Orchestra Arcana [Import]

Track Listings
 
1. Christ Via Wires
2. Clock Conscious
3. I Wonder
4. Eastern Electric
5. Search And Listen
6. News From Nowhere
7. One Mans Fetish Is Another Mans Faith
8. Right Then Left
9. Iconography
10. The Gods Speak
11. Life Class
12. Altar Natives
13. Sex Psyche Etcetera
14. Several Famous Orchestras
15. Who He Is
16. Exactly The Way You Want It
17. Why Be Lonely
18. Everyday Is A Better Day
19. The Receiver And The Fountain Pen
20. Welcome Home Mr Kane
See all 34 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Bill Nelson first began using the Orchestra Arcana name around 1984 as a result of a clause in his then contract with CBS/Epic that forbade him to release his experimental material under his own name. These recordings have been unavailable for several years and are gathered together here as a complete package for the first time. The lo-fi nature of his studio in those days is reflected in the recordings, using 'found' sounds, tape loops and voice 'samples' all without the aid of today's digital sampling but with a warmer more 'hands on' approach. Digipak. Fabled Quixote. 2002.

Orchestra Arcana,Bill Nelson,Voiceprint/Fabled Quixote,New Age,Rock/Pop


Orchestra Arcana [Import]

Orchestra Arcana [Import]
Instruments of the Orchestra
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!
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  • Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra
Instruments of the Orchestra
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Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
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  2. The Mahler Symphonies: An Owner's Manual (includes 1 CD)
  3. The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Book & CD)
  4. Study of Orchestration, Third Edition
  5. The Life and Works of Ludwig van Beethoven

ASIN: B00006O0NT
Release Date: 2002-12-03

Tracks:

  1. Overture To 'Tannhauser'
  2. Domna, Pos Vos Ay Chausida
  3. We Don't Merely Use Instruments, We Play On Them. And They Play On Us.
  4. Hungarian Dance No.7
  5. The Violin Is One Of The Most Tender And Beautiful Instruments Ever Invented.
  6. Violin Concerto In D Major (Adagio)
  7. But For A Long Time It Was Seen As The Instrument Of The Devil.
  8. The Soldier's Tale: Triumphal March Of The Devil
  9. The Manipulative Seductiveness Of The Gypsy Violin.
  10. Csardas Music
  11. The Violin And The Initiation Of Nature
  12. The Four Seasons (Spring, Mvt 1)
  13. Birds Are Again Evoked In The Second Concerto, Especially Music's Natural Favourite.
  14. The Four Seasons (Summer, Mvt 1)
  15. Like The Devil, The Violin Is A Master Of Disguise.
  16. Old Viennese Dance No.3 'Schon Rosmarin'
  17. The Menacing Sensuality Of Ravel's Tzigane: A Very Different Side Of The Violin:
  18. Tzigane
  19. Do We Now Have The True Measure Of This Instrument? Not Just Yet.
  20. Caprice No.24
  21. The Many Effects Of The String Tremolando: Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (Last Mvt)/From Joy To Fright/Quartettsatz In C Minor/The String Tremolo Practically Spells The World Agitato.
  22. Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No.7)
  23. Prokofiev's Tremolo In Romeo And Juliet Should Not Be Heard Just Before Bedtime.
  24. Romeo And Juliet: Act IV
  25. Vivaldi Use It To Illustrate The Shivering Of Travellers Crossing The Ice.
  26. The Four Seasons (Winter, Mvt 1)
  27. The Violin Muted
  28. Clair De Lune
  29. The Gentleness Of Muted Strings Persists Even When A Whole Orchestra Plays.
  30. Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 (Slow Mvt)
  31. The Pizzicato Violin
  32. Pizzicato Polka
  33. In Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, The Accompaniment Is Pizzicato.
  34. Violin Concerto No.2 In G Minor (Slow Mvt)
  35. Varieties Of Pizzicato: Colas Breugnon (The People's Feast)/Now A Drier, Leaner, Hungrier Pizzicato. There's Not A Lot Of Comfort Here./Capriol Suite (Tordion)/The Use Of Pizzicato As 'Percussion'/Romeo And Juliet (Act I)/Mahler Used Pizzicato...
  36. The Planets (Mars - The Bringer Of War)
  37. The Technique Of Double-Stopping Enables The Violin To Play Duets With Itself./Sonata No.3 In C Major For Unaccompanied Violin (Fugue)/Now A Later Example Of The Same Technique
  38. Hungarian Dance No.4
  39. Double-Stopping Is A Standard Feature Of A Lot Of Folk Music.
  40. The Four Seasons (Autumn, Mvt 1)
  41. Now The Same Technique, But The Sound Might Have Come From Another World.
  42. Bolero
  43. Double-Stopping Can Only Approximate The Sound Of A Real Violin Duet.
  44. Cadenza To The Violin Concerto By Brahms
  45. Now Compare That With A Real Violin Duet.
  46. Forty-Four Duos (No. 1: Teasing Song)
  47. Another Duo By Bartok, Demonstrating The Violin's Rich Lower Register
  48. Forty-Four Duos (No.2: Maypole Dance)
  49. And Now What May Be The Most Beautiful Accompanied Violin Duet In History
  50. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
  51. The Soul Of The Violin Is In Song; But What About This Weird Passage?
  52. Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major (Mvt 2)
  53. The Use Of Harmonies In The Orchestra Can Be Both Magical And Unsettling.
  54. Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 1, Opening)
  55. Tchaikovsky's Use Of Harmonics In The Sleeping Beauty Is Both Strange And Darling.
  56. The Sleeping Beauty (Act II, No.15: Entr'Acte)
  57. Ravel's Harmonics In Mother Goose Effect A Magical Transformation.
  58. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
  59. Stravinsky's Harmonics In The Firebird Transport Us Almost Into Another World./The Firebird (Introduction)
  60. The Natural Upper Notes Of The Violins Have A Unique Emotional 'Grab'.
  61. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Of The Afterworldsmen)
  62. Still In Their Upper Register, The Violins Unleash The Energy Of A Young Colt.
  63. Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No. 4)
  64. Elsewhere, Britten Uses The Same High Register To Create A Very Different Mood.
  65. Four Sea Interludes (Dawn) From 'Peter Grimes'
  66. To End This Outing With The Violins, A Charming Little Elfin Dance
  67. Elfenreigen

Tracks:

  1. Introduction To The Viola
  2. Viola Concerto (Mvt 1)
  3. Khatchaturian Gets A Very Different Sound From It: Fuller, Fruitier, More Exotic.
  4. Gayane Suite No.1 (Armen's Solo)
  5. Very Nearly The Whole Of The Violin's Upper Register Is Also Available To The Viola.
  6. Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'
  7. The Viola Can Bring A Special, Rich Twanginess To Pizzicato That The Violins Lack./Don Quixote/Berlioz Drew Sounds From It That Retain Their Metallic Strangeness Even Today.
  8. Harold In Italy (Mvt 4)
  9. The Muted Viola: Intimate, Gentle, Poignant In Dvork
  10. Cypresses (No.9)
  11. The Massed Violas Of The Modern Symphony Orchestra In Mahler
  12. Symphony No.4 (Mvt 3)
  13. The 'Period' Viola In Bach
  14. Brandenburg Concerto No.6 (Last Mvt)
  15. The Cello: A Voice Of Unique Nobility
  16. Suite No.1 For Unaccompanied Cello (Prelude)
  17. Brahms And The 'Soul' Of The Cello
  18. Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat Major (Mvt 3)
  19. Most Orchestral Composers Tend To Emphasize The Cello's Lower Register.
  20. Cantata 'Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben', BWV 147 (Soprana Aria: Bereite Dir, Jesu)
  21. In The Time Of Beethoven The Cello Remained As Fundamental As Ever.
  22. Symphony No.3 'Eroica' (Finale)
  23. But The Cello Is Not Condemned To Spend Its Life In The Basement.
  24. Elfentanz, Op.39
  25. Not Only In Recital Showpieces Like That Is The Cello Is Used In Its Highest Register.
  26. The Protecting Veil (Opening)
  27. A Cello With An Identity-Crisis: The Pizzicato Flamencan
  28. Flamenco
  29. Double-Stopping In The Lower Reaches Of The Cello's Range
  30. Solo Suiet For Cello And Piano (Sardana)
  31. It's In The Middle Register That The Cello Really Comes Into Its Own.
  32. Oriental Dance, Op.2 No.2
  33. It Was To The Cellos That Beethoven Gave Two Of His Most Famous Themes./Symphony No.5 (Mvt 2)/Still More Famous Than That Theme Is This One From The Ninth Symphony.
  34. Symphony No.9 (Finale)
  35. Introduction To The Double-Bass
  36. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Elephant)
  37. But The Double-Bass Can Be Intensely Expressive And Graceful.
  38. Elegy No.1 In D Major
  39. The Range Of The Double-Bass Is The Greatest Of All The String Instruments/Allegro Di Concerto, 'Alla Mendelssohn'/And It's Also Capable Of Very Considerable Virtuosity.
  40. Capriccio Di Bravura
  41. Double-Bass Solos In Orchestral Scores Are Rare But Often Memorable./Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 3)/In His Third Symphony Mahler Makes A Very Different Use Of The Instrument./Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1)
  42. The Double-Bass Muted In Prokofiev/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Kije's Wedding)/In Another Work Prokofiev Uses The Double-Bass To Enhance The Winds./Romeo And Juliet (Act III)/And He Combines The Bass Clarinet With A Shivering Tremolo From The Double-Basses....
  43. Symphony No.5 (Mvt 3)/So Much For The Strings/On Now To The Winds

Tracks:

  1. The Antiquity And Magic Of The Flute
  2. Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune
  3. The Versatility And Agility Of The Flute
  4. Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor (Badinerie)
  5. The Flute In Fifteenth-Century Spain
  6. Sa'Dawi
  7. Other Flutes: The Bass And Alto
  8. Chamber Music No.II
  9. The Piccolo - Aptly Named
  10. La Naissance D'Osiris (Mvt 6)
  11. From A Piccolo Of The Eighteenth Century To One Of Its Descendants In The Twentieth
  12. Suite No.1 For Small Orchestra (Valse)
  13. A Variety Of Techniques
  14. Chamber Music No.II
  15. Flutter-Tonguing. But Tchaikovsky Got There Eighty Years Before.
  16. The Nutcracker (Act II, No.2: Scene)
  17. From The Transverse To The Vertical: The Baroque Recorder
  18. Recorded Suite In A Minor (Menuet II)
  19. An Unfamiliar, Early Vision Of The Instrument
  20. Naelden, Naelden
  21. The Bachian Oboe
  22. Cantata 'Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott', BWV 80 (No.7: Duetto)
  23. Introduction To The Cor Anglais Or 'English Born'
  24. Symphony No.9 'From The New World' (Mvt 2)
  25. The Loneliness Of The Cor Anglais
  26. The Swan Of Tuonela
  27. The Cor Anglais Joins The French Horn In Haydn.
  28. Symphony No.22 'The Philosopher' (Opening)
  29. Introduction To The Oboe D'Amore, Beloved Of Bach - But Also Of Ravel
  30. Bolero
  31. The Clarinet Family: Boxing The Compass, From The Depths Of The Bass Clarinet.../The Egyptian (Violence)/...To The Raucous And Squealy.../Taras Bulba (The Death Of Ostap)/...To The Shrill And Complaining...
  32. Petrushka (No.8: Peasant With Bear)/...To The High Sprits Of A Playful Puppy./Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)/And To The Downright Jazzy/Romeo And Juliet (Act II)
  33. As The High Clarinets Tend To Be Loud, So The Bass Tends To Be Soft:
  34. Gayane Suite No. 1 (Mvt 5)
  35. The Bass Clarinet Is Used By Most Composers Mainly As A Colouring Agent.../Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/...But It Does Occasionally Get A Whole Tune To Itself./Iberia (Almeria).
  36. The Range Of The Normal Clarinet Parts Goes Quite High...
  37. The Snow Maiden (Scene 5: Melodrama)
  38. ...And Quite Low.
  39. Peter And The Wolf (The Cat)
  40. The Clarinet As Concerto Soloist
  41. Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
  42. But That's Not The Instrument Mozart Wrote It For; This Is:
  43. Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
  44. Introduction To The Saxophone
  45. Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 4)
  46. The Soprano Saxophone Has Quite A Different Feel To It.
  47. L'Arlesienne Suite No.1 (Minuet)
  48. The Little Sopranino Sax Goes Even Higher.
  49. Bolero
  50. The Most Famous Use Of The Saxophone Is In An Orchestration By Ravel.
  51. Pictures At An Exhibition (The Old Castle)
  52. The Saxophone Can Be Quite Contagiously Good-Humoured.
  53. Sax-O-Phun
  54. The Puffa-Puffa Image Of The Bassoon
  55. Peter And The Wolf (Grandfather)
  56. The Bachian Bassoon, In Accompanimental Mode
  57. Cantata 'Weichet Nur, Betrubte Schatten' ('Wedding Cantata'), BWV 202 (Aria No.1)
  58. Bizet Leaves The Puffa-Puffa Image Out, Allowing The Bassoon To Sing./Carmen Suite No.1 (Les Dragons D'Alcala)
  59. And Ravel, Also In Spanish Mode, Does Likewise.
  60. Bolero
  61. The Bassoon As A Voice Of High Seriousness, Indeed Desolate Loneliness
  62. Symphony No.3 (Opening)
  63. The Eerie Bassoon In Its Highest Register
  64. The Rite Of Spring (Opening)
  65. Stravinsky Now Draws On Its Lowest Register, Lonely And Melancholy.
  66. The Firebird Suite (1919, Berceuse)
  67. The Bassoon As Concerto Soloist, Avoiding All Exaggeration
  68. Bassoon Concerto In G Minor (Finale)
  69. The Deep-Voiced Contra-Bassoon, As A Fairy-Tale Beast
  70. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
  71. The French Horn Under Its Woodwind Hat
  72. Wind Quintet, Op.43 (Last Mvt)
  73. Now A More Prominent Role, In A Woodwind Quintet From An Earlier Era
  74. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Mvt 2)
  75. The Horn In Harmonious Blend With Strings In Another Quintet
  76. Horn Quintet, K.407 (Finale)

Tracks:

  1. The Trumpet As Virtuoso Soloist
  2. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Last Mvt)
  3. The Special Brillance Of Paired Trumpets
  4. Concerto In C For Two Trumpets, RV537 (Mvt 1)
  5. The Ceremonial Trumpet
  6. Fanfare For The Common Man
  7. Trumpets And Drums - An Incomparable Alliance
  8. Messiah (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
  9. The Versatility Of The Trumpet, From The Most Public To The Most Lonely
  10. Piano Concerto In F (Slow Mvt)
  11. The Trumpet As The Voice Of The City/An American In Paris/The Trumpet As Recruitment Officer/The Soldier's Tale (The March)/The Trumpet As Swaggerer
  12. Carmen Suite No.2 (Habanera)
  13. The Trumpet As The Voice Of Strength And Courage
  14. Carmet Suite No.2 (Toreador's Song)
  15. The Trumpet Muted/Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Opening)/The Trumpet As The Voice Of Weariness
  16. Billy The Kid
  17. The Trumpet As Character Actor
  18. Pictures At An Exhibition (No.6)
  19. The Trumpet As The Voice Of God
  20. Mass In B Minor ('Et Exspecto')
  21. The Birth Of The Trombone
  22. Aenmerckt Nu Hier
  23. The Birth Of The Brass As A Family
  24. Canzon 12 In Double Echo
  25. The Trombone In The Eighteenth Century
  26. Trombone Concerto In B Flat Major (Finale)
  27. The Tone Of The Tenor Trombone/Romance For Trombone And Organ/The Memorable Voice Of The Bass Trombone/Requiem (Mvt 2)/But The Bass Trombone Is More Than An Instrumental Bullfrog.
  28. Hosannah
  29. The Trombones Become Part Of The Orchestra.
  30. Symphony No.5 (Finale)
  31. The Wagnerian Trombone:/Overture To 'Tannhauser'
  32. The Trombone As Caricaturist
  33. Pulcinella (No.19: Vivo)
  34. The Trombone As Raspberry/Concerto For Orchestra (Intermezzo)
  35. The Horn And The Hunt
  36. Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495 (Finale)
  37. The Challenging Horn Of The Baroque
  38. Abaris Ou Les Boreades (Menuet)
  39. The Scarcity Of First-Rate Players In Handel's Time
  40. Walter Music (Minuet 1)
  41. The Horn As Magician/The Firebird Suite (1919, Finale)
  42. Horns And The Sound Of Nobility
  43. Overture To 'Tannhauser' (Opening)
  44. The Special Sound Of The Horn In Its Higher Register
  45. Mass In B Minor ('Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus')
  46. The Trumpet-Like Sound Of Massed Horns
  47. Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1, Opening)
  48. The Tuba - Unfairly Maligned?
  49. Symphony No.6 (Mvt 3)
  50. The Tuba Perfectly Cast By Ravel
  51. Pictures At An Exhibition (Bydlo)

Tracks:

  1. Introduction. And We Begin With A Bang.
  2. Fanfare For The Common Man/The Bass Drum On The Battlefields/Wellington's Victory, Op.91 (Opening)
  3. At The Opposite Extreme Is The Triangle.
  4. Piano Concerto No.1 In E Flat (Scherzo)
  5. Categories Of Percussion: Tuned And Untuned. The Side Drum
  6. Overture To 'La Gazza Ladra' - The Thieving Magpie (Opening)
  7. The Side Drum In An Effective But Unexpected Role/Clarinet Concerto (Mvt 1)
  8. The Tambourine. One Of The Oldest Instruments In The World
  9. Den Hoboecken Dans
  10. Even Older Is The Originally Oriental Gong.
  11. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
  12. No Single Instrument Can Match The Gong In Evoking The Breaking Of Waves./Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'/But Gongs Don't Have To Be Struck To Be Effective.
  13. Gymnopedie No.2
  14. The Cymbals Are Generally Discovered Early In Life./The Sanguine Fan/And They Do More Than Clash Together Loudly. They Can Be Clashed Together Softly./Studio Example: But They Needn't Be Clashed Together At All/Studio Example: They Can Be Lightly...
  15. Other Untuned Percussion Instruments Include The Whip.: Piano Concerto In G Major (Opening)/And Here Are No Fewer Than Twenty, Cracked By Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Act I, Scene 5)
  16. More Versatile Than The Whip Are The Wood Blocks.../Studio Example/...Which Crop Up All Over The Place In Twentieth-Century American Music.
  17. Rodeo (Hoe-Down)
  18. Related To The Wood Blocks, By Sound, Are The Castanets./Jota Aragonesa/But The Castanets Were Also Used By Monteverdi Back In The Seventeenth Century.
  19. Scherzi Musicali (Damigella Tutta Belle)
  20. A Still Earlier Example From Fifteenth-Century Spain
  21. Yo M'Enamori D'Un Aire
  22. The Birth Of The Bongo
  23. Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story'
  24. From The Streets Of New York To The Blacksmith's Shop/Il Trovatore ('Anvil Chorus')
  25. Desert-Island Decibels: Grand Canyon Suite (On The Trail)/Arcana
  26. From One Vegetable To Another: The Humble Squash, Or Marrow/Huapango
  27. Onwards To The Tuned Percussion. First, The Timpani
  28. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Introduction)
  29. But The Drum Roll Can Be More Effectively Frightening Than The Big Bang.: Symphony No.2 'Resurrection' (Mvt 3)
  30. Not One Drum Roll, But Many/Grand Canyon Suite (Sunrise)/Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)
  31. Taking Advantage Of Tunability
  32. Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Mvt 2)
  33. The Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Takes A Downward Turn./Carmen Suite (Changing Of The Guard)/Tuned, Yes; But For The Truly Melodic We Must Look Elsewhere.
  34. Introducing The Glockenspiel/Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
  35. Saint-Saens And The Xylophone
  36. The Carnival Of The Animals (Fossils)
  37. Ravel And The Xylophone
  38. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
  39. Introducing The Marimba/Carmen Suite (First Intermezzo)
  40. Introducing The Vibraphone
  41. The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Narange Dolce)
  42. The Vibraphone Goes Russian.../Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)/...And Is Joined By The Marimba./Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
  43. Introducing The Hungarian Cimbalom
  44. Folk Dances
  45. The Cimbalom And The Symphony Orchestra
  46. Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 3)
  47. Introducing The Tubular Bells
  48. Hary Janos Suite (Viennese Musical Clock)
  49. A More 'Up-Front' Approach From Rodion Shchedrin
  50. Carmen Suite (Introduction)
  51. But The Bells Can Also Make The Sinister Even More Sinister./Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
  52. Introducing The Celeste
  53. The Nutcracker (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy)
  54. Magic, In The Use Of Collective Percussion
  55. Miroirs (La Vallee Des Cloches)
  56. Plucked Instruments: The 'Undercover Percussion'/Carmen Suite (Scene)
  57. A Prime Case In Point Is The Harp, Irresistible To The Romantics./The Nutcracker (Act II, No.1: Scene)/The Non-Solo Harp As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Hungarian Rhapsody No.1
  58. The Traditionally Subservient Role Of The Harpsichord In The Baroque Orchestra
  59. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Slow Mvt)
  60. The Piano: King Of The Tuned Percussion/Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Mvt 3)/And A Quarter Of A Century After That:
  61. Petrushka (Russian Dance)
  62. The Anti-Romantic Piano As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra
  63. Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Last Mvt)

Tracks:

  1. Keyboard Instruments In The Orchestra - The Most Powerful Of Them All:
  2. Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Finale)
  3. But Things In Handel's Day Were Very Different.
  4. Organ Concerto In B Flat, Op.4 No.3 (Last Mvt)
  5. The Organ Is Difficult To Classify.
  6. An Unexpected, Organ-related Guest
  7. Concerto Pour Zampogna (Last Mvt)
  8. Peasant-Fancying... And A Touch Of The Roaming Cowboy
  9. Les Miserables (Drink With Me)
  10. Outside Artefacts And The Power Of Association
  11. Mahler's Sleighbells
  12. Symphony No.4 (Opening)
  13. A Roll-Call Of Some Unusual Guests/The Typewriter/Parade
  14. Chains, And More/Integrales/An American In Paris/Sandpaper Ballet
  15. Purpose-Built Oddities: Wind Machines/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Opening)
  16. Don Quixote (Variation VIII)
  17. National Calling Cards: The Guitar For Spain/Concierto De Aranjuez (Finale)
  18. And The Guitar's Poor American Relative, The Banjo/Washington Breakdown
  19. And Poorer Still, The Mouth Organ/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Packing Up)
  20. The Balalaika For Russia/Romeo And Juliet (Act II: No.14)
  21. The Maracas For Mexico/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (El Desayuno)
  22. The Bongos And Congas And A Whole Wealth Of Other Drums For Africa And Central America/Studio Example
  23. The Sitar Of India/Evening Raga: Bhapoli
  24. The Accordion For France (Especially Paris)/Paris Canaille
  25. The Zither For Vienna/The Third Man (Theme)
  26. The Cimbalom For Hungary/Folk Dances
  27. The Guitar As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Rondena
  28. There Are Whole Orchestras Of Balalaikas./Sveit Mesiats
  29. The Effect Of The Wordless Human Voice, Used Purely As An Instrument/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
  30. Nocturnes
  31. Instruments And the Imitation Of Nature. The Clarinet As Cuckoo
  32. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Cuckoo)
  33. The Flute As An All-purpose Aviary
  34. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aviary)
  35. The Oboe As Duck
  36. Peter And The Wolf (The Duck)
  37. The Recording Of Reality. Does It Work As Well?
  38. The Pines Of Rome (The Pines Of The Janiculum)
  39. The Recording Of Reality Electronically Reborn In New Guises
  40. Cantus Articus - Concerto For Birds And Orchesra (Mvt 2)
  41. Beethoven Turns Avian: Cuckoo, Nightingale, And Quail
  42. Symphony No.6 'Pastoral' (Andante Molto Mosso)
  43. Some Improbable Casting: The Violin As Braying Donkey
  44. The Carnival Of The Animals (Persons With Long Ears)
  45. A Truly Orchestral Hee-haw To Be Reckoned With
  46. Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
  47. A Thunderstorm In A Million
  48. Symphony No.6 'Pastoral (Allegro-Allegretto)
  49. the Instrumental Depiction Of A Silent World
  50. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aquarium)
  51. Saint-Saens' Menagerie Takes A Curtain Call.
  52. The Carnival Of The Animals (Finale)

Tracks:

  1. The Grouping Of Instrumental Families. An Additive Approach. First, Two Violins
  2. Forty-Four Duos (No.4)
  3. A Great Contrast, Of Both Pitch And Character: Violin And Viola
  4. Duo For Violin And Viola In B Flat Major, K.424 (Finale, Vars 1 & 2)/Studio Example
  5. Arrival Of The Standard String Trio: Violin, Viola, And Cello
  6. String Trio In B Flat (Menuetto)
  7. The String Quartet: Two Violins, Viola, And Cello
  8. String Quartet In F, Op.18 No.1 (Mvt 3)
  9. The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Viola
  10. String Quartet No.5 In D, K.593 (Adagio)
  11. The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Cello
  12. String Quintet In C (Mvt 3)
  13. The String Sextet: Two Violins, Two Violas, And Two Cellos
  14. String Sextet In B Flat (Mvt 2)
  15. The String Octet: The Standard String Quaret Times Two
  16. Octet In E Flat, Op.20 (Mvt 1)
  17. Double The String Octet: A Fully Fledged String Orchestra
  18. String Symphony No.2 (Finale)
  19. The Massed Strings Of A Symphony Orchestra
  20. Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis
  21. Contrasts Of Pitch And Instrumental 'Colour' In The Woodwind Section
  22. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Theme)
  23. In The First Variation It's The Horn That Gets The Lion's Share.
  24. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 1
  25. In Variation Two The Torch Is Handed To The Bassoon.
  26. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 2
  27. In Variation Three The Oboe Leads.
  28. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 3
  29. Variation Four: Conversation Before Returning To A Solo-dominated Texture
  30. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 4
  31. And Variation Five is Dominated By The Clarinet.
  32. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 5
  33. The Next To Be Featured Is The Virtuoso Flute.
  34. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 6
  35. Individual Farewells And A Closing Chorus
  36. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 7
  37. A Mixed Group: Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, String Quartet, And Double-Bass
  38. Octet In F (Mvt 3)
  39. The Early Classical Symphony Orchestra Of Haydn And Mozart
  40. Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Finale)
  41. Strings, Wind, But No Brass. What Haydn And Mozart Never Knew
  42. Canzon 28
  43. Beethoven's Fifth: Two Horns, Two Trumpets, And Three Trombones Join The Team.
  44. Symphony No.5 (Finale)
  45. From Beethoven To The Massive Orchestras Of Berlioz, Wagner, And Mahler
  46. Beethoven Changed The Face Of The Symphony And The Orchestra Forever
  47. Symphoy No.6 'Tragic' (Mvt 1)
  48. The Cult Of Orchestral Elephantiasis Reaches Its Peak.
  49. Symphony No.1 'Gothic' (VI: Te Ergo Quaesumus)
  50. When Large Doesn't Necessarily Mean Loud: Debussy
  51. Images (Gigues)
  52. A Crisis Of Confidence; The Orchestra's Survival Hangs In The Balance, But It Still Develops. The Ondes Martenot:
  53. Turangalila Symphony (Chant D'amour 1)
  54. The Advent Of The 'Early Music' Movement Brings A New Vitality And Freshness.
  55. Balle De Xerxes (Gavotte En Rondeau)
  56. Computer And Synthesiser: Friends Or Foes?
  57. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
  58. A Speculative Look Ahead/Mass In B Minor ('Dona Nobis Pacem')

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!.......2007-04-04

This set lends itself to greatly enhancing one's knowledge of the orchestra, instruments in it, and their usage. I am a huge music buff, and I still picked up a great deal I previously did not know. I highly recommend this for all who wish to understand the origin of music, as well as the processes that are employed to create music!

5 out of 5 stars Beginner or Expert.......2007-03-12

This CD is excellent for the beginner or expert! To be able to haear the instrumets separately and then together really provides a good education. and/or refresher. The book thaty comes with the CD is alomost worth the price by itself!

5 out of 5 stars Very Informative and Enjoyable.......2006-11-20

Whether you're a music novice or pro, "The instruments of the Orchestra" is a very worthwhile purchase. The 7 CDs, with a total of 8 hours, are expertly narrated by Jeremy Siepmann. He's a great speaker, very much like the late Leonard Bernstein was. Mr. Siepmann takes you on an unforgetable musical journey covering the origins and use of the various orchestral instruments throughout musical history. The balance between his narration and a wealth of musical examples, which range from snippets to entire movements, is superb. The comprehensive enclosed booklet is excellent and faithfully follows the 7 CDs in content. Even with my 40+ years of music training I still learned new things from this wonderful collection. Considering the excellence of the content, and a cost that translates to about $5 per disc, this collection is a great value. Grab it, you won't regret that you did. Five solid stars!

3 out of 5 stars Frank's view.......2006-08-19

This boxed set of CD's with booklet achieved all I had hoped that it would. There are good samples of individual instruments and well done commentary on each. The only drawback was that some of the samples were too brief and could have been longer, hoiwever I guess this fits in with time constraints of the medium. It has given me a lot of clues as to future purchases of CD's for listening to individual instruments. Altogeth a satisfactory purchase and a welcome addition to my collection.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra.......2003-11-08

I've listened to classical music for years and am interested in composition. I bought this CD set to learn how an orchestra and its instruments work. I thought the CDs would be a nice but boring lecture. They aren't! Not only are they FUN but they are informative as well. I learned a huge amount from each CD and couldn't wait to listen to the next one.

The narrator and writer is a great speaker and holds your attention well. He is definitely knowledgeable. He provides musical examples for each point he makes, so you get to "hear" what he just talked about. I'd say the CDs are about 65% music and 35% narration. You'll learn about the range of instruments, some history, different ways to play them, how they sound, and how they are used in the orchestra. This CD set was a great learning experience and is sold at such a low price!

I recommend this CD for those who want to learn about classical music and those who know about it but are interested in learning more about the inner workings of an orchestra. You'll learn much useful information. For instance, the Rite of Spring (with that eerie start) is written for bassoon! I never knew a bassoon could sound like that but now I do.

The one complaint I have is the last CD. This deals with the orchestra. I wanted more of a tour of how the orchestra has been used through history up to the present. Instead, it was a tour of how different groups of instruments sound. I thought it could have been better. The other 6 CDs are excellent.
The Very Best of Franco Corelli
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • If you love beautiful voices...
  • If you want to know Corelli's art, this is the right CD
  • excellent gift
  • Greatest Tenor of This Century!
  • Ah... Franco :}
The Very Best of Franco Corelli

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
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  5. Franco Corelli: Corelli in Concert

ASIN: B00008V5VV
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

  1. A Te, O Cara
  2. Meco All' Altar Di Venere... Me Protegge, Me Difende
  3. Ah Si, Ben mio...De Quella Pira
  4. Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida
  5. Pur Ti Riveggo, Mia Dolce Aida
  6. Intanto Amici... Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante
  7. Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso
  8. Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba
  9. No, Pagliaccio Non Son
  10. Colpito Qui M'avete...Un Di All'azzuro Spazio
  11. Credo A Una Possanza Arcana
  12. Legray!... Andrea Chenier!...Si, Fui Soldato
  13. Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
  14. Vicino A Te

Tracks:

  1. Donna Non Vidi Mai
  2. Recondita Armonia
  3. E Lucevan Le Stelle
  4. Non Piangere, Liu... Ah! Per L'ultima Volta!
  5. Nessun Dorma
  6. Favorita Del Re!... Spirto Gentil
  7. Cielo E Mar
  8. L'anima Ho Stanca
  9. Non Lunge Della Torre... Bianca Al Par Di Neve Alpina
  10. Ange Adorable
  11. L'amour, L'amour.. Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil!
  12. O Nuit Divine!
  13. C'est La! Salut! Tombeau!
  14. Fronde Tenere... Ombra Mai Fu
  15. Ave Maria
  16. Domine Deus
  17. Core 'Ngrato
  18. Torna A Surriento

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars If you love beautiful voices..........2007-04-30

and passionate singing, you won't be disappointed. While Corelli certainly had his flaws, they are minor in the larger picture of this unique, magnificent force of nature. Then get this set for your friend who thinks Andrea Bocelli is a great tenor.

5 out of 5 stars If you want to know Corelli's art, this is the right CD.......2007-03-10

Franco Corelli had one of the powerful tenor voices of the twentieth century. Think Mario del Monaco with more beauty and grace; think Richard Tucker with a smoother voice. He had annoying touches in his singing, such as those "catches" here and there. But, with Tucker, he is, in my estimation, one of the two most powerful and attention riveting tenors in the past century. Other tenors were more artistic, provided better characterization (think Domingo, Gigli, Pavarotti, Gedda, Caruso, and some others).

But Corelli was a wonder of nature! Some samples: "Ah si, ben mio. . .Di quella pira." If there were an aria made for Corelli, this would be it. His big, rich, powerful voice fits this cut nicely. Not much subtlety here. In "Di quella pira," he hits the high notes in a stentorian manner. There are those mannerisms, but they are so easily forgiven, taking into account that rich, lustrous voice.

"Celeste Aida" is another representative cut. This is a powerful version. Also, note how he goes from forte to piano at the end of this aria. A powerful effect indeed.

Then, there are the twin arias from "Tosca." In "Recondita armonia," his rich voice is well manifest. He exhibits a smooth line in his singing. This is a powerful version of this well known aria. "E lucevan le stele" displays again that rich voice. At one point, he goes from forte to piano in a mesmerizing manner (Who'd have thought it?). His final "la vita" grabs one's attention.

Finally, "Nessun dorma." Well, smoothly, and powerfully sung. The final "vincero" is powerfully rendered, leaving goose bumps on the spine.

This is the very best of Franco Corelli. Those who want to get a sense of the vocal prowess of one of the most powerful tenors of the 20th century should attend to this double CD set.

5 out of 5 stars excellent gift.......2007-02-09

I gave it to my father and he says Its an amazing cd.

5 out of 5 stars Greatest Tenor of This Century!.......2007-02-03

Franco Corelli is the greatest tenor of this century. Although there are many fine tenors including Carlo Bergonzi - no tenor comes close to singing with the pure heart and animal magnetism of Franco Corelli. Surprisingly, he was also quite comfortable with bel canto, listen to the incredible "A te o'cara". I've heard "Nessun Dorma" sung by many excellent tenors and hands down, none can touch the sublime beauty of Corelli's version. This 2cd set of his greatest arias is a wonderful gift for any opera fan. "Recondita Armonia" is my personal favorite. His thrilling vocal beauty and intensity of performance is truly unforgettable.

5 out of 5 stars Ah... Franco :}.......2007-01-10

Such a pleasing voice. I can't believe the clarity and perfection. He was well before my time and others have become more 'popular' since then, but for some reason his voice seems better than the more current singers. I do not know much about opera so I will have to rely only on my own ears. I happily recommend this double album. I like to have it playing on the 5 CD changer with other opera cds, mixing through them...it is a perfect saturday morning accompaniment. enjoy.
Varèse - The Complete Works / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra · Asko Ensemble · Chailly
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Superb with just one reservation
  • Go ahead, test your intelligence...
  • The definitive recordings.
  • Sound Splitting Music
  • An aural knockout
Varèse - The Complete Works / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra · Asko Ensemble · Chailly
Edgard Varese , Riccardo Chailly , Mireille Delunsch , Sarah Leonard , Royal Concertgebouw Orhcestra , and Asko Ensemble
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Varese: Arcana; Ameriques; Ionization; Offrandes; Density 21.5; Octandre; Integrales
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ASIN: B00000AFR8
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

  1. Tuning Up
  2. Amques (Original Version)
  3. Po ectronique
  4. Arcana
  5. Nocturnal
  6. Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Orchestral Version)

Tracks:

  1. Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Original Version)
  2. Offrandes: Chanson de laut
  3. Offrandes: La Croix du Sud
  4. Hyperprism
  5. Octandre: Assez lent
  6. Octandre: Trvif et nerveux
  7. Octandre: Grave - Animt jubilatoire
  8. Intales
  9. Ecuatorial
  10. Ionisation
  11. Density 21.5
  12. Drts: 1st Episode
  13. Drts: 1st interpolation of organized sound
  14. Drts: 2nd episode
  15. Drts: 2nd interpolation
  16. Drts: 3rd episode
  17. Drts: 3rd interpolation
  18. Drts: 4th episode
  19. Dance for Burgess

Amazon.com essential recording

For a composer who is (now) recognizably part of the 20th-century classical canon, the French émigré Edgard Varèse's output was astoundingly meager. Just 15 compositions from his entire life (he destroyed the compositions from his early years, and was a merciless editor of his own material in general) made it out to the listening world. Varèse was caught in the chasm between the music of yesterday and the music of tomorrow: scoring music for modified theremin, steamboat whistles, or air sirens, all balanced with the force of a large orchestra; writing pieces based on the flows of water and wind because that's what shapes the earth; using the concepts of chemical reactions and specific gravity as a basis for his music. Using extremes of contrast, dissonance, and variety in sound, Varèse's pieces had power in the way he attacked and shaped the sound he imagined. From Ionisation (1929), scored almost entirely for unpitched percussion, to the electronic-only, three-dimensionally produced Poeme Electronique (1958), he's provided a foundation that many genres, musicians, and composers were to build from not only for the next 40 years, but inevitably beyond. --Robin Edgerton

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Superb with just one reservation.......2006-11-10

This complete works of Varèse, superbly performed and recorded, is a fine accomplishment. My only disappointment was its version of Poème Elèctronique being the sole representation of that ground-breaking work that still holds up for me today as one of the finest pieces of electronic music yet created. It is interesting to be able to hear the version in this collection, which appears to be a loving restoration of what must have been primarily the raw, performing version, to be further enhanced during its performances in a very large space? What I miss in the present version is the more clearly heard textures of its huge sound palette; the resonant and often humerous interplay between them, and its dramatic sweep as it was presented on a sparcely documented stereo mix that first appeared on a Columbia Records LP, later reissued on a CD, now out of print. That one is surely more like an actual performance, presumably mixed to re-create as well as possible then what it might have sounded like over its four hundred loudspeakers in the Philips Pavillion. I hope there will be further reissues. To me the CBS version's drama and energy are more like that of the performances of the other pieces in this wonderful Complete Works set. -Curt Wittig

5 out of 5 stars Go ahead, test your intelligence..........2006-06-18

Frank Zappa used to play Varese to test the intelligence of his friends, and most of them used to look at him like he was "out of his f---ing mind" as he put it. As a major Zappa fan, I bought this compliation, and I love every minute of it. This 2 CD set contains all of Varese's work (needless to say, Edgar wasn't very prolific). You really hear Varese's influence in Zappa's work. Some favorite pieces are Deserts, Poem Electronique, and Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Original Version). Varese's music reminds me of universes being created, in all their violence, beauty, and glory. Instruments crashing down upon one another. This music is reminiscent of Zappa's Weasels Ripped My Flesh and his orchestral work especially. Varese is one of the great American composers, like Aaron Copland, John Cage, and Conlon Nancarrow. Superb....




5 out of 5 stars The definitive recordings........2005-11-09

Riccardo Chailly once said Varèse was going to be the Brahms of the XXI Century. I really don't know if he will be right or wrong, specially because of the very conservative auditoriums we have all around the world, but it should be this way, as the french composer has died too many years ago and his music should be understood but most of the public. It's sad to know that composers, like the own Mahler said, use to be years, decades, even centuries in advance to the general public .

Anyway, it's very important for the popular knowledge of this composers to have recordings like this, in which everything works perfectly as if it was a clock. After many years having some good recordings conducted by Boulez (Sony) and Nagano (Erato) mainly, we have now the possibility of listening one of the most musical and technical orchestra & baton of this time: The Concertgebouworkest and Riccado Chailly.

Most of the versions in this 2CDs set are the best I know, specially the orchestral works, played with conviction and precision by the Concertgebouworkest, an orchestra that had some problems with Mr.Chailly when they begin to play this, for them, `rare' music. The way Arcana sounds its incredible, full of power, mistery and perfection, the performing of Ameriques is breathtaking and I can only compare it with the truly outstanding version by Pierre Boulez with the CSO for DG. Deserts is a new dimension in Chailly's hands, really terrible and full of dark emotions.

Of course, there are little things that could be a bit better, like the Spanish sung in Ecuatorial, better sung in Nagano's version, but generally the performing is marvellous and the instrumental and ondes Martenot's playing in this piece is perfect in Chailly's version.

The ASKO Ensemble versions are outstanding too, showing a very modern Varèse. The performing of Ionisation, that great jewel, listened with a good Hi-Fi system is a experience not to be lost.

The recordings are very good, not outstanding, as it sounds like distant sometimes, but clear and with good definition, of course better with good electronics.

Booklet and presentation of the box is marvellous too; as it has to be in real event in recorded music in the last decades.

4 out of 5 stars Sound Splitting Music.......2002-06-25

First, let me state that I am a long-time Varese fanatic. I first heard Ionisation live at a contemporary music concert in my town when I was 12, and I was hooked. I immediately bought the old Robert Craft double album on Columbia and played it until there were scratches on the scratches. So I was overjoyed to see a modern "complete" recording with up to date sonics. For the most part, I haven't been too disappointed with the performances either.

Chailly is great on much of this music. Ameriques and Arcana are sonic extravagazas. And this is the best recording I've heard of Nocturnal and Ecuatorial. Chailly does a good job with the chamber pieces of the 20s and 30s, though I agree with other reviewers, Boulez is much clearer on Ionisation. Chailly misses some of my favorite parts, and I find it hard to hear the first snare drum theme. (I'm also quite partial to Craft's version, but I don't think it's available anymore.)

I also must add to the chorus of exceptions on the questionable material. The orhestrated version of the solo song has no place on this CD. It doesn't sound like Varese, more like Debussy, and though the song is quite impressionistic, I think we presume too much to orchestrate it and pass it off as "complete" Varese. And neither Tune Up nor Dance for Burgess really add much to our understanding of Varese, and are of questionable value. I suspect that Varese would have destroyed them completely had he been able. Much better to have a recording of the revised version of Ameriques. The revision is so extensive, that a side by side comparison would be illuminating.

All in all, I like this CD. Chailly's take on Varese is big and passionate, something that I think both Boulez and Craft miss. Abravanel comes close to this passion, but Chailly wins because of the gorgeous sonics. I highly recommend this CD to those interested in exploring the unique sound world of Varese.

5 out of 5 stars An aural knockout.......2002-02-01

Here are two discs with some of the most exciting 20th-century music around. Chailly and the Concertgebouw give definitive readings of Varèse's complex pieces, some written for a huge orchestra, and recorded in typically opulent London sound.

My favorites are, without a doubt, "Ameriques" and "Arcana," two explosive showpieces that will give your sound system quite a workout. But far from being merely loud, the scores have many beautiful textures (including quiet ones) scattered throughout the orchestra, and Chailly captures much of the glittering detail.

I even like "Tuning Up," which may seem like a less substantial work to most ears. To be fair, if the piece is not the last word in Varèse's imagination, it is clever enough for its short duration, and as with everything on this disc, the orchestra sounds superb and totally undaunted. Their virtuosity is both satisfying and thrilling, especially in such seldom-performed music.

Make sure your neighbors are away before turning up the performance of "Ameriques," though - the last few pages will blow your roof off.

I suspect Varèse would have loved this collection.
Varese: Arcana; Ameriques; Ionization; Offrandes; Density 21.5; Octandre; Integrales
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • It's OK...
  • definitely NOT Louie Louie
  • Incredible.
  • absolute craziness!
  • impeccable chaos
Varese: Arcana; Ameriques; Ionization; Offrandes; Density 21.5; Octandre; Integrales

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Varèse - The Complete Works / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra · Asko Ensemble · Chailly
  2. Arnold Schoenberg: Serenade/Five Pieces For Orchestra
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  4. Penderecki: Anaklasis; Threnody; etc.
  5. Xénakis: Pléïdes

ASIN: B000009IME
Release Date: 1991-01-14

Tracks:

  1. Ionisation
  2. Ameriques
  3. Density 21.5 For Solo Flute
  4. Offrandes For Soprano: A) Chanson de La-haut
  5. Offrandes For Soprano: B) La Croix du Sud
  6. Arcana For Full Orchestra
  7. Octandre For Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Double-bass: I. Assez lent
  8. Octandre For Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Double-bass: II. Tres vif et nerveux
  9. Octandre For Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Double-bass: III. Grave
  10. Integrales For Small Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars It's OK..........2006-02-09

I can see that Frank Zappa would have been inspired by this music. As a longtime Zappa fan, I can hear plenty in Zappa's music that was modeled after Varese. Still, Varese's pieces on this CD are hardly monumental or awe-inspiring, and this seems to be the kind of music that very much depends on how it's played and interpreted. You don't get much better than Pierre Boulez; if it was, for example, me conducting an ensemble in performing Varese's work, nobody would listen. So it seems that it's not as much the music as the performance. And that Varese cannot be credited with.

5 out of 5 stars definitely NOT Louie Louie.......2005-09-11

This album (CD) made it into my collection the same way as a few others who've commented here. One day after listening to Lumpy Gravy I was at the record store holding this CD in my mitts wondering if I really wanted to subject myself to one of Zappa's major musical influences.

This is music either for someone who knows a lot about the structure of sound and can appreciate it for that reason or someone who gets bored listening to the same sort of thing all the time and enjoys variety. This is not what most people would consider the easiest "stuff" to listen to. It has an overall disonance to it that many would consider an assault on their senses. At the same time it also has a mathamatical structure to it that makes it obvious to even the most musically uneducated dullard that this is unique, well thought out sound. To be honest I'd have to admit to not understanding much of this CD but it certainly is interesting and different. Arcana, for instance, reminds me a little of something Gustov Holst might have written if he had been spending time with Carlos Castenada. The entire CD takes the listener through a range of emotions that might go from sombre and desolate to momentarily uplifted likely ending up somewhere between confused and perhaps violated... maybe even satisfied.

This is NOT the sort of thing I could listen to all the time but when the mood strikes there isn't a rendition of Louie Louie that is going to hit the spot that this will. Recommended for someone with a musically adventurous disposition.

5 out of 5 stars Incredible........2004-05-26

This is one of the finest set of recording of the Varese repetoire ever made. The french performances are particularly well done with right degree of ensemble and tone required of this difficult music.

The Octandre is especially good with super attacks from all players...not for the faint of heart.

4 out of 5 stars absolute craziness!.......2002-04-06

I purchased this cd after reading Frank Zappa's audobiography, where he pays homage to the great Varese for inspiring him. I can see where Varese had an influence on him. This is a strange but good collection of pieces conducted by Boulez, who also worked with Zappa on "Perfect Stranger". If you like Zappa then you will probably appreciate this album. Varese was a very talented composer and this album proves it. Ionization alone proves it, but the rest of the disc is great also.

5 out of 5 stars impeccable chaos.......2002-03-02

This disc doesn't contain all of Varese's music, but it comes close at 77 minutes. Varese was not nearly as prolific as he was creative! The first recorded Varese I heard was on the VoxBox (called "Ionisation"), and five of the pieces found here are also on that disk, conducted by Cerha. What a contrast! Cerha presents Varese delicately, transparently, without passion. The advantage is that the instruments are clearly delineated. But you are left wondering what the fuss is about -- it doesn't sound very radical. Boulez emphatically captures the chaos, the energy, the alien-ness of Varese! Of course the overall impact is heightened by the inclusion of "Ameriques" and "Arcana," two 20-minute pieces for full orchestra that are bigger and louder than anything included on the VoxBox. The production value is superb -- sharp and clear -- and the packaging is faultless as well. In short, if you only had one recording by Varese, this would be an excellent choice. If you like this, by all means look for Xenakis' "Orchestral Works and Chamber Music" on Col Legno. Varese is a key influence, especially the composition "Arcana"!
Shirley Verrett Sings Bellini & Verdi
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Shirley Verrett Sings Bellini & Verdi

    Manufacturer: Gala
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B00005Y92Y
    Release Date: 2000-06-06
    Varèse: Arcana; Intégrales; Déserts
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Thrilling Performances, Gorgeous Sound
    • "new music" from 75 years ago
    Varèse: Arcana; Intégrales; Déserts
    Christopher Lyndon-Gee , and Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Manufacturer: Naxos
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    Similar Items:
    1. Varese: Arcana; Ameriques; Ionization; Offrandes; Density 21.5; Octandre; Integrales
    2. Varèse - The Complete Works / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra · Asko Ensemble · Chailly
    3. Boulez Conducts Varèse
    4. Luciano Berio: Laborintus 2
    5. Penderecki: St. Luke Passion

    ASIN: B00005MFGX
    Release Date: 2001-08-21

    Tracks:

    1. Arcana
    2. Octandre: Assez Lent
    3. Octandre: Tres Vif Et Nerveaux
    4. Octandre: Grave
    5. Offrandes: Chanson De Le-haut - Maryse Castets
    6. Offrandes: La Croix Du Sud - Maryse Castets
    7. Integrales
    8. Deserts - 1st episode
    9. Deserts - 1st interpolation of organized sound
    10. Deserts - 2nd episode
    11. Deserts - 2nd interpolation
    12. Deserts - 3rd episode
    13. Deserts - 3rd interpolation
    14. Deserts - 4th episode

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Thrilling Performances, Gorgeous Sound.......2002-12-01

    I bought this CD just to get 'Deserts' in its full form, but after listening to whole thing, I decided to dump my Boulez version of the other works on this disc, because the performances of 'Arcana', 'Integrales' etc., are superior in every way. The clarity, wit, drive and spaciousness are as good as can be. So buy this, and use the money you would have spent on Boulez or Chailly to check out other challenging music.

    5 out of 5 stars "new music" from 75 years ago.......2001-10-01

    this is my first introduction to varese, so i can't compare it against the many other recordings available. but i like
    what i hear- it's amazing that most of these pieces were composed over 75 years ago.

    from the loopy but compelling "offrandes" (settings of surrealest poetry) to the orchestral-industrial riot of
    "deserts", this stuff isn't easy listening but has an odd internal logic of horns, precussion and angry strings.

    someone commented parts of deserts sounds like a videogame of some sort. i think the inclusion of the tape sounds was a wonderfully brave move and makes the whole piece work; i can't even imagine it without the tapes sounds now.

    bravo again to naxos for making such interesting music more popular, and please issue a volume 2 with the rest of this amazing composer's small output.
    Rhythmic Fission: Digital Revisions of Classic Trax
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • Lucid dreaming?
    • A Dreamy Listening Experience
    Rhythmic Fission: Digital Revisions of Classic Trax

    Manufacturer: RCA
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B0001JXQ60
    Release Date: 2004-04-06

    Tracks:

    1. Chasing Bartok - Wolfgang 'Humbucker' Frisch
    2. Riddim Drum & Bass Mix - Dr. Nachtstrom
    3. Blues - Dr. Nachtstrom
    4. Addio Del Passato - Tracy Young
    5. Sirenes 2 Step Mix - Dr. Nachtstrom
    6. Via Verde - Darcosan
    7. People (Get It Together) - Miguel Kertsman
    8. Meditation - Dr. Nachtstrom
    9. Ritual Rhythm - Jovino Santos Neto
    10. Machines - Dr. Nachtstrom
    11. Espirito: Total Chill-Out, Brain Rejuvenator - Miguel Kertsman
    12. The Mermaid - Miguel Kertsman
    13. I Would Kiss You - Michael Habla
    14. New World - Michael Habla
    15. Bartalk Mix - Dan The Automator

    Customer Reviews:

    2 out of 5 stars Lucid dreaming? .......2007-02-13

    Oh, please! I guess it depends on your idea of dreaming.

    If you enjoy dozing off with the electric blender on high, then you've gotta place this in your bedroom.

    Seriously -- the musicianship is highly competent, and there is an obvious commitment to the entire production. But this CD is not dreamy.

    The album title nails it: "Rhythmic FISSION -- digital revisions of classic trax."

    4 out of 5 stars A Dreamy Listening Experience.......2004-06-01

    This music is ideal accompaniment for lucid dreaming...Some of the tracks are loud,fast, and flashy ("Chasing Bartok" track #1, "Machines" track #10 come to mind) while others are fragile and soothing ("Addio Del Passato" and "Espirito"). Any one of these songs would be a superb compliment to a movie soundtrack--they all have this movie-dream-type quality to them, whether the movie/dream is creepy, beautiful, sad, or just plain experimental electronic music. Tracks 12-14 are heavy on vocals: Track 12 is very similar to the enigma song "Beyond the Invisible", while "I would Kiss You" makes me think of Loreena McKennitt with a dash of techno-renaissance flair, and finally "New World" has its good moments, but sounds a bit Disney-esque. "Addio Del Passato" and "Espirito" are the best tracks on the whole album; they sound like the ideal Anne Rice movie soundtrack selections, with "Addio" serving for any goth-vampire-opera-or-nightclub scenes, and "Espirito" for any childhood flashback scenes (hey, that's just what it sounds like!)...

    If you've heard the "Verve Remixed" CDs, then I highly recommend buying this CD as well to help balance out your jazz with some classical. Plus the music is brand-spankin' new. So give this CD a chance.
    Varese: Amériques; Octandre
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • The Best!
    • Varese, ahead of his time
    Varese: Amériques; Octandre

    Manufacturer: Erato
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B000005EB7
    Release Date: 1993-06-08

    Tracks:

    1. Ameriques
    2. Offrandes: Chanson de La-haut
    3. Offrandes: La Croix du Sud
    4. Hyperprism
    5. Octandre: I
    6. Octandre: II
    7. Octandre: III
    8. Arcana

    Amazon.com

    Kent Nagano is a young and brilliant figure among contemporary conductors, and perhaps this suits him for the music of Varese, the audacious French rebel. The purity of Phyllis Bryn-Julson's soprano contrasts with the static, almost metallic blocks of sound that characterize Varese's Offrandes--the instrumental writing seems to flaunt itself in the face of traditional notions of beauty. Nagano's strategy is not to smooth over the harshness of Varese's music; he lets it vibrate and sizzle. --Joshua Cody

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars The Best!.......2002-11-03

    This is both my favorite Varèse recording and my favorite Nagano recording. I find Nagano's Varèse to be much more dynamic and exciting than Boulez (when I compare Hyperprism for instance). I also find that this CD has a really great selection of works (Octandre is my single favorite Varèse work).

    3 out of 5 stars Varese, ahead of his time.......2000-08-19

    This is an excellant collection of Edgard Varese's work. This collections my favorite Varese composition " Hyperprism." Varese in his day was far ahead of his time because his music today is still trail blazing in nature. Everyone who is interested in avant garde music should buy this cd immediatly. No classical collection is complete without it.
    Varese: Intégrales; Ionisation
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • An intriguing disc
    Varese: Intégrales; Ionisation

    Manufacturer: Polygram Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    PercussionPercussion | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B0000042DU
    Release Date: 1997-07-15

    Tracks:

    1. Arcana
    2. Integrales
    3. Ionisation
    4. Concerto For Four Percussion Soloists And Orchestra: I. Recitativo quasi senza misura
    5. Concerto For Four Percussion Soloists And Orchestra: II. Allegro con brio
    6. Concerto For Four Percussion Soloists And Orchestra: III. Cadenza con variazioni
    7. Contextures: Riots - Decade '60: I. Adagio, II. Prestissimo
    8. Contextures: Riots - Decade '60: III. Con calore
    9. Contextures: Riots - Decade '60: IV. Presto, V. Molto adagio

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars An intriguing disc.......2001-03-01

    The Varese pieces on the disc are essential in the collections of anybody interested in 20th century concert music; inevitably they won't be to everyone's taste, but I find them immense fun and very dramatic, as well as being Seminal Artworks (with all the usual modernist pomp, etc.) Those familliar with Varese might be interested to compare this recording to the Boulez recordings; in places Mehta conjures an almost Shostakovichian sound from snare, xylophone and wind passages! Also, the strings in Arcana retain a certain romantic expressiveness in this recording, jarring when set against the angular, spare writing for Vareses' favoured winds and percussion. The Kraft is an excellent coupling; adapting Shoenbergian and Varesian techniques into his own style, he retains a melodic lyricism, but also, unsually for a disciple of these composers, incorporates a Beethovian sense of political and social commentary. There are interjections from a Jazz band, and a moving elegy to Martin Luther King in the finale of the second Kraft work on this disc. Mehta's direction is perhaps better suited for this composer than for Varese, although I have heard no work by Kraft conducted by anyone else. Sound is digitally remastered from analogue, and as a result, bright clear and present, if a little brittle. The LAPO play well throughout, with a few out of tune notes in the extreme top woodwind register.
    Giordano: Andrea Chénier
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • The best version we'll ever get?
    • A bit shallow, yet still thrilling
    • Best studio version
    Giordano: Andrea Chénier
    Umberto Giordano , James Levine , Plácido Domingo , Renata Scotto , Philharmonic Orchestra , Sherrill Milnes , Stuart Harling , Gwendolyn Killebrew , Malcolm King , Jean Kraft , Maria Ewing , Allan Monk , Enzo Dara , and Isser Bushkin
    Manufacturer: RCA
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    Domingo, PlacidoDomingo, Placido | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B00000JPBR
    Release Date: 1999-08-10

    Tracks:

    1. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Questo azzurro sofa la collochiam (Marjordomo)
    2. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Compiacente a colloquii (Gerard)
    3. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Son sessant' anni, o vecchio (Gerard)
    4. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Il giorno intorno gia s'insera lentamenta! (Maddalena, Gerard, Countess, Bersi)
    5. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: L'orribile gonnella (Maddalena, Countess)
    6. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Commosso.. lusingato (Fleville, Countess, Maddalena, Abbe)
    7. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Debole e il Re (Abbe, Feville, Countess, Guests, Maddalena)
    8. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: O pastorelle, addio (Singers, Guests)
    9. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Signor Chenier? (Countess, Guests)
    10. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Al mio dire perdona ed al mio ardire (Maddalena, Friends Of Maddalena, Chenier, Countess, Guests)
    11. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Un di all'azzurro spazio (Chenier, Maddalena, Countess )
    12. Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: La notte il giorno (Voices, Gerard, Countess, Majordomo)
    13. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Per l'ex inferno (Mathieu, Bersi, L'Incredibile)
    14. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Temer?...Perche? Perche? Perche temer dovro? (Bersi)
    15. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: No, non m'inganno! (L'Incredilbile, Chenier, Roucher)
    16. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Credo a una possanza arcana (Chenier, Roucher)
    17. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Calligrafia in vero femminil (Roucher, Chenier, Crowd)
    18. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Viva Roberpierre! Evvival (Matthieu, Citizens, L'Incredibile, Chenier, Gerard, Roucher, Crowd, Bersi)
    19. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Ecco l'altare (Maddalena, Chenier, L'Incredibile)
    20. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Eravate possente (Maddalena, Chenier)
    21. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Ora soave, sublime ora d'amore! (Maddalena, Chenier)
    22. Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Maddalena di Coigny! (Gerard, Maddalena, Chenier, Roucher, L'Incredibile, Mathieu, Crowd)

    Tracks:

    1. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Dumouriez traditore e girondino (Mathieu, People, Gerard)
    2. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Lacrime e sangue da la francial (Gerard)
    3. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Prendi! E un ricordo (Women, L'Incredibile, Gerard, Offstage Newsboy)
    4. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Amici, ancor cantiam, beviam (L'Incredibile, Gerard)
    5. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Donnina, innamorata (L'Incredibile, Gerard)
    6. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Nemico della patria?(Gerard, L'Incredibile, Maddalena, Mathieu)
    7. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Se ancor di me vi sovvenite non sol (Maddalena, Gerard)
    8. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: La mamma morta (Maddalena)
    9. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Perduto! La mia vita per salvarlo (Gerard, Maddalena)
    10. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Mamma Cadet! (Market Women, Mathieu, Crowd, Gerard, Maddalena, Dumas, Fouquier - Tinville)
    11. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Si, fui soldato (Chenier)
    12. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Udiamo i testimoni! (Fouquier - Tinville, Gerard, Crtowd, Chenier, Dumas, Maddalena)
    13. Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: Cittadino, men duol, mae tardi assai (Schmidt, Roucher, Chenier)
    14. Come un bel din maggio (Chenier)
    15. Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: Viene a costei concesso (Gerard, Schmidt, Maddalena)
    16. Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: Vicino a te s' acqueta (Maddalena, Chenier, Schmidt)
    17. Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: La nostra morte (Maddalena, Chenier)

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars The best version we'll ever get?.......2006-09-26

    I agree with both reviewers below: this 1977 performance of Andrea Chenier is the best studio version, and given the absence of tenors with Domingo's charisma, it may be the best we can expect for a long time. but this isn't just the familiar Domingo-Milnes show. By a long stretch Scotto is the best Maddalena I've ever heard. Even though she never had the strong chest tones of a true verismo soprano like Tebaldi, Milanov, or Magda Olivero, Scotto had the right attitude--she seems to be tearing her heart out. Milnes is blustery, as usual, but domingo couldn't be better as the ardent Chenier, and Levine's vigorous pacing helps to disguise the weaknesses in the music (although an audience favorite, this opera is disdained by critics, one of whom called it a garbage can filled with verismo cliches).

    Among the competition, I'm aware of the Callas mono recording, a live aircheck in dreadful sound, and the Chailly-conducted set on Decca with Pavarotti and Caballe, which features the tenor is less than best voice and the soprano a bit too droopy for my tastes. So this RCA set holds it onw.

    3 out of 5 stars A bit shallow, yet still thrilling.......2002-02-09

    This recording came near the end of the famous Domingo/Milnes RCA recordings when they made a flurry of operas with Price, Caballé and Scotto. Here they are paired with Scotto, and led by the young James Levine with the National Philharmonic which was much used at that time by RCA and Decca.

    The main reasons for purchasing this album is for the leading trio in their prime, and for the enthusiastic conducting of Levine. Dramatically, it's more enthusiastic than anything else, and that can be heard right from the opening bars. The freshness and vitality is quite brilliant, and the voices are all healthy and vigorous. However, a first impression only lasts so long, for this is basically a good, but routine Chenier that merely scratches the surface of good theater. For a late 70's recording, it's quite good and worth owning, but it lacks the dramatic punch to put it over the edge.

    Perhaps the most notable reason to hear this is for a document of how exciting Levine's conducting used to be, before his Bayreuth years and subsequent deification at the Met. An early review stated that this Chenier sounded as fresh as if the ink were still wet on the score. What a contrast to what we have today....

    4 out of 5 stars Best studio version.......2001-02-23

    Here we have Domingo & Milnes at their absolutely best. Scotto also is great, landing somewhere between Tebaldi and Callas. It's heard from the very start, Gérard's "son sessant'anni..." gives the tone to the whole performance - blood red and white hot as it is. Thereafter we're spoilt with at least ten - how often are there such a number in one opera - of melodic, dramatic and not least lovely tunes - here greatly sung by some of the last centurys greatest voices. Although I find Bjorling, Corelli and Bastianini great in their respective parts, this is THE over all best studio performance. Feel perfectly assured with this one - the only one to compete is a obscure live version with Del Monaco & Callas on the record label of Melodram (or 'Verona'). Nore Pavarotti's, nore Carreras' versions comes even close to the impact and theatrical reliability of this recording.

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    5. Red Descending
    6. Reign of Fire
    7. Relax With Sounds Of Everglades/Rain Forest/Singing Birds [Box set]
    8. Relaxation: With the Sounds of Nature [Box set]
    9. Scatterlings
    10. Silent Sounds: Oriental Garden

    Pop Music

    pop music

    Recommended Music:

    My Sharona

    Rudolf Wagner-Régeny: Kantaten

    The Empty Foxfall (Limited Edition) [Import] [Original recording remastered]

    Music: One Way Track

    Eiffel Tower

    Real Rumba from Cuba

    The Very Best Of Nina Simone, 1967-1972 : Sugar In My Bowl

    The Heroick Mr. Handel

    Some More Horizons [Import]

    Scriabin: Vers la flamme

    Take a Look Around [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Explicit Lyrics] [Import]

    Sauter Du Nid [Import]

    Sus Exitos Con Raul Iriarte V.2 [Import]

    A Cappella

    Ida Cox: The Essential