CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehar, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss

CD-Charts > Music > ( F )
from: London/Decca

Release Date February 10, 1998
Once again Renee Fleming presents glorious collaborations in a compelling performance. The overall conception is one of beauty and unequivocal direction of line. Fleming begins with "Louise: Depuis le Jour." The spacious long phrases are profoundly evocative and the vocal timbre is crafted with glowing, long-breathed generosity. My most cherished performance is "Songs My Mother Taught Me",(A favorite of Joan Sutherland's) from the Gypsy Melodies Op.55, No.4. It is delighting in sweet textural clarity and brimming over with an infectious sense of inner purpose. Followed by "Martha: Last Rose of Summer," and "Doretta's Dream Song", Fleming sings with such a level of imagination which is rare enough, but once heard it never leaves you. "Carmina ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Schubert: Die Winterreise / Fischer-Dieskau

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

Release Date February 13, 1996
This is one of the best versions of schubert's winterreise.It has been remastered in state of the art sound,and is very lovely to listen to.The baritone sings very expressive and intelligently as most lieder lovers know.Fischer-dieskau has a very rich tone to his voice here,which reminds me of a stroll through the gardens of a bavarian castle on a cloudly and gloomy winter's day.
A classic remastered.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Great Recordings Of The Century - Schubert: Die Schone Mullerin / Fischer-Dieskau, Moore

CD-Charts > Music > ( F )
by: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gerald Moore

Release Date March 09, 1999
I can't think of words other than those in my title to describe this recording. It's so lovely beyond words, truly. The singing and the accompaniment both perfection. The listener feels transported to the place and time, long past now, wherein the action of the story takes place. I suppose being able to understand the German may be necessary to get the full effect, but even if not, the liner notes are good. I'd say this is definitely a must-have CD for music lovers.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Bruch: Dol Nidrei; Bloch: Schelomo

CD-Charts > Music > ( F )
by: Alfred Wallenstein, George Szell, Jean Martinon, Berliner Philharmoniker, Lamoureux Concert Association Orchestra, Orchestre Lamoureux

Release Date May 01, 1990
I had the chance to watch Mr. Fournier three times, during two decades. II still remember his gentle sound and pristine tune.

This version of Dvorak's Cello Concerto remains as one of his most remarkable achievement, and if not for the unique and unsurpassed version of Casalñs of 1938, this would be my first choice.

Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Dvorák - Rusalka / Fleming · Heppner · Zajick · Hawlata · Urbanová · Czech Phil · Sir Charles Mackerras

CD-Charts > Music > ( F )
by: Antonín Dvorák, Charles Mackerras, Renée Fleming, Ben Heppner, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Kühn Mixed Choir, Franz Hawlata, Eva Urbanová, Zdena Kloubová Dolora Zajick, Ivan Kusnjer

Release Date October 20, 1998
In 1998 Fleming and Heppner were widely accalimed for this, the most vocally resplendent Rusalk ever recorded. As everyone else says, Ms. Fleming's radiant soprano is thrilling in the title role, and Heppner's heroic timbre is gilt-edged casting. Mackerrass is a Czech specialist from way back, and his conducing is strong and sympathetic. One might lament that we can't have native Czech performers on this level, but Decca recorded most of ts Janacek cycle, also under Mackerras, with non-native leads. I imagine that the Czech pronunciation here is much less than idiomatic, and that there's a good deal more earthiness in Dvorak's music, but those are quibbles. This amounts to one of the most ravishing opera recordings in years.

One Spotlight reviewer ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Brahms: Lieder [Box Set]

CD-Charts > Music > ( F )
from: Brilliant Classics

Release Date February 28, 2006
Brahms's total output of solo songs does not approach Schubert's 606 and I have never known the exact figure, but here are 164 of them to be going on with, and I think that constitutes a very high percentage.

The baritone voice is the timbre I generally find best suited to Brahms, and on these six discs we hear a lyric baritone among lyric baritones. This is one of the greatest voices of the 20th century, and I expect indeed of any century. To this God-given endowment Fischer-Dieskau brings artistry and professionalism of the highest and strictest order. You will find total technical perfection applied to the first song here: you will find loving understanding lavished on the 164th; and you will find both in equal measure in each and every one. Lyricism ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

The Art Of Virgil Fox

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

Release Date November 08, 1994
The other reviewers have covered it all. I want to add that it is hard to find a good recording of A Mighty Fortress (it is on track 1), so I really value this one.

This CD does not contain the usual classical organ pieces, which is nice since most people already have plenty of other CDs contianing that material.

Be aware that after the loudness of track 1, the rest of the tracks are mostly quiet and reflective. Just a note in case you were expecting something more loud.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Bach: 6 Suiten für Violoncello solo

CD-Charts > Music > ( F )
from: Archiv Produktion

Release Date February 11, 1997
This recording, compared to other versions of Suites, definitely stands out in the sound quality level. While Fournier's performance is obviously as close to perfection as possible and his instrument amazes with beautiful rich sound, the recording engineers did a great job here as well. While I enjoy all my other Cello Suites albums (Casals, Rostropovich, Cassado), when I desire maximum audio clarity and perfection, I play this Fournier's album.

I see that some reviewers keep accusing Fournier of playing too mechanically, without enough passion and such. I strongly disagree - I'd instead say that other performers use much more expression. Which approach is more appropriate is undeniably matter of personal preference of the listener - I personally keep enjoying ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Virgil Fox Encores

CD-Charts > Music > ( F )
from: RCA

Release Date March 09, 1993
Virgil Fox made organ music live...the nuances of his playing created mental images running the gamut from the gentle hush of dawn (Boyce, Ye Sweet Retreat) to thunder and lightning (Mulet, Thou Art the Rock) to perhaps the greatest virtuoso piece for the instrument, the Toccata from Widor's Symphony No. 5. No better introduction to the King of Instruments exists! The man was inspired -- may his music live forever!

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Schubert: Winterreise

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

Release Date March 23, 2004
Dietrich-Fischer Dieskau and Gerald Moore recorded Winterreise at least three times, once in 1955 in mono for EMI (Winterreise), again in 1962 in stereo for EMI, and in 1972 for Deutsche Grammophon, when Fischer Dieskau was 30, 38, and 48 years old, respectively. The recording featured under this listing is the middle recording (1962, originally released 1963, and remastered in 2004). Although I have not made an exhaustive survey of critical reviews, I am under the impression that this is the most highly praised of the three recordings Fischer-Dieskau and Moore made together.

I own all three of the above-mentioned recordings, this being my favorite, but only by the slightest of margins over the 1955 recording. In this 1962 recording Fischer-Dieskau and Moore take the ... Read More: