Four Decades of Songs [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Budget-priced three disc box for Bassey the Belter also known as the Tigress of Tiger Bay. 54 tracks including, 'Goldfinger', 'Don't Rain On My Parade', 'In The Still Of The Night', 'Feelings', 'All Of Me', 'Days Of Wine And Roses' and many more. A great collection of standards and show tunes as only dame Shirley Bassey can do them. 1998 release. Three standard jewel cases housed together in a slipcase. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Air 'On the G String' - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Morning - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Canon In D - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Gymnopedie No.1 - City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
II. Andante - Stephen Hough
Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
In Paradisum - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Clair De Lune - Dame Moura Lympany
II. Andate - Yehudi Menuhin
The Swan - Osian Ellis
II. Lento E Largo - Tranquillissimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
II. Andantino - James Galway
II. Largo - Yehudi Menuhin
Nimrod - London Symphony Orchestra
Blow the Wind - Pie Jesu - Jocelyn Pook
Variation 18 - Cecile Ousset
Pavane Op.50 - Gareth Morris

Tracks:

Zion Hort Die Wachter Singen - South German Madrigal Choir
Adagio In G Minor - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Minuet - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
II. Largo - Andrei Gavrilov
Meditation - Hans Kalafusz
I. Adagio Sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
II. Andante - Nigel North
II. Adagio - Jack Brymer
Intermezzo - Philharmonia Orchestra
I. Moderato - London Chamber Orchestra
O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Sinfonia Of London
II. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening) - Cecile Ousset
Nocturne - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
II. Adagio (Opening) - Julian Bream
Adagio For Strings Op.11a - The Philadelphia Orchestra
Entr'acte To Act III - Orchestre National De France

Amazon.com

You want relaxing classical music that'll soothe your soul but won't lull you into sleep? Here's a double CD for you. The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World ... Ever! does its best to cover both well-worn classical favorites (Bach's "Air on the G String," Pachelbel's "Cannon," Debussy's "Clair de Lune") and some eclectic left-field choices (an excerpt from Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Jocelyn Pook's "Blow the Wind," and Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. The performances of most of these excerpts are top-notch--artists include Sir Neville Marriner, James Galway, Jacqueline du Pré and the Philadelphia Orchestra--and there's enough variety here for everyone. --Edward Garabedian

Customer Reviews:

Lives Up To The Title, Fine Variety Of Genre's........2007-02-04

This CD is a great way to enjoy a large variety of Classical Composers & many of their best known pieces. Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," is an all time favorite. There are vocals, Piano pieces, & some fine Violins. I found the latter the most enjoyable. Here you can find Rodrigo & Pachelbell. Samuel Barber's haunting Adagio will make your skin tingle. This may not be to everyones taste, but if you wish to relax? Give this a couple of listens.

Good for relaxing pregnant women.......2007-01-17

I stumbled onto this album whilst searching bit torrent websites for classical music. I don't normally listen to classical music but thought it might be relaxing for my pregnant wife. After hearing the quality of the performances, the arrangement, and the recording I decided to buy the album from amazon. All the songs you would expect from a "best album in the world" are there and they are not boring to listen to like a lot of other classical albums. I now play this album in the car constantly and the wife requested it be played at the hospital during the birth.

Too much opera.......2007-01-10

If it wasn't for the opera this would be a great CD.

Does what it set out to do, very well.......2006-11-15

So i'm a classical music veteran, someone who prefers to collect a complete work, rather than classical compilations. I probably would not have listened to this album at all if my dad didnt buy it for me as a gift. By now, i own the complete works that over half of the excepts on this disc come from. I am a purist if ever there was one.

That said, i totally adore this set because i have learned to take it on its own terms. These discs weren't meant for expert classical listeners, so a review from that sort of mindset is useless. This set was meant for pure, easy listening, and for a basic starters kit for classical newbies. Most of all, it was just meant to do what the title says, to relax the average human being. classical expert or not.

Yes, some of these pieces have been altered or shortened, like Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto Andantino, but they have been edited for a good enough reason: the full versions would have been too long to flow with the rest of the album. And also, the full versions contain so much development that they don't become easy listening anymore. The shortened versions work in the context of the album. Most essentially, the shortened versions on the discs still convey the main flavor the composers were going for. The melodies and themes remain unchanged.

To sum up, it is true that when i want to actually listen deeply to classical music, this album would never be a choice. I would want to hear the complete works like the composers intended. But at certain times when i simply don't mind about that stuff, when i just need to loosen up and free my mind of stress with some nice melodies, this set does the job well enough.

Last but not least: being a purist and a classical buff, i am very particular about performance quality. I was very glad to find that EMI did not get lazy about this. All the artists are world-class, and all the performances are at least exceptional. Some performances are even quite excellent, like the Clair De Lune, which is one of the best i've heard. (Credit to Dame Lympany, the pianist.)

So once again, recommended for its stated purpose, to relax. I am a purist, a classical buff, and i still enjoy this disc. That says something.

TRULY The most relaxing and beautiful music ever written........2006-11-10

This album along with Volume 2 are now the two most valued albums in my music collection. I have all of the songs contained on these two albums but they are scattered through at least a dozen different albums and several are not performed by artists such as those that recorded this album and Volume 2.
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Just for kids?? No way!!
The best classical album for kids!
Great for Preschool Children

Classics for Kids

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003FE3
Release Date: 1993-06-08

Tracks:

The Nutcracker Excerpts (Tchaikovsky)
The Nutcracker Excerpts (Tchaikovsky)
The Nutcracker Excerpts (Tchaikovsky)
Parade of The Wooden Soldiers (Jessel-MacDonald)
Carnival of The Animals Excerpts (Saint-Saens)
Carnival of The Animals Excerpts (Saint-Saens)
Carnival of The Animals Excerpts (Saint-Saens)
THe Girl With The Flaxen Hair (Debussy)
Hoedown from Rodeo (Copland)
Little Waltz from The Toy Box (Debussy)
Viennese Musical Clock from Hary Janos (Kodaly)
Mother Goose Suite Excerpts (Ravel)
Mother Goose Suite Excerpts (Ravel)
March of the Siamese Children from The King and I (Rogers)
Dreams frin Scenes From Childhood ( Schumann)
March of The Toys from Babes In Toyland (Herbert)
Childhood Games Excerpts (Bizet)
Childhood Games Excerpts (Bizet)
The Toy Trumpet Al Hirt, trumpet (Scott)
The Little Train of Caipira (Villa-Lobos)
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Dukas)
Waltz from The Sleeping Beauty (Tchaikovsky)
Lullaby (Brahms)

Customer Reviews:

Just for kids?? No way!!.......2005-04-08

This is wonderful classical music. If the kids like it, great! But, make no mistake about it, this is good for anyone. This is wonderful study music, reading music, or just plain relaxing music. Highlights include "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"; "March of the Toys" (from BABES IN TOYLAND -- the reason I bought this CD); "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"; "The Little Train of Caipira" (no longer little when the music is over); and the audience favorite "Hoedown" (i.e. "Beef, it's what's for dinner!").

If you're into that whole thing of classical music sharpening a youngster's intellect, then this won't disappoint. If you're just into good old fashioned classical music in general, it won't disappoint you either. Also, I highly recommend to both groups the classical CD BUILD YOUR BABY'S BRAIN.

The best classical album for kids!.......2002-12-12

This is a wonderful album. Very high quality, and every selection is beautiful. My daughter (who usually asks me to turn my classical music off) loves to pretend to gallop like a horse during "Rodeo" and march like a soldier during "Parade of the wooden soldiers". This is a pleasure for the whole family!

Great for Preschool Children.......2000-10-12

I use this CD with my preschool music group. The kids love it! This CD enables children learn about classical music without over extending their attention spans.

Average customer rating:

Not a desert island recording
EUREKA, I've found out what is lacking.....
Another one bites the dust
Marvellous Salome
Disappointing Strauss: Expert-polished orchestra, Adequate Soprano

Richard Strauss: Four Last Songs

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Russian Album

ASIN: B000MV93EG
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

Letzte Szene: "Ah! Du wolltest mich nicht deinen Mund"
Mondscheinmusik
Letzte Szene: "Morgen mittag um elf!"
Frühling (Hermann Hesse)
September (Hermann Hesse)
Beim Schlafengehn (Hermann Hesse)
Im Abendrot (Joseph von Eichendorff)

Amazon.com

This gifted Swedish soprano, rapturously praised internationally in Wagner, is clearly eager to stake a claim in Strauss. She has the necessary vocal strength, wide range, fine musicianship, clear textual delivery, and flexibility. But listen to legendary benchmarks of Strauss singing (Ljuba Welitsch in the Salome scene, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf or Lisa della Casa in the other material on this disc) and you'll hear voices of pristine timbre and absolute steadiness, both of which Stemme lacks; her vibrato might be less intrusive in the theater, but on records it consistently puts her at a disadvantage, especially in Strauss. Even if the Salome finale offers a certainly amount of feverish excitement, throughout the program the singing generally wants variety of color. With the Capriccio Countess, the line-by-line specificity for this demanding characterization - above all, the lady's abundant charm - is conspicuously missing. Likewise, phrase after phrase of the Four Last Songs lacks profile, and here the vibrato prevents Stemme from achieving the serenity so crucial to this sublime music. EMI provides fine supporting singers (but why weren't the Capriccio Majordomo's opening lines included?) and a splendid Strauss orchestra, that of London's Royal Opera House, elegantly led by music director Antonio Pappano. --Roger Pines

Album Description

Tracklisting:

Richard Strauss- Songs & Scenes
Salome (Hedwig Lachmann after Oscar Wilde)
1. Letzte Szene: "Ah! Du wolltest mich nicht deinen Mund"

Capriccio (Clemens Krauss/Richard Strauss)
2. Mondscheinmusik
3. Letzte Szene: "Morgen mittag um elf!"

Four Last Songs
4. FrÃ¼hling (Hermann Hesse)
5. September (Hermann Hesse)
6. Beim Schlafengehn (Hermann Hesse)
7. Im Abendrot (Joseph von Eichendorff)

Customer Reviews:

Not a desert island recording.......2007-07-12

This is not a recording to take to that desert island, if you can only pack the essentials. Nina's voice is okay but with the recordings of Jesse Norman and Kiri Te Kanawa still very much in-print, why bother with this one. Nina sounds like a Bayreuth house soprano and her rendition is in no way startling or original. Just adequate. Skip this recording and buy one of the other two.

EUREKA, I've found out what is lacking............2007-06-24

Timbre is to the voice what French Silk is to chocolate pudding; the difference between rich cream and skim milk, it is texture, depth and perspective, and sheen. Nina Stemme does not have the finer of those qualities, but she is not alone.

She seems to me the hope for tomorrow, so low is her tone, firm her committment, and classic her appearance - even if not on this cover. Her singing is very musical, but I don't hear beauty - the production is too narrow and this works for Wagner but not Strauss. Her phrasing is straight - very little variance and again - Wagnerian, not Strauss. Ideally, the portamento and a floating vibrato free tone (ethereal) are two of the hallmarks of Strauss singing. The most fine singer of these wonderful songs - to me - will always be the late Elizabeth Schwarzkopf but Rene Kollo (tenor) also recorded them. His Abendrot is very touchingly sung. But Nina Stemme brings her own touch that validates this attempt. Any singer who attempts Four Last Songs is brave indeed, not only for attempting the difficult music, but for the grand tradition preceeding them.

Somehow, Nina Stemme seems more serious than the airy prima donnas of the past 10 years - Fleming and Angela Alagna come to mind first -- also this young Russian woman (her name escapes me). Stemme is a classic woman, knowing, practical - she is a prima donna, an authentic opera singer - very far from Church, Bocelli, and those pop-classical people (where are they now?) --- she is the beginning of a new practical era where the Art is the measure of productivity - not the Spin Meister.

Brava Nina!!!

Another one bites the dust.......2007-05-25

I could not believe it when I picked up this disc in my local music store to see my favourite music by Strauss on one CD. The first thing I thought is how is Nina Stemme going to pull off each of these selections. The answer is unfortunately, much to my expectations, she excels in the Salome scene, while the remainder of the CD shows her to a bit of a disadvantage. She sings the Countess's Final Scene music well enough, but just like the 4 Last Songs, she lacks the inner-most feeling and cannot penetrate the music like Fleming or Schwarzkopf. Her vibrato also seems to get in the way of most of the music, although it seems to work better in the Salome Final Scene than anywhere else. Pappano and ROH Orchestra provide worthy accompaniment.

Marvellous Salome.......2007-05-24

Stemme makes a most dramatic, marvellous interpretation, one of the best I have ever heard, of the final scene of Salome. The sheer power in her voice points forward to Elektra and Brünnhilde. And the orchestra is in top form. The reason why I do not give this record five stars is to be found in the final scene from Capriccio. Stemme seems not quite to understand the deeps of this role. The best recording ever made of this scene is done by Elisabeth Söderström, CBE - also on EMI.
It is wonderful to hear a "Hochdramatische" sing Vier letzte Lieder! Strauss obviously wanted this kind of voice, and here Stemme, I must confess, scores over Flagstad. Ms. Stemme has to attend to a small vibrato. But: Do not miss this record!

Disappointing Strauss: Expert-polished orchestra, Adequate Soprano.......2007-05-21

If I could only take one Richard Strauss vocal disc to my lonely desert island, I would be torn between choosing the highlights of Der Rosenkavalier, and the Four Last Songs. Come to think of it, I bet the Four Last Songs and other orchestrated songs would finally win out, though I suppose I could try to burn a personal combo disc of the four songs plus at least the bulk of the Rosenkavalier excerpts.

So we come to Nina Stemme singing both a couple of opera excerpts from Salome and Capriccio, and the songs. The orchestra is Covent Garden, with their current music director, Antonio Pappano, leading.

Right off you hear that Pappano is generating a leaner, cleaner Strauss orchestra sound than the lavish, sumptuous sound we now tend to expect. He is not asking the band for high calorie strings, and daring the woodwinds and the brass to cut through when possible. Instead he brings a clean touch that reminds a listerner of George Szell and Cleveland. The difference is that Pappano also generates more warmth of tone, and the sort of razor-edged, hair-pin precision that we associate with Fritz Reiner and Chicago in their heyday.

In sum, this combo approach works, definitely. The orchestra draws a listener in, and gets all the right Straussian juices going. One wants to hear more Richard Strauss - opera, plus orchestral, plus songs - from Pappano and Covent Garden then. Much, much more. There hasn't been such a gifted Strauss conductor resident in England, apparently, since the late, great Tommy Beecham.

Now to the soprano, Nina Stemme.

I have nothing against a bigger voice doing the songs. If only Flagstad had lived to record them in better conditions. For a hint of that imaginary blessing, check out her Mahler song cycles with orchestra, under Vienna led by Boult and Knappertsbusch.

What I think you will hear from Flagstad, that, alas, I do not hear from Ms. Stemme is yet another confidence and physical embodiment, bolstered by seasoned years of professional work, founded on unfailing vocal technique.

At first and later plays, I thought that Ms. Stemme just missed the stylistic differences between opera and lieder in her overall way with musical phrasing. And maybe the differences between Strauss and Puccini. Overall sweep and lift are there, but the focus in her voice gets to spread too much, as if general intention and vocal gesture and obvious involvement were all there was to it.

No, I am afraid I am disappointed. Is Ms. Stemme yet another gifted younger singer who is being pushed too fast into the limelight, short-cutting her technical foundations? Was she just having a bad day?

Other passing deficits, which are indeed not all that terrible but not all that great either, include a so-so take on the texts, again as if one could make the point with just singing this music and letting the texts slide into home base, whenever and however they may.

Not so, again check out other Straussians like Schwarzkopf whose way with lieder was justly renowned. Even Flagstad shows more lieder text insight in her Mahler cycles. Even Jesseye Norman, whose downside is the just okay support she gets from Kurt Masur and the Leipzig band.

One suspects that Stemme has notable gifts which still need a further technical foundation to fully realize them. Breath control is the deep foundation of tonal control. And even more focus on not just hitting the notes, but keeping them fine tuned wouldn't hurt. Now in her favor, Ms. Stemme does not sing out of tune at all, no. But she lets her tone spread and vibrate every time she reaches up, or tries to point the arch of the phrase, and this bodes ill generally for her interpretations, with ill effects in her lieder phrasing particularly.

My guess is this goes back to resale. But I will watch like a hawk or a night owl for more Richard Strauss from Pappano.

Three stars, then. Adequate. Probably for die hard fans of Ms. Stemme, and for listeners who can prize Pappano and Covent Garden as the real treasure trove here.

My recommends? Well, Schwarzkopf/Szell, plus Isokowski/Janowski, plus Norman/Masur, plus Te Kanawa/Davis, plus Auger/Previn, plus Fleming/Eschenbach, plus Lott/Jarvi, plus Brewer/Runnicles, plus Janowitz/Karajan, plus Price/Leinsdorf. Not a thin field, then. Take your pick and love it. The music is the thing.

Strauss: Four Last Songs / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Average customer rating:

The Perfect Four Last Songs
Absolutely Beautiful!
Karajan really puts a damper on things
Fantastic readings of some of Strauss's most beautiful work
Gorgeous Gundula

Strauss: Four Last Songs / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

Tod Und Verklarung Op. 24
Metamophosen: Metamorphosen
Veir Letzte Leider: Fruhling
Veir Letzte Leider: September
Veir Letzte Leider: Beim Schafengehen
Veir Letzte Leider: Im Abendot

Amazon.com

Gundula Janowitz had a very beautiful voice that critics like to describe as "creamy," whatever that means. Strauss had a life-long love affair with the soprano voice. He even married one--not just the voice, the whole woman, of course. His Four Last Songs constitute his dying tribute, and they are probably the most hedonistically gorgeous vocal works in existence. Herbert vo Karajan was a Strauss specialist, as was Janowitz, and together they contrive to perform the songs about as perfectly as they ever have been. The couplings, two orchestral works from the beginning and end of Strauss's career, are quite appropriate: the last of the Four Songs quotes the "Transfiguration" theme from the tone poem. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

The Perfect Four Last Songs.......2007-04-20

Of all the Straussians who have sung the composer's autumnal pieces, I think the best of the lot is Gundula Janowitz. Her ethereal, diaphanous, and floating voice fits these songs perfectly, and her natural sense of expression conveys that aura of old age, wisdom, and reflection radiated by these songs. Although hers is the kind of voice that wouldn't have the deep, low notes for Frühling, the rest of the songs sound like pearls falling off a string. In September and Beimschlafengehen, she has no rivals, and her Im Abendrot has that reflective sense of retirement that only she can bring to this glorious music. That said, I think that in addition to Janowitz, you must hear Lisa della Casa and Soile Isokoski in these songs. Janowitz is partnered by the orchestral forces of THE Straussian conductor, Herbert von Karajan. His feeling for the poetry in these pieces is unrivaled by any other conductor except Karl Böhm, and the Berlin forces play a ravishing account of this music. The balance is just right, and Karajan caresses the orchestral forces to a soft cushion of sound for Janowitz. All the resignment and wisdom of Strauss' final masterpieces can be found in this rendition of the music. The Metamorphosen and the Tod und Verklärung that precede these are also played with the finesse and the smoothness of the Berliners. Bravo!

Absolutely Beautiful!.......2006-07-19

Gundula Janowitz did an amazing job on the Four Last Songs by Strauss. Her tone is so beautiful with clarity, and her voice is so expressive. She also does not over sing these delicate songs which I heard oversung, and it ruins each piece. Of course, Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic are amazing and perfect for Richard Strauss. The violin solo in the "third" of the four last songs is amazing and heartbreaking. You dont even have to be a Strauss fan to love this cd. Anybody who loves music has to love Strauss's Four Last Songs which can be described as some of the most beautiful music written.

Karajan really puts a damper on things.......2006-07-14

There are fervent Herbert von Karajan fans out there and a lot of people love this album, but I just don't see what the fuss is all about. Karajan's interpretations here seem daft and un-comprehending. In the sleeve notes, the Berlin Philharmonic concertmaster is quoted to say that Karajan quickly gave the orchestra a clear idea of what he wanted in rehearsals, so that in performance he could largely "let the orchestra play itself," taking over to provide leadership and an interpretive touch "at key moments." And that's exactly the sense I get in so many passages here: that Karajan is simply letting everyone play, not guiding or directing or shaping things.

The playing of the Berlin Philharmonic---the orchestra that is, by many if not by general consensus, held to be the world's finest---is of course spectacular. In fact, the orchestra is so good that all a conductor has to do to bring things off pretty well is to start and stop them together, and frankly for a great deal of this disk that seems to be the extent of Karajan's involvement. So many expressive nuances in these scores go by without emphasis, as though Karajan isn't even aware of them.

In the Four Last Songs, I much prefer Schwarzkopf and Szell with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra. There, the phrasing is astute and expressive, heightening the effect of these scores, where Karajan deflates everything and largely sabotages the effect these gorgeous orchestral songs ought to have. Furthermore Schawarzkopf is gentle and tender where Janowitz, for as much as she sings arching, elegant phrases, is often rather overblown by comparison.

The exception here, though, and the reason for a 3-star rating rather than only 2, is the Metamorphosen, Op. 142. This is a remarkable, complex work that reveals itself more and more with multiple listenings, and the reading here is a real masterpiece. Perhaps Karajan deserves the credit, or perhaps the smaller ensemble (23 strings) fosters an atmosphere of chamber playing so that the orchestral musicians themselves are primarily responsible for the interpretive contribution here... given just how much Karajan muffles the expressive content in the other two works, I tend to think the latter is probably closer to the truth.

Fantastic readings of some of Strauss's most beautiful work.......2005-10-29

What more can I say that other reviewers have not already said? Karajan's direction of the BPO remains unsurpassed for Strauss. The BPO from the 1960's through the mid-70's was at its absolute apex and it shows, especially in the electric and beautiful "Tod und Verklarung" and the reflective "Metamorphosen". These interpretations of those two major tone-poems remain the definitive recordings for me; I have heard other performances, but none have moved me in this way.
I have to be honest, I am not a huge fan of Lieder in general - vocal works are not my bag, really. Still, if you enjoy this medium, then these pieces must not be missed, as they certainly are beautiful, and Gundula Janowitz has one of the most gorgeous classical voices.
Overall, this disc is can't miss - fantastic sound and performance, affordable price and a huge runtime (77+ minutes). A must have for Straussians.

Gorgeous Gundula.......2005-10-26

This is a must have CD for Janowitz's singing alone. Recently, many overpowered Wagnerian sopranos have attempted to perform the four last songs, but they are invariably miscast for these intimate works. Janowitz's singing here is precisely on the mark for the kind of atmosphere Strauss calls for. Karajan seems to fulfill every demand a signer could have here with gorgeous coloring, balance and pacing, always allowing Janowitz to breathe. These four last songs are part of my desert island collection.

Tod und Verklaerung likewise is an excellent rendition by Karajan. Death becomes palpable in a very naturalistic reading of this very naturalistic tone poem. The Metamorphosen on the other hand are the low spot on this disc and the reason for the "only" four stars rating. It seems emotionally overwrought and unconvincing as a whole. We have here unfortunately another example of excessively lush, chocolatey string overkill so common in later Karajan recordings. It seems wholly inappropriate for what is Strauss at his most experimental and non-romantic. A bit more clarity and emotional restraint would have helped.

Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

Average customer rating:

Waste of money
Great Music Compilation
If you like classical music don't buy this CD.
A must for anyone wanting the staples of classical music
A great compilation

Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

Manufacturer: Utv Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe

ASIN: B00004GOZA
Release Date: 2000-02-08

Tracks:

Adagio In G Minor
Jesu, Joy OF Man's Desiring
Moonlight Sonata - Adagio sostenuto
March Of The Toreadors (Carmen)
Celebrated Minuet
Polovtsian Dance No. 1 (Prince Igor)
Cradle Song
'Minute' Waltz
Suite Bergamasque: Clair de Lune
Largo
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1
Rhapsody In Blue - Andante And Finale
Peer Gynt Suite: Morning
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Liebestraum
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Wedding March
'Masterpiece Theater' Theme: Rondau (First Symphonic Suite)
The Great Gate Of Kiev

Tracks:

Eine klein Nachtmusik - Allegro: Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Allegro
Orpheus In The Underworld: Cancan
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna
Canon In D
Lietenant Kije Suite - Troika
Turandot: Nessun dorma
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini - 18th Variation: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini- 18th Variation
Bolero - Conclusion
The Tale Of Czar Sultan: Flight Of The Bumblebee
William Tell Overture - Finale
Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Gymnopedie No. 3
Ave Maria
Blue Danube Waltz
Thus Spake Zarathustra - Sunrise
Firebird Suite - Finale
1812 Overture - Finale: 1812 Overtune - Finale
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves'
Anvil Chorus (II Trovatore)
The Four Seasons - Largo From 'Winter'
Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries

Amazon.com

For those who want the most remembered passages of classical music's best-loved works, here's a package for you. On this bargain priced double-CD, you'll find music from 40 different classical composers; for the most part, the recordings excerpted here are some of the very best. Of course, you only get one Bach sampling (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, played by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra) and one Mozart (A Little Night Music conducted by Herbert von Karajan), but this is still a nice collection--perhaps the starting point for a budding collection of classical music. This set's downfall? Unfortunately, though the liner notes discuss the evolution of classical music chronologically, the tracks are programmed in alphabetical order by composer's last name. This makes for some startling transitions! Emil Gilels's reflective performance of the Adagio from Beethoven's "Moonlight" sonata is followed by the crashing cymbals and bombast of Carmen's "March of the Toreadors," a recipe for a heart attack if there ever was one. Still, there's something here for everyone and the liner notes even explain what movies this music can be found in. A nice touch. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Waste of money.......2006-01-12

Watch out for the volume leveling mentioned in another review. Surely the compliers could have come up with a better sort order than by composer. The change in tempo/volume between pieces makes it impossible to enjoy. My two CD's ended up in the trash.

Ken

Great Music Compilation.......2005-08-15

This is a great CD full of many songs that you will recognize and enjoy. If you are someone who likes classical music but doesn't necessarily know which songs or which composers you like, then this CD is for you. You will likely recognize many of the songs as the classical songs you would have picked out to be your favorites.

If you like classical music don't buy this CD........2005-03-11

Most of the tracks were chopped down to 3-4 minutes so some of the best parts of the compositions are missing. I don't know what I was thinking trying to buy 40 classical songs on two CD's. If you really want to enjoy the music you would do better to purchase a CD with fewer, but better quality tracks.

A must for anyone wanting the staples of classical music.......2005-02-23

In my years of experience teaching Fine Arts to high school students, I know that the majority, if not all, of the music included on this album is commonly used in collge music appreciation courses. This is an excellent sample of truly all the "greatest hits" of classical music. My students enjoy listening to the music and have later told me when take their required music apreciation courses in college that they "already know it all" because of this CD! The recordings are clear, the selections are passionate, and the listener will gain a familiarity with all of the most commonly heard classical music used in tv commercials, movies, etc.
I recommend this album, along with the boxed set, "Age of the Classics" for anyone who is interested in becoming familiar with the most famous staples of classical music.

A great compilation.......2005-02-09

This cd somes up some of the greatest pieces of instrumental (and is some cases choral) music ever written. It is a great starter for a beginning classical music lover or a quick and easy all-in-one for those of us who study classical music for a living. I highly recommend this cd to anyone who wants to love or already does love classical music.

Average customer rating:

Middle of the road wedding music
just what I was looking for
Most Chosen Selections
Another Great Reference CD
A Nice CD

Bride's Guide to Wedding Music

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music
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Bride's Guide to Wedding Music, Vol. II
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The Complete Wedding Album

ASIN: B000002SOG
Release Date: 1993-09-14

Tracks:

Three Lute Dances: Prelude: Courante
Sonata In E-Flat: Prelude: Adagio
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 In G: Prelude: Allegro
Water Music: Prelude: Suite No. 1- Air
Processional: Trumpet Voluntary (The Prince Of Denmark's March)
Te Deum: Processional: Prelude
Processional: Canon In D
Processional: Trumpet Tune
Lohengrin: Processional: 'Wedding March'
Cantata 147: Ceremony: 'Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring'
The Four Seasons: Ceremony: 'Spring' - Allegro
Ceremony: 'Ave Maria'
Five Mystical Songs: Ceremony: 'The Call'
Ceremony: 'Sheep May Safely Graze'
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Recessional: 'Wedding March'
Solomon: Recessional: 'Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheeba'
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 In F: Recessional: First Movement
Organ Symphony No. 5: Recessional: Toccata

Customer Reviews:

Middle of the road wedding music.......2007-01-20

I bought this cd because I had everything in my wedding planned to the last tiny detail except the ceremony music. All the songs on the cd are nice traditional wedding songs. I did not use any of the music from the cd, but I am glad I bought it because it helped me realize that traditional wedding music was not what I wanted. All and all a nice classical music cd but not for brides who really want a personal ceremony. BTW I went with Enya and Lorena McKennitt.

just what I was looking for.......2007-01-10

We wanted traditional wedding music and found it in this CD. I'm no music expert, but the arrangements and performances seemed fine. I would definitely recommend this CD for any bride looking for a concise collection of traditional wedding pieces.

Most Chosen Selections.......2006-03-13

As a wedding officiant, my wife and I are often asked to assist the couple with other services for their ceremony, such as music. For this, we have a very large selection in our music library to choose from. We have put together a catalog of cd's that we loan out to the couple for their review, and most often, their selections come from BRIDE'S GUIDE TO WEDDING MUSIC.

If you're planning a traditional or formal wedding on a budget, this cd has it all. There are even two selections of Wagner's "Wedding March" to choose from. Only two of the selections have vocals, the rest are all extraordinary instrumental selections.

Often, even around the house or in my car, I find myself listening to this cd. The music is soothing, refreshing, uplifting and most enjoyable. I recommend this cd over all other wedding music cd's.

Another Great Reference CD.......2006-01-09

This is a great compilation, CD, along with Bride's Guide to Wedding Music Volume 2, to use as a reference for some of the more popular wedding songs; just about everything on here is standard fare for weddings. All of the musicians are generally superb, and the sound quality is very good. However, this is most useful if you are playing the CD at your wedding, or using it as a reference CD to talk over potential music selections with an organist, a string quartet, etc. Like my review for Volume 2, I only gave it four stars based on practicality, not on quality. If it were just quality, I would give it five stars. I purchased this CD since I am in the process of making my own wedding CD (I am a professional, freelance violinist), and this was nice to listen to, even just as background music for dinner. BTW: beware of reviewers who don't use their names, especially "A music fan." This is most likely the producer of the "Wedding Traditions" CD and he slanders other CDs so his will look better. You'd think that in the wedding music business people would have better ethics, but unfortunately, that's not always the case. The best advice I can give, as a classical musician myself, if to take time to listen to the sound clips, and if possible, try to find them on iTunes where they might sound higher quality. This is the only real way of knowing whether the CD is right for you.

A Nice CD.......2005-12-30

This is a very nice CD.
Our daughter used some of the songs on this CD
and some of the songs that are on the
"Classical Wedding Traditions" CD for the wedding.
She also used many of the songs on the
"New Wedding Traditions Volume I" CD
Amazon is a great place to find good wedding music

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Wagner" Excerpts from Tristan und Isolde & Götterdämmerung

Average customer rating:

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Wagner" Excerpts from Tristan und Isolde & Götterdämmerung

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Richard Strauss: Four Last Songs
Songs by Mahler, Handel & Peter Lieberson
Bellini - Norma
Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs
La Nilsson: My Life in Opera

ASIN: B000O59Z0C
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

I. Beim Schlafengehen
II. September
III. Fruhling
IV. Im Abendrot
Prelude
Mild Und Leise Wie Er Lachelt
Dawn And Siegfried's Rhine Journey
Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort

All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers

Average customer rating:

Very pleased
Sumptuous and mellow
One of the Best Collections of English Madrigals
A Delightful Collection of English Madrigal
A wide variety

All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers
John Dowland , Thomas Morley , Thomas Weelkes , John Wilbye , William Byrd , John Farmer , and The King's Singers
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music

$9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B000002RPZ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

English Madrigals: A Little Pretty Bonny Lass
English Madrigals: Weep No More, Thou Sorry Boy
English Madrigals: Shoot False Love
English Madrigals: Now Is The Month Of Maying
English Madrigals: Four Arms, Two Necks, One Wreathing
English Madrigals: Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints Above
English Madrigals: Since Robin Hood
English Madrigals: Though Philomela Lost Her Love
English Madrigals: O Wretched Man
English Madrigals: Weep, O Mine Eyes
English Madrigals: The Nightingale, The Organ Of Delight
English Madrigals: Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!
English Madrigals: Cruel, Behold My Heavy Ending
English Madrigals: Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone
English Madrigals: Sing We And Chant It
English Madrigals: On A Fair Morning
English Madrigals: Oft Have I Vowed
English Madrigals: Is Love A Boy?
English Madrigals: Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
English Madrigals: All At Once Well Met
English Madrigals: Construe My Meaning
English Madrigals: Lord! When I Think
English Madrigals: Cruel, Wilt Thou Persever
English Madrigals: Fine Knacks For Ladies
English Madrigals: Strike It Up, Tabor
English Madrigals: I Love, Alas I Love Thee
English Madrigals: Farwell, Dear Love
English Madrigals: See, See The Shepherd's Queen
English Madrigals: Have I Found Her
English Madrigals: Lady Your Words Do Spite Me
English Madrigals: Were I A King
English Madrigals: Come Again
English Madrigals: Tan Ta Ra, Cries Mars
English Madrigals: Why Should I Love?
English Madrigals: This Sweet And Merry Month Of May

Customer Reviews:

Very pleased.......2007-06-10

I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this CD. True, I could have listened on line before buying but that would have taken the fun out of the purchase. Besides, I really didn't care for the CD the first couple of times I listened but now I really love it. It's not something to listen to all the time but given the right circumstances e.g. a small gathering of friends, it's perfect. If I'd listened to online, I wouldn't have purchased it.

Sumptuous and mellow.......2002-11-28

The six men of the King's Singers present sweet and light-hearted madrigals of such English composers as Morley, Weelkes, Dowland, Wilbye and Byrd. The thirty five selections include "Now is the Month of Maying", "Though Philomela Lost Her Love", "Sing We and Chant It," the celebration of tobacco entitled "Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!" and a host of other fa-la-la-la-la venues interspersed with wistful laments. I love the rich, sonorous sound of a male vocal ensemble, with countertenors, tenor, baritones and bass, and these six singers do a great job. Occasional instrumental accompaniments by lute and tabor are included, but this group doesn't really need it--I could listen to them for hours all by themselves. Also quite enjoyable, as well as educational, is their earlier release, "The King's Singers' Madrigal History Tour: Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany". For a more risque' take on the vocal music of Renaissance England, you might get a kick out of "The Art of the Bawdy Song" by the Baltimore Consort with the Merry Companions.

One of the Best Collections of English Madrigals.......2002-03-27

Any fan of the King's Singers will regret not having this album in their collection.

This album offers a veritable feast of the choicest English madrigals found on any comparable album. From the obligatory "Now is the Month of Maying" and "Fair Phyllis" to the more obscure "Tan ta ra, cries Mars," there is certainly enough on this album to bring a smile to lovers of Renaissance music - and a spark of recognition to anyone who sang traditional madrigals in high school or university. For serious students of early music, this album comes very highly recommended.

Among the more sonorous offerings on this album, Jones' "Farewell, Dear Love" and Dowland's "Come Again," cannot be ignored. Nor can Bennet's immortal "Weep O mine eyes" be matched more musically than here by the King's Singers.

This album has been played again and again for almost 6 years as both serious listening and background working music. And it has yet to lose its delight.

A Delightful Collection of English Madrigal.......2000-08-16

With 35 tracts to enjoy you're sure to find a couple of favorites. I gave this CD 4 of 5 stars compared to 5 stars for the King's Singers World Madrigal Tour CD. If you prefer all your songs in English, this will be your 5 star CD. Tract 32 "Come again" is my favorite due to the surperb tenor lead and melodic development. Compared to many polyphonic early music styles (1300s-1485), this era (1500-1610) provides many memorable melodies.

A wide variety.......2000-04-28

This is an excellent sampling of English madrigals. This presentation, given by an older roster of the Singers, is a nice introduction to the world of the madrigal, and English madrigals in particular.

Average customer rating:

Best of the the popular Copland...
A Great American Album
Must have this one...

Ultimate Copland Album

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Fanfare for the Common Man
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Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris

ASIN: B00002S5EW
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Fanfare For The Common Man
From Four Dance Episodes From 'Rodeo': Saturday Night Waltz
From Four Dance Episodes From 'Rodeo': Hoe-Down
From Old American Songs: Simple Gifts
Appalachian Spring: Variations On A Shaker Hymn
From Music For Movies: Grovers Corners (From Our Town)
From Billy The Kid: Introduction - The Open Prairie
From Billy The Kid: Street In A Frontier Town
From Billy The Kid: Mexican Dance
From Billy The Kid: Gun Battle
From Billy The Kid: Celebration (After Billy's Capture)
From Billy The Kid: The Open Prairie Again
From Billy The Kid: El Salon Mexico
Appalachian Spring: Very Slowly
Appalachian Spring: Allegro
Appalachian Spring: Moderato: The Bride And Her Intended
Appalachian Spring: Fast: The Revivalist And His Flock
Appalachian Spring: Allegro: Solo Dance Of The Bride
Appalachian Spring: Meno Mosso
Appalachian Spring: Doppio Movimento: Variations On A Shaker Hymn
Appalachian Spring: Moderato: Coda

Customer Reviews:

Best of the the popular Copland..........2004-12-26

Here's a great introduction to the popular music of Aaron Copland. When "Fanfare for the Common Man" begins, sparks of recognition will fly for most listeners. This song has been everywhere: presidential inaugurations, the olympics, commercials, movies, etc. Some flatten it as hopelessly clichéd, while others find it moving and inspiring. Copland also reprised it in the finale of his Third Symphony. Arguably Copland's most famous piece, "Appalachian Spring" closes the CD. In between, more great Copland: excerpts from 'Rodeo' (apparently the beef lobby has appropriated "Hoe-Down" as one of their themes); a great vocal rendition of "Simple Gifts" and a large chunk of another of Copland's best known works: "Billy the Kid". The only confusing piece is the "Variations on a Shaker Hymn" from Appalachian Spring when the entire Appalachian Spring is already included. Seems slightly redundant.

Though most of the pieces on this CD were written in the 1930s and 1940s, they tend to evoke the old west. With titles such as "Rodeo" and "Billy the Kid" this shouldn't surprise too many people.

Copland went on to compose more dissonant and twelve tone compositions later on in his career. These obviously weren't as popular with the public in general as the pieces on this CD. Nonetheless, if this disc whets the appetite, a foray into Copland's less popular works will yield much. It will help to expose the totality of Copland's output. This disc only represents a small portion of his work. Regardless, this disc is a great starting point for getting to know one of the United States' best known composers of the twentieth century.

A Great American Album.......2004-02-13

This is a great album representing true patriotic American music. Songs like "Hoe-Down" are lively and energetic and give rememberance to what one can imagine as the true American spirit.

Must have this one..........2002-09-17

I like all types of music, I wanted this album because I liked the song "RODEO" that is used on the beef commercials. This CD has made me into a Copland fan. It has many great songs. If you want a CD that says "I am an American." This is it. I am sending copies to a friend in Bombay and Tel Aviv. This is who I am