The Cave of the Heart

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
A concept album, Cave of the Heart finds John Michael Talbot's Franciscan-styled Catholicism roaming not in the idiom of pantheism, yet utilizing a multiplicity of cultural traditions, language, and musical phrasing in unveiling the mystery of Christ spirit. From the opening anthem "Smaller Than Small," part of a triad based on the tenets of what Judeo-Christianity calls "natural religion," through to Book of Revelation songs including the anciently inspired "Kyrie," and reverentially meditative works such as the updated "Philippians Canticle," Talbot mindfully integrates sound theology with musical acumen. Tightly layered harmony vocal stacks feature contemporaries Phil Keaggy and Michael Card. The former also brandishes electric and acoustic touches alongside Talbot's welcome return to blues- and folk-inflected steel-string guitar. Highlights are the classically prayerful "Devotion," Talbot's elegantly orchestral rendering of Psalm 23 (written for his mother's funeral), and a gorgeous pair of a cappella motets on which he sings all the parts. --Paige La Grone

Tracks:

Cello Concerto, Op. 22: Allegro moderato
Cello Concerto, Op. 22: Andante sostenuto
Cello Concerto, Op. 22: Molto allegro e appassionato
Medea Ballet Suite, Op. 23 (1947): Parodos
Medea Ballet Suite, Op. 23 (1947): Choros, Media And Jason
Medea Ballet Suite, Op. 23 (1947): The Young Princess, Jason
Medea Ballet Suite, Op. 23 (1947): Choros
Medea Ballet Suite, Op. 23 (1947): Medea
Medea Ballet Suite, Op. 23 (1947): Kantikos Agonias
Medea Ballet Suite, Op. 23 (1947): Exodos
Adagio For Strings, Op. 11

Customer Reviews:

Superb.......2007-04-16

Barber's cello concerto of 1945 remains one of the finest composed for the instrument of the last century. The reason for its neglect is probably its extreme difficulty, but with the current generation of super-virtuoso's the music is slowly taking its rightful place in the repertory. And what music it is! Considered by Barber, and many music critics, to be one of his most successful scores, the cello concerto contains some of Barber's most beautiful and invigorating writing. All the hallmarks of Barber's style are here: the rich tonal harmony, the rhythmic complexity, the taughtness of architectural structure and the poignent, searching lyricism. The cello sings consistently high above the orchestra with aching passion. Anyone who has any liking for 20th century music should hear this piece (and I am sure only extreme conservatives could describe it as 'abstruse'.) In mood it is exactly between the ravishing beauty of the violin concerto and the powerful drive of the piano concerto.

As to the recording, this one is without a doubt the finest on record. The brilliant young Canadian cellist Wendy Warner has played this piece more than just about anyone, and she understands its dark lyricism and passionate tone better than any of her more famous rivals. This is the first 'great' recording of this work, though Yo-Yo Ma, Gastinel and Nelsova are worth hearing for various reasons. The recordings by Garbousova, Wallfisch, Vogler, Rose, Tobias and Kirschbaum are all servicable, and some are certainly better than others, but none impressed me as much as the Warner. The support that Alsop and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra is absolutely first class and the recording is astonishingly clear.

The Medea Ballet Suite of 1947 is another of Barber's strongest works and also won great critical acclaim, notably of the notoriously ascerbic Virgil Thomson, who commented (in his typically guarded style): 'it brings its author suspiciously close to the clear status of a master'. It is a powerful and moving work, even as 'pure; concert music - it juxtaposes harshly dissonant 'modern' harmoy with Barber's trademark lyricism - it is reminiscent of Stravisnky's own early Ballet music, especially the Firebird. It is good to have the whole suite presented here rather than the more commonly presented shorter movement which Barber crafted out of the last three movements of the suite. There is much beautiful woodwind writing that is lost in the cut down version. Again Alsop and the Royal Scottish give a passionate and involving reading that provides great advocacy for this also underplayed work.

The final piece on the CD is the famous Adagio for Strings, which is an arrangement of the slow movement of the string quartet. This is so famous that it is barely worth commenting on, but Alsop gives a flowing, but not fast, reading that is quite welcome after the indulgences of many versions. Not the best recording of this popular classic, but a very fine reading nonetheless.

All in all a superb CD, and at budget price, anyone who has any interest in 20th century music would be a fool to miss it. Another winner from Naxos!

It's canny to combine the super popular Adagio with the abstruse Cello Concerto.......2006-06-30

In this second volume of her survey of Barber's orchestral music, Marin Alsop begins with a really tough nut, the wandering, often shapeless Cello Concerto. It's a work built up on a medloic base but featuring only fragments of song and a great deal of noodling on the cello that is baffling to follow. The solo part tends to lie very high, where the cello's sound is quite weak, so the orchestral part has to be soft enough for us to hear what's going on. Nobody's ever quite conquered the work, which is ten minutes too long. Wendy Warner and Alsop collaborate on a gentle, inward reading that seems to work as well as any I've heard from Steven Isserlis or Yo-Yo Ma.

Barber wrote his Medea ballet for Martha Graham in 1947. It's a stark, bloody subject, and Graham was an uncompromising modernist, not the best fit with the sentimental composer. Barber explores an idiom that often sounds more Arab-Eastern European than Greek to me, but Medea is a witch from the East. In most respects, though, this is Barber's familiar blend of lush melody and modernist gestures a la Walter Piston and William Schuman, but wihtout fierceness. What's really of interest is the solo music he wrote for Graham herself--moody, apprehensive lines undercut with menace. This is an important score, and it's very good to have Barber's lengthy suite from the ballet, even if Alsop's reading is rather tame.

Finally, to sweeten the pot we get the immortal Adagio for Strings, which conductors pace everywhere from a flowing Andante to a dirge-like Largo. At 7:46 Alsop is right in the middle. She sees this as a lullabye without tragic implications--I wish she'd found more of the music's heartache, as Bernstein so unforgettably did.

Very nice recording!.......2005-09-16

This recording for quality and price, is perfect for anyone who is curious about Sam Barber's stuff. The whole Alsop/Barber series on Naxos is worth having! The cello concerto is a big number 2 behind the violin concerto, but still a masterpiece!

This is an outstanding issue!.......2003-01-07

Wendy Warner's recording of the Barber Cello Concerto is a more satisfying account than the recordings by Yo-Yo Ma, Steven Isserlis or Raphael Wallfisch. Each of these other recordings commend themselves for various reasons, but Ms. Warner's account brings together a searching musicality, technical command, poignant lyricism, and a beautiful stereo acoustic.

Marin Alsop is a skilled Barber interpreter. Her support for Ms. Warner is admirable. The Medea Ballet Suite is an interesting work, although I prefer hearing the abridged "Dance of Vengeance" which is made up of 3 of the movements from this larger work.

The Adagio for Strings is also beautifully done.

In summary, this disc would be worthy of collection even if it were full price. Obtaining it at a bargain price makes it indispensable.

Authoritative recording of the Barber Concerto.......2001-11-17

Wendy Warner has long been a champion of this thorny concerto and gave its premiere in Barber's hometown of Philadelphia. She has an extraordinary grasp of its deeply American lyricism. At the Naxos price this is a fabulous find.

Average customer rating:

I'm Blessed
5 stars isn't enough for this CD
Two thumbs WAY up!
Words cannot describe the beauty of this CD!
JMT does it again

The Cave of the Heart
John Michael Talbot
Manufacturer: Troubadour Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The John Michael Talbot Collection: A Library Of 35 Favorite Songs
Simple Heart
Wisdom
Come to the Quiet
The Beautiful City

ASIN: B00000JY96
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Smaller Than Small
Cave Of The Heart
The Way Suite: The Way/White Clouds/The Sacred Secret/The Way: Reprise
Kyrie
Kyrie Motet
Gloria Motet
Glory To God
Devotion
Philippians Canticle
Common Fire
Inflame The Fire
Walk And Follow Jesus

Amazon.com

A concept album, Cave of the Heart finds John Michael Talbot's Franciscan-styled Catholicism roaming not in the idiom of pantheism, yet utilizing a multiplicity of cultural traditions, language, and musical phrasing in unveiling the mystery of Christ spirit. From the opening anthem "Smaller Than Small," part of a triad based on the tenets of what Judeo-Christianity calls "natural religion," through to Book of Revelation songs including the anciently inspired "Kyrie," and reverentially meditative works such as the updated "Philippians Canticle," Talbot mindfully integrates sound theology with musical acumen. Tightly layered harmony vocal stacks feature contemporaries Phil Keaggy and Michael Card. The former also brandishes electric and acoustic touches alongside Talbot's welcome return to blues- and folk-inflected steel-string guitar. Highlights are the classically prayerful "Devotion," Talbot's elegantly orchestral rendering of Psalm 23 (written for his mother's funeral), and a gorgeous pair of a cappella motets on which he sings all the parts. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

I'm Blessed.......2001-01-27

This album moves me with God's Spirit. It is more than just excellent musicians and excellent singing. This album is a prayer in the truest sense. It glorifies God and raises the spirit within you to such a level that it is hard to describe. All the songs are good but my favorites are 'Kyrie' and 'Philippians Canticle'. Guess I just have to get the rest of his albums.JMT's music will put you in a very good place in this crazy world.

5 stars isn't enough for this CD.......2001-01-14

John Michael Talbot brilliantly combines various styles of music and religious beliefs in this collection of great, easy-to-listen-to songs. The songs are calm, peaceful, melodic, intriguing, and attention-getting all at the same time. This is something to listen to for easy meditation. I am a big fan of Talbot's simple, soft, guitar-with-voice combination songs, but I was equally attracted to these songs. I just bought this CD, and fell in love with it after listening to the first song. This CD isn't solely for Christian, because he combines Christian tradition with works from other religions that make it interesting to see the correlations between the faiths. This might be a little too slow for pre-teens and for some teens, but this is excellent for anyone older than that, especially those looking for some relaxing music.

Two thumbs WAY up!.......2000-07-16

After seeing John Micheal perform these songs at my church, I just HAD to get this CD. More modern and "rock-y" than many of John Michael's past albums, this cd will definitely rock you with God's love. Absolutely wonderful!

Words cannot describe the beauty of this CD!.......2000-03-26

But, since I must write a review, here goes. :) JMT, in your liner notes for "Cave of The Heart", you say that you hope we enjoy the taste. I can tell you right now that this is the tastiest music i've ever had the pleasure for my ears to kiss in many years! It's hard to describe this album, as each song is quite different from the next. It is a very rich, complex album with lyrics that really hit home. The combination and choice of instruments are superb! Track #4 (Kyrie) is one which I'm forced to listen to again and again, it's so wonderful! Music aside, I enjoyed the visual layout of the CD and booklet, as well as the details behind each song. You can't beat the price, nor the great service at Amazon.com,order it now and enjoy! Thank you JMT for another wonderful addition to my ever growing collection of Christian music!

JMT does it again.......2000-01-21

Right up there with "Glory to God." I am a long time Talbot listener and can say his association with Card has definitly revitalized his work.

Average customer rating:

Great Orchestral Melodies

Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Tracks:

'Solomon': Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
'The Four Seasons': The Spring: Allegro
Canon In D
Orchestra Suite No.2: Minuet And Badinerie
Bach: Allegro
Symphony No.104: Adagio; Allegro
Divertimento For Strings, No.1: Allegro
Piano Concerto No.5: Adagio un poco mosso
'The Ruins Of Athens': Turkish March
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romanze: Andante
Marche Militaire No.1
'The Hebrides' ('Fingla's Cave'): Overture
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries

Tracks:

Slavonic Dances: No. 1: Presto
Slavonic Dances: No. 3: Poco Allegro
Slavonic Dances: No. 7: Allegro Assai
Slavonic Dances: No. 8: Presto
Coronation March
Entry Of The Gladiators
Serenade For Strings: Waltz
Samson And Delilah: Bacchanale
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio sostenuto
Russian And Ludmilla: Overture
Also sprach Zarathustra: Introduction
Symphonie Fantastique: March To The Scaffold
On The Beautiful, Blue Danube
The Firebird: The Palace Of Kashchei And His Enchantments Vanish - Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Tracks:

'Pictures at an Exhibition': Promenade
'Pictures at an Exhibition': Gnomes
'Pictures at an Exhibition': The Hut On Fowl's Legs (Baba Yaga)
'Pictures at an Exhibition': The Great Gate Of Kiev
A Night On Bald Mountain
'The Planets': Mars: The Bringer Of War
'The Pines Of Rome': The Pines Of The Appian Way
Pavan For A Dead Princess
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
'The Three-Cornered Hat': Dance Of The Miller's Wife
Scheherazade: Festival At Baghda; The Sea; The Ship Goes To Pieces Against A Rock Surmounted By A Bronze Warrior

Tracks:

Fanfare For The Common Man
'Appalachian Spring': Variations On A Shaker Melody
'Candide': Overture
'West Side Story': Suite: I Feel Pretty; Maria; Something's Coming; Tonight; One Hand, One Heart; Cool; America
Rhapsody In Blue
Adagio For Strings
'America': Variations
'Rodeo': Hoe-down
Pomp And Circumstance: March No. 1
'Gayane': Sabre Dance
'Lieutenant Kije': Troika
'The Love Of Three Oranges': March
'Hary Janos': The Viennese Musical Clock

Average customer rating:

still groundbreaking
good stuff...
A staple of progressive hardcore
Definitely one of the top metalcore stand-outs!
Flawless fusion of metal, hardcore, and outer-space sounds?

Until Your Heart Stops
Cave In
Manufacturer: Hydrahead Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Creative Eclipses
Antenna
Functioning on Impatience
The Poacher Diaries
0:12 Revolution in Just Listening

ASIN: B00000DH0Z
Release Date: 1999-05-20

Tracks:

Moral Eclipse
Terminal Deity
Juggernaut
The End Of Our Rope Is A Noose
Segue 1
Halo Of Flies
Bottom Feeder
Segue 3
Ebola
Controlled Mayhem Then Erupts

Customer Reviews:

still groundbreaking.......2007-05-04

even still now in 2007 this album is still groundbreaking

(just like beyond hypothermia and jupiter are as well)

this album was released in '99.

highly recommended.

good stuff..........2006-06-16

this is heavy and makes me feel tough. not wussy like korn and hatebreed. after this release, cave in transformed into a bunch of wusses.

A staple of progressive hardcore.......2006-06-08

Along with Massachusetts contemporaries Converge, Cave In spearheaded the charge of thinking man's hardcore in the late '90s with this stellar full-length debut. Though the spacey adventurousness of 2000's Jupiter would arguably prove an even more momentous effort, Until Your Heart Stops showcases Cave In at their technical peak - equally comfortable rattling off dizzying breakdowns ("Moral Eclipse") as they are at injecting gorgeously lofty glimpses of melody between fits of spastic chugging ("Juggernaut"), the four-piece easily top previous release, Beyond Hypothermia (simply a collection of loose material predating this album's recording) and set the bar for all hardcore acts to follow.

Shouldering full-time vocal duties this time around (a first), Stephen Brodsky establishes himself immediately. Listeners familiar with Jupiter or Antenna would best suspend expectations of Brodsky's catchier offerings: from "Yellow turns this courage badge..." his strikingly coarse growl perfectly complements Cave In's frantic instrumental accompaniment, joined by Converge legend Jacob Bannon in the thick of the opener's barely-controlled chaos. Hurtling through three-minute slabs like "Terminal Deity" and "Bottom Feeder," Brodsky interestingly manages to place clean lines amidst full-out bellows without sounding the least bit forced, toothless or repetitive.

Lyrically, Brodsky is at his most cryptic, often channeling anxiety with an apparent nod to the post-apocalyptic. The album's very title seems to convey a distinct anticipation of a collective, planetary "final breath," a certain cleansing thematically reinforced within the album's wealth of lyrics. "The smaller creatures have the secret to pinning us down to the dirt: when they breathe, they inspire. When we breathe, we expire," Brodsky assertively screams out in the finale of "Controlled Mayhem Then Erupts," closing the album off as it spirals into sonic discord.

Guitarist Adam McGrath performs admirably as well, particularly in tandem with Brodsky. The dual assaults on "Juggernaut" and "Until Your Heart Stops" are certainly brought to mind, as are the memorable opening riffs of "Moral Eclipse" and "Controlled Mayhem Then Erupts." Not content to merely peddle the standard, low-tuned hardcore fare, McGrath seems entirely at home fusing metallic riffs together within constantly changing time signatures.

While Cave In's rhythm section seldom becomes this album's central focus, bassist Caleb Scofield and drummer John-Robert Conners lay the math-rock foundation down thickly. Conners in particular merits praise for the record's breakneck time changes, frequent double-bass breakdowns and tension-building snare fills. Again, "Until Your Heart Stops" is exemplary here. And although Scofield's apparent assignment to solidify the melodic backbone for Brodsky and McGrath is hardly groundbreaking, it is aptly executed, and even ominous, as during the calmer moments of "Halo Of Flies."

Although Cave In's sound has evolved substantially pursuant to this release, Until Your Heart Stops is a mammoth record, upon its arrival placing the band in top contention with hardcore's progressive elite.

Definitely one of the top metalcore stand-outs!.......2005-07-14

One of the few bands that truly does stand out in the metalcore genre would be Cave In. Most metalcore bands are just a chaotic mess, not that theres anything wrong with chaos, this album is full of it! It is just DONE RIGHT!!!!! Wow, this goes up there with botch, while not exactly in the same genre, this is definitely high on the best-of list. Hmm i think drawing a Pink Floyd meets tech-metal analogy, is pretty darn close!

Flawless fusion of metal, hardcore, and outer-space sounds?.......2005-03-11

Essential new-school Slayer-esque metal-influenced hardcore. Very few bands can pull it off this good. Nothing more to say because it's already been stated in the other reviews.

Average customer rating:

A little something different

Symphonic Magic, Vols. 1-4

Manufacturer: Michelle Records
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 | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Easy Listening | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Symphonic Suites of the Animated Classics
Heigh-Ho! Mozart

ASIN: B0000011KK
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

The Circle of Life - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
I Just Can't Wait To Be King - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
The Lion Sleeps Tonight - City of Prague Phil/Colin Frechter
Hakuna Matata - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Carnival of the Animals: Introduction-Royal March of the Lion - American PO/Barry Faldner
Carnival of the Animals: Wild Asses - American PO/Barry Faldner
Carnival of the Animals: The Aquarium - American PO/Barry Faldner
Carnival of the Animals: Aviary - American PO/Barry Faldner
Carnival of the Animals: The Swan - American PO/Barry Faldner
Carnival of the Animals: Finale - American PO/Barry Faldner
William Tell Overture - Ljublijana SO/Anton Nanut
Radetsky March - Sofia SO/Barry Faldner
Give a Little Whistle - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
When You Wish Upon A Star - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
I've Got No Strings - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Turn Of The Old Music Box - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Hi Diddle-dee-dee (an Actor's Life for Me) - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
When You Wish Upon A Star (reprise) - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Symphonie Fantastique: March of the Scaffold - Ljublijana SO/Anton Nanut
Hebrides Ov Op.26: Fingal's Cave - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
The Magic Flute Ov, K.620 - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih

Tracks:

(Just) Whistle While You Work - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
I'm Wishing - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
With A Smile And A Song - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Some Day My Prince Will Come - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
One Song - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Heigh-Ho - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
The Nutcracker Ste, Op.71a: Miniature Ov - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
The Nutcracker Ste, Op.71a: March - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
The Nutcracker Ste, Op.71a: Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
The Nutcracker Ste, Op.71a: Russian Dance - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
The Nutcracker Ste, Op.71a: Arabian Dance - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
The Nutcracker Ste, Op.71a: Chinese Dance - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
The Nutcracker Ste, Op.71a: Dance of the Pipe Flutes - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
The Nutcracker Ste, Op.71a: Waltz of the Flowers - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
Colonel Hathi's March - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
The Bare Necessities - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
I Wanna Be Just Like You - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
Poet and Peasant Ov - Ljublijana SO/Anton Nanut
'L'Arlesienne' Ste No.2: Farandole - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
The Love of Three Oranges March - American PO/Barry Faldner
Finlandia - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' (A Little Night Music) (Ser in G, K.525 Allegro) - Ljublijana SO/Alexander Von Pitamic

Tracks:

Belle - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Beauty and the Beast - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Be Our Guest - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Ste, Op.66: Introduction, The Tree Fairy - Volgograd SO/Edward Serov
The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Ste, Op.66: Adagio, Pas d'action - Volgograd SO/Edward Serov
The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Ste, Op.66: Pas de caricature - Volgograd SO/Edward Serov
The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Ste, Op.66: Panorama - Volgograd SO/Edward Serov
The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Ste, Op.66: Waltz - Volgograd SO/Edward Serov
Arabian Nights - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Prince Ali - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
A Whole New World - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
One Jump Ahead - Kingston SO/Glen Fast
Scheherazade, Op.35: The Sea and Sinbad's Ship - Ljublijana SO/Anton Nanut
Dumbo Overture - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
March Militaire - Sofia SO/Barry Faldner
'Peer Gynt' Ste No.1, Op.46: In The Hall of the Mountain King - Ljublijana SO/Andrew Schenck
Light Cavalry Ov - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih

Tracks:

If I Knew You - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
Just Around The River Bend - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
Colours Of The Wind - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Andantino (Peter) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Allegro (The Bird) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Moderato No.11 (The Cat) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Poco Pin Andante No.15 (The Grandfather) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Andantino, Come Prima No.17 (Peter) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Andante No.18 (The Grandfather) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Andante Molto No.19 (The Wolf) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Andante No.24 (The Duck) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Vivo No.30 (The Bird) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Poco Meno Mosso-Moderato No.35 (Peter) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Allegro Moderato No.39 (The Hunters) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Andante No.41 (Peter) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Sostenuto-Listesso Tempo No.48... - American PO/Barry Faldner
Peter and the Wolf (Symphonic Tale for Children), Op.67: Andante-End No.53 (Peter) - American PO/Barry Faldner
Swan Lake Ballet: Scene (moderato) - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
Swan Lake Ballet: Waltz - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
Swan Lake Ballet: Swan Dance (allegro moderato) - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
Swan Lake Ballet: Scene (andante) - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
Swan Lake Ballet: Czardas (moderato) - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
Bibbidi-Bobbodi-Boo - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
We Can Do It - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
So This Is Love (Cinderella Waltz) - City of Prague PO/Colin Frechter
'Carmen Ste' No.1: The Toreadors - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
In the Steppes of Central Asia - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
1812 Ov, Op.49 (finale) - Ljublijana SO/Marko Munih
Marriage of Figaro Ov, K.492 - Ljublijana SO/Anton Nanut

Customer Reviews:

A little something different.......2007-01-10

I enjoyed this music and am using some of it to choreograph a little different "Disney" for my students.I think it will come in handy in the future as well.

Gould: Spirituals; Fall River Legend Suite; Barber: Medea Suite

Average customer rating:

Get Mercury Living Presence Before Its Dead

Gould: Spirituals; Fall River Legend Suite; Barber: Medea Suite

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Chadwick: Symphonic Sketches; MacDowell: Suite for orchestra Op42/1-5
Howard Hanson Conducts Barber, Piston, Griffes, McCauley, Kennan, Bergsma
Pageant of P.T. Barnum/Adventu
Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet Suites No. 1 & 2; Moussorgsky: Night On Bald Mountain
Hanson Conducts Ives, Schuman & Mennin

ASIN: B0000057KY
Release Date: 1991-02-08

Tracks:

Spirituals In Five Movements: 1. Proclamation
Spirituals In Five Movements: 2. Sermon
Spirituals In Five Movements: 3. A Little Bit Of Sin
Spirituals In Five Movements: 4. Protest
Spirituals In Five Movements: 5. Jubilee
Fall River Legend ( Ballet Suite): 1. Prologue And Waltzes
Fall River Legend ( Ballet Suite): 2. Elegy
Fall River Legend ( Ballet Suite): 3. Church Social
Fall River Legend ( Ballet Suite): 4. Hymnal Variations
Fall River Legend ( Ballet Suite): 5. Cotillion
Fall River Legend ( Ballet Suite): 6. Epilogue - 1. Eastman - Rochester Orchestra
Medea ( Ballet Suite): Parodos
Medea ( Ballet Suite): 2. Choros. Medea And Jason
Medea ( Ballet Suite): 3. THe Young Princess. Janson
Medea ( Ballet Suite): 4. Choros
Medea ( Ballet Suite: 5. Medea
Medea ( Ballet Suite: 6. KAntikos Agonias
Medea ( Ballet Suite: Exodos

Customer Reviews:

Get Mercury Living Presence Before Its Dead.......2003-07-05

When I first started collecting classical CDs, I only had a few Mercury Living Presence (MLP) titles. In my quest to get the absolute best, or at least a definitive recording, of the major works of the standard repertoire, MLP discs rarely topped the critics' lists. In fact, only three MLP recordings have been earmarked as "Essential Recordings" by Amazon.com -- Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Byron Janis performing Rachmaninov's 2nd & 3rd Piano Concertos, and Yehudi Menuhin performing Bartok's 2nd Violin Concerto, all three with Antal Dorati as conductor. It is also safe to say that three other titles are equally essential for their historical value alone. They are Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake by Dorati (the first recording of the complete ballet), Janis performing Liszt's Piano Concertos (the first recordings made in the Soviet Union by American technicians, musical staff and equipment), and Kubelik's Chicago Symphony performance of Pictures at an Exhibition (one of, if not the single best mono recording ever, and the one that led the New York Times critic to coin the phrase "Living Presence," from which the label named its series). But how does a CD line go from having a half-dozen must have recordings, to being this reviewer's all-time favorite classical label?

Customer Reviews:

An American sampler.......2006-06-21

My wife and I often eat at a local restaurant that offers what it calls an "American sampler" of shishkabob, Hawaiian chicken and Louisiana Gulf shrimp. I liken that plate to this collection by the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra and longtime conductor-director Howard Hanson. Based on the quality of much of this music, I think the title could more readily have been "Howard Handson Conducts An American Sampler" rather than American masterworks, for the quality of some of this music is arguable in that respect.

Hanson was not only a composer and conductor, he was a great champion of American music in the 1950s, when its profile and exposure were much less than today. Many of the compositions included in this anthology have since been recorded in DDD in the Maxos American music series. Others have been recorded on other labels in newer, sometimes better, recordings. This does nothing to diminish these recordings or to dampen the memory of Hanson and his band.

However, many of the more well known recordings in this set have been re-done either more artistically and/or in better sound since these recordings first appeared the better part of 50 years ago. In particular, Barber's Capricorn Concerto and Medea suite, Ives's Third Symphony & Three Places in New England, Piston's Incredible Flutist and Schuman's New England Triptych have all been recorded many times in the intervening years. The recordings here sometimes magnify the thin and wiry sound coming from the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra. Some are simply not very well played, either.

That said, there are still five decade old gems to be located here. Among my favorites are William Bergsma's "Gold and Senor Commandante" ballet suite, a delightful nine-movement ballet suite that is clearly meant for the concert hall and not the stage. I also enjoy Morton Gould's "Sprituals" and George Whitfield Chadwick's "Symphonic Sketches" that merges British stoicism with American melody-making.

Best for me is the performance of Peter Mennin's Symphony No. 5. This 1962 recording was probably the first of a Mennin symphony and it still stands up well to competition. The dramatic three movement edifice is completely engaging. Its syncopated rhythm on an ostimato E-F-G-F sharp-A-E theme in the closing movement is catchy and stays long in memory.

Another important and rarely recorded piece is Johann Friedrich Peter's "Sinfonia in G". Peter was an early American composer from the Classical period; he was born 1746 and died 1813. The sinfonia mimics the CPE Bach crossover from Baroque to Classical early symphony with modular thematic development in each of its four movements.

There are other memorable chunks of Americana on this collection and everything sound wonderful, captured in ultra-clear and well-defined three channel tapes (produced here in stereo and not SACD) from the 1950s and early 1960s. The notes are very helpful and the bookelt details the origin of each recording. There is a very high level of nostalgia evident in this grouping that adds much to its appeal.

I think this collection is best suited to people that want to recapture the nostalgia of these great old recordings. Today's DDD technology has nothing on these fine sounding CDs even though Mercury missed an opportunity to release these as three channel SACDs. Perhaps that is coming in the future?

Another group of listeners that will most appreciate this collection are people that want exposure to many American composers and don't want to pay a lot to get it. The modest list price for this five CD collection is usually reduced by 40-50 percent when purchasing used from an Amazon vendor. I bought mine for about $20, the cost of less than three new Naxos CDs. This set is certainly worth more than that. Even veteran collectors (who didn't buy the original LPs or individual CDs) will probably find something new and different here.

Hanson's MLP Gems Are Back!.......2005-06-09

Those familiar with my reviews on Amazon know of my great love for the Mercury Living Presence series. Equally great is my disgust that so many of these brilliant recordings have been deleted in the last few years! Thankfully, some of these legendary performances are resurfacing as SACD hybrids. However, they are unfortunately now being sold at full-price, despite a competing Living Stereo hybrid series on RCA/BMG being available at midline. In spite of the added expense, I hope this MLP reissue trend will continue, and maybe we'll even see a few items receiving their CD debut in this series.

These performances of American Masterwoks by Howard Hanson are in most cases definitive accounts of rarely recorded pieces by many of our country's too often neglected composers -- Barber, Chadwick, Piston, Moore, Carpenter, Rogers, MacDowell, etc. While three of these recordings continue to be available in their original CD incarnations, the remaining two discs featuring Ives and Gould have been out-of-print for some time. Now with this box set they are deservedly restored to the catalog. Even better is the fact that the 5CD box sets being reissued have been reasonably priced because they are not SACD Hybrids. This set and three others (see my reviews) have a total cost cheaper than the original single issue CDs! Once again, Mercury Living Presence lives!

Average customer rating:

Music for Martha Graham

Manufacturer: Koch Int'l Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001SDD
Release Date: 1993-05-17

Tracks:

Appalachian Spring: Very Slowly
Appalachian Spring: Allegro
Appalachian Spring: Moderato
Appalachian Spring: Fast
Appalachian Spring: Allegro
Appalachian Spring: Theme and Vars
Appalachian Spring: Rather Slow
Appalachian Spring: Molto Allegro ed agiatato
Appalachian Spring: Moderato
Cave of the Heart: Parados (Jason, Princess, Medea)
Cave of the Heart: Chor, Jason and Princess
Cave of the Heart: Medea Solo
Cave of the Heart: Princess Solo
Cave of the Heart: Jason Solo
Cave of the Heart: Chor, Jason and Princess
Cave of the Heart: Medea, Chorus, Jason, and Princess, Medeas Dance of Vengeance
Cave of the Heart: Chor,(Kantikos Agonias)
Cave of the Heart: Exodus