Peace Orchestra

Peace Orchestra

ASIN: B00000K53L

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Peter Kruder of the famed duo Kruder and Dorfmeister, stays true to form (downtempo yet invigorating) on this, his first solo outing. Peace Orchestra is similar to his work in K&D, but--if possible--the music is even more serene and stoned sounding. Floaty melodies sparkle against a backdrop of gauzy reverb and echo. Vocals drift in and out of consciousness. And it's all very, very slow. The record contains less funk and groove than K&D's projects, but it's no less sensual. Dreamy is the operative word here. Much like Mixmaster Morris's superb downtempo ambient collection It's Tomorrow Already, Peace Orchestra combines the sounds of trance with the tempo of downbeat to invoke a lazy, hazy summer day. --Tricia Romano

Product Description
The debut album by Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister), Peace Orchestra is a blissfully crafted disc of downtempo grooves. Kruder's musical sense comes from a variety of musical capitals, including Rio de Janeiro (the fine, delicate swing), New York (the jazz chords and shadings), East L.A. (Latin percussion), and London (acid house ). From G-Stoned/Studio K7 Distribution.

Peace Orchestra,Peter Kruder,G-Stone Records,Club/Dance,Dance,Dance Music,Pop,Rap,Trip-Hop

Average customer rating:

John Rutter Collection

Typically gorgeous Rutter

Wonderful!

To sample Rutter's best music, this is the one.

The Best

John Rutter Collection
Rutter , Cambridge Singers , and London Sinfonia
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The John Rutter Christmas Album

Requiem & Magnificat/Rutter, Cambridge Singers

Be Thou My Vision

Distant Land: The Orchestra Collection

Gloria: The Sacred Music of John Rutter

ASIN: B00006LIEZ
Release Date: 2002-11-12

Tracks:

For The Beauty Of The Earth
The Lord Is My Shepherd
All Things Bright And Beautiful
Shepherd's Pipe Carol
The Lord Bless You And Keep You
Open Thou Mine Eyes
My True Love Hath My Heart (From Birthday Madrigals)
Esurientes (From Magnificat)
Gloria Patri (From Magnificat)
Out Of The Deep (From Requiem)
Pie Jesu (From Requiem)
What Sweeter Music
A Choral Fanfare
A Prayer Of St. Patrick
O Be Joyful In The Lord
Behold, The Tabernacle Of God
O Praise The Lord Of Heaven
A Gaelic Blessing
Angel's Carol
Matthew, Mark, Luke And John (From Five Childhood Lyrics)
Sing A Song Of Sixpence (From Five Childhood Lyrics)
Go Forth Into The World In Peace

Customer Reviews:

John Rutter Collection.......2007-02-19

This CD is one of several that features Rutter directing his own choir. It has a good cross section of the John Rutter compositions, and is a good starting place for someone who has not heard Rutter's music before. I think you will be "hooked" if you really love choral music.

Typically gorgeous Rutter.......2005-12-20

I love John Rutter's music. Especially the "For the Beauty of the Earth" that is on this CD. Rutter is not the most inventive or varied composer of modern music, but if you have a taste for traditional choral writing with some angelic children's chorus singing, then you will probably share my enjoyment of Rutter's writing. Unfortunately I cannot give this CD 5 stars when it seems there is a drum set tapping annoyingly away on several of the songs. I do not understand this at all and am bothered by it every time I listen to those songs. It's a shame, because otherwise I love the music, and think it is lushly written, and simply but beautifully performed. I would highly suggest listening to sample track 3 before purchasing -- you can hear what sounds like a ride-cymbal right at the very end of the sample. This sound occurs in several of the songs on this recording.

Wonderful!.......2005-12-03

I am a huge John Rutter fan. The lilting melodies, the poignant lyrics and the lush orchestrations make his music not only accessable but also uplifting. This compilation, although drawing from many other previous recordings, is a great composite of his wirk. The sound is exquisite. Even if you own other recordings of this music, this is worthwhile.

To sample Rutter's best music, this is the one........2005-06-30

I purchased this CD as an introduction to the music of John Rutter and went on to purchase many more of his compositions. Still, this remains my favorite collection. It is choral music at its absolute finest. Far from "just church music", this CD has songs of faith, a few Christmas carols, a Celtic song for lovers, and even a child's tune or two. While most of the pieces are peaceful, warm, and thought-provoking, a few are up-tempo and lively. In my opinion, it is a perfectly balanced collection in which one song flows beautifully into the next with no sense of a jarring change of pace. If you have any interest in choral music, begin with the best...John Rutter... and this superb arrangement. Highly recommended.

The Best.......2005-04-29

The John Rutter Collection in my opinion is one of the finest and most perfect works I've ever heard. The Cambridge Singers demonstrates the best vocal discipline and style of any vocal group in the world.

Sidney Vaught

Average customer rating:

Beautiful
A few bright spots, but also some disappointments
This CD Deserves SIX Stars!
every good adjective
Fabulous!

Peace Like a River
James Lucas , Janice Kapp Perry , John Rutter , Jean Sibelius , John Tavener , American Traditional , English Traditional , Spiritual Traditional , Mack Wilberg , Craig D. Jessop , Clay Christiansen , John Longhurst , Richard L. Elliott , Daron Bradford , and Meredith Campbell
Manufacturer: Mormon Tabernacle
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Consider the Lilies
Love Is Spoken Here
America's Choir
Choose Something Like a Star
Mormon Tabernacle Choir: The Sound of Glory-Battle Hymn of the Republic

ASIN: B00020H9W0
Release Date: 2004-06-22

Tracks:

Sweet Peace
Be Still, My Soul
Peace Like a River
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Lord Is My Shepherd
This Is My Father's World
Wayfarin' Stranger
Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Deep River
Lamb
Child's Prayer
It Is Well With My Soul
Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep
Gaelic Blessing
Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends
Come, Let Us Anew

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-06-14

This CD is a must have for any Mormon Tabernacle Choir fans. The music is very reverent and gentle, and should also appeal to those not from the LDS church, seeing as how most of the music is common to the wider Christian community. This CD is a fantastic addition to any music collection.

A few bright spots, but also some disappointments.......2007-01-19

It Is Well With My Soul is one of my favorite-favorites and that is the main reason why I bought the CD; it turned out to be a huge let down on this album, they rearranged it so much that I almost didn't recognize it. Be Still My Soul is another reason why I bought it and it's good, but not great. Swing Low Sweet Chariot is where it starts to get good. The last two songs "Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends"
and "Come, Let Us Anew" are very good reasons to buy this CD, they each have truely powerful passages and make the CD worth having. The Mormon Tabernacle Choirs 2006 release entitled Then Sings My Soul is by far the best that I've heard from them.

This CD Deserves SIX Stars!.......2005-11-05

However, the rating scale has a limit of five. I own over 700 CDs of virtually every type of music. Peace Like A River belongs in a class by itself! I've never written a review before but, after listening to this STUNNING performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I feel compelled to share my praise with that of the five other reviewers. If I were limited to one word, I would use the word "SUPERB" to describe this beautiful and moving CD. SIX stars for Peace Like a River! BRAVO!!!

every good adjective .......2005-08-06

This album is all beauty and solace. The singing is pristine, the arrangements lush and often stirring--never saccharine. As with the previous reviewer, my first listing of "Peace Like a River" brought me to tears (especially "Peace Like a River," the sopranos in "Swing Low," and the bagpipes in "Thou Gracious God"). Buy this one.

Fabulous!.......2005-05-29

The perfect recording to help you recover from a long, hard day. Showcasing the MTC's "new" sound in contemporary choral arrangements with its own orchestra and conductor, "Peace Like a River" brought tears to my eyes in selection after selection during my first listen -- and I'm not normally an emotional person! The title song together with "Deep River," "Swing Low" and "Be Still My Soul" are alone worth the cost of the recording. Get this one!

Average customer rating:

Accessible summation many musical styles
Simply wonderful and moving
Jenkin's "The Armed Man" - old theme, new sound.
Fantastic Choral
Is it Bach, is it Mozart or maybe it's Haydn; NO it's Jenkins!!!!

The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Karl Jenkins: Requiem
Songs of Sanctuary
Adiemus II: Cantata Mundi
Diamond Music
Imagined Oceans

ASIN: B00005NDVJ
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

The Armed Man
The Call To Prayers
Kyrie
Save me From Bloody Men
Sanctus
Hymn Before Action
Charge!
Angry Flames
Torches
Agnus Dei
Now The Guns Have Stopped
Benedictus
Better Is Peace

Amazon.com

Karl Jenkins's The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace is a departure from his Adiemus recordings into the more conventional territory of large-scale choral and orchestral writing, though his customary passion for mixing languages remains in full force with texts in English, Latin, and French. Jenkins has said that The Armed Man was inspired by the "L'Homme armé" masses that were popular in the 16th century, and he makes this debt clear with passages written in a neat pastiche of Palestrina-style renaissance polyphony. There are also echoes of earlier and later styles, including plainchant, medieval ballads, John Barry-style horn writing (think Goldfinger), and even a direct quote from Rigoletto (the choir imitates wind sounds at one point as in Act 3 of the Verdi opera). The smorgasbord manages to hold together, probably because Jenkins's obvious sincerity shines through every note. The London Philharmonic Orchestra plays beautifully, and treble Tristan Hambleton performs his solo with ethereal clarity. The National Youth Choir sings with vigor and accuracy, even if the young sopranos sound a little thin at the top of their range. If you liked the soundtrack to The Mission, this should press all the right buttons. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews:

Accessible summation many musical styles.......2007-06-12

Karl Jenkins is a contemporary British composer perhaps most famous for his music for the de Beers diamond commercial--the score that sounds like Vivaldi but isn't.

In this commissioned Mass Jenkins sets out to sum up War and Peace in the 20th Century (it was a millennial project) and he mimics if not just the music of the 20th C. at least the music that we listened to in the century, at times you'll think Faure, at other times Monteverdi (although the liner notes say "Palestrina.") The overall effect is like a score for a movie, but a good score at that. The broad selection of texts is itself derivative from Britten's War Requiem and in a tip to multiculturalism also includes a Muslim call to prayer (somewhat pretentious in a Christian Mass, I think).

The performances are strong with the National Youth Choir remarkably polished for their age and experience. Jenkins conducts and one could say "over conducts"--as others have noted, the emphases seem a bit forced and many numbers end with a sudden staccato, an odd effect. The recording is the result of multiple takes in many different studios and the resultant mastering reflects this: The CD in no way sounds like an actual performance of the work. As John Lennon said of one Beatles album, "Play loud" and it's impressive.

One man's pastiche is another man's familiar favorite and despite the lack of orginality this Mass is likely to have enduring popularity.

Simply wonderful and moving.......2007-01-11

What a wonderful way to remember the last century! What a way to meditate on the prospect of peace or war in this one. This selects from the styles and melodies most primal and meaningful. At least it seems so while listening to them. I first became familiar with Karl Jenkins Mass when it was selected for Sacred Concert on Sunday morning and was so taken with it I almost stayed in the car to hear the end rather than go into church from the parking lot! I searched for it at our local libraries that afternoon and not finding it there took the plunge to order it from Amazon to add to my already overstuff Amazon furnished house. With the way this century is going so far this mass has good reason to be played over and over again.

Jenkin's "The Armed Man" - old theme, new sound. .......2007-01-11

This a powerful, brilliant new musical plea for peace based on a very old, much used theme from centuries ago. The performance and recording are worthy of the music.While some passages are supremely beautiful, this is not elevator music - some juxtapositions of the sections are quite jarring (deliberatly so). However, it is a deeply satisfying work, well worth a careful listen.

Fantastic Choral.......2006-09-01

Once I heard a piece on the radio I had to have this CD. I was not disappointed at all.
There are a couple of songs on this CD that will blow you away!
I play this CD almost evry day. It is fantastic. I lend it to people and they want to keep it.
If you are into choral music, this is the CD to get.

Is it Bach, is it Mozart or maybe it's Haydn; NO it's Jenkins!!!!.......2006-08-19

This is one of the most beautiful Masses I have every heard and will have the pleasure to perform! It is truly a work of art. The Orchestral parts are just as important as the Vocal score. In most movements the orchestra doubles the vocal parts. Jenkins has brilliantly crafted a masterpiece and the power of the words, taken from many sources including the Bible and Rudyard Kipling makes this one of the greatest works of our time.

You must hear this Mass!!!! A must to perform!!!! A must to own!!!!

Average customer rating:

A Listening Treat
Be Thoy My Vision CD
Really good, but don't listen to it all at once.
A must for choral music fans
An outstanding collection of Rutter's hymns

Be Thou My Vision

Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The John Rutter Christmas Album
John Rutter Collection
Requiem & Magnificat/Rutter, Cambridge Singers
Christmas Star
Distant Land: The Orchestra Collection

ASIN: B00030ES2S
Release Date: 2004-10-01

Tracks:

Be Thous My Vision
Open thou mine eyes
I will sing with the spirit
A gaelic Blessing
Wings of the morning
O be Joyful in the Lord
All things bright and beautiful
I will lift up mine eyes
As the bride groom to his chosen
A prayer of Saint Patrick
Loving Shepherd of thy sheep
Look at the world
O clap your hands
The Lord is my light and my salvation
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace
I believe in springtime
God be in my head
A Clare Benediction
For thy beauty of the earth
Thy perfect love
The Lord bless you and keep you

Customer Reviews:

A Listening Treat .......2007-03-08

What a delight to listen to this collection of pure Rutter ! The melodic sounds of the Cambridge Singers bring me such pleasure The sheer joyfulness of this music is to me a religious experience of such depth It is superb and will lift ones spirits instantly. highly recommended to all lovers of the English contemporary choral sound and scene,____ not to be missed

Be Thoy My Vision CD.......2007-02-19

My husband sang many of these John Rutter compositions with his church choir, and this CD is perfect since the choir is directed by Rutter, singing his own music. If you love religious music, this will bring tears to your eyes, the choir is "that" perfect.

Really good, but don't listen to it all at once........2007-01-07

I really liked this CD. It really showcases Rutter's knack for religious choral music. Perhaps it helps that I have sung some of his stuff with various groups. However, as with any similar compiliation, the composer's sameness of style and motif becomes apparent. This repetition can become boring on the third or fourth listening. On the other hand, this makes a great reference tool for any choral director or performer. Buy it, however, it's worth it, but don't listen to it all at once.

A must for choral music fans.......2006-09-19

Simply fabulous, 10/10. These are all Rutter-composed pieces, directed by Rutter himself. If you have any interest in religious choral music at all, you must get this album! One of the highlights of my musical life was attending a concert of a University of Maryland choir in which my mom sang, that featured Rutter as a guest conductor. Listening to this album is almost as good! ;-) There are too many good pieces to start naming all of my favorites, but these are some of the best known ones: "Open Thou Mine Eyes", "A Gaelic Blessing", "All Things Bright and Beautiful", "As the Bridegroom to His Chosen", "For the Beauty of the Earth", and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You".

An outstanding collection of Rutter's hymns.......2005-11-22

I sought a recording of Rutter's beautiful hymn, "Wings of the Morning", after we sang this lovely tune in church and this was the only CD I could find that contained it.

This collection includes many of Rutter's church hymns recorded over a period of 20 years performed by The Cambridge Singers, a group of Brits, that are conducted by the composer. Ergo, these performances must be considered definitive.

Many of Rutter's popular hymns are included here. "O be joyful to the Lord" and "All things bright and beautiful", a popular children's hymn done here by adults, follow "Wings of the morning" on tracks 5-7. Others you may have performed in church represented here are "O clap your hands", "Lord make me an instrument of your peace", "For the beauty of the earth", "Look at the world" and "The Lord bless you and keep you" among the 21 assembled hymns.

While The Cambridge Singers, on their Web site, identify themselves principally as an a capella group, I was pleased when I received this CD to find all the hymns supported by a full orchestra, the esteemed City of London Sinfonia. The renditions are uniformly lovely although some listeners may find the singing a bit on the white side lacking brilliance and individuality. Everything is done in keeping with Rutter's score markings and style.

The recording tends to be a little variable given the 20-plus year difference in performances. The most recent copyright listing is 2003, the same year "Wings of the morning" was published. I don't hear an appreciable difference in that recording than the others but still hear some age in older works.

If you seek a Rutter hymn collection you can't go wrong here. You have wonderful English performers mated to the composer in his more popular works. I'd recommend this without reservation to anyone seeking this collection.

Average customer rating:

not to great
Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$
You get what you pay for.
Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ...

100 Favorite Patriotic Songs

Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

United We Stand: Songs for America
America's Favorite Patriotic Songs
America's Bugle Calls
American Pride: Sixteen Stirring Patriotic Themes
Patriotic Country

ASIN: B0000A1HT8
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating:

Perfectly Williams
Inspiring soundtrack that is vintage John Williams
Very impressive stuff
Essential for the John Williams lover
Really makes you feel proud

American Journey - Winter Olympics 2002
John Williams
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Movie Scores | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Summon the Heroes
By Request: The Best Of John Williams And The Boston Pops Orchestra
Unity: The Official Athens 2004 Olympic Games Album
John Williams - Greatest Hits 1969 - 1999
Harmony: The Official Athens 2004 Olympic Games Classical Album

ASIN: B00005UN9G
Release Date: 2002-01-15

Tracks:

Call Of The Champions (The Official Theme Of The 2002 Olympic Winter Games)
American Journey: Immigration and Building
American Journey: The Country at War
American Journey: Popular Entertainment
American Journey: Sports and Celebrities
American Journey: Civil Rights and The Woman's Movement
American Journey: Technology and Flight
Song for World Peace
Jubilee 350
The Mission Theme (Theme for NBC News)
For New York (Variations on Themes of Leonard Bernstein)
Sound The Bells!
Hymn To New England
Celebrate Discovery
Summon The Heroes

Amazon.com

Anchored by his Mormon Tabernacle-charged "Call of Champions" (theme of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games) and the sweeping, emotionally rich six-part title suite (originally written for Washington, D.C.'s millennium celebrations and appearing here for the first time as a complete concert piece), this rousing, unabashedly patriotic collection from John Williams seems doubly timely, given America's hunger for comforting affirmation. Those who criticize the scale of Williams's music for its lack of irony will find little here to dissuade them, save perhaps "For New York," his deft, surprisingly low-key arrangement of appropriate Leonard Bernstein themes, and the comparatively subdued harmonic/melodic sophistication of "Song for World Peace." But this is largely music of ceremony and celebration--its scale and frequently martial rhythms are a direct function of purpose and intent. The collection's notes foster the notion of Williams as America's contemporary Sousa, but that's a comparison that sells the composer woefully short. Even "Sound the Bells," a piece written for the Japanese royal wedding, eschews any efforts at ethnic "authenticity," paying its tribute in distinctly American terms. "The Mission Theme" (from NBC News) and the Coplandesque bonus track "Summon the Heroes" (from the 1996 Olympics) further underscore the iconic intent of Williams's work. Chiding this collection for lack of subtlety is like complaining that fireworks are too spectacular. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Perfectly Williams.......2006-02-25

If you want a combination of John Williams at his best and the original olympic spirit, this is a must! The album starts off with the olympic theme from the Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games and continues with the opening ceremony music. It's wonderful how Williams composes the music to describe the American evolution and history.

If you like the more fanfare-like Williams type of music and want to listen to a great album with great compositions I recommend this album to you! It really deserves 5 out of 5 stars!

Inspiring soundtrack that is vintage John Williams.......2006-01-15

I really enjoyed American Journey, as well as the other pieces John Williams composed for the 2002 Winter Olympics. When listened to all the way through, American Journey is a powerful tribute to the pioneers and explorers of America. Of the other pieces, my favorite was the Mission Theme, which features the well-known theme from NBC news with some excellent variations. The two main fanfares (Call of the Champions - 2002 Olympics, Summon the Heroes - 2000 Olympics) are the highlights of the CD, and unlike most people I actually thought Call of the Champions was better. I especially liked Williams' use of the choir and timpani in this piece.
I would recommend this CD to anyone whether they are a fan of John Williams or not.

Very impressive stuff.......2005-04-28

This really was one of William's best compositions and the performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was inspired as well. I think when people recall these Olympics, the sounds of "Call of the Champions" provides a very memorable musical image of the games. The Boston Pops Orchestra does an impressive job as well in this very attractive CD. Wonderful music from a memorable Olympic experience.

Essential for the John Williams lover.......2003-05-11

This is not my favorite John Williams CD, because I love his film scores, and the way they are arranged and built. However, this is John Williams performing his classical and ceremonial music, and with that in mind, this is an excellent CD. The "American Journey" suite is the strongest new material on the album - I say "new material" because the last track, Summon the Heroes (1996 Olympics) is one of John Williams's greatest, most energetic pieces. "American Journey" is filled with American patriotism, feeling, and excitement (my personal favorite is the Arts & Entertainment movement). With this CD and John Williams's other Olympic music, I believe he has redefined what American classical music is.

Really makes you feel proud.......2003-02-02

John Williams scores again, proving he can do more than compose music for Superman and Star Wars. This disk is filled with simply wonderful patriotic music, upbeat, small-scale at times, always suited to the title.

Tracks:

The Brickmaker March - American Fife Ensemble
Lamentation Over Boston - The Continental Harmony Singers
March For The 3rd Regt. Of Foot, Lord Amherst's - The Liberty Tree Wind Players
British Grenadiers - American Fife Ensemble
Song On Liberty - Sherrill Milnes
General Scott's March - The Liberty Tree Wind Players
Junto Song - James Richman
Lovely Nancy - BIRTH OF LIBERTY
American Vicar Of Bray - Sherrill Milnes
Independence - The Continental Harmony Singers
March Of The 35th Regiment - The Liberty Tree Wind Players
Liberty Song - Sherrill Milnes
Lady Hope's Reel - American Fife Ensemble
Parody Upon A Well-Known Liberty Song - James Richman
March For The 76th Regiment - The Liberty Tree Wind Players
Warren - The Continental Harmony Singers
Stone Grinds All - American Fife Ensemble
The King's Own Regulars - James Richman
Washington's March - The Liberty Tree Wind Players
A Hymn On Peace - The Continental Harmony Singers

Customer Reviews:

Good overall.......2005-07-20

Technically a very clean album. It has a good selection of tunes, particularly for the history buff, however some of the polished choral pieces sound funny when you think that most of them are essentially folk tunes that should be sung with a somewhat less practiced air. Overall, worth the purchase for historical value and good production.

Great Music from the Birth of Our Nation.......2002-02-02

A great collection of music from 18th century America.

If you enjoy fifes and drums, choral compositions, patriotic songs, and uplifting music from the birth of America, please get this CD.

A perfect selection for a patriotic American to play, especially on the 4th of July.

Protest Songs of the 1770s.......2002-01-24

The music that was composed and performed during the American Revolution is presented on this 1 hour CD. Since I was a child, I've enjoyed hearing the drum and fife corps on the Fourth of July and during the Presidential inaugurations, and this CD has several good drum and fife marches. Other selections are 18th century protest songs about taxation ("A taxing we will go...} and British tyranny. There are also some good harpsichord numbers contained on this CD. The musicians are excellent and the sound is clear. I don't know how many common people got to hear music like this during the Revolution, but at least this CD gives the 21st Century listener the opportunity enjoy the "popular" music of 200 years ago. Classical music lovers will enjoy this CD too.

Important work of musical heritage.......1999-02-25

I fell in love with this CD from the first track.The music of the American Fife Ensamble is stirring, I felt positivly rebelious. The satarical songs based on the tunes "British Grenadires" and "Hearts of Oak" are like the paintings of W. Hogarth set to music. You should have more than a cursory knowledge of the 18th century though, to fully enjoy this CD

A good source of enjoyment and education.......1999-02-23

We will never know exactly how these songs sounded when the citizens of Boston were darting black looks to the British regulars on the streets, but I would wager quite a bit that these renditions come pretty close. Of course the "American" accents are an anachronism; but most listeners might be puzzled to hear British accents used for these anti-British songs (with one exception, composed by a British regular!)I have already used selections from this CD to a groups of 3rd and 5th graders and they loved it. So teachers, take note, but be sure they have the words in front of them. A very valuable educational tool that also happens to be a very enjoyable program to hear for its own sake. And as with most New World releases, the annotations alone are worth the price of the product.

Average customer rating:

Peter Kruder is the saivor of electronic music...
A little bit about samples...
good
Disapointing
yummy downtempo goodness

Peace Orchestra
Peter Kruder
Manufacturer: G-Stone Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Suzuki
Conversions: A K&D Selection
The K&D Sessions
Dehli9
DJ-Kicks: Kruder & Dorfmeister: !K7046cd

ASIN: B00000K53L
Release Date: 1999-10-01

Tracks:

The Man Part One
Meister Petz
Double Drums
Domination
Marakesh
Henry
Who Am I
Shining
The Man Part Two

Amazon.com

Peter Kruder of the famed duo Kruder and Dorfmeister, stays true to form (downtempo yet invigorating) on this, his first solo outing. Peace Orchestra is similar to his work in K&D, but--if possible--the music is even more serene and stoned sounding. Floaty melodies sparkle against a backdrop of gauzy reverb and echo. Vocals drift in and out of consciousness. And it's all very, very slow. The record contains less funk and groove than K&D's projects, but it's no less sensual. Dreamy is the operative word here. Much like Mixmaster Morris's superb downtempo ambient collection It's Tomorrow Already, Peace Orchestra combines the sounds of trance with the tempo of downbeat to invoke a lazy, hazy summer day. --Tricia Romano

Album Description

The debut album by Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister), Peace Orchestra is a blissfully crafted disc of downtempo grooves. Kruder's musical sense comes from a variety of musical capitals, including Rio de Janeiro (the fine, delicate swing), New York (the jazz chords and shadings), East L.A. (Latin percussion), and London (acid house ). From G-Stoned/Studio K7 Distribution.

Album Details

Jazzy Downbeat Grooves: Peter Kruder Delivers a Mixture of Downbeat Grooves with Smooth Jungle, Post Rock and Orchestral Atmospheres.

Customer Reviews:

Peter Kruder is the saivor of electronic music..........2006-09-03

and this album is 100% proof of this fact. I have owned this cd for about a year, and I am still listening to it, uncovering new layers of music. Straight off, Kurder captivates you with "The Man Part 1", drums and etherial sounds paving the way and welcoming you to his mind. From there, every other track stands out as unique and individual. I cannot pick out a favorite track because I cannot just listen to one track alone, they each compliment another, flowing beautifully from one to the next (however this is not a mix album). This album comes highly recommended and compliments any cd collection. Also, concerning those people that have only heard "Who Am I" (from the Animatrix) clearly did not listen to the entire album with a critical ear. If you are just expecitng "Who Am I", I promise you that Kruder will blow past your expectations and create an image of musical beauty that is rarely matched by any other electronic artist in the world today.

A little bit about samples..........2006-01-21

I listen to SOMA.fm's "GrooveSalad" in iTunes a lot these days -- I just leave it running all day on my Mac at work. Just now I heard Peace Orchestra's "Marakesh" playing. It's a great track, but what really got me was hearing one of the samples composer Peter Kruder employed over and over again in the track: it's a small vocal bit by URSZULA DUDZIAK from her 1979 album "Future Talk." The sample is a vocal refrain taken from the title track, written by her famed Polish violinist husband, Michael Urbaniak. I was once a radio DJ and used to play this track all the time on my radio show (yes, it was a very obscure station where I was allowed to play whatever suited me...). While I was elated to here it employed in the track, I do wonder if a] she knows about it, and b] if she was credited for its use...

good.......2005-09-15

good some new stuff, pretty mellow, 1 really good track feature on animatrix. Other tracks don't compare, don't buy cd if you want tracks that sound like track from animatrix

Disapointing.......2004-09-30

Honestly, I was disapointed. "Who am I" is great, but otherwise I thought the CD was just plain and even boring. It's the typical music you'd hear in a lounge/bar but wouldn't even notice because it sounds so much like all the other stuff out there.

yummy downtempo goodness.......2003-12-18

There is nothing on this album that can be improved. It broods with intelligent beats and shining electronic texture. This is the perfect CD to put on in the background when you are working or creating. It's not harsh, not sleepy, but a generous blend of trippy and relaxing. Much recommended.

Pavarotti & Friends - For The Children Of Liberia

Average customer rating:

A Superb Collection of Music
This is a delightful combination of music talents to enjoy!
This will tenderize your heart.
Phenomenal !! A must have for any music library.
Outstanding Music, bringing Pavarotti to new heights.

Pavarotti & Friends - For The Children Of Liberia

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Pavarotti & Friends For Guatemala And Kosovo
Together for the Children of Bosnia
Pavarotti & Friends: For Cambodia and Tibet
Pavarotti & Friends 2
Pavarotti & Friends

ASIN: B00000DBVG
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

Let It Rain
Stop
How Do I Live Without You
I Hate You Then I Love You
Higher Ground
'O Surdato 'Nnammurato
Se Bastasse Una Canzone
Betcha Never
Viva Forever
Va, Pensiero
Napule e'
Une Place Pour Moi
Non Ti Scordar Di Me
Tonight
Dreams
Adeste Fideles
Peace Wanted Just To Be Free

Amazon.com

Is music for a good cause a good cause for music? Not really, if you expect artistry. But this smorgasbord of popular international musical stars brings together extreme musical genres for an excellent purpose, and is enjoyable enough for almost anyone. Pavarotti's relaxed and buoyant leadership and still gorgeous tenor add beauty to the rock/pop selections. Trisha Yearwood, Celine Dion, and Stevie Wonder impressively hold their own against Opera Spice; but the other artists pale against the master's presence. The Spice Girls will never be confused with Anonymous 4; Zucchero's growling is scary; Florent Pagny exemplifies French rock; and Pino Daniele's breathy tenor is mellow and soothing. Best for those wanting to experience Pavarotti's vocal beauty in a more popular idiom. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

A Superb Collection of Music.......2002-11-14

As a musician, I first ran into this disk as a PBS broadcast. What caught my ear was that every song in the concert has "the groove." Other than a children's choral cut, not a single song in the entire collection has a flaw. You'd think the Spice Girls would be a silly addition to the concert, but they do a tremendous job. Each artist appears twice, usually with Pavaotti in one of their songs, sometimes twice. Vanessa Williams is Hot! and does an incredible dance number. The engineering is excellent, with solid side-to-side separation for a really "big" sound. All in all, this is one of the favorite CDs in my music library.

This is a delightful combination of music talents to enjoy!.......1999-04-01

We first saw Pavarotti and Friends on Public Television as a fundraising event. We found the CD and especially love to listen to this CD in our car which has a great sound system. Each vocalist is so special and you will be singing along with them after a couple of plays!

This will tenderize your heart........1999-03-07

Brilliant talent for needy children, that touches the soul, and sets it on fire. Your tears will soak your socks. James

Phenomenal !! A must have for any music library........1998-12-29

A most wonderful gathering of some of the world's greatest vocalists. Such a unique blend of international Modern & Classical. If one were to put to test the ability of a vocalist to adapt to a variety of melodies, this is it. Grab your lover and take a trip in their arms with this CD!!

Outstanding Music, bringing Pavarotti to new heights........1998-12-06

Easily the best in the Pavarotti & Friends series. Always an artist on the cutting edge, with this album, Pavarotti's work will have great appeal to his fans and to scores of new enthusiasts. His duets with the Spice Girls, Vanessa Williams, Zucchero, and Stevie Wonder make it obvious that his voice has adaptability and a passion that takes it into many musical genres with ease. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Sting once commented that great music occurs in the "synaptic gaps" where many different styles come together - this is an album that epitomizes the concept. Neopolitan music is a folk music in Italy, with overtones of American folk/country/jazz/rock, and Pavarotti is the Neopolitan master. This is a perfect fit of artists and selected titles. Earlier combinations of artists in this series were often much too somber, much less fun. Give this one to your teens or your great grandmother ... they'll find they have more musical tastes in common than they'd have ever imagined.

John Rutter: Te Deum and Other Church Music

Average customer rating:

John Rutter: Te Deum
Absolutely amazing
Up to the usual high standard
Beautiful, excellent album
A new experience in familiar pieces

John Rutter: Te Deum and Other Church Music

Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Gloria: The Sacred Music of John Rutter
John Rutter Collection
Requiem & Magnificat/Rutter, Cambridge Singers
The John Rutter Christmas Album
Be Thou My Vision

ASIN: B0000031HH
Release Date: 1993-09-11

Tracks:

Te Deum
Be Thou My Vision
I Believe In Springtime
Lord, Make Me An Instrument Of Thy Peace
O Be Joyful In The Lord
All Creatures Of Our God And King
A Choral Fanfare
As The Bridegroom To His Chosen
Christ The Lord Is Risen Again
They Perfect Love
The Lord Is My Light And My Salvation
Go Forth Into The World In Peace
Now Thank We All Our God

Amazon.com

Englishman John Rutter is today's most popular composer of church music, primarily owing to his accessible style and purposeful commitment to both professional and amateur choirs. This recording features some of Rutter's most popular sacred choral works from the 1980s--definitively performed by Rutter's own Cambridge Singers, conducted by the composer himself. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

John Rutter: Te Deum .......2007-05-14

Outstanding music and outstanding recording quality. This is a must for all who like the choral music of Rutter, a musical treat from the time you que up the disc.

Absolutely amazing.......2006-08-21

Of the 5 Cambridge Singers recordings in my possession, this is my favorite. I absolutely love "Be thou my vision," and find the title track inspiring each time I listen to it. This is a CD that will not disappoint!

Up to the usual high standard.......2006-07-13

What better version of the Rutter "Te Deum" than the composer and his group? This CD does not disappoint. Highly recommended!

Beautiful, excellent album.......2006-02-19

I have wanted this album for several years and have finally found it and purchased it. I have listened to it dozens of times since I received it, and love it! I hesitated to buy it because it is more expensive than most music CD's, but it is worth it.

A new experience in familiar pieces.......2005-10-05

This recording of the Cambridge Singers has them recording pieces composed by their own director, John Rutter. The 'Te Deum' is Rutter's version of a standard piece of liturgical music, representing classic influences ancient and modern, typical of Rutter's compositional style. This was recorded at in 1990 at the Henry Wood Hall in London, with the City of London Sinfonia and organist John Scott collaborating.

--Music--
'The Te Deum' is a piece that is standard for liturgy in Catholic and Anglican services. It is a song of praise, and here is it bright and powerful. 'Be Thou My Vision' is an Irish folk hymn, gentle and graceful, but Rutter has added something quite new to the rendition with his arrangement. The initial flourishes and fanfare for the standard piece 'All Creatures of Our God and King' lead to a triumphant song experience. 'The Lord is My Light and My Salvation' is once again a meditative and gentle moving piece, with good spirit.

The songs here are familiar for the most part, but Rutter's arrangements and compositions make this a thoroughly new experience in many ways.

--Liner Notes--
The notes include an introduction to the CD by Rutter describing some of the influences and expressions in his composition. Lyrics are included, all of which are in English on this collection. There is no listing of the performers of the Cambridge Singers, no description of the group, nor biographical information about John Rutter.

--John Rutter--
Rutter was born in London and educated at Clare College, Cambridge. This was where his career as a composer, arranger and conductor began. His early work was with groups at King's College Chapel at Cambridge as well as the Bath Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. He has worked for the BBC providing music for educational series such as 'The Archaeology of the Bible Lands', until in 1979 he began forming the Cambridge Singers, and has continued a remarkable career of performance and recording as their director ever since.

--The Cambridge Singers--
The Cambridge Singers are a mixed choir of voices, many of whom were members of choir of Rutter's college, Clare College, Cambridge. While they specialise in English and Latin liturgical pieces, they have a wide range of recordings that span from modern compositions (including a remarkable requiem by Rutter) to English folk songs of the Middle Ages. Many are former members of the choir of Clare College and other Cambridge collegiate choirs (hence the name, Cambridge Singers). In the quarter-century since the founding, the Cambridge Singers have produced an impressive body of recordings.

This is a wonderful collection.

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review