City Magic,Steve Bach,Valley Vue Records,Crossover Jazz,Fusion,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop
I really love this gift from my bestfriend for it was thoughtful and well, what can I say that this makes an excellant gift for opera neophytes (though I am not an opera neophyte).
The highlight of this CD is track 13, Rossini's "Largo al Factotum" from "The Barber of Seville." When I first heard this, I was contemplating to myself as to where have I heard this before. Then it hit me: Michigan J. Frog's signature tune! (In case people are wondering who on earth is Michigan J. Frog is, he is the Warner Brother's frog; the frog can be seen on WB network channel). I love this track! Buy this for yourself if not this makes a perfect gift for your opera neophyte friend(s)! This track brings joy and smiles on my face everytime I hear this piece!
(8.555037-38) contains not only 2 CDs crammed with 39 excerpts from that company's seemingly bottomless catalogue, but also a 762 page book. The text offers plot summaries of almost every important opera and many of far lesser renown (Delius' "The Magic Fountain," Mascagni's "Iris," for example), a brief biography of the composers, a glossary, and finally a discography. The recorded examples are in chronological order from Monteverdi to Korngold. The entries in the book, however, are in alphabetical order--so be careful to look for "Zauberflote," not "Magic Flute," and so on.
Of course, Big Names do not appear on many Naxos opera sets; but this set is an introduction to that vast area of culture and is meant to be an educational (and of course a promotional ) device. Nevertheless, many of the selections on the CDs are beautifully sung, a very few lack characterization (the arias from"Don Giovanni" and "Nozze di Figaro" for two). But at this incredibly low budget price, who can complain?
As soon as I saw what this set had to offer, I immediately ordered a copy as a seasonal gift for a friend who wants to "get into" opera. I could think of no better gift.
There is a sister set titled
(8.555319-20) that uses the same format. There are 2 CDs with 36 selections from Gregorian Chant to Glass. The 562-page book gives us the major facts about "the Great Composers and Their Greatest Works, " a glossary, and a 45-page list of classical music heard in films. The discography is included in the composers section. Again, the value of this set as an educational tool is enormous and well worth the extremely low price Naxos is asking.
Average customer rating:
- Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!
- Beginner or Expert
- Very Informative and Enjoyable
- Frank's view
- Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra
|
Instruments of the Orchestra
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( H )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
London Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( L )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( M )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
National Philharmonic Orchestra London
| ( N )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
General
| Instructional
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| 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
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( H )
| Performers, A-Z
| Classical Music Blowout
| Stores
| Music
London Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( L )
| Performers, A-Z
| Classical Music Blowout
| Stores
| Music
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( M )
| Performers, A-Z
| Classical Music Blowout
| Stores
| Music
National Philharmonic Orchestra London
| ( N )
| Performers, A-Z
| Classical Music Blowout
| Stores
| Music
Instrumental
| Classical Music Blowout
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Op34; Simple Symphony Op4
- The Life and Works of Ludwig van Beethoven
- What to Listen for in Music
- Study of Orchestration, Third Edition
- The Life and Works of Frédéric Chopin
ASIN: B00006O0NT
Release Date: 2002-12-03 |
Tracks:
- Overture To 'Tannhauser'
- Domna, Pos Vos Ay Chausida
- We Don't Merely Use Instruments, We Play On Them. And They Play On Us.
- Hungarian Dance No.7
- The Violin Is One Of The Most Tender And Beautiful Instruments Ever Invented.
- Violin Concerto In D Major (Adagio)
- But For A Long Time It Was Seen As The Instrument Of The Devil.
- The Soldier's Tale: Triumphal March Of The Devil
- The Manipulative Seductiveness Of The Gypsy Violin.
- Csardas Music
- The Violin And The Initiation Of Nature
- The Four Seasons (Spring, Mvt 1)
- Birds Are Again Evoked In The Second Concerto, Especially Music's Natural Favourite.
- The Four Seasons (Summer, Mvt 1)
- Like The Devil, The Violin Is A Master Of Disguise.
- Old Viennese Dance No.3 'Schon Rosmarin'
- The Menacing Sensuality Of Ravel's Tzigane: A Very Different Side Of The Violin:
- Tzigane
- Do We Now Have The True Measure Of This Instrument? Not Just Yet.
- Caprice No.24
- The Many Effects Of The String Tremolando: Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (Last Mvt)/From Joy To Fright/Quartettsatz In C Minor/The String Tremolo Practically Spells The World Agitato.
- Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No.7)
- Prokofiev's Tremolo In Romeo And Juliet Should Not Be Heard Just Before Bedtime.
- Romeo And Juliet: Act IV
- Vivaldi Use It To Illustrate The Shivering Of Travellers Crossing The Ice.
- The Four Seasons (Winter, Mvt 1)
- The Violin Muted
- Clair De Lune
- The Gentleness Of Muted Strings Persists Even When A Whole Orchestra Plays.
- Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 (Slow Mvt)
- The Pizzicato Violin
- Pizzicato Polka
- In Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, The Accompaniment Is Pizzicato.
- Violin Concerto No.2 In G Minor (Slow Mvt)
- Varieties Of Pizzicato: Colas Breugnon (The People's Feast)/Now A Drier, Leaner, Hungrier Pizzicato. There's Not A Lot Of Comfort Here./Capriol Suite (Tordion)/The Use Of Pizzicato As 'Percussion'/Romeo And Juliet (Act I)/Mahler Used Pizzicato...
- The Planets (Mars - The Bringer Of War)
- The Technique Of Double-Stopping Enables The Violin To Play Duets With Itself./Sonata No.3 In C Major For Unaccompanied Violin (Fugue)/Now A Later Example Of The Same Technique
- Hungarian Dance No.4
- Double-Stopping Is A Standard Feature Of A Lot Of Folk Music.
- The Four Seasons (Autumn, Mvt 1)
- Now The Same Technique, But The Sound Might Have Come From Another World.
- Bolero
- Double-Stopping Can Only Approximate The Sound Of A Real Violin Duet.
- Cadenza To The Violin Concerto By Brahms
- Now Compare That With A Real Violin Duet.
- Forty-Four Duos (No. 1: Teasing Song)
- Another Duo By Bartok, Demonstrating The Violin's Rich Lower Register
- Forty-Four Duos (No.2: Maypole Dance)
- And Now What May Be The Most Beautiful Accompanied Violin Duet In History
- Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
- The Soul Of The Violin Is In Song; But What About This Weird Passage?
- Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major (Mvt 2)
- The Use Of Harmonies In The Orchestra Can Be Both Magical And Unsettling.
- Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 1, Opening)
- Tchaikovsky's Use Of Harmonics In The Sleeping Beauty Is Both Strange And Darling.
- The Sleeping Beauty (Act II, No.15: Entr'Acte)
- Ravel's Harmonics In Mother Goose Effect A Magical Transformation.
- Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
- Stravinsky's Harmonics In The Firebird Transport Us Almost Into Another World./The Firebird (Introduction)
- The Natural Upper Notes Of The Violins Have A Unique Emotional 'Grab'.
- Also Sprach Zarathustra (Of The Afterworldsmen)
- Still In Their Upper Register, The Violins Unleash The Energy Of A Young Colt.
- Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No. 4)
- Elsewhere, Britten Uses The Same High Register To Create A Very Different Mood.
- Four Sea Interludes (Dawn) From 'Peter Grimes'
- To End This Outing With The Violins, A Charming Little Elfin Dance
- Elfenreigen
Tracks:
- Introduction To The Viola
- Viola Concerto (Mvt 1)
- Khatchaturian Gets A Very Different Sound From It: Fuller, Fruitier, More Exotic.
- Gayane Suite No.1 (Armen's Solo)
- Very Nearly The Whole Of The Violin's Upper Register Is Also Available To The Viola.
- Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'
- The Viola Can Bring A Special, Rich Twanginess To Pizzicato That The Violins Lack./Don Quixote/Berlioz Drew Sounds From It That Retain Their Metallic Strangeness Even Today.
- Harold In Italy (Mvt 4)
- The Muted Viola: Intimate, Gentle, Poignant In Dvork
- Cypresses (No.9)
- The Massed Violas Of The Modern Symphony Orchestra In Mahler
- Symphony No.4 (Mvt 3)
- The 'Period' Viola In Bach
- Brandenburg Concerto No.6 (Last Mvt)
- The Cello: A Voice Of Unique Nobility
- Suite No.1 For Unaccompanied Cello (Prelude)
- Brahms And The 'Soul' Of The Cello
- Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat Major (Mvt 3)
- Most Orchestral Composers Tend To Emphasize The Cello's Lower Register.
- Cantata 'Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben', BWV 147 (Soprana Aria: Bereite Dir, Jesu)
- In The Time Of Beethoven The Cello Remained As Fundamental As Ever.
- Symphony No.3 'Eroica' (Finale)
- But The Cello Is Not Condemned To Spend Its Life In The Basement.
- Elfentanz, Op.39
- Not Only In Recital Showpieces Like That Is The Cello Is Used In Its Highest Register.
- The Protecting Veil (Opening)
- A Cello With An Identity-Crisis: The Pizzicato Flamencan
- Flamenco
- Double-Stopping In The Lower Reaches Of The Cello's Range
- Solo Suiet For Cello And Piano (Sardana)
- It's In The Middle Register That The Cello Really Comes Into Its Own.
- Oriental Dance, Op.2 No.2
- It Was To The Cellos That Beethoven Gave Two Of His Most Famous Themes./Symphony No.5 (Mvt 2)/Still More Famous Than That Theme Is This One From The Ninth Symphony.
- Symphony No.9 (Finale)
- Introduction To The Double-Bass
- The Carnival Of The Animals (The Elephant)
- But The Double-Bass Can Be Intensely Expressive And Graceful.
- Elegy No.1 In D Major
- The Range Of The Double-Bass Is The Greatest Of All The String Instruments/Allegro Di Concerto, 'Alla Mendelssohn'/And It's Also Capable Of Very Considerable Virtuosity.
- Capriccio Di Bravura
- Double-Bass Solos In Orchestral Scores Are Rare But Often Memorable./Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 3)/In His Third Symphony Mahler Makes A Very Different Use Of The Instrument./Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1)
- The Double-Bass Muted In Prokofiev/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Kije's Wedding)/In Another Work Prokofiev Uses The Double-Bass To Enhance The Winds./Romeo And Juliet (Act III)/And He Combines The Bass Clarinet With A Shivering Tremolo From The Double-Basses....
- Symphony No.5 (Mvt 3)/So Much For The Strings/On Now To The Winds
Tracks:
- The Antiquity And Magic Of The Flute
- Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune
- The Versatility And Agility Of The Flute
- Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor (Badinerie)
- The Flute In Fifteenth-Century Spain
- Sa'Dawi
- Other Flutes: The Bass And Alto
- Chamber Music No.II
- The Piccolo - Aptly Named
- La Naissance D'Osiris (Mvt 6)
- From A Piccolo Of The Eighteenth Century To One Of Its Descendants In The Twentieth
- Suite No.1 For Small Orchestra (Valse)
- A Variety Of Techniques
- Chamber Music No.II
- Flutter-Tonguing. But Tchaikovsky Got There Eighty Years Before.
- The Nutcracker (Act II, No.2: Scene)
- From The Transverse To The Vertical: The Baroque Recorder
- Recorded Suite In A Minor (Menuet II)
- An Unfamiliar, Early Vision Of The Instrument
- Naelden, Naelden
- The Bachian Oboe
- Cantata 'Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott', BWV 80 (No.7: Duetto)
- Introduction To The Cor Anglais Or 'English Born'
- Symphony No.9 'From The New World' (Mvt 2)
- The Loneliness Of The Cor Anglais
- The Swan Of Tuonela
- The Cor Anglais Joins The French Horn In Haydn.
- Symphony No.22 'The Philosopher' (Opening)
- Introduction To The Oboe D'Amore, Beloved Of Bach - But Also Of Ravel
- Bolero
- The Clarinet Family: Boxing The Compass, From The Depths Of The Bass Clarinet.../The Egyptian (Violence)/...To The Raucous And Squealy.../Taras Bulba (The Death Of Ostap)/...To The Shrill And Complaining...
- Petrushka (No.8: Peasant With Bear)/...To The High Sprits Of A Playful Puppy./Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)/And To The Downright Jazzy/Romeo And Juliet (Act II)
- As The High Clarinets Tend To Be Loud, So The Bass Tends To Be Soft:
- Gayane Suite No. 1 (Mvt 5)
- The Bass Clarinet Is Used By Most Composers Mainly As A Colouring Agent.../Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/...But It Does Occasionally Get A Whole Tune To Itself./Iberia (Almeria).
- The Range Of The Normal Clarinet Parts Goes Quite High...
- The Snow Maiden (Scene 5: Melodrama)
- ...And Quite Low.
- Peter And The Wolf (The Cat)
- The Clarinet As Concerto Soloist
- Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
- But That's Not The Instrument Mozart Wrote It For; This Is:
- Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
- Introduction To The Saxophone
- Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 4)
- The Soprano Saxophone Has Quite A Different Feel To It.
- L'Arlesienne Suite No.1 (Minuet)
- The Little Sopranino Sax Goes Even Higher.
- Bolero
- The Most Famous Use Of The Saxophone Is In An Orchestration By Ravel.
- Pictures At An Exhibition (The Old Castle)
- The Saxophone Can Be Quite Contagiously Good-Humoured.
- Sax-O-Phun
- The Puffa-Puffa Image Of The Bassoon
- Peter And The Wolf (Grandfather)
- The Bachian Bassoon, In Accompanimental Mode
- Cantata 'Weichet Nur, Betrubte Schatten' ('Wedding Cantata'), BWV 202 (Aria No.1)
- Bizet Leaves The Puffa-Puffa Image Out, Allowing The Bassoon To Sing./Carmen Suite No.1 (Les Dragons D'Alcala)
- And Ravel, Also In Spanish Mode, Does Likewise.
- Bolero
- The Bassoon As A Voice Of High Seriousness, Indeed Desolate Loneliness
- Symphony No.3 (Opening)
- The Eerie Bassoon In Its Highest Register
- The Rite Of Spring (Opening)
- Stravinsky Now Draws On Its Lowest Register, Lonely And Melancholy.
- The Firebird Suite (1919, Berceuse)
- The Bassoon As Concerto Soloist, Avoiding All Exaggeration
- Bassoon Concerto In G Minor (Finale)
- The Deep-Voiced Contra-Bassoon, As A Fairy-Tale Beast
- Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
- The French Horn Under Its Woodwind Hat
- Wind Quintet, Op.43 (Last Mvt)
- Now A More Prominent Role, In A Woodwind Quintet From An Earlier Era
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Mvt 2)
- The Horn In Harmonious Blend With Strings In Another Quintet
- Horn Quintet, K.407 (Finale)
Tracks:
- The Trumpet As Virtuoso Soloist
- Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Last Mvt)
- The Special Brillance Of Paired Trumpets
- Concerto In C For Two Trumpets, RV537 (Mvt 1)
- The Ceremonial Trumpet
- Fanfare For The Common Man
- Trumpets And Drums - An Incomparable Alliance
- Messiah (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
- The Versatility Of The Trumpet, From The Most Public To The Most Lonely
- Piano Concerto In F (Slow Mvt)
- The Trumpet As The Voice Of The City/An American In Paris/The Trumpet As Recruitment Officer/The Soldier's Tale (The March)/The Trumpet As Swaggerer
- Carmen Suite No.2 (Habanera)
- The Trumpet As The Voice Of Strength And Courage
- Carmet Suite No.2 (Toreador's Song)
- The Trumpet Muted/Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Opening)/The Trumpet As The Voice Of Weariness
- Billy The Kid
- The Trumpet As Character Actor
- Pictures At An Exhibition (No.6)
- The Trumpet As The Voice Of God
- Mass In B Minor ('Et Exspecto')
- The Birth Of The Trombone
- Aenmerckt Nu Hier
- The Birth Of The Brass As A Family
- Canzon 12 In Double Echo
- The Trombone In The Eighteenth Century
- Trombone Concerto In B Flat Major (Finale)
- The Tone Of The Tenor Trombone/Romance For Trombone And Organ/The Memorable Voice Of The Bass Trombone/Requiem (Mvt 2)/But The Bass Trombone Is More Than An Instrumental Bullfrog.
- Hosannah
- The Trombones Become Part Of The Orchestra.
- Symphony No.5 (Finale)
- The Wagnerian Trombone:/Overture To 'Tannhauser'
- The Trombone As Caricaturist
- Pulcinella (No.19: Vivo)
- The Trombone As Raspberry/Concerto For Orchestra (Intermezzo)
- The Horn And The Hunt
- Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495 (Finale)
- The Challenging Horn Of The Baroque
- Abaris Ou Les Boreades (Menuet)
- The Scarcity Of First-Rate Players In Handel's Time
- Walter Music (Minuet 1)
- The Horn As Magician/The Firebird Suite (1919, Finale)
- Horns And The Sound Of Nobility
- Overture To 'Tannhauser' (Opening)
- The Special Sound Of The Horn In Its Higher Register
- Mass In B Minor ('Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus')
- The Trumpet-Like Sound Of Massed Horns
- Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1, Opening)
- The Tuba - Unfairly Maligned?
- Symphony No.6 (Mvt 3)
- The Tuba Perfectly Cast By Ravel
- Pictures At An Exhibition (Bydlo)
Tracks:
- Introduction. And We Begin With A Bang.
- Fanfare For The Common Man/The Bass Drum On The Battlefields/Wellington's Victory, Op.91 (Opening)
- At The Opposite Extreme Is The Triangle.
- Piano Concerto No.1 In E Flat (Scherzo)
- Categories Of Percussion: Tuned And Untuned. The Side Drum
- Overture To 'La Gazza Ladra' - The Thieving Magpie (Opening)
- The Side Drum In An Effective But Unexpected Role/Clarinet Concerto (Mvt 1)
- The Tambourine. One Of The Oldest Instruments In The World
- Den Hoboecken Dans
- Even Older Is The Originally Oriental Gong.
- Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
- No Single Instrument Can Match The Gong In Evoking The Breaking Of Waves./Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'/But Gongs Don't Have To Be Struck To Be Effective.
- Gymnopedie No.2
- The Cymbals Are Generally Discovered Early In Life./The Sanguine Fan/And They Do More Than Clash Together Loudly. They Can Be Clashed Together Softly./Studio Example: But They Needn't Be Clashed Together At All/Studio Example: They Can Be Lightly...
- Other Untuned Percussion Instruments Include The Whip.: Piano Concerto In G Major (Opening)/And Here Are No Fewer Than Twenty, Cracked By Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Act I, Scene 5)
- More Versatile Than The Whip Are The Wood Blocks.../Studio Example/...Which Crop Up All Over The Place In Twentieth-Century American Music.
- Rodeo (Hoe-Down)
- Related To The Wood Blocks, By Sound, Are The Castanets./Jota Aragonesa/But The Castanets Were Also Used By Monteverdi Back In The Seventeenth Century.
- Scherzi Musicali (Damigella Tutta Belle)
- A Still Earlier Example From Fifteenth-Century Spain
- Yo M'Enamori D'Un Aire
- The Birth Of The Bongo
- Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story'
- From The Streets Of New York To The Blacksmith's Shop/Il Trovatore ('Anvil Chorus')
- Desert-Island Decibels: Grand Canyon Suite (On The Trail)/Arcana
- From One Vegetable To Another: The Humble Squash, Or Marrow/Huapango
- Onwards To The Tuned Percussion. First, The Timpani
- Also Sprach Zarathustra (Introduction)
- But The Drum Roll Can Be More Effectively Frightening Than The Big Bang.: Symphony No.2 'Resurrection' (Mvt 3)
- Not One Drum Roll, But Many/Grand Canyon Suite (Sunrise)/Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)
- Taking Advantage Of Tunability
- Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Mvt 2)
- The Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Takes A Downward Turn./Carmen Suite (Changing Of The Guard)/Tuned, Yes; But For The Truly Melodic We Must Look Elsewhere.
- Introducing The Glockenspiel/Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
- Saint-Saens And The Xylophone
- The Carnival Of The Animals (Fossils)
- Ravel And The Xylophone
- Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
- Introducing The Marimba/Carmen Suite (First Intermezzo)
- Introducing The Vibraphone
- The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Narange Dolce)
- The Vibraphone Goes Russian.../Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)/...And Is Joined By The Marimba./Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
- Introducing The Hungarian Cimbalom
- Folk Dances
- The Cimbalom And The Symphony Orchestra
- Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 3)
- Introducing The Tubular Bells
- Hary Janos Suite (Viennese Musical Clock)
- A More 'Up-Front' Approach From Rodion Shchedrin
- Carmen Suite (Introduction)
- But The Bells Can Also Make The Sinister Even More Sinister./Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
- Introducing The Celeste
- The Nutcracker (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy)
- Magic, In The Use Of Collective Percussion
- Miroirs (La Vallee Des Cloches)
- Plucked Instruments: The 'Undercover Percussion'/Carmen Suite (Scene)
- A Prime Case In Point Is The Harp, Irresistible To The Romantics./The Nutcracker (Act II, No.1: Scene)/The Non-Solo Harp As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Hungarian Rhapsody No.1
- The Traditionally Subservient Role Of The Harpsichord In The Baroque Orchestra
- Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Slow Mvt)
- The Piano: King Of The Tuned Percussion/Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Mvt 3)/And A Quarter Of A Century After That:
- Petrushka (Russian Dance)
- The Anti-Romantic Piano As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra
- Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Last Mvt)
Tracks:
- Keyboard Instruments In The Orchestra - The Most Powerful Of Them All:
- Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Finale)
- But Things In Handel's Day Were Very Different.
- Organ Concerto In B Flat, Op.4 No.3 (Last Mvt)
- The Organ Is Difficult To Classify.
- An Unexpected, Organ-related Guest
- Concerto Pour Zampogna (Last Mvt)
- Peasant-Fancying... And A Touch Of The Roaming Cowboy
- Les Miserables (Drink With Me)
- Outside Artefacts And The Power Of Association
- Mahler's Sleighbells
- Symphony No.4 (Opening)
- A Roll-Call Of Some Unusual Guests/The Typewriter/Parade
- Chains, And More/Integrales/An American In Paris/Sandpaper Ballet
- Purpose-Built Oddities: Wind Machines/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Opening)
- Don Quixote (Variation VIII)
- National Calling Cards: The Guitar For Spain/Concierto De Aranjuez (Finale)
- And The Guitar's Poor American Relative, The Banjo/Washington Breakdown
- And Poorer Still, The Mouth Organ/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Packing Up)
- The Balalaika For Russia/Romeo And Juliet (Act II: No.14)
- The Maracas For Mexico/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (El Desayuno)
- The Bongos And Congas And A Whole Wealth Of Other Drums For Africa And Central America/Studio Example
- The Sitar Of India/Evening Raga: Bhapoli
- The Accordion For France (Especially Paris)/Paris Canaille
- The Zither For Vienna/The Third Man (Theme)
- The Cimbalom For Hungary/Folk Dances
- The Guitar As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Rondena
- There Are Whole Orchestras Of Balalaikas./Sveit Mesiats
- The Effect Of The Wordless Human Voice, Used Purely As An Instrument/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
- Nocturnes
- Instruments And the Imitation Of Nature. The Clarinet As Cuckoo
- The Carnival Of The Animals (The Cuckoo)
- The Flute As An All-purpose Aviary
- The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aviary)
- The Oboe As Duck
- Peter And The Wolf (The Duck)
- The Recording Of Reality. Does It Work As Well?
- The Pines Of Rome (The Pines Of The Janiculum)
- The Recording Of Reality Electronically Reborn In New Guises
- Cantus Articus - Concerto For Birds And Orchesra (Mvt 2)
- Beethoven Turns Avian: Cuckoo, Nightingale, And Quail
- Symphony No.6 'Pastoral' (Andante Molto Mosso)
- Some Improbable Casting: The Violin As Braying Donkey
- The Carnival Of The Animals (Persons With Long Ears)
- A Truly Orchestral Hee-haw To Be Reckoned With
- Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
- A Thunderstorm In A Million
- Symphony No.6 'Pastoral (Allegro-Allegretto)
- the Instrumental Depiction Of A Silent World
- The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aquarium)
- Saint-Saens' Menagerie Takes A Curtain Call.
- The Carnival Of The Animals (Finale)
Tracks:
- The Grouping Of Instrumental Families. An Additive Approach. First, Two Violins
- Forty-Four Duos (No.4)
- A Great Contrast, Of Both Pitch And Character: Violin And Viola
- Duo For Violin And Viola In B Flat Major, K.424 (Finale, Vars 1 & 2)/Studio Example
- Arrival Of The Standard String Trio: Violin, Viola, And Cello
- String Trio In B Flat (Menuetto)
- The String Quartet: Two Violins, Viola, And Cello
- String Quartet In F, Op.18 No.1 (Mvt 3)
- The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Viola
- String Quartet No.5 In D, K.593 (Adagio)
- The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Cello
- String Quintet In C (Mvt 3)
- The String Sextet: Two Violins, Two Violas, And Two Cellos
- String Sextet In B Flat (Mvt 2)
- The String Octet: The Standard String Quaret Times Two
- Octet In E Flat, Op.20 (Mvt 1)
- Double The String Octet: A Fully Fledged String Orchestra
- String Symphony No.2 (Finale)
- The Massed Strings Of A Symphony Orchestra
- Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis
- Contrasts Of Pitch And Instrumental 'Colour' In The Woodwind Section
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Theme)
- In The First Variation It's The Horn That Gets The Lion's Share.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 1
- In Variation Two The Torch Is Handed To The Bassoon.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 2
- In Variation Three The Oboe Leads.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 3
- Variation Four: Conversation Before Returning To A Solo-dominated Texture
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 4
- And Variation Five is Dominated By The Clarinet.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 5
- The Next To Be Featured Is The Virtuoso Flute.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 6
- Individual Farewells And A Closing Chorus
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 7
- A Mixed Group: Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, String Quartet, And Double-Bass
- Octet In F (Mvt 3)
- The Early Classical Symphony Orchestra Of Haydn And Mozart
- Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Finale)
- Strings, Wind, But No Brass. What Haydn And Mozart Never Knew
- Canzon 28
- Beethoven's Fifth: Two Horns, Two Trumpets, And Three Trombones Join The Team.
- Symphony No.5 (Finale)
- From Beethoven To The Massive Orchestras Of Berlioz, Wagner, And Mahler
- Beethoven Changed The Face Of The Symphony And The Orchestra Forever
- Symphoy No.6 'Tragic' (Mvt 1)
- The Cult Of Orchestral Elephantiasis Reaches Its Peak.
- Symphony No.1 'Gothic' (VI: Te Ergo Quaesumus)
- When Large Doesn't Necessarily Mean Loud: Debussy
- Images (Gigues)
- A Crisis Of Confidence; The Orchestra's Survival Hangs In The Balance, But It Still Develops. The Ondes Martenot:
- Turangalila Symphony (Chant D'amour 1)
- The Advent Of The 'Early Music' Movement Brings A New Vitality And Freshness.
- Balle De Xerxes (Gavotte En Rondeau)
- Computer And Synthesiser: Friends Or Foes?
- Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
- A Speculative Look Ahead/Mass In B Minor ('Dona Nobis Pacem')
Customer Reviews:
Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!.......2007-04-04
This set lends itself to greatly enhancing one's knowledge of the orchestra, instruments in it, and their usage. I am a huge music buff, and I still picked up a great deal I previously did not know. I highly recommend this for all who wish to understand the origin of music, as well as the processes that are employed to create music!
Beginner or Expert.......2007-03-12
This CD is excellent for the beginner or expert! To be able to haear the instrumets separately and then together really provides a good education. and/or refresher. The book thaty comes with the CD is alomost worth the price by itself!
Very Informative and Enjoyable.......2006-11-20
Whether you're a music novice or pro, "The instruments of the Orchestra" is a very worthwhile purchase. The 7 CDs, with a total of 8 hours, are expertly narrated by Jeremy Siepmann. He's a great speaker, very much like the late Leonard Bernstein was. Mr. Siepmann takes you on an unforgetable musical journey covering the origins and use of the various orchestral instruments throughout musical history. The balance between his narration and a wealth of musical examples, which range from snippets to entire movements, is superb. The comprehensive enclosed booklet is excellent and faithfully follows the 7 CDs in content. Even with my 40+ years of music training I still learned new things from this wonderful collection. Considering the excellence of the content, and a cost that translates to about $5 per disc, this collection is a great value. Grab it, you won't regret that you did. Five solid stars!
Frank's view.......2006-08-19
This boxed set of CD's with booklet achieved all I had hoped that it would. There are good samples of individual instruments and well done commentary on each. The only drawback was that some of the samples were too brief and could have been longer, hoiwever I guess this fits in with time constraints of the medium. It has given me a lot of clues as to future purchases of CD's for listening to individual instruments. Altogeth a satisfactory purchase and a welcome addition to my collection.
Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra.......2003-11-08
I've listened to classical music for years and am interested in composition. I bought this CD set to learn how an orchestra and its instruments work. I thought the CDs would be a nice but boring lecture. They aren't! Not only are they FUN but they are informative as well. I learned a huge amount from each CD and couldn't wait to listen to the next one.
The narrator and writer is a great speaker and holds your attention well. He is definitely knowledgeable. He provides musical examples for each point he makes, so you get to "hear" what he just talked about. I'd say the CDs are about 65% music and 35% narration. You'll learn about the range of instruments, some history, different ways to play them, how they sound, and how they are used in the orchestra. This CD set was a great learning experience and is sold at such a low price!
I recommend this CD for those who want to learn about classical music and those who know about it but are interested in learning more about the inner workings of an orchestra. You'll learn much useful information. For instance, the Rite of Spring (with that eerie start) is written for bassoon! I never knew a bassoon could sound like that but now I do.
The one complaint I have is the last CD. This deals with the orchestra. I wanted more of a tour of how the orchestra has been used through history up to the present. Instead, it was a tour of how different groups of instruments sound. I thought it could have been better. The other 6 CDs are excellent.
Average customer rating:
- Great set of wartime rarities
- Cure for the Blues
- Standard Transcription Collection
|
(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection
Spike Jones
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
General
| Comedy
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
Contemporary Comedy
| Comedy
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
Novelty Music
| Comedic Music
| Comedy
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
General
| Comedic Music
| Comedy
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Strictly for Music Lovers
- Spike Jones - Greatest Hits
- Fonk
- Spiked!: The Music of Spike Jones
- The Spike Jones Story
ASIN: B00007JR3K
Release Date: 2003-04-08 |
Album Description
Holiday blues comin' on? Well, put a spike in `em! Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.
Customer Reviews:
Great set of wartime rarities.......2003-05-14
Spike Jones was the king of the novelty song performers, with hits like "Der Fuehrer's Face" and the parody version of "Sheik of Araby" becoming huge hits during World War II. This is a swell 3-CD set, gathering a full eighty-one of Jones' best tracks from his 1940s heyday, drawn from an extensive archive of radio broadcasts made for the Standard Transcription service. The tightness of his City Slickers band is amply demonstrated in these manic, kookily orchestrated performances. Toots, squonks, blatts and bleats whiz by at lightning speed, as one daffy song after another will delight devoted fans. Amazingly, Jones had the unusual, almost unique ability to perform a repertoire almost entirely made up of comedic material, and yet still be quite listenable and engaging. His jazz chops were hardly in question, and from time to time Jones would dash off a non-novelty ballad or two, just to give the rubes something to think about. Of course, just as often he would perform a song that *sounded* like a straight ballad, but would turn out to be another goof. (One great example of this is the sultry "Serenade To A Jerk," sung in slinky, burlesque tones by Myrtle Horwin.) This collection may seem a little overwhelming, but like his studio recordings, these radio performances have a certain brilliance and joie de vivre about them that will leave you enchanted. Definitely worth checking out!
Cure for the Blues.......2003-04-25
Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet-79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.
Standard Transcription Collection.......2003-04-12
This collection has remastered material from the large stack of Standard Transcription discs from the early 1940's. There are many songs not recorded on RCA, many on the theme of wartime ("48 Reasons Why"), and the quality is excellent. The packaging is threadbare but this is an essential CD package for true music lovers.
Average customer rating:
- One of my best soundtracks...ever
- Rating
- Ragtime (1981 Film Soundtrack)
- A beautiful achievement
- Absolutely brilliant.
|
Ragtime (1981 Film Soundtrack)
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Film Scores
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Movie Scores
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
Movie Soundtracks
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
General
| Musicals
| Broadway & Vocalists
| Styles
| Music
CDs $7 - $10
| Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
All Bargain Titles
| Singer-Songwriters
| Pop
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists
| 4-for-3 Music
| Stores
| Music
4-for-3 Classical
| 4-for-3 Music
| Stores
| Music
4-for-3 Pop
| 4-for-3 Music
| Stores
| Music
4-for-3 Soundtracks
| 4-for-3 Music
| Stores
| Music
4-for-3 All Music
| 4-for-3 Music
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Ragtime
- The Natural (1984 Film)
- The Cotton Club: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
- Good Old Boys (Bonus CD) (Dlx)
- The Sting: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
ASIN: B000065DV8
Release Date: 2002-05-21 |
Tracks:
- Main Title
- Newsreel
- I Could Love a Million Girls
- Train Ride
- Tateh's Picture Book
- Lower East Side
- Delmonico Polka
- Coalhouse and Sarah
- Waltz for Evelyn
- One More Hour
- Sarah's Responsibility
- Change Your Way
- Clef Club No. 1
- Atlantic City
- Clef Club No. 2
- Sarah's Funeral
- Denouement / Morgan Library Takeover / Rhinelander Waldo / Coalhouse's Prayer
- Ragtime
- Ragtime Theme (Demo)
Album Description
Available for the first time on CD! From 2002 Academy Award Winner Randy Newman-the complete 1981 soundtrack restored in digital sound and featuring the bonus track 'Ragtime Theme' (Demo).
Customer Reviews:
One of my best soundtracks...ever.......2007-03-30
Newman's music is both rousing and plaintive. "One More Day" is worth the price of admission alone. Quite simply, beautiful.
Rating.......2007-03-08
Since this stuff is sold out in Europe, it was good to find it at your place. Shipment etc. was all OK and meanwhile we enjoy the music.
Thanks a lot.
Ragtime (1981 Film Soundtrack).......2007-02-20
Beautiful music. It sets a mood throughout that is rather sad no matter what the words say.
A beautiful achievement .......2006-02-25
The excelent Milos Forman timepiece on the 20's based on the Doctorow novel has a marvelous musical translation in this soundtrack close to perfection. It gets the time and mood of the movie, and reflects its main dramatic moments. I would dare to say that this soundtrack is one of the finest coming out from a movie of the 80's. Besides, it sounds great in this digitally remastered version. Do not hesitate to get it. It's a real beauty.
Absolutely brilliant........2005-12-28
I first came across this soundtrack when looking for Donald O'Connor songs - I'm a big fan of his, and I'm trying to track down all the songs he's ever recorded. It just so happens he has one of the most delightful songs on this soundtrack, "I could love a Million Girls". Apparently it's from a Disney film called Summer Magic, but I don't think Disney would approve of how dirty this song is if you think about it! Donald O'Connor was around 55 or so when he recorded this song, so his voice isn't as great as it was once, but he still does a fantastic job.
Now, onto the other songs. "Ragtime" (the song listed on the soundtrack) is hauntingly beautiful - it really captures the feeling and mood of the time, and puts you right back there. Same with most of the other "score" tracks. This is definately one of the best scores out there, and it's a pity it didn't do better. I guess it's almost ahead of it's time a little, considering this was the time period that gave us films like The Blues Brothers and other such early SNL comedies which didn't require scores like Ragtime needed. It really should've done better, but for now enjoy the soundtrack because I doubt you'll get another release of it!
Average customer rating:
- ESSENTIAL Sun Ra
- Some Truly Great 20th Century Music: Too Good To Ignore
- Otherworldly
- I can't believe nobody's reviewed this CD before!
|
The Magic City
Sun Ra
Manufacturer: Evidence
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Avant Garde & Free Jazz
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Contemporary Big Band
| Swing Jazz
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Avant-Garde
| Jazz
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Atlantis
- Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy/Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow
- Jazz in Silhouette
- Super-Sonic Jazz
- When Angels Speak of Love
ASIN: B0000014KK
Release Date: 1993-11-25 |
Tracks:
- The Magic City
- The Shadow World
- Abstract Eye
- Abstract 'I'
Amazon.com
By the mid-1960s, bandleader and composer Sun Ra was delving deeply into extended, improvisation-heavy suites like The Magic City. Reckoned to be a tribute to his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, this long, circuitous piece comes in two different takes on the CD reissue, and both takes are rambunctiously keeled on Ra's core band members, tenor saxophonist John Gilmore and alto saxophonist Marshall Allen, who each offer scouring, ear-pinning interludes. Even so, the music here is huge, with sprawling collective improvisatons that burst with wholehearted high energy, suggesting a latent power that Sun Ra often channeled through both his own intricate scores and reams of cover tunes elsewhere in his several decades as jazz's chief outer-space renegade. --Andrew Bartlett
Customer Reviews:
ESSENTIAL Sun Ra.......2003-01-19
This (IMHO) is one of the finest releases from Sun Ra and the Arkestra. Accessable to the neophyte and satisfying to those familiar with Ra's music. Strong composition and execution. RECOMMENDED!
Some Truly Great 20th Century Music: Too Good To Ignore.......2001-11-15
I'm not going to compare "Magic City" to other jazz albums of the 60's, because it deserves a wider audience than only Sun Ra fans or free jazz afficionados. This album is distinct and amazing even in Sun Ra's eccentric ouevre, and it is without peer. If you appreciate the myriad attempts of 20th Century composers to reach the musical outer limits, such as those of Webern, Berg, Stravinsky, Varese, Bartok, Messiaen, Boulez, Zappa, etc., this is an album you will want to hear. Its textures, sonorities, and extremes of mood, from humor to terror and dread, put it in the august company of every musician who has put a soundtrack to consciousness and creation, to science and synthesis, to form generating itself in pure music. Get it!
Otherworldly.......1999-12-28
This is not the place to start in avant garde jazz. In fact, I suspect that plenty of perfectly reasonable, open-minded jazz fans will never get into this album. Unlike more accessible albums in the genre (Eric Dolphy's _Out to Lunch_, Ornette Coleman's early albums, John Coltrane's recordings between '61-'65) there's not much for most listeners to touch base with here. Harmony, rhythm, and melody are fleeting; the second half of the epic title track, which features extremely discordant horn blowing, will scare off 99% of the reasonable people.
If you're not completely scared off by this, I strongly recommend buying this album; the title suite is an incredibly intense collective improvisation: Sun Ra plays his eerie clavioline while Marshall Allen manically toots his piccolo and Ronnie Boykins does some killer bowing. Finally the rest of the band joins in to what may be some of the most intense and challenging fifteen minutes ever recorded. It truly is from outer space. The second half of the CD is full of shorter pieces that aren't quite as mind blowing but are still remarkable.
Get it if you dare.
I can't believe nobody's reviewed this CD before!.......1999-12-18
This CD is amazing and while I see 13 reviews for Eric Dolphy's "Out to Lunch," I see no reviews for this cd. This seems to show that people just buy those other albums because they're considered so good (and controversial), but never bothered to delve deep into the vein of free jazz, and this album is one of the greatest in that vein. Sounding harsh at times, this album ebbs and flows like no other. The continuously playing clavioline gives the album a constant theme of eerie unknown, like space, or another world. Yet it always manages to come back to sounding earthly. While Eric Dolphy was amazing and monumental in the same area, he never seemed to have the drive that Sun Ra did, who constantly made his musicians rehearse. This album is amazing and I highly recommend buying it for anyone who seriously listens to jazz, or any kind of music (if you want to have a better life, listen to a wide variety of music, that way you find out what you like.) The Magic City engulfs you and causes you to see things you wouldn't normally see. The songs not only are monumental in their sound, but monumental in their ability to represent visual themes, such as outer space and "the Magic City" itself, Birmingham Alabama. Listen to this CD at your local store, then buy it if you like it.
Average customer rating:
- Magic of NBRIDAZ does Roger Troutman proud.
|
Magic City
MC Magic
Manufacturer: Thump Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rap
| Rap & Hip-Hop
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Livin' Shady
- New Ridaz
- Don't Get It Twisted
- Strength & Loyalty
- Ol' Skool Music, Vol. 2
ASIN: B000F8DT2S
Release Date: 2006-05-09 |
Tracks:
- Intro
- Ride It Out
- All My Life
- DJ Kane
- Sexy Lady
- Trippin
- Lies
- Sin Ti
- Tenderoni
- Somebody Like You
- Art Laboe
- Be With U
- Passion
- Be My Lady
- Tell Me
- Let's Pretend
- Beautiful
- Magic Custom CDs
- Crazy For You
- Slow Jam
- Sunday Night Slow Jams Theme
Customer Reviews:
Magic of NBRIDAZ does Roger Troutman proud........2006-06-04
This cd is filled with Roger Troutman praises and shout outs. Every track is tight and produced the right way. Please note that this CD isn't for everyone. Listen to it with your girl nice and slow(a cool tribute to Roger Troutman).
Average customer rating:
- The soprano with the "scimitar glint" in her voice
- Glorious tribute to sadly neglected singer
- One of the great sopranos
- One of the great sopranos
- A Passionate and Elegant Soprano
|
The Art of Pilar Lorengar
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Dvorák, Antonín
| ( D )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Falla
| Falla, Manuel de
| ( F )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Granados, Enrique
| ( G )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Korngold, Erich Wolfgang
| ( K )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
| Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Puccini
| Puccini, Giacomo
| ( P )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Strauss
| Strauss, Richard
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Turina
| Turina, Joaquin
| ( T )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Wagner
| Wagner, Richard
| ( W )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Korngold, Erich Wolfgang
| Composers
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vocal & Song
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Keyboard
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Piano
| Keyboard
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
London Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( L )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( V )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romances
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Modern & 20th Century
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Czech
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
French
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
German
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Italian
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
The Decca Records Store
| Specialty Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Prima Donna in Vienna
- Pasión!
- Songs by Fauré, Hahn and Head; Arias by Rossini and Handel
- The Most Famous Opera Arias
ASIN: B00007EBGI
Release Date: 2003-03-11 |
Customer Reviews:
The soprano with the "scimitar glint" in her voice.......2003-11-22
Pilar Lorengar may not be as famous as her Spanish Counterparts, Victoria De Los Angeles and Montserrat Caballe. But, opera afficionados still treasure her. The reasons why are elaborately laid out on this two-disc recital. The first disc is dominated in the first half by Puccini arias. Since these are famous arias, it would be easy to sing them in a conventially pretty manner. Instead, Lorengar offers wonderful interpretations of such arias as Un Bel Di and a personal favorite, Senza Mamma. She may not be able to belt it out like some of her peers, but she invokes a true sense of artistry. The same can be said for her Mozart- just listen to the aching way she sings the first line of Dove Sono- "E Susanna non vien..." Another standout is Come Scoglio, which she sings with great flair and drama. My only gripe, which is why I gave this recital 4 stars instead of 5 is that, alas, there is nothing from one of her greatest roles, Donna Elvira. It is very baffling why the linear essay makes mention of how successful her Met debut as Donna Elvira was, but nary an aria made the cut for the first disc. However, if you want to hear her interpretation of this great role, buy the highlight disc of Don Giovanni, which is readily available, for budget-price. The disc also features Sutherland and Horne.
Two other favorites from this disc are the moon aria from Rusalka, as well as the duet from Arabella, which is heartbreakingly beautiful. Thankfully, she is paired up with Arleen Auger, an accomplished artist in her own right.
The second disc of Zarzuela is wonderful as well. Especially wonderful are the Tonadillas. Just Lorengar's lovely voice, and Alicia Dellarocha's piano. Very relaxing to listen to...
Sadly, Lorengar is no longer with us, but her artistry is her, for us to treasure.
Glorious tribute to sadly neglected singer.......2003-07-08
Although known among opera aficianados, Pilar Lorengar never reached the heights of fame and name recognition as her contemporaries Callas and Sutherland. This has lead to an unfortunate dirth of Lorengar on CD, and which makes this compilation most welcome. Although never an operatic superstar, Lorengar had a magnificent instrument: soft, creamy, dramatic when necessary, and always charming. Fortunately she had a long career with Decca and made some magnificent recordings, many of which appear on this delicious two-CD set. I think few can fail be to moved by her near-perfect Mimi, her touching Cio-Cio San (infused with just the right amounts of pathos and fortitude, her ravishing Mozart interpretations, and her silvery reading of Korngold's "Gluck, das mir verlieb". The second CD is entirely made up of her specialty repertoire of songs from her native Spain, and these, while maybe not quite as familiar, are also a delight. Hopefully this compilation will make her better known to casual opera fans who only listen to Callas or Fleming simply because they're better-known names; this has been a much-needed release!
P.S. - For those who would like an inexpensive introduction to Lorengar in a complete operatic role, it has come to my attention that Decca is re-issuing her fantastic "Cosi Fan Tutte" (conducted by Solti) in its "Compact Opera" series very soon. The cast, which also includes Berganza, is perfect and Solti's conducting right on the mark. Keep your eyes open for it!
One of the great sopranos.......2003-06-16
Pilar Lorengar is the best Spanish soprano of the last fifty years. Her silvery voice, beautiful vibrato, and clear phrasing are something to behold. Her Rossini's Stabat Mater (with Pavarotti, Minton, Sotin, Kertész cond) is the best version of this work. Her Traviata (Maazel cond.), Don Giovanni (Bonynge cond.), and Gounod's St.Cecilia Mass (Hartemann cond.) are superb. But I believe the best Lorengar is in her early zarzuela recordings, where her voice had, apart from all its other qualities, a young, sweet, candid tone that touched the listener, and her vibrato evoked a fountain of fresh, clear water. I hope some recording company produces a CD set with her zarzuela arias, and pieces with other soloists. Meanwhile, the present Decca two-disc release is very welcome.
One of the great sopranos.......2003-06-16
Pilar Lorengar is the best Spanish soprano of the last fifty years. Her silvery voice, beautiful vibrato, and clear phrasing are something to behold. Her Rossini's Stabat Mater (with Pavarotti, Minton, Sotin, Kertész cond) is the best version of this work. Her Traviata (Maazel cond.), Don Giovanni (Bonynge cond.), and Gounod's St.Cecilia Mass (Hartemann cond.) are superb. But I believe the best Lorengar is in her early zarzuela recordings, where her voice had, apart from all its other qualities, a young, sweet, candid tone that touched the listener, and her vibrato evoked a fountain of fresh, clear water. I hope some recording company produces a CD set with her zarzuela arias, and pieces with other soloists. Meanwhile, the present Decca two-disc release is very welcome.
A Passionate and Elegant Soprano.......2003-04-29
At last, Decca has made amends for ignoring this magnificent artist by releasing a 2-disc set of some of her best recordings of the 60s and 70s. Actually I dont think Lorengar ever made a bad or even an uninteresting recording. She was a superb lyric who was the equal of Freni, and far more versatile. A star at the San Francisco and Berlin Staatsoper, Lorengar enjoyed a long and successful career. Her appearances at the Metropolitan Opera were events. I saw her as Desdemona, Elsa, and Fiordiligi, and she was wonderful (how sad that I missed hearing her there in the 60s).
There was some controversy about her singing. Terry McEwen, her great supporter at London records in the United States, loved what her called her "shimmering" top, that reminded him of the great German lyrics, Schwartzkopf, Reining, Lemnitz, Muller, Janowitz,etc. Some found that gorgeously blooming top to contain a beat, or a slight wobble. Nothing could be further from the truth. That top, coupled with her superb diction, and excellent vocal technique and outstanding breathing, made her one of the most distinctive voices of her generation. The top was pure sunshine with a throb. Nobody sounded remotely like her. I loved her singing.
I wish Decca had released all her fine recordings for that company in a multi-disc set. Perhaps they were worried that it wouldn't sell. Her first recital of Italian and French arias, the Prima Donna in Vienna album, as well as her Spanish song recital with the incomparable Alica de Larrocha, and her final Decca recital were all superb, and might have fit on three generous CDs. Here we get bits and pieces from all the LPs, plus arias from some her her complete recordings on Decca. So we're missing such treasures as her arias from THE PEARL FISHERS, DON CARLO, and other important items.
I don't care. Lorengar's superb singing of arias from MADAMA BUTTERFLY, LA BOHEME, LA RONDINE, LOUISE, RUSALKA, LOHENGRIN, DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, COSI FAN TUTTE, ARABELLA (with Arlene Auger!) and others (plus a generous selection of that famous Spanish song recital), make the point abundantly clear. No matter what language Lorengar is singing, she touches the heart.
Today's lyrics could learn a lot from listening to these superb selections. Lorengar's beautiful legato singing is married to the text of each item she sings. Here is a lyric with a strong middle to go along with the bottom and top ranges. She and her conductors never dawdle, pulling at the rubato as though it were Turkish Taffey such as Renee Fleming (who has an compellingly beautiful voice which she undermines with deadly slow tempi and and overly complicated phrasing).
Lorengar was intermittently busy in the recording studios throughout her long career. If you can find her recording of THE BARTERED BRIDE (EMI and in German, rather than the original Czech), grab it. She's a superb Pamina and Fiordiligi for Solti (Decca). On Fritz Wunderlich's Gala CD set, she partners him brilliantly in a live recording of the Act one duet from MADAMA BUTTERFLY. I'm a huge fan of her work on the Maazel-led LA TRAVIATA (also on Decca). She was still in superb voice in the mid to late 80s in a live Zarzuela concert with Placido Domingo (Sony). And near the end of her career, she still stunned in the famous LES HUGUENOTS duet at a Richard Tukcr gala with the emerging Richard Leech. Sadly, she died in her late 50s, a victim of cancer.
Lorengar's recordings got lost in the re-issue shuffle of the first wave of CD's issued around 1983. I finally snagged a collection which was re-mastered for release in Japan, spending a fortune for this import just to have some Lorengar on CD. That must have been at least 10 years ago. Decca has finally rectified this shamless omission. This 2-CD set offers the richest trove of her recordings we have so far. A must-have set, Lorengar delivers direct, heartfelt, elegant singing to set beside the best of Freni, Price, Moffo, Te Kanawa, etc.
Average customer rating:
- Leaves One Drooling for More!
- If You Buy 1 Mozart, Get This One!
- Recommended
|
The Mozart Collection
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , John Rutter , Jackson Berkey , Duke Dobing , Thelma Owen , Roger Fallows , and City of London Sinfonia
Manufacturer: American Gramaphone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
| Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Concertinos
| Concertos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Concertos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Divertimentos
| Serenades & Divertimentos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Classical
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Chamber Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Piano
| Keyboard
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Clarinet
| Reeds & Winds
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
Meditation
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
| Cantatas
| Romances
Modern & 20th Century
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
German
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- The Johann Sebastian Bach Collection
- The Handel Collection
ASIN: B0000005MD
Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Overature, Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage Of Figaro), K. 492
- Second Movement (Andante) From Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major, K. 467
- Finale (Allegro) From Concerto In C Major For Flute And Harp, K. 299
- First Movement (Molto Allegro) From Symphony No. 40 In G Minor, K. 550
- Second Movement (Minuet And Trio) From Symphony No. 40 In A Major, K. 622
- Third Movement (Minuet And Trio) From Symphony No. 39 In E Flat, K. 543
- Finale (Presto) From String Divertimento In D Major, K. 136
- Finale (Allegretto) From Piano Concerto No. 12 In A Major, K. 414
- Overture, Die Zaberflote (The Magic Flute), K. 620
Customer Reviews:
Leaves One Drooling for More!.......2005-12-16
First off, I tend to avoid samplers such as this in classical music, prefering to listen to an entire piece rather than selected movements. But a friend gave me this for Christmas years ago and I've found it to get quite a bit of playing time. The selections are exemplary, the performances excellent and the recording quality is outstanding. What more could you ask for? (Simple - you could ask for the entire pieces rather than just selections) If you want a sample to wet your lips, try track 5, which is the second movement from the clarinet concerto in A major (K622). Incredible!
If You Buy 1 Mozart, Get This One!.......2001-03-19
This CD was the first classical music I purchases. Over the years it kept growing on me and drawing me into classicial music. Now that I have a good classical music collection, I still find myself popping this CD in the player more often than any other. It has a great assortment of songs performed and recorded well.
Recommended.......1999-03-31
Masterful. Rutter is a genius
Average customer rating:
- Under their spell
- This city is good.
- Gives "Prog" Back Its Good Name
- not another fairy tale..
- Sultry Surrealism for the 21st Century
|
Magic City
Helium
Manufacturer: Matador Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| American Alternative
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Indie Rock
| Indie & Lo-Fi
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Noise
| Rock
| Alternative Styles
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Alternative Rock
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Indie & Lo Fi
| Alternative Rock
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
American Alternative
| Alternative Rock
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- No Guitars EP
- The Golden Dove
- Ex Hex
- Superball
- Nowhere
ASIN: B0000036VZ
Release Date: 1997-09-23 |
Tracks:
- Vibrations
- Leon's Space Song
- Ocean Of Wine
- Aging Astronauts
- Medieval People
- Lady Of The Fire
- Lullaby Of The Moths
- The Revolution Of Hearts Pts. I and II
- Ancient Cryme
- Cosmic Rays
- Devil's Tear
- Clementine
- Blue Rain Soda
- Walk Away
Amazon.com
The second full album from this Boston-based trio is a rich, complex effort that keeps you coming back again and again, and it grows with every listen. Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Mary Timony has a wealth of cool influences--from Krautrock and the Cars to the Velvets and vintage Pink Floyd--but all of them are filtered through her own distinctive personality, and married with lyrics that take an unromantic but nonetheless inspiring view of life in the modern world. Produced by Mitch Easter (Let's Active, R.E.M., Pavement), this is a lush, multi-layered disc full of such enticing touches as funky analog synths, cool overdriven guitar tones, Eastern percussion, and strings. In fact, the sound is almost as seductive as Timony herself. --Jim Derogatis
Customer Reviews:
Under their spell.......2004-12-19
This album is often absent from "Best of the 90's" lists, but it is easily one of the top twenty releases of that decade. Mary Timony transports the listener to her inner fantasy world on this concept album filled with great guitar playing and bizarre medieval instrumentation. The Magic City is surreal, warm, colorful, mysterious, and not without a sense of humor. This is the album that best showcases Mary Timony's talents as both a songwriter and a guitar player. In twenty years, the most creative artists in indie rock will be citing this as a monumental and influential album. Buy this album and listen to it early in the morning as the sun comes up.
This city is good........2004-11-04
Mary Timony is a childwoman genius. Always aloof and sparkling, she presents you an album that will make you want to do a few cartwheels and maybe a little mystical cheerleading. Many props to bassist and drummer for orchestrating the brilliance of this album. I still remain most devoted to The Dirt of Luck, though, so if you like this, eat that, too.
Gives "Prog" Back Its Good Name.......2003-03-26
I hope I'm not offending any indie die-hards out there, but "The Magic City" really does remind me of early Genesis in places, with grandiose, madrigal melodies and odd textures abounding. "Lullaby Of The Moths" immedeately comes to mind, with its lush Elizabethan swoon, and "The Revolution of Hearts Pts I and II" practically screams Gabriel-era Genesis, with it's brusque, galloping riff pattern and eight-minute sprawl. This record is a God-send to me because it finally reconciles my lingering love of the old Genesis records that got me through high school with the indie rock that sustained me through my post-adolescent drift. Mary Timony, on the smattering of Helium releases (two LPs, two EPs) and on her two solo records, has become one of my musical heroes, and this brilliant record has taken a prime spot in my collection, right beside "Foxtrot" and "Selling England By The Pound". Now if only Sleater-Kinney would do a riff-rock record about pipers and misty mountains....
not another fairy tale.........2001-12-09
Mary Timony is just one of those rare poison flowers. She hooks you in with this beautiful "magic" sound, then she throws it in your face. She's so sarcastic/sardonic and it gives her power. This album isn't just another teenage fairy tale girl thing, it goes way beyond that...
Sultry Surrealism for the 21st Century.......1999-10-31
Helium is one of those bands, much like Throwing Muses during the Eighties, that may never be appreciated by the public until after the fact (ten years after).
"The Magic City" is a lush and cryptic album that should be listened to at night with headphones. The dreamy, pastel imagery of Timony is full of texture and color. It's not just Timony's seductive voice and lyrical power that make this record work, it's the range of influences, from Pavement to King Crimson that seem to drive you along as you listen.
Certainly worth the price of admission.
Average customer rating:
- Elegant is as elegant does!
|
A Portrait
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by J.S. Bach
| Bach, Johann Sebastian
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Canteloube, Joseph
| ( C )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Fauré, Gabriel
| ( F )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Franck, César
| ( F )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Gounod
| Gounod, Charles
| ( G )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Handel
| Handel, George Frideric
| ( H )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Herbert
| Herbert, Victor
| ( H )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Korngold, Erich Wolfgang
| ( K )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
| Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Puccini
| Puccini, Giacomo
| ( P )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Rodgers, Richard
| ( R )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Strauss Jr., Johann
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Strauss
| Strauss, Richard
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Verdi
| Verdi, Giuseppe
| ( V )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Villa-Lobos, Heitor
| ( V )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Film Scores
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Baroque (c.1600-1750)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vocal & Song
| Baroque (c.1600-1750)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Requiems
| Forms & Genres
| Early Music
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Korngold, Erich Wolfgang
| Composers
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Villa-Lobos, Heitor
| Composers
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Chamber Music
| Forms & Genres
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vocal & Song
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Chamber Music
| Forms & Genres
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vocal & Song
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Te Kanawa, Dame Kiri
| ( T )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Harrell, Lynn
| ( H )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
London Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( L )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
National Philharmonic Orchestra London
| ( N )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( V )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Sacred & Religious
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romances
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Baroque (c.1600-1750)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Modern & 20th Century
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
English
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
French
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
German
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Italian
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Operettas
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Oratorios
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Musical Theater
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Oratorios
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Passions
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Requiems
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Movie Soundtracks
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
The Decca Records Store
| Specialty Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Kiri
- Angela Gheorghiu -
|