CD-Charts Position 191
Average Rating:

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons/Fritz Kreisler: Concerto for Violin

CD-Charts > Music > General
by: Joanna Jenner, Ping-How Liang, Melissa Meell, Adela Pena, Todd Phillips

Release Date February 07, 1995
In a sea of Four Seasons recordings, Gil Shahmam's version is perhaps the one that stands out in my mind the most. His playing is flawless and tasteful: the vurtoso passages are never over-the top but they aren't blase either and he is very lyrical in the slow movements. Mr. Shaham works well with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and their choice of dynamics creates excitment and adds to the emotional depth of these concerti. Their orchestra/solo balance is perfect and I might also mention that DG recording on this one is superb. Gil Shaham and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra play these pieces like they are bonafide masterpieces rather than elevator music.

CD-Charts Position 192
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Hector Berlioz - La Damnation de Faust / von Otter, Lewis, van Dam, Rose, CSO, Solti (1989)

CD-Charts > Music > General
starring: Georg Solti, Anne Sofie von Otter, Keith Lewis, Jose van Dam, Peter Rose

Release Date January 17, 2006
This production, apart from being a quite satisfying performance of the musical piece, has excellent dramatic presentation. The soloists perform as they sing, with facial expression, emotional intensity and interaction that almost transports them to an imaginary theatrical set provided by the musical imagery. Kind of like radio dramas, but with some visual support. This facet of the presentation is showcased by a well crafted videography that is relentlessly capturing the strongest musical and dramatic moments with well timed shot sequences. A real tribute to the true intent of the composer.

Kudos to the excellent camera crew for this live production.

CD-Charts Position 193
Average Rating:

Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Class. for Pleas. Us

Release Date July 31, 2007
I have owned several CD recordings of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and this most recent purchase is the best I have heard.

I have many recordings of Andre Previn, both as a pianist and a conductor. Andre Previn has never let me down. He has a natural feel for everything I have heard him perform.

Previn presents Swan Lake totally complete as Tchaikovsky originally composed it, including the two additional numbers in Act III which were added after the 1st performance. The tempos in each number are ideal and the ADD sound is excellent, considering the recording originates from 1976.

I would recommend this version highly over the horribly conducted Bonynge. Better is the Sawallisch but I found the 1994 recording too laid back. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 194
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Bach & Beyond - Gabriela Montero

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: EMI Classics

Release Date September 12, 2006
I wasn't as over-joyed with this CD as I expected to be. I bought it after hearing the title track on FM radio. The title track is, indeed, a jewel; the rest is, in my view, only high-grade "background" music.The pianist is a marvel (and a beauty, too!) - her popularity is easily understandable. She possesses a remarkable gift for transposing and transcribing classic keyboard to "swing" keyboard. Many Bach purists (this one, for example) don't appreciate that, even though we have to admit that a lot of Bach swings, anyway, without transcribing. Lsten to tracks 3 and 4 and you will get your money's worth - they're worth the price.

CD-Charts Position 195
Average Rating:

Mahler: Symphony No. 9

CD-Charts > Music > General
by: Gustav Mahler, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic

Release Date September 29, 1998
Since all three of Bernstein's Mahler Ninths have been reviewed on Amazon as the "best," I thought I'd sit down and compare them side by side. The two commercially recorded versions are with the New York Phil. from 1965 (Sony) and a live Concertgebouw concert from 1985 (DG). There is another live concert with the Berlin Phil. on DG from 1979 that derives from a radio broadcast. As other reviewers have detailed, this version was released posthumously; it commemorates Bernstein's only appeaarance with the Berlin Philharmonic--I think he had stayed off Karajan's turf by mutual agreement, although no doubt there were anti-Nazi feelings as well.

Timings: Although Bernstein's tempos grew slower with age, his Mahler Ninth was never one of the faster ones. The ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 196
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Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Universal Classics

Release Date June 10, 2003
This is a fabulous recording of Ashkenazy performing with the London Symphony Orchestra, and his performance is enhanced by the formidable conducting of Andre Previn. It's particularly great entertainment if you are a Rachmaninoff fan!

CD-Charts Position 197
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Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter

CD-Charts > Music > General
by: David Oistrakh, Mstislav Rostropovich, Sviatoslav Richter, Herbert von Karajan, George Szell

Release Date March 09, 1999
There is a good reason why this recording can be had new for seven dollars and change while the Bruno Walter reissue costs sixty bucks. This Triple is just plain awful. Neither Corigliano, Rose nor Hendl have one tenth the stature of the giants on this recording but guess what? They know how to play together. And HvK? He has no clue.

CD-Charts Position 198
Average Rating:

Tchaikovsky: The Complete Symphonies

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Sony Bmg Europe

Release Date May 12, 2003
Fans of Bernstein, Tchaikovsky and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra will find much to admire in this box set containing recordings made for CBS Masterworks during the 1960s and 1970s. Historically these are important recordings since they were among the first ever recorded in stereo of the entire Tchaikovsky symphony cycle, and were regarded as definitive accounts by many fans and critics for years. I concur with a previous reviewer who noted that Bernstein's best recorded accounts are those of the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th symphonies. I especially admire his interpretations of the last three symphonies, noting that he does a fine job in taking a more middle of the road approach by faithfully adhering to Tchaikovsky's scores without injecting an excessive amount of emotional intensity ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 199
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The Butterfly Lovers Concerto for Violin; Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Canary Classics

Release Date October 30, 2007
The market is currently flooded with many recordings of the Tchaikovsky concerto. Recent recordings, such as Joshua Bell's with Michael Tilson Thomas and the Berlin Philharmonic or Julia Fischer's with Yakov Kreizberg and the Russian National Orchestra, have received rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Perhaps under such circumstances, this account of the Tchaikovsky has not received its due attention. While Bell and MTT's recording breathe new life into the concerto with new and fresh ideas, Shaham's sticks to a straightforward, yet personal interpretation. Gil seems to be adding more and more beautiful layers to his already rich and multi-faceted tone. Gil Shaham plays with such a big sound that the listener is left in amazement that it is never harsh. For those looking for a straightforward ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 200
Average Rating:

Choral Masterpieces

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Telarc

Release Date October 25, 1990
This is an absolutely beautiful CD of choral music. As one who has been singing in Chorales almost all my life, I am always thrilled when I can find recordings of outstanding and excellent choral music. I purchased two CDs of the Robert Shaw and ASO; one for myself and the other as a Christmas gift to my Choral Director, Dr. Robert Lamb (Doctoral Music Arts in Choral Conducting). Dr. Lamb loves anything done by Robert Shaw and had not heard this one. Although I have not heard of his reaction to the CD as yet, I can say from my listening that everyone who loves choral music, will love this CD. I particularly love the Bach, Handel, and Brahms pieces. Alleluia! Alleluia! Enjoy!