Song of the Sea

About the Artist
In a world that is rekindling it’s fascination with the mythic and magical, Sharon Knight feels right at home. The San Francisco-based Celtic songstress brings her own brand of enchantment to the world with her collection of original and traditional songs. Sharon has long been inspired by the fierce and passionate spirit of the Celts, and this is everywhere reflected in her music.  Her latest release, Song of the Sea, features lyrical tales of muses and sirens, magical spells, pirates, phoenixes and otherworldly heroes. Her mythic themes, lush instrumentation, and shimmering vibrato are sure to resonate with fans of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, and fans of Stevie Nicks and Loreena McKennitt will find another musical kinship in Ms. Knight as well.  Song of the Sea evokes the indomitable spirit of the Celts and reminds us that we can all see the world through the eyes of enchantment.

Product Description
Sharon Knight's second solo album, Song of the Sea, is similar to Incantation in its fusion of traditional Celtic and modern Rock & Pop elements, but is far more sophisticated in both performance and production. This otherworldly blend of both traditional and original songs features soulful vocals and mythical themes set in a lush instrumental tapestry of mandola, mandocello, violin, acoustic and electric guitar, Uilleann pipes, whistles, piano, keyboard, and percussion.

Song of the Sea,Sharon Knight,Trance Jam Records,An otherworldly blend of Celtic traditional & original songs featuring soulful vocals and mythical themes.,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Average customer rating: Wonderful performances and remastering DuPre at her best Don't even think about buying another performance! Sea Pictures, a life changing event, Lord Elgar, I worship thee! The Definitive Elgar Cello Concerto

Elgar: Cello Concerto; Sea Pictures; Cockaigne Overture Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Dvorak & Saint-Saens: Cello Concertos Great Recordings Of The Century - Elgar: Violin Concerto, 'Enigma' Variations / Elgar, Menuhin Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; Fantasia on Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich, Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy ASIN: B0002VEQGG Release Date: 2004-09-07

Tracks:

1. Concert Overture: Cockaigne (In London Town) Op.40 - Philharmonia Orchestra
2. I. Adagio - Moderato - Jacqueline Du Pre
3. II. Lento - Allegro Molto - Jacqueline Du Pre
4. III. Adagio - Jacqueline Du Pre
5. IV. Allegro - Moderato - Allegro, Ma Non Troppo - Jacqueline Du Pre
6. I. Sea Slumber-Song - Janet Baker
7. II. In Haven (Capri) - Janet Baker
8. III. Sabbath Morning At Sea - Janet Baker
9. IV.Where Corals Lie - Janet Baker
10. V. The Swimmer - Janet Baker

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful performances and remastering.......2007-02-19

This legendary Du Pre recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto is certainly one of the titles I've been waiting to see in the Great Recordings of the Century. Du Pre gives a passionate reading of the concerto, capturing all the pathos in this immensely tragic work, with able support from Barbirolli and the London Symphony Orchestra, drawing upon his expertise in this music. Barbirolli and the LSO also ably support Dame Janet Baker in her rendition of the Sea Pictures. Dame Janet sings with a light touch and a tonal beauty that befits the music, and one can hear everyone making the most of this underrated Elgar work and unearthing the many nuances in his depiction of the sea.

You'll wonder what the Cello Concerto and the Sea Pictures have in common besides boasting great performances in this disc. Well, from my reading of it, they both harbour sentiments of unpredictability in life. The Cello Concerto is laden with yearning for a lost world, a world torn apart by the First World War, and the Sea Pictures features some depictions of how the sea destroys love.

As expected, this reissue in the Great Recordings of the Century series offers the best remastering that these performances could ever deserve. They emerge as if they were clean, full and vibrant recordings that sound like they were only recorded yesterday. My only quibble is that the CD producers decided to throw in the Cockaigne Overture, which is a rather frivolous piece in relation to the deep, sober mood of the original record. I know that we must get bang for our dollars with the capacity of a CD, but the Cockaigne really spoils the mood of the other two pieces. Thankfully the listener can programme it out and get to the Concerto and the Sea Pictures.

But don't let this deter you from grabbing a copy of this legendary recording that surely deserves its coveted place in this superb EMI series.

DuPre at her best.......2007-02-19

The Elgar belongs to no other. Jackie may have been a bit high-strung, but there's more emotion in this recording that one can find in any other recording of anything in the universe.

Don't even think about buying another performance!.......2006-09-28

... unless you already have this one and want to appreciate it even more!

This is Du Pre's signature piece and she OWNS it.

And Janet Baker, knowing she is dying of cancer, sings Sea Pictures like there is literally no tomorrow.

This is one of those rare recordings where the planets perfectly align to give you music, performers, recording and MOMENT that together exceed the sum of the parts.

Sea Pictures, a life changing event, Lord Elgar, I worship thee!.......2006-01-01

Hello my name is Marcus. You may remember me from such films as the Flintsto... well I'll save my Troy McKlure impersonation for later. Right now its all about Elgar. Or should I say "SIR" Edward Elgar.

The rules for entry into my own "Immortal Composers Club" are insanely strict. I myself a music instructor, composer recording artist have not even been allowed in the club officially as a member yet. I'm like an apprentice to these masters. Or dare I say I am a "padawan learner" still learning.

The Yoda master of the club is of course J.S. Bach, the Obi-Wan of the club, easily Elgar. Myself a practitioner of the archaic non-commercial art of "Art Song" have been moved to tears a few times by both Elgars Sea Pictures and the flawless mezzo performance on this awesome recording. Everything on the CD is of course great but in my opinion the Sea Pictures is one of the greatest art song cycles in human history.

Myself just completing my first modern art song cycle called " Harmonious Haiku " (which you can check out with any basic Google search,) can greatly appreciate the unfortunately to unappreciated form of Art Song.

Sea Pictures is one of my favorites of the Genre. Forget the movies, forget drug store fiction, put on some Sea Pictures, close your eyes and experience what song writing could have been if not for the L. A. Record companies and the well I can't say "Fab" but you know, those four guys with the hair.

Elgar is how a real Englishman makes music! Ride on Brother! Ride on!

Thank you,
Your friend in great music
~ MarcusUnlimited :)

The Definitive Elgar Cello Concerto.......2005-05-04

This performance is hands down the single best recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto. Other accounts are good -- Tortelier, Navarra, Yo-Yo Ma -- but only one stereo reading was good enough to replace the composer's own historical recording with Beatrice Harrison and that is this one by Jacqueline du Pre. Sir John Barbirolli and the Halle Orchestra accompany the cellist in this definitive 1965 performance, which for all intents and purposes, launched her career. Du Pre's playing has the quality and delivery of a great singer, so it is only fitting that the Concerto be coupled with another legendary performance -- Janet Baker's "Sea Pictures" again with JB and the lads from Manchester. This CD has been available for years as a full-price title, but it is great to see it now at midline in the "GROTC" series. In fact, for more in depth reviews of these performances, including one from esteemed music critic David Hurwitz, you should consult this reissue's predecessor.

Average customer rating: Successful crossing over from East to West One of the best solo guitar albums I have ever heard Virtuoso playing and an unusual repetoire

Si ji (Four Seasons) Manufacturer: Gsp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Romance de Amor Paul Galbraith: French Impressions Mel Bay presents Ana Vidovic: Guitar Virtuoso David Russell: Art of the Guitar A Jug of Wine and Thou ASIN: B000AXWHEY Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Wang Huiran: Yi Dance
2. He Luting: Shepherd Boy with Flute
3. Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Intonation
4. Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Long Out-stretched Pier with its Shadows
5. Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Wind on The Hill
6. Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Waiting for Guests
7. Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Land Circus
8. Traditional - Heavenly Bird
9. Tradional - Lantern Song
10. Traditional - Mayila
11. Evan Hirschelman: Meditation No.2
12. Evan Hirshelman: Meditation No.1
13. Stephen Goss: The Blue Kite
14. Stephen Goss: Yellow Earth
15. Stephen Goss: Farewell My Concubine
16. Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 1 T'ai
17. Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 3 Lin
18. Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 4 T'ung len
19. Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 5 Huan
20. Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 6 K'uei
21. Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 7 Chieh
22. Stephen Funk Pearson: South China Sea Peace
23. Thierry Rougier: Four Seasons - Spring
24. Thierry Rougier: Four Seasons - Summer
25. Thierry Rougier: Four Seasons - Autumn
26. Thierry Rougier: Four Seasons - Winter

Customer Reviews:

Successful crossing over from East to West.......2007-07-06

Nowadays many classical musicians move to 'cross-overs' between Western classics to exotic works, and Chinese musicians and composers pioneer in cross-overs from Chinese music to Western.
Alas, not all attempts are successful. Either there has not been enough nurturing in the Chinese repertoire, or the western playing style has not yet been fully developed.
Ms. Yang is a young classical guitarist. Gathering from what she said in her own introduction to this disc, she is a musician with a great ambition. It is true that the classical guitar may not have a substantial repertoire as other western instruments like the violin and piano. Hence drawing materials from other culture in a guitarist's repertoire is both a necessity and an endeavour.
A guitarist from Beijing, Ms. Yang is familiar with classical Chinese instruments like the gu qin, the zheng and the pipa. These ancient Chinese instruments are like the guitar- all are played by plucking strings set on wooden surfaces. So as Ms Yang herself noted - the guitar originated from the Middle East, a 'cross-over' area of Eastern and Western culture.
In many of the modern works recorded in this disc, Ms Yang played the guitar to the effect of those ancient Chinese instruments, and this is quite stunning. Her familiarity with the Eastern musical style is fully demonstrated, adding the requisite flavour of authenticity to her interpretation. There are a number of great compositions of the gu qing, the zheng as well as the pipa, and I truly look forward to Ms Yang's transcriptions of those to the guitar in due course.
A highly recommended recording for guitar players, guitar lovers and Chinese music fans alike.

One of the best solo guitar albums I have ever heard.......2006-10-06

One of the most original CDs I've ever heard. This CD is full of incredible music. Yang XueFei plays with sensitivity, creativity and passion.
When I played this CD for my guitar teacher, he commented that it was rare for him not to have heard at least one piece on any particular classical guitar CD, yet all these pieces were new to him. Carlo Domeniconi (who wrote the masterpiece "Koyunbaba") has composed an outstanding suite based on the I Ching. The 3 pieces by Stephen Goss, which are based on Asian films, are themselves cinematic: "The Blue Kite" is a work of minimalist beauty. There are many other talented composers lending their gifts to this CD. Most of the selections are either composed for Yang Xuefei or are arrangements by her. All are inspired by Chinese culture and music. My favorite piece is "Long Outstretched Pier with its Shadow" (by Dietmar Ungerrank); it is elegantly written and the execution is sensual and rich.
Yang XueFei's technical agility, especially the right hand, (as in "Yi Dance") goes beyond that of her contemporaries. As impressive as this is, the passion she imbues into each work is what connects her to the songs and ultimately to the audience. Technique is there to help her express what is inside of her. It is as if the guitar is her lover. This just isn't a great guitar album; it is a great album period. Its emotional complexity deepens with each listening. Buy it!
I've also purchased "Romance de Amor" which is extremely good as well (listen to her version of "Requerdos de la Alhambra" as compared to one of her heroes, John Williams on "The Guitarist"), but "Si Ji" is totally unique. Don't miss it.
As an aside, If you do end up buying and enjoying this CD, you might listen to Lily Afshar. The influence of her Persian heritage is similar in effect to "Si Ji" by Yang XueFei. Both artists have breathed life into the modern repertoire of guitar music.

Virtuoso playing and an unusual repetoire.......2005-10-26

I am a classical guitar student, and an over-the-top consumer. So I have a lot (many dozens) of classical guitar CDs. They are for the most part quite good, but they tend to blend. I might be able to distinguish Tennant's Rodrigo or Barrueco's Scarlatti, but too many guitarists play an awful lot of the same repetoire, and they play it quite similarly.

This CD is quite different. The pieces are all Asian in flavor and by composers I had never heard of. And they are quite beautiful. Ms. Yang appears to be quite young, so this could be the start of a long and interesting career. But at least one of the pieces was written for her, so she has already apparently developed a solid reputation.

Average customer rating: A useful introduction A fine sampler OUTSTANDING Fun CD

Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits Debussy's Greatest Hits Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits Grieg: Greatest Hits Prokofiev: Greatest Hits ASIN: B000002C5Z Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

1. Tsar Saltan: Flight of the Bumblebee
2. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso
3. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Variazioni. Andante con moto
4. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso
5. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Scena e canto gitano
6. Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Fandango asturiano
7. Sadko: Song of India
8. The Snow Maiden: Dance of the Tumblers
9. Le Coq d'or Suite: IV. Introduction and Bridal Procession
10. Mlada Suite: Procession of the Nobles
11. Tsar Saltan Suite, Op. 57: Farewell of the Tsar
12. Russian Easter Overture
13. Sheherazade Symphonic Suite: The Young Prince And The Young Princess
14. Sheherazade Symphonic Suite: IV. Festival at Bagdad - The Sea - Shipwreck

Customer Reviews:

A useful introduction.......2007-08-07

This CD will be valuable for beginners who need an introduction to the works of Rimsky-Korsakov. The performances are by Bernstein, Ormandy, and Mehta, among others, some of which are digital and others remastered from analog.

Of the three best known orchestral works of Rimsky-Korsakov, it includes two in full: Capriccio espagnol and Russian Easter Overture. One can sympathize with the compilers for having to decide what to include from the third, i.e. Scheherazade, since all four movements of this work are masterpieces. The compilers went with the last two movements.

Most of the remaining selections are the best-known pieces from Rimsky's opera suites: Farewell of the Tsar and Flight of the Bumblebee (Tsar Saltan), Dance of the Tumblers (Snow Maiden), Bridle Procession (Le coq d'or), and Procession of the Nobles (Mlada). The collection will serve its purpose if it encourages listeners to explore further and obtain the full versions of these suites and Scheherazade.

The gem of the collection is the aria "The Song of India" from the opera Sadko, sung here by a Russian tenor. Most listeners will never purchase the full opera, so it is worth the price of the CD just to have this aria available separately. Even listeners (like myself) who are not big opera fans will be enchanted by the haunting beauty of this piece.

A fine sampler.......2003-04-24

I purchased this CD to sample some of the pieces of Rimsky-Korsakov that I did not already own. The CD is a compilation of recognized conductors. The performances are competent, if not really inspired. Rimsky-Korsakov offers very listenable, approachable music and very rich orchestration. But this is a sampler, where most pieces are incomplete. If you are ready to jump in with both feet, purchase Scheherazade & Russian Easter Overture by Jose Serebrier, Scherazade & Cappricio Espanol by Mackerras/LSO, and Neeme Jarvi on Chandos ($$) for the rest.

I was first put off by the sonics of this CD, particularly the dynamic range, but this varies with each of the many recorded pieces.

In its favor, this CD is inexpensive, but don't expect to receive more than what you pay.

OUTSTANDING.......2002-09-16

This is a good selection of outstanding works of one of the best Russian composers. I enjoyed it very much.

Fun CD.......2002-01-29

I really appreciated the variety on this CD, from the light, bouncy bumblebee to the more bombastic pieces. I think this makes a really good intro to Korsakov's works.

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 All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music 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:

1. The A-Team - Nic Raine
2. The Addams Family - Nic Raine
3. The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - Nic Raine
4. Airwolf - Derek Wadsworth
5. The Avengers - Mike Townend
6. Barnaby Jones - Jerry Goldsmith
7. Batman - Nic Raine
8. Battlestar Galactica - Nic Raine
9. Baywatch - Derek Wadsworth
10. Beverly Hills 90210 - Derek Wadsworth
11. Bewitched - Nic Raine
12. Between The Lines - Mark Ayres
13. The Bill - Nic Raine
14. Bonanza - The Philharmonia Orchestra
15. Brideshead Revisited - Derek Wadsworth
16. Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Nic Raine
17. Burke's Law - Derek Wadsworth
18. Cagney And Lacey - Derek Wadsworth
19. Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Mark Ayres
20. Casualty - Mark Ayres
21. Cheers - Mark Ayres
22. Dallas - Nic Raine
23. Dangerman (Secret Agent) - Mike Townend
24. Doctor Who - Mark Ayres
25. Doctor Kildare - Jerry Goldsmith

Tracks:

1. Doogie Howser, M.D. - Derek Wadsworth
2. Dynasty - Nic Raine
3. The Equalizer - Derek Wadsworth
4. Falcon Crest - Derek Wadsworth
5. Fireball XL-5 - Derek Wadsworth
6. The Fugitive - Nic Raine
7. Hawaii 5-0 - Mike Townend
8. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Nic Raine
9. The High Chaparral - Nic Raine
10. Highway To Heaven - Derek Wadsworth
11. Hill Street Blues - Derek Wadsworth
12. The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - Mark Ayres
13. The Incredible Hulk - Derek Wadsworth
14. Jason King - Mike Townend
15. Jesus Of Nazareth - Paul Bateman
16. Joe 90 - Derek Wadsworth
17. Johnny Staccato - Derek Wadsworth
18. Knight Rider - Derek Wadsworth
19. Kojak - Mike Townend
20. L.A. Law - Derek Wadsworth
21. Land Of The Giants - Nic Raine
22. Little House On The Prairie - Derek Wadsworth
23. Lonesome Dove - Nic Raine
24. Lost In Space - Nic Raine
25. Lou Grant - Derek Wadsworth

Tracks:

1. Magnum, P.I. - Derek Wadsworth
2. A Man Called Ironside - Mike Townend
3. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - Derek Wadsworth
4. M*A*S*H - Nic Raine
5. Miami Vice - Mark Ayres
6. Mike Hammer - Derek Wadsworth
7. Mission Impossible - Mike Townend
8. Monty Python's Flying Circus - Nic Raine
9. The Munsters - Derek Wadsworth
10. Murder She Wrote - Derek Wadsworth
11. Newhart - Derek Wadsworth
12. North And South - Derek Wadsworth
13. Northern Exposure - Derek Wadsworth
14. NYPD Blue - Mark Ayres
15. The Outer Limits - Nic Raine
16. Perry Mason - Mike Townend
17. The Persuaders - Mark Ayres
18. Peter Gunn - Mike Townend
19. Police Squad - Nic Raine
20. The Prisoner - Mike Townend
21. Quantum Leap - Derek Wadsworth
22. Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) - Mike Townend
23. Red Dwarf - Mark Lambert
24. The Rockford Files - Mike Post
25. Roseanne - Dan Foliart

Tracks:

1. The Saint - Mike Townend
2. Seaquest DSV - Nic Raine
3. Space 1999 - Derek Wadsworth
4. Star Trek - Mike Townend
5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Derek Wadsworth
6. Star Trek: Voyager - Nic Raine
7. St. Elsewhere - Derek Wadsworth
8. The Streets Of San Francisco - Nic Raine
9. Stingray - Barry Gray
10. Taxi - Derek Wadsworth
11. Thunderbirds - Derek Wadsworth
12. Thirty Something - Derek Wadsworth
13. The Time Tunnel - Nic Raine
14. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - The Philharmonia Orchestra
15. The Twighlight Zone - Nic Raine
16. Twin Peaks - Derek Wadsworth
17. U.F.O. - Derek Wadsworth
18. The Virginian - Nic Raine
19. Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea - Nic Raine
20. Wagon Train - Paul Bateman
21. The Waltons - Jerry Goldsmith
22. The Wild Wild West - Derek Wadsworth
23. Young Riders - John Debney
24. Xena: The Warrior Princess - Paul Bateman
25. 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:

Mendelssohn In Words And Music Felix Mendelssohn , Johann Sebastian Bach , Louis de Froment , Aaron Rosand , and Arthur Hannes Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Story of Schubert Story Of Chopin In Words And Music The Story Of Brahms The Story of Tchaikovsky The Story Of Handel ASIN: B000001KCR Release Date: 1995-05-01

Tracks:

1. Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' Op. 21
2. Concerto For 2 Pianos In A-Flat Major: Allegro vivace; Presto
3. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Op. 61: Scherzo
4. Song Without Words No. 30 In A-Major, Op. 62 No. 6 'Spring Song'
5. Octet In E-Flat Major, Op. 20: Scherzo
6. St. Matthew: Chorale
7. Hebrides Overture ('Fingal's Cave'), Op. 26
8. Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Vivace non troppo
9. Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 90 'Scottish': allegro vivace
10. Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 90 'Scottish': Con molto moderato
11. Overture To 'Calm Sea And Prosperous Voyage,' Op. 27
12. Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 90 'Scottish': Saltarello-presto
13. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Op. 61: Wedding March
14. St. Paul, Op. 36: Dir Herr, Dir Will Ich Michs Ergeben
15. Piano Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: Molto allegro con fuoco
16. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegretto non troppo
17. Song Without Words No. 23 In C Major, Op. 67 No. 4: 'Spinning Song'
18. Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Allegro un poco agitato
19. Overture To 'Ruy Blas,' Op. 95
20. 'On Wings Of Song,' Op. 95
21. A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Op. 61: Scherzo
22. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionata
23. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Andante
24. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro non troppo; allegro molto vivace

Average customer rating: The Whole Thing Hauntingly Beautiful Good-enough readings but outstanding sound Passionate Maybe this is THE (one disc-) Peer Gynt album to own ...

Grieg: Peer Gynt Manufacturer: Virgin Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 Copland: Appalachian Spring/Fanfare For The Common Man/El Salón México/Danzón Cubano Bach - Brandenburg Concertos / Il Giardino armonico Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker - Complete Ballet ASIN: B0007Z47JI Release Date: 2005-06-07

Tracks:

1. No. 1 At The Wedding (Prelude To Act I)
2. No. 2 Halling
3. No. 4 The Abduction Of The Bride
4. No. 6 Peer Gynt And The Woman In Green
5. No. 7 Peer Gynt: 'You Can Tell Great Men By The Style Of Their Mounts!'
6. No. 3 Springar
7. No. 8 In The Hall Of The Mountain King
8. No. 9 Dance Of The Mountain King's Daughter
9. No. 12 The Death Of Ase (Prelude To Act III)
10. No. 13 Morning Mood (Prelude To Act IV)
11. No. 15 Arabian Dance
12. No. 16 Anitra's Dance
13. No.17 Peer Gynt's Serenade
14. No. 19 Solveig's Song
15. No. 20 Peer Gynt At The Statue Of Memnon
16. No. 21 Peer Gynt's Homecoming. Stormy Evening On The Sea (Prelude To Act V)
17. No. 22 The Shipwreck
18. No. 23 Solveig Sings In The Hut
19. No. 25 Whitsun Hymn: 'O Blessed Morning'
20. No. 26 Solveig's Cradle Song

Customer Reviews:

The Whole Thing.......2007-05-10

If there's an earlier 'Peer Gynt' recording that's complete (as opposed to just the 'suite') I've never heard of it. This is the entire incidental music to the play, not just the usual 'Dawn', 'The Hall of the Mountain King' 'Solveig's Song', etc.
Jarvi's reading is smooth and incisive and the choral parts are wonderful. I've never heard a scarier version of HOTMK. I never even knew that there was a solo vocal part for Peer himself, but here it is.

My only complaint-and it's a tiny one-is that the selections are not in the order that they would appear in Ibsen's play. But that's picking a very small nit indeed.

Hauntingly Beautiful.......2007-03-11

Conductor Paavo Jarvi does a masterful job of leading the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra plays with great emotion and precision creating an exciting and almost hypnotic effect. Although Beecham's version is very good, his Peer Gynt does not come close to matching the sheer beauty of Jarvi's.
The soloists on this album are outstanding. I consider baritone Peter Mattei to be the most talented baritone of his type today and his rendition of Peer Gynt's Serenade is nothing short of incredible. Soprano Camilla Tilling as Soveig has a lovely ethereal sound to her voice which is used to great effect in her songs. Tilling has the loveliest female voice I have ever heard. Mezzo Charlotte Hellekant has also grown on me as Anitra. Many of these vocal songs are not included on other versions of Peer Gynt, which is a great shame. The choir, something I don't usually enjoy, is very impressive.
I would rate this CD as by far the best version of Peer Gynt and perhaps my favorite CD of all time. The sound quality of the recording should also be mentioned because it is absolutely stunning.

Good-enough readings but outstanding sound.......2007-02-21

I don't find that Paavo Jarvi and his Estonian forces have much to say in the familiar numbers from Peer Gynt. You must turn to Beecham for sheer delight in famous numbers like In The Hall of the Moutain King, Morning, Anitra's Dance, and so on. Where this recording scores is in the unfamiliar numbers; Peter Matteo's excellent rendition of the little-known Peer Gynt's Serenade is one highlight, as is the convincingly crude folk fiddling that begins half a dozen numbers.

Secondly, there's the sound. The engineers have achieved quite exceptinally clear, open sonics that I've never heard the like of in Peer Gynt. Even when Jarvi's conducting is ordinary and his Estonian musician ae playing at far less than virtuosic level, the gorgeous sounds coming out of one's speakers remain alluring. As far as completeness goes, the Ruud 2-CD set from Bis is unchallenged.

Passionate.......2006-08-18

The story line gives the listener a guide to follow the music, but the score leaves out the connections for the listener to only imagine the performance. The music is passionate and descriptive and introduces the listener to the singing voices of parts of the presentation that are left out in the "Suite." I appreciate hearing it over and over.

Maybe this is THE (one disc-) Peer Gynt album to own ..........2006-02-15

... to keep closely beside the gorgeous, incisively intelligent and deeply concentrated performance (also on 1 CD) with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and Barbara Hendricks singing the role of Solveig (Sony Classical).
Together with the recordings by Neeme Jarvi (27 cues; DGG), Marriner (only 12 cues; EMI), Tate (17 cues; EMI), Blomstedt (19 cues; Decca), Dreier (the first truly complete recording of all of the original music (1978); 32 cues, including 'Bridal Procession', 'Solveig's Song' and three 'Norwegian Dances' all of them n o t originally written for the play; Unicorn UKCD + NKFCD) and Ruud (the first complete recording with 29 cues plus all of the dialogue, making a total of 51 cues, coming up on 113 minutes; BIS), these two (1-CD) albums by Paavo Jarvi and Esa-Pekka Salonen are as complete as can get concerning this so called 'incidental' music for the Henrik Ibsen play of Peer Gynt. Nowadays, Peer Gynt is Norway's No. 1 national epic, thereby giving this music extra significance and poignancy. Originally, there are in all some twenty-six numbers of incidental music for the play: almost ninety minutes of music, as can be learned from the booklet-essay. And according to the booklet, twenty of those are on this album; No. 5, 10, 11, 14, 18 and 24 are left out of this recording. 'Solveig's Song' wasn't originally written for the stage play but nonetheless included as such on this CD, so actually 19 original pieces from Peer Gynt, op. 23 are on this album, and not 20. But anyhow, such 'criticism' would amount to nitpicking ;-)
Here I would like to warn the reader that this will be a somewhat one-sided review, as I have only ever heard the Peer Gynt-recordings of Esa-Pekka Salonen, Per Dreier (freshly inspired, very natural performances) and this newest one of Paavo Jarvi. So this review is, for what it is worth, a personal and somewhat subjective approach, leaving out many other alternatives ...

Anyhow, as for the one-CD albums of Peer Gynt, op. 23, the merits of the Salonen/Oslo Philharmonic album (aside from the artistic ones, which are huge, as well as spot on as far as the 'Nordic' atmosphere of the music is concerned) lie in the fact that - up to now - it has been as near 'complete' a rendering of the music for Peer Gynt - as much as fits on one CD - as one might wish, covering the whole dramatic arc of the play from beginning to end (but without any of the spoken dialogue). I believe that this new recording with Paavo Jarvi is even more complete - as could be fitted on one disc - and gives the listener an even better feel of the drama of the play, if only because there is more singing here, namely by Peer Gynt (in the delightful 'Peer Gynt's Serenade'). Also, one hears here seldomly recorded, but wonderfully evocative pieces, such as 'Peer Gynt and the Woman in Green', 'Peer gynt: you can tell great men by the style of their mounts', 'Peer Gynt at the Statue of Memnon' (similar to 'Prelude Act III: Deep in the Coniferous Forest' on the Salonen/Oslo Philharmonic album. Actually it is the same piece, but it was never intended as the prelude to act III) and 'The Shipwreck'. Simply delightful, all this! As are all the soloists - truly, the best one could wish for! - singing in this recording. If I may steal a quote from Tim Ashley, The Guardian, May 13, 2005: "Peter Mattei is the swollen-headed Peer, Camilla Tilling a dignified, unsentimental Solveig and the incomparable Charlotte Hellekant a camp but lethally seductive Anitra." But although Camilla Tilling's Solveig is superb, IMHO she is not as completely involved-sounding or as convincing in the projecting of the troubled mind and heart of (especially the elderly) Solveig as does Barbara Hendricks for Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Even more than Esa-Pekka Salonen's performance with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, this recording offers the listener a more 'true to the letter-performance', as the music is here performed as heard during the play, as witnessed by 'Solveigs vuggevise' ('Solveig's Cradle Song'), where her singing is interlaced with the 'Whitsun Hymn', which, to the ears of this listener, only heigtening the sense of drama and storytelling.
All in all a fantastic album, I believe, and one that brings into focus the drama even more than other recordings of this music. Even though the orchestral playing of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra is maybe a (slight) nodge below that of the Oslo Philharmonic under Salonen and missing out on the deepest or finer layers of melancholy and dramatic tension (which are indeed touched upon by Salonen, I think), it is warmly sympathetic and more lush (as is the acoustics of the recording venue).
The really adventurous or Peer Gynt-completists (and once taken this step, the all too brief Suites will never be an option again!) should really go for Dreier or Ruud - this last one is said to be simply magnificent (music as well as acting) - but this generous one disc album, with some of the most gorgeous playing and singing, is warmly recommended (at least, in my opinion) to anyone who loves this wonderfully evocative music. Delightful!

Average customer rating: Bicentennial Military Music Disappointed listener Classic US Service Band Recordings!

Three Hit Albums from the U.S. Military Bands Manufacturer: Collector's Choice ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Morton Gould | Gould, Morton | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Smith, John Stafford | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Forward March! Great American Marches Sousa's Greatest Hits Stars & Stripes Forever and the Greatest Marches Music of the U.S. Armed Forces The Military Band: Salute to the Services ASIN: B00020QWXW Release Date: 2004-09-07

Tracks:

1. Marines' Hymn (From The Hall Of
2. Montezuma)
3. Semper Fidelis
4. Bugler's Holiday
5. Commando March
6. March Of The Women Marines
7. March Of The Olympians
8. Stars And Stripes Forever
9. The Chimes Of Liberty
10. American Patrol
11. America The Beautiful
12. The Star-Spangled Banner
13. Anchors Aweigh
14. El Capitan
15. The Jack Tar Match
16. U.S. Navy March
17. Allies On The March (from "Victory At
18. Sea")
19. The Thunderer
20. Washington Post March
21. National Emblem
22. The National Cultural Center March
23. King Cotton March
24. The Star-Spangled Banner
25. The U.S. Air Force
26. American Salute
27. Boys Of The Old Brigade
28. Oh, Men Who Fly
29. Fairest Of The Fair
30. Seventy-Six Trombones
31. Liberty Bell
32. U.S. Air Force Blue
33. Bullets And Bayonets
34. Falcons' Victory March
35. The Star-Spangled Banner

Product Description

Disc 1:
1. Marine's Hymn
2. Semper Fidelis
3. Bugler's Holiday
4. Commando March
5. March of The Women Marines
6. March of the Olympians
7. Stars and Stripes Forever
8. Chimes of Liberty, The
9. American Patrol
10. America the Beautiful
11. Star-Spangled Banner, The
12. Anchors Aweigh
13. El Capitan
14. Jack Tar March, The
15. U.S. Navy March
16. Allies on the March

Disc 2:
1. Thunderer, The
2. Washington Post March
3. National Emblem
4. National Cultural Center March, The
5. King Cotton March
6. Star-Spangled Banner, The
7. U.S. Air Force, The
8. American Salute
9. Boys Of The Old Brigade
10. Oh, Men Who Fly
11. Fairest of the Fair
12. Seventy-Six Trombones
13. Liberty Bell
14. U.S. Air Force Blue
15. Bullets and Bayonets
16. Falcons' Victory March
17. Star-Spangeld Banner, The


Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Bicentennial Military Music.......2007-03-28

The music from these three US Military Bands was originally released in 1977 as single Long Playing Records to celebrate the Nation's Bicentennial Celebration. It is missing the US ARMY BAND (which I regret) but otherwise the music is GREAT and the Bands are FIRST CLASS as you might expect. Except for the different services renderings of THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, no marches are duplicated. If you enjoy good foot tapping Martial Music...this 2-CD set is worth the price.

Disappointed listener.......2006-05-13

I have been listening to military band music for years, and am rarely disappointed. However, this compendium of music by the U.S. Navy, Army, and Marine bands and associated choral groups is not to my taste. Many of the arrangements are strange, and there is much too much vocal music when what I want to hear is the bands play. I would not have bought this album hhad I known beforehand what I know now.

Classic US Service Band Recordings!.......2005-08-10

Its nice to see these old RCA recordings brought out on CD. These were originally released on LP back in the early 1960s to help finance the Kennedy Center in DC. They were popular recordings then. Unfortunatley only three out of the original four are offered here. Missing is the US Army Band which also recorded as part of this series. The sound qaulity has been left largely as it was, which wes pretty good for early 1960s. The only problem with the original recordings was that they tended to sound poor on the inner tracks of the LP. Fortunately that problem no longer exists on CD. Due to the format there tends to be some repeat material here. How many times do we have to hear the national anthem played by each band! Still, there are some good selections played when these bands were in their prime and larger than they are today. Its good to see recordings being re-issued on US service bands other than Altissimo! which tends to use just in-the-can material from band libraries. Here we have the original stuff played in a manner which is no longer done today. For those seeking vintage recordings of US service bands you can't go wrong here.

Average customer rating: Stephen Foster Terrific choral renditions Make the exquisite into the mundane Great Drinking Music! One of my favorite CDs

Stephen Foster Song Book Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Swanee: The Music of Stephen Foster American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason Sea Shanties Songs by Stephen Foster, Vol. 1-2 Irish Folk Songs ASIN: B000003FAZ Release Date: 1993-05-11

Tracks:

1. Ring de Banjo
2. Beautiful Dreamer
3. Gentle Annie
4. Way Down in Ca-i-ro
5. My Old Kentucky Home
6. Old Black Joe
7. Dolcy Jones
8. Thou Art the Queen of My Song
9. Old Folks At Home
10. Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
11. Oh! Susanna
12. Gentle Lena Clare
13. Nelly Bly
14. Some Folks
15. Laura Lee
16. Camptown Races
17. Traditional:Steal Away
18. Traditional:Nobody Knows (duh Trouble I See)
19. Traditional:I Want to Die Easy
20. Traditional:Dere's No Hidin' Place

Customer Reviews:

Stephen Foster.......2007-05-13

I saw a program on OPB about him so I got this. But, I didn't like it and don't listen to it. It is now under my bed collecting dust.

Terrific choral renditions.......2006-01-27

I own this CD and am especially fond of it for the solos by Thomas Pyle and Clayton Krehbiel, particularly the latter's singing of "I Want to Die Easy." All other soloists and choristers are equally superb, but those two gentlemen, sadly since deceased, were personal acquaintances and musical influences. If you don't have a taste for great choral arrangements, then pass, but you'll be missing out on something special. Enjoy it, you who adore the finest.

Make the exquisite into the mundane.......2004-07-21

Oh, puleeze, this is the sappiest rendition of these gorgeous songs ever recorded, right up there with sing-a-long with Mitch Miller.

I always hate when songs that are meant to be sung intimately as solos or duets are done by 7,000 harmonized voices.

I recommend this recording only to be listened to in a nice comfortable elevator

Great Drinking Music!.......2002-07-20

This CD Kicks ...! BR>The trombone riff in "Camptown Races" is incredible. The screaming axe in "Oh! Susanna" is mind-blowing. The fantastic jamming on this CD reminds me of HMTT. This CD is one monster hit after another. "Steal Away To Jesus", is a real kicker, although not quite as good as "Will You F'n Give Me Jesus".......

Just sit back, pop a cold one, maybe a whiskey shooter , pop this
baby on the victrolla and enjoy.......

Here's to ya Hawks...........

One of my favorite CDs.......2000-08-09

This is one of the best recordings of historic American music that I have heard, along with Joel Cohen's "Liberty Tree." The arrangements and interpretations of the songs are very beautiful. Some of the banjos are cheesy, but it is much much better than every other Foster recordings that I have heard. If you are in the mood to hear great music of Antebellum America, than I highly recommend this CD to you. You won't regret it!

Average customer rating: An excellent version for the poetry Music of Power, Majesty, and Melodic Beauty Vast, Fresh and Wild as the Sea Itself Behold ! The Symphony itself . . . Actually 4.75 Stars is what I wanted to give

Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Vaughan Williams: Sinfonia Antartica/The Wasps Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5 Vaughan Williams: An Oxford Elegy/ Flos Campi/ Sancta Civitas/ etc. Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony; Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Vaughan Williams: Serenade to Music; The Lark Ascending; Fantasia on Greensleeves; English Folk Song Suite; In the Fen Country; Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 ASIN: B000002S2N Release Date: 1991-09-12

Tracks:

1. A Sea Symphony: Behold, The Sea Itself
2. A Sea Symphony: Today A Rude Brief Recitative
3. A Sea Symphony: Flaunt Out, O Sea, Your Separate flags Of Nations!
4. A Sea Symphony: Token Of All Brave Captains
5. A Sea Symphony: A Pennant Universal
6. A Sea Symphony: On The Beach At Night, Alone
7. A Sea Symphony: Alone A Vast Similitude Interlocks All
8. A Sea Symphony: III. Scherzo: The Waves (Allegro Brillante)
9. A Sea Symphony: O Vast Rondure, Swimming In Space
10. A Sea Symphony: Down From The Gardens Of Asia Descending
11. A Sea Symphony: O We Can Wait No Longer
12. A Sea Symphony: O Thou Transcendent
13. A Sea Symphony: Greater Than Stars Or Suns
14. A Sea Symphony: Sail Forth
15. A Sea Symphony: O My Brave Soul!

Customer Reviews:

An excellent version for the poetry.......2005-10-04

I admire this recording as much as all the other reviewers, but it has a special quality that isn't present on, for example, the Slatkin version on RCA. You can understand the poetry sung by the soloists. This clarity results because EMI has put the singers far forward, a wise decision. When the soprano and baritone are imbeddded sonically halfway betwee the chorus and orchestra--the usual practice--the vast forces arrayed against htem drown out the words.

Not here. VW had a deep feeling for Walt Whitman, nad it's crucial to hear the verses. Try the second movement "On the Beach At Night, Alone," where the sensitive singing of John Carol Case can be deciphered word for word without a libretto. Now listen to Thomas Allen on the Slatkin recording, and barely a word can be heard at times. (Because of her ample vibrato, Sheila Armstrong, sadly, is not nearly as clear, but putting her forward at least allows her to sing without strain.) As a lover of Whitman's verse, I consider this an important feature of the Boult reading.

Music of Power, Majesty, and Melodic Beauty.......2002-09-01

I fell asleep at a performance of Vaughan Williams' "A Sea Symphony" some years ago. It is a LONG piece. I would not recommend it as a first Vaughan Williams purchase, unless you are a particular fan of choral music.
On the other hand, I couldn't ignore it. Robert Shaw (America's "Mr. Choral Music") described this symphony on the radio as "the most beautiful piece of choral music written in the 20th century". Wow! That covers 100 years, you know. And I deeply enjoy other pieces by RVW, including his Four Hymns and Five Mystical Songs.
So I bought this CD and now, instead of listening to this 70-minute symphony in one very long sweep, I listen to songs and sections.
The symphony is a setting of poems by Walt Whitman that celebrate human daring, and RVW matched that by writing an immense symphony. If you have not heard this symphony before, you could not imagine the sonic images Vaughan Williams creates for ships, sailors, and the sea. The first notes at the music's very beginning have the full chorus and orchestra at top voice
singing "Behold, the Sea itself!" It is startlingly majestic, and yet it is followed by an almost vulgarly pop and spiky little tune for male voice (baritone) and bassoon that I now sing everyday while shaving "today, a rude brief recitative about ships sailing the sea ..." The diversity is wonderful - Vaughan Williams must have oozed all kinds of music, since he composed the hushed hymn-like Tallis Fantasia at about the same time.
If you are new to Vaughan Williams, I would suggest you purchase Boult's wonderful collection of short RVW compositions first. It is also in EMI's British Composers series. It has the lovely and songful "Serenade to Music", the tune-filled and simple "English Folk Song Suite", and the lovely beyond words and soul-filled "The Lark Ascending." As a first symphonic purchase, the "London Symphony" (#2) is wonderful. But if you know Vaughan Williams already and just don't know "the Sea Symphony", fear not: It is a great score. The quality and variety of the melodies is deeply satisfying; the rhythms swing and stride at one moment and are raptly processional at another; the harmonies are rich and can be colorful or strange and foreboding; the orchestra is used idiosyncratically. The sonic range is enormous: the baritone sings quietly in meditation of the sea at night at one point, and at another the entire chorus calls out in joy, "Sail forth!"
There are several recordings of this symphony. Which to choose? You cannot go wrong with this CD. This performance has been admired for a generation. I might prefer Thomas Allen's "rude brief recitative" for Leonard Slatkin, but the composer himself admired John Carol Case's singing (in "The Pilgrim's Progress") and Adrian Boult had been performing Vaughan Williams' music for 40 years when this recording was made. He premiered major pieces. He knew Vaughan Williams' music as few others and he captures every mood. He sings and dances, meditates and exults.

Vast, Fresh and Wild as the Sea Itself.......2002-07-11

The combination of Whitman's wonderful poetry with Vaughan Williams' music is one of the happiest of artistic events; they each own the freshness of the outdoors, and a voice as strong as sunshine, and an effortless candor which must speak to any soul on the planet. Whitman's poetry WORKS in a way that all too little free verse works; think of it not as poetry, but as a poet singing his soul to you, and hear the music in the ideas and in the words, a music that runs deeper than simple meter and rhyme.

It were hard to imagine a performance which could do Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony better justice than this one under Sir Adrian Boult (hard to imagine, but if it's out there, reserve me a seat). The immensity of the opening chorus, the plain honest sea-shanty which John Carol Case makes look easy, the purity of Sheila Armstrong's voice - a choir and orchestra whose love for the music shines through every bar ... "All lives and all deaths, all of the past, present, future, / This vast similitude spans them, and always has spanned, / And shall forever span them and shall compactly hold and enclose them."

Behold ! The Symphony itself . . ........2002-03-27

THE FIRST SYMPHONY created by the great British musician, arranger, conductor and composer, is a complete choral symphony. It was perhaps the first of it's kind since Sibelius's earlier `Kullervo', a choral symphony of 1892 (often referred to as a "symphonic cantata" or "symphonic poem"), and Beethoven's Ninth---taking into account that the latter is a "choral" work in part, not entirely. It was in 1910 that the first performance of A Sea Symphony took place. The English composer Granville Bantock conceived the bold idea of symphonies "for voices only" ; he wrote his unusual "choral symphonies" in 1911 and 1913. Gustav Holst's First Choral Symphony (with words by Keats) was given its premiere in Leeds Town Hall on 7 October 1925. It was created for soprano solo, chorus and orchestra, but was admittedly of lesser scope than that of his counterpart. In fact, Vaughan Williams---like Holst---was an innovator in his use of the materiau on the symphonic terrain, fusing large choral parts with the prevalent forms of orchestral music---in any case, this could serve also to reveal how both were partially indebted to Parry and Elgar. In an immensely interesting article, Dr. Jack Sullivan wrote of A Sea Symphony : "Like the poetry, the music has a little of everything. It is part symphony, part oratorio, part opera, and part `fantasia' (a favorite Vaughan Williams form). The slow movement and Scherzo have traditional ABA formats, but the huge outer movements (even with the hidden sonata form in the first) seem to invent their forms as they proceed, echoing the `organic' principle of Whitman's free verse. The hymn-like finale, aptly subtitled `The Explorers', is almost a symphony in itself, one without closure. Refusing to end, it fades `farther' and yet `farther' out to a sea whose depths are subliminally suggested by whispers in the lower strings". (Please note that ABA is symbolizing ternary form in which the first section A precedes and follows a second section B, a form so common in classical song that its also called 'song form' -or sonata form- while AB is a musical form that has two sections, A followed by B, and is known as 'binary form')

For a very first attempt at writing a symphony, in such a huge scale, the result was far from a failure. Quite to the opposite, the fascinating verses of Whitman are well integrated to the orchestral element ; by means of almost seamless musical procedures, what i am tempted to term "the sailcloth of the symphony," VW developed a singular way in constructing an orchestral edifice. Thanks to the lyrics, the work has a mystical feel to it---since Whitman's poems are like the footpath to a sort of initiation, much like a ritual, a "rite of passage" for the soul pointing perhaps `toward the unknown region' of immortality :

Darest thou now O soul,
Walk out with me toward the unknown region,
Where neither ground is for the feet
nor any path to follow.

- Excerpts from Toward the Unknown Region (1906) ; from `Leaves of Grass'.

I think it is significant that VW took inspiration from the great American writer, for not only did he used texts for A Sea Symphony and Toward the Unknown Region, but also for `Dona nobis pacem' and some songs such as `Nocturne', `A Clear Midnight' and `Joy, shipmate, joy'. Perhaps i should quote a reviewer for classical.net : "Here is a composer who apparently loved Whitman. He used Whitman's works as a basis for his First Symphony - `The Sea' and `Toward the Unknown Region'. It is interesting that this English composer seems to so deeply understand the poetry of Walt Whitman. [...] The music flows from the rhythm inherent in the language." Incidentally, in the same tone is the poem `A Clear Midnight' - excerpt from `Leaves of Grass' (1900) :

This is thy hour, O soul,
thy free flight into the wordless . . .

Attempts at describing the composer as either a "visionary" or a sort of "seer", not quite in conformity with his humble and candid personality, fits a lot more with the mystic literary works of Whitman. Therefore, we can assume a kind of complementary connection took place between Whitman and VW, binding together unrelated (though neighbored) art forms in the best interest of both---such was the case, to great effect, with A Sea Symphony.

If i'd have to point toward the unknown regions of favorite traversals of this symphony, i'd go for Thomson and Boult. Bryden Thomson with the London Symphony brought what i hear as a tightly refined, let's say "well-balanced" reading. His opening, 'A Song for all Seas, all Ships', is resolute and really provides a subjective impression of huge waves and sail-ships. Other than Thomson's brilliant rendering, sir Adrian Boult's glorious account with the LPO (the EMI album), remains a grand interpretation. The very opening reveals poignant, mellifluous sounds that proclaim the greatness of seas through a sort of hymnic fanfare---a common trait of the "lyrical" Boult of the 1960's. This is a strong presentation. Vernon Handley with RLPO (EMI) offers an enticing version, still somewhat on the lower side of the chorus performance but otherwise excellent. Robert Spano's direction (Telarc) is one of the finest, and sound quality excels : Clearly a serious challenge for Boult's version. Spano's strength resides especially in his high-magnitude finale, probably unmatched on record. Paul Daniel (Naxos) offers a very good account on it's own but, still, not with quite the best sonics---at least when put side-by-side with the records i've mentioned earlier. Here, the Bournemouth and their conductor have taken a "safe" approach, managing adequately the orchestral balance and handling with care the numerous climaxes and contrasts of the score. Notwithstanding there are quite a few inspired moments, performance and sound aren't exactly on par with their gorgeous reading of the Fourth Symphony (also on Naxos).

There's a great deal of value in this reading from Boult, not to mention the almost unparalleled singing of Sheila Armstrong and John Carol Case. The London Philharmonic chorus is effective, and it is audibly more immersing than most other choruses (i've been a bit deceived by Andrew Davis's rendering of this symphony, mainly because of that). Needless to say, A Sea Symphony is very demanding on both musicians and singers. In a certain way, the work shares some features with the `Sinfonia antartica', even though there's no profound similitude pertaining to the "cinematic quality" of the latter ; instead, it is in terms of a bold, at times grandiose-sounding music where a connection exists. Boult's rendering portrays vividly those facets of the symphony.

Considering that there's a variety of very good recordings on cd's (i recommend you check out Slatkin, by the way), i think you cannot go wrong with any of them. Although it isn't the strongest record of A Sea Symphony, Andrew Davis (with the BBC, Teldec) has done a very good job ; his orchestration is refined (i like the way he dealt with the vocal quality of the music in 'On The Beach At Night Alone', in particular). And, perhaps, you shouldn't overlook Previn, as it is a very good account indeed (RCA). In order to get the best you should perhaps consider first Thomson, Spano, Handley and this fine version from Boult. If you don't mind monophonic sound, then the younger and perhaps tauter Boult on Decca should satisfy on its own : "Walt Whitman's soulful evocation of Man's relationship to the sea is fully realized. There is sincerity, commitment, adulation--but not vain self-importance. The chorus is especially fine."

A Sea Symphony was---and still is---a truly unique musical venture. Whitman's words sit perfectly on the surprisingly mature score, which is a fairly complex composition for a "first" symphonic essay. You'll hear the influence of Elgar somewhere (think about parts of Gerontius) as well as many other "flashes" that hark back to so many things. On the one hand, this is certainly a major symphonic work of the 20th century, not to mention that this could be one of the greatest choral works in history ; on the other hand, the work appears to age very well and the different recordings i've referred to have just proven how fresh and vital that work of art can appear today.
*****

Actually 4.75 Stars is what I wanted to give.......2000-02-05

Sir Adrian Boult.......he knew his Vaughn Williams. It is quite apparent when the chorus proclaims, "Behold, the Sea itself....." that this recording will bring a sense of fulfillment to the listener. There is something about the music of Vaughn Williams that says, "I am one of the most important composers of the 20th century. There are still valid things to say. The symphony is not dead, and I will prove that". This symphony demonstrates that even in the 20th century important music was being written. This recording demonstrates that important music was being performed and captured for future generations beautifully.

Average customer rating: Great set of wartime rarities Cure for the Blues Standard Transcription Collection

(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection Spike Jones Manufacturer: Collector's Choice ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Contemporary Comedy | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Novelty Music | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Strictly for Music Lovers Spike Jones - Greatest Hits Fonk Spiked!: The Music of Spike Jones The Spike Jones Story ASIN: B00007JR3K Release Date: 2003-04-08

Album Description

Holiday blues comin' on? Well, put a spike in `em! Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet—79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Customer Reviews:

Great set of wartime rarities.......2003-05-14

Spike Jones was the king of the novelty song performers, with hits like "Der Fuehrer's Face" and the parody version of "Sheik of Araby" becoming huge hits during World War II. This is a swell 3-CD set, gathering a full eighty-one of Jones' best tracks from his 1940s heyday, drawn from an extensive archive of radio broadcasts made for the Standard Transcription service. The tightness of his City Slickers band is amply demonstrated in these manic, kookily orchestrated performances. Toots, squonks, blatts and bleats whiz by at lightning speed, as one daffy song after another will delight devoted fans. Amazingly, Jones had the unusual, almost unique ability to perform a repertoire almost entirely made up of comedic material, and yet still be quite listenable and engaging. His jazz chops were hardly in question, and from time to time Jones would dash off a non-novelty ballad or two, just to give the rubes something to think about. Of course, just as often he would perform a song that *sounded* like a straight ballad, but would turn out to be another goof. (One great example of this is the sultry "Serenade To A Jerk," sung in slinky, burlesque tones by Myrtle Horwin.) This collection may seem a little overwhelming, but like his studio recordings, these radio performances have a certain brilliance and joie de vivre about them that will leave you enchanted. Definitely worth checking out!

Cure for the Blues.......2003-04-25

Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet-79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Standard Transcription Collection.......2003-04-12

This collection has remastered material from the large stack of Standard Transcription discs from the early 1940's. There are many songs not recorded on RCA, many on the theme of wartime ("48 Reasons Why"), and the quality is excellent. The packaging is threadbare but this is an essential CD package for true music lovers.

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