Orient [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Super rare album featuring Don Cherry in two 1971 live trio sets... 'Orient Part 1 & 2' and 'Si Ta Ra Ma' were recorded in Carpentras, France on August 11th with the great Dutch drummer Han Bennink and Mocqui Cherry on tamboura... 'Eagle Eye Part 1 & 2' and 'Togetherness' were recorded in Paris on April 22nd with the amazing South African bassist Johnny Dyani and drummer Okay Temiz. Also includes original artwork and gatefold paper sleeve. Fruit Tree. 2002.

Tracks:

Makam Rast 'Murass'a' Usul Duyek
Ductia (Cantigas 248-353)
A La Una Yo Naci
Alba
Danse De L'ame
Istampitta: La Manfredina
Laili Djan
Istampitta: In Pro
Danza Del Viento
Istampitta: Saltarello I
Chahamezrab
Danza De Las Espadas
Makam Nikriz Usul Berevsan
Istampitta: Saltarello II
Ya Nabat Elrichan - Magam Lami
rotundellus (Cantiga 105)
Makam Rast Sema'i
Istampitta: Lamento Di Tristano
Mola Mamad Djan
Saltarello (Cantigas 77-119)
Makam 'Uzal Sakil 'Turna'

Customer Reviews:

Turkish Delight........2007-02-13

It's one thing to be told about the cultural exchanges that have taken place in the Mediterranean region, and another to actually hear some of them. Besides the lesser known sounds of Afghanistan and the Ottomon Empire, this recording contains some "covers" of European medieval material probably known to afficianados of the genre, but with a seductive Levantine accent that makes one wonder what Moslem-Christian-Jewish harmonies could yet be made on a political level given the richness of this musical experience.

Intriguing Music Between East and West.......2007-02-09

Jordi Savall and his Hesperion XXI are joined in this recording by seven musicians from Greece and Middle Eastern countries playing instruments that include the transverse flute, or tulak, the rubab, tablas, zir baghali and oud. I am a longtime admirer of Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI and was very much intrigued by the goal of this CD to present the music of the medieval East and West showing how different cultures would influence each other. A piece from the Middle East is paired with one from the West and, indeed, one needs to keep the booklet handy to tell if the music is from a Muslim, Christian or Jewish tradition. It is simply a pleasure to hear the sounds produced by the various Middle Eastern and ancient instruments: the exotic rhythms, the beat of the drums and dancing melodies are a treat.

The disc is nicely recorded as all of the Hesperion XXI recordings have been. My only wish would have been for more information about each of the works on the disc and it would have been interesting to know something about the seven instrumentalists who joined with Mr. Savall. What we have in the booklet is an overview by Jordi Savall that does not go too deeply into the music we are hearing. This aside, Orient-Occident is a disc not to be missed.

East meets West in an enticing program featuring one of the best Early Music ensembles around.......2006-10-15

Fans of Early Music should be familiar with Jordi Savall and his highly polished and innovative Hespèrion XXI ensemble. Savall's releases on the Alia Vox label are usually theme based and contain a highly varied, excellently performed program of Early Music works. This release is no exception. In comparison with other Early Music anthologies, the geographical and temporal focus of this release is broader, with songs having origins from, among other places, Spain, Afghanistan, Italy and Morocco; with the compositional time period ranging from the 13th to 17th century.

Those who have followed Savall's previous releases will note that the composition of the ensemble is quite different on this recording. There is no vocalist accompaniment and wind participation is limited to a single transverse flute. But there are some rather distinctive additions here. Ensemble participants, on this recording, include ouds (Middle-Eastern lutes), an Afghan rubab (a lute with sympathetic strings), a santur (an Iranian dulcimer-like instrument), a wide variety of percussion instruments, and a vielle (played by Savall).

The program itself features alternating sequences of Eastern and Western compositions, illuminating the differences and similarities between the musical styles of such cultures. Some of the Western pieces are taken from the "Cantigas de Santa Maria" cycle or have their origins in the Istampittas of Medieval Italy. Some of the Eastern compositions were taken from a manuscript entitled "The Book of the Science of Music through Letters" written by the Ottoman musicologist Dimitrie Cantemir, while others were probably carried forward from a strong oral tradition.

My favorite Western compositions on the program include the lively Saltarello (Track 14) and the aggressive leaping melody of the Ductia (Track 2). While, on the other hand, my favorite Eastern compositions include the exotic Laili Djan (Track 7), the sensuous Mola Mamad Djan (Track 19) and the assertive, rhythmically-charged Turk melody, Makam Uzal Sakil 'Turna' (Track 21). Even though each composition can be designated with an "East" or "West" title, one of purposes in compiling this program was to show that the cultures and religions making their homes on the different sides of the Mediterranean were not always at odds with each other, and the exchange of ideas did take place. This exchange notably manifests itself through the fact that the first bowed instruments came from the East. Additionally, the melodies of Medieval Europe, filled with leaping intervals, ornamented phrases and syncopations, contain much in common with Eastern music. As an example, listen to the intricate melody of the Italian Istampitta: In Pro (Track 8). Throughout this program, the underlying beat of the darbouka, tambor and other percussion instruments serves as an unifying element between the East and West (the lively and virtuosic percussion playing on this recording deserves special mention).

As with Savall's previous releases, the playing, as well as the sound quality, is fantastic. Similar to the previous Hespèrion releases on Alia Vox, the disc is distinctively packaged within a tri-fold case, with picture laden program notes inserted in the front cover. In conclusion, this release is enthusiastically recommended to those who enjoy highly varied, and exciting early music programs; even to those who (think that they) have little or no interest in Eastern early music.

TT: 72:28

Average customer rating:

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM PIANO MUSIC
Warsaw Concerto
Classic Movie Pieces
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful

Warsaw Concerto

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Film Music
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ASIN: B0000060DC
Release Date: 1998-05-12

Tracks:

Dangerous Moonlight: Warsaw Concerto
The Case Of The Frightened Lady: Portrait Of Isla
Spellbound: Spellbound Con
The Glass Mountain: The Legend Of The Glass Mountain
Murder On The Orient Express: Theme And Waltz
Love Story: Cornish Rhap
Hangover Square: Con Macabre
While I Live: The Dream Of Olwen
Midnight On The Cliffs: Midnight On The Cliffs

Customer Reviews:

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM PIANO MUSIC.......2007-04-11

MOST OF THE FILMS FOR WHICH THESE PIANO PIECES WERE WRITTEN ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, SO WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THIS WONDERFUL RECORDING. FORGET ABOUT MORE EXPENSIVE VERSIONS. THIS IS THE BEST INTERPRETATION OF THE WARSAW CONCERTO ON THE MARKET!

Warsaw Concerto.......2005-10-09

The version of the toon was not what I expected. I wanted more the "popular" version.

Classic Movie Pieces.......2003-10-04

I am a pinaist, and several of thses pieces find themselve in my repertoire, and by hearing them on this cd, one is able to truly appreciate the composition and performance of these songs, which are not very popular nowadays. A great collection that I highly recommend to all musicians and music lovers.

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.......2003-02-07

If you like light works for piano and orchestra, this is the BEST I have heard. With the popularity of movie themes in this genre, this CD will not disappoint you. There are some great undiscovered gems on this CD. Every pianist should have this to 'expand their horizons'. Simply the best!

Average customer rating:

Nice music but...
Great CD
A Noble and Festive Christmas
Meat and Potatoes
Totally Awesome

A Festival of Carols in Brass

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Christmas Festival
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ASIN: B0000024Q6
Release Date: 1991-07-16

Tracks:

Deck The Halls With Broughs Of Holly
Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming
Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
The First Nowell
Angels We Have Hard On High
We Three Kings Of Oreint Are
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Sanctissima
O Tannenbaum
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Good King Weceslas
Silent Night, Holy Night
Joy To the World
The Twelve Days Of Christmas
Conventry Carol
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Good Christian Men Rejoice
O Holy Night
What Child Is This?
Wassial Song
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Away In A Manger
We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Customer Reviews:

Nice music but..........2007-03-08

I liked the music and the performances a lot, but there is no booklet to depict the performers, nor analyse the music or the arrangements, which are superb

Great CD.......2007-02-16

This is a great holiday CD. We used it for several holiday dinners this year.

A Noble and Festive Christmas.......2007-01-21

This is the best Christmas album you could ever get. It is the most stable as you do not have to think about it. This is the album you really sing along to. Brass makes everything festive, grand and noble; so will your Christmas! A gem for every year!

Meat and Potatoes.......2007-01-18

Since the release of this fine recording in 1967 there have been many fine
brass groups:The Canadian Brass, the Empire Brass, just to name a few.
Whereas these latter groups have all resorted to "gimmicks" such as unique arrangements to sell their albums this group of brass players from the Philadelphia Orchestra give us an album of good old "meat and potatoes" playing spiced with fine tone,good ensemble playing, and good tempos.

Totally Awesome.......2007-01-12

I love listening to this cd at christmas. The brass is so crisp, almost like being right there. You have to add this to your holiday collection, and for those of you who like brass, you will love it. I play the french horn and I esp. love hearing the french horn in it.

Average customer rating:

A Trip On The Orient Express
A Brilliant Score Beautifully Recorded
Christie Music at its Best!
The genius of Sir Rodney Benet!!
Orient Express - Delightful!

Murder on the Orient Express
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Evil Under the Sun

ASIN: B00007J4RL
Release Date: 2003-01-21

Tracks:

Overture And Kidnapping
Stamboul Ferry
The Orient Express
The Body / Remembering Daisy
Entr'acte
Princess Dragomiroff
The Knife
Prelude To Murder
The Murder
Finale

Customer Reviews:

A Trip On The Orient Express.......2007-04-05

The soundtrack is great just as the movie! When you listen to the musical score you see the movie again in your mind. A wonderful cast of stars to go along with the music.

A Brilliant Score Beautifully Recorded.......2005-11-30

For MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, Richard Rodney Bennett could have arranged a 1930's pastiche score and left it at that. Instead, he created an entirely original score, by turns melodious and atonal, to enhance the classic murder mystery on screen. The Overture certainly does, to quote Bennett himself, "give one the sense of excitement and anticipation that one felt in the theatre, as a child, before the curtain went up," while the main theme of "The Orient Express" combines a joyous waltz with an ominous woodwind motif that tells of dark deeds to come. "The Reenactment" and "The Murder" consist of some of the eeriest music ever heard in a film (as frightening - if not more so - as much of Bernard Herrmann's score for PSYCHO). At other times, the score is impressionistically beautiful, as in the Puccini-esque "Stamboul Ferry." Bennett impressively handles both music under dialogue (in "The Orient Express," for example, or "Princess Dragomiroff") and leitmotifs (the nervous string motif associated with the villain of the piece, acted by Richard Widmark). In short, this is a brilliant score. But what truly raises the soundtrack to the highest level is the grandly scaled playing of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, led by Marcus Dods. The 1974 recording matches the orchestra in quality, with each instrument clearly audible. Thus, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is a remarkable original soundtrack recording in more ways than one.

Christie Music at its Best!.......2005-09-01

"Murder on the Orient Express" was the one that really started the whole Agatha Christie craze at the movies, but none can top this one. I really love this soundtrack; it captures the real mood of this movie. From the excellent mood piece, "Kidnapping" to the majestic "The Orient Express", this soundtrack has just about everything for the lover of this movie. On most soundtracks you listen to some cuts and skip the others, but this one has such a variety of mood music that you'll want to hear it all.

The genius of Sir Rodney Benet!!.......2005-06-10

This film is perfect; and one of its undeniable virtues was precisely his admirable soundtrack. Exquisite in all the extension of the word. Absolutely gratifying and recommended.

Orient Express - Delightful!.......2004-06-10

I remember enjoying the movie when it first came out, as a matter of fact, it was the first movie on VCR I purchased; I guess that makes me really old! I loved the soundtrack, and you can almost hear the steam engine being fired, as it prepares to leave Paris. My vinyl copy has been gone for years, so I was delighted to stumble across it here. I have played it a number of times in the two weeks I have had it, and copied it to my MP3 player also. It is a great recording!

Average customer rating:

We Three Kings
3 Tenors Christmas
Beautiful and Amazing
These Three Kings Rule!
Another Winner

We Three Kings
Anthony Kearns , Ronan Tynan , and Finbar Wright
Manufacturer: Razor & Tie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000D9PST
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

We Three Kings
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Fairytale Of New York
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Mille Cherubini In Coro
O Holy Night
Silent Night
Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth
Winter Wonderland Medley
Mary's Boy Child
Panis Angelicus
Pie Jesu
How Great Thou Art
The Lord's Prayer
Battle Hymn Of The Republic
America The Beautiful

Amazon.com

There's a commercial inevitability to holiday song collections that can tempt music fans to mutter "humbug" under their breath. Yet while this collection (released in conjunction with the Tenors' Christmas Spectacular tour of 2003) is no less market savvy, in the end the trio's earnest, energetic performances earn their fair shair of respect. The trio's Celtic shadings impart considerable warmth to "Fairytale of New York" and other performances, but it's the range of influences they (also in solo and duet turns, all solidly backed by the Czech National Chamber Orchestra) bring to bear elsewhere that adds compelling new dimensions to these holiday favorites. Anthony Kearns' "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" may be solidly traditional, but Ronan Tynan imparts "I'll Be Home For Christmas" with some deft, jazzy drama while Finbar Wright gives "Mary's Boy Child" an unexpected Carribean spin. Elsewhere, the folk-classical influences behind "We Three Kings," "O Holy Night," and the gospel traditional "How Great Thou Art" span renaissance, baroque, and modern with a grace missing from the on-the-sleeve sentiments of the closing duo of patriotic warhorses--what would the Prince of Peace make of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," anyway? --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

We Three Kings.......2007-01-16

The 3 Irish Tenors are a joy to listen to in the Christmas season. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

3 Tenors Christmas.......2007-01-12

This was VERY disappointing - too noisy & just the wrong type of music for these guys. I played it once & will try to get someone to take it off my hands - I love listening the them, usually, but this album is just a dud.

Beautiful and Amazing.......2004-12-18

When I fist listened to the clips from this CD on Amazon I wondered why on earth they put the patriotic songs at the end, and also wondered a little at the other non christmas songs. After listening to it several times however I realized why. They don't leave Jesus in the manger, but take him all the way up to today! Wow. To me that is totally amazing. There arn't many christmas CD's that do that, but I think it really balances things out. I really enjoyed the Drummer Boy, and all of the rest of the songs. I would definantly say that this was a good buy.

These Three Kings Rule!.......2004-04-24

This recording is a wonderful addition to any Christmas collection. It has power, charm and just enough reverence! Anthony Kearn's "Lord's Prayer" is magnificent! Finbar Wright's "How Great Thou Art" is awe-inspiring! After four years with the "Irish Tenors" poor Mr. Wright still must endure the ignorance of a few "fans", being constantly compared to John McDermott. Finbar took the "Irish Tenors" to a new level, as acknowledged by both Kearns and Tynan. I wonder how long "Ringo" had to endure being compared to Peter Best? Get over it people!

Another Winner.......2003-12-22

In their second Christmas album, the three Irish tenors have another very lovely collection of Christmas favorites and a few not so well known. The duets are particularly beautiful and, while I, like other reviewers, would have preferred an all-Christmas album, the American anthems are stirring and well done. My only caveat is the absence of John McDermott, whom I miss. His voice added something less homogenized to the mix and although Finbar Wright has a more operatic tenor voice, I would prefer McDermott if I had my druthers. Nonetheless, this a a grand Christmas album and I recommend it enthusiastically.

A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale

Average customer rating:

Traditional Christmas Music
The quintessential Christmas recording
A Top List Christmas CD
The best
How do you describe perfection?

A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale
Robert Shaw Chorale
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003EPA
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Medley: Good Christian Men - Rejoice - Silent Night - Patapan - O Come - All Ye Faithful
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Shepherd's Carol
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
Medley: O Sanctissima - Joy To The World - Away In A Manger - Fum, Fum, Fum - March Of The Kings
I Wonder As I Wander
We Three Kings
My Dancing Day
Medley: What Child Is This? - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Bring A Torch - Jeanette - Isabella - Angels We Have Heard On High
Coventry Carol
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Carol Of The Bells
Medley: Break Forth - O Beauteous Heavenly Light - The First Nowell - O Little Town Of Bethlehem - I Saw Three Ships - Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

Customer Reviews:

Traditional Christmas Music .......2007-01-24

If you love traditional Christmas music, done in traditional style (i.e., no rock or jazz influence), this CD is for you. The Robert Shaw Chorale, the "gold standard" of quality choral music, sings much loved carols, with some lesser-known pieces as well. Some are a cappella; some include a full orchestral accompaniment. My favorites on this CD are "We Three Kings," "Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella," and "I Saw Three Ships."

The quintessential Christmas recording.......2005-12-09

This recording seems to elicit universal and heartfelt praise. Who am I to dispute that? The performance is terrific, just as described by the other Amazon reviewers, no doubt about it.

However, I do have one bone to pick with this recording. There just isn't enough of it. With material as good as this, that is a real loss!

A Top List Christmas CD.......2004-12-28

I bought this cd long ago, and have enjoyed it immensely each year. It is the perfect blend of celebration and meditation. Orchestra and choir combine in four distinct groupings, and a capella arrangements complete the masterful collection. The orchestral arrangements will make the hairs on your neck stand up, and your stomach quiver with all the excitement you ever felt as a child at Christmas. Adeste Fidelis is performed as few other ensembles have ever come close. The a capella arrangements will all, without exception, be on your yearly list of must-hear holiday arrangements. Truly a top list Christmas CD, essential for every family who celebrates this feast.

The best.......2004-01-02

I own approximately 35 Christmas choral CDs - including choirs and groups such as the Cambridge Singers and the King Singers. I also own two Christmas albums with Robert Shaw and the Atlantic symphony. This performance with the Robert Shaw Chorale is old but it is still my favorite. The arrangements are magnificent, the sound is brilliant, and the choir and orchestra are precise with wonderful volume control. Buy and enjoy!

How do you describe perfection?.......2003-12-14

This is my favorite Christmas CD. Nothing comes close. I thoroughly enjoyed learning much of the music in high school choir over 30 years ago. The music has never left me. The four medleys are the arrangements of Robert Russell Bennett titled "The Many Moods of Christmas". The arrangements seem to have a freshness about them even after listening numerous times.

Interspersed with the medleys are a cappella carols.

All of this music is wonderfully performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale, the a cappella selections recorded in 1957 and the medleys in 1963.

Four decades have proven that this is the standard in choral music. The clarity of text, the richness of tone, the beauty of harmony combine to present the message of Christmas in the manner that only music can do.

Tracks:

Deck The Halls
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
Joy To The World
O Christmas Tree
I Saw Three Ships
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Ave Maria
O Holy Night
The Virgin's Slumber Song
Pieta Signore
The First Nowell
O Come All Ye Faithful
Away In A Manger
We Three Kings
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Silent Night
Guardian Angels
I'll Walk With God
The Lord's Prayer

Customer Reviews:

Superb Christmas Album.......2007-02-19

Mario Lanza infuses his characteristic beautiful vocal intensity into this collection of carols and Christmas songs.
The result is an outstanding album which will bring a lump to your throat and tears to your eye.
The recordings are old, but the Lanza magic makes this album a must-buy

Love Mario Lanza.......2007-01-28

I love Mario Lanza. He is in my top favs. I have wanted this album for ages and it is just as great as I knew it would be. I'll be back to buy more of Mario Lanza.

Mario Lanza - fantastic.......2007-01-15

Fantastic voice, wonderful classic Christmas songs. My all-time favourite version of O Holy Night - spine tingling.

Christmas Hymns & Carols: You Do Something to Me.......2007-01-12

Wonderful songs, great selections of songs sung by the greatest singer, Mario Lanza.

Pure hymnal power........2006-12-20

I have just spent the past six hours listening to snippets of every Christmas CD that I can find on Amazon, and this is the best by far. It's the purest rendition of the best Christmas hymns that are sung in church on Christmas Eve. No inane flourishes, no ignorant alterations, no arrogant amendments, just pure hymnal power. Don't agree? Type "christmas" in the Amazon music search box, listen to all the renditions of all the classic hymns such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" and when you are done you cannot but agree that Mario Lanza is not surpassed.

Update: I am now listening to the full CD and it is better even than I had hoped for. The beauty of Lanza's voice brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.

Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols

Average customer rating:

Much Anticipated
A Taste of Heaven
The Energizer Bunny
Great Seasonal Album
The Most Beautiful Sounds I Have Ever Heard

Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
Robert Shaw , and Robert Shaw Chamber Singers
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003D0G
Release Date: 1994-10-18

Tracks:

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Angels We Have Heard On High
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
How Unto Bethlehem?
The Boar's Head Carol
O Tannenbaum
Masters In This Hall
My Dancing Day
Away In A Manger
Good Christian Men, Rejoice
The Holly And The Ivy
Good King Wenceslas
Wassail Song
Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
Fum, Fum, Fum
Mary Had A Baby
Hacia Belen Va Un Borrico
Christ Was Born On Christmas Day
March Of The Kings
Coventry Carol
Deck The Halls
The Cherry Tree Carol
We Three Kings Of Orient Are
Toruo-Louro-Louro!
So Blest A Sight
I Saw Three Ships
What Child Is This?
Susanni
In The Bleak Midwinter

Customer Reviews:

Much Anticipated.......2007-01-26

I have been looking for this CD for years!! Our family had a Shaw Chorale LP which contained almost all the songs on this CD. We had a number of excellent holiday albums and played all of them often, but we wore the Shaw Chorale album out! Not only are the musical renditions excellent and very similar to earlier Shaw recordings, the nostalgia evoked for this listener is incomparable!

A Taste of Heaven.......2007-01-18

I received this recording on cassette from a choral teacher, and played it so often that I wore it out! I especially appreciate the purity of sound and the arrangements in this recording. Lovers of choral music will feel as though "Songs of Angels" brings them a taste of heaven!

The Energizer Bunny.......2007-01-18

Alas that Robert Shaw is no longer with us. Throughout his long and varied career he gave us choral music with exactness,good pacing,and proper execution though not all musicologists would chose his renditions.
In "Songs of Angels" recorded in 1994 he shows us that even in later years he just kept going and going. Giving us stellar performances of masterpieces such as "Elijah","The Creation" and other large choral works. Yet in this album he shows the same attention to detail and
enraptures us with that special beauty of tone and ensemble which was
was to be Shaw's watermark on his life's offering.

Great Seasonal Album.......2006-01-16

This is one of the most impressive period albums I own. Wonderful for the holiday season. Will miss it during the rest of the year.

The Most Beautiful Sounds I Have Ever Heard.......2003-02-04

A fluid and seamless piece of heaven that transcends all classical and holiday music. This is an OUTSTANDING non-traditional Holiday CD!!! Many voices come together as one in these enchanting verses sung in languages other than English. It is just enough language mix to appease and intrigue the soul but not too much so that the listener does not understand the lyrics. For example, the English verse is sung then a verse in German and then back to English. Emmanuel is written this way. Other languages include French (Angels we Have Heard on High) and even Catalan which is a dialect of Spain.

Several of the songs were not traditional Holiday songs (at least for my generation), yet they were intriguing to learn and now I feel I know them just like the traditional ones. This CD offers a healthy mix of traditional and non-traditional songs on this CD.

If you can picture the most beautiful sounds you have ever heard you can come close to the joy this CD will bring you. It is February and I can't stop listening to it. You will not regret purchasing it&the only regret you may have is not buying all of Robert Shaw's holiday CDs.

Tracks:

Murder On The Orient Express
Far From The Madding Crowd
Lady Caroline Lamb: I. Molto Vivo - Lento - Alla Marcia - Lento - BBC Philharmonic/Rumon Gamba/Philip Dukes
Lady Caroline Lamb: II. Maestoso - Andante Con Moto - Poco Agitato - Alla Breve - BBC Philharmonic/Rumon Gamba/Philip Dukes
Tender Is The Night: Nicole's Theme
Enchanted April
Four Weddings And A Funeral: Love Scene

Customer Reviews:

A unique collection of film music.......2001-06-17

This recording is generally very well performed and produced. The playing of the BBC Philharmonic under Rumon Gamba is very high caliber indeed. I am not a big fan of movie music, but I was glad I bought this CD.

I bought this album for the highlight selection, the Elegy for Viola and Orchestra from Lady Caroline Lamb. This piece is pure heaven. The only piece I know that is even somewhat similar is Vaughan-Williams' Flos Campi. The soloist, orchestra and conductor are magnificent in Bennett's work - this is reason enough to own this CD.

delightful.......2001-02-13

I remember Bennett for his wonderful film scores for Nicholas and Alexandra(the fold-out LP album had a regal splendour to it) and Lady Caroline Lamb. Marcus Dodds conducted the Lamb score with the New Philharmonia Orchestra on LP (Angel S-36946) - now out of print. Gamba`s conducting is marvellous on this Chandos re-recording. But Dodds is unsurpassed for his romantic and passionate handling, with Peter Mark giving an intense interpretation of the Caroline theme. Overall, the LP has

greater presence and tension. Well, soundtrack recordings are usually more impassioned and sensitive than re-recordings. Still, credit should go to Gambas for his consistent high quality in the Chandos film music series. Incidentally, the Lamb LP recording is listed in the Library of Congress (No. 73-750111). If you can`t get the LP try that Library!

Strauss: The Complete Songs, Vol. 1
Average customer rating:

Stratospheric waves of sound - Straussian rarities

The Compleat Strauss Begins - with a Brilliant Christine Brewer

A wonderful recital from a wonderful artist

Strauss: The Complete Songs, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Strauss: The Complete Songs - 2

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The Hyperion Schubert Edition 31 / Christine Brewer, Graham Johnson

ASIN: B0008F1088
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Customer Reviews:

Stratospheric waves of sound - Straussian rarities.......2005-11-06

Christine Brewer is not a name that springs to mind when it comes to Lieder singers, and it's easy to understand why. Her career has focused upon opera, and there's little doubt that is where Ms Brewer's greatest love lies. Her voice is more than ample - often luscious, often beautiful, and with a fabulous range.

I listened to this recording with pleasure, even though that pleasure was alloyed with some dissatisfaction. To sing Lieder is not the same as singing opera. It's much more intimate and much more detailed on a smaller scale - it's like a painting seen up close, so that every flaw is laid bare, every quiver and tremble, every moment of blandness, every lack of wordplay.

With the best Lieder singers in the world, one is in a ferment of delirious pleasure. The words come alive, highlighted with highly intellectual and yet deeply emotional use of the musical aspects of the Lied, given edge and dimension by exquisite and pointed use of the words themselves. There really are not many great Lieder singers in the world today...

What we see in Ms Brewer is musical intelligence and a glorious voice, some quite good approach to the Lieder, but not that perfect connection between words and music which speaks to the listener without doubt, without a single loss of textual meaning, without a moment's veering from the beauty of the song to the strings of the heart. The Lieder singing on this disc is good, but not great. In terms of sheer singing...? Lovely, but that's not exactly the same thing.

Christine Brewer's voice and technique give many of the songs on this recording a beautiful sense of spacious richness, soaring easily into the notes. The text did not soar... Perhaps I am expecting too much, but that is what I want with Lieder singing. Ms Brewer did best with the dramatic coloratura Lieder, where her voice showed what a magnificent vehicle it is. But when it came to the more intimate Lieder, "Zugeignung" for instance, or in PARTICULAR the heartbreaking "Befreit", the problem becomes apparent - she does not move the heart with the poetry that should strike like an arrow through the soul. For this, we must still rely on the Schwarzkopf recordings, or a very moving recording made by Margaret Price.

Some of the Lieder on this disc are unusual, and it is strange indeed to see such masterpieces not in the public repertoire. Perhaps this recording will remedy the lack.

In spite of my faint qualms, I consider this a very good disc, and I look forward to more in the series.

The Compleat Strauss Begins - with a Brilliant Christine Brewer.......2005-08-22

Richard Strauss wrote over 200 songs for voice and piano/orchestra and the fine Hyperion label has committed to recording the Complete Songs in eight CDs. If all eight rise to the brilliance of this first installment, we are indeed in for a luxurious treat!

Volume I, now released, contains eighteen songs written from 1882 to 1928, not all of them are outstanding but each of these songs is historically significant. Strauss understood the female voice range from mezzo to coloratura and wrote some of the most hauntingly beautiful songs in the repertoire. Opening with the 'Zueignung' (still one of his most often performed songs) and proceeding in chronological order of writing, this recital continues with unknown songs along with familiar ones. It is a feast!

Making this recital consummate is the gifted young singer Christine Brewer, a musician with a near faultless, gorgeous vocal technique and interpretative ability to probe the poetry as well as the musical line as well as any singer living. Having experienced her live in the infamous Los Angeles Philharmonic production of 'Tristan und Isolde' makes it easy to attest to her stage demeanor and communicative powers. She is a rising giant. Her capable collaborator on this disc is pianist Roger Vignoles who not only matches Brewer's quality, he also enhances the intellectual aspect of this recording venture with exception Program Notes.

Be advised that this series has begun and if all of the subsequent installments are of the standard of this Volume I, the Strauss lovers should plan to collect them all. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 05

A wonderful recital from a wonderful artist.......2005-06-25

Finally a truly great Strauss recital disk! Of course, there have been great Strauss recitals in the past but none in quite a while. Of the recent recordings, Renee Fleming is too in love with her voice, Karita Mattila sounds uninvolved (which is weird since she's almost always incredibly expressive), Felicity Lott is impassioned but her voice isn't always pristine, Soile Isokoski sounds a little light. Then comes Brewer with the total package: intelligence, involvement, musicality, and a big gorgeous gorgeous voice. This is an artist! Each selection is sung with care without becoming fussy and overdone. There could be a tad more weary sorrow in "Befreit" (Debbie Voigt shattered me in her Carnegie Hall performance) but her voice is so naturally expressive that it doesn't really matter. The ever popular "Zueignung" sounds fresh and original. I highly recommend this disk!

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