Will I/Fly [CD-single]

1. Will I [John Creamer & Stephane K Remix]

2. Fly [Rob Rives Remix]

3. Will I [Creamer & K Ambient Mix]

4. O'Oh [Nuspirit Helsinki Remix]

5. Death of Samantha [Porcupine Tree Remix]

Will I/Fly,Yoko Ono,Twisted (U.S.),5"CD Singles,Dance Music,Pop

Average customer rating: Wow. Love this CD Could it get any better? Moulin rouge tried to fill up the GAP ahahahahaha

Moulin Rouge 2 Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Moulin Rouge Moulin Rouge! (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) Chicago William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet: Music From The Motion Picture, Volume 2 (1996 Version) William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet: Music From The Motion Picture (1996 Version) [Enhanced CD] ASIN: B00005YW4Z Release Date: 2002-02-26

Tracks:

1. Your Song
2. Sparkling Diamonds [Original Film Version]
3. One Day I'll Fly Away
4. The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular) [Original Film Version]
5. Come What May [Original Film Version]
6. Like a Virgin [Original Film Version]
7. Meet Me in the Red Room [Original Film Version]
8. Your Song
9. The Show Must Go On [Original Film Version]
10. Ascension/Nature Boy (From the Death and...)
11. Bolero (Closing Credits) [Original Film Version]

Amazon.com

There are but two kinds of people in the world: Those captivated by Baz Luhrmann's heady, postmodernist musical romp Moulin Rouge--and everybody else. Oddly, the film's initial soundtrack release may have been the project's most traditional element, marketing a slate of pop-star contributions that gave listeners a sometimes-skewed perspective on its true musical charms. This follow-up corrects much of that oversight, offering original film versions of "Sparkling Diamonds" (the lavish, Nicole Kidman-performed medley of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" and "Material Girl"), Jim Broadbent's and Richard Roxburgh's loopy take on "Like a Virgin," as well as the lively Offenbach "Can Can" parody "The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular)." It also pays homage to the efforts of composer Craig Armstrong, whose quietly compelling underscore often binds the film's other far-flung musical influences together, be they stately orchestral readings of Elton John's "Your Song," a dramatic arrangement for Kidman and Ewan MacGregor's original film duet of "Come What May," or his dark, melodramatic take on Queen's "The Show Must Go On." The first Moulin Rouge soundtrack collection flaunted the film's bold, cross-genre ambitions; this one chronicles its nakedly emotional heart and soul. --Jerry McCulley

Album Details

Volume Two Includes the Memorable Renditions of 'like a Virgin' and 'your Song' and 'the Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular).' It also features a Mix of the Nicole Kidman Song 'one Day I'll Fly Away.'

Customer Reviews:

Wow........2007-01-15

I must say...I was very glad when they released Part Two of the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Don't get me wrong...the first part was great and all, but it was nothing spectacular. I was specifically looking for certain songs from the movie, and I was completely disappointed when they were on there. The release of a second soundtrack was, in my opinion, an absolute necessecity.

The highlights of the album are:

-Your Song (Instrumental)
-Sparkling Diamonds (original film version)
-Come What May (original film version)
-The Show Must Go On (original film version)

In my opinion, "The Show Must Go On" is the best song on this album...it was just so perfect for the ending of the movie, and I fell in love with the song. I was so disappointed that it wasn't on the first soundtrack. This song is part of what makes the second soundtrack so amazing...the song is fierce!!

If you love the movie and are a fan of the first soundtrack, then definitely, get this one. Many of the songs are versions taken straight from the movie - I recommend this with 4.5 stars...you will NOT be disappointed!

Love this CD.......2006-07-04

I love everything about this movie. The music is amazing and the instrumental songs on this CD are perfect. The first CD seemed to be more for a bunch of teenyboppers that wanted to hear the worst song on the whole CD (Lady Marmalade). If only they could combine the good songs from the first CD into this one.

I gave this 5 stars even though it's about a 4.5 because they split the soundtrack over two seperate cds.

Could it get any better?.......2006-03-02

So i thought that the first instalment in these soundtracks was great (and it was) but the purchase of this sequel is a must if you want the full effect. With the original film versions of these songs, sung by the stars of the movie, you get the real feel that was the magnifisence of Moulin Rouge! Ewan McGregor is still by far the star, with his talent spilling over the dramatic lovesong 'Come What May' and 'Your Song', but Nicole's brilliant performance as Satine definatly takes front and center in 'One Day I'll Fly Away' and the film version of 'Sparkling Diamonds'...I have noticed that many complain about how the first soundtrack did not include the film version of this song...well you need this CD then...you will not be dissapointed. Other highlights include 'Like a Virgin' which is downright histarical, and the dark cover of 'the show must go on' which highlights the tragidy behind this tightly woven tale. THis is one must have soundtrack for your ever growing collection. A perfect companion to soundtrack number 1!

Moulin rouge tried to fill up the GAP.......2006-02-12

This contains many great tracks missing from the original soundtrack, including Like A Virgin, Spectacular Spectacular and The Show Must Go On. I thought the inclusion of two instrumental versions of Your Song might be a bit redundant, but upon listening to them I really enjoyed them and they are quite different from one another. OK, it's not the best soundtrack that could have been put out. But it's pretty darn close. One thing that many DEDICATED fans of the movie (including myself) said is that the original movie soundtrack lacked the actual original movie score. There are 10+ songs in "Moulin Rouge" and many didn't make the final cut.

Baz did the smart thing, taking the audiences favorite music, a few gems from the first soundtrack such as "Come What May" and "Sparkling Diamonds" as well as a few new songs, like "Like a Virgin", "The Show Must Go On" and "The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular)" and releasing the Original Film versions, allowing for the amazing vocal performances of the actors, including the fabulous Jim Broadbent, to be shine through. Also, released is background music "Meet Me in the Red Room", played during Christian's arrival in the elephant, marking the only non-actor/orchestral piece within the context of the CD.

One thing that this soundtrack included that I didn't expect was several orchestral pieces that were mostly used as background music throughout the film. "Your Song - Instrumental" (#1) has personally become a favorite and is constantly being repeated in the CD player. Also included is the ending credits music "Bolero" and the final piece ... known as "Ascension/Nature Boy". Also included is a remix of "One Day I'll Fly Away", and like all MR remixes, is a little tough to listen to at first but after repeat listening, it becomes music to your ears.

To all you MR diehards out there: this is a must. Not like I could stop you anyways. To others who haven't been introduced to the spectacular (spectacular) world of Moulin Rouge, this is a great introductory piece, especially side-by-side with the first soundtrack.

ahahahahaha.......2006-02-01

Everything the other customers are saying is true: more music from the film, thankyouverymuch, not irritating pop conceits like the first. However, I would not have reviewed this album unless I found it absolutely necesary to point out that, in the climactic moments of track 5 "Come What May," Ewan MacGregor's voice is for some reason missing and replaced by a bizarre, operatic man's voice. It truly had me crying with laughter the first few times I heard it, and I wanted to share this wondrous discovery with the world.

Average customer rating: A Slight Innacuracy Excelente Hard to Find Orchestral Instrumentals, Vol. 2 Not totally an instrumental Another Collection You Wonr Find Anywhere else

Hard to Find Orchestral Instrumentals II Manufacturer: Eric Collection ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Oldies | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Hard to Find Pop Instrumentals II All-Time Great Instrumental Hits, Vol. 1 All-Time Great Instrumental Hits, Vol. 2 25 Rockin' Instrumentals Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 3: The Seventies ASIN: B00008L3O0 Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

1. Gonna Fly Now (Theme From 'Rocky') - Bill Conti
2. Theme From 'Ben Casey' - Valjean
3. Theme From 'The Apartment' - Ferrante & Teicher
4. The Long Ships (Part 1) - Charles Albertine (mono)
5. The Day The Rains Came - Raymond Lefevre (mono)
6. Beautiful Obsession - Sir Chauncey
7. Theme From 'The Sundowners'- Felix Slatkin
8. Chariot (I Will Follow Him) - Franck Pourcel
9. That's The Way With Love - Peter Soffici (mono)
10. Theme From 'The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs' - Percy Faith
11. Theme From 'A Man And A Woman' (from The Soundtrack) - Francis Lai
12. Route 66 Theme - Nelson Riddle
13. Moonglow & Theme From 'Picnic' - George Cates (mono)
14. Swinging Sweethearts - Ron Goodwin (mono)
15. Ringo's Theme (This Boy) - George Martin
16. Song For Anna (Chanson D'Anna) - (Herb) Ohta-San
17. Nadia's Theme (The Young & The Restless) - Barry Devorzon & Perry Botkinc Jr.
18. Danny Boy - Sil Austin
19. Trumpeter's Prayer - Tutti Camarata
20. One Moment In Time - Vienna Symphonic Orchestra (VSOP)

Album Description

A spectacular follow-up to Volume One in this instrumental series featuring 15 songs that have never been on a U.S. CD before. But this set isn't just for collectors, but also for listeners. All recordings have been digitally mastered from the original master tapes & are in True Stereo wherever possible. Includes a full 8-page booklet with detailed liner notes on each song.

Customer Reviews:

A Slight Innacuracy.......2007-06-13

The version of "Nadia's Theme" (Theme from The Young and the Restless) isn't actually the one you're expecting. I believe it's actually the original arrangement made for "Bless the Beasts and the Children". So what later became the Young and the Restless theme (the one that was a hit) still remains unreleased on CD.

Hopefully, we can see that version on a future release. Maybe they could get "Little Ballerina Blue" on one while they're at it.

Still, some great stuff here.

Excelente .......2007-03-22

El tema de nadia es una de las canciones mas excelentes de la historia de la musica

Hard to Find Orchestral Instrumentals, Vol. 2.......2006-03-22

The purchase went as we had hoped. The delievry was as promised, and the quality of the product equal too, or above our expectations.

Not totally an instrumental.......2006-03-10

I was excited to find this album. I bought it but was horrified to find a loud vocal on the first track. The rest of the music is all instrumental but this one track simply JARS you when it plays. Very disappointing!

Another Collection You Wonr Find Anywhere else.......2003-05-06

Well, ERIC records has done it again.

Continuing their unique practice of giving us both well known hits and impossible to find rarities, Eric presents Volume 2 of "Hard to Find Orchestral Instrumentals". This one is, in my opinion, even better than the first.

First off, the sound quality of this disk is ASTOUNDING. ERIC has gotten the various reissue departments to provide them with absolute first generation mono and stereo masters and this CD proves it. The aural quality is breathtaking. The fact that Orchestral music is so beautifully suited for true stereo playback is exhibited here, as a whopping 15 of the 20 tracks are True Stereo and sound magnificent.

There are, of course, the big soundtrack hits here, like 'The Day The Rains Came" "Rocky", "Ben Casey", "Theme from The Apartment", and " Nadias Theme". All top 30 and well remembered. However, for this 43 year old fan, it was the some of the lessor known tracks, in particulatr the 1963 Colpix low level charter "Theme From The Long Ships" that really makes this collection the gem that it is. Outstanding tracks include "Theme From The Sundowners" , "The Dark At The Top of The Stairs" and "I Will Follow Him" , all tracks that will suddenly sound familiar again after first listen.

Therein lies the BEST part of this collection. When you put this on your player, you will be treated to a nostalgic feast,
a time when the magic of Orchestral music still ruled the charts, and existed in all our homes. And you'll certainly remember most of these once you hear them, which is the fun part!!

There arent enough great things I can say about this collection AND its sister CD "Hard To Find pop Instrumentals- Part 2" I personally liked this volume better, but if you dont have either yet, give yourself a musical treat, and some REAL listening enjoyment and pick these up...

Its listening the way it used to be.

MA....

Average customer rating: A good value The Sound Track Since Bernard Hermann Good mix of film music A mixed collection of movie music Uplifts your soul, takes your mind into the heavens

Varese Sarabande 25th Anniversary Celebration Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Elfman, Danny | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kamen | Kamen, Michael | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Waxman | Waxman, Franz | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores In Session: Film Music Celebration The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection Jerry Goldsmith: 40 Years of Film Music The Incredible Film Music Box ASIN: B00008WI90 Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

1. The Man from Snowy River (Bruce Rowland)
2. The Winds of War (Bob Cobert)
3. Blue Velvet (Angelo Badalamenti)
4. Witness (Maurice Jarre)
5. Raising Arizona (Carter Burwell)
6. Pee Wees Big Adventure (Danny Elfman)
7. Halloween (John Carpenter)
8. A Nightmare On Elm Street (Charles Bernstein)
9. The Fly (Howard Shore)
10. RoboCop (Basil Poledouris)
11. The Empire Strikes Back (John Williams)
12. The Right Stuff (Bill Conti)
13. The Final Conflict (Jerry Goldsmith)
14. The Abyss (Alan Silvestri)
15. Brainstorm (James Horner)
16. Peggy Sue Got Married (John Barry)
17. My Left Foot (Elmer Bernstein)
18. The Dead (Alex North)
19. Stanley & Iris (John Williams)
20. The Milagro Beanfield War (Dave Grusin)
21. Driving Miss Daisy (Hans Zimmer)

Tracks:

1. Steel Magnolias (Georges Delerue)
2. Unforgiven (Lennie Niehaus and Clint Eastwood)
3. Raggedy Man (Jerry Goldsmith)
4. The Grifters (Elmer Bernstein)
5. Green Card (Hans Zimmer)
6. City Slickers (Marc Shaiman)
7. Father Of The Bride (Alan Silvestri)
8. While You Were Sleeping (Randy Edelman)
9. Babe (Nigel Westlake)
10. The Adventures Of The Great Mouse Detective (Henry Mancini)
11. The Adventures of Robin Hood (Erich Wolfgang Korngold)
12. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (Laurence Rosenthal)
13. The Secret Garden (Zbigniew Preisner)
14. A Little Princess (Patrick Doyle)
15. Rudy (Jerry Goldsmith)
16. Iron Will (Joel McNeely)
17. Memphis Belle (George Fenton)
18. Eye Of The Needle (Mikl)
19. Total Recall (Jerry Goldsmith)
20. Back To The Future Part III (Alan Silvestri)

Tracks:

1. To Die For (Danny Elfman)
2. The Player (Thomas Newman)
3. Black Robe (Georges Delerue)
4. Medicine Man (Jerry Goldsmith)
5. 2001 (Alex North)
6. Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire (Joel McNeely)
7. The Crow (Graeme Revell)
8. Blade (Mark Isham)
9. The Omen (Jerry Goldsmith)
10. Vertigo (Bernard Herrmann)
11. Scream (Marco Beltrami)
12. The Sixth Sense (James Newton Howard)
13. Xena: Warrior Princess (Joseph LoDuca)
14. Air Force One (Jerry Goldsmith)
15. Starship Troopers (Basil Poledouris)
16. The Matrix (Don Davis)
17. The Iron Giant (Michael Kamen)
18. Youve Got Mail (George Fenton)
19. A Little Romance (Georges Delerue)
20. Pleasantville (Randy Newman)

Tracks:

1. Sunset Boulevard (Franz Waxman)
2. L.A. Confidential (Jerry Goldsmith)
3. Rounders (Christopher Young)
4. The Score (Howard Shore)
5. The Replacements (John Debney)
6. Gone In 60 Seconds (Trevor Rabin)
7. The Bourne Identity (John Powell)
8. Rush Hour 2 (Lalo Schifrin)
9. XXX (Randy Edelman)
10. Die Hard (Michael Kamen)
11. The Last of the Mohicans (Trevor Jones)
12. Moby Dick (Christopher Gordon)
13. The Mists Of Avalon (Lee Holdridge)
14. Cleopatra (Alex North)
15. Life As A House (Mark Isham)
16. Emma (Rachel Portman)
17. In The Bedroom (Thomas Newman)
18. Cast Away (Alan Silvestri)
19. One True Thing (Cliff Eidelman)
20. Unfaithful (Jan A.P. Kaczmarek)
21. Far From Heaven (Elmer Bernstein)
22. Ice Age (David Newman)
23. Shrek (Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell)

Customer Reviews:

A good value.......2007-05-17

I wasn't expecting to have 4 discs for this price, and the music is a quality selection of film music, giving a good scope of the genre, and a very listenable transfer.

The Sound Track Since Bernard Hermann.......2006-07-25

This collection is bound to capture your heart and evoke a tin ear on successive tracks. I found much to like and some duds - easy to skip over.
Very good value.

Good mix of film music.......2006-07-02

Good mix of films!
I'm a big fan of this soundtrack music and will be looking for more CD's like this.

A mixed collection of movie music.......2006-02-23

For the price, this CD is a great bargain. The musical selections, as you might expect, are mixed in quality ranging from extraordinary to so so, the balance being worthwhile and interesting. Sonically the CD is excellent.

Uplifts your soul, takes your mind into the heavens.......2006-01-06

I have been listening to great scores for many years and this collection is truly inspirational in so far as the choice of different scores takes you on a journey of listening pleasure matched by only a few collections.The price is incredibly reasonable for hours of listening pleasure. Don't pass this one up

Average customer rating: As Always, Hilarious Spoof Odessey worth the laughs! better to be "Lost in Space" Stretched Thin Do the Math

Forbidden Broadway 2001: A Spoof Odyssey Manufacturer: Drg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Forbidden Broadway Cleans Up Its Act!: The Unoriginal Cast Recording, Volume 5 (1998 New York Cast) Forbidden Broadway, Vol. 8 - Special Victims Unit Forbidden Broadway (20th Anniversary Edition) Forbidden Broadway, Vols. 1-4 Forbidden Broadway: The Hit Musical Revue (1982 Revue Compilation) ASIN: B0000584UL Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

1. Forbidden Broadway 2001: Another Op'nin, 'Another Show
2. Futuristic Stewardess/Usherette: Come Fly With Me
3. Judi Dench: Why Can't The English?
4. Trouble In New Tork City: Trouble
5. The Music Man Revival 2001: Till There Was You
6. Cole Porter: You're The Top/From The Moment On
7. Kiss Me, Kate Revival 2001: Wunderbar
8. I Hate Ben - Marin Mazzie: I Hate Men
9. Cheryl Ladd In Annie Get Your Gun: There's No Business Like Show Business
10. Miss Saigon Farewell: Why God Why?
11. Saturday Night Fiasco: Stayin' Alive
12. Gwen Verdon & The Fosse Dancers: I'm A Brass Band/Steam Heat
13. Liza Minnelli 2001/Alan Cumming in Cabaret: Wilkommen
14. Let's Run Times Square Again: Let's Do the Time Warp Again
15. Ethel Merman & Elton John: I've Got Rhythm/Old Fashioned Wedding
16. Beauty's Been Decreased: Beauty And The Beast
17. Being Lupone: Being Alive
18. Sondheim's Blues: Buddy's Blues
19. Streisand's Farewell Tour: Happy Days Are Here Again/Mame
20. Les Miz 2001 - Edith Piaf/Milord
21. Aida - Amneris Intro: Every Story Is A Love Story/Heather Headley/It's Cheesy: Easy As Life
22. Elaborate Sets (Aida Cont.): Elaborate Lives
23. Angela Lansbury: I Don't Want To Know
24. The Full Monty: Let It Go
25. 76 Hit Shows: 76 Trombones
26. Bows-Ta-Ta Folks: Another Op'nin, 'Another Show
27. Joseph And The Amazing High 'C': Any Dream Will Do

Customer Reviews:

As Always, Hilarious.......2007-05-03

This is so funny! Like all the Forbidden Broadway cds, its another knock-out. I feel like such a crazy person when I am in the car driving and I just burst out laughing. Its great and a must have for any Forbidden Broadway fan.

Spoof Odessey worth the laughs!.......2002-04-14

I enjoyed "Forbidden Broadway 2001: A Spoof Odyssey." This recording has some truly genius material, and although these actors' impersonations of famous Broadway stars aren't as strong as they have been in the past, the CD has a lot to recommend it.

Particularly strong is Track 16, "Let's do an old fashioned show tune," featuring Elton John and Ethel Merman duking it out over AIDA, which Merman says is "putting everyone here through hell." Likewise, Track 15, "Let's Ruin Times Square Again," tickles my funny bone. Also wonderful are the satires of Beauty and the Beast, Angela Lansbury, and the Full Monty; Gerard Alessandrini's done a tremendous job with these! In addition, this CD's introductory song is much stronger than those on the previous volumes of Forbidden Broadway. It really sets the tone for the best parts of this recording.

Unfortunately, with a few notable exceptions, the first half of the CD is a bit thin, which is why I give this recording 3 out of 5 stars: Even though it entertains me, there's a lot I have to skip over. For example, the Liza Minelli spoof annoying (though, I admit, a little funny), and in the Music Man revival satire, their Robert Preston impersonator sounds *nothing* like the original. (In earlier recordings, the actors *did* sound like the people they claimed to be.)

The good news is that the CD has 30 tracks in all, so even though there are 13 that I dislike, I just love the rest... I do recommend it!

better to be "Lost in Space".......2001-12-31

First and foremost, this CD is really for diehard fans of Forbidden Broadway, those of us who want the good, the bad and the ugly on the cd rack. I was extremely unimpressed with the latest offering.

While I agree with some of the other reviewers that there is some nice work, I don't know that Saturday Night Fiasco and Sondheim's Blues are sufficient to carry the rest of the tracks. Not much seems new or worse yet, important. Disney isn't new, nor is Les Miz. And while pointing out what is stale and pedestrian on Broadway was amusing on the last couple of releases, this Forbidden Broadway spoof clearly has joined the list of stale and pedestrian.

While there is some nice material on this disc, I really didn't laugh out loud, and that is why I have always bought these in the past.

If Alessandrini reduces the show to the same complaints of the same shows and then replaying lightly tweaked versions of past numbers, Trouble and Alan Cumming in Cabaret specifically, then he has himself is on the becoming a revival - and we know what he thinks of revivals.

The repeats might even be acceptable if there was something fresh in the perfomance, but both were done much better on their respective discs. I think Danny Gurwin is a great comedian, but he doesn't shine in either of these numbers. We also need a recording with no Ethel Merman or Liza numbers - give them a rest already. And why bring back Streisand with such a poor imitation? The earlier Barbara's were dead on vocal impressions as well as speech patterns. If you aren't going to improve on it, then don't drag it back out.

Alessandrini suggests that this is one of the best casts he has ever worked with. I don't know what he bases that on, but I beg to differ, either cast with Bryan Batt was significantly better, although they worked with fresh, clever material. Still, those recordings had verocious talent that brought Gerard's stinging wit to life for those of us who can't see every new production of FB.

Maybe it is time to go to off Broadway productions, or to the radio or the movies for some new ideas. Or else promise no references to the Gap, Disney, or Chorus Boys, (way over used on this recording), along with a Merman and Liza free season. Start from scratch. That might give us hope that Forbidden Broadway too might not be dead.

Stretched Thin.......2001-03-26

I just saw the stage production of Forbidden Broadway 2001: A Spoof Odyssey. I agree with the other reviewers who feel that Alessandrini is no longer at the top of his game. Perhaps he should lay off for a year or three and let Broadway present new things for him to lampoon - as it always will.

The opening sequence is forced and unfunny, and clearly in place only to batter the listener with the "2001" theme. Unlike a previous reviewer, I found the Judi Dench parody hysterical, though I question its accuracy.

The "Trouble" parody is, as it always was, incomplete and thin. My dear friend John Kenrick (...) did a better job with it - included the segments of the original song that GA left out, and in a funnier fashion. The Cole Porter parody is marginally amusing, but the Brian Mitchell/Marin Mazzie parody is dead on the mark, and VERY funny.

The parody of Cheryl Ladd remains in the show, although she's no longer in "Annie Get Your Gun" - Reba McIntyre is now in the role. Similarly, he stabs at Alan Cumming, who is no longer playing the Emcee. These numbers, while funny, lack punch. On the other hand, he once again skewers long time target Patti LuPone with an hysterical new parody of Being Alive. I suppose she's innately funnier, after all these years, than Alan Cumming, who is, after all, a relative newcomer.

The Rocky Horror parody is amusing, and the observation that sex has moved off 42nd Street and onto the Broadway stage is not without merit. The Beauty parody is amusing, and apt, but as has already been noted, GA has been clobbering us with the Disnification of Broadway for years now. I suppose he finds some glee in the fading success of this particular show.

I must say that while Gurwin is not the greatest singer, "Sondheim's Blues" is the most brilliant piece I've heard from Alessandrini in years. It's absolutely dead on. The friends I was with had never seen nor heard "Follies" and completely missed the point, but I was in stitches.

The "10 Years More" (which does not appear on this album, but remains in the show) has really begun to wear thin, especially with the closing this year of Cats and Miss Saigon. The Cameron Macintosh British mega-musicals are finally releasing their grip on Broadway, and this isn't as funny any more.

Broadway, despite the naysayers, will never die... and apparently, neither will Forbidden Broadway. I don't think it should - but I do think it needs a rest.

Do the Math.......2001-03-15

Four CDs cover the first 20 Years of Forbidden Broadway, Gerard Alessandrini's viciously witty satire of New York Theatre. The last year has seen Three new CDs, FB "Cleans Up Its Act" "20th Anniversary Edition" and now "2001 a Spoof Odyssey". Do the math.

Alessandrini is running out of ideas, and is spreading the remaining ones too thin. . Sanitized Time Square - Been there. Disnified Broadway - Done that, and so many times. Asinine casting faux pas, plotless pointless set-monster musicals, and Ethel Merman and Liza. We've heard it all before - and last time, it was funnier.

Now normally when a writer (or director or actor) has truly entertained me on numerous occasions, I'll forgive the odd show that disappoints. This would be the case here except for two things: Alessandrini is in the vicious parody business - he's never spared anyone else Besides, if he's going to actually include couplets like: "If lyrics are no longer witty... Then I don't want to go " he's inviting the pans.

When you hear the AIDA lampoon, you'll be reminded of the dim bulb in Cyrano de Bergerac who taunts the hero with the brilliant witticism: Your nose is very large

Yes, there are a few true Forbidden Broadway tracks on Spoof Odyssey. Dame Judi Dench singing "Why can't Americans do theatre like the Brits?" (with apologies to My Fair Lady), I Hate Ben (with apologies to Kiss Me Kate) and about 1/3 of "Let's Ruin Time Square Again" (no apologies necessary to Rocky Horror which understands how easy it is for good parody to go bad). Oh yes, there is one absolutely true Forbidden Broadway track: TROUBLE - yes, the same Trouble from Volume 3 which was just re-released on the 20th Anniversary compilation - and it's back again with a more hackneyed Robert Preston impersonation and all of 4 words changed. Granted it's one of the better bits, more worthy of rerunning than say, referring to Miss Saigon as Viet-Numb, but oh, he reran that gag too

Average customer rating: Stunning Collection of Unbelievable Material

Shine Through My Dreams Manufacturer: Memoir Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Musicality of Novello We'll Gather Lilacs: The Songs of Ivor Novello Ivor Novello (H Books) (H Books) ASIN: B00004Z3JV Release Date: 2000-12-26

Tracks:

1. Fold Your Wings [From Glamorous Night] - Mary Ellis, Trefor Jones
2. Glamorous Night [From Glamorous Night] - Mary Ellis
3. When the Gipsy Played [From Glamorous Night] - Mary Ellis
4. Far Away in Shanty Town [From Glamorous Night] - Elisabeth Welch
5. Girl I Knew [From Glamorous Night] - Elisabeth Welch
6. Shine Through My Dreams [From Glamorous Night] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra, Trefor Jones, Charles Prentice
7. Selection [From Crest of the Wave] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra, Charles Prentice
8. Rose of England [From Crest of the Wave] - Edgar Elmes
9. If You Only Knew [From Crest of the Wave] - Dorothy Dickson
10. Why Isn't It You [From Crest of the Wave] - Walter Crisham, Dorothy Dickson
11. Haven of Your Heart [From Crest of the Wave] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra, Oliver Gilbert
12. Waltz of My Heart [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis, Ivor Novello
13. Wings of Sleep [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis, Oliver Gilbert, Ivor Novello
14. My Life Belongs to You [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis, Dunston Hart
15. I Can Give You the Starlight [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis
16. My Dearest Dear [From the Dancing Years] - Mary Ellis, Ivor Novello
17. Primrose [From the Dancing Years] - Roma Beaumont
18. Leap Year Waltz [From the Dancing Years] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra
19. Three Ballet Tunes [From the Dancing Years] - The Drury Land Theatre Orchestra, Charles Prentice

Tracks:

1. Selection [From Perchance to Dream] - Harry Acres
2. We'll Gather Lilacs [From Perchance to Dream] - Muriel Barron, Oliver Gilbert
3. Woman's Heart [From Perchance to Dream] - Muriel Barron, Ivor Novello
4. Curtsy to the King [From Perchance to Dream] - Roma Beaumont
5. Love Is My Reason [From Perchance to Dream] - Muriel Barron
6. Highwayman Love [From Perchance to Dream] - Olive Gibert, Male Chorus
7. This Is My Wedding Day [From Perchance to Dream] - Harry Acres, Muriel Barron
8. Selection: King's Rhapsody [From King's Rhapsody] - Peter Yorke
9. Someday My Heart Will Awake/Take Your Girl [From King's Rhapsody] - Oliver Gilbert, Vanessa Lee, Chorus
10. Fly Home Little Heart/The Mayor of Perpignan/The Gates of Paradise ... - Philis Dare, Oliver Gilbert, Vanessa Lee, Dennis Martin
11. Mountian Dove/If This Were Love/The Violin Began to Play [From ...] - Vanessa Lee, Larry Mandon, Dennis Martin
12. Violin Began to Play [From King's Rhapsody] - Vanessa Lee
13. Gates of Paradise [From King's Rhapsody] - Oliver Gilbert, Vanessa Lee, Dennis Martin
14. Someday My Heart Will Awake [From King's Rhapsody] - Vanessa Lee
15. Coronation Scene and Finale [From King's Rhapsody] - Harry Acres, , Oliver Gilbert, Vanessa Lee, Chorus
16. Selection of Ivor Novello Melodies: Glamorous Night (Intro)/Shine ... - Peter Yorke

Customer Reviews:

Stunning Collection of Unbelievable Material.......2006-07-27

What a great collection of original material.

Shame about the skimpy and sycophantic liner notes.

Average customer rating: Stepping to Stage Front Excellent Handel Program

Sarah Connolly: Heroes and Heroines Manufacturer: CORO ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Handel - Hercules / Shimell, DiDonato, Spence, Bohlin, Ernman, Kirkbride, Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Aix-en-Provence Opera Georg Friedrich Händel: Great Oratorio Duets [Hybrid SACD] Handel - Giulio Cesare / Connolly · Kirchschlager · De Niese · Dumaux · Bardon · Maltman · Ben Abdeslam · Ashworth · OAE · Christie · McVicar [Glyndebourne Opera 2005] Elina Garanca ~ Mozart Opera & Concert Arias Sandrine Piau - Handel Opera Seria ASIN: B00030ERP6 Release Date: 2004-10-01

Tracks:

1. Sinfonia (Act 3)
2. Sta nell' Ircana
3. Mi lusingha il dolce affetto
4. Sinfonia to Act 2
5. ...
6. ...
7. Recit & Aria: Scherza infida
8. Dopo notte
9. Entree des songes agreables
10. Verdi prati
11. Sinfonia (Act 2)
12. Recit & Aria: Cease, ruler of the day
13. Where shall I fly

Album Description

Featuring one of ENO's most accomplished stars, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, Heroes and Heroines is a new disc of Handel arias recorded with Harry Christophers and The Symphony of Harmony and Invention in May of this year.

Performing with Sarah on this new album is The Sixteen's acclaimed orchestra The Symphony of Harmony and Invention. In addition to the thrilling and heart-stoppingly beautiful arias on this recording, the orchestra has some `solo' tracks of its own which include `The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba' (from Solomon).

Customer Reviews:

Stepping to Stage Front.......2005-05-04

Sarah Connolly may be a well-known name in the UK but in the USA she has too infrequently performed for a wide audience to develop. That will most assuredly change with this release of this CD of arias and recitatives from four of Handel's operas - Alcina, Ariodante, Solomon, and Hercules.

Connolly's warm, rich, pliant mezzo soprano voice is balanced throughout her broad range and she uses it with great intelligence and a true concern for the passion and poignancy of the character portrayed. Her singing is straightforward, not that she does not embellish in the baroque tradition, but she refuses to ornament for the sake of ornamentation. If there is one aspect of Connolly's voice that is worrisome it is the wide vibrato that seeps into her singing when the declamations rise above forte. But that 'problem' is rarely significant on the opera stage; it seems to bolster the drama. Equally at home in trouser roles as well as heroines Connolly once again proves that Handel's works sung with this kind of commitment remain significantly viable contenders for the upper echelon of operas performed today.

Connolly is adroitly accompanied by Henry Christopher and The Symphony of Harmony and Invention, as superb ensemble of players as any in this repertoire! The tracks of instrumental sinfonias are as elegant and lovely as the vocal numbers. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, May 05

Excellent Handel Program.......2005-02-05

This is a wonderfully varied and well-thought-out recital of Handel's music for mezzo-soprano (or the castrato voice, in the case of many of these arias). The orchestral pieces are short but well-chosen, the playing is excellent, and Sarah Connolly is wonderful singer. Not the sublime territory of Lorraine Hunt or David Daniels, but close. Her performance of "Scherza Infida" from Ariodante is one of the best I've heard. The real treat on this recording is the monumental accompanied recitative from Hercules, "Where shall I fly?" a remarkably modern-sounding piece that deconstructs baroque musical conventions to a fare-thee-well. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Voice of the Baroque Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Academy of Ancient Music | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Voice Of Mozart Sacred Classics - Messiah, Ave Maria, Pie Jesu, Zadok the Priest, L'enfance du Christ ASIN: B0000667S1 Release Date: 2002-05-14

Tracks:

1. JS Bach: Cantata No. 140: Wachet auf, ruft uns die stimme
2. Purcell: Oedipus: Music for a While
3. Handel: Acis and Galatea: O Ruddier Than the Cherry
4. JS Bac: Bist du bei mir
5. Vivaldi: Gloria in D major: Gloria in Excelsis Deo
6. Handel: Semele: Where'er Ye Walk
7. Handel: Giulio Cesare: Piangero la sorte mia
8. Handel: Theodora: Defend Her, Heav'n
9. Handel: Berenice: Si, tra I ceppi e le ritorte la mia fe risplendera
10. Handel: Judas Maccabaeus: See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes
11. Handel: Messiah: Comfort Ye My People
12. Handel: Messiah: Ev'ry Valley Shall Be exalted
13. Handel: Messiah: O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion
14. Handel: Messiah: Behond, I Tell You a Mystery/The Trumpet Shall
15. Handel: Messiah: He Shall Feed His Flock
16. Handel: Messiah: Hallelujah

Tracks:

1. Handel: Samson: Let the Bright Seraphim
2. Scarlatti: L'onesta negli amori: Gia il sole dal Gange
3. Schutz: Musikalische Exequiem: Motet "Herr, wenn ich nur dich hab"
4. JS Bach: Sheep May Safely Graze
5. Handel: Serse: Ombra mai fu
6. JS Bach: Susser Trost, mein Jesu kommt
7. Monteverdi: L'Incoronazione di Poppea: Pur ti miro
8. JS Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
9. Purcell: The Indian Queen: I Attempt from Love's Sickness to Fly
10. Giordani: Caro mio ben
11. Vivaldi: Bajaset: Anch'il mar par che sommerga
12. JS Bach: Komm, susser Tod
13. Purcell: Dido and Aeneas: Dido's Lament: When I Am Laid in Earth
14. JS Bach: St. Matthew Passion: Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen
15. JS Bach: St. Matthew Passion: Erbarme dich, mein Gott
16. JS Bach: St. Matthew Passion: Wir setzen uns mit Tranen nieder

Average customer rating: Ono Chill I very seldom give low marks to Ono, but this one... Dreck Funky bliss Fantastic Mellow Remixes

Will I/Fly Yoko Ono Manufacturer: Twisted (U.S.) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Everyman...Everywoman Yang Yang Walking on Thin Ice Yes, I'm a Witch Blueprint for a Sunrise ASIN: B0000DZ3EH Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

1. Will I [John Creamer & Stephane K Remix]
2. Fly [Rob Rives Remix]
3. Will I [Creamer & K Ambient Mix]
4. O'Oh [Nuspirit Helsinki Remix]
5. Death of Samantha [Porcupine Tree Remix]

Customer Reviews:

Ono Chill.......2005-07-29

The "O'oh" and "Death Of Samantha" remixes are the best on this Ono EP. They would both (esp. "O'oh") fit very nicely on any of those "chill-out" compilations you can find out there. Living near NYC, I can clearly see in my head the park Yoko is singing about on the 4th of July.Very nice ambient mixes.

I very seldom give low marks to Ono, but this one..........2004-10-19

As hard as I tried, I wanted to like this remix. I like the originals very much. To me this remix sounds prepackaged and 'let's get on the Ono bandwagon' fueled by an off the assembly line eagerness, remixing the orginals with little creative energy and originality but lots of artificial and intoxicating thump! thump! thump!.


Ono is at her best when she's a bit fiesty. She has a quiet seriousness and dignity about her. Though, lately, she's wearing a different set of clothes, being more 'hip' and sexy. She's too handsome for that nonsense. But this dance club/ I'm still so sexy set of new clothes and 'hip' image are what this lastest remix seem to be about.


No one admires or respects Ono more than I do. And some of the critical comments here are rude and way off the mark. I don't think personal attacks do much but reveal the author of such remarks. I'm very much looking forward to her remix collection when it's released, but I hope she pulls the plug on the assembly line bandwagon of indistinguishable remixes that can ruin what has been a distinguished and original career.

Dreck.......2004-10-13

She has John's millions (billions?) Does this give her the right to inflict herself on us? What was JOHN LENNON thinking? I doubt the social skills or sanity of anybody who would rate this crud high. It must be loyalty to Lennon or some pretense nobody else "gets". Boo, hiss.

Funky bliss.......2003-12-03

It was unexpected in a way, for this resurgance of Yoko's music in remixed form, to become so prevelant, especially on the dance floors, but is most greatly welcome.

The pensive "Will I" is juxtaposed in two ways, one with evocative, hypnotic dance beats, and the other with the pulse of a heartbeat.

Along side it is, what i feel, among the greatest gems of all her remixes, which is of "Fly", which is injected with the spoken word piece from "Feeling the Space", "I Learned to Stutter". The way it is integrated into the song, makes it like an outstanding tribute to the life and ways all through the years, of a singular and strong woman. One will see what the unusual title "I Learned to Stutter" means when she gets to it. That's a priceless moment. Not to mention the razor-sharp vocals from Fly come across with a spine-tingling purity and make this a potential club-classic.

The next two songs are dreamlike and stellar, with the song "O'oh" turned into a jazzy, and quite lovely anthem, and the song "Death Of Samantha" beautifully complimented by prog-rock like guitar/violin backing.

This is essential for any Yoko lover.

Her vocals come accross, in all songs, with the ring of great truth, and of course, fabulous sound, for whoever thought she couldn't sing, especially in "Death of Samantha".

Fantastic Mellow Remixes.......2003-11-07

I have all of the other remix CDs that Yoko has released so far and this is another great addition to my collection. Admittedly, it took a few listenings to get used to it as it is so mellow compared to the first releases (Open Your Box, Walking On Thin Ice, etc.), but the process was heaven. It is done more in an ambient than dance style and provides about thirty-five minutes of good meditation music, although I could just as easily make art to it as visualize with my hands in my lap. If you have enjoyed the other remixes and are looking forward to more and especially if you are looking forward to something to chill to, this CD is a must. Go Yoko!

Average customer rating:

'70s Preservation Society Presents Disco Fever: 40 Top Hits Various Artists , The Hustle (Van McCoy) 2. Turn The Beat Around (Vicki Sue Robinson) 3. If I Can't Have You (Yvonne Elliman , Wind & Fire/Emotions) 5. In The Bush (Musique) 6. Never Knew Love Like This Before (Stephanie Mills Boogie Wonderland (Earth , Kool & the Gang) 8. Ring My Bell (Anita Ward) 9. Bad Luck (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes) 10. Car Wash (Rose Royce , Another Love Like Mine (Lou Rawls) 15. Boogie Oogie Oogie (A Taste Of Honey) 16. Born To Be Alive (Patrick Hernandez , Inc.) Rock Freak) (G.Q.) 18. Shame (Evelyn "Champagne" King) 19. Boogie Fever (The Sylvers) 20. Funkytown (Lipps , Bee Gees) 2. Got To Be Real (Cheryl Lynn) 3. I'm Your Boogie Man (KC & The Sunshine Band) 4. Love Hangover (Diana Ross , More, More (Pt. 1) (Andrea True Connection) 7. Fly Robin Fly (Silver Convention The Nightlife (Disco 'Round) (Alicia Bridges) 6. More , Let Me Be Misunderstood (Santa Esmerelda) 9. More Than A Woman (Tavares) 10. Heart Of Glass (Blondie) 11. Disco Inferno (The Trammps) , and A Fifth Of Beethoven (Walter Murphy) 19. Right Back Where We Started From (Maxine Nightingale) 20. I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music ASIN: B000MZ6ROQ

Product Description

Includes: DISC ONE: 1. The Hustle (Van McCoy) 2. Turn The Beat Around (Vicki Sue Robinson) 3. If I Can't Have You (Yvonne Elliman) 4. Boogie Wonderland (Earth, Wind & Fire/Emotions) 5. In The Bush (Musique) 6. Never Knew Love Like This Before (Stephanie Mills) 7. Ladies Night (Kool & the Gang) 8. Ring My Bell (Anita Ward) 9. Bad Luck (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes) 10. Car Wash (Rose Royce) 11. Don't Leave Me This Way (Thelma Houston) 12. Y.M.C.A (Village People) 13. Take Your Time (Do It Right) (S.O.S. Band) 14. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine (Lou Rawls) 15. Boogie Oogie Oogie (A Taste Of Honey) 16. Born To Be Alive (Patrick Hernandez) 17. Disco Nights (Rock Freak) (G.Q.) 18. Shame (Evelyn "Champagne" King) 19. Boogie Fever (The Sylvers) 20. Funkytown (Lipps, Inc.) DISC TWO: 1. Night Fever (Bee Gees) 2. Got To Be Real (Cheryl Lynn) 3. I'm Your Boogie Man (KC & The Sunshine Band) 4. Love Hangover (Diana Ross) 5. I Love The Nightlife (Disco 'Round) (Alicia Bridges) 6. More, More, More (Pt. 1) (Andrea True Connection) 7. Fly Robin Fly (Silver Convention) 8. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (Santa Esmerelda) 9. More Than A Woman (Tavares) 10. Heart Of Glass (Blondie) 11. Disco Inferno (The Trammps) 12. Knock On Wood (Amii Stewart) 13. Boogie Nights (Heatwave) 14. Disco Lady (Johnnie Taylor) 15. Got To Give It Up (Pt. 1) (Marvin Gaye) 16. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now (McFadden & Whitehead) 17. T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia) (M.F.S.B. Featuring The Three Degrees) 18. A Fifth Of Beethoven (Walter Murphy) 19. Right Back Where We Started From (Maxine Nightingale) 20. I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)

Average customer rating: "The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me." Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative Absolutely Breathtaking! A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring. The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible

Wagner: The Valkyrie Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English) The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English) Wagner: The Rhinegold ASIN: B00004YU6Z Release Date: 2000-11-28

Tracks:

1. Act I: Prld - English Nat Opr Orch/Reginald Goodall
2. Act I, Scene 1: The Storm Drove Me Here - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
3. Act I, Scene 1: This House And This Wife - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
4. Act I, Scene 1: Evil Fortune's Never Far From Me - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
5. Act I, Scene 2: There He Lay, Feeble And Faint - Margaret Curphey/Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios
6. Act I, Scene 2: Through Field And Forest - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
7. Act I, Scene 2: Friedmund No One Could Call Me - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
8. Act I, Scene 2: The Neidings Raided Again - Alberto Remedios
9. Act I, Scene 2: So The Norn Who Dealt You This Fate - Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
10. Act I, Scene 2: I Know A Troublesome Race - Clifford Grant
11. Act I, Scene 3: A Sword Was Pledged By My Father - Alberto Remedios
12. Act I, Scene 3: Are You Awake? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
13. Act I, Scene 3: My Husband's Kinsmen - Margaret Curphey
14. Act I, Scene 3: Yes, Loveliest Bride - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
15. Act I, Scene 3: Winter Storms Have Vanished (Siegmund's Spring Song) - Alberto Remedios
16. Act I, Scene 3: You Are The Spring - Margaret Curphey
17. Act I, Scene 3: Oh Sweetest Enchantment - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
18. Act I, Scene 3: The Stream Has Shown My Reflected Face - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
19. Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund Call Me, And Siegmund Am I! - Alberto Remedios
20. Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund, The Walsung, Here You See! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey

Tracks:

1. Act II, Scene 1: Go Bridle Your Horse, Warrior Maid! - Norman Bailey
2. Act II, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Brunnhilde's Battle Cry) - Rita Hunter
3. Act II, Scene 1: The Usual Storm, The Usual Strife - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
4. Act II, Scene 1: Pretend That You Don't Understand! - Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
5. Act II, Scene 1: Now It's Come To Pass! - Norman Bailey
6. Act II, Scene 1: So This Is The End Of The Gods And Their Glory - Ann Howard
7. Act II, Scene 1: You Never Learn What I Would Teach You - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
8. Act II, Scene 1: What Must I Do? - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
9. Act II, Scene 1: Hiaha! Hiaha! Hoyotoho! - Rita Hunter/Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
10. Act II, Scene 2: Fricka Has Won The Fight - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
11. Act II, Scene 2: When Youth's Delightful Pleasures Had Waned - Norman Bailey
12. Act II, Scene 2: She Refused To Reveal More About It - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
13. Act II, Scene 2: There's More To Tell - Norman Bailey
14. Act II, Scene 2: Yet One Can Accomplish What I May Not - Norman Bailey
15. Act II, Scene 2: But The Walsung, Siegmund - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
16. Act II, Scene 2: Then Siegmund Must Fall In His Fight? - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
17. Act II, Scene 2: I Give You My Blessing, Nibelung Son! - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
18. Act II, Scene 2: No, Have Mercy - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey

Tracks:

1. Act II, Scene 2: So I Obey His Command - Rita Hunter
2. Act II, Scene 3: Rest Here For A While; Stay By My Side! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
3. Act II, Scene 3: Away! Away! - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
4. Act II, Scene 3: Where Are You, Siegmund? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
5. Act II, Scene 4: Siegmund! Look At Me! (Announcement Of Death) - Rita Hunter/Alberto Remedios
6. Act II, Scene 4: And If I Come - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
7. Act II, Scene 4: Then Greet For Me Walhall - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
8. Act II, Scene 4: Woe! Woe! Sister And Bride - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
9. Act II, Scene 4: Two Lives Now Lie In Your Power - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
10. Act II, Scene 5: Charms Of Sleep Are Sent To Still - Alberto Remedios
11. Act II, Scene 5: I Hear Your Call - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
12. Act II, Scene 5: Wehwalt! Wehwalt! - Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey

Tracks:

1. Act III, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Ride Of The Valkyries) - Katie Clark/Anne Evans/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Shelagh Squires/Anne Conoley
2. Act III, Scene 1: Shield Me And Help - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
3. Act III, Scene 1: Hear While I Tell You - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
4. Act III, Scene 1: Pray Suffer No Sorrow For Me - Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne...
5. Act III, Scene 1: Fly Him Swiftly, Away To The East! - Rita Hunter
6. Act III, Scene 1: O Radiant Wonder! (Parting Salute) - Margaret Curphey
7. Act III, Scene 1: Stay, Brunnhild! - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
8. Act III, Scene 2: Where Is Brunnhild? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
9. Act III, Scene 2: Weak-Spirited, Womanish Brood! - Norman Bailey
10. Act III, Scene 2: Here I Am, Father - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
11. Act III, Scene 2: No More Will You Ride From Walhall - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
12. Act III, Scene 2: Did You Not Hear What I Decreed? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
13. Act III, Scene 3: Was It So Shameful - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
14. Act III, Scene 3: I Know So Little - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
15. Act III, Scene 3: You, Who This Love Into My Heart Revealed - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
16. Act III, Scene 3: You Indulged Your Love - Norman Bailey
17. Act III, Scene 3: Unworthy Of You This Foolish Maid - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
18. Act III, Scene 3: You Fathered A Glorious Race - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
19. Act III, Scene 3: In Long, Deep Sleep - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
20. Act III, Scene 3: Farewell, My Valiant, Glorious Child! (Wotan's Farewell) - Norman Bailey
21. Act III, Scene 3: These Eyes So Warm And So Bright - Norman Bailey
22. Act III, Scene 3: Loge, Hear! Come At My Call! - Norman Bailey
23. Act III, Scene 3: Magic Fire Music - Norman Bailey

Customer Reviews:

"The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me.".......2007-06-12

Okay, so we have the Solti, Bohm, Karajan, Goodall, Boulez, Janowski, Levine, Haitink, and Sawallisch Rings on the market (I haven't listened to the other Ring recordings yet, sorry to say). And all of these leave me to one conclusion: the many differences lead me to believe that all of these ring sets have their own authenticities and setbacks. And here they are:

TIMING (Estimate):
Solti's Ring: 14 hours, 30 minutes
Bohm's Ring: 13 hours, 30 minutes
Karajan's Ring: 14 hours, 50 minutes
Goodall's Ring: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Boulez's Ring: 13 hours, 40 minutes
Janowski's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes
Levine's Ring: 15 hours, 20 minutes
Haitink's Ring: 14 hours, 10 minutes
Sawallisch's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes

CONDUCTING:
Solti: Solti's conducting is driven with sheer muscle, but sometimes he makes the Ring overemotional. His Walkure & Gotterdammerung Preludes are clear examples: they're annoyingly bombastic. Nonetheless he almost seldom loses control with anything. His clear focus on the drama is astonishing.

Bohm: I must say his live Bayreuth recording brings out some of the best. He puts more faith in the orchestral score, but he also gives it more intensity. His tempi are some of the quickest, but they still don't seem rushed at all (except maybe "Wohin schleich'st du eilig und schlau"). I especially like his "Forging Scene" & "Hagen Summons the Vassals"; both are the most energetic on disc.

Karajan: Karajan's chamber approach is very interesting. Instead of going for the drama or the energy, the conductor goes for the beauty. Almost everything in his Ring sounds very ethereal because of his excessive use of lyricism. His orchestral preludes (except Walkure Act 1) sound more beautiful than others, and much of the soft parts (such as Siegfried Act Three Scene Three) are controlled nicely. His "Funeral March" and "Immolation" are recommendable. Siegfried Act Three Scene Two could have improved with more tension.

Goodall: Oh, boy. While I do praise Goodall with his amazing attention to detail, his ridiculously sluggish tempi will tick some Wagnerites off: nothing is faster than andante. But I did enjoy listening to the slow beauty of his "Wotan's Farewell/Magic Fire Music". This was recorded live and sung in English.

Boulez: Here it is, folks - the controversial Centennial Ring. To fit the Ring Cycle in the industrial age, Boulez gives it a very Schoenbergian, Bartokian atmosphere. Much of his tempi are very quick, very Bohm-like, though they're still not as fast as Bohm. Keep in mind, though, this live Ring works only if you hear AND see it (the DVD's work best).

Janowski: This is a very classical Ring. Instead of bombast, spacious, or lyrical passion, maestro Janowski gives us the straightforward approach. He goes straight for Wagner's original intentions (precise tempi, dynamics, flow of leitmotivs, etc.), which makes this another exquisite Ring. "Hagen Summons the Vassals" is probably the fastest I've ever heard (along with Sawallisch's). Rheingold Scene Four can be best described as "sensational".

Levine: While he does stay true to the score like Bohm, this conductor makes for a somewhat dull Ring. His handling of the orchestra is nice, but the moderately slow tempi he chooses is flawed. It should be more animated. His beautiful "Funeral March" and "Erda's Warning" are two of the few flawless features.

Haitink: This might be seen as a disappointment. If you want great conducting, then this is for you. If you want a persuasive array of singers, look somewhere else. Haitink's conducting saves this work from being a total flop. There is nothing quite like his Rheingold & Gotterdammerung ("Siegfried's Rhine Journey" is a bit forced, but magnificent nonetheless).

Sawallisch: I guess you can say that Sawallisch is half-Karajan, half-Janowski. While he does stay true to the orchestral score like Janowski, he also puts in a little Karajan-like lyricism. At some points he loses track with orchestra and singers (as does every live recording) but Bohm has more control. This was also recorded live.

ORCHESTRA:
Solti's Vienna Philharmonic: The woodwinds are the most beautiful in Solti's Ring (the "Forest Murmurs" is clear evidence of that). French horns and Wagner tubas make this a recommended listening. The strings in "Heda Heda Hedo" could've added a bit more work, but they are strikingly spectacular everywhere else. The orchestra gives it their all in Siegfried Act Two & Three, but they are at their weakest in Walkure Act One & Three (Bohm's Bayreuth does it better). Overall, it's the loudest and certainly most bombastic out of all the Ring orchestras combined.

Bohm's Bayreuth Festival: The ultimate Wagnerian orchestra gives it their all. The brass both high and low are the most powerful, while the woodwinds are the most delicate. The strings are muffled only a few times, otherwise the eighteen anvils are perfectly loud and clear. Erda's scenes aren't as effective as Janowski's, but the entire Walkure is more successful than Janowski's when it comes to tone & technique. Overall, this orchestra is the most dramatic.

Karajan's Berlin Philharmonic: The entire orchestra sounds polished, not to say that it is bad. Indeed the drama is still there, but much of the suspense is lacking (the scenes with Fasolt and Fafner come to mind). The brass sometimes overpowers the strings, which can be a serious problem. Gotterdammerung "Three Norns" Scene sounds very mysterious, very eerie.

Goodall's English National Opera: This orchestra sounds nice, even if the sluggishness can bring them down at times. The Flight of the Valkyries doesn't sound too good in a slow tempo, but the entire orchestra does sound lucid here. Siegfried Act Two Prelude is the creepiest. All of the leitmotivs are heard loud and clear, just like in Janowski's version.

Boulez's Bayreuth Festival: While it doesn't really pack the same punches as Bohm's Bayreuth, it still delivers a stunning performance. Orchestral interaction between characters (Ex. Siegfried's motifs mixed in with Mime's motifs) fares better than Berlin's and English National's. Rhine maiden motifs are given more wit, while the Dragon motifs are played with less eeriness. Beauty makes up for the irritatingly quick "Wotan's Farewell".

Janowski's Staatskapelle Dresden: This orchestra has the same force & flair as does Boulez's Bayreuth Festival, only Dresden sounds much clearer due to the fantastic digital sound. Even minor details are heard clear in this Ring. The strings imitate the Siegfried forest very well, while the woodwinds representing the songbird are wonderful (but not as wonderful as Solti's songbird). Dresden's "Magic Fire Music" (along with Berlin's) is the most extravagant.

Levine's Metropolitan Opera: The brass and woodwinds are the true stars. The strings sound too tired to continue on in Siegfried & Gotterdammerung. The Finale to Rheingold is absolutely stunning (the trumpets and trombones will not disappoint), and the Second Act of Walkure is the most impressive, the most refined.

Haitink's Bavarian Radio Symphony: This may very well be like Metropolitan, only this sounds much more poignant. The strings sound better and the percussion sound clearer. The leitmotivs are almost never screwed up. First scene of Rheingold will take one's breath away.

Sawallisch's Bavarian State: Wrong notes in this live recording won't matter, as the entire orchestra gets everything going in all four nights at the opera. The strings never surrender to imperfection, and the winds are marvelously aligned. I just wish that some of the singers would keep up with the orchestra.

SINGERS:
-Wotan
Solti: Hans Hotter is the superior Wotan. He sounds powerful throughout the Ring (except Rheingold, in which a less stellar George London performs).

Bohm and Janowski: Theo Adam in Bohm's live recording is another treat. While he is not as equally impressive as Hotter, he can certainly conjure up everlasting emotions. Adam sounds weaker in Janowski's studio recording, but he still doesn't disappoint.

Karajan: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau plays Wotan in "Rheingold," while Thomas Stewart replaces Fischer-Dieskau in "Walkure" and "Siegfried". I don't think Fischer-Dieskau was a good choice; he sounds too humane and too light. Stewart makes an astounding improvement in both "Walkure" and "Siegfried".

Goodall: Norman Bailey has that divine spark that Hotter used to cherish. He's heavy and unblemished, and he handles the English text with flair and sheen.

Boulez: If you watch Donald McIntyre on the Centennial Ring production, then you can tell that he's a fine "industrial" Wotan. If you just hear him on CD, then you'll be disappointed. His diction is weak, his emotions are forced, and his voice sounds robotic. The DVD's will do.

Levine and Haitink: James Morris is a notch below Hotter, Adam, and Bailey, but he overpowers Fischer-Dieskau pretty much throughout the Levine's and Haitink's Ring.

Sawallisch: I may be biased, but Robert Hale just didn't do it for me. He sounded dull and tedious, and his Wotan's Farewell wasn't enough to sadden me.

-Brunnhilde
Solti and Bohm: Birgit Nilsson is the best Brunnhilde on the market. Her Valkyrie cry is delightful, and her final scene in Gotterdammerung is brilliant beyond belief.

Karajan: Regine Crespin is without a doubt one of the finest Brunnhildes after Nilsson. She's fantastic in Walkure Act Three. I just wish she stayed on as the Valkyrie later on in the Ring (Helga Dernesch is no good in Gotterdammerung, sorry to say).

Goodall: Rita Hunter is at her strongest in Walkure and Siegfried. She is at her weakest in Gotterdammerung. What may have caused her downfall in the fourth installment? "The world may never know."

Boulez: How can anyone not be impressed by the Brunnhilde of Gwyneth Jones? One can almost feel her excitement during Siegfried Act Three, and her fear in Walkure Act Three. Her weakest point is probably during her Gotterdammerung Prologue (a bit too stressed).

Janowski: Jeannine Altmeyer is basically the most controversial Brunnhilde on CD. Some people say that she's too light and weak, while others say she sounds young and very enchanting. I'm with those who think Altmeyer was a good choice, but you yourself (the shopper) are going to have to decide whether she's good or not.

Levine and Sawallisch: Hildegard Behrens is just like Nilsson and Crespin: while she's not the best, she is definitely another perfect Brunnhilde of choice. She's at her most dazzling when she performs Walkure (Levine) and Siegfried (Sawallisch).

Haitink: Hmph. I was hoping that Eva Marton would do well here. I was seriously let down by her strained singing. She does okay in "Annunciation of Death", but she is at her worst in "Immolation".

-Siegmund & Sieglinde
Let's see. For the Siegmunds, we have James King for Solti and Bohm, Jon Vickers for Karajan, Alberto Remedios for Goodall, Peter Hoffman for Boulez, Siegfried Jerusalem for Janowski, Gary Lakes for Levine, Reiner Goldberg for Haitink, and Robert Schunk for Sawallisch. For the Sieglindes, we have Regine Crespin for Solti, Leonie Rysanek for Bohm, Gundula Janowitz for Karajan, Margaret Curphy for Goodall, Jeanine Altmeyer for Boulez, Jessye Norman for both Janowski and Levine, Cheryl Studer for Haitink, and Julia Varady for Sawallisch. Hmm . . . Jerusalem is good . . . and so is Vickers . . . Janowitz is charming, and so is . . . Oh, what the heck? All the singers for Siegmund and Sieglinde are fantastic. Three exceptions, though: Goldberg and Schunk don't sound heroic enough, and Norman for Levine doesn't sound young and innocent enough.

-Siegfried
Solti and Bohm: Wolfgang Windgassen may very well be the best Siegfried for the ages. His `Forging Scene" in both renditions are defiantly inspiring. His last scene in Gotterdammerung is celestial and overwhelming.

Karajan: Jess Thomas (Siegfried) and Helge Brilioth (Gotterdammerung) may not be as ideal as Windgassen, but they do know how to be a magnificent heldentenor. Thomas pulls it off with Act One and Three.

Goodall: Wow! What a singer that Alberto Remedios! He never drags in either of the last two installments, and he uses the correct emotions in every scene that he is in.

Boulez: Is Manfred Jung a good tenor? Yes. Is he a good Heldentenor? NO. He doesn't have that heroic voice like Windgassen and Remedios. Again, the DVD's are your safest bet.

Janowski and Sawallisch: Rene Kollo's Siegfried is a poetically expressive one. In Janowski's version he sounds playful when he's in Mime's home, and he sounds willed when he's in the Gibich Hall. He is not good enough in Sawallisch's version, however. His tiresome "Forging Scene" is obvious evidence of that.

Levine: Oh, Reiner Goldberg. At least you tried. Seriously, he sounds too tedious (especially in Gotterdammerung Act Three Scene Two) and too old. Levine should've chose Kollo or Jerusalem when he recorded his studio Ring.

Haitink: Have you ever seen Siegfried Jerusalem on the Levine/Metropolitan DVD? Well, here he is again, and this time, he sings with more valor and enthusiasm. Bravo!

-Alberich
Solti and Bohm: Gustav Niedlinger has a heaviness that overwhelms a few other baritones. When he sings his only sequence in Gotterdammerung Act Two Scene One, his emotion is so pure that his son Hagen would've drowned himself in tears (Too melodramatic? Sorry about that.). The only problem is that his character sounds too one-dimensional. Alberich isn't just some cardboard-cutout bad guy. He has a very good reason why he wants to take revenge on the world. Overall, Niedlinger is amazing throughout Wagner's Ring (He deserves many awards for "Bin ich nun frei?").

Karajan: I guess you can say that Zoltan Kelemen tries his best throughout. He is not good in Rheingold, but he gets better in Siegfried and Gotterdammerung.

Goodall: Derek Hammond-Stroud is three-dimensional, but not that much. Still, he can sound very demanding in Rheingold Scene One and Siegfried Act Two Scene One.

Boulez: What we have here is the weak Alberich of Hermann Becht. When he's in Nibelheim, the authority isn't there. When he's in the Neid-Hohle forest, the creepiness isn't there. And when he's near the Gibich house, the misery isn't there. Even on DVD he's unsatisfactory.

Janowski: Siegmund Nimsgern may be the most humane Alberich yet, but it's all good. He sings with more passion than Kelemen and more robustness than Hammond-Stroud. Niedlinger's ferociousness puts him below, however. "Schaf'st du, Hagen, mein sohn?" is noteworthy.

Levine and Sawallisch: Ekkehard Wlaschiha is one hell of a vigorous Alberich. I praise him in Rheingold Scene One and Three. His performance in Siegfried (both versions) could've improved with more distrustfulness towards Mime and the Wanderer.

Haitink: No offense, but Theo Adam as Alberich? Come on . . .

-Mime
Solti and Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is the creepiest Mime ever known to humankind. This dwarf outsings other Mimes on the market. When he sings "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" his anger and fear is the most effective to almost all Ring listeners.

Bohm: Erwin Wohlfahrt wins second place. He gives a first-rate performance in Siegfried Act One, but loses some of his edge in Act Two. He is an exceptional Mime nonetheless. Look for him in Karajan's Rheingold, also.

Goodall: Gregory Dempsey isn't emotional enough. He doesn't sound fearful or depressed at all, which makes him the dullest Mime for the Ring.

Boulez and Levine: Heinz Zednik is yet another excellent Mime, VERY fun to listen to. There is much humor and eccentricity in his voice, and that's what makes his dwarf much more compelling than Dempsey's dwarf. His performance in Rheingold Scene Three is pure gold, while his performance in Siegfried (particularly "Willkommen, Siegfried!") is a stunning achievement.

Janowski: Peter Schreier is for Siegfried, while Christian Vogel is for Rheingold. Vogel is less than perfect, while Schreier is way beyond outstanding. Schreier is less ghoulish and more benevolent, more three-dimensional than Stolze and Wohlfahrt. He is equal to Zednik when it comes to humaneness and lyricism. The only flaw I can find is his handling of "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" He could've added a bit more fear in that sequence.

Haitink: Peter Haage sounds like he's entertaining young kids. His version of Mime is a bit childish, and the dark humor that the dwarf brings out sounds-over-the-top here. Nonetheless, he is still entertaining to listen to ("Wer halfe mir?" has never sounded better).

Sawallisch: Helmut Pampuch is just like Schreier and Zednik: he's very VERY good. Nuff said.

-Loge
Solti: Set Svanholm may be the weakest Loge. He is not very ominous throughout all of his scenes, and his lack of a sinister atmosphere is greatly affects the entire Rheingold. But he'll soon be forgotten later on during the Trilogy.

Bohm: Why the heck would the conductor have Wolfgang Windgassen play both Siegfried AND Loge? The demi-god needs to sound different from a son of a Walsung. Again, another Loge that's marred by lack of cunning.

Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is easily the most entertaining Loge to listen to. He has the wit, the craftiness, and the untrustworthiness that the character deserves. His scenes in Scene Three are delightful.

Goodall: Emile Belcourt isn't as good as Stolze, but he certainly can make some of the best of an English-speaking Loge.

Boulez and Haitink: I can summon Heinz Zednik's performance in just three words: Brilliant Beyond Belief!

Janowski: Peter Schreier is the most eccentric out of all of them, and that's a fact. Much of his singing involves imagination, peril, vengeance, and deviousness. Belcourt and Zednik depend only on vengeance and deviousness, Stolze only imagination and deviousness, Windgassen and Svanholm only peril. His odd conversations with Alberich and the gods/goddesses are classic.

Levine: Siegfried Jerusalem doesn't seem like a good choice for Loge. He's better off playing Siegmund or Siegfried, but not a demi-god.

Sawallisch: Robert Tear is on par with Stolze and Zednik. Sometimes he takes things too low, but all is forgiven with his management of character development.

-Everyone Else
Uh-huh, what can I say? Everyone else does a good job in all Ring recordings. Matti Salminen is the perfect Hagen (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch), while Kirsten Flagstad is the most brilliant Fricka (Solti). Anja Silja is the most memorable Freia (Bohm), while Kurt Moll makes the most fabulous Hunding yet (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch). The Norns and Rheinmaidens do a splendid job in Solti, Janowski, and Levine. The Vassals (male choir) are at their unsurpassed in Bohm, Goodall, and Boulez. The only flawed Erda is Anne Collins (Goodall), maybe too light and too heavy at times. All in all, no one here is graded C or lower.

CONCLUSION: I have yet to listen to Barenboim's Bayreuth presentation, Neuhold's Badische version, and the essential mono recordings (Furtwangler, Krauss, etc.), but I'm pretty sure that have their advantages and disadvantages. So there you have it. We have the histrionic Solti, the energetic Bohm, the otherworldly Karajan, the spacious Goodall, the industrialized Boulez, the truthful Janowski, the unhurried Levine, the abnormal Haitink, and the serious Sawallisch Rings. They have their own authenticities and setbacks, and they certainly have their own significances for Ring listeners everywhere.

The Box Set: Wagner: The Ring Cycle (Box Set)
The Rhinegold (Part 1): Wagner: The Rhinegold
Siegfried (Part 3): Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Twilight of the Gods (Part 4): The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)

Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative.......2005-05-03

This is one of three Walkure's in my collection: the very underrated Leinsdorf, the thrilling Boehm and this one with Goodall. I believe Goodall is right up there with the best of them. Remedios, Hunter and Bailey sing beautifully and with sufficient drama. I'll go out on a musical limb and say I believe Bailey is one of the finest Wotan's on disc. Many will disagree but I think he has the measure of the role, the power to pull it off and a burnished timber that never becomes coarse under powerful climaxes... Remedios may well be the star of the trilogy along with Hunter and Bailey. His Siegmund is beautifully sung and his Siegfried by the way, is no mean stint either. Would that we had tenors that could sing Siegfried without sounding stretched beyond their limits. I am continually puzzled by the bad reviews that the orchestra playing receives from ARG, Classics Today and a few others. The ENO is not a Concertgebouw or Vienna Philharmonic but I think they play beautifully, a few clinkers notwithstanding. For a live show, they do a pretty d..... good job. THe sound from both orchestra and singers is exceptionally fine. This set belong in your collection if you like Wagner and, Die Walkure, in particular. If I had been at the performance in the 1970's I would have come home very happy, satisfied and richer for the experience.

Absolutely Breathtaking!.......2002-09-13

I had long cringed at the thought of this magnificant masterpiece recorded in English. Even after reading several rave reviews on this cylce that I've read by authoritive Wagnerites and critics, I was still skeptical. Finally, I decided to add Goodall's 'Ring' as my third complete cycle (after Solti & Bohm) for one reason: because it was in English and I felt it would enhance my understand of 'The Ring.' In fact, after achieving that "higher understanding" I was planning on selling this set on Ebay. That was, of course, before I heard this magnificant recording.

During the course of my research on 'The Goodall Ring' most of the praised seemed to heighten around 'Siegfried,' which is my absolute favorite of the cycle. That also helped to seal the deal. As the critics said, 'Siegfried' under Goodall is excellent, but not as monumental as Solti's reading, which IMHO is the greatest recording of 'Siegfried.'

The set that stands out, to me, in 'The Goodall Ring' is this recording; The Valkyrie. It is absolutely breathtaking. Not only is it my favorite of this set, it is my favorite Valkyrie recording period (I am very familiar with Boehm's, Solti's, Karajan's, Furthwanglers, Levines, and others). Alberto Remedios (Siegmund here and Siegfried in the last two operas) is truly magnificant. It is the best Siegmund I have heard on disc (and his Siegfried rivals Windgassen). Coupled with Margaret Curphey (Sieglinde), you get the most beautiful and moving duo I have heard on record. The duet in Act I is simply glorious. You also get the bonus of Norman Bailey's triumphant Wotan (and Wanderer too). He has such command and prescene. He sounds like a God. Throw in Rita Hunter, who holds her own as Brunnhilde, Goodall's miraculous conducting, and excellent playing by the orchestra and it all adds up to a stunning recording.

I can only say that in a way it's a shame this set is in English. Were it not, I believe Goodall's 'Ring' would be one of the most talked about, popular, and sought after complete recordings of the cycle. I can only say that I am so happy that I finally opened up to opera recorded in a different language than written.

I have fallen completely in love with Goodall's entire cycle. And, I have fallen in love with 'The Ring' all over again.

A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring........2001-08-30

This performance of *Die Valkure,* the second and most popular opera in Wagner's Ring Cycle, is musically splendid. Its special significance, however, is that it is sung in English. An English performance of the Ring is perhaps more important than that of any other opera(s), because Wagner's libretti are suffused with his ideas about society, fate, justice, and love. Even if (at times) you need to read along to understand what the singers are saying, *hearing* the lyrics in English is truly stirring in a way that performances in your non-native language cannot match.
A particular stand-out on this recording is the Wotan. His timbre, diction, and delivery perfectly embody the troubled god who tries desperately, and in vain, to keep the world under his control. His angst and wrath are utterly convincing.

The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible.......2001-01-30

I have never been a fan of opera in translation, but I must say that Andrew Porter's rendering of The Ring in English is amazing. He uses modern, not archaic, English, and the word choice is so very earthy and Germanic that the noble yet somewhat severe atmosphere of the Teutonic myths is conveyed perfectly. The sound, in other words, is an elegantly Germanic, and totally appropriate for the music and the Story it tells. It is not true that you can't understand the English anyway, because you can understand if you care to pay any attention at all. The translation is lucid, and so it the marvelous singing that conveys it.

Goodall's sense of music drama is lush, and takes some getting used to after the crash-and-burn Solti set, but after a time or two it seems just right. Goodall is not always slower than the rest, either; for example, the famous Ride of the Valkyries that begins Act III is quicker than Solti's surprisingly slow and heavy account. It is the most exciting that I have heard--and I have heard quite a few--but it is not so fast that the power is lost in favor of urgency.

This is not an urgent Die Walkure, and it is all the better for it. Goodall takes the time to actually tell the story, and is sensitive to the drama's needs over what could be called convention. For example, Wotan's Farewell doesn't thunder out after Brunnhilde's final declamation, like in so many recordings; rather, Goodall's interpretation is more dreamy, mysterious, and appropriately trance-like, in keeping with the action on stage.

I own the complete Solti Ring, but I must say I will be the first in line to get each new installment of this remarakable Ring as soon they hit the shelves. If you are new to Wagner, and are willing to make the plunge into a complete Ring, then start with this one and see if you want to continue. This recording is definitely one of the great Rings, and the superb translation will open up the work in ways that following the libretto just won't. I promise that you won't be able to put this one away easily. Get it!

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