CD-Charts Position 161
Average Rating:

Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna, etc. / Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
by: M. Lauridsen

Release Date May 19, 1998
The Masterchoral is in top form on this recording. The recording was up for a Grammy a few years back, and it deserved the nomination.

This music is magical and these performances are wonderful.

CD-Charts Position 162
Average Rating:

Bach: The Art of Fugue

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
by: Johann Sebastian Bach, Emerson String Quartet

Release Date August 12, 2003
The Emerson Quartet are the last word is modern, slick string quartet groups. Their extremely streamlined sound works very well sometimes, othertimes not. Their recording are usually worth a listen, and usually rank high with the Gramophone, Penguin & BBC critics, but I often find I enjoy other quartets more in given works, and have often traded in for different versions. Too often, they're just too slick. In this case, that slickness works in just the right way.
My other string quartet version is a magnificent one by The Juilliard Quartet, their approach being completely different from the present set. The Juilliard perform this work, solemnly, deeply, and slowly, as if played in a cloister, or the medieval room at The Metropolitan ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 163
Average Rating:

Beethoven: The Piano Concertos [DVD Video]

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date November 13, 2007
This DVD is brilliant in every respect. Faultless in its production and in the performance of the conductor, orchestra and pianist. (for the first two concertos, Zimerman conducts from the piano). It's a joy to listen to and watch. There's nothing more to say. If you appreciate genius buy it, you will not be disappointed.

CD-Charts Position 164
Average Rating:

Essential Bach

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
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 165
Average Rating:

The East Village Opera Company

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Decca

Release Date September 27, 2005
You'll love The East Village Opera Company. They add their own distinct sounds to such classics as Nessa Dorma. It is a great addition to your collection of Il Divo, Russell Watson, Amici Forever, Michael Amante, and 10 Tenors. Give it a shot I am glad I did. Also watch for them on tour.

CD-Charts Position 166
Average Rating:

The Dvorak Album

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Sony

Release Date September 07, 2004
Yo Yo Ma has the perfect tender and romantic feel for Dvorac. Unfortunately he is not a powerful performer. He is relatively subdued and that is okay with this music. The fault on the very first selection, the concerto, is the recording. It is though he is in the middle of the orchestra playing with everyone else. There is very little presence given to him by the engineer in the mix down. This is very unfortunate. The listener must pick out the lead performer.
I used to 'bury' musicians when they weren't up to par for the good of the whole recording. Everyone including the musican were grateful for this. However, Yo Yo was not having a bad day, and you never bury the lead. Shame on you guys in the booth.
The rest of the album is just fine. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 167
Average Rating:

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Telarc

Release Date October 25, 1990
I am not sure if it is the best Vivaldi recording ever but it must definately place high on the list. It is a pleasure to listen to!!!

CD-Charts Position 168
Average Rating:

Faure Requiem Op.48 / Durufle Requiem Op.9

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
by: Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Duruflé, Judith Blegen, James Morris

Release Date October 25, 1990
A very professional performance.I used it to prepare for the performance of this number by our oratorial society. I wish we could do as well.

CD-Charts Position 169
Average Rating:

Lang Lang Live at Carnegie Hall

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date March 02, 2004
I attended this concert and an earlier one given by Lang Lang before he became a superstar, and the truth is both the fans and the critics are right. There is no question in my mind that Lang Lang can be one of the world's top pianists. It is a question of whether he can stay away from the excesses that are present on this recording, the temptation to play in an overromanticized, self-indulgent, and unmusical way. He can definitely do it; his recording of Rach 3 is proof. So is the Tan Dun, which happens to be an excellent, shimmering, nuanced performance. I think he will probably settle down as he gets older.

I have been somewhat disappointed in the concerto recordings, mostly because I find some of his playing much too slow (see the Tchaikovsky ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 170
Average Rating:

Beethoven's Wig 3: Many More Sing-Along Symphonies

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Rounder / Umgd

Release Date May 02, 2006
My kids love this series for the fun lyrics to the songs. I love that they are learning without thinking about it a lot about classical music. What is best is that it makes listening to the classical music station fun for them as they recognize not only specific works, but are learning the individual styles of different composers! A real must for kids! We plan to get them all!