Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (6)

good selection, but horribly recorded
good song selection, but horribly recorded. the sound is too contaminated.

hmmmm
definitely not the best rendition of the popular suite.on the other hand,try finding another one.
Good Introduction but poor quality
This is a good introduction to Tchaikovsky for the beginner that gives a broad sampling of his work. Considering the price, it's a good value if someone is just wanting to begin exploring classical music or Tchaikovsky in particular.
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Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Chamber    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    7. Concerto    8. Keyboard    9. March for Orchestra    10. Opera    11. Orchestral    12. Orchestral & Symphonic    13. Piano Concerto    14. Quartet for Four String Instruments    15. Romantic Ballet    16. Romantic Orchestral Music    17. Romantic Overture for Orchestra    18. Romantic Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    19. Romantic Symphony    20. Russian Romantic Opera   

Reviews (8)

A Great Introduction to Italian Opera
The artists on this CD succeed in their goal to create a CD that displays great Italian opera. Carlo del Monte and Victoria de los Angeles open the disc with the Brindisi from La Traviata. Victoria de los Angeles is not the best Violetta, but she does the job, along with her parner Carlo del Monte, an underappreciated tenor. Victoria de los Angeles also appears on the CD in "Un bel di vedremo" from Madama Butterfly, a role she was well known for. Swedish tenor Nicolai Gedda appears on the disc twice. His first appearence is a superb rendition of "La donna e mobile" from Rigoletto. His final performance on this disc is in the heroric aria "Celeste Aida", a performance in a role that was not in his voice range. Anna Moffo is the star on this CD, appearing three times in three very different roles. First is her beautiful "Una voce poco fa", normally a role that calls for a mezzo-soprano. Her second is "Voi che sapete" from Le Nozze di Figaro, another mezzo-soprano role. Her final appearence is her best, "The Mad Scene" from Lucia di Lammermoor. Underrated tenor Giuseppe Campora performs "Che gelida manina" with a great tenor voice. Soprano Reri Girst is excellent in her performance of "Caro nome" from Rigoletto. One of my favorite baritones appears on this CD. Robert Merrill is a perfect Count di Luna, and it is evident in his rendition of "Il balen del suo sorriso". Another baritone appears on this CD: mario Sereni. He is not a world famous baritone, but he should have been. Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the world of Italian opera.

Best of the best!
The performers, the selections, the quality... almost divine!

Fabulous bargain for anyone
I would recommend this CD to anyone, from opera novice to experienced listener...Read more

Subjects:  1. Baroque Individual Dance Movement for Orchestra    2. Classical    3. Classical Music    4. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    5. Italian Romantic Opera    6. Opera    7. Opera/Operetta Collections    8. Orchestral    9. V/a Compilations   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (13)

Two Beethoven cycles from the Alban Berg--which one is better?
Founded in 1971, the Alban Berg Quartet of Vienna was the dominant ensemble in the quartets of Mozart and Beethoven for two decades. Such was their pre-eminence that EMI recorded two complete Beethoven cycles with them over the span of less than five years. The first was made in the studio in 1985, the second was recorded live at the Mozart Saal in Vienna in 1989--since the latter contains applause, it's obvious which is which upon hearing htem. But online stores like Amazon, Tower, and Crotchet do not distinguish between the two.The one pictured herer is the studio cycle.
Great music - quality control problem with CDs
These are wonderful renditions of these Quartets.I had worn out my records and finally decided it was time to get a CD version of this fantastic music.The first thing that came as a surprise was when Disk Number 4 would not load into Itunes on my Mac.I was able to get it to work on my Wife's PC and copy it onto a new CD and get past the problem that way, but it seemed odd my MAC could not read this disk.Then I discovered all the tracks on each disk are mislabeled after the first quartet.This meant manually correcting each entry on every disk (7 of them) which was labor intensive.I love the music but any potential buyer who purchases these with the intention of loading them into their IPOD should be aware of this quality control problem.

The Top Cycle
This set is one of those opportunities to get in on wonderful performances at a great price. I had to weigh in because I was surprised to find some less than stellar reviews of this set- one reviewer below actually wrote a review for a completely different recording, giving this one 3 stars not even having heard it.
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Subjects:  1. Box Sets (Audio Only)    2. Chamber    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Orchestral & Symphonic    7. Quartet for Four String Instruments   

Reviews (5)

Peter and the Wolf, Prokovief read by L. Bernstein
Great! my granddaughter (age 3) loves it. She listens to it several times aday! We have drawn the characters on a card for her to follow the story. I will keep the Saint Saens (Carnival of the Animals) for later.

Excellent Recording
Leonard Bernstein did a spectacular job in the narration of Peter and the Wolf.I remember when he did Young Peoples' Concerts many years ago and he made classical music come alive for children.

Childhood Revisited
My mother bought a vinyl copy of this for my sister and me when we were young.We practically wore it out from constant listening.It also didn't help that we "ballet" danced around the living room while the record was playing.Delighted to know that this recording is now in CD form.Still find the music, and Bernstien's narration, charming. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Variations    2. Chamber    3. Classical    4. Classical Artists    5. Classical Music    6. Concerto    7. Miscellaneous    8. Music with Spoken Words    9. Orchestral    10. Orchestral & Symphonic   

Editorial Review

The debut of the young, classically trained international quintet of sopranos Jo Appleby and Tsakane Valentine, tenors David Habbin and Geoff Swell, and basso Nick Garret offers up a familiar take on the crossover formula that has enriched everyone from genre pioneers The Three Tenors to Russell Watson and beyond. While their occasionally electro-pumped rhythms and youth-angled marketing shtick ("The world's first opera band!") may borrow a page from Opera Babes and Bond, it still manages to evoke the spirit (if not the letter) of its eclectic classical sources. And if the world hasn't exactly been burning for yet another dramatized update ofRead more

Reviews (61)

Easy Listening
Bought the album after hearing someone talk about the group.Thought the voices were okay (baritone was the best) but in some songs didn't blend properly.Selection of pieces was interesting . . . pop, classical, opera.Good album for "background" music.

Very Relaxing Music
I first heard it at a shop that sells English products. I thought it was interesting to hear and decided to get the CD for myself. I find the chorus very relaxing especially the last song which nearly put me to sleep as I am doing my homework. Amici Forever is a good CD to listen to when you have nothing to do or to soothe your wracked nerves.

What more can you expect?
CD was delivered quickly, in excellent shape, and for a great price.What more can you say?George ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthem    2. Choral    3. Choral Music    4. Classical    5. Classical Artists    6. Classical Crossover    7. Classical Music    8. Czech Romantic Opera    9. French Romantic Opera    10. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    11. Italian Romantic Opera    12. Miscellaneous    13. Miscellaneous Music    14. Opera    15. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    16. Vocal    17. Vocal Music   

Features

• Hybrid SACD

Reviews (17)

3 1/2 stars for interpretation, sound and packaging
The reviews here of this performance remind me of the reviews a few years back of a woman's rendition of a couple Bach cantatas. They focused on the beauty of her singing and nothing else.
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
I ordered it because I like Joshua Bell who is the violinist on this recording and because I like Tchaikovsky.I was not dissapointed.

The Tchaikovsky concerto has rarely been peformed with such beauty and finesse
Nothing helps a warhorse like a great artist applying a new twist. Right now the world is flooded with fire-eating Russian virtuosos who play the Tchaikovky violin concerto with abandon. Joshua Bell's technique is as good as tehirs, and his tone excels almost everyone in sweetness and purity. Combining those strengths, he's recorded a refined, often reflective reading. Tilson Thomas concuts in perfect agreement. There's plenty of dazzling display, but Bell has decided to take the music seriously. He carefully molds every phrase, and in so doing we hear a stream of interesting detail.
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Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    4. Classical    5. Classical Artists    6. Concerto    7. Keyboard    8. Romantic Ballet    9. Violin Concerto   

Editorial Review

The score for Read more

Reviews (39)

Cat's Meow
This is the one, especially if you are a Pavarotti fan. In this recording everyone acquits themselves with style. Pavarotti is magnificent, Freni is gorgeous, as is Harwood, Ghiaurov...well the whole gang is great.

Beautiful
I own two recordings of Puccini's La Boheme, and this one is my favorite. I love this set, the recording is excellent. Pavorotti and Freni are magnificent in this version. This is just an excellent opera. It is so beautiful and touching. It is one of my all time favorite opera's.

WONDERFUL!!!!
Happy I purchased this album. Nothing pleases me more than to listen to this music I love. Pavarotti Fan ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Music    3. Italian Romantic Opera    4. Opera    5. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    6. Opera/Operetta   

Editorial Review

The great Yo-Yo Ma has recently (in addition to his world music explorations) moved to the baroque cello, a so-called period instrument, and his transition has been remarkably smooth. He is indeed a musical polyglot, and this CD finds him solidly in the heart of the Baroque period, with music by Vivaldi. In addition to three concerti the composer wrote for cello, there are some fascinating transcriptions. The Largo violin solo from the "Winter" concerto of the Four Seasons is here beautifully played on cello, its darker tone added substituting gravity for chill in the wintry landscape. Aconcerto originally for viola d'amore, lute and strings has been transformed into one for cello, organ, strings and continuo, with Baroque expert Ton Koopman as transposer and organist (and sympathetic, energetic conductor throughout). And oddest of all, Koopman has created cello solos out of arias (one of which is helped by a perky bassoon)originally composed for female voice from a couple of operas, the oratorio Read more

Reviews (8)

Absolutely Amazing
I love this album from beginning to end.RV 531 will blow your socks off, especially the first and third movements!Yo-Yo and Ton have done it again, thank you for such a wonderful record.You will not be disappointed with this purchase.

You mouth open in Awe.
This album is complete. My mouth was open in Awe when I heard Allegro off this album, it's no.1 on this album. I couldn't stop picturing them all playing this. The piece was astouding! The dynamics, accents, just everything! I don't know what else to say about this album!

Hard to believe!
This album is just exquisite... At times there are no words to describe the depth and beauty -- his incredible bow control, intensity and passion, impeccable pitch, sense of dynamic movement... It's all there! The first time I heard "Largo" from Winter I had to hold my breath -- it is such a dazzling rendition! I say that this album deserves twice as many ears as there are people in the world today! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cello Concerto    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Choral    4. Classical    5. Classical Artists    6. Concerto    7. Concerto for Two String Instruments    8. Gloria    9. Italian Baroque Opera    10. Opera    11. Oratorio    12. Violin Concerto   

Editorial Review

Yo-Yo Ma might seem like an unlikely protagonist for thetango, but this intrepid musical explorer has taken his task seriously,collaborating with experienced tango musicians. Ma even participates in aposthumous collaboration with one 1987 Piazzolla recording. Furthermore, whilehe's obviously the headliner here, he doesn't dominate the arrangements nearlyas much as he does the billing and photography of the disc. While the resultisn't your essential Piazzolla album (that would have to include more of thecomposer's own playing), it's an atmospheric and convincing collection, perhapsa good introduction for those who don't know the music. Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (22)

A Classy CD
Great intro to tango, great to relax and read to.

Great Music BUT - Stupid Sony CD
I love this music - plays great on my CD player, but when I tried to play it on my computer at work, I wouldn't work.Sony wanted me to install something that didn't work on my machine (my computer is farely new), so I ended up having a friend copy the music over to a new CD without all that SONY stuff they use to stop pirating probably.Now I can listen at work and it is wonderful.BUT BEWARE ON BUYING CDs like this!

Very good but not what I heard live in Cerritos
When I first heard Yo-Yo Ma live in Cerritos several years ago, his closing piece was from the yet released Soul of the Tango.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cello with Keyboard    2. Chamber    3. Chamber Music    4. Chamber Music & Recitals    5. Classical    6. Classical Artists    7. Classical Crossover    8. Classical Music    9. Duo for Two String Instruments    10. Miscellaneous    11. Miscellaneous Music   

Reviews (20)

Bach and Brain Science?
David Finckel (cello): " I don't know there is scientific evidence to support it, but when I listen to this music I feel my brain cells being re-aligned."
Let Their Be Fugue To Fill The Air

Beautiful music for a bargain
This recording introduced me to Bach's Art of Fugue, and I was was not disappointed. I am not an expert, so I will simply share this experience: I first heard the Art of Fugue today on my IPOD while jogging, and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the music to the extent that I was compelled to write this review. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Contrapuntal/Improvisatory Keyboard Music    6. Keyboard   

Editorial Review

Little can be added to what's been written about this landmark recording, except that Walter Legge's 1953 mono production yields nothing to modern Read more

Reviews (124)

this is not a review
Just the fact that this product has gathered 123 reviewers by the time I write my first comment ever in a similar internet site, should tell something per se... I am a singer myself. I could write endless technical comments on the slightest vocal or musical nuance these four legendary musicians have contributed here. Empty words! Just ask yourselves: "Do I really and humbly love Music!?" If the answer is "YES!!!", run and buy this recording.
An excellent Tosca
Wonderful recording. "Vissi d'arte" by Maria Callas should not be missed. She is magnificent as Floria Tosca. Guiseppe DiStefano is excellent as Cavaradossi as well and Tito Gobbi makes Scarpia come alive.

Recorded in mono
Wonderful performance of Tosca, however I was quite disappointed when I realized it was recorded in mono.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Music    3. Italian Romantic Opera    4. Opera    5. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    6. Opera/Operetta   

Editorial Review

Manuel Barrueco is one of the best guitarists I've ever heard. Listen tohis own arrangement of Albeniz's Read more

Reviews (10)

Bachand others on the Guitar
A wonderful combination between the Great Bach and a master of Guitar

heavenly music
I love this cd. The minute you put this music on you are transported to another world. It is very soothing and relaxing to listen to. Anyone who likes classical guitar should own this cd.

WOW!
WOW! This CD is outstanding! Far better then what I expected!! Listening to this Master at work in the car cures road rage!! I highly recomended it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baroque Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    2. Chamber    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Classical    5. Classical Artists    6. Classical Music    7. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    8. Collection of Dance-Based Music for Keyboard    9. Duo for Two String Instruments    10. Guitar Solo    11. Keyboard    12. Keyboard Music    13. Lute Solo    14. Miscellaneous    15. Miscellaneous Music    16. Suite/Partita for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

Christmas is the season for whipping out those holiday-specific standard recordings. This splendid gift by Chanticleer should top the list, for one will never tire of this a cappella choir's interpretations. With selections spanning the last five centuries of Latin, German, English, Spanish, and French festive fare, this recording exemplifies the sacrifice of the ego to the higher form of choral sound. Jacob Handl's "Mirabile Mysterium" takes you on a trip into the chromatic wonderlands, where you temporarily lose tonal balance. Victoria's eerie and dissonant "O Magnum Mysterium" treats us to rich voices swelling out of one organic whole. The phenomenal blend and perfect intonation elevate this recording above others in its category. Read more

Reviews (12)

Simply beautiful
The title and artist' name says it all - Christmas with clear (pure) singing.Glorious in all respects.

It's that time of year...for Chanticleer!
Walking the busy malls to the multichannel Muzak of every old Christmas song interpreted in hiphop, jazz, idiosyncratic 'rethinkings' by famous soloists as well as replays of Gene Autry, Bing Crosby etc., it is a relief to return home (or if fortunate, to the concert hall) and hear the more uplifting music of the season through the ages. And despite reliance on some old favorite Messiah recordings, and carols by Kings College Choir, the one CD that seems to reign supreme is this Chanticleer release SING WE CHRISTMAS from 1995!
From the mystical, magical heart of Christmastime!
Chanticleer is an audaciously talented acapella choral ensemble whose work finds its best expression in spiritual songs like these, which are stunning missives straight from heaven itself. The spirit of the season of Christmas, the promise and beauty and renewal at the heart of it, is so perfectly captured in these soaring and robust performances, each one more impossibly lovely than the last.You don't need to believe in Santa Claus or even Christmas to derive deep satisfation from this album;you need only have ears to listen and the capacity for extreme goose bumps!The hush of a snowy day, a cathedral filled with candles and voices lifted heavenwards, the abundance of genuine goodwill and loving kindness that has survived every attempt at commercializing Christmas ... these things are alive and well in this music, which will move you to your core.
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Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard    2. Choral    3. Choral Music    4. Christmas    5. Christmas / Chanukkah    6. Christmas Music    7. Classical    8. Holiday    9. Miscellaneous    10. Miscellaneous Music    11. Miscellaneous Vocal Music    12. Motet    13. Orchestral    14. Renaissance Motet    15. Sacred Choral Music    16. Secular Choral Music with Keyboard (or Continuo)    17. Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble    18. Vocal    19. Vocal Music    20. Xmas Classical Vocal   

Reviews (2)

I hope a a genius does NOT write modern music
The honesty and truth of his works is what made Mozart a genius and his music exceptional and not, as the previous reviwer has stated, his use of advanced 'modern' harmonic developments.Technical refinements, feeling, taste - these things, though important, should not be considered ends in themselves.Many classical collectors have lost sight of the real end admist these things.It is music's integrity, and in its instruction of moral truths that should be one's only worthy end.Many artists today can play with emotion, skill and taste, but as wise listeners we should understand that these things are secondary to the humanity and integrity displayed in performances of works that have been inspired by such important truths.Oistrakh, as few artists do (especially today) understands this.When he performs he is not engaged in intellectual exercise, rather he makes music as music should be made: he instructs and brings to life the transcendent truths that these masters of old have been appropriately called masters for.

Beautiful
This is a beautifully played, selected, remastered, and priced recording of essential pieces of music.Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Concerto    6. Violin Concerto   

Editorial Review

Wendy Carlos's Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (22)

wonderful album but. . .
I have always enjoyed this album and Well-Tempered Synthesizer ever since they came out in LP form when I was young.
A fun trip back to the 60's
I remember being in college listening to (at the time) the LP while studying. It is a greeat trip down memeory lane.

How about "class by itself?"
Sure I had record albums of music by Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninoff, but "Switched-On" was my real intro. to "classical" (orchestral) music. I still have this vinyl album, but I seldom drop the tonearm on it anymore: I'm afraid the stylus will come after me. Brandenburg No. 3 with its dripping water 2d movement puts this recording in a class by itself.
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Subjects:  1. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    2. Cantata    3. Choral    4. Classical    5. Classical Artists    6. Classical Music    7. Concerto    8. Concerto Grosso    9. Electronic    10. Electronic & Computer    11. Electronic/Avant-Garde/Minimalist Music    12. Invention for Keyboard    13. Keyboard    14. Orchestral    15. Prelude and Fugue for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

The rich-voiced Alaskan mezzo Viovica Genaux's new CD is as dazzling as her Read more

Reviews (1)

A great sequel to Arias for Farinelli
Although this recording is with a different label than Ms Genaux's spectacular Arias for Farinelli, this set of arias by Handel & Hasse can be seen as a second volume on the same theme. The theme is early 18th century opera arias, written for the castrato voice. Today these parts are sung by countertenors and mezzo-sopranos, and the mezzo Vivica Genaux is surely one of the great singers of this repertoire today.
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Subjects:  1. Cantata    2. Choral    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Italian Baroque Opera    6. Opera    7. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    8. Vocal    9. Vocal Music   

Reviews (4)

Selection is not good
This tape is short and the melodies are not engaging for kids. It was waste of money.

Baby Einstein: Traveling Melodies
Hello everyone,
Saved My Sanity
My husband and I are musicians so I inwardly groaned when we were given this CD as a gift--I'd rather play the originals rather than some synthesized kiddie version.However, on a recent road trip we got desperate when our colicky son would not stop screaming.We popped this in the CD player and it calmed him down immediately.I swear, it's like aural crack for babies.We now play it at bedtime to help calm him down and it still works.You may not love this CD, but your baby will. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Collections    2. Childrens    3. Christmas Music    4. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    5. Classical Period Symphony    6. Concerto    7. Concerto for Two Solo Instruments    8. Czech Romantic Opera    9. Keyboard    10. Miscellaneous    11. Miscellaneous Music    12. Music for Four Hands at One Keyboard    13. Opera    14. Orchestral    15. Polka for Orchestra    16. Pop    17. Romantic Rhapsody for Orchestra    18. Romantic Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    19. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    20. Romantic Symphony   

Reviews (24)

Very best Bach for solo violin
It is not easy to meet a CD that listen over and over again these days. Recently I met it. When I listen the sample on the Amazon page the sound just caught me, "What is it?" "Different!".
EvocativeTherapy
Bach has always been a favorite and Szeryng an inspiration.I was a bit concerned with the Duetsche Grammaphone release, as I have heard many other artistical releases of dubious quality.But this one shines. I understand that Szeryng mastered these works very early in his career, his mastery is evident and haunting.A trip into the past, Szeryng shows his talent.It is such a blessing to be able to hear the masters performing masterworks, especially in the digital format that lends itself to hearing the whole release without interruption. It is most satisfying to retain that sort of connection with the music and the muscian.

Glenn Gould's violin counterpart
Szeryng's recording is outstanding.The main appeal of this recording for me was his ability to enunciate all the different voices of the Bach pieces.This is especially evident in his superb recording of the Chaconne.I am not surprised to see that many see this recording as close to Bach's text as possible.However, Szeryng has to do a lot of interpretation to get it to that state.If he was "only" sticking to the text, then why won't most other virtuosos follow this example?When I listen to Szeryng (this Bach recording over a thousand times), I never grow tired.It is true that when one first listens to it, it does not seem as remarkable as some other playings, but the beauty of Szeryng's playing is the purity and transcendence with which he plays Bach.Each measured, full and clear note rings with the heart-wrenching pathos evident in many of Bach's pieces.
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Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Violin Solo   

Editorial Review

Cheated out of playing nightclub canary Sally Bowles on Broadway in director Hal Price's Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (30)

A Different Interpretation of Cabaret
It really bothered me that a review below stated that Liza Minnelli wasn't Sally Bowles and that the song "Cabaret" is about Sally being upset that she lost her true love and that its about Sally coming to the realization that she is stuck in the awful cabaret.