You're Free [CD-single] [Import]

1. Synth Mix Radio Edit

2. Hi Gate Mix

3. Synth Mix

4. Drum Mix

Tracks:

Overture
It's A Boy
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker)
Christmas
Cousin Kevin
The Acid Queen
Underture
Do You Think It's Alright
Fiddle About
Pinball Wizard
There's A Doctor
Go To The Mirror!
Tommy Can You Hear Me?
Smash The Mirror
Sensation
Miracle Cure
Sally Simpson
I'm Free
Welcome
Tommy's Holiday Camp
We're Not Gonna Take It
See Me Feel Me/Listening To You

Tracks:

I Was
Christmas (Out-Take 3)
Cousin Kevin Model Child
Young Man Blues (Version 1)
Tommy Can You Hear Me? (Alternate Version)
Trying To Get Through
Sally Simpson (Out-Takes)
Miss Simpson
Welcome (Take 2)
Tommy's Holiday Camp (Band's Version)
We're Not Gonna Take It (Alternate Version)
Dogs (Part 2)
It's A Boy
Amazing Journey
Christmas
Do You Think It's Alright?
Pinball Wizard

Customer Reviews:

The Who Classic Masterpiece AS YOU NEVER HEARD BEFORE.......2007-06-12

The Album is a masterpiece of all time rock n roll, even if this is "the less Who album" of the Who... but nevermind!
The Sound in both Stereo (from the original master tape discovered in the vault of UMG) and 5.1 (mixed by Pete Townshend himself) is great...
As you put the disc in your player you'll hear the great differences from the 1996 reissue even if you have only a "simple" CD player..
If You're a great Who fan and you a have SACD player buy ABSOLUTELY this album and enjoy it 'til the laser of your player won't work anymore...
The second disc is clearly for fans only but the quality of some track even if are demos or outtakes is very very good!!

A Landmark Classic Now Made Even Better........2006-12-26

One of the most important, groundbreaking amd influential albums in the history of rock and roll, The Who's 1969 magnum opus "Tommy", a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball, is now better than ever thanks to the brilliance of SACD and DSD remastering techniques.

Every song on the cd sounds like it was recorded just yesterday. It is 100 % crystal clear, perfectly remixed and remastered. It gives you a clearer view of the story as well as a more pleasurable than ever listening experience. Pete Townshend and the people involved in this truly put their hearts into making "Tommy" better than ever.

The bonus disc is also worth it. A lot of awesome raritis. The liner notes are an interesting read, and the album itself is of course a masterpiece nobody should be without.

A Milestone of Early Rock!.......2006-09-29

"Tommy" is beyond question one of the big milestones of early rock. Musically the band were at the peak of their creativity.

All band members were obviously extremely talented musicians and both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend were/are great singers. Apart from few exceptions like "Cousin Kevin" all songs are outstanding; and it's really great to have the whole story on one CD - compared to the old double vinyl album.

Though the storyline may seem a little weird today ( to me it always did ), there is so much great music on this album.

The second bonus CD gives a very interesting insight in the developement of some of the songs. Though the sound quality is exellent CD 2 will mainly be of interest to hard-core Who fans. None of these alternate versions are better than the ones chosen for the album, though a few come close. The studio version of "Young Man Blues" which did not appear on the original album is a nice addition too!

I Love it !.......2006-09-06

I was so blind-sided by this reissue - really. I have looked at this for a few years now, but I never picked it up. My impression of this was that it had some very good music along with some dated sounding tracks, so it wasn't a high priority. I'd been having very good luck buying hybrid SACD's even though I don't own a SACD player; the CD layers benefit greatly from the DSD mastering, making them stand head and shoulders above the latest PCM remasters (there are a few exceptions), so I decided to take the plunge.

The CD layer is stunning. I must have been sitting there with my mouth open after "Overture" began. I experienced emotion that wasn't there on previous listens to this on CD and vinyl. Yes, some of the tracks still sound dated, but most of this album is very good indeed, and this remaster is so incredible. If you own a great stereo rig, I highly recommend buying this - in fact, even if you don't have a great rig, I recommend it!

The Who's classic rock opera gets a 35th birthday celebration fit for a king!.......2006-08-13

The Who's fourth studio(and fifth overall) album Tommy was released in May of 1969.
The Tommy album by The Who was the make or break for the group because if Tommy had failed, The Who would have probably disbanded due to lack of funds despite their concerts selling out based on Pete Townshend's guitar smashing and Keith Moon's drum kit demolishing at the end of each gig.
Guitarist Pete Townshend, under the gun after I Can See For Miles failed as a single in the UK(although it was their biggest ever hit here in the US) came up with a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid named Tommy whom becomes those aforementioned things after witnessing an event as a child that traumatized him(his father killing his step-father whom he considered his father).
Originally considered to be a single length album, the band felt it didn't make sense so they expanded it into a double album and the result is one of rock's Top 10 greatest double studio albums in history(alongside other classic double albums like the then-already released Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland and The Beatles' White album and would help pave the way for more classics like The Rolling Stones' 1972 masterwork Exile on Main Street, The Who's 1973 release Quadrophenia, Elton John's 1973 classic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Genesis' 1974 masterwork The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Led Zeppelin's 1975 classic Physical Graffiti, Pink Floyd's 1979 masterpiece The Wall and Bruce Springsteen's 1980 classic The River among many others).
Alot of classics appear on this album like the Overture, the classic Top 20 hit Pinball Wizard, Amazing Journey, the Underture(best instrumental on here which is basically a repeat of the album's other instrumental Sparks), Go to the Mirror, I'm Free, Cousin Kevin(one of bass player John Entwistle's greatest compositions), Fiddle About(about the perverted Uncle Ernie), Tommy's Holiday Camp(another excellent ditty written by drummer Keith Moon whom did an excellent rendition in the film version of Tommy in 1975) and the classic finale We're Not Gonna Take It/See Me Feel Me.
The other tracks on the album It's a Boy, 1921(You Didn't Hear It), Eyesight to the Blind, Christmas, The Acid Queen, Do You Think It's Alright, There's a Doctor I've Found, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash the Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson and Welcome are all great pieces as well though tend to be overlooked.
The album made The Who legends for good and peaked at #4 on the Billboard chart and was their first Gold seller(eventually Platinum).
In 1996, the album was re-released as a remastered CD but used different masters for the remixed reissue.
In October of 2003(just in time for Tommy's 35th Anniversary), Geffen Records(formerly known as MCA) re-released the album as a 2-disc Hybrid SACD with the original mix on the CD layer and a killer 5.1 mix on the SACD layer and this version uses the very original tapes that were found in Universal's vault after being said that the original tapes were destroyed by Kit Lambert in a fire. As a result of the discovery of the original tapes, the sound quality is amazing on here.
Disc two has great outtakes and demos like I Was, The Who trying to record Sally Simpson with hilarious results and instrumental versions of Tommy Can You Hear Me and Tommy's Holiday Camp among many other rarities plus a cool booklet with rare photos.
Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Highly recommended

Ultimate Movie Album

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores
Reel Chill: The Cinematic Chillout Album
Reel Love: The Cinematic Romance Album
The Incredible Film Music Box
The Queen

ASIN: B00005QC28
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Bridget Jones's Diary: Out Of Reach - Gabrielle
Gladiator: Now We Are Free - Gavin Greenaway
Moulin Rouge: One Day I'll Fly Away - Nicole Kidman
Notting Hill: When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating
American Beauty: Dead Already - Thomas Newman
Braveheart: Main Theme - For The Love Of A Princess - London Symphony Orchestra
Four Weddings And A Funeral: You're The First, The Last, My Everything - Barry White
O Brother Where Art Thou: Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss
Hannibal: Vide Cor Meum - Gavin Greenaway
The Shawshank Redemption: Courtyard Theme: Che Soave Zeffiretto (Marriage Of Figaro) - Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin
The Thomas Crown Affair: Windmills Of Your Mind - Sting
Platoon: Adagio - Neville Marriner
Ghost: Unchained Melody - Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
Fantasia: The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Montreal Symphony Orchestra
The Big Lebowski: Just Dropped In (To See What My Condition Was In) - Kenny Rogers & The First Edition
Philadelphia: La Mamma Morta - Monserrat Caballe
Snatch: Hernando's Hideaway - The Johnstone Brothers
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels: Eighteen With A Bullet - Lewis Taylor And Carleen Anderson
A Room With A View: O Mio Babbino Caro - Sylvia McNair

Tracks:

Billy Elliot: Cosmic Dancer - Marc Bolan & T-Rex
Captain Corelli's Mandolin: Pelagia's Song - Orchestra
Four Weddings And A Funeral: Love Is All Around - Wet Wet Wet
Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves: Maid Marian At The Waterfall/Everything I Do - Michael Kamen
Dances With Wolves: John Dunbar Theme - John Mauceri
American Beauty: Any Other Name - Thomas Newman
Gladiator: The Battle (Excerpt) - Gavin Greenaway
The Silence Of The Lambs: Goldberg Variations (Aria) - Andrei Gavrilov
Notting Hill: She - Elvis Costello
Pulp Fiction: Son Of A Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
Mission Impossible: Main Theme - Orchestra
Waking Ned: Let The Draw Begin - Orchestra
Out Of Africa: Love Theme - John Williams
Shine: Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30 - Concertgebouw Orchestra
The Godfather Part III: Intermezzo From Cavalleria Rusticana - Pavarotti
The Mexican: End Credits Medley - The Hollywood Film Chorale
Body Heat: Main Theme - John Williams
Apocalypse Now: The Ride Of The Valkyries - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Star Trek: The Final Frontier - Main Theme & March Of The Klingons - John Williams

Album Description

UK compilation featuring a combination of hit songs & theme music from some great soundtracks. Tracks include, Gabrielle 'Out Of Reach' (Bridget Jones Diary), 'Now We Are Free' (Gladiator), 'Dead Already' (American Beauty), Alison Kraus 'Down To The River To Pray' (O Brother Where Art Thou), Ronan Keating 'When You Say Nothing At All' (Notting Hill) & many more. 35 tracks on 2 CDs. 2001.

Customer Reviews:

Highly recommended.......2002-08-20

This pricey UK import CD filled a lot of gaps in my music collection and is an excellent overview of notable music of (mostly) recent films. It's difficult to find consistently listenable soundtrack collections like this, by that I mean free from the obligitory Whitney Houston or Celine Dion embarrassments. Usually rights issues prevent comprehensive compilations like this in the US, too. While I enjoy a lot of soundtrack music, there aren't so many complete soundtracks that I would care to own, some examples of exceptions being Ennio Morricone scores and the About a Boy Soundtrack. While certainly most of these tracks are the actual recordings used in their respective films, I noticed that "La mamma morte" from Philadelphia is not the Maria Callas version. There might be other cases like this, I'm not sure. And "Unchained Melody" from Ghost is an orchestral version, not the pop song (but I consider this a plus). This collection seems to focus on the subtle and quirky, yet melodic music of indie films, with less emphasis on the loud sweeping orchestral scores of major Hollywood hits, but of course there are a few like Gladiator and Braveheart, which are welcome here because like I've said, I probably wouldn't listen to the whole score. I love the two Thomas Newman compositions from American Beauty, and it's good to have some music from films by the Cohen Brothers here. My only complaint would have to be the order of the songs. You would think they would avoid jumping back and forth between pop songs, orchestral scores, and quiet music, but it just seems thrown together by random. I would compare this collection to the excellent "Miramax Films Greatest Hits" but the makers of that album knew to group the two pop/rock songs at the end.

R.A.B. vol. 2 [CD & DVD] 28 Tracks Plus 6 Short political short films that you just have to see...

Average customer rating:

R.A.B. vol. 2 [CD & DVD] 28 Tracks Plus 6 Short political short films that you just have to see...
Favorite Son - Green Day (unreleased) / Let Them Eat War - Bad Religion / Unity - Operation Ivy / Necrotism: Decanting the Insalubrious (Cyborg Midnight) Part 7 - The Lawrence Arms (unreleased) , We Got the Power - Dropkick Murphys (rare) / Drunken Lullabies - Flogging Molly / Doomsday Breach - Only Crime / Gas Chamber - Foo Fighters (rare) , Status Pools - Lagwagon (unreleased) / What You Say - Sugarcult / 7 Years Down - Rancid / Off With Your Head - Sleater-Kinney (rare) , Scream Out - The Unseen (unreleased) / Violins - Yellowcard (unreleased) / Like Sprewells on a Wheelchair - Dillinger Four (unreleased) / Chesterfield King live - Jawbreaker (unreleased) , Born Free live - Bouncing Souls (unreleased) / No Hope live - Mad Caddies (unreleased) / Kids Today - The Dwarves (unreleased) / Can't Wait to Quit - Sick of It All (rare) , Comforting Lie - No Doubt / State of Fear - Useless ID (unreleased) / I'm Thinking - Autopilot Off (unreleased) / My Star - The International Noise Conspiracy (unreleased) , and Time's Up - Donots (unreleased) / Kill the Night - Hot Water Music (unreleased) / You're Gonna Die - Thought Riot / Fields of Agony acoustic - No Use For a Name (unreleased)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Short Sleeves | Sleeve Length Browse (feature_browse-bin) | Refinements | Apparel
ASIN: B000QXKUWE

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A Rose By Any Other Name...
"Thus I salute the stronghold, safe from dread and dismay!
Free at last!
I Love This Recording
The Goodall Ring - 1975 - Restored and Remastered

Wagner: The Rhinegold
English National Opera
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Wagner: The Valkyrie

ASIN: B00005B550
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Customer Reviews:

A Rose By Any Other Name..........2007-07-02

The figure of speach may not be completely correct in this instance, but, well, I hope you get the point. In any case, for a Dutch speaking person, like I, to hear 'The Ring' in a language other than the original German feels - almost shockingly(?) - natural. Certainly, this modern English translation, to me, is as least immediate, and probably even more immediate, than the original (archaic) German text. And in music drama, immediacy is essential. Maybe it is also the wonderfully natural translation, I don't know, but it works for me, the Ring in English.
But most of the credit has to go to the music, the singers, and the recording as such. I believe that this (originally analogue) remastered recording has one of the best recorded sounds and acoustics of any Ring, studio or 'live'. It is wonderfully clear but warm, kind of velvety (very unlike Solti), with beautifully natural balaces between voices and orchestra. Audience noises can be heard (including a delightful little ripple of laughter) but never really obtrusively so, thankfully. And I love the thunderclap-sound effect when Donner strikes his hammer against the rocks - very tastefully done, and lending extra power to the scene.
All the time one reads in reviews everywhere of the very slow speads at which the music is conducted by Sir Reginald Goodall. Well, that may be so, but I, for one, am certainly endeared to Sir Reginald Goodalls 'caressing' of the music, as a result of which wich the Leitmotifs come out more clearly than ever. The slow - but nonetheless very concentrated, and always involved - playing has, to me, an almost mesmerizing effect. Certainly, compared to many other recordings, the music may sound stretched almost beyond breaking point. But in the end, I think it is really just that: a matter of speed, no more. The concentration never falters and the dramatic arc never saggs. There is live 'music magic' going on here, I feel, even if the English National Opera Orchestra may not be (as precise or as diciplined as) a Wiener Philharmoniker or a Bayreuther Festspielorchester. Certainly, Sir Reginald Goodall must have loved this music and these opera's: one feels a slowly beating but constant loving pulse that energizes the drama and the music.
But we also have the singers. And what a great singers! While the best may be yet to come (with Alberto Remedios as Siegmund and Siegfried, and Rita Hunter as Brunnhilde), we here, in The Rhinegold, already have one of the most commanding of Wotans (Norman Bailey, with wonderful burnished timbre). Also, Emile Belcourt stands out as a wonderfully sleek but full-voiced Loge. Derek Hammond-Stroud's Alberich may not be as black as Gunther von Kannen's (for Barenboim), for example, but there is enough anguish, frustration and anger to lend his character a convincing reality and depth. And the giants too, are a winning pair. Especially Fafner (Clifford Grant) is as imposing and powerful as one may ever wish.
With all the rave reviews, here and elsewhere I can't wait to hear The Valkyrie, (especially) Siegfried and Twilight of the Gods. This certainly is a winning 'Ring', to be kept alongside any other 'great' recorded 'Ring' out there, IMHO. To me, it can hold its own alongside any other favorite recordings.
Please, sample this Ring (try for example the Chandos website for fragments of all of the music) and decide for yourself. Highly recommended.

"Thus I salute the stronghold, safe from dread and dismay!.......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 Valkyrie (Part 2): Wagner: The Valkyrie
-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)

Free at last!.......2004-09-18

I've enjoyed listening to the Ring cycles by Solti, Bohm, and Furtwangler, but my pleasure has always been dampened by the necessity to follow the dramas with a German/English libretto. This performance freed me from that burden and allowed me to listen to the Ring with my ears alone for the first time. And what a delightful experience it was! I found I could understand about half the words the first time through. but that was enough for me to understand what the characters were saying and concentrate on Wagner's great music. Some of the characters (Loge and Alberich, for example) are almost perfectly comprehensible, while others (Fricka in particular) might as well be singing in German. The sound itself is superb, with perfect balances between orchestra and voices. Goodall's conducting is famously slow (about half an hour longer than usual), but he is never slack and he reveals a wealth of detail in the orchestration. The singers are a mixed lot, with Loge, Alberich, and Mime particularly effective. Bailey is hardly the grandest of Wotans, but he is solid and convincing. In any event, for us non-German listeners, this recording is a real treat. I would not recommend it as a first Ring (Bohm is a good choice, though some of his tempi are rather hectic), but as a supplement to a recoding in the original language, it is hard to beat. Give it a try! As for me, I'm ready to go on to "Die Walkure" (pardon me, "The Valkyrie").

I Love This Recording.......2002-04-05

I was a little suspicious when approaching this English-language version of Das Rhinegold. I was considering assembling this as my third RING set (behind Solti and Levine) and had listened to THE VALKYRIE (Die Walkure) with a little initial disappointment. Although the live sound quality was very interesting, the tempo was much slower than I was used to and thus a little disconcerting, and the English words were harder to understand than I had hoped. Nevertheless, I persevered and listended to THE RHINEGOLD (probably my favorite of the four RING operas, although I know this puts me in a minority) and was amazed. Best of all, after listening to this album I revisited the Goodall VALKYRIE and discovered a new appreciation! Now the Goodall set ranks as one of the best I've heard. It just needed to get under my skin a bit.

What's so good about it? Three things stand out for me: First, the slow tempi that were a litle rough at first actually allow, upon repeated listenings, a new discovery and understanding of Wagner's unfathomable genius. Every nuance is slowed down just enough to be fully accessible. Second, the modern English translation really does make this a different experience...my initial mistake was thinking that English lyrics could allow me to listen to this as background music, and that's not the case. However, if one devotes the same attention to this as a German recording, the time wil be richly rewarded. Finally, the smaller orchestra creates an almost chamber music-esque setting, which compliments the music in an undefinable way. Despite being in English, this is almost more Germanic than original-language recordings.

I still probably wouldn't get this as the first foray into Wagner's RING (I still think Solti or Levine are the choices for that). But for someone who already has some familiarity with the work, this will provide a lifetime's enjoyment. Cudos to Chandos for resurrecting these recordings!

The Goodall Ring - 1975 - Restored and Remastered.......2001-06-08

I have been curious about this for years. When I saw the packaging, I wondered whether this was the same Ring that has been kicking around for a couple of decades from the Sadler's Wells performances of the mid-70s. News flash: It's the same. However, the box says that it's been re-mastered with something called 24-bit digital mastering. Since I never heard the old records, I have no idea if this is better. Judged on its own, the sound is terrific. This live recording really places the listener in the theater with clarity and authentic spaciousness. So often, a live recording will capture the audience up close, then the orchestra, then the singers, cataloguing every throat being cleared and every bow being tapped. Somewhere in the distance, the singers voices follow their heavy tread over the stage. Not here. There is an intimacy to the sound here that approximates sitting in about the tenth row back in a large hall. It doesn't sound like the opera's being played in your room; it sounds as though your room has been transformed into a medium sized theater. I found it uncanny.

As to the experience of the drama in English, that too is remarkable, at least for someone like me whose home-tongue is English. The drama takes on an immediacy that I have never experienced before. This factor alone is why you should explore this Ring. I can't overemphasize the impact on me that this recording had on me because it was in English and because it was well-acted. Surely this is what Wagner meant, at least dramaturgically (obviously allowing that you can't actually see the action).

Overall, the singing is competent, and in some places, it's excellent. None of the cast really stands out musically. Norman Bailey's wobbly Wotan could have certainly benefitted from a deeper, richer tone. Still, and perhaps more importantly, he creates a god who is clearly unsure of where the moral highground is, even when he's standing on "an open space on a mountain summit." Everyone, for that matter, is dramatically convincing, especially Emile Belcourt (Loge) and Derek Hammond-Stroud (Alberich) and Robert Lloyd (Fasolt), all of whom, by the way, have excellent diction. And speaking of diction, I almost could have done without the libretto when the men were singing. Not so with the women, whose diction was uniformly wanting.

Goodall's pace is notoriously glacial. Still, it's interesting to hear it parsed in this way, and I never had the feeling that I was going to fall off the world. Which is to say that the tempos were deliberate, not affected. This was definitely a labor of love for RG and the English National Opera. The orchestra is a little thin sounding, and perhaps, not entirely up to the score. Occasionally a horn mis-blew and a cello creaked. This is unavoidable in live performances, I suppose. Still, there is a surprising sense of smallness to the ensemble, even though there's never a moment when the balance between singers and players is lost. As a result, the overall effect is a balance of clarity and urgency that is clearly the upside of Goodall's idiosyncratic "vision" of the score. Not a huge or "erotic" sound, but always committed, intelligent, and sometimes impassioned.

Tracks:

Something's Coming - Jose Carreras
Maria - Jose Carreras
Tonight - Jose Carreras
America - Tatiana Troyanos
One Hand, One Heart - Jose Carreras
I Feel Pretty - Kiri Te Kanawa
Gee, Officer Krupke - Marty Nelson
Somewhere - Marilyn Horne
New York, New York - Thomas Hampson
Come Up To My Place (Taxi Number) - Kurt Ollmann
Carried Away - Frederica Von Stade
Pitkin's Song - Samuel Ramey
Some Other Time - Kurt Ollmann
Lucky To Be Me - Thomas Hampson
Oh, Happy We - Jerry Hadley
Glitter And Be Gay - June Anderson
Nothing More Than This - Jerry Hadley
Make Our Garden Grow (Finale) - London Symphony Chorus

Tracks:

A Quiet Girl - George Gaynes
A Little Bit In Love - Edith Adams
It's Love - Edith Adams
'Big Stuff' Blues - Ruth Mense
You're Late (Sam) - Chester Ludgin
The President Jefferson Sunday Lucheon March - Thomas Hampson
Take Care Of This House - June Anderson
Love Duet - Thomas Hampson
The Love Of My Life - Thomas Hampson
Mr. And Mrs. Webb Say Goodnight - Thomas Hampson
The Pennycandystore Beyond The El - John Reardon
Storyette H.M. - Donald Gramm
What Lips My Lips Have Kissed - Nancy Williams
Psalm 108 (Verse 2)/Psalm 100 (Complete) - Wiener Jeunesse-Chor
Psalm 23 (Complete)/Psalm 2 (Verses 1-4) - Wiener Jeunesse-Chor
Psalm 131 (Complete)/Psalm 133 (Verse 1) - Wiener Jeunesse-Chor

Tommy - As Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Choir

Average customer rating:

Any of you got Cousin Kevin??
Best Version of Tommy EVER Created!!!
Did I think it was alright ?
best version ever made
A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR COLLECTION OF GREAT ROCK WORKS

Tommy - As Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Choir

Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000032WV
Release Date: 1989-05-12

Tracks:

Overture
It's A Boy
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
Eyesight to the Blind - Sonny Boy Williamson
Christmas
Cousin Kevin
The Acid Queen
Underture
Do You Think It's Alright
Fiddle About
Pin Ball Wizard
There's A Doctor I've Found
Go To The Mirror Boy
Tommy Can You Hear Me?
Smash The Mirror
I'm Free
Miracle Cure
Sensation
Sally Simpson
Welcome
Tommy's Holiday Camp - Keith Moon
We're Not Gonna Take It
See Me, Feel Me (Finale From We're Not Gonna Take It)

Customer Reviews:

Any of you got Cousin Kevin??.......2005-08-04

I was very thrilled to finally have this in CD version to replace my long playing record version.

However it was shattered a bit when I noticed a song was missing. Turned out that Cousin Kevin has been skipped or wasn't on this CD. I feel cheated! I wonder if this tune has been left out in the other CDs also?? Or just mine?? Hmm.....

Would have been a collector's item if it wasn't for this unfortunate error.

Best Version of Tommy EVER Created!!!.......2005-07-17

I first heard the Tommy by the London Symphony Orchestra when I was in my final year in Junior High School. My music instructor let me borrow the LPs (in 1975).

I loved it, and thought it was one of the best rock operas ever. This remains my view to this day (16July2005). Back in 1975 I was unaware of other versions.

Recently, I was looking to find this version of Tommy. I purchased versions made by the Who and other versions made earlier and later but found them INFERIOR to the London Symphony version.

To experience this rock opera with the best score, arrangement and performance, then this is the version to hear.

This CD is a must have!!

Did I think it was alright ?.......2005-05-17

Haven't heard this album since it was released in the seventies. Might it disappoint after all this time ? Absolutely not, it was most definitely alright !!!

best version ever made.......2005-05-12

I have been listening to this album for at least 30 years. I recently replaced my worn out record with a cd. It has a powerful sound that is missing from both the rock n roll and movie sound track.

A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR COLLECTION OF GREAT ROCK WORKS.......2005-04-15

I heard this first on the radio (there was a radio station which played albums at midnight - years
ago) I fell in love with it. I searched for a good time to find it (on vinyl). Years later I found it on
CD. Every few months or so I take it out and play it. It's as good to hear today as it was in the
seventies. I have never tired of it. If you like `progressive rock' (I think you could classify this as
progressive rock) - you will enjoy this forever. If you can find this scarce CD, buy it and put in
your home stereo system (not a `sound card' in your computer, using cheap speakers), turn off the
lights and surrender to the music.

Average customer rating:

Classical to catch the pop ear....
crap crap crap
I've had Goosebumps for weeks now
Splendid collection of Klassical music from Myleene Klass
Best Contemporary Classical Ever

Moving On

Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000D968V
Release Date: 2003-10-27

Tracks:

Toccata
For the Love of a Princess [From Braveheart]
Allegretto [From Palladio]
If You're Not the One
Heart Asks Pleasure First
Moonlight Sonata
Krwing
Pavane - Moving On
Adagio
Sarabande
Now We Are Free [Myleene Mix]
Gymnope - Live the Dream
Moonlight Sonata [Classic Version][*]

Album Details

Klass was a Member of the Pop Group Hearsay, as She Beat Out 3000 Other Competitors in 2001 for a Berth in the Band. She Has One Great Distinction: She is a Classically Trained Pianist. "Moving On" is her Debut Solo Recording and Offers a Refreshing Collection of Beautiful Classical Pieces Including Faure's "Pavane", "Now We Are Free" (From "Gladiator"), the Theme from "The Piano" by Nyman, Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", Satie's "Gymnopedie No. 2" and Arrangements for Piano of More Contemporary Works Including Daniel Bedingfield's Chart Topping Hit "if You're Not the One" and "Crawling" by Linkin Park.

Customer Reviews:

Classical to catch the pop ear.... .......2004-09-30

Others have commented on the technical aspects of this; I'd like to talk about the cultural aspects of contemporary classical music and Miss Klass' interpretations (which are very beautiful...).

Myleene Klass is doing something the traditionalists have abandoned: she's making classical music accessible to a contemporary audience. With many kids, you say the words "classical music" and they turn off. They're not interested. But Myleene Klass, Vanessa Mae and others are trying to reverse that trend.

Classical traditionalists are missing the fact that classical music will cease to be a viable art form if new listeners and artists aren't attracted from each generation. Most classical musicians these days are working in the entertainment industry, producing soundtracks for games, movies and TV. There's not much market for classical composition outside of these industries. Fortunately, that's where today's budding musicians are getting exposed to classical music. But Beethoven and Mozart are not accessible to many people.

That's only one reason why artists like Myleene Klass are important. (The fact that she's technically competant and an excellent compositor is an added bonus.) Art must evolve, too...

Besides, Mozart and Beethoven were the hipster bad-boy pop stars of their day. They were sexy, cutting edge and daring. They would both hate the pillar they've been put on, and throw screaming tantrums at the dusty way they've been turned into inviolate idols. They jammed on other composer's music (AKA variations), just as modern electronic artists mash and mix contemporary work. I think they'd be happy to have Miss Klass and her wonderful versions of their work.

crap crap crap.......2004-09-24

i wish people like this would stop "making music." this chick, charlotte church, and andrea bocelli is WHAT"S WRONG with classical music. dumbing down bach for the masses is disrespectful to all true classical musicians, composers, conductors... etc. this is such crap.

I've had Goosebumps for weeks now.......2004-06-05

When I first heard this amazing collection of both classical music and a little but of hip-hop, I was mesmorized. I listen to this day in and day out. Beautiful songs, consisting of Toccata and Fugue, For the Love of a Princess (From Braveheart), Allegretto, If You're Not the One, The Heart Asks Pleasure First, Moonlight Sonara, Krwling (From Linkin Park), Pavane- Moving On, Adagio (Edgar Cello Concerto), Sarabande, Now We are Free (From Gladiator), Gymnope`die- Live the Dream and a BONUS TRAK, the classical version of Moonlight Sonata. Each and every one of these songs has a little twist on it, by Myleene Klass. As a classical music lover, and a hip-hop fan, this is the perfect CD for everyone wanting to listen to something new. I myself am a classical music player, I have played the piano for 14 years and have never heard anything like this. So take it from me, this will be loved by children and adults alike.

Splendid collection of Klassical music from Myleene Klass.......2004-02-11

Formerly of the now-dissolved British bigender pop group Hear'Say, Myleene Klass turned from post-Spice type pop to classical, a big shift considering the genres involved. Her instrument's the piano and she does have a symphony orchestra backing her up. Her selections straddle classical, pop, and even soundtrack scores, with arrangements done by herself and Nick Patrick, and bolstered by the Telephilmonic Orchestra.

"Toccata" is Johann Sebastian Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Accompanying the symphony and Myleene is a light drum machine not as boisterous as Massive Attack.

Myleene next gets the ivories around the sad but romantic "For The Love Of A Princess," the love theme from Braveheart, one of three soundtrack themes she does. The orchestra's backing helps the atmosphere of this song, as does the light drum machines towards the end. "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" from The Piano, and Michael Nyman's score, is truly a showcase for Klass for the first minute before the orchestra kicks in. And I never saw Gladiator, but she does a Myleene Mix of "Now We Are Free", meaning some light drums and a Benedectine-type choir.

"Allegretto" is from Karl Jenkins' Palladio and this is more conventional than the way left-field version done by Bond on their second album Shine. Done with lots of feeling and uptempo without the oontsa-oontsa techno beats.

Myleene does an instrumental arrangement of Daniel Bedingfield's hit single "If You're Not The One." Her piano playing matches Bedingfield's falsetto in the chorus section. I like this better than the original due to the lush string arrangements. I like her rendition of Linkin Park's "Crawling," titled here "Krlwng," but then again, I haven't heard the original and never intend to. I'll bet it's way better. Light drum machines present in this one.

"Pavane-Moving On" is taken from Gabriel Faure's Pavane, Opus 50, a melancholy and reflective piece, that is until the orchestra takes over in the second minute.

"Adagio" is taken from Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor, Opus 85 and "Sarabande" from Georg F. Handel's Suite No. 11 in D Minor. The strings oft-times sound like what Bond did with Zeppelin's "Kashmir", a fierce jerking back and forth of strings.
There are two versions of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," one which the light drum programming, the other, a bonus track, without. Both showcase Klass's piano work.

"Gymnopedie-Live The Dream" is taken from Eric Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1, which Charlotte Church used for "From My First Moment" on Enchantment. However, Klass whispers some words as she plays in the beginning: "Did you ever stop to think what gives you strength to live another day? The breath in your body, the kisses you feel. It's all so simple, but never real. Maybe the strength you strive to show is so deep within. But it's true, I know. Welcome love, however far it seems. Go live the dream."

I've devised a Cartesian system for the wave of neo-classical music prevalent right now with two dimensions, vocal/non-vocal and progressive (mixed)/conventional. Despite the brief spoken words in "Live The Dream", Klass is more on the non-vocal/conventional quadrant but due to her covering soundtrack scores and popular tunes and the use of drum machines, she's not as far to the right of the quadrant as Eroica Trio, whereas neo-classics like Brightman, Church, and Hayley Westenra would be in the progressive/vocal quadrant, diametrically opposite Eroica Trio. However, Klass has the looks of a Maxim or FHM model, so if we use that in the measure of progressive vs. conventional, that might move Klass more left of the axis.

A worthy debut from Myleene Klass, helping to define the face of neo-classical today, and that's not just Hear'say (or do I mean hearsay?), that's plain truth.

Best Contemporary Classical Ever.......2004-01-17

This album is surprisingly beautiful (I discovered this CD thru a friend's recommendation-thanx MO, it's worth the shipping,lol). I liked the movie themes a lot especially the gladiator theme (the chants and the fusion of instruments made this soundtrack exceptional). Her version of Toccata is even better than Vanessa Mae(i hope i'm right).I think the best track in this album is either Gymnopedie or Pavane(It's the best version i ever heard to be honest).Great for chill-out moods, great when your stuck in the traffic, great when you're preparing a meal or having a meal. There's also a surprise cover of linki'n park's "Crawling" which i find very powerful and moving. Obviously, the tracks are composed of popular old tunes but given new interpretations. It seems that these are the pianist's favorites and as such, it is subject to be one's own

Average customer rating:

GREAT RECORDING, BUT THE PRICE...

Janácek: Osud (Fate)

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Leos Janácek: The Cunning Little Vixen - Lucia Popp / Eva Randová / Dalibor Jedlicka / Vienna Philharmonic / Vienna State Opera Chorus / Sir Charles Mackerras
Janacek - From the House of the Dead / Mackerras
Janácek: Jenufa
Wagner: Götterdämmerung

ASIN: B00001T6K3
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Tracks:

Osud (Fate): Act I: Orchestra
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Free As A Bird I Bask In The Sunshine'
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Heavens, It's Him!' (Mila)
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Is It Your Child You've Come For?' (Mila)
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Sun In The Heavens Up On High'
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'We're Back Too Late' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'The Sun's Vanished' (Mila)
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Never Will I Forget This Fleeting Moment!'
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'Slumber On Undisturbed In The Shadow' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'I Do, I Do!' (Mila)
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'We're Married Now' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'Mummy, Mummy!'
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'Unspoken Thoughts Go Far Beyond Words' (Mila's Mother)
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Listen To The Thunder Over The Horizon'
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Endless The Pain I Must Suffer'
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Enough Of That!'
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Mummy, Mummy! Do You Know What Love Is?'
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'People Said It Must Have Been His Falling In Love' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Bitter Memories' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'It Seems To Be So Clear' (Zivny)

Customer Reviews:

GREAT RECORDING, BUT THE PRICE..........1999-12-01

This is 20th century opera at its most vivid. Once considered a failure, Osud was resurrected in an English translation that actually improves upon the original libretto. The music is as vital as anything in Janacek: the piece starts a churning riff strangely reminiscent of Philip Glass; the ending is equally memorable -- startlingly brusque and humorous. Throughout, we get musical drama tied to the quick of spoken language; conversations overlap, or suddenly fall silent. At times the story is ridiculous, but the production rides over any problems. Philip Langridge, as always, is great. My only qualm: this was originally a single disc CD on EMI, for a single disc price. Though the package is nice, the price is steep for some 70:00 odd minutes.

The Girl in Pink Tights (1954 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

really only noteworthy for the fabulous Zizi Jeamaire
Keep bringing them back

The Girl in Pink Tights (1954 Original Broadway Cast)
Sigmund Romberg , Leo Robin , Jeanmaire , and Charles Goldner
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ernest in Love (1960 Original Broadway Cast)
The Happiest Girl in the World (1961 Original Broadway Cast)
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The Nervous Set (1959 Original Broadway Cast)
By the Beautiful Sea (1954 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000060PA7
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

Overture
That Naughty Show From Gay Paree
Lost In Loveliness
I Promised Their Mothers
Up In The Elevated Railway
In Paris And In Love
You've Got To Be A Little Crazy
When I Am Free To Love
Out Of The Way!/Roll Out The Hose, Boys
My Heart Won't Say Goodbye
We're All In The Same Boat
Love Is The Funniest Thing
The Cardinal's Guard Are We/Going To The Devil/Finale

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Composer Sigmund Romberg is best known for the operettas he wrote in the early 20th century. While you may not know his name, there's a good chance you¹ve heard at least parts of The Desert Song or The Student Prince if you're a fan of musical theater. But with The Girl in Pink Tights, Romberg strayed from the style that made him famous and explored a more Cole Porterish va-va-voom vein. Indeed, parts of the show are reminiscent of 1953's Can-Can, which isn't too surprising, since--like Can-Can's Lilo--The Girl in Pink Tights starred a strongly accented French actor, [Zizi] Jeanmaire. Granted, the team of Romberg and lyricist Leo Robin (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) didn't possess Porter's wit and melodic sense, but they still came up with a deliciously silly Parisian soufflé of a show--even if it was set in 19th-century New York. Note that Romberg died without finishing the score, which was completed by orchestrator Don Walker. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

really only noteworthy for the fabulous Zizi Jeamaire.......2002-12-27

THE GIRL IN PINK TIGHTS is a fairly stock-standard 50's Broadway musical, but features some lovely songs. The show is really only noteworthy as the "legit" Broadway debut of French ballet dancer-singer Zizi Jeanmaire.

The story is about a stranded French ballet troupe, and the numerous romantic entaglements that occur. Jeanmaire sings wonderfully, and headlined the musical with European actor Charles Goldner. Others in the cast included Brenda Lewis, David Atkinson and Alexander Kalioujny.

The score by the late Sigmund Romberg and Leo Robin is quite formulaic, but does feature a handlful of memorable tunes like "When I am Free to Love", "Lost in Loveliness", "Up in the Elevated Railway" and "My Heart Won't Say Goodbye".

As always, Zizi Jeanmaire is a stellar performer, be it on disc or in person. She made her Broadway debut several seasons before PINK TIGHTS, dancing the leading role in her soon-to-be-husband Roland Petit's ballet version of Bizet's CARMEN, which played at the Winter Garden Theatre. In the early 1980's she returned to Broadway to star as La Mome Pistache in a short-lived revival of CAN-CAN, a show that bears a certain similarity to THE GIRL IN PINK TIGHTS.

THE GIRL IN PINK TIGHTS is another of those lost gems that has been brought into the light by those folks at DRG. Highly-recommended.

Keep bringing them back.......2002-04-04

Fortunately for collectors CD's of older musical shows are being released. The Girl in Pink Tights boasts the music of Sigmund Romberg whose songs in this piece do not quite have the staying power that flow through his operettas. Nonetheless the songs have humor, sparkle and romance. Noteworthy is the appearance of the French ballet artist Jeanmaire whose talents were choreographed by Agnes de Mille.

A couple of fun numbers are I Promised their Mothers and Love is the Funniest Thing, sung by Charles Goldner in both and Brenda Lewis in the second. Lost in loveliness and My Heart Won't Say Goodbye are appropriately romantic. And as every show about shows has to have a song about the theater in You've Got to Be a Little Crazy.

It's good listening. When are they going to release Li'l Abner? or Joel Gray's The Grand Tour? I got a list.

Baby You're So Free
Average customer rating:
Baby You're So Free
Cosmic Rough Riders
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000BRI8Y2
Release Date: 2001-12-03