Complete Piano Music [Box set]

On this CD: 1. Seekers of the Truth Part 01
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

2. Seekers of the Truth Part 02
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

3. Seekers of the Truth Part 03
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

4. Seekers of the Truth Part 04
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

5. Seekers of the Truth Part 05
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

6. Seekers of the Truth Part 06
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

7. Seekers of the Truth Part 07
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

8. Seekers of the Truth Part 08
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

9. Seekers of the Truth Part 09
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

10. Seekers of the Truth Part 10
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

11. Seekers of the Truth Part 11
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

12. Seekers of the Truth Part 12
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

13. Seekers of the Truth Part 13
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

14. Seekers of the Truth Part 14
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

15. Seekers of the Truth Part 15
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

16. Seekers of the Truth Part 16
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

17. Seekers of the Truth Part 17
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

18. Seekers of the Truth Part 18
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

19. Seekers of the Truth Part 19
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

20. Hymns from a Great Temple Hymn 01
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

21. Hymns from a Great Temple Hymn 02
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

22. Hymns from a Great Temple Hymn 03
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

23. Hymns from a Great Temple Hymn 04
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

24. Hymns from a Great Temple Hymn 05
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

25. Hymns from a Great Temple Hymn 06
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

26. Hymns from a Great Temple Hymn 07
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

27. Hymns from a Great Temple Hymn 08
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

28. Hymns from a Great Temple Hymn 09
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

29. Rituals of a Sufi Order Part 01
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

30. Rituals of a Sufi Order Part 02
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

31. Rituals of a Sufi Order Part 03
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

32. Rituals of a Sufi Order Part 04
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

33. Rituals of a Sufi Order Part 05
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

34. Rituals of a Sufi Order Part 06
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

35. Rituals of a Sufi Order Part 07
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

36. Rituals of a Sufi Order Part 08
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

37. Enneagram, based on a Shaman theme
Composed by Cecil Lytle
with Cecil Lytle

38. Sacred Hymns Reading From Sacred Books
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

39. Sacred Hymns Prayer and Despair
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

40. Sacred Hymns Religious Ceremony
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

41. Sacred Hymns Religious Hymn
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

42. Sacred Hymns Orthodox Hymn from Asia Minor
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

43. Sacred Hymns Hymn of Good Friday
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

44. Sacred Hymns Religious Hymn
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

45. Sacred Hymns Prayer and Procession
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

46. Sacred Hymns Hymn of Easter Wednesday
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

47. Sacred Hymns Hymn for Easter Thursday
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

48. Sacred Hymns Hymn to The Creator
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

49. Sacred Hymns Hymn for a Great Temple
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

50. Sacred Hymns Meditation
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

51. Sacred Hymns Holy Affirming Holy Denying Holy Reconciling
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

52. Sacred Hymns The Story of the Resurrection of Christ
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

53. Sacred Hymns Easter Night Procession
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

54. Sacred Hymns Easter Hymn
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

55. Journey to Inaccessible Places Part 01
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

56. Journey to Inaccessible Places Part 02
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

57. Journey to Inaccessible Places Part 03
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

58. Journey to Inaccessible Places Part 04
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

59. Journey to Inaccessible Places Part 05
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

60. Journey to Inaccessible Places Part 06
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

61. Journey to Inaccessible Places Part 07
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

62. Journey to Inaccessible Places Part 08
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

63. Journey to Inaccessible Places Part 09
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

64. Reading of a Sacred Book
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

65. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 01
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

66. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 02
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

67. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 03
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

68. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 04
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

69. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 05
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

70. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 06
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

71. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 07
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

72. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 08
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

73. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 09
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

74. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 10
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

75. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 11
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

76. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 12
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

77. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 13
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

78. Dances and Chants of the Seids Part 14
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

79. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.1
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

80. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.2
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

81. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.3
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

82. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.4
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

83. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.5
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

84. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.6
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

85. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.7
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

86. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.8
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

87. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.9
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

88. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.10
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

89. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.11
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

90. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.12
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

91. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.13
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

92. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.14
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

93. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.15
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

94. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.16
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

95. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.17
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

96. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.18
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

97. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.19
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

98. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.20
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

99. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.21
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

100. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.22
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

101. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.23
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

102. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.24
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

103. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.25
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

104. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.26
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

105. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.27
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

106. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.28
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

107. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.29
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

108. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.30
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

109. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.31
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

110. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.32
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

111. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.33
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

112. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.34
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

113. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.35
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

114. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.36
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

115. Words for a Hymn to the Sun Movement No.37
Composed by Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

116. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Song of the Aisors
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

117. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Kurdish Shepherd's Dance
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

118. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Song of the Fisher Woman
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

119. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Oriental Song
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

120. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Armenian Song
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

121. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Greek Melody
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

122. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Armenian Melody
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

123. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Hindu Melody
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

124. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Song of the Molokans
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

125. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Kurdish Song for Two Flutes
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

126. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Allegretto
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

127. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Tibetan Melody
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

128. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Bagpipe Music
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

129. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Persian Song
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

130. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Oriental Melody
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

131. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Kurdish Melody
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

132. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Afghan Melody
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

133. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Assyrian Women Mourners
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

134. Songs and Rhythms from Asia Tibetan Masked Dance
Composed by Georges Gurdjieff, Thomas de Hartmann
with Cecil Lytle

The Complete Piano Music of Georges I. Gurdjieff and Thomas de Hartmann (6 CD Boxed Set),Georges / de Hartmann, Thomas Gurdjieff,Thomas Alexandrovich de Hartmann,Cecil Lytle,Cecil Lytle,Celestial Harmonies,Box Sets (Audio Only),Classical Composers,Contemporary Instrumental,Miscellaneous,Miscellaneous Music,Miscellaneous Vocal Music,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Vocal

Album Description

Mozart Edition: The Complete Works will make a great gift this Holiday season for the music lover in your life or someone who is hard to buy for. This collection contains 170 discs of completed works by Mozart in one beautiful package. Also included is a cd-rom containing essays on his works, artist bio's, text and libretti's. At this super low price all music lovers will enjoy the Symphonies - Concertos - Serenades - Divertimenti - Dances - Chamber Music - Church Sonatas - String Ensembles - Violin Sonatas - Keyboard Works - Sacred Works - Concert Arias - Songs - Canons and Operas in this collection.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2007-07-30

The Complete Works of Amadeus Mozart, what else would you want more?
It's absolutely fantastic, great music in a excellent box!
I really loved it!

a surprising offer.......2007-07-05

Complete works of Mozart for such a price is a surprising offer. We are pleased of the good quality, and the availability of otherwise difficult to find works of Mozart

Welcome to Perfection.......2007-06-28

Dispite what anyone else says, if god ever tried to talk to humanity it was through Wolfgang because his music is absolute perfection.It is the most beautiful music i've ever heard in my life( and this is coming from a 21 year old metal-head ).If one has second thoughts about buying this collection dispell them right now because this is probably the first item i've bought in a long time that i have not regreted.

Buy this as an encyclopedia of Mozart, then add other recordings..........2007-06-22

Brilliant Classics Complete Mozart edition, released for the 250th anniversary year of Mozart's birth (he was born in 1756), has much to recommend it. It contains almost all the works of Mozart, and has many fine performances: the piano sonatas by Klara Wurtz, Piano Concertos by Derek Han, Paul Freeman/Philharmonia, The Magic Flute, conducted by Charles Mackerras (licensed from Telarc), String Quartets by the Franz Schubert Quartet (Licensed from Nimbus) each stand out. The Symphonies, by the Amsterdam Mozart Academy/ Jaap ter Linden, are "So-so": I don't like the small period ensemble, but Symphonies 20, 40 (both versions: one with clarinets and the other without), 23, 24, and 34 are pretty good. Symphonies 1:I, 25 and 41 are sub-par: scrappy playing and weak violins make for a pretty rough experience. I would supplement this with the complete Mozart Symphonies by Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (DG), among the best recordings of these works, and the best complete set of Mozart's Symphonies, completed in 1968.

The Requiem, conducted by Nicol Matt (2001 recording) has had better performances, and for this I would recommend Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic (DG) and Colin Davis/London Symphony (Philips), which use a larger choir and orchestra, and have more drama where it is needed. The other choral works conducted by Nicol Matt are better, especially "Exsultate Jubilate" motet, the short Masses, and "Ave Verum".

Also worthy of mention are the "Posthorn" and "Haffner" Serenades, by Colin Davis/Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, licensed from Novalis for this release.

This is a great overview, and Brilliant Classics are to be commended for making it available at a low price, to get Mozart's music out to the mass public. It's a great buy, but I would get the Bohm Symphonies, and also Piano Concertos by either Ashkenazy/Philharmonia (Decca), Perahia/English Chamber Orchestra (Sony) or Anda/Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg (DG) for supplements. Also, Karl Bohm's recordings of the operas: The Magic Flute, the Marriage of Figaro, Idomeneo, and La Clemenza di Tito (all DG) are required listening, too. Recommended, but not as the only recording of Mozart's works.

Great value..Cant beat this deal at all!!!.......2007-06-13

As others have reviewed the product and highlighted that there are a few poor pieces... But who cares when there is 170 discs.. if you had have 10 cds that are poor quality and had a 160 disc set of good cd's and you paid $90 for the set.. would you be happy? I would think so... So don't get frustrated and just buy the set.. Enjoy the music for the price.. I am not going to go into details like others did but just buy the set!

Piano Quintet in F Min / Complete String Quartets (1, 2, 3)

Average customer rating:

Decent performance by the Emerson Quartet...................
Brahms' Bonus Bargan...
A very fine digital recording of the quartets
Best Recording of the Brahms Piano Quintet & Superb Brahms String Quartets Too
Overproduced

Piano Quintet in F Min / Complete String Quartets (1, 2, 3)

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music

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Similar Items:

Haydn: Piano Sonatas
Volodos Plays Liszt
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4
Songs by Mahler, Handel & Peter Lieberson
Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem

ASIN: B000MGB3DK
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

Allegro
Romanze: Poco Adagio
Allegro Molto Moderato E Comodo-Un Poco Piu Animato
Allegro
Allegro Non Troppo
Andante Moderato
Quasi Minuetto, Moderato-Allegretto Vivace
Finale: Allegro Non Assai

Tracks:

Vivace
Andante
Agitato (Allegretto Non Troppo)-Trio
Poco Allegretto Con Variazioni-Doppio Movimento
Allegro Non Troppo
Andante, Un Poco Adagio
Scherzo: Allegro-Trio
Finale: Poco Sostenuto-Allegro Non Troppo-Presto, Non Troppo

Amazon.com

This handsome set of Brahms's chamber music features the stunning Emerson Quartet, and in the Piano Quintet, the pianist Leon Fleischer, happily recovered from a very lengthy crippling illness. The Quintet is singingly, lyrically played, with Brahms's long melodies the focal point. It's a beautiful performance, with the Emerson seemingly listening to and following Fleischer. The Quartets are performed with lush tone, with the Op. 51, no. 2, sounding particularly intense, with each dynamic change pointedly underlined. Op. 51's second movement (Romanze) makes the listener wish Brahms had set a text to the music -- it is played with exquisite lyricism. The B-flat major Quartet is vibrant, with the final movement's variations, colored by the viola, so clearly played that one can hear the echoes of the Quartet's first movement. A fine pair of CDs. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Decent performance by the Emerson Quartet..........................2007-08-01

The performances on this disc are not what I have a problem with. I actually would have given this disc at least 4 stars out of 5 if it weren't for the terrible job the audio engineer did when putting the recording together. The sound of the instruments aren't bad, but the instrument placing is some of the worst I have EVER heard. When one puts on a good pair of headphones your attention is directed to the first violinist on steroids seated behind your left shoulder. Then you notice that the cello and viola appear to be seated on top of each other. Lastly the second violinist often gets confused for the first violinist because he is placed behind the actual first violinist. It's a real tragedy that the Emerson could not have been presented in a more listenable manner. The performances that could have been memorable were made almost un-listenable by the terrible balance. When it comes time for Emerson to make their next recording they need to make sure that they never hire the same audio engineer.

Brahms' Bonus Bargan..........2007-07-25

.
What can one say?--for the price of a pack of cigarettes (nearly!), you can now obtain what are probably the finest Brahms' string quartet realizations available.

I find it strange that Brahms' string quartets have never really been "popular." Possibly this popular ambivalence is due to his running away from Beethoven and towards Schoenberg. Anyway, I've always loved them for this reason, and I have long preferred the old Amadeus reading Brahms: The String Quartets/Dvorak: Quartet, Op. 96 for its Schoenbergian razor-sharpness.

As Santa Fe man said, Fleisher is good with the Qunitet; however, if you want a really distinctive realization of Brahms' Piano Quintet, look no further than Glenn Gould's Glenn Gould Edition: Schumann & Brahms What he does with the inner two movements is absolutely astounding, while taking the whole work as a gestalt: now, that is Art.
.

A very fine digital recording of the quartets.......2007-06-25

Leon Fleisher and the Emerson Quartet had a chance to make a fabulous digital recording of the Brahms F minor Piano Quintet--but they blew it. Instead we get an okay performance that features an overly thoughtful interpretation and frustratingly slow tempos in some spots. This is not an autumnal work, and the attempt by the players to do it that way doesn't work for me. I am not a total fan of the Emerson quartet--I personally prefer the more urgent and less lyrical sound of the Juilliard or Tokyo Quartets. However there is some exceptional playing in the 3 Brahms Quartets. Given the low price and the scarcity of recordings of the Brahms Quartets, I would recommend this 2-disc set.

Best Recording of the Brahms Piano Quintet & Superb Brahms String Quartets Too.......2007-06-21

I have long been a fan of Murray Perahia's great recording of the Brahms Piano Quartet with the Amadeus String Quartet, but now, Deutsche Grammophon has released what ought to be regarded as the definitive recording of this work. The great American pianist Leon Fleischer - who has thankfully recovered the use of his right hand due to some rather intriguing, innovative treatment - leads the Emerson String Quartet in a stunning, quite rhapsodic performance of one of the great works in the Piano Quintet repertoire, and indeed, of chamber music itself. I should add too that "lead" is the correct verb to describe this admirable performance by all five musicians in this truly incandescent recording, which is replete with ample distinguished, lyrical playing from cellist David Finckel and his Emerson String Quartet colleagues (Their playing is truly distinguished, at a technical and interpretative level which is unquestionably at a higher level than the Amadeus String Quartet's.). As for the three Brahms String Quartets, these are inspiring, vibrant performances in their own right, with ample exqusite lyrical playing from all four string players. Recorded over the course of several years in the venerable American Academy of Arts and Letters auditorium in Washington Heights, Manhattan (New York, NY) Deutsche Grammophon's sound engineers have done an exemplary job in capturing with exqusite detail ever note played by these five superb musicians, in an acoustical setting that should be regarded as quite ambiently warm. Needless to say this two-CD set is one of the finest recordings released by both pianist Leon Fleischer and the Emerson String Quartet. Devout fans of these musicians, Johannes Brahms' chamber music, and of great classical chamber music in general, will want to add this fine recording to their collections.

Overproduced.......2007-05-22

I never thought I would apply this adjective to a classical recording, but somehow it perfectly describes the cultured detachment of these performances, especially the Op 51, No. 1 C Minor Quartet. There is not a note out of place, the phrasing is precise and musicianly, the execution of its architecture is flawless, but... the sum of the parts is bloodless.

It's not the recording I would have expected given their full blooded Beethoven cycle. In fact, the Brahms production has more in common with their Mendelssohn cycle than the Beethoven. Their Mendelssohn too, was beautiful, but leaning toward the beauty of a still life. There are other performances, in both the Mendelssohn and the Brahms, that better capture the pathos of the music. Compare Emerson's performance of the C Minor Quartet with that of the Alban Berg Quartet, a superior performance. What the Berg may lack in refinement and polish, only in comparison to the Emerson Quartet, they more than make up for in sheer vitality.

And that's the nub of it. The desire, impetuosity, fear, triumph and pathos is missing -- in short, youthfulness. I just read a review, in the New York Review of Books, of some new translations of Casanova's autobiography and one of his statements reminds me of the Emerson. Casanova wrote that throughout his thirties, his vigor faded. I can't help wondering if the same thing hasn't happened to the Emerson quartet. They are more polished than ever, but the vigor has faded. The sexual rush of the great music is missing.

Chopin: The Complete Nocturnes And Impromptus

Average customer rating:

Great set, with a couple let-downs.
Serious sound issues
You must, among others, have this set.
Returning the "night" to the night piece
Don't know what to make out of it

Chopin: The Complete Nocturnes And Impromptus

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Chopin: Favorite Piano Works
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Favourite Piano Sonatas / Vladimir Ashkenazy
Chopin: Waltzes Nos. 1-14
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 2

ASIN: B0000041ND
Release Date: 1997-08-12

Tracks:

Nocturnes: No. 1 In B Flat Minor, Op. 9 No. 1
Nocturnes: No. 2 In E Flat, Op. 9 No. 2
Nocturnes: No. 3 In B, Op. 9 No. 3
Nocturnes: No. 4 In F, Op. 15 No. 1
Nocturnes: No. 5 In F Sharp, Op. 15 No. 2
Nocturnes: No. 6 In G Minor, Op. 15 No. 3
Nocturnes: No. 7 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No.1
Nocturnes: No. 8 In D Flat, Op. 27 No. 2
Nocturnes: No. 9 In B, Op. 32 No. 1
Nocturnes: No. 10 In A Flat, Op. 32 No. 2
Nocturnes: No. 11 In G Minor, Op. 37 No. 1
Nocturnes: No. 12 In G, Op. 37 No. 2
Nocturnes: No. 13 In C Minor, Op. 48 No. 1

Tracks:

Nocturnes: No. 14 In F Sharp Minor, Op. 48 No. 2
Nocturnes: No. 15 In F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1
Nocturnes: No. 16 In E Flat, Op. 55 No. 2
Nocturnes: No. 17 In B, Op. 62, No. 1
Nocturnes: No. 18 In E, Op. 62 No. 2
Nocturnes: No. 19 In E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1
Nocturnes: No. 20 In C Sharp Minor, Op. Posth.
Nocturnes: No. 21 In C Minor, Op. Posth.
Impromptus: No. 1 In A Flat Major, Op. 29
Impromptus: No. 2 In F Sharp Major, Op. 36
Impromptus: No. 3 In G Flat Major, Op. 51
Impromptus: No. 4 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 66

Amazon.com

Claudio Arrau considered the Nocturnes among Chopin's deepest, most searching works, rather than mere descriptive mood paintings, and he plays them that way. The same can be said vis-à-vis Arrau's Impromptus, with brooding textures and cosmic breadth that leave the drawing room behind. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Great set, with a couple let-downs........2007-05-31

Having owned the set for about a year now, I'm sorry to be giving it four stars, as Arrau brings something special to almost every one of Chopin's nocturnes. In short, his playing is occasionally labored, but for the most part he does carry melodic lines very well (and has a very natural and satisfying sense of rubato). The recorded sound isn't terrific, and all things considered I'm giving the CD four stars.

I'd like to add that I don't understand some other reviewer's complaints about heavy breathing or extraneous noises, as on my high-end speaker system I hear nothing out of the ordinary.

Serious sound issues.......2007-05-16

Most other reviewers here are, thankfully, much better qualified to review Mr Arrau's talents and interpretative strategies than I. However, what no one has mentioned up here (to my knowledge anyway) is the abysmal static issue on both discs. Almost every ten seconds a static wave obtrudes itself onto the sound--you can anticipate it and you will cringe every time you hear it (at least I did). It makes Chopin's beautiful numbers unbearable at parts, for Chopin relies so much on a pure and clear atmosphere of pensive motion--and this cannot be maintained on discs encumbered with such noxious static. Stand warned.

You must, among others, have this set........2006-11-24

Arrau's playing is unique, a throwback to the age of the romantic virtuoso of a century long gone. This set is rightfully famous, and is, with the 60's collection by Rubinstien and the 90's set by Pires, the three I have always most loved and recommended, though each is very different in its approach. Of the three, Rubinstein's is the most faithful to the "letter" of Chopin's score, but even then, Rubinstein's indomitable personality shines through. Pires takes some liberties with speed and dynamics-- so she rests nominally in the middle.

Then there is Claudio Arrau, and I agree with another reviewer that the pianist indeed treats each note as if matters. Does he dwell too much, slide into notes, take different dynamic turns, play with a rubato just this side of Paderewski or Busoni, and bathe the music in pedal at times?--yes, all of that. But let's face it, there is no "right" Chopin, and no recorded collection that is the be-all--because if so, it would sell Chopin's genius far short of its due. I and others choose to listen to all the above sets on their own terms and love all of them-- likewise the Cortot, and available selections of Horowitz, Godowsky, Friedman, Hofmann, etc. (Not to mention more recent, sublime interpretations in the concert hall by Tzimon Barto.) In any event, this 70's Arrau set holds its own,in its own way, with any and all of the above.

For years, this was the set I listened to on LP, both at home and transferred to cassette to play in the car. Rubinstein's later became a favorite for me, finally Pires's. For purposes of sound, either of the latter two are preferable, but sound is definitely a secondary issue. Regarding that, I must say that the CD remastering of the Arrau has heightened not only the breathing issues, but also the too-close miking of the keyboard, so that, especially in one channel of the stereo mix, the sound the piano mechanism itself is often heard. That's close miking, too close really, but so what. I can live with it and with Arrau's exchange of breath for the individual quality of his music.

In summary, this set should be in every collection, but so should the others, and perhaps three or four more that could be mentioned-- Cortot, perhaps Ashkenazy and Zimmerman too. Why so many? These pieces are part of the bedrock of romantic pianism, and far deeper in intellectual and spiritual intent than they are often credited with. On that, I agree with Arrau, that Chopin starts here, and should, after a wide foray, also finish here.

Returning the "night" to the night piece.......2006-09-10

Arrau's playing of the Chopin nocturnes emphasizes the extent to which these wonderfully well-crafted works belong to the realm of the night in all its Romantic mystery and, especially, longing (what an odd-seeming word for the 21st century!). Despite what some have claimed, his exquisite rubato is always musically justified and recalls Chopin's pupil Mikuli's comment that "Chopin's rubato possessed an unshakeable emotional logic. It always justified itself by a strengthening or weakening melodic line, by exaggeration or affectation." Always observing a fine cantilena, Arrau repeatedly works wonders in these marvellous pieces, making each into its own unique little self-contained variegated musical universe. In doing so, he fully realizes Liszt's apt depiction of Chopin as "a divine aristocrat, a feminine archangel with prismatic wings!"

Don't know what to make out of it.......2006-06-07

I've always had mixed feelings about Arrau's playing. While at times it can be indescribably beautiful and revealing, which is often the case with his sublime, if controversial, interpretations of Liszt, Arrau nonetheless seems to lack the necessary technique (I don't think that's the case) or the proper understanding to play certain works. Even though his uncanny ability to grasp the spirit of each composer whose music he plays is widely stressed, I think he's not that respectful of Chopin's music on this record - he does turn it into something else. To be sure, Chopin's works are obviously open to various interpretations and it would be risky to finger such or such pianist as having reached the 'true', 'real' Chopin - no one knows exactly what Chopin sounded like and the best we can do here is guessing - but this openness can't be understood as meaning that anything goes, that one interpretation is as good as the other, that there are no bounds or limits to interpretation. Here I think Arrau overasserts himself at the expense of what we know about Chopin's musical identity, as it were, though we can surely be proven wrong in the future. Who knows?

Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos

Average customer rating:

Flawed CDs
Great Performance
Great Analog Beethoven Cycle
An essential collection
The best value in classical music on CD at the moment...

Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas / Daniel Barenboim
Mozart:The Complete Piano Sonatas and Variations
Dvorák: The Symphonies
EMI Great Recordings of Century - Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4/Klemperer

ASIN: B00004YA0S
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

I: Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
II: Andante Cantabile Con Moto
III: Menuetto & Trio: Allegro Molto E Vivace
IV: Adagio - Allegro Molto E Vivace
I: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
II: Andante Molto Mosso
III: Allegro - In Tempo D'allegro - Tempo I
IV: Allegro
V: Allegretto

Tracks:

I: Allegro Con Brio
II: Marcia Funebre: Adagio Assai
III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro Vivace
IV: Finale: Allegro Molto - Poco Andante - Presto
Gross Fuge

Tracks:

I: Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
II: Larghetto
III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro
IV: Allegro Molto
I: Allegro Con Brio
II: Andante Con Moto - Piu Mosso - Tempo I
III: Allegro -
IV: Allegro - Presto

Tracks:

I: Adagio - Allegro Vivace
II: Adagio
III: Menuetto: Allegro Vivace - Trio: Un Poco Meno Allegro
IV: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
I: Poco Sostenuto - Vivace
II: Allegretto
III: Presto - Assai Meno Presto
IV: Allegro Con Brio

Tracks:

I: Allegro Vivace Con Brio
II: Allegretto Scherzando
III: Tempo Di Menuetto
IV: Allegro Vivace
Overture
Overture
Overture
Overture

Tracks:

I: Allegro Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso - Christa Ludwig
II: Molto Vivace - Presto - Christa Ludwig
III: Adagio Molto E Cantabile - Andante Moderato - Christa Ludwig
IV: Presto - Recitativo - Allegro Assai - Alla Marcia - Christa Ludwig
Overture - Christa Ludwig

Tracks:

I: Allegro Con Brio
II: Largo
III: Rondo: Allegro Scherzando
I: Allegro Con Brio
II: Adagio
III: Rondo: Molto Allegro

Tracks:

I: Allegro Con Brio
II: Largo
III: Rondo: Allegro
I: Allegro Moderato
II: Andante Con Moto
III: Rondo: Vivace

Tracks:

Fantasia For Piano, Chorus And Orchestra
I: Allegro
II: Adagio Un Poco Mosso -
III: Rondo: Allegro

Amazon.com essential recording

Otto Klemperer's Beethoven is one of the towering achievements in the history of recordings. By today's standards, these performances are hopelessly old-fashioned: dark, heavy, and frequently very slow. But they are also the grandest, most unsentimental, most purposeful versions in the catalog. In addition, the relatively slow tempos (only in the fast movements--the slow ones are pretty swift) and forward wind balance permit more detail to be heard than in most original-instrument performances. At budget price and with the entire piano concerto cycle thrown in for good measure, this is greatness incarnate. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Flawed CDs.......2007-08-02

I have ordered this set and then returned it and had a replacement set sent. Both sets have had one CD that has music missing in bits and pieces. I assume that all sets have been cut from the same master set, since both sets I have received are flawed.

Great Performance.......2007-07-07

There are many different ways to perform Beethoven and each one is valid.
If you like it fast - go to Toscanini or Norrington. If you prefer slow, powerful and majestic, this is your set. Towards the end of his distinguished career, the great Otto Klemperer set down his final views of the performance of these symphonnies. The set is a coherent whole and will give great pleasure for ever. The challenging mix of the young Barenboim and the aged Klemperer worked surprisingly well and thus the concertos may also be recommended. There are odd additional items which add to the pleasure. Finally do not forget to purchase his memorable set of 'Fidelio' to complete your traversal of a great conductor giving great performances of a composer that he loved. Finally the price is ridiculously low and provides quality and quantity at a great price. Thus you should be able to buy the opera set from the savings made!

Great Analog Beethoven Cycle.......2007-05-07

This Klemperer cycle is just one of a dozen or so GREAT analog Beethoven symphony cycles that were recorded during Analog's golden age starting about 1958. These cycles are easily a match for digital and they should still be around for another 1,000 years, if the Lord tarries. These sets include: Karajan (twice, early 60s and late 70s) Bohm, Krips, Jochum, Bruno Walter, Leinsdorf, Rene Leibowitz, Szell, Ormandy, Bernstein, Steinberg, and Solti. This morning I listened to the Klemperer recordings of Beethoven's symphonies 5, 6, & 7. Very enjoyable, I got my Beethoven RDA fix.

Of all these Analog sets, I most enjoy the Leibowitz Spring 1961 cycle with the Royal Philharmonic. I have this cycle on an audiophile early 90s European import Edition Phoenix label special pressing "on extra virgin vinyl." These are by far the best analog symphonic lps I have ever heard from a recording standpoint. BY FAR! And they will rock your house.

You can almost justify Karajan's 4 recorded Beethoven cycles and one video based upon improvements in recording technology. Thru Rhapsody, I have listened to his mid 50s cycle and the orchestra sounds great, but the recording quality is sub par compared to Analog's golden age. So the rational for 4 cycles would be, (1) recent great improvements in recording technology (early 60s), (2) it has been 15 years and he has grown as an artist (late 70s), (3) we now have digital! Let's do one of the first Beethoven digital cycles (80s).

Klemperer is a no-brainer. I do not have to think twice about plopping one of his lps onto my turntable or hitting the play button at Rhapsody. When the music starts, the listening pleasure begins. Don't miss his Bruckner symphony recordings!

An essential collection.......2007-04-25

How best to describe Otto Klemperer's perspective on Beethoven's symphonies: grand, heroic, intense, insightful, stubborn, obstinate, detailed, dramatic, monumental, granitic, deeply emotional, never sentimental. This boxed set of the complete symphonies and concerti embodies all of these elements as stands as one of the great achievements of recorded music.

These performances were recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra at its peak, in the sumptuous acoustics of Kingsway Hall in London and in fine and detailed sound, and mostly in the mid-1950's during one of the brief charmed periods of Klemperer's life. EMI's impresario Walter Legge had made him permanent conductor of the Philharmonia, and when Klemperer embarked on this project in his 70's, he was in relatively good mental and physical health (Klemperer could show symptoms of manic depression and survived many health crises - brain tumor, broken bones, paralysis - which would have stopped most people).

By this time Klemperer had slowed the tempi of the fast movements of the Beethoven symphonies (listen to his early 1950's recordings of the 5th and 6th on Vox to hear by how much). This tendency is more pronounced in these studio recordings than in the live performances which were recorded during that era. The slowness is mostly saved by Klemperer's use of "sprung" rhythms, which keep the slow tempi from feeling laggardly.

Klemperer's earliest recordings in this series - symphonies 3, 5 and 7 - predate stereo and were recorded in excellent monaural sound. He rerecorded all three of these symphonies in stereo, but those recordings were made after he burned himself by falling asleep while smoking in bed. All three performances feature slower tempi than the earlier ones (whether this was the conductor's preference or the result of physical incapacity is open to conjecture). In particular, the rerecorded 7th suffered from lax phrasing, inattentiveness and perverse tempi. That is NOT the version contained in this set: fortunately, EMI had simultaneously recorded the earlier version of the 7th in "experimental" stereo, and it is that earlier version which is released here (and in remarkably good stereo). The versions of the 3rd and 5th are the rerecorded stereo ones.

You will find no finer studio versions of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th or 8th. All are insightful, beautifully detailed and powerful. The 2nd clearly looks forward to the 3rd and not back toward Hayden, the 4th is boisterous and vital, the 6th bucolic and sumptuous (not a quality normally associated with Klemperer), the 7th gains in drama what it loses in swiftness and lightness, and in the 8th in particular we see the conductor's empathy to Beethoven's sense of humor. Klemperer had a deep affinity for the "Eroica", and the rerecorded version here, while slower than the 1955 recording, was dubbed by "High Fidelity"'s Harris Goldsmith (no Klemperer fan, he) as "the best Eroica going slow" and is a monumental masterpiece (the second movement is shattering). The 1st, while leisurely, is a lovingly crafted.

That leaves the 5th and 9th. There is no doubt in my mind that the earlier, mono 5th is superior to the remake in this set. We lose that sense of an inevitable onslaught, especially in the outer movements. And the 9th, while similar in conception to the live versions recorded around the same time (on Testament with the Philharmonia and on Music&Arts with the Concertgebouw), suffers from diffuse sound and occasional lack of focus. I emphasize that these recordings of both symphonies are still head and shoulders above most of the competition; we're talking about different levels of greatness here.

Are there superior Klemperer recordings of these symphonies? Yes; but all are live, and despite the relatively good reprocessed sound, they don't reveal the same level of detail that these studio recordings do. Klemperer was a very different conductor in front of an audience, and there is more vitality and drama in the live versions of the 3rd (Testament, with the Danish Symphony), 6th 7th and 8th (Music&Arts with the Concertgebouw) and the 9th (see above). Music&Arts' set of the complete symphonies, recorded live in Vienna in 1960, is long out of print and had cramped sound with poor detail - a supplement to this set, not a replacement.

As to the piano concerti: they are better than one might expect. Barenboim, although steeped in the Germanic performance tradition, is more naturally aligned with the Furtwangler and Edwin Fischer than with Klemperer. However, the two of them actually work together extremely well and this is a fine, insightful set.

Any complete cycle of Beethoven, symphonies or concerti, will have drawbacks. There will be unevenness in the performances, as there are here. But there are advantages to hearing one musician's perspective on the works, especially when (as here) the performer has depth of understanding, integrity of vision, and a structural understanding of the pieces.

The digital remastering is excellent and the sound barely shows its age. This may not be your only complete set of Beethoven's symphonies, but it should be one of them. And at a price this low, it's a bargain too.

The best value in classical music on CD at the moment..........2007-01-02

What is the best value in classical discs available today ? Who knows, but I defy anyone to beat the EMI compilation of Klemperer' recordings of the complete Beethoven Symphonies, Piano Concertos (with Barenboim), several overtures the Choral Fantasia etc etc. 9 discs for only $44 ( well that was the price I paid). You have got to be kidding... I only had two concerns with buying this. First on the age of the recordings, all more than 40 years old. No worry at all. This is a masterpiece of reconstruction. The sound quality indistinguishable from any modern recording. Secondly , the performances themselves. I had been warned that Klemperer notoriously chose rather slow tempi. Again I needn't have worried. I immediately went to the slow movements of the 2nd piano concerto and the fourth symphony, where many slow tempists have in the past come unstuck. The piano concerto was an absolute revelation. The combination of the youthful Barenboim and the Philharmonia's masterful playing time and gain had me on the edge of my seat. " Yes,go on, well...." Slow it may have been. Boring, never. The same applies in spades to the slow movement of the fourth. Right from the eerie opening, which is yes, very slow indeed, I knew this movement would be a revelation and I can honestly say I have never hear it better played. Follow this with a scherzo bounding in energy and thumping finale and you will never get a better performance of this, one of Beethoven's "lesser" symphonies. And I haven't even got round to the "biggies" yet! The box set looks unattractive and the portrait of Klemperer makes him appear a first class nerd. Pay absolutely no attention to this....

Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001

Average customer rating:

Good Blend
My Favorite Choral Composer
whitacre
Choral excellence
Spine tingling

Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001

Manufacturer: Arsis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other choral works
Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna, etc. / Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale
Morten Lauridsen: Lux aeterna
The Music Of Eric Whitacre
Nocturne

ASIN: B00008YJET
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Customer Reviews:

Good Blend.......2007-05-17

If you are trying to decide between this recording and "Cloudburst," pick this one. The female voices do not have that shrieking quality that they do on "Cloudburst" and the soprano soloist from the BYU Singers is fantastic.

I do prefer the faster pacing of some of the pieces on the "Cludburst" recording, but this one is better all around.

My Favorite Choral Composer.......2007-03-09

Taken as a whole, Eric Whitacre is my favorite choral composer. I have to listen to his music at least once a week. As far as student choirs go, BYU does a stunning job for the most part. The few minor mistakes do not detract from the music. This is an essential album in my book.

whitacre.......2007-01-25

I bought this CD because it included the piece "Lux aurumque", which I feel must have been inspired because it transforms the listener into another realm. The other pieces are well done, too, but none reach me in the same way as "Lux aurumque". I love the tight overlapping harmonies and suspensions.

Choral excellence.......2007-01-07

I asked for, and received, this recording for Christmas based on the excellence of prior BYU performances and having really enjoyed performing Cloudburst in the past. This recording does not disappoint. It excels on every level. The choral writing is compelling and the performance of the BYU Singers is simply amazing. I've been around choral singing for many, many, years and the level of achievement here is stunning. Based solely on hearing recordings and seeing their recorded concerts on PBS, I would recommend anything from the BYU choral department.

Spine tingling.......2006-12-29

I was VERY suprised to hear this kind of sound from a college choir! The blend of the choir and the emotion behind the music is enough to give anyone goosebumps. From the soaring harmonies of "Water Night" to the subdued tenderness of "Sleep" to the playfulness of "Leonardo" this disc has something for everyone. A guaranteed Best Buy!

Average customer rating:

Great collection of Scott Joplin's piano rags
The Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin
Another Performer Rewrites Joplin's Masterpieces
complete piano music of Scott Joplin on 4 CD's
Ragtime Marvel

Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Scott Joplin: Piano Rags
The Greatest Ragtime of the Century
Joplin - Complete Rags for Piano (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics) Vol. 2020
The Sting: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Rags to Riches: The Essential Hits of Scott Joplin

ASIN: B000003QWN
Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

The Crush Collision March
Combination March
Harmony Club Waltz
Original Rags
Maple Leaf Rag
Swipesy Cakewalk
Reacherine Rag
Sunflower Slow Drag
The Augustan Club Waltz
The Easy Winners
Cleopha
A Breeze From Alabama
Elite Syncopations

Tracks:

The Entertainer
The Strenouous Life
March Majestic
Something Doing
Weaping Willow
Patr Leaf Rag
The Favorite
The Sycamore
The Cascades
The Chysanthemum
Bethena
Bink's Waltz
The Rosebud March

Tracks:

Leola
Eugenia
Antoinette
The Ragtime Dance
Searchlight Rag
Gladiolus Rag
Lily Queen
Rose Leaf Rag
Heliotrope Bouquet
The Nonpareil
Fig Leaf Rag
Sugarcane
Pineapple Rag

Tracks:

Wall Street Rag (1909)
Solace (1909)
Pleasant Moments (1909)
Country Club (1909)
Euphonic Moments (1909)
Paragon Rag (1909)
Stop-Time Rag (1910)
Felicity Rag (1911)
Scott Joplin's New Rag (1912)
Kismet Rag (1913)
Magnetic Rag (1914)
Reflection Rag (1917)
Silver Swan Rag (1917)

Customer Reviews:

Great collection of Scott Joplin's piano rags.......2007-08-02

John Arpin delivers excellent performances of Joplin's rags. Not too much interpretation and not a flat presentation exhibited by piano rolls. Perfect for me. I believe Arpin has truly captured Joplin's essence.

The Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin.......2007-06-08

John Arpin does a great job with these pieces. The songs carry a consistent sound and are played very close to as-written, which comes and goes with old ragtime pieces. The stamping on Stop-Time Rag doesn't have a consistent sound to it, can be a little distracting. Everything else is great, overall I think that it's a great buy, I'm very happy with it.

Another Performer Rewrites Joplin's Masterpieces.......2007-05-31

Once again, another performer feels the need to rewrite the music of the King of Ragtime. Scott Joplin spins in his grave each and every time this recording is played.

Again, to those who believe that concert music is meant to be rewritten by each and every performer I ask, is the same treatment also acceptable for Chopin's and Rachmaninoff's music? Would "Moonlight Sonata" sound better if played at twice the tempo and with a reprise of the first Adagio movement thrown in at the end? Obviously, the answer to these questions is a resounding NO!, so why does one of America's greatest composers get such disrespect?

Interpretation is an integral part of every performance. Adding one's own notes, phrases and chords where none should be is not. Randomly changing the structure of the piece is not. Playing a piece at twice the indicated tempo is not.

One the plus side, the depth of this collection is outstanding. Joplin's lesser known pieces like "Harmony Club Waltz" really shine. The recording is decent in quality, although a bit bassy in places.

While its been stated before, I feel its worth repeating: Buy Joshua Rifkin's performances of Joplin in order to hear how the Master intended his pieces to sound.

complete piano music of Scott Joplin on 4 CD's.......2007-02-14

Although all of the music is terrific it is rather a lot of a similar sound. I think I would have preferred 2 CD's of selected piano works of Scott Joplin. But I did get the music at a good price.

Ragtime Marvel.......2005-10-09

This collection of Scott Joplin's piano music is outstanding. As a lover of ragtime which was a prelude to jazz, I am thoroughly enjoying this collection. If you are not a lover of jazz, you may be a lover of ragtime. Jazz can sometimes be grating on the nerves, whereas ragtime lifts the spirit.

Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets

Average customer rating:

Very Good, but beware technical problems
This is how all Brahms should be played!
Mastery and joy
Exquisite music performed with exquisite artistry

Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets
Karl Leister , Johannes Brahms , Christoph Eschenbach , Cecil Aronowitz , Norbert Brainin , Siegmund Nissel , and Amadeus Quartet
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Schubert: The String Quartets
Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Emerson String Quartet
Beethoven: The String Quartets
Brahms: Complete Piano Quartets

ASIN: B00008RWRG
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Customer Reviews:

Very Good, but beware technical problems.......2007-05-26

Overall, I really enjoy these pieces. The playing is good, and the sound is quite live, which I enjoy. My favorite piece is the Quintet in G Major Op.111, though the sextet in Bb is a close second. I am a perfectionist, and my familiarity with these pieces led me to be a little dissapointed, which is why there is only 4 stars. My dissapointment stems from two facts:
1. In the first movement of the Brahms G Major Op.111, the string quintet elects not to take the repeat in m.56, so you will never hear the first ending on this recording and thus only get one shot at the awesome cello opening. I haven't listened closely enough to the other pieces on this set to discern if they avoided other repeats or not, but for the most part, they appear to be there.

2. There are technical printing problems. Though the recording is so live that you can hear the breath of the musicians and their fingers fall on the strings, there are some actual technical pops in the recording. Perhaps it was a transfer problem from analog to digital, as the recordings are old. Most of these pops are minor, but they are dissapointing for an audiophile such as myself. My CDs are pristine (no scratches at all), and even the first time playing them these pops were there. So, here's the list of what I've found thus far:

CD 3:
Track 6: Pops & clicks at 1:19 & 1:22.

CD 5:
Track 1: Pops at 6:01.
Track 2: Pops & clicks at 0:13, 3:56, & 6:16.
Track 5: Pop at 12:07.
Track 7: Pop & clicks at 6:11, 7:45, 7:51-7:52 (these are quite noticable), 7:59, 8:03, 8:11.
Track 8: Pop at 7:34.

It is a well-played set; hopefully they will get the printing correct on the next batch.

This is how all Brahms should be played!.......2007-02-14

There isn't much to say about this set, but I'll say what there is to say: These players play the Brahms chamber music here with such emotion, musical understanding, and overall perfection that this set should be made into a must for all Brahms chamber music lovers. The Amadeus quartet, along with all of the other performers, including Eschenbach on the piano and Leister on the clarinet, really know what they're doing and play it so beautifully that the listener will want to hear the pieces again and again until the CD player is practically worn out. These Brahms works are some of the most sublime works of the later 19th century. For such quality music and great sound, especially for having been recorded in the 1960's, the price is also great. I recommend this set very highly, and hope you decide to get and enjoy it as much as I do.

Mastery and joy.......2006-12-12

Because they lasted such a long time and toward the end didn't play at their best, I found reasons to overlook the Madeus Qt. But in this 9-CD set of the complete chamber music of Brahms, there are some sublime performances--I would especially point to both String Sextets, for example. In every instance the style of the Amadeus is full of vibrancy and joy, and their ensemble isn't baased on technical perfection but rather a kinship of musical taste and feeling (this puts them poles apart from the Emerson Qt., for me at least). I also love the Brahms chamber performances on Sony with Yo-Yo Ma, Isaac Stern, emanuel Ax, and friends, but this DG set is altogether sweeter and more lyrical.

Since Amazon neglects to list the additional players who join the Amadeus for the works that aren't soely for a string quartet, here's the run-down from Tower:

1. Quartet for Strings no 1 in C minor, Op. 51 no 1
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

2. Quartet for Strings no 2 in A minor, Op. 51 no 2
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

3. Quartet for Strings no 3 in B flat major, Op. 67
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

4. Quintet for Piano and Strings in F minor, Op. 34
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Eschenbach, Christoph

5. Quintet for Strings no 1 in F major, Op. 88
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil

6. Quintet for Strings no 2 in G major, Op. 111
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil

7. Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano in A minor, Op. 114
Performer: Leister, Karl; Eschenbach, Christoph; Donderer, Georg

8. Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B minor, Op. 115
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Leister, Karl

9. Sextet for Strings no 1 in B flat major, Op. 18
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil; Pleeth, William

10. Sextet for Strings no 2 in G major, Op. 36
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil; Pleeth, William

Exquisite music performed with exquisite artistry.......2005-05-20

All the passion, majesty, pathos, and soul of his symphonies is in these 10 works of chamber music by Brahms:

3 string quartets;
2 string quintets;
2 string sextets;
a quintet for piano, 2 violins, viola, and violoncello;
a trio for piano, clarinet, and violoncello;
and a quintet for clarinet, 2 violins, viola, and violoncello.

All this wealth of extraordinary music is in a 5 CD set, performed by one of the finest chamber music ensembles in the world, with the added artistry of Christoph Eschenbach (piano), Cecil Aronowitz (viola), and Karl Leister (clarinet).

One CD is 50' 36 in length, 2 are in the low 60's, and 2 are in the low 70's.

I have an inexpensive CD player, but this music emerges from it with the sharpness of etched glass, the smoothness of warmed honey, and the softness of rivers of silver in moonlight.

This is music to celebrate the joy and the pathos of life, played with soul, sensitivity, and power. Buy it and treasure this gift to yourself.

The Complete Early Recordings of Skip James

Average customer rating:

How could I rate this other that a 5?
awesome!
"I'd rather be dead and six feet in the ground..."
leaves you wanting more....
What can i say....wow!

The Complete Early Recordings of Skip James
Skip James
Manufacturer: Yazoo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Delta Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Piano | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Delta Blues | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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The Complete Blind Willie Johnson
Avalon Blues : Complete 1928 Okeh Recordings
Complete Recorded Works of Son House & the Great Delta Blues Singers
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Complete Recorded Works (1928-1929)

ASIN: B000000G8L
Release Date: 1994-09-15

Tracks:

Devil Got My Woman
Cypress Grove Blues
Little Cow And Calf Is Gonna Die Blues
Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues
Drunken Spree
Cherry Ball Blues
Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader
Illinois Blues
How Long 'Buck'
4 O'Clock Blues
22-20 Blues
Hard Luck Child
If You Haven't Any Hay Get On Down The Road
Be Ready When He Comes
Yola My Blues Away
I'm So Glad
What Am I To Do Blues
Special Rider Blues

Amazon.com

With an unmistakable falsetto delivery, Skip James created some of history's eeriest blues records. His blues sounds dark and mysterious, using odd tunings, structures, and rhythms, and exploring gloomy lyrical themes. Unlike other bluesmen of the day, James's music was personal and bleak, played for his own emotional release and not for purposes of entertainment. "Devil Got My Woman," "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues," "Hard Luck Child," and "Special Rider Blues" convey sorrow and misery like few others can. Uptempo numbers such as the classic "I'm So Glad" and "Drunken Spree," which resembles the hillbilly traditional "Late Last Night," showcase his forceful guitar picking while rags "Little Cow and Calf" and the jumpy "How Long 'Buck'" feature his unique piano work. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

How could I rate this other that a 5?.......2007-03-27

This is an essential addition to any collection. Don't read reviews. Just get a copy. "I'm so glad" that I did.

awesome!.......2006-10-19

skip james is one of those true masters. there is so much to say about him, the way he sang, his funny tunings, the lyrics he wrote. he was an absolute genius. stay away from early recordings if you have a problem with lo-fi sound, but if you do you're cheating yourself. Amazing!!!

"I'd rather be dead and six feet in the ground...".......2006-07-02

Wow!!! This is history on CD!! One of the darkest, eeriest , blues recordings I've ever heard. Pop this in the player and you feel like you're out in a lonely bayou in the dead of night. "Devil Got My Woman Blues", "Cypress Grove Blues" are probably my favs on here. And while it is a shame that the sound quality of the recordings are subpar, after a few listens you don't even seem to notice. It gives it an earthy quality that if absence could probably take away the powerfullness of the songs.

leaves you wanting more...........2005-09-24

Skip James is wonderfully quirky in his interpretation of delta blues. These recordings comprise his entire output before the delta blues revivial in the early 60's, and as such, are priceless as a musical document. Too bad that the recording they obtained have deteriorated so badly. I have heard better versions on other collections. The piano work was cool, though.

What can i say....wow!.......2005-09-09

Yes, when i heard "Devil got my woman" while watching the movie "Ghost world" i was instantly mesmerised with that tune.

i feel very strongly for this album, this album has soul, it has a depth,it has such passion, and it hits me on an emotional level, it goes straight to my heart. very hypnotic, and ALL the tracks are masterpieces, i mean it.

plus, skip james voice is just incredible, can be compared to blind lemon jefferson's voice, but better, in my non-expert opinion.

The Vienna I Love, Waltzes From My Heart

Average customer rating:

Music different from title
André Rieu - The Vienna I love - Waltzes From My Heart
Excellent choice
Pop Strauss, et al
Depressed? Listen to this!

The Vienna I Love, Waltzes From My Heart
Johann Strauss Orchestra
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000001GBL
Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

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

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

Music different from title.......2007-05-26

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

André Rieu - The Vienna I love - Waltzes From My Heart.......2006-07-17

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

Excellent choice.......2006-05-03

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

Pop Strauss, et al.......2004-04-30

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

Depressed? Listen to this!.......2002-09-25

Having one of those ho-hum days just like that little round guy on the Zoloft commercial? Place this on your CD, press start, and don't fight it! You will be dancing around the living room (provided you don't fight it, just let it go!). Musically, it is a very fine piece from a very fine artist. It can totally transport you. So many of the tunes you will know from TV commercials, (Rheingold Beer) etc. It is a solid beautiful collection of tunes that can stir the soul. I know it sounds schmaltzy, but if it can make you feel better,why not try it?

Average customer rating:

great musicians
An older recording, but still amazing
great recording
Very good!
stirring!

Brahms: Complete Piano Quartets

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B0000041EI
Release Date: 1996-04-09