Romantic Interludes

1. Valley Oaks

2. Celtic Highlands

3. Blue Northern

4. Tellurian Rhapsody

5. Ghost Mountain

6. Blue Valentine

7. Ondine's Dream

8. Caravanserai

9. Camelot

Romantic Interludes,Spencer Brewer,Narada,Adult Alternative,Crossover Jazz,Jazz Music,New Age / Meditation

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Average customer rating: Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material! Beginner or Expert Very Informative and Enjoyable Frank's view Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra

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Tracks:

1. Overture To 'Tannhauser'
2. Domna, Pos Vos Ay Chausida
3. We Don't Merely Use Instruments, We Play On Them. And They Play On Us.
4. Hungarian Dance No.7
5. The Violin Is One Of The Most Tender And Beautiful Instruments Ever Invented.
6. Violin Concerto In D Major (Adagio)
7. But For A Long Time It Was Seen As The Instrument Of The Devil.
8. The Soldier's Tale: Triumphal March Of The Devil
9. The Manipulative Seductiveness Of The Gypsy Violin.
10. Csardas Music
11. The Violin And The Initiation Of Nature
12. The Four Seasons (Spring, Mvt 1)
13. Birds Are Again Evoked In The Second Concerto, Especially Music's Natural Favourite.
14. The Four Seasons (Summer, Mvt 1)
15. Like The Devil, The Violin Is A Master Of Disguise.
16. Old Viennese Dance No.3 'Schon Rosmarin'
17. The Menacing Sensuality Of Ravel's Tzigane: A Very Different Side Of The Violin:
18. Tzigane
19. Do We Now Have The True Measure Of This Instrument? Not Just Yet.
20. Caprice No.24
21. The Many Effects Of The String Tremolando: Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (Last Mvt)/From Joy To Fright/Quartettsatz In C Minor/The String Tremolo Practically Spells The World Agitato.
22. Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No.7)
23. Prokofiev's Tremolo In Romeo And Juliet Should Not Be Heard Just Before Bedtime.
24. Romeo And Juliet: Act IV
25. Vivaldi Use It To Illustrate The Shivering Of Travellers Crossing The Ice.
26. The Four Seasons (Winter, Mvt 1)
27. The Violin Muted
28. Clair De Lune
29. The Gentleness Of Muted Strings Persists Even When A Whole Orchestra Plays.
30. Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 (Slow Mvt)
31. The Pizzicato Violin
32. Pizzicato Polka
33. In Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, The Accompaniment Is Pizzicato.
34. Violin Concerto No.2 In G Minor (Slow Mvt)
35. Varieties Of Pizzicato: Colas Breugnon (The People's Feast)/Now A Drier, Leaner, Hungrier Pizzicato. There's Not A Lot Of Comfort Here./Capriol Suite (Tordion)/The Use Of Pizzicato As 'Percussion'/Romeo And Juliet (Act I)/Mahler Used Pizzicato...
36. The Planets (Mars - The Bringer Of War)
37. The Technique Of Double-Stopping Enables The Violin To Play Duets With Itself./Sonata No.3 In C Major For Unaccompanied Violin (Fugue)/Now A Later Example Of The Same Technique
38. Hungarian Dance No.4
39. Double-Stopping Is A Standard Feature Of A Lot Of Folk Music.
40. The Four Seasons (Autumn, Mvt 1)
41. Now The Same Technique, But The Sound Might Have Come From Another World.
42. Bolero
43. Double-Stopping Can Only Approximate The Sound Of A Real Violin Duet.
44. Cadenza To The Violin Concerto By Brahms
45. Now Compare That With A Real Violin Duet.
46. Forty-Four Duos (No. 1: Teasing Song)
47. Another Duo By Bartok, Demonstrating The Violin's Rich Lower Register
48. Forty-Four Duos (No.2: Maypole Dance)
49. And Now What May Be The Most Beautiful Accompanied Violin Duet In History
50. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
51. The Soul Of The Violin Is In Song; But What About This Weird Passage?
52. Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major (Mvt 2)
53. The Use Of Harmonies In The Orchestra Can Be Both Magical And Unsettling.
54. Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 1, Opening)
55. Tchaikovsky's Use Of Harmonics In The Sleeping Beauty Is Both Strange And Darling.
56. The Sleeping Beauty (Act II, No.15: Entr'Acte)
57. Ravel's Harmonics In Mother Goose Effect A Magical Transformation.
58. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
59. Stravinsky's Harmonics In The Firebird Transport Us Almost Into Another World./The Firebird (Introduction)
60. The Natural Upper Notes Of The Violins Have A Unique Emotional 'Grab'.
61. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Of The Afterworldsmen)
62. Still In Their Upper Register, The Violins Unleash The Energy Of A Young Colt.
63. Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No. 4)
64. Elsewhere, Britten Uses The Same High Register To Create A Very Different Mood.
65. Four Sea Interludes (Dawn) From 'Peter Grimes'
66. To End This Outing With The Violins, A Charming Little Elfin Dance
67. Elfenreigen

Tracks:

1. Introduction To The Viola
2. Viola Concerto (Mvt 1)
3. Khatchaturian Gets A Very Different Sound From It: Fuller, Fruitier, More Exotic.
4. Gayane Suite No.1 (Armen's Solo)
5. Very Nearly The Whole Of The Violin's Upper Register Is Also Available To The Viola.
6. Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'
7. The Viola Can Bring A Special, Rich Twanginess To Pizzicato That The Violins Lack./Don Quixote/Berlioz Drew Sounds From It That Retain Their Metallic Strangeness Even Today.
8. Harold In Italy (Mvt 4)
9. The Muted Viola: Intimate, Gentle, Poignant In Dvork
10. Cypresses (No.9)
11. The Massed Violas Of The Modern Symphony Orchestra In Mahler
12. Symphony No.4 (Mvt 3)
13. The 'Period' Viola In Bach
14. Brandenburg Concerto No.6 (Last Mvt)
15. The Cello: A Voice Of Unique Nobility
16. Suite No.1 For Unaccompanied Cello (Prelude)
17. Brahms And The 'Soul' Of The Cello
18. Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat Major (Mvt 3)
19. Most Orchestral Composers Tend To Emphasize The Cello's Lower Register.
20. Cantata 'Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben', BWV 147 (Soprana Aria: Bereite Dir, Jesu)
21. In The Time Of Beethoven The Cello Remained As Fundamental As Ever.
22. Symphony No.3 'Eroica' (Finale)
23. But The Cello Is Not Condemned To Spend Its Life In The Basement.
24. Elfentanz, Op.39
25. Not Only In Recital Showpieces Like That Is The Cello Is Used In Its Highest Register.
26. The Protecting Veil (Opening)
27. A Cello With An Identity-Crisis: The Pizzicato Flamencan
28. Flamenco
29. Double-Stopping In The Lower Reaches Of The Cello's Range
30. Solo Suiet For Cello And Piano (Sardana)
31. It's In The Middle Register That The Cello Really Comes Into Its Own.
32. Oriental Dance, Op.2 No.2
33. It Was To The Cellos That Beethoven Gave Two Of His Most Famous Themes./Symphony No.5 (Mvt 2)/Still More Famous Than That Theme Is This One From The Ninth Symphony.
34. Symphony No.9 (Finale)
35. Introduction To The Double-Bass
36. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Elephant)
37. But The Double-Bass Can Be Intensely Expressive And Graceful.
38. Elegy No.1 In D Major
39. The Range Of The Double-Bass Is The Greatest Of All The String Instruments/Allegro Di Concerto, 'Alla Mendelssohn'/And It's Also Capable Of Very Considerable Virtuosity.
40. Capriccio Di Bravura
41. Double-Bass Solos In Orchestral Scores Are Rare But Often Memorable./Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 3)/In His Third Symphony Mahler Makes A Very Different Use Of The Instrument./Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1)
42. The Double-Bass Muted In Prokofiev/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Kije's Wedding)/In Another Work Prokofiev Uses The Double-Bass To Enhance The Winds./Romeo And Juliet (Act III)/And He Combines The Bass Clarinet With A Shivering Tremolo From The Double-Basses....
43. Symphony No.5 (Mvt 3)/So Much For The Strings/On Now To The Winds

Tracks:

1. The Antiquity And Magic Of The Flute
2. Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune
3. The Versatility And Agility Of The Flute
4. Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor (Badinerie)
5. The Flute In Fifteenth-Century Spain
6. Sa'Dawi
7. Other Flutes: The Bass And Alto
8. Chamber Music No.II
9. The Piccolo - Aptly Named
10. La Naissance D'Osiris (Mvt 6)
11. From A Piccolo Of The Eighteenth Century To One Of Its Descendants In The Twentieth
12. Suite No.1 For Small Orchestra (Valse)
13. A Variety Of Techniques
14. Chamber Music No.II
15. Flutter-Tonguing. But Tchaikovsky Got There Eighty Years Before.
16. The Nutcracker (Act II, No.2: Scene)
17. From The Transverse To The Vertical: The Baroque Recorder
18. Recorded Suite In A Minor (Menuet II)
19. An Unfamiliar, Early Vision Of The Instrument
20. Naelden, Naelden
21. The Bachian Oboe
22. Cantata 'Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott', BWV 80 (No.7: Duetto)
23. Introduction To The Cor Anglais Or 'English Born'
24. Symphony No.9 'From The New World' (Mvt 2)
25. The Loneliness Of The Cor Anglais
26. The Swan Of Tuonela
27. The Cor Anglais Joins The French Horn In Haydn.
28. Symphony No.22 'The Philosopher' (Opening)
29. Introduction To The Oboe D'Amore, Beloved Of Bach - But Also Of Ravel
30. Bolero
31. The Clarinet Family: Boxing The Compass, From The Depths Of The Bass Clarinet.../The Egyptian (Violence)/...To The Raucous And Squealy.../Taras Bulba (The Death Of Ostap)/...To The Shrill And Complaining...
32. Petrushka (No.8: Peasant With Bear)/...To The High Sprits Of A Playful Puppy./Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)/And To The Downright Jazzy/Romeo And Juliet (Act II)
33. As The High Clarinets Tend To Be Loud, So The Bass Tends To Be Soft:
34. Gayane Suite No. 1 (Mvt 5)
35. The Bass Clarinet Is Used By Most Composers Mainly As A Colouring Agent.../Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/...But It Does Occasionally Get A Whole Tune To Itself./Iberia (Almeria).
36. The Range Of The Normal Clarinet Parts Goes Quite High...
37. The Snow Maiden (Scene 5: Melodrama)
38. ...And Quite Low.
39. Peter And The Wolf (The Cat)
40. The Clarinet As Concerto Soloist
41. Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
42. But That's Not The Instrument Mozart Wrote It For; This Is:
43. Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
44. Introduction To The Saxophone
45. Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 4)
46. The Soprano Saxophone Has Quite A Different Feel To It.
47. L'Arlesienne Suite No.1 (Minuet)
48. The Little Sopranino Sax Goes Even Higher.
49. Bolero
50. The Most Famous Use Of The Saxophone Is In An Orchestration By Ravel.
51. Pictures At An Exhibition (The Old Castle)
52. The Saxophone Can Be Quite Contagiously Good-Humoured.
53. Sax-O-Phun
54. The Puffa-Puffa Image Of The Bassoon
55. Peter And The Wolf (Grandfather)
56. The Bachian Bassoon, In Accompanimental Mode
57. Cantata 'Weichet Nur, Betrubte Schatten' ('Wedding Cantata'), BWV 202 (Aria No.1)
58. Bizet Leaves The Puffa-Puffa Image Out, Allowing The Bassoon To Sing./Carmen Suite No.1 (Les Dragons D'Alcala)
59. And Ravel, Also In Spanish Mode, Does Likewise.
60. Bolero
61. The Bassoon As A Voice Of High Seriousness, Indeed Desolate Loneliness
62. Symphony No.3 (Opening)
63. The Eerie Bassoon In Its Highest Register
64. The Rite Of Spring (Opening)
65. Stravinsky Now Draws On Its Lowest Register, Lonely And Melancholy.
66. The Firebird Suite (1919, Berceuse)
67. The Bassoon As Concerto Soloist, Avoiding All Exaggeration
68. Bassoon Concerto In G Minor (Finale)
69. The Deep-Voiced Contra-Bassoon, As A Fairy-Tale Beast
70. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
71. The French Horn Under Its Woodwind Hat
72. Wind Quintet, Op.43 (Last Mvt)
73. Now A More Prominent Role, In A Woodwind Quintet From An Earlier Era
74. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Mvt 2)
75. The Horn In Harmonious Blend With Strings In Another Quintet
76. Horn Quintet, K.407 (Finale)

Tracks:

1. The Trumpet As Virtuoso Soloist
2. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Last Mvt)
3. The Special Brillance Of Paired Trumpets
4. Concerto In C For Two Trumpets, RV537 (Mvt 1)
5. The Ceremonial Trumpet
6. Fanfare For The Common Man
7. Trumpets And Drums - An Incomparable Alliance
8. Messiah (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
9. The Versatility Of The Trumpet, From The Most Public To The Most Lonely
10. Piano Concerto In F (Slow Mvt)
11. The Trumpet As The Voice Of The City/An American In Paris/The Trumpet As Recruitment Officer/The Soldier's Tale (The March)/The Trumpet As Swaggerer
12. Carmen Suite No.2 (Habanera)
13. The Trumpet As The Voice Of Strength And Courage
14. Carmet Suite No.2 (Toreador's Song)
15. The Trumpet Muted/Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Opening)/The Trumpet As The Voice Of Weariness
16. Billy The Kid
17. The Trumpet As Character Actor
18. Pictures At An Exhibition (No.6)
19. The Trumpet As The Voice Of God
20. Mass In B Minor ('Et Exspecto')
21. The Birth Of The Trombone
22. Aenmerckt Nu Hier
23. The Birth Of The Brass As A Family
24. Canzon 12 In Double Echo
25. The Trombone In The Eighteenth Century
26. Trombone Concerto In B Flat Major (Finale)
27. The Tone Of The Tenor Trombone/Romance For Trombone And Organ/The Memorable Voice Of The Bass Trombone/Requiem (Mvt 2)/But The Bass Trombone Is More Than An Instrumental Bullfrog.
28. Hosannah
29. The Trombones Become Part Of The Orchestra.
30. Symphony No.5 (Finale)
31. The Wagnerian Trombone:/Overture To 'Tannhauser'
32. The Trombone As Caricaturist
33. Pulcinella (No.19: Vivo)
34. The Trombone As Raspberry/Concerto For Orchestra (Intermezzo)
35. The Horn And The Hunt
36. Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495 (Finale)
37. The Challenging Horn Of The Baroque
38. Abaris Ou Les Boreades (Menuet)
39. The Scarcity Of First-Rate Players In Handel's Time
40. Walter Music (Minuet 1)
41. The Horn As Magician/The Firebird Suite (1919, Finale)
42. Horns And The Sound Of Nobility
43. Overture To 'Tannhauser' (Opening)
44. The Special Sound Of The Horn In Its Higher Register
45. Mass In B Minor ('Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus')
46. The Trumpet-Like Sound Of Massed Horns
47. Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1, Opening)
48. The Tuba - Unfairly Maligned?
49. Symphony No.6 (Mvt 3)
50. The Tuba Perfectly Cast By Ravel
51. Pictures At An Exhibition (Bydlo)

Tracks:

1. Introduction. And We Begin With A Bang.
2. Fanfare For The Common Man/The Bass Drum On The Battlefields/Wellington's Victory, Op.91 (Opening)
3. At The Opposite Extreme Is The Triangle.
4. Piano Concerto No.1 In E Flat (Scherzo)
5. Categories Of Percussion: Tuned And Untuned. The Side Drum
6. Overture To 'La Gazza Ladra' - The Thieving Magpie (Opening)
7. The Side Drum In An Effective But Unexpected Role/Clarinet Concerto (Mvt 1)
8. The Tambourine. One Of The Oldest Instruments In The World
9. Den Hoboecken Dans
10. Even Older Is The Originally Oriental Gong.
11. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
12. No Single Instrument Can Match The Gong In Evoking The Breaking Of Waves./Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'/But Gongs Don't Have To Be Struck To Be Effective.
13. Gymnopedie No.2
14. The Cymbals Are Generally Discovered Early In Life./The Sanguine Fan/And They Do More Than Clash Together Loudly. They Can Be Clashed Together Softly./Studio Example: But They Needn't Be Clashed Together At All/Studio Example: They Can Be Lightly...
15. Other Untuned Percussion Instruments Include The Whip.: Piano Concerto In G Major (Opening)/And Here Are No Fewer Than Twenty, Cracked By Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Act I, Scene 5)
16. More Versatile Than The Whip Are The Wood Blocks.../Studio Example/...Which Crop Up All Over The Place In Twentieth-Century American Music.
17. Rodeo (Hoe-Down)
18. Related To The Wood Blocks, By Sound, Are The Castanets./Jota Aragonesa/But The Castanets Were Also Used By Monteverdi Back In The Seventeenth Century.
19. Scherzi Musicali (Damigella Tutta Belle)
20. A Still Earlier Example From Fifteenth-Century Spain
21. Yo M'Enamori D'Un Aire
22. The Birth Of The Bongo
23. Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story'
24. From The Streets Of New York To The Blacksmith's Shop/Il Trovatore ('Anvil Chorus')
25. Desert-Island Decibels: Grand Canyon Suite (On The Trail)/Arcana
26. From One Vegetable To Another: The Humble Squash, Or Marrow/Huapango
27. Onwards To The Tuned Percussion. First, The Timpani
28. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Introduction)
29. But The Drum Roll Can Be More Effectively Frightening Than The Big Bang.: Symphony No.2 'Resurrection' (Mvt 3)
30. Not One Drum Roll, But Many/Grand Canyon Suite (Sunrise)/Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)
31. Taking Advantage Of Tunability
32. Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Mvt 2)
33. The Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Takes A Downward Turn./Carmen Suite (Changing Of The Guard)/Tuned, Yes; But For The Truly Melodic We Must Look Elsewhere.
34. Introducing The Glockenspiel/Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
35. Saint-Saens And The Xylophone
36. The Carnival Of The Animals (Fossils)
37. Ravel And The Xylophone
38. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
39. Introducing The Marimba/Carmen Suite (First Intermezzo)
40. Introducing The Vibraphone
41. The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Narange Dolce)
42. The Vibraphone Goes Russian.../Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)/...And Is Joined By The Marimba./Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
43. Introducing The Hungarian Cimbalom
44. Folk Dances
45. The Cimbalom And The Symphony Orchestra
46. Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 3)
47. Introducing The Tubular Bells
48. Hary Janos Suite (Viennese Musical Clock)
49. A More 'Up-Front' Approach From Rodion Shchedrin
50. Carmen Suite (Introduction)
51. But The Bells Can Also Make The Sinister Even More Sinister./Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
52. Introducing The Celeste
53. The Nutcracker (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy)
54. Magic, In The Use Of Collective Percussion
55. Miroirs (La Vallee Des Cloches)
56. Plucked Instruments: The 'Undercover Percussion'/Carmen Suite (Scene)
57. A Prime Case In Point Is The Harp, Irresistible To The Romantics./The Nutcracker (Act II, No.1: Scene)/The Non-Solo Harp As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Hungarian Rhapsody No.1
58. The Traditionally Subservient Role Of The Harpsichord In The Baroque Orchestra
59. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Slow Mvt)
60. The Piano: King Of The Tuned Percussion/Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Mvt 3)/And A Quarter Of A Century After That:
61. Petrushka (Russian Dance)
62. The Anti-Romantic Piano As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra
63. Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Last Mvt)

Tracks:

1. Keyboard Instruments In The Orchestra - The Most Powerful Of Them All:
2. Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Finale)
3. But Things In Handel's Day Were Very Different.
4. Organ Concerto In B Flat, Op.4 No.3 (Last Mvt)
5. The Organ Is Difficult To Classify.
6. An Unexpected, Organ-related Guest
7. Concerto Pour Zampogna (Last Mvt)
8. Peasant-Fancying... And A Touch Of The Roaming Cowboy
9. Les Miserables (Drink With Me)
10. Outside Artefacts And The Power Of Association
11. Mahler's Sleighbells
12. Symphony No.4 (Opening)
13. A Roll-Call Of Some Unusual Guests/The Typewriter/Parade
14. Chains, And More/Integrales/An American In Paris/Sandpaper Ballet
15. Purpose-Built Oddities: Wind Machines/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Opening)
16. Don Quixote (Variation VIII)
17. National Calling Cards: The Guitar For Spain/Concierto De Aranjuez (Finale)
18. And The Guitar's Poor American Relative, The Banjo/Washington Breakdown
19. And Poorer Still, The Mouth Organ/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Packing Up)
20. The Balalaika For Russia/Romeo And Juliet (Act II: No.14)
21. The Maracas For Mexico/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (El Desayuno)
22. The Bongos And Congas And A Whole Wealth Of Other Drums For Africa And Central America/Studio Example
23. The Sitar Of India/Evening Raga: Bhapoli
24. The Accordion For France (Especially Paris)/Paris Canaille
25. The Zither For Vienna/The Third Man (Theme)
26. The Cimbalom For Hungary/Folk Dances
27. The Guitar As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Rondena
28. There Are Whole Orchestras Of Balalaikas./Sveit Mesiats
29. The Effect Of The Wordless Human Voice, Used Purely As An Instrument/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
30. Nocturnes
31. Instruments And the Imitation Of Nature. The Clarinet As Cuckoo
32. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Cuckoo)
33. The Flute As An All-purpose Aviary
34. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aviary)
35. The Oboe As Duck
36. Peter And The Wolf (The Duck)
37. The Recording Of Reality. Does It Work As Well?
38. The Pines Of Rome (The Pines Of The Janiculum)
39. The Recording Of Reality Electronically Reborn In New Guises
40. Cantus Articus - Concerto For Birds And Orchesra (Mvt 2)
41. Beethoven Turns Avian: Cuckoo, Nightingale, And Quail
42. Symphony No.6 'Pastoral' (Andante Molto Mosso)
43. Some Improbable Casting: The Violin As Braying Donkey
44. The Carnival Of The Animals (Persons With Long Ears)
45. A Truly Orchestral Hee-haw To Be Reckoned With
46. Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
47. A Thunderstorm In A Million
48. Symphony No.6 'Pastoral (Allegro-Allegretto)
49. the Instrumental Depiction Of A Silent World
50. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aquarium)
51. Saint-Saens' Menagerie Takes A Curtain Call.
52. The Carnival Of The Animals (Finale)

Tracks:

1. The Grouping Of Instrumental Families. An Additive Approach. First, Two Violins
2. Forty-Four Duos (No.4)
3. A Great Contrast, Of Both Pitch And Character: Violin And Viola
4. Duo For Violin And Viola In B Flat Major, K.424 (Finale, Vars 1 & 2)/Studio Example
5. Arrival Of The Standard String Trio: Violin, Viola, And Cello
6. String Trio In B Flat (Menuetto)
7. The String Quartet: Two Violins, Viola, And Cello
8. String Quartet In F, Op.18 No.1 (Mvt 3)
9. The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Viola
10. String Quartet No.5 In D, K.593 (Adagio)
11. The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Cello
12. String Quintet In C (Mvt 3)
13. The String Sextet: Two Violins, Two Violas, And Two Cellos
14. String Sextet In B Flat (Mvt 2)
15. The String Octet: The Standard String Quaret Times Two
16. Octet In E Flat, Op.20 (Mvt 1)
17. Double The String Octet: A Fully Fledged String Orchestra
18. String Symphony No.2 (Finale)
19. The Massed Strings Of A Symphony Orchestra
20. Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis
21. Contrasts Of Pitch And Instrumental 'Colour' In The Woodwind Section
22. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Theme)
23. In The First Variation It's The Horn That Gets The Lion's Share.
24. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 1
25. In Variation Two The Torch Is Handed To The Bassoon.
26. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 2
27. In Variation Three The Oboe Leads.
28. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 3
29. Variation Four: Conversation Before Returning To A Solo-dominated Texture
30. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 4
31. And Variation Five is Dominated By The Clarinet.
32. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 5
33. The Next To Be Featured Is The Virtuoso Flute.
34. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 6
35. Individual Farewells And A Closing Chorus
36. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 7
37. A Mixed Group: Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, String Quartet, And Double-Bass
38. Octet In F (Mvt 3)
39. The Early Classical Symphony Orchestra Of Haydn And Mozart
40. Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Finale)
41. Strings, Wind, But No Brass. What Haydn And Mozart Never Knew
42. Canzon 28
43. Beethoven's Fifth: Two Horns, Two Trumpets, And Three Trombones Join The Team.
44. Symphony No.5 (Finale)
45. From Beethoven To The Massive Orchestras Of Berlioz, Wagner, And Mahler
46. Beethoven Changed The Face Of The Symphony And The Orchestra Forever
47. Symphoy No.6 'Tragic' (Mvt 1)
48. The Cult Of Orchestral Elephantiasis Reaches Its Peak.
49. Symphony No.1 'Gothic' (VI: Te Ergo Quaesumus)
50. When Large Doesn't Necessarily Mean Loud: Debussy
51. Images (Gigues)
52. A Crisis Of Confidence; The Orchestra's Survival Hangs In The Balance, But It Still Develops. The Ondes Martenot:
53. Turangalila Symphony (Chant D'amour 1)
54. The Advent Of The 'Early Music' Movement Brings A New Vitality And Freshness.
55. Balle De Xerxes (Gavotte En Rondeau)
56. Computer And Synthesiser: Friends Or Foes?
57. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
58. A Speculative Look Ahead/Mass In B Minor ('Dona Nobis Pacem')

Customer Reviews:

Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!.......2007-04-04

This set lends itself to greatly enhancing one's knowledge of the orchestra, instruments in it, and their usage. I am a huge music buff, and I still picked up a great deal I previously did not know. I highly recommend this for all who wish to understand the origin of music, as well as the processes that are employed to create music!

Beginner or Expert.......2007-03-12

This CD is excellent for the beginner or expert! To be able to haear the instrumets separately and then together really provides a good education. and/or refresher. The book thaty comes with the CD is alomost worth the price by itself!

Very Informative and Enjoyable.......2006-11-20

Whether you're a music novice or pro, "The instruments of the Orchestra" is a very worthwhile purchase. The 7 CDs, with a total of 8 hours, are expertly narrated by Jeremy Siepmann. He's a great speaker, very much like the late Leonard Bernstein was. Mr. Siepmann takes you on an unforgetable musical journey covering the origins and use of the various orchestral instruments throughout musical history. The balance between his narration and a wealth of musical examples, which range from snippets to entire movements, is superb. The comprehensive enclosed booklet is excellent and faithfully follows the 7 CDs in content. Even with my 40+ years of music training I still learned new things from this wonderful collection. Considering the excellence of the content, and a cost that translates to about $5 per disc, this collection is a great value. Grab it, you won't regret that you did. Five solid stars!

Frank's view.......2006-08-19

This boxed set of CD's with booklet achieved all I had hoped that it would. There are good samples of individual instruments and well done commentary on each. The only drawback was that some of the samples were too brief and could have been longer, hoiwever I guess this fits in with time constraints of the medium. It has given me a lot of clues as to future purchases of CD's for listening to individual instruments. Altogeth a satisfactory purchase and a welcome addition to my collection.

Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra.......2003-11-08

I've listened to classical music for years and am interested in composition. I bought this CD set to learn how an orchestra and its instruments work. I thought the CDs would be a nice but boring lecture. They aren't! Not only are they FUN but they are informative as well. I learned a huge amount from each CD and couldn't wait to listen to the next one.

The narrator and writer is a great speaker and holds your attention well. He is definitely knowledgeable. He provides musical examples for each point he makes, so you get to "hear" what he just talked about. I'd say the CDs are about 65% music and 35% narration. You'll learn about the range of instruments, some history, different ways to play them, how they sound, and how they are used in the orchestra. This CD set was a great learning experience and is sold at such a low price!

I recommend this CD for those who want to learn about classical music and those who know about it but are interested in learning more about the inner workings of an orchestra. You'll learn much useful information. For instance, the Rite of Spring (with that eerie start) is written for bassoon! I never knew a bassoon could sound like that but now I do.

The one complaint I have is the last CD. This deals with the orchestra. I wanted more of a tour of how the orchestra has been used through history up to the present. Instead, it was a tour of how different groups of instruments sound. I thought it could have been better. The other 6 CDs are excellent.

Average customer rating: Bernstein steps into the pantheon No more stars to give 5 stars for Beethoven; 0 stars for Britten. WORTH IT BUY IT there will never be another Leonard Bernstein Leonard Bernstein: The Final Concert

Bernstein: The Final Concert Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Ode to Freedom: Bernstein Conducts Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Berlin Beethoven: String Quartets Op 131 & 135 / Bernstein Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 in E minor/Fantasy Overture "Romeo and Juliet" Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 7 Bernstein Century - Copland: Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, etc / Bernstein, New York PO ASIN: B000001GEY Release Date: 1992-08-18

Tracks:

1. Peter Grimes Op.33: I - Dawn - Lento e tranquillo
2. Peter Grimes Op.33: II - Sunday Morning - Allegro spiritoso
3. Peter Grimes Op.33: III - Moonlight - Andante comodo e rubato
4. Peter Grimes Op.33: IV - Storm - Presto con fuoco
5. Symphony No.7 In A Major, Op.92: 1. Poco sostenuto - Vivace
6. Symphony No.7 In A Major, Op.92: 2 - Allegretto
7. Symphony No.7 In A Major, Op.92: 3 - Presto
8. Symphony No.7 In A Major, Op.92: 4 - Allegro con brio

Customer Reviews:

Bernstein steps into the pantheon.......2005-09-18

Like one of the earlier reviewers, I bought this CD as a memorial and expected the performances to sound as frail as Bernstein looks on the cover. It's a tragedy that emphysema and a lifetime of smoking could cause such deterioration in someone just past seventy. But musically this is first-rate Bernstein, somewhat slow in the Beethoven, but no more so than Klemperer and with much better playing from the BSO than Klemperer ever got from the Philharmonia. Nothing in even the slowest passages is ponderous and much is deeply felt. The Britten is searingly emotional and elevated the Four Sea Interludes into an expressive realm I had never experienced, even from the composer himself. In all respects the two pieces on this splendid and moving CD exemplify why Bernstein, among all American conductors, is the only one to enter the pantheon.

No more stars to give.......2005-08-25

I have only just discovered this recording and am stunned by the quality of the playing.

OK the recording is slightly marred by the shuffling and coughing of a live performance but what magnificent playing.

Having read the earlier reviews I was expecting the Beethoven to be a dirge and bought the CD as a 'homage' to Lenny, but I think it is probably one of the most intense recordings of Beethoven's 7th I have heard - full of tension and vitality.

Don't be fooled, despite his physical frailty this Beethoven is inspired both in terms of conducting and instrumental playing. The orchestra knew this was Lenny's final appearance at Tanglewood and absolutely played their socks off - and Lenny knew exactly what he was doing with the slower tempos. There are so many phrases that leap out a bring new light and shade.

The Britten is wonderful to - but the Beethoven recording should be heard by everyone (at least once).

5 stars for Beethoven; 0 stars for Britten. WORTH IT BUY IT.......2005-03-23

The Beethoven 7th is worth the whole audio-CD.
Go straight to LvB; don't mess with any Britten.
You are NOT wasting your dough to splurge on the
CD with only one track being the target. Leonard
Bernstein did NOT go 'too slow' with Beethoven's
7th symphony; rather, it's an amazing chance to
explore a beautiful work IN DETAIL. What's the
blessed rush to admire and savor a masterpiece?
Skip Britten (Fahrenheit 451 for his MSS); home
in on the 7th by LvB, and don't dwell on the
BS about this recording being the swan-song of
Lenny: he'll get a special niche in Heaven for
this musical soundbite. Southern time ANY time.

there will never be another Leonard Bernstein.......2000-06-01

Due to the historic and sentimental impact of this recording, done at a live concert, I think it would be pretty mean-spirited to give it anything less than a full recommendation, although under other circumstances one might reconsider. Unlike other reviews, I found the Beethoven more successful than the Britten. The Sea Pictures from Peter Grimes were atmospheric but due to the slow tempi the horn parts tended to blare somewhat in the storm section. I find this music needs a quicker pulse to be completely effective, and would have to say this is not the equal of Previn's recording in London, or that of the composer, both of which were admittedly done under studio conditions.The central Pictures were very effective. It was nonetheless an individual interpretation, well worth hearing. The Beethoven 7th, as also noted elsewhere, is among the slowest recordings available, due to the basic tempo and the observance of all repeats. The Allegretto sounded more like an Adagio, which some purists would find objectionable, but its tempo fit in with the rest of the score. The Scherzo was slow too but Bernstein conducted the sforzandi very literally, which hit me with a jolt more than once - as surely Beethoven intended. Quite frankly I was surprised to read Bernstein was feeling so poorly he leaned against the podium for support during this movement, the playing doesn't give that impression. The finale has just enough of an increase in tempo to give it extra lift and sparkle, without losing symphonic strength. The orchestra plays with excellent rhythmic pointing and the horns blaze in the coda without sounding frenetic, as many other performances do. The immediate and boisterous ovation was gratifying and heart-warming. The digital recording is excellent, as is the detailed documentation. Overall, this recording is a valuable document, and its inevitable flaws make it none the worse for that. Strongly recommended.

Leonard Bernstein: The Final Concert.......2000-05-25

Even though this CD contained few orchestral mistakes and soft murmers of the audience during the performance, the program doesn't bother me much.

What I care about this CD is that it was a sort of a "good-bye" concert of my very favorite conductor of all times, Leonard Bernstein.

The performance was a little slower than other performances, but fairly neat.

Britten's Sea Interludes from "Peter Grimes" gave me plenty of oceanic imagination and mood.

I was nearly touched by the final movement of Beethoven's seventh symphony and the final bursts of applause and cries of the audiences.

If I were to become a conductor, I would want to celebrate 50 years after Lenny's last performance by performing the same music Lenny had programmed in his last concert. I truly respect Bernstein as a musician.

Average customer rating: Quite enjoyable Some Dvorák Rarities and Old Friends, Nicely Played A Great Mix of Dvorak Favorites and Rarities

Dvorák: American Suite; Silent Woods; Prague Waltzes; Mazurka Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dvorák: A Hero's Song; Czech Suite; Hussite Overture; Festival March Dvorák: Piano Concerto, Op. 33; The Water Goblin, Op. 107 Dvorák: String Quartets Opp. 96 "American" and 106 Dvorák: Czech Suite; Waltzes & Polonaise Brahms: Hungarian Dances Nos. 1-21 ASIN: B0006IGQ72 Release Date: 2005-01-18

Tracks:

1. Mazurka For Violin & Orchestra, Op. 49 (B90)
2. Rondo For Cello & Orchestra, Op. 94 (B181)
3. I Capriccio: Allegro Risoluto
4. II Andante Sostenuto
5. III Con Molta Espressione
6. IV Allegro Con Brio
7. V Allegro Assai
8. VI Serenata: Andantino Con Moto
9. VII Allegro: Animato
10. Silent Woods (Klid) For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 68, No. 5 (B182)
11. Polonaise In E Flat Major, B100
12. Nocturne In B Major, Op. 40 (B48)
13. Andante Con Moto
14. Allegro
15. Moderato: All Polacca
16. Andante
17. Allegro
18. Five Prague Waltzes, B99
19. Polka In B Flat Major, Op. 53A/1 (B114)

Customer Reviews:

Quite enjoyable.......2007-07-20

Some of the pieces are unfamilier music by Dvorak, but most of them are beutiful. If you like Dvorak's music, you should listen to this. Sound quality is not bad, though it is not great.

Some Dvorák Rarities and Old Friends, Nicely Played.......2005-02-20

Although I have a number of CDs conducted by Dmitry Yablonsky, and though I knew he was a cellist, I don't recall hearing him play that instrument. On the basis of this CD I'd have to say that he is one of the better cellists around these days (Side note: in an upcoming review, I'll have more raves about the marvelous German cellist Maria Kliegel, whose Bach Solo Suites has lately been causing some compulsive listening on my part.) He gets a chance here to play and conduct two Dvorák cello and orchestra pieces: the semi-familiar 'Silent Woods' and the less-well-known 'Rondo.' 'Silent Woods' ('Klid' in Czech, sometimes known as 'Waldesruhe' in German) is occasionally heard in concert. It is a contemplative pastorale originally part of a solo piano suite. It sounds as if it couldn't have been composed for anything other than cello and orchestra; it's hard to imagine a pianist being able to maintain the slowly moving legato melodic line with anything comparable to the cello's ability to sing it ecstatically. Yablonsky's cello sings like a great baritone. His performance of 'Rondo,' a six-minute minor-key work is equally well-played but the piece itself is relatively trivial, if pretty enough.

The glory of this set is the first track, a six-minute wonder, 'Mazurka for Violin and Orchestra,' Op. 49 (B90), played full-out in Oistrakhian fashion by a violinist I am only vaguely familiar with, Alexander Trostianski. Both the piece and the performance are barnburners, full of exciting rhythms, virtuosic double-stops and other violinistic sparkle. This is not deep music, but it assuredly is exciting. Too bad violinists don't ordinarily play encores in orchestral concerts after they've played the obligatory concerto. This would send the crowd out dancing. Superb!

The 'American' Suite is beautiful and reasonably well-known, and has had a number of fine recordings, among them those by Neumann, Dorati and Tilson Thomas, as well as older ones by Ancerl and Talich. It is given a competitive performance with delicacy and point by Yablonsky and his increasingly impressive Russian Philharmonic.

The rest of the disk comprises works that are not from Dvorák's top drawer. 'Seven Interludes' for small orchestra, although with some fine moments, seem pretty slight to me, although the third movement, 'Con molta espressione,' a slow 3/4 meditation, is extraordinarily lovely and played rapturously here. The 'Five Prague Waltzes' are a cut above the Interludes as music per se, and the performance is exhilarating. One wants to get up and dance around the room. But, that said, I slightly prefer a recording by the Hungarian conductor Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. 'Polonaise in E Flat Minor,' 'Nocturne in B Major' and 'Polka in B Flat Minor'--the latter an old friend that I fondly remember being played in a wind band arrangement in my own hometown with its large Bohemian population-- are all given fine performances here.

This would, I think, be a perfect budget recommendation for someone who wants to slightly broaden their knowledge of Dvorák's always tuneful and accessible orchestral music.

TT=78:42

Scott Morrison

A Great Mix of Dvorak Favorites and Rarities.......2005-01-26

One of the reasons I love the music of Dvorak is that it is both predictable and varied. In all of his music, his distinct Czech national sound, as well as his flair for orchestration is easy to detect. Yet he is able to write some of the most creative pieces ever composed. The Naxos label has released a great catalogue of Dvorak's work. Most of the releases have some of his well known pieces as well as some of his lesser known works and this new release AMERICAN SUITE follows suite.

The best known works of the compilation include "American Suite," "The Polonaise in F Flat Major" and "Five Prague Waltzes." While all of the pieces are played beautifully by Russian Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction Dmitry Yablonsky, I found the works for soloist and orchestra most enjoyable. The "Mazurka for Violin and Orchestra" which opens the CD is a work that I am surprised is not a familiar concert showpiece and the same can be said for cello pieces "Rondo" and "Silent Woods."

Once again, Naxos has released a wonderful compilation at a reasonable price with excellent liner notes.

Average customer rating: Heavenly Music

J'Adore Aeoliah Manufacturer: Oreade Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Majesty Divinaura Angel Love II: Sublime Serene Realms of Grace: An Angelic Experience ASIN: B00009LW43 Release Date: 2003-08-05

Tracks:

1. The Caress
2. Rhapsody
3. Dancing Spirit
4. J'Adore
5. Promenade
6. Immortal Beauty
7. Te Amo
8. Morning Glory
9. Rapture
10. Immortal Love
11. The Triumph

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly Music.......2005-01-06

This is by far the most beautiful CD I have ever listened to. I love it so much I have given it as a gift to family friends and they all love it as much as I do and it has quickly become everyone's favorite. It is truly music to adore and nourish your sprite and soul. Aeoliah is a genius - I give this music my highest recommendation.

Average customer rating: More of Vivaldi's great music. Just great! Heard "Four Seasons"? Want more? GET THIS!

Vivaldi for Valentines: Romantic Interludes for the One You Love Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | 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: Chopin and Champagne: Set Your Mood for Romance Rachmaninoff for Romance: Passionate Music for Love and Desire Tchaikovsky At Tea Time: A Refreshing Blend For Body And Spirit Liszt for Lovers: Piano Dreams of Love and Passion Baroque at Bathtime: A Relaxing Serenade to Wash Your Cares Away ASIN: B0000041ER Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

1. The Four Seasons: (Winter): Largo
2. Guitar Concerto in D: Largo
3. Flute Concerto In D (II gardellino): Cantabile
4. Concerto In C For Diverse Instruments: Andante molto
5. String Concerto in G minor: Andante molto
6. Concerto in D for 2 violins & 2 cellos: Largo
7. Oboe & Violin Concerto in G minor: Larghetto
8. Guitar Concerto in A minor: Laro
9. Triple Violin Concerto in F: Andante
10. Flute Concerto in F: Largo
11. Viola d'amore Concerto in D minor: Largo
12. Violin Concerto in E (II riposo): Allegro
13. Oboe & Bassoon Concerto in G: Largo
14. Violin Concerto No. 6 in B-flat: Largo
15. Concerto in A for Guitar, Violin, Viola & Cello: Larghetto
16. Violin Concerto in E (L'amoroso): Allegro
17. Flute Concerto No.4 in G: Largo
18. Violin Concerto in A (with echo violin): Larghetto
19. Violin Concerto in C minor (II sospetto): Andante
20. Double Oboe Concerto in A minor: Largo
21. Concerto in G minor for the Dresden Orchestra: Largo non molto
22. Violin Concerto in A minor: Largo
23. Oboe Concerto In C: Adagio
24. Flue Concerto No.2 in G minor (La notte): Largo

Amazon.com

Another installment in Philips's Set Your Life to Music series (which has included Mozart for Your Mind, Baroque at Bathtime, and Rachmaninoff for Romance, among others), Vivaldi for Valentines is loosely built around the aura of romance that Venice continues to evoke. Vivaldi captured it for all time in his music, inspired by the often melancholy beauty of his native city, one that has been known through the ages as La Serenissima. Along with such ultrafamiliar pieces as the "Winter" largo movement from The Four Seasons (in which the violin sighs a rapturous melody against sounds imitating a crackling, cozy fire) and the Largo of the Guitar Concerto in D--Vivaldi's slow movements, with all their gentle dreaminess, being given the limelight in this compilation--are many gems you've likely not heard before. The list of performers and approaches is too expansive even to mention but predominantly features performances by I Musici. It's hard to believe that Vivaldi's music, having sunk into oblivion, resurfaced again only a few decades ago. This is a pleasant compilation that makes a perfect entrée if you'd like to learn more about classical music--and Vivaldi in particular--than The Four Season. And, as for setting a romantic mood, this will give your mojo all the help it needs. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

More of Vivaldi's great music........2001-08-24

When it comes to Vivaldi's works, the majority of people usually tend to associate him solely with composing the Four Seasons. However, this particular cd will introduce classical music lovers to other music that he composed for various stringed instruments, including the violin and cello. It does include a section from Winter of the Four Seasons, but the rest is other music that some may not be too familiar with. For a low price, you'll be getting a great selection of music.

Just great!.......2000-07-10

I don't really know a lot about classical music even though I listen to a lot of it. All I can say is that every piece on this collection evokes a tremendous amount of peace and happy emotion. I listen to it in my office, and that in combination with my new fountain.... better than Prozac. My favorite piece is "Concerto for Guitar in D major: Largo" (sample #2 above). Highly recommend!

Heard "Four Seasons"? Want more? GET THIS!.......1999-03-16

Almost everyone knows Vivaldi's "Four Seasons". If you love that gorgeous piece of music, than I say your next purchase should be this! It is a gorgeous collecton of string quartets along with flutes and very impressive classical guitar. I put it on whenever I need to be taken away from this world, or when I need some artistic inspiration.

Average customer rating: No Enigma Here 10th CD from Paavo Jarvi/CSO is worthy addition Standard repertoire, memorably realized

Britten: 4 Sea Interludes; The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra; Elgar: Enigma Variations Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Padilla: Sun of Justice Intimate Voices Mahler: Symphony No. 7 [Hybrid SACD] Arvo Pärt: Da pacem Mahler: Symphony No. 6; Piano Quartet [Hybrid SACD] ASIN: B000GYI3U4 Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks:

1. Theme A
2. Theme B
3. Theme C
4. Theme D
5. Theme E
6. Theme F
7. Flutes And Piccolo, Variation A
8. Oboes, Variation B
9. Clarinets, Variation C
10. Doublebasses, Variation H
11. Violins, Variation E
12. Violas, Variation F
13. Cellos, Variation G
14. Doublebasses, Variation H
15. Harp, Variation I
16. Horns, Variation J
17. Trumpets, Variation K
18. Trombones And Tuba, Variation L
19. Timpani And Percussion, Variation M
20. Fugue
21. I. Dawn
22. II. Sunday Morning
23. III. Moonlight
24. IV. Strom
25. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
26. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
27. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
28. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
29. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
30. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
31. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
32. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
33. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
34. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
35. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
36. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
37. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
38. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma
39. Variations On An Original Theme, Op. 36, Enigma

Album Description

Edward Elgar and Benjamin Britten hold a place at the helm of their respective generations of British composers in the twentieth-century. For Elgar, it was the success of the Enigma Variations that spread the awareness of his music to the international community, and BrittenÂ's first operatic project, Peter Grimes, signaled his establishment as the most important English opera composer of the century. These two decisive works are both deeply personal pieces drawn from life experience. BrittenÂ's boyhood in a seaside town and personal struggles later on are reflected in the story and setting of Grimes, and ElgarÂ's close circle of friends and loved ones form the inspiration for his set of variations on an original theme. Britten wrote the Young PersonÂ's Guide to the Orchestra in 1946 for an educational film called Â"The Instruments of the Orchestra,Â" and designed the work for performance with or without narration.

Customer Reviews:

No Enigma Here.......2007-02-12

This recording is first-class in performance and expetionally well engineered. A benchmark of the audio recording craft. Recorded in Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, January 22-23, 2006. Played through a good sound system, the perfomance seems to unfold alive in front of you. This is musical and audio nirvana.

Danlee Mitchell

10th CD from Paavo Jarvi/CSO is worthy addition.......2006-10-07

Paavo Jarvi became the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's Musical Director in September 2001, and since then the orchestra has released CDs like clockwork: 2 a year (one in March/April, one in September/October). This marks the 10th release since Maestro Jarvo took over.

This recording (66 min.) showcases two British composers. Benjamin Britten gets the prime spotlight with "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra". This piece is actually also referred to as "Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell", which better reflects the music heard here: no narrative, just the music. (And no, it's not meant to be enjoyed just by "the young person".) I find the rendering of this piece by the CSO to be very warm, yet crisp. Very helpful also is that the single piece is subdivided into 20 tracks, so that you can skip, say, from the bassoons or doublebasses, as you please. Very nice. Britten's second peice here is "Four Seas Interludes from Peter Grimes", which is a far more somber affair that kicks into gear on the last interlude. The second British composer featured on this recording is Sir Edward Elgar, with his "Variations on an Original Theme, Enigma". This half-hour piece is gorgeous from start to finish, and Maestro Jarvi brings out the best in the orchestra on this piece.

After their previous release, which featured less accessible composers Lutoslawski and Bartok, Paavo Jarvi and the CSO storm back with this delightful album. As usual, the sound quality of this Telearc recording is nothing short of outstanding from beginning to end. Highly recommended! As an aside, if you have the chance to see the CSO live under the direction of Paavo Jarvi, don't miss them. You will not be disappointed.

Standard repertoire, memorably realized.......2006-10-01

Many wonderful recordings exist of each of these nuggets, but that does not diminish the accomplishment of all involved in this offering.

Jarvi shapes the Enigma into a relatively coherent whole without resorting to an artificial homogeneity in the orchestral sound. Instead, he allows the distinctive character of the scoring of the individual variations to shine, using structural emphases and phrasing to relate the bits to each other. The playing is faultless throughout, the equal of any recording of this work to date. "Troyte" finds the brasses enjoying themselves tremendously , with some breathtaking articulation in even the most schizophrenic passages. The famed "Nimrod" shows Jarvi at his most controlled. He shapes the long arc into a devastating climax of supreme beauty, power and well-earned emotional catharsis while never allowing the orchestra to sound taxed. The effect is quite wonderful. "Dorabella" is lilting and felicitous, a delicious contrast following the sympathetic content of the previous variation (the aforementioned "Nimrod"). The finale has a maybe slightly overblown and pompous approach, but Jarvi's sensitive handling of the material and the musicians spectacular playing (listen especially for the unison runs of the trombones and tuba) keep it from becoming a caricature. The contribution of the engineers cannot be overstated here, either, with the perfect integration of the organ adding beautifully to the effect.

The Britten pieces are equally successful. The sonority and weight of the opening of the Young Person's Guide are really outstanding, and the set of variations allow each section to really shine. The violins' variation includes probably the finest realization of the writing on record, with the sound of the massed strings playing above the stave never sounding thin or harsh. The recorded sound here allows the fun rythms underpinning this section to really shine through, as well. The double basses are obviously happy to have a short run in the limelight, and they play the unusually exposed melodies with aplomb. The horns are in fine voice in their brief variation, and the trumpets have a good time dueling before the low brasses get a chance to really show off some world-class tone and color. The percussion variation is blameless, and the concluding fugue is exciting without sounding forced. This is, without a doubt, the greatest recording of this work since the composer's own, and that is high praise, indeed.

The interludes from Peter Grimes are perhaps an underappreciated little corner of the British repertoire. Here they are treated with the seriousness which they (and the opera from which they are extracted and arranged) deserve. Again the sonority of the orchestral playing stands out. In "Dawn" the brass chorales are spectacular while never overpowering the foggy dreaminess of Britten's picture of the dreary coastal daybreak. Jarvi takes a daringly quick tempo in "Sunday Morning" but the orchestra tosses it off with ease. The tolling of the bells and the trilling of birds are incredibly evocative in the hands of the horns and woodwinds who portray them. "Moonlight" is again beautifully evocative. The string playing is harmonically dense and complex while never sounding heavy or opaque. The minor dissonances in the woodwinds effectively remind the listener of the discomfort of the subject matter. The concluding "Storm" sequence allows the orchestra to really let loose with some devastating playing. The pure sound of the complex orchetration is quite striking and incredibly realized by the sheer virtuosity of the ensemble. Weight, power, tone...all are served to the fullest while articulation never suffers. This sequence and this disc as a whole are powerful testaments to the quality of orchestral playing and sensitive musicianship from the podium that are on display in Cincinnati these days.

Average customer rating: Got to like it A gleaming vision of brass sound wow Essential CD The Best "Best of" the Canadian Brass

The Essential Canadian Brass Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Gabrieli, Giovanni | ( 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 Pachelbel | Pachelbel, Johann | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | 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 Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 Organ | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Canadian Brass | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | 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 Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Best of the Canadian Brass The Christmas Album Super Hits: Canadian Brass Go For Baroque! - The Canadian Brass Red Hot Jazz: The Dixieland Album ASIN: B00000413N Release Date: 1992-08-11

Tracks:

1. Zarathustra Fanfare - (From 'Also sprach Zarathustra')
2. Concerto For Two Trumpets In C: Allegro
3. Concerto For Two Trumpets In C: Largo
4. Concerto For Two Trumpets In C: Allegro
5. Canzone prima a 5
6. Turkish Rondo (Rondo alla turca)
7. Fugue In G Minor 'Little'
8. Beale Street Blues
9. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Largo al factotum - From 'Il barbiere di Siviglia'
10. Serenade K. 361: Theme, Interludes And Re-Variations
11. The Flight Of The Tuba Bee - From 'The Tale Of Tsar Saltan'
12. La Virgen de la Macarena (Traditional)
13. Die Dreigroschenoper: Cannon Song
14. Amazing Grace - (Traditional)
15. Tuba Tiger Rag - (Traditional)
16. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
17. Prelude No. 2, BWV 847 From 'The Well-Tempered Clavier': Be-bop Bach
18. Prelude No. 8, BWV 853 From 'The Well-Tempered Clavier': Blue Bach
19. Fugue No. 2, BWV 847 From 'The Well-Tempered Clavier': Dixie Bach
20. Canon
21. The Saint's Hallelujah - (Traditional)

Customer Reviews:

Got to like it.......2007-02-01

When I heard samples from this CD, I really wanted to get it. However, when I did and listened the full versions I did not seem to like them that much. There are several pices that I totally do not care for, a few I really like (especially, Bach's pieces), and some I got used to. Overall, I like the CD, but not as much as I though I would.

A gleaming vision of brass sound.......2005-10-18

The Canadian Brass have been a lively and fun force in music for decades, since being brought together in Toronto 'by a gleaming vision of brass sound'. They are now world famous, having delighted and dazzled people in concerts all over the globe. One of the problems for a group such as this is the lack of repertoire readily available, so the group has become expert at arranging pieces for other instruments for their ensemble. They have also commissioned a good number of pieces of their performance.

One such commission is found on this recording, entitled 'The Well-Tampered Bach', a take-off on the Bach work 'The Well-Tempered Clavier'. This is a setting of various pieces by J.S. Bach for brass quintet and drums, worked by Luther Henderson for the ensemble's 1985 appearance in Toronto. Henderson is a frequent arranger and composer for the Canadian Brass, having also put together the 'Tuba Tiger Rag', reminiscent of the World War I era, and jazz pieces like 'Beale Street Blues'.

More traditional composers are represented in arrangement for brass, such as a more standard arrangement for Bach's Fugue in G minor, Mozart's Turkish Rondon, and pieces from Gabrieli, Vivaldi, Strauss, Rossini, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Pachelbel.

The disc has a wonderful blend of pieces classical and modern, 'proper' composition and traditional/folk inspiration, and a very lively and powerful presentation of all the music.

wow.......2001-07-20

This CD is amazing. It's a shame more people don't know about this incredible group. I'm a brass player and I just learned of these guys a few months ago. If you like classical music or brass music, this is a must own!

Essential CD.......2000-12-12

If you like the sound of brass and if your tastes run the gamut from Gabrieli to Handy, with stops hither and yon, this CD is essential to your collection. In it, the Canadian Brass demonstrate their amazing ability to play the early Baroque masters right along side the early jazz masters -- and make it seem perfectly natural! In the process, a bit of Rimsky-Korsakov, Mozart and Lord knows what gets thrown in for good measure. Plus, they play a rousing rendition of Bach's "Little Fugue in G Minor." If the music on this CD doesn't get you going, you need to immediately go to the ER at the nearest hospital!

The Best "Best of" the Canadian Brass.......1999-10-26

If you buy one Canadian Brass CD, buy this one. It contains the widest variety of musical eras and styles. Our favorite CB song, Beale Street Blues is hard to find, but on this CD. There are serious, classical selections and fun songs such as the "Tuba Tiger Rag" and "Flight of the Tuba Bee". This is Brass Quintet music at its best!

Average customer rating: Rapturous !

Delius: Orchestral Works Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Delius, Frederick | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program 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 | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Frederick Delius: Orchestral Works Delius: A Village Romeo and Juliet Delius: Orchestral Works Delius: On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring Delius: Koanga; The Song of the High Hills ASIN: B000002S5L Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

1. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: Brigg Fair:I. Introduction (Slow. Pastoral)
2. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: Brigg Fair:I. Theme (With Easy Movement)
3. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: I. Variation 1
4. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: I. Var. 2
5. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: I. Var. 3
6. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: I. Var 4
7. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: I. Var. 5
8. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: I. Var. 6
9. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: II. Interlude (Slow And Very Quietly)
10. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: III. Var. 7 (Rather quicker but not hurried)
11. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: III. Var. 8
12. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: III. Var. 9 (With easy movement)
13. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: III. Var 10
14. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: III. Var. 11 (Slow. With Solemnity)
15. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: III. Var. 12 (Maestoso)
16. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: III. Transition
17. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: IV. Var 13 (Gaily)
18. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: IV. Var. 14
19. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: IV. Var. 15
20. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: IV. Var 16
21. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: IV. Transition (Rather quicker)
22. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: IV.Var.17 (Rather Slower. Very Broadly)
23. Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody: IV. Coda(Very Quietly)
24. In A Summer Garden
25. Rehearsing Appalachia
26. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Appalachia:Introduction (Molto moderato - Tranquillo - Poco piu)
27. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Theme (Andante)
28. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Variation 1
29. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 2 (Moderato)
30. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 3 (Piu vivo)
31. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 4 (Molto moderato)
32. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 5 (Con moto)
33. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 6 (Giocoso. Allegro moderato)
34. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 7 (Lento e molto tranquillo)
35. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 8 (Misterioso)
36. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 9 (Andante con grazia)
37. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 10 (Lento sostenuto e tranquillo)
38. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 11 (Allegro alla marcia)
39. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 12 (Marcia. MOlto lento maestoso)
40. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 13 (L'istesso tempo)
41. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Var. 14 (Misterioso lento)
42. Apalachia - Variations On An Old Slave Song With Final Chorus: Finale (Lento - Piu mosso)

Tracks:

1. On Hearing The First Cuckoo In Spring - F. DELIUS
2. Summer Night On The River - F. DELIUS
3. A Song Before Sunrise - F. DELIUS
4. Intermezzo And Serenade From 'Hassan': Intermezzo - F. DELIUS
5. Intermezzo And Serenade From 'Hassan': Serenade - F. DELIUS
6. La Calinda - F. DELIUS
7. Late Swallows - F. DELIUS
8. Fennimore And Gerda: Intermezzo from 'Fennimore and Gerda' - F. DELIUS
9. The Walk To The Paradise Garden: The Walk To The Paradise Garden from A Village Romeo and Juliet - F. DELIUS
10. Irmelin Prelude - F. DELIUS
11. A Song Of Summer - F. DELIUS

Customer Reviews:

Rapturous !.......2003-01-15

I find these renditions by Sir John Barbirolli totally beguiling. He brings warmth and deep sincerity to everything he portrays here. One surely senses the great love he had for Delius' music. Much of the charm wrought by the conductor has to do with the turn of various phrases. Time and again he caresses melodies. Simultaneously, he conveys a feeling of simple joyousness. Hear the Intermezzo from Fennimore and Gerda; The Walk to the Paradise Garden; the Irmelin Prelude, with its pastoral beauty; La Calinda, where one feels serenaded in a happy, carefree manner. A Song Before Sunrise weaves a similar pattern. In addition, there's that wonderful exotic quality that here and there echoes in Delius' music. Brigg Fair seems to have both this at some moments and yet a pleasing, homespun British character during other moments. Sometimes too there is a nostalgic yearning. In this vein, one can only relax and drink in the expressive portrait of Late Swallows. And what about the playful, carefree In a Summer Garden or the imposing, spiritual folk picture, Appalachia ? In so many ways, both this sensitive composer and conductor reach out to touch the life-affirming soul. How can one not be soothed and refreshed by what is offered here ? If there's anything missing, perhaps it's the composer's Summer Evening, another of his memorable pieces. A wonderful collection, and a source of inspiration. By the way, I find Barbirolli's Delius more enjoyable than Beecham's.

Average customer rating: SUMMATION OF A LIFETIME'S DEDICATION TO JANACEK Sir Charles in Prague

Leos Janácek: Cunning Little Vixen (Suite) / Sinfonietta / Schluck & Jau / Jealousy (Original Prelude) / Kát'a Kabanová (Overture & Interludes) / Taras Bulba / Sárka (Overture) - Sir Charles Mackerras / Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Leos Janácek (Composer) , Sir Charles Mackerras (Conductor) , and Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Manufacturer: Supraphon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Janácek, Leos | ( J ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sinfonia | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht; Schubert: Quintet Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, Stravinsky: Concerto in D for Violin and Orchestra Hindemith: Mathis der Maler; Violin Concerto; Symphonic Metamorphosis Beethoven: Complete String Quartets ASIN: B0001DMWHU Release Date: 2004-02-24

Customer Reviews:

SUMMATION OF A LIFETIME'S DEDICATION TO JANACEK.......2006-04-12

Maybe these two discs are to be Sir Charles' farewell to recording Janacek. I wouldn't bet the house on it, though, because he still shows amazing energy levels at 80 years of age and is to conduct Makropoulos at the ENO next month. Nevertheless, you could certainly argue that these performances provide us with a summation of a lifetime's love and scholarly work on these scores from Janacek's greatest proselytiser.

Many of these works have been recorded by Sir Charles before, notably on his ground-breaking Pye recording from the 50's. There was a certain rawness about that recording (partly because of the musicians' unfamiliarity with the music and their sense of discovery, partly because of the dry acoustic) that suited this music particularly well - better, I think, than the plushness and greater security of the later Vienna Philharmonic performances.

The Sarka and Katya excerpts here come from Mackerras' complete Supraphon recordings of the operas. The Katya interludes really exist only as a result of Sir Charles' research and this is wonderful music that we (and the opera) would now be much poorer without.

Most of the other performances are taken from live performances in Prague. They are consistently fine and carry a strong feeling of authenticity when played, as here, by a Czech orchestra. The Jealousy Overture is a great opener, much better in a concert context than in Jenufa for which it was originally written. The Vixen Suite is just gorgeous. There are none of the humans in this Suite, not even the Forester's pantheistic final aria. It is all about the animals and includes the inspiring ballet in which the Vixen dreams of her freedom. Sir Charles and his Czech players give a truly uplifting performance.

Perhaps the most intriguing piece here is the rarity, the orchestral music Janacek wrote for the play, Schluck und Jau. This is the last orchestral music that the composer ever wrote. There are echoes in it of the imperial fanfares from the Makropoulos Affair and of passages from the House of the Dead but it also shows him still questing for new sonorities, fully brought out in this definitive performance.

The two big pieces on these discs - Taras Bulba and the Sinfonietta - are both great live performances. In the former, Sir Charles really gives the graphic and illustrative instrumentation full reign - the integrated organ sounds, the strangulated clarinet, the ideally crisp timps, the solo horn way up high in its register and the full rich brass ensemble of Taras' final apotheosis. The Sinfonietta, too, is as near definitive as you'll get. The full compliment of brass for the opening and closing fanfares are there and the tiered effects the composer demands are ideally realised. I suspect a bit of textual tidying up here and there from Sir Charles the scholar. Certainly the results are as clear and crisp as you could ask, whether in chattering woodwind, crystal bright trumpet playing or perfectly intonated string playing whether at speed or at rest.

All in all, these discs represent a wonderful summary of a lifetime's dedication the Janacek. Worth every penny.

Sir Charles in Prague.......2005-02-16

Charles Mackerras is probably the greatest exponent of Janácek's music of all time. This fine Supraphon set collects his excellent Prague recordings from the recent years. It appears to be his testimony to Janácek's fans. The set includes not only the famous workds but also some of the rarely performed pieces (it is not a complete set, however).

Taras Bulba and the Sinfonietta are recorded live, which adds to the dramatic thrill of these masterworks. Czech Philharmonic plays them marvellously, and the interpretations are second to none.

Some of the material have already appeared in opera boxes: the ouvertures and other music from Kát'a kabanová and Sárka. But the Suite from The Cunning Little Vixen is a fresh recording, in Janácek's original orchestration. The performance is nothing but superb.

Schluck & Jau was Janácek's last orchestral score. It is a fascinating piece, wonderfully scored, and performed with precision and enthusiasm. The performance of the Jealousy Overture - the original Jenufa ouverture - is also very fine.

Moreover, recording quality is state of the art.

Warmly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Britten: 4 Sea Interludes; The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra; Elgar: Enigma Variations [Hybrid SACD] Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3; Poulenc: Organ Concerto; Barber: Toccata Festiva Russian Nights [Hybrid SACD] Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in c minor [Hybrid SACD] Strauss: Four Last Songs; Death and Transfiguration; Wagner: Prelude & Liebestod from Tristan & Isolde [Hybrid SACD Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2; Dances from Aleko; Scherzo [Hybrid SACD] ASIN: B000HIVOGE Release Date: 2006-09-26

Album Description

Edward Elgar (1857-1934) and Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) each stood at the forefront of his respective generation of British composers. The success of Elgar's Enigma Variations spread awareness of his music to an international audience, while Britten's first full-scale opera, Peter Grimes, solidified his position as the most important English opera composer of the century. Both works are deeply personal pieces drawn from life experiences.

Elgar began the Enigma Variations without a specific commission. He sent the completed score to Hans Richter, who conducted the first performance in London a year later. There was great buzz about the significance of each of the "enigmas," as Elgar hinted at a deeper aspect to each of the pieces. This has long since been resolved, and some of the enigmas represent sketches of the composer's friends and musical acquaintances, and/or portray incidents in which they were involved.

Britten dedicated a large portion of his compositions to music with a youthful theme, from pieces like The Sword in the Stone and Simple Symphony to Young Apollo. He wrote The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra for an educational film called The Instruments of the Orchestra, and designed the work for performance with or without narration (the performances on this recording do not include narration). Like Britten's other works for youth, it blends simplicity with sophistication. The subject of its variations is a theme from an earlier giant of British music, Henry Purcell. Variants on a hornpipe from Act III of Purcell's incidental music to Abdelazer are tossed from one orchestral section to the next.

The Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes could be called a set of variations - not in musical terms, but as a series of related images. The `variations' were written at the same time as the opera and then later extracted as a suite. The Interludes depict the sea in its various states and at different times of the day, while carrying the drama forward through musical means between changes of scene.

Meditation Music:

1. Rossini: Il Signor Bruschino / Ramey, Battle, Lopardo, Desderi; Ion Marin
2. Sail Away~Songs from the Heart of Broadway
3. Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila (Highlights)
4. Seasons of the Witch
5. Solitudes 2: Heavy Surf on Rocky Point/Ocean Surf In Hidden Cove
6. Song Carrier
7. Songs from the Heart
8. Sound Healers
9. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos
10. Tal Jazz

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

North [Import]

Podgaits: Vox Spiritualis

Sonatas for Viola & Cello

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The Promise [CD-single]

Saturdays [CD-single] [Import]

Popssical - Classical goes to Latin

The Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits: The Record

Searching for a Cool Basement

Shut Down V.2 [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Quintet du Hot Club de France [Import]

Perfil [Import]

Str-8 from Da Boot

Brewed in South Central

Inversations