CD-Charts Position 251
Average Rating:

Switched-On Bach

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
by: Johann Sebastian Bach, Wendy Carlos

Release Date October 02, 2001
even though it's been 40 years since it was released, Switched on Bach by Wendy (formerly Walter) Carlos is one of the best musical performances ever recorded. Anyone even remotely into classical music would enjoy this CD. I had this as a kid (on a record - ask your parents what those were) and it disappeared in all the moves. I was SO glad to find it again.
Chris

CD-Charts Position 252
Average Rating:

Bach - The Complete Brandenburg Concertos / Pearlman, Boston Baroque

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
by: Johann Sebastian Bach, Martin Pearlman, Boston Baroque, Christopher Krueger, Marc Schachman, Daniel Stepner, Friedemann Immer

Release Date July 23, 1996
Perhaps it is the romantic in me that enervates a sense of anticipation when superlative musicians take up period instruments to play great master's works in the manner in which they were written.

In this case I believe that also means enjoying the work with a slightly faster Tempi than accustomed.

Beautiful music making for beautiful space.

CD-Charts Position 253
Average Rating:

Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date May 14, 2002
I've waited for years to buy a complete set of Mendelssohn symphonies and having listened to a less-than-ideal rendition of the "Lobgesang" recently, I decided it was time. I'm either glad I waited or wish I'd bought this recording ages ago, though I doubt such a bargain was available then -- this is wonderful Mendelssohn and the inclusion of the overtures and the scherzo from the Octet op. 20 in the composer's own orchestration (written as an alternate scherzo for his first symphony) is an intriguing and delightful inclusion.

Abbado seems to choose just the right tempi (perhaps a bit slower in places than, say, Gardiner and certainly slower than Toscanini) and he slightly slows the music or speeds it up at just the right places ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 254
Average Rating:

Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
by: Ludwig van Beethoven, Alban Berg Quartet, Gerhard Schulz, Hatto Beyerle, Thomas Kakuska, Valentin Erben Günther Pichler

Release Date November 16, 1999
They play well, a very clean interpretation. I think they may be a starting point to Beethoven Quartets.It is possible to hear every instrument at all times and it is fine to know each part. But I like several other quartets in Beethoven.

CD-Charts Position 255
Average Rating:

Bach: Cello Suites

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
from: EMI Classics

Release Date October 07, 2003
For Mr. Get Real[your nom-de-plume and your review is an oxymoron!] - what a lot of pretentious, overblown nonsense. I bet you were bullied at school! It's about the music, the interpretation, the feeling - not +/- decibels etc etc. Your review did nothing for casual classical music listeners.
To anyone else with ears either side of their head - listen to the cd and enjoy it for what it is!

CD-Charts Position 256
Average Rating:

Cieli di Toscana

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
by: Gavyn Wright, Paolo Gianolio, Margherita Graczyk, Gary Miller, John Reid, Luis Jardim, Francesco Sartori, Mauro Malavasi, Massimo Guantini

Release Date October 16, 2001
I love this CD, and I love Andrea too. This opera star has such a pureness to his voice, so angelic. This particular CD would be excellant for a romantic dinner or if you want to take a nice drive alone. Reduce your stress, listen to this CD.

CD-Charts Position 257
Average Rating:

Vaughan Williams: Serenade to Music; The Lark Ascending; Fantasia on Greensleeves; English Folk Song Suite; In the Fen Country; Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
from: EMI Classics

Release Date October 11, 1991
Many have already reviewed this CD very positively, so just a brief word. This is probably the most attractive intro. you could have to Vaughan Williams - all the works, whether well known or not so well known, are most beautiful, the recording is excellent and the performances under Boult, who knew exactly how to get the beauty and the poetry out of VW without losing sight of the structure, could not be better. You just can't go wrong - it's a glorious CD.

CD-Charts Position 258
Average Rating:

Great Recordings Of The Century - Strauss, R.: Salome / Karajan, Behrens, Van Dam, Baltsa, et al

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
by: Herbert von Karajan, Hildegard Behrens, Jose Van Dam, Agnes Baltsa, Karl-Walter Bohm, Wieslaw Ochman

Release Date September 21, 1999
This recording of Salome, made before the Salzburg Festival's assumption of the opera on the stage for their 1978 season, is perhaps the best recording of the masterpiece ever recorded. Herbert von Karajan isthe best Strauss conductor the world has or ever will see, as this recording and his Elektra, Ariadne, Frau Ohne Schatten, and Rosenkavalier has shown us. His complex understanding of Strauss' musical language and his innate sense of his rich, polyphonic lyricism has allowed his conducting of Strauss' music-dramas to bloom in such a way without the intruding loudness and excess energy that afflicts too any other conductors' perceptions of the pieces. No other recording has featured the waltz-like rhythms of Strauss' composition so effectively as Karajan's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 259
Average Rating:

A Festival of Carols in Brass

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
from: Sony

Release Date July 16, 1991
This is a terrific collection of Christmas music with the twist of a brass ensemble. I have used it to mix up a collection, and it really adds variety to the mix. Very well done.

CD-Charts Position 260
Average Rating:

Voice of the Violin

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
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 album in honor of the timeless ... Read More: