CD-Charts Position 101
Average Rating:

Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro / Furlanetto, Upshaw, Te Kanwa, Hampson, von Otter, Troyanos; Levine

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Michael Forest, Renato Capecchi, Heidi Grant Murphy, Anne Sofie von Otter, Tatiana Troyanos, Anthony Laciura

Release Date February 11, 1992
I don't want to waste anybody's time by writing a long review. If you like Figaro, this is the recording you want.

I have to agree with the other reviewers that this is by far the most enjoyable production of Mozart's opera. I am especially partial to Te Kanawa, but all the other participants did a great job. As far as I know, this is the only recording that features a young-sounding Barbarina. In most others she sounds like a mature woman, which I find annoying.

Get it and emoy!

CD-Charts Position 102
Average Rating:

Harem (CD & DVD)

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Sarah Brightman

Release Date June 10, 2003
Sarah Brightman has developed her talent for singing in a grand way. Her video performance is equally great.

She will never probably have any idea how many nights she has sung me to sleep ;).

I look for a performance and a live concert to come near me soon.

I would like to see her, however, embrace the more artistic and less of the skimpy clothing side.

There is a delicate line between flash, art, and trash, and some footage and photos of her cross the line with me.

Nude and semi-nude do not mix with song and expression. Sorry, dear, my beloved Sarah, but I am only in this for your singing talent, not to be made to long for your bod in my arms.

Keep it cleaner. Skimpy ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 103
Average Rating:

Bach- St. Matthäus-Passion/Te Kanawa, von Otter, Rolfe-Johnson, Blochitz, Krause, Solti (Highlights)

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Kiri Te Kanawa, Anne Sofie von Otter, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Tom Krause, Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus

Release Date March 30, 1990
A number of years ago, maybe 17, I had two seats at the Chicago Symphony with Sir Georg Solti the resident conductor emiritus and 2 floor seats to see Michael Jordon, Scottie Pippen and John Paxson at the Bulls. It was a heady season and I probably saw more of Jordon but only because I had more tickets.

Sir Georg was an institution, like Mazur and Bernstein. He lacked the flamboyance of the latter, and of course Kurt Mazur would on occassion address the orchestra pit with neither podium nor music sheets nor baton. That was pretty impressive too the first time I saw him (Fantasy Overture, NYP).

But it seems to me that Matthew Passion brings a need for unison between the conductor and the musicians and the chorus dare I say ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 104
Average Rating:

1000: A Mass for the End of Time / Anonymous 4

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Gregorian Chant, Anonymous 4

Release Date September 12, 2000
In the year 1000, medieval Europe was fraught with war, political intrigue, and despair. Furthermore, some sects believed that at the end of the millennium, judgment day would arrive. Things were very much the same in the year 2000. In this album, Anonymous 4 flawlessly performs music from the Ascension mass that would have been sung at the time- the mass which contains the most references to the end of days outside of Advent- as well as various apocolyptic music texts from the turn of the millennium. Anonymous 4's performance is incomparable. Their unity of sound, smoothness, clarity, and beauty make the CD a pleasure to listen to. In addition, since it's almost the end of Ordinary Time (another part of the liturgical year where the end of days is referenced), ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 105
Average Rating:

Mozart - Idomeneo / Domingo, Bartoli, Grant Murphy, Vaness, Hampson, Terfel, Lopardo, MET, Levine

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

Release Date October 22, 1996
This opera is a beautiful composition by Mozart! All the performers do a fabulous job in this! I happen to be a big Placido Domingo fan and think he did a great job in this performance!
I will be seeing this Opera in about 5 months where the character Idamante is being played by Alice Coote (who's a wonderful British mezzo-soprano)! :)

CD-Charts Position 106
Average Rating:

Bernstein Conducts Candide

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

Release Date April 15, 1997
(Note: This review substantially repeats an earlier one for a highlights album from DG.)

Since almost everyone owns a CD burner now, it's possible to compile a hybrid performance that merges the classic 1956 original cast recording (Sony) with this very complete DG performance from 1989, featuring Bernstein on the podium and nearly every delicious bit he composed for the show over a period of three decades. (One could also dip into the excellent revival by the Scottish National Opera, whose singers are as operatric as DG's but younger and often better.) Candide is the sum of original inspiration and a lot of mixed after-thoughts.

I mention this recourse to a hybrid rendition becasue for all its virtues--this is a well-reocrded set with alert conducting ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 107
Average Rating:

Miracles of Sant'iago: Music from the Codex Calistinus

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Ambrosian Chant, Gregorian Chant, Codex Calixtinus Anonymous, Anonymous, Italian Anonymous, Anonymous 4

Release Date February 26, 1996
'Miracles of Sant'Iago' by the Anonymous 4 is yet another collection of medieval chants. This time, its from the Spanish shrine reputed to be the site of Saint James' tomb. This is significant, and the reason for the site's being a major pilgrimage destination, because James was the first disciple of Christ.

While the location is Spanish, virtually all the texts are in Latin, and practically all are in plainsong, with very little polyphony. So, if it is the multipart singing you like, this may not have as much as you would like to hear.

I have been listening to Anonymous 4 recordings for about 10 years now, but my reviewing the titles in my colleciton brings be to the conclusion that unless you are a big fan of Medieval music, you may want to pass on this particular ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 108
Average Rating:

Sentimento: Andrea Bocelli with Lorin Maazel and the London Symphony Orchestra [Limited Edition w/ Bonus Track]

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Andrea Bocelli, Joaquin Rodrigo, Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Jacques Offenbach, Francesco Paolo Tosti, Gioachino Rossini, Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, Stanislao Gastaldon, Luigi Denza, Stefano Donaudy, Lorin Maazel

Release Date November 05, 2002
"What I crave most, what I hope to achieve is to communicate with the listeners, to touch them in the same way that I was touched as a child by my favorite singers who made me cry and made me dream." ~ Andrea Bocelli ~

"May the pleasure we all have had in embarking on this new venture be shared by those who listen." ~ Lorin Maazel, Conductor ~

I classify the CDs from my collection into three major categories:
1. Closest to my heart
2. Closer to my heart
3. Close to my heart

This CD, "Sentimento," definitely falls into the number one category for its many musical qualities. I'm particularly drawn to it because of three of my all-time classical favorites: Franz Liszt's "Liebestraum" (Sogno D'Amore), Jacques Offenbach's "Barcarolle" and Ruggero ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 109
Average Rating:

Darkness into Light

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: John Tavener, The Chilingirian Quartet, Anonymous 4

Release Date April 08, 2003
I have never heard anything like this. I listen to this each night, before I sleep. Never do I tire of it. Its so ancient and alive and authentic to me. Words cannot describe this music.

CD-Charts Position 110
Average Rating:

Kiri Te Kanawa - Ave Maria

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

Release Date October 25, 1990
What a great collection, many real sacred classics, all delivered in very heartfelt, but simple way, and Kiri's voice is just so beautiful. And I like the fact that there are many different moods, there are some songs which are very soothing, slow pieces but also different ones, and the the final songs are Let The Bright Seraphim which is so uplifting and bright and Let Their Celestial Concerts. They are both from Samson, it's refreshing to hear these tracks instead of the usual pieces from Messiah.
My favourite songs are Bist du bei mir and especially Mozart's Ave Verum, so perfect when sung by Kiri, I know so many different versions but these are probably the best I have heard.
Mozart's Laudate Dominum is done very nicely, good tempo and such great singing. Kirir has a great trill! Panis Angelicus ... Read More: