Fan Dance

Amazon.com
For Sam Phillips, the days of star-making big-budget productions have passed. Having moved from Virgin, her major-label sponsor throughout the '90s, to Nonesuch, Phillips and longtime producer and husband T Bone Burnett have set aside the Beatle-esque pop that marked her uncovered 1988 gem The Indescribable Wow and the effervescent exotica that informed 1996's Omnipop for a more subdued approach. Still, the CD boasts the kind of complex lyrical passion that is a Phillips trademark. Phillips/Burnett collaborations have long been marked by sterling musicianship and Fan Dance is no exception: Van Dyke Parks, Marc Ribot, and Gillian Welch are among the contributors here. But the star of the show remains Phillips, whose vibrant personality shines brightly throughout this welcome comeback. --Steven Stolder

Fan Dance,Sam Phillips,Nonesuch,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

Essential Mozart: 32 Of His Greatest Masterpieces

Average customer rating:

Gorgeous music, bad quality cd.
Great music, low quality reproduction
A nice introduction
Mozart is the reference point for good classical music.
Mozart's music

Essential Mozart: 32 Of His Greatest Masterpieces

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Essential Bach
Essential Beethoven
Essential Tchaikovsky
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 1
Beethoven Collection: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Complete Recording (Box Set)

ASIN: B00005A8JZ
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K525: Allegro - Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K467: Andante - Radu Lupu
Le nozze di Figaro: Voi che sapete - Cecilia Bartoli
Clarinet Quintet In A Major, K581: Largetto - Peter Schmidl
Ave verum Corpus, K618 - James Vivian
Vesperae solennes de confessore in C major: Laudate Dominum - Emma Kirkby
Concerto For Flute And Harp In C Major: Andantino - Lisa Beznosiuk
Le nozze di Figaro: Overture - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Cosi fan tutte: Trio: Soava sia il vento - Renee Fleming
Symphony No.39 in E-flat Major, K495: Andante con moto - Chicago Symphony
Horn Concerto: Rondo - Barry Tuckwell
Don Giovanni: Serenade Deh, vieni alla finestra - Bryn Terfel
Contredanse In C Major, K609 No.1 'Non piu andrai' - Vienna Mozart Ensemble
German Dance, K605 No.3 'Sleigh Ride' - Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Piano Concerto No.23 In A Major, K488: Adagio - Vladimir Ashkenazy
A Musical Joke, K522: Presto - Vienna Mozart Ensemble

Tracks:

Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K550: Molto allegro - Vienna Philharmonic
Piano Sonata No.16 In C Major: Allegro - Andras Schiff
The Magic Flute: Queen Of The Night: Der Holle Rache - Sumi Jo
Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K622: Adagio - Franklin Cohen
Don Giovanni: La ci darem la mano - Cecilia Bartoli
Serenade in Bb Major, K361: Adagio - London Wind Soloists
Der Vogelfanger bin ich ja - Hermann Prey
Le nozze di Figaro: Dove sono - Kiri Te Kanawa
Violin Concerto No.3 in G Major, K216: Adagio - Joshua Bell
Requiem, K626: Lacrimosa - Vienna Philharmonic
Litaniae de venerabili altaris sacramento: Dulcissimum convivium - Margaret Marshall
Piano Sonata No.11 In A Major, K331: Rondo alla turca - Andras Schiff
Don Giovanni: Champagne aria: Fin ch'chan dal vino - Bryn Terfel
Divertimento No.17 in D Major, K334: Minuet & trio - Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Exsultate, jubilat, K165: Alleluja - Leontyne Price
Symphony No.41 In C Major, K551 'Jupiter': Finale: Molto allegro - Vienna Philharmonic

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous music, bad quality cd........2007-04-13

The music is Mozart's and is fantastic. The last piece on the first disc
stutters halfway through, and seizes up my system. I don't have time to return items to Amazon. On the positive side, most of the time Amazon provides quality products and service. I gave 3 stars because I love the music.

Great music, low quality reproduction.......2007-01-30

this is a great collection of his work... the only problem i have found so far is that my copy has irritating "clicks" over the recording.

A nice introduction.......2006-02-22

This is a good well rounded collection to dip you into the classical world of Mozart.

Mozart is the reference point for good classical music........2005-10-20

A good collection of his best work and I find it helps me focus when I'm writing or contempating life.

"We exposed these animals [rats] in utero and then sixty days after birth to different types of auditory stimulation and then we ran them in a spatial maze. And sure enough, the animals that were exposed to the Mozart completed the maze faster and with fewer errors. And now what we're doing is we're removing their brains so we can slice them and see neuro-anatomically precisely what has changed as a function of this exposure. So it may be that this intense exposure to the music is a type of enrichment that has similar effects on the spatial areas of the hippocampus of the brain." --Dr. Frances Rauscher

Dr. Frances Rausher sums up what I feel happening when I expose myself to this incredible composer (Mozart).

I have yet to grow tired of any of the tracks yet, but I will invest in more of his work soon.

Mozart's music.......2005-10-17

This is a review of Mozart's music, not the cd. Mozart is praised to the skies by all and sundry, including most musicians, including my father, who no doubt has his reasons. But my feeling about Mozart has always been that there is nothing in Mozart's music that is other than music. There is no logical impressionism, there are no events that seem to be transpiring as in, for example, Beethoven. Mozart is just music. Mozart is to music as pure mathematics is to science. It hints of nothing else and has no application. I find some of his music irritatingly trivial, for example, Eine Kleine Nachtmuzic. This is mechanical music that one can imagine being piped in by a totalitarian government that insists everyone be cheerful. If Disneyland was an eighteenth century totalitarian state, Mozart would be its Muzak. The populace would be awakened, like Chinese train passengers, at 6AM by the strains of some allegro. They would arise and busy themselves with their ablutions in a state of thoughtless cheer, never for one moment leaving the surface of things. That being said, the second movement of Mozart's clarinette concerto is the music that one will hear on going into heaven.

Beethoven's Wig, Vol. 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies

Average customer rating:

Greatest baby gift ever
Great for the whole family
More Great Fun
One is better but this is still awesome!! Gotta have it!
Absolute joy, and endless fun!

Beethoven's Wig, Vol. 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies

Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies
Beethoven's Wig 3: Many More Sing-Along Symphonies
Mozart's Magnificent Voyage
World's Very Best Opera for Kids... in English!
Mr. Bach Comes To Call

ASIN: B0001I2C8O
Release Date: 2004-03-16

Tracks:

Stuck In The Saddle Again (Light Cavalry March, Suppe)
Sing Verdi Very Loud (La donna e mobile, from Rigoletto, Verdi)
Its The Same Every Verse (In The Hall of The Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg)
Musical Bs (Hungarian Dance #5, Brahms)
Dont Play That Violin (Violin Concerto #2, Paganini)
Schuberts Trout (Trout Quintet, Schubert)
Dvorak The Czechoslovak (Humoresque #7, Dvorak)
A Fan of Chopin (Prelude 7, Op. 28, Chopin)
Please Do Not Tease The Viennese (Blue Danube Waltz, Strauss)
Its Spring! (Spring, from The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)
Wow What a Wedding Cake (Wedding March, from A Midsummer Nights Dream,. Mendelssohn)
Instrumental Performances:
Light Cavalry March, Suppe
La donna e mobile, from Rigoletto, Verdi (with vocals)
In The Hall of The Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg
Hungarian Dance #5, Brahms
Violin Concerto #2, Paganini
Trout Quintet, Schubert
Humoresque #7, Dvorak
Prelude 7, Op. 28, Chopin
Blue Danube Waltz, Strauss
Spring, from The Four Seasons, Vivaldi

Amazon.com

From a pure-pleasure standpoint, the first Beethoven's Wig was nothing to flip over, and the second disc in the series follows suit. However, that is not to say that this is not a valuable and possibly ingenious record. Those unfamiliar with the premise will quickly get the picture: Producer/writer/lead singer/chief clever guy Richard Perlmutter gathers a bundle of important classical works (Paganini's "Violin Concerto #2," Strauss' "Blue Danube Waltz") and makes up silly, catchy lyrics to lay over them, informing the listener about the piece or its composer. Standing out for their offbeat brilliance this time are "Dvorak the Czechoslovak" ("Humoresque #7," Dvorak) and "Wow What a Wedding Cake" (Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mendelssohn). Few stabs at mixing education with entertainment succeed so well. As a bonus, the second half of the CD repeats the symphonies straight up, presenting a neat opportunity to quiz kids 5-12 on what and who they've just heard. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Greatest baby gift ever.......2007-03-15

Both of my grandchildren (and their parents and grandparents) are hooked on this CD and all of the silliness and beauty it brings into our lives. We sing to it, dance to it, and find ourselves thinking about it at odd times. Who can't love singing Verdi VERY LOUD? I've now started giving this as a simple baby gift, especially to those with older siblings. They are already equipped with clothing and nursery gear, and Beethoven's Wig invites the whole family to gather round...even if it is just on short car rides.

Great for the whole family.......2007-01-04

My husband, 18 month old daughter and I all love this CD. It's a staple in the car. One caveat- these lyrics will get stuck in your head and I now find myself singing the "words" to these songs when I hear them in a store or commercial! I'm hoping this means my daughter will recognize these songs as she gets older.

More Great Fun.......2006-03-13

Like the first volume, this CD encourages young children to enjoy classical music. The silly lyrics sometimes impart factual information on the composer or the piece. There are 11 sing-along symphonies and then the 11 symphonies are replayed without the lyrics--total of 22 tracks. Booklet with lyrics and trivia is included. All our children (aged 2-12) enjoy this CD, as do we.

One is better but this is still awesome!! Gotta have it!.......2006-01-10

My children loved Beethovens Wig 1. I checked this one out at the library. Then, we decided we had to have this one too.
Yes, one is the best but 2 is still wonderful.
Save yourself the shipping and order both at the same time.
We all thoroughly enjoy it. My 4 yr old can name these classicals when he hears them elsewhere and he can hum these beautiful songs. Much better than kiddie rhymes and Disney jingles. Culture your children the funniest way!!

Absolute joy, and endless fun!.......2005-11-15

The tunes and word stay with you and before you know it, you are signing them along. My two kids (ages 9 and 7) ask me to put the CD on as soon as we get into the car. What a wonderful and fun way to get them to love classical music!

Little Night Music - Ultimate Mozart Collection [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

A Wonderful Collection
Celebrate Mozart's 250th at a Budget Price

Little Night Music - Ultimate Mozart Collection [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00012QLTG
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Tracks:

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Allegro - Herbert Kraus, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Romance. Andante - Herbert Kraus, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Menuetto. Allegretto - Herbert Kraus, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Rondo. Allegro - Herbert Kraus, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Divertimento in D, K.136: Allegro - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.136: Andante - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.136: Presto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in B Flat, K.137: Allegro Di Molto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in B Flat, K.137: Andante - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in B Flat, K.137: Allegro Assai - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in F, K.138: Allegro - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in F, K.138: Andante - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in F, K.138: Presto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in E Flat, K.113: Allegro - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in E Flat, K.113: Andante - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in E Flat, K.113: Menuetto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in E Flat, K.113: Allegro - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V

Tracks:

Serenata Notturna in D, K.239: Marcia. Maestoso - The Berlin Chamber Orchestra, Peter Wohlert
Serenata Notturna in D, K.239: Menuetto - The Berlin Chamber Orchestra, Peter Wohlert
Serenata Notturna in D, K.239: Rondeau. Allegretto - The Berlin Chamber Orchestra, Peter Wohlert
Divertimento in D, K.131: Allegro - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.131: Adagio - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.131: Menuetto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.131: Allegretto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.131: Menuetto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.131: Adagio- Allegro Molto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.205: Largo-Allegro - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.205: Menuetto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.205: Adagio - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.205: Menuetto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V
Divertimento in D, K.205: Finale. Presto - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V

Tracks:

Symphony No. 34 in C, K.388: Allegro Vivace - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 34 in C, K.388: Andante Di Molto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 34 in C, K.388: Finale. Allegro Vivace - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 35 in D, K.285, Haffner: Allegro Con Spirito - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 35 in D, K.285, Haffner: Andante - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 35 in D, K.285, Haffner: Menuetto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 35 in D, K.285, Haffner: Presto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 36 in C, K.425, Linz: Adagio/Allegro Spiritoso - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 36 in C, K.425, Linz: Poco Adagio - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 36 in C, K.425, Linz: Menuetto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 36 in C, K.425, Linz: Presto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus

Tracks:

Symphony No. 38 in D, K.504, Prague: Adagio/Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 38 in D, K.504, Prague: Andante - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 38 in D, K.504, Prague: Finale. Presto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 39 in E Flat, K.543: Adagio/Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 39 in E Flat, K.543: Andante Con Moto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 39 in E Flat, K.543: Menuetto. Allegretto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 39 in E Flat, K.543: Finale. Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus

Tracks:

Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K.550: Molto Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K.550: Andante - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K.550: Menuetto. Allegretto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K.550: Allegro Assai - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 41 in C, K.551, Jupiter: Allegro Vivace - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 41 in C, K.551, Jupiter: Andante Cantabile - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 41 in C, K.551, Jupiter: Menuetto. Allegretto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 41 in C, K.551, Jupiter: Molto Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 in C, K. 73 (75a): Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 9 in C, K. 73 (75a): Andante - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 9 in C, K. 73 (75a): Menuetto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 9 in C, K. 73 (75a): Molto Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 10 in G, K.74: Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 10 in G, K.74: Andante - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 10 in G, K.74: Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 10 in D, K. 81 (73l): Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 10 in D, K. 81 (73l): Andante - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 10 in D, K. 81 (73l): Allegreo Molto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 11 in D, K. 84 (73g): Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 11 in D, K. 84 (73g): Andante - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony No. 11 in D, K. 84 (73g): Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony in D, K. 95 (73a): Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony in D, K. 95 (73a): Andante - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony in D, K. 95 (73a): Menuetto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony in D, K. 95 (73a): Molto Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony in F, K.75: Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony in F, K.75: Menuetto - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony in F, K.75: Andante - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Symphony in F, K.75: Allegro - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K.414: Allegro - Capella Coloniensis, Marian Migdal
Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K.414: Andante - Capella Coloniensis, Marian Migdal
Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K.414: Allegretto - Capella Coloniensis, Marian Migdal
Piano Concerto No. 25 in C, K.503: Allegro Maestoso - Capella Coloniensis, Marian Migdal
Piano Concerto No. 25 in C, K.503: Andante - Capella Coloniensis, Marian Migdal
Piano Concerto No. 25 in C, K.503: Allegretto - Capella Coloniensis, Marian Migdal

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 13 in C, K.415: Allegro - Capella Coloniensis, Nicholas Kraemer, Linda Nicholson
Piano Concerto No. 13 in C, K.415: Andante - Capella Coloniensis, Nicholas Kraemer, Linda Nicholson
Piano Concerto No. 13 in C, K.415: Allegro - Capella Coloniensis, Nicholas Kraemer, Linda Nicholson
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A, K.488: Allegro - Capella Coloniensis, Nicholas Kraemer, Linda Nicholson
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A, K.488: Adagio - Capella Coloniensis, Nicholas Kraemer, Linda Nicholson
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A, K.488: Allegro Assai - Capella Coloniensis, Nicholas Kraemer, Linda Nicholson

Tracks:

Flute Concerto in G Major, K.313: Allegro Maestoso - Hungarian State Orchestra, , Ervin Lukacs
Flute Concerto in G Major, K.313: Adagio Non Troppo - Hungarian State Orchestra, , Ervin Lukacs
Flute Concerto in G Major, K.313: Rondo: Tempo Di Minuetto - Hungarian State Orchestra, , Ervin Lukacs
Flute Concerto in D Major, K.314: Allegro Aperto - Hungarian State Orchestra, , Ervin Lukacs
Flute Concerto in D Major, K.314: Andante Ma Non Troppo - Hungarian State Orchestra, , Ervin Lukacs
Flute Concerto in D Major, K.314: Rondo. Allegro - Hungarian State Orchestra, , Ervin Lukacs
Concerto for Flute and Harp in C, K.299: Allegro - Cologne Concerto, Saskia Kwast, Martin Sandhoff
Concerto for Flute and Harp in C, K.299: Andantino - Cologne Concerto, Saskia Kwast, Martin Sandhoff
Concerto for Flute and Harp in C, K.299: Rondo. Allegro - Cologne Concerto, Saskia Kwast, Martin Sandhoff

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto in A, K.622: Allegro - English Chamber Orchestra, David Glasser, Geoffrey Simon
Clarinet Concerto in A, K.622: Adagio - English Chamber Orchestra, David Glasser, Geoffrey Simon
Clarinet Concerto in A, K.622: Rondo. Allegro - English Chamber Orchestra, David Glasser, Geoffrey Simon
Oboe Concerto in C, K.314: Allegro Aperto - C.P.E. Bach Chamber Orchestra, Burkhard Glaetzner, Hartmut Haenchen
Oboe Concerto in C, K.314: Adagio Non Troppo - C.P.E. Bach Chamber Orchestra, Burkhard Glaetzner, Hartmut Haenchen
Oboe Concerto in C, K.314: Rondo, Allegretto - C.P.E. Bach Chamber Orchestra, Burkhard Glaetzner, Hartmut Haenchen
Bassoon Concerto in B Flat, K.191: Allegro - Klaus Hellman, Herbert Kraus, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Bassoon Concerto in B Flat, K.191: Andante Ma Adagio - Klaus Hellman, Herbert Kraus, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Bassoon Concerto in B Flat, K.191: Rondeau, Tempo Di Minuetto - Klaus Hellman, Herbert Kraus, Vienna Mozart Ensemble

Tracks:

String Quartet in a Major K.464: Allegro - Petersen Quartett
String Quartet in a Major K.464: Menuetto - Petersen Quartett
String Quartet in a Major K.464: Andante - Petersen Quartett
String Quartet in a Major K.464: Allegro - Petersen Quartett
String Quartet in C Major K.465 Dissonant: Adagio, Allegro - Petersen Quartett
String Quartet in C Major K.465 Dissonant: Andante Cantabile - Petersen Quartett
String Quartet in C Major K.465 Dissonant: Menuetto. Allegro - Petersen Quartett
String Quartet in C Major K.465 Dissonant: Allegro - Petersen Quartett

Tracks:

Vioin Concerto No. 3 in G, K.216: Allegro - Christian Altenburger, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Vioin Concerto No. 3 in G, K.216: Adagio - Christian Altenburger, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Vioin Concerto No. 3 in G, K.216: Rondo. Allegro - Christian Altenburger, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Vioin Concerto No. 4 in D, K.218: Allegro - Christian Altenburger, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Vioin Concerto No. 4 in D, K.218: Andante Cantabile - Christian Altenburger, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Vioin Concerto No. 4 in D, K.218: Rondeau. Andante Grazioso - Christian Altenburger, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Fantasy in F Minor, K.608 - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Sandor V

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 5 in A, K.219: Allegro Aperto - Christian Altenburger, Wolfram Christ, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Violin Concerto No. 5 in A, K.219: Adagio - Christian Altenburger, Wolfram Christ, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Violin Concerto No. 5 in A, K.219: Rondeau, Tempo Di Minuetto - Christian Altenburger, Wolfram Christ, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Sinfonia Concertante in E Flat for Violin and Viola, K.364: ... - Christian Altenburger, Wolfram Christ, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Sinfonia Concertante in E Flat for Violin and Viola, K.364: Andante - Christian Altenburger, Wolfram Christ, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann
Sinfonia Concertante in E Flat for Violin and Viola, K.364: Presto - Christian Altenburger, Wolfram Christ, German Bach Soloists, Helmut Winschermann

Tracks:

Requiem, K.626: Requiem - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Dies Irae - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Tuba Mirum - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Rex Tremendae - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Recordare - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Confutatis - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Lacrimosa - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Domine Jesu - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Hostias - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Sanctus - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Benedictus - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Agnus Dei - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Requiem, K.626: Lux Aeterna - Aldo Baldin, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerhard Faulstich, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach, Edith Wiens
Laudate Dominum - Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, Ivan Fischer, Jeunesses Musicales Chorus, Maria Zadori

Tracks:

Missa Solembis in C Minor, K.139: Kyrie - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach
Missa Solembis in C Minor, K.139: Gloria - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach
Missa Solembis in C Minor, K.139: Credo - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach
Missa Solembis in C Minor, K.139: Sanctus - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach
Missa Solembis in C Minor, K.139: Benedictus - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach
Missa Solembis in C Minor, K.139: Agnus Dei - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach
Misericordias Domini, K.222 - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach
Inter Natos Mulierum, K.72 - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, K.273 - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach
Venite Populi, K.260 - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, , Werner Hollweg, Celina Lindsley, Rias Chamber Chorus, Gabriele Schreckenbach

Tracks:

Ave Verum Corpus [From Lorenzo's Oil] - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Marcus Creed, Rias Chamber Chorus
Exsultate, Jubilate, K.165 - Gabrielle Fuchs
Church Sonata in C, K.328 - Robert Kuppelwieser
Laudate Dominum - Camerata Academica of the Salzburg Mozarteum, Gabrielle Fuchs, Ernst Hinreiner
Fantasy in F Minor, K.608
Ah, Lo Previdi...Ah, T'Invola Agl'occhi Miei, K.272 - Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Ervin Lukacs, Sylvia Sass

Tracks:

Magic Flute, K.620 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Marriage of Figaro, K.492 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Ascanio in Alba, K.111 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Idomeneo, K.366 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Impresario, K.486 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Cosi Fan Tutte, K.588 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Abduction from the Seraglio, K.384 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Finta Giardiniera, K.196 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Lucio Silla, K.135 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Clemenza Di Tito, K.621 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Don Giovanni, K.527 - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk

Tracks:

Five Minuets, K.461: No. 1 in C - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Five Minuets, K.461: No. 2 in E Flat - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Five Minuets, K.461: No. 3 in G - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Five Minuets, K.461: No. 4 in B Flat - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Five Minuets, K.461: No. 5 in F - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six Contredances, K.462: No. 1 in C - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six Contredances, K.462: No. 2 in E Flat - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six Contredances, K.462: No. 3 in B Flat - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six Contredances, K.462: No. 4 in D - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six Contredances, K.462: No. 5 in B Flat - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six Contredances, K.462: No. 6 in F - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Two Quadriles, K.463: No. 1 in F - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Two Quadriles, K.463: No. 2 in B Flat - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six German Dances, K.509 - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Contredanse, K.534, Das Donnerwetter - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Contredanse, K.535 la Bataille - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Contredanse, K.587 Der Sieg Vom Helden Koburg - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six German Dances, K.600: No. 1 in C - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six German Dances, K.600: No. 2 in F - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six German Dances, K.600: No. 3 in B Flat - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six German Dances, K.600: No. 4 in E Flat - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six German Dances, K.600: No. 5 in G, The Canary - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Six German Dances, K.600: No. 6 in D - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Two Contredanses, K.603: No. 1 in D - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Two Contredanses, K.603: No. 2 in B Flat - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Three German Dances, K.605: No. 1 in D - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Three German Dances, K.605: No. 2 in G - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus
Three German Dances, K.605: No. 3 in C, The Sleighride - Hans Graf, Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra & Chorus

Tracks:

Magic Flute, K.620 Highlights: Overture - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Magic Flute, K.620 Highlights: Der Vogelfer Bin Ich Ja, ... - Bratislava Philharmonic, Hermann Prey
Magic Flute, K.620 Highlights: O Isis and Osiris, The Priest's Chorus - Bulgarian National Choir, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Svetoslav Obretenov Bulgarian Choir
Magic Flute, K.620 Highlights: Der H Rache, Queen of the ... - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sumi Jo, Roberto Paternostro
Magic Flute, K.620 Highlights: Ies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Sch... - Kurt Eichhorn, Munich Radio Orchestra, Josef Protschka
Magic Flute, K.620 Highlights: Ein Mhen Oder Weibchen, ... - Bratislava Philharmonic, Hermann Prey,
Magic Flute, K.620 Highlights: Heil Sei Euch Geweihten, Final Chorus - Bulgarian National Choir, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Svetoslav Obretenov Bulgarian Choir
Idomeneo, K.366 Highlights: Vedrommi Intorno, Idomeneo's Aria - NHK Chamber Soloists, Roberto Paternostro, Giuseppe Sabbatini
Idomeneo, K.366 Highlights: Ballet Music - NHK Chamber Soloists, Roberto Paternostro, Giuseppe Sabbatini
Idomeneo, K.366 Highlights: Il Padre Adorato, Idamente's Aria - NHK Chamber Soloists, Roberto Paternostro, Giuseppe Sabbatini
Idomeneo, K.366 Highlights: d'Oreste, d'Ajace, Electra's Aria - Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Ervin Lukacs, Sylvia Sass
Idomeneo, K.366 Highlights: Torna la Pace, Idomenco's Aria - Kurt Eichhorn, Munich Radio Orchestra, Josef Protschka

Tracks:

Don Giovanni, K.527 Highlights: Overture - Staatskapelle Dresden, Hans Vonk
Don Giovanni, K.527 Highlights: Madamina, Il Catalogo Questo, ... - Renato Bruson, NHK Chamber Soloists, Roberto Paternostro
Don Giovanni, K.527 Highlights: Li Darem la Mano, Duet ... - Renato Bruson, Sona Ghazarian, NHK Chamber Soloists, Roberto Paternostro
Don Giovanni, K.527 Highlights: Dalla Sua Pace, Don Ottavio's Aria - Kurt Eichhorn, Munich Radio Orchestra, Josef Protschka
Don Giovanni, K.527 Highlights: Mi Traduell'alma Ingrata, ... - Sona Ghazarian, NHK Chamber Soloists, Roberto Paternostro
Don Giovanni, K.527 Highlights: Il Mio Tesoro, Don Ottavio's Aria - Kurt Eichhorn, Munich Radio Orchestra, Josef Protschka
Abduction from the Seraglio, K.384: Ich Baue Ganz Auf Deine ... - Kurt Eichhorn, Munich Radio Orchestra, Josef Protschka
Abduction from the Seraglio, K.384: Singt Dem Gron Bassa Lieder, ... - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Rias Chamber Chorus, Hanns Martin Schneidt
Abduction from the Seraglio, K.384: Wenn Der Freude Trn ... - Kurt Eichhorn, Munich Radio Orchestra, Josef Protschka
Cosan Tutte, K. 588: Come Scoglio, Fiordiligi's Aria - Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vassil Stefanov, Anna Tomowa Sintow
Cosan Tutte, K. 588: Un'aura Amorosa, Ferrando's Aria - NHK Chamber Soloists, Roberto Paternostro, Giuseppe Sabbatini
Clemenza Di Tito, K.621: Ah Se Fosse Intorno Al Trono, Tito's Aria - NHK Chamber Soloists, Roberto Paternostro, Giuseppe Sabbatini

Album Description

Enjoy a little night music with Mozart and this ultimate collection of his music. This incredible 20-CD set presents the listener with all of Mozart's most famous works, from Symphonies and Concertos, to highlights of his best operas The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni. Take in his Missa Solemnis, Ave Verum and Requiem and don't forget Eine Kleine Nachtmusik...this set truly is the most definitive Mozart collection ever assembled!

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful Collection.......2007-04-11

As a selection, this is highly representative of Mozart's music. Just seeing the volume of work makes one marvel at Mozart's genius. Hear everything from piano to woodwinds, symphonies to concertos as well as religious pieces and operas. On my cd player, which is not a very expensive model, I get fine tonal quality and dynamics. I would highly recommend this box set to any fan of Mozart's work.

Celebrate Mozart's 250th at a Budget Price.......2006-01-11

This month will mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of the giants of the classical music world. While I am certainly not a classical music snob (the only Mozart piece I can identify is "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik," and what little I know of his life came from the 1984 movie "Amadeus"), I recognize his genius and the significance of his music.

This 20-CD box set gathers all of his major symphonies, concertos and operas into one massive collection. All of the selections are performed by European musicians (eg. the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berliner Kammerorchester, etc.). While not household names, the music is uniformly excellent.

If you're looking for an inexpensive purchase (I got mine at a national retailer that rhymes with "Clam's Tub" for under $20!) to kick off your "Rock Me Amadeus" party, this is a great choice. RECOMMENDED

Average customer rating:

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

Instruments of the Orchestra
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Op34; Simple Symphony Op4
The Mahler Symphonies: An Owner's Manual (includes 1 CD)
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Book & CD)
Study of Orchestration, Third Edition
What to Listen for in Music

ASIN: B00006O0NT
Release Date: 2002-12-03

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tracks:

L'Orfeo: Sinf/Ecco Pur Ch'a Voi - Cappella Musicale Di S. Petronio Di Bologna/Sergio Vartolo
Dido And Aeneas: When I Am Laid In Earth - Kym Amps
Rinaldo: Lascia Ch'io Pianga - Ingrid Kertesi
Serse: Ombra Mai Fu (Largo) - Ingrid Kertesi
Orfeo Ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits - Slovak State PO/Johannes Wildner
Alceste: Ombre Larve - Theresa Ringhoz/Drottningholm Theatre Chor
Don Giovanni: Madamina! (Catalogue Aria) - Andrea Martin
Cosi Fan Tutte: Soave Sia Il Vento (Terzetto) - Joanna Borowska/Rohangiz Yachmi/Peter Mikulas
The Marriage Of Figaro: Non Piu Andrai - Natale De Carolis
Die Zauberflote: Der Holle Rache (Aria Of The Queen Of The Night) - Helen Kwon/Hungarian Festival Chor
Fidelio: Abscheulicher! - Inga Nielsen/Hungarian Radio Chor
Der Freischutz: Huntsmen's Chor - Slovak Phil Chor
The Barber Of Seville: Largo Al Factotum - Roberto Servile
L'Elisir D'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Vincenzo La Scola
I Puritani: Qui La Voce Sua Soave - Luba Orgonasova
La Traviata: Un Di Felice (Love Duet) - Monika Krause/Yordy Ramiro
Nabucco: Va Pensiero (Chor Of The Hebrew Slaves) - Slovak Phil Chor (Bratislava)
Aida: Grand March - Nat SO Of Ireland/Rico Saccani
Falstaff: E Sogno? O Realita - Roberto Servile

Tracks:

Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile - Yordy Ramiro/Slovak Phil Chor
Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Uwe Mund
Tannhauser: Begluckt Darf Nun Dich (Pilgrims' Chor) - Slovak Phil Chor
La Wally: Ebben, Ne Andro Lontana - Miriam Gauci
Rusalka: O, Silver Moon (Song To The Moon) - Jana Valaskova
Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Luba Orgonasova
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Jonathan Welch
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo - Miriam Gauci
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Giorgio Lamberti
Turandot: Nessun Dorma - Thomas Harper/Slovak Phil Chor
Lakme: Dome Epais (Flower Duet) - Adriana Kohutkova/Denisa Slepkovska
Thais: Meditation - Janos Selmeczi
Carmen: L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera) - Graciela Alperyn/Slovak Phil Chor/Bratislava Children's Chor
The Pearl Fishers: Au Fond Du Temple Saint (Duet) - Janez Lotric/Igor Morozov
Pagliacci: Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba - Nicola Matinucci/Slovak Phil Chor
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Thomas Harper
King Roger: Roxana's Aria - Barbara Zagorzanka
Die Tote Stadt: Gluck, Das Mir Verblieb (Marietta's Lied) - Katarina Dalayman/Thomas Sunnegardh/Tomtberga School Children's Chor/Royal Swedish Opr Chor

Album Description

A-Z of Opera is a 762-page, illustrated book, accompanied by two-and-a-half hours of opera's most glorious and moving moments on two CDs, and reflects the ever-growing Naxos catalog of recordings ranging from Monteverdi to the contemporary. A-Z of Opera provides a wide range of information on operas and their composers, from Handel's Rinaldo to Mozart's Die Zauberflote, and beyond. It features plot synopses, background details and cast lists for hundreds of operas including well-known standards as well as opera rarities. In addition, there is a wealth of information about all the great composers and a glossary of key musical and operatic terms.

Customer Reviews:

AN OPERA OPUS THAT'S A MUST!.......2003-01-19

Oh, such letter-perfect perfection! This marvel features a two-hour-plus showcase of well-known arias from "Cosi Fan Tuti," "Aida," "Carmen," "Madame Butterfly" and "The Barber of Seville." It also comes with a book --- 762 pages of remarkable facts, figures and illustrations.Encore!

The Best.......2002-06-09

This is, by far, the best introduction to opera on the market. It also contains some gem performances for anyone who already has a serious opera collection. Several tracks on this collection of mostly Eastern European singers rival those of their Western counterparts. This is a collection for EVERYONE - from the opera novice to the person who has long collected all the major Western stars. At this price, it's the best opera bargain in the world. GET IT NOW!!! Thank you, Naxos! I hope that some of these Eastern European singers at last get the attention they deserve.

Superb Modestly Priced Favorite Arias Collection!!!.......2001-02-12

I received this as my 20th birthday gift from my bestfriend and I was amazed at the quality and the content of this CD. Some of the arias which I am immensely fond of are included, i.e. "Habanera" from Bizet's "Carmen." And who would have guessed that the soprano on track 10 performing Queen of the Night's Aria from Mozart's "Die Zauberflote" was none other than Hellen Kwon? Amazing!

I really love this gift from my bestfriend for it was thoughtful and well, what can I say that this makes an excellant gift for opera neophytes (though I am not an opera neophyte).

The highlight of this CD is track 13, Rossini's "Largo al Factotum" from "The Barber of Seville." When I first heard this, I was contemplating to myself as to where have I heard this before. Then it hit me: Michigan J. Frog's signature tune! (In case people are wondering who on earth is Michigan J. Frog is, he is the Warner Brother's frog; the frog can be seen on WB network channel). I love this track! Buy this for yourself if not this makes a perfect gift for your opera neophyte friend(s)! This track brings joy and smiles on my face everytime I hear this piece!

Wonderful introduction to opera.......2000-12-16

More than just a promotional sampler, the Naxos (8.555037-38) contains not only 2 CDs crammed with 39 excerpts from that company's seemingly bottomless catalogue, but also a 762 page book. The text offers plot summaries of almost every important opera and many of far lesser renown (Delius' "The Magic Fountain," Mascagni's "Iris," for example), a brief biography of the composers, a glossary, and finally a discography. The recorded examples are in chronological order from Monteverdi to Korngold. The entries in the book, however, are in alphabetical order--so be careful to look for "Zauberflote," not "Magic Flute," and so on.

Of course, Big Names do not appear on many Naxos opera sets; but this set is an introduction to that vast area of culture and is meant to be an educational (and of course a promotional ) device. Nevertheless, many of the selections on the CDs are beautifully sung, a very few lack characterization (the arias from"Don Giovanni" and "Nozze di Figaro" for two). But at this incredibly low budget price, who can complain?

As soon as I saw what this set had to offer, I immediately ordered a copy as a seasonal gift for a friend who wants to "get into" opera. I could think of no better gift.