More Than Life

1. More Than Life

2. Lost Without Your Love

3. Crazy Kind Of Love

4. All For A Dream

5. Show Me Your Love

6. My Heart Is Breaking

7. Nine Lives

8. In That One Moment

9. An Angel In Disguise

10. All My Life

11. More Than Life (remix)

12. Show Me Your Love (acoustic)

More Than Life,Dan Gardner,Dgp Records,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Average customer rating: A Vocally Dazzling Esparza Rides High on an Exuberant Pre-"Rent" Larson Score Great tunes - great lyrics - great harmonies Love the Music Larson Lives Fantastic Music, but i wouldnt want to see it live

Tick, Tick... Boom! (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast) Jonathan Larson , Amy Spanger , and Raul Esparza Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: tick, tick ... BOOM! The Last 5 Years (2002 Off-Broadway Cast) Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) The Wild Party (Lippa) (2000 Off-Broadway Cast) Songs for a New World (1996 Original New York Cast) ASIN: B00005NQK5 Release Date: 2001-09-11

Tracks:

1. 30/90
2. Green Green Dress
3. Johnny Can't Decide
4. Sunday
5. No More
6. Therapy
7. Real Life
8. Sugar
9. See Her Smile
10. Come To Your Senses
11. Why
12. Louder Than Words
13. Boho Days
14. 30/90 Playout

Amazon.com

Rent is usually treated as Jonathan Larson's one and only show, but the truth is that he had a career--albeit a hitless one--before that blockbuster. There was a musical titled JP Morgan Saves the Nation with lyrics by Jeffrey M. Jones and music by Larson. And there was Tick, Tick... Boom!, an autobiographical piece that Larson workshopped for a while before setting it aside and finishing Rent.

In 2001, Tick, Tick is getting a full off-Broadway production, and it's a rather endearing one. Lyrics have never been Larson's strong point, but he was a hell of a melodic composer--and the score here is even poppier than that of Rent (think Top 40 rather than Sondheim). It's hard to pick favorite songs: "Green Green Dress" is built on a rollicking piano boogie, for instance, and "Real Life" and "See Her Smile" are the kind of elegiac ballad that Larson would later perfect with "Seasons of Love." Luckily, this show has a lot more to offer than mere youthful musings. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

A Vocally Dazzling Esparza Rides High on an Exuberant Pre-"Rent" Larson Score.......2007-06-16

Perhaps it's a coincidence that the immensely talented Raúl Esparza plays a character dreading his 30th birthday in this 2001 recording of the hit off-Broadway show by the late Jonathan Larson, while five years later, he would play the elliptical Bobby dreading his 35th birthday in the enthralling 2006 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company. In both performances, Esparza shows a true affinity for capturing the angst of men undergoing transitional points in their lives which render them emotionally paralyzed. At first glance, Sondheim and Larson would not seem like kindred spirits, but both share a gift for sophisticated lyrics in an unmistakable musical style defined by their oeuvres. Larson even pays tribute to Sondheim in the story's climax and with the sardonic, work-is-hell "Sunday", a take-off of the song with the same name in Sunday in the Park with George.

However, it is the familiar Larson sound of Rent that is heard most in this score - driving, rock-out rhythms with unavoidable pop hooks and yearning, piano-driven ballads. Even the opener, "30/90", is a virtual sound-alike of the bigger show's title tune. If the songs are not quite as polished or even memorable as those in Rent, they feel more personal because the autobiographical story is far more intimate in scale. Set in 1990 in the same SoHo neighborhood as Rent, it's a simple three-character piece about Jon, an aspiring composer who considers giving up his dreams on the verge of his 30th birthday. With charismatic fire, Esparza is equally adept using his beautifully expressive voice in a rock milieu as in a Sondheim character study. He brings energetic brio to finger-snapping rockers like the Twinkie-induced "Sugar" and especially shines on the ballads, "See Her Smile" and the revelatory "Why".

With a slightly pinched voice that reminds me a bit of the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs, Amy Spanger as girlfriend Susan duets nicely with Esparza on the touching "Johnny Can't Decide", the rocking "Green Green Dress", and the comical self-help wordplay of "Therapy". Her shining solo moment comes with the knockout ballad, "Come to Your Senses". As Jon's embattled pal Michael, Jerry Dixon provides powerful vocals, bringing particular warmth to "Real Life" and grit to the fed-up rave "No More". The trio closes the show powerfully with the anthem-like "Louder Than Words". The overall score is a bit derivative and a tad too earnest, but the youthful zest of the cast and Larson's pop craftsmanship more than compensate. Two bonus tracks are offered at the end - an instrumental replay of the opener, "30/90 Playout" and a rare recording of Larson singing "Boho Days" a capella with propulsive hand claps.

Great tunes - great lyrics - great harmonies.......2006-11-04

If you are a fan of the late great Mr. Larson you will love this music. Okay, I have seen the play a couple of times so I know what happens between the songs but this, his autobiography, really moved me. Even my kids like the Green Dress Song.

I hope you like it... The theme is "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" rings true today as the day he wrote it.

John we miss you.

Love the Music.......2006-08-22

I saw this play a few weeks ago, and really enjoyed the music, so I got the CD. The voices, and lyrics are amazing! However, as I often find with CDs of musicals, there wasn't always the right feeling in the voice, particularly in "Therapy" where couple ought to be angry at each other, and it seems more cute on the CD.

Larson Lives.......2006-05-06

I love Tick, Tick... Boom! The show is quite refreshing. The show works so well with three actors. I LOVE "30/90" and "Louder Than Words." Both speak really strongly to the audience because they both are really relatable to anyone's life. Admittedly the middle of the show drags a little, and Spangler's voice can be chipmunkish at times. However those are minor detractions when it comes to this show. It is especially moving if you know Jonathan's story. It is no Rent, but the short piece is really moving

Fantastic Music, but i wouldnt want to see it live.......2006-04-30

I was soo soo very pleased with the music from "Tick...Tick..BOOM!". Rock Operas are my favorite type of musical theatre, and i must say this is one of the best. The storyline, however, although dealing with bohemian problems like AIDS, rehersals, love, didnt meet the power of the music. It was taken from Johnathans original one-man show and made into a three-man show. This was the only way possible to make this conversion, but still it was a dull storyline only going over the time period of one day in the day in the life of Johnathan Larson. Yes, it was an important day, his thirtieth birthday and his friend annoucing that he is HIV positive, but none of this happens until the end. The show lacks obsession, and in order to make a good musical storyline there has to be an obsession. Luckily, the weak storyline is backed with fantastic music, perhaps even better than Rent. 30/90 is my all time favorite song EVER i have listened to it over and over and still am not sick of it. other favorite tracks include:
30/90
Green Green Dress
No More
Sugar
Come To Your Senses (originally from Superbia)
Louder Than Words
and i also enjoy the rest of the songs as well.

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

Instruments of the Orchestra Various Artists Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra | ( H ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra | ( M ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Op34; Simple Symphony Op4 The Mahler Symphonies: An Owner's Manual (includes 1 CD) The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Book & CD) Study of Orchestration, Third Edition What to Listen for in Music ASIN: B00006O0NT Release Date: 2002-12-03

Tracks:

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Average customer rating: Energetic Worship very moving Awesome! Wow! Brilliant

More Than Life - United Manufacturer: Integrity/Hillsongs ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Praise & Worship | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Similar Items: United We Stand Look To You To The Ends of The Earth Look to You [CD & DVD] United Live - King Of Majesty ASIN: B00020BPIO Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

1. One Way
2. Light
3. Evermore
4. Open Up The Heavens
5. Take All Of Me
6. Always
7. Sing Of Your Love
8. Where
9. Consuming Fire
10. More Than Life
11. Jesus' Blood
12. Shine For You
13. Soldier
14. All Day

Album Description

Recorded live in Sydney, More Than Life offers 15 songs including 10 all-new tracks. The album captures the essence of United's live performances with a pounding mix of guitar, bass and drums with vocals from Reuben Morgan, Marty Sampson and Joel Houston among others. Each More Than Life CD includes a bonus DVD with documentary footage of the recording, rehearsals, interviews and more. In addition, a songbook and CD trax will be made available.

Customer Reviews:

Energetic Worship.......2007-03-21

This worship cd from the youth band of the popular aussie Hillsong Church is aimed I would say, at college age kids. The band is called United and sometimes, they are your regular mohawked, pierced, tatooed group.

My reasons for purchasing this cd/dvd pack were not entirely pure to begin with. I purchased it mostly to ogle Marty Sampson of whom I saw a video of singing the standout song 'Evermore'. He's very talented vocally, plays the guitar and sings mostly with his eyes closed.

Also, United being connected to the popular praise and worship singer; Darlene Zschech didnt hurt their reputation either.

At the first few listens, the songs can be loud, all over the place and slightly aggravating but once you get used to them, they are indeed a prize.

The arrangements do strike one as amatuerish but when you really get into it, the sincerity of their love for and desire to praise Jesus can not be doubted.
Also, very important is that the focus of their songs is on praising God. There is no me or I involved. It's totally all about Him and that is quite rare in today's praise and worship.

Their voices are very good and they are talented and vibrant. The songs are mostly rock oriented.

The cd/dvd value is also great. The bonus dvd is fun to watch and you are infected by the energy of this band.

It's a good way to perk yourself up and praise God who is more than deserving of our praise.

very moving.......2006-02-03

This is a powerfully moving worship experience. I saw this tour in concert, and the presence of God was so real. These guys are not 'performing'. They are truly leading in worship. There was no emphasis on one person or personality. The whole evening was centred on God.

The lyrics are perfect to help you focus on prayer and worship, and the instrumentation allows that. I love it, and out of my 400 cd's, I play this one more than anything.

By the way, I'm a mom with a teenager.

Awesome!.......2005-09-17

Incredible songs, lyrics, vocals, instrumentals, and it really has a great flow for worship (the last half). I really like the variety of lead singers, and the mix of piano/guitar. This CD along with Israel & New Breed's "Live from Another Level", is my favorite right now for just getting into worship at home or in my car.

It is very youth oriented so I especially recommmend if for that age. If your at that age where you don't like loud music or electric guitars, maybe not.

Wow!.......2005-09-08

This album is amazing! I know others have mentioned this, but it anything that comes out of Hillsong Australia is truly awesome music. The music is rock, but it's also worship. The songs make you want to jump up and down, praising God.

"One Way" is all about Jesus being the only one who will always be with and protect us. "Light" asks Him to show us the way to go. Living for Jesus is the topic in "Evermore." "Open Up The Heavens" and let Your glory fall they sing in the fourth track. A quieter track, "Take All of Me" pleads with Jesus to take our hearts and lives. A female soloist begins "Always" singing about God's wonder in the Earth. "Sing (Your Love)" is about the darkness that is now gone. To throw ourselves at the mercy of God, "Where the Love Lasts Forever." Seeking more than we know, seeking more of God, in "Consuming Fire." "More Than Life" is the love we have for God. The unfailing blood is sung about in "Jesus's Blood." Being a light to the nations and living for God in "Shine For You." "Soldier" is a call to all Christians about becoming bolder, about standing on God's promises so the world won't be able to stop you. "I don't care what they say about me, it's all right" is the first line in "All Day."

These songs are incredible. They slow down in the middle of the CD for those who like slightly softer music. But they pick back up at the end, and end with a flourish with "All Day." The last two songs, "Soldier" and "All Day" are my personal favorites.

If you are a fan of previous Hillsong albums, this one HAS to go into your collection. If you've never heard Hillsong before, this is a great place to start. It's not soft worship music... there are loud drums and electric guitars. But the artists have an amazing passion for Christ which comes across in this CD. There is a similar CD to this one, Hillsong's Look To You, which was probably recorded at the same concert. I also recommend that one.

Brilliant.......2005-08-15

Here is a great release from Hillsong United. Fifteen worship songs from the Hillsong United team - this is next generation worship.I saw Darlene Zschech at the Telstra Dome Melbourne earlier this year,and i can tell you that i enjoyed that part of the worship the best of all.In fact thats why i was there for, to see Darlene Zschech.
Hillsong is my fav worship.

Average customer rating: Classic, but not the definitive... Essential

Steve Reich 1965-1995 Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Reich, Steve | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: The John Adams Earbox: A 10-CD Retrospective Two Pages: Contrary Motion - Music in Fifths Iannis Xenakis: Percussion Works Music with Changing Parts Nancarrow: Studies for Player Piano ASIN: B000005J4P Release Date: 1997-06-03

Tracks:

1. Come Out
2. Piano Phase
3. It's Gonna Rain, Part I
4. It's Gonna Rain, Part II
5. Four Organs

Tracks:

1. Part 1
2. Part 2
3. Part 3
4. Part 4

Tracks:

1. Music For Mallet Instruments, Voices And Organ
2. Clapping Music
3. Six Marimbas

Tracks:

1. Music For 18 Musicians: Pulses
2. Music For 18 Musicians: Section I
3. Music For 18 Musicians: Section II
4. Music For 18 Musicians: Section IIIA
5. Music For 18 Musicians: Section IIIB
6. Music For 18 Musicians: Section IV
7. Music For 18 Musicians: Section V
8. Music For 18 Musicians: Sectionn VI
9. Music For 18 Musicians: Section VII
10. Music For 18 Musicians: Section VIII
11. Music For 18 Musicians: Section IX
12. Music For 18 Musicians: Section X
13. Music For 18 Musicians: Section XI
14. Music For 18 Musicians: Pulses

Tracks:

1. Eight Lines
2. Tehillim: Part 1: Fast
3. Tehillim: Part 2: Fast
4. Tehillim: Part 3: Slow
5. Tehillim: Part 4: Fast

Tracks:

1. The Desert Music: First Movement
2. The Desert Music: Second Movement
3. The Desert Music: Third Movement, Part One
4. The Desert Music: Third Movement, Part Two
5. The Desert Music: Third Movement, Part Three
6. The Desert Music: Fourth Movement
7. The Desert Music: Fifth Movement

Tracks:

1. Works: New York Counterpoinnt: Fast
2. Works: New York Counterpoint: Slow
3. Works: New York Counterpoint: Fast
4. Works: Sextet: 1st Movement
5. Works: Sextet: 2nd Movement
6. Works: Sextet: 3rd Movement
7. Works: Sextet: 4th Movement
8. Works: Sextet: 5th Movement
9. Works: I. Strings
10. Works: II. Percussion
11. Works: III. Winds And Brass
12. Works: IV. Full Orchestra

Tracks:

1. Works: Different Trains - America - Before The War
2. Works: Different Trains - Europe - During The War
3. Works: Different Trains - After The War
4. Works: Electric Counterpoint - Fast
5. Works: Electric Counterpoint - Slow
6. Works: Electric Counterpoint - Fast
7. Works: Movement I
8. Works: Movement II
9. Works: Movement III

Tracks:

1. The Cave: Typing Music
2. The Cave: Who Is Abraham?
3. The Cave: Who Is Ishmael?
4. The Cave: Genesis XVIII
5. The Cave: Genesis XXI
6. The Cave: The Casting Out Of Ishmael And Hager
7. The Cave: Machpelah
8. The Cave: Genesis XXV
9. The Cave: Interior Of The Cave
10. The Cave: Surah 3
11. The Cave: El Khalil Commentary
12. The Cave: Who Is Abraham?W
13. The Cave: Who Is Sarah?
14. The Cave: Who Is Hagar?
15. The Cave: Who Is Ishmael?
16. The Cave: The Binding Of Isaac
17. The Cave: The Cave Of Machpelah

Tracks:

1. Proverb
2. Nagoya Marimbas
3. City Life: 'Check It Out'
4. City Life: Pile Driver - alarms
5. City Life: 'It's Been A Honeymoon - Can't Take No Mo'
6. City Life: Heartbeats - Boats & Buoys
7. City Life: 'Heavy Smoke'

Amazon.com essential recording

In the afterglow of his 60th birthday in 1997, Nonesuch Records delivered Steve Reich and his listeners an immense gift, this 10-CD retrospective of his work for the label, extending from his earliest tape-manipulation pieces to his most recent compositions utilizing samplers and the video artistry of Beryl Korot. Aside from the ear's liquid sense-making when it hears the dense and limber marimbas of Reich's Six Marimbas or his taut, dizzying Piano Phase, there is a physical response almost inevitable in Reich's music. It stuns and holds you. And he knows it. It's Gonna Rain struck an early chord of inventiveness, featuring an African American Pentecostal preacher's sermon and eventually spinning the title phrase into a jangling repetition of single words. Percussion works abound here: Clapping and Drumming stun with their deceptive similarity and warm clarity. Perennial favorite Piano Phase features pianists Nurit Tilles and Eduard Neumann synched up on two pianos and careening at full tilt in unison before their four hands fall out of time and phrase with each other, only to realign in a powerful swooping demonstration of energy and focus. The latter CDs hold abundant delights, many revealing Reich's late-discovered spiritualism and Judaica: Different Trains' examination of the Holocaust; Tehillim's shimmering Hebrew texts sung with fascinating choral power; Proverb's invocation of Perotin. Closing the set are recent pieces: Nagoya Marimbas, and the sampler-rich City Life and The Cave. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Classic, but not the definitive..........2004-05-20

While a multi CD collection spanning 30 years does sound very promsing, Nonesuch cannot offer all of the best recordings of some of Reich's masterpieces (Music for 18 Musicians or Drumming), and some have been missed out completely (Music for a Large Ensemble), presumably because the piece was not recorded under the Nonesuch label. While the collection is formidable, a listener wanting to hear the best recordings of all the pieces might do better seeking out the older (or longer!) recordings of the pieces.

Essential.......1999-02-24

The term "essential" gets thrown about too much. And heck, the claim that certain words get thrown about too much gets thrown about too much. But here is a collection that really *is* essential to understanding the nature of a whole shift not just in classical music, but in popular music and indeed in popular culture. So many of Reich's ideas and concepts have become so deeply embedded in current classical music, film scoring (any number of examples, but think about Tangerine Dream's score for "Risky Business" and Hans Zimmer's score for "Thin Red Line," for starters), electronic music and even the visual arts.

This box set gives the listener all of Reich's major works. I can't even attempt to describe them individually, but every one of these 10 CDs is compelling. For the totally uninitiated, take out "Music for 18 Musicians" (presented here in a crystalline new recording) to get an idea of what the core of this guy is all about. From there, you might want to listen to "Different Trains," "Electric Counterpoint" and "Six Marimbas" to get an idea of the pointillistic pulse minimalism that Reich contributed to the world. The earlier material is the more challenging, exploring the subtleties of rythym, phase relationships between sounds and shifting timings. Among these, the new recording of "Four Organs" is just outstanding.

Reich's works, along with the early works of Terry Riley and Philip Glass, form the foundation of an enormous edifice that has grown of music that attempts to return to its essential and hypnotic roots. With this box set, one of those pylons becomes clear.

Average customer rating:

The Collector's The Threepenny Opera Manufacturer: VAI Audio ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Threepenny Opera (1954 New York Cast) (Blitzstein Adaptation) Die Dreigroschenoper: Berlin 1930 Lotte Lenya Sings Kurt Weill / Levine, Lenya, Armstrong, Gilford, et al Lotte Lenya sings Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins & Berlin Theatre Songs The Threepenny Opera (1994 London Donmar Warehouse Cast) ASIN: B000053W80 Release Date: 2000-01-01

Tracks:

1. Die Dreigroschenoper: Ov - Lewis Ruth Band/Theo Mackeben
2. Die Dreigroschenoper: Moritat (Mack, The Knife) - Kurt Gerron
3. Die Dreigroschenoper: Ballad Of The Agreeable Life - Willy Trenk-Trebitsch
4. Die Dreigroschenoper: Love Duet - Erika Helmke/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch
5. Die Dreigroschenoper: Cannon Song - Kurt Gerron/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch
6. Die Dreigroschenoper: Pirate Jenny - Lotte Lenya
7. Die Dreigroschenoper: Act I Finale - Lotte Lenya/Erika Helmke/Erich Ponto
8. Die Dreigroschenoper: Barbara Song - Lotte Lenya
9. Die Dreigroschenoper: Jealousy Song - Lotte Lenya/Erika Helmke
10. Die Dreigroschenoper: Farewell - Erika Helmke/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch
11. Die Dreigroschenoper: Act II Finale - Willy Trenk-Trebitsch
12. Die Dreigroschenoper: Procurer's Ballad - Lotte Lenya/Willy Trenk-Trebitsch
13. Die Dreigroschenoper: Song Of The Inadequacy Of Life - Erich Ponto
14. Die Dreigroschenoper: Moritat (Reprise) - Lotte Lenya
15. Die Dreigroschenoper: Final Chor - 1930 German Cast
16. Die Dreigroschenoper: Moritat - Bertolt Brecht
17. Die Dreigroschenoper: Song Of The Inadequacy Of Life - Bertolt Brecht
18. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik (Little Threepenny Ste): Moritat - Berlin State Opr Orch/Otto Klemperer
19. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik (Little Threepenny Ste): Ballade - Berlin State Opr Orch/Otto Klemperer
20. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik (Little Threepenny Ste): Tango-Ballade - Berlin State Opr Orch/Otto Klemperer
21. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik (Little Threepenny Ste): Cannon Song - Berlin State Opr Orch/Otto Klemperer
22. Die Dreigroschenoper: Moritat - Mme. Damia
23. Mahagonny: Alabama Song - Lotte Lenya/The Three Admirals
24. Mahagonny: As You Make Your Bed - Lotte Lenya
25. Mahagonny: Medley - Lotte Lenya/Berlin Cast Of The Kurfurstendamm Theatre, Berlin
26. Happy End: Bilbao Song - Lotte Lenya

Average customer rating: Intimate and tuneful Underrated Previn What happened?

Ballads/Solo Jazz Standards Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Previn, André | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Alone: Ballads for Solo Piano After Hours Andre Previn Plays Jerome Kern We Got Rhythm: Gershwin Songbook Andre Previn Plays Harold Arlen ASIN: B000002SLK Release Date: 1996-04-02

Tracks:

1. More Than You Know
2. It Could Happen To You/Here's That Rainy Day
3. My Funny Valentine
4. How Are Things In Glocca Morra?
5. Have You Met Miss Jones/Nobody's Heart
6. In Our Little Boat
7. As Time Goes By
8. My Melancholy Baby
9. It Only Happens When I Dance With You
10. Angel Eyes
11. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
12. It Might As Welll Be Spring
13. The Second Time Around
14. Dance Of Life

Customer Reviews:

Intimate and tuneful.......2005-01-14

I'm an admirer of Previn as both classical and jazz musician, and in both categories he excels. This album has the same intimate, highly musical quality that you'll find in Keith Jarrett's The Melody at Night with You. What I appreciate about both is the fact that the pianist's invention always serves the music; it's never obtrusively artful or showy. Highly recommended. Do yourself a favor and get Jarrett's disc to go along with this.

Underrated Previn.......2002-01-14

Andre Previn has always been an underrated jazz pianist. Because of his astonishing variety of successes as a classical conductor, pianist and composer; a film composer; a songwriter; and a performer of romantic cocktail music, he has been eyed suspiciously by the jazz community. In fact, his Tatum-like virtuosity, and his wildly unique and often playfully humorous piano style has made him one of the most interesting, innovative, and entertaining jazz pianists around. His many trio albums on Contemporary Records in the '50s (with Red Mitchell and Shelly Manne) still hold up as some of the best of their kind. But like Rodney Dangerfield, he never gets any respect. Thus, even his most kind critics are likely to throw darts at "Ballads" as too sweet and not swinging. Nonsense! It's not Monk, but it is nevertheless a beautiful set and a loving tribute to some of the greatest songwriters in Tin Pan Alley. Previn squeezes out every harmonic nuance of each song, yet he sounds like he's playing off the cuff in his living room late at night just to amuse himself. Previn may not swing like Teddy Wilson or Oscar Peterson on this offering, but I can't imagine any serious listener being left unmoved by his version of Burton Lane's "How Are Things In Glocca Morra?" It's simply gorgeous. Previn's amazing talents and his proficiency in many musical styles all come together in this unjustly overlooked CD. Give it a chance!

What happened?.......2001-10-03

THe magic is gone. After reading the liner notes, I learned that someone at the studio asked Previn to make an album of just ballads. BIG MISTAKE. I think he was not in the mood.

Average customer rating: Great vocal virtuosity Confuzzled An American Composer of Art Song more German than Rorem delightful art songs

Ned Rorem: Selected Songs Ned Rorem , and Carole Farley Manufacturer: Naxos American ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Susan Graham - Songs of Ned Rorem Rorem: The End of Summer, Book of Hours, Bright Music Rorem: Three Symphonies Rorem: Flute Concerto; Violin Concerto Songs by Roger Quilter ASIN: B00005QISU Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

1. The Waking
2. Root Cellar
3. My Papa's Waltz
4. I Strolled Across An Open Field
5. Memory
6. Orchids
7. The Serpent
8. Night Crow
9. Snake
10. Lilltel Elegy
11. The Nightingale
12. Nantucket
13. Lullaby Of The Woman Of The Mountain
14. Love In A Life
15. What If Some Little Pain...
16. Visits To St. Elizabeth's
17. Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
18. Spring
19. See How They Love Me
20. Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal
21. I Am Rose
22. Ask Me No More
23. Far-Far-Away
24. Early In The Morning
25. Alleluia
26. Such Beauty As Hurts To Behold
27. Sally's Smile
28. Youth, Day, Old Age, And Night
29. O You Whom I Often And Silently Come
30. Full Of Life Now
31. As Adam Early In The Morning
32. Are You The New Person?

Customer Reviews:

Great vocal virtuosity.......2005-04-07

This is a great recording, by two great artists. Carole Farley is the ideal singer for Ned Rorem's songs. She spell out every
word and every nuance, giving each song and every poem their full character. The songs are a revelation. I recommend this recording without hesitation.
Christoph (Berlin, Germany)

Confuzzled.......2004-01-03

While these song are GREAT...I cannot get over Carole Farley; her voice is so affected (kind of like a sprechstimme; overly dramatic...). I love the fact that Rorem himself is playing the piano, and as a singer, the catalogue of songs is good to have...but cant say I could ever manage getting over Farley's affectation. There are far superior recordings out there.

An American Composer of Art Song.......2003-04-02

American popular song, whether standards, show tunes,jazz, blues, or rock, is one of our country's most visible artistic achievements. American classical (or Art) songs are much less known. Ned Rorem (b. 1923) is probably the greatest American composer in this unfamiliar medium. Rorem is sometimes dubbed the "American Schubert."

This disc features 32 of Ned Rorem's songs for voice and piano. Soprano Carole Farley is the accomplished singer, and Ned Rorem himself plays the piano. The disc is special because it features settings of the works of American poets. The CD begins with 9 settings of poems by the mid-twentieth century poet, Theodore Roethke, and concludes with settings of 5 poems by Walt Whitman. The disc also includes settings of poems by William Carlos Williams, Gertrude Stein, and Paul Goodman, among others. Thus the disc combines in a special way American creative effort in poetry and in music.

Rorem's songs are declamatory in style. Typically, the voice line delivers the text of the poetry in a sort of chant. The relationship between the voice line and the piano is far from Schubertian. Generally, the piano takes a separate line and accentuates the voice by means of large chords or by runs or by other comments and punctuation on the voice. The texts are well set and the music is effective. There are some unusual harmonies with jazz and blues influences. Rorem's piano accompanyment on this disc gives the recording a sense of authenticity -- we get a good idea of how the composer wants his songs to be conveyed.

The disc includes excellent program notes and texts of all the songs. Naxos has received deservedly high praise for its "American Classics" series which makes much music written by Americans available on CD at a low price. This disc includes some lovely, little-known songs. It is an excellent introduction to the American art song and to the music of Ned Rorem.

more German than Rorem.......2002-07-20

I've been a Rorem fan since hearing a highschool friend perform some of his work in her college recital. His startling, atonal songs were an instant revelation. For years there were few reliable CDs of his vocal work. A scandal considering his reputation rests more on his art songs and chamber music than on his orchestral pieces. This Naxos entry of a wide overview of his best songs is thus quite welcome, due largely to its availability, wide distribution and professional packaging (he's had some shoddy issues before with incorrect liner notes, etc.; the challenge of the low budget).

I can't call myself an unalloyed fan of soprano Carole Farley however. Her delivery here recalls the speak-singing style of German 12-tone composers (a specialty of hers), and can sound melodramatic, especially when she rushes the more delicate passages.

I prefer Rorem's softer, more melodious French side, the one that descends from Impressionism and is more warmly emotive. While Farley loses the shading of some of the more fragile songs, she is well-suited to the longer, more forceful pieces. I've heard many readings of "Early in the Morning" (one of Rorems most popular songs) by male and female vocalists, and its tale of wistful nostalgia is muted by Farley's direct approach. However, she nails "My Papa's Waltz," a fractured setting for a Roethke poem about a frightened child forced to dance with a drunken father. Here her acting skills come to the fore, and she perfectly captures the tipsy madness of the song. Rorem can be quite theatrical himself on occasion. She does almost as well with "See How they love me," a ballad with a regular pace that allows her assertive style to breathe.

At any rate it's great to hear these lovely songs in a recent (2000) recording, accompanied (rather emphatically, but perhaps he's matching his theatrical singer) by Rorem himself.

The similar Susan Graham album is more to my taste, but this is a more than competent bargain set.

delightful art songs.......2002-01-02

rorem's songs are amazing, and naxos has done well
to group them by poet. the complete settings of roethke
are particularly compelling and edgey.

carole farley's voice is lovely, but her phrasing
and willingness to push her voice seems
a big departure from the styling of art songs i've
heard by poulenc and somers.

this takes some getting used to- at least 3 or 4 complete
listen-throughs in my case. her voice is almost jazzy,
kind of like early recordings by holly cole.

anyway, rorem accompanies her on piano so obviously
this reading fits with his intent; his playing is also delightful.

one small quibble- although there are 32 songs, the CD is
57 minutes- brief by naxos standards.

Average customer rating: A lot of fun! Sublime Moffo and cast LOTS OF FUN AND BEAUTIFULLY SUNG Great Moments from Die Fledermaus Sparkling vintage Johann Strauss

The Great Moments from Die Fledermaus Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Moffo, Anna | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Die Fledermaus Vocal Score (Dover Vocal Scores) Johann Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Domingo, Te Kanawa, Prey, Royal Opera Covent Garden Mozart: Arias The Exciting Voice of Sergio Franchi/ Live at the Cocoanut Grove Verdi: La Traviata ASIN: B00001R3MT Release Date: 1999-10-12

Tracks:

1. Die Fledermaus: Overture
2. Die Fledermaus: Though Honesty Is Said To Be The Policy That's Best
3. Die Fledermaus: Calamity, Catastrophe
4. Die Fledermaus: Alfred! - Here We Are, Just You And I
5. Die Fledermaus: Propriety, Propriety
6. Die Fledermaus: More Often Than Not...Chacun a son gout
7. Die Fledermaus: Look How I Look (Adele's Laughing Song)
8. Die Fledermaus: Echoes Of Hungary! (Czardas)
9. Die Fledermaus: Champagne Is So Romancing, Tra La La La
10. Die Fledermaus: Oh, mon ami, We'll Meet Again
11. Die Fledermaus: Happiness, Here's To Health And Happiness
12. Die Fledermaus: A Waltz, Lets Have A Waltz
13. Die Fledermaus: Oh, For The Life Of An Actress
14. Die Fledermaus: I Am Very Fond Of Elderberry Wine And Sherry

Customer Reviews:

A lot of fun!.......2007-04-25

This is so much fun! It's a shame that this is a "selections only" version rather than the complete work. That said, "Die Fledermaus" is not a great serious work, but a bon-bon. And what a delightful bon-bon!

First, the cast. An interesting combination. Anna Moffo is a delightful Rosalinda; her lush voice works well here. Jeanette Scovotti as Adele may be less well known, but her work is fine indeed (way back when, I owned the Reader's Digest "Operetta" collection, in which these two reversed roles). Rise Stevens, an estimable mezzo, sings Orlofsky with a nice touch. Sergio Franchi plays Alfredo. Eisenstein is well sung by Richard Lewis. George London, a mainstay at the Met, took on Falke. Finally, John Hauxvell sang Frank. And they all seem to be having a grand old time in the singing. The Vienna State Opera Orchestra and Chorus are well led by Oscar Danon.

Second, the singing. The English translation is hardly great art. But the infectious presentation by the singers renders this close to irrelevant. "Calamity, Catastrophe" has everyone in a dither, with a quick tempo that catches the listener up in the excitement. Rise Stevens does a wonderful turn in "More often than not. . .Chacun a son gout." Well sung indeed. Adele's "Oh for the life of an actress" is an affecting piece, with Jeanette Scovotti doing a nice job singing.

So, if you want an infectious, fun version of "Die Fledermaus" (even with a rather lame English translation), this will work well for you.

Sublime Moffo and cast.......2007-03-04

Terrific recording of highlights from Strauss' "Die Fledermaus", sung in English by Anna Moffo and Sergio Franchi in lead roles with Vienna State Opera Orchestra. Anna Moffo's voice is simply sublime and her magnificent performance demonstrates why she is one of the finest sopranos. First rate cast also includes the wonderful Rise Stevens in fine voice. Sound quality is excellent and stereo. I have only one complaint - why did they not release the full version instead of merely highlights? This disc left me wanting more of this delightful opera.

LOTS OF FUN AND BEAUTIFULLY SUNG.......2006-06-29

The sublime Anna Moffo in radiant voice at her peak surrounded by a first rate cast in an excellent translation -only wish it was complete instead of just excerpts!

Great Moments from Die Fledermaus.......2006-02-10

This is a delightful 1963 recording of highlights from the Johann Strauss operetta "Die Fledermaus", sung in English by major stars of the day, and accompanied by the Vienna State Opera Orchestra. Anna Moffo sparkles in the role of Rosalinda, showing quite clearly why she was regarded as one of the finest singing actresses of her time. The great mezzo Rise Stevens, at the end of her career here, has a grand time as a throaty Count Orlofsky. Jeanette Scovotti is quite good in the soubrette role of Adele, her light, bright voice contrasting nicely with Moffo's rich, sensuous soprano. The men in the cast are equally good. Richard Lewis, George London and John Hauxvell are all in fine voice and lend a splendid comic flair to the proceedings. The English translations are well done and easy to understand. Uncork a bottle of champagne, sit back and let this recording take you back to Old Vienna!

Sparkling vintage Johann Strauss.......2004-02-20

Oscar Danon is the real star of ths recording. His conducting keeps things light and bubbly, just as it should be.

The English translation is acceptable but nothing dazzling, and some of the words and phrases seem awkward. (Purists will argue FLEDERMAUS is best heard in it's original German. For that, go to Decca's wonderful 1960 set which includes the wonderful gala sequence featuring an all-star cast.)

Anna Moffo is a fine Rosalinda and Jeanette Scovotti is perfect for Adele. (The two ladies switched roles that same year to record highlights for Readers Digest TREASURY OF GREAT OPERETTAS.) Rise Stevens is a bit of a plum as Prince Orlofsky, somehwat past her prime and oversinging "A Most Successful Host." Sergio Franchi does better with Alfred and Richard Lewis does fine as Eisenstein.

The Ball scene is given the larger piece of the recording, probably because this is where the opera's most famous "hit tunes" originate.

FLEDERMAUS is very much a piece of another world...a long forgotten time when Vienna was all glitter and balls and waltzes. They had the right attitude then: In the rest of the world the situation was often serious, but not hopeless. The Vienese viewed the situation as being hopeless - but never serious.

THAT is the spirit of this fun recording.

Average customer rating: Fine Examples of Modern Music From meditative to chilling--a study in pattern and sound compelling Composer-journalist's observations become chilling prophecy Credit where credit is due...

Proverb/Nagoya Marimbas/City Life Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Reich, Steve | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sextet/Six Marimbas Reich: Different Trains, Electric Counterpoint / Kronos Quartet, Pat Metheny Steve Reich: The Four Sections / Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices & Organ Steve Reich Eight Lines: City Life Reich: Triple Quartet, Music for a Large Ensemble, Electric Guitar Phase ASIN: B000005J4E Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

1. Proverb
2. Nagoya Marimbas
3. City Life: 'Check It Out'
4. City Life: 'Pile Drive - Alarms'
5. City Life: 'It's Been A Honeymoon - Can't Take No Mo'
6. City Life: Heartbeats - Boats And Buoys
7. City Life: 'Heavy Smoke'

Customer Reviews:

Fine Examples of Modern Music.......2007-05-16

When I listened to Reich's 'City Life' tracks, I had to do a quick check on the dates on which the piece was written, to see whether composer Reich had anticipated the styles of Rap and Hip-Hop, or had appropriated them. Turns out, I believe, to be a bit of both, in the fine tradition of virtually every other major composer who borrowed from the popular (or liturgical) music of the day.

This is the most interesting piece on the CD, but 'Proverb', especially with the assistance of choral great Paul Hillier conducting, is a fine beginning in a very traditional sound, but moving on to more and more modern tempos and vocalizations. The short 'Nagoya Marimbas' is like icing on the cake. Excellent, and not totally 'autre' modern works.

From meditative to chilling--a study in pattern and sound.......2003-12-18

This CD was my first venture into the works of Steve Reich, and is probably my most frequently listened to. I have to say, these are some incredibly striking and graceful pieces to listen to. Rather than relying on traditional chordal progressions and arrangements to progress the piece, this is instead a study in pattern and melody, and (during City Life) the use of everyday sound. Being a rock fan as well as classical, I find it interesting to see the latter entering into classical music as well as where I've experienced it before (in Pink Floyd, Rick Wright, and other rock artists' works).

"Proverb" is a very interesting, mellow piece with a single lyric: "How small a thought it takes to fill a whole life." This piece recalls the medieval forms such as the organum--but with rhythms and dissonances that the ancients would have never dared explore. The lyric itself seems to be a statement of the principles of minimalism...something upon which the listener is compelled to meditate during the course of this piece. "Nagoya Marimbas", while not the most striking statement is a very interesting study of patterns--the changes are subtle and occur just in time to prevent the piece from becoming monotonous. I imagine that to play this piece would require great concentration on the part of each player, to stay with their individual contribution to it.

By far, "City Life" is the most compelling piece, and the one I initially bought this CD for. The use of sampled sounds, combined with the textures of the music itself, truly evokes the image of New York City, from the frenzied rush of cars in the first movement to the brooding ambience of the harbor, and finally, the potential for disaster reflected in the last movement. I bought this CD in the fall of 2001, and it was quite chilling to realize that the recordings Mr. Reich used in the last movement were from the *first* World Trade Center bombing...but it could just as easily fit the more recent tragedy.

compelling.......2002-05-19

The first piece on the cd, Proverb, is 14 minutes that don't seem like more than 2. A step beyond Reich's earlier Tehillim, it seems to make use of the influence of medieval composer Perotin & modernise it by adding a minimalistic keyboard which serves mostly to give form to a driving rhythm (fast pace, not cars). This piece will turn the space its flowing sound envelopes into a sort of digital cathedral. Then, Nagoya Marimbas might bring you back to reality. It's a classic Reich fabric of repetition with deliberate & slow changes. Then the title piece, which spans 5 tracks from 3 to 7 on the cd for a total of 23:07, features, on top of sparse instrumentation, some great vocal loops & tapes that are almost reminiscent of his early Come Out but more compelling, to be sure. Great cd, diverse Reich, offers a sense of protean experimentation more than compositional evolution.

Composer-journalist's observations become chilling prophecy.......2001-09-17

For the past twelve years Reich has labored in the shadow of his unassailable masterpiece, "Different Trains." Both its concision and its monumentality made that sampling exposition of Holocaust testimony the standard for the work Reich has accurately if immodestly claimed he was "born to do."

His more recent recorded compositions such as "The Cave" and the three works on this disc-- less visceral and emotional, perhaps, but no less powerful of insight-- have been less uniformly well received. In particular, "City Life" has been marginalized by some as a found-sound exercise in banality, utilizing performance techniques that sounded dated when the piece premiered in 1995.

The reason critics need to give it another listen has little to do with the awful coincidence in Reich's climactic choice of the earlier World Trade Center bombing aftermath as a sample source. It has a lot more to do with the sobering atmosphere progressively achieved throughout the first four movements-- a precarious balance of despair and indifference, equipoise and terror. Had this music reflected the events of 2001 rather than 1993, its composer needn't have changed a note.

With almost surgical understatement, Reich distills his stylistic hallmarks-- crystalline architecture, slow-burn intensity, razor-sharp asentimentality, and inexhaustable rhythmic drive-- into a musical observation of urban rage, unsparingly linking individual discontent to mass destruction.

No sides are taken here. Often skeptical of a composer's entitlement to expression for its own sake, Reich has always despised and successfully avoided musical agitprop. And just as he has from "Come Out" to "Different Trains," in "City Life" he provides something better, something more necessary: an indelible reflection of the ghost face of violence at the turn of the twenty-first century.

Perhaps if one tenth of the people rushing to purchase Lee Greenwood's "American Patriot" listened carefully to Reich's "City Life," there might be a measurably clearer consciousness of what has changed life in the United States, and the resentments and complacencies that have fueled those changes.

Credit where credit is due..........2001-07-03

While I have listened to most of this cd and have thoroughly enjoyed everything I heard on it, this is mainly a response to the Good Doctor's comment about the piece Nagoya Marimbas. I would say he is correct in his description that upon hearing the piece, it isn't overly dynamic and it doesnt sound like there is much going on of abundant interest. However, a percussionist myself I started learning Nagoya to perform with a colleague later this year, and I must say the doctor may have been a bit narrowminded in his assessment. Nagoya Marimbas demands pinpoint accuracy in timing (the two contrasting parts are very easily confused, mainly because they are virtually the same at the core) and synchronization (or syncopation) with your fellow performer. When you actually put the music on the instrument, it also takes amazing accuracy, leaping from one register to the next with very little time and, of course, no room for error. So I urge the good Doctor, and anyone else, to think again before you brush aside this piece as being uninteresting. I think if you really look at what the piece entails and how it can be portrayed visually, not just musically, you could find a greater appreciation for this Reich opus. We may have a difference in opinion as to what qualifies as "virtuostic" (I am, after all, merely a college student persuing a life in music) but with the selectivity of attention one needs to be able to lock in with his or her colleague and perform Nagoya Marimbas well, it certainly is more difficult than one might initially believe. Kudos Mr. Reich!

Average customer rating:

A Secret Life Of Banjo Mary Z. Cox Manufacturer: Mary Z. Cox ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Country Folk | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Vintage Banjo Walkin' That Banjo Home Banjo Dreamin' Suwannee Nights Old Time Mountain Banjo The Fifth String ASIN: B0007MVHUI Release Date: 2004-04-01

Tracks:

1. Swannanoa Tunnel
2. Golden Slippers
3. Andrew Jackson,Go Back Home
4. Old Town Band
5. Snake Charmer's Daughter
6. Old Molly Hare
7. Sandy Boys
8. Sally in the Garden
9. Soldiers Joy
10. All Through the Night
11. Hunchback Whiskey
12. Wayfaring Stranger
13. Cock-a-doodle-do
14. Pikes Peak
15. Angeline

Album Description

Hear the secret voice of old time banjo. Even if you've never liked banjo music before--you just may change your mind. 15 banjo instrumentals you'll want to listen to more than once.

Meditation Music:

1. My Destiny
2. Now That's What I Call Music 1980 [Import]
3. Now That's What I Call Music 1989 [Import]
4. Number One Hits: Love Songs
5. Piano Series, vol. 1
6. Pop [CD-single] [Import]
7. Romantic Inspirations
8. Santa Monica [CD-single] [Import]
9. Sea Never Dry
10. She's Gone Tragic

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Return to Sender [CD-single] [Import]

Beecham Conducts Schubert & Franck

Carl Rütti: Lieder Der Liebe

Music: Search Is Over-Favorite Power

Back to Blues-Rock [Import]

Crystal Machine

Ancient Spirit [Import]

Between The Bridges

Best of You [CD-single]

Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos [Box set] [Limited Edition]

Bartok's Room

30 Hip Hop Pegaditas

Best of [Import]

Elegy

The Last Poets