Heart Land

Track Listings

1. Heartland: The Warrior's Return, 1st MVT.

2. Heartland: The Warrior's Prayer, 2nd MVT.

3. Heartland: The Inner Battle, 3rd MVT.

4. Heartland: In Love's Domain, 4th MVT.

Heart Land,Tim Wheater,Almo Sounds,Contemporary Instrumental,Ethnic Fusion,Neo-Classical,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Prog-Rock/Art Rock

Heart Land

Tracks:

The Toast Of New Orleans: Be My Love
Because
Very Warm For May: All The Things You Are
The Student Prince: Serenade
Rigoletto - La Donna e Mobile
Pagliacci: Vesti La Guibba
O Sole Mio
The Student Prince: Beloved
South Pacific: Younger Than Springtime
The Great Caruso: The Loveliest Night Of The Year
Carousel: If I Loved You
Carmen: Flower Song
The Student Prince: Golden Days
Spring Is Here: With A Song In My Heart
The Land Of Smiles: Yours Is My Heart Alone
Because You're Mine
Cavalleria Rusticana: Adido Alla Madre
Aida: Celeste Aida
The Lord's Prayer
Granada

Customer Reviews:

Introducing the Greatest Voice of All Time.......2007-03-13

A new generation of music lovers deserves to know, understand and appreciate the greatness of Mario Lanza. Five decades after his passing, millions of lovers of "grand voices" still are held in awe by the power, passion and beauty of his voice.

This selection of recordings has a number of fine selections that give a small "flavor" of his fantastic talent and skills. It is a good beginning for someone who wants to know "The American Caruso."

The Greatest Tenor of the 20th Century........2007-01-21

In a professional career that lasted just a bit over ten years Mario Lanza created more memorable recordings, broadcasts, concert perfomances and feature films than any other major vocalist in the classical and pop-jazz music genre. He was a man blessed with arguably the finest tenor voice in recorded music. Fans of Caruso, Pavarotti, Jan Peerce, Placido Domingo or Careras may argue that their tenor interpreted a particular aria better than anyone else but few if any can argue against the sheer beauty, power and emotion of Mario Lanza. He achieved worldwide success too fast and his penchant for the good life: wine, women and good food got the best of him in the end. It is so sad, when one contemplates Lanza's short but brilliant career and what might have been, that he was gone at age 38, an age when some tenors are just beginning to hit their stride. This album is a fine overview of some of his most memorable heavy classics as well as lighter operetta standards and showcases his voice so well. Nearly fifty years have transpired since his untimely death in 1959 and there is yet to appear on the scene a tenor with the power, charisma or sheer beauty of Lanza's voice. I highly recommend this album to the Lanza novice or those just starting their Opera CD collections.

Easy listening.......2006-02-27

I have always liked Mario Lanza and the album is wonderful and relaxing.

Lanza of the joyous voice!.......2005-07-14

This album has some really splendid songs, and yes, it's a good introduction to the King of the high last notes. I grew up with one of Lanza's albums and more or less learned to sing by singing along with his wonderful warm voice. What good energy he had... and too bad he died so young (sigh). It certainly lifts my spirits to listen to his music again and I hope anyone reading this will take a chance and get to know him too.

Not bad as an introduction to Lanza.......2001-11-13

I recommend this collection as a good starting point for those interested in this extraordinary tenor. It's not a complete representation of the man by any stretch of the imagination, but it includes a handful of unforgettable recordings that will make newcomers to Lanza sit up in astonishment.

Highlights include the immortal Serenade & Golden Days from The Student Prince, Beloved (from the film version of the Student Prince, and arguably Lanza's best English-language love song), Because You're Mine, If I Loved You, and the stirring Addio Alla Madre from Cavalleria Rusticana. If love songs seem a little over-represented at the expense of arias and (notably) Italian & Neapolitan Songs, then blame BMG for their habitual neglect of Lanza's more serious side. In any event, this is essentially a one-CD version of the three-CD set, The Mario Lanza Collection. All of the renditions are the same as on the earlier CD, as are the sound sources. With the exception of The Student Prince Serenade, most of the selections here have never sounded better.

Be aware, however, that several of the arias are in fact retakes of more familiar versions. Vesti La Giubba, for instance, is an alternate take from Lanza's May 1950 session, and although the tenor is in great voice, the orchestra lets him down on the climactic phrase by moving on before he has finished his High A on the word "infranto". The Flower Song is even more unrestrained than the familiar take - great fun, but not the kind of recording you'd want newcomers to Lanza to hear! (Lanza never quite "nailed" this aria, but his heart was in the right place.) La Donna E Mobile is the familiar 1950 version in the first half, but is replaced by an inferior retake in the second half, followed by an edited-in High B ending (on "pensier") from the original recording!

The only truly bad recording is the inexplicably popular With A Song In My Heart. Lanza is unfocused, and strains his way throughout the piece. Yours Is My Heart Alone is somewhat better, but is easily surpassed by the tenor's 1956 recording with the conductor Henri Rene (and currently unavailable on CD).

The "Greatest Hits" are here: the million-selling Be My Love, Loveliest Night of The Year and the aforementioned Because You're Mine. I have to confess to an aversion to the first two - Lanza was often a far better singer than these recordings suggest - but most fans, I'm sure, will continue to cherish them. Besides, what tenor since Lanza has ever sung Be My Love without straining his way through the wretched thing and then fudging the High C at the end? Lanza made it his own, and to be fair to the song, it is actually a very difficult piece to pull off, as Messrs Domingo, Carreras and Leech will no doubt attest. But that was also one of Lanza's most under-appreciated strengths - he made everything sound so easy. Listeners accustomed to the laborious efforts of most present-day tenors will be astounded by the freshness, ease, and sheer bravado of these performances.

Very Best of
Average customer rating:

A great introduction to the art of Placido Domingo

This is really the best.

If you like Placido at all, you must have this CD.

Rare And Great Domingo Classics

A real Bobby Dazzler

Very Best of
Placido Domingo
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Placido Domingo: A Love Until The End Of Time

Bravo Domingo

Perhaps Love

The Domingo Songbook

The Best of the Three Tenors

ASIN: B000083GOJ
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

Ill Mio Tesoro
Un'aura Amorosa
Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schon
La Ci Darem La Mano
Vani Sono I Lamenti...Svegliatevi Nel Core
Pays Merveilleux...O Paradis
Quel Trouble Inconnu Me Penetre...Salut ! Demeure Chaste Et Pure (Faust, Act III)
Ah! Tout Est Bien Fini... O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere (Le Cid, Act III)
None But The Lonley Heart
Lensky's Aria
Donna, Non Vidi Mai (Manon Lescauy Act, II)
Ah, Manon, Mi Tradisce
Dammi I Colori...Recondita Armonia
E Lucevan Le Stelle (Tosca, Act III)
Ch'ella Mi Creda (La Fanciulla Del West, Act III)
Dai Campi, Dai Prati (Mefistofele, Act I)
Virgini Muse...Quando Al Soave Anelito
O Sink Hernieder, Nacht Der Liebe
Was Am Besten Er Kann...Hoho! Hohei!

Tracks:

Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida
Su, Profetessa...Di Tu Se Fedele
Forse La Soglia Attinse...Ma Se M'e Forza Perderti
O Tu Che In Seno Agli Angeli
Su, Cacciator...Fontainebleau!...
Niun Mi Tema
Ach, Wie So Herrlich Zu Schau'n
Sckenkt Man Sich Rosen In Tirol
Gern Hab'ich Die Frau'n Gekusst
O Vaterland...Da Geh'ich Zu Maxim
Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz
Mi Aldea
Cancion Del Sembrador
No Puede Ser
Serenata
Copillas De Belen
Coplas Del Pastor Enamorado
En Aranjues Con Tu Amor
Jealousy Tango
La Golondina

Amazon.com

Placido Domingo is a phenomenon, and every aspect of his artistry is on display in this 2-CD compilation, which includes arias from his signature roles in Italian, French, German, and Russian operas, and songs from Viennese and Spanish operettas. The original recordings range from the early 1970s to the present and show that though over the years his bright golden voice has taken on a darker, more burnished glow, it has retained the melting lyricism, the heroic ring, the thrilling top notes, and the focused intensity that make it instantly recognizable. (Comparing the Verdi arias included here with their counterparts of later vintage in the all-Verdi set The Tenor Arias bears this out.) The program demonstrates his stylistic and expressive versatility and his ability to instantly establish character and mood, from Lenski's sorrow (in Eugene Onegin), Cavaradossi's heart-rending despair (in Tosca), Otello's shattering agony, to Tristan's passion, Siegfried's exuberance, Faust's ardor (first in French by Gounod, then in Italian by Boito). In three Mozart arias, Domingo spins endless, perfectly shaped phrases with incredible breath control, then adds an oddity: the famous duet between Zerlina and Don Giovanni, a role he has not performed. Five Viennese operetta songs, one of which he also conducts, are delightful; there is a smile of pleasure in his voice, but not a hint of kitsch. By contrast, Tchaikovsky's "None but the Lonely Heart" is spoiled by an orchestration that is pure Hollywood. In the final Spanish group, he is on home ground and incomparable. This is a glorious record, a must for all lovers of great singing. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

A great introduction to the art of Placido Domingo.......2007-07-04

Placido Domingo, of course, is one of the finest tenors of the latter part of the 20th century. This 2 CD set well captures his talent, showing the range of his singing. We hear cuts from Puccini and Verdi to Tchaikovsky and Wagner to Strauss and Handel. And even a traditional Spanish sung and some operetta thrown in for good measure!

This is a wonderful introduction to his artistry, and shows that he can sing well across a variety of styles and eras. Let's sample some cuts:

"Il mio Tesoro" (from Mozart's Don Giovanni) is a difficult aria to sing well. And Domingo is up to the challenge. He displays a smooth and rich voice. His is one of those distinctive tenor voices, like Tucker's or Pavarotti's, that is quickly recognizable. This is, as noted, a challenging piece and Domingo handles it well, showing off considerable vocal agility in the process.

From the same opera, "La ci darem la mano," a sweet duet with, in this instance, soprano Susan Graham. This seductive work is sung well by both parties and is a ravishing version.

From Puccini's "Tosca," "Recondita armonia." At the close, his voice rises above orchestra and chorus. Overall, well and richly sung.

And now for something very different. . . The "Forging Scene" from Siegfried. One may not think of Domingo as a heldentenor, but he does a serviceable job here. His voice sometimes appears a bit light, but, overall, he does estimable work. He catches Siegfried's spirit as he forges the shattered remains of his father's sword, "Nothung." When he sings the name of his sword at the close, with the leitmotif ringing out from the orchestra, it is an affecting moment.

Then, "Celeste Aida" (from Verdi's opera). A stentorian voice well deployed to meet the challenges of this wonderful aria. Some tenors scoop as they move from those lower to the higher notes; Domingo's voice is well controlled here. The final high note is well hit.

Strauss (Junior's) "Ach, wie so herrlich zu schau'n" is a romp! A fun piece and well sung by Domingo. He demonstrates, as before, excellent vocal agility.

Lehar's "O Vaterland" is also fun. It is a sprightly tune sprightly sung.

Finally, he ends the second CD with a traditional Spanish tune--"La Golondrina." He does not overpower this work with operatic technique. He sings it well and affectingly.

So, all in all, if one wants a good introduction to Placido Domingo's vocal oeuvre, this is a very strong starting point.

This is really the best........2007-05-16

I have many of Mr. Domingo's recordings but I really love this one. He seems to get better with age. Some of the songs are on some of my other recordings but they seem new and fresh on this CD. I really think this is the best of Placido Domingo.

If you like Placido at all, you must have this CD........2005-04-06

Placido Domingo has been around for so long, it is easy to take this great artist for granted. I totally agree with the previous reviews of this album; I can also say that I had the opportunity to hear him live in concert on April 2, 2005 in Biloxi, Mississippi, and his voice is still stunning. His opening aria that night was the prayer from El Cid, "O Souverain," which he dedicated to the memory of Pope John Paul II. This piece is the 8th selection on CD 1, and is from a 1997 live recording. His thrilling finish blew me away when I listened to it the first time, and and the crowd on the recording reacts the same way the Mississippi audience did when we heard him. That aria alone is worth the price of this CD set.

Rare And Great Domingo Classics.......2005-03-08

EMI's "The Very Best Of" series is a wonderful way for the opera lover/novice or even connoisseur in training to get acquainted with the great singers of opera in the 20th century. It is possible that in a few years, the great singers of today (from the 90's up to now and further into the future) will grace the album covers of The Very Best Of...The Very Best Of Renee Fleming, The Very Best Of Salvatore Licitra, etc. This is not exactly the best of Domingo. It is more of a collection of rare and wonderfully expressive arias from operas that range all over the map- Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, Meyerbeer, Gounod, Massenet. Now, here's the reason why so many people adore Domingo, myself included - Domingo is a Renaissance Opera Tenor. He has sung almost every tenor role in the opera universe. Even if he is, to some, the "tenor who sang with Pavoratti in the three tenors" he proves he's the strongest of the bunch, the most dedicated, the most prolific and most artistic. Domingo has a beautiful voice, with secure high register and dark, masculine middle chest voice and exciting dramatic electricity! He's sung more than 50 operas, in addition operetta and Spanish Zarzuela (the Spanish equivalent to musicals or operetta which is where he got started and his parents sung in Zarzuela) and he has also recorded Spanish mainstream love songs for Latin audiences. A winner of Grammies, an actor in movies about operas that he starred in (Tosca, La Traviata, Otello) and the most active tenor on tv broadcasts, he is just incredible and powerful.
He is a great force in opera.

Even in his old age, he does'nt seem to be slowing down or call it quits. Recent performances (2000-2005) include Eugene Onegin, the lead in Queen of Spades, Rasputin in Debra Dratell's Nicolas and Alexandra, Idomeneo and his next role Parsifal. He is the singular tenor who mastered every repertoire- Mozart (Don Ottavio, Tamino...unfortunately Domingo as Don Giovanni is a miscast because he is too noble and romantic and GOOD to be a bad guy)..to Puccini heros (Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca, Dick Johnson in Fanciualla Del West, Rodolfo in Boheme, Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, Calaf in Turandot) Verdi heroes (Radames in Aida, Don Carlos, Stiffelio, etc) to the French repertoire...Gounod (Faust, Romeo) Meyerbeer heroes, Massenet hero (Des Grieux, Le Cid) and Saint Saens (Samson) the list goes on and on. When this man dies, an era will die with him. His legend will live on because he will leave behind dozens of albums, movies and memories......

A real Bobby Dazzler.......2004-02-19

Fans of Mr. Domingo would be lucky to find a selection of music that more profoundly explores and exhibits the diversity of his vocal ability and interpretation than is offered on these two discs. Delicious displays of Mozart, ringing renditions of the most challenging high Italian roles, powerfully rounded accounts of some of the heavy German/Russian repetoir, and some noticably nostalgic songs from the light Spannish tradition provide an impressive catalogue of the great man's rich, focussed, technically impecable and singularly beguiling vocal talent. Those who are yet to form an opinion on any particular genre of the operatic spectrum would do well to start here, so eclectic is this album. Also, you might be reassured to know that, should you become an admirer of P.D.'s talent as a result of listening to this compilation, (it is difficult to resist), you will have no trouble finding other recordings by him. A record-breaker with more than 110 roles to his repetoir (40 is a respected total for an opera singer), he is the most recorded tenor in history, leaving more than 80 complete accounts to date of operas in the Italian, French, German and Russian traditions.

Average customer rating:

Gosford Park Sound Track
Better than the movie
I don't mind the repeating themes, but the CD is too short!
Excellent Mix
One the best soundtracks out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gosford Park (2001 film)
Patrick Doyle
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gosford Park
We'll Gather Lilacs: The Songs of Ivor Novello
Much Ado About Nothing: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Sense and Sensibility: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1995 Film)
The Queen

ASIN: B00005UNCB
Release Date: 2002-01-15

Tracks:

Waltz Of My Heart
Mr. Parks
Gosford Park
Bored To Sobs
The Shirt
And Her Mother Came Too
Walking To Shoot
No Smoke Without Fire
Scherzo In G
I Can Give You The Starlight
What A Duke Should Be
Inspector Thompson
Pull Yourself Together
Life Goes On
Secrets To Hide
Only For A While
Rather A Pasting
Love Jam
Why Isn't It You?
The Way It's Meant To Be
Carpe Diem
Good Luck
Your Boy's Alive
The Land That Might-Have-Been

Amazon.com

Thematically, director Robert Altman's career sometimes seems an endless series of left turns into the unexpected; the one constant has been a rich and rewarding attention to the intricacies of character development and interaction. Composer Patrick Doyle underscores Gosford Park's Merchant-Ivory/Agatha Christie/Altman-wit fusion and '30s British upper-class setting with a score that's period spot-on, character-rich, and often sadly evocative. Doyle's restraint is masterful, often leaning on piano, accordion, and small string arrangements that emphasize the characters' intimacies and the film's drawing room settings. Key to the story are a handful of prewar songs by Ivor Novello (who's also a character in the film), ranging from the sprightly humor of "And Her Mother Came Too" and "What a Duke Should Be" to the romantic schmaltz of "I Can Give You the Starlight" and "Why Isn't It You?" The latter is performed here at the piano (and, remarkably, live before the cameras) by Jeremy Northam. Leavened by a small jazz ensemble and a few darkly ominous cues, Doyle's score is an understated gem. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Gosford Park Sound Track.......2007-03-30

The original music is creative and very listenable. It is typical of popular music of the 1930s. This CD is highly recommended to those people who enjoy music from the 1920s and 1930s.

Better than the movie.......2004-12-08

Many people, I believe, buy a soundtrack because they are mesmerized by the movie and want to extend the experience by listening to something that reminds them of it. But "Gosford Park" is hardly that kind of movie. It is brilliant and atmospheric as it analyzes the British class system, but that's hardly the kind of thing that wins the heart. The soundtrack of this movie was my favorite CD from last year, and the reasons I liked it had nothing to do with the movie.

Why is this music so compelling and winning?

First, it is fun to discover the marvellous talent of Ivor Norvello. His music is half of the charm of the soundtrack. Some songs are funny ("Her mother came too"), some beautiful ("I can give you the starlight") and some poignant ("The land of might have been"). I had not encountered Norvello before this film. Jeremy Northam's perfect delivery of Norvello's songs would not leave me after I'd seen the film. Days later, I found the songs had taken up residence in the back of my head, insisting that I go back to the soundtrack to make them a permanent part of my musical life.

Second, there is the charm of the orchestral music composed by Patrick Doyle. Sometimes people wonder "why aren't they writing beautiful classical music any more?" Well, they are. It goes into soundtracks, however, rather than being commissioned by orchestras. The test for the quality of Doyle's compositions is that you don't need to refer to the film to appreciate this music. It simply charms and intrigues us with its own merits.

My third reason for loving this CD is too personal to mention here.

I give this CD my highest personal recommendation.

I don't mind the repeating themes, but the CD is too short!.......2004-06-08

Unlike many reviewers here, I didn't buy the CD to hear the Ivor Novello songs or Jeremy Northam's voice. I actually liked the instrumental tracks, and never actually thought I'd like to listen to something played on an accordion.

However, Mr. Doyle's music portrays the lethargy of the snobby Upstairs very well to the contrast of the relative energy of Novello's songs, which the Downstairs servants enjoy, but the Upstairs people can't stand.

My dislikes about the CD include the female singer who can't really sing and the length of the CD. Some of these cues are only about a minute long. WHY pay so much money for such a short CD??? Why not add more music??

Overall though, if you liked either Doyle's music or Novello's songs (hopefully the listener will like both), it's a CD worth getting.

Excellent Mix.......2003-04-23

I fell in love with this soundtrack when I watched Gosford Park in the cinemas.

Sometimes period music, sometimes mystery music, sometime personal music. Jeremy Northam's songs are simply delicious and I love hearing them.

I liken the style (not type) of mix to You've Got Mail.

Heaps of fun and lovely to listen to.

One the best soundtracks out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-03-06

When I saw the movie at the theater I kept thinking I've got to have the soundtrack to this movie because it is so beautiful. I also really enjoyed the sung songs 6.And Her Mother Came Too, 10.I Can Give You The Starlight, 11.What A Duke Should Be, 16. Only For A While, 20. The Way It's Meant To Be, 24. The Land That Might-Have-Been!! I think that Patrick Doyle did a wonderful job of scoring this movie the just fits right in with it all, I only wish there was more to listen to!! I highly recommend this album to everyone who liked the movie and people who love great soundtracks, you will not be sorry if you buy this!!!!

Average customer rating:

A Collector's Item
STUPENDOUS!!!!
a great partial overview of an extraordinary career
What a beauty!
He answered my SOS - with his soul

José Carreras: The Golden Years

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Very Best of
Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ Favorite Arias by the World's Favorite Tenors
Bravo Domingo
José Carreras Sings Catalan Songs

ASIN: B00000J9GN
Release Date: 1999-06-15

Tracks:

La Boheme: Che gelida manina
TOSCA: Recondita armonia
TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai
Turandot: Nessun dorma
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
Un Ballo in Maschera: Forse la soglia attinse
Rigoletto: Parmi veder le lagrime
Ernani: Come rugiada al cespite
II Trovatore: Di quella pira
La Battaglia di Legnano: La pia materna mano
Pagliacci: Vesti la giubba
Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
Werther: Je ne sais si je veille
Das Land des Lachelns: Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
II Tedesco: Plaisir d'amour
Serse: Ombra mai fu
Rinaldo: Lascia ch'io pianga
Caro mio ben

Tracks:

Misa Criolla: Kyrie
A vucchella
La Serenata
Marechiare
Malia
L'ultima canzone
Ideale
Non t'amo piu
Good-bye
Mattinata
O sole mio
Core 'ngrato
Funiculi, funicula
Torna a Surriento
Granada
La Danza
You Belong To My Heart
Because
West Side Story: Tonight
Be My Love
Because You're Mine
Cats: Memory

Customer Reviews:

A Collector's Item.......2007-03-09

This is a different voice than you hear on recordings of "The Three Tenors." Of course, it's his earlier years, but the light, lyrical quality of his voice is amazing. Thank goodness for recordings, and digital remastering. I love this CD.

STUPENDOUS!!!!.......2005-06-20

I have a Carreras-recording of Tosca from 1980 and up till now I thought it was the ultimate recording of "Recondita armonia" and "E lucevan le stelle". I honestly thought that no one could sing these arias better. And in a way I'm right. The only one that did it was himself - a few years earlier.....(The two arias in this "golden years cd" are taken from a -76 recording of Tosca). And after listening to these songs I can't imagine that anyone dare say that he is/was the weakest of the three tenors. In my opinion he possesses something that the others don't. (I won't tell you what it is - listen and find out yourself). Even if his voice has changed over the years (and I mean changed, not declined..) something remains unchangeable and that is his ability to evoke emotions. No one can deliver a line like him. And that's something that's going to stay with him forever, because what makes his singing so special comes from within. It's not dependent on the quality of the voice. But in the songs on this cd his voice is pure gold.

Even though I like the whole album, some of the songs on the first cd (which consists of operatic arias) stand out to me - like "Una furtiva lagrima", "donna non vidi mai", "vesti la giubba" and "nessun dorma" (Sorry Pavarotti - José is way ahead of you interpreting this song. It's not enough to sing it on full blast....) Here's also the loveliest rendition of "Forse la soglio attinse". In 1975 the audience at La Scala in Milan went absolutely crazy after he had sung this aria. I have a recording from that night and it sounds as if they are standing on their seats, cheering and applauding. And it's almost like I want to do the same myself after listening to his singing on this album. And in the song "dein ist mein ganzes hertz" he makes me believe that his whole heart really is mine......In my opinion Carreras has the best rendition of this song ever. No one else comes even close to this one. And I mustn't forget his "che gelida manina" from La Bohême. I have the -79 recording it's taken from and it's the ultimate Bohême ever.

The second cd has a "lighter" repertoire with songs from composers like Tosti, Cardillo, Lara and others. My personal favourites here are "Core n'grato", "Ideale" and "Granada". In my opinion no one sings these songs like Carreras. Or rather - no one sings like Carreras. Period!

His singing will no doubt give you goosebumps all over and make your hair stand on end. If not, I bet you're either a Pavarotti or Domingo-fan....

a great partial overview of an extraordinary career.......2005-04-09

Now a household name by being one of the Three Tenors alongside Pavarotti and Domingo, Carreras' finest recordings were actually done in the 1970s, when his voice had a brilliance and luster that few singers have equaled. Born in Spain in '46, Carreras was a child prodigy, and by his late 20s was a shining star in all the major opera houses. Tragically, in '87, he learned he had leukemia, a disease he battled and won, going on to greater fame than ever before.
Though his voice is powerful and full of beauty, those with keen ears will detect his voice losing a tiny bit of its magnificence starting in the early 80s, and one wonders if the stress and exhaustion of stardom contributed to this as well as to the illness, or whether it was because the seeds of leukemia were taking root.

CD One is the operatic disc, and the two most sublime cuts are both from '76, Puccini's "E lucevan le stelle" (Tosca), and Verdi's "Forse la scoglia attinse" (Un Ballo in Maschera). Another track I adore is the heavenly Lehar "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" (Das Land des Lachelns), from 1978, and few have performed this popular piece with more loveliness.
CD Two is in a lighter vein, and starts with a stupendous rendition of Ariel Ramirez' "Kirie" (Misa Criolla), sung softly and with extraordinary tenderness and artistry.
There are lots of heavenly melodic Italian songs, like "O Sole Mio", and a few in English like the song made famous by Lanza (who according to the liner notes, inspired Carreras to be a singer when he saw "The Great Caruso" at the age of six) "Be My Love " (Brodszky/Cahn).
The foldout insert has complete track list info and liner notes, and mention must be made of the incredible, sensitive sepia portrait of this handsome singer on the cover. Total playing time for CD One is 75'32, and for CD Two 75'47.
A must for Carreras fans, and anyone who appreciates the finest in operatic voices.

What a beauty!.......2005-01-13

This great double CD set shows us the true Carreras. All the great songs and arias are on this(although I would've liked to hear pourquoi me reveiller) and in pure Carreras style.
Some of the opera recordings are live, and that adds a lot to them. Both sides of the CDs have fantastic repetoire.
Definately a worthy buy!

He answered my SOS - with his soul.......2004-02-07

I came upon the genius of Mr. Carrera quite accidentally. I was in Warsovie (Warsaw), Poland. My purse was stolen, so I lay miserable and penniless and alone in the home of my Ex, with a copy of the Vampire Chronicles and Dostoevsky's Notes from the Underground (only books in English). The maddening drone of the hydro-dam nearby moved me to turn on the radio to my favorite college station. I was no opera buff, so when they announced that they would cover some Enrique Caruso songs, I was panicked to find a station that I could relate to.

Jose Carrera covered the full gambit of Caruso's classics. They must've played him for 2 hours straight. I was mesmerized. I could have touched him and put his hand to my face, his voice was so close. He sang with such emotion and outcry that I wanted to take him into my arms and console him. "Damn" is all that I could verbalize, when the program ended.

Tracks:

Be My Love
I'll Never Love You
Because You're Mine
The Song Angels Sing
Drink, Drink, Drink
Serenade
The Loveliest Night of the Year
La Donna E Mobile
Because
For You Alone
Golden Days
Deep In My Heart, Dear
If I Loved You
Yours Is My Heart Alone
One Night Of Love
Beloved
Beautiful Love
With A Song In My Heart
You Are My Love
Call Me Fool

Tracks:

All The Things You Are
My Song,My Love
Love Is The Sweetest Thing
Will You Remember
Granada
Lolita
Serenade
Temptation
Lygia
Lady of Spain
This Land
Lee-Ah-Loo
Tina-Lina
Boom Biddy Boom Boom
The Bayou Lullaby
The Lord's Prayer
And Here You Are
Song of Songs
Somewhere A Voice Is Calling
I Never Knew

Tracks:

Ciribiribin
Wonder Why
Come Dance With Me
O Sole Mio
Younger Than Springtime
For the First Time (Come Prima)
Never Till Now
Arrivederci, Roma
If You Were Mine
Behold!
A Night to Remember
Love in a Home
Do You Wonder
Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
One Alone
Aida:Celeste Aida
Carmen: Flower Song
La Traviata: Brindisi
Rigoletto:Questa O Quella
Pagliacci:Vesti La Giubba
Cavalleria Rusticana: Addio Alla Madre

Customer Reviews:

Selections from the Greatest Voice of the Last Hundred Years.......2007-03-13

Mario Lanza was, arguably, the greatest tenor and greatest singer of this and the last century. It is difficult to appreciate him without listening to a variety of selections. This collection has some of his best recordings and exhibits the versatility and variety that he possessed that permitted him to "crossover" from opera to popular music with a ease.

I recommend this for those who already know Lanza to some extent but want to go into more depth and understand his marvelous skills.

A Must Have .......2006-12-12

I had forgotten what a beautiful voice Mario Lanza had. This collection contains opera and pop selections that exhibit the power yet sweetness of his voice. Fortunately, we have his CD's and videos so we can remember and listen to his gorgeous, vibrant voice and personality. I highly recommend this collection along with his wonderful movies, especially The Great Caruso.

The Mario Lanza Collection.......2006-11-10

I had forgotten just how beautiful a voice from the past was. It is a wonderful collection

The MARIO LANZA Collection.......2006-08-19

extract from most important LPs. Brilliant sound quality from RCA. Also included are soundtrack recordings from some of his movies. The are several reissues from Mario Lanza but this one is a collection you should have.

WONDERFUL!!!!!.......2005-10-19

The Mario Lanza Collection is a three CD set and it has 61 songs and they all sound great. The mastering on this set is excellent and the song choice is very very good. It would have been perfect if they added a forth CD with more Arias, Italian songs and Sacred Arias. BUT still this set is a great introduction to Lanza. Lanza's voice was powerful and beautiful; if you are a fan of great singing, you will love Lanza. Highlights on this CD set are; Be my Love, Because your Mine, Serenade, With a Song in My Heart, Temptation, The Lord's Prayer, Ciribirbin, O Solo Mio, Ariverducci Roma, and on and on. They are many many great songs on this set, and I highly recommend it.

In A Monastery Garden: The Immortal Works Of Ketelbey

Average customer rating:

Ketelbey must have influenced the great film soundtrack composers
Buy This

In A Monastery Garden: The Immortal Works Of Ketelbey

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Albert W. Ketélbey: In a Persian Market; In a Monastery Garden; etc.
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Lehár: Waltzes
Ketelbey: In a Persian Market; In a Monastery Garden; In a Chinese Temple Garden
Viennese Violin: The Romantic Music of Lehár, Kreisler & Strauss

ASIN: B000004279
Release Date: 1996-01-08

Tracks:

In A Monastery Garden - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
Wedgwood Blue - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
In The Mystic Land Of Egypt - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
Bells Across The Meadows - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
In A Chinese Temple Garden - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
Sanctuary Of The Heart - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
'Appy' Ampstead - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
The Phantom Melody - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
In A Persian Market - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
Hejre Kati - London Festival Orch
Berceuse De Jocelyn - London Festival Orch
Valse Sentimentale - London Festival Orch
Fetes Tziganes - London Festival Orch
Meditation - London Festival Orch
Im Chambre Separee - London Festival Orch
Garden Scene - London Festival Orch
None But The Lonely Heart - London Festival Orch
Czardas - London Festival Orch

Customer Reviews:

Ketelbey must have influenced the great film soundtrack composers .......2006-09-02

I can see how this music might have been used as accompaniment to a showing of the silent film "Thief of Baghdad", or "The Sheik", or any one of those swashbucklers. Not that the exotic was all that Ketelbey indulged in, as this CD will reveal. I recommend it highly. And for those interested in historical recordings, try the 1921 Peerless Orchestra recording of "Monastery Garden", which is part of the Library of Congress archive and which is available to listen to or to download for free as a .wav file at [...]. This is the website for Birmingham, England, the composer's birthplace.

Buy This.......2006-07-11

This music helped me to be totally relaxe and completely entertained.
Of particular interest for me was "Wedgewood Blue" and "Meditation", both performed beautifully.
I highly recommend this imported German CD and add that, due to the rarity of some of the tracks, it is a good idea to not delay.

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

Average customer rating:

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

Manufacturer: Castle Pulse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Favourite Welsh Choirs
Land of Song Welsh Choral Classics
Welsh Choirs: Wonderful Welsh Choirs
Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome
Traditional Songs of Wales

ASIN: B0009SOFXG
Release Date: 2005-08-01

Tracks:

Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Dies Irae
Men of Harlech
You'll Never Walk Alone
Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
Old Folks at Home
Il Liza Jane
Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Vergine Degli Angeli
Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
My Hero
God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
German Mass/Gloria
German Mass/Sanctus
Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Arwelfa
Invictus
Softly as I Leave You

Tracks:

Diolch l'R L
Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
Memories of Martha
I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
Creation's Hymn
In the Spirit!
Shall We Gather at the River
Nos a Bore
Very Best Time of Year
Soon Ah Will Be Done
Thanks Be to God
Flower That Shattered the Stone
Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
Where Shall I Be?
Bywyd y Bugail
Lord's Prayer

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
Cymru Fach
Nidaros
Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
Watching the Wheat
Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
Misbles/Stars
Rachie
Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
There Is a Balm in Gilead
Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
My Lord, What a Mornin'
Bryn Myrddin
Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
Ride the Chariot
Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir

Tracks:

Y Nefoedd
Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
By Babylon's Wave
I'm Gonna Sing
Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
That's All I Want from You
Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
Give Me Jesus
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
My Wish for You
Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
Mose in Egitto/Prayer
Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
God's Choir in the Sky
Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
Smilin' Through

Tracks:

Calon Lan
True Love
Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
Aberystwyth
Comrades in Arms
Cats/Memory
They Led My Lord Away
State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
When I Fall in Love
Let's Face the Music and Dance
Windmills of Your Mind
How Soon
Non Nobis Domine
Rhythm of Life
Kalinka
Sound an Alarm
Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
Turandot/Nessun Dorma
Christus Redemptor
Ann Evening's Pastorale

Album Details

Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.

Average customer rating:

Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set]

ASIN: B00062FLI8
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Average customer rating:

not to great
Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$
You get what you pay for.
Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ...

100 Favorite Patriotic Songs

Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

American Pride: Sixteen Stirring Patriotic Themes
United We Stand: Songs for America
America's Favorite Patriotic Songs
America's Bugle Calls
Patriotic Country

ASIN: B0000A1HT8
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

America the Beautiful
All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight
Ballad of the Green Berets
On Top of Old Smokey
Coyote Warrior
Semper Fidelis
Breeze from Alabama
Onward Christian Soldiers
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
Patriot
Sweet Betsy from Pike
Marines' Hymn
America Is
When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home
Happy the Soldier
American Trilogy
Home Sweet Home
Washington Post March
Enraptured I Gaze
Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair
Yellow Rose of Texas
Over There
Simple Gifts
Liberty Bell
Star Spangled Banner

Tracks:

God Bless the USA
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Katy Cruel
I Vow to Thee My Country
King Cotton
Beautiful Dreamer
America
American Patrol
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Beauty
Mohican Dream
Red, White and Blue
Some Folks
Liberty Song
Pomp and Circumstance
Hail to the Chief
Bennington Rifles
Peace on the Battlefield
I've Been Working on the Railroad
Under the Double Eagle
Red River Valley
My Country 'Tis of Thee
Camptown Races
Wild Blue Yonder
Hands Across the Sea
Fanfare for the Common Man

Tracks:

Stars and Stripes Forever
Living in America
Home on the Range
Old Colony Times
Clementine
Invincible Eagle
Ring Ring de Banjo
Yankee Doodle
Largo from "The New World"
To a Wild Rose
Hail Columbia
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Gettysburg
Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
Capitan
Prairie Daughter
Little Brown Jug
Marching Through Georgia
Entertainer
Steamboat Around the Bend
Revolutionary Tea
Cassions Keep Rollin' Along
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Amazing Grace
Grand Old Flag

Tracks:

God Bless America
National Emblem
Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me
Anchors Away
Oh, Susannah
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
Toast
Dixie
St. Louis Blues
Appalachian Spring
Bonnie Blue Flag
Old Hundreth
Swanee River
Battle Cry of Freedom
U. S Field Artillery
Sidewalks of New York
Chester
Auld Lang Syne
Kingdom Come
My Old Kentucky Home
Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Shenandoah
Abraham's Daughter
This Land Is Your Land

Customer Reviews:

not to great.......2007-04-04

We were disappointed with this CD, but for the price I guess we can't expect much. I didn't care for the new style presentation of the songs. I like a more traditional rendering.

Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$.......2005-06-22

I red the comments of two other people who have bought this 4 CD BOX SET and it is not really so bad. I will even add that there are some excellent tunes. However, I must agree with the fact that few tunes seem to have been recorded 40 or 50 years ago, mainly when you hear the scratches of an old turntable but it is just 2 or 3 tunes. Furthermore, if you do not know American music, it is a good BOX SET to buy if you consider that you received 4 CD for 4$ including 100 tunes. On these 4 CD, I have heard some orchestration that I have never heard before and I consider that they are different but interesting. Any way, after hearing these 100 tunes, you will say to yourself that you like this tune, this other tune, this other tune and so on and you will be able to buy a more expensive CD with the tunes that you like. However, I have bought many CDs in the last few weeks and as you know, there are always some tunes that you like and some tunes that you do not like on every CD that you will buy. So, don't buy it at 25$ but at 4 or 5$ dollars, it is a very good choice for 100 tunes.

You get what you pay for........2004-07-04

You get what you pay for. The singers put their own spin on the singing of each song. If you didn't hear the words you would not recognize some of them. Even some of the music sounds like a bad recording of music played on a turntable. Definitely not worth the price.

Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ..........2004-07-04

I wish this review had been here when I was thinking of purchasing it. I guess you get what you pay for. If you are thinking of buying this, you are better off recording your own CDs (or at least buying one that you can listen to a sampling of the songs). This album includes songs that were mere recordings of the songs playing on an old record player. It's almost so unbelievable that it is funny.

Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock

Average customer rating:

Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty
So Fashionable, and So Disappointing
A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal
Wait! Before you buy...
La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener

Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock
George Frideric Handel , Arleen Auger , Anne Sofie von Otter , Trevor Pinnock , The English Concert & Choir , Michael Chance , Howard Crook , and John Tomlinson
Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner
Belcea Quartet ~ Debussy · Dutilleux · Ravel
Beethoven: Symphony No 9 /ORR * Gardiner
Handel: Messiah /Nelson * Kirkby * Watkinson * Elliott * Thomas * AAM * Hogwood
Haydn: Lord Nelson Mass / Willcocks, King's College Choir

ASIN: B0000057DB
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Messiah: Part One - 1. Sinfony (Grave - Allegro moderato)
Messiah: Part One - 2. Accompagnato : Comfort Ye My People
Messiah: Part One - 3. Air : Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
Messiah: Part One - 4. Chorus : And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed
Messiah: Part One - 5. Accompagnato : Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts
Messiah: Part One - 6. Air : But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
Messiah: Part One - 7. Chorus : And He Shall Purify
Messiah: Part One - 8. Recitative : Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
Messiah: Part One - 9. Air and Chorus : O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
Messiah: Part One - 10. Accompagnato : For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover
Messiah: Part One - 11. Air : The People That Walked In Darkness
Messiah: Part One - 12. Chorus : For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Messiah: Part One - 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
Messiah: Part One - 14. Recitative: There Were Shepherds Abiding In The Field - Accompagnato: And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord - 15. Recitative: And The Angel Said Unto Them - 16. Accompagnato: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
Messiah: Part One - 17. Chorus : Glory To God In The Highest
Messiah: Part One - 18. Air : Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
Messiah: Part One - 19. Recitative : Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind
Messiah: Part One - 20. Air : He Shall Feed His Flock
Messiah: Part One - 21. Chorus : His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light
Messiah: Part Two - 22. Chorus : Behold The Lamb Of God
Messiah: Part Two - Air : 23. He Was Despised

Tracks:

Messiah: Part Two - 24. Chorus : Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
Messiah: Part Two - 25. Chorus : And With His Stripes We Are Healed
Messiah: Part Two - 26. Chorus : All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
Messiah: Part Two - 27. Accompagnato : All They That See Him
Messiah: Part Two - 28. Chorus : He Trusted In God
Messiah: Part Two - 29. Accompagnato : Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
Messiah: Part Two - 30. Arioso : Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
Messiah: Part Two - 31. Accompagnato : He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land
Messiah: Part Two - 32. Air : But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul
Messiah: Part Two - 33. Chorus : Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
Messiah: Part Two - 34. Recitative : Unto Which Of The Angels
Messiah: Part Two - 35. Chorus : Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him
Messiah: Part Two - 36. Air : Thou Art Gone Up On High
Messiah: Part Two - 37. Chorus : The Lord Gave The Word
Messiah: Part Two - 38. Air : How Beautiful Are The Feet
Messiah: Part Two - 39. Chorus : Their Sound Is Gone Out
Messiah: Part Two - 40. Air : Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage
Messiah: Part Two - 41. Chorus : Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
Messiah: Part Two - 42. Recitative : He That Dwelleth In Heaven
Messiah: Part Two - 43. Air : Thou Shalt Break Them
Messiah: Part Two - 44. Chorus : Hallelujah
Messiah: Part Three - 45. Air : I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Messiah: Part Three - 46. Chorus : Since By Man Came Death
Messiah: Part Three - 47. Recitative : Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
Messiah: Part Three - 48. Air : The Trumpet Shall Sound
Messiah: Part Three - 49. Recitative : Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
Messiah: Part Three - 50. Duet : O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
Messiah: Part Three - 51. Chorus : But Thanks Be To God
Messiah: Part Three - 52. Air : If God Be For Us
Messiah: Part Three - 53. Chorus : Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain --- Amen

Amazon.com essential recording

This is a terrific performance of Messiah. Not only are the soloists all superb, but Trevor Pinnock completely contradicts the image of many period instrument performances as small-scale, scrappy affairs. Indeed, he invests the choruses with as much genuine Handelian pomp as Beecham at his most extravagant. The trumpets really blaze, and the timpani thunder, and everyone simply has a great time. A joyous performance, just right for the holiday season. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Trevor Pinnock meets with mixed success in this account of the Messiah with the English Concert & Choir and soloists Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, and John Tomlinson, recorded and released in 1988. Its strengths are the strengths of the early-music movement in general. The size and distribution of the instrumental and vocal forces are optimal, which means that textures are clear and balances apt. Rhythms are nicely pointed, though often, in Pinnock's case, not quite well enough sprung. Tempos are well chosen; for example, "All we like sheep"--which turns out to be one of the set's best numbers--is a real bourré, and Pinnock animates it in just the right way. But the performance often seems workmanlike and unemotional, weighed down in too many instances by the humdrum work of the chorus. The alto section in particular, which is half male and half female, sings timidly and is constantly swallowing its entrances. Bass soloist John Tomlinson is a further drag on the effort. He has the right idea--that there's an Italian opera hiding behind all this biblical imagery--but his cottony sound is out of place, a misguided attempt to mimic Nicolai Ghiaurov. His usable range is less than a tenth (he croaks the low G's and F-sharps), and his diction is horrible. "Thus spake the Lord" is strangled, and when, in "The trumpet shall sound" Tomlinson gets to the words "we shall be changed," one can't help wishing that he had been changed too, right before the sessions started. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty.......2007-06-13

Handel's Messiah is my favorite piece of classical music. Of the two versions that I had I only have left this one, and it is not the best (the other had been a cheap recording whose author's name I forgot too). This version seems to lack a little enthusiasm from the voices; too melancholic. Anyway, this is the first review of any music that I write, and probably will be the last too, so I just want to leave my impression of how I feel when I hear these solemn and heavenly sounds. One feels so raised to the heavenlies... I can almost sense the presence of the Lord Almighty up yonder among the clouds, and me being carried in solemnity to meet Him. Far away are the buzzing sounds of earthly chores. The air is fresh and clean as we are raised above the valleys, and we come to meet God's elected amid the singing, stronger and stronger. Jubilant, bathed in the glorious rays of the Savior's Light, we come together and sing: Glory to God, glory to God, praise and glory for He is coming...

So Fashionable, and So Disappointing.......2007-02-01

This would be a great 21st Century Reader's Digest version of Messiah, if such a thing existed any more. Handel did as much as he could, but really, the performers still have to do something besides posture, which, by the way, seems to me to characterize many performances these days. Fashionable, but musically deficient.

Specifically: John Tomlinson sings like he thinks he IS God, instead of singing about Him. Heavy, cumbersome, and overblown. May I add boorish?

Arleen Auger has a very sweet voice. And??

Despite the program notes insisting that certain segments of this Messiah are given to "the contralto", Anne Sofie von Otter is NOT a contralto. Not even close.

The male alto can barely sustain a legato line - why he insists upon throwing in those complicated, badly-performed embellishments I can't figure. Well, I can, but I'd really rather not say.

Wake up, choristers!! It's 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born," not "Oy, I have to go to the grocery store today."

Boy do I regret having spent almost $40 on this one. Thank goodness I have the Colin Davis to console me.

A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal.......2006-12-17

This 1988 recording sits between the euqally English, euqally period-ifnluenced Hogwood and Garidner. Of the three, Hogwood sounds more 'authentic' because it uses boys in the chorus and singers schooled period practice. By comparison, Pinnock's soprano, Arleen Auger, and mozeeo, Von Otter, are essentially modern singers--gorgeous ones, of course, Gardiner is far more anemic in his conducting and uses a scrwny-sounding orchestra, so if that's more authentic, so be it. Of the three, Pinnock gives us more traditional music values in his emotional expression and instrumental timbres.

The competiiton is mushc stiffer now than in 1988, but Pinnock's reading has survived the test of time. He is not a genuinely inspired conductor--sadly, Messiah has become a cottage industry that excludes most big-name talents--but neither are Gardiner and Hogwood. (For sheer musicality, I tend to put my money on Andrew Parrott, Robert King, Marc Minkowski, Niklaus Harnoncourt, and Rene Jacobs.) But he's certainly good eough. The reason I haven't given five stars is that the male soloists aren't first-rate, and in particular the Wotan voice of John Tomlinson sounds cavernous in the bass arias. Add to that Pinnock's tendency toward tepidness, and what you end up with is a very good but not great performance.

Wait! Before you buy..........2006-05-28

... This Messiah has recently been re-released at a much cheaper price. Go back and look for the DG "The Originals" release, which is being sold new for under $12.

La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener.......2004-12-29

Soy uno de los mas fanaticos seguidores de Handel y de su obra El Mesias... He escuchado muchas versiones de esta genial e impresionante obra del maestro Handel y, sencillamente no me queda mas que recomendar esta interpretacion, bajo la batuta del maestro Trevor Pinnock. Se nota la exigencia con que esta version se interpreto, dentro el contexto del arte barroco y la magnificencia de la pronunciacion del ingles de la epoca. La orquesta se luce impresionantemente desde la obertura... y le da a cada movimiento, toda aquella fuerza y a la vez delicadeza requerida en el sentimiento que aplica en cada uno de los textos biblicos escogidos por el guionista Jennens. El Coro del English Concert es arrebatador y demuestra maestria en la interpretacion de cada una de las arias que le corresponde. La soprano Arleen Auger, la puedo definir como un angel cantando y resulta ser una caricia a los oidos, a la vez que es capaz de arrancarle a uno las lagrimas por lo excelso de su magia interpretativa. El tenor Crook, aunque no es un tenor con tesitura para canto barroco, es realmente habil y agil al momento de interpretar los melismas caracteristicos de este brillante periodo musical. El contratenor Michael Chance, es fenomenal y quiera Dios que yo tenga el honor de conocer a este genio del canto: "But who may abide..." interpretado por Chance en esta version, es como para caer en extasis. La contralto Anne Sophie von Otter..., tiene una voz oscura y redondeada..., tambien resulta una caricia a los oidos y su "If God be for us..." es desbordante, capaz tambien de hacerle a uno derramar lagrimas por su belleza interpretativa. El bajo Tomlinson..., es barbaro!!! (Soy bajo-baritono en el Co