CD-Charts Position 161
Average Rating:

Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle [DVD Video]

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

Release Date May 13, 2008
I believe this is the first DVD of this 20th century masterpiece. The two singers are excellent vocally, but the bass is no actor. The orchestra, which is really the main story teller, is outstanding. The scenery is o.k.

CD-Charts Position 162
Average Rating:

Prokofiev, Ravel: Piano Concertos, etc / Martha Argerich

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

Release Date May 14, 1996
I won't go at length about this CD's every refinement, but the Adagio assai on ravel's concerto is easily the best I have ever heard. It is possibly the best collaboration between orchestra/conductor and the pianist of any work. Abbado and Argerich just clicked. It's magic. That does not come along often, even with the masters.

CD-Charts Position 163
Average Rating:

Shostakovich: The Complete Symphonies - Mariss Jansons (10 CD)

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: EMI Classics

Release Date September 12, 2006
Mariss Jansons,Latvian conductor,who was a protege of legendary Evgeny Mravinsky,finally completed his Shostakovich cycle 20 years after starting.Jansons had magnificent orchestras at his disposal.Not to mention first class sound quality by EMI.So eveything was set for Jansons to score the perfect Shostakovich cycle.He could not manage to do that (5th symphony)but he came very,very close.

Jansons seems to love Shostakovich with every single aspect of his composing.He understands and shares the point behind each symphony.His interpretations are full of inner fire,tension,drama and purpose.That puts him head and shoulders above the competition at the unknown symphonies;1,2 and 3.At the fourth Jansons delivers a hypnotic experience.Top ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 164
Average Rating:

Beethoven: Greatest Hits

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

Release Date August 09, 1994
This cd came quick! And upon putting it in my stereo I experienced euphoria!!! Lud Wig Kills!!!!!!!!

CD-Charts Position 165
Average Rating:

J.S. Bach: Toccata, Partita, English Suite 2/ Martha Argerich

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

Release Date June 13, 2000
Do you like Glenn Gould's Bach? So listen to what Martha can do baby...

Ms. Argerich, you rule!

CD-Charts Position 166
Average Rating:

The Wonder of Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square, Bells on Temple Square, Bryn Terfel, Frederica von Stade, Audra McDonald, Renee Fleming, Angela Lansbury

Release Date September 26, 2006
I am a musician at heart (read: critical and difficult to please, but very moved by good music) and this is my absolute favorite christmas album. The arrangements are incredible and the performances will blow you away. This is a must have for those who truly appreciate music and even those who just love christmas music (who doesn't?). Even my hubby, who listens to rap and thinks choir music is not cool, looks forward to the Choir's Christmas concert every year.
I'm lucky enough to live in Salt Lake where I can see them perform, and this album contains most of my favorite performances from the past several years. Each song on this album can stand on its own, but my favorites are Joy to the World, What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger, Angels From ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 167
Average Rating:

At The Movies

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: Denon Records

Release Date March 23, 2004
What's not to like about a good song from a good movie? All the classic movie themes (i.e., Titanic, Zorba the Greek, etc.) are here but played by a full orchestra.

I considered this approach to modern music a true and distinct pleasure and a nice break from the classical music that Andre Rieu's orchestra normally presents. The music is uplifting and makes you want to break out in song or get up and dance.

Nice background music for a long auto trip. Fun for the family to sing along with. Also a great album for just 'having on' in the house while you do other things. Good also for background music (at a lower volume) when entertaining.

I am a fan of Andre Rieu and absolutely adore how he has brought the sound of a full orchestra ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 168
Average Rating:

The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Robert Shaw Festival Singers, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Choruses

Release Date January 24, 1995
A wonderful album. I have several copies of Handel's Messiah, but the performance of the Hallelujah Chorus by Robert Shaw's singers is exceptional, outstanding. I was inspired to have my young son listen to this album: Verdi's "Dies Irae", Orff's "O Fortuna", and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus".

Notice that there are 3 versions of "Dies Irae" on this album. It's nice to hear others. I am not normally a fan of Requiems. I will say that I do like Bach's Mass in B Minor and the Kyrie Eleison excerpted here is beautiful.

CD-Charts Position 169
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The Ligeti Project II: Lontano / Atmosphères / Apparitions / San Francisco Polyphony / Concert Românesc - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Jonathan Nott

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Gyorgy Ligeti, Jonathon Nott, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date June 11, 2002
Teldec's THE LIGETI PROJECT II continues the collection, started by Sony's "Gyorgy Ligeti Edition", of Ligeti's complete works in performances overseen by the composer himself. This second disc contains four orchestral works, three of which were written in his "micropolyphony" style of the 1960s and 1970s, and the fourth a recently-rediscovered gem written as a student in 1951. These are performed by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by the young talent Jonathan Nott, and can be considered definitive.

The earliest piece here is "Concerto Romanesc" (1951), a bit of juvenalia inspired by folk melodies the composer heard during musicological expeditions in Romania. Dating from before his use of micropolyphony and overtly modernistic techniques, these pieces may ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 170
Average Rating:

Essential Beethoven

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

Release Date June 12, 2001
i went searching for a Beethoven CD because i was lucky enough to find this wonderful Mozart one. But this Beethoven CD doesnt have the best performances. The most popular pieces are apparently played by beginners because the notes sound disjointed, as if they arent playing together but playing each piece separately, which is not what an orchestra is supposed to sound like....otherwise we wouldnt call it an orchestra....it would be an elementary school meddley! But anyway, the less popular pieces are boring, like the compilers didnt feel like paying for the good stuff. Overall, im disappointed with this CD. The picture is cool though.....(insert glaring smiley here).