Flight

Editorial Reviews
From the Label
From the moment you place this CD into your player, you will not be able to stop listening to Steve La Cerra's second offering, Flight. Displaying an amazing combination of memorable hooks, thick new-age synth textures, in-your-face drumming with a nice dose of smoking guitar playing, Flight IS New Age With Attitude. In addition to Jim McCartney and Pete Saccoccio -- both of whom appeared on La Cerra's debut One Step At A Time -- La Cerra is joined this time out by Paul Baccasah, Adam Fier and Robert Granger. All of these musicians contribute strong musical performances to the CD, but most notable are Saccoccio's acoustic guitar solo on "Havasu Trail" and Baccash's solo in the searing opening song "Sierra Nevada." Playing on a nylon-string acoustic guitar, Baccash leads the band through a smoking chorus or two, which clearly brings us to that place La Cerra calls "Sierra Nevada" (where ever that may be). Other highlights are "The Road Home," where La Cerra finally lets loose a bit and gives us some of his tasteful drumming, as well as the tender "Lay Your Heart Beside Me." Indescribable in any other way, "Forbidden Planet" sounds like Led Zeppelin running over Yanni in a Mack truck. Interestingly, La Cerra includes a few vocal phrases on Flight, generally as textural sounds -- though he does deliver some lyrics in the bridge section of "Havasu Trail." If you like music, you'll love Flight.

Product Description
Flight is the second release from composer, producer, engineer Steve La Cerra. On Flight, La Cerra clearly defines the genre he pioneered, 'new age with attitude.' Drawing from influences as diverse as Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Blue Oyster Cult, Beethoven and Pat Metheny, Flight represents the culmination of La Cerra's efforts to deliver new age-type melodies without the wimpy-ness!! "Sierra Nevada" -- the CD's fiery opening song -- demonstrates La Cerra's ability to compose memorable tunes and perform them with a kick-ass band playing strong arrangements. More aggressive than Steve's debut CD "One Step At A Time" (also available from Amazon.com), Flight showcases La Cerra's drumming abilities and proves that good songs can happily co-exsist with technical ability. Steve La Cerra soars on Flight!

Flight

Flight,Steve La Cerra,Blossom,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Flight

Tracks:

Business Time
If You're Into It
Crying
Beautiful Girl - (live, live)
Robots - (live, live)

Album Description

A teaser single for the full-length, due in October. This New Zealand duo debuted their new HBO comedy series on June 17th. This specially priced release contains the fan favorites "Business Time" and "If You're Into It" as well as the non-album studio cut, "Crying", and two live versions. HBO's publicity blitz has put the boys on Letterman, Conan, World CafÃ©, All Things Considered, and much more. Look for them on tour, including a stop at the Bonnaroo Festival.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Average customer rating:

The music is good but the movie is better
A grand sountrack...
Lord of the Rings Original Soundtracks, films 1 and 3
Awe inspiring!
It is the best of the three CDs!!!

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Celtic New Age | New Age | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl
Gladiator: Music from the Motion Picture
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

ASIN: B00005QZWI
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

The Prophecy
Concerning Hobbits
The Shadow Of The Past
The Treason Of Isengard
The Black Rider
At The Sign Of The Prancing Pony
A Knife In The Dark
Flight To The Ford
Many Meetings
The Council Of Elrond [featuring the song "Aniron (Theme For Aragorn And Arwen)" composed & performed by Enya]
The Ring Goes South
A Journey In The Dark
The Bridge Of Khazad Dum
Lothlorien
The Great River
Amon Hen
The Breaking Of The Fellowship
May It Be [composed & performed by Enya]

Amazon.com

Score composer Howard Shore has informed this first installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with his distinctly modern sensibilities. Revolving loosely around a brief, heroic brass theme, this epic is infused with a powerful rhythmic thrust and a musical range that encompasses centuries (from the Renaissance pastoralism of "Concerning Hobbits" to the fiery, Prokofiev-influenced drama of "A Knife in the Dark"). Key to the score's sense of mystery and magical place are the rich choral passages that are interspersed throughout, some so ominously gothic they make The Phantom Menace's "Duel of the Fates" sound almost sunny by comparison. Enya's contributions ("The Council of Elrond" and the song "May It Be") add a sense of organic tranquility, but it's Shore's Wagnerian-scaled orchestral score that should long be cherished by admirers of film music and hobbits alike. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

The music is good but the movie is better.......2007-04-10

I really enjoyed the 3 series of The Lord of the Rings movie so I wanted the music. The soundtracks are good but if you like the movie the soundtracks watch the movie. They remind you of certain parts in the movie like the song Concerning Hobbits. The song is whimsical. Enyna has a great voice, very haunting. The Ring Goes South is another favorite of mine. I can enjoy these soundtracks as classical or dramatic music. I bought them because I loved the Lord of the Rings which has many similarities to Braveheart. Bravery, courage, strength, honesty, selflessness, love and other good human qualities people try to attain and admire them in the people and movies they view.

A grand sountrack..........2007-01-10

One of Howard Shore's best soundtracks around. The music is strong enough to tell its own separate story apart from FOTR. You will never tire of the heart-pounding excitement from The Bridge of Kazaad-Dum track.

Lord of the Rings Original Soundtracks, films 1 and 3.......2006-11-08

Having made an earlier mistake of buying 2 C.D.'s which were not original soundtrack, I can truthfully say these are the best. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, look no further - no one does it better than The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer Howard Shore. You will be back in Middle Earth reliving all those wonderful scenes. I bought only The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King from Amazon.com because I already had the Two Towers from Amazon.co.uk and I would recommend all three - magical.

Awe inspiring!.......2006-10-02

What can I say that hasn't already been said about Howard Shore's magnificent score for the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy? A soundtrack can define the whole atmosphere of a film, and this fully orchestrated work certainly does that with sweep, splendor and wonder, alternately humanizing (hobbit-izing?) the characters, imbuing the landscape with magic and capturing the world-shaking impact of events of mythic proportions. And this was no easy task considering the iconoclastic status of the story and the superb quality of Peter Jackson's filmmaking. This is a truly a soundtrack for the ages--a fitting accompaniment to a film for the ages! Every aspect of life, from the extreme to the mundane, is captured in this music. Listening to it can make every remembered moment of the movie come alive again in your mind, from the most horrific battle to the smallest moment of humor or kindness. I think this first one is my favorite of the three "Lord of the Rings" soundtracks. I enjoy the juxtaposition of the lighter moments, like the sweet, simple hobbit theme, with the grander and more menacing sections of the music. (That despite the fact that said hobbit theme begins exactly like the first phrase of the Protestant hymn "This Is My Father's World," which prompts me to think of the hobbits trouping off to Sunday school every time I hear it. But now when I hear the hymn, I think of Lord of the Rings, so I suppose all's fair!) What impressed me most as I watched "The Fellowship of the Ring" was how scary the music was when the hobbits were being pursued. Those relentless drums and eerily screaming drums made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, even though I knew the story like the back of my hand and knew for a fact that the poor little heroes would manage to escape. But the music truly made me wonder otherwise ... Now that's good composition! And the fact that the filmmakers chose to include background music in so many of the scenes, almost continuously ... well, that's just good filmmaking! The other impressive thing about Howard Shore's score is how the voicing and repeating motifs tie the whole thing together, like the finest of symphonies. The total effect is utterly convincing and utterly transporting. Peter Jackson chose well when he picked Shore as his score writer. Very, very well! Be sure to get the scores from the other two movies in the trilogy as well - "The Two Towers" and "Return of the King." They seem to be available in no end of different packagings, including ones with bonus DVDs about the creation of the score. Also, make sure to get the extended edition DVDs of the movie itself, with hours and hours of fascinating commentaries and behind-the-scenes documentaries about the making of the films. Truly a bargain at any price! And for more seminal soundtracks, try John Williams' defining scores for the "Star Wars" series and Basil Poledouris's spectacular score for the original "Conan the Barbarian."

It is the best of the three CDs!!!.......2006-09-10

For me, the music of the first sequel is my favourite since this is also the sequel that I prefer in the trilogy (I remember being blown away by the quality of this movie, the actors, the setting, the action scenes, the special effects, the moving relationships between all the characters and of coourse the music)
I think that the other CDs are a bit repetitive once you've got this one, even if I still like the music of the second soundtrack 'The Two Towers'. As for the 3rd sequel, I seldom listen to it as there is only one track that I like, 'The Return of the King'.
Now, this first CD of the trilogy is actually very good. Thanks to Enya, it is haunting and the songs are beautiful. There are a few eery but melodious songs like 'The Council of Elrond', 'Lothlorien', 'May it Be'. I love the change of tempo, the balance between fast and slow movements in 'A Knife in the Dark', 'Flight to the ford', and 'Amon Hen' which is my favourite piece (the Death of Boromir) with the oboe sound mixed with the beat of the drums and finaly the haunting voice of the singer. Track 17 is also worth listening. I like this CD because you've got different tempos and melodies and Anya is a great singer to me. But I also enjoy listening to Emiliana Torrini's song 'Gollum's Song'in the second soundtrack...

Average customer rating:

Woo Hoo!
Einstein
The baby danced.
A Lot of Fun for Playtime
Synthesized dreck

Baby Einstein: Playtime Music Box

Manufacturer: Buena Vista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Lullabies | Children's Music | Styles | Music

CDs Under $7 | Children's Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music

All Bargain Titles | Children's Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

CDs | Music & Video | Products |
Similar Items:

Baby Einstein: Lullaby Classics
Baby Einstein: Traveling Melodies
Baby Mozart
Baby Neptune
Baby Einstein: Music Box Orchestra

ASIN: B0006SSRP6
Release Date: 2004-12-21

Tracks:

Carmen Suite Medley
Snow Maiden, Dance Of The Birds
William Tell Overture, 'Lone Ranger'
Flight Of The Bumblebee
Humpty Dumpty/Child's Verse Medley
The Bartered Bride, Furiant
Minute Waltz
Gaite Parisienne, Vivo
Hey Diddle Diddle
Wellington's Victory, Op.91, 'England'
Wellington's Victory, Op.91, 'Victory Finale'
Swan Lake, Waltz
Old MacDonald Had A Farm
Happy Farmer
Farmer In The Dell
Jack & Jill
Symphony No.4
Dance Of The Hours
The Bartered Bride, Skokna
Voices Of Spring, Waltz

Product Description

The Playtime Music Box music CD is a 20-track, 31-minute concert featuring a collection of up-beat classical melodies and traditional song favorites to inspire your little one to dance, clap and play! Each delightful piece was specially selected and produced to bring musical fun to any activity - playtime, travel time, tummy time and more. Playtime Music Box includes classical pieces such as Rossini's ?Ç£William Tell Overture?Ç¥ and Schumann's ?Ç£Happy Farmer,?Ç¥ as well as ?Ç£Old MacDonald Had a Farm.?Ç¥Musical Selections:1. Carmen Suite, Medley, G. Bizet2. Snow Maiden, Danse des Oiseaux, N. Rimsky-Korsakov3. William Tell Overture, G. Rossini4. Flight of the Bumblebee, N. Rimsky-Korsakov5. Humpty Dumpty, W. Weisbach (traditional verse)6. The Bartered Bride Suite, Furiant, B. Smetana7. Minute Waltz, F. Chopin8. Gaite Parisienne, Vivo, J. Offenbach9. Hey Diddle Diddle, W. Weisbach (traditional verse)10. Wellington's Victory, Op 91, England, L. Beethoven11. Wellington's Victory, Op 91, Victory Finale, L. Beethoven12. Swan Lake, Waltz, P. Tchaikovsky13. Old MacDonald Had a Farm, traditional14. Happy Farmer, R. Schumann15. Farmer in the Dell, traditional16. Jack & Jill, W. Weisbach (traditional verse)17. Symphony No. 4, Italian, F. Mendelssohn18. Dance of the Hours, A. Ponchielli19. The Bartered Bride Suite, Skocna, B. Smetana20. Voices of Spring, Waltz, J. Strauss IIAge: birth +

Customer Reviews:

Woo Hoo!.......2007-05-07

This is by far the best CD in the Baby Einstein collection--it will put your toddler in hyperactive playful mode and exhaust you as you try to keep up. But for today's overweight, tv- and game- addicted children, this is great!

Einstein.......2007-04-09

Anything that has an Einstein in the title my twins love. I used to play this for them at night while they slept.

The baby danced........2007-03-09

I gave Baby Einstein: Playtime Music Box to a little boy on his first birthday. He loves it and dances and dances to the music.

A Lot of Fun for Playtime.......2006-01-04

This CD is a lot of fun. The music is bubbly and upbeat and makes you want to get up and dance or just jump around. It's a great way to spend some play time with your kids. And the classical music exposure is a bonus.

Synthesized dreck.......2005-08-13

Why did the producers use synthesizers for this music? It's awful. It's possible to hook kids on classical music using the actual instruments written for it - that's how I got hooked. That's what Mel Blanc and Disney did in their cartoons, Bugs Bunny and Fantasia. I do NOT recommend this CD to anyone. It was a shower gift. If you are not familiar with classical music, then I recommend "Baby Needs Beethoven", which is a collection of music using real instruments (albeit shortened - no full length symphonies here).

Average customer rating:

Last Flight Indeed
sit down, buckle-up and get off while you fly jefferson airplane
Not their best live
One More Time
This is not the complete show! No No No and no!!

Last Flight
Jefferson Airplane
Manufacturer: Charly UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sweeping Up the Spotlight: Jefferson Airplane Live at the Fillmore East 1969
At the Kabuki Theatre
At Golden Gate Park
High Flying Bird: Live at the Monterey Festival
Take Me to a Circus Tent: The Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual

ASIN: B000MGBRMC
Release Date: 2007-02-26

Tracks:

Introduction by Bill Graham - Bill Graham
Somebody to Love
Twilight Double Leader
Wooden Ships
Milk Train
Blind John
Come Back Baby
Son of Jesus
Long John Silver
When the Earth Moves Again
Papa John's Down Home Blues
Eat Starch Mom

Tracks:

John's Other
Trial by Fire
Law Man
Have You Seen the Saucers?
Aerie (Gang of Eagles)
Feel So Good
Crown of Creation
Walking the Tou Tou
Medley: Diana/Volunteers [Medley]

Album Description

2007 digitally remastered two CD release of Jefferson Airplane's complete final show recorded at the Winterland in San Francisco in September of 1972. 21 tracks in all mainly taken from their final two studio albums. Includes: 'Wooden Ships', 'Have You Seen The Saucers?', 'Crown of Creation', 'Somebody To Love', 'Papa John's Down Home Blues' and more. Charly.

Album Details

2007 Issue of the First Authorized Edition (As Opposed to the Dozens of Inferior Bootlegs that have Floated About the Market Over the Years) of Jefferson Airplane's Historic Final Show Performed on September 22, 1972 at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom. The Double CD Set Includes the Complete Concert Performance by Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Jack Casady, Jorma Kaukonen, Legendary Bay Area Blues Fiddler Papa John Creach, Drummer Johnny Barbata (Formerly with the Turtles and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) and Multi-instrumentalist David Freiberg (Formerly of Quicksilver Messenger Service), who also Filled in the Male Lead Vocals in the Wake of Marty Balin's Departure.

Customer Reviews:

Last Flight Indeed.......2007-07-24

This show is definately for the true die-hard fan of Jefferson Airplane. When the band is cooking, this show is very hot. Unfortunately Grace Slick is not in any other form here other than bad. I have several bootleg shows from Jefferson Starship from this era and Grace is often much better than she is here. The last night of the tour, a bit too much partying before the show? It definately shows in her performance.While the drumming from Johnny Barbata is rather heavy handed, it is definately sevicable for the band. Paul, Jack, Jorma and Papa John hold this show together and really make it worthwhile to listen to. I guess it's worthwhile to have for the "Historic Show" that it is, but there's a lot better live material out there of this band.

sit down, buckle-up and get off while you fly jefferson airplane.......2007-07-24

seems to me that most criticisms of the airplane are all sorta the same....what do people expect????.........seems that most that booked return flights on the jefferson airline did so for the experience........some rides were bumpy, delayed or even canceled.....but when they took off they shattered barriers.......today the experience is past but the atmosphere is conjured up in live albums like this one........i'm not sure what a five star rating is supposed to mean but this album will take you for an old fashioned ride......its a 5 star blast-off through an old foggy atmosphere and back again.....Fly Jefferson Airplane and Grace will get you there on time

Not their best live.......2007-07-12

I am a huge fan of the Airplane, but they were more in their element in the studio. There has lately been released a number of recordings of concerts from different venues. Some of them are quite good. This was recorded at a point of transition and they had a new drummer. The performances are decent, but it's not the best sound design to carry the volume. Things get a little distorted. I guess the Grateful Dead set a live standard that is hard to match.

One More Time.......2007-06-02

Considering the dearth of live material from one of the most seminal bands of the 60's, this release is worthy of anyone's collection of essential Airplane discs. Unfairly forgotten, relative to the endless marketing machine of the Dead, the legacy of the Airplane languishes due to an apparent lack of releasable material, live or studio. This CD is a surprise to anyone who bought the toastery vinyl disappointment of "30 Seconds". No, it's not BIPLH, but it's 1972, not 1968 ( a lifetime for the average band), and it's very listenable. Besides a better mastering, it's got the fiery essence of a band that doesn't know the fight's over, they're not to come this way again, and the outlandish time in which they arose will only be a poignant and pointless memory. Buy this album, and god bless Papa John!

This is not the complete show! No No No and no!!.......2007-05-24

Hi there from airplane world:

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I had received so much email about this release that I hope I can share some information with you. The quality is real strong and the date is historic Winterland, San Francisco, September 22, 72. It was the last time the Airplane would fly until 1989 but...........

With plenty of room the CD leaves out the encore when Marty Balin returned! Dress Rap > You Wear Your Dresses Too Short is nowhere to be found! The most important tune of the night!

You can get the missing song on the Airplane Box Set "Loves You" but that isn't the point. You can not claim to have a complete show when you are overlooking a big part of the historic night.

If you don't own this previously you can enjoy the final time the plane takes off but you'll have to pretend you left before the encore to beat the traffic home.

Thanks and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

Average customer rating:

Beautiful!
Winged Migration CD
Beautiful Soundtrack
WINGED MIGRATION
THE RIGHT MUSIC FOR THE RIGHT MOVIE

Winged Migration
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Winged Migration
Himalaya
March of the Penguins
Microcosmos
The Chorus (Les Choristes)

ASIN: B00008V5TE
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

To Be By Your Side - Nick Cave
Masters Of The Field - Robert Wyatt
Northern Bound
The Crossing
The Highest Gander - Robert Wyatt
Beating Drums
The Return Of The Cranes
The Blue Thread
The Red Forest - Robert Wyatt
Like A Breath Of Air - A Filetta
The Takeoff
Amidst The Factory Smoke
The Glider
After The Hunt
The Paper Parrot
The Swans Flight
Feathers
The Wounded Dove - Gabriel Yacoub
Off Camera

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful!.......2007-04-24

I've owned this CD for several years now, and it definitely remains on my short, short list of favorites! The music is beautiful and contemplative, drawing the listener into the journey of migration undertaken by the birds who inspired it. Everything is amazing on it: the writing, the instrumentation, the vocals. This albumn is definitely not just for fans of the movie, but for anyone who loves slow, calming, thoughtful music.

Winged Migration CD.......2007-02-08

Awesome, for the most part- best after watching the documentary. A couple of songs had to skip through, but the rest is a good post movie mental review- watch the movie first...

Beautiful Soundtrack.......2007-01-06

I loved this movie and the soundtrack makes it ever better. I havent bought a CD in a while and this one is reasonably priced and rare.

WINGED MIGRATION.......2006-08-29

The movie is excellent. The scenery is breathtaking, but you actually feel like you are flying with the geese. Geese are amazing birds. A must see.

THE RIGHT MUSIC FOR THE RIGHT MOVIE.......2006-06-22

Even if you haven't seen the beautiful french documentary, you'll love this soundtrack. The score captivates listeners from the very beginning and the song "To Be By Your Side" by Nick Cave gives the very special mood that the movie requires. Bruno Coulais is the same composer from HIMALAYA, thus you may understand better the sort of music you're listening: half ethnic, half new age and totally haunting. Don't miss it.

Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

Average customer rating:

Waste of money
Great Music Compilation
If you like classical music don't buy this CD.
A must for anyone wanting the staples of classical music
A great compilation

Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

Manufacturer: Utv Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
25 Classical Favorites
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe
The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Ever, Volume II

ASIN: B00004GOZA
Release Date: 2000-02-08

Tracks:

Adagio In G Minor
Jesu, Joy OF Man's Desiring
Moonlight Sonata - Adagio sostenuto
March Of The Toreadors (Carmen)
Celebrated Minuet
Polovtsian Dance No. 1 (Prince Igor)
Cradle Song
'Minute' Waltz
Suite Bergamasque: Clair de Lune
Largo
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1
Rhapsody In Blue - Andante And Finale
Peer Gynt Suite: Morning
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Liebestraum
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Wedding March
'Masterpiece Theater' Theme: Rondau (First Symphonic Suite)
The Great Gate Of Kiev

Tracks:

Eine klein Nachtmusik - Allegro: Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Allegro
Orpheus In The Underworld: Cancan
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna
Canon In D
Lietenant Kije Suite - Troika
Turandot: Nessun dorma
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini - 18th Variation: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini- 18th Variation
Bolero - Conclusion
The Tale Of Czar Sultan: Flight Of The Bumblebee
William Tell Overture - Finale
Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Gymnopedie No. 3
Ave Maria
Blue Danube Waltz
Thus Spake Zarathustra - Sunrise
Firebird Suite - Finale
1812 Overture - Finale: 1812 Overtune - Finale
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves'
Anvil Chorus (II Trovatore)
The Four Seasons - Largo From 'Winter'
Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries

Amazon.com

For those who want the most remembered passages of classical music's best-loved works, here's a package for you. On this bargain priced double-CD, you'll find music from 40 different classical composers; for the most part, the recordings excerpted here are some of the very best. Of course, you only get one Bach sampling (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, played by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra) and one Mozart (A Little Night Music conducted by Herbert von Karajan), but this is still a nice collection--perhaps the starting point for a budding collection of classical music. This set's downfall? Unfortunately, though the liner notes discuss the evolution of classical music chronologically, the tracks are programmed in alphabetical order by composer's last name. This makes for some startling transitions! Emil Gilels's reflective performance of the Adagio from Beethoven's "Moonlight" sonata is followed by the crashing cymbals and bombast of Carmen's "March of the Toreadors," a recipe for a heart attack if there ever was one. Still, there's something here for everyone and the liner notes even explain what movies this music can be found in. A nice touch. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Waste of money.......2006-01-12

Watch out for the volume leveling mentioned in another review. Surely the compliers could have come up with a better sort order than by composer. The change in tempo/volume between pieces makes it impossible to enjoy. My two CD's ended up in the trash.

Ken

Great Music Compilation.......2005-08-15

This is a great CD full of many songs that you will recognize and enjoy. If you are someone who likes classical music but doesn't necessarily know which songs or which composers you like, then this CD is for you. You will likely recognize many of the songs as the classical songs you would have picked out to be your favorites.

If you like classical music don't buy this CD........2005-03-11

Most of the tracks were chopped down to 3-4 minutes so some of the best parts of the compositions are missing. I don't know what I was thinking trying to buy 40 classical songs on two CD's. If you really want to enjoy the music you would do better to purchase a CD with fewer, but better quality tracks.

A must for anyone wanting the staples of classical music.......2005-02-23

In my years of experience teaching Fine Arts to high school students, I know that the majority, if not all, of the music included on this album is commonly used in collge music appreciation courses. This is an excellent sample of truly all the "greatest hits" of classical music. My students enjoy listening to the music and have later told me when take their required music apreciation courses in college that they "already know it all" because of this CD! The recordings are clear, the selections are passionate, and the listener will gain a familiarity with all of the most commonly heard classical music used in tv commercials, movies, etc.
I recommend this album, along with the boxed set, "Age of the Classics" for anyone who is interested in becoming familiar with the most famous staples of classical music.

A great compilation.......2005-02-09

This cd somes up some of the greatest pieces of instrumental (and is some cases choral) music ever written. It is a great starter for a beginning classical music lover or a quick and easy all-in-one for those of us who study classical music for a living. I highly recommend this cd to anyone who wants to love or already does love classical music.

Average customer rating:

Great movie, better soundtrack
great collection of unusual music
Supurb
Amazing!
excellent

Mirrormask
Iain Ballamy , Stuart Hall , Martin Sharp , Matthew Sharp , Burt Bacharach , Dave McKean , Martin France , John Parricelli , Neil Percy , Iain Bellamy , Ashley Slater , Arve Henriksen , Chris Batchelor , David Powell , Josefine Cronholm , and Neil Gaiman
Manufacturer: La-La Land Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mirrormask
The Alchemy of MirrorMask
MirrorMask: The Illustrated Film Script of the Motion Picture from the Jim Henson Company
Where's Neil When You Need Him?
Mr. Punch

ASIN: B0007RTARU
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Sock Puppets / Flyover
Circus Overture
Spanish Web
Gorillas!
Running For The Bus
Abandoned Hall
Leaving The City
Arresting Helena
The White Queen Sleeps / The White Palace
Rabbit Band
The Library
The Myth Of Creation
Fish Street
Looking Through The Window
Giants Orbiting
Outside Bagwell's
Mrs. Bagwell's Rhumba
Meeting The Sphinx
Monkeybirds
Dream Park / Meeting In A Dream
Conjuring A Dome
In The Dark Forest
Betrayed!
Close To You
A New Life
A Rather Tense Dinner Party
Butterfingers
Discoveries / Fight Or Flight? / Goodbye Evil Helena
My Waltz For Newk
If I Apologised

Customer Reviews:

Great movie, better soundtrack.......2007-05-19

I just recently saw this movie and the only thing I could think about afterwards was that I had to get this soundtrack. I'm not usually a big fan of movie soundtracks, but this cd is unlike any other out there, soundtrack or not. The use of strings and carnaval type instruments is completely unique and makes this a must by for any fan of music.

great collection of unusual music.......2007-05-07

Rented the movie on reccomendation from Netflix, it was pretty good. But the music was the star of the show. The soundtrack follows the course of the movie pretty closely, it's kind of like listening to the movie. Each track brings to mind a specific scene in the movie. One of the highlights is the ecclectic treatment of Burt Bacharach's "Close to You". Most will remember the super-sweet Carpenter's version, but this interpretation was the main reason I bought the music. Unusual augmented chord progressions and almost minimalist format (complete with the mechanical background sounds made by the female jack-in-the-box-like, life-sized, mostly metal toy dressers) make the tune as captivating as in the movie when they 'convert' the trapped Helena into the black princess. Great music to play while relaxing, too.

Supurb.......2007-03-08

This soundtrack is truly a delight to listen to. It ranges from quirky circus music to deep and melodic mysterious tunes. It is a great CD to relax to and to use as background music for most any relaxing time hanging out with friends.

Amazing!.......2007-02-24

This is a very good soundtrack to a very good movie. The music is amazingly composed and is nice to listen to.

excellent.......2007-01-17

This CD is excellent! All the music from the movie in its entirety, all the songs are complete songs, and the songs are all top notch compositions.

The Music of John Williams: 40 Years of Film Music

Average customer rating:

Very disappointing, considering what it could have been
Always a pleaser
JOHN WILLIAMS 40 Years of Film Music
Movie Music Magic & Memorabilia
John Williams: 40 Years of Outstanding Film Music

The Music of John Williams: 40 Years of Film Music

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

John Williams - Greatest Hits 1969 - 1999
Jerry Goldsmith: 40 Years of Film Music
The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection
John Barry: The Collection
Summon the Heroes

ASIN: B0000C6K09
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

The Sugarland Express-Main Theme
Jaws-Main Theme
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind-Suite
Raiders Of The Lost Ark-March
Raiders Of The Lost Arc-The Map Room:Dawn
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrail-Adventures On Earth
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom-Mine Car Chase
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom-End Credits
Empire Of The Sun-Exsultate Justi
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade-Indy's First Adventure

Tracks:

Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade-End Credits
Always-Follow Me/Dorinda's Solo Flight
Hook-Main Themes
Jurassic Park-Main Themes
Schindler's List-Main Theme
Amistad-Dry Your Tears, Afrika
Saving Private Ryan-Hymn To The Fallen
A.I. Artificial Intelligence-Where Dreams Are Made
Minority Report
Catch Me If You Can

Tracks:

The Rare Breed-Suite (Universal Emblem/Hilary's Plight/Scottish Romeo/The Hunt)
Jane Eyre-Suite: The Jane Eyre Theme
Jane Eyre-Suite: To Thornfield
Jane Eyre-Suite: Restoration
The Cowboys-Overture
The Poseidon Adventure-Prelude
The Towering Inferno-Main Titles
Family Plot-End Titles
The Fury-Main Titles
Superman-Main Theme
Dracula-Main Titles & Storm
The River-Main Theme & Love Theme
The Witches Of Eastwick- Dance Of The Witches

Tracks:

Born On The Fourth Of July-End Credits
Presumed Innocent-End Titles
JFK-Arlington/End Titles
Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone-Hedwig's Theme
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets-Fawkes The Phoenix
Star Wars: A New Hope- Main Theme
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back-Hans Solo And The Princess
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back-The Imperial March
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace- Anakin's Theme
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace-The Flag Parade
Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones-Across The Stars
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace-Duel Of The Fates

Customer Reviews:

Very disappointing, considering what it could have been.......2007-04-20

Take a look at the running times:

Disc 1: 60 minutes
Disc 2: 50 minutes
Disc 3: 61 minutes
Disc 4: 58 minutes

What gives Silva? There is *MUCH* more John Williams in the silva screen back catalogue by the Prague Philharmonic than what is in this set, and thats not including their entire discs devoted to Star Wars Films, Indiana Jones Trilogy etc. Why isn't Hook "When You're Alone" included on Disc 2? There's room. Why isn't 1941 on Disc 1? There's room. Why isn't Earthquake on Disc 3? There's room. Why isn't Far and Away on disc 4? There's room. Where's the other ten minutes of the Rare Breed suite on disc 3? Why isn't Midway on disc 1? Where are the Land of the Giants, Time Tunnel and Lots In Space tv themes? Etc. Etc. Etc.

C'mon Silva, most of these 4 disc mega boxes released in the past few years are packed to the brim, but not this one, and with new recordings made after this was released (the terminal, munich, geisha, war of the worlds, star wars ep 3, harry potter 3), it only makes sense for a "re-do" in the next couple of years.

Further, with Silva releasing the 100 Greatest Film Themes on six discs in a couple of months, it's only a matter of time before we see the ultimate six disc john williams set.

This isn't a BAD set to own, but it could have been much better and when compared to the Jerry Goldsmith and John Barry sets in this same series, this one is a major letdown.

Always a pleaser.......2007-03-31

I listen to music all day with patients in my dental chair. This one is a winner with everyone. Patients always comment on how they recognize a song. Who doesn't love John Williams? His music transcends time.

JOHN WILLIAMS 40 Years of Film Music.......2007-01-10

This 4 cd pack is an anthology of all John Williams works. From his earlier works "The Poseidon Adventure" and "Jaws" right through "Indiana Jones" and the most recent"Star Wars" prequel movies are included. Williams work in thriller and horror are also included. If you are into soundtracks and love movie music this is an essential buy. The quality of the music is excellent. With ten or more tracks on each cd it's well worth the money.

Movie Music Magic & Memorabilia.......2006-12-13

This four CD set expands on the previously released John Williams Greatest Hits. It's a grand collection of nearly four hours of famous music scores from over forty years. There are many songs never before available in any collection. The short liner notes tell a great tale of musical movie history and include all of his numerous award nominations and wins. Each song (oddly enough) mentions the actors and the director, so fond are John Williams's memories of his work with these people. All of the conductors are mentioned along with specific orchestras, choirs, arrangement and orchestration specialists and even the publishers (contractual, I am sure). The only things missing are his early television scores, such as those for "Lost In Space" (by Johnny Williams back then). But with four discs, one has nothing to complain about and everything to enjoy!

John Williams: 40 Years of Outstanding Film Music.......2006-11-28

I have been a huge fan of John Williams and I have known about his music for years. However, I never actually bought any of his music on CD. I was rather skeptical about purchasing this CD but when it arrived I knew I had made the right choice. The sound quality of the compilation is outstanding. The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra do a great job under the direction of Paul Bateman. The original London Symphony Orchestra CDs of John Williams' Star Wars Trilogy CDs are marginally better but this is still a great CD compilation. If you love ET, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter, you will love this compilation soundtrack. Buy it, listen to these CDs in the car and enjoy every minute of the collection!!!

Average customer rating:

Hush ... you don't want to miss a single note!
Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin
Yo-Yo keeps on experimental
This is no "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
Excellent CD!

Hush

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Musettes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

The Mozart Sessions
The Best of Bobby McFerrin
Medicine Music
Beyond Words
Play

ASIN: B0000027VR
Release Date: 1992-01-28

Tracks:

Grace
Concerto In D Minor For 2 Mandolins: Andante
The Legend Of Tsar Saltan: Flight Of The Bumblebee
Stars
Hush Little Baby
Vocalise
Notebook For Anna Magdalena Bach: Musette
Coyote
Sonata For 2 Cellos: Allegro prestissimo
Ave Maria
Hoedown!
Orchestral Suite No. 3: Air
Good-Bye

Amazon.com

The idea here was to put two masters together--one classical cellist, one improvisational singer/sound-effects performer--and voilà! instant amazing, unique, hip--and, hopefully, hit--record. The intriguing setup was to see what would happen when each led the other through the unfamiliar territory of his own specialty. The success of this recording lies not so much in the music or even in the overall performances, but in the fascinating and fun opportunity to sit in on the musicians' good-natured, respectful give-and-take, to witness an uncommon form of artistic chemistry that allows each performer to expand his vision and even his technique. On one hand we get Bobby McFerrin's impressionistic, improvisatory jazz/pop; on the other we enjoy Yo-Yo Ma's highly refined, formalized musicianship. Originally planned as a disc for children, Hush goes far beyond its initial premise, with each of the 13 tracks demonstrating these musicians' unique gifts and showing that, whether it's Vivaldi or jazz, it's all music and it's all a lot of fun. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Hush ... you don't want to miss a single note!.......2007-07-28

It is July 27, 2007 and Bobby McFerrin is performing solo here in Vancouver, Canada tonight. I almost went to see him, but decided against it at the last minute, owing to a lack of good seats that remained. I may regret it for a long, long time...

In my CD collection are good works by Yo-Yo Ma and very fine ones by Bobby McFerrin, separately. But it was a stroke of great luck that the local library had this incredible CD available when I dropped by tonight, in lieu of the concert, for having these two virtuosos perform together on the same recording is like photosynthesis, the bringing together of powerful forces to trigger a miracle. The miracle is life, the vitality of the artists and their uniquely creative musical expression. Every music lover and musician should give this CD a close listen!!! I can think of no better gauge of the carefree and wide-eyed youth that hopefully still thrives inside, whatever may be your biological age, than this soulfull expose.

Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin.......2007-05-12

This CD is one of my favorites. I give it away and buy another. Playful and fun as well as great music. It never fails to make me laugh. A joy. If you aren't a little silly, don't bother. Kids love it, too.

Yo-Yo keeps on experimental.......2006-03-04

One of the best parts of a genius is to try out of his layers. In this case Yo-Yo tried to go out from the classic, and with a very good singer, in a easy say, as Bobby. They make a very special music between classic and jazz, with some elements of pop.
It's an incredible fusion of strings and vocal strings, in some moments it is not possible to separate them, some times is like a big keyboard directed by a single musician. In a word, they experiment, and the result was incredible.

This is no "Don't Worry, Be Happy".......2005-10-23

Have never been a big Bobby McFerrin fan, probably due to that god-awful, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." But I am a classical music junkie and one day listening to our local classical station I heard a selection that I thought was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. What a shock when I learned that it was McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma doing Vivaldi's Andante!

Honestly, I could do without the non-classical pieces on this CD...although I enjoy them.

But the classical interpretations are some of the most heavenly, wonderful, beautiful, awe-inspiring things that I have ever heard, on any CD, in any genre! Yes, that good!

McFerrin uses his voice as the perfect instrument and accompanient to Ma's cello. They were made for each other.

Listen to the samples of the classical pieces if you're a doubter...

Excellent CD!.......2005-09-22

While I admit to being a newbie in my connoisseurship of the classical music genre, not only do I think that this disc is a good collection of some of the best classical music ever written, it is actually FUN sometimes, with silly bits thrown in by Bobby and Yo-Yo Ma every now and then! These guys make great music and have a great time making it.

Bobby uses his voice as a fantastic sounding 'instrument' to sing notes much like an instrument playing a duet with Yo-Yo; sometimes his voice sounds so much like a real instrument that you even forget that you are hearing vocals--I don't even know what other vocalist could pull this off. It is a fascinating experiment. I recommend it highly!

An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen

Average customer rating:

Ring introduction critique
FASCINATING STUDY FOR NOVICES AND AFFICIONADOS ALIKE
Welcome back to a classic analysis
Essential for Understanding Wagner's Ring Cycle
Very Functional

An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen
Deryck Cooke , Georg Solti , Wiener Philharmoniker , Anita Valkki , Berit Lindholm , Birgit Nilsson , Brigitte Fassbaender , Christa Ludwig , Claire Watson , Claudia Hellmann , Dame Gwyneth Jones , Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau , Eberhard Wächter , George London , Gerhard Stolze , Gottlob Frick , Grace Hoffmann , Gustav Neidlinger , Hans Hotter , Helen Watts , Helga Dernesch , Hetty Plumacher , Ira Malaniuk , James King , Jean Madeira , Joan Sutherland , Kirsten Flagstad , Kurt Böhme , Lucia Popp , Marga Höffgen , Marilyn Tyler , Maureen Guy , Oda Balsborg , Paul Kuen , Régine Crespin , Set Svanholm , Vera Little , Vera Schlosser , Waldemar Kmentt , Walter Kreppel , and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baritones | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Wagner's Ring: Turning the Sky Round
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sir Georg Solti
Decoding Wagner: An Invitation to His World of Music Drama (includes 2 CDs)
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle)
Ring of the Nibelung

ASIN: B00000424H
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Of All Great Musical Compositions... (Examples 1-4)
The Fundamental Symbol... (Examples 5-11)
Returning Now To The Nature Motive... (Examples 6, 12-16)
A Number Of Further Motives... (Examples 5, 17-21)
A Second, Much Smaller Family... (Examples 22-25)
So Much For Nature. (Examples 26-38)
The Cause Of The Deterioration... (Examples 39-44)
The Other Transformation... (Examples 45-48)
Several Other Motives... (Examples 49-52)
Two Further Motives... (Examples 41, 53-61)
The Basic Motive Associated With The Spear... (Examples 62-68)
Along Another, More Complex Line... (Examples 69-72)
In Act Two Of Walkure... (Examples 69, 73-75)
Returning Now To Act Two Of Walkure... (Examples 76-79)
Love Is Another Of The Central Symbols... (Examples 80-83)
Later In The Same Scene... (Examples 84-87)
Freia's Motive Has Two Independent Segments... (Examples 88-91)
The Label 'Flight'... (Example 92)
When Fasolt, In Scene Two Of Rhinegold... (Examples 93-98)
A Little Later In The Interlude... (Examples 99-103)

Tracks:

The Other New Motive... (Examples 104-109)
There Are Several Independent Love-Motives... (Examples 110-114)
The Characters In Whose Lives... (Examples 115-120)
One Further Motive Belongs... (Example 121)
The Sword Motive Recurs... (Examples 122-130)
Ironically, This Phrase... (Examples 131-135)
Closely Associated With Gutrune's Motive... (Examples 136-140)
Here We Come To The End... (Examples 141-146)
Complemtary To This Symbol... (Examples 147-149)
One Last Central Symbol... (Examples 150-157)
One Further Motive Connected... (Examples 158-161)
There Are One Or Two Motives... (Examples 162-168)
These Motives Of Alberich And Mime... (Examples 169-171)
Quite A Number Of The Subsidiary Motives... (Examples 172-176)
Besides This Family Of Motives... (Examples 177-180)
Our Final Example... (Examples 10, 181, 182)
In The Final Scene Of Gotterdammerung... (Examples 181-183)
Even More Masterly... (Examples 184-188)
Now If We Return... (Examples 189-191)
This Masterly Way... (Examples 192, 193)

Amazon.com

When Wagner set the Ring to music, he intended the orchestra to act in the fashion of a chorus from a classic Greek tragedy--setting the mood and commenting on the action. In order to allow a nonverbal musical line to reflect on the plot, Wagner developed a psychologically and musically complex symbology to communicate his thoughts to the listener. From the beginning the Ring has spawned numerous written commentaries on the relationships of the motif structure, but by using examples from the Decca Ring recording, Deryck Cooke's thoughtful spoken commentary is by far the most accessible guide for either the fledgling Ring enthusiast or the seasoned veteran. --Christian C. Rix

Customer Reviews:

Ring introduction critique.......2006-11-04

This is very worthwhile, at the same time it requires time, patience and attention, but it does provide some keys to better enjoyment of a sensational piece of music.

FASCINATING STUDY FOR NOVICES AND AFFICIONADOS ALIKE.......2006-08-16

This may look an intimidating, daunting and dull prospect - a 2+ hour lecture on the motifs in the Ring. Don't be put off. Whether you're a relative novice to the Ring and want to find out what it's all about, more experienced with a desire to understand the composer's methods better or an afficionado who thinks he knows it all inside out, there is great pleasure as well as elucidation to be had from this set. Originally made to accompany the Decca Solti Ring, it contains a multitude of musical illustrations taken from those recordings as well as some specially recorded by Solti just for this Introduction.

It wasn't the first time this has been tried. The famous HMV sets from the late 20's also included recorded examples of over 100 motifs. (These, by the way, are available as part of the Pearl reissue of those wonderful HMV recordings). What that set lacked was the wonderful insights as well as the approachability of the talk by Deryck Cooke. Cooke was a great and much missed musicologist - a Mahler expert responsible for the performing edition of the Tenth Symphony still most played today, a fascinating explorer into the nature of music's basic building-blocks in his excellent book, The Language of Music, and an inspiring and elucidating critic of Wagner's work as shown by the fascinating book he left unfinished at his death, I Saw the World End.

On these CDs he does much more than list the leitmotifs and identify them as calling-cards. He shows the amazingly integrated and organic growth of the musical material that Wagner uses throughout his vast work. He demonstrates how motifs can change their sense and meaning as they evolve through the drama. And he shows how the complex combinations of motifs can radically advance both the musical and the dramatic narrative of the piece. There are even places where he corrects the misinterpretation of some of the motifs that had become ingrained from early commentators' false labels.

This set should engage and enlighten anyone with an interest in Wagner's huge and inexhaustible tetralogy. Do give it a try - no matter how far down the road to Wagnerianism you are.

Welcome back to a classic analysis.......2006-05-28

Deryck Cooke's lecture series upon THE RING is almost as much a classic by now as the Solti RING cycle, with which it was originally issued on LP, and from which it derives its musical examples. The difference is that whereas the Solti RING has been continuously in print ever since it was completed, and was among the first opera sets to benefit from the CD revolution, the Cooke analysis was for long almost totally unobtainable. Now we have it back. It should be welcomed: it is a classic. Cooke's mellow, deep voice with the hint of a Celtic burr - which made him ideal on BBC radio - patiently explains Wagner's melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic metamorphoses to such good effect that if you own this recording, you really require no other RING analysis. (A pity about the abrupt beginnings and endings of too many vocal and orchestral illustrations, though.) Musicology lost a fine, sensitive thinker with Cooke's premature death in 1976.

If all you want is dilettantish baby food, there are plenty of dumbed-down Wagner commentaries on the market, stretching from Anna Russell's famous monologue (which doesn't pretend to be anything other than a parody aimed at morons) to the latest standard-issue "Wagner-was-a-Nazi-boo-hiss" feuilleton (which, unfortunately, does). Without reasonable score-reading skill you will find Cooke useless, however diligently you have ploughed through Marx, Jung, Freud, or other gurus purportedly relevant to THE RING. Cooke expects you to use your brains and your musical sense. Quelle horreur. At today's BBC his "elitism" would render him unemployable.

Essential for Understanding Wagner's Ring Cycle.......2006-05-15

I originally bought this set on vinyl in the early 70s when I discovered the Ring in college. I studied the records and booklet assiduously, and after about three run-throughs I finally started getting it. Wow! Thirty-five years later, I still remember Mr. Cooke's analyses of various motive families, and I don't know how I could have mastered and loved the Ring without him. I now own this set on CD and listen again on the rare occasion of attending a Ring performance. My wife calls me a "Ring nut," but of course I'm nuts about many other things as well.

Bottom line, buy this set and study it if the Ring has captivated you as it has countless others. The presentation is dry, but sticking with it brings measureless and longlasting rewards.

Very Functional.......2006-03-19

This CD set is excellent for what it sets out to do: present the leitmotives of the Ring according to their relationship to one another and their role in developing both characters and plotlines. Deryck Cooke's lectures on each motive are very insightful, very helpful at cueing the listener into the semantic aspect of Wagner's orchestral writing. The one drawback is that the musical examples are a bit jarring. Without fade-ins or -outs, the engineering is quite barbaric. And though the orchestra was, I believe, conducted by Solti, and is beautifully done, the vocal performances can be quite unpleasant. Point being: this is not background music, but in accomplishing what it sets out to do, it is very successful, and I don't know of anything else like it.

Pop Music:

Pop Music

pop music

Recommended Music:

Mertell [CD-single] [Import]

Vienna Night

The Blue Note Years [Import] [Limited Edition]

Music: Deep Inside My Soul

When Midnight Comes [Import]

Truenos Sonideros

Two a Day

Voices of Frozen Land [Live]

Truck Drivin' Fool

Very Best of Jazz Funk [Import]

Transfusion One

Three Flutes Up

Trance Heaven, Vol. 1

Rorem: The End of Summer, Book of Hours, Bright Music

Lime - Greatest Hits