Christmas Songs

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
From the album's opening notes--the thumping bass of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with the Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan--you know immediately that you're in store for a unique disc of holiday music. Featuring an eclectic bunch of Nettwerk Records' roster and friends, the simply titled Christmas Songs features not so simple performances by the likes of McLachlan ("Song for a Winter's Night"), Dido ("Christmas Day"), Matthew Ryan ("Little Drummer Boy"), and Kendall Payne ("O Come, O Come Emmanuel"). The diverse offerings here can be overwhelming; Meryn Cadell's "The Cat Carol" is a traditional folk tune, while Delerium's "Terra Firma" is an ethereal taste of seasonal electronica. That said, there's probably something for everyone here. --Jason Verlinde

Christmas Songs,Various Artists,Nettwerk Records,Adult Alternative,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Alternative Pop/Rock,Christmas,Christmas / Chanukkah,Christmas Music,Holiday,Pop,Singer/Songwriter,V/a Compilations,Xmas Vocal Collections

Christmas Songs

Tracks:

Sesame Street Theme - The Kids
ABC - DEF - GHI - Big Bird
Bein' Green - Kermit the Frog
Sing - The Kids
Five Songs - The Kids
Five People in My Family - The Anything Muppets
People in the Neighborhood - Bob and the Anything Muppets
Henson King of the Eight - Jim Henson
Hi De Ho Man - Cab Calloway and the Two - Headed Monster
How Do You Do - Lena Horne
Over, Under, Around and Through - Grover
Ladybugs Picnic
Somebody Come and Play - The Kids
Jellyman Kelly - James Taylor and the Kids
Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel and Oscar the Grouch
Everybody Sleeps - Joe Raposo
Rubber Duckie - Ernie
Doin ' the Pidgeon - Bert
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard - Paul Simon and the Kids
Sweet - A Little Baby Boy - Pete Seeger and the Kids
1-2 - 3 Sesame Street - Stevie Wonder
Pinball Number Count - - The Pointer Sisters
I' ve Got Two - Big Bird. Oscar the Grouch, Mr. Hooper and Everybody
I Love Trash - Oscar the Grouch
Nasty Dan - Johnny Cash and Oscar the Grouch
Sing After Me - Madeline Kahn and Grover
Captain Vegetable - Captian Vegetable with Eddie and Andy
African Alphabet - Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Kermit the Frog.
B.B. King - B.B. King with Bert, Benny Rabbit, Big Bird and Baby Bear
C is for Cookie - Cookie Monster
Kiko and the Lavender Moon (Elmo and the Lavender Moon) - Los Lobos
Sweet in the Mornin' (Tweet in the Mornin') - Bobby Mc Ferrin with the Birds
Small People - Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers with Prairie Dawn and Big Bird
Imagination - Ernie with Big Bird and the Cast
From Your Head - Diane Schuur with Elmo
What's the Name of that Song? - The Cast
The Batty Bat - The Count with Ftatateeta and the Bats
Mah Na Mah Na - Mah Na Mah Na
Little Things - Tony Bennettt with Lexine
One Small Voice - The Kids, Hoots the Owl, Prairie Dawn
I Don't Want to Live on the Moon - Aaron Neville and Ernie
This Frog - Kermit the Frog
I Love Trash - Steven Tyler
Two Princes - Spin Doctors with Zoe, Elmo and Telly
Like the way I do (Like the way U Does) - Melissa Etheridge
But I like You - Bert and Ernie
Tu Me Gustas (I like you) - Luis and Elmo
Mambo I,I,I, - Gloria Estefan
Monster in the Mirror - Grover
Hold my Hand - Hootie & the Blowfish with Elmo and the Kids
I'm Talkin' Love - Trisha Yearwood and Herry Monster
We are the Earthlings - A Boyand the Anything Muppets
Happy to Meet You - Celine Dion with Herry Monster, Elmo and Big Bird
Shiny Happy People (Furry Happy Monsters) - REM and Muppet Rocker
Believe in Yourself - *NSYNC
A New Way to Walk - Destiny's Child with Elmo, Groverand Zoe
Elmo's Song - Elmo, Big Bird and Snuffleupagus
Slide (Pride) - Goo Goo Dolls and Elmo
Sing - Dixie Chicks
Just Happy To Be Me - Fugees
Put Down The Duckie - Ernie and Hoots the Owl
Everybody Be Yo'Self - Keb' Mo' and the Kids
Sesame Street Theme Remix - Ursula 1000

Amazon.com

Songs from the Street, the boxed set that stretches back to "Sesame Street's" 1969 debut, is the kids' record of the year, if not the decade: Big Bird and the gang might've pulled it off themselves--for a crew of fix-it store workers, shopkeeps, and goofball monsters, the talent quotient's off the charts--but when you've got this many names to drop, they've got to land somewhere. What impresses most in three discs is the lack of a single thud. Cab Calloway, Pete Seeger, and James Taylor mosey in on disc one; Johnny Cash, BB King, and Tony Bennett take seats on the stoop for disc two; and the Dixie Chicks, Gloria Estefan, and R.E.M. raise the brownstone roof on disc three--and that's leaving out stars like Lena Horne, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, and Trisha Yearwood. When it comes to inspiring preschoolers and their parents to sing the praises of rubber duckies, bein' green, and the people in their neighborhood; "The Street" gets busy. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Great cd set.......2007-07-30

This set of 3 CD's had a great mix of classic and contempary Sesame Street songs.

I'd rather just the first 10 years, thanks.......2007-05-26

About half the songs are the original television versions. But the liner notes for the other half list them as being "from" other COMPILATIONS released in the 1990s.
Nowhere is it stated whether those compilations used the original versions or re-recordings, so who knows? Even the TITLE theme is not the original (It might be the version they use nowadays, but it's not the version most people know from the 70s).
Sesame should have just used the original TV versions of all tracks as that's what collectors of vintage material would be looking for (and paying quite a lot for).
They also should have focused more on the early years when the show was the most innovative. And as music was a major element, I'm sure there's a lot more material that could have been used, particularly those odd demonstrational songs about the number 5 or the letter R. Instead they've focused on the celebrity guests, most of whom don't really add much value.
I personally hoped there'd be that funky counting to ten song that featured on almost every episode (not the Pinball one, which I love too).
Disappointing, but until a better option comes along, this will have to do.

A great buy, you'll play this over and over........2007-03-15

I bought this when my daughter was born, and two years later she still asks for them to be played. The set contains three CDs, on which are collected famous songs, and ditties from the Sesame Street show...favorites like C is for Cookie, Healthy, Happy Monsters performed by famous groups like REM and more. The songs are not just kid friendly, adults will enjoy the refreshing take on some old favorites too:)

An All-Round Pleaser.......2007-02-15

I have always loved the music from Sesame Street, and as I have gotten older I have found that the next generation loves it just as much as I have, whether it be the older or newer songs. Since I bought this album, I have had it regularly playing at my sons' request. Funnily enough, anyone who walks in to our house smiles when they hear the music, ask what the album is, then sit back and enjoy it all - regardless of whether they have ever watched Sesame Street or not. Furry and real voices have universal appeal whatever the age of the listener! A beautiful album.

Childhood Renewed.......2007-01-09

If you grew up on Sesame Street - or just want some music for kids that isn't annoying - this is the box set for you! The songs are clever, amusing, lively, and educational. We bought it for ourselves as a trip down memory lane before our son was born - and since then it has been our favorite baby shower or first birthday gift! Everyone who has it loves it!

Average customer rating:

A Listening Pleasure

Christmas Songs
Anuna
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002VEQ5M
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

AWAY IN A MANGER
THE WEXFORD CAROL
THE FIRST DAY
RIU RIU
SILENT NIGHT
THE COVENTRY CAROL
CODHLAIM GO SUAN
CHRISTMAS DAY IS COME
WINTER, FIRE AND SNOW
PIE JESU
HYMN TO THE VIRGIN
O HOLY NIGHT
THER IS NO ROS

Customer Reviews:

A Listening Pleasure.......2005-12-12

This is a five star album from a five star group. "Away in the Manger" is done in a simple, but exquisite manner. The quality of sound is magnificent. Monica Donlon has a gorgeous voice, well showcased on the Irish "Wexford Carol." "The First Day" adds instrumental interest, a very contemplative piece with voices used as pedal tones. "Riu Riu" is rhythmical and catchy. "Silent Night" is performed at an extremely slow tempo milking the harmonization and classic Anuna sound in a aura of sensual sound. The plaintive melancholy of "The Coventry Carol" aptly suits the text. There are interesting harmonizations and slight tweeks in the melody that separate this arrangement from the average. Four of the next six tracks are original compositions by Michael McGlyn and are a wonderful addition to the Christmas repertoire. The liner notes are ten pages that include the lyrics and brief commentary. Like the album, they are rendered in a classy manner. If you appreciate fine choral music and exceptional Christmas music, this album is a must.

Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung

Average customer rating:

Beautiful music
Andrea Bocelli-Sacred Arias
An "experience" of sacred arias more than "listening" of sacred arias
amazing talent
Perfect arias for the perfect voice

Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung
George Frideric Handel , Giulio Caccini , Charles Gounod , Franz Schubert , Cesar Franck , Gioachino Rossini , Giuseppe Verdi , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Richard Wagner , Pietro Mascagni , Louis Niedermeyer , Franz Xaver Gruber , John Francis Wade , Jean-Paul Lecot , Myung-Whun Chung , and Andrea Bocelli
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria

ASIN: B00002ND9N
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Caccini/Mercurio: Ave Maria
Mascagni: Sancta Maria
Gounod: Ave Maria
Schubert: Ave Maria
Franck: Panis Angelicus
Rossini: Cuius animam
Verdi: Ingemisco
Mozart: Ave verum
Wagner: Der Engel
Handel: Ombra mai fu
Niedermeyer: Pieta signore
Rossini: Dominus Deus
Schubert/Mercurio: Mille Cherubini in coro
Gruber/Mercurio: Silent Night
Wade: Adeste Fideles
Gloria a te, Cristo Ges

Amazon.com

When he was growing up, Andrea Bocelli recalls finding inspiration in a favorite recording of sacred music performed by tenor legend Franco Corelli. Bocelli--who in the meantime has come to inspire millions of fiercely loyal fans himself--returns to the genre as the guiding theme of Sacred Arias, the release of which coincides with the first English-language biography of the singer. These performances are filled with the singer's phenomenally well-known vocal signature: his flair for long, sweetly floating high notes and the gentle sense of cadence he brings to a melody. It's a mistake to compartmentalize Bocelli into a singer of "operatic" versus "popular" styles: in truth his approach is at heart the same. Lack of color and control in his phrasing remains a drawback, but the emotional empathy Bocelli evokes is never in doubt. The arias collected here sample some of the most famous devotional pieces: Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's transporting "Ave Verum," as well as an arrangement of "Silent Night" in which Bocelli tries out his English. There's also a decidedly odd choice of bedfellows for a program of "sacred" music, such as a song from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder (whose "angel" is the object of an overpoweringly erotic attraction) and Handel's figurative ode to a tree, "Ombra mai fu." Still, Bocelli sings with an unfeigned directness that is sure to expand his already enormous following even further. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful music.......2007-01-12

This is my second copy of this CD, I burned the first one out!!
Andrea Bocelli has a very gorgeous voice that is a gift from above. His voice is not affected or braggadoccio but naturally magnificent. I could and do start my day listening to this spiritually uplifting CD almost everyday. It is a wonderful way to get off to a pleasant peaceful start, but also a nice way to come home in the evening if you have a CD player in your car. I highly recommend it to all.

Andrea Bocelli-Sacred Arias.......2006-08-25

Excellent listening. Voice quality and tone is superb. Brings tears to my eyes when I envision listening to this in a church setting.

An "experience" of sacred arias more than "listening" of sacred arias.......2006-04-28

I bought this CD's special edition with DVD, and I am impressed by bocelli's singing in this album. I have heard many voices singing sacred songs, and christmas songs, but very few singers can achieve the "sacred atmosphere" that bocelli devotes when he sings. He may not have a "strong" voice as opera singers, but I think singing these sacred songs, devoting the "sacred atmosphere" to the audience is much more important, the voice actually is just a tool that helps a singer to achieve the result. For real, I have heard some CD by some chorus that perform sacred arias, but they did not move me as much as this CD does, mostly not even close. Personally I like "O come all ye faithful", "silent night", all "ave maria"'s, "domine deus", "cujus animam" the most. When I listen Bocelli's singing I focus on what he tries to devote in singing more than his voice color, because in terms of voice color he surely cant be compared with pavarotti or domingo, so why compares? The way of listening him and listening real opera singers is different man. But the reason I gave only this CD four stars is that I have heard several sacred arias from this album performed by his voice teacher, the legendary tenor Franco Corelli. I tried not to compare both...but I cant, not because Bocelli sings bad, he is already excellent, just Corelli is TOO excellent that cant be described by human language (well I think even Pavarotti is not even close to Franco Corelli, but this is just my opinion). Anyway if you want to "experience" the true beauty of sacred arias, this CD is highly recommended. And this is also a very good sacred aria album for beginning listeners who want to broaden their musical taste to sacred arias.

amazing talent.......2006-03-25

worth the price the songs are breathtaking and talent is indescribable

Perfect arias for the perfect voice.......2006-03-04

These are just terrific. How does Andrea acheive the range he does, and the power he has, without sounding too heavy or too light? His voice sounds like the perfect voice for these perfect arias.

I have noticed one concern with the CD. I have heard several clicks scattered here and there in the songs -- but the CD is clean and I feel confident it is not the machine. Has anyone else noticed this?

Average customer rating:

I hate to be rude, but . . .
Outstanding
Sacred Songs
My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far
Inspiring and beautiful

Sacred Songs

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000AM6OXK
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Jesu bleibet meine Freude
Dank sei dir, Herr
Ave Maria, D839
Laudamus te
Panis Angelicus
Air: "He shall feed his Flock"
Simple Song
Pie Jesu
Domine Deus
Laudate Dominum omnes gentes
Air: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion
Abends will ich schlafen gehn
L'Adieu des bergers
Mariiegenlied, Op.76/52
Amazing Grace

Amazon.com

This lovely CD features Renée Fleming singing religious music in an unaffected, lovely manner. Many favorites are here: both the Bach/Gounod and Schubert versions of "Ave Maria," each offered with long breaths and soft tone; "Rejoice Greatly" from Messiah, delivered with virtuosity and gleaming sound, and "He Shall Feed His Flock," also from Messiah, sung in a smooth, laid-back manner. Bits of the Fauré Requiem and Poulenc Gloria are welcome, as is the gorgeous "L'Adieu des Bergers" from L'Enfance du Christ. In the prayer from Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel, Fleming is joined by the splendid Susan Graham, and a version of "Amazing Grace" features Mark O'Connor on violin. Two excerpts from Mozart's Mass in C Minor, pieces by Reger and Franck, and a few surprises round out this devotional CD. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

I hate to be rude, but . . ........2007-05-06

As stated earlier, I hate to be rude. However, Renee Fleming is not one of the greatest singers that I have heard. At many times, it sounds as if she is drunk, sliding into her notes at times. She also has a habit of hitting a note, and then quickly moving up or down for "dramatic effect". I'm sorry, but I just cannot listen to this. I know that everyone has their own opinions, and this is mine.
She is still a beautiful woman, and always will be. I have seen her concerts online, and she ISN'T bad, it's just that she doesn't have what I'm looking for in an opera singer!

Outstanding.......2007-03-07

I had seen this program on PBS and wanted the CD. Wonderful selection
of music and Renee Fleming's outstanding voice.

Sacred Songs.......2007-01-21

I always look for new presentations of Christmas songs. Rene Flemming did an excellent job in this recording. She has a super voice but sometimes the words of the song get lost in her singing style

My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far.......2006-12-07

There are only two cuts on this CD I tend to flip past (Amazing Grace and the Leonard Bernstein cut), but other than them, I totally love the rest! The cuts in German are divine! I could listen to this CD over and over again.

Inspiring and beautiful.......2006-07-20

I've always loved Renee Fleming's singing and this most recent album is just beautiful in every way. A rich voice, beautiful singing and a devout and magnificent artist. She makes even the most notorious evergreens come to life anew. I enjoyed it very much.

Average customer rating:

Christmas Songs
YeeHaa. Merry Christmas.
If you like Diana Krall you'll probably hate this review.
Have Diana Krall over for the holidays.
Christmas Songs/Diana Krall

Christmas Songs
Diana Krall , and Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000B7BRMM
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

Jingle Bells
Let It Snow
The Christmas Song
Winter Wonderland
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Christmas Time Is Here
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
White Christmas
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
Sleigh Ride
Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep

Amazon.com

As the song goes, "Merry Christmas" has already "been said many times, many ways." Diana Krall's Christmas Songs is a worthy--though not particularly unique--addition to the holiday catalog. On it, she excels with an approach mastered long ago: elegant delivery that gives extra polish to a very familiar lineup. Some might find her style frosty at times, but that will come as a relief to those who want their carolers to cut through some of the holiday treacle and create a festive, yet grown-up vibe. And Krall does show off her playful side with little, personal touches. In "Winter Wonderland" she promises to "frolic and play the Canadian way," which should draw smiles from her native land. (That'll mean toasting the holiday with Molson, eh?) Elsewhere, she ends "Jingle Bells" with the girlishly giddy statement, "I'm just crazy about horses." Well…can't argue with that. --Leah Weathersby

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Songs.......2007-05-13

The product is what I expected. It arrived on time and in the condition advertised.

YeeHaa. Merry Christmas........2007-02-22

Hot babe. Good Jazz.

Helluva voice.

Nice take on some well-worn standards.

This and the Vince Guarldi Charlie Brown Christmas album are the only two Christmas albums that should be given to everybody who ever bought a CD player, Ipod, whatever.

Nice dress.

Elvis Costello (Mr. Diana Krall) better thank God every day.

I proudly listen to this album at non-Christmas times of the year, by the way. When it plays at work, someone almost always stops and says "Who is THAT?"; never "Why are you listening to Christmas music in June?". That's the power of the voice and arrangements we're dealing with, here.

Thank you for coming into my life, if only as a beautiful voice. And what a voice!

If you like Diana Krall you'll probably hate this review........2007-01-26

I love Diana Krall's voice, style, the music she chooses to record, and the polish of her music. I have all her CDs and they're great. So, when I got this CD at Christmas 2005 I was really disappointed. Look, it's OK, I guess, but not up to her usual standards. There's no enthusiasm here (except for the false enthusiasm of her fingernail-on-chalkboard tittering "I'm just crazy 'bout hooorses").

Rather than write it off as just average I decided to give it a whirl again for Christmas '06, and had the same reaction. Guys might like this CD for her recumbent "come hither and unwrap THIS present" look and posture on the CD packaging, but there's little to come hither for inside.

Have Diana Krall over for the holidays. .......2007-01-21

If your into Diana Krall and your into Christmas, Then this CD is a MUST! It's everything you want in your Jazz Christmas collection.

Christmas Songs/Diana Krall.......2007-01-19

Good CD -- only thing I didn't care for was "scat" on a couple of songs --

Average customer rating:

FORGOTTEN (BY ME) BEAUTIES
MENDELSSOHN'S 48
Portraits at exhibition!
Second-tier Mendelssohn and Boringboim to boot
Excellent!

Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, etc.

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schubert: The Piano Sonatas

ASIN: B000001GYC
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Tracks:

Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 1 In E Major - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 2 In A Minor - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 3 In A Major 'Hunting Song' - Molto allegro e vivace
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 4 in A Major - Moderato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 5 In F Sharp Minor - Piano agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 6 In G Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song' - Andante sostenuto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 1 In E Flat Major - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 2 In B Flat Minor - Allegro di molto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 3 In E Major - Adagio non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 4 In B Minor - Agitato e con fuoco
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 5 In D Major - Andante grazioso
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 6 In F Sharp Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song' - Allegretto tranquillo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 1 In E Flat Major - Con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 2 In C Minor - Allegro non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 3 In E Major - Presto e molto vivace
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 4 In A Major - Andante
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 5 In A Minor - Agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 6 In A Flat Major - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 1 In A Flat Major - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 2 In E Flat Major - Allegro non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 3 In G Minor - Presto agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 4 In F Major - Adagio
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 5 In A Minor 'Folksong' - Allegro con fuoco
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 6 In A Major - Molto allegro, vivace

Tracks:

Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 1 In G Major - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 2 In B Flat Major - Allegro con fuoco
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 3 In E Minor 'Funeral March' - Andante maestoso
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 4 In G Major - Allegro con anima
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 5 In A Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song' - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 6 In A Major 'Spring Song' - Allegretto grazioso
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 1 in E Flat Major - Andante
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 2 In F Sharp Minor - Allegro leggiero
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 3 In B Flat Major - Andante tranquillo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 4 In C Major 'Spinning Song' - Presto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 5 In B Minor - Moderato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 6 In E Major 'Wiegenlied' - Allegretto non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 1 In F Major - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 2 In A Minor - Allegro agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 3 In E Flat Major - Presto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 4 In D Major - Andante sostenuto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 5 In A Major - Allegretto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 6 In B Flat Major - Allegretto con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 1 In E Minor - Andante, un poco agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 2 In D Major - Adagio
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 3 In C Major - Presto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 4 In G Minor - Un poco agitato, ma andante
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 5 In A Major - Allegro vivace
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 6 In C Major - Andante
Kinderstucke op. 72: Allegro non troppo
Kinderstucke op. 72: Andante sostenuto
Kinderstucke op. 72: Allegretto
Kinderstucke op. 72: Andante con moto
Kinderstucke op. 72: Allegro assai
Kinderstucke op. 72: Vivace
Gondellied: Allegretto non troppo
2 Klavierstucke: Andante cantabile
2 Klavierstucke: Presto agitato
Albumblatt op. 117: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

FORGOTTEN (BY ME) BEAUTIES.......2007-05-14

Until I purchased this bargain (two discs for the price of one), recording of Mendelssohn's "Songs without Words" that are played exquisitely by Daniel Barenboim, I, in the past, have listened mainly to Mendelssohn's chamber music, Concertos and/or Symphonies kind of forgetting about these most beautiful compositions, What a real pleasure this recording has been for me. I believe that Mendelssohn composed these" Songs without Words" (also included are Mendelssohn's "Kinderstucke", op 72, "Albumblatt", op. 117 and 2 short pieces) through out his short life. Daniel indeed plays all of the works including the "demanding" ones (there are surprisingly for me some very demanding ones) most beautifully never forgetting that the compositions are above all else "Songs". Daniel Barenboim always lets the melodies be heard above all else and there are some very beautiful melodies to hear.

This recording was made in the early 1970s; however, DGG has done a wonderful job of transferring them to the CD format--the sound is rich, lush and clear.

If you want to hear some beautiful compositions that are played most beautifully, buy this recording.

MENDELSSOHN'S 48.......2006-09-01

Bach's 48 preludes and fugues seem to me to be to some extent a diary of the composer's feelings, and I get much the same impression from Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words, which are also 48 in number. To me, they are beautiful and touching minor masterpieces and when I hear them I am not disturbed, or even visited, by the thought that they are not masterpieces to rank with Bach's. However I am not as exacting in evaluating a performance of them as I would be with Bach either, and when I willingly award this set 5 stars I know that I'm setting the bar lower. There are limits to what any interpreter, even the greatest, of the Songs Without Words can find in them, but for all that some interpreters are greater than others, and I happen to know even better accounts of some of these pieces than you will find on these two discs from Barenboim.

It was high time in any case that I had a complete set of these lovely works. My collection up to now had only stretched to 14 of them, but - I have to say it again - those 14 are enough to teach me the difference between fine performances and great ones. Barenboim's accounts should be easily good enough for most of us most of the time, and in addition to the Songs he throws in the Children's Pieces plus a few other short numbers that Mendelssohn, for reasons known principally to himself, chose not to publish. With one solitary exception, Barenboim's touch is affectionate, warm and beautiful, and is well served by the 1974 recording. Speeds adopted sound about right to me in general, and the interpretations offered are full of insight and loving care, and free from eccentricity or egotism. Barenboim can be powerful when he needs to be, but the requirement for power is very limited in what we have here, and the overall impression that the set leaves is rightly one of tact, sympathy and enthusiasm. My single regret concerns my own favourite of all the Songs - the Duetto op 38/6. Something goes quite unaccountably wrong here. I'd call the speed too fast in the first place, and I would have liked the pseudo-voices brought out more strongly against the arpeggio accompaniment, but the real affront to my sensibilities comes when the two voices sing forte in octaves, and Barenboim bangs out the melody in a bad-tempered and cacophonous way that reminds me of one of Kissin's off-days.

One botched effort out of 58 is not a bad ratio nevertheless. I can play the Duetto to my own satisfaction anyway, or I can listen to it on my old Turnabout LP played by Guiomar Novaes. Novaes seems to be all but forgotten these days, but she was a great player, recognised as such by no less than Debussy when she was a teenager. Her idea of the Duetto is slower than mine, indeed for an amateur like me the piece, which lies beautifully and naturally under the hands, seems practically to dictate its own speed. However it's not the tempo that makes the impression. In this piece as in many others starting with the very first of all the Songs, what transfixes me is the haughty and highlighted clarity of Novaes's melodic line and the magnificence of her left-hand tone. It also happens that in the disc that accompanies the biography of Serkin by Stephen Lehmann and Marion Faber there are two of the Songs in Novaes's selection - a solemn and gripping op 62/1 and a coruscating Spinning Song worthy of Horowitz or Cziffra for virtuosity. The point is simply this - there is an aura of greatness that surrounds the playing of Serkin and Novaes in practically anything they do. Admirable as he is, Barenboim is not quite in that league, although I don't consider the balance of advantage to be totally one-sided, and it may be that Barenboim actually makes a more appealing job of the Spring Song.

Nevertheless I have only 14 of the Songs from Novaes, and all of two from Serkin, in somewhat antiquated sound at that. Barenboim gives me all 48 plus some bonus extras, played with love and appreciation of the soul of this beautiful and affecting music. This is a set I am going to be returning to for solace and balm to the spirit, I can tell already. The recorded sound is not wondrous, but it's good 1974 quality. The liner note is from the distinguished pen of Joan Chissell, but I can't say it seems to me to amount to much. Moreover she nails her colours to the mast with the ringing challenge `No 19th-century composer exceeded Mendelssohn in respect for Classical tradition, and such ordered modes of expression as fugue...' I dispute this strenuously. Not only are Mendelssohn's fugues not his best or most professional work, as Tovey makes very clear, they are inferior in respect for classical precedent and thoroughness of workmanship to Schumann's, as the same sage also points out. Besides which Brahms was a musical scholar of minute and profound learning, particularly steeped in the great German musical tradition, to an extent that Mendelssohn never rivalled. What Mendelssohn can claim is to be sui generis, what he does best he does better than anyone, and some of his most intimate musical thoughts are to be found in the Songs Without Words. For the pleasure and comfort they bring me I thank Mendelssohn's shade and the loving and expert guidance of Barenboim.

Portraits at exhibition!.......2006-04-09

In contrast to many other musicians, Mendelssohn had an evident, fruitful and fortunate association with the visual arts. Keeping in mind his education was conceived as part of the Renascence man, so we should not ignore his classical-humanistic education, so that explains why his Symphonies maybe basically, considered such arresting visual landscapes: the Scottish, Italian and Reform would seem confirm it.

The Songs without words conform ostensibly, a great stylistic and conceptual unity. It could not be other way, noticing the fact John Field was essentially the grandfather of the nocturnes for piano and Chopin the most expressive and intimate explorer of the human soul, Mendelssohn had all those variables in mind and decided to create a portrait album. As other artists as Liszt and Goethe the exerted fascination after being in Venice would work out as febrile inspiration. Every little page of this kaleidoscopic reflects different state anima; they are structured and interweaved similarly respect Robert Schumann with his Carnival or Childhood scenes; with profound lyric and evocative accent, destined to recreate the tourist memory. He achieved then to make a voluminous album of feelings but without that marked introspective mood of Frederic Chopin, for instance.

Daniel Barenboim decided to record these ebb tide piano pieces with personal conviction and lyric imagination. The result was simply refulgent and deeply inspiring.

Second-tier Mendelssohn and Boringboim to boot.......2002-10-21

The majority of Mendelssohn's works consisted of fluff and flutter reminisent of Mozart on an off-day and these piano pieces certainly aren't among Mendelssohn's small number of masterworks.The fact that these compositions are no more than trifles is made worse by Barenboim's insistence in trying to infuse an element of profundity to them.The result is tedium and annoyance.I owned this 2 disk set for more than 2 years and didn't listen to it more than 7-8 times.Every time I would try and listen boredom would set in and within a few minutes listening became a matter of endurance.I finally traded it off and haven't missed it in the least.It may be a 2 for the price of 1 set but,as usual,such "bargains" are hardly a bargain.

Excellent!.......2002-02-18

This is one of my top 5 classical piano CDs. It has a relaxing, easy-to-listen-to sound that I never get tired of. Every song in this 2-cd set is great.

Average customer rating:

So so music
Get behind me, Santa!
A New Look At An Old Holiday
Highly recommend
Santa Sufjan

Songs for Christmas
Sufjan Stevens
Manufacturer: Asthmatic Kitty
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000HLDF0O
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Tracks:

Silent Night
O Come O Come Emmanuel
We're Goin' To the Country!
Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming
It's Christmas! Let's Be Glad!
Holy Holy, etc.
Amazing Grace

Tracks:

Angels We Have Heard on High
Put the Lights on the Tree
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
I Saw Three Ships
Only at Christmas Time
Once in Royal David's City
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
What Child Is This Anyway?
Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Tracks:

O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Come on! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!
We Three Kings
O Holy Night
That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!
Ding! Dong!
All the King's Horns
The Friendly Beasts

Tracks:

The Little Drummer Boy
Away In A Manger
Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time!
The First Noel
Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!)
The Incarnation
Joy To The World

Tracks:

Once in Royal David's City
Get Behind Me, Santa!
Jingle Bells
Christmas in July
Lo! How A Rose E'er Blooming
Jupiter Winter
Sister Winter
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Star of Wonder
Holy, Holy, Holy
The Winter Solstice

Amazon.com

Every year it's an issue: how does one stomach the onset of holiday music? With an endless stream of overplayed pop stars stirring what Sufjan Stevens calls "That Creepy Christmas Feeling," how does one navigate the sound of the season? Back in 2001, Stevens began making annual EPs of traditional carols and songs mixed with his own holiday-themed tunes. With 2006 and Volume 5, he's compiled a perfect gift for the Christmas-inclined indie rockster: all five EPs in one box, separately slipcased, plus a booklet filled with lyric sheets, chord charts, a Rick Moody essay, and more. Yes, Stevens knows that "Jingle Bells" features him playing (as he notes) "insipid piano," but he also writes gorgeous arrangements. Check out the three versions of "O Come O Come Emmanuel"; each aches. And "O Holy Night" from Volume 3 is lo-fi genius, never mind anyone's resistance to theology; it's a time-stopper. Stevens's own tunes are unmistakably his, hushed vocals highlighting a unique mix of whimsy and yearning--much like the justly-lauded Illinois and Michigan. In the end of the liner essay, Stevens writes that the Christmas story is about love, and on that note, he proclaims that these songs and the "Creepy Christmas Feeling" prompt "a transformation of the heart" for him and bring out affection and reflection. Isn't that a great holiday vibe? --Andrew Bartlett

Album Description

In December 2001, Sufjan set out to create a Christmas gift for his friends and family. The result was a seven-song recording that he called "Noel Vol. 1". Over the next several years, he created new EPs to add to the collection. This 5-CD box set includes all five volumes, plus a 42-page booklet with an original Christmas essay by acclaimed American novelist Ricky Moody, two essays, a short story by Stevens, a holiday sticker, chord charts, lyrics, comic strip, family portrait poster, photos, and an animated video.

Customer Reviews:

So so music.......2007-05-16

I am not a Sufjan Stevens fan. The arrangements are good enough and I think being a Christmas CD, the bar for success if fairly low. I think they just crossed that bar. On complaint about the packaging is that all the songs on the five CDs could easily have been fit on 3 CDs so you end up switching CDs more often than necessary. I guess that's OK if you have a carousel player.

Get behind me, Santa!.......2007-02-06

I love Christmas music and I love Sufjan Stevens. When I saw that Sufjan had his own FIVE CD Christmas album, I bought it without hearing so much as a single track, knowing that whether the album was a success or failure, at least it would be unlike any other Christmas CD I own. Of course Santa Sufjan did not let me down.

First of all, the packaging and the graphic design of this mini box-set of Christmas CD's is awesome--It's worth buying just for the packaging. It includes a free set of stickers, a comic, a Stevens family Christmas portrait, and the most extensive liner notes in recording history, including some excellent Christmas essays and artwork. I was having so much fun with all that, it was a while before I even listened to the first CD of the set!

The five CD's are a collection of non-commercial CD-R's that Sufjan would make for friends and family each Christmas. The first four CD's were not intended to be sold or marketed, and are made up of mostly simple recordings of classic carols and many original Christmas songs. I believe the fifth disk was the only one created with the knowledge that it would be sold.

Since these CD's were made from the heart, and were certainly not an attempt to milk the Christmas music market, one is going to hear songs done in a very simple, rugged and direct manner, with warts and all. Phil Spector's "wall-of-sound" this is not. Rather, it is a humble, contrite attempt at honoring Christmas and Christ with song. Sufjan Stevens channeling the Little Drummer Boy, in a very literal sense, though there are a few songs that are more Spector than Simon & Garfunkel.

In my vast collection of Christmas CD's, numbering well over 50 disks, I found that there is one particular style that really stands out when employed, and that is when an artist chooses to focus on Christmas carols rather than the various secular holiday songs, and then does a simple, straightforward interpretation of these carols, with little to no embellishment. One of the early examples of this is Mitch Miller's "Christmas--Sing Along with Mitch." That album is filled with classic carols, minimal orchestration, and brilliant, lively voices. It works because Mitch wisely leaves the carols alone, staying away from cutesy production tricks, and allows the beauty of the songs to speak for themselves. No doubt Mitch Miller's album was in Sufjan sites when creating this box set, complete with the tongue-in-cheek "SINGALONG in Stereo" blurb on the front of the box.

Like the Mitch Miller album, Sufjan also chooses to stay mainly with carols, rather than do another rendition of "White Christmas" or "Santa Clause is Coming to Town." (However, we do get a Santa Sufjan original: "Get Behind Me Santa!") Like Mitch, his singing of the carols is fairly straight forward, with little fluff or ornamentation--he leaves that for the packaging. But unlike Mitch, Sufjan is quite creative with the musical accompaniment, giving carols a sound that is very earthy and simple. There is a definite folk/blue grass interpretation which is a real pleasure to listen to; it's the polar opposite the big band/swing/jazz style of most secular Christmas albums.

Yet there is more than just carols on this CD, Sufjan gives us many of his own original Christmas songs, which are neither secular nor sacred, but somehow occupy a space in between. They are spiritual without being King James, and they are secular without being profane. Singing about K-Mart, Santa and Jesus in the same tune is something only Sufjan could pull off. While there are some interesting songs in Sufjan's originals, I much prefer his folksy interpretations of the classic carols.

Then there are those carols in which we only get a simple, pleasing instrumental number, no voices or singing, just like the neat little instrumentals spread around Sufjan's 'Illnois' album. They are a wonderful little treat, kind of the musical equivalent of an occasional snack of a Christmas cookie. Speaking of Illinois, there are a few songs, especially from the fourth and fifth disks that would have worked well on either the Illinois or Avalanche albums despite their Christmas theme.

Sadly, while not lacking in creativity or originality, "Songs for Christmas" just doesn't quite cut it as a classic Christmas album. It's refreshingly experimental and "ad hoc" sound will not endear many listeners, as there seems to be certain unspoken parameters as to how far you can push Christmas music interpretations. Outside of the Sufjan faithful, I doubt many folks will be shelving their Bing Crosby or Carpenters disks in favor of "Songs for Christmas." Still, the best thing on this album are Sufjan's beautiful, light renditions of ancient carols, and the album is worth purchasing for those alone.

In a recent Christmas essay, Garrison Keillor states that all one really needs to have a wonderful Christmas are the there "C's" -- carols, cookies, and candles. Well Sufjan Steven's Christmas box set will certainly meet and exceed the "carols" requirement. Maybe next year he'll throw in the cookies and candles, I wouldn't put it past him.

A New Look At An Old Holiday.......2007-01-30

Sufjan Stevens is an original and unique talent and his interpretations of old songs are different yet always respectful. His music is sometimes a bit odd, but always interesting and entertaining. I find it a very pleasant and relaxing blend of sounds.

Highly recommend.......2007-01-22

You get 5 CDs for basically the price of one, plus a lyrics and chord book and, for some reason, stickers. Can't beat that.

Santa Sufjan.......2007-01-22

Sufjan is the reigning king of... well... everything. There isnt an album of his I don't adore, he is a model human being, and everything he touches turns to gold. If you like Sufjan and you like Christmas, this is an album for you. If you don't like either, at least give it a listen.

Average customer rating:

Finally released
Good CD
the muppet christmas carol cd
Holiday Classic with Kermit , Miss Piggy, and Michael Caine
Awesome

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Manufacturer: Disney
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000BRD72K
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Tracks:

Overture (Instrumental) - Paul Williams
Scrooge - Cast
Room In Your Heart - Honeydew And Beaker
Good King Wenceslas - Muppet Brass Buskers
One More Sleep 'Til Christmas - Kermit
Marley And Marley - Marley And Marley
Christmas Past (Instrumental) - Paul Williams
Chairman Of The Board - Sam Eagle
Fozziwig's Party - Dr. Teeth And The Electric Mayhem
When Love Is Gone - Belle
It Feels Like Christmas - Ghost Of Christmas Present
Christmas Scat - Tiny Tim
Bless Us All - Tiny Tim And Family
Christmas Future (Instrumental) - Paul Williams
Christmas Morning (Instrumental) - Paul Williams
Thankful Heart - Scrooge
Finale:When Love Is Found/It Feels Like Christmas - Various Artists
When Love Is Gone - Martina McBride

Amazon.com

For right-minded buyers of the reissued Muppet Christmas Carol soundtrack, the odds of disappointment are about as remote as Miss Piggy's chances with Kermit. If you loved the movie, you will love the loopy mayhem of the Muppet Brass Buskers ("Good King Wenceslas"), the cartoonish malice of the black-hearted misanthropes Marley & Marley ("Marley & Marley"), and the hope-swollen harmonies of Tiny Tim and Family ("Bless Us All"), Muppeted here to hilariously humble effect. If, on the other hand, your interest in this disc has more to do with its inclusion in the way-narrow Christmas-record-for-kids category--if the spirit of the season doesn't extend, for you, to the magic of the Muppets--you may want to keep browsing, as it's a soundtrack first (overture, instrumentals, and all) and a Christmas CD second. That's not to suggest you're stuck with an un-fun disc should it land on your holiday stack without a prior screening, though. Miles Goodman's score sweeps and inspires, and certain tracks--"One More Sleep 'til Christmas" and "Fozziwig's Party"--are future classics. (Note to the right-minded: After a misstep on the original release, Martina McBride's version of "When Love is Gone" is back.) -Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Finally released.......2007-05-23

If your Christmas isn't complete without listening to this music, this CD is a must buy. The audio quality is excellent despite the age of the film. Michael Cain and Belle come out crystal clear in their solo and ensemble work. The surprise of this album is the inclusion of two tracks (one by Beaker and Bunson and one by Scrogge's primary school teacher) that are not in the film. They are fun but unexpected. I could only ask that the CD last longer with such beautiful traditional music, but alas there is no more music to include. Maybe they could market Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island together in the future?

Good CD.......2007-02-14

My wife has been looking for this soundtrack for years. We were very happy to find it and get it so fast. This has some of the best music ever written for a movie.

the muppet christmas carol cd.......2007-01-19

Amazing the songs are so cleaver and i have bee waiting for this for a long time, it has been out of print great cd and the movie is so awesome!!

Holiday Classic with Kermit , Miss Piggy, and Michael Caine.......2007-01-12

The score from The Muppet Christmas Carol is full of the spirit of Christmas. The familiar story by Dicken's is given new life with the great score (mostly written by Paul Williams). Great energy is relayed to the listener as Scrooge (Michael Caine)is painted in words and as Bob Cratchet (Kermit the Frog) sings with his co-workers 'One More Sleep 'Til Christmas'. The love song duet between Scrooge (Michael Caine) and his fiancee during a ghostly vision brings great pathos to the character. For lovers of the Muppets and or Dickens, there is no better way to enter into the spirit of the season.

Awesome.......2007-01-08

These are some of the most heartwarming songs. I even find myself singing the ones about poor Mr. Scrooge.

Average customer rating:

Great Music
Nice No words
good instrumental
Nice Cowboy CD
The Greatest Cowboy Songs Ever

Greatest Cowboy Songs Ever
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000062UU
Release Date: 1998-03-10

Tracks:

Home On The Range
Buffalo Gals/Polly Wolly Doodle
Cattle Call
The Yellow Rose Of Texas
The Streets Of Laredo
Tumblin' Tumbleweeds
(Ghost) Riders In The Sky
San Antonio Rose
Don't Fence Me In
Happy Trails

Customer Reviews:

Great Music.......2007-07-03

It has a great variety of songs. They are well orchestrated and fun to listen, too.

Nice No words.......2007-02-15

I didn't realize that when I bought this that it was just instrumental. However my husband loves it wordless and all. If your looking for background music or relax music this is definitely the cd for you.

good instrumental.......2006-02-28

a very pleasant and somewhat haunting cd, easy listening at it's best for western songs,cd only has 10 songs on it but they are all very good and easily worth the price.This cd would be good to play for background music also.I would like to see more of these cd's.

Nice Cowboy CD.......2003-11-03

i really like the CD. it has nice instrumentals of many classic cowboy songs. the quality is very good too. the only downfall is that the CD is only about 30 minutes long so it is quite short. but other than that, i recommend it for anyone wanting to hear these nice classic songs.

The Greatest Cowboy Songs Ever.......2000-01-09

By far, the best instrumental of Western songs I have heard. Very well done! Truely does make you feel you are back in the Old West spiritually!

Average customer rating:

Microcosmos
Great value with a few flaws
eeh, I guess I don't like Bartok that much
Best classical value out there
5 Stars for the music and performance

Bartok: Complete Solo Piano Music

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008X5AY
Release Date: 2003-05-27

Amazon.com

Sàndor, still active at 90 as this reissue appears, was a student of Bartók and a preferred interpreter of his music. Since this set appeared on nine LPs in the early 1960s, it has been the standard for Bartók's piano music; in this fine-sounding reissue, it still is. Sàndor can hit hard enough for such virtuoso pieces as the Piano Sonata and "Out of Doors," but he also retains the romantic element heard in the composer's own playing which tempers the harsher qualities of the music. While this collection isn't quite as complete as advertised (some early, insignificant piano music by Bartók is omitted), it includes all of Bartók's significant piano music, including such relatively obscure gems as the Bagatelles, eight Improvisations, and many delectable folk arrangements which will appeal even to listeners who think Bartók is too challenging for them. Vox's recorded sound, superbly remastered, resists obsolescence as effectively as Sàndor's performances. Even with the inclusion of the early books of "Mikrokosmos," which will appeal mostly to piano students, this set is worth several times the asking price. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Microcosmos.......2007-03-08

Sándor was a champion not only of Bartók's music but also of Bartók's style of playing. He often complained that people were too quick to see Bartók as ultra-modern, and to fail to appreciate the rich seam of lyricism that also runs through his music.

The piano music is dominated by short pieces, many of them written for piano students, notably the collections "Microcosmos" and "For Children". These, together with suites of folk dance arrangements, make up the bulk of the solo piano output.

Sandór plays these short, and often simple pieces, with neither too much nor too little art. As a gifted teacher, he knew unerringly how much music each of these small vessels held. The result is beguiling - but be warned: no-one can listen to the 153 short pieces of Microcosmos end-to-end. This is an anthology to be dipped into, not swallowed whole.

The remastering is pretty successful (fortunately - some of Vox's CD reissues are plagued by severe deterioration of the original tapes). And it's for half nothing-what's not to like?

Great value with a few flaws.......2006-07-28

I am not a Bartok expert by any scale, but I do like the way these pieces, without exception, are played. There are, however, a couple of other problems.

As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, very few of the works are split into tracks - Mikrokosmos is divided into 7 for each of its six volumes, and to accomodate for a full CD. In these seven tracks there are 121 songs. I would have much preferred if the songs had been split into tracks. Almost the entire CD set is this way - Fifteen Hungarian Songs is one track, Fourteen Bagatelles, etc. It is very annoying when one wants to hear a particular song in those tracks and not the others.

Another detriment to the collection is the recording quality. It is decent most of the time, but in loud sections the piano buzzes. One might be able to ignore it, but I think that it detracts from the passion of the forte quite a bit.

Overall, for $18 it is pretty decent, but if you are like me and like to keep your music library neatly organized (and aren't extremely cheap), I would not recommend this set.

eeh, I guess I don't like Bartok that much.......2006-07-25

I like the fact that Bartok is into the folk tradition and all, but he just tends to forget the fact that melody has to be SOMEWHERE in the music. I'm all for creative expression when you're sitting alone at the piano, but abstract music should be reserved for performance art. I like playing some of your stuff Bela, but I just don't want to listen to you.

Best classical value out there.......2005-10-05

To put this set in perspective, for months I would go to my local Tower Records fishing for worthwhile classical CDs at least once a week. One of the discs that sat in the bins the longest was a single CD of Bartok piano music, played by Zoltan Kocsis. It was Volume 7 of a complete series. This CD listed for $17.99, and as long as I went to that Tower Records, it did not budge an inch, nor was its price amended.

Now, Kocsis is one of the greatest pianists alive, and if anyone is worthy of commanding a premium, it is him. And to be fair, that CD is going to be re-released on October 11 as part of a Collector's Edition - eight CDs, $63.97 MSRP. But it's already going up against this little gem, which contains five CDs with all of the truly great solo-piano works by an internationally recognized Bartok specialist for $21 - not much more than the cost of one CD from the other set. This kind of value is not to be taken lightly.

I came to this set with my impression of Sandor informed by his complete Prokofiev - ultra-hard, sometimes rhythmically slack, always melodically lacking in some way or another. But he held a very special feeling for Bartok, and saved his best playing for the great Hungarian. In passages like the first of the Three Csik Dances, the opening of the Improvisations Op. 20, or in the Ten Easy Pieces, there is a simplicity, charm and wistful homesickness that is quite touching. In pieces like the Out of Doors suite, the Sonata, or the Burlesques, there is a vicious, impulsive energy, a wicked sense of humor and an overabundance of overtones. It is never mindless, inappropriate or even overly harsh - it's just very, very loud.

In this set I like best the endless landscape of the Sonatina, the unusual colors and fragrances in the Etudes, the brilliantly conceived Bear Dance (the last of the Ten Easy Pieces), and the multifaceted, complex, gorgeous Improvisations. Any fan of Bartok should hear these.

5 Stars for the music and performance.......2005-04-04

This is a fantastic deal, but the problem with this Collection stems from the fact that the pieces are often not separated by tracks. This is especially annoying for the Children's Pieces and Mikrokosmos. There are so many pieces, one wears out the fast forward button and still may miss the particular piece one is looking for. The booklet is fairly insightful, and the performer is widely hailed as the supreme interpreter of Bartok's piano music. So aside from this slightly annoying at times and ridiculously annoying at other times flaw, this is one of the best deals in Classical music. Don't hesitate. Add it to the cart.

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