Winter's Solstice, Vol. 2

Track Listings

1. Gift - Philip Aaberg

2. 17th Century Canon - Robin May, Paul McCandless

3. Prelude to Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - Michael Hedges

4. This Rush of Wings - Metamora

5. Sung to Sleep - Michael Manring

6. E'en So, Lord Jesus Quickly Come/Dadme Albricias Hijos d'Eva (Songs of - The Modern Mandolin Quartet

7. Bring Me Back a Song - Nightnoise

8. Salve Regina - Theresa Schroeder-Sheker

9. Chorale No. 220 - Turtle Island String Quartet

10. Simple Psalm - Fred Simon

11. Flute Sonata in Em, 3rd Movement - Barbara Higbie,

12. Come Life Shaker Life - Malcolm Dalglish

13. Medieval Memory II - Ira Stein, Russel Walder

14. Abside the Winter - Will Ackerman

15. By the Fireside - W.A. Mathieu,

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Winter Solstice series from Windham Hill is an appealing souvenir from the label's early days, when guitarist Will Ackerman still served as its chief guiding light and fount of original thought. For years Ackerman shunned the overt commercial trappings of traditional Christmas recordings and instead offered odes to a broader season that, like his artists' music, is compatible with periods of sustained, hushed contemplation. Winter Solstice II, released in 1988, mixes original and traditional compositions (none that specifically brings Christmas to mind) and is adorned with classical overtones from front to back, conveying the high-minded earthiness associated with the label's then all-acoustic format. A few pieces on the 50-minute disc clock in at under than two minutes, and a couple others are duds, yet several selections make this quiet disc a worthy listen: a handsome interpretation of Bach ("Prelude to Cello Suite No. 1") on harp-guitar by Michael Hedges, plus gorgeous, yearning piano solos by Philip Aaberg ("The Gift") and Michael Manring. Better known as a bassist, Manring's reworking of one of his own works, "Sung to Sleep," may be the disc's highlight. Ackerman's contribution, "Abide the Winter," and "Medieval Memory II" by the sadly disbanded duo of pianist Ira Stein and oboist Russell Walder, float through the air as beautifully as winter's first snowfall. --Terry Wood

Winter's Solstice, Vol. 2,Various Artists,Windham Hill Records,80's,Adult Alternative,Chamber Jazz,Christmas / Chanukkah,Christmas Music,Contemporary Instrumental,Ethnic Fusion,Meditation,Neo-Classical,New Acoustic,Pop,Post-Bop,Solo Instrumental,World Fusion

Tracks:

The Gift - Philip Aaberg
17th Century Canon - Paul McCandless
Prelude To Cello Suite # 1 - Micheal Hedges
This Rush Of Wings - Metamora
Sung To Sleep - Michael Manring
E'en So, Lord/Dadme Albricias - Modern Mandolin Quartet
'Bring Me Back A Song.' - Michael O' Domhnaill
Salve Regina - Therese Schroeder-Sheker
Chorale #220 - Turtle Island String Quartet
Simple Psalm - Fred Simon
Flute Sonata In Em - Barbara Higbie & Emily Klion
Come Life Shaker Life - Malcolm Dalglish
Medievil Memory II - Ira Stein & Russel Walder
Abide The Winter - Will Ackerman
By The Fireside - William Allaudin Mathieu

Amazon.com

The Winter Solstice series from Windham Hill is an appealing souvenir from the label's early days, when guitarist Will Ackerman still served as its chief guiding light and fount of original thought. For years Ackerman shunned the overt commercial trappings of traditional Christmas recordings and instead offered odes to a broader season that, like his artists' music, is compatible with periods of sustained, hushed contemplation. Winter Solstice II, released in 1988, mixes original and traditional compositions (none that specifically brings Christmas to mind) and is adorned with classical overtones from front to back, conveying the high-minded earthiness associated with the label's then all-acoustic format. A few pieces on the 50-minute disc clock in at under than two minutes, and a couple others are duds, yet several selections make this quiet disc a worthy listen: a handsome interpretation of Bach ("Prelude to Cello Suite No. 1") on harp-guitar by Michael Hedges, plus gorgeous, yearning piano solos by Philip Aaberg ("The Gift") and Michael Manring. Better known as a bassist, Manring's reworking of one of his own works, "Sung to Sleep," may be the disc's highlight. Ackerman's contribution, "Abide the Winter," and "Medieval Memory II" by the sadly disbanded duo of pianist Ira Stein and oboist Russell Walder, float through the air as beautifully as winter's first snowfall. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Nice Seasonal Music.......2006-10-05

The whole Winters's Solstice Series is really first rate. The different styles of music all complement each other and there are enough traditional holiday songs to make the discs nice for holiday gatherings. My wife and I both love Christmas music, but this series goes beyond the holiday season and we do listen to them until Spring. The Windham Hill Christmas series offers very nice arrangements of the more "traditional" , familiar songs that we also enjoy. I think the best testament is that even though this series goes back 25 + years, it still plays well now. The regular familiar arrangements are nice, but this series offers a pleasant alternative. And, they are priced to buy! Put them on shuffle play on a multi disc changer and you won't have to worry about music for any gathering of good friends, family, food and spirits (Christmas and otherwise...)which is what the season is all about...counting your blessings and enjoying life.

Quite LOVELY for ALL Seasons... .......2006-07-07

My first Winter Solstice cd (I started with number 2) & I'm quite impressed! It is completely Instrumental except for a very short beautiful addition of the sound of female voices more like an instrument near the end of one of the selections that adds to it's sweetness. (Normally I do not care for mixing vocals with primarily instrumentals, but this doesn't detract from it at all). I guess you could play this cd in the winter only, but that sure seems like a waste of the opportunity to be soothed year round. The music is reminiscent of the renaissance period & there are no recognizable Christmas tunes (for me anyway). This whole album is perfect for relaxing anytime & will be great at bedtime for me as I usually have trouble winding down to sleep. Overall, I highly Recommend it. There are some very reasonably priced "like new" ones offered by an assortment of sellers here on Amazon (I now have the first cd in this series on the way to me). Peace.

The very Best of them all-Still after all these years..........2006-01-26

After all the years and all the Winter Solstice/Carols of Christmas?Windham Hill Christmas compilations, this is the one I always come back to. It has the most original material, and because of that, it is one of the few Winter Solstice albums you can honestly listen to in July or January or December. Brilliant improvisations by Philip Aaberg begin, and end this disc. One of Ackerman's awesome harp-guitar pieces, a piece by Barbara Higbee which is one of the only I've heard of her flute performances. And the most poignant moments of all - Fred Simon's Simple Psalm. Very moving piano work, complete with chime effects. Simply awesome. There is literally not a single boring or predictable track on this CD; it is a true masterpiece of astonishingly consistent talent all throughout. Yes the first "Winter Solstice" was very good, but this was actually far beyond perfect. THIS is the CD to start with!

Sentimentally Relaxing for Winter, or Anytime.......2005-11-15

This is the second in the "A Winter's Solstice" series. As usual, the good folks at Windham Hill have assembled a masterpiece of music!

If I had to describe musically my feelings of the winter season, this would be it. This compilation is so perfect that, if I close my eyes, I can actually feel myself being transported to the vistas these selections describe.

Here's a sampling of what can be found on this CD:

"The Gift" describes a gentle snowfall. Each note and chord of the piano is a snowflake falling gently to earth amongst a forest of evergreens. "17th Century Canon" brings to mind a scene of an early Main Street, with bells ringing, garland and tinsel gently swaying and children playing in piles of snow. "Prelude to Cello Suite #1," written by Johann Sebastian Bach, becomes a fireplace with the flames dancing over the embers.

"Sung to Sleep" is a mother softly and lovingly singing her child to sleep and telling her child, and herself, that all is well. "Bring Me Back a Song" is actually a medley of traditional Celtic carols. It exudes a warmth of good tidings while causing the listener to reflect on Christmases past.

"Salve Regina" is a tune from the Middle Ages. While not specifically a Christmas piece, it nevertheless fits the mood of the album. "Simple Psalm" is perhaps a rendition of one of the Psalms put to music. The listener's mind may wander to a snow-covered countryside as the sun tries to peek through the clouds.

"Come Life Shaker Life" is a traditional Shaker hymn which celebrates life and the joy of living. "Medieval Memory II" is another mood piece that fits well in the canon. This piece brings to mind a winter's evening with a light snowfall, and is a reflection of "peace on earth" at winter time. "Abide the Winter" brings to mind a scene of winter's last days when both flora and fauna return. Birds are happily singing and the first flowers are poking their heads through old snow as spring prepares to make a return. "By the Fireside" is a scene of a fire in the hearth while family and friends sit around and recall visions of winters past and of dreams for the future.

The music presented here makes "A Winter's Solstice II" a great album for retrospect and meditation. Certainly a good addition to any Christmas music collection, especially for listeners who wish to experience a musical journey of the mind and soul. Five stars plus!

Captivating.......2005-01-26

I was shopping in a store in Berkeley several years ago and they happened to be playing this album. I had never heard anything like it so I asked what the album was. The saleswoman had to go upstairs to find out and I'm so glad she did. It was my introduction to Windham Hill which led me to several of their artists who have become my favorites (particularly Nightnoise and Metamora) and many more of their albums that I now have. As other reviewers here have noted, the music is perfect background music for dinner parties, holidays or anytime you want to feel mellow. I particularly like the pieces with minor key fiddle music that remind me of pioneer folk music. I didn't hesitate to buy it after hearing a few of the songs. The samples here should convince you too.

Average customer rating:

Bartók for Children

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bartók: Mikrokosmos, Books 1-6
Bartók: Out of Doors
Bartók: Piano Music, Vol. 2
Bartók: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3
Bartok: Piano Music, Vol. 1

ASIN: B0008JEKBI
Release Date: 2005-05-17

Tracks:

No.1 Children At Play: Allegro/No.2 Children's Song: Andante/No.3 Quasi Adagio
No.4 Pillow Dance: Allegro/No.5 Play: Allegretto/No.6 Study For The Left Hand: Allegro
No.7 Play Song: Andante Grazioso/No.8 Children's Game: Allegretto
No.9 Song: Adagio/No.10 Children's Dance: Allegro Molto/No.11 Lento/No.12 Allegro
No.13 Ballad: Andante/No.14 Allegretto/No.15 Allegro Moderato
No.16 Old Hungarian Tune: Andante Rubato/No.17 Round Dance: Lento
No.18 Soldier's Song: Andante Non Troppo/No.19 Allegretto/No.20 Drinking Song: Allegro/No.21 Allegro Robusto
No.22 Allegretto/No.23 Dance Song: Allegro Grazioso/No.24 Andante Sostenuto/No.25 Parlando
No.26 Moderato/No.27 Jest: Allegramente/No.28 Choral: Andante/No.29 Pentatonic Tune: Allegro Scherzando
No. 30 Jeering Song: Allegro Ironico/No.31 Andante Tranquillo/No.32 Andante/No.33 Allegro Non Troppo
No.34 Allegretto/No.35 Con Moto/No.36 Drunkard's Song: Vivace/No.37 Swineherd's Song: Allegro
No.38 Winter Solstice Song: Molto Vivace/No.39 Allegro Moderato
No.40 Swineherd's Dance: Allegro Vivace
No.1 Allegro/No.2 Andante/No.3 Allegretto/No.4 Wedding Song: Andante
No.5 Variations: Molto Andante/No.6 Round Dance I: Allegro/No.7 Sorrow: Andante/No.8 Dance: Allegro Non Troppo
No.9 Round Dance II: Andante/No.10 Funeral Song: Largo
No.11 Lento/No.12 Andante Rubato/No.13 Allegro
No.14 Moderato/No.15 Bagpipe I: Molto Tranquillo/No.16 Lamnet: Lento/No.17 Andante/No.18 Teasing Song: Sostenuto- Allegro Vivace
No.19 Romance: Assai Lento/No.20 Game Of Tag: Presto
No.21 Pleasantry: Allegro Moderato/No.22 Revelry: Molto Allegro
No.23 Andante tranquillo/No.24 Andante/No.25 Scherzando: Allegretto
No.26 Peasant's Flute: Andante Molto Rubbato/No.27 Pleasantry II: Allegro
No.28 Andante, Molto Rubato/No.29 Canon: Allegro Non Troppo/No.30 Bagpipe II: Vivace
No.31 The Highway Robber: Allegro/No.32 Peasante/No.33 Andante Tranquillo
No.34 Farewell: Adagio/No.35 Ballad: Moderato
Nos.36-37 Rhapsody: Parlando, Molto Rubato - Alegro Moderato
No.38 Dirge: Lento/No.39 Mouning Song: Lento

Average customer rating:

A truly master still forgotten

Louis Kentner Plays Bartók and Liszt

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005NG61
Release Date: 2001-08-28

Tracks:

Pno Con No.3: Allegretto
Pno Con No.3: Adagio Religioso
Pno Con No.3: Allegro Vivace
Excerpts From For Children, Book 1: No.22
Excerpts From For Children, Book 1: No.31
Excerpts From For Children, Book 1: No.30
Excerpts From For Children, Book 1: No.40
La Leggierezza
Un Sospiro
Feux Follets
Waldesrauschen
Gnomenreigen
Paganini Etude No.2 in E flat
Paganini Etude No.3 (La Campanella)
Paganini Etude No.5 (La Chasse)
Au Bord D'une Source
Le Prophete: Illustration No.2: Les Patineurs

Customer Reviews:

A truly master still forgotten.......2004-05-21

Louis Kentner was a pioneer in Liszt's music and Bartok too. His recordings about Liszt in the middle of the sixties were a must reference for everyone. Still now, his sound is very original, and together with Sandor and Nyireghihazi this trio are the superlative level im pianism in the first half of XX century.
This recordings has a lot of virtues.
First at all the Bartok no. 3 is extraordinary. Historically it's a collector item because it was the European premiere of this concerto.
The recording is widely worthy. Boult conducts Bartok with authority and a very close rapport with Kentner.
If you want to get the four best recordings of the third concerto, just try with this one, Sandor Ormandy from the forties and Sandor Gielen from the fifties, and finally one very hard to find recording with Anne Fisher and Fricsay from 1955.
Listening his Liszt you'll find a convincing and powerful color. Kentner is not well known in United States, because he decided to live in England, but if you are able to get all what you can from this original artist, just do it.

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