CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Grieg, Chopin & Saint Saens Piano Concertos / Previn, Rubinstein, London Symphony Orchestra

starring: Artur Rubinstein, London Symphony Orchestra, Andre Previn

Release Date September 12, 2006
There's not much to add to what others have said about this DVD -- it's superb.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Bernstein: Candide

starring: Jerry Hadley, June Anderson, Christa Ludwig, Adolph Green, Nicolai Gedda
directed by: Leonard Bernstein, Humphrey Burton

Release Date October 10, 2006
Bernstein died shortly after this Candide was recorded in London, and it's as if the old master has put everything that made him really good into this - humor (especially the jokes about himself are nice), integrity, and, especially, passion. The music's great too, but the extra treat is the introduction he gives. Absolutely great.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Kiri Te Kanawa: A Celebration Live at the Royal Albert Hall

starring: Kiri Te Kanawa, Dennis O'Neill, Andre Previn, Stephen Barlow, Waihirere Maori Group

Release Date August 14, 2007
How wonderful to have this available on DVD again. Many of us saw the original production on PBS with numerous pledge breaks and heavily edited. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of recording it on VHS from that airing and so put off buying a copy. Then it was unavailable for quite a while. Nice to have it available again as it is very much worth owning and watching again and again.

For those who have not seen it, this is a wonderful concert, Kiri's celebration of her 50th birthday (and she is so very gorgeous!). She sings most songs solo (mix of opera and popular), a few songs (from La Boheme) with Dennis O'Neill, and a Maori group sings several songs. Kiri is in fine voice, the whole birthday bit at the end is very emotional, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Stravinsky - Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) / Symphonies D'Instrument Vent / Boulez, London Symphony Orchestra

starring: Pierre Boulez, London Symphony Orchestra

Release Date March 06, 2001
Despite the negative feedback on this selection already, I would have to disagree with most of it. While parts of it are slower than most CD recordings from other conductors, it really isn't THAT much slower than what's written in the score. Something else I noticed here and there were some somewhat drastic tempi changes, speeding up or slowing down.
However, despite these downsides, if you are an aspiring composer/orchestrator/musician/music aficionado, I highly suggest this DVD. Especially if you watch this with the score and can follow along instrument entrances, etc.
The quality of the video and the sound is quite good as well. So if tempo changes here and there and a slightly slower overall tempo doesn't bother you very much, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Paul McCartney's Standing Stone

starring: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Paul McCartney, Lawrence Foster
directed by: Christopher Swann

Release Date February 27, 2007
Despite the negative feedback on this selection already, I would have to disagree with most of it. While parts of it are slower than most CD recordings from other conductors, it really isn't THAT much slower than what's written in the score. Something else I noticed here and there were some somewhat drastic tempi changes, speeding up or slowing down.
However, despite these downsides, if you are an aspiring composer/orchestrator/musician/music aficionado, I highly suggest this DVD. Especially if you watch this with the score and can follow along instrument entrances, etc.
The quality of the video and the sound is quite good as well. So if tempo changes here and there and a slightly slower overall tempo doesn't bother you very much, ... Read More: