CD-Charts Position 171
Average Rating:

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring / Mormon Tabernacle Choir

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
by: Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Dr. Jerold D. Ottley, Eugene Ormandy, Richard P. Condie, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Release Date July 14, 1992
The unfortunate thingÑif anything can be said to the contrary about this collectionÑis that is an older recording. As far as authenticity, what was available in the days of Bach and Handel to perform their music, and what they may have had in mind as the formidable way of presenting it to the publicÑas well as to the heavensÑmay be quite different things. Viewed in this way, authenticity may be an abstraction we are not here priviledged to comment on.

I have marveled for years, even when these were two separate LP's, of the power and dimensionality conveyed by the way these works are performed. I still switch from one to another piece as which is my favorite. In this respect, the experience is a hermenutic delight. Any ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 172
Average Rating:

The Original Jacket Collection: Montserrat Caballé [Limited Edition]

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
from: Sony Classics

Release Date June 24, 2008
Commemorating the diva's 75th birthday, the 15-disc collection includes works personally chosen by the operatic heavyweight. All aspects of her long career are here: famous Italian arias and rarities, German Lied repertoire, zarzuela arias and the complete operas of Salome and Norma. Like those in the companion Ormandy set, these recordings have been remastered in state-of-the-art sound from original sources, and presented with CD size reproductions of original LP jackets. Brava!
Celebrating the "Philadelphia Sound"---the lushly expressiv e orchestral signature sound that Eugene Ormandy inspired from his background as a violinist--- this 10-disc limited-edition collection documents one of the greatest conductor/orchestra partnerships in ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 173
Average Rating:

The Ultimate Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
from: Denon Records

Release Date February 27, 2007
Commemorating the diva's 75th birthday, the 15-disc collection includes works personally chosen by the operatic heavyweight. All aspects of her long career are here: famous Italian arias and rarities, German Lied repertoire, zarzuela arias and the complete operas of Salome and Norma. Like those in the companion Ormandy set, these recordings have been remastered in state-of-the-art sound from original sources, and presented with CD size reproductions of original LP jackets. Brava!
Celebrating the "Philadelphia Sound"---the lushly expressiv e orchestral signature sound that Eugene Ormandy inspired from his background as a violinist--- this 10-disc limited-edition collection documents one of the greatest conductor/orchestra partnerships in ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 174
Average Rating:

Hildegard von Bingen: Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs) - Sequentia

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
from: RCA

Release Date April 29, 1993
This was the first CD of Hildegard Von Bingen I purchased, and still my favorite. The sprituality and brilliance of this 12th century composer has (in my opinion) rarely been duplicated since. The complexity of the voicings in "O quam mirabilis est" and "Spiritui Sancto honor sit" among the the others, are wonderfully inspired and articulate. There are also four instumental songs on this cd. Which are an excellent study in modal shifts between the medieval fiddles,flutes and harp.The musical brilliance of Sequentia is evident in these arrangements. To the best of my knowledge these are the truest renditions of Hildegard's music extant.

CD-Charts Position 175
Average Rating:

Essential Tchaikovsky

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
from: Decca

Release Date March 12, 2002
There's something for every Tchaikovsky lover on this disc. From Swan Lake to Onegin, many of Tchaikovsky's most-known melodies are on this disc. I'd have preferred more than an excerpt of the first movement of Piano Concerto No. 1, but this disc is a great introduction to Tchaikovsky's works.

CD-Charts Position 176
Average Rating:

Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610/Venetian Vespers

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
from: EMI Classics

Release Date April 11, 2000
Claudio Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine of 1610 is a monument that straddles the transition from the musical values of the late renaissance and the early baroque like the Colossus of Rhodes, incorporating hugely different elements, from antiphonal chant to prima prattica tenor-structured polyphony to secunda prattica accompanied recitativo and operatic aria, yet achieving the kind of unity represented by holding its listeners spellbound. It is, like the Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of musical history. It's also one of the most frequently performed works of sacred music in the world, ranking only behind Handel's Messiah and bach's B-minor Mass. Accordingly, there have been dozens of recordings of it, and many of them have been quite fine. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 177
Average Rating:

Icon: Solomon

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
from: EMI Classics

Release Date September 02, 2008
Below is a list of the tracks-
Beethoven; Piano Concerto 3 and 5. Piano Sonata's Moonlite, Pathetique, Appasionata, Les Adieux, Hammerklavier, op 90, and the Waldstein.
Brahms Piano Concerto 2. Tch Piano Cto. Grieg PnoCto. Schumann PnoCto. Scriabin PnoCto. Bliss PnoCto. Liszt Hung Fantasia. Mozart K491
Scarlatti K384.
Bach Waufet Auf.
Mozart Piano Sonata's K331. K 576

Needless to say, aquiring these singularly via Testament would cost you over three hundred dollars and never before have they all been attainable in one set. This is a wonderful way to hear a broad scope of a pianist most associate with Beethoven[who still is one of the greatest Beeth exponents ever-his Hammer, in my opinion, has never been bested ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 178
Average Rating:

Classical Barbra

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
by: Barbra Streisand

Release Date October 25, 1990
This is the best album by her by far. The songs are old and I did not know them but they showcase her magneficent voice to perfection.

CD-Charts Position 179
Average Rating:

Audivi Vocem

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
from: ECM Records

Release Date June 24, 2008
This is the best album by her by far. The songs are old and I did not know them but they showcase her magneficent voice to perfection.

CD-Charts Position 180
Average Rating:

Yo-Yo Ma - Simply Baroque II ~ Bach & Boccherini / ABO, Koopman

CD-Charts > Music > Vocal Non-Opera
by: Johann Sebastian Bach, Luigi Boccherini, Ton Koopman, Yo-Yo Ma, The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra

Release Date August 15, 2000
I own both Simply Baroque and Simply Baroque II. I think both offer the listener a truly beautiful listening experience. Yo Yo Ma and Tom Koopman have created magic here. The recording is crystal clear and the music... it's just incredible. I find myself relaxed, involved, immersed - a part of the music itself. How often does this happen? If you enjoy music that moves you body and soul, you really owe it to yourself to purchase both of these Cds.