CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Pride and Prejudice: The Original Soundtrack from the A&E Special Presentation

by: Carl Davis, Melvyn Tan, Nicholas Bucknall, Jonathan Barritt, Timothy Brown, Levine Andrade, Nicolas Busch, Joseph Frohlich, Martin Gatt, Rusen Gunes, Michael Harris, Keith Harvey, David Juritz, Peter Lale, Pauline Lowbury

Release Date May 21, 1996
Beautiful soundtrack... this is all of the music that the composer, Carl Davis, created for the movie. There are 24 tracks on this disc and the music is so lovely. It really takes you back into the movie, especially track 14, Pemberley, and track 15, Darcy Returns. Melvyn Tan's performances on the pianoforte are beautiful. It is also a chance to hear more complete selections rather than just bits and pieces used in the movie. Play this in the background when you can't take the time to watch the movie.

Other reviewers commented on the fact that many of the selections from the movie that they wanted to hear once again were not on the soundtrack. The music pieces they mention are what Mr. Davis refers to as source music, anything ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

The Opera Band

by: Amici Forever

Release Date January 13, 2004
I am not a huge fan of opera music. Most of it gets on my nerves but I do like it when opera music is mixed in with a smidgeon of pop music. Amici Forever may not create opera music that is pure but their music is nice to listen to when I just want to unwind after a long day at the office. THE OPERA BAND is the group's first album. I heard about it through a television commercial a few years ago and bought a copy. I like the combination of male and female singers. While the song selection is rather predictable (because they have been covered by other artists in the classical/crossover genre), I thought the group did a good job. I particularly enjoyed their version of "Unchained Melody" and Elgar's "Nimrod". The music is a bit bland and the group ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

from: Sony

Release Date October 19, 2004
Of course there should have been much more. I remember there been a Metropolian Opera series called CAST ALBUMS- 100 YEARS that was put out for a limited time only and had like five volumes.
As Peter Filichia noted they left out SHE LOVES ME, BRIGADOON and SWEENEY TODD. Also nothing from PACIFIC OVERTURES, BIG RIVER, CHESS, CRAZY FOR YOU, JEKYLL & HYDE, TITANIC, THE SCARLET
PIMPERNEL, FOOTLOOSE- THE MUSICAL, THE FULL MONTY, URINTOWN...
But they couldn't have put it all. I would have done without Lee Remick's
"Anyone Can Whistle", because the show was a flop. I guess because it was Sondheim's first "serious" show...

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Bach Cantatas, Vol. 10: Potsdam/Wittenberg

from: Soli Deo Gloria

Release Date November 08, 2005
...'cos they're all going to be good (in addition to being the most gorgeously packaged CDs you'll ever see).

This issue has a stunning version of one of the giants, BWV80 "Ein feste Burg". Gardiner has thankfully dispensed with the trumpets and drums shoved in by eldest son Wilhelm Friedmann to tart it up (after the old man died). It doesn't really need them. The rest are marvellous. I'm going to go broke and love it...

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Cantatas, Vol. 7

from: Soli Deo Gloria

Release Date October 10, 2006
This ninth release (volume 7) of JS Bach's Cantatas performed by the Monteverdi Choir, the English Baroque Soloist and directed by John Eliot Gardiner is filled with Cantatas that are supplicant (especially on the first disc) and filled with praise and adoration (especially on the second disc). These cantatas are filled with Trumpet fanfares and drums and they are very uplifting especially as performed by the aforesaid forces.

Per usual, the works in Volume Seven are performed by Gardiner and his forces magnificently! Listen to the opening chorus of BWV 78 on the first disc and the Choral "Ach Herr, lass deir lieb" on the second disc--glorious! The orchestra and chorus are wonderful. Again, I was very much impressed with the soloist ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Michael Haydn: Requiem; Missa in Honorem Sanctae Ursulae

from: Hyperion UK

Release Date April 12, 2005
Michael Haydn lives in the titanic shadow cast by his elder sibling, Joseph. The life he lived, apparently, was a bit of a bohemian one -- Mozart's father disapproved of Wolfgang's friendship with the man.

One anecdote will suffice. Haydn, composer to the Archbishop-Elector of Salzburg (the same Archbishop with whom Mozart had his difficulties), owed his employer a set of string duos, for violin and viola. In bed, and very sick -- whether from a hangover or not is unclear -- Haydn told Mozart of his predicament. Mozart, for whom composing was simply a matter of tapping his bottomless keg of material, assisted his friend by producing the required set of duos. Not only that, Mozart made a point of imitating Haydn's style (even down to ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Choice of Hercules

by: Handel, Gritton, Blaze, King, King's Consort

Release Date May 14, 2002
IMMORTALITY (VIRTUE) OR IMMORALITY (PLEASURE)? THAT'S MY CHOICE!!???


"The Choice of Hercules"is in effect a one-act dramatiC cantata in English, and as such it is unique in Handel's output. It is the story of a young man on the threshold of manhood (Hercules-Robin Blaze-countertenor) contemplating his future. Two women appear to him. One, eager and seductive, shows him a path that offers indolent pleasure (Pleasure-Susan Gritton-soprano). The second woman, tall and beautiful, is identified as Virtue(Alice Coote-mezzo soprano); she warns Hercules that what is really good can only be obtained through hard work. There is also an attendant on Pleasure who is a cheerleader for her. Charles Daniels sings this role.

I especially ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Girl Crazy (1990 Studio Cast)

by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, John Mauceri, Lorna Luft, David Carroll, Judy Blazer, David Garrison, Vicki Lewis, Eddie Korbich, Stan Chandler

Release Date November 13, 1990
The recording is terrific (how can you miss with such material)and the booklet gives good background information.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Unsung Musicals III (Studio Cast)

by: Jolie Jenkins, Judy Malloy, Kristine Fraelich, Melissa Joan Hart, Patricia Ben Peterson, Patrick Levis, Sal Viviano, Tammy Minoff, Steve Orich

Release Date May 20, 1997
I saw Lovely Ladies and enjoyed the show very much. Oh well, what matter- Broadway , as i knew it is dead. Today- performers are miked up "the kazoo" and scenery and special effects have the stage.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Monteverdi: The Sacred Music, Vol. 4

from: Hyperion UK

Release Date January 10, 2006
I saw Lovely Ladies and enjoyed the show very much. Oh well, what matter- Broadway , as i knew it is dead. Today- performers are miked up "the kazoo" and scenery and special effects have the stage.