Musique & Cinema du Monde: Indie [Import]

1. Mitwa

2. Chalo Tumko Lekar Chale

3. Tuj He Dekha To

4. Allah Hoo

5. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha

6. Malare Mounama

7. Snekitane

8. Sanditene

9. Bekas Pe Karam Kijiye

10. Girlfriend

11. Pondy-Cherie

12. Silsila Ye Chahat Ka

Tracks:

Hungry Freaks, Daddy
I Ain't Got No Heart
Who Are The Brain Police?
Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder
Motherly Love
How Could I Be Such A Fool
Wowie Zowie
You Didn't Try To Call Me
Any Way The Wind Blows
I'm Not Satisfied
You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here
Trouble Every Day
Help, I'm A Rock
It Can't Happen Here
The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet

Amazon.com essential recording

"This is the voice of your conscience, baby..." The recording debut of the Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention is a brilliantly wicked counter-strike to the flower power sensibilities prevalent at the time of it's release in 1966. Arguably rock music's first true "concept album," Zappa's aural collage mashes together chunks of psychedelic guitars, outspoken political commentary, cultural satire, and avant-garde musical sensibilities, and then hides it all under cleverly crafted pop melodies. Not diminished in the slightest by the passage of time, Freak Out! remains as vital and relevant today as it was in the 1960's. --Andrew Boscardin

Customer Reviews:

A gem of the late sixties.......2007-04-12

This is just one of those classics that you could never get enough of, no matter how many spins it gets. A bizzarre and delightfully off-kilter assault on the ears.

'Freak Out' is one of the more unconventional albums of its time. It has that unmistakingly late 60's acid trip vibe to it that really adds a nice touch to the Zappa insanity. 'Freak Out' is full of unconventional, off-kilter, mock-pop songs that really indulge in Zappa's bizzare sense of humor, such as 'Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder', but then it also has its 'moments of clarity' as well. This album really reminds me of Pink Floyd's 'Saucerful of Secrets' except with more humor and less LSD. Even though the music is aimed in different directions, the production and mix are really similar in my opinion. Everything on this album is completely, delightfully, off the wall.

From the almost instrumental arrangments of vocalizations that would later be the foundation of Mike Patton's Mr. Bungle, to the extremely long sound samples twords the end, everything fits together perfectly in its own, strange, Zappatastic way. The sound samples are really a key part to this album rather than simple filler. Zappa prove to be absolutely and completely original by preforming magnificant pieces of avant-garde art with seemingly mindless noise.

'Freak Out' is truly a gem of the late sixties, and an absolute must have for anyone who considers himself the slightest Zappa fan. Scratch that, for anyone who considers himself a fan of avant-garde music itself, this album is totally classic.

The album that made me a Zappa freak.......2006-12-19

My first Zappa album was the Grand Wazoo and I thought it was pretty good. I didn't think it was that great though. But I am happy that it gave me just enough interest in Zappa to buy this album. This album attacks pop music so well you would think that it was serious and not a joke. A few songs on here have music that is not ironic (Hungry Freaks Daddy, I ain't got no heart, Who are the Brain Police, Trouble Every Day, and Help I'm a Rock) most of the songs are simple pop songs with cliche lyrics and thats what makes them so funny. A concept album is an album that has a theme the entire time or tells a story, and this was the first rock album that had a concept (yes it even preceded Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band)I have since bought one other album by Zappa (You are What You Is) and I can't choose which of the two I like better. I have really connected with his music recently and I plan on buying many of his albums. The lead work is very good for its time, but his later albums definately have WAY better guitar solos. He doesn't satire every form of life on this album like he does on later albums, but he definately satires sappy made for radio pop songs. The songs I listed above are more expirimental and those are my favorites on this album and they will hint at what Zappa will create later. It's hard to belive that so many great albums can come from one man, C'ya latter Zappa Rules!

The first step in Zappa's amazing world...........2006-12-05

In many cases, when an artist puts out a great debut album (or film, book, TV programme), it is quite often a pain in the butt, as they have an enormously difficult time coming up with something greater. Orson Welles's Citizen Kane is considered the greatest film of all time by many critics, how do you top that? Welles was never really able to. Zappa did. Freak Out is an amazing album, yet, Zappa was able to constantly do work that was even better than this album, one of the greatest debuts in rock history. Zappa made interesting and artistic work up until his death (which is the day I'm writing this review). This is one of my favorites, especially the last track, the originally side long song The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet. The producer, Tom Wilson, was on acid when Zappa recorded it, so God only knows what the hell transpired in his mind that night. The social commentary on here is still valid, and this is one of the greatest debuts of all time. Zappa never disappointed....

What can one say?.......2006-12-03

I leave the brilliant musical commentary to the other reviewers who are obviously better qualified.
My review consists of one sentence:

I heard it in 1967; never recovered, never wanted to.

One of the most ambitious (not to mention greatest) debuts of all time.......2006-12-02

Frank Zappa's debut is a bizarre, eclectic, hilarious piece of work that's one of the man's best. To be fair, I'm not at all familiar with Zappa. But the Zappa I've heard, I like a lot. Here he divides his time between sarcastic pieces of social commentary (Hungry Freaks, Daddy; Who are the Brian Police?; You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here; Trouble Every Day) and hilarious love song parodies (I Ain't Got No Heart; Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder; Motherly Love; Anyway the Wind Blows; How Could I Be Such a Fool?) and he pulls it off either way. Oh, and the twenty-minute sound collage that ends the disc is bizarre, but it's also friggin' hilarious and so ahead of its time, it's jaw-dropping. Wowie Zowie and You Didn't Try to Call Me aren't all that good, but the rest is awesome. At LEAST buy it for the hilarious liner notes.
Best tunes: Hungry Freaks, Daddy; I Ain't Got No Heart; Who Are the Brain Police?; Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder; You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here; Trouble Every Day; Help I'm a Rock/It Can't Happen Here; Return of the Son of Monster Magnet

Average customer rating:

Good Music to Sleep By
Enjoyment
Best Music to Have on When You Work
Excellent for Massage!
MOZART FOR MEDITATION

Mozart for Meditation

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Beethoven at Bedtime: A Gentle Prelude to Sleep
Debussy for Daydreaming: Music to Caress Your Innermost Thoughts
Bach at Bedtime: Lullabies for the Still of the Night
Baroque at Bathtime: A Relaxing Serenade to Wash Your Cares Away
Mozart at Midnight

ASIN: B0000041CD
Release Date: 1995-01-17

Tracks:

Flute Concerto No. 1 In G
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A
Horn Concerto No. 4 In E-Flat
Symphony No. 31 In D: Symphony No. 31 In D - Andante
Piano Concerto No. 15 In B-Flat
Violin Concerto No. 4 In D
Wind Serenade No. 12 In C Minor - Andante: Wind Serenade No. 12 In C Minor
Concerto For Flute And Harp I - In C - Andatino
Piano Concerto No. 27 In B-Flat
Symphony No. 34 In C: Symphony No. 34 In C - Andante Di Molto
Fantasia In D Minor

Customer Reviews:

Good Music to Sleep By.......2007-06-08

Well, as far as music for meditation goes, I'm not so sure about this product for that purpose. When I meditate, I tend to need more monotonous sounds to do it by - however, this CD is GREAT for relaxation and sleeping. So I still give it 4 out of 5 stars even though I won't be using it for its stated purpose. Still well-worth the money.

Enjoyment.......2007-05-07

All the pieces are the perfect ones for the relaxation. As a collector I am impressed of the selections chosen for this album.

Best Music to Have on When You Work.......2007-01-22

When I am working and I need to block out sounds to concentrate on what I am doing, I always put on this CD. Besides the fact that it is easy to listen to, it doesn't distract me from my work, and I never get bored or tired of the music. I'm reluctant to purchase a similar album in the fear that it won't be as good as the Mozart Meditation.

Excellent for Massage!.......2006-04-06

I'm a licensed massage therapist, and I absolutely adore using this CD during my sessions! It's a great alternative to the new age-y music styles that are so pervasive in the relaxation music scene -- my clients find this CD soothing & relaxing, and not at all "weird". This music suports a "relaxed but focused" atmosphere -- it serves as excellent white noise in the lobby area, and I even use it at home as a soothing backdrop for reading/ sewing/ paperwork/ etc. Excellent arrangements & clarity -- DON'T MISS!

MOZART FOR MEDITATION.......2005-09-07

Excellent CD. Love to have it playing in the background of my daily schedule. Soothing. Gentle. Contemplative. HIghly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

If you already like their stuff, this is a good one to have...
Almost perfect.
Daft funk.
The best of the best
Daft Cash-In

Musique, Vol. 1: 1993-2005
Daft Punk
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Discovery
Daft Club
Human After All
Homework
Daft Punk - Interstella 5555

ASIN: B000EHPXXI
Release Date: 2006-04-04

Tracks:

Musique
Da Funk
Around The World
Revolution 909
Alive
Rollin' & Scratchin'
One More Time
Harder Better Faster Stronger
Something About Us
Robot Rock
Technologic
Human After All
Mothership Reconnection by Scott Groove feat. Parliament Funkadelic (Daft Punk Remix)
Chord Memory by Ian Pooley (Daft Punk Remix)
Forget About The World by Gabrielle (Daft Punk: Don't Forget About The World Remix)

Customer Reviews:

If you already like their stuff, this is a good one to have..........2007-07-09

But if you don't, this won't convert you. Once you get past the couple of "club" hits, the rest of the album is just more of the same. Daft Punk fans already know this, and like it, but newer fans will be wondering what's going on.

Almost perfect........2006-11-01

To me, Daft Punk represents the best in electronic/house music. For novices this is a great way to get into a band that I feel is often overlooked. Perhaps because electronic music nowadays isn't really being listened to that much. Back in the mid to late 90's electronic music acts such as Daft Punk, Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and Basement Jaxx were flying high because the music was in style, today it's sort of an acquired taste. Given most of these bands material of late isn't up to par, including Daft Punk themselves. Before 'Human After All' came out I honestly didn't think these guys were capable of making a less than stellar album. I was proven wrong.

For all the backlash 'Human After All' gets it's not by any means terrible, but just simply not as good as Homework and Discovery. However, the sound of a dwindling fanbase must've been deafening to the record label. So the time was right to release this 'best of' compilation in order to reel in new fans since the "old" ones probably have gone off to greener pastures ( i.e. LCD Soundsystem). We get introduced to a lost classic from the earliest stage of the band, Musique, a b-side to the first single 'Da Funk' and a pleasant surprise to those who haven't heard it. The next batch of songs are very familiar to fans and somewhat to fairweather fans, now my only gripe is something I noticed others have had a similar complaint about, and that is "why isn't Digital Love and Aerodynamic included?". Now those two tracks were singles and to me the fact that those are not there takes away one star from this rating. Since you want to give novices a chance to get the "best of" of a band, you must put in the "best tracks", makes sense right? I would've taken out Human After All and Something About Us, basically because the quality of the previous tracks outweigh these. A nice addition is the inclusion of three remixes from the Daft Club release, good choices too. Overall, you have pretty much the meat and potatoes of an excellent group that deserves better recognition and this proves why.

Daft funk........2006-10-18

Some may ask why, but I say bring on a collection like this. Why not? This is primo music. Is it techno or electronica, who cares, just dance and enjoy. My biggest complaints are, why six tracks from "Homework", and only three from "Discovery"? Also, some of these songs like "Rollin' & Scratchin'" and "Robot Rock" are SO repetitive (I know that's the point), they get old by the three minute mark. Yet, other tracks like "Around The World" and "One More Time" are perfection, hence the classics they are. One other disappointment....where the hell is "Digital Love"? That song should be here before many of these. Still, these are all good at the least, and it's a good sampling of their three albums. Toss on a few remixes to choice tracks like "Da Funk" and "Human After All", and you've got a collection even a robot could love. There's also a deluxe edition of this with videos, but hey, that's what Youtube is for.

The best of the best.......2006-06-29

If you're looking for a comprehensive greatest hits collection from daft punk then this is it! Yeah greatest hits can be all about cashing in but for casual daft punk fans this is ideal! You get all their "best" songs in one shot plus some little additional remixes. It is true that perhaps the track the music sounds better with you should've been added but hey! no greatest hits is perfect.

Daft Cash-In.......2006-05-03

Let's set it out right from the start: Daft Punk have never been the most prolific dance act. Where Mylo could create a rich triple album of his remixes and hits from the last two years alone, Daft Punk's picks from three studio albums over the last decade barely fill a hits collection. This could have something to do with the absurd and mysterious French duo, consisting of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, spending as much time on cartoon productions and furniture design as they have on musical output, although some doubters might suggest the band are simply lazy or have lacked fresh ideas since they burst onto the scene in 1996 with Homework. The muted response to Human After All's release in 2005 certainly indicated the latter may be true, although rumours persisted the album was just an expensive practical joke from the enigmatic pair. Daft Punk's record label Virgin sure don't seem to be laughing, rush-releasing Musique Volume 1 1993-2005 with no new music and little to entice Daft Punk's long-term fans to purchase this collection aside lesser-known remixes if Ian Pooley, Gabrielle and Scott Grooves. While classics such as One More Time, Around The World and Da Funk make up the dozen Daft Punk songs included here, this disc is so light on personal victories that it's surprising Thomas Bangalter's hit under the Stardust nom de plume, Music Sounds Better With You, wasn't dusted off and included here. Even a remix disc would have been a worthy addition, but as it stands this collection is punkin' daft. Memo to Air - don't make the same mistake as your froggy countrymen.

Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974

Average customer rating:

Amazing.......!
very cool and unusual Afro Jazz/Funk
a pleasure every time
Where have these guys been all my life.
Great music, bad quality

Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale, 1969-1974
Mulatu Astatke
Manufacturer: Buda Musique
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ethiopia | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Fusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

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Similar Items:

Broken Flowers: Music from the Film
Ethiopiques, Vol. 1: Golden Years Of Modern Ethiopian Music
Ethio Jazz Vol. 1
Ethiopiques 20: Live in Addis
Ethiopiques, Vol. 3: Golden Years Of Modern Ethiopian Music

ASIN: B00000DDMB
Release Date: 1998-10-06

Tracks:

A Man Of Experience And Wisdom
When Am I Going To Reach There?
From All The Time I Have Passed
Nostalgia
My Own Memory
My Muna
My Gubel
My Asmara
February
Liberty
Baby, My Unforgettable Remembrace
My Saba
I Can't Live Without You
Bell

Amazon.com

Largely the work of formidable musician-arranger Mulatu Astatqe, the 14 instrumentals here were originally issued on two LPs in 1972 and 1974 in Ethiopia, and represent a curious blend of soul-jazz and R&B with just a smattering of Ethiopian roots breaking up the stabbing horn lines, wah-wah guitars, and simmering electric piano. Curious, because at the time jazz was not very popular in Ethiopia, but that is no reflection on the quality of these primitively recorded sides of idiosyncratic Afro-funk. The grooves are long and laconic, the sound reminiscent of Miles Davis's "In a Silent Way" paired with Cannonball Adderly and Roy Ayers. But, as with all things Ethiopian, the music retains its own unique and unmistakable identity, one somewhere between a late-night jazz hole-in-the-wall group and a supper club belly-dancing combo. There are some very inventive arrangements and vigorous soloing, rendering a highly articulate and listenable music that was, at the time, doomed to go nowhere. Such is the retrospective value of reissues. --Derek Rath

Customer Reviews:

Amazing.......!.......2007-02-14

Wow. I can't stop listening to this album..it's incredible. How did I live without it for so long? It has this mysterious, sexy, intimate, exotic, beautiful sound. My life feels just a tad more complete now. HOT

very cool and unusual Afro Jazz/Funk.......2007-01-06

I bought this CD on a whim after it was recommended by Amazon, and I really like this album. Fans of Fela and other Afro Jazz / Afro Pop will probably like this one. The difference is that this is EAST African. While the music is primarily jazz and R&B, there are very clear local influences, which sound somewhat Middle Eastern to my uninitiated Western ears. It's unlike any other CD that I've ever heard, but it's familiar sounding enough to enjoy right away.

The sound quality is what it is! It's from Ethiopia more than 30 years ago! The sound quality is relatively primitive, but it's not something that should keep the open-minded listener from thoroughly enjoying this music. I could even argue that the sound gives it another unique touch.

My daunting challenge for me now is to determine which one of the other 19 volumes of this series to get next.

a pleasure every time.......2006-08-30

This is powerful, mystical, ancient, ethereal, psychedelic stuff, wrapped in the raw familiar shapes of jazz, blues, funk, and pop. The horn melodies are dark and hypnotic, punctuated by guitar tones ranging from raw and distorted to reverb wah-wah, joined by electric piano, flute, and various percussion. I love most of the pieces, I think I realized around track #4 that this was special. And listen to track 5, the horns kick it off for the first 2 seconds, then they go away until a sax comes in at 1:22 and plays for awhile as the rhythm just pounds away in the background, finally the horns rip back in at 2:20 and keep at it until the end with a great repeating riff. The last track even approaches a sort of Stooges 'LA Blues'.
I also really love the Ethiopiques albums with Mahmoud Ahmed, I think they are #6 & 7 in the series.
The real charm of this music comes from the way it sounds, the way it was recorded. Raw and low-fi and brimming with soul, the needle pushing into the red. Dig it.

Where have these guys been all my life........2006-07-27

I got this CD after viewing Broken Flower, the movie. I loved the soundtrack and went to Amazon to find the CD. They helpfully showed me the Ethiopiques CD, and I liked their cuts on the movie soundtrack, so I thought I'd take a chance. Everyone I play it for wants to know more about them. I know very little, but love everything on this CD. I will definitly try more of their stuff. My daughter says, "this music makes me happy."

Great music, bad quality.......2006-07-09

This album has a great selection of music, but the recording quality is very bad. Try to listen to it before you buy it

Average customer rating:

Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!
Beginner or Expert
Very Informative and Enjoyable
Frank's view
Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra

Instruments of the Orchestra
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Op34; Simple Symphony Op4
The Mahler Symphonies: An Owner's Manual (includes 1 CD)
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Book & CD)
Study of Orchestration, Third Edition
The Life and Works of Ludwig van Beethoven

ASIN: B00006O0NT
Release Date: 2002-12-03

Tracks:

Overture To 'Tannhauser'
Domna, Pos Vos Ay Chausida
We Don't Merely Use Instruments, We Play On Them. And They Play On Us.
Hungarian Dance No.7
The Violin Is One Of The Most Tender And Beautiful Instruments Ever Invented.
Violin Concerto In D Major (Adagio)
But For A Long Time It Was Seen As The Instrument Of The Devil.
The Soldier's Tale: Triumphal March Of The Devil
The Manipulative Seductiveness Of The Gypsy Violin.
Csardas Music
The Violin And The Initiation Of Nature
The Four Seasons (Spring, Mvt 1)
Birds Are Again Evoked In The Second Concerto, Especially Music's Natural Favourite.
The Four Seasons (Summer, Mvt 1)
Like The Devil, The Violin Is A Master Of Disguise.
Old Viennese Dance No.3 'Schon Rosmarin'
The Menacing Sensuality Of Ravel's Tzigane: A Very Different Side Of The Violin:
Tzigane
Do We Now Have The True Measure Of This Instrument? Not Just Yet.
Caprice No.24
The Many Effects Of The String Tremolando: Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (Last Mvt)/From Joy To Fright/Quartettsatz In C Minor/The String Tremolo Practically Spells The World Agitato.
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No.7)
Prokofiev's Tremolo In Romeo And Juliet Should Not Be Heard Just Before Bedtime.
Romeo And Juliet: Act IV
Vivaldi Use It To Illustrate The Shivering Of Travellers Crossing The Ice.
The Four Seasons (Winter, Mvt 1)
The Violin Muted
Clair De Lune
The Gentleness Of Muted Strings Persists Even When A Whole Orchestra Plays.
Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 (Slow Mvt)
The Pizzicato Violin
Pizzicato Polka
In Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, The Accompaniment Is Pizzicato.
Violin Concerto No.2 In G Minor (Slow Mvt)
Varieties Of Pizzicato: Colas Breugnon (The People's Feast)/Now A Drier, Leaner, Hungrier Pizzicato. There's Not A Lot Of Comfort Here./Capriol Suite (Tordion)/The Use Of Pizzicato As 'Percussion'/Romeo And Juliet (Act I)/Mahler Used Pizzicato...
The Planets (Mars - The Bringer Of War)
The Technique Of Double-Stopping Enables The Violin To Play Duets With Itself./Sonata No.3 In C Major For Unaccompanied Violin (Fugue)/Now A Later Example Of The Same Technique
Hungarian Dance No.4
Double-Stopping Is A Standard Feature Of A Lot Of Folk Music.
The Four Seasons (Autumn, Mvt 1)
Now The Same Technique, But The Sound Might Have Come From Another World.
Bolero
Double-Stopping Can Only Approximate The Sound Of A Real Violin Duet.
Cadenza To The Violin Concerto By Brahms
Now Compare That With A Real Violin Duet.
Forty-Four Duos (No. 1: Teasing Song)
Another Duo By Bartok, Demonstrating The Violin's Rich Lower Register
Forty-Four Duos (No.2: Maypole Dance)
And Now What May Be The Most Beautiful Accompanied Violin Duet In History
Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
The Soul Of The Violin Is In Song; But What About This Weird Passage?
Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major (Mvt 2)
The Use Of Harmonies In The Orchestra Can Be Both Magical And Unsettling.
Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 1, Opening)
Tchaikovsky's Use Of Harmonics In The Sleeping Beauty Is Both Strange And Darling.
The Sleeping Beauty (Act II, No.15: Entr'Acte)
Ravel's Harmonics In Mother Goose Effect A Magical Transformation.
Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
Stravinsky's Harmonics In The Firebird Transport Us Almost Into Another World./The Firebird (Introduction)
The Natural Upper Notes Of The Violins Have A Unique Emotional 'Grab'.
Also Sprach Zarathustra (Of The Afterworldsmen)
Still In Their Upper Register, The Violins Unleash The Energy Of A Young Colt.
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No. 4)
Elsewhere, Britten Uses The Same High Register To Create A Very Different Mood.
Four Sea Interludes (Dawn) From 'Peter Grimes'
To End This Outing With The Violins, A Charming Little Elfin Dance
Elfenreigen

Tracks:

Introduction To The Viola
Viola Concerto (Mvt 1)
Khatchaturian Gets A Very Different Sound From It: Fuller, Fruitier, More Exotic.
Gayane Suite No.1 (Armen's Solo)
Very Nearly The Whole Of The Violin's Upper Register Is Also Available To The Viola.
Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'
The Viola Can Bring A Special, Rich Twanginess To Pizzicato That The Violins Lack./Don Quixote/Berlioz Drew Sounds From It That Retain Their Metallic Strangeness Even Today.
Harold In Italy (Mvt 4)
The Muted Viola: Intimate, Gentle, Poignant In Dvork
Cypresses (No.9)
The Massed Violas Of The Modern Symphony Orchestra In Mahler
Symphony No.4 (Mvt 3)
The 'Period' Viola In Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 (Last Mvt)
The Cello: A Voice Of Unique Nobility
Suite No.1 For Unaccompanied Cello (Prelude)
Brahms And The 'Soul' Of The Cello
Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat Major (Mvt 3)
Most Orchestral Composers Tend To Emphasize The Cello's Lower Register.
Cantata 'Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben', BWV 147 (Soprana Aria: Bereite Dir, Jesu)
In The Time Of Beethoven The Cello Remained As Fundamental As Ever.
Symphony No.3 'Eroica' (Finale)
But The Cello Is Not Condemned To Spend Its Life In The Basement.
Elfentanz, Op.39
Not Only In Recital Showpieces Like That Is The Cello Is Used In Its Highest Register.
The Protecting Veil (Opening)
A Cello With An Identity-Crisis: The Pizzicato Flamencan
Flamenco
Double-Stopping In The Lower Reaches Of The Cello's Range
Solo Suiet For Cello And Piano (Sardana)
It's In The Middle Register That The Cello Really Comes Into Its Own.
Oriental Dance, Op.2 No.2
It Was To The Cellos That Beethoven Gave Two Of His Most Famous Themes./Symphony No.5 (Mvt 2)/Still More Famous Than That Theme Is This One From The Ninth Symphony.
Symphony No.9 (Finale)
Introduction To The Double-Bass
The Carnival Of The Animals (The Elephant)
But The Double-Bass Can Be Intensely Expressive And Graceful.
Elegy No.1 In D Major
The Range Of The Double-Bass Is The Greatest Of All The String Instruments/Allegro Di Concerto, 'Alla Mendelssohn'/And It's Also Capable Of Very Considerable Virtuosity.
Capriccio Di Bravura
Double-Bass Solos In Orchestral Scores Are Rare But Often Memorable./Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 3)/In His Third Symphony Mahler Makes A Very Different Use Of The Instrument./Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1)
The Double-Bass Muted In Prokofiev/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Kije's Wedding)/In Another Work Prokofiev Uses The Double-Bass To Enhance The Winds./Romeo And Juliet (Act III)/And He Combines The Bass Clarinet With A Shivering Tremolo From The Double-Basses....
Symphony No.5 (Mvt 3)/So Much For The Strings/On Now To The Winds

Tracks:

The Antiquity And Magic Of The Flute
Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune
The Versatility And Agility Of The Flute
Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor (Badinerie)
The Flute In Fifteenth-Century Spain
Sa'Dawi
Other Flutes: The Bass And Alto
Chamber Music No.II
The Piccolo - Aptly Named
La Naissance D'Osiris (Mvt 6)
From A Piccolo Of The Eighteenth Century To One Of Its Descendants In The Twentieth
Suite No.1 For Small Orchestra (Valse)
A Variety Of Techniques
Chamber Music No.II
Flutter-Tonguing. But Tchaikovsky Got There Eighty Years Before.
The Nutcracker (Act II, No.2: Scene)
From The Transverse To The Vertical: The Baroque Recorder
Recorded Suite In A Minor (Menuet II)
An Unfamiliar, Early Vision Of The Instrument
Naelden, Naelden
The Bachian Oboe
Cantata 'Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott', BWV 80 (No.7: Duetto)
Introduction To The Cor Anglais Or 'English Born'
Symphony No.9 'From The New World' (Mvt 2)
The Loneliness Of The Cor Anglais
The Swan Of Tuonela
The Cor Anglais Joins The French Horn In Haydn.
Symphony No.22 'The Philosopher' (Opening)
Introduction To The Oboe D'Amore, Beloved Of Bach - But Also Of Ravel
Bolero
The Clarinet Family: Boxing The Compass, From The Depths Of The Bass Clarinet.../The Egyptian (Violence)/...To The Raucous And Squealy.../Taras Bulba (The Death Of Ostap)/...To The Shrill And Complaining...
Petrushka (No.8: Peasant With Bear)/...To The High Sprits Of A Playful Puppy./Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)/And To The Downright Jazzy/Romeo And Juliet (Act II)
As The High Clarinets Tend To Be Loud, So The Bass Tends To Be Soft:
Gayane Suite No. 1 (Mvt 5)
The Bass Clarinet Is Used By Most Composers Mainly As A Colouring Agent.../Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/...But It Does Occasionally Get A Whole Tune To Itself./Iberia (Almeria).
The Range Of The Normal Clarinet Parts Goes Quite High...
The Snow Maiden (Scene 5: Melodrama)
...And Quite Low.
Peter And The Wolf (The Cat)
The Clarinet As Concerto Soloist
Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
But That's Not The Instrument Mozart Wrote It For; This Is:
Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
Introduction To The Saxophone
Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 4)
The Soprano Saxophone Has Quite A Different Feel To It.
L'Arlesienne Suite No.1 (Minuet)
The Little Sopranino Sax Goes Even Higher.
Bolero
The Most Famous Use Of The Saxophone Is In An Orchestration By Ravel.
Pictures At An Exhibition (The Old Castle)
The Saxophone Can Be Quite Contagiously Good-Humoured.
Sax-O-Phun
The Puffa-Puffa Image Of The Bassoon
Peter And The Wolf (Grandfather)
The Bachian Bassoon, In Accompanimental Mode
Cantata 'Weichet Nur, Betrubte Schatten' ('Wedding Cantata'), BWV 202 (Aria No.1)
Bizet Leaves The Puffa-Puffa Image Out, Allowing The Bassoon To Sing./Carmen Suite No.1 (Les Dragons D'Alcala)
And Ravel, Also In Spanish Mode, Does Likewise.
Bolero
The Bassoon As A Voice Of High Seriousness, Indeed Desolate Loneliness
Symphony No.3 (Opening)
The Eerie Bassoon In Its Highest Register
The Rite Of Spring (Opening)
Stravinsky Now Draws On Its Lowest Register, Lonely And Melancholy.
The Firebird Suite (1919, Berceuse)
The Bassoon As Concerto Soloist, Avoiding All Exaggeration
Bassoon Concerto In G Minor (Finale)
The Deep-Voiced Contra-Bassoon, As A Fairy-Tale Beast
Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
The French Horn Under Its Woodwind Hat
Wind Quintet, Op.43 (Last Mvt)
Now A More Prominent Role, In A Woodwind Quintet From An Earlier Era
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Mvt 2)
The Horn In Harmonious Blend With Strings In Another Quintet
Horn Quintet, K.407 (Finale)

Tracks:

The Trumpet As Virtuoso Soloist
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Last Mvt)
The Special Brillance Of Paired Trumpets
Concerto In C For Two Trumpets, RV537 (Mvt 1)
The Ceremonial Trumpet
Fanfare For The Common Man
Trumpets And Drums - An Incomparable Alliance
Messiah (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
The Versatility Of The Trumpet, From The Most Public To The Most Lonely
Piano Concerto In F (Slow Mvt)
The Trumpet As The Voice Of The City/An American In Paris/The Trumpet As Recruitment Officer/The Soldier's Tale (The March)/The Trumpet As Swaggerer
Carmen Suite No.2 (Habanera)
The Trumpet As The Voice Of Strength And Courage
Carmet Suite No.2 (Toreador's Song)
The Trumpet Muted/Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Opening)/The Trumpet As The Voice Of Weariness
Billy The Kid
The Trumpet As Character Actor
Pictures At An Exhibition (No.6)
The Trumpet As The Voice Of God
Mass In B Minor ('Et Exspecto')
The Birth Of The Trombone
Aenmerckt Nu Hier
The Birth Of The Brass As A Family
Canzon 12 In Double Echo
The Trombone In The Eighteenth Century
Trombone Concerto In B Flat Major (Finale)
The Tone Of The Tenor Trombone/Romance For Trombone And Organ/The Memorable Voice Of The Bass Trombone/Requiem (Mvt 2)/But The Bass Trombone Is More Than An Instrumental Bullfrog.
Hosannah
The Trombones Become Part Of The Orchestra.
Symphony No.5 (Finale)
The Wagnerian Trombone:/Overture To 'Tannhauser'
The Trombone As Caricaturist
Pulcinella (No.19: Vivo)
The Trombone As Raspberry/Concerto For Orchestra (Intermezzo)
The Horn And The Hunt
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495 (Finale)
The Challenging Horn Of The Baroque
Abaris Ou Les Boreades (Menuet)
The Scarcity Of First-Rate Players In Handel's Time
Walter Music (Minuet 1)
The Horn As Magician/The Firebird Suite (1919, Finale)
Horns And The Sound Of Nobility
Overture To 'Tannhauser' (Opening)
The Special Sound Of The Horn In Its Higher Register
Mass In B Minor ('Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus')
The Trumpet-Like Sound Of Massed Horns
Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1, Opening)
The Tuba - Unfairly Maligned?
Symphony No.6 (Mvt 3)
The Tuba Perfectly Cast By Ravel
Pictures At An Exhibition (Bydlo)

Tracks:

Introduction. And We Begin With A Bang.
Fanfare For The Common Man/The Bass Drum On The Battlefields/Wellington's Victory, Op.91 (Opening)
At The Opposite Extreme Is The Triangle.
Piano Concerto No.1 In E Flat (Scherzo)
Categories Of Percussion: Tuned And Untuned. The Side Drum
Overture To 'La Gazza Ladra' - The Thieving Magpie (Opening)
The Side Drum In An Effective But Unexpected Role/Clarinet Concerto (Mvt 1)
The Tambourine. One Of The Oldest Instruments In The World
Den Hoboecken Dans
Even Older Is The Originally Oriental Gong.
Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
No Single Instrument Can Match The Gong In Evoking The Breaking Of Waves./Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'/But Gongs Don't Have To Be Struck To Be Effective.
Gymnopedie No.2
The Cymbals Are Generally Discovered Early In Life./The Sanguine Fan/And They Do More Than Clash Together Loudly. They Can Be Clashed Together Softly./Studio Example: But They Needn't Be Clashed Together At All/Studio Example: They Can Be Lightly...
Other Untuned Percussion Instruments Include The Whip.: Piano Concerto In G Major (Opening)/And Here Are No Fewer Than Twenty, Cracked By Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Act I, Scene 5)
More Versatile Than The Whip Are The Wood Blocks.../Studio Example/...Which Crop Up All Over The Place In Twentieth-Century American Music.
Rodeo (Hoe-Down)
Related To The Wood Blocks, By Sound, Are The Castanets./Jota Aragonesa/But The Castanets Were Also Used By Monteverdi Back In The Seventeenth Century.
Scherzi Musicali (Damigella Tutta Belle)
A Still Earlier Example From Fifteenth-Century Spain
Yo M'Enamori D'Un Aire
The Birth Of The Bongo
Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story'
From The Streets Of New York To The Blacksmith's Shop/Il Trovatore ('Anvil Chorus')
Desert-Island Decibels: Grand Canyon Suite (On The Trail)/Arcana
From One Vegetable To Another: The Humble Squash, Or Marrow/Huapango
Onwards To The Tuned Percussion. First, The Timpani
Also Sprach Zarathustra (Introduction)
But The Drum Roll Can Be More Effectively Frightening Than The Big Bang.: Symphony No.2 'Resurrection' (Mvt 3)
Not One Drum Roll, But Many/Grand Canyon Suite (Sunrise)/Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)
Taking Advantage Of Tunability
Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Mvt 2)
The Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Takes A Downward Turn./Carmen Suite (Changing Of The Guard)/Tuned, Yes; But For The Truly Melodic We Must Look Elsewhere.
Introducing The Glockenspiel/Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
Saint-Saens And The Xylophone
The Carnival Of The Animals (Fossils)
Ravel And The Xylophone
Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
Introducing The Marimba/Carmen Suite (First Intermezzo)
Introducing The Vibraphone
The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Narange Dolce)
The Vibraphone Goes Russian.../Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)/...And Is Joined By The Marimba./Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
Introducing The Hungarian Cimbalom
Folk Dances
The Cimbalom And The Symphony Orchestra
Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 3)
Introducing The Tubular Bells
Hary Janos Suite (Viennese Musical Clock)
A More 'Up-Front' Approach From Rodion Shchedrin
Carmen Suite (Introduction)
But The Bells Can Also Make The Sinister Even More Sinister./Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
Introducing The Celeste
The Nutcracker (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy)
Magic, In The Use Of Collective Percussion
Miroirs (La Vallee Des Cloches)
Plucked Instruments: The 'Undercover Percussion'/Carmen Suite (Scene)
A Prime Case In Point Is The Harp, Irresistible To The Romantics./The Nutcracker (Act II, No.1: Scene)/The Non-Solo Harp As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Hungarian Rhapsody No.1
The Traditionally Subservient Role Of The Harpsichord In The Baroque Orchestra
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Slow Mvt)
The Piano: King Of The Tuned Percussion/Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Mvt 3)/And A Quarter Of A Century After That:
Petrushka (Russian Dance)
The Anti-Romantic Piano As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra
Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Last Mvt)

Tracks:

Keyboard Instruments In The Orchestra - The Most Powerful Of Them All:
Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Finale)
But Things In Handel's Day Were Very Different.
Organ Concerto In B Flat, Op.4 No.3 (Last Mvt)
The Organ Is Difficult To Classify.
An Unexpected, Organ-related Guest
Concerto Pour Zampogna (Last Mvt)
Peasant-Fancying... And A Touch Of The Roaming Cowboy
Les Miserables (Drink With Me)
Outside Artefacts And The Power Of Association
Mahler's Sleighbells
Symphony No.4 (Opening)
A Roll-Call Of Some Unusual Guests/The Typewriter/Parade
Chains, And More/Integrales/An American In Paris/Sandpaper Ballet
Purpose-Built Oddities: Wind Machines/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Opening)
Don Quixote (Variation VIII)
National Calling Cards: The Guitar For Spain/Concierto De Aranjuez (Finale)
And The Guitar's Poor American Relative, The Banjo/Washington Breakdown
And Poorer Still, The Mouth Organ/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Packing Up)
The Balalaika For Russia/Romeo And Juliet (Act II: No.14)
The Maracas For Mexico/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (El Desayuno)
The Bongos And Congas And A Whole Wealth Of Other Drums For Africa And Central America/Studio Example
The Sitar Of India/Evening Raga: Bhapoli
The Accordion For France (Especially Paris)/Paris Canaille
The Zither For Vienna/The Third Man (Theme)
The Cimbalom For Hungary/Folk Dances
The Guitar As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Rondena
There Are Whole Orchestras Of Balalaikas./Sveit Mesiats
The Effect Of The Wordless Human Voice, Used Purely As An Instrument/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
Nocturnes
Instruments And the Imitation Of Nature. The Clarinet As Cuckoo
The Carnival Of The Animals (The Cuckoo)
The Flute As An All-purpose Aviary
The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aviary)
The Oboe As Duck
Peter And The Wolf (The Duck)
The Recording Of Reality. Does It Work As Well?
The Pines Of Rome (The Pines Of The Janiculum)
The Recording Of Reality Electronically Reborn In New Guises
Cantus Articus - Concerto For Birds And Orchesra (Mvt 2)
Beethoven Turns Avian: Cuckoo, Nightingale, And Quail
Symphony No.6 'Pastoral' (Andante Molto Mosso)
Some Improbable Casting: The Violin As Braying Donkey
The Carnival Of The Animals (Persons With Long Ears)
A Truly Orchestral Hee-haw To Be Reckoned With
Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
A Thunderstorm In A Million
Symphony No.6 'Pastoral (Allegro-Allegretto)
the Instrumental Depiction Of A Silent World
The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aquarium)
Saint-Saens' Menagerie Takes A Curtain Call.
The Carnival Of The Animals (Finale)

Tracks:

The Grouping Of Instrumental Families. An Additive Approach. First, Two Violins
Forty-Four Duos (No.4)
A Great Contrast, Of Both Pitch And Character: Violin And Viola
Duo For Violin And Viola In B Flat Major, K.424 (Finale, Vars 1 & 2)/Studio Example
Arrival Of The Standard String Trio: Violin, Viola, And Cello
String Trio In B Flat (Menuetto)
The String Quartet: Two Violins, Viola, And Cello
String Quartet In F, Op.18 No.1 (Mvt 3)
The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Viola
String Quartet No.5 In D, K.593 (Adagio)
The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Cello
String Quintet In C (Mvt 3)
The String Sextet: Two Violins, Two Violas, And Two Cellos
String Sextet In B Flat (Mvt 2)
The String Octet: The Standard String Quaret Times Two
Octet In E Flat, Op.20 (Mvt 1)
Double The String Octet: A Fully Fledged String Orchestra
String Symphony No.2 (Finale)
The Massed Strings Of A Symphony Orchestra
Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis
Contrasts Of Pitch And Instrumental 'Colour' In The Woodwind Section
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Theme)
In The First Variation It's The Horn That Gets The Lion's Share.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 1
In Variation Two The Torch Is Handed To The Bassoon.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 2
In Variation Three The Oboe Leads.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 3
Variation Four: Conversation Before Returning To A Solo-dominated Texture
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 4
And Variation Five is Dominated By The Clarinet.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 5
The Next To Be Featured Is The Virtuoso Flute.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 6
Individual Farewells And A Closing Chorus
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 7
A Mixed Group: Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, String Quartet, And Double-Bass
Octet In F (Mvt 3)
The Early Classical Symphony Orchestra Of Haydn And Mozart
Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Finale)
Strings, Wind, But No Brass. What Haydn And Mozart Never Knew
Canzon 28
Beethoven's Fifth: Two Horns, Two Trumpets, And Three Trombones Join The Team.
Symphony No.5 (Finale)
From Beethoven To The Massive Orchestras Of Berlioz, Wagner, And Mahler
Beethoven Changed The Face Of The Symphony And The Orchestra Forever
Symphoy No.6 'Tragic' (Mvt 1)
The Cult Of Orchestral Elephantiasis Reaches Its Peak.
Symphony No.1 'Gothic' (VI: Te Ergo Quaesumus)
When Large Doesn't Necessarily Mean Loud: Debussy
Images (Gigues)
A Crisis Of Confidence; The Orchestra's Survival Hangs In The Balance, But It Still Develops. The Ondes Martenot:
Turangalila Symphony (Chant D'amour 1)
The Advent Of The 'Early Music' Movement Brings A New Vitality And Freshness.
Balle De Xerxes (Gavotte En Rondeau)
Computer And Synthesiser: Friends Or Foes?
Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
A Speculative Look Ahead/Mass In B Minor ('Dona Nobis Pacem')

Customer Reviews:

Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!.......2007-04-04

This set lends itself to greatly enhancing one's knowledge of the orchestra, instruments in it, and their usage. I am a huge music buff, and I still picked up a great deal I previously did not know. I highly recommend this for all who wish to understand the origin of music, as well as the processes that are employed to create music!

Beginner or Expert.......2007-03-12

This CD is excellent for the beginner or expert! To be able to haear the instrumets separately and then together really provides a good education. and/or refresher. The book thaty comes with the CD is alomost worth the price by itself!

Very Informative and Enjoyable.......2006-11-20

Whether you're a music novice or pro, "The instruments of the Orchestra" is a very worthwhile purchase. The 7 CDs, with a total of 8 hours, are expertly narrated by Jeremy Siepmann. He's a great speaker, very much like the late Leonard Bernstein was. Mr. Siepmann takes you on an unforgetable musical journey covering the origins and use of the various orchestral instruments throughout musical history. The balance between his narration and a wealth of musical examples, which range from snippets to entire movements, is superb. The comprehensive enclosed booklet is excellent and faithfully follows the 7 CDs in content. Even with my 40+ years of music training I still learned new things from this wonderful collection. Considering the excellence of the content, and a cost that translates to about $5 per disc, this collection is a great value. Grab it, you won't regret that you did. Five solid stars!

Frank's view.......2006-08-19

This boxed set of CD's with booklet achieved all I had hoped that it would. There are good samples of individual instruments and well done commentary on each. The only drawback was that some of the samples were too brief and could have been longer, hoiwever I guess this fits in with time constraints of the medium. It has given me a lot of clues as to future purchases of CD's for listening to individual instruments. Altogeth a satisfactory purchase and a welcome addition to my collection.

Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra.......2003-11-08

I've listened to classical music for years and am interested in composition. I bought this CD set to learn how an orchestra and its instruments work. I thought the CDs would be a nice but boring lecture. They aren't! Not only are they FUN but they are informative as well. I learned a huge amount from each CD and couldn't wait to listen to the next one.

The narrator and writer is a great speaker and holds your attention well. He is definitely knowledgeable. He provides musical examples for each point he makes, so you get to "hear" what he just talked about. I'd say the CDs are about 65% music and 35% narration. You'll learn about the range of instruments, some history, different ways to play them, how they sound, and how they are used in the orchestra. This CD set was a great learning experience and is sold at such a low price!

I recommend this CD for those who want to learn about classical music and those who know about it but are interested in learning more about the inner workings of an orchestra. You'll learn much useful information. For instance, the Rite of Spring (with that eerie start) is written for bassoon! I never knew a bassoon could sound like that but now I do.

Tracks:

Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumble Bee
Bernstein: Scenes from West Side Story
Dukas: The Sorcerers Apprentice
Ravel: La Valse (po choraphique)
Friedman: Tabati usique, Op. 33 No. 3
Rachmaninoff: Moments musicaux, Op. 16 No. 4
Rachmaninoff: Ele from Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3
Debussy: LIsle joyeuse
Prokofiev: Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 28
Bowen: Toccata, Op. 155
Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King, from Peer Gynt, Op. 23

Amazon.com

Their story is truly one of the more unusual tales of classical music today. Pop music has produced world-famous examples of all-in-the-family groups (which typically gave way to one or two solo stars as the years passed). And of course there's the Trapp Family singers of The Sound of Music fame. But the sibling pianists known as the 5 Browns are in a category all their own. They've gotten mega-exposure from profiles on 60 Minutes, Oprah, and the like as the first example in the history of the esteemed Juilliard School of Music in which five members of the same family have won admission (scholarships at that!) and studied concurrently. But if this sounds like a P.T. Barnum publicity stunt, make no mistake: Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan are the real thing--musicians of intense dedication and talent. Their debut CD offers different perspectives on this pianistic quintet. It's not surprising that the literature isn't exactly overflowing with arrangements for five pianos--so only 4 tracks here actually have all ten hands busy tickling the ivories (arrangements of "Flight of the Bumblebee," West Side Story scenes, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and music from Grieg's Peer Gynt). The flip DVD side includes videos of their amazing in-sync dexterity for "Flight" and the Bernstein excerpts, plus a charming interview introducing the very down-to-earth Browns. They talk about how they took to the piano, one by one, at a very early age and also point out that they remain each other's best friends, which helps them weather the stresses of the competitive classical performing arts world. Other tracks involve several four-hands settings and some solos (my own favorite is Melody's beautiful rendition of Debussy's gorgeous "L'Isle joyeuese"). We're sure to hear more from this amazingly talented family--whether as a group or as soloists. --Sarah Chin

Album Description

CD AUDIO SIDE: Entire Album

DVD SIDE: * Entire Album in 5.1 Surround Sound and enhanced LPCM Stereo * Video Performances: - Rimsky-Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumble Bee (arr. Jeffrey Shumway) - Bernstein: Scenes from "West Side Story" (arr. Kendall Briggs) * Exclusive interview footage with The 5 Browns This disc is intended to play on standard DVD and CD players. May not play on a limited number of models.

Customer Reviews:

Not all that impressed.......2007-06-01

I can't help but thinking that this is just another group of virtuoso kids that is being used for the fame of another. The music lacks fullness and invention, and tends to be a doubling of a lot of standard voicing. There is some ornamentation, and there's no doubt that each of these kids is a giften pianist, but as a group, I was not all that impressed. Cute group, though.

Fifty Very Talented Fingers..........2006-12-05

I got this CD for Christmas, and I was a little reluctant to listen to it, thinking "Oh what a yawn. Probably Mozart and Bach and--horror of horrors!--Rachmaninoff!" Well needless to say, boy was I wrong! I caught the name 'Bernstein' in the track listing, and although I had never really listened to Lenny's works, I always thought he sounded like an interesting guy, so in went the disc into the player, and on went 'Scenes from West Side Story.' I listened to it once. I listened to it twice. The third time I was hooked. I didn't recognize anything they were playing, but man it was good! It was awesome! The Browns' masterful piano version of Bernstein led me to explore deeper the marvellous music of West Side Story. To this day, after listening to recording after recording of Bernstein's West Side Story suites, the 5 Browns have a timeless rendition. It's positively brilliant. That's the only word for it--for them. They're glorious. Let classical music bore you no more, for the piano has found fifty VERY talented fingers to capture its beauty. Personally I think the very best track is West Side Story, but don't forget about The Flight of the Bumble Bee and the very fun In the Hall of the Mountain King. This is music at the height of its glory. And of course don't miss No Boundaries (note my review: I was the one who raved about The Firebird.) Enjoy, bambini!

The Browns are Great.......2006-08-04

I had vaguely heard of the Browns before I popped their CDs in my player. WOW!! What playing & what great enthusiasm. They obviously have fun making music together and they have the chops to make it exciting for the listener. Especially fun are the excerpts from Bernstein's West Side Story & Grieg's Peer Gynt. The DVD video bits are a nice bonus.

Outstanding Young Pianists.......2006-07-14

I was fortunate to see the 5 Browns in person therefore, it has been enjoyable to listen to the music that they performed in the concert. These 5 siblings are so refreshing and so talented. I recommend this CD to anyone who is looking for a CD that has outstanding piano music performed by 5 very talented young people.

Disappointed.......2006-06-07

BUYER BEWARE! When the CD Cover warns you that the "...audio side of this disc does not conform to CD specifications and therefore not all DVD and CD players will play the audio side of this disc." THEY ARE DEAD SERIOUS. I bought the album, tried it in FIVE different CD and CD/DVD players - NONE of them would play the CD. Fortunately, the retailer who I bought the CD/DVD from was willing to allow me to return it (sounds like they have had similar problems!) The 5 Browns are great artists, however, it is VERY disconcerting that their CD producers/manufacturers are putting these kind of limitations on their product.

Delibes: Coppélia (complete in three acts) / La Source (suites)

Average customer rating:

Coppelia
A full-length Coppelia at an appealing price
Inspired ballet music at a bargain price.
Superb Performance

Delibes: Coppélia (complete in three acts) / La Source (suites)

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Coppelia
The Australian Ballet - Coppelia
Adolphe Adam: Music from 'Giselle'
Prokofiev: Cinderella, Op. 87; Glazunov: Seasons Op67
Delibes - Coppelia / Kirov, Vinogradov, Tarasova

ASIN: B00000147M
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Prde
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Valse
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Sc
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Mazurka
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Sc
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Ballade
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Th slave varl
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Czarda-Danse hongroise
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Sortie
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Final
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Entr'acte
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Musique des automates
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Chanson oire et Sc
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Valse de la poup
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Bol
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Gigue
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc

Tracks:

Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Marche de la cloche - F del la cloche - Divertissement
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Valse des heures
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: L'aurore
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Coppa, Act 3: 4: La pri
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Le travail
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: L'Hymen (Noce villageoise)
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: La discorde et la guerre
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: La paix (Pas de deux)
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Variation
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Danse de f
Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Galop final
La Source, Suite No. 2: Sc dans
La Source, Suite No. 2: Scherzo Polka
La Source, Suite No. 2: Pas de la Guzla
La Source, Suite No. 2: Marche danset Final
La Source: Intermezzo (Pas des Fleurs, Grande Valse)
La Source, Suite No. 3: Incantation
La Source, Suite No. 3: Romance
La Source, Suite No. 3: Introduction et Mazurka
La Source, Suite No. 3: Finale

Customer Reviews:

Coppelia.......2007-07-27

I ordered two DVD versions of Coppelia along with this CD in order to learn the choreography from the ballet. My only complaint about this CD is that the music is considerably faster than either of the orchestras have played the score on the DVDs. This makes it difficult to learn the choreography with out slowing down the CD on a variable speed CD player.

A full-length Coppelia at an appealing price.......2003-06-26

Andrew Mogrelia has conducted a number of full-length ballets for Naxos: Giselle, Sylvia, Sleeping Beauty, and this Coppelia. I own all of them, because I find Mogrelia is one of those rare conductors who make a ballet sound like a ballet.
In concert hall versions, conductors often make ballet music impossibly fast, or simply too unpredictable. (Gergiev's Nutcracker is in this category: fun to listen to, definitely NOT a dancer's Nutcracker.) But when dancers are on stage, they need a regular, dependable beat to dance to. Mogrelia's Coppelia never sounds sing-song, because he uses dynamics so skillfully - but he does conduct at an authentic dance tempo.
Another Coppelia I like and own is Mark Ermler's (ASIN: B0000024CL), but while it's much more than highlights it is not the full ballet. The first act mazurka is missing, and that's a definite loss.
La Source is a bit of an oddity because it was originally commissioned as a sort of competition: half composed by Minkus, half by Delibes. Delibes was generally considered the winner, so he stayed in Paris while Minkus went off to Russia. This album is strictly Delibes, so it's only highlights from La Source. But it does include my favorite, the utterly charming Pas des Fleurs, Grande Valse.

Inspired ballet music at a bargain price........2002-07-13

Although I'm not particularly fond of watching ballets I have a special love for ballet music, and Coppelia is one of my favorites. It is the masterpiece of Leo Delibes who was one of the greatest of ballet composers. Even Tchaikovsky -- probably the greatest ballet composer of all -- greatly admired Delibes' work. This recording presents not only the complete music for Coppelia but also the lovely, but seldom-heard, music Delibes wrote for La Source -- both conducted by the excellent ballet conductor Andrew Mogrelia. And at a bargain price to boot. Please don't pass up this special treasure.

Superb Performance.......2000-08-27

I search for the recording for the complete Coppelia when my daughter's dance school was practicing for it. I found this item. Performance was meticulous. It was recorded in the Orchestra's concert hall over a period of almost two weeks. All digital recording. Well balanced orchestra. Fine details. A good item to collect.

Average customer rating:

Musique de la Grece Antique: Sherri's Opinion
Beauty can survive destructive time
Interesting.
A collector's item for any music lover
Unique Find

Musique de la Grece Antique

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004TVG7
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

Anakrousis
Orestas Stasimo
Premier Hymne Delphique A Apollon
Plainte De Tecmessa
Papyrus Wien 29825/G 13763/1494
Hymne Au Soleil
Hymne A La Muse
Hymne A Nemesis
Papyrus Michigan
Aenaoi Nefalai
Epitaphe De Seikilos
Pean. Papyrus Berlin 6870
Kolon Exasimon/Allos Exasimon/Tetrasimos/Allos Exasimos/Dodekasimos/Allos Dodekasimos...
Premiere Ode Pythique
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 2436
Hymne Chretienne D'Oxyrhynchus
Homero Hymnus
Papyrus Zenon. Cairo Fragment
Terencio. Hecyra 861
Poem. Mor 1, 11f. Migne 37, 523
Second Hymne Delphique A Apollon
Papyrus Oslo A/B. Epilogos-Katastrophe

Customer Reviews:

Musique de la Grece Antique: Sherri's Opinion.......2007-04-11

This music is almost like hearing ghosts. In a way the listener does hear ghosts, for the music has been saved from oblivion, and experts do not know everything about it. As much as possible, traditional instruments have been reconstructed based on pictures found on documents like vases and paintings. Sometimes you hear only a little fragment of something, about a minute. It's intriguing to think about who may have sung/played this music. The notes explain some of the technical details; musicologists will find that interesting. Because I know little about music, I wish for better notes about other things. For example, I would like more information in English about provenance, titles, and lyrics--as far as they are known. I wanted to know the words I heard sung. Other than the shortage of helpful notes, this is very interesting music.

Beauty can survive destructive time.......2006-04-27

The first remark concerns the instruments of this music, instruments that have been reconstituted on the model of the ancient ones. We will consider them as germanely faithful, and they create sounds, a sound environment or ambience that is particularly original. The second remark is that this music is based on the pythagorian five-note scale that corresponds to the first five degrees of our modern major scale. Then a second group of these five degrees and intervals are added to the first five in a second identical group constituting a ten-note scale that will be the basis of all western music up to the Renaissance, and thus the basis of all Christian sacred music of the Middle Ages, a music known as gregorian. So, in this surprising sound ambience we also recognize some elements we have already heard and enjoyed in our heritage. Just take track # 3, ? Premier hymne delphique ? Apollon ?. Some of the chords are so close to gregorian music, and yet the instruments are so different, that we may think we are at the crossroads between some extraterrestrial music and gregorian chanting. In fact we are here at the very source of gregorian music that was to borrow everything from ancient Greek music. And then put this track # 3 in parallel with track # 16, ? Hymne chr?tienne (sic) d'Oxyrhynchus ? and you will hear the direct filiation. Track # 8 will provide you with the model of the traditional musics we find in the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean, Sicilia, Sardinia, Corsicca and Provence, among others, the music of shepherds and fishermen when coming back to land, a music that will become religious and christian later on and that still exists, mainly in the form of a polyphony. But the worst part - and also the best in a way - is that we only have fragments, tidbits, and that it is the concrete realization of the tremendous waste history has willed us and yet also the concrete evidence that history is never able to destroy something completely and that we have the means to reconstruct what has been destroyed with a specific procedure of genetic musical archaeology. To conclude we must take into account this recording is from 1978, i.e. a long time ago. To get a more complete vision we have to look for more recent recordings.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Universit? Paris Dauphine, Universit? Paris I Panth?on Sorbonne

Interesting........2003-12-29

I was expecting something a little more vigorous. But it is still fun. In a sober way.

A collector's item for any music lover.......2003-12-26

Pretty much everything that I can think of to say about this CD has already been said here.

I agree that it is a bit weird. I don't listen to it very often either.

But having said that my tastes in music are not so much driven by intellect, so it doesn't bother me that liner notes might not be as complete as they could be.

I bought this CD in Japan back in the mid-1980's when compact discs were still an upcoming trend and LP's dominated. It's believable but still somehow amazing that I paid the equivalent of more than thirty U.S. bucks for what is now practically a steal.

I also am wondering why the quality of this old disc is deterioriating. Yes! There are scratchy sounds abounding where studied silence was once 'heard.' Consequently, I listen even less than I would otherwise. (I had considered putting it on an MD with the soundtrack to 'Gladiator' and then listening to both on the 'shuffle' mode.)

Unique Find.......2002-09-11

I loved this cd. It has a professional feel to the music. It evokes images from the period that are distinct, useful, and complimentary to examination of the time. There seems to have been a real effort at authentication of the sounds of the era without over stepping the claims of its ultimate veracity. I was delighted and surprised at its very existence.

Tracks:

IQ Booster: Sinfonia Concertante For Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon And Orchestra In E Flat Major, K. App. C. 14.01 - Third Movement: Andantino Con Variazioni
Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Divertimento In B Flat Major, K. 287 - Fouth Movement: Adagio
Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Wind Serenade In E Flat Major, K. 375 - Third Movement: Adagio
Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Violin Concerto No. 3 In G Major, K. 216 - Second Movement: Adagio
Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Divertimento In D Major, K. 251 - Third Movement: Andantino
Concentrate: Alpha Wave Music: Posthorn Serenade In D Major, K. 320 - Third Movement: Andante Grazioso
IQ Booster: Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K. 622 - Third Movement: Rondo. Allegro
Think Fast: Beta Wave Music: Sonata For Piano And Violin In B Flat Major, K. 454 - Third Movement: Allegretto
Think Fast: Beta Wave Music: String Quartet In G Major, K. 387 - First Movement: Allegro vivace assai
Think Fast: Beta Wave Music: Wind Serenade In C Minor, K. 388 - Fourth Movement: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Tune Your Brain Music Series is Great!.......2007-04-06

I love this series of classical music. See my review for Mozart: Energize. Besides listening to lovely music, work gets done!
LShamlian

Tune your brain with Mozart.......2006-11-16

I put the cd music on my I-pod and listen to it while I study.

Great first time clasical experience.......2006-07-02

Wanted to try the "Mozart Effect" on my teenage niece who only listened to rap and teen-pop. She said the first time she heard this it was like electrical sparks lighting up her brain. She loved it.

I am already familiar with classical music. This compilation is very well chosen, edited and engineered. There are some less than common selections, so even if you already have many symphonies, there will be some different music on this CD. Nothing is too long. The tempo is both mildly relaxing and stimulating at the same time. Good for studying or thinking.

Excellent choice!.......2001-10-28

I bought this CD to play in my Kindergarten classroom. It is great for transition time - I turn it on to signal the children that it is time to clean up and meet me on the rug. They clean up, sit on the rug and close their eyes for a minute. This really works to calm them down and they seem to like the music. This CD is a must have!!!

Serendipitous Treasure.......2000-11-01

I bought this CD just to have some classical music to listen to while driving across the deserts of the western US (classical radio stations are, alas, not too plentiful in rurual areas). It was on sale and looked like it would be reasonably good (how could one go too wrong with Mozart anyhow?). It also featured several selections I did not have on other CD's, so it would be a good addition to the Mozart section, I figured.

I had no idea a 'budget' CD could be this good. Whether or not this actually tunes your brain as the producers claim, the music is just stellar. Mozart was one of history's great composers, but the selection of works here is just astonishing in scope, composition, and variety. The performances and recording quality match the quality of the music too. This CD works as a "Mozart conoisseur's" collection.

While these are not Mozart's best known or most popular selections (The Marriage of Figaro, Ein Klein Nachtmuzik, etc. have to be located elsewhere), every song on this CD is a masterpiece -- living up to the descriptive line from "Amadeus" ('..Displace one note and you would only mar perfection...').

Tracks:

An Untold Story: Assaggio No.1 In G Minor - Johann Helmich Roman
The Legend Of Casanova: Tambourins I/II From Daro - Jean-Philippe Rameau
I Yield To Love: Cello Concerto No.3 In D Minor - Leonardo Leo
Eternal Damnation: Overture From Les Fetes De Polymnie/Overture From Platee/Overture From Zoroastre - Jean-Philippe Rameau
The Doge's Decree: Concerto In C Major - Antonio Vivaldi
A Venetian Virgin - Alexandre Desplat
San Cremori At Dawn: Concerto In C Major For Harpsicord And Strings - Giovanni Paisiello
A Lover's Duel: Overture From La Madrilena - Vicente Martin Y Soler
A Terrible Mistake: Concerto A 5, Op.9, No.4 - Tomaso Albinoni
A Secret Lover?: Sinfonia From The Opera Farnace - Antonio Vivaldi
Marriage Is A Safe Haven: Concerto A 5, Op.9 No.4 - Tomaso Albinoni
Trailing Guardi: Sonata For Violin And Bassocontinuo, Op.5 No.11 In E Minor - Arcangelo Corelli
The Noble Pig: Concerto Per Quartetto No.8 - Francesco Durante
Paprizzio's Arrival: Concerto A 5, Op.9 No.2 In D Minor - Tomaso Albinoni
Inquisitor Pucci - Alexandre Desplat
: Concerto A 5, Op.9 No.4 - Tomaso Albinoni
A Big Idea: Harpsicord Concerto In B Flat Major - Francesco Durante
A Nom De Plume/Carnivale!: Concerto A 5, Op.9 No.6 In G Major/Bouree From Les Plaisirs Champetres - Tomaso Albinoni
The Plume's Nom Is Casanova! - Sonny Kompanek
Dancing At The Doge's Ball: Riguadon From Water Music Suite, No.3 In G Major/Bouree From Music For Royal Fireworks/Loure From Tafelmusik1 - George Frideric Handel
One Step Closer To Heaven: Concerto A 5, Op.9 No.4 In A Major - Tomaso Albinoni
Casanova's Confession: Sonata Op.5 No.7 In D Minor - Arcangelo Corelli
The Hanging: Violin Concerto 'Il Cimento Dell'Armonia E Dell'INvenzione' Op.8 No.11 In D Major - Antonio Vivaldi
A Great Escape: Overture From Zais/Overture From Nais/Overture From Achante Et Cephise Ou La Sympathie - Jean-Philippe Rameau
My Place Is With Casanova: Overture From Le Temple De La Gloire/Overture From Zais/Sonata For Violin And Bassocontinuo, Op.5 No.7 In D Minor - Arcangelo Corelli
All's Well...:Concerto A 5, Op.9 No.4 In A Major - Tomaso Albinoni

Amazon.com

The action in this tale about the 18th century adventurer and (at least in popular lore) seducer is set in Cassanova's native Venice in the mid-1700s, so it makes sense that the soundtrack would be loaded with Baroque pieces. The Venice-based Tomaso Albinoni is featured prominentaly, along with heavyweights such as Antonio Vivaldi, Jean-Baptiste Rameau, and George Frideric Handel, and lesser-known composers such as Arcangelo Corelli, Francesco Durante, and Alexandre Desplat. Er, actually Desplat is a contemporary French film composer who also released his score for the couldn't-be-more-different Syriana shortly after Casanova came out. Of the two pieces he penned here, "A Venetian Virgin" is in pure Baroque style, while "Inquisitor Pucci" betrays a more modern film-music vibe. Meanwhile, orchestrator Sonny Kompanek rearranged a couple of the tracks and authored the tense "The Plume's Nom Is Casanova," which doesn't sound embarrassing sandwiched between pieces by Albinoni and Handel. Overall, it would have been nice to get longer excerpts from the pieces--many feel chopped into too-small fragments--but the music's innate grace and elegance can't be beat for a period film. Or for any film, really: Vivaldi's Concerto in C Major ("The Doge's Decree") will be familiar to buffs, who will remember it featuring prominently in the Dustin Hoffman-¬Meryl Streep showdown Kramer vs. Kramer back in 1979. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Sheer Beauty for the Ears.......2006-07-25

For those that purchased this CD, I need not get into how masterfully infectious the movie was. After the first viewing, I found it charming, but after the second, I was hooked by the witty, clever story holding fun twists all along the way. So while I could go on and on about the movie and all of its wonderful aspects, the score was simply priceless. Apt in every scene, and all done with incredible baroque music that I had never had the opportunity of hearing before the film.

The disc walks you through the movie with no changes that I could tell from the original score. The only omission I found was that the song dubbed "Casanova's Theme" is played in much greater length in the closing credits, and that didn't seem to make it to the CD. Not a terrible loss.

Authenticity can sound great as well!.......2006-07-11

As an avid baroque music listener and performer, I can attest to the delightfully pleasing performances on the soundtrack as well as the painstakingly accurate performance practices utilized in the recording of this soundtrack.

The producers of this film fortunately went to the trouble of hiring some of the top period performance musician-specialists in the country (perhaps in the entire world) to record the soundtrack to Casanova. I know, because several of them were faculty members of the Oberlin Conservatory Baroque Performance Institute who went AWOL to Hollywood in June 2005 for the recording sessions. We all forgave them, and were actually quite excited that period music performance was having its day on the silver screen.

Do not miss this exquisite potpourri of wonderful baroque composers' works performed as closely as humanly possible to the way that they heard their works during their lifetimes! The film may not have been intended to be historically accurate (part of the fun), but the music certainly ended up that way. Not only that, but it sounds heavenly (unlike Casanova's antics) and up-to-date, not musty and old as if it were sealed in a museum case.

a little world of baroque sound.......2006-02-26

Lots of interesting baroque music unknown to me and
put together in dramatic sequences that add zest and
class to the listening experience. Also wonderful to
play in auto while driving thru boring country or in
slow moving traffic!
This CD will get a lot of play from me.
5 Stars!

Wonderful relaxing music........2006-02-25

Saw the movie and had to have the soundtrack. Great music to relax by. When you need to get away from the cares of the day the classics can't be beat. The producers of this movie certainly chose wonderful music to accompany it.

-.......2006-02-18

Good music but each is too short.
The original version of each may be better.

World Music: