Michael English

Track Listings

1. Solid as the Rock

2. Mary, Did You Know?

3. Do You Believe in Love

4. In Christ Alone

5. Take the Time

6. Start a Party

7. Let's Build a Bridge

8. His Heart Is Big Enough

9. Love Won't Leave You (Out in the Rain)

10. Heaven

Tracks:

The Far Side Of The World
Into The Fog
Violin Concerto No. 3 'Straussburg' K.215, 3rd Movement
The Cuckold Came Out Of The Amery (Traditional) 5. Smoke N' Oakum
Fantasia On A Theme - Barry Wordsworth 7. Adagio From Concerto Grosso Op. 6. No. 8 In G Minor Christmas Concerto - Arcangelo Corelli Listen Listen Listen
The Doldrums
Prelude (From The Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 In G Major, BWV 1007 - Yo-Yo Ma
The Galapagos Listen Listen Listen
Folk Medley: O'Sullivan's March/Cuckold Came Out Of The Amery/Mother Hen/Mary Scott/Nancy Dawson - Jim Walker
The Phasmid
The Battle
Boccherini La Musica Notturna Delle Strade Di Madrid No. 6, Op. 30
Full Circle

Product Description

A trio of noted Australian musicians--Iva Davies, Richard Tognetti and Christopher Gordon--composed the film's score. They previously collaborated on "The Ghost of Time," a piece commissioned for the Millennium celebrations in Sydney, which came to the attention of Peter Weir. The director was so impressed, he played the piece on the Master And Commander set throughout production, and he asked its creators to write the music for his movie. The score interweaves "Old World" and "New World" music, reflecting the talents and backgrounds of its composers. Iva Davies hails from both pop and classical traditions; Richard Tognetti, one of the world's great violin virtuosos, taught Russell Crowe the ins and outs of the instrument; and film/television composer Christopher Gordon brought orchestral texture to the project. Given the period, it comes as no surprise that the score is infused with source music from Bach (Cello Suite) and Mozart, among other great classical composers. Percussion dominates portions of the score. "Drums signal the forward movement of the ship," says Davies, "that it's on a mission. It brings you back into the action." The score's biggest surprise comes with its use of synthesizers. "Peter doesn't make films in the expected way," says Davies, "and for that reason we wanted the score to be not what everyone expected. Peter wanted some scenes to have what I call a kind of 'futuristic' sense"--conveying the idea that these 19th century sailors were cutting-edge explorers.

Customer Reviews:

Marvelous.......2007-02-12

A marvelous collection of compositions which greatly enhanced this fantastic film. This CD is marvelous on its own. It did not leave my CD player for weeks.

Pretty Good.......2006-12-14

I purchased this soundtrack because I really enjoyed this music while watching the movie. But I was a little disappointed at the CD. Some soundtracks allow you to follow the entire plot like through the music (such as the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack). But this CD doesn't provide that. Several of the songs are recurring in the film but are only played once in the soundtrack. I would have liked the soundtrack to reflect the music for the whole film rather than just excerpts.

I give the music 5 stars and the CD 2-1/2 stars.

the music .......2006-11-10

The music is excellent . Flows well Better than the movie score

Good incidental music but not great listening music - except the classical pieces.......2006-11-09

The soundtrack for Master and Commander contains two distinct types of music. First there is the incidental music for the film. These pieces are heavy on the bass side of the orchestra and are often emphasized with bass drums and tympani. This music is very effective and appropriate for the scenes in the film, and I commend the composers for making a soundtrack that so seemlessly and effortlessly invokes the moods and excitement of the visuals. Unfortunately, these pieces are quite moody and slow moving - great as incidental music but not so interesting to listen to as straight orchestral music.

The second type of music is much more enjoyable to listen to. Those that have seen the film know there are several scenes in which people are playing music - for example, Aubrey and Maturin in the captain's cabin performing a cello-violin duet, or the sailors on deck playing sea shanties on tin whistles. The pieces chosen for the film range from Bach to traditional folk music, and are a welcome addition to the soundtrack. The performances are very good (including a cello solo by Yo Yo Ma), and the recording quality is excellent. Deserving special mention is the Boccherini piece (La Musica Notturna Delle Strada di Madrid), which serves as a second unofficial theme song for the movie. The piece itself is presented in its entirety, and there is a callback to the piece in the incidental music as well, which is a welcome ray of levity in an otherwise oppressive piece.

People purchasing this disc run the real risk of being disappointed - the incidental music works so well in the context of the film that you are likely to think (as I did) that the music is itself worth listening to alone. Unfortunately, I don't find this is the case, but the classical music that is included makes this a soundtrack worth having, especially for the Boccherini piece.

Great classical music accompanies bland original score.......2006-09-27

The original music to this film is dull, repetitive, and only offers the hint of good music at certain points during it's lengthy tracks. But what about all the good music you heard in the film? That was all classical music, which was used in the film incredibly well. There are three tracks in particular that save this album. The piece by Corelli is used as something the captain and doctor play together. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of baroque music of which I am aware. A second piece, Vaughn Williams "Fantasia" is the piece heard when the crewmen have to cut the line that might save their friend who fell overboard. It's a tragic scene and accompanied perfectly by the heart-breakingly glorious piece. The original piece of music is quite a bit longer than the version on the CD, but the original version also tends to drag a little in places. All the best parts are on the version of the piece in the film. The third classical piece from the album that saves it is the cello solo by Bach that plays as a theme for the galapagos islands. This solo is performed perfectly by Yo Yo Ma. These tracks make the album worth purchasing. If you already have them, avoid the album because the rest is not very enjoyable. If you wonder about this one, watch the film and listen for the music. It speaks well for itself in the film.

Average customer rating:

Debussy's Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000002A23
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Preludes, Book One: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
Two Nocturnes: Fetes
Preludes, Book One: The Sunken Cathedral
Suite Bergamasque: Claire de lune
Children's Corner Suite: Golliwogg's Cake-Walk
Reverie
Iberia: Le Matin D'un Jour De Fete
Deux Arabesques: Arabesque No. 1: Andante Con Motto
Martyrdom Of Saint Sebastian: Prelude To The Council Of The False gods
String Quartet In G Minor, Op. 10: Scherzo. Assex Vif Et Bien Rythme
La Mer: I. De L'aube A Midi Sur La Mer
La Mer: II. Jeux De Vagues
La Mer: III. Dialogue Du Vent Et De La Mer

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Prayer: A Windham Hill Collection

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000AM6L0
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

Sanctus from Requiem (Gabriel Faur-Tim Story piano, synthesizers
The 23rd Psalm (Condit Atkinson) - Steve Erquiaga guitar
Be Thou My Vision (Irish trad.) - Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning with John Fitzpatrick
Holy, Holy, Holy (trad.) - Jim Brickman piano
The Lords Prayer (Albert Hay Malotte) - Paul McCandless English horn, keyboards
Alisas Prayer (Deborah Henson-Conant) - Deborah Henson-Conant electric Celtic harp
Meditation (Thea Suits) - Thea Suits flute
Ave Maria (J.S. Bach/Gounod) - Steve Erquiaga guitar
Go Gently (Suzanne Ciani & Jeremy Lubbock) - Suzanne Ciani piano
Offering (Tracy Silverman) - Tracy Silverman & Thea Suits
Spanish Stairs (Paul McCandless) - Rosalba Bentivoglio voice
Ave Verum Corpus (W.A. Mozart) - Philip Aaberg solo piano

Average customer rating:

buy it!
What a voice!

Greatest Hits - In Christ Alone
Michael English
Manufacturer: Curb Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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The Prodigal Comes Home
Gospel
A Michael English Christmas
Heaven to Earth
Michael English

ASIN: B000BCE940
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

In Christ Alone
Solid As A Rock
Mary, Did You Know
Heaven
Holding Out Hope To You
Save Me
There Is A Love
(Love Moves In) Mysterious Ways
Healing
Your Love Amazes Me
I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy
From Heaven To Earth
Right Where You Are
The Maker Of The Road

Customer Reviews:

buy it!.......2006-07-04

fantastic collection of some of his greatest hits including two new songs that should get plenty of airplay. a couple of listens to "right where you are" and "maker of the road" and you will be singing them all day long. michael never disappoints with his music and this newest cd continues that winning tradition.

What a voice!.......2006-07-03

Michael English has thee best voices in Christian music. This greatest hits collection shows his vocal talent. The new song Right Where You Are is another great song with a great hook and chorus. I think that Michael really got black balled by so-called christians. How are they to judge him. So what, he made a mistake just like every single one of you do. He was totally mistreated by the christian community. This is why I choose not to go to church or surround myself with hypocrites anymore. Michael is just a man. He is also a terriffic voice in music.

Average customer rating:

DON'T HESITATE TO BUY THIS CD

Beethoven: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Bach: Greatest Hits
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ASIN: B000002A1D
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Symphony No.5 In C Minor, Op. 67: l. Allegro con brio
Minuet in G Major, WoO 10, No.2
Fur Elise (Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59)
Sonata For Piano In C-sharp Minor, No. 14, Op. 27, No. 2 'Moonlight': l. Adagio sostenuto
The Ruins of Athens, Op.113, No.4: Turkish March
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': l. Allegro ma non troppo
Egmont Overture, Op. 84
Symphony No.3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': lll. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.5 In E-flat Major 'Emperor': lll. Rondo. Allegro
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Presto-Rezitativo 'O Freunde, nicht diese Tone' - Allegro assai (Excerpt)

Customer Reviews:

DON'T HESITATE TO BUY THIS CD.......2001-12-28

What can I say other than this is a great CD. Beethoven was a master and his music will live forever. Altough I don't like every single symphony he composed, I love all the pieces on this album. These selections have "fire and passion," and I listen to them over and over again. Enjoy!!

Bach - Mass in B minor / Argenta, Nichols, Chance, Stafford, Milner, W. Evans, Gardiner

Average customer rating:

Get It While the Recording is Still Available...
The Best
Gardiner's Masterpiece
My Opinion In Brief
Beautiful

Bach - Mass in B minor / Argenta, Nichols, Chance, Stafford, Milner, W. Evans, Gardiner
Johann Sebastian Bach , John Eliot Gardiner , Nancy Argenta , Michael Chance , The English Baroque Soloists , The Monteverdi Choir , Mary Nichols , Wynford Evans , and Howard Milner
Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000057CN
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Kyrie: Chorus: Lord, Have Mercy On Us.
Kyrie: Duet (Soprano - Mezzo-Soprano): Christ, Have Mercy On Us.
Kyrie: Chorus: Lord, Have Mercy On Us.
Gloria: Chorus: Glory Be To God On High.
Gloria: Chorus: And On Earth Peace To Men Of Good Will.
Gloria: Aria (Soprano): We Praise Thee; We Bless Thee; We Adore Thee; We Glorify Thee.
Gloria: Chorus: We Give Thee Thanks For Thy Great Glory.
Gloria: Duet (Soprano - Tenor): Lord God, Heavenly King, God The Almighty Father. O Lord, The Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Most High Lord God, Lamb Of God, Son Of The Father.
Gloria: Chorus: Thou Who Takest Away The Sins Of The World, Have Mercy Upon Us. Thou Who Takest Away The Sins Of The World, Receive Our Prayer.
Gloria: Aria (Alto): Thou Who Sittest At The Right Hand Of The Father, Have Mercy Upon Us.
Gloria: Aria (Bass): For Thou Alone Art The Holy One. Thou Alone Art The Lord. Thou, Jesus Christ, Alone Art The Most High.
Gloria: Chorus: With The Holy Ghost In The Glory Of God The Father. Amen.

Tracks:

Credo: Chorus: I Believe In One God.
Credo: Chorus: I Believe In One God, The Father Almighty...
Credo: Duet (Soprano - Mezzo-Soprano): All In One Lord Jesus Christ...
Credo: Chorus: And Was Incarnate By The Holy Ghost Of The Virgin Mary And Was Made Man.
Credo: Chorus: And Was Crucified Also For Us Under Pontius Pilate...
Credo: Chorus: And The Third Day He Rose Again According To The Scriptures...
Credo: Aria (Bass): And I Believe In The Holy Ghost...
Credo: Chorus: I Acknowledge One Baptism For The Remission Of Sins.
Credo: Chorus: And I Look For The Ressurection Of The Dead...
Sanctus: Chorus: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Of Hosts...
Sanctus: Chorus: Hosanna In The Highest.
Sanctus: Aria (Tenor): Blessed Be He That Cometh In The Name Of The Lord.
Sanctus: Chorus (da capo): Hosanna In The Highest.
Agnus Dei: Aria (Alto): Lamb Of God...
Agnus Dei: Chorus: Grant Us Peace.

Amazon.com essential recording

One of the most frequently mentioned "favorite" works of Bach, the B Minor Mass is not really a functional liturgical work, but an assemblage of movements written over a period of many years. Its grand scale is certainly awesome, but its musical and spiritual unity is more remarkable, considering its origin and the fact that it contains several different compositional styles--not to mention some of Bach's most profound and beautiful music. Performing this work and preserving a sense of its grand design while bringing out the considerable musical details is a challenge that most choirs, orchestras, and conductors are not up to. Almost by consensus, however, John Eliot Gardiner's version is the most successful--and it is indeed a phenomenal recording--at once sumptuous and penetrating, with gorgeous choral and solo singing, and spacious, vibrant sound. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Get It While the Recording is Still Available..........2007-04-21

Easily one of today's available outstanding Bach choral recordings, Gardiner's work should be marked with a "must have" rating for any Bach enthusiast or for anyone interested in the baroque choral genre. As someone once said, there are so many superlatives about the Mass in B-minor that the work sometimes defies rational description. Surely any work often cited as "the greatest work of western music ever written" can never live up to expectations, and thus it would be natural to expect to be in some small way disappointed by the imperfections found in any performance of the piece. Nevertheless, it's difficult to find any place where Gardiner and the English baroque Soloists let us down. The recording itself is superb, the choir, instrumentation, and the soloists perform with aplomb, and Gardiner's direction make it all come together in silky-smooth sound that makes us forget we are listening to period instruments.

This recording is part of a larger set of recordings done in the early 1980's with Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists, including Bach's Magnificat, St. John's Passion, St. Matthew's Passion, and the Christmas Oratorio. There are many recordings of each of these specific pieces ( try doing a search on "the Mass in B-minor" on Amazon and see the number of hits that are pulled up), and there are divergent opinions as to the "best" of these recordings and performances. Often, there are some PEROFRMANCES that are exceptionally well done while the RECORDING itself may not be, and vice-versa. People (and perhaps with good and defendable reason) spend egregious amounts of time debating the specifics of recordings and performances, and it can certainly be difficult (and, unfortunately, hideously EXPENSIVE) to follow these discussions to their logical conclusions and make up your own mind. Although the Gardiner/English Baroque Soloists certainly represent a non-budget-based series of entries, if you will take the time to browse through the reviews, you will likely find that there are few individuals that have much negative to say about any of them. The works represent outstanding achievement in the field of performance, and Deutsche Grammophon's recording expertise clearly shines through in each set. It's difficult to go "wrong" with these recordings, and you may find, like myself, that they become standards by which other performances are judged.

If you are finding the price a bit steep, check to see if any used versions are available. As long as the discs are not scratched, you shouldn't have any trouble with a used copy, and you can build your library further by adding these wonderful works to your collection. The Mass in B-minor is the perfect recording with which to start.

The Best.......2007-01-29

When you hear this music you will want to dance! I was fortunate to hear Bach's Mass in B minor for the first time, via this recording, a couple years ago. I have heard other renditions since, but in my opinion none can compare. Once you hear this interpretation, it is likely you will prefer it too. All the instruments are bright and crisp; rhythms are brisk and articulated despite the tricky ornaments and twists inherent to Bach's music. There is an amazing feeling of everything fitting together. The unpretentious, spirited singing of the soloists and choir wonderfully beguiles their incredible talent. If you skeptically think-or have been conditioned to think, after hearing over affected, slow and solemn recordings of this music-that Bach's Mass in B minor is a boring ultra-religious work, then you need to hear this recording. Gardiner makes it so much more than church music; this is a joyful joining of art with God.

Gardiner's Masterpiece.......2006-10-26

This is the greatest recording
Of the greatest work
Of the greatest composer
That ever was.
If I am biased
John and Johann have made me so.

My Opinion In Brief.......2006-09-20

The Choral singing is stunning and glorious, unfortunately the soloists are not at the same level (sometimes unbelievably the quality is without real feeling or technical perfection or good tone color, in the soloist parts). The overall feeling of this recording is one of icy silvery clarity without intimate warmth and sometimes almost amateurish solo singing. Buy it for the choral singing with period instruments.
The situation concerning the existing recordings of Bach's B Minor Mass is according to me as follows:
Gardiner (ARCHIV): Period instruments version: Choral singing glorious and stunning soloists of much lesser quality and overall feeling very icy and cold.
Herreweghe (HARMONIA MUNDI): Period instrument version. Choral singing is sometimes weak and without great emotional envolvement. Solo singing often of exceptional intense feeling, especially the duet 'Et in unum dominum' (Zomer /Scholl) and the Agnes Dei (Scholl). Often bright brisk tempi,counterpuntal lines clearly demarcated although the back and forth dynamics between the counterpuntal lines it not well done. The overall feeling of this recording is of a warm meditative almost monastic medieval quality, which is not appropriate in my opinion to this great late Baroque work, but which is all the same very pleasing and beautiful and will put you in a state of contemplative rest,an example of how great this Bach work is that it can support so many various interpretations. Buy it for the solo singing.
Klemperer (EMI): Modern instruments. Very slow tempi, often grave and oftentimes too solemn, interpretated as a liturgical work, that is as a mass, which it really is not. (The work as a whole was never labeled as a Mass by Bach, only the earlier Kyrie and Gloria parts were.) The title Mass is a later 19th century publisher's addition since he saw that it was written to the words of the mass. This work is more like a sacred opera, a glorious final statement by Bach praising God and a synthesis of his whole life and of the many perceding periods of musical history. Janet Baker is excellent especially in the Agnes Dei, also the Benedictus is splendid. Buy it if you want a liturgical prayerful intrepretation
Jochim (EMI): Modern instruments.Choral singing splendid at or above the level of the Gardiner recording, all soloists are of exceptional quality, and sing with great warmth and feeling. There are moments when it makes your spine tingle. Performed by a man of great Christian faith and it shows in this interpretation. All things considered it is the best version available, if you can overlook the slightly fussy feeling (but ever so slightly) that the modern instruments create. Buy it if you want one almost perfect modern instrument version.
Rilling (HANNSLER): Modern instruments. It's a toss up between the Jochim version and this splendid version, which one to consider the best. Here the advantage over the Jochim version is that although it's a modern instrument version it is performed by a Bach expert who well knows the differences between a modern instrument version and a period performance and the instuments sound very much like period instruments at the right moments, at musically graphic points and like modern ones at the moments which require fuller tone color(how he did it I really don't know) The solists are a slight notch down compared with the Jochim version. The overall sound is clearer and more transparent than the Jochim version. Buy it if you want one almost perfect modern/period version, with minor flaws in the solo singing.
The Bach B minor Mass is probably the greatest work of music ever written by one of the greatest musicians of Western music and therefore no one version can do this masterpiece justice. It is extremely complex and difficult chorally and architecturally. Here however is on a Scale of 1 to 10 how I would rate the situation:
Jochim 9.7
Rilling 9.5
Herreweghe 9.1
Gardiner 9.0
Klemperer 8.8

Beautiful.......2006-07-31

I have my entire music collection on my computer and sometimes like to put the whole thing on shuffle. The problem is that after something from this plays nearly everything else I have just sounds boring. This is some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard.

Brothers Sing On! Classics for Men's Chorus

Average customer rating:

Men's Chorus Sampler

Brothers Sing On! Classics for Men's Chorus
Washington Men's Camerata , American Anonymous , Franz Biebl , Pavel Grigor'yevich Chesnokov , Ron Jeffers , Howard McKinney , Vincent Persichetti , Henry Smith , William Steffe , Arthur Sullivan , Thomas Tallis , Randall Thompson , American Traditional , English Traditional , Spiritual Traditional , Michael Patterson , and Frank Albinder
Manufacturer: Gothic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Folk | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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Over the Sea to Skye
Sing We Noel
Masters in This Hall
The Spirit of Freedom: Patriotic Songs & Service Hynms
...Against the Dying of the Light

ASIN: B000F8OIRS
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Tracks:

Brothers, Sing On!
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
The Pasture
De Animals A-comin'
Down By the Sally Gardens
Waitin' For the Dawn Of Peace
Ave Maria
If Ye Love Me
Salvation Is Created
Song Of Peace
Ride the Chariot
The Long Day Closes
Vive L'Amour
Down In the Valley
What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor?
Shenandoah
Battle Hymn Of the Republic

Album Description

"The Washington Men's Camerata under conductor Frank Albinder has a sound all its own - warm, sensual, immaculately balanced, scrupulously tuned, melon-sweet, athletically limber." - WASHINGTON POST

"Their ensemble is tight, their sense of rhythm secure, and they harmonize together beautifully." - BALTIMORE ALTERNATIVE

"The Washington Men excel in a close harmony, glee-club style of singing - smooth, warm, mostly mellow, and precisely balanced." - AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE

"The Washington Men's Camerata hails from the other Washington; it's a highly regarded 18-year-old chorus led by Frank Albinder…[this is] a very fine disc…the choral blend is excellent and the music all well chosen." - SEATTLE TIMES

An exploration of classic "glee club" repertoire for male vocal ensemble, including favorites such as Down by the Sally Gardens, Biebl's Ave Maria, and Vive L' Amour. The Washington Men's Camerata is America's leading male "large vocal" ensemble. The group is directed by Frank Albinder, formerly a member of Chanticleer. The CD booklet contains complete song texts and translations. This title is the newest in a list of best-selling titles by the Washington Men's Camerata on Gothic, including the perennial favorite Spirit of Freedom. The nationally renowned Camerata have been guests on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, Performance Today and Pipedreams. Engineered by the Grammy-winning team of Preston Smith and Steve Barnett.

Customer Reviews:

Men's Chorus Sampler.......2006-08-13

A very enjoyable sampling of works for men's chorus. One cannot find any fault in the Camerata's performance; their harmony and enunciation are equally thrilling. The title song and the Ave Maria were the high points of the CD for me. I had hoped for a bit less of the "folk" content and more of the "classical" content, but everyone's mileage will vary on these choices. Taken altogether, this is a definite asset to the choral portion of my CD collection.

Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner

Average customer rating:

Great recording of a beautiful opera
a voice teacher and early music fan
Gardiner and crew are amazing!
One of the most beautiful operas of all time
My favourite recording of any Opera

Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Rolfe Johnson, Dawson, von Otter, Argenta, M. Nichols, Tomlinson, Chance, Baird; Gardiner
Claudio Monteverdi , John Eliot Gardiner , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , Lynne Dawson , His Majesty's Sackbutts and Cornetts , English Baroque Soloists , Monteverdi Choir , Nancy Argenta , Anne Sofie von Otter , Julianne Baird , Mary Nichols , Simon Birchall , John Tomlinson , Michael Chance , Mark Turner , and Howard Milner
Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx
Monteverdi - L'incoronazione di Poppea / McNair, von Otter, Hanchard, Chance; Gardiner
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ASIN: B0000057CV
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

L'Orfeo: Toccata
L'Orfeo: 'Dal mio Permesso' (La Musica)
L'orfeo: Act I: 'In questo lieto e fortunato giorno'
L'orfeo: Act I: 'Lasciate i monti'
L'orfeo: Act I: 'Rosa del ciel'
L'orfeo: Act I: 'Ma se il nostro gioir'
L'orfeo: Act II: 'Ecco pur ch'a voi ritorno'
L'orfeo: Act II: 'Mira ch s'alletta'
L'orfeo: Act II: 'Vi ricorda, o bosch'ombrosi'
L'orfeo: Act II: 'Ahi, caso acerbo'
L'Orfeo: 'Ahi, caso acerbo'
L'orfeo: Act II: 'Chi ne consola, ahi lassi?'

Tracks:

L'orfeo: Act III: 'Scorto da te, mio Nume'
L'orfeo: Act III: 'O tu, ch'inanzi morte'
L'orfeo: Act III: 'Possente spirto'
L'orfeo: Act III: 'Ben mi lusinga'
L'orfeo: Act III: 'Nulla impresa per uom'
L'orfeo: Act IV: 'Signor, quel infelice'
L'orfeo: Act IV: 'Pietade, oggi, e amore'
L'orfeo: Act IV: 'Qual onor di te'
L'orfeo: Act IV: 'Ahi, vista troppo dolce'
L'orfeo: Act IV: 'E la virtute un raggio'
L'orfeo: Act V: 'Questi i campi di Tracia'
L'orfeo: Act V: 'Perch lo sdengo'
L'orfeo: Act V: 'Vanne Orfeo'
L'orfeo: Act V: Moresca

Amazon.com essential recording

History's first great opera--the story of Orpheus descending to Hades to retrieve his bride Eurydice from the dead, only to lose her again--gets a fine performance (the best overall version currently available) from John Eliot Gardiner and his musicians. Anthony Rolfe Johnson performs the title role with all the beautiful sound you'd expect from an Orfeo; he negotiates virtuoso passages flawlessly and sings passionately without overwhelming Monteverdi's music with too much voice. Julianne Baird as Eurydice and Anne Sofie Von Otter in a gripping appearance as the Messenger are the standouts in a cast without a weak link. Everyone involved, including the chorus and orchestra, performs with such energy, beauty, and precision that even long stretches of recitative never pall. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Great recording of a beautiful opera.......2007-03-29

Gardiner's recording of L'Orfeo is exquisite. The samples of different tracks as well as other listeners' reviews were very influential in my decision to purchase these CDs rather than a different recording of the opera. I am very happy with my new CDs and would highly recommend this product.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-05-13

This opera in performance is begun by the character "La Musica", or music personified ,who delivers a long treatise which in essence proclaims how music can do many things to us emotionally. As this "fable of music" (Monteverdi called it) unfolds we are exposed to the whole gamut of human emotions,from the most euphoric to the most dejected,presented in musical language that is perhaps closer to impassioned speech than recitative has ever been, before or since. The fact that Monteverdi's L'Orfeo has been referred to as the "first true opera in the history of music" has much to do with the fact that Monteverdi had the dramatic ability to synthesize the text, the stage and the music. And it was a favourable time historically and musically to do so. Moreover, he gave very specific directions as to how it would be put together. And what better musician to record it than John Eliot Gardiner. He has gathered together a wonderful group of soloists in every role; although some parts are small each contribution is perfection which makes for a superb offering to the listener!!!!!In addition, I think the Choral singing was so superior to some other recordings past and present. If you are an early music fan these discs will be truly "music to your ears".

Gardiner and crew are amazing!.......2005-09-17

I am not a big fan of Gardiner when it comes to some music, for instance Bach. I just think others do it better. However, Gardiner is a fine conductor of Monteverdi and this recording shows it. If you are not familiar with Baroque opera and want to find out how a first rate crew of performers sound with a major work of early opera, this is a great recording with which to start!

One of the most beautiful operas of all time.......2005-09-10

This recording of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo is truly a spectacular work. I didn't really care for Baroque opera before I heard this. But now Monteverdi is my favorite operatic composer. Not only is the music beautiful but the singers are absolutely stunning. Anthony Rolfe Johnson is absolutely perfect for the title role. His soft yet clear tenor voice shows the passion and the emotion that Orfeo has for Eurydice. Lynne Dawson who sings La Musica has a good voice for introducing the opera. Anne Sofie von Otter who plays Messaggiera, has such a sorrowful and sad voice for her role which makes it all the more better. But the absolute best singer on this recording is John Tomlinson who sings Caronte or the Charon. John Tomlinson is also the voice of the Commendatore in the movie Amadeus. But his deep bass makes you wonder if its at all possible to get past him. But that's not the best part of the opera. The best part about the whole recording is the choir. All the choruses are to die for, especially the chorus "Lasicate i monti." It almost makes one want to dance. But I definitely reccommend this recording to all Baroque opera lovers, even for those who don't like opera.

My favourite recording of any Opera.......2003-08-21

Gardiner, again shows his skill with baroque vocal works. This, regarded as the first great Opera, is still one of the best. The pure singing style of the late renaissance/early Baroque is siblime and very different from Post Baroque opera writing most people are use to. The Aria 'Possente spirto' is 8 minutes of heavenly singing in Hades; here Orfeo fails to convince Charon to allow him entry to Hades, but this is one of the single most beautiful pieces of writing for voice I have ever heard.

Average customer rating:

Teeming with classics
Excellent Introductory CD!
Good Introduction to Bach.
Bach For Dummies?
A super introduction to Bach

Bach: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Greatest Hits HANDEL ~ Water Music, Largo, etc..
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ASIN: B000002A1B
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Cantata No.147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
The Anna Magdalena Notebook, Ang. 114: Minuet
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565: Toccata
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565: Fugue
Orchestra Suite In D Major, BWV 1068: Air
Orchestral Suite In B Imonr BWV 1067: Badinerie
Cantata No.208: Sheep May Safely Graze
Invention No. 1 In C Major, BWV 772
Magnigicat In D Major, BWV 243: Magnificat
Sleepers, Awake (Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme)
Invention No.4 In D Minor, BWV 775
Invention No.8 In F Major, BWV 779
Concerto For Two Violins, Strings And Basso Continuo In D Minor, BWV 1043: I. Allegro
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, BWV 846: Prelude In C Major
'Brandenburg' Concerto No.2 IN F Major, BWV 1047: III. Allegro assai
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, BWV 302
'Brandenburg' Concerto No.3 In G Major, BWV 1048: II. Allegro
Fugue In G Minor, BWV 578, 'Little'
Suite For Lute In E Major, BWV 1006a: Gavotte en Rondeau
Concerto For Harpsichord, Strings And Basso Continuo No.5 In F Minor, BWV 1056: II. Largo
'In dulci jubilo,' BWV 751
'Bist du bei mir' (If Thou Be Near): Aria
Italian Concerto In F Major, BWV 971: III. Presto
Sinfonia
'Goldberg' Variations, BWV 988: Aria da capo

Customer Reviews:

Teeming with classics.......2007-03-01

I purchased this for track #10, which I'd happened to hear on the radio...it stayed in my head until I tracked down the CD. I have a relatively basic working knowledge of classical music, so this long playing collection was an excellent and surprising introduction to several of Bach's diverse works...both well known and more obscure. Certainly a worthwhile addition to your classical collection.

Excellent Introductory CD!.......2006-06-29

This CD is an excellent introduction to the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. It's certainly not exhaustive, but it's a start. It also includes pieces from Johann Michael Bach, as well as another composer (whose name escapes me at the moment) whose work was once mistakenly attributed to JSB. This entire series of CDs is perfect for those who wish to learn more about the Classical Masters. Start with this series, and then by all means, delve deeper into their respective repetoires. You won't be disappointed.

Good Introduction to Bach........2006-02-27

I don't want to repeat what has been said already but this is a great indroduction to Bach. The variety on this release is good, but like has been said numerous times before, the amount of variety fails to set a single mood. But with a low price and a great deal of variety this is a great CD for those who want to start getting into Bach. Recommended.

Bach For Dummies?.......2002-07-18

A smattering of short excerpts -- many not on their native instruments -- to introduce the great literature left to us by J.S. Bach. Some of the versions are truly inspired, a few are not.

If you like what you hear here, by all means seek out the full-length, original instrument versions!

A super introduction to Bach.......2002-03-04

For someone who knows little about Bach and wants to learn something, you couldn't do better than to give them this CD. Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra give their signature warm, plush sound to the work of the great Johann Sebastian Bach, making him sound very nearly like a Romantic rather than a baroque or classical composer. This is not a bad thing--some complain that Bach, with his mathematical leanings, leaves them cold. That isn't possible with the inviting material on this CD.

Average customer rating:

you cant beat an Ira lyric.
A Wonderful CD
Quiet and elegant
Disappointed
they can't take that album away from me

Pure Gershwin
Michael Feinstein
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002H4W
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

S' Wonderful
Our Love Is Here To Stay
Liza
The World Is Mine
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Isn't It A Pity?
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
Embraceable You
What Causes That?
He Loves And She Loves/How Long Has This Been Going On
They All Laughed
The Girl I Love
Someone To Watch Over Me

Amazon.com

Pure Gershwin was Michael Feinstein's first album, and it remains one of his best. It may not have the production values of his later Gershwin tributes, Nice Work if You Can Get It (1996) and Michael & George (1998), but it simply and directly presents Feinstein in his piano-bar days, singing to his own tasteful accompaniments with occasional contributions from bass and drums and a second piano. Establishing the patterns for his later albums, he sings unjustly neglected verses to familiar songs, uncovers some never-before-recorded gems ("The World Is Mine," "What Causes That"), and provides song-by-song notes. Longtime friend Rosemary Clooney guests on "Isn't It a Pity?" --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

you cant beat an Ira lyric........2007-01-05

this is good...and just to hear a REALLY GREAT "Isn't A Pity" duet with Rosie is well worth the price of admission. I REPEAT: just to hear a REALLY GREAT "Isn't A Pity" duet with Rosie is well worth the price of admission. listen & enjoy some great american music. you cant beat an Ira lyric.

A Wonderful CD.......2005-05-19

PURE GERSHWIN is just that, pure!. Feinstein interprets Gershwin the way it was meant to be performed. This is pure delight!

Quiet and elegant.......2003-04-20

Michael Feinstein's thin voice is compensated by his apparent enthusiasm for the material and a spare arrangement of piano, bass, and drum that gives this recording the ambiance of an intimate piano bar. Before hearing this disc, I knew only Gershwin's biggest hits, so many of the numbers here were new to me and increase my appreciation of that great American composer.

Disappointed.......2003-04-10

I bought this cd because I am a huge Gershwin enthusiast and am always on the lookout for versions of one of my favorite pieces, "Liza". I'd heard a lot of buzz about Feinstein and the supposed wonderfulness of his Gershwin interpretations, so I thought I would give this album a shot.

I was extremely disappointed. Feinstein seems to suck the life out of Gershwin's compositions, a feat I would have previously thought impossible. Though I concede that vocalists are free to reinterpret songs (many to a great success, as in Louis Armstrong's and Ella Fitzgerals's enjoyable versions of Gershwin), I think Feinstein's lazy tempos "loungy" voice make the tracks on this album boring and annoying.

I have loved to listen to and sing these songs my entire life. I just wanted to warn listeners who perhaps, like myself, enjoy George Gershwin's music for its beautiful clarity and energy (as easily experienced through Gershwin's own recordings, early interpretations by artists such as the Astaires, and even recent broadway "Crazy For You") that they will not experience any feeling of the sort from Michael Feinstein.

Amidst all the gushing that has recently been done over him, I found Michael Feinstein to have attempted to murder "Liza" and the other songs on this album. He merely displays a very unexceptional voice and poor interpretive taste. Fans beware, Feinstein proves that it is possible to make a bad cd of Gershwin songs. I'd recommend listening elsewhere.

they can't take that album away from me.......2002-05-09

they say the third time's a charm, but in this instance, it is the first time -- michael feinstein's first gershwin album -- that is the charm. this album is by far better and more listenable than the next two -- "feinstein sings gershwin" and "nice work if you can get it".

the listenability of this album may stem from the fact that it is a bare-bones arrangement, with two pianos, a bass and drums, a la a jazz trio, with no embellishment, so michael feinstein's then sincere and unsophisticated voice is the featured instrument.

i heartily recommend this album, as every song on it is a gem and feinstein's voice is more appealing than on the two later albums, when he jazzed it up with what sounds like an echo chamber and other electronic enhancements and he seems to be doing the songs by the numbers.

feinstein's version of "liza," slowed down to ballad form and plaintively phrased, is the best i have ever heard. the duet with rosemary clooney on "isn't it a pity," again brings out the best of feinstein's then-new voice and shows why george's (clooney) aunt is rightfully considered a jazz legend.

the combined "he loves and she loves/how long has this been going on" is another melodic/poignant highlight, while the album's finale, "someone to watch over me," is a stirring anthem to wanting and needing someone and is done with vocal and instrumental passion; it brings this collection of songs to a fitting crescendo.

for a lawyer's kid from columbus, ohio who started out cataloguing gershwin estate material for the reclusive ira and then began singing the songs for family and friends, michael feinstein has done all right for himself. he has become the recognized interpreter of the gershwin legacy, sort of the same way his pseudo-cousin, john, jr. feinstein, has become the recognized interpreter of the bob knight legacy... .

michael feinstein may have hit a home run his first time up with this album, and it may be his best, as it is the purest and most joyful celebration of gershwin tunes, while the others are fancier, more jazzed up and ponderous and less appealing.

the other albums are certainly not bad, though, and i recommend buying them to fill out a feinstein or gershwin collection, but this one is by far the best one to get if you are only going to get one as a sample of either's work. it is nice work, and you can get it.

Music:

Music

Music

1. Solid as the Rock
2. Mary, Did You Know?
3. Do You Believe in Love
4. In Christ Alone
5. Take the Time
6. Start a Party
7. Let's Build a Bridge
8. His Heart Is Big Enough
9. Love Won't Leave You (Out in the Rain)
10. Heaven