Editorial Review

Here are three dozen pieces of music, all played by Yo-Yo Ma, culled from his extensive discography. Aside from the technical mastery and beautiful tone that are absolutes in all of his playing, one is dazzled by his curiosity and ability to adapt to so many forms and types of music. His Bach and Vivaldi are pellucid and played with non-sentimental crispness, his tango music gritty and rhythmically pungent, his jazz seemingly spontaneous, the "Meditation" from Read more

Reviews (8)

Great Collection!
Between these two disks, the listener experiences the expansive swath of this virtuoso's briliant repetoire.I bought the disk primarily for Bach's Prelude from Cello Suite No 1 in G Major, but I also loved the other Bach selections and the hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Simple Gifts".I have heard other performances by Yo-Yo Ma of this Cello suite selection, but I found this version to be the most stylistically appealing--at least by my humble tastes.I usually avoid compilation cds ("best of" is usually a turn off), but this is a definite thumbs-up.At the very least, it will point the way to other selections to pursue in greater depth.It really is a great musical find!

DVD purchase
Purchasing this product was hassle free and arrived well packaged in short time frame considering overseas destination.
After heearing both discs-- totally Out-0f-Sight!
Before first hearing this awesome Essential Yo-Yo Ma, my hearing Yo-Yo Ma in person came from a few feet from front-stage. Yet hearing him on ear-phones on this CD each morning, you get sucherie aura of inner presence, from the Prelude of Bach Suite No 1 in G major, then Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Sheep May Safely Graze, full Orchestra with Wachet Auf, "Simple Gifts" played by the Master Musician, sung by the plaintive soprano voice of an angel, two Morricone Pieces, "Gabriel's Oboe and the Falls" + "The Eternal Vow," from the Crouching Tiger and "The Cellist of Sarajevo." It is 153 minutes of blessed, calming, soothing, heavenly, Eternally Peaceful, flowing of Melodies!
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Subjects:  1. Cantata    2. Cello Concerto    3. Cello Solo    4. Cello with Keyboard    5. Chamber    6. Chamber Music    7. Choral    8. Choral Music    9. Chorale Prelude or Chorale Treatment for Keyboard    10. Classical    11. Classical Artists    12. Concerto    13. Film    14. Film Music    15. Keyboard    16. Keyboard Music    17. Miscellaneous    18. Miscellaneous Music    19. Orchestral    20. Orchestral & Symphonic   

Editorial Review

Have some friends who still haven't discovered what the Sarah Brightman fuss is all about? You'll find the perfect introduction to make converts of them all in Read more

Reviews (139)

Pleasently Suprised
I am a new fan to Sarah Brightman, this is the first CD I have purchased, I am delighted to say I LOVE IT,, her voice is haunting and the lyrics are amazing... I am now a Sarah Brightman FAN... Great CD I higly recommend it!!!

I love this !
This is an amazing cd. Sarah Brightman is a great vocalist, who already is a household name in classical music. There are good songs and I finally found the song i was looking for- from the Secret Garden "Anytime, Anywhere." It's an amazing song and alsoAva Maria. A good song. Some other opera singers don't really know how to make their voices pure... as they grow up into woman. But, Sarah has accomplished this role in making her voice still pure, but amazing.

Fails to impress...
Now I'm as much a Sarah Brightman fan as the next guy; thought she was terrific vocally as "Phantom"'s Christine.Listening to this CD helps me to remember that was *20* years ago.What Sarah lacks in vocal control and tonality she makes up for in breathiness and her infamous "swooping" up into high notes.
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Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard    2. Adagio for Orchestra    3. Adult Contemporary    4. Chamber    5. Choral    6. Classical Vocal Crossover    7. Czech Romantic Opera    8. Etude for Keyboard    9. Guitar Solo    10. Italian 20th/21st Century Opera    11. Italian Baroque Opera    12. Italian Romantic Opera    13. Keyboard    14. Musical Theater    15. Musicals    16. Opera    17. Operettas    18. Orchestral    19. Pop    20. Pop Vocals   

Editorial Review

This is a misnomer--not all of these duets are all that famous--but it's a fine compilation nonetheless. You'll hear selections from Bizet's Read more

Reviews (23)

The closest thing
This is a marvelous CD, especially the Pearl Fisher's duet with Gedda and Blanc.I would rank that performance second all time, just below the
The Most Famous Opera Duets
The quality of the recording is good. The variety of artists used is good

Great value for the money
This is literally the CD that sparked my love for opera. The duet from "The Pearl Fishers" is just stunning. I'm buying another copy of this because my husband accidentally tossed the old one along with our old (nonfunctional) CD player. Can't do without this CD! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Music    3. French Romantic Opera    4. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    5. German/Austrian Romantic Opera    6. Italian Romantic Opera    7. Opera    8. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    9. Opera/Operetta Collections    10. V/a Compilations   

Editorial Review

The labels that are now gathered under the Universal Classics umbrella have a pretty impressive scorecard in the area of classical compilations. We've seen Read more

Reviews (31)

Bought This & Kid's and I Love It - a review of "The # 1 Opera Album"
We just purchased this 2 CD set so we'd have something to listen to in the car (other than The Wiggles and Barney - lol) and we couldn't be happier.The offerings are great and include so many of the 'popular' arias that I wanted to introduce to our children:boy and girl; 4 and 6 y.o. respectively.
#1 Opera Album
Great collection of performances by some true legends in the opera world. The entire album is very well done.

Wonderful Compilation
A wonderful compilation of some of the most beautiful music in the world. One reviewer panned the selection of voices, but that sounds like sour grapes. While you might be disappointed if your favorite artist is not included, there's no doubt that this collection will entertain the listener for many hours. You'll enjoy this music over and over again. Buy it and enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art Song (General)    2. Classical    3. Classical Music    4. Czech Romantic Opera    5. French Romantic Opera    6. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    7. German/Austrian Romantic Opera    8. Italian 20th/21st Century Opera    9. Italian Romantic Opera    10. Opera    11. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    12. Opera/Operetta Collections    13. Vocal   

Reviews (4)

Opera for Children
This is an excellent CD to introduce children to some of the more familiar operas.I would highly recommend this CD for children and also for adults who want to become familiar with opera.

Great Opera for Children
This CD is an excellent compilation of opera for children and adults alike. The operas that are represented on this disc are: Carmen, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Faust, Il Trovatore, Madama Butterfly, Die Walkure, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Aida, Die Zauberflote, and Hansel und Gretel. People love the Children's March, as well as the Toreador Chorus, from the opera Carmen. The well known Toreador Song is performed on this CD by great bass- baritone Jose van Dam. Children who watch Bugs Bunny will recognize "Largo al factotum" from Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Sherrill Milnes performs the role of Figaro expertly, and his falsetto is evident in Figaro's famous patter aria. Great choruses, like the Soldier's Chorus from Faust, the Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore, the Triumphal Chorus from Aida, and the Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly make appearences on this CD. The Doll Song from Les Contes d'Hoffmann is performed by soprano Joan Sutherland. She uses her voice to rise up and down, like a mechanical doll. My favorite German baritone, Hermann prey, performs Papageno's entrance aria from Die Zauberflote, as well was the duet with Papagena. Choruses from Hansel und Gretel round the CD.

My six-year old liked it!
My six year-old son enjoyed hearing this CD. We like to sing together, so we found many of the pieces quite alot. But to be honest, when we discovered the more recently released CD, The Classical Child AT the Opera, he went wild because all the pieces have been translateded into English, so it's much more enjoyable for us to sing along. So I would recommend it, but check out the other one as well -- your kids will be glad you did. All the best, Steven ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Music    3. French Romantic Opera    4. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    5. German/Austrian Romantic Opera    6. Italian Romantic Opera    7. Opera    8. Opera/Operetta Collections   

Editorial Review

For many of us, Leonard Bernstein's first Mahler cycle for CBS (compiled here, remastered and cheaper than ever) has stood the test of time since it initially came out on LP in the late 1960s. Upon completing this traversal of nine symphonies (and the "Adagio" movement from the unfinished 10th), Lenny and the New York Philharmonic achieved something no one else had and proved that Mahler was, simply put, worth recording in the first place. It's still a marvelous set of recordings that belongs in every record collection.Read more

Features

• Box set
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (23)

Bernstein or Tennstedt: read on....
If the only way you could obtain the Mahler Symphonies was by buying a box containing them all by one conductor, then this would be my second choice, or my first!; my first (or second)would be the Tennstedt set. It's a close call thoughout - a 'swings and roundabouts' situation, but if Bernstein's was the one and only then I would be happy enough. Actually if you want a truly satisfying Mahler Symphonies collection then the two sets together sitting side by side on your CD shelf would be pretty well ideal, as I believe that the legacy of recordings by these two great men are nowhere surpassed (save Horenstein in the Fourth, Barbirolli in the Sixth and Rudolf Schwarz in the Fifth). As to comparisons between individual symphonies, the following would be my first choice:
Comparing the two Bernstein Mahler cycles
Most buyers aren't in the market for a complete Mahler cycle by a single conductor, but if they were, the two from Bernstein contain many great performances. I've reviewed the contents of this Sixties cycle on Sony and the later one from the Eighties (contianing many live performances) on DG, taking them one symphony at a time. But it's worthwhile to give a sense of the strongest and weakest parts of each set.
Mahler complete symphonies.
"Mahler was an altogether great man" -One who also knows a thing or two. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Box Sets (Audio Only)    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Music For String Orchestra    6. Orchestral    7. Orchestral & Symphonic    8. Romantic Symphony    9. Romantic Symphony with Multiple Solo Voices and Chorus    10. Romantic Symphony with Solo Voice    11. Romantic Symphony with Solo Voice and Chorus    12. Solo Voice with Piano or Orchestra    13. Song Cycle for Solo Voice with Piano or Orchestra    14. Symphonic    15. Vocal   

Reviews (16)

Grandiose
This is a nice collection of hymns, but done in a theatrical style, connecting groups of hymns without singing all of the verses (or at least the most familiar) verses. If you like splashy, stirring, hollywood renditions of hymns, you'll like this. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like it. I am planning to give my set to a family member who will appreciate it.

Timeless Legacy
These albums have been a mainstay of choral hymnal recordings and a standard for inspirational compilations for decades, much celebrated in the then-emerging Christian music community when it was originally released, even given it's classical style. I was thrilled to discover that these were actually still in print; a testament to the timelessness of these performances.
A Waste of $11
Don't be fooled by the samples. They've taken some of the greatest hymns ever composed, sung them beautifully but abridged them almost beyond recognition. It may benefit an organ-student or a recent convert who'd like a varied `sampler' of traditional church music. But to the mature hymn-loving believer it's a disaster of a CD. They've managed to outdo the Football Association by making "Abide with Me" even shorter than the F.A. Cup version. The medleys sound a little contrived for me, but may suit some tastes. Heaven knows why they decided to record the 1st and 3rd verses of a personal favourite of mine "Once to Every Man and Nation". This hymn is what I would term `climactic' in that the final two lines are a sort of theological `punch-line' for the entire hymn. The reckless omission of verses 2 and 4 would have James Russell Lowell turning in his grave!!!
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Crossover    3. Contemporary Christian Music    4. Religious / Contemp. Christian   

Editorial Review

Sony has brought together Shostakovitch's greatest concertos in first recordings made soon after their American premieres by the artists most closely identified with them. Neither performance has been bettered, though some, such as Vengerov's Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (11)

Slava! Electrifying stuff!
These are absolutely gorgeous recordings of both pieces. Indeed, these are the first ever recordings of both pieces, both recorded just months after their world premieres in the USSR, in 1956 and 1959. Sony have done an excellent job with the remastering, and the sound is crisp and clean.
Stunning Shostakovich
Rostropovich in the Cello Concerto is superb and, without question, this is the greatest STUDIO account of the Violin Concerto.But please note: Oistrakh and Mitropoulos gave the American premiere of the Violin Concerto in a LIVE radio broadcast performance on New Year's Day 1956, and the studio recording on this Sony CD was made the following day.That LIVE premiere performance can be heard (excellent sound!) in a 10-disc box set from the New York Philharmonic called "The Historic Broadcasts 1923 to 1987."It's an expensive set ($225), but it contains some other extraordinary items, such as Stravinsky conducting Tchaikovsky's 2nd Symphony, Artur Rubinstein's finest account of the Chopin Piano Concerto #1 with Bruno Walter, Kirsten Flagstad and Walter in an incredible Immolation Scene from Wagner's Gotterdammerung, Stokowski's only recording of Mendelssohn's "Scotch" Symphony, and a great performance by Heifetz with Toscanini of the Brahms Violin Concerto.While I'm not a Heifetz fan - to my ears, Oistrakh was a far greater artist - this was Heifetz's finest account of the Brahms.
Cello concerto is great. Violin concerto is just good.
I have heard several recordings of Shostakovich Cello concerto #1, but nothing tops this one.This is one of those pieces needs a top-notch cellist and orchestra to sound good. Otherwise it can easily sound like a muddle. I always feel like I have been on a long trip after listing to this piece. It starts out deceptively light with it's four note theme but quickly takes a darker turn. The second movement features two haunting yet beautiful themes. The cadenza starts out slow and brooding and reprises both themes from the second movement.It slowly turns demonic and leads directly into the final movement. The final movement adds a new exotic theme but then brings back the original four-note theme with a vengeance. As for the violin concerto it isn't bad by any means. My problem with it is I first heard a live version of this piece also recorded by Oistrakh (I think on BBC Legends) which despite the audience noises blows this one away.In addition I believe it was in stereo where as this version was recorded in mono. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cello Concerto    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Concerto    6. Orchestral & Symphonic    7. Violin Concerto   

Editorial Review

If you like your Wagner served up in bleeding chunks or if you're simply in a hurry to hear the tunes, then this compilation is for you. The performances, drawn from the Polygram (mainly Deutsche Grammophon) back catalog, are for the most part authoritative. They feature the likes ofHerbert von Karajan,with the Berlin Philharmonic, and Karl Böhm, with the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra (and chorus), in extracts from recordings of complete operas, and conductors Giuseppe Sinopoli, Otto Gerdes, and Antal Doráti in some of the more familiar overtures and preludes. Singing, without which it is impossible to get the full flavor of Wagner's work, is skirted whenever possible: this is an unapologetic tribute to Wagner the orchestral genius. At times the salesmanship is a little overblown--the glitzy packaging includes a cover shot of the helicopters from Read more

Reviews (27)

A great addition to my music collection
This CD takes the place of all my other Wagner music. VERY well done. Somehow I didn't realize that there were two cds in the package--what a pleasant surprise! Of the two cds, I like the first one best, but they are both good. I listen to this cd daily on my way to work. Stirring! I am so glad that I purchased this. Some purists might have a problem with the fact that some of the selections are not there in their entirety.I have no problem with that though. I recommend this to anyone who loves Wagner.

Quintessential Wagner
Okay, so I like Wagner.I LOVE "Ride Of The Valkyries".Do I want to go out and buy every single stinkin thing Wagner did?No.If you are a die-hard Wagner fan you probably will not think much of this collection.
100 STARS, If possible...
Fellow listeners, this CD collection is a real treat. I think of it as a "teaser" for one of the greatest romantic composers. Some of the other reviews here criticize this CD set for "chopping up" Wagner. While I realize that this takes place, it in no way compromises a single chord of the wonderful playing on these CDs.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. German/Austrian Romantic Opera    5. Miscellaneous Music    6. Opera    7. Orchestral    8. Orchestral & Symphonic    9. Romantic Orchestral Music   

Editorial Review

For those who want the most remembered passages of classical music's best-loved works, here's a package for you. On this bargain priced double-CD, you'll find music from 40 different classical composers; for the most part, the recordings excerpted here are some of the very best. Of course, you only get one Bach sampling (Read more

Reviews (26)

Waste of money
Watch out for the volume leveling mentioned in another review. Surely the compliers could have come up with a better sort order than by composer. The change in tempo/volume between pieces makes it impossible to enjoy. My two CD's ended up in the trash.
Great Music Compilation
This is a great CD full of many songs that you will recognize and enjoy.If you are someone who likes classical music but doesn't necessarily know which songs or which composers you like, then this CD is for you.You will likely recognize many of the songs as the classical songs you would have picked out to be your favorites.

If you like classical music don't buy this CD.
Most of the tracks were chopped down to 3-4 minutes so some of the best parts of the compositions are missing.I don't know what I was thinking trying to buy 40 classical songs on two CD's.If you really want to enjoy the music you would do better to purchase a CD with fewer, but better quality tracks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music    2. Adagio for Orchestra    3. Cantata    4. Chamber    5. Chamber Music    6. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    7. Choral    8. Classical    9. Classical Composers    10. Classical Music    11. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    12. Concerto    13. Film    14. Film Music    15. French Operetta    16. French Romantic Opera    17. German/Austrian Romantic Opera    18. Italian Romantic Opera    19. Keyboard    20. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title   

Reviews (5)

the most sensetive musicever
This music take me away from every day troubles and brings my soul to a beutiful world of music.Saint-Saent's vision of music is different, his creations are sensitive and intence. He is agreat talent.

Cool Camille
I think that the sound of Saint Saens Music is very unique.I think that anyone out there wanting to listen to some excellent writing I assure you that Saint Saens has written it.On behalf of Amazon I would definitely rate this music 5 stars.I thank Amazon for a perfect portrayal of his works.You shoppers out there might want to take a look at buying this. Astounding!!!
I have come accross very few CD's that have 74 minutes of music that I enjoy.This CD is one of those.Mason Jones does a great job on Morceau, everyone likes danse bachannalle, the piano concerto is great, it's just a really enjoyable CD to own.I recommend it highly, it's one of my favorites. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Concerto    7. Flute Concerto    8. French Horn Concerto    9. French Romantic Opera    10. Opera    11. Orchestral    12. Orchestral & Symphonic    13. Piano Concerto    14. Romantic Orchestral Music    15. Romantic Symphony    16. Romantic Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem for Orchestra    17. Symphonic    18. Violin Concerto   

Reviews (15)

Don't...!!!
To combine a voice as beautiful as Pavarotti's with some of the world's greatest music and outstanding orchestras, and end up with this...`thing'...is unforgivable. After buying and listening to it, it brought to mind those painful words "A fool, a fool. I saw a fool today. I saw him in the mirror."
Great Tenor - Poor CD Quality
I have never been a huge fan of Maestro Pavarotti but I must admit that this compilation is a masterful collection of his operatic highlights.
Great Music......Horrible Mastering
Pavarotti has a voice that can take hold of you and change your entire mood...even if you don't know Italian. The problem with this set is the mastering (mastering evens out the volumes and signal to noise ratio on an album). The first CD in this collection is so quiet that you literally have to crank your player to get any kind of volume. For a professional CD this is absolutely unacceptable.
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Subjects:  1. Art Song (General)    2. Classical    3. Classical Artists    4. Classical Music    5. Classical Period Music for Voice and Keyboard    6. French Romantic Opera    7. German/Austrian Operetta    8. German/Austrian Romantic Opera    9. Italian Romantic Opera    10. Italy    11. Miscellaneous    12. Miscellaneous Music    13. Opera    14. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    15. Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard    16. Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra    17. Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble    18. Vocal    19. Vocal Music   

Reviews (5)

Surprisingly good, beautifully done
I don't usually like compilation CDs of this sort, since they pull the songs out of their original contexts. But, in this case, the choices are thoughtful and the way they have been intermixed throughout this two-CD set are exemplary.

Beautiful, Relaxing, Enjoyable, Romantic.
You don't need to be an opera fan to appreciate the marvelous selection of music on these two CDs. I've found that even folks that say they don't care for opera or classical music end up enjoying these when I have them playing. It's a best of the best selection and at a deal of a price. Also makes for great background music at dinner, for relaxing, or during your hectic commute. These are among my standard CDs that I play over and over and never tire from. This is money well spent.

Ravishing!
For some crazy reason, I went on a big opera-compilation-CD buying binge a few months ago. Impressed by the highly positive reviews, this 2-CD set was one of many such purchases I eagerly made at that time.Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Cast Crossover    3. Classical Music    4. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio   

Reviews (9)

A well-sung compilation
Compilations usually receivenegative feedback from experienced opera listeners.However, this compilation by no means should be only welcomed by opera listeners, it should be welcomed by all music listeners.This CD is a great one to own for a first time opera listener.Also, for the person who wants to listen to opera once in a while and who does not want to buy a myriad of CD's in order to have the same amount of arias as this CD has.Eighty-percent of the singers are high-quality singers in this CD and the orchestras along with their respective conductors, do justice to the songs.All of the arias in this CD are what we in the field call, standard repertoire, and therefore are a good source for a beginning musician to help him or her listen to phrasing, colour, dynamics, language etc.I certainly recommend it, without a doubt.

This cant be the best
Elisa from Italy is absolutely right--well, the present generation may not be able to listen the golden oldies and the grand masters in person but it is still true that the past masters far surpassed the new. De Stefano had a magnetic voice, but listen to Gigli singing Puccini's La boheme and you will melt away, though it is v v v difficult to get hold of his mono recordings, even in CD. I disagree with Elisa only on one point: Tebaldi is good, but Victoria de Los angeles' Mimi is better. And the indulgent Thomas Beecham is my favourite conductor of this opera, way ahead of Toscannini, but De Stefano's Boheme is worth keeping and listening to again and again....

TRUE OPERA LOVERS CANNOT POSSIBLY LIKE THIS!
True opera lovers (I won't say "experts" 'cos I dislike the word) cannot possibly like this ... ! Apart from Callas, here there is none of the greatest artists! Callas may be great in Carmen but nobody can beat RENATA TEBALDI and her angel-like voice in all of Puccini's operas or in GIORDANO's Andrea Ch�nier. No Carreras can beat MARIO DEL MONACO in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, or Verdi's Otello. And finally, NO ALAGNA, or PAVAROTTI, or LICITRA, or whatever CHEAP TENOR or CROOK can ever beat the greatest tenor of all times: GIUSEPPE DI STEFANO! Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Music    3. Czech Romantic Opera    4. French Romantic Opera    5. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    6. German/Austrian Romantic Opera    7. Italian 20th/21st Century Opera    8. Italian Romantic Opera    9. Opera    10. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    11. Opera/Operetta Collections   

Reviews (6)

This CD stays in my car player
This CD is one that I think even non-classical music lovers would like. It isn't too "classical" and some of the songs are the kind that keep going though your head until you can't help but play the disc again. It is a two disc set and priced no higher than most singles.

Beautiful interpretations
I agree with a previous reviewer on the minor problem great music! not so greatsound variations!
The selections and the arrangements are truly excellent. There are some hard to find (on the same CD) pieces and adagios--Spartacus ; Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez; Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavelleria...Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. Ballet    3. Cello Concerto    4. Chamber    5. Chamber Music    6. Chamber Music & Recitals    7. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    8. Choral    9. Clarinet Concerto    10. Classical    11. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    12. Classical Music    13. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    14. Concerto    15. French Romantic Opera    16. Guitar Concerto    17. Italian Romantic Opera    18. Keyboard    19. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    20. Music For String Orchestra   

Reviews (7)

Wonderful
An excellent compilation of folk tunes and violin concerto adagios, played masterfully by some of the world's most revered musicians.Features modern pieces (Korngold, Barber), which are a personal favorite of mine.

Thanks you Decca
My daughter is a violin student of 7 years and she has played 3 or 4 of these pieces for recitals. I bought the CD's so she could become familiar with the pieces as she was learning to play them. Now I find myself listening to the CD's almost every night when I go for my end of the day drive to relax. My favorites are the Mozart Concerto in G, the Mendelssohn Concerto in E minor and Beethoven's Romance in F on disc 2, but all the songs are exquisitely beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Exquisite music for the soul
These CDs have the most incredible selections of music on them. Listening to the violins has enabled me to complete papers for my doctoral level classes without the usual neck aches. This is soothing, exquistie music for the soul! Lovely!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    2. Chamber    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Classical    5. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    6. Classical Music    7. Concerto    8. Concerto for Two String Instruments    9. Orchestral    10. Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard    11. Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra    12. Suite for Orchestra    13. Violin Concerto    14. Violin with Keyboard    15. Vocal   

Editorial Review

Considering that Stravinsky's Read more

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (3)

Three Le Sacres from Bernstein
In the Royal Edition of Bernstein's recordings with the NY Phil., there was a hair-raising Le Sacre dating from 1958 in vivid sound with lots of impact and incredibly virtuosic playing. This was followed by a surround-sound remake with the London Sym. in 1972 as the fflagship for Columbia's attempt to promote "quadraphoonic sound," which never cuaght on.
WOW.
This recording really is something. Considering how old this rendition is, the depth at which bernstein controls the LSO is remarkable. There are moments when he lets the LSO loose, like letting the animals come out of their cages. He knows exactly how and exactly when to create, what I can only describe as "chaos". Bernstein's love for this arresting piece shines through the second half.
Commonplace "Rite"... and a TERRIFIC "Firebird"
It's a pity for me for this album to put the 70s recording Lenny did with the LSO on Stravinsky's revolutionary "Rite of Spring" instead of the performance he did with the NYPO about a decade earlier. Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. Ballet    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Orchestral    6. Orchestral & Symphonic