CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Purcell: Complete Chamber Music

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
from: Brilliant Classics

Release Date April 01, 2008
I have an enormous amount of affection for this anthlogy. The music is quintessential Purcell- ingeneous, straight-forward, the show tune king of his day. This is a seven disc set. The first four discs are performed by Musica Antiphon, one of several European H.I.P. ensembles who seem to draw personnel from the same pool. This particular group empressed me earlier with a performance of the Telemann Tafelmusik which was far more spirited and fun than the benchmark perfomance by Musica Antiqua Koln. That same sense of fun is present here as well. The final three discs are harpsichord (and a little organ) pieces played by Pieter-Jan Belder. His performances are pleasant and musical as well. It is nice to hear music in these discs (instead of a ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Greatest Hits: Trumpet

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
from: Sony

Release Date December 06, 1994
I listened to the samples before buying this for my trumpet-playing son. If you like the samples, you'll enjoy the full recordings. "Birthday Ode For Queen Anne: Eternal Source Of Light Divine" is my favorite from the album - it's quite breath-takingly beautiful.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Music for Organ, Brass & Percussion

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
from: Telarc

Release Date February 23, 1990
If you enjoy pomp and circumstance type music, you must have this CD.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Consort of Musicke by William Byrd & Orlando Gibbons; Sweelinck: Fantasia in D (The Glenn Gould Edition)

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
by: Glenn Gould, William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck

Release Date June 29, 1993
Glenn Gould was a master of slow tempos, holding long melodic and contrapuntal lines together without using the damper pedal or any obvious pianistic tricks, and his extraordinary way with simple keyboard pieces shines through on this disc.

And even though these compositions are light stuff compared to the towering Bach masterpieces he recorded, there is plenty to enjoy here. And don't feel bad that Byrd and Gibbons are not played on a virginal. Nearly an hour of twanging away at these intimate, charming and modest pieces might drive an earnest modern listener crazy. Feel good about the heft and color of the modern Steinway. Gould brings body and warmth to what might otherwise be very minor pieces.

The "bonus" Sweelinck piece ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Byrd: My Ladye Nevells Booke

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
from: Naxos

Release Date July 31, 2007
I have only a little to add to what has been said already, but just to clarify, the Ruckers designations are not first names, but rather the present locations of the instruments. For example, what we harpsichordists casually refer to as the "Colmar Ruckers" is the 1624 Ioannes Ruckers instrument now in the Musée d'Unterlinden in Colmar in Alsace (France). The "Ahaus Ruckers" is a 1640 instrument, also by Ioannes, located in Schloss Ahaus, Westphalia. I had the privilege of playing the Colmar Ruckers in September, and I can promise you that Keith Hill has captured the sound of this magnificent instrument quite nicely. The other instruments on this superb recording are equally fine. There are many excellent recordings of both of the original Ruckers available as well, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Pärt/Maxwell Davies/Glass: Trivium

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
from: Ecm Records

Release Date July 17, 2001
This CD is an absolute gem and a must in any collection of contemporary organ music. Every minimalist fan, 'classical' or otherwise, should also have a copy in their collection.

The four Part pieces are worth the value of the CD alone. The second track 'Mein Weg Hat Gipfel Und Wellentaler', with its gentle floating rhythm is the standout on the album.

The Maxwell Davies pieces are short and very quirky - little musical puzzles. The Glass pieces are vintage Glass, driven and mesmerising in their joyful minimalism.

A must buy CD!!! Purchase and enjoy.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Thomas Weelkes: Anthems

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
from: Hyperion UK

Release Date January 08, 2008
This CD is an absolute gem and a must in any collection of contemporary organ music. Every minimalist fan, 'classical' or otherwise, should also have a copy in their collection.

The four Part pieces are worth the value of the CD alone. The second track 'Mein Weg Hat Gipfel Und Wellentaler', with its gentle floating rhythm is the standout on the album.

The Maxwell Davies pieces are short and very quirky - little musical puzzles. The Glass pieces are vintage Glass, driven and mesmerising in their joyful minimalism.

A must buy CD!!! Purchase and enjoy.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Purcell: Full Anthems & Organ Music

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
from: Naxos

Release Date May 09, 1995
This compilation of music is enough to get an atheist to believe in a higher power -- it's that amazing.

The music and lyrics are awe-inspiring, and this performance is made all the better by the Oxford Camerata.

I've had an opportunity to listen to other versions of this music (by Choir of Clare College and by Arcadia Players), and I am convinced that the performance by the Oxford Camerata is by far the best. Their timing and their voices are perfect.

I've been wearing out this album both on my laptop and in my car for the last six months or so, and I see no signs of stopping.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

A Consort of Musicke Bye William Byrde & Orlando Gibbons

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
from: Sony Bmg Europe

Release Date January 01, 2008
.
GG scored another infamous triumph in his championship of the otherwise recherché English Tudor virginalists.

He had played Gibbons early in his career--including his D.C. and NYC débuts in 1955.

With his uncanny insight, Gould recognized the innate augenmusik quality of the Tudor masters: his realizations on the grand piano pay homage. (In iconoclastic fashion, GG maintained that Byrd was one of the few "natural" keyboard artists, esteeming him with Scarlatti, Chopin, and Scriabin.)

Noble music, realized by a King of Art.
.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Byrd: The Great Service

CD-Charts > Music > Voluntaries
from: Hyperion UK

Release Date December 13, 2005
.
GG scored another infamous triumph in his championship of the otherwise recherché English Tudor virginalists.

He had played Gibbons early in his career--including his D.C. and NYC débuts in 1955.

With his uncanny insight, Gould recognized the innate augenmusik quality of the Tudor masters: his realizations on the grand piano pay homage. (In iconoclastic fashion, GG maintained that Byrd was one of the few "natural" keyboard artists, esteeming him with Scarlatti, Chopin, and Scriabin.)

Noble music, realized by a King of Art.
.