CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

25 Classical Favorites

from: Vox (Classical)

Release Date January 23, 1996
Bought this product for my grandchild to introduce him to classical music. It was perfect. Thanks

CD-Charts Position 2
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The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe

by: Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ralph Vaughan Williams, George Frideric Handel, Gustav Holst, Samuel Barber, Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Antonin Dvorak, Franz Liszt, Charles Gounod, Fryderyk Chopin, Alexander Borodin, Maurice Ravel, Antonio Vivaldi, Erik Satie, Various Artists

Release Date April 08, 2003
Title...The Most Relaxing Music in the Universe (not Feminine Mystique(?). Music is beautiful, very relaxing yet energizing.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Amparo

from: Decca

Release Date September 09, 2008
"Amparo" is elevator music with up-market pretensions. Pieces by Albinoni, Faure, Handel, Ravel, and Vaughan Williams, among others, have been arranged by Dave Grusin in a way that reduces them to an aural mush that blends with originals by Lee Ritenour and Grusin himself. The result calls to mind the term "air pudding" Gary Trudeau used in a "Doonesbury" strip about some harmless, undistinguished music. These classical composers have survived worse treatment and won't be scathed by their abuse in this release, which I give one star because I can't give none.

Appearances by classical performers Joshua Bell and Renee Fleming are also meant to give the disc cachet. Their names, in fact, got me to listen to it. They are two ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Ever, Volume II

by: Gabriel Faure, Frederic Chopin, Antonio Vivaldi, Gustav Mahler, Claude Debussy, Sir Neville Marriner, Maris Jansons, Lorin Maazel, Sir Adrian Boult, Miklos Rozsa, Riccardo Muti, Stephen Cleobury, Sir John Barbirolli, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Berlin Philharmonic

Release Date March 11, 2003
The selections chosen are, for the most part, to my taste, but the volume is comprised of fewer supurb selections, such as those masterpieces by Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart that were found in Vol. I.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Ravel: Boléro

from: Decca

Release Date November 09, 1999
I find Maurice Ravel's music among the most unique and wonderful of the twentieth century. It marks the sublime marriage of pensive impressionism with--and many music scholars might disagree with me on this matter--a vibrant late-romanticism. There are few collections that highlight this grandness with as much clarity as this album.

The vividness of Ravel's orchestral coloring and the complexity of his polyphony can make the performance of any of his works a sizeable challenge for the finest of orchestras--the slightest miscalculation in dynamic, timing, or articulation can result in entire voices being lost in a mass of sound, but the Montreal Symphony do a flawless job. Also, Maestro Dutoit's interpretations are well-measured, reserved, and insightful, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Classics for Kids

from: RCA

Release Date June 08, 1993
This is wonderful classical music. If the kids like it, great! But, make no mistake about it, this is good for anyone. This is wonderful study music, reading music, or just plain relaxing music. Highlights include "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"; "March of the Toys" (from BABES IN TOYLAND -- the reason I bought this CD); "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"; "The Little Train of Caipira" (no longer little when the music is over); and the audience favorite "Hoedown" (i.e. "Beef, it's what's for dinner!").

If you're into that whole thing of classical music sharpening a youngster's intellect, then this won't disappoint. If you're just into good old fashioned classical music in general, it won't disappoint you either. Also, I highly recommend to both groups the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Royal Tenenbaums (Collector's Edition)

by: Various Artists

Release Date July 02, 2002
I don't know how Wes Anderson does it, but he does it well. The music on this soundtrack is so diverse, but like in the movie, it just works incredibly well for whatever reason. If you have a decent taste in music, chances are you will enjoy ever twist and turn of this album.

CD-Charts Position 8
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The Most Relaxing Harp Album in the World... Ever!

from: Angel Records

Release Date October 04, 2005
Animal behaviorists have done some studies showing harp music is good at calming animals, especially cats. My cat was very skittish and unhappy as a result of very loud construction work next door and all other efforts to calm her down had not been totally successful. I got this and she (and I, if you must know) relaxed immediately.
It is a beautiful sounding album. (And the bahaviorists have a point. Cats do seem to hear vibes in harp music we can't. It was like instant prozac for her.)

CD-Charts Position 9
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At The Movies

from: Denon Records

Release Date March 23, 2004
What's not to like about a good song from a good movie? All the classic movie themes (i.e., Titanic, Zorba the Greek, etc.) are here but played by a full orchestra.

I considered this approach to modern music a true and distinct pleasure and a nice break from the classical music that Andre Rieu's orchestra normally presents. The music is uplifting and makes you want to break out in song or get up and dance.

Nice background music for a long auto trip. Fun for the family to sing along with. Also a great album for just 'having on' in the house while you do other things. Good also for background music (at a lower volume) when entertaining.

I am a fan of Andre Rieu and absolutely adore how he has brought the sound of a full orchestra ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Debut Recital / Martha Argerich

from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date January 23, 1996
With Argerich you simply cannot go wrong in the world of piano.
There is so much passion, near recklessness and sheer power to rival even Liszt himself.
The Scherzo is so clean and maintains an unmatched pace throughout - yet be not deceived as some uncredibly sweet moments will catch you unaware.
The Toccata is truly devilish and one cannot comprehend how a human could reach such a tempo and yet hit all the required notes!!
The Jeux d'eau makes one wonder who might posesse all these pianistic abilities; from dreamy images to listless moments where languor is at hand, from the most fluid and yes, watery splashes to crystal clear melodies!
Finally, if for no other reason, you must have this Liszt Sonata! I have never heard any pianist come ... Read More: