Two of a Kind

Track Listings

1. (We'll Be) United

2. Love Is Strange

3. Let's Fall in Love

4. When the Lights Go Out

5. Close Your Eyes

6. Everybody Loves a Lover

7. I Got a Groove On

8. Just One Look

9. Keep on Smiling

10. I Do

Two of a Kind,Peaches & Herb,Sony Special Product,Adult Contemporary,Pop,Pop-Soul,Quiet Storm,R&B,Soul

Two of a Kind

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tracks:

Shreveport Stomp - Jelly Roll Morton
Sweet Man - Jelly Roll Morton
Tom Cat Blues - Jelly Roll Morton
A New Kind Of Man With A New Kind Of Love For Me - Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Nobody But My Baby - Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Got To Cool My Doggies Now - Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Maple Leaf Rag - Scott Joplin
Weeping Willow Rag - Scott Joplin
Something Doing - Scott Joplin
Steeplechase Rag - James P Johnson
Twilight Rag - James P Johnson
Charleston Rag - Eubie Blake
It's Right Here For You - Eubie Blake
Fare Thee Honey Blues - Eubie Blake
Mr. Freddie Blues - Jimmy Blythe
Regal Stomp - Jimmy Blythe

Customer Reviews:

Awesome to hear the old masters almost live........2007-03-27

It was an awesome experience to hear Ragtime and early blues played by the masters themselves. When you hear the music from their own hands, if not their own pianos, it makes the music immediate, and makes even clearer the stylistic differences of the various American musical pioneers. The sound quality is excellent. I'd strongly recommend this recording to anyone who enjoys early-20th-century jazz.

The Greatest Ragtime of the Century.......2005-10-30

What a terrific CD. What a joy to add to your life. Everyone should begin their day with this Great Ragtime.We would all be much better.

As a former dancer, Flapper, wth the Charleston in my routine, I do appreciate Great Music. I'm not quite as good as I used to be, but neither are you, Gal. Will be 66 next birthday. Still have the rhythm and love life.

Put some spice in your life and don't let this CD get away. Please, just get it today.

A great introduction and sampling........2005-08-23

Prior to this album, the only ragtime I really knew was "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag". I don't know how this album fares for enthusiasts, but I've thoroughly enjoyed it. It introduced me to several different composers. The way the album is organized by giving you a two or three song block by each composer is good. As you listen to this, you can easily hear the different styles from one composer to another. As for the recording quality, I don't have any complaints whatsoever. Each note is clear without much noticable fuzz or hissing. The versions of Scott Joplin's songs are played a bit brash and speedy when compared to Joshua Rifkin, but I think they sound livlier because of it. Overall a solid release.

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Average customer rating:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover
Top Shelf
TERRIFIC CD'S
Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs
Great Compilation!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway: The American Musical
Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals

ASIN: B00064ADMK
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
Swanee- Al Jolson
When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
My Man- Fanny Brice
Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
Body And Soul- Libby Holman
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
Night And Day- Fred Astaire
Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
You're The Top- Ethel Merman
Summertime- Anne Brown
September Song- Walter Huston
My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
People- Barbra Streisand
Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
Come Follow The Band
Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

Memory- Betty Buckley
I Am What I Am- George Hearn
Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
With One Look- Glenn Close
On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
Seasons Of Love-
Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating:

Darin and Mercer are Brilliant
Reliving fond memories from childhood
TWO OF A KIND... INDEED!
Classy Album from a Classy Duo
great music

Two of a Kind
Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer
Manufacturer: East/West Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Capitol Collectors Series
Darin at the Copa
Swingin' the Standards
Aces Back to Back (Audio CD & DVD)
The 25th Day of December

ASIN: B000002JL6
Release Date: 1990-09-17

Tracks:

Two Of A Kind
Indiana
Bob White
Ace In The Hole
East Of The Rockies
If I Had My Druthers
I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None Of My Jellyroll
Lonesome Polecat
My Cutey's Due At Two-To-Two Today
Medley: Paddlin' Madelin' Home/Row Row Row
Who Takes Care Of The Caretaker's Daughter
Mississippi Mud
Two Of A Kind

Customer Reviews:

Darin and Mercer are Brilliant.......2007-02-20

This is, in my opinion, the best collection Darin produced. With the brilliance of Johnny Mercer, and Bobby Darin's smooth interprertation of the music, one can actually hear the joy in Darin's vocals while he performs. TOP RATE.

Reliving fond memories from childhood.......2007-01-18

When "Two of a Kind" was released over 40 years ago, I was a teenager living just north of Los Angeles. My Dad wore out this LP - and all of my siblings and I loved learning the "cool" words to the songs, singing along with him as he conducted Billy May's orchestra from our living room. One of my brothers helped me track down this great Darrin/Mercer collaboration from Amazon. The surprises just kept coming the first time I listened to the CD - 1)I still could sing all the words, and 2)I finally "got" the jokes sprinkled throughout the recording - imitations of WC Fields, Elvis, Groucho Marx and Dean Martin, among others. What a bittersweet way to transport myself back to the good ole days. So I gave all my siblings this CD for Christmas and they've shared similar memories as they too have gone back in time to the days when there was always music blaring from the ole hi fi.

TWO OF A KIND... INDEED!.......2006-10-12

Two of the all-time giants of American popular music come together in this delightful album originally released in the early sixties on Atlantic. According to the liner notes, written by Stanley Green, it was Bobby Darin's idea to undertake this project, and Mercer "was excited about the idea right from the start." Listening to the finished product, there is no doubt about that. The two are really enjoying themselves in the studio, which means that we, as listeners, are allowed to share in the fun.

As Green notes, there are hardly any standards in the album: "For this recital, both men decided that though the accent would be on the old-timers, the all-too-familiar warhorses would be kept carefully locked up in the stable." Thus, Darin and Mercer go through a great selection of old tunes, from "Indiana" to "East of the Rockies" to "Jellyroll," all delivered with a casualness that makes them irresistible. They also unearth a couple of obscure gems like "My Cutie's Due at Two to Two," "Paddlin' Madelin' Home," or "Caretaker's Daughter," and they even have time to throw in a classic written by Harry Barris and originally performed by Bing Crosby with the Rhythm Boys, "Mississippi Mud."

Some of Johnny Mercer's own compositions are also highlighted in this project, proving once more (as though it were really necessary!) that he is one of the most gifted, poetic songwriters of all time. For instance, "If I Had My 'Druthers" is given an enjoyable, laid-back treatment, while the reading of "Bob White" is among the best ever committed to wax.

Finally, the title track, "Two of a Kind," a tale of friendship and camaraderie, is a splendid collaboration by Bobby and Johnny, complete with ad-libbed asides that remind us of the timeless comic tradition of Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. Just like Bing and Bob, Johnny Mercer and Bobby Darin are, indeed, two of a kind. After listening to this album over and over, I am left with only one doubt: aren't there any surviving outtakes of these fantastic sessions in the Atlantic vaults? If so, let's hope that they surface one day. Anton Garcia -- Nashville, TN.

Classy Album from a Classy Duo.......2006-09-10

I recently viewed an old "What's My Line" on the Game Show Network. Bobby Darin was the guest panelist, and the first guest (for which the panel was blindfolded) was - Johnny Mercer! And Bobby didn't get him, either! (My guess is, this was 1961 or '62)

I had just purchased the CD, which is indeed an infectuous treat. It doesn't matter that the songs are obscure; I think it's part of the appeal instead of hearing the same old standards (that artists like Rod Stewart now shamelessly and ridiculously tap into...at least Linda Ronstadt had Nelson Riddle to help her. Stewart, Bolton, Carly Simon, et al, don't have any business recording these songs, any more than Sinatra did recording some of the pop tunes he tried out over the years. It's a tribute to the songs, not the artists, that these horrible versions sell.)

Many toe-tappers, great chemistry, some nice harmonies, and the ad-libs will make you grin. It's a don't miss for standards lovers, Darin fans, Mercer fans, or just fans of good music !!!

Billy May is Da Man!

great music.......2006-07-24

This is a "fun" CD. Quality top notch. Sing along and great listening.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic "Contemporary Jazz"!
Great Pairing of Two Great Artists.
One of a trio of classic collaborations.
GREAT Easy Listening, background music

Two of a Kind
Earl Klugh with Bob James
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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One on One
Cool
Double Vision
Heart String
Grand Piano Canyon

ASIN: B000002V1W
Release Date: 1994-01-25

Tracks:

The Falcon
Whiplash
Sandstorm
Where I Wander
Ingenue
Wes

Album Description

Keyboardist Bob James and acoustic guitarist Earl Klugh struck gold with this session, recently reissued on CD. The formula hasn't changed much in succeeding years. Both Kgh and James are capable musicians; they demonstrated on this collection of light, innocuous melodies a high degree of professionalism. Klugh is a first-rate guitarist whose solos are concise and nicely delivered and James' Keyboard playing is good and crisp.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic "Contemporary Jazz"!.......2007-05-15

Whether you call it "smooth" or "contemporary" or 'whatever' jazz, this is one of the better albums of the genre.

Both Klugh and James are outright stars in their own right, and the three collaborative efforts produced by this pairing reflect that well. This is my favorite of the three. I first heard this years ago while frequenting Tacoma Station, a bar/restaurant just outside The District. This is what they played in the house, as background music, while the jazz bands were preparing to perform. It is perfect as "dinner" music that entertains without protruding. Turn it up if you want to enjoy the virtuosity of the maestros.

I love the way "The Falcon" starts slowly and builds to a powerful finish, and the funk of radio-popular (in 1982) "Whiplash". My favorite, without a doubt, is "Wes" - what a beautiful song, a beautiful melody, and great exchanges between Klugh and James as the song closes.

You will not be diappointed with this collection. Enjoy.

Great Pairing of Two Great Artists........2003-05-09

I first bought this album (on tape) when it first came out, and now replacing my copy with a this CD. This album was my favorite between the first two albums done by James and Klugh. However, the first album, "One on One", was good, but I believe they produced a better album the second time around together.

Bob James wrote the odd number tracks and Earl Klugh wrote the even number tracks. I find James style kind of music to be obstract, while Klugh has more of a pop style. Because both artists write different syles of music, the pairing of their music makes a nice match that will satisfy just about any jazz listener.

It has been almost 20 years since I last heard this album, but now that I have it on CD, it will played by me in the next 20+ years.

One of a trio of classic collaborations........2002-03-29

This is the second pairing of Earl Klugh and Bob James and it is a smooth, soft ride. Sandstorm is my personal favorite, with The Falcon coming in second. Great to underscore a quiet evening at home, or to listen to on the commute home from a bad day at work to calm down. I give it my highest recommendation.

GREAT Easy Listening, background music.......1999-10-26

This is a classic CD with easy listening jazz music. It has an upbeat sound that is great to listen to or have in background while entertaining. I really enjoy this CD and it is one of those albums that give you a good feeling, and you love to recognize in restaurants

Jessye Norman - Brahms: Lieder / Barenboim

Average customer rating:

A treasure in the Brahms lieder catalog
Some of Brahms' best by an incomparable singer
Wonderful
ESSENTIAL

Jessye Norman - Brahms: Lieder / Barenboim
Johannes Brahms , Daniel Barenboim , and Jessye Norman
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Brahms: Deutsche Volkslieder; Elisabeth Schwarzkopf; Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Brahms: Lieder

ASIN: B00003ZA2A
Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

Sechs Gesange Op.3: 1. Liebestreu
Sechs Gesange Op.6: 1. Spanisches Lied
Sechs Gesange Op.7: 5. Die Schmied
Funf Gedichte Op.19: 4. Der Schmied
Funf Lieder Op.47: 5. Die Liebende schreibt
Sieben Lieder Op.48: 3. Liebeskiage des Madchens
Sieben Lieder Op.48: 4. Gold uberwiegt die Liebe
Lieder und Gesange Op.57: 1. Von waldbekranzter Hohe
Lieder und Gesange Op.59: 5. Agnes
Lieder und Gesange Op.59: 8. Dein Blaues Auge halt so still
Lieder und Gesange Op.59: Regenlied WoO post.23
Funf Lieder WoO post.22 (Ophelia-Lieder)_: 1. Wie erkenn' ich dein Treulieb
Funf Lieder WoO post.22 (Ophelia-Lieder)_: 2. Sein Leichenhemd, weiss wie Schnee
Funf Lieder WoO post.22 (Ophelia-Lieder)_: 3. Auf morgen ist Sankt Valentins Tag
4. Sie trugen ihn auf der Bahre bloss
5. Und kommt er nicht mehr zuruck
Neun Gesandge Op.69: 1. Klage 2 - Ach, mir fehlt, nicht ist da
Neun Gesandge Op.69: 2. Klage 2 - o Felsen, lieber Felsen
Neun Gesandge Op.69: 4. Des Liebsten Schwur
6. Vom Strande
8. Salome
9. Madchenfluch
Funf Gesange Op.72: 1. Alte Liebe
Romanzen und Lieder Op.84_: 1. Sommerabend
Romanzen und Lieder Op.84_: 2. Der Kranz
Romanzen und Lieder Op.84_: 3. In den Beeren
Romanzen und Lieder Op.84: 4. Vergebliches Standchen
5. Spannung
Sechs Lieder Op.85: Madchenlied - Ach, und du men kuhles Wasser!

Tracks:

Sechs Lieder Op.86: 1. Therese
Sechs Lieder Op.86: 6. Todessehnen
Zwei Gesange Op.91: 1. Gestillte Sehnsucht
Zwei Gesange Op.91: 2. Geistliches Wiegenlied
Funf Lieder Op.94: 4. Sapphische Ode
Sieben Lieder Op.95: 1. Das Madchen
Sieben Lieder Op.95: 4. Der Jager
Sieben Lieder Op.95: 5. Borschneller Schwur
Sieben Lieder Op.95: 6. Madchenlied
Sechs Lieder Op.97: 4. Dort in den Weiden
Zigeunerlieder Op.103: 1. He, Zigeuner, greife in die Saiten ein!
Zigeunerlieder Op.103: 2. Hochgeturmte Rimaflut
Zigeunerlieder Op.103: 3. Wisst ihr, wann mein Kindchen
Zigeunerlieder Op.103: 4. Lieber Gott, du weisst
Zigeunerlieder Op.103: 5. Brauner Bursche fuhrt zum Tanze
Zigeunerlieder Op.103: 6. Roslein dreie in der Reihe
Zigeunerlieder Op.103: 7. Kopmmt dir manchmal in den Sinn
Zigeunerlieder Op.103: 11. Rote Abendwolken ziehn
Funf Lieder P.105: 1. Wie melodien zieht es
Funf Lieder P.105: 2. Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer
Funf Lieder P.105: Klage
Funf Lieder op.107: Das Madchen spricht
Funf Lieder op.107: 5. Madchenlied - Wuf die nacht in der Spinnstub'n

Customer Reviews:

A treasure in the Brahms lieder catalog.......2006-09-29

Acclaimed as she was as a lieder singer, Jessye Norman showed a special affinity for Brahms. She made no less than three complete recitals of his songs, more than any other singer I can remember except Fischer-Dieskau. Not every lied is a mstepiece, and most are either folk-based or imitate folksongs in their simple strophic design. This can make for tiring listening after ten songs or so, but Norman's plush voice is to richly suited to Brahms's romanticism that it's hard to pull away.

Her initial recital on Philips with Geoffrey Parsons (1980) was a greatest hits collection, and Norman was wise not to overlap too many on her later two recitals with Barenboim. She was rather grand on that first disc. Here, she sings with great delicacy and sensitivty. In many ways this is her best Lieder recording, despite the unevenness of the material. Don't expect Mainacht or the famous lullabye or Von ewiger liebe. And I wouldn't advise anyone to tr and listen to this two-fer straight through. That said, Barenboim equals Norman in his artistry, so all told, this release is a treasure.

Some of Brahms' best by an incomparable singer.......2006-01-25

Ask someone about Lieder, meaning basically German "art songs"
and he or she will immediately think of Schubert or perhaps
Schumann. Brahms is just not that well known for his songs,
and it's a shame because they are among his best works.

Jessye Norman is famous for her artistry in Lieder; I still
recall hearing her in recital over twenty years ago. This is
a fabulous recording; you will fall in love with most of these
songs on first hearing. As a bonus, the two record set actually
includes full texts and translations. whereas the trend
these days is to omit those and you're lucky if the company
offers them "on line". This is among the most treasured recordings in my
huge collection. Don't miss it!

Wonderful.......2002-12-24

This is a wonderful album and should be in the collection of everyone who cares about Lieder. I use to study how she works her magic with a song, and it is worth digging into a single piece to see how she does it.

ESSENTIAL.......2000-07-12

I have been waiting for years for this two CD set to be released. I have had the recording on vinyl since the 80's and, for whatever reason, DGG did not release it on CD til very recently. For fans of Brahms' songs (there are 52 of them here), for fans of Jessye Norman's magnificent soprano, for fans of Daniel Barenboim's pianism, this is an essential album. To make it even more enticing, the price, online, is quite low.

Average customer rating:

When She Dreams
Lynn Patrick
Manufacturer: Avant-Acoustic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Easy Listening | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006OAN1
Release Date: 2002-09-20

Tracks:

Dolphins Dancing
Saturdays Horse
Little Karoo
Treasure Box
A Flurry of Sparrows
Snow Angels
Namaste
Esmeralda
When She Dreams
The Orange Grove
Greta Caroline
Cant Stop

Album Description

When She Dreams is an all-instrumental collection of folk and jazz guitar originals, inspired by Patrick's experiences in nature: swimming with wild dolphins in Key West; hiking to ancient South African cave paintings; and living in the Rocky Mountains. The album features some of the area's most accomplished musicians, including percussionist Steve Amedée of the Subdudes, who recently recorded with Shawn Colvin and Joni Mitchell; and Grammy Award-winning slide guitarist Sally Van Meter.

Average customer rating:

The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording
Incredible, even if only highlights
Highlights From The Classic Live Performance
Good introduction to the Ring; good value.
Fire! Fire!

Wagner: The Best of the Ring

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Nilsson, Birgit | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Panorama (Highlights from der fliegende Hollander, Lohengrin, Tannhauser, Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, Parsifal, Tristan und Isolde)
Wagner: Extracts from the operas
An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde/Parsifal/Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg/Lohengrin/Tannhäuser
Ring of the Nibelung

ASIN: B0000041EJ
Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

Das Rheingold: Prelude
Das Rheingold - Scene One: Weia! Waga! Woge, du Welle!
Das Rheingold - Scene One: Garstig glatter glitschriger Glimmer
Das Rheingold - Scene One: Wallala! Lalaleia! Leialei!
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Bin ich nun frei?
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Schwules Gedunst schwebt In der Luft
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Zur Burg Fuhrt die Brucke
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Rheingold! Rheingold!
Die Walkure - Act One: Prelude
Die Walkure - Act One, Scene 3: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond
Die Walkure - Act One, Scene Three: Wehwalt heisst du furwahr? Siegmund heiss ich
Die Walkure - Act II: Prelude to Act II
Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Siegmund! sieh auf mich!
Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Du sahest der Walkure sehrenden Blick
Die Walkure - Act III, Scene One: Hojotoho! Heiaha!

Tracks:

Die Walkure - Act III, Scene Three: Leb wohl, du k herrliches Kind!
Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Loge, hLausche hieher!
Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Hoho! Hoho! Hohei!
Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Den der Bruder schuf, den schimmernden Reif!
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Aber, wie sah meine Mutter wohl aus?
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Du holdes Vin! Dich hort' ich noch nie
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Es schweigt und lauscht
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Siegfrieds Horn-call
Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich
Gotterdammerung - Prologue: Orchestral Interlude
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Brde, heilige Braut
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Orchestral Interlude: Funeral March
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Mein Erbe nun nehm ich zu eigen
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Grane, mein Ross, sei mir gegr
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Zurm Ring

Customer Reviews:

The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording.......2006-03-23

CAST: DAS RHEINGOLD:
Gustav Neidlinger (baritone, Alberich) Theo Adam (baritone, Wotan) Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor, Loge) Annelies Burmeister (mezzo-soprano, Fricka) Hermin Esser (soprano Froh) Ruth Hesse (soprano Flosshilde) Helga Dernesch (soprano Wellgunde) Dorothea Siebert (soprano, Woglinde)

DIE WALKURE: James King (tenor, Siegmund) Leonie Rysanek (soprano, Sieglende) Theo Adam (Wotan) Birgit Nilsson (soprano, Brunhilde) Danica Mastilovic (soprano, Fricka) Sieglende Wagner (soprano, Schwertleite) Liane Synek (soprano, Helmwige) and the Valkyries Elisabeth Schartel (Grimgerde) and Anneliese Burmister (Siegrunde)

SIEGFRIED: Wolgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Erwin Wohlfahrt (Mime)

GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Josef Greindl (bass-baritone, Hagen)...* Conductor Karl Bohm, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra

If you're already an opera fan but have not yet discovered Wagner and wish to be introduced to his biggest most famous opera cycle- Der Ring Des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs) then this CD is one you should definately own. From live performances at Bayreuth on July of 1967, these same operas are available on seperate CD's and on a box set from the Phillips label. With a cast of brilliant, experienced Wagnerian singers such as baritone Theo Adam (Odin) soprano Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) and tenor Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) you can't go wrong with this set. These singers represent a style of Wagnerian singing that no singer alive today can measure up to. Powerful, invective yet lyrical, passionate voices are equally in balance with dramatic acting. They lived their roles so that everytime I hear the Ring operas, I can't think of a greater Brunhilde than the unbeatable Birgit Nilsson or a greater Odin than that of Theo Adam. Maestro Karl Bohm was a prominent Wagner conductor and a Bayreuth icon in the 60's. He allowed enough natural "fresh air" for his singers, and the orchestra never truly drowns out their voices nor becomes overpowering. Nevertheless, Bohm provides the score, layered with dozens of leitmotifs, with spirituality, grandeur, nobility and the typical Wagnerian fatalism. Bohm understood Wagner more than any other conductor of his time. Although the George Solti studio Ring set is largely considered the greatest, I think this set is possibly better. There is more of a sense of tradition in this recording, since, after all, these are Bayreuth performances. The music and singingremains true to Wagner's original concept and this is not a "conductor's Ring" it is truly Wagner's Ring. The Ring of the Nibelung can become a complex, overanalyzed work of music but beneath its many layers it is an epic panorama of heroes, gods and villains. Its theme is the folly of man in his greedy lust for power, as represented by the titular ring.

Das Rheingold: The first opera deals with the greedy, deformed dwarf Alberich, who foresaking any chance of ever finding love, steals the Gold of the Rhine River from the Rhinemaidens. Baritone Gustav Neidlinger is possibly the greatest interpretor of Albrecht. This is a baritone role that is not in any way meant to be sung beautifully. Neidlinger sounds harsh and ugly, he is in full character. The music for Alberich is equally ugly and dissonant. In contrast, the Rhinemaidens are sung by beautiful, lyric sopranos who must evoke youthfulness, playfulness and a slight sexual flirtation. Their music is at first playful and flirty but after the gold is stolen, their song becomes a lament and remains melancholy in consequent motifs even up to Gotterdammerung when they reappear to reclaim their stolen gold from "the ashes of Brunhilde's Immolation". Donner, the Bridge Keeper of Valhalla, is a high bass who must step up to the exclamations of "Heda! Heda Hedo!", one of the great scenes in this opera, in which the gods enter the newly built glittering palace called Valhalla. But Odin, king of the gods, and suposed god of oaths, has broken his own oath (he promised the spring goddess Freya to the Giants who built Valhalla but didn't keep his word) And the tragedy is set in motion......

Die Walkure: In tenor and soprano James King and Leonie Rysanek, we get the most dramatic and golden Siegmund and Sieglende. More than others who have sung this romantic pair, King and Rysanek become involved, even lost in the music of their characters and are by far the most passionate interpretors. First of all, James King was endowed with a huge, heroic voice so perfect for Wagner. He is also featured in the Solti studio Ring recording but here, he is in better shape and sings with intensity, vocal heft and dramatic prowess. Also, his Siegmund is romantically sung, as if he could just as easily be a Verdi hero. His German diction never falters and he has command of the voice and melodic line. He passed away recently and left behind numerous recordings, including a Parsifal he recorded late in his career, which is still quite amazing. Leonie Rysanek actually screams out during the Love Duet in which Siegmund shows her his great sword Nothung. She was made famous not only for that hair-raising scream but for her powerful, dramatic voice and her first-rate performances as Strauss' Salome (also under Karl Bohm) Elektra and Verdi's Lady Macbeth which she first sang as a replacement to an ill and indisposed Maria Callas. Rysanek died of cancer in the mid 90's, and she was still singing then. In Die Walkure, we are first introduced to Odin's daughter, the lead Valkyrie goddess Brunhilde (she's the gal in the winged helmet, wielding a spear and flying on a horse). Birgit Nilsson owned this role, no doubt about it. Long after she had retired, she could still belt out the Hojo-to-hos (Valkyrie War Cries). She identified with Brunhilde's Nordic roots (Nilsson was born in Sweden) and she understood Wagner and dramatic German opera. All her huge successes were in German opera- Salome, Elektra most notably. She is also the Brunhilde of Solti's ring but here she is singing a hell of a lot better and she isn't overpowered by the Vienna Phil and its gargantuan musical forces. At the end of the opera, Odin punishes Brunhilde for sympathizing with the lovers Siegmund and Sieglende and saving Sieglende (pregnant with Siegfried). She is to sleep inside a ring of fire on a mountain or rock and only a great hero can awaken her and claim her as his bride. Theo Adam as Wotan is by far the best. He has a huge voice and is able to stir our emotions as he bids his daughter farewell in that great final scene.

Siegfried and Gotterdammerung: The son of Siegmund and Sieglende, he grows up not knowing his heritage as a hero. He discovers Nothung, his father's sword, kills Mime, yet another greedy, power-hungry dwarf and slays the dragon Fafner. He is now able to communicate and bond with nature as one of his special powers. He confronts Odin himself and saves Brunhilde from her nearly eternal sleep. Wolfgang Windgassen sang in the old-school Wagnerian tenor style which meant he had the "Bayreuth bark". He could throw his voice high above the big Wagnerian orchestra but it was a voice that was in no way attractive or emotional. It was cold and at times too harsh. But he is the only tenor to truly master the difficult role of Siegfried. Nowadays, some tenors can either sing the Siegfried of Siegfried or the Siegfried in Gotterdammerung, but rarely can they sing both like Windgassen. In addition, Windgassen achieved success in other Wagner heroic roles like Tristan and Tannhauser. In Gotterdammerung (Twilight of the Gods), Wagner's music has never been more fatalistic. Siegfried bids farewell to Brunhilde and sets out on an adventure down the Rhine river. He is captured by the vindictive and evil Gibechung giants, drugged and forced to wed Gutrune. And it gets worse. The Gibechungs also kidnap Brunhilde and force her to marry one of the giants. Eventually, Siegfried is slain by the cruel giant Hagen. The last minutes of singing are left to Brunhilde (it aint over till the fat lady sings). And what great singing it is. In the Immolation Scene, Brunhilde orders for a funeral pyre to be made for Siegfried. She curses the gods for breaking their oaths, declares that the end is near and summons Grane her old Valkyrie horse. Straddling him, she leaps into the funeral pyre and brings about the Ragnarok- the end of the gods. Valhalla is consumed by a firestorm, the Rhine overfloods and the world of man is destroyed. Birgit Nilsson's high, heroic voice has never sounded better in this scene.

Affordable price, great music, great singing. Please don't hesitate to get this recording if you are interested in hearing The Ring the way it should be sung and if you wish to get only chunks and pieces from an otherwise long 4 opera cycle. Enjoy!!

Incredible, even if only highlights.......2004-12-20

I have to say, usually I HATE highlights of anything, but in this case, I will say, I am impressed. It is so hard to choose what should be included, and often the things I want in highlights are the things that are NOT there (example is the highlights of Nabucco with Sintow, the really hard arias are gone; the same with her highlights of Macbeth, no sleepwalking scene). In this case, I was gladly surprised. Most all the really telling moments of the various operas are there. It is a great introduction for those who are just coming to Wagner's Ring. I would say like the Tolken books of Lord of the Rings (stories completely not related, though elements of this are in that), one has to prepare to enjoy them to get the full affect. Wagner is the same. His operas are extremely long, and there are long moments where nothing much is actually happening at all. To come to him unprepared can prove the end of even trying to understand his works at all. This highlight version is simply great. We are introduced to the Rhinemaidens right off and the drama begins. Just enough of each opera is there to give a really good feel for the works, and unlike most highlights with an aria or two, these are full scenes that are presented to us. I have to say, the editors did a masterful job at choosing the "exciting parts" to whet our desire for Wagner. Ending the entire set with the uncut version of the Immolation Scene is simply wonderful. So often when it is recorded as a highlight we begin only on the ending pronouncements where Brunhilde addresses her horse thus bringing the end to the opera. Here we are treated to the entire scene from beginning to end so we can follow the drama (interestingly, while singing the scene, stage actions are going on, for the pyre is prepared, Siegfried's body brought in, Brunhilde removes the ring, his body is put on the pyre, Grane, Brunhilde's horse is brought in -- well, in the score he is called for, but in most performances one has to imagine him being there, and if there, the singer never rides him into the fire as Wagner wanted; I think the only time that happened was with Marjorie Lawrence --- and the entire world is destroyed, including Valhalla, the Rhine overflows and the rhinemaidens get their ring/gold back).

This is a masterful choosing of highlights and they work to present the work as a whole in a wonderful way. When one then buys the entire ring, there are going to be many wonderful parts now fully appreciated and loved that will come up and the work will not seen as long.

For those of us who love Wagner, well, there are days we don't wish to get out all the CD's of each opera to listen to the few scenes we want to hear, and this highlight set is great to hear those moments that one would find exciting to hear when not in the mood to listen to the whole. The only scene I would have added, because it is exciting and good to listen to, is the oath scene (trio between Gunther, Hoggan, and Brunhilde) that ends Act 2 of Gotterdammerung. It is quite exciting and makes a wonderful contrast to the orchestra of the Rhine Journey that begins the Gotterdammerung highlights and the death of Siegfried which on the highlights follows the Rhine Journey. I know only so much can fit on a CD, but one could have begun that trio with the words "Siegfried's Todd" sung by Gunther and then the trio would not have been so long.

However, great introduction of a massive work.

Highlights From The Classic Live Performance.......2003-12-30

In the sixties, conductor Karl Bohm found himself treading on the ground that most conductors would think twice because of the huge risk factor - conducting Richard Wagner's The Ring Of the Nibelung (Das Ring Des Nibelungen) a series of four operas dealing with the ancient Norse saga of the legendary ring of power coveted by gods, mortals and giants. The myth also tells the love story of Siegfried and Brunhilde and the end of the world. For Wagner, this would be his ultimate masterpiece. These four opera cycle goes beyond everything he had ever composed musically and for the theatre. Only Tristan and Isolde and Parsifal reach such dramatic heights and is as musically masterful.

This classic recording has value, even if it is the highlights and excerpts from the operas. There is a full recording in its entirety with Karl Bohm conducting and with the same singers- Birgit Nilsson as Brunhilde, Wolfgang Windgassen as Siegfried, Leonie Rysanek as Sieglende, James King as Siegmund and Theo Adam as Wotan, king of the gods. These singers were regarded as the best interpretors of their day. Certainly, Birgit Nilsson was born to sing Brunhilde. She has all the drama just in her voice. The inflection is dramatic, her stage presence was commanding, and a voice that even Maria Callas would kill for. Maria Callas sang Brunhilde once in the 40's, but it was never good nor became her signature role. Callas was primarily an Italian singer and she had complications singing German. In Callas' day, Kirsten Flagstad was the reigning Brunhilde interpretor. But Birgit Nilsson's voice far surpasses even Flagstad. Birgit Nilsson has all the heigh notes, the passion, the fire and the Wagnerian touch to a fine art. Theo Adam makes a superb Wotan- imperious, commanding, greedy, regial. His voice was well-trained in German and in the art of Wagner music drama. The same applies to James King, a top-notch German heldentenor who made such roles as Siegfried and Theseus (from Strauss' Ariadne) his own.

To sing Wagner is no walk in the park. Only the best heldentenors and Wagnerian soprano divas are employed in this recording. Among them the diva Leonie Rysanek, whose vocals and theatrics on stage was always to her advantage. Here she sings the role of Sieglende- Siegfried's mother and wife of Siegmund. In her dramatic duet with Siegmund, Leonie Rysanek heightens the drama of the moment by actually SCREAMING. It's brilliant. It was well known that Rysanek would always scream her lines when warranted. She has sung other heavy German repertoire- such as Strauss' Salome.

Karl Bohm has been criticized for overemphasizing the music, for directing at lightning speed and making a "sloppy", disappointing score for Wagner's Ring. Most fans of the Ring favor George Solti, who was the first to produce the first studio recording of the Ring. Still others prefer Furtwangler, who was a native German and who knew the music so well because for a long time he had been associated with Wagner's descendant family who operate the Bayreuth Festival Opera House. But Karl Bohm, despite his failure in some portions, has his moments. His strength lies in conducting Gotterdammerung's final scene- the Immolation and end of the world. Brunhilde, the last bearer of the cursed ring, has lost her beloved Siegfried to death by traitorous murderer- giants, curses the gods and commits suicide by throwing herself into Siegfrie'ds funeral pyre. The curse of the ring is lifted, the palace of the gods in Vallhalla is consumed in a devastating fire and the world is flooded by the overflowing Rhine river.

The theme of the Ring is not too complicated to understand. In much the same vein as J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" novels, and the recent film adaptations, the curse of a powerful ring is that of corrupted power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, in the words of philosopher John Locke. The ring, who entitled its beare to total power, was desired by everyone in the opera- from an ugly dwarf (Albrecht) who was willing to sacrifice sexual relations and love for possession of the ring. Albrecht is the instigator. Stealing the gold of the Rhine from the mermaid-like Rhinemaidens, he begins to build a mine and city under the earth. The gods of Valhalla have their own troubles- the giants who built Valhalla want to claim their promised reward- Wotan's wife, the goddess Freya. The powerful god Wotan will not accept the terms. This occurs in the first opera - Das Rhinegold (The Rhinegold). In the second installment, "Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) we are introduced to Siegmund and Sieglende. Because theirs is an illicit romance, Freya convinces Wotan to decree their deaths. But Brunhilde, Wotan's divine daughter opposes the decree and even saves the life of Sieglende who gives birth to the hero Siegfried. Brunhilde is the Valkyrie warrior woman (she is the stereotypical Wagner opera singer wearing a horned helmet , spear, shield, breast plate and battle costume. When Brunhilde's defiance is discovered, Wotan puts a spell over her. She is to sleep inside a ring of fire until the kiss of a demi-god hero awakens her. In this opera, the famous "Ride of the Valkyries" is featured, a dramatic music which has been used time and again in movies and television, most notably in the film "Apocalypse Now". In Siegfried, we follow the quest of Siegfried. He pulls his father's sword from a tree (like King Arthur does in Excalibur only Arthur pulls the sword from a stone and anvil). Siegfried, with the help of the mentor dwarf Mime, journeys into Albrecht's layer, defeats him and slays the vile dragon Falfner. Of course, he kisses Brunhilde and breaks the spell. In the last opera, Gotterdamerung or "Twilight of the Gods", the saga comes to an end when Siegfried is slain by the Gibechung giants. Brunhilde has her famous Immolation Scene and the world of mortals, and even the gods, die during the end of the world. The highlghts here include Siegfried's Rhine Jounrey and Siegfried's Funeral March (this March was used in John Boorman's Excalibur) and the concluding music.

Good introduction to the Ring; good value........2001-09-11

I'm recommending this 2-disc set because it's the best way I know of at the present time to get an inexpensive, manageable, accessible introduction to Wagner's masterpiece, Der Ring des Nibelungen, commonly called the Ring. The Ring is a sequential cycle of four operas, Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, and Gotterdammerung. With the exception of Das Rheingold, they are all of great length (Wagner was a colossal egotist who seemed to believe that no opera could be too long if he was its composer). As a result, acquiring and getting familiar with the entire Ring is an expensive and time-consuming proposition (my choice among complete Ring recordings, the landmark Solti/Vienna Philharmonic set on Decca/London, is 14 CDs costing around $145-$160). Wagner purists will object to any attempt to excerpt "highlights" from the Ring, and they do have a point: unlike the standard Italian and French operas, which are readily divisible into recitatives, arias, duets, etc., the Wagner operas do not lend themselves to excerpting, with the result that "highlights" sets like this one are a collection of "bleeding chunks" torn from the body of the whole work.

Nevertheless there is a need for a way to approach the Ring, to be introduced to it and to get its flavor, and this generously filled (2 hours 28 minutes of music) 2-disc set fills that requirement reasonably well. These are excerpts from all four Ring operas from live 1966-67 performances (the second Wieland Wagner production) at Bayreuth, the famed Wagner Festspielhaus in Bavaria; they are not studio recordings. They are not great performances, but they are good, capable, workmanlike ones. The sound is not the equal of the better studio recordings (like the Solti and von Karajan cycles), but it is good enough: clear and never objectionable. The conductor, Karl Bohm, was not a great Wagnerian; he gives a competent reading, favoring brisk tempos, generally lacking repose, keeping things moving along in a business-like manner, but the result is that he seems more interested in moving on to the next scene than in shaping the scene at hand to realize its full potential. His performance overall is characterized by persistent, even relentless, forward pressure. Sometimes this works, sometimes not; if he can be accused of insensitivity, of failing to make the most of his opportunities, he can't be accused of lingering, melting, dawdling, going slack. He is certainly not in the class of Solti or Furtwangler as a Wagner conductor. The notes all get played, but there is little magic fire coming from the pit here.

Most of the singers are able and well suited to their roles, and they are all singers who actually sang their roles on the operatic stage (not just in the recording studio). Outstanding are Birgit Nilsson and James King. Here is a chance to hear Nilsson, the greatest Wagnerian soprano of the second half of the twentieth century, "live" in her most celebrated role, Brunnhilde (who figures in the last three Ring operas), and that is an opportunity not to be sneezed at. She offers ringing vocal power, amplitude, stamina, with a brillliant, secure top, an unusual combination that is rarely found in Wagnerian sopranos, and she has no competition in any of the other complete sets except the Solti, where she is competing with herself. When it comes to unleashing her huge voice and letting it soar out over the potent Wagner orchestra, she has no peer, and reminds us of what great Wagnerian singing, heroic singing, used to be all about. James King is the Siegmund in Die Walkure (as he is in the Solti set), and his bright, attractive tenor and musicianly singing are a treat after the ersatz, makeshift Heldentenorizing we've usually had to make do with in Wagner since Melchior retired in 1950. Compare his singing here with the dry, threadbare, underpowered Siegfried of Wolfgang Windgassen--whose creditable performance is a triumph of professional skill over lack of natural resources--and you will see what I mean. Theo Adam as Wotan knows his stuff (he was a well-regarded Wotan) but his vocal endowment is not prepossessing either; he too, like so many Wagner singers of the post-Flagstad-Traubel-Melchior era (i.e., after 1950), is underpowered for the role.

This 2-CD set has direct, head-on competition from a similar (and similarly priced) Deutsche Grammophon 2-CD set of highlights from the Ring. The DG set is from the Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic studio recordings of the Ring operas (1967-1970). Here's how I stack up their pros and cons: The Bohm set has generally superior, more involved singing, including Nilsson as Brunnhilde, by singers who sing the same roles throughout (no switching horses in midstream, as in the Karajan, which has two different Wotans, two different Brunnhildes, and two different Siegfrieds), and who actually sang their roles in the opera house, not just in the recording studio (this is a problem with the more "artificial" Karajan set). Also, since the performances are "live," there is a certain sense of vividness, immediacy, and excitement missing in a studio recording. On the other hand, the Karajan set offers generally superior conducting and orchestral playing; his studio recording can be more note-perfect (with its opportunities for re-takes); and the sound of Karajan's set is better than that of Bohm's live performances (although still not as good as Solti's Ring, or the best more recent opera recordings).

So, between the Karajan and Bohm 2-CD Ring highlights sets, there is not a clearcut winner. To make choosing more difficult, both are priced the same and both offer very generously filled CDs (both have about two and a half hours of music). I marginally prefer the Bohm "live" performances, but I couldn't argue with anyone who listened to them both and preferred the Karajan.

Fire! Fire!.......2000-08-23

Taken from live performances of "Der Ring des Nibelungen" at Bayreuth in 1967, this double-disc compilation of excerpts from Wagner's epic provides a generous selection for persons who want to explore the Ring beyond the usual "highlights" albums without taking on the entire cycle. Although not necessary for those familiar with the Ring, the liner notes contain a brief history of its development, historical and social context, and a synopsis. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one's attitude towards Wagner's prose style), the notes do not provide translations of the excerpts for neophytes.

Renowned for his performances of Wagner, conductor Karl Bohm evokes fiery playing from the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. Particularly at the climaxes, his tempi may seem too brisk for those wanting a more langorous Wagner. Nevertheless, Bohm manages to evoke the same white-hot intensity that make many of his other opera recordings riveting, with piercing horns and thunderous percussion. For opera lovers who already own other versions of Wagner's epic, this compilation may whet their appetites for buying the reasonably-priced complete set of Bohm's interpretation.

Two Of A Kind (1983 Film)
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Video

This CD is one of a kind

A "Divine" Soundtrack

It's a twist of fate this soundtrack's so good considering

Two of a Kind Soundtrack

Two Of A Kind (1983 Film)
Olivia Newton-John , and John Travolta
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Take A Chance (Duet) - Olivia Newton-John/John Travolta
It's Gonna Be Special - Patti Austin
Catch 22 (Two Steps Foward, Two Steps Back) - Steve Kipner
Shaking You - Olivia Newton-John
(Livin' In) Desparate Times - Olivia Newton-John
The Perfect One - Boz Scaggs
Ask The Lonely - Journey
Prima Donna - Chicago
Night Music - David Foster

Customer Reviews:

Video.......2007-01-19

My daughter was very pleased with the video. It arrived very fast.
Thanks,

This CD is one of a kind.......2004-10-04

Another 80s gem. The Two of a kind soundtrack is just... well, could "awesome" fit ?

From track 1 onwards, it's just about 40 minutes of musical pleasure. The Patti Austin track is very uplifting, the Boz Scaggs ballad is plain awesome, not to mention David Foster's "Night Music".

Call me biased, but the highlights for me are the 4 Olivia Newton-John tracks. "Shaking you" is one of the most powerful ballads she's ever recorded, "Livin' in Desperate times" and "Twist of fate" are amongst Olivia's most energetic performances ever and the duet with John Travolta, "Take a chance", is far better than the Grease duets...

A must have. Really.

A "Divine" Soundtrack.......2003-07-30

I was very suprised to see this soundtrack released on CD nearly 2 decades after its release. The CD is the soundtrack to the movie of the same name released in 1983. The movie itself is currently out of print and not available on DVD. There are some great songs on the album. However I think this one is aimed at the hard core fan of Olivia or John Travolta. The packaging is great, they included the gateway fold out of the original LP album. There are a few "filler" generic songs on the CD that are skip worthy, but there are some very strong points as well. Let me break it down one by one.

"Twist Of Fate" performed by Olivia Newton-John. This was the smash hit from the album. Reaching the top of the charts at number 5 in the USA. The song was released along with an imaginative video of Olivia being judged by a heavenly jury. Great lines in the song include "The gift of life extension, by divine intervention". Produced by David Foster. Still a favorite of Olivia fans and appears on many of her greatest hits compilations. 9/10

"Take A Chance"(duet by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta). The public expected more from the couple that sang a number one smash in Grease. This song was intended to be the B-side to "Twist of Fate" but ended up being a minor adult contemporary hit. Co-written by Olivia and accompanied with a beautifully done video. 7/10

"It's Gonna Be Special" by Patti Austin. This song was a R&B hit and deserved to be one. A nice adult contemporary song. 6/10

"Catch 22" by Steve Kipner. Mostly forgettable filler song. Although I should point out he is the song writer of "Physical" for Olivia. 4/10

"Shakin' You" by Olivia Newton-John. Stunning love ballad of trying to get over an ex-love. Accompanied by a piano, Olivia shines in this one. A tear jerker for sure. Accompanied by a stunning video shot in Venice. 9/10

"Livin' in Desperate Times" by Olivia Newton-John. A top 40 new wave hit. The song has been edited for the CD version though, I cannot understand the point of the edit. But you'll barely notice it. A fun and funky song that was released with a fun new wave video. The single 45 version was also remixed to be funkier. 8/10

"Perfect One" by Boz Skaggs. A nice adult contemporary song. It should have been a hit. Very suave and mellow. 7/10

"Ask The Lonely" by Journey. I like the guitar in this song but it has a typical Journey sound. 5/10

"Prima Donna" by Chicago. I am sure this song was included as a tribute to Olivia's character in the film. Not a bad song and carries the traditional Chicago sound. 6/10

"Night Music" by David Foster. A wonderful song. This is an instrumental piece that deserved more attention. Written by the same composer who brought us "Love Theme From ST. Elmo's Fire". I just cannot praise this song enough, although I find it sad. A definite high point of the album. 10/10

Other items released to coincide with the movie include:
A 12 inch remix of "Twist of Fate", with the B-side being a remix of "Livin in Desperate Times"
A VHS called "Twist of Fate" featuring the videos from the soundtrack, along with 2 additional ONJ videos.
A 45 single "Twist of Fate" with a picture sleeve.
A 45 single "Desperate Times" with a picture sleeve.
Various posters.
A VHS of the movie "Two Of A Kind"

It's a twist of fate this soundtrack's so good considering.......2003-04-08

'Oh sheesh, ANOTHER five stars for an Olivia Newton-John recording'

Yes it appears I've been dishing out quite a few recently, but it's unfair not to give Olivia the dues she deserves when she delivers like this. Especially in comparison with her latest release, (2), which is quite possibly one of the weakest albums in her entire career.

The 'Two Of A Kind' soundtrack is, somewhat self-explanatorily, the accompanying album to the film of the same name. Olivia shines in her four inclusions on this record, offering up three brave and stunning songs as well as one colour-by-numbers pop duet which if nothing else serves its purpose. The first single and opening track, 'Twist Of Fate', unintentionally became Olivia's swansong to the popular music world. Talk about going out with a bang. The single was an extremely successful #3 hit with a mega-budget video to boot, and no wonder - it is bouncy, dance-oriented, rock-synth at its very best with an amazing chorus and similarly awe-inspiring vocals from Ms Newton-John.

'(Living In) Desperate Times' remains one of the most aggressive songs of Olivia's career. With a thunderous beat, frighteningly loud drum fills, and a powerful synthy chorus, it almost gave Olivia another Top 30 hit, stalling at #31. A fantastic video clip perfectly capturing the overbearing commercialisation of the modern world, Olivia's social commentary is all but forgotten in the intricate and compelling melody of this punk-pop classic! 'Shaking You' is Olivia balladry at its finest, up there with 'Boats Against The Current' from the 'Totally Hot' album and her fine 1973 offering 'Leaving'. Made even better by the heartbreakingly beautiful video (shot in Venice), this proves beyond any reasonable doubt that Olivia excels in a simple setting - just her, and those gorgeous words. The final Newton-John tune on this CD is her duet with John Travolta 'Take A Chance' which also proves something: singing was not his strong point. The song is very pleasant though, and Olivia sounds fantastic, and throughout all the overwhelming production and Olivia's backing vocal attempts to make John sound better, there's something appealing about this shimmery eighties pop confection.

The other songs on this soundtrack are also rather spiffy. Patti Austin's 'It's Gonna Be Special' sounds like the predecessor to Madonna's 'Holiday', and 'Ask The Lonely' by Journey is powerhouse eighties synth-rock at its most memorable. Steve Kipner's offering, 'Catch 22', proves he was a better songwriter than he was a performer, but Chicago's fantastic 'Prima Donna' more than compensates.

Overall, this is probably only a must-have purchase for Olivia fans, but for fans of eighties pop music this is probably also a viable release. A nostalgia-charged eighties aural feast!

Two of a Kind Soundtrack.......2002-09-17

Excellent music. For those of us who love these two singers you wont be disapointed. It makes you feel like your back in the 80;s . AWESOME CD RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY.

Average customer rating:

Best Perlman Collection
Plenty of Perlman
Our Greatest Living Violinist
Great music from a great man.
Not bad. But Hilary Hanh plays Bach more beautifully

The Art Of Itzhak Perlman

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
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Brahms: Double Concerto / Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
Voice of the Violin

ASIN: B000002S4J
Release Date: 1993-03-30

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In G MInor, BWV 1056: Allegro
Violin Concerto In G MInor, BWV 1056: Largo
Violin Concerto In G MInor, BWV 1056: Presto
Partita No 3, BW 1006: Preludo
Partita No 3, BW 1006: Loure
Partita No 3, BW 1006: Gavotte en Rondeau
Partita No 3, BW 1006: Menuet I
Partita No 3, BW 1006: Menuet II
Partita No 3, BW 1006: Bourree
Partita No 3, BW 1006: Gique
Violin Concerto in C minor, RV 199 'Il sospetto': Allegro
Violin Concerto in C minor, RV 199 'Il sospetto': Andante
Violin Concerto in C minor, RV 199 'Il sospetto': Allegro
Oboe Quartet in F, K 370: Allegro
Oboe Quartet in F, K 370: Adagio
Oboe Quartet in F, K 370: Rondo (Allegro)
Violin Sonata No 3 in D minor, Op 108: Allegro
Violin Sonata No 3 in D minor, Op 108: Adagio
Violin Sonata No 3 in D minor, Op 108: Un poco presto e con sentimento
Violin Sonata No 3 in D minor, Op 108: Presto agitato

Tracks:

Suite for Violin and Orchestra in A minor, Op 10: Presto
Suite for Violin and Orchestra in A minor, Op 10: Adagio
Suite for Violin and Orchestra in A minor, Op 10: Temp giusto
Violin Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor, Op 14: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor, Op 14: Preghiera (Larghetto)
Violin Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor, Op 14: Rondo (Allegro giocoso)
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op 47: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op 47: Adagio di motto
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op 47: Allegro, ma non tanto

Tracks:

Violin Concerto in D minor: Allegro con fermezza
Violin Concerto in D minor: Andante sostenuto
Violin Concerto in D minor: Allegro vivace
Violin Concerto in D, Op 35: Moderato nobile
Violin Concerto in D, Op 35: Romance (Andante)
Violin Concerto in D, Op 35: Finale (Allegro assai vivace)
Suite Italienne: I Introduzione
Suite Italienne: Serenata
Suite Italienne: Tarantella
Suite Italienne: Gavotte con due variazioni
Suite Italienne: Scherzino
Suite Italienne: Menuetto e Finale

Tracks:

Doyna: Donya - Various Artists
My Yiddishe Momma - Various Artists
The Old Folks at Home - Various Artists
Estrellita - Various Artists
The Rag-Time Dance - Various Artists
Pine Apple Rag - Various Artists
Z domoviny - Il Andantino - Various Artists
Liebesfreud - Various Artists
Liebeslied - Various Artists
Vocalise, Op 34 No 14 - Various Artists
Hungarian Dance No 1 in G minor - Various Artists
Hungarian Dance No 2 in D minor - Various Artists
Hungarian Dance No 7 in A - Various Artists
Hungarian Dance No 9 in E minor - Various Artists
Molly On The Shore - Various Artists
Look At Him Go - Andre Previn
Bowing and Scraping - Andre Previn
Londonderry Air - Various Artists
Carmen Fantasy, Op 25 - Various Artists

Customer Reviews:

Best Perlman Collection.......2004-02-28

Hi,

I think this is a very nice Perlman collection...Beautiful works selected from different Musical Eras and different styles...And Mr. Perlman is very succesful in all these types of masterworks...you can easily feel the Bach's crying words...Mozart's fun...Brahms's passion...Sinding's virtuosity...Wienlawski's Romantism...Khachaturian's hurry...and Rachmaninov's sentiments....and many others...
and also Israeli Orchestra did a very good job on this performance...They are like the third hand of Perlman...They work and feel like a family...
If you are a Perlman Fan, you must have been already bought this CD...if you are not or new to this performer it is time to meet him..and it is the way to meet him...go!!!

Plenty of Perlman.......2002-03-11

If you enjoy Itzhak Perlman and do not have very many of the selections on these discs, here is one way to get hold of them. Each of the four discs boasts a theme: 1. Baroque and Chamber Music, 2. Violin and Orchestra, 3. 20th Century Music, and 4. The Lighter Side. The selections are naturally limited to recordings Perlman did with EMI, but this represents quite a bit of his overall output. Among the recordings of the Sibelius Violin Concerto that I've heard, the one included here with André Previn and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is one I enjoy immensely. I like the cinematic sweep of the Korngold Concerto; the Bach Violin Partita; the jazz selections written by Previn. There isn't much that I don't like here. Here is a compilation where variety is a key factor. If you're into variety and Perlman's style, this set gives you plenty of both.

Our Greatest Living Violinist.......2000-05-11

Almost 30 years ago, at Penn State while I was a student there, Itzhak Perlman visited, gave some lessons to aspiring violinists and gave the most astounding, memorable concert I've ever attended. Quite to the contrary of the fellow from Baton Rouge, Perlman was the consummate teacher who critiqued and encouraged students with far lesser talents, and he did it with class. This collection contains a number of recordings I already have but consider them worth having again in such a superbly arranged collection. His arrangements on the Hungarian Dances are the best!

Great music from a great man........2000-01-06

The sentiments of certain Baton Rouge residents notwithstanding, this is the consummate collection from a great artist AND a great humanitarian.

Not bad. But Hilary Hanh plays Bach more beautifully.......1999-11-16

Perlman plays Bach quite well, but when compared to Hilary Hahn, Perlman comes out second best. Hilary captures the whole essence and spirit of Bach, and herr violin sings Bach in two, three, and four beautiful voices in perfect harmnony.

Soul Music:

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