Sketches of Christmas

Track Listings

1. Pachelbel's Canon

2. Adagio Cantabile, Pathetique Sonata Op. 13

3. I Saw Three Ships

4. Carol for Alex

5. Nanita Nana

6. Away in a Manger

7. Fall River Road

8. Angel's Waltz

9. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

10. Ner Li

11. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

12. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

13. Winter's Peace

Sketches of Christmas,Wind Machine,Nichols-Wright,Adult Alternative,Chamber Jazz,Christmas,Christmas / Chanukkah,Christmas Music,Contemporary Instrumental,Holiday,New Acoustic

Amazon.com

Sàndor, still active at 90 as this reissue appears, was a student of Bartók and a preferred interpreter of his music. Since this set appeared on nine LPs in the early 1960s, it has been the standard for Bartók's piano music; in this fine-sounding reissue, it still is. Sàndor can hit hard enough for such virtuoso pieces as the Piano Sonata and "Out of Doors," but he also retains the romantic element heard in the composer's own playing which tempers the harsher qualities of the music. While this collection isn't quite as complete as advertised (some early, insignificant piano music by Bartók is omitted), it includes all of Bartók's significant piano music, including such relatively obscure gems as the Bagatelles, eight Improvisations, and many delectable folk arrangements which will appeal even to listeners who think Bartók is too challenging for them. Vox's recorded sound, superbly remastered, resists obsolescence as effectively as Sàndor's performances. Even with the inclusion of the early books of "Mikrokosmos," which will appeal mostly to piano students, this set is worth several times the asking price. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Microcosmos.......2007-03-08

Sándor was a champion not only of Bartók's music but also of Bartók's style of playing. He often complained that people were too quick to see Bartók as ultra-modern, and to fail to appreciate the rich seam of lyricism that also runs through his music.

The piano music is dominated by short pieces, many of them written for piano students, notably the collections "Microcosmos" and "For Children". These, together with suites of folk dance arrangements, make up the bulk of the solo piano output.

Sandór plays these short, and often simple pieces, with neither too much nor too little art. As a gifted teacher, he knew unerringly how much music each of these small vessels held. The result is beguiling - but be warned: no-one can listen to the 153 short pieces of Microcosmos end-to-end. This is an anthology to be dipped into, not swallowed whole.

The remastering is pretty successful (fortunately - some of Vox's CD reissues are plagued by severe deterioration of the original tapes). And it's for half nothing-what's not to like?

Great value with a few flaws.......2006-07-28

I am not a Bartok expert by any scale, but I do like the way these pieces, without exception, are played. There are, however, a couple of other problems.

As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, very few of the works are split into tracks - Mikrokosmos is divided into 7 for each of its six volumes, and to accomodate for a full CD. In these seven tracks there are 121 songs. I would have much preferred if the songs had been split into tracks. Almost the entire CD set is this way - Fifteen Hungarian Songs is one track, Fourteen Bagatelles, etc. It is very annoying when one wants to hear a particular song in those tracks and not the others.

Another detriment to the collection is the recording quality. It is decent most of the time, but in loud sections the piano buzzes. One might be able to ignore it, but I think that it detracts from the passion of the forte quite a bit.

Overall, for $18 it is pretty decent, but if you are like me and like to keep your music library neatly organized (and aren't extremely cheap), I would not recommend this set.

eeh, I guess I don't like Bartok that much.......2006-07-25

I like the fact that Bartok is into the folk tradition and all, but he just tends to forget the fact that melody has to be SOMEWHERE in the music. I'm all for creative expression when you're sitting alone at the piano, but abstract music should be reserved for performance art. I like playing some of your stuff Bela, but I just don't want to listen to you.

Best classical value out there.......2005-10-05

To put this set in perspective, for months I would go to my local Tower Records fishing for worthwhile classical CDs at least once a week. One of the discs that sat in the bins the longest was a single CD of Bartok piano music, played by Zoltan Kocsis. It was Volume 7 of a complete series. This CD listed for $17.99, and as long as I went to that Tower Records, it did not budge an inch, nor was its price amended.

Now, Kocsis is one of the greatest pianists alive, and if anyone is worthy of commanding a premium, it is him. And to be fair, that CD is going to be re-released on October 11 as part of a Collector's Edition - eight CDs, $63.97 MSRP. But it's already going up against this little gem, which contains five CDs with all of the truly great solo-piano works by an internationally recognized Bartok specialist for $21 - not much more than the cost of one CD from the other set. This kind of value is not to be taken lightly.

I came to this set with my impression of Sandor informed by his complete Prokofiev - ultra-hard, sometimes rhythmically slack, always melodically lacking in some way or another. But he held a very special feeling for Bartok, and saved his best playing for the great Hungarian. In passages like the first of the Three Csik Dances, the opening of the Improvisations Op. 20, or in the Ten Easy Pieces, there is a simplicity, charm and wistful homesickness that is quite touching. In pieces like the Out of Doors suite, the Sonata, or the Burlesques, there is a vicious, impulsive energy, a wicked sense of humor and an overabundance of overtones. It is never mindless, inappropriate or even overly harsh - it's just very, very loud.

In this set I like best the endless landscape of the Sonatina, the unusual colors and fragrances in the Etudes, the brilliantly conceived Bear Dance (the last of the Ten Easy Pieces), and the multifaceted, complex, gorgeous Improvisations. Any fan of Bartok should hear these.

5 Stars for the music and performance.......2005-04-04

This is a fantastic deal, but the problem with this Collection stems from the fact that the pieces are often not separated by tracks. This is especially annoying for the Children's Pieces and Mikrokosmos. There are so many pieces, one wears out the fast forward button and still may miss the particular piece one is looking for. The booklet is fairly insightful, and the performer is widely hailed as the supreme interpreter of Bartok's piano music. So aside from this slightly annoying at times and ridiculously annoying at other times flaw, this is one of the best deals in Classical music. Don't hesitate. Add it to the cart.

Average customer rating:

Exciting, energetic, different, and wonderful
Rimsky Korsakov rocks!
Raucous Russian Collection
Great Ormandy collection

Russian Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Berlioz: Harold In Italy
Debussy: Mer No1-3; Nocturnes No1-3
Vaughan Williams, Delius: Orchestral Works
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6/Capirccio Italien/Waltz & Polonaise From Eugene Onegin

ASIN: B0000029S1
Release Date: 1996-09-24

Tracks:

Le Coq d'Or: I. Tsar Dodon In His Palace
Le Coq d'Or: II. Tsar Dodon On The Battlefield
Le Coq d'Or: III. Tsar Dodon And The Queen Of Shemakha
Le Coq d'Or: IV. Bridal Procession And The Lamentable Death Of Tsar Dodon
The Snow Maiden: Dance Of The Tumblers
Mlada: Procession Of The Nobles
Tsar Saltan: Farewell Of The Tsar
Christmas Eve: Polonaise
Flight Of The Bumblebee
Ivan The Terrible
Islamey
The Red Poppy: Russian Sailors' Dance
Sorochintsy Fair: Hopak
Masquerade: Galop
Gayane: Dance Of The Young Maidens
Gayane: Sabre Dance
The Comedians, Op. 26: Comedians' Galop
Caucasian Sketches: Procession Of The Sardar

Customer Reviews:

Exciting, energetic, different, and wonderful.......2007-05-11

"Essential Classics", which has provided the world with many wonderful, delightfully cheap performances of the best known repertoire presents something a little different - a wonderful, delightfully cheap performance of little known pieces by some of the best Russian composers who have been overshadowed by their comrades.

No, you won't find Tchaikovsky here. You'll find Rimsky-Korsakov in something beyond "Scheherezade" (and boy do you find him). You'll find Balakirev, and will hopefully turn towards his other pieces (the incredible piano concertos on Hyperion [with Rimsky-Korsakov, as it so happens] are highly recommended!) and fall in love. You'll see another side of Mussorgsky, the one beyond "Pictures at an Exhibition". You'll spot Khachaturian, too. You'll meet Kabalevsky (who?) and Ivanov (again, who?). You'll find Gliere in his amazing form in "Russian Sailor's Dance" (my personal favorite - exciting, energetic, and awesome).

There are composers here you've heard of, but never heard. There are composers you know from one piece, and are curious for more. There are the obscure, the forgotten, and the brilliant. And it's cheap. If not found here, it's downloadable, but having it's preferable to purchase (thus the Amazon review).

Enjoy!

Rimsky Korsakov rocks!.......2002-05-23

i bought this CD solely for the purpose of owning once piece on here, Rimsky-Korsakov's Procession of Nobles. i have loved that piece ever since my band played it in high school. it is a great piece of music. oh, and all the others on here are awesome as well. :)

Raucous Russian Collection.......2001-04-01

This Sony Essential Classics disc collects some lesser-known works by great nineteenth and twentieth century Russian composers, and some great works by some lesser-known Russian composers. "Russian Orchestral Works" features yet another in a long line of terrific performances by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The most familiar compositions here by far are Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" (one of two pieces performed by Leopold Stokowski and the National Philharmonic Orchestra and not Ormandy) and "Procession of the Nobles," and Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance." The other pieces range from other excerpts from Rimsky-Korsakov operas, to less familiar works by Mussorgsky, Kabalevsky and Khachaturian, to three composers I had never heard prior to purchasing this CD -- Balakirev, Gliere and Ivanov. In all, the disc is sequenced intelligently, and the music played and recorded impeccably. This might not be the most "Essential" of the Sony Essential Classics series, but it will make a welcome addition to any classical collection.

Great Ormandy collection.......2001-04-01

Ormandy's skill never ceases to amaze me. This is an incredible collection of many of the greatest Russian Orchestral pieces, all performed excellently -- attention to dynamics, expression, and timing is all superb. The lion's share of this cd is devoted to Rimsky. A brilliant performance of Le Coq d'or, and of course the usual Procession of Nobles, Tumblers, and Flight of the Bumblebee. The big surprise is Ivan the Terrible, which is rarely performed (neither orchestral nor opera).

The rest is made largely of modern Russians, save a Balakirev piece and a brief excerpt of Mussorgsky, thankfully excluding Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and gang.

Customer Reviews:

Masterful interpretation of Bartok's piano works.......2005-10-21

Without a doubt Bartok is one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Combining a deep understanding of the possibilities of eastern European folk music - particularly Hungarian and Romanian - with an extremely advanced harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary, Bartok composed some of the greatest works of the last century.

Although Bartok wrote some sublime orchestral music (The Music for strings, percussion and celeste comes instantly to mind), it is in the realms of string quartet and solo piano music that Bartok reigns supreme among 20th century composers in the humble opinion of this reviewer.

So. Here is an 8 CD set of all of Bartok's solo piano music by (argueably) the pre-eminent interpreter of his piano music. These are insightful, passionate performances beautifully recorded.

I for one am thrilled to have this set - particularly since many of these CDs were unavailable up till now. The box is also very reasonably priced compared to the separate CDs.

Highly recommended - modern music begins here.

Average customer rating:

Somewhat disappointing

Hymns Through the Centuries 2
Recorded Sound , R. Osborne , J. Reilly Lewis , and Cathedral Choral Society
Manufacturer: Gothic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Hymns Through the Centuries
Hymns Triumphant 1 & 2
Be Still My Soul: The Ultimate Hymns Collection
Best Loved Hymns
Abide With Me

ASIN: B00007K2GE
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Tracks:

Peal Bells
Jesus, My All, To Heaven Has Gone
Our Thanks We Give For Love And Hope
In The Bleak Midwinter
Creating God, Your Fingers Trace
Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart!
Let All The World In Every Corner Sing
Ar Hyd Y Nos (Organ Solo) - Eric Plutz
Of The Father's Love Begotten
Come Down, O Love Divine
Spirit Of God, Descend Upon My Heart
God Is Love
What Wondrous Love Is This!
All My Hope On God Is Founded
Leoni (Carillon Solo) - Edward M. Nassor
O God Of Our Divided World
Christ, Mighty Savior, Light Of All Creation
Breathe On Me, Breath Of God
I Vow To Thee, My Country
The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended
Lord Of All Hopefulness
O Brightness Of The Immortal Father's Face
O Praise Ye The Lord!
Hyfrydol (Bagpipe Solo) - John G. Sprague

Customer Reviews:

Somewhat disappointing.......2005-09-25

There are some unique and interesting songs of this album. Unfortunately the performance does not shine. I found the singing and accompaniment a bit slow and monotonous and uninspired. Furthermore, it was difficult to understand the words at times (indistinct enunciation). There are a few exceptions: tracks 3, 4, 9, 20, 21 I gave 3 stars in iTunes; all the rest got two stars or less. If you want beautiful, traditional choral music, I recommend any of the albums featuring the Cambridge Singers over this collection.

Average customer rating:

Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 5

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 4
Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 6
Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 7
Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2
Bax: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3

ASIN: B0000DIXS1
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Tracks:

Festival Overture
Christmas Eve
Dance Of Wild Irravel
Nympholept
Paean
Overture To A Picaresque Comedy
Cortege

American Portraits-The American Music Sampler

Average customer rating:

A Must-Have CD

American Portraits-The American Music Sampler
Gian Carlo Menotti , Paul Creston , Bernard Herrmann , Quincy Porter , Franz Waxman , Howard Hanson , Miklos Rozsa , William Schuman , James Sinclair , James Sedares , Andrew Schenck , Donald Teeters , Jordania, Vakhtang , Clark, Richard Auldon , and Falletta, Joann
Manufacturer: Koch Int'l Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Tracks:

Country Band March - J. Sinclair/Orch New England
Fall River Legend Movt III-Church Social - J. Sedares/New Zealand SO
Sym No.3 in a Movt III-Allegro vivace - A. Schenck/New Zealand SO
Christmas Cantata Movt III-Allegro - B. Cecilia/D. Teeters
To the Green Mountains Movt I-Prelude - V. Jordania/KBS SO
Adagio for Strs - J. Sedares/New Zealand SO
Persian Set Movt IV-Presto - R.A. Clark/Manhatten CO
I Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child - Alexa Still/Susan DeWitt Smith
The Last Judgement Movt I-The Resurrection of Eve - J. Falletta/London SO
Three Latin American Sketches Third Sketch-Danza de Jalisco - J. Sedares/Pheonix SO
Some Other Time - New York Festival of Song
Apocalypse Movt III-Gli Angel Militanti - J. DePreist/Oregon Sym
Fanfare for Paratroopers - J. Mester/London PO
The Lovers-Close Your Eyes - A. Schenck/Chicago SO & Chorus
Sym Movt II-Scherzo - J. Sedares/Pheonix SO
Blue Lontains - Alexa Still/Susan DeWitt Smith
Sin for Str Orch & Timp Movt II-Lento - I. Jackson/Berliner Sym
Serenade, Op.35 - N. Braithwaite/A. Still/New Zealand CO
The Vintner's Daughter Variation 7-Alla marcia ongarese - J. Sedares/New Zealand SO
New England Tryptich Movt III-Chester - J. Sedares/Pheonix SO

Customer Reviews:

A Must-Have CD.......2000-11-14

This is a must-have album. Why is this not available? You have Copland, Ives, Gould, Herrmann, Moross and others. These are great American composers. I have never seen such a well rounded and representive body of works from so many great Americans. Go out and find a copy of this one. It's great!

A Classic Thanksgiving: We Gather Together

Average customer rating:

A Classic Thanksgiving: We Gather Together

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

$7 - $10 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Under $7 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

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

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Thanksgiving: A Windham Hill Collection
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Classic Thanksgiving Songs of Praise
Home to Thanksgiving
A Thanksgiving of American Folk Hymns

ASIN: B00004U91Z
Release Date: 2000-10-19

Tracks:

The Four Seasons 'Autumn': Allegro - Takako Nishizaki
Symphony No.6 'Le Matin': Adagio-Allegro - Northern Chamber Orchestra/Nicolas Ward
The Four Seasons 'Spring': Allegro - Takako Nishizaki
The Lark Ascending - David Greed
Symphony No.7 'Le Midi': Finale: Allegro - Northern Chamber Orchestra/Nicolas Ward
Symphony No.38: Menuet: Allegretto - Capella Istropolitana/Barry Wordsworth
Symphony No.83: Finale: Vivace - Capella Istropolitana/Barry Wordsworth
Concerto Alla Rustica: Presto - Takako Nishizaki
Concerto Alla Rustica: Adagio - Takako Nishizaki
Concerto Alla Rustica: Allegro - Takako Nishizaki
Alexander's Feast: Allegro - Capella Istropolitana/Josef Kopelman
Alexander's Feast: Largo - Capella Istropolitana/Josef Kopelman
Alexander's Feast: Allegro - Capella Istropolitana/Josef Kopelman
Alexander's Feast: Andante, Non Presto - Capella Istropolitana/Josef Kopelman
Pastoral Sketches No.1: A Legend - Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava)/Gary Carpenter
Pastoral Sketches No.3: A Village Festival - Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava)/Gary Carpenter

Average customer rating:

The Cantorial Voice Of The 'Cello

Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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Jewish Cello Masterpieces

ASIN: B000001QAM
Release Date: 1995-03-28

Tracks:

Vc Son No. 2 In D, Op. 58: Allegro Assai Vivace - Coenraad Bloemendal/Valerie Tryon/Andres Diaz/Andrew Mark C
Vc Son No. 2 In D, Op. 58: Allegretto Scherzando
Vc Son No. 2 In D, Op. 58: Adagio
Vc Son No. 2 In D, Op. 58: Molto Allegro E Vivace
'Andante' From Grand Duo Concertant, Op. 43, No. 1
Requiem, Op. 66
'Wie Einst In Schoner'n Tagen', Op. 64
Kol Nidrei, Op. 47
Tal
'Prayer' No. 1 From Jewish Life
'Kaddisch' No. 1 From Deux Melodies Hebraiques
Three Songs Without Words: Arioso
Three Songs Without Words: Ballad
Three Songs Without Words: Sephardic Melody
Prayer And Dance

Niels W. Gade: Piano Music - Complete Edition, Vol. 3

Average customer rating:

Niels W. Gade: Piano Music - Complete Edition, Vol. 3

Manufacturer: Marco Polo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B0000045R9
Release Date: 1992-06-22

Tracks:

Bornens Jul for klaver Op.36: Jule-Klokkerne F
Bornens Jul for klaver Op.36: Indgangsmarsch A
Bornens Jul for klaver Op.36: Drengenes Runddans a
Bornens Jul for klaver Op.36: Smaapigernes
Bornens Jul for klaver Op.36: Godnat! F
Andantino c
Albumblad S
Danserinden F
4 Fantasistykker Op.41: I Skoven B
4 Fantasistykker Op.41: Mignon f
4 Fantasistykker Op.41: Eventyr g
4 Fantasistykker Op.41: Ved Festen B
Klaversykke i B
Scherzino. Aquarel
Foraarstoner, 3 klaverstykker Op. 57: Alllegretto grazioso F
Foraarstoner, 3 klaverstykker Op. 57: Andantino con moto B flat
Foraarstoner, 3 klaverstykker Op. 57: Allegretto cantabile C
Rebus 3 klaverstkker Op.2 A: Scherzo B flat
Rebus 3 klaverstkker Op.2 A: Intermezzo G
Rebus 3 klaverstkker Op.2 A: All macia C
Akvarel A
Nye Akvareller, 5 klaversykker Op.57: Humoreske a
Nye Akvareller, 5 klaversykker Op.57: Notturno E
Nye Akvareller, 5 klaversykker Op.57: Scherzo D flat
Nye Akvareller, 5 klaversykker Op.57: Romanza A
Nye Akvareller, 5 klaversykker Op.57: Capriccio F
Nordiske Tonebilleder Op.4: Allegro risoluto F - Morten Mogensen
Nordiske Tonebilleder Op.4: Allegretto quasi Andantino a min - Morten Mogensen
Nordiske Tonebilleder Op.4: Allegro commodo F - Morten Mogensen
Tre karaktersykker for firhaendigt klaver Op.18: Bortejsen C - Morten Mogensen
Tre karaktersykker for firhaendigt klaver Op.18: Valpladsen e - Morten Mogensen
Tre karaktersykker for firhaendigt klaver Op.18: Hjemkomsten E - Morten Mogensen