Editorial Review

Magic was created one starlit night in July 1990, when Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo andJosé Carreras met onstage at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome and became Read more

Reviews (20)

A knockout performance
Like so many of the reviewers here I am not an opera aficionado. But I sensed immediately the night I saw this concert on television that this was one of those 'remarkable' artistic events. Domingo and Pavarotti both have such strength and beauty in their voices that they overwhelm. Carreras adds flavor and enthusiasm.
The night that started it all!
You can read the technical information about the contents of this CD above. That is not what this review is about. I became intrested in opera about 1 1/2 years ago because of happening upon Mario Lanza. Since then, I have experienced many great truly operatic voices, including the "King," Pavarotti.
Great singing from the three tenors
This cd is a must-have for anyone interested in opera - or beautiful singing. And when you're at it - why don't buy the dvd from the concert? It will make you appreciate the cd even more.
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Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard    2. Art Song (General)    3. Classical    4. Classical Artists    5. Classical Music    6. French Romantic Opera    7. Italian Romantic Opera    8. Miscellaneous Vocal Music    9. Opera    10. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    11. Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra    12. Spanish/Latin American/Italian Operetta (Zarzuela)    13. Vocal    14. Vocal Music   

Reviews (4)

Selection of Songs?
Perlman is a man of extraordinary clarity and tonality also one of my favorite violinists. After I finish practicing a piece I usually find a recording to listen to different interpretations. Most of them are by Perlman and Heifetz. Unfortunately this album has some obscure songs and the songs itself do not do justice to Perlman what some other songs may have done. Still it is important to broaden the scope, so I would recommend this to all music connoisseurs :). btw i'm only 16 so...don't take this review too literal huh?

If you are a violin lover, buy it
It's beautiful.Simply put.

This is "THE" Greatest Hits alum by Perlman
Perlam is already a great player like the whole world knows.But the music selection couldn't better!I espacily like the piano accomplimant.Perlman pays the pieces with true style.The working realtionship betweenPerlman and the Pianist is truly incredible.Before geting any of Perlman's other greatest hits albums, get this one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Classical    5. Classical Artists    6. Classical Music    7. Concerto    8. Duo for Two String Instruments    9. Keyboard    10. Keyboard Music    11. Miscellaneous    12. Miscellaneous Music    13. Nocturne for Keyboard    14. Oboe Solo/Sonata    15. Orchestral    16. Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard    17. Scherzo for Orchestra    18. Song Without Words for Keyboard    19. Violin Concerto    20. Violin with Keyboard   

Editorial Review

Set the table, open the wine, light some candles. Slip on this disc. Let the gentle sounds of André Rieu's slippery fiddle and fur-tipped orchestra lull you with classical music's most memorable soothers, from "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Plasir D'Amour" to the largo from Dvorák's Read more

Reviews (18)

Andre Rieu -Romantic Moments
Oh, So beautiful---- every track!!!!! My personal favorite has to be the soothing SERENATA. So, get comfy, put on the headphones so you won't miss a single note......Andre Rieu's violin is magical!!!!!

Decent playing, lousy arrangements
Well, apparently I'm in the minority, but I found this CD disappointing.I bought it because I fell in love with "Song to the Moon" when I heard it on the radio, but this track and possibly the "Londonderry Air" are the only ones worth listening to.Although the melodies chosen for this album are indeed beautiful, the arrangements (Rieu's own) are poorly done.I would much more highly recommend Joshua Bell's Romance of the Violin, which has a similar theme, albeit restricted to classical tunes.

Forget the hype, this is great music
Try not to think about the cheesy "Andre Rieu in Tuscany" PBS special. This is a very pleasing program of selections of great romantic melodies, beautifully arranged. Few people are going to purchase a CD of Dvorak's Rusalka just to hear "Song to the Moon" so this is the place to hear it. And it's even better on Rieu's violin than in the original vocal version. Rieu plays perfectly in tune (not always easy in the higher registers of the violin) and has exquisite phrasing that brings out the musicality of even the most over-recorded selections.
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Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Clarinet Concerto    4. Classical    5. Classical Artists    6. Classical Music    7. Concerto    8. Czech Romantic Opera    9. Easy Listening/Vocal    10. Etude for Keyboard    11. Film    12. Film Music    13. Folk Song    14. Italian 20th/21st Century Opera    15. Keyboard    16. Miscellaneous    17. Miscellaneous Music    18. Opera    19. Operetta    20. Orchestral   

Editorial Review

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was one of those singers whom oneeither loves or hates. She was a "stylist," who inflected everyphrase, every note in her urge to communicate what she considered to be themeaning of the text. Others feel that the only thing she communicated was herown need to impress people with her ability to communicate, and I believe sheoften forgot the difference between art and artfulness. Be that as it may, shewas an outstanding Strauss singer, and her performance of the Four Last Songs,in particular, is legendary. Of course, having George Szell on the podiumdoesn't hurt either. He insures that the music shows the singer in the bestpossible light. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (25)

HEAVENLY
The "Gramophone" magazine reviewer couldn't have put it better:- "a heavenly record, so beautiful that I find it goes against the grain to attempt to analyse it". A must-have for any self-respecting classical record collection.

Schwarzkopf and Szell Team Up For An Incandescent Strauss Record
Four decades later this remains one of the greatest recordings of this final, transcendent Richard Strauss masterpiece. Some have shown preference for the earlier Schwarzkopf sung, Otto Ackermann conducted EMI record. I can't imagine why someone would want that mono recording over this gorgeous stereo version. Schwarzkopf here is just as radiant if not more so, the speeds are perfectly judged by Szell and everything has an luminous glow about it. The fact that 12 extra Strauss songs are here too puts this CD over the top, a must buy.
A thing of beauty ...
... is a joy forever, John Keats wrote, referring to the unending beauty of the things in Nature. The same can be said for the music making as captured for eternity on this recording, which seems to have been touched by a muse of fire, making it truly ascend the highest heaven of invention ... and art. The interpretations of all of these songs by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf is ever intelligent and astute, but always deeply human. Her singing is finely intimate, I believe, revealing her unrivaled mastery of invoking every single syllable with deepest possible meaning. The same can be said for the orchestral playing, so very intelligent, utterly complementing Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's gorgeous, deeply human, deeply moving singing. A marvel! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Orchestral & Symphonic    5. Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard    6. Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra    7. Vocal   

Editorial Review

Hundreds of compilation recordings have been thrust on the market in recent years on the theory that classical music makes a nice, non-threatening accompaniment to everything from working out to making love. And here we have one compilation promising to make your baby smarter. It's offensive enough that the music featured on these compilations is spliced up so that the most you hear of any work is a single movement; what's really annoying is the poor quality of so many of the featured performances. So it is some consolation that the artists here include such 20th-century legends as the Cleveland Orchestra under Szell and the Budapest String Quartet with Mieczyslaw Horszowski. Of course if these folks were alive, one can imagine their violent objection to this presentation of their work. Read more

Reviews (17)

Build Baby's Brain through ClassicsVol 1
I am a true fan of Classical music and this was purchased as a gift for a co-worker who is adopting a child from China.Therefore I did not open it nor listen to it.The recipient is now overseas picking up their daughter so I know they haven't had the opportunity to listen to it. I think it's a great idea, though, and purchased a used set for my Grandson.

Wonderful stimulating music for baby
I am sorry for the previous review who said that intelligence is hereditary. If that is true, all mankind would have been doomed from the start.
The greatest CD!!
I received this CD free when I had my first baby and it instantly became my fav cd of all time. I have it on my computer and I had another copy made because I just can not imagine not having it.
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Subjects:  1. Bagatelle for Keyboard    2. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    3. Cantata    4. Chamber    5. Childrens    6. Choral    7. Classical    8. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    9. Classical Music    10. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    11. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    12. Concerto    13. Educational    14. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    15. Keyboard    16. Opera    17. Oratorio    18. Orchestral    19. Piano Concerto    20. Quartet for Keyboard and Three String Instruments   

Editorial Review

Record-label politics prevented this awesome recording of Argentinean pianist Martha Argerich from being released for 34 years. The spitfire musician delivers a powerful set of Chopin's best-loved works that still sounds riveting today. Intense and gorgeous. Read more

Reviews (30)

A restored jewel in the Argerich catalog
If I had to pick a single CD to win awed admiration for Martha Argerich, this Chopin recital would be it. Only 24 when she made these long-suppressed recordings, Argerich's musicality and dazzling technqiue defy belief. Every ounce of praise for her Third Sonata is deserved--it's spontaneous, flexible, intense, by turns tender and declamatory.The most blessed quality is that she doesn't bang or harangue us--not always the case in later years. Her sense of urgency doesn't become eckless; the bursts of excitment aren't oerly explosive.
Not Argerich at her best, but still very impressive.
Argerich's playing is nothing short of miraculous. It's as if God's most precious gifts had been all bestowed upon her - she makes other pianists pale in comparison. This record is no exception, even though it's not Argerich at her best. At times her playing here is too straightforward, too agressive, yes, even too intimidating, and I don't know if she's really being faifhtul to Chopin's music. It sounds as if she's intent on shunning people away from playing the piano and effacing every other interpretation from the face of the earth. It just doesn't fit Chopin's music all that well, but it's still worth buying and listening to thousands of times.

Buy for the third sonata
Buy this disc for the third sonata. Its chopin's best, and she owns it so hard. Her playing of the last movement puts anyone else's to shame, playing the finale with ridiculous speed and most of all, in rhythm. I hate when i hear that ending slowed down, and softened, it sounds like garbage like that. She is unreal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Classical Artists    4. Classical Music    5. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    6. Keyboard    7. Nocturne for Keyboard    8. Polonaise for Keyboard    9. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    10. Scherzo for Keyboard   

Reviews (13)

Impeccable - scholarly yet perfected performances
I've listened to Ashkenazy's renditions of these pieces for quite some time of this disk, and I was extremely impressed with his force.He does not skimp on volume when volume is needed (the brutal chords in the third movement of Moonlight is what I was really looking for).I've also used his rendition of the Pathetique as a guide for my own learning of the piece.The man's technique is absolutely beyond belief, his clarity, his voicing, his touch, it fits so perfectly with these fine works by Beethoven.The Hammerklavier is sadly missing, but that is to be expected because of its length.Overall, these are powerful recordings and I highly recommend them.I hope to reach such a pinnacle of artistry some day in my own playing.

Excellent Double CD
This double CD is exquisite.Vladimir Ashkenazy plays Beethoven with sensitivity and dynamic intensity.The quality of the CD is excellent, the playing sublime, and the value outstanding.
Favourite Piano Sonata's Beethoven's Best on 2 CD's
Of the 32 Piano Sonata's composed by Beethoven this two CD set includes 7 of the best pieces of a most influential corpus of work.These are stunningly recorded and they are arranged to provide the listener with a dynamic experience.Interestingly the composition of the Sonata's began only a decade after Mozart. Juxtaposing the two composers we can readily see the split between the 18th and 19th centuries.Beethoven's work is solidly in the 19th century style with the technical and romantic sentiments of this period well expressed in these sonatas.We can see this turn towards romanticism in the titles of the pieces like "tempest" and "Pathetique" oh and of course "Moonlight" are evocative to say the least.Beethoven also really "pushed the envelope" in respect to exploring the limits of the piano in range and technique.The piano forte, was truly a revolutionary keyboard instrument, and although other keyboards had beeen around for ceturies, it wasnt until the piano that the keyboard could be so versatile - and loud enough to be the only instrument on stage.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Keyboard    5. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

The Fitzwilliam Quartet is English by birth but shows a lot of Russian soul in these works, which were recorded in consultation with the composer. Their technique is flawless, their immersion in the music total, their interaction with one another and with the music spontaneous and intense. Priced competitively with the Borodin Quartet, they do not have any added attraction to match the Piano Quintet in that set, but this close-up stereo recording is significantly better. Highlights of the set include the relaxed, folk-flavored No. 1; the tense, autobiographical No. 8, which recalls the terrors of World War II, quotes a lot of Shostakovich's earlier works, and mourns for the "victims of fascism and war"; the contrasts of quiet beauty and fierce intensity in No. 10; and the bold structure of No. 15, Shostakovich's last quartet, in which he looks at death, steadily and without blinking. Read more

Reviews (10)

Rating this bargain set against the Emersons at full price
For many buyers the choice for a complete cycle of the Shostakovich quartets will come down to three: the Borodin, Emerson, and Fitzwilliam quartets. I own the latter two and can offer a comparison.
A triumph of creativity over censorship
It is extremely difficult for a westerner, living in today's modern democracies, to have the full grasp of the extent of censorship and control of the Stalinist regime. During most of his creative life, Shostakovich was under surveillance, and some of his works were publicly censored by the self-intitled followers of the "Socialist Realism". The tension of censorship is reflected in his body of symphonies. The uneveness and limitations of some of his symphoniesare a reflection of his limitations under Stalin. His string quartets, however, are mostly free from these limitations. For one, it is extremely difficult to establish what is "socialist realism" in a string quartet. Since Shostakovich was not a follower of serialism, he could afford to translate into the string quartet medium most of his tortured inner self. These quartets are filled with humanism.They are not easy listening in the sense of Hadyn and Mozart. They are rather deep, touching pieces, like the late Beethoven, Schummann, or Bartok. These recordings by the Fitzwilliam Quartet have an immense authority at a reasonable price. Lovers of string quartet cannot afford to be without the entire Shostakovich set, and anynone buying this collection will enjoy a lifetime of rewarding listening.

Shostakovich evolution
I was more than a little pleased that my local public library acquired this wonderful CD set. While I tend to lean towards listening to full orchestras and symphonies, I must comment that this quartet has performed these compositions in such a tight but well-balanced manner that I was inspired to listen to the works over and over.
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Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Symphony    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Quartet for Four String Instruments   

Reviews (2)

My daughter loves this CD!
My seven year old is quickly progressing at piano and is playing simple pieces of Bach. She had previously only appreciated Bach (with a Bach children's tape) but now is true to Mozart. Plays every morning on our wayto school--what a way to start the day!

This music sets the mood.
I play this music for my art classes.I teach Kindergarten through 6th grade art at an elementary school in Connecticut.All classes respond to this music.It seems to be calming and helps them to focus on their artwork.I explain that the music will make themmore creative.One thirdgrade boy said "This really works." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ambient    2. Bassoon Concerto    3. Chamber    4. Children's    5. Children's Collections    6. Childrens    7. Classical    8. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    9. Classical Period Symphony    10. Classical Pop    11. Concerto    12. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    13. Opera    14. Orchestral    15. Symphonic   

Features

• Soundtrack
• Import

Reviews (16)

A long wait, but worth it.
Prior to Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon", literary/historical epics seemed confined to action/war pictures--whether Roman, 19th century or WWII. The slower extended "Masterpice Theatre" approach wasn't thought commercial--and especially such a dry picaresque social satire as Barry Lyndon.Luckily Kubrick had the clout and experience to make it.
stunning movie, exquisite soundtrack
An absolutely superb selection of music.Again and again Kubrick revealed his genius in moviemaking with every detail, including his choice of musical accompaniment.The Handel is bold and poignant in all its variations. The rivetting Schubert Trio in E-flat IS the scene in the movie, and remains the scene on the soundtrack and is played eloquently and flawlessly with that odd droll depth which was sometimes characteristic of the Baroque. A truly amazing listen. It will transport you out of the bussle of the 21st Century with such profound delicacy. This one work alone would be worth the price of the CD, but there's so much more. There's also a Mozart march, a wonderful Bach Adagio for duel harpsichords, a gorgeous cello concerto by Vivaldi, and the hypnotically exquisite Cavatina by Pasiello. There are a couple of rare modern sublimes as well, Sean O'Riada's amazingly ethereal "Tin Whistles" and his "Women of Ireland."And then there's a few works of period traditional music which add filigree to the whole ensemble.It's a complete soundtrack, so like most soundtracks, there's a couple of pieces you probably won't want to listen to over and over again, but you can program those out with your CD or mp3 player (the two marches, while well-performed, distract from the otherwise delicate minuet pace of the whole ensemble, so I edit them out). Most of this music places you right in the period, but at the same time, much of it is so rare and wonderfully performed that it also transcends time and place with moments of the highest aesthetic pleasure. I converted it into my mp3 collection and pick and choose from its flavors for aesthetic sustenance according to my appetite.It's a small banquet. You can't help loving this collection.The Schubert trio in E-flat, especially, will stay close to your heart the rest of your life.It has to be one of the most beautiful recordings of all time--an amazing mixture of pathos and deliberation--so much like Barry and Lady Lyndon.

Excellent music/excellent movie
Barry Lyndon is one of my favorite movies and the music chosen is perfect for it.I love the part when Barry has just seen Lady Lyndon for the first time and follows her slowly outside, while Schubert's piano trio in e flat is played.That piece of music perfectly complements the scene.The Irish music by the Chieftains in the beginning is also enjoyable.I haven't been able to find the recording of the Schubert piano trio in e flat anywhere that was used in the film. The pianist is Anthony Goldstone and I love the recording in the film but haven't been able to find the complete trio with Goldstone anywhere online. Anyone know where to find it? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Band    2. Band Music    3. Cello Concerto    4. Chamber    5. Concerto    6. Concerto for Two Pianos    7. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    8. Italian Classical Period Opera    9. Keyboard    10. Miscellaneous    11. Miscellaneous Music    12. Opera    13. Orchestral    14. Orchestral Music    15. Pop    16. Quartet for Four String Instruments    17. Soundtrack    18. Soundtracks    19. Soundtracks & Film Scores    20. Suite/Partita for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

This set of Anna Russell's inspired satirical monologues should be labeled with a warning notice. Why? Because after listening to her whirlwind explication ofWagner's Ring Cycle, even the most confirmed Wagnerite will be unable to listen to the Ring for weeks to come. Just listening to Russell declare in an incredulous voice: "I'm not making this up, y'know" is enough to induce you to shed bucketloads of laughter-induced tears. Gilbert and Sullivan fans will find their heroes savaged in her concoction of a typical G&S product, complete with a soprano lead who "loves below her station." Other targets include "the nymphs and shepherds" style of quavery English singing, complete with "hey-nonny-nonny's," coloratura mad scenes, and much else, including Russian folk songs, like her "Da, nyet, da, nyet." This disc is packed with laughs, chuckles, smiles, and everything.Read more

Reviews (20)

The Genius of Anna Russell
If you love music, but are happy to see the funny side of even the great composers, then this album is for you. Anna Russell is a singer of note but a comedian of greatness. She finds the pivotal styles of composers and caricatures them to great effect. The explanations she gives of the basics of Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas and the way she dissects Wagners Ring Cycle bring tears to the eyes with laughter. I recommend this album to all music lovers with a twinkle in their eyes. Truly a great comic experience.

If you enjoy laughing..
I love opera, but I also enjoy spoofs of opera.Anna Russell was a classic "spoofer" of operatic stories and conventions. Nobody does it better. My favorite on this album is her take-off on Wagner's "Ring."
Anna Russell strikes again!
I have heard all of these Anna Russell selections at one time or another, but having them all together in one place, and on a CD, is a real plus. She is absolutely riotously funny. I teach a course in "Introduction to opera" and use her segments on Gilbert and Sullivan and on the Ring Cycle in class, just to lighten things up a bit for the students. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard    2. 20th/21st Century Opera    3. Classical    4. Classical Crossover    5. Classical Vocals    6. Miscellaneous    7. Miscellaneous Music    8. Miscellaneous Vocal Music    9. Opera    10. Operetta    11. Popular Music    12. Vocal   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (9)

A little rushed sometimes, but beautiful
To be honest, I can't really figure out how much I like Katchen's performance. It's hard to gauge because Brahms's piano music is inherently exceptional played by just about any performer.
Radiant and inspired recordings
If there is a more effervescent , idiomatic , innovative and resplendently performance of the Handel Variations , I have not heard it . Katchen emphasizes with colossal scrupulosity the wide doe and the diversity spectre of the orchestral instruments . You must marvel at the technical equipment of Katchen playing .
Simply Amazing
This recording is definitive. Brahms is known to be passionate, loud, and temperamental like Beethoven. Thus, the piano playing required would have to be as such. Katchen makes full use of the range of the piano, never subduing any bass note, but rather, amplifies it. Furthermore, you don't get the over-romanticized and muddy texture of Evgeny Kissin. It is crisp, powerful, direct, and highly artistic. Truly passionate and other-worldly. But loud passion is not the only thing here; my opinion of Brahms is that his orchestral works are his best, that is, the symphonies and concertos. Yet, his intermezzi are perhaps one of the best compositions for the piano, and Katchen plays with the most careful detail to each and every nuance and phrasing for these gentle, often tragic pieces. Definetly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Balladefor Keyboard    2. Box Sets (Audio Only)    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Classical    5. Classical Composers    6. Classical Music    7. Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard    8. Intermezzo for Keyboard    9. Keyboard    10. Keyboard Work Entitled "Piece" or "Stück"    11. Music for Four Hands at One Keyboard    12. Rhapsody for Keyboard    13. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    14. Romantic Variations for Keyboard    15. Scherzo for Keyboard    16. Variations for Keyboard   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (1)

Re-release of a Fantastic Collection
This is a re-release of the Emerson String Quartet's live performances of the Shostakovich String Quartets. For Shostakovich lovers this is a must buy.
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Subjects:  1. Box Sets (Audio Only)    2. Chamber    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Chamber Symphony    5. Classical    6. Classical Composers    7. Quartet for Four String Instruments   

Editorial Review

It's simple: in his various realizations of the piano music of Erik Satie, Aldo Ciccolini set a standard that has yet to be bettered. This compilation, drawn from recordings made between 1966 and 1971, is consequently the best of the best. Ciccolini always played Satie's music as though it had been written by Claude Debussy, not by some cheap charlatan or uneducated primitive (which, to an extent that is still debatable, Satie was). The result is that these seemingly simple piano pieces acquire a tonal allure that is as surprising as it is undeniable. They possess an understated sophistication that points directly toward Ravel and Poulenc, at the same time providing an opening to the minimalist aesthetic of the later 20th century. Ciccolini's playing is pliant and graceful, and under his fingers the music seems to breathe and come alive. What more could a composer or a listener want? Read more

Reviews (9)

Picasso in sound
Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Eric Satie were drinking buddies; it shouldn't be surprising that their work, though in different media, should bear striking similarities. This CD set replaces a very badly abused vinyl recording from the 1960s. No one plays Satie like Aldo Ciccolini. I do wish the Parade had been included, Satie wrote the music, Cocteau the libretto and Picasso did the sets and costumes-Satie's only ballet. Of course, the circa 1910 audience walked out. It's the story of an out-of-work ballet company that goes out onto the streets of Paris to try to get customers to come inside. The customers are stereotypes like the American in a cowboy outfit who adds the sound of this six gun to the music and the secretary who types through the encounter. The back wall of the theater was covered with Picasso designed neon signs flashing in bright colors throughout the performance. Across the front of the stage he'd strung acetate on which were playing street scenes of Paris from three cameras-red, blue and green. The men were way, way ahead of their times.

Great but NOT complete
Please note that this collection does NOT contain Erik Satie's complete works for piano.The collection makes no such claim, but at 5 CDs, some may assume it to be complete and none of the other reviews to date mention this.I am too lazy to do the research to come up with a complete list, but offhand I know that these songs are missing - "Je Te Veux", "Fantaisie-Valse" and "Valse-Ballet".These 3 are among my favorite Satie pieces, so yes, I think the collection is diminished somewhat by their absence.
There's only one.
If you're reading this, you've already heard Satie's music, so I needn't to go into that. I do want to say that this is the only recording of Satie that is worth hearing. Ciccolini is the only foot that will fit the Satie glass slipper.Don't waste your money on the ugly step-sisters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Work with Descriptive Title    3. 20th/21st Century Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    4. 20th/21st Century Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem    5. Ballet    6. Classical    7. Classical Composers    8. Classical Music    9. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    10. Collection of Dance-Based Music for Keyboard    11. Keyboard    12. Keyboard Music for More Than One Player    13. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    14. Morceau for Keyboard    15. Musical Theater    16. Nocturne for Keyboard    17. Orchestral    18. Orchestral & Symphonic    19. Prelude for Keyboard    20. Sarabande for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

The title of this project is aptly-named. Regina Carter, a Detroit-born, classically-trained jazz violinist, traveled to Genoa, Italy in December, 2001, and performed on Paganini's legendary Guarneri violin nicknamed "the Canon." After winning the hearts of the skeptical Italians, with armed gunmen surveying her every move, Carter played flawlessly, and became the first jazz musician and African-American to the play the instrument. The next year, Carter returned to Genoa, recorded on Paginini's violin andperformed a pleasing program of crossover-friendly light classics, South American compositions, a movie tune, and original works. Produced and arranged by Jorge Calandrelli and Ettore Strata, and backed by a combo led by pianist Werner "Vana" Gierig, the selections, while not exactly groundbreaking, successfully show off Carter's impeccable and soulful playing, and the violin's rich and reverent tones. An 18-piece orchestra supports Carter on Ravel's "Pavane pour une infante defunte,"Piazzolla's "Oblivion," and Ennio Morrricone's Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (23)

Like a breeze, caressing you...
Well, you know how there are some songs that work best in their original form and should not be remade / remixed / jazzed up by any musician at all?Regina Carter is the exception to that rule, for her touch is magic.
Regina Carter is Fantastic!
This is one of the most beautiful collections of classical jazz in the world.The music is beyond words.Every song speaks to my soul.It is one cd that everyone needs to add to their music collection.

Music from heavens
I a Jazz fan. However, I have never though that a violin can do that magic. It is not like anything that I have listened to before. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music    3. Choral    4. Classical Crossover    5. Film    6. Film Music    7. Jazz    8. Jazz Music    9. Keyboard    10. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    11. Miscellaneous    12. Miscellaneous Music    13. Pavane for Keyboard    14. Pop    15. Post-Bop    16. Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard    17. Secular Choral Music with Orchestra    18. Vocal   

Editorial Review

John Rutter's groundbreaking research and subsequent performing edition of Fauré's beloved Read more

Reviews (6)

OK, I'm a sucker for the 1893 version
John Rutter made substantial changes to the previously most-performed version of the Faure Requiem when he recorded this.He went back to the version of 1893 to do so, rather than using the more famous, more heavily orchestrated later version.One difference is that the violins in the Sanctus are transposed up an octave on this CD compared to the way in which they were played in the later Requiem.I find this recording to be beautiful and timeless, and definitely not over-orchestrated.
Life has been engulfed in time
This requiem represents a complete shift in the general tone of the requiem as a genre. The vision of life and death is impregnated with a feminine light, the light of the ocean softly illuminated by the sunshine of Normandy, of the Graceful Coast. The figure that stands behind the music, that accompanies the dead person into the grave is no longer the masculine Germanic death that punishes man, nor even the furious feminine French death that challenges man, but the soft and comforting figure of the mother Mary, the universal comforter who takes the hand of each one of us, as if we were crying lost children, to make us pass the dangerous door that leads beyond life. This Holy Mary for whom Faur� has written so many Ave Marias, is promising us the end of time and our introduction into an everlasting stormless, painless and noiseless world that represents the very positive vision of a real world that is the negative vision of life. Photography is not far away. Everyday life becomes a life of strife, struggle, noise, violence, war, speed, work, exploitation and alienation, all elements seen as negative, and death is the negation of it all, is the positive virtuality that has to become our reality overthere. It is thus in perfect agreement with the vision the impressionists introduced to defy photography and bring art beyond the blaring image of reality a photographer brings up with his machine. The eye of the artist goes beyond those crude colors and forms to find light and life in the depth of his retina. Faur� is the impressionist painter of death as the real life beyond the surface we have to contemplate and suffer everyday. In other words virtual is beautiful and real is dreadful. Happiness has to be found in virtuality and not in reality. Faur� is bergsonian, who sees eternity beyond the flow of time. Faur� is proustian, who sees life beyond the loss of memory. This explains the erasing of the Dies Irae because there is no anger any more in the ascent to the eternal memory of what does not exist yet. This is a requiem of timelessness and nightlessness. Requiem- a masterpiece.
This exquisite collection has so many gorgeous songs that move me to tears. In Sanctus, the violin is so pure, so beautiful, its wrings my heart. This is real music, real art, crafted with such care, that it is a true privilege to hear it, not to mention sing it (which I have done, and I loved it). It is an encredible CD, and I would encourage anyone to buy it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthem    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Choral    4. Classical    5. Classical Composers    6. Mass    7. Requiem/Requiem Section    8. Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard    9. Sacred Choral Music    10. Sacred Music for more than one Soloist & Chorus    11. Vocal   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (5)

poor sound quality
a great selection of baroque favorites, but the sound quality, especially on the pachelbel canon, not great at all.for that reason, i cannot recommend getting it.what do you expect for five dollars, right !>?i would suggest spending a little more money and getting something that you can't bear to part with, for continued listening enjoyment.

SUPERB
An introduction to the best baroque music by famous composers. In this case: I'm baroque
I'm not usually a classical listener kind of gal.The only reason I stumbled onto this cd is because my favorite tune from a movie is on it. Sarabande is also played on the movie Persuasion (author: Jane Austen).I wanted to have that tune.Followed the links and landed on the Baroque cd.Ordered it.Sarabande is my favorite, followed by Canon, four seasons: spring, etc.I love this cd!It feels happy and light.For me, as a writer and an animator, it adds extra emotional impact when creating as well as influencing my imagination more.I recommend this cd when people want to feel like spring. ...