He's There All the Time

Track Listings

1. He's There All the Time

2. Try to Do My Best

3. I Need the Lord

4. I Know Where to Go

5. Friend of Mine

6. Wash Me Jesus

7. Main Line

8. I've Got Jesus

9. Christ Is Coming

Tracks:

Love Divine All Loves Excelling - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Father Hear the Prayer We Offer - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Now Thank We All Our God - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Stars of the Morning So Gloriously Bright - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
God Save the Queen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Day of Resurrection - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
O Come All Ye Faithful - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Awake My Soul and With the Sun - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
Thine Arm O Lord in Days of Old - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
All People That on Earth Do Dwell - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
Good Christian Men Rejoice and Sing - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
There Is a Green Hill - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
Lord of Beauty - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
Rejoice Today With One Accord - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
New Every Morning - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
O God Our Help in Ages Past - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral

Tracks:

Morning Has Broken - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Happy Are They - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
In Christ There Is No East or West - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Silent Night - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Be Thou My Guardian - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Ye Servants of the Lord - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
To Thee O Lord Our Hearts We Raise - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Behold the Great Creator Makes - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Rejoice the Lord Is King - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Creator of the Stars of Night - Ely Cathedral Choir
He Comes With Clouds Descending - Ely Cathedral Choir
O Little Town of Bethlehem - Ely Cathedral Choir
Alleluya Alleyluya Alleyluya - Ely Cathedral Choir
This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made - Ely Cathedral Choir
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds - Ely Cathedral Choir
Lord Thy Word Abideth - Ely Cathedral Choir
Jesus Lord We Look to Thee - Ely Cathedral Choir
O Lord Our God Arise - Ely Cathedral Choir
Lord of All Hopefulness - Ely Cathedral Choir

Tracks:

Soldiers of Christ Arise - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Lift Up Your Hearts - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Maker of the Sun - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
O King Most High - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
O Praise Our Great and Glorious Lord - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
We Love the Place O God - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Give Rest O Christ - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Thou in All Thy Might So Far - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O God Thy Soldiers' Crown and Guard - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Strife Is O'er the Battle Done - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Christ Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Jesus Shall Reign - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
God of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Jesu Saviour of Mankind - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Immortal Invisible God Only Wise - Choir Of Truro Cathedral

Tracks:

Ride on Ride on in Majesty - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
All Glory Laud and Honour - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Come Rejoicing - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
God Is Love and Where True Love Is - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Magnificat: The Great Advent Antiphons - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Come, Christ's Beloved - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Children of the Hebrews (Palm Procession) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Veneration of the Cross/The Reproaches (Veneratum and Reproaches) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Once in Royal David's City - Choir Of Keble College
God Be in My Head - Choir Of Keble College
O Thou Who Camest from Above - Choir Of Keble College
Judge Eternal Throned in Splendour - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
Christ the Lord Is Risen Again - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
For All the Saints - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
Thy Hand O God Has Guided - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
Christ the Dawn of Our Salvation - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
I Was Glad - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Locus Iste - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Praise My Soul the King of Heaven - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Tracks:

Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus! - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
O Worship the King - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
O Heavenly Word of God on High - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - The Choir of York Minister
First Nowell - The Choir of York Minister
Abide with Me - The Choir of York Minister
Breathe on Me Breath of God - Choir Of Keble College
Rock of Ages - Choir Of Keble College
On This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Keble College
Jesu Sweet and Mary - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
O Quam Gloriosum - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Ye Holy Angels Bright - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
O for a Closer Walk With God - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Prayer of St Patrick - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Lord's Prayer - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Blessed Be the God and Father - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Jerusalem (And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times) - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Album Description

Full Title - 100 Hymns & Songs Of Inspiration. UK box-set featuring 100 tracks performed by Britain's finest Cathedral Choirs including, Gloucester Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, & many more. Five standard jewel cases housed in a slipbox. Castle Pulse. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

The picture.......2006-12-11

I haven't purchased the CD but the picture of the inside of a church on the cover is not of a British church, like one would assume since it says its a recording of British choirs. This picture is of Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Just thought i'd let you know. I'll be honest; I'm one to judge things by it's cover and if the company took such care to choose a 'British' church for their British choir CD, I'm willing to bet the music is equally well selected... I'm being sarcastic. But I gave the product 5 stars because I didn't want to hurt its ratings just because i'm cynical. But check out the church if you're ever in Montreal, it's truly beautiful... here I'm not being sarcastic.

Average customer rating:

It's not stereo
classic arrangements by the classic gentlemen ~ Percy Faith

Lil Abner/Broadway Bouquet

Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Subways Are for Sleeping / Do I Hear a Waltz
Porgy & Bess / Most Happy Fella
Kismet/Music From Hollywood
More Themes for Young Lovers/Latin Themes for Young Lovers
Born Free/Windmills of Your Mind

ASIN: B0000996GC
Release Date: 2003-09-16

Tracks:

It's A Typical Day
The Way To A Man's Heart
Love In A Home
Medley: Jubilation T. Cornpone / (What's Good For) General Bullmoose (Is Good For The U.S.A.)
Unnecessary Town
The Country's In The Very Best Of Hands
There's Room Enough For Us
Progress Is The Root Of All Evil
If I Had My Druthers
Oh Happy Day
Matrimonial Stomp
Namely You
Hello, Dolly!
Once Upon A Time
Somewhere
Sunrise, Sunset
Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
A Quiet Thing
Make Someone Happy
What Kind Of Fool Am I?
Long Ago
The Sweetest Sounds
As Long As He Needs Me
Theme From "Golden Boy"

Album Description

The jaunty Gene DePaul score for the musical play "Lil' Abner" based on the comic strip by Al Capp is heard instrumentally - and it's quite a show! "Broadway Bouquet" from 1965 is an important part of the famed Faith "string" album series - perhaps the pinnacle of his rich string sound that spanned gorgeous melodies and counterlines across sections of the large orchestra. (Bill Halvorsen)

Album Description

Pianist Percy Faith, a pioneer of the Easy Listening genre, had a successful and lengthy career as the in-house conductor and arranger for Columbia Records. Faith was renowned for his musical interpretations of Broadway and motion picture music. These two reissues from Collectables on 1 CD were originally released in 1965. 24 tracks. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

It's not stereo.......2005-01-10

I bought this solely for "Once Upon a Time", and was dismayed that the CD is mono, not stereo. The quality of the recordings leaves much to be desired, as many of them lack the pristine quality I'm used to on a CD.

classic arrangements by the classic gentlemen ~ Percy Faith.......2004-02-16

Two albums from the Columbia Records people blending different decades "Li'l Abner" (originally released CL 955 in 1956) and "Broadway Bouquet" (originally released LS 9156 in 1965), sharing the unmistakable style of the "Percy Faith Touch" ~ you know in an instant you're in for the best of the best ~ Duke Ellington was so taken with Faith's arrangements, that he would give anything to be able to arrange in that fashion.

Let's begin with "IT'S A TYPICAL DAY" along with "LOVE IN A HOME", both from "Li'l Abner", wonderful opening counterparts and the stirring arrangements by Maestro Percy Faith ~ "JUBILATON T. CORNPONE", uplifting cue that will keep bouncing in your head for hours, maybe even days ~ "IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS", one of the forgettable tunes from the show ~ "NAMELY YOU", has to be the best and favorite song of the Johnny Mercer and Gene De Paul score ~ by the way, these two composers penned the lively screen musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", both scores were sure winners from two talented songwriters, Percy Faith steps up to the podium and takes it to another level.

Now with "Broadway Bouquet", we have perfection within the realm of lush arranging, so flawless "HELLO, DOLLY!" (Jerry Herman), "ONCE UPON A TIME" (Adams/Strouse), "SOMEWHERE" (Sondheim/Bernstein), "SUNRISE, SUNSET/FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" (Harnick/Bock) (one of my all-time favorites, can't get enough of this score), "WHO CAN I TURN TO (WHEN NOBODY NEEDS ME)" (Bricusse/Newley), "A QUIET THING" (Ebb/Kander), "MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY" (Comden/Green/Styne), "WHAT KIND OF FOOL AM I?" (Bricusse/Newley) (two of the best songwriters in the business), "LONG AGO" (David Heneker), "THE SWEETEST SOUNDS" (Richard Rodgers) (his credit of compositions goes through the ceiling, will never be another like 'em), "AS LONG AS HE NEEDS ME" (Lionel Bart) (a wonderful classic that is still popular by today's standards), "THEME FROM "GOLDEN BOY" (Adams Strouse) (another team of composers that have made an impact on the Broadway scene) ~ an example of the "Percy Faith Touch", so effortless, you feel like you're floating on a cloud ~ falls into Percy's many albums of fabulous string arrangements, they grabbed the attention of the listener and wouldn't let go. Can't think of any other arranger/composer who left such a great legacy as this man!

Highly recommend to ALL fans of Percy Faith ~ thanks to Collectables for releasing this collection from the vaults of Columbia Records ~ so listeners sit back, relax and enjoy a small part of Maestro Percy Faith's fabulous career!

Tracks:

Camp Kare-Free Song - Mark Baker
Nicer Than People - Shani Wallis
Ballad Of A Social Director - Dickie Henderson
Shopping Around - Shani Wallis
Mix And Mingle - Bruce Trent
Could Be - Elizabeth Larner
Tripping The Light Fantastic - Ensemble
Where Did The Night Go - Bruce Trent
Certain Individuals - Shani Wallis
They Won't Know Me - Bruce Trent
Summer Afternoon - Christopher Hewett
Don Jose Of Far Rockaway - Dickie Henderson
Everybody Loves Everybody - Shani Wallis
Wish You Were Here - Bruce Trent
Relax! - Christopher Hewett
Flattery - Elizabeth Larner
I'm On My Way/Dialog/I Still See Elisa - Chorus
They Call The Wind Maria/Dialogue/Wanderin' Star - Bobby Howes
There's A Coach Comin' In/Dialogue/All For Him/Another Autumn - Chorus
Dialogue/I Talk To The Trees/How Can I Wait - Sally Ann Howes
Bonus Track I Love Him As He Is - Sally Ann Howes
Bonus Track: I've Never Been In Love Before - Jerry Wayne
Bonus Track: Luck Be A Lady - Jerry Wayne
Bonus Track: If I Were A Bell - Lizbeth Webb
Bonus Track: I've Never Been In Love Before - Lizbeth Webb
Bonus Track: My Time Of Day - Jerry Wayne
Bonus Track: I'll Know - Jerry Wayne

Customer Reviews:

2 great London cast albums make their CD premiere!.......2004-12-22

This fabulous CD from Sepia presents 2 great (ultra-rare) London cast albums on compact disc for the very first time.

WISH YOU WERE HERE had been a success on Broadway (mainly for the novelty of featuring an actual pool onstage), and a charming score by Harold Rome. It played for 282 performances at the London Casino. Most recognisible from the cast is Shani Wallis, immortalised oncreen as the tragic Nancy in OLIVER!, here playing the pert secondary female lead. Elizabeth Larner and Bruce Trent play the central couple. Standouts in the score are "Ballad of a Social Director", "They Won't Know Me", "Where Did the Night Go?" and "Could Be". Shani Wallis delights with her playful "Shopping Around". The original Broadway cast album of WISH YOU WERE HERE (on the RCA label) has been out-of-print for a while now, but the London cast is more than ample compensation.

PAINT YOUR WAGON had been a sound success on Broadway for it's composer and lyricist (Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner), offering fine roles for James Barton and Olga San Juan as father-and-daughter Ben and Jennifer Rumson. The London production was very interesting because it offered the dynamic of a real father and daughter in the roles. Bobby Howes was joined by his lovely daughter Sally Ann Howes (in her first big role). She's a smashing Jennifer, though the recording (originally made to fit 4 sides of a set of 78's), denied Howes the chance to lay down her rendition of "What's Going On Here?". Nevetheless fans of Sally Ann will find this recording indispensible. Bobby Howes (in one of his last great performances) is a fantastic Ben.

This CD is filled out by Sally Ann Howes' performance of "I Love Him As He Is" from the original London cast of BET YOUR LIFE (the rest of the album can be found on Sepia's `Julie Wilson in London with Friends' ). Also included are 6 numbers from GUYS AND DOLLS recorded in 1953, performed by Jerry Wayne and Lizbeth Webb (who played Skye Masterson and Sarah Brown in the original London production).

Average customer rating:

Shakespeare's Songbook, Vols. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Azica
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Shakespeare's Songbook
Songs and Dances from Shakespeare
Shakespeare Songs
Shakespeare's Musick (Songs & Dances from Shakespeare's Plays) / Pickett, Musicians of the Globe
William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B0002IQL08
Release Date: 2004-07-06

Tracks:

Ah Robin (Round)
And Let Me The Cannikin Clink
And Will He Not Come Again
Be Merry, Be Merry
Black Spirits
Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind
Bonny Sweet Robin
But Shall I Go Mourn
Can'st Thou Not Hit It
Come Away
Come Away, Hecate
Come Live With Me
Come O'er The Burn
Come Thou Monarch (Version 2)(Round)
Come Unto These Yellow Sands
A Cup Of Wine
Farewell, Dear Heart
Fathers That Wear Rags
Fear No More
Fie On Sinful Fantasy
Fill The Cup (Round)
Flout 'Em And Cout 'Em (Round)
Fools Had Ne'er Less Grace
For I'll Cut My Green Coat
The Friar And The Nun
Full Fathom Five
The George Alow (Version 1)
Get You Hence
The God Of Love
Hark, Hark The Lark
Have I Caught My Heavenly Jewel
Heart's Ease
Hold Thy Peace (Version 2)(Round)
Honor, Riches
I Am Gone Sir
I Loathe The I Did Love
It Was A Lover And His Lass
Jepha
Jog On
Jolly Shepherd (Round)
King Stephen Was A Worthy Peer
Lawn As White
Love, Love, Nothing But Love (Version 2)
The Master, The Swabber (Version 2)
No More Dams
An Old Hare Hoar (Version 1)
O Mistress Mine (Version 1)
Orpheus With His Lute
O Sweet Oliver
Pardon Goddess Of The Night
Roses Their Sharp Spines
Sigh No More, Ladies
Some Men For Sudden Joy (Version 1)
Take, O Take Those Lips
Tell Me, Where Is Fancy Bred
That Sir Which Serves
There Dwelt A Man In Babylon (Version 1)
There Was Three Fools
Three Merry Men (Round)
Tomorrow Is St. Valentine's Day
Under The Greenwood Tree
Up And Down (Round)
Urns And Odours Bring Away
Walsingham
Was This Fair Face
Wedding Is Great Juno's Crown
What Shall He Have (Round)
When Arthur First In Court
When Daffodils Begin To Peer
When Daisies Pied
When Griping Grief
When Icicles Hang By The Wall
When That I Was And A Little Tyne Boy
Where The Bee Sucks
While You Here Do Snoring Lie
Who Is Silvia
Why Let The Strucken Deer
Willow, Willow (Version 1)
Will You Buy Any Tape
The Woosel Cock
You Spotted Snakes

Tracks:

Awake, Awake
Battle Of Agincourt
Bride's Goodmorrow
Broom
Callino
Carmen's Whitle
Chi Passa
Come Kiss Me, Kate (Round)
Come Thou Monarch (Version 1)
Cup Of Wine (Version 1)
Damon
Daphne
Diana (2 Versions)
Dulcina
Eglamore
Eighty-Eight
Fortune My Foe
George Alow (Version 2)
Glass Doth Run
Goddesses
Go From My Window
Greensleeves (2 Versions)
Guy Of Warwick
Hem Boys (2 Versions)
Hey Ho for A Husband (2 Versions)
Hobbyhorse
Hold Thy Peace (Versions 1 & 3)
Hunt's Up
I Cannot Come Every Day (2 Versions)
In Crete
In Peascod Time
Jack Boy (Round)
King Cophetua
King Lear
King Solomon
Light O Love
Loath To Depart (2 Versions)
Love, Love (Version 1)
Master, Swabber (Version 1)
Mounsier Mingo
Mounsieur's Almaine
My Mind To Me
Nutmegs (Of All The Birds)
Nutmegs (Wooing Of The Baker's Daughter)
O Death (2 Versions)
Old Hare Hoar (Version 2)
O Mistress Mine (Version 2)
O' The Twelfth Day Of December
Oyster Pie
Peg A Ramsey (2 Versions)
Phillida (3 Versions)
Please One
Pyramus
Queen Dido (2 Versions)
Ratcatcher
Rich Jew
Robin Goodfellow
Robin Hood
Rogero
Rowland
Sellenger's Round
Shore's Wife (2 Versions)
Sick, Sick (3 Vesions)
Some Men For Sudden Joy (Round)
There Dwelt A Man (Version 2)
Titus Andronicus
Tom A Bedlam (2 Versions)
Troilus
Troy Town
Wellady
Whenas We Sat In Babylon
Where Is The Life
Whoop
Why Let The Strucken (If Care Do Cause)
Willow, Willow (Version 2)
Will Ye Buy A Fine Dog
With A Fading

Average customer rating:

Finally a Messiah with fervor!
Great recording!
Good and Bad
This is a great recording!

Handel: Messiah

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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Christmas at Trinity

ASIN: B00002R16A
Release Date: 1999-11-30

Tracks:

Messiah: No. 1 Overture
Messiah: No. 2 Arioso For Tenor
Messiah: No. 3 Air For Tenor
Messiah: No. 4 Chorus
Messiah: No. 5 Recitative For Bass
Messiah: No. 6 Air For Bass
Messiah: No. 7 Chorus
Messiah: No. 8 Recitative For Alto
Messiah: No. 9 Air For Alto And Chorus
Messiah: No. 10 Arioso For Bass
Messiah: No. 11 Air For Bass
Messiah: No. 12 Chorus
Messiah: No. 13 Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
Messiah: No. 14a Recitative And No. 14b Arioso For Soprano
Messiah: No. 15 Recitative For Soprano
Messiah: No. 16 Arioso For Soprano
Messiah: No. 17 Chorus
Messiah: No. 18 Air For Soprano
Messiah: No. 19 Recitative For Alto
Messiah: No. 20 Air For Alto And Soprano
Messiah: No. 21 Chorus
Messiah: No. 22 Chorus
Messiah: No. 23 Air For Alto
Messiah: No. 24 Chorus
Messiah: No. 25 Chorus
Messiah: No. 26 Chorus

Tracks:

Messiah: No. 27 Arioso For Tenor
Messiah: No. 28 Chorus
Messiah: No. 29 Recitative For Tenor
Messiah: No. 30 Air For Tenor
Messiah: No. 31 Recitative For Tenor
Messiah: No. 32 Air For Tenor
Messiah: No. 33 Chorus
Messiah: No. 34 Recitative For Tenor
Messiah: No. 35 Chorus
Messiah: No. 36 Air For Alto
Messiah: No. 37 Chorus
Messiah: No. 38 Aria For Soprano
Messiah: No. 39 Chorus
Messiah: No. 40 Air For Bass
Messiah: No. 41 Chorus
Messiah: No. 42 Recitative For Tenor
Messiah: No. 43 Air For Tenor
Messiah: No. 44 Chorus
Messiah: No. 45 Air For Soprano
Messiah: No. 46 Chorus
Messiah: No. 47 Recitative For Bass
Messiah: No. 48 Air For Bass
Messiah: No. 49 Recitative For Alto
Messiah: No. 50 Duet For Alto And Tenor
Messiah: No. 51 Chorus
Messiah: No. 52 Air For Soprano
Messiah: No. 53 Chorus
Messiah: Amen

Customer Reviews:

Finally a Messiah with fervor!.......2005-10-20

I've hunted a thrilling performance of The Messiah through 240 versions so far. This is the best I've found. Some are self-conscious, dutifully singing as instructed. Some are almost childish in their lilt. Some are overblown with so much bombast that you can barely hear the heart of the music. Some are concentrated on faithfulness to the original instruments. If you want a performance that will make you shiver with the power and joy of the music, this is the one. The singers are singing about GLORY. They sound as if they are ecstatic. The musicians are at one with the music and they create a virtual cathedral wherever this CD is played, just close your eyes. Or, let your own imagery, be it celestial, or of great oceans...carry you away.

Great recording!.......2003-09-22

There are so many performances of the Messiah out there that it is very difficult to point to a difinative one, but I'd put this in the catagory of the "very good" ones. As other reviewers have said, every performance is different and has its own character. Each has stronger and weaker points. Here the conductor and musicians have made good, solid musical choices. There is an amazing attention to detail which is not so obvious the first listen through but which makes the piece shine. The tempos seem to be right on, and there is no frivolous over-embellishment by the soloists. There is no attempt to be showey. The dramatic dynamics in the first section of the overture are interesting, but seem to work after you hear it a few times. This performance also includes sections which are often omitted (Second half of "He shall feed his flock," "Thou art gone up on high," "Great was the company of the preachers," and "Death where is thy sting"). I prefer the more intimate quality of a small ensemble of musicians to the mega-performances by the London Philharmonic, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, etc.. As with this performance, the smaller group lends a clarity to the music, where the larger ensembles can get a little "muddy" at times. Just my personal preference. Overall, this is a very good performance, and certainly the low price (being on the Naxos lable) makes this a clear choice.

Good and Bad.......2000-04-09

I was more interested in "The Messiah" for the religious content than as a music critic, but this was too much. The strings are tinny. The orchestra is plodding. The soloists and choir are thankfully very good and seem to understand the meaning of the words. It is a shame the sound mix is uneven. The male parts come across loud and clear, but the poor women. For instance, No. 9 Oh thou that tellest..., the soloist sounded like she was singing in an echo chamber far from the mike. This is one of the most disappointing versions of "The Messiah" I have heard in a long time.

This is a great recording!.......2000-02-11

I was really surprised with the new that the Messiah's New World premiere was held at Trinity Church in October 1770, twenty-eight years after it was written. This fact only will make one proud in having this CD among his collection.

Anyhow, this is nothing more than a historic detail and would not count if this recording had not an outstanding first-rate ensemble of singers. Without doubt there is no definitive version of Messiah. Each one has its own distinctive touch and feeling and exploring it is always a pleasant journey through imagination.

Tracks:

He's Only Wonderful
Here's To Your Illusions (From Flahooley)
This Is All Very New To Me (From Plain And Fancy)
Glitter And Be Gay (From Candide)
Till There Was You (From Music Man)
Getting To Know You
Hello, Young Lovers (From The King And I)
Magic Moment (From The Gay Life)
Will He Like Me?
Dear Friend
Ice Cream
Where's The Mate For Me?/Make Believe
You Are Love (From Showboat)
Who Are You Now?
He Was Too Good To Me/Time Heals Everything
Wait Till You See Him

Customer Reviews:

A real good selection.......2006-04-27

Even if I don't own this CD (stuff I have on 33 rpm), I had to approve the other critics here. To know Barbara Cook is to participate to the Great Broadway Era with one of its essential star performer.
Cook was made for the stage and, following next, her live shows are quite impressive. Her voice can be tiny at times, but who doesn't get older?
Just listen to Glitter and be Gay: a Bernstein masterpiece, but a Cook personal creation. (Only Sumi Jo made it as good on her Carnegie Hall show).
All B'way fan should know Barbara Cook...

good overview of her broadway career.......2005-02-06

Before Barbara Cook became a cabaret performer, she was a fantastic Broadway star. This out of print cd focuses on the songs from her revivals and original productions with the omission of The Glass Harp. It goes chronologically from the beginning of her career with the shows Candide, Plain and Fancy, and Flahooley. (Sadly they were flops.) Then it reaches The Music Man where she finally became a star. Her Till There was You is marvelous. The last three songs are from her 1975 At Carnegie Hall album. I wish that this was replaced with numbers from her shows. It doesn't quite fit in with the phase. I guess this cd wanted to be an outlook on her career in general. Barbara Cook had a clear warm soprano. If only her 1958 album Songs of Perfect Propriety could be released.

A Broadway legend appreciated.......1999-07-02

Just to hear her voice intentionally break with emotion on "Dear Friend" will affect you deeply. This is a fine document of a great career and a stunning voice. You will treasure it.

Average customer rating:

Excellent ... but ...

Vintage Gilbert & Sullivan

Manufacturer: Sanctuary
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Gilbert & Sullivan Favourites

ASIN: B000AA5XFW
Release Date: 2005-10-03

Tracks:

A Wand'ring Minstrel 1
Behold The Lord High Executioner
Three Litttle Maids From School
Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze
A More Humane Mikado
Flowers That Bloom In The Spring
On A Tree By A River A Little Tom-Tit
There Is Beauty In The Bellow Of The Blast
When U Good Friends Was Called To The Bar
We Sail The Ocean Blue
I'm Called Little Buttercup
I Am The Captain Of The Pinafore
When I Was A Lad I Served A Term
Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
Carefully On Tiptoe Stealing
He Is An Englishman
Oh Better Far To Live And Die
Poor Wand'ring One
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
Then Fred'ric Let Your Escort, Lion Hearted When The Foeman Bares His Steel
When A Felon's Not Engaged
With Cat-Like Tread
I Cannot Tell What This Love May Be
If You Want A Receipt For That Popular Mystery
So Go To Him And Say To Him
Loudly Let The Trumper Bray... Bow Ye Lower Middle Classes
Love Unrequited Robs Me Of My Rest.... When You're Lying Awake With A Dismal
If You Go In You're Sure To Win
My Boy You May Take It From Me
When The Night Wind Howls
When Maiden Loves She Sits And Sighs
When Our Gallant Norman Foes
I Have A Song To Sing, Oh!
Were I Thy Bride
List And Learn
In Enterprise Of Martial Kind
There Was A Time
Do Not Give Way... Then One Of Us
Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes
Dance A Cachucha

Customer Reviews:

Excellent ... but ..........2007-02-07

As a vintage G&S listener, I appreciated this collection but I think it would mostly appeal to the specialist-completeist. A newcomer to the genre would do well to get a full operetta DVD. (I prefer the OK BBC performances to the tarted up & modernised Australian ones.)

Old-comers probably already have all these tracks as part of their collection of vintage full operetta recordings.

But don't let my idiosynchratic views deter you if you really like G&S... but not to the extent of buying all the vintage full operetta versions.

Average customer rating:

A Long Time Coming...
Her Best Album
Price At Her Peak
of course world class
the greatest american soprano of the 20th century

The Essential Leontyne Price

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003FWD
Release Date: 1996-08-13

Tracks:

Aida: Act I: Ritorna vincitor!
Aida: Act I: E l'amor mio?
Aida: Act I: I sacri nomi di padre, d'amante
Aida: Act III: Qui Radames verra!
Aida: Act III: O patria mia
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act II: (Prelude)
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act II: Ecco l'orrido campo
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act II: Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act III: A tal colpa e nulla il pianto
Un Ballo in Maschera: Act III: Morro, ma prima in grazia
Il Trovatore: Act I: Che piu t'arresti?
Il Trovatore: Act I: Tacea la notte placida
Il Trovatore: Act I: Di tale amor che dirsi
Il Trovatore: Act IV: Siam giunti
Il Trovatore: Act IV: D'amor sull'ali rosee
Ernani: Act I: Surta e la notte
Ernani: Act I: Ernani! Ernani, involami
Ernani: Act I: Tutto sprezzo che d'Ernani
La forza del destino: Act II: Son giunta! Grazie, o Dio!
La forza del destino: Act II: Madre, madre, pietosa Vergine
La forza del destino: Act II: La Vergine degli angeli
La forza del destino: Act IV: Pace, pace, mio Dio

Tracks:

Cosi fan tutte: Act I: Come scoglio immoto resta
Madama Butterfly: Act II: Piangi? Perche?; Un bel di vedremo
Madama Butterfly: Act III: Tu? tu? piccolo Iddio!
TOSCA: Act II: Vissi d'arte
Manon Lescaut: Act II: In quelle trine morbide
Manon Lescaut: Act IV: Sola, perduta, abbandonata
Dialogues des Carmelites: Act III: Mes filles, voila que s'acheve
Don Giovanni: Act I: Don Ottavio, son morta!
Don Giovanni: Act I: Or sai chi l'onore
Don Giovanni: Act II: Crudele? Ah, no, mio bene!
Don Giovanni: Act II: Non mi dir
Turandot: Act I: Signore, ascolta!
Turandot: Act III: Tu che di gel sei cinta
Ariadne auf Naxos: Es gibt ein Reich
Antony And Cleopatra: Act III: Give me my robe

Tracks:

Otello: Era piu calmo?
Otello: Mia madre aveva una povera ancella (Willow Song)
Otello: Ave Maria
Fidelio: Act I: Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?
Suor Angelica: Senza mamma, o bimbo, tu sei morto!
Carmen: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera)
La Traviata: Act I: E strano, e strano !
La Traviata: Act I: Ah, fors' e lui
La Traviata: Act I: Sempre libera
Le nozze di Figaro: Act III: E Susanna non vien!
Le nozze di Figaro: Act III: Dove sono
Die Agyptische Helena: Act II: Awakening Scene
La rondine: Ore dolci e divine
Salome: Finale

Tracks:

Eugene Onegin: Act II: Puskai pogibnu ya
Eugene Onegin: Act II: Ya k vam pishu
Eugene Onegin: Act II: Net, nikomu na svete
Eugene Onegin: Act II: No tak i byt'!
La rondine: Act I: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
VANESSA: Act I: He Has Come, He Has Come!
VANESSA: Act I: Do Not Utter A Word
Carmen: Act I: Pres des remparts de Seville (Seguidilla)
Manon: Act II: Allons! il le faut!
Manon: Act II: Adieu, notre petite table
Macbeth: Act IV: Sleepwalking Scene: Vegliammo invan due notti
Macbeth: Act IV: Sleepwalking Scene: Una macchia e qui tuttora
La Boheme: Act IIII: Addio. Donde lieta usci (Mimi's Addio)
Die Frau ohne Schatten: Act II: Empress's Awakening Scene
Dido and Aeneas: Act III: Thy Hand, Belinda!
Dido and Aeneas: Act III: When I Am Laid In Earth
Don Carlo: Act V: Tu che le vanita conoscesti del mondo

Tracks:

Otello: Act I: Gia nella notte
Otello: Act I: Quando narravi
Otello: Act I: Venga la morte!
Cosi fan tutte: Act I: Ah, guarda, sorella
Madama Butterfly: Act I: Bimba, bimba, non piangere
Madama Butterfly: Act I: Bimba dagli occhi
Madama Butterfly: Act I: Vogliatemi bene
Requiem: Recordare
Porgy And Bess: Act II: Bess, You Is My Woman
Norma: Act III: Me chiami, o Norma
Norma: Act III: Mira, o Norma
Ernani: Act II: Tu, perfida!
Ernani: Act II: Ah, morir, potessi adesso
Cosi fan tutte: Act II: Sorella, cosa dici?
Cosi fan tutte: Act II: Prendero quel brunettino
Aida: Act IV: La fatal pietra sovra me si chiuse
Aida: Act IV: Presago il core della tua condanna
Aida: Act IV: Vedi? Di morte l'angelo
Aida: Act IV: O terra, addio

Tracks:

Un Ballo in Maschera: Act II: Teco io sto!
Aida: Act III: Ciel! mio padre!
Aida: Act III: Rivedrai le forest imbalsamate
Aida: Act III: In armi ora si desta il popol nostro
Aida: Act III: Padre! a costoro schiava non sono
Requiem: Angus Dei
Manon Lescaut: Act I: Oh, saro la piu bella!; Tu, tu, amore?
Cosi fan tutte: Act I: Soave sia il vento
Porgy And Bess: Act II: I Loves You, Porgy
Aida: Act II: Silenzio! Aida verso noi s'avanza
Aida: Act II: Fu la sorte dell'armi
Aida: Act II: Pieta ti prenda del mio dolor
Aida: Act II: Alla prompa che s'appresta
Il Trovatore: Act IV: Udiste?
Il Trovatore: Act IV: Mira, di acerbe lagrime
Il Trovatore: Act IV: Vivra! Contende il giubilo
Madama Butterfly: Act II: Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio (Flower Duet)
Carmen: Act IV: C'est toi! - C'est moi!
Carmen: Act IV: Ou vas-tu? - Laisse-moi!

Tracks:

Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Villanelle
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Le spectre de la rose
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Sur les lagunes
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Absence
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: Au cimetiere (Clair de lune)
Les nuits d'ete, Op.7: L'ile inconnue
Four Last Songs: Fruhling
Four Last Songs: September
Four Last Songs: Beim Schlafengehen
Four Last Songs: Im Abendrot
Clair de lune, Op.46, No.2: Clair de lune
Notre amour, Op.23, No.2: Notre amour
Au cimetiere, Op.51, No.2: Au cimetiere
Au bord de l'eau, Op.8, No.1: Au bord de l'eau
No.1, Cinq melodies de Venise, Op.58: Mandoline
Main dominee par le coeur
Miroirs brulants No.2: Je nommerai ton front
Miroirs brulants No.1: Tu vois le feu du soir
Ce doux petit visage

Tracks:

Knoxville: Summer Of 1915, Op.24: Knoxville: Summer Of 1915
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Seit ich ihn gesehen
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Er, der Herrlichste von allen
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Ich kann's nicht fassen
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Du Ring an meinem Finger
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Helft mir, ihr Schwestern
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Susser Freund, du blickest
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust
Frauenliebe und -leben, op.42: Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan
Widmung (No.1, Myrthen, Op.25): Widmung
Mignon (No.28, Liederalbum fur die Jugend, Op.79): Mignon
Volksliedchen, Op.51, No.2: Volksliedchen
Schone Wiege meiner Leiden (No.5, Liederkreis, Op.24): Schone Wiege meiner Leiden
Er ist's (No.23, Liederalbum fur die Jugend, Op.79): Er ist's
Heiss mich nicht reden (No.5, Lieder und Gesand aus Wilhelm Meister)
Lust der Sturmnacht, Op.35, No.1: Lust der Sturmnacht
Allerseelen, Op.10, No.8: Allerseelen
Schlagende Herzen
Freundliche Vision, Op.48, No.1: Freundliche Vision
Wie sollten wir geheim, Op.19, No.4: Wie sollten wir geheim
Der Gartner (Morike-Lieder No.17)
Lebe wohl (Morike-Lieder No.36)
Morgentau (From An Old Songbook)
Geh, Geliebter, geh jetzt (Spanisches Liederbuch No.34)

Tracks:

Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees - Various Artists
His Name So Sweet - Various Artists
'Roun' About De Mountain - Various Artists
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Various Artists
Sit Down, Servant - Various Artists
Were You There - Various Artists
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands - Various Artists
Deep River - Various Artists
Honor! Honor! - Various Artists
My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord - Various Artists
On Ma Journey - Various Artists
A City Called Heaven - Various Artists
Ride On, King Jesus - Various Artists
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Various Artists
Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass - Various Artists
Sweet Little Jesus Boy - Various Artists
There Is A Balm In Gilead - Various Artists
Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler - Various Artists
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
My Way Is Cloudy - Various Artists
Nobody Knows The Touble I've Seen - Various Artists
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray - Various Artists

Tracks:

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lead, Kindly Light
Blessed Assurance
Ave Maria
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Amazing Grace
The Lord's Prayer
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour
The Church's One Foundation
Bless This House
I Need Thee Every Hour
Fairest Lord Jesus
I Wonder As I Wander
Ave Maria
Porgy And Bess: Summertime
America The Beautiful
Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Battle Hymn Of The Republic

Tracks:

Chants tziganes, Op. 103: He Zigeuner
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Hochgeturmte Rimaflut
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Wisst ihr, wann mein Kindchen
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Lieber Gott, du weisst
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Brauner Bursche
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Roselein dreie in der Reihe
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn
Chants tziganes, Op. 103: Rote Abendwolken
Adriana Lecouvreur: Act I: Io son l'umile ancella
This Little Light O'Mine
Interview With Leontyne Price By John Pfeiffer

Amazon.com

This 11-CD set, one might say jokingly, contains all the music ever written for the soprano voice and a bit for mezzo as well. And indeed, it's a staggering collection: In addition to her great Verdi heroines (the two Leonoras, Aida, Amelia, and Elvira in Ernani), Price is heard in her Puccini roles--Manon Lescaut, Butterfly, Tosca--and at least two dozen other roles, most of which she never sang on stage. Here are her heroic, secure Leonore in Fidelio, Strauss's high-flying Egyptian Helen, Purcell's Dido, Barber's Cleopatra, Bellini's Norma, Ariadne, Verdi's Violetta and Desdemona, Bizet's Carmen, Mozart's Countess, and Fiordiligi. Some are, naturally, more successful than others; almost none are embarrassing (Carmen comes close). In addition, she sings songs by Schubert, Schumann, and Strauss--none of them as well as say, Janet Baker or Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, and Barber's Knoxville, etc.--quite beautifully. Berlioz's Les Nuits d'été is not very good, but a group of spirituals is. In all, however, this is an amazing display by one of the century's greatest sopranos. There may be no new depths plumbed here, but the singing is a knockout. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A Long Time Coming..........2006-03-30

This compilation of Ms. Price's career is almost as complete as anything I've ever come across!!
An American Icon....I will forever be a loyal fan and admirer!!

Her Best Album.......2006-01-01

Along with the equally extensive "Prima Donna Collection" this is Leontyne Price's best album. Anyone who wants to become familiarized with her vocal technique and her art on record should own this album. It features her best work ever recorded. A lot of these arias and their respective soprano roles were not roles she sang on stage. Leontyne Price was not only a consummate artist, but a cautious one. The reason these arias, Lieder, Gospel and spirituals sound so beautiful and technically brilliant is because Leontyne was smart enough to sing them infrequently and in concert form. She did not take on new roles other than her repetitive Aidas, Leonoras, Butterfly, Toscas and Madame Lidoins, etc, because she was afraid of ruining her glorious voice too soon as many of her contemporary sopranos. Like soprano Zinka Milanov, Leontyne Price preserved the freshness and vitality of her voice through "operatic abstinence". Thus, the Norma, Salome, Manon, Lady Macbeth and even Traviata we hear on this album are well-rendered because she did NOT sing them on stage. She would have worn out her beautiful voice if she sung so many roles.

This collection is overwhelming. Leontyne Price proves herself to be a masterful artist of diverse repertoire. Pity she didn't really sing these on stage because she would have put Maria Callas and all the reigning divas before and after her to shame. Listen to her remarkable, unsurpassed Mozart repertoire. This she did sing in opera houses, probably because Mozart does not require a true lyrico-spinto heavyness and smaller opera houses can accomodate Mozartian voices that do not often rise above the staff/orchestra. She sang exquisite Fiordiligis at the Met. The arias from Cosi Fan Tutte here - Soave sia il vento, O Guarda Sorelle and the fiendishly difficult vocal showcase "Come Scoglio" with its vertiginious scales are all fine samples of Miss Price's artistry. She sang Susanna and Donna Anna with beauty and bravura. The Salome excerpt is quite thrilling. She would have made a terrific Salome but the role is quite difficult and it would have surely killed her voice. Leontyne Price was the number one Verdi soprano. Every opera cognoscente will tell you that. When you hear the excerpts from Verdi operas here - Lady Macbeth's Sleepwalking Scene, Aida's arias, Leonora's arias from Trovatore and Leonora's arias from Forza Del Destino, particularly La Virgine Del Angeli and the ravishing Pace Pace Mio Dio- are the best renditions of Verdi soprano singing. Anyone who wants to study how to sing in the letter-to-letter Verdi lyrico spinto style should hear these arias. A voice like Leontyne cannot be easily imitated. Maria Callas's own voice can be imitated as Romanian diva Angela Gheorghiu has proven. Leontyne was in a class of her own, a voice that is both dramatic and beautiful to hear. However, most people find fault in her lack of dramatic interpretation. I say they're not hearing hard enough. Yes, there is excessive beauty in her singing but she understood that the opera heroines should sound beautiful because they are beautiful and though I never saw her on stage, from the recordings I hear she sounds dramatic and character-driven enough for me to be satisfied. For a devoted fan of Leontyne Price, this album is the Holy Grail. She sings the most beautiful Norma, Madame Butterfly, Tosca, Aida, Violetta, Madame Lidoin, Suor Angelica, Susanna, Dona Ana, Gilda, Fiordiligi, Desdemona and countless other heroines. The last cd is a collection of Gospel, spirituals and patriotic songs. These "American", non-opera selections find her in beautiful voice and she is actually paying tribute to her roots. She was not only African-American, but a Southerner from Mississippi. Her voice must have been heavenly to hear in Church! This is the album that made me love Leontyne.

Price At Her Peak.......2005-05-02

Originally a Gospel singer, Leontyne Price rose to the heights of operatic superstardom in the 60's and 70's. She enjoyed the same success Maria Callas did in the 50's. Although Callas will forever be most people's idea of the greatest soprano of the 20th century, Leontyne Price was not a force to be reckoned with. In my opinion, and this is just me, she outshone Callas and was the greater singer as far as techinicality and musicianship. Leontyne Price's best work is recorded in this album. It is her best album, together with the Prima Donna Collection. The price is expensive but it's worth every penny. Prepare to be riveted and blown away by the dynamic strength and passion of her voice as it blasts through yours stereo. While many often point out that Leontyne Price was not much of an actress, from a purely operatic/vocal level, her voice was faultless and virtuosic, powerful, passionate, beautiful, lyrical, soulful. Never have I heard a soprano so richly endowed with strong chest register- she could sing the low octaves that are found in the roles of mezzo-soprano voices or contralto voices. But she was a dramatic soprano and that's dramatic with a capital D- all the high C's were there, perfectly in place, and she was a thrilling singer when reaching for the stratosphere with her voice.

This album contains arias from operas that I didn't even know she performed- La Traviata (yes, Leontyne Price as Violetta is a moving and powerful interpretation, executed with sublime beauty. She finds herself the equal to Callas in the role- for Callas had a big voice for a role that calls for the "dying" effect. Thus, Price, like Callas, could sing roles that call for beauty and not just dramatic vigor. It's unfortunate that unlike the stars that were rising in her time- Joan Sutherland, Beverly Sills and Montserrat Caballe- Price never mastered the bel canto repertoire - Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini (although she sang a sensational Norma, excerpts are found in this recording). But her strongest suit was Verdi. She had the voice Verdi was looking for in a soprano- rich, dramatic, beautiful, able to fill up the lines with smoky and velvety hues and a gleaming high top. Check out her Amelia in Un Ballo In Maschera, her Leonora in Trovatore, her Leonora in La Forza Del Destino. Of course, her greatest role, her signature role, and one which she connected with on a personal/ancestral level was that of Aida. The first selections in this recording are from that masterpiece. As Aida, she was at her best. It was easy for her somehow, when most other sopranos tackle the role with difficulty. She conveys grace, nobility, passion and spirituality in the role of the tragic Ethiopian princess.

Further roles she excelled in that are on this recording is Desdemona in Otello, which she sung opposite Placido Domingo. Their masterful voices blend together harmonically and gloriously in the Act 1 Love Duet. She's quite the ground-breaking artist. Most Violettas in Traviata or Desdemona in Otello are Caucasian lyric soprano (Desdemona was white, Otello was black, that was Shakespeare's intention) but in opera, race does not matter and Leontyne Price's voice made her a star in a time when it was incredibly difficult for a black woman to sing opera. From the start of the century, opera was always associated with white Europeans and later on Americans. But Leontyne Price followed the inspirational example of the gutsy contralto Marian Anderson, who suffered a lot of rejection in opera due to skin color in pre-Civil Rights Movement 30's, 40's and 50's. Finally in the late 50's, Anderson, after a lifetime of singing only in private concerts and recitals, debuted at the Met as Ulrica in Un Ballo. Leontyne Price immediately picked up where she left- singing all the soprano diva roles typically associated with white singers - especially Tosca. Her Tosca is second to her Aida. As Tosca, she encompasses the diva who dies for love in the most thrilling way.

Other than Tosca, Puccini heroines were just as magnificent vehicles for her voice. She sang Madame Butterfly to great acclaim. I dont know how she did it but she suddenly ceased to be herself and became the frail, naive, lovesick Japanese Geisha. Softness and fragility is also mixed with the maturity of a woman in love, with passion and dramatic vocal color. She sang La Rondine with equal success, though this role is more along the lines of Violetta/Traviata. She sang Suor Angelica, she sang in modern works such as Barber's Antony and Cleopatra- in that infamous Zefferelli production- she sang Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, she sang in Dialoge of the Carmelites. All these are on here, along with her Baroque specialties- Dido in Dido and Aeneas. Her Mozart voice is also the best I've heard, really, even with a more dramatic and beautiful charm than other singers I've heard. She sang the acrobatic role of Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, both Dona Ana and Donva Elvira in Don Giovanni. I prefer her as Dona Ana, she is all fire, despair, intensity and repressed desire, but she sings a hysterical and lovesick Elvira with a passion as well. She even sang the Countess in Le Nozze Di Figaro. But the sky was the limit to Price. She even sang, in a Jessie Norman way, the Wagner role of Isolde. Her "Liebestod" is the greatest I've heard since Birgit Nilsson, with a passion that stemmed from her religious Gospel heart.
This is a great album and I recommend it to any fan of Price and any fan of opera in general. If you have never heard Price and want to start somewhere, start with this one. This one or the Prima Donna Collection.

of course world class.......2000-08-14

Price is amazing. I will have to also mention that Joan Sutherland in the 1960 is even more incredible, if that's possible. Check Dame Joan out, you will not be sorry. But Price is a D flawless diamond set by Cartier, in my opinion.

the greatest american soprano of the 20th century.......1999-12-12

This collection of arias, art songs, and spirituals is truly amazing for the sheer breadth and depth of this soprano's artistry. It is hard to imagine any Verdi soprano after Ms. Price who could offer us the smoky richness of her vocal color, and there are so many wonderful selections, many of them being roles she did not perform on stage. Among my personal favorites are her scene from Dialogues of the Carmelites, the Letter Scene from Eugene Onegin, and the drama of her Lady Macbeth. For those of us who heard Ms. Price over the years in opera and concert, this collection brings back wonderful memories...It is truly a must-have for any serious opera lover.

Average customer rating:

Could be so much better
It's about time that this was put on CD
Don't waste the money
At last a complete recording of a Friml favorite

Rudolf Friml: The Vagabond King

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Victor Herbert: Sweethearts/Ohio Light Opera
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Herbert: Naughty Marietta / Byess, Ohio Light Opera, et al

ASIN: B000777I6K
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

The Vagabond King

Album Description

The 15th century poet Francois Villon, between scrapes with the law in Paris, wrote lyrics both poignant and bawdy. At the end of the 19th century, novelist R.H. Russell sentimentalized his career in a plot that borrowed the king-for-a-day motif, thus allowing Villon to defeat France's enemies and win the hand of an aristocratic lady, all in under 24 hours. Adapted as a play in 1901, by New York writer Justin McCarthy, If I Were King served as a star vehicle for E.H. Southern in a Broadway stage production. In 1923, Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart were at the very start of their careers. They devised a musical version of the McCarthy play for a Manhattan girl's school and then looked for a more prestigious venue for their collaboration. Broadway backers turned down the young artists, but liked their idea, "borrowed" it from Rodgers and Hart and commissioned the more established Rudolf Friml to fashion a professional musical from the plot. Friml's Rose Marie was then enjoying great success in New York. Born in what is today the Czech Republic in 1897, Friml enrolled at age 14 in the Prague Conservatory (which was headed by Dvorak) and completed the six-year course in three years. He toured Europe and the United States as accompanist for violinist Jan Kubelik and made a piano debut in this country onstage at Carnegie Hall in 1904. Walter Damrosch and the New York Symphony premiered his Piano Concerto two seasons later, with the composer at the piano. Friml's true calling was as a composer of songs. In 1912, he was called in by Arthur Hammerstein to complete the music for a new work which Victor Herbert had abandoned, owing to a run-in with a temperamental soprano. The resulting operetta, The Firefly, was his first Broadway success, and would be followed by many others. Friml continued to live in America for much of the 20th century long after his sentimental musical style was considered old fashioned. As late as 1969, he was celebrated by Ogden Nash on the occasion of his 90th birthday in a couplet which ended: "I trust your conclusion and mine are similar: 'Twould be a happier world if it were Frimler."

Customer Reviews:

Could be so much better.......2007-07-04

I love "The Vagabond King", but not this versiom. The problem is the sound level ... I had to keep adjusting it and kept having trouble understanding the words.Is the problem the singers or the technicians? I'm not enough of an expert to say.

It's about time that this was put on CD.......2005-06-13

Of all the famous operettas produced in the 1920's, the one most neglected in recordings has been Rudolf Friml's "The Vagabond King", first produced in 1925. Only now is the complete work, dialogue and all, appearing on CD. For those unfamiliar with the music, the best known songs are "Only a Rose" and the stirring "Song of the Vagabonds", perhaps the most rousing "battle song" ever written for an operetta. The story is almost exactly the same as that of "If I Were King", the fondly remembered 1938 non-musical film which starred Ronald Colman as poet-adventurer-thief Francois Villon, who lived during the fifteenth century. Both film and operetta were based on the 1901 play "If I Were King", by Justin McCarthy.

We get the entire "Vagabond King" on this 2 CD set, which is a real bonus for anyone who wants to hear what a 1920's operetta actually sounded like in its original, unaltered version. But this brings me to the problem. I don't know why the Ohio Light Opera decided to do this on "The Vagabond King", when all of their other recordings (and I have three others) are so sonically excellent, but the volume on this CD has to be really cranked up for the listener to catch everything. The recording equipment for this live performance was apparently placed in such a way that there isn't enough treble, except at certain moments. At other times,as happens in some live recordings, the singers are too far away for the listener to catch all of their dialogue, and this operetta has a better story than most, being a faithful adaptation of a good non-musical play. Fortunately, a booklet with a libretto is included, but it is one thing to read the words and quite another to hear them performed.

The singing, though, is quite good, and excellent for what is supposed to be a semi-professional group. I have no idea if the orchestrations and vocal arrangements used are those that were used in the original 1925 production, but if the Ohio Light Opera followed their usual practice, those are most certainly the original arrangements.

It is a true pity that the company saw fit to revise their recording techniques for this operetta, and that is why I am subtracting one star, when I would have otherwise given it a 5-star rating. Operetta fans have long waited for a complete recording of "The Vagabond King", and since this one is not without merit, I am suggesting that you buy it. But be prepared to be fidgeting with the volume control on your CD player.

And as far as I can tell, the complete score of the show is included here. The previous reviewer may be confusing the additional songs written for the 1930 and the 1956 film versions of "The Vagabond King" with the songs used in the stage version. (The film versions used little of the original music.) Only the songs written for the stage version are used here.

But where are the usual Amazon audio clips?

Don't waste the money.......2005-04-15

This one is only for completists. The recording level is strangely low, so that only a strong audio system or listening indoors with headphones can give you a strong sound. This is especially problematic since the chorus is incomprehensible. The performers are conservatory types most of whom can't act, which makes it too bad that the producers for some reason record the dialogue along with the score. And -- that dialogue is what makes this a 2-CD set; this is by no means a full rendition of the score. There is clearly a lot of missing dance music and reprises; there is about half as much music as you get in, say, JAY's STUDENT PRINCE double-CD, and much less than on Encores' NEW MOON recording. This recording gives no notion of why THE VAGABOND KING was such a hit in its day, and most buyers will be better off waiting for someone else to really do the score proud.

At last a complete recording of a Friml favorite.......2005-02-26

May the Muse of Operetta shower blessings on the Ohio Light Opera for its seemingly endless stream of recordings of complete operettas, dialogue included (not always a Good Thing), as performed at the College of Wooster. Having enjoyed, some more than others, such rarely heard complete performances of Victor Herbert's "The Red Mill" and "Elaine," Gilbert and Sullivan's "Princess Ida" and "Utopia Ltd.," some Kalaman, some Messager, and so on, I am delighted to report that their latest, Rudolf Friml's "The Vagabond King," is among the best of the lot. It is on a double-CD set from Albany Records (TROY 738-39) and well worth the hearing.

For one thing, the tunes range from truly memorable to at least quite good: "Only a Rose," "Love for Sale," "Sons of Toil and Danger," "Love Me Tonight." The story is actually a pretty good one for an operetta, with just enough seriousness to make you care for these characters. The cast is game, with a virile sounding Francois Villon in Ted Christopher, who can handle both music and dialogue with an Alfred Drake dash.

If Brian Woods' King Louis sounds too much the stock stage villain (an older voice would have helped) without any real menace and if there is no real depth to the female roles, Julie Wright (Katherine) and Sandra Ross (Huguette), the music helps you forget that fact. Conductor Steven Byess does a good job with a small orchestra.

I begin to wonder if a chorus can be trained to sing so that we can actually understand the words without following the full text that is thoughtfully provided in all of these OLO sets. The same goes for sopranos at the higher registers. Granted these are taken from stage performances and not from a recording studio, but a little more attention to consonants within and at the end of words would help immensely.

Nevertheless, a complete recording of this Friml work is certainly a MUST for anyone who loves musical theatre. Ironic footnote: Rodgers & Hart had already adapted a play about Villon and wanted to create a Broadway version. The backers agreed and gave the job to Friml! Such is showbiz.

Average customer rating:

Flies in the Face of Logic

Manufacturer: Pogus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000BKF5
Release Date: 1998-10-13

Tracks:

Piano Drop
Piano 1
Piano 2
Piano 3
Piano 4
Penguin Pulling a Cart
Please Stop Now
All These Fine Ideas Disappearing
He Thinks Only A Little at a Time These Days
Don't Drop the Coins
Look! Out on the Pond! Ducks!
My Decision
There is no Hope for People Like That
It's Like a Goddamn Crazy House in Here
First There Were Three eggs, Then Four Oranges
I Wish I was in St. Remy
A Man Shaking Hands With A Squid
Why Buildings Fall Down
The Twittering Machine
Dance, You Monster
Death and Fire
A Young Lady's Adventure
Little Jester in a Trance

Album Description

Nick Didkovsky (Dr. Nerve), C.W. Vrtacek (Forever Einstein) and Steve MacLean fly in the face of their "usual" musical situations. This is music surrounded by blurry boundaries: indistinct borders between technology, human invention, fixed composition, and indeterminate processes. The CD opens by dropping a piano on the face of traditions and expectations, and the twenty-two remaining tracks are dedicated to reconstruction.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. He's There All the Time
2. Try to Do My Best
3. I Need the Lord
4. I Know Where to Go
5. Friend of Mine
6. Wash Me Jesus
7. Main Line
8. I've Got Jesus
9. Christ Is Coming