Reviews (7)

Welcome relief
I first listened at my computer and found myself slowly relaxing and really enjoying the beautiful music but wondered if it would REALLY work since I find it very hard to get to sleep and stay asleep. Well,folks, if youhave doubts about it working, throw them out the window! I did not make it through Track 1! Not only that but when I woke 5 hours later and turned it on againhoping to just enjoy the music - right----didn't make it through Track 1 again and got another 2hours of sound sleep.This CD is a godsend for those of us who have trouble getting to sleep.I highly recommend you buy this CD - you'll never find a better deal.Kudos to the Mercurios and everyone associated with it who have given us this beautiful pair of CDs. I'm getting several for friends and family.
I Haven't Heard the Second Half Yet..........
Usually, when I write a review, I like to let the songs play in the background, hoping that it will inspire me to some new revelation as I write. In this instance, though, I can't risk it; every single time I play either disk from this two-disk set, I start to drift off. I'm not kidding! For insomniacs, this collection could work better than Sominex. My normal procedure for any review is to listen straight through every note of music at least once, and then listen twice more, emphasizing the bits that made the deepest impression. Nearly a month ago, I thought I would do just that, but this disk threw that methodology right out of the window. For three weeks, I listened to this collection at home, at night, in the environment that it is intended for - my bedroom. For three weeks straight, I fell asleep before track five...
Not as tasty as Merlot...
...but it doesn't come with the unpleasant side effects either!!
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Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music    2. Adagio for Orchestra    3. Baroque Variations for Keyboard    4. Chamber    5. Chamber Music    6. Chamber Music & Recitals    7. Choral    8. Classical    9. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    10. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    11. Concerto    12. Keyboard    13. Keyboard Concerto    14. Nocturne for Keyboard    15. Orchestral    16. Pavane for Keyboard    17. Piano Concerto    18. Prelude for Keyboard    19. Quartet for Four String Instruments    20. Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet   

Editorial Review

You want relaxing classical music that'll soothe your soul but won't lull you into sleep? Here's a double CD for you. Read more

Reviews (77)

Perfect for Quieting the Noise
I play this at the office and it reduces my reaction to the stress. A keeper!

Similar to "most Relaxing Piano anywhere"
I would like to delete about half of the truly unfamiliar tracks and possibly add a couple of better known more familiar works.

My wife made me buy this!
This certainly will relax you....but don't listen to this while driving! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music    2. 20th/21st Century Symphony    3. Adagio for Orchestra    4. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    5. Cantata    6. Chamber    7. Chamber Music    8. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    9. Choral    10. Clarinet Concerto    11. Classical    12. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    13. Classical Crossover    14. Classical Music    15. Concerto    16. Concerto for Two Solo Instruments    17. Concerto for Two String Instruments    18. French Romantic Opera    19. Guitar Concerto    20. Italian 20th/21st Century Opera   

Editorial Review

This is an astonishing collection of works - or parts of works - by Mozart that covers almost every aspect of his creative output: symphonic, religious music, concerti (for piano, horn, violin, clarinet, flute), chamber music, serenades (for strings; winds), a couple of opera overtures and more. Those who know and love Mozart's music will not need this, but it's a great introduction, a great overview. The selections are well-chosen and interestingly organized, with familiar pieces splrinkled among some not-so well known. A good primer. Read more

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (14)

Nice Mozart selection - Nice price
Nice selection of Mozart work that give us inner peace...
MozartListener
This is a good CD if you like Mozart's music.It is not the best CD I ever purchased.It is nice to listen to it in the morning before I go to work.And I sometimes listen to it in the evening before I go to bed.It is relaxing and soothing.I am not amusic major or therapist.This is the best review I can write.Mary Agnes Cross

Don't buy this CD
Quality is poor. Some songs are not playing. Avoid buying @Amazon. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Choral    4. Clarinet Concerto    5. Classical    6. Classical Composers    7. Classical Music    8. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    9. Classical Period Symphony    10. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    11. Concerto    12. Flute Concerto    13. French Horn Concerto    14. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    15. Keyboard    16. Opera    17. Orchestral    18. Piano Concerto    19. Quartet for Four String Instruments    20. Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet   

Reviews (11)

A nice introduction
This is a good well rounded collection to dip you into the classical world of Mozart.

Mozart is the reference point for good classical music.
A good collection of his best work and I find it helps me focus when I'm writing or contempating life.
Mozart's music
This is a review of Mozart's music, not the cd.Mozart is praised to the skies by all and sundry, including most musicians, including my father, who no doubt has his reasons.But my feeling about Mozart has always been that there is nothing in Mozart's music that is other than music.There is no logical impressionism, there are no events that seem to be transpiring as in, for example, Beethoven.Mozart is just music.Mozart is to music as pure mathematics is to science.It hints of nothing else and has no application.I find some of his music irritatingly trivial, for example, Eine Kleine Nachtmuzic.This is mechanical music that one can imagine being piped in by a totalitarian government that insists everyone be cheerful.If Disneyland was an eighteenth century totalitarian state, Mozart would be its Muzak.The populace would be awakened, like Chinese train passengers, at 6AM by the strains of some allegro.They would arise and busy themselves with their ablutions in a state of thoughtless cheer, never for one moment leaving the surface of things.That being said, the second movement of Mozart's clarinette concerto is the music that one will hear on going into heaven. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Choral    3. Clarinet Concerto    4. Classical    5. Classical Composers    6. Classical Music    7. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    8. Classical Period Symphony    9. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    10. Concerto    11. Concerto for Two Solo Instruments    12. Dance/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Orchestra    13. French Horn Concerto    14. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    15. Keyboard    16. Miscellaneous Sacred Choral Music    17. Motet    18. Opera    19. Orchestral    20. Orchestral & Symphonic   

Reviews (3)

Good performances, good CD
I prefer the slow songs on this CD, they seems to be a better fit for my baby. The performances are well played by talented musicians. (I have a degree from Peabody so that's a true compliment)

Excellent
My baby is 4 months old and absoletly loves this CD. At 6pm when he gets fussy, this is the only thing that calms him down and allows him to go to sleep. It is well worth every penny!

Wonderful
My daughter is now almost 5 years old and she still listens to the same CD she did at 5 months old.She is very bright and is doing amazing in her Junior Kindergarten class.She has always loved music, but she can't fall asleep unless we put on her Mozart CD.I would recomend it to any new or expectent parents, or even to parents who have a hard time putting toddlers to bed.It is a very soothing CD to listen to. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Children's Collections    3. Childrens    4. Classical    5. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    6. Classical Period Symphony    7. Classical Pop    8. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    9. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    10. Keyboard    11. Opera    12. Orchestral    13. Quartet for Four String Instruments    14. Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet    15. Quintet for Mixed Instruments without Keyboard    16. Symphonic   

Reviews (16)

Inspire the baby-within
Beyond sheer musical appreciation and enjoyment, Mozart's music in general is ideal for gently stimulating the "creative centers" as well as instilling a sense well-being.While there is much academic disagreement about the extent or reality of the so-called "Mozart Effect," it doesn't take a genius to observe how Mozart's music puts most people (and probably babies-to-be) in a happy mood ready to take on the day's challenges.There is a simplicity - yet elegance and musical brilliance - in his music that is also well-suited for the youngest of children.
Calms your soul.....
Just had to take a moment to write this review. I bought this CD 9 months ago right before the due date of my first baby. Being a new mom and nervous and trying to do everything right, I played this CD the first week home from the hospital. It would totally calm both me and baby and we would rock and rock until he was asleep. I've always loved all kinds of music but having such a peaceful CD to listen to helped me gain my perspective and take a deep breath and just enjoy this new little one I had in my arms. Music does that to me but this CD has something extra special.

Highly Rated Recordings. Excellent Song Selection
Too often classical music CD's for families or kids are poor in quality. But that is not the case with this excellent CD. The recordings on this CD were selected from the very best, previously released recordings. Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    6. Concerto    7. Keyboard    8. Miscellaneous    9. Miscellaneous Music    10. Orchestral    11. Prelude and Fugue for Keyboard    12. Quartet for Four String Instruments    13. Quintet for Five String Instruments    14. Trio for Three String Instruments    15. Violin Concerto    16. Woodwind Chamber Music   

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (44)

Great classical music accompanies bland original score
The original music to this film is dull, repetitive, and only offers the hint of good music at certain points during it's lengthy tracks.But what about all the good music you heard in the film?That was all classical music, which was used in the film incredibly well.There are three tracks in particular that save this album.The piece by Corelli is used as something the captain and doctor play together.It is one of the most beautiful pieces of baroque music of which I am aware.A second piece, Vaughn Williams "Fantasia" is the piece heard when the crewmen have to cut the line that might save their friend who fell overboard.It's a tragic scene and accompanied perfectly by the heart-breakingly glorious piece.The original piece of music is quite a bit longer than the version on the CD, but the original version also tends to drag a little in places.All the best parts are on the version of the piece in the film.The third classical piece from the album that saves it is the cello solo by Bach that plays as a theme for the galapagos islands.This solo is performed perfectly by Yo Yo Ma.These tracks make the album worth purchasing.If you already have them, avoid the album because the rest is not very enjoyable.If you wonder about this one, watch the film and listen for the music.It speaks well for itself in the film.

Can't help it, disappointed
I fell in love with the Boccherini piece when I heard it in the movie, and bought the soundtrack mainly for it, but what you get on the CD is a very short arrangement and not very satisfying.It was also a disappointment to find that the soundtrack doesn't include the end titles music from the movie, which I enjoyed.It's still a good CD for listening, just not what I hoped for.

CD takes you back to the movie!
Thoroughly enjoyed the music while watching this terrific movie, and of course Russell Crowe, listening to the CD provides the same thrills. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music    2. Cello Solo    3. Chamber    4. Concerto    5. Concerto Grosso    6. Film    7. Film Music    8. Miscellaneous    9. Miscellaneous Music    10. Orchestral    11. Original Score    12. Pop    13. Quintet for Five String Instruments    14. Soundtrack    15. Soundtracks    16. Soundtracks & Film Scores    17. Violin Concerto   

Editorial Review

From a pure-pleasure standpoint, the first Read more

Reviews (10)

More Great Fun
Like the first volume, this CD encourages young children to enjoy classical music.The silly lyrics sometimes impart factual information on the composer or the piece.There are 11 sing-along symphonies and then the 11 symphonies are replayed without the lyrics--total of 22 tracks.Booklet with lyrics and trivia is included.All our children (aged 2-12) enjoy this CD, as do we.

One is better but this is still awesome!! Gotta have it!
My children loved Beethovens Wig 1. I checked this one out at the library. Then, we decided we had to have this one too.
Absolute joy, and endless fun!
The tunes and word stay with you and before you know it, you are signing them along.My two kids (ages 9 and 7) ask me to put the CD on as soon as we get into the car.What a wonderful and fun way to get them to love classical music! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Children's Collections    3. Childrens    4. Concerto    5. Educational    6. French Operetta    7. Italian Romantic Opera    8. Keyboard    9. Keyboard Music    10. Miscellaneous    11. Miscellaneous Music    12. Opera    13. Orchestral    14. Orchestral Music    15. Pop    16. Prelude for Keyboard    17. Quintet for Keyboard and Four String Instruments    18. Romantic Incidental Music for Orchestra    19. Romantic Orchestral Music    20. Sing-Along   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (18)

I Wish Dennis Brain Had Been Born So That His Performing Powers Peaked in 1995
I purchased The LP in 1953 and proceeded to 'wear it out.' No, I have not yet thrown it out.
A Master Performs a Master
I'm not much of a classical music reviewer.I've been exposed to a lot of music, but I tend to stick to favorite performances, so I don't have the depth needed to really be authoritative.Except perhaps for oboe, and that's because I grew up listening to John De Lancie and Marcel Tabuteau - and once you hear really good, you know what's what.This album is a similar case.Dennis Brain wasn't a 'good' French horn player, he was probably the best that there ever was or will be.
Mozart: Horn Concert
Great recordings of the century, and that is what it is.
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Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Concerto    6. French Horn Concerto    7. Orchestral & Symphonic    8. Quintet For Piano And Four Woodwinds   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (21)

An excellent introduction to classical music
This is an excellent introduction to classical music.Well performed and presented.

Very Beautiful!!!!!1
If you are a fan of classical music then you better get this set. Not only is it very cheap, 10 Discs for about 2$ per disk. Now where are you gonna find a deal like this. I actually found mine chaper, $20.00 even and the music is outstanding. If you had a very bad day and very stressed out, just put in one of these cds, lay down, dim down the lights and just relax. It really helped me out.

Still Stuck on Beethoven
I just recently started listening to classical music so I'm certainly not one to compare or critique the quality of this set. However, I do have a few comments...
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Subjects:  1. Bagatelle for Keyboard    2. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    3. Box Sets (Audio Only)    4. Cantata    5. Chamber    6. Chamber Music & Recitals    7. Choral    8. Choral Music    9. Chorale Prelude or Chorale Treatment for Keyboard    10. Clarinet Concerto    11. Classical    12. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    13. Classical Music    14. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    15. Classical Period Symphony    16. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    17. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    18. Collection of Etudes, Studies, or Exercises for Keyboard    19. Collection of Preludes for Keyboard    20. Concerto   

Editorial Review

Although these musicians have previously played together in duos, you aren't likely to hear the trio of Martha Argerich, Gidon Kremer, and Mischa Maisky every day. The friends have attempted to perform as a threesome for decades, but it took sheer luck, and a few 1998 dates in Japan, to find the acclaimed pianist, violinist, and cellist onstage together. Recorded as a tribute to Reinhard Paulsen, the late manager of Argerich and Kremer, this disc features two of chamber music's darkest pieces: Shostakovich's op. 67 and Tchaikovsky's op. 50 for piano and strings. Both composers wrote these works as elegies, and the effect of the pairing is riveting; the Shostakovich is bleak and occasionally violent (the use of Jewish melodies makes this as much a remembrance of the Holocaust as of any individual), while Tchaikovsky's epic, nearly 50-minute piece requires more patience but is even more expansive. Though the musicians haven't performed these pieces before, they have an intuitive grasp of the music--Kremer seems meant for these lyrical, personal violin passages, and Argerich is ready to unleash her fury at a moment's notice. Sonically, Maisky's cello is slightly obscured by his powerhouse peers, but he serves as a sobering backbone to these compositions. The very short tango by contemporary Peter Kiesewetter acts as an encore, a two-minute reminder that these friends know how to have fun too. Read more

Reviews (10)

Commitment and generosity
The Shostakovich is impressive enough, but the Tchaikovsky...! This piece is dismissed as a "turgid exercise" by the Rough Guide to Classical Music. Not here it isn't. The booklet to this CD states that the performance was the first time Maisky, Kremer and Argerich appeared together, despite extensive work as duo combinations. If this is the reason for the white heat of the playing, one can only admire thepassion these people produce in each other. Kremer's contribution is absolutely blinding from first to last: never has the violin sounded so frostily severe, and yet so humane. Argerich is balanced backwardly by the engineers, but produces her famous palette of colours ranging from the tinkling bells of the variation movement to the devastating torrents at the climax of the piece. Maisky deserves credit for being able to cope with the sounds created around him, let alone add to them; he does this with distinction, matching Kremer's sense of commitment if not his quality of sound. The opening of the trio draws you in to a wintry Russian landscape; the tears and drama of the first movement yield to some brilliantly contrasted variations (the rhythmic flair of all players so impressive) and the final allegro leading to the climax is jaw-dropping for its stamina, precision and cumulative energy. Kremer sounds like he is playing for his life. The tragic climax, with the return of the first theme, has an unbearable Slavic desperation about it. The slight tango encore is essential to restore sanity. I have yet to hear a recorded chamber music performance to equal this; the Japanese audience were audibly affected by the experience. This is an example of what incredibly gifted musicians can do - with and for each other, by daring to be themselves. Buy this even if you don't like Shostakovich.

The big meeting at the summit--and it disappoints
"Every concert must be 'ewent.'"--Mstislav Rostropovich Riveting Performance of Three Friends Playing a Live Concert
These are profound, riveting performances of Shostakovich's and Tchiakovsky's piano trios. Admittedly, Argerich leads the trio with her fiery keyboard playing, but Kremer is no less memorable for his lyrical phrasing on the violin. Maisky is just as fine on the cello, though he is often overshadowed by his friends. Both pieces are dark, somber works which are well suited to Argerich's tempestuous personality. Although the sound quality isn't as fine as a contemporary studio recording, it does come quite close. I tip my hat in admiration to Deutsche Grammophon for producing a splendid recording which celebrates a long-lasting friendship amongst three of our most exciting classical musicians. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Artists    5. Classical Music    6. Miscellaneous    7. Miscellaneous Music    8. Quintet for Keyboard and Four String Instruments    9. Trio for Keyboard and Two String Instruments   

Reviews (8)

Too busy
I was hoping for more music - there's just too much storytelling for my and my kids' taste.We love the Beethoven's Wig series and were hoping this would be similar.

good product and fast service
Product arrived in ample time overseas and was pleased with quality of product!

what a road trip
i bought this item after reading some of the reviews on amazon for my nephews who are 2 and 4 years of age.two months after christmas their mom was explaining how they request the cd everytime they are in the car.she groaned when i was in the car and they boys wanted to show me how much they liked the cd.during the trip i witnessed a mother humming along to the music with her children, the boys singing to excerpts, and an overall execptional learning experience about music, culture, and history. if you are looking for something that all children will like, passes the time on a road trip, and teaches important lessons about life without being pretentious then get this cd, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Children's    3. Childrens    4. Choral    5. Classical    6. Classical Period Music for Voice and Keyboard    7. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    8. Classical Period Symphony    9. Classical Period Variations for Keyboard    10. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    11. Concerto    12. French Horn Concerto    13. German/Austrian Classical Period Opera    14. Keyboard    15. Miscellaneous    16. Miscellaneous Music    17. Motet    18. Opera    19. Orchestral    20. Piano Concerto   

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

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

Reviews (26)

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

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

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

Reviews (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   

Reviews (2)

An Enchanting Disc
I bought this disc on sight knowing that performances by Jordi Savall are superlative; I was not disappointed.Luigi Boccherini chose to live in Spain, in the area of Madrid following in the footsteps of Domenico Scarlatti.The period of the compositions recorded here come from 1780 to 1790 which was a turbulent time for Luigi Boccherini with the death of his wife (which left him alone with six small children) and the death of his patron in 1785, a place that was soon filled by Charles III.In 1787, the composer married again
What a gem!
I listen to this CD often and love it!!It's uplifting and refreshing.I highly recommend this CD for your collection of classical music and I plan on getting some more of Boccherini's works. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Period Symphony    6. Quintet for Five String Instruments    7. Symphonic   

Reviews (2)

Bravo!
I heard this album for the first time at a restuarant in Florenceduringmy trip to Italy. I was surprised it was from the US beacause it hascaptured the very soul of Italy. After 7 years it has remained my favoriteof all Puccini cds I own. I especially like the fact that it is instumentaland can be played for many occassions. It never fails to stir thewanderlust for a trip back to Italy! A must for every romantic!

Outstanding compilation of the Italian classics,
I have been a music lover for years. This CD introduced some Italian music to me that I was not familiar with.I listen to this music very often...it is almost theraputic in effect. I have never heard more beautiful musictogether on one CD. You won't regret getting this one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. Ballet    3. Chamber    4. Classical    5. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    6. Classical Music    7. Concerto    8. Concerto for Two String Instruments    9. Duo for Mixed Instruments without Keyboard    10. Duo for Two String Instruments    11. Guitar Concerto    12. Italian 20th/21st Century Opera    13. Italian Romantic Opera    14. Opera    15. Polychoral Music For Brass    16. Quintet for Five String Instruments    17. Romantic    18. Violin Concerto    19. Violin with Keyboard   

Reviews (3)

one 3rd of the greatest album of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is the 1st ever musical geniuses slow collection.it was designed by a scientist who recognized musics power on the mind and harnessed it.this album has been proven to stimulate the same part of the brain that relaxes you.or for you brainy types,it gets your dopamine flowing.then theres the fact that this music is like pure ear sweetness.it will send all your nuerons off to dreamland and you will feel a dramatic physical change.my favorite song on this one is the violin concerto.extremely relaxing and great for the soul.everybody with anything from a cramp to cancer should put this one on.besides all that,its exquisitely beautiful youll fall instantly in love!an abselute tresure and blessing to music and the world!

Music for concentration and focus
I first read the research on the positive effects of classical music at 60 beats per minute many years ago.With no commercial options available then, I made my own tape from excerpts of world class recordings I own, largely of Mozart. I rarely tolerate background music while I work because it distracts and diffuses focus.The slow Mozart movements have an astonishingly opposite and positive effect, enhancing concentration and mental clarity.For listening pleasure, I prefer the complete works with all movements, as a prior reviewer noted.However, for calmed focus and concentration, by removing the alternate movements this recording serves that purpose with excellence. good news, bad news
Good news:contains famous works of Mozart for a very small cost.The music is eloquent and perhaps stimulates the brain with the Mozart effect.It is definitly good to listen while commuting and stuck an a traffic jam. Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    5. Classical Music    6. Classical Period Orchestral Music for Orchestra    7. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    8. Concerto    9. Concerto for Two Solo Instruments    10. Flute Concerto    11. Orchestral    12. Piano Concerto    13. Quartet for Four String Instruments    14. Quartet for Mixed Instruments without Keyboard    15. Quintet For Clarinet And String Quartet    16. Violin with Keyboard   

Editorial Review

Since Martha Argerich has abandoned solo recitals and studio recordings, her new CDs feature concert collaborations with like-minded friends and protégés. Whatever the negatives of such live recordings may be, the upside trumps them handily since, if we're lucky, some of the sparks generated by musicians in a concert venue will be captured. With this set drawn from the 2005 Lugano Festival we're decidedly lucky, for musical electricity courses through all three discs. There are nine works by eight composers ranging from Mendelssohn to Guastavino, all played with spontaneity and full-blooded Romanticism. Argerich is onstage for five of them, including such rarities as Brahms' two-piano version of his Variations on a theme of Haydn, where she's partnered by Polina Leschenko, and, with Piotr Anderszewski, Grieg's full-dress arrangement for two pianos of Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 16, an oddity whose curiosity value outweighs the sacrilege. There's also the sensuous Argentine and Andalucian encores and the teenage Beethoven's Piano Quartet set alongside masterpieces such as the Brahms Piano Quintet, Op. 34 and Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No.2, both played with a captivating blend of sensitivity and fervor. For many the highlight will be two big Rachmaninoff works on Disc Two – Mischa Maisky's big-toned cello in the master's G minor Cello Sonata, whose episodic qualities the soloist turns into virtues, and the Suite No. 2 for two pianos, passionately played by Argerich and Gabriela Montero. Get this, put it in y