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

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
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
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The Mystery Of Santo Domingo De Silos Gregorian Chant From Spain

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date May 10, 1994
I purchased this version of the monks of Santo Dominto De Silos at the same time I bought the 2008 edition of the Gregorian chant by the Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz (Chant: Music for the Soul). While the effort of the Santo Domingo monks was highly praised when it was released, I fully understand why the version by the Cistercian monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz was so brightly hailed. The Spanish recording seems regimented, in contrast to that of the Austrian Cistercian monks of 2008, who seem quite sublime, un-regimented, and singing only in response to their devotion to God. Even so, this recording by the Spanish monks is clear, pure, and by the books; it is authentic. If you are interested in Gregorian chant, you should have ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Voice of the Violin

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
by: Joshua Bell

Release Date September 05, 2006
"Choosing the works for this album was a delightful journey, a wonderful excuse to immerse myself in the rich treasury of music written for the voice....I hope many listeners will appreciate this tribute to the voice and get a kick out of hearing my take on these timeless classics." ~ Joshua Bell ~

At the Opening Night for Concert Season at Hollywood Bowl a few years back, Joshua Bell was one of the featured guests where he performed a piece from the soundtrack of Ladies in Lavender where he is the featured violinist, and another performance where he shared the spotlight with Josh Groban. I was in awe and it was great seeing them perform before a live audience. My first exposure to Mr. Bell's artistry is his Grammy-nominated tribute ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Words of the Angel

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
by: Trio Mediaeval, Ivan Moody, Anonymous, Gregorian Chant

Release Date January 29, 2002
I'm a big fan of religious choral classical music, and this album was not nearly as good as I was expecting it to be. It is good music, and the performers do a fine job, but it is not as awe inspiring as most of the music I listen to.

The music has very little variance of dynamics. Many people like music where one setting of the volume control works throughout the entire piece, but I prefer music that has quieter parts and louder parts. Music is more expressive when it changes dynamics, or especially when the composer tastefully uses silence. These composers did not use any silence at all in their pieces. That, combined with the performers swinging their notes made the pieces feel too hurried. The embellishments were also annoying, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Gloria: The Sacred Music of John Rutter

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
from: Collegium

Release Date September 20, 2005
BEAUTIFUL music- classic Rutter with outstanding harmonies, relaxing as well as inspirational lyrics and melodies.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Essential Bach

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
from: Decca

Release Date June 13, 2000
This really has the best of Bach on one CD (compared to 150 for his total works).

CD-Charts Position 7
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Mozart Edition: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set)

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
from: Brilliant Classics

Release Date October 25, 2005
I thoroughly enjoy these CDs. I tried collecting Mozart in portions over time, but his repertoire is just way too large to manage for amateurs like me. It is well worth buying the whole collection in one purchase.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
by: George Frideric Handel, Giulio Caccini, Charles Gounod, Franz Schubert, Cesar Franck, Gioachino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner, Pietro Mascagni, Louis Niedermeyer, Franz Xaver Gruber, John Francis Wade, Jean-Paul Lecot, Myung-Whun Chung, Andrea Bocelli

Release Date November 09, 1999
What a wonderful CD! This is music I will listen to over and over - his voice is amazing!

CD-Charts Position 9
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Works of Igor Stravinsky

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
from: Sony Classics

Release Date July 23, 2007
This is really a-must-have. One of the most significant composers of 20th century, Igor Stravinsky and almostly complete works with his own performances. All the records between 1950-60's, except some chamber and solo piano music performed by composer and recorded monorual in 30's. All the records' sound quality are really great, like alive. The orchestras are: Columbia Symphony Orchestra (based on Holywood), CBC Symphony Orchestra (Canadian). There are many brilliant soloists such like Isaac Stern, Charles Rosen, Shirley Verrett, Cathy Berberian (the wife of Berio), Philippe Entremont, in Les Noces four pianos are: Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Lukas Foss, Roger Sessions! The dream-cast!

This set includes so many works, which they're not so famous, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Missa Solemnis in D major, op.123

CD-Charts > Music > Masses
by: L.V. Beethoven, Otto Klemperer, New Philharmonia Orchestra

Release Date April 10, 2001
At the risk of sounding like a philistine, nothing of Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis" moves me. I purchased it after having read it praised by KR Jamison in her excellent book, "Exuberance," and reading that Beethoven considered it his best work. Unlike Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" and "Magnificat," or Vivaldi's "Gloria," I found none of the movements melodic. Given all the great music Beethoven composed, I would rank Missa rather low. Perhaps my taste may mature as I enter my 60s and may look back on this review with chagrin.