectations placed on it (by its creator, among others) when it first appeared.

Other works on this disc are Funeral Canticle and Petra, a Ritual Dream (which has an fascinating--and intelligible--mystical text of its own, fatuous title notwithstanding), two pieces for baritone soloist and choir, and Song of the Angel, an ethereal tour de force duet for Rozario and violinist Andrew Manze. Then there's the stealth bomb: Sappho: Lyrical Fragments, a dissonant "modernist" composition (written in 1980) of the sort that audiences were reacting against when they embraced composers such as Tavener and Arvo Pärt. Most people inclined to buy this disc in the first place will probably hate this piece initially, but it deserves a chance: by the third and fourth hearings, you might be discovering many interesting twists of melody and instrumental colors. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Interesting concept...new commission for Ancient Academy!.......2000-12-17

Just the idea of this album should intrigue listeners: The Academy of Ancient Music commissions a new work to be on old instruments. Ideally it would strectch both the composers and the players...which I think is achieved.

The title piece "Eternity's Sunrise" is so arrestingly beautiful that I have often shed tears listening to it. The piece eliminates all pretense and is just naked emotion. It doesn't even matter that the words to Blake's poem are unintelligble without a lyric sheet. One can readily understand this subtly shifting piece and the yearning of both composer and poet to reach the Heavenly Kingdom. The handbells coupled with orchestra provide the perfect platform for soprano Patricia Rozario's voice to soar (and it can REALLY soar.)

"Song of the Angel" hinges on a concept foreign to western classical music (as much of Tavener's music does) in that it takes one word or a simple phrase and concentrates on it for the whole piece trying to bring both performer and listener into an exhalted spiritual state. While sounding nothing like it, it is similar in concept to druphad or qawwali singing...both traditions of religious devotion. Tavener hasn't Christianized those forms (because this piece sounds nothing like either of those) but they are similar in aim. It is somewhat similar to the "Jesus Prayer" in the Orthodox tradition in that it helps to have God ever-present in your conciousness.

"Petra: A Ritual Dream" is one of the more musically uneventful pieces on the CD. There is certainly some beautiful moments, but it just doesn't stack up against the first two pieces. Lyrically, it is quite intriguing. This piece, and many other pieces on this CD touch on some of the more esoteric aspects of Eastern Christianity.

"Sappho: Lyrical Fragments" is one piece that stands apart both lyrically and musically. When I say stands apart, I don't mean stands above. That's not to say that it is a bad piece, it is just not a superb piece. The content of the lyrics is quite different from the other in that this cleary stands outside of the Christian tradition. Not only that, but this piece is much more dissonant than others on the album. It is okay, but definately the worse piece on the disc.

"Funeral Canticle" the last and longest piece on the disc is wondeful. Solemn and somber as the title would suggest, this piece suggests peace, rest, and eternal beauty. The piece contains some of most beautiful serene music I've ever heard in my life. I'm sure the fact that it was written for his dying father also had much to do with the pieces tender beauty. I think this piece ranks alongside Tavener masterpieces like "The Protecting Veil," "Akathist of Thanksgiving," "Village Wedding," "The Lamb," "The Repentant Thief," "Wake Up & Die" and many others.

This disc is highly recommended and becomes more rewarding with every listen. This is certainly a departure from most western classical music, and even a departure from much of Tavener's work for that matter. It is more successful than not, and it is definately worth investing in.

The most relaxing clasical album in the world... ever!.......2000-04-30

I once bought a 2 CD set with that title, but if the producers had listened to this CD, they would have had to call their product "The second most relaxing classical album..."

This is tavener at his best, and probably one of his most accessable works. Those unfamiliar with Tavener should start here. Tracks 1-3 & 5 are very beautiful and is among the most tranquil music I've heard (and this includes most "New Age" music.) The lyrics that go along with the music are also very beautiful.

Track 4 is more dark and sorrowful. Some people like it, for the change of pace. if you don't just program your CD player to skip it.

Something interesting for Tavener fans..........1999-06-11

This CD has some things going for it- five tracks, all of which are premiere recordings; a chance to hear the very special sound of modern music played on baroque instruments; more superb interpretations of Tavener's solo soprano writing from Patricia Rozario; and an insight into the mystical qualities of Tavener's music (the booklet notes are by the composer himself). Tavener has offered his highest praise for the CD, and I agree with him that it is "beautiful". However, for many it may prove a touch tedious- I'm thinking in particular of "Funeral Canticle", which must surely be one of the 'ne plus ultras' of minimalist composition in that it is 24 minutes of the same pattern of chords (the Kliros) over and over and over, with refreshing but relatively shorter phrases at the start of each verse. On the other hand, I urge listeners to look at this piece in context before being too judgemental- it was originally composed (in bits) for the funeral of Tavener's father and it confronts that loss in a very calm and rational manner. A great piece for relaxation, I think- and you will be hard pushed to find a more heart-rending moment than the beginning of the first Kliros, when the strings join the voices in an abrupt yet touching change of key. Three other tracks are also minimal in content- "Eternity's Sunrise", "Song of the Angel" and "Petra: a ritual dream". Of those, the first is undoubtedly the most effective- it is the only work that was originally commissioned by the Academy of Ancient Music and Tavener takes advantage of their full range of instruments (whereas all the other works seem to feature strings only). Several bits also seem very familiar- the end of each verse of "Eternity's Sunrise" uses a melody from the earlier string quartet "The Hidden Treasure", whilst the fragmentary refrain sung by the chorus in "Petra" is a direct quotation of the anthem "As One Who Has Slept" (composed in the same year). The most remarkable track for me is "Sappho: Lyrical Fragments"- included by director Paul Goodwin as 'a complete change of style', this is a setting of an ancient Greek fantasy poem that is admittedly very discordant but effectively so. In it, there is certainly more variety than in all the others, though I wouldn't recommend this one for relaxtion- in places, it can be likened to the musical equivalent of an alcoholic stupor! The conclusive verdict: it's a fascinating CD, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is unfamilliar with John Tavener.

Astonishingly beautiful!!.......1999-05-29

Yet more incredibly beautiful choral music by John Tavener (who can forget the recessional music accompanying Princess Di's coffin as it left Westminster Abbey). The AAM do it full justice. Highest recommendation

Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Vol. 5, Famous Song Cycles

Average customer rating:

"the evidence of a great witness"

Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Vol. 5, Famous Song Cycles

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Vol. 4
Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Vol. 3 (1922-1942)
Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Volume 1
Shostakovich: Complete Songs 2 - The Last Years
Shostakovich Symphonies and Concertos - An Owner's Manual: Unlocking the Masters Series (Unlocking the Masters)

ASIN: B0007IO6DC
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Tracks:

From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Lament For A Dead Baby
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Caring for Mum and Auntie
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Lullaby
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Before A Long Separation
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Warning
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Father Abandoned
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Poverty Song
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Winter
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Good Life
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: A Girl's Song
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Happiness
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Truth
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Morning
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Love
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Separation
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Wrath
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Dante
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: To The Exiled
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Artistry
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Night
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Death
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Eternity

Customer Reviews:

"the evidence of a great witness".......2007-01-19

These five volumes of Shostakovich's Complete Songs are simply astonishing. If admirers have with good reason found the private voice of the composer in his string quartets, there's another, perhaps more intimate voice to be found in his songs. Let this review stand for the entire collection - each disc yields generous returns. An entirely Russian production recorded in Russia, this is estimable treasure. If you love Shostakovich's music, the breadth of revelation found throughout these discs is overwhelming. Here is Shostakovich the man, genius, survivor, sufferer - but never victim. The works themselves are no less than a kind of eternal definition of art, an all-encompassing humanity borne by one man to our lasting benefit. The singing performances are uniformly excellent, as are the production values on every level, with fine sonics. Among the Russian singers who contribute, soprano Victoria Evtodieva, mezzo Liudmila Shkirtil, and the mighty bass Fyodor Kuznetsov stand out. Most of the songs are set for voice and piano. The cycles and a number of other songs use orchestration of varying details. Pianist Yuri Serov, besides distinguished playing, provides insightful commentary with each disc, ideal remarks full of detail - the title of this review is taken from his notes on 'The Anti-Formalist Raree Show', which he hails as '...a striking document of that bygone era, the evidence of a great witness.' What more fitting could be said of these amazing musical works and their composer? Full translation of every song text is included in each of the discs.

The Complete Recordings, 1902-1920 (Box Set)

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Get It While You Can
Essential edition for opera lovers

The Complete Recordings, 1902-1920 (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | 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

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Ladino | Languages | 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

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Cantatas, Vol. 22
Caruso 2000
The Complete Caruso
Wagner: Götterdämmerung
Classic Puccini Recordings

ASIN: B00030B92K
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Album Description

The Complete Caruso: Volumes 1 - 12

The Italian tenor Enrico Caruso holds a unique place in musical history, as the first operatic singer whose recordings sold in millions, and who created an international reputation on the strength of these. Caruso's robust tone and musical sincerity made him both an ideal stage and recording artist, whose voice the primitive acoustic recording technology of the early twentieth century was able to reproduce with startling fidelity. The Naxos Historical Caruso edition constitutes the complete cycle of all Caruso's recordings issued in chronological order. In addition, the transfers have been immaculately undertaken by top sound engineer Ward Marston, unrivalled for his knowledge of the specialized world of acoustic opera recordings, and his rare ability to retrieve all of the music lying in the grooves of the original recordings. Naxos Historical's incredible price (12 CD'S FOR THE PRICE OF 10) puts this unique legacy of great singing within the reach of all music-lovers. This! complete cycle of recordings represents a major document in the history of sound recording, and one which no collector and enthusiast of great singing will wish to be without. "There is no series of vocal records that have a greater documentary value, that meant more to the development of the phonograph record, or that are as consistently capable of providing pleasure to lovers of great singing. ...One of the most significant recording industry events of the decade." Fanfare

Customer Reviews:

Get It While You Can.......2006-10-13

This may not be easy to get in the USA for very long.....don't miss it.

Essential edition for opera lovers.......2005-02-01

This set gives you the opportunity to follow the entire recording career of one of the greatest singers in Operatic History. Enrico Caruso was the first superstar of the 20th century -- and this without the benefit of mass media. His person and his records were his greatest publicity.

The set begins with Caruso's Italian made recordings. They show a great raw talent. The artistry is lacking with many sobs, over acting and mistaken cues. The 1902 and 1903 clearly show a tenor with a lot to learn. But learn it he did. His 1904 sessions show a mature artist on par with any heard since. His voice matures before your very ears and by 1910, you wonder if you will ever listen to any other tenor the same way again.

The engineering used for this set is wonderful. There is no attempt at all to use the soundstream process of computer sound enhancement as heard on the RCA issued sets. These are near perfect mint conditioned discs copied by engineer extraordinary Ward Marston. They sound like natural 78s, they way Caruso himself must have heard the playbacks at the (RCA) Victor studios.

Also included are outtakes and extra takes. There is a "Celeste Aida" from 1908, complete with a broken high note, previously released by RCA in a 1973 set commemorating the tenor's centenary birthday. But there are new treasures here as well, including extra takes of two of Caruso's greatest recordings, the Italian song "L'Alba separa dalla l'uce ombra" and an aria from Rubinestine's Nerone. Listening to them, one wonders what Caruso could have possible thought inadquate in those long lost altenative takes.

Finally, there is the simple joy of hearing so many things so well sung. Caruso was the pinnacle of the tenor art. He can be compared to no other single tenor since ... he has the brilliant ring of Bjorling, the passion of Gigli, the beauty of Gedda, the youthful enthusiasm of Lanza, the warm tonal quality of Tucker, the pure strength of Corelli, the charasma of Pavarotti and the artestry of Domingo.

Whether you are an opera fan, a voice fan or just a music lover. This set is worth every penny.

Todd Kosovich

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Ethnic Silhouettes

Manufacturer: Opus One
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Israel | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005YQRF
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Galbi Malan Yumma (My Heart Is Full, Mother) - Reuma Nahum-Abbas
Ethnic Silhouettes: Clarinet Fragment; Souls Consumed - Collage Of Voices Bedouin Children
Ethnic Silhouettes: Clarinet Fragment; Souls Consumed - Collage Of Voices Of Old Eskimo Women
Ethnic Silhouettes: Ramblings On A Volcano (An Electric Piece) - Rajmil Fischman
Ethnic Silhouettes: Clarinet Fragment; Towards Eternity - Georgian Men's Voices
Ethnic Silhouettes: Bird In The Forest; Clarinet Fragment - Yelena Sotric
Four Old Stories: No.1 The Goddes Anath - Mira Zakai
Four Old Stories: No.2 The Judgement Of Solomon - 'Cantabile' Choir Of The Petah-Tikvah Municipal Conservatory Of Music
Four Old Stories: No.3 Appeal To The Stars - Ensemble 'Belcanto' Frankfurt
Four Old Stories: No.4 Daniel In The Den Of Lions - Avner Itai

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From Marathon to Eternity
Aegean Voices
Manufacturer: FM Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003YIR
Release Date: 1996-09-01

Tracks:

Marathon Battle
Dion Temple
Phidippidis' Journey
Parthenon
Battle Theme
Alexander The Great
Persian Threat
Cello Meditation
Aegean Voices I
Marathon Seagulls
Victory Hymn
Orient Whisper I
Waiting For Spartians' Answer
Piano Concerto
Psalmos
Orient Whisper II
Pan-Phidippidis dialogue
Phidippidis' Death
Solar Reflections
Aegean Voices II
Ancient Olympia
Heart Beat

The Pillars of Eternity - Eton Choirbook Vol III / The Sixteen

Average customer rating:

Pretty and relaxing and easy on the ears

The Pillars of Eternity - Eton Choirbook Vol III / The Sixteen

Manufacturer: Collins Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

O Domine caeli terraque creator
Ave maria, Mater Dei
Ah, mine heart, remember thee well
Stella caeli
Ah, blessed jesu, how fortuned this?
Jesus autem transiens/Credo in Deum
Salve Regina

Amazon.com

Volume 3 of this series includes some remarkable items--remarkable even by Eton Choirbook standards. Wylkynson's nine-part "Salve Regina" labels each of the voices as one of the nine orders of angels; Lambe's "Stella cæli" turns a standard petition to the Virgin into a fervent prayer for protection against plague; Davy's lavish "O Domine cæli terræque creator" was (according to a note in the choirbook) written in a single day. Harry Christophers and the Sixteen do their usual admirable job in bringing this music to life--especially in the Eton Choirbook's oddest item: Wylkynson's "Jesus autem transiens/Credo in unum Deum," a canon for 13 tenors setting the Apostles' Creed. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Pretty and relaxing and easy on the ears.......2000-04-16

This is a very pleasant selection of music; "Ah blessed Jesu how fortuned this?" is particularly moving. It's nice and accurately performed without being particularly challenging to the ears; nice background music for falling to sleep to or writing.

Average customer rating:

Bridge Across Eternity

Manufacturer: Celestial Sounds
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Celtic | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000IIUX
Release Date: 1994-06-14

Tracks:

Sheep May Safely Graze/Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Simple Gifts/O'Carolan's Draught
Sinfonia
Innsbruck, Ich Muss Dich Lassen
Paduane ala Venetine
Gymnopedie #3
Primavera, from the Four Seasons
Ocean Waves
Ave Maria
Lauda
Fur Elise
Belle Qui Tiens Ma Vie
Ascension

Product Description

Bridge Across Eternity exemplifies the range of passion Cynthia brings to her musical recording. This predominately classical album features Cynthia on the Celtic harp, with a rich accompaniment heard on woodwinds and strings.

Marilyn Horne - I Will Breathe A Mountain ~ Songs of Barber, Bernstein & Bolcom / Martin Katz, Tokyo String Quartet

Average customer rating:

Exceptionally moving
Horne brings these wonderful masterpieces to life!

Marilyn Horne - I Will Breathe A Mountain ~ Songs of Barber, Bernstein & Bolcom / Martin Katz, Tokyo String Quartet
Samuel Barber , William Bolcom , Leonard Bernstein , Marilyn Horne , Martin Katz , Tokyo String Quartet , Kikuei Ikeda , Kazuhide Isomura , Peter Oundijian , and Sadao Harada
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Horne, Marilyn | Divas | 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
ASIN: B0000064Y9
Release Date: 1998-03-10

Tracks:

The Daisies, Op. 2 No. 1
A Nun Takes The Veil, Op. 13 No. 1
Bessie Bobtail, Op. 2 No. 3
The Secrets Of The Old, Op. 13 No. 2
Sure On This Shining Night, Op. 13 No. 3
Barber: I Hear An Army, Op. 10 No. 3
Dover Beach, Op. 3
I Will Breathe A Mountain: Pity Me Not Because The Light Of Day
I Will Breathe A Mountain: How To Swing Those Obbligatos Around
I Will Breathe A Mountain: The Crazy Woman
I Will Breathe A Mountain: Just Once
I Will Breathe A Mountain: Never More Will The Wind
I Will Breathe A Mountain: The Sage
I Will Breathe A Mountain: O To Be A Dragon
I Will Breathe A Mountain: The Bustle In A House
I Will Breathe A Mountain: I Saw Eternity
I Will Breathe A Mountain: Night Practice
I Will Breathe A Mountain: The Fish
My House
So Pretty
Greeting
Take Care Of This House
Rabbit At Top Speed
Sonnet: What Lips My Lips Have Kissed
Nachspiel
Dream With Me

Amazon.com

Though Horne is audibly at the end of her long and rich career, she did a good deed for American music with this disc, which consists of songs by Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, and a new song cycle by William Bolcom, from which the disc takes its title. Horne's voice has a quiver, a lack of center, almost as if it refuses to stop singing Rossini (Horne's lifelong specialty). However, it's worth buying for the Bolcom cycle, which is one of his best vocal works, typically an eclectic, natural outgrowth of Bernstein's style with Horne gamely employing a wide range of vocal techniques with more eloquence than one could hope for. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Exceptionally moving.......2003-10-16

This is AMERICAN SONGS at their most moving and emotional best, not to mention with great melody. Unlike a lot of American song literature (not broadway type, but "serious classical art songs"), these songs are actually quite beautiful, melodic, and can touch the heart of the listener easily. There is no strain to enjoy them. There is a bit of "sameness" between them, which is my only complaint about this recording; one piece starts to sound like another, especially if you are not listening carefully while listening. Even then, it is still very lovely.

It has been mentioned that Horne is now far past her prime, and that may be, but even far past her prime she is far better than most singers half her age. There is still vibrancy, life, and depth to her voice. It communicates on a very deep level. Martin Katz, her life long accompanist, is, as usual, a revelation as an accompanist. Unlike people think, the accompanist just doesn't play in the background, he is a very vital part of making a performance work. Accompaning singers is a very new art form, and many performers of earlier ages simply had very bad accompanist. With Gerald Moore we started to have people who knew how to support the singer, actually adding to the performance giving it depth and helping the singer shine. Now we are so used to good accompanist, and are so accustomed to their high level of performance, it is very easy to forget what they add.

Katz knows Horne well, and is fully aware of when she is having troubles supporting a phrase, or when she is in best voice. He gives so much to her awesome performance through his very sensitive way of playing this music.

I would recommend this for anyone to buy: fans of modern art songs, fans of Marilyn Horne, and simply fans of good singing.

Horne brings these wonderful masterpieces to life!.......1999-07-17

Throughout the Barber, Bolcom and Bernstein, Marilyn Horne uses her ability to combine technical definition with artistic movement and expansion. Having had the opportunity to see her perform this literature live was an emotionally elevating experience. The way Horne and Katz have reworked a few of the Berstein pieces brings new life and perspectuve to these already wonderful pieces. I highly recommend this recording for the casual classical listener, as well as, for the student that enjoys learning from a master through their art.

Angels: Voices from Eternity (with Machover)

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Angels: Voices from Eternity (with Machover)

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

I. Angel Of Light: Angel of Light
I. Angel Of Light: Angeli Domini
II. Cherubim And Seraphim: Prospect
II. Cherubim And Seraphim: Laudemus Dominum, quem laudant Angeli
II. Cherubim And Seraphim: Sanctus
III. Heavenly Hosts: High On A Hill Of Dazzling Light
III. Heavenly Hosts: Angeli, Archangeli, Throni et Dominationis
III. Heavenly Hosts: Thrones And Dominions Round Him Fall
IV. The Archangel Michael: Princeps gloriosissime
IV. The Archangel Michael: Let Mortal Tongues Attempt To Sing
IV. The Archangel Michael: Factum est praelium magnum in caelo
IV. The Archangel Michael: Alleluia, Sancte Michael Archangele
V. The War In Heaven: The Hosts Of Hell
V. The War In Heaven: Dum praeliaretur Michael Archangelus
V. The War In Heaven: Father William's March
V. The War In Heaven: Alle psallite cum luya
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: Sancti Angeli, custodes nostri
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: Ecce ego mittam Angelum meum
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: Omnes sunt administratori spiritus
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: Declaration Of The Mighty Angels
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: Your Camps Shall Be Searched
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: The Call Of An Angel
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: Sancti Angeli. custodes nostri
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: Shaker: Angel Of Light
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: Custodes hominum psallimus Angelos
VI. Declaration Of The Mighty Angels: O Little Children
VII. The Angel Of Death: The Angel of Death
VIII. The Consoling Angel: Mulier, quid ploras? quem queris?
IX. Paradise: Trumpet Of Salvation
IX. Paradise: Leander
IX. Paradise: Sailor's Home
IX. Paradise: The Golden Harp

International Music:

International Music

International Music