Fairy Tales

Track Listings

1. I Never Thought

2. Good 'N Plenty

3. One More Try

4. Lately

5. It's About Time

6. All You Need

7. Fairy Tales

8. Missing U

9. My Love

10. Tell Me

11. I Wish

12. Sweet Essence (Your Love Is Something)

Editorial Reviews
Vibe
[Divine] don't have an outstanding lead vocalist but make up for it with their perfect, euphonious harmonies.

USA Today
There's a sweet innocence to this teen trio's debut that gives them and their tales of young love a certain appeal.

Fairy Tales,Divine,Red Ant / Bmg,Club/Dance,Pop,R&B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Teen Pop,Urban

Fairy Tales

Tracks:

Pretoria
Tom Dooley
Chocolate
Laredo
Daniel Boone
The Saga Of John Henry
Gnus
Crabs Walk Sideways
Jenny Brown
The Military Lovers
Mediocre Fred
Mom Always Liked You Best
You Can Call Me Stupid
I Talk To The Trees
Hangman
Cabbage
Michael, Row The Boat Ashore
You Didn't Come In

Amazon.com

Tom and Dick Smothers hit show-biz pay dirt by exploring the lighter side of brotherly competition in their musical comedy act. Combining substantial folk-singing skills with barbed comic repartee, the Smothers Brothers endeared themselves to "hip" crowds and mainstream audiences alike. That feat was a considerable accomplishment in the '60s, when the recordings that comprise this generous sampler were made. The tracks include such memorable numbers as "Pretoria," "Tom Dooley," "The Saga of John Henry," "Cabbage," "I Talk to the Trees," and, of course, "Mom Always Liked You Best." --Scott Schinder

Customer Reviews:

Good Old Fashioned Humor.......2007-04-10

This CD takes me back to watching the Smothers Brothers on TV years ago. If you miss folk singers, comedy without four-letter words and TV variety shows, then you will enjoy this as much as I did!

Take it!.......2007-03-05

The Smothers Brothers issued ten MERCURY label records between 1961 and '68. With a catalog that large, a single-disc "best of" collection is almost certain to omit some great material due to time constraints. Mason Williams, who had a Top 40 hit in 1968 with "Classical Gas," wrote many of the Brother's funniest tunes, including one that was probably deemed too politically incorrect for this CD. It appeared on MOM ALWAYS LIKED YOU BEST, and was called "The Three Song." This was about a girl who yearned to be asked to dance-- the only drawback was she had THREE LEGS!

Not counting their PLAY IT STRAIGHT album, the Smothers have a catalog of almost 100 tracks. Only one-fifth of their recordings are here, and since this "best of" collection was issued in 1998, the chances are probably slim that a Volume Two or box set will appear anytime soon. That's a real shame, too.

Remastering on this RHINO product is excellent. The CD includes a foldout style booklet with an interesting three-page bio.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 76:26

Passes the test of time.......2007-02-22

This is a great cd. These Smothers Brothers routines never get old. I had a history teacher in high school who played these to the class(on vinyl)back in the late sixties and I think they are as funny now as then. I am glad to see they are still available and would recommend them to young and old alike.

Sibling Revelry.......2007-01-25

This was everything I expected from the Smothers Brothers...absolutely hysterical. A real find.

As funny now as then.......2007-01-01

"Pumas! In cravasses!" (for example) still makes me laugh 40 years after hearing it for the first time. I wish I could say the same for Bill Cosby and Alan Sherman.

Barbie Sings!: The Princess Movie Song Collection

Average customer rating:

Barbie Sings!: The Princess Movie Song Collection
Beautifully Done
Barbie Sings!: The Princess Movie Song Collection
Great CD
make a another one

Barbie Sings!: The Princess Movie Song Collection
Barbie
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Exercise | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Sing-A-Longs | Children's Music | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Disney's Princess Collection: The Music of Hopes, Dreams and Happy Endings
Strawberry Shortcake: Strawberry Jams
Disney Princess Tea Party
Disney's Princess Sing-Along Album
Disney Princess: The Ultimate Song Collection

ASIN: B0002YLDY6
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

Introduction to "Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper"
Free
How Can I Refuse?
Written In Your Heart - Prologue
I Am A Girl Like You
To Be A Princess
The Cat's Meow
If You Love Me For Me
To Be A Princess (Reprise)
How Can I Refuse? (Reprise)
Written In Your Heart
I'm On My Way
Overture to The Nutcracker
Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairies
Russian Dance
Theme to "Rapunzel"
Constant As The Stars Above
Wish Upon A Star
Swan Lake Main Title
Spanish Dance
Hungarian Dance
Wings

Customer Reviews:

Barbie Sings!: The Princess Movie Song Collection.......2007-06-09

It's a very special CD includes the songs from Barbie's first, second, third and fourth movie. Ipe a new CD with the songs from Magic of pegasus, 12 dancing princesses and Island princess.

Beautifully Done.......2007-05-20

My daughther loves this DVD. She loves the songs and although some of the Princess and the Pauper songs have some of the dialogue from the movie, we don't mind. Secretly I like this DVD too :)

Barbie Sings!: The Princess Movie Song Collection .......2007-01-19

My 4 year old daugther loves it!!! She sings along to the tunes from the CD. Her favoriate ones are from the "the pricess and pauper". Even I sing along too. Great CD for the girls in all ages.

Great CD.......2007-01-06

My 5 year old loves all the Barbie movies and this is a great companion to the movies.

make a another one.......2006-09-21

this CD was great. The princess and the pauper songs are fun to sing along with and the classical music was great. It good for kids to know the music from swan lake and the nutcracker. I really do want another one. maybe they should make another musical.

BarbieLover

Average customer rating:

Well Done!
Loved It
Some good, some not so good
Nice collection of Disney songs for the casual fan

Disney: The Music Behind the Magic
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Disney
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Disney | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Compilations | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Sing-A-Longs | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Disney Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth
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The Disneylands That Never Were
Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination
Spinning Disney's World: Memories of a Magic Kingdom Press Agent

ASIN: B000J233ZS
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Tracks:

Mickey Mouse March - Mickey Mouse Club
Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf - The Three Little Pigs
Someday My Prince Will Come - Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs
Give A Little Whistle - Pinocchio
When You Wish Upon A Star - Pinocchio
Baby Mine - Dumbo
Little April Shower - Bambi
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - Song Of The South
A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes - Cinderella
So This Is Love - Cinderella
The Second Star To The Right - Peter Pan
The Ballad Of Davy Crockett - Davey Crockett
The Siamese Cat Song - Lady And The Tramp
He's A Tramp - Lady And The Tramp
Once Upon A Dream - Sleeping Beauty
Cruella De Vil - 101 Dalmations
Let's Get Together - Parent Trap
It's A Small World - 1964 New York World's Fair
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - Mary Poppins
A Spoonful Of Sugar - Mary Poppins
Monkey's Uncle - Monkey's Uncle
Winnie-The-Pooh - Winnie The Pooh And The Honey Tree
The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers - Winnie The Pooh And Tigger, Too
Yo Ho (A Pirat'e Life For Me - Pirates Of The Caribbean
I Wa'nna Be Like YOu - Jungle Book
Girm Grinning Ghosts - Haunted Mansion

Tracks:

Home On The Range - Children's Favorites Volume 1
Ducks Dance, Too - Mousercise
Part Of Your World - Little Mermaid
Under The Sea - Be Our Guest
Be Our Guest - Be Our Guest
Beauty And The Beast - Beauty And The Beast: A New Broadway Musical
A Whole New World - Aladdin
What's This - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
Circle Of Life - Lion King
Hakuna Matata - Lion King
They Live In You - Lion King Broadway
Colors Of The Wind - Pocahontas
You've Got A Friend In Me - Disney-Pixar Toy Story
The Bells Of Notre Dame - Hunchback Of Notre Dame
I Won't Say (I'm In Love) - Hercules
Reflection - Mulan
Strangers Like Me - Tarzan
When She Loved Me - Tarzan
Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride - Lilo And Stitch
Why Not? - Lizzie McGuire
Cheetah Sisters - Cheetah Girls
Breaking Free - High School Musical
Find Yourself - Disney-Pixar Cars
Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater - Mickey Mouse Club

Customer Reviews:

Well Done!.......2007-07-01

This is a fantastic compilation that takes you chronologically through decades of classic and more recent songs from Walt Disney Records. The first CD features music dating from the 1930's such as the quite amusing "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf", and hits the favorites from many Disney movies from the 40's, 50's and 1960's while adding theme songs used for the classic Disney park rides such as "Its a Small World", "Yo Ho (A Pirates Life for Me)", and "Grim Grinning Ghosts" from the Haunted Mansion.

The second CD covers many favorites from 1979 through 2006. I enjoyed the classics from the first CD the most. The second CD is very enjoyable as well. The jacket for the CD is very nice and includes an interesting narrative about each song.

Loved It.......2007-05-21

If you like all things Disney you will love this. The recordings are the actual ones from the films and I found that fact most enjoyable.

Some good, some not so good.......2007-01-10

Disney records is supposed to celebrateits fiftith aniversary..with a collection this thrown together, I wonder why bother.

Disney music is an artform . There are many classic tunes in the Disney music archieves. This collection of 50 songs on two disks offers a few chestnuts and too many repeats.

I have nothing bad to say about Hilary Duff, Cheetan Girl or High School Musical music. I just wish Disney records would have selected suh minor songs and tunes as Kirk Douglas singing "A Whale of a Tale", or Tim Curry version of Davy Crockett (from Disney's Music from the Park) to be paired with the Fess Parker's Crockett version on this collection. I wished some more rare demos (like Sean Connery singing from Darby O'Gill and the Little People), B-sides (like instead of the classic "You got a friend in me" from the soundtrack, use another version) or people like Louie Prima singing Mary Poppins tunes

On the whole, the music of this cd is build in for a younger audience. I can only wish Disney Records would release a larger more fullfilling classic like their out of print audio collection of the Legecy of Music.

It is hit or miss if you want to buy it

Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD

Nice collection of Disney songs for the casual fan.......2006-12-07

If you are a big Disney fan, like I am, this 2-disc collection is somewhat of a disappointment. Not because the song selection is bad at all (God knows these are all classics), but therein lies the problem...instead of getting some true rarities, "b-sides", demo recordings or songs that are NOT from the animated film soundtracks, we get the standard versions that we all know and, by now, own already. It would have been nice to include rare songs from the albums Disney produced for Julie Andrews, Burl Ives, Hayley Mills, Annette, Louis Prima, as well as selections from their more recent stuff, such as Hannah Montana, Cheetah Girls 2, and the Disneymania compilations. What about Disco Mickey Mouse? If anything, I'm even more disappointed about this collection not having a single track from that commercially succesful album from the late 70's. I mean...Mouse Trap...is...a...classic!!

Average customer rating:

Disney's Karaoke Series: Little Mermaid
Karaoke
Manufacturer: Disney
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Karaoke | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Disney | Children's Music | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Disney Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B000CCU7BS
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

Part of Your World
Under the Sea
Les Poissons
Poor Unfortunate Souls
Kiss the Girl Plus Tracks from Ariel's Friends
Home Belle
Colors of the Wind
God Help the Outcasts
Part of Your World
Under the Sea
Les Poissons
Poor Unfortunate Souls
Kiss the Girl Plus Tracks from Ariel's Friends
Home Belle
Colors of the Wind
God Help the Outcasts

Product Description

Title: Part Of Your World; Artist: Various Artists; Track: 1| Title: Under The Sea; Artist: Various Artists; Track: 2| Title: Les Poissons; Artist: Various Artists; Track: 3| Title: Poor Unfortunate Souls; Artist: Various Artists; Track: 4| Title: Kiss The Girl; Artist: Various Artists; Track: 5| Title: Home; Artist: Various Artists; Track: 6| Title: Colors Of The Wind; Artist: Various Artists; Track: 7| Title: God Help The Outcasts; Artist: Various Artists; Track: 8| Title: Part Of Your World; Artist: Various Artists w/Vocal; Track: 9| Title: Under The Sea; Artist: Various Artists w/Vocal; Track: 10| Title: Les Poissons; Artist: Various Artists w/Vocal; Track: 11| Title: Poor Unfortunate Souls; Artist: Various Artists w/Vocal; Track: 12| Title: Kiss The Girl; Artist: Various Artists w/Vocal; Track: 13| Title: Home (Belle); Artist: Various Artists w/Vocal; Track: 14| Title: Colors Of The Wind (Pocahontas); Artist: Various Artists w/Vocal; Track: 15|

Average customer rating:

The essence of Ireland
Catching Moon beams...
Great Nap time song for Preschoolers
Casey is a Seal Maiden
CELTIC MUSIC ROCKS!

Seal Maiden: A Celtic Musical
Karan Casey
Manufacturer: Music Little People
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Celtic Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Irish Folk Tales for Children
Songlines
More Irish Folk Tales for Children
Chasing the Sun
The Winds Begin to Sing

ASIN: B00004TZYF
Release Date: 2000-07-04

Tracks:

We're Going Sailing
Dialogue
The Cradle Song
Dialogue
The Silkie Song
Dialogue
The Seasons
Dialogue
The Wriggly Eels
Dialogue
The Waves Down In The Ocean
Dialogue
Port Na Bpucai
Dialogue
The Song Of The Seal
Dialogue
Taim Cortha Bheith Im Aonar Im Lui
Dialogue
Seoithin
Dialogue
Maidin Aiseach
Dialogue
The Loony Moon
We're Going Sailing (Reprise)

Product Description

GENERAL FEATURES: Parent's Choice "Silver" NAPPA "Gold" Featuring Karan Casey & Friends We're Going Sailing The Circle Song The Silkie Song The Seasons The Wriggly Eels The Waves Down in The Ocean Port Na bPucai The Song Of The Seal Taim Cortha Bheith Im' Aonar Im' Lui Seoithin Maiden Aiseach The Loony Moon We're Going Sailing Educational entertainment for all ages.

Amazon.com

Using such traditional Irish instruments as uilleann pipes, the low whistle, the concertina, and the violin, as well as some of the purest, sweetest voices to be heard on a children's recording in recent memory, Seal Maiden: A Celtic Musical relates a mystical tale. Despite her mother's warnings, a playful seal pup frolics too close to the shore, magically molts her sealskin, and turns into a human. The Seal Maiden's humanness leaves her heartsick and discontented; she misses her mother and can't shrug off an atavistic affinity for biting off eels' heads and devouring them whole, as well as other strictly-for-the-seals behavior. Eventually, though, she marries and has a son. When he discovers his own hidden sealskin, he becomes her gateway back to the sea and the slippery, song-filled life she left behind. If this Emerald Isle legend sounds familiar, that's probably because it was recently given silver-screen treatment in John Sayles's The Secret of Roan Inish. Narrator and lead singer Karan Casey (of the traditional Irish group Solas) is enchanting, especially on "The Song of the Seal" and "Seoithin." Musicians Martin Hayes (violin) and Dennis Cahill (guitar) display near-magical heart-melting powers on "Port Na bPucal," which captures the Celtic spirit beautifully. And then there's this album's intended audience--kids--to consider. Children ages 6 and up will be left spellbound by the Seal Maiden's fantastic saga, and those under 6 will be lulled into sweet dreams by its gentle-voiced, exceptionally talented singers, whose far-off land of salty waves and endless possibilities they evoke so gracefully. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

The essence of Ireland.......2006-07-30

We are American but have lived in Ireland, and this this CD captures Ireland's essence like no other, both its sounds and its story -- so much so that it make me heartsick every time I hear it. It is also absolutely beatiful. Karen Casey's voice, both speaking and singing, is absolutely pure. Just wonderful for both children and adults, whether or not you know anything about Ireland or Celtic music.

Catching Moon beams..........2005-05-31

This is that rarest of all things- music that is great for kids OR grown-ups.

The songs are wonderful, the musicians are the "all-star" heavyweights of Celtic music, the singing and playing is GREAT and Karan's narration and singing is mesmerizing.

Most of the songs are in English, a few are in Gaelic and the overall effect is transcendent.

A GREAT way to introduce someone of any age to the wonderful world of Celtic music.

Great Nap time song for Preschoolers.......2005-02-27

This is by far the best CD to play at nap time for children ages 3-6.

Casey is a Seal Maiden.......2004-06-15

Karan Casey is a perfect choice for this because she has a beautiful, pure, and expressive singing and speaking voice, one of the best I've heard in Irish music. I love the kids singing on the wiggly eels and the salty waves songs and Iarla O'Lionaird adds a somber tone to the disc. The singers and sound effects create a very real atmosphere and the music blends easily with the story, sometimes overlapping. It's good to know there are such high quality recordings for children.

CELTIC MUSIC ROCKS!.......2004-02-04

I have recently participated in this spectacular musical and this version of it is extremely well done. It includes all the ethnic instruments you would hope would be in a celtic sound track. If you are looking for a good story or if you just need to hear the sounds of the emerald isle, I suggest purchasing this CD. It is really worth it.
Thank you,
Linsey Sandyman

Average customer rating:

Nice CD, but could have had a great potential to be a top cd
divines back
Whatever happened to...?
This album is tight!
I really loved this cd it was so cool .

Fairy Tales
Divine
Manufacturer: Red Ant / Bmg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Teen Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Good Times
Blaque
Angel
Where Do We Go From Here
Allure

ASIN: B00000DF9J
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

I Never Thought
Good 'N Plenty
One More Try
Lately
It's About Time
All You Need
Fairy Tales
Missing U
My Love
Tell Me
I Wish
Sweet Essence (Your Love Is Something)

Customer Reviews:

Nice CD, but could have had a great potential to be a top cd.......2003-11-21

The harmony is excellant on the cd and the overall songs but not much for a classic cd. Good to listen to and shows the potential they have to become big if they get some more nice r&b grooves.

divines back.......2003-02-13

this album is hot , these girl can really sing, they are
incredible. i heard they have a new deal,working on a new album and will be out this year !

Whatever happened to...?.......2002-12-04

I really hate it when this happens. An artist releases two dope songs and then drops off the face of the Earth. The soulful R&B trio Divine took their song "Lately" all the way to #1 in 1998, but did anyone pick up their album? No, and I can't understand it.

Although "Lately" is arguably the best song on the album, none of the other songs are really worth skipping. There are other great ballads like "I Wish" and "Sweet Essence" (the latter was written and produced by then-unknown India.Arie), and their cover of George Michael's "One More Try" is brilliant. The ladies also bring their soulful harmonies to fast songs like "Good `N Plenty", but don't worry; the songs still work.

Some of the lyrics in the fast songs may come off a little corny at times, but that doesn't get in the way of this great album. Listen to it and you'll see.

This album is tight!.......1999-09-04

People shouldn't judege the album by their singles. They got some really good songs on here like the hit single "Lately" "It's About time", & "My Love". Divine need to come out with a new album.

I really loved this cd it was so cool ........1999-07-07

I LOVED THIS CD SO MUCH I RECOMEND IT TO ANYBODY.I REALLY LOVED THE SONG LATELY . IT IS THE BEST SONG IN THE WORLD.I LOVE DIVINE. -LISA:)

Average customer rating:

A Bright and Shining Light
masterpieces!!!
World-premiere recordings of a promising young artist
diverse lush and enchanting soundworlds

Unsuk Chin: Akrostichon-Wortspiel

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Kaija Saariaho: Du Cristal...À la Fumée; Sept Papillons, Nymphéa

ASIN: B0006VXF2S
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Customer Reviews:

A Bright and Shining Light.......2006-05-11

Unsuk Chin (born Korea 1961) is rapidly becoming one of the most original contemporary composers on the scene today. In a world that likes to classify for comfort, Chin's creations can be compared to those of Thomas Ades, Ligeti, and Salonen in that she expands the aural vocabulary of both instrumentalists and vocalists. She pairs strange combinations of ensembles to fanciful texts of gibberish keeping her works full of air and humor. 'My music is a reflection of my dreams' she states, and her dreams may just be the most original forays into the play of light and floating colors that coalesce into fluid forms!

By far the most frequently performed of her works is the 'Akrostichon-Wortspiel, 7 scenes from fairy tales for soprano & orchestra' performed here with soprano Piia Komsi with Kazushi Ono conducting the InterContemporain Ensemble. It is a signature work of Chin, plying the extremes of writing for the voice with the exceptional palette of the orchestra. At a recent LA Philharmonic concert her 'Cantatrix Sopranica' (soprano voice) was given its US Premiere and it owes its roots to this earlier work. The current work employs two sopranos and a countertenor together with a battery of percussionists, keyboards, and the usual orchestral components to humorously explore the soprano voice - warm up, diva turns, texts of nonsense syllables, instruments imitating voices and voices imitating instruments. The visual aspect of Chin's music enhances the joy as she asks the performers to interact as though an opera were being staged. The result in this new work is a polished masterpiece that hopefully will soon be added to the recorded repertoire. The audience response was passionately wild!

Chin's other works on this splendid CD are of equal fascination: the 'Fantaisie m?canique, for 5 instrumentalists' (Patrick Davin conducts this one), 'Xi, for electronic ensemble' (with David Robertson conducting), and 'Double Concerto for piano, percussion & ensemble' (Samuel Favre and Dimitri Vassilakis are the adroit soloists and the conductor is Stefan Asbury).

One of the aspects of Chin's compositions is that they are not only accessible and rich in sonorous beauty, but they also have a sense of humor, something missing in most new works - except perhaps for Salonen and Adams and Knussen! Highly Recommended recording. We will be hearing much, much more about this bright star. Grady Harp, May 06

masterpieces!!!.......2006-01-20

O.K. Lets put it simple, whoever this Unsuk Chin is, she is a genius. This album is a masterpiece. It contains some of the most interesting avantgarde compositions of the last 15 years.
This music will simply blow your mind away. If you are already familiar with Schoenberg and Cage (which I think you are) and are an open minded avantgarde music listener, and believe in the freedom of music stylistics of today, then.... what are you waiting for. Buy this album now! You won't be dissapointed.

World-premiere recordings of a promising young artist.......2005-07-17

This entry in Deutsche Grammophone's "20/21" line of contemporary music recordings contains four pieces by Korean composer Unsuk Chin including her breakthrough piece, the oft-performed "Akrostichon-Wortspiel". All are world-premiere recordings, performed by the Ensemble Intercontemporain, each piece featuring a different conductor. The performers in the spotlight are the soprano Piia Komsi, the percussionist Samuel Favre, and the pianist Dimitri Vassilakis.

Unsuk Chin studied in the late 1980s with Gyorgy Ligeti, and the influence of the "later Ligeti" is very clear in her compositions. Chin's music preserves the same sense of whimsy as Ligeti in his "Nonsense Madrigals", and the same fascination with polyrhythms as the Hungarian composer's "Piano Concerto" and other late works. I should add that Chin is also writing a collection of piano etudes, which from those I have heard so far takes the genre far beyond Ligeti, and hopefully we will see a recording of these soon. Chin also displays a use of colour reminiscent of the best of Messiaen's oeuvre (like "Des Canyons aux Etoiles"). Her music, however, also shows great originality. She continually subverts Western traditions of composition. For her, the sounds usually produced by a European orchestra are "simply a 19th-century institution", and she seeks to approach non-European musical cultures through the European ensemble. Chin also has a fascination with the possibilities of electronics, brilliantly explored in the third piece here.

"Akrostichon-Wortspiel" for soprano and orchestra (1991/1993) purports to be seven scenes from children's books, but the passages selected--from Ende's "Never-ending Story" and Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass"--are dissected until they remain a mere bundle of syllables. The writing for soprano is characterised by sudden changes of pitch, with the vocalist frequently dropping straight from a high note to menacing whispers. This must be one of the most difficult pieces for soprano in contemporary repertoire, and Piia Komsi shows here an agility of voice I didn't even think was possible. The range of sounds provided by the ensemble is extended by microtonal writing in which some of the instruments are returned by a quarter-tone or a sixth-tone. So much of contemporary music, as artistically daring and insightful as it might be, is quite dry, but "Akrostichon-Wortspiel" is a truly fun work. The sixth section, "Das Beliebigkeitsspiel" with its alphabetic games, is especially delightful. This is a live recording from Radio France, and there is some background noise in the beginning, but generally the sound is satisfying.

"Fantasie mecanique" for five instrumentalists (1994, rev. 1997) is a rigorously constructed piece that attempts to give the impression of improvisation. The opening introduces a sequence of four notes in the lowest register of the instruments, which is in a sense the foundation of the work, and which returns after a succession of three variations, three strophes, and two sections which emphasis the piece's mechanical side. Seven different metres are used among the instrumentalists, which are interwoven at the apex of the piece.

"Xi" for ensemble and electronics (1998) takes its title from the Korean work for the smallest unit of things. The piece is in five sections. It begins with the sound of breathing taken from an instrumental sound, and over the first four sections more and more real instrumental sounds are provided until the chromatic total is reached and heavily altered with electronics. At the end, the sound of breathing returns and the piece comes to an end in a cyclical manner. It took me some time to understand "Xi", but in the end I think it is a enjoyable work, and can stand along other successful electronic works such as Ligeti's "Artikulation" and Gubaidulina's "Vivente - Non Vivente".

The "Double Concerto" for prepared piano, percussion, and ensemble (2002) is the latest of the pieces here. The piano is prepared so that it is somewhat muted in the middle register, but left percussive elsewhere, so that contrast and created among the portions of the instrument. The orchestra is left far in the background, providing impulses that are then taken over by the soloists, and then taking ideas over from the soloists in a spectral manner. This piece sparkles with colour more than the other two purely instrumental works here, and is beautiful listening.

The liner notes give a short biography of Chin and an analysis of the four works here, as well as profiles of the performers and conductors. My only real concern with DG's presentation of the pieces is that although the latter three works are made up of multiple sections, they are each placed on a single track, but this may be what the composer desired. All in all, this is an entertaining disc. After listening to it over the last several months, and hearing three of her Etudes performed by a Chicago Symphony Orchestra pianist, I believe Unsuk Chin is one of the most promising contemporary composers.

diverse lush and enchanting soundworlds.......2005-05-09

Unsuk Chin left Seoul to began her studies with Ligeti in 1985, and the earliest of the four compositions on this DG 20/21 disc is from 1991/1993 -- nonetheless, we can consider her to be a new voice, given that this is her first recording. And what a voice! Each of these pieces is superb, and each is unique. With the Ensemble Intercontemporain as performers, this is avant classical music of the highest order.

"Akrostichon-Wortspiel" (Acrostic Wordplay -- 1991/1993 -- 15'48) features soprano vocals and ensemble. Playful in a way reminiscent of Ligeti, the vocals are unintelligible syllables extracted from Lewis Carroll and Michael Ende. "Fantasie mecanique" (1994 -- 12'37) for a quintet of trumpet, trombone, piano and two percussionists is a fast, rhythmic work which culminates in the interweaving of 7 different metres in a dense polyrhythm. "Xi" (1998 -- 22'48) is an electro-acoustic work which "develops organically from a set of primordial cells (xi -- Korean for the smallest unit, or the origin of all things) in the form of a single vast arc." IRCAM's technology is used to produce very organic-sounding results, more similar to Murail than Boulez. The "Double Concerto" (2002 -- 20'39) for prepared piano, percussion and ensemble, is a restless, mysterious piece with darting piano. The last two pieces strongly bear out Chin's assertion that she "feels a great deal of affinity with non-European musical cultures...I always try to introduce a completely different colour...based on my experience of non-European music." While "Xi" invokes Xenakis, it nonetheless is more spacious, more horizontal -- drifting. The Asian perspective makes itself felt within the framework of the European avant-garde.

It often seems these days that the post-serialist avant-garde is slipping into the past as various tonal "postmodern" musics have gained larger audiences, so I am quite happy to hear the music of Unsuk Chin, proudly continuing the tradition of Berio, Boulez, Carter, Ligeti, Nono and Xenakis. She joins Kaija Saariaho as a leading woman composer in contemporary music. I hope her "Violin Concerto," winner of the 2004 Grawemeyer Award, is being recorded as I write.

If you enjoy creative, complex, innovative modern music, you should hear this music of Unsuk Chin!

Average customer rating:

Gripping music and monumental interpretations
Ouch!!!
One of the most vitally played recordings I own...
Virtuoso Performance

Boris Berezovsky

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

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Liszt: Transcendental Studies
Rachmaninov: Préludes
Rachmaninov: Preludes, Moments musicaux
Chopin, Godowsky: Études
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Khachaturian: Piano Concerto

ASIN: B000000SP2
Release Date: 1996-05-07

Tracks:

Night On The Bare Mountain: Allegro feroce
Etudes - Tableaux Op. 39: Allegro molto op. 39, No. 3
Etudes - Tableaux Op. 39: Allegro assai op. 39, No. 4
Etudes - Tableaux Op. 39: Lento op. 39, No. 7
Etudes - Tableaux Op. 39: Allegro moderato op. 39, No. 9
Preludes: Moderato op. 57, No. 1
Preludes: Allegretto op. 40, No. 2
Preludes: Allegro impetuoso op. 39, No. 4
Fairy Tales: Allegro cantabile e leggiero op. 34, No. 2
Fairy Tales: Allegro con espressione op. 20, No. 1
Fairy Tales: Allegretto tenebroso op. 34, No. 3
Romantic Sketches For The Young: Tale (scherzo) op. 54, II, No. 2 - Allegro vivace
Fairy Tales: Allegro molto vivace op. 51, No. 1
Islamey: Presto con fuoco

Customer Reviews:

Gripping music and monumental interpretations.......2007-03-06

Boris Berezovsky is truly a great artist. In addition to being a robust virtuoso, he has a great knack for plunging the depths of these pieces and expressing more than the composer even had in mind. Those who are familiar with Berezovsky's Liszt TE renditions, which left me disappointed myself, I must implore you to forget his failures there and witness the milestone he has recorded here. Look at the line up: Mussorgsky-Tchernov's Night on Bald Mountain, the most colossal of Rachmaninov's Op. 39, some rarities from Liadov and Medtner, and as a marvelous finale, the indefatigable Islamey fantasy.

Tchernov's transcription of Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain is one of the most satisfying piano arrangements I've heard in a long time. The piano is completely indomitable here, leaving the orchestral version behind. Berezovsky's wicked fingers accomplish unbelievable feats: he evokes the sinister shades of tone, the eerie tremolos and still achieves technical perfection in the fiendish virtuoso passagework. His passion is only matched by his pianistic tactic of drawing as much power and sonority from the piano as possible. The most tragic revelation on this disc is that Berezovsky didn't record Rachmaninov's entire Etudes-Tableaux. I believe he has produced the greatest interpretations of these pieces. That Russian fervor, melancholy and wild abandon is completely in him. Each Etude-Tableaux is treated with the utmost degree of musical feeling. Consider these his glorious testaments: his tempo and ignited passions in No. 3; his muscular and dynamic rendition of No. 9; his procurement of the pathos in No. 7, and the clarity of the labyrinthine No. 4. Ashkenazy and Shelley are somehow lackluster after hearing these full-blooded executions from Berezovsky.

Anatoly Liadov (1855-1914) was a new discovery for me. I hadn't heard any of his music before this and I'm quite impressed. From the fragile Chopinesque beauty of the Moderato and Allegretto, to the rousing Lisztian flare of the Allegro impetuoso, what a sensational trio of gems this is. Not only is this music quite engaging, but Berezovsky showcases a flexibility in mood and a skill with pianissimo nuance that wasn't able to show its face until now. Continuing on, the Medtner pieces featured here are masterful miniatures of complexity and gorgeous melody. I'm not that familiar with Medtner at all, so it was a delightful surprise once I heard these fascinatingly original works. I'm sure Berezovsky is in his prime here, even though I haven't other interpretations for comparison. He manages a crisp articulation and tasteful bravura in the Allegro cantabile and Allegro con expressione. In the Allegretto tenebroso, he establishes a meticulous conception and technically superb delivery, making for a mind-blowing expedition of music.

Lastly, Berezovsky tackles Balakirev's Islamey fantasy, one of those war-horses that is either overplayed to the point of dense cacophony, or is underplayed by a pianist incapable or afraid of flinging himself through the demanding sections. Berezovsky easily accepts the virtuosic challenge while striving also to evince the passionate music that is sometimes buried beneath the swirls of notes.

Bottom line: This is a precious recording with both old war-horses played to perfection and new gems illustrated with the utmost musicality. Berezovsky's inexhaustible virtuosity and potency of phrasing has to be heard to be believed. Unfortunately, Amazon no longer sells this, so I would recommend getting it used while it's still available.

Ouch!!!.......2004-06-26

This is the sort of musicianship that reaches out a slaps you in the face!!! Berezovsky not only shreds the keys, he also finds that happy medium that needs to exist between taste and virtuosity. His charisma never gets in the way of the music and he provides a sense of spontaneity desperately needed to keep the listener involved. The sound quality is very good indeed. The engineers obviously give the instrument a rather forward balance; however this is a rather complimentary approach for this type of repertoire.

One of the most vitally played recordings I own..........2000-01-17

This recording by Berezovsky is arguably his very best, which is saying something. As the First Prize winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition of 1990, his talent is a given, but sometimes he seems to breeze through pieces without the kind of fire that is a trademark of Russian pianists--in particular his recording of the Liszt Transcendental Etudes, while technically solid, lacks the kind of oomph and pizazz that befits the composer and the music.

The music in this program, however, seems to ignite Berezovsky's passions, perhaps since the composers are all fellow Russians. The Night on Bare Mountain has the kind of epic scope, if not the length, of the Liszt B Minor Sonata, and Berezovsky does full justice to the little tinkering trills as well as the quadruple forte chord passages, both tender and merciless at a whim. In his playing on some other discs it sometimes seems as if Berezovsky has a "soft" left hand, that is, that he cannot generate the kind of bass that, say Richter or Gilels managed regularly. Here we find that it is within his grasp to conjure some real thunder--although it is still fairly clear that his right hand is much stronger than his left.

What makes this a particularly attractive buy is the inclusion of the relatively rare Liadov and Medtner pieces, lively and evocative shorts which are played with such conviction that one wonders why these composers aren't more popular. Apparently, Berezovsky has a particular interest in Medtner--according to liner notes, he organized a festival of Medtner's piano music in Moscow, 1995.

The final encore piece, Balakirev's Islamey, is notoriously difficult, and I have heard no one play it better, or for that matter as well as Berezovsky (this includes Pogorelich and Bronfman). It has been a specialty of his since he was at least sixteen, and having completely mastered the technical aspects he is free to concentrate on expression. In fact, when I hear him play this piece I am never aware of technique or get any sense of effort,which would distract from my appreciation of the music. All in all, a disc with no weak spots. Highly recommended. It's a pity that some of this pianist's best recordings are out-of-print or scarce. If you can find them, I also recommend his recording of Ravel's piano music as well as his disc of the Rachmaninoff 3rd concerto and selected preludes--there is a budget re-issue of the concerto, but it is coupled with a recording of the 2nd with a different pianist and doesn't include the preludes...oh, and FYI, in his Rach 3 he plays the version with the heavy chordal solo section in the first movement.

Virtuoso Performance.......1999-02-12

Berezovsky simultaneously shows off his astounding talent and moves listeners with his sheer brilliance and performance. Pay special attention to Mily Balakirev's Islamey. I promise you, you will not fail to gasp at the touching interpretation and virtuoso in which Balakirev plays.

Average customer rating:

wonderful gems
"New" Horowitz at his Best

Horowitz: Discovered Treasures

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

Horowitz: The Last Romantic
Horowitz: The Last Recording
Horowitz At Home
Horowitz at the Met
Horowitz in Moscow

ASIN: B0000027UH
Release Date: 1992-10-06

Tracks:

Sonata In G major, L. S28
Sonata In B Minor, L. I47
Sonata In F-Sharp Minor, L.481
Sonata In D Minor, L.267
Sonatat In G Major, F.120
Sonata In C Minor, L.9
Chorale Prelude 'Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ
Sonata In E-Flat Major, Op.12, No.2: Rondo
Adagio sostenuto In F Major
Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, Op.25, No.3: Rondo
Piano Sonata In A Major, Op.50, No.1: Adagio
Trois nouvelles etudes: Etude In A-Flat Major, No.1
Etude In E-Flat Minor, Op.10, No.6
Prelude In D-Flat Major, Op.28, No.15 'Raindrop'
Fairy Tale In A Major, Op.51, No.3
Feulilet d'album, Op.58
Etude, Op.65, No.3
Consolations In E Major, S.172, No.2

Customer Reviews:

wonderful gems.......2005-08-31

I remember how entranced I was seeing Horowitz perform on television and watching him craft and nurture the music. I've enjoyed his interpretations since and this recording was completely enjoyable. I enjoyed especially the Chopin, Clementi and Scryabin works. I'm glad I discovered it.

"New" Horowitz at his Best.......2000-03-25

The material for this album was recorded from 1962-1972, but not released until 1992. Horowitz was a perfectionist when it came to programming albums and recitals, and generally recorded more than was needed for an album--this is the extra material. The performances are uniformly outstanding.

Each of the six Scarlatti Sonatas are performed with Horowitz' usual clarity, technical prowess, and charm.

Horowitz "floats" the theme of the Bach-Busoni Chorale Prelude in a way few other pianists can match.

The four Clementi Sonata movements one again re-establish Horowitz as the greatest advocate of Clementi of his time. Especially noteworthy here is the E-flat rondo, tossed off with brilliant virtuosity while remaining true to the spirit of the composition.

Horowitz recorded more of Chopin's music than that of any other composer, so the additions to Horowitz' Chopin discography are truly icing on the cake here. The well known "Raindrop" Prelude is played on a larger scale than usual--the rain threatens to become a thunderstorm! The late Etude is a miracle of chord voicing, while the earlier Etude proves that one does not have to drown the work in a haze of pedal to achieve a legato effect.

With the Scriabin, we reach the climax of the album. The Album Leaf exudes a steamy vagueness, while the Etude in Fifths will set your nerves aflame(the last octave run sounds like the Horowitz of the 1940s.)

Both longtime Horowitz fans and newcomers to his art would do well to have this album in their collection.

Arabian Nights
Average customer rating:

My whole family loved it!

Arabian Nights

Manufacturer: Greathall Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Stories | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Books on CD | Formats | Books
General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Shakespeare for Children

The Three Musketeers: Robin Hood

Heroes in Mythology: Theseus, Prometheus, Odin (A Storyteller's Verion Series)

Giants! A Colossal Collection of Tales and Tunes

Greek Myths

Product Features:

1994 Parents' Choice Award

ASIN: 1882513282
Release Date: 2000-04-05

Product Description

1994 Parents' Choice Award SCHEHERAZADE THE BIRD WHO SPEAKS ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES THE FISHERMAN AND THE GENIE Running Time: Approx. 1 hour

Customer Reviews:

My whole family loved it!.......2001-11-15

This is a great way to expose young readers to a more advanced story. My kids, ages 7 and 10, love to listen to this tape over and over again. Great for long rides to see grandma. I highly recommend it.

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