Merry & Bright: Celtic Harp for the Holidays

Merry & Bright: Celtic Harp for the Holidays

Merry & Bright: Celtic Harp for the Holidays

Track Listings
 
1. Merry and Bright
2. Wexford Carol
3. Ding Dong! Merrily on High
4. Hyfrydol
5. Lux Hodie
6. Orientis Partibus
7. Hole in the Wall
8. Hebrides Carol
9. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence/Rousseau's Minuet
10. Il Est Ne
11. Quand Je Voy Hyver Retorner
12. In the Bleak Midwinter
13. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
14. Harper's Croft
15. What Child Is This?
16. Petit Vriens
17. Auld Lang Syne
18. Simple Gifts
19. Banish Misfortune

Editorial Reviews
A professonal harper, Nov. 2000
"This is up there with the best of them. A beautiful album!

Product Description
Celtic harps, recorders, flute, kantele, and percussion blend in a poignant and and powerful musical wassail. "Merry & Bright" carries the listener to a place of joy, delight, and reverence in this collection of unusual and beautiful seasonal-theme pieces. This is harp magic at its best.

Merry & Bright: Celtic Harp for the Holidays

Merry & Bright: Celtic Harp for the Holidays,Jennifer Pratt-Walter and Valerie Blessley,Soundtracks,The splendor, mystery, and revelry of winter Holiday traditions of old is captured, using magical harps, recorders, flute, kantele,and unique percussion. Celtic and Early music selections predominate.
Howard Hanson: Merry Mount
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A Great Addition to the World Premiere Recording
  • At Long Last!
Howard Hanson: Merry Mount

Manufacturer: Naxos American
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
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ASIN: B000OQDRZA
Release Date: 2007-05-29

Amazon.com

This is the first modern recording of Howard Hanson's opera. A broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera in terrible sound, where it was premiered in 1934, is available in Europe, but this recording makes it redundant. The opera, based on a story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, concerns the clash between New England Puritans, with their rigid religiosity, and a group of Cavaliers who come to their town and scandalize everyone with their Maypole dancing and merry-making. There is an interrupted Indian massacre, a scene in Hell for the town's fanatical preacher, Wrestling Bradford, and a self-immolation at the opera's close. While it's good to have such a fine recording of this work available - and this performance, with Richard Zeller as a passionate Bradford, the remarkable Lauren Flanigan as Lady Marigold (the object of Bradford's desire), and a fine cast of American singers, is nothing if not superb - it is impossible to avoid the fact that the work is bloated, lacks true melodies, relies too heavily on repeated drumbeats for effect, and does not offer any appealing vocal writing for the principals. The music adds up to something vaguely cinematic and, more vaguely, true background. It's clearly a work that was probably better seen than just heard. This recording was taken from two concert performances in 1996. It will be of interest to fans of American opera who should not expect a forgotten masterpiece. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars A Great Addition to the World Premiere Recording.......2007-06-12

For a number of years in the 1920s and 30s, the MET opera was looking to premiere *the* American opera, in a period where American culture wanted to exert its identity separate from European influences and culture. This was a time of isolationist ideology wedged betweeen two world wars. After a number of unsuccessful commissions, one opera finally emerged in the mid 1930s that had promise: Howard Hanson's Merry Mount.

The premiere of Merry Mount brought such an enthusiastic response from the audience, that applause broke out on several instances in the middle of acts, often after a rousing chorus. And the shocking progression of events in the second act floored the audience then as well as listeners today.

As noted in other reviews, another recording of the opera exists, also produced by Naxos, but is unavailable in the US due to legal issues with the release of any live recordings of MET operas from the time. By today's standard, the recording quality is poor, but the engineering on the recording is phenomenal enough when taken into context: it was on mid-1930s 78 rpm acetate and metal discs. Yet about all scratches and surface noise is absent, though there are still dents in the recordings that make an unfortunate explosion at times.

Levine, in his editorial review, says that this recording makes the earlier one redundant; I would differ. The premiere performance is scads better in orchestral and vocal quality than the Schwartz/Seattle Symphony recording. The premiere features Lawrence Tibbett, who executed the main role with both focal force and dramatic passion. His expression creates the character of Bradford. Gota Ljunberg also has a stellar performance of Marigold, and the Metropolitan Orchestra produces a reading of the opera score that tops about every recording I've heard of the Merry Mount Suite.

Thus, I find this new recording as a compliment to the other. For those not interested in acquiring both CDs, I would of course recommend the Schwartz CD because of its sound quality.

Schwartz's recording is also performed live, and that being about ten years ago. It was not performed as a full-blown stage opera, and the vocal performance quality is set back a bit because of this. The roles don't hold the passion and character development that the earlier one does, and the recording is free from the "additional" expressions of gasps, shouts, etc... from a staged performance that add to the drama. Yet, the vocal quality is by no means poor, and Scwartz's interpretation is equivalant to the quality of his other Hanson recordings. And with Scwartz's performance being live, there are moments of applause.

The music itself may appear relatively simple to some, and yet it is captivating. Many of the orchestral techniques Hanson uses for effect were innovative for the time, and if we are worn out by them, it is only because of their abuse by many lesser composers since. While the highlights of the opera are the choruses (especially the Hellish Rendezvous), Hanson does write several good arias, such as in the last scene for Marigold.

So what happened to the opera? While enjoyed by the audience, the critics were less merciful, and as has happened to so many enriching pieces of music throughout history, the opera fell victim to the saber of criticism, and has only been rediscovered recently. In addition, Hanson's music was influenced by Scandinavian style, so was to some not a true American opera. Still, in most written discussions of great American operas, even brief discussions, mention is made of Merry Mount alongside Susannah, Porgy and Bess, Baby Doe, Amahl, Candide, and Vanessa.

My primary disappoint with this recording is the absense of a libretto. While the scene synopsis is good, I've longed for a libretto; it is available in neither this recording nor the earlier one. And even the synopsis is nothing new, as it is the same synopsis given in the earlier recording. This is my main reason for giving four stars instead of five, but I still offer my deep thanks and gratitude for the present recording. It has helped me hear parts of the orchestra I couldn't hear in the other recording, and has broadened my comprehension of the earlier recording. While I wish the strengths of each recording could be brought together for a stellar performance, I am glad for the strengths of each; not much is left lacking between the two.

In addition, for those familiar with the earlier recording, you'll be pleased to know this new recording has more music; the prelude to Act III is now 7:30 instead of 1:29. There is a 'forest' chorus in addition to a more dramatic and longer development of the Indian war theme.

Now that Merry Mount has a clear-sounding recording available, I have but one more request for the record industry regarding forgotten American operas: will we have the chance to hear Douglas Moore's Pulitzer Prize-winning Giants in the Earth?

This recording is highly recommended for lovers of romanticism, tonality, passionately engaging music, and sweeping Scandinavian styles of Sibelius and Atterberg.

5 out of 5 stars At Long Last!.......2007-06-08

Have you ever listened to Howard Hanson's Merry Mount Suite and wished there was more of it. If so, you need to buy this 2-disc set of the most complete and best sounding recording of the full opera. The Suite kind of compiles and summarizes much of the best music in the opera but there is a lot more fine music as well as many variations on themes included in the Suite.

Is it a great opera!? I wouldn't know. I am not particularly a fan of opera and opera makes up a very small portion of my collection. But I really like Hanson, and I love this opera. And my collection does include 4 versions of this opera.

This is first commercial recording of Merry Mount. Naxos has also issued a recording, available in Europe, but apparently not in the USA, of the premier performance of the opera, the Metropolitan Opera broadcast of February 10, 1934, with Lawrence Tibbet, but the sound on that is bad for its time. If you want to hear how the leads sing their rolls and listen to their performances, you can do it, because if you want to listen to those singers, you have undoubtedly listened to others of their recordings of the period and can make the mental adjustments necessary to enjoy their performances. In that case the 1934 recording is recommended to you. But if you want to hear what the orchestra is doing, it is a real stretch, even if you are used to listening to orchestral recordings from the early 1930's or even acoustic orchestral recordings, as I am. In 1955, Hanson conducted several concert performances of Merry Mount at the Eastman School of Music with students and faculty performing the singing and orchestral parts. An experimental stereo recording of (at least) one of the performances was made at the time. I suspect it was done by the Mercury recording team since Hanson recorded exclusively for Mercury at the time--and it sounds Mercury-like. This recording was never released commercially--and hopefully the masters are in the Mercury vaults--but some copies were made, perhaps for Hanson and the performers, and copies do exist. It is worthy of commercial release, especially as a composer's recording. It is a wonderful performance, but Hanson made some significant cuts, and also added a scene--what this Naxos release of the Seattle performance calls Act III, Scene I. This scene does not appear in the original libretto or in the Premier recording. When the Seattle Symphony did its two dress rehearsals and two evening performances back in 1996, the opera was broadcast either live or tape-delayed. At least one someone recorded that off the radio, unfortunately in mono, and that recording has also been circulated somewhat, but its sound pales in comparison to this long delayed official issue of the Seattle performances. If you have that, you still want this. And this performance is probably somewhat different, being taken, apparently, from the two evening performances, whereas the broadcast is probably just one evening or the other. There were also performances by the San Antonio Opera with Beverly Sills as Lady Marigold in 1964, directed by the composer, I believe, and by Rochester's Opera Under the Stars in 1976 with the composer present, but apparently not conducting. I know of no recordings of those two performances. Hanson also recorded about 35 minutes of excerpts from the opera about 1964, released on Mercury LP and long out of print, and the Suite from Merry Mount, currently available on a 4 disc Mercury box set which is most highly recommended and which also contains his first 3 symphonies and a variety of other shorter works. That Mercury recording of the Suite also includes on a separate disc Hanson doing a lecture/demonstration/deconstruction/reconstruction of the themes, orchestral colors, and construction of the music in the Suite which is quite fascinating as well as beautifully and naturally recorded.

This Seattle Symphony version has slightly more very minor cuts than the Tibbet version, but includes the extra scene that Hanson apparently added years later, so it is the most complete version, as well as being the best recorded and only one readily available in the United States. The orchestral writing is very important and always clear. The singers and chorus are quite clear and their voices are always well balanced with the orchestra. The opera contains much beautiful orchestral and choral writing. I wouldn't presume to speak about the quality of the operatic writing, but there is much beautiful music there, too. And Hanson's music is so powerful that one really grows to care about the characters and their plight, even the aptly named Wrestling (with his personal demons) Bradford. Despite the clarity of the voice recording, it is still really helpful to have a libretto (though no performance I am aware of follows the original exactly), but unfortunately, that is long out of print, probably for decades. Mine dates from 1933 and cost 50¢ when new (I paid considerably more and counted myself lucky). When the performances were done in Seattle, rather than passing out a libretto, supertitles were used which presumably followed the performance exactly. Naxos should get rights to make a transcription of the supertitles available online or by mail order since they don't include a libretto with the discs. However, the summary of Merry Mount that they do include in the booklet is the best I've seen and really enhances one's enjoyment of the opera.
Music From the O.C. Mix 3: Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • If your into Chrismukkah but not the holiday songs....
  • Deserves better reviews!
  • Charming holiday cd.
  • Bad Show Bad Music
  • Ugh, not another Christmas album
Music From the O.C. Mix 3: Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah
Original Soundtrack
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00063MCT8
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

  1. The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes
  2. Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World
  3. Just Like Christmas - Low
  4. Merry Xmas Everybody - Rooney
  5. Rock of Ages - Ben Kweller
  6. Christmas With You is the Best - The Long Winters
  7. Christmas is Going to the Dogs - Eels
  8. Christmas - Leona Naess
  9. Maybe This Christmas - Ron Sexsmith

Amazon.com

In the admittedly narrow genre of holiday discs adapted from TV shows, Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah!, a jumble of songs pulled from a special episode of the Fox series The O.C., takes the fruitcake (or latke, or what have you). In only nine tracks, it establishes itself as a thoroughly modern, cynical, but likeably wide-eyed antidote to the heap of jingle-bell-heavy offerings currently crowding holiday music racks. Best thought of as a compilation cobbled together by a clear-headed, alt-minded friend, Chrismukkah, so named for the fictional Cohen family's seasonal culture-blending holiday, highlights a far-reaching lineup of indie favorites. Jimmy Eat World covers the Wham! classic "Last Christmas" with characteristic punch and panache, Eels chew into "Christmas Is Going to the Dogs" like they mean it, Leona Naess channels vintage Joni Mitchell on "Christmas," and the ever-understated Ron Sexmith dares to dream on "Maybe This Christmas." "Christmas with You Is the Best," cut exclusively for the soundtrack by the Long Winters, climbs through the Cohens' chimney to offer a firsthand glimpse of Chrismukkah in practice: you can practically smell the eggnog-flavored matzoh balls. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Chrismukkah (Christmas and Chanukah) is what the half-Jewish, half-Christian Cohen Family of "The O.C." celebrates at holiday time-and Music From The O.C.: Mix 3 (Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah) is its soundtrack. Featuring holiday-themed songs by Modern Rock favorites heard either in last year's or this season's Chrismukkah episode, Have A Very Merry Chrismukkah is a musical holiday gift for the modern family.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars If your into Chrismukkah but not the holiday songs...........2007-01-27

I love this CD plus I had to get it only because I love the OC.. BUT this cd has holiday songs but it isnt so happy and soppy as the others.. they actually are pretty rock and roll kind its awesome.

4 out of 5 stars Deserves better reviews!.......2005-09-28

It's such a shame that this album has recieved so many negative reviews, because it really doesn't deserve them.
There are no bad songs here, although admittedly some are much better than others.
1. The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes. Nicely sets the tone for the album, although is far from being the best track. Probably 3/5.
2. Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World. I LOVE this song! It's so catchy. Although, on the negative side, it can become a bit repetitive. But who cares? 4/5.
3. Just Like Christmas - Low. One of my favourites on the album. Fun to sing along to, with bells in the background. Kind of reminds me of some of my parents records, from the sixties or seventies. Kind of folksy. 5/5.
4. Merry Xmas Everybody - Rooney. A good song, more rock than the previous tracks. Not one of my favourites, but then again Rooney is not one of my favourite bands. I only like a few of their songs. 3/5.
5. Rock of Ages - Ben Kweller. Somebody else said that this was the worst version of Rock of Ages they had heard. I think this is too harsh. Whilst not one of my favourite tracks, it is quite pleasant to listen to, nice after the louder 'Merry Xmas Everybody'. 3/5.
6. Christmas With You Is The Best - The Long Winters. I LOVE, LOVE this song! I can't really describe why, but it's different and fresh, and I love the lyrics. It was specially recorded for this album too. 5/5.
7. Christmas Is Going to the Dogs - Eels. Another one of my favourites, the first song on the album to actually appear on an episode (2.06, 'The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't'). Ultra-Christmassy, if that makes sense. Out of all the songs here, it probably exudes the most holiday spirit, though the lyrics probably tell a different story. Who doesn't like the Eels??? 5/5.
8. Christmas - Leona Naess. An absolutely beautiful song. A bit depressing maybe, but still one of the best tracks. I love listening to it. Naess has a haunting kind of voice, which you just have to listen to again and again. Also featured on episode 2.06. 5/5.
9. Absolutely the best song here. This has been my favourite holiday song since I heard it. It's really the main reason I bought the album. It's really, REALLY good. Only complaint is it's too damn SHORT! It doesn't even reach two minutes, which is such a shame. It's actually been on episodes 2.06 and 1.13 'The Best Chrismukkah Ever'. It's so fantastic that even my Dad likes it, and you have no idea how hard it is to get him to like any of my music. It's a miracle if you can get him to like any music from the past decade.
DEFINITE 5/5!!!!

I love this album - if only for the excuse it gives me to turn off my parents classical music on Christmas Day (they play it every year). I'd definitely recommend it - however, it is quite different from the other mixes. So don't buy it expecting the same sort of thing that was on the other CDs. Nevertheless, it is an EXCELLENT holiday album, and I enjoyed it immensely, despite its short length.

Mia

4 out of 5 stars Charming holiday cd........2005-08-27

Okay,at a mere 28 minutes long,this album is easy to criticize.However,that excepted,this is still a good album.It's charming and conjures up happy holiday thoughts.I think it's worth it just for the song "Maybe this Christmas".

1 out of 5 stars Bad Show Bad Music.......2005-08-16

I can't believe the only good band Low sunk down to this level. The rest of it's crap.

1 out of 5 stars Ugh, not another Christmas album.......2005-07-10

I know everyone (everyone) has the need to put out a christmas album. Nobody wants them!
The cover is cute, but who wants to pay normal CD price for such a half-assed attempt at another CD. It shouldnt even be numbered the OC mix 3 because it misleads one into thinking it is a mix of good songs that the others contain.
At a brief 28 minutes, the disc isnt even long enough to play while decorating the christmas tree.
American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • It's Dreamy
  • My Favorite Composer of all time
  • An American classic from Hampson that brings smiles and tears
  • OMG!!! More than 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 stars, one of the best album in the world!!!
  • It's simply lovely
American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason
Thomas Hampson , Jay Ungar , Molly Mason , Garrison Keillor , David Alpher , Mark Rust , Michael Parloff , Peter Ecklund , John Kirk , Arnold Kinsella , and Stephen Foster
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Song of Home
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ASIN: B000002SK7
Release Date: 1992-10-20

Tracks:

  1. Opening Solo Violin
  2. Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
  3. Hard Times Come Again No More
  4. The Voice Of Bygone Days
  5. Foster Favorites Medley (Ring, Ring The Banjo (1851) Oh! Susanna (1848) Camptown Races (1850)
  6. Open Thy Lattice, Love (1844)
  7. Beautiful Dreamer (1864)
  8. That's What's The Matter
  9. Old Home Medley (Old Folks at Home (1851) My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night (1853)
  10. Molly! Do You Love Me? (1850)
  11. Sweetly She Sleeps, My Alice Fair (1851)
  12. Comrades, Fill No Glass For Me (1855)
  13. Dancing On The River (Nelly Bly (1850) The Glendy Burk (1860) Angelina Baker (1850)
  14. My Wife Is A Most Knowing Woman (1863)
  15. Gentle Annie (1856)
  16. Linger In Blissful Repose (1858)
  17. Ah! May The Red Rose Live Alway (1850)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars It's Dreamy.......2007-01-10

This is a very wonderful recording of Stephen Foster by a master singer.
Foster's songs are of a more innocent and naive time in the American psyche, a time that it would not hurt us to remember, given the wretched brutality of American culture today (something you'll appreciate after listening to this recording).

The songs are beautifully sung by Mr. Hamspon, and the musical accompaniment with piano, mandolin, tuba, banjo, etc. seems a perfect setting for this period music. I enjoyed the musical interludes of Foster songs (not sung by Mr. Hampson), such as "Oh, Suzanna", "My Old Kentucky Home", and "Camptown Races." They are foot-stompin' and finger-snappin' good in a non-syncopated way.

Mr. Hampson's voice is so beautiful, and he has done such a wonderful job with these song's you'll just have to hear it, and when you do, tell me that you're not dreaming.

I remember reading a quote by John Phillip Sousa that decried the use of syncopation in American popular music. I never understood it until listening to this recording. The richness and intensity of American popular music (as experienced in the work of Stephen Foster) has been lost.
Everything has to be so cool today, thanks to syncopation, and "cool" really means no emotion.

If emotion is what you want, emotion is what you'll get with Stephen Foster's songs. It was a time when the death of loved ones (especially those who died in their youth) was experienced more often (see "I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair" and "Gentle Annie"). And we were not protected from the vicissitudes of fate by myriad government programs, modern medicine and universal prosperity (see "Hard Times").
Husbands and wives had their differences then, as today, (see the amusing song "My Wife is a Most Knowin' Woman") The passion of the Civil War (Foster was a Unionist),is reflected in a wonderful, fun song, "That's What's the Matter."

If you love good music, and you have heart which can be stirred, and you love your country, this is for you.

I love this recording. It has opened up the door to my "beautiful dreams," dreams of bygone days, lost love, and whatever else we pine for.

I wanted to buy several copies for my friends, but somehow I felt that the impact of this recording was so personal, that it could not be shared with others. Not that they couldn't enjoy it, but that I could not begin to share the intense emotion and reverie stirred in my heart by these beautiful songs.

5 out of 5 stars My Favorite Composer of all time.......2006-08-20

Growing up playing his stuff on piano, I love the instrumentality of this CD..the violins give off that wail that he speaks of..I am not sure what it is about Stephen Foster but these verses..grab me like no other..there is so much sensitivity to it..

I dream of Jeannie with the light brown hair
Born like a vapor on the summer air
I see her tripping where the bright streams play
Happy as the daisies that dance on her way
Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour

but the violins in this CD make this CD the best out there..
FYI should you be into astrology Stephen Foster is definition of Cancer...Sun and Moon conjunct in Cancer with mars in Scorpio..i love his lyrics..almost to the point of obsession..

5 out of 5 stars An American classic from Hampson that brings smiles and tears.......2006-07-17

Stephen Foster was the greatest American composer of sentimental parlor ballads--he so perfectly imitated folk songs that his music wound up turning into them. In an age of home music-making and later of families sitting around the radio, Foster's songs were a staple, often performed by crossover artists from opera like Lawrence Tibbett. Those were plump, ripe styles of singing, highly flavored by church hymns.

In this 1992 collection of 17 Foster favorites, plus a few rareties, Hampson drops the platform manner and goes straight for heartfelt sincerity. His tone is plain yet sweet, his expression intimate. He is accompanied by instruments redolent of the Victorian drawing room (guitar, fiddle, upright piano), and the mood they create brings tears and smiles of remembrance. This music is embedded in America's genes, and it's wonderful to realize that every note is still alive and throbbing with feeling.

5 out of 5 stars OMG!!! More than 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 stars, one of the best album in the world!!!.......2005-11-25

Simply one word, WOW!!!
Thomas Hampson's voice is simply fantasic. His voice is very different from regular operatic baritone voice, very sweet, and rich. I really cant believe an operatic baritone can sing folk song like THIS good, in my opinion he sounds even better than his opera works in this album. His voice and the background music matches perfectly, the outcome would move u to tears, and u can feel the origin of MUSIC. This album really shows what the word MUSIC means, and the songs simply just ALL beautiful. I like his "beautiful dreamer", "my life is well knowing woman", and "jeanie with the light brown hair" the most. When I listen the songs I would just imagine that I am in the world of past USA, and I can feel the life of the ppl in the past USA~ just like watching an old classic movie, it would touch ur heart and fall in love with this album.

5 out of 5 stars It's simply lovely.......2004-12-14

I didn't know Stephen Foster (I thought): wrong: Oh Susanna, etc, I knew, but had no idea who the composer was.

This CD is a revelation. The melodies are so beautiful, as are the poems, and Thomas Hampson just brings them to life as wonderfully as ever. I especially love "Beautiful Dreamer" - it gives me butterflies - and "My wife is a most knowing woman" - the way he makes the voices and the indignation is just brilliant. If one needed reminding what a brilliant singer Mr Hampson is - this disk does it.
The Vienna I Love, Waltzes From My Heart
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Music different from title
  • André Rieu - The Vienna I love - Waltzes From My Heart
  • Excellent choice
  • Pop Strauss, et al
  • Depressed? Listen to this!
The Vienna I Love, Waltzes From My Heart
Johann Strauss Orchestra
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. 100 Years of Strauss
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ASIN: B000001GBL
Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

  1. 'The Merry Widow': Strauss Party: Radetzky March - William Tell Overture - Light Cavalry Overture - Grisette Can Can From 'The Merry Widow' - Aviators March - Can Can From 'Orpheus In The Underworld'
  2. The Veleta
  3. Petersburg Sleigh Ride
  4. Volga Song
  5. The Skaters
  6. Egyptian March
  7. Gypsy Fiddles Playing
  8. Barcarole
  9. Emperor's Waltz
  10. Anne's Polka
  11. Meditation
  12. Morning Papers
  13. Carnival de Venice - Drinking Song - Carnival Of Venice - Estudiantina 1 - Estudiantina 2 - Over The Waves - The Bat

Amazon.com

If Rieu is not the most outstanding purveyor of Viennese waltzes and similar light-hearted fare, he is certainly the most popular and well-known. There are plenty of fun pieces on this album, although, to be just a tad pedantic, more of it is Italian and French than remotely Viennese. But it's all fun, and it's all well-played. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Music different from title.......2007-05-26

The title of this CD was misleading. I wanted an entire CD of Viennese waltzes to play at a party, and was disappointed that there were marches, etc. on the CD. A better title would've been "The Vienna I Love, Music From My Heart".

5 out of 5 stars André Rieu - The Vienna I love - Waltzes From My Heart.......2006-07-17

The music is so upbeat and you are automatically in a good mood. It is a real pleasure listening to this CD and it is done frequently.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent choice.......2006-05-03

I am really a rock music fan but I enjoy this version of light classical music. It may not be for the serious classical music enthusiast, but it is still considered excellent light entertainment. What a way to introduce classical music to a wider audience!

2 out of 5 stars Pop Strauss, et al.......2004-04-30

I was looking for truly Viennese renditions of Strauss waltzes. Though unrelentingly upbeat, this isn't it. There are medleys of Strauss, Offenbach, Rossini, and everyone else imaginable. It's a pop version of what was once pop on its own. I know Strauss isn't serious classical fare, but this trivializes it.

3 out of 5 stars Depressed? Listen to this!.......2002-09-25

Having one of those ho-hum days just like that little round guy on the Zoloft commercial? Place this on your CD, press start, and don't fight it! You will be dancing around the living room (provided you don't fight it, just let it go!). Musically, it is a very fine piece from a very fine artist. It can totally transport you. So many of the tunes you will know from TV commercials, (Rheingold Beer) etc. It is a solid beautiful collection of tunes that can stir the soul. I know it sounds schmaltzy, but if it can make you feel better,why not try it?
Live In Dublin
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Would you like ketchup with your bug?
  • he makes you get up and dance
  • Live in Dublin
  • Live in Dublin
  • Live audience is great.
Live In Dublin
Andre Rieu
Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000CABHH
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

  1. Dark Eyes
  2. Thunder & Lightning
  3. The Merry Widow
  4. Song of the Volga Boatman
  5. Hor Ich Zimbalklange
  6. Espana Cani (Bull)
  7. O Mio Babbino Caro
  8. The Blue Danube Waltz
  9. Announcement Olympia Song
  10. Song of Olympia (puppet)
  11. My Heart Will Go On (Titanic)
  12. All Men Shall Be Brothers - Beethoven 9th
  13. Radetzky March
  14. Opera Potpourri
  15. The Red Rose Cafe
  16. The Marino Waltz
  17. Irish Washerwoman
  18. The Last Rose
  19. Chianti Song
  20. Lullaby

Album Description

Recorded at the filming in Dublin's famous downtown train terminal, LIVE IN DUBLIN features Andre and the orchestra performing a collection of old favorites and exciting new selections. Already a smash PBS program LIVE IN DUBLIN captures Andre Rieu and his magical live performances at their most elegant best!

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Would you like ketchup with your bug?.......2007-05-05

The person who sang O Mio Babbino Caro is Carmen Monarcha. Do a search for her on YouTube; she's really fantastic!

Anyway, I saw Andre Rieu on a PBS special on television and it looked like such an awesome, high-energy concert! The CD is not so exciting, but it is worth buying just for that beautiful aria.

5 out of 5 stars he makes you get up and dance.......2007-04-10

my 3 yr old enjoys this as much as us

5 out of 5 stars Live in Dublin.......2007-02-17

The music is really toe tapping and excellent. Andre Rieu is a master of music.

5 out of 5 stars Live in Dublin.......2006-07-05

This concert is magnificent in its energy and in the great performances by Andre Rieu and the Johann Stauss orchestra. I watch it when I need lifting up. I love the audience interaction which makes me feel as if I'm there in person.

5 out of 5 stars Live audience is great........2006-05-03

This has to be one of Andre's best. The live audience adds much to the music being played. I wish I had been there for the performance.
Dowland - The Collected Works / The Consort of Musicke, Rooley
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The greatest songs ever?
  • A musical treasure-box
  • a beautiful journey into melancholy
Dowland - The Collected Works / The Consort of Musicke, Rooley
John Dowland , Anthony Rooley , Emma Kirkby , Christopher Wilson , The Consort of Musicke , Colin Tilney , Anthony Bailes , Jakob Lindberg , Nigel North , Glenda Simpson , Peter Holman , and John Donne
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000004CYV
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

  1. First Booke Of Songes: I. Unquiet Thoughts
  2. First Booke Of Songes: II. Who Ever Thinks Or Hopes Of Love
  3. First Booke Of Songes: III. My Thoughts Are Wing'd With Hopes
  4. First Booke Of Songes: IV. If My Complaints Could Passions Move
  5. First Booke Of Songes: V. Can She Excuse My Wrongs
  6. First Booke Of Songes: VI. Now, O Now, I Needs Must Part
  7. First Booke Of Songes: VII. Dear, If You Change
  8. First Booke Of Songes: VIII. Burst Fourth My Tears
  9. First Booke Of Songes: IX. Go Crystal Tears
  10. First Booke Of Songes: X. Think'st Thou Then By Thy Feigning
  11. First Booke Of Songes: XI. Come Away, Come Sweet Love
  12. First Booke Of Songes: XII. Rest Awhile, You Cruel Cares
  13. First Booke Of Songes: XIII. Sleep, Wayward Thoughts
  14. First Booke Of Songes: XIV. All Ye, Whom Love Or Fortune Hath Betray'd
  15. First Booke Of Songes: XV. Wilt Thou Unkind Thus Reave Me
  16. First Booke Of Songes: XVI. Would My Conceit
  17. First Booke Of Songes: XVII. Come Again: Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
  18. First Booke Of Songes: XVIII. His Golden Locks
  19. First Booke Of Songes: XIX. Awake, Sweet Love
  20. First Booke Of Songes: XX. Come, Heavy Sleep
  21. First Booke Of Songes: XXI. Away With These Self-Loving Lads

Tracks:

  1. Second Booke Of Songs: I. I Saw My Lady Weep
  2. Second Booke Of Songs: II. Flow My Tears
  3. Second Booke Of Songs: III. Sorrow, Stay
  4. Second Booke Of Songs: IV. Die Not Before Thy Day
  5. Second Booke Of Songs: V. Mourn, Mourn, Day Is With Darkness Fled
  6. Second Booke Of Songs: VI. Time's Eldest Son
  7. Second Booke Of Songs: VII. Then Sit Thee Down
  8. Second Booke Of Songs: VIII. When Others Sing Venite
  9. Second Booke Of Songs: IX. Praise Blindness Eyes
  10. Second Booke Of Songs: X. O Sweet Woods
  11. Second Booke Of Songs: XI. If Floods Of Tears
  12. Second Booke Of Songs: XII. Fine Knacks For Ladies
  13. Second Booke Of Songs: XIII. Now Cease My Wand'ring Eyes
  14. Second Booke Of Songs: XIV. Come Ye Heavy States Of Night
  15. Second Booke Of Songs: XV. White As Lilies Was Her Face
  16. Second Booke Of Songs: XVI. Woeful Heart
  17. Second Booke Of Songs: XVII. A Shepherd In A Shade
  18. Second Booke Of Songs: XVIII. Faction That Ever Dwells
  19. Second Booke Of Songs: XIX. Shall I Sue
  20. Second Booke Of Songs: XX. Toss Not My Soul
  21. Second Booke Of Songs: XXI. Clear Or Cloudy
  22. Second Booke Of Songs: XXII. Humour Say What Mak'st Thou Here

Tracks:

  1. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: I. Farewell, Too Fair
  2. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: II. Time Stands Still
  3. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: III. Behold A Wonder Here
  4. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IV. Daphne Was Not So Chaste
  5. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: V. Me, Me, And None But Me
  6. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VI. When Phoebus First Did Daphne Love
  7. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VII. Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
  8. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VIII. Flow Not So Fast, Ye Fountains
  9. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IX. What If I Never Speed?
  10. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: X. Love Stood Amazed
  11. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XI. Lend Your Ears To My Sorrow
  12. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XII. By A Fountain Where I Lay
  13. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIII. O What Hath Overwrought
  14. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIV. Farewell, Unkind
  15. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XV. Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
  16. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVI. Fie On This Feigning!
  17. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVII. I Must Complain
  18. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVIII. It Was A Time When Silly Bees
  19. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIX. The Lowest Trees Have Tops
  20. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XX. What Poor Astronomers Are They
  21. Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XXI. Come When I Call

Tracks:

  1. A Pilgrimes Solace: I. Disdain Me Still
  2. A Pilgrimes Solace: II. Sweet Stay Awhile
  3. A Pilgrimes Solace: III. To Ask For All Thy Love
  4. A Pilgrimes Solace: IV. Love, Those Beams That Breed
  5. A Pilgrimes Solace: V. Shall I Strive Wih Words To Move?
  6. A Pilgrimes Solace: VI. Were Every Thought An Eye
  7. A Pilgrimes Solace: VII. Stay, Time, Awhile Thy Flying
  8. A Pilgrimes Solace: VIII. Tell Me, True Love
  9. A Pilgrimes Solace: IX. Go Nightly Cares
  10. A Pilgrimes Solace: X. From Silent Night
  11. A Pilgrimes Solace: XI. Lasso vita mia
  12. A Pilgrimes Solace: XII. In This Trembling Shadow Cast
  13. A Pilgrimes Solace: XIII. If That A Sinner's Sights
  14. A Pilgrimes Solace: XIV. Thou Mighty God
  15. A Pilgrimes Solace: XV. When David's Life
  16. A Pilgrimes Solace: XVI. When The Poor Cripple

Tracks:

  1. A Pilgrimes Solace: XVII. Where Sin Sore Wounding
  2. A Pilgrimes Solace: XVIII. My Heart And Tongue Were Twins
  3. A Pilgrimes Solace: XIX. Up Merry Mates
  4. A Pilgrimes Solace: XX. Welcome Black Night
  5. A Pilgrimes Solace: XXI. Cease, Cease These False Sports
  6. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Lachrimae Pavane
  7. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can Shee
  8. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana
  9. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: The Frogge
  10. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Frog's Galliard
  11. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavana And Galiarda
  12. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana Lachrymae
  13. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can She Excuse
  14. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavion Solus cum sola
  15. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Dowland's Almayne
  16. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Piper's Paven And Galliard
  17. Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavan Lachrymae

Tracks:

  1. Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: I. The Lamentation Of A Sinner
  2. Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: II. Domine ne in furore
  3. Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: III. Miserere mei Deus
  4. Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: IV. The Humble Suit Of A Sinner
  5. Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: V. The Humble Complaint Of A Sinner
  6. Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VI. De profundis
  7. Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VII. Domine exaudi
  8. Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae
  9. Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae
  10. Lachrimae: Lachrimae Gementes
  11. Lachrimae: Lachrimae Tristes
  12. Lachrimae: Lachrimae Coactae
  13. Lachrimae: Lachrimae Amantis
  14. Lachrimae: Lachrimae Verae
  15. Lachrimae: Mr. John Langton's Pavan
  16. Lachrimae: Mr. Nicholas Gryffith His Galiard
  17. Lachrimae: Sir John Souch His Galiard
  18. Lachrimae: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens
  19. Lachrimae: Mr. Giles Hobies Galiard
  20. Lachrimae: The King Of Denmark's Galiard
  21. Lachrimae: Sir Henry Umpton's Funerall
  22. Lachrimae: Mr. Henry Noell His Galiard
  23. Lachrimae: The Earl Of Essex Galiard
  24. Lachrimae: Mr. Bucton His Galiard
  25. Lachrimae: Mr. George Whitehead His Almand
  26. Lachrimae: Captain Digorie Piper His Galiard
  27. Lachrimae: Mr. Thomas Collier His Galiard
  28. Lachrimae: Mrs. Nichols Almand

Tracks:

  1. Sacred Songs: Sorrow, Come!
  2. Sacred Songs: I Shame At Mine Unworthiness
  3. Sacred Songs: An Heart That's Broken And Contrite
  4. Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
  5. Psalms: Psalm 38: Put Me Not To Rebuke O Lord
  6. Psalms: Psalm 130: Lord To Thee I Make My Moan
  7. Psalms: Psalm 104: My Soul Praise The Lord
  8. Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
  9. Psalms: Psalm 134: Behold And Have Regard
  10. A Prayer For The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
  11. Instrumental Music: Solus cum sola pavan
  12. Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
  13. Instrumental Music: Galliard
  14. Instrumental Music: Pipers Pavan
  15. Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
  16. Instrumental Music: Lady Rich Galliard
  17. Instrumental Music: Earl Of Essex Galliard
  18. Instrumental Music: If My Complaints
  19. Instrumental Music: Lachrimae Doolande
  20. Instrumental Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home
  21. Instrumental Music: My Lord Chamberlaine His Galliard
  22. Instrumental Music: Comagain
  23. Instrumental Music: Pavan Lachrymae
  24. Instrumental Music: Sorrow Stay

Tracks:

  1. Lute Music: Preludium
  2. Lute Music: Lachrimae
  3. Lute Music: Can She Excuse
  4. Lute Music: Dr. Case's Pavan
  5. Lute Music: Melancholy Galliard
  6. Lute Music: Sir John Smith, His Almain
  7. Lute Music: Fantasia
  8. Lute Music: A Dream
  9. Lute Music: Almain
  10. Lute Music: The Queen's Galliard
  11. Lute Music: Coranto
  12. Lute Music: Resolution
  13. Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux Galliard
  14. Lute Music: Almain
  15. Lute Music: Mr. Dowland's MIdnight
  16. Lute Music: Fantasia
  17. Lute Music: Loth To Depart
  18. Lute Music: The Most Sacred Queen Elizabeth, Her Galliard
  19. Lute Music: The Earl Of Essex, His Galliard
  20. Lute Music: Pavan
  21. Lute Music: John Dowland's Galliard
  22. Lute Music: Aloe
  23. Lute Music: The Lady Clifton's Spirit
  24. Lute Music: What If A Day
  25. Lute Music: Mr. Giles Hobie's Galliard
  26. Lute Music: Come Away (Song arrangement)
  27. Lute Music: Galliard
  28. Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)

Tracks:

  1. Lute Music: Lachrimae (Basic Version)
  2. Lute Music: Galliard To Lachrimae
  3. Lute Music: [Jig]
  4. Lute Music: Galliard On 'Wasingham'
  5. Lute Music: Complaint (Ballad Setting)
  6. Lute Music: Mignarda (Galliard)
  7. Lute Music: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens (Pavan)
  8. Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
  9. Lute Music: A Fancy (Fantasia)
  10. Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
  11. Lute Music: Piper's Pavan
  12. Lute Music: Captain Digorie Piper's Galliard
  13. Lute Music: Lady Laiton's Almain
  14. Lute Music: Dowland's Galliard
  15. Lute Music: Dowland's First Galliard
  16. Lute Music: Tarleton's Jig
  17. Lute Music: Walsingham (ballad Setting)
  18. Lute Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home (Ballad Setting)
  19. Lute Music: Sir Henry Guilforde, His Almain
  20. Lute Music: Pavan (Related To 'Lachrimae')
  21. Lute Music: Mr. Langton's Galliard
  22. Lute Music: Mrs. Clifton's Almain
  23. Lute Music: Galliard
  24. Lute Music: Lady Hunsdon's Puffe (Almain)
  25. Lute Music: Galliard
  26. Lute Music: Go From My Window (Ballad Setting)
  27. Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)

Tracks:

  1. Lute Music: Pavana Johan Douland
  2. Lute Music: Mrs. Brigide Fleetwood's Pavan (Solus sine sola)
  3. Lute Music: La mia Barbara
  4. Lute Music: Sir Henry Umpton's Funeral (Pavan)
  5. Lute Music: Lachrimae
  6. Lute Music: Farewell Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)
  7. Lute Music: Farewell (On The 'In Nomine' Theme)
  8. Lute Music: The King of Denmark's Galliard
  9. Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux's Jig
  10. Lute Music: Mrs. Nichol's Almain
  11. Lute Music: Galliard
  12. Lute Music: Lord Strang's March
  13. Lute Music: Mrs. Winter's Jump
  14. Lute Music: Can She Excuse (Galliard)
  15. Lute Music: The Shoemaker's Wife, A Toy
  16. Lute Music: Mrs. Norrish's Delight
  17. Lute Music: Galliard
  18. Lute Music: Mrs. White's Thing (Almain)
  19. Lute Music: Mrs. White's Nothing
  20. Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
  21. Lute Music: Solus cum sola
  22. Lute Music: The Lord Viscount Lisle, His Galliard
  23. Lute Music: Orlando Sleepeth (Ballad Setting)
  24. Lute Music: Robin (Ballad Setting)
  25. Lute Music: Galliard (On A Galliard By Daniel Bacheler)
  26. Lute Music: Forlorn Hope Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)

Tracks:

  1. Lute Music: The Lady Russell's Pavan
  2. Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
  3. Lute Music: Sir John Langton's Pavan
  4. Lute Music: Earl Of Derby, His Galliard
  5. Lute Music: A Coy Toy
  6. Lute Music: Fortune My Foe
  7. Lute Music: [Almain]
  8. Lute Music: Mr. Knight's Galliard
  9. Lute Music: Sir John Souch His Galliard
  10. Lute Music: Tarletone's Riserrectione
  11. Lute Music: The Lady Rich, Her Galliard
  12. Consort Music: Lachrimae Pavan
  13. Consort Music: Can She Excuse Galliard
  14. Consort Music: Captain Piper's Pavan And Galliard
  15. Consort Music: The Frog Galliard
  16. Consort Music: Round Battell Galliard
  17. Consort Music: Fortune My Foe
  18. Consort Music: Dowland's First Galliard
  19. Consort Music: Katherine Darcie's Galliard
  20. Consort Music: Tarleton's Jigge
  21. Consort Music: Almain a 2
  22. Consort Music: Mistress Nichols Almain a 2
  23. Fullsack And Hildebrandt: Auserlesener Paduanen und Galliarden: Susanna Fair (Galliard)
  24. Haussmann: Rest von polnischen und andern Tanzen: Mistress Nichols Alman a 5
  25. Opusculum: Mr. John Langton Pavan And Galliard
  26. Opusculum: La mia Barbara Pavan and Galliard
  27. Opusculum: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae Pavan and Galliard

Tracks:

  1. Consort Music: Mistress NIchols Almain
  2. Consort Music: Volta a 4 ('Ioh. Douland')
  3. Consort Music: Were Every Thought an Eye
  4. Consort Music: Lady If You So Spite Me
  5. Consort Music: Pavan a 4
  6. A Musicall Banquet: I. My Heavy Sprite (Anthony Holborne)
  7. A Musicall Banquet: II. Change Thy Mind Since She Doth Change (Richard Martin)
  8. A Musicall Banquet: III. O Eyes, Leave Off Your Weeping (Robert Hales)
  9. A Musicall Banquet: IV. Go, My Flock, Go Get You Hence (Anon.)
  10. A Musicall Banquet: V. O Dear Life, When Shall It Be? (Anon.)
  11. A Musicall Banquet: VI. To Plead My Faith (Daniel Bacheler)
  12. A Musicall Banquet: VII. In A Grove Most Rich Of Shade (Guillaume Tessier)
  13. A Musicall Banquet: VIII. Far From Triumphing Court
  14. A Musicall Banquet: IX. Lady, If You So Spite Me
  15. A Musicall Banquet: X. In Darkness Let Me Dwell
  16. A Musicall Banquet: XI. Si le parler et le silence (Pierre Guedron)
  17. A Musicall Banquet: XII. Ce penser qui sans fin tirannise ma vie (Pierre Guedron)
  18. A Musicall Banquet: XIII. Vous que le Bonheur rappelle (Pierre Guedron)
  19. A Musicall Banquet: XIV. Passava Amor su arco desarmado (Anon. Spanish)
  20. A Musicall Banquet: XV. Sta notte mi sognava (Anon. Italian)
  21. A Musicall Banquet: XVI. Vuestros ojos tienen d'Amor (Anon. Spanish)
  22. A Musicall Banquet: XVII. Se di farmi morire (Domenico Maria Megli)
  23. A Musicall Banquet: XVIII. Dovro dunque morire? (Giulio Caccini)
  24. A Musicall Banquet: XIX. Amarilli mia bella (Giulio Caccini)
  25. A Musicall Banquet: XX. O bella piu (Anon, Italian)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The greatest songs ever?.......2007-07-26

I heard 'clear or cloudy', from this recording, on the radio recently and had to purchase it. It is strange but it is the sort of song that makes life prior to listening to it different from life after. I find it sad that so many people haven't heard it. There are also many other wonderful works in this collection. Given you get twelve well recorded CDs with top quality performances, this has to be one of the bargains of the age.

Please buy it.

5 out of 5 stars A musical treasure-box.......2006-09-10

Both the music and this actual product are masterpieces. John Dowland's collected works here - covering 12 compact discs - exhibit the depth and power of this composer, a composer who many now regard as suffering from clinical depression. I doubt that the issue of the diagnosis of Dowland's depression can ever be settled, however, it is certainly obvious from his music, so completely on display here, that he was a man with very dark depths and corners in his mind. Dowland's various manifestations and "takes" on his own tune, "Flow my tears"/"Lachrimae" are here. This tune has haunted me ever since I first heard it when I was a child. It seems to sum up Dowland's feelings - at least Dowland seems to have thought so.

The First, Second, Third and Fourth Bookes of Songes, A Musicall Banquet, the keyboard transcriptions, all the lute music, consort music are here and virtually everything else written or supposedly written by John Dowland. Anthony Rooley and The Consort of Musicke perform this music with style and feeling throughout. This 12 CD set is something of a monument to the ensemble - I only wish they'd finished their collection of Monteverdi madrigals, which was equally good (La Venexiana are currently doing a magnificent job of recording all Monteverdi's books of madrigals for the GLOSSA label).

This is an expensive set, however, you will probably never need to buy another John Dowland CD again after buying and listening to this collection.

I bought this CD set on a mild Summer evening of 1998 and listened to it while sitting in my sun room - which a glorious orange sunset in progress, and a glass of wine. It brought back so many memories.

5 out of 5 stars a beautiful journey into melancholy.......2001-06-15

I'm amazed at how many people tend to associate John Dowland's music with a tragic sense of drama. While no doubt this is art highly based on sadness, the "tragic" sense of it is more a legacy from the Romantic period. During the Renaissance, however, sadness was undestood as a very aesthetic way of approaching life. That is also the reason why Shakespeare's tragedies appear more sophisticated than his comedies.

Dowland, a contemporary of Shakespeare, discovered that meditating on a sad theme is, at the same time, a way of discovering a special beauty that we tend to avoid (maybe because of the "tragic" heritage of the Romantics). So, in the end, meditating on sadness is an uplifting experience! This box set is a journey into melancholy that includes songs, chamber music, pieces for lute, some rare sacred music and -as a highlight- Dowland's beautiful collection of seven pieces for viola which he called "Lachrimae" (Tears).
The John Rutter Christmas Album
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Rutter Christmas Album
  • Unique and Beautiful!
  • Johh Rutter Chirstmas Album
  • Liked it enough to go through a lot of trouble to give it a review.
  • John Rutter and Cambridge Singers
The John Rutter Christmas Album
Cambridge Singers , Rutter , and City of London Sinfon
Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006JJ4T
Release Date: 2002-09-24

Tracks:

  1. Wexford Carol
  2. Jesus Child
  3. There Is a Flower
  4. Donkey Carol
  5. Wild Wood Carol
  6. Angels' Carol
  7. Nativity Carol
  8. Mary's Lullaby
  9. Star Carol
  10. Candlelight Carol
  11. Shepherd's Pipe Carol
  12. Christmas Lullaby
  13. Dormi, Jesu
  14. Love Came Down at Christmas
  15. Sans Day Carol
  16. I Wonder as I Wander
  17. What Sweeter Music
  18. Joy to the World
  19. I Saw Three Ships
  20. Deck the Hall
  21. Very Best Time of Year
  22. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
  23. Silent Night

Album Description

Top of the British Classical Charts for 10 Weeks! Billboard Top Ten Classical Recording - December 2002! This album gathers together most of the carols I have composed over the years, plus a sprinkling of my arrangements of traditional carols, grouped to form a program which narrates, reflects upon, and celebrates the Christmas story. I have always enjoyed carols ever since I first sang them as a member of my school choir, and it was not long before I began to write carols of my own-in fact my first two published compositions were the Nativity Carol and the Shepherd's Pipe Carol. For any musician involved in choral music, Christmas is an especially joyous time, and I am indeed happy that it has played a part in my musical life for so many years- JOHN RUTTER

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Rutter Christmas Album.......2007-05-14

Great selection of music, and well presented. This is however older recordings that do not match the quality of Rutter's latest recordings such as the Te Deum or the Gloria.

5 out of 5 stars Unique and Beautiful!.......2007-03-09

John Rutter, and his beautiful music, is such a gift to the world. This unique Christmas CD is magnificent! Especially touching are two of Rutter's original carols, "Christmas Lullaby" and the joyful "Angels' Carol." The musical selections speak to the soul, helping the listener connect to emotions of joy, peace, faith, hope, and love. This is a worthy addition to your collection of Christmas CDs.

5 out of 5 stars Johh Rutter Chirstmas Album.......2007-02-19

If I were to choose only one Christmas album to ever own, this would be the one. John Rutter is an exceptional composer of religious music, with unusual harmonies. The music is difficult to sing, and because this is his own choir and he is directing it, the performance is flawless. Gives you goosebumps.

5 out of 5 stars Liked it enough to go through a lot of trouble to give it a review........2007-02-07

Great music by John Rutter: Great performance!

5 out of 5 stars John Rutter and Cambridge Singers.......2007-01-18

This is quintessential English cathedral music; beautifully sung. Reminds one of the English Christmas -- warm and serene -- that we've only experienced in our dreams!
Very Best of
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A great introduction to the art of Placido Domingo
  • This is really the best.
  • If you like Placido at all, you must have this CD.
  • Rare And Great Domingo Classics
  • A real Bobby Dazzler
Very Best of
Placido Domingo
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Paris Symphony OrchestraParis Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000083GOJ
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

  1. Ill Mio Tesoro
  2. Un'aura Amorosa
  3. Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schon
  4. La Ci Darem La Mano
  5. Vani Sono I Lamenti...Svegliatevi Nel Core
  6. Pays Merveilleux...O Paradis
  7. Quel Trouble Inconnu Me Penetre...Salut ! Demeure Chaste Et Pure (Faust, Act III)
  8. Ah! Tout Est Bien Fini... O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere (Le Cid, Act III)
  9. None But The Lonley Heart
  10. Lensky's Aria
  11. Donna, Non Vidi Mai (Manon Lescauy Act, II)
  12. Ah, Manon, Mi Tradisce
  13. Dammi I Colori...Recondita Armonia
  14. E Lucevan Le Stelle (Tosca, Act III)
  15. Ch'ella Mi Creda (La Fanciulla Del West, Act III)
  16. Dai Campi, Dai Prati (Mefistofele, Act I)
  17. Virgini Muse...Quando Al Soave Anelito
  18. O Sink Hernieder, Nacht Der Liebe
  19. Was Am Besten Er Kann...Hoho! Hohei!

Tracks:

  1. Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida
  2. Su, Profetessa...Di Tu Se Fedele
  3. Forse La Soglia Attinse...Ma Se M'e Forza Perderti
  4. O Tu Che In Seno Agli Angeli
  5. Su, Cacciator...Fontainebleau!...
  6. Niun Mi Tema
  7. Ach, Wie So Herrlich Zu Schau'n
  8. Sckenkt Man Sich Rosen In Tirol
  9. Gern Hab'ich Die Frau'n Gekusst
  10. O Vaterland...Da Geh'ich Zu Maxim
  11. Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz
  12. Mi Aldea
  13. Cancion Del Sembrador
  14. No Puede Ser
  15. Serenata
  16. Copillas De Belen
  17. Coplas Del Pastor Enamorado
  18. En Aranjues Con Tu Amor
  19. Jealousy Tango
  20. La Golondina

Amazon.com

Placido Domingo is a phenomenon, and every aspect of his artistry is on display in this 2-CD compilation, which includes arias from his signature roles in Italian, French, German, and Russian operas, and songs from Viennese and Spanish operettas. The original recordings range from the early 1970s to the present and show that though over the years his bright golden voice has taken on a darker, more burnished glow, it has retained the melting lyricism, the heroic ring, the thrilling top notes, and the focused intensity that make it instantly recognizable. (Comparing the Verdi arias included here with their counterparts of later vintage in the all-Verdi set The Tenor Arias bears this out.) The program demonstrates his stylistic and expressive versatility and his ability to instantly establish character and mood, from Lenski's sorrow (in Eugene Onegin), Cavaradossi's heart-rending despair (in Tosca), Otello's shattering agony, to Tristan's passion, Siegfried's exuberance, Faust's ardor (first in French by Gounod, then in Italian by Boito). In three Mozart arias, Domingo spins endless, perfectly shaped phrases with incredible breath control, then adds an oddity: the famous duet between Zerlina and Don Giovanni, a role he has not performed. Five Viennese operetta songs, one of which he also conducts, are delightful; there is a smile of pleasure in his voice, but not a hint of kitsch. By contrast, Tchaikovsky's "None but the Lonely Heart" is spoiled by an orchestration that is pure Hollywood. In the final Spanish group, he is on home ground and incomparable. This is a glorious record, a must for all lovers of great singing. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A great introduction to the art of Placido Domingo.......2007-07-04

Placido Domingo, of course, is one of the finest tenors of the latter part of the 20th century. This 2 CD set well captures his talent, showing the range of his singing. We hear cuts from Puccini and Verdi to Tchaikovsky and Wagner to Strauss and Handel. And even a traditional Spanish sung and some operetta thrown in for good measure!

This is a wonderful introduction to his artistry, and shows that he can sing well across a variety of styles and eras. Let's sample some cuts:

"Il mio Tesoro" (from Mozart's Don Giovanni) is a difficult aria to sing well. And Domingo is up to the challenge. He displays a smooth and rich voice. His is one of those distinctive tenor voices, like Tucker's or Pavarotti's, that is quickly recognizable. This is, as noted, a challenging piece and Domingo handles it well, showing off considerable vocal agility in the process.

From the same opera, "La ci darem la mano," a sweet duet with, in this instance, soprano Susan Graham. This seductive work is sung well by both parties and is a ravishing version.

From Puccini's "Tosca," "Recondita armonia." At the close, his voice rises above orchestra and chorus. Overall, well and richly sung.

And now for something very different. . . The "Forging Scene" from Siegfried. One may not think of Domingo as a heldentenor, but he does a serviceable job here. His voice sometimes appears a bit light, but, overall, he does estimable work. He catches Siegfried's spirit as he forges the shattered remains of his father's sword, "Nothung." When he sings the name of his sword at the close, with the leitmotif ringing out from the orchestra, it is an affecting moment.

Then, "Celeste Aida" (from Verdi's opera). A stentorian voice well deployed to meet the challenges of this wonderful aria. Some tenors scoop as they move from those lower to the higher notes; Domingo's voice is well controlled here. The final high note is well hit.

Strauss (Junior's) "Ach, wie so herrlich zu schau'n" is a romp! A fun piece and well sung by Domingo. He demonstrates, as before, excellent vocal agility.

Lehar's "O Vaterland" is also fun. It is a sprightly tune sprightly sung.

Finally, he ends the second CD with a traditional Spanish tune--"La Golondrina." He does not overpower this work with operatic technique. He sings it well and affectingly.

So, all in all, if one wants a good introduction to Placido Domingo's vocal oeuvre, this is a very strong starting point.

5 out of 5 stars This is really the best........2007-05-16

I have many of Mr. Domingo's recordings but I really love this one. He seems to get better with age. Some of the songs are on some of my other recordings but they seem new and fresh on this CD. I really think this is the best of Placido Domingo.

5 out of 5 stars If you like Placido at all, you must have this CD........2005-04-06

Placido Domingo has been around for so long, it is easy to take this great artist for granted. I totally agree with the previous reviews of this album; I can also say that I had the opportunity to hear him live in concert on April 2, 2005 in Biloxi, Mississippi, and his voice is still stunning. His opening aria that night was the prayer from El Cid, "O Souverain," which he dedicated to the memory of Pope John Paul II. This piece is the 8th selection on CD 1, and is from a 1997 live recording. His thrilling finish blew me away when I listened to it the first time, and and the crowd on the recording reacts the same way the Mississippi audience did when we heard him. That aria alone is worth the price of this CD set.

5 out of 5 stars Rare And Great Domingo Classics.......2005-03-08

EMI's "The Very Best Of" series is a wonderful way for the opera lover/novice or even connoisseur in training to get acquainted with the great singers of opera in the 20th century. It is possible that in a few years, the great singers of today (from the 90's up to now and further into the future) will grace the album covers of The Very Best Of...The Very Best Of Renee Fleming, The Very Best Of Salvatore Licitra, etc. This is not exactly the best of Domingo. It is more of a collection of rare and wonderfully expressive arias from operas that range all over the map- Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, Meyerbeer, Gounod, Massenet. Now, here's the reason why so many people adore Domingo, myself included - Domingo is a Renaissance Opera Tenor. He has sung almost every tenor role in the opera universe. Even if he is, to some, the "tenor who sang with Pavoratti in the three tenors" he proves he's the strongest of the bunch, the most dedicated, the most prolific and most artistic. Domingo has a beautiful voice, with secure high register and dark, masculine middle chest voice and exciting dramatic electricity! He's sung more than 50 operas, in addition operetta and Spanish Zarzuela (the Spanish equivalent to musicals or operetta which is where he got started and his parents sung in Zarzuela) and he has also recorded Spanish mainstream love songs for Latin audiences. A winner of Grammies, an actor in movies about operas that he starred in (Tosca, La Traviata, Otello) and the most active tenor on tv broadcasts, he is just incredible and powerful.
He is a great force in opera.

Even in his old age, he does'nt seem to be slowing down or call it quits. Recent performances (2000-2005) include Eugene Onegin, the lead in Queen of Spades, Rasputin in Debra Dratell's Nicolas and Alexandra, Idomeneo and his next role Parsifal. He is the singular tenor who mastered every repertoire- Mozart (Don Ottavio, Tamino...unfortunately Domingo as Don Giovanni is a miscast because he is too noble and romantic and GOOD to be a bad guy)..to Puccini heros (Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca, Dick Johnson in Fanciualla Del West, Rodolfo in Boheme, Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, Calaf in Turandot) Verdi heroes (Radames in Aida, Don Carlos, Stiffelio, etc) to the French repertoire...Gounod (Faust, Romeo) Meyerbeer heroes, Massenet hero (Des Grieux, Le Cid) and Saint Saens (Samson) the list goes on and on. When this man dies, an era will die with him. His legend will live on because he will leave behind dozens of albums, movies and memories......

5 out of 5 stars A real Bobby Dazzler.......2004-02-19

Fans of Mr. Domingo would be lucky to find a selection of music that more profoundly explores and exhibits the diversity of his vocal ability and interpretation than is offered on these two discs. Delicious displays of Mozart, ringing renditions of the most challenging high Italian roles, powerfully rounded accounts of some of the heavy German/Russian repetoir, and some noticably nostalgic songs from the light Spannish tradition provide an impressive catalogue of the great man's rich, focussed, technically impecable and singularly beguiling vocal talent. Those who are yet to form an opinion on any particular genre of the operatic spectrum would do well to start here, so eclectic is this album. Also, you might be reassured to know that, should you become an admirer of P.D.'s talent as a result of listening to this compilation, (it is difficult to resist), you will have no trouble finding other recordings by him. A record-breaker with more than 110 roles to his repetoir (40 is a respected total for an opera singer), he is the most recorded tenor in history, leaving more than 80 complete accounts to date of operas in the Italian, French, German and Russian traditions.
Listen, Listen: The Definitive Collection
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • ZONKED!!!
  • Emitt Rhodes shines early in career
  • Listen.......
  • A Happy Accident for me: The Merry-Go-Round!
  • Complete collection of '60s Brit-influenced baroque-folk-rock
Listen, Listen: The Definitive Collection
The Merry-Go-Round
Manufacturer: Rev-Ola
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0007XTO5M
Release Date: 2005-05-02

Tracks:

  1. Live
  2. Time Will Show the Wiser
  3. On Your Way Out
  4. Gonna Fight the War
  5. Had to Run Around
  6. We're in Love
  7. You're a Very Lovely Woman
  8. Where Have You Been All My Life
  9. Early in the Morning
  10. Low Down
  11. Clown's No Good
  12. Gonna Leave You Alone
  13. Mother Earth
  14. Pardon Me
  15. Textile Factory
  16. Someone Died
  17. Come Ride, Come Ride
  18. Let's All Sing
  19. Holly Park
  20. Mary Will You Take My Hand
  21. Man He Was
  22. In Days of Old
  23. 'Til the Day After
  24. Saturday Night
  25. She Laughed Loud
  26. Listen, Listen
  27. Missing You
  28. Highway
  29. Time Will Show the Wiser [Mono 45]

Album Details

Afirst Ever CD Collection of this Enigmatic, Much Quoted and Collectable Band!

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars ZONKED!!!.......2007-02-04

my fault! After reading reviews, was excited to purchase this cd...mistake realized immediately into first song! however...because i did buy this cd, and it was now my mess, i decided, financially, i best hear it all the way through...it didn't get any better, in fact, worsened...this band's sound is so appallingly dull and lackluster, they should be the crowned heads of anti-music...very much akin to herman's hermits meets peter, paul and mary, but worse! for the time...cool name, bad band...i will pick this cd up by two little fingers just once more, long enough to read description for re-selling, rather unloading it on another unsuspecting buyer... it's a small wonder why most people never heard of these clowns...i know i've taken what turned out to be my first and only ride on this merry-go-round...now exiting the park!

4 out of 5 stars Emitt Rhodes shines early in career.......2006-11-12

It is so easy to be disappointed when tracking down a singer or group but "Listen, Listen: The Definitive Collection" delivers big time! File under Emitt Rhodes and truly appreciate the genius of the man who is one of the "great unsung talents" of the past 40 years (you can put Dwight Twilley right alongside him). I came to this compilation through the Emitt Rhodes solo albums on Dunhill, and didn't know what to expect. After all, The Merry-Go-Round featured a teenage Emitt early in his career. Apart from the catchy minor 1967 hit "Live" (covered note-for-note nearly twenty years later by The Bangles), what else did he have to offer? The answer is - plenty. Uncharacteristically for an album from a new group at the time, A&M allowed The Merry-Go-Round to record entirely original material! And Emitt wrote ten of the twelve tracks from their self-titled album, sharing co-writing credit on another. The album is included in its entirely in this collection. And the good news - no the great news - is the songs are consistently strong. And they grow on you with each playing. In addition, "The Definitive Collection" has all the tracks off Emitt's last album for A&M "The American Dream" (recorded before he made the move to Dunhill and his self-titled 1970 "Emitt Rhodes" masterwork). Also included are additional singles from The Merry-Go-Round - standouts like "Listen, Listen" and "She Laughed Loud". In fact, the whole package is so strong (yes, there are one or two less successful tracks) that it leaves you thinking about how music history might have played out differently.

5 out of 5 stars Listen..............2006-10-31

WOW! What a great band!! Too bad there isnt any sound clips of this album but trust me it is AMAZING!! This will make any 1960's Brit Pop Fan Smile, What an undiscovered Gem of a band. The Merry Go-Round are from California and where led by a young lead singer who was very gifted with melody,he does channel Meet The Beatles Era McCartney, which is definitly a good thing. I always thought The BEatles where the only band who could play like this. I was wrong. it is really really great, easily one of my fave 60's bands beides The Beatles and The Kinks. These guys are 100 times better than comtemporaries like Hermans Hermits, and Dare I Say it The Byrds? I did, just better song writing that ages better, Sorry to Any Byrds fans out there.

5 out of 5 stars A Happy Accident for me: The Merry-Go-Round!.......2006-07-15

I discovered this band totally by accident either while surfing here at amazon or on allmusic.com. I had never heard of them.
Not a word. Then I read the review on allmusic and heard the 30 second samples.
Amazing! How did this get ignored back in 1967 or 1968?
It's very very good. Very Beatle-esque but not in a bad way.
It's also a tad folky or Byrds-ish which is a plus!

Emmitt Rhodes was born in Hawthorne, CA according to allmusic.com. While I've heard British groups sound American this is the most British I've ever heard an American Group sound.

Track 2 features backwards and sped up guitars. Track 12 features fuzzed out guitars.
Remember that Utopia album, Deface The Music? It was Todd Rundgren doing the Beatles.
Remember the Rutles and how Beatles-like they sounded?

This band beats both of them hands down. Of course they have an advantage. They're not writing pun-filled opposite titled tracks like Utopia and the Rutles did.

I hear elements of folk: think Peter, Paul and Mary but in a real good way. There's California Pop: imagine the best Mamas and Papas tracks but just the guys on vocals.

The first 12 tracks represent the one album The Merry-Go-Round recorded. The next batch is an Emmitt Rhodes solo album with session men.
The tone of the music changes from the Beatle-esque pop to a collage of styles but Mr. Rhodes song writing is very solid.
Track 14 reminds me of Eric Carmen. Track 18 starts out like a lost Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds a-side.

Tracks 26-29 are from Merry-Go Round singles and "Listen, Listen" really rocks out. The guitars really ring loud. I love this song.

As a hidden bonus during track 29 the band starts doing "California Girls" [not Good Vibrations] with Herb Alpert on trumpet at 2:35 in.

None of this is bad.
You will listen to this over and over. It's a repeat disc.
A rare find these days.

I haven't described every song. I want you to discover them on your own. Enjoy.
This is a great re-issue of a lost treasure.

5 out of 5 stars Complete collection of '60s Brit-influenced baroque-folk-rock.......2005-12-22

Rev-Ola's 29-track collection pulls together everything that was released by this Southern California band, along with the solo LP that group leader Emitt Rhodes waxed before heading off to record for Dunhill. This includes the whole of the band's eponymous 1967 LP (tracks 1-12), the 1971 Emitt Rhodes LP "The American Dream" (tracks 13-24), and five A- and B-sides from singles. For good measure, the CD includes a bonus track of the band playing the Beach Boys' "California Girls" with their A&M label head Herb Alpert on trumpet.

The debut album shows the band to have merged its West Coast background (Palace Guard, Leaves, Grass Roots) with a substantial British Invasion influence (Beatles, Badfinger, Zombies). There's also a helping of the ornate baroque-rock brought to the charts by Michael Brown and the Left Banke. These influences stayed with Rhodes as the band members peeled off and left him to record solo sides with session players from the Wrecking Crew. Unsurprisingly, the later sides show influence of later Beatles work - particularly the Magical Mystery Tour era Paul McCartney.

The Merry Go Round's album is superb, from the well-known "Live" (covered popularly by The Bangles) and the brilliantly produced follow-up "Time Will Show the Wiser" (covered by Fairport Convention on their own debut) to the minor-key "You're a Very Lovely Woman" (covered by Linda Ronstadt in 1971). Rhodes' songs were more than good enough to garner covers by other artists, they convinced his label to let he and the band write their entire debut album. His writing became increasingly sophisticated as he recorded his contractual obligation follow-up for A&M, and though the session players give the album a less organic quality, their playing is top-notch. This is a must-have for Emitt Rhodes fans, as well as anyone who loves late-60s/early-70s West Coast pop-rock. [2005 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]
Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noël)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Movie was good but...
  • another different & newer version of a similar movie.
  • One of Those Rare Film Soundtracks of Significance
  • Film on DVD?
  • Absolutely Beautiful
Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noël)
Philippe Rombi
Manufacturer: Virgin Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Joyeux Noel (Widescreen)
  2. Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce
  3. The Miracle of the Voice
  4. Sophie Scholl - The Final Days
  5. A Very Long Engagement

ASIN: B000BTDLOM
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Tracks:

  1. Ave Maria
  2. Overture
  3. Fraternizers' Hymn (piano)
  4. Anna and Nikolaus
  5. War
  6. Soldiers' Burial
  7. Bist du bei mir
  8. Silent Night
  9. Jonathan's Letter
  10. Ponchel's Memories
  11. The Football Match
  12. The Bishop's Sermon
  13. The Soldier's Mail
  14. War Adagio
  15. The Absence Theme
  16. Fraternizers' Hymn: 'I'm Dreaming Of Home'
  17. Adeste Fideles
  18. Invitations: 'I'm Dreaming Of Home'
  19. Anna and Nikolaus
  20. Aria for Violin and Orchestra
  21. Fraternizers' Hymn (Murmurs and vocalises)

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Movie was good but..........2007-06-04

I thought the movie was good, but I was disapointed with the rating. I think the sexual scene was downplayed in the PG13 rating, i.e. "a little bit of sexual nudity"..I would not want any children watching that scene, it was obvious sexual intercourse.I think it should have had an R rating instead.
I was very disappointed with the rating

4 out of 5 stars another different & newer version of a similar movie........2007-01-06

wonderful sound track, beautiful, melancholy, nostalgic, sad but sublime music to synchronize this unnecessary human tragedy.
i remember that i've seen an older movie exactly like this, but it's american soldiers and german soldiers doing the x'mas truce, drinking and singing the x'mas carols together on x'mas eve. why and how it became possible? because both countries still have the same religion, the same belief and the same god.
anyway, the premise of that and this movie is to deliver a message to you: enemy is what your president, your chancellor, your goverment, your generals giving to you. they point across the border, telling you that a whole foreign country out there and the all the people in that specific nation are your enemy. when these people decide to declare the war on that country, then the people in that country suddenly become your enemy. before that, you never knew that you've got an enemy, you'd never thought the people in that country would be your enemy.
funny thing is once the war is over, tourism would take over, and then you'd travel to that once you thought very unfriendly country and shake the hands of that country's people. if you go there in the holiday season, you'd say 'merry x'mas' to each other with smiles on your face.
but some of the countries that would never become your friendly nations and your friendly foreign people if you invade their country and force them to reform a new government and replace all the guys your government doesn't like. and they'd never say 'merry x'mas' to you, because they have different culture, different belief, different god, different book of god, different holidays. but regretfully, when you invade their country, you've totally destroy all the things they used to have. when all the good and bad are forcefully changed in the name of liberation by a foreign nation, there's no way they'd appreciate your holidays with respect.
this is what we have to learn from this movie.
you know why this truce could be achieved between german soldiers, french soldiers or american g.i.s?
funny thing is that under same god, same belief, same bible, same....how could it possible that they'd still become enemies to each other? two boxers with the same belief into the boxing bouts, they both cross themselves before each bout and wish god would help him to beat out of his opponent. why they fight each other? because the words 'in god we trust' are printed on paper money. the green $ sign pushes them to fight each other. maybe the cause of a war between nations with the same religion is the green $ sign too?
eh, by the way, if i sit in my living room, watching this movie, how could it possible that i would become enemy even to my neighbors, if i don't have a yapping dog barking day and night, bothering their sleep?
by the same token, how could it possible that i would have a whole region's countries' people who hate me to the guts and screaming 'death to america! death to americans!'?? how could i become an enemy to a country about ten thousand miles away if i couldn't even make an enemy to my immediate neighbors?
now, you tell me, i just want you to tell me. i don't want my government and its imbecile officials to tell me.

4 out of 5 stars One of Those Rare Film Soundtracks of Significance.......2006-11-17

Philippe Rombi is a composer new to this listener and being so impressed with the film 'Joyeux Noël' encouraged purchasing the Soundtrack. Not a mistake at all. For once the entire music excerpts of significance are intact, even the artists who were guests, providing professional opera singers for the voices of the two cinematic actor/singers.

Rombi opens the film about WW I with very eloquent, quiet, lovely solo piano music, and very often he is so sensitive to the message of the film that just when the action looks as though the music should be of the Carmina Burana ilk, Rombi settles for orchestral Adagios. He has elected to use the carols Stille Nacht and Adeste Fidelis for the actor Sprink to sing and uses the voice of the gifted tenor Rolando Villazon to intone the music. To establish the relationship between the two opera singers, Sprink and Anna (Villazon and Natalie Dessay), he has them perform a duet version of Bach's 'Bist du bei mer' - the words of which take on deep meaning as the film progresses. When he has a moment for Anna to sing a solo, he writes his own version of Ave Maria for Anna/Natalie Dessay to sing. It is very lovely.

There are several 'tunes' written for the score - 'Fraternizers' Hymn' ('I'm Dreaming Of Home'), the theme for Anna and Nikolaus - which very well could endure long after the score and film disappear, they are that fine.

In all the score is very strong and well played, sung, and conducted. This is a soundtrack that bears attention for lovers of beautiful music. Grady Harp, November 06

4 out of 5 stars Film on DVD?.......2006-07-29

Anyone know if this spectacular film will ever be released on DVD?

5 out of 5 stars Absolutely Beautiful.......2006-04-05

A wonderful soundtrack to an awesome movie.

I can't listen to it enough, Thank you Philippe Rombi

Music Review:

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  4. My Dublin Bay [Import]
  5. No Frills
  6. Now Till The End
  7. On A Wing
  8. Ooey Gooey
  9. Ornament Tree [Import]
  10. Potsticker Rodeo

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