Peter the Great [Cast Recording]

Mike Joyce, The Washington Post, May 8, 1999
"Rodgers and Ahern have succeeded in producing a cohesive and ... stirring narrative for the stage. The contemporary pop score has its charms, particularly when the cast performs the catchy Paranoia and the boisterous Boyars' Celebration. A talented cast infuse [Peter the Great] with passion, poignancy, irony and humor."

Product Description
If you liked Les Miserables and Evita, you must hear the original soundtrack recording of Rodgers and Ahern's latest musical Peter the Great. From the Mozart-inspired opening Sunrise on the Moscow River to the final, poignant pop ballad Without Him, Peter the Great is truly an eclectic blend of Broadway-style music sure to please even the most ardent critic.

The musical is based on the true story of the early life of Peter the Great of Russia. Peter is only ten years old in 1682 when his brother, Tsar Fedor, dies, setting in motion a turbulent series of events. A successor must be chosen, and it is up to the boyars to decide: the selfish, inept, drunken religious clerics who oppose anyone who tampers with the long held Russian beliefs and traditions-particularly if it enables them to maintain their opulent and decadent lifestyles, sequestered happily away inside the Kremlin walls (Boyars' Celebration). They elect the young Peter Naryshkin tsar, declaring his mother regent, but Peter's power-hungry half-sister Sophia is livid. She spreads a rumor that Peter's family had poisoned Tsar Fedor in his sleep, and the drunken streltsi-Russian soldiers-rally behind her. She stages a coup, massacring dozens of members of the royal family, ingratiating herself with the streltsi, and getting herself proclaimed regent of Russia, consequently banishing Peter and his mother from the Kremlin (Blood for Blood). As Peter grows older, however, she begins to view him as a threat to her power, and she orders her 16-year-old brother and his entire family killed (The Time is Now).

After being awoken in the middle of the night and frantically escaping in his nightshirt, Peter finds safe haven in a nearby monastery with hundreds of his followers-boyhood friends whose years of conducting mock warfare would now be put to the test (When the Moment is Right)-and before long a stand-off ensues, the soldiers in a quandary sneaking out of the Kremlin in the middle of the night to join Peter's growing number of followers, and an enraged Sophia declares that anyone caught sneaking off to join Peter would lose his head. This momentarily stops the tide of deserters, until Peter sends word that anyone who does NOT leave the Kremlin to join him, will lose his head, thereby marking the beginning of Sophia's fall from grace, as those she thought were loyal to her, one-by-one declare their allegiance to Peter. (The Downward Spiral) And, when a messenger delivers the news that even the Patriarch, the head of the Orthodox Church, has left Moscow for the monastery, Sophia demands that the messenger be beheaded on the spot-he is saved only by the ironic fact that the executioner cannot be found-for he, too, has already gone to join the forces of Peter the Great. Sophia is eventually captured, tried, and sent to a convent where she will spend the rest of the her natural days (Voices in Your Head)

Rounding out the story is Peter's hapless, arranged marriage to the shy, insecure Yevdokia, along with his passion for his vivacious and beautiful mistress Anna Mons, daughter of a German tavern owner in Moscow's foreign quarter (Flame in the Dark; Without Him); and his perpetual struggle against the prejudices of a country that won't permit him to marry the woman he truly loves.

Peter the Great [Cast Recording]

Peter the Great,Steven W. Rodgers,Little River Music Co.,a Broadway style soundtrack. memorable showtunes with light rock, pop, jazz and classical influences

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Average customer rating: Typical Mancini It's Hard to Believe He's Gone Nostalgic On connaît tous sa musique, beaucoup moins son nom... Henry Mancini's Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits Henry Mancini Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Rota, Nino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Percy Faith's Greatest Hits Midnight, Moonlight & Magic: The Very Best of Henry Mancini Mantovani's Golden Hits Theme from "A Summer Place" Ultimate Mancini ASIN: B00004Y9YB Release Date: 2000-09-26

Tracks:

1. Peter Gunn
2. A Profound Gass
3. Snowfall
4. Mr. Lucky
5. The Great Impostor: Theme
6. Moon River
7. Breakfast at Tiffany's
8. Experiment In Terror
9. Hatari: Theme
10. Baby Elephant Walk
11. Just For Tonight (Vocal)
12. Days Of Wine And Roses (Vocal)
13. Charade (Vocal)
14. The Pink Panther Theme
15. Dear Heart (Vocal)
16. How Soon (Vocal)
17. A Shot In The Dark
18. The Sweetheart Tree (Vocal)
19. Two For The Road (Vocal)
20. Love Theme From 'Romeo An Juliet'
21. Whistling Away The Dark
22. What's Happening!!

Customer Reviews:

Typical Mancini.......2007-03-25

First, I really like Mancini's music generally and I am really concerned that he may be one of the greats of American music who will soon be forgotten if he hasn't been already. (US music schools tend to be a little snobby and don't give a number of truly great American composers their due.) However, the mix of this particular CD is simply too average. Many good songs are not on it and some weak ones are. I would not recommend this CD except to ManciniPhiles like me.

It's Hard to Believe He's Gone.......2006-05-23

Henry Mancini gave us so much of our consciousness of the 1960s and 1970s, and yet was "out" almost as soon as he was "in."

His work became synonymous with much-despised "elevator music" in the later 1960s. This stereotype (or monotype, for his earliest works) can mislead.

For example, "Lujon" [not in this collection] was used in a movie just last year to exemplify mystery and an exotic atmosphere.

Mancini dies way too young. While some would argue that he'd become a self-parody, his innate gifts compromised by relentless commercialization, you cannot take away his lasting gift to our culture. He was an original, and he captured an essence of our collective experience.

He's here in this collection, waiting round the bend, my Huckleberry friend.

Nostalgic.......2006-02-20

A great trip down memory lane. The selections sound just like I remember them from the movies and the radio. Enjoy

On connaît tous sa musique, beaucoup moins son nom..........2005-09-20

En ces temps où le terme de BO est galvaudé (pénible Yann Tiersen, satanés Choristes !), cette compilation est l'occasion de rendre hommage à l'un des grands génies du genre, largement méconnu, et victime d'un des plus incroyables quiproquos de la Musique.
En effet, c'est lui qui a composé l'éternel thème de la Panthère Rose, et son mythique refrain de saxophone, définitivement associés au dessin animé du même nom, et qui invariablement provoquent sourires (voire moqueries) chez les non-initiés... Rappelons qu'au départ La Panthère Rose est un film réalisé par le génial Blake Edwards en 1964, avec l'inénarrable Peters Sellers dans le rôle principal, et que cette fameuse Panthère Rose désigne non pas un sympathique félin, mais un diamant d'une valeur inestimable, et dont le vol est à l'origine du scénario.
Mais sa contribution à l'histoire de la musique ne s'arrête pas là. En effet, on lui doit également le monumental Moon River, titre dont l'insurpassable limpidité mélodique est capable de me porter au bord des larmes en quelques mesures, repris entre autres par Sinatra et Morrissey et susurré par la délicieuse Audrey Hepburn dans Breakfast At Tiffany's. Et c'est toujours lui qui est à l'origine du thème explosif de Peter Gunn, avec sa ligne de basse à réveiller les morts et ses arrangements de cuivres qui traumatiseront toute une génération de compositeurs, Quincy Jones en tête...
En tout cas, cette compilation est une excellente introduction à l'univers de Henry Mancini, qui en mêlant arrangements jazzy, vocaux surannés et mélodies inoubliables, a tout simplement inventé la Lounge music, avant que ce mot ne désigne un vaste fourre-tout pour bobos peu curieux...

Henry Mancini's Greatest Hits.......2005-07-13

This CD is all one needs to understand why this dude is the master when it comes to composing. Having been introduced to this great human being at an early age, my fascination for his work is still a vital part of my being. This CD is just what I have always wanted. It has all the classics, along with some older gems I never knew existed. I love it so much, that I am going to send my mama back home one. She was, is and always will be perhaps his GREATEST FAN ever. If you just can't live without Mancini's music, then this CD is for you. Enjoy, enjoy,
enjoy!!

Average customer rating: organ works by bach Hurford plays very musically Disappointing This album belongs amongst the first four or five in every Bach collection. Never a dull moment in this Bach recording.....

Bach: Great Organ Works Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Passacaglias | Variations | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Organ | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Organ Spectacular Bach: The Art of Fugue; Musical Offering An Organ Blaster Sampler Organ of the Mormon Tabernacle Great Toccatas ASIN: B000004248 Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

1. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
2. Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen, BWV 727
3. Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme, BWV 645
4. Fantasia And Fugue In G Minor, BWV 542
5. Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier, BWV 730
6. Passacaglia And Fugue In C Minor, BWV 582
7. Prelude And Fugue In E Flat Major ('St. Anne'), BWV 552
8. Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
9. Fantasia And Fugue In C Minor, BWV 537

Tracks:

1. Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564
2. In Dulci Jublio, BWV 729
3. Prelude And Fugue In A Minor, BWV 543
4. Fantasia In G Major, BWV 572
5. Prelude And Fugue In D Major, BWV 532
6. Nun Freut Euch, Lieben Christen G'mein, BWV 734
7. Wo Soll Ich Fliehen Hin, BWV 694
8. Fantasia In C Minor, BWV 562
9. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor ('Dorian'), BWV 538

Customer Reviews:

organ works by bach.......2007-01-10

excellent. unforgettable works by one of the masters, the grand organs have their own place in time mostly heard in church surroundings. this brings it home.cigar, brandy, toccata and fugue d minor, heaven.

Hurford plays very musically.......2006-11-24

Peter Hurford is a wonderul musician.. his interpretations of this music are musical.. (esp. with the St. Anne Fugue where each of the three variations are connected with beatiful transitions..)
A wonderful recording.. in an era where everything has to be perfect,
it's nice to hear an artist take some risk and give us their own
personal, unique, and original interpretations.

Disappointing.......2006-07-27

When you buy a CD like this, the one thing you expect of the artist is to nail the intro to Toccata and Fugue In D Minor, Bach's great masterwork and the lead piece on the CD. Unfortunately, the organist plays the intro robotically, truncating notes and overextending pauses. He rushes some passages so badly in the intro that one cannot distinguish the melodic line. Toccata and Fugue In D Minor is so musically advanced that it sounds modern even today, but you miss that with this recording.

This album belongs amongst the first four or five in every Bach collection........2006-07-27

What to say about these extraordinary works?

First of all, that this is a double-album full of titanic masterworks, intelligently and skillfully performed. These discs belong amongst the first four or five albums in every Bach collection. The famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor is here, together with another, lesser-known but equally awe-inspiring "Dorian" Toccata and Fugue in D minor. There are quite a few other familiar war-horses---the Prelude and Fugue in A minor, the St. Anne Prelude and Fugue, and the Tocatta, Adagio, and Fugue in C (which I first encountered in a piano transcription performed by Evgeny Kissin, on his album with the Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition... well worth hearing next to the original organ writing here), among others---and some more obscure pieces as well to keep us out of "greatest hits" territory (almost always a drawback in recital albums). Like the Mozart piano concerti and the Beethoven symphonies, Bach's compositions for organ are amongst the towering summits of Western music; there is nothing else like them.

Since I'm playing critic here, I suppose I ought to offer at least a bit of actual criticism, rather than only effusive praise. While many would beg to differ, three composers (whose careers, interestingly, were almost exactly chronologically contiguous) are, by a long-standing historical consensus, recognized to occupy the highest tier of artistic achievement in "common practice," tonal music: Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Of those three masters, Mozart alone is recognized as having achieved a perfect or near-perfect balance between subject and object, style and substance: Bach tipped the balance just a bit in favor of objectivity and substance, and Beethoven in favor of subjectivity and style. And so, just as I find that Beethoven's music does not hold up quite as well as Mozart's to repeated listenings because his stylistic and emotive devices are less effective once you've heard them before, so that they no longer take you by surprise, so too do I find that Bach's music, especially in the long contrapuntal sections, is not always as worthwhile for listening as it is for theoretical analysis... it is perhaps not quite as valuable in practice as it is in theory, in other words. The organ pieces on these discs are sublime masterpieces, but if they do fall short of absolute perfection it is for being somewhat dry and academic.

In addition, the different organs Herford plays here so often produce, as good organs will, such a staggering, chest-rumbling roar that you have trouble discerning the pitches in these compositions. It's a similar problem to listening to harpsichord music, where at times you hear just a lot of clanging and can't tell what note or chord is being played. It's not a big problem on these recordings, but it is a little distracting at times.

Nevertheless, it's said that what makes a work of art a masterpiece is not its being perfect or flawless, but rather that its virtues are so meaningful and effective that they compensate for the piece's flaws and imperfections. In fact, in sublime pieces such as these, it's precisely that imbalance, or aesthetic asymmetry, you might say, that makes the music dynamic and exciting: it creates an inner tension, a sort of yearning or striving that, in the hands of the greatest of masters (of which Bach is uncontestably one), makes for a transcendent artistic statement and an invaluable testament to the human experience.

In short, buy this album and listen to it often!

Never a dull moment in this Bach recording............2006-05-29

Peter Hurford is perhaps one of the foremost organists of his time. He has not only studied music but law as well, giving a scholarly twist on his education. I have always been pleased by his interpretations of Bach. They are no-nonsense, with strict tempos, clean, accurate passages, and registrations which are very lush and vibrant. For the new fan of Bach, there is no better place to start, as this set contains all of the "big" organ pieces for which Bach became legendary, as well as a few well-known chorale preludes. For those who wish to explore Bach's organ contributions in more detail, buy Hurford's complete Bach recordings (Although I believe it is out of print or very hard to obtain, as I have not yet found one). If this is the case, buy Marie-Claire Alain's version on Erato. No two organists understand Bach better.

Average customer rating: inspired performance !!!

The Story of Schubert Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Impromptus | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Fantasies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Fantasies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Story Of Chopin In Words And Music The Story of Beethoven The Story of Mozart The Story of Bach The Story Of Handel ASIN: B000001KCT Release Date: 1994-02-28

Tracks:

1. Rosamunde, D. 797: Overture
2. Mozart: String Quartet In B-Flat Major, K. 172
3. Marche Militaire, D. 733, No. 1
4. Hark, Hark, The Lark!, D. 889
5. Mass No. 5 In A-Flat Major, D. 678: Credo
6. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485: Allegro
7. Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, D. 417 'Tragic': Finale: Allegro
8. Moment Musicaux No. 3 In F Minor, D. 780
9. Piano Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: Moderato
10. The Erl King, D. 328
11. Symphony No. 2 In B-Flat Major, D. 125: Allegro
12. Symphony No. 6 In C Major, D. 589 'Little': Andante
13. Symphony No. 6 In C Major, D. 589 'Little': Scherzo
14. To Music, D. 547
15. The Trout, D. 550
16. Piano Quintet In A Major, D. 667 'Trout': Theme And Variations
17. Octet In F Major, D. 803: Finale
18. Impromptu In B-Flat Major, D. 935 No. 3
19. String Quintet In C Major, D. 956: Allegro ma non troppo
20. Wanderer Fantasy In C Major, D. 760
21. Symphony No. 8 In B Minor, D. 759 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato
22. Symphony No. 9 In C Major, D. 944 'Great': Andante-Allegro ma non troppo
23. Mass No. 6 IN E-Flat Major, D. 950: Gloria
24. String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D. 810 'Death And The Maiden': Andante con moto
25. Symphony No. 8 In B Minor, D. 759 'Unfinished': Andante
26. Ave Maria, D. 839
27. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Allegro
28. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Andante con moto
29. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Menuetto: Allegro molto
30. Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

inspired performance !!!.......2001-09-02

this collection deserves more than 5 stars.peter maag and the philharmonica hungarica are in top form.this is the best ever of schubert's fifth and eigth i have ever listened to.it is not karl bohm or leonard bernstein or george szell or lorin maazel.
truly the hungarians inspired by maag easily beat all the other top orchestras.
the orchestral texture is transparent with a perfect balance among the string sections ,the woodwind and the brass sections.peter maag obviously loves this music and brings out the heavenly beauty ,the pathos and the monumental dramatic quality of these works.
just listen to schubert's fifth second movement which ends with a heart rending cello phrase.
it is a shame that the well established record companies have not thought it fit to record more of peter maag.in my opinion he is one of the greatest ever conductors.
i will not exchange these performances for any other!

Average customer rating: Mad about Baroque The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes Brilliant Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames). Brilliant Purcell Disc

Essential Purcell Henry Purcell , New College Choir Oxford , King's Consort , Robert King , Roy Goodman , Charles Daniels , John Mark Ainsley , James Bowman , Peter Buckoke , Jane Coe , Rogers Covey-Crump , Gillian Fisher , Michael George , Miles Golding , Jane Norman , Barbara Bonney , Mark Caudle , William Carter , King's Consort Choir , Helen Gough , Paul Nicholson , Angela East , Barry Guy , Tessa Bonner , Jerome Finnis , Rupert Bawden , Lucy Howard , Richard Campbell , Susan Addison , James O'Donnell , and Stephen Saunders Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bonney, Barbara | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bonney, Barbara | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Purcell: Odes for St. Cecilia's Day - Music for Queen Mary / Taverner Consort Purcell: The Fairy Queen Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx Purcell: Full Anthems & Organ Music ASIN: B000002ZDU Release Date: 1995-04-10

Tracks:

1. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 5: Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn. Symphony And Opening Chorus
2. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 3: Be Welcome Then, Great Sir
3. Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: Oh, Fair Cedaria
4. The Choir Of The King's Consort: Hear My Prayer, O Lord
5. Great Baroque Arias: When I Am Laid In Earth ('Dido's Lament')
6. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.1: Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears (Part 1)
7. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.4: The Sparrow And The Gentle Dove
8. Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: If Music Be The Food Of Love (First Setting)
9. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.5: Rejoice In The Lord Always ('The Bell Anthem')
10. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Hosanna To The Highest
11. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.7: Thou Knowest, Lord, The Secrets Of Our Hearts
12. Mr. Henry Purcell's Most Admirable Composures: Fairest Isle, All Isles Excelling
13. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.6: Mark, How Readily Each Pliant String
14. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: Sound The Trumpet
15. Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.3: She Loves And She Confesses Too
16. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: O How Blest Is The Isle
17. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences
18. Complete Anthems And Services Vol. 11: An Evening Hymn
19. Complete Church Music Vol.2: Vouchsafe, O Lord, To Keep Us This Day
20. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.2: With Rapture Of Delight... Hail Bright Cecilia

Amazon.com essential recording

The "Essential" Purcell? Well, you could get a bunch of critics to argue about that for a few days, but in the meantime, here is a sampler of highlights from the King's Consort's three admirable Purcell series: the Complete Odes and Welcome Songs, Complete Anthems and Services, and Complete Secular Solo Songs. There are, of course, some of Purcell's most-performed pieces (which probably are "essential"): Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, "Sound the trumpet" from Come, ye sons of Art, Rejoice in the Lord alway (the "Bell Anthem," named for the string figure at the opening that sounds like pealing bells), the gently patriotic "Fairest isle, all isles excelling" (sung by a miscast James Bowman), and a selection from the funeral music for Queen Mary. There are also some delightful surprises--particularly among the little-known secular songs and church music. The plaintive "O fair Cedaria" gets a lovely performance by Barbara Bonney (a singer not usually associated with Purcell); tenor Rogers Covey-Crump (possibly the ideal high tenor for Purcell) sings the enchanting "If music be the food of love"; the church anthems "Let mine eyes run down with tears" and "Remember not, O Lord, our offences" have some startling harmonies as daring as any Monteverdi ever wrote. If you're unfamiliar with Purcell, this reasonably priced disc is a good place to start exploring without a big initial investment. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Mad about Baroque.......2007-02-12

This is a terrific CD. The music is breathtaking. Just buy IT !!!!!

The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes.......2002-08-21

Absolutely beautiful baroque music! The arrangament, singing and instrumentation is superb. It is too bad that Henry Purcell is not as widely known as Bach, because he should be recognized equally well."The Sparrow and the Gentle dove" is alone worth the price of the album! I can not stop playing it!

Brilliant.......2001-10-31

Like in his renditions of Handel's oratorios, Robert King manages to bring a freshness and strenght to Purcell's music that I had seldom heard before. This CD also features some of the best performers of early music in the world. My favourite tracks are Oh, Fair Cedaria, sung by the multi-talented Barbara Bonney; Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher; She Loves and she Confesses too, sung by the wonderful Susan Gritton; and Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn, sung by Rogers Covey-Crump. The only track I didn't find absolutely wonderful is Fairest Isle, sung here by James Bowman. Don't get me wrong, I generally love Mr Bowman, I think that his performance in Mr Purcell's Most Admirable Composures (also conducted by Robert King) makes it another essential Purcell recording; but I find that Fairest Isle was much better done elsewhere, particularly by Christopher Hogwood and Barbara Bonney.

These songs aren't only beautiful, they're also poignant, sweet and unpretentious. I think that it will be very clear to anyone who listens to this recording that Mr Purcell was one of the finest composers that ever lived.

Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames)........2001-10-20

If anyone has benefitted from the reversion in the last three or so decades to period instruments and historical reconstruction, it is Henry Purcell. Before, he was merely great, the peerless word-setter in the English language, a virtuoso of boundless range, a professional composer whose offical commissions were always imbued with personality and invention. But period instrumentation has added to this a greater depth, an other-worldly texture of sound. With his intricate, multi-part vocal writing, his preference for low, rumbling instruments such as the bass viol and the strange and remarkable theorbo, as well as his often sombre and low-key subject matter and treatment, Purcell creates a round, glowing, humming sound as pregnantly full as dub reggae.

This has an extraordinary effect on the listener. Whereas Bach, with his mathematical abstractions, sounds universal and timeless, Purcell's music takes the listener back 300 years, back to different ways of thinking about, feeling about and addressing things we still think etc. about today - death, love, friendship. The emotion is timeless, but the music's beauty is alien, THEIRS, hence its preciousness.

A lot of intelligence has gone into the unity of this compilation, beginning with two Welcomes (to the dawn and to the listener, in this case a King), and ending with thoughts of evening, death and a Baroque 'Thank you for the music'. These are bright, fanfare-like works, but the predominant mood is slow, ruminative, quiet. The selection covers the wide range of Purcell's oeuvre, from opera and funeral marches to secular songs and odes, and includes his most famous vocal works - Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher, and never more evocative of pagan loss and death; the massive 'Bell Anthem', with its ingenious opening symphony and joyful antiphon; and a miraculously serene 'Evening Hymn', Dido's opposite, death indicating hope, the treble voice swirling over the heavy ground bass like the soul released from the inert body.

it might seem quixotic to choose highlights from an exemplary collection of highlights, but the entry of the strings washing over the serene repetition of 'Be Welcome then, great Sir' always makes my heart stop still, while the musical picture of 'Bold Honour', the 'noisy Nothing, stalking shade', blocking the poet's amorous intentions in 'She loves and confesses too', adds a chilling hint of life's transience to a bouyantly bawdy song.

Brilliant Purcell Disc .......2000-11-30

With this album director and Purcell expert Robert King provides the listener with an excellent introduction to the composer's vocal works. The pieces presented here were taken from Mr. King's recordings of 'The Complete Odes and Welcome Songs', 'The Complete Anthems and Services', 'The Complete Secular Solo Songs' and diverse anthology discs. King, his wonderful soloists and musicians do the brilliance of Purcell's music fully justice. Whether he was commissioned by royalty, the church or theatre, Purcell shone in all areas. This disc certainly demonstrates the variety and originality of his craft, not to speak of his uncanny ability of setting words to music.

An outstanding Purcell offering. With a beautiful perfomance by Barbara Bonney of 'Oh, fair Cedaria'. Susan Gritton is equally captivating in 'She loves and she confesses too'. Gillian Fisher's rendition of the famous 'Dido's Lament' is haunting and poignant. Further an intelligent and brilliant 'Hosanna to the highest' by Michael George. James Bowman and Michael Chance sparkle in the countertenor duet 'Sound the trumpet' (from 'Come Ye sons of Art away'). And I should not forget to mention the joyous, luminous performance of the beautiful 'Bell Anthem'. To name but a few favourites, only James Bowman's 'Fairest Isle' was a disappointment.

Those who are familiar with Purcell's music will get an excellent disc with some of his most beloved works. If you are new to Purcell, this is, as already said a great introduction. Which might be the incentive to further explorations of Purcell.

by stardustraven

Average customer rating: Jaw Dropping A great historical recording Jerry Lee's terrifying answer to the "1968 Elvis Comeback Special" No Comparison!

The (Complete) Session recorded in London w/ great guest artists Jerry Lee Lewis Manufacturer: Hip-O Select ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jerry Lee Lewis - The Greatest Live Shows on Earth Live at the Star Club, Hamburg Jerry Lee Lewis: Greatest Live Performances of the 50s, 60s and 70s Fats and Friends In the Palace of the King ASIN: B000BQS6TK Release Date: 2006-08-01

Product Description

Jerry Lee Lewis first trip to the United Kingdom ended in less than spectacular fashion, as the tabloids got hold of the age (and ancestry) of his young bride. In 1973, though, he returned triumphantly. His all-star backing band includes Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Peter Frampton, Albert Lee, Alvin Lee, The Whos Kenney Jones, Procol Harums Matthew Fisher, and Gary Wright, among others. Virtually all of the previously releases of these sessions were truncated in some fashion, usually to satisfy the demands of the medium (only eighty minutes on a CD, so either tracks had to go, or the number of discs had to increase). As a consequence, six songsSatisfaction, Dungaree Doll, I Cant Give You Anything But Love, Be Bop A Lula, Goldmine In The Sky, and Singing The Blues make their CD debut on the Select release. And how does Jerry Lee sound in the company of these talented artists backing him up? Better than he had since the Fifties. Not only did he take on such early rock hits as Frankie Fords Sea Cruise, Johnny Rivers Memphis and Chuck Berrys Johnny B. Goode, but he also turned in creditable versions of Gordon Lightfoots Early Morning Rain and Creedences Bad Moon Rising. Hes totally on his game throughout, surprisingly laid back as he pumps the piano with virtuosic intensity, letting his fingers do the talking. The man from Ferriday, Louisiana, is rocking big time on this finally-restored-to-its-original-glory album.

Customer Reviews:

Jaw Dropping.......2007-06-12

This may very well be both one of the most obscure, yet "no-holds barred" and wholly unleashed R&R albums of all time, Read the critics' and the few consumer reviews. Recorded "live" in a London studio in '72 (?), just check out the producers, engineers, and guest musicians. You will be wholly incapable of cranking the auto audio system and driving less than 80 m.p.h Just can't be done...

A great historical recording.......2007-05-28

Most reviews of JLL records are written by Jerry Lee Lewis enthusiasts and I am one of them. My review might therefore be biased. What I find fascinating about Jerry Lee is that he has not lost any of the original magic during the past 50 years. Listening to records of other artists from that time period, I find the music often dated if not boring or kitsch. Strangely, this is not the case with the recordings of JLL. There is some magic quality to his work which demands respect even today. I have listened recently to many of his records and also viewed some of the movies avaiable on youtube. I recommend that you take a look at his performance of "Mona Lisa" on youtube. That movie shows JLL's great piano playing ability. Look at his left hand articulating clearly rhythm and harmonies. Then watch his energetic outbursts without compromising precision and clarity. That's a unique quality of JLL! He plays the piano almost like a drum. Pay attention to the overall clarity of sound. Jerry Lee's piano is so strong and dominating that he needs little backup - just a drum is enough. The recording under review, unfortunately, does not display these qualities as clearly as possible. The overall sound is a little bit too "thick" and noisy at times. This is the result of a too heavy electric guitar sound - the great innovation of the 70's in jazz and rock music. The sheer power of electricity employed masks some of the finer qualities of JLL's playing. In my ears this sounds today more dated than the original Jerry Lee Lewis boogie woogie sound from the 1950's which in comparison is more delicate. However, this does not diminuish the overall quality and historic value of the recording which is excellent. Highly recommended!

Jerry Lee's terrifying answer to the "1968 Elvis Comeback Special".......2007-05-08

First, it's great that Amazon's offering this. It's a Hip-O Select release (Universal's answer to Rhino Records, offering Web-only collectors reissues). Second, what a lineup: Alvin Lee, Albert Lee, Gary Wright, Kenny Jones, Rory Gallagher, Klaus Voorman, Matthew Fisher, Peter Frampton and more, but Jerry Lee is the star here and he's cousin Jimmy Lee Swaggart's worst nightmare: howling, snarling, filled with rock 'n' roll fire. Highlights are Drinking Wine Spo-Dee O'Dee, No Headstone On My Grave, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (a truly insane, over-the-top version), and the Rock Medley (4 Little Richard hits capped by a reprise of "Whole Lotta Shakin"). No one expected this in 1972 (the original year of its release). Jerry Lee was making a name in the world of Country music. Just as Elvis reclaimed his legacy after years of bad movies by suiting up in black leather and beaming himself into America's living rooms, Jerry Lee headed "across the pond" and took back what was rightfully his...with a vengeance. The career-best version of "Whole Lotta Shakin"...with Rory Gallagher on over-amped slide guitar and Peter Frampton on rhythm...explodes as Jerry pleads "Let's go one time now...SHAKE me baby shake me...MOVE me Mama, move me....WHOOOOO, shake it baby shake it, HEE-YOW, shake it baby shake it...Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on...SHAKE it baby shake it...SHAKE it baby shake it...SHAKE it baby shake it...SHAKE it baby shake it...WHOOO, Move it baby, move it...I ain't fakin', whole lotta shakin' goin' on...ONE MORE TIME NOW...I SAID, shake it baby shake it..." Seriously, folks, what are you waiting for?

No Comparison!.......2005-10-31

This is a fantastic album. It is infinitely better than any of his many others. Score it if you can!

Average customer rating: what a voice.... Amazing!! Renee Fleming - Signatures-Great Oper Scenes BEAUTIFUL CROSS SECTION OF STYLES Renee Fleming's greatest recital ever!

Renée Fleming - Signatures ~ Great Opera Scenes / Sir Georg Solti Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Antonin Dvorak , Giuseppe Verdi , Benjamin Britten , Richard Strauss , London Symphony Orchestra , Sir Georg Solti , Renée Fleming , Larissa Diadkova , and Jonathan Summers Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Fleming, Renee | C to G | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehaair, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss Renée Fleming Renée Fleming: Bel Canto Renee Fleming: By Request Renée Fleming - Visions of Love ~ Mozart Arias / Mackerras ASIN: B0000042HU Release Date: 1997-09-09

Tracks:

1. Le nozze di Figaro: Porgi, Amor
2. Le nozze di Figaro: E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono I Bei Momenti
3. Eugene Onegin: Nu, Zaboltalas Ya!...Puskai Pogibnu Ya (Letter Scene)
4. Rusalka: Mesicku Na Nebi Hlubokem (O Silver Moon)
5. Otello: Era Piu Calmo?...'Piangea Cantando Nell Erma Landa'... Ave Maria
6. Peter Grimes: Peter Seems To Have Disappeared...Embroidery In Childhood Was A Luxury Of Idleness
7. Daphne: Ich Komme - Ich Komme (Transformation Scene)

Amazon.com essential recording

As the possessor of one of the great lyric soprano voices of our time, soprano Renée Fleming is in demand in the world's great opera houses. (It doesn't hurt that she's also lovely and a fine actress.) This album is an outstanding collection of great arias, ravishingly sung. It shows something of Fleming's range, including as it does music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Dvorák (the sumptuous "Song to the Moon" from Rusalka, the best part of the entire opera, and sung here in definitive fashion), Verdi, Britten (an effective "Embroidery Scene" from Peter Grimes), and Richard Strauss. This disc is a good starting point for someone seeking to learn more about operatic singing, and a valuable addition to the library of anyone already converted. Fleming is given strong support by mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova, baritone Jonathan Summers, and by the late Sir Georg Solti in one of his last recordings. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews:

what a voice...........2006-09-14

I love this recital which is my first introduction to a solo album by Fleming.
Her voice , with its richness and dusky timbre and beautiful, strong higher notes is a treat to hear.
She did sound expressive too but has not yet touched a chord in me when it comes to emotion and feeling.
Call me a helpless Callas fan, but I couldn't help but wonder how La Divina would sound if she sang Russian and played Tatyana in the "Letter" scene; what a great vehicle for acting!
But it does take voices a while to grow on me and that might be it.
I do plan on buying more of her CDs.

Amazing!!.......2005-09-28

This may be one of my favorite albums of all time. Renee Fleming is of course amazing with Mozart...but there are other gems on this album. The scene from Otello is truly astounding!! My personal favorite on this album is the Embroidery Scene from Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten...WOW!!! And of course we all know that the Song to the Moon from Dvorak's Rusalka is amazing. The Tchaikovsky is so wonderful!! The scene from R. Strauss's Daphne is awesome! Brava Renee!!!

Renee Fleming - Signatures-Great Oper Scenes.......2005-08-11

I gave this item as gift so I cannot review it.

BEAUTIFUL CROSS SECTION OF STYLES.......2004-11-22

I really loved this CD, mainly however due to "Mesicku Na Nebi Hlubokem" as it was the first version I had ever heard. Her phrasing, emotion, and tone were a perfect match for Dvorak's lone mermaid. I was also surprised to find Richard Strauss's Daphne here. It is not a common opera or aria so it was all I could do to listen to the beauty of the music that was not a real aria as it was vocal renderings controlled by the orchestra. It may not ever be common but it shows Richard Strauss in a more lyrical way verses his usual more heavy and harsh operas including "Salome" and "Elektra". Now if only we could get Fleming to record "Daphne" in it's entirety. Her other pieces were rich and warm as I have always adored her in the Countess road and she has always does Desdemona proud even if it is just a literary character. This CD is Renee Fleming at her best!

Renee Fleming's greatest recital ever!.......2004-04-16

What can I say that hasn't been said already? The great Solti (Who adored Fleming btw) and Renee Fleming made magic here. One of the greatest recitals in operatic history. Brava Renee!

Average customer rating: The big meeting at the summit--and it disappoints Riveting Performance of Three Friends Playing a Live Concert 3 strong personalties, united here Breathtaking Astounding Fiasco

Shostakovich/Tchaikovsky: Piano Trios Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Shostakovich: The String Quartets Shostakovich: Trio, Op.67/Sonata, Op.40 Belcea Quartet ~ Debussy · Dutilleux · Ravel Bach: Brandenburg Concertos / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment ASIN: B00000JSAC Release Date: 1999-08-10

Tracks:

1. Applause
2. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello No.2 In E Minor, Op.67: 1. Andante - Moderato - Poco piu mosso
3. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello No.2 In E Minor, Op.67: 2. Allegro con brio
4. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello No.2 In E Minor, Op.67: 3. Largo
5. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello No.2 In E Minor, Op.67: 4. Allegretto - Adagio
6. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: 1. Pezzo elegiaco: Moderato assai - Allegro giusto - In tempo molto sostenuto - Adagio con duolo e ben sostenuto - Moderato assai - Allegro giusto
7. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: 2. Tema con variazioni: Andante con moto -
8. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 1 -
9. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 2: Piso -
10. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 3: Allegro moderato -
11. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 4: L'istesso tempo (Allegro moderato) -
12. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 5: L'istesso tempo -
13. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 6: Tempo di Valse -
14. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 7: Allegro moderato -
15. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 8: Fuga (Allegro moderato) -
16. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 9: Andante flebile, ma non tanto -
17. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 10: Tempo di Mazurka -
18. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Var. 11: Moderato -
19. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Variazione finale e Coda: Allegretto risoluto econ fuoco -
20. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: [Coda.] Andante con moto -- Lugubre
21. Trio for Piano, Violin And Violoncello In A Minor, Op.50: Encore. Peter Kiesewetter: Tango pathque

Amazon.com

Although these musicians have previously played together in duos, you aren't likely to hear the trio of Martha Argerich, Gidon Kremer, and Mischa Maisky every day. The friends have attempted to perform as a threesome for decades, but it took sheer luck, and a few 1998 dates in Japan, to find the acclaimed pianist, violinist, and cellist onstage together. Recorded as a tribute to Reinhard Paulsen, the late manager of Argerich and Kremer, this disc features two of chamber music's darkest pieces: Shostakovich's op. 67 and Tchaikovsky's op. 50 for piano and strings. Both composers wrote these works as elegies, and the effect of the pairing is riveting; the Shostakovich is bleak and occasionally violent (the use of Jewish melodies makes this as much a remembrance of the Holocaust as of any individual), while Tchaikovsky's epic, nearly 50-minute piece requires more patience but is even more expansive. Though the musicians haven't performed these pieces before, they have an intuitive grasp of the music--Kremer seems meant for these lyrical, personal violin passages, and Argerich is ready to unleash her fury at a moment's notice. Sonically, Maisky's cello is slightly obscured by his powerhouse peers, but he serves as a sobering backbone to these compositions. The very short tango by contemporary Peter Kiesewetter acts as an encore, a two-minute reminder that these friends know how to have fun too. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

The big meeting at the summit--and it disappoints.......2001-12-09

"Every concert must be 'ewent.'" --Mstislav Rostropovich

What is it about "Event" concerts? Whether it's the Rolling Stones' latest reunion, Benny Goodman's Anniversary Carnegie Hall Concert, or Bernstein at the Wall doing Beethoven's 9th, for some reason the assembly of Big Name talents playing Important Works frequently seems to disappoint. (Of course there are exceptions: the Modern Jazz Quartet's farewell concert; Horowitz's return to Moscow in 1986.) Still, we keep hoping the next encounter will strike fire and make the history that's expected. And it seems to me that a lot of listeners who are more interested in basking in that history rather than just listening with their ears wide open and their expectations in neutral always hear the results as "Incredible," "Magnificent," "The Greatest Recording of Anything ever!!"

That aside, I was really looking forward to this CD. I like all three musicians, though I do think Argerich is overrated sometimes and people respond more to her persona than anything else. But still, I figured her firey temperment was ideal for this music. The thing with Shostakovich that most people don't realize is, the structure is of paramount importance. (Think of all the rambling, incoherent readings of the Fifth Symphony out there.) As another reviewer here perceptively notes, the three musicians fall apart at the beginning and never really recover. This is a work of large structures, really, and they don't play it that way. Instead we get a series of unconnected episodes. And--and this is the oddest aspect of the performance I can't explain--despite all the flailing and banging away, they never really build up to a big, hair-raising finale. It's loud, it's harsh, but it sounds like sound and fury signifying nothing. Perhaps the best performance of the Shostakovich trio I've ever heard is by the Kqalichstein/Laredo/Robinson trio on Arabesque. This two-for-the-price-of-one set features searing performances of several other DSCH chamber works, major and minor, in excellent sound. And some of the other music in this set is not often heard and is positively bizarre (in a good way). This set certainly will not disappoint, and Amazon sells it, though for some reason they won't let me post a direct link here. Another fine performance of the DSCH Op. 67 trio is Kagan/Gutman/Richter, who, quite frankly, are worth hearing in practically anything anyway.

As for the Tchaikovsky, I really don't have many other examples to go on, but this one I just found boring and plodding. (Anyone with suggestions for good performances of the Tchaikovsky work feel free to email me...I'd appreciate it.)

Riveting Performance of Three Friends Playing a Live Concert.......2001-08-30

These are profound, riveting performances of Shostakovich's and Tchiakovsky's piano trios. Admittedly, Argerich leads the trio with her fiery keyboard playing, but Kremer is no less memorable for his lyrical phrasing on the violin. Maisky is just as fine on the cello, though he is often overshadowed by his friends. Both pieces are dark, somber works which are well suited to Argerich's tempestuous personality. Although the sound quality isn't as fine as a contemporary studio recording, it does come quite close. I tip my hat in admiration to Deutsche Grammophon for producing a splendid recording which celebrates a long-lasting friendship amongst three of our most exciting classical musicians.

3 strong personalties, united here.......2001-08-30

This recording, taken from two live performances in Japan, is unusual, but breathtaking. And contrary to what one reviewer on the review page said, this is not the first time the 3 have played together. It was the year before this present recording was made, in '97 in Verbier, that they played for the first time.
The Shostakovich is a very graphic interpretation, vividly portraying the anger and the pain behind the music. The three performers are very strong personalities and naturally there will be doubt as to how successful their collaboration will be in chamber music. While still maintaining their individual temperaments, the performance as a whole is a keenly united one. The interplay, the communication between the three players is impressive. Some have commented at the lack of techinical accuracy. Maybe that is so, but I sometimes think that some of these 'inaccuracies' are deliberate, to strengthen the music's drama. The Tchaikovsky is also another great Russian piano trio. It was written after the death of a beloved colleague, Nikolai Rubinstein. Incidentally, both trios on this disc were written after both composers lost dear friends. For Shostakovich, it was written in memory of Ivan Sollertinsky. And this disc is dedicated to the memory of Argerich and kremer's manager. So it is quite a deadly affair, this disc!
The Tchaikovsky is a long work - 40 minutes at least. Here it is
nearly 48 minutes! But the playing here is so impassioned and keenly felt that the impression is that it isn't that long at all. A very lyrical, yet powerfully articulated performance like this is rare. All the players are on top form for the Tchaikovsky, and from Argerich there is the strongest support you could imagine for a piano trio. The encore is a very witty 'medley' of Tchaikovsky's works (ranging from the Pathetique symphony, violin concerto, quotes from Eugene Onegin, to the Rococo Variations). Very humorous.
The sound is very vivid, and the booklet contains informative notes by David Brown, and entertaining observations by Argerich's second daughter, Annie, who describes what happened before the performances took place.

Breathtaking.......2001-06-21

It is a simply stunning performance, based on the talent of three unique musicians. Argerich is somehow the leading power of the trio, while the rest are no less worth praise for their great musicianship. Communication between the musicians adds to the superiority of this recording. Last, but not least: it is a live recording, and any sensitive person can feel that. It may not be the most immaculate perfomance ever recorded, but it has such an atmosphere that cannot be easily achieved in any studio.

Astounding Fiasco.......2001-03-01

I admire and respect all three musicians on this recording, but this is probably their worst performance ever. It was the first time Argerich, Kremer and Maisky played together, and it shows in every note. Shostakovich's Trio No 2, which happens to be one of my very favorite pieces of music, is not only technically demanding, but requires all three musiscians to carefully follow the structure of the whole piece. Argerich/Kremer/Maisky fall apart right in the beginning and never come together again. Second movement is especially awful, both technically and structurally. Technical mistakes are to a certain degree expected and can be forgiven in a live recording, but only if it has other redeeming qualities. This one has none. Tchaikovsky's trio is played slightly better, but not by much. If I rate Shostakovich as "awful", this one can be rated "bad". In general, this recording will easily make my Top 10 Worst Recordings Ever. The only fact which is more appalling than the release of this recording is it's nomination for Grammy award. I had little respect for Grammies to begin with, but that nomination was just ridiculous.

If you want to hear how Shostakovich's Trio should be played, listen to the incomparable Oistrakh/Sadlo/Shostakovich recording made in 1948. The mono sound is bad, but the playing will bring you to tears. If you absolutely must have better sound, then stick to Kagan/Gutman/Richter or Stern/Ma/Ax versions. For Tchaikovsky, my favorite is again a historic recording by Gilels/Kogan/Rostropovich. For a good modern recording, try Perlman/Harrell/Ashkenazy

Average customer rating: The Whole Thing Hauntingly Beautiful Good-enough readings but outstanding sound Passionate Maybe this is THE (one disc-) Peer Gynt album to own ...

Grieg: Peer Gynt Manufacturer: Virgin Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 Copland: Appalachian Spring/Fanfare For The Common Man/El Salón México/Danzón Cubano Bach - Brandenburg Concertos / Il Giardino armonico Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker - Complete Ballet ASIN: B0007Z47JI Release Date: 2005-06-07

Tracks:

1. No. 1 At The Wedding (Prelude To Act I)
2. No. 2 Halling
3. No. 4 The Abduction Of The Bride
4. No. 6 Peer Gynt And The Woman In Green
5. No. 7 Peer Gynt: 'You Can Tell Great Men By The Style Of Their Mounts!'
6. No. 3 Springar
7. No. 8 In The Hall Of The Mountain King
8. No. 9 Dance Of The Mountain King's Daughter
9. No. 12 The Death Of Ase (Prelude To Act III)
10. No. 13 Morning Mood (Prelude To Act IV)
11. No. 15 Arabian Dance
12. No. 16 Anitra's Dance
13. No.17 Peer Gynt's Serenade
14. No. 19 Solveig's Song
15. No. 20 Peer Gynt At The Statue Of Memnon
16. No. 21 Peer Gynt's Homecoming. Stormy Evening On The Sea (Prelude To Act V)
17. No. 22 The Shipwreck
18. No. 23 Solveig Sings In The Hut
19. No. 25 Whitsun Hymn: 'O Blessed Morning'
20. No. 26 Solveig's Cradle Song

Customer Reviews:

The Whole Thing.......2007-05-10

If there's an earlier 'Peer Gynt' recording that's complete (as opposed to just the 'suite') I've never heard of it. This is the entire incidental music to the play, not just the usual 'Dawn', 'The Hall of the Mountain King' 'Solveig's Song', etc.
Jarvi's reading is smooth and incisive and the choral parts are wonderful. I've never heard a scarier version of HOTMK. I never even knew that there was a solo vocal part for Peer himself, but here it is.

My only complaint-and it's a tiny one-is that the selections are not in the order that they would appear in Ibsen's play. But that's picking a very small nit indeed.

Hauntingly Beautiful.......2007-03-11

Conductor Paavo Jarvi does a masterful job of leading the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra plays with great emotion and precision creating an exciting and almost hypnotic effect. Although Beecham's version is very good, his Peer Gynt does not come close to matching the sheer beauty of Jarvi's.
The soloists on this album are outstanding. I consider baritone Peter Mattei to be the most talented baritone of his type today and his rendition of Peer Gynt's Serenade is nothing short of incredible. Soprano Camilla Tilling as Soveig has a lovely ethereal sound to her voice which is used to great effect in her songs. Tilling has the loveliest female voice I have ever heard. Mezzo Charlotte Hellekant has also grown on me as Anitra. Many of these vocal songs are not included on other versions of Peer Gynt, which is a great shame. The choir, something I don't usually enjoy, is very impressive.
I would rate this CD as by far the best version of Peer Gynt and perhaps my favorite CD of all time. The sound quality of the recording should also be mentioned because it is absolutely stunning.

Good-enough readings but outstanding sound.......2007-02-21

I don't find that Paavo Jarvi and his Estonian forces have much to say in the familiar numbers from Peer Gynt. You must turn to Beecham for sheer delight in famous numbers like In The Hall of the Moutain King, Morning, Anitra's Dance, and so on. Where this recording scores is in the unfamiliar numbers; Peter Matteo's excellent rendition of the little-known Peer Gynt's Serenade is one highlight, as is the convincingly crude folk fiddling that begins half a dozen numbers.

Secondly, there's the sound. The engineers have achieved quite exceptinally clear, open sonics that I've never heard the like of in Peer Gynt. Even when Jarvi's conducting is ordinary and his Estonian musician ae playing at far less than virtuosic level, the gorgeous sounds coming out of one's speakers remain alluring. As far as completeness goes, the Ruud 2-CD set from Bis is unchallenged.

Passionate.......2006-08-18

The story line gives the listener a guide to follow the music, but the score leaves out the connections for the listener to only imagine the performance. The music is passionate and descriptive and introduces the listener to the singing voices of parts of the presentation that are left out in the "Suite." I appreciate hearing it over and over.

Maybe this is THE (one disc-) Peer Gynt album to own ..........2006-02-15

... to keep closely beside the gorgeous, incisively intelligent and deeply concentrated performance (also on 1 CD) with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and Barbara Hendricks singing the role of Solveig (Sony Classical).
Together with the recordings by Neeme Jarvi (27 cues; DGG), Marriner (only 12 cues; EMI), Tate (17 cues; EMI), Blomstedt (19 cues; Decca), Dreier (the first truly complete recording of all of the original music (1978); 32 cues, including 'Bridal Procession', 'Solveig's Song' and three 'Norwegian Dances' all of them n o t originally written for the play; Unicorn UKCD + NKFCD) and Ruud (the first complete recording with 29 cues plus all of the dialogue, making a total of 51 cues, coming up on 113 minutes; BIS), these two (1-CD) albums by Paavo Jarvi and Esa-Pekka Salonen are as complete as can get concerning this so called 'incidental' music for the Henrik Ibsen play of Peer Gynt. Nowadays, Peer Gynt is Norway's No. 1 national epic, thereby giving this music extra significance and poignancy. Originally, there are in all some twenty-six numbers of incidental music for the play: almost ninety minutes of music, as can be learned from the booklet-essay. And according to the booklet, twenty of those are on this album; No. 5, 10, 11, 14, 18 and 24 are left out of this recording. 'Solveig's Song' wasn't originally written for the stage play but nonetheless included as such on this CD, so actually 19 original pieces from Peer Gynt, op. 23 are on this album, and not 20. But anyhow, such 'criticism' would amount to nitpicking ;-)
Here I would like to warn the reader that this will be a somewhat one-sided review, as I have only ever heard the Peer Gynt-recordings of Esa-Pekka Salonen, Per Dreier (freshly inspired, very natural performances) and this newest one of Paavo Jarvi. So this review is, for what it is worth, a personal and somewhat subjective approach, leaving out many other alternatives ...

Anyhow, as for the one-CD albums of Peer Gynt, op. 23, the merits of the Salonen/Oslo Philharmonic album (aside from the artistic ones, which are huge, as well as spot on as far as the 'Nordic' atmosphere of the music is concerned) lie in the fact that - up to now - it has been as near 'complete' a rendering of the music for Peer Gynt - as much as fits on one CD - as one might wish, covering the whole dramatic arc of the play from beginning to end (but without any of the spoken dialogue). I believe that this new recording with Paavo Jarvi is even more complete - as could be fitted on one disc - and gives the listener an even better feel of the drama of the play, if only because there is more singing here, namely by Peer Gynt (in the delightful 'Peer Gynt's Serenade'). Also, one hears here seldomly recorded, but wonderfully evocative pieces, such as 'Peer Gynt and the Woman in Green', 'Peer gynt: you can tell great men by the style of their mounts', 'Peer Gynt at the Statue of Memnon' (similar to 'Prelude Act III: Deep in the Coniferous Forest' on the Salonen/Oslo Philharmonic album. Actually it is the same piece, but it was never intended as the prelude to act III) and 'The Shipwreck'. Simply delightful, all this! As are all the soloists - truly, the best one could wish for! - singing in this recording. If I may steal a quote from Tim Ashley, The Guardian, May 13, 2005: "Peter Mattei is the swollen-headed Peer, Camilla Tilling a dignified, unsentimental Solveig and the incomparable Charlotte Hellekant a camp but lethally seductive Anitra." But although Camilla Tilling's Solveig is superb, IMHO she is not as completely involved-sounding or as convincing in the projecting of the troubled mind and heart of (especially the elderly) Solveig as does Barbara Hendricks for Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Even more than Esa-Pekka Salonen's performance with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, this recording offers the listener a more 'true to the letter-performance', as the music is here performed as heard during the play, as witnessed by 'Solveigs vuggevise' ('Solveig's Cradle Song'), where her singing is interlaced with the 'Whitsun Hymn', which, to the ears of this listener, only heigtening the sense of drama and storytelling.
All in all a fantastic album, I believe, and one that brings into focus the drama even more than other recordings of this music. Even though the orchestral playing of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra is maybe a (slight) nodge below that of the Oslo Philharmonic under Salonen and missing out on the deepest or finer layers of melancholy and dramatic tension (which are indeed touched upon by Salonen, I think), it is warmly sympathetic and more lush (as is the acoustics of the recording venue).
The really adventurous or Peer Gynt-completists (and once taken this step, the all too brief Suites will never be an option again!) should really go for Dreier or Ruud - this last one is said to be simply magnificent (music as well as acting) - but this generous one disc album, with some of the most gorgeous playing and singing, is warmly recommended (at least, in my opinion) to anyone who loves this wonderfully evocative music. Delightful!

Average customer rating: Down right Awesome It could have been so much more... don't bother too spent 0 on any think Could have been much better Hardly symphonic.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays the Hits of Pink Floyd Manufacturer: Koch Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music All Bargain Titles | Easy Listening | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Us and Them: Symphonic Pink Floyd Kashmir: The Symphonic Led Zeppelin Symphonic Rock Music of ABBA, Beatles & Queen The Floydian Propulsion Project ASIN: B0000ADXG0 Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond
2. Money
3. Us & Them
4. Hey You
5. Another Brick In The Wall
6. Wish You Were Here
7. Time
8. The Great Gig In The Sky
9. In The Flesh

Customer Reviews:

Down right Awesome.......2007-07-16

I don't know about the previous review, but this is just great. A nice treat when looking for a new way to appreciate the music of Roger Waters and Pink Floyd

It could have been so much more..........2006-07-25

Like their earlier 1989 Pink Floyd recording, this recording of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing Pink Floyd could have been so much better than it was. Essentially, it is a recording of a Pink Floyd tribute band backed by an orchestra. The use of electric guitar, electric bass, full trap set, vocalists and synthesizers detracts from the performance and leaves the listener longing for an actual symphonic version of these works. It would have been entirely different if it had been members of Pink Floyd contributing, however it was not. Therefore, it left something to be desired.

For a fully symphonic Pink Floyd experience, try "Us and Them" by the London Philharmonic.

don't bother too spent 0 on any think.......2006-03-03

we'll there isn't any comment on this''accept i hoped i rather not be heard...save your though..buy american most wanted.

Could have been much better.......2005-04-10

The record begins with what looks like a very promising rendering of "Shine on..." until the vocals enter in the sixth minute, making you scramble for the "off" button - not to let your neigbours know you're listening to this unbelievably corny crap. And this is only the beginning.

"Money", "Time" and especially "In the Flesh" are pathetic, "Us and them" and "WYWH" sound like an interminable folk music evening on German TV, and "Another Brick..." is just plain bad.

On the other hand, "Hey you" would have been quite good minus the vocals. As for "The great gig in the sky", it is the only track I would call listenable throughout, the usual horrible vocals being replaced by a woman who can actually sing.

The problem with this album is not the inevitable alteration of the spirit of Pink floyd, but the absolutely APPALLING vocal performance and some painfully kitchy instrumentation at times. Well, most of the time, actually.

If you're a diehard PF fan - like myself - and think you can take anything with its name on it, well, think again. If you don't even like Pink floyd, you'll never be able to listen to this.

Hardly symphonic........2005-03-29

This CD suffers from the number one ailment of most symphonic tribute albums; it is only symphonic in the loosest, most liberal sense of the definition. I think a lot of listeners would agree that symphonic tribute albums should not be performed by "orchestras" which include electric guitars, bass guitars, synthesizers, or drum kits. Listening to a symphony's re-creation of a rock song should enhance the experience and expand the breadth of its reaches, not merely change some of the instruments.

Average customer rating: Christmas Carols at there best Nice Christmas CD The Best Christmas CD Ever A masterpiece. You need one traditional Xmas cd - this is it.

Noel: Christmas at Kings Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cornelius, Peter | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Warlock | Warlock, Peter | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music King's College Choir Cambridge | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: O Come All Ye Faithful: Christmas Carols at King's College, Cambridge Carols from Trinity A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols The Holly and the Ivy: Carols from Clare College Christmas at Trinity ASIN: B00000427N Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

1. Hark! the herald angels sing
2. The first Nowell
3. While Shepherds Watched
4. I Saw Three Ships
5. Ding, Dong! Merrily On High
6. King Jesus Hath A Garden
7. In Dulci Jubilo
8. Unto Us Is Born A Son
9. O Come All Ye Faithful
10. Away in a manger
11. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
12. The Holly And The Ivy
13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
14. See Amid The Winter's Snow
15. Past Three O'clock

Tracks:

1. Once In Royal David's City
2. The Sussex Carol
3. Rocking
4. Rejoice And Be Merry
5. Joseph Was An Old Man
6. The Three Kings
7. As With Gladness Men Of Old
8. A Great And Mighty Wonder
9. The Infant King
10. Balulalow
11. The Crown Of Roses
12. Christ Was Born On Christmas Day
13. Blessed Be That Maid Mary
14. Lute-book lullaby
15. Myn Lyking
16. Personent Hodie
17. In the bleak mid-winter
18. Coventry Carol
19. Shepherd In The Field Abiding
20. Torches
21. Fantasia On Christmas Carols

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Carols at there best.......2005-10-18

It does not get any better. This 2 cd set is outstanding.
As one reviewer notes the second disk has many carols not heard by most people in the USA. I heard them growing up, but most are hard to find on an album.

Christmas is not Christmas without King's College Choir singing carols.

A great collection... :)

Nice Christmas CD.......2004-01-10

In my haste for looking for some traditional and exuberant Christmas music, and in my blinding affinity for all things "King's", I purchased this cd. It is a nice compelation, although I, and I daresay many Americans, am not very familiar at all with most of the hymns/carols on the 2nd cd. Morever, I found most of the music lacking in pomp and circumstance. Of course, now, I understand that is not what this cd set is for. If you want big sound and more familiar tunes, try something else.

The Best Christmas CD Ever.......1999-12-19

If you are seeking a CD of traditional Christmas music to help you 1) focus on the true meaning of the holiday and 2)draw near to God, this is it. The choral arrangements are alternately beautiful and powerful, delicate and majestic. There is a rich heritage of European carols which 99% of Americans know nothing of. Broaden your horizons with this disc. You won't regret it.

A masterpiece........1999-01-04

David Willcocks has produced, without question, the most elegant and dignified collection of Christmas choral music available. This CD is a masterpiece.

You need one traditional Xmas cd - this is it........1998-11-30

Yes, most of the stuff was originally recorded in the 50's and 60's and it's not going to win prizes for signal to noise ratio. However, if you, like me break out in a sweat hunting for a xmas cd which won't contain some desperate wannabe modernised rehash of carols or a "listen to me aren't I a good tenor/diva and by the way here are some carols?" tracks, then this is your album.

From the moment track one started, with a belting rendition of "Hark the Herald Angels", I had a grin on my face from ear to ear. Warm memories of xmases past flood back, cooking, carols, snow and presents. Yes - dreamily rose-colored, revisionist and traditional it is, but worth every penny in this cynical cyber world.

Christian Music:

1. Pop Jingu, Vol. 2
2. Praise Song Pack Volume 1
3. Presents: Vivo [Import]
4. Priority 1
5. Red Hot + Rhapsody: The Gershwin Groove
6. So Red the Rose
7. Standing Still
8. Stars [Enhanced] [EP] [Import]
9. Super Trouper [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered] [Import]
10. Survivor [CD-single] [Import]

Christian Music

christian music

Christian Music

Ordinary Night [Import]

Schmidt: Symphony 2

Ruckus Juice & Chitlins, Vol. 2: The Great Jug Bands

Legends of Country: 18 Songs [Import]

Rhythm Graffiti [Import]

Still Point

Rhythm Fantasies [Enhanced] [Live]

The Best of James Taylor

The Better After [Live]

Survival

Tales from Turnpike House [Import] [Limited Edition]

Rinaldi en el Lope de Vega: Madrid 2004 [Import]

The Commission [Explicit Lyrics]

Transcendence

Les & Larry Elgart/Les Elgart on Tour