Lawrence Matthews & Friends

Track Listings

1. Glory to You - Lawrence Matthews

2. Always Faithful - Daryl Coley, Lawrence Matthews, Jerry Mitchell

3. Savior Do Not Pass Me By - Donnell Garrett, Lawrence Matthews, Robin Pickens

4. Let Jesus Fix It for You - Lawrence Matthews,

5. Heaven Must Be Like You - Lawrence Matthews

6. Don't You Give Up - Lawrence Matthews, Veronica McWoodson

7. Hallelujah Is the Highest Praise - Debra Martin, Lawrence Matthews, Laraine Matthews-Gibson

8. He Will Provide - Lola Holoman, Lawrence Matthews

9. Bless His Holy Name - Lawrence Matthews

10. Create in Me - Lawrence Matthews,

11. Let Jesus Fix It for You (Reprise) - Lawrence Matthews

Tracks:

O Fortuna
Fortune Plango Vulnera
Veris Leta Facies
Omnia Sol Temperat
Ecce Gratum
Tanz
Floret Silva
Chramer, Gip Die Varwe Mir
Reie/Swaz Hie Gat Umbe/Chume, Chum, Geselle Min/Swaz Hie Gat Umbe
Were Diu Werit Alle Min
Estuans Interius
Olim Lacus Colueram
Ego Sum Abbas
In Taberna Quando Sumus
Amor Volat Undique
Dies, Nox Et Omnia
Stetit Puella
Circa Mea Pectora
Si Puer Cum Puellula
Veni, Veni, Venias
In Trutina
Tempus Est Iocundum
Dulcissime
Ave, Formosissima
O Fortuna

Amazon.com

Although a prolific composer, Carl Orff (1895-1982) is most famous for his educational work and his Carmina Burana. Scored for orchestra, chorus, and three vocal soloists, it was originally conceived as an opera and first performed in a staged production in Frankfurt in 1937. Breaking away from both the lush romanticism and the serialism current at the time, Orff set out in a new--or perhaps very old--direction, based on the simplest elements of music: major and minor triads, progressions in thirds and unisons, blocks of sounds, folksy, catchy tunes (some of which have found their way into soundtracks on film and television), pounding dance rhythms, all hammered home by endless repetition. The effect is almost hypnotic, but Orff avoids monotony by alternating solos with full and half choruses, and with violent contrasts of tempo, texture and dynamics (keep your finger firmly on the volume control). Perhaps the work's immediate and lasting success testifies to the public's readiness to return to an accessible, essentially primitive style. The 13th-century texts in medieval Latin and German were found in 1847 in a Bavarian Benedictine monastery, a most unlikely place: explicit and frankly lascivious, they celebrate fickle fortune, spring, carousing and sensuous love, and include a lament by and for a swan who has been roasted on the spit. Orff also torments his soloists by sending the tenor up to high C's and D's, the baritone to high A's, and the soprano on coloratura excursions up to B and D. The performance is positively stunning; all the participants sing and play their hearts out with boundless enthusiasm and unbridled abandon. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

My first Carmina Burana, but what a let down in accoustics........2007-07-13

I would not have minded to review this disappointing recording but for the fact that I recently got another EMI and Rattle's recording (Shastokovitch's 1st and 14th Symphonies), of which the same problem surfaces.
I know nothing about sound engineering, but EMI should account for some thing if in both recordings the listeners are being 'tortured' in their poor accoustics.
Well, the performances themselves should not be so lowly rated. Considering the soloists - Gerhaher, Lee here, and Mattila, Quasthoff there - they certainly are top-notch.
Can some one enlighten me on this aspect?

This could very well be the weakest Carmina Burana yet.......2007-03-09

Rattle's rendition of Orff's scenic cantata doesn't compare to the renditions from Jochum, Dutoit, Muti, and Welser-Most. Some of the speeds are a bit too fast (even faster than Jochum's choice of pacing), and the sound quality is below average (the bass sound is heard incorrectly). The orchestra and choir sound good, but it doesn't make up for the dreadful soloists. Pass.

Great music.......2007-02-05

This rendition is a very close to the concert my daughter sang with her college choir; it brought back a lot of memories for her as the concert was in NYC.

Too much better competition for this one.......2005-05-08

The good news is that the soloists are great and the playing is superb. But the bad news supersede the good ones.
Nothing wrong with fast tempi, but this one is simply rushed. Based on Sir Rattles recordings, I think he is more marketing hype than a true great conductor. And his recent Mahler 8th simply proves the point.
But the issue that frustrates me the most is not Sir Simon but EMI. Why is a company as important as this one still recording miserably after all these years? Carmina should be a sound blockbuster, but EMI refuses to improve the bass and give the ambience a broad span. Try a DECCA/London recording (from any year!) and you will hear what I mean. All these missed opportunities are mind boggling. Even small, independent companies (God bless them) have recorded better Carminas than this one.

Average customer rating:

Had to get it again...
Lawrence Matthews CD

Lawrence Matthews & Friends
Lawrence Matthews
Manufacturer: Gospocentric
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

All I Have
Live: The Praise...The Worship

ASIN: B00000G4O6
Release Date: 1998-12-15

Tracks:

Glory To You
Always Faithful
Savior Do Not Pass Me By
Let Jesus Fix It For You
Heaven Must Be Like You
Don't You Give Up
Hallelujah Is The Highest Praise
He Will Provide
Bless His Holy Name
Create In Me
Reprise: Let Jesus Fix It For You

Customer Reviews:

Had to get it again..........2005-07-26

My parents had this CD a long time ago. I love Lawrence Matthews and his entire family. Plus, i'm just trying to support Bay Area artist. My cousin Lola is featured on the album. My favorites are "Dont You Give Up" and "Heaven Must Be Like You". Please support this swesome man of God.

Lawrence Matthews CD.......2005-01-15

This CD gives you good gospel music, not that there is anything wrong with the urban gospel music today, but this choir really nailed it, or should I say, they took it back to church. The song I like most is, Savior, Do Not Pass Me By!!

Average customer rating:

THIS MAN KNOWS HE CAN BLOW, AND THAT'S REAL.

All I Have
Lawrence Matthews & Friends
Manufacturer: Gospocentric
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Lawrence Matthews & Friends

ASIN: B000007SMS
Release Date: 1998-06-30

Tracks:

I Will Praise Him
Get Behind Me
Jesus Be A Fence
Be Encouraged
All I Have
I Am Determined
Great Is The Lord
I'm Waiting
Never Let You Down
Cry Out O Zion
In The Arms Of Christ
Without Him/Walk The Light

Customer Reviews:

THIS MAN KNOWS HE CAN BLOW, AND THAT'S REAL........2005-01-27

From the first song to the last song, he really just let the Holy Spirit lead and guide him. I've been waiting for a new project from him but I haven't heard about it yet. The song that says : MY GOD WILL SUPPLY, ALL OF YO NEEDS; that is my favorite just to name from my top pics. The WHOLD CD IS OFF THE HOOK, BOTH OF HIS CD'S AND THAT'S REAL TALK. I cant wait till he comes out with a new one. WHERE YOU AT MAN?????????? THANKYOU FOR SHARING YOUR ANNOINTING WITH THE WORLD LAWRENCE AND THAT'S REAL TALK. IF YOU DON'T HAVE THIS CD OR HIS OTHER ONE, PIC IT UP. AND THATS REAL THOUGH. I HAVEN'T HEARD TO MANY MEN THAT CAN REALLY SING BUT HE IS MY NUMBER ONE BROTHA WITH THE VOCALS. HIS VOICE IS SO PURE AND CALM AND SOULFUL AND JUST THA BOMB. TAKE CARE, AND COP THIS, FOR REAL.

Average customer rating:

A GARDEN OF (historical) DELIGHTS!

Edwin Fischer, Piano

Manufacturer: Andante
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00067ZNIQ
Release Date: 2005-01-18

Customer Reviews:

A GARDEN OF (historical) DELIGHTS!.......2005-01-28

[Two caveats: First, Edwin Fischer is one of my pianistic gods. Second, this set is in historical sound and surface noise is a constant, although not annoying, presence.] I may have been imprinted as a youngster on some of Fischer's playing, but even now some fifty-plus years later I still love the SOUND of his playing, even when the sound is ancient, as it is in all of the recordings presented in this 4CD set. I remember that it was his touch, the velvety pianissimi--and was there ever a pianist who had so many gradations of pianissimo?--the legato, the dynamic control, the natural phrasing of a great singer that initially drew me to his playing, and still does. I enjoyed almost every moment of the five hours of music-making on these discs. It would probably be easier for me to comment on the performances I didn't particularly like, but I'll save that for later. First let me enthuse about what is wonderful here.

Fischer, of course, was the first of the great pianists to make a practice of playing Bach on the piano--not transcribed or arranged as Busoni or others did, but as Bach wrote it. Well, yes, he occasionally played bass octaves where Bach had written a single line, but he never changed anything else. His 'Well-Tempered Clavier' (not included here, but available on wonderful Naxos and EMI transfers) was the first ever recording of those masterpieces. CD1 is practically all Bach: The D Minor Concerto, BWV 1052, the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D Minor [the fugue is one of the marvels of this set, done primarily in all those gradations of pp], a solo piano arrangement by Marcello of the middle movement of the other D Minor Concerto, BWV 974, and a particular delight, the Concerto for Three Harpsichords, BWV 1064 , recorded in 1950 with two other pianists who went on to their own kind of fame: the recently deceased Ronald Smith, who was an early champion of the piano music of Charles-Henri-Valentin Alkan, and Dennis Matthews, who was a prominent pianist until his death in the 1980s. Also on CD1 is the G Major Chaconne, HWV 435/II by Handel, given a sparkling performance. Also, and one of my least favorite selections, is Fischer conducting his own chamber orchestra in the 'Concerto a quattro chiesa' in B flat, Op. 2, No. 9 by the early baroque composer, Evaristo Dall'Abaco. It's the music I'm not particularly drawn to, not the performance, although that seems a bit gray.

CD2 is primarily given over to Mozart, although it starts with the sprightly Haydn Concerto in D Major, Hob. SVIII:11. Then follows an absolutely lovely Mozart Piano Sonata No. 11 in A, the 'alla Turca' sonata. Recorded in 1933, it nonetheless shows off Fischer's incredible dynamic range and that ravishing pianissimo. His performance may be a bit romantic, but that's not a criticism from my point of view. This is followed by an even better C Minor Fantasia, K. 396. How I wish that had been coupled with the D Minor Fantasia, but we can't have everything, I guess. Then there is the only Mozart piano concerto in this set, the C Minor, K. 491, a dynamic performance that features Fischer's own rather over-the-top cadenzas. (I loved them, but they would certainly make the HIP crowd sniff. Come to think of it, the use of the full complement of the London Philharmonic would get up their noses, too.) This CD is rounded off by a charming arrangement by Fischer of a piece Mozart wrote when he was only five: Minuet in G, K. 1 - yes, K. 1!

CD3 is rather heavier fare from the core of Austro-German Romantic repertoire. First an impassioned 'Appassionata.' The Andante is particularly silken. Again, we have the opportunity to hear Fischer's great control of dynamics and phrasing. There are dropped notes here and there--as always with Fischer--but in the heat of the moment this is as nothing compared to the sweep of the playing. Then comes a dramatic Third Sonata of Brahms, in a dramatic reading. This is one of the three greatest readings of this sonata that I know--the others are those by Katchen and Solomon. The sonata is followed by the Rhapsody in G Minor, Op. 79, No. 2 and the G Minor Ballade, Op. 118, No. 3. I'm less taken with the Rhapsody than I'd hoped, but the Ballade is superb! Finally, with Fischer wielding the baton, is Felix Weingartner's well-known arrangement for string orchestra of Beethoven's Grosse Fuge, Op. 133. As much as I detest the string orchestra arrangement of the Op. 131 Quartet (even in Bernstein's lauded recording with the VPO), I love this Weingartner arrangement. Fischer's account is good but I like Weingartner's own recording of it even better; alas, that does not seem to be currently easily available.

CD4 is all Schubert and for me the highlight of this entire set. As much as I love Schnabel in this repertoire--and others, too, like Perahia, Schiff and Fischer's own student, Alfred Brendel--I love these performances best. We get an absolutely incandescent 'Wanderer-Fantasie' and then eight Impromptus (D. 899 & 935) in meltingly gorgeous readings. The Impromptus in G Flat and in A Flat from the first set alone are worth the price of admission. They show off another characteristic of Fischer's playing that I hadn't mentioned: the ability of his left hand to float a gossamer accompaniment quite unlike anyone else I can think of. In the Mozart, for instance, he can make an Alberti bass sound like magic. Who else can do that?

Bottom line: This set is not for everyone. It is for those who don't mind a little surface noise--although I have to say the sound of the piano per se is really quite rich and warm and brings out, even in the oldest recordings (from 1931) the subtleties of Fischer's playing. It is also for those who don't mind a little cholesterol in their Baroque music, and who don't mind Bach on the piano. [Frankly, I'm not terribly fond of any three-piano version of the Three Harpsichord Concerto in any other recording I've ever heard, but here it works, at least for me.] And it does cost a chunk of change, this set. Still, for those who love Fischer's playing--and surely there are still a few of us, right?--this is worth it.

Strongly recommended to the right audience. You know who you are.

4CDs: TT=ca 5 hrs

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating:

dull

This Silence

Manufacturer: Onyx Classics UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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The Music of Elliott Carter Vol. 7; Boston Concerto, Cello Concerto, ASKO Concerto, Dialogues

ASIN: B000BOWT4A
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Tracks:

Dance
Dirge
Elegy For Andy
William's Pavane
Song For Sally
Edward's Refrain
Tune For Toru
Slide Stride For Piano And String Quartet
Harmonie Du Soir
L'invitation Au Voyage
Eulogy For Viola And Eight Instruments
Maclaren's Farewell
Vocalise
Cantilena For Oboe And String Quartet

Customer Reviews:

dull.......2007-01-20

This was rated by Gramophone as one of the runners up for best contemporary CD of 2006. As is, this music tells me more about Gramophone and their bias towards English composers and deeply staid music that it does about Mr. Turnage. I may try to listen to it a few more times, but right now I am unimpressed.

Average customer rating:

What A wonderful Gospel CD

All I Have
Lawrence Matthews & Friends
Manufacturer: Gospocentric
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Worked It Out

ASIN: B000000V6J
Release Date: 1996-03-19

Tracks:

I Will Praise Him
Get Behind Me
Jesus Be A Fence
Be Encouraged
All I Have
I Am Determined
Great Is The Lord
I'm Waiting
Never Let You Down
Cry Out O Zion
In The Arms Of Christ
Without Him/Walk The Light

Customer Reviews:

What A wonderful Gospel CD.......2002-10-10

Lawrence Matthews hails from a very musical family, being the cousins of the renown Hawkins Family as well as the renown Matthews Sisters. He really has the flair for gospel and it shows on every song on this album. Some of the standouts are the first track, "I Will Praise Him," "I'm Waiting," "Get Behind Me," and "Great is the Lord," just to name a few. But, the entire album is awesome and really ministers to the soul. Besides having well-written songs and quality backup singers, he also has Joel Smith playing for him. If you don't know who Joel Smith is on the Gospel scene, look him up and listen to some of his work. You can't go wrong with Joel, therefore, I must recommend this album to everyone.
-Peace-

Average customer rating:

A Wonderful Album!
IMPRESSIVE !
What an original- a very provocative CD

When So Late Becomes So Early
Lawrence Chang
Manufacturer: Corydoras Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00021Z1OW
Release Date: 2004-05-12

Tracks:

Second Thinking
Glares and Yells
Matador
Mere Miles
Finding Forward
What Happens Now
Taciturn
Burden of the Second
Buried in Motion
Lovers Laze
Dream of All Ages
Liturgical Blues

Album Description

Singer-songwriter Lawrence Chang's solo debut album gradually disarms while imploring, explaining, and reproving. Emotive and expressive vocals share heart-felt lyrics about the working life, filial unease, challenges of faith, and love in the modern world. Story-telling at times, poetic at others, the songs are always thoughtful and always grounded with something stirring to say. "Chang is remarkably poetic for an MIT graduate with a degree in electrical engineering..." -- Jennifer Layton, indie-music.com. Lawrence draws from his eclectic background as an award-winning playwright, liturgical guitarist, and high-tech engineer to create a truly unique album. "When So Late Becomes So Early" resonates with a sincerity and naturalness characteristic of his poems, plays, and acoustic guitar. Lawrence's musical influences include Dave Matthews, Eric Clapton, the Cure, U2, Counting Crows, Jars of Clay, Arizona's Rick and Steve, and fingerstyle guitarists such as Preston Reed, Laurence Juber, and Peter Finger.

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful Album!.......2004-06-10

I highly recommend this CD. All of the songs are great. Chang's voice is a little bit like that of Axl Rose when he sings ballads. I kept repeating "Matador" and "Burden of the Second" because I related most to these tunes. "Matador" could have been about some of my bosses in prior industries. "Burden of the Second" applies to almost every second-generation immigrant I know. The word "second" therefore has a double meaning. The burden to succeed is what I have heard others discuss. Chang's mention of the burden to be happy is quite original and made me think deeply.

"Second Thinking" conjured up memories of moving in general to a new town and leaving college. "Mere Miles" and "Dream of All Ages" were amazing. "Mere Miles" skillfully uses similes and metaphors with celestial objects and I enjoyed the comparisons. "Dream of All Ages" took me back to Sept 11th and the war in Iraq. I suppose it would hold different meaning for older generations, perhaps of the Cold War and Vietnam. The instrumentals were appropriately haunting and it was my favorite song. I am looking forward to Chang's next CD release!

IMPRESSIVE !.......2004-06-03

Wow..I find myself humming "Matador" for quite a while after listening to that song in this CD. An exhilarating guitarist, imaginative song architecture and unique lyrics are things you will find in this "Must-get-and-listen-to" CD . I love it!
Thank you, Lawrence! I'll be waiting for your next release.

What an original- a very provocative CD.......2004-05-16

I like the lyrics- they're thoughtful and real- some sad, some reflective, some moody, and all real. The sounds are also original- a lot of nice surprises in the instrumentation and the rhythm throughout- I love it!

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Glory to You - Lawrence Matthews
2. Always Faithful - Daryl Coley, Lawrence Matthews, Jerry Mitchell
3. Savior Do Not Pass Me By - Donnell Garrett, Lawrence Matthews, Robin Pickens
4. Let Jesus Fix It for You - Lawrence Matthews,
5. Heaven Must Be Like You - Lawrence Matthews
6. Don't You Give Up - Lawrence Matthews, Veronica McWoodson
7. Hallelujah Is the Highest Praise - Debra Martin, Lawrence Matthews, Laraine Matthews-Gibson
8. He Will Provide - Lola Holoman, Lawrence Matthews
9. Bless His Holy Name - Lawrence Matthews
10. Create in Me - Lawrence Matthews,
11. Let Jesus Fix It for You (Reprise) - Lawrence Matthews