17 Re [Import]

1. Resta

2. Re Del Silenzio

3. Cafe; Mexcal E Rosita

4. Pierrot E La Luna

5. Vendetta

6. Tango

7. Come Un Dio

8. Febbre

9. Apapaia

10. Univers

11. Sulla Terra

12. Ballata

13. Gira Nel Mio Cerchio

14. Cane

15. Oro Nero

16. Ferito

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
Toccata
Toccata
The Emperor's Fanfare
Beaucoup Plus Largement
Dieu Parmi Nous
Finale
Rigaudon
Fanfare
Maestoso

Customer Reviews:

"Blasted" away.......2006-09-27

I am by no standards an expert on music, let alone organ music. I just purchased this CD because I love the sound of the organ, and wanted an album from a mix of artists before I started branching out to single composers. I would also consider myself an audiophile, only listening to high quality music with my portable headphone amplifier and Sennheiser HD-555's. Let me tell you, the quality is perfect, and the music is incredible! Such a full sound, it's *almost* as good as sitting in audience, only lacking the full body experience of organ music. I would recommend this to anybody looking to get a foot into the world of organ music.

Wow!.......2006-06-07

I happen to love organ music, even that tacky Saint-Saens
Third Symphony (with which this CD ends and just the third movement).

I grew up with E. Power Biggs, Virgil Fox, et al. and had never heard of Michael Murray (okay, it's been a while). I bought this delightful CD when it first appeared and before Amazon had been invented.

Upon hearing that most famous work with which Murray begins, I confess I was just this side of hysterical -- I was laughing with pure happiness. Murray's take on is it wonderfully over-the-top in the best possible sense. I have a son-in-law who is a musician and, indeed, does play the organ (i.e., if any of them have had pipes, I don't know, but I'm here to tell you, I don't want to hear ANY but pipe organs -- okay, I'm old).

At any rate, to hear this Toccata and Fugue played with such (carefully studied) abandon so tickled me, I called Brian (the son-in-law) and demanded that he listen while I put it on my stereo.

Now I'm going to send it to my son Bruce upon learning last night that he LOVES organ music. Who knew? He's 54 years old, for goodness' sake and never mentioned that little item before.

For those who like BIG organ works.......2005-09-04

This CD concentrates on the big, showy organ pieces that organists love to play. As an organist myself, I find that such numbers are usually more fun to play than to hear. Fortunately, this CD is very listenable, and makes the case for both playing and listening to these works. I'd buy it again; maybe more telling, I'm looking for some of the music, so I can go play it!

Pure Majestic Power!.......2003-07-20

Corey is right - this is an outstanding organ CD, one of the best I've heard. Murray plays some of the largest and most powerful organs on Earth, and uses the reed stops more than the usual organist to produce great effects and a wall of sound that are majestic in the extreme. The selections are all great virtuoso showpieces, and track #6 by Messiaen (Dieu parmi nous from La Nativite') is especially demonstrative of the great contrasts available in a large organ. The horizontal trumpets in this piece are predominant and very bright, contrasting with the snarling bass of the pedal organ.

A word of caution - this CD requires a capable stereo (think subwoofer) to sound its best. Trust me - if you listen to this CD on a good stereo and if you like organ music, you'll sit there with a big grin on your face and tears in your eyes as you listen to this CD.

Excellent Performance by Murray.......2001-11-09

This is by far one of the best organ CD's I have ever listened to. The variety is very good overall. From the state trumpets at St. John's to the mighty organ of First Congregational Church, Murray provides nice registration on all of the organs sampled. The Finale from Saint-Saens No. 3 is awesome with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy,s direction. Murray provides his own notes on the organs and the pieces in the booklet that is included. This is some fine organ music!!

Amadeus: The Complete Original Soundtrack Recording

Average customer rating:

Mozart for everyone!
"Genius"
A true celebration of Mozart's music
This needs to have a 10 star rating!
Top-Chart Album of the 80's That Made Classical Music Sell !!

Amadeus: The Complete Original Soundtrack Recording

Manufacturer: Fantasy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Amadeus
Amadeus: More Music From The Original Soundtrack Of The Film Amadeus
Immortal Beloved / Sir Georg Solti (film 1994)
Mozart: Requiem / McNair, Watkinson, Araiza, Lloyd; Marriner
Amadeus: Original Soundtrack Recording

ASIN: B000000XBV
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Symphony No. 25 In G Minor, (1st Movement)
Stabat Mater; Quando Corpus Morietur And Amen
Bubak And Hungaricus
Serenade For Winds, (3rd Movment)
The Abduction From The Seraglio, (Turkish...)
The Abduction From The Seraglio (Chorus Of...)
Caro Mio Bene
Mass In C Minor
Concerto For Flute And Harp, (2nd Movement)
Concerto For Two Pianos, (3rd Movement)

Tracks:

Symphony No. 29 In A, (1st Movemnet, Allegro Mod.)
Piano Concerto In E Flat, (3rd Movement)
The Marriage Of Figaro, Act III, Ecco La Marcia
The Marriage Of Figaro, Act IV, Ah Tutti Contenti
Axur, Finale
Piano Concerto In D Minor, (1st Movement)
Zaide; Aria, Rhue Sanft
Don Giovanni, Act II, Commendatore Scene
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Serenade, (1st Movement)

Tracks:

Symphonie Concertante, (1st Movement)
Masonic Funeral Music
The Magic Flute, Overture
The Magic Flute, Aria (No. 14), Queen Of The Night
Six German Dances
Introitus, (Orchestral Introduction)
Dies Irae
Rex Tremendae Majestatis
Confutatis
Lacrymosa
Piano Concerto In D Minor, (2nd Movement) Romanza

Amazon.com

Director Milos Forman's rewarding 1984 film adaptation of playwright Peter Shaffer's Tony-winning play won no fewer than 10 Academy Awards (including Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Director); only Wolfgang himself (and his filmic counterpart, Tom Hulce) seemed to get overlooked by the Academy. This expanded three-disc set contains all of Sir Neville Marriner's crisp, accurate readings of the excerpted Mozart symphonies, concertos, serenades, and operas (including marvelous portions of The Abduction of Seraglio, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute) used in the film. The success of Amadeus spurred a long-overdue renaissance of interest in classical music, and one would be hard-pressed to find a richer, more concise introduction to the intoxicating music and frustrating bundle of moral contradictions that was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Mozart for everyone!.......2007-07-20

Unlike an in depth study of his genius, this is a very well put together sampler of Mozart. Performance and sound quality are both excellent. The non Mozart selections included in the set are also very enjoyable. My only wish is that the 3 disc set were a 10 disc set. Enjoy

"Genius".......2007-02-02

This is a GREAT CD! It has wonderful music from the movie "Amadaeus" which is the BEST movie ever! This music is so fine that it lifts your heart into happiness when you listen to it. You can just tell immediately that this is "the voice of God". And for one man to make such wonderful music in a flash, its just pure genius.

Thanks to the wonderful music that a talented man has brought to us.

A true celebration of Mozart's music.......2006-10-22

I think it was at age 12 when I first saw Amadeus, and I remember immediately asking for a recording of the Requiem (a bit of sombre for a 12-year old I know, but just to demonstrate the impact of the piece..), but I think it wasn't until the third time that I saw the film (at age 30, if you were wondering) that something hit me; It's hard to say why only now (maturity?), since I've always loved Mozart's music and have already owned several recordings of the Requiem, Bohm's 35-41 symphonies and Arthur Grumiaux's wonderful violin concertos with the Sinfonia Concertante. But appreciating the movie as an adult was a different experience, recognizing what a fabulous work Marriner and his Academy have done by delivering so successfully what Mozart was all about. I think that the brilliance of this recording is that it succeeds in providing Mozart's essence through emphasis on the hidden gems of his music, while avoiding being another banal "Greatest Hits" compilation; and sewing together such a diverse array of pieces so gracefully into one recording is not a trivial task, but in Marriner's case it seems completely flawless - because what holds all the pieces here together is what this music is all about - grace, beauty, humor and love.

This needs to have a 10 star rating!.......2006-01-20

There are many great composers, but Wolfie's music is just incredible. There are a few of his operas that I don't care for but most of it is pure bliss to listen to. Do yourself a huge favor and purchase this CD or the gold extended version. You won't be sorry-unless you don't have any taste. In which case, there is nothing the rest of us can do to help you. But the local pharmacist might. . .

Top-Chart Album of the 80's That Made Classical Music Sell !!.......2005-07-31

In 1984, Milos Forman's film Amadeus, based on the hit Broadway play by Peter Schaffer, made it to the big screen with resounding success nationwide. When the soundtrack was released, it was a top seller and even found itself selling as much as such popular 80's artists as Madonna. The music from this well-made film, mostly Mozart but used some Classical-Era works by Salieri, Pergolesi and Salieri- hooked young people into classical music when they might have otherwise never given it a chance.

In the film, Mozart's music is used for dramatic effect and for ambiance. Vienna in the 1780's was the home of a blooming musical scene that would later see the likes of Beethoven. This musical kingdom is well captured in the soundtrack, which features tantalizing excerpts from Mozart's most illustrious works. The film opens to the frenzied, dark strains of the 1st movement of the 25th Symphony, as a crazed Salieri is taken from his home to a mental asylum after an attempted suicide. It goes on to use the religious music of Pergolesi Ave Verum and Amen - boys chorus as Salieri contemplates a life of chastity and dedication to music if God grants him talent. Then we leave Salieri's world of spirituality and desire for fame when we are introduced to the young Mozart. The Serenade for Winds "Gran Partita" is heard - an oboe, clarinets, "like a rusty squeezebox" and fills the air with sublime serenity. This coming from a composer who began his career at the age of 4 who was already trained in piano and violin, and who in his teens composed symphonies and operas. Salieri's works are no longer heard as Mozart's brilliant music takes over the score. We hear breathaking slices of his famous operas in chronologically composed order- the German opera Abduction From The Seraglio which was composed for the soprano Katerina Cavalieri (who has a fling wit Mozart and whom Salieri desired for himself), Figaro's Wedding and Finale from Le Nozze Di Figaro and the dramatic Commandatore Dinner Scene from Don Giovanni, and lastly the Queen of the Night Aria and Papageno's Aria from his enchanting and spiritual work The Magic Flute. Further to these famous works, which also include the Piano Concerto in D No. 20- which prefigured Romantic piano concertos of Beethoven flair, and the Eine Kleine Nachtmusiz which is Mozart's most famous tune and signature theme, we are treated to rare works in Mozart's ouevre. This includes the Masonic Funeral March, a funeral piece Mozart wrote for his fellow Masons. Divertimenti is heard in a latter scene in which Mozart's wife Constanza escapes her woes with Mozart and indulges in a spa. Chamber works, the heartwarming Flute concerto and even the rare Salieri opera Axur (then considered the greatest opera ever made, according to Emperor Joseph) all make up for a great recording album. This album now exists in extended form for the Bicentennial. The movie is a perfect companion to this album.

Average customer rating:

More from the beautiful voice of this countertenor
Wonderful, thank you; but please, no more Handel recitals, okay?
Dreadful Senesino
Another Superb Concept for a Recital
something to tide Scholl fans over

Arias for Senesino

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski
Handel - Rodelinda / Antonacci, Scholl, Streit, Chiummo, Winter, Stefanowicz, Christie, Glyndebourne Opera
Andreas Scholl - Kantate
The Voice
Andreas Scholl - Ombra mai fu ~ Handel Arias from Giulio Cesare, Admeto, Radamisto, Rodelinda, Serse, Alcina

ASIN: B000A79NL0
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

Bel Contento
Recitativo Accompagnato: Pompe Vane Di Morte!
Dove Sei?
Stelle Ingrate
Selvagge Amenita
Discordi Pensier
Del Ciel Sui Giri
Fosti Caro [
Recitativo Accompagnato: Dall'ondoso Periglio
Aure, Deh, Per Pieta
Al Lampo Dell' Armi
Cara Sposa
Va' Per Le Vene Il Sangue

Album Details

Senesino, the Voice that Inspired Handel's Greatest Operas Showpiece Arias by Handel, Lotti, Albinoni, Porpora and Scarlatti. One of the Truly Outstanding Voices of Today, Star Countertenor Andreas Scholl Celebrates One of the 18th Century's Greatest Vocal Superstars - the Remarkable Male Alto Known as Senesino. Senesino's Place in History was Secured by his Extraordinary Association with Handel, who after Travelling to Dresden to Hear Him, Brought Him to London to Join his Italian Opera Company - Where He was Greatly Celebrated by the Public, and Much Admired by the Ladies. Inspired by this Unique Singer, Handel Wrote for Him a Dazzling Succession of Operatic Roles which Showcased the Beauty and Power of his Extraordinary Vocal Personality. Scholl's Exquisite Voice, Beloved of Critics and Audiences, Pure, Penetrating, Virtuosic and Deeply Characterful, is a Remarkable Match for the Voice of Senesino.

Customer Reviews:

More from the beautiful voice of this countertenor.......2007-03-20

Theres something very choir-boy-esque about the former choirboy Andreas Scholl. He tends to look appealingly nerdy on most of his album covers, rather like Clark Kent I suppose, but all that goes out of the window when you listen to his voice.

I'm not particularly knowledgeable about classical music, I tend to just listen to stuff I like and ignore most of opera which is too, well, operatic and 'warbly' for me. However, Andreas Scholl's album 'Arias For Senesino' gives an opportunity to hear some of these arias, originally written for the famous castrato Senesino, in a plain and sweet style.

For those who like a lot of vibrato and dynamism in their singers, Andreas Scholl isn't for them. However for people like me who like to listen to pure, sweet sounds without too much distracting other stuff, this album works just fine. I know other reviewers have commented that his treatment of Handel is too dull but I found the whole album very enjoyable. I particularly liked the Dove Sei from Rodelinda (what can I say, I'm new to this stuff, and I love that song; I know it's been done to death but it's still great); there were a couple of tracks that were a bit too lively for my taste although no doubt displaying Scholl's real mastery of singing. This is an album that I know I will listen to multiple times and the more I listen the more intrigued I get by the countertenor voice - somehow a bit eerie when you listen to it, but wonderful too. I recommend this album.

Wonderful, thank you; but please, no more Handel recitals, okay?.......2006-08-27

This is an excellent recording of the well known and unknown repertoire of the alto castrato, Senesino. It is a marvellous recording and the singing is magnificent.

Andreas Scholl is still my favourite countertenor and he is in great voice on this recording. The singing is, as always, detailed, subtle, beautiful, stylish, informed and very moving. The 'Cara Sposa' here is a highlight - only David Daniels' impassioned interpretation on his complete recording of Rinaldo can hold a torch to Scholl's. I guess that "Cara sposa" is fast becoming to countertenors what "Casta Diva" is to sopranos?

I like this CD and I know that it is one I am going to listen to a lot in future. However, I already have many interpretations of the Handel arias on other discs by other singers. Scholl's recording is absolutely first class, don't get me wrong, but I just don't want to spend any more money on recitals of Handel arias. I would much rather a singer like Andreas Scholl took a leaf out of Cecilia Bartoli's book (she's another Decca artist, BTW) and record some more interesting unknown repertoire. There must be thousands of wonderful male alto arias in operas by Johann Joseph Fux, Alessandro Scarlatti, Antonio Caldara, Antonio Vivaldi and many, many others gathering dust on library shelves!

I can not and will not buy another recital disc of Handel opera arias - this is well and truly my last, ever!

However, this is a bloody good disc! Andreas Scholl is a living treasure, that's for sure.

Dreadful Senesino.......2006-03-26

First of all,Decca engineers insist on to differentiate "their" Scholl's voice from that more sweet,resounding previous Harmonia Mundi cd's like Bach Cantatas Solo,English Folksongs and so on where it was a pleasure to hear this singer.Even orchestra Bizantina could be better recorded;maybe Milano Auditorium hasn't fine acoustics.However,the same happens on "Heroes" and "Banquett".In this Senesino combo just here,Scholl's voice sounds rough and unpleasant,the top of his range excessive and satured.Second of all,in my opinion,opera isn't his confort zone for good.I believe that as a chorister boy,he grew up in that german musical territory singing sacred music by Buxtehude,Bach,where he did his best on recording.In this cd,I heard his worse;a rugged vocalization plentiful in ha-ha-ha,absolutely abusive that seems dreadful to me("Al lampo dell'armi" for instance),his vocal colours sounding like croacks sometimes,incongruous and dramatically unfruitful attempt to perform repertoire previously recorded by himself like it was a new,fresh one("Dove sei","Aure,deh,...").I'm sorry;I know Scholl fans are very zealous on their idol but I have heard much better Senesinos by Derek Lee Ragin,Daniels,Minter,Gall and so on.

Another Superb Concept for a Recital.......2006-02-18

Andreas Scholl has become one of the top stars in opera and concert stage and is probably the best known of the growing cadre of countertenors. He is well represented in the recorded repertoire and yet he continues to find platforms for exploring the music written for this particular voice.

In this fine recital Scholl elects to sing the arias written for the famous countertenor Senesino, a favorite singer of Handel and the one for whom many of the countertenor roles were written. In top form (which is to say in stunning vocal estate and exceptionally fine technique) Scholl offers arias from Handel's operas 'Flavio, Rè di Longobardi', 'Rodelinda, regina de' Langobardi', 'Giulio Cesare in Egitto', and 'Rinaldo' along with Tomaso Albinoni's operas 'Astarto'and 'Engelberta', Scarlatti's 'Carlo re d'Allemagna', with arias by Lotti and Nicola Porpora. It is a splendid display of style and bravura. Scholl is ably accompanied by the Byzantine Academy conducted by Ottavio Dantone.

Though some will contest a few of the choices of arias included here, Scholl's sensitive programming is another aspect of his devotion to his art. This is a major album full of riches. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 06

something to tide Scholl fans over.......2006-01-12

There are certainly some Scholl recordings that I anticipate. I'd love to see him record another Handel oratorio with McCreesh, a full-length Handel or Vivaldi opera, a recital of Vivaldi operatic arias, among others. Are you listening, Decca?

The last Scholl recital, Arcadia, featured arias by lesser-known baroque composers. This time around, it seems that Decca wanted a recital that had broader appeal, hence the idea of a Senesino tribute.

The recital begins with two Handel arias, the first being Bel Contento. This is the Scholl we all know and love, his voice as lovely as the springtime. His ravishing tonal beauty is in abundance, and the Accademica Bizantina provides wonderful support.

After such a nice introduction, Scholl coasts through Pompe Vane / Dove Sei?, undoing some of his faultless technique through some rather bland, white-voiced singing. To hear the full potential of this aria, we must turn to Marilyn Horne's interpretation. If you have the chance, listen to her exquisite, fluttering recording of the aria, so different from the go-for-broke Marilyn to whom we are so accustomed.

Scholl is undoubtedly more excited at the prospect of capturing the non-Handel arias. For this reason, he really catches fire in Stelle Ingrate. One of Scholl's greatest vocal qualities is his peerless staccato trill, and Stelle Ingrate is the perfect vehicle to wow us with. We also get more of a sense of his vocal heft. Thankfully, we have a block of five non-Handel arias that are infinitely better for his voice. My other favorite is Del Ciel Sui Giri. The extended introduction is a fascinating blend of horns and strings, showcasing Accademica Bizantina's talents. In the aria proper, Scholl treats us to some amazing, rapid passagework in the repeat of the A part. This is, hands down, the reason I adore Scholl so much.

Scholl revisits Handel with Dall'ondoso Periglio / Aure, Deh, Per Pieta. His delivery of the recitative is more dramatic than before, especially on phrases such as, "Voi dite che io son morto!" Also, he uses a lower register, to thrilling effect. Unfortunately, he confounds us in the aria section. Attempting to sound more dramatic, his fits of excitement keep yielding to that all-purpose beauty that seems to plague him in Handel. In all fairness, this is still Scholl, but it frustrating to hear him hint at dramatic prowess, without taking the plunge.

Al Lampo Dell'Armi is taken at a lightening-quick pace. This would not work on stage, but in the confines of a recital, it becomes a vanity piece for which to showcase again his almighty staccato trill. It beguiles you to hear Scholl unfazed, even at such quick tempi. The purists will cry foul; I, for one, do not think of baroque music as a sacred cow. A little experimentation now and then, in the hands of such a gifted singer, is not a bad thing.

Unfortunately, this bit of bravura is followed by the clunker of the whole set, Cara Sposa. Granted, many great artists have recorded well-known arias that were not suited for their voice, against better judgement. I think of Maria Callas singing the bolero from I Vespri Siciliani, Birgit Nilsson singing O Don Fatale, or Joan Sutherland singing the Queen of the Night's first aria. Such recordings are for the fans only. I, for one, cannot suspend disbelief, where Scholl and Cara Sposa are concerned. In fact, I have yet to listen to the whole of the aria. It doesn't help matters that the PI support is so cautious and polite. Gimme Marilyn Horne, folks!

Thankfully, that woefully misguided interpretation is followed by the melancholy Va Per Le Vene Il Sangue. Again, we are given evidence of how divine Scholl can be when an aria inspires him.

The Glories of Handel Opera ~ Kirkby · Sutherland · Tebaldi · Berganza · Horne · Bowman · Pavarotti

Average customer rating:

A Lovely Mix of Old and New.
Glorious!
The glories could have been even more...glorious
Splendid Anthology from the Past 40 years

The Glories of Handel Opera ~ Kirkby · Sutherland · Tebaldi · Berganza · Horne · Bowman · Pavarotti
George Frideric Handel , Christopher Hogwood , Christophe Rousset , Richard Bonynge , Alexander Gibson , Bryan Balkwill , Henry Lewis , Emma Kirkby , James Bowman , Sara Mingardo , Luciano Pavarotti , Marilyn Horne , Joan Sutherland , Alicia Nafe , Philip Ledger , Forbes Robinson , Teresa Berganza , Bernadette Greevey , Renata Tebaldi , Sir Geraint Evans , and Emmanuelle Haïm
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sandrine Piau - Handel Opera Seria
The Emma Kirkby Collection
Handel: Rinaldo
Emma Kirkby sings Handel, Arne, Haydn & Mozart
Rinaldo

ASIN: B00004U8FD
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

Alcina: Tornami a vagheggiar - Kirkby
Orlando: Ah Stigie larve! - Bowman
Orlando: Gia latra Cerbero - Bowman
Orlando: Vaghe pupille non piangete - Bowman
Riccardo Primo: Atterrato il muro cada - Mingardo
Atalanta: Care selve ombre beate - Pavarotti
Semele: Hence Iris hence away - Horne
Rodelinda: Io t'abbraccio - Sutherland
Ezio: Se un bell'ardire puo innamorarti - Forbes Robinson
Giuliu Cesare: Piangero la sorte mia - Teresa Berganza
Alcina: Dream Music - Kirkby
Rinaldo: Armida dispietata! Lascia ch'io pianga - Bernadette Greevy
Alcina: Sta nell'Ircana pietrosa tana tigre sdegnosa - Teresa Berganza
Serse: Frondi tenere - Ombra mai fu - Renata Tebaldi
Berenice: Si tra i ceppi e le ritorte la mia fe risplendera - Geraint Evans
Rodelinda: Dove sei amato bene? - Marilyn Horne
Giuliu Cesare: Da tempeste il legno infranto - Joan Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

A Lovely Mix of Old and New........2006-11-14

This volume actually updates an old tape--which I still own!--by adding some of the more recent interest in historical performance practices to some of the older operatic show-biz types on display here.

I very much enjoy Sutherland and similar performers in this material. Talk about razzle-dazzle. Singers like Pavarotti and Tebaldi bring a lot of know-how about beautiful music to Handel, and that is never unwelcome.

While they might not have been terribly musicologically-informed, performers like Sutherland, Horne and Berganza certainly knew more about period performance practices: they indeed initiated the resurgence of such practices in the last three decades. Do other reviewers here perhaps forget that in preferring Dessay over Sutherland?

Meanwhile for the purists, Hogwood, Kirkby and Bowman are certainly more in the original instruments/authenticity-fetish camp: if memory serves, they were not included in the old cassette version. Clearly Decca is aware of the change in performing styles--and perhaps audience tastes--even as they are reflected on this very Amazon page. Frankly, I could use less of these and more of the old-timers.

So yes, this is a mix of old and new. The newest trends are not included. But are they not readily available elsewhere? Meanwhile, like its earlier incarnations, this set is still a marvelous compilation of gorgeous music-making from the deep Decca catalog.

Glorious!.......2005-12-30

I bought this album a while back because I've taken an interest in Baroque music recently, and I was not disappointed. This truly is a glorious recording of Handel Opera. Of course with singers like Pavarotti, Sutherland, Horne, Tebaldi it would have to be above average. Sutherland ends the album with a dazzling display of vocal dexterity in "Da tempeste il legno infranto". Even when she sings the 16th note runs each note still has clarity. And Pavarotti is delectable in "Care Selve". I could give a review of each song but there's no need for that because each track on this is marvellous in its own way. Buy this album.

The glories could have been even more...glorious.......2004-05-31

Handel operas nowadays receive impressive stage productions and become increasingly popular. This is a great collection if you want to hear some of your favourite Italian opera singers like Sutherland, Tebaldi, Pavarotti, Evans, Berganza and Horne sing Handel. Especially the young Sutherland and Pavarotti are sensational!

Considering on the other hand that Decca has now recorded many Handel operas with excellent Baroque singers, I find this recording to be somewhat outdated. It wasn't necessary for example to have Sutherland, Horne and Berganza sing two different roles when the same parts have recently been recorded by excellent newcomers like Dessay, Von Otter, or Scholl to name a few. Why stick to the past when the present has so many wonderful Handel singers?

Overall however, a decent introduction to Handel's music.

Splendid Anthology from the Past 40 years.......2002-07-03

This fine CD is an anthology of splendid performances dating from 1960-1995 by the world's most celebrated opera singers of great music by Handel, who in my opinion wrote better for the voice than anyone else. Enjoy! You will listen to it again and again.

Average customer rating:

Magnificent
Amadeus is a great movie and an equally great soundtrack!
Amadeus rocks!
It is miraculous!
24K Gold & 24 High Bit Remastering = the definitive edition!

Amadeus [Soundtrack] [Gold Cd]
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Fantasy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Amadeus
Amadeus: More Music From The Original Soundtrack Of The Film Amadeus
Amadeus: The Complete Original Soundtrack Recording
Immortal Beloved / Sir Georg Solti (film 1994)
Amadeus: Original Soundtrack Recording

ASIN: B00005Y1SV
Release Date: 2002-02-05

Tracks:

Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K. 183: 1st Movement (As Used in the Film,
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Serenade, K. 525: 1st Movement (As Used in the
Stabat Mater: Quando Corpus Morietur & Amen (As Used in the Film, ...) - Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
Salieri's March into Mozart's Non Pirai, For - Simon Preston
Serenade for Winds, K. 361: 3rd Movement (As Used in the Film, Amadeus)
Die Entf Aus Dem Serail, K. 384: Chorus of the Janissaries ...
Ich Me Wohl (Ein Deutsche Krieglied), K. 539: As Used in the Film,
Die Entf Aus Dem Serail, K. 384: Turkish Finale (As Used in ...)
Mass in C Minor, K. 427: Kyrie (As Used in the Film, Amadeus)
Concerto for Flute & Harp, K. 299: 2nd Movement (As Used in the ...)
Concerto for Flute & Harp, K. 299: 2nd Movement (As Used in the ...)
Symphony No. 29 in a Major, K. 201: 1st Movement (As Used in the Film,
Adagio in C Minor for Glass Armonica, K. 617: Adagio (As Used in ...)

Tracks:

Concerto for Two Pianos, K. 365: 3rd Movement (As Used in the ...)
Concerto for Two Pianos, K. 365: 3rd Movement (As Used in the ...)
Symphonie Concertante, K. 364: 1st Movement (As Used in the Film, ...)
Symphonie Concertante, K. 364: 1st Movement (As Used in the Film, ...)
Zaide: Aria: Ruhe Sanft (As Used in the Film, Amadeus)
Zaide: Aria: Ruhe Sanft (As Used in the Film, Amadeus)
Zaide: Aria: Ruhe Sanft (As Used in the Film, Amadeus)
Zaide: Aria: Ruhe Sanft (As Used in the Film, Amadeus)
Caro Mio Ben (As Used in the Film, Amadeus) - Giuseppe Giordani
Piano Concerto in E Flat, K. 482: 3rd Movement (As Used in the ...)
Piano Concerto in E Flat, K. 482: 3rd Movement (As Used in the ...)
Piano Concerto in E Flat, K. 482: 3rd Movement (As Used in the ...)
Piano Concerto in E Flat, K. 482: 3rd Movement (As Used in the ...)
Nozze Di Figaro, K. 492: Ecco la Marcia (As Used in the Film, Amadeus)
Nozze Di Figaro, K. 492: Ecco la Marcia (As Used in the Film, Amadeus)
Nozze Di Figaro, K. 492: Ah Tutti Contenti (As Used in the Film, ...)
Buband Hungaricus [Early 18TH Century Gypsy Mus] - Anonymous Composer

Amazon.com

The Academy Award®-sweeping film Amadeus wisely pinned much of its dramatic thrust on Mozart's gloriously eternal music, and its soundtrack remains a concise yet rewarding introduction to Wolfgang's spectacular oeuvre. This newly remastered "Director's Cut" edition is a companion to the expanded DVD and features 24-bit encoding on two 24-karat-gold discs, sharpening the sonic clarity of the performances of Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields to near perfection. The performances (which, Marriner notes, crucially served as templates during actual production) have also been augmented to match the expanded new video edition and include a new, 2001 recording of the Adagio in C Minor for Glass Armonica, K. 617. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent .......2007-01-04

This soundtrack is an excellent review of some of Mozart's most beautiful works. His compositions are timeless and moving. No personal media library can be complete without him.

Amadeus is a great movie and an equally great soundtrack!.......2006-07-02

I have to admit, I didn't like classical music before I saw the movie Amadeus. After seeing how they used the music in the movie I had to have the soundtrack. I debated for a day or two over which version to buy, and finally chose this one, since it has Salieri's march to welcome Mozart. Not a huge addition, but it's the complete soundtrack, which is what I was after. Before I received the cds, I was wondering "What's the big deal about them being gold cds?" The sound quality is magnificent, you hear all the music clearly, even the softest strings. These cds capture the sound as it was in the movie (possibly even better...)The booklet that comes with it is full of information and pictures, including a synopsis of the film, and detailed information about the musical selections. I would recommend this to anyone who liked Amadeus, or anyone who loves Mozart's music.

The only negative thing about these cds is that the tracks were labelled incorrectly, repeating the title of one song many times instead of having the correct titles. It was easy enough to fix in my media player but it was frustrating. Don't know if I got a bad copy or not, but the track listing shown on Amazon.com helped me to fix it.

Amadeus rocks!.......2006-02-21

It was a Valentine gift to a friend's boyfriend and he loves it and has been listening to it all the time. Delivery was timely, too. I'm overall very satisfied! Thanx!

It is miraculous!.......2005-06-06

So said Antonio Salieri to Mozart's wife about his music, and this Special Edition Gold Cd set understands this statement. More precisely though, it is Sir Neville Marriner, the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and the various opera singers who should receive all the praise for this superb achievement. I have never heard such an authentic and high-quality recording of Mozart's music before. Thanks to the 24-bit encoding and the exceptional quality of the recording, the beauty of Mozart's music sounds as I believe it should. You can hear even the slightest or faintest of strings. Other recordings are simply lesser because of the tempo that is either too slow or too fast and the average clarity of the instruments. If you want to discover Mozart's music for the first time or complement your copy of Milos Forman's magnificent film, this is the set you have to get because it quite simply gets it right. The high price is all worth it as you get transported by this awesome music. It's a pity that classical music is now perceived to be reserved for a niche of artsy and boring people. That couldn't be farther from the truth! If people could just take the time to listen, just for a few minutes.

24K Gold & 24 High Bit Remastering = the definitive edition!.......2005-01-25

There are several different editions of Amadeus soundtracks ranging from single-disc to 3-disc sets available all at the same time, and it can be quite confusing at first.

After some research I ended up debating on whether to get the cheaper 1991 3-disc standard edition (ASIN: B000000XBV) or this 2002 2-disc special edition with '24 High-Bit' remastering. I had initial doubts that the latter contain the same 30 tracks, since it is only a 2-disc set, and decided to take a chance only after visiting the label site to confirm that it contains all 30 tracks as well.

Just a few days ago, it arrived from Amazon in a double-cd jewel case with a 30-page well-designed booklet, which has the movie sypnosis, individual narratives of almost all tracks, 2 articles about the movie and interspersed throughout with colourful scenes from the movie.

I discovered that the two '24K Gold' cds are able to contain the same number of tracks as the 3-disc standard edition because each disc is literally jam-packed to the brim, at 78.07 and 79.28 minutes respectively!

Due to the new '24 High-Bit' remastering, the sonic quality is excellent and perhaps die-hard fans of the earlier standard edition may even want to include this in their collection as well.

For those who are thinking of owning only one edition, this is the definitive edition to get if you really enjoyed the music in Amadeus and want the very best quality possible.

Average customer rating:

Valuable compendium
Rareties available on CD at last!
Heavenly
WHO ELSE CAN SING LIKE THIS TODAY?

The Art of Joan Sutherland

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Joan Sutherland: BBC-Recitals 1958, 1960, 1961
Serate Musicali
The Art of the Prima Donna
The Voice of the Century
La Stupenda ~ The Supreme Voice of Joan Sutherland

ASIN: B000654OUQ
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Customer Reviews:

Valuable compendium.......2007-01-24

This set is extremely valuable, not only as an overview of Dame Joans career but because it contains three complete LP sets that have been very hard to find. The sets are the 2 LP French opera (operetta) set, the Mozart album and the Wagner album. Although some of these do not show her to her best advantage (the Wagner set) they all have some very beautiful things and the French items are superb. The annotations and photos are interesting as well and there are some piano songs with Bonynge that are released here for the first time along with a scene from a live Covent Garden Norma.

Rareties available on CD at last!.......2006-03-29

While Joan Sutherland has recorded a number of impressive aria collections throughout the many years of her recording career, they tend to get lost in the shuffle of the countless reissues Decca/London has endlessly repackaged. While some of the original collections have appeared intact on CD--"The Art of the Prima Donna," "The Age of Bel Canto," "Love Live Forever" (her operetta collection that was originally titled "The Golden Age of Operetta"), to name a few--others are currently represented in the CD catalogue by only a few selections on discs that also include excerpts from complete opera recordings or duplicates of selections from other original collections. As a result, it has been impossible to assemble a CD collection of her recordings without a LOT of duplication, and some of the most interesting collections are still unavailable (e.g. "Command Performance" and "Serate Musicale").

While this newest set does include a lot of bits of this and that, ranging from her very first LPs to excerpts from complete recordings most Sutherland fans already have and a few "live" performances, what is perhaps most significant about it is that it features the complete contents of the "Sutherland Sings Wagner" LP--a real repertoire departure for her--and the double-LP album called "French Opera Gala" (in the U.S.--the British title was "Romantic French Arias"), neither of which, to the best of my knowledge, has been available on CD before. "Opera News" magazine once ran an article in which they asked various stars to name the one album that they felt best represented their artistry for future generations, and Dame Joan selected the "French Opera Gala," so for Sutherland fans, this is a long-awaited treat.

I'm not going to waste space saying how miraculous I consider Dame Joan's artistry. If you are familiar with her work already, you know whether you adore her or not; and if you aren't, this massive set is probably not the best place to start (that would be "The Art of the Prima Donna" album that introduced her to most listeners decades ago)--especially since this newest set doesn't contain the lyrics, a must for newcomers. Let's hope Decca/London gets around to releasing the rest of her recordings intact instead of endlessly scrambling and repackaging the same selections over and over.

Heavenly.......2006-01-31

I first heard of Dame Sutherland while on the internet while listening to a internet radio station. I was instantly a fan, her control, technique, and tone is perfectly executed and rivals the equally fantastic Maria Callas. She has a powerful voice and presence that will evoke every emotion from her listeners. Highly recommended to all Opera Diva fans.

WHO ELSE CAN SING LIKE THIS TODAY?.......2005-04-10

This is Decca's second multi disc evaluation of this fantastic singer's long career and many recordings. True that a lot on the first set is duplicated here, but there are a few exceptions here and there that make it a worthy addition. Of particular interest are the very early items of Handel and Italian baroque arias, some forgotten song recordings and a live performance of the duet from Norma. It can't be said too many times - who can sing like this today? For sheer vocalism it's hard to find anyone on the same wavelength. This set will give very young opera goers an idea of what they missed.

Average customer rating:

A voice teacher and early music fan
Best of the Best...Handelian Masters for the Uninitiated

Heavenly Handel: Arias and Duets

Manufacturer: Virgin Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Sandrine Piau - Handel Opera Seria
Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski
Handel - Arcadian Duets / Dessay, Gens, Petibon, Claycomb, Lascarro, Panzarella, Mijanovic, Mingardo, Asawa, Agnew, Le Concert d'Astrée, Haïm
Handel Operatic Duets ~ Amor e gelosia / Ciofi · Di Donato · Il Complesso Barocco · Curtis
Mozart: Opera Arias

ASIN: B0001MQKS8
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

Frondi Tenere... - David Daniels
Ombra Mai Fu - David Daniels
Pompe Vane Di MOrte!... - David Daniels
Dove Sei, Amato Bene - David Daniels
Ma Che Parlo, Che Dico... - Veronique Gens
In Tanti Affanni Miei - Veronique Gens
Fra L'ombre E Gl'orrori - Laurent Naouri
Sorge Il Di - Laurent Naouri
Amor, Qual Nuova Fiamma... - Jill Gomez
La Tigre Arde Di Sdegno - Jill Gomez
Per Me Si Strugge Trasimede... - Jill Gomez
E Per Monti, E Per Piani, E Per Selve - Jill Gomez
Where Shall I Fly - Stephanie Blythe
Cantata HWV 166 - Gerard Lesne
As Steals The Morn Upon The Night - Lynne Dawson
How Silently, How Slyly - James Bowman
Upstart, Barbarian And Traitor - James Bowman
Flow My Tears - James Bowman

Tracks:

Fatto Scorta Al Sentier Della Gloria - Vivica Genaux
Fiacchero Quel Fiero Orgoglio - Vivica Genaux
Verdi Prati - Arleen Auger
Ombre Pallide - Arleen Auger
Venti, Turbini - David Daniels
Dolcissima Esilena... - Sandrine Piau
Prendi L'alma E Prendi Il Core - Sandrine Piau
Nasconde L'usignol - Antonio Abete
Nel Riposo E Nel Contento - Antonio Abete
Della Guerra La Caccia Ha Sembianza - Antonio Abete
Tanti Strali Al Sen, Duet HWV 197 - Derek Lee Ragin
Se 'L Mio Duol Non E Si Forte - Sophie Daneman
Caro Autor Di Mia Doglia - Paul Agnew
No, Che D'altrui Che Di Te - Paul Agnew
Dagli Amori Flagellata - Paul Agnew
Madre...Son Nata A Lagrimar - David Daniels

Customer Reviews:

A voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-02-07

This is an excellent sampling of Handel's music and it is indeed "heavenly". Much of the music in Handel's operas, cantatas and oratorios are wonderfully vivid pieces of musical painting, and show Handel's genius in a light that is somewhat unfamiliar to modern musicians. Such passages as the sleep of Somnus in 'Semele' and the moonrise in 'Ariodante', to name but two instances out of many,form an important link in the history of programme music. But to those who understand and enjoy the Handelian idiom its beauty appear eternally new, and its unfailing dignity and loftiness of style recall the words in which Edward FitzGerald summed up his opinion of Handel: "His is the music for a great active people." I have many of the discs already, but some of the songs were new to me for which I am grateful! Some of the high points for me: the duet from Guilio Cesare sung by contralto(Stephanie Blythe) and countertenor (Derek Ragin); the solo from Alcina sung by Arleen Auger(soprano)and David Daniel's rendition of "Ombra mai fu" from Serse. I have Andreas Scholl singing "Ombra" and I never realized how much more there is to that song till I heard Daniels sing it. Anyway this record is a great buy for Handelians.

Best of the Best...Handelian Masters for the Uninitiated.......2005-04-21

For those who would prefer their Handel in bite-size portions, this excellent two-disc set may do the trick. Virgin Classics has chosen stellar aria and duet selections from their extensive Handel discography (1978-2003) and in the process, come up with as definitive a collection of the prolific composer's work as any on the market now. With a running time of well over 2 ½ hours, this compilation covers a broad canvas drawn from some of Handel's finest Italian operas, such as "Rodelinda", "Giulio Cesare", "Rinaldo" and "Deidamia". Even more, there are selections from his English works ("Hercules" and "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato"), as well as miscellaneous vocal Italianate selections.

You know you're in for a world-class set when you have the amazing countertenor David Daniels book-ending the collection, beginning with his platinum-standard version of the much-covered "Frondi tenere...Ombra mai fù" from "Serse" and Bertarido's mournful "Pompe vane di morte!...Dove sei, amato bene" from "Rodelinda". And the set ends in a dream-like state with his wondrous Sesto/Cornelia duet with contralto Stephanie Blythe on the heartbreaking "Madre...Son nata a lagrimar" from "Giulio Cesare". In between is a veritable feast provided by a who's who among the world's leading Handelians. Highlights on disc one include soprano Sandrine Piau and alto Sara Mingardo melding effortlessly on the graceful and vocally challenging "Sorge il di" from the Neapolitan serenata, "Aci, Galatea e Polifemo". Blythe captures Dejanira's requisite madness beautifully in the air, "Where shall I fly?" from "Hercules". Countertenor Gérard Lesne does several thrilling turns on an entire Handel cantata, "Splenda l'alba in oriente". From "Giulio Cesare", legendary contralto Janet Baker contributes a heroically measured "How silently, how slyly", equally revered countertenor James Bowman glides over "Upstart, barbarian and traitor" with true panache, and soprano Valerie Masterson holds her own among these giants showing a diverse range of emotion on "Flow my tears" alternating easily between sonorous and vibrant.

Disc two starts with mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux displaying some genuinely impressive runs on two arias from "Arminio", "Fatto scorta al sentier della gloria" and "Fiaccherò qul fiero orgoglio". Soprano Arleen Auger does a defiantly passionate turn on "Ombre pallide" from "Alcina", which compares favorably with Renée Fleming's more familiar version on Elektra. Daniels has yet another powerful vocal turn on the victorious "Venti, turbini" aria from "Rinaldo". Piau returns as well, this time intertwining atmospherically with mezzo-soprano Gloria Banditelli on the splendid "Prendi l'alma e prendi il core" from "Rodrigo". Operas are not the only source here. There is a charming duet between soprano Suzie LeBlanc and countertenor Derek Lee Ragin on the effusively Italianate "Tanti strali al sen", and a more dramatically diverse one between tenor Paul Agnew and soprano Patricia Petibon on "Caro autor do mia doglia" - both showcase yet another dimension of Handel to which I have not been exposed. Truth be told, if you enjoy these selections, you should purchase the original recordings, for example, Daniels' wonderful 1998 "Handel: Operatic Arias". But this will do in a pinch for the uninitiated who want an overview of Handel's musical genius. Trust me, with this stellar group of Handelians, you will beg for more.

Andreas Scholl - Ombra mai fu ~ Handel Arias from Giulio Cesare, Admeto, Radamisto, Rodelinda, Serse, Alcina

Average customer rating:

First encounter
Loved it!
A truly great voice- don't listen to self-labled "experts"
Amazing!
brilliant voice, eclectic selection

Andreas Scholl - Ombra mai fu ~ Handel Arias from Giulio Cesare, Admeto, Radamisto, Rodelinda, Serse, Alcina
George Frideric Handel , Andreas Scholl , and Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Andreas Scholl - Kantate
The Voice
Arias for Senesino
Andreas Scholl - Heroes / Norrington
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater /Bonney * Scholl * Les Talens Lyriques * Rousset

ASIN: B00000IL49
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Admeto, Re di Tessaglia: Ouverture
Admeto, Re di Tessaglia: Ballo di Larve
Admeto, Re di Tessaglia: Recitativo-accompagnato
Admeto, Re di Tessaglia: Aria
Serse: Sinfonia
Serse: Recitativo
Serse: Aria
Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Aria
Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Gigue
Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Aria
Radamisto: Passacaille
Radamisto: Gigue
Radamisto: Passepied
Radamisto: Rigaudon
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Sinfonia - Recitativo
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Aria
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Sinfonia
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Accompagnato
Rodelinda, Regina de Langobardi: Aria
Alcina: Aria
Alexander's Feast: Allegro
Alexander's Feast: Largo
Alexander's Feast: Allegro
Alexander's Feast: Andante non Presto

Amazon.com

No more making allowances for countertenors--now the best of the breed have voices as rich and as varied as those of any other range. Exhibit A: Gramophone cover boy Andreas Scholl. Unlike David Daniels and Brian Asawa, who made their splash on the opera stage, Scholl became famous as a concert and oratorio singer. He doesn't sing with Daniels's temperament and fire; along with a certain equanimity, he has a round, pleasing sound and a vibrato that's attractive but never intrusive. For his first operatic recording, Scholl chose his music wisely: rather than tempest arias or bursts of martial fury, he gives us long, beautifully shaped melody in the title aria and the famous "Verdi prati." He's at his delightful best in the "birdsong" and "hunting" arias from Giulio Cesare: the clean coloratura, detailed phrasing, and imaginative embellishment are reminiscent of Emma Kirkby in her prime. The instrumental soloists in those arias (violin and horn, respectively) are equally fine, as is the entire period-instrument orchestra. However, nearly half of the playing time on this disc is instrumental music--that seems rather much for a recording marketed as a showcase for a hot young singer. (The much-recorded concerto grosso "Alexander's Feast" in particular seems superfluous.) With that caveat in mind, this impressive disc won't disappoint. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

First encounter.......2005-10-18

I bought this as a gift for my mother who is 81. She always enjoys the Proms and saw Andreas(and heard) perform with John Williams, guitarist. She hardly ever goes out now so I just picked a CD as I couldn't find one with these two performing together. Will there be one coming as she would have liked that better? She thought his voice 'perfect' and was quite fascinated.

Loved it!.......2005-03-18

I really love this recording. I was actually looking for a good contertenor album so I bought this one. I am not disappointed. Scholl's voice is beautiful, soothing and really moving.
I also bought David Daniels 'Handel Operatic arias'at the same time.
I'm no opera expert but I must say there are striking differences in their renditions of even the same arias- in all cases I have preferred Scholl's delivery (especially Ombra mai fu) His voice is very effortless and sublime. I agree with the reviews above that Daniels vocals can be more dramatic and powerful. Also on Scholl's CD all the tracks are serene with just one aria that can give that amazing adrenaline rush(Confusa Si Miri)!! Not the case with Daniels CD.
So together this twosome makes a great CD combination but if I had to choose one it would be this one of Scholl's.
My only problem with this CD is that nearly half of the tracks are instrumental. Still worth all the praise!

A truly great voice- don't listen to self-labled "experts".......2004-02-27

After reading though the reviews of a few of the Andreas Scholl recital discs, I have come to the conclusion that most of the negative reviews originate from people who think they are "the" experts on Baroque music. They label his voice too "innocent", "precious", "bland", and "cold." They praise David Daniels, who in my opinion has a muddled middle register, and messy coloratura. Yes, maybe Daniels can be more dramatic and interpretive- I have seen/heard him in the title role of Giulio Cesare, at Houston Grand Opera. But, then again, I have also seen/heard Susan Graham as Ariodante, which was 100 times a more powerful, dramatic performance.

I differ from many of my American counterparts in that I think the quality and beauty of the voice can be enough in and of itself. Perhaps this is why, for example, I adore Joan Sutherland. She may have had the acting ability of an armchair, but she redeemed herself with truly glorious singing, leaving a legacy few sopranos today can even hope to match.

Having said all that (thanks for hearing me out!), I would encourage anyone, expert or novice, to buy this CD. Perhaps there a few more instrumental tracks that one would want, but overall, Harmonia Mundi had a great idea in mind. If you want to hear nothing but Scholl, you can buy The Voice, which I also highly recommend.

One of my personal favorites is his interpretation of Va, Tacito, from Giulio Cesare. Just listen to the variations he includes in the last repeat of the da capo aria. To say that I was enraptured would be an understatement. Another great selection is Fronde Tenere/Ombra Mai Fu. Instead of trying to "ham it up", he just sings it with beauty and clarity, with an amazing upper register. These two are just a few of what are a series of highlights.

Aside from the beauty of his singing, another great thing about Scholl is how comfortable he is in the lower register. He flirts with it, on occasion, and the first time you hear it, your jaw will drop. He defies the stereotype of the womanish, effeminate countertenor!

Bravissimo, Scholl. You're the only countertenor for me.

Amazing!.......2003-06-20

This was the first of many CDs that I've bought with Andreas Scholl! This CD introduced me to the beauty of his voice, and the great repertoire of this particular recording convinced me of the sheer quality and artistry of this young german singer!

Andreas Scholl is one of the leading countertenors in the world and I believe that this is the perfect CD to get to know him! I'm absolutely sure that you'll end up wanting to buy many more of his recordings and that you'll never be dissapointed by any of them!

UPDATE:
I've have been enjoying this CD for almost 5 years already! So much so that recently (May 2004), when I decided to buy a new home sound system, I carried it along with me in order to be able to compare the options that I had!

brilliant voice, eclectic selection.......2002-05-31

Andreas Scholl's angelic voice once again shines in this album with arias from seven different Handel operas written at the peak of the composers productive career. Only Julius Cesar is one of the more frequently performed ones in this selection, so we gain insight into rarely performed treasures from Alexander's Feast, Radamisto, Serse and others. The selection is beautiful and the Academy of Ancient music Berlin does a wonderful job in orchestrating the pieces. This album is another gem that no Scholl and baroque music afficionado should miss out on

Pablo Casals: Festivals at Prades Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

Bravo Maestro
They don't make 'em like this any more...
Treasure!

Pablo Casals: Festivals at Prades Vol. 1
Menuhin
Manufacturer: Music & Arts Program
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Casals Festivals at Prades, Vol. 2
Beethoven: Late Quartets, etc / Busch Quartet
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (Box Set)
A Sonata Recital by Joseph Szigeti & Béla Bartók
Johannes Brahms: Sextet No. 1/Piano Trio No. 1

ASIN: B000086EMD
Release Date: 2003-02-25

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Larghetto
III. Allegretto
I. Bewegt, Doch Nicht Zu Rasch
II. Ziemlich Langsam
III. Rasch
IV. Kraftig, Mit Humor

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Andante Con Variazioni
III. Menuetto. Quasi Allegro
IV. Finale. Prestissimo
I. Allegro Vivace Con Brio
II. Largo Assai, Ed Espressivo
III. Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Energico
II. Presto Non Assai
III. Andante Grazioso
IV. Allegro Molto
I. Poco Sostenuto/Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
II. Allegretto
III. Allegretto, Ma Non Troppo
IV. Finale. Allegro

Tracks:

I. Prelude. Allegro
II. Allemande. Quasi Maestoso
III. Courante. Allegro Non Troppo
IV. Sarabande. Lento
V. Bourree I. Allegro Moderato
VI. Gigue. Vivace
I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Adagio Con Molto Sentimento D'Affeto/III.Allegro-Allegro Fugato
I. Op.121a (Not Divided Into Movements)

Tracks:

I. Adagio
II. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
III. Andante
IV. Allegro Moderato
I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Scherzo. Allegro Molto
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Andante Grazioso
IV. Allegro

Tracks:

I. Sehr Lebhaft
II. Mitinnigem Ausdruck
III. In Massiger Bewegung
IV. Nicht Zu Rasch
I. Allegro - Arthur Grumiaux
II. Larghetto - Arthur Grumiaux
III. Allegretto - Arthur Grumiaux

Tracks:

Prelude & Fugue In D Major - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
Prelude & Fugue In F-sharp Minor - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
Prelude & Fugue In G Major - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
Prelude & Fugue In B Minor - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
I. Allegro Con Brio - Arthur Grumiaux
II. Tema Con Variazioni - Arthur Grumiaux
III. Rondo (Allegro) - Arthur Grumiaux
I. Allegro - Paul Tortelier
II. Adagio - Paul Tortelier
III. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Paul Tortelier
Aria - Victoria De Los Angeles

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Scherzo. Presto
IV. Finale. Allegro Giocoso
I. Mit Energie Und Leidenschaft - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
II. Lebhaft, Doch Nicht Ru Rasch - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
III. Langsam, Mit Inniger Empfindung - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
IV. Mit Feuer - Mieczyslaw Horszowski

Tracks:

I. Adagio Sostenuto/Allegro/Presto
II. Allegro Vivace/Adagio
I. Adagio Sostenuto Ed Espressivo/Allegro Molto Piu Tosto Presto
II. Rondo. Allegro
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Poco Adagio
III. Rondo. Allegro Moderato/Allegro Molto

Tracks:

I. Allegro, Ma Non Tanto
II. Scherzo. Allegro Molto
III. Adagio Cantabile/Allegro Vivace
I. Andante/Allegro Vivace
II. Adagio/Tempo D'Andante/Allegro Vivace
I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Adagio Con Molto Sentimento D'Affetto
III. Allegro

Tracks:

Seven Variations On The Duet 'Bei Mannern, Welche Liebe...' From Die Zauberflote By Mozart, For Cello And Piano
I. Allegro - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
II. Adagio Molto Espressivo - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
III. Allegro Con Variazioni - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
I. Allegro - Jose Gonzales
II. Larghetto - Jose Gonzales
III. Menuetto/Trio I/Trio II - Jose Gonzales
IV. Allegro Con Variazioni - Jose Gonzales

Tracks:

I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Karen Tuttle
II. Adagio (Segue) - Karen Tuttle
III. Scherzo. Persto (Segue) - Karen Tuttle
IV. Allegretto/Piu Allegro - Karen Tuttle
I. Molto Allegro Ed Agitato
II. Andante Con Moto Tranquillo
III. Scherzo. Leggiero E Vivace
IV. Finale. Allegro Assai Appassionato

Tracks:

Adagio And Allegro For Piano And Horn In A Flat Major, Op.70
I. Introduzione. Andante Espressivo/Allegro - Vegh Quartet
II. Scherzo. Presto/Intermezzo - Vegh Quartet
III. Adagio - Vegh Quartet
IV. Presto - Vegh Quartet
I. Allegro Brillante - Rudolph Serkin
II. In Modo D'Una Marcia. Un Poco Largamente/Agitato - Rudolph Serkin
III. Scherzo. Molto Vivace/Trio I/Trio II. L'Istesso Tempo - Rudolph Serkin
IV. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Rudolph Serkin

Customer Reviews:

Bravo Maestro.......2007-01-03

I consider myself fortunate to have found this gem. I have always admired Casals not only for his extraordinary musicianship but also for his political courage. The story of Prades is heart warming and the music is a rare treasure. If you are a Casals fan, you might also want to hear Casals conducting Beethoven's 7th Symphony...a masterpiece.

They don't make 'em like this any more..........2006-11-28

The quality of the MUSIC here is remarkable. Many of the world's elite classical artists of the post-World War II generation are here - and the result is magic! A few of the highlights for me are the Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2 (disc 1), Beethoven Cello Sonata in A Major (disc 10), Mozart Oboe Quartet (disc 7), and many more...

You might wonder, however, how these live 50's recordings compare to recordings made in the digital era? Well... in a word, very good, very good indeed considering. Occasionally there is audience coughing (primarily just during the breaks between sections) - after all this was recorded live and you can also sometimes hear music pages turning on the stage if you listen closely. However, the sound is about as full range as you could ask for and the hiss and noise levels are very acceptable and not ever intrusive - I did note that the string instruments generally sound very good while the piano does not always fair quite as well, sometimes sounding slightly boxy - the piano is just far more difficult to record in any live setting because it is more dependent upon the room acoustics. Still, overall, the restoration is very good and trust me, you will become engaged in the MUSIC very quickly and forget all about any limitations of the recordings.

To summarize, as other reviewers have also noted, the sound quality, while not perfect by digital standards, is indeed very good - the important thing is to be assured that sound quality considerations never get in the way of the fantastic, wonderful performances. They really don't make music like this anymore.... well maybe they do sometimes, but not on thirteen discs in a row! Of course, I'm now going to purchase the second box set.

Treasure!.......2003-06-19

When I first heard this set, I thought to myself: now I know how Howard Carter felt when he looked for the first time into Tutankhamen's newly-excavated tomb. Maybe you know the story: As his colleagues broke the seal on the long-undiscovered tomb's final door, Carter peered into a completely dark treasure room, illuminated fitfully by the beam of his flashlight. Someone asked, "What do you see?" and he answered, "Wonderful things!" Well, this set of Casals & Friends performances from early 1950s Prades Festivals also offers an unbelievable wealth of long-unheard, wonderful things. It is impossible to overpraise this production, or find the words to adequately thank Music and Arts for issuing such extravagance in these days of penny-pinching from what we used to call the major record companies. Thirteen (!) CDs of live performances, most featuring Pablo Casals working with front-rank collaborators, and all worth hearing many times over. Highlights? Casals, Rudolf Serkin, Alfred Cortot and Eugene Istomin survey all the Beethoven cello sonatas; Casals and Menuhin treat us to all the Brahms trios; the great, lamented William Kapell plays glorious Mozart and Beethoven with a young Arthur Grumiaux; the Vegh Quartet offer marvelous Schumann ..... and many, many more. Yes, you learn that even Willy Kapell could smudge a note now and then when performing 'live.' But, overall, the mistakes are few, and the musical insights so numerous as to defy listing. Note that these performances are completely different from those other, "official" live Prades recordings issued by Sony/Columbia/CBS over the past 30 years, so if you own the Sony CDs (and you should!), rest assured that while there is some overlap of repertory, you will not be duplicating performances. (On the other hand, 9 of the 13 discs were previously issued a few years back by Music and Arts.) Sound quality is mono and variable, but never less than completely acceptable. In fact, the sound quality (as realized by ace M&A engineer Maggi Payne) is surprisingly good considering that many of the performances apparently originated in the naves of ancient stone churches, not exactly a recording engineer's dream soundstage! Packaging is spartan, but well-designed and attractive: paper envelopes contain the CDs which are held together in a space-efficient soft box. Full liner notes helpfully discuss the origins of the Prades Festivals, and provide a limited discussion of participating artists other than Casals. (The fabulous Kapell performances -- of music he recorded nowhere else -- represent the pianist's only appearance at Prades, just a month or two before his tragic death in a plane crash.) Final word: In this set you get some of the greatest performing artists of all time playing some of the greatest chamber music ever written ..... and for an unbelievably low price. Unless you are completely averse to live music-making or have no tolerance at all for fallible sound, you need to own and hear these discs, over and over again!