Concerto Royal Philharmonic [Live]

Track Listings

1. Piano Concerto No. 1

2. Elvira Madigan

3. Cornish Rhapsody

4. Liebestraum

5. Piano Concerto No. 2

6. Pathetique

7. Dream of Olwen

8. Für Elise

9. Arabesque

10. Warsaw Concerto

11. Moonlight Sonata (Sonate au Claire de Lune)

12. Badinerie

13. Clair de Lune

14. Piano Concerto in a Minor

15. Nocturne in E Flat Major

16. 18th Variation

17. Gymnopédie No. 1

18. Rhapsody in Blue

Concerto Royal Philharmonic,Richard Clayderman,Sony International,Contemporary Instrumental,Easy Listening,Instrumental Pop,Latin,Neo-Classical

Tracks:

March Of The Tin Soldiers - Leon Jessel
Variations On 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' - Walter Klien
The Nutcracker: Dance Of The Reed Flutes - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
The Sorceror's Apprentice - Paul Dukas
Peter And The Wolf (Extract) - Brandon de Wilde
Invention No. 8 In F Major - Christiane Jaccottet
Invention No. 11 in G Minor - Christiane Jaccottet
Invention No. 13 in A Minor - Christiane Jaccottet
Prelude And Fugue No. 21 In B Flat Major (Book 1) - Christiane Jaccottet
Sonata For 2 Pianos In D Major, K. 448, 1st Mvt. - Rudolf Firkusny
III. Allegretto - Walter Klien
Kinderszenen: Of Strange Lands And People - Walter Klien
Kinderszenen: Curious Story - Walter Klien
Kinderszenen: Entreating Child - Walter Klien
Kinderszenen: Perfect Happiness - Walter Klien
Introduction And Royal March - Marylene Dosse
The Elephant - Marylene Dosse
Kangaroos - Marylene Dosse
The Aquarium - Marylene Dosse
Cuckoo In The Woods - Marylene Dosse
Birds - Marylene Dosse
Fossils - Marylene Dosse
The Swan - Marylene Dosse
Finale - Marylene Dosse

Customer Reviews:

Children's Favorites a solid purchase.......2006-03-09

This CD mostly delivered what was expected of it. The only critique I have is that some of the tempos could have been cleaner, and that it should be cross-referenced by the other composers besides J. S. Bach.

The perfect package.......2005-10-23

This is the most wonderful collection to have on 1 CD. Children from birth on up can benefit from this musical collage.
Songs from the "Nutcracker" are familiar and comfortable for many children. What child wouldn't love "March of the Tin Soldiers?"
Selections from Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals" is a must in my creative movement library. Every child should be exposed to this music. Well,I believe every age should be.

A Wonderful Introduction to the Classics.......2003-03-11

With total playing time clocking in at 78:04 minutes of music, you'll be paying about 6-cents/minute, which is a better bargain than long distance phone calls, and often more rewarding!

This disc is far superior than most other "Classics for Kids"-type recordings I've sampled for a number of reasons:

1) This album was expertly engineered. The production quality on this disc is first-rate from start to finish with crisp, clear sound.

2) The pieces were expertly picked. There is wonderful sonic variety here, spanning hundreds of years of wonderful melodies. There are orchestral pieces, harpsichord pieces, solo piano, and a piano concerto, capped off with Saint-Seans whimsical Carnival of the Animals. What kid (or adult) wouldn't love that?

3) The performances are, without exeption, expert! The pieces were definately screened for quality as well as content. Many are simply a joy to behold. Walter Klein is a particular stand-out, almost giddily prancing through Schumann's pieces. Believe it or not, he sounds even more impressive when backed up by the always inspiring Minnesota Orchestra on Mozart's Piano Concerto #17.

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. In D Major, Op. 17: I Andante -- Allegro assai
Piano Concerto No. In D Major, Op. 17: II Andante sostenuto quasi adagio
Piano Concerto No. In D Major, Op. 17: III Allegro con fuoco
Piano Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 22: I Andante sostenuto
Piano Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 22: II Allegro Scherzando
Piano Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 22: III Presto
Piano Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 29: I Moderato assai - Piu mosso (Allegro maestoso)

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 29: II Andante
Piano Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 29: III Allegro non troppo
Piano Concerto No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 44: I Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 44: II Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto No. 5 In F Major, Op. 103: I Allegro animato
Piano Concerto No. 5 In F Major, Op. 103: II Andante
Piano Concerto No. 5 In F Major, Op. 103: III Molto allegro

Amazon.com

There is a lot of really enjoyable music here. I remember organizing a performance of the Fifth Piano Concerto (subtitled "The Egyptian") when I was repertoire committee chairman for a local community orchestra. We found it not only very playable for all of us amateurs in the orchestra, but it simply blew the audience away. It's a real find. Both the Second and Fourth concertos have been popular favorites for more than a century, but they seemed to have vanished sight in the past couple of decades. It was our loss, but no more. And the Fifth Piano Concerto, even when played by amateurs, can blow an audience away. At two discs for the price of one, these fine performances offer listeners a great chance to know this charming and vivacious music at little or no risk at all. So why hesitate? --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

five sparkling gems.......2007-02-21

Saint-Saens was the dominant French composer of the second half of the nineteenth century. And yet his works remain under-appreciated. His party piece "Carnival of the Animals" is probably his best known composition. Of his five symphonies, only the last (the "Organ" symphony, which is given the number 3) is well known, and that as a novelty crowd pleaser, rather than in recognition of the masterpiece it is. All five symphonies should be part of the standard repertoire. Of the piano concertos, the best known is the second, with the fourth somewhere behind that. But all five are glittering, assured works, full of imagination, and amongst the most thoroughly realized concertos written. They make full use of all the colours of the large romantic orchestra, and range through the pallette of emotions from exuberance to reflective sadness. This is a fine recording, the notes dropping in clear cascades of gorgeous sound. It should be part of any classical music collection.

Outstanding........2005-11-24

Having listened to other recordings, plus hearing live ones, of Concerto #2 (the most popular) for 15 years, it was nice to hear the entire pentalogy of the Saint-Saens piano concerti.
Pascal Roge may not be as big a name as Martha Argerich or
Vladimir Ashkenazy, but he certainly knows how to play the piano.
There isn't a dull moment in any of them. Roge captures all the youthful exuberance in the musically-straightforward 1st concerto. The 5th concerto (often called "The Egyptian concerto") is definitely the best of the lot. The tonal coloring is exquisite throughout, especially in the 'Nile River' 2nd movement and the boisterous finale. I could listen to it all day. The 3rd and 4th concerti are fine; these are musically less interesting than the other three. The orchestra is equally virtuosic and never oversteps its bounds, under the guidance of Dutoit. Highly recommended.

OK for the money.......2005-04-22

All in all, I think this is a fair value. Dutoit does a great job conducting and the quality of the recording is good. I was disappointed with the soloist's interpretation of concerto no 2 - I felt too much liberty was taken - esp on the opening passages. What should have been one long phrase building in intensity was instead practically broken into shorter phrases and any momentum that might have been gained was lost. I also felt like the third movement was not played at a tempo I would consider 'presto'.

I liked concerto no 1 very much - these concertos should not be ignored even if some critics do not consider Saint Saens a 'heavyweight' composer.

You'll like this set even if you don't like Saint-Saens.......2004-05-06

Unlike some of the other reviewers here, I am one of those who consider Saint-Saens to be a hopeless musical lightweight, a first-rate second-rate composer (as the old saw goes), a musician of prodigious technical talent but lacking any real depth in his music. It isn't any accident that, despite the tremendous popularity of his music during his lifetime, only about 2 dozen (and that is probably being generous) of his many many pieces are performed with any consistency.

Not coincidentally, some of Saint-Saens' pieces that have shown staying power are at least a couple of the piano concerti, and they are impeccably presented here by Roge & Dutoit. All in all, they are pretty musical confections of a decidedly classical strain, certainly not wallowing in the late romanticism that was running rampant at the time they were composed. If you are lukewarm about Saint-Saens, this is a collection that will plead his case for you about as well as anything to be found these days. Also, it is nice and cheap --- that certainly does not detract from its desirability. Enjoy.

Trust us.......2003-03-02

Looking at the other reviews here, I can only nod in complete agreement. Saint-Saëns is an underrated composer and these 5 concertos are joyful, seductive and deserving of a lot more attention than they have received. Saint-Saëns, like Mendelssohn, had the ability to instantly inspire happiness in the listener, this listener anyhow. Yes, the 2nd and 4th occasionally do get an airing, but the "Eqyptian" (the 5th) is every bit their equal and the remaining two concertos certainly have their own merits. The five deserve a double disc outing like this.

The performances here are very, very fine indeed. I have not heard the Collard/Previn versions (which are referred to in another review), although I have several versions of the 2nd and 4th. Charles Dutoit and Pascal Roge do a wonderful job, investing these performances with the affection and conviction they deserve. True, there is more of the virtuoso than the philosopher about Roge's playing, but that is entirely appropriate to Saint-Saëns. This is feel-good music (and music-making) of the very highest callibre.

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
Toccata
Toccata
The Emperor's Fanfare
Beaucoup Plus Largement
Dieu Parmi Nous
Finale
Rigaudon
Fanfare
Maestoso

Customer Reviews:

"Blasted" away.......2006-09-27

I am by no standards an expert on music, let alone organ music. I just purchased this CD because I love the sound of the organ, and wanted an album from a mix of artists before I started branching out to single composers. I would also consider myself an audiophile, only listening to high quality music with my portable headphone amplifier and Sennheiser HD-555's. Let me tell you, the quality is perfect, and the music is incredible! Such a full sound, it's *almost* as good as sitting in audience, only lacking the full body experience of organ music. I would recommend this to anybody looking to get a foot into the world of organ music.

Wow!.......2006-06-07

I happen to love organ music, even that tacky Saint-Saens
Third Symphony (with which this CD ends and just the third movement).

I grew up with E. Power Biggs, Virgil Fox, et al. and had never heard of Michael Murray (okay, it's been a while). I bought this delightful CD when it first appeared and before Amazon had been invented.

Upon hearing that most famous work with which Murray begins, I confess I was just this side of hysterical -- I was laughing with pure happiness. Murray's take on is it wonderfully over-the-top in the best possible sense. I have a son-in-law who is a musician and, indeed, does play the organ (i.e., if any of them have had pipes, I don't know, but I'm here to tell you, I don't want to hear ANY but pipe organs -- okay, I'm old).

At any rate, to hear this Toccata and Fugue played with such (carefully studied) abandon so tickled me, I called Brian (the son-in-law) and demanded that he listen while I put it on my stereo.

Now I'm going to send it to my son Bruce upon learning last night that he LOVES organ music. Who knew? He's 54 years old, for goodness' sake and never mentioned that little item before.

For those who like BIG organ works.......2005-09-04

This CD concentrates on the big, showy organ pieces that organists love to play. As an organist myself, I find that such numbers are usually more fun to play than to hear. Fortunately, this CD is very listenable, and makes the case for both playing and listening to these works. I'd buy it again; maybe more telling, I'm looking for some of the music, so I can go play it!

Pure Majestic Power!.......2003-07-20

Corey is right - this is an outstanding organ CD, one of the best I've heard. Murray plays some of the largest and most powerful organs on Earth, and uses the reed stops more than the usual organist to produce great effects and a wall of sound that are majestic in the extreme. The selections are all great virtuoso showpieces, and track #6 by Messiaen (Dieu parmi nous from La Nativite') is especially demonstrative of the great contrasts available in a large organ. The horizontal trumpets in this piece are predominant and very bright, contrasting with the snarling bass of the pedal organ.

A word of caution - this CD requires a capable stereo (think subwoofer) to sound its best. Trust me - if you listen to this CD on a good stereo and if you like organ music, you'll sit there with a big grin on your face and tears in your eyes as you listen to this CD.

Excellent Performance by Murray.......2001-11-09

This is by far one of the best organ CD's I have ever listened to. The variety is very good overall. From the state trumpets at St. John's to the mighty organ of First Congregational Church, Murray provides nice registration on all of the organs sampled. The Finale from Saint-Saens No. 3 is awesome with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy,s direction. Murray provides his own notes on the organs and the pieces in the booklet that is included. This is some fine organ music!!

Finzi: Cello Concerto; Clarinet Concerto

Average customer rating:

Finzi: Cello Concerto; Clarinet Concerto

Manufacturer: Lyrita
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Arnold Cooke: Conceto in D for string orchestra; Jabez and the Devil-Suite; Symphony No. 1
Arthur Benjamin: Overture to an Italian Comdey; Cotillon; North American Square Dance Suite
Finzi: Nocturne; Severn Rhapsody; Eclogue; etc
Frank Bridge: Dance Rhapsody; Overture "Rebus"; Dance Poem; Two Poems; Allegro Moderato
E.J. Moeran: Sinfonietta; Symphony; Overture for a Masque

ASIN: B000OCZ1OO
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

1st Movement: Allegro Vigoroso
2nd Movement: Adagio Ma Senza Rigore
3rd Movement: Allegro Giocoso
1st Movement: Allegro Moderato
2nd Movement: Andante Quieto
3rd Movement: Adagio - Allegro Giocoso

Album Description

LEGENDARY PERFORMANCES ON CD FOR THE FIRST TIME! World-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma featured in the Cello Concerto! Gerald Finzi (1901-56) first came to notice for his distinctive compositions in the early 1920s. He had a special affinity for choral and vocal music, but also wrote noteworthy instrumental and orchestral music. Finzi's Clarinet Concerto was composed during the richest, fullest period of his life. The war over, he had returned to the house he and his wife had built in 1938. Before his Opus 40, Finzi had composed four works in concerto style, but nothing in Finzi's output quite prepares one for the force and mastery of his Cello Concerto. Apart from some individual songs, the Cello Concerto was Finzi's last completed work.

Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos; Choral Fantasy

Average customer rating:

excellent beethoven cycle
Nice Surprise!

Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos; Choral Fantasy

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Box Set)
Mozart: The Piano Sonatas; Fantasias & Rondos
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 1
Beethoven: Concerto for violin in D

ASIN: B0000CNTLV
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Customer Reviews:

excellent beethoven cycle.......2005-04-16

Emanuel Ax really understands the poetic heart of this music. He highlights the dark melancholy of beethoven's music without ever becoming sacharine or sentimental. However, those looking for a barn burnig version of these concertos would do well to look elseware: Ax's performance is understated, with a focus on nuance, precision, color and dynamic shading. He never resorts to vulgar clanging in the forte passages. While not lacking in passion, his performance simly lets the music speak for itself.
One minor quible: the Choral Fantasy sounds like it was recorded in a TB ward, and the overall sound of this piece is notably inferior to the rest of the cycle. This is understandable, because the Fantasy was recorded live and at a different venue than the other recordings.
For an excellent Choral Fantasy, check out Helene Grimaud's "Credo" on DG.
Buy this set for the concertos.

Nice Surprise!.......2004-04-11

I bought this box set of Beethovens piano concertos on a whim about one month ago and what a nice surprise that turned out to be. The CD containing concertos 3 and 4 has been (by far) the most frequently played disc in our household ever since. Ax, with his sublime technique, really shines in these two and Previn is in perfect sync with him. I also have to commend the producers: The sound, balance etc. is excellent and puts a lot of more recent recordings to shame.

Average customer rating:

One of the best
An Orchestral Extravaganza
Exquisite!
Guilty pleasure
Rutter... without words

Distant Land: The Orchestra Collection

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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John Rutter Collection
The John Rutter Christmas Album
Be Thou My Vision
John Rutter: Te Deum and Other Church Music
Mass of the Children

ASIN: B0000D9YAE
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Tracks:

Distant Land
What Sweeter Music
Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind
Candlelight
Lord, Make Me An Instrument Of Thy Peace
The Lord Bless You And Keep You
A-Roving
I Have A Bonnet Trimmed With Blue
O Waly Waly
Dashing Away
1. Prelude
2. Ostinato
3. Aria
4. Waltz
5. Chanson
6. Rondeau
First Movement: She Loves You/Eleanor Rigby/Yesterday/All My Loving/Hey Jude
Second Movement: Here, There And Everywhere/Something
Third Movement: Can't Buy Me Love/The Long And Winding Road

Customer Reviews:

One of the best.......2007-01-09

I was thoroughly pleased with this purchase. One of the best CD's in my collection. Very soothing to listen to. I was never a great Beatles fan, but listening to this rendition of their works was extemely pleasing.
I highly recomend it.
Dan Barber

An Orchestral Extravaganza.......2006-07-03

John Rutter is one of today's leading composers and arrangers of music for chorus and orchestra. Some of his best works are featured in this instrumental album played with a lush flavor. But the highlight is a concerto arrangement of top Beatle's songs played in a symphonic mode featuring two pianos. You have the feel of the great master composers and the fun of listening to an unbelievable transition from rock to classical. Eleanor Rigby, Hey Jude, and Can't Buy Me Love sound like they're straight from Carnegie Hall Steinways. A most unusual and beautiful instrumental album.

Exquisite!.......2005-11-30

Ever since I heard the Beatles Concerto being used to help raise money on our local NPR station, I had to have Distant Land. Needless to say, I coudn't get the Orlando NPR people to give me any help, wouldn't answer my eMail requests for the source, so it took some searching to add the disc to my collection.
It's like Sterling on Siver.............CTP

Guilty pleasure.......2005-08-21

I have sung many of Rutter's choral works and arrangements, but I never knew that he had done orchestral works until I heard the Beatles Concerto on the radio. I had to have this album, and I was not disappointed. Distant Land is inspiring, the other works are very pleasurable, and as an old baby boomer Beatles fan, I just love to sing along with the concerto, even if he did steal shamelessly from Chopin and Rachmaninof for some of the piano interludes. I have searched for a copy of the score, but I can't yet find it.

Rutter... without words.......2005-08-05

Beautiful instrumental setting. Distant Land (the first track) is surely the highlight of the album. The Five Meditations are also very pleasant to listen to. The suite for strings is great to if you like a little bit of "Modern influence". The Suite Antique is fun but sometimes it sounds "awkward" as the "baroque style" instrumentation and the "contemporary" musical themes clash from time to time. The Beatles Cto is a curiosity. Great if you like to collect all these type of Beatles arrangements (baroque style, classical style, string quartet settings, etc.)

Average customer rating:

I love it!
Famous Beethoven slow movements
Number of discs
I Know Music, and This is Not the Best (by Beethoven Lover)
Not the Best By beethoven Lover

Beethoven for Relaxation

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mozart for Relaxation
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Chopin For Relaxation
The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

ASIN: B00000I9LZ
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op.27 No.2, 'Moonlight': Adagio sostenuto
Symphony No. 2 In D, Op.36: II. Larghetto
String Quartet No.13 In B-Flat, Op.130: V. Cavatina: Adagio molto espressivo
Violin Sonata No.5 In F, Op.24, 'Spring': II. Adagio molto espressivo
Fur Elise
Triple Concerto In C, Op.56: II. Largo
Piano Sonata No.8 In C Minor, Op.13, 'Pathetique': II. Adagio cantabile
Fidelo, Act I: Quartet 'Mir ist so wunderbar'
Piano Sonata No. 18 In E-Flat, Op.31, No.3: III. Menuetto: Moderato e grazioso
Serenade In D, Op.8: II. Adagio
Symphony No.6 In F, Op.68, 'Pastoral': II. Scene By The Brook

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No. 14 In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2, 'Moonlight': I Adagio sostenuto
Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 36: II Larghetto
String Quartet No. 13 In B-Flat, Op. 130: V Cavatina: Adagio molto espressivo
Violin Sonata No. 5 In F, Op. 24, 'Spring': II Adagio molto espressivo
Fur Elise
Triple Concerto In C, Op. 56: II Largo
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, 'Pathetique': II Adagio cantabile
Fidelio, Act I: Quartet 'Mir ist so wunderbar'
Piano Sonata No. 18 In E-Flat, Op. 31 No. 3: III Menuetto: Moderato e grazioso
Serenade In D, Op. 8: II Adagio
Symphony No. 6 In F, Op. 68, 'Pastoral': II Scene By The Brook

Customer Reviews:

I love it!.......2007-01-21

I've had this CD for about 6 years now and it never gets old. As the title suggests, it's great for relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine. I find myself reaching for this CD whenever I get a migraine. I had always heard that the complexities of Beethoven's music could ease a migraine, or I suppose any headache. I've never been able to find any substantiated proof of this but from my experience the music eases my headaches. Whether it's psychological is still a mystery to me. Fact is, I love this CD and it's never far from me.

Famous Beethoven slow movements.......2006-01-15

The real Beethoven would probably be irritated with compilation CD's like this that "cherry picks" a variety of slow movements from various works he composed. But, the average listener today will see it as a great way to get to know his music and enjoy an hour of more serene music - less Beethoven's more intense movements. The variery here is broad: solo piano, violin + piano, string quartet and full orchestra symphonies and concertos. The dreamy solo-piano pieces are some of Beethoven's most beloved and alluring slow movements that vaulted him to fame. While these and the chamber music tend to be more "relaxing," the latter orchestral pieces especially contain shifts in tempo, dynamic range and emotion that some might not find so relaxing. After all, this is Beethoven with a full orchestra and not Bach or the Baroque.

But, all is not lost if you are looking for a collection of serene, lyrical music composed by the great Beethoven. There actually is a CD that features some of Beethoven's most endearing and melodic adagios and largos: "Beethoven for Book Lovers" (Philips label). This CD is mostly comprised of the nicest slow movements from Beethoven's ten violin sonatas (violin + piano) played by the legendary David Oistrakh - a violinist with one of the most gentle and beautiful tone ever recorded. Fortunately for those wanting uninterupted peacefulness, there are only a couple of those typical "Beethoven outbursts" in this CD (very brief though). But, overall, the flow and tone of the entire CD is truly relaxing, enchanting and not distracting. All of these works reveal the gentle side of Beethoven and his surprizing ability (for such a fiery composer) to write music of such poinant and tenderhearted emotional appeal. Also, the "Chopin for Relaxation" is one of the better ones in this series and features some of Chopin's slower, more serene solo-piano music and the ever-so lovely middle movements from his two legendary piano concertos.

Number of discs.......2005-03-16

The ad above shows 2 discs with the same track names... this item has only 1 disc with 11 tracks (names as shown above).

I Know Music, and This is Not the Best (by Beethoven Lover).......2005-02-21

Ok, I'll admit, this is a pretty good album, but it lacks the feeling of Beethoven. Its songs don't sound like Beethoven is playing, and its not too relaxing. It deserves three stars because of this lack of the great Beethoven himself. Sure, the songs are pretty, but I'd buy a different album if I was you.

Not the Best By beethoven Lover.......2005-02-20

not completely a delight...shows little Beethoven in it all, deserves only about two or three stars.

Philip Glass: The Concerto Project, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

Timpanists excel
Two fantastic concertos
This is my story why I bought and fell in love with this album.
Great!
A must for all percussionists and music lovers

Philip Glass: The Concerto Project, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Orange Mountain Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Percussion | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music

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Philip Glass: The Concerto Project, Vol. 2
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Symphony No. 6, Plutonian Ode
Philip Glass : The Voyage: An Opera in Three Acts

ASIN: B0002X4UBA
Release Date: 2004-09-11

Tracks:

Concerto for Cello and Orchestra - Movement I
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra - Movement II
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra - Movement III
Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra - Movement I
Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra - Movement II
Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra - Cadenza
Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra - Movement III

Product Description

CONCERTO PROJECT 1 This is the first of a series of four CDs that Philip Glass and Orange Mountain Music have planned entitled Â“The Concerto Project, No. I-IVÂ” Each disc contains two concerti. Omm0014 features Julian Lloyd Webber with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gerard Schwarz performining Â“Concerto for Cello and OrchestraÂ” and Evelyn Glennie and Jonathan Haas performing Â“Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and OrchestraÂ” also with Gerard Schwarz conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. World-class soloists, excellent orchestra, excellent conducting and the beautiful sounding Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, together with major compositions from the worldÂ’s preeminent composer, Philip Glass.

Album Details

Recorded in January 2004 at the Orchestra's Acoustically Magnificent Home of the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, this Superb Release Marks Another Landmark in the Development of Philip Glass' Orange Mountain Music Label. The First Release in the Four Volume Concerto Project Brings Together a Top English Orchestra with Two of the Country's Best Known Classical Instrumentalists, Together with the Paganini of Thetimpani, Jonathan Haas. With an Exclusive Booklet, this Release Signals an Elevation in the Profile of this Already Important Label.

Customer Reviews:

Timpanists excel.......2007-03-09

The concerto for two tympanists and orchestra was worth the price of the disc.

Two fantastic concertos.......2006-08-09

Unlike certain individuals within the more "sophisticated" crowd, I am not afraid to admit that I like the minimalist music of Philip Glass (b. 1937). Glass' style is very distinct, making use of recurring arpeggios, recurring syncopated patterns and recurring melodic ideas. I used to the word "recurring" three times in the previous sentence to emphasize that repetition is an important element of Glass' music. This would spell trouble for most composers, but Glass pulls this off by continually driving the music forward to achieve greater intensity and incorporating fascinating harmonic shifts that give his music an almost hypnotic quality.

Some have faulted Glass for continuing his reliance on the techniques mentioned above (for decades!). So first off, anyone looking for a radical new direction in Glass' music will be disappointed with this release. While others, such as myself, who enjoy Glass' unique style, will surely love this CD. Rest assured, arpeggios abound, and syncopated motifs propel the music forward.

Of the two concertos, the Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists (premiered in 2000) is probably the one that will compel people to purchase this album. A concerto for a percussion instrument is a bit of an oddity. And this concerto, scored for nine timpani played by two timpanists, is pretty much what you would expect. It is intense, it is propulsive and it is aggressive. Glass doesn't seem too keen on exploring the subtleties of the timpani here. The music begins at a good clip with pounding timpani at forte, banging out the movement's theme in 5/4 time. Although, the themes employed by Glass vary in their intensity, the timpani part itself continues its aggressive, perhaps primitive, pounding until the conclusion of the movement. Now how do you compose a slow movement for nine timpani? Not an easy feat, but Glass pulls it off the (for the most part) by composing a processional that gradually builds in intensity to a climax, which then fades away. The finale of the concerto is similar to the opening movement. Lots of aggressive, percussive playing is to be found here. The syncopated opening theme of this movement, to me, has a decidedly Nordic feel to it. In short, this concerto is fantastic and will not disappoint percussion enthusiasts or admirers of Glass' style, just as long as they don't expect this piece to be something it is not. It's a timpani concerto.

Although this CD will be purchased for the timpani concerto, I think after a couple of listenings, the more reflective cello concerto (premiered in 2001) will prove equally interesting; and possibly more so. The mood of the first two movements is somber, with the rhythmic intensity of the timpani concerto nowhere to be found. However, the music is no less fascinating, with Glass' distinctive harmonic modulations and characteristic orchestration. The themes themselves are weightier and more substantial than the ones from Glass' earlier days, but repetition is still an important element to this concerto. The slow movement is especially lovely. This movement does last 14 minutes, for some reason, but is none the worse for it, as the cello's expressive recurring theme never gets stale. Things heat up a bit more in the finale, with the previously released violin concerto coming to mind. Julian Lloyd Weber, does well navigating through the sixteenth-note-laden solo part, while the percussion section, especially the castanet player, propels the music forward with repetitive rhythmic ideas. My only quibble with this piece is the ending, which is very abrupt, as if Glass was unplugged or blew a fuse in the midst of his syncopating. However, Glass' tendency to conclude with sudden, harmonically bizarre, codas is one of his "trademarks." Like a car going down a hill with no brakes, Glass' music has no problem sustaining its forward momentum; however its halt isn't pretty.

Despite this, this disc has my full recommendation. The reflective cello concerto contrasts nicely against the assertive timpani concerto. This is fascinating music that will appeal to all (except those who take themselves too seriously) and deserves a place in the library of any acquirer of recent classical music.

55:12

This is my story why I bought and fell in love with this album........2005-12-26

I still remember the incredible sensation I felt one night listening to Philip Glass' "Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra" for the first time on my car radio.

It happend about a year ago. After dining at Hooters in Santa Monica with some of my drumline friends, I hopped back into my car, turned on the engine, and all the sudden, the sound of timpani filled the car! I mean LOTS and LOTS of it! Listening to the orchestral accompaniment, I knew it was a concerto piece... a very modern concerto piece. The music was simply mesmerizing, with the orchestra playing rather refreshingly consonant chords, while the drums were struck all over the place, at times arpeggiating, and at times singing the melody. It either had to be a soloist playing so many drums, or even two playing them.

I simply had to know what this strange new piece was, so I listened throughout my whole drive on the dark highways and freeways back home. Lasting pretty long, I knew I must have listened from the first movement. As the music progressed, there was a slower movement, the followed by a huge cadenza featuring the timpani, before another fast movement. By the time I reached home, the music came to an exhilirating close, and listened like an eager student... "Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra by Philip Glass ("Philip Glass? Really?", the soloists being Jonathan Haas and Evelyn Glennie ("Evelyn Glennie? I know her!"), with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under Gerald Schwartz."

I never hesistated by buy the album featuring this work. It only took days for me to find the right album with the right performers (well, this IS the only performance so far, being a premiere recording).

As a percussionist (with timpani being my favorite instrument), I bought this album just for the Timpani piece... obviously. Based on the booklet, the soloists Jonathan Haas (dubbed the "Paganini of Timpani") and Evelyn Glennie (probably THE best percussionist in the world), played on seven drums each, so that's FOURTEEN total! The work did prove a challenge to the performers, but the recording came out very well.

If you love timpani, then you'll absolutely love this work. Guaranteed! I truly cherish the work, and I am hoping to play it in the future to show my obsession with my favorite percussion instrument.

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

Excellent service, as always. They seem to have all the stuff you can't find anywhere else.

A must for all percussionists and music lovers.......2004-11-13

In listening to the first movement of the Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists, I was completely drawn into the play of these two brilliant percussionists, Evelyn Glennie and Jonathan Haas. The very sound of fourteen timpani in concert together with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is just amazing and from the start makes you sit up and take notice. The play between the strings and timpani is fantastic in the first movement. In this work the listener will get a true appreciation for the beautiful and powerful tone of the timpani. This is especially true in listening to the Cadenza where Glennie and Haas coax and reveal a variety of different tones and colors from their timpani, the voice of the timpani is revealed here. Movement III is the marvelous reward and bright payoff off of the piece, with the timpanists playing in harmony with the full orchestra once again. Featuring the timpani as a solo instrument in this context is fresh and very different. I hope to have the opportunity to see and feel a performance of this concerto in the future, especially if performed by Glennie and Haas.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic!

Shostakovich: Complete Concertos

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Prokofiev: Complete Concertos
Shostakovich: The Complete Symphonies - Mariss Jansons (10 CD)
Shostakovich: The String Quartets
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87
Liszt: Piano Works

ASIN: B0000C6IW1
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

I. Nocturne: Moderato - Viktoria Mullova
II. Scherzo: Allegro - Viktoria Mullova
Passacaglia: Andante - Viktoria Mullova
IV. Burlesque: Allegro Con Brio - Presto - Viktoria Mullova
I. Moderato - Gidon Kremer
II. Adagio - Gidon Kremer
III. Adagio - Allegro - Gidon Kremer

Tracks:

I. Allegretto - Heinrich Schiff
II. Moderato - Heinrich Schiff
III. Cadenza - Heinrich Schiff
IV. Allegro Con Moto - Heinrich Schiff
I. Largo - Heinrich Schiff
II. Allegretto - Heinrich Schiff
III. Allegretto - Heinrich Schiff

Tracks:

I. Allegretto - Peter Jablonski
II. Lento - Peter Jablonski
III. Moderato - IV. Allegro Con Brio - Peter Jablonski
I. Allegro - Cristina Ortiz
II. Andante - Cristina Ortiz
III. Allegro - Cristina Ortiz

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!.......2007-07-25

This 3-CD set is amazing! It is classic Shostakovich, and the quality of the playing is impeccable. I especially love the first cello concerto.

In A Monastery Garden: The Immortal Works Of Ketelbey

Average customer rating:

Ketelbey must have influenced the great film soundtrack composers
Buy This

In A Monastery Garden: The Immortal Works Of Ketelbey

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Albert W. Ketélbey: In a Persian Market; In a Monastery Garden; etc.
Waldteufel: Famous Waltzes
Lehár: Waltzes
Ketelbey: In a Persian Market; In a Monastery Garden; In a Chinese Temple Garden
Viennese Violin: The Romantic Music of Lehár, Kreisler & Strauss

ASIN: B000004279
Release Date: 1996-01-08

Tracks:

In A Monastery Garden - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
Wedgwood Blue - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
In The Mystic Land Of Egypt - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
Bells Across The Meadows - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
In A Chinese Temple Garden - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
Sanctuary Of The Heart - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
'Appy' Ampstead - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
The Phantom Melody - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
In A Persian Market - Royal Philh. Orch. & Chorus
Hejre Kati - London Festival Orch
Berceuse De Jocelyn - London Festival Orch
Valse Sentimentale - London Festival Orch
Fetes Tziganes - London Festival Orch
Meditation - London Festival Orch
Im Chambre Separee - London Festival Orch
Garden Scene - London Festival Orch
None But The Lonely Heart - London Festival Orch
Czardas - London Festival Orch

Customer Reviews:

Ketelbey must have influenced the great film soundtrack composers .......2006-09-02

I can see how this music might have been used as accompaniment to a showing of the silent film "Thief of Baghdad", or "The Sheik", or any one of those swashbucklers. Not that the exotic was all that Ketelbey indulged in, as this CD will reveal. I recommend it highly. And for those interested in historical recordings, try the 1921 Peerless Orchestra recording of "Monastery Garden", which is part of the Library of Congress archive and which is available to listen to or to download for free as a .wav file at [...]. This is the website for Birmingham, England, the composer's birthplace.

Buy This.......2006-07-11

This music helped me to be totally relaxe and completely entertained.
Of particular interest for me was "Wedgewood Blue" and "Meditation", both performed beautifully.
I highly recommend this imported German CD and add that, due to the rarity of some of the tracks, it is a good idea to not delay.

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