Eternal Egypt

1. Isis Unveiled

2. Land of the Pharaohs [Zaar Rhythm]

3. Through the Ankh (Masmoudi Rhythm)

4. Shimmers in the Sand

5. Desrt Rhythm (Fallahi Rhythm)

6. Cobra's Dance (Fallahi Rhythm)

Eternal Egypt,Phil Thornton,Hossam Ramzy,New World Music,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Progressive Electronic,Spiritual

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Average customer rating: ENTHRALLING Attention Time Travelers: Too cliche and the wrong mix almost meditative, not energetic Wonderful fusion of Old and New

Eternal Egypt Phil Thornton , and Hossam Ramzy Manufacturer: New World Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Immortal Egypt Enchanted Egypt Sabla Tolo: Journeys into Pure Egyptian Percussion Pharaoh: Sound of Mystery Meditation Music of Ancient Egypt ASIN: B000005DK6 Release Date: 1996-09-01

Tracks:

1. Isis Unveiled
2. The Land Of The Pharaohs (Zaar Rhythm)
3. Through The Ankh (Masmoudi Rhythm)
4. Shimmers In The Sand
5. Desert Rhythm (Fallahi Rhythm)
6. The Cobra's Dance (Fallahi Rhythm)

Customer Reviews:

ENTHRALLING.......2005-07-15

I love this album, but my favorites are Immortal and Enchanted Egypt of Hossam Ramzy's. I like it best when he teams with Phil Thorton.

Attention Time Travelers:.......2004-05-07

If you've ever wondered what it must've been like to visit a pharaoh living in ancient Egypt, this recording will help you get there!!!

Too cliche and the wrong mix.......2002-10-10

I bought this thinking it might be interesting. Not so. How seldom does the fusion of old tradition and new technology work. It is a very very difficult realm to succeed in and be able to pull of something that really works. I love the bellydance music of Hassam Ramzy, but this CD tries to be more of a compositional contrivance to evoke a feeling of Egypt that is more cliche than eternal,actually more like hollywood soundtracks than the experience of really being in eternal egypt. The electronics, which could be used in a different way to evoke that sense of eternity,are too dubby and newagey. I feel bad when great traditionalists with such wealth of roots material (like Hassam,Nusrat,etc.) team up with young upstarts to try to achieve something they think will be new and exciting. But somehow, as far as I'm concerned, something gets lost.Kind of like the new vw bug: it's just not what the real thing was, it only pretends to look like it.

almost meditative, not energetic.......2002-04-06

Eternal Egypt was the first Middle Eastern cd I bought, and at the time I loved it. Now I realize that there are more exciting cds out there, but I still consider it good.

It's got six songs - all of them are very long and repetitive with the synthesizer overlay providing most of the change. The sound is not "authentic" as it has a lot of electronic instrumentation. For rhythms - it's got a masmoudi, zaar, and two fellahi pieces, as well as two others. The songs are good for practicing dance moves and experimenting with the rhythms. Also useful for more interpretive dances, especially with veil, as they are slow and trance-like.

Wonderful fusion of Old and New.......2001-06-22

Hossam Ramzy is one of the premier percussionists of the Middle-Eastern style. His work has done more to bring the ancient rythyms of the desert to the western world than any other artist. Phil Thornton brings his trance-like melodic music to this mix to create a fusion of new-age and old-age music.

This work, and the music which inspired it, was made for meditative dance, movement and worship. In fact, the zaar, a ritual dance featured on the CD, can go on for many hours, until the dancers drop down exhausted. Most of the drum rythyms come from the "Sha'abi", one of the oldest styles of folk dancing in Egypt.

Average customer rating: Not identifiable as Weill The Eternal Road -at last! A Historical Work That Will Appeal To Many

Kurt Weill: Eternal Road (Highlights) [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music] Manufacturer: Milken Archive ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Darius Milhaud: Service Sacre [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music] Toch-Cantata of the Bitter Herbs (Milken Archive American Jewish Music) Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Naomi & Ruth / Sacred Service for Sabbath Eve [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music] Thomas Beveridge: Yizkor Requiem Brubeck - The Gates of Justice (Milken Archive American Jewish Music) ASIN: B0000C508I Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

1. Abraham And Isaac
2. Jacob And The Angel
3. Jacob And Rachel
4. The Death Of Jacob
5. In Egypt/Miriam And Moses
6. Moses Receives The Commandments/Dance Around The Golden Calf
7. The Beam, Moses
8. Moses Addresses The People
9. Moses Gives The Commandments/The Death Of Moses
10. Naomi And Ruth
11. Ruth And Boaz
12. Isaiah And Jeremiah
13. The Streets Of Jerusalem
14. Jeremiah
15. Chananiah The False Prophet/The Mob Attacks Jeremiah
16. Transformation/Finale

Amazon.com

This is an extraordinary, unique work: part opera, part oratorio, part Broadway musical, part pageant. The German libretto by Franz Werfel (the original title actually means "The Road of Promise") was translated by Ludwig Lewisohn; the story combines Biblical and modern Jewish history, messianic faith, and national politics. Set in a contemporary synagogue where the Jews are hiding from a pogrom, its four acts are centered on specific Biblical themes, which the group discusses and re-enacts throughout the night; at the end, the destruction of the ancient Temple and the group's present-day deportation melt together, as a messianic voice promises deliverance in Zion. Conceived by the promoter and Zionist activist Meyer Weisgal to awaken the world to Hitler's persecution of the Jews by juxtaposing their historical and present travails, it was premiered in New York in 1937 to critical acclaim. But it closed after 153 performances, never to be revived. No wonder: described as "the most formidable project" ever undertaken by any "undaunted group" of Jewish artists, it required an unprecedented expenditure of personnel and material and, though heavily cut even before the premiere, ran for some six hours.

Weill's music is fascinating. Alternating between cantorial liturgy, classical fugues and showtunes, it displays every aspect of his background and multi-faceted style. Son of a German cantor, his earliest works, written at age 12 and 13, were setting of Hebrew texts, but later in life, his Jewish consciousness seems to have been political rather than religious. Of all the European emigrée-composers, he was perhaps the most successful: master of operatic as well as cabaret-style, the Broadway musical became his natural habitat.

This recording offers a selection of scenes featuring recitatives, arias, ensembles and choruses. The music ranges from simple to sophisticated, from mournful, cantorial lamentations to affecting love duets, hymns, marches with trumpets and drums, dances, celestial choruses, and genuine, lovely cabaret songs. The most substantial and moving excerpt is the Death of Moses, preceded by his presentation of the Commandments. The singing is never less than good, frequently excellent. The record makes one long to hear the music in its entirety. --Edith Eisler

Album Description

This world-premiere recording of scenes from Kurt Weill's rediscovered masterpiece The Eternal Road brings to life a major 20th-century work that was a sensation of the 1937 New York theatre season. Originally conceived as a biblical pageant, a profound music-drama, and a theatrical extravaganza, The Eternal Road combines the legends of timeless Jewish heroes and heroines with the all-too-familiar story of persecution in Europe. Set against a richly colored backdrop, Weill's masterful score embodies the passions and aspirations of many dramatic characters in search of their Jewish Destiny.

Customer Reviews:

Not identifiable as Weill.......2005-11-22

An interesting "unknown" piece, but the dissonance expected in a Weill piece (Three Penny Opera, Mahagonny) is striking by its absence. Part of the Milken Archive of music by American Jewish composers, the recording is well-performed, featuring highlights of the opera, under direction of Gerard Schwarz and soloists mostly not familiar to this listener.

The Eternal Road -at last!.......2004-11-18

Weill's The Eternal Road has basically languished for more than half a century. Several years ago a production was mounted by the Chemitz Opera in the original German, which played in Chemnitz, Brooklyn and Tel Aviv. Now excerpts from the work in its English form are finally available.
The Chemitz production clearly showed both the fascination that the work has and its extensive problems. Set in a synagogue during a Nazi program, the characters are identified by types (alienated Jew, Rabbi, Christian married to a Jew, etc.) and have no real personality. They are the raison d'etre for a telling of the biblical narrative. The rabbi acts as a the reader in the fashion of the Bach St. Matthew Passion. As the story unfolfs the characters act out the story on an upper stage. In general the work is episodic with little development. In this it is really a pagent not an opera or even an oratorio. The biggest difficulty is that the work in its present form is way to long. The music slides from one style to another and by the end of a performance the audience is generally numbed into submission. In short it doesn't work on stage.
Now with a highlight recording one can savour some of the best portions of this very uneven work. Repeated hearing may increase ones desire to hear the whole work, but clearly the best of it is here and is very moving and enjoyable. If you are looking for Three Penny Opera or Mahagony you will be be let down, but heard on its own it is quite remarkable.

A Historical Work That Will Appeal To Many.......2004-01-08

This is a recording that will probably be of interest to a varied audience. Opera lovers who appreciate Kurt Weill's music will probably enjoy the recording most. Opera lovers who collect recordings love the familiar, but always relish the less familiar music that is released from time to time. THE ETERNAL ROAD will certainly be a rare treat in any opera lover's collection, that when listened to from time to time, is certain to bring enjoyment. The excerpts included in this recording are powerful and represent a side of Weill that is not as familiar as many of his other stage works. While it was conceived as a stage work, the recording sounds more like a modern day oratorio, but listeners can easily see how the musical pieces could be staged. Since the music is somewhat large and spectacular, and much of Weill's music found as home on the Broadway stage, people who enjoy theatrical music will also appreciate the recording. The piece is important historically not only because it presents a less familiar side of Weill, but also its historical context. Weill began work in 1933 which coincided with the beginnings of Nazi persecution. It was an affirmation of faith in the midst of the Holocaust.

The work is composed of the stories of many of the great Biblical heroes and heroines of the Jewish faith. Included in this recording are scenes telling the story of Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and the Angel, Jacob and Rachel, the death of Jacob (a very moving musical scene), Moses receiving the Ten Commandments (I believe to be one of the best scenes of the recording), Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, and the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. The work ends with a very hopeful finale, but the ending is a bit closer to a Broadway musical's finale which does not fit the majesty of the other excerpts, but is an enjoyable musical moment none-the-less.

The recording was supported in part by the Milken Archive, an organization dedicated to presenting and preserving Jewish sacred and secular music. It has been released by the budget label Naxos, but the work is worth more than its modest price.

Average customer rating:

Eternal Egypt Various Artists Manufacturer: Inside Sounds ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Eternal Egypt ASIN: B00005R81M Release Date: 2001-10-05

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. The Oracle
3. Desert Dance
4. Luxor
5. Isis
6. Memphis City Of Kings
7. Palace Of Ra
8. Prayer
9. North African Market
10. Oasis
11. Requiem

Album Description

Composer and arranger Grayson Wells combines samples of ancient Middle Eastern instruments and ethnic rhythms with a contemporary sensibility. At times,'Eternal Egypt'takes the listener into a market in North Africa or, on the track "Palace Of Ra," into modern Cairo's late night disco scene with its pulsating world beat. Also featured is Richard Graham, an authority in ancient Egyptian history and musical methods. Graham displays his talent on various intruments that have been passed from the age of the Pharaohs, such as the nay, darabuka, riqq, tar, crotale, Ighaita, and more. Together, Wells and Graham successfully create a musical masterpiece that, while owing much to traditional Middle Eastern music, is meant to reach a wider audience without sacrificing the integrity of the source. An exciting CD combining the past with the Digital Age, 'Eternal Egypt' encompasses traditional belly dance arrangements, pulsing tribal beats, and unique soundtrack effects.

Average customer rating:

From Captivity to the Holy City Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble , Loren Ponten , William Albright , Gerald Finzi , Orlando Gibbons , Edgar Leslie Bainton , Charles Ives , John Muehleisen , Alice Parker , and Hubert Parry Manufacturer: Loft Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Finzi, Gerald | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Gibbons, Orlando | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ives, Charles | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Szymanowski | Szymanowski, Karol | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Ives, Charles | 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 Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000523IU Release Date: 2001-04-03

Average customer rating:

Eternal Praise, Vol. 1 Manufacturer: Prophetic Voice ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Franck, César | ( 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 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 Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | 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 Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music ASIN: B00005AWN1 Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

1. Cantata No.208: 'Sheep May Safely Graze'
2. Ave Maria
3. Symphony No.2 (Hymn Of Praise): Adagio Religioso
4. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
5. The Messiah: Symphonie Pastorale
6. Cantata No.140: 'Sleepers Awake'
7. L'Enfance Du Christ: Overture To Part 2 (Flight Into Egypt)
8. Adoramus Te, Christe
9. Ave Maria
10. Panis Angelicus
11. Little Suite: Chorale
12. Ave, Verum Corpus
13. Chorus 'Hallelujah! For The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth'

Average customer rating: La Venere Nera di Bayreuth Gorgeous And Passionate: The Art of Grace Bumbry At Her Best: An Amazing Collection

Early Recordings: Oratorio, Opera, Lieder Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | 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 Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolf | Wolf, Hugo | ( W ) | 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 Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | 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 French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Very Best of The Great Recordings Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehaair, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss Russian Album ASIN: B00067GKFQ Release Date: 2005-02-08

Customer Reviews:

La Venere Nera di Bayreuth.......2005-08-19

Before I begin my review, I wish to express my DEEP hope that, one day soon, we will be able to enjoy on DVD the famous Bumbry/Verrett concert from Covent Garden, from 1982. I watched a VHS-to-DVD transfer that a friend made, who taped it, and it is stunning, to say the least.

There were many great mezzos from the same era as Grace Bumbry, but for me, she always stands out, due to the unique quality of her voice. I compare the timbre of her voice to a ripple of caramel- sweet, satisfying, and substantial. Hands down, she is my favorite Amneris and Eboli, on disc. Her voice is an arresting combination of vocal beauty and dramatic flair.

Unfortunately, Bumbry was, and is, one of those artists that the critics love to pick apart. Just read the online review of this three-disc collection on Opera News online. The reviewer picks out even the most minute faults in her voice.

No, her musicianship was not spotless, but this does not matter. As the other reviewers stated, her Handel is a wonder to hear. My heart skipped a beat the first time I heard these tracks. As for the rest of disc one, it is a sampling of Italian and French arias. I have to say that I find her Carmen and Delilah a bit too forceful. She all but shouts, "You're gonna love me, dammit!" Still, she is a force that cannot be denied.

The second disc features Grace at her very best, in Verdi. This was the first occasion in which I heard her sing Ulrica's aria, Tu Che Le Vanita, Azucena's arias, and La Luce Langue. Every aria is a highlight and testament to Bumbry, but the two Trovatore arias in particular are spellbinding. To give you an idea, she outclasses several times over Fiorenza Cossotto, who gave a lazy interpretation on the classic Price/Domingo recording.

Brava, Grace.

Gorgeous And Passionate: The Art of Grace.......2005-07-23

This pink box set issued by Deutsche Grammophone recently showcases fantastic arias from diverse repertoire sung by Grace Bumbry in three cd's. It's a must have for fans of Grace Bumbry and perhaps even mezzo-soprano students who wish to emulate her technique and transition to soprano. The sketch of her on the cover is lovely. The booklet inside features liner notes on Grace Bumbry's career, pictures of her great roles and track listings. Deutsche Grammophone has outdone themselves yet again and I'm very appreciative of their magnificent work as classical music and opera recording manufacturers. I hope they re-issue and digitally remaster some great old LP recordings that many of the older opera lovers fondly remember - the Norma sung by Beverly Sills and Shirley Verrett as conducted by James Levine for instance. Grace Bumbry rose to fame around the time of Leontyne Price's debut at the Met as Leonora in Trovatore. But Bumbry, a mezzo-soprano, did something that made history- she sang Venus in Wagner's Tannhauser in Bayreuth, breaking the age-old color line in that very theater where Wagner conducted. She would go on to enjoy success as the grand ladies of the mezzo-soprano field - Carmen, Amneris in Aida, Eboli in Don Carlo, Azucena in Trovatore, and would eventually take on the soprano roles of Elisabeth Valois in Don Carlo, Elisabeth in Tannhauser,Lady Macbeth, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Salome, Aida, Tosca and Norma. Too bad we don't get all the greater stuff from later in her career on this recording. It would make for a fine tribute album. Instead we are treated to her younger days and earliest recordings. And what a beautiful and powerful sound she has in these recordings!

The earliest documented recording of Grace Bumbry's voice was in 1958 in Salt Lake City, which was originally released as LP's in the Westminster label. Grace Bumbry sings the contralto parts of such Handel oratorios as Judas Maccabeus, Irael in Egypt and the more famous Messiah - absolutely majestic, noble interpretations. Following this are two arias from Gluck's Orfeo, in which she sings a moving Orfeo with pure lyric splendor and warmth. Santuzza in Cavelleria Rusticana is normally assigned to sopranos but La Bumbry shows what mezzos are made of is just as impressive in her rendition of "Voi Lo Sapete, Mama." In the role of Carmen, Grace Bumbry is perfect, perfect. I have her full-length recording of Carmen opposite Jon Vickers' Don Jose. As Carmen, she is into the character's liberal nature, flirty and wickedly playful side. Here we here the Habanera, Segudilla and the more grave-sounding Death Card Aria. As Delilah from Samson et Delilah, she is sensuous and glorious to hear. Gounod's Sappho's final scene in which she leaps from a cliff is dramatic and melancholically interpreted. As Joan of Arc from the Tchaikovsky opera she is beautifully moving and even saintly. CD 1 ends with fiery Spanish songs from Falla's El Amor Brujo which are an incredible and not to mention rare treat.

Grace Bumbry sings Ulrica's aria "Re Del Abbiso" from Un Ballo In Maschera with aplomb, with such passion and bravura that even her predecessor Marian Anderson- who opened the doors for all black sopranos that came later- applaud. As Eboli, she is highly dramatic and complex. The signature aria "O Don Fatale" was one she always sang in audition and was her "good luck" aria because she always got the part after singing it. Upon hearing it one knows exactly why. As Princess Elisabeth Valois in Don Carlo, she is regal and melancholy and the challenging aria "Tu che la vanita" proves easy for her to handle. "Stride La Vampa" is here, Azucena's famous aria and Bumbry does justice to it. She does justice to Aida as well, though Leontyne Price is forever embedded in opera lover's memory as the ultimate Aida, but Bumbry is beautiful and dramatic to hear, and especially noteworthy because she sang both Amneris and Aida so knew both parts very well. Lady Macbeth's arias "Vieni T'affreta" and Sleepwalking Scene is here, sung gloriously with flair. She was singing the heavy part of Lady Macbeth in 1964, even as she was still taking on mezzo roles like Carmen!! Further, we hear the live event of her career- the one role that began it all- Venus in Wagner's Tannhauser, hear singing opposite tenor Wolfgang Windgassen. The final cd contains gorgeous Lieder she must have graced recitals with - Brahms, Schubert, Liszt, Wolf and Strauss. Each Lieder is a bright jewel in a divine chain when sung by the incomparable Grace Bumbry.

Fans of Grace Bumbry -Buy this album!!!

Bumbry At Her Best: An Amazing Collection.......2005-06-13

I am so proud to be the first critic to submit a review for this outstanding Deutsche Grammophone album: Grace Bumbry- Early Recordings. Fans of the diva will not want to be without this brilliant 3-cd box set, containing juicy, virtuosic arias for mezzo soprano as well as dramatic soprano that capture Grace Bumbry at her youngest. The career of Grace Bumbry was an impressive and lengthy affair. She started off singing the dramatic mezzo soprano roles in the grand tradition- Azucena from Verdi's Trovatore, Princess Eboli in Don Carlo, Amneris in Aida, Carmen (naturally) and then she transitioned into soprano territory when she astonished the world by singing the diva roles of Aida, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Lady Macbeth, Elisabeth in Don Carlo, Norma and even Strauss Salome, said to be an incredible performance but lamentably never recorded or taped. Her career lasted for several years throughout the 60's, 70's and 80's. She gained world recognition in the opera scene when she broke the "color" barrier at Bayreuth, Germany, which had hitherto accepted only Aryan-German or European white singers because of Wagner's rabid Supremacist sentiments. She sang Venus in Tannhauser (in the dramatic soprano interpretation rather than the mezzo) and she became a legend. That was back in August of 1962. That moment is captured on the last two tracks of CD 2.

The first recordings are from December of 1957, recorded in Salt Lake City, Utah, under the baton of Maurice Abravanel, originally from the Westminster LP label. The opening arias here are excerpts from Handel's oratorios - Judas Maccabeus and the more famous Messiah. Her deep, rich, warm mezzo voice perfectly embodies the Handelian contralto voice, as evidenced in "Their land brought frogs" in "Israel in Egypt" and in "He Was Despised" from the Messiah, which was conducted by Sir Adrian Boult in London. The rest includes two arias from Gluck's masterpiece Orfeo. Bumbry sings in a regal manner, with a divine voice that further re-inforced her Baroque/Gluck style at this time. I have never heard Che Faro Sensa Eurydice sang with such beauty and passion. The first cd for me, the best example and outpouring of her mezzo soprano repertoire. Here we find what I consider her greatest role- Carmen. At this time, Shirley Verrett, another successful black singer, was the most sought after Carmen in opera houses. But Grace Bumbry, for me, is and always will be Carmen. I first heard the voice of Bumbry on the EMI recording of Carmen she sang opposite Jon Vickers and Mirella Freni. Karajan conducted her in a fine Carmen in the Salzburg Festival. As Carmen, she's playful, liberated, subtle, wickedly funny, strong and dramatic and even a bit cynical and tragic. She colors her voice and character to make Carmen a character that most encompassed the originality of Bizet's intention. The Habanera, Seguidilla and the Card Song, which is Bumbry at her best mezzo voice. She sings the scene, in which Carmen reads her own impending death in the tarot card, with such gravitas and nobility and resignation to her fate with the greatest prowess of voice and acting ability. The rest of the second cd features the arias "O Ma Lyre Immortale" a brilliant vocal feat from the opera Sappho by Charles Gounod, a rarely staged opera today - and the aria Mon Coeur from Saint Saens Samson and Delilah. The role of Joan of Arc from the Tchaikovsky opera is another rare jewel and here she sings so wonderfully that one wishes this opera was revived today. The cd concludes with masterful Spanish bravura in Fallas' Amor Brujo.

The second cd documents her rise to soprano heaven. She is able to reach up from her mezzo earth to the strata of soprano dramatic power. Though even as a soprano Bumbry still sang the mezzo roles of Ulrica from Un Ballo and her prized Eboli. Her "O Don Fatale" captured here at its earliest, is simply the best without question. Tracks 7-9 is the infamous Sleepwalking Scene from Verdi's Macbeth. As Lady Macbeth, she is icy, "mad" and very dramatic without delving into the hysteria that other mezzos, most famously Fiorenza Cossotto, would do. She may be "mad" or sleepwalking but she is still the Queen. The last cd are gorgeous, elegant and virtuosic Lieder songs from Schubert, Brahms, Liszt and Strauss.

The best album of Grace Bumbry to be re-issued!! I'll cherish this album for years. Thank you Amazon.com and Deutsche Grammophone. Now please keep re-issuing lost and rare recordings and continue to amaze us the opera lovers.

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Dwell Records Presents 17 tracks in Tribute To Mercyful Fate: FEATURING Equinox, Soilwork, Deceased, Memory Garden, Acheron, Morta Skuld, Burning Inside, Dan Swano, Hemisfear, Vital Remains, Varathron, Mystic Force, Psycho Scream, Eternal Autumn, Doomstone, Necrophagia, T.A.R. Gypsy - Equinox / Egypt - Soilwork , Doomed By The Living Dead - Deceased / Nightmare Be Thy Name - Memory Garden , Room Of Golden Air - Acheron / Desecration Of Souls - Morta Skuld , Evil - Burning Inside / Melissa - Dan Swano , Black Funeral - Hemisfear / To One Far Away/Come To The Sabbath - Vital Remains , Nuns Have No Fun - Varathron / Curse Of The Pharaohs - Mystic Force , A Dangerous Meeting - Psycho Scream / Return Of The Vampire - Eternal Autumn , At The Sound Of The Demon Bell - Doomstone / Devil Eyes - Necrophagia , and Torture - T.A.R. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000QHJKNK

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