Editorial Review

Elvis Costello takes the occasion of his first official live release (recorded with the 52-piece Metropole Orkest at The Hague's North Sea Jazz Festival in 2004) to not only recap the various non-rock/pop genres the restless veteran singer-songwriter has explored in recent years, but recast a few of his songbook favorites in striking new musical arrangements as well. The widow of Charles Mingus commissioned Costello to pen lyrics for the rousing revamp of the jazz legend's "Hora Decubitus" that anchors the album, a task he also performs for the bluesy title track, a reworking of Billy Strayhorn's final composition "Blood Count." Elvis wends through such oblique compositional corners as "Favourit! e Hour" and "Upon A Veil of Midnight Blue," a moody song originally written for blues great Charles Brown, but ultimately thoroughly reworked as "I Wonder How She Knows." "Clubland" is charged with savory Latin rhythms, "Almost Blue" recast as autumnal orchestral lament and "Watching the Detectives" re-imagined as jazzy, Bernard Herrmann-esque ‘50s TV theme. Other standouts include a swinging big band cover of Dave Bartholomew's "That's How You Got Killed Before" and a gorgeous rendition of his first Burt Bacharach collaboration, "God Give Me Strength." The set's bonus disc explores yet another intriguing corner of Costello's contemporary non-pop career via the 45-minute orchestral Il Sogno Suite, music culled from his '04 score for the Aterbaletto dance troupe's Italian production of A Midsummer's Night Dream. Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (19)

Outstanding
This is an excellent collection of music!The jazz orchestra arrangements are fabulous and Elvis Costello's music is a lot of fun.And the ballet also has some beautiful music.I recommend these discs to Elvis fans, jazz fans, and fans of good music.

I 've been duped !!!
I am a huge fan of Elvis Costello and ran to the shop as soon as I read the great reviews of this album, what a mistake!!!
Truly Gifted
I've been an Elvis fan from the beginning.His many changes have enriched my life more than I can say.He has explored many genres and shared them with us all.This has been a blessing to me through countless hours of musical enjoyment.This recording is another feather in his cap, and another canon in his musical staple.Outstanding! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Ballet    3. Classical Artists    4. England    5. Jazz-Rock    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Vocal    9. Vocal Music   

Editorial Review

Otto Klemperer's Beethoven is one of the towering achievements in the history of recordings. By today's standards, these performances are hopelessly old-fashioned: dark, heavy, and frequently very slow. But they are also the grandest, most unsentimental, most purposeful versions in the catalog. In addition, the relatively slow tempos (only in the fast movements--the slow ones are pretty swift) and forward wind balance permit more detail to be heard than in most original-instrument performances. At budget price and with the entire piano concerto cycle thrown in for good measure, this is greatness incarnate. Read more

Features

• Box set
• Limited Edition
• Original recording reissued

Reviews (18)

Wonderful Performances
I haveadmittedly not made it through the entire set as of yet, but feel sufficiently blown away by the First Symphony and the Eroica - particularly the second movement of the latter - to weigh in here. With respect to the tempo issue, I must - at least so far - argue in favor of Klemperer's decision to slow things down a bit. I think the effect is, as someone else has observed, a clearer and more visceral experience of Beethoven's composition. It brings out the feeling. The sound comes up a little short on the low end, but it isn't a major distraction. My only problem lies in EMI's inexplicable lack of any discussion of the performances. The notes are bland, dry descriptions of the pieces themselves, with some basic history thrown in. Given the fact that there are probably hundreds of different CDs of Beethoven's symphonies out there, all with similar explanatory notes, it is infuriating that nothing is said about these particular performances. This is in contrast with the EMI Bach set (with Yehudi Menuhin) in which there is a wonderful essay that discusses Menuhin's work in historical context.

Fantastic Value for a Complete Set
For anybody wanting a complete collection of Beethoven's symphonies this is probably the best place to start. I find that all of the symphonies on these CDs are excellent portrayed. Of course, once you get to know and love each symphony you will probably want to buy individual recordings of each one. This box set is amazing value, not just for sheer content, don't forget you get the concertos as well, but the quality is top notch.
Pure pleasure
Probably, a Beethoven symphony set cannot be more seminal than this one. Klemperer's gritty, powerful, and solid interpretations are classic benchmarks in the recording history.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Box Sets (Audio Only)    3. Chamber    4. Choral    5. Choral Music    6. Classical    7. Classical Composers    8. Classical Music    9. Concerto    10. Orchestral    11. Orchestral & Symphonic    12. Piano Concerto    13. Quartet for Four String Instruments    14. Romantic Ballet    15. Romantic Overture for Orchestra    16. Romantic Symphony    17. Symphonic   

Editorial Review

Khachaturian's popular ballet scores benefit from his vigorous leadership and the surprisingly idiomatic playing of the Vienna Philharmonic. All the favorite crowd-pleasers are here, including the Read more

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (6)

flamboyant readings of Khachaturian!
This CD is really a treasure! Khachaturian's brilliant ballet scores played amazing by Wiener Philharmoniker, under the baton of the composer!
Vivid performances!
The serene and exotic lyricism of this notable work has never been exhibited with so eloquence and majesty ever before. This adagio of Spartacus and Phygia'spassionate performance is imbued of profane exoticism, radiant sensuality and suggested eroticism. As you know the string and winds section of the Vienna were in that decade one of the most remarkable around the world. The variation of Aegina and Bacchanalia is loaded with admirable acrobatic fierceness. Scene and dance with crotaria is simply outstanding. Kachaturian as director maintained the rigorous balance, and the muscle never shatters the expression musical. The last section Dance of Gaditane and Spartacus' victory is extremely interesting, the bass clarinet makes a rapture filigree work,anticipating the tragic ending. The whole orchestra will emerge creating a real homage to Dionysisusand surrounding the hall with that Balkan wildness.
Hudsucker Proxy
For a number of years, I've been under the impression that the "Adagio of Spartacus" was simply called "The Hudsucker Proxy Theme." Now I know that where I have been giving credit to Carter Burwell and the Hudsucker Proxy soundtrack, I should have been giving credit to this album - it has both the Adagio of Spartacus and the Sabre Dance - the two best songs from the Hudsucker Proxy, in their original forms. If you are a fan of Hudsucker, BUY THIS ALBUM! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. Ballet    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Orchestral & Symphonic    7. Romantic Ballet   

Reviews (2)

Perfect
I love classical music but I dont own very much of it, so I thought I would start my collection with Masters of the Bow. What a beautiful selection it was. I just love the sound of a Violin, Joshua Bell is my favorite,I would love to hear more from him. This collection really helps you get to know the masters. Lovely Lovely!

Outstanding
I love the violin and this collection is one of my favorites. A great choice for someone like me who doesn't know enough about music and never knows what to buy. It has introduced me to some artists and pieces that I knew nothing about and will help me know what to look for in violin music in the future. This is my favorite but I would also recommend The Cello and Voice CDs in the "Masters of" series. I can't wait for more in this series. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Classical    5. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    6. Classical Music    7. Concerto    8. Guitar Solo    9. Keyboard    10. Keyboard Music    11. Minuet for Keyboard    12. Music for Four Hands at One Keyboard    13. Opera    14. Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard    15. Russian Romantic Opera    16. Song Without Words for Keyboard    17. Violin Concerto    18. Violin Solo    19. Violin with Keyboard    20. Vocal   

Reviews (2)

The Definitive "Firebird"!!
There are numerous recordings available of Igor Stravinsky's ballet masterwork "The Firebird" however, the 1961 "Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky" recording available on this disc is one that eclipses all other versions. The recording was performed by The Columbia Symphony and is presented in its complete length of nearly 43-minutes (most other recordings present "The Firebird" in a suite lasting only 25-minutes). The performance under Stravinsky's baton is nothing short of breathtaking. The piece's dynamics, shifting rhythms and unprecidented beauty are all clearly defined and wonderfully executed. Essential Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky
Unfortunately, we will never get to hear Bach play the organ, or Mozart the piano, or Beethoven conduct the 5th Symphony.But thanks to the advent of recording technology, we have been able to hear the great composers of the 20th Century play and conduct their own work.Sadly, recordings of the likes of Elgar, Strauss and Rachmaninov are all in early mono, but there are several brilliant stereo recordings available by Copland and Stravinsky.These recordings of "Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky" were made for CBS in the early 1960s, and along with two other discs (featuring the Rite of Spring with Petrushka, and the other one the Symphonies), are absolutely essential for serious fans of classical music.Often composers were not the best conductors of their own work (their expertise was first and foremost in composing), but they are nonetheless a vital document of their creative and versatile talents.For serious Stravinsky fans I would recommend getting both the Decca Stravinsky Box Set conducted by Ernest Ansermet (see my review), and the three CBS Masterworks titles of "Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky."That way you can compare and contrast, and determine for yourself whether Stravinsky himself was truly the best conductor of Stravinsky. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. 20th/21st Century Symphony    3. 20th/21st Century Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem    4. Ballet    5. Classical    6. Classical Composers    7. Classical Music    8. Orchestral    9. Scherzo for Orchestra    10. Symphonic   

Reviews (13)

Superb, lush and enchanting!!!
It is very hard for me to be objective when reviewing this CD. I'm in the same situation as one other reviewer said, my father used to play this record frequently when I was growing up. Of course, as a little kid, you will not always make a note of such things, and may not even care about it. I had not listened to this record since the mid eighties (when our last turntable broke and we made the transition to CD's). As soon as I started listening to it I was taken back to that time of my life, and all of these memories which I did not knew I had came back to me. This record had been part of my life's "soundtrack". It would be easy for me to be over-analytical, since I happen to have a degree in music, but I would not dare to do so. The music is pure, absolutely beautiful. If anything, even though back when it was recorded it won awards for its sound quality, nowadays we have been spoiled with modern sound recording quality. You can certainly hear that the recording was not made recently, but it is the performances that count, and these will always sound as fresh and magnificent as the day they were first captured on tape. I will have to get a copy for my dad!

A Prize Winner!
At the first Grammy Awards in 1959, Salli Terri was nominated for Best Classical Performance, Vocal Soloist, along with Callas, Tebaldi, and Ferrell (Tebaldi won).The album did win the Grammy for Best Engineered Classical Record, a honor richly deserved as evidenced by the glorious sound of this CD. An all-time romantic classic
I first heard this as an LP in a coffee shop in Monterey, CA, just before proposing to my wife.I gave it to her as a wedding present and we wore it out playing it so much.Now I have finally found it on CD.It is (and always has been) composed of double duets, guitar and soprano and guitar and flute. It is hauntingly beautiful and extraordinarily performed. You will find its themes running through your mind for days after hearing it. This is an all time classic to give to your best lovers and friends. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard    2. Chamber    3. Chamber Music    4. Classical    5. Classical Artists    6. Classical Music    7. Concerto    8. Flute Concerto    9. Flute Solo/Sonata    10. Keyboard    11. Miscellaneous    12. Miscellaneous Music    13. Orchestral    14. Pavane for Keyboard    15. Prelude for Keyboard    16. Romantic Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    17. Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra    18. Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble    19. Solo for Voice and Guitar    20. Song Collection for Solo Voice and Piano   

Reviews (7)

Between the Barres
I enjoy about 1/4 of the music on this 2 disc set.I wish more of the center work music repeated.My favorite track is #12 (Tango)

Great Purchase
I've been dancing since I was 5 years old and teaching balletnow for the past 3 years.This was a great purchase and a lot better than I honestly thought it would be.The music is perfectly designed for barre work and center combos.Plus, with the multiple choices for each exercise, the class never becomes bored with the same music.Overall, I would highly recommend this cd to anyone who is teaching ballet or even for someone who just wants a great ballet workout at home!!

One ballet teacher's opinion
Excellent!Fun music. Lots of selections.Great variety for teaching class. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Highly Recommended
These are thoughtful and finely-crafted renderings that bring new life to these very familiar pieces.Northington's playing is poetic and sensitive.So many pianists play these waltzes at breakneck tempos, achieving the virtuosity without the poetry.This recording has a pleasing balance of those two elements; there are moments both of quiet, simple elegance and of exciting virtuosity.Bravo!

Excellent Music!!!
This work has a lot of feeling, very rich in expression, power of contrast, genuine interpretation and originality. Very polished! One of the best works I've ever heard. Gives power, intense charm and enthusiasm to the listeners. I would highly recomend it for musicians and those who enjoy quality piano music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers   

Reviews (4)

Beautiful Dark Music
If you liked Danny Elfman soundtracks for "Batman" and "Edward Scissorhands, you'll love this. This music is really dark, particularly the "Great Waltz", which could easily fit in an Addam's family dance sequence. Even darker than "Danse macabre" from Saint-Saens. Excellent recording
Excellent recording.Along with the Previn/LSO version on EMI, this is one of two great recordings of "Cinderella."However, the "filler" here is more gratifying than the one provided on Previn disks (Prokofiev's Classical Symphony).Nonetheless, both recordings are excellent.No need to go to other more expensive yet less satisfying versions.

Great Music!
The music Prokofiev wrote for this ballet is great! It's so interesting and great to listen too. And also, there are the Seasons by Glazunov. I think they are better than Vivaldi's Seasons. This cd is a great value and great to listen too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. Ballet    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Romantic Ballet   

Reviews (3)

Good job
I remember when I was little, I had this cd, but i lost it.I bought a similiar type of one through TIme Life and decided to try the Classical Thunder one.I have like it so far.

Masterful!
This two CD set is magnificent.I got the set in the early 1990's when it was advertised on television, along with other releases in Time Life's set.I was struck by the interpretations of the conductors.Whenever I hear these pieces now, I judge them against this recording.Amazing selection as well.There are staples of orchestra repetoire, like Beethoven symphonies, but also gems that are not heard very often, like the Rimsky-Korsakov "Procession of the Nobles." A very impressive recording.

Great CD of Classical music's power pieces!
I got this CD when I was around 16 because I loved a lot of the music on this double CD set. As a student pursuing a Music Education major, it has been a great asset for my musically, and just great for listening to. I will drive on short trips and take this with me and blast it louder than the guy in the next car blasting rap music. I also take it skiing as it sets a great tempo down the mountain. This is a great CD for anyone that loves music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. 20th/21st Century Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem    3. Ballet    4. Band    5. Cantata    6. Choral    7. Classical    8. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    9. Concert/Brass/Marching Band Music    10. Film    11. Film Music    12. French Romantic Opera    13. German/Austrian Romantic Opera    14. March for Orchestra    15. Opera    16. Orchestral    17. Orchestral & Symphonic    18. Orchestral Music    19. Requiem/Requiem Section    20. Romantic Orchestral Music   

Reviews (2)

A wonderful CD for your nursery!
As a first time parent I want to give my child every advantage I can. Studies have shown that playing music to your child helps to enhance their learning ability. Baby's First Classics Vol. 2
If you want your children to have an appreciation for classical music, this is the perfect tape to do just that.The music is all wonderful.You can't beat a price like this for true classical music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adagio for Orchestra    2. Baroque Variations for Keyboard    3. Chamber    4. Children's Collections    5. Childrens    6. Classical Period Symphony    7. Concerto    8. Keyboard    9. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    10. Nocturne for Keyboard    11. Orchestral    12. Pavane for Keyboard    13. Piano Concerto    14. Pop    15. Quartet for Keyboard and Three String Instruments    16. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    17. Symphonic    18. Violin Concerto   

Reviews (9)

Don't downrate a CD because of a missing piece - please!
This is an excellent representative 2-CD bargin set of Liszt's piano works played by a recognized expert pianist in this repertoire.The other reviewers (i.e. those w/ 5* ratings) have made their points well.What continues to bother me in many of these classical CD reviews is 'downgrading' a CD by several stars, if not more in some cases, because the listener is irked at the lack of a feature that has nothing to do w/ the performance on the recording.Such is the case here - a 3* rating because one piece was mislabelled is ridiculous - rate the music & performance first, please.If there is a problem unrelated to the performance (sound quality, liner notes, etc.), then simply state that in your review.I often look at the overall rating to determine if I even want to consider a classical CD & read the reviews - knocking off a star or two because of petty complaints is not justified.

Bolet is outstanding
There are many Liszt performers, and while Bolet was known to never substitute technical perfection for feeling, there is a great balance to his playing. 'Un Sospiro' is played on the slow side, every melody note can be heard perfectly, while his interpretation and rubato are heart stopping. While I don't agree with his Liebstraum (the honor of greatest playing is held for Cliburn on this piece, if you haven't heard him play it, go buy the CD, now), the lesser played works such as the Elf King transcription more than makes up for it. If you want a technically perfect, clear, sometimes very moving performance of Liszt, Bolet is for you (I prefer him infinitely over Cziffra, although I may be alone on that one). Postscript: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 is NOT No. 2, this is an error on Amazon's part, and also on the other Bolet albums, it is indeed no. 12 and not 2.

Great selections; technically great but dull performance
I know this pianist Jorge Bolet is supposed to be one of the world's greatest. But I bought this as a replacement set when I temporarily lost my Phillips "Best Of Liszt" set and couldn't live without Liszt.I was sadly disappointed on the selections that overlap.While some of my favorite selections (Liebestraum, Mephisto Waltz) are actually longer here, they simply do not stir my soul as much. The pressure of the notes, the timing, something indefinable just isn't the same in this recording as in the Phillips one. The quality of sound reproduction is fine, the piano-playing is certainly correct and crisp (maybe TOO crisp?), and again, the variety of the pieces chosen is commendable, but I recommend the Phillips 2-disc set over this one.There ARE some very interesting selections of not just Liszt's original works but also some of his arrangements or adaptations of other's works, i.e., the Shubert pieces and La campanella (from Paganini). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Etude for Keyboard    6. Keyboard    7. Keyboard Music    8. Nocturne for Keyboard    9. Rhapsody for Keyboard    10. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    11. Transcription for Keyboard    12. Waltz for Keyboard   

Reviews (4)

Excellent album
Recently I learned about LAGQ and bought this album. I have been impressed by the arrangements and interpretation, the texture, innovative touches and originality. It is a treat!

This is only a warning
The LAGQ are fine players, and the music here is first rate as a summary of what they do, or for any purpose. HOWEVER, the transfer to CD on my disc was very poorly chosen, so that the top octave and a half was mostly missing (worse on some pieces than others, though). This takes the snap! out of guitar strings and notably attenuates your ability to tell what the 4 are doing with guitar timbre and the like. So, if you have wide-range audio gear, you might want to look elsewhere for an introduction to these players.

Recent Purchase that I'm Joyed to Find and Enjoy
Not until recently did I know about this guitar four.Hearing a number of their songs on internet classical radio, I decided I'd try this one.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. Ballet    3. Band    4. Chamber    5. Chamber Music & Recitals    6. Chamber Music for More than Nine String Instruments    7. Choral    8. Classical    9. Classical Artists    10. Classical Music    11. Concerto    12. Concerto Grosso    13. Electronic/Computer/Tape Music    14. Folk Song    15. Keyboard    16. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    17. March for Band    18. Miscellaneous    19. Miscellaneous Music    20. Orchestral   

Reviews (4)

Heavenly
Perfect. Timeless, gentle music. I have given many massages to this music (can't stand most new age stuff). Has the ancient sound that is exactly what I was looking for. Strong recommendation: Glenn Gould, consort of Musicke by William Byrd and Orlando Gibbons. One of my favorite albums EVER. Incredibly powerful, primal, simple.

Simply WONDERFUL!!!!just amazing.
One of the best-buy i have made since long time ago. A high quality CD that can be enjoyed in every moment. Beautiful melodies, you can feel the ancient times with those, and you can try to imagine how could it be medieval life.

A Journey Back In Time!
This is a wonderful CD!Beautifully recorded in St. Andrews Church in Toddington, England!The quiet melodies of each piece are different enough that you will never get bored playing it over and over again!The next time you have a bad day, or come home from work some night with frayed nerves, try this!Turn out all of the lights, light a candle in a jar, preferably a scented one (sounds awfully 60's doesn't it!) put this CD on the stereo, get comfortable, let your mind drift back to the 16th century, watch the candle light flicker on the walls and ceiling and feel yourself relax!!!This CD is a lot cheaper than a bottle of tranquilizers or a visit to the shrink!BEWARE: Don't substitute Lute music played on an acoustic guitar!A Lute has different dynamics, nuances and colours!Good Listening To You!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Classical    5. Classical Composers    6. Classical Music    7. Miscellaneous    8. Miscellaneous Music    9. Renaissance Dance Music   

Features

• Import

Reviews (4)

Technically superb but the melody is not exciting...
Vanessa Mae is an amazing violinist. Her notes literally dance and you can hear the spirit in the music. But I did not enjoy the music chosen on this CD. The tunes are not exciting.

VANESSA-MAECHOREOGRAPHY
GREAT MUSIC AND I LOVE THE SABER DANCE.

Can't stop listening
Vanessa-Mae is one of the most talented young ladies in the neoclassical movement, and this album definitely showcases that talent.There is not much of a dance groove on hardly any of the tracks.Some are haunting, and most have an international feel to them...very difficult to put it into a particular category.I guess you could say she must be experimenting with her style a bit, but the violin that she plays is as hot as ever.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. Ballet    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Classical    5. Classical Crossover    6. Concerto    7. Miscellaneous    8. Miscellaneous Music   

Reviews (2)

A Must have for amateur and veteran classical fans!
Perfect for getting acquainted to classical music for the first time!All the best pieces on one cd which makes it a stand-out selection in anyone's collection. Once you've heard this one, you will want more and the RCA Victor classical music series is highly recommended and affordable.For the die-hard classical fan, this is the perfect one to take along with you in the car or the office.

A beautiful masterpiece for the arts.
This is for any one who loves classical music.Its beautiful sounds truely captivate the human spirt.A great piece of work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    3. Chamber    4. Classical    5. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    6. Classical Music    7. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    8. Concerto    9. Concerto Grosso    10. Italian Romantic Opera    11. Opera    12. Orchestral    13. Orchestral & Symphonic    14. Orchestral Music    15. Piano Concerto    16. Quartet for Keyboard and Three String Instruments    17. Quintet for Five String Instruments    18. Romantic Ballet    19. Romantic Overture for Orchestra    20. Romantic Symphony   

Reviews (5)

adequate performances but totally inadequate information
It is perhaps unfair to judge the performances on this recording (presumably made in the late 1950s/early 60s? - we are not given a date) by modern standards of early music performance. Yes, there are moments when the experimental nature of the approach is all too apparent, both in terms of the [im]plausibility of the interpretations and in the [at times] excruciating intonation (a particularly pertinent example is the shawm playing in track 10). But what is in fact by far the most deplorable feature of this recording is the utter sparsity of information provided - about the performers, the instruments, the composers, the repertoire, etc. Worse still, what little that is provided is often hopelessly inaccurate: sometimes in the form of blatant spelling errors (eg the Coventry Carol becomes here 'Lully Lullary', etc), at other times factual blunders (the medieval 'Estampie' in track 10 is in fact a 16th cent [ie Renaissance] tourdion, 'Quand je bois du vin clairet', whilst John Dowland's 'Frogg Galliard', c.1597, is here given an anonymous attribution...etc, etc, etc).
A nice overview of very early music
This was one of the first recordings of early music I ever bought.It's a broad survey of styles and periods, from the 12th to 17th centuries.I've become a more sohisticated listener since then, but I still get this one out fairly regularly.The recording is apparently old and the digital remastering was not done extraordinarily well, but those who are more interested in music than in audio equipment should be able to listen through the occasional (minor) vinyl surface noise.My major complaint (why I gave it 3 stars instead of 4) is the lack ofdocumentation--there is no information about the musicians, and many of the composers are uncredited (some because they actually are anonymous, but sometimes out of apparent laziness).Still, at this price it's a bargain.

Don't Be Affraid
This cd is worth picking up. Yes the first couple of tracks have pops and crackles in it. And yes it sounds as if the music was transfered directly from a vinyl source. But the performances and selections on this cd are fabulous. And you get use to the flaws in the recordings. Which I find minor.Read more

Subjects:  1. Baroque Individual Dance Movement for Orchestra    2. Chamber    3. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    4. Choral    5. Choral Music    6. Christmas Music    7. Classical    8. Classical Artists    9. Keyboard    10. Miscellaneous    11. Miscellaneous Music    12. Miscellaneous Vocal Music    13. Orchestral    14. Renaissance Dance Music    15. Sacred Choral Music    16. Traditional Folk    17. Virelai    18. Vocal    19. World Music   

Reviews (3)

Everything is heard
The transparency of the recording demonstrates that they had nothing to hide and a lot of articulate beauty to be revealed.

Beautiful
What more can I say? This CD is 63 minutes of beautiful music that anyone would love. The orchestra did a wonderful job, and the quality is excellent. This is a great CD for the holidays and definitely great to dance to. Amazingly Played!
Very amazing! I have never heard anything like this orchestra's performance.Very accurate and the CD clarity is out of this world.I love this CD and will enjoy it at Christmas.I hope you will too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Christmas Music    4. Classical    5. Romantic Ballet    6. Xmas Classical Instrumental   

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. March for Orchestra    4. Orchestral    5. Orchestral & Symphonic    6. Polka for Orchestra    7. Waltz    8. Waltz for Orchestra   

Editorial Review

Antal Dorati was probably the great dance conductor of our age, and hepioneered recording the complete Tchaikovsky ballets. He made an outstandingstereo Read more

Reviews (3)

one cold bland nutcracker
fast tempos at times, bland interpretation,no emotion or magic for that matter this is what you need in this work of tchiakovsky and you dont get it here from dorati,the amsterdam players play well still dorati ruins it.get his sleeping beauty with this same orchestra its better, but if you want a great performence of the nutcracker get ansermet,dutiots complete version with the montreal synphony,or eugene ormandys 1960 version there alot better.

so HOT, it set my speakers on fire...
I bought this CD from over 30 different choices because of the Philips label; their digital remastering of old stereo recordings is first rate and I expected no less from this recording.Having never heard of the orchestra or the conductor, I was reluctant and unsure of what to expect.Little did I know what legends were performing here!That said...
Great! One of the Best!
This is one of two very nice releases of the Nutcracker score by Tchaikovsky conducted by Antal Dorati. The other recording was released by Mercury Living Present and was the first of the kind. This recording,however, is even better! The score is so beautiful! It has a nice tempoand, being a dancer, I would be glad to perform to this anytime! The RoyalConcertgebouw Orchestra performs it with more grace than the LondonSymphony. It is just what you need to get you into the holiday spirit! Youmight want to try the other recording too as well as the ValeryGergiev/Kirov version. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Christmas Music    4. Classical    5. Romantic Ballet    6. Xmas Classical Vocal