4.0

Track Listings

1. Keep Doin' It

2. Have a Little Mercy

3. I Won't Run Out of Love

4. Slow Jam [Radio Interlude]

5. Slow Jam

6. Gotta Make It Through

7. Just a Little

8. If You Want Me

9. Don't Act Like (You Don't Wanna)

10. Can I Spend the Night

11. So Much Love

12. What You Wanna Do?

13. Oh Baby

14. Through the Eyes of an Angel

4.0,4.0,A&M,Pop,R&B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

4.0

Tracks:

Happy Hour
Get Up Off Our Knees
Flag Day
Anxious
Reverends Revenge
Sitting On A Fence
Sheep
Over There
Think For A Minute
We're Not Deep
Lean On Me
Freedom
I'll Be Your Shelter (Just Like A Shelter)
People Get Ready
The Mighty Ship
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

Amazon.com

The band whose alumni went on to both the Beautiful South and (improbably) Fatboy Slim was a lot more like the former. Paul Heaton's laconic songs are nicely groomed and innocuous-sounding, with a happy jangle and rich harmonies (the group's interest in gospel extends to technique as well as sentiment), but there is a dryly vicious sense of humor lurking inside them--"Sheep" flips a familiar religious image on its back and leaves its legs waving in the air. London 0 Hull 4, the band's first album, is full of cheerful, taut little tunes about failures of the spirit, barstool sexism, and thermonuclear Armageddon--not to mention love of humanity, which underscored the fact that they weren't just nihilists, they actually cared. --Douglas Wolk

Customer Reviews:

Astounding work of staggering genius :).......2007-06-23

]Okay, so maybe the Housemartins didn't set the world on fire with their first two albums. They disbanded around 1990 and went on to form other groups. But if you were around in the late 80s and listened to PD (Paul) Heaton's amazing vocals and the beautiful songs on this masterpiece, you most likely never forgot it. It's a shame that "Caravan of Love" their a capella stunner isn't on this album and is only available on "best of" compilations. Also, check out the Limited "Best of" Edition [[ASIN:B0001Z48MA The Best of the Housemartins], which includes a DVD of eight of their videos. The Martins are still funny, amazingly talented and socially relevant. They are the greatest band of the 80s that never became famous. Even The Smith's Morrissey is a fan of Paul Heaton.

House Martins..what have you done for me latley?.......2006-11-10

A great band, if you love that 80's sound (I do), too bad there not still turning out the hits, great perspective on life!

Loved this one - but was disappointed with later releases.......2006-09-07

I absolutely love this album. There are only a couple of songs on here that I will skip over, and usually just to get to one of the others a bit sooner! Sarcastic, political commentary wrapped up in wonderful pop tunes. I was surprised that they didn't become any bigger than they did. But I am happy that they got together to produce London 0 Hull 4. I eagerly nabbed their second release, and was thouroughly disappointed with it. Maybe that explains part of why they didn't manage to stick together, though with a live BBC appearance in 2006 it looks like they might have gotten back together again!

Don't let their cuddly exterior fool you........2003-06-06

The Housemartins have a message and they're not afraid to put it plainly. Coming from the 1980s British society that fumbled its way through massive political shifts, they house vitriol in lyricism, like the chorus of "Flag Day" - "It's a waste of time, if you know what I mean / Try shaking your box in front of the Queen / 'Cause her purse is fat and bursting at the seams / It's a waste of time if you know what I mean." But they're equally willing to poke fun at themselves, as with the frenetic and thoroughly uplifting "We're Not Deep" - even though you know they took a page from Twain's warning against symbolism in "Huck Finn".

The Housemartins remain my favorite "80s Nerd Alternative" band and will never go out of style in my house. I was reading Ayn Rand and Nietzsche while I was listening to "Get Up Off Our Knees", and the combined effect has lasted well into my adulthood.

I originally owned this on cassette, and the CD includes several bonus tracks that make it worth every penny paid - most notably, the gospel/a capella rendition of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" that never fails to bring a tear to my eye while I'm belting along with it in the car. It's on tracks like "Heavy" that P.D. Heaton and his bandmates redeem themselves for the conniving way they've driving socialism deep into your brain with their pop hooks. At their core, the Housemartins are not about politics, they're about people, and their affection for humanity must be the root of the beautiful harmonies and charming pop melodies that put this album in my top 5 of all time.

Pure Pop.......2001-11-21

This is pop. 3 minute songs. Catchy melodies and memorable refrains. BUT it is not shallow. Good pop-songs take great skill to write. The Housemartins just said more so succinctly. Their music stands in stark contrast to so much other self-absorbed music with a message. And you can party to this music. When they were a pub band in the early eighties then they had no peers. It is one of life's great regrets that I never saw them in a smoky bar in Bristol (or Hull, or London) before Happy Hour made them nationally famous. Cheerful music that makes me think and makes me smile.

Average customer rating:

Two tracks I really like
Quantity Over Quality
Mediocre
One Hundred Greatest TV Themes
Pretty close to original recordings

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

All-Time Top 100 TV Themes
TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs
TV Guide: 50 All-Time Favorite TV Themes
NBC: A Soundtrack of Must See TV
Best of TV Quiz & Game Show Themes

ASIN: B00005Y49F
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Tracks:

The A-Team - Nic Raine
The Addams Family - Nic Raine
The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - Nic Raine
Airwolf - Derek Wadsworth
The Avengers - Mike Townend
Barnaby Jones - Jerry Goldsmith
Batman - Nic Raine
Battlestar Galactica - Nic Raine
Baywatch - Derek Wadsworth
Beverly Hills 90210 - Derek Wadsworth
Bewitched - Nic Raine
Between The Lines - Mark Ayres
The Bill - Nic Raine
Bonanza - The Philharmonia Orchestra
Brideshead Revisited - Derek Wadsworth
Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Nic Raine
Burke's Law - Derek Wadsworth
Cagney And Lacey - Derek Wadsworth
Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Mark Ayres
Casualty - Mark Ayres
Cheers - Mark Ayres
Dallas - Nic Raine
Dangerman (Secret Agent) - Mike Townend
Doctor Who - Mark Ayres
Doctor Kildare - Jerry Goldsmith

Tracks:

Doogie Howser, M.D. - Derek Wadsworth
Dynasty - Nic Raine
The Equalizer - Derek Wadsworth
Falcon Crest - Derek Wadsworth
Fireball XL-5 - Derek Wadsworth
The Fugitive - Nic Raine
Hawaii 5-0 - Mike Townend
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Nic Raine
The High Chaparral - Nic Raine
Highway To Heaven - Derek Wadsworth
Hill Street Blues - Derek Wadsworth
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - Mark Ayres
The Incredible Hulk - Derek Wadsworth
Jason King - Mike Townend
Jesus Of Nazareth - Paul Bateman
Joe 90 - Derek Wadsworth
Johnny Staccato - Derek Wadsworth
Knight Rider - Derek Wadsworth
Kojak - Mike Townend
L.A. Law - Derek Wadsworth
Land Of The Giants - Nic Raine
Little House On The Prairie - Derek Wadsworth
Lonesome Dove - Nic Raine
Lost In Space - Nic Raine
Lou Grant - Derek Wadsworth

Tracks:

Magnum, P.I. - Derek Wadsworth
A Man Called Ironside - Mike Townend
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - Derek Wadsworth
M*A*S*H - Nic Raine
Miami Vice - Mark Ayres
Mike Hammer - Derek Wadsworth
Mission Impossible - Mike Townend
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Nic Raine
The Munsters - Derek Wadsworth
Murder She Wrote - Derek Wadsworth
Newhart - Derek Wadsworth
North And South - Derek Wadsworth
Northern Exposure - Derek Wadsworth
NYPD Blue - Mark Ayres
The Outer Limits - Nic Raine
Perry Mason - Mike Townend
The Persuaders - Mark Ayres
Peter Gunn - Mike Townend
Police Squad - Nic Raine
The Prisoner - Mike Townend
Quantum Leap - Derek Wadsworth
Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) - Mike Townend
Red Dwarf - Mark Lambert
The Rockford Files - Mike Post
Roseanne - Dan Foliart

Tracks:

The Saint - Mike Townend
Seaquest DSV - Nic Raine
Space 1999 - Derek Wadsworth
Star Trek - Mike Townend
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Derek Wadsworth
Star Trek: Voyager - Nic Raine
St. Elsewhere - Derek Wadsworth
The Streets Of San Francisco - Nic Raine
Stingray - Barry Gray
Taxi - Derek Wadsworth
Thunderbirds - Derek Wadsworth
Thirty Something - Derek Wadsworth
The Time Tunnel - Nic Raine
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - The Philharmonia Orchestra
The Twighlight Zone - Nic Raine
Twin Peaks - Derek Wadsworth
U.F.O. - Derek Wadsworth
The Virginian - Nic Raine
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea - Nic Raine
Wagon Train - Paul Bateman
The Waltons - Jerry Goldsmith
The Wild Wild West - Derek Wadsworth
Young Riders - John Debney
Xena: The Warrior Princess - Paul Bateman
The X-Files - Mark Ayres

Customer Reviews:

Two tracks I really like.......2007-07-21

The Mission Impossible theme is performed well.
The Fireball theme is actually much improved on this version. I prefer the orchestra and the vocals over the original.

Quantity Over Quality.......2007-01-15

As a musician myself, I know too well that one of the most important ingredients in ANY performance (live or recorded) is passion. The recordings here generally lack the same passion and sheer drama of the originals. Much of the instrumentation has been reduced to a cheezy, thin, plastic synthesized replica. The performances are simply a watered-down lackluster version of the classic originals. If it were not for the sheer volume of tracks compiled here, I would have rated the comp only "one star".

Mediocre.......2006-05-17

The sound quality for this collection isn't much better than the samples offered by Amazon.

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes.......2005-08-06

I have watched almost all the shows that are on these 4 cd's. Many were made before I started watching TV. Most I've seen once or twice before.

Pretty close to original recordings.......2005-07-24

Definitely not as good as the originals. You'll probably notice the slight differences since it's stuff you saw and listened to every week or everyday in reruns growing up, but it's still an amazing collection.

Average customer rating:

A superb Haydn benchmark
Perfect Dinner Music
Delightful Background Music
He truly is the father of string quartets!
A matter of taste?

Haydn: Complete String Quartets
Angeles String Quartet
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Haydn: Complete Symphonies (Box Set)
Haydn: Complete Piano Trios
Haydn: The Complete Piano Sonatas
Schubert: The String Quartets
Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets

ASIN: B0000501PC
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: I. Presto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.0: V. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: I. Presto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: III. Adagio
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.1 No.1: V. Presto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: I. Allegro
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.1 No.2: V. Presto
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: I. Adagio
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: III. Presto
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in D, Op.1 No.3: V. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: I. Presto
Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: III. Adagio Ma Non Tanto
Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in G, Op.1 No.4: V. Presto
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: I. Presto Assai
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: III. Adagio
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in C, Op.1 No.6: V. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: I. Allegro
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: III. Adagio
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in A, Op.2 No.1: V. Allegro Molto

Tracks:

Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: I. Allegro Molto
Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in E, Op.2 No.2: V. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: I. Presto
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: III. Adagio
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: IV Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in F, Op.2 No.4: V. Allegro
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: I. Adagio
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: III. Presto: Scherzo
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: IV. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.2 No.6: V. Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: I. Moderato
Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: II. Menuetto: Un Poco Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: III. Adagio
Str Qt in C, Op.9 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: I. Moderato
Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.9 No.2: IV. Finale: Allegro Molto
Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: III. Largo
Str Qt in G, Op.9 No.3: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: I. Moderato
Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: III. Adagio Cantabile
Str Qt in d, Op.9 No.4: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: I. Poco Adagio: Theme And Vars
Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: III. Largo Cantabile
Str Qt in B flat, Op.9 No.5: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: I. Presto
Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: II. Menuetto
Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: III. Adagio
Str Qt in A, Op.9 No.6: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: I. Moderato
Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: II. Menuet
Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E, Op.17 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: I. Moderato
Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: II. Menuet: Poco Allegretto
Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: III. Adagio
Str Qt in F, Op.17 No.2: IV. Finale: Allegro Di Molto

Tracks:

Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: I. Andante Grazioso
Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: III. Adagio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.17 No.3: IV. Allegro Di Molto
Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: I. Moderato
Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: III. Adagio Cantabile
Str Qt in c, Op.17 No.4: IV. Finale: Allegro
Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: I. Moderato
Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: III. Adagio
Str Qt in G, Op.17 No.5: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: I. Presto
Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: II. Menuet
Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: III. Largo
Str Qt in D, Op.17 No.6: IV. Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: II. Menuet: Un Poco Allegretto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: III. Affettuoso E Sostenuto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.20 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: I. Moderato
Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: II. Capriccio: Adagio
Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: III. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.20 No.2: IV. Fuga A Quattro Soggeti: Allegro
Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: I. Allegro Con Spirito
Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: II. Menuet: Allegretto
Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: III. Poco Adagio
Str Qt in g, Op.20 No.3: IV. Allegro Di Molto

Tracks:

Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: I. Allegro Di Molto
Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: II. Un Poco Adagio E Affettuoso
Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: II. Menuet Alla Zingarese
Str Qt in D, Op.20 No.4: IV. Presto E Scherzando
Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: I. Moderato
Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: II. Menuet
Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: III. Adagio
Str Qt in f, Op.20 No.5: IV. Fuga A Due Soggetti
Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: I. Allegro Di Molto E Scherzando
Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: II. Adagio
Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: III. Menuetto
Str Qt in A, Op.20 No.6: IV. Fuga A Tre Soggetti: Allegro

Tracks:

Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: II. Scherzo: Allegro
Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: III. Andante
Str Qt in b, Op.33 No.1: IV. Presto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': I. Allegro Moderato, Cantabile
Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': II. Scherzo: Allegro
Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': III. Largo Sostenuto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.33 No.2 'The Joke': IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': II. Scherzo: Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': III. Adagio
Str Qt in C, Op.33 No.3 'The Bird': IV. Rondo: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: II. Scherzo: Allegretto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: III. Largo
Str Qt in B flat, Op.33 No.4: IV. Presto
Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: I. Vivace Assai
Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: II. Largo E Cantabile
Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: III. Scherzo: Allegro
Str Qt in G, Op.33 No.5: IV. Finale: Allegretto
Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: I. Vivace Assai
Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: II. Andante
Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: III. Scherzo: Allegretto
Str Qt in D, Op.33 No.6: IV. Finale: Allegretto
Str Qt in d, Op.42: I. Andante Ed Innocentemente
Str Qt in d, Op.42: II. Menuet
Str Qt in d, Op.42: III. Adagio E Cantabile
Str Qt in d, Op.42: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: I. Allegro
Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: II. Adagio Non Lento
Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: III. Poco Allegretto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.50 No.1: IV. Finale: Vivace
Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: I. Vivace
Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: II. Adagio Cantabile
Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.50 No.2: IV. Finale: Vivace Assai
Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: I. Allegro Con Brio
Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: II. Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in E flat, Op.50 No.3: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: I. Allegro Spirito
Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: II. Andante
Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: III. Menuetto
Str Qt in f#, Op.50 No.4: IV. Fuga: Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: II. Poco Adagio
Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: III. Menuetto
Str Qt in F, Op.50 No.5: IV. Finale: Vivace
Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': I. Allegro
Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': II. Poco Adagio
Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in D, Op.50 No.6 'The Frog': IV. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Tracks:

Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: I. Vivace Assai
Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: II. Allegretto
Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: III. Menuet
Str Qt inG, Op.54 No.1: IV. Vivace
Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: I. Vivace
Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: II. Adagio -
Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in C, Op.54 No.2: IV. Adagio
Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: I. Allegretto
Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: II. Largo
Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in E, Op.54 No.3: IV. Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: I. Allegro
Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: II. Adagio Cantabile
Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: III. Menuet
Str Qt in A, Op.55 No.1: IV. Finale: Vivace
Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': I. Andante
Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': II. Allegro
Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Str Qt in f, Op.55 No.2 'The Razor': IV. Presto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: I. Vivace Assai
Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: III. Menuetto
Str Qt in B flat, Op.55 No.3: IV. Presto

Tracks:

Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: I. Allegro Moderato
Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: II. Menuet: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: III. Allegretto Scherzando
Str Qt in C, Op.64 No.1: IV. Finale: Presto
Str Qt in b, Op.64 No.3: I. Allegro Spirito
Str Qt in b, Op.64 No.3: II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt in b, Op.64 No.3: III. Menuet: Allegretto -

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

A massive set--67 string quartets on 21 discs in a budget-priced, shelf-friendly, compact box. So the obvious question is: do you need it? The equally obvious answer is a resounding "yes" if you love these endlessly inventive quartets and if you appreciate superbly played performances that capture both the letter and the spirit of Haydn's genius. The Angeles String Quartet isn't as well known as some ensembles that have recorded complete Haydn sets, but they are superior to all, with the arguable exception of the Tatrai Quartet. They demonstrate technical polish and rich, warm sound that's never cloying. And they give these works the forward-moving impetus they need within a classical framework, eschewing both anachronistic Romanticism and the mechanical astringency of period specialists.

The Angeles Quartet is unique in its mastery of early as well as late works, in tune with Haydn's stylistic development and sensitive to the attractions of each of these remarkable pieces. So they infuse the visionary slow movements of the late quartets with the appropriate depth and at the same time revel in the muscularity of the Opus 76 No.2's catchy Menuetto, the humor of the "Joke" Quartet, Opus 33 No.2, and the power of the Allegro con spirito of Opus 76 No.1. Most impressive is their way with the early quartets--no small matter when you consider that the contents of the first six discs precede the Opus 20 set generally considered as signaling the maturity of the form. The Angeles make even the earliest quartets, five-movement divertimentos for four strings, a habit-forming delight. Their playing here is full of exuberance, wittily playful and rough, peasantlike by turns. The sonics are outstanding, too, well-balanced, warm, and lifelike. An indispensable recording. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

A superb Haydn benchmark.......2007-06-28

It takes a lot of time to grasp Haydn's music, because there's much of everything: symphonies, piano sonatas, operas, piano trios, string quartets, choral works, songs, etc. - in sum, more than one thousand individual works. It will probably take more than a year listening to it all, and comprehend it as well (i.e., not as "background music"). Few, if any person, can have a complete grasp of everything he wrote.

But there are nonetheless good reasons trying to grasp Haydn's music, at least partly. This bargain set - 68 string quartets on 21 CDs - is a perfectly good reason. Haydn's string quartets contain some of his finest music. And the present recordings with Angeles Quartet are simply superb. Unlike many period instrument performers, Angeles Quartet avoids meticulous mannerism and plays this music with energy and passion, without loosing structural control. Furthermore, the recordings are excellent, with a rich, creamy and spacious sound. In short, great performances and excellent engineering. A benchmark recording, no less.

There are some rival complete sets: Aeolian Quartet (Decca), Festetics Quartet (period instrument performances, Arcana), Tátrai (Hungaroton), and Kodaly Quartet (Naxos). In terms of sound, the present set is clearly preferable. In terms of performances, the only serious rival is Tátrai Quartet's classic collection from the sixties. But Angeles Quartet is not a second choice. If you hesitate, you need both. Budget and shelf space minded collectors need not hesitate.

Perfect Dinner Music.......2007-05-14

Some might be offended at the idea that music be played in the background to accompany a fine meal, but in fact most of us listen to music in the background. This entire set of 15-CDs is (to my ears) the perfect music to accompany a delicious meal with someone you love. I have owned this CD set for years and never tire of it.

I have found that after listening to it hundreds of times that using iTunes in shuffle mode keeps it fresh.

Delightful Background Music.......2006-03-04

This music is a great buy, and wonderful to listen to while doing desk work or reading.

The Angeles String Quartet does an excellent job, and all of the works are so tuneful that I frequently found myself walking around the house humming the tunes after hearing a quartet for the first time.

He truly is the father of string quartets!.......2005-09-27

This may not be true as far as the instrumentation is concerned, but Haydn is one of the first to explore them as more than a solo violin with a trio accompaniment (second violin, viola and cello), thus giving the chamber music a new dimension.

If you've already explored Haydn's universe through some of his glorious symphonies, these string quartets are an excellent way of further expanding your appreciation of Haydn's music. There are very few dull moments in this lot (and almost all of them are to be found in his early quartets, while there are a few in his very latest works, where he seems to have lost the energy and brio that had established him as one of the best composers of his time). His first works have five movements and ressemble the divertimenti or serenatas. Later on, his quartets took a form which was to become standard, both for Haydn and other composers: four movements - a fast one, a slow one, a minuet and trio and a fast finale.

If one listens to Haydn's string quartes in chronological order, one can feel and appreciate his growth and maturity as a composer. The motives introduced during the first movement are developed over the entire work entity, the increasing use of first movements that are monothematic, the expansion of harmonic usage, the combination of serious with funny, intellectual with ridicule, etc.

Both Mozart and Beethoven wrote famous series of string quartets, but I've always liked Haydn's quartets the most. My personal favorites are op. 76 (especially no 3, which later on became the German National Anthem), op. 64 (especially no 5 called "The lark") and op. 33 (where Haydn introduced special effects, like a birdcall, which gave the third quartet its name).

A matter of taste?.......2005-05-31

It is something unpleasant about the sound here; it is resonant, yes, but not like the Takacs quartet. Comparing to the Takacs' take on op.76/1, 2 & 3, which I love, the Angeles' makes me think of a grey substance, sterile, antiseptic, of no life. Is it the sound quality? Or is it the way the quartet is playing? I think the latter, but it is difficult to figure out what is wrong; in fact I don't find any serious miscalculations. The problem is that the playing feels calculated; it is some kind of contrived perfection, it all feels too concious; I feel something wrong about the accent, the stress of the phrasings... but I give up: Suffice it to say that I regret I bought this collection of boring performances. Three stars for professional playing. If you like some human touch, go for the Aeolian quartet, less perfection, more life.

Average customer rating:

One of the great CD sets of all time
One of two "keepers"
Bach the organ works
Peter Hurford gives incisive readings
EMPHATICALLY 5 stars!

Bach: The Organ Works
Johann Sebastian Bach , and Peter Hurford
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000041KD
Release Date: 1995-07-10

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In F Major: Toccata
Toccata And Fugue In F Major: Fugue
Prelude And Fugue In G Major
Prelude And Fugue In E Minor: Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In E Minor: Fugue
Prelude And Fugue In C Major
Prelude And Fugue In C Minor
Prelude and Fugue in D major: Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in D major: Fugue
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor: Toccata
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor: Fugue

Tracks:

Toccata, Adagio, And Fugue In C Major: Toccata
Toccata, Adagio, And Fugue In C Major: Adagio
Toccata, Adagio, And Fugue In C Major: Fugue
Fantasia And Fugue In C Major
Prelude And Fugue In E Minor
Prelude And Fugue In A Minor
Kleines harmonisches Labyrinth
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor: Toccata
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor: Fugue
Trio In C Minor
Fantasia And Fugue In G Minor: Fantasia
Fantasia And Fugue In G Minor: Fugue

Tracks:

Fantasia In G Major
Fugue In B Minor
Trio In D Minor
Prelude And Fugue In G Minor
Fantasia In C Minor
Fugue In G Major
Fantasia And Fugue In C Minor: Fantasia
Fantasia And Fugue In C Minor: Fugue
Fugue In G Major
Fugue In C Minor
Fugue In G Major
Fantasia And Fugue In C Major
Pedal-Exercitium
Passacaglia And Fugue In C Minor: Passacaglia
Passacaglia And Fugue In C Minor: Fugue

Tracks:

Clavier Ubung III: Prelude In E Flat Major
Clavier Ubung III: Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit
Clavier Ubung III: Christe, aller Welt Trost
Clavier Ubung III: Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist
Clavier Ubung III: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
Clavier Ubung III: Dies sind die heilgen
Clavier Ubung III: Wir glauben all' an einen Gott
Clavier Ubung III: Vater unser im Himmelreich
Clavier Ubung III: Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam
Clavier Ubung III: Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir
Clavier Ubung III: Jesus Christus unser Heiland, der von uns
Clavier Ubung III: Fugue In E Flat Major

Tracks:

Clavier Ubung III: Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit
Clavier Ubung III: Christe, aller Welt Trost
Clavier Ubung III: Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist
Clavier Ubung III: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
Clavier Ubung III: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
Clavier Ubung III: Dies sind die heilgen sehn Gebot'
Clavier Ubung III: Wir glauben all' an einen Gott
Clavier Ubung III: Vater unse im Himmelreich
Clavier Ubung III: Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam
Clavier Ubung III: Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir
Clavier Ubung III: Jesus Christus unser Hieland, der von uns
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Ach Gott und Herr
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Ach Gott und Herr
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Wo soll ich fliehen hin
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Christ lag in Todesbanden
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Christum sollen wir loben schon
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes Sohn
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Nun komm', der Heiden Heiland
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Das Jesulein soll doch mein Trost
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Gottes Sohn ist kommen
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Lob sei dem allmachtigen
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Ich hab' mein Sach' Gott heimgestellt
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Ich hab' mein Sach' Gott heimgestellt
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend'
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Wir Christenleut
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: In dich hab' ich gehoffet, Herr
Chorale Preludes From The Kirnberger Collection: Jesu, meine Freude

Tracks:

Sonata No. 1 In E Flat Major: I Allegro moderato
Sonata No. 1 In E Flat Major: II Adagio
Sonata No. 1 In E Flat Major: III Allegro
Sonata No. 2 In C Minor: I Vivace
Sonata No. 2 In C Minor: II Largo
Sonata No. 2 In C Minor: III Allegro
Sonata No. 3 In D Minor: I Andante
Sonata No. 3 In D Minor: II Adagio e dolce
Sonata No. 3 In D Minor: III Vivace
Sonata No. 4 In E Minor: I Adagio - Vivace
Sonata No. 4 In E Minor: II Andante
Sonata No. 4 In E Minor: III Un poco allegro
Sonata No. 5 In C Major: I Allegro
Sonata No. 5 In C Major: II Largo
Sonata No. 5 In C Major: III Allegro
Sonata No. 6 In G Major: I Vivace
Sonata No. 6 In G Major: II Lento
Sonata No. 6 In G Major: III Allegro

Tracks:

Chorale Variations: Ach, was soll ich Sunder machen
Chorale Variations: Christ, du bist der helle Tag
Chorale Variations: O Gott, du frommer Gott
Chorale Variations: Canonische Veranderungen: Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her
Chorale Variations: Sei gegrusset, Jesu gutig

Tracks:

Choralvariationen: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
Schubler Chorale Preludes: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
Schubler Chorale Preludes: Wo soll ich fliehen hin
Schubler Chorale Preludes: Wer nur den lieben Gott labt walten
Schubler Chorale Preludes: Meine Seele erhebt den Herren
Schubler Chorale Preludes: Ach bleib' bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ
Schubler Chorale Preludes: Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter
Chorale Preludes: Liebster Jesue, wir sind hier
Chorale Preludes: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Chorale Preludes: Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich
Chorale Preludes: Meine Seele erhebt den Herren
Chorale Preludes: Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein
Chorale Preludes: Valet will ich dir geben
Chorale Preludes: Valet will ich dir geben
Chorale Preludes: Vater unser im Himmelreich
Chorale Preludes: Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her
Chorale Preludes: Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern
Chorale Preludes: Wie glauben all' an einen Gott

Tracks:

Concerto No. 1 In G Major: (Allegro)
Concerto No. 1 In G Major: Grave
Concerto No. 1 In G Major: Presto
Concerto No. 2 In A Minor: (Allegro)
Concerto No. 2 In A Minor: Adagio
Concerto No. 2 In A Minor: Allegro
Concerto No. 3 In C Major: (Allegro)
Concerto No. 3 In C Major: Adagio
Concerto No. 3 In C Major: Allegro
Concerto No. 4 In C Major
Concerto No. 5 In D Minor: (Allegro) - Grave e fuga
Concerto No. 5 In D Minor: Largo e spiccato
Concerto No. 5 In D Minor: (Allegro)
Concerto No. 6 In E Flat Major
Chorale Preludes: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend'
Chorale Preludes: Herzlich tut mich verlangen
Chorale Preludes: Jesus, meine Zuversicht
Chorale Preludes: In dulci jubilo

Tracks:

Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich (Ein Kindelein so lobelich)
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Wir Christenleut
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Das alte Jahr vergangen ist
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Herr Gott, nun schleuss den Himmel auf
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: O Jesu, wie ist dein Gestalt
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Ehre sei dir, Christe, der du leidest Not
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Wir glauben all' an einen Gott
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Aus tiefster Not schrei ich zu dir
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Ach, Gott und Herr
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Ach Herr, mich armen Sunder (Herzlich tut mich verlangen)
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Du Friedefurst, Herr Jesu Christ
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Wenn dich Ungluck tut greifen an
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Jesu, meine Freude
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Gott ist mein Heil, mein Hilf und Trost
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Jesu, meines Lebens Leben
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Als Jesus Christus in der Nacht
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Ach Gott, tu dich erbarmen
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: O Herre Gott dein gottlich Wort
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Nun lasst uns den Leib begraben
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Christus, der ist mein Leben
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Herr Jesu Christ, du hochstes Gut
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
Neumeister Chorale Preludes: Alle Menschen mussen sterben

Tracks:

Neumeister Chorales: Machs mit mir, Gott, nach deiner Gut
Neumeister Chorales: Werde munter, mein Gemute
Neumeister Chorales: Wie nach einer Wasserquelle
Neumeister Chorales: Christ, der du bist der helle Tag
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Komm, heiliger Geist
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Komm, heiliger Geist
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: An Wasserflussen Babylon
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Schmucke dich, o liebe Seele
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend'
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: O Lamm Gottes unschuldig
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Nun danket alle Gott
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Von Gott will ich nicht lassen
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'

Tracks:

'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Komm, Gott, Schopfer, heiliger Geist
'The Eighteen' Chorale Preludes: Vor deinen Thron (Wenn wir in hochsten Noten sein)
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: O Lamm Gottes unschuldig
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Ach Gott und Herr
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Christ Lag in Todesbanden
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Ein' festeBurg ist unser Gott
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Erbarm' dich mein, o Herre Gott
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Gottes Sohn ist kommen
Miscellaneous Chorale Preludes: Herr Gott, wir loben dich

Tracks:

Eight Short Preludes And Fugues: Prelude And Fugue In C Major
Eight Short Preludes And Fugues: Prelude And Fugue In D Minor
Eight Short Preludes And Fugues: Prelude And Fugue In E Minor
Eight Short Preludes And Fugues: Prelude And Fugue In F Major
Eight Short Preludes And Fugues: Prelude And Fugue In G Major
Eight Short Preludes And Fugues: Prelude And Fugue In G Minor
Eight Short Preludes And Fugues: Prelude And Fugue In A Minor
Eight Short Preludes And Fugues: Prelude And Fugue In B Flat Major
Trio In G Major
Prelude and Fugue in F minor: Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in F minor: Fugue
Trio In G Minor
Prelude and Fugue in A major: Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in A major: Fugue
Prelude and Fugue in G major: Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in G major: Fugue
Allabreve In D Major
Prelude In G Major
Fugue In D Major
Prelude and Fugue in D minor: Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in D minor: Fugue

Tracks:

Prelude And Fugue In C Minor: Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In C Minor: Fugue
Prelude In C Major
Fugue In G Minor
Canzona In D Minor
Prelude In A Minor
Fugue In C Minor
Pastorale In F Major
Fantasia In G Major
Aria In F Major
Prelude and Fugue in C major: Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in C major: Fugue

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In E Major: Toccata
Toccata And Fugue In E Major: Fugues I & II
Fantasia In B Minor
Prelude and Fugue in A minor: Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in A minor: Fugue
Prelude and Fugue in B minor: Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in B minor: Fugue
Prelude and Fugue in C major: Prelude
Prelude and Fugue in C major: Fugue
Trio In G Major
Prelude, Trio And Fugue In B Flat Major: Prelude
Prelude, Trio And Fugue In B Flat Major: Trio
Prelude, Trio And Fugue In B Flat Major: Fugue
Ricercar A 6 In C Minor
Prelude And Fugue In G Minor

Tracks:

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
Gottes Sohn ist kommen
Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes Sohn
Lob sei dem allmachtigen Gott
Puer natus in Bethlehem
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her
Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar
In dulci jubilo
Lobt Gott, ihr Christen allzugleich
Jesu, meine Freude
Christum wir sollen loben schon
Wir Christenleut
Helft mir, Gottes Gute preisen
Das alte Jahr vergangen ist
In dir ist Freude
Mit Fried' und Freud' ich fahr dahin
Herr Gott, nun schleuss den Himmel auf
O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig
Christe, du Lamm Gottes
Christus, der uns selig macht
Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund
O Mensch, bewein dein Sunde gross
Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ
Hif Gott, dass mir's gelinge
Christ lag in Todesbanden
Jesus Christus, unser Heiland
Christ ist erstanden
Erstanden ist der heil' ge Geist
Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag
Heut triumphieret
Komm, Gott, Schopfer, heiliger Geist
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend'
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot
Vater unser im Himmelreich
Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt
Es ist da Heil uns kommen her
Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ

Tracks:

In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr
Wenn wir in hochsten Noten sein
Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten
Alle Menschen mussen sterben
Ach wie nichtig, ach wie fluchtig
Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh' darein
Ach Herr, mich armen Sunder
Ach, was ist doch unser Leben
Auf meinen lieben Gott
Aus der Tiefe rufe ich
Christ ist erstanden
Christus, der uns selig macht
Gott der Vater wohn' uns bei
In dulci jubilo
Jesu, der du meine Seele
Liebster Jesu wir sind hier
Nun freut euch
O Herre Gott, dein gottlich Wort
O Vater, allmachtiger Gott
Schmucke dich, o liebe Seele
Vater unser im Himmelreich
Vater unser im Himmelreich
Vater unser im Himmelreich
Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern
Wir glauben all' an einen Gott
Christus, der uns selig macht
Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn
Fugue In G Minor

Amazon.com

When it comes to organ music there's Bach, and there's everyone else. The actual amount of organ music that he composed is in dispute for a couple of reasons. On issue is attribution: much of the music exists only in copies from Bach's pupils and family members, and so the question of authorship may be in doubt. The other issue is which instrument Bach actually intended some of the keyboard music to be played on. Although scholars agonize over this problem, the fact is that Bach's music usually sounds fine played even on kazoos--it's almost indestructible--so the organ suits it in any case. This collection is one of the most comprehensive available, and it's excellently played and recorded. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

One of the great CD sets of all time.......2006-02-08

Like another reviewer here I grew up on Helmut Walcha's DG set on LP, and was also familiar with a number of other "great Bach organ work" collections.

One can cavil over the way Hurford takes some of the pieces, I suppose, but his flair, imaginative registrations, and sheer musicality are hard to beat, and the recording too is fantastic.

It's quite easy to listen to three or four CDs from this set in a row, which says something about how fertile Bach's imagination, but also how absorbing Hurford's performance, and how willing he is to avoid generic and worthy church-like interpretations. This is music and music-making of the highest quality.

One of two "keepers".......2005-07-02

A lot of reviews rave about this set. I just wish they would say why it's so good and I hope they're, well, comparing it to something. Most seem to like the "choice of registration" which maybe one way an organist sizes another up.

Preferences in interpretation generally reflect the emphera of a time, and not absolutes. Choice one for this guy is probably Walcha. Dignified and insightful playing probably much more in line with what was expected of, and provided by, Bach way back when.

This set is flashier and lighter in some ways, more bombastic in others--very much a late Twentieth Century effort. Superficial. It suits a less thoughtful approach to the music which isn't a bad thing and isn't necessarily "damning with faint praise." I just doubt if this is really what the music should sound like and I don't mean that in the same way when I say that about Gould's playing. Gould was highlighting an intense part of Bach's craft, pointing the way into the music so to say.

This is a good set for those who like to shake the timbers with organ music; when it was first released in the early digital era it was marketed that way. Bach's music is pretty bullet-proof so it can stand this kind of approach. If you're not a hyper-critical listener, a period instrument hardliner, or a professional organist with strong well thought out opinions this is probably the set for you as the Walcha will sound dry and academic. On the other hand, if you are a powerful admirer of rock and roll classical this might actually be way too much Bach for you. I generally play this set (or Stokowski transcriptions) when I'm in a brain-dead mood and I want Bach-like stimulation without any work on my part. It's really quite nice.

Bach the organ works.......2004-11-23

A poor, jumpy, amateurish and unimaginative rendition of the pedal exercitium in g minor is what sticks to mind. Although its only an exercise i think it's worth more than that. More interesting stop combinations could have been used here. The toccata and fugue in d minor was too 'fancy' and was a boring affair overall with a silly choice of stops. I expected more from Peter Hurford. If this is the first time you've heard organ music please don't run away beacause of this. It can be so much more intersting.

Overall i dont think these performances do Bach Justice. Better versions can be found at virtuallybaroque.com (not my site)and better still competely free.

Peter Hurford gives incisive readings.......2004-04-05

Peter Hurford's traversal of the entire organ literature for London Decca is truly one of the greatest recorded achievements. All of the performances in this seventeen-disc set are immaculately played and perfectly performed. His vision, technicality, and sensibility make him a sensitive and authoritative interpreter of J.S. Bach's organ works. The records are mostly digital, crystal clear, and quite powerful. Hurford's command of his technique is astounding. I cannot stress how important this set truly is. I HIGHLY recommend buying this compilation. At about 8 dollars a CD, this is most certainly a steal.

EMPHATICALLY 5 stars!.......2004-02-27

Bach's organ works place incredible demands on the performer, both physically (consider the endurance it takes to play the massive Toccata in F major), technically (the Trio Sonatas, among many others), and interpretationally. Peter Hurford triumphantly meets those demands in a spectacular set of recordings.

To those who are doubters: listen to the (in)famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, that overplayed warhorse. Hurford brings to it an electricity that makes you feel you are hearing it for the first time again. He also has an amazing ear for registrations, one of the most underestimated difficulties of an organist's art, never wearying the ear, but using a wide palette of colors. [Bach himself was widely known for his innovative registrational practices. Contemporaries remarked that when he was testing organs he would pull combinations of stops that they were certain would sound badly together, only to find that he had created an entirely new sound. Thus, creative registrations should not offend purists in any way.]

Hurford's approach to these works obviously takes into consideration, but is certainly not bound by, historically informed performing practices. His phrasing is immaculate, and consistently interesting. In all, this is a stunning accomplishment.

Customer Reviews:

Bach Organ Works - Helmut Walcha.......2007-01-05

I never thought I would like Bach's organ works as they can be dense and daunting. However, if you can get onto Bach's wavelength, he can transport you to an electric cosmos of beauty and enlightenment. I was given a collection of Bach organ LPs by Helmut Walcha some time ago. My friend said that Germans regard Walcha as the premier interpreter of this music. He certainly knows how to play the organ and this music soars in his hands. This music is more varied than most people imagine. Some is extremely simple and delicate while some crushes your brain! I have always loved Archive recordings and these did not disappoint!

Glorious.......2006-07-01

Helmut Walcha was named my TIME as "the" Bach interpreter for organ. I think that is true more than ever today with all the influences of the French Romantic school, the slam-dunk American style and the avant garde crowd. The recording has a German sound, quintessentially Teutonic in both style and approach. While Bach sounds different and even magnificient on an Aristide Cavaillé-Coll organ it does not sound authentic - or as we perceive authenticity.

The fact that the artist is blind(!) means that unlike other folks who can use the music as aids, he must rely on his phenomenal memory. This is truly the stuff of genius. The sonatas are brilliant and I have never heard a better B Minor Prelude & Fugue. I only with that his stupendous "Kunst der Fuge" could have been transferred from record to CD.

Religious experience........2006-03-04

This set of many Bach's Organ works by Helmut Walcha is, in my opinion, the greatest recording of these immortal treasures. There are almost all of Bach's Preludes and Fugues for organ, as well as many fantasias, miscallenous works and his chorals for this instrument. Walcha plays with utmost respect to the original scores, his playing is clear and powerful. Many other organists have allowed themselves quite a bit of experiment with these pieces (likes of Ton Koopman are over the top), but in the end, i've always came back to Walcha's renditions. If you want to treat yourself with some of the greatest music ever written, then get this rare set! Bach's organ music can be challenging at first, especially the fugues, and many of my friends have complained that they hear nothing else than noise in these pieces. I suppose you have to have listened this kind of music for quite some time, before you can wholly appreciate these unique pieces. But once you have, you find a world full of riches and wonder, world which only Bach can bring you. And this is a world i wouldn't change for any riches in the world.

A real bargain at under $100.......2005-12-20

It is hard to express in words what an incredible achievement this is. The immense feats of memory alone, demanding far greater efforts than sighted performers face, command our respect. So does the consistent quality of Walcha's playing.

Bach's almost mathematical absorbtion with fugue lies at the centre of his genius. He was an organist first and foremost, an organist all his life. Like Bach, Walcha is an obsessive controller who uses music to shape his world. He treats each piece as a treasure to be cherished and burnished, and this makes him the greatest Bach organist since Schweitzer. We are told that Bach would travel miles to hear great organists perform, and Helmut Walcha is just such an organist as those.

The magnificent instrument used here is celestial in tone. To those for whom Bach fugues conjure up images of Christopher Lee playing Dracula, or dull Sundays in church, here is one of the great achievements of Western civilization, a glittering pinnacle of Baroque art, performed by a great modern spirit, in one handy box. You can't have Michaelangelo ceilings in your home, or Bernini bronzes in your living room, but by golly, you can put this on your stereo.

Heavenly music.......2005-02-23

I'm not a big organ music fan- maybe it's because it reminds this atheist too much of church! But the music here by Bach, and especially the playing by Walcha are just fantastic. I was dubious that I could find interest in 11 CDs of organ music, but I'm enthralled by every minute of each disc. A wonderful bargain!

J.S. Bach: Complete Works for Organ (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Complete set CD review of Bach
The Definitive Collection of Bach
Monumental Artistry
A Happy Sacrifice
Bach on the Organ

J.S. Bach: Complete Works for Organ (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies
Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Bach: The Art of Fugue; Musical Offering
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Bach - The Complete Brandenburg Concertos / Pearlman, Boston Baroque

ASIN: B000005ECW
Release Date: 1994-10-04

Tracks:

Prld & Fuge in e, BWV 548: Praludium
Prld & Fuge in e, BWV 548: Fuge
Choral: An Wasserflussen Babylon..., BWV 653
Choral: Von Gott will ich nicht lassen..., BWV 658
Choral: Schmucke dich, o liebe Seele..., BWV 654
Prld & Fuge in b, BWV 544: Praludium
Prld & Fuge in b, BWV 544: Fuge
Drei Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'...: Cantus firmus im Sopran, BWV 662
Drei Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'...: Cantus firmus im Tenor, BWV 663
Drei Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'...: Trio, BWV 664

Tracks:

Toccata (Dorisch) & Fuge in d, BWV 538: Toccata
Toccata (Dorisch) & Fuge in d, BWV 538: Fuge
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 618: O Lamm Gottes unschuldig
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 619: Christe, du Lamm Gottes
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 620: Christus, der uns selig macht
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 621: Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 622: O Mensch, bewein' dein' Sunde gro
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 623: Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 624: Hilf Gott, damir's gelinge
Prld & Fuge in g, BWV 535: Prld
Prld & Fuge in g, BWV 535: Fuge
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 625: Christ lag in Todesbanden
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 626: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 627: Christ ist erstanden (3 vers)
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 628: Erstanden ist der heil'ge Christ
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 629: Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 630: Heut' triumphiret Gottes Sohn
Toccata & Fuge in C, BWV 566: Toccata
Toccata & Fuge in C, BWV 566: Fuge
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 631: Komm, Gott Schopfer, heilieger Geist
Orgelbuchlein, BWV 632: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend

Tracks:

Prld & Fuge in C, BWV 545: Prld
Prld & Fuge in C, BWV 545: Fuge
Fuge in G, BWV 577
Prld & Fuge in d, BWV 539: Prld
Prld & Fuge in d, BWV 539: Fuge
Choral: Wo soll ich fliehen hin, BWV 694
Partita sopra: O Gott, du frommer Gott, BWV 767
Choral: Wir Christenleut hab'n jetzund Freud, BWV 710
Alla Breve in D, BWV 589
Canzona in d, BWV 588
Fuge in c, BWV 575
Fuga sopra il Magnificat: Meine Seele erhebet den Herren, BWV 733
Kleines harmonisches Labyrinth (Introitus, Centrum, Exitus), BWV 591
Prld & Fuge in a, BWV 551: Prld
Prld & Fuge in a, BWV 551: Fuge

Tracks:

Prld & Fuge in e, BWV 533: Prld
Prld & Fuge in e, BWV 533: Fuge
Chorale: Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein, BWV 734
Chorale: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 730
Chorale: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731
Chorale: In dulci jubilo, BWV 729
Chorale: Herzlich tut mich verlangen, BWV 727
Prld & Fuge in C, BWV 531: Prld
Prld & Fuge in C, BWV 531: Fuge
Chorale: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV726
Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh'sei Ehr' (Bicinium), BWV 711
Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh'sei Ehr', BWV 715
Chorale: Fuga super Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr', BWV 716
Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr' (manualiter), BWV 717
Chorale: Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 718
Chorale: Ach Gott und Herr (per canonem), BWV 714
Fantasia con imitazione in b, BWV 563
Chorale: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 722
Chorale: Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV 724
Chorale: Jesus, meine Zuversicht, BWV 728
Chorale: Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BWV 732
Chorale: Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 737
Chorale: Vom Himmel hoch, da komm'ich her, BWV 738
Chorale: Wie schon leuchter der Morgenstern, BWV 739
Chorale: Wir glauben all' an einen Gott, BWV 765
Chorale: Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 725

Tracks:

Prld & Fuge in c: Prld
Prld & Fuge in c: Fuge
Chorale: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 709
Chorale: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 706 (1+2)
Chorale: Erbarm' dich mein, o Herre Gott, BWV 721
Chorale: Wer nur den lieben Gott la walten, BWV 690
Chorale: Wer nur den lieben Gott la walten, BWV 691
Chorale: Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 695
Prld & Fuge in c: Prld
Prld & Fuge in c: Fuge
Partita: sopra Christ, der du bist der helle Tag, BWV 766
Sieben Fughetten Fur Die Weinachtszeit: Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 696
Sieben Fughetten Fur Die Weinachtszeit: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 697
Sieben Fughetten Fur Die Weinachtszeit: Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes Sohn, BWV 698
Sieben Fughetten Fur Die Weinachtszeit: Nun komm'der Heiden Heiland, BWV 699
Sieben Fughetten Fur Die Weinachtszeit: Von Himmel hoch da komm' ich her, BWV 701
Sieben Fughetten Fur Die Weinachtszeit: Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV 703
Sieben Fughetten Fur Die Weinachtszeit: Lob sei dem allmachtigen Gott, BWV 704
Choral: Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her, BWV 700
Fuge in b uber ein Theme von Corelli, BWV 579
Fantasia: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 713
Choral: In dich hab' ich gehoffet, Herr, BWV 712

Tracks:

Prld & Fuge in C, BWV 547: Prld
Prld & Fuge in C, BWV 547: Fuge
Canonic Vars: Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her, BWV 769
Clavier Ubung Dritter Teil: Prld in E flat, BWV 552
Chorale: Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 669
Chorale: Christe, aller Welt Trost, BWV 670
Chorale: Kyrie, Gott heilinger Geist, BWV 671
Chorale: Kyrie, gott Vater in Ewigkeit (manualiter), BWV 672
Chorale: Christe, aller Welt Trost (manualiter), BWV 673
Chorale: Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist (manualiter), BWV 674
Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr', BWV 675
Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr', BWV 676
Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr' (Fughetta), BWV 677
Chorale: Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot, BWV 678
Chorale: Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot (Fughetta), BWV 679

Tracks:

Chorale: Wir glauben all' an einen Gott, BWV 680
Chorale: Wir glauben all' an einen Gott (Fughetta) (manualiter), BWV 681
Chorale: Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 682
Chorale: Vater unser im Himmelreich (manualiter), BMV 683
Chorale: Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BWV 684
Chorale: Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam (manualiter), BWV 685
Chorale: Aus tiefer Not schrei' ich zu dir, BWV 686
Chorale: Aus tiefer Not schrei' ich zu dir (manualiter), BWV 687
Chorale: Jesu Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 688
Chorale: Jesu Christus, unser Heiland (Fuga) (manualiter), BWV 689
Vier Duette: Duetto I, BWV 802
Vier Duette: Duetto II, BWV 803
Vier Duette: Duetto III, BWV 804
Vier Duette: Duetto IV, BWV 805
Fuge in E flat, BWV 552
Chorale: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend' (Trio), BWV 655
Chorale: Vor Deinen Thron tret' ich, BWV 668

Tracks:

Prld & Fuge in c, BWV 546: Prld
Prld & Fuge in c, BWV 546: Fuge
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 633
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 634
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Dies sind die heil' gen zehn Gebott, BWV 635
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 636
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Durch Adam's Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV 637
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 638
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Ich dich hab'ich gehoffet, Herr, BWV 640
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Wenn wir in hochsten Noten sein, BWV 641
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Wer nur den lieben Gott la walten, BWV 642
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Alle Menschen mussen sterben, BWV 643
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Ach wie nichtig, ach, wir fluchtig, BWV 644
Partita Sopra: Sei gregrut, Jesu gutig, BWV 768
Prld & Fuge in f, BWV 534: Prld
Prld & Fuge in f, BWV 534: Fuge
Fant in C, BWV 570

Tracks:

Piece d'Orgue in G, BWV 572: Tres vitement-Gravement-Lentement
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV 600
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Herr Christ, der ein' ge Gottes Sohn, BWV 601
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Lob sei dem allmachtigen Gott, BWV 602
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Puer natus in Bethlehem, BWV 603
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Gelobt seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 604
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BWV 605
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her, BWV 606
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar, BWV 607
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: In dulci jubilo, BWV 608
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BWV 609
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 610
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 611
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Wir Christenleut, BWV 612
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Helft mir, Gootes Gute preisen, BWV 613
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: In dir ist Freude, BWV 615
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Mir Fried' und Freud' ich fahr' dahin, BWV 616
Orgelbuchlein: Chorale: Herr Gott, nun schleuden Himmel auf, BWV 617
Fant in c, BWV 562
Choral: Wir glauben all' an einen Gott, Vater, BWV 740
Fant: Super Valet will ich dir geben, BWV 735
Choral: Valet will ich dir geben, BWV 736
Fuge uber ein Thema von Giovanni Legrenzi in c, BWV 574

Tracks:

Prld & Fuge, BWV 532: Prld
Prld & Fuge, BWV 532: Fuge
Trio in d, BWV 656
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV 656
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: Trio super 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 660
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland' in organo pleno, BWV 661
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: Fantasia super Komm, heiliger Geist, BWV 651
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: Komm, heiliger Geist, BWV 652
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 657
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 665
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 666
Orgelchorale aus Achtzehn Chorale: Komm, Gott Schopfer, BWV 667

Tracks:

Konzert in a, BWV 593: Allegro
Konzert in a, BWV 593: Adagio
Konzert in a, BWV 593: Allegro
Konzert in d, BWV 596: (Allegro)-Grave-Fuga
Konzert in d, BWV 596: Largo
Konzert in d, BWV 596: Finale
Konzert in C, BWV 594: (Allegro)
Konzert in C, BWV 594: Rezitativ Adagio
Konzert in C, BWV 594: Allegro
Konzert in G, BWV 592: (Allegro)
Konzert in G, BWV 592: Grave (Adagio)
Konzert in G, BWV 592: Presto (assai)
Konzert in C, BWV 595: (Allegro)
Aria in F, BWV 587
Prld & Fuge in A, BWV 536: Prld
Prld & Fuge in A, BWV 536: Fuge
Choral: An Wasserflussen Babylon, BWV 653b
Prld & Fuge in G, BWV 550: Prld
Prld & Fuge in G, BWV 550: Fuge
Trio in g, BWV 584

Tracks:

Toccata in d, BWV 565
Toccate & Fuge in F, BWV 540: Toccata
Toccate & Fuge in F, BWV 540: Fuge
Prld (Fant) & Fuge in g, BWV 542: Prld
Prld (Fant) & Fuge in g, BWV 542: Fuge
Pastorella, BWV 590: 1
Pastorella, BWV 590: 2
Pastorella, BWV 590: 3
Pastorella, BWV 590: 4
Prld & Fuge in a, BWV 543: Prld
Prld & Fuge in a, BWV 543: Fuge
Toccata in C, BWV 564: Toccata
Toccata in C, BWV 564: Adagio
Toccata in C, BWV 564: Fuge

Tracks:

Son I in E flat, BWV 525: Allegro moderato
Son I in E flat, BWV 525: Adagio
Son I in E flat, BWV 525: Allegro
Son II in c, BWV 526: Vivace
Son II in c, BWV 526: Largo
Son II in c, BWV 526: Allegro
Son III in d, BWV 527: Andante
Son III in d, BWV 527: Adagio e dolce
Son III in d, BWV 527: Vivace
Son IV in e, BWV 528: Adagio
Son IV in e, BWV 528: Andante
Son IV in e, BWV 528: Un poco allegro
Son V in C, BWV 529: Allegro
Son V in C, BWV 529: Largo
Son V in C, BWV 529: Allegro
Son VI in G, BWV 530: Vivace
Son VI in G, BWV 530: Lento
Son VI in G, BWV 530: Allegro

Tracks:

Passacaglia E Tema Fugatum in c, BWV 582
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale), BWV 645: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale), BWV 646: Wo soll ich fliehen hin
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale), BWV 647: Wer nur den lieben Gott la...
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale), BWV 648: Meine Seele erhebet den Herren
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale), BWV 649: Ach, bleib' bei uns
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale), BWV 650: Kommst du nun, Jesu...
Fuge in g, BWV 578
Prld & Fuge in g, BWV 541: Prld
Prld & Fuge in g, BWV 541: Fuge
Choral: Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 720
Prld in G, BWV 568
Adagio, BWV 1027: Adagio
Adagio, BWV 1027: Allegro moderato (trio) (1027a)
Ricercare a 6 (aus Das musikalische Opfer), BWV 1079-5
Prld in a, BWV 569

Amazon.com

Marie-Claire Alain is not only one of the greatest organists alive today, but she stands directly in a what is undoubtedly the world's greatest tradition of organ playing. It was France that first rediscovered and cultivated Bach's organ music, and which in turn stimulated the great works of Franck, Widor, Vierne, and their school. Alain has recorded Bach's complete organ music no less than three times, here on historical organs of Bach's own time. Each disc is planned as a recital that showcases both the music and the instrument. Her performances are simply the last word in style, musicianship, and virtuosity. Magnificent. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Complete set CD review of Bach.......2007-05-12

I discovered Bach organ music 40 years ago. I love Bach, everything he wrote. I have 4 complete sets of Bach organ recordings. Marie Claire-Alan is my favorite organist of everyone I have heard. I met Marie and her husband in person after a performance she gave in Chicago. I have 2 complete sets of Bach organ played by Marie. One is on records and the other the new CD set. She is a little older now when she recorded the CD's. The albums have a more youthful sound to them, a little more energy and different registration selection on the organs. I love Marie in her youthful recordings more than these. I love the albums so much I will digitize them and listen to them over the new CD collection. I play the albums on my Linn turntable through McIntosh equipment.

The Definitive Collection of Bach .......2005-09-25

Marie-Claire Alain has recorded Bach's complete organ music 3 times, this set being the second time. She plays quite differently now, but these are some of the best interpretations. Each cd fearures a different organ dating from Bach's time, and all of the booklets are filled with pictures, history, and even the stop registrations for each of the pieces are given. Quite alot of research! If those of you who are new to Bach's organ works, I would recommend starting on a smaller scale, as some of these works can be quite intense to listen to. At any rate, this possibly may go down as one of the famous recordings of the century.

Monumental Artistry.......2003-03-08

Although I am partial to the Romantic Organ, particularly in the vein of Widor, Vierne and Rheinberger, it all begins with Bach. And in this case, one could say that it all begins with Marie-Claire Alain and her wonderful interpretations. Alain seems to understand that Bach was above all else a religious composer. Many "complete" works of Bach play short shrift with the liturgical works whereas these are some of the most satisfying of the group.

The sound is pure sonority, almost perfect, and the technical prowess is just awesome. Out of the millions of notes played, I never heard a miscue or slight jiggle. Still, keyboard wizardry is only part of the story. The registration is a work of art in itself. Alain understand the difference between the Baroque and the Modern, the French and the German and the old and the new. Just as she is a "natural" for Widor or Vierne, she also seems to have entered the Bach mind on some of these.

This is a fabulous collection worthy of any serious student of classical music. Nowhere can one derive such satisfaction that listenting to Bach played by Ms. Alain.

A Happy Sacrifice.......2001-06-30

I gladly sacrificed two of the four speakers in my car to this wonderful, wonderful treasure. What more can I say?

Bach on the Organ.......2001-06-23

What? Just 2 reviews?? I've had this set for close to 4 years. Where do I start..... To tell the story of Bach and the organ, I must start at the beginning. I harbor no pretext of being an authority at all, in fact I really didn't know Bach till a few years ago.

One day, I chanced to buy a CD with an assortment of classical music. I did that once every so often, since classical CD's are so cheap. I slipped it into my car not knowing at all what I'd just stumbled on. The second piece on this CD was music of an order I had not yet before encountered. To boot, I had just installed a new subwoofer in the car. Then this organ piece comes on.

My friends. From that moment, I was a different person. It didn't hit me as hard initially, but I couldn't let go of this stupendous work of such magnificence. For days on end, I would play this one piece of organ music. Treasuring it as a jewel. I couldn't get over how grand, how utterly wonderful this work was, from every single note to it's entire whole. I've always enjoyed music, but this was something else. It made me feel miniscule. How could anyone.... I'm a financial consultant, and gosh did this make me feel worthless. Alright, I'll let you know which it was --Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Dorian) for the organ. Not even one of Bach's major pieces. This was Miklos Spanyi on organ who did this. Marie-Claire does a good job on this set, but I had heard it first on the other recording, and you know it's never as good as the first time.

Brethren, this wasn't the end. After a few weeks of listening to this, I kid you not, I would break down like a child when I played it. Sobbing and crying. Weeping uncontrollably. I'm a grown man, but it happened. I could not understand. I could not remember breaking down this way, so violently, since I was young boy. I am not a sop at all, one of those guys with a soft feminine side........no, no, no. This is what Bach can do to you.

I was listening to angels. I could see them. No way I'll write my full name here in case this gets out. If I listened to it in the car, I would have to stop when Bach's counterpoints started their agonizing attacks of sheer splendor. I would stop the car on the side of the road, racked in sobs. I stopped listening to it in the morning going to work because my eyes would be red when I got into the office. In oblivion, driving home one night I did get a speeding ticket.

I would be convulsing in anguish. As the Toccata builds to its end, Bach brings your pitiful soul through a wavy staircase lined with golden crescendos that don't seem to end. He then takes your wretched spirit, once strong, but piteous in the face of such perfection, and places it on the doorstep of the Fugue. At this grand entrance on the cadence, at this very point I would invariably be out of control, bawling like a babe.

It was then I needed to see who this Bach was. Then I see a complete set of Bach Organ Works by a renowned organist. I was trembling when I got the set. It's about 3 years now, and I have since learned how to control myself. I am sorry I talk about Bach's organ and his effect on me, but please, I was just describing one gem. This is the collection. Buy it and be immersed in wonder.

There is good literature that goes with the set. If you are looking for sentiment and give up a little bit of quality, you'll notice some difference. The recordings are excellent, but the idea of this grand project was to have it on a baroque organ, sounding like it would back then.

They do mention the need for the organist to have to coax and cajole the instrument, unlike the modern electronic machines. The recordings are on a restored organ, which at first made me a little disappointed, but after a while you realize it presents the organist's talent quite a bit more. I also love hearing the slight sounds of the stops in the background - just that added sense of needing to be on earth before reaching glory.

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Scherzo: Presto
IV. Finale: Moderato

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Scherzo: Schnell - Trio: Langsamer
IV. Finale: Bewegt, Feurig

Tracks:

I. Moderato
II. Andante: Feierlich, Etwas Bewegt
III. Scherzo: Massig Schnell
IV. Finale: Mehr Schnell
I. Adagio - Allegro

Tracks:

II. Adagio, Sehr Langsam
III. Scherzo: Molto Vivace (Schnell)
IV. Finale: Adagio - Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

I. Gemassigt, Mehr Bewegt, Misterioso
II. Andante: Bewegt, Feierlich, Quasi Adagio
III. Scherzo: Ziemlich Schnell
IV. Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

I. Bewegt, Nicht Zu Schnell
II. Andante Quasi Allegretto
III.Scherzo: Bewegt
IV. Finale: Bewegt, Doch Nicht Zu Schnell

Tracks:

I. Majestoso
II. Adagio: Sehr Feierlich
III. Scherzo: Nicht Schnell - Trio: Langsam
IV. Finale: Bewegt, Doch Nicht Zu Schnell

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio: Sehr Feierlich Und Sehr Langsam
III. Scherzo: Sehr Schnell - Trio: Etwas Langsamer
IV. Finale: Bewegt, Doch Nicht Zu Schnell

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Scherzo: Allegro Moderato - Trio: Langsam
III. Adagio: Feierlich Langsam, Doch Nicht Schleppend
IV. Finale: Feierlich, Nicht Schnell

Tracks:

I. Feierlich, Misterioso
II. Scherzo: Bewegt, Lebhaft - Trio: Schnell
III. Adagio: Langsam, Feierlich

Customer Reviews:

Some of the best Bruckner on disc.......2007-05-31

Anton Bruckner was as organist all his life. He so loved the instrument that he actually requested to be buried under the instrument on which he served the longest tenure. No better description can be given to his music other than "organ-like". Listen to the symphonies and youll understand why. These works, espeically the later ones (4-9) contain some of the most emotionally charged, thrilling, sonic passages you will ever hear an orchestra play. Fast changes from loud to soft, thick orchestrations and beautiful chords and harmonies make these symphonies the epitome of romanticism. Bruckner was writing music that was well advanced for his time (the adagio of the 7th symphony is a music theory student's nightmare!), many would have considered his pieces "daring" or "strange" when they were written. The CSO and Solti definately capture the essence of these pieces, and with one of the world's greatest brass sections playing some of the most brass-heavy symphonies, how could you go wrong?

Solti's Sine Qua Non of Brucker Ninths.......2006-05-18

Let me state very succinctly and unequivocally that there is no other Bruckner 9th on earth I can listen to with such rapt, undiminished joy as Solti's.

The overpowering (almost terrifying) coda of the first movement hits the listener like some inexorable, demonic force of Nature, thanks exclusively to Solti's stealth-like tempo and slow-mounting crescendo, where the CSO's thundering brass suddenly takes on a life and will of its own. Once you experience (and survive) the impact of this near-cosmic cataclysm -- sorry, I tend to wax hyperbolical with this particular work -- no other recording will ever satisfy. (Psst! -- and just wait until God Himself throws open the Celestial Gates (TWICE!) in the third movement.)

Although Solti is by no means my favorite Bruckner conductor -- consider Knappertsbusch's underrated, yet unparalleled, SCHALK VERSION! for the Fifth; Haitink and the Concertgebouw for the Third; Anton Nanut and the Ljubljana for the Eighth; Erich Leinsdorf and the Boston Symphony (LP only) for the Fourth; Sawallisch and the Bavarian State Orchestra for the Sixth -- I nonetheless award 5 generous stars to this boxed edition, only because life, for this listener, would lose all sense and meaning without Solti's brilliant, never-to-be-equalled interpretation of the heaven-inspired Bruckner Ninth.

By the way, his beguiling (read absolutely perfect!) phrasing of the long melody line at the opening of the Seventh is quite frankly to die for. Though why he chose such a comparatively "sluggish" tempo for the energetic Scherzo is beyond my comprehension.

[..]

It's that superb brass.......2006-01-23

'Bruckner is brass' or at least the brass is much more involved. To hear a good Bruckner the brassplayers of the orchestra needs to be outstanding. Unfortunately many brass sections of top orchestras do not have quality brass. That's different with the Chicago SO under Solti where all brass player were superb (and maybe they still have such brassplayers)

The top European orchestras do not have that extra quality brass one would expect. The Berliner Philharmoniker and the Wiener Philharmoniker even today use trumpets with rotary-valves... I even heard a top British Orchestra with a lead trumpet player using that 'weird' brassband vibrato.

Further the Tuba players in Europe usually are just not good enough and lack tone and power in the low register of the instrument. But here with Solti and the Chicago SO one can enjoy the beauty of Bruckner with bass playing as it should be. Even the famous recordings by Wand are not my choice.

The fact that Solti is directing must be considered as well as he is also extremely convincing directing Wagner, so he does understand (or at least that's my view) the way brass should sound.

If you are looking for a box that you will play over and over again, this is the one and at a fair price.

Bruckner will not get any better than this!.......2006-01-04

Usually when I encounter box sets of classical music ( with the exception of operas and the like) I'm a little wary of it. Many of them, like this recording, span many years and often there are 2-3 years between recordings.

Even though that is true of this set, it sounds like it was recorded successively. With the exception of the 6th which was recorded on analog, there is no discrepancy in either the performances or the quality of the recordings and even the 6th is very well recorded and extremely vivid, I would argue one of the most vivid. The years of the recordings span from 1979 ( the 6th) to 1995 ( no. 0).

It would take much too long to do a review for every single recording so I will just give some highlights.

Of the recording of the 3rd, Penguine guide referred to it as "the one failure, relatively crude and coarse." I don't agree, if anything, it seemed to me that this recording was not only on par with the others, but that the CSO was equally on top of their game with this one as with the others. I found it very moving, clear, precise and powerful.

Moving onto the recording of the 4th I will say the same thing: very moving, clear, precise and powerful. What struck me about this recording was the tension maintained in the outer movements. Often with Bruckner symphonies, tension can easily be lost because of the length. Here the Chicago Symphony nicely maintains the energy with much thanks to their outstanding team of brass players. The gem of this recording, in my opinion and as much as I love the 1st and 4th movements, is the Scherzo. I love Bruckner Scherzi anyway but the Chicago Symphony does a bang-up job on this one. This track can be characterized as simply authoritative, powerful and overwheliming in the best way possible. In the first minute or so, Solti uses the powerful brass to gain thrust and to propel the entire orchestra into the statement of the main theme with the trombones and echoed by the trumpets.

I have already mentioned how pleased I am with the sixth. It is remarkable that it was recorded on analog. It sounds so amazingly vivid. Of course, the brass is nicely ensnared but the sharpness of the timpani deserves attention as well. Besides the excruciatingly exciting outer movements, the quality of the adagio is enough to leave with breathless at the end. When the orchestra finishes it, the listener gets the overwhelming sense of tranquility - very well done. That is the way to do Bruckner adagios.

The recording of the 8th was made while on tour in St. Petersburg Russia in 1990. Another triumph in my opinion. The real tokens of this recording are the adagio and finale. Again, as in the recording of the 6th, this adagio is enough to leave the listener suspended in calmness. I especially like the way the bring out the religious quality of Bruckner's music ( the same could be said of all the recordings of this set) by emphasis on certain tonalities and harmonies which can easily be passed up by the unwary conductor. The finale is of comparable quality. I have never heard a recording of this piece that has as strong a brass soli as is heard at the beginning of this one - utterly amazing. The sound never, ever wavers. It is simply solid tone throughout and sustained even in moving to the next note. Here again, the listener is confronted with the chorale-like chords that make Bruckner's music so remeniscient of religious music. With many thanks to the CSO brass section, one can hear the beginning of this played on the organ, Bruckner's main instrument. Also, I love the end where the motif of the first movement is triumphantly belted out by the trombones. These guys have such a presence and it really helps to bring the symphony full circle.

Finally, the 9th. I love the 9th symphony anyway. I love the construction of it. I love the use of chords and harmonies that seem distant to the tonic but then find themselves alluding to the tonic. Everything about it I love. And the CSO does it well. Awesome maestoso brass make up the first movement along with a breath-taking coda just overflowing with snipets of chorales first heard in the woodwinds then carried on by sustained brass. This is a first movement that is centered, precise, focused and musical above all. Which brings me to the scherzo. Again, with many thanks to the brass section, the scherzo takes on a veritable demonic quality - very menacing indeed. I believe this is probably Bruckner's most violent scherzo. You can certainly hear it in this recording the way the orchestra pounds away at the double eigth plus quarters motiv practically relentlessly. In matter of fact, the whole scherzo pounds...it is absolutely relentless and I like the fact that the CSO brings out the obvious anger found in it.

Finally, some very trivial negative things. I don't like how London splits up the 5th. They put the 1st movement on one disc and leave the remaining movements on another. There is great chorale-like brass playing on this recording. Another great recording like the other and very powerful indeed. I just prefer to enjoy it all on one disc.

To me, the 7th is the only odd ball in the bunch, and even then, it is a fabulous recording. In referring to the Penguin guide again, they cite that this recording lacks tension in the outer movements. I agree, the brass just doesn't seem to all there, most of the time, and the strings take on a not-so-likable thin palor. The outer movements could be more tight and precise but how they are at the moment is just fine with me. There are some real good moments on this disc. The interpretation of the adagio is absolutely gorgeous. The sonority of the Wagner tubas is perfect, the climax is devastatingly spine-tingling. All in all, perfect and again, it ends with that indispensable sense of irrevocable tranquility. The scherzo is just as you would expect it to be - ferrocious. There are some real tempests present in this interpretation. The dialog between the trumpets and trombones at the full tutti sections gives me goosebumps every time. Finally, even the outer movements lack tension, there is still a good deal of powerful and precision in the rhythmic tuttis...frankily, unlike the first movement ( which still has beauty and grandeur, don't get me wrong), the only part where I'm not convinced is the coda. I wish it was just a tad more powerful.

I have to admit, however, that I'm extremely biased for 2 reasons - one, i'm aspiring orchestral trombone player myself so I look for recordings that have a great deal of brass pressence to them and two, I find that the Chicago Symphony obliges me greatly in that area. All the recordings I get now are with the CSO if I can help it. I absolutely love them. In opinion, they're the best orchestra out there. They are my favorite. And Jay Friedman, principal trombone, is my hero. So while my review of this set might now seem as