I Shall Be There [Import]

I Shall Be There [Import]

Track Listings

1. I Shall Be There
2. Don't Say Never
3. Does Your Mother Know
4. I Shall Be There (Video)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
1999 single from the hit all-female Irish pop quartet, the second from their second album, 1999's 'Awake & Breathe'. Pt.1 contains 'I Shall Be There', 'Don't Say Never' and 'Does Your Mother Know' (ABBA cover) as well as the CD Rom to the lead track. Lead

I Shall Be There,Witched B,5"CD Singles


Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!
  • One of the best cds I ever bought.
  • Never Sounded Better
  • Somewhere Over The Rainbow
  • "Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us"
Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000066RO5
Release Date: 2002-06-04

Tracks:

  1. Singin In The Rain - Gene Kelly
  2. Theres No Business Like Show Business - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern
  3. 'S Wonderful - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary
  4. Thats Entertainment! - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant
  5. Stranger In Paradise - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone
  6. Easter Parade - Judy Garland & Fred Astaire
  7. Lullaby Of Broadway - Winifred Shaw, Dick Powell & Chorus
  8. Get Happy - Judy Garland
  9. Night And Day - Fred Astaire
  10. True Love - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
  11. Honeysuckle Rose - Lena Horne w/ Benny Carter & His Orchestra
  12. They Cant Take That Away From Me - Fred Astaire
  13. Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet - Nancy Walker & The M-G-M Studio Chorus w/ Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
  14. Baby, Its Cold Outside - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban
  15. For Me And My Gal - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
  16. Puttin On The Ritz - Clark Gable & Co.
  17. Hallelujah! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs & Co.
  18. Bless Yore Beautiful Hide - Howard Keel
  19. Taking A Chance On Love - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
  20. As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson w/ Elliot Carpenter (Bonus Track)
  21. Laras Theme (Main Title) - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra (Bonus Track)

Tracks:

  1. Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
  2. Its A Most Unusual Day - Jane Powell
  3. Wunderbar - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel
  4. Cant Help Lovin Dat Man - Ava Gardner
  5. Going Hollywood - Bing Crosby
  6. The Trolley Song - Judy Garland, The M-G-M Studio Chorus
  7. Gigi - Louis Jourdan
  8. I Got Rhythm - Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney & Co.
  9. Aba Daba Honeymoon - Debbie Reynolds, Carleton Carpenter & M-G-M Studio Chorus
  10. The Lady Is A Tramp - Lena Horne
  11. The Best Things In Life Are Free - June Allyson & Peter Lawford
  12. Cheek To Cheek - Fred Astaire
  13. A Kiss To Build A Dream On - Louis Armstrong
  14. Put 'Em In A Box - Doris Day & The Page Cavanaugh Trio
  15. If Swing Goes, I Go Too - Fred Astaire
  16. Almost Like Being In Love - Gene Kelly
  17. Lets Face The Music And Dance - Fred Astaire
  18. Be A Clown - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
  19. Embraceable You - Connie Francis
  20. On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe - Judy Garland & Co.
  21. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Fred Astaire

Amazon.com

The "Golden Age" referred to here spans The Jazz Singer and the advent of the talkies to the death throes of the old studio system in the 1960s. So vast was the era's musical landscape that even this 42-track, double-disc anthology can't encompass all its peaks. Not surprisingly, the bulk of this collection originated with the Tiffany's of the screen musical, M-G-M, a body of work whose riches here encompass both pop-cultural bedrock ("Over the Rainbow," "Singin' in the Rain," "There's No Business Like Show Business," etc.) and some less familiar, if equally delightful star turns: Clark Gable gamely "Puttin' On the Ritz"; the sassy, 1948 original of "The Lady Is a Tramp" by Lena Horne; and a loopy duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. Fred Astaire's elegant, epochal reign at RKO and M-G-M is represented by "Night and Day," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," and three others, while Metro mainstays Gene Kelly and Judy Garland share equal time and billing. It's not perfect--Cagney's "Yankee Doodle Boy" and/or some Sinatra seem more logical choices than the odd "bonus" duet of Casablanca's "As Time Goes By" and "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago that close out disc one--but it's a stunning, surprisingly comprehensive primer on the Hollywood film musical nonetheless. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!.......2006-11-18

Everything that happens in life
Can happen in a show
You can make 'em laugh
You can make 'em cry
Anything
Anything can go....

The clown with his pants falling down
Or the dance that's a dream of romance
Or the scene where the villain is mean
That's entertainment!

The lights on the lady in tights
Or the bride with the guy on the side
Or the ball where she gives him her all
That's entertainment!

The plot and the hot simply teeming with $ex
A gay divorcee who is after her ex
It could be Oedipus Rex
Where a chap kills his father
And causes a lot of bother

The clerk who is thrown out of work
By the boss who is thrown for a loss
By the skirt who is doing him dirt

The world is a stage,
The stage is a world of entertainment!

This two CD set amply proves that the musical melodies and lyrics from the golden age of the Hollywood musical remain unsurpassed to this day. This generous two CD set offers 42 incredible songs from Hollywood classic musicals. Most of these fine numbers are indeed from MGM, as Amazon correctly notes; but there are some RKO numbers and even a little from Warner Brothers. Thank goodness, though, that most of these songs came from MGM movies; MGM was the only studio that could boast that it truly had "more stars than there are in the heavens."

I love so many songs on these two CDs. Of course, there's the unforgettable classic "Over The Rainbow" sung by Judy Garland; she also performs "Easter Parade" and "Get Happy" on this two CD set and she carries most of the tune for "I Got Rhythm" even though Mickey Rooney helps her a little. I love "Baby, It's Cold Outside" for its' romantic overtones; and Lena Horne's "The Lady Is A Tramp" is flawless! We also get a rare chance to hear Clark Gable sing in "Puttin' On The Ritz;" and Bing Crosby's "Going Hollywood" may be brief but it's a fun song anyway.

There are two "bonus" tracks on the first CD: "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca and "Lara's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago. "As Time Goes By" is a good choice; it is another unsurpassed classic song that brings back memories and touches even the hardest of hearts. "Lara's Theme," however, is from the mid 1960s and I don't consider this period to be part of the "golden age" of Hollywood musicals.

The liner notes are excellent and they offer wonderful photos of the stars as well. The cover art is well done and the reverse cover art tells which movie each song is from and who is performing each song. Moreover, the quality of the sound is excellent especially when you consider that these numbers were recorded quite a few decades ago.

In short, this superlative two CD highlights the glory of the Hollywood musical when a certain type of sophistication dominated professional movie production. I highly recommend this CD for fans of Hollywood musicals, classic pop vocals and fans of the artists and actors who perform on this two CD set.

5 out of 5 stars One of the best cds I ever bought. .......2006-06-07

What an amazon collection of songs! This is bar none my favorite cd just because of the variety and the quality of songs on it. I love music from this era, and this cd is the perfect companion to my life. Love it! Buy it, you won't regret it for a moment!

1 out of 5 stars Never Sounded Better.......2006-03-16

Apart from the great selection of soundtracks, what really makes this compilation top value is the quality of the sound processing. Executed with finesse, these tracks sound better than when first issued and many are unedited, fuller versions: like "Singing In The Rain", for example. Throw in the great price, and this double disc set is a "must have" for all lovers of classic movie music.

5 out of 5 stars Somewhere Over The Rainbow.......2006-02-24

A Sensational CD with Lots of Showtunes that Keep You Happy and makes You Want To Sing Along With!!!

5 out of 5 stars "Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us".......2005-07-13

Rhino Records and Turner Classic Movies Music present - "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW: THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS", some of the long ago musicals and stars that will never be forgotten...a 2-CD-Set covering several decades from 1935-1965 with many of the show stoppers of that time...some rare moments from entertainers that you haven't heard or thought of in sometime.

The lineup is fantastic and gives the listener a variety of what musicals were all about in the "Golden Age of the Hollywood Musicals"
June Allyson, Kay Armen, Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Ann Blyth, Jack Buchanan, Louis Calhern, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone, Doris Day, Nanette Fabray, Connie Francis, Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Kathyrn Grayson, Georges Guetary, Lena Horne, Betty Hutton, Louis Jourdan, Howard Keel, Gene Kelly, Grace Kelly, Peter Lawford, Oscar Levant, Ann Miller, Ricardo Montalban, Page Cavanaugh Trio, Debbie Reynolds, Winifred Shaw, Nancy Walker, Ethel Waters, Esther Williams, Dooley Williams and Keenan Wynn.

On Disc One 21 Classic Songs from great musicals with songs in alphabetical order:
AS TIME GOES BY - Dooley Wilson with Elliot Carpenter, pianist (1942)
BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban (1949)
BLESS, YORE BEAUTIFUL HIDE - Howard Keel (1954)
EASTER PARADE - Fred Astaire & Judy Garland (1948)
FOR ME AND MY GAL - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland (1942)
GET HAPPY - Judy Garland (1950)
HALLELUJAH! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs (for Russ Tamblyn) (1955)
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE - Lena Horne with Benny Carter & His Orchestra (1943)
LARA'S THEME (MAIN TITLE) - M-G-M Studio Orchestra (1965)
LULLABY OF BROADWAY - Winifred Shaw & Dick Powell (1935)
MILKMAN, KEEP THOSE BOTTLES QUIET - Nancy Walker with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1944)
NIGHT AND DAY - Fred Astaire (1934)
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ - Clark Gable & Company (1939)
'S WONDERFUL - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary (1951)
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - Gene Kelly (1951)
STRANGER IN PARADISE - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone (1955)
TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson (1943)
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant (1953)
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern (1950)
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME - Fred Astaire (1949)
TRUE LOVE - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly (1956)

On Disc Two more memorable performances from the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals:
A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON - Louis Armstrong (1951)
ABA DABA HONEYMOON - Debbie Reynolds & Carleton Carpenter (1950)
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE - Gene Kelly (1954)
BE A CLOWN - Judy Garland & Gene Kelly (1948)
BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE - June Allyson & Peter Lawford (1947)
CAN'T HELP LOVIN' DAT MAN - Ava Gardner (beautiful woman, who my youngest grandaughter is named after...Avalon) (1951)
CHEEK TO CHEEK - Fred Astaire (1935)
EMBRACEABLE YOU - Connie Francis (1965)
GIGI - Louis Jourdan (1958)
GOING HOLLYWOOD - Bing Crosby (1933)
I GOT RHYTHM - Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney (1943)
IF SWING GOES, I GO TOO - Fred Astaire (1946)
IT'S A MOST UNUSUAL DAY - Jane Powell (1948)
LADY IS A TRAMP - Lena Horne (1948)
LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE - Fred Astaire (1936)
ON THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE - Judy Garland & Company (1946)
ONE FOR MY BABY (AND ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD) - Fred Astaire (1943)
OVER THE RAINBOW - Judy Garland (became her theme song for the rest of her life) (1939)
PUT 'EM IN A BOX - Doris Day & the Page Cavanaugh Trio (1948)
THE TROLLEY SONG - Judy Garland & MGM Studio Chorus (1944)
WUNDERBAR - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel (two of MGM's favorite singing duos) (1953)

It was once said by the songwriters of that era - "There are two artists you want perform your songs on the big screen, they are Fred Astaire and Judy Garland they sing it just the way we wrote it, for which you will have a guaranteed hit on your hands"...well, this collections certainly has some merit to that statement...because with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire performing seven songs each, there must be something to it.

This collection of musicals still has the magic that we remember from those bygone years...but as long as we have the labels and networks who play and show these wonderful films of yesteryear, they will never be forgotten...hats off to Rhino Records, George Feltenstein (producer) and Doug Schwartz (engineer) and Turner Classic Movies for sharing those 42 selections from 42 films...celebrating decades of the tunes and artists that gave it their all...from what it commonly called "The Hollywood Dream Factory"...The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals is still among us...gotta love it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Rhino Records 78323 ~ (6/02/2002)
Instruments of the Orchestra
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 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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  5. What to Listen for in Music

ASIN: B00006O0NT
Release Date: 2002-12-03

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars 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!

5 out of 5 stars 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!

5 out of 5 stars 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!

3 out of 5 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.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra.......2003-11-08

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

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

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

The one complaint I have is the last CD. This deals with the orchestra. I wanted more of a tour of how the orchestra has been used through history up to the present. Instead, it was a tour of how different groups of instruments sound. I thought it could have been better. The other 6 CDs are excellent.
Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)

    Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    TriosTrios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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    Concerto GrossiConcerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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    1. Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set)
    2. Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
    3. Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
    4. Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set]
    5. Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set]

    ASIN: B00062FLI8
    Release Date: 2004-11-30
    Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Great music, fine performance
    • The Best of the best
    • Beautiful Music, Beautifully Sung
    • A bleak Mid-winter
    • If you own one Christmas Music CD--this is it
    Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity

    Manufacturer: Collegium
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Cornelius, PeterCornelius, Peter | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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    1. Christmas Star
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    5. The Holly and the Ivy: Carols from Clare College

    ASIN: B0000031H5
    Release Date: 1993-01-20

    Tracks:

    1. In Dulci Jubilo
    2. Adam Lay Ybounden
    3. Christmas Night
    4. Once, as I Remember
    5. A Spotless Rose
    6. In the Bleak Midwinter
    7. There Is a Flower
    8. The Cherry Tree Carol
    9. I Wonder as I Wander
    10. Candlelight Carol
    11. O Tannenbaum
    12. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
    13. A Virgin Most Pure
    14. I Sing of a Maiden
    15. Lute-Book Lullaby
    16. The Three Kings
    17. Myn Lyking
    18. O Little One Sweet
    19. All My Heart This Night Rejoices
    20. I Saw a Maiden
    21. Away in a Manger
    22. Nativity Carol

    Amazon.com

    "The theme of this album is the birth of Christ, reflected in the words and music of 22 carols spanning more than six centuries." This description might also say that the program contains some of the best and best-loved Christmas choral pieces of all time, presented in a pleasing mix of familiar carols and lesser-known original works. Among the best-known selections are Darke's "In the bleak mid-winter" and Howells's "A spotless rose." Several original pieces by John Rutter appear here for the first time--"Christmas Night," "There is a flower," and "Nativity Carol." Other notable highlights are Peter Cornelius's "The three kings" and the lively Willcocks arrangement of "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day." Of course, the singing is among the best on the planet--in fact, there may even be a few heavenly angels in the soprano section. --David Vernier

    Album Description

    An incredible collection of 22 carols, old and new, including I Wonder As I Wander, Away In A Manger, O Tannenbaum, and In Dulci Jubilo. "In the field of choral Christmas CDs, Christmas Night shines brightest of all." David Vernier - Classics Today

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Great music, fine performance.......2007-01-26

    Recommended for everyone to have since secularized "popular" Christmas music is repeated endlessly from mid November to 25 December with dreary lyrics and superficial performance. Carols of the Nativity is immensely better.

    5 out of 5 stars The Best of the best.......2006-12-22

    I,ve been collecting Christmas Music for over 25 Years especially the non-pop genre. This is my desert CD. The Chanticleer and Kings College CDs are very good but this is the summit of quiet meditative music for the season. I always listen to this alone at night and still get thrilled and overwhelmed by it's beauty and sublimity. My favorite track is "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" simply because of the beauty of the poetry of Rossetti. I always give this as a gift to my friends who enjoy beautiful acapella music.Do yourself a favor and purchase this most beautiful of all Christmas music. I own over 200 Christmas CD'S and this one gets played at least twice a season. The other Rutter Christmas CD's are excellent but not quite in the same class. This is a once in a lifetime album. It is the centerpiece of my own personal celebration of christmastime.

    5 out of 5 stars Beautiful Music, Beautifully Sung.......2003-12-18

    This compilation of Christmas carols both traditional and modern stands in stark contrast to much of the bubble gum, soda pop Christmas music so often heard on popular radio these days. There are no divas or over the top performances or attempts to make "a moment". What there is are beautiful songs sung by talented singers.

    So many of these carols are so beautiful that it's hard to pick out which are the best. More likely than not, that's going to be a highly personal choice but if you see one of your favorites on the track list you can be sure that it's well performed.

    In short, this album should be part of your Christmas collection. It's best listened to in the quiet time on Christmas Eve.

    3 out of 5 stars A bleak Mid-winter.......2003-10-17

    This CD contains the usual Rutter mix of gorgeous traditional treatments with a few incredibly schlocky arrangements. Fortunately, I can just leave the schlock off my iPod playlist (otherwise I'd return the CD).

    The real letdown is my own fault: I didn't notice that "In the Bleak Midwinter" is the Darke version, not Holst. Ugh. If only the RealAudio samples had stretched one song further down the song list.

    5 out of 5 stars If you own one Christmas Music CD--this is it.......2002-12-24

    You can't beat the polished ensemble sound of the Cambridge Singers and John Rutter has devoted his life to celebrating the joys of Anglican Christmas music. This is a coherent program of carols that you can play without skipping tracks. The selection is well-balanced and covers a broad historical range. Although there are some interesting alternatives out there for purists (such as Kings College Choir and the Tallis Singers)if you own just one CD of English Christmas music--this should be the one.
    Rodgers & Hammerstein: Songbook for Orchestra (Orchestral Suites)
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Irresistible
    • "Some Enchanted Evening" with Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops
    • Excellent!
    • Great Arrangments
    Rodgers & Hammerstein: Songbook for Orchestra (Orchestral Suites)

    Manufacturer: Telarc
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    WaltzesWaltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
    Orchestral PopOrchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
    Movie ScoresMovie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
    Movie SoundtracksMovie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Lerner & Loewe Songbook for Orchestra
    2. Rodgers & Hammerstein - The Complete Overtures ~ Opening Night / Hollywood Bowl Orchestra · Mauceri
    3. Puttin' on the Ritz: The Great Hollywood Musicals
    4. The Sound Of Music (1987 Studio Cast)
    5. Classics of the Silver Screen

    ASIN: B000003CXQ
    Release Date: 1992-01-28

    Tracks:

    1. Oklahoma!
    2. Carousel
    3. State Fair
    4. South Pacific
    5. The King And I
    6. Cinderella Waltz
    7. Flower Drum Song
    8. The Sound Of Music

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Irresistible.......2005-07-29

    From beginning to end this CD is pure delight. A great recording has great music, a great performance, and great sound; this one scores on all three counts.

    Rodgers and Hammerstein's musicals dominated Broadway in the 1940s and 1950s, and American musical theater has produced no more consistently eloquent and durable voice than Richard Rodgers. From his fertile genius flowed a surprising number of memorable songs, many of which have passed into and become an accepted and beloved part of modern American culture.

    This well-filled CD (77:36) features symphonic arrangements (all but two by Robert Russell Bennett) of the music from Oklahoma (1943), Carousel (1945), State Fair (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), Flower Drum Song (1958), and The Sound of Music (1959). All the great tunes are here in suites from each musical that average 10-12 minutes in length. The arrangements are expert: rich, varied, and colorful. The performances are polished, idiomatic, and irresistible; Kunzel and this orchestra are thorough masters of this kind of material. And Telarc's sound (recorded 1991) is state-of-the-art (engineer Michael Bishop deserves to take a bow).

    In short, there's nothing here to cloud your listening pleasure (the only quibble I can imagine is that some of your favorites may not last long enough), so it's hard for me to envision anyone with ears and a taste for music who wouldn't enjoy this CD. Warmly recommended. Finally, if you like this one as much as I do, you might want to know that the same team has produced a companion volume, the Lerner & Lowe Songbook for Orchestra.

    5 out of 5 stars "Some Enchanted Evening" with Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops.......2003-12-26

    Erich Kunzel's Rodgers and Hammerstein anthology with the Cincinatti Pops Orchestra is one of the best and most ravishing instrumental Rodgers and Hammerstein albums of all time. With sumptuous arrangements and warm, natural Telarc recording, this glorious 77-minute CD presents sweeping, melodic arrangements of over 60 Rodgers and Hammerstein selections, spanning eight scores, and Kunzel allows the Pops to play with a characterful and polished understanding of the Rodgers and Hammerstein idiom. The disc is enough to cheer you up on a dull day and make you smile, and it might even want to make you feel like a convert to Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals.

    This CD has all the scores arranged chronologically. The OKLAHOMA! suite that opens this disc promises a feast for the senses, Kunzel ably evokes the territory's "bright, golden haze" in the way he conducts the various excerpts, until you feel the atmosphere of the country charm of the show, and the love-affair between Curly and Laurey. Then, in CAROUSEL, he ably evokes the pathos of this tragic R&H masterwork, especially in the truncated Waltz, but he leads a wonderfully melodic "June is Bustin' Out All Over" and a devotional "You'll Never Walk Alone." Although this suite does not include Billy's pivotal Soliloquy, it includes "If I Loved You" as an expression of his love for Julie, and within minutes you could be soaked in the ups and downs of the show's mood.

    After a brief STATE FAIR suite, with sweeping renditions of "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "It's a Grand Night for Singing", we are brought into the disc's showstopping highlights. These highlights are the excerpts from SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. But yet Kunzel conducts the rest of the disc until the various suites amount to a series of showstoppers. These three suites present wonderfully-arranged versions of their many familiar classic songs, with well-played solos. The SOUTH PACIFIC suite presents the songs in chronological order, yet preserves the atmosphere of the show at the same time. Kunzel ably brings out the romance in "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Younger than Springtime," and contrasts it with the exotic and dreamlike "Bali Hai'i" and the comic "There is Nothing like a Dame" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair". Although the suite ends quietly with a reprise of "Dites-Moi" rather than the reprise of "Some Enchanted Evening," within minutes we are swept into the KING AND I suite. Kunzel ably brings out the Oriental pathos in this score, and he captures the warmth of Anna's rapport with the King's Siamese children in "Getting to Know You", and with the King himself in "Shall We Dance." There is also romance in the love ballads "I Have Dreamed" and "We Kiss in a Shadow." Similarly, in the selection from THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Kunzel conducts this until the orchestra soaks itself in the atmosphere of this Austrian R&H score. This SOUND OF MUSIC suite has more of a feel of the score compared to the bonus track on Sony's reissued version of the Broadway recording. You can almost feel as if you are following the progress of the Trapp family and how it lifts its spirits with the joy of music. Kunzel gives us a soaring version of the title song, and spirited versions of "Do-Re-Mi" and "My Favourite Things." He balances it with the open-air quality of "Edelweiss" and "The Lonely Goatherd." Although this suite could have included "Something Good," the love ballad written for the film, the three recollections of the songs that were cut from the movie only last for a while. And, the towering version of "Climb Every Mountain" crowns this portion of the disc, and this sumptuously-produced recording. But, I should also mention the infectuous FLOWER DRUM SONG medley, where Kunzel turns this underrated score into a work of art, until it convinces you to buy the cast recording. And, don't forget about the brief CINDERELLA WALTZ, too, when Kunzel conducts it magically, until you feel like you are in the company of Cinderella and the Prince. He is able to show how this R&H score marked a comeback for R&H after the failiures of Me and Juliet, and Pipe Dream.

    Overall, this glorious Rodgers and Hammerstein recording is guarunteed to make you want to pucker your lips out for a whistle or sing along (to paraphrase another revew for Kunzel's Disney Spectacular disc) - even if this recording is music only, and as long as you know the words to the songs (and you might know a large handful of them already.) There is always a certain magic in this fine CD that makes you feel like you're sitting in the theatre watching these musicals, until it makes you feel like it is truly, to borrow two R&H song titles, "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Something Wonderful" to be in Kunzel's company for this R&H offering. It would certainly be one recording that could make you feel willing to buy the complete cast recordings of the shows. And I guaruntee that it will make you feel willing to pull out your existing copies of the cast recordings to listen to them again. I also guaruntee that it will be a cornerstone in any Rodgers and Hammerstein collection, just as it is in mine. Recommended heartily to any Rodgers and Hammerstein enthusiast and to fans of Erich Kunzel's work. And, you can play it while reading the Richard Rodgers biography, Musical Stages, until Rodgers himself would count this as his favourite disc in the afterlife.

    By the way, most of the arrangements for the suites on this CD were done by the veteran R&H orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett, and it surely adds to the appeal of this recording. This itself is enough to amount to the icing on the cake, since Kunzel conducts them well on here, and since this recording still allows the suites to have the original theatrical atmosphere. And, although this recording is like the Mauceri collection of the Rodgers & Hammerstein overtures in compiling orchestral suites of Rodgers & Hammerstein, I think that I like the Kunzel recording even more because Kunzel has more magic in his conducting of these suites.

    5 out of 5 stars Excellent!.......2003-04-08

    This is one of the best Erich Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops collections we own! A must for Rodgers and Hammerstein fans, too.

    5 out of 5 stars Great Arrangments.......2001-09-02

    This is a first rate album with great arrangments and orchestrations. If you're a Rodgers and Hammerstein fan, you can't afford to miss this specatacular album
    Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

      Manufacturer: Castle Pulse
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      All Works by BeethovenAll Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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      HymnsHymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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      Similar Items:
      1. Favourite Welsh Choirs
      2. Land of Song Welsh Choral Classics
      3. Welsh Choirs: Wonderful Welsh Choirs
      4. Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome
      5. Traditional Songs of Wales

      ASIN: B0009SOFXG
      Release Date: 2005-08-01

      Tracks:

      1. Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
      2. Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
      3. Dies Irae
      4. Men of Harlech
      5. You'll Never Walk Alone
      6. Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
      7. Old Folks at Home
      8. Il Liza Jane
      9. Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
      10. Vergine Degli Angeli
      11. Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
      12. My Hero
      13. God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
      14. German Mass/Gloria
      15. German Mass/Sanctus
      16. Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
      17. All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
      18. Arwelfa
      19. Invictus
      20. Softly as I Leave You

      Tracks:

      1. Diolch l'R L
      2. Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
      3. Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
      4. Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
      5. Memories of Martha
      6. I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
      7. Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
      8. Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
      9. Creation's Hymn
      10. In the Spirit!
      11. Shall We Gather at the River
      12. Nos a Bore
      13. Very Best Time of Year
      14. Soon Ah Will Be Done
      15. Thanks Be to God
      16. Flower That Shattered the Stone
      17. Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
      18. Where Shall I Be?
      19. Bywyd y Bugail
      20. Lord's Prayer

      Tracks:

      1. Ave Maria
      2. Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
      3. She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
      4. Cymru Fach
      5. Nidaros
      6. Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
      7. Watching the Wheat
      8. Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
      9. Misbles/Stars
      10. Rachie
      11. Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
      12. There Is a Balm in Gilead
      13. Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
      14. My Lord, What a Mornin'
      15. Bryn Myrddin
      16. Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
      17. Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
      18. Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
      19. Ride the Chariot
      20. Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir

      Tracks:

      1. Y Nefoedd
      2. Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
      3. Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
      4. By Babylon's Wave
      5. I'm Gonna Sing
      6. Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
      7. Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
      8. Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
      9. Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
      10. That's All I Want from You
      11. Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
      12. Give Me Jesus
      13. Just a Closer Walk with Thee
      14. My Wish for You
      15. Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
      16. Mose in Egitto/Prayer
      17. Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
      18. God's Choir in the Sky
      19. Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
      20. Smilin' Through

      Tracks:

      1. Calon Lan
      2. True Love
      3. Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
      4. Aberystwyth
      5. Comrades in Arms
      6. Cats/Memory
      7. They Led My Lord Away
      8. State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
      9. When I Fall in Love
      10. Let's Face the Music and Dance
      11. Windmills of Your Mind
      12. How Soon
      13. Non Nobis Domine
      14. Rhythm of Life
      15. Kalinka
      16. Sound an Alarm
      17. Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
      18. Turandot/Nessun Dorma
      19. Christus Redemptor
      20. Ann Evening's Pastorale

      Album Details

      Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.
      100 Hymns & Songs of Inspiration
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • The picture
      100 Hymns & Songs of Inspiration

      Manufacturer: Castle Music UK
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      All Works by ArneAll Works by Arne | Arne, Thomas Augustin | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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      Similar Items:
      1. A Heritage of Hymns: Classic Recordings of the Great Songs of Faith and Inspiration
      2. Abide with Me and other favourite hymns
      3. Best Loved Hymns
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      5. Hymns Triumphant 1 & 2

      ASIN: B00008GEKT
      Release Date: 2003-04-14

      Tracks:

      1. Love Divine All Loves Excelling - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      2. Father Hear the Prayer We Offer - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      3. Now Thank We All Our God - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      4. This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      5. Stars of the Morning So Gloriously Bright - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      6. God Save the Queen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      7. Day of Resurrection - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      8. God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      9. Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      10. O Come All Ye Faithful - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
      11. Awake My Soul and With the Sun - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
      12. Thine Arm O Lord in Days of Old - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
      13. All People That on Earth Do Dwell - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
      14. Good Christian Men Rejoice and Sing - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
      15. There Is a Green Hill - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
      16. Lord of Beauty - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
      17. Rejoice Today With One Accord - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
      18. New Every Morning - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
      19. Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
      20. O God Our Help in Ages Past - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral

      Tracks:

      1. Morning Has Broken - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      2. Happy Are They - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      3. In Christ There Is No East or West - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      4. Silent Night - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      5. Be Thou My Guardian - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      6. Ye Servants of the Lord - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      7. At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      8. To Thee O Lord Our Hearts We Raise - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      9. Behold the Great Creator Makes - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      10. Rejoice the Lord Is King - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
      11. Creator of the Stars of Night - Ely Cathedral Choir
      12. He Comes With Clouds Descending - Ely Cathedral Choir
      13. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Ely Cathedral Choir
      14. Alleluya Alleyluya Alleyluya - Ely Cathedral Choir
      15. This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made - Ely Cathedral Choir
      16. How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds - Ely Cathedral Choir
      17. Lord Thy Word Abideth - Ely Cathedral Choir
      18. Jesus Lord We Look to Thee - Ely Cathedral Choir
      19. O Lord Our God Arise - Ely Cathedral Choir
      20. Lord of All Hopefulness - Ely Cathedral Choir

      Tracks:

      1. Soldiers of Christ Arise - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      2. Lift Up Your Hearts - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      3. Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      4. Maker of the Sun - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      5. O King Most High - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      6. O Praise Our Great and Glorious Lord - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      7. Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      8. We Love the Place O God - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      9. Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      10. Give Rest O Christ - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
      11. Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
      12. O Thou in All Thy Might So Far - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
      13. O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
      14. O God Thy Soldiers' Crown and Guard - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
      15. Strife Is O'er the Battle Done - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
      16. O Christ Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
      17. Jesus Shall Reign - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
      18. God of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
      19. O Jesu Saviour of Mankind - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
      20. Immortal Invisible God Only Wise - Choir Of Truro Cathedral

      Tracks:

      1. Ride on Ride on in Majesty - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
      2. All Glory Laud and Honour - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
      3. Come Rejoicing - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
      4. God Is Love and Where True Love Is - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
      5. Magnificat: The Great Advent Antiphons - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
      6. Come, Christ's Beloved - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
      7. Children of the Hebrews (Palm Procession) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
      8. Veneration of the Cross/The Reproaches (Veneratum and Reproaches) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
      9. Once in Royal David's City - Choir Of Keble College
      10. God Be in My Head - Choir Of Keble College
      11. O Thou Who Camest from Above - Choir Of Keble College
      12. Judge Eternal Throned in Splendour - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
      13. Christ the Lord Is Risen Again - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
      14. For All the Saints - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
      15. Thy Hand O God Has Guided - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
      16. Christ the Dawn of Our Salvation - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      17. I Was Glad - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      18. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      19. Locus Iste - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      20. Praise My Soul the King of Heaven - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

      Tracks:

      1. Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus! - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
      2. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
      3. O Worship the King - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
      4. O Heavenly Word of God on High - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
      5. Praise to the Lord, The Almighty - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
      6. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - The Choir of York Minister
      7. First Nowell - The Choir of York Minister
      8. Abide with Me - The Choir of York Minister
      9. Breathe on Me Breath of God - Choir Of Keble College
      10. Rock of Ages - Choir Of Keble College
      11. On This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Keble College
      12. Jesu Sweet and Mary - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      13. O Quam Gloriosum - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      14. Ye Holy Angels Bright - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      15. O for a Closer Walk With God - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      16. Prayer of St Patrick - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      17. Lord's Prayer - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      18. Blessed Be the God and Father - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      19. Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
      20. Jerusalem (And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times) - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

      Album Description

      Full Title - 100 Hymns & Songs Of Inspiration. UK box-set featuring 100 tracks performed by Britain's finest Cathedral Choirs including, Gloucester Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, & many more. Five standard jewel cases housed in a slipbox. Castle Pulse. 2003.

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars The picture.......2006-12-11

      I haven't purchased the CD but the picture of the inside of a church on the cover is not of a British church, like one would assume since it says its a recording of British choirs. This picture is of Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Just thought i'd let you know. I'll be honest; I'm one to judge things by it's cover and if the company took such care to choose a 'British' church for their British choir CD, I'm willing to bet the music is equally well selected... I'm being sarcastic. But I gave the product 5 stars because I didn't want to hurt its ratings just because i'm cynical. But check out the church if you're ever in Montreal, it's truly beautiful... here I'm not being sarcastic.
      Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert,  Pinnock
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty
      • So Fashionable, and So Disappointing
      • A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal
      • Wait! Before you buy...
      • La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener
      Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock
      George Frideric Handel , Arleen Auger , Anne Sofie von Otter , Trevor Pinnock , The English Concert & Choir , Michael Chance , Howard Crook , and John Tomlinson
      Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      Similar Items:
      1. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
      2. Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner
      3. Belcea Quartet ~ Debussy · Dutilleux · Ravel
      4. Beethoven: Symphony No 9 /ORR * Gardiner
      5. Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" in B minor Op. 74

      ASIN: B0000057DB
      Release Date: 1990-10-25

      Tracks:

      1. Messiah: Part One - 1. Sinfony (Grave - Allegro moderato)
      2. Messiah: Part One - 2. Accompagnato : Comfort Ye My People
      3. Messiah: Part One - 3. Air : Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
      4. Messiah: Part One - 4. Chorus : And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed
      5. Messiah: Part One - 5. Accompagnato : Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts
      6. Messiah: Part One - 6. Air : But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
      7. Messiah: Part One - 7. Chorus : And He Shall Purify
      8. Messiah: Part One - 8. Recitative : Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
      9. Messiah: Part One - 9. Air and Chorus : O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
      10. Messiah: Part One - 10. Accompagnato : For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover
      11. Messiah: Part One - 11. Air : The People That Walked In Darkness
      12. Messiah: Part One - 12. Chorus : For Unto Us A Child Is Born
      13. Messiah: Part One - 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
      14. Messiah: Part One - 14. Recitative: There Were Shepherds Abiding In The Field - Accompagnato: And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord - 15. Recitative: And The Angel Said Unto Them - 16. Accompagnato: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
      15. Messiah: Part One - 17. Chorus : Glory To God In The Highest
      16. Messiah: Part One - 18. Air : Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
      17. Messiah: Part One - 19. Recitative : Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind
      18. Messiah: Part One - 20. Air : He Shall Feed His Flock
      19. Messiah: Part One - 21. Chorus : His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light
      20. Messiah: Part Two - 22. Chorus : Behold The Lamb Of God
      21. Messiah: Part Two - Air : 23. He Was Despised

      Tracks:

      1. Messiah: Part Two - 24. Chorus : Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
      2. Messiah: Part Two - 25. Chorus : And With His Stripes We Are Healed
      3. Messiah: Part Two - 26. Chorus : All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
      4. Messiah: Part Two - 27. Accompagnato : All They That See Him
      5. Messiah: Part Two - 28. Chorus : He Trusted In God
      6. Messiah: Part Two - 29. Accompagnato : Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
      7. Messiah: Part Two - 30. Arioso : Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
      8. Messiah: Part Two - 31. Accompagnato : He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land
      9. Messiah: Part Two - 32. Air : But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul
      10. Messiah: Part Two - 33. Chorus : Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
      11. Messiah: Part Two - 34. Recitative : Unto Which Of The Angels
      12. Messiah: Part Two - 35. Chorus : Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him
      13. Messiah: Part Two - 36. Air : Thou Art Gone Up On High
      14. Messiah: Part Two - 37. Chorus : The Lord Gave The Word
      15. Messiah: Part Two - 38. Air : How Beautiful Are The Feet
      16. Messiah: Part Two - 39. Chorus : Their Sound Is Gone Out
      17. Messiah: Part Two - 40. Air : Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage
      18. Messiah: Part Two - 41. Chorus : Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
      19. Messiah: Part Two - 42. Recitative : He That Dwelleth In Heaven
      20. Messiah: Part Two - 43. Air : Thou Shalt Break Them
      21. Messiah: Part Two - 44. Chorus : Hallelujah
      22. Messiah: Part Three - 45. Air : I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
      23. Messiah: Part Three - 46. Chorus : Since By Man Came Death
      24. Messiah: Part Three - 47. Recitative : Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
      25. Messiah: Part Three - 48. Air : The Trumpet Shall Sound
      26. Messiah: Part Three - 49. Recitative : Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
      27. Messiah: Part Three - 50. Duet : O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
      28. Messiah: Part Three - 51. Chorus : But Thanks Be To God
      29. Messiah: Part Three - 52. Air : If God Be For Us
      30. Messiah: Part Three - 53. Chorus : Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain --- Amen

      Amazon.com essential recording

      This is a terrific performance of Messiah. Not only are the soloists all superb, but Trevor Pinnock completely contradicts the image of many period instrument performances as small-scale, scrappy affairs. Indeed, he invests the choruses with as much genuine Handelian pomp as Beecham at his most extravagant. The trumpets really blaze, and the timpani thunder, and everyone simply has a great time. A joyous performance, just right for the holiday season. --David Hurwitz

      Amazon.com

      Trevor Pinnock meets with mixed success in this account of the Messiah with the English Concert & Choir and soloists Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, and John Tomlinson, recorded and released in 1988. Its strengths are the strengths of the early-music movement in general. The size and distribution of the instrumental and vocal forces are optimal, which means that textures are clear and balances apt. Rhythms are nicely pointed, though often, in Pinnock's case, not quite well enough sprung. Tempos are well chosen; for example, "All we like sheep"--which turns out to be one of the set's best numbers--is a real bourré, and Pinnock animates it in just the right way. But the performance often seems workmanlike and unemotional, weighed down in too many instances by the humdrum work of the chorus. The alto section in particular, which is half male and half female, sings timidly and is constantly swallowing its entrances. Bass soloist John Tomlinson is a further drag on the effort. He has the right idea--that there's an Italian opera hiding behind all this biblical imagery--but his cottony sound is out of place, a misguided attempt to mimic Nicolai Ghiaurov. His usable range is less than a tenth (he croaks the low G's and F-sharps), and his diction is horrible. "Thus spake the Lord" is strangled, and when, in "The trumpet shall sound" Tomlinson gets to the words "we shall be changed," one can't help wishing that he had been changed too, right before the sessions started. --Ted Libbey

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty.......2007-06-13

      Handel's Messiah is my favorite piece of classical music. Of the two versions that I had I only have left this one, and it is not the best (the other had been a cheap recording whose author's name I forgot too). This version seems to lack a little enthusiasm from the voices; too melancholic. Anyway, this is the first review of any music that I write, and probably will be the last too, so I just want to leave my impression of how I feel when I hear these solemn and heavenly sounds. One feels so raised to the heavenlies... I can almost sense the presence of the Lord Almighty up yonder among the clouds, and me being carried in solemnity to meet Him. Far away are the buzzing sounds of earthly chores. The air is fresh and clean as we are raised above the valleys, and we come to meet God's elected amid the singing, stronger and stronger. Jubilant, bathed in the glorious rays of the Savior's Light, we come together and sing: Glory to God, glory to God, praise and glory for He is coming...

      2 out of 5 stars So Fashionable, and So Disappointing.......2007-02-01

      This would be a great 21st Century Reader's Digest version of Messiah, if such a thing existed any more. Handel did as much as he could, but really, the performers still have to do something besides posture, which, by the way, seems to me to characterize many performances these days. Fashionable, but musically deficient.

      Specifically: John Tomlinson sings like he thinks he IS God, instead of singing about Him. Heavy, cumbersome, and overblown. May I add boorish?

      Arleen Auger has a very sweet voice. And??

      Despite the program notes insisting that certain segments of this Messiah are given to "the contralto", Anne Sofie von Otter is NOT a contralto. Not even close.

      The male alto can barely sustain a legato line - why he insists upon throwing in those complicated, badly-performed embellishments I can't figure. Well, I can, but I'd really rather not say.

      Wake up, choristers!! It's 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born," not "Oy, I have to go to the grocery store today."

      Boy do I regret having spent almost $40 on this one. Thank goodness I have the Colin Davis to console me.

      4 out of 5 stars A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal.......2006-12-17



      This 1988 recording sits between the euqally English, euqally period-ifnluenced Hogwood and Garidner. Of the three, Hogwood sounds more 'authentic' because it uses boys in the chorus and singers schooled period practice. By comparison, Pinnock's soprano, Arleen Auger, and mozeeo, Von Otter, are essentially modern singers--gorgeous ones, of course, Gardiner is far more anemic in his conducting and uses a scrwny-sounding orchestra, so if that's more authentic, so be it. Of the three, Pinnock gives us more traditional music values in his emotional expression and instrumental timbres.

      The competiiton is mushc stiffer now than in 1988, but Pinnock's reading has survived the test of time. He is not a genuinely inspired conductor--sadly, Messiah has become a cottage industry that excludes most big-name talents--but neither are Gardiner and Hogwood. (For sheer musicality, I tend to put my money on Andrew Parrott, Robert King, Marc Minkowski, Niklaus Harnoncourt, and Rene Jacobs.) But he's certainly good eough. The reason I haven't given five stars is that the male soloists aren't first-rate, and in particular the Wotan voice of John Tomlinson sounds cavernous in the bass arias. Add to that Pinnock's tendency toward tepidness, and what you end up with is a very good but not great performance.

      5 out of 5 stars Wait! Before you buy..........2006-05-28

      ... This Messiah has recently been re-released at a much cheaper price. Go back and look for the DG "The Originals" release, which is being sold new for under $12.

      5 out of 5 stars La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener.......2004-12-29

      Soy uno de los mas fanaticos seguidores de Handel y de su obra El Mesias... He escuchado muchas versiones de esta genial e impresionante obra del maestro Handel y, sencillamente no me queda mas que recomendar esta interpretacion, bajo la batuta del maestro Trevor Pinnock. Se nota la exigencia con que esta version se interpreto, dentro el contexto del arte barroco y la magnificencia de la pronunciacion del ingles de la epoca. La orquesta se luce impresionantemente desde la obertura... y le da a cada movimiento, toda aquella fuerza y a la vez delicadeza requerida en el sentimiento que aplica en cada uno de los textos biblicos escogidos por el guionista Jennens. El Coro del English Concert es arrebatador y demuestra maestria en la interpretacion de cada una de las arias que le corresponde. La soprano Arleen Auger, la puedo definir como un angel cantando y resulta ser una caricia a los oidos, a la vez que es capaz de arrancarle a uno las lagrimas por lo excelso de su magia interpretativa. El tenor Crook, aunque no es un tenor con tesitura para canto barroco, es realmente habil y agil al momento de interpretar los melismas caracteristicos de este brillante periodo musical. El contratenor Michael Chance, es fenomenal y quiera Dios que yo tenga el honor de conocer a este genio del canto: "But who may abide..." interpretado por Chance en esta version, es como para caer en extasis. La contralto Anne Sophie von Otter..., tiene una voz oscura y redondeada..., tambien resulta una caricia a los oidos y su "If God be for us..." es desbordante, capaz tambien de hacerle a uno derramar lagrimas por su belleza interpretativa. El bajo Tomlinson..., es barbaro!!! (Soy bajo-baritono en el Coro de la Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica...) A pesar de su voz tan oscura, es tremendamente agil cuando le toca cantar los melismas y es genial al alcanzar la tonalidad brillante en las partes de notas altas y agudas...; por ejemplo: "The people that walked in darkness..." y "Why do the nations..." Tengo seis años de experiencia, interpretando musica coral y tengo que decir que espere esos seis años, desde 1999, para felizmente cantar esta obra "El Mesias". Ha sido fantastico finalmente lograr este objetivo..., la espera valio la pena y debo admitir que mi inspiracion ha sido sin duda alguna, la version que puede usted encontrar en este disco compacto. Doy gracias a todos los que intervinieron en esta grabacion (al maestro Trevor Pinnock, al English Concert and Choir y a los solistas ya mencionados), en nombre mio y en nombre del maestro Handel.
      Handel: Messiah - Arias & Choruses
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • Highlights from stately classic version of Messiah
      • Good performances, mediocre sound quality
      • A signature Christmas album (at least for me)
      Handel: Messiah - Arias & Choruses

      Manufacturer: Decca
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      1. Handel: Messiah

      ASIN: B00004Z1BB
      Release Date: 2001-03-27

      Tracks:

      1. No. 2 Recitative: Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye My People - Kenneth McKellar
      2. No. 3 Aria: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted - Kenneth McKellar
      3. No. 4: And The Glory Of The Lord - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
      4. No. 8 Recitative: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive; No. 9 Aria: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion - Grace Bumbry
      5. No. 12: For Unto Us A Child Is Born - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
      6. No. 16: Recitative: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel; No. 17: Glort To God In The Highest - Joan Sutherland
      7. No. 18 Aria: Rejoice Greatly, O Duaghter Of Zion - Joan Sutherland
      8. No 40 Aria: Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together? - David Ward
      9. No. 41: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
      10. No. 44: Hallelujah! - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
      11. No. 45 Aria: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth - Joan Sutherland
      12. No. 47 Recitative: Behold I Tell You A Mystery; No. 48 Aria: The Trumpet Shall Sound - David Ward
      13. No. 53: Worthy Is The Lamb - Amen - London Symphony Orchestra And Chorus

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars Highlights from stately classic version of Messiah.......2005-12-11

      This recording by Sir Adrian Boult and the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus dates from the early 1960s, and seems now very much an old-school rendering of Handel's beloved masterpiece. As such it still has its pleasures, among them the skilled singing of the chorus and two major stars, Joan Sutherland and Grace Bumbry, in their youthful primes. Though there are no "added accompaniments" of the kind that used to be routine and unwelcome additions to Handel's original, lean orchestration, modern connoisseurs of Baroque music may find the choruses, particularly the famous "Hallelujah," and final "Amen," altogether too leaden in pacing and glutinous in texture. In general the performance practice is restrained, with barely an ornamented da capo to be found, and even essential vocal appoggiaturas omitted. The selection of numbers on this highlights disc is not particularly satisfying; an apparent desire to give all soloists and chorus more or less equal time results in some jarring skips in continuity and unfathomable omissions, as well as equally strange inclusions. I would have opted for hearing the chorus "Lift up your heads, O ye gates" over a complete, nine-minute "Trumpet Shall Sound," for example, since there is not one ornament in the da capo and bass David Ward is taxed by the high tessitura. Nevertheless, the overall authority of Boult's interpretation makes this venerable Messiah still worth a listen, especially at this bargain price.

      3 out of 5 stars Good performances, mediocre sound quality.......2004-11-29

      The remastering of this CD was not top notch. The sound quality is far inferior to my DDD from Hyperion starring Lynn Dawson,Katherine James et al.
      But I'm still looking for the perfect Messiah recording.

      5 out of 5 stars A signature Christmas album (at least for me).......2002-12-24

      I remember this playing in the background in the house back when I was a kid. It defined Christmas for me. I've heard several versions of "The Messiah" but this one, from the London Symphony Orchestra, is the most full and robust. There seems to be no rival, in my opinion. I highly recommend this for new families. Whether you're religious or not and celebrate Christmas/the year-end holidays as a religious event or a simple but important time for a family get-together, either the lyrics and/or the sound of the music will stay with you for many Christmases to come. The stand out song is Hallelujah. Though, I'm not a complete aficionado of classical music (especially of the religious kind), this must be one of Sir Adrian Boult's finest. But I'm speaking from the LP and tape versions. I can only imagine the sound from the CD version. I highly recommend this recording.

      UPDATE: Yup, this is the tape I remember. Down to the quality. I dunno about anybody else, but that's part of the charm for me. It reminds me of the tape and that reminds me of Christmases past. I love it.
      Handel - Messiah / Vyvyan · Sinclair · Vickers · Tozzi · Royal PO · Beecham
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • Beecham's noisy Messiah
      • The Big Victorian Handel 'Messiah': Indulge Yourself!
      • Comfort Ye!
      • Familiarity hasn't bred much affection
      • Thanks to Jon!
      Handel - Messiah / Vyvyan · Sinclair · Vickers · Tozzi · Royal PO · Beecham
      George Frideric Handel , Sir Thomas Beecham , Jennifer Vyvyan , Monica Sinclair , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Jon Vickers , and Giorgio Tozzi
      Manufacturer: RCA
      ProductGroup: Music
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      1. Handel - Messiah / Harper, Watts, Wakefield, Shirley-Quirk, LSO, C. Davis
      2. Handel: Messiah
      3. Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx
      4. Samson
      5. Messiah (Complete)

      ASIN: B000003FB8
      Release Date: 1992-07-14

      Tracks:

      1. Messiah: Overture - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
      2. Messiah: Recit: Comfort Ye, My People (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      3. Messiah: Air: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      4. Messiah: Chorus: And The Glory Of The Lord - John McCarthy
      5. Messiah: Recit: Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
      6. Messiah: Air: But Who May Abide (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
      7. Messiah: Chorus: And He Shall Purify - John McCarthy
      8. Messiah: Recit: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
      9. Messiah: Air & Chorus: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings (Contralto) - John McCarthy
      10. Messiah: Recit: For, Behold, Darkness Shall Cover (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
      11. Messiah: Air: The People That Walked In Darkness (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
      12. Messiah: Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born - John McCarthy
      13. Messiah: Pastoral Symphony - Royal Philharmonic Chorus
      14. Messiah: Recit: There Were Shepherds Abiding (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
      15. Messiah: Recit: And The Angel Said Unto Them (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
      16. Messiah: Recit: And Suddenly There Was (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
      17. Messiah: Chorus: Glory To God In The Highest - John McCarthy
      18. Messiah: Air: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
      19. Messiah: Recit: Then Shall The Eyes (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
      20. Messiah: Air: He Shall Feed His Flock; Come Unto Him (Contralto & Soprano) - Monica Sinclair
      21. Messiah: Chorus: His Yoke Is Easy - John McCarthy

      Tracks:

      1. Messiah: Chorus: Behold The Lamb Of God - John McCarthy
      2. Messiah: Air: He Was Despised (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
      3. Messiah: Chorus: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs - John McCarthy
      4. Messiah: Chorus: And With His Stripes We Are Healed - John McCarthy
      5. Messiah: Chorus: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray - John McCarthy
      6. Messiah: Recit: All They That See Him (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      7. Messiah: Chorus: He Trusted In God - John McCarthy
      8. Messiah: Recit: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      9. Messiah: Air: Behold, And See If There Be (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      10. Messiah: Recit: He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      11. Messiah: Air: But Thou Didst Not Leave (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      12. Messiah: Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads - John McCarthy
      13. Messiah: Air: How Beautiful Are The Feet (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
      14. Messiah: Chorus: Their Sound Is Gone Out Into All Lands - John McCarthy
      15. Messiah: Air: Why Do The Nations So Furious Rage (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
      16. Messiah: Chorus: Lets Us Break Their Bonds Asunder - John McCarthy
      17. Messiah: Recit: He That Dwelleth In Heaven (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      18. Messiah: Air: Thou Shalt Break Them (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      19. Messiah: Chorus: Hallelujah! - John McCarthy
      20. Messiah: Part III - Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
      21. Messiah: Chorus: Since By Man Came Death - John McCarthy
      22. Messiah: Recit: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
      23. Messiah: Air: The Trumpet Shall Sound (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
      24. Messiah: Chorus: Worthy Is The Lamb - John McCarthy

      Tracks:

      1. Messiah: Recit: Unto Which Of The Angels (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
      2. Messiah: Chorus: Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him - John McCarthy
      3. Messiah: Air: Thou Art Gone Up On High (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
      4. Messiah: Chorus: The Lord Gave The Word - John McCarthy
      5. Messiah: Recit: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
      6. Messiah: Duet: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting? (Contralto & Tenor) - Monica Sinclair
      7. Messiah: Chorus: But Thanks Be To God - John McCarthy
      8. Messiah: Air: If God Be For Us (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan

      Amazon.com essential recording

      Sir Thomas Beecham's Messiah has become notorious among baroque purists (like this writer) for embodying the worst excesses of pre-1960 Handel performance: ponderous tempos, stentorian opera singers, huge lumbering choruses and orchestras, crashing cymbals, clanging triangles.... Well, we'll need a new straw man: this performance is WONDERFUL. Jon Vickers and Giorgio Tozzi negotiate Handel's writing surprisingly well; Jennifer Vyvyan takes to it naturally. The chorus and orchestra (yes, including trombones, tuba, triangle, and cymbals) may obscure the part-writing, but they fill the music with power, grandeur, and faith. If Mozart could re-orchestrate Messiah, why not Beecham? This may not be Handel's Messiah as such, it may even be a period piece itself--but it's magnificent. --Matthew Westphal

      Customer Reviews:

      3 out of 5 stars Beecham's noisy Messiah.......2006-12-23

      Here's the famous Messiah from Thomas Beecham and forces that uses crashing cymbals, enhanced timpani and brass to make it sound like a collusion between classical forces, a rock band and Canadian Brass. Listen to second CD excerpt from "Hallelujah!" for the opening cymbal crash to get an idea of what's going on.

      This performance has been debated for 40 years as to whether it is musically adept, musically correct, an exemplar of the English choral tradition, or just a big old batch of fun at Handel's expense. I first owned this during a time when I also owned a recording Handel's "Royal Fireworks Music" featuring 40 woodwinds. The two made roughly an equal amount of noise.

      There isn't much question this performance is completely out of step with the way Handel is performed in most venues today. Check out the wonderful Jon Vickers' highly operatic opening aria, "Comfort ye", then compare that to any leaned-out period group you've heard. You'll get another idea of the dimension of Beecham's project.

      While not on the agenda of the Flat Earth Society, the only real interest in a performance like this -- especially having to endure it on three CDs when just about everyone else puts it on two -- is nostalgia or history, whichever happens to be the case for you.

      My personal favorite version is in the 4-CD box of "Messiah" and "Israel In Egypt" where Andrew Parrott leads his Taverner Choir & Players and some of the best early music singers including Emma Kirkby, Emily van Evera, Margaret Cable, David Thomas, and Joseph Cornwall. HIs Messiah isn't perfect -- it uses a countertenor for a bass in one aria -- but it is more moderate than most PPP recordings and has a wonderful romantic edge to most of the score. It comes with a top notch recording of "Israel in Egypt" and still costs less than the Beehcham.

      5 out of 5 stars The Big Victorian Handel 'Messiah': Indulge Yourself!.......2006-12-16

      We live in an era when purity of intent and respect for composers' works is at an all time high. Not only are we blessed with superb 'authentic' performances on period instruments and with small choruses and countertenors and state of the art bel canto singers for Handel's evergreen "Messiah", there are many superlative recordings that are as polished as any one work on current recordings. Supposedly we are hearing Messiah the way Handel envisioned it. Perhaps so, but who is to say that had Handel the resources available today he wouldn't have jumped for joy at the drama of the old British Choral Societies version that Sir Thomas Beecham conducts on this anything but dusty recording from many years ago. The 'Old School' had its good points.

      Beecham goes all out with an orchestration, while attributed to Sir Eugene Goosens is also probably some of Beecham's own inimitable tinkering, that adds instruments not only in numbers but also in color and depth of sound. Winds double strings, percussion includes the full battery instead of just tympani, the big cello and viola sound stand equally with the big violin sound, etc. The chorus is huge, and while this allows the big dramatic moments to be intense, the fine diction Beecham demanded remains solidly intact.

      The soloists are in an operatic class of their own. Jennifer Vyvyan and Monica Sinclair were major singers when this recording was made and their singing is big and well ornamented. Jon Vickers and Giorgio Tozzi bring Verdi into the room and he is a welcome visitor to Beecham's vision of this work.

      For this listener, who prefers the 'correct, authentic' performance, this recording and others even older that celebrate the BIG Messiah are a delight. And that just proves that performance standards, no matter the interpretation of the conductor, are paramount: Beecham gives a solid, convincing interpretation to the operatic Messiah. It is lush, and huge, and absolutely wonderful to hear again! Grady Harp, December 06

      5 out of 5 stars Comfort Ye!.......2006-10-30

      If your not familiar with "Messiah" don't let the reviews scare you - this is certainly a great choice for your first or only recording. There is a lot of feeling in the playing and singing, and i feel it is quite respectful not only of the composer, but the subject matter. It includes a booklet with all the lyrics, and an essay by Beecham himself about the piece. It is a complete recording, with a "bonus cd" of extra verses not usually performed (as explained in the essay). The audio quality is great for the time it was recorded. Its much more worthy to be listened to and contemplated than to be put on as backround music at Christmastime. The price is certainly reasonable in light of the quality of the performance.

      3 out of 5 stars Familiarity hasn't bred much affection.......2005-11-02

      I first became acquainted with this recording at the tender age of 12 when I received the original Soria edition as a Christmas gift. I remember being intensely disappointed at what seemed to me then as more circus than music. Time has mellowed that negative reaction and gives a more balanced assessment of Beecham's achievement - I bought the CD reissue after all. It still doesn't inspire much affection in yours truly although I can appreciate the soloists' contributions, particularly Tozzi. The lamented Vyvyan was in better voice with Boult. Here she has a rapid vibrato and a curious way of articulating the high notes. The orchestrations seem to maintain more of the clarity of the writing by concentrating on the bass and the top without clogging up the middle voices in the manner of the Victorians. There are three pieces where it just doesn't work at all to these ears: the brassy "All we like sheep," "Hallelujah" (which summons visions of Fucik's 'Entry of the Gladiators' every time I hear it), and the disintegration of the obbligato trumpet into flute noodlings in "The trumpet shall sound," in a lightweight performance that is at odds with the grandeur of the text. I'll also admit that the splashy brilliance of "For unto us a Child is born" and the surging drama of "Surely, He hath borne our griefs" are very satisfying.

      In the forty some recordings I own (and the many performances I've attended) there's no best and no definitive. This is one I respect but don't care to hear very often.

      3 out of 5 stars Thanks to Jon!.......2005-03-08

      This recording is worth having first of all beacause of the credible singing of Jon Vickers! Yes, he really sings on the words. The "Comfort Ye" and "Every valley..." have a knew dimension after Jons reading of the score. Of course I know that in tradition we want a very much more lyrical voice to this masterpiece. But he's not alone here, and now we are already into the problem; the choir! It's just terrible, yes terrible!
      I'm just ending up with "Thanks to Jon!"




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