CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Simply Baroque

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
from: Sony

Release Date September 30, 2003
I bought this because I love to listen to cellos. On my Mark&Daniels,the sound is first rate, overall. ButI would have loved to have the cello given a bit more prominence, audio-wise. The accompanying instruments are aggressive enough to drown the cello out in the musical pictures, except for the first selection which is just fabulous.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Essential Bach

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
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 3
Average Rating:

The Story of Bach

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
from: Vox (Classical)

Release Date April 16, 1995
We are using this series of CDs in our homeschool music program - they are fantastic! We especially love this one about Bach - what an awesome man! The story of his life is told in a way that is very interesting and holds the children's attention while also using various pieces of his music in the narration. It is done VERY well! My children are gaining a tremendous amount of knowlege and appreciation for music through this CD and so are my husband and I!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

The Swingle Singers - Bach Hits Back ~ A Capella Amadeus

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
by: Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, The Swingle Singers

Release Date May 05, 1998
It's real live classical music - but with a new sound. For the price, you can't beat these 2 discs for Swingle excellence!

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Marilyn Horne - The Complete Decca Recitals

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
from: Decca Records

Release Date April 15, 2008
what to say??? First, "THANK YOU" to Decca records for assembling and presenting this WONDERFUL collection to us, honoring this Great Lady...the complete recital recordings of the Fabulous Ms Horne...certainly one of the GREATEST SINGERS of the Century. I do not recall a more distinctive mezzo voice in my many years of listening to opera and classical voice recordings. She had a seamless, absolutely stellar voice, and used it well, carving her niche in the history of Great Operatic Singing. These 11 discs are all stunning on their own as individuals, but packaged up together, in this Beautiful Box Set, and with the Original Album Cover Art reproduced on the individual sleeves, as well as the documentation presented with them, make this set a true ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Classic Yo-Yo

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
from: Sony

Release Date September 18, 2001
I don't feel particularly qualified to comment on anyone's musicianship. However, I can tell the difference between an instrument well played and, well, the opposite. Love Ma's playing, and this is a nice representation of his repertoire.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Bach: Matthaus-Passion (St Matthew Passion) BWV 244 /Bostridge * Selig * Rubens * Scholl * Gura * Henschel * Collegium Vocale * Herreweghe (+CD-Rom)

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
by: Collegium Vocale Gent

Release Date November 16, 1999
I wonder how the sudden $20 increase imposed in fall 2008 is justified - considering this recording was made 10 years ago and is so old that modern Macs can't even open the extras?

I notice the Herreweghe St John Passion has also just jumped twenty bucks.

What's going on?

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Choral Masterpieces

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
from: Telarc

Release Date October 25, 1990
This is an absolutely beautiful CD of choral music. As one who has been singing in Chorales almost all my life, I am always thrilled when I can find recordings of outstanding and excellent choral music. I purchased two CDs of the Robert Shaw and ASO; one for myself and the other as a Christmas gift to my Choral Director, Dr. Robert Lamb (Doctoral Music Arts in Choral Conducting). Dr. Lamb loves anything done by Robert Shaw and had not heard this one. Although I have not heard of his reaction to the CD as yet, I can say from my listening that everyone who loves choral music, will love this CD. I particularly love the Bach, Handel, and Brahms pieces. Alleluia! Alleluia! Enjoy!

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Deutsche Harmonia Mundi: 50 Years (1958-2008)

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
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.

Don't get me wrong, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Mendelssohn In Words And Music

CD-Charts > Music > Passions
by: Felix Mendelssohn, Johann Sebastian Bach, Louis de Froment, Aaron Rosand, Arthur Hannes

Release Date May 01, 1995
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.

Don't get me wrong, ... Read More: