Echoes of Childhood

Track Listings
 
1. Song of the Wood Thrush
2. Call to the Dance
3. Dream of the World
4. Summer's End
5. In Dark Wood Lost
6. Echoes of Childhood
7. New Born Day
8. Dream of the World ( reprise)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In 1983, the softly impressionistic Pianoscapes by Canadian Michael Jones was the inaugural CD release for the then-fledging Narada label. Two decades later, while Narada has vastly expanded its stylistic palette, Jones' remains true to his extemporaneous musical impulses, as evidenced on Echoes of Childhood, his 11th career recording. Like Pianoscapes, Echoes was recorded in one sitting in his home studio and, like most of his projects, beckons us to awaken childlike instincts (joy, wonder, innocence) obscured by adult concerns. More improviser than composer, Jones can sometimes frustrate as well as charm. Devotees praise Jones for the enchanting eurhythmy of his soul-searching works, which often extend beyond 10 minutes. Others view his approach as meandering and unfocused, and Echoes can elicit both points of view. Happily, Echoes overall ranks among Jones' more accessible works, where lovely melodies unexpectedly bloom within his pastoral ruminations, then quietly recede as the music follows a new, reflective path. At times, the sheer volume of notes and florid trills overpowers the meditative spell of his reveries, though this becomes a largely tolerable flaw. Jones, a musician/educator whose work was integrated into a 1990s think-tank endeavor, the MIT Dialogue Project, is one musician who takes a sincere interest in pondering music's relationship to human well-being. Newcomers to Jones are encouraged to investigate his early-career retrospective, Michael's Music, and After the Rain, with contributions from Grammy-winning oboist Nancy Rumbel. --Terry Wood

Product Description
"we see the world around us filled with the aliveness of the dream. But all too soon shades of adulthood close in upon us until one day when the echoes of childhood come riding on the fresh wind and bring with it the innocence and brightness of a new born day"

Taking these words from William Wordsworth as inspiration, Michael Jones hauntingly beautiful solo piano recording captures with rich lyrical imagery the timeless human journey from innocence lost to innocence regained. Creating music that is as emotionally evocative as it is flawlessly performed, Jones adds to his twenty year legacy of fine piano recordings with an outstanding body of original work that is energetic, soaring, playful, and yet also his most grounded and openhearted work to date.

Echoes of Childhood

Echoes of Childhood,Michael Jones,Pianoscapes,Contemporary Instrumental,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Solo Instrumental

Echoes of Childhood

Echoes of Childhood
Echoes of Childhood
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Echoes of Childhood
  • from Solo Piano Publications
  • from Solo Piano Publications
  • Michael Jones Teaches A Valuable Lesson!
 Echoes of Childhood
Michael Jones
Manufacturer: Pianoscapes
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
MeditationMeditation | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Seascapes
  2. After the Rain
  3. The Living Music
  4. Air Born
  5. Pianoscapes (Dlx)

ASIN: B00006S4GA
Release Date: 2002-08-15

Tracks:

  1. Song of the Wood Thrush
  2. Call to the Dance
  3. Dream of the World
  4. Summer's End
  5. In Dark Wood Lost
  6. Echoes of Childhood
  7. New Born Day
  8. Dream of the World ( reprise)

Amazon.com

In 1983, the softly impressionistic Pianoscapes by Canadian Michael Jones was the inaugural CD release for the then-fledging Narada label. Two decades later, while Narada has vastly expanded its stylistic palette, Jones' remains true to his extemporaneous musical impulses, as evidenced on Echoes of Childhood, his 11th career recording. Like Pianoscapes, Echoes was recorded in one sitting in his home studio and, like most of his projects, beckons us to awaken childlike instincts (joy, wonder, innocence) obscured by adult concerns. More improviser than composer, Jones can sometimes frustrate as well as charm. Devotees praise Jones for the enchanting eurhythmy of his soul-searching works, which often extend beyond 10 minutes. Others view his approach as meandering and unfocused, and Echoes can elicit both points of view. Happily, Echoes overall ranks among Jones' more accessible works, where lovely melodies unexpectedly bloom within his pastoral ruminations, then quietly recede as the music follows a new, reflective path. At times, the sheer volume of notes and florid trills overpowers the meditative spell of his reveries, though this becomes a largely tolerable flaw. Jones, a musician/educator whose work was integrated into a 1990s think-tank endeavor, the MIT Dialogue Project, is one musician who takes a sincere interest in pondering music's relationship to human well-being. Newcomers to Jones are encouraged to investigate his early-career retrospective, Michael's Music, and After the Rain, with contributions from Grammy-winning oboist Nancy Rumbel. --Terry Wood

Album Description

"we see the world around us filled with the aliveness of the dream. But all too soon shades of adulthood close in upon us until one day when the echoes of childhood come riding on the fresh wind and bring with it the innocence and brightness of a new born day"

Taking these words from William Wordsworth as inspiration, Michael Jones hauntingly beautiful solo piano recording captures with rich lyrical imagery the timeless human journey from innocence lost to innocence regained. Creating music that is as emotionally evocative as it is flawlessly performed, Jones adds to his twenty year legacy of fine piano recordings with an outstanding body of original work that is energetic, soaring, playful, and yet also his most grounded and openhearted work to date.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Echoes of Childhood.......2004-11-19

This most recent Michael Jones effort (2002) is a return to the rich compositional style that has been his for most of Jones recording years. In addition to the warmth of his piano (a seven foot Bosendorfer), he has collaborated with Lance Anderson (background synthesizer) to produce an album which, while it echoes the old, seems to have a music all its own. Echoes of Childhood also marks the debut of Jones own label, and a very auspicious beginning it is.

The inspiration for the album is a story line based on William Wordsworth's 'Intimations of Immortality.' It tracks the metaphysical child through from the joy of childhood through all the wear and tear of living until once again it resurfaces, joyful once again. This thematic unity contributes to the overall coherence of the music and makes this one of Jones' strongest albums.

While Anderson's synthesizer is present it never becomes more than a voice underscoring and strengthening the piano line. I find it impossible to single out a cut as 'best.' The album starts out well can proceeds to get stronger, so that each track is your favorite until the next one plays. Dream of the World gets the most attention, it's melody so vibrant that Jones plays it in two versions on the album. Then you start over and discover something new in the first track, and off you go again.

This really is a keeper - one you will want to own.

5 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications.......2003-04-26

After a very long career with Narada (his "Pianoscapes" was the first recording released by the label in 1984), Michael Jones has established his own label and released his first independent album, "Echoes of Childhood." Jones has been known for his improvised recordings, and I have to admit that some of his earlier work left me a little cold. However, I love this album! A bit more structured and "composed," "Echoes" wonderfully balances the freedom of spontaneous creation with the polish of musical ideas that have been developed a bit before recording. And what an incredible instrument Jones uses to record these musical stories and ideas! The high end of the Bosendorfer absolutely sparkles, and the deep bass resounds with authority. Some of the tracks include subtle synth washes for color, but this is definitely a solo piano album. The eight tracks range in length from just over four minutes to almost seventeen, allowing the listener to get lost in the music. Some of the compositions are darker than I remember hearing from Jones in the past, which makes me think perhaps Narada was "type-casting" him a bit. With his own label, Jones is now free to "paint" with a broader range of colors and textures.

"Echoes of Childhood" is based on a story by William Wordsworth, and "traces the timeless and eternal human journey from innocence found to to innocence lost and
innocence regained" (quoted from Jones' website). The album opens with the light and breezy "Song of the Wood Thrush," a very gentle piece with a simple melody line and catchy rhythm. "Call to the Dance" starts out full of energy, and weaves together several musical themes in a rich improvisation that covers a range of emotions, from joy to reflection to melancholy. "In Dark Wood Lost" is my favorite piece in this collection. Dark, haunting, and very introspective, the passion and sense of searching in this piece go right to the heart. The title track follows, with a strong feeling of hope and inner calm. "New Born Day" is full of the joy of rebirth, and some of the passages remind me of children laughing. One of the longer improvisations, the piece dances and sparkles with childlike innocence.

Excellent from start to finish, "Echoes of Childhood" will take you on a wonderful journey. Very highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications.......2003-02-08

After a very long career with Narada (his "Pianoscapes" was the first recording released by the label in 1984), Michael Jones has established his own label and released his first independent album, "Echoes of Childhood." Jones has been known for his improvised recordings, and I have to admit that some of his earlier work left me a little cold. However, I love this album! A bit more structured and "composed," "Echoes" wonderfully balances the freedom of spontaneous creation with. the polish of musical ideas that have been developed a bit before recording. And what an incredible instrument Jones uses to record these musical stories and ideas! The high end of the Bosendorfer absolutely sparkles, and the deep bass resounds with authority. Some of the tracks include subtle synth washes for color, but this is definitely a solo piano album. The eight tracks range in length from just over four minutes to almost seventeen, allowing the listener to get lost in the music. Some of the compositions are darker than I remember hearing from Jones in the past, which makes me think perhaps Narada was "type-casting" him a bit. With his own label, Jones is now free to "paint" with a broader range of colors and textures.

"Echoes of Childhood" is based on a story by William Wordsworth, and "traces the timeless and eternal human journey from innocence found to to innocence lost and
innocence regained" (quoted from Jones' website). The album opens with the light and breezy "Song of the Wood Thrush," a very gentle piece with a simple melody line and catchy rhythm. "Call to the Dance" starts out full of energy, and weaves together several musical themes in a rich improvisation that covers a range of emotions, from joy to reflection to melancholy. "In Dark Wood Lost" is my favorite piece in this collection. Dark, haunting, and very introspective, the passion and sense of searching in this piece go right to the heart. The title track follows, with a strong feeling of hope and inner calm. "New Born Day" is full of the joy of rebirth, and some of the passages remind me of children laughing. One of the longer improvisations, the piece dances and sparkles with childlike innocence.

Excellent from start to finish, "Echoes of Childhood" will take you on a wonderful journey. Very highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars Michael Jones Teaches A Valuable Lesson!.......2002-12-22

Like many people, I own (and buy) too many compact discs. Most are played once (maybe), but a precious few CDs seem to be played over and over, year after year. Michael Jones' Echoes Of Childhood is one of those rare CDs that is so well-conceived, so well-performed, and so well-recorded that one playing would never suffice. This isn't piano mastery; it's piano magic. The tip-toe memories of childhood are only part of what this album gives to its listener. Hit the play button, close your eyes, and listen for just a minute and you'll find yourself setting aside all other tasks and duties. For more than an hour, while Michael plays, you'll be transported to that ageless state of childhood, where innocence and wonder create a sense of excitement that makes each day a blessing, not a burden. The booklet with this CD alludes to William Wordsworth, the 19th Century English poet who wrote "Intimations of Immortality." In that work, Wordsworth talks about his own echoes of childhood, lamenting the loss of his youth, the loss of "The things which I have seen I now can see no more." Hit the play button, close your eyes, and listen to this wonderful compact disc for just a minute and you will be blessed in ways that Wordsworth could not: through Michael Jones skilled hands on the keyboard, we can all now "see" once again our childhood. We can recall what it is we loved about those early years in life. We can remember once more what it is we need to draw on, time and time again, whenever the heavy burdens of our maturity need to be lifted by a celebration of childhood energy and enthusiasm. Michael Jones teaches through this album a valuable lesson. We do not have a choice about getting old. But we can always choose to live with the irrepressible spirit of youthfulness.
Echoes of Childhood
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Echoes of Childhood
  • from Solo Piano Publications
  • from Solo Piano Publications
  • Michael Jones Teaches A Valuable Lesson!
 Echoes of Childhood
Michael Jones
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
MeditationMeditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Solo InstrumentalSolo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Seascapes
  2. After the Rain
  3. The Living Music
  4. Air Born
  5. Pianoscapes (Dlx)

ASIN: B00008V5SZ
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

  1. Song of the Wood Thrush
  2. Call to the Dance
  3. Dream of the World
  4. Summer's End
  5. In Dark Wood Lost
  6. Echoes of Childhood
  7. New Born Day
  8. Dream of the World ( reprise)

Amazon.com

In 1983, the softly impressionistic Pianoscapes by Canadian Michael Jones was the inaugural CD release for the then-fledging Narada label. Two decades later, while Narada has vastly expanded its stylistic palette, Jones' remains true to his extemporaneous musical impulses, as evidenced on Echoes of Childhood, his 11th career recording. Like Pianoscapes, Echoes was recorded in one sitting in his home studio and, like most of his projects, beckons us to awaken childlike instincts (joy, wonder, innocence) obscured by adult concerns. More improviser than composer, Jones can sometimes frustrate as well as charm. Devotees praise Jones for the enchanting eurhythmy of his soul-searching works, which often extend beyond 10 minutes. Others view his approach as meandering and unfocused, and Echoes can elicit both points of view. Happily, Echoes overall ranks among Jones' more accessible works, where lovely melodies unexpectedly bloom within his pastoral ruminations, then quietly recede as the music follows a new, reflective path. At times, the sheer volume of notes and florid trills overpowers the meditative spell of his reveries, though this becomes a largely tolerable flaw. Jones, a musician/educator whose work was integrated into a 1990s think-tank endeavor, the MIT Dialogue Project, is one musician who takes a sincere interest in pondering music's relationship to human well-being. Newcomers to Jones are encouraged to investigate his early-career retrospective, Michael's Music, and After the Rain, with contributions from Grammy-winning oboist Nancy Rumbel. --Terry Wood

Album Description

"we see the world around us filled with the aliveness of the dream. But all too soon shades of adulthood close in upon us until one day when the echoes of childhood come riding on the fresh wind and bring with it the innocence and brightness of a new born day"

Taking these words from William Wordsworth as inspiration, Michael Jones hauntingly beautiful solo piano recording captures with rich lyrical imagery the timeless human journey from innocence lost to innocence regained. Creating music that is as emotionally evocative as it is flawlessly performed, Jones adds to his twenty year legacy of fine piano recordings with an outstanding body of original work that is energetic, soaring, playful, and yet also his most grounded and openhearted work to date.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Echoes of Childhood.......2004-11-19

This most recent Michael Jones effort (2002) is a return to the rich compositional style that has been his for most of Jones recording years. In addition to the warmth of his piano (a seven foot Bosendorfer), he has collaborated with Lance Anderson (background synthesizer) to produce an album which, while it echoes the old, seems to have a music all its own. Echoes of Childhood also marks the debut of Jones own label, and a very auspicious beginning it is.

The inspiration for the album is a story line based on William Wordsworth's 'Intimations of Immortality.' It tracks the metaphysical child through from the joy of childhood through all the wear and tear of living until once again it resurfaces, joyful once again. This thematic unity contributes to the overall coherence of the music and makes this one of Jones' strongest albums.

While Anderson's synthesizer is present it never becomes more than a voice underscoring and strengthening the piano line. I find it impossible to single out a cut as 'best.' The album starts out well can proceeds to get stronger, so that each track is your favorite until the next one plays. Dream of the World gets the most attention, it's melody so vibrant that Jones plays it in two versions on the album. Then you start over and discover something new in the first track, and off you go again.

This really is a keeper - one you will want to own.

5 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications.......2003-04-26

After a very long career with Narada (his "Pianoscapes" was the first recording released by the label in 1984), Michael Jones has established his own label and released his first independent album, "Echoes of Childhood." Jones has been known for his improvised recordings, and I have to admit that some of his earlier work left me a little cold. However, I love this album! A bit more structured and "composed," "Echoes" wonderfully balances the freedom of spontaneous creation with the polish of musical ideas that have been developed a bit before recording. And what an incredible instrument Jones uses to record these musical stories and ideas! The high end of the Bosendorfer absolutely sparkles, and the deep bass resounds with authority. Some of the tracks include subtle synth washes for color, but this is definitely a solo piano album. The eight tracks range in length from just over four minutes to almost seventeen, allowing the listener to get lost in the music. Some of the compositions are darker than I remember hearing from Jones in the past, which makes me think perhaps Narada was "type-casting" him a bit. With his own label, Jones is now free to "paint" with a broader range of colors and textures.

"Echoes of Childhood" is based on a story by William Wordsworth, and "traces the timeless and eternal human journey from innocence found to to innocence lost and
innocence regained" (quoted from Jones' website). The album opens with the light and breezy "Song of the Wood Thrush," a very gentle piece with a simple melody line and catchy rhythm. "Call to the Dance" starts out full of energy, and weaves together several musical themes in a rich improvisation that covers a range of emotions, from joy to reflection to melancholy. "In Dark Wood Lost" is my favorite piece in this collection. Dark, haunting, and very introspective, the passion and sense of searching in this piece go right to the heart. The title track follows, with a strong feeling of hope and inner calm. "New Born Day" is full of the joy of rebirth, and some of the passages remind me of children laughing. One of the longer improvisations, the piece dances and sparkles with childlike innocence.

Excellent from start to finish, "Echoes of Childhood" will take you on a wonderful journey. Very highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications.......2003-02-08

After a very long career with Narada (his "Pianoscapes" was the first recording released by the label in 1984), Michael Jones has established his own label and released his first independent album, "Echoes of Childhood." Jones has been known for his improvised recordings, and I have to admit that some of his earlier work left me a little cold. However, I love this album! A bit more structured and "composed," "Echoes" wonderfully balances the freedom of spontaneous creation with. the polish of musical ideas that have been developed a bit before recording. And what an incredible instrument Jones uses to record these musical stories and ideas! The high end of the Bosendorfer absolutely sparkles, and the deep bass resounds with authority. Some of the tracks include subtle synth washes for color, but this is definitely a solo piano album. The eight tracks range in length from just over four minutes to almost seventeen, allowing the listener to get lost in the music. Some of the compositions are darker than I remember hearing from Jones in the past, which makes me think perhaps Narada was "type-casting" him a bit. With his own label, Jones is now free to "paint" with a broader range of colors and textures.

"Echoes of Childhood" is based on a story by William Wordsworth, and "traces the timeless and eternal human journey from innocence found to to innocence lost and
innocence regained" (quoted from Jones' website). The album opens with the light and breezy "Song of the Wood Thrush," a very gentle piece with a simple melody line and catchy rhythm. "Call to the Dance" starts out full of energy, and weaves together several musical themes in a rich improvisation that covers a range of emotions, from joy to reflection to melancholy. "In Dark Wood Lost" is my favorite piece in this collection. Dark, haunting, and very introspective, the passion and sense of searching in this piece go right to the heart. The title track follows, with a strong feeling of hope and inner calm. "New Born Day" is full of the joy of rebirth, and some of the passages remind me of children laughing. One of the longer improvisations, the piece dances and sparkles with childlike innocence.

Excellent from start to finish, "Echoes of Childhood" will take you on a wonderful journey. Very highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars Michael Jones Teaches A Valuable Lesson!.......2002-12-22

Like many people, I own (and buy) too many compact discs. Most are played once (maybe), but a precious few CDs seem to be played over and over, year after year. Michael Jones' Echoes Of Childhood is one of those rare CDs that is so well-conceived, so well-performed, and so well-recorded that one playing would never suffice. This isn't piano mastery; it's piano magic. The tip-toe memories of childhood are only part of what this album gives to its listener. Hit the play button, close your eyes, and listen for just a minute and you'll find yourself setting aside all other tasks and duties. For more than an hour, while Michael plays, you'll be transported to that ageless state of childhood, where innocence and wonder create a sense of excitement that makes each day a blessing, not a burden. The booklet with this CD alludes to William Wordsworth, the 19th Century English poet who wrote "Intimations of Immortality." In that work, Wordsworth talks about his own echoes of childhood, lamenting the loss of his youth, the loss of "The things which I have seen I now can see no more." Hit the play button, close your eyes, and listen to this wonderful compact disc for just a minute and you will be blessed in ways that Wordsworth could not: through Michael Jones skilled hands on the keyboard, we can all now "see" once again our childhood. We can recall what it is we loved about those early years in life. We can remember once more what it is we need to draw on, time and time again, whenever the heavy burdens of our maturity need to be lifted by a celebration of childhood energy and enthusiasm. Michael Jones teaches through this album a valuable lesson. We do not have a choice about getting old. But we can always choose to live with the irrepressible spirit of youthfulness.
The Life and Works of Antonín Dvorák, Narration with Musical Excerpts
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • An Extraordinary User-Friendly Multimedia Dvorák Biography
 The Life and Works of Antonín Dvorák, Narration with Musical Excerpts

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. The Life and Works of Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
  2. The Life and Works of Franz Schubert
  3. Life & Works of Verdi
  4. Brahms: Life & Works
  5. The Life and Works of Joseph Haydn

ASIN: B0001HOXLO
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Tracks:

  1. Slavonic Dance In G Minor, Op.46 No.8/Childhood, Boyhood, Youth
  2. Symphony No.8 In G, Op.88 (Mvt 3: Allegretto Grazioso - Molto Vivace)
  3. A Secret Life: Early Manhood, Determination And First Love
  4. Cypresses, B.152 (No.3: When Thy Sweet Glances)
  5. A Change Of Job, Marriage And Increasing Success
  6. Symphony No.3 In E Flat, Op.10 (Mvt 1: Allegro Moderato)
  7. Hope, Grief And Sublimation/Stabat Mater, Op.58 (Quando Corpus Morietur)
  8. International Celebrity And Deceptive Simplicity
  9. Serenade In E For Strings, Op.22 (Mvt 2: Walzer)
  10. A New Championing, A New Friendship: Brahms Weighs In
  11. String Quartet In D Minor, Op.34 (Mvt 1: Allegro)

Tracks:

  1. A Populist Commission
  2. Slavonic Dance In C, Op.46 No.1
  3. An Amateur Pianist's Dream
  4. Slavonic Dance In A, Op.46 No.5
  5. A Token Of Gratitude
  6. Serenade For Wind Instruments, Op.44 (Mvt 1: Moderato, Quasi Marcia)
  7. An Explosion Of Popularity - On Both Sides Of The Atlantic
  8. Romance In F Minor For Violin And Orchestra, Op.11
  9. Personal Glimpses: The Outer Man
  10. Symphony No.6 In D, Op.60 (Mvt 1: Allegro Non Tanto)
  11. The Anti-Czech Stance Of Vienna
  12. Piano Trio In F Minor, Op.65 (Mvt 3: Poco Adagio)
  13. Dvorak In London
  14. Vysoka: A New Home, A Simple Life
  15. The Second London Visit
  16. Symphony No.7 In D Minor, Op.70 (Mvt 1: Allegro Maestoso)
  17. Dvorak The Conductor
  18. Czech Suite, Op.39 (Preludium: Pastorale)
  19. London, Birmingham - And Brighton Belles
  20. Dvorak The Czech
  21. Symphony No.6 In D, Op.60 (Mvt 3: Scherzo: Furiant)

Tracks:

  1. Discord With Simrock
  2. Slavonic Dances In A For Piano Duet, Op.72 No.15
  3. 'Orchestra!'
  4. Slavonic Dance In B, Op.72 No.1
  5. Dvorak In Leeds
  6. Piano Quintet In A, Op.81 (Mvt 3: Finale: Allegro Con Brio)
  7. Dvorak And Tchaikovsky
  8. Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin: (Act III: Polonaise)
  9. Dvorak In Russia
  10. Schezo Capriccioso, Op.66
  11. Dvorak The Teacher
  12. Mozart: Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Mvt 4: Allegro Con Spirito)
  13. Dvorak In Cambridge
  14. Dvorak In New York
  15. String Quartet In F, Op.96 ('American' - Mvt 1: Allegro Ma Non Troppo)

Tracks:

  1. Dvorak In Iowa
  2. Sonatian In G For Violin And Piano, Op.100 (Mvt 2: Larghetto)
  3. Niagara Falls
  4. Symphony No.9 In E Minor, Op.95 ('From The New World' - Mvt 1: Adagio - Allegro Molto)
  5. The Dark Side
  6. Cello Concerto In B Minor, Op.104 (Mvt 3: Finale: Allegro Moderato - Andante - Allegro Vivo)
  7. Home Again
  8. Symphony No.9 In E Minor, Op.95 ('From The New World' - Mvt 4: Allegro Con Fuoco)
  9. The Death Of Brahms And A Change Of Direction
  10. A Hero's Song, Op.111
  11. The Return To Opera
  12. Rusalka (Act I: Song To The Moon)
  13. Distraction, Disappointment And Death
  14. Symphony No.6 In D, Op.60 (Mvt 4: Finale: Allegro Con Spirito)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars An Extraordinary User-Friendly Multimedia Dvorák Biography.......2004-04-28

I have followed with interest the series of CDs explaining popular operas by Jeremy Siepmann, an American musicologist long resident in Britain. Each of those is a single CD with a spoken text interspersed with longish excerpts from the opera in question. This 4-CD set, though, is something else again. It is a combination of music/audio CDs with superimposed CD-ROM material (on the same discs). One plays the audio portion on your regular stereo equipment. When put in your PC or Mac CD drive, the CD-ROM portion of the discs brings up an extensive set of hyperlinked text materials as well as links to the CDs from which the musical examples are taken (all from the Naxos music recordings library, of course). Also included in the CD-ROM material is the full text of Siepmann's detailed biography of Dvorák. There is also a thick booklet that includes cast lists (various actors playing various important people in Dvorák's life), an extensive essay about the sociopolitical and cultural conditions extant during Dvorák's life, an longish essay about his major works and their significance, a graded listening plan, an article outlining recommended reading, biographical snippets about each of the important people in Dvorák's life, a chronological calendar of Dvorák's life, and an extensive glossary of musical and other pertinent terms.

Siepmann's four-and-a-half-hour exploration of Dvorák's life and works is in his wonted polished, often witty, prose. It is read gracefully by Siepmann himself. Dvorák is played by the suave-voiced British actor, Sean Barrett. The musical examples are extensive, often including complete movements, arias, etc., and are placed expertly within the flow of the text. Production values for this budget-priced set are quite high.

I will admit that I had a particular interest in this production as I grew up in a rural Oklahoma town settled by Bohemians (Czechs) and came to love some of Dvorák's music before even that of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. I've already recommended this set to the public schools and town library in my hometown.

I am not quite sure who the intended audience for this set is. Presumably there are those, like me, who are insatiable when it comes to increasing their knowledge of classical music, its composers and their sociocultural milieu. One also imagines that even in these days of decreasing support for music and music appreciation courses in our schools, there are teachers who could make wonderful use of this material for their students. Whoever the audience is, I cannot imagine a listener coming away from this set without a great deal more information and appreciation for the genius of Antonin Dvorák.

Recommended.

Scott Morrison
Echoes of Childhood
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Echoes of Childhood

    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
    JazzJazz | Imports | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B0000942GB
    Release Date: 2007-07-10

    Tracks:

    1. Song Of The Wood Thrush
    2. Call To The Dance
    3. Dream Of The World
    4. Summer's End
    5. In Dark Wood Lost
    6. Echoes Of Childhood
    7. New Born Day
    8. Dream Of The World (Reprise)
    Echoes of Childhood - "My Fair Lady"
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Echoes of Childhood - "My Fair Lady"
      George Feyer
      Manufacturer: Price-Less
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD
      ASIN: B000JF5VQ4

      Product Description

      1. Echoes of Childhood: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star; London Bridge; Brother Come and Dance With Me (From "Hansel and Gretel" - Humperdinck); Oh How Lovely Is The Evening; Mary Had A Little Lamb; The Merry Farmer (From "Album for the Young" - Schumann); See-Saw Marjorie Daw; Skip To My Lou; Ten Little Indians; Parade of the Wooden Soldiers (Leon Jessel/Ballard MacDonald); Minuet in G (Beethoven); Rockabye Baby; Du, Du Liegst Mir Im Herzen; Ole King Cole; Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone; Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be; Waltz of The Flowers (From "Nutcracker Suite" - Tchaikovsky); Au Clair De Lune; Alouette; Three Blind Mice; Frere Jacques; Sur Le Pont d'Avignon; Aupres De Ma Blonde; Pop Goes The Weasel; Lazy Mary; The Bear Went Over The Mountain; Jack and Jill; Alla Turca)From Sonata in A major, K 331 - Mozart); Little Boy Blues (Marijohn Wilkins/Fred Burch); Autumn Leaves Are Falling; Disney's "Three Little pigs" - Anne Ronell/Frank Churchill); Rustle Of Spring (Sinding); Whistle While You Work (From "Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs" - Frank Churchill/Larry Morey); Peter And The Wolf (Prokofiev); Children's Prayer (From "Hansel and Gretel" - Humperdinck); There Stands A Little Man (From "Hansel and Gretel" - Humperinck); Lovely Day; Old Mac Donald Had A Farm; Farmer In The Dell; Turkey In The Straw; She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain; Arkansas Traveler; Lullaby (Brahms). 2. My Fair Lady (Lerner & Loewe): On The Street Where You Live; Loverly; A Little Bit Of Luck; Ascot Gavotte; Show Me; I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face; Get Me To The Church On Time; Without You; The Rain In Spain; I Could Have Danced All Night. 3. My Fair Lady - "The Heavenly Echoes..." A Musical Parody (recorded at the Cafe Carlyle in New York on December 21, 1956. George Feyer, piano - with Rhythm Accompaniment

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