Far from the Sun [Extra tracks] [Import]

Far from the Sun [Extra tracks] [Import]

Track Listings

1. Day of Your Beliefs

2. Planetary Misfortune

3. Evil Inside

4. Mourning Soil

5. Far from the Sun

6. Ethereal Solitude

7. Killing Goodness

8. God of Deception

9. Higher Ground

10. Smithereens

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese edition of the Scandinavian metal act's 2003 album features 11 tracks including 1 Japanese only bonus track, 'Darkrooms'. Copy Controlled. Virgin.

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-09

'The HYMN-a word derived from the Greek 'hymnos'-has been defined as 'a term of unknown origin applied from ancient times to a wide variety of songs in honor of gods, heroes or notable men.'
The founder of English hymnody is Isaac Watts (1674-1748), whose work in reforming congregational song texts culminated in the publication of his 'Hymns and Spiritual Songs' in 1707. Watts' collection was as complete and comprehensive a set of hymns as had ever been proposed for English worship and it raised the profile of the hymn sufficiently to overcome the prevailing psalmody. The great flowering period of English hymnody began with the work of the Methodist hymn-writers John Wesley (1703-1791) and his brother Charles (1707-1788). The Wesleys gave great prominence to hymns within their Methodist worship and published many books.
The modern hymn book is a collection of hymns drawn from various times and places. This most accomplished recording by St. Paul's Cathedral Choir presents 16 well-loved hymns from 'The New English Hymnal'. A great number of the hymns, which originate from many different eras and traditions, are given an extra musical dimension by John Scott's original descants and thrilling brass arrangements.
Over the years, I have found myself purchasing mostly the recordings of English choirs. They seem to have incredible vocal skills, perfectly executed phrases, flawless diction and some unidentifiable ingredient that makes them very appealing to hear. Of course, I personally enjoy the all male choirs sound; boy sopranos and male altos make the difference. This is a very appealing group of hymns!!!!!

Hymns for every one.......2002-12-01

As I have said already..I am from espiscopal church..these my songs are well know by me...these songs give encouragement when it seems that all hope is lost..these are tunes that are well received....they are also very simple for the every day person to gain strength from day to day..they will become your daily prayer.....

Super Praise!.......2000-06-10

Praise The Lord offers the listener traditional hymns in the English/British tradition. the clarity of the voices make it possible for the listener to follow the words distinctly. The organ soars as accompaniment. the CD provides organ and choral quality for the novice and the experienced musician.

Average customer rating:

The picture

100 Hymns & Songs of Inspiration

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

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Praise & Worship | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

A Heritage of Hymns: Classic Recordings of the Great Songs of Faith and Inspiration
Abide with Me and other favourite hymns
Best Loved Hymns
Praise to the Lord - Hymns From St. Paul's Cathedral
Hymns Triumphant 1 & 2

ASIN: B00008GEKT
Release Date: 2003-04-14

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

Morning Has Broken - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Happy Are They - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
In Christ There Is No East or West - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Silent Night - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Be Thou My Guardian - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Ye Servants of the Lord - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
To Thee O Lord Our Hearts We Raise - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Behold the Great Creator Makes - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Rejoice the Lord Is King - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Creator of the Stars of Night - Ely Cathedral Choir
He Comes With Clouds Descending - Ely Cathedral Choir
O Little Town of Bethlehem - Ely Cathedral Choir
Alleluya Alleyluya Alleyluya - Ely Cathedral Choir
This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made - Ely Cathedral Choir
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds - Ely Cathedral Choir
Lord Thy Word Abideth - Ely Cathedral Choir
Jesus Lord We Look to Thee - Ely Cathedral Choir
O Lord Our God Arise - Ely Cathedral Choir
Lord of All Hopefulness - Ely Cathedral Choir

Tracks:

Soldiers of Christ Arise - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Lift Up Your Hearts - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Maker of the Sun - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
O King Most High - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
O Praise Our Great and Glorious Lord - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
We Love the Place O God - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Give Rest O Christ - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Thou in All Thy Might So Far - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O God Thy Soldiers' Crown and Guard - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Strife Is O'er the Battle Done - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Christ Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Jesus Shall Reign - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
God of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Jesu Saviour of Mankind - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Immortal Invisible God Only Wise - Choir Of Truro Cathedral

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus! - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
O Worship the King - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
O Heavenly Word of God on High - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - The Choir of York Minister
First Nowell - The Choir of York Minister
Abide with Me - The Choir of York Minister
Breathe on Me Breath of God - Choir Of Keble College
Rock of Ages - Choir Of Keble College
On This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Keble College
Jesu Sweet and Mary - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
O Quam Gloriosum - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Ye Holy Angels Bright - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
O for a Closer Walk With God - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Prayer of St Patrick - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Lord's Prayer - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Blessed Be the God and Father - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
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:

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.

Average customer rating:

Feels like they've been here before
Pasi's last stand
Travel Far From The Sun With Amorphis
Amorphis continue to do greatness
Get a new singer!

Far from the Sun
Amorphis
Manufacturer: Nuclear Blast Americ
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Eclipse
Am Universum
Tuonela
Elegy
Tales From the Thousand Lakes

ASIN: B0002OOULO
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Tracks:

Day of Your Beliefs
Planetary Misfortune
Evil Inside
Mourning Soil
Far from the Sun
Ethereal Solitude
Killing Goodness
God of Deception
Higher Ground
Smithereens
Shining Turns to Grey [*]
Follow Me into the Fire [*]
Darkrooms [*]
Dreams of the Damned [*]
Far from the Sun [Acoustic Version][*]
Evil Inside [*][Multimedia Track]

Customer Reviews:

Feels like they've been here before.......2007-03-21

This was an interesting period in Amorphis' histroy. If you put all the other albums together each one is distinguishable from the others. Obviously "Tales" is entirely different than "Elegy" as much as "Tunolea" is entirely different than "Am Universum". But on "Far From The Sun", it feels like Amorphis is retreading the music on "Tunolea". Pasi's vocals seem like they are uninspired as if he just didn't care. The album starts out great with "Day of Our Beliefs" but immedialty falls flat ith "Planetary Misfortune". "Evil Inside" sounds a bit more impassioned on Pasi's part and almost even feels like an Alice In Chains song. The songs after "Far From the Sun" are a bit more progressive. "God of Deception" and "Smithereens" wake you up after the title track puts you to sleep. The bonus tracks are almost some of the best tracks on the CD. "Dark Rooms" amd "Dreams of the Damned" make me think that the group wsa going more for an "Elegy" sound. All in all this is a descent album, but at times it seems uninspired and that something is missing. I have to say that I think on "Eclipse" they definitly picked up this slack.

Pasi's last stand.......2006-01-06

Far From the Sun is a very good album. The last to feature Pasi Koskinen so the below poster should be happy now. Tomi Joutsen is now the vocalist.

This album is pretty much a straightforward hard rocking folk with lots of nice guitar riffs and keyboards.
the band really cut down on the psychedelic delay drench sound of Am Universe and Tuonela on this album. It has a lot of stand out tracks though Including Planetary Misfortune, Far From the Sun and higher Ground. I described this album when it first come out as having alot of similarties with Elegy because of the numerous middle eastern passages but It has no death metal vocals at all.

I do think Pasi is a good singer but had better performances on everything earlier released by Amorphis. Elegy, Tuonela, Am Universe.

This has all of the trademark Amorphis riffing and is a great listen. I was just about to say I like their new album more but as I popped this disc in its hard to change my mind. Its very good.

Travel Far From The Sun With Amorphis.......2005-07-24

With each release Amorphis continues to grow in both a musical and creative manner. "Far From The Sun" is the newest proof of this as with this CD the band has given us something very different from their usual or expected fare. As many fans probably know the band takes their name from the word "amorphous" which means something that holds no shape or form. On "Far From The Sun" the group shows just how profound this term can be when applied to a musical sense. It is interesting to see this Finnish act that have been held in such high regard take such a different step with this particular record. On one hand I was very impressed because the music simply flowed across the entire CD. With many other Finnish bands delivering blistering Power Metal nowadays I felt Amorphis was showing that they no longer need to press that course. It's time for them to influence future generation of Metal fans.

While I was impressed with a number of tracks on the record I would have to say that my very favorite track is "Day Of Your Beliefs". As the opener it starts off subtly and then kicks into a solid groove and moody drive as it progresses. There are lots of Deep Purple styled keyboards and a great guitar riff. It was a fine choice for the first track. "Far From The Sun" is present in two versions, one being acoustic and the other electric. The title track gets continued spin in my changer in both of its incarnations. The more rocking numbers would be "Planetary Misfortune" and "Darkrooms" and "Ethereal Solitude" is the best of the couple of slow numbers that appear on the disk. You will find this an equally enjoyable listen when you take the time to do so.

However, there will probably be older Fans of the group who are depressed about this musical change and also the fact that lead singer Pasi Koskinen leaving the group. His replacement is Tomi Joutsen and as someone who already saw him perform I think they will be pleasantly surprised. Don't pass on this CD if you are a fan of the group, or if you enjoy an almost "Trip Rock" sort of sound.

Amorphis continue to do greatness.......2005-02-22

ok so everybody that reviews this album loves the music. but hates the vocals. what's wrong with you people? is this your first amorphis cd? have you never heard of them before? I guess not since they have had this singer for years now, this is his fourth (and final) album with them. If the music is so good, if you love it so much, why can't you give it more stars? whatever

anyway, this has a lot more of a metal sound than their last album and in some places it sounds like something you would hear from elegy. Good drummer, nothing too complicated but it gets your head thumpin along. Good riffs, solid riffs, not too heavy but with just the right amount of edge to it to go along with the awesome melodies. Tracks 4, 5, and 6 are weak. 4 and 5 being OK with 6 being extremely bad in a bad way. But the rest of the album (before and after these tracks) totally rocks, the amorphis we all have grown to love. And if you get the US version, you get 5 bonus tracks which are very very good.

Get a new singer!.......2004-10-21

It is a real shame that the singer is so off on this album. It is a really good album musically but vocally, it lacks. The singer has no range and comes off sounding really off key sometimes.....especially track #2. I have been listening to metal for over 10 years now and I know a good album when I hear it. I will try to give this one a few more tries. If you want a good melodic death metal allbum try out Insomnium's newest "Since it all came down".

The Longest Day: The Ultimate World War Movie Theme Collection

Average customer rating:

These are not the same arrangements as the original movie soundtracks
An outstanding compilation
The really good ones are missing.
"many were winners by the Academy for best scores"

The Longest Day: The Ultimate World War Movie Theme Collection

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Battle of Britain
The Longest Day: Music From The Classic War Films (Soundtrack Anthology)
Epics: The History of the World According to Hollywood
The Wild West: The Essential Western Film Music Collection
Patton (1970 Film): Also Featuring Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970 Film) (1997 Studio Recording)

ASIN: B00020R02O
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Tracks:

The Longest Day
Attack On The Iron Coast
Band Of Brothers-Prelude
Band Of Brothers-Theme
Battle Of Britain
The Battle Of The Bulge
The Blue Max
Das Boot
The Bridge At Remagen
The Bridge On The River Kwai
A Bridge Too Far
The Caine Mutiny
The Captive Heart
Casablanca

Tracks:

Coastal Command
The Cruel Sea
The Dambusters
The Diary Of Anne Frank
The Eagle Has Landed
Empire Of The Sun
The English Patient
Fear And Desire
Force Ten From Navarone
Gallipoli
The Great Escape
The Guns Of Navarone

Tracks:

Hanover Street
The Hindenburg
In Harm's Way
Is Paris Burning?
King Rat
Lawrence Of Arabia
Lifeboat
Macarthur / Patton
Malta G.C.
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Midway
The Mountain Road
1941

Tracks:

The Naked And The Dead
The Night Of The Generals
Paradise Road
Paths Of Glory
Pearl Harbor
Saving Private Ryan
Schindler'S List
Sergeant York
The Sharkfighters
Sink The Bismarck!
633 Squadron
Where Eagles Dare
The World At War
The Longest Day

Customer Reviews:

These are not the same arrangements as the original movie soundtracks.......2007-01-21

I was disappointed that these are not the same arrangements as the original movie soundtracks. For example, in Colonel Bogey, the countermarch from the movie soundtrack is not included in the arrangement on this CD. Don't get me wrong, the songs are good, but I would have preferred the same arrangements as the original movies.

An outstanding compilation.......2006-08-25

This compilation is superb and a real must-buy. From Band of Brothers to A Bridge Too Far: every war movie theme is represented here. An all time classic.

The really good ones are missing........2005-07-18

While this compilation has some masterpieces such as the theme from The Great Escape and Is Paris Burning, it's missing some of the finest tracts ever written. Where is the theme from Victory and Ernest Gold's stirring epic from Cross of Iron? The closing theme from Inchon was also a feast for the ears, but it's not here. It was written by Jerry Goldsmith, one of the foremost soundtrack composers of our time. Instead we're subjected to the likes of Hanover Street and The English Patient. I'll admit Inchon and Victory weren't Academy Award winning movies, but their soundtracks were second to none. As John Stossel would say," Give me a break"!!!

"many were winners by the Academy for best scores".......2004-05-26

Silva America presents the essential in film music during the period of World Wars ~ "Longest Day:Ultimate World War Movie Theme", featuring some long forgotten cues, 53 to be exact that sent chills and thrills into the pulses of world events ~ selections from a limited collectors edition that would make any "film-score-buff" green with envy.

Released to commemorate the sixth Anniversary of D-Day, never has there ever been such a tribute compilation package from any other label and Silva comes to the forefront ~ featuring The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Paul Bateman, Nic Raine Tony Bremner and Carl Davis as conductors), The Philharmonia (Kenneth Alwyn, Jerry Goldsmith, Mario Klemens and Paul Bateman as conductors) and also the world renown Crouch End Festival Chorus (David Temple as choir master) ~ what a gathering of talented musicians and singers fill this collection supreme.

The lineup of composers is a Who's Who in the world of film music ~ John Addison, Tomaso Albinoni, Kenneth J. Alford, Paul Anka, John Barry, Arnold Bax, Elmer Bernstein, Eric Coates, Carl Davis, Klaus Doldinger, Antonin Dvorak, Benjamin Frankel, Gerald Fried, Hugo Friedhofer, Jerry Goldsmith, Ron Goodwin, Bernard Herrmann, Maurice Jarre, Michael Kamen, Jerome Moross, Alfred Newman, Clifton Parker, Alan Rawsthorne, Ryvichi Sakamoto, Lalo Schifrin, Gerard Schurmann, David Shire, Max Steiner, Dimitri Tiomkin, Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Williams, Gabriel Yared and Hans Zimmer ~ set the stage for compositional human drama while exploring the deepest troves of musical emotion ~ one masterpiece after another, each cue manages to display both a convincing authenticity of the times and places ~ experience every tracks passion and skill for striking the exotic orchestral colors, explosive power and spectacular works of full large scale orchestral arrangements previal at every turn.

We are grateful to James Fitzpatrick (producer), Reybnold da Silva (executive producer), Rick Clark (associate producer/album sequence), Marion Garden (associate producer) and the whole gang at Silva America who have resurrected many of the soundtracks for the "film-score-buffs" in all of us.

Tracks:

From Russia With Love
Lara's Theme
Vetscherni Zvon
Far East Of The Sun
Ej Ukhnem
Kalinka
Two Guitars
The Legend of the 12 Robbers
Hold Me Once More
Dorogoj Dlinnoju
Dream Away
Lutshje Bulo
Moscow Nights
Poljushko Polje
Otschi Tschornije
Russian National Hymn

Customer Reviews:

very enjoyable.......2007-02-18

If you enjoyed Helmut Lotti's other CDs you will want to add this to your collection. You might prefer one of his 'classic' collections if you are a new fan.
Kay

for lover of a beautiful sound.......2007-01-13

i first hear helmet lotti in a public television special and fell in love with the clear beautiful tone of his voice. he can truly add a special touch with his voice to any piece. each one is a masterpiece. i will be buying more of his music. my family even enjoys listening to it and it is quite rare we all agree on the same music.

bougt for my adopted Russian granddaughter........2006-04-03

Bought for my Russian adopted granddaughter, checked it out and was really impressed with the scope and diversity of Helmut Otto.
The photography was spectacular!!
His voice and talent are excellent, I am giving it to her for Easter, I know she will enjoy it.

Have to give DeeVeeDee kudos for shipping and timeliness.
Mirriam M. Hamelly

From Russia With Love.......2006-03-22

The music, the sites throughout Russia and the explanation of what the culture represented in the past would be enjoyed be anyone.

CD and DVD -- zamechatel'niye!.......2005-10-21

The local PBS channel featured Helmut Lotti's "From Russia With Love" for the recent pledge drive. They got my support! And I got this wonderful CD and equally wonderful DVD. Helmut Lotti has a superb voice and he sings these Russian songs with such passion! Remarkably, he does not speak Russian, but learned the lyrics phonetically. Here are some of my favorite folk songs: Polyushko polye, Cherniye ochi, Kalinka. And some popular Russian songs which made it to the American hit parade: Dorogoy dlinnoyu ("Those Were the Days, My Friend") and the English language rendition of "Dream Away" ("A Stranger in Paradise"). Helmut gives a sweet, personal touch to movie themes "From Russia With Love" and "Lara's Theme" and a poignant "Far East of the Sun." These latter are sung in English. The final stanza of "Far East," a song from the Siberian gulag, could bring tears to your eyes! The finale is the Russian National Anthem. This is one of the most beautiful and singable of all anthems. The pleasing music has recently been given new lyrics by its original composer. Helmut sings the updated version accompanied by the Red Army Ensemble. My only criticism of the CD: lyrics should have been provided for nonRussian speakers. But I'm certain a web-search could easily locate lyrics and translations. The DVD features the same wonderful songs, with videos of Russian villagers and Cossacks in traditional costume. Helmut's trip through Russia on the TransSiberia Railroad provides the backdrop to the musical DVD. Through his eyes you see the splendor of this awesome, huge country. I recommend watching the DVD to get a feel for the artist's own appreciation of Russia. You'll feel the love each time you listen to the CD!

Langgaard: Music Of The Spheres/Four Tone Pictures

Average customer rating:

A work of awesome proportions and intimate emotion
One of the most extraordinary works ever written
Music to Amaze Your Ears

Langgaard: Music Of The Spheres/Four Tone Pictures

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Rued Langaard: Antikrist [Hybrid SACD]
Per Nørgård: Symphony No. 3; Concerto in due tempi
Nørgård: Symphony 6: At the End of the Day / Terrains Vague
Orchestral Works
Per Nørgard: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5

ASIN: B000000B0N
Release Date: 1997-04-22

Tracks:

Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Like Sunbeams On A Coffin Decorated With Sweet Smelling Flowers -
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Like The Twinklying Of Stars In The Blue Sky At Sunset -
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Like Light And The Depths
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Like The Refraction Of Sunbeams In The Waves
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Like The Twinkling Of A Pearl Of Dew In The Sun On A Beautiful Summer's Morning
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Longing - Despair - Ecstasy
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Soul Of The World - Abyss - All Soul's Day
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): I Wish...!
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Chaos - Ruin - Far And Near -
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Flowers Wither
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Glimpse Of The Sun Through Tears -
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): Bells Pealing: Look Here He Comes!
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): The Gospel Of Flowers - From The Far Distance -
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): The New Day -
Sfaerernes Musik (Music Of The Spheres): The End: Antichrist - Christ
Tonebilleder (Four Tone Pictures): I. Like Words For A Summer's Day Saga
Tonebilleder (Four Tone Pictures): II. A Scent Of Mull And Mud
Tonebilleder (Four Tone Pictures): III. A Golden Flake Hovers Above
Tonebilleder (Four Tone Pictures): IV. The Flowering Summer Was Linked To The Harvest

Amazon.com

Rued Langgaard (1893-1952) was the odd duck of Danish music. He remained doggedly Romantic at a time when Romanticism was out, and he had his own funny little experiments with music that noboby particularly liked. We owe a debt to Chandos and Danacord for keeping Langgaard's music current. Music of the Spheres (1916-18) predates Gyorgy Ligeti by 50 years with its bright, pointillistic assertions and groups of ideas that evolve to their own inner logic. As demonstrated in Tonebilleder (Four Tone Pictures), Langgaard's music has an openness that allows his tone clusters to expand, contract, or simply repeat (as Ligeti would do much later). Discover Langgaard. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

A work of awesome proportions and intimate emotion.......2006-12-11

This Chandos disc containing two pieces by Danish composer Rued Langgaard is one of the most pleasant surprises this fan of modern-classical music has come across. Langgaard (1893-1952) was an outsider and eccentric in Danish music life, a virtuoso organist who succeeded only in his late forties at getting a position, and a composer of wild tales of the Antichrist coming into the world who found it almost impossible to get his music played. In the late 1960s, his music was rediscovered by scholars and his importance in Danish musical history is now certain, but he is still little-known in the modern-classical scene. We should be grateful to the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra & Choir and Gennady Rozhdestvensky for their performance and to Chandos for releasing the recording.

"Music of the Spheres" for soprano, chorus, orchestra, and distant orchestra (1916-1918) is stunning. The innovations here are considerable: exploiting the performance space in the use of two orchestras, writing for an "open" piano where glissandi are produced directly on the strings, and of course the clusters and polyphonic webs, massive and seemingly motionless blocks of sound reminiscent of Gyorgy Ligeti. Indeed, the Hungarian composer exclaimed that he was a Langaard imitator when Per Norgard showed him a copy of the score in 1968. But the purity of the string writing reminds me of Alexander Knaifel, and the massive proportions of the orchestral writing at its loudest is somewhat like Sandstroem's "The High Mass".

But, as is often said, it wouldn't matter how much Langgaard were ahead of his time in "Music of the Spheres" if the music wasn't great. And it is, one of the most moving half-hours of orchestral music I'm acquainted with. Langgaard was a Romantic in a time when Romanticism was out of fashion, and the proportions of what the listener may recognize as struggle, momentary defeat, and victory are just as powerful as in Mahler.

"Music of the Spheres" is an exceptional piece in Langgaard's total output. The "Four Tone Pictures" for soprano and orchestra are somewhat more typical of his art. Written on poems by J. Blicher-Clausen, Ivan Turgeniev, and Holger Drachmann, they are fairly tame lieder. These suggest that the modern-classical fan can pass on most of Langgaard's music, but "Music of the Spheres" is so good that at least this disc should be in your collection.

One of the most extraordinary works ever written.......2003-11-21

Music of the Spheres, by the eccentric Danish composer Rued Langgaard, really is the work that has everything. Written between 1916 and 1918, it uses a multitude of techniques that would not be rediscovered until after the wars. Multifarious tone clusters, floating micropolyphony, a piano played directly on the strings, an entire offstage orchestra, blurred choral singing, prefigurations of minimalism: you name it, this work has it. Yet it also has Scriabinesque ecstasy, Straussian opulence and a wacked-out religious subtext in which Christ and Antichrist clash in the violent climax to the whole work.

None of this would matter, though, if the music weren't any good. But it is good--probably the best thing Langgaard ever wrote (so far I've heard about 30 of his works, and none of them matches this one). The various short episodes flow one into another with perfect clarity and logic, the orchestration is superlative, and the dramatic writing at the climax is sonically overwhelming. Fortunately, Chandos match this work with a tremendous performance by the Danish National Radio Symphony and Choir, conducted by that indefatigable servant of underperformed music, Gennady Rozhdestvensky. This recording should be considered the best currently available, and it outstrips the rivals with ease.

Any other work isn't likely to fare so well in comparison to this, but the Four Tone Pictures are by no means eclipsed. Opulent songs in a Straussian harmonic language--though lacking the German composer's gift for melody--they are the perfect way to come down from the musical high of Music of the Spheres.

Music to Amaze Your Ears.......2003-07-23

Rued Langgaard was the man that time forgot. Completely neglected in his native Denmark because he did not fall within the prevailing neo-classic aesthetic set by Nielsen, Langgaard was rediscovered in the 60s when Per Norgard gave a score of Music of the Spheres to Gyorg Ligeti at a competition and after a minute Ligeti announced, "it seems as though I am a Langgaard imitator." Though Langgaard was essentially a conservative late romantic composer, he was capable of some real moments of innovation. He not only presaged Ligeti's color style, but also elements of minimalism, most especially in his string quartets.

Music of the Spheres is Langgaard at his most original. This work is a stunning series of small tone pictures. From the very beginning of the work, with the shimmering cluster of string harmonies over ominous timpani, through out the work, experiment reigns. Langgaard is always tonal, but in this work shows a fascination with orchestral sound and tonal clusters that was probably about 50 years ahead of the times. And yet, in the middle of the work there are sections that could come directly from Schonberg's early Gurrelieder or even the symphonies of Gade. It is a truly astonishing aural sound feast and should be a staple of the repertoire.

The accompanying Tone Pictures, four tone poems on nature themes, are also quite beautiful, though much more conventional as music. Here is Langgaard the Romantic and he is quite a good Romantic actually. The orchestrations are lush, the harmony sensuous and there is just enough oddness to mark the work as Langgaard's and no one else's.

This Chandos disc is exemplary in sound and the performance by Rozhdestvensky is definitive I think. Even if you are afraid of unusual or experimental work, this is a disc that you can take to your heart. It is stunning and beautiful and has my highest recommendation.

The Lady's Banquet, Vol. I
Average customer rating:

Operatic arias, definitely "curiously set"

The Lady's Banquet, Vol. I

Manufacturer: Collins Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003VYZ
Release Date: 1995-09-19

Tracks:

Rinaldo: Vo Far Guerra
Se In Ombre Nacosta
Rinaldo: Lascia Ch'io Pianga
Rinaldo: Bel Piacere
Rinaldo: Sulla Routa Di Fortuna
Hydaspes: Ritorna Gia
Hydaspes: Se Credi
Hydaspes: Vi Fara
Hydaspes: In Non Voglio
Hydaspes: Mostro Crudel
Almahide: Perte Sol
Almahide: Alvariar
Clotildo: Man In Imagination
Clotildo: Rimirarvi
Pyrrhus (After Pirro E Demetrio): Kindly Cupid
Pyrrhus (After Pirro E Demetrio): Rise O Sun
Rinaldo: The Ov Of Rinaldo
Antiochus: Questo Conforto Solo
Rinaldo: Hor La Trumba

Customer Reviews:

Operatic arias, definitely "curiously set".......2006-07-15

This is a recording of various operatic arias, mostly from Handel and Mancini, with Handel's "Rinaldo" particularly featured, arranged for keyboard so they could be learned and played at home. With this recipe, you'd think you couldn't go wrong: you come to the record expecting something tuneful if not deep.

The arrangements here are by William Babell, about whom Fanny Burney wrote that he acquired "great celebrity" without "the assistance of taste." There are a number of pieces here that would appear to justify Burney's judgment here; for in the perennial war between Musicality and Virtuosity, Music takes a loss here.

The opening number "Vo fa guerra" is a perfect example. Babell embellishes Handel's melody with extensive glissandi, plus some eighteenth century power chords and boogie-woogie harpsichord. It is interesting, a tour de force for Jane Chapman, but it is unlikely to be a classical earworm.

Chapman plays a 1766 Kirckman harpsichord. The instrument is apparently a big concert harpsichord with all the bells and whistles. We know there are several sets of couplers and a crescendo pedal on it, and all of these gimmicks are apparently needed to play Babell's arrangements at their most elaborate. However, Babell's arrangements were not uniformly as showy; and for the pieces that were not so tricked out for display, the more of that stuff that Chapman leaves turned off, the better they sound. If these pieces were intended for domestic music making, an instrument with a less emphatic voice, or perhaps even a spinet, might have been a better choice. (I understand that there is a second volume of these pieces, which is in fact performed on the spinet.)

The performance itself is confident and lively. The programme is enjoyable, and when Babell isn't pulling out all the stops it is as tuneful as you were hoping.

Average customer rating:

Distant but not out of touch

Not Far From a Distant Sun
Brain Laughter II
Manufacturer: Spotted Peccary
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | New Age | Styles | Music

Fusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003YRF
Release Date: 1997-11-25

Tracks:

The First Step
A Distant Sun
The Dreak
Voices From The Past
Winter Nights
The Hunt
Inner Voice
Summit
Moving Forward
Breaking New Ground
Fear Of The Unknown
Call Of The Desert
Open Spaces
Arrival

Amazon.com

Not Far from a Distant Sun is a disappointing, but still listenable follow-up to Brain Laughter's impressive debut, In the Land of Power. Armed with new synthesizers and samplers, they go for a more symphonic approach with overwrought melodies and over-ripe arrangements. While In the Land of Power had an austerity born of its desert inspirations, Distant Sun has orchestral aspirations that probably sounded great in the studio, but which are ultimately revealed to be what they are: canned, portentous orchestral imitations. When they leave those motifs behind, Brain Laughter create some compelling music, notably the drama of spare tribal drums on the slow crescendo of "Voices from the Past" and the chilly scenes of "Winter Nights." Synthesist Steve Roach also contributes to a few tracks, including the techno-tribal turn of "The Hunt," on which he plays didgeridoo. The guttural texture of this earth-born instrument only exacerbates the distance Brain Laughter has put between themselves and their source. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Distant but not out of touch.......2000-04-14

Brian creates musical landscapes that approach space music but he never takes his listener too far before returning to more structured pieces. Very soothing - mostly sythesized sound scapes with percussion and other world instruments lightly added to the background. If you enjoy the talents of Jonn Serrie or Jon Anderson's "Angels Embrace", you'll want to add this to your collection.

Average customer rating:

A Comic-Opera Treasure!
an obscure delight!

Dittersdorf: Arcifanfano, King of Fools

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Anna Russell Takes On... Nabucco & The Magic Flute
Anna Russell Again?
The Anna Russell Album
Encore?
Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy

ASIN: B000003LIK
Release Date: 1994-12-12

Tracks:

Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Overture
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Chorus - We've Traveled Far (Semplicina, Gloriosa, Garbata, Sordidone, Malgoverno, Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Recitative - Approach! What Is Your Name, Sir? (Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Aria - With A Sword That Is Sterner Than Moses (Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Recitative - Unhappy Oddling (Gloriosa)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Aria - My Fair Skin, My Bare Chin (Gloriosa)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Recitative - Was Ever There Insanity (Sordidone)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Aria - Snugly Hidden Safe From Prying (Sordidone)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Recitative - Madness Beyond All Measure (Malgoverno)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Aria - When The Purse Is Clinking (Malgoverno)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Recitative - There, Like A Vapor (Semplicina)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Aria - O Look So Woeful (Semplicina)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Recitative - Such As She Seems To Be Frigid (Garbata)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Aria - Let's Sing, Let's All Be Jolly (Garbata)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Recitative - For All Types Of Confusion
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act I: Aria - The Fierce One Lives Only For The Slaughter
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Recitative - I Beg You To Stop (Malgoverna, Gloriosa, Garbata)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Aria - We Praise The Sun For Beauty (Malgoverna)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Recitative - Bumpkin, Coarse-grained (Gloriosa, Garbata)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Aria - If You Will Love Me, I Will Love You (Garbata)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Recitative - No, They Cannot Persuade Me! (Gloriosa)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Aria - Lovely Ladies, You Enjoying (Gloriosa)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Recitative - Where's My Lover, Sweetheart (Sordidone)

Tracks:

Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Aria - Sordidone, Be A Bunny
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Recitative - Are You Hiding? (Sordidone, Garbata)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Duet - See Comely Phyllis Wander (Garbata, Sordidone)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Recitative - Don't Come Near Me (Semplicina, Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Aria - The High And Mighty Lion (Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Recitative - Quiet At Last (Semplicina)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Duet - Semplicina, Do You Hear Me? (Semplicina)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Quartet - Ever More Bitter Shall Be My Raging (Gloriosa, Garbata, Malgoverno, Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Recitative - What Now? What New Forms Of Madness? (Gloriosa, Sordidone, Malgoverno, Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act II: Chorus - Long Live King Arcifanfano (Semplicina, Gloriosa, Garbata, Sordidone, Malgoverno, Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Aria - Earth, Our Dearest, Good And Nearest (Sordidone)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Aria - That His Sowing Yield A Growing (Malgoverno)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Recitative - What Has The Fool Committed (Malgoverna, Gloriosa)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Aria - Ask Of Beauty, She Will Answer (Gloriosa)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Recitative - Hop And Stop It! (Furibondo, Gloriosa)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Aria - All Of This Planet, I Cry To Each Man (Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Recitative - What's Unleashed These Dreadful Roars? (Garbata, Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Aria - I'm Simple And I'm Candid (Garbata)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Recitative - What Mischief And Load This Purse Is!
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Aria - Goddess Bright As Morning
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Recitative - Mother Always Used To Tell Me (Sordidone, Semplicina)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Aria - What A Lot I Need What I Need Lot's Of! (Sordidone)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Recitative - May He Not Come To Harm (Semplicina)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Aria - There's A Devil In A Ducat (Semplicina)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Recitative - Gather, O Subjects, About Us (Gloriosa, Garbata, Semplicina)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Duet - If You Marry Me (Semplicina)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Chorus - With Curiosity All Aflame (Semplicina, Gloriosa, Garbata, Sordidone, Malgoverno, Furibondo)
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Recitative - Quiet, Please, We Implore You!
Arcifanfano, King Of Fools: Act III: Chorus - The Wise And The Mad Have Got One Word For Their Dwelling

Customer Reviews:

A Comic-Opera Treasure!.......2007-01-28

Dittersdorf is a sort of working-man's Mozart; in fact, this opera sounds similar to some of Mozart's early operas. But Mozart sought to break the rules and to explore new musical ideas; Dittersdorf is not an innovator...yet he is no less a master! This performance, too, is a materpiece of refined (not always!) comedy; the arias include some extremely difficult vocal leaps and trills, yet the primary joy is the witty verse. W.H. Auden (no less!) ramrodded this translation to English. And Anna Russell, famed for her "Analysis of Wagner's Ring Cycle" steals every scene she's in! Ad-libbing shamelessly, her introductory aria, all by itself, is worth more than the purchase price!

an obscure delight!.......2002-07-31

Eleanor Steber's image on the cover of this set caught my eye while rummaging through the cut-out bins of San Francisco on a recent opera whirlwind. What a lost treasure this performance is - recorded "LIVE" in NYC 1965! All the principles shine, their energy ebullient. Don't hesitate, buy it and smile before it disappears.

A.E. Housman: A Shropshire Lad, Complete in verse and song

Average customer rating:

A.E. Housman: A Shropshire Lad, Complete in verse and song
Alan Bates , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , and Graham Johnson
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005S85Q
Release Date: 2001-12-11

Music Info: