Puccini & Bellini: Arias

1. Manon Lescaut, opera Act 2. In quelle trine morbide
   Composed by Giacomo Puccini
   Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
   with Maria Callas
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   
2. Manon Lescaut, opera Act 4. Sola, perduta, abbandonata
   Composed by Giacomo Puccini
   Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
   with Maria Callas
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   
3. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera Act 2. Un bel dì vedremo
   Composed by Giacomo Puccini
   Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
   with Maria Callas
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   
4. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera Act 2. Con onor muore
   Composed by Giacomo Puccini
   Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
   with Maria Callas
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   
5. La bohème, opera Act 1. Sì. Mi chiamano Mimì
   Composed by Giacomo Puccini
   Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
   with Maria Callas
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   
6. La bohème, opera Act 3. Donde lieta uscì
   Composed by Giacomo Puccini
   Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
   with Maria Callas
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   
7. Suor Angelica, opera Senza mamma
   Composed by Giacomo Puccini
   Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
   with Maria Callas
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   
8. Gianni Schicchi, opera O mio babbino caro
   Composed by Giacomo Puccini
   Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
   with Maria Callas
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   
9. Turandot, opera Act 1. Signore, ascolta!
   Composed by Giacomo Puccini
   Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
   with Maria Callas
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   
10. Turandot, opera Act 2. In questa reggia
    Composed by Giacomo Puccini
    Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
    with Maria Callas
    Conducted by Tullio Serafin
    
    
11. Turandot, opera Act 3. Tu che di gel sei cinta
    Composed by Giacomo Puccini
    Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
    with Maria Callas
    Conducted by Tullio Serafin
    
    
12. La sonnambula, opera Act 1. Compagne, teneri amici...Come per me sereno
    Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
    Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra
    with Maria Callas
    Conducted by Tullio Serafin
    
    
13. La sonnambula, opera Act 3. Oh, se una volta sola...Ah, non credea mirarti
    Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
    Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra
    with Maria Callas
    Conducted by Tullio Serafin
    
    

Puccini & Bellini: Arias,Vincenzo Bellini,Giacomo Puccini,Tullio Serafin,La Scala Theater Orchestra,Philharmonia Orchestra of London,Maria Callas,Capitol,Classical,Classical Music,Italian 20th/21st Century Opera,Italian Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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Average customer rating: Now it makes more sense... Where's my Philip Glass? This is an unique soundtrack More score, less opera please Best movie soundtrack of 2007

No Reservations Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Glass | Glass, Philip | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Hairspray (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture) Evening Ratatouille The Best of Paolo Conte Nomad: The Warrior ASIN: B000RHRGQC Release Date: 2007-07-24

Tracks:

1. Truffles And Quail - Conrad Pope
2. Sway - Michael Buble
3. Celeste Aida - Luciano Pavarotti
4. O Mio Babbino Caro - Renata Tebaldi
5. Zoe & Kate Watch Video - Phillip Glass
6. Libiamo Libiamo - Joan Sutherland
7. Via Con Me - Paolo Conte
8. La Donna E 'Mobile - Joseph Calleja
9. Un Bel Di 'Vedremo - Renata Tebaldi
10. Zoe Goes To the Restaurant - Phillip Glass
11. Cielo E Mar - Luciano Pavarotti
12. Mambo Gelato - Ray Gelato
13. Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti
14. Count On My Love - Liz Phair

Customer Reviews:

Now it makes more sense..........2007-07-30

It appears that some of the most memorable score cues from the movie are actually from Mark Isham's soundtrack "Life As A House" (Listen to track 11 from "Life As A House" for example.)

Now I'm beginning to understand why there seems to be such a paucity of score cues on this CD. I think either Glass' score was partially rejected or he only scored a small part of the movie to begin with.

Where's my Philip Glass? .......2007-07-30

The other music on the cd is perfectly fine. It's good music actually, but I wanted more score. I was hoping the two score cues would be longer than they were.

Philip Glass only used a few motifs (three tops) in the movie...would it have been so hard to include all of them (as opposed to 1)?

Shame on Decca...unless they're planning on releasing a score-only CD.
Hope they do.

This is an unique soundtrack.......2007-07-29

This is an unusual soundtrack. It combines instrumental music with opera music. This disc also has two songs from popular singers. I love the track "Sway" by Michael Buble. I also enjoyed the track "Mambo Gelato" These two tracks make me want to grab someone and dance. The opera tracks on this disc are excellent. The best of the bunch is "La Donna E Mobile" by Joseph Calleja. This track is very uplifting and playful. "Cielo E Mar" is a romantic sounding track from Pavarotti. "Nessum Dorma" is a really soothing track from Pavarotti too. He has such a powerful voice. Philip Glass is a talented composer for the film. I love his instrumental restaurant theme here. It is a beautiful piece of music. "Count On My Love" is a great song that fits the tone of the movie well. I really enjoyed listening to the music on this soundtrack.

More score, less opera please.......2007-07-28

Phillip Glass's score was exceptional, why there isn't more of it on the rousing soundtrack, I can't imagine, but the lack leaves a hole in the overall CD.

Best movie soundtrack of 2007.......2007-07-28

There isn't much good to say about the film but this soundtrack really is beautiful.

Average customer rating: The End of the Big Voice? Fla Gator Lady 20 Great Tenor Arias Plesantly surprised... Absolutely Agree About Corelli

Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by 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 General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | 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 | Arias | 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 The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Paul Potts [United Kingdom]: One Chance The Most Famous Opera Duets The Most Famous Opera Arias The #1 Opera Album The Best of Italian Opera ASIN: B000007OTX Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

1. La Boheme: Che gelida manina
2. Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai
3. Carmen Bizet: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee (Flower Song)
4. Luisa Miller: O! fede negar potessi .. Quando le sere al placido
5. La Traviata: Lunge da lei ... De' miei bollenti spiriti
6. Martha: M'appari
7. Giordano: Amor ti vieta
8. L'Africaine: Mi batte il cuor .. O paradiso
9. La Favorita: Favorita del re . . . Spirto gentil
10. Werther: 'Pourquoi me reveiller'
11. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: 'Morgenlich leuchtend in rosigem Schein'
12. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: O Dieu! De quelle ivresse
13. TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
14. Pagliacci: Recitar! ... Vesti la giubba
15. Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
16. Aida: Se quel guerrier .. Celeste Aida
17. TOSCA: Recondita armonia
18. L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
19. La Gioconda: Cielo e mar!
20. Turandot: Nessun dorma

Customer Reviews:

The End of the Big Voice?.......2007-04-16

This CD, which is truly fine overall, reminds me of Marilyn Horne's lament that we have probably seen the end of the big voice and it makes me sad. I agree with the reviewer who refers to "microphonies". And more justice could be done to Bjorling's voice with a better transfer. But at some point, music becomes a matter of taste and I prefers singers who have the instrument and the support and the training, whether formal or not, to just let fly and take a chance on making a mistake. Domingo can be wonderful and so can his musicianship but he tends to be so stiff. I have to wonder at the virulence and asperity with which some people go after Pavarotti. It's true that late in his career he made some questionable recordings but the answer to that is simple: don't buy them. At his best, he belongs for all time in the top echelon of tenors. I love this CD and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys great (big) voices.

Fla Gator Lady.......2007-01-12

Highly recommend this CD with these beloved arias of the greatest tenors in opera. I have owned this CD for a couple of years and purchased another for a friend who always requests that I play it ... perfect for listening in the car, dinner, bridge games, relaxation ... just so perfect. You won't be disappointed in this one.

20 Great Tenor Arias.......2007-01-09

A great disc,combination of the greatest tenors of the 20th century and some of the most beautiful music ever written in any century,a must addition to any opera lovers collection.

Plesantly surprised..........2006-01-14

I don't remember how I found this CD the other day surfing through the "Amazon" such as it is, but I did. I listened to a few clips provided & on the strength of that, I purchased this CD.

First it is a great buy. A booklet with pictures of each tenor, a small bio, the year recorded and TRANSLATIONS of each aria are provided. This is really nice. It seems more & more that translations are being left out. Being a former opera singer, I may know most of the words, but sometimes it's just nice to read along (sometimes it's just nice to listen too).

Being on the Decca label, there is admittedly quite a few Pavarotti selections. Out of 20 selections, he has 6 of them. But I love Pavarotti, so this is no problem for me. These are all early recordings & his voice is magnificent! Being a singer, I still marvel at his ability to sing "All'armi!" on a high D and still say the 2nd syllable "mi" on such a note! WOW. There is also of course his very sweet, impassioned and lyrical turn as Rodolfo in "La Boheme" as well as the lesser known (although I still have it on casette) "La Favorita" which has a particularly high tessitura.

Also featured are a young Plácido Domingo singing a VERY nice "Flower song/ La fleur que tu m'avais jetée" from Carmen. He usually sounds too pushed for me on the top notes (as one might expect from a Pavarotti fan, I like free top notes) but in this recording he is pretty darn fabulous. He also sings an aria from "Tales of Hoffman/Les Contes d'Hoffman" and I have always felt that he, like Neil Schicoff, were well suited to this role.

Lamentably there are only one selection each from Carreras, Correlli, Monaco, Aragall & Kollo. Especial kudos to the young recording they feature for Aragall. He had a very free and nice high tenor well suited to Verdi. Of course as his career went forward with the natural darkening of his voice and the "heavier" roles, he did start to develop a wobble. But this recording is before that. His top, his phrasing are all beautifully done in his featured aria from "La Traviata."
Mario del Monaco's "E lucevan le stelle" is hauntingly beautiful and has such a wonderful pianissimo in it that it makes you just want to gasp for beauty's sake. I now know every tenor I've heard sing this aria was trying to emulate what he did.

This is a great CD because it does bring together on one CD some of the greatest singers of the 20th/21st century. Bergonzi, di Stefano, Björling, in addition to the previously mentioned artists is quite an impressive collection. I'm sure there's only one of each for Carreras, Aragall (I believe they are formerly EMI/Angel artists) and perhaps some of the others because they are "imported" from another label. There's so much Pavarotti on this CD because he IS a Decca artist.

A highly recommended CD, affordable, not the usually obscure and unpolished artists that are sometimes found on compilations. Plus acutal linear notes and translations. Nicely done, Decca!!!

Absolutely Agree About Corelli.......2005-05-27

Franco Corelli's "Nessun Dorma" is still the best of them all - clear, passionate, and exciting. (And those final two notes...! Gives me chills just to think of it.) I was fortunate enough to see him live in both "Turandot" and "Romeo and Juliet" a year before his retirement, and he was still a Calaf and a Romeo to die for... as, of course, Liu and Juliet did! As it is, I tend to buy compilations depending on how much Corelli they include - though Bjorling is a strong second, and I have happy memories of Domingo. Long live the Golden Age of Operatic Tenors!

Average customer rating: The beautiful gift of opera... Pretty darn good The Opera #1 Opera Album Excellent assortment Great Selections

The #1 Opera Album Giacomo Puccini , Giuseppe Verdi , Léo Delibes , Georges Bizet , Umberto Giordano , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Richard Wagner , Gioachino Rossini , Alfredo Catalani , Jacques Offenbach , Ruggiero Leoncavallo , Charles Gounod , Gaetano Donizetti , Pietro Mascagni , Antonin Dvorak , Richard Bonynge , Herbert von Karajan , Alberto Erede , Lamberto Gardelli , Giuseppe Patane , John Mauceri , Zubin Mehta , Charles Dutoit , Gyorgy Fischer , Riccardo Chailly , Istvan Kertesz , Leone Magiera , Evelino Pido , Gianandrea Gavazzeni , Renée Fleming , Cecilia Bartoli , Luciano Pavarotti , Jussi Bjorling , and Renata Tebaldi Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | 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Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Most Famous Opera Duets The Most Famous Opera Arias The Best of Italian Opera Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever! ASIN: B000059RXO Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

1. Carmen: Act 1: Prld - LPO/Sir Georg Solti
2. La Traviata: Brindisi: Libiamo, Ne'lieti Calici - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
3. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Luciano Pavarotti
4. Lakme: Flower Duet: Dome Epais Le Jasmin - Joan Sutherland/Jane Berbie
5. Fedora: Amor Ti Vieta - Jussi Bjorling
6. Carmen: Habanera: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Tatiana Troyanos/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis
7. Nabucco: Chor Of The Hebrew Slaves: Va Pensiero - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hills
8. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Dove Sono - Kiri Te Kanawa
9. Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
10. Lohengrin: Bridal Chor: Treulich Gefuhrt Ziehet Dahin - Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor/Walter Hagen-Groll
11. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Renata Tebaldi
12. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Leo Nucci
13. La Wally: Ebben?... Ne Andro Lontana - Angela Gheorghiu
14. Madama Butterfly: Humming Chor - Wiener Staatsopernchor/Norbert Balatsch
15. Carmen: Flower Song: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Placido Domingo
16. Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Barcarolle: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Joan Sutherland/Huguette Tourangeau/Chor De La Radio Suisse Romande, Pro Arte De Lausanne Et Du...
17. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
18. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di - Mirella Freni
19. Les Pecheurs De Perles: C'est Toi... Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Gregory Cross/Gino Quilico

Tracks:

1. Die Walkure: The Ride Of The Valkyries - Wiener Phil/Solti
2. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete - Cecilia Bartoli
3. Pagliacci: Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba - Luciano Pavarotti
4. La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti/Roland Panerai
5. Il Trovatore: Anvil Chor: Vedi! Le Fosche - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hillis
6. Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai - Jose Carreras
7. Don Giovanni: La Ci Darem La Mano - Lucia Popp/Tom Krause
8. Mattinata - Andrea Bocelli
9. Faust: Soldiers' Chor - Ambrosian Opr Chor/John McCarthy
10. L'elisir D'amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Roberto Alagna
11. Turandot: Signore, Ascolta! - Montserrat Caballe
12. Don Giovanni: Champagne Aria: Finch'han Dal Vino - Bryn Terfel
13. Cosi Fan Tutte: Trio: Soave Sia Il Vento - Renee Fleming/Anne Sofie Von Otter/Michele Pertusi
14. Il Trovatore: Di Quella Pira - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
15. Tosca: Vissi D'arte - Kiri Te Kanawa
16. Carmen: Toreador Song - Jose Van Dam/Tatiana Troyanos/Norma Burrowes/Jane Berbie/Thomas Allen/Pierre Thau/John Alldis...
17. Madama Butterfly: Love Duet: Vogliatemi Bene - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti
18. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Nat PO/Gianandrea Gavazzeni
19. Rusalka: O Silver Moon - Renee Fleming
20. La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - Angela Gheorghiu
21. Turandot: Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis

Amazon.com

The labels that are now gathered under the Universal Classics umbrella have a pretty impressive scorecard in the area of classical compilations. We've seen The Greatest Opera Show on Earth, The Yellow Guide: Classical Music, Best of the Millennium, and now there's The No. 1 Opera Album. But that's no surprise, since Universal has some of the finest interpreters in its catalogue to draw from. This two-CD set (at the price of one), for example, brings together the likes of Cecilia Bartoli, Renée Fleming, Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Georg Solti, Herbert von Karajan, and many more. Yet the other key to a successful compilation is canny anthologizing, and here again, you have a nice selection to give you a smattering of opera's heavyweights from the Italian, German, and French repertory (there's even a step outside the standard framework with an aria from Dvorák's lovely Rusalka). Ranging from 1959 to 1997, the choices from back catalogue will doubtless be the entry ticket for many into this grandest of the arts. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

The beautiful gift of opera..........2007-07-17

This 2-CD set is absolutely wonderful! You can close your eyes and feel like you're actually at the opera, listening to those beautiful voices bringing tears to your eyes. Nessun Dorma still stirs up emotions in me, no matter how many times I hear it. Great examples of opera to give someone wanting to get interested in this style of music.

Pretty darn good.......2007-07-04

This CD set has a lot of familiar music on it, so if you're a newbie, you might want to try starting with this. There are some great pieces on the first CD. I usually don't even make it to the second.

The Opera #1 Opera Album.......2007-06-07

The music is wonderful. The production is terrible!! The sound fades in and out and is very scratchy in some places.

Excellent assortment.......2007-05-12

I'm not a big opera fan but I wanted to expose an assorted selection for my kids. This was perfect since it included several recognizable selections.

Great Selections.......2007-03-31

This Cd, has the very best of Opera
covering mainly from the classcal
to the to the romantic periods, a most
memorable selection here is Leo Nucci
in a lagendary performance of Rossini's
"Largo al Factotum" from "Il Barbiere di Seviglia"
also Andrea Bocelli in his performance of Leoncavallo's
memorable "Matinatta" here in an orchestrated version.
Indeed some of opera's most loved arias are in this recording
various conductors, orchestras, and soloists. All in their
very best. Indeed a five-star recording...

Average customer rating: Romance of the Violin End of the Day Wonderful! Over and over and over.... Non-standard CD format

Romance of the Violin Claude Debussy , Fryderyk Chopin , Camille Saint-Saens , Franz Schubert , Vincenzo Bellini , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Christoph Willibald Gluck , Alexander Borodin , Antonin Dvorak , Claudio Monteverdi , Jules Massenet , Robert Schumann , Michael Stern , Craig Ogden , Gregory Knowles , John Constable , Jacob Heringman , and Stephen Orton Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | 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 Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music 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 Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Bell, Joshua | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: Voice of the Violin Ladies in Lavender Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto [Hybrid SACD] Joshua Bell - Gershwin Fantasy The Red Violin: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ASIN: B0000DG06L Release Date: 2003-10-28

Tracks:

1. O mio babbino caro (from 'Gianni Schicchi')
2. The Girl With Flaxen Hair (from Preludes, Book I; La fille aux cheveux delin: Prelude for Piano L 117/8)
3. Nocturne in C sharp minor (Op Post)
4. The Swan (from Carnival of the Animals)
5. Serenade (from 'Schwanengesang' song cycle for voice and piano, D 957
6. Casta Diva (from 'Norma')
7. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major K. 467
8. Nocturne from Quartet for Strings No. 2 in D Major: 3rd movement
9. Dance of the Blessed Spirits (from 'Orfeo ed Euridice')
10. Songs My Mother Taught Me, song for voice and piano B104/4 Op 55/4
11. Pur ti Miro (from 'L'incoronazione di Poppea')
12. Elegie (Elegie 'O doux printemps d'autrefois' for voice and piano)
13. Traumerei ('Kinderszenen' for piano, Op 15, No. 7 'Dreaming')

Amazon.com

Every track on this CD contains a beautiful melody, many of them easily recognizable, all of them exuding tranquility. "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi opens the disc, with Bell delicately accompanied by a harp and spinning the long melody with great sensitivity. Bellini's "Casta diva" from Norma lives up to its reputation as the epitome of bel canto in Bell's hands; his violin sings. The middle movement of Mozart's 21st Piano Concerto takes well to the violin, and Debussy's "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair" is played with great warmth and sensuality. It would be easy to turn a recital like this into treacle, but Bell is wise enough to realize that the music is already sweet enough and he plays with great reserve and a minimum of sentimental slides. The light accompaniments always support, with woodwinds prominent but used with grace. This CD, in short, is a beauty: a fine gift, a lovely mood setter. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Romance of the Violin.......2007-07-16

While it's not my very favorite Joshua Bell CD, this is a pleasure to listen to!

End of the Day.......2007-06-08

I am a Joshua Bell fan, and this album is the one that I enjoy with my dessert, it calms me at the end of the day, and makes me think of my 6 year old granddaughter's visit. She has to have music on during meals at her home. Usually it is some kid stuff, but I do not have anything like she has at home, so I chose to play Joshua Bell during our dinner. When I placed the dessert before her, she looked up at me and said: "This music is so beautiful, I want to play the violin just like that". What more could I say.
He is inspiring, and she is right. This album is beautiful.

Wonderful!.......2007-05-30

I play this for my grandson to nap by. It is so relaxing and wonderful!

Over and over and over...........2007-05-17

That's how I want to play this CD! It's a wonderful line-up of rich, mellow, captivating compositions played with a warmth and vibrancy that is seldom heard. Joshua at his very best. You won't be disappointed.

Non-standard CD format.......2007-04-22

The music on this CD deserves five stars, but the CD itself is a non-standard format that doesn't work on all players. There's a tiny warning on the back of the CD. You won't notice the warning until you discover that the CD doesn't work on your player. My Macintosh computer wouldn't read the non-standard format so there was no way for me to listen in my office or put the music on my iPod.

A friend's PC was able to read the CD and make a copy in standard format that can be read on any player, including my Mac. The story had a happy ending, but I can not comprehend why the publisher chose the oddball CD specification.

The music is excellent and worth the trouble of making a copy, but the publisher really shouldn't make you go to that effort just to listen to a CD that you paid for.

Average customer rating: Great for kids! Mediocre Sound Quality I was pleased The Most Famous Opera Arias Okay But.... - a review of "The Most Famous Opera Arias"

The Most Famous Opera Arias Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | 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 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | 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 CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Most Famous Opera Duets The Best of Italian Opera The #1 Opera Album The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever! Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... ASIN: B000002SCE Release Date: 1994-07-19

Tracks:

1. Rigoletto: Act I - Caro nome
2. Rigoletto: Act III - La donna e mobile
3. Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
4. Carmen: Act I - Habanera: La voila...L'amour est oiseau rebelle
5. Orfeo ed Euridice: Act III - Che faro senz Euridice
6. Madama Butterfly: Act III - Un bel di, vedremo
7. Romeo et Juliette: Act I - Ah! je veux vivre
8. Le nozze di Figaro: Act II - Voi che sapete che cosa e amor
9. Samson et Dalila: Act II - Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix
10. Tosca:: Act II - Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore
11. Aida: Act I-Celeste Aida
12. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Act I-Una voce poco fa
13. Lakme: Act II - Ou va la jeune indoue?
14. La Wally: Act I - Ebben? Ne andro lontano
15. La Boheme: Act I - Che gelida manina
16. Die Zauberflote: Act II-Die Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen

Customer Reviews:

Great for kids!.......2007-06-27

I'm generally not a fan of music "samplers," but opera can be tough to introduce to children. And hey--even adults played cards, ate, and talked through the recitative sections of the early operas while they waited for the next aria! So I feel that getting kids hooked on opera through great arias probably can't hurt (the next 10 years or so will determine whether I'm right or not). My 4-year-old loves this CD; it's a delight to watch her imitate Anna Moffo (the sincerest form of flattery, for sure). Highly recommended resource for introducing young kids to opera. More top picks: Siberell's Bravo! Brava! A Night at the Opera, and the Black Dog Opera Library CDs.

Mediocre Sound Quality.......2007-03-31

If you note the album was released in 1994, and includes selections from many years prior, you will understand that the quality of the sound engineering is not going to dazzle your ear.

It's a very nice collection to hum along to, but don't expect shivers down your spine as the sound quality is not sufficient to reproduce the dynamic range of these voices.

I was pleased.......2007-02-18

I am by no means an opera expert, but found this to be a wonderful CD. Along with the songs I already knew I liked (such as a song from Carmen,) I found many others I enjoyed. In fact, Samson et Dahlila turned out to be my favorite. If you are just getting started or at any point in your adventure of opera, I would recommend this one.

The Most Famous Opera Arias.......2007-01-05

I was completely surprised in the product as well as the time in which it was delivered.

I would not only refer this seller but I will come back myself.

Okay But.... - a review of "The Most Famous Opera Arias".......2006-08-18

My daughter (6 y.o.) and I like opera; but sitting for two hours to watch Turandot is just not within the realm of possibilities for my 4 year old son right now... so I was looking for an opera CD for the car. He will sit and listen to short arias.

This was the first we purchased and it is okay but not great.

Problem #1 - where is Wagner. No Wagner?
Problem#2 - Elena Obraztsova - she sounds like Carmen's grandmother. Rather matronly for a vixen (imho--lol)

Three Stars. [C+] Great Price and good sound quality for the car. The operatic styles of some of the performers are antiquated and frilly sounding, but I would probably buy this CD again.

Note: We purchased and really preferred "The # 1 Opera Album". It has more selections and better artists in our opinion. Also it's a two CD set. Just something to consider.

Average customer rating: Great Stuff A Great Introduction to Italian Opera Best of the best! Fabulous bargain for anyone Great songs for a low price.

The Best of Italian Opera Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | 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 Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | 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 $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Most Famous Opera Arias The Most Famous Opera Duets The #1 Opera Album Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever! ASIN: B000000UXN Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

1. La Traviata: 'Libiamo, Libiamo'
2. Rigoletto: 'La donna e' Mobile'
3. The Barber Of Seville: 'Una voce poco fa'
4. La Boheme: 'Che gelida manina'
5. Rigoletto: 'Gualtier Malde!' Caro nome'
6. Il Trovatore: 'Vedi! le fosche'
7. Il Trovatore: 'Il balen del suo sorriso...Per me ora fatale'
8. TOSCA: 'Vissi d'arte'
9. La Traviata: 'Di Provenza il mar, il suol'
10. The Marriage Of Figaro: 'Voi che sapete'
11. Aida: 'Se quel guerrier io fossi...Celeste Aida'
12. Madama Butterfly: 'Un bel di vedremo'
13. La Gioconda: 'Cielo e mar'
14. Lucia di Lammernoor: 'Ardon gl' incesi'

Customer Reviews:

Great Stuff.......2007-07-22

The sound quality of this disc is surprisingly good, very good for an ADD. All the selections captured each singer in his/her top form. It is a real treat that this disc contains many work that were not normally in certain singer's repertoire. Gedda's Aida, Moffo's Rossini-Rosina and Cherobino, for example, all were superbly sung. Even Moffo's Lucia sounds much better than I have ever heard in other places.

A Great Introduction to Italian Opera.......2005-05-01

The artists on this CD succeed in their goal to create a CD that displays great Italian opera. Carlo del Monte and Victoria de los Angeles open the disc with the Brindisi from La Traviata. Victoria de los Angeles is not the best Violetta, but she does the job, along with her parner Carlo del Monte, an underappreciated tenor. Victoria de los Angeles also appears on the CD in "Un bel di vedremo" from Madama Butterfly, a role she was well known for. Swedish tenor Nicolai Gedda appears on the disc twice. His first appearence is a superb rendition of "La donna e mobile" from Rigoletto. His final performance on this disc is in the heroric aria "Celeste Aida", a performance in a role that was not in his voice range. Anna Moffo is the star on this CD, appearing three times in three very different roles. First is her beautiful "Una voce poco fa", normally a role that calls for a mezzo-soprano. Her second is "Voi che sapete" from Le Nozze di Figaro, another mezzo-soprano role. Her final appearence is her best, "The Mad Scene" from Lucia di Lammermoor. Underrated tenor Giuseppe Campora performs "Che gelida manina" with a great tenor voice. Soprano Reri Girst is excellent in her performance of "Caro nome" from Rigoletto. One of my favorite baritones appears on this CD. Robert Merrill is a perfect Count di Luna, and it is evident in his rendition of "Il balen del suo sorriso". Another baritone appears on this CD: mario Sereni. He is not a world famous baritone, but he should have been. Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the world of Italian opera.

Best of the best!.......2003-01-11

The performers, the selections, the quality... almost divine!

Fabulous bargain for anyone.......2002-11-24

I would recommend this CD to anyone, from opera novice to experienced listener...

These are older recordings -- I would guess mostly from the 1960's. The recording quality is exceptional for the day and, while not the equivalent of modern engineering, is sufficient to allow sheer physical pleasure from the music and an immediate appreciation of the vocal qualities of the artists. The sound quality is the only mild drawback...

The performances are magnificent! The voices are almost entirely lighter and more agile than the great voices of the 80's and 90's. In fact, the ear of the editor is apparent in his preference for lighter and more agile voices.

For example, there is a beautiful rendition of "Che Gelida Manina" from someone I had never heard before, Guiseppe Campora. He does not have the weight or volume of Pavarotti or Domingo, but has more elegance and a pure, charming tone. A connoisseur performance, but nevertheless a true operatic rendition by a tenor who can hit the high C with authority -- as good for a newcomer to opera who wants to hear the real thing, as for an opera lover who would like to hear something a bit different.

Some of the artists were among the most famous singers of their day: Moffo, de los Angeles, Gedda.

Anna Moffo, one of the greatest sopranos of her day (and all time), is in magnificent voice in famous blockbusters from Rossini's Barber of Seville, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, and the Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor.

De Los Angeles is at her best in "Libiamo" from La Traviata, but the recording quality (the one inadequately engineered track on the CD) and her lack of oomph make for a second-rate version of "Un bel di".

In keeping with the light and lyrical orientation of the selections, Moffo -- a famous Gilda and hardly a dramatic voice -- is bypassed for the even lighter, sweeter and more agile colatura Reri Grist (while she still had her voice), in a lovely "Caro Nome".

Another nice selection is Mario Sereni performing "Di provenza, il mar". Both this and "Libiamo" are taken from one of my favorite recordings of Traviata -- also a great chance to hear Serafin at the helm of the Rome Opera House orchestra. (The 2-CD version of this is still available from EMI, I think.) Newcomers will love this pretty tune, and Sereni's archtypal Verdi baritone is good, although hardly the best ever.

Franco Corelli has never been a favorite of mine, but he sounds the best I've ever heard him in his rendition of "Cielo et mar".

Anyway, I didn't intend to list every cut. Whether you are an opera lover who would like to hear some of opera's most famous arias performed in a new light, or an opera lover who would like to hear great performances at a cut-rate price, this CD gets my unqualified approval.

Great songs for a low price........2001-08-16

Ranging from selections of La Traviata, Il Trovatore and other popular Italian operas, this is a great cd for under four bucks. The singers may not be well recognized, but they do possess powerful voices.

Average customer rating: Grandmother's Review great cd! Absolutely Love It!!! My daughter loved this before she was born enjoyable

UltraSound - Music for the Unborn Child Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. 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Tracks:

1. Reverie
2. Suite No. 3: Air On The G String
3. Kinderszene-Traumerei
4. Thais-Meditation
5. Sonata For Two Pianos, K.448-II: Andante
6. Lullaby: Cradle Song
7. Nocturne For Harp
8. The Nutcracker: Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
9. Concerto, Op. 8, No. 4 'Winter': II. Largo
10. Clair e lune
11. Eine kleine Nachtmusik-II. Romanze: Andante
12. Berceuse
13. Russian Lullaby
14. Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits
15. Lyric Pieces, Op. 68, No. 5: Cradle Song
16. Madama Butterfly: Humming Chorus
17. Ave Maria

Amazon.com

While many hospitals across the country send new mums and babes home equipped with discs of classical music to soothe and gently stimulate babies' tender minds, Ultrasound brings together a delightfully well-rounded set specifically chosen for those still in the womb. Expectant moms will appreciate the effects of the mellow strains of Bach's Suite No. 3, the delicate playfulness of Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy," and Mozart's proven-to-make-you-smart Sonata for Two Pianos featuring André Previn. Debussy's "Clair de lune" is especially lovely as conducted and fluted by James Galway, and Leontyne Price is a warm blanket of comfort giving voice to Schubert's "Ave Maria." Indeed, these songs are aural balm to both parent and child long after birth. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Grandmother's Review.......2007-05-21

I purchased this product for my expectant daughter, and she says that it is the best gift she has ever received. She, herself, finds the music very soothing and relaxing, and she is certain that it is wonderful for her child.

great cd!.......2007-05-14

This is a fantastic product! I bought it to play for my unborn daughter and I started it when I was around five mos. pregnant. She moves all over the place when I put the headphones on my belly and I can even tell by her movements that she likes some songs more than others. I have done a lot of research into playing music for unborn babies, including the helpfulness as far as birthing positions when the music is played regularly. This cd fits the bill for all of the research I've done. It is completely worth the money!

Absolutely Love It!!!.......2007-04-02

I have a 6 month old daughter. I first purchased this CD when I was pregnant and would place my earphones on my belly for her to listen. I now use it in her room at bedtime and I absolutely love it. I have a collection of other CD's, but honestly this is my favorite. It is a very nice blend of songs. It is soothing for baby and parents. If you only buy one CD I would recommend you make it this one.

My daughter loved this before she was born.......2006-12-15

When I was about 18 weeks pregnant I bought this and two other CDs of gentle classical music and played one of them for her every 2nd or 3rd night, putting headphones on my belly. I was actually skeptical about this being "music for the unborn" but she really did react to this one much more than anything else I ever played for her. If she hadn't been very active that day I could always lay down in the evening with the headphones and play her music, and she's wriggle around. She especially liked #5 and #10. :)

She didn't seem to have much connection to it after she arrived, but she does enjoy music in general. (She's currently almost 11 mo old.)

enjoyable.......2006-08-03

I have enjoyed this cd thus far. If you have the money to spend, this is relaxing and enjoyable, however you can get similar music for free on your local classical station. So if you would rather save your money...just tune in on your radio dial. I am glad I bought the cd for the familiarity of the songs, but I also love just plain old classical radio.

Average customer rating: Lives Up To The Title, Fine Variety Of Genre's. Good for relaxing pregnant women Too much opera Does what it set out to do, very well TRULY The most relaxing and beautiful music ever written.

The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever! Johann Sebastian Bach , Léo Delibes , Gabriel Fauré , Erik Satie , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Edvard Grieg , Johann Pachelbel , Claude Debussy , Felix Mendelssohn , Camille Saint-Saens , Henryk Gorecki , Antonio Vivaldi , Edward Elgar , Jocelyn Pook , Sergey Rachmaninov , Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni , Luigi Boccherini , Jules Massenet , Ludwig van Beethoven , Jacques Offenbach , Pietro Mascagni , Antonin Dvorak , Giacomo Puccini , Ralph Vaughan Williams , Alexander Borodin , Joaquin Rodrigo , and Samuel Barber Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Albinoni | Albinoni, Tomaso | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. 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The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe 25 Classical Favorites Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits ASIN: B00000I93Z Release Date: 1999-03-30

Tracks:

1. Air 'On the G String' - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
2. Morning - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
3. Canon In D - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
4. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
5. Gymnopedie No.1 - City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
6. II. Andante - Stephen Hough
7. Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
8. In Paradisum - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
9. Clair De Lune - Dame Moura Lympany
10. II. Andate - Yehudi Menuhin
11. The Swan - Osian Ellis
12. II. Lento E Largo - Tranquillissimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
13. II. Andantino - James Galway
14. II. Largo - Yehudi Menuhin
15. Nimrod - London Symphony Orchestra
16. Blow the Wind - Pie Jesu - Jocelyn Pook
17. Variation 18 - Cecile Ousset
18. Pavane Op.50 - Gareth Morris

Tracks:

1. Zion Hort Die Wachter Singen - South German Madrigal Choir
2. Adagio In G Minor - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
3. Minuet - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
4. II. Largo - Andrei Gavrilov
5. Meditation - Hans Kalafusz
6. I. Adagio Sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
7. Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
8. II. Andante - Nigel North
9. II. Adagio - Jack Brymer
10. Intermezzo - Philharmonia Orchestra
11. I. Moderato - London Chamber Orchestra
12. O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
13. Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Sinfonia Of London
14. II. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening) - Cecile Ousset
15. Nocturne - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
16. II. Adagio (Opening) - Julian Bream
17. Adagio For Strings Op.11a - The Philadelphia Orchestra
18. Entr'acte To Act III - Orchestre National De France

Amazon.com

You want relaxing classical music that'll soothe your soul but won't lull you into sleep? Here's a double CD for you. The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World ... Ever! does its best to cover both well-worn classical favorites (Bach's "Air on the G String," Pachelbel's "Cannon," Debussy's "Clair de Lune") and some eclectic left-field choices (an excerpt from Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Jocelyn Pook's "Blow the Wind," and Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. The performances of most of these excerpts are top-notch--artists include Sir Neville Marriner, James Galway, Jacqueline du Pré and the Philadelphia Orchestra--and there's enough variety here for everyone. --Edward Garabedian

Customer Reviews:

Lives Up To The Title, Fine Variety Of Genre's........2007-02-04

This CD is a great way to enjoy a large variety of Classical Composers & many of their best known pieces. Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," is an all time favorite. There are vocals, Piano pieces, & some fine Violins. I found the latter the most enjoyable. Here you can find Rodrigo & Pachelbell. Samuel Barber's haunting Adagio will make your skin tingle. This may not be to everyones taste, but if you wish to relax? Give this a couple of listens.

Good for relaxing pregnant women.......2007-01-17

I stumbled onto this album whilst searching bit torrent websites for classical music. I don't normally listen to classical music but thought it might be relaxing for my pregnant wife. After hearing the quality of the performances, the arrangement, and the recording I decided to buy the album from amazon. All the songs you would expect from a "best album in the world" are there and they are not boring to listen to like a lot of other classical albums. I now play this album in the car constantly and the wife requested it be played at the hospital during the birth.

Too much opera.......2007-01-10

If it wasn't for the opera this would be a great CD.

Does what it set out to do, very well.......2006-11-15

So i'm a classical music veteran, someone who prefers to collect a complete work, rather than classical compilations. I probably would not have listened to this album at all if my dad didnt buy it for me as a gift. By now, i own the complete works that over half of the excepts on this disc come from. I am a purist if ever there was one.

That said, i totally adore this set because i have learned to take it on its own terms. These discs weren't meant for expert classical listeners, so a review from that sort of mindset is useless. This set was meant for pure, easy listening, and for a basic starters kit for classical newbies. Most of all, it was just meant to do what the title says, to relax the average human being. classical expert or not.

Yes, some of these pieces have been altered or shortened, like Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto Andantino, but they have been edited for a good enough reason: the full versions would have been too long to flow with the rest of the album. And also, the full versions contain so much development that they don't become easy listening anymore. The shortened versions work in the context of the album. Most essentially, the shortened versions on the discs still convey the main flavor the composers were going for. The melodies and themes remain unchanged.

To sum up, it is true that when i want to actually listen deeply to classical music, this album would never be a choice. I would want to hear the complete works like the composers intended. But at certain times when i simply don't mind about that stuff, when i just need to loosen up and free my mind of stress with some nice melodies, this set does the job well enough.

Last but not least: being a purist and a classical buff, i am very particular about performance quality. I was very glad to find that EMI did not get lazy about this. All the artists are world-class, and all the performances are at least exceptional. Some performances are even quite excellent, like the Clair De Lune, which is one of the best i've heard. (Credit to Dame Lympany, the pianist.)

So once again, recommended for its stated purpose, to relax. I am a purist, a classical buff, and i still enjoy this disc. That says something.

TRULY The most relaxing and beautiful music ever written........2006-11-10

This album along with Volume 2 are now the two most valued albums in my music collection. I have all of the songs contained on these two albums but they are scattered through at least a dozen different albums and several are not performed by artists such as those that recorded this album and Volume 2.
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!