Pieces of Eight

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In some ways, Styx was America's answer to Queen. The Chicago quintet never ascended to the ranks of rock-and-roll royalty, as did their English counterparts, nor are they held in as high a regard today. Nevertheless, Styx fulfilled a Midwestern American hunger for high-flown fantasy typified on Pieces of Eight with songs like Dennis DeYoung and James Young's "I'm Okay" and "Lords of the Rings," with their elaborate arrangements, soaring vocal harmonies, and lyrical pretensions. In quite another direction, guitarist Tommy Shaw writes about basic human needs and working-class values in "Blue Collar Man," while his song "Sing for the Day" is a pleasant air, and "Renegade" a hard-charging rocker. Styx may have seemed somewhat schizophrenic on Pieces of Eight but their legions of fans diminished not a whit, making the album the band's second multiplatinum effort in a row, following The Grand Illusion. --Daniel Durchholz

Tracks:

Great White Hope
I'm Okay
Sing For The Day
The Message
Lord Of The Rings
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Queen Of Spades
Renegede
Pieces Of Eight
Aku-Aku

Amazon.com

In some ways, Styx was America's answer to Queen. The Chicago quintet never ascended to the ranks of rock-and-roll royalty, as did their English counterparts, nor are they held in as high a regard today. Nevertheless, Styx fulfilled a Midwestern American hunger for high-flown fantasy typified on Pieces of Eight with songs like Dennis DeYoung and James Young's "I'm Okay" and "Lords of the Rings," with their elaborate arrangements, soaring vocal harmonies, and lyrical pretensions. In quite another direction, guitarist Tommy Shaw writes about basic human needs and working-class values in "Blue Collar Man," while his song "Sing for the Day" is a pleasant air, and "Renegade" a hard-charging rocker. Styx may have seemed somewhat schizophrenic on Pieces of Eight but their legions of fans diminished not a whit, making the album the band's second multiplatinum effort in a row, following The Grand Illusion. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

Number Eight.......2007-07-04

Styx would really have to blow it out of the water with their eighth release, especially after the unprecedented success of 'The Grand Illusion'. This album very much succeeded. Once again, not a bad song on this album and really a companion to 'The Grand Illusion'. You have to have both. The only song that I thought never really fit and I owned it on vinyl when it first came out was 'Lord of the Rings'. I don't know why. It was the last song on side A of the album and always seemed out of place. Just my opinion, but I always wondered what the heck it was doing on this album and not on a tribute to Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' instead. Maybe, that's what the band was doing, I'm not sure. Radio staples like 'Blue Collar Man' and 'Renegade' keep the band going and keep the pressure building to churn out hits. The sappy ballads are yet to come from DeYoung; they're just not here yet. A must have for any Styx fan, old or new.

You Can't Go Wrong.......2007-04-10

I'm a teen, and I've been into Styx for a while now. I have 4 of their albums, including their "Greatest Hits" album. Fact is, this is my favorite album of theirs. You will find no bad songs on this album. The soft, upbeat songs like "Pieces of Eight", "I'm O.K.", and "Lords of the Ring" are contradicted perfectly with the heavy songs like "Blue Collar Man", "Queen of Spades", and "Renegade" (which is one of my favorite songs of all time). John Panozzo, Dennis DeYoung, and Tommy Shaw all especially shine on here. I wish teens my age liked this instead of emo music. You just can't go wrong with this album. If you are a Styx fan, BUY IT!!! If you're starting with Styx, you might want to try something else first. But whatever you do, you just can't go wrong buying Pieces of Eight.

Awesome!!!!.......2007-04-09

Just started collecting Styx albums.Although I have been a big fan of theirs for years.Have always listened to the greatest Hits."Pieces of Eight" is a great one to start with. Standouts are: "Great White Hope","I'M Okay","Sing For The Day","Lords of The Ring","Blue Collar Man", and "Renegade",my fave all-time Styx song. Styx will never be the same without DeYoung and Shaw.
Get it if you love Styx!!!!!

last great album.......2007-01-10

In many ways "Pieces of Eight" is the finest of all Styx albums. Overall it even outdoes "The Grand Illusion" which many consider to be Styx's finest work. The tracks 6-10 are in my opinion the best side of Styx ever. Tommy Shaw tears it up on both "Blue Collar Man" as well as "Renegade" and Deyoung has two of his most underrated tracks on the album in "Queen of Spades" and "Pieces of Eight." This album has a great mix of melody and crackling guitar which is sadly missing on "Cornerstone" which sounds like it could not have come from the same decade never mind a year later! Other later releases would include the so-so "Paradise Theater" which was at least a step up from Cornerstone, and the dreadful "Killroy was Here" when Deyoung and his ballad fettish put the nails in the coffin but good for these guys. I guess this is what makes this album a great one. A final time when the band ran on all cylinders and were at the peak of their creativity. Not many bands stay that way for long. Styx was no exception.

Two sides of styx .......2006-12-27

This is an awesome album that really shows off tommy shaws knack for writing and performing. This albums also has alot of JY's strong hard rock vocals and pleasantly shows off DeYoung powerful keyboard abilities. I highly reccomend this album for styx fans like myself.

Average customer rating:

A terrific compilation

Mendelssohn: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Liszt: Greatest Hits
Schubert: Greatest Hits
Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits
Debussy's Greatest Hits
Chopin: Greatest Hits

ASIN: B000002A9I
Release Date: 1995-06-13

Tracks:

Symphony No. 4 In A Major, Op. 90 'Italian': I. Allegro vivace
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61 (Excerpts): Scherzo
Wedding march
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: III. Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace
Spring Song, Op. 62, No 6
IV. Symphony No. 4 In A Major, Op. 90 'Italian': Saltarello. Presto
Athalie, Op. 74: War March Of The Priests
Songs Without Words, Op. 67, No. 4: Spinning Song
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': II. Vivace no troppo
On Wings Of Song, Op. 34, No. 2
Octet In E - Flat Major, Op. 20: III. Scherzo. Allegro leggierissimo
Octet In E - Flat Major, Op. 20: IV. Presto
Six Children's Pieces, Op. 72: I. Allegro non troppo
Six Children's Pieces, Op. 72: II. Andante sostenuto
Six Children's Pieces, Op. 72: III. Allegretto
Six Children's Pieces, Op 72: IV. Andante con moto
Six Children's Pieced, Op. 72: V. Allegro assai
Six Children's Pieces, Op. 72: VI. Vivace
Symphony No. 5 In D Major, Op. 107 'Reformation': IV. chorale 'Ein feste burg ist unser Gott!'

Customer Reviews:

A terrific compilation.......2002-06-08

The idea of a greatest hits album for a classical composer is nearly an absurdity,but the selections for this package are almost perfect.The signature magic sound of Ormandy and his great Philly Orchestra open with Symphony 4 movement 1.Ormandy and crew reappear later with the war march from Athalie-a true crowd pleaser.Not to be missed is the On wings of song piece sung by Elly Ameling in all her pristine glory.The song is simply beautiful beyond words.Movements 3&4 of the Incomparable Octet for strings are included. At the tender age of 16 Mendelssohn may have reached his peak with this work.The 6 Children's pieces are delightful,if insubstantial.The 4th movement of the 5th Symphony is a force of nature,perhaps the highlight of the disc.The only quibble is the inclusion of the hackneyed Wedding March instead of the achingly gorgeous Nocturne from A Midsummer Night's Dream.Even for the Mendelssohn fan there are performances here you'll want to add to your collection.At such a low cost you cannot go wrong.

Average customer rating:

A pleasure to listen to!
A few clarifications from the producer
"New Rhythms" From an Old Favorite

Pieces of Eight
Don Ellis
Manufacturer: Wounded Bird
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
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New Don Ellis Band Goes Underground
Don Ellis at Fillmore
Tears of Joy
Connection
Live at Montreux

ASIN: B000CSUMB2
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Tracks:

Slippn' 'n' Slidin'
Sadness Shouldn't Go So Deep
Bali Dance
With Respect to Coltrane
Pete's 7
Let's Go To Sleep
Blues For Hari

Tracks:

Milestones
It's A Snap
I Love Us
The Squeeze
Lush Life
Turk's Works

Album Description

Don Ellis was a jazz trumpet virtuoso who issued many great albums in the 60's and 70's. This Two CD set consists of a 1967 concert by his Octet. These recordings have never been available in any form.

Album Description

Don Ellis was a jazz trumpet virtuoso who issued many great albums in the 60's and 70's. Our other Don Ellis CDs have flying out the door & fans have been screaming for more. So we now present Pieces Of Eight. This two CD set consists of a 1967 concert by his Octet. These recordings have never been available before in any form! Wounded Bird. 2006.

Customer Reviews:

A pleasure to listen to!.......2007-03-09

Wow, a NEW Don Ellis album after all these years! Supposedly some of these cuts were only sold in cassette form at live Eliis concerts. This is a 2 CD set of the entire concert.

First of all Nick has done a great job getting this out. The sound quality is much better than expected (perfectly fine!) and all in all this set is well produced with valuable notes for the true Ellis fan.

Although this is a small combo featuring players from Ellis' early big band, the playing here is truly impressive. Don's sidemen get to show their stuff in a more exposed setting than the usual big orchestra. And they all sound impressive in this setting!

Should anyone think this group was thrown together for this concert, please note that the arrangements, solos, and direction are presented on a professional level just like the Ellis big bands! There's also some nice early electric trumpet playing.

An interesting concert and well produced and worthy CD set!

A few clarifications from the producer.......2006-03-03

I'm the Executive Producer on this issue and I just want to make a few clarifications regarding the liner notes, the sound quality, and whether this is a reissue or not.

When the liner notes were transferred from my graphic designer's final proof that I signed off on to the application used by the record label's printer some "translation" problems around the use of fractions occurred of which I was not made aware. The following are the correct versions of the sentences in question.

For "I Love Us", the first sentence should read: "A jequibau-a Brazilian dance in 5/4 where the clave is on 2, 3 1/2, and 5."
For "The Squeeze", the first paragraph should read: "The melody and trumpet solo are all in 1/4-tones over the jequibau 5/4. The 1/4-tones stand out here more than usual because they "rub" with what is being played by the other instruments."
For "Lush Life", the last sentence should read: "This musically demanding situation is all the more impressive for being sustained over a leisurely 7 1/2 minutes."

Regarding the sound quality, the recording was transferred directly from the original concert tapes at a very high bit rate. On those tapes the balance and mixing were not ideal. The balance was considerably weighted to the right channel, and there were many instances of peaking and clipping. Wounded Bird's engineer endeavored to correct these issues within reason. There was no mixing done beyond what was on the masters, just overall sound balance "corrections".

This is an archival recording. Along with that statement should come the assumption that sound quality will not be state of the art. That said, I would not have produced this if I felt the overall sound quality got in the way of the performances. It certainly can not be argued that the sound quality is great, but it most definitely is at least serviceable.

Finally, there seems to be some debate over whether this is a reissue or not. At best, this is a partial reissue. As explained in the liner notes, this concert was only made available directly through Don's company on cassette and 8-track in the mid 70's, and then only half of the concert was released. It was never released through a major label. Therefore, I don't think this qualifies as a reissue.

"New Rhythms" From an Old Favorite.......2006-03-01

Jazz Trumpeter Don Ellis remains sadly underrated and unknown 27 years after his untimely death at age 44. These recordings, unearthed and properly released nearly 40 years after they were originally recorded still stand up and amaze. Don's pioneering use of "odd" time signatures in popular American Music are showcased by an astoundingly young band, including Saxophonist Tom Scott (barely 19 on this record) and drumming Phenom Steve Bohannon who died tragically in a car crash not long after these cuts were recorded. Where the mix of the original tapes (from which this 2 disc set is taken) falls short, the arrangements, musicality, and talent of this fine band more than pick up the slack. A MUST for fans of Don's work, but perhaps not the best album for a first encounter (try "Tears of Joy" or "Electric Bath" instead). All in all, a fantastic issue, and I for one would love to hear more from the archives.

Short Stories: A Collection of Music for Two Harps by Charles Salzedo

Average customer rating:

Superb
Delightful music for harp duo...

Short Stories: A Collection of Music for Two Harps by Charles Salzedo

Manufacturer: Azica
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gavottes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Night Breeze: Harp Music of Carlos Salzedo
Romantic Music for Flute and Harp

ASIN: B0002RQ3AC
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

Rumba
L'Indifferente
La Joyeuse
Clair De Lune
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Polonaise
Gavotte
Menuet
Bourree
Les Turbillons (Play Of The Winds)
Pavane
Gavotta
On Wings Of Song
Song Without Words, No. 34, Op. 19 (Spinning Song)
Steel
Triptic Dance
Chanson Dans La Nuit
On Donkey-Back
Rain Drops
Behind The Barracks
Night Breeze
Mermaid's Chimes
Skipping Rope
Spanish Dance No. 5
Tango

Customer Reviews:

Superb.......2006-11-14

Carlos Salzedo's music is difficult, no VERY difficult (and I'm a harpist, so I know these things!) and the Salzedo Harp Duo play them as effortlessly as water falling off a leaf. Inspired musicality and daredevil tempos make this a "must have" and even if you're not a harpist, it's absolutely lovely music. And "Rhumba" will have you dancing!

Delightful music for harp duo..........2005-03-08

This is an irresistible collection of beautiful melodies arranged (or composed) for harp duo. Nancy Lendrum & Jody Guinn are masters of their instruments, and lend an energy and flourish to this delightful assortment of music by Carlos Salzedo and other assorted classical composers. The arrangements are crisp and the playing is brilliant! There isn't a dull moment or 'lackluster' piece on this cd. This music would be ideal accompaniment to any activity from a "dinner party for 8" to a Sunday afternoon relaxing with a good book...highly recommended!!

Average customer rating:

Eight Electronic Pieces

Manufacturer: Locust
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Pond
Bijou
Dockstader: Apocalypse
Aerial #3
Dockstader: Quatermass

ASIN: B00009QEPG
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
33 1/3 R I A A
Monaural

Average customer rating:

Hook, Line and Sinker
Pieces of Eight
Manufacturer: Harvest Media Group
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DJYR0
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Saga of Jenny
Baby, It's Cold Outside/Heatwave
Hook, Line and Sinker
We Can Work It Out
Blue Meridian
Gold Chain
Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Walk Between Raindrops
With a Little Help from My Friends
I Got Rhythm/Ac-Cen-Tchu-Ate the Positive
One Race
Berceuse

Average customer rating:

Every House Should Have One!
A refuge from life's stresses...
Dream World by a Heavenly Harpist
Looked in to see if there was a second release!
What a Dream!

Dream World

Manufacturer: High Strung Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005OA2I
Release Date: 2001-07-31

Tracks:

J.S. Bach, arr. Grandjany: Andante from Violin Sonata No.2 in A, BWV.1015
Faure, arr. Agresta: Romance sans Paroles, Op. 17, No. 3 in A-flat Major
Granados, arr. Agresta: From Cuentos de la Juventud, Op. 1, Dedicatoria (Dedication)
Cancion de Mayo (May Song)
Cuento Viejo (Old Mans Tale)
Viniendo de la Fuente (Coming from the Fountain)
Untitled
Tournier: Berceuse Russe
Granados: Danza Espanola No. 2, Oriental
Satie, arr. Agresta: Gymnopodie No. 1
Gymnopodie No. 2
Gymnopodie No.3
Salzedo: Siciliana
Faure, arr. Agresta: Berceuse de Dolly
Hohvannes: Nocturne Op. 20, No. 1
Debussy, arr. Agresta: Children's Corner suite for piano, L113: No. 5, The Little Shepherd
Grieg, arr. Agresta: Lyric Pieces, Op. 68, No. 5, Cradle Song
Grieg, arr. Agresta: Lyric Pieces, Op. 43, No. 3, In My Homeland
Granados, arr. Agresta: Escenas Romanticas, No. 6 Epilogo
No. 2 Berceuse

Product Description

A collection of classical beautiful melodies and lulling rhythms, performed by harpist Kirsten Agresta. The selections are relaxing, nurturing, and stress relieving for children and adults alike. Many of the works are originally written for piano and have been eloquently transcribed to the harp by Ms. Agresta.

Customer Reviews:

Every House Should Have One!.......2004-07-25

The CD has just arrived and it's exactly as I knew it would be...completely heavenly and soul soothing! I just love it! It is soothing and relaxing, and if you like classical and harp, then this is certainly the CD for you! It's very unobtrusive in the way that it soothes. The music doesn't demand that you relax...it gently encourages you to go there. And what a nice place to be! :)

A refuge from life's stresses..........2004-03-19

The music in this CD is refuge, strength, calm and peace. Can't wait for next CD!

Dream World by a Heavenly Harpist.......2003-09-18

This is probably the most promising, talented harpist to come along in many years! Kirsten has such an excellent, measured touch on the strings that her music lifts you to another dimension - as if the angels were truly seranading. Her sound is just as wonderful & healing no matter how you listen to it - earphones, car or hospital intensive care room. I hope she makes music forever!

Looked in to see if there was a second release!.......2002-11-03

My whole family enjoys Kirstens's first release. Since we're moving in on the holidays I surfed in hoping there might be a new release. Not yet, I'm waiting and wanting...

What a Dream!.......2001-12-13

What a dream! A beautiful CD...wonderful, crystaline, rich and full. It is a nice mixture of harp favorites and some works that one does not often have the pleasure of hearing.

Bruch: Concerto, Op. 88; Eight Pieces, Op. 83; Schumann: Märchenerzählungen, Op. 83

Average customer rating:

Valuable!

Bruch: Concerto, Op. 88; Eight Pieces, Op. 83; Schumann: Märchenerzählungen, Op. 83

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000AMY0CM
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Tracks:

I. Andante Con Moto
II. Allegro Moderato
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante
II. Allegro Con Moto
III. Andante Con Moto
IV. Allegro Agitato
V. Andante
VI: Andante Con Moto
VII. Allegro Vivace Ma Non Troppo
VIII. Moderato
I. Lebhaft, Nicht Zu Schnell
II. Lebhaft Und Sehr Markiert
III. Ruhiges Tempo, Mit Zartem Ausdruck
IV. Lebhaft, Sher Markiert

Customer Reviews:

Valuable!.......2007-01-14

As for Bruch's Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano, this recording so far is the best I've come across. To my taste, it has a great balance of an intelligent performance and richness of bravuro/character. The Bruch concerto and the Schumann are great to listen to as well.

Alexander Tcherepnin: Piano Music - Sonatine Romantique, Op. 4 (1918) / Five "Chinese" Concert Etudes, Op. 52 (1934-36) / Four Arabesques, Op. 11 (1920-21) / Six Pieces from "Opivochki", Op. 109 (1975-77) / Eight Pieces for Piano, Op. 88 (1954-55) - Bennett Lerner

Average customer rating:

Alexander Tcherepnin: Piano Music - Sonatine Romantique, Op. 4 (1918) / Five "Chinese" Concert Etudes, Op. 52 (1934-36) / Four Arabesques, Op. 11 (1920-21) / Six Pieces from "Opivochki", Op. 109 (1975-77) / Eight Pieces for Piano, Op. 88 (1954-55) - Bennett Lerner

Manufacturer: Etcetera
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000000NG
Release Date: 1994-04-13

Tracks:

Sonatine Romantique, Op.4 (1918): Allegro
Sonatine Romantique, Op.4 (1918): Canzonetta (Allegro Con Moto)
Sonatine Romantique, Op.4 (1918): Andantino Tempestoso
Five ('Chinese') Concert Etudes, Op.52 (1934-1936): Shadow Play
Five ('Chinese') Concert Etudes, Op.52 (1934-1936): The Lute
Five ('Chinese') Concert Etudes, Op.52 (1934-1936): Homage To China
Five ('Chinese') Concert Etudes, Op.52 (1934-1936): Punch And Judy
Five ('Chinese') Concert Etudes, Op.52 (1934-1936): Chant
Four Arabesques, Op. 11 (1920-1921): Andantino
Four Arabesques, Op. 11 (1920-1921): Allegro Vivo
Four Arabesques, Op. 11 (1920-1921): Allegretto
Four Arabesques, Op. 11 (1920-1921): Presto
Chant Et Refrain, Op. 66 (1939-40)
Six Pieces From 'Opivochki', Op. 109 (1975-1977) Nos 3, 11, 9, 4, 17, 37
Eight Pieces For Piano, Op. 88 (1954-1955): Meditation
Eight Pieces For Piano, Op. 88 (1954-1955): Intermezzo
Eight Pieces For Piano, Op. 88 (1954-1955): Reverie
Eight Pieces For Piano, Op. 88 (1954-1955): Impromptu
Eight Pieces For Piano, Op. 88 (1954-1955): Invocation
Eight Pieces For Piano, Op. 88 (1954-1955): The Chase
Eight Pieces For Piano, Op. 88 (1954-1955): Etude
Eight Pieces For Piano, Op. 88 (1954-1955): Burlesque

Average customer rating:

the best version i've heard
if you like shostakovich, get this

Written With The Heart's Blood

Manufacturer: New Albion Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Chamber Symphony For Strings, Opus 110A: Largo (attacca)
Chamber Symphony For Strings, Opus 110A: Allegro molto (attacca)
Chamber Symphony For Strings, Opus 110A: Allegretto (attacca)
Chamber Symphony For Strings, Opus 110A: Largo (attacca)
Chamber Symphony For Strings, Opus 110A: Largo
Two Pieces For String Octet, Opus 11: Prelude (Adagio)
Two Pieces For String Octet, Opus 11: Scherzo (Allegro molto)
Symphony For Strings, Opus 118A: Andante
Symphony For Strings, Opus 118A: Allegretto furioso
Symphony For Strings, Opus 118A: Adagio
Symphony For Strings, Opus 118A: Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

the best version i've heard.......2005-01-03

this (the 8th quartet) was the first piece of shostakovich's music i ever heard, and it is still my favorite. i bought the kronos quartet's black angels hoping to finally own an interpretation of it, and was thoroughly disappointed. kronos' interpretation is thin, tinny, and too fast; wholly unsatisfying.

this new albion edition however is incredible. they play the quartet with a very full sound for just a string quartet. its paranoia is tangible, and this rendering of the 8th quartet is one of the best pieces of compositional music iv'e heard. i absoloutely love this record and thoroughly recommend it.

if you like shostakovich, get this.......1999-07-24

I am an avid DSCH fan. The Chamber Symphony (which is just the orchestration of the Eight Quartet) is excellent. True, it isn't as bold an interpretation as that of the Kronos Quartet, but it's still great. The second of the octets is perhaps the most interesting DSCH I've heard yet. He wrote it at age nineteen or so, and it shares the brilliance of many of his later semi-atonal, percussive string works. A MUST BUY!!!

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