Am I Blue?

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Ethel Waters is arguably the first woman jazz singer, with a gift for musical phrasing that immediately distinguished her from both the classic blues singers and the prevailing standards for popular singers. This CD surveys her recordings from 1925 to 1939, placing emphasis on jazz elements. Throughout, she's accompanied by an extraordinary collection of jazz musicians, and rare are the popular vocal records of the period where singers and jazz bands coexist so comfortably. Cornetist Joe Smith and clarinetist Don Redman are present on 1925's "Sweet Georgia Brown," and several musicians who appear as young sidemen on recordings from 1929 to '31--such as Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman--would become the leaders of celebrated swing bands a few years later. There's a superb rendition of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" with Duke Ellington's great 1932 band, but Waters is just as dynamic on "Stormy Weather" and "Heat Wave." Waters possessed an exceptional talent for delivering lyrics, giving almost speechlike dimension to songs like "True Blue Lou" and tremendous drama to the mournful "Trav'lin' All Alone." The CD is a good introduction to a fascinating singer and an interesting chapter in the evolution of popular music. --Stuart Broomer

Tracks:

Sweet And Lowdown
Novelette In Fourths
That Certain Feeling
So Am I
Rhapsody In Blue
Swanee
When You Want 'Em, You Can't Get 'Em...
Kickin' The Clouds Away
Idol Dreams
On My Mind The Whole Night Long
Scandal Walk
An American In Paris

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully American.......2007-05-14

I've had a copy of this CD for years and love it. The power and optimism of the music is really quite remarkable... regardless of who or what is actually playing here. The arrangement of Swanee is light but rich with major chord trains like you just want to go marching around the room. And American In Paris leads you on a swaying, dischordy journey the deeper you go, as the narrative begins to trade delicacy for passion. (and I love renditions where you can hear the MUSIC and the instruments don't get in the way, like four-voice midi versions of Bach which reveal the eloquence).

When I listen to this CD now, and which is most surpring to me, I hear a profound pride in America - back "before." I play it when I have people over and we put burgers on the grill. This CD is the song of sitting in my back yard with the clouds blowing by and for the moment things feel OK.

"Before" - OK, there is no old perfect Amercia; but I'm thinking of the time before we learned to distill petroleum into toxic pollution, before pride meant vanity and thuggery, before hate-filled invective became public amusement, and before presidents went to war because it was good for business.

A Gersh-winner.......2007-01-07

George Gershwin had a long association with the mechanical device known as the player piano. At the age of ten, Gershwin used a neighbor's pianola to teach himself how to play, by very slowly pumping the foot pedal that advanced the hole-punched rolls, and placing his fingers on the depressed keys. His parents were so impressed by his abilities they enrolled the boy in formal piano studies when he turned 13. Thus, an American genius was born.

The existing films of Gershwin (who died of a brain tumor at age 38 in 1937) show him to be a virtuoso at his instrument. His 1924 acoustic recording of Rhapsody In Blue (with the Paul Whiteman orchestra) is further evidence of this. But no film or recording has what is contained within the album GERSHWIN PLAYS GERSHWIN: THE PIANO ROLLS, and that is-- full fidelity range.

The CD comes in a standard jewel case packaged in a heavy paper slipcover. Biographical liner notes are included along with details on the rolls. The earliest performance in this set is from 1916, made when Gershwin was an 18-year-old song plugger. My favorites here are "Swanee," from 1920, and "An American In Paris," from 1933, which is undoubtedly one of the last significant piano rolls ever made.

Gershwin's dynamic performances are not in the least obscured by the few extra notes added to the piano rolls (such practice was standard in those days). Listening to these recordings is like sitting next to this brilliant man, observing his fingers fly over the keys as he plays some of his best work.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 60:36

Interesting... but I think I'd prefer a good Gershwin interpreter.......2006-05-14

Composers are not necessarily the best performers of their own work. A songwriter's songwriter like Jules Shear or Jimmy Webb comes to mind -- surely the best representations of their songs are on other artist's albums.

This album is charming in its own way -- a taste of the music and performance style of a bygone era. Someone complained that these rolls were edited. So what? I'm going to review the final product, now how it was made. Do you eat sausage? Ask not what's in it!

I like to listen to this CD in short bits -- a few songs at a time. For some reason I find it to be fatiguing if I listen for more than 20 minutes or so. I'm not absolutely sure why this is so. Possibly the meter is just a little too metronomic on many of the songs. This lends a "mechanical" quality to the performances.

Additionally, I felt that the dynamic range was restricted. The music does get louder and softer, because of the piano rolls themselves and because of the computer programming used to read the piano rolls -- the dynamics were deliberately adjusted by the record producers in some spots, if I read the liner notes correctly. And yet. And yet. Still these songs do not dynamically "breathe" fully in and out the way they ought to. I find this disappointing, but I think it has something to do with inherent limitations in piano roll recording technique. I'm guessing.

Taken for what it is, it is an interesting concept, and the sound quality is very pleasant. The performances are very good for piano rolls, but fall short of what a good interpreter could do. Take, for example, the Rhapsody in Blue from Woody Allen's Manhattan soundtrack. Listen specifically to the piano part -- the dynamics and variations in rhythm. This is not by any means the best performance of Rhapsody, but it is better than the Gershwin rolls.

Gershwin's playing overated.......2006-04-09

After I heard this cd I bought Gershwin plays Gershwin on the naxos label which arn't piano rolls. Any pianist can tell that many of these rolls are heavily edited and can't be played by a pianists with two hands. On the naxos album that has some of these same songs Gershwin's actual playing doesn't sound very good. Many of Gershwins contempories such as James P. Johnson, Eubie Blake, Luckey Roberts and even Zez Confrey were much better pianists than he was, however they didn't have his melodic gifts as a composer. I would recommend Artis Whodhouse's
transcriptions of Jelly Roll Morton's piano rolls (on the same label) instead because most of those are exactly how he played them and in my opinion Morton was a better musician in every way than Gershwin.

The jazzy Gershwin. What a CD!!!!!!!.......2006-02-23

I got this CD as a gift. I am all for the austrogerman post- romantic music and as imagined Gershwin is not my favourite composer. I know him from his best known works such as the 'Rhapsody", the 'American' and his great songs. This CD is a treasure as mentioned from other reviewers of this site. Gershwin full of passion, his music being jazzy to the very end and that great feeling you get after a great live performance is present all over the length of this 'treasure'. No question about the presence of the music. Not to be missed

Average customer rating:

cd heaven
Nothing Rains on this Parade
Streisand in prime vocal condition
Needs more songs. Missing SECOND HAND ROSE.
Ladies & Gentlemen - The Greatest Star

Funny Girl

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Funny Lady: Original Soundtrack Recording
Hello, Dolly! (1969 Film Soundtrack)
Funny Girl
Funny Girl (1964 Original Broadway Cast)
Yentl (1983 Film)

ASIN: B00005V3WI
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Overture
I'm The Greatest Star
If A Girl Isn't Pretty
Roller Skate Rag
I'd Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Happy With Somebody Else)
His Love Makes Me Beautiful
People
You Are Woman, I Am Man
Don't Rain On My Parade
Sadie, Sadie
The Swan
Funny Girl
My Man
Finale

Customer Reviews:

cd heaven.......2007-01-19

cannot buy cd's cheaper at any store. this is an oldie but a great christmas gift for an oldie.

Nothing Rains on this Parade.......2007-01-04

"Funny Girl" was one of the greatest musicals and cast recordings to come ouf of broadway and it created one of the world's greatest performers ever. Happily Barbra Streisand successfully transported herself to film and out came one of the most enjoyable soundtracks ever produced for a film. The film score is so minutely different, the show's composers Styne and Merrill had to take out a couple of songs from the show and wrote the beautiful "Funny Girl" in it's place for the film. This soundtrack tends to in my opinion be more authentic than the original cast recording because they put in non-original material such as "I'd Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Happy with Somebody Else)" written by Billy Rose who would much later marry Fanny Brice and it fits the early 1900's era for which "Funny Girl" is set and Barbra's comedic skills are timeless on this song you may not see it but you can hear it in her voice such as with "The Swan" .Another song they use at the film's climax is "My Man" not only was it a staple in the real Fanny Brice's act it is a power-house. Barbra insisted to sing the first part live on screen and record the latter part it is so effective and you do get all the advantages of this on the soundtrack. One more bonus to this recording is the overture composed for the film is gorgeous and they never played it in the film only on the soundtrack, interestingly they used the the opening theme music from the film as the closing music to the soundtrack. Definitely get this soundtrack it is one of the most delightful scores to one of Hollywood's greatest musicals adapted from the stage and that can't be said too often. "Funny Girl was also one of the last great musicals ever produced out of Hollywood and the linear notes in the CD are informative and fun for musical lovers.

Streisand in prime vocal condition.......2006-09-16

Barbra Streisand will forever be linked to the autobiographical Fanny Brice, a role she originally made her own on Broadway in 1964 and in London the following year; immortalised onscreen four years later (earning an Academy Award as well as countless other trophies). On the original soundtrack album, Ms Streisand is in prime vocal condition, though I do prefer her performance on the OBC album just a little bit more, for she is more brash and unkempt and far more vulnerable with her spin on Fanny. In the film, she is more confident and showman-like.

The film score of FUNNY GIRL does vary greatly from it's Broadway counterpart. The roles of Mrs Brice and Eddie Ryan don't get much to sing (with the deletion of "Who Taught Her Everything?" and "Find Yourself a Man"). Fanny's solo numbers "Who Are You Now?" and "The Music That Makes Me Dance" were abandoned in favour of numbers that the real Fanny was famous for ("I'd Rather Be Blue" and "My Man"). I believe the producers committed the cardinal sin with the deletion of "The Music That Makes Me Dance", a ballad far more memorable and moving than the show's big number "People" (and I know a lot of others feel the same way). Nevertheless, the film soundtrack of FUNNY GIRL is the perfect sonic representation of Streisand's greatest hour on celluloid.

I own the earlier Sony CD pressing (which is full of analogue hiss, reverb and noise), yet from what I hear about the more recent "remaster", the quality of the overall recording is virtually the same. Highly-recommended, but don't expect miracles with sound quality.

Needs more songs. Missing SECOND HAND ROSE........2006-08-08

The soundtrack is good to excellent, but it makes me very
unconfortable that important songs are MISSING. Can you
imagine SECOND HAND ROSE is missing, and Barbra sings it a little
different from the version she did in MY NAME IS BARBRA TV special. I also love the part where Barbra sings " Mr Anstein,
Mr. Arnstein, what a beautiful name". Those two sequences could be combined into a song. I also would have loved a little spoken
comedy in this soundtrack, such as Barbra as Baby Snooks scene,
where she meets the reporters and ends with "the name is Arnstein". Barbra is marvelous in this comedy scene. Barbra is
perfect as a stand-up comedienne, and she would be great
acting such a part in a film.
Barbra recorded the song PEOPLE countless times over the last
decades. Why was SECOND HAND ROSE left out of the soundtrack.
There is enough space on the Audio CD to include this song, as
well as additional ones. A few Bonus songs of Barbra singing
Fanny Brice songs that were considered but that were left out
of the film, would be most welcomed. Looking forward to the next
edition of this soundtrack. hoping that it will be the definite
edition. We Barbra Streisand fans deserve the best.

Ladies & Gentlemen - The Greatest Star.......2005-09-11

This is the first Barbra Streisand album that I had purchased. The experience of seeing the movie, Funny Girl, in September 1968, forever changed me. By the age of 10, I already had an innate sense of the popular music of the day. Being the youngest of three, I had been exposed to the Beach Boys, the Beatles and every pop song since I was born. But I had yet to experience complete awe and adulation for a singer -- that was until Funny Girl and Barbra Streisand. Not only had I never heard vocals so utterly astounding, I never experienced such an array of emotion from a singer. My virgin ears finally heard perfection and it was the first time I got those famous Streisand goose bumps that so many people had talked and written about.

The brilliant score was written by the legendary Jule Styne and Bob Merrill and included such Streisand classics as "I'm The Greatest Star," "Don't Rain On My Parade" Streisand's signature song, "People."

Ten of the fourteen tracks were sung by Streisand with the exception of "If A Girl Isn't Pretty" and "Roller Skate Rag." "You Are Woman, I Am Man" is an hysterically funny duet with Omar Sharif, and two songs that weren't written by Styne and Merrill; "I'd Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Be Happy With Somebody Else)" and "My Man," a song closely identified with Fanny Brice and Barbra Streisand, demonstrate the depth and range of Streisand's emotion. She could be cooing and joking at one moment on the famous bride number; "His Love Makes Me Beautiful," breaking your heart on the Oscar-nominated title cut written specifically for the film, and send your head reeling with her gutsy and explosive vocals on "Don't Rain On My Parade." All of the songs showcase Streisand's versatility as the actress who sings.

Purists might say the Original Broadway Cast Album from 1964 was better, maybe because they were there to witness the 22 year-old ingénue unknown named Barbra Streisand. But when you take a listen to the vocals and the arrangements on this soundtrack, it's hard to argue with aforementioned songs such as "I'd Rather Be Blue," "People," Don't Rain On My Parade" and the finale of all finale's "My Man." At 25 years old, Streisand never sounded stronger or with sang with more conviction.

How many singers can you name that can belt a song like "I'm The Greatest Star" and get away with it?

The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection

Average customer rating:

Well worth the price
Not Exactly "The Ultimate" Collection...
Where's the chicks?!?!
Not quite the ultimate....
Great Music - Questionable Selection

The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection
Arthur Sullivan , Isidore Godfrey , Royston Nash , New Symphony Orchestra of London , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Colin Wright , Donald Adams , George Cook , Gillian Knight , Jean Hindmarsh , Jeffrey Skitch , John Ayldon , John Reed , Joyce Wright , Kenneth Sandford , Lyndsie Holland , Owen Brannigan , Pauline Wales , Peggy Ann Jones , Thomas Round , Valerie Masterson , and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan
Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Topsy-Turvy - The Music of Gilbert & Sullivan: From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Topsy-Turvy
The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan

ASIN: B000007OU0
Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

H.M.S. Pinafore: We Shall Sail The Ocean Blue
H.M.S. Pinafore: I'm Called Little Buttercup
H.M.S. Pinafore: My Galant Crew, Good Morning
H.M.S. Pinafore: I'm The Monarch Of The Sea
H.M.S. Pinafore: When I Was A Lad
H.M.S. Pinafore: Nevermind The Why And Wherefore
H.M.S. Pinafore: Kind Captain, I've Important Information
H.M.S. Pinafore: Carefully On Tip - Toe Stealing
H.M.S. Pinafore: For He Is An Englishman
The Pirates Of Penzance: I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major - General
The Pirates Of Penzance: When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
The Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat Like Tread
The Sorcerer: My Name Is John Wellinton Wells
The Gondoliers: Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes
Patience: If You're Anxious To Shine
The Mikado: If You Want To Know Who We Are
The Mikado: A Wand'ring Minstrel I
The Mikado: Behold The Lord High Executioner
The Mikado: As Someday It May Happen
The Mikado: Three Little Maids From School Are We
The Mikado: The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze
The Mikado: Here's A How - De - Do!
The Mikado: From Ev'ry Kind Of Man Obedience I Expect
The Mikado: A More Humane Mikado Never Did In Japan Exist
The Mikado: The Criminal Cried As He Dropp'd Him Down
The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring, Tra La
The Mikado: On A Tree By A River A Little Tom Tit
The Mikado: There Is Beauty In The Bellow Of The Blast
The Mikado: For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum

Customer Reviews:

Well worth the price.......2006-04-13

I love this CD. No, despite its name it is not the "ultimate" collection, as scarcely could be expected from a single CD. It is heavy on Mikado, as others have stated. It leaves out things I would have included and includes things I would have left out. But the performances are wonderful, traditional and all you expect from G&S. Considering the low price, it is well worth including in your G&S collection ... as PART of your collection. After the disappointment of the godawful Opera World video series (Don't buy it!) this CD is a joy and a relief.

Not Exactly "The Ultimate" Collection..........2004-12-23

It seems that a collection of Gilbert & Sullivan music that has the name "The Ultimate Collection" in its title would boast a wide range of music, but I found the selection disappointing. Half of the tracks are songs from The Mikado, and the other half is divided between five... yes, FIVE other operettas. This means that the representation from each operetta is awfully scant. I would have liked to see less Mikado and more of everything else, and perhaps some highlights from the more obscure operettas (Princess Ida and The Sorcerer, namely).

In addition, while most of the music is very well performed, some of the vocalists either go a bit overboard or, at the very opposite end, seem to lack expression. For example, this Nanki-Poo (in The Mikado) seems to be overly occupied with vibrato. Katisha's voice is annoying, and The Mikado's low voice often seems to lack feeling and humor. The other idiosyncracies, like the very frightening evil laughing during "A More Humane Mikado" and hissing during "Three Little Maids" really bug me.

Then again, I'm new to Gilbert and Sullivan, and was introduced to the music through the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, which has a noticeably less operatic style, and hardly includes "stage noise"... so perhaps all this is the norm. Do listen to the tracks for yourself, though, before you purchase the CD. Personally, I find that the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, while considerably less ecompassing, is much lighthearted and easier listening.

Where's the chicks?!?!.......2003-05-15

It wouldn't be G&S if not for the ladies - so where are they? How could they leave out Mabel's aria - or Josephine's!? The only female aria included on this disc comes from Mikado, which is the least exciting (if G&S could be un-exciting) of the three! Everything else on the recording is great, but I am still quite disappointed.

Not quite the ultimate...........2002-03-25

This is a great collection, but unfortunately it doesn't have songs from all the works of G&S. Most notably, there is nothing from the "Yeoman of the Guard". I still reccommed it however as John Reed is wonderful!!

Great Music - Questionable Selection.......2002-02-05

It's an ongoing challenge to find a recording of Gilbert and Sullivan that combines premium musicality and great theatrical performance. This recording is a true gem on both fronts. My only complaint is that for a "Best of" collection, this compilation is Mikado-heavy and scarcely touches on highlights from other masterpieces, particularly The Pirates of Penzance. This would be my favorite G&S CD of all time, of only it included tracks like "When the Foeman Bares his Steel," "Poor Wand'ring One," and "Dry the Glist'ning Tear," but then again, I guess there's no real consensus as to which are Gilbert and Sullivan's best works, and there are too many to fit on one CD.

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

Mill. Classical review
classical music for the unitiated
Some little gems there that I had forgotten!
A very helpful collection
Excellent!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000K1C9
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury

Average customer rating:

The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan
Pure delight
Delicious G&S samplings abound here.
Fine Intro to G&S

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Nicholas Folwell , Arthur Sullivan , Marie McLaughlin , Rebecca Evans , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , John Mark Ainsley , Alwyn Mellor , Anne Howells , Barry Banks , Eric Garrett , Felicity Palmer , Gareth Rhys Davies , Janice Watson , Julie Gossage , Neill Archer , Pamela Helen Stephen , Peter Savidge , Richard Stuart , Richard Suart , Richard Van Allan , Sir Thomas Allen [baritone] , Sir Charles Mackerras , and Welsh National Opera
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection
Topsy-Turvy - The Music of Gilbert & Sullivan: From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan
The Gilbert and Sullivan Overtures
The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan

ASIN: B000003D1Y
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

A Wandering Minstrel I
Behold The Lord High Executioner!
Three Little Maids From School Are We
Braid The Raven Hair
The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring
On A Tree By A River, A Little Tom-tit Sang, 'Willow, Tit-willow'
For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum
We Sail The Ocean Blue
I'm Called Little Buttercup
My Gallant Crew
When I Was A Lad
Things Are Seldom What They Seem
Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
Poor Wand'ring One
How Beautifully Blue The Sky
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
When The Foeman Bares His Steel
Ah, Leave Me Not To Pine
With Cat-Like Tread
Is Life A Boon?
I Have A Song To Sing, O!
Were I Thy Bride
Oh, A Private Buffoon Is A Light-Hearted Loon
When A Wooer Goes A-Wooing
When I, Good Friends, Was Called To The Bar
A Nice Dilemma We Have Here
Oh, Joy Unbounded

Customer Reviews:

The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan.......2004-03-15

At the end of the 19th century (1870's, 80's and 90's) the compatible duo of librettist and composer Gilbert and Sullivan popularized the pre-Broadway entertainment of Savoy opera. These were light operas or operettas whose content was satire and comedy, full of bouncy melodies and beautiful singing, highly entertaining theatrical works staged at London's Savoy theatre. Gilbert and Sullivan did not always get along and in fact there was a time when they ended their professional relationship because personal conflicts surfaced. But they managed to create the world's most beloved light operas, over 40 of them. Their most famous are what I call the Big Three- The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance and The Mikado. Other works include their first hit Trial By Jury, The Yeomen Of The Guard, Princess Ida, The Gondoliers, Patience and several others. A standard signature of Gilbert and Sullivan was in the colorful cast- a comic actor with a special kind of baritone voice, a canary-like and sweet-voiced coloratura or lyric diva, a mezzo soprano with strong chest register and a lyric tenor as the romantic hero. On this album, English conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, a popular figure in the classical music scene and opera, guides the Chorus and Orchestra Of the Welsh National Opera in generally well-delivered performances of excerpts from the operas The Mikado, The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance, Yeomen Of The Guard and Trial By Jury. Although I feel that the recordings made by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, with Isodore Godfrey conducting and starring the best cast of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire- the singers of the 60's and 70's- tenor Phillip Potter, soprano Valerie Masterson, baritone John Reed, Donald Adams and mezzo soprano Christine Palmer. Their version of the Pirates Of Penzance and the Mikado far outshine the Welsh National Opera in technical mastery and vibrant tone color.

But these are fine excerpts. Especially appealing is the famous and cheerful "Three Little Maids From School Are We", a trio that imitates Japanese style melody. Most of the Mikado does this, for it was inspired by Japanisme or the new fashion in Victorian England- everything Japanese, from prints to paintings to poetry. Gilbert and Sullivan simply "Japanized" their English operettas. The Finale "For He's Gone To Marry Yum Yum" is an ebullient and pleasant finale. Not featured here is the domineering and powerful Katisha, a figure who stands out in the Mikado.

The H.M.S. Pinafore is Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular work. The sea chanty "We Sail The Ocean Blue" opens the opera with appropriate atmosphere and it seems to fit perfectly with the other scene in which the Captain greets his crew and they sing his praises "My Gallant Crew..I am the Captain Of The Pinafore". A beautiful melody that seems to come out of a romantic Offenbach tune is "I"m Called Little Buttercup". The finale, not featured here, is also very engaging "For He Is An Englishman" which can almost resemble a British national anthem. The Yeomen Of The Guard was Gilbert and Sullivan's "serious opera" eventhough it remains very Savoyard. The plot deals with Tudor England and takes place at the London Tower. "I have a song to sing" makes use of what can be taken for an English ballad of the Renaissance. Trial By Jury, about the eccentric and hilarious activity of a court trial, has a sextet that although different in composition, has the sextet "Che Mi Frena" from Donizetti's Lucia Di Lammermoor in mind. All in all, an excellent recording sure to delight young and old.

Pure delight.......2003-08-02

--Gilbert & Sullivan--
William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were a match made in heaven, yet on earth their pairing seems even with hindsight a most unlikely coupling. Both were destined for other things, Gilbert in fact for decidedly non-musical careers. Introduced by a mutual friend, Fred Clay, the fledgling lyricist Gilbert met the military-band-leader's son Sullivan and together continued to conspire to inspire the delights of audiences from high Victorian times down to the present, as their work in musical theatre comedy continues to provide merriment throughout the English-speaking world and beyond.

--The Music--
This collection includes highlights from five of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operettas: The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Yeoman of the Guard, and Trial by Jury. The arrangements and orchestrations are delightfully energetic and clear; the characterisation and vocal qualities of the leads are perfect for their roles. The haughty if misplaced Lord of the Admiralty has the perfect combination of insecurity and pompous officiousness. The Plaintiff and the Defendant in the Trial are perfectly cast. This is a collection of highlights - at least three but no more than seven songs each, but this gives a good flavour of the music. The recordings on this collection come from complete performances by Mackerras and the WNO.

--Sir Charles Mackerras--
Mackerras is one of the geniuses of the twentieth century musical scene. Having a conducting career that includes the Hamburg Opera, the English National Opera (formerly Sadlers Wells Opera), and the Welsh National Opera (the performers for this piece), he has also conducted major orchestras on the continent of Europe and in the United States. The holder of many major awards and honourary doctorates, he has devoted much time and energy to the preservation and performance of eighteenth and nineteenth century music, as well the restoration of historical musical venues, such as the Estates Theatre in Prague, scene of the original production of Don Giovanni (Mackerras conducted the opera there to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Mozart).

--Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Chorus--
The seeds of the WNO were planted in Cardiff during World War II by music lovers; the first performances occurred a year after the war's end, with Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci on the bill, with Faust the next night. Popular appeal was so great that the WNO was established, later adding choruses in both Cardiff and Swansea. The professional chorus was established in 1973, with a strength that matches the orchestra. They continue an ambitious performance schedule for recording and live events; Mackerras remains the Conductor Emeritus, as the WNO continues under the direction of Carlo Rizzi. The list of awards the WNO has won over the years is staggering - they are a world class institution by any measure.

--Other performers--
Notable singers such as Richard Stuart, Rebecca Evans, Felicity Palmer, John Mark Ainsley and Anne Howells lead the chorus with stunning vocals and clever characterisations of the parts they play. Many (such as Stuart and Evans) play the leading roles across several of the pieces of the disc.

--Liner Notes--
The liner notes give a good introduction and biographical information about Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as synopses of the five pieces presented here. It does not, unfortunately, include any information about Mackerras, the WNO Orchestra and Chorus, or the other special performers. It also does not include the lyrics to the songs. Were the quality of the CD not so great, this might cost it a star in rating.

--Overall Impressions--
I play this CD in my car, in my home and in my office frequently. It is a great sing-along work and a great comedic relief from the stresses of the day. The music is bubbly and clear; the recording quality is excellent and crisp. I recommend this to any Gilbert & Sullivan lover, any fan of musical comedy, opera and operettas, and anyone who delights in good music.

Delicious G&S samplings abound here........2003-05-06

The first thing I should be saying is "What an infectuous G&S CD." Indeed this is, with this fine sampling of the peppy and bright Mackerras series. I know I have praised its "Mercedes-Benz quality" elsewhere on these pages, but that doesn't stop me from saying that everyone is in fine voice. This generously filled CD may only focus on five operas, but at least you can savour a reasonable choice sampling of delights from each one. Of particular interest is Richard Suart's patter-baritone parts and the soaring lyric soprano of Rebecca Evans. The selection on this disc is filled with a mixture of familiar favourites and lesser-known gems such as the female choruses in Mikado and Pirates. Mackerras is a true G&S conductor, but one who always springs rhythms crisply, and adopts peppy tempo for the fast bits. The one drawback is that this selection is far too infectuous that you'll want to shell out money to buy the full 5-CD Mackerras cycle - an incredible bargain with most of the operas fitted onto one disc each. But still, this is at least a decent G&S sampling for beginners, capped with Steven Ledbetter's copious liner notes. It will leave you wanting to say "dammit I'm going to play it again."

Fine Intro to G&S.......2000-12-30

This is the perfect CD for those who may not be familiar with G&S, or for the initiated who want a smattering but don't have the mother of all CD changers. The difficulty with any G&S Greatest Hits CD is determining which pieces to leave off; while one could easily point to any number equally good bits, it would be difficult to argue about the quality of the choices included. The only problem, such as it is, is that after listening to it I am usually induced to go back and listen to the whole opera anyway. The Mackerras recordings are uniformly excellent. I have read elsewhere the criticism that they are too 'operatic' for light opera. If by this it is meant that the singers are too good, then I leave it to the discretion of the listener when the singing becomes too good to be enjoyable.

Average customer rating:

The best? I think not.
can't understand the words

The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection
Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
The Gilbert and Sullivan Overtures
The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan
Topsy-Turvy - The Music of Gilbert & Sullivan: From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

ASIN: B00004W5AD
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

H.M.S. Pinafore: Ov - Orch Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr/John Owen Edwards
H.M.S. Pinafore: We Sail The Ocean Blue - Tom McVay/Gordon Sandison/Yvonne Barclay
H.M.S. Pinafore: Never Mind The Why And Wherefore - Tom McVay/Gordon Sandison/Yvonne Barclay
The Yeomen Of The Guard: When Maiden Loves She Sits And Sighs - Janine Roebuck
The Yeomen Of The Guard: Here's A Man Of Jollity - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: Tripping Hither, Tripping Thither - Yvonne Patrick/Madeliene Mitchell/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: The Law Is The True Embodiment - Richard Suart/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: When I Went To The Bar - Richard Suart
Iolanthe: Strephon's A Member Of Parliament! - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: When Britain Really Rul'd The Waves - Lawrence Richard/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: Finale Act Two: Soon As We May - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Pirates Of Penzance: Ov - Orch Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr/John Pryce-Jones
The Pirates Of Penzance: Poor Wand'ring One - Marilyn Hill Smith/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Pirates Of Penzance: I Am The Very Model - Eric Robertson/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Pirates Of Penzance: When The Foeman Bares His Steel - Simon Masterton Smith/Marilyn Hill Smith/Patricia Cameron/Eric Robertson/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte...
The Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat-Like Tread - Gareth Jones/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Mikado: If You Want To Know Who We Are - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring - Bonaventura Bottone/Eric Roberts/Deborah Rees/Thora Ker/Malcom Rivers
The Mikado: On A Tree By A River - Eric Roberts
Patience: The Soldiers Of Our Queen - Donald Maxwell/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Patience: If You Want A Receipt For That Popular Mystery - Donald Maxwell/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Patience: Am I Alone And Unobserved - Simon Butteriss
Patience: If You're Anxious For To Shine - Simon Butteriss
The Gondoliers: We're Called Gondolieri - David Fieldsend/Alan Oke
The Gondoliers: From The Sunny Spanish Shore - Richard Suart/Jill Pert/Elizabeth Woollett/Philip Casey
The Gondoliers: For Ev'ry One Who Feels Inclined - David Fieldsend/Alan Oke/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Gondoliers: Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes - David Fieldsend
The Gondoliers: Dance A Cachucha - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr

Customer Reviews:

The best? I think not........2004-01-11

This disc includes some songs that, while I like them, are not what people might consider the "best" of G&S. Of course, anything by G&S is good, it's still not the "best of the best."

There has got to be something that better represents the G&S canon.

can't understand the words.......2004-01-08

Don't know about those other reviewers, but I just can't make out very much of the lyrics. Maybe those folk have better CD players or better hearing, but it's pretty much a blur to me. I strongly recommend "The Ultimate Gilbert and Sullivan" instead.

Average customer rating:

Music from Humphrey Bogar Movies
Simply the original
not the stuff dreams are made of

Music from Humphrey Bogart Movies

Manufacturer: The Sound Track Facto
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sings Stardust and His Other Great Compositions
Casablanca: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
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Hoagy Sings Carmichael
A Portrait of Hoagy Carmichael

ASIN: B00006CFHZ
Release Date: 2002-08-08

Tracks:

As Time Goes By [From Casablanca] - Elliot Carpenter, Dooley Wilson
Am I Blue/Hong Kong Blues/The Rhumba Jumps/How Little We Know [from To - Hoagy Carmichael, , Andy Williams
And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine [From the Big Sleep] - Lauren Bacall
Petrified Forest
My Melancholy Baby/I'm Just Wild About Harry/It Had to Be You/In a ...
High Sierra
Maltese Falcon - Jo Stafford
Baila Bailando/Too Marvelous for Words [From Dark Passage]
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Moanin' Low - Claire Trevor
African Queen
Oh, Give Me Time for Tenderness [From Dark Victory] - Vera Van

Album Description

Full title - Music From Humphrey Bogart Movies. Includes music from the classics, 'Casablanca' (1942), 'The Big Sleep' (1946), 'Key Largo' (1948), 'To Have & Have Not' (1944), 'The Petrified Forest' (1936), 'The Roaring Twenties' (1939), 'High Sierra' (1941), 'The Maltese Falcon' (1941), 'Dark Passage' (1947) & 'The African Queen' (1951). Highlights include, Dooley Wilson & Elliot Carpenter Trio 'As Time Goes By', Andy Williams 'Little We Know' & Lauren Bacall 'And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine'. Slipcase. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Music from Humphrey Bogar Movies.......2007-06-27

I was disappointed. I thought I would be getting a CD of full length themes from his movies but the CD is exactly what it says. It is from the actual films, in sections and pieces. I can't say it was misrepresented so I guess I was at fault. But I am sorry I bought it.

Simply the original.......2007-06-19

As the previous reviewer rightly pointed out, these are the original recordings from the era the films were made. And yes, the sound is completely different from what we are used to hear when we are turning the CD player on: it's mono, it's partially unsteady and some of the pieces suddenly fade. BUT, it's the REAL thing and it transports the charms and the charisma, inherent to the original ONLY.
Those who prefer the flawless technical perfection of a re-recording better should save their money. But for those who love the movies and their genuine sound, should be perfectly pleased with this release.

not the stuff dreams are made of.......2007-01-03

most of the tracks on this cd are available elsewhere, but what prompts me to give this a low review is the quality of the recording. some of them sound like they were taped off of a tv set showing a warbly print. you can do better elsewhere.

Black And Blue: A Musical Revue (1989 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

Diverse offering full of laughter, love and the blues!!

Black And Blue: A Musical Revue (1989 Original Broadway Cast)

Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

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Ain't Misbehavin' (1978 Original Broadway Cast)
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ASIN: B000000PIF
Release Date: 1992-04-10

Tracks:

Blues: I'm A Woman
Royal Garden Blues
St. Louis Blues
After You've Gone
If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' On It
I Want A Big Butter And Egg Man
Stompin' At The Savoy
I've Got A Right To Sing The Blues
Black And Tan Fantasy
T'Ain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do
Call It Stormy Monday/I'm Getting 'Long Alright
Body And Soul
I'm Confessing
Am I Blue
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
In A Sentimental Mood
Black And Blue

Customer Reviews:

Diverse offering full of laughter, love and the blues!!.......1998-12-24

This musical soundtrack is my favorite! It has a diverse offering of artists who range in vocals from a very robust and alluring tenor to enchanting soprano. The types of songs go from fun & upbeat to "somebody-please-get-me-a-tissue" blues. These selections will make you envision whatever scene/theme that is being performed and will force you to crawl into the number and savor/enjoy the fun or the blues of it.

I love it!! I believe you will, too.

Judy in Love & Alone
Average customer rating:

Perfect Release of a two-fer

Finally "Alone" on CD!

Terrible sound and terrible packaging

JUDY AT HER BEST with SPECTACULAR SOUND!

Garland the Great

Judy in Love & Alone
Judy Garland
Manufacturer: S&P Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
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The Best of the Capitol Masters: The London Sessions

Live in Paris

Classic Garland: Capitol Years 1955-1965

ASIN: B0000641C8
Release Date: 2002-04-23

Tracks:

Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
This Is It
More Than You Know
I Am Loved
I Hadn't Anyone Till You
I Concentrate On You
I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
Do I Love You?
Do It Again
Day In-Day Out
By Myself
Little Girl Blue
Me And My Shadow
Among My Souvenirs
I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
I Get The Blues When It Rains
Mean To Me
How About Me
Just A Memory
Blue Prelude
Happy New Year
Then You've Never Been Blue (bonus track)

Customer Reviews:

Perfect Release of a two-fer.......2004-11-20

The person who wrote the review below is wrong : the "Alone" album was recorded and released in mono sound, in 1957. "Judy in Love" was Garland's first album recorded and released in stereo, in 1958.

The sound on this disc is spectacular. The original session tapes were used, for the best sound possible. It is glorious sound here, folks.

Pehaps the person that wrote the review below is thinking of the previous two-fer of "Judy in Love" from England, a few years back, paired with the "Judy" album. That CD sounded very flat and dry.

Get this new and improved disc, and you'll love it.

Finally "Alone" on CD!.......2003-10-01

I just received this Judy "double bill" and I can only say it's GREAT!! "Alone" was always one of my favorite Judy albums, and I am more than pleased to have it on CD now. The sound is not stereo, as another reviewer point out, but it never was recorded in stereo. I have the old vinyl, and that's mono too, but also pretty worn, after all these years. The liner notes actually are pretty good too. The original covers are reproduced, with the original liner notes reprinted, AND some fresh liner notes about this re-issue. There, you can read that the "alone" recordings are from 1957, and that "Judy in Love" is from 1958, and was her first stereo album for Capitol.

So why is "alone" my favorite Judy album? Maybe simply because it was one of my first encounters with Judy, when I was 17 years old. I didn't realize at the time that the selection of songs is pretty unusual. It's not the repertoire she sang a lot in her live and TV shows. I love the mostly subdued pathos on this album, although she does belt it out occasionally, in her own inimitable way. The songs are about 'surviving on your own', and some times about finding your inner strength, in a bittersweet way. The album is not very cheerful, but it does make me feel good, in a sentimental way. The arrangements are very good, just right, in the 'proper' fifties style. The strings have a very warm quality, which wasn't always the case in those days. There is also a beautiful large choir singing in the background on some tracks.
Some of the songs are very unknown, which makes this album special too. Happy New Year, for instance, is a beautiful torch song, written over a very slow version of Old Lang Syne in minor key; a real gem of a song! Blue Prelude is also a great song, so don't be discouraged by the titles you may not know.
All in all, a 'must have' for any Judy fan, but also a wonderful introduction if you want to get acquainted with Judy's singing. "Judy in Love" is an excellent example of her warm joyful singing, while "Alone" gives you all those wonderful torch songs. A balanced package, with a passionate Judy in great voice!!

Terrible sound and terrible packaging.......2003-06-27

Let me rant. This CD has 2 albums on it. 1 is mono and the other stereo!? I have these albums on records and they are both stereo. I feel ripped off. Also, these albums do not sound anywhere like the records in quality. In fact, they sound very boring and lacking of any sort of life. Judy did very big, exciting production numbers and the sound on this CD makes them sound stale and dead. I returned this CD and demanded my money back. The store clerk said I wasn't the only one. Thumbs way down.

JUDY AT HER BEST with SPECTACULAR SOUND!.......2002-05-11

JUDY IN LOVE is perhaps Garland's greatest studio album. A superb collaboration with Judy in wonderful voice, and arranger Nelson Riddle at the top of his form. Inexplicably, this album is only now making its CD debut in the U.S. Capitol Records seemingly had no interest in releasing it themselves, so they've sublicensed it to S&P Records, who have done a terrific mixing and remastering job. Comparing the sound to a recent UK import is overwhelmingly impressive. The UK release sounds mediocre, and this new issue belies its having been recorded 44 years ago.
JUDY IN LOVE is paired with her monaural ballad album ALONE, which was arranged and conducted by Gordon Jenkins. The two albums together are a distinct contrast and yet only show the versatility and mastery of Garland. The highlight of the ALONE tracks is Jenkins' schmaltzy, yet irresistable I'VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES. ALONE was previously issued on CD by Capitol years ago, but has been long out of print, so this collection is a dream come true for Garland fans.

The 5 Star rating is for the recordings and the way they've been beautifully produced. It does not, however, represent a true rating for the package itself, which has been saddled with awful,
amateurish liner notes which are so poorly written that it's a blatant insult to Garland. What a shame the producers who took such care in creating such a great sounding album, didn't bring the same kind of excellence to the accompanying package. This should not detract anyone from buying this CD, but buyers looking for an interesting commentary on the legendary lady and these specific tracks will have to go elsewhere.

Garland the Great.......2002-05-02

A beautiful compilation of two classic, original "Judy" albums. These are two of the six studio albums she recorded for Capitol in the fifties, and these are probably the best. While Judy's vocal tone is not at its best on "Judy in Love", the song selections and her interprative genius make up for the slight vocal imperfections. "More Than You Know", "I Am Loved" and "By Myself" are absolute delights, and are clearly definitive versions of these songs. In addition, the ballads shine with passion and tenderness. "Alone" is mostly filled with similarly tender songs, and on this one Garland is in fine, full voice throughout. "Little Girl Blue" is a particular standout, and the addition of the never before released "Then You've Never Been Blue" is a special treat for fans and newcomers. Popular singing doesn't come any better than this.

Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates Of Penzance

Average customer rating:

full description missing
Fine Excerpts At An Affordable Price
Excerpts And Highlights From The Pirates Of Penzance
Pirates Of Penzance Highlights At A Cheap Price !!
A reasonably good abridgement to this ever-popular G&S opera

Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates Of Penzance

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00000420J
Release Date: 1993-05-11

Tracks:

Pirates Of Penzance: Overture
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Pour, Oh Pour The Pirate Sherry
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - When Fred'ric Was A Little Lad
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Oh, Better Far to Live and Die
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Oh, Sisters, Dear To Pity's Name, For Shame!
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Poor Wand'ring One!
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - How Beautifully Blue The Sky
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Oh, Dry The Glist'ning Tear
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Then Frederic .. When The Foeman Bares His Steel
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Stay, Fred'ric, Stay!
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - With Cat-Like Tread
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Hush! Hush! Not A Word
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Sighing Softly To The River ... (Finale)

Customer Reviews:

full description missing.......2006-08-18

While the music that is on the CD is good, a several numbers are missing! It's not the full operetta

Fine Excerpts At An Affordable Price.......2004-02-07

Gilbert And Sullivan. Eternal names in the musical theatre scene. They were the 19th century British version of Rodgers and Hammerstein or Lerner and Loewe. And this was long before Broadway, when the Savoy was the vogue of musical comedy and the Savoyards were highly popular entertainers. William S. Gilbert provided the libretti and lyrics to the operettas, while Arthur Sullivan, who was a serious music composer in his own right, provided the music. The operettas or light operas they wrote were mostly up-beat social satires dressed up as comedy, very theatrical, historical, inventive, and very patriotic to Brittain. Their works borrowed the opera technique- choruses, arias, ensembles, but as far as plot and content their only serious work was The Yeomen Of The Guard. Other Gilbert And Sullivan hits include Trial By Jury, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, Princess Ida and The Gondoliers. Gilbert And Sullivan's manager/impresario was Richard D'Oyly Carte.

This recording is only highlights from a 1968 recording (also available on Amazon.com) with the D'Oyly Carte Opera, conductor Isidore Godfrey directs the Royal Philharmonic. In the role of Frederick, lyric tenor Phillip Potter, in the role of Mabel, soprano Valerie Masterson, John Reed as Major General Stanley, Donald Adams as The Pirate King,Owen Brannigan as the Sergeant Of Police, and mezzo soprano Christine Palmer as Nurse Ruth. These singers were at their vocal peaks, and they provide much comedic acting as well. Impressive scenes include the mezzo soprano vocals of Christine Palmer's Ruth as she describes how she mistook "Pilot" for "Pirate" when nursing Frederick (When Frederick Was A Little Lad"), Frederick's plea to the daughters of the Major General to accept him as husband (O Is There Not One Maiden Breast) Valerie Masterson, whose Mabel is the best, singing the coloratura showcase "Poor Wondering One" and her duet in "Stay Frederick Stay" John Reed singing "I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General" is hilarious and a display of virtuosity for this type of singing. The beautiful chorus "O Dry The Glistening Tear" the upbeat "With Cat Like Tread" and the finale are exceptional.

Excerpts And Highlights From The Pirates Of Penzance.......2004-02-04

This cd contains only highlights and excerpts from the 1968 recording by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. For a full recording, check it out on the Amazon.com catalog under Gilbert and Sullivan Pirates Of Penzance D'Oyl Carte Opera. This company was founded by the original impresario and manager of the Gilbert and Sullivan productions in the late 19th century, Richard D'Oyly Carte. Arthur Sullivan, who was a well-known composer, provided the music and William Gilbert wrote the libretti. Their partnership was a match made in heaven, as evident in the success of their many operettas, beginning with the smash hit "Trial By Jury" and even on to the more serious opera "The Yeomen Of The Guard". Nevertheless, Gilbert and Sullivan had different temperaments and did'nt always get along very well. They split up sometime in the 1890's. Other famous light operas of theirs include The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, Iolanthe, Princess Ida and The Gondoliers. Light opera or operetta was the vogue of the day, especially popular in the Savoy Theatre in London. Although it was not opera, it borrowed much of the opera techniques- namely arias and chorus. The entertainment of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas were very much like Broadway musicals. In fact, one could make the argument that the Savoy was the Broadway long before American Broadway theatre and Gilbert and Sullivan were like an early British form of Rodgers and Hammersteins or Lerner and Loewe.

The Pirate Of Penzance is a beautiful work of art. The sugary and sentimental story is about the exoneration of pirates, who are noble men who have "gone astray" by such authorities as the Major General,his daughters and the Sergeant of Police. Through the course of the opera, Frederick, who was nursed by Ruth and reared by the Pirate King and his roguish band of pirates. When the daughters of Major General Stanley reject his proposals of love, only Mabel consents to love him. But there's a catch. Frederick is in the hands of the pirates until he comes of age but he was born on a leap year and not until 1940 will he be released. The ending is happy and finds the pirates forgivened by the authorities and Mabel and Frederick are happily married.

The singers really deliver a great performance. In the role of the Major General Stanley is John Reed, who by the time of this recording was a veteran singer in the company. He comes off as fatherly, authoritive but cheerful. An especially skilled type of singer is needed for the master song "I am the Very Model Of A Modern Major General". In contrast, a lyric tenderness is required in the final song "Sighing Softly To The River". As mentioned, a lot of this light opera shines with chorus. The excellent choruses include the opening chorus "Pour The Pirate Sherry", "Oh Dry The Glistening Tear"- this one in particular is set to beautiful music and the daughters of the Major General sound heavenly when they sing in chorus, expressive also in their chorus when Frederick sings "O, Is There Not One Maiden Breast ?". Frederick is sung by Phillip Potter, whose tenor voice is lyric and romantic, and it sounds gorgeous when in duet with Valerie Masterson's Mabel, as in the duet that follows "Stay Frederick Stay". Valerie Masterson was the principal soprano of the company and performed in various other lead roles such as Princess Yum-Yum in The Mikado. A well-schooled lyric and coloratura diva, Valerie Masterson extended her repertoire into Broadway and opera- she has sung Violetta Valery of Verdi's La Traviata (in both Italian and in English versions), Adele in Die Fledermaus and even a part in an English version of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung. Valerie has recordings out in stock and available in Amazon.com.

Pirates Of Penzance Highlights At A Cheap Price !!.......2003-12-27

For a very reasonable, inexpensive price (around 8 dollars) this cd is a must have for those who have recently taken up an interest in Gilbert and Sullivan. Gilbert and Sullivan were a team of composer and librettist, both Englishmen, from the late 19th century who composed operettas written in the English language and in the spirit of popular folk song of the Victorian period (roughly 1870's, 1880's and 1890's ) The light operas were equally as light in plot and mood- they were cheery, uncomplicated stories, a lot of them set on a naval vessel out at sea. They poked fun at the Victorian way of life, in much the same vein that Offenbach satirized the French of his day during the Second Empire (1860's). Gilbert and Sullivan composed many operettas that still remain popular today, especially The Mikado, The H.M.S. Pinafore and in this case The Pirates Of Penzance. The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company specialized exclusively in the art of Gilbert and Sullivan and have long been regarded as the finest interpreters of the style. In the 50's and 60's they performed live and made a variety of recordings, employing the talents of many outstanding English singers- among them lyric soprano Valerie Masterson.

In The Pirates Of Penzance, Mabel and Frederick are temporarily seperated lovers when Frederick is accused of a crime he did not commit. The plot involves pirates, among them the bass-baritone Pirate King. Light-hearted, bouncy tunes abound in what is considered the direct ancestor to Broadway musi