Aeterna

1. Dawning

2. Ocean Without Shores

3. Innocence: Starfields/Innocence/Beloved

4. Cry of the Heart

5. Eternal Return: Unfolding/Enfolding/Return

6. Rites of Passage: Remembrance/The Calling/Serenity

Aeterna,Constance Demby,Hearts of Space,Healing,Jazz Music,Neo-Classical,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Progressive Electronic,Space,Spiritual

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Average customer rating: great music, great reissue fantastic whoa. Great Music for Halloween, very creepy Bleakest of Futures...

2001: A Space Odyssey - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1996 Reissue) Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Ligeti, György | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: 2001 - A Space Odyssey Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange (1971 Film) A Clockwork Orange: Wendy Carlos's Complete Original Score The Ligeti Project II: Lontano / Atmosphères / Apparitions / San Francisco Polyphony / Concert Românesc - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Jonathan Nott Psycho: The Complete Original Motion Picture Score ASIN: B0000033WB Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

1. Overture: Atmospheres - The Sudwesfunk Orchestra, Ernest Bour
2. Main Title: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spake Zarathustra) - The Vienna Philharmonic, Herbert Von Karajan
3. Requiem For Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs & Orchestra - The Bavarian Radio Orchetra, Francis Travis
4. The Blue Danube (Excerpt) - The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert Von Karajan
5. Lux Aeterna - The Stuttgart Schola Cantorum, Clytus Gottwold
6. Gayane Ballet Suite (Adagio) - The Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, Gennadi Rezhdestvensky
7. Jupiter And Beyond - The Bavarian Radio Orchestra, Francis Travis, The Sudwesfunk Orchestra, Ernest Bour, Internationale.
8. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
9. The Blue Danube (Reprise) - The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert Von Karajan
10. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey) - Sudwesfunk Orchestra
11. Lux Aeterna - The Stuttgart Schola Cantorum, Clytus Gottwold
12. Adventures (Unaltered) - Internationale Musikinstitut, Gyorgy Ligeti
13. HAL 9000 - Dialog Montage

Amazon.com

This commemorative reissue of music from 2001: A Space Odyssey combines the Also sprach Zarathustra theme, various Johann and Richard Strauss segments, and a ballet suite by Aram Khachaturian--all of which prove how much Stanley Kubrick's film attempts to avoid the soundtrack clichés of most science-fiction movies. Instead of the expected sci-fi effects, there is a more ironic application of music that would be otherwise incongruous to the celestial settings. Here, "The Blue Danube" complements scenes involving weightlessness and descending spacecraft, while Gyorgy Ligeti's creepy "monolith" music connotes Armageddon more than interplanetary exploration. The tracks play as they had appeared on the original soundtrack release back in the '60s, but there is also previously unreleased supplemental material and a dialogue montage entitled "HAL 9000." --Joseph Lanza

Customer Reviews:

great music, great reissue.......2007-04-16

This is a great collection of music and I love the great mastering job that was done with this. The inclusion of the tracks from the original MGM soundtrack release are a great bonus. The liner notes include interpretations of the film and the music that are insightful.

I noticed that the music in the movie is mixed in surround sound, it would be great if they could release this on DVD-Audio or SACD surround. I'd buy it again!

fantastic.......2007-03-11

I have the old lp release of this music, what an incredible array of classical music, topped off by my personal favorite piece of music in the world, the blue danube waltz. Let yourself be carried away in deep space by this incredible score.

whoa........2006-09-04

"Atmospheres" was enough to make me buy this album. just try to imagine what eternity might sound like. okay, now you know exactly what Atmospheres is. wow. who else could having captured the feelings that are in this score? this is above talented. this is above genius. this is above avand garde. this is too good to be labeled as anything at all.

Great Music for Halloween, very creepy.......2006-03-17

I bought this CD to use for a haunted house program, the music will creep you out.

Bleakest of Futures..........2005-10-08

The atonal, unsettling atmosphere of much of the music of Ligeti is fitting to the bleak vision of a human future reigned by nothing but cold technology and of humans drained of emotions except for the deepest animalist fear originating from our inner reptilian brainparts which have not changed for over millions of years. The incongruity of Johann Strauss' lovely 'An der schönen blauen Donau' with the cold technicality of spacefaring as depicted here could not be more complete, but what a perfect find on Stanley Kubrick's part! It makes the uneasiness and confusion even greater. And then, to top it of, the complete and flabbergasting irony of using Richard Strauss' Fanfare for the 'rise of Man' in his 'Also Sprach Zarathustra': what a great destiny for 'Man' indeed, this bleakest of bleak visions of the future!
As a soundtrack for '2001: A Space Odyssey' this music together on one album is just great.
And besides, this soundtrack has indeed, like so many others I guess, made me aware of the genius of Ligeti, which otherwise might have gone unnoticed for me.

Average customer rating: Review of Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna/Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale So beautiful that it hurts. Excellent Great CD Glorious, but not Perfection

Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna, etc. / Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale M. Lauridsen Manufacturer: Rubeda Canis Musica ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Lauridsen | Lauridsen, Morten | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001 Morten Lauridsen: Lux aeterna O Magnum Mysterium Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other choral works Lauridsen: Northwest Journey ASIN: B000006OF1 Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

1. Introitus - Lux Aeterna
2. In Te, Domine, Speravi - Lux Aeterna
3. O Nata Lux - Lux Aeterna
4. Veni, Sancte Spiritus - Lux Aeterna
5. Agnus Dei - Lus Aeterna - Lux Aeterna
6. En Une Seule Fleur - Les Chansons Des Roses
7. Contre Qui, Rose - Les Chansons Des Roses
8. De Ton Reve Trop Plein - Les Chansons Des Roses
9. La Rose Complete - Les Chansons Des Roses
10. Dirait - On - Les Chansons Des Roses
11. Ave Maria - Ave Maria
12. MID WINTER SONGS: Lament For Pasiphae - M. LAURIDSEN
13. MID WINTER SONGS: Like Snow - M. LAURIDSEN
14. MID WINTER SONGS: She Tells Her Love While Half Asleep - M. LAURIDSEN
15. MID WINTER SONGS: Mid-Winter Waking - M. LAURIDSEN
16. MID WINTER SONGS: Intercession In Late October - M. LAURIDSEN
17. O Magnum Mysterium - O Magnum Mysterium

Amazon.com

Modern choral music for amateur singers may be America's biggest musical underground. That's the only explanation of why Grammy-nominated composer Morten Lauridsen can claim that his works are some of the most often-performed new pieces in years, although few among the East Coast intelligentsia have ever heard of him. Like the similarly popular John Rutter, Lauridsen inhabits an extremely conservative style directed simply and single-mindedly at showing off the beauty of choral singing while it illustrates inspiring texts. Unlike many of his fellow neo-Romantic conservatives, Lauridsen displays a brand of conservatism that is completely convincing and sincere. His music also has range, from the spellbindingly rapturous Lux aeterna to his playful settings of Rilke's poems about the beauty and thorniness of roses in Les chansons des roses. There is, moreover, a Coplandesque streak heard in his Mid-Winter Songs, which are settings of poems by Robert Graves. Though the Los Angeles Master Chorale has a suitably red-blooded sound, the music would be better served with more precise diction. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Review of Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna/Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale.......2007-05-13

This is a fabulous CD! I have sung at least one of the compositions on the CD in a choral society to which I belong. I am also familiar with the composer and love his music. The Los Angeles Master Chorale is a wonderful music group!

So beautiful that it hurts........2007-04-27

Two days ago I had never heard of Morten Lauridsen (shame on me). Our local PBS station (WITF in Harrisburg, PA) opened its morning show a few days ago at 9 AM with his lovely "Sure on This Shining Night," a segment of a poem by James Agee. I could not work for an hour after hearing it. Students entered my office and left quickly at the sight of my dazed look. I immediately purchased three recordings, and this one, "Lux Aeterna," is my favorite. The music is so beautiful that it hurts.

Buy this album now. The music is truly exquisite. The performance is outstanding. The CD is a masterpiece. After one hearing of Lauridsen's "Lux Aeterna," I tell you the truth: I could not sleep the entire night. The music was with me all night, and it continues to resonate through my soul.

Excellent.......2007-04-06

Excellent recording - Lauridsen music represents the best choral composers of this age. This CD captures as many of his best compositions as one can expect - Great buy.

Great CD.......2007-02-17

I purchased this CD a couple of years ago when my daughter was working up a couple of Lauridsen works for an audition recording she was doing for her college application (she got in). Besides the sentimental association with that time, this CD has remained a treasured part of out listening library. These are truly 20th century masterpieces of choral music. The recording is among the very best of any type that I have heard. Even if you don't normally like choral music this is a CD to treasure.

Glorious, but not Perfection.......2007-01-20

Morten Lauridsen has a style as distinctively recognizable as Mozart or Beethoven--if you have heard or sung a few of his works, an unfamiliar title will still sound like an old friend. I have to admit I love the aural world which Lauridsen creates.

This recording displays Lauridsen at his best--the long-standing working relationship between the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the composer give these performances an authority and credibility which would be the envy of any group. The Chorale voices display a depth and maturity (particularly in the Bass and Alto sections) which I miss in college choirs, yet the control is perfect.

The works are recorded in the Sacred Heart Chapel of Loyola Marymount University--a very live acoustic, which contributes to the wonderful sense of blend and sonic depth in these pieces. This sonorous glory does have a price, however. The wonderful texts are quite frequently muddled a bit. The enunciation and diction are not as clear on this recording as one might have expected from this group. That is a small cavil, however--intonation and interpretation are flawless.

Buy this, put it in your CD player, turn it up, and enjoy it. If you love choral music, you need to own this disc.

Average customer rating: Definitive great choice Brilliant offering Easy Listening Very Relaxing Music

The Opera Band Amici Forever Manufacturer: RCA Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | 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 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kamen | Kamen, Michael | ( K ) | 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 Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Defined Beyond Imagination Il Divo Ancora The East Village Opera Company ASIN: B0000V0DE2 Release Date: 2004-01-13

Tracks:

1. Prayer in the Night
2. Senza Catene (Unchained Melody)
3. Canto Alla Vita
4. Vita Mia
5. Requiem for a Soldier (Band of Brothers)
6. Whisper of Angels
7. The Pearl Fishers
8. Soave sia il vento
9. Nimrod: Lux Aeterna
10. Song to the Moon
11. Zadok the Priest
12. Nessun Dorma

Amazon.com

The debut of the young, classically trained international quintet of sopranos Jo Appleby and Tsakane Valentine, tenors David Habbin and Geoff Swell, and basso Nick Garret offers up a familiar take on the crossover formula that has enriched everyone from genre pioneers The Three Tenors to Russell Watson and beyond. While their occasionally electro-pumped rhythms and youth-angled marketing shtick ("The world's first opera band!") may borrow a page from Opera Babes and Bond, it still manages to evoke the spirit (if not the letter) of its eclectic classical sources. And if the world hasn't exactly been burning for yet another dramatized update of Turandot's melodic "Nessun Dorma," The Pearl Fishers, or--for that matter--"Unchained Melody," Amici Forever's takes on the pop side of the crossover equation are indeed promising, recasting Alex North's "Unchained.." ("Senza Catene") and their reworked theme to the miniseries Band of Brothers("Requiem for a Soldier") in a successful, neo-classical light. If Neopolitan-shaded originals like "Canto Alla Vita" and "Vita Mia" sound like Josh Groban clones, their glorious harmonic vocal reworkings of Faure's "Pavane" ("Whisper of Angels") and Elgar's "Enigma Variations" ("Nimrod: Lux Aeterna") bristle with an ambitious sense of adventure that's missing from much of their crossover competition. Serious opera buffs may still quarrel with the daring "impurity" of it all, but if Amici Forever prod a few more pimply punters to peruse Puccini, won't it all have been worth it? --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Definitive.......2007-07-27

Beautiful! Even friends who've never cared for opera love this one. A tonic at the end of a grueling day, a weekend afternoon introspective, a late-night lead-in to a flight of dreams ... a whisper of angels.

great choice.......2007-01-11

this was a gift for family. family member loves album quality and selections.

Brilliant offering.......2007-01-10

Amici Forever is suberb in every way. Their arrangements are exceptional and the original lyrics are perfect poetry.

Easy Listening.......2006-09-21

Bought the album after hearing someone talk about the group. Thought the voices were okay (baritone was the best) but in some songs didn't blend properly. Selection of pieces was interesting . . . pop, classical, opera. Good album for "background" music.

Very Relaxing Music.......2006-09-11

I first heard it at a shop that sells English products. I thought it was interesting to hear and decided to get the CD for myself. I find the chorus very relaxing especially the last song which nearly put me to sleep as I am doing my homework. Amici Forever is a good CD to listen to when you have nothing to do or to soothe your wracked nerves.

Average customer rating: Something familiar, something new Palestrina's a giant in renaissance counterpoint Outstanding - music of the spheres. Palestrina's Masses...I love them all... Not just a bargain disc...

Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli, Missa Aeterna Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Sacred & Religious | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | 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: Josquin Desprez: Motets & Chansons Desprez-Palestrina Motets/Masses Tallis Scholars sing Palestrina Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610/Venetian Vespers The Greatest Choral Music of Palestrina: Prince of Music ASIN: B0000013U7 Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

1. Kyrie
2. Gloria
3. Credo
4. Sanctus
5. Agnus Dei
6. Kyrie
7. Gloria
8. Credo
9. Sanctus
10. Agnus Dei

Amazon.com

There's a wonderful legend, retold by (among others) Pfitzner's opera Palestrina, attached to the "Pope Marcellus" Mass: the Council of Trent, ground zero of the Counter Reformation, was about to ban all music but chant from the liturgy when Palestrina submitted this Mass, thereby changing the prelates' minds and saving church music. The writing is beautiful enough to deserve such a story: cheerful yet devout, comprehensible but not simplistic, without the complexity and secular borrowings (very prevalent in the preceding decades) that so perturbed the Council. The Missa Papae Marcelli has been recorded by choirs from Westminster Abbey to the Tallis Scholars, yet the Oxford Camerata does itself proud: Jeremy Summerly's reading of the music is reverently sweet, yet he's not afraid to make a joyful noise when appropriate--and the various voices are unusually clear. The equally radiant Missa Aeterna Christi Munera gets a similarly pleasing performance. Amidst serious competition, Summerly's readings of these Masses are among the best available--and, at Naxos's superbudget price, definitely the best value. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Something familiar, something new.......2005-10-19

--Palestrina--
Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina is sometimes called the greatest composer of the Roman Catholic church. Born in 1525 near Rome, he spent the better part of his career in service to the church as a choir member, choir master, conductor, composer and school master. He was sought after by many churches, and sometimes his popularity and skill got him into trouble both with his clerical patrons and with fellow musicians. He was offered prestigious positions in Rome and Vienna which were ultimately withdrawn because Palestrina's salary and conditions requirements were too high. He had some influence on the Council of Trent's musical decisions for reform of the Catholic worship practices, and was involved intimately with revising the Gradual and produced a harmonised version of the Latin Hymnal in 1589. He died in 1594.

--Masses--
The first mass presented here is Missa Papae Marcelli. Written in the 1550s, it wasn't published until the next decade. Pope Marcellus was only pope for a few weeks, but managed to endear himself to composers and conductors by insisting upon clarity as the highest of virtues for choristers. There is a joy to this, as Palestrina is definitely in the mode of celebrating the life of Pope Marcellus. This is one of Palestrina's most recorded works.

The second mass, Missa Aeterna Christi Munera is likewise a strong composition, although it is much less known than the first. Palestrina wrote over 100 masses in his lifetime (in addition to a wide range of other pieces), so it is not surprising that there might be some relatively overlooked. This particular mass has a more solemn tone to it, but still soars magnificently, and has no real flaws in composition.

--Oxford Camerata and Jeremy Summerly--
The performance of both of these pieces is superb. Perhaps the better performance belongs to the second mass; the Camerata has twelve singers, who double on the six-voice Missa Papae Marcelli, but are able to triple on the four-voice Missa Aeterna Christi Munera. They play with tempo and expression in new ways. The Oxford Camerata was formed in the early 1990s under the direction of Jeremy Summerly - this disc is their second recording. (Legend has it there was a cement mixer just outside the Dorchester Abbey, and that the recording engineers missed the first session for recording due to car trouble.)

Summerly's direction and selection of material and interpretation is such that it bears watching in the future.

Palestrina's a giant in renaissance counterpoint.......2005-10-14

Beautifully performed CD of 2 beautiful Masses written by G. Palestrina. Worth listening to and adding to album collection. Palestrina definitely is unsurpassed in Renaissance Counterpoint and is rightfully called the Prince of Music.

Outstanding - music of the spheres........2005-10-12

I've sung much renaissance polyphony, especially Palestrina, and this is about as good as recording gets. The musicality of the entire album, the perfect blend of voices (as well as a the utterly exquisite quality of that of the second tenor) and the perfection of the composition are all factors which contribute to something nonetheless mysteriously holy and beautiful about this recording; maybe what the music was really meant to be.

Palestrina's Masses...I love them all..........2004-11-18

I don't think is a good idea to compare composers
from three different musical periods; because of
their different mentalities, different cultures,
and different resources at their disposal...The
Missa Papae Marcelli is of interest because is
one of the earliest works to challange the regulations
in music of the Counter-Reformation; but yet in
other aspects it stays very close to what was expected
of Palestrina...Of special interest of the
Missa Papae Marcelli is the Mass'Gloria....
The Missa Aeterna...is a work that is based
on a motet a procedure that at the time
was a "BIG NO, NO" to the Counter-Reformation
movement...As all of the Palestrina Masses these
works are all full of beauty and serenity...
Oxford Camerata does a wonderful job....

Not just a bargain disc..........2001-03-12

This disc might actually make a good Palestrina sampler, of sorts - at least a good sampler of his masses. The Pope Marcellus Mass is probably his best known mass, and both this mass and the Missa Aeterna Christi Munera are models of elegance and serenity. The latter piece is not recorded very often, so you would be advised to pick up this disc, which contains both of these splendid pieces.

Normally in a review like this I would give some contextual/historical information about the pieces, but Palestrina and his Missa Papae Marcelli probably need little of this. It is often pointed out that this mass was written partly as model for textual intelligibility in polyphonic music; it is, though, even more than that: it is a model for perfection in Renaissance form.

I have three other recordings of the Marcellus Mass - two are by the Tallis scholars (one on the Palestrina 400 collection and the other on another separate recording) and one is by a German Baroque choir that I can't and won't take the time to remember (the recording isn't very good). Of the two T. Scholars recordings, the one on the 400 collection is preferable for its tempo, the other for the better acoustics of the recording venue. Both are fine recordings - typical Tallis Scholars. I haven't heard the Voices of Ascension or Westminster Choir recordings of this mass, but they are probably good.

I would recommend this present recording over the T. Scholars ones, though, for different reasons. First, the acoustics are preferable - there's more resonance in this one. The most importance difference is not really in interpretation (both groups render the music as flowing smoothly and slowly) but in the choral sound. Summerly's choir simply sounds fuller. For all their precision, the Tallis Scholars recordings sound thin - their sound lacks body, compared to the Oxford Camerata, although the former does seem to carry with it, as I said, the singular advantage of linear precision. In any case, the Oxford group sounds less pinched and more full-voiced.

This really is a splendid recording - I only bought it to get the Aeterna Christi Munera mass, but was more than pleasantly surprised by the quality of both masses. This disc provides much more than you have a right to expect for 6 dollars. Strongest recommendations...

Average customer rating: Lux aeterna Mindbendingly beautiful Crystal-clear performances bring out real beauty Proving the Durability of a Modern Masterpiece

Morten Lauridsen: Lux aeterna Morten Lauridsen , Stephen Layton , and Polyphony Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Lauridsen | Lauridsen, Morten | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Christmas Present From Polyphony Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other choral works Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna, etc. / Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale Morten Lauridsen: Nocturnes O Magnum Mysterium ASIN: B0007GP69W Release Date: 2005-02-08

Customer Reviews:

Lux aeterna.......2007-05-16

I really loved this cd it is very beautiful . As a singer I have sang selections of these in Latin

Mindbendingly beautiful.......2007-01-24

Gorgeous music. Hard to believe it is contemporary with its chant and canon like qualities, but the real accomplishment of the composer is that he creates such harmony and melody with dissonance and modern chord structure. This music healed every cell in my body and soul.

Crystal-clear performances bring out real beauty.......2006-03-16

When I first heard Lux Aeterna performed, I immediately went out and purchased the premier recording, performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale under the direction of Paul Salamunovich. I still enjoy that recording, though it is at times dark and quite thick. This new recording by Polyphony and the British Sinfonia moves the work from a rich romantic full choir to a more personal and intimate chamber ensemble. The differences are stunning. While the LAMC's recording melts the harmonies into one rich, thick sound, Polyphony's recording showcases each and every line, part, and harmony. In addition, The chamber sound is well-suited for the madrigali, especially so for Ubi Caritas et Amor.

As a chorister, I can affirm that Lauridsen's compositions are a joy to sing. But they are just as suited to listening. His compositions bring out the best of the choral genre, and this recording showcases that beautiful writing behind the strength of pure tone and clean diction. While this CD would make an excellent companion to the original recording of Lux Aeterna, it also stands quite well on its own.

Proving the Durability of a Modern Masterpiece.......2005-07-24

Morton Lauridsen is a fine composer whose works for chorus and orchestra are among the best being composed today. Since the premiere of his now famous 'Lux aeterna', a repertoire staple with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Orchestra, this incredibly moving work has enjoyed frequent performances not only in the United States but with European ensembles as well.

This wondrous recording features Polyphony with the Britten Sinfonia under the baton of Stephen Layton. The title piece grows in stature with time and in this performance the myriad subtexts are more clearly defined. Lauridsen tends to write thick choral sounds and while these are organ-like in their beauty, Layton clarifies the more dense sections of the work and the result is illuminating. For the more massive, darker sound the Los Angeles Master Chorale under Paul Salamunovich still satisfies: it is nice to have the 'big' sound along side the 'chamber' sound.

Added bonuses on this recording are the six 'Madrigali', the 'Ave Maria', 'Ubi caritas et amor', and 'O magnum mysterium', each of which are given superlative performances. The recorded sound is crystal-clear without losing resonance. For those who hold the 'Lux aeterna' in high esteem this is a recording that should be along side the original. As for those to whom Lauridsen's name is unknown, this beautiful recording is a fine introduction to an important composer. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, July 05

Average customer rating: Enchanting Amazing Voices Gracious This CD Dropped In From Heaven Incredible. Simply incredible.

Libera Libera Manufacturer: Erato ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Luminosa Free Visions Angel Voices Angel Voices 3 ASIN: B00002DDVU Release Date: 2000-02-15

Tracks:

1. Salva Me
2. Sanctus
3. Agnus Dei
4. Libera
5. Mysterium
6. Jubilate
7. Beata Lux
8. Dies Irae
9. Te Lucis
10. Sancta
11. Angelis
12. Lux Aeterna

Amazon.com

Recalling the uplifting New Age chorals of Adiemus and Enigma, Libera fuses the high, innocent voices of 11 and 12-year-old boys with contemporary beats amidst lush synth and orchestral accents. The result is a mesmerizing collection of original choral material written by self-proclaimed "organ nerd" and keyboardist Robert Prizeman. Prizeman, drawing from his background in church music, expertly weaves the choir's bright, sacred tones into the fabric of his modern spiritual vision, which brings the sanctity of London abbeys to mind. At times the album wanders into deeply mystical territory, with the boys' solos bouncing up and down the scale in a soft melancholy, which nicely contrasts with the power of their joined voices. Though not extensively trained, the choir does an expert job with Prizeman's compositions. The one aspect of this CD that may frustrate listeners is the lack of comprehensive credits and information on the artists in the CD booklet. Otherwise, Libera is a pleasantly sublime work of New Age art. --Karen K. Hugg

Customer Reviews:

Enchanting.......2007-01-30

There's something about a good choir that can really stir the spiritual imagination and this choir is simply fantastic. Based out of Europe, Libera re-introduces the world to classical pieces in upbeat and modern mixes. Some tracks are simply beautiful and others mysterious, but all are wonderful. Our audience has repeatedly voted "Salva Me" into the Top 10 along with other hits such as "Lux Aeterna." This is a great CD. - Jon

Amazing Voices.......2007-01-10

These boys continue to amaze me. I am transported when listening to their music. It is uplifting, haunting, invigorating, thoughtful...just incredible.

Gracious.......2006-11-19

For those of us, myself included, desperately hoping that the age of church music isn't dead - or should I say, hoping that new ways of singing God's praise can still be found, this album gives hope that something non-trivial can be done with modern music. It's only one dimension of a needed reformation, but it is a contribution nonetheless. In addition to "Salva Me" the title track "Libera" is also very engaging.

This CD Dropped In From Heaven.......2006-04-10

Absolutely the most beautiful music anyone could hope for and beyond words for New Age music addicts. I'm not particularly religious,but this music gives me goose bumps. I'm not a fan of the Catholic Church, but I love Catholic chorus music. It is very calming.

My favorite is "Angelis" which I'm not sure if sung in English or Latin but the first two words of the song sounds like "Angeline seventeen" and the stunning music congers up visions of some angelically lovely teen age girl who inspired the song. Heck, all the music congers up beautiful, peaceful visions. And never has Latin sounded like this. It's a very sexy language! You won't regret buying this CD.

Incredible. Simply incredible........2006-02-26

These boys have the finest voices you'll hear anywhere. Not being Catholic, I don't understand much of the Latin in songs such as cut 2, "Sanctus." But I could listen to that particular song over and over and over. In fact, I have. And it is so beautiful and haunting that it has motivated me to look up the meaning of the words so I can better participate in the worship experience that is "Sanctus." The rest of the album is just as beautiful, but I put "Sanctus" in a class all by itself. Another review of one of Libera's other albums mentioned that this song has appeared on several CDs and that reviewer considered this a weakness--saying that they must not have much material. I would love it if this song appeared on every album they ever record so that I wouldn't have to change discs when I'm ready to hear it again. If you want a truly moving aural experience, purchase this CD.

Average customer rating: Aeterna Amazing music! Like nothing you have ever heard Aeterna pleases on many levels Aeterna Constance Demby

Aeterna Constance Demby Manufacturer: Hearts of Space ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Healing | New Age | Styles | Music Space Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Faces of the Christ Attunement Light of this World SONIC IMMERSION - Vibrational Sound Healing Attunement Blue Cosmos ASIN: B000000X6S Release Date: 1995-07-28

Tracks:

1. The Dawning
2. Ocean Without Shores
3. Innocence: Starfields/Innocence/Beloved
4. Cry Of The Heart
5. Eternal Return: Unfolding/Enfolding/Return
6. Rites Of Passage: Remembrance/The Calling/Serenity

Product Description

1. The Dawning
2. Ocean Without Shores
3. Innocence Medley: Part 1: Starfields giPart 2: Innocence giPart 3: Beloved
4. Cry Of The Heart
5. Eternal Return Medley: Part 1: Unfolding giPart 2: Enfolding giPart 3: Return
6. Rites Of Passage Medley: Part 1: Remembrance giPart 2: The Calling giPart 3: Serenity

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Aeterna.......2007-01-12

Beautiful restful music for relaxing. Many tracks should become classics - especially The Dawning and Ocean Without Shores. Terrific instrumental music too good to be in the background.

Amazing music!.......2006-06-18

The first time I heard this amazing CD was at a friend's house. I could not believe the gorgeous sounds emanating from the stereo! My emotions ran the gamut on this one. At times my feelings were happy, then feelings of great sadness washed over me. The music is beautifully heart-wrenching...it is almost too much to bear at times. I would recommend this one to everyone! I guarantee you will be happy.

Like nothing you have ever heard.......2006-04-28

Words can't describe this beautiful music. It has to be experienced. It will stir your emotions; and yes it will bring a tear to your eye.

Aeterna pleases on many levels.......2006-01-18

Wonderful album and Constance Demby just carries a great mood all the way through. One of the ambient and alternative classics!

Aeterna Constance Demby.......2003-04-09

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CD`S I HAVE EVER PURCHASED.IT GIVES YOU SUCH A PIECEFUL FEELING.

Average customer rating: Agnus Dei music of Inner Harmony Simply The Best Wow! Profound sublimity Beautiful music

Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony Manufacturer: Erato ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Allegri | Allegri, Gregorio | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Górecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( 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 Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tavener | Tavener, John Kenneth | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | 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 Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Agnus Dei II: Music to soothe the soul O Magnum Mysterium Choral Masterpieces Barber's Adagio / Munch, Galway, Boston SO Strings Gloria: Music of Praise & Inspiration ASIN: B000005E4J Release Date: 1997-02-18

Tracks:

1. Agnus Dei, op.11 - Barber
2. Cantique de Jean Racine, op.11 - Faure
3. Kyrie - Palestrina
4. Ave Verum Corpus K 618 - Mozart
5. Jesus bleibet meine Freude - Bach
6. Ave Maria, op.37 No.6 - Choir Of New College Oxford
7. Lux Aeterna - Choir Of New College Oxford
8. Totus Tuus - Choir Of New College Oxford
9. Hear my prayer - Mendelssohn
10. The Lamb - Tavener
11. In paradisum - Faure
12. Miserere mei, Deus - Choir Of New College Oxford

Amazon.com

Beyond this recording's new age packaging and title is a splendid sampling of some of the world's finest choral music, sung by one of the world's outstanding choirs. This "anthology of sacred choral music" spans 400 years and includes such masterpieces as Allegri's Miserere, Bach's "Jesu, joy of man's desiring," and Barber's exquisite Agnus Dei, which is the composer's choral setting of his famous Adagio for Strings. Along the way we also hear Mozart's sublime "Ave verum corpus," Elgar's "Lux aeterna," and the Kyrie from Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli. There has been a choir at England's New College, Oxford, since the year 1379, and this impressive line of experience shows in the intelligent, unfaltering, and finely polished performances by today's ensemble of 16 boys and 12 adults. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Agnus Dei music of Inner Harmony.......2007-05-14

Not really my thing but mother in law loved it.

Simply The Best.......2007-02-23

You'll love this music. This is music for all moments of your life

Wow!.......2006-07-08

I'm a long-time listener of all things rock-'n-roll, from Classic rock, to Alternative, and even a little Metal. I first heard this CD while having dinner at a friends house a long time ago, and I loved it. I've always been enchanted with choir music, so I bought this CD. Well, after years of listening to it to help me to unwind in the evening, I somehow misplaced it. So I came to Amazon to order both I and II. Of the two CD's, the first one is still the best, and it still helps me to relax after a long day. The choir show tremendous range in their singing, the assorted instruments are well-played, and I can almost imagine myself sitting in a centuries-old cathedral, enjoying the music and how it rings throughout the cathedral.

Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Profound sublimity.......2006-02-27

This album offers music that is profoundly moving and sumbline. It takes the listener onto an inner journal of extraordinary emotional depths and heights

Beautiful music.......2006-01-18

The first song I've heard on this CD is "Miserere Mei..." and I loved it the first minute. I've heard it from a friend who likes classical, and I would've never bought this on my own.

All other versions of these songs I've heard since don't compare to the versions on this CD. Maybe because it was my first listen, maybe they're just good.

Average customer rating: This is awesome! Awesome CD!! I absolutely LOVE this! Vienna Boys do it again Wow

The Best of the Vienna Boys' Choir (Box Set) Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | 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 Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Johann Strauss Sr. | Strauss Sr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Josef Strauss | Strauss, Josef | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bruckner | Bruckner, Anton | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | 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 Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | 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 | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Lieder | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | 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 Similar Items: Christmas With the Vienna Boys Choir Christmas with the Vienna Boys Choir Angelic Voices: The Best of the Vienna Boys' Choir The Christmas Album: Vienna Boys Choir Luminosa ASIN: B00000IGUW Release Date: 2000-12-06

Tracks:

1. Mass in C major K. 317 'Coronatoin' Mass: I. Kyrie
2. Mass in C major K. 317 'Coronatoin' Mass: II. Gloria
3. Mass in C major K. 317 'Coronatoin' Mass: Ave verum corpus KV 618 - K. 618
4. Requiem KV 626 (Auszuge) - K. 626: Dies irae
5. Requiem KV 626 (Auszuge) - K. 626: Lacrimosa
6. Requiem KV 626 (Auszuge) - K. 626: Agnus Dei
7. Requiem KV 626 (Auszuge) - K. 626: Lux aeterna
8. Ave Maria
9. The Creation: Terzett: 'In holder Anmut stehn'
10. The Creation: Terzett mit Chor: 'Der Herr ist gross in seiner Macht'
11. Locus iste
12. Ave Maria
13. Abendsegen
14. Pueri concinite
15. Messiah: No. 03 Chorus: ' And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed'
16. Messiah: No. 06 Chorus: 'And he shall purify'
17. Messiah: No. 42 Chorus: 'Hallelujah'
18. Messiah: No. 51 Chorus: 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain' - 'Amen'

Tracks:

1. The Blue Danube
2. Annen - Polka Op. 117
3. Walzer - Tales from the Vienna Woods, Waltz
4. Tritsch - Tratsch Polka
5. Village Swallows from Austria
6. Pizzicat - Polka
7. Morning papers, waltz
8. Radetzky - Marsch
9. Thousand and one night, waltz
10. Heidenroslein
11. The Magic Flute: Trio
12. Innsbruck, I must leave thee
13. Aba Heidschi Bumbeidschi
14. Edelweiss
15. Do - Re - Mi

Customer Reviews:

This is awesome!.......2002-12-13

I love this bos set, especially the second one Edelweiss is simply great, it's filled with passion and truly shows the beauty of music.But if you had already bought Ave Maria and Edelweiss please don't buy this one, they are the same, this CD is just perfect!

Awesome CD!!.......2002-06-07

Wow...That was my first word when I listend to this CD.

I like classical numbers more than like traditional songs of
other countries, so the 1st one was wonderful
(Of course as well as the second one.)

When you want to relax, you may choose the 1st one, but
if you want to be excited, choose 2nd one!!

You will feel as if you were out of this world.

I absolutely LOVE this!.......2002-02-20

When I received this album, I found that it was much, much more than I had expected. The angelic, pure, innocent yet DEFINED voices of these boys add the spark to your day. (at least to mine!)

The first CD is absolutely beautiful choral music which is really relaxing. I DO prefer boys' singing to adults, because it just sounds so much better.
When I bought the CD, I wasn't expecting much out of the second CD because I bought it for the first CD's sake, but the second CD turned out to be my real favorite.
Not that I don't adore the first one, but the second one is SO IRRESISTABLY CUTE!! whenever I listen to it, I keep on smiling and going "awww. isn't this cute!"
It is REALLY sweet and fun to listen to. I just LOVE this CDs and want to give 10 stars out of 5, but obviously there are limitations, so..

Well, if you like choral music, you won't regret getting this one.

Vienna Boys do it again.......2001-08-18

Their performance is just superb. If you like classical music. I find this elevating my spirits.

Wow.......2000-09-06

What can really be said about this two CD set except "Wow." The tone quality and emotion contained in the music is incredible, and I don't think there's another boys' choir out there who can match it. The rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria" alone is worth buying the CD. Amazing. Between the two CD's there is a great variety of music as well, ranging from the soft, sad "Locus Iste," to Johann Strauss' polkas. There is a piece for every mood. These CDs are more than worth the money and rank among the favorites in my collection.

Average customer rating: Surprising Variety in Modern A Capepella Choral works Mostly unlistenable.... a handful of great Ligeti works. brilliant choral music Exquisite use of the voice

György Ligeti Edition 2: A Cappella Choral Works - London Sinfonietta Voices Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Ligeti, György | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: György Ligeti Edition 4: Vocal Works (Madrigals, Mysteries, Aventures, Songs) - The King's Singers / Philharmonia Orchestra / Esa-Pekka Salonen György Ligeti Edition 1: String Quartets and Duets - Arditti String Quartet György Ligeti Edition 3: Works for Piano (Etudes, Musica Ricercata) - Pierre-Laurent Aimard György Ligeti Edition 6: Keyboard Works (Piano, Harpsichord, Organ) - Irina Kataeva / Pierre-Laurent Aimard / Elisabeth Chojnacka / Zsigmond Szathmáry Ligeti: Mechanical Music ASIN: B0000029OX Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

1. A Cappella Choral Works: Night
2. A Cappella Choral Works: Morning
3. A Cappella Choral Works: Far from home 1
4. A Cappella Choral Works: Far from home 2
5. A Cappella Choral Works: Far from home 3
6. A Cappella Choral Works: Far from home 4
7. A Cappella Choral Works: Solitude
8. A Cappella Choral Works: Two Canons 1
9. A Cappella Choral Works: Two Canons 2
10. A Cappella Choral Works: Kings of Bethlehem
11. A Cappella Choral Works: The Fugitive
12. A Cappella Choral Works: Lux aeterna
13. A Cappella Choral Works: Wedding Song
14. A Cappella Choral Works: Songs from Inaktelke 1
15. A Cappella Choral Works: Songs from Inaktelke 2
16. A Cappella Choral Works: Songs from Inaktelke 3
17. A Cappella Choral Works: Songs from Inaktelke 4
18. A Cappella Choral Works: Songs from Matraszentimre 1
19. A Cappella Choral Works: Songs from Matraszentimre 2
20. A Cappella Choral Works: Songs from Matraszentimre 3
21. A Cappella Choral Works: Songs from Matraszentimre 4
22. A Cappella Choral Works: Widow Papai
23. A Cappella Choral Works: Three phantasies after Hrlin 1
24. A Cappella Choral Works: Three phantasies after Hrlin 2
25. A Cappella Choral Works: Three phantasies after Hrlin 3
26. A Cappella Choral Works: Hungarian Etudes 1
27. A Cappella Choral Works: Hungarian Etudes 2
28. A Cappella Choral Works: Hungarian Etudes 3
29. A Cappella Choral Works: Heigh, Youth! 1
30. A Cappella Choral Works: Heigh, Youth! 2
31. A Cappella Choral Works: Easter
32. A Cappella Choral Works: Hortobagy 1
33. A Cappella Choral Works: Hortobagy 2
34. A Cappella Choral Works: Hortobagy 3
35. A Cappella Choral Works: From a high mountain rock
36. A Cappella Choral Works: Double-Dance from Kallo 1
37. A Cappella Choral Works: Double-Dance from Kallo 2

Amazon.com essential recording

A vast audience received its first exposure to the music of György Ligeti through Stanley Kubrick's use of his haunting "Lux Aeterna" (despite the composer's lack of consent) in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. This collection--part of Sony's invaluable Ligeti edition--places "Lux aeterna" in the context of Ligeti's other a cappella choral works, which together provide an overview of the evolving phases of one of the 20th century's most intriguing composers. In his booklet notes to the disc, Ligeti recalls the influence of Bartók and Kodály on his early folkloric compositions, from arrangements of traditional material to free, polyrhythmically inflected inventions on Hungarian folk texts, a format that allowed him some degree of experimental freedom from the strictures of "socialist realism" before he fled the Hungarian Communist regime. The breakthrough "Lux aeterna" is a classic example of Ligeti's trademark technique of "micropolyphony," enveloping the listener in mesmerizingly dense textures of cloudlike harmonies. From Ligeti's late period comes a triptych of "Hölderlin Phantasies." Their 16-voice polyphony transcends the simplistic distinction between tonality and atonality to explore "new kinds of half diatonic, half chromatic harmonies." The resulting sound world of fragmentary, dislocated epiphanies mirrors the unfathomable richness of the great visionary poet to uncanny effect. Throughout, the acoustical balance and conviction of the London Sinfonietta Voices give vivid shape to Ligeti's genius. -Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Surprising Variety in Modern A Capepella Choral works.......2006-08-24

This 'A Cappella Choral Works', the second volume in a collection of Gyorgy Ligeti compositions contains one of the pieces of music which contributed to making '2001, A Space Odyessy' such a profoundly interesting film. This piece, 'Lux aeterna' which is the textbook example of 'SciFi' music, is very different from many of the other pieces on this recording. In fact, one is really impressed by the wide variety of styles, where you have some peasant songs which sound a lot like sea chantys and other pieces which are definitely liturgical. One can certainly thank Stanley Kubrick for bringing Ligeti to our attention.

Mostly unlistenable...........2006-08-23

Not even good for background music/noise as the voices get really loud in certain parts and almost silent.

I bought this CD and am returning it. It's just more & more of the sameness throughout the whole CD.

I realize that Ligeti is avant garde but I heard that if you like Gregorian chant (which I do) this CD is similar. I don't think it is. It's very disquieting and full of tension (great, if that's the mood you're looking for).

a handful of great Ligeti works........2004-09-06

As a compilation, musically speaking, Edition 2 is probably my least favorite of the Sony Ligeti Edition collection. Many of the pieces come from traditional Hungarian sources, conceived while Ligeti was still in his early years. They are pretty, but also pretty straightforward and conventional, and other than their simple pleasantness and occasionally yummy dissonances, they aren't really mindblowing like the best Ligeti. They are often very beautiful though. However, Edition 2 DOES feature one of the most harrowing, apocalyptic compositions of 20th century Western music, _Lux aeterna_. The profound tension in the quiet web of micropolyphonic voices is just devastating. Also great are the other later pieces, _Drei Phantasien nach Friedrich Holderlin_, three wild polyphony pieces from German literature, and _Magyar Etudok_, three very complex Hungarian etudes for 16 voices. Those pieces are all outstanding but honestly I think everything I've heard by Ligeti is worth hearing. Check out Ligeti edition 4 for more vocal works, some of which are the best of Ligeti's works.

brilliant choral music.......2003-07-21

This cd is beautiful to listen to.From Ejszaka to Kallai Ketto
is brilliant. Ligeti choral works is the first cd have got choral music on it and i love it.Now im going to get the other two cds in the ligeti edition.
(the vocal works & le grand marabre)

Exquisite use of the voice.......2002-07-11

Bringing Ligeti's works to a wider public was one of the great services Stanley Kubrick performed for the world when Lux aeterna was included in the soundtrack for 2001: a Space Odyssey.

This album is a collection of a cappella choral works and which highlights Ligeti's great talent and skill in the use of the voice as a musical instrument. He, together with Yoko Ono, have excelled in this field though from different, sometimes conflicting directions.

When I listen to this I revel in it's glory. The sounds are ethereal and atmospheric, ghostly and angelic in a way that no-one but the composer can make them sound. I never want those sounds to end and in a way it is like having a sort of dependence.

I could go on and on and on about this but I had better stop. This is one essentila component of anyone's classical music collection yet it really defies categorisation. This is timeless, awesome music, not just for a generation but for a world. Lest Zeus strike me with a thunderbolt, these voices are sweeter and more angelic than the voices of the angels themselves.

Exquiiste. Words are insufficient to describe such beauty.

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2. Atmospheres & Affirmations
3. Beckoning
4. Beyond Time & Space, Vol. 2
5. Bliss
6. Blue Ridge
7. Cascade
8. Castle Ghosts
9. Chant of the Angels
10. China

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