The Centennial Edition - Highlights From 1927-1973 [Box set]
The Centennial Edition - Highlights From 1927-1973 [Box set]
ASIN: B00004S7JL
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The 24-CD Centennial Edition of Duke Ellington's RCA recordings was the crown jewel of 1999 reissues. There's already been a single CD extracted from the set, but there's inevitably greater depth in this three-CD package. As an ancient emcee announces on "Cotton Club Stomp" from 1929, Ellington was not only "the greatest living master of jungle music," but also the most daring and imaginative artist at work in American music, a composer who could span the boisterous and sublime. The first CD provides a good sample of early evidence, including the first true extended work of jazz, the two-part, eight-minute "Creole Rhapsody" from 1931, featuring the fine solo work of clarinetist Barney Bigard and trumpeter Cootie Williams. The train simulations on 1933's "Daybreak Express" are still astonishing--program music pressing toward the avant-garde--while Williams's plunger mute is a delightfully disruptive burr in an otherwise conventional cover of "My Old Flame." The sound of the early tracks isn't just a tribute to RCA and contemporary digital technology. Ellington possessed a special grasp of the recording studio, getting the best sonic picture of his compositions, just as he possessed a knowledge of his sidemen's strengths and potentials. Many of those emblematic performances are here, like Bigard's on "Mood Indigo" and several by Johnny Hodges.
Disc Two extends from 1940 to 1946, another rich period in Ellington's relationship with RCA Victor and the beginnings of his longtime relationship with arranger-composer Billy Strayhorn, including such wonderful works as "Take the 'A' Train" and "Chelsea Bridge." The third disc provides an excellent sample of Ellington's oft-neglected later career, including a beautiful concert rendition of "Come Sunday" with singer Esther Marrow and the glorious "Isfahan" from the Far East Suite. Throughout, one is in the presence of an unparalleled musician and the orchestra that was the living, breathing embodiment of his creations. There's also room for one of Duke's 1940 duets with bassist Jimmy Blanton as well as his first recorded meeting with Louis Armstrong. Rather than competing with it, this makes an excellent companion to the recent three-CD Columbia selection, The Duke. Each fills in some of the other's chronological gaps, and together they provide "alternate takes" during the early years when Ellington was label hopping to make pseudonymous cover versions of his own tunes. --Stuart Broomer
The Centennial Edition - Highlights From 1927-1973,Duke Ellington,RCA,Big Band,Classic Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Orchestral Jazz,Pop,Progressive Big Band,Swing
Average customer rating: |
The Perlman Edition (Box Set)
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000AF1O4 Release Date: 2004-05-04 |
Average customer rating: |
Top 100 Masterpieces of Classical Music (Collectors Edition) (Box Set)
Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00008L428 Release Date: 2003-02-13 |
Average customer rating: |
The Most Beautiful Melodies of Classical Music (Collectors Edition) (Box Set)
Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00008L42A Release Date: 2003-02-13 |
Average customer rating:
|
Fischer-Dieskau Edition (Box Set)
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00004SC5S Release Date: 2000-06-13 |
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Customer Reviews:
The Mastersinger.......2000-06-24
Average customer rating:
|
Emil Gilels Edition [Box Set]
Manufacturer: Melodiya ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000001HDS Release Date: 1997-02-11 |
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Amazon.com
This wonderful five-disc set presents Emil Gilels in previously unpublished stereo recordings from live performances. One disc is devoted to concertos by Chopin (wonderful!) and Poulenc. The others are all solo piano, including a full disc of Mozart, three Beethoven sonatas (including the mighty Hammerklavier), major works of Scriabin, Schubert, and Shostakovich, and other shorter works. Gilels was one of the major pianists of our century. He played all of this music with great integrity and plenty of color. Melodiya's editors have selected well; there isn't a dud in the series, and some of the performances are truly magnificent. Highly recommended to pianophiles! -- Leslie GerberCustomer Reviews:
A must-have for any piano lover!.......2004-07-30
A Rarified Talent.......2000-03-22
Average customer rating: |
Opera Highlights (Box Set)
Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000001VUW Release Date: 1994-03-08 |
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Tracks:
Average customer rating: |
Great Music Classics (Collectors Edition) (Box Set)
Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD |