Christmas Classics

Track Listings

1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Angels We Have Heard on High

2. First Noel

3. Silent Night/It Came upon a Midnight Clear

4. O Little Town of Bethlehem

5. O Come All Ye Faithful

6. Son, a Savior

7. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

8. Unto Us a Son

9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/Good Christian Men Rejoice

10. Joy to the World

Tracks:

Far Away
Sanctus
Ave Maria
Going Home
Be Still My Soul
Salva Me
I Vow To Thee, My Country
Voca Me
Always With You
We Are The Lost
I Am The Day
Recordare
Abide With Me
Silent Night
Going Home

Amazon.com

There's very little to say about this recording of ethereally beautifully singing by the 24 young English lads who make up the group Libera. Enormously popular in Asia, the group is part of a parish choir in South London that has been around for many years, with of course, changes in personnel as voices change. There are a couple of pieces here by well-known composers--Pachelbel, Sibelius, Holst, Dvorak--but to their music have been added words and, of course, it's all been "arranged." Texts, translations from Latin, and arrangements as well as original music are by Robert Prizeman, the choir's director, and some of the numbers are accompanied by quiet synthesizers, organ, and/or drums. There is something new-age about this project and some might find the effect syrupy, while others might long for the "real" thing, that is, boys with this talent singing some Renaissance or later music that is not designed simply as balm for the ears. But for what it is--a perfectly pitched choir with some outstanding solo work as well, singing easy-to-listen to short numbers--this is just lovely. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Pleased!.......2007-07-10

I just recently loss my brother-in-law who passed away on Memorial day of this year and this CD has been able to comfort my family and I through this terrible loss. I absolutely recommend that anyone who is needing spiritual uplifting should definitely buy this CD. I consider this the best comfort CD ever!

It takes me away .......2007-06-28

I heard this album playing as I browsed in a Barnes and Noble, it was enchanting. I had to know what it was. The sales person in the music section filled me in and we listened to it for hours while we drove. Their voices are heavenly. I am transported to a place of peace and calm.

Censoring of Be Still My Soul.......2007-05-21

On the fifth track, Be Still My Soul, the arrangers reworked the original lyrics of Katharina A. von Schlegel and taken the third verse:

Be still, my soul:
when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened
in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know
His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe
thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul:
thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness
all He takes away.

And made it a combination of the third and second verse:

Be still, my soul:
when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened
in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know
His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe
thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul,
the waves and winds
still know His voice
Who ruled them
while He dwelt below.

In other words, they have taken the name of Jesus out of the original lyrics. The verse doesn't even make sense now. I feel it is awful that the one who can soothe all our sorrow and thy fears, Jesus, was censored from this beautiful work.

A good choice for first time buyers of Libera.......2007-05-17

A lot of reviewers have complained that Angel Voices is mostly a compilation that takes a few songs from each previous Libera album and reworks it. I imagine it is somewhat like a greatest hits, or favorites album, only all the songs have been re-recorded by the current set of boys that makes up the group.
Personally, this album was our first exposure to the group. We enjoy its mellowness, and the soaring vocals and harmonies. I am not sure that we would buy many of their other albums since this one has a nice mix of songs that are included on the other CDs.
We have given this CD as a gift as well as having it ourselves and everyone we have shared it with has loved it.

Ethereal.......2007-05-13

The harmonies on this cd are absolutely breath-taking. Incredible arrangements. Feel like I've been lifted right out of my body into something beyond this world. Perfect background music for meditation.

Average customer rating:

Hilarious!
Classic South Park Christmas
Greatness
Wonderfully explicit versions of classic songs.
If you like South Park, you'll love this CD!!!

Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics
South Park
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut - Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture
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ASIN: B000034DII
Release Date: 1999-11-23

Tracks:

Mr. Hankey The Christmas Poo (Early 50's Recording)
Merry Fucking Christmas
O Holy Night
Dead, Dead, Dead
Carol of the Bells
The Lonely Jew On Christmas
I Saw Three Ships
It Happenned In Sun Valley
O Tannenbaum
Christmas Time In Hell
What The Hell Child Is This?
Santa Claus is On His Way
Swiss Colony Beef Log
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel
The Most Offensive Song Ever
We Three Kings
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Amazon.com

Those degenerate cousins of Beavis and Butt-head have issued a predictable hash of 18 X-rated holiday songs for fans only. Rude, crude, outrageous outhouse humor certain to offend anyone who doesn't know South Park from the North Pole, these bellicose brats lambaste Hindus, Shintoists, and those of other faiths for not celebrating Christmas and remind us all that we'll one day be "Dead Dead Dead" (so enjoy each and every Christmas!). In between scattered bits of genuine holiday snippets, there's poop fixations ("Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo"), Jewish obsessions ("The Lonely Jew at Christmas" and "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel"), "The Most Offensive Song Ever" (the Mary and Joseph story told, in part), and the sexual entendres of "What the Hell Child Is This?" Funny stuff? Maybe only if you tune in regularly and know that they frequently kill Kenny. And that's a big maybe. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Hilarious!.......2007-06-10

There is not one bad song on this hilarious CD. If you're a fan of the extremely funny SP antics, you will love this CD. Hysterical!!!!!!!

Classic South Park Christmas.......2007-05-13

Love this CD with much of the Christmas songs from many of the South Park episodes. However, the CD is missing the song featuring Jesus and Santa singing in a nite club. Still a Super CD!

Greatness.......2007-01-24

Listen to this every year and it always makes me laugh. If you're a fan, you will love it.

Wonderfully explicit versions of classic songs........2006-05-03

First, if you've seen the episode, you know what's on here. The songs are incredibly well-parodied. Really, just listen to it to find out if you like it or not.

Second, if you are disappointed by the lack of the Santa & Jesus duet, it's because this CD was originally released before the episode; listen to the commentary on the episode, and you'll notice that Matt & Trey mention that the CD hadn't been getting anywhere in sales, so they figured to just make an extra episode with it, but create the Jesus & Santa bit.

Lastly, regarding the review written by Doug Thompson, aka "laffnstock," I must say that your new-found faith has ruined your sense of humour. If you can't make jokes about your own religion, then you're no better than Jerry Falwell and Fred Phelps.

If you like South Park, you'll love this CD!!!.......2006-02-01

In classic South Park style, these Christmas Carols bring a smile to your face in a way only Kenny, Kyle, Stan, and Cartman can bring......My favorite is "The Most Offensive Christmas Carol Ever" performed by Mr. Hanky and Kenny!!!!! I almost wet myself laughing.....I love this....
However...if you don't enjoy South Park, you may not like this at all!!!!!

Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Movie was good but...
another different & newer version of a similar movie.
One of Those Rare Film Soundtracks of Significance
Film on DVD?
Absolutely Beautiful

Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noël)
Philippe Rombi
Manufacturer: Virgin Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000BTDLOM
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Overture
Fraternizers' Hymn (piano)
Anna and Nikolaus
War
Soldiers' Burial
Bist du bei mir
Silent Night
Jonathan's Letter
Ponchel's Memories
The Football Match
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The Absence Theme
Fraternizers' Hymn: 'I'm Dreaming Of Home'
Adeste Fideles
Invitations: 'I'm Dreaming Of Home'
Anna and Nikolaus
Aria for Violin and Orchestra
Fraternizers' Hymn (Murmurs and vocalises)

Customer Reviews:

Movie was good but..........2007-06-04

I thought the movie was good, but I was disapointed with the rating. I think the sexual scene was downplayed in the PG13 rating, i.e. "a little bit of sexual nudity"..I would not want any children watching that scene, it was obvious sexual intercourse.I think it should have had an R rating instead.
I was very disappointed with the rating

another different & newer version of a similar movie........2007-01-06

wonderful sound track, beautiful, melancholy, nostalgic, sad but sublime music to synchronize this unnecessary human tragedy.
i remember that i've seen an older movie exactly like this, but it's american soldiers and german soldiers doing the x'mas truce, drinking and singing the x'mas carols together on x'mas eve. why and how it became possible? because both countries still have the same religion, the same belief and the same god.
anyway, the premise of that and this movie is to deliver a message to you: enemy is what your president, your chancellor, your goverment, your generals giving to you. they point across the border, telling you that a whole foreign country out there and the all the people in that specific nation are your enemy. when these people decide to declare the war on that country, then the people in that country suddenly become your enemy. before that, you never knew that you've got an enemy, you'd never thought the people in that country would be your enemy.
funny thing is once the war is over, tourism would take over, and then you'd travel to that once you thought very unfriendly country and shake the hands of that country's people. if you go there in the holiday season, you'd say 'merry x'mas' to each other with smiles on your face.
but some of the countries that would never become your friendly nations and your friendly foreign people if you invade their country and force them to reform a new government and replace all the guys your government doesn't like. and they'd never say 'merry x'mas' to you, because they have different culture, different belief, different god, different book of god, different holidays. but regretfully, when you invade their country, you've totally destroy all the things they used to have. when all the good and bad are forcefully changed in the name of liberation by a foreign nation, there's no way they'd appreciate your holidays with respect.
this is what we have to learn from this movie.
you know why this truce could be achieved between german soldiers, french soldiers or american g.i.s?
funny thing is that under same god, same belief, same bible, same....how could it possible that they'd still become enemies to each other? two boxers with the same belief into the boxing bouts, they both cross themselves before each bout and wish god would help him to beat out of his opponent. why they fight each other? because the words 'in god we trust' are printed on paper money. the green $ sign pushes them to fight each other. maybe the cause of a war between nations with the same religion is the green $ sign too?
eh, by the way, if i sit in my living room, watching this movie, how could it possible that i would become enemy even to my neighbors, if i don't have a yapping dog barking day and night, bothering their sleep?
by the same token, how could it possible that i would have a whole region's countries' people who hate me to the guts and screaming 'death to america! death to americans!'?? how could i become an enemy to a country about ten thousand miles away if i couldn't even make an enemy to my immediate neighbors?
now, you tell me, i just want you to tell me. i don't want my government and its imbecile officials to tell me.

One of Those Rare Film Soundtracks of Significance.......2006-11-17

Philippe Rombi is a composer new to this listener and being so impressed with the film 'Joyeux Noël' encouraged purchasing the Soundtrack. Not a mistake at all. For once the entire music excerpts of significance are intact, even the artists who were guests, providing professional opera singers for the voices of the two cinematic actor/singers.

Rombi opens the film about WW I with very eloquent, quiet, lovely solo piano music, and very often he is so sensitive to the message of the film that just when the action looks as though the music should be of the Carmina Burana ilk, Rombi settles for orchestral Adagios. He has elected to use the carols Stille Nacht and Adeste Fidelis for the actor Sprink to sing and uses the voice of the gifted tenor Rolando Villazon to intone the music. To establish the relationship between the two opera singers, Sprink and Anna (Villazon and Natalie Dessay), he has them perform a duet version of Bach's 'Bist du bei mer' - the words of which take on deep meaning as the film progresses. When he has a moment for Anna to sing a solo, he writes his own version of Ave Maria for Anna/Natalie Dessay to sing. It is very lovely.

There are several 'tunes' written for the score - 'Fraternizers' Hymn' ('I'm Dreaming Of Home'), the theme for Anna and Nikolaus - which very well could endure long after the score and film disappear, they are that fine.

In all the score is very strong and well played, sung, and conducted. This is a soundtrack that bears attention for lovers of beautiful music. Grady Harp, November 06

Film on DVD?.......2006-07-29

Anyone know if this spectacular film will ever be released on DVD?

Absolutely Beautiful.......2006-04-05

A wonderful soundtrack to an awesome movie.

I can't listen to it enough, Thank you Philippe Rombi

Christopher Parkening - A Tribute to Segovia

Average customer rating:

Awesome guitar work
Have been loving this for over ten years!!
sonic rapture...
Not just a tribute
Wonderful, relaxing music

Christopher Parkening - A Tribute to Segovia

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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In the Spanish Style / Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening plays Bach
Artistry of Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening Plays Vivaldi Guitar Concertos & Warlock Capriol Suite
Christopher Parkening - The Great Recordings ~ By America's Preeminent Guitar Virtuoso

ASIN: B000002RQ8
Release Date: 1991-11-08

Tracks:

Castles Of Spain: Rumor de copla
Castles Of Spain: Siguenza
Castles Of Spain: Manzanares del real
Castles Of Spain: Romance de los pinos
Castles Of Spain: Turegano
Variations On A Theme Of Mozart
Tonadilla
Suite espanola: Espanoletas
Suite espanola: Rujero y paradetas
Suite espanola: La Minona de Cataluna
Suite espanola: Folias
Suite espanola: Passacalle de la cavalleria de Napoles
Suite espanola: Canarios
Villanesca
Torre bermeja
Estudio sin luz
Remembranza
Suite In D Minor: Preludio
Suite In D Minor: Allegro
Suite In D Minor: Zarabanda
Suite In D Minor: Gabota
Suite In D Minor: Despacio
Suite In D Minor: Giga
Suite catalan: La Filadora
Suite catalan: La Filla del marxant
Suite catalan: La Nit de nadal
Suite catalan: El Noi de la mare

Customer Reviews:

Awesome guitar work.......2007-01-12

Parkening sets the standard for others to compare to. Enjoyable tribute to Segovia. The type of guitar mastery that one can relax to after a hard days work. Enough said.

Have been loving this for over ten years!!.......2003-09-26

I bought this cassette over ten years ago (1992) when I started taking classical guitar lessons. Would listen to it on the way home from work, then had a baby nine years ago and have used it for lullaby music (works like a charm) for afternoon naps and nighttime. Still listen to it in the car when the kids fight and they mellow out instantly.

Finally buying it on CD because I think I wore a spot out on the cassette! I have listened to this masterpiece at least a thousand times and have never, ever tired of this most excellent work of art.

If you are a classical guitar fan, you will absolutely adore every single note played on this album/CD. I promise!! :)

sonic rapture..........2003-06-03

If anyone knows of a better sonically intoxicating cd than this please let me know. Possibly only Julian Bream's unreal 1982 Granados and Albeniz cd would top this one for me. Anyway just thought I would pass this thought along to anyone who may visit here. The tone is absolutely magical on this cd. This is the cd to listen to at night to chill out and get mellow while being enchanted to the max. Peace. I must go on... the tone, the tone. My god the tone.

Not just a tribute.......2001-07-31

Parkening shows how much he learned from Segovia. I have many of these pieces played by the Master. Parkening plays with a similar timbre, simlar dynamics and with a musicality just as deep as Segovia's. IF you like classical guitar you should own this one.

Wonderful, relaxing music.......2001-01-27

This cd will spend much time on my player. It is so lively, yet comforting music to listen to.

Parkening provides wonderful tribute to Segovia with Spanish compositions especially loved by the master, even some of them performed on one his Segovia's guitars.

Tracks:

Christmas Oratorio: Bereite Dich, Zion
Messiah: He Was Despised
Elijah: O Rest In The Lord
Alto Rhapsody
Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen
L'Invitation Au Voyage
Pie Jesu (From The Requieum Op.9)
Sea Pictures Op.37: I. Sea Slumber-Song
Sea Pictures Op.37: II. In Haven
Sea Pictures Op.37: III. Sabbath Morning At Sea
Sea Pictures Op.37: IV. Where Corals Lie
Sea Pictures Op.37: V. The Swimmer
The Angel's Farewell - Ambrosian Singers

Tracks:

Linden Lea
A Boy Was Born, Op.3: Corpus Christi Carol
Pretty Ring Time
Prison
Soir
Clair De Lune
Ave Maria (Ellens Gesang III)
Gretchen Am Spinnrade
Wiegenlied (Schlafe, Schlafe)
Die Forelle
Auf Dem Wasser Zu Singen
An Die Musik
An Sylvia
Nacht Und Traume
Heidenroslein
Du Bist Die Ruh'
Auf Flugeln Des Gesanges
Liederkreis, Op.39: Mondnacht
Frauenliebe Und -Leben Op.42: Du Ring An Meinem Finger
Geistliches Wiegenlied
Befreit
Morgen!

Amazon.com

While it is impossible to really squeeze The Very Best of Janet Baker onto just two CDs, this two and a half hour anthology is a fine portrait of the British mezzo-soprano. Central to CD 1 is Elgar's Sea Pictures, a definitive account with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. While other British music is represented by Vaughan Williams's "Linden Lea," Britten's "Corpus Christie Carol," and Warlock's "Pretty Ring Time," CD 2 balances the program with 10 Schubert songs accompanied at the piano by either Gerald Moore or Geoffrey Parsons, which range from "Ave Maria" to Shakespeare. The set lends equal weight to orchestral and more intimate song, as well as to works in English--a very moving reading of Handel's "He was despised" from Messiah--and European landmarks, including Mendelssohn's On Wings of Song and Brahms's Alto Rhapsody, the latter with a superlative London Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult. In an age of technically dazzling but sometimes bland singers, this release is a reminder of emotionally intense musicianship that retains vocal clarity and commitment to the composer's intentions over superstar ego. The word great is often used all too easily, but it could not be more appropriate for this outstanding collection of a great singer. --Gary S. Dalkin

Customer Reviews:

The Very Best of Janet Baker is simply the very best!.......2005-02-09

This cd and this amazing musician are an absolute must have for any music lover or music snob alike! Her voice is amazing!

Grace Incarnate.......2002-09-02

If there is one singer who has ever truly been able to master the singer's art of interpretation, this is her. She is a gift to music, I truly believe this. A few words, or glowing adjectives could not accurately describe the singing of a woman who epitomizes art. And music. Grace and beauty.
Each track on this cd is a perfect union of poetry, melody and technicality. Dame Janet Baker fully immerses herself into each piece, and delivers highly commited, intelligent & emotional performances.

A Rare & Glorious Singer.......2002-06-10

This is a pretty good cross-section of Dame Janet's output from the prime of her career. There are few if any singers like her around today. There are many mezzos who can sing beautifully, with great articulation and finesse, but they lack the moral and musical integrity Dame Janet always brought to her singing. The voice is ardent, seeking, yearning, finding, exulting. Listen to the excerpt from "Dream of Gerontius" or the third of the "Sea Pictures" to see what I mean.
She does not sing to show off. She sings to enlighten, to illuminate, to reveal, to enter into. Her voice carries us off, near to Heaven.
Dame Janet has been neglected of late. This recording shows us why, in these perilous times, we need her more than ever.

Peter Pan (2005 Studio Cast) - Leonard Bernstein

Average customer rating:

WORTHY RECORDING OF LITTLE-KNOWN BERNSTEIN MUSIC.
A fabulous recording-beautifully sung, beautifully conducted
Eder over does it; Frey to be commended
A+ for Score, D for Sloppy scholarship
A beautiful and touching rendition of the classic story.

Peter Pan (2005 Studio Cast) - Leonard Bernstein

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

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ASIN: B0009EZ0Q6
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

Prelude to Act I
Who Am I?
Peter's Tears
Shadow Dance
Flight to Neverland
Flying Music
Prelude to Act II=20
Pirate Song
Croc Music
Wendy's Entrance
Build My House
Scene Change
Neverland
Pirate's Song - reprise
Lagoon Fight
Scene Change
Peter Peter
Indian-Pirate Fight
Hook's Poison
Tink Sick - Tink Lives!
Captain Hook Soliloquy
Prelude to Act III
Crew Dance
Plank Round
Fight
Scene Change
Dream With Me
Underscore
Scene Change
Spring Will Come Again (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

Peter Pan is Leonard Bernstein's least-known musical--or at least chunk of a musical. Featuring four Bernstein songs, the show opened on Broadway in 1950; it starred Jean Arthur (then nearly 50!) as Peter Pan and Boris Karloff as Captain Hook. The show used Alec Wilder's underscore, but Bernstein had composed one as well, and his finally sees the light of day on this CD after years of research and restoration by conductor Alexander Frey. Was it worth the effort? Absolutely. Bernstein fans will of course crave the CD, but it should delight newcomers as well. The instrumental tracks display a wide stylistic palette, and the songs are simply wonderful. Just check out "Who Am I" (sung by Linda Eder) and you will hear a ballad as lovely as any‹cabaret singers in search of rare material would be well advised to look into it. Baritone Daniel Nardiccio does warm justice to Bernstein's near-operatic passages in "Pirate Song" and "Captain Hook's Soliloquy" (reminiscent of Candide). As if this weren't enough, the CD concludes with the wistful "Spring Will Come Again," which Bernstein had written for a possible musical adaptation of The Skin of Our Teeth. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

WORTHY RECORDING OF LITTLE-KNOWN BERNSTEIN MUSIC. .......2006-02-02

Please allow me to add a few comments about this recording for which Kevin Killian, Michael G. Brennan, Larry Moore and others have already written excellent reviews. I am in total agreement with most of their observations, and a say a hearty "Amen" to Mr. Moore's input regarding the lack of information in the liner notes.

This is not your ordinary PETER PAN, which you will see upon removing the disc from the case. You are now staring into the gaping jaws of a crocodile. Not nearly as popular as the Jule Styne/Betty Comden/Adolph Green version, and far darker, it's easy to understand why Bernstein's version is rarely staged. In fact, it's not really a musical, but rather a play with songs and incidental music. The handful of songs are all performed by Wendy, Captain Hook, and the pirates -- "none for Peter, none for Nana, none for John and Michael." Furthermore, two of the songs included on this recording ("Captain Hook's Soliloquy" and "Dream with Me") were dropped from the original production because they were too difficult for the stars. I guess Boris Karloff just didn't have the chops to sing Hook's "aria."

Bernstein's incidental music also never made it to Broadway, perhaps because of its complexity and challenge to the average Broadway pit orchestra. Instead, Alec Wilder wrote new incidental music for the play.

Alexander Frey conducts what is called the Amber Orchestra, which I assume is the orchestra of the Karlin Theater in Prague, Czechoslovakia, the ensemble he conducts as his "day job." Orchestra and conductor do great honor to the original orchestrations by Trude Rittman & Hershy Kay and also to the additional orchestrations of conductor Frey and others. But, like Larry Moore, I wish the liner notes would have told us who orchestrated what. (You can find all that information on archivmusic.com.) The voices were recorded in New York and later mixed with the orchestra. Broadway goes Eastern European! Similarly, not one, but two Eastern European orchestras ar heard on the recording of SHERRY: the Czech Philharmonic Chamber & the Bratislava Radio Symphony. Pity it's too costly to record orchestras in America.

When it comes to writing music for the theater, no one comes close to Leonard Bernstein. There are multiple recordings of ON THE TOWN, WONDERFUL TOWN, WEST SIDE STORY, & CANDIDE and now we have Alexander Frey and the folks at KOCH Classics to thank for resurrecting and preserving this little known Bernstein score. In addition to Bernstein's Broadway scores, I enthusiastically recommend "The White House Cantata" (assembled from the score of 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE), "The Chichester Psalms," the chamber opera "Trouble in Tahiti," and any of the fine recording of his songs.

I doubt if we'll ever see another composer who will write so beautifully for the American theatre.

A fabulous recording-beautifully sung, beautifully conducted.......2005-11-10

A fabulous recording-beautifully sung, beautifully conducted
This world premiere recording of Leonard Bernstein's Peter Pan should win a Grammy. With a steller cast led by Broadway superstars Linda Eder and Daniel Narducci, and fabulously conducted by Alexander Frey (who restored and brought this lost masterpiece to life), this great music sings and dances for the first time. I'm absolutely enchanted and you will be as well.

Eder over does it; Frey to be commended.......2005-10-22

For those familiar with the earlier recording of Bernstein's Peter Pan (Arthur/Karloff), the release of an expanded recording of this neglected Bernstein work is a real excitement. The tracks include an indepth study by Frey of the music score, in its wholistic beauty, including even small segments of under a minute. Other works are resurrected, originally cut from the final score; why they would cut "Dream of Me" is beyond me.

However, Eder cast as Wendy does not sit well. Timid, motherly Wendy is not synonymous with big, broadway star. What should be simple songs, as they are written as well as should be sung, are instead aggrandized broadway hits. Yes, Eder has a gorgeous voice, but here a bit misplaced. I much prefer the casting of Wendy in the original recording. However, in favor of Eder, the CD is not replicating the narrative and non-music portions as did the original CD, so the work may as well be a set of disjointed pieces, not a flowing piece of arias and spoken scenes. Therefore, her portrayal of Wendy as a whole is not as crucial had there been a script to read.

The "bonus track" reinstalled an appreciation for the thematic material of the second Chichester pslam. I'm left wondering if there are other restorations to be made from the abandonded "Skin of Our Teeth" project. Here, I have no qualms with Eder's interpretation; soft, delicate, flowing.

This is certainly a hallmark in Bernstein recordings. A must for any Bernstein fan.

A+ for Score, D for Sloppy scholarship.......2005-09-04

This recording is a valuable addition to the music of Leonard Bernstein, but rather an embarassment in the scholarship of assembling a lost show. On the plus side, the music is enchanting, Linda Eder truly stunning in a mix of musical innocence and sophistication, and it is conducted and played quite well. On the negative side, Daniel Narducci's soft baritone has neither enough menace or comedy.

As to reconstructing a lost score, the scholarship is not so hot: what actually existed from the original show and orchestrations? Who orchestrated what among the new pieces? As far as that goes, what of Trude Rittmann and Hershy Kay: who orchestrated what in the original? How does the size of the orchestra on the recording compare to the original production orchestration?

On the music not used in the original, what pieces exist in full and what choices were made in completing others? The recording's notes are woefully inept.

Why use the lovely, but over-inflated, arrangement of "Dream With Me" from the 1977 BY BERNSTEIN revue at the Chelsea Theatre instead of newly orchestrating the extant song sheet? The song, written for ON THE TOWN, needs to fit the song style of PETER PAN's incidental music and not turn into a concert number. In the original production, there were only two Mermaids singing "Neverland." Why a women's chorus with a bad top soprano?

I've always felt the Bernstein score should be available for productions of the play, but this "edition" needs some thought before it's published or made available for performance.

A beautiful and touching rendition of the classic story........2005-08-27

This album is a delightful pendant to the original cast recording with Jean Arthur and Boris Karloff, with the underscoring and orchestrations the true stars of the show, as this recording is their first hearing. Most of the songs are somewhat familiar to Bernstein fans, and much of Bernstein's rendering of Barrie's story is highly sophisticated. A few texts come across as a bit preachy, especially since they are supposed to be sung by a small child, but the overall mood of sweetness tinged with melancholy is exactly right, in keeping with the more serious aspects of the original book: it's all about growing up, and how painful the experience can be. Kudos to Alexander Frey for resurrecting this neglected minor masterpiece.

Linda Eder and Daniel Narducci perform beautifully, particularly Eder (who I've never heard before! There is a touch of Barbara Cook about her). Mr. Narducci's Captain Hook is a little too bland and soft-grained for my taste -- it's difficult to top the great Boris Karloff -- but he does well in Hook's aria (yes, it's a REAL aria). This piece itself, dropped from the original show, is defeated by a text that's too good to set to music, but it's interesting to hear what Peter Pan might have sounded like if it had been turned into an opera.

There are a few surprises in this score. Some of the fight music foreshadows sections of "West Side Story," a few portions may sound a bit like "Candide," but at the point where Tink comes back to life, the orchestra plays a section of the dances from "On The Town!"

My misgivings about the recording have to do with the liner notes. Daniel Felsenfeld refers to Bernstein's "Candide" as a forgotten show. (It has been making the rounds in the opera houses of the world for quite some time, thanks to Bernstein's final revisions; it even had a Broadway revival a few years back; the original cast album is still the best rendition of the score and readily available); also, the singers who make up the chorus, infrequent as their appearances are, remain uncredited (Perhaps it's better not to know who the ladies are. The Mermaid's Song is laden with vibrato and off-pitch sopranos. The gentlemen are great as the pirates); the photos of the recording session are uncredited, and the people in them unidentified (although Bernstein himself is pretty recognizable); Mr. Felsenfeld himself is a mystery -- there is nothing in the booklet to tell us what his part of the project was, if any.

Still, this is an excellent and important recording to have. Now that Bernstein's original music has been discovered and revealed, it's time for someone to stage it!

Handel: Messiah (Complete Oratorio); Battle, Quivar, Aler, Ramey, Davis

Average customer rating:

A Superlative Recording
You like it big? Try this!
Superior Recording of the Messiah
My Review
best ever

Handel: Messiah (Complete Oratorio); Battle, Quivar, Aler, Ramey, Davis
George Frideric Handel , Andrew Davis , Kathleen Battle , Florence Quivar , John Aler , Samuel Ramey , and Toronto Symphony Orchestra & Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner
Handel: Messiah
A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle
Handel: Messiah /Nelson * Kirkby * Watkinson * Elliott * Thomas * AAM * Hogwood
Mendelssohn: Elijah

ASIN: B000002RPL
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Messiah: Sinfonia
Messiah: Comfort ye my people
Messiah: Ev'ry valley shall be exalted
Messiah: And the glory, the glory of the Lord
Messiah: Thus saith the Lord
Messiah: But who may abide
Messiah: And He shall purify
Messiah: Behold a virgin shall conceive
Messiah: O thou that tellest
Messiah: For behold darkness shall cover the earth
Messiah: The people that walked in darkness
Messiah: For unto us a child is born
Messiah: Pastoral Symphony
Messiah: There were shepherds
Messiah: And lo the Angel of the Lord
Messiah: And the angel said unto them
Messiah: And suddenly there was with the angel
Messiah: Glory to God in the highest
Messiah: Rejoice greatly o daughter of Zion
Messiah: Then shall the eyes of the blind
Messiah: He shall feed his flock
Messiah: His yoke is easy
Messiah: Behold the Lamb of God
Messiah: He was despised

Tracks:

Messiah: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
Messiah: And With His Stripes We Are Healed
Messiah: All We Like Sheep
Messiah: All They That See Him
Messiah: He Trusted In God
Messiah: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
Messiah: Behold And See If There Be Any Sorrow
Messiah: He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land
Messiah: But Thou Didst Not Leave
Messiah: Lift Up Your Heads
Messiah: Unto Which Of The Angels
Messiah: Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him
Messiah: Thou Art Gone Up On High
Messiah: The Lord Gave The Word
Messiah: How Beautiful Are The Feet
Messiah: Their Sound Is Gone Out
Messiah: Why Do The Nations
Messiah: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
Messiah: He That Dwelleth In Heaven
Messiah: Thou Shalt Break Them
Messiah: Hallelujah
Messiah: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Messiah: Since By Man Came Death
Messiah: Behold I Tell You A Mystery
Messiah: The Trumpet Shall Sound
Messiah: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
Messiah: O Death Where Is Thy Sting
Messiah: But Thanks Be To God
Messiah: If God Be For Us
Messiah: Worty Is The Lamb... Amen

Amazon.com

There are two English Davises, both conductors: Colin and Andrew--no relation. Colin recorded a landmark Messiah which is still available on Philips at budget price. This one is another matter entirely. Andrew Davis certainly knows this music, and he hits the big moments with gusto. But Messiah is more than big moments, and despite an excellent cast of soloists, there's too little involvement with the music (especially from Kathleen Battle) in the arias and more intimate moments to make this a clear recommendation. It's not bad, but the competition is just that much better. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A Superlative Recording.......2007-03-12

This is a truly superlative recording of the Messiah. The soloists are all first rate. John Aler could not have done a better job as the tenor, and Samuel Ramey is surely the world's best ever coloratura bass. His voice is big and black and incredibly flexible! And the bass has twice as many arias as anyone else, so this is very important when choosing a Messiah recording. Kathleen Battle is in excellent voice and the "talk" about her not being emotionally involved is just nonsense. Florence Quivar is a superb mezzo who is not nearly as famous as she should be. She does an excellent job. The conductor also does a superb job, bringing all the forces in line with just the right tempi and dynamics.
My only complaint about this recording is that I think the chorus is merely OK. Personally, I like my choruses to sound like the chorus of the Metropolitan Opera, where every singer could also be a soloist. You won't find that here--it is more on the line of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Good enough, but not great voices.

You like it big? Try this!.......2007-03-03

What a recording! This is the best of the large scale offerings. A powerhouse! Try it! It'll blow you out of the house!

Superior Recording of the Messiah.......2007-01-20

This recording of Handel's Messiah has always been my favorite.

My Review.......2007-01-11

I am happy with my purchase, as I have been with all my other ones from Amazon. I only had difficulty one time with not being able to complete a purchase on line, due to some kind of computer glitch. I imagine it was something I was doing incorrectly.

best ever.......2007-01-10

This is the best recding of the Messiah I have heard. The balance between the orchestra and the chorus is very good.

A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle

Average customer rating:

A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle
One of the most beautiful Christmas albums
A Christmas Collection For The Ages
Kathleen Battle, My Madam Christmas
Pure Joy

A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle , traditional/various , Leonard Slatkin , and Orchestra of St. Luke's with New York Choral Artists & Harlem Boys' Choir
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert
Angels' Glory
Jessye Norman - Christmastide
The Best of Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle at Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B000002ROL
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

O Come All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabelle
Fum, Fum, Fum!
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Ave Maria
Gesu Bambino
Medley: I Saw Three Ships; The First Nowell; The Holly And The Ivy
Away In A Manger
Silent Night
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Mary's Cradle Song
Zither Carol
I Wonder As I Wander
Mary Had A Baby
Rise Up, Shepherd
What Child Is This?
Ave Maria
Finale and Reprise: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; O Little Town Of Bethlehem; Silent Night; O Come All Ye Faithful

Customer Reviews:

A Christmas Celebration: Kathleen Battle.......2007-01-19

what can i say about the best of the best? As always, Miss Battle makes me wonder how anyone else would dare to sing this music after her rendition. A beautiful CD

One of the most beautiful Christmas albums .......2005-11-22

I love Kathleen Battle's voice, and to get such a great collection of beautiful sacred music, it was like a dream come true. She sings many traditional carols like Holy Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, which is possibly my favorite here, you may think you have heard this song so many times, but Kathleen's voice really shines in it. Her English diction is so incredible, you can understand every word, which is not something many opera singers can achieve. Her singing is always so natural and lovely. Many other songs are oustanding on this album, I love the two version of Ave Maria and the Italian song Gesu Bambino. If you are looking for a really beautiful collection of Christmas music, this album is a great choice.

A Christmas Collection For The Ages.......2005-11-13

If there is one performer I miss hearing on a regular basis, it is Kathleen Battle. Anytime I knew that she'd be in a Metropolitan Opera radio broadcast, I knew it would be a performance to remember and more often than not, I was correct. She has a light voice that reaches the upper reregisters with ease and has as a gorgeous sound. She not a regular at many opera houses these days, and in likelihood, if she still did perform on the world's opera stages, we'd be hearing critics say her voice was not what it once was, but thanks to her recorded legacy, her voice will, always have that youthful, energetic sound.

Overall I believe that Ms. Battle performs better in complete opera recordings than recital albums, but most of her recital recordings are of at least good quality and this Christmas collection is outstanding. She handles all of the works with apparent similar ease, but since the recording is so varied, this is a compliment to her skill as a performer. She begins and ends with "O Come All Ye Faithful" where she does a few vocal acrobatics but it's never overdone. Each time I think of what the bets part of the collection is, my mind changes. She brings her skills from the operatic stage in her renditions of "O Holy Night," "Gesu Bambino" (only Pavarotti sings this better, but it's a very close second), and "The Zither Carol" which sounds so much like something that could come from the mouths of Oscar from UN BALLO or Zurbinetta from ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, two of her signature roles. The music from the African American Spirituals tradition and American background are well done and the accompaniment of the Harlem Boys Choir, used to great advantage here adds so much.

With so many Christmas collections from the world of opera available, choosing one can be difficult, but this is one collection that has proven to be a joy for almost fifteen years and will continue to give holiday pleasure for years to come.

Kathleen Battle, My Madam Christmas.......2004-12-28

I probably have 50 Christmas albums. I love many of them. This is my favorite. Leaves me astounded and breathless every time I enjoy it.

Pure Joy.......2003-12-07

In a world where disturbing things are all too common, Christian scripture guides us to dwell on that which is lovely. Kathleen Battle's blessed voice is most certainly one of those lovely things.

I bought this CD in the early 1990's, and I am here to buy it again because I have worn out the original with scratches, etc. I only listen to it during the Christmas season, but I enjoy it enough to hear it all year.

The 'Christmas Celebration' CD should be enough to convince you to also purchase Kathleen's 'A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert'. Ms. Battle's wonderful soprano voice is joined by that of the mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, and the blending is more than memorable. There are a couple of songs which are on both CD's, but you'll want to hear both. In fact, the video of the PBS special is also available, and I recommend buying all three. You won't regret it.

Some of my favorite selections from 'Christmas Celebration' include 'Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabelle' and 'Fum, Fum, Fum', both of which are from a culture different from my own. I found such glimpses into unfamiliar favorites to enhance my own enjoyment of the Christmas season, as long as all of my traditional American favorites were included. They were. "I Wonder As I Wander" and "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" are there among the other favorites.

Tracks:

Silent Night
What Child Is This?/Hava Nagila
Dance Of The Reed Flutes
Up On The Housetop
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Dance Of The Sugarplum Fairies
Jingle Cats Medley
Angels We Have Heard On High
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
Carol Of Teh Bells
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Oh Christmas Tree
Ode To Joy
Deck The Halls
Good King Wenceslas
We Three Kings Of Orient Are
Waltz Of The Flowers
Auld Lang Syne

Amazon.com

When George Frederick Handel wrote "Joy to the World," which contains the immortal line "Let heaven and nature sing," he probably didn't mean it literally. But Meowy Christmas takes him at his word as Cheese Puff, Max, Sprocket, Binky, Clara, Cueball, Graymer, Twizzler, Petunia--and the occasional dog--meow and bark and let their animal nature sing 20 (count 'em 20!) holiday favorites. You'll be awestruck, dumbstruck, and struck yet again hearing these felines "sing" and, ah, scat their way through the usual round-up of holiday music, relying on a beat box and different arrangements, including a folkish, harmonica-driven version of the Handel hymn. You're bound to find your own favorites here (while trying to figure out how in the heck mastermind Mike Spalla pulled this off), but you're definitely bound to be roused from your comfort and joy by "What Child Is This/Hava Nagila" that trades kitty meows and doggy barks back and forth in a spirited ecumenical dance of the four-legged. The disc comes with an order form for its own line of Jingle Cats merchandise. --Martin Keller

Album Description

JINGLE CATS 'MEOWY CHRISTMAS CD AND CASSETTE: The world's first album of songs sung by real cats. A phenomenon! This is the album that started it all. Seen on television ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and in newspapers, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and magazines such as CATS Magazine and People Magazine. The Jingle Cats album brought cat fanciers a roaringly funny album which speaks to humans and cats! Warning: listeners have reported losing control of their cars while listening to this album. The #1 requested Christmas album for radio stations nationwide, the #1 Christmas novelty album and Tower Records #1 selling Christmas CD in 1993, and a ranking in Billboard's Top 10 Holiday Album List for 1994.

Customer Reviews:

Hilariously awful.......2007-05-03

This is one of the most stunningly bad records I've ever heard, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Silent Night is a particular favorite. I've bought copies of this CD for friends' Christmas presents before, and it never fails to amuse.

THIS IS PURRFECTLY FESTIVE.......2007-01-11

This CD is not some cheesey strange sounding production of artificial meows. This is a thought out and well done fun addition to your Christmas CD collection, EVEN IF you are not a "head over heels catpawser" like I am. The producers of this CD have taken real cats "speaking" and a couple of dogs too, and put these real sounds to harmony with classic Christmas tunes. You WILL smile when you hear it and by the second song, you will be meowing too.

Makes ya smile.......2007-01-10

Not my all time favorite christmas album but certainly one of the top ten. You can't help but smile when you hear christmas carols being meowed and yowled!! Our cats were a bit freaked at first but have adjusted. Certainly a great gift for any cat lover of any age.

Great for kids, too!.......2006-12-21

I'm a cat lover, and I've heard about this CD long time ago, but purchased it only recently mostly for my 3 y.o daughter. Oh my, we both laughted so hard! It's hysterical! I purchased 2 more CDs - for my daughter's day care and for my g/f and her kid as a Xmas gift. My g/f's daughter loved it too (she's 2 y.o). I want to buy a VHS now, but unfortunately, this time of the year it's out of stock on all web sites
:-(

You will have a Hair....Ball!.......2006-12-14

Okay, shush, I purchased this CD last year because I am obsessed with cats, that and I am a sucker for anything slighty off the wall. If you arent a cat lover you will immediately hate this CD, but if you have cats like I do, and whenever they "talk" you just smile , you will love it. I had this huge grin on my face while i listened to it in my car, giggling and laughing at the different meows these kitties can make, especially the "browwwr" one. Its not something you would put on at a party unless you want everyone to start looking uncomfortable and head out to thier cars. Its something you put on while decorating your tree, so you could prance around embarassing yourself while your husband looks on wondering if I ate something bad for lunch.

Average customer rating:

Great holiday album.
Kenny G Greatest Holiday Classics
Saccharine and Homey
Boney James' Funky Christmas
Instrumental Holiday Classics for any age

The Greatest Holiday Classics
Kenny G
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Miracles: The Holiday Album
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The Essential Kenny G

ASIN: B000BC8TD2
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Medley: Deck The Halls/The Twelve Days Of Christmas; Deck The Halls\ The Twelve Days Of Christmas
Joy To The World
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Sleigh Ride
Miracles
Jingle Bell Rock
White Christmas
Winter Wonderland
My Favorite Things
We Three Kings/Carol Of The Bells
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Ave Maria
The Chanukah Song
Jingle Bells
I'll Be Home For Christmas

Amazon.com

Doing what every good merchandiser does when there's no new real product for the Christmas season, Kenny G repackages his best stuff with a few new tracks. The Greatest Holiday Classics boasts pieces from previous holiday records, Wishes (2002), Faith (1999) and Miracles (1997), with five new cuts for a total of 16. To be sure it's a generous offering from the one guy in popular music who just might be contemporary America's Jazzman. Whether playing his acclaimed alto sax or blowing tenor, Kenny's signature tone is nearly unmistakable from anyone else's, perhaps, for his easily accessible phrasing and the limited improvisation he's willing to put on record. His focus has always been on delivering the song, rather than the possibilities for innovation, exploration and enhanced creativity that more adventurous players readily welcome in the jazz setting with any tune. One of the new pieces, a big band treatment of "Jingle Bell Rock" joyfully swings under Randy Waldman's arrangement and fellow his horn men seem to push G on his solo, while the other new works "My Favorite Things" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" are fairly predictable fare. Even "Jingle Bells" is reduced to a slow tempo, with KG's trademark moody, saccharine strings and piano in the mix. But then, this is exactly the kind of Christmas tea many want against the often-overwhelming din of the holiday rush. Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Great holiday album........2007-01-10

Kenny G is amazing, and it's great to have his greatest holiday classics all on one album.

Kenny G Greatest Holiday Classics.......2006-12-16

For all you idots that said his music was terrible, you definitely do not have an ear for music. I think his music is awesome, and Kenny is laughing all the way to the bank...... :-)

Saccharine and Homey.......2006-11-26

This is the type of album that relaxes you during the hectic holiday season. Sure, Kenny G is definitely not the best jazz musician (heck, I don't think we can even call him a jazz musician) but a Christmas album such as this one does not require such innovative improvisation. This album just draws out some sweet substance and really creates a comforting feeling.
If you are looking for something creative, don't approach this album. If, however, you are looking for soothing Christmas album, then this is a good choice. If you don't have Kenny G's old Christmas albums, then give this a try. It's fair enough.

Boney James' Funky Christmas.......2006-10-02

Before You Buy A Horrible Cd Like This One check out " Boneys' Funky Christmas " cd --- that is a great album !!

Instrumental Holiday Classics for any age.......2006-01-15

The album title says it all. Kenny G and his team did a GREAT job briging us another album with the joyful sounds of the holidays.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Angels We Have Heard on High
2. First Noel
3. Silent Night/It Came upon a Midnight Clear
4. O Little Town of Bethlehem
5. O Come All Ye Faithful
6. Son, a Savior
7. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
8. Unto Us a Son
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/Good Christian Men Rejoice
10. Joy to the World