CD-Charts Position 141
Average Rating:

Barber's Adagio / Munch, Galway, Boston SO Strings

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

Release Date May 20, 1997
I have loved this piece of music for ages and one day heard that the Trinity Choir did it...I wanted to collect all the different Arrangements but they wud have to been bought in big collections and sets of sonatas/etc... So this CD is perfect...it combines the best settings of this wonderful piece together on one CD...quality is flawless and its a major contribution to my classical repetoire...

CD-Charts Position 142
Average Rating:

Howard Hanson: Symphony No. 2; Samuel Barber: Violin Concerto

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

Release Date October 25, 1990
at the end credits for the film ALIEN- a fine film needing a slightly larger budget.
I thought it perfect, far more appropriate than the cliched "space" music J Goldsmith had concocted, may he RIP. After the nightmare encountered by the surviving character, the music seems a release from the tension, as we bore witness to a string of sad, almost personal tragedies-yet the piece ends with an unexpected single menacing note-before soothing us back to sleep and safety again. First class film and end piece to it

CD-Charts Position 143
Average Rating:

Nostalgica

CD-Charts > Music > ( B )
from: Warner

Release Date August 15, 2008
at the end credits for the film ALIEN- a fine film needing a slightly larger budget.
I thought it perfect, far more appropriate than the cliched "space" music J Goldsmith had concocted, may he RIP. After the nightmare encountered by the surviving character, the music seems a release from the tension, as we bore witness to a string of sad, almost personal tragedies-yet the piece ends with an unexpected single menacing note-before soothing us back to sleep and safety again. First class film and end piece to it

CD-Charts Position 144
Average Rating:

Denyce Graves - Voce di Donna

CD-Charts > Music > ( B )
by: Christoph Willibald Gluck, Georges Bizet, George Frideric Handel, Francesco Cilea, Henry Purcell, Amilcare Ponchielli, Gaetano Donizetti, Samuel Barber, Pietro Mascagni, Camille Saint-Saëns, Jules Massenet, Maurizio Barbacini, Denyce Graves

Release Date August 24, 1999
Ms. Graves' voice is so warm. The sound is so impressive!!! There has been debate on whether or not she is truly a mezzo-soprano. Some critics feel that she is a true contralto with an extended upper range. The role of Dalila, is also considered borderline mezzo-soprano and contralto. Anyway, her voice has total ring in every tone. The rich sound that she produces is totally even from her bottom register to her top. The baroque selections need to be maybe a little lighter and more pure, but I am not that petty. I just believe that she is absolutely wonderful!!! Brava Ms. Graves!!!

CD-Charts Position 145
Average Rating:

Artists Of The Century - Jussi Bjorling, The Ultimate Collection

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

Release Date May 25, 1999
"The fact that a coarseminded 'reviewer' found Bjorling lacking... is simply another proof of Jussi's quality."

And as for Pavarotti, he idolized Bjorling. "... two interviews with Pavarotti. It is clear that Jussi Björling was his idol. 'When I'm about to train a new opera, I first listen to how Jussi Björling did it. His voice was unique and it's his path that I want to follow. I would more than anything else wish that people compared me with Jussi Björling. It's like so I'm striving to sing.'"

"Anouther quote came from Luciano Pavarotti when he was compared to being in the same league as Bjorling. Pavarotti replied 'Please, I'm only human' a statement demonstrating that even the great modern tenor had enormous respect ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 146
Average Rating:

Bright Day Star: Music for the Yuletide Seasons

CD-Charts > Music > ( B )
from: Dorian Recordings

Release Date October 04, 1994
I purchased this CD after listening to another work by the Baltimore Consort. The quality of the recording, of the music and the vocals are all top notch. After listening to this CD for a few days, my wife and I decided it would be an ideal gift for other music lovers. Each person who has since received it has also thoroughly enjoyed it. While the CD is themed for the yuletide season, I don't know that it has to go away with the garland and tinsel.

CD-Charts Position 147
Average Rating:

The Essential Joshua Bell

CD-Charts > Music > ( B )
from: Decca

Release Date September 13, 2005
and I can not play like Joshua Bell. For this, he better consider himself damn lucky as the world could not handle two of us Joshua Bells.

This was my first exposure to this phenom. Sorry, I had never heard of him until I got my first issue of STRINGS magazine and he was on the cover. My wife liked the cover and wanted to know if I got better would I not only sound like him but would I also look like him? I guess we'll never know how that will actually turn out. Safe to say, I'll end up not looking like him as I can never be quite as good as him. Again, damn lucky for Josh as I don't think the world could handle two of us.

This disc is an absolute gem not only for the Joshua Bell and violin fan, but the arrangements and the sound quality ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 148
Average Rating:

Trionfi (Trittico teatrale): Carmina Burana, Catulli Carmina, and Trionfo di Afrodite

CD-Charts > Music > ( B )
by: Carl Orff, Eugen Jochum, Chorus and Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio

Release Date January 14, 2003
Eugene Jochum will be always profoundly associated and better committed with two important and remarkable composers. Anton Brucjkner and Carl Orff.

The very fact to dare to record and accept the overall challenge of undertaking an artistic crusade in order to make Orff a composer of major label is by itself worthy to acknowledge. But as we know the special attention and devotion of Jochum literally surpassed all the praises.

That's why you can not outdo this remarkable trilogy, because of the fact Jochum knew to establish not only a very hard to overcome level of performance, but established a personal landmark and a conceptual unity around the egregious figure of this peculiar composer.

CD-Charts Position 149
Average Rating:

Symphonies 1-9

CD-Charts > Music > ( B )
by: Bruckner, Jochum

Release Date April 08, 2003
I picked up this 9 CD set for about $30 - which besides being a fantastic deal - is bit sad. Given the quality of music - some of the most moving ever written I believe -and the quality of the conductor - what a fine touch he has! - this set should be retailing for much much more. When cultural treasures such as this can be gotten for pennies it gives one pause.

So yes I highly recommend this set; listen to it, give it room to breathe and let it fill you with the immensity of Bruckner.

CD-Charts Position 150
Average Rating:

Knoxville Summer of 1915

CD-Charts > Music > ( B )
from: Nonesuch

Release Date October 25, 1990
Dawn Upshaw's voice is perfect for twentieth century classical music. The Barber is beautiful, I like the Harbison Mirabai Songs, but my favorite piece on the album is the Stravinsky No Word from Tom. This album was recorded twenty years ago, so it's a young Dawn Upshaw. Her voice may be richer and more mature now, but the lightness and clarity of her flexible voice is thrilling. There are other recordings of Barber, Menotti, and Stravinsky, but as far as I know this is the only recording of the Mirabai Songs.