Great Sky

1. moonrise

2. great sky

3. new life

4. in the air

5. dia y noche

6. evening in marbella

7. aquamarine

8. mirrors

9. a story

10. te amo mi amor

Great Sky,Martin Meyer,Great Sky Music,"Deeply expressive and melodic...this soundtrack flavored piano music evokes a peaceful and inspired feeling.",Miscellaneous,New Age

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Average customer rating: Sad, Really Sad An excellent movie themes antology by ELMER BERNSTEIN Excellent Great Film Music Fun, Powerfull music

The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jerry Goldsmith: 40 Years of Film Music The Wild West: The Essential Western Film Music Collection Varese Sarabande 25th Anniversary Celebration Way Out West: The Essential Western Film Music Collection, Vol. 2 John Barry: The Collection ASIN: B0007XTQ14 Release Date: 2005-06-07

Tracks:

1. The Magnificent Seven
2. To Kill A Mockingbird (Suite)
3. The Buccaneer (Overture)
4. Walk On The Wild Side
5. An American Werewolf In London (Metamorphosis)
6. The Age Of Innocence (End Titles)
7. The Comancheros
8. Ghostbusters
9. Heavy Metal (Taarna's Theme)
10. Johnny Staccato
11. True Grit (Rooster Cogburn/A Warm Wrap-Up)
12. Hollywood And The Stars
13. Zulu Dawn (River Crossing)

Tracks:

1. The Great Escape
2. The Man With The Golden Arm
3. Far From Heaven
4. The Sons Of Katie Elder
5. Airplane (Suite)
6. The Shootist (Main Title)
7. Hawaii (Overture)
8. The Birdman Of Alcatraz (Finale)
9. The Hallelujah Trail (Overture)
10. The Bridge At Remagen
11. Thoroughly Modern Millie (Sky-Hi)
12. The Scalphunters
13. The Ten Commandments (Overture)

Album Description

*A specially priced 2CD set with over 110 minutes of some of the greatest film music in the history of cinema.

*New digital recordings in spectacular and sound performed by the acclaimed City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and National Youth Jazz Band.

*Includes world premiere recordings from "The Birdman Of Alcatraz," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Airplane!" and "An American Werewolf In London."

*In 2004 the world of cinema lost one of the most iconic figures in film composing. In a career that spanned half-a-century and over 250 films, Elmer Bernstein was responsible for writing the music to many of the greatest and most loved movies of all time ranging from "The Ten Commandments," "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Great Escape," through to "True Grit" and "Airplane!" This collection has been lovingly created and compiled as a tribute to a genius and true master of the art of film scoring.

Customer Reviews:

Sad, Really Sad.......2007-05-13

These CDs don't meet the standards that I expect from Elmer Bernstein's wonderful film music.
*It's just Boring*
The ensemble doesn't have the energy one would expect to play "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Man with the Golden Arm". I think the City of Prague and National Youth Jazz Orchestras were bargain orchestras used to make an inexpensive CD set of one of my favorite film composers. The conducting and arrangements were what made this an obviously bad album.

An excellent movie themes antology by ELMER BERNSTEIN.......2007-05-10

Silva Screen Records, presents this antology of the music from the late great composer/conductor ELMER BERNSTEIN, who supervised this recording just before die.
Played the The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, and conducted by his one time assistant James Fitzpatrick
Recorded in HDCD and Dolby Surround

Excellent.......2007-04-22

it's unfortunate that more tracks weren't able to be recorded as theree was a good 15-20 minutes of space remaining on both discs. Regardless, this is an excellent sampler, especially in conjunction with Varese's Bernstein sampler including rare stuff like the Black Cualdron.


With regards to this silva set, these recordings range back to 1994, with Sons of Katie Elder and True Grit being recorded for a John Wayne CD and Bridge At Remagen for a CD of classic War themes. The Great Escape was also recorded for that CD, but producer James Fitzpatrick opted to record a new arrangement (same with Magnificent Seven). In '97, The Buccaneer for included on a Swashbucklers disc, while Heavy Metal was on the popular 'Space and Beyond' compilation. In '98, the world premiere recording of Airplane first appeared on a DISASTERS film disc. So while it may technically be the world premiere RECORDING it certainly is not the world premiere CD RELEASE of that recording. Ghostbusters was included on Space 3: Beyond the Final Frontier, the second followup to the popular 'Space and Beyond'. Fast forward to 2002 and 4 recordings first appeared on WAY OUT WEST: ESSENTIAL WESTERN FILM MUSIC COLLECTION VOLUME TWO, those being The Comancheros, The Hallelujah Trail, The Scalphunters and The Shootist. Man With the Golden Arm and Walk on the Wild are from Silva's JAZZ IN FILM cd.


The remaining tracks were all newly recorded for this release. They are of course the strongest tracks, seeing as the City of Prague Philharmonic has improved over time. I do wonder though why they did not include the older arrangements of Great Escape and Mag. Seven as bonus tracks.

I also recommend the simultaneously released '40 years of Film Music: Jerry Goldsmith' for another great set honoring a late great film composer.

Great Film Music.......2007-03-09

This is a great recording of some of the best film music ever. From the
great westerns to the Theme from Airplane to music he did for television,
Bernstein was one of the greatest.

Fun, Powerfull music.......2007-02-17

It's great! It brings back memories of my dad. He loved John Wayne and the old cowboys of the Magnificent Seven. But it's nice just to listen and relax (it's not all cowboy music).

Average customer rating: Excellent option at good price It Touches the Soul Performance is fine, but recording and liner notes are poor Inexpensive marvel from naxos Is like being in Heaven!

Russian Divine Liturgy Alexander Andreyevich Arkhangel'sky , Russian Orthodox Chant , Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov , Ledkovsky , Alexei Fydorovich Lvov , P. Mironositsky , Apostol Nikolaev-Strumsky , Stepan Smolensky , Igumen Mitrofan , and Novospassky Monastery Choir Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | 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 $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Russian Chant for Vespers Russian Medieval Chant Chants de la Liturgie Slavonne Orthodox Chants from Russia Russia's Beautiful Religious Songs ASIN: B000053W45 Release Date: 2001-02-20

Tracks:

1. Meeting And Vesting Of Bishop
2. Eis Polla Eti, Despota
3. Great Litany
4. Bless The Lord, O My Soul
5. The Only Begotten Son
6. Come, Let Us Worship And Fall Down Before Christ
7. The Trisagion
8. Prokeimenon
9. Alleluia
10. Cherubic Hymn
11. The Nicene Creed
12. A Mercy Of Peace
13. The Hymn To The Theotokos
14. Praise The Lord From The Heavens!
15. Psalm CXX (Mironisitsky)
16. Blessed By the Name Of The Lord, Henceforth And For Ever More
17. Great Doxology

Customer Reviews:

Excellent option at good price.......2007-03-25

Ortodox liturgic music is sometimes as difficult as it can be considering the fact it belong to a very different liturgy no matter how christian it is.
This little gem can be helpful to understand not only this very important part of russian music but the soul of russian religiosity, guided by the superb performance of Novospassky Monastery Choir, that reminded me other great effort in the same way: the Choir of Santo Domingo de Silos Monastery.
Not always Naxos is the best choice, but in this case is definitely a must for those interested on religious music.
Five stars.

It Touches the Soul.......2005-05-02

This cd is balanced with the melodic strains of the choir, and the rich, deep solos above it. It is an inspiration and I highly recommend it.

Performance is fine, but recording and liner notes are poor.......2004-10-13

RUSSIAN DIVINE LITURGY is a performance by the Novospassky Monastery Choir of the Russian Orthodox liturgy celebrated by a bishop. The music of the Russian Orthodox liturgy consists only of the human voice singing in the Russian Church Slavonic language (a redaction of Old Church Slavonic made easier for speakers of Russian to pronounce). No instrumentation is included.

There is a great deal of passion in this performance as in the "Trisagion". There is also grace and sweetness, as in the "Great Litany" or the recitation of the Nicene Creed. This recording portrays those aspects of Orthodox worship which have wowed members of other denominations with their beauty and profound sincerity.

Though the performance was fine, the sound quality of this recording is unimpressive. Though a DDD studio recording, the engineers did not really explore the space of the venue and the voices are often muddled and indistinguishable. This probably would have sounded better in a church than in a studio with these engineers.

The liner notes are also of rather poor quality, as is unfortunately quite common with Naxos discs. There is no libretto, just excepts from several of the portions and descriptions. Church Slavonic text is missing entirely. The names of the Ukrainian cities Kyiv and Lviv are spelled according to the (often considered offensive) Russian manner of Kiev and L'vov. The commentary, which do not appear professionally edited, are uncredited.

If you are interested in Church Slavonic liturgy in music, I would recommend Arvo Part's setting of the "Kanon Pokajanen" penitence text. The disc released by ECM New Series features a detailed libretto with the Church Slavonic, fine translations, and an essay about this portion of Orthodox liturgy. Naxos has released here an authentic and sincere performance of the liturgy, but the poor liner notes and sound quality do little to recommend it.

Inexpensive marvel from naxos.......2003-07-16

As someone new to choral sacred music, the price of this CD allowed me to experiment without risking to much financially.
I have never heard Russian Orthodox music before. It is more exuberant in many ways than western massesbut also has moments of serenity. This CD contains an amalgam of music from different cenuries which all fits together surprisingly well. The choir sings powerfully from start to fini. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the music of other cultures.

Is like being in Heaven!.......2003-06-29

Beautiful version of the Orthodox Liturgy. If you aren't Orthodox, this might convert you. If you already are, it will bring tears of joy to your eyes.

Average customer rating:

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites Manufacturer: Castle Pulse ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | 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 Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Favourite Welsh Choirs Land of Song Welsh Choral Classics Welsh Choirs: Wonderful Welsh Choirs Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome Traditional Songs of Wales ASIN: B0009SOFXG Release Date: 2005-08-01

Tracks:

1. Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
2. Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
3. Dies Irae
4. Men of Harlech
5. You'll Never Walk Alone
6. Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
7. Old Folks at Home
8. Il Liza Jane
9. Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
10. Vergine Degli Angeli
11. Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
12. My Hero
13. God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
14. German Mass/Gloria
15. German Mass/Sanctus
16. Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
17. All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
18. Arwelfa
19. Invictus
20. Softly as I Leave You

Tracks:

1. Diolch l'R L
2. Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
3. Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
4. Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
5. Memories of Martha
6. I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
7. Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
8. Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
9. Creation's Hymn
10. In the Spirit!
11. Shall We Gather at the River
12. Nos a Bore
13. Very Best Time of Year
14. Soon Ah Will Be Done
15. Thanks Be to God
16. Flower That Shattered the Stone
17. Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
18. Where Shall I Be?
19. Bywyd y Bugail
20. Lord's Prayer

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria
2. Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
3. She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
4. Cymru Fach
5. Nidaros
6. Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
7. Watching the Wheat
8. Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
9. Misbles/Stars
10. Rachie
11. Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
12. There Is a Balm in Gilead
13. Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
14. My Lord, What a Mornin'
15. Bryn Myrddin
16. Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
17. Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
18. Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
19. Ride the Chariot
20. Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir

Tracks:

1. Y Nefoedd
2. Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
3. Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
4. By Babylon's Wave
5. I'm Gonna Sing
6. Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
7. Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
8. Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
9. Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
10. That's All I Want from You
11. Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
12. Give Me Jesus
13. Just a Closer Walk with Thee
14. My Wish for You
15. Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
16. Mose in Egitto/Prayer
17. Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
18. God's Choir in the Sky
19. Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
20. Smilin' Through

Tracks:

1. Calon Lan
2. True Love
3. Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
4. Aberystwyth
5. Comrades in Arms
6. Cats/Memory
7. They Led My Lord Away
8. State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
9. When I Fall in Love
10. Let's Face the Music and Dance
11. Windmills of Your Mind
12. How Soon
13. Non Nobis Domine
14. Rhythm of Life
15. Kalinka
16. Sound an Alarm
17. Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
18. Turandot/Nessun Dorma
19. Christus Redemptor
20. Ann Evening's Pastorale

Album Details

Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.

Average customer rating: The picture

100 Hymns & Songs of Inspiration Manufacturer: Castle Music UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Arne | Arne, Thomas Augustin | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Duruflé, Maurice | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Monk, William Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bruckner | Bruckner, Anton | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music | Contemporary Christian | Gospel Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Praise & Worship | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Heritage of Hymns: Classic Recordings of the Great Songs of Faith and Inspiration Abide with Me and other favourite hymns Best Loved Hymns Praise to the Lord - Hymns From St. Paul's Cathedral Hymns Triumphant 1 & 2 ASIN: B00008GEKT Release Date: 2003-04-14

Tracks:

1. Love Divine All Loves Excelling - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
2. Father Hear the Prayer We Offer - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
3. Now Thank We All Our God - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
4. This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
5. Stars of the Morning So Gloriously Bright - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
6. God Save the Queen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
7. Day of Resurrection - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
8. God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
9. Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
10. O Come All Ye Faithful - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
11. Awake My Soul and With the Sun - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
12. Thine Arm O Lord in Days of Old - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
13. All People That on Earth Do Dwell - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
14. Good Christian Men Rejoice and Sing - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
15. There Is a Green Hill - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
16. Lord of Beauty - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
17. Rejoice Today With One Accord - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
18. New Every Morning - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
19. Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
20. O God Our Help in Ages Past - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral

Tracks:

1. Morning Has Broken - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
2. Happy Are They - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
3. In Christ There Is No East or West - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
4. Silent Night - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
5. Be Thou My Guardian - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
6. Ye Servants of the Lord - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
7. At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
8. To Thee O Lord Our Hearts We Raise - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
9. Behold the Great Creator Makes - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
10. Rejoice the Lord Is King - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
11. Creator of the Stars of Night - Ely Cathedral Choir
12. He Comes With Clouds Descending - Ely Cathedral Choir
13. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Ely Cathedral Choir
14. Alleluya Alleyluya Alleyluya - Ely Cathedral Choir
15. This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made - Ely Cathedral Choir
16. How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds - Ely Cathedral Choir
17. Lord Thy Word Abideth - Ely Cathedral Choir
18. Jesus Lord We Look to Thee - Ely Cathedral Choir
19. O Lord Our God Arise - Ely Cathedral Choir
20. Lord of All Hopefulness - Ely Cathedral Choir

Tracks:

1. Soldiers of Christ Arise - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
2. Lift Up Your Hearts - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
3. Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
4. Maker of the Sun - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
5. O King Most High - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
6. O Praise Our Great and Glorious Lord - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
7. Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
8. We Love the Place O God - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
9. Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
10. Give Rest O Christ - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
11. Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
12. O Thou in All Thy Might So Far - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
13. O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
14. O God Thy Soldiers' Crown and Guard - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
15. Strife Is O'er the Battle Done - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
16. O Christ Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
17. Jesus Shall Reign - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
18. God of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
19. O Jesu Saviour of Mankind - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
20. Immortal Invisible God Only Wise - Choir Of Truro Cathedral

Tracks:

1. Ride on Ride on in Majesty - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
2. All Glory Laud and Honour - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
3. Come Rejoicing - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
4. God Is Love and Where True Love Is - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
5. Magnificat: The Great Advent Antiphons - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
6. Come, Christ's Beloved - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
7. Children of the Hebrews (Palm Procession) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
8. Veneration of the Cross/The Reproaches (Veneratum and Reproaches) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
9. Once in Royal David's City - Choir Of Keble College
10. God Be in My Head - Choir Of Keble College
11. O Thou Who Camest from Above - Choir Of Keble College
12. Judge Eternal Throned in Splendour - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
13. Christ the Lord Is Risen Again - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
14. For All the Saints - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
15. Thy Hand O God Has Guided - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
16. Christ the Dawn of Our Salvation - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
17. I Was Glad - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
18. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
19. Locus Iste - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
20. Praise My Soul the King of Heaven - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Tracks:

1. Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus! - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
2. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
3. O Worship the King - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
4. O Heavenly Word of God on High - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
5. Praise to the Lord, The Almighty - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
6. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - The Choir of York Minister
7. First Nowell - The Choir of York Minister
8. Abide with Me - The Choir of York Minister
9. Breathe on Me Breath of God - Choir Of Keble College
10. Rock of Ages - Choir Of Keble College
11. On This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Keble College
12. Jesu Sweet and Mary - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
13. O Quam Gloriosum - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
14. Ye Holy Angels Bright - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
15. O for a Closer Walk With God - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
16. Prayer of St Patrick - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
17. Lord's Prayer - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
18. Blessed Be the God and Father - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
19. Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
20. Jerusalem (And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times) - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Album Description

Full Title - 100 Hymns & Songs Of Inspiration. UK box-set featuring 100 tracks performed by Britain's finest Cathedral Choirs including, Gloucester Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, & many more. Five standard jewel cases housed in a slipbox. Castle Pulse. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

The picture.......2006-12-11

I haven't purchased the CD but the picture of the inside of a church on the cover is not of a British church, like one would assume since it says its a recording of British choirs. This picture is of Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Just thought i'd let you know. I'll be honest; I'm one to judge things by it's cover and if the company took such care to choose a 'British' church for their British choir CD, I'm willing to bet the music is equally well selected... I'm being sarcastic. But I gave the product 5 stars because I didn't want to hurt its ratings just because i'm cynical. But check out the church if you're ever in Montreal, it's truly beautiful... here I'm not being sarcastic.

Average customer rating: Fantastic DEAD cover band cosmic excellence Unique Audience Too much, or not enough, of a good thing Not every Grateful Dead cover is worth buying...

Great Sky River Jazz Is Dead Manufacturer: Lightyear ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Jazz Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Jam Bands | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Laughing Water Blue Light Rain Endangered Species Project Z The Calling ASIN: B00005MLNX Release Date: 2001-07-31

Tracks:

1. China Cat Sunflower
2. Estimated Prophet
3. St. Stephen/The eleven
4. Drums & Jam
5. Blues For Allah
6. Terrapin Station/Dark Star
7. Terrapin 2
8. Morning Dew

Amazon.com

Made up of seasoned players like Jimmy Herring from the Aquarium Rescue Unit, former Santana bassist Alfonso Johnson, and Dixie Dregs alums keyboardist T Lavitz and drummer Rod Morgenstein, Jazz Is Dead doesn't function so much as a Grateful Dead cover band than as an outfit that uses Dead gems as jumping-off points for a sonic journey that leads the listener not into well-traveled grooves, but into an enthralling soundscape without rules, vocals, or fixed time signatures. Superior playing and that special brand of ESP that all good jam bands possess further enrich these adroit and artful reinterpretations of Dead songs. "St Stephen" and "The Eleven" come out sounding like a cross between Indian bazaar music and the Allman Brothers (Herring spent a year filling in for an ailing Dickie Betts in the Allmans). Recorded live at the IMAC Theater in Huntington, New York, this disc captures all the nuances and guitar wizardry that Herring can wring out of his instrument, but one suspects that this band is even more spectacular live. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic DEAD cover band.......2005-02-27

Here are some great old Grateful Dead songs played REALLY well....It made me wish for the vocals, but also made a great kareokee-like sound track to sing along to.

This cover band plays faithfully and lovingly both note for note interpretations (My favorite parts; China Cat, St Steven/The Eleven, and Morning Dew, are played better than the Dead could! My least favorite part is Blues For Allah which sounds almost as irritating as the GD's version.) and extended distinctive jazzy Herring/Aquarium Rescue Unit-sounding jams (less interesting but always well done with his intricate noodling guitar work).

These guys are great musicians and this is a fun recording, and while it lacks the creative uncertainty and risk-taking (a la Jerry's musical laisez faire attitude) that made the Dead capable of really magical moments, on its own its plenty interesting...

cosmic excellence.......2004-06-24

i'm a huge herring fan and for the past 5 years jazz is dead has been one of my personal favorites. the sheer power and grace of jimmy, tlavitz, alphonso johnson and rod morgenstien combine for one of the most formidable quartets ever. i wasn't even a dead fan before jazz is dead. it was their fusion-like takes on such dead classics as terrapin station, st. stephen, and china cat that drew me in and i've been there ever since.

Unique Audience.......2001-12-08

This albulm offers some amazing sounds which will appeal to a unique audience....

If you do not like technically intricate music, you need not apply. If you do not like the Greatful Dead, this albulm may not appeal to you. If you like both, especially the Terrapin Station albulm, you're on board.

This is, without a doubt, my favorite album of all time (and I have access to thousands of releases). Great Sky River is the most agressive of the three Jazz is Dead offerings, and with the talent Jazz is Dead demonstrates, the more aggressive the better.

When I say agressive, I don't necessarily refer to speed, I refer more to the individual artists style. In some cases this album is melodic, thundering, soothing, technical, etc...In a live setting.

Jimmy Herring is the quintessential guitar player. He show's pros how to play the guitar, period. I actually find myself consistently overwhelmed by how awesome he really is on this album (and others, I also recommend 'Project Z('s)' new album). If you love guitar, please listen to this album (at least). He really delivers on so many fronts, chords, scales, tone. The critical comment I have is that Jimmy (and maybe the Sound personnel is to blame) drowns out the melody while he's playing the harmony at times (e.g., St. Stephan). But this guy smokes, like no other I've heard, e.g. Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix, Trey....He is really that awesome! One close listen to 'The Eleven' on this albulm will clearly [at least] show why I make such a bold statement. Future guitarists: Buy any thing Jimmy plays on and take good notes, as far as I can recon., this man is the mecca of guitar performance.

While I drool over Jimmy's playing, the other three players on this album have both chops and soul, they're forces to be reckoned with. Alphonzo (who's a great guy (having (briefly) met him)) can play a bass. And it shows here...The solo following St. Stephan is obvious, but listen for some of his turned down antics. Whether it's the slides on St. Stephan &/or Terrapin or the melody on Morning Dew, this Man is a pro.

As they all are. Rod & T are awesome as well. I've heard some bad reviews on T's choice of tone on the 'Estimated Prophet' track and I vehemently disagree. The tone really suits this song well, T has outguessed his amateur critics on this one.

I am a big Grateful Dead fan. This album appeals to me for reasons other than the Dead. And that is the combination of great song writing (behalf of the Dead) and some of the more amazingly good musicians (you've ever heard) building on their music in an aggresive manner. The two latter qualities are both dramtic departures from the Dead, which I also enjoy, it's a great perspective.

Obviously, I love this albulm. Any one who either likes Jazz Fusion or is an aspiring musician really ought to listen this album (again and again: I'd recommend a daily dose). I have virtually no complaints and hope to find more albulms that strike a chord with me like this one does.

Too much, or not enough, of a good thing.......2001-10-31

JID triumphs once again with their third release, "Great Sky Water". The album starts off smoothly with a upbeat version of "China Cat Sunflower". This is a great opener, however, I think it would have really hit home if it had been followed up with "I Know You Rider", as the GD used to do. "Estimated Prophet" can be summed up in two words, Jimmy Herring. He is the song, playing some very mean and inspired rifts. The Dead were always famous for playing certain songs together, and while JID did not hold up the traditional Sunflower>Rider combination, they make up for it by playing the St. Stephan>The Eleven combo. The Stephan>Eleven jam is one of the highlights of the album, especially the bass solo Alphonso plays while seguing the songs. "Terrapin Station" is another highlight, however, they kind of go off on a "Dark Star" spin that really seems forced in there. The song really would have been best left in it's original format. When they stay within the "Terrapin" framework, it's excellent; Jimmy and the gang really kick it into high gear and fire off some amazing sounding licks, which proves why these guys are among the best at their respective instruments. The album ends gracefully with an emotional "Morning Dew" that peaks with beautiful solos by T and Herring.

"Great Sky Water" has a great flow, with the exception of the jam/"Blues For Allah" that follows a great drum solo by Morganstein. That point in the album makes me immeadiately reach for the "next" button on my CD player.

With few exceptions, this album is excellent and is definately a must in your JID collection.

Not every Grateful Dead cover is worth buying..........2001-10-06

And sorry for the sacrilege, but not every Dead album or traded tape is "essential", either. Great Sky River by Jazz is Dead brings joy to this old Deadhead, and I happily recommend that you add it to your own "Vault". The old familiar riffs are there, the changes and bridges are there, and the jams are beautiful, powerful, and perhaps best of all, NEW.

From the initial happy hop-along trills of China Cat Sunflower through the beautifully realized St.Stephen>The Eleven to the conclusion of the spine-chilling Morning Dew, Jazz is Dead never fails to find the musical core of what makes these tunes memorable and beloved. And the superb talent of Herring, Johnson, Lavitz and Morgenstein adds what was sometimes missing from Dead performances - energy, enthusiasm and freshness.

Just as great stories do not suffer from being retold by others than the author, great music does not suffer from being played by new hands in new times. Jazz is Dead shows why this music will survive. Their versions will join the originals as "essential".

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: On the Dark Side Too close to rock, too far from classic

The String Quartet Tribute to Pink Floyd's the Dark Side of the Moon Manufacturer: Vitamin Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Tributes | Pop | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: String Quartet Tribute to Pink Floyd Us and Them: Symphonic Pink Floyd String Quartet Tribute to Led Zeppelin The String Quartet Tribute to Jimi Hendrix Kashmir: The Symphonic Led Zeppelin ASIN: B00008V60O Release Date: 2003-04-29

Tracks:

1. Speak to Me/Breathe
2. On the Run
3. Time
4. Great Gig in the Sky
5. Money
6. Us and Them
7. Any Colour You Like
8. Brain Damage/Eclipse

Product Description

1. Speak To Me/Breathe
2. On The Run
3. Time
4. The Great Gig In The Sky
5. Money
6. Us And Them
7. Any Colour You Like
8. Brain Damage
9. Eclipse

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

On the Dark Side.......2007-02-12

I bought this "tribute" with great expectations, but ended up quite disappointed. The violin sounds after a while gets too domineering, monotonous and has the effect jarring my nerves. I've never been a great fan of "tributes", this production makes me even more skeptical.

Too close to rock, too far from classic.......2006-02-01

My most dear album is Dark side of the moon, I'm a hardcore fan of this album, I have purchase almost every tribute there is, I always put myself in the intentions of the players involved in every proyect and I enjoyed every tribute album I have found in a fais measure.
But with this album I did'nt feel confortably, perhaps my expectations were others than what you get in this package. This is a rock album played by a string quartet (ok that's on the sleve so nobody's fooling you) and when I say a Rock Album I mean it, they tried to emule every single sound in the album with their string instruments, so you get a string quartet emulation of the album including the noises, perhaps what I'm trying to say looks great to you but it didn't sound great for me, contrary to that it sound very bizarre in many cases or scary in others not that romantic o soft as the colors in the sleve may suggest.
I think a tribute album is a very hard project, you do it too faithful and you end with a cover album, you do it too different and you possibly lost the great of the album.
In this case I think the players made a String Quartet Cover Album. If you are thinking you're going to get a softer or more romantic versión of the album or you are more into the classic music, forget it, this album is definitively not for you
Try the Dark Side of the Moon a Capella and you will enjoy it more than this, or the dub side of the moon tribute by Easy star if you are more into reggae, or the Out of Phase tribute to Dark side of the moon if you are more into Electronic, or the moon revisited or... This one was the less enjoyable tribute to dark side of the moon I have heard.
Anyway Roger Waters enjoy it a lot, ask for snip or samples of the album and try it by yourself, but consider yourself aware...

Average customer rating: Failed Ideas Simply Exquisite

Out of This World Harold Arlen , Herbert/ Arlen, Harold ("Hal") Stothart , Allan Schwartzberg , Joe Beck , Cyro Baptista , James Saporito , Jeffrey Harris , and Mike Renzi Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Music Never Ends - The Lyrics of Alan & Marilyn Bergman Naughty Baby 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Maureen McGovern With a Song in My Heart: Greatest Songs of Rodgers & Hart Another Woman in Love ASIN: B0000TAZ5Q Release Date: 2003-11-18

Tracks:

1. Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home
2. Come Rain or Come Shine
3. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive/Get Happy
4. It's Only a Paper Moon
5. Let's Fall in Love [*]
6. Sleepin' Bee
7. Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead
8. Optimistic Voices [*]
9. Over the Rainbow
10. Let's Take a Walk Around the Block
11. Don't Like Goodbyes
12. Right as the Rain
13. Out of This World
14. Man That Got Away/Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time)/Blues in
15. My Shining Hour

Customer Reviews:

Failed Ideas.......2004-12-09

Maureen McGovern is a national treasure. Her Naughty Baby CD to me is the 2nd coming of Christ. By comparison Out of this World is quite disappointing. Mostly either Harold Arlen or MM's uninspiring interpretations and/or Renzi's arrangements don't seem to suit MM on this CD. The drums and percusion are sometimes schlocky. The screechy sax is always terrible. Also not working for me are the electric keyboard/synthesizer, the electric guitar and the cello. Even Renzi's piano playing is sometimes a let down. Jay Leonhart's great bass work seems to be the only thing that you can depend on here. Did MM do this to herself or is Renzi mainly responsible? Spend your money instead on: Naughty Baby, The Music Never Ends, The Pleasure of his Company and Christmas With MM. All wonderful music.

Simply Exquisite.......2003-12-01

I'd forgotten what a beautiful, supple vocal instrument McGovern has. Here, she sings blues- and jazz-flavored tunes, torchy ballads, and more--all Harold Arlen--including "It's Only a Paper Moon," "Over the Rainbow," "Let's Take a Walk Around the Block," "The Man That Got Away" and "Come Rain or Come Shine." Her "Optimistic Voices" (from The Wizard of Oz) is worth the price of the entire CD. It is simply exquisite, like a fine jewel, polished and gleaming with feeling.

Average customer rating:

Russian Voices Manufacturer: Koch Schwann (Germ.) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000001SW9 Release Date: 1995-02-28

Tracks:

1. All Our Sacred Hymns
2. When The Israelites Had Passed Through The Water
3. Short Ectene
4. Hail, Virgin Mother Of God
5. Praise Of The Mother Of God
6. Thou Art The Joy OF All Who Are Troubled
7. Glory To God In The Highest
8. Today Is Born Of The Virgin
9. Praise The Lord, O My Soul
10. Lord, Now Lettest Thou Thy Servant
11. Praise The Name Of The Lord
12. Lord, Save Thy People
13. First Verses Of The Canon Of St. Andrew Of Crete
14. To Thy Mystic Feast
15. Thou How Art Clothed With Light As With A Garment
16. The Convention Of Angels
17. Your Cross - Your Resurrection

Tracks:

1. Cherubikon
2. Epiclesis - Hymn To The Mother Of God
3. The Lord's Prayer - Elevation
4. Holy God
5. Truly All Is Vanity
6. O Lord Grant Peace
7. O Christ, Let The Soul
8. You Alone
9. Thrice Holy
10. Eternal Remembrance - Blessed
11. Blessed Is The Man
12. Great Doxology
13. Lord, Save Thy People

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

Wagner: The Rhinegold English National Opera Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English) The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English) Wagner: The Valkyrie ASIN: B00005B550 Release Date: 2001-05-22

Customer Reviews:

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

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

"Thus I salute the stronghold, safe from dread and dismay!.......2007-06-12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Box Set: Wagner: The Ring Cycle (Box Set)
-The Valkyrie (Part 2): Wagner: The Valkyrie
-Siegfried (Part 3): Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
-Twilight of the Gods (Part 4): The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For all of its flaws, this is an astonishing and, for me, an indispensible recording because it made me listen to this opera with new ears. While it's not the most lyrically pleasing recording (Karajan) or musically authoritative (that would be Solti, IMHO), dramatically, this Rhinegold excells any recording I know of. I will definitely buy the rest of the set.

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