Editorial Review

Volume I of the immensely popular Mozart Effect series of music attempts to do no less than "strengthen the mind." One thing is for certain: the music chosen on the disc by author and scholar Don Campbell--excerpts from Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 1; Violin Concerto, No. 3; Read more

Reviews (17)

Music for the Mozart Effect
This CD is a compilation of various tunes geared to stimulate the mind. I really enjoy listening to it!

Mozard Effect... Which Songs?
It's also important to remember that the Mozard Effect... was mostly studied using Mozart's Sonata in D for two pianos.Although all classical music may have good side effects when it comes to learning and concenrtration and stimulating of the mind, most studies used Mozart's two pianos sonata.Which isn't on this album.And the reasoning behind it's benefits are possibly due to the nature of having "dueling" pianos making complex harmonics.Just remember to buy this because you like Mozard, not because you think you are going to make your children geniouses.That's just a bunch of hype.

Important to remember it's not proven
It's important to remember that the Mozart effect has not been proven. The behavioural consequences of listening to Mozart is not unique, and can be achieved with any classical music, since the mozart effect has nothing to do with behavioural consequences, but subtle changes in the brain. The pattern of Mozart's music is thought to correspond to a coding mechanism of brain cells that created more dynamic circuits...but remember, it's not proven. ... 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. Classical Period Symphony    9. Concerto    10. Orchestral    11. Piano Concerto    12. Symphonic    13. Violin Concerto    14. Violin with Keyboard   

Reviews (1)

Baby Galileo Review
I love all of the Baby Einstein DVD's, so the music CD has been just as good as the DVD's. I play it all the time when my son is in the car and it seems to calm him and keep his attention. I even listen to it in the car when my son is not with me.It is relaxing and soothing.I definitely recommend the CD's for the car. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Children's    3. Childrens    4. Clarinet Concerto    5. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    6. Classical Period Symphony    7. Classical Period Variations for Keyboard    8. Concerto    9. Educational    10. Keyboard    11. Miscellaneous    12. Miscellaneous Music    13. Nocturne for Keyboard    14. Orchestral    15. Piano Concerto    16. Pop    17. Prelude for Keyboard    18. Romantic Ballet    19. Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard    20. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard   

Features

• Hybrid SACD

Reviews (5)

Awesome music. Better than ever recording.
What a treat for the ears!
Is The Redbook Layer That Good?
I wish we had more comparisons of the CD layer with the JVC XRCD releases so owners of XRCDs could make intelligent decisions about upgrading for redbook playback.Dan Davis, who reviews for Amazon and UltraAudio wrote:
Just how hard can it be?
Just how hard can it be, in this age of digi-techno miracle machinery, to make a recording of a major symphony orchestra that sounds natural?They could do it at RCA Living Stereo (and Mercury Living Presence) in the 1950's with only two or three microphones and analog tube equipment.Today, with all the gizmos, most orchestral recordings are over-processed, over-equalized, over-mixed and blended, pasturized and homogenized into grating sterility.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. March for Orchestra    4. Opera    5. Orchestral    6. Orchestral & Symphonic    7. Romantic Overture for Orchestra    8. Romantic Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem for Orchestra    9. Russian Romantic Opera    10. Suite for Orchestra   

Reviews (3)

A Lot of Fun for Playtime
This CD is a lot of fun.The music is bubbly and upbeat and makes you want to get up and dance or just jump around.It's a great way to spend some play time with your kids.And the classical music exposure is a bonus.

Synthesized dreck
Why did the producers use synthesizers for this music?It's awful.It's possible to hook kids on classical music using the actual instruments written for it - that's how I got hooked.That's what Mel Blanc and Disney did in their cartoons, Bugs Bunny and Fantasia.I do NOT recommend this CD to anyone.It was a shower gift.If you are not familiar with classical music, then I recommend "Baby Needs Beethoven", which is a collection of music using real instruments (albeit shortened - no full length symphonies here).

fun to listen to with your baby
My three month old loves this cd.It calms her down when fussy and we love to dance to it together! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Children's    3. Childrens    4. Czech Romantic Opera    5. Italian Romantic Opera    6. Keyboard    7. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    8. Lullabies    9. Miscellaneous    10. Miscellaneous Music    11. Opera    12. Orchestral    13. Orchestral Music    14. Pop    15. Romantic Ballet    16. Romantic Orchestral Music    17. Romantic Symphony    18. Scherzo for Orchestra    19. Suite for Orchestra    20. Symphonic   

Editorial Review

No single performance will ever tell us everything we need to know about a masterpiece like the Beethoven Ninth, but this one comes close. The inspired intensity of everyone involved--at the postwar reopening of the Bayreuth Festival in 1951--comes across very vividly in this new transfer. Just hear the way Furtwángler evokes the atmosphere of chaos coalescing into order at the opening of the first movement and you can tell a superior musical and spiritual consciousness is at work. Except for the poor first horn, whose bloopers are the main detriment, the orchestra, soloists, and chorus (recorded clearly but at a heavenly distance) all hold up their parts extremely well. The solo singers are particularly convincing. This is a very special recording, recognized as a classic when it was first issued and still indispensable. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (40)

I did expect better sound
From the product description and the reviews I did expect a bit more than this. But I guess modern technology cannot conceal the fact that this is a more than 50 year old live recording. I happen to own the Karajan - Meistersinger from the same Bayreuth Festspiele in 1951 (that's right, and even Knappertsbusch was there that year with the Ring and Parsifal; Beethoven's 9th was not THE big event), and although that recordinghas not been through the same cleaning process, I should have known what I was getting. Still it is an important historical recording, but it's certainly not the one you put in your CD-player if you want to enjoy the music of Beethoven. It's not even a recording you should consider as your 2nd or 3rd purchase of no.9. I also have the Klemperer 57, Karajan 62, Böhm 72, Blomstedt 80 and the Abbado 2000, and will rather listen to any (or maybe not Blomstedt..) of those.

The 9th to Own!!
I would not hesitate in any way to recomend this incredible interpretation of Beethoven's final work to any listener or any musician.Aside from the wonderful job in remastering we have one of the more interesting accounts of this work ever done.
mediocre
The orchestra seems to fight the tempo throughout the whole piece, which is a little bit disappointing for an ensemble of this quality.In particular, the third movement in general seem to lag.In the finale, the Solo quartet is good, but better exist.The ending of the finale ending is so fast the brass can't keep up.It is really quite ridiculous.I'd go with Bohm or Karajan's editions before this one, but that's just me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Orchestral & Symphonic    5. Romantic Symphony    6. Symphonic   

Reviews (8)

What, you call this scary music?
I'm familiar with most of the pieces found in this CD, and I can say I don't think they are frightening at all. They're great and highly enjoyable in their own right (the 'Danse Macabre' by Camille Saint-Saens is lovely dance music), but if one's intention is to bring together a collection of pieces of truly scary classical music, then this anthology hasn't done the job.
Music Is Very Good, However.........
The music on this CD is all very good, but as I play it, I don't really feel that "Bump in the Night" sensation throughout. Since it appears to be marketed for fun Halloween gatherings, I cannot honestly say that it will jumpstart the mood for the average party-goer. While "Funeral March For a Marionette" is extremely creepy and sets the mood (for those of you baby-boomers who don't recognize the title---this was the theme music to the "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" TV series), other tunes kind of pull the plug on the momentum. Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" might ring Seasonal for classical music buffs, but I think your everyday Joe will picture helicopters soaring over Vietnam and the cry "I love the smell of napalm in the morning!"
Good Classical type Halloween music anthology
While this CD might cover most of the standard "creepy classics", there are a few more it could have covered, but frankly, the only song on the whole thing I didn't care for was Ives "Halloween". Some people may think that completely discordant music is great, but I do NOT! Otherwise, everything else was a great selection, and very entertaining. Definitely worth having, esp. if you like classical music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    3. Classical    4. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    5. Classical Music    6. German/Austrian Romantic Opera    7. Keyboard    8. Music for Organ    9. Opera    10. Orchestral    11. Romantic Orchestral Music    12. Romantic Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem for Orchestra    13. Scherzo for Orchestra    14. Strings and Keyboard    15. Suite for Orchestra    16. Symphonic    17. Symphony   

Editorial Review

Dvor´k's last three symphonies deserve every ounce of their popularity. Although the Eighth and Ninth are virtually ubiquitous, the greatest by common consent is the Seventh, which the composer wrote in the wake of having heard Brahms's Third Symphony (which was in turn influenced by Dvorák's Fifth). The friendship between Brahms and Dvorák was one of the most interesting artistic relationships in musical history, comparable only to that between Mozart and Haydn. Brahms, for his part, was clearly thinking of Dvorák's Seventh when he wrote his own Fourth Symphony, and actually corrected the publisher's proofs of Dvorák's Ninth when his friend, who was stuck in New York, was unable to. The Cleveland Orchestra has a great tradition of performance in both Brahms and Dvorák, inculcated by the incomparable George Szell, whose recordings of these three symphonies are also available. If you're looking for digital sound, you'll find that Szell's high standards have been admirably maintained by Dohnanyi and the orchestra. Read more

Reviews (12)

Very nice recording
This is a very nice recording of these symphonies. I had been trying to find all three together for a while, and I was so happy when I found this. I would highly reccommend it to anyone who enjoys Dvorak.

Pure Dvorak
After having listened to these interpretations of Dvorak's most famous symphonies, I can't go back to my old ones anymore.Granted, I'm a big fan of Dohnanyi's "straightforward approach," but it really does prove to be the right way to go here.I'm particularly taken with the Ninth, which many conductors take ridiculous liberties with to try to give it their seal of individuality.Dohnanyi correctly realizes that the individuality is already inherent the music and blazes straight ahead, and the results are fantastic--much like the classic Szell recording, but with even more fire.Try to find another recording of the Ninth whose outer movements are as drivingly vehement as these--or whose Largo movement is such a smooth, lyrical whisper.In contrast, the Eighth is exuberant all the way through, and the Seventh is as moody and poetic as it needs to be--although again, Dohnanyi distinguishes himself by not allowing the symphony to slip into either melodrama or hysteria, two easy pitfalls.There's a lot of competition out there for all three of these symphonies, so on some level the choice comes down to personal preference--but I guarantee you can't go wrong with these.Buy this set if you're tired of odd tempo and dynamic variations and you just want to hear pure Dvorak, played with meticulous precision and unquenchable energy.That's what you'll get.

Great eighth, Poor Nineth
The performance of the eighth is great, but the one on nineth is among the worst presentation. The ryhthem, speed variation all got wrong. Too hasty for the 1st movement (about 1 minute shorter than many versions of other conductors) and too slow Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Keyboard    5. Music for Four Hands at One Keyboard    6. Romantic Symphony    7. Symphonic   

Editorial Review

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

Reviews (18)

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

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

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

Editorial Review

Abbado continues his Mahler cycle with this fine Sixth, a live recording that Mahlerians will want for its forwarding-moving flow reminiscent of Kubelik's excellent recordings of the work. Abbado is especially fine in the Andante, here placed before the Scherzo, unlike his first, 1970s recording with the Chicago Symphony. His refusal to linger and his molding of the Andante's melodic lines make it one of the best available recordings of this section of the massive work. The Berlin strings shine here, as they do throughout the Symphony; only the lower brass disappoint somewhat as they sound a bit lightweight when compared with Chailly's Concertgebouw Orchestra. Many will prefer Bernstein's more-overt emotionalism, but the famous hammer blows in the last movement have tremendous impact. Like many other conductors Abbado omits the third blow (which Mahler eliminated in his editing of the first version of the piece). In fact, that last movement is one of the set's highlights, well-played and abundantly detailed. In sum, one of the better Sixths in the catalogue.Read more

Reviews (12)

Soft and no spark
I don't belong to those who despise Abbado in Mahler, but his grasp of the 6th is not the best. The editorial reviewer Davis writes misleadingly about an alleged «forwarding-moving flow reminiscent of Kubelik's excellent recordings of the work». The initial marching rhythm of the first movement by Abbado is in fact slower than by Sanderling, considerably slower than Tennstedt (1991 live), much slower than Bernstein (DG), much much slower than Karajan, not to speak about Bernstein NYP, Solti and Levi, which makes it meaningless comparing with Kubelik (at least on his performance on the DG-box), who is on par with Järvi, the fastest of them all. Perhaps Davis has noticed that Abbado ticks in at 22'48'', but that is achieved by speeding up later in the movement, after the cow bell section, and is still 1'37'' slower than Kubelik (DG-box).
Please do not feed the romantics...
Romanticism pervades classical music. When the lives of composers go bad, people often look to their works for "signs" of tragedy, or proof that the music arose out of suffering or foreboding. Mozart's early death and Beethoven's deafness supply heaping doses of romanticism upon their music, whether related to it or not.
Abbado's Best Mahler Symphony Recording with the Berliner Philharmoniker
Having read most of the previous Amazon.com customer reviews has only reinforced my opinion that Abbado's latest recording of the Mahler 6th symphony is one destined to be remembered as a classic; indeed, it has been honored by The New York Times as among the finest classical CDs issued in 2005. Why should this CD be regarded as a classic? Abbado has lead the Berliners in the finest recording of a Mahler symphony by a Claudio Abbado-led Berliner Philharmoniker (or rather, in English, Berlin Philharmonic). This is a confident, richly textured performance lacking the exuberance of a Leonard Bernstein or Michael Tilson Thomas, or the disciplined fury of a Herbert von Karajan. Abbado's interpretation of Mahler's "Tragic" symphony is indeed more optimistic in note, relying mainly on brisk tempi, and more nuanced playing than on any recording of this symphony that I have heard from Bernstein or Karajan. On a more personal note, I regard this recording almost as well as the classic Mahler 7th Symphony recording which Abbado made with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra approximately twenty years ago. Mahler fans will not be disappointed at all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Miscellaneous    4. Miscellaneous Music    5. Orchestral & Symphonic    6. Romantic Symphony    7. Symphonic   

Editorial Review

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

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (25)

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

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

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

Editorial Review

Every year brings a slew of new and reissued versions of this most beloved of Handel's works. This one first saw daylight in 1966, but lest you think it's outdated, this refurbished classic remains a source of listening pleasure. Obviously, it cannot reflect the historically informed performance practices of today. But it is one of the pioneering precursors of contemporary style, with sustained forward momentum, dancing rhythms, and an orchestra slimmed down from the prevailing norms of the 1960s. The singing is fine, with special kudos to the high-flying soprano, Judith Raskin, along with Florence Kopleff, a true alto, and Richard Lewis, a premier Handelian of the period. It also has what all Robert Shaw choral recordings have: first-rate choral singing and an emotional immediacy that goes to the heart of the music's message. I had to tilt the balance control to the left to bring the stage picture into focus, but once that was done, pure bliss followed. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (5)

One of the most moving experiences
I remember listening to this recording as a child, from my father's collection in the 1960s.The LP set has been long lost, and I've spent 40 or so years looking for a satisfactory recording of the Messiah, to no avail.The only thing I remembered about this one was Shaw, and to my surprise I discovered it recently while searching on Amazon.This recording is a revelation and a beauty to behold.There is a purity and cleanliness, combined with fervor and urgency, that makes it a rare experience.The spare instrumentation is unforgiving, and intonation among the strings is sometimes wobbly, but this is a relief after the digitalized (fake) perfection of more modern recordings. The heaviness and miscasting of famous opera singers in the solo parts of other recordings of the Messiah have been unfortunate.In the Shaw recording, the orchestra and chorus are "right-sized" to the music and text.Most of all, the soloists live up to the music and the text.The contralto Florence Kopleff is especially moving, with minimal mannerisms and perfect diction; her performance here must be among the best in the classical repertoire, which makes it strange that she has left so few recordings.Listen to her "He was despised...."Soprano Judith Raskin's singing has an urgency and a wonder about it.Thomas Paul (bass) is equally moving in the substantial solos, as is Richard Lewis (tenor).With this recording of the Messiah, I feel like I've returned home.

Hallelujah!
As a kid I begged and begged my parents for this recording (and what a weird kid I was).I wish they'd retained the original art work, but this was Messiah as I'd always dreamt it should be.Interestingly, this was the first time a recording attempted to duplicate what is (was) believed to be something resembling the original performances of Handel's masterpiece.The results were jarring and startling to those who'd known the piece as the massive work it had become.
Finally on Compact Disc!
This was the first recording of Messiah I ever purchased, back in 1966.This Shaw performance was a big deal back then, as it represented the first real "period" performance practice version with its scaled down instrumental and choral forces - compared to the overblown Ormandy version, for example.The original vinyl discs imparted a muted dynamic range as I recall, so this splendid digitally-remastered release is truly stunning compared to the original. Of particular note is the gorgeous vocal work of soporano Judith Raskin, one of the most beautiful voices to appear on any recording of Messiah, and contralto Florence Kopleff whose vocal agility and sheen are something to behold.This is one of the best modern instrument Messiahs available today. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Choral    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Oratorio    5. Orchestral & Symphonic   

Editorial Review

For many of us, Leonard Bernstein's first Mahler cycle for CBS (compiled here, remastered and cheaper than ever) has stood the test of time since it initially came out on LP in the late 1960s. Upon completing this traversal of nine symphonies (and the "Adagio" movement from the unfinished 10th), Lenny and the New York Philharmonic achieved something no one else had and proved that Mahler was, simply put, worth recording in the first place. It's still a marvelous set of recordings that belongs in every record collection.Read more

Features

• Box set
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (23)

Bernstein or Tennstedt: read on....
If the only way you could obtain the Mahler Symphonies was by buying a box containing them all by one conductor, then this would be my second choice, or my first!; my first (or second)would be the Tennstedt set. It's a close call thoughout - a 'swings and roundabouts' situation, but if Bernstein's was the one and only then I would be happy enough. Actually if you want a truly satisfying Mahler Symphonies collection then the two sets together sitting side by side on your CD shelf would be pretty well ideal, as I believe that the legacy of recordings by these two great men are nowhere surpassed (save Horenstein in the Fourth, Barbirolli in the Sixth and Rudolf Schwarz in the Fifth). As to comparisons between individual symphonies, the following would be my first choice:
Comparing the two Bernstein Mahler cycles
Most buyers aren't in the market for a complete Mahler cycle by a single conductor, but if they were, the two from Bernstein contain many great performances. I've reviewed the contents of this Sixties cycle on Sony and the later one from the Eighties (contianing many live performances) on DG, taking them one symphony at a time. But it's worthwhile to give a sense of the strongest and weakest parts of each set.
Mahler complete symphonies.
"Mahler was an altogether great man" -One who also knows a thing or two. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Box Sets (Audio Only)    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Music For String Orchestra    6. Orchestral    7. Orchestral & Symphonic    8. Romantic Symphony    9. Romantic Symphony with Multiple Solo Voices and Chorus    10. Romantic Symphony with Solo Voice    11. Romantic Symphony with Solo Voice and Chorus    12. Solo Voice with Piano or Orchestra    13. Song Cycle for Solo Voice with Piano or Orchestra    14. Symphonic    15. Vocal   

Editorial Review

Sony has brought together Shostakovitch's greatest concertos in first recordings made soon after their American premieres by the artists most closely identified with them. Neither performance has been bettered, though some, such as Vengerov's Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (11)

Slava! Electrifying stuff!
These are absolutely gorgeous recordings of both pieces. Indeed, these are the first ever recordings of both pieces, both recorded just months after their world premieres in the USSR, in 1956 and 1959. Sony have done an excellent job with the remastering, and the sound is crisp and clean.
Stunning Shostakovich
Rostropovich in the Cello Concerto is superb and, without question, this is the greatest STUDIO account of the Violin Concerto.But please note: Oistrakh and Mitropoulos gave the American premiere of the Violin Concerto in a LIVE radio broadcast performance on New Year's Day 1956, and the studio recording on this Sony CD was made the following day.That LIVE premiere performance can be heard (excellent sound!) in a 10-disc box set from the New York Philharmonic called "The Historic Broadcasts 1923 to 1987."It's an expensive set ($225), but it contains some other extraordinary items, such as Stravinsky conducting Tchaikovsky's 2nd Symphony, Artur Rubinstein's finest account of the Chopin Piano Concerto #1 with Bruno Walter, Kirsten Flagstad and Walter in an incredible Immolation Scene from Wagner's Gotterdammerung, Stokowski's only recording of Mendelssohn's "Scotch" Symphony, and a great performance by Heifetz with Toscanini of the Brahms Violin Concerto.While I'm not a Heifetz fan - to my ears, Oistrakh was a far greater artist - this was Heifetz's finest account of the Brahms.
Cello concerto is great. Violin concerto is just good.
I have heard several recordings of Shostakovich Cello concerto #1, but nothing tops this one.This is one of those pieces needs a top-notch cellist and orchestra to sound good. Otherwise it can easily sound like a muddle. I always feel like I have been on a long trip after listing to this piece. It starts out deceptively light with it's four note theme but quickly takes a darker turn. The second movement features two haunting yet beautiful themes. The cadenza starts out slow and brooding and reprises both themes from the second movement.It slowly turns demonic and leads directly into the final movement. The final movement adds a new exotic theme but then brings back the original four-note theme with a vengeance. As for the violin concerto it isn't bad by any means. My problem with it is I first heard a live version of this piece also recorded by Oistrakh (I think on BBC Legends) which despite the audience noises blows this one away.In addition I believe it was in stereo where as this version was recorded in mono. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cello Concerto    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Concerto    6. Orchestral & Symphonic    7. Violin Concerto   

Reviews (2)

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

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

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

Reviews (5)

Retrograde Mozart with undeniable heart
Leonard Bernstein thought that every composer was a romantic because he was. These big, heart-on-sleeve performances of Mozart's great late symphonies use the Vienna Phil. at almost full force--they could slip into the Brahms First without adding personnel. Bernstein lived long enough to theoretically be influenced by the period-instrument movement, but his allegiance never shifted. He belongs with Karajan and Bohm as the last conductors for whom Mozart should sound "important."
Mozart: The Great Late Symphonies
What a great album we have here. Leonard Bernstein conducts the later symphonies of Mozart, which are considered to be his most mature and his greatest works for full orchestra. This album is worth the price and a treasure to own for your extensive classical music collection. If you appreciate classical music, you'll truly enjoy this album. Everyone knows that Leonar Bernstein ranks among one of the best conductors of the 20th century, right up there with the great names of Herbert Von Karajan, Bruno Walter, Sir Neville Marriner, all who have held their own when it comes to Mozart's music. Karajan I feel is not quite as good when it comes to Mozart's symphonic works. Bruno Walter and Sir Neville Marriner have long surpassed Karajan in the area of Mozart symphonies. Indeed, if you get the chance be sure to check out symphonies conducted by either Bruno Walter or Sir Neville Marriner. Marriner and the Acadamy Of Saint Martin In The Fields did mostly Mozart and provided the music of the 1984 Milos Forman film Amadeus. The best bargain on the market
The new Trio series has to be one of the most welcome and affordable additions to the classical music market. This set shows why. For a budget price one can get pretty much all of Mozart's best loved symphonies, in some of the most highly regarded performances made of them. Bernstein's lush, relaxed, and very romantic interpretations may not be for all tastes, especially those who have become used to period style. But for those who feel Mozart would have preferred his music performed with the warmth and beauty that is missing from the rather cold, analytical period interpretations that have become the norm, these are for you. I cannot recommend this set more highly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Classical Period Symphony    5. Orchestral & Symphonic    6. Symphonic   

Editorial Review

This is a classic recording of these two works, led with grand authority by Fritz Reiner. The Chicago's brass and wind section play gloriously throughout, and the final movement of Read more

Features

• Hybrid SACD

Reviews (6)

Amazing Sound
Best Scheherazade I ever heard. The performace was exciting and touching. The SACD provides so much details and dynamics of the recording that it makes me really feel that I was there.
Better than ever!
What a treat for the ears!