CD-Charts Position 151
Average Rating:

Bach - Christmas Oratorio / Gardiner

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
by: John Eliot Gardiner, Nancy Argenta, Olaf Bär, Hans Peter Blochwitz, Alison Bury, Lisa Beznosiuk, Valerie Darke, Valerie Botwright

Release Date October 25, 1990
MONTEVERDI CHOIR AND THE ENGLISH BAROQUE SOLOISTS THE 'STARS' OF THIS RECORDING!!!!!
Johann Sebastion Bach (1685-1750) wrote very little church music after 1730, so it is not surprising that when he produced for Christmas, 1734, an 'oratorio' in six parts he adapted much of it from earlier compositions, mostly from secular odes. Recitatives and chorale settings were, of course, new, but otherwise all but one of the arias and nearly all of the choruses were 'parodies'. The six cantatas of the 'Christmas Oratorio' are designed to be performed on separate days from Christmas to Epiphany, but it does not necessarily follow that they are unconnected. Bach must have composed the work continuously, and there are many, sometimes obvious, sometimes ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 152
Average Rating:

Bach: Magnificat; Easter Oratorio

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
by: Johann Sebastian Bach, Andrew Parrott, Emma Kirkby, Emily van Evera, Taverner Consort and Players, Evelyn Tubb, Margaret Cable, Stephen Charlesworth, Wilfried Jochens, Howard Crook, Simon Grant, Charles Daniels, Peter Kooy, David Thomas, Caroline Trevor

Release Date April 11, 2000
Andrew Parrott conducts the Taverner Consort and Players is a very affordable set of discs that allow everyone to experience the 'non-choral' choral Bach. Instead of the usual chorus (even the pared down choruses of 16 - 30 members the way most 'authentic' performances use) the works are assigned to one person per part. The result is light, airy, transparent, and very lovely Bach.

Case in point: for the Magnificat 'for 5 voices, 5-part chorus, orchestra & continuo' in D major, Parrott conducts or rather inspires Emily van Evera, Evelyn Tubb, Taverner Consort and Players, Howard Crook, Caroline Trevor, Simon Grant in a new way to hear this gracious work. That Bach can be interpreted in so many ways gives credence to his importance in musical history. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 153
Average Rating:

Marian Anderson

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
from: RCA

Release Date October 25, 1990
I can't add much to the superb review by lesismore26 (I give it five Stars! ) but I do have one disagreement. I LIKED the Ulrica aria. Yes, the voice is past its prime, but the artistry is very much there. In fact, the piece makes it clear that while her voice sounds perfect for her repertoire, it could have handled opera quite beautifully too. It's true that the pure, ethereal quality of her tone is DEFINITELY well suited to Baroque and Classical oratorio, and true that there simply aren't that many roles for contraltos. But it is also true that these reasons had NOTHING to do with why this particular contralto was not singing in opera houses. Another voice as dazzling as hers would have had composers creating roles tailored for them.

I wouldn't trade her spirituals and lieder, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 154
Average Rating:

Haydn - Die Schopfung (The Creation)

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
starring: Arleen Auger, Peter Schreir, Walter Berry, Gabriele Sima, Roland Hermann

Release Date March 27, 2007
Sound, choir, soloists, history, presentation, etc... everything is great in this DVD. I do recommend it!

CD-Charts Position 155
Average Rating:

The Wonder of Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
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 the Realms of Glory, and of course ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 156
Average Rating:

Just for the Record: The Golden Voice

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
from: Decca

Release Date November 11, 2003
This 2-CD set includes 32 separate "cuts." Thus, it provides a perspective on the broad range of works that Marilyn Horne mastered. While some pockets of work may be given somewhat short shrift (e.g., Rossini), overall this shows off her skills nicely. Born in Bradford, Pennsylvania (one of the coldest places in the nation during winter), she made her operatic debut in 1954. In liner notes copyrighted in 2003, she notes that: "Can't believe it's time for a 70th birthday celebration. . . ." And neither can I, since I recall hearing her perform at the Met (via the old Texaco opera show), and it does not seem all that long ago!

Some cuts well depict her artistry across a range of genres and composers.

The "Habanera" from Bizet's "Carmen" is, to be sure, an old chestnut ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 157
Average Rating:

Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
by: George Frideric Handel, Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert & Choir, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, John Tomlinson

Release Date October 25, 1990
AUGER AND CHANCE ENCHANT AND ENTRANCE.
The English passion for oratorio is largely due to Handel. Every year from 1738 to 1751, he produced at least one. The 'Messiah' is THE modern oratorio, not only because of the custom of rising and stretching in the seventh inning, when the 'Hallelujah Chorus' is sung, but because of its magnificent choruses, soaring arias and orchestral accompaniment which are truly thrilling.

And that is precisely why I would not give this rendition five stars. It is incredibly 'laid back' and too 'cold' for my taste. However. let's examine the soloist's contributions one by one, for some of this overall impression has a great deal to do with them.

John Tomlinson (bass)- excellent technique with good emotional investment; tone quality unusual ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 158
Average Rating:

Four of a Kind, Music for Trombone Quartet

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
from: Summit(Classical)

Release Date January 06, 1994
No instrument blends as well with one another as the trombone, and these four trombonists are among the best at what they do. Joseph Alessi, Scott Hartman, Mark Lawrence, and Blair Bollinger all exhibit great musicality.

CD-Charts Position 159
Average Rating:

Tune your Brain with Bach: Heal

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date May 04, 1999
No instrument blends as well with one another as the trombone, and these four trombonists are among the best at what they do. Joseph Alessi, Scott Hartman, Mark Lawrence, and Blair Bollinger all exhibit great musicality.

CD-Charts Position 160
Average Rating:

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

CD-Charts > Music > Oratorios
from: Castle Pulse

Release Date August 01, 2005
I bought this on a whim, as I like male choral groups. Am I ever glad I bought it! The music is soaring, and the voices are magnificent. I don't know all of the technical stuff about recording, etc.--I just know I love this collection!