CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Oklahoma! Broadway (1979 Broadway Revival Cast)

by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Christine Andreas, Laurence Guittard

Release Date October 25, 1990
My grandparents once took me to see this musical in central Oklahoma at an outdoor production. I was a fan from that moment on. The music here accentuates the greatness that is the American musical in ways that will make you feel happier for having listened to it. I dare you to listen to the main theme of this song and still feel down about your day. Chances are you will start singing along when you've heard it a few times, or, if you're like me, throw your arms up in the air as your driving around town as you sing the lines, "OoooooooKLAhoma where the wind comes swinging down the plain!"

And yes, people in other vehicles look at me as if I just lost my mind. I suppose that my actions are a testament of the greatness of this music, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Masters of Classical Music (Box Set)

from: Delta

Release Date October 25, 1990
I think that this is really one of the best values you're going to find anywhere in the world of classical music, especially for beginners. You're getting 10 CDs, each filled almost to capacity, with the most famous works from the most famous composers in the history of classical music. The sound quality is excellent on every disc.

While I would have made some replacements on the list of who was included, I feel that this collection is a must-buy for anyone interested in exploring classical music in depth. Quality is high, quantity is high, you really can't go wrong.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

The Maury Yeston Songbook

by: Maury Yeston, Christine Andreas, Brent Barrett, Betty Buckley, Liz Callaway, Alice Ripley, Sutton Foster, Brian d'Arcy James, Philip Chaffin

Release Date April 08, 2003
I've been listening to this CD for six months now. The songs, orchestrations, and singers are all wonderful. I love this CD.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

My Fair Lady (20th Anniversary Broadway Cast)

by: Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe (Composers), Ian Richardson, Christine Andreas, George Rose, Robert Coote

Release Date August 29, 2006
I saw this production of "My Fair Lady" and loved every moment. My seat was in the middle of the first row, and at intermission, members of the orchestra asked me if I was enjoying the show. A very treasured memory of a wonderful and fresh production.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Claudio Monteverdi: L'incoronazione Di Poppea

from: Harmonia Mundi Fr.

Release Date December 07, 1992
The orchestration with the recorders and strings absolutely sparkles. Rene Jacobs did a wonderful job with this work. The singing is beautiful, especially Jennifer Larmore. I thought the secondary roles were well performed. Having listened to several Poppea's, this would be my first choice if purchasing this opera.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Haydn: Die Schöpfung (The Creation)

from: Naxos

Release Date April 19, 2005
What can I say. Haydn's work itself is beautiful of course and this performance does it justice. Wonderful to hear all the words sung and spoken so clearly and understandable, no printed text needed here. There is absolutely no need for orchestra or soloists of world renown in order to obtain sheer bliss in sound, there are more than enough first-class "provincial" musicians and singers around as this recording proves again. Powerful and poetic. As they say : Mit Staunen sieht das Wunderwerk.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Haydn: Die Schöpfung [SACD Hybrid]

from: Naxos

Release Date April 19, 2005
Don't hesitate, this SACD multichannel recording is a keeper. Go ahead. Just put the familiar disc in the player. You will soon be feeling like you walk amid the freshest, evergreen-scented woods, saturated in bright early morning light as if you had simply sprung newly whole into sudden being on the very first, pristine original day of creation. No doubt, this effect is exactly what Papa Haydn had in mind, apt to the mythic subject matter at hand, as he composed it. The forces applied here are not gargantuan, but the musical effect is all out of proportion to their accounting. Consider the orchestra, at 12 violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos, 2 double basses, and 1-2 in the other woodwind and brass, except for 3 trombones. A small chamber orchestra, yes, but playing with great ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Mendelssohn: Elias & Paulus (Box Set)

from: Brilliant Classics

Release Date April 01, 2003
Here is the bargain of the year.

1) Classical Digest.Com points you to several extremely favorable reviews of this version of _Elijah_, in fact perhaps this performance by Rilling et.al. gets the best reviews overall !

2) Check prices of the other sets: (_Paulus_)+ (_Elijah_) = :(

3) These "Brilliant Classics" disks have the identical sound as the Hannsler original pressings :)

4) But BC licensed them from Hannsler and repackaged the disks (with no libretto booklets, etc) : /

4) ...But opera.standard.edu has the full original (German) text of these and heaven knows how many other operas/oratorios.

5) And then any of those many online sites which translate web pages, instantly would give you downloadable ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Handel - Faramondo / Baird · Minter · Fortunato · Lane · Callahan · Castaldi · Brewer CO · Palmer

by: George Frideric Handel, Rudolph Palmer, Julianne Baird, Drew Minter, Brewer Chamber Orchestra, D'Anna Fortunato, Jennifer Lane, Mary Ellen Callahan, Peter Castaldi, Edward Brewer, Lorie Gratis, Mark Singer, Nancy Wilson, David Miller, Myron Lutzke

Release Date December 03, 1996
For nearly 200 years the operas of Handel fell into general oblivion and neglect, but today there are many recordings of these masterpieces. Handel was one of the greatest dramatic composers for the voice in the history of music, and it definately shows in his operas and oratorios. The music in Faramondo is first rate, and this recording sparkles with all the qualities that make this piece great. The insertion of the Concerto Grosso in A minor I think adds to the feeling and momentum of the opera. There are many great arias, too many to list that have beautiful gorgeous melodies, great duets, and the instrumental sinfonias are gems too. Pick this recording up, this opera has suffered neglect long enough. Long live Faramondo, LONG LIVE HANDEL!

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

The Carlyle Set

by: Christine Andreas

Release Date May 20, 2003
Christine Andreas is a world famous Cabaret performer and Broadway diva(Scarlet Pimpernel, On Your Toes) and while her CD "Here's To The Ladies" focused mostly on Broadway music, this CD is more centered on jazz and the elements of Cabaret. In particularly fine voice throughout, she shines especially in "What if We Went to Italy?" "Alfie" and "In A Sentimental Mood" where her voice glows like no other. Any fan of Andreas and Cabaret will want to add this CD to their collection for the pure vocal quality and passion. Also included are beautiful liner notes(by Rex Reed) and pictures of the Carlyle- you will feel as if you are at the cabaret, in a small room, as Andreas sings just for you!