CD-Charts Position 81
Average Rating:

Verdi: Requiem & Operatic Choruses

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
from: Telarc

Release Date October 25, 1990
I have no dissappointments. It is clear that the featured artists have surprising talent. There was more than one 'Wow!' in this receording.

CD-Charts Position 82
Average Rating:

Choir of King's College Cambridge - Britten Choral Works [Great Artists of the Century]

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
from: EMI Classics

Release Date March 23, 2004
Way back in the dark ages, before CDs roamed the earth, I purchased the LP of this recording. It remains my favorite performance of Britten's work. The voices of the choir, accompanied by one harp, weave an achingly beautiful tapestry of sound. It is a wonderful way to introduce children and friends to the English choral tradition of sacred music.

CD-Charts Position 83
Average Rating:

Hodie / Fantasia on Christmas Carols

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
from: EMI Classics

Release Date November 07, 2000
I first encountered this recording over thirty years ago on an Angel LP. I listened to it at the time the university chorus I was singing in was preparing for a performance of the whole work. (We performed it with orchestra, organ, and boys' chorus; faculty members were the soloists.) This was in the early 1970s, and the music was a revelation to me as an undergraduate music student.

This music has gotten under my skin and become part of me. I always listen to "Hodie" at least once in the run-up to Christmas, and sometimes during the twelve days after. The more I listen, the more interlinked all the sections seem--Vaughan Williams was a master of the craft of composition! I also defy anyone to listen to and absorb this whole work and not ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 84
Average Rating:

Essential Verdi

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
from: Decca

Release Date February 13, 2001
I don't know opera.

Last summer we had an incredible 20th anniversary trip to Italy. As a side trip from Venice, we planned a night in Verona. Neither my wife or I had been to an opera.

Is this how its supposed to be...

...an incredible star filled night with a three quarter moon, the largest stage and outdoor theatrical production on the planet, all taking place in a roman colleseum (arena) built in 180 a.d., an incredible colorful set and production with a full symphony orchestra and voices that don't come easy. Aida.

Now I know what all the hpye is as you opera fans sure are lucky to have such a beautiful setting for all your productions.

Okay, we got spoiled. But I also found myself getting ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 85
Average Rating:

Missa Solemnis in D major, op.123

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
by: L.V. Beethoven, Otto Klemperer, New Philharmonia Orchestra

Release Date April 10, 2001
At the risk of sounding like a philistine, nothing of Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis" moves me. I purchased it after having read it praised by KR Jamison in her excellent book, "Exuberance," and reading that Beethoven considered it his best work. Unlike Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" and "Magnificat," or Vivaldi's "Gloria," I found none of the movements melodic. Given all the great music Beethoven composed, I would rank Missa rather low. Perhaps my taste may mature as I enter my 60s and may look back on this review with chagrin.

CD-Charts Position 86
Average Rating:

The Very Best of Franco Corelli

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
from: EMI Classics

Release Date April 22, 2003
I bought this CD as a birthday present for my father and haven't actually heard the content myself. But because I ordered it, Amazon have prompted me to write a review. Certainly the feedback I'm getting is excellent and my Dad has derived hours of listening pleasure from it.

CD-Charts Position 87
Average Rating:

The Psalms of David - Choir of King's College, Cambridge - Sir David Willcocks, Sir Philip Ledger

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
from: EMI Classics

Release Date June 06, 2006
THE PSALMS OF DAVID: ONE, TWO AND THREE ARE ALL INCLUDED ON THESE CD'S; SO WHY SPEND YOUR MONEY IN-DI-VID-U-AL-LY????
The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 Hebrew religious poems which were sung to music in the worship of the temple of Jerusalem. The Psalms of these discs give some idea of the emotional range of these poets, for they voice joy and sorrow, thanksgiving and despair, penitence and faith, hope and love.

The structure of the psalms has influenced the manner of singing them. Broadly speaking, psalms have been sung to three types of music: (1) plainsong, (2) hymn tunes and (3) Anglican chant. These records illustrate the third method.

Since there are many collections of chants, there are differing conventions, some of which are: two ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 88
Average Rating:

Jewish Cello Masterpieces

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
from: Leggiero Records

Release Date September 20, 2002
Anyone familiar with the torturous history of Jews struggling in a Gentile world will find many of the slow and sad notes reminescent of their tearful plight. These composers are all top notch and the music is wonderful to have playing lightly in the house as you go about your business. I really enjoy this purchase.

CD-Charts Position 89
Average Rating:

Josquin Desprez: Motets & Chansons

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
by: Josquin Desprez, Paul Hillier, The Hilliard Ensemble

Release Date January 21, 1997
These performance are crystal claer, but seem to lack emotional investment.

CD-Charts Position 90
Average Rating:

The Three Tenors Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Sacred and Religious
by: Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras

Release Date October 31, 2000
The cd would not play all the songs. It would skip on serval of the selections.