Emperor & The Nightingale

Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op.67: Napoleon Shells Vienna
Fur Elise: Childhood Dreams
Symphony No. 3 In E-flat Major, Op. 55: Ludwig And Julia At Schonbrunn Palace Gardens
Piano Sonata No. 14 (Quasi Una Fantasia) In C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2 'Moonlight': Julia And Her Father Secretly Watch
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op.68 'Pastoral': Ludwig And Caspar Fight
Piano Trio No. 4 In D Major, Op. 70 No. 1 'Ghost': Ludwig Consols Anna Marie
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 61: The Beethoven Brothers In Baden
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 'Pathetique': A Concert For Lichnowsky
Piano Concerto No. 5 In E-Flat Major, Op. 73 'Emperor': The Letter
Missa Solemnis In D Major, Op.123: The Funeral
Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: Karl At The Ruins
Violin Sonata In A Major, Op. 47 'Kreutzer': The Carriage Stuck In The Mud
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: The Night Of The Premiere

Customer Reviews:

Below Average Beethoven Performances.......2007-03-10

It is unfortunate that they chose Solti's direction for the symphonic pieces in this soundtrack as he is simply one of the worst conductors for Beethoven. His direction is so slow one would think he is leading a funeral procession instead of music inspired by the French Revolution.

Of all old school directors such as Karajan, Toscanini, etc., Solti's performances are simply morbidly slow to the point of killing the grieving attendants with boredom. The cacophony of the oversized orchestra doesn't help either. Solti's interpretations are even too slow for a requiem. You think a regular interpretation of the 7th's second movement is slow? Wait 'til you hear this one; you're going to need a massage you'll be so stiff. The 9th symphony march is supposed to be a brisk revolutionary march calling the citizens to arms and to join the militia marching through a town. With Solti you imagine only a funeral procession coming through the town. In the Fifth the whole orchestra is almost struggling to slow down to match the strings. Karajan's interpretations are not particularly fast either but at least he breathes some life into them and the orchestra. I personally like Toscanini in terms of the old 20th century symphonic conductors and Gardiner's traditional interpretations that are at least at a correct speed and give the listener the impression they are marching off as part of a revolutionary batallion to bring liberty to the oppressed instead of being rolled to the morgue. Beethoven was a revolutionary anti-monarchist and strongly supported the idea of political change. Although Periah is a great pianist for Beethoven's concertos, there are simply better performances by him that fortunately aren't conducted by Solti such as on Sony with Bernard Haitink and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The same goes for the performances with Axe and Yo-Yo Ma. Gidon Kramer's performance for the Violin Concerto in D is also mediocre at best: there are better violinists out there than Kremer for Beethoven.

This is just not the best CD to get quality performances of Beethoven's works. Overall, Solti's interpretations are simply too sluggish and indecipherable to represent the ideals of Beethoven's music. Solti would definitely be my last choice for anything. You won't lose anything by not buying this soundtrack that's for sure: Solti's interpretations are so slow they will simply fossilize you.

Immortal beloved film.......2007-02-06

having watched a recording of Immortal beloved for a number of years the tape was past its best. now that i have the chance of ordering on line i did , and a good move it was. It was nice to see the film and things so clear, i had not see before, the writing on the love letter at the begining and tears that was shed. Iam very pleased with the dvd.

Living Perfection.......2007-01-14

This is one of the most perfect CDs I own, it's one I come back to time and time again. The recording quality is excellent - even on the cassette, which I've finally replaced after 12 years - but even better, the musical interpretation is splendid. Anyone who thinks that classical music is no longer relevant in our culture needs to buy this CD.

A wonderful tribute to the artist.......2005-05-25

This CD is perfect in my opinion. The recording is perfect, the pitch is perfect, the tempo is perfect, and the track selections are perfect. I think the album samples Beethoven's most remarkable pieces of work from his early years to his death. I have heard many recordings of the Ninth symphony that was just executed poorly; which is a shame because it is such a powerful piece. However, this album does it superbly. Sir Georg Solti and Murray Perahia did an amazing job with this album.

The album just flows really well from one piece to the next evoking a vast array of emotions along the way. Beethoven is timeless and forever will be. There is no comparison even to this day. This a wonderful tribute to the artist.

Very emotional and moving!!.......2005-05-23

I am a big fan of classical music. Beethoven, in my opinion, was one of the best composers, Mozart 1st, Beethoven 2nd, etc. This album is very moving and filled with emotion. I am currently listening to Adagio Cantabile-from Piano Sonata No. 8-from the film album. This piece is so moving and emotional. Another piece was Moonlight Sonata which I especially liked. Beethoven loads this piece with love and emotion for his one true love. In my opinion, Beethoven was the best at writing emotional and moving music. Whenever I listen to his music, I am immersed in a world of emotion and feeling. His music is truly beautiful. Back to the album, Sir Georg Solti really captured Beethoven's genius and devotion to his music in this album. This album really accents the film. You cannot have one, you must have both the film and the soundtrack. This is a must have for classical music/Beethoven fanatics and people who want to get a great summary of Beethoven's genius. BUY THIS!!!!

Average customer rating:

Repackaged New Year's Concert 1984 with VPO, etc.
I am glad I bought this one
Great Music as usual
A gem!
Amazing truly Amazing

Strauss: The Best of Vienna

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000HY9K
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

The Blue Danube - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Anna Polka - (French Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Morning Papers - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
At The Hunt - (Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Light of Heart - (Fast Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Wine, Women And Song - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Pleasure - Train - (Fast Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Vienna Bonbons - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Perpetual Motion - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Accelarations - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Pizzicato - Polka - (Johann And Josef Strauss) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Tales From The Vienna Woods - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.

Tracks:

The Emperor Waltz - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Thunder and Lightning - (Fast Polka) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Die Fledermaus: Overture - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Voices of Spring - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Prince Methusalem: Bandit Gallop - (From 'Prince Methusalem') - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Artist's Life - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Persian March - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Roses from the South - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Eljen a Magyar! - (Fast Hungarian Polka) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Chit-Chat Polka - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Vienna Blood - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Radetzky-March - (Johann Strauss, Father) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Repackaged New Year's Concert 1984 with VPO, etc........2005-02-23

If I'm not mistaken, most of the pieces were recorded originally live during a 1984 New Year's Concert conducted by Lorin Maazel with the Vienna Philharmonic playing in its grand concert hall, the Musikverein. Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic have had a longstanding relationship dating from the 1960's, and without question, this CD does rank among my favorite New Year's Concert performances (However, the most mesmerizing ones I've heard have been those with the late Carlos Kleiber and Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting.) for the superb quality of the Vienna Philharmonic's playing. Maazel leads the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in some of the most popular works composed by the Strauss family, most notably Johann II Strauss' Tales from the Vienna Woods Waltz, Emperor Waltz, Pizzicato Polka, Blue Danube Waltz and his father's Radetzky March, which traditionally closes out the annual New Year's Concert. Fans of the Strauss family, Vienna Philharmonic and Lorin Maazel, will not be disappointed with this excellent two CD compilation.

I am glad I bought this one.......2003-04-25

I listen to this cd to relax and it is so soothing. It starts with The blue Danube, which is my favorite. But the rest of the songs do not disapoint.

Great Music as usual.......2002-10-08

This is great recording,
I enjoy listening to it
veru much. This is a
compilation of all the
favorite waltzes by
the Strauss family, that
one might hear at a
New Year's eve concert
of the Vienna Philharmonic...
All waltzes and Polkas are
favorites of audiences everywhere
in the world...

A gem!.......2001-10-29

Who else knows Strauss better than Viennese? I attest that no other orchestra in the world plays Strauss better than the Vienna Philharmonic. Their light sound is exactly what the composer wanted, and it really makes other clumsy, heavy attempts by some other orchestras like Berlin and Chicago seem pathetic.

As far as the content of these CDs go, they are fantastic. They have every waltz, march, and polko of Strauss II that you could possibly want, as well as a nice addition of "Radetzky March" by the composer's father. If you are looking for a Johann Strauss Jr. CD, get this one!

Amazing truly Amazing.......2000-05-09

This 2 CD is amazing. It is great for plane rides and other things. I always listen to it at work. Allmost every song on this CD is beautiful and graceful. The blue danube is a classic and my personal favorite song on this album. Some of the songs are okay but none are bad. Overall this is an amazing 2 CD collection and it is worth every cent of your money . . .

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"

Average customer rating:

Flawless and moving
Grandioso...
Outstanding Performance
Too pure to be true and yet it is
Three cheers for Beethoven and his mediant modulations :-D

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000025M5
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Concerto No. 5 In E-Flat Major For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 73 'Emperor': I - Allegro
Concerto No. 5 In E-Flat Major For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 73 'Emperor': II - Adagio un poco mosso
Concerto No. 5 In E-Flat Major For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 73 'Emperor': III - Rondo: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Flawless and moving.......2006-02-01

This was the recording that introduced me to Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto, making me wonder how I had missed it in all my years (15+) of listening to classical music. I listened to my cassette until it was completely ruined. Although I have yet to hear other renditions of this piece, I can compare it to my other Beethoven symphonies (among others). In that light, I find this particular recording to be flawless. The piano is fluid and seems to dance with the orchestra, and it reminds me of watching a pair of excellent dancers--you watch one, then the other, then back, and marvel. It's the same with this piece. It has no hiccups, no glitches.

Grandioso..........2004-12-16

Beethoven escribio este grandioso concierto, una joya musical.
Leonard Bernstein dirije en forma sobresaliente a una impecable Filarmonica de Nueva York y Rudolf Serkin nos deslumbra en forma extraordinaria. Es una presentacion colosal.
El concierto que tiene un inicio sublime se empieza a energizar y se convierte en una sesion de vigor intenso; luego un adagio sutil, sentimental, profundo va poco a poco destinado a explotar en un allegro generoso, potente y vibrante.
Es de verdad una interpretacion soberbia en uno de las mejores grabaciones de este concierto.
Busquen la edicion real (Sony Classical - CD azul) en que se incluyen el concierto N°3 y el N°5.

Outstanding Performance.......2004-10-16

I have listened to many performances and recordings of this beloved concerto and this one, in my opinion, always ends up on top. It defines musical perfection. The majesty of the Emperor, its delicacy, its sweetness, its passion are all captured with such clarity it is impossible to listen to this performance without getting caught up in the emotions of this great concerto. If one has to choose which performance to get, this should be number one! The quality of this recording is also excellent.

Too pure to be true and yet it is.......2002-08-09

Beethoven is most successful in this piece. The bright sun of the piano, and the pianist Beethoven himself, dominates the orchestra that is led by it into joyful tuttis and variations in spite of the violin and some strings that try to deprive him of his leadership. Just let them try. The piano always comes after its and their plaintive moanings to stop and stifle them. The strings take the lead in the second movement. But there comes the piano who pushes them into the wings with their sighing sobs to impose his crystal clear vision of inner life. The strife of a vision of light against doubts and hesitations that dominates any rumbling protest from any sides and quarters and imposes its dynamism to all other instruments even the strings that kindly and gracefully concede defeat though the piano nags them and teases them. It's one happy moment when Beethoven is able to dictate his conducting will to the world. It is a moment of triumph when the world follows him to the end. He is the emperor of the title.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Three cheers for Beethoven and his mediant modulations :-D.......2002-07-03

An emotionally stirring, great performance of an [excellent]piece! I am sooo asking for this for my 21st b-day :-p