CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

My Secret Heart-Songs By Ivor Novello, Noel Coward, Eric Coates, Sigmund Romberg and more including "Let My Song Fill Your Heart", "We'll Gather Lilacs,""The Desert Song," and others.

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: Sony Music Canada Inc.

Release Date November 09, 1999
This is OBNOXIOUS, this dude should be in operas. i am speechless, he is one loud mouthed dude!

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: Conifer

Release Date November 23, 1998
Kaplans recording of Mahler 2 is another great version of a masterpiece. The music is smooth and forceful and extremely well produced Kaplans performance never errs on the side of excessive soppiness or cliches. The andante is especially beautifully played. The choir in the Scherzo is warm and full and well captured balancing well with the orchestra and the sound is brilliantly recorded. Not as lush a performance as Tennstedt, as fiery as Rattle or as majestic as Solti but a great version nonetheless.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Das Lied Von Der Erde

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: RCA Red Seal

Release Date July 31, 2007
Kaplans recording of Mahler 2 is another great version of a masterpiece. The music is smooth and forceful and extremely well produced Kaplans performance never errs on the side of excessive soppiness or cliches. The andante is especially beautifully played. The choir in the Scherzo is warm and full and well captured balancing well with the orchestra and the sound is brilliantly recorded. Not as lush a performance as Tennstedt, as fiery as Rattle or as majestic as Solti but a great version nonetheless.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Die Meistersinger

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: EMI Classics

Release Date January 22, 2008
Kaplans recording of Mahler 2 is another great version of a masterpiece. The music is smooth and forceful and extremely well produced Kaplans performance never errs on the side of excessive soppiness or cliches. The andante is especially beautifully played. The choir in the Scherzo is warm and full and well captured balancing well with the orchestra and the sound is brilliantly recorded. Not as lush a performance as Tennstedt, as fiery as Rattle or as majestic as Solti but a great version nonetheless.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Ideale

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: Universal Music Group

Release Date November 04, 2003
While other tenors may have the name recognition, Ben Heppner has the goods. Heppner is no stranger to my CD collection, with numerous opera recordings as well as non-opera disks such as "My Secret Heart." What separates Heppner from the others is that he is ALWAYS at the service of the music. He approaches Tosti's songs in a manner that serves them, rather than imposing his voice/style on the music. This disc may not have the widespread appeal that "My Secret Heart" (should have) had for non-hardcore opera fans, but if you like this style of music, this is a fantastic recording.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Russalka Comp

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: Universal Music Group

Release Date October 27, 1998
No matter how hard I try I cannot find a single flaw in Fleming's voice. I have put it under the microscope (headphones, countless replays, 100% of concentration) and still I haven't found the slightest flaw from bottom to top of this wonder-instrument. Deep chest register, middle of the creamiest beauty and high notes with coloratura technique that will dazzle you. Is she just a lyrical soprano? well if she is the Kanawa and Cotrubas seem like school students before her. The drama in her voice at some points is so strong it reminds you that of a dramatic soprano. Even the long pauses she deliberately makes before a very difficult coloratura line seem to enhance the dramatic effect creating some kind of agony.
For me it is a wonder that Fleming still has ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Arias

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Ben Heppner

Release Date April 11, 2006
No matter how hard I try I cannot find a single flaw in Fleming's voice. I have put it under the microscope (headphones, countless replays, 100% of concentration) and still I haven't found the slightest flaw from bottom to top of this wonder-instrument. Deep chest register, middle of the creamiest beauty and high notes with coloratura technique that will dazzle you. Is she just a lyrical soprano? well if she is the Kanawa and Cotrubas seem like school students before her. The drama in her voice at some points is so strong it reminds you that of a dramatic soprano. Even the long pauses she deliberately makes before a very difficult coloratura line seem to enhance the dramatic effect creating some kind of agony.
For me it is a wonder that Fleming still has ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Ben Heppner - Great Tenor Arias

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: Sony Music Canada Inc.

Release Date September 15, 1995
The only reason that Ben Heppner would not be able to fill the shoes of Corelli, or del Monaco is because Ben wears a bigger size. Heppner not only has the large full ranged voice, mentioned by the previous reviewer, but he also has impecable artistry. Unlike del Monaco he knows what dynamics are. Unlike Corelli he can get to his top register without scooping, and unlike Corelli he knows how to count, and doesn't write the music as he sings it. Don't get me wrong Corelli, and Del Monaco are two of my favorite tenors, but they are by no means better than Heppner

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: RCA

Release Date September 12, 2000
Maazel's Mahler is pretty hit and miss. In fact, it's mostly miss. But here, he scores big.

Heppner comes off as slightly heavy and cumbersome in the quick and light #3, but when he's in heroic mode, he's really something to hear. And Meier! She's such a gem in, well, everything here. She's very, very melancholy in #2, very enthusiastic in #4, and even though she gets a little heavy down low, very convincing and beautiful in #6. Every bit as much so as Ludwig.

The BRSO live up to all the hype about their ultra-elite status. They play with conviction and awareness. RCA's recording is at once lush and translucent, though that might have more than a little to do with Maazel's superb balances. The climaxes are particularly well represented, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Puccini's Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: RCA

Release Date March 06, 2001
Maazel's Mahler is pretty hit and miss. In fact, it's mostly miss. But here, he scores big.

Heppner comes off as slightly heavy and cumbersome in the quick and light #3, but when he's in heroic mode, he's really something to hear. And Meier! She's such a gem in, well, everything here. She's very, very melancholy in #2, very enthusiastic in #4, and even though she gets a little heavy down low, very convincing and beautiful in #6. Every bit as much so as Ludwig.

The BRSO live up to all the hype about their ultra-elite status. They play with conviction and awareness. RCA's recording is at once lush and translucent, though that might have more than a little to do with Maazel's superb balances. The climaxes are particularly well represented, ... Read More: