Songs Without Words

Track Listings

1. You And I

2. Bring Him Home

3. The Swan

4. A Forgotton Face

5. Nimrod

6. Sophisticated lady

7. Invocation

8. Nature Boy

9. The Dream She Remembered

10. Vocalise

11. Asturiana

12. Burn For You

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Martin Lass has spent the greater part of his life in pursuit of Love... not "love" in the commonly-accepted sense, but ‘the Love that consumes all' - i.e. Unconditional Love. To this end, he has delved into a multitude of diverse areas of study and activity, not the least of which is music. Martin believes that the pursuit of Unconditional Love is synonymous with the pursuit of Healing (taken in its broadest sense) and that our individual journeys of Healing are like ascending melodies in the cosmic symphony. Martin's music is certainly Healing, taking one on a journey through atmospheres, moods, celestial spaces, inner sanctums and spiritual transformations...

Martin began the violin (classically) at the age of eight, after being inspired by the great Yehudi Menuhin. (Some 12 years later, Martin's childhood dream came true when he got to meet and play with Menuhin.) At age twelve, he started writing his own music, corresponding to the time when he consciously began the time-honored search for the meaning of existence. Driven by the feeling of not knowing what real Love was, Martin's search culminated more than 20 years later with the startling realization that the question was not ‘Where is Love?', but ‘Where is Love not?' Since then, he has focused on expressing and sharing the many forms of Love and on celebrating the miracle of life, through his music, poetry, photography and astrological non-fiction books.

As a performer, Martin reached the pinnacle of success in Australia (where he lived from the age of 11) after making a quantum leap from classical into popular music. He has appeared on virtually every Australian television show featuring live music, has released 9 CD recordings in Australia (including one gold album), has won the Australian Mo Award for Best Instrumentalist seven times in a row and has toured Australia numerous times. He is now living in New York, pursuing his career as a performer, composer and writer.

The intent of Martin's music is to touch you inside, to open your Heart a little more, to summon the place within you that longs for Contact with life, that longs for the experience of Love, that longs to Return Home to the place where all beginnings and endings are One...

Product Description
Martin Lass plays soothing music from light classical to light popular... music that needs no words...

Songs Without Words,Martin Lass

Songs Without Words

Tracks:

Cello Concerto In B Minor Op. 104: I. Allegro - Dvorak
Cello Concerto No.2 In D: I. Allegro moderato
Cello Concerto No.2 In D: II. Adagio
Cello Concerto No.2 In D: III. Allegro
Cello Concerto In E Minor: I. Adagio - Moderato
Cello Concerto In E Minor: II. Lento - Allegro molto
Cello Concerto In E Minor: III. Adagio
Cello Concerto In E Minor: IV. Allegro, Moderato, Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

Sicilienne
Three Fantasy Pieces: I. Zart mit Audruck
Three Fantasy Pieces: II. Lebhaft
Three Fantasy Pieces: III. Rasch und mit Feuer
Sing Without Words in D, Op.109
Elegie In C Minor, Op. 24
The Toccata: Adagio
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Suite populaire espagnole: Jota
Kol nidrei, Op. 47
Piano Trio In B-flat 'Archduke', Op.97
Cello Sonata No.2 In F, Op.99
Sonata in A

Customer Reviews:

cello lover.......2007-05-31

Absoluty the best. It is no wonder she was the world premier cello artist!! Can't say enough. If you love cello, and classical music, this is a must have. Her whole collection is worth every penny!!!

99% perspiration.......2006-11-08

(4.5/5 stars) This is a two-disc collection of musical works, in which the great cellist Jacqueline du Pre plays. The first disc consists of three cello concerti by three different composers: Dvorak (Romantic), Haydn (Classical) and Elgar (Romantic). Very good music, though it might leave you wondering what all the fuss is about. Not to worry: just pop in Disc Two to find out. The second disc contains shorter works by a wider variety of composers. It also might just leave you breathless by its beauty. Saint-Säens' "The Swan" (from "Carnival of the Animals") is nearly indescribable in its elegance, with du Pre's cello dancing with a harp. This haunting recording should not be missed. Bruch's "Kol Nidrei" is magnificently gorgeous as well. Three fantasy pieces from Schumann, one of Mendelssohn's "Lieder Ohne Wörter" and a stunning Brahms sonata infuse this collection with genuine grace. Since these were recorded prior to the advent of digital recordings, you might hear a very slight hiss on some of the recordings. This is barely audible and really does not detract from the pleasure of listening to it. Each disc runs 75 minutes, making this inspiration last long indeed.

Immortal Legend.......2006-10-07

As a cellist, I grew up listening to Jacqueline Du Pre's recordings. Even now as a 35 year old, I'm still enthralled by her amazing talent. This is a great cd if one is looking for a wonderful introduction to this superb cellist or simply wants to savor her most well known recordings. Du Pre owned the "Elgar" concerto. No other words can summarize this fact. Other beautiful and moving pieces are here on this disc: Bruch "Kol Nidrei", Haydn "Concerto No.2", Faure "Elegie", Brahms "Concerto No.2". The cello is a difficult instrument to play due to the strength required in both hands. Du Pre's playing touches the heartstrings with both emotion and depth. The tone that she coaxes from her cello is amazing. Jacqueline Du Pre is a legend.

Epitome of Cello.......2006-06-23

As a cellist, I absolutely love du Pré's work. I actually found this CD when I was looking for a modern recording of "A Jacqueline du Pré Recital", a record compiled of pieces done between July 15, 1962 and April 1, 1969. The second CD in this set contains the same songs as that record.

The concertos on the first CD are spectacular, especially her rendition of the Elgar concerto which has defined the piece since she first performed it. The second CD, however, is just as wonderful as a collection of some of the most loved cello pieces. No cello recording complete without Saint Saen's "The Swan" and du Pré's version is the only one I've ever heard that I actually like. "Elégie in C minor" (composed by Gabriel Fauré) is one of my personal favorites especially since her rapport with the pianist is obvious and the two instruments blend in a way that makes the piece even more poignant.

Overall, this CD is a must-have for anyone who loves cello as a perfect sample of Jacqueline du Pré's work.

Ooo! Samples!.......2005-11-29

As far as the romantic period goes, Jacqueline Du Pre is my personal favorite 'cellist. Her sensitivity to put expression of the musical idea always outweighed the desire to appear impressive. There is a difference in being just a virtuoso and being a musician. A virtuoso has the capability to dazzle and amaze, but music is more than just being impressive, and Du Pre succeeds in becoming, in every sense, a musician first and foremost. The only complaint I have of this album is the fact that you only get one movement of each piece! Even so, this a wonderful "sample dish" of Du Pre's extraordinary playing, mainly meant to get you hooked so you can get more.

DEBUT - Alisa Weilerstein & Vivian Hornik Weilerstein ~ Works for Cello and Piano

Average customer rating:

Hear Her Live
Weilerstein Debut
powefull
Florida Music Lover
Love it or hate it!

DEBUT - Alisa Weilerstein & Vivian Hornik Weilerstein ~ Works for Cello and Piano
Niccolo Paganini , Antonin Dvorak , Alberto Ginastera , Felix Mendelssohn , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Gabriel Faure , Leos Janacek , Camille Saint-Saens , Manuel de Falla , Alisa Weilerstein , and Vivian Hornik Weilerstein
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Dvorak Trios; Weilerstein Trio
Folklore
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Starker Encore Album

ASIN: B00003ZKRO
Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

Variations On One String On A Theme By Rossini
Forest Quietude, Op.68 No.5
Pampeana No.2, Op.21
Lied Ohne Worte, Op.109 (Posth.)
Pezzo Capriccioso, Op.62
Apres Un Reve, Op.7, No.1: After A Dream
Pohadka - Fairy Tale: I
Pohadka - Fairy Tale: II
Pohadka - Fairy Tale: III
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Popular Spanish Suite: I. El Pano Moruno (The Moorish Cloth)
Popular Spanish Suite: II. Asturiana
Popular Spanish Suite: III. Jota
Popular Spanish Suite: IV. Nana (Lullaby)
Popular Spanish Suite: V. Cancion (Song)
Popular Spanish Suite: VI. Polo

Customer Reviews:

Hear Her Live.......2006-12-19

You must witness Alisa Weilerstein live. I fell in love with her playing at the Spoleto festival where she played the basso continuo part of a Bach Brandenberg Concerto as if it was the Dvorak Cello Concerto. She has a passion for music that i have not heard or seen. And in her early 20s. Oh my gosh what a performer she will eventually be!

Weilerstein Debut.......2006-01-21

I've been playing the cello for almost 40 years and I agree about the complaints about the vibrato and phrasing: overdone! I also agree with the question about "aristocratic" playing: why all of the exaggeration? Instrument playing should ideally be like that of a vocalist, where one is not limited by one's technical abilities. I doubt that Ms. Weilerstein would sing these phrasese the same way she plays them. There is still time for her to develop, however. If you want to hear more refined playing, listen to Gendron, Rose, Fournier or Rostropovich.

powefull.......2005-12-18

I am a cellist of 15 years on the breakthrough of becoming a renowed cellist. This cellist tone is so powerfull and clear.she tells a story this is so clear to understand because the music speaks. alisa should watch the slurs from the f to b and be more gracefull. The apres un reve was ok i guess. she really should of tooken more time. like floating on a dream cloud. when i play this piece i take the music from the begining as a fuzzy dream and play the pitch so the music tells a story and becomes more clear every measure. The elgar is somenthing she might not want to touch because no one plays it better than du pre.

Florida Music Lover.......2002-10-12

I have been fond of the cello for years. I have enjoyed Casals even though he was somewhate austere. I love Rostropovich's tone and color but have felt that no one has ever played with the passion of Du Pre until I heard Weilerstein on, I believe, NPR when they played an unreleased tape of the Elgar Concerto by Weilerstein. I missed the intro and would have bet the farm that I was listening to Du Pre until the announcement at the end. I immediately ordered this disc and it has me wondering about re-incarnation. Is Du Pre back? This disc is a wonderful sample of the immense talents of this new young artist. I can't wait for Alisa to record the my favorite Elgar for EMI.

Love it or hate it!.......2002-05-21

SUCH PRESENCE! This is cello playing without apologies. She is always secure in what she is saying whether that is what you wanted to hear or not. She is the real thing. May she go onto continue to create controvery through her playing!

Average customer rating:

FORGOTTEN (BY ME) BEAUTIES
MENDELSSOHN'S 48
Portraits at exhibition!
Second-tier Mendelssohn and Boringboim to boot
Excellent!

Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, etc.

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos
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Mendelssohn: Sonata for Piano; Prelude & Fugue; Variations Sérieuses; Rondo Capriccioso
Songs Without Words
Schubert: The Piano Sonatas

ASIN: B000001GYC
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Tracks:

Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 1 In E Major - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 2 In A Minor - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 3 In A Major 'Hunting Song' - Molto allegro e vivace
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 4 in A Major - Moderato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 5 In F Sharp Minor - Piano agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 6 In G Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song' - Andante sostenuto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 1 In E Flat Major - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 2 In B Flat Minor - Allegro di molto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 3 In E Major - Adagio non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 4 In B Minor - Agitato e con fuoco
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 5 In D Major - Andante grazioso
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 6 In F Sharp Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song' - Allegretto tranquillo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 1 In E Flat Major - Con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 2 In C Minor - Allegro non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 3 In E Major - Presto e molto vivace
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 4 In A Major - Andante
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 5 In A Minor - Agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 6 In A Flat Major - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 1 In A Flat Major - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 2 In E Flat Major - Allegro non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 3 In G Minor - Presto agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 4 In F Major - Adagio
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 5 In A Minor 'Folksong' - Allegro con fuoco
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 6 In A Major - Molto allegro, vivace

Tracks:

Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 1 In G Major - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 2 In B Flat Major - Allegro con fuoco
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 3 In E Minor 'Funeral March' - Andante maestoso
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 4 In G Major - Allegro con anima
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 5 In A Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song' - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 6 In A Major 'Spring Song' - Allegretto grazioso
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 1 in E Flat Major - Andante
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 2 In F Sharp Minor - Allegro leggiero
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 3 In B Flat Major - Andante tranquillo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 4 In C Major 'Spinning Song' - Presto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 5 In B Minor - Moderato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 6 In E Major 'Wiegenlied' - Allegretto non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 1 In F Major - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 2 In A Minor - Allegro agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 3 In E Flat Major - Presto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 4 In D Major - Andante sostenuto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 5 In A Major - Allegretto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 6 In B Flat Major - Allegretto con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 1 In E Minor - Andante, un poco agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 2 In D Major - Adagio
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 3 In C Major - Presto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 4 In G Minor - Un poco agitato, ma andante
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 5 In A Major - Allegro vivace
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 6 In C Major - Andante
Kinderstucke op. 72: Allegro non troppo
Kinderstucke op. 72: Andante sostenuto
Kinderstucke op. 72: Allegretto
Kinderstucke op. 72: Andante con moto
Kinderstucke op. 72: Allegro assai
Kinderstucke op. 72: Vivace
Gondellied: Allegretto non troppo
2 Klavierstucke: Andante cantabile
2 Klavierstucke: Presto agitato
Albumblatt op. 117: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

FORGOTTEN (BY ME) BEAUTIES.......2007-05-14

Until I purchased this bargain (two discs for the price of one), recording of Mendelssohn's "Songs without Words" that are played exquisitely by Daniel Barenboim, I, in the past, have listened mainly to Mendelssohn's chamber music, Concertos and/or Symphonies kind of forgetting about these most beautiful compositions, What a real pleasure this recording has been for me. I believe that Mendelssohn composed these" Songs without Words" (also included are Mendelssohn's "Kinderstucke", op 72, "Albumblatt", op. 117 and 2 short pieces) through out his short life. Daniel indeed plays all of the works including the "demanding" ones (there are surprisingly for me some very demanding ones) most beautifully never forgetting that the compositions are above all else "Songs". Daniel Barenboim always lets the melodies be heard above all else and there are some very beautiful melodies to hear.

This recording was made in the early 1970s; however, DGG has done a wonderful job of transferring them to the CD format--the sound is rich, lush and clear.

If you want to hear some beautiful compositions that are played most beautifully, buy this recording.

MENDELSSOHN'S 48.......2006-09-01

Bach's 48 preludes and fugues seem to me to be to some extent a diary of the composer's feelings, and I get much the same impression from Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words, which are also 48 in number. To me, they are beautiful and touching minor masterpieces and when I hear them I am not disturbed, or even visited, by the thought that they are not masterpieces to rank with Bach's. However I am not as exacting in evaluating a performance of them as I would be with Bach either, and when I willingly award this set 5 stars I know that I'm setting the bar lower. There are limits to what any interpreter, even the greatest, of the Songs Without Words can find in them, but for all that some interpreters are greater than others, and I happen to know even better accounts of some of these pieces than you will find on these two discs from Barenboim.

It was high time in any case that I had a complete set of these lovely works. My collection up to now had only stretched to 14 of them, but - I have to say it again - those 14 are enough to teach me the difference between fine performances and great ones. Barenboim's accounts should be easily good enough for most of us most of the time, and in addition to the Songs he throws in the Children's Pieces plus a few other short numbers that Mendelssohn, for reasons known principally to himself, chose not to publish. With one solitary exception, Barenboim's touch is affectionate, warm and beautiful, and is well served by the 1974 recording. Speeds adopted sound about right to me in general, and the interpretations offered are full of insight and loving care, and free from eccentricity or egotism. Barenboim can be powerful when he needs to be, but the requirement for power is very limited in what we have here, and the overall impression that the set leaves is rightly one of tact, sympathy and enthusiasm. My single regret concerns my own favourite of all the Songs - the Duetto op 38/6. Something goes quite unaccountably wrong here. I'd call the speed too fast in the first place, and I would have liked the pseudo-voices brought out more strongly against the arpeggio accompaniment, but the real affront to my sensibilities comes when the two voices sing forte in octaves, and Barenboim bangs out the melody in a bad-tempered and cacophonous way that reminds me of one of Kissin's off-days.

One botched effort out of 58 is not a bad ratio nevertheless. I can play the Duetto to my own satisfaction anyway, or I can listen to it on my old Turnabout LP played by Guiomar Novaes. Novaes seems to be all but forgotten these days, but she was a great player, recognised as such by no less than Debussy when she was a teenager. Her idea of the Duetto is slower than mine, indeed for an amateur like me the piece, which lies beautifully and naturally under the hands, seems practically to dictate its own speed. However it's not the tempo that makes the impression. In this piece as in many others starting with the very first of all the Songs, what transfixes me is the haughty and highlighted clarity of Novaes's melodic line and the magnificence of her left-hand tone. It also happens that in the disc that accompanies the biography of Serkin by Stephen Lehmann and Marion Faber there are two of the Songs in Novaes's selection - a solemn and gripping op 62/1 and a coruscating Spinning Song worthy of Horowitz or Cziffra for virtuosity. The point is simply this - there is an aura of greatness that surrounds the playing of Serkin and Novaes in practically anything they do. Admirable as he is, Barenboim is not quite in that league, although I don't consider the balance of advantage to be totally one-sided, and it may be that Barenboim actually makes a more appealing job of the Spring Song.

Nevertheless I have only 14 of the Songs from Novaes, and all of two from Serkin, in somewhat antiquated sound at that. Barenboim gives me all 48 plus some bonus extras, played with love and appreciation of the soul of this beautiful and affecting music. This is a set I am going to be returning to for solace and balm to the spirit, I can tell already. The recorded sound is not wondrous, but it's good 1974 quality. The liner note is from the distinguished pen of Joan Chissell, but I can't say it seems to me to amount to much. Moreover she nails her colours to the mast with the ringing challenge `No 19th-century composer exceeded Mendelssohn in respect for Classical tradition, and such ordered modes of expression as fugue...' I dispute this strenuously. Not only are Mendelssohn's fugues not his best or most professional work, as Tovey makes very clear, they are inferior in respect for classical precedent and thoroughness of workmanship to Schumann's, as the same sage also points out. Besides which Brahms was a musical scholar of minute and profound learning, particularly steeped in the great German musical tradition, to an extent that Mendelssohn never rivalled. What Mendelssohn can claim is to be sui generis, what he does best he does better than anyone, and some of his most intimate musical thoughts are to be found in the Songs Without Words. For the pleasure and comfort they bring me I thank Mendelssohn's shade and the loving and expert guidance of Barenboim.

Portraits at exhibition!.......2006-04-09

In contrast to many other musicians, Mendelssohn had an evident, fruitful and fortunate association with the visual arts. Keeping in mind his education was conceived as part of the Renascence man, so we should not ignore his classical-humanistic education, so that explains why his Symphonies maybe basically, considered such arresting visual landscapes: the Scottish, Italian and Reform would seem confirm it.

The Songs without words conform ostensibly, a great stylistic and conceptual unity. It could not be other way, noticing the fact John Field was essentially the grandfather of the nocturnes for piano and Chopin the most expressive and intimate explorer of the human soul, Mendelssohn had all those variables in mind and decided to create a portrait album. As other artists as Liszt and Goethe the exerted fascination after being in Venice would work out as febrile inspiration. Every little page of this kaleidoscopic reflects different state anima; they are structured and interweaved similarly respect Robert Schumann with his Carnival or Childhood scenes; with profound lyric and evocative accent, destined to recreate the tourist memory. He achieved then to make a voluminous album of feelings but without that marked introspective mood of Frederic Chopin, for instance.

Daniel Barenboim decided to record these ebb tide piano pieces with personal conviction and lyric imagination. The result was simply refulgent and deeply inspiring.

Second-tier Mendelssohn and Boringboim to boot.......2002-10-21

The majority of Mendelssohn's works consisted of fluff and flutter reminisent of Mozart on an off-day and these piano pieces certainly aren't among Mendelssohn's small number of masterworks.The fact that these compositions are no more than trifles is made worse by Barenboim's insistence in trying to infuse an element of profundity to them.The result is tedium and annoyance.I owned this 2 disk set for more than 2 years and didn't listen to it more than 7-8 times.Every time I would try and listen boredom would set in and within a few minutes listening became a matter of endurance.I finally traded it off and haven't missed it in the least.It may be a 2 for the price of 1 set but,as usual,such "bargains" are hardly a bargain.

Excellent!.......2002-02-18

This is one of my top 5 classical piano CDs. It has a relaxing, easy-to-listen-to sound that I never get tired of. Every song in this 2-cd set is great.

Average customer rating:

Selection of Songs?
If you are a violin lover, buy it
This is "THE" Greatest Hits alum by Perlman
This is a relaxing, however, somewhat disjointed collection.

Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000002RZO
Release Date: 1998-02-17

Tracks:

Salut D'amour, Op.12
Songs Without Words, Op.19: Sweet Remembrance
Humoresque
Berceuse, Op.16
Flight Of The Bumble-Bee
The Girl With The Flaxen Hair
The Swan
Cavatina, Op.85, No.3
The Old Folks At Home
Liebesfreud
Moto perpetuo, Op.11
Vocalise, Op.34, No.14
String Quartet Op.11, No.1: Andante cantabile
Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op.55, No.4
Guitarre, Op.45, No.2
Romance In A Major, Op.94, No.2
Nocturne In E Flat, Op.55, No.2
Zapateado, Op.23

Customer Reviews:

Selection of Songs?.......2006-07-02

Perlman is a man of extraordinary clarity and tonality also one of my favorite violinists. After I finish practicing a piece I usually find a recording to listen to different interpretations. Most of them are by Perlman and Heifetz. Unfortunately this album has some obscure songs and the songs itself do not do justice to Perlman what some other songs may have done. Still it is important to broaden the scope, so I would recommend this to all music connoisseurs :). btw i'm only 16 so...don't take this review too literal huh?

If you are a violin lover, buy it.......2003-01-19

It's beautiful. Simply put.

This is "THE" Greatest Hits alum by Perlman.......2000-12-03

Perlam is already a great player like the whole world knows. But the music selection couldn't better! I espacily like the piano accomplimant. Perlman pays the pieces with true style. The working realtionship between Perlman and the Pianist is truly incredible. Before geting any of Perlman's other greatest hits albums, get this one!

This is a relaxing, however, somewhat disjointed collection........1998-11-12

This collection of familiar tunes will provide a relaxing hour with one of the world's premier violinists. However, the combination of "The Old Folks at Home" and "Motto perpetuo" is somewhat difficult to assimilate. At any rate, Perlman is a listener's joy!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

Mill. Classical review
classical music for the unitiated
Some little gems there that I had forgotten!
A very helpful collection
Excellent!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000K1C9
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Average customer rating:

Great Disc
British Wind Band Music
Reliving past glory...
Great Collection!
English Folk Song Suite

British Wind Band Classics

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Grainger: Works For Wind Orchestra,Vol.4
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Fennell Conducts Hands Across the Sea

ASIN: B00000I0TH
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks:

First Suite For Military Band, Op. 28 No. 1, In E Flat Major: I Chaconne: Allegro moderato
First Suite For Military Band, Op. 28 No. 1, In E Flat Major: II Intermezzo: Vivace
First Suite For Military Band, Op. 28 No. 1, In E Flat Major: III March: Tempo di marcia
Second Suite For Military Band, Op. 28 No. 2, In F Major: I March (Morris Dance): Allegro
Second Suite For Military Band, Op. 28 No. 2, In F Major: II Song Without Words 'I'll Love My Love' - Andante
Second Suite For Military Band, Op. 28 No. 2, In F Major: III Song Of The Blacksmith: Moderato e maestoso
Second Suite For Military Band, Op. 28 No. 2, In F Major: IV Fantasia On The 'Dargason' - Allegro moderato
Fugue a gigue: Un poco vivace
From 'Two Songs Without Words,' Op. 22:: Marching Song: Allegro moderato alla marcia
Hammersmith, Op. 52: Prelude: Poco adagio - Scherzo: Poco vivace
Toccata marziale: Allegro maestoso
Flourish For Wind Band: Maestoso
English Folk Song Suite: I March 'Seventeen Come Sunday' - Allegro
English Folk Song Suite: II Sea Songs: Allegro
English Folk Song Suite: III Intermezzo 'My Bonny Boy' - Andantino
English Folk Song Suite: IV March 'Folk Songs From Somerset' - Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Great Disc.......2007-08-02

The intonation and blend of this ensemble are amazing. This is a great benchmark recording of standard literature.

British Wind Band Music.......2006-01-04

This aptly titled CD, British Wind Band Classics, presents well-known compositions by Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams. In many cases, the conductor has tried to reconstruct the composers' original score and intent with instrument choices and the number of instrumentalists (Holst generally preferred many less performers than is typically recorded today).

Holst's First Suite for Military Band, as opposed to the second, is filled with inventive and original melodies; the Second Military Suite sets many pre-existing folk tunes. In three movements, the opening Chaconne, a sort of theme and variations, has a noble theme of fifths and seconds put into various settings. The second, Intermezzo, is a minor-mode scherzo with a jumpy sounding minor theme. The final march, begins sad with brass alone, a dreamy theme is picked up by the wind section, and a glorious conclusion puts the two together, a common technique by Holst. A snappy little suite. The Second Suite for Military Band is unashamedly folk-based. The opening March with lyrical Euphonium solo middle section and a compound Scottish reel, make the opening a great concert opener. The gorgeously lyrical second movement, based on I Love My Love, is followed by the highly rhythmical Song of the Blacksmith, complete with anvil. The final movement is a fantasia on Dargason, a familiar Scottish song. Again Holst overlaps two melodies for a rousing conclusion. Many will buy this CD for the suites alone, so a few notes. Some will consider this recording of the Holst Suites merely academic or plain British stuffiness when compared to the classic Fennell recordings. While Reynish opts for slightly more spacious tempos and creates an ensemble of smaller, more intimate proportions, they work for this ensemble, and in many ways breathe new life into these works, which are usually played at too fast tempos. Many points of musicality are won on this recording, where it is lost on others.

Holst's arrangement of J.S. Bach's Fugue ala Gigue works rather well for wind band, with a lilting fugal feel. Holst's Two Songs Without Words is also included on this recording: The Marching Song and the important Hammersmith. The Marching Song is infested with a sad mournful tune in march garb, followed by a lyrical, almost academic melody, but eventually gives way to the gloomy opening march, but ends with triumph. In three sections, the opening of Hammersmith has a frightening bass line that unrelentingly press on. The only piece on the disk that has extensive use of dissonance, the fearful opening gives way to a scherzo, with mocking winds and a quartal melody that skips all over. The ending portion uses the opening bass line with snatches from the rest of the work. Brooding and dissonant, a great piece.

The Vaughan Williams portion of the CD includes the Toccata Marziale, here performed from the original manuscript, not the incorrect printed version. An exciting, if not perfunctory, march, Vaughan Williams' musical language for wind band is a bit more fantastical, evenly orchestrated, compared to Holst. The opening fanfare of the 2-minute Flourish for Wind Band is glorious, with a short little lyrical middle section, and ends as it begins. Vaughan Williams' famous English Folk Song Suite is more along the lines of Holst's Second Military Band Suite, with unabashed folk songs. Here presented as in the original performance, with the addition of the Sea Songs as the second movement. The first movement, Seventeen Come Sunday has a jumpy minor theme, while the second movement, Sea Songs, is more forwardly jolly, along with a charming dance-like middle section. A plaintive solo oboe opens the melancholy Intermezzo third movement, subtitled My Bonny Boy, but a sprite piccolo melody in ¾ time picks up the movement, before descending into sullenness again. The Suite ends in pure friendliness and jubilation, concluding the work and the CD in fine form.

Highly musical interpretations of English wind band classics, makes this CD a good addition to any library. The classic Fennell is definitely hard to beat, but this is a different sound, more spacious tempos (the slower moderatos make the faster sections more exciting), and a pared-down ensemble, more musical qualities shine through in these works that I hadn't heard in other recordings. Compare with other recordings; it holds its own.

Reliving past glory..........2005-08-02

What a great collection! I've played most of this music in the past and was delighted to find it together in this compilation.

Great Collection!.......2005-01-07

I have played all three movements of Holst's First Suite in E Flat for Military Band in concert and this cd really captures all the magic the song has when played live! On of my favorite band recordings thus far!

English Folk Song Suite.......2004-08-21

This recording contains an extended "English Folk Song Suite" (15 Min., 9 Sec. long), a version I'm unfamiliar with. I haven't actually heard the rest of the album--but I plan to. I can tell you the EFFS is very fine, with color and feeling.

More Of The Most Relaxing Classical Music In The Universe

Average customer rating:

Better than most
Wonderful Music

More Of The Most Relaxing Classical Music In The Universe
Ludwig van Beethoven , Eugene-Auguste Ysaye , Johann Sebastian Bach , Jean Sibelius , Sergey Prokofiev , Jules Massenet , Anonymous , Fryderyk Chopin , Giacomo Puccini , Robert Schumann , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Kazuo Yamada , Claude Debussy , Felix Mendelssohn , Carl Maria von Weber , Enrique Granados , Gustav Holst , and Various Artists
Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000AINLR
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto #2, Adagio
VERDI Preludio
PAGANINI "Introduzione e tema con variazioni"
BRAHMS Sonata for two pianos, Andante
MOZART Adagio in E Major
BEETHOVEN "Pathetique" Sonata, Adagio
YSAYE Sonate #2, "Malinconia"
BACH Prelude #22, Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I
VERDI "Quando le sere al placido" (When the Evening Becomes Peaceful)
BACH Orchestral Suite #2
SIBELIUS The Swan of Tuonela
PROKOFIEV Romeo and Juliet
MASSENET Meditation from "Tha
RACHMANINOFF Prelude

Tracks:

TRADITIONAL Catalonian Folk Song
CHOPIN Piano Concerto #1, Larghetto
PUCCINI "Crisantemi" (Chrysanthemums)
SCHUMANN "Traumerei" (Dreaming)
TCHAIKOVSKY Swan Lake (excerpt)
K. YAMADA ''Chugoku-Chiho No Komoriuta" Lullaby
DEBUSSY "En Bateau" (By Boat)
BEETHOVEN Symphony #6 "Pastoral", Andante
MENDELSSOHN Songs Without Words
WEBER Introduction, theme and variations
GRANADOS "Goyescas" (Sketches on the works of Goya)
TCHAIKOVSKY Nocturne in F
HOLST The Planets, "Neptune"

Customer Reviews:

Better than most.......2007-02-08

This is a good mixture of elevator music, and some soft relaxing melodies.

Wonderful Music.......2007-01-18

Wonderful music for your listening pleasure. Very relaxing and soothing. Nothing beats classical music.

Average customer rating:

The Best Music CD I've Ever Seen (or heard!).....
A wonderful program of delightful and important music
Perahia plays Bach - no other recommendation needed
Lyrical Masterpieces Played with Wonderful Discernment
Without words, but with soul...

Songs Without Words

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000034CYW
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Amazon.com

The heart of this collection is 15 of Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words, those eternally lovely miniatures, well selected and played by Perahia with the lyrical sense the music needs. Too bad he didn't record them all. The disc opens with four of Busoni's Bach transcriptions, all organ chorale preludes based on sung hymns (hence the connection and the title). These, too, are well done, very clear and fleet and with impressive agility in "Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein." The conclusion is four of Liszt's brilliant arrangements of Schubert songs, again played with wonderful lyricism and some high drama that indicates Perahia knows the original songs and their texts very well. Despite the title, the album isn't totally congruent, but everything on it is well worth hearing. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

The Best Music CD I've Ever Seen (or heard!)............2002-07-17

Murray Perahia is at his best in this classic. His playing of Mendelssohn's compositions is absolutely mouth-dropping. Some of them seem a little fast (example: Op. 19, No. 3) but it all incredible. Mendessohn is my personal favorite composer not only for his work but also for his excellent Christian faith in his music. Liszt, Bach, and Schubert are very wonderful composers in this as well. I guess I got carried away about the Mendelssohn...!! This is a must if you love classical/romantic period music.

A wonderful program of delightful and important music.......2002-06-16

This disk is a bit of a rarity in modern recording. It isn't a disk of a single work or series of works. It isn't the WHOLE of the Mendelssohn "Songs Without Words". Instead it opens with four of the wonderful Busoni transcriptions of Bach organ preludes. Perahia played these four here in Ann Arbor along with the Bach "Goldberg Variations" and it was a GREAT night. His playing here is at its most poetic and is full of colors (don't mistake this for being colorful in the sense of being eccentric - think rather in terms of a rich palette of sounds).

The middle section has 15 of the best of the Mendelssohn "Songs Without Words". I know that many think him not one of the great ones and that Mendelssohn's reputation has slipped in the past thirty years. But I think this is very wrong. I urge you to get to know his music and to try and hear it with fresh ears. These pieces are a very nice place to start. There is a great deal to love in these pieces and if you can play the piano dust off this music and play them. They are much fun and reward the effort.

The disk ends with four Liszt transcriptions of Schubert Lieder. Well, I know and love these pieces and have peformed the "Staendchen" several times. It is WONDERFUL. These performances of these transcriptions show off the genius of three wonderful musicians - Schubert and Liszt and Perahia. "Auf dem Wasser zu singen" is one of my favorite songs.

You might want to pick up the first volume of the Ian Bostridge recordings of the Schubert songs to here the originals of some of these and to read the words. Very moving and Liszt does a lot to tell their story with his transcriptions. It isn't just for show show, even if it does add to the original. But this was authentic nineteenth century performance practice.

Perahia is never a showy pianist, but he always seems to have all the virtuosity he needs. He never seems to be walking a tightrope and teasing us that he might fall. Instead he overwhelms us with his poetic heart and lyrical playing. He has power, but like all great pianists he makes us feel he has more in reserve (he may not, but he never sounds like he is hitting the wall). And he doesn't ever make ugly sounds on the piano. I love his playing. I have been fortunate to hear him play live several times over the past couple of decades and it has always been a complete delight. Just like this wonderful disk.

Perahia plays Bach - no other recommendation needed.......2001-11-16

After the first 4 tracks, where Murray Perahia plays 4 Bach transcriptions of organ preludes to cantatas, the rest of the CD is just a bonus.

Perahia plays Bach with as much feeling and love as anyone alive or dead, in my opinion. The first two pieces are played with quiet dignity. The third track shows Perahia's dexterity and finger speed - I'd like to hear that on the organ! Back to peace and tranquility on the fourth track - and I haven't gotten to Mendelssohn yet, since I keep 'rewinding' the CD!

Lyrical Masterpieces Played with Wonderful Discernment.......2001-02-25

I didn't know what to expect when I bought this recording, since I had only heard one of the twenty three selections presented here before. Overall I found it to be a true revelation, and I've listened to it many times since with growing pleasure. In selecting these pieces, it seems that Perahia has given himself a well-deserved break from taking on heavyweight interpretations of Handel and Bach, and a relaxed, unselfconscious pleasure shines through in his playing. With his understated elegance and crystalline tone, you couldn't ask for a better interpreter.

Although the recording is named after the selections from the Mendelssohn pieces of the same name, the real highlights for me are the Bach and Schubert transcriptions done by Busoni and Liszt respectively. With the Bach you have some glorious organ works infused with subtle touches of late-nineteenth century romanticism, which fleshes them out just a little without diminishing their highly refined qualities. All four selections are serene masterpieces, beautifully executed. The Schubert transcriptions however, are a wonder, pure and simple. I don't know Schubert's songs, but have most of his Sonatas and all of his Impromptus and Moments Musicaux. With these four pieces, I feel like I've discovered another set of Impromptus, because they have all the unbounded lyricism and deceptive mood changes that make the Impromptus such masterpieces. It seems to me that Liszt remained very faithful to the spirit and sublime simplicity of Schubert's melodies here, eschewing the romantic flourishes and breathtaking technical demands that characterize his own compositions. Once I heard these pieces, I was reminded too that Perahia is a superb exponent of Schubert, with his recording of the Impromptus being among the very best. The Mendelssohn complements the other selections very well, and I'm glad this recording introduced me to them, but they are comparatively light compared to the Bach and Schubert transcriptions. They seem to fall somewhere between Chopin's Nocturnes and some of his Etudes and Preludes, but on the whole they don't have the same kind of atmospheric drama that Chopin could conjure forth in the space of a few minutes. Still, I can't really fault Mendelssohn here simply because he's not quite a Bach, a Schubert, or a Chopin. So buy this recording--it's incredibly soothing and meditative without being in any way superficial, and it'll bring a lot of listening pleasure.

Without words, but with soul..........2000-05-18

Excellent effort from one of today's greatest pianists. For me the