| 1. Could Be Well In (Radio Edit) |
| 2. Could Be Well In (Mc Version With Bruza, D Double E, Ghetto & Scratchy) |
Could Well Be In,The Streets,Wea International,2-Step/British Garage,5"CD Singles,Club/Dance,England,Garage/House,Pop,Rock
Average customer rating:
|
Ballads/Solo Jazz Standards
Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002SLK Release Date: 1996-04-02 |
Tracks:
- More Than You Know
- It Could Happen To You/Here's That Rainy Day
- My Funny Valentine
- How Are Things In Glocca Morra?
- Have You Met Miss Jones/Nobody's Heart
- In Our Little Boat
- As Time Goes By
- My Melancholy Baby
- It Only Happens When I Dance With You
- Angel Eyes
- In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
- It Might As Welll Be Spring
- The Second Time Around
- Dance Of Life
Customer Reviews:
Intimate and tuneful.......2005-01-14
Underrated Previn.......2002-01-14
What happened?.......2001-10-03
Average customer rating: |
Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000B8I93Q Release Date: 2005-10-18 |
Tracks:
- Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
- Summertime
- I Could Write a Book
- It Never Entered My Mind
- I Can Cook Too
- Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please
- If I Loved You
- My Heart Belongs to Daddy
- Thou Swell
- I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
- There's No Business Like Show Business
- South American Way
Tracks:
- Shall We Dance
- Ohio
- Luck Be a Lady
- Mack the Knife
- There's a Small Hotel
- Once in Love with Amy
- Yodel Blues
- Lazy Afternoon
- There Must Be Somethin' Better Than Love
- You're Just in Love
- Now Is the Time
Tracks:
- Impossible Dream
- Love Makes the World Go 'Round
- Try to Remember
- Put on a Happy Face
- I Say Hello
- Happiness
- She Loves Me
- What Kind of Fool Am I?
- Shy
- Consider Yourself
- Poor Little Person
Tracks:
- Magic to Do
- They're Playing My Song
- I Don't Know How to Love Him
- I Won't Send Roses
- Good Morning Starshine
- Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
- Hard Candy Christmas
- Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
- Won't You Charleston with Me?
- Applause
Tracks:
- Phantom of the Opera
- Memory
- On My Own
- Muddy Water
- How Could I Ever Know
- American Dream
- I Know Him So Well
- Dr. Jazz
- Me and My Girl
- Suddenly Seymour
Tracks:
- Mamma Mia!
- Popular
- Seasons of Love
- Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
- Whatever Lola Wants
- Crazy
- How Deep Is Your Love
- Stars
- People Like Us
- I Go to Rio
Average customer rating:
|
Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
English National Opera Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000056KNC Release Date: 2001-02-27 |
Tracks:
- Act I.: Prld - Barry Tuckwell
- Act I., Scene 1: Wearisome Labour! - Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 1: Hoiho! Hoiho! - Alberto Remedios/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 1: Well, There Are The Pieces - Alberto Remedios/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 1: A Whimpering Babe - Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 1: Much You've Taught To Me, Mime - Alberto Remedios/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 1: I Found Once in The Wood - Gregory Dempsey/Alberto Remedios
- Act I., Scene 1: And Now These Fragments - Alberto Remedios/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 1: He Storms Away! - Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 2: Hail There, Worthy Smith! - Norman Bailey/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 2: I Sit By Your Hearth - Norman Bailey/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 2: What You Needed To Know - Norman Bailey/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 2: The Fragments! The Sword! - Gregory Dempsey/Norman Bailey
Tracks:
- Act I., Scene 3: Accursed Light! - Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 3: Hey There! You Idler! - Alberto Remedios/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 3: Have You Not Felt Within The Woods - Gregory Dempsey/Alberto Remedios
- Act I., Scene 3: Give Me These Pieces - Alberto Remedios/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 3: Notung! Notung! Sword Of My Need! - Alberto Remedios/Gregory Dempsey
- Act I., Scene 3: Hoho! Hoho! Hohi! - Alberto Remedios/Gregory Dempsey
- Act II.: Prld - Barry Tuckwell
- Act II., Scene 1: In Gloomy Night By Fafner's Cave I Wait - Derek Hammond-Stroud
- Act II., Scene 1: To Neidhohl By Night I Have Come - Norman Bailey/Derek Hammond-Stroud
- Act II., Scene 1: Not My Plan! - Norman Bailey/Derek Hammond-Stroud
- Act II., Scene 1: Fafner! Fafner! You Dragon, Wake! - Norman Bailey/Derek Hammond-Stroud/Clifford Grant
- Act II., Scene 1: Now, Alberich! That Plan Failed! - Norman Bailey/Derek Hammond-Stroud
- Act II., Scene 2: We Go No Further! - Gregory Dempsey/Alberto Remedios
- Act II., Scene 2: So He's No Father Of Mine - Alberto Remedios
Tracks:
- Act II., Scene 2: Could I But Know - Alberto Remedios
- Act II., Scene 2: See My Mother - Alberto Remedios
- Act II., Scene 2: Ha Ha! At Last With My Call - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant
- Act II., Scene 2: Who Are You, Youthful Hero - Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios
- Act II., Scene 2: The Dead Can Tell No Tidings - Alberto Remedios/Maurine London
- Act II., Scene 3: Hehe! Sly And Slippery Knave - Derek Hammond-Stroud/Gregory Dempsey
- Act II., Scene 3: Tarnhelm And Ring, Here They Are - Alberto Remedios/Maurine London/Gregory Dempsey
- Act II., Scene 3: Be Welcome, Siegfried! - Gregory Dempsey/Alberto Remedios/Derek Hammond-Stroud
- Act II., Scene 3: You Lie There Too, Mighty Dragon - Alberto Remedios/Maurine London
- Act III.: Prld - Barry Tuckwell
- Act III., Scene 1: Waken, Wala! Wala! Awake! - Norman Bailey
- Act III., Scene 1: Strong Is Your Call - Anne Collins/Norman Bailey
- Act III., Scene 1: You Unwise One, Learn What I Will - Norman Bailey
- Act III., Scene 2: I See That Siegfried's Near - Norman Bailey
Tracks:
- Act III., Scene 2: My Woodbird Fluttered Away - Alberto Remedios
- Act III., Scene 2: Young Man, Hear Me - Norman Bailey/Alberto Remedios
- Act III., Scene 2: Child, If You Knew Who I Am - Norman Bailey/Alberto Remedios
- Act III., Scene 2: With His Spear in Splinters - Alberto Remedios
- Act III., Scene 3: Here in The Sunlight - Alberto Remedios
- Act III., Scene 3: Come, My Sword! - Alberto Remedios
- Act III., Scene 3: Hail, Bright Sunlight! - Rita Hunter/Alberto Remedios
- Act III., Scene 3: Siegfried! Siegfried! Glorious Hero! - Rita Hunter/Alberto Remedios
- Act III., Scene 3: And There Is Grane, My Sacred Horse - Rita Hunter/Alberto Remedios
- Act III., Scene 3: Oh! I Cared Always - Rita Hunter/Alberto Remedios
Customer Reviews:
Goodall's Siegfried.......2007-06-22
"Do you know what Wotan wills?".......2007-06-12
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
-The Valkyrie (Part 2): Wagner: The Valkyrie
-Twilight of the Gods (Part 4): The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Slow and steady wins the race.......2007-02-07
For me, this whole cycle is desert island material because the English translation is just superb. Fine singing and marvellous playing from the ENO orchestra.
Absolutely better than you think, the best of Goodal's Ring!.......2005-05-03
Better than you might think...........2002-03-17
Average customer rating:
|
Carmen (Sung in English)
Bizet , Bardon , Gavin , Plazas , Magee , and Parry Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00007JGRN Release Date: 2003-03-11 |
Tracks:
- Prelude
- In The Plaza
- Just Look At That Delicious Morsel
- Here Come Our New Soldier Boys
- Jose! There Was A Girl Here Looking For You Just Now
- Off With You Old Soldier Boys
- Corporal! Sir!
- We Have Heard The Bell Summon Us To Meet Here
- Ah, Just Look!
- But Why Hasn't She Come, Our Carmencita?
- Love's A Bird Wild As Any Rebel
- Carmen! We Will Follow You High And Low!
- The Cheek Of It!
- Give Me News Of My Mother!
- Your Dear Mother And I Were Leaving Church This Morning
- I See My Mother's Face!
- Wait A Moment - I'm Going To Read The Letter
- Come And Help
- So, Corporal: Tell Me What Happened
- Well, Carmencita: What Do You Have To Say For Yourself?
- Where Are You Taking Me?
- There's An Old Bar In The City
- Careful - It's Lieutenant!
- Entr'acte
- From Far Away Mysterious Sounds
- Bravo, Bravo! More! Keep Dancing!
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The Torero!
- Who's That? It's Escamillo, The Bullfighter From Granada
- Hurrah! Hurrah! The Torero!
- You're Most Kind
- We'll Come With You, Senor Torero
- Toreador, Be Ready!
- At Last! We Got Rid Of Them As Quickly As We Could
- There's A Little Job That We're Starting!
- Being In Love Is Not A Reason
Tracks:
- To Bid You Welcome To Our Bar
- La La La La La La La La...
- Back To Camp!... Go At Once!
- That Flow'r You Threw To Me I Treasured
- No, It's Not Love At All!
- Hello! Carmen!
- Lieutenant Fair, It's True
- The Sky Above The Open Road
- Entr'acte
- Keep Going, Dear Old Friend, Kep Going!
- Right! Let's Stop For A While
- Shuffle! Cut Them!
- In Vain You Would Avoid The Bitter Things They're Saying
- You're Back!
- As For That Man, It Should Be Easy!
- Is This The Place?
- I Say That There's Nothing To Fear
- It's Him! I'm Sure It's Him Over There!
- Escamillo Is My Name, And I Come From Granada
- She Had A Lover Here
- Hola! Hola! Jose!
- You Should Take Care, Carmen
- Alas! Jose, Your Mother Is Ill
- Entr'acte
- A Few Cuartos! A Few Cuartos!
- Here They Come! Here They Come!
- If You Love Me, Carmen
- It's You! It's Me!
- Viva! Viva! What A Corrida!
Customer Reviews:
English is an asset and a drawback.......2004-07-20
Unfortunately, the performance suffers from being sung in English. The singers declaim their parts with such proper British diction that Carmen comes across as a school marm. The spoken dialog is delivered beat for deliberate beat and is dripping with reverb. It makes the plaza, tavern and mountain pass all sound like a sewer pipe.
This is a good first Carmen for someone trying to understand the work. The libretto itself is a good investment for further listening. For an enjoyable performance with an emphasis on character and action, I recommend Regina Resnik on the London Double Decker set.
You Will Love Opera After Hearing Carmen In English.......2004-02-09
The real strength of this version is the dynamic drama. With the advantage of being sung in English, we get better insight on characters' emotions and motives, and we understand the drama a lot better. Carmen is all about great drama. Bizet drew the plot from the French writer Prosper Merimee's dark short story. Carmen is the ultimate femme fatale- a devil-may-care, sexy Gypsy living in Spain, seduces the conservatively raised soldier Don Jose, stealing him away from his fiancee, the passive Micaela, living a life of underground smuggling and rowdy taverns. "Habanera" and "The Gypsy Song and Dance" are very expressive of Carmen's extraordinarily liberal lifestyle. Don Jose, however, has fallen deeply in love- as he shows us in his song/aria "The Flower Song". But Carmen soon becomes tired of his constancy. Don Jose wants a committed, monogamous relationship with Carmen. But Carmen will not submit to love, since she is first and foremost a carnal creature. Eventually, she falls for the handsome Toreador Escamillo. Don Jose, consumed by jealousy, stabs Carmen at a bullfight after Carmen declares her love for Escamillo and rejects Don Jose's love. Don Jose's crazed, obscessive personality shines through in the English version as well. This tragedy has been done in English before so don't think this is the first time. Back in the 50's, there was a film, starring black actors "Carmen Jones" which was treated the same way as this opera- more like an English Broadway musical and with the dubbed singing voice of Marilyn Horne as Carmen. All in all, this recording is excellent.
A wholly credible "Carmen" -- finally!.......2003-09-17
I love Carmen!.......2003-08-15
And what of this recording? Carmen sits well in English, so it is good to hear in translation, although some of the detais in the text jar. Escamillo refers to Jose as "my dear", which sounds rather peculiar, and the guide's line to Micaela: "it's not exactly inviting, is it?" sounds distinctly Middle England rather than Rural Spain. Some of the performers, not least Carmen herself, make the words work, although there are long tracts, especially with the chorus, where the language is distinctly indistinct.
The soloists are, by and large, strong. Patricia Bardon's deep, Handel-friendly voice adapts well to Carmen and she colours the music with phenomenal detail, sounding sexy and provocative from the start with an edge of pride and anger that emerges as the show goes on. She is out of her depth above the stave, though, and some extra top notes in the second act don't show her off to her best advantage. I have previously said that Julian Gavin is poorly served by recordings, though here he sounds much more even and gives a thrilling and musical performance (but his wooden spoken lines let him down). Mary Plazas is a lovely Micaela, rich-voiced and sincere (and word-perfect), but Garry Magee sounds miscast as Escamillo, lacking the ballast at the bottom of the voice to do justice to this tricky role.
The supporting cast is good (Mary Hegarty seems to do nothing but Frasquita these days!) but the really treasurable thing is the conducting. Stepping out of Italian Ottocento, David Parry turns his hand to this French Comedie with an appropriate lightness of touch. His pacing and handling of the set pieces is exemplary and the enrtractes go with a real swing.
A pleasure, then, for the Carmen naive or a novelty for the Carmen-acquainted. I nearly wrote Carmen-weary - but I don't think it's possible.
Average customer rating: |
Great Operatic Arias 8
Tomlinson , Parry , and London Philharmonia Orchestra Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000063BI5 Release Date: 2002-04-23 |
Tracks:
- The Abduction From The Seraglio: 'When They Lead You To The Scaffold
- The Magic Flute: 'O Isis And Osiris, Listen'
- Fidelio: 'Now, Now For My Victory!'
- Fidelio: 'If You Don't Have Any Money'
- Der Freischutz (The Freeshooter): 'On This Earth We Could Not Bear'
- Der Freischutz (The Freeshooter): 'Go! Go! The Fatal Die Is Cast!'
- The Rhinegold: 'The Bridge Leads You Homeward'/'Evening Rays Flood The Sky With Splendor'
- The Flying Dutchman: 'The Time Comes Around'
- The Flying Dutchman: 'Senta, My Child, Please Make This Stranger Warmly Welcome'
- The Mastersingers Of Nutemberg: 'Now Hear And Attend Me Well, The Feast Of John, Midsummer Day'
- The Mastersingers Of Nutemberg: Flieder Monologue: 'My Elder Tree In Flower'
- The Mastersingers Of Nutemberg: Wahn Monologue: 'Mad, Mad, All The World's Mad'
- Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight Of The Rose): 'Look For My Glasses There In My Jacket'
- The Armourer (Der Waffenschmied): 'I Used To Be Young With A Fine Head Of Hair'
Average customer rating:
|
Love, Honor and Cherish: Music for Your Wedding
Manufacturer: Compendia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00008ZZ60 Release Date: 2003-04-22 |
Tracks:
- Amazed - Trammell Starks
- Could Not Ask for More - Trammell Starks
- Truly Madly Deeply - Trammell Starks
- I Do, Cherish You - Trammell Starks
- When I Fall in Love - Spectrum
- Save the Best for Last - Spectrum
- I Will Always Love You - Spectrum
- Lost Without You - Allen & Allen
- May It Be - Taliesin Orchestra
- Cherish the Day - Spectrum
- You Mean the World to Me - Spectrum
- Forever in Love - Spectrum
Tracks:
- Arioso
- Ave Maria
- Air for the "G" String - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- On Wings of Song
- Largo [Xerxes] - London Festival Orchestra
- Shubert's Ave Maria
- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
- Prelude in C Major
- Sheep May Safely Graze - Philip Brunelle,
- Pachulbul's Canon in D Major
- Trumpet Voluntary - Lyn Larsen
- Bridal March (Here Comes the Bride) [Lonengrin]
- Trumpet Tune in C Major - Carlo Curley
- Lord's Prayer
- O Perfect Love - Nancy Enslin & Deborah Benardot
- Rondeau (Masterpiecs Theatre Them) - Nancy Enslin & Deborah Benardot
- Wedding March [A Midsummer Night's Dream] - London Festival Orchestra
- Handel's Alla Hornpipe [Water Music Suite] - London Festival Orchestra
- Finale: Ode to Joy [Symphony No. 9 Choral]
Customer Reviews:
Great CD - Received Damaged.......2007-06-27
The CD arrived damaged and Amazon did not have anymore in stock.
Thank God for an understanding bride.
Disappointing.......2004-10-31
Average customer rating: |
Rhythms & Rhymes
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000HX5CQ2 |
Average customer rating:
|
Beggar's Opera / Polly
Gay , and Austin Manufacturer: Symposium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000799KV Release Date: 2003-03-25 |
Customer Reviews:
One stop on the road to immortality.......2006-11-19
Must Stop Ordering When Drinking - Or Maybe I Got Foxed.......2006-09-02
Don't mean to be sexist - which I am - but the duets, choreses and male performances seem to be less antigue than the soprano pieces. The broads are simply squeaky. Something to do with frequency loss in early recordings, I expect. On the other hand, the bass songs are equally abrasive and archaic.
Even the notes about "Polly" in this cd are disappointing. No mention of the history of "Polly", no mention of the source for the music. Try googling for a link for Gay and Polly. If you find one, be sure to post - I would love to know.
Unless you are an academic involved with some of the most obscure corners of the history of recorded music, I would forget this one. Instead, root for someone to find and record Gay's Polly. And buy a more modern interpretation of the Beggar's Opera. I have certainly heard antique recordings restored more vibrantly than this cd - but I would think that depends to a large extent on the quality of what you have to start with.
The only reason I gave it 2 stars (for some reason, Amazon refuses to record my change from 1 to 2 stars; but that is computers for you) instead of 1 was because of I love the melodies of the songs so much. But I will also admit that it is possible that Gay have been lucky that Polly was suppressed - the melodies and lyrics are not nearly as good as BO. On the other hand, this cd is so antique that is an unfair basis for judgment, But what the H!
Average customer rating: |
Australia Ambassador of Song
Manufacturer: Avid ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0000632JZ Release Date: 2004-06-04 |
Average customer rating:
|
Coming Home To You
Manufacturer: Blue Cajun ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000056W8J Release Date: 2001-02-12 |
Tracks:
- Electrify Me
- TOGETHER
- Honey
- So Lonely
- Walk the Walk
- You Make It Happen
- Coming Home To You !
- Blue Eyed Angel
- Out In The Country
- Have A Good Cry (Over Me)
- Make It Right.
- My Heart Belongs To You
- She's A beauty
Album Description
If you are looking for the "future" of country music, Bobby Cage's debut CD titled "Coming Home To You" could very well be it. A Missouri native with a very diverse musical backround, Bobby assembled some of Nashville's best musician's along with one of the brightest new producers in Nashville today LARRY MARRS to make one of the best new offerings to come out of music city that comes to recent memory. From the up-tempo openning track, "Electrify me" to the final track "She's a beauty", Bobby covers the whole spectrum. Traditional country, new country and all unchartered territories in between! True country fans should not miss this one!Customer Reviews:
Great new artist.......2006-12-12
Don't waste your money.......2004-02-25
An Excellent CD!!.......2001-07-22
Very Good First Effort By New Artist Bobby Cage!.......2001-02-26
Must hear new artist.......2001-01-10
Album Review:
- Crush [CD-single] [Import]
- Crush: Maxi Single [CD-single]
- Deep & Sexy, Vol. 3
- Desi Beats V.1: Mixed By Panjabi Hit Squad [Import]
- Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood [CD-single] [Import]
- Dream Dance, Vol. 33 [Import]
- Eclipse: A Journey of Permanence & Impermanence
- Enjoy [Import]
- Euro Heaven 3: 18 NRG Resurrections [Import]
- Fabric 14
Album Review
George Barati: Indiana Triptych; Baroque Quartet
Music: Golden J-Pop: Best [Import]
INTERNET SLUT [Explicit Lyrics]
Gregorian Masters of Chant III [Enhanced]
Hard House: Live at the Legendary Arena [Explicit Lyrics] [Live]