D-Vas [Import]

Product Description
D-Influence, one of the UK's most consistent recording and production teams since their emergence in the early Nineties, return in 2002 with an exceptionally strong album titled 'D-Vas'. Guest appearances by Shola Ama, Romina Johnson, Sarah Anne Webb & Ul

D-Vas,D'influence,Dome,R&B/Soul,Soul/R & B

Sergei Prokofiev, Enfant Terrible (1891-1953): A 50th Anniversary Celebration

Average customer rating:

An eye-opening Prokofiev survey (try to buy it used)

Sergei Prokofiev, Enfant Terrible (1891-1953): A 50th Anniversary Celebration

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000084H93
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Customer Reviews:

An eye-opening Prokofiev survey (try to buy it used).......2006-03-26

I can't see paying full price for a two-CD compensdium, even one as lavish as this package, when all the itmes are samples for promoting Universal's catalog (expect a good representation by Ashkenazy, Rostropovich, Previn, and Gergiev). But the selection is good enough and often rare eough to warrant a buy if the price is low.

As I listened straight through, I was surprised at how unacquainted I actually was with the wide extent of Prokofiev's style. From the very early "Dreams," which could be mistaken for Glazunov through the unfamiliar operas (Betrothal in a Monastery Garden, Semyon Kotko) to the final, sadly diminished works like the Seventh Sym. and the cello concerto, the composer covered every major Russian style of the century. I didn't find any new masterful performances--not that a short excerpt is a good enough trial--but everything here is well performced. Any listener should find something unexpected and intriguing in this two-and-a-half-hour traversal.

Average customer rating:

tactful rendition, introspective and melodious

Blancafort: Piano Music, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Manuel Blancafort: Piano Music, Vol. 3
Manuel Blancafort: Piano Music; Country Games and Dances; Intimate Songs I

ASIN: B00009WQUJ
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Tracks:

Record
Arietta-Confidencia
Retorn
Pensament De Tristesa
(Sense Titol) Allegretto Grazioso
Paraules De Queixa
Tema Campanyart
I. Canco Del Vent Gronxant Les Branques
II. Canco Dalt Del Cingle
III. Canco De L'hivern
IV. Canco De L'adeu
V. Canco De L'arribada Al Cim
VI. Canco De La Tarda Morint
VII. Canco D'enyoranca
VIII. Canco Del Silenci Del Capvespre
IX. Canco Del Mati Lluminos
En Arribar La Tardor
Al Jardi
Lament
Els Joiosos Companyons
Record D'infantesa
La Lluna Brilla
Ocells Al Cel D'abril
Tema Popular
1 Canco
Canco De La Canalla
Canco Del Pastoret
Canco En La Solitud
Canco Del Capvespre
Canco En L' Ermita
Canconeta Per Adormir
Canco A La Platja
Senyora Isabel (Traditional) (1st Version)
Senyora Isabel (Traditional) (2nd Version)
El Mal Ric (Traditional)
Muntanyes Regalades (Traditional)
Rossinyol Que Vas A Franca (Traditional)

Customer Reviews:

tactful rendition, introspective and melodious.......2004-05-24

made for late-night listening, reminds one of satie, debussy, and
mompou.

Tracks:

Duetto And Chorus: Kommt, Eilet Und Laufet
Aria: Sanfte Soll Mein Todeskummer
Recitative And Chorale: O Schmerz! Hier Zittert Das Gequalte Herz
Aria With Chorus: Ich Will Bei Meinem Jesu Wachen
Recitative: Mein Jesus Schweigt Zu Falschen Lugen Stille
Aria: Geduld!
Duet: Et Misericordia
Aria: Deposuit Potentes
Recitative: So Stehe Denn, Du Gottergeb'ne Seele
Aria: Adam Muss In Uns Verwesen
Chorus: Jauchzet, Frohlocket, Auf, Preiset Die Tage
Recitative: Es Begab Sich Aber Zu Der Zeit
Aria: Frohe Hirten, Eilt, Ach Eilet
Aria: Ich Will Nur Dir Zu Ehren Leben
Recitative: Und Liess Versammeln Alle Hohenpriester
Terzetto: Ach! Wann Wird Die Zeit Erscheinen
Recitative: Und Gott Befahl Ihnen Im Traum-Genug, Mein Schatz Geht Nicht Von Hier
Aria: Nun Mogt Ihr Stolzen Feinde Schrecken

Tracks:

Overture
Aria: Hier Soll Ich Dich Denn Sehen
Recitative And Aria: Konstanze, Dich Wiederzusehen, Dich!/O Wie Angstlich, O Wie Feurig
Aria: Wenn Der Freude Tranen Fliessen
Quartet: Ach! Belmonte! Ach, Mein Leben!
Aria: Ich Baue Ganz Auf Deine Starke
Recitative And Aria: Welch Ein Geschick!/Wie, Du Solltest Fur Mich Sterben!
Aria: Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schon
Zum Ziele Fuhrt Dich Diese Bahn
Wie Stark Ist Nicht Dein Zauberton
Der Welcher Wandert Diese Strasse Vol Beschwerden
Tamino Mein! O Welch Ein Gluck!

Tracks:

Duet: Strahlt Auf Mich Der Blitz Des Goldes - Hermann Prey
Duet: Hier Nimm Den Ring Der Treue
Scene And Duet: Ich Denk Ihn Lieber Mir Von Meinem Stande/Liebe Ist Seligkeit, Ist Licht Und Leben
Toast: O Freunde, So Leeret In Vollen Zugen - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Duet: Ich Sah Euch Lieblich Und Engelsschon - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Duet: O, Lass Uns Fliehen Aus Diesen Mauern - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Scene And Duet: er Ist's! Carlos! Mein PRinz!/Gott, Der Entflammte Der Liebe Heisse Glut - Hermann Prey
Duet: Infame Feder! Welch Scheusslicher Pinsel/Ach, Geliebte! Nie Kehrst Du mir Wieder! - Hermann Prey
Aria: Und Es Blitzten Die Sterne
Scene: Nicht An Mich, Geliebter, Denke
Duet: Du Sussester Engel, Wie Herrlich Hast Du Geteufelt!
Leukippos, Du?
Arioso: Ja, Ich Lieb Sie, Olga
Aria: Wohin Seid Ihr Entschwunden

Tracks:

Recitative And Arioso: Holdes Laubgezewig, Du Schones/Schattige Ruh, Nie Gab Natur Sie Mir
Aria: Der Gedanke An Die Flammen Der Liebe
Aria: Bleibt Ihr Treu Dem, Der Euch So Verachtet?
Aria: Finstre Furie, Ihr Geister Der Holle
Aria: Nur Einen wunsch, Nur Ein Verlangen - Hermann Prey
Recitative And Duet: O Unverhofftes Gluck/Das Hore Ich Von Dir, Von Meinem Freunde? - Hermann Prey
Ma Se Il Nostro Gioir/Alcun Non Sia
Perche A Lo Sdegno/Padre Cortese/Si Non Vedro
Aria: Erwacht In Meinem Herzen
Duet: Nur Weinen Lernte Ich/Nur Klagen lernte Ich
Aria: Keine Schlange Lasst Sich Toten
Romance: O Schweige Still, O Lasse Dich Erbitten
Trio: Doch Nun Zu Dir/Trenne Nicht Das Band Der Liebe - Hermann Prey
Aria: Man Wird Ja Einmal Nur Geboren
Song: Lebe Wohl, Mein Flandrisch Madchen - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Recitative And Duet: Du Stehst Wirklich Vor Mir/Der tempel Brahmas Strahlt - Hermann Prey

Tracks:

I. Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai
II. Aus Meinen Tranen Spriessen
III. Die Rose, Die Lilie, Die Taube, Die Sonne
IV. Wenn Ich In Deine Augen Seh
V. Ich Will Meine Seele Tauchen
VI. Im Rhein, Im Heiligen Strome
VII. Ich Grolle Nicht
VIII. Und Wussten's Die Blumen, Die Kleinen
IX. Das Ist Ein Floten Und Geigen
X. Hor Ich Das Liedchen Klingen
XI. Ein Jungling Liebt Ein Madchen
XII. Am Leuchtenden Sommermorgen
XIII. Ich Hab Im Traum Geweinet
XIV. Allnachtlich Im Traume Seh Ich Dich
XV. Aus Alten Marchen Winkt Es
XVI. Die Alten Bosen Lieder
Zartliche Liebe: 'Ich Liebe Dich' WoO 123
Adelaide Op.46
Resignation WoO 149
Der Kuss Op.128
Was Ist Silvia, Saget An
Lied Eines Schiffers An Die Dioskuren D 360
Liebhaber In Allen Gestalten D 558
Der Einsame D 800
Im Abendrot Op. Post. D 799
Leise Flehen Meine Lieder
An Die Laute D 905
Der Musensohn D 764
An Die Musik D 547

Tracks:

Granada
Mattinata
Funiculi-Funicula
O Sole Mio
Vergiss Mein Nicht
Ein Lied Geht Um Die Welt
Du Bist Die Welt Fur Mich
Ich Kusse Ihre Hand, Madame
Caro Mio Ben
Ave Maria
Plaisir D'Amour
La Danza
Serenade: Fern Im Weiten Land, Dort Unten Im Suden
Be My Love
Santa Lucia
Tiritomba
Heute Nacht Oder Nie

Tracks:

Wien, Wien, Nur Du Allein
Denk Dir, Die Welt War Ein Blumenstrauss
Ich Kenn Ein Kleines Wegerl Im Helenental
In Wien Gibt's Manch Winziges Gasserl
Draussen In Sievering
Ich Weiss Auf Der Wieden Ein Kleines Hotel
Ich Muss Wieder Einmal In Grinzing Sein
Im Prater Bluhn Wieder Die Baume
Herr Hofrat, Erinnern Sie Sich Noch?
I Hab Die Schonen Maderln Net Erfunden
Es Steht Ein Alter Nussbaum Drausst In Heiligenstadt
Wien Wird Bei Nacht Erst Schon
Wenn Es Abend Wird/Gruss Mir Mein Wien
Ob Blond, Ob Braun, Ich Liebe Alle Frau'n
Weine Nicht, Bricht Eine Schone Frau Dir Das Herz
Mein Herz Ruft Immer Nur Nach Dir, O Marita
Eine Kleine Fruhlingsweise
Schlaf Ein, Mein Blond-Engelein
Annchen Von Tarau
Still Wie Die Nacht

Customer Reviews:

Correction.......2006-12-13

Now folks, both of what the two other reviewers wrote about the tragical death of Fritz Wunderlich is wrong. Wunderlich died in hospital at September 17 1966. He had broken his skull, when he fell down the stairs in the hunting-house of a friend. Late in the evening of September 16, Wunderlich, as usual when not at home, had phoned his wife in Munich. He was very tired from strolling through the forest the whole day, making out the ideal locations for the hunt, which should start early in the next morning (Wunderlich was a passionate hunter). After he had wished his wife a good night, he went to the staircase in order to go down to his bedroom at the first floor. He still wore his heavy hunting boots - with open shoestrings! As walking downstairs, Wunderlich struggled over the open shoestrings and grabbed for the banisters, which was not more than a rope, fixed to the wall. The banisters teared out, and Wunderlich fell down the whole stairs. Fritz Wunderlich died in hospital the next day. It was only short before his 36'th birthday. An exceptional singing career had come to an untimely end. Some people believe that Wunderlich was drunken at the time of accident. If this is true can't be proven any more. But still this is not what his close friends said, regarding his accident and his death. In my opinion Wunderlich was the last of the really great tenors of the last century. All the tenors which came to fame after him (sorry folks, even such maestros as Pavarotti and Domingo) lack a certain quality in singing. It's the ease of breath flow, or singing on the breath without pushing the voice, it's the overtones, the legato, the mezza voce, the messa di voce and many more things - in short: the overall beauty of the voice through both registers. Wunderlich was the last tenor who had all this. Other examples are Caruso, McCormack, Gigli (despite the sobbing in his later recordings) and of course the wonderful Jussi Björling. But these are only some few names. If you listen for example to the cd's in the box "Famous tenors of the past" you will find that there were many very good and outstanding tenors in the first half of the 20'th century and - as we can only assume - in the time before the invention of the grammophone. Take a close look at todays famous tenors (I know, there are some quite good and promising ones) but what are they in comparison to those tenors (or better to say, to their voices and singing) I just mentioned before?

Please make your own decision.

Fritz Wunderlich can do no wrong...........2006-05-05

... okay, maybe. It's just that I've never heard a recording I didn't love. And I prefer that he sing everything in German even when that means not using original language.

This is a bit strange because I'm most often bugged by Don Carlos and Vepres in Italian (just a personal quirk). Of course, I'm also bugged by dropping the "s" in Don Carlos, which is always incorrect. The man's name IS Carlos whether in Italian or French.

I tried to write Mr. Avila a personal note, but could not, so let me say that Fritz Wunderlich did not die of cancer, but a dreadful accident in Scotland (I'll not go into the whys and wherefores, I just wanted to set PART of the record straight.)

The Wonder of Wunderlich.......2005-11-22

Deutsche Grammophone does it again! This is an extensive 3-cd compilation album featuring the artistry of the great German tenor Fritz Wunderlich in a variety of vocal repertoire - Baroque cantata/oratorio, opera and Lieder. Like the other critic pointed out, I first heard Fritz sinigng a superb Tamino in the Karl Bohm Magic Flute, although I have also heard him sing Lieder opposite the mezzo soprano Christa Ludwig and baritone Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, who were his contemporaries and colleagues. Wunderlich died tragically in 1966 of cancer. He inspired a generation of purely lyric tenors or "tenors di grazie" whose charming voice would never roughen and lack grace. His Germanic style earned him popularity in World War II Europe and he was the leading exponent of Lieder in the 50's. His tenor voice is glorious, as close to a male angel as possible. On this recording, we are treated to sumptuous arias from Bach's Christmas/Easter Oratorios, and movements from 2 cantatas. Also noteworthy are the unsurpassed performances of Mozart tenor heroes- such as Belmonte from "Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail" (Abduction from the Seraglio) and his unbeatable Tamino from Die Zauberflote The Magic Flute. He sings bel canto opera arias fo tenor, from master composers Rossinni, Bellini and Verdi. While I don't much like that he is singing Italian arias in German, one must remember that at this time, in the LP Era of World War II Germany and Austria, German-born opera singers sang Italian opera in German translation/revisions. While many German singers could indeed sing in Italian, they were mostly trained to sing it in German because of excessive national pride and because Germans viewed Italian opera as course and un-melodic. Still, there have been superb German singers who sang in Italian like Wagner diva Birgit Nilsson,baritone Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, tenor Peter Schreier, soprano Edda Moser, baritone Walter Berry, tenor Herman Pretty, all post-Wunderlich sensations. Wunderlich sings Lieder in one CD with great and unrivaled musicianship. Especially impressive are the Viennese pieces. Further to the cd's this album is equipped with photos of Wunderlich and his family and a detailed profile biography.

I wish I could give this release more than 5 stars: it's terrific!!!.......2005-10-28

I knew little about the German tenor Fritz Wunderlich (1930-1966), except reading the accolades given to his recordings and performances by reviewers in "American Record Guide" over the past 13 years. I knew Wunderlich recorded the role of Tamino in the famous DG recording of Mozart's "Die Zauberflote", with Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (Now on DG Originals CDs), but was not aware of what a wide range of repertoire he had until hearing this release.

This release has a wide variety of Wunderlich's discography, including Bach arias from his Christmas and Easter Oratorios, and movements from 2 cantatas; his Mozart roles in "Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail" (Eugen Jochum/Bavarian Radio Orchestra) and "Die Zauberflote" (Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic); a variety of arias and duets by Rossini, Bellini, Verdi, Richard Strauss, mostly sung in German, and with Hermann Prey, baritone and Erika Koth, soprano in many of the duets; Baroque arias by Handel, from "Xerxes" (including the famous "Ombre mai fu" sung in German) and "Julius Caesar", selections from Monteverdi's "Orfeo" (an early track from 1955 sung in Italian); Schumann's "Dichterliebe", 4 Beethoven Lieder, including "Adelaide" and "Der Kuss"; and 9 Schubert lieder, including "An der Musik," and "Der Musensohn", all with Hubert Giesen, piano; Popular songs such as "Granada" and Viennese songs, with chamber orchestra accompaniment. There are no texts for the songs, but you may have text booklets with other CD releases, so don't really need them when you hear Wunderlich's beautiful voice.

There is a booklet with articles about Wunderlich's career, including a preface by his widow, Eva Wunderlich, photos of Wunderlich as a boy and young man, with his wife Eva in 1965, and children Constanze, Wolfgang, and Barbara. I enjoy reading and looking at the booklet, even apart from listening to the beautiful recordings.

Wunderlich was a genius, and his voice sounds great in every track, mono (some, but not a majority) and stereo (most of the tracks in the 7 discs are stereo) alike. If you love great music, and opera, but like me aren't often of a mind to sit still for 3 hours to listen to one, get this. It's a great release, and reasonably priced to boot. I'm thankful to God for great music, for the ability to hear and feel, and for Fritz Wunderlich and his service to music lovers everywhere.

Average customer rating:

If you buy just one Mompou CD, but THIS one!
Artistry
Perhaps Unfamiliar, But Wonderful Music
Disappointing Mompou from Larrocha

Spanish Songs & Dances

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003FP5
Release Date: 1995-01-10

Tracks:

Songs And Dances: No. 1
Songs And Dances: No. 2
Songs And Dances: No. 3
Songs And Dances: No. 4
Songs And Dances: No. 5
Songs And Dances: No. 6
Songs And Dances: No. 7
Songs And Dances: No. 8
Songs And Dances: No. 9
Songs And Dances: No. 10
Songs And Dances: No. 11
Songs And Dances: No. 12
Songs And Dances: No. 14
Songs And Dances: Prelude No. 11
Songs And Dances: Prelude No. 5
Songs And Dances: Prelude No. 6 (For The Left Hand)
Songs And Dances: Prelude No. 7 'Fireworks'

Customer Reviews:

If you buy just one Mompou CD, but THIS one!.......2006-11-27

I was familiar with some of Mompou's music from earlier recordings by Alicia de Larrocha, including several of the "Songs and Dances." (This was the Decca recording another reviewer mentions.) Much of the music was therefore familiar to me, but this more recent recording was a revelation! There was a far more convincing shaping and overall feel for the melodies, played with great freedom but also with secure, elegantly-shaped interpretation. I'm afraid I cannot fathom why any listener would favor the earlier recording above this one!
I have many other Mompou recordings, including the composer's own recordings (uneven - some wonderful moments, and many stilted ones) and some performances by Carmen Bravo (Mrs. Mompou, a fine pianist in her own right). There is much to enjoy and appreciate in Mompou's unique music, but there really is no better recording of these pieces than Alicia de Larrocha's RCA Red Seal "Songs and Dances." Wonderful stuff! I so love what she does with this music that I obtained permission to arrange several of these pieces for carillon (for my own recitals only), so deep was the impression this music - and playing - made on me.

As an aside, there is a wonderful Mompou piece that Alicia has apparently not recorded - "Variations on a Theme of Chopin" If you can find it, seek out the recording by Josep Colum (which is part of a recording of the complete Mompou piano works - but his Songs and Dances are not up to Alicia's renditions).

Artistry.......2003-06-13

The subtle nature of true artistry abounds on this recording of seemingly simple music. Her sense of pulse and tasteful rubato makes this the one I come to time and time again. There is nothing vaguely indicative of a "faltering technique" mentioned by another reviewer......fast is easy...pulse is not.She has an understanding of this genre second to none.

Perhaps Unfamiliar, But Wonderful Music.......2000-04-01

I could not disagree more with the previous reviewer. This is one of the favorite CD's in my collection. While not being very familiar with all Mompou's opus, I have come to love these refreshing melodies and Alicia DeLarrocha's execution of them.

As a Catalan playing the music of a Catalan, Alicia has special insight into this music. It is possible that there is music that is more difficult to play, but difficulty does not always guarantee greatness. In this case the color, humor and inventiveness are utterly charming. We are accustomed to hearing Ms. DeLarrocha excel in works by other Spaniards, but in this case Barcelona's closer proximity to France and the musical influences of the North provide us something unexpected from a "Spanish" composer.

I especially appreciate the songs and dances because Mompou has simultaneously achieved inventiveness and simplicity. Alicia DeLarrocha's playing tempts me to both sing and dance to them!

Disappointing Mompou from Larrocha.......2000-03-07

If you can find Alicia de Larrocha's recordings of Mompou on London/Decca, they are far more preferable to this RCA recording.

Most of the Songs and Dances is wonderful music; the Preludes are interesting, but I could have done without these. Why couldn't she instead have recorded Mompou's "Variations on a theme of Chopin", a wonderful 20-minute work which is virtually unknown?

Technically, this music is not terribly difficult, but Larrocha's slowly faltering technique make her tempos sound cautious, and interpretively the magic of her previous renditions on London/Decca is missing.

Also, RCA's typically hard-toned piano sound is unattractive. This is typical of so many of RCA recordings; I've noticed that the same problem afflicts virtually all of the Rubinstein and Horowitz recordings for this label.

Nevertheless, I'm a die-hard fan of this pianist, and I'll keep buying whatever she records.

Dream: Western Poets in Russian Music, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

Wonderful assortment of songs set on Western texts.

Dream: Western Poets in Russian Music, Vol. 1
Sergey Rachmaninov , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Nikolay Medtner , Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov , Anton Rubinstein , Anatol Alexandrov , Alexander Borodin , Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomizhsky , Cesar Cui , Sergey Taneyev , Mikhail Glinka , Dimitry Stepanovich Bortnyansky , Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov , Sergej Larin , and Eleonora Bekova
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sergej Larin - Romance ~ Western Poets in Russian Music, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00004GOWX
Release Date: 2000-03-28

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful assortment of songs set on Western texts........2000-07-24

This is a wonderful assortment of songs set on Western poetic texts by a whole variety of Russian composers (13 in all), most of whom are familiar (or famous) while others are rather little known (like Alexandrov & Bortnyansky). Much of the songs on this CD, namely of Rubinstein, Taneyev, Glazunov, Grechaninov, & Medtner are set to Germanic poetry (naturally for Rubinstein & Medtner, since they had German ancestry). The song "Gefunden", after Goethe's "Ich ging im Walde" was set to music by Medtner & Taneyev & it's interesting to see their different treatment to it: Taneyev's with the delicacy & innocence, Medtner's the more serious & piquant yet dignified. Glazunov's Romance, after Goethe's "Dichterliebe" is beautiful & ultimately sentamental while Grechaninov's "Widmung" is sincere & somewhat mournful & agitated, especially in the latter part of the text "Oh, may all you sighs & tears, Fly away to her as songs." The selections of Rubinstein's ten songs to German, French, and Italian texts op. 83 (1868) as well as Waldeinsamkeit (from Six German Songs op. 76) are memorable although Glinka was more at home with Italian texts than Rubinstein.

The other songs are set to French text (though Borodin's "Fleurs d' amour" is a french translation to Heine's "Buch der Lieder") while Glinka's "Pur nel sonno" & "Piangendo ancora rinascer suole" are set to Italian. Glinka's songs are especially fresh & lively while Dargomyzhsky's songs are serene, especially "Dieu, qui sourit" & Romance du beau Tirsis (among my particular favorites). The songs of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Bortnyansky, Borodin, & Alexandrov are especially lighthearted & warm. Rachmaninov's "C'etait en avril" has the beauty & the nobleness to be found in his later scores while Tchaikovsky's Rondel has that Mozartian innocence & charm that's immediately compelling. His Deception is more serious & saddened, however, as one looks for his beloved (does this remind you of his Manfred Symphony?).

Tracks:

Come Closer to Me [Beguine]
Nocturne [Beguine]
Serenade [Beguine]
Green Cockatoo [Son]
In the Still of the Night
Without You [Beguine]
Jamaican Rumba
Dancing in the Dark
Tico-Tico [Samba]
Ya Que Te Vas: Night After Night [Beguine]
Fantasie-Impromptu: I'm Always Chasing Rainbows [Beguine]
Brasil: Aquerella Do Brasil [Samba]
Autumn Serenade [Beguine]
Begin the Beguine
Rio de Janiero: Isto E O Meu Brasil [Samba]
Mi Vida [Beguine]
Daybreak
Vem Vem [Samba]
Another Night Like This [Beguine]
Chi-Baba Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep) [Samba]
Out of My Dreams [Waltz]
People Will Say We're in Love [Beguine]
Shoemaker's Serenade [Samba]
Andalucia: The Breeze and I [Bolero]
Temptation [Samba]

Average customer rating:

D'Influence Presents: D-Vas Afterhours
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Pony Canyon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

D-Vas

ASIN: B0002UXLOA
Release Date: 2004-07-26

Tracks:

All The Stars
Just A Word
Chasing The Night
Lack Girl
I Swear
Pretty
Serendipity
Black Six
Kind A Sky
Sometimes Love
So
Love Like
Keep It Moving
Take Our Time
Butterflies

Album Description

Full title - D'Influence Presents D'vas After Hours. Asian pressing of the UK dance act's import exclusive 2004 release, featuring contributions from Natasha Ming, Dyanna Fearon, Vee, Lucille, & Thea. 15 tracks. Pony Canyon.

Average customer rating:

just fine
Good album ... I hope they reunite
A Few Classic Cuts, A Few Clunkers

D-Vas
D'influence
Manufacturer: Dome
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

D'Influence Presents: D-Vas Afterhours
Good 4 We
On the Jungle Floor

ASIN: B000060KBG
Release Date: 2002-03-18

Tracks:

Show Me Love - Sarah Anne Webb
This I Promise You - Shola Ama
All I Need - Belle Montenegro
Taste Of Bitter Love - Romina Johnson
Music Came To Save My Life - Ultra Nate
I Wanna Know You - Dyanna Fearon
32 Flavours - Louise Rose
The Naturals - The Naturals
La Dee Dah - Dee C Lee
Dreams - Julie Anne Evans
Wishing Back My Love - Deed
What'cha Gonna Do? - Dyanna Fearon
Wonderin' - Lily Ray
Angel - Belle Montenegro
The Naturals Finale - The Naturals

Album Description

D-Influence, one of the UK's most consistent recording and production teams since their emergence in the early Nineties, return in 2002 with an exceptionally strong album titled 'D-Vas'. Guest appearances by Shola Ama, Romina Johnson, Sarah Anne Webb & Ul

Customer Reviews:

just fine.......2005-04-24

If you happen to work with fine singers like Shola Ama, Romina Johnson etc, all featured on this album, and have good & smooth producers like D'Influence, the result can only be fine :)

Good album ... I hope they reunite.......2004-04-03

This band has been on my A-list since the day I heard "Funny How Things Change" from their 'Good 4 We' LP. The vocalist had this breathy husky voice that was mildy reminiscent of Sade. With each release I always anticipated the next. They just kept getting better...until they broke up. I wish I at least had the opportunity see them live. Their sound was a break from the over teched sounds that are all too common today. Spreading positive vibes and providing us with an opportunity to slow down and feel the funk. They were easily the successors to Jamiroquai and the Brand New Heavies. Completely overlooked. But enough! I'm just bitter.
To the point...The D-Vas project is good(Key word- "project"). The production seems to be the focus. D-Influence have remixed so many other artist that they were sought out more for their remixing abilities than for their own artistic output. The production is on the spot and they do more than justice to a of cover Ani DiFranco's "32 Flavors" without completely losing the integrity of the song. The remake of "Taste of Bitter Love" is classic D-I. Dee C Lee appears on the r&b/bossa track "la di da" and they even do 2 step on "Wonderin'". This LP confirms the band's capabilities as a production unit. Unfotunately, with so many vocalists the band loses its personality and cohesiveness in a sense. It feels like compilation, albeit of choice quality singles, but that takes away from the cohesive soul of the band as a tightly knit unit. There are hints of what could be had Sarah Ann Webb and Ed Powell stayed in the group. Sarah's lead vocal on the LP opener "Show me Love" leaves me wanting for a whole album of new material from the band properly reinstated.... that said "Prayer 4 Unity", "London" and the stripped down sounds of "Good 4 We" are highly recommended.

A Few Classic Cuts, A Few Clunkers.......2003-04-05

I'm a big D-Influence fan, and I wasn't disappointed by this CD. But I do miss the fact that Sarah Anne Webb is no longer a member of the group. She obviously added a lot to the creative process, because the only song on the album that sounds like older D-Influence stuff is the one that she did with the rest of the group.

That may show us the problem with this album. Kwame and Steve (apparently, the only two members now) are brilliant musicians, but they seem to allow too much creative freedom for each "D-Va" that has a song with them on the album. The results are that for the first time in four D-Influence albums, there's actually a bad song. "Wishing" (featuring Deed) features awful lyrics, clumsy vocal arrangements, and bad singing. "I Wanna Know You" features really amateurish vocals by the featured D-Va on that song (whose name I can't remember). And there are one or two other regrettable moments.

However, the rest of the CD is pretty good, and some of the songs are just absolutely brilliant. The best cut is "Taste of Bitter Love," which is a remake of an obscure Gladys Knight & the Pips song, but in D-I's hands, it sounds like a latter day Paradise Garage dance classic. This song alone makes the album worth having. The other remake, "32 Flavours," is another outstanding cut. Probably 4 or 5 other cuts are worthy of serious praise.

In general, this is an album worth having if you are a D-Influence fan. If you're unfamiliar with their stuff, I would suggest buying any of their other 3 albums, especially "London," before this one. These are neo-soul/alternative R&B classics, while much of this CD sounds more like British radio oriented R&B.