Voices of Light

Track Listings

1. Into the Light

2. Sounds of Sadness

3. Whispering Winds

4. Cry of the Rainforest

5. Lullaby for Jamie

6. Through the Storm

7. Solitude

8. Love Lights

9. Magic of Jessica

Voices of Light,Jim Brandmeier,Avalon (Rock Bottom),Contemporary Instrumental,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Popular Music,Rock/Pop

Voices of Light

Tracks:

The Blue Danube - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Anna Polka - (French Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Morning Papers - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
At The Hunt - (Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Light of Heart - (Fast Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Wine, Women And Song - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Pleasure - Train - (Fast Polka) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Vienna Bonbons - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Perpetual Motion - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Accelarations - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Pizzicato - Polka - (Johann And Josef Strauss) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.
Tales From The Vienna Woods - (Waltz) - J. STRAUS SR./STRAUSS*J. JR.

Tracks:

The Emperor Waltz - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Thunder and Lightning - (Fast Polka) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Die Fledermaus: Overture - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Voices of Spring - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Prince Methusalem: Bandit Gallop - (From 'Prince Methusalem') - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Artist's Life - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Persian March - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Roses from the South - (Waltz) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Eljen a Magyar! - (Fast Hungarian Polka) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Chit-Chat Polka - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Vienna Blood - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Radetzky-March - (Johann Strauss, Father) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

wonderful.......2007-07-22

These CD's were wonderful. When I drive in the Sierra Nevada mountians I want something peaceful but not boring. I love, love, love it.

Repackaged New Year's Concert 1984 with VPO, etc........2005-02-23

If I'm not mistaken, most of the pieces were recorded originally live during a 1984 New Year's Concert conducted by Lorin Maazel with the Vienna Philharmonic playing in its grand concert hall, the Musikverein. Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic have had a longstanding relationship dating from the 1960's, and without question, this CD does rank among my favorite New Year's Concert performances (However, the most mesmerizing ones I've heard have been those with the late Carlos Kleiber and Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting.) for the superb quality of the Vienna Philharmonic's playing. Maazel leads the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in some of the most popular works composed by the Strauss family, most notably Johann II Strauss' Tales from the Vienna Woods Waltz, Emperor Waltz, Pizzicato Polka, Blue Danube Waltz and his father's Radetzky March, which traditionally closes out the annual New Year's Concert. Fans of the Strauss family, Vienna Philharmonic and Lorin Maazel, will not be disappointed with this excellent two CD compilation.

I am glad I bought this one.......2003-04-25

I listen to this cd to relax and it is so soothing. It starts with The blue Danube, which is my favorite. But the rest of the songs do not disapoint.

Great Music as usual.......2002-10-08

This is great recording,
I enjoy listening to it
veru much. This is a
compilation of all the
favorite waltzes by
the Strauss family, that
one might hear at a
New Year's eve concert
of the Vienna Philharmonic...
All waltzes and Polkas are
favorites of audiences everywhere
in the world...

A gem!.......2001-10-29

Who else knows Strauss better than Viennese? I attest that no other orchestra in the world plays Strauss better than the Vienna Philharmonic. Their light sound is exactly what the composer wanted, and it really makes other clumsy, heavy attempts by some other orchestras like Berlin and Chicago seem pathetic.

Tracks:

Trumpet Concerto In D Major - 1. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto In D Major - 2. Largo
Trumpet Concerto In D Major - 3. Allegro (moderato)
'Let the Bright Seraphim' From Samson
Sonata A 5 For Trumpet & Strings, T.V. 3
'Sound the Trumpet' from Come Ye Sons Of Art
'Chaconne' from Come Ye Sons Of Art
'Entrada' from The Indian Queen
'Trumpet Air' from The Indian Queen
'Trumpet Tune' from King Arthur
'Trumpet Overture' from The Indian Queen
Sonata A 5 For Trumpet & Strings, T.V. 7
'Eternal Source Of Light Divine'
For Solo Trumpet And Strings, Concert No. 2 - 1. Allegro
2. Adagio
For Solo Trumpet And Strings, Concert No. 2 - 3. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

A blast of brass.......2005-08-18

I first encountered this on cassette, quite by accident. It later became the background for my work at morning at the easel painting watercolours. But this is no wallpaper music. The technical genius of matching separate recordings of different trumpet parts is surpassed only by Marsalis's bright and lively technique. The masters would be pleased. As for the watercolours, I can now stand before them and see the music's influence on paper. Well worth the listening...

Old school Wynton.......2005-08-12

This cd features a lot of Wynton's earlier piccolo playing, which, while perhaps not as brilliant as you'd hear on his Gabriel's Garden album, is slightly more refined and appropriate to the repertoire. That isn't to say he doesn't embellish; The Fasch concerto has some tastefully inserted ornaments. "Let the Bright Seraphim" is as well played with soprano Edita Gruberova as it is in Wynton's later recording with Kathleen Battle. The Purcell selections on the album are probably the best examples of good piccolo playing I've found, particularly the trills. One only need listen to the "Entrada" to see how delicate and refined the playing on the whole album is.

fabulous.......2003-09-28

Marsalis' prodigious talent coupled with the greatest of Baroque brass composers is a combination that cannot be beat! Of course, Anthony Newman takes everything (less the slow stuff, of course) at his characteristic "lively" pace, but Marsalis keeps up. His execution of the ornamentation is awesome! Gotta have this one!

Amazing talent.......2001-04-22

Without doubt, the birthday ode to Queen Anne (Eternal Source of Light Divine) is one of the loveliest pieces ever. Couple that with two of the most accomplished talents in the world, you have a near spiritual moment. Even those with even a passing interest in the classics will find this a stirring expierence. this is true candy for the ear and food for the soul.

Average customer rating:

Voices of Light is great
Pater Noster
If you're a chant or opera fan, this is for you
One more voice in the chorus of appreciation for this album
Pretty good

Richard Einhorn: Voices Of Light

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Passion of Joan of Arc - Criterion Collection
1000: A Mass for the End of Time / Anonymous 4
Darkness into Light
The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen
A Portrait Of Anonymous 4

ASIN: B0000029NX
Release Date: 1995-10-24

Tracks:

Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: I. Exclamavit
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: II. Victory At Orleans (Letter From Joan Of Arc)
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: III. Interrogation
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: IV. The Jailers
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: V. Pater Noster
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: VI. Torture
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: VII. Illness (Letter From Joan Of Arc)
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: VIII. Sacrament
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: IX. Abjuration
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: X. Relapse
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: Karitas
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: XI. Anima
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: XII. The Final Walk
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: XIII. The Burning
Voices Of Light: An Oratorio Inspired By The Film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc: XIV. The Fire Of The Dove, Epilogue

Amazon.com

Voices of Light, inspired by the classic French silent film "The Passion of Joan of Arc," works as a cinematic accompaniment, but it's not movie music. Influenced by minimalism and the likes of Gorecki and Part, Einhorn's music is tonal and accessible. The texts--in Latin and antique French--are from the Bible, and from writings by (mostly) medieval women, including Joan of Arc herself. Joan is represented by the reliably intelligent and well-tuned Anonymous 4 (Ruth Cunningham, Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer and Johanna Rose); soprano Susan Narucki sings her often high-flying lines with beauty and clarity. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews:

Voices of Light is great.......2007-05-21

Voices of Light is powerful and inspiring chorale music and this recording does it justice.

Pater Noster.......2007-04-11

This music is wonderful on its own but see the film with this music when you get the chance. The music is wonderful and tells the story all by itself.

If you're a chant or opera fan, this is for you.......2007-03-10

While original The Passion of Joan of Arc was a silent movie, Voices of Light added so much to the film that I cannot watch it without the music. Each piece is designed to project such strong emotion, that even in the brief time each track plays, my emotions are escalated to the highest extent. Beautiful and moving, worth every penny.

One more voice in the chorus of appreciation for this album.......2006-09-30

When I came to do a little review of Richard Einhorn's 'Voices of Light', I was expecting the usually light showing of reviews and responses we see on most classical recordings. I was delighted to find there were already two excellent reviews here and dozens of appreciative responses. To those who may be following me here from my reviews with the point of view of the interested amateur listener, my primary contribution is this. I am very fond of 'The Anonymous Four', but after listening to a dozen recordings of their interpretations of various obscure Medieval Codices, I am truly delighted to be here to hear them do an interesting modern work. 'Voices of Light' is immencely reverent, without being conventional 'occasional music' for a liturgy. It is not quite Bach 's B-Minor Mass, but then who want's to eat foie gras all the time.

I echo other comments in strongly recommending you give this one a listen.

Pretty good.......2006-07-11

I first heard this music on WNYC in New York. The music was captivating so I ordered the CD version I found on Amazon. Somehow the CD does not seem quite as good as the version I heard on WNYC, which I think was from a live performance in New York. Nevertheless, I find myself listening to the CD quite often, especially when I am trying to relax and focus. It is worth the purchase.

SOUNDS OF LIGHT: The Pure Tones of Crystal Singing Bowls

Average customer rating:

Hmmm, interesting...
It really grows on you
THIS CD GIVES ME A HEADACHE
Music, it ain't, but...
THERAPEUTIC SOUND - Great for Massage!

SOUNDS OF LIGHT: The Pure Tones of Crystal Singing Bowls
Crystal Voices
Manufacturer: Crystal Voices
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Seven Metals Singing Bowls of Tibet
Travelling the Sacred Sound Current: Divine Chants & Sacred Tones for Healing & Meditation
CRYSTAL VOICES: The Harmonic Vibrations of Crystal Singing Bowls
Chords of the Cosmos: Harmonies of the Zodiac with Crystal Bowls for Chakra Balancing, Meditation & The Healing Arts
Journey To Wholeness - Singing Crystal Bowls for Healing and Wholeness

ASIN: B00000G1SO
Release Date: 1998-01-01

Tracks:

Octaves of Light
Soundings of the Planets
Angelic Rays

Album Description

SOUNDS OF LIGHT embodies you with glistening tones of transcendent beauty"...Jonathan Goldman

A deeply transformative sound experience! You will love this higher-vibrational crystal sound. Flow on a mystical river of sound into the crystal tone-world of Light and Sound. These entrancing harmonies bathe the listener in a seamless weaving of harmonic crystal tone waves of fifth intervals and octaves, providing a powerful vibrational therapy for healing and meditation. This CD is pure crystal bowls throughout and is used extensively by Massage Therapists, Reiki Practitioners and Yoga Instructors to provide a vibrational healing background for their practice.

If you enjoy SOUNDS OF LIGHT, explore the newest sound healing tools offered by Deborah Van Dyke. Her new book and companion CD "TRAVELLING THE SACRED SOUND CURRENT" (also available through Amazon.com) provide an extensive gathering of spiritual sound wisdom exploring the use of sound as a vibrational tool for self healing, sacred creation and higher consciousness. It includes sound exercises for inner attunement through voice & breath, toning of vowels, mantras & chants, harmonic overtones, a guide to the use of Crystal Singing Bowls and ancient Peruvian Whistling Vessels as instruments for expanding awareness, healing and transformation. An energy-shifting, soul-enriching experience. The CD is a treasure of timeless sacred chants & mantras, along with crystal bowls, drums, didjeridoo & nature sounds for a deep journey with Sacred Sound. For detailed information search Amazon.com for "TRAVELLING THE SACRED SOUND CURRENT" under "BOOKS" and "MUSIC".

Deborah's NEWEST CD RELEASE UPDATE***** Now available on Amazon.com - CHORDS OF THE COSMOS: Harmonies of the Zodiac for Chakra Balancing, Meditation & the Healing Arts. Provides a whole new level of therapeutic sound healing for the chakras! Employs the complete 12 note musical scale which provides the fullest spectrum of harmonic combinations for fine-tuning the entire body.

Customer Reviews:

Hmmm, interesting..........2006-12-26

Some of the tracks make for quite transcendental experiences, although turn down the volume if you're listening on headphones - the tones won't suit everyone. The sound quality is true to life, I was doubting if the 'goosebumps' quality of real crystal bowls would be evident in a recording, but they seem to be.

It really grows on you.......2005-10-19

At first when I got this CD I popped it into my stereo CD player at work and listened for a few minutes. I thought... "Damn... this is crap." But then, later in the evening I went home and decided to give it another try. This time listening to it using my headphones. Then I thought "Damn... this is GOOD!"
Conclusion: "Sounds of light" doesn't make good ambient background music, it's best listened to using headphones. I also found it to be surprisingly mentally calming while doing "breath watching" meditation.

The recording is very well done, (you can hear the sound of the friction mallets as they draw them around the inside of the bowls) and is very clear. However the sound of the mallets does sound a little like a shop saw cutting a pipe a long way away, if you think this will bother you then, don't buy it.
In the liner notes is an interesting story:
"In preparing to record Octaves of Light we set our intentions to anchor in the energies of illumination and enlightenment. As we began, our pinon incense sparked into a flame and, at the same time, the halogen light over head mysteriously went out, so the only remaining source of light in the room was a circle of candles. Continuing our session by candle light, suddenly and unexplainably the overhead light turned back on. This switching off and on of the light repeated for the duration of the recording. We felt the presence of angels."

THIS CD GIVES ME A HEADACHE.......2005-09-08

I usually don't like to write negative reviews, and I'm sure that for many people this cd is wonderful. If you enjoy it I think you should get it. But as for myself, I find it very unpleasant. The crystal bowls produce a kind of low pitched hum that gives me a headache every time. There are pleasant sounds too, some higher pitched tinkling sounds but the hum is almost continuous and really ruins it for me. I bought this one with Seven Metals, Singing Bowls of Tibet about two years ago. Seven Metals I love, I listen to it almost every day. I practice meditation and love good meditation music, especially Tibetan bells.But Crystal Singing Bowls I really can't take. So before you order do listen first if you can.

Music, it ain't, but..........2005-08-04

I first heard this while lying on my back having a nuclear scan. The tones were so soothing that I found myself completely relaxing.
I asked the technician what those wonderful sounds were, and he showed me the CD label.

I purchased a copy for myself and a friend, who is often frazzled at the end of the day. I highly recommend this, but don't expect music as such, just pure tones to set you afloat on a cloud.

THERAPEUTIC SOUND - Great for Massage!.......2004-06-15

I have had my own set of crystal bowls for about ten years now and sometimes play them directly on the body with my massage clients. But during hands on massage, the Sounds of Light CD is my (and my clients) all time favourite crystal bowl CD to have playing as a background. The thing I have noticed about people's reaction to crystal bowls is that they either "love 'em or hate 'em", there seems to be no middle ground. That's because the bowl's alpha sine waves penetrate through the multiple layers of the body. The vibrational effects stir things up - and if the listener isn't ready to do this release work, they may have quite a strong reaction. The tones of these bowls are not just nice sounding "la la" new age music, it is therapeutic sound that augments my healing sessions. If you are familiar with what crystal bowls sound like and enjoyed the experience, then you WILL love this CD. It's healing combinations of fifth intervals and octaves help outside distractions to disappear as you become one with the tone. This flawlessly recorded healing ceremony, is a fantastic tool for deep relaxation, destressing and attunement.

Kathleen Battle · Wynton Marsalis ~ Baroque Duet / Anthony Newman · Orch St. Luke's · Nelson

Average customer rating:

Brilliant!
My Birthday Present to me
Amazing voice
One of the Best
Battle and Marsalis scintillating and stunning

Kathleen Battle · Wynton Marsalis ~ Baroque Duet / Anthony Newman · Orch St. Luke's · Nelson
George Frideric Handel , Alessandro Scarlatti , Luca Antonio Predieri , Alessandro Stradella , Johann Sebastian Bach , John Nelson , Kathleen Battle , Wynton Marsalis , Orchestra of St. Lukes , Anthony Newman , John T. Kulowitsch , Krista Bennion Feeney , Eriko Sato , and Marc Goldberg
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart
Wynton Marsalis - Baroque Music for Trumpet
The Bach Album
Kathleen Battle & Christopher Parkening ~ Pleasures of Their Company
Spirituals in Concert

ASIN: B0000027C1
Release Date: 1992-04-21

Tracks:

Let The Bright Seraphim
No 1: Si Suoni La Tromba
No. 3: Con Voce Festiva
No. 4: Rompe Sprezza
No. 6: Mio Tesoro Per Te Moro (Aria In Forma Di Menuet Alla Francese)
I. Sinfonia. Grave
II. Recitativo
III. Sinfonia-Aria
IV. Recitativo
V. Aria. Largo
VI. Aria. Poco Mosso, Sempre Dolce E Leggiero-Ritornello
VII. Recitativo
VIII. Aria-Sinfonia. Grave (Da Capo)
Eternal Source Of Light Divine
Pace Una Volta
I. Spiritosa, E Staccata
II. (Allegretto-Corrente)
III. Canzone
IV. (Allegro)
Seufzer, Tranen, Kummer, Not
Alle Voci Del Bronzo Guerriero
I. Aria: Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen
IV. Chorale: Sei Lob Und Preis Mit Ehren; Alleluja

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant! .......2007-05-31

Spectacular display of brilliance and harmony. Truly, two masters of their respective disciplines melding together to display flawless virtuosity. Wynton Marsalis not only tames the piccolo beast, but somehow expertly mimics the human voice. And not just any voice, but the bright edgeless tone of Kathleen Battle. If you love Baroque, at any level, this is a must buy!

My Birthday Present to me.......2007-05-29

Actually, I was driving and I heard it on the radio. Luckily, the radio station has a website to see what played at what time. After getting goose bumps listening to the little I did on my birthday, I knew I had to have it. Its since been downloaded on my ipod. If you want to feel uplifted, and joyous listen to this wonderful CD . Kathleen Battles voice and Wynton Marsalis trumpet playing is phenominal. My favorites are the last 7 or 8 cuts of the CD especially.

Amazing voice.......2007-05-13

What an amazing voice this woman has. Pairing her with Wynton Marsalis was a match made in musical heaven.

One of the Best.......2007-01-05

I heard cuts from this CD on the radio one early Sunday morning last year. Mesmerized, I ordered it and continue to be zoned out on this incredibly beautiful music masterfully executed by Marsalis and Battle.

Battle and Marsalis scintillating and stunning.......2006-12-28

The making of this album was filmed in a wonderful documentary that brings to the fore the vulnerability and humanity of both artists. Marsalis and Battle are close friends, and the album itself is clearly a labor of love; Marsalis, who stopped performing classical trumpet in the late 80's, returned to the form when Battle was ready to make this recording.

The album is packed with regal music and royal performances. Bach's 51st cantata is particularly captivating, what with its technical demands and relentless pace. But Battle and Marsalis are able to derive strength and energy from one another in the film - through the difficult preparation process of confronting its daunting technical minefield - to realize a stunning result.

Bravo! Their contribution to the recorded corpus here is sublime.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music

Average customer rating:

CD set is misnamed
Do not Buy
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
Seek better versions
It Is What It Is

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
25 Classical Favorites
25 Romantic Classics
The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe

ASIN: B000003QWH
Release Date: 1994-06-09

Tracks:

Canon In D
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Four Seasons - The Winter: Largo And Allegro
Fanfare ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
Camerata Romana: Air For The 'G' String
'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21 ('Elvira Madigan' Theme): Andante
Introduction To Symphony No. 5
'William Tell' Overture: Finale
'Aida': Triumphal March
On The Beautiful, Blue Danube Waltz
'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers
'1812' Overture: Finale

Tracks:

Sabre Dance
'Light Cavalry' Overture: Finale
Carmen: The Toreadors
' Midsummer Night's Dream': Wedding March
Radetzky March
Symphony No. 9, 'Choral': Finale
'Prince Igor': Polovstian Dance No. 17
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Sleepers, Wake
Water Music: Hornpipe
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
Emperor Waltz
'Emperor' Quartet: St. Anthony's Chorale
'The Tales Of Hoffman': Barcarolle
L'Arlesienne: Farandole
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Mirlitons
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
'Rhapsody In Blue': Highlight
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can

Tracks:

Introduction To 'Also sprach Zarathustra'
Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Saltarello: Presto
Piano Concerto No. 20: Romance
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
'The Four Seasons' - The Spring: Allegro
Toccata and Fugue
Trumpet Voluntary
'Royal Fireworks Music': la rejouissance: Allegro
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
London Festival Orchestra: Overture To 'The Barber Of Seville'
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto

Tracks:

Carmina Burana: Introduction To 'Carmina Burana'
Peer Gynt: Dawn From 'Peer Gynt'
Lohengrin: Prelude To 'Lohengrin'
'Lieutenant Kije': Troika From 'Lieutenant Kije'
Adiago For Strings
'Carmen': Habanera From 'Carmen'
'Double' Concerto: Allegro From 'Double' Concerto
The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture To 'The Marriage Of Figaro'
(Rondo) Alla Turca
Xerxes: Largo From 'Xerxes'
Symphony No. 5: Allegro vivace From Symphony No. 5
'Swan Lake': Scene: Enchanted Lake From 'Swan Lake'
Clair De Lune
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

CD set is misnamed.......2007-06-08

They should have titled this "classical music for people who love classical music" because most of the selections are typical classical music. The title suggests it would be lively selections of "light classical" music that is more upbeat, i.e. Sabre Dance, etc. I really don't hate classical music at all and have many classical CDs in my collection but I really wanted to hear more exciting selections. I won't be purchasing any more of this set but if you like traditional classical music these are good one.

Do not Buy.......2007-02-21

I do know it says classical music for people who hate it, but serioulsly you would have better luck never listening to classical music again. The recordings are awfull and do not do justice to any of the composers. Buy something else.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music.......2007-01-30

We love this set of CD's. I just got a new copy because my kids keeping taking our first copy with them so that they can listen at work or in their bedrooms but then I can never find them.

Seek better versions.......2006-12-09

If you are fairly new to classical purchases then compilation CD's can be useful for deciding what to buy next. Sometimes you only need a small taste of a piece to inspire you to buy a release with the whole performance on. The problem with this compilation however is that most of the versions are poor in performance or recording quality (or both) when compared to the best versions and the fact that the conductors aren't even credited on the track listing made me suspect that this would be the case. One of my favorite classical pieces is Tchaikovsky's 1812 festival overture but if the first CD version I had heard had been the finale excerpt that is on this compilation I may not have gone on to buy the whole thing. Luckily I heard Adrian Leaper's version first and Adrian's version is rather good.
My classical CD buying experience is limited to only a couple of dozen discs but I have found that the Naxos and Deutshe Grammophon releases are fairly safe. Avoid any release which does not name the conductors on the track listing or sleeve notes.

It Is What It Is.......2006-10-27

It's fitting that this page is fraught with the same kind of silly snobbery that turns people off from classical music (and necessitates collections like this) in the first place.

Any criticism of this compilation, which focuses on the quality of the performances or the fact that many tracks are excerpts, misses the point. This is not a collection for people who consider such things, nor does it purport to be. The idea is to package as many ultra-famous classical melodies as possible in one affordable collection and market it to people who have never purchased a classical recording. As such, top-tier performances are likely too expensive to be sold so cheaply and are unnecessary anyway. Those of us who already know and love a piece or two can forgive the compilers the inclusion of sub-par recordings, when we are exposed to so many other beautiful pieces for the first time.

It probably comes as a shock for some to hear that most people are not familiar with these classics. We may hear snippets on TV or movies, but are left with no idea as to the composer or historical context. With that in mind, it is extremely intimidating to begin buying classical. I suppose those among us, who so thoroughly dismissed the very notion of a boxed set like this, would have us begin by buying full albums by reputable interpreters. Surprisingly enough though, the majority of people would consider that a tad cost-prohibitive.

To conclude, this is a STARTER collection. It will either affirm a listener's feelings about classical music or lead to an interest in purchasing better recordings. Ideally, I suppose the interpretations would be better, but, for reasons mentioned above, that just isn't in the cards for a collection of this nature. If you're familiar with 50 different recordings of "The Ring" series, or have season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, then this probably isn't for you. For us cretins with limited foreknowledge of classical music though, it serves as a succinct introduction with little to complain about.

Average customer rating:

Choral work at it's finest.
Love it
Light and shadows
Cambridge Singers = Quality
American Gramaphone, please reissue this title.

Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Gregorian Chant , William Byrd , John Taverner , Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina , Samuel Scheidt , John Sheppard , Maurice Durufle , Robert White , Cambridge Singers , Gerald Finley , and John Rutter
Manufacturer: American Gramaphone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Stillness And Sweet Harmony
Hail, Gladdening Light: Music of the English Church
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Lighten our Darkness

ASIN: B0000005MF
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Music Of The Morning Rite: a. Alleluia - b. Haec Dies
Music Of The Morning Rite: Easter Sequence
Dum Transisset Sabbatum
Sanctus
Exsultate Deo
a. Easter Acclamations b. Surrexit Christus Hodie
Music Of The Evening Rite: Before The Ending Of The Day
Music Of The Evening Rite: In Pace
Music Of The Evening Rite: Into Thy Hands, O Lord
Music Of The Evening Rite: Ubi Caritas
Music Of The Evening Rite: Keep Me As The Apple Of An Eye And Nunc Dimittisa
Music Of The Evening Rite: O Christ, Who Art The Light And Day
Music Of The Evening Rite: a. We Will Lay Us Down In Peace b. Libera Nos, Salva Nos

Amazon.com

A brief glance at the packaging for this recording might make you think New Age, and indeed this label normally offers recordings in that vein. The disc's cover tells nothing about the music inside--all we see are the ruins of an ancient abbey, the moon in the sky on the front, the sun on the back. But wait. If you get far enough to listen to the recording, you'll find one of the most beautiful and beautifully programmed choral recordings in the catalog. The compositions, organized into the categories "Music of the Morning Rite" and "Music of the Evening Rite," are mostly from 16th- century composers--Byrd, Taverner, Sheppard, White--with a few Gregorian chants and a gorgeous rendition of the 20th-century motet by Duruflé, "Ubi caritas." Conductor/choral music legend John Rutter has assembled a program that's both uplifting and restful; the performance is faultless. One could only complain about the short (39 and a half minutes) playing time. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Choral work at it's finest........2007-06-03

I really enjoyed this work. I was first introduced to this title through American Gramophone's website and was also my first introduction in the works of John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers. You do not have be religious to enjoy this work. I find the music uplifting and very sublime. I have listened to it many times, and I find that my favorite period to play it is in the morning hours. .

I have since purchased many other Rutter titles including "Images of Christ", and more recently "Lighten our Darkness"

Love it.......2007-05-02

13 years ago, I had the tape of brother sun, sister moon and as a teenager and I would play it every night as I slept, I loved it. I dont know what happened to it and I have ever sence been looking for it, and I just baught the CD and am so excited.

Light and shadows.......2003-07-29

Recorded in the Great Hall of University College School, London, the Cambridge Singers under the direction of John Rutter produced a true masterpiece in 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon' in 1988. The title derives from a famous prayer by St. Francis of Assisi, and is inspired by liturgical music from (or derivative of) the Middle Ages and Renaissance polyphony and Gregorian chant. The music is meditative, uplifting, and elegant in simplicity and stunning vocal quality.

--Brother Sun--
The first half of the disc is largely composed of pieces from the liturgical Morning Prayer cycle, concentrating on texts from Easter, the most important of Christian days. From the Alleluia to the Acclamations and Surrexit Christus Hodie (Christ is risen today), the flow from Gregorian Chant to compositions by Byrd, Taverner and Palestrina (giants of this type of music) in increasing energy and glory, as befits both a Morning service (time to wake up!) as well as a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Perhaps of particular note here is the cantoring of bass Gerald Finley in the Easter Acclamations.

--Sister Moon--
The second half of the disc concentrates on music of the evening; in particular, the Compline service, a service of unwinding and sombre meditation with which monastic communities conclude their days of work and worship. Many churches have reincorporated Compline into a regular cycle of services; some have even done so as a result of exposure to this recording. The music here is softer and less energetic than that of Morning prayer. This includes music from Whyte and Sheppard (also masters of the Medieval-to-Renaissance liturgical polyphony) as well as a brilliant motet by twentieth century composer Duruflé for the Ubi Caritas.

--Liner Notes--
The notes for this recording include the titles and words, in both Latin and English, for each of the pieces recorded here. It has an excerpt from a prayer by St. Francis, and a basic introduction to the music relating it historically and liturgically. One thing conspicuously missing is any biographical information about John Rutter, or any descriptive information about the Cambridge Singers apart from the basic listing of singers.

--John Rutter--
Rutter was born in London and educated at Clare College, Cambridge. This was where his career as a composer, arranger and conductor began. His early work was with groups at King's College Chapel at Cambridge as well as the Bath Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. He has worked for the BBC providing music for educational series such as 'The Archaeology of the Bible Lands', until in 1979 he began forming the Cambridge Singers, and has continued a remarkable career of performance and recording as their director ever since.

--The Cambridge Singers--
The Cambridge Singers are a mixed choir of voices, many of whom were members of choir of Rutter's college, Clare College, Cambridge. While they specialise in English and Latin liturgical pieces, they have a wide range of recordings that span from modern compositions (including a remarkable requiem by Rutter) to English folk songs of the Middle Ages. For this particular recording, the choir consisted of eleven sopranos, six altos, six tenors, and six basses.

Cambridge Singers = Quality.......2002-05-23

I do love this cd, but tend to play certain tracks as my first love is chant. I play the Victimae Paschali Laudes in the car and sing along - it is so very beautiful that this rendition of this Easter Chant is worth purchasing this cd alone. I love that one track so much, my only criticism of the cd is that I wish they'd centered the entire cd on chant - and I hope they will do one like that in the future because the quality of the voices is stunning.

American Gramaphone, please reissue this title........2000-03-30

I originally obtained this CD through Minnesota Public Radio. The first time I listened to the Ubi Caritus, I was moved to tears. The CD became my favorite to play at Christmas and other times. I gave the CD to a friend who has moved to Oregon, deeply regret that it is no longer in production.

Tracks:

The Glendy Burke
Nelly Was A Lady
Melinda May
The Soree Polka
The Moustache Song
O Willie, Is It You, Dear?
Mr. & Mrs. Brown
Gem From Lucia No.1
Wilt Thou Be Gone?
The Voices That Are Gone
Ole Black Joe
Maggie By My Side
Camptown Ladies
Hard Times
Gems From Lucia No.2, No.3
The Shanghai Chicken
Beautiful Dreamer
Ah! May The Red Rose Live Away
Nelly Bly
I Dream Of Jeannie
O Susannah & Some Folks

Customer Reviews:

Amid fine work, a new star!.......2004-09-28

Baird, Russell and Van Buskirk give fine performances in a splendid
program, but tenor Frederick Urrey [his Foster recording debut?] is a sensation! A glorious voice, with a perfect command of style in
operatic, ballad, ensemble and even comic scenes, his Melinda May is breathtaking, his Beautiful Dreamer is the best on records, his
duets charm and his drunken husband is a gas! He has it all!! In my 25 years of total immersion in Foster and his era, I have never
even dreamt of hearing an artist of such stature. Foster was said to have a fine voice and to sing his music better than any other.
I pray we now hear more of SF's songs as he must have sung them!

Stephen Foster Would Be Proud.......2004-02-26

Linda Russell is a remarkable woman. I have every CD she has done and I've never been disappointed in the high quality recordings she releases. I consider her every bit of an historian as the authors of history books.
This collection of Stephen Foster tunes, one of two that Russell has partaken in, is a rousing collection of the musical sounds of the mid-19th century. Soprano Julianne Baird and tenor Frederick Urrey join in with Ms. Russell's alto vocals to make a truly remarkable ensemble (including the musicians playing the mountain dulcimer, fortepiano, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, recorder, and accordion - all on authentic antique instruments). All combined show off the genius that Stephen Foster was - the 19th century's top songwriter who wrote music for ALL time, not just his time.
But if it wasn't for the musical reenactors (on CD at least) of Russell and company many of these long lost gems might have stayed hidden, sadly unheard. Some choral music, a feel of opera, a bit of traditional folk all mixed together to make what I feel is an authentic piece of musical history.
Here's hoping that Linda Russell and friends continue in the making of traditional music - Christmas and popular.
Ms. Russell, do you ever tour? We'd love to see you here in Michigan!

Foster at his simple best.......2002-01-22

What a delicious surprise this little album is, and from the ..... date, it appears to have been around for a few seasons, but is utterly new to me. I am a Julianne Baird fan from the get-go, but was pleasantly taken aback at her appearance on an album of American songs with folk balladeer Linda Russell (who plays dulcimers, mountain fiddles and all manner of country instruments and sings with the earthy texture of Judy Collins). But as usual Baird finds a way to integrate her own exquisite sensibilities and artistry into the assignment and makes a touching case for the simple and heart-rending Foster tunes--this is, after all, "early music" in which she excels--American "Early Music." Tenor Fred Urrey is another find and he likewise blends wonderfully into the surroundings. In fact, the three diverse artists hit their stride in a haunting trio rendition of Old Black Joe. Keyboard and string instruments have a ghostly and authentic ring to them as well. indeed, after the pompous and overblown Foster CDs of better-known opera singers in the bins today, this is so welcome. A treasure!
Get it today.

Well-rounded and convincing.......2000-10-27

This is an excellent rendition of Stephen Foster's songs, capitalizing on the duality inherent in the repertoire: the beautiful parlor ballads and the rowdy folk-inspired tunes. Especially remarkable is the fact that the performers bring to the music the "early music" sensibility (Julianne Baird is renowned as a performer of Elizabethan lutesongs)--this sensibility urges the performers to be as historically accurate as possible, performing on original/reproduction instruments. Also of note is the fact that it is a collaboration between classical and folk musicians: soprano, alto, tenor, fortepiano, fiddle, mountain and hammered dulcimers, harmonica, recorder, and accordian. Linda Russell (alto, mountain dulcimer) is lyrical and moving with her "folkie" voice, perfectly complementing the other "cultivated" voices and grounding them on the occasions they come together in poignant harmony.

Tracks:

Con Amores, La Mi Madre
Canon
Part 1
Part 2
No.1 In E Minor
No.3 In A Minor
No.2 In E Major
No.4 In E Minor
No.5 In D Major
A Negrito De Cucurumbe
Bachiana Brasiliera No.5
Recuerdos De La Alhambra
No.3: Procesion
No.4: Paso
No.5: Saeta
God Grant We Grace (Canon)
Part 1
Part 2
Canco Del Lladre
Polovtsian Dance

Amazon.com

This is a close to a "crossover" album as the fine group The Sixteen have ever come. Leaving most of their pure Renaissance and Baroque polyphony aside, here they are abetted by guitarist Kaori Muraji in a series of pieces arranged (by Bob Chilcott) for the CD, most of which, though seeming unlikely, work very well. Pachelbel's Canon is presented wed to a poem by Oscar Wilde and proves hypnotic. Gaspar Fernandes, a 16th-century Portugese composer, is represented by an energetic "A negrito de cucurumbé," featuring two soloists from The Sixteen and percussion. Tomas Luis de Victoria's Alma Redemptoris Mater is presented in two parts: one for soprano and guitar, the other for chorus. There are guitar solos as well. Villa-Lobos's aria from the Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5 sounds strange and ineffective for full chorus, and the final choral highlight (from Borodin's "Polovtsian Dances") is a bit like Muzak, but this is an original, crowd-pleasing release, beautifully sung and played. --Robert Levine

Average customer rating:

French songs luminously performed
Lay me etherized upon the table........
Another challenging, engaging triumph

Voices of Light

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002JNR4U
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

Le Collier
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Amazon.com

Dawn Upshaw here explores outstanding examples of the past century of French song, adding a brief detour into Spanish with a haunting gem by Osvaldo Golijov. The recital's centerpiece is Fauré's La Chanson d'Eve, a cycle of 10 exquisitely fashioned songs whose delicate subtlety and carefully weighed balance between light and shade are beautifully realized by Upshaw and her excellent accompanist, Gilbert Kalish, whose rippling piano in "Eau vivante" captivates. The pair also excel in the spare, mysterious "Crépuscule" (Twilight). Threaded throughout the disc are five songs by Olivier Messiaen, whose blending of spiritual faith and sensuous feeling often reaches ecstatic heights, as in the wildly virtuosic coloratura singing and keyboard demands of "Prière exaucée" (A Prayer Granted). Upshaw makes much of the sensuous close of the disc's opening song, "Le Collier," and the tenderly languorous "Amour oiseau d'étoile" (Love, Star-Bird). The elusive songs of Debussy's Chansons de Bilitis are given their full due as well, nicely set among Messiaen's more unbuttoned fervor. Upshaw fans and lovers of French song won't want to miss this. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

French songs luminously performed.......2005-09-14

OK, quibble all you want with Dawn Upshaw's French pronunciations...I'm told the French find American accents "sexy." Upshaw and Kalish bring remarkable interpretive skill to these performances. The Debussy "Chansons de Bilitis," set poems by one of the composer's best friends to music of exquisite, almost erotic playfulness. Similarly, Faure's "Chanson d'Eve" is a remarkably beautiful late work of serene detachment. I'm not a big fan of Messian's music, but Upshaw and Kalish certainly make the most of these difficult and "ecstatic" songs. All told, with the delicious Golijov song tossed in, a lush treat.

Lay me etherized upon the table...............2004-12-18

The otherworldly presentation by Dawn Upshaw and Gilbert Kalish of songs by the under appreciated spiritualist composer Olivier Messiaen in the company of other composers of luminosity songs such as Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure and the contemporary Osvaldo Golijov is one of the most unique and successful recordings to appear in a long time. Upshaw remains a clear voiced soprano who cares deeply about exploring repertoire to challenge her large audience: her recitals are never retreads of standard warhorses.

This recording is simply from another place that seduces us into a level of transcendental meditation. Not only do Upshaw and Kalish weave their expected magic with the Debussy and Faure cycles ('Chansons de Bilitis' and 'La Chanson d'Eve'), but they also evoke all of the special mysteries for voice and piano that Messiaen wrote so well. The moments of music seem to taper off into the ether of another world. And the single Olijov 'Lua descolorida' is so stunning that it leaves us wanting more.

A beautiful collection of songs, superbly performed, and beautifully recorded. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 2004

Another challenging, engaging triumph.......2004-08-30

I can't really speak to the technical side of this album.
But it is gorgeous. Yes, rather challenging material. But I think she really shows the 'link' between a 'conservative' composer like Faure and Debussy & Messaien. & the addition of the Golijov also shows his indebtedness to the French school (it's a beautiful piece in it's own right too IMO). Gilbert Kalish adds really inciteful accompaniment. If you
like her album of Debussy's FORGOTTEN SONGS, you'll love this I think. But even fans of any of her others will
like it too. One of the most thoughtful performers today-- she really has an interesting discography, & for me this is
a definite highlight.

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