Modern Mandolin Quartet

1. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins (Vivace)

2. Canzonetta

3. Abendkonzert

4. Teasing Song/Limping Dance

5. Pizzicato

6. Asturiana

7. Vida Brevé (Dance #1)

8. Galop

9. Assez Vif et Bien Rythme

10. Pavane Pour la Belle au Bois Dormante

11. Lebhaft

12. Langsam

13. Dance of the Maramaros

14. Valse (Ma Mie Qui Danse)

15. Alla Danza Tedesca

Modern Mandolin Quartet,The Modern Mandolin Quartet,Windham Hill Records,Chamber Jazz,Jazz Music,Neo-Classical,New Acoustic,New Age / Meditation,Pop

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Average customer rating: Timeless classic So relaxing... perfect after a long stressful day! Excellent CD. Fine Christmas Collection! The last "good" Winter's Solstice

A Winter's Solstice, Vol. 4 Steve Erquiaga , Oystein Sevag , Paul McCandless , Michael Manring , Nightnoise , Will Ackerman , Barbra Higbie , Mike Marshall , Modern Mandolin Quartet , and Various Windham Hill Artists Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Compilations | New Age | Styles | Music Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music 1980s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music 1980-1989 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Space Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | New Age General | New Age | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | New Age General | New Age | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Country | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Dance & DJ | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music $7 - $10 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: A Winter's Solstice III A Winter's Solstice II A Winter's Solstice, Vol. 5 A Winter's Solstice, Vol. 6 A Winter's Solstice: Silver Anniversary Edition ASIN: B000000NJZ Release Date: 1993-08-24

Tracks:

1. Carol Of The Bells - Windham Hill Artists
2. Silent Night - Steve Erquiaga
3. Crystal Palace - Oystein Sevag
4. Winter Bourne - Paul McCandless
5. Dona Nobis Pacem - Michael Manring
6. Wexford Carol - Nightnoise
7. Just Before Dawn - Will Ackerman
8. We Three Kings - Barbra Higbie
9. Angels We Have Heard On High - Mike Marshall
10. Sheep May Safely Graze - Modern Mandolin Quartet
11. Trumpet Tune - Alex De Grassi
12. Three Candles - Scott
13. The Rain From The Four Seasons - Turtle Island String Quartet
14. Christmas Hymn - Billly Childs
15. Asleep The Snow Came Flying - Tim Story

Amazon.com

In 1993, Windham Hill Records released its fourth album of seasonal music recorded by the label's artists and unavailable in any other collection. Only a few of the tracks on A Winter's Solstice IV lend credence to the label's unfair stereotype as the home for new age background music. Many of the musicians come from such respected jazz bands as Oregon and the Freddie Hubbard Quartet, and from such respected folk bands as the David Grisman Quartet. Several tackle such classical pieces as Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" (the Modern Mandolin Quartet), Purcell's "Trumpet Tune" (solo guitarist Alex de Grassi) and Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" (the Turtle Island String Quartet). From Liz Story's "Carol of the Bells" to Nightnoise's "Wexford Carol," this is rigorous instrumental music for the most part, no matter how quiet and pretty it may seem at first listen. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Timeless classic.......2006-10-12

This is superb music, and that it is supposed to be "Christmas" music is almost beside the point. Yeah, it wouldn't be Christmas without it, but for me this disc can be a salve against the hostilities of an uncaring world. Such "therapy" need not always take place in December.

So relaxing... perfect after a long stressful day!.......2005-12-01

Windham Hill artists have a long tradition of coming up with very relaxing, chill renditions of holiday favorites as well as their own original seasonal music. All the music on this album brings to mind the most peaceful images of the winter season - a warming fire away from the bleak chill of winter; a snowy winter wonderland; simply being with the people you love most. This album is perfect for a quite evening away from anything and everything.

Excellent CD........2005-09-04

Continuing in the beautiful series of Winter's Solstice music, this CD contains traditional and non-traditional Christmas music. However, it should be played year around for its soothing and beautiful sounds.

Fine Christmas Collection!.......2004-12-15

The Windham Hill series (Winter Solstice) fhas been outstanding, featuring a sampling of their artists. You get a wide range of performers (Nightnoise, Turtle Island String Quartet, etc.) that you might not run into otherwise. The result is a superior collection for the holiday season, but not so overtly Christmas that you can't play it at other times.
I particularly like Øystein Sevåg's contribution. I can't rave enough about the beauty of these pieces. It's wonderful to play while entertaining, or to get you in the Christmas-card-writing mood, or just sit and soak it up while gazing at your twinkling tree lights.

The last "good" Winter's Solstice .......2004-11-06

The first four Winter's Solstice recordings are simply outstanding. Unfortunately, something about the series went suddenly wrong starting with Vol. 5.

Back to Vol. 4. I'm particularly fond of Øystein Sevåg's piece. The ensemble's Carol of the Bell's is great, too--great bass and piano, especially.

Vol. 2 remains my favorite of the series. I live in California, but when I play it late at night, it feels like there's a fresh blanket of snow around my house.

Average customer rating: Active or Passive Voice? Four Seasons a Winner A New Twist for an Old Favorite! Not as much fun as it could be given the premise

Vivaldi's Greatest Hit: The Ultimate Four Seasons Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Pachelbel's Greatest Hit: The Ultimate Canon Ravel's Greatest Hit: The Ultimate Bolero Tchaikovsky's Greatest Hit: The Ultimate Nutcracker Pachelbel's Greatest Hit: Canon in D Ravel: Boléro ASIN: B0000894R5 Release Date: 2003-02-18

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro - Vladimir Spivakov
2. II. Largo - Amsterdam Guitar Trio
3. III. Allegro - Michala Petri
4. I. Allegro Non Molto - Larry Coryell
5. II. Adagio/Presto - Tracy Scott Silverman
6. III. Presto - Gottfried Von Der Goltz
7. I. Allegro - James Galway
8. II. Adagio Molto - Larry Coryell
9. III. Allegro - Vladimir Spivakov
10. I. Allegro Non Molto - Ransom Wilson
11. II. Largo - Gottfried Von Der Goltz
12. III. Allegro - James Galway
13. I. Allegro (Alternate Version) - Michala Petri
14. III. Allegro (Alternate Version) - Gottfried Von Der Goltz
15. I. Allegro Non Molto (Alternate Version) - Gottfried Von Der Goltz
16. II. Adagio/Presto (Alternate Version) - James Galway
17. III. Presto (Alternate Version) - Larry Coryell
18. III. Allegro (Alternate Version) - Amsterdam Guitar Trio
19. I. Allegro Non Molto (Alternate Version) - Gottfried Von Der Goltz
20. I. Allegro Non Molto (Alternate Version) - James Galway
21. II. Largo (Alternate Version) - Vladimir Spivakov
22. II. Largo (Alternate Version) - Larry Coryell
23. III. Allegro (Alternate Version) - Gottfried Von Der Goltz

Customer Reviews:

Active or Passive Voice?.......2006-11-29

Part One: It must have been the wax.
------------------------------------
While it is essential for any artist to interpret the work of another before them, a regard for the original author must remain intact. This is an ambitious recording, however, we are rarely judged by our intent and far more often by our act. All too often in this recording we are listening to the artist playing an author's work rather than the author's work being played by an artist. Hubris abounds in this recording, from its conception to its release, and unfortunately suffers an all too predictable fate.

Part Two: I can see the numbers.
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However, even more disenchanting than the usurping of a masterwork is the lack of inspired performances, as if each is so out of context that within the confines of these "snippets" the artist never engages leaving the listener equally disengaged, akin to a polished paint-by-numbers canvas executed in water color by a haphazard collection of period icons. If this was the very first recording of this sterling composition, it may well have been the very last.


end

Four Seasons a Winner.......2005-07-21

This is the second copy of Vivaldi's Greatest Hit I have purchased. I liked it so much, I decided to buy another copy to give my 15-yr-old nephew, who is a violinist and lover of classical music. He loves it, too, so two thumbs up from this reviewer.

A New Twist for an Old Favorite!.......2004-05-28

I own two other renderings of "The Four Seasons" in addition to this one, and this disc is my favorite. Vivaldi intended for "The Four Seasons" to be a multimedia experience, incorporating music, image, and poetry. This collection truly captures that spirit of versatility by arranging the work for several different instruments (not just guitar, as the previous review would have you believe). In addition, the movements rendered with soloist Gottfried von der Goltz on the Baroque violin sound almost completely different from any previous recordings. His style is hard, almost violent, while his instrument sounds much darker and richer than a modern violin. It adds a depth to "The Four Seasons" lacking in many new studio recordings. The third movement from "Summer" in particular is stunning, with von der Goltz transforming it from a mere succession of rushing 16th notes into an exuberant, virtuosic portrait of a prairie thunderstorm. The guitar, flute, and electronic arrangements (only one electronic arrangement, however) are excellent, retaining the true spirit of the original while managing to add something new. The disc contains the entire cycle of the seasons twice, with various different instrumentations playing each movement. Lovers of "The Four Seasons," Baroque music, or classical music in general will find MUCH to appreciate here!

Not as much fun as it could be given the premise.......2003-04-16

This isn't a bad album. It's a perfectly nice run-through of Four Seasons, twice. But the premise is that there are many different performers in many different styles, and the actuality comes out less varied than one would hope.

The performers are certainly all-stars, and there's nothing wrong with any of the performances. It's just that, they're, well, the same performances those all-stars could give any time. There are no new interpretations of the work. There are very few adaptations to unusual instruments - except for the movements done mainly on guitar, everything else is essentially the basic original orchestration, with different soloists filling in instead of the violin - Michaela Petri on recorder, James Galway on flute, etc.

And I didn't feel that the choice of which soloists did which movements was as inspired as it could have been. In several movements, the soloists hardly came across as soloists at all. The order in which the performers appeared, appeared to have been chosen at random. That is, every movement was played in order, with some randomly chosen set of artists doing it. Then, the (nearly) whole thing was played again, this time with the artists chosen randomly a different way, so that Michaela Petri was doing a different movement from the first time through.

Many casual listeners to classical music aren't aware that each "Season" is actually made up of three sections. The recording switches performers with every section. I personally think this would have been more effective if one set of performers had done all three sections of a season, long enough for the listener to really get a feel for their sound, then switched to another performer only with the change of seasons. With 8 seasons to go through (four times two), that still would have allowed for plenty of variety, and left one much more able to appreciate that variety.

If you don't already have a recording of "The Four Seasons" then this one isn't bad at all - go ahead and buy it. But if you already have several recordings, you won't be adding anything unusual or radically different to your collection.

Average customer rating: Great album for a contemporary wedding

A Windham Hill Wedding Album Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Pachelbel | Pachelbel, Johann | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Satie | Satie, Erik | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | 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 Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | New Age General | New Age | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 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 Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Day to Remember - Instrumental Music for Your Wedding Day Classical Wedding Touch-Windham Hill 25 Years of Guitar The Mozart Variations Windham Hill Signature Series: Piano Sampler ASIN: B00008RV0C Release Date: 2003-04-15

Tracks:

1. Arioso - Paul McCandless
2. Wedding Rain - Liz Story
3. Canon - James Galway
4. Menuet From Le Tombeau De Couperin - Paul McCandless
5. Processional - Will Ackerman
6. Brandenburg Concerto No.3: I - Modern Mandolin Quartet
7. Loreta And Desiree's Bouquet, Part I - George Winston
8. Gymnopedie No.1 - Tim Story
9. Nocturne From String Quartet No.2 - Turtle Island String Quartet
10. Ave Maria - Paul McCandless
11. If You Believe - Jim Brickman
12. Nocturne In E Minor, Op.72 No.1 - Steve Erquiaga
13. Intermezzo From Carmen - Thea Suits-Silverman
14. Ave Verum Corpus - Paul McCandless

Customer Reviews:

Great album for a contemporary wedding.......2006-11-07

This album was perfect for our wedding ceremony. Loved it!

Average customer rating:

Intermezzo The Modern Mandolin Quartet Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Modern Mandolin Quartet Pan American Journeys The David Grisman Quintet ASIN: B000000NHT Release Date: 1990-06-26

Tracks:

1. St. Qt. #5 Finale
2. Empress of the Pagodas
3. Cool
4. Gavotte
5. Maid With the Flaxen Hair
6. Polka
7. GM Fugue [Not Live]
8. Hoedown
9. Brasilieras #5
10. Child Juliet
11. St. Qt. #1 First Movement
12. Intermezzo

Average customer rating: Sugar Plum Mandos!

The Nutcracker Suite The Modern Mandolin Quartet Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music ASIN: B000000NIV Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

1. Nutcracker Suite: Overture
2. Nutcracker Suite: March
3. Nutcracker Suite: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
4. Nutcracker Suite: Russian Dance
5. Nutcracker Suite: Arabian Dance
6. Nutcracker Suite: Chinese Dance
7. Nutcracker Suite: Dance of the Mirlitons
8. Nutcracker Suite: Waltz of the Flowers
9. Winter from the Four Seasons: Allegro Non Molto
10. Winter from the Four Seasons: Largo
11. Winter from the Four Seasons: Allegro
12. Overture from the Magic Flute
13. Winter's Chill

Customer Reviews:

Sugar Plum Mandos!.......2004-11-18

This is a great CD. I got it in 1991 when it came out way before I was into the mandolin. Now that I play (try at least), I can really appreciate the talent on this disc. If you love mandolin music this is a must have. If you love Christmas music this is a wonderful departure from the standard choral or traditional orchestral fare. This CD gets lots of play time in my house.

Average customer rating: Very Cool! Delightful! Not what I was expecting

Tchaikovsky's Greatest Hit: The Ultimate Nutcracker Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music | General Christmas | Today's Deals | Box Sets | Children's Music | Classical Instrumental | Halloween | Hanukkah | Kwanzaa | Opera & Vocal | Pop Instrumental & Easy Listening | Pop Vocal Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Vivaldi's Greatest Hit: The Ultimate Four Seasons Ravel's Greatest Hit: The Ultimate Bolero Pachelbel's Greatest Hit: The Ultimate Canon The Best of Spike Jones ASIN: B0003035D6 Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

1. The Nutcracker; Overture Ormandy, Eugene
2. The Nutcracker; Act I; March Ormandy, Eugene
3. The Nutcracker; Act II - Divertissement; Variation II: Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy Ormandy, Eugene; Smith, William
4. The Nutcracker; Act II - Divertissement; Russian Dance Ormandy, Eugene
5. The Nutcracker; Act II - Divertissement; Arabian Dance Ormandy, Eugene
6. The Nutcracker; Act II - Divertissement; Chinese Dance Ormandy, Eugene
7. The Nutcracker; Act II - Divertissement; Dance of the Mirlitons Ormandy, Eugene
8. The Nutcracker; Act II - Divertissement; Waltz of the Flowers Ormandy, Eugene
9. The Nutcracker Suite; Overture Modern Mandolin Quartet
10. The Nutcracker Suite; March Modern Mandolin Quartet
11. The Nutcracker Suite; Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Modern Mandolin Quartet
12. The Nutcracker Suite; Russian Dance Modern Mandolin Quartet
13. The Nutcracker Suite; Arabian Dance Modern Mandolin Quartet
14. The Nutcracker Suite; Chinese Dance Modern Mandolin Quartet
15. The Nutcracker Suite; Dance of the Mirlitons Modern Mandolin Quartet
16. The Nutcracker Suite; Waltz of the Flowers Modern Mandolin Quartet
17. Nutcracker Suite; Part One: The Little Girl's Dream: Miniature Overture - March Jones, Spike and His City Slickers
18. Nutcracker Suite; Part Two: Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy: Lemon Drop Waltz - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Jones, Spike and His City Slickers
19. Nutcracker Suite; Part Three: The Chinese Dolls/The Fairy Ball (Chinese Dance; Dance of the Flutes) Jones, Spike and His City Slickers
20. Nutcracker Suite; Part Four: The Mysterious Room: The Forbidden Room - Arab Dance Jones, Spike and His City Slickers
21. Nutcracker Suite; Part Five: Back to the Fairy Ball: They Dance on the Seat of their Pants - Russian Dance - Waltz of the Flowers Jones, Spike and His City Slickers
22. Nutcracker Suite; Part Six: End of the Little Girl's Dream: Granny Speaks - Goodnight, Sleep Tight Jones, Spike and His City Slickers
23. The Nutcracker: Dance of the Reed Flute First Piano Quartet
24. The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers First Piano Quartet

Customer Reviews:

Very Cool!.......2007-03-29

Was looking for Spike Jones' Nutcracker and ended up with alot more at one decent price.

Delightful!.......2007-01-04

From the clever series title (so-and-so's greatest hit) to the lighthearted artwork by "Mutts" creator Patrick McDonnell, this CD will delight everyone who has an ear for good music and well-recorded sound, and who appreciates musical humor.

The disc leads off with a lush "straight" reading of the suite by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, recorded in 1972.

Then the Modern Mandolin Quartet has a crack at it. You'll like the harmonious and percussive sounds of the plucked mandolins along with the creative orchestrations and ornamentations. Recorded in 1991.

For the piece de resistance, we hear Spike Jones and his City Slickers (plus a supplementary chorus) perform their recited/sung/played version, recorded in 1945. The music is well performed (as are all of Jones recordings), with tasteful (?) and sparingly applied (for this group) sound effects. The rhythmically delivered lyrics are suggestive of Vachel Lindsay, or perhaps Gilbert and Sullivan. Be warned - the emotional impact is cumulative. If you try to resist, you may suddenly find yourself on the living room floor kicking and gasping for breath.

Last we hear two movements by the First Piano Quartet (four pianos, that is) recorded in 1950. The mood here is redolent of the novelty piano genre -elaborate piano arrangements played with elegance, flair, and rich chordings.

Do your music-loving friends a favor. Next Christmas, buy a copy of this modestly-priced CD for each of their stockings.

Not what I was expecting.......2004-12-13

With its whimsical artwork on the cover, and release date of October 2004, I was expecting a 21st century recording of the music of that perennial Christmas Favorite Ballet, The Nutcracker. Instead, some of the recordings date back to 1945 (according to the liner notes), and sound it.

This CD can be viewed as four different versions of the SAME songs:

Version 1 consists of songs Songs 1 - 8, by the Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Ormandy conducting, was essentially what I was expecting, even though it was recorded in 1972.

Version 2 consists of Songs 9 - 16, by the Modern Mandolin Quartet, are Nutcracker songs played presumably on four Mandolins.

Version 3 consists of songs 17 - 22, were recorded in 1945 and sound it. They contain words, and are by Spike Jones, who is known for his novelty song "Der Fuhrer's Face." These songs likewise essentially are novelty songs.

Version 4 consists of songs 23 and 24. Their instrumentation is piano only. Unfortunately they were recorded in 1947 and sound it, which means that even on my $50 walkman they sound like a 78-RPM record. Version 4 was the most disappointing Version.

Overall I give this two stars. Version 1 is four star, which may say more about my lack of knowledge of classical music and recordings than its true quality. Version 4 is zero stars. Version 2 depends on whether one likes the Mandolin Quartet interpretation, and Version 3 depends on how much you like a slapstick novelty interpretation.

Average customer rating:

Modern Mandolin Quartet Dana Rath , and Paul Binkley Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Intermezzo The Enchantment ASIN: B000000NDW Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins (Vivace)
2. Canzonetta
3. Abendkonzert
4. Teasing Song/Limping Dance
5. Pizzicato
6. Asturiana
7. Vida BrevDance #1)
8. Galop
9. Assez Vif et Bien Rythme
10. Pavane Pour la Belle au Bois Dormante
11. Lebhaft
12. Langsam
13. Dance of the Maramaros
14. Valse (Ma Mie Qui Danse)
15. Alla Danza Tedesca

Average customer rating:

Interplay Manufacturer: D'note Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Riley, Terry | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00001QGLT Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

1. Interplay: Shoka
2. Interplay: Interplay - Inner Voices
3. Interplay: Rishi's Dance
4. Interplay: Thyaga
5. Elements: Fire
6. Elements: Earth
7. Elements: Air
8. Elements: Water
9. G- Song

Average customer rating:

Nutcracker Suite Manufacturer: Modern Mandolin Quart ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B0009N2T5W Release Date: 2004-01-01

Product Description

New Cd ! Modern Mandolin Quartet Nutcracker Suite. New Recording! Tchaikovsky's classic is set next to Spanish music by Llobet, French music by Faure and Delibes, and Italian music by Vivaldi. What Modern Mandolin Quartet expressed about the making of this cd. "The four expressive pieces by Miguel Llobet are actually his arrangements for solo guitar of traditional Catalan folk melodies, re-arranged for mandolin quartet. The interesting, often strange harmonies he chose and the delicate texture of the guitar music made these pieces quite fun and natural for the MMQ." "The Nutcracker Suite, well there's an adventure. So many amazing melodies and so much other-worldly magic, and so much fun to play. Also so interesting to revisit this music after our previous recording of 1991. So much time has passed! I have to say we were inspired by the Berlin Philharmonic recording with Mstislav Rostropovich, who bends the rules to bring magic to every moment." "The Pavanne by Gabriel Faure provides a meditative moment after the energy of the Nutcracker Suite. The haunting melody is bathed in harmonies which are quite rich and reminded us of jazz chords, so one day we started improvising and decided to include two solos (Matt Flinner and Gyan Riley) in the finished product." "The Vivaldi Concerto in D is our nod to the traditional plucked string repertoire. Its joyful energy and the quieter evocative quality of the second movement made this concerto a pleasure to play. The Flower Duet by Delibes was actually a last-minute addition when we found ourselves with some extra studio time on the last day. We enjoyed the singing quality of the music (it's from an opera, after all) and thought it made a nice ending to the album."

Average customer rating: Impeccable tone, terrific musicianship, eclectic selections

Pan American Journeys The Modern Mandolin Quartet Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Intermezzo ASIN: B000000NK1 Release Date: 1993-10-12

Tracks:

1. Redona
2. Elements IV: Water
3. Berceuse
4. Ojos Brujos
5. Four, For Tango
6. Assanhado
7. Piano Preludes I
8. Piano Preludes II
9. Piano Preludes III
10. Danca, Bachianas Brasilieras #5
11. The Louie Louie Variations

Customer Reviews:

Impeccable tone, terrific musicianship, eclectic selections.......2003-02-16

In a departure from the acoustic New Age of much of the rest of the Windham Hill catalog, and in a further departure of the mandolin from its bluegrass association, the MMQ interprets modern classical pieces of the Americas. With arrangements ranging from the sweet (Brouwer's "Berceuse"), to the opaque (Piazzolla's "Four for Tango"), to garage mandolin (The Louie Louie Variations), don't dismiss this disc as dinner music. You may find yourself coming back to it when you won't be distracted.

Meditation Music:

1. Moment by Moment
2. Month in the Brazilian Rainforest: Dawn Chorus
3. Month in the Brazilian Rainforest: Jungle Journey
4. Mozart #1
5. Mozart 2
6. Music for Healing
7. Music to Be Born By [CD-single]
8. Noël
9. Phoenix Stone
10. Piano One

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

03>98

Cuban Baroque Sacred Music

First Steps [Import]

Music: Piano Sonatas

Dr. Who: Earthshock - Classic Music From The BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Volume 1 [Soundtrack] [Import]

Featuring Big Proof: Grown Man Sh*t [Explicit Lyrics]

Essential Simon & Garfunkel [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Fools Gold [CD-single]

Follow Your Dream/ Love Songs [Import]

Dances & Madrigals

Electric Warrior [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Darbar

Breakadawn [CD-single]

Long Way Home

Special Occasion