V.I.P. [Extra tracks]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Back in the day, the Jungle Brothers juggled roles as hip-house pioneers ("I'll House You") and conscious-rap members of the Native Tongues posse. V.I.P., produced by Propellerhead Alex Gifford, reflects a JBeez whose sights are trained on the dance floor--an approach that's certainly fun for casual listening, but which pretends that the chancy moves of the past (Stooges samples!) never existed. Lyrically, the Brothers stick to simple chants and tired boasts about their place in the rap firmament; a low point is reached with "Get Down," a tedious cut that leans too hard on its interpolation of Kool and the Gang's limp "Get Down on It" as a hook. Can they still rock the party? No doubt. But V.I.P. is more like potato chips than the B-boy bouillabaise the Jungle Brothers once served their guests. --Rickey Wright

V.I.P.,Jungle Brothers,V2,Alternative Rap,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop,Underground Rap

Tracks:

Russian Cathedral Bells
Rachmaninov / Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 31: Great Ektenia
Rachmaninov / Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 31: Hymn of Praise
Rachmaninov / Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 31: Hymn of the Cherubim
Bortniansky / Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpt)
Kedrov / Our Father
Rachmaninov / Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 31: Fervent Supplication
Rospev / The Noble Joseph
Tchaikovsky / Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 41: Amen. And with Thy Spirit
Russian Monastic Vespers (excerpt)
Rachmaninov / Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 31: Bless the Lord, O my Soul
Tchaikovsky / Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 41: Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpt)
Christov / Hymn of the Cherubim (excerpts/edited)
Tchaikovsky / Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 41: Our Father
Gretchaninov / I have Chosen the Blissful
Lvovski / Hymn of the Cherubim
Final Bells

Product Description

1. Russian Cathedral Bells
2. Great Ektenia
3. Hymn of Praise
4. Hymn of the Cherubim
5. Hymn of the Cherubim
6. Our Father
7. Fervent Supplication
8. The Noble Joseph
9. Amen. And with Thy Spirit
10. Russian Monastic Vespers
11. Bless the Lord, O My Soul
12. Hymn of the Cherubim
13. Hymn of the Cherubim
14. Our Father
15. I Have Chosen The Blissful
16. Hymn of the Cherubim
17. Final Bells

Format: CD

Amazon.com's Best of 1998

Although this collection intends to transport the soul, it has a tremendously potent low-end depth to it that earns high marks indeed in the worlds of vocal and liturgical music. Dmitri Bortniansky's "Hymn of the Cherubim" is performed with a gracefulness that gets a warming fatness from the production, as does Alexander Gretchaninov's "I Have Chosen the Blissful," which travels with a ringing resonance. In a year of fine choral works--check out Sequentia's Hildegard cycle box, 900 Years or Arvo Pärt's Kanon Pokajanen for a "something old, something new" mix--this collection is highly valued for its sonic integrity and its excellent anthological mix. --Andrew Bartlett

Amazon.com

Words cannot describe poignantly enough the exquisite, angelic voices that permeate the heart and exalt the soul on Sacred Treasures. The most highly regarded Russian and Bulgarian choirs sing the hymns of Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Lvovski, and other composers in the Russian Orthodox Church's tradition of "Divine Worship" (worship through chant). From the first tolling bells that open the CD with a willowy, floating piece from Rachmaninov's Liturgy of St. John, to the final bells closing the door on "Hymn of the Cherubim" (Grigory Lvovski), this CD creates a gentle, distinctly Byzantine glory. The rhythms slowly wisp along while the choirs' baritones, tenors, and sopranos mesh into one expansive blessing. Meant to comprehensively gather not all Russian liturgical pieces but rather hymns that emote an inner tranquility and celestial grace, Sacred Treasures plays like a piece of heaven on Earth. --Karen Karleski

Customer Reviews:

Inner beauty.......2007-02-07

The sense of beauty emerge within us as these chorals fill the space of our head and heart. A music written by real masters and interpreted by voices rarely heard. Beautiful.

Music for the soul.......2007-01-10

One of the best renditions of the Orthodox Liturgy most famous hymns.

Hauntingly beautiful.......2006-12-28

A terrific production...a wonderful selection; great phrasing. See also "Holy Love" by 'Rossica Choir'

Divine Beauty and Peace! .......2006-12-03

I am the producer of this CD and also of "SACRED TREASURES III: Choral Masterworks From Russia and Beyond" as well as "SACRED TREASURES IV: Quiet Prayers" and "CELTIC TWILIGHT 7: Sacred Spirit". In each case, my intention was to bring together the very best performances of exceptionally beautiful, slow and peaceful sacred music. Most of the pieces on this compilation (as on the other compilations mentioned above) are filled with lush harmonies sung by large mixed choirs. All the selections are deeply nourishing to the soul.

In many cases, I chose to use excerpts from longer pieces, omitting the exultant huge crescendos and very fast sections that are typical of Russian sacred music, presenting only the slow and quiet verses. One reviewer complained about the omission of the final (loud and fast) part of the Cherubic hymns, saying this is the best part, but I completely disagree! I feel that the slow "adagio" sections are by far the most beautiful parts, and that is what you will hear on these CDs.

Different types of music serve different needs, and in today's stressful and fast-paced world, one of the most important and often neglected needs is for time out from that world--to "lay aside all earthly cares" (as the "Cherubic Hymns" on this CD prescribe) and to rest in a magical, quiet space of slow, peaceful, beauty. That peaceful beauty is available to you on all of these albums, including this one, "SACRED TREASURES: Choral Masterworks from Russia"!

A Soviet version of Russian music.......2006-05-29

I admit to some strong bias here, having sung on the recording of Tchaikovsky's Liturgy available here from the Russian Chamber Chorus of New York. I was in that choir for five years, and our conductor's view of how to properly interpret Russian music became my own.

Because of Stalin's efforts to cleanse the country of the influence of religion, many musicians and composers were sent to Siberia. They were replaced with those from peasant backgrounds. The result was a huge change in how classical Russian music was performed, becoming less subtle, more interested in brute power and flash.

This recording features a massive and powerful choir. But the listener mostly hears a series of vowel sounds, with the consonants lost in the shuffle. Dynamic range is not as large as it could be. Phrasing is largely absent and we hear a steady wall of sound instead. Precision of rhythm is spotty, what consonants we do hear are frequently smeared. Pitch and richness of tone are good, but on high notes, inevitably given the size of the choir, some members strain.

Having performed and recorded Tchaikovsky's Liturgy I am very familiar with the piece. But listening to this recording of excerpts from it I sometimes barely recognized it as the same work. Tchaikovsky gives us great artistry, frequently crecendos and decrecendos on a single phrase. Each choral voice comes and goes like a wave, not all together like a tsunami in all but a few places. The balance of voices is constantly moving.

I encourage you to listen to the samples available here of the Russian Chamber Chorus's recording of Tchaikovsky's Liturgy, compare the same pieces. This recording is more a Vegas neon version of this great artwork than the fine art it deserves to be shown as. James Oestreich, the New York Times critic, put the Russian Chamber Chorus recording at #4 on his top ten list of classical releases for 2001, and said that if you had not heard it "You only think you know Tchaikovsky."

I hope you give the real Russian classical tradition a listen. It deserves your time, and it will pay you back with a huge amount of pleasure.

Bella Tuscany: Music Inspired by Tuscany

Average customer rating:

Bella Bellisimo
Very nice collection of Italian classical repertoire
Beautiful

Bella Tuscany: Music Inspired by Tuscany

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tuscany: A Romantic Journey
Under the Tuscan Sun
Provence: A Romantic Journey
Dinner Classics: The Italian Album
Dinner In Italy

ASIN: B000294RMQ
Release Date: 2004-06-22

Tracks:

O Mio Babino Caro - Erich Kunzel
Quando M'en Vo' - Erich Kunzel
Italiana - Jesus Lopez-Cobos
Danza Rustica - Jesus Lopez-Cobos
Sonate XIII - Empire Brass Quintet And Friends
Allegro - Yolanda Kondonassis
Allegro Non Molto - Yolanda Kondonassis
The Nightengale - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Cuckoo - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Siciliana - Angel Romero
Che Gelida Manina - Fernando De La Mora
Humming Chorus - May Festival Chorus
Adagio - Angel Romero
Allegro - Paul Patterson
Di Provenza Il Mar, Il Suol - Erich Kunzel
Intermezzo Sinfonico - Erich Kunzel

Customer Reviews:

Bella Bellisimo.......2007-07-07

A wonderful compellation of Italian classical music. I love to hear it while I'm driving; it makes road rage disappear.

Very nice collection of Italian classical repertoire.......2007-01-11

Very enjoyable listening to this classical CD. I also highly recommend the CD of this series "LaBelle France Music Inspried by France".

Beautiful.......2007-01-09

I bought the CD after hearing it at a friend's home. It's quite different than the music I typically listen to; but it's quite lovely. It's very relaxing and reflective.

Average customer rating:

a wonderful surprise
What!? How is this possible?
Beauty and grace, charm and wit - Maury's got it all
A perfect marriage of music and lyrics
The Maury Yeston Songbook

The Maury Yeston Songbook
Maury Yeston , Christine Andreas , Brent Barrett , Betty Buckley , Liz Callaway , Alice Ripley , Sutton Foster , Brian d'Arcy James , and Philip Chaffin
Manufacturer: P.S. Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Maury Yeston Songbook
December Songs
The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
Jule Styne in Hollywood
Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00008H2LJ
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Please Let's Not Even Say Hello - Alice Ripley
Only with You - Brent Barrett
I Want to Go to Hollywood - Sutton Foster
Danglin' - Johnny Rodgers
I Had a Dream About You - Betty Buckley
My True Love - Philip Chaffin
A Call from the Vatican - Alice Ripley
Now and Then - Laura Benanti
You're There Too - Christopher Fitzgerald
Is Someone Out There? - Eden Espinosa
New Words - Brent Barrett
My Grandmother's Love Letters - Christine Ebersole
By the River - Christine Andreas
I Am Longing - Philip Chaffin
Home - Laura Benanti & Robert Cuccioli
Another Day in the Modern World - Michael Holland
Simple - Liz Callaway
Unusual Way - Brian d'Arcy James
Be On Your Own - Betty Buckley
No Moon - Howard McGillin

Amazon.com

Despite racking up Tony nominations and/or box-office success with Nine, Grand Hotel, and Titanic, Maury Yeston remains a relatively unknown Broadway auteur. And yet, what a fabulous songwriter he is. Listen to "Home," for instance: This excerpt from Phantom (the other adaptation of Phantom of the Opera) has great melodic hooks, along with natural sweep and unrestrained emotion. Like every song on this CD, it also has such dramatic drive that it easily stands on its own outside of its regular narrative frame. This collection of new recordings provides an excellent overview of Yeston's talent, juxtaposing numbers from his three best-known scores (though there's only one from Titanic) with rarities and a generous selection from his 1991 song cycle December Songs. Christine Ebersole, Liz Callaway, and Betty Buckley turn in expectedly strong performances, but watch also for Laura Benanti (the star of the 2003 revival of Nine), Christine Andreas, and Foster Sutton, who completely make the material theirs. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Description

The Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist -- who's given us the smash hit musicals Titanic, Phantom and Grand Hotel, and whose first stage show, Nine, is currently being revived in New York with Antonio Banderas -- is celebrated in song by the best stars o

Customer Reviews:

a wonderful surprise.......2007-07-22

Like others, I bought this CD primarily for Sutton Foster's rendition of "I Want to Go to Hollywood." And while that's wonderful, the real surprises here are the songs from Yeston's song cycle "December Songs." Christine Ebersole and Christine Andreas give absolutely lovely, technically proficient, completely heartfelt renditions of "My Grandmother's Love Letters" and "By the River", respectively. I'd heard Andrea Marcovicci's recording of "December Songs" and was seriously underwhelmed. These two tracks just prove that Yeston might have over-estimated Marcovicci's range and technical ability. "By the River" is a revelation in the right hands, and Ms. Andreas's rendition is just four minutes of wonderful. I also want to mention Howard McGillin's "No Moon". This little song from "Titanic" is just so moving. Pulled out of context, it becomes a little jewel of metaphor.

The CD as a whole is beautifully recorded, with an intimacy and clarity that makes you feel like you're in the first row of a very small theatre. If you come across this and you're on the fence, take a chance. I bet that you'll be as pleasantly surprised and deeply moved as I've been.

What!? How is this possible?.......2007-01-20

How could one put together a Maury Yeston Songbook cd without a track from Andrea Marcovicci? He wrote a song cycle for her. Granted there are some great singers here but a grave oversight to not include Ms Marcovicci.

Beauty and grace, charm and wit - Maury's got it all.......2006-11-14

Maury Yeston may be musical theatre's unsung genius to the public at large, but I've heard his praises sung many times. A friend convinced me to buy the original Broadway cast of "Nine", and while there were some fantastic songs and an undeniable melodic gift throughout, it left me lukewarm. The same with "Grand Hotel". And I couldn't stand "Titanic" - too big, too self-important, too reliant on booming low brass and bombastic orchestral swells.

"Phantom" was the only one of his scores that touched something other than distanced admiration in me. It was everything Sir Lloyd Webber's popera travesty could never quite aspire to - epic yet human, beautiful and touching, with songs that showed actual details and emotions. So it was with that in mind that I purchased this, figuring that maybe Maury could prove me wrong, shorn from the restrictions of a book musical format.

And by God, did he prove me right and then some.

Maybe it's the singers. Maybe it's the perfect orchestrations. Maybe it's just the absence of a plot to follow. More than likely, it's all three, but this is one of the most gorgeous, enjoyable, heartbreaking albums I've ever purchased. Yeston has assembled an impressive cast to give voice to his music - such heavy Broadway hitters as Alice Ripley, Brent Barrett, Betty Buckley, Christine Ebersole and Howard McGillin mix with up-and-comers like Eden Espinosa, Sutton Foster, and Brian d'Arcy James. But the most impressive turns are given by people I'd never heard of before - Johnny Rodgers (who?) has a voice spun from gold, and he's absolutely perfect in "Danglin'", a simple and powerful song despite some odd lyric choices by Yeston. Likewise Philip Chaffin in "My True Love" and "I Am Longing", and Michael Holland displays a warm and untrained performance of "Another Day in the Modern World". These three men, who I'd never heard of before, absolutely stole the show. It doesn't hurt that they're given some of the best songs from the album.

Of course, the rest of the ensemble uniformly turns in worthwhile performances. The professionalism of Broadway is gloriously evident here, each singer making their song uniquely theirs. Brent Barrett made me hear "Only With You" as if for the first time. Betty Buckley is surprisingly vulnerable in "I Had A Dream About You". Alice Ripley is her usual bundle of raw emotion in "Please Let's Not Even Say Hello", and turns in a rare comic performance in "Call From The Vatican" to great effect (listen to that surprise high note near the end! Wow, Alice!). Christine Ebersole is heartbroken, elated, vulnerable, and tough all in the course of "Grandmother's Love Letters"' 4 minutes.

There are some weak spots - Eden Espinosa is mostly one-note during her song, and while it's certainly a high note, it's nothing you haven't heard her do better elsewhere. Laura Benanti's "Now and Then" goes by without much notice, which is a shame for this talented actress. And Betty Buckley goes back to her usual high-volume stridence in "Be On Your Own", which despite its chilling music deserves a more nuanced performance than Buckley gives here. But these songs would be standouts on any other album, and it's only the company they keep that prevent them from being excellent.

Oh, and "Unusual Way", possibly Yeston's best-known song, is so beautifully performed here by Brian d'Arcy James and a three-piece band that I nearly cried hearing it. And that's quite a feat for a song that I swore never to listen to again after the seventeenth girl in a day auditioned with it (badly). But the gender swap works perfectly, and d'Arcy James' golden Irish tenor swings through the music effortlessly.

As for the band - there are no missteps here. Each song is given exactly what it needs, from the Romantic-with-a-capital-R string section on "Home", to the jazzy saxophone on "Letter From the Vatican", to "Be On Your Own", which is given a Herrmann-esque string section. Some particular touches stand out - that lovely acoustic guitar on "Danglin'", the simple piano line on "Modern World", and the sublime cello/piano outro in "Unusual Way" really stuck with me after the album stopped playing. And the recording is without fault - crisp, encompassing, personable and expansive as the mood requires. The whole album sounds fantastic.

There is such a wide range of style and substance here that each song would deserve purchasing individually. As a collection? It's bliss. If you're a fan of theater music, appreciate great vocals, or just need something to keep you company on long nights, this is required purchase.

A perfect marriage of music and lyrics.......2006-09-07

I think Yeston must be the most underrated talent in music theatre. And not just music theatre ... for as far as I know, "Danglin'" is not from a show - a jewel of a song ... and a disarmingly honest rendition from Johnny Rogers (what a beautiful voice! Why hasn't he made more CD's?) Some other favourites are "New Words" (not enough parent-child love songs out there ... and I can't imagine it could be sung any better than this), "You're there too" (with a charming and unexpected twist), "Simple" (Callaway is superb), "Only With You" (loveable rogue!) ... to name but a few. Inspired music theatre writing. A must for any musical buff, composer or singer seeking repertoire that will help them stand out from the crowd.

The Maury Yeston Songbook.......2006-08-30

A good album sung by good singers. I have been an admirer of Maury Yeston for a number of years . I am a great fan of "Nine"
which I consider his best work.(If possible try to listen to the
Australian Cast Recording with John Diedrich) I enjoy listening to artists like Alice Ripley, Brent Barrett, Sutton Foster,and my very favourite singer Liz Callaway. All in all a great CD to just sit back ,relax and enjoy Les Breen

Average customer rating:

The finest horn album ever

Horn Concertos

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4
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Sonatas by Beethoven, Hindemith and Heiden

ASIN: B0007RO59I
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

I. Vivace
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Largo
II. Allegro Moderato
I. Con Discrezione
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
Horn Concertino In E Minor, Op.45
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andante
III. Allegro
I. Larghetto
II. Allegro Non Troppo
III. Menuet & Trio

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Rondo (Allegretto)
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Cantabile
III. Rondo (Moderato)
I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Lento Cantabile
III. Rondo (Allegretto)
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Menuetto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

The finest horn album ever.......2005-08-11

No, this album doesn't include any of the superb horn concerti by Wolfgang Mozart. But it does have some incredible works, played wonderfully by Barry Tuckwell.

Over an hour is devoted to the works of Johann Stich (concerti 5, 6, 10, and 11). There are concerti by Franz Joseph Haydn and by Michael Haydn. And by Leopold Mozart. There's a concerto by Telemann. A beautiful sonata for horn and strings by Cherubini. A concerto by Forster. And the piece I consider the masterpiece of the bunch, the Horn Concertino by Carl Weber. Tuckwell is at his best with this work, including the very difficult chords (!) that have to produced by humming one note while playing another.

I highly recommend these two disks.

Beyond Chant: Mysteries Of The Renaissance

Average customer rating:

Great literature... but thats about it
Essential listening.
Captivating!
Lofty music
Slow down Maestro !

Beyond Chant: Mysteries Of The Renaissance

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

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

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Josquin Desprez: Motets & Chansons

ASIN: B0000006ZN
Release Date: 1994-05-23

Tracks:

Sicut Cervus
Ave Maria
Justorum Animae
Jesu Rex admirabilis
Exultate Deo
Exultate Justi
Jesu,Dulcis Memoria
Ave Verum Corpus
Psalm 90
Psalm 96
Hodie Christus Natus Est
O Maria Virgo Pia
Tu Pauperum Refugium
O Sacrum Convivium
If Ye Love Me,Keep My Commandments
Hosanna To The Son Of David
O Quam Gloriosum
Selig sind die Toten
Heu Nos Miseros
Exaltabo Te
O Sing Joyfully
O Magnum Mysterium
Laudate Nomen
Cantate Domino

Amazon.com

Go right to the first track and prepare for one of the most masterful and stylish performances of Palestrina that you'll ever hear. It's not flashy music nor is the singing especially virtuosic, but the unified phrasing, ideal balance among sections, and overall ensemble technique is impressive, and Palestrina's little motet simply opens and displays itself like a beautiful flower. The rest of the program, which includes a variety of beautiful flowers from composers such as Josquin, Sweelinck, and Tallis, maintains the same standard. Anyone looking for an introduction to Renaissance sacred choral music will find much here to encourage further exploration--standards like Byrd's "Ave verum corpus" and Victoria's "O magnum mysterium"-- and lesser known tiny masterpieces such as Victoria's "Jesu, dulcis memoria." The Voices of Ascension ranks with the world's finest choirs, and this recording reflects both the highest standard of choral singing and the highest standard of choral composition during the Renaissance. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Great literature... but thats about it.......2007-06-17

This cd was mildly dissapointing, to say the least. The literature is fantastic. Some of the greats are featured on here with some of their best works. No doubt a great taste of the Renaissance, especially for someone new to it. However, I'm sorry to say that the performance is second-rate, at best. Dennis Keene apparently is either unaware, or just simply understudied when it comes to the Renaissance. He shows an incredible lack of messa di voce, which was what drove the counterpoint of the Renaissance. His interpretations rob this music of its deeply personal purpose. I would suggest the Hilliard Ensemble over any ensemble for Renaissance literature, and find it dissapointing that so many people praise such emotionless, understudied Renaissance ensembels such as the Voices of Ascension, the Tallis Scholars, and the Oxford Camerata, just to name a few. Very good literature... But always pick the Hilliard Ensemble or Anthony Rooley's Consort of Musike when you have the option. It seems like Paul Hillier and Anthony Rooley are the only two true Renaissance scholars currently conducting ensembles.

Essential listening........2007-03-05

This was my first CD of Renaissance choral music, as it undoubtably has been for a great many people. It offers the best possible introduction to the genre for 2 main reasons: 1. No other CD of Renaissance choral music contains such a varied cross-section of early to late Renaissance sacred music styles. 2. The performance and recording quality are fabulous.

Keene uses a variety of different voicings and numbers of singers according to the needs of each particular piece, sometimes with only 2 on a part. The ensemble heard on this recording is a select professional core of The Voices Of Ascension, one of the best choral groups in the country. The voices are all very rich and resonant, and the intonation through the entire CD is unquestionably on par with the best in the world. The singing is, for the most part, completelly vibratoless and extremely smooth, which creates a gorgeous purity that allows this music to shine. However, it does become strident at times, which may put off some choral conductors who are strongly against straight-tone singing.

Of particularly high quality and beauty are the Viadana "Exultate Justi", Byrd's "Ave Verum Corpus", Tallis' "O Sacrum Convivium", and the Victoria and Sweelinck pieces. Another extraordinary track is Leonardo Leo's "Heu Nos Miseros", a late Baroque piece included because of its influence from earlier styles. It is a 9 part double choir piece full of extravigant dissonances and emotion, performed breathtakingly.

Captivating!.......2006-04-12

I was christened as a choral music fan once, as a college student, I heard the music of the Cambridge Singers. Inundated with classical music for years, how could I never have heard such music?! It was as if my musical senses were born anew: for it was with the same awe as a child encountering the world for the first time, that I discovered this novel and fascinating world of a cappella choral music. There were landmark discoveries along the way: Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge; Concordia Choir; St. Olaf Choir; the Dale Warland Singers; the Kansas City Chorale; Kantorei; the West Coast Mennonite Chamber Singers...and (as you expected!) I must end with the Voices of Ascension. The clarity of their pure voices can only be paralleled by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge. Chant haters, do not avoid this CD - you will find no chants here! Chants hold absolutely NO intrigue for me and I cannot endure listening to them for long periods of time. By contrast, this music, aptly named "Beyond Chant," truly does uncover hidden musical treasures of the Renaissance for those who would ordinarily avoid such music. The intricately woven a cappella harmonies are captivating and satisfying. I highly recommend this CD to all choral music fans.

Lofty music.......2005-10-14

Some of the earliest pieces of Christian music are the various kinds of chant. These hearken back to synagogue singing; there were various kinds of chant, including Gregorian, Old Roman, Mozarabic, Cistercian and Anglican chant. These tend toward the monophonic, singing with a single 'tune' or lone. They are generally without regular beats or set meters. However, in the Renaissance, monophonic chant grew into a polyphonic form, and this is one of the most glorious eras of music. (My shelves at home are filled with CDs of this sort.) Composers in this era include many represented on this disc - Palestrina, Desprez, Victoria, Lassus, Byrd, Gibbons and Tallis were some of the leading lights of the time. Lesser known but still glorious include Tye, Viadana, Sweelinck, Hassler, Batten and Schutz.

One of the interesting features of this disc is that it includes three pieces by Sweelinck, two psalm settings and 'Hodie Christus Natus Est'. (Sweelinck is very under-represented in recording and performance today). Some pieces are very well known - Byrd's 'Ave Verum Corpus' is perhaps one of the most familiar pieces from this period, as is Palestrina's 'Exultate Deo'. This is a collection that draws from the breadth of the Western Christian tradition of music from this time, with composers from Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Spain.

The composers here wrote liturgical music for Masses and other worship services, as well as other pieces - motets and other kinds of new music. This disc represents music that is two or three steps removed from plainsong and basic forms of chant - some are quite a bit distant. Viadana's composition for 'Exultate Justi', for example, was actually composed later, and despite being done in a more Renaissance style, shows decided influences of the Baroque (this might also be part of the performance of the Voices of the Ascension that gives this impression).

The Voices of Ascension, under the direction of Dennis Keene, grew out of the choir of the Church of the Ascension in New York City. Many of the singers are active soloists in addition to being part of this group (whose numbers vary, but often around 40). Keene is a conductor, organist and teacher (not an uncommon combination). Trained at Juilliard, he has led the Voices of Ascension through many outstanding recordings and performances.

This is a performance that is definitely uplifting, and a good collection of music in its breadth to introduce the glories of Renaissance polyphony to those who with little exposure to it. The recording quality is very good, and the choir is quite full and well suited for the music. Some have commented upon the tempo, but this was not a concern for me, and did not stand out as unusual or a problem upon listening (indeed, there were a few points at which I might wish for it to be a bit faster, rather than slower).

A collection that soars!

Slow down Maestro !.......2004-01-04

Another reviewer writing about another album by Dennis Keene wrote:

"Yet the performance is not the slowly flowing honey usually served up by, say, the Tallis Scholars (as good as that is). Particularly in the Gloria and Credo of the Mass, Dennis Keene deliberately de-emphasizes the rise and fall of the different voices' lines in favor of a more naturally speech-like declamation of the long Latin texts. This means a surprisingly fast tempo--and some rhythmic spring and syncopation one might not expect in Palestrina. Some (not all) of the motets get a similar treatment: it works well in joyous pieces like the Pentecost motet Dum complerentur, but listeners might miss that melodic rise and fall in some of the slower works. The singers of Voices of Ascension are quite skillful, and the slight edge in their tone helps make the different melodies unusually audible. Very worthwhile, but not your father's Palestrina."

As a matter of fact, I used to like this album quite much although it was certainly not my favorite. That was until I listened to Robert shaw's "O Magnum Mysterium", which is amedley of Renaissance, negro spiritual, Russian and Western contemporary religious music. I was struck by Shaw's profoundly spiritual interpretation of the pieces by Victoria and Tallis that are also recorded on "Beyond Chant".

From then on I could no longer listen to this cd without feeling feeling increasingly dissatisfied. I tried to find a precise reason and not being a music specialist I was quite at a loss until I found the review above. Maybe the quick tempo is the key to my dislike.

I definitely feel that Dennis Keene and his singers do not have the depth of the Robert Shaw Festival Singers although the booklet accompanying the cd claims that the audience was spellbound by their performance, which took place in a cathedral in New York.

Tracks:

America the Beautiful
All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight
Ballad of the Green Berets
On Top of Old Smokey
Coyote Warrior
Semper Fidelis
Breeze from Alabama
Onward Christian Soldiers
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
Patriot
Sweet Betsy from Pike
Marines' Hymn
America Is
When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home
Happy the Soldier
American Trilogy
Home Sweet Home
Washington Post March
Enraptured I Gaze
Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair
Yellow Rose of Texas
Over There
Simple Gifts
Liberty Bell
Star Spangled Banner

Tracks:

God Bless the USA
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Katy Cruel
I Vow to Thee My Country
King Cotton
Beautiful Dreamer
America
American Patrol
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Beauty
Mohican Dream
Red, White and Blue
Some Folks
Liberty Song
Pomp and Circumstance
Hail to the Chief
Bennington Rifles
Peace on the Battlefield
I've Been Working on the Railroad
Under the Double Eagle
Red River Valley
My Country 'Tis of Thee
Camptown Races
Wild Blue Yonder
Hands Across the Sea
Fanfare for the Common Man

Tracks:

Stars and Stripes Forever
Living in America
Home on the Range
Old Colony Times
Clementine
Invincible Eagle
Ring Ring de Banjo
Yankee Doodle
Largo from "The New World"
To a Wild Rose
Hail Columbia
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Gettysburg
Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
Capitan
Prairie Daughter
Little Brown Jug
Marching Through Georgia
Entertainer
Steamboat Around the Bend
Revolutionary Tea
Cassions Keep Rollin' Along
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Amazing Grace
Grand Old Flag

Tracks:

God Bless America
National Emblem
Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me
Anchors Away
Oh, Susannah
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
Toast
Dixie
St. Louis Blues
Appalachian Spring
Bonnie Blue Flag
Old Hundreth
Swanee River
Battle Cry of Freedom
U. S Field Artillery
Sidewalks of New York
Chester
Auld Lang Syne
Kingdom Come
My Old Kentucky Home
Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Shenandoah
Abraham's Daughter
This Land Is Your Land

Customer Reviews:

not to great.......2007-04-04

We were disappointed with this CD, but for the price I guess we can't expect much. I didn't care for the new style presentation of the songs. I like a more traditional rendering.

Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$.......2005-06-22

I red the comments of two other people who have bought this 4 CD BOX SET and it is not really so bad. I will even add that there are some excellent tunes. However, I must agree with the fact that few tunes seem to have been recorded 40 or 50 years ago, mainly when you hear the scratches of an old turntable but it is just 2 or 3 tunes. Furthermore, if you do not know American music, it is a good BOX SET to buy if you consider that you received 4 CD for 4$ including 100 tunes. On these 4 CD, I have heard some orchestration that I have never heard before and I consider that they are different but interesting. Any way, after hearing these 100 tunes, you will say to yourself that you like this tune, this other tune, this other tune and so on and you will be able to buy a more expensive CD with the tunes that you like. However, I have bought many CDs in the last few weeks and as you know, there are always some tunes that you like and some tunes that you do not like on every CD that you will buy. So, don't buy it at 25$ but at 4 or 5$ dollars, it is a very good choice for 100 tunes.

You get what you pay for........2004-07-04

You get what you pay for. The singers put their own spin on the singing of each song. If you didn't hear the words you would not recognize some of them. Even some of the music sounds like a bad recording of music played on a turntable. Definitely not worth the price.

Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ..........2004-07-04

I wish this review had been here when I was thinking of purchasing it. I guess you get what you pay for. If you are thinking of buying this, you are better off recording your own CDs (or at least buying one that you can listen to a sampling of the songs). This album includes songs that were mere recordings of the songs playing on an old record player. It's almost so unbelievable that it is funny.

Average customer rating:

Authenric Music with traditional instruments.
Living history

Music of the Civil War
Americus Brass Band , B. Holmes , W.L. Hobbs , Hosea Ripley , Walter Kittridge , D.L. Downing , George Frederick Root , Gioachino Rossini , Anonymous , James P. Carrell , W.K. Batchelder , C.V. Wallace , Henry Russell , Patrick S. Gilmore , Stephen Foster , Daniel Decatur Emmett , and Giacomo Meyerbeer
Manufacturer: Summit(Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Civil War: Its Music and Its Sounds
Songs of the Civil War
The Civil War - Traditional American Songs And Instrumental Music Featured In The Film By Ken Burns: Original Soundtrack Recording
The World Turned Upside Down
The Spirit of '76 and Ruffles and Flourishes

ASIN: B0000038IY
Release Date: 1993-02-02

Tracks:

When The Cruel War Is Over - Hoist Up The Flag Quick Step
Americus Quick Step
Fireman's Polka
Tenting On The Old Camp Ground
Dixie's Land Medley Quick Step
Battle Cry Of Freedom - Kingdom Coming Quick Step
Excerpt From William Tell
Sumter Light Guard March
Bonnie Eloise Quick Step
Amazing Grace
Glory Hallelujah Grand March
Scenes That Are Brightest - In Happy Moments Quick Step
Kazoodie Ko Whirl Overture
Woodman, Spare That Tree
Fireman's Quick Step
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Civil War Folk Song Medley: Oh, Suzanna, Garry Owen, Jordan Am A Hard Road, Bonnie Blue Flag, The Girl I Left Behind Me
Coronation March

Customer Reviews:

Authenric Music with traditional instruments........2000-09-17

For those of you who enjoy the music, as it was sung and played during the Civil War, this recording is a "must!" J.A. McA.

Living history.......1999-07-31

So shoot me. I like bagpipe music and I like fife and drum recordings and I like brass bands. Recently cruisin' the Internet brought me to the website of a company called Summit Records out in Arizona; and my eye was caught by the title (DCD 126) with a group calling itself The Americus Brass Band. I obtained a copy post haste and I want to all to know about it with equal rapidity. There is just short of 55 minutes of Civil War tunes played in a style that is "historically accurate, right down to the high military pitch and the clicking of the rotary valves on the original antique instruments employed" (as the notes tell us). The history of the band is available in those notes, so let me just dwell on the "music that still produces feelings of humor, joy, sadness, and patriotic pride." Well, what music does not produce at least one of those?--and I am not entirely sure there was anything about the Civil War of which we on either side should be particularly proud. But Sing a Song of Suffering seems to be an eternal way of making the best of a rotten situation during war time; and this CD is replete with such memories as "Tenting Tonight," "Amazing Grace," "Woodman, Spare That Tree," and even a little bit of the "William Tell Overture" and a Meyerbeer opera! In short, this is not the expected line up of soldier songs but selections that are "typical of that which might have been played by a group such as the Americus Brass band." I love it. Give it a try, please.

Average customer rating:

Great music and an astonishing amount of it!

Christmas Album: Original Masters

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Merry Christmas
Christmas In Vienna: Vienna Boys' Choir
Weihnachten - A German Christmas
Stille Nacht - A German Christmas
The Three Tenors Christmas

ASIN: B0000AP6HJ
Release Date: 2003-10-28

Tracks:

Jauchzet, Frohlocket, Auf Preiset Die Tage - RIAS Kammerchor
Alle Jahre Wieder - Rita Streich
Maria Auf Dem Berge - Rita Streich
Ihr Kinderlein Kommet - Rita Streich
Echolied Der Hirten - Rita Streich
O Du Frohliche - Rita Streich
Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen - Rita Streich
Vom Himmel Hoch, O Englein, Kommt - Fritz Wunderlich
Was Soll Das Bedeuten - Fritz Wunderlich
O Freude Uber Freude - Fritz Wunderlich
Ich Steh An Deiner Krippen Hier - Fritz Wunderlich
Gottes Sohn Ist Kommen (Gott, Durch Deine Gute) BWV 600 - Helmut Walcha
Gelobet Seist Du, Jesus Christ BWV 604 - Helmut Walcha
Der Tag, Der Ist So Freudenreich BWV 605 - Helmut Walcha
Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her BWV 606 - Helmut Walcha
Vom Himmel Karn Der Engel Schar BWV 607 - Helmut Walcha
O Du Frohliche, O Du Selige - Maria Stader
On Christmas Night - Maria Stader
Als Die Welt Verloren - Maria Stader
Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging - Maria Stader
Herbei, O Ihr Glaubigen - Maria Stader
Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen - Maria Stader
Marie Et Joseph - Maria Stader
In Dulci Jubilo - Maria Stader
Kommet Ihr Hirten - Maria Stader
Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her - Maria Stader
Freu Dich, Erd' Und Sternenzelt - Maria Stader
O Jesulein Zart - Maria Stader
D'ou Viens-tu, Belle Bergere - Maria Stader
Ach Du Mein Liebes Jesulein - Maria Stader
Seht, Das Kindlein Weinet - Maria Stader
Kindlein Zart - Maria Stader
Schlaf, Mein Kindlein - Maria Stader
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht - Maria Stader
Denn Es Ist Uns Ein Kind Geboren - Gundula Janowitz
Es Waren Hirten Beisammen Auf Dem Felde - Gundula Janowitz
Ehre Sei Gott In Der Hohe - Gundula Janowitz

Tracks:

Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht - Don Kosaken Chor Serge Jaroff
O Du Frohliche, O Du Selige - Don Kosaken Chor Serge Jaroff
O Tannenbaum - Don Kosaken Chor Serge Jaroff
SuBer Die Glocken Nie Klingen - Don Kosaken Chor Serge Jaroff
Vivace - Grave - Allegro - Fritz Neumeyer
Adagio - Allegro - Adagio - Fritz Neumeyer
Vivace - Fritz Neumeyer
Allegro - Pastorale Ad Libitum (Largo) - Fritz Neumeyer
Vom Himmel Hoch - Rita Streich
Die Hirten Auf Dem Falde - Rita Streich
Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging - Rita Streich
Still, Still, Still - Rita Streich
SuBer Die Glocken - Rita Streich
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht - Rita Streich
In Dulci Jubilo BWV 608 - Helmut Walcha
Lobt Gott, Ihr Christen, Allzugleich BWV 609 - Helmut Walcha
Wir Christenleut' BWV 612 - Helmut Walcha
In Dir Ist Freude BWV 615 - Helmut Walcha
Weihnachtslied Der Hirten - Schlaf Wohl, Du Himmels - Knabe Du - Jorg Demus
Uns Ist Geboren Ein Kindelein - Jorg Demus
Ich Steh An Deiner Krippen Hier - Jorg Demus
1. Christbaum - Irmgard Seefried
2. Die Hirten - Irmgard Seefried
3. Die Konige - Irmgard Seefried
4. Simeon - Irmgard Seefried
5. Christus Der Kinderfreund - Irmgard Seefried
6. Christkind - Irmgard Seefried
Maria Wiegenlied Op. 76, No. 52 -Maria Sitzt Am Rosenhag- - Wolfgang Schneiderhan
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken
O Tannenbaum - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken
Kommet, Ihr Hirten - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken
Leise Rieselt Der Schnee - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken
Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her - GroBes Chorus Und Glocken

Customer Reviews:

Great music and an astonishing amount of it!.......2006-02-28

The business folks at DG must have a soft spot for Christmas music, probably leftover goodwill from growing up with caroling in the snow. Certainly the German language nations seem to have excelled in producing a wealth of Christmas tunes, jingles, chorales, hymns, and rounds. This compliation is a two CD set of very good to great singers and performers who are quite to the manor born, or maybe I should say manger.
The easy way to decide if two hours of German Xmas gemutlichkeit is for you is simply to listen to the enormous selections on Amazon's sound sampler.

Average customer rating:

Masterpieces of Sacred Polyphony

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Greatest Choral Music of Palestrina: Prince of Music
Voices Of Ascension: From Chant To Renaissance

ASIN: B000002ZXD
Release Date: 1996-02-09

Tracks:

Exultate Deo - 5vv
Ave Verum Corpus - 4vv
Sicut cervus - 4vv
Ave Maria - 6vv
Exultate justi - 4vv With Continuo
Salvator mundi - 5vv
Ascendit Deus - 5vv
Miserere mei, Deus - 9vv
Jubilate Deo - 8vv With Continuo
Crucifixus - 8vv With Continuo
Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus - 5vv
Civitas sancti tui - 5vv
O quam gloriosum est regnum - 4vv
O nata lux de lumine - 5vv
In manus tuas - 5vv
Haec dies - 6vv
Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria virgine - 5vv
Cantate Domino - 6vv With Continuo

Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice; Saint-Saëns: Danse macabre; Rossini - Respighi: La Boutique fantasque

Average customer rating:

Saint-Saens: Danse macabre

Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice; Saint-Saëns: Danse macabre; Rossini - Respighi: La Boutique fantasque

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000000A80
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

Scherzo For Orchestra
Symphonic Poem
I. Overture
II. Tarantella
III. Mazurka
IV. Danse Cosaque (Cossack Dance)
V. Can-Can
VI. Valse Lente
VII. Nocturne
VIII. Galop

Customer Reviews:

Saint-Saens: Danse macabre.......2001-08-26

I would love to review, if I received it! Your advert said it would be shipped in 2-3 days....I believe I ordered Aug 17. Your notice said that it was shipped Aug 22, 1st class. I am anxiously awaiting my CD. MRS. Mark J. Hebenstreit

Soul Music:

Recommended Music:

Music: Three C's [Live]

Living in the Shadow of the Bat [Import]

De L'amour Le Mieux [Import]

El Corazón

Clementi: Symphony No. 2 in; Overture in D

Custom Faith & Magic

How My Heart Sings!

Dial-A-Song: 20 Years of They Might Be Giants

Clubmania 2001

Cautiva y Triste

Benjamin Lees: Symphony No. 2; Symphony No. 3; Symphony No. 5

Music for Lovers