CD-Charts Position 181
Average Rating:

Bach Edition: Complete Works (155 CD Box Set)

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Brilliant Classics

Release Date October 17, 2006
The box is not too sturdy, but the CD cases are OK. I took one out and jumped on it repeatedly and it broke after about 4 tries. I think Deutche Grammaphon makes the best. Also, the box is not too stain-resistant (I tested it).

CD-Charts Position 182
Average Rating:

Children's Favorites

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Vox (Classical)

Release Date September 05, 2000
This CD mostly delivered what was expected of it. The only critique I have is that some of the tempos could have been cleaner, and that it should be cross-referenced by the other composers besides J. S. Bach.

CD-Charts Position 183
Average Rating:

Tannhauser

CD-Charts > Music > General
starring: Heinz Feldhoff, Gwyneth Jones, Franz Mazura, John Pickering, Robert Schunk

Release Date August 12, 2008
There are many videos of Bayreuth performances, but this was the first. For that reason alone, it's worth watching; fortunately it isn't the only reason.

Unlike later recordings, this one includes curtain calls. I think this was an excellent decision, since it evokes the thrill of being part of a Bayreuth audience. Only in Bayreuth will an audience remain absolutely silent until the last note has faded, and then erupt in a paroxism of emotion - good or bad. Listen carefully, and you'll hear the point where the audience begin to stamp their feet, causing the wooden structure of the Festspielhaus to resonate with a sound like thunder. They obviously liked this performance.

And why not, indeed; it's excellent.

Gwyneth ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 184
Average Rating:

Britten - Peter Grimes (The Metropolitan Opera HD Live Series)

CD-Charts > Music > General
starring: Anthony Dean Griffey, Patricia Racette, Anthony Michaels-Moore, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus
directed by: Donald Runnicles (Conductor)

Release Date September 16, 2008
I see that under Product Details, the Aspect Ratio for this DVD is specified as 1.33:1, which is the 4:3, or Fullscreen aspect ratio. PLEASE tell me that's a misprint. Surely they're releasing these discs in Widescreen, or 16:9 (1.78:1), format. That's how the HD Live Series simulcasts were shown in theaters. I'd be very disappointed if these were not Widescreen. Does anyone know? Thanks.

**** UPDATE: Never mind...it's been changed to 1.78:1. ****

CD-Charts Position 185
Average Rating:

Bach - The Complete Brandenburg Concertos / Pearlman, Boston Baroque

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

Release Date July 23, 1996
I bought this recording after seeing rave reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere. Mostly those reviews are justified. The sound is outstanding, whether because of the period instruments or the quality of recording. The many voices are brought out, especially in the first concerto, as they rarely are on other recordings. The musicianship is outstanding.

Now the things I didn't like (but others may like them):

1. The tempi are way too fast for my taste. One of my favourite movements, the last "allegro" of the third concerto, is played prestissimo, which entirely spoils it for me. And it is not the only one. Most movements are faster than normal, none are slower.

2. In the solo bits -- particularly the cadenza in the fifth ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 186
Average Rating:

Nature's Colors [Blu-ray]

CD-Charts > Music > General
starring: Various
directed by: Various

Release Date February 27, 2007
This Program is amazing if you are a classical music lover, especially those popular title like 'Bolero' you will love it. All you need is get a cup of coffee and nicks nacks and listen from your recliner, there you GO 'very relaxing mood'
Nature's Colors [Blu-ray]

CD-Charts Position 187
Average Rating:

Italian Opera Arias [Includes DVD]

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Virgin Classics

Release Date February 05, 2008
A must have! That's all one has to say about this! Well done Natalie. We move with you...a true actor-singer synthesis who is also very precise musically and correct in technique! Brava!

CD-Charts Position 188
Average Rating:

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date January 23, 1996
Previously, a reviewer wrote:

"Karajan in 1962 wanted to perform Beethoven in a modern way compared to the overtly spiritual, often very slow, heavy, and rubato-laden style of the past in Germany. ... in the last movement Karajan takes the vocal line faster...

"By comparison, Karajan wasn't as hectically fast or intense as Toscanini,..."

I don't wish to take anything away from Karajan's technical mastery, his orchestra's wonderful sound, or his "smoothness." It's all good.

But folks should understand the real reason Karajan's original recorded version of this work, at least in terms of its tempos, comes out as the previous reviewer accurately observed. He kept to his version in subsequent recordings, of which this 1962 recording ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 189
Average Rating:

Solo Piano

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Sony

Release Date August 07, 1989
Don't play this in an elevator; don't play this while you make dinner; don't play this on a Sunday afternoon while you read; don't play this while you watch tv; don't play this while you put away the clothes; don't play this in your car; don't play this while you're getting ready for work in the morning or going to bed at night; don't play this while you're having a conversation with a friend on the phone whom you haven't seen in three years. Play this when you are ready to stop and listen. Don't even think. If you are able to listen and lose thought, you'll enjoy this music.

CD-Charts Position 190
Average Rating:

New Dawn

CD-Charts > Music > General
by: Libera

Release Date September 02, 2008
Libera continues to put out great music. Though the music is basically the same type of music as their other CD's. This CD has a slightly different feel to it in my opinion. Their music is part ethereal and part just plain fun. They sound like they enjoy singing together and being part of Libera. It would be great to be able to see them live in concert to see that joy and enthusiasm that they put into their singing on the CD's. Anyone who is a fan of boy treble singers and boy's choirs should buy this CD.