Verdi: Opera Choruses

1. Don Carlo, opera Act III: Spuntato ecco il di d'esultanza
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   Conducted by Georgi Robev
   
   
2. Don Carlo, opera Act II: Sotto ai folti
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Svetlana Ivanova, Roumyana Tsacheva
   Conducted by Georgi Robev
   
   
3. Nabucco, opera (Nabucodonosor) Act III: Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   Conducted by Georgi Robev
   
   
4. Aida, opera Act II: Chi mai fra gl'inni e i plausi
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Douka Yovcheva
   Conducted by Georgi Robev
   
   
5. Nabucco, opera (Nabucodonosor) Act I: Gli arredi festivi
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   Conducted by Georgi Robev
   
   
6. Aida, opera Possente Pthà
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Veska Marinska
   Conducted by Georgi Robev
   
   
7. Nabucco, opera (Nabucodonosor) Act III: E l'Assiria una regina
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   Conducted by Georgi Robev
   
   
8. Macbeth, opera Act I: Che faceste...?
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   Conducted by Georgi Robev
   
   
9. Macbeth, opera Act II: Chi v'impose univri a noi?
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   Conducted by Georgi Robev
   
   
10. Macbeth, opera Act IV: Patria oppressa!
    Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
    Conducted by Georgi Robev
    
    

Verdi: Opera Choruses,Giuseppe Verdi,Georgi Robev,Douka Yovcheva,Roumyana Tsacheva,Svetlana Ivanova,Veska Marinska,Capriccio,Italian Romantic Opera,Opera

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Average customer rating: A memorable album by Robert Shaw Great version Superb Brings back memories Apologies to Puccini.

Verdi: Requiem & Operatic Choruses Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) / Auger, Stilwell, Atlanta SO, Robert Shaw Fauré · Duruflé - Requiem / J. Blegen · J. Morris · Atlanta SO · Shaw Bach: Mass in B minor / McNair, Ziegler, Simpson, Aler, Stone, Paul; Shaw Mozart: Requiem / McNair, Watkinson, Araiza, Lloyd; Marriner Mozart - Requiem / Augér, Bartoli, Cole, Pape, Wiener Phil., Solti ASIN: B000003CUH Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Requiem: 1. Requiem & Kyrie
2. Requiem: 2. Dies Irae
3. Requiem: 3. Offertory
4. Requiem: 4. Sanctus

Tracks:

1. Requiem: 5. Agnus Dei
2. Requiem: 6. Lux Aeterna
3. Requiem: 7. Libera Me - 1. Libera Me - 2. Dies Irae - 3. Requiem Aeternam - 4. Libera Me
4. Requiem: Spuntato Ecco
5. Requiem: Patria Oppressa!
6. Requiem: Fuoco Di Gioia
7. Requiem: Va Pensiero
8. Requiem: Gloria All'Egitto

Amazon.com

Robert Shaw learned from Arturo Toscanini, and in his stupendous 1987 recording for Telarc he managed to surpass the master on some points. He is unerring in his pacing and staging of climaxes, and draws phrasing and dynamics from the chorus that other conductors can only dream of. Points are made with exhilarating effect throughout the account: never has the bass drum in the Dies irae been as splendidly hammered as here, and the whooping brass in the Tuba mirum is breathtaking. The all-American solo quartet sounds a bit driven, especially the light-voiced Susan Dunn and Jerry Hadley, but their contribution is a strong one nonetheless. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

A memorable album by Robert Shaw.......2007-04-16

I sometimes wonder why any top choral conductor would want to conduct, least of all record, a piece where the soloists invariably command center stage at the expense of the chorus.

Robert Shaw (1916 - 1999), of course, is practically a god in the choral world. And while he has done well as an orchestral conductor, his claim to fame to most will always be his work with choruses.

So here we have an operatic requiem written by one of history's greatest opera composers, conducted by one of history's greatest choral conductors. How does it turn out?

The Atlanta Symphony Chorus is very, very good. Their sumptuous sound becomes even more memorable thanks to the stunning reverberation of Atlanta Symphony Hall. Their Libera Me fugue was literally a wall of sound that seemed for a moment to encompass your entire world. The Dum Veneris passage following that was the best I'd ever heard: all four parts were distinct and incredibly powerful.

The four soloists, however, really stole the show for me. Susan Dunn and Diane Curry displayed a lot of passion in Recordare. They also created a wonderfully blended sound through their Agnus Dei duet, probably the best blend I'd ever heard so far.

Jerry Hadley is definitely one of my all-time favorite Verdi Requiem tenors. He reminded me of Richard Tucker in his commanding Kyrie entrance. His Ingemisco possessed a ringing power that left me breathless.

Paul Plishka was probably the "weakest" of the four. In Confutatis, it sounded like he was punching his voice. However, he sounded very good in the Offertorio.

And speaking of Offertorio, that was truly a soloist high point for me. The four singers literally turned into a mini-opera; it was quite dramatic hearing their voices trade back and forth.

The sound of the orchestra was truly a pleasure to hear. This music demands power and virtuosity, and the Atlantans provided both in spades. And drum lovers will be quite satisfied with the almost violent sound of the bass drum in Dies Irae.

The album also features five popular choruses from Verdi's operas. If, like me, you got carried away listening to the Requiem soloists, here's your chance to hear this remarkable chorus without any soloist distraction. The "Don Carlos" chorus (sung in Italian not French) was a rousing affair. "Patria oppressa" was appropriately subdued and melancholy. Fuoco di gioia proved the virtuosity of these choral masters. "Va pensiero" was smooth and rich. "Gloria all'Egitto" featured the chorus in all its mighty grandeur. The orchestra provides excellent accompaniment throughout. You will thoroughly enjoy listening to these choruses.

The recorded sound is absolutely fabulous. The four sections of the chorus are much more evenly miked than on most CDs. The great engineering makes the orchestra an audiophile's dream.

The liner notes contain texts and translations. However, a previous reviewer has found that the "Hostias" paragraph is missing the words "Fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam."

The tracks use an index system which I suspect is not available on most DVD players, the result being that the Dies Irae is put on a single 36 minute track.

This CD was recorded in April 1987 in Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta, GA. The Requiem duration is 84'23", so the tempos are about average for this piece.

Great version.......2007-02-26

There are version of Verdi's Requiems in that market. I consider this to be onre the best ones I have heard. What adds to this perfomance is the quality of the manufacturer's transfer.

Superb.......2005-10-20

I don't have anything to add to the excellent reviews, I just want to chime in with my vote. This was rated as the top recording of this piece when I bought it on recomendation of a tenor friend back in 1990 or so and it is probably the best sustained operatic performace I have found thus far. The power and the majesty of this piece needs to be heard to be believed. So... Buy it, make sure the neighbors are out, turn the lights out, it in your best listening spot, turn up the volume and press play.

Don't miss the final track on the second disk!

Brings back memories.......2001-05-04

How could I possibly top the splendid review by Dominic Grant below? And his later graceful apology for a mere typo? Well, I just cannot. But I'd like to share my own thoughts, anyway.

With all the flap over the recently released Gergiev recording of the Verdi Requiem on Philips, with its unfortunate choice of Andrea Bocelli - a pop singer masquerading as an operatic singer - as tenor soloist, it is once again - and always - a pleasure to turn to a truly definitive recorded performance, that of Robert Shaw. As points of reference whenever I turn to this performance, I always have in mind earlier recordings by Giulini and Solti, among others. (I include a truly visceral one by Karel Ancerl and the Czech Philharmonic, featuring Galina Vishnevskaya with a "Libera me" to die for, and the type of Slavic excitement that Gergiev tries for but fails.)

Verdi's Requiem is, without doubt, the most operatic of such works as have become part of the liturgical canon. But it doesn't necessarily follow from this that the best recordings are the ones which utilize operatic superstars. Were that the case, Solti's recording, with Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne, Luciano Pavarotti and Martti Talvela, would be unchallenged (particularly when one throws in the Vienna Philharmonic, as well as the typically excellent mid-60's sound that Decca was so good at). But, true to form, Solti just couldn't find the proper sensitivity and balance to make his performance the definitive one.

Shaw does what Solti could not do. In a work that requires efforts of equal quality by orchestra, soloists and chorus, there simply is no better chorus than a Shaw chorus. Shaw's four soloists, while perhaps not of the marquee value of the ones on the Solti recording, are outstanding. A previous customer reviewer certainly got it right when he said that Susan Dunn was a Verdi soprano to be reckoned with. And Diane Curry, Jerry Hadley and Paul Plishka are equally excellent. (Plishka, as I mention later, is one of my "memories.") Moreover, in a work which demands that the cataclysms of the Dies Irae and the tenderly supplicant closing pages of the Libera me be captured in proper proportions, none are better than Telarc at this challenge.

The personal friendship between Robert Shaw and the Cleveland-based Telarc team of Bob Woods and Jack Renner goes back to the days when Shaw was George Szell's assistant at the Cleveland Orchestra. Thus it was, when Woods and Renner introduced the "all-digital" Telarc label in the late 70's, that they turned to Shaw and his Atlantans as an enduring source for the recording of choral masterpieces. With the passing of Shaw some two years ago, it is now time that someone sum up his recorded legacy, which, under the aegis of Telarc, exceeds three dozen recordings. In my humble opinion, he will be remembered for a long, long time for three works that Telarc recorded with his forces: The Bach B Minor Mass, the Brahms German Requiem, and this Verdi Requiem.

Oh! The memories! For several years, at a time when Shaw's Atlanta forces were as good as they were to get, in the early 80's, I was fortunate to live in the Atlanta area, and to attend many of his concerts. And, in the fall of 1965, when Paul Plishka had just won a "young artist" award that was to lead to his Metropolitan Opera career, I was fortunate to have been a member of an amateur chorus which performed this work with a semi-pro orchestra and four young soloists. The names of the other three soloists were long ago relegated to the dustbin of history. But the bass soloist at that 1965 performance was none other than Paul Plishka. He's still banging the boards at the Met. One durable dude!

Once again, kudos to Mr. Grant for his superb review, and for his reminding me that I had some "unfinished business" to attend to.

Bob Zeidler

Apologies to Puccini........2000-12-04

Further to my review of the 18th of June below,it's just been brought to my attention by a kind reader that I have inadvertently ascribed the composition of the famous aria,"Nessun Dorma" from Turandot to Verdi himself.First of all,my sincere apologies to Puccini (probably still revolving in his grave !),and my apologies to you for grossly offending your musical sensibilities as you pass this way.That will teach me to spend a little longer editing my reviews before submitting them !

Average customer rating: Opera for Children Great Opera for Children My six-year old liked it! Fun, accessible opera for you and your child to enjoy

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Tracks:

1. Carmen: Children's March
2. Carmen: Toreador Song
3. Carmen: Toreador Chorus
4. The Barber Of Seville: Largo Al Factotum
5. Faust: Soldiers' Chorus
6. Il travatore: Anvil Chorus
7. Madame Butterfly: Humming Chorus
8. Die Walkure: The Ride Of The Valkyries
9. The Tales Of Hoffman: The Doll Song
10. Aida: Triumphal Choruses And March
11. The Magic Flute: Papageno's Song: A Birdcatcher Am I
12. The Magic Flute: Papagena! Papagena! Papagena!
13. The Magic Flute: Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa
14. Hansel And Gretel: Brother, Come Dance With Me
15. Hansel And Gretel: I Am The Little Sandman
16. Hansel And Gretel: Children's Prayer
17. Hansel And Gretel: Song Of The Gingerbread Children
18. Hansel And Gretel: Ral-la-la-la, Ral-la-la-la

Customer Reviews:

Opera for Children.......2005-10-14

This is an excellent CD to introduce children to some of the more familiar operas. I would highly recommend this CD for children and also for adults who want to become familiar with opera.

Great Opera for Children.......2005-05-01

This CD is an excellent compilation of opera for children and adults alike. The operas that are represented on this disc are: Carmen, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Faust, Il Trovatore, Madama Butterfly, Die Walkure, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Aida, Die Zauberflote, and Hansel und Gretel. People love the Children's March, as well as the Toreador Chorus, from the opera Carmen. The well known Toreador Song is performed on this CD by great bass- baritone Jose van Dam. Children who watch Bugs Bunny will recognize "Largo al factotum" from Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Sherrill Milnes performs the role of Figaro expertly, and his falsetto is evident in Figaro's famous patter aria. Great choruses, like the Soldier's Chorus from Faust, the Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore, the Triumphal Chorus from Aida, and the Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly make appearences on this CD. The Doll Song from Les Contes d'Hoffmann is performed by soprano Joan Sutherland. She uses her voice to rise up and down, like a mechanical doll. My favorite German baritone, Hermann prey, performs Papageno's entrance aria from Die Zauberflote, as well was the duet with Papagena. Choruses from Hansel und Gretel round the CD.

My six-year old liked it!.......2001-04-02

My six year-old son enjoyed hearing this CD. We like to sing together, so we found many of the pieces quite alot. But to be honest, when we discovered the more recently released CD, The Classical Child AT the Opera, he went wild because all the pieces have been translateded into English, so it's much more enjoyable for us to sing along. So I would recommend it, but check out the other one as well -- your kids will be glad you did. All the best, Steven

Fun, accessible opera for you and your child to enjoy.......1999-11-05

I bought this CD for my then 3 year old son. He loved it then because it was the "Bugs Bunny" music he was familiar with from the cartoons. He listened to it for awhile then we put it away. After he turned 4, he said to me one day -- let's listen to opera, and now we listen to this CD every day. This music gets his blood going; he struts around his room when he listens to this. And, he is in every respect a typical boy who likes Pokemon and the Back Street Boys. So, I consider this CD successful in introducing opera to a youngster.

Average customer rating: Gruberova's Extraordinary "Mein Herr Marquis", Sumi Jo's winning "Der hölle Rache" Beautiful collection, even though not perfect Breathtaking performances of standard literature Finally, a 2-disc soprano collection from Decca The grandeur of the Opera

The #1 Soprano Album Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Canteloube, Joseph | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( 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 Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | 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 General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Academy of Ancient Music | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Harrell, Lynn | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The #1 Tenor Album Jewel Song ~ 20 Great Soprano Arias / Crespin, Freni, Te Kanawa, Sutherland, Jo, Tebaldi, Cotrubas, Caballé, Cerquetti... The #1 Opera Album The Ultimate Divas Album The Most Famous Opera Duets ASIN: B000060OHV Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

1. Puccini: Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
2. Delibes: Lakme: Flower Duet
3. Catalani: La Wally: Ebben?...Ne Andro Lontana
4. Strauss: Die Fledermaus: Mein Herr Marquis
5. Canteloube: Chants D'Auvergne: Bailero
6. Bellini: Norma: Casta Diva
7. Mozart: The Marriage Of Figaro: Che Soave Zeffiretto
8. Mozart: The Magic Flute: Der Holle Rache Kocht In Meinem Herzen
9. Mozart: The Abduction From The Seraglio: Welche Wonne
10. Verdi: The Sicilian Vespers: Merce, Dilette, Amiche
11. Verdi: Rigoletto: Caro Nome
12. Puccini: Tosca: Vissi D'Arte
13. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremi
14. Puccini: La Rondine: Chi il Bel Sogno Di Doretta
15. Puccini: La Boheme: Quando M'en Vo'
16. Puccini: La Boheme: Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi
17. Schubert: Ave Maria

Tracks:

1. Bizet: Carmen: L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle
2. Offenbach: The Tales Of Hoffman: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour
3. Rossini: The Barber Of Seville: Una Voce Poca Fa
4. Verdi: La Traviata: E Strano.Ah Fors'e Lui.Sempre Libera
5. Mozart: The Marriage Of Figaro: Giunse Alfin Il Momento.Deh Vieni Non
6. Mozart: Don Giovanni: In quali Eccessi.
7. Villa-Lobos: Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
8. Bach/Gounod: Ave Maria
9. Handel: Rinaldo: Lascia/Ch'io Pianga
10. Handel: Samson: Let The Bright Seraphim
11. Giordano: Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta
12. Flotow: Martha: Last Rose Of Summer
13. Puccini: Manon Lescaut: In Quelle Trine Morbide
14. Wagner: Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise
15. Orff: Carmina Burana: Cour D'Amours: In Trutina
16. Shenandoah

Customer Reviews:

Gruberova's Extraordinary "Mein Herr Marquis", Sumi Jo's winning "Der hölle Rache".......2007-06-30

I bought that 2-CD set only for the extraordinary performance of Adele's "Laughing Song" ("Mein Herr Marquis") by Edita Gruberova. It is highly surprising (and inexcusable IMO) that a great label as Universal/Decca wrongly gives it to Kiri Te Kanawa, and that another great company (amazon) relays that big error on this site; the recording is quite recognizable (Gruberova can't be confused with anyone; and at her final, you can't confuse the particular audience of that live performance unable to refrain from blowing their stunning and applause before end), and you can check J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Te Kanawa, Gruberova, Fassbaender, Bär, Wiener Philharmoniker, Previn and search it, 1st for "Gruberova", 2nd for "Kanawa".

Another track is, alone, worth buying the CD: Königin der Nacht's "Der hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen" by Sumi Jo. Lucia Popp despite her quite deserved immense reputation for this, is beaten (IMO) by Cheryl Studer (purer and more subtle - at least when with Neville Marriner), who is in turn by Sumi Jo: Jo brings the incredible energy and speed and emotion yet chirurgical precision required by that piece full of terrible wrath and grudge (I once attended the Flute where Königin was on her balcony, pointing her finger at her daughter, far away in the court, giving full life to the ultra-powerful music and lyrics "The hellish revenge burns in my heart! Death and destitution to the traitor I hate! Strike him with this deadly weapon! Or you are not my daughter! never more and forever! Go away, ungrateful! Ungrateful! Everything is broken between us until he gives back his villain soul!"), she sings with perfect pitch, tempo and power even up to the 4-repeated highest note (F), with score in hand you find exceptionally little and small flaws, and only in secondary passages. And she sings with "no emotion added" (or removed!), I mean, she is quite accurate emotionally - not everyone is, particularly when singing perfectly such a masterpiece.

There are several more very good tracks (Casta Diva/Sutherland, Welche Wonne welche Lust/Kathleen Battle, O mio babbino caro/Fleming, Dôme épais le jasmin/Sutherland, Schubert's Ave Maria/Leontyne Price), each worth buying the disc, but I agree with previous reviewers that globally the selection is uneven.

Versailles, Sun 1 Jul 2007 01:55:40 +0200

Beautiful collection, even though not perfect.......2006-05-17

As many reviewers have said before, there is a lot of incoherencies in the choices of singers on this double CD. In order to be a truly ultimate collection, the boundaries of recording companies and rights must not interfere, as must have been in this case. This said, it is up to the private collector to accumulate his/her ultimate soprano collection, BUT these CDs are an enormous contribution!

It starts out very strong with beautiful pieces of, and then some singers repeat OFTEN. Not that they are bad choices, it's just that a greater variety would have been nice. More importantly it would have been great to have the "definitive" version/singer of a given aria. Just one example, Sumi Jo's Der Holle Rache is just everywhere as a previous reviewer mentioned -- let's not forget that there is a pristine-perfect-beyond-comparison of Lucia Popp's Queen of the Night also out there somewhere...just NOT on this particular CD...

As far as aria choices are concerned, that is a bit strange to me, too. Of all of Mozart's arias, why those and leave out the magnificent soprano aria from Zaide, "Ruhe sanft"? Hmm...But anyway, the CDs are much better than any other compilation I have of the same type. Highly recommendable after all.

Breathtaking performances of standard literature.......2005-06-09

This CD is a delight from start to finish. It covers most of the most famous soprano arias and duets, featuring celebrated performances by such artists as Nillson and Sutherland, Te Kanawa, Fleming and Bonney. The booklet lists the information on each performance, but does not include the translations. As all are very familiar peices, finding the opera from which they are taken should not be much of a challenge. Not all are opera arias, either; we have "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Let The Bright Seraphim" to mention a few of the sacred arias here. For opera collectors and those who are just starting to listen alike, this is a very enjoyable CD.

Finally, a 2-disc soprano collection from Decca.......2004-01-09

This is a great compilation to have. I understand that no Maria Callas recordings are not available on this CD because she was never part of the company. There, I set the record straight for any fans of the late opera singer who question it. There are, however, some sopranos and mezzos who are a part of the company that were left off as well, which is my reasoning for giving a 4-star rating rather than a five. Where are Cecilia Bartoli and Mirella Freni. I know that Freni is featured as Mimi on the recording of Musetta's Waltz, but it is minor on the recording, and there should be a recording of her singing an actual aria of her own. Also, recordings of "Dove Sono" (by Te Kanawa, for example), "Voi Che Sapete" (by Bartoli, let's say), "Signore Ascolta" by Caballe, and the Song to The Moon should all be on this compilation. Plus I think that Tatiana Troyanos' recording of the Habanera from Carmen should be featured rather that of Marylin Horne's. Other than that, the #1 Soprano Album is great.

The grandeur of the Opera.......2003-11-27

The #1 soprano album, is a compilation of the most popular opera arias.
This album includes some of the best female voices in history, such as:
Joan Sutherland
Monserrat Caballé
Birgit Nilsson
Renée Fleming
Leontyne Price
Sumi Jo
Kiri Te Kanawa
singing excerpts from Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly, La Bohéme, The Magic Flute, Carmen, Les contes du Hoffman, among many others.

Higlights:
O mio babbino caro/ Fleming
Dome epais le jasmin/ Sutherland & Berbié
Der hölle rache kocht in meinem herzen/ Jo
Un bel di vedremi/ Crespin
Let the bright seraphim/ Sutherland
La mamma morta/ Caballé
Mild und leise/Nilsson
among others.

This album is, in fact, a very good choice for the people who enjoys classical music. For the people that is not familiarized
with opera, this is a great oportunity to approach bel canto with some of the most beautiful voices in opera history.

Note: This compilation it's probably not complete (we miss many arias and some names as Flagstad and Callas) but it's a very good opera selection. Enjoy.

Average customer rating: the flying dutchman andre rieu The Flying Dutchman Content Excellent but marred by poor video. The Flying Dutchman Wonderful Performance

The Flying Dutchman Manufacturer: Denon Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Rieu, Andre | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rieu, Andre | ( R ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tuscany Live In Dublin The Homecoming Andre Rieu in Concert The Vienna I Love, Waltzes From My Heart ASIN: B000AYEI2C Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

1. Entry Of The Gladiators - J. Fu
2. Vienna, City Of My Dreams - R. Sieczynski
3. Wiener Praterleben - S. Translateur
4. Blaze Away - A. Holzman
5. The Laughing Song (Die Fledermaus) - J. Strau
6. Triumphal March (A) - G. Verdi
7. Snowwaltz - Traditional
8. The Wild Rover - Traditional
9. Somewhere Over The Rainbow - H. Arlen
10. Habanera (Carmen) - G. Bizet
11. Moonlight (Kojo no tsuki) - R. Taki
12. Manhe Carnaval - L. Bonfa
13. Volare - D. Modugno
14. The Limburg Anthem - H. Thijssen
15. O Fortuna (Carmina Burana) - C. Orff

Customer Reviews:

the flying dutchman andre rieu.......2007-06-08

Love the talent and the music of this talented gentleman

The Flying Dutchman .......2006-09-02

A ndres DVDs get better, an excellent show in wonderful surroundings, I have his latest.

Content Excellent but marred by poor video........2006-04-18

I was dissapointed in this video from the viewpoint of very poor video quality. Barely on a par with VHS. I have a 480P front projector with an 80" diagonal picture and it was unwatchable on that system I had to view it on my 36" tv to have an acceptable picture and even then it was not great. I have several Andre Rieu videos and have never run into that before. According to other reviews Denon has put out a very poor product this time.

The show itself is terrific as Andre always is.

The Flying Dutchman.......2006-04-06

Excellent CD to listen to and relax, to listen while I'm working, and at any time of the day. Andre Rieu is good music!

Wonderful Performance.......2006-03-03

Andre's Flying Dutchman was a delight to watch. Filmed in Limberg, this concert is beautifully pieced together with a lovely array of music. The voices of his beautiful soloists add to the atmosphere of this wonderful concert. Something I would highly recommend.

Average customer rating: Dies Irae-The Essential Choral Collection Review The Greatest Choral Masterpieces Not that bad... at first Gread Idea, Great Performance Dies Irae

Dies Irae-The Essential Choral Collection Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( 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 Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( 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 Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( 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 Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | 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 Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | 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 London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Elgar, Edward | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Faure, Gabriel | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Handel, George Frideric | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mascagni, Pietro | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Monteverdi, Claudio | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Orff, Carl | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vivaldi, Antonio | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by J.S. 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Tracks:

1. Dies Irac: Requiem - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
2. Chorus Of THe Hebrew Slaves: Nabucco - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
3. Entrance Of The Toreadors: Carmen - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
4. An die Freude: Symphony No. 9 - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
5. Zadok the Priest - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
6. Bridal Chorus: Lohengrin - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
7. Easter Hymn: Cavellera Rusticana - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
8. Requiem Aeternam: Requiem - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
9. Pavane - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
10. Gloria In Excelsis Deo: Gloria - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
11. For Unto Us A Child Is Born: Messiah - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
12. O Isis und Osiris: The Magic Flute - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
13. Credo: Messe Solennelle Di Sainte Cecile - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
14. I Vow To Thee, My Country - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
15. Final Chorus: Turandot - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL

Tracks:

1. O Fortuna: Carmina Burana - Various Artists
2. Trimphal March: Aida - Various Artists
3. Deus in adiutorium - Domine ad adiuvaum: Vespro Della Beata Vergine - Various Artists
4. See, The Conqu'ring Hero Comes: Judas Maccabeus - Various Artists
5. In The Hall Of The Mountain King: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Various Artists
6. Magnificat anima mea: Magnificat - Various Artists
7. Agnus Dei: Requiem - Various Artists
8. Humming Chorus: Madama Butterfly - Various Artists
9. Ich will hier bei dir stehen: St. Mathew's Passion - Various Artists
10. Entry Of The Guest: Tannhauser - Various Artists
11. Auto0da-fe' Chorus: Don Carlo - Various Artists
12. Polovtsian Dances: Prince Igor - Various Artists
13. Anvil Chorus: Il Trovatore - Various Artists
14. Land Of Hope And Glory: Pomp And Circumstance - Various Artists
15. 'Hallelujah' Chorus: Messiah - Various Artists

Amazon.com

This certainly is a desirable compendium of some of the most famous large-scale choral pieces, primarily drawn from Deutsche Grammophon's catalog of operas and oratorios. Among the 30 selections on this two-disc set are choruses from Carmen, Lohengrin, Aida, Madame Butterfly, and Il Trovatore, as well as Messiah, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Bach's St. Matthew's Passion, and Verdi's Requiem. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Dies Irae-The Essential Choral Collection Review.......2007-07-07

This 2 disc collection of Choral music is a great introduction to classical music. Many of these selections have been made famous in movies and will be recognizable to even the most casual listener. I bought this album for O Fortuna by Carl Orff, a song that is featured in Excalibur and Jackass: The Movie. The music on these CDs is great. I especially like Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven, Peer Gynt Suite by Grieg, and Requiem by Mozart.

Other albums recommended:
Amadeus: Original Soundtrack Recording
25 Beethoven Favorites
Excalibur: Original Movie Soundtrack

The Greatest Choral Masterpieces.......2005-10-02

This collection is outstanding, featuring the best choral works from operas and oratorios in classical repertoire. It begins with the fiery and intense Dies Irae from Verdi's Requiem. This piece is sublimely performed by the Berlin forces. It's followed by the anthem-like Va Pensiero from Verdi's early opera Nabucco, as conducted by Sinopoli and sounds maravelous. A brief excerpt from Beethoven's Ninth "The Ode to Joy" is a treat. The Coronation Anthem from Zadok The Priest by Handel is well-executed and powerful. The famous Bridal March (better known as "Here Comes The Bride") from Wagner's opera Lohengrin is sumptuous. A lot of this music is grandiose, and all the famous grand choruse from the grand operas like Aida (The Triumphal March scene) and the Inquistion Scene from Don Carlo. What is missing however, and I would have enjoyed, is the wondrous Finale to Wagner's Die Meistersanger which features a great chorus in praise of art. My favorite piece on here is the little known Mass of Saint Cecilia by Charles Gounod. It is absolutely gorgeous and epic sounding. The underrated but great conductor Igor Markevitch conducts. The famous O Fortuna from Orff's Carmina Burana is also on here, not to mention Handel's "Hallelujah" chorus from Messiah and other pieces from Judas Maccabeus. This is a great collection of chorus masterpieces that any fan would appreciate or if you are studying to sing in chorues yourself.

Not that bad... at first.......2005-03-26

There's plenty of free samples to this CD, and I agree that this is a great collection of music. Chances are you won't find a collection of songs, all of them with angelic choirs, as great as this. When I got it I was quite happy with it, but when I heard the same songs done with different conductors I thought to myself: 'Hey, why doesn't it sound like my CD?' It's the quality that I don't like. For example, Dias Irae is a great song, and it sounds pretty good on the CD, but compare it to another version and this one is slower, the chorus is off key, and it doesn't have that intense emotion. Same thing with O Fortuna, it's a great song, but the chorus is just terrible on this CD, the instruments are lacking in emotion: percussion doesn't add that extra 'oomph' to the bass drum, the cymbals don't have enough emphasis, the chorus sounds like they're about to go asleep, and the dynamics between fortissimo and pianissimo have little effort.

I'd recomend this if you have little cash to blow on a lot of good songs, otherwise you might want to search for a bunch of seperate CDs with the same songs.

Gread Idea, Great Performance.......2003-03-03

This CD should move people in a way that few other recordings can. The one word to describe many of the works is "exalted". This is not music for dinner parties but instead should be heard in solitary contemplation of all the great artists and their efforts in creating such an inspiring recording.

Dies Irae.......2000-03-07

I have an extensive CD collection, but since purchasing this CD, it has become my very favorite. This music sent chills down my spine. I felt transported to a different world....What amazing voices! I intend to give this cd as xmas presents to family and friends.

Average customer rating: Enjoy it very much

Music to Die For Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Górecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Glass | Glass, Philip | ( 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 Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | 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 | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | 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 Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Orff: Carmina Burana Górecki: Symphony No. 3 ("Symphony of Sorrowful Songs"); Three Olden Style Pieces Barber: School for Scandal/Symphonies 1 & 2 Glass: Violin concerto Transylvania ASIN: B0000DD78R Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

1. O Fortuna - Slovac Philharmonic Chorus
2. Dies Irae - Hungarian State Opera Choir
3. Brides - Cracow Philharmonic Chorus
4. Moonlight Sonata - Jeno Jando
5. Second Movement - Adele Anthony
6. Adagio For Strings - Marin Alsop
7. Sanctus - Oxford Schola Cantorum
8. The Ring - Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
9. Lacrymosa - Slovak Philharmonic Chorus
10. Tranquillisimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
11. Pie Jesu - Clare College Choir, Cambridge

Customer Reviews:

Enjoy it very much.......2007-03-27

I really enjoy classical music. I heard one of the pieces on the radio and had to have it.

Average customer rating: Forget what they SAY Most Aggravating Album in the World! A fair introduction to Classical Music Great for Beginners Exellent compilation

The Best Classical Album in the World... Ever! Stanley Myers , Antonio Vivaldi , Gregorian Chant , John Williams , Edward Elgar , Giuseppe Verdi , Giacomo Puccini , Michael Nyman , Edvard Grieg , Ludwig van Beethoven , Umberto Giordano , Riccardo Muti , Fryderyk Chopin , Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni , Georges Bizet , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Johann Pachelbel , Antonin Dvorak , Carl Orff , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Léo Delibes , George Gershwin , Maurice Ravel , Charles Gounod , Erik Satie , Sergey Prokofiev , and Sergey Rachmaninov Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | 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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(c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever! Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever! Simply the Best Classical Anthems The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Ever, Volume II ASIN: B000002S6K Release Date: 1996-04-23

Tracks:

1. The Four Seasons: Concerto No.1 In E 'Spring': I. Allegro
2. Schindler's List: Theme
3. Requiem: Ingemisco
4. The Piano: The Heart Asks Pleasure First
5. Symphony No.5 In C Minor: I. Allegro con brio
6. The Deer Hunter: Cavatina
7. Puer natus est nobis
8. Cello Concerto In E Minor: I. Adagio
9. Turandot: Nessun dorma
10. Piano Concerto: I. Allegro molto moderato
11. Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
12. Waltz No.6 In D Flat, 'Minute'
13. Adagio In G Minor
14. Carmen: Habanera
15. Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat: III. Rondo (Allegro vivace)
16. Canon In D
17. Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
18. New World Symphony: II. Largo
19. La Traviata: Brindisi
20. Carmina Burana: O Fortuna

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto No.1In B Flat Minor: I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso (Opening)
2. Symphony No.3 'Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs': II. Lento e largo - Tranquillissimo
3. Flute and Harp Concerto In C: II. Andantino
4. Lakme: Flower Duet
5. The Four Seasons: Winter: I. Allegro non molto
6. Porgy And Bess: Summertime
7. Bolero
8. Ave Maria
9. Gymnopedie No.1
10. Romeo & Juliet: Montagues and Capulets
11. Rhapsody On A Theme OF Paganinni: Variation 18
12. Walking In The Air
13. Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor 'Moonlight': I. Adagio sostenuto
14. Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
15. Eine kleine Nachtmusik: I. Allegro
16. NIMROD: Enigma Variations
17. Swan Lake: Act One: Finale
18. Orchestral Suite No.3 In D: Air on the G String
19. The Planets: Jupiter
20. 1812 Overture

Customer Reviews:

Forget what they SAY.......2003-11-10

Many of these prior reviewers complain that the abundance of operas and vocals degrate this compilation. They don't know what they're talking about. These genres are what made Classical music popular in it's age. In that era the forum for showcasing "classical music" was operas! Hence why most of these works are lost in the shuffle. Most of us know Mozart and Beethoven's compositions by ear but there are so many other great composers that existed and these CD's will show you but a PIECE. But, fair warning, these CD's show only a small fraction of the whole movement (song). If you truly dig the genre you're in for a treat, investigate!

Most Aggravating Album in the World!.......2002-05-26

This CD is the first thing I ever returned to Amazon. It is an inferior product--selections cut off abruptly before the end, volume fades and returns in the middle of a cut...production values are pure schlock here. Maybe I should have expected as much from such a sophomoric title.

A fair introduction to Classical Music.......2001-03-03

I purchased this CD because I am new to Classical Music and thought this would be a good introduction CD. There is some wonderful music on this CD. The only problem I have with this CD is every other track is Opera of one form or another. As a new listener I found that after the Opera tracks I felt I had been yelled at and it was a distraction to the other music contained on the CD. I now know to hit the skip button on my CD player just about every other track. I only gave it 3 stars because I felt put off by the vocal tracks. I believe that when someone is new to Classical Music they do not think of Opera. If you don't mind hitting the skip button a lot or if you like Opera this CD is for you!

Great for Beginners.......2000-07-14

This is a nice recording for folks who don't know much about classical music, and would serve as a wonderful introduction. It covers centuries of great music in a very listener-friendly format. I am sure that I will use this CD in my music classroom. For a seasoned classical music lover, however, the CD proves a bit frustrating, including only segments of masterworks (not even the entire movement of the Holst). I bought the CD for a few recordings, which I truly enjoy and make the CD a worthwile purchase. But I found (and I think that most classical musicians will find) that I already had many of these works in their entirety.

Exellent compilation.......2000-04-12

This is a fine collection of classical songs for those that have little experience with classical music. Howver, I truly love it.

Average customer rating: Highly Disappointing... I'm not an expert on classical music... Terrible recordings of great songs. Massive Classics: Music You Can't Relax To

Massive Classics Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( 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 Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Minnesota Orchestra | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Royal Liverpool Philharmonic | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: 25 Thunderous Classics The Y2K Album: A Doomsday Collection For The Coming Crash Dies Irae-The Essential Choral Collection ASIN: B00008H2KO Release Date: 2003-03-11

Tracks:

1. Dies Irae - Riccardo Muti
2. Polovtsian Dance No.4 - Charles Mackerras
3. The Kinghts' Dance (Excerpt) - Libor Pesek
4. O Fortuna - David Hill
5. Sabre Dance - Ingo Metzmacher
6. Ride Of The Valkyries - Berliner Philhamoniker
7. Summer (Presto) - Europa Galante
8. Mambo - City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
9. Introduction - London Symphony Orchestra
10. Marche 1.28 - Orchestre De L'Opera De Lyon
11. In The Hall Of The Mountain King - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
12. Mars, The Bringer Of War - Charles Mackerras
13. Fanfare For The Common Man - Carl Davis
14. Danse Infernale - London Symphony Orchestra
15. The Hut On Hen's Legs - Charles Mackerras
16. The Heroes' Gate At Kiev - Charles Mackerras
17. Rumble (Excerpt) - Edo De Waart
18. Scherzo/Allegro (Excerpt) - Andrew Litton
19. Bolero (Excerpt) - Libor Pesek
20. IV. Allegro - Roger Norrington

Customer Reviews:

Highly Disappointing..........2007-04-08

I picked this CD up in the bookstore after listening to it. I'm a big fan of the powerful classics, such as Carmina Burana O Fortuna, and, of course, Verdi's Dies Irae. I already owned those two pieces as well as a few others when I purchased this album. I had figured if they were on it, it was going to be one impressive CD.

I knew something was wrong the moment I started listening to it. Like others have mentioned, the musicmanship is poor. It sounds rushed most of the time. Plus, I compared Massive Classic's versions of Verdi's Dies Irae to the version I already had, and no way do they stand up. One sounded professional, practiced, and powerful. The other, on this CD: wimpy, weak, and lacking.

This CD couldn't take the time to get the best performances of these classics. Don't waste your time listening to it. Find a different album--there are better ones. My suggestions is The Greatest Choral Show on Earth, which features performances from the world's best orchestras and choirs.

I'm not an expert on classical music..........2006-03-08

But MAN do I love this CD! It's fantastic. Most of the songs you've heard from various movies or television shows, and now they're finally all together. I love listening to it while I drive - I find that I don't scream at traffic as much.

Terrible recordings of great songs........2003-12-20

The song selecting is awesome, but the performances and recordings (or the remastering) are awful. The balance seems off (very tinny sound), and the musicianship is weak (Vivaldi's "Summer" sounds like eigth-notes!).

NOTE: this review is for my CD from the BMG music club. I don't know if the CDs are different from what Amazon sells.

Massive Classics: Music You Can't Relax To.......2003-11-19

Exciting and Inspiring! So good my uncle is keeping my CD after he 'borrowed' it, and I have to buy another copy. And I hope it comes soon! Fun to listen to during rush hour traffic!

Average customer rating: DOOMSDAY CLASSICAL MUSIC ! Spectacluar!!! Love classical this is very very good

The Y2K Album: A Doomsday Collection For The Coming Crash Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Musi