Reviews (8)

French Brubeck
If you like the fusion of classical with jazz(Forinstance"Jazz impressions of eurasia"you will love this disc.

BACH & JAZZ LOVERS
Being a huge fan of Bach's (I could honestly listen to his piano and vocal music all day long!) this album was a natural for me.After reading the other reviews online and hearing two friends rave about it, I decided to buy this CD and am awfully glad I did.What wonderful arrangements!This is definitely an album for both Bach lovers and jazz lovers.The source music is, of course, powerful and innovative; Loussier takes Bach and doesn't so much "transform" him as he does take the music to another level...keeping all the beauty.My personal favorite would be the very familiar "Air On A G String."Not better, mind you.Simply wonderful!

Treat yourself nice with Loussier's music...
My best friend introduced this CD to me, the very first time for me to explore how fantastic someone can make for classic music! I am a lover for both classic and jazz music. Loussier is the master for this beautiful combination! Treat yourself nice every now and then, and enjoy this CD with friends or along with a good bottle of wine! I can't help it but fall in love with his music, eventually become a collector of Loussier's work. And I am glad to tell you that friends around me start to appreciate classic music because of the Loussier... You will love him too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    2. Bop    3. Classical    4. Classical Artists    5. Jazz Music    6. Keyboard    7. Keyboard Music    8. Miscellaneous    9. Miscellaneous Music    10. Music for Organ    11. Orchestral    12. Swing   

Editorial Review

It's rather amazing today, when recordings of Bach's Read more

Reviews (37)

Gould's unique sound
No pianist has been able to play these pieces as steadily and with as much control as Gould, nor with his reverence and clarity in fugues such as the c# and e-flat minor.In the C# major prelude in Book I Gould plays a wrong note in bar 37--a b natural for b#--but this more minor-sounding wrong line actually sounds interesting and maybe even better, and it contrasts with bar 45.I did not realize this elusive sound was a wrong note until relistening after a break of many years.It had to be either a deliberate change or a finger slip--no edition of the piece contains that note.There is also a finger slip in the C# major fugue on the 'and' of beat one in bar 17 where Gould bumps into an f#--that could not be deliberate.These are the only note errors I have found inGould's recordings, and I don't know that any outtakes have been released of the WTC.
Listen to a more conventional recording first.
I highly recommend Gould's recording of WTC books one and two with the caveat that his performances reach the peak of the unpredictable and can be rather traumatizing to the uninitiated.
Bach's individual fugual voices are crystal clear
I laughed out loud reading the extreme range of these reviews; some reviewers felt a need to not only insult Gould but anyone who recommended the CD as well (!)Well, you can place me squarely in the "You need this CD" category; this is my favorite WTC performance, and one of my favorite classical recordings. Gould seperates and clarifies the individual fugal voices like no other; to me at least, listening to this is a Bach experience of the highest order. ... Read more

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

Reviews (3)

This is so beautiful
I've been a massage therapist for seven years, and I have lots and lots of relaxation music. I have owned this c.d. three different times because I have listened to it to the point of wearing it out several times over. It is so beautiful and rich in perfection, and if your smart its really easy to time your massage to. If your not an M.T. just get it to have in your collection when you'd like to relax, you won't be sorry.

A Musical Tranquilizer
This is a terrific collection of many of Mozart's best known and mostbeloved pieces. You will probably recognize many of the melodies - and withthis CD, of course, you'll learn their names. This CD is really aptly named- it is a very 'relaxing' collection of beautiful music. One reviewer saidthat its great for the car - but also after that long, grinding day at work- you know, the kind of day where you feel especially eaten-up. You justwant to go home and sit in your favorite chair and put on some music...It is also an excellent album to get the kids started on lovely classicalmusic. Highly recommended!

guaranteed to relax you whether at home or in the car
this assortment of melodies is the perfect gift for the new mother, the new baby, or anyone else who wants to be stimulated by the classical sounds and soothed by the melodies. a definite must for the car - where muchstress occurs in traffic jams. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Clarinet Concerto    3. Classical    4. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    5. Classical Music    6. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    7. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    8. Concerto    9. Concerto for Two Solo Instruments    10. Flute Concerto    11. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    12. Keyboard    13. Opera    14. Orchestral    15. Orchestral & Symphonic    16. Piano Concerto    17. Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet    18. Violin Concerto   

Editorial Review

David Oistrakh recorded the Brahms several times. This one is a great performance in 1960 sound that holds up well. The combination of a crack French orchestra, a German conductor known for granitelike solidity, and the intense Russian violinist strikes sparks. Oistrakh plays with fire dampened by a big tone that moves easily between ineffable sweetness and molten heat. Klemperer and the orchestra match him throughout, and the Adagio is especially striking in its emotional depth. In the Mozart, from 1972, the violinist switches to the viola and directs the Berlin Philharmonic, while son Igor takes the violin part. The result is one of the best recordings of this masterpiece. The two play with spirit, breathing and phrasing as one, while David's big viola sound and expert playing indicate he's as much at home on that instrument as on the fiddle. The orchestral part is a huge plus here; the BPO's warm sound and detailed playing are outstanding. Read more

Reviews (10)

For this price, by it!Heck, for any price, buy it!
Yep, masterpiece sums this one up. So does "no brainer": two of the greatest compositions in the literature, played by two of the greatest fiddlists (did I just make a word up?) in history, on one cheap CD. The sound is good, though overly-reverberant and a bit fuzzy in the Brahms (some of you may not notice; me, I like my sound dryer than this), the soloists are stupendous, and, as the Amazon review notes, this is one of the deepest and most emotional Adagios in the Brahms ever. I'm often befuddled by soloists and conductors who play the climax of this movement, the final return of the main singing theme (where the strings begin a pizzicato accompaniment), so glibly: often they just skate over it, as though they're afraid of the emotion or they think it's too schmaltzy for a major masterpiece. Well, in the right hands, it's not schmaltzy; it is, however, deeply *romantic,* and Brahms was, after all, the king of the High Romantics. Listening to this stately, rich performance by David O, you realize why many colleagues (Sviatoslav Richter for one) considered him the greatest violinist of the 20th century. Hard to argue, with playing like this as your evidence.
Excellent Performances but Mozart outshines Brahms
With both Oistrakhs and legendary conductor Klemperer, it certainly is no shock to see this CD rated at 5 stars and I am not going to disagree.Considering the budget price, this CD should be in any serious classical collection.When I listened to it, I enjoyed the Mozart much better.As much I respect Otto Klemperer, I have often found his conducting to be over serious. Without Klemperer, the Mozart sounds much more joyous and the music really sings.And the string playing of the Oistrakhs is simply incredible.Before EMI sends this CD to a mid-price label, grab it now.

Great, but the Szell/Oistrakh is far better
This is indeed a great performance of the Brahms, though it is not a patch on the outstanding Szell/Oistrakh recording in the so-called "Great Recordings of the Century" series.And in case anyone thinks I am biased, I bought this recording as well, being the die-hard Klemperer fan that I am. And yes, I'm afraid to say that Szell knocks him for six. For me the best thing about this CD has to be the Mozart, which is glorious.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Concerto    6. Sinfonia Concertante    7. Violin Concerto   

Reviews (12)

Disappointing
When you buy a CD like this, the one thing you expect of the artist is to nail the intro to Toccata and Fugue In D Minor, Bach's great masterwork and the lead piece on the CD.Unfortunately, the organist plays the intro robotically, truncating notes and overextending pauses.He rushes some passages so badly in the intro that one cannot distinguish the melodic line.Toccata and Fugue In D Minor is so musically advanced that it sounds modern even today, but you miss that with this recording.

This album belongs amongst the first four or five in every Bach collection.
What to say about these extraordinary works?
Never a dull moment in this Bach recording.....
Peter Hurford is perhaps one of the foremost organists of his time.He has not only studied music but law as well, giving a scholarly twist on his education.I have always been pleased by his interpretations of Bach. They are no-nonsense, with strict tempos, clean, accurate passages, and registrations which are very lush and vibrant.For the new fan of Bach, there is no better place to start, as this set contains all of the "big" organ pieces for which Bach became legendary, as well as a few well-known chorale preludes.For those who wish to explore Bach's organ contributions in more detail, buy Hurford's complete Bach recordings (Although I believe it is out of print or very hard to obtain, as I have not yet found one). If this is the case, buy Marie-Claire Alain's version on Erato.No two organists understand Bach better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chorale Prelude or Chorale Treatment for Keyboard    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Keyboard    6. Keyboard Work Entitled "Piece" or "Stück"    7. Music for Organ    8. Passacaglia/Passacaglia and Fugue for Keyboard   

Reviews (6)

Karajan and Mutter match perfectly, but not for me
Even though I consider Karajan the greatest maestro of his generation, as an accompanist he tended to exhibit faults I don't find when he's on his own. In both these concertos there's a concern for overall smoothness, mellow tone, and precise balance.Karajan's lovely young protegee, Mutter, matches his approach perfectly. She spins one of the most consistent tones of any violinist and shows no desire to crowd the spotlight. The result wins admiration for being harmonious, but where's the individuality and drama?
doesn't measure up to hilary hahn
I know that both anne-sophie mutter and hilary hahn are both exceptional musicians, but i personally think that hilary hahn has the better mendelssohn recording. the first movement just has more energy... as well as more motion and dynamics that make it so beautiful to listen to.

Excellent
Protege Anne-Sophie Mutter has made yet another excellent CD. The Mendelssohn concerto is truly one of the greatest concertos, and has been well met by Anne-Sophie Mutter. She has a very clear and pronounced style, that not only makes for an excellent piece to listen to, but would be a bonus for a student studying either of the concertos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Concerto    5. Violin Concerto   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (38)

Dreadful, isn't it?
What you get here is one more review from a person who has not heard this compilation. But don't be hasty to skip it. I will try to make it informative.
A wonderful compilation of classical music.
This is a perfect introduction to classical music and I do not understand some of the overtly negative criticism from others.It is an excellent way to "get your feet wet," so to speak and then you can decide which composers you wish to become more familiar with.You would have to buy quite a few CDs to experience all this set has to offer.Although the CD title is tongue-in-cheek...and perhaps that is what people object to...there is nothing to criticize here.

I doubt people who hate classical music would buy this
I figure this set is mainly for people who want to teach themselves to appreciate classical music. However, it's not how I started out (age about 17). In those days nobody seemed to think anyone would want to learn how to listen to classical music. I was held up by my family as a real freak. :-) Anyway, at the time, World Record Club was run by people with a wide knowledge of classical music (whereas today it's run by market-driven managers who know nothing about it) so I was able to buy LPs at such reasonable prices it didn't matter if I later found I didn't like what I'd bought. I could have done with some guidance, of course, because I honestly couldn't tell the difference between Bach and Bartok; that's how bad my listening skills were. One of my first Bach recordings was definitely not one I would recommend to a beginner (Menuhun's performance of The Musical Offering) so I could have landed up deciding I didn't like Bach. If this type of production is what it takes to bring more people to classical music, then I guess it has to be a good thing. I've given it only one star because there is no way I would want to own it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music    3. Ballet    4. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    5. Cantata    6. Chamber    7. Chamber Music    8. Chamber Music & Recitals    9. Choral    10. Classical    11. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    12. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    13. Concerto    14. Concerto Grosso    15. Concerto for Two String Instruments    16. Film    17. Film Music    18. French Operetta    19. French Romantic Opera    20. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera   

Reviews (7)

COMPLETE Brandenburg Concertos . . .
Excellent.I enjoy Bach but haven't been able to get the complete Brandenburg Concertos.This is excellent listening for classical music lovers.

Wundebar!
I would just like to tell anyone interested in this recording that it is an excellent one. The musicianship is superior, and the sound is fantastic. The listener however, should be aware of the stylistic tendencies of the recording.
There seems to be two dominant Brandenburg styles
There's the slow, baroque and very medieval sounding playing and then there's the modern, faster paced playing. I think both are laudable, so I would probably recommend you look at this one and the Anthony Newman one. I personally prefer the Anthony Newman one, as it provides very strong horns and harpsichord with an upbeat tempo. Just thought I'd mention this as most of the Brandenburg stuff I hear over the radio or in 90% of CD's is the slow baroque style. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Concerto    5. Concerto Grosso    6. Violin Concerto   

Reviews (3)

Just for kids?? No way!!
This is wonderful classical music.If the kids like it, great!But, make no mistake about it, this is good for anyone.This is wonderful study music, reading music, or just plain relaxing music.Highlights include "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"; "March of the Toys" (from BABES IN TOYLAND -- the reason I bought this CD); "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"; "The Little Train of Caipira" (no longer little when the music is over); and the audience favorite "Hoedown" (i.e. "Beef, it's what's for dinner!").
The best classical album for kids!
This is a wonderful album. Very high quality, and every selection is beautiful.My daughter (who usually asks me to turn my classical music off) loves to pretend to gallop like a horse during "Rodeo" and march like a soldier during "Parade of the wooden soldiers". This is a pleasure for the whole family!

Great for Preschool Children
I use this CD with my preschool music group. The kids love it! This CD enables children learn about classical music without over extending their attention spans. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music    3. Ballet    4. Chamber    5. Classical    6. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    7. Classical Music    8. Collection of Preludes for Keyboard    9. Concerto    10. Keyboard    11. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    12. March for Orchestra    13. Miscellaneous    14. Miscellaneous Music    15. Music for Four Hands at One Keyboard    16. Orchestral    17. Orchestral & Symphonic    18. Romantic Ballet    19. Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard    20. Romantic Orchestral Music   

Reviews (8)

This is a brilliant assembly of Debussy.
After listening to his "Greatest Hits," I know why he is considered one of the best.
THIS IS THE STUFF RIGHT HERE!
I BOUGHT THIS BECAUSE I WAS TRYING EXPAND MY HORIZONS, YOU KNOW? CULTURALLY AND MENTALLY, YOU KNOW? SERIOUSLY THOUGH I WAS IN THE SHOP AND I WAS HAVING A GAZE AROUND THE PLACE AND THEN THIS PICTURE JUST JUMPS OUT AT ME, AND I PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS THIS DEBUSSY CHAP AND ID HEARD ABOUT HIM ON THE BBC LEARNING ZONE SO I THOUGHT ;why not?; SERIOUSLY THOUGH I DRAGGED IT HOME AND I POPPED IT IN THE OLD CD PLAYER AND IT FLOORED ME.......I MEAN SERIOUSLY THIS THING...AMAAZING STUFF..I MEAN TODAYS MUSIC HAS NOTHING, NOTHING NOTHING ON THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE.
Debussy is the best. Ever.
I love Debussy and all of his brilliant work. I barely listen to any other classical music, so I am not an authority, just an honest lover of music. I play piano and love piano music, so I was not disappointed at a piano Flaxen-Haired Girl. I've never heard an orchestrated version and don't need to. This is a good introductory CD to Debussy's work, I love it! The only thing I don't care for is the Arabesque #1 (Track 9). The horn is kind of grating and clunky to hear in such an otherwise beautiful piece. Still, its interesting and different. Everything Debussy made is purest gold. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Incidental Music for Orchestra    2. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music    3. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Work with Descriptive Title    4. Chamber    5. Classical    6. Classical Composers    7. Classical Music    8. Collection of Preludes for Keyboard    9. Keyboard    10. Keyboard Music    11. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    12. Orchestral    13. Orchestral & Symphonic    14. Orchestral Music    15. Quartet for Four String Instruments    16. Suite/Partita for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

During her far-too-brief career, cellist Jacqueline du Pré exhibited an almost oracular power of communication. Her performances bristled with the kind of brilliant electricity that could change lives and convert listeners to a lifelong love of music. Happily, it's possible to experience a sense of that power from the recordings du Pré completed before multiple sclerosis halted her career as a performer in the early 1970s. This set provides a splendid portrait--at bargain price--of du Pré's unmistakable personality: the astonishingly original yet convincing phrasing, raw energy, and ability to make her instrument sound uncannily like a human voice (du Pré was after all a favored student of Mstislav Rostropovich). Her rendition of Haydn's Concerto in C is clearly cast in a romantic--and nowadays perhaps unfashionable--mold, yet du Pr&eacute's big, bold tone carries the musical line forward with exhilarating presence. It's a demeanor that proves especially reassuring for the quirkily mercurial inventions of Boccherini. Yet du Pré most indelibly leaves her signature on the work that became her hallmark, Edward Elgar's E Minor Concerto, grafting a deeply personal level of expression onto the score's rich post-World War I melancholy. In the Schumann, du Pré makes an eloquently passionate protagonist. A similar sense of excitement is to be heard in Dvorák's Concerto--performed near the end of her career--above all in the flame of inspiration she evidently sparks from the orchestra in the serene close of its slow movement. This is a supremely rewarding collection for the beginner and aficionado alike. Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (9)

Pleasure to listen
This 3 cd pack plays daylong on the player. Great music, great artist.

passionate and individual
I was moved to add comment after reading several of Octavius' strongly worded, biased and repetitive reviews here at Amazon. His suggestion that it was schizophrenia that led to Du Pre's early withdrawal from the concert platform and untimely death is just plain wrong if not libellous!! The poor woman developed multiple sclerosis and was one of the rare ones in whom it proved to be fatal. Yes she did study with Rostropovich in Russia in 1966 but became extremely homesick. It should be added that she also attended masterclasses with Casals but regarded William Pleeth as her "cello daddy". Her words, not mine.

Great collection
This is one of my favorite concerto collections for cello.The passion the duPre brings to the music is breathtaking.I would recommend this collection for anyone.You will not be disappointed! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cello Concerto    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Artists    5. Classical Music    6. Concerto   

Reviews (2)

Excellent performance
It is quite amazing but most of the performances (even by the best) of Four Seasons seem not be "in tune" with the mood.Listen to 'Winter': Allegro non molto and you will understand what I mean.The best violinists rush through this showing their fantastic technique and... missing beauty of this piece.I highly recomend this one, exactly because it is so full of understanding the tempo and structure.Another one I would highly recomend is by Maksymuk's Polish Radio Orchestra with Kontanty Kulka (an old recording - I am not sure you can find it on CD).It is amazing that even the masters like Yehudi Menuhin just can't get it right...

beautiful recording
This recording has everything you want from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I see no reason to buy one of the more expensive ones. I'm planning on using parts for my outdoor wedding and this will be great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Concerto    5. Concerto for Two Solo Instruments    6. Oboe Concerto    7. Orchestral & Symphonic    8. Violin Concerto   

Reviews (8)

Immortal Legend
As a cellist, I grew up listening to Jacqueline Du Pre's recordings. Even now as a 35 year old, I'm still enthralled by her amazing talent. This is a great cd if one is looking for a wonderful introduction to this superb cellist or simply wants to savor her most well known recordings. Du Pre owned the "Elgar" concerto. No other words can summarize this fact. Other beautiful and moving pieces are here on this disc: Bruch "Kol Nidrei", Haydn "Concerto No.2", Faure "Elegie", Brahms "Concerto No.2". The cello is a difficult instrument to play due to the strength required in both hands. Du Pre's playing touches the heartstrings with both emotion and depth. The tone that she coaxes from her cello is amazing. Jacqueline Du Pre is a legend.

Epitome of Cello
As a cellist, I absolutely love du Pré's work.I actually found this CD when I was looking for a modern recording of "A Jacqueline du Pré Recital", a record compiled of pieces done between July 15, 1962 and April 1, 1969.The second CD in this set contains the same songs as that record.
Ooo! Samples!
As far as the romantic period goes, Jacqueline Du Pre is my personal favorite 'cellist.Her sensitivity to put expression of the musical idea always outweighed the desire to appear impressive.There is a difference in being just a virtuoso and being a musician.Avirtuoso has the capability to dazzle and amaze, but music is more than just being impressive, and Du Pre succeeds in becoming, in every sense, a musician first and foremost.The only complaint I have of this album is the fact that you only get one movement of each piece!Even so, this a wonderful "sample dish" of Du Pre's extraordinary playing, mainly meant to get you hooked so you can get more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Britain    2. Cello Concerto    3. Cello with Keyboard    4. Chamber    5. Chamber Music    6. Chamber Music & Recitals    7. Classical    8. Classical Artists    9. Classical Music    10. Concerto    11. English Horn Solo/Sonata    12. Keyboard    13. Keyboard Music    14. Music for Organ    15. Trio for Keyboard and Two String Instruments    16. Violin with Keyboard   

Reviews (2)

the last disc of 3.the greatest set in music history.
this is the last disc of the 3 disc set.its supposed to stimulate the creative juices.it gets your seritonin going like prozac.well,ok.but,anyway,its quite good.my favorite song on it just goes to show how inspirational the genius mozart was.he was alive in like 1770 and was dead by 30.he did this song and it was catchy.much later it was put to words with the tune still intact as "twinkle twinkle little star".so itll help the kids off to bed,but then someone else took the old indian created english alphabet and put it to music."the abc song" was also put to the same tune and now teaches millions of children to take thier 1st steps towards learningto read and write every day.it was also the very first recorded music when thomas edison 1st tested the phonograph sucessfully.its what he used.on this album thier are many fast paced[as fast as they get]songs that stimulate your brain.i dont personaly need any help in the creative department and just listen for the wonderful music.the twinkle twinkle little star song is like 12 minutes long and the performer uses mozarts innovative style to play it in literaly dozens of different ways.ballad,bedtime,frenzied,more notes,less notes,you name it!then theres a whole bunch of other great songs on it.if you call yourself a music lover and havent at least heard these songs,then you are sadly mistaken.a musical landmark!

Upbeat, but pleasant
I'm not the hugest classical afficianado, but this CD is very appealing. I bought the first in the series, Strengthen the Mind, and found mostly the same old crap on it that I had on three other Mozart CDs. Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    5. Classical Music    6. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    7. Classical Period Symphony    8. Classical Period Variations for Keyboard    9. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    10. Concerto    11. Dance/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Orchestra    12. Keyboard    13. Orchestral    14. Piano Concerto    15. Quartet for Four String Instruments    16. Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet    17. Symphonic   

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Baroque Variations for Keyboard    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Choral    5. Clarinet Concerto    6. Classical    7. Classical Artists    8. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    9. Concerto    10. Concerto Grosso    11. Italian Romantic Opera    12. Keyboard    13. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    14. Lullabies    15. Miscellaneous    16. Miscellaneous Music    17. Nocturne for Keyboard    18. Opera    19. Orchestral    20. Piano Concerto   

Editorial Review

The double bass only recently began to be regarded as a solo instrument, largely thanks to outstanding players who inspired composers to write for it. Until then, its repertoire consisted mostly of transcriptions, usually made by bassists themselves. Edgar Meyer, renowned as a bass virtuoso as well as a versatile, multifaceted composer, has now transcribed the Bach Cello Suites, three of which he plays on this disc. It is a brave and noble undertaking and a remarkable achievement. His command of instrument and bow, including a splendid chord-technique, is awesome, his articulation clean and variable, his intonation impeccable, although, presumably for stylistic reasons, he uses hardly any vibrato. This makes the sound hollow and remote, especially in the low register, which undercuts the expressiveness of the music and Meyer's obvious passionate love for it. His phrasing has a spoken quality; he builds up great climaxes and produces a wonderful resonance with the open strings, changing the Suites' tonality up or down a tone to fit the bass. He favors slow Minuets, and sometimes gets a bit ponderous, but gives the fast dances a lively bounce. His sense of structure and voice-leading is admirable, his rhythm supple but rock-steady, though he inexplicably cuts short some final long notes before repeats. Forget the sound of the great cellists you associate with these works, and listen to this record with a fresh ear. Read more

Reviews (28)

Still my favorite bass cd
Without the tone of the instrument, you would never guess that a bass was playing at this level of precision.The pharisees of classical music who critique Meyer's performance for not sounding enough like a cello or not being Baroque enough is the equivalent of criticizing an apple for not tasting more like an orange.This cd is inspiring for any musician, but particularly for bassists tired of being relegated to simple droning on their instruments.

Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites:Perfromed on Double Bass
Excellent, I wish there were a dozen more like it!

3 4 & 6 please!
i desperatly hope that meyer will record suites 3, 4 and 6. he is utterly amazing.i can't imagine what the 6th suite will sound like on double bass.it seems almost impossible really. cheers to mr. meyer! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cello Solo    2. Chamber    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Classical    5. Classical Artists    6. Classical Music    7. Contemporary Bluegrass    8. Contemporary Folk   

Editorial Review

This slam-bang, take-no-prisoners account of the Paganini Caprices is just the thing for a rainy day. Considered the last word in virtuoso violin technique when they were composed--and still quite a challenge today--these delightful miniatures each get played to the hilt by Perlman, reveling in their technical intricacies while also making the most of their lively charm and musicality. This is simply one of the best solo violin recordings available, and it belongs on any Perlman fan's shortlist. Read more

Reviews (24)

Not the best Perlman, and definately not the best recording of these capricci
Although I love (almost) all of Perlman's recordings and playing, I was mortified by these caprices. Although he deserves some credit for the speed he takes, the sound quality and intonation is lacking from what I have heard. Almost everything is sharp, and his sound is not focused enough for everything to come out clearly. I would recommend Midori's recording of these over Perlman's, because of a beautiful sound throughout all 24, and almost completely perfect intonation.

Incredible
Anyone who can play Paganini this well deserves 10 stars.Check out track 5!

The best Paganini Caprices in the world
I have listened to three versions of Paganini's 24 Caprices and all I can say is that this is probably the best version around period. Itzhak Perlman is someone I could worship for this recording. His rendition makes you feel that the maestro Paganini is the one playing. In its label it says "Great Recordings of the Century" I could never disagree with that. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Two hundred years after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's death, French physician Dr. Tomatis discovered a relationship between listening and learning. Remarkably, he found that children develop their listening ability in the womb. According to medical studies, we now know that the music of Mozart in particular has a profound effect on the human mind, body, and spirit. Working in accordance with this philosophy, internationally known teacher and musician Don Campbell wrote Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (13)

We Love These!!!
Our whole famiy loves these CDs! They are very relaxing to listen to while playing games, drawing, or building! I'm no music expert, but I thought the sound quality was good. We listen to them almost everyday! In fact, our kids request 'Mozart music' when playing and it does seem to help keep them focused on one thing for quite some time. :)

Bringforth the artist within by listening to Mozart
Some scholars claimed that the Author of "The Mozart Effect", Don Campbell, overemphasized his theory. I bought his 2 books, and this set of CD to find out whether his findings are legitimate.
Absolute nonsense
I have not heard this CD but the idea that listening to Classical music in the womb has been disproven by legitimate scientists for a long time. A simple search found the following...Read more

Subjects:  1. Ambient    2. Bassoon Concerto    3. Box Sets (Audio Only)    4. Chamber    5. Children's Collections    6. Childrens    7. Classical    8. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    9. Classical Period Symphony    10. Classical Period Variations for Keyboard    11. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    12. Concerto    13. Dance/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Orchestra    14. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    15. Keyboard    16. March for Orchestra    17. Miscellaneous    18. Opera    19. Orchestral    20. Sinfonia Concertante   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (6)

Good for the price.....
I listen to this CD while reading or when I need inspiration to play the piano.There are many classic pieces here that will have many recognizable sections to the non classical music fans.The sound quality is not amazing but the essence and technical difficulty of these pieces can still be heard.Most of the songs are under 5 mins and there is a mix of faster and slower tempos.
Wonderful relaxing and soothing music
This cd of piano classics has become one of my favorites.Since I am a full-time student and work out of my home the music relaxes me during times of rest.

The Sound Quality Really Bugs Me
This is a good intro CD to famous piano pieces.However, the sound quality is really *poor*.Of course, what do you expect for the price?I'm sure there are better Piano Sample CDs out there that sound much better.It's worth the extra money, trust me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baroque Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    4. Classical    5. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    6. Classical Music    7. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    8. Concerto    9. Etude for Keyboard    10. Keyboard    11. Keyboard Music    12. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    13. Minuet for Keyboard    14. Moment Musical for Keyboard    15. Nocturne for Keyboard    16. Piano Concerto    17. Polonaise for Keyboard    18. Prelude for Keyboard    19. Rhapsody for Keyboard    20. Waltz for Keyboard   

Reviews (13)

Not enough bite or tension
Perlman and Levine take a very relaxed approach to these masterworks.If you are in the mood, the performances are very good.But this music has much more passion than these performances exhibit.Perlman almost sounds like he is showing the world how easy this music is to play.That is fine but most of the tension is totally missing.I suspect the Perlman of the 1960's would have played these works much differently.That sense of excitement from his early years is really missing here.

A Must for Any Classical Collection
This collection, by 2 of the most brilliant musicians, a magnificent orchestra, recorded perfectly in a beautiful packaging for a great price. What more do you want? I play this CD at least once a month and every time I am enveloped in perfect beauty and joy. A must for any classical music library.

The Best Available
This recording of the Mozart violin concertos is quite simply the best available. Although these pieces have been recorded many times, Mozart comes alive in this rendering by Perman and Levine in a way rarely,if ever, matched. By way of comparison, o