CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Masters of the Trumpet

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date August 09, 2005
This is a superb compilation of classical trumpet compositions, and features many of the world's best performers.The liner notes are well written and informative.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Deutsche Harmonia Mundi: 50 Years (1958-2008)

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Harm Mundi

Release Date April 29, 2008
I believe this Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 50th set is BETTER than the Harmonia Mundi France edition.

Why you ask? First of all, I think it is safe to say that over the years, Harmonia Mundi has always been far more valuable as a label for its recordings of music pre-1650. This Deutsche set reflects that. The HM France set is more of a chronological catalogue of all "classical" music.


Secondly (and completely subjectively), I prefer Baroque and Early Music, which this set is chock full of. Honestly, I haven't even really listen to much of the HM France edition which is weighed down by (in my opinion) too many unnecessary and boring recordings by the likes of Janacek, De Falla, Schumann, Chausson, Copland, et al. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Music from the Royal Court

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Umvd Labels

Release Date August 12, 2003
Over the years from time to time I bought some CDs with baroque brass ensemble music, always hoping it would be so fascinating as what I knew from my fathers PJBE vynil records. What I bought so far all are nice but also somewhat boring after short time. Unfortunately I never bought something from the PJBE until now, and this is the first time that a complete CD (and in this case even two of them) of baroque music for brass is surprising and fascinating me with every 'song', showing facetes and diversity I always missed on my other records. Finally nothing is like the original PJ!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Sandrine Piau - évocation

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Naïve

Release Date November 20, 2007
I can only echo the earlier reviewer (oddly, also from Hawaii, as are we): This is a superb recital. We love Sandrine's performances in several Baroque opera DVDs and on other CDs, but this CD is not only in another century, but another league. Her voice may be "light," but there are a thousand variations of that light, and she knows how to use each one for these marvellous songs.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Zelenka: Trio Sonatas

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
by: Klaus Stoll, Klaus Thunemann, Thomas Zehetmair

Release Date October 05, 1999
These pieces are so difficult and are played here with such ease and grace that the virtuosity is almost invisible. The best available.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Zemlinsky: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor (1892); Symphony No. 2 in B flat (1897)

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: EMI Classics

Release Date March 21, 2006
I'll admit: I still don't know who Zemlinsky is. I have no idea what time period he's from. I only know that I have this CD - and I love it. His music is memorable and wonderful. The thing is, Zemlinsky's music is beautiful, lovely, and complete. It doesn't feel too empty of emotion (the opposite, in fact!), but it still sounds strong and solid. Both symphonies have lighter moments and darker, more intense moments, but every part is wonderful. I especially recommend the second symphony, which is both sad and lovely. This is a wonderful CD.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Angelika Kirchschlager - when night falls

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Marie-Joseph Canteloube, Stephen Sondheim, Franz Schubert, Gian Carlo Menotti, Franz Joseph Haydn, Johannes Brahms, Richard Rodgers, Carl Maria von Weber, Manuel de Falla, Xavier Montsalvatage, Aaron Copland, Miguel Kertsman, Alexander Zemlinsky, Angelika Kirchschlager, Roger Vignoles, Helmut Deutsch, John [guitar] Williams, Yuri Bashmet, London Metropolitan Ensemble, Jonathan Rees

Release Date November 02, 1999
This is a luscious album. When I listen attentively I'm struck by some incongruities inherent in the project of mixing operatic voice and lullaby, which I'll ruminate on below. But as a recital it's for the most part very successful.

Kirchschlager is an operatic mezzo-soprano with a wonderful, creamy voice. There are three songs here I'd consider crossovers for her, the first two and the last, all Broadway tunes. I think few Broadway songs stand up well to an operatic voice, and these are no exceptions, but K modulates her rich, swelling vibrato uncommonly well for one with her training. "Edelweiss" is still a bit out of its element, a simple song somewhat overpowered by K's instrument, and none of the three is ideally suited to her, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Zemlinsky: Lyric Symphony; Opera preludes & interludes

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: EMI Classics

Release Date February 06, 2007
This is a luscious album. When I listen attentively I'm struck by some incongruities inherent in the project of mixing operatic voice and lullaby, which I'll ruminate on below. But as a recital it's for the most part very successful.

Kirchschlager is an operatic mezzo-soprano with a wonderful, creamy voice. There are three songs here I'd consider crossovers for her, the first two and the last, all Broadway tunes. I think few Broadway songs stand up well to an operatic voice, and these are no exceptions, but K modulates her rich, swelling vibrato uncommonly well for one with her training. "Edelweiss" is still a bit out of its element, a simple song somewhat overpowered by K's instrument, and none of the three is ideally suited to her, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Zemlinsky - Der Traumgörge / Keubler, Racette, S. Anthony, Martinez, A. Schmidt, M. Volle, Kölner Philharmoniker, Conlon

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
by: Alexander von Zemlinsky, Kölner Philharmoniker, James Conlon, David Kuebler, Patricia Racette, Andreas Schmidt, Susan Anthony, Iride Martinez, Michael Volle

Release Date March 27, 2001
A stunning work, lovingly performed. My gratitude to James Conlon for his dedication to the revival of Zemlinsky's work. It's simple, you must own this.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Imperial Fanfares

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Naxos

Release Date July 15, 2003
Even though this was recorded just a couple of years ago the sound quality is not that good. It sounds like it was recorded in the 70s and outside with the microphones far away. There is nothing too deep here and all the fanfares are fairly short, just lasting a few seconds it seems. I got tired of this pretty quickly and it doesn't stand up to repeated listenings and to be honest a lot of the stuff on here sounds the same. The performances are ok, but nothing special, they sound kind of flat, and they don't really do anything to make this sound exciting like it should. Maybe if the performance and sound was better I would of enjoyed this more.