CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music, Fifth Edition, Volume 1: Ancient to Baroque (6 CDs)

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
from: W. W. Norton

Release Date January 01, 2006
The CDs in this set are not packaged in standard jewelboxes nor even in cheap sleeves, but are mounted directly atop a printed surface. As a result, when I purchased the set from my school bookstore, I found that several of the CDs had dried flecks of ink on the data side that made it impossible to play or rip certain tracks. Beware.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Ever, Volume II

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
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
Beautifully done, arranged, and selected. All are very good performances, and there are many lesser known but wonderful pieces such as the movement from Shostakovich's second piano concerto.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Elgar: The Collector's Edition (30 CDs)

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
from: Emi Classics

Release Date November 06, 2007
It's hard not to like Elgar -- his music is tuneful, bombastic in all the right ways, and has an air of ceremony that somehow perfectly fits what British music should sound like. I guess it's just that Elgar defines "British" music.

There are certainly highlights in this set -- Falstaff and the Cello Concerto are so good that I think any other performance I'll ever hear of either of them will be ruined because they won't compare. The oratorios The Dream of Gerontius and The Apostles as presented are widely considered the best out there. And I haven't heard better. There's plenty more here to enjoy even if they're not absolutely authoritative.

I don't like Barbirolli's interpretation of the symphonies -- he takes ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Faure: Requiem and other choral music

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
from: Collegium

Release Date February 29, 2000
After hearing this piece of work on two different occasions on the same day, I felt that I needed to have it. All the choices always make it difficult to choose, so I ended up buying this version. I am utterly amazed with this beautiful piece of music, by its the performers and just the cd in general.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Works of Igor Stravinsky

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
from: Sony Classics

Release Date July 23, 2007
I consider this release\compilation to be the greatest classical bargain of 2007-a year of many complete issues such as Bach and Mozart on Brilliant classics(before 07).
Stravinsky is the conductor for almost all the performances with the CBS orchestra and, though recorded in the early to late 60's, the sound is spectacular. I am listening to disc 1(for the tenth time) and still love the ambience of old tape recordings(which I find far superior to much of today's DDD and DSD. I will take warmth, substance, and presence over clinical precision and unrealistic detail any day of the week.
Much of the works here are the performances of said works. Of course the rite of spring has been reproduced about as many times as the bible, so it is difficult ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music, Concise Version (6 Compact Discs)

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
from: W. W. Norton

Release Date January 01, 2006
I consider this release\compilation to be the greatest classical bargain of 2007-a year of many complete issues such as Bach and Mozart on Brilliant classics(before 07).
Stravinsky is the conductor for almost all the performances with the CBS orchestra and, though recorded in the early to late 60's, the sound is spectacular. I am listening to disc 1(for the tenth time) and still love the ambience of old tape recordings(which I find far superior to much of today's DDD and DSD. I will take warmth, substance, and presence over clinical precision and unrealistic detail any day of the week.
Much of the works here are the performances of said works. Of course the rite of spring has been reproduced about as many times as the bible, so it is difficult ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Essential Purcell

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
by: Henry Purcell, New College Choir Oxford, King's Consort, Robert King, Roy Goodman, Charles Daniels, John Mark Ainsley, James Bowman, Peter Buckoke, Jane Coe, Rogers Covey-Crump, Gillian Fisher, Michael George, Miles Golding, Jane Norman, Barbara Bonney, Mark Caudle, William Carter, King's Consort Choir, Helen Gough, Paul Nicholson, Angela East, Barry Guy, Tessa Bonner, Jerome Finnis, Rupert Bawden, Lucy Howard, Richard Campbell, Susan Addison, James O'Donnell, Stephen Saunders

Release Date April 10, 1995
"O Fair Cedaria..." is a gorgeous song and yet this is the only cd recording of this incredible work.
The other song which deserves fame is "The Sparrow and the Gentle Dove." There is so much feeling, emotion and musical development in this song that it really is one my personal favorites. Its interpretation here is beyond beautiful.
If you've never heard these songs be ready to add them to your list of favorite Purcell songs.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

The Opera Band

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
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 offers nothing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony: The Choir of New College Oxford

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
from: Erato

Release Date February 18, 1997
It's funny how over the years you find something special. This is one of those special music moments.

I do think that every person will have one track they like better than others but for me there is one track that just chills you to the bone.

It's worth the money for the whole CD just for the one track.

I just wish this was a 7.1 surround sound recording. I guess one day it will be :o)

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

The Tallis Scholars Sing Thomas Tallis

CD-Charts > Music > Anthems
from: Gimell UK

Release Date September 14, 2004
If you favor blend, balance, pitch, and all the other parameters of the English traditional choral style, you'll be very impressed with the Tallis Scholars' refined presentation. the music speaks for itself.