Complete Set

Complete Set

ASIN: B00008O313

Track Listings

1. Introduction

2. Fun House

3. Man in the Looking Glass

4. Human Jukebox

5. Music City

6. Sante Fe

7. Hardships

8. Break

9. Big Friendly Cowboy

10. Dance

11. Big Heart

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Bach Collection.......2007-07-05

I am a professional musician, composer and teacher. this collection is wonderful, recorded in Europe, and all that one would expect from talent in that part of the world (which on this set includes Nordic countries as well).
If you are into studying bach, euro recordings, musicology, this is a good purchase.
Only criticism is on a few recordings the balance/mix is not the best. However, it all sounds wonderfully recorded.

Wonderful way to enjoy all of Bach.......2007-06-28

One reason to buy this set is simply to acquire recordings of all Bach's surviving Cantatas. The only downside I've discovered so far is that I would have preferred his harpsichord music played on a piano.

Bach .......2007-06-08

Arrived in excellent condition -price was higher that I liked by a little bit

An Absolute Essential for any Classical Music Enthusiast.......2007-05-22

This comprehensive collection of all known Bach works is simultaneously the easiest and the most difficult set to review. "Easiest" because in a single set of some 150 CD's, one immediately has the entire Bach repertoire at one's hands, with the majority of individual recordings consisting of solid performances and good recording quality. "Difficult" because, due to the sheer number of performances, it would take many pages to individually and meaningfully write up a description that accurately conveys the range of entries within the set. But in a sense, this entirely misses the point. It is simply impossible to understate what Brilliant Classics has done for the classical music world with the release of a set like this. For the first time, one can own a comprehensive Bach collection for little more than the price of a single, good restaurant meal for two people. The fact can hardly be overstated: this set makes acquiring such a collection no longer the domain of only the wealthiest amongst us. This is most certainly the "democratization" of classical baroque music.

Over the years, I have certainly spent what often feels like exorbitant amounts of money on individual, and sometimes, box sets, of classical music. There is no denying the human skill possessed at the major recording labels, including experiential knowledge of the proper placement of microphones, the best mixing techniques, the optimal types of equipment selected for use, and then, of course, access to the world's greatest performers. We would never wish to lose that combination of talent, and there is no attempt here at minimizing either the value or the enjoyment that can be experienced through such endeavors. Quite the contrary. Such undertakings are both an art form and a technical skill that provides immense value to the world at large. And we should give kudos to those major labels who in recent years have begun to reissue classic records in box sets at much lower prices (Detusche Grammophon's "Collector's Editions" immediately comes to mind, as well as Philip's "Duo Series," and many others, not the least of which also includes Philip's recent reissue of the "Complete Mozart Edition.") But what we have here completely surpasses these in every respect, and opens up new possibilities for the average listener who does not have mountains of disposable income to put towards the acquisition of a classical music collection. There can be no question in my own mind that the people who put this set together did it far more for the sake of classical music as an art form rather than a money-making exercise. It is truly a meaningful contribution to the music world at large.

And what of the quality of the performances and the recordings? For the discs which I have already played, there are simply no real disappointments here. Some of the performances are on par with the "best of the best," and many of them are absolutely gorgeous. With a set this large, it is beneficial to read the multiple reviews individuals are posting to get a better sampling of the various sections of the overall set, but I've been quite pleased with what I've heard so far. I will likely update this post with more specific comments over time, but for now, let me just say that you should BUY THE THING BEFORE IT DISAPPEARS. You won't regret it, will probably be increasingly pleased over the years that you did, and hopefully will receive many years of enjoyment from the collection. Ten stars out of five, but even more important than that, a genuine "Thank you" to Brilliant Classics for what they have done for all of us here.

What the word "aesthetic" means!.......2007-05-14

On the grand work of this box set, I perceive what the adjective, asethetic, means. Besides excellent performance, I was especially attracted by the tone quality. (of course made by bravo performance, and the recording that I wish to make it noticeable!). The tone quality also reflects the quality of this box set.
Listening to violin concerto, you will naturally vision the orchestra playing in the concert hall. It's the real relaxation after tensely working one day!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set)

Average customer rating:

a surprising offer
Welcome to Perfection
Buy this as an encyclopedia of Mozart, then add other recordings...
Great value..Cant beat this deal at all!!!
Incredible Bargain

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000BLI3K2
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Album Description

Mozart Edition: The Complete Works will make a great gift this Holiday season for the music lover in your life or someone who is hard to buy for. This collection contains 170 discs of completed works by Mozart in one beautiful package. Also included is a cd-rom containing essays on his works, artist bio's, text and libretti's. At this super low price all music lovers will enjoy the Symphonies - Concertos - Serenades - Divertimenti - Dances - Chamber Music - Church Sonatas - String Ensembles - Violin Sonatas - Keyboard Works - Sacred Works - Concert Arias - Songs - Canons and Operas in this collection.

Customer Reviews:

a surprising offer.......2007-07-05

Complete works of Mozart for such a price is a surprising offer. We are pleased of the good quality, and the availability of otherwise difficult to find works of Mozart

Welcome to Perfection.......2007-06-28

Dispite what anyone else says, if god ever tried to talk to humanity it was through Wolfgang because his music is absolute perfection.It is the most beautiful music i've ever heard in my life( and this is coming from a 21 year old metal-head ).If one has second thoughts about buying this collection dispell them right now because this is probably the first item i've bought in a long time that i have not regreted.

Buy this as an encyclopedia of Mozart, then add other recordings..........2007-06-22

Brilliant Classics Complete Mozart edition, released for the 250th anniversary year of Mozart's birth (he was born in 1756), has much to recommend it. It contains almost all the works of Mozart, and has many fine performances: the piano sonatas by Klara Wurtz, Piano Concertos by Derek Han, Paul Freeman/Philharmonia, The Magic Flute, conducted by Charles Mackerras (licensed from Telarc), String Quartets by the Franz Schubert Quartet (Licensed from Nimbus) each stand out. The Symphonies, by the Amsterdam Mozart Academy/ Jaap ter Linden, are "So-so": I don't like the small period ensemble, but Symphonies 20, 40 (both versions: one with clarinets and the other without), 23, 24, and 34 are pretty good. Symphonies 1:I, 25 and 41 are sub-par: scrappy playing and weak violins make for a pretty rough experience. I would supplement this with the complete Mozart Symphonies by Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (DG), among the best recordings of these works, and the best complete set of Mozart's Symphonies, completed in 1968.

The Requiem, conducted by Nicol Matt (2001 recording) has had better performances, and for this I would recommend Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic (DG) and Colin Davis/London Symphony (Philips), which use a larger choir and orchestra, and have more drama where it is needed. The other choral works conducted by Nicol Matt are better, especially "Exsultate Jubilate" motet, the short Masses, and "Ave Verum".

Also worthy of mention are the "Posthorn" and "Haffner" Serenades, by Colin Davis/Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, licensed from Novalis for this release.

This is a great overview, and Brilliant Classics are to be commended for making it available at a low price, to get Mozart's music out to the mass public. It's a great buy, but I would get the Bohm Symphonies, and also Piano Concertos by either Ashkenazy/Philharmonia (Decca), Perahia/English Chamber Orchestra (Sony) or Anda/Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg (DG) for supplements. Also, Karl Bohm's recordings of the operas: The Magic Flute, the Marriage of Figaro, Idomeneo, and La Clemenza di Tito (all DG) are required listening, too. Recommended, but not as the only recording of Mozart's works.

Great value..Cant beat this deal at all!!!.......2007-06-13

As others have reviewed the product and highlighted that there are a few poor pieces... But who cares when there is 170 discs.. if you had have 10 cds that are poor quality and had a 160 disc set of good cd's and you paid $90 for the set.. would you be happy? I would think so... So don't get frustrated and just buy the set.. Enjoy the music for the price.. I am not going to go into details like others did but just buy the set!

Incredible Bargain.......2007-06-10

This offer is an incredible bargain at just over 50 cents a CD. The price jumps around often - you can sometimes get it for $4 or $5 less. but still at 50 cents. Mine arrived in excellent shape - it's hard for them to do otherwise. The way they are packaged they are either in good shape or some major disaster has happened destroying a whole bunch. Those I have played sound great. It will probably take a life time to play them all. Meanwhile we can just revel in our riches and feel all warm and fuzzy.
I also own the Bach set and am wildly happy with that as well.

Beethoven Collection: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Complete Recording (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Beethoven Collection
Amazing!
An excellent introduction to beethoven's symphonies.
Beethoven Collection
Top music!

Beethoven Collection: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Complete Recording (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

25 Mozart Favorites
25 Tchaikovsky Favorites
25 Vivaldi Favorites
25 Bach Favorites
25 Beethoven Favorites

ASIN: B000001VVY
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Andante con motto
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Scherzo - Allegro
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Finale - Allegro
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Adagio
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Menuetto, Allegro vivace Trio: un poco meno allegro
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Marcia funebre. Adagio assai
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Scherzo-Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Finale-Allegro molto
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegro vivace e con brio
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegretto scherzando
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Tempo di menuetto
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegro vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Andante molto mosso
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegretto
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Larghetto
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Scherzo Allegro
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Allegro molto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Poco sostenuto - vivace
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Allegretto
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Presto - Assai meno presto
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Andante cantabile con moto
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Menuetto (Allegro molto e vivace)
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Finale Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso - Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Molto vivace - Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Adagio molto e cantabile - Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Presto - Allegro assai - Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

Beethoven Collection.......2007-05-14

I just got this for my brother-in-law as a gift and he loves it!

Amazing!.......2007-01-24

Having Beethoven's Symphonies in one, very affordable, set is heaven! The recordings are clear and crisp. Each symphony is truly a masterpiece from the very soft tones of the woodwinds to the thundering sounds of horns. It is amazing to listen to certain passages of Beethoven and realize the genius and otherworldliness of his talent.

An excellent introduction to beethoven's symphonies........2007-01-11

The sound is excellent, and the musicianship and conducting is excellent.

Beethoven Collection.......2006-07-23

Beethoven is my favorite composer. No matter how upset or tired I am, his music calms me down, just like a big, gentle hug.
But the cheap CDs have poor quality. And the good ones are too expensive for me. When I found this collection, with such a good price on Amazon.com, I couldn't believe it. Shortly after I purchased it, I received it. The quality is great. I am enjoying it. Thank you

Hoda

Top music!.......2006-07-19

Everything else you can get over, but classical music like Beethoven is stuff you just can't get sick of. A whole collection of Beethoven's Symphonies for such a small price, Wow!. Classical music is so relaxing and peaceful that you can't go wrong with spending time chillin out to this pure classic. The symphonies are great but after this you've got to go get the sonata's etc and I guarantee you won't be dissapointed!

Think about it, they don't call it classical for nothing.

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas (Complete) [Box Set]

Average customer rating:

Phenomenal
BUY IT!
Best Beethoven sonata recording
Brisk to a fault and devoid of personality
Outstanding bargain

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas (Complete) [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000CEWWBY
Release Date: 2005-12-20

Customer Reviews:

Phenomenal.......2007-06-15

I had never heard of Friedrich Gulda before coming across this set, but I will seek out his recordings in the future. Gulda is the only one I've found so far who can wean me off Pollini; his playing is intelligent, consistently excellent, and his note-accuracy is remarkable. It might be felt that Gulda is a bit cold, but I'm a great fan of some very emotional pianists (Argerich, Pogorelich, Pires), and I liked this recording from the start. Besides, this is Beethoven -- what's that passage Charles Rosen quotes from Proust: Beethoven is the "steak and potatoes" of music, and "affectation and too much pedal" are out of place. What really matters here is understanding, not affectation, and Gulda has plenty of understanding. The one place I found his matter-of-factness to actually detract from the music was in the last variation of the third movement of op. 109, one of my favorite passages -- and even that has left me a bit unsure whether it's Gulda or Beethoven that's fallen short in expressiveness (oh God, did I just say that?).

Highly recommended, especially given the price.

BUY IT!.......2007-01-21

Read all the reviews and weigh and evaluate them. Then, just buy it. This is one of the great recordings of the 20th Century and Beethoven fans should not be without it. Others like Solomon (especially) and Brendel, Kempff, et al have their merits and may be better on some specific sonatas, but the Gulda complete set has too much to offer to be discounted in any way. The low price only adds to their appeal. I owned these on vinyl years ago and am so glad to see them so well transfered to CD.

Best Beethoven sonata recording.......2006-12-08

This recording might be one of the greatest achievements in 20th-century music altogether. While absolutely legendary (and thought to be the best complete recording of the Beethoven Sonatas) in Europe, it is unfortunately quite unknown in Northamerica. Now that it is available, you should get it.

Recording a complete set of these Sonatas is one of the most demanding exercises for a pianist. Of course, none of the Beethoven Sonatas compare with the technical difficulty of Liszt, Alkan, Godowsky, Rachmaninov or Albeniz, but when it comes to interpretation, they are way more sensitive and difficult. Thats certainly a reason why all the young pianists become famous with the romantics/late-romantics, while they start with Beethoven only when matured.

When you master a complete set of these Sonatas like Gulda does, you become a legend (by the way: he was also Martha Argerichs teacher). He plays all the Sonatas equally well, no matter how easy or difficult. Of course, his approach is more on the agressive side. A lot of the Sonatas are played in two thirds of the time of most of the other recordings, but at the same Gulda plays them incredibly clear and with a very elegant and soft tone. No unnecessary romanticism there.

There is only one case where I think the recording is less than perfect: The first movement of "Waldstein", which is played too fast. Otherwise its a superb recording, a must have for any piano fan.

Brisk to a fault and devoid of personality.......2006-11-02

This set is my 10th traversal of the Beethoven sonatas. It is close to note-perfect and it is clearly recorded. It is also devoid of nuance and musicality much of the time. No slow movement is ever slow; Gulda suffers from Andante-itis in all of the slow movements. To compare this set with Schnabel -- or even the Frank set, available at a bargain price -- is laughable. Oh, that reminds me: humor is lacking too. Opus 10 No. 3 -- a masterpiece if ever there was one -- is reduced to slapstick drivel due to Gulda's clock-watching obsession with velocity. I like a brisk Beethoven as much as anyone, but this is as far from Schnabel as Zinman is from Toscanini. Like Zinman's musicmaking, this set is glib, but largely without substance. (Now everyone who disagrees with me can vote my review to be "not helpful.")

Outstanding bargain.......2006-10-13

This wonderful set is a reissue of the 1967 Amadeo set (NOT his 1954-58 Decca set, which has also been recently reissued). It had been reissued on CD by Philips, but has not been available in a long time. The performances are very exciting, bold, and muscular. Just the way Beethoven's playing was described by his contemporaries. The recording quality is very good, though the piano is a bit more closely recorded than I like. Of course, there are many approaches to playing Beethoven. Gulda's playing might be too aggressive for some listeners. Richard Goode's fine recordings on Nonesuch are more subtle, and make a nice contrast to this Gulda version.
At less than 30 USD, this Brilliant Classics reissue is an amazing bargain. However, Claude Frank's set on Music and Arts (a reissue of the classic RCA set from 1970) is even cheaper, and that remains my favorite set of Beethoven's 32.

Average customer rating:

Like them a lot
"The story of the symphony" by Joesph Haydn
Every Home Should Have One!
Worth acquiring at any price
Even the early ones

Haydn: Complete Symphonies (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00006GA50
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Customer Reviews:

Like them a lot.......2007-06-27

I'm no Haydn expert as others who have written reviews obviously are. Nonetheless, the recordings are brilliantly clear, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the set (it will take awhile to go through all of them!)

"The story of the symphony" by Joesph Haydn.......2007-06-05

In the 21st century, the symphony has now become an even more extravagant and important part of the orchestral repertoire. Such that it has expanded to cover as many different emotions and feelings possible and include an large force of performers to do such a task. Nearly three centuries ago, the symphony was merely an overture acting as a musical hors d'ouevres to the "main event of the evening." One man stood in between these two times to distinctly and radically change the importance of the classical symphony and start it in its direction for IT to become "the main event." That man was one Joseph Haydn. He was a contemporary of Mozart, and was a huge influence on the likes of Mozart as well as Beethoven, who would later take the symphony on a giant step forward. Yes, Beethoven made musical history with his Choral symphony, but who do you think helped get him there from the start?

Within the depth of this monumental set is a true lifetime labor of love. It took Haydn nearly 40 years to compose more than 100 symphonies, and the listener can find it evident how Haydn bridged the gap between Baroque and Romantic through the symphony in what we know as the "Classical style." The first few symphonies reflect a lot of Baroque elements and towards the end, a fully developed Classical style with futuristic hints laced within.

These are all 106 symphonies that Haydn composed during his long stay in the service of Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy, as well as the products of Paris and London, which are, to this day, the most praiseworthy. 104 of these symphonies are numbered and two from Haydn's earlier years, which somehow got lost in the shuffle or were discovered later, were given letters ("A" and "B"). There is also one "Sinfonia Concertante" for violin, cello, oboe and bassoon from the London years. All these performances are quite exquisite and tasteful. Adam Fischer and the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra made this a 14 year project from 1987-2001 with so much individual and global history happening during that time period. Fischer himself recalls in the booklet what took place in his life around the time of the recording of certain symphonies. There are even included photos of Fischer before and after the project. After the project, he's balder and older but happier-looking.

Like Antal Dorati, the first conductor to do a complete Haydn symphony project back in the early '70s, Adam Fischer did not record these symphonies in order. These were all issued individually in separate packages over the course of the years. Now Brilliant Classics, with license from Nimbus, includes all of them in this complete package. Though it is 33 discs, one would think it's an enormous box. It's only about 6" by 6" with a depth of about 3". The CD's are enclosed in space-saving envelopes which display disc information on the back, and artistic portrayals of 18th century life on the front. A different painting (in B&W) is on every envelope; some correspond to certain symphonies with nicknames.

The nicknamed symphonies would be the ones I recommend to check out first if you feel it would be too much to go through this whole set in however much time it would take (definitely not nonstop). Just to talk about those would be way too time consuming. You really have to check it out for yourself.

The orchestra performs with lots of gusto and vibrant energy that feature a melodic violin section, clucking woodwinds, razor-sharp brass, deep basses and an agressive timpanist. They truly know the Austro-Hungarian way of performing with the free use of dynamics and rubatos. All are performed on modern instruments which would be the only choice since this orchestra was hand-picked from some of the finest modern orchestras from that part of Europe. Of course if you've heard other orchestras perform some of these works before, and these tempos among other things, are slightly different, only remember that this type of classical music is subject to many different and distinct interpretations. They serve rather well for a complete project. Dorati is the only other individual complete comparison to this. The Naxos label also recently completed a Haydn symphony cycle, but not all with the same orchestra. This would be the choice hands-down as the Dorati set is very hard to get now and is more costly, and so would the individual Naxos recordings be.

Haydn's music is very enjoyable and even fun at times to listen to with his light and humorous-sounding melodies as well as some of the funny-sounding things he demanded from the orchestra like violins going up and down the scales with the basses doing the same in a counterpart, bassoons jumping up and down in octaves, or wind instruments making animal-like sounds such as in #83 (The Hen). Haydn depicted sunrises (#6 "Morning"), an echo effect done by two groups of violins (#38 "Echo"), the orchestra disappearing one by one (#45 "Farewell"), violins who forgot to tune when they should have (#60 "Il Distratto"), an unexpected surprise (#94), the tick-tock of a grandfather clock, (#101), an ominous and intense drumroll (#103) as well as so many other mixtures of emotions from happy and light to dark and dramatic, playful to passionate, reflective to serene. Those interested and those who are studying music theory and the form of the classical style will no doubt have a ball in analyzing these works and listening for the musical choices that Haydn makes in order to make the music flow evenly.

Often being regarded as being too predictable, Haydn was very inventive and unique in the development of the classical symphony. The earliest ones would be the ones that sound too similar, but every one is distinct in its own respect. To those studying this kind of music and have even the slightest interest in Haydn's remarkable symphonic output, this is an essential purchase. Sure it's more than 100 bucks, but music is something you keep forever if it something you are really into. That being said, one could spend $100 on something or many things and in as little as two weeks or as much as five years, it or they would be gone. So this is a lifetime investment. All of us musicians should know.

In conclusion, Haydn still kicks butt in the 21st century!

Every Home Should Have One!.......2007-03-17

Over the years I have collected, and loved, a vast amount of different music, in many genres. Gradually, I've become convinced that for me, the pinnacle of all music - the very best music ever composed, is that of the Symphonic works of one Joseph Haydn. There are 104+ symphonic works on these wonderful discs, (104 Symphonies and some posthumous and miscellaneous works) and not one of them is without an exquisite melody, beautiful and original orchestration - and that thing oh so rare in most music: wit and boundless creativity. (Only Zappa (One Size Fits All) and McCartney (Paul, not Jesse, in his 1970s self-produced releases) and early Mozart (I mean up to about puberty) have reached the heights of Haydn). Conductor Adam Fischer and his hand-picked Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra are artists that obviously love this music. I generally prefer 'authentic' orchestras, but these performances contain many, many moments of completely original readings which do not sound forced and unnatural- they just sound RIGHT. All in all, even though it's not a perfect set - (some overbearing string-section on the slow movements of early works, and some cavernous recording of some late works) I must recommend it highly - especially considering the price and the amount of excellent music you get for it. Mostly wonderful performances of wonderful works.

Worth acquiring at any price.......2007-02-23

Some say Haydn's ingenuity is even greater than that of Mozart's or Beethoven's. When listening to this brilliantly played set, I find myself becoming a convert of the belief. Haydn experimented with a variety of musical tools in these works. Surprising twists and turns are abundant. You will hear chamber serenade, harpsichord run, or violin solo in the most unexpected spots. Instruments are sometimes played in very unconventional ways resulting in exotic sounds - similar to what Berlioz and Mahler did later. Structure is toyed with in many symphonies, especially in the early ones.

In Austro-Hungrarian Orchestra, Adam Fischer finds an all-in chef's toolkit needed to cook these delightful ingredients. The woodwinds not only sing but also coo and meow. Strings melt your heart to a puddle with their exquisite pianissimo. Horns are expressive yet stylish. The whole orchestra knows how to knock themselves out when the music calls for it. The overall timbre is unlike any other orchestra I've ever heard, period or conventional. It's bright, edgy and folksy at the same time. It sounds like a virtuosic chamber ensemble rather than an orchestra except in the big symphonies. I believe the closest thing to their sound is Vienna Philharmonic playing Johann Strauss waltzes. Throw in a hint of gypsy flavor then it would be even closer.

Because this is a massive 33-CD set, there are inevitably a few imperfections. In a handful of spots the strings are not perfectly together. Adding to this, some of the violins have very distinctive tones which don't blend well with others when the music gets energetic. As to the engineering, some of the symphonies recorded early in the cycle are captured with too much reverberation, especially some London symphonies which sound soft-edged. But let me assure you the vast majority of the 100 plus symphonies have been recorded with crystal-clear brilliance.

One may find more sophisticated and smooth playing in some conventional performances (Colin Davis and Jochum) or crisper articulations in some period recordings (Bruggen and Pinnock). But Fischer and his hand-picked orchestra deliver more character and expressiveness than in any Haydn performances I've ever heard. Harnoncourt comes close but Fischer's set has more smiles. And his orchestra has the devilish ability to accommodate any mood Haydn's score throws at them - whether it's charm, wit, panache, or pathos. Their playing in slow movements is simply inimitable.

This set will be the source of joy for many Haydn lovers whether they are beginners just opening up the treasure chest or seasoned collectors with many other Haydn CDs. According to others' opinions, it compares favorably to Dorati's box, the only other complete set which I have not heard.

One final point - I wrote the review without the consideration of the price. In other words, this set is worth acquiring at any price.

Even the early ones.......2006-05-24

All the other reviewers are right about this set. But I would add one thing, according to the notes, the earliest symphonies in this set were written when Haydn was already 25 - you don't have to assume that the first part of the set is of little interest. So go get it!

Average customer rating:

Debussy with a difference!
One Star for Charity's Sake
Beautifully interpreted
Complete Debussy

Debussy: The Complete Piano Music

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Debussy: Piano Works
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87
Ravel: Piano Works
Schubert: The Piano Sonatas

ASIN: B0001Z2RSM
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

Reverie
Prelude
Menuet
Clair De Lune
Passepied
Lent (Melancolique Et Doux)
Tres Vite
Prelude
Sarabande
Toccata
Reflets Dans L'eau
Hommage A Rameau
Mouvement
Cloches A Travers Les Feuilles
Et La Lune Descend Sur Le Temple Qui Fut
Poissons D'or

Tracks:

Arabesque No.1
Arabesque No.2
Danse Bohemienne
Ballade Slave
Tarantelle Styrienne
Valse Romantique
Mazurka
Nocturne
Danseuses De Delphes
Voiles
Le Vent Dans La Plaine
Les Sons Et Les Parfums
Les Collines D'Anacapri
Des Pas Sur La Neige
Ce Qu'a Vu Le Vent D'Ouest
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
La Serenade Interrompue
La Cathedrale Engloutie
La Danse De Puck
Minstrels

Tracks:

L'isle Joyeuse
Pagodes
La Soiree Dans Grenade
Jardins Sous La Pluie
D'un Cahier D'esquisses
Morceau De Concours
Masques
Brouillards
Feuilles Mortes
La Puerta Del Vino
Les Fees Sont D'exquises Danseuses
Bruyeres
General Lavine - Eccentric
Les Terraces Des Audiences
Ondine
Hommage A S. Pickwick Esq. PPMPC
Canope
Les Tierces Alternees
Feux D'artifice

Tracks:

Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum
Jimbo's Lullaby
Serenade For The Doll
The Snow Is Dancing
The Little Shepherd
Golliwog's Cake-Walk
Hommage A Haydn
Le Petit Negre
La Plus Que Lente
Berceuse Heroique
Elegie
Page D'album (Piece Pour Le Vetement Du Blesse)
Pour Les Cinq Doigts
Pour Les Tierces
Pour Les Quartes
Pour Les Sixtes
Pour Les Octaves
Pour Les Huit Doigts
Pour Les Degres Chromatiques
Pour Les Agrements
Pour Les Notes Repetees
Pour Les Sonoritees Opposees
Pour Les Arpeges Composes
Pour Les Accords

Customer Reviews:

Debussy with a difference!.......2007-03-10

Do not let the dismissive review below make you dismiss this amazing and breath taking complete set. Like his Scriabin recordings, Gordon Fergus-Thompson works wonder with the well known piece like Clair de Lune, Arabesque and Reverie, and breathes new life into the music by his keen sense of tonal colours and delicacy. When it comes to impressionist music, no pianists can match Richter, who played Clair de Lune, Pavane or miroirs like a miracle, but Fergus-Thompson creats his own unique soundscape.

He is one of very few pianists alive who pay careful attention to how a note produced on the instrument decays and merges with other notes, while most of pianist nowadays focus mostly on starting point of the sound. That's a secret of the richness of colours and expression in his pianism.

He is often criticised for lack of technical prowess, compared to past masters like Gieseking or Michelangeli, but I can not detect even a hint of technical weakness or instability in this set. This is simply a different and highly personal interpretation, and it is a shame to miss out this magical music making simply because it is different from the mainstream interpretation.

One Star for Charity's Sake.......2007-03-01

Avoid this set!!! The man is a gifted pianist but has no understanding on how to interpret the music. This is the nadir of all the Debussy piano sets. With Walter Gieseking's superlative set available why would you want dog food when you can eat supreme cuisine!!!

Beautifully interpreted.......2007-02-13

Gordon Fergus-Thompson does an amazing job of playing and interpreting Debussy's music. I have been playing piano for years--especially Debussy--and this CD really captures the essence of the music. I'd recommend this to anyone.

Complete Debussy.......2006-12-13

These recordings are some of the highest quality Debussy you'll find. There is a freedom that comes across in Fergus-Thompson's playing that you won't find in other so-called great recordings. Instead of trying to sound "Debussy-like", the music is played naturally while maintaining accuracy and original intent of the composer. Recording quality is up to date. Box set is 4 discs, with the body nicely separated into larger works with dates included.

King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band: The Complete Set

Average customer rating:

Same old same old...
King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band: The Complete Set
King Oliver's best cd.
The best collection so far BUT.....
Rediscovering A Legend

King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band: The Complete Set
King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band
Manufacturer: Challenge
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

New Orleans Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Jelly Roll Morton: 1926-1930
Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 1: Singin' the Blues
Breaking Out of New Orleans 1922-1929
Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 2: At the Jazz Band Ball
The Hot Fives & Sevens

ASIN: B000005R5L
Release Date: 1997-05-27

Tracks:

Just Gone
Canal Street Blues
Mandy Lee Blues
I'm Going Away To Wear You Off My Mind
Chimes Blues
Weather Bird Rag
Dipper Mouth Blues
Froggie Moore
Snake Rag
Snake Rag
Sweet Lovin' Man
High Society Rag
Sobbin' Blues
Where Did You Stay Last Night?
Dipper Mouth Blues
Jazzin' Baby Blues
Alligator Hop
Zulu's Ball
Working Man Blues
Krooked Blues

Tracks:

Chattanooga Stomp
London Cafe Blues
Camp Meeting Blues
New Orleans Stomp
Buddy's Habits
Tears
I Ain't Gonna Tell Nobody
Room Rent Blues
Riverside Blues
Sweet Baby Doll
Workin' Man Blues
Mabel's Dream
Mabel's Dream
Mabel's Dream
The Southern Stomps
The Southern Stomps
Riverside Blues
Kiss Me Sweet
Construction Gang
King Porter Stomp
Tom Cat

Customer Reviews:

Same old same old..........2006-02-28

There's really nothing much here that hasn't been reissued previously again and again and again. All these Oliver sets sound like they're derived from the same sources and just recycled by different labels. These are dull, bland sounding transfers. The only thing this set has going for it is that it's "complete". Otherwise, it doesn't make for very satisfying listening.

King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band: The Complete Set.......2006-02-02

The rhythm banjo drowns out the horns during the first 28 cuts. Cuts 29 thru 41 are much better in that regard. Cuts 40 and 41 are especially good in that we are able to hear King Oliver solo. Louis Armstrong shows us that he can be an ensemble player. He also shows us that he can play a slide whistle too. This CD is a compendium of some of the classic jazz tunes of the era. If one is an arranger, this disc could serve as a foundation illustrating how these tunes sound when played straight.

King Oliver's best cd........2005-09-06

Music in this double cd is the best in King Oliver's career.
He plays with young Louis Armstrong and there are some great numbers specially on disc 1. Sound on this 2Cd is great. I love real sound like this without sound reflection which appears on Great original performances.
It is essential music for all fans of early jazz .

The best collection so far BUT............2005-04-08

Before this release, we were stuck with the Milestone reissue on CD, which is left over from the early days of digital remastering. The noise is gone, but so is half of the music. Not good. Luckily, this collection came out a few years later. Certainly better than the Milestones, but still not a satisfying collection. This 2 disc set of all of the Oliver sides (including the extremely rare Autograph sessions with Jelly Roll Morton AND the one-of-a-kind "Zulus Ball" on Gennett) is a very exciting collection to own if you are interested in "having" them all. For listening pleasure, however, the set is rather inconsistent in its sound quality and in some cases downright painful to listen to. I am a fan of the work of Mr. Davies (the remastering engineer here) but in this case I think he missed the boat. Sometimes the EQ is overly boosted in the bottom end, causing lots of resonance and wolf tones. Meanwhile, the high midrange (where the cornets are) is also overly boosted and creates a painful 'stabbing the eardrums' sensation. I've heard a few of these originals coming straight off of 78 RPM, and they sound nothing like this set. In the attempt to emphasize various sections of the band, I think overall clarity has been sacrificed. The Columbia and Paramount sides are excessively tinny; there is much more sound on these records. There are also variations in pitch, sometimes even in the middle of songs; apparently from making a composite from two transfers. Volume from song to song also varies.

I understand that acoustically recorded sides generally need some help to shine, but here they have been strangely equalized and sound very unnatural. The whole project is put together rather sloppily as well. The track listing doesn't allow for the fact that this is a 2 CD set; Disc 2 starts with "track 21.." ??Even the discographical information is hard to comprehend; to find personnel on any given song, you have to go back to the first session and add and subtract members through each subsequent session.

My favorite reissue (if you can find it) is still the 1974 Herwin LP with all of the Gennett sides "untouched". An A-B comparison between the Herwin and Retrieval versions of the Gennett sides shows an instant and remarkable difference.

I hope one day someone will put out a complete set of the Creole Jazz Band sides with natural sounding transfers. I'd welcome a little noise if it would allow the glory of these recordings to be heard more fully.

Rediscovering A Legend.......2001-12-18

This superlative set allows us the pleasure of actually hearing Jazz take its early steps;while not to fault Louis Armstrong's own greatness That came later on not in 1923;King Oliver has been one of the most criminally neglected artists in jazz history,and this marvelous release will no doubt force the jazz writers to reconsider,-whether 'Zulu's Ball' or 'High Society Rag',Oliver's capacity for collective improvisation drove these wonderful records.And now with the wonder of CD Technology,we can preserve Oliver's artistry in the new millenium,...so let us not make the mistake of ignoring Oliver like we did last century! Oliver is HERE so deal with it,skeptics and jazz lovers - REJOICE!

Average customer rating:

Excellent

Fauré: Piano Music complete [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

Caprices | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Fauré: Chamber Music (Box Set)
Janácek: Piano Works (Complete)
Dvorák: Complete Piano Music [Box Set]
Grieg: Complete Solo Piano Music
Grieg: Chamber Music (Complete)

ASIN: B000F6ZICE
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-06-18

A famous set from the 70s reissued cheap. Excellent in every way.

Telemann:Tafelmusik (Complete) (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

That's right! I stepped up!

Telemann:Tafelmusik (Complete) (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Telemann: Trumpet Concertos (Complete) (Box Set)
Telemann: The Six Paris Quartets
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Haydn: Piano Trios (Complete) [Box Set]

ASIN: B0002IQBAS
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Customer Reviews:

That's right! I stepped up!.......2007-03-13

I've been looking at this box set for a while now hoping that someone would buy it and review it. I've seen these sets sell for over $100, so I thought this one would be a dud at only $11.99. And with no samples, I just about wrote it off. But finally I took a chance.

I'm here to tell ya that if you like this music, don't hesitate to buy this box set. It has great sound, performances, and liner notes. Don't let the price fool you. I would have paid this price for the first cd alone. I don't know how these cds are selling at this price, but I won't argue.

I hope this opens the flood gates!

Schubert: Symphonies (Complete) [Box Set]

Average customer rating:

Decent performance of the genuis music
Brilliant!

Schubert: Symphonies (Complete) [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Complete Symphonies (Box)
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Shostakovich: The Complete Symphonies - Mariss Jansons (10 CD)

ASIN: B000BUEGFY
Release Date: 2005-11-29

Customer Reviews:

Decent performance of the genuis music.......2007-06-18

Do not hesitate!
Buy this set, before it is too late.
The Schubert's music is incredible and this symphonic set has everything you need for a start - you cannot beat the sound quality for such a low price.
Thank you, "Brilliant Classics"!!!

Brilliant!.......2006-09-04

Thanks again to Brilliant Classics, who have really made a name for themselves by buying the licenses of major releases to issue in their budget packages. They have scored a major goal here with getting the EMI set of Muti's Schubert symphonic cycle. And at a fraction of the price. I know the Vienna/Muti set is not to everyone's liking, but I've rarely heard Muti so fired up (have you heard his Symphonie Fantastique on Seraphim with the Philadelphia Orchestra?). You really can't go wrong with the Brilliant Classics low cost approach. My biggest gripe is that the 9th is spread out over two discs, but it is forgivable if you take the whole set into account. If you want all of Schubert's symphonies played with passion and conviction, especially the early works (the 2nd in B flat is a knock-out!), this set is for you. You can't go wrong.

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review