Why Not Pray

Track Listings
1. Medley of Praise    
2. Victory    
3. Blessed Be the Lord    
4. I Love Jesus    
5. Lord That Leadeth Thee    
6. Lord I'm Sorry    
7. Almighty God    
8. O Come and Worship    
9. Why Not Pray    
10. Nothing Without You    
11. Lord, Have Mercy on Us    
12. I Will Rejoice    
13. Lord Just Use Me    

Why Not Pray, Music, Celebration Choir, Contemporary Gospel, Gospel, Gospel/Christian Music, Pop
Purcell: Theatre Music
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Fine reissue of a classic set
 Purcell: Theatre Music

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Purcell, HenryPurcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Incidental MusicIncidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
ViolinViolin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Hogwood, ChristopherHogwood, Christopher | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Purcell, HenryPurcell, Henry | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
OdesOdes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
The Decca Records StoreThe Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Cantatas for Solo Countertenor
  2. Purcell: The Fairy Queen
  3. Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll
  4. Monteverdi - Madrigali guerrieri ed amorosi / Concerto Köln, Jacobs
  5. Lute Music, Vol. 2

ASIN: B0001Y4JHA
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Fine reissue of a classic set.......2006-05-24

Think about the stupidest, most formulaic Hollywood movies you can think of: cheesy action pictures, fluffy, unfunny comedies, big but stiff epics. Now imagine that one of the greatest living composers was working in Hollywood, turning out astonishing, hauntingly beautiful and stirring musical scores for these throwaway movies. That's what you get with this set: music Henry Purcell composed for some two dozen often utterly forgettable plays (trust me--I've read a number of them!) Occasionally, when he teams up with a playwright worthy of his stature, such as John Dryden, Aphra Behn, or William Congreve, the results are even better, but for the most part you can enjoy the music here without knowing anything about the original plays.

This set originally appeared as separate LPs in the 70s and 80s, and has been long out of print. That's a pity, since Purcell spent a good deal of his short professional life in the theatre, either writing the incidental music contained on these CDs, or the music for his larger works, the semi-operas (King Arthur, The Fairy Queen, and the like). Almost all of these works are enjoyable gems; certainly, they represent a pinnacle of English 17th century music. Purcell had a genius for spinning musical gold out of the most leaden lyrics (check out his Odes and Welcome Songs on Hyperion if you don't believe me), and he does the same with the song texts in these plays.

Hogwood and the AAM offer clean, listenable performances, and the sound on these old analog discs has been cleaned up and brightened--although they were pretty good, even in the late 70s. As with most Hogwood, emotional extremes are kept to a minimum, so the "otherworldly" nature of late 17th century music, so often emphasised in more recent Baroque performances, doesn't come across here. It would be interesting to see what a group like The King's Consort would do with this music, but this set fills the major gap in the Purcell canon quite nicely.

My only beef with the reissue, as with many reissues, is that the liner notes are rather thin for a 6-cd set--the lyrics to the songs, for example, are especially missed. Still, it's a worthwhile set, and a must for fans of Purcell, English Baroque music, or anyone who just wants to experience a taste of the last days of the Restoration stage.
R. Strauss: Rosenkavalier (Highlights)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • An English Silver Rose
 R. Strauss: Rosenkavalier (Highlights)

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by StraussAll Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
GermanGerman | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus [Highlights]
  2. Mozart - Don Giovanni / Garry Magee · Cullagh · Banks · Plazas · Shore · Tierny · PO · David Parry

ASIN: B00000J8QR
Release Date: 1999-06-22

Tracks:

  1. Der Rosenkavalier: Act I. Opening - Introduction
  2. Der Rosenkavalier: Act I. Opening - How You Were! How You Are! (Octavian, Marschallin)
  3. Der Rosenkavalier: Act I. Conclusion - Ah, There He Goes... (Marschallin, Octavian)
  4. Der Rosenkavalier: Act I. Conclusion - Ah! You Are Back Again? (Marschallin, Octavian)
  5. Der Rosenkavalier: Act I. Conclusion - For Time Is A Mysterious Thing (Marschallin, Octavian)
  6. Der Rosenkavalier: Act I. Conclusion - My Dearest Love, Why Do You Torture Yourself... (Marschallin, Octavian)
  7. Der Rosenkavalier: Act I. Conclusion - I'll Go Now, Go To Church, And Pray (Marschallin, Octavian)
  8. Der Rosenkavalier: Act II Opening - Introduction: A Solemn Day, A Wondrous Day
  9. Der Rosenkavalier: Act II Opening - In This Most Wonderful And Serious Moment (Sophie)
  10. Der Rosenkavalier: Act II Opening - It Is An Honor, An Enchantment (Octavian, Sophie)
  11. Der Rosenkavalier: Act II Conclusion - Here I Am
  12. Der Rosenkavalier: Act II Conclusion - Here (Ochs)
  13. Der Rosenkavalier: Act III (Conclusion) - Leupold, Let's Go (Ochs)
  14. Der Rosenkavalier: Act III (Conclusion) - Oh God! The Story Was A Masquerade And No More (Sophie, Octavian, Marschellin)
  15. Der Rosenkavalier: Act III (Conclusion) - Now Or Tomorrow; If Not Tomorrow, Very Soon (Marschallin, Sophie, Octavian)
  16. Der Rosenkavalier: Act III (Conclusion) - Marie Theres', How Good You Are (Marschallin, Sophie, Octavian)
  17. Der Rosenkavalier: Act III (Conclusion) - Bliss Is Too Deep To Understand (Marschallin, Sophie, Octavian)
  18. Der Rosenkavalier: Act III (Conclusion) - Bliss Is Too Deep To Understand (Octavian, Sophie)

Amazon.com

Not exactly a highlights disc, this, but a judiciously pruned and fully coherent presentation of a masterpiece that's arguably too verbose for its own good. All the hits are intact: Baron Ochs's rantings, the slithering presentation of the Rose, the velveteen final trio, and, of course, those indestructible waltzes. A little less of the drawn-out opening scene plus the inclusion of the extraordinary Act 3 Prelude would have made this splendid disc utterly perfect. Perhaps one loses the guttural edge and local color of Hugo von Hofmannsthal's German when rendered in the King's English, but the wonderful cast projects every word without sacrificing Strauss's liquid legato. David Parry plays up the composer's frothy textures, keeping his strings away from the unlimited schlag bar. Chandos supplies an excellent synopsis together with full English texts. In sum, the ultimate Rosenkavalier starter's kit, after which you'll want to try the legendary Karajan recording or Erich Kleiber's incandescent account. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars An English Silver Rose.......2000-06-10

This "highlights" recording, one of the most recent of the Chandos "Opera in English" series, is a superlative issue that must be heard by all lovers of Richard Strauss and fine singing. Indeed, the singing is truly exceptional; mention must be made immediately of the silken voiced Octavian of Diana Montague - from start to finish she maintains a scrupulous control of legato and beauty of tone (similar to, but in my view surpassing, Susan Graham). Rosemary Joshua's Sophie surpassess most other more famous singers of this taxing role; she is truly a match for the likes of Lucia Popp and Elisabeth Schumann. Listen to the ravishing floated pianissimos in the presentation of the silver rose scene, and the final trio and duet, and I am sure you will agree. Yvonne Kenny is a Marschallin sensitive to the nuances of both text and music; vocally she is not in the class of a Schwarzkopf, Janowitz or Fleming, but this is a moving portrayal. And Tomlinson, the great Wotan and Hans Sachs of our age, is an amusing, cavernous voiced, (slightly too) boorish Ochs. The success of this performance is also due to the excellent musical support given by the London Philharmonic and conductor David Parry. Those concerned by the fact that this recording is given in English translation need not be; the translation is singer friendly (though not all the words are audible), and the standard of performance is such as to almost make no difference. If only the work were given complete - but this is still a "must buy"!
A Gilbert & Sullivan Gala
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		A Gilbert & Sullivan Gala

    Manufacturer: Cbc
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by SullivanAll Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000025VE6
    Release Date: 1995-05-30

    Tracks:

    1. Ov to Iolanthe - Winnipeg SO
    2. The Yeomen of the Gaurd: I Have a song to sing O! - Tracy Dahl/Richard Suart/Winnipeg Singers
    3. H.M.S. Pinafore: The hours creep on apace - Tracy Dahl
    4. H.M.S. Pinafore: Never mind the why and wherefore - Tracy Dahl/Torin Chiles/Richard Suart
    5. The Pirates of Penzance: I am the very model of a modern Major-General - Richard Suart/Winnipeg Singers
    6. The Pirates of Penzance: DIALOGUE - Winnipeg SO/Bramwell Tovey
    7. The Gondoliers: In a contemplative fashion - Tracy Dahl/Donnalynn Grant/Torin Chiles/Richard Suart
    8. The Pirates of Penzance: All is prepared - Tracy Dahl/Torin Chiles
    9. The Pirates of Penzance: Stay, Fredric, stay - Tracy Dahl/Torin Chiles
    10. Iolanthe: Love, unrequited, robs me of my rest (The Nightmare Song) - Richard Suart
    11. The Mikado: Three little maids - Tracy Dahl/Richard Suart/Bramwell Tovey/Winnipeg Singers
    12. Trial by Jury: Finale: O joy unbounded - Tracy Dahl/Torin Chiles/Richard Suart/Winnipeg Singers
    13. Trial by Jury: DIALOGUE - Winnipeg SO/Bramwell Tovey
    14. Iolanthe: O foolish fay - Maureen Forrester/G & S Society of Winnipeg
    15. The Pirates of Penzance: Stop, ladies pray! - Torin Chiles/G & S Society of Winnipeg
    16. The Pirates of Penzance: O is there not one maiden breast? - Torin Chiles/G & S Society of Winnipeg
    17. The Pirates of Penzance: Poor wand'ring one - Tracy Dahl/G & S Society of Winnipeg
    18. The Pirates of Penzance: DIALOGUE - Winnipeg SO/Bramwell Tovey
    19. The Makado: As some day it may happen (The List Song) - Richard Suart/G & S Society of Winnipeg
    20. The Mikado: The flowers that bloom in the spring - Tracy Dahl/Donnalynn Grant/Torin Chiles/Richard Suart/Derek Morphy
    21. The Mikado: Alone and yet alive - Maureen Forrester
    22. The Mikado: On a tree by a river a little tom-tit (Tit Willow) - Richard Suart
    23. The Mikado: There is beauty in the bellow of the blast - Maureen Forrester/Richard Suart
    24. The Mikado: For he's gone and married Yum-Yum (Finale) - Tracy Dahl/Donnalynn Grant/Torin Chiles/Richard Suart/All chors
    25. The Gondoliers: Once more gondolieri - All
    Gay: The Beggars' Opera [Excerpts]
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Gay: The Beggars' Opera [Excerpts]

      Manufacturer: Pearl
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Baroque (c.1600-1750)Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Classical (c.1770-1830)Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances
      EnglishEnglish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000000WX2
      Release Date: 1993-01-20

      Tracks:

      1. 'The Beggar's Opera': Overture
      2. 'The Beggar's Opera': Thro'All The Employement Of Life
      3. 'The Beggar's Opera': 'Tis Woman That Seduces All Mankind
      4. 'The Beggar's Opera': If Any Wench Venus' Girdle Wear
      5. 'The Beggar's Opera': Our Polly Is A Sad Slut
      6. 'The Beggar's Opera': Can Love B e Controlled By Advice
      7. 'The Beggar's Opera': O, Polly, You Might Have Toyed And Kissed
      8. 'The Beggar's Opera': A Fox May Steal Your Hens, Sir
      9. O Ponder Well
      10. The Turtle Thus With Plaintive Crying
      11. 'The Beggar's Opera': My Heart Was So Free
      12. 'The Beggar's Opera': Where I Laid On Greenland's Coast; O What pain It Is To Part
      13. 'The Beggar's Opera': Fill Every Glass; Let Us Take The Road
      14. 'The Beggar's Opera': If The Heart Of A Man
      15. 'The Beggar's Opera': Youth's The Season
      16. 'The Beggar's Opera': Before The Barn-Door Crowing
      17. 'The Beggar's Opera': How Cruel Are The Traitors
      18. 'The Beggar's Opera': When You Censure The Age
      19. 'The Beggar's Opera': Is Then His Fate Decreed?
      20. 'The Beggar's Opera': How Happy Could I Be With Either
      21. 'The Beggar's Opera': I'm Bubbled, I'm Bubbled
      22. 'The Beggar's Opera': Cease Your Funning
      23. 'The Beggar's Opera': Why, How Now, Madam Flirt
      24. 'The Beggar's Opera': No Power On Earth
      25. 'The Beggar's Opera': Interlude
      26. 'The Beggar's Opera': When Young At The Bar
      27. 'The Beggar's Opera': I'm Like A Skiff
      28. 'The Beggar's Opera': Thus Gamesters United
      29. 'The Beggar's Opera': The Modes Of The Court
      30. 'The Beggar's Opera': In The Days Of My Youth
      31. 'The Beggar's Opera': A Curse Attends That Woman's Love
      32. 'The Beggar's Opera': Come, Sweet Lass
      33. 'The Beggar's Opera': Hither, Dear Husband
      34. 'The Beggar's Opera': Which Way Shall I Turn Me?
      35. 'The Beggar's Opera': The Charge Is Prepared
      36. 'The Beggar's Opera': Dance Of Prisoners In Chains
      37. 'The Beggar's Opera': Would I Might Be Hang'd
      38. 'The Beggar's Opera': Finale: Thus I Stand Like The Turk
      39. Lionel and Clarissa: Medley
      Why Not Pray
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Why Not Pray
        Celebration Choir
        Manufacturer: Platinum Ent.
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
        GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
        Christian Contemporary MusicChristian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
        GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B0000069OD
        Release Date: 1998-03-31

        Tracks:

        1. Medley Of Praise
        2. Victory
        3. Blessed Be The Lord
        4. I Love Jesus
        5. The Lord That Leadeth Thee
        6. Lord I'm Sorry
        7. Almighty God
        8. O Come And Worship
        9. Why Not Pray
        10. Nothing Without You
        11. Lord Have Mercy On Us
        12. I Will Rejoice
        13. Lord Just Use Me

        Music Review:

        1. Wings
        2. You Are Mine
        3. You Call That a Mountain
        4. Your Favorite Country Hymns
        5. 12 Anniversary
        6. 30 Classic Hymns
        7. A Few Good Men
        8. A Message from the Rock
        9. Acoustic Hymns, Vol. 1
        10. Acoustic Hymns, Vol. 2

        Music Review

        Music Review