Explorations

Track Listings

1. For Amy

2. Lost

3. The Sea

4. Transition

5. Solitude Improvisation

6. Destiny

7. Soul Searching

8. Uncertain Seas

9. Alaska

10. Song For David

11. Unreachable

12. My Dreams

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Soothing solo piano. Enjoy the original refreshing piano styles of Kathleen Spencer.

Explorations,Kathleen Spencer,Soundtracks

Explorations

Explorations

Average customer rating:

bill evans and scott lafaro were magic together.

Three as One- Evans at his very best

One of the finest trio recordings ever

Five Stars for Evans, Lafaro and Motian

greatest experience

Explorations
Bill Evans Trio
Manufacturer: Ojc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Moon Beams

Portrait in Jazz

Everybody Digs Bill Evans

Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Waltz for Debby

ASIN: B000000Y2A
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Israel
Haunted Heart
Beautiful Love (Take 2)
Beautiful Love (Take 1)
Elsa
Nardis
How Deep Is The Ocean
I Wish I Knew
Sweet & Lovely
The Boy Next Door

Customer Reviews:

bill evans and scott lafaro were magic together........2007-03-26

believe me, if you are a jazz fan, you want all the recordings of bill evans that feature scott lafaro on bass. the chemistry between evans & lafaro was really something special in the world of jazz. they played off each other & complimented one another in an improvisational setting that was their own musical world. and we get to listen in. lucky us. "explorations" is a piano trio jazz classic. nothing less.

Three as One- Evans at his very best.......2007-02-08

This trio was something special.There modus operandi was to create 'one voice',(all three collaborating as one),and they pulled it off.Lafaro,Motion, and Evans had their own 'sound'.The unit is so tight and the complimenting of ideas back and forth with an uncanny 'sixth sense'throughout this CD that you're scratching your head,and saying to yourself ,you gotta be kiddin' me man.This set is a hallmark in the piano trio music genre,it carries us to the highest level one can possibly reach in the 'trio format'..Evans has all his tools in exquisite order,from the exceptional melodic invention,to his signature harmonic approach, and with the visionary support from Lafaro and Motian,it does'nt get much better than this.And we must realize these guys are bringing a second life to old standards that are presented here.Charlie Parker tradition,give the old standard's some new definition!It's difficult to describe the magnitude of substance and noteworthiness in this set,in words.Just let your ears do the work.This is Evans at the highest level.That's saying quite alot considering were speaking of Bill Evans.
Enjoy.This is a gem,and 'PORTRAITS IN JAZZ',is the sister ship to this album.
brian

One of the finest trio recordings ever.......2006-04-08

This was the first Bill Evans "first trio" recording with Evans-LaFaro-Motian I ever listened to and I was instantly attached to it. You can't say enough about Evans' piano playing here. It's immaculate. This was made about eighteen months into the trio's existence, and by now they had developed a nice rapport.

Evans' versatility is apparant on this recording. He can be slow (Haunted Heart) , upbeat (Israel, Sweet and Lovely), or even at moments outwardly funky (How Deep is the Ocean?). My personal favorite is probably Elsa. Even the composer of that song, Earl Zindars, agrees that Evans played it best and after he heard it he wrote all his future compositions with Evans's playing in mind. 2nd favorite is How Deep is the Ocean.

If you have a subwoofer, turn it up and listen to the marvelous bass playing of Scott LaFaro. What is amazing is that around the time of this recording, Evans and LaFaro were rumored to be at odds, but their playing is still harmonious as can be. LaFaro's regular bass had been sent for repair, so for this recording he uses a different one that had a mediocre high register, but a MARVELOUS low register. So the bass is deep and booming.

I also urge you to buy the live recordings "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" and "Waltz for Debby" from this trio, arguably the 2 greatest trio recordings ever.

Five Stars for Evans, Lafaro and Motian.......2006-03-11

This is another essential Bill Evans record and there are already many insightful reviews that capture it's magic. Listen to Explorations and see why.

greatest experience.......2006-03-09

This is the first Bill Evans album that I've heard. It was in 1987. I was just beginning to listen to jazz and when I bought the vynil I didn't even know who Bill Evans was. When I listened to it... I cannot say that I fell at once in love with his music, but I realized the guy was playing in a different way. Different from what I had heard before, Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner... The next day I lidtened to it again and then again, and again... and finally I found myself hooked on this music. 20 years have passed, I have heard more than 50 Bill Evans albums and I still cannot find any word to describe this musician. Wonderful? Genius? Excellent? No word seems to be enough.

Average customer rating:

explorations
Great Album
Rare Lonnie Liston Smith
Classic old school funky jazz
A perfect compilation of Smith's 70s work

Explorations: The Columbia Recordings
Lonnie Liston Smith
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Reflections of a Golden Dream
Watercolors
Renaissance
Expansions
Dreams of Tomorrow/Silhouettes

ASIN: B000066SJW
Release Date: 2002-05-28

Tracks:

Space Princess
Quiet Moments
Magical Journey
Exotic Mysteries
Singing For Love
Mystical Dreamer
Twilight
Night Flower
Sunburst
Journey Into Love
Floating Through Space
Bright Moments
We Can Dream
Springtime Magic
Loveland
Explorations

Tracks:

In The Park
Love Is The Answer
Speak About It
Bridge Through Time
On The Real Side
Enchantress
Give Peace A Chance (Make Love)
Free And Easy
A Song For The Children
Lover's Dream
Aquarian Cycle
Street Festival
Midsummer Magic
Nightlife
A Gift Of Love

Amazon.com

Is Lonnie Liston Smith a visionary? Here's a reissue that will interest fans of three different subgenres of jazz, two of which didn't even exist when these recordings were cut between 1978-80. Probably the single biggest reason Columbia released this two-CD compilation of the original four albums is the almost mythical status attained by the song "Quiet Moments" in the smooth-jazz world. Although the album Exotic Mysteries had been long out of print, that song became a staple on radio in the late '80s and early '90s. That mostly forgettable album also produced the semi-disco hit, "Space Princess." Smith, however, hit a home run with the album Loveland, represented here by tracks 9 through 16 of the first disc. With his smooth-as-silk brother Donald singing, and Smith's keyboards heavy on the nature and ethereal space sounds, he's in full effect with the R&B-tinged jazz style that had him regularly selling in the six-figure range before signing with Columbia. "Loveland" makes this disc a must for any serious collector of '70s jazz-funk. Lovers of the European mix of jazz and dance music will be surprised at how the last disc is right in that acid-jazz pocket, even though it was recorded a good decade before that movement gathered any steam. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

explorations.......2007-05-13

tthis happens tobe one of the best compilation cd available on the music scene,today, it must be in your collection.

Great Album.......2007-03-14

Yes, per all of the aforementioned reviews, this is a great album. It includes his four Columbia Records releases. However, it does not include any new music (per one reviewer), and it does not include the song "Fruit Music" from Song For The Children (hence it is not complete, nor do they advertise it as such). So just be advised, but great non the less.

Rare Lonnie Liston Smith.......2006-09-28

When I was first getting into jazz back in the 80s, Lonnie Liston Smith's 1985 release "Rejuvenation" was one of the albums that had me hooked. I looked hard for other stuff by him for some time after but with no luck. At one stage I was made to believe that "Rejuvenation" was the only album he'd ever made or certainly the only one that was available. Eventually I gave up.

Then, earlier this summer at a barbecue, I heard one of the songs on this CD and demanded to know who it was. It was on a compliation CD but after some research, I mamaged to track this one down and ordered it.

It's great stuff. Over 2.5 hours of non-stop jazz-funk, funky jazz or whatever you might choose to call it. This is a collection of four albums he made back in the 70s, namely "Exotic Mysteries", "Love Is The Answer", "Loveland" and "Song For The Children" with some new tracks added on for good measure. I didn't even know these albums existed. The vocal performances are interesting enough but it's really the instrumentals that make the album for me. It's simple and undemanding stuff but very intelligent at the same time. Apart from Smith on electric and acoustic piano, there are appearances from such jazz/funk/soul legends as Marus Miller, Gloria Jones and David Hubbard.

A great find and fantastic value for money. A must for anyone into 70s-style jazz, or any lover of classic good music.

Classic old school funky jazz.......2006-09-20

I first heard a portion of this Disc about 20 years ago at about the same time that I had discovered bassist Marcus Miller who is on this set and at the time of this release to this day in my opinion this is one of the best smooth, funky groove jazz recording to date. Some of the best in the pocket playing.

A perfect compilation of Smith's 70s work.......2002-12-24

This CD collects 4 of Smith's late 70s (1978-1980) albums:
- the classic and oft-sampled "Exotic Mysteries"
- the not as good but still noteworthy "Loveland"
- "Love Is The Answer"
- the ultra-rare "Song for The Children"

That this set includes "Song for the Children" is almost reason enough to buy it alone, but with all the other great music you're getting on this album you really can't go wrong, even if you never heard of Smith. If you're into smooth jazz or 70s fusion, you'll be catching Smith in his contemporary prime (if you want to catch him feeling his way toward this type of material but still holding onto his traditional jazz roots with a little more fervor, you want "Expansions", "Cosmic Funk" and "Visions of a New World", all classic albums on their own.

This collection gives us much of his mainstream work before he went totally quiet storm-ish in the 80s; when disco was hitting heavy and hard and jazz was plugging into the nearest electrical outlet to figure out what the kids that day were seeing in all those rock groups. These albums come after Miles Davis's and Weather Report's grand success in the fusion genre, and Smith went unheralded except for a few choice singles (which are collected here) for much of the time these albums were originally released. That you can have four pretty great records in one fell swoop is a deal simply too good for any self-proclaimed jazz lover of ANY style to pass up.

Traditionalists may scoff a bit at the electrical mechanics of Smith's work of the time, but there is no denying the man's ear for arrangement, swing and the fact that his ballads are practically transcendent. In fact, of the 31 tracks here, 11 of them are ballads of one vibe or another, most of them on the first disc. As disco and dance music in general picked up more speed - and Smith's "Space Princess" became a dance hit - his later albums didn't give us as much of this stuff as his past work, and that's a shame: the man did beautiful washes of sound in ballads that no one else ever came close to. You knew a Lonnie Liston Smith slow jam when you heard one.

Tracks:

Mambo Mindoro (Hex Hector Remix) - Cal Tjader
Ran Kan Kan (Thunderball Vs. The Fort Knox Five Remix) - Tito Puente
Come With Me (Masters At Work Remix) - Tania Maria
Watermelon Man (Dan The Automator Remix) - Poncho Sanchez
Afro Blue (Yerba Buena Remix) - Mongo Santamaria
Work Song (Thievery Corporation Remix) - Ray Baretto
Guachi Guaro (Carl Cox Remix) - Cal Tjader
Whatcha Gonna Do (Cuica Remix) - Pete Escovedo
Wave (Mario C. Remix) - Charlie Byrd
Killer Joe (The Frequency Remix) - Jorge Dalto
Machito Forver (Cut Chemist Remix) - Tito Puente
El Timbalon (Los Amigos Invisibles Jamcito) - Tito Puente
Ay Que Rico Il (Ozomatli Remix) - Eddie Palmieri

Customer Reviews:

great CD, very original.......2006-09-06

This is a very original CD. It was alot more dance oriented than I predicted which caught me by surprise but there are some really great tracks. The 4th track is probably the highlight for me.

Welcome to Earth: Explorations in Body Awareness & Relaxation

Average customer rating:

BEST BODY AWARENESS & RELAXATION CD I'VE HEARD IN YEARS!!
Extend body work from the table to daily life
So good it will put you to sleep

Welcome to Earth: Explorations in Body Awareness & Relaxation
Scott Gauthier
Manufacturer: Scott Gauthier
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Spoken Word | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome : And Other Repetitive Strain Injuries
Dr. Pascarelli's Complete Guide to Repetitive Strain Injury: What You Need to Know About RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! RSI Theory & Therapy for Computer Professionals
Overcoming Repetitive Motion Injuries the Rossiter Way
Bodywise: An Introduction to Hellerwork for Regaining Flexibility and Well-Being

ASIN: B00008OLDF
Release Date: 2003-03-01

Tracks:

Introduction
Exploration #1 Scanning your body
Exploration #2 Moving awareness through your body
Introduction to Exploration #3
Exploration #3 Deep Relaxation Sequence

Album Description

This work originates out of a wish that all my clients could have an understanding of the power and wonder of awareness in their daily lives. Body awareness is a skill that we lose when we start living in the fantasy worlds of the past and future. The body exists in the here and now, and if we place our awareness in our bodies, then we are reunited with the present moment.

This recording offers a way of learning to focus on our bodies, an exploration that brings us into the moment of now. Our bodies have so much to tell us, if only we listen. I offer a path for listening, for creating a dialogue with our bodies, for saying hello, and for moving the focus of our awareness through our bodies.

Join your body on this enlightening exploration of life and consciousness.

The three explorations on this recording are best done at separate times. Each exploration is complete in itself. You will need time to rest and integrate after each .

Introduction

Exploration #1: Scanning your body for information, reawakening your body's ability to sense and feel, beginning a conversation with your body, saying Hello.

Exploration #2: Moving awareness intentionally through your body. Reuniting the body's sense of wholeness.

Introduction to Exploration #3: About affirmations.

Exploration #3: Deep Relaxation Sequence. Deep relaxation, letting go of stress, being in a state of mental clarity and total relaxation, and returning to an alert, aware and awake state.

Customer Reviews:

BEST BODY AWARENESS & RELAXATION CD I'VE HEARD IN YEARS!!.......2003-11-06

THE BEST RELAXATION CD I HAVE ENCOUNTERED! I have listened to literally 50 tapes and CDs on relaxation techniques and exercises, and this is by far the best I have encountered! Scott Gauthier's voice SOOTHS and puts your MIND, BODY & SPIRIT AT EASE. The exercises are EFFECTIVE, INTERESTING, IMAGINATIVE, RELAXING, opens one's breathing to be more RESTFUL & FREE, and brings the listener back to that vast ocean of calm within. The relaxation exercises helped me get in touch with myself, my feelings, my inner guide or inner voice (my authentic self). In addition, after completing the exercises I felt calm, but was better able to concentrate and had much more energy than usual. The sound quality is excellent; Scott Gauthier's speech is clear, calm, and easy to understand. He has a great voice for leading people through relaxation exercises. In addition the artwork on the front and back of the CD is beautiful and tranquil. For people who are too much "in their head" and analytical, some of these exersizes would be great at helping them get present in their body through body awareness exersizes. This CD would also be great for use with groups for relaxation training.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GREAT RELAXATION AND BODY AWARENESS CD, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE!

Extend body work from the table to daily life.......2003-04-02

This is a thoughtfully designed set of exercises that will extend the work done on a massage table and allow it to expand into daily life. It's practical and will save everyone time: the client who wants to do more than passaively receive bodywork and the bodyworker who wants to give his or her clients a way to relax and at the same time wake up the body.

So good it will put you to sleep.......2003-03-28

I listen to this CD every day. I'm really learning how to relax and it feels great.

Further Explorations by the Horace Silver Quintet

Average customer rating:

Further Explorations by the Horace Silver Quintet
Horace Silver
Manufacturer: Blue Note
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Stylings of Silver

ASIN: B000AU1NT2
Release Date: 2005-10-26

Tracks:

Outlaw
Melancholy Mood
Pyramid
Moon Rays
Safari
Ill Wind

Album Description

Limited edition Japanese pressing has been remastered. Blue Note. 2005.

Average customer rating:

take the carton.......and dance.

Explorations
Return to the Source , and Mark Allen
Manufacturer: Rtts
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004WGHN

Tracks:

Automatic-General Midi
Do That Thing-Electic Tease
Roaches-Trancesetters
The Edge-Electric Tease
Deep Thought-Double Dragon
Subtle Thrust-Purple Lunar
Monoton Cocktail-Space Safari
Hey Mr Juice-Dogma 3000
Disco Trash (Shenkin Shakedown Mix)-
Hypnotone (OO Fleming Mix)-Morphem

Album Description

Mark Allen, global DJ and one half of Quark as well as a founding member of Return To The Source brings you a funky progressive mix album pushing the next step in trance evolution. Tracks include 'Automatic' by General Midi, 'The Edge' (Exclusive Mix) by

Album Details

Trance. 10 Tracks of Seriously Twisted Groovy Tunes with a Hard Edge featuring Favorites from Trancesetters, Gemeral Midi and Morphem (John 00 Fleming Remix), as Well as Future Classics from Purple and Lunar, Double Dragon and Dogma 3000.

Customer Reviews:

take the carton.......and dance........2000-12-17

when i went to the music store to buy a cd,the seller told me that i must take this one,"it's a must have". so i went home,put it in my 25,000 dollar sound system,and started to listen,ofcourse that took number of shpitzes before i putted it in my sound system.

what can i say,i started to see elefents,monsters,aliens,i started running all over the house looking for an elf called yosi. i started seeing dogs flowting in the air calling:"alfred come with us to the park,we want to play trivia. what can i say,i woke up in the morning,the house was racked,the furniture was broken,and everything was smashed.

Tracks:

Humours of Rockstown/ Paddy Lynns's Delight/ Ril Roscomain
Samhain Set: All Hallow's Eve/ The Seeker
Bear Dance
Go to Berwick Johnny
Farewell to Nigg
Seas Are Deep Dervish
Flower Among Us All/ Johnny Armstrong
Helen O'Grady/ Drops of Brandy
Banks of the Barrow
Traveler's Dream
Lughnasa Set: Green Fields of Woodford/ Summertime/ A Morning in Summe
Gaelic Reels

Album Description

The ancient hammered dulcimer followed the migrations of early travelers across Asia Minor and onto the European continent -- from the Black Sea to the North Atlantic shores. In Sansone's hands, the visions of the Celts come alive in the modern world. Listen to the journey.Music from Ireland, Scotland, Northumberland, and Sweden.Persian-flavored improvisations and Sufi rhythms.Celebrations of Samhain and Lughnasa - the seasonal festivals of the ancient Celts. Original compositions with multi-layered textures and the spirit of innovation. The compelling rhythmic pulse of mallet-struck instruments -hammered dulcimer, marimba, xylophone and world percussion.

Joining Maggie Sansone are: With maggie are: BOBBY READ - Clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, bamboo flute,alto flute, melodica, soprano saxophone, xaphoon, accordion, kalimba, piano, organ, electric bass, xylophone, piccolo, frame drums,medieval snare drum, bells, temple blocks & shakers;AL PETTEWAY guitar,BONNIE RIDEOUT - Scottish fiddle,ARAN OLWELL - Irish flute;DAVID SHEIM - Celtic harp;SARA NISENSON- Irish fiddle;ANDREA HOAG - Swedish fiddle,T.J.JOHNSON - Mandolin & cittern;DEBBIE HUNTER - Viola da gamba;PADDY LEAGUE - Bodhran, tabla & dombek;ROBERT JOSPÉ - Slit drum, mondo drums & marimba.It's produced by Bobby Read and recorded at Bias Studios, Springfield, VA, USA.

Customer Reviews:

A Traveler's Dream.......2007-05-20

This is the first CD I have from Maggie Sansone. I saw that she has several out. It is very melodic and rather traditional Celtic music; very enjoyable. I would definately purchase another of her CDs.

Compelling, mature and mysterious.......2004-01-02

This recording, subtitled "Celtic Explorations", is a masterpiece of understated intrigue. Ever changing, the moods and styles range from lilting, traditional Celtic and dreamy New Age to shimmering Persian taxims and innovative modern chamber music. Maggie Sansone's original compositions and arrangements are defined by her scintillating playing of the hammered dulcimer and supported by guest instrumentalists who provide gentle, multilayered accompaniments. Featured prominently is Bobby Read, an amazingly versatile musician who seems to play just about every wind, keyboard and percussion instrument under the sun! Also contributing are a host of other artists, many of whom appear as soloists or accompanists on other releases produced by Sansone under the label "Maggie's Music". They are: Al Petteway on guitar; multi-national fiddlers Bonnie Rideout (Scottish), Sara Nisenson (Irish) and Andrea Hoag (Swedish); flutist Aran Olwell; harper David Sheim; Debbie Hunter on viola da gamba; T.J. Johnson on mandolin and cittern; and percussionists Paddy League and Robert Jospe. The dreamy, imaginative wanderings of "A Traveler's Dream" are a treat -- something different and well worth hearing. If you enjoy this sort of music, you may like the innovative Celtic- and Renaissance-inspired work of the "classical" group Ensemble Galilei as well. Try also Maggie Sansone's other solo recordings, and "Celtic Mist: Quiet Moods From Ancient Lands", a sampler album showcasing the gentle elegance of various "Maggie's Music" artists.

It rises from simple folk to highly expressive music..........2001-09-20

The hammered dulcimer is a perfect instrument. It's melodic in a percussive way, perfect for combining with other instruments. With the right musicians, the dulcimer rises from simple folk instrument into a highly expressive, extremely moving one. Maggie Sansone is a worthy musician who has developed a true feel for its capabilities. She wrings every ounce of emotion from it. In her hands, it not only dances, it swings. Her understanding plus her musicianship allows her not just to adapt traditional tunes but also to write pieces suited to it. A Traveler's Dream delves nicely into different cultures while retaining Celtic toots, with Sansone leading the way, assisted by the occasional addition of fiddle, guitar, percussion and more

Mystical Moods of Celtic music and more!.......2000-10-25

Maggie's sixth solo release and it exlores in innovative ways.. music from Ireland, Scoland, Sweden, Cape Breton and the Northumberland region of England. Also are Persian and sufi-influenced compositions by Sansone and sets celebrating the ancient Celtic holiday's of Samhain and Lughnasa. This album is one of the most innovative album featuring hammered dulcimer around with its multi-layer textures and layering of sometimes 3 hammered dulcimer sounds together, plus various tonal qualities are explored with different textures of mallets on the strings and use of other mallet struck instruments and along with complex origianal compositions more like tone poems that takes the listener on a mysterious journey. A visionary meeting of Celtic and world music influences.

A trip, not an adventure.......1999-07-02

Like Maggie Sansone's other recordings, this is tasteful, exquisitely performed, and a pleasure to listen to. The tunes span the Celtic world, and the arrangements enhance the qualities of the acoustic instruments rather than blurring them in an electronic mist. What seems to be missing is guts: the traveler doesn't actually take a journey (and return with blistered feet and a pack full of silk and incense), she just dreams about it! Or, to paraphrase the title of one of her other albums, she dances on the shore rather than diving into the waves. This is possibly my personal taste rather than anything actually "lacking" in the CD. But some tracks (such as the "Dervish" improvisation and the intriguing "Bear Dance") show hints that she's capable of considerably more original and passionate work, and I'd like to hear what would happen if she turned loose the Wild Woman side of her personality!

Rossini: Une larme; Duo; Serenata; Sonata a quattro

Average customer rating:

Rossini: Une larme; Duo; Serenata; Sonata a quattro

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002I748G
Release Date: 2004-12-14

Amazon.com

Subtitled "Chamber Music as the Elixir of Life," this record proves that, just as instrumental composers were drawn to the operatic stage, so opera composers were drawn to chamber music. Rossini wrote for various combinations throughout his life, beginning at age 12 with his six "Sonate a quattro" for two violins, cello and bass, and continuing even after he had terminated his wildly successful operatic career. The works recorded here are full of enchanting melodies, theatrical scenes and startling stage effects. In the Sonata No. 3, the violin becomes a coloratura soprano; the cello, liberated by the bass, sings tenor serenades. In the "Duetto," these two low instruments engage in hair-raising virtuoso flights that exploit every technical and tonal resource with amazing inventiveness and high humor. The cello, partnered by the piano, also shines in "Une larme," variations on an appropriately mournful theme that turns into a parody of sentimentality and ends like a typical Rossini opera finale. The elegant, charming "Serenata" for seven instruments, another beautiful set of variations, opens with a slow, dramatic introduction, then gives every instrument a variation written to its greatest strengths. The playing throughout is superb. The string-players' intonation is impeccable despite sparing vibrato; style, ensemble and balance are perfect, and everybody has a great time. --Edith Eisler

Mendelssohn: Octuor, Op. 20; Romances sans paroles

Average customer rating:

Mendelssohn: Octuor, Op. 20; Romances sans paroles

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

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Schubert: Trout Quintet
Maria João Pires - Le Voyage Magnifique ~ Schubert Impromtus
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; The Nutcracker Suite
Maurizio Pollini ~ Schubert - Wanderer-Fantasie · Schumann - Fantasie op. 17
Ravel: The Piano Concertos; Valses nobles et sentimentales

ASIN: B000852GFO
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

Allegro Moderato Ma Con Fuoco
Andante
Scherzo
Presto
Variations Concertantes
Romance Sans Paroles
Albumblatt

Average customer rating:

A Great Recording By The Great Trio!

Explorations (20 Bit Mastering)
Bill Evans Trio
Manufacturer: Riverside
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sunday at the Village Vanguard (20 Bit Mastering)
Waltz for Debby (20 Bit Mastering)
Moon Beams
Everybody Digs Bill Evans
Everybody Digs Bill Evans (20 bit mastering)

ASIN: B00006LLOW
Release Date: 2002-10-15

Tracks:

Israel
Haunted Heart
Beautiful Love [Take 2]
Beautiful Love [Take 1]
Elsa
Nardis
How Deep Is the Ocean?
I Wish I Knew
Sweet and Lovely
Boy Next Door [*]

Customer Reviews:

A Great Recording By The Great Trio!.......2004-08-27

Pianist Bill Evans, bassist Scott LaFaro, and drummer Paul Motian comprised one of the greatest piano trios of all time. The music of "Explorations" is always interesting as is everything this group did. Evans is somehow able to sound introspective even when he is swinging; one can picture him hunched intently over his piano. There is so much to recommend here. If I had to single out my favorite cut it would be Bill's exploration of "Sweet and Lovely," a tune Thelonious Monk made his own. Bill's rendition seems to be paying homage to Monk. Evans was always very generous in giving his bass players plenty of solo space. His bassists were almost co-soloists rather than simply rhythm keepers. This is particularly important with his recordings with LaFaro because the young bassist would soon be dead in an automobile accident. Luckily, through their recordings, we can here this great trio play together forever.

Pop Music:

Pop Music

pop music

Recommended Music:

Lost

The Music of Eric Coates

The Best of Horace Silver [Import] [Limited Edition]

Music: Somebody's Gettin' It

The Sound Of Kenton [Live]

The Well-Tampered Accordion

Trance 04 [Import]

Road Movies

Kool and the Gang - Gold