Aria 3: Metamorphosis

On this CD: 1. Ombra mai fu (after Handel's Serse)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Warren Zielinski, Paul Gardham, Rebecca Luker, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Simon Fischer, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Rachel Bolt, Gavin Wright, Boguslav Kostecki, David Woodcock, Peter Hanson, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Paddy Lannigan, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Christopher Tombling, Mark Berrow, Patrick Kiernan, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rebecca Hirsch, Stephen Orton, Hugh Burns, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

2. Furioso (after Handel's Sarabande)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Warren Zielinski, Paul Gardham, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Simon Fischer, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Rachel Bolt, Gavin Wright, Boguslav Kostecki, David Woodcock, Peter Hanson, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Paddy Lannigan, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Dermot Crehan, Joyful Company of Singers, Caroline Dale, Christopher Tombling, Mark Berrow, Patrick Kiernan, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rebecca Hirsch, Stephen Orton, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

3. Sogno (after Puccini's La Rondine)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Warren Zielinski, Paul Gardham, Rebecca Luker, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Simon Fischer, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Rachel Bolt, Gavin Wright, Boguslav Kostecki, David Woodcock, Peter Hanson, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Paddy Lannigan, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Christopher Tombling, Mark Berrow, Patrick Kiernan, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rebecca Hirsch, Stephen Orton, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

4. Metamorphosis 2: Danae
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Paddy Lannigan, Warren Zielinski, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Paul Gardham, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Simon Fischer, Mark Berrow, Christopher Tombling, Patrick Kiernan, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rachel Bolt, Rebecca Hirsch, Gavin Wright, David Woodcock, Boguslav Kostecki, Peter Hanson, Stephen Orton, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

5. Ballo (after Verdi's Ballo in Maschera)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Warren Zielinski, Paul Gardham, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Simon Fischer, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Rachel Bolt, Gavin Wright, David Woodcock, Boguslav Kostecki, Peter Hanson, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Michelle Ivey, Paddy Lannigan, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Christopher Tombling, Mark Berrow, Patrick Kiernan, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rebecca Hirsch, Stephen Orton, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

6. Interlude: L'Orchestre Engloutie
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Paddy Lannigan, Warren Zielinski, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Paul Gardham, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Simon Fischer, Mark Berrow, Christopher Tombling, Patrick Kiernan, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rachel Bolt, Rebecca Hirsch, Gavin Wright, David Woodcock, Boguslav Kostecki, Peter Hanson, Stephen Orton, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

7. Amami (after Verdi's La Traviata)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Warren Zielinski, Paul Gardham, Rebecca Luker, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Simon Fischer, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Rachel Bolt, Gavin Wright, Boguslav Kostecki, David Woodcock, Peter Hanson, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Paddy Lannigan, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Christopher Tombling, Mark Berrow, Patrick Kiernan, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rebecca Hirsch, Stephen Orton, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

8. Lascia (after Handel's Rinaldo)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Warren Zielinski, Paul Gardham, Rebecca Luker, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Simon Fischer, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Rachel Bolt, Gavin Wright, Boguslav Kostecki, David Woodcock, Peter Hanson, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Paddy Lannigan, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Dermot Crehan, Joyful Company of Singers, Caroline Dale, Christopher Tombling, Mark Berrow, Patrick Kiernan, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rebecca Hirsch, Stephen Orton, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

9. Farewell (after Puccini's Madama Butterfly)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Warren Zielinski, Paul Gardham, Rebecca Luker, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Simon Fischer, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Rachel Bolt, Gavin Wright, Boguslav Kostecki, David Woodcock, Peter Hanson, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Paddy Lannigan, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Christopher Tombling, Mark Berrow, Patrick Kiernan, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rebecca Hirsch, Stephen Orton, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

10. Metamorphosis 3: Cyane
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Paddy Lannigan, Warren Zielinski, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Paul Gardham, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Simon Fischer, Mark Berrow, Christopher Tombling, Patrick Kiernan, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rachel Bolt, Rebecca Hirsch, Gavin Wright, David Woodcock, Boguslav Kostecki, Peter Hanson, Stephen Orton, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

11. Ascension (after Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Warren Zielinski, Paul Gardham, Rebecca Luker, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Simon Fischer, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Rachel Bolt, Gavin Wright, Boguslav Kostecki, David Woodcock, Peter Hanson, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Paddy Lannigan, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Christopher Tombling, Mark Berrow, Patrick Kiernan, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rebecca Hirsch, Stephen Orton, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

12. Metamorphosis 1: Arachne
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Paddy Lannigan, Warren Zielinski, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Paul Gardham, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Simon Fischer, Mark Berrow, Christopher Tombling, Patrick Kiernan, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rachel Bolt, Rebecca Hirsch, Gavin Wright, David Woodcock, Boguslav Kostecki, Peter Hanson, Stephen Orton, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

13. Furioso (after Handel's Sarabande)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Paddy Lannigan, Warren Zielinski, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Paul Gardham, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Simon Fischer, Mark Berrow, Christopher Tombling, Patrick Kiernan, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rachel Bolt, Rebecca Hirsch, Gavin Wright, David Woodcock, Boguslav Kostecki, Peter Hanson, Stephen Orton, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

14. Ombra mai fu (after Handel's Serse)
Composed by Paul Schwartz
Performed by Isobel Griffiths with Julian Leaper, Paddy Lannigan, Warren Zielinski, Liz Edwards, Zoe Lake, Ben Chappell, Paul Gardham, Benedict Cruft, Naomi Wright, Garfield Jackson, Jacqueline Shave, Dermot Crehan, Caroline Dale, Simon Fischer, Mark Berrow, Christopher Tombling, Patrick Kiernan, Peter Lale, Perry Montague Mason, Mary Scully, Bruce White, Rachel Bolt, Rebecca Hirsch, Gavin Wright, David Woodcock, Boguslav Kostecki, Peter Hanson, Stephen Orton, Bea Lovejoy, Jonathan Williams, Nicholas Rodwell
Conducted by Paul Schwartz

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Souping up the classics with whatever contemporary music pulse is current at the moment has a long history. Some artists, like Emerson, Lake and Palmer, aspired to classical grandiosity. Others, like Michael Murphy and his discofied "A Fifth of Beethoven," turn classical melodies into pop hooks. Paul Schwartz falls somewhere in the middle with his Aria project, of which this is the third. Electronica grooves and effects angle their way through songs "based" on operatic works by Handel, Verdi, Puccini, and Monteverdi. Schwartz begins with a bar set high by some of these melodies, beautifully sung by soprano Rebecca Luker. Whether singing solo or in multi-tracked choirs, her voice opens heavens' gates, but she has to slog through some pedestrian arrangements to get there. Schwartz understands the difference between an orchestra and a synthesizer and with only a few exceptions--like the cheesy opening to "Ombra Ma Fu"--deploys each in appropriate measures. "Ascension," based on a Monteverdi aria is particularly striking with its underlying electronic ostinatos cycling through the breathtaking refrain. But too often, Schwartz's strings are saccharine and his rhythms clichéd in a music that uses high art only to reach for the facile. Like most classical-pop crossovers, time usually renders a verdict of kitsch in the first degree. --John Diliberto

Aria 3: Metamorphosis,Aria,Paul Schwartz,Koch Records,Chamber,Chamber Music,Contemporary Instrumental,Keyboard,Miscellaneous,Miscellaneous Music,Music for Keyboard,Neo-Classical,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Orchestral

Aria 3: Metamorphosis

Aria 3: Metamorphosis
Aria 3: Metamorphosis
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Another gem from Schwartz
  • so happy to have found this
  • Massage Music that my clients LOVE
  • Soul Satisfying
  • Powerful interpretations of classics for modern ears.
 Aria 3: Metamorphosis
Aria , and Paul Schwartz
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
MeditationMeditation | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Aria, Vol. 2: New Horizon
  2. Aria
  3. State of Grace II: Turning to Peace
  4. State of Grace
  5. Earthbound

ASIN: B0002PUH7Y
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

  1. OMBRA MAI FU
  2. FURIOSO
  3. SOGNO
  4. METAMORPHOSIS 2: DANAE
  5. BALLO
  6. INTERLUDE:L'ORCHESTRE ENGLOUTIE
  7. AMAMI
  8. LASCIA
  9. FAREWELL
  10. METAMORPHOSIS 3:CYANE
  11. ASCENSION
  12. METAMORPHOSIS 1: ARACHNE
  13. FURIOSO: instrumental mix
  14. OMBRA: chilled mix

Amazon.com

Souping up the classics with whatever contemporary music pulse is current at the moment has a long history. Some artists, like Emerson, Lake and Palmer, aspired to classical grandiosity. Others, like Michael Murphy and his discofied "A Fifth of Beethoven," turn classical melodies into pop hooks. Paul Schwartz falls somewhere in the middle with his Aria project, of which this is the third. Electronica grooves and effects angle their way through songs "based" on operatic works by Handel, Verdi, Puccini, and Monteverdi. Schwartz begins with a bar set high by some of these melodies, beautifully sung by soprano Rebecca Luker. Whether singing solo or in multi-tracked choirs, her voice opens heavens' gates, but she has to slog through some pedestrian arrangements to get there. Schwartz understands the difference between an orchestra and a synthesizer and with only a few exceptions--like the cheesy opening to "Ombra Ma Fu"--deploys each in appropriate measures. "Ascension," based on a Monteverdi aria is particularly striking with its underlying electronic ostinatos cycling through the breathtaking refrain. But too often, Schwartz's strings are saccharine and his rhythms clichéd in a music that uses high art only to reach for the facile. Like most classical-pop crossovers, time usually renders a verdict of kitsch in the first degree. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Another gem from Schwartz.......2007-02-21

Much like Aria 1 & 2 this is another gem, presenting a unique interpretation of classic arias. It is an awesome compilation. I look forward to Aria 4 (is there one in the works?)!!

5 out of 5 stars so happy to have found this.......2006-12-31

This CD is one of Paul Schwartz's best; it's definitely the best out of all 3 Arias. I really hopes he continues making State of Grace and Aria CDs because they are amazing.

5 out of 5 stars Massage Music that my clients LOVE.......2006-08-05

I now have all 3 CDs in the "Aria" famiy, and this one, like its predecessors is truely GREAT massage music! My clients love the entire Aria family of CDs. I've been a big fan of Rebecca Luker for quite sometime now and she SHINES like the truely elegant vocal star that she is on this album. A buy that is DEFINATELY well worth it!

5 out of 5 stars Soul Satisfying.......2006-04-29

I love this CD. It's especially wonderful when it's rainy outside and I'm curled up by the fire inside. My son who is 16, blind and autistic loves it and plays it over and over. I think he taps into the immediate relaxation and beautiful blend of classical with technology.

I'm with all the others. Who cares if this somehow "interprets" the classic correctly or not? It is pleasing to the ears and that's all that matters.
Minneapolis, MN

5 out of 5 stars Powerful interpretations of classics for modern ears........2006-03-18

As in Aria 1 and Aria 2, the incredible lyric soprano voice of Rebecca Luker delivers excellent music, song after song. She gives us an interpretation of Handel's Serse; a selection from Puccini's La Rondine; another selection from Verdi's La Traviata; an aria from Handel's Rinaldo; another nice selection from Puccini's Madame Butterfly; and a final selection from Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione.

The CD also has 6 instrumental works, arranged by Paul Schwartz. There is a very nice interpretation of Handel's tragic Sarabande, with vocals by the Joyful Company of Singers and words from Psalm 7. This piece reminds me of the tragic majesty of Carmina Burana.

Paul Schwartz consistently delivers powerful reinterpretations of classical music for modern ears.
Aria 3: Metamorphosis
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • An Instant Classic
  • Pleasant ambient operatic music
  • Schmaltz, schlock: merchandise that is shoddy or inferior
Aria 3: Metamorphosis
Paul Schwartz
Manufacturer: Cafe Del Mar
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Aria 2: New Horizon
  2. Cafe Del Mar Aria Pt.1
  3. Café del Mar, Vol. 12
  4. Café del Mar, Vol. 13
  5. Café del Mar: Dreams, Vol. 2

ASIN: B0007PH952

Tracks:

  1. Ombra Mai Fu
  2. Furioso
  3. Sogno
  4. Metamorphosis 2: Dance
  5. Ballo
  6. Orchestre Engloutie
  7. Amami
  8. Lascia
  9. Farewell
  10. Metamorphosis 3: Cyane
  11. Ascension
  12. Metamorphosis 1: Arachne
  13. Furioso [Instrumental Mix]
  14. Ombra [Chilled Mix]
  15. Pace Pace [*]
  16. Ebben [*]

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars An Instant Classic.......2005-11-10

If you like the other albums from this series, aria 3 will be another little treasure chest of beautiful harmonies. Great opera singing nicely blended with electronic and classical sounds. If you like ambient music, this is great CD for you. If you are interested in this CD because you are interested in classical music, I suggest you listen to it some place else first and then decide if you enjoy this kind of mixture. My favorites are the adaptations of Händel's "Serse" and Monteverdi's "L'incoronazione Di Poppea." Enjoy!

4 out of 5 stars Pleasant ambient operatic music.......2005-05-11

This album fuses chillout rhythms with classical, operatic music, creating a style that is very much "New Age" in feel. This compilation is crafted with smooth production and decent vocalists - it's nice music for the background, not for serious opera listeners. This is better than some other compilations of reworked classical chillout music I've heard and it is a nice change of pace from modern chillout tunes.

1 out of 5 stars Schmaltz, schlock: merchandise that is shoddy or inferior .......2005-04-13

Popera? Yes, more of it and this serving is as sappy, lame and twee as any of the worst recordings of Secret Garden, "Flipper" Giordano, Amici or Il Devo (er.. I mean "Divo").

Unquestionably, this CD contains very low-brow music. The producers of this music seem to think that this music should be merely "pretty" and contain no hard edges. The result is wooden and extremely boring. You will never hear more insipid versions of "Ombra mai fu" and "Lascia ch'io pianga". It is as if the makers of this CD have tried to turn all this music into New Age "hot-tub" music.

You want to hear some good arias sung by some modern young singers? Try anything by Patricia Petibon, Natalie Dessay, Véronique Gens, Jean-Paul Fouchécourt, Carolyn Sampson, Thomas Hampson, Susan Graham, Cecilia Bartoli, Andreas Scholl, David Daniels, Robin Blaze, Maria Bayo or Christoph Prégardien!


Café del Mar have made some very entertaining and enjoyable discs - but ARIA Vol. III Metamorphosis ain't one of them!
Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful set
  • Don't buy the whole thing
  • Not Insane
  • insane
  • For the real music lover
 Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition
Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Vienna Philharmonic OrchestraVienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
VoluntariesVoluntaries | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Lullabies & BerceuseLullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
AirsAirs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
BarcarollesBarcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
CantatasCantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
CapricesCaprices | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
GermanGerman | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00002EITP
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful set.......2004-10-24

This set is for serious piano fans, not for the ones who just start building up a CD library. I sort of agree with one of the reviewers, that there are many repetitions. But if you love piano, you wish to hear the same piece in different interpretations. Indeed, I really like this feature of this set: I can compare the style of various performers.
If you are into piano music, I encourage you to grab this set, if you can find it used (not available anymore at Amazon). I also hope, that there will be a continuation, in which other great pianists, who were left out because of the space limitation, will be included (Prokofiev, Bartok, Dohnanyi, etc).

2 out of 5 stars Don't buy the whole thing.......2001-07-08

I've put a lot of thought into constructing my own piano library, and unless you can easily afford the present set, I would recommend a different approach to collecting piano music. This set emphasizes the piano player rather than the piano composer. Of course both are important. For example, the "Barcarolle" appears in this set EIGHT times. I'm sorry, although I love the piece, if I am going to spend [the money], I would prefer more variety. Where are the Alkan, Medtner, and Szymanawski compositions represented in this set? I appreciate having so many interpretations of the same pieces, but I would also appreciate more exposure to pieces not so popular. The selection by Philips which I consider a somewhat popular selection suggests to me that when Philips constructed this set, they realized most people would be buying the disks separately, and this affected the selection. And it's not just that obscure composers are left out, but also if one spends so much money on piano recordings, you'd think you'd want to buy pieces from a composer in completeness. For example, an alternative way to construct a library would be to combine purchases of complete cycles, e.g. complete Beethoven sonatas, complete Scriabin preludes, etc., along with outstanding recordings of more particular pieces. I'm not sure why someone would want to concentrate so much on so many famous artists, instead of acquiring complete sets of compositions. For me the composer is more important, or at least, if I am going to spend [the money]on piano recordings, I'd prefer more complete, rather than snapshot, exposure to the composers.

5 out of 5 stars Not Insane.......2001-01-02

I had to write this review, as I am enthralled with this set. I have been going through it in order having already purchased a few individual units from the collection earlier. I am not sure what `insane' was talking about as there is NO repetition. Sure some pianists perform the same pieces, isn't that what they did in reality? The idea is to appreciate the different nuances and approaches taken by these artists. You will then enjoy these pieces from a better vantage.

It is a large ambitious contribution to the art of great piano playing. It is a labor of love and represents a tremendous amount of research and cooperation between many record companies. Rather then representing insanity, it is a resource to treasure.

Yes experts can quibble over who was left out, and what performances were inserted. I do not think such a massive undertaking could have been accomplished without someone being able to find faults. Overall however, unless you already have a monumental collection, (it would have to be almost legendary), this incredible set will give you a rewarding look into 74 of the greatest pianist of all time. You will come away with a honed sense of appreciation for your likes and dislikes. You will undoubtedly become someone who will search out recordings and be able to enjoy them for the rest of your life with a refined ear.

The only negative is this price. I would shop around, as it is daunting to spend 2 thousand dollars on such a collection. Of course you do get 200 CD's. However, the used collections might be good to consider.

Enjoy these masterpieces. I am not ashamed of owning this music as `insane' implies. I am proud to have enriched my life.

2 out of 5 stars insane.......2000-10-12

This is not a good library of piano music. The reason is, there is too much repetition. I'm not saying the series is bad. The series is wonderful. But this collection as a whole is a bad libary. For the same money you could collect together (with more effort) an incredible libary of piano music. There are so many wonderful cd's out there, this is just a waste of money. If you can actually afford to spend 2 grand on piano music, then either (1) spend the time and do some research to get a good library of piano music, which will probably include some selections from this collection, or (2) hire someone to do that for you. Personally I would be embarrassed to own this whole collection, since that shows I have put little thought into my purchases of piano music.

5 out of 5 stars For the real music lover.......2000-03-12

This series attempts to present important and representative performances by most of the major pianists of the 20th century. One might quibble a bit with the choices, but the works presented are of consistently high quality, and often do represent what may be the best works of a performer. Since this covers most of the time that recorded music existed, some of the recordings are technically challenged, as there is only so much one can do to enhance an old recording. Still, these appear to have been treated with love and respect in their restorations. Since this series is so large (and expensive!) one is tempted to "cherry pick" through the series, yet by doing so one can easily overlook gems by artists one is less familiar with. This large a set must inevitably have many versions of the same pieces, and takes many hours to listen to. The true enthusiast will appreciate the differences in interpretation, whereas the less experienced listener may find the set repetitive and overwhelming. If one has the time to really dig into this set, it can provide years of exploration and discovery. It would make a wonderful gift for some special music lover in your life ... or for yourself!

Pop Music:

  1. Atlantis: A Symphonic Journey
  2. Awakened Mind System
  3. Barcelona Nights: The Best of Ottmar Liebert, Vol. 1
  4. Before the Dawn Heals Us
  5. Blade Runner - O.S.T. [Soundtrack]
  6. Chariots Of Fire [Soundtrack]
  7. Christmas
  8. Christmas Extraordinaire
  9. Dead Can Dance
  10. Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts [Enhanced]

Pop Music

pop music

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