O'Carolan's Concerto

O'Carolan's Concerto

Track Listings

1. O'Carolan's Concerto

2. Courante (from Terpsichore)

3. President Garfield's Hornpipe

4. Fanny Poer

5. De Martelly

6. O'Carolan's Receipt

7. Ballet (from Terpsichore)

8. Struan Robertson

9. Sweet Nightingale

10. Ode to Joy (from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony)

11. The Condemned Hall in Dublin

12. Planxty Irwin

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Recordings of an Antique Regina Disc Musical Box playing music (12 selections) from a collection of unusual discs.

There are four tunes written by O'Carolan (1670-1783), perhaps the most famous of the itinerant Irish harpers. The tunes on this recording are from a series of copper-coated steel discs produced in the early 1980's. The discs were 15 1/2" in diameter, and are played by a Regina Disc Musical Box with full bedplate and double combs of 76 tines.

These are recordings of an actual music box. Consequently, occassional stray sounds from the mechanism can be heard. In the interests of authenticity, these sounds have not been electronically removed.

Tracks:

Romance
Pavane
Sunburst
Una Limosna Por el Amor de Dios
Asturias
Gymnopedie No. 3
El Condor Pasa
Verano Porteno
Scherzino Mexicano
Berceuse
Natalia
Dance from la Vida Breve
Planxty Madame Maxwell
Epitafios
Prelude from Lute Suite
I. Prelude from Suite for Lute (Guitar) No. 4 in E Major, BXV 1006a - From The Seville Concert
Sonata in E Major, K. 380 (L. 23) - From The Baroque Album
III. Allegro from Trio For Violin, Lute (Guitar) And Basso Continuo In C Major, RV 82 - From John Williams Plays Vivaldi Concertos
II. Adagio From Conceirto de Aranjuez For Guitar And Orchestra

Amazon.com

Guitarist John Williams (no, not John Williams the soundtrack composer) adds to his fine catalog of impeccable recordings with Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar. But this isn't just a best-of collection (though some of his greatest work is included here) since the disc contains three new recordings. Among the new tracks, Fauré's Pavane is a real stunner, a short but gorgeous piece originally meant for orchestra and choir, where Williams's guitar sounds as though it always belonged there. We get Williams at his most interpretative--his arrangements of Satie's Gymnopedie No. 3 and Piazzolla tango Verano porteno--and his most serene (the "Cavatina" theme from the movie Deer Hunter). Let's face it, some fine classical guitarists can lull their listeners into near comatose states with their instrument; Williams, on the other hand, is just the opposite. His gorgeous tone, inventive arrangements, and interesting repertoire continue to make the classical guitar sound exciting. In short, a great introduction to Williams and a real gem for lovers of classical guitar. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

The Aranjuez Adagio is Perfection.......2007-03-01

The second movement adagio of the Aranjuez concert is one of my favourite pieces, a very difficult one to get right. I've listened to well over a dozen variations, the one on this CD, track 19, is an absolute gem. Just by itself is reason enough to own this CD. The only other Aranjuez performance that's even worth mentioning in the same breath is Julian Bream's, track 2 of the CD titled just "Julian Bream", with the Monteverdi orchestra. Both are just stunning performances, as close to perfection as it gets. Julian's is a bit stronger on the guitar than the one here.

Classic.......2007-01-26

Excellent CD for those interested in classical music. All the tracks are great in sound quality!

Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar.......2007-01-20

Loved the songs....loved the guitar renditions. Would highly recommend!

The Best One Disc Compilation of the Man That's Out There!.......2006-04-19

If you had to call modern classical guitar by another name, it would be John Williams. A student of none other than the brilliant Andres Segovia himself, John has shown over the years to have learnt a great deal from the master and has himself developed simply impeccable technique.

As a guitarist myself who has been struggling all these years with "Cavatina", it always amazes me how effortlessly John makes the tune sound so simple and as if two guitarists are playing, one for the accompanyment and one for the melody and yet it's all him! Not only are the tracks representative of John's great talent but they also represent some of the most famous and challenging pieces to play.

Another great example of this is "Asturias(Leyenda) by Albeniz, a hauntingly beautiful and deceptively simple-sounding piece. We also get pieces that span the centuries from J.S. Bach and Vivaldi to Stanley Myers and York ending with the brilliant second movement of Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez".

Although the sound quality isn't brilliant as some tracks sound better mastered than others, overall this is a great one disc introduction to John Williams' work and comes highly recommended.

Excellent!!.......2006-03-06

This is a delightful compilation. The music flows effortlessly and leaves the listener wanting more.

The Celtic Harp: A Tribute to Edward Bunting with the Belfast Harp Orchestra

Average customer rating:

In the Irish tradition
Excellent, Excellent
The Green Fields Of America
An Irish Classic
A Superior Celtic Album. Not the best Chieftains or Harp CD

The Celtic Harp: A Tribute to Edward Bunting with the Belfast Harp Orchestra
The Chieftains
Manufacturer: RCA Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Celtic Wedding: Music of Brittany
Celtic Harpestry: A Contemporary Celtic Collection
The Mystic Harp
The Bells of Dublin
Water From the Well

ASIN: B000003FE5
Release Date: 1993-02-09

Tracks:

Mac Allistrum's March
Tribute To Bunting
The Parting Of Friends/Kerry Fling
Planxty Bunting
Madame Cole
The Blackbird
Taimse Im Chhodladh
Sonny Brogan's Mazurleas
The Wild Geese
The Green Fields of America
Cavolan's Concerto
The Lament for Limarick

Customer Reviews:

In the Irish tradition.......2007-05-07

An excellent addition to any folk music library. Those with a love of music from Ireland and the Celtic harp will definitely enjoy this CD.

Excellent, Excellent.......2006-12-30

I heard so much about the Chieftans, so I thought I would pick up a cd by them. I'm really glad this was my first Chieftans cd. It's very well done, and it's got some great material on it. I recommend this!

The Green Fields Of America.......2006-08-30

This is a very fine example of Irish music by The Chieftains. The reason for me to buy this CD: it is recorded at the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen (UMRK)of Frank Zappa. And the track The Green Fields Of America was a favorite of Frank. The Chieftains came to visit Frank, but he just died. Kevin Conneff was singing The Green Fields at the grave. Sad but true.

An Irish Classic.......2006-07-28

I do not claim to be an authority on Irish folk music, but if you are a fan of any sort of beautiful, haunting and memorable tunes, this cd will be one you'll play over and over again. The version of the famous "Wild Geese" is very moving and conjures images of ships sailing from the rugged coast of Ireland, perhaps never to return. "The Green Fields of America" was written during the tragic famine of the 19th century, as this ditty describes the story of a young Irishman who has decided to sail for America where a better life awaits him, yet regretting the fact he will never see his parents again. As I had some Irish ancestors who found themselves in this same situation more than 150 years ago, this song is very powerful to me. Other highlights on this album include the harp solo "Madame Cole" and also the last track, "A Lament for Limerick" which is really heartfelt and you can tell the musicians really believed in the notes they were playing. The accoustics on this album are really nice and the reverb adds a lot of atmosphere to each track. The liner notes are also very informative, providing the historical background to each song which is essential to understanding how and why the music was created. Overall, this cd is a wonderful exploration into the rich musical heritage of the Emerald Isle.

A Superior Celtic Album. Not the best Chieftains or Harp CD.......2005-08-16

`The Celtic Harp' by The Chieftains is a very nice means by which this leading Irish music group can avoid simply performing `The Irish Song' over and over again. (While I do not subscribe to the theory that there is but one Irish song, done with different instruments and different beats and different dance steps, there is an undeniable sameness, similar to the sameness in all blues songs. While blues performers escape this sameness with their innovative guitar playing, this improvisational tradition has not reached the Emerald Isle yet).

And yet, this album seems to be a bit less successful than other recent Chieftain diversions such as their `Santiago' album with Basque music, `Irish Heartbeat' with Van Morrison, and `The Long Gray Veil' starring Sting and Mick and Van and a cast of thousands.

The album is subtitled `A Tribute to Edward Bunting' with contributions from the Belfast Harp Orchestra. But, checking the back of the album shows that the Harp Orchestra appears on only four of the twelve cuts, and, to my non-Irish ears, I do not hear the harp as the featured instrument on some of the tracks.

While I am not an expert on Celtic music, I am very fond of Robin Williamson's songs and music, and I find his Irish Harp work as good or better, or at least more interesting than what I find on this album. This may have a lot to do with Williamson's more interesting lyrics and stories, but the end result is the same. This may not be the best Irish harp album on the block.

The significance of Edward Bunting is that he was an Irish composer born in 1792, so this album is done on the bicentennary of his birth.

If you are a Chieftains fan, you must have this album. If you are a harp fan, this just may not be the best exemplar of Irish harp music, in spite of the fact that it is an enjoyable `Irish' album with excellent vocals on `The Green Hills of America' by Kevin Conneff.

Average customer rating:

the joy of beauty
the joy of beauty
Lush and lovely music from the past

The Faerie Isles

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Carolan's Welcome
The Peacock's Feather

ASIN: B00000HYTK
Release Date: 1999-01-26

Tracks:

Bonny Portmore, Fanny Power
Blind Mary
The Peacock's Feather,The Parting Glass
The Minstrel's Adieu
King Of The Fairies
Lord Mayo
Irish Lullaby
Hugh O'Donnell
Brian Boru's March
All Through The Night
Carolan's Welcome
Jimmy's Return
The Blossom Of The Raspberry
Black Rosebud
Home Ruler
She Moves Through The Fair
Gentle Annie
O'Carolan's Farewell To Music

Customer Reviews:

the joy of beauty.......2001-04-08

"The meadows are clothed with flocks And the valleys are covered with grain; They shout for joy, yes, they sing." (Psalm 65:13)

In all of my days spent on this journey up until now, I have never heard more beautiful music than that of Carol Thompson's Harp playing. It echoes with the music of the Celtic landscape as well as the hearts of the Celtic people from whom many of these songs descend. It is a wonder.

The Bible speaks of the boy David playing his harp to soothe the wrath of King Saul. If David's playing was anything like Thompson's playing of this music...I can see how something like that might work.

From the opening strains of Bonny Portmore to the last note of O'Carolan's Farewell, Thompson's CD "The Faerie Isles" is filled with the utter joy of beauty. It is no secret that Dorian is my favorite label...I have yet to be disappointed by one of their discs--but this one is exceptional indeed.

I give "The Faerie Isles" my highest recommendation.

the joy of beauty.......2001-04-08

"The meadows are clothed with flocks And the valleys are covered with grain; They shout for joy, yes, they sing." (Psalm 65:13)

I give "The Faerie Isles" my highest recommendation.

Lush and lovely music from the past.......2000-01-20

Perhaps some day Dorian Recordings will turn out a poor CD, but among their more recent releases are four sets that feature harpist Carol Thompson. The artist was born in this country of Anglo-Welsh-Irish background (as the copywriter tells us). Part of her technique is to let her ornamentation come out of the melody rather than merely appending it, and to execute her chords with a "downward roll" rather than an upward as in classical harp playing.

So with Amazon.com's permission, I will submit this same write up to each of the four webpages that deal with these albums.

. (DOR-90013) has Ms. Thompson accompanied by another harpist and a wooden flute; and the extra coloration is welcome. Here we have 18 cuts (64 minutes) of Celtic harp music, the more familiar of which are "Brian Boru's March" and "Gentle Annie." The notes are of a general nature.

The subtitle of (DOR-90120) shows the program (53 minutes) to be much like the other sets, including the familiar "All Through the Night" and "The Ash Grove." I spot even one or two selections among the 19 here that appeared on earlier recordings. But it is all so winningly played that one must not carp. The notes are in several languages and a bit shorter than usual to keep the booklet from being too thick.

(DOR-90176) has 71 minutes consisting of 21 cuts such as "She Moves Through the Fair" and "Snow on the Hills." This set tends to be more satisfactory than the last one because of the presence of accordion, concertina, wooden flute and second harp; although by now one tune is starting to blur into the other.

The fourth Dorian set in order of recording is (DOR-90240) in which our harpist goes it alone with a short program (51 minutes) of 12 cuts, half of which are medleys. Included are "Twisting of the Rope," "Blind Mary" and the title song. This time the notes give information about each song.

Again I must emphasize the excellence of the playing and how beautiful each CD is by itself. But as with so many artists that concentrate on a small part of the music spectrum, each new offering tends to be predictable and one gets a strong feeling of déjà vu. But to be fair, these sets were released with considerable time between them and only people like reviewers now and then get to hear them all at once.

So which to choose? I would go for the two where you get more than the sound of a single harp first. But I really think that enthusiasts of British music will want to have all of these sets sooner or later.

Tracks:

La Vida breve: Dance
Goyescas: Intermezzo
Danza espanola No. 6
Sonata in A Major, R84
Songs From The Forest
3 Duets: I. The Mantis and the Moon
3 Duets: II. Lament
3 Duets: III. Alchemy
Carolan's Concerto: Allegro giocoso
Fanny Power
Planxty Madam Maxwell: Fast And Light
Micropiezas
Monte Carlo
Capitola
Prayer
Jongo
'Bad Boy' For Two Guitars
The Gad Fly, Op. 97: 'Guitars'

Customer Reviews:

absolutely worth owning.......2003-02-15

I have many classical guitar albums, including several by John Williams in solo, duet and concerti, and this is one of my favorites. The playing is virtuosic as is expected from Williams, but the repertoire is varied and includes litte known works, including a Shostakovich duet written for guitar! Some reviewers haven't cared for the "mediocre" compositions from Australia, Ireland and the Americas, but I have to strongly disagree. Brouwer can at times be difficult, but he's hardly a slouch. Besides, if these compositions were worthy to draw the attention of one of the greatest guitarists of all time (and a fine composer in his own right), I think they're worthy of ours!
Buy this album, listen to it a few times for familiarization, and enjoy it for years to come.

Impeccable playing.......2002-08-16

Williams and Kain display their considerable talents in playing with fire and reserve,virtuosity and taste and are generally close to perfect.The De Falla,Granados,Takemitsu,Hand,Soler and Shostakovich works are the standouts.The disappointing part of the album comes with the Westlake,Houghton,Brouwer and Verdery pieces.The greatest playing in the world can't disguise mediocre compositions.This is an overall good album but it does require skipping around a lot of superfluous stuff.
Get this one if you happen across a used copy.

Terrific collection of pieces.......2002-04-01

I have had this CD for several years, and still enjoy it as much as when it was first given to me. It is being passed around the family, as my son owned a copy, then bought me one, and I have just ordered a copy for my daughter-in-law.

Some of the pieces are familiar, but if you persevere, I am sure you will come to enjoy the works that are new to you.

I was sorry to see that one reviewer did not enjoy the Australian works. The Westlake piece [Songs from the Forest] is fairly light and very melodic. If you enjoy it, you should check out his Antarctica music, which exists in several different versions.

Kain's Guitar Trek recordings are also worth hunting for.

Gorgeous world music, in the truest sense...........2002-01-03

John Williams and Timothy Kain, two masters of their chosen instrument, with more in common than just the country of their birth. Kain's guitar teacher at the conservatory in Australia had studied with Williams' father, Len. Williams and Kain first worked together in 1992, and enjoyed the experience. The two men form a complimentary duo in both technique and approach to music. Their playing is flawless. Their duets are seamless.

On this disk, Williams and Kain "journey outside the confines of the classical guitar repertoire." What a magnificent journey it is, too! The Mantis & The Moon contains 18 selections by 12 composers, grouped together by the cultures of the 6 lands they represent...Spain, Australia, Ireland, the Americas, Japan, and Russia.

This is beautiful music performed by two of the greatest guitarists of our generation. These performances go beyond classical, folk, pop or the usual guitar "genre" pieces. Yet the music is lovely, enjoyable, and accessible to the listener. If you love guitar music, you owe it to yourself to pick up this CD.

Mantis and the Moon.......2001-12-13

Williams and Kain play very well as a duo. My favorite pieces on this CD are "Sonata in A," "Capitola," and "Jongo." "Sonata in A" is acoustical honey for the ears, as it epitomises Chopin's comment that nothing sounds sweeter than a guitar--except two guitars. "Jongo" is simply dazzling (but far from simple to perform). However, I don't like the Australian compositions (sorry about that critique of your Aussie mates, Mr. Williams). A few other selections are uninspiring as well. It may come as a surprise, but I prefer the Parkening and Brandon duo's performances of "La Vida Breve" and "Intermezzo" over Williams and Kain. Nonetheless, Williams and Kain put in some fine performances on this CD.

Carolan's Receipt: The Music of Carolan, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

A Treasure
Supernatural Music

Carolan's Receipt: The Music of Carolan, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Celtic Harp 1: Music of Turlough O'Carolan
The Mystic Harp
Celtic Harp/O'Carolan's Dream/The Music of O'Carolan
Celtic Treasure: The Legacy of Turlough O'Carolan
Celtic Treasure II: The Living Legacy Of Turlough O'Carolan

ASIN: B000046S03
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

Sidh Beag Agus Sidh Mor
Carolan's Receipt Or An Dochtuir Sean Stafford (Doctor John Stafford)
Lady Athenry (Bantighearna Atha An Riogh)
Fanny Poer
Maire Dhall (Blind Mary)
Sir Festus A Burca (Sir Festus Burke)
Ruisg, A Bhean Na Tabhairne (Carolan's Quarrel With The Landlady)/Carolan's Ramble To Cashel
Mrs. Poer Or Carolan's Concerto
Sean O Conchubhair (John O'Connor)/A H-Uisci Chroidhe Na N-Anamann (The Ode To Whiskey)
Seoirse Brabston (George Brabazon)
Maible Ni Cheallaigh (Mabel Kelly)
Madam Maxwell/Carolan's Nightcap/Lady Gethin
Brighid Cruis (Three Bridget Cruise Airs)
Sean O Raighilligh (John O'Reilly)
Carolan's Farewell To Music

Amazon.com

Derek Bell recorded Carolan's Receipt in 1975, the same year he joined the Chieftains. This was one of the first LPs devoted to the music of the blind harper Turlough O'Carolan, and it helped to introduce his music to the world. The selections include "Sídh Beag agus Sídh Mór," the first melody O'Carolan composed, as well "Carolan's Farewell to Music," which was his last. Bell plays most of the pieces on the solo harp, although his new bandmates accompany him on a few tunes. There have been dozens of settings of O'Carolan's compositions released since these versions were recorded, but none have surpassed the beauty of Bell's. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

A Treasure.......2002-04-10

Derek Bell recreates the authentic sound of Carolan, the blind 17th century Irish harper who transformed this traditional musical genre. (Actually Bell is almost certainly a far better harp player than Carolan, whose genius was composition, not performance.) Bell mainly uses a wire-strung harp, which gives his arrangements the haunting air of a music box. Listen closely for Bell's magical musical embellishments. Bell includes some of Carolan's best-known pieces (Blind Mary, George Barabazon, and Carolan's Farewell to Music) but also treats us to some lesser-known masterpieces, including Lady Athenry, Caralon's Nightcap, and Lady Gethin. Thank you, Derek, and keep up the tradition!

Supernatural Music.......2000-08-07

I can't believe no one has reviewed this. I can still remember moments, whole days, almost twenty years on now only because this fine, fine music was playing at the time. This is a glorious album of tunes by a lost and forgotten genius. Carolan was a (fairly famous in his day) composer of the 17th century who was like no other. No other at all. I tried to explain it to a friend of mine recently by saying that he is the only human I can even imagine having written the Londonderry Air. This is beautiful, spectral, awesome music. Listen to the tragically short excerpt from Maire Dhall above... the piece entire is magic, pure and good.

Tracks:

Women Of Ireland
Brian Boru's March
Father Brian Mac Dermot Roe
Lord Inchiquin
Miss Hamilton
Lord Mayo
Planxty Murphy
Irish Lullaby
Hugh O'Donnell
Pills To Purge Melancholy: Jenny
Joy To The Person Of My Love
Pills To Purge Melancholy: Over The Hills And Far Away
The English Dancing Master: The Irish Lady, Or Anniseed-Water Robin: Parsons Farewell: Nonesuch
The Royal Dream
Winter Has Come
Maid From The Parish Of Penderyn
All Through The Night
The Ash Grove
David Of The White Rock

Customer Reviews:

Over the Hills and Far Away.......2002-04-03

The beauty of Carol Thompson's music is dizzying. There is nothing I can think of that fills up a candlelit room more nobly than the sound of her harp. Where does Dorian find these consistently great musicians? They must be growing them on some hidden magic tree somewhere. Either way, I am glad for the music they put out. This disc by Carol Thompson is among the best Dorian has to offer.

Lush and lovely music from the past.......2000-01-20

So with Amazon.com's permission, I will submit this same write up to each of the four webpages that deal with these albums.

(DOR-90013) has Ms. Thompson accompanied by another harpist and a wooden flute; and the extra coloration is welcome. Here we have 18 cuts (64 minutes) of Celtic harp music, the more familiar of which are "Brian Boru's March" and "Gentle Annie." The notes are of a general nature.

And keep an eye open for the fifth entry in this series: (DOR-90273) that is not yet available at the time of this writing.

Superlative.......1998-09-25

This is truly beautiful music on harps having more character than the modern concert harp. The melodies are attractive, with good counterpoint figures. Recorded sound is first-rate, without mush or harshness, although low-frequency noises from the recording venue may intrude during quiet passages if your equipment goes low with authority. I have bought several of these CD's - when I play them for friends and family, they ask me for the CD as a gift!

Average customer rating:

He's one of a kind

Man with the Wooden Flute

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
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The Beauty of the North - Traditional Favorites from Quebec and Maritime Canada
Chris Norman: Portraits
Heathery Breeze
Shadows on Stone
The Mad Buckgoat - Ancient Music of Ireland

ASIN: B000001Q9E
Release Date: 1993-08-31

Tracks:

Lament For James Moray Of Abercarney
Father Dollard's Favorite
The Flail
Guzzle Together
Isle De Madeleine
Point Au Pic
Jacques Cartier
Bavaglie's Plaid
The Cradle Song
I Won't Do the Work
Thousand Pipers
The Road To Skye
Man Of Constant Sorrow
Chinkapin Hunting
King Of Naples
The Belle Of the Stage
The Fairy Queen
High O'Donnell
Dry N' Dusty
Rochester Schottische
Frosty Morning
Shuffle About
The Wounded Hussar
Prince Charles'
The Prague
Mozart's Favorite
Northern March
Richard Dwyer's
High Road To Linton
Sleepy Waltz
An Irish Lullaby
Suo Gam

Customer Reviews:

He's one of a kind.......2000-10-12

Even if i did not used to take flute lessons from Mr. Chris, i would still be raving about this CD. A beautiful blend of the international music that has come to define his most well known style of playing, this recording is a must have. Having grown up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but spent the last number of years living in Baltimore, Mr. Chris manages to combine the best of both worlds. From traditional Cape Breton reels to Scottish laments to the French music of Quebec and finally to the mastery of the great Turlough O'Carolan, he covers it all, leaving nothing untouched. He is supported by fellow Helicon member Robin Bullock (also an incredible soloist), as well as Ann Marie Morgan, and Pete Sutherland, and together they are brilliant. My favorite track is Rochester Schottische, but that may be because that is the first piece that Mr. Chris ever taught me. He is an incredible teacher, person, and musician, and this CD exemplifies this!

Average customer rating:

My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose

Manufacturer: Atma Classique
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Scottish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Craigieburn Wood
Charlie He's My Darling
Comin Thro' the Rye (Air: Miller's Wedding)
Grimstock/The Old Mole/Cuckolds All a Row [From: The Dancing ...]
When O'er the Hill the E'ening Star (Air: The Lea-Rig/My Ain Kind ...)
Hugh O'Donnel
Simmer's a Pleasant Time (Air: Ay Waukin' O)
What Can a Young Lassie (Air: What Shall I Do with an Auld Man)
My Tocher's the Jewel (Air: The Mucking of Geordie's Byre)
She's Fair and Fause (Air: The Lads of Leith)
Gloomy Night Is Gath'ring Fast (Air: Roslin Castle)
Carolan's Dream
My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose (Air: Low Down in the Broom)
Last May, A Braw Wooer (Air: The Lothian Lassie)
Welsh Dance "PWT-Ar-Y-Bys"
My Love Was Born in Aberdeen (Air: The White Cockade)
O Let Me in This Ae Night (Air: Will You Lend Me Your Loom, Lass)
Lament for Owen Roe O'Neill
John Anderson My Jo
Ye Banks and Braes (Air: Caledonian Hunt's Delight)
Now Nature Hangs Her Mantle Green (Air: Mary Queen of Scots' Lament)
Sheebeg and Sheemore
Bumper Squire Jones
Carolan's Favourite Jig
Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot (Air: Auld Lang Syne)

Average customer rating:

Christmas With Mandolins

Manufacturer: Arts Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Snowed In With A Mandolin On Christmas Day

ASIN: B000038I6I
Release Date: 2000-11-28

Tracks:

Planxty O'Carolan: I. Adagio - Elena Contin/Alberto Pezzagno/Fiorenzo Gitti/Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'..
Planxty O'Carolan: II. Lannigan's Ball (Allegro) - Elena Contin/Alberto Pezzagno/Fiorenzo Gitti/Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'..
Planxty O'Carolan: III. Planxty Maguire (Moderato) - Elena Contin/Alberto Pezzagno/Fiorenzo Gitti/Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'..
Planxty O'Carolan: IV. The Wind From The South (Andante) - Elena Contin/Alberto Pezzagno/Fiorenzo Gitti/Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'..
Planxty O'Carolan: V. The Princess Royal (Allegro) - Elena Contin/Alberto Pezzagno/Fiorenzo Gitti/Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'..
Planxty O'Carolan: VI. Down By Sally's Garden (Andante) - Elena Contin/Alberto Pezzagno/Fiorenzo Gitti/Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'..
Planxty O'Carolan: VII. Irish Washerwoman Jig (Allegro) - Elena Contin/Alberto Pezzagno/Fiorenzo Gitti/Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'..
Pastorale - Ugo Orlandi/Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'/Claudio Mandonico
Sonata Per Il SS. Natale, Anno 1716: Allegro - Ugo Orlandi/Pietro Prosser
Sonata Per II SS. Natale, Anno 1716: Adagio - Ugo Orlandi/Pietro Prosser
Sonata Per II SS. Natale, Anno 1716: Allegro - Ugo Orlandi/Pietro Prosser
Pastorale - Ugo Orlandi/Talia Benasi/Claudio Mandonico
E Arrivato Il Messia (The Messiah Is Coming) - Romina Brentan
L'Albero Di Natale (The Christmas Tree) - Marina Ferrari/Maria Cleofe Miotti/Romina Brentan
Nevicata - Romina Brentan
Christmas Song - Marina Ferrari/Maria Cleofe Miotti
La Notte Di Natale (Christmas Eve) - Marina Ferrari/Maria Cleofe Miotti/Romina Brentan
La Notte Di Betlemme (Betlehem's Night): Pastorale And Preghiera - Guido Rizzardi/Alda Orlandi/Lorella Loviselli/Ugo Orlandi/Fiorella Corsini/Paola Braghini
Visioni Natalizie (Christmas Visions) - Quintetto A Plettro 'Raffaele Calace'
Notte Di Natale (Christmas Eve) - Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'/Claudio Mandonico
Impressioni Di Natale (Christmas Impressions): I. Campane E Pifferi, Sfumatura (Allegro) - Ugo Orlandi/Alessandro Bono
Impressioni Di Natale (Christmas Impressions): II. Intorno Al Ceppo, Rimembranze (Valzer Lento) - Ugo Orlandi/Alessandro Bono
Impressioni Di Natale (Christmas Impressions): III. Mentre Cade La Neve, Serenata (Allegro) - Ugo Orlandi/Alessandro Bono
Notte Di Natale (Christmas Eve): I. Pifferata (Allegro) - Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'/Claudio Mandonico
Notte Di Natale (Christmas Eve): II. Intorno Al Presepio (Notturno) - Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'/Claudio Mandonico
Notte Di Natale (Christmas Eve): III. Alleuja (Allegro) - Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'/Claudio Mandonico
Natale! 'Kleine Weihnacht Ouverture) - Orchestra Di Mandolini E Chitarre 'Citta' Di Brescia'/Claudio Mandonico

Average customer rating:

English Salon Music? Indeed, and Enjoyable Rarities
RARE SALON PIANO
RARE SALON MUSIC
Marvellous Salon Piano

Romantic Piano Discoveries

Manufacturer: Trigon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000007P2G
Release Date: 1997-05-05

Tracks:

Maritana: Brilliant Fantasia
To A Wild Rose, Op.51No. 1
Salut D'Amour, Op. 12
Le Jet D'Eau
La Serenata
Tarantelle Brillante
Humoresque, Op. 101 No. 8
Traumerei
The Bohemian Girl (Morceau De Salon, Op. 107 No. 2): Variations On 'Where Other Lips'
Lily Of Killarney: Eily Mavourneen
'Concerto'
Lily Oh The Valley
The Old Refrain
The Robins Return
Irish Confetti

Product Description

Romantic piano rarities. Includes Mr. Sheridan's own arrangemnets of "The Old Refrain", "Eily Mavourneen" (from the opera Lily of Killarney, by Jules Benedict, "When other lips" (from The Bohemian Girl) by Balfe, arranged by Charles Voss(1815-1882). Disc also includes world premier recordings of five piano pices by Sydney Smith(1839-1889).Trully a wonderfull collection or rare piano romance.

Customer Reviews:

English Salon Music? Indeed, and Enjoyable Rarities.......2007-04-14

This is an extremely unconventional piano recording, promoting English and Irish piano miniatures, mostly from the 19th century. With the exception of Schumann's beloved Traumerei, the Dvorak Humoresque and Elgar's Salut d'Amour, I've never even heard of the composers of some of the pieces here. Balfe, Voss, Braga, Wallace, O'Carolan? Who has heard of these guys? Sydney Smith, however, a 19th century English piano virtuoso who studied with Moscheles, is slightly more prominent. I've encountered some of his piano transcriptions before and was fairly receptive. On this recording, the Irish pianist J.J. Sheridan shares some absolutely obscure piano miniatures, and I have to say, most of these are superb pianistic desserts.

Sydney Smith's works are the most notable of these miscellaneous pieces. His "Brilliant Fantasia on Wallace's Maritana" opera exhibits facile ornamentation and a bel canto emphasis akin to the fantasies of Herz or Kalkbrenner. Smith's "Le Jet d'Eau" in particular, is a sparkling pleasure that employs a constant flow of Thalbergian arpeggios. The transcription of Braga's "La Serenata" is another gushing Chopinesque salon piece, brimming with tenderness and warmth; an agitated central section provides a brief but nice contrast. A more successful contrast, though, is Smith's exuberant "Tarantelle Brillante." In addition to the Maritana Fantasia, this is probably the most virtuosic work on this recording. But it seems like Sheridan is playing too slow; I think the music needs more energy and gusto. The last Smith piece, "Lily of the Valley," is lovely enough and possesses a tinge of Mozartian charm.

Other remarkable miniatures are the Balfe-Voss Variations, the Benedict-Sheridan and the piano arrangement of Elgar's "Salut d'Amour." Oddly, the Balfe-Voss is essentially a theme and one variation, but has plenty of filigree passages. Sheridan's transcription of Benedict's "Eily Mavourneen" shimmers with lyrical grace, while Elgar's Salut d'Amour is the most melodic of them all. The rest of the pieces on this disc are pleasant trifles. Saving a major negative comment for last, I should warn the reader that the sound of the piano is awful. The acoustics are so bad that the piano comes off as sounding like a midi file: bad recording devices and engineering are to blame.

Bottom line: This music is intellectually light, not emotionally profound, and yet still endearing. There are a few of these miniatures which I feel deserve a higher popularity and a greater champion. While Sheridan's efforts to expose these unequivocally rare pieces to the light are appreciated, I think his interpretations are questionable. Maybe it's the weak piano sound that does Sheridan's execution's harm. Nevertheless, these pieces are delightful miniatures and if you've had your pianistic fill of meaty Beethoven or Liszt, treat yourself to this musical cheesecake.

RARE SALON PIANO.......2000-10-12

A really marvelous disc, The highlight for me was the marvelously impressionistic "Le Jet Deau" by Smith and the fantastic novelty piece "The Robin's Return" by Leander Fisher.

Wonderfull playing by J.J. Sheridan

RARE SALON MUSIC.......2000-03-24

I loved this cd. I loved the Sydney Smith transcriptions. Listen to Smith's arrangement of Wallace's "Maritana". It's great. All piano lovers should check this out, Great.

Marvellous Salon Piano.......1999-10-12

I loved this CD. It truly is a Romantic recording. I loved "Irish Confetti" The "opera" transcriptions were marvelous, beautifull melodies in great arrangements. This is truly a great find. Lets have Volume 2

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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