In the Wake of the Wind

Track Listings

1. Papillon (On the Wings of the Butterfly)

2. Dark Dunes

3. Not Too Far to Walk

4. Borderlands

5. Rug Merchant

6. Firedance

7. Southern Cross

8. Voyage of the Stardancer: Overture

9. Voyage of the Stardancer: The Stardancer

10. Voyage of the Stardancer: Morning Sun on the Sails

11. Voyage of the Stardancer: The Lion's Breath

12. Voyage of the Stardancer: Dances of Jankayla

13. Discovery

14. Emerald Dream

15. Through the Gates

16. Sailing

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Composer and multi-instrumentalist David Arkenstone has two distinct musical realms he loves to explore: world-influenced contemporary instrumental, such as last year's Grammy-nominated Citizen of the World, and symphonic pop and rock, such as this 1991 Grammy-nominated masterwork. An hourlong instrumental journey, In the Wake of the Wind is the dazzling soundtrack to the journeys of an adventurous young man named Andolin who wishes to roam the stormy seas that swept his grandfather away. The album is accompanied by a foldout map and text in the vein of master fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien, although, in the liner notes, Arkenstone also urges listeners to conjure up a personal narrative. The composer's spirited sense of adventure imbues these 16 tracks with a life of their own. Certainly the album's best moments are its orchestrally driven pieces, most notably the gracefully elegant "Southern Cross," which features pristine acoustic guitar sounds, and the triumphant "Overture." However, slower pieces such as the sensual, Middle Eastern-flavored "Rug Merchant" and the soothing children's choir in "Sailing" provide a delicate balance to the more playful, boisterous compositions. Arkenstone also dedicated the tender "Morning Sun on the Sails" to one of his principal musical influences, the late Aaron Copland, a composer who also crossed genre boundaries. --Bryan Reesman

In the Wake of the Wind,David Arkenstone,Narada,Adult Alternative,Contemporary Instrumental,Film Music,Jazz Music,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Progressive Electronic

Tracks:

Air 'On the G String' - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Morning - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Canon In D - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Gymnopedie No.1 - City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
II. Andante - Stephen Hough
Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
In Paradisum - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Clair De Lune - Dame Moura Lympany
II. Andate - Yehudi Menuhin
The Swan - Osian Ellis
II. Lento E Largo - Tranquillissimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
II. Andantino - James Galway
II. Largo - Yehudi Menuhin
Nimrod - London Symphony Orchestra
Blow the Wind - Pie Jesu - Jocelyn Pook
Variation 18 - Cecile Ousset
Pavane Op.50 - Gareth Morris

Tracks:

Zion Hort Die Wachter Singen - South German Madrigal Choir
Adagio In G Minor - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Minuet - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
II. Largo - Andrei Gavrilov
Meditation - Hans Kalafusz
I. Adagio Sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
II. Andante - Nigel North
II. Adagio - Jack Brymer
Intermezzo - Philharmonia Orchestra
I. Moderato - London Chamber Orchestra
O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Sinfonia Of London
II. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening) - Cecile Ousset
Nocturne - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
II. Adagio (Opening) - Julian Bream
Adagio For Strings Op.11a - The Philadelphia Orchestra
Entr'acte To Act III - Orchestre National De France

Amazon.com

You want relaxing classical music that'll soothe your soul but won't lull you into sleep? Here's a double CD for you. The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World ... Ever! does its best to cover both well-worn classical favorites (Bach's "Air on the G String," Pachelbel's "Cannon," Debussy's "Clair de Lune") and some eclectic left-field choices (an excerpt from Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Jocelyn Pook's "Blow the Wind," and Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. The performances of most of these excerpts are top-notch--artists include Sir Neville Marriner, James Galway, Jacqueline du Pré and the Philadelphia Orchestra--and there's enough variety here for everyone. --Edward Garabedian

Customer Reviews:

Lives Up To The Title, Fine Variety Of Genre's........2007-02-04

This CD is a great way to enjoy a large variety of Classical Composers & many of their best known pieces. Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," is an all time favorite. There are vocals, Piano pieces, & some fine Violins. I found the latter the most enjoyable. Here you can find Rodrigo & Pachelbell. Samuel Barber's haunting Adagio will make your skin tingle. This may not be to everyones taste, but if you wish to relax? Give this a couple of listens.

Good for relaxing pregnant women.......2007-01-17

I stumbled onto this album whilst searching bit torrent websites for classical music. I don't normally listen to classical music but thought it might be relaxing for my pregnant wife. After hearing the quality of the performances, the arrangement, and the recording I decided to buy the album from amazon. All the songs you would expect from a "best album in the world" are there and they are not boring to listen to like a lot of other classical albums. I now play this album in the car constantly and the wife requested it be played at the hospital during the birth.

Too much opera.......2007-01-10

If it wasn't for the opera this would be a great CD.

Does what it set out to do, very well.......2006-11-15

So i'm a classical music veteran, someone who prefers to collect a complete work, rather than classical compilations. I probably would not have listened to this album at all if my dad didnt buy it for me as a gift. By now, i own the complete works that over half of the excepts on this disc come from. I am a purist if ever there was one.

That said, i totally adore this set because i have learned to take it on its own terms. These discs weren't meant for expert classical listeners, so a review from that sort of mindset is useless. This set was meant for pure, easy listening, and for a basic starters kit for classical newbies. Most of all, it was just meant to do what the title says, to relax the average human being. classical expert or not.

Yes, some of these pieces have been altered or shortened, like Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto Andantino, but they have been edited for a good enough reason: the full versions would have been too long to flow with the rest of the album. And also, the full versions contain so much development that they don't become easy listening anymore. The shortened versions work in the context of the album. Most essentially, the shortened versions on the discs still convey the main flavor the composers were going for. The melodies and themes remain unchanged.

To sum up, it is true that when i want to actually listen deeply to classical music, this album would never be a choice. I would want to hear the complete works like the composers intended. But at certain times when i simply don't mind about that stuff, when i just need to loosen up and free my mind of stress with some nice melodies, this set does the job well enough.

Last but not least: being a purist and a classical buff, i am very particular about performance quality. I was very glad to find that EMI did not get lazy about this. All the artists are world-class, and all the performances are at least exceptional. Some performances are even quite excellent, like the Clair De Lune, which is one of the best i've heard. (Credit to Dame Lympany, the pianist.)

So once again, recommended for its stated purpose, to relax. I am a purist, a classical buff, and i still enjoy this disc. That says something.

TRULY The most relaxing and beautiful music ever written........2006-11-10

This album along with Volume 2 are now the two most valued albums in my music collection. I have all of the songs contained on these two albums but they are scattered through at least a dozen different albums and several are not performed by artists such as those that recorded this album and Volume 2.
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Arkenstone's best . . .
A well-crafted, pleasing album
New Age Exotica
A Wonderful Journey
Arkenstone's best work.

In The Wake of the Wind
David Arkenstone
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Quest of the Dream Warrior
Return of the Guardians
Valley in the Clouds
Atlantis: A Symphonic Journey
Another Star in the Sky

ASIN: B000005P6M
Release Date: 1991-04-02

Tracks:

Papillon (On The Wings Of The Butterfly)
Dark Dunes
Not Too Far To Walk
Borderlands
The Rug Merchant
Firedance
The Southern Cross
Voyage Of The Stardancer: Overture
Voyage Of The Stardancer: The Stardancer
Voyage Of The Stardancer: Morning Sun On The Sails
Voyage Of The Stardancer: The Lion's Breath
Voyage Of The Stardancer: Dances Of Jankayla: The Marketplace
Voyage Of The Stardancer: Discovery
Voyage Of The Stardancer: Emerald Dream
Voyage Of The Stardancer: Through The Gates
Voyage Of The Stardancer: Sailing

Amazon.com

Composer and multi-instrumentalist David Arkenstone has two distinct musical realms he loves to explore: world-influenced contemporary instrumental, such as last year's Grammy-nominated Citizen of the World, and symphonic pop and rock, such as this 1991 Grammy-nominated masterwork. An hourlong instrumental journey, In the Wake of the Wind is the dazzling soundtrack to the journeys of an adventurous young man named Andolin who wishes to roam the stormy seas that swept his grandfather away. The album is accompanied by a foldout map and text in the vein of master fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien, although, in the liner notes, Arkenstone also urges listeners to conjure up a personal narrative. The composer's spirited sense of adventure imbues these 16 tracks with a life of their own. Certainly the album's best moments are its orchestrally driven pieces, most notably the gracefully elegant "Southern Cross," which features pristine acoustic guitar sounds, and the triumphant "Overture." However, slower pieces such as the sensual, Middle Eastern-flavored "Rug Merchant" and the soothing children's choir in "Sailing" provide a delicate balance to the more playful, boisterous compositions. Arkenstone also dedicated the tender "Morning Sun on the Sails" to one of his principal musical influences, the late Aaron Copland, a composer who also crossed genre boundaries. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

Arkenstone's best . . ........2007-07-30

David Arkenstone has always struck me in different ways. There have always been wonderful songs on each album amongst other songs which don't quite reach me. (Sorry, but true)
This album, however, is dead on. This is one of his albums that follows a single story, in this case the journey of young Andolin from the Emerald Isle to Jankayla. The journey of Andolin is supposed to enhance enjoyment of the music.
As a rule, the songs tend to tell a small portion of the story. The best of these are Borderlands and The Southern Cross. As the album progresses, Arkenstone has threaded together a sequence of songs into a masterpiece. The first sequence of "Voyage of the Stardancer", including Overture, The Stardancer, Morning Sun on the Sails and the Lion's Breath, invoke the feeling of true classical work such as might be composed by Edvard Grieg or Aaron Copland (the song Morning Sun on the Sails is dedicated to Copland). Easily the best 13 plus minutes on the album. The Dances of Jankayla as well as the final four songs also envoke this feeling, but in a different fashion.
All in all, this is quite an album.

A well-crafted, pleasing album.......2006-09-09

Judging by the music, a lot of time was put into this creative, refined piece of work, with its rich, earthy concoction of sounds. In the Wake of the Wind, David Arkenstone's fourth full-length album, was released in 1991. Also, along with the music, are a story and a map. In the Wake of the Wind is the first installment of a trilogy; the subsequent albums are Quest of the Dream Warrior (1995) and Return of the Guardians (1996)--they, too, in addition to the music, come with a story and a map. The songwriting, musicianship, and sound quality of In the Wake of the Wind are gratifying. The album is almost 61 minutes and consists of 16 tracks. I enjoy all of the compositions, but my favorites are "Papillon (On the Wings of the Butterfly)," "Borderlands," "The Rug Merchant," "The Southern Cross," and "Discovery." The imaginative "Papillon (On the Wings of the Butterfly)" furnishes a stately, enchanting keyboard melody. The expansive "Borderlands" exhibits a majestic keyboard line. The well-crafted, plaintive "The Rug Merchant" provides a beautiful, touching beginning. "The Southern Cross" is nicely tailored and pretty. And "Discovery" is a mysterious and airy piece with smooth keyboard work. The album cover is remarkable and classy, too. Arkenstone is a talented artist, and I am impressed with how he incorporates different instruments into his work. Actually, I rate this album 3.5 stars. In the Wake of the Wind is recommendable.

New Age Exotica.......2006-05-02

We just reburned this CD on our new computers @ work. What I like about Arkenstone's work here is the whole concept, songs with melodies that fit their subject titles, the maps etc. the complete package works here. There are way too many New Age CD's of noodling
material where there are no melodies, everything sounds the same just slap on some titles, you get the picture. Arkenstone comes across on this CD as an updated Martin Denny/Les Baxter or New Age Exotica. This CD works. Buy it!

A Wonderful Journey.......2006-03-31

My first David Arkenstone was his first, "Valley in The Clouds". While that effort was an excellent debut, "In the Wake of the Wind" is the best Arkenstone I have heard, including the excellent compilation album, "Visionary" (which I also strongly recommend).

It's hard to add anything truly meaningful to the many reviews already written about "In the Wake...", but I can add that in this reviewer's opinion, it deserved every Grammy nomination it received. This is a brilliant piece of "New Age" composition. It is well conceived, beautifully written, tightly arranged, and nicely orchestrated, blending the "New Age" "soup" of synthesizers, symphonic orchestrations, pop and world instruments, melodies, and rhythms brilliantly.

While I agree that "In the Wake of the Wind" may not measure up to "The Nutcracker", "Symphonie Fantastique", or "Pictures at an Exhibition", I don't believe it was ever intended to. But it is far more than just a movie score without a movie. This is music to sit back with at night, turn the lights a little lower than usual, close your eyes, relax, and journey in your mind. It is an adventure for the spirit, releasing the listener, if only for an hour, from his/her everyday world. One feels at once amused and liberated after listening to it.

While others have listed specific tracks in the album to review or laud, and others simply reviewed every track, I can only say this: not only does "In the Wake..." demand listening to the ENTIRE CD all at once, but there are NO weak tracks anywhere on the album.

That may sound like "faint" praise, but how many other efforts by almost any artist, especially New Age, Pop, or Jazz artists, can that be said about?

I do not review any music I do not own. But I read the reviews, carefully. For some of Arkenstone's more recent efforts, some of the reviewers have panned the music as "the same old rehash". While I cannot comment on the specific music panned, it makes me wonder if some of the reviewers simply do not like "New Age" music, or has the composer grown a little "stale" over time? I panned "Caravan of Light", not because it was the same old "New Age" stuff, but rather because I found it to be an experiment which "missed" the mark. It is refreshing to not find that here. "In the Wake of the Wind", despite its supposedly belonging to a "trilogy" (it is possible to grow tired of new age/fantasy trilogies), stands alone as an outstanding modern composition by a composer who, rightfully, gives homage to Aaron Copland.

In my opinion, "In the Wake of the Wind" is the best David Arkenstone effort I have heard in my 18 years of listening to him. It is a wonderful, whimsical, imaginitive journey.

Even if you buy no other Arkenstone CD, you must own this one.

Arkenstone's best work........2004-09-13

Of all the Arkenstone music I own, or have heard, this CD stands out as his greatest work in my mind. I get the feeling more work went into "In the Wake of the Wind" than his other albums. This CD is the first in a series of three "story" CDs in which Arkenstone weaves a fantastic tale about a few main characters. The first thing you'll notice is that this CD has 16 tracks while the other two have only 10. When listening to "In the Wake of the Wind" I feel as if Arkenstone really knew where he was going with the album, and put much work into crafting the melodic themes and mood of each piece. The pieces contained on this CD are much more memorable than those of the later CDs. While "Quest of the Dream Warrior" and "Return of the Guardians" sound more like mood music, this CD sounds like a soundtrack to a movie with well-planned themes and well-written orchestral scores. And, as opposed to "Quest of the Dream Warrior", this album contains NO VOCALS - a huge plus in my book. The vocals nearly ruined the second album.

The "story" begins with a series of electronic-style pieces to cover the first half of the story. Then, the second half of the story brings in the live orchestra. Even with the first half as tasty as it is, this is where it really gets good. Beginning with "Overture", he takes off with a bright, energetic piece, then into a Celtic mood with "The Stardancer", and then right into the Copland-esque "Morning Sun on the Sails". These pieces thoroughly take the listener away to Arkenstone's wonderful fantasy world.

He leads you through a few more various cultural moods and finally ends the album with "Sailing" - a tranquil tune to wind down the 16-track adventure. Many of his melodies fit the story perfectly. This is a wonderful CD and remains my favorite Arkenstone work to this day.

This album is a steal for any used price you'll find.

Valley in the Clouds/In the Wake of the Wind

Average customer rating:

what a great combination!

Valley in the Clouds/In the Wake of the Wind
David Arkenstone
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

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Atlantis: A Symphonic Journey
Caribbean Dreams
Sketches From an American Journey
Return of the Guardians
Quest of the Dream Warrior

ASIN: B0000BV20N
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

Ancient Legend
Stepping Stars
Valley In The Clouds
Princess
Eastern Dream
Night Wind
Rain
The Sun Girl
Lost Temple

Tracks:

Papillon (On The Wings Of The Butterfly)
Dark Dunes
Not Too Far To Walk
Borderlands
The Rug Merchant
Firedance
The Southern Cross
Overture
The Stardancer
Morning Sun On The Sails
The Lion's Breath
Dances Of Jankala
Discovery
Emerald Dream
Through The Gates
Sailing

Customer Reviews:

what a great combination!.......2004-05-28

I originally purchased this CD for "Vally In The Clouds" which has been a "must have" favorite I aquired years ago in cassette after falling for "The Narada Collection". I especially like "Stepping Stars" and "Valley in the Clouds". I was suprised that I actually like "In the Wake of the Wind" even better. With 15 songs, it's hard not to find several to like. My favorites, Papillio, The Lion's Breath, The Rug Merchant and the Southern Cross are all different but really pull you in. I listen to these CDs for hours at work, they block the surrounding cubicle noise while providing a great work background sound. Arkenstone is a creative genius, his music is exciting and varied. If you're even a little into new age music, you won't be disappointed with this combination.

Average customer rating:

Enclosure Two: Harry Partch

Manufacturer: INNOVA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Enclosure Five: Harry Partch
Harry Partch: Enclosure 7
The Harry Partch Collection, Volume 1
The Harry Partch Collection, Volume 2

ASIN: B000004AF9
Release Date: 2000-12-06

Tracks:

I am Harry Partch - Harry Partch
By the Rivers of Babylon - Harry Partch
Texts and Music: A Wagnerian Wrestling Match - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 1 - A Dream - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 2 - An Encounter in the Field - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 3 - On Hearing the Flute - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 4 - The Intruder - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 5 - I am a Peach Tree - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 6 - With a Man of Leisure - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 7 - A Midnight Farewell - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 8 - Before the Cask of Wine - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 9 - On the Ship of Spicewood - Harry Partch
Ten Li Po Lyrics: 10 - By the Great Wall - Harry Partch
The Use of English in Serious Music - Harry Partch
Barstow - Eight Hitch-Hiker's Inscriptions. . . - Harry Partch
San Francisco - Newsboy Cries - Harry Partch
Life is too precious to spend it with important people - Harry Partch
U. S. Highball - A Musical Account of Slim's Transcontinental Hobo Trip - Harry Partch
While my Heart Keeps Beating Time - Harry Partch
San Francisco II - Harry Partch

Tracks:

I'm going to start right off by giving you some sounds - Harry Partch
Two Settings from Joyce's Finnegan's Wake: 1 - Isobel - Harry Partch
Two Settings from Joyce's Finnegan's Wake: 2 - Annah the Allmaziful - Harry Partch
Dark Brother - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 1 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 2 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 3 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 4 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 5 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 6 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 7 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 8 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 9 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 10 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 11 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 12 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 13 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 14 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 15 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 16 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 17 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 18 - Harry Partch
A Quarter-Saw Section of Motivations and Intonations - 19 - Harry Partch

Tracks:

June 11, 1935 - Santa Rosa, California - H. PARTCH
June 12 - Federal Shelter, Stockton - H. PARTCH
June 13 - H. PARTCH
June 14 - H. PARTCH
June 16 - Huntington Ranch, San Joaquin - H. PARTCH
June 17 - H. PARTCH
July 4 - H. PARTCH
July 14 - H. PARTCH
July 16 - H. PARTCH
July 19 - H. PARTCH
July 20 - Heading north, between Sacramento and Redding (Later incorporated into The Wind) - H. PARTCH
July 24 - Federal Shelter, Portland - H. PARTCH
July 25 - Blue Ox Lodge, Seattle, Washington - H. PARTCH
July 27 - H. PARTCH
July 29 - H. PARTCH
July 30 - H. PARTCH
August 7 - Between Grants Pass and Klamath Falls, Oregon - H. PARTCH
August 15 - H. PARTCH
October 22 - Nearing Monterey (reworked in 1943 as The Letter) - H. PARTCH
October 24 - Leaving Big Sur - H. PARTCH
October 25 - Near Slate's Hot Springs (Now the Esalen Institute) - H. PARTCH
October 26 - H. PARTCH
October 27 - H. PARTCH
October 28 - H. PARTCH
October 29 - H. PARTCH
October 30 - Big Creek - H. PARTCH
November 12 - Santa Barbara - H. PARTCH
November 14 - H. PARTCH
November 15 - Leaving Santa Barbara - H. PARTCH
November 16 - Ojai - H. PARTCH
November 17 - H. PARTCH
November 23 - Los Angeles - H. PARTCH
November 28 - H. PARTCH
December 4 - H. PARTCH
December, 1935 - H. PARTCH
Feburary 1, 1936 - San Bernardino - H. PARTCH

Tracks:

Yankee Doodle Birds - H. PARTCH
Y.D. Fantasy - On the Words of an Early American Tune - H. PARTCH
O Frabjous Day! - H. PARTCH
You are charged with being guilty. Are you drunk or not drunk? - H. PARTCH
Ring Around the Moon - A Dance Fantasm for Here - H. PARTCH
Bless This Home - H. PARTCH
Harrys Wake - H. PARTCH

Amazon.com

Enclosure 2, all four cds, is curated as a sprawling notebook filled with sounds and speech instead of sketches and words. Of any Partch recording extant, it gives the best picture of the man--as the curmudgeonly, extremely innovative misanthrope that he was, as the composer who was impossibly unlike anyone else before or since. The essence of Partch's music reflects the history of the world--from his particular perspective--the imaginings of ancient Greece to the influence of Chinese musical melodrama, all propelled by homemade instruments based on a 43-tone scale named things like the "Kithara" and the "Boo." These recordings also give the best sense of his philosophy of language in music. Lamenting the whole time how text in music had become detached from the language of everyday life, Partch ran music alongside newsboys' cries and hobos' diaries, following the forms, cadence, and dynamics of speech, rather than the other way around. From his juvenilia (a wonderful song he wrote at 18) to a 45-minute segment of his wake in 1974, the first steps towards exploring Partch's sparkling works fully are made here. --Robin Edgerton

A.E. Housman: A Shropshire Lad, Complete in verse and song

Average customer rating:

A.E. Housman: A Shropshire Lad, Complete in verse and song
Alan Bates , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , and Graham Johnson
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005S85Q
Release Date: 2001-12-11

Igor Stravinsky: The Composer, Volume VIII

Average customer rating:

Wonderful exploration of lesser known Stravinsky works

Igor Stravinsky: The Composer, Volume VIII

Manufacturer: Music Masters Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000FSN
Release Date: 1995-11-07

Tracks:

Capriccio: Allegro - Mark Wait
Capriccio: Andante Rapsodico - Mark Wait
Capriccio: Allegro Capriccioso - Mark Wait
Cantana: A Lyke-Wake Dirge: Versus I: Prld
Cantana: Ricercar I - Mary Ann Hart
Cantana: A Lyke-Wake Dirge: Versus II: 1st Interlude
Cantana: Ricercar II - Thomas Bogdan
Cantana: A Lyke-Wake Dirge: Versus III: 2nd Interlude
Cantana: Westron Wind - Mary Ann Hart/Thomas Bogdan
Cantana: A Lyke-Wake Dirge: Versus IV: Postlude - The Gregg Smith Singers
Septet: I. Allegro
Septet: II. Passacaglia
Septet: III. Gigue
Three Songs From William Shakespeare: Music To Hear (Sonnet VIII)
Three Songs From William Shakespeare: Full Fathom Five
Three Songs From William Shakespeare: When Daisies Pied - Catherine Ciesinski
In Memoriam: Dylan Thomas: Dirge-Canons: Prld
In Memoriam: Dylan Thomas: Do Not Go Gentle
In Memoriam: Dylan Thomas: Dirge-Canons: Postlude - Jon Humphries
Abraham And Isaac - Stephen Varcoe

Amazon.com

The eighth volume of the Musicmasters portrait of the 20th century's most celebrated musician is entitled New Directions, but most of the works on this recording--Capriccio, a brief piano concerto; the Cantata of 1952; and the Septet, written a year later--represent, alas, Stravinsky's exuberant neo-classicism. As usual, Robert Craft conducts with intelligence and elegance. More interesting musically are the Three Songs from William Shakespeare and In Memoriam: Dylan Thomas. The last of many styles Stravinsky appropriated in his long career was serialism, and the results, as one would expect, are entirely personal, entirely enchanting. --Joshua Cody

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful exploration of lesser known Stravinsky works .......2006-11-11

I would give it 5 stars if the sound quality were better and the performances were consistently outstanding. But the sound ranges from very good to good and the performances range from excellent to very good. Also, not all of the works are Stravinsky's stongest --- the Capriccio's first two movements are great - clear and satisying structure, enthusiastically played --- then the third movement concludes but it seems premature. I need to listen to this again. The Septet is a great piece -- a great insight into his counterpoint --- but again he doesn't break any stylistic territory, rather savors the language he has developed.

What is most fascinating about this CD is how it reveals how Stravinsky's counterpoint, starting in his mid to late neoclassical phase, changed from strongly instrumental to vocal. There is not enough space to explain in detail my point but I advise listening carefully to the Cantata. A tough work in that The Lyke-Wake Dirge, which with its recurrence gives the whole work a rondo-like structure, is quite plagent and suggests a more neo-rennaissance style (think Byrd meets Monteverdi mixed into the Stravinsky cuisinart!).

Also, the vocal seems strained at times and I think it is in part that the timbre of the instrumentation and their lines really test the singers ability to stay on pitch. Nevertheless, the performance could be better (again it is a good one, just not outstanding or excellent).

Overall, if you are a Stravinsky fan or looking to explore less recorded works of his -- highly recommended. If you are looking for a recording to introduce you to Stravinsky I would steer you to recordings of his most famous works - Petrouchka, Firebird, Sacre du Printemps, Rake's Progress, Dumbarton Oaks, Appollon and Muscagete (sp?) and Boulez's recordings of some of Stravinsky's serial works.

Average customer rating:

Alfred Deller - Portrait of a Legend

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001L1B7Y
Release Date: 2004-06-08

From the Sky; Stories in Song from Native North America

Average customer rating:

From the Sky; Stories in Song from Native North America
Georgia Wettlin-Larsen (Whirling Wind Woman)
Manufacturer: Allies: media/art
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA9H5C
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks: