This Is Who I Am

Amazon.com
You don't expect a Broadway star to be slow burning and funky (Ben Vereen notwithstanding), but Heather Headley is both. Best known for her stage roles in The Lion King and Aida--the latter won her a Tony--the Trinidad native is used to arch performance. Yet her debut album focuses on smooth, lean R&B grooves and Headley's honeyed voice. Heartbreak is Headley's ace. "I Wish I Wasn't" is a tortured missive dispatched from an empty home. "Always Been Your Girl"--the set's hands-down centerpiece--finds Headley pleading with a longtime friend to consider her in a different light. It's a staggeringly powerful song--the kind you can imagine Headley belting out beneath a stark spotlight--made all the more stunning by the fact that the whole collection isn't tied to that one emotion. Also here are the breezy, Mars-Venus meditation "Nature of a Man" and the near-tribal thump of "Like Ya Used To." There are producers and guests aplenty, but Headley is, as always, the star of the show. --Kim Hughes

This Is Who I Am,Heather Headley,RCA,Contemporary R&B,Pop,Popular Music,R&B,Soul/R & B,Urban

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Average customer rating: Heather Rocks!! One of the best CDs ever made great cd Her album is all singles A great CD!

This Is Who I Am Heather Headley Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: In My Mind Love Story Vivian Ain't Nobody Worryin' The Breakthrough ASIN: B00006JJ6L Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

1. He Is
2. Nature of a Man
3. Fallin' for You
4. I Wish I Wasn't
5. Fulltime
6. Like Ya Use To
7. Always Been Your Girl
8. Sunday
9. Four Words From a Heartbreak
10. Sista Girl
11. Why Should I Cry
12. If It Wasn't for Your Love

Amazon.com

You don't expect a Broadway star to be slow burning and funky (Ben Vereen notwithstanding), but Heather Headley is both. Best known for her stage roles in The Lion King and Aida--the latter won her a Tony--the Trinidad native is used to arch performance. Yet her debut album focuses on smooth, lean R&B grooves and Headley's honeyed voice. Heartbreak is Headley's ace. "I Wish I Wasn't" is a tortured missive dispatched from an empty home. "Always Been Your Girl"--the set's hands-down centerpiece--finds Headley pleading with a longtime friend to consider her in a different light. It's a staggeringly powerful song--the kind you can imagine Headley belting out beneath a stark spotlight--made all the more stunning by the fact that the whole collection isn't tied to that one emotion. Also here are the breezy, Mars-Venus meditation "Nature of a Man" and the near-tribal thump of "Like Ya Used To." There are producers and guests aplenty, but Headley is, as always, the star of the show. --Kim Hughes

Customer Reviews:

Heather Rocks!!.......2007-01-07

Discovered this artist a few years back through one of those recommendation links and I have been hooked on her music ever since. Thought this album was the best thing to hit the airwaves in forever. . until I discovered her second album! She is amazing! Both of her albums are incredible, soulful, beautiful and rank right up there with the likes of Mary J. Blige and Christina Aguilera. This CD is great, but her second CD RULES!! Get them both, you won't be disappointed!

One of the best CDs ever made.......2006-12-27

I love, love, love this cd. I've already had to replace it twice due to overplaying. (Guess I should just break down and get one of those MP3 Players)!

For me, this is a musical masterpiece. Heather's voice is a divine gift that floats the listener into some parallel universe for the length of the cd. I totally "feel" her and would recommend this to anyone looking for darn good R&B, Pop, Lounge-y sounds.

great cd.......2006-08-01

I love Heather Headleys voice. this cd is great from begining to end...

Her album is all singles.......2006-06-18

I wish I wasn't is her only good song on this album. He is isn't even that good of a song. It's okay. The rest of the album sucks. This is an example of an album where an artist puts out a good single knowing they could suck you into it.I wouldn't reccommend this album to anyone, unless they just want it for the singles. And for that, you could download the songs for 99 cents ea. on the internet.Overall, it's a bad album.There's nothing more to really say about it.

A great CD!.......2006-06-05

I bought Heather's Cd when the song "He Is" came out. I immediately claimed it as my favorite. For several weeks, it was all I listened to. I can relate to the lyrics on "I wish I wasn't" and several others. You go Heather! Keep on doing what you're doing.

Average customer rating: Love it! Take her or leave her, this is who she is now! Uplifting & Spirit-Filled AWESOME mixed review Not what I expected

This Is Who I Am Kelly Price Manufacturer: Gospocentric ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Grateful The Book of David, Vol. 1: The Transition Life Changing 7 Days Free to Worship (w/ DVD, bonus track) ASIN: B000ICLTJ6 Release Date: 2006-10-24

Tracks:

1. This Is Who I Am
2. Heaven's Best
3. The Warning
4. God Is Faithful
5. God Is Not Dead
6. Just As I Am
7. What A Friend
8. Get Up And Praise
9. I Can't Turn Back
10. Healing
11. Nobody But Jesus

Customer Reviews:

Love it! Take her or leave her, this is who she is now!.......2007-07-19

I am currently going through some emotional trials and tribulations in my life right now. I went to the Father for support by focusing on the Word of God. But in addition to this, Kelly's CD has given me the inspiration I need through her lyrics to help me began the healing of my broken spirit. I highly recommend this CD and may the good Lord bless her.!

Uplifting & Spirit-Filled.......2007-06-27

This is a great album, from the first track to the last. Kelly Price is supremely talented, and I wish I'd known about it when it came out last year. She is one of the few artists whose albums I will buy before hearing a single track - just off of the strength of her previous material. Keep the good music coming, Kelly!

AWESOME.......2007-06-13

I LOVE THIS CD. KELLY IS OFF THE CHAIN ON THIS CD. MY FAVORITES ARE #2,3,4,6,7,9,10,11. # 1 AND 8 ARE COOL BUT THE REST OF THEM ARE OFF THE CHAIN. SHE IS AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND #3 TELLS MY STORY. THANK YOU KELLY AND I PRAY THAT GOD CONTINUES TO BLESS YOU TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC AND SOUL STIRRING SONGS.
THIS IS A GREAT CD!! PLEASE PURCHASE ONE AND PRAISE GOD ON #4!!!!

mixed review.......2007-06-08

I recently purchased Kelly Price's latest album, This is Who I am. I would like to share some of my thoughts regarding this CD. Let me preface this my saying Kelly has a superior voice and that is why I purchased the CD. She is incredibly uplifting; however, the duets on the CD ruined my listening experience.

The portions of the duet ballads where she sang were great and those portions that were sung by other people were subpar. For example, I LOVE that song "God is not dead" up until the point Joe Ligon sings. Maybe it's my taste but I did not care for his voice or Vanessa Bell Armstrong's. I bought the CD to hear Kelly...not these other vocalists. Their voices were much more old fashion than kelly's. As a listener and fan, I would recommend that Kelly do all the singing herself unless she has the opportunity to work with singers like Whitney, Aretha
or other people of their caliber.

Not what I expected.......2007-05-07

We all know that this girl can SING!!! let's say that up front, however I did not like this CD. I think I was expecting a more traditional sound from her. With the exception of Healing, I did not like any of the songs on the cd.

Average customer rating: Fabulous for any Broadway-lover Top Shelf TERRIFIC CD'S Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs Great Compilation!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Broadway: The American Musical Broadway: The American Musical Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals ASIN: B00064ADMK Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

1. Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
2. Swanee- Al Jolson
3. When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
4. A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
5. My Man- Fanny Brice
6. Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
7. If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
8. Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
9. Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
10. Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
11. Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
12. Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
13. Body And Soul- Libby Holman
14. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
15. Night And Day- Fred Astaire
16. Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
17. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
18. You're The Top- Ethel Merman
19. Summertime- Anne Brown
20. September Song- Walter Huston
21. My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
22. It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
23. Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
24. Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
25. Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

1. New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
2. If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
3. Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
4. There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
5. How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
6. Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
7. Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
8. Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
9. Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
10. Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
11. Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
12. Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
13. Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
14. Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
15. Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
16. Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
17. Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
18. I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
19. Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
20. The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
21. Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
22. Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

1. Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
2. I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
3. Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
4. My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
5. Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
6. Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
7. Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
8. Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
9. I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
10. The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
11. Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
12. What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
13. As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
14. Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
15. People- Barbra Streisand
16. Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
17. If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
18. Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
19. The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
20. If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
21. Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

1. Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
2. Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
3. I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
4. The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
5. Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
6. I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
7. I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
8. We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
9. Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
10. Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
11. Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
12. One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
13. All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
14. Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
15. Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
16. Come Follow The Band
17. Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
18. And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
19. The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

1. Memory- Betty Buckley
2. I Am What I Am- George Hearn
3. Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
4. Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
5. The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
6. You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
7. The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
8. Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
9. With One Look- Glenn Close
10. On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
11. Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
12. Seasons Of Love-
13. Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
14. I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
15. Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
16. Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
17. Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
18. I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
19. Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating: Refreshing CD by BJ Very good music Amazing! Absolutely wonderful Very Moving

This Is Who I Am Jody McBrayer Manufacturer: Sparrow ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Similar Items: Janna A Maze of Grace Oxygen The Creed Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon ASIN: B00006JJ58 Release Date: 2002-09-24

Tracks:

1. This Is Who I Am
2. Take A Step (1, 2, 3)
3. Never Alone (Nunca Solo)
4. To Ever live Without Me
5. Shake It
6. Love Can Break Your Fall
7. I Never Knew
8. There For Me
9. Unspeakable Joy
10. The Only Thing That Matters

Customer Reviews:

Refreshing CD by BJ.......2007-03-09

As a huge Avalon fan, one would probably expect me to have bought this album a long time ago--but until approximately a year and a half ago, I didn't even know it existed! (Some Avalon fan, right? Yeah, well I never REALLY got into Avalon's music until about mid-2003). As for the CD, this definitely isn't the kind of music that Avalon does--but I'm glad that it was different. The songs are great and the vocal by Jody was fantastic. Highlights of the album are: "This Is Who I Am", "Take A Step (1,2,3)", "Never Alone (With Jadyn Maria)", "To Ever Live Without Me", and "There For Me". The biggest departure that you'll find is the song "Unspeakable Joy", which sounds like something a gospel singer or a huge church choir would sing. At first, the rap in the middle of the song turned me off, but I learned to enjoy it more once I looked up the lyrics. I'm not really into to that genre of music, but I like tobyMac and such artists. Anyway, this album was terrific and once again gave everyone a spectacular vocal performance. This is without question an album that should be purchased by everyone!!
(P.S. For other great music, check out Avalon's "In A Different Light" and "Oxygen" CDs. Also, be on the look out for Janna and Greg's solo CDs.) [...]

Very good music.......2005-07-06

I'm not usually one for hip-hop/pop music but this album was the exception. Very good music, positive lyrics, great harmony and production. You'll have to listen to the sample to get an idea but I enjoyed every song on this album.

Amazing!.......2004-07-15

This is an absolutely amazing CD! I love every song and his vocal ability is incredible! 10 stars!

Absolutely wonderful.......2004-02-27

Wonderful, wonderful. Jody has such a beautiful voice and he has done an awesome job on each song. This is the first cd that actually ministered to me. With the coming out of the movie, "Passion of the Christ", track number four is so fitting. Track number four was actually the reason I purchased the cd, but I was blessed to realize there were so many other wonderful selections on the cd, also. Track number seven is wonderful also. I highly recommend this cd.

Very Moving.......2003-12-17

I Can't believe, more than a year after its release, I'm the first person to review this stellar album by Jody McBrayer. If you're familiar with Contemporary Inspirational supergroup Avalon, then you already know Jody's fabulous voice. "This Is Who I Am" is a wonderful companion cd to all of Avalon's amazing music. Jody soars throughout all 10 tracks on this CD. New song "Never Alone" is getting some recognition on the charts, but why stop there? You haven't lived until you hear Jody's amazing ballads "Love Can Break Your Fall" and the majestic "There For Me" (written by David Foster, Diane Warren & Mariah Carey!) Mariah did this song as a B-Side for her Glitter CD, but Jody takes this song and blows her version out of the water. This CD is worth the price for "There For Me." Also, liked hearing a very different approach to the Kim English's dance classic "Unspeakable Joy." Pick up this CD today and let the spirit run through you...

Average customer rating: Moved to tears Nonesuch delivers.Again harmonia in excelsis Our greatest living composer Wonderful CD

The John Adams Earbox: A 10-CD Retrospective Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Adams | Adams, John | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ives, Charles | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Ives, Charles | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music San Francisco Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: Steve Reich 1965-1995 John Adams: The Dharma at Big Sur/My Father Knew Charles Ives Naive & Sentimental Music 25 Years: Retrospective Century Rolls ASIN: B00001SID1 Release Date: 1999-10-19

Tracks:

1. Lollapalooza
2. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean
3. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Toot Nipple
4. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Dogjam
5. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Pavane: She's So Fine
6. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Rag The Bone
7. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Habanera
8. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Stubble Crotchet
9. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Hammer & Chisel
10. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Alligator Escalator
11. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Standchen: The Little Serenade
12. John's Book Of Alleged Dances: Judah To Ocean (Reprise)
13. Slonimsky's Earbox

Tracks:

1. Two Fanfares For Orchestra - Tromba Lontana
2. Two Fanfares For Orchestra - Short Ride In A Fast Machine
3. Common Tones In Simple Time
4. El Dorado - Part I. A Dream Of Gold
5. El Dorado - Part II. Soledades

Tracks:

1. Harmonielehre - Part I
2. Harmonielehre - Part II The Anfortas Wound
3. Harmonielehre - Part III Meister Eckhardt And Quackie
4. Violin Concerto - Part I
5. Violin Concerto - Part II Chaconne:
6. Violin Concerto - Part III Toccare

Tracks:

1. Chamber Sympony - Mongel Airs
2. Chamber Sympony - Aria With Walking Bass
3. Chamber Sympony
4. Hoodo Zephyr - Tundra
5. Hoodo Zephyr - Dissappointment Lake
6. Hoodo Zephyr - Hoodo Zephyr
7. Gnarly Buttons - The Perilous Shore
8. Gnarly Buttons - Hoe-Down (Mad Cow)
9. Gnarly Buttons - Put Your Loving Arms Around Me

Tracks:

1. Ensemble - I Was Looking At The Ceiling And Then I Saw The Sky
2. A Sermon On Romance
3. Consuelo's Dream
4. Mike's Song About Arresting A Particular Individual
5. Tiffany's Solo
6. Song About The On-Site Altercation
7. Song About The Bad Boys And The News
8. Your Honor My Client He's A Young Black Man
9. Leila's Song; Alone (Again Or At Last)
10. Three Weeks And Still I'm Outta My Mind
11. Crushed By The Rock I Been Standing On
12. Dewain's Song Of Liberation And Surprise
13. !Este Pais! / This Country
14. One Last Look At The Angel In Your Eyes
15. Finale

Tracks:

1. Lollapalooza
2. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Judah To Ocean
3. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Toot Nipple
4. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Dogjam
5. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Pavane: She's So Fine
6. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Rag The Bone
7. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Habenera
8. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Stubble Crotchet
9. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Hammer & Chisel
10. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Alligator Escalator
11. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Standchen: The Little Serenade
12. John's Book Of Alleged Dances - Judah To Ocean (Reprise)
13. Slonimsky's Earbox

Tracks:

1. Harmonium - Negative Love
2. Harmonium - Becuase I Could Not Stop For Death
3. Harmonium - Wild Nights
4. Shaker Loops - Shaking and Trambling
5. Shaker Loops - Hymning Slews
6. Shaker Loops - Loops and Verses
7. Shaker Loops - A Final Shaking

Tracks:

1. The Chairman Dances - Foxtrot For Orchestra
2. Grand Pianola Music - First Movement
3. Grand Pianola Music - Second Movement
4. Grand Pianola Music - Third Movement: On The Dominant Divide
5. Fearful Symmetries

Tracks:

1. Nixon In China - Opening
2. Nixon In China -
3. Nixon In China -
4. Nixon In China - Landing Of The Spirit Of '76
5. Nixon In China -
6. Nixon In China -
7. Nixon In China -
8. Nixon In China -
9. Nixon In China - Cheers
10. Nixon In China -
11. Nixon In China - Opening
12. Nixon In China -
13. Nixon In China -
14. Nixon In China -
15. Nixon In China -
16. Nixon In China -
17. Nixon In China -
18. Nixon In China -
19. Nixon In China -
20. Nixon In China -
21. Nixon In China -
22. Nixon In China -

Tracks:

1. The Wound-Dresser
2. Christian Zeal And Activity
3. Five Songs - Thoreau
4. Five Songs - Down East
5. Five Songs - Cradle Song
6. Five Songs - At The River
7. Five Songs - Serenity
8. Eros Piano

Amazon.com

Having earned his composing stripes after the 1960s, John Adams had the pioneering work of Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and Terry Riley close at hand as he ventured into his trade. And, while minimalism's historical continuum helps place Adams, he used Reich, Glass, and Riley (among others) only as a starting point. And here's proof: a 10-CD retrospective of nearly all Adams's recorded compositions on Nonesuch Records, the label that also issued Steve Reich 1965-1995 and Kronos Quartet: 25 Years. Adams's Harmonium, a choral work of startling energy and effervescence, appears here in a new recording, as do distillations of both The Death of Klinghoffer and Nixon in China, two path-clearing operas. Over the span of a career covered by Earbox, Adams has returned minimalism to traditional instrumental ensembles as well as to projects that at once advanced a political commentary and took that commentary back to orchestral audiences. And so, in far less time than his predecessors, Adams created works that now play like standard repertoire pieces: The Wound Dresser and Shaker Loops and the Violin Concerto--all of them are here. What these works demonstrate is a fierce creativity on the one hand and perhaps a hunger for commercial advances on the other. Adams may at times be a bustling free thinker, but he sounds ever conscious of what audiences are listening to. As for the works themselves, they remain every bit as daunting as when written.

Some may object to particular selections. I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky, for example, hardly ranks with Adams's best work. But this box isn't a mere best-of; it's an almost-all-of. At times terrifically American--especially in the news-aware operas and their narrative pragmatism--Adams well deserves a major box set, and its coverage is appropriate to his varied, stylistically diverse output. As with any large-scale retrospective, Earbox--which fairly bristles with Adams's new composition, Slonimsky's Earbox--has spots where fans might balk at the quality of the composer's writing. But it's got a fantastic accompanying booklet along with its many hours of inarguably modern and thoroughly listener-friendly music. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Moved to tears.......2004-03-18

Never before in my life was i moved so intensely and directly by classical music. I put the first cd in my player and a few minutes later tears are flowing. I find myself dancing and moving to a rythm i already seem to know. Wow, i just have to share that.

Nonesuch delivers.Again.......2002-11-27

John adams is one of the most popular living composers of"modern" classical music[I believe the cutoff point, though arbitrary is usually WWII}.I came to him late, through my husband. Modersn classical music , I said? What the hell is that?My husband kept playing bits and pieces of adams for me, and more and more i found myself amazed. and swayed. His operas have been groundbreaking{Nixon in China} controversial{Death Of klinghoffer},his compostions sublimely beautiful{shaker Loops or harmonium].HIS STATURE IS WORTHY THEN OF SUCH A MONUMENTAL CAREER SPANNING BOX SET.This 10 disc set[great value, again from NONESUCH}encompasses Adams' entire career,and though there are some misses here{I was looking at the ceiling and then i saw the sky doesnt quite fit},it is still magnificent. the Highlights are ,{for me} the Wound Dresser, Chamber symphony,Violin Concerto, of course, Shaker Loops and Harmonuim are wonderful. The true jewels here are Nixon in China,the Chairman dances and the Death of Klinghoffer,which is simply a masterpiece. The set comes with a wonderful book, which contains essay's by Robert Hurwitz {An Uncommon Man}renaud Machart[John adams as seen from europe} and Essays before an earbox by Adams himself.A Chronology and dicography are included. A wonderful study of an American original,worth the investment, Highly highly recommended

harmonia in excelsis.......2001-11-12

I must agree with Mr. Bartlett, particularly with regard to "Ceiling." It may well be because his Violin Concerto and Harmonielehre are so powerful. 4.5 stars.
Interesting, and likely intentional, is that two names in the extensive liner book fail to mention two great and glaringly obvious precursors: Carl Orff and Raymond Scott. Without "Carmina Burana," there would be no "Harmonium." Orff has his mark all over Adams's gifted and epic compositions. Similarly, though there are glib references to "cartoon music," the polymath engineer/musician Scott is a seminal figure in American music, and casts a large shadow over the witty juxtapositions and sense of play one loves in Adams's work. In all, an excellent career overview.

Our greatest living composer.......2001-07-22

As a composer, I'm staggered that anyone could fail to be gripped by this music.

That anyone can use the words "spoiled, overrated" amazes me. I emphatically disagree with "A music fan"'s review.

I don't think it's "mind-numbing"; I think it's spiritual and exciting. To me it's the most substantial music being created in our times.

I'm really sorry that anyone could fail to enjoy it, and really recommend others to listen for themselves.

Wonderful CD.......2000-04-02

This compilation should turn even the most curmudgeonly listerner into a fan. Beautifully recorded, great notes -- and it's a heck of a bargain!

Average customer rating:

Gilbert & Sullivan: The Gondoliers Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sullivan: Yeomen Of The Guard/Trial By Jury ASIN: B0000041VC Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

1. Ov
2. Act I: List And Learn
3. Act I: Good Morrow, Pretty Maids
4. Act I: For The Merriest Fellows Are We
5. Act I: See, See At Last They Come To Make Their Choice
6. Act I: Buon Giorno, Signorine!
7. Act I: We're Called Gondolieri, But That's a Vagary
8. Act I: And Now To Choose Our Brides!
9. Act I: Are You Peeping?
10. Act I: Thank You Gallant Gondolieri
11. Act I: From The Sunny Spanish Shore
12. Act I: In Enterprise Of Martial Kind
13. Act I: O Rapture, When Alone Together
14. Act I: There Was A Time, A Time For Ever Gone
15. Act I: I Stole The Prince
16. Act I: But, Bless My Heart, Consider My Position!
17. Act I: Try We Life-Long We Can Never
18. Act I: Bride-Groom And Bride!
19. Act I: When A Merry Maiden Marries
20. Act I: Kind Sir, You Cannot Have The Heart, Our Lives To Part
21. Act I: Do Not Give Way To This Uncalled-For Grief
22. Act I: Then One Of Us Wiil Be A Queen

Tracks:

1. Act I: Now Pray, What Is The Cause Of This Remarkable Hilarity
2. Act I: Replying, We Sing As One Individual
3. Act I: For Ev'ryone Who Feels Inclined
4. Act I: Come Let's Away-Our Island Crown Awaits Me
5. Act I: Now, Marco Dear, My Wishes Hear
6. Act I: Then Away They Go To An Island Fair
7. Act II: Of Happiness The Very Pith
8. Act II: Rising Early In The Morning
9. Act II: Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes
10. Act II: Here We Are, At The Risk Of Our Lives
11. Act II: After Sailing To This Land
12. Act II: Dance A Cachucha, Fandango, Bolero
13. Act II: There Lived A King, As I've Been Told
14. Act II: In A Contemplative Fashion And A Tranquil Frame Of Mind
15. Act II: With Ducal Pomp And Ducal Pride
16. Act II: This Polite Attention
17. Act II: On The Day When I Was Wedded
18. Act II: To Help Unhappy Commoners
19. Act II: Small Titles And Orders For Mayors And Recorders
20. Act II: I Am A Courtier Grave And Serious
21. Act II: Here Is A Case Unprecedented!
22. Act II: Now Let The Loyal Lieges Gather Round
23. Act II: Speak Woman Speak, We're All Attention!
24. Act II: The Royal Prince Was By The King Entrusted
25. Act II: Luiz! Casilda
26. Act II: One More, Gondolieri

Average customer rating: The best ever version The Golden Cast of D'Oyly Carte! The Definitive Recording

Gilbert & Sullivan: Patience Philip Potter , Kenneth Sandford , Mary Sansom , Jennifer Toye , and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000041VE Release Date: 1989-07-21

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Act One: Twenty love-sick maidens we
3. Act One: Still brooding on their mad infatuation
4. Act One: I cannot tell what this love may be
5. Act One: Twenty love-sick maidens we
6. Act One: The soldiers of our Queen
7. Act One: If you want a receipt for that popular mystery
8. Act One: In a doleful train two & two we walk all day
9. Act One: Twenty love-sick maidens we
10. Act One: When I first put this uniform on
11. Act One: Am I alone & unobserved?
12. Act One: If you're anxious for to shine
13. Act One: Long years ago-fourteen, maybe
14. Act One: Prithee, pretty maiden-prithee
15. Act One: Though to marry you
16. Act One: Let the merry cymbals sound
17. Act One: Now tell us, we pray you
18. Act One: Heart broken at my Patience's barbarity
19. Act One: Stay, we implore you, before our hopes are blighted
20. Act One: Your maidens hearts, ah, do steel

Tracks:

1. Act One: Come, walk up, and purchase with avidity
2. Act One: We've been thrown over, we're aware
3. Act One: And are you going a ticket to buy?
4. Act One: Hold! Stay your hand!
5. Act One: True love must single-hearted be
6. Act One: I hear the soft note of the echoing voice
7. Act One: But who is this, whose god-like grace
8. Act One: List Reginald, whilst I confess a love
9. Act Two: On such eyes as maidens cherish
10. Act Two: Sad is a woman's lot who, year by year
11. Act Two: Silvered is the raven hair
12. Act Two: Turn, oh turn in this direction
13. Act Two: A magnet hung in a hardware shop
14. Act Two: Love is a plaintive song
15. Act Two: So go to him & say to him
16. Act Two: It's clear that the mediaeval art
17. Act Two: If Saphir I choose to marry
18. Act Two: When I go out of the door
19. Act Two: I'm a Waterloo House young man
20. Act Two: After much debate internal, I on Lady Jane decide

Customer Reviews:

The best ever version.......2002-06-07

The wonderful cast transports you to the realms of Gilbert and Sullivan, to make you feel that you are experiencing a first night in 1881! John Reed, as Bunthorne, an aesthetic poet is superb, camp, subversive and a complete fraud. If anyone is not aware, the story of the opera is based upon the idiosyncracies of the Aesthetic movement in England of the 1880's and Gilbert used the public parodies of his friend Oscar Wilde as his major source. The rest of the cast, chorus and orchestra , under the long experienced 'Goddie' are superlative and make for one of the finest line-ups in D'Oyly Carte history. Revel and enjoy, for this is quite the best.

The Golden Cast of D'Oyly Carte!.......1999-04-13

My wish had always been to see John Reed and the D'Oyly Carte Company in a performance of Patience. My mother had done so, remarking that, 'You'd need patience to watch it', she was coloured in her opinion, since she wanted to see 'The Mikado', but had gotten the wrong tickets! The recording, made in 1961, is superb in every detail. You are with the cast, on stage, in the auditorium, it is such a 'live' performance. The dialogue is delivered exquisitely, whilst the singing is uniformerly of the highest standard. I recently portrayed 'Bunthorne' and throughout my performances, I felt that I was continuing the legacy of Gilbert and Sullivan. All the past history of performers were there. I feel that Patience is a magical Savoy Opera. Do not miss the opportunity to own such a definitive performance. Maybe the subject of the 'Art Nouveau' periodof Victorian England is dated, but as one critic has already stated, every generation 'throws up' its poseures, to be knocked. 'Ah, me! lack aday!' BUY IT!

The Definitive Recording.......1998-12-09

For those who prefer the traditional Savoyard renderings of the G&S canon, this is far and away the best recording of this parody of the cult of celebrity. John Reed leads the cast as a delightful Bunthorne, and the recording contains all of the opera's dialogue. "HMS Pinafore," "The Mikado," and "The Pirates of Penzance" may be better known, but "Patience" is deserving of a wider audience.

Average customer rating: An AntiWar Masterpiece Visceral power & beauty coupled with stunning performances!! One of the best and most easily grasped of modern operas

Tippett: King Priam Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Tippett | Tippett, Michael | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Allen, Thomas | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000000AXV Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

1. King Priam: Prelude
2. King Priam: Hecuba: What Is It, Nurse?
3. King Priam: Priam: Old Man Of Troy, You're Welcome
4. King Priam: Hecuba: Then Am I No Longer Mother To This Child
5. King Priam: Priam: A Father And A King
6. King Priam: Priam: The Queen Is Right
7. King Priam: First Interlude - Nurse, Old Man: Thus Shall A Story Begin
8. King Priam: 1st Huntsman: The Bull Is Away Over There
9. King Priam: Paris: They Have Taken My Bull
10. King Priam: Hector: Father, He's A Shepherd Boy
11. King Priam: Priam: So I'd Hoped It Might Be
12. King Priam: Second Interlude - Nurse, Young Guard, Old Man: Ah, But Life, Life Is A Bitter Charade
13. King Priam: Helen, Paris: Ah, Ah ...
14. King Priam: Hermes: Divine Go-between, That's Who I Am
15. King Priam: Paris: Lady Athene, If I Honor You ...
16. King Priam: Paris: Lady Hera, If I Honor You ...
17. King Priam: Paris: Aphrodite, If I Honor You ...
18. King Priam: Hector: So You've Given Up Fighting!
19. King Priam: Priam: So Trojans Honor Menelaus ...
20. King Priam: First Interlude - Old Man: Hermes, Hermes, With The Winged Feet Come Quick!
21. King Priam: Achilles: O Rich-soiled Land
22. King Priam: Achilles: Why Are You Weeping, Patroclus?
23. King Priam: Second Interlude - Old Man: O, O, What A Threat To Troy
24. King Priam: Hermes: A Hero In Achilles Armour ...
25. King Priam: Hector: All Trojans, All Fought Bravely

Tracks:

1. King Priam: Serving Woman: Lady Andromache, Should We Not Light The Fire?
2. King Priam: Hecuba: Daughter Andromache, You Must Go Out ...
3. King Priam: Andromache: Did You Hear?
4. King Priam: Helen: Let Her Rave
5. King Priam: Hecuba: O That My Ears Should Hear Impiety So Gross!
6. King Priam: Andromache: Now You Shall Go
7. King Priam: First Interlude - Serving Women: No ... No ... No ... We Have It From The Runner
8. King Priam: Priam: What Is Happening?
9. King Priam: Young Guard: A Crime
10. King Priam: Nurse: The Soul Will Answer From Where The Pain Is Quickest
11. King Priam: Second Interlude
12. King Priam: Achilles: Priam! Here! What Is This?
13. King Priam: Priam: I Clasp Your Knees, Achilles
14. King Priam: Achilles: Old Man, I Am Touched
15. King Priam: Third Interlude -
16. King Priam: Paris: Where Is My Father, Where Is Priam?
17. King Priam: Chorus: Ah, Ah! Ah, Ah!
18. King Priam: Chorus: Ah, Ha, Ha, Ha
19. King Priam: Chorus: Ah, Ah!

Customer Reviews:

An AntiWar Masterpiece.......2002-08-26

Tippett and Britten were composers who, though very different in temperment and style, had many interests in common. One of the overiding concerns with both composers was the moral response to war and it's horrors. For Britten, the War Requiem and Owen Wingrave are his very clear moral response to war. Tippet, in his fashion is much more psychological in this work, which must rank as one of Tippett's best and most powerful operatic statements.

King Priam is a dramatic tour de force. Based on the Illiad as seen through the eyes of the Trojans, the work is a meditation on the inevitability of fate in mass movements like war. Priam, though illdisposed to the war, is unable to stop or control it as it takes both of his sons, his kingdom and then finally his own life. He emerges as a figure of moral power and grandeur, but ultimately as impotent and tragic. This libretto is one of Tippett's best and most clear statements.

Musically, Priam is a powerhouse, inaugurating Tippett's second major style. Priam is constructed in a mosaic style. Small chamber groups of instruments with defined musical content are assigned to characters. As the work develops, these small groups combine and recombine in a shifting maze of patterns that seems to endlessly reinvent itself. The music starts out as largely tonal, but the tonality breaks down as Fate takes over and dooms the Trojans. The work is never serial, but it takes an almost Bergian view of tonality, sometimes more and sometimes less tonal as the dramatic situation warrants. The vocal lines are mostly declaimed, but with moments of lyricism that are unfogettable, such as Priam's first aria, A Father and a King, or the beautiful scene between Priam and Achilles in the third act. And Achilles war cry at the end of act two is bone chilling!

This is a great performance of this piece. Many of the singers originated the roles and sing them with power and authority. Phillip Langridge is terrific as Paris. Robert Tear is a marvelous Achilles. David Aetherton conducts this difficult score with precision and a fine ear for balances.

This is a profound opera by a major 20th century composer. If you like Britten, you should own this as well. It is increasingly looking like Tippett's masterpiece.

Visceral power & beauty coupled with stunning performances!!.......2001-06-13

I bought this on a whim, having heard only the slightest bit of Tippett's orchestral music and none of his operas. I expected the music to be "difficult," and the performances stilted, but I was oh so wrong! Yes, this is definitely late 20th century music -- often dissonant and atonal, but it is utterly beautiful, emotionally moving music. I'm a huge fan of Britten's operas, and judge all modern opera composers by his standards, and (pardon my gushing) Sir Michael is more than up to the challenge. First of all, he takes on the daunting task of adapting the Iliad into a opera libretto and manages to compress the drama beautifully into 3 acts that tell the story imaginatively, comprehensively and in a wholly theatrical manner. Second, he uses the music to heighten the sense of character by giving each persona a unique style of vocal line and orchestration (yes, this is what all composers do, or try to do, but Tippett succeeds in a way few others do). Several of the characters are accompanied by solo instruments (bravura parts of concerto-like difficulty performed brilliantly) -- Achilles by solo guitar, Helen by solo cello, King Priam by violin, etc. Three characters form a sort of Greek chorus who comment on the action and bring a sense of questioning morality to the whole.

All of the solo singers are astutely cast and sing with amazing power. Standouts (difficult to single out any of them, they're all so brilliant): Phillip Langridge is first-rate as Paris, Priam's second son -- he sings with enormous power and pathos at the same time. Felicity Palmer is velvety sex personified as Helen. Norman Bailey as Priam has a raw edginess to his sound, which lends such a sense of reality to a man pushed to the edge by fate and his warring sons. The London Philharmonia gives a virtuoso performance, led sensitively and intelligently by David Atherton. The digital sound is crystal clear and beautifully engineered: the sound couldn't be better live at the Met! Take a chance on this one, and enter into an operatic world you will never forget.

One of the best and most easily grasped of modern operas.......1999-02-27

Contemporary opera was never the same after King Priam, a suitable irony given that the Opera is perhaps the most easily grasped by the listening public of the 5 Tippett Operas. Even so, the "crisis of King Prian" stylistically and emotionally is the germ-seed for the eccentrism yet to come in "The Knot Garden", "The Ice Break", and "New Year". Tippett's theme is the futility of choice and the nature of the impact of choice on humanity in the micro-sphere of the individual and the macro-sphere of the community and history. Tippett's unusual yet perfectly conceived recasting of the Iliad from the Trojan persepctive does more than summarize plot, but pauses to comment on the universal human potential implicit therein. A must-buy for Tippett fans and for anyone who likes opera, Greek Mythology, classical music, or a good story.

--Justin Laird Weaver

Average customer rating:

Shakespeare's Songbook, Vols. 1 & 2 Manufacturer: Azica ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Shakespeare's Songbook Songs and Dances from Shakespeare Shakespeare Songs Shakespeare's Musick (Songs & Dances from Shakespeare's Plays) / Pickett, Musicians of the Globe William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition) ASIN: B0002IQL08 Release Date: 2004-07-06

Tracks:

1. Ah Robin (Round)
2. And Let Me The Cannikin Clink
3. And Will He Not Come Again
4. Be Merry, Be Merry
5. Black Spirits
6. Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind
7. Bonny Sweet Robin
8. But Shall I Go Mourn
9. Can'st Thou Not Hit It
10. Come Away
11. Come Away, Hecate
12. Come Live With Me
13. Come O'er The Burn
14. Come Thou Monarch (Version 2)(Round)
15. Come Unto These Yellow Sands
16. A Cup Of Wine
17. Farewell, Dear Heart
18. Fathers That Wear Rags
19. Fear No More
20. Fie On Sinful Fantasy
21. Fill The Cup (Round)
22. Flout 'Em And Cout 'Em (Round)
23. Fools Had Ne'er Less Grace
24. For I'll Cut My Green Coat
25. The Friar And The Nun
26. Full Fathom Five
27. The George Alow (Version 1)
28. Get You Hence
29. The God Of Love
30. Hark, Hark The Lark
31. Have I Caught My Heavenly Jewel
32. Heart's Ease
33. Hold Thy Peace (Version 2)(Round)
34. Honor, Riches
35. I Am Gone Sir
36. I Loathe The I Did Love
37. It Was A Lover And His Lass
38. Jepha
39. Jog On
40. Jolly Shepherd (Round)
41. King Stephen Was A Worthy Peer
42. Lawn As White
43. Love, Love, Nothing But Love (Version 2)
44. The Master, The Swabber (Version 2)
45. No More Dams
46. An Old Hare Hoar (Version 1)
47. O Mistress Mine (Version 1)
48. Orpheus With His Lute
49. O Sweet Oliver
50. Pardon Goddess Of The Night
51. Roses Their Sharp Spines
52. Sigh No More, Ladies
53. Some Men For Sudden Joy (Version 1)
54. Take, O Take Those Lips
55. Tell Me, Where Is Fancy Bred
56. That Sir Which Serves
57. There Dwelt A Man In Babylon (Version 1)
58. There Was Three Fools
59. Three Merry Men (Round)
60. Tomorrow Is St. Valentine's Day
61. Under The Greenwood Tree
62. Up And Down (Round)
63. Urns And Odours Bring Away
64. Walsingham
65. Was This Fair Face
66. Wedding Is Great Juno's Crown
67. What Shall He Have (Round)
68. When Arthur First In Court
69. When Daffodils Begin To Peer
70. When Daisies Pied
71. When Griping Grief
72. When Icicles Hang By The Wall
73. When That I Was And A Little Tyne Boy
74. Where The Bee Sucks
75. While You Here Do Snoring Lie
76. Who Is Silvia
77. Why Let The Strucken Deer
78. Willow, Willow (Version 1)
79. Will You Buy Any Tape
80. The Woosel Cock
81. You Spotted Snakes

Tracks:

1. Awake, Awake
2. Battle Of Agincourt
3. Bride's Goodmorrow
4. Broom
5. Callino
6. Carmen's Whitle
7. Chi Passa
8. Come Kiss Me, Kate (Round)
9. Come Thou Monarch (Version 1)
10. Cup Of Wine (Version 1)
11. Damon
12. Daphne
13. Diana (2 Versions)
14. Dulcina
15. Eglamore
16. Eighty-Eight
17. Fortune My Foe
18. George Alow (Version 2)
19. Glass Doth Run
20. Goddesses
21. Go From My Window
22. Greensleeves (2 Versions)
23. Guy Of Warwick
24. Hem Boys (2 Versions)
25. Hey Ho for A Husband (2 Versions)
26. Hobbyhorse
27. Hold Thy Peace (Versions 1 & 3)
28. Hunt's Up
29. I Cannot Come Every Day (2 Versions)
30. In Crete
31. In Peascod Time
32. Jack Boy (Round)
33. King Cophetua
34. King Lear
35. King Solomon
36. Light O Love
37. Loath To Depart (2 Versions)
38. Love, Love (Version 1)
39. Master, Swabber (Version 1)
40. Mounsier Mingo
41. Mounsieur's Almaine
42. My Mind To Me
43. Nutmegs (Of All The Birds)
44. Nutmegs (Wooing Of The Baker's Daughter)
45. O Death (2 Versions)
46. Old Hare Hoar (Version 2)
47. O Mistress Mine (Version 2)
48. O' The Twelfth Day Of December
49. Oyster Pie
50. Peg A Ramsey (2 Versions)
51. Phillida (3 Versions)
52. Please One
53. Pyramus
54. Queen Dido (2 Versions)
55. Ratcatcher
56. Rich Jew
57. Robin Goodfellow
58. Robin Hood
59. Rogero
60. Rowland
61. Sellenger's Round
62. Shore's Wife (2 Versions)
63. Sick, Sick (3 Vesions)
64. Some Men For Sudden Joy (Round)
65. There Dwelt A Man (Version 2)
66. Titus Andronicus
67. Tom A Bedlam (2 Versions)
68. Troilus
69. Troy Town
70. Wellady
71. Whenas We Sat In Babylon
72. Where Is The Life
73. Whoop
74. Why Let The Strucken (If Care Do Cause)
75. Willow, Willow (Version 2)
76. Will Ye Buy A Fine Dog
77. With A Fading

Average customer rating: "The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me." Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative Absolutely Breathtaking! A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring. The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible

Wagner: The Valkyrie Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English) The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English) Wagner: The Rhinegold ASIN: B00004YU6Z Release Date: 2000-11-28

Tracks:

1. Act I: Prld - English Nat Opr Orch/Reginald Goodall
2. Act I, Scene 1: The Storm Drove Me Here - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
3. Act I, Scene 1: This House And This Wife - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
4. Act I, Scene 1: Evil Fortune's Never Far From Me - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
5. Act I, Scene 2: There He Lay, Feeble And Faint - Margaret Curphey/Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios
6. Act I, Scene 2: Through Field And Forest - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
7. Act I, Scene 2: Friedmund No One Could Call Me - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
8. Act I, Scene 2: The Neidings Raided Again - Alberto Remedios
9. Act I, Scene 2: So The Norn Who Dealt You This Fate - Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
10. Act I, Scene 2: I Know A Troublesome Race - Clifford Grant
11. Act I, Scene 3: A Sword Was Pledged By My Father - Alberto Remedios
12. Act I, Scene 3: Are You Awake? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
13. Act I, Scene 3: My Husband's Kinsmen - Margaret Curphey
14. Act I, Scene 3: Yes, Loveliest Bride - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
15. Act I, Scene 3: Winter Storms Have Vanished (Siegmund's Spring Song) - Alberto Remedios
16. Act I, Scene 3: You Are The Spring - Margaret Curphey
17. Act I, Scene 3: Oh Sweetest Enchantment - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
18. Act I, Scene 3: The Stream Has Shown My Reflected Face - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
19. Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund Call Me, And Siegmund Am I! - Alberto Remedios
20. Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund, The Walsung, Here You See! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey

Tracks:

1. Act II, Scene 1: Go Bridle Your Horse, Warrior Maid! - Norman Bailey
2. Act II, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Brunnhilde's Battle Cry) - Rita Hunter
3. Act II, Scene 1: The Usual Storm, The Usual Strife - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
4. Act II, Scene 1: Pretend That You Don't Understand! - Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
5. Act II, Scene 1: Now It's Come To Pass! - Norman Bailey
6. Act II, Scene 1: So This Is The End Of The Gods And Their Glory - Ann Howard
7. Act II, Scene 1: You Never Learn What I Would Teach You - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
8. Act II, Scene 1: What Must I Do? - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
9. Act II, Scene 1: Hiaha! Hiaha! Hoyotoho! - Rita Hunter/Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
10. Act II, Scene 2: Fricka Has Won The Fight - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
11. Act II, Scene 2: When Youth's Delightful Pleasures Had Waned - Norman Bailey
12. Act II, Scene 2: She Refused To Reveal More About It - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
13. Act II, Scene 2: There's More To Tell - Norman Bailey
14. Act II, Scene 2: Yet One Can Accomplish What I May Not - Norman Bailey
15. Act II, Scene 2: But The Walsung, Siegmund - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
16. Act II, Scene 2: Then Siegmund Must Fall In His Fight? - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
17. Act II, Scene 2: I Give You My Blessing, Nibelung Son! - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
18. Act II, Scene 2: No, Have Mercy - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey

Tracks:

1. Act II, Scene 2: So I Obey His Command - Rita Hunter
2. Act II, Scene 3: Rest Here For A While; Stay By My Side! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
3. Act II, Scene 3: Away! Away! - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
4. Act II, Scene 3: Where Are You, Siegmund? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
5. Act II, Scene 4: Siegmund! Look At Me! (Announcement Of Death) - Rita Hunter/Alberto Remedios
6. Act II, Scene 4: And If I Come - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
7. Act II, Scene 4: Then Greet For Me Walhall - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
8. Act II, Scene 4: Woe! Woe! Sister And Bride - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
9. Act II, Scene 4: Two Lives Now Lie In Your Power - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
10. Act II, Scene 5: Charms Of Sleep Are Sent To Still - Alberto Remedios
11. Act II, Scene 5: I Hear Your Call - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
12. Act II, Scene 5: Wehwalt! Wehwalt! - Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey

Tracks:

1. Act III, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Ride Of The Valkyries) - Katie Clark/Anne Evans/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Shelagh Squires/Anne Conoley
2. Act III, Scene 1: Shield Me And Help - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
3. Act III, Scene 1: Hear While I Tell You - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
4. Act III, Scene 1: Pray Suffer No Sorrow For Me - Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne...
5. Act III, Scene 1: Fly Him Swiftly, Away To The East! - Rita Hunter
6. Act III, Scene 1: O Radiant Wonder! (Parting Salute) - Margaret Curphey
7. Act III, Scene 1: Stay, Brunnhild! - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
8. Act III, Scene 2: Where Is Brunnhild? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
9. Act III, Scene 2: Weak-Spirited, Womanish Brood! - Norman Bailey
10. Act III, Scene 2: Here I Am, Father - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
11. Act III, Scene 2: No More Will You Ride From Walhall - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
12. Act III, Scene 2: Did You Not Hear What I Decreed? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
13. Act III, Scene 3: Was It So Shameful - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
14. Act III, Scene 3: I Know So Little - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
15. Act III, Scene 3: You, Who This Love Into My Heart Revealed - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
16. Act III, Scene 3: You Indulged Your Love - Norman Bailey
17. Act III, Scene 3: Unworthy Of You This Foolish Maid - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
18. Act III, Scene 3: You Fathered A Glorious Race - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
19. Act III, Scene 3: In Long, Deep Sleep - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
20. Act III, Scene 3: Farewell, My Valiant, Glorious Child! (Wotan's Farewell) - Norman Bailey
21. Act III, Scene 3: These Eyes So Warm And So Bright - Norman Bailey
22. Act III, Scene 3: Loge, Hear! Come At My Call! - Norman Bailey
23. Act III, Scene 3: Magic Fire Music - Norman Bailey

Customer Reviews:

"The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me.".......2007-06-12

Okay, so we have the Solti, Bohm, Karajan, Goodall, Boulez, Janowski, Levine, Haitink, and Sawallisch Rings on the market (I haven't listened to the other Ring recordings yet, sorry to say). And all of these leave me to one conclusion: the many differences lead me to believe that all of these ring sets have their own authenticities and setbacks. And here they are:

TIMING (Estimate):
Solti's Ring: 14 hours, 30 minutes
Bohm's Ring: 13 hours, 30 minutes
Karajan's Ring: 14 hours, 50 minutes
Goodall's Ring: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Boulez's Ring: 13 hours, 40 minutes
Janowski's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes
Levine's Ring: 15 hours, 20 minutes
Haitink's Ring: 14 hours, 10 minutes
Sawallisch's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes

CONDUCTING:
Solti: Solti's conducting is driven with sheer muscle, but sometimes he makes the Ring overemotional. His Walkure & Gotterdammerung Preludes are clear examples: they're annoyingly bombastic. Nonetheless he almost seldom loses control with anything. His clear focus on the drama is astonishing.

Bohm: I must say his live Bayreuth recording brings out some of the best. He puts more faith in the orchestral score, but he also gives it more intensity. His tempi are some of the quickest, but they still don't seem rushed at all (except maybe "Wohin schleich'st du eilig und schlau"). I especially like his "Forging Scene" & "Hagen Summons the Vassals"; both are the most energetic on disc.

Karajan: Karajan's chamber approach is very interesting. Instead of going for the drama or the energy, the conductor goes for the beauty. Almost everything in his Ring sounds very ethereal because of his excessive use of lyricism. His orchestral preludes (except Walkure Act 1) sound more beautiful than others, and much of the soft parts (such as Siegfried Act Three Scene Three) are controlled nicely. His "Funeral March" and "Immolation" are recommendable. Siegfried Act Three Scene Two could have improved with more tension.

Goodall: Oh, boy. While I do praise Goodall with his amazing attention to detail, his ridiculously sluggish tempi will tick some Wagnerites off: nothing is faster than andante. But I did enjoy listening to the slow beauty of his "Wotan's Farewell/Magic Fire Music". This was recorded live and sung in English.

Boulez: Here it is, folks - the controversial Centennial Ring. To fit the Ring Cycle in the industrial age, Boulez gives it a very Schoenbergian, Bartokian atmosphere. Much of his tempi are very quick, very Bohm-like, though they're still not as fast as Bohm. Keep in mind, though, this live Ring works only if you hear AND see it (the DVD's work best).

Janowski: This is a very classical Ring. Instead of bombast, spacious, or lyrical passion, maestro Janowski gives us the straightforward approach. He goes straight for Wagner's original intentions (precise tempi, dynamics, flow of leitmotivs, etc.), which makes this another exquisite Ring. "Hagen Summons the Vassals" is probably the fastest I've ever heard (along with Sawallisch's). Rheingold Scene Four can be best described as "sensational".

Levine: While he does stay true to the score like Bohm, this conductor makes for a somewhat dull Ring. His handling of the orchestra is nice, but the moderately slow tempi he chooses is flawed. It should be more animated. His beautiful "Funeral March" and "Erda's Warning" are two of the few flawless features.

Haitink: This might be seen as a disappointment. If you want great conducting, then this is for you. If you want a persuasive array of singers, look somewhere else. Haitink's conducting saves this work from being a total flop. There is nothing quite like his Rheingold & Gotterdammerung ("Siegfried's Rhine Journey" is a bit forced, but magnificent nonetheless).

Sawallisch: I guess you can say that Sawallisch is half-Karajan, half-Janowski. While he does stay true to the orchestral score like Janowski, he also puts in a little Karajan-like lyricism. At some points he loses track with orchestra and singers (as does every live recording) but Bohm has more control. This was also recorded live.

ORCHESTRA:
Solti's Vienna Philharmonic: The woodwinds are the most beautiful in Solti's Ring (the "Forest Murmurs" is clear evidence of that). French horns and Wagner tubas make this a recommended listening. The strings in "Heda Heda Hedo" could've added a bit more work, but they are strikingly spectacular everywhere else. The orchestra gives it their all in Siegfried Act Two & Three, but they are at their weakest in Walkure Act One & Three (Bohm's Bayreuth does it better). Overall, it's the loudest and certainly most bombastic out of all the Ring orchestras combined.

Bohm's Bayreuth Festival: The ultimate Wagnerian orchestra gives it their all. The brass both high and low are the most powerful, while the woodwinds are the most delicate. The strings are muffled only a few times, otherwise the eighteen anvils are perfectly loud and clear. Erda's scenes aren't as effective as Janowski's, but the entire Walkure is more successful than Janowski's when it comes to tone & technique. Overall, this orchestra is the most dramatic.

Karajan's Berlin Philharmonic: The entire orchestra sounds polished, not to say that it is bad. Indeed the drama is still there, but much of the suspense is lacking (the scenes with Fasolt and Fafner come to mind). The brass sometimes overpowers the strings, which can be a serious problem. Gotterdammerung "Three Norns" Scene sounds very mysterious, very eerie.

Goodall's English National Opera: This orchestra sounds nice, even if the sluggishness can bring them down at times. The Flight of the Valkyries doesn't sound too good in a slow tempo, but the entire orchestra does sound lucid here. Siegfried Act Two Prelude is the creepiest. All of the leitmotivs are heard loud and clear, just like in Janowski's version.

Boulez's Bayreuth Festival: While it doesn't really pack the same punches as Bohm's Bayreuth, it still delivers a stunning performance. Orchestral interaction between characters (Ex. Siegfried's motifs mixed in with Mime's motifs) fares better than Berlin's and English National's. Rhine maiden motifs are given more wit, while the Dragon motifs are played with less eeriness. Beauty makes up for the irritatingly quick "Wotan's Farewell".

Janowski's Staatskapelle Dresden: This orchestra has the same force & flair as does Boulez's Bayreuth Festival, only Dresden sounds much clearer due to the fantastic digital sound. Even minor details are heard clear in this Ring. The strings imitate the Siegfried forest very well, while the woodwinds representing the songbird are wonderful (but not as wonderful as Solti's songbird). Dresden's "Magic Fire Music" (along with Berlin's) is the most extravagant.

Levine's Metropolitan Opera: The brass and woodwinds are the true stars. The strings sound too tired to continue on in Siegfried & Gotterdammerung. The Finale to Rheingold is absolutely stunning (the trumpets and trombones will not disappoint), and the Second Act of Walkure is the most impressive, the most refined.

Haitink's Bavarian Radio Symphony: This may very well be like Metropolitan, only this sounds much more poignant. The strings sound better and the percussion sound clearer. The leitmotivs are almost never screwed up. First scene of Rheingold will take one's breath away.

Sawallisch's Bavarian State: Wrong notes in this live recording won't matter, as the entire orchestra gets everything going in all four nights at the opera. The strings never surrender to imperfection, and the winds are marvelously aligned. I just wish that some of the singers would keep up with the orchestra.

SINGERS:
-Wotan
Solti: Hans Hotter is the superior Wotan. He sounds powerful throughout the Ring (except Rheingold, in which a less stellar George London performs).

Bohm and Janowski: Theo Adam in Bohm's live recording is another treat. While he is not as equally impressive as Hotter, he can certainly conjure up everlasting emotions. Adam sounds weaker in Janowski's studio recording, but he still doesn't disappoint.

Karajan: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau plays Wotan in "Rheingold," while Thomas Stewart replaces Fischer-Dieskau in "Walkure" and "Siegfried". I don't think Fischer-Dieskau was a good choice; he sounds too humane and too light. Stewart makes an astounding improvement in both "Walkure" and "Siegfried".

Goodall: Norman Bailey has that divine spark that Hotter used to cherish. He's heavy and unblemished, and he handles the English text with flair and sheen.

Boulez: If you watch Donald McIntyre on the Centennial Ring production, then you can tell that he's a fine "industrial" Wotan. If you just hear him on CD, then you'll be disappointed. His diction is weak, his emotions are forced, and his voice sounds robotic. The DVD's will do.

Levine and Haitink: James Morris is a notch below Hotter, Adam, and Bailey, but he overpowers Fischer-Dieskau pretty much throughout the Levine's and Haitink's Ring.

Sawallisch: I may be biased, but Robert Hale just didn't do it for me. He sounded dull and tedious, and his Wotan's Farewell wasn't enough to sadden me.

-Brunnhilde
Solti and Bohm: Birgit Nilsson is the best Brunnhilde on the market. Her Valkyrie cry is delightful, and her final scene in Gotterdammerung is brilliant beyond belief.

Karajan: Regine Crespin is without a doubt one of the finest Brunnhildes after Nilsson. She's fantastic in Walkure Act Three. I just wish she stayed on as the Valkyrie later on in the Ring (Helga Dernesch is no good in Gotterdammerung, sorry to say).

Goodall: Rita Hunter is at her strongest in Walkure and Siegfried. She is at her weakest in Gotterdammerung. What may have caused her downfall in the fourth installment? "The world may never know."

Boulez: How can anyone not be impressed by the Brunnhilde of Gwyneth Jones? One can almost feel her excitement during Siegfried Act Three, and her fear in Walkure Act Three. Her weakest point is probably during her Gotterdammerung Prologue (a bit too stressed).

Janowski: Jeannine Altmeyer is basically the most controversial Brunnhilde on CD. Some people say that she's too light and weak, while others say she sounds young and very enchanting. I'm with those who think Altmeyer was a good choice, but you yourself (the shopper) are going to have to decide whether she's good or not.

Levine and Sawallisch: Hildegard Behrens is just like Nilsson and Crespin: while she's not the best, she is definitely another perfect Brunnhilde of choice. She's at her most dazzling when she performs Walkure (Levine) and Siegfried (Sawallisch).

Haitink: Hmph. I was hoping that Eva Marton would do well here. I was seriously let down by her strained singing. She does okay in "Annunciation of Death", but she is at her worst in "Immolation".

-Siegmund & Sieglinde
Let's see. For the Siegmunds, we have James King for Solti and Bohm, Jon Vickers for Karajan, Alberto Remedios for Goodall, Peter Hoffman for Boulez, Siegfried Jerusalem for Janowski, Gary Lakes for Levine, Reiner Goldberg for Haitink, and Robert Schunk for Sawallisch. For the Sieglindes, we have Regine Crespin for Solti, Leonie Rysanek for Bohm, Gundula Janowitz for Karajan, Margaret Curphy for Goodall, Jeanine Altmeyer for Boulez, Jessye Norman for both Janowski and Levine, Cheryl Studer for Haitink, and Julia Varady for Sawallisch. Hmm . . . Jerusalem is good . . . and so is Vickers . . . Janowitz is charming, and so is . . . Oh, what the heck? All the singers for Siegmund and Sieglinde are fantastic. Three exceptions, though: Goldberg and Schunk don't sound heroic enough, and Norman for Levine doesn't sound young and innocent enough.

-Siegfried
Solti and Bohm: Wolfgang Windgassen may very well be the best Siegfried for the ages. His `Forging Scene" in both renditions are defiantly inspiring. His last scene in Gotterdammerung is celestial and overwhelming.

Karajan: Jess Thomas (Siegfried) and Helge Brilioth (Gotterdammerung) may not be as ideal as Windgassen, but they do know how to be a magnificent heldentenor. Thomas pulls it off with Act One and Three.

Goodall: Wow! What a singer that Alberto Remedios! He never drags in either of the last two installments, and he uses the correct emotions in every scene that he is in.

Boulez: Is Manfred Jung a good tenor? Yes. Is he a good Heldentenor? NO. He doesn't have that heroic voice like Windgassen and Remedios. Again, the DVD's are your safest bet.

Janowski and Sawallisch: Rene Kollo's Siegfried is a poetically expressive one. In Janowski's version he sounds playful when he's in Mime's home, and he sounds willed when he's in the Gibich Hall. He is not good enough in Sawallisch's version, however. His tiresome "Forging Scene" is obvious evidence of that.

Levine: Oh, Reiner Goldberg. At least you tried. Seriously, he sounds too tedious (especially in Gotterdammerung Act Three Scene Two) and too old. Levine should've chose Kollo or Jerusalem when he recorded his studio Ring.

Haitink: Have you ever seen Siegfried Jerusalem on the Levine/Metropolitan DVD? Well, here he is again, and this time, he sings with more valor and enthusiasm. Bravo!

-Alberich
Solti and Bohm: Gustav Niedlinger has a heaviness that overwhelms a few other baritones. When he sings his only sequence in Gotterdammerung Act Two Scene One, his emotion is so pure that his son Hagen would've drowned himself in tears (Too melodramatic? Sorry about that.). The only problem is that his character sounds too one-dimensional. Alberich isn't just some cardboard-cutout bad guy. He has a very good reason why he wants to take revenge on the world. Overall, Niedlinger is amazing throughout Wagner's Ring (He deserves many awards for "Bin ich nun frei?").

Karajan: I guess you can say that Zoltan Kelemen tries his best throughout. He is not good in Rheingold, but he gets better in Siegfried and Gotterdammerung.

Goodall: Derek Hammond-Stroud is three-dimensional, but not that much. Still, he can sound very demanding in Rheingold Scene One and Siegfried Act Two Scene One.

Boulez: What we have here is the weak Alberich of Hermann Becht. When he's in Nibelheim, the authority isn't there. When he's in the Neid-Hohle forest, the creepiness isn't there. And when he's near the Gibich house, the misery isn't there. Even on DVD he's unsatisfactory.

Janowski: Siegmund Nimsgern may be the most humane Alberich yet, but it's all good. He sings with more passion than Kelemen and more robustness than Hammond-Stroud. Niedlinger's ferociousness puts him below, however. "Schaf'st du, Hagen, mein sohn?" is noteworthy.

Levine and Sawallisch: Ekkehard Wlaschiha is one hell of a vigorous Alberich. I praise him in Rheingold Scene One and Three. His performance in Siegfried (both versions) could've improved with more distrustfulness towards Mime and the Wanderer.

Haitink: No offense, but Theo Adam as Alberich? Come on . . .

-Mime
Solti and Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is the creepiest Mime ever known to humankind. This dwarf outsings other Mimes on the market. When he sings "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" his anger and fear is the most effective to almost all Ring listeners.

Bohm: Erwin Wohlfahrt wins second place. He gives a first-rate performance in Siegfried Act One, but loses some of his edge in Act Two. He is an exceptional Mime nonetheless. Look for him in Karajan's Rheingold, also.

Goodall: Gregory Dempsey isn't emotional enough. He doesn't sound fearful or depressed at all, which makes him the dullest Mime for the Ring.

Boulez and Levine: Heinz Zednik is yet another excellent Mime, VERY fun to listen to. There is much humor and eccentricity in his voice, and that's what makes his dwarf much more compelling than Dempsey's dwarf. His performance in Rheingold Scene Three is pure gold, while his performance in Siegfried (particularly "Willkommen, Siegfried!") is a stunning achievement.

Janowski: Peter Schreier is for Siegfried, while Christian Vogel is for Rheingold. Vogel is less than perfect, while Schreier is way beyond outstanding. Schreier is less ghoulish and more benevolent, more three-dimensional than Stolze and Wohlfahrt. He is equal to Zednik when it comes to humaneness and lyricism. The only flaw I can find is his handling of "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" He could've added a bit more fear in that sequence.

Haitink: Peter Haage sounds like he's entertaining young kids. His version of Mime is a bit childish, and the dark humor that the dwarf brings out sounds-over-the-top here. Nonetheless, he is still entertaining to listen to ("Wer halfe mir?" has never sounded better).

Sawallisch: Helmut Pampuch is just like Schreier and Zednik: he's very VERY good. Nuff said.

-Loge
Solti: Set Svanholm may be the weakest Loge. He is not very ominous throughout all of his scenes, and his lack of a sinister atmosphere is greatly affects the entire Rheingold. But he'll soon be forgotten later on during the Trilogy.

Bohm: Why the heck would the conductor have Wolfgang Windgassen play both Siegfried AND Loge? The demi-god needs to sound different from a son of a Walsung. Again, another Loge that's marred by lack of cunning.

Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is easily the most entertaining Loge to listen to. He has the wit, the craftiness, and the untrustworthiness that the character deserves. His scenes in Scene Three are delightful.

Goodall: Emile Belcourt isn't as good as Stolze, but he certainly can make some of the best of an English-speaking Loge.

Boulez and Haitink: I can summon Heinz Zednik's performance in just three words: Brilliant Beyond Belief!

Janowski: Peter Schreier is the most eccentric out of all of them, and that's a fact. Much of his singing involves imagination, peril, vengeance, and deviousness. Belcourt and Zednik depend only on vengeance and deviousness, Stolze only imagination and deviousness, Windgassen and Svanholm only peril. His odd conversations with Alberich and the gods/goddesses are classic.

Levine: Siegfried Jerusalem doesn't seem like a good choice for Loge. He's better off playing Siegmund or Siegfried, but not a demi-god.

Sawallisch: Robert Tear is on par with Stolze and Zednik. Sometimes he takes things too low, but all is forgiven with his management of character development.

-Everyone Else
Uh-huh, what can I say? Everyone else does a good job in all Ring recordings. Matti Salminen is the perfect Hagen (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch), while Kirsten Flagstad is the most brilliant Fricka (Solti). Anja Silja is the most memorable Freia (Bohm), while Kurt Moll makes the most fabulous Hunding yet (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch). The Norns and Rheinmaidens do a splendid job in Solti, Janowski, and Levine. The Vassals (male choir) are at their unsurpassed in Bohm, Goodall, and Boulez. The only flawed Erda is Anne Collins (Goodall), maybe too light and too heavy at times. All in all, no one here is graded C or lower.

CONCLUSION: I have yet to listen to Barenboim's Bayreuth presentation, Neuhold's Badische version, and the essential mono recordings (Furtwangler, Krauss, etc.), but I'm pretty sure that have their advantages and disadvantages. So there you have it. We have the histrionic Solti, the energetic Bohm, the otherworldly Karajan, the spacious Goodall, the industrialized Boulez, the truthful Janowski, the unhurried Levine, the abnormal Haitink, and the serious Sawallisch Rings. They have their own authenticities and setbacks, and they certainly have their own significances for Ring listeners everywhere.

The Box Set: Wagner: The Ring Cycle (Box Set)
The Rhinegold (Part 1): Wagner: The Rhinegold
Siegfried (Part 3): Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Twilight of the Gods (Part 4): The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)

Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative.......2005-05-03

This is one of three Walkure's in my collection: the very underrated Leinsdorf, the thrilling Boehm and this one with Goodall. I believe Goodall is right up there with the best of them. Remedios, Hunter and Bailey sing beautifully and with sufficient drama. I'll go out on a musical limb and say I believe Bailey is one of the finest Wotan's on disc. Many will disagree but I think he has the measure of the role, the power to pull it off and a burnished timber that never becomes coarse under powerful climaxes... Remedios may well be the star of the trilogy along with Hunter and Bailey. His Siegmund is beautifully sung and his Siegfried by the way, is no mean stint either. Would that we had tenors that could sing Siegfried without sounding stretched beyond their limits. I am continually puzzled by the bad reviews that the orchestra playing receives from ARG, Classics Today and a few others. The ENO is not a Concertgebouw or Vienna Philharmonic but I think they play beautifully, a few clinkers notwithstanding. For a live show, they do a pretty d..... good job. THe sound from both orchestra and singers is exceptionally fine. This set belong in your collection if you like Wagner and, Die Walkure, in particular. If I had been at the performance in the 1970's I would have come home very happy, satisfied and richer for the experience.

Absolutely Breathtaking!.......2002-09-13

I had long cringed at the thought of this magnificant masterpiece recorded in English. Even after reading several rave reviews on this cylce that I've read by authoritive Wagnerites and critics, I was still skeptical. Finally, I decided to add Goodall's 'Ring' as my third complete cycle (after Solti & Bohm) for one reason: because it was in English and I felt it would enhance my understand of 'The Ring.' In fact, after achieving that "higher understanding" I was planning on selling this set on Ebay. That was, of course, before I heard this magnificant recording.

During the course of my research on 'The Goodall Ring' most of the praised seemed to heighten around 'Siegfried,' which is my absolute favorite of the cycle. That also helped to seal the deal. As the critics said, 'Siegfried' under Goodall is excellent, but not as monumental as Solti's reading, which IMHO is the greatest recording of 'Siegfried.'

The set that stands out, to me, in 'The Goodall Ring' is this recording; The Valkyrie. It is absolutely breathtaking. Not only is it my favorite of this set, it is my favorite Valkyrie recording period (I am very familiar with Boehm's, Solti's, Karajan's, Furthwanglers, Levines, and others). Alberto Remedios (Siegmund here and Siegfried in the last two operas) is truly magnificant. It is the best Siegmund I have heard on disc (and his Siegfried rivals Windgassen). Coupled with Margaret Curphey (Sieglinde), you get the most beautiful and moving duo I have heard on record. The duet in Act I is simply glorious. You also get the bonus of Norman Bailey's triumphant Wotan (and Wanderer too). He has such command and prescene. He sounds like a God. Throw in Rita Hunter, who holds her own as Brunnhilde, Goodall's miraculous conducting, and excellent playing by the orchestra and it all adds up to a stunning recording.

I can only say that in a way it's a shame this set is in English. Were it not, I believe Goodall's 'Ring' would be one of the most talked about, popular, and sought after complete recordings of the cycle. I can only say that I am so happy that I finally opened up to opera recorded in a different language than written.

I have fallen completely in love with Goodall's entire cycle. And, I have fallen in love with 'The Ring' all over again.

A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring........2001-08-30

This performance of *Die Valkure,* the second and most popular opera in Wagner's Ring Cycle, is musically splendid. Its special significance, however, is that it is sung in English. An English performance of the Ring is perhaps more important than that of any other opera(s), because Wagner's libretti are suffused with his ideas about society, fate, justice, and love. Even if (at times) you need to read along to understand what the singers are saying, *hearing* the lyrics in English is truly stirring in a way that performances in your non-native language cannot match.
A particular stand-out on this recording is the Wotan. His timbre, diction, and delivery perfectly embody the troubled god who tries desperately, and in vain, to keep the world under his control. His angst and wrath are utterly convincing.

The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible.......2001-01-30

I have never been a fan of opera in translation, but I must say that Andrew Porter's rendering of The Ring in English is amazing. He uses modern, not archaic, English, and the word choice is so very earthy and Germanic that the noble yet somewhat severe atmosphere of the Teutonic myths is conveyed perfectly. The sound, in other words, is an elegantly Germanic, and totally appropriate for the music and the Story it tells. It is not true that you can't understand the English anyway, because you can understand if you care to pay any attention at all. The translation is lucid, and so it the marvelous singing that conveys it.

Goodall's sense of music drama is lush, and takes some getting used to after the crash-and-burn Solti set, but after a time or two it seems just right. Goodall is not always slower than the rest, either; for example, the famous Ride of the Valkyries that begins Act III is quicker than Solti's surprisingly slow and heavy account. It is the most exciting that I have heard--and I have heard quite a few--but it is not so fast that the power is lost in favor of urgency.

This is not an urgent Die Walkure, and it is all the better for it. Goodall takes the time to actually tell the story, and is sensitive to the drama's needs over what could be called convention. For example, Wotan's Farewell doesn't thunder out after Brunnhilde's final declamation, like in so many recordings; rather, Goodall's interpretation is more dreamy, mysterious, and appropriately trance-like, in keeping with the action on stage.

I own the complete Solti Ring, but I must say I will be the first in line to get each new installment of this remarakable Ring as soon they hit the shelves. If you are new to Wagner, and are willing to make the plunge into a complete Ring, then start with this one and see if you want to continue. This recording is definitely one of the great Rings, and the superb translation will open up the work in ways that following the libretto just won't. I promise that you won't be able to put this one away easily. Get it!

Meditation Music:

1. This Time Around [Enhanced]
2. Tremulant [EP]
3. What I Meant to Say
4. Where Our Love Grows
5. Whitney Houston
6. William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet: Music From The Motion Picture, Volume 2 (1996 Version) [Soundtrack]
7. Writing's on the Wall
8. Yours, Mine & Ours
9. 11:11
10. A Song For My Daughter on Her Wedding Day [CD-single]

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

At the Hungry I [Import]

Beethoven: String Quartets Nos. 12 & 16

Call of the Beloved - Renaissance Masterworks Volume 3 - Choral works by Victoria

Music: Lucky Star

Crazy Talk [CD-single] [Import]

Digital Tenderness

Carta Musicada [Import]

Bubblegum

Engineers [Import]

Beethoven: Sonatas

Duotones [Import]

Coleccion de Oro [Box set]

Disco de Oro En Sus Boda De Plata

Office des Oracles/Messe/Avoaha/Lys de Madrigaux

The J. Geils Band