Invitation

1. Invitation

2. Ecaroh

3. Free for All

4. Along Came Betty

5. Silver Serenade

6. Ugetsu

Invitation,Siegfried Kossler,Epm Musique,Jazz,Pop

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: spiritual americana Rich Heritage Superb Can't walk away from it! Mana from Heaven

American Angels Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Anonymous 4 | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anonymous | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gloryland Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King 1000: A Mass for the End of Time / Anonymous 4 A Portrait Of Anonymous 4 The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen ASIN: B0001ADB4Q Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks:

1. Holy Manna
2. Abbeville
3. Wondrous Love
4. Sweet Hour Of Prayer
5. Jewett
6. Dunlap's Creek
7. New Britain
8. The Morning Trumpet
9. Resignation
10. Poland
11. Wayfaring Stranger
12. Sweet By And By
13. Blooming Vale
14. Idumea (I)/Idumea (II)
15. Sweet Prospect
16. Shall We Gather At The River
17. Amanda
18. Invitation
19. Parting Hand
20. Angel Band

Amazon.com

This, Anonymous 4's final recording, is a break from their usual "early music" periods and locations; it presents American music, religious in nature, from the 18th and 19th centuries. And it's absolutely beautiful from start to finish. Their normal, exquisite technique and purity here blend to sound the way we imagined the ladies' choir in church meetings in America past might have sounded: sweet, sincere, and with harmonies recognizable yet somehow fresh. Some of the songs begin with the women singing "fa, so la" exercises, which was called "shape note" singing because some places taught singing with notes as shapes--circle, rectangle, diamond, triangle. But it's the music that counts, and there are treasures here. They include two versions of "Amazing Grace," one familiar, one with an unusual melody and a piece called "Blooming Vale" which is as sophisticated as anything on their previous albums. "Shall We Gather at the River" is performed with a clarity and loveliness that makes us forget that it's normally sung as background to movies about the Great Depression. The foursome sometimes sing in rich harmonies and occasionally alone or in pairs or trios. This is glorious Americana and highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

spiritual americana.......2007-01-06

I have some of the older Anonymous 4 recordings which are more medieval
and gregorian in style (I love them!). They move on to cover spiritual
basics of the 1800s. If you like classical music, perfect harmonies
and spiritual americina, then you will be blessed!

Rich Heritage.......2006-10-11

Anonymous 4 consistently produces exquisite and authentically beautiful recordings and this one presents early American hymns in ways few groups can manage. Some tunes are highly recognizable while others are 'new' to me but a refreshing reminder of the singing heritage of religious societies in times past. For those who enjoy old hymns and authentic renderings, this is a must buy.

Superb .......2006-08-07

This collection of American Christian music is not only an enthralling musical experience but a spiritually uplifting one as well. Anonymous Four have transferred their luminous vocal quality to a new space with perfect success.

Can't walk away from it!.......2006-08-07

My only "complaint" about the CD is that I absolutely HAVE to sit and listen to the entire thing whenever I start it up! I usually have music playing in the background while doing other things, but not this one! There are no tracks that I find myself wanting to skip over as in most collections. In fact, I usually find myself going back and listening to selected tracks again (and again and...) after taking the hour+ to listen to the whole thing through once.

These four ladies produce a unique and remarkable sound. I can't recommend it enough.

Mana from Heaven.......2006-05-08

I think the title of this CD is perfect. I first heard an interview for this CD on Public Radio and fell in love. I had never heard Anonymous 4 before then but look for all I can find of their music now. The title is perfect as the women sound like Angels and the music lifts the spirit. I find myself singing the old version of Amazing Grace all the time now. Incredible and a huge blessing to all who hear it.

Average customer rating: This is an amazing worship CD... Absolutely Incredible! Unbelievable Invitation! Uplifting Needs more work

An Invitation to Worship Byron Cage Manufacturer: Gospocentric ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Similar Items: 20/85 The Experience Alive in South Africa Victory LIVE! Hero Finale Act II ASIN: B000ANVPBK Release Date: 2005-11-29

Tracks:

1. I Will Bless The Lord
2. I Will Bless The Lord (Reprise)
3. We Love You
4. Majesty
5. Praise The Name Of Jesus
6. In Case You've Forgotten
7. Breathe
8. Rain On Me
9. He Reigns
10. Broken But I'm Healed
11. Holy Holy Holy
12. Lift Him Up
13. Special Place
14. Praise Him
15. Worship The King
16. Invitation
17. Interlude: Closing Prayer

Customer Reviews:

This is an amazing worship CD..........2007-03-18

This is the first CD of Byron Cage I have ever heard. I can't tell you now what made me look for him except that it was the Spirit's leading. I was looking to refresh my gospel, P&W CD collection as I worship and workout to this music. I was led to this CD by Byron Cage and from the first song, I knew I had made a good choice. Not everyone who has a good singing voice can lead worship. You have to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led to be a true worship leader, and Byron Cage is. God has touched him with a special gift and each song on this CD leads me deeper into worship when I hear it. I bought this and Judith Christie McAllister's "In His Presence Live" together; got one first then the other (hers) later. So I had time to listen to Byron Cage's over and over before I got turned onto the next one. If I had to choose which was my "favorite", I couldn't choose. I just feel so blessed to have them both to lead me into a deeper private worship experience with my Lord and Savior.

Absolutely Incredible!.......2007-03-10

I can't believe I waited so long to buy this CD; it's been in my car's cd player for several months now. Every song on here is so annointed. My day does not really get going until I hear "I Will Bless The Lord".

Unbelievable Invitation!.......2007-02-07

This is one invitation you do not want to turn down!! Byron Cage has an anointed voice and gift!! This CD is so powerful. I am really upset that more mainstream stations don't play his music. This CD lifted me up during a difficult time during the loss of my dad. I literally placed the CD in for the first time in November of 06 and it has been the only CD in my player for the past three months!! There is healing and salvation, joy and praise in this CD. Get it now!!!!

Uplifting.......2007-01-14

He has done it again. The Lord is using him in marvelous ways,

Needs more work.......2007-01-05

I can only connect with maybe 3 songs on this album. They are good, dont get me wrong, but when you've heard worship and then you've heard WORSHIP your expectation is greater.
He has some good worship songs and some lively songs of praise, but I think I've been too spoiled to really grab hold of this one.

Average customer rating: Fantastic! Loved the movie, love the score 4.5 Stars for The Greatest Game Ever Played One of Brian Tyler's best

The Greatest Game Ever Played Brian Tyler Manufacturer: Hollywood Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Dreamer The Legend of Zorro Oliver Twist Munich The Great Raid (Score) ASIN: B000ASDGHQ Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

1. Main Title Overture
2. Immigrant's Theme
3. Determination
4. The Amateur
5. Broken Dreams
6. A Call To Arms
7. The Greatest Game Ever Played
8. Dog Leg
9. Angel
10. Invitation
11. Broken Dreams Reprise
12. Ouimet Trails By One
13. Ride The High Country
14. Indecision
15. Heads Turn
16. The Game Is Afoot
17. An Unlikely Outcome
18. A Chance Encounter
19. And Then There Were Three
20. Ride The High Country Reprise
21. True Valor
22. A Quiet Dignity
23. Duel
24. Showdown
25. Sunset
26. Angel - Dawn Upshaw
27. The Band Played On - Amick Byram
28. Hello Hello Who's Your Lady Friend? - Joe Jackson
29. End Title Overture

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!.......2007-01-09

As a movie soundtrack fan, I was immediately drawn to 'The Greatest Game Ever Played,' and when I got it just a few weeks ago, I wasn't dissapointed.
At first it sounds much like James Horner's 'Legends of the Fall,' but it is by no means a repeat of it. It is a beautifull soundtrack on it's own, with many different themes that keep it exciting. The music has the same early 1900's feel as the movie while stil maintaining a variety of music styles; from soaring strings to intense violin pieces to period vocals like "And the Band Played On." Like the movie, it has a very inspirational feel, and I would definately recommend it to anyone, whether fans of the movie or soundtrack lovers.

Loved the movie, love the score.......2006-03-17

I saw The Greatest Game Ever Played in the theater and became enchanted with this film, based on the true story of Francis Ouimet, a low-class amateur golfer who emerges from complete obscurity to win the U.S. Open. By the end of the movie, I realized how much I was enjoying the music and decided that I just had to buy the soundtrack.

As I have listened to this soundtrack again and again, I've been captivated by this music. The beauty and power of Brian Tyler's composition is most impressive. As an intent listener, I've been deeply moved by the expansive musical landscape that is covered in this soundtrack. The central motif, a majestic and magnanimous melody which forms the essence of the main title, is woven into tracks throughout the disc, tying everything together as part of a musical (and theatrical) storyline. Indeed, it seems like an incomplete experience if I don't listen to the entire soundtrack, start to finish, in sequential order. If you take the time to do that, you'll find it's a very rewarding listen.

4.5 Stars for The Greatest Game Ever Played.......2006-03-11

This was an excellent 10 dollar purchase from iTunes, to put it mildly. As much as I loved Tyler's The Final Cut, Darkness Falls, Timeline and Constantine scores, this tops them all. It's a loving tribute to the main character of the film and good ol' fashioned film scoring in general. I haven't seen the movie and therefore cannot comment on wether or not it works in the context of the film. I can, however, say with great pleasure what a joy it is to listen to as a solo album.
The album picks up with the main title track, and what a great track it is. Some people will say it is Horner reminiscent, and while many themes on this CD do remind me of James Horner's best work, I actually think the closer resemblance is John Debney. I'm serious - this score is in many ways similar to The Passion of the Christ. It has pounding drums and wonderful percussion and isn't afraid to go all out with the string and brass section. It's a thrilling, heroic, melodramatic and operatic score that I've enjoyed listening to repeatedly. A highly recommended score for anyone who enjoys breathtaking and moving and powerful and heroic sometimes lighthearted and always thrilling music.
cheers
KZ

One of Brian Tyler's best.......2005-10-01

Brain Tyler says of this score that "the orchestral music was influenced by the popular music of the end of the 19th Century and the start of the 20th Century - Debussy, Sibelius, Strauss, and Mahler. To me, the sound we know as 'American' was a combination of the styles of so many of these great European composers." As far as I'm concerned, this score was a lot more influenced by James Horner -- certain bits sound strikingly similar to Legends of the Fall. But don't let that put you off, because the rest of the bits don't. This score is beautiful, lively, energetic, exciting and ebullient Americana throughout -- an odd contrast to Tyler's last score, the dark beast that was Constantine. Despite the occasional "nods" to Horner, though, Greatest Game Ever Played is one of Tyler's best and most thoroughly enjoyable scores, well orchestrated and well recorded also. If it's not quite Children of Dune, it's certainly better than his best since, such as Timeline and The Final Cut, on par with his other score for Bill Paxton, Frailty, though obviously in a very different genre and with a very different sound. So if you're a fan of Brian Tyler or good, uplifting, exciting film music in general, definitely check out this score.

Average customer rating: Magnificent Joe does standards and the result is absolutely beautiful! An Invitation To Listen To Joe Sample At His Very Best Great Standard Tunes Recommended Therapy......

Invitation Joe Sample Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | R&B General | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | R&B General | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 R&B | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ashes to Ashes Spellbound Old Places, Old Faces Sample This Did You Feel That? ASIN: B000002MIJ Release Date: 1993-03-23

Tracks:

1. Black Is The Color
2. A House Is Not A Home
3. Come Rain Or Come Shine
4. Invitation
5. Summertime
6. Nica's Dream
7. Stormy Weather
8. Django
9. My One And Only Love
10. Mood Indigo

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent.......2005-11-26

This is one of my favotite albums in my cd collection. Its the kind of music that put your mind at ease and makes you walk in the clouds. Its elegant and tasteful. A true gem in jazz music.

Joe does standards and the result is absolutely beautiful!.......2004-08-30

We are all Joe Sample fans because of a distinctive style of
piano playing that is catchy, charismatic, and sometimes
remarkably impressionistic with his gift to musically illustrate
the places and memories that have most affected his life.
In this album, we are delighted to hear him appreciate standards,
his acoustic piano woven with some of the most beautiful
orchestration I have ever heard. This is the album to make
you feel good, relaxed, the one for the Sunday afternoon, or
the cozy late night in front of the fire with favorite people.
All of the selections are wonderful, the album is first rate
from beginning to end. I have just rediscovered it again,
and am totally mesmerized by it!! Outstanding!!

An Invitation To Listen To Joe Sample At His Very Best.......2003-11-21

"I extend to you an invitation of timelessness, classicism,
and an insight into the great gifts of those who have come and gone,
and those who continue to give. The bond is eternal,
the gift is everlasting, and it is godliness." ~ Joe Sample

This wonderful CD has a special spot in my smooth jazz collection, along with "Carmel." All the melodies are great and truly remarkable that only a great jazz pianist such as Joe Sample can interpret with such an extraordinary artistry and elegance. This is unparalleled piano playing at its utmost best!

My personal favorites include "My One And Only Love," the title track "Invitation," "Stormy Weather," "Come Rain Or Come Shine" and "Summertime." My special mention goes to the second track "A House Is Not A Home." His interpretation of this Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic (with meaningful lyrics) is so poignant that it moved me to tears just listening to it! They say that there is a song for every experience in life.

This is one CD that will make you want to listen again and again. It's a must-have for all smooth jazz lovers. FYI: Joe Sample was nominated for Keyboardist of the Year 2003, and Male Artist of the Year 2003 in the 2003 National Smooth Jazz Awards. Congratulations, Mr. Sample!

Great Standard Tunes.......2002-05-28

If I want to "chill" as the young folks say, this is the CD I play.

For one thing, the songs are Joe's interpretation of some of the greatest standard tunes. The title track is my favorite ("Invitation") with "My One And Only Love" a very close second.

Joe has a way of putting you and "another world" by the way of his piano. Take me away, Joe!!

Recommended Therapy.............2002-05-25

to ease those tensions at the end of a day. It's about as good a mental massage as one can get......to take time out for a little introspection and complete relaxation while listening to this excellent selection and beautiful presentation of these standards ( from Gershwin to Bacharach, Ted Koehler, and Johnny Mercer to Horace Silver and John Lewis). That's quite a spread in one cd!.....and it all comes off well!

I listen with deep appreciation to Joe Sample's piano artistry, but I also have to give kudos to the orchestral arrangements and conducting by Dale Oehler......and probably the recording and mixing engineers for providing such great great sound.

Build yourself a drink, put this on your sound system, kick back and listen......you'll feel your petty worries and concerns drifting away.

Average customer rating: The Very Best of Janet Baker is simply the very best! Grace Incarnate A Rare & Glorious Singer

The Very Best of Janet Baker Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Duruflé, Maurice | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Warlock | Warlock, Peter | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Great Recordings Of The Century - Janet Baker Sings Mahler / Barbirolli, et al Philips and Decca Recordings, 1961-1979 (Limited Edition) Very Best of The Very Best of Lucia Popp The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles ASIN: B00005UUOW Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

1. Christmas Oratorio: Bereite Dich, Zion
2. Messiah: He Was Despised
3. Elijah: O Rest In The Lord
4. Alto Rhapsody
5. Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen
6. L'Invitation Au Voyage
7. Pie Jesu (From The Requieum Op.9)
8. Sea Pictures Op.37: I. Sea Slumber-Song
9. Sea Pictures Op.37: II. In Haven
10. Sea Pictures Op.37: III. Sabbath Morning At Sea
11. Sea Pictures Op.37: IV. Where Corals Lie
12. Sea Pictures Op.37: V. The Swimmer
13. The Angel's Farewell - Ambrosian Singers

Tracks:

1. Linden Lea
2. A Boy Was Born, Op.3: Corpus Christi Carol
3. Pretty Ring Time
4. Prison
5. Soir
6. Clair De Lune
7. Ave Maria (Ellens Gesang III)
8. Gretchen Am Spinnrade
9. Wiegenlied (Schlafe, Schlafe)
10. Die Forelle
11. Auf Dem Wasser Zu Singen
12. An Die Musik
13. An Sylvia
14. Nacht Und Traume
15. Heidenroslein
16. Du Bist Die Ruh'
17. Auf Flugeln Des Gesanges
18. Liederkreis, Op.39: Mondnacht
19. Frauenliebe Und -Leben Op.42: Du Ring An Meinem Finger
20. Geistliches Wiegenlied
21. Befreit
22. Morgen!

Amazon.com

While it is impossible to really squeeze The Very Best of Janet Baker onto just two CDs, this two and a half hour anthology is a fine portrait of the British mezzo-soprano. Central to CD 1 is Elgar's Sea Pictures, a definitive account with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. While other British music is represented by Vaughan Williams's "Linden Lea," Britten's "Corpus Christie Carol," and Warlock's "Pretty Ring Time," CD 2 balances the program with 10 Schubert songs accompanied at the piano by either Gerald Moore or Geoffrey Parsons, which range from "Ave Maria" to Shakespeare. The set lends equal weight to orchestral and more intimate song, as well as to works in English--a very moving reading of Handel's "He was despised" from Messiah--and European landmarks, including Mendelssohn's On Wings of Song and Brahms's Alto Rhapsody, the latter with a superlative London Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult. In an age of technically dazzling but sometimes bland singers, this release is a reminder of emotionally intense musicianship that retains vocal clarity and commitment to the composer's intentions over superstar ego. The word great is often used all too easily, but it could not be more appropriate for this outstanding collection of a great singer. --Gary S. Dalkin

Customer Reviews:

The Very Best of Janet Baker is simply the very best!.......2005-02-09

This cd and this amazing musician are an absolute must have for any music lover or music snob alike! Her voice is amazing!

Grace Incarnate.......2002-09-02

If there is one singer who has ever truly been able to master the singer's art of interpretation, this is her. She is a gift to music, I truly believe this. A few words, or glowing adjectives could not accurately describe the singing of a woman who epitomizes art. And music. Grace and beauty.
Each track on this cd is a perfect union of poetry, melody and technicality. Dame Janet Baker fully immerses herself into each piece, and delivers highly commited, intelligent & emotional performances.

A Rare & Glorious Singer.......2002-06-10

This is a pretty good cross-section of Dame Janet's output from the prime of her career. There are few if any singers like her around today. There are many mezzos who can sing beautifully, with great articulation and finesse, but they lack the moral and musical integrity Dame Janet always brought to her singing. The voice is ardent, seeking, yearning, finding, exulting. Listen to the excerpt from "Dream of Gerontius" or the third of the "Sea Pictures" to see what I mean.
She does not sing to show off. She sings to enlighten, to illuminate, to reveal, to enter into. Her voice carries us off, near to Heaven.
Dame Janet has been neglected of late. This recording shows us why, in these perilous times, we need her more than ever.

Average customer rating: Very nice introduction to the work of a great soprano The very best performance by Victoria de los Angeles In Memoriam: A Tribute To The Late Victoria the genius of de los angeles A n angelic voice

The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles Victoria De Los Angeles Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Lucia Popp Very Best of Very Best of The Very Best of Janet Baker The Very Best of Franco Corelli ASIN: B000083GOE Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

1. O Mio Babbino Caro
2. Un Bel Di Vedremo
3. Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - Jussi Bjorling
4. Senza Mamma
5. Voi Lo Sapete, O Mamma
6. Qual Fiamma Avea Nel Guardo!... Hui! Stridono Lassu
7. Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana
8. Nacqui All'Affano...Non Piu Mesta
9. Una Voce Poco Fa
10. E Strano!... Ah, Fors' E Lui...Sempre Libera
11. Porgi, Amor
12. Dich, Teure Halle
13. Einsam In Truben Tagen
14. Je Ne Suis Que Faiblesse...Adieu, Notre Petite Table
15. Les Grands Seigneurs...Ah! Je Ris
16. Quand Je Vous Aimerai?...L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle

Tracks:

1. Auf Flugein Des Gesanges
2. Ich Liebe Dich
3. Wiegenlied
4. Les Filles De Cadiz
5. Cuba Dentro De Un Piano
6. Chevre
7. Punto De Habanera
8. Cancion De Cuna Para Dormir A Un Negrito
9. Canto Negro
10. De Espana Vengo
11. Cancion Del Amor Dolido
12. Cancion Del Fuego Fatuo
13. La Pastoura Als Camps
14. Bailero
15. Chut, Chut
16. Uno Jionto Postouro
17. Oh! Had I Jubal's Lyre
18. An Die Musik
19. Dein Blaues Auge
20. Vergebliches Standchen - Gerald Moore
21. L'Invitation Au Voyage
22. La Flute Enchantee
23. Chanson Espagnole
24. Chanson Francaise
25. Chanson Italienne
26. Clavelitos!
27. Malaguena - Gerald Moore
28. Granadina - Gerald Moore
29. Adios, Granada
30. Zapateado (La Tarantula E Un Bicho Mu Malo) - Alicia De Larrocha

Customer Reviews:

Very nice introduction to the work of a great soprano.......2007-07-13

This 2 CD set is a terrific introduction to the body of work of Victoria de los Angeles. As the "liner notes" point out: "She was an artist who brought individuality and a sense of joy to everything she performed. . . ." And this is not hyperbole. She was a top soprano in the middle part of the twentieth century.

Some cuts exemplify her art:

"Un bel di" is a ravishing version of this well known aria. She demonstrates a rich voice with fine musicality. This is a ravishing version of this aria. The singer displays good vocal control. There are nice transitions across the registers.

"Si, mi chiamano Mimi" is another well known work for sopranos. Again, nicely done. She appears (to me anyhow) to catch the spirit of Mimi very nicely indeed.

From "La Traviata," she essays "E strano. . .Sempre Libera." This is an affecting version. She does not have the coloratura armamentarium that some have brought to bear on this aria, but she does a fine job nonetheless. She seems to capture the desperate spirit of Violetta in "Sempre Libera."

Rossini's "Una voce poco fa" is a nice tour de force for sopranos. De los Angeles does a nice job here. This is a work from the Bel canto repertoire, but she does well. She shows vocal agility and captures the spirit of the work. This is an affecting, charming version. There is some occasional vocal harshness, but not a serious issue.

From "Carmen," "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle." Richly and nicely sung.

Her range on this CD is worth noting: from Puccini and Verdi to Wagner to Rossini to Gounod.

And then another of her specialties--songs. She does a nice turn with the Spanish song "Malaguena." Then, in a nice twist, she accompanies herself on guitar in "Adios Granada." I'm not normally so excited about songs, but in this case I found her work enchanting.

So, if you want to get a sense of the artistry of Victoria de los Angeles, this is an excellent starting point. Highly recommended!

The very best performance by Victoria de los Angeles.......2006-09-13

Is the recording on Allegro records of her performance of Madame Butterfly in New Orleans in 1954, not the Rome recording. She is simply radiant, perfect, a voice truly that is a victory for the angels. Unbelievably marvelous.

In Memoriam: A Tribute To The Late Victoria.......2005-02-01

Victoria De Los Angeles died Saturday of heart failure at the age of 83 in Barcelona, Spain. The world of opera mourns her loss. She was a gifted soprano and a wonderful human being. On stage, she was able to directly speak to her audience and communicate with them in a very special and rare way that is not always seen today. She never hid herself behind a facade nor distanced herself from fans and audiences. She was born to sing opera. It was in her blood. This album showcases De Los Angeles in her most memorable and successful roles. Victoria De Los Angeles was one of the first singers from Spain to win worldwide acclaim. Others would follow- Placido Domingo and Montserrat Caballe. De Los Angeles is showcased in this album which may also serve as a tribute to the now late soprano.

Her voice was essentially full lyric with some spinto. Hearing her renditions of "O Mio Babbini Caro"- a signature soprano role, as well as "Ebben Ne Andro Lontana" from La Wally and her performances as Mimi, one is clearly treated to the truest form of a pure lyric soprano. Her voice is spunned gold, with sweet, warm, feminine textures. Her reperotire remained in the Italian and French. Of course, being Spanish, she was a leading singer in Spanish Lieder and romantic ballads. Her Art Songs in Spanish are full of elegance and grace. A champion of obscure composers, she sang and recorded recitals that featured the works of lesser known composers, though strictly Lieder and Folk/Art Song.

Victoria De Los Angeles is fortunately a well-documented artist. Some film footage exist of her performances. I seem to recall that there exists a taped performance of her Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata. She excelled in the lyric roles of Mimi in Puccini's La Boheme, Marguerite in Gounod's Faust. Her Madame Butterfly is a pure lyric rendition, with less of the dramatic intensity other singers have given the role- i.e. Leontine Price, Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, etc. But her Butterfly is actually the way the role ought to be sung. It's a voice of grace, naivete and above all romance that must colorize Butterfly. The dramatic intensity only makes her sound older and madly passionate. She is only a fifteen year old girl who has been deceived and betrayed. She must remain youthful sounding. De Los Angeles does justice to the truest form of Butterfly. She was thrilling in French and Italian operas and her Spanish songs were briliant and beautiful.

Victoria will always be remembered. She was a unique and talented artist of the lyric repertoire. Her pure, lovely voice was like an angel's. There will never be another Victoria De Los Angeles. With her death, the end of an era also passes. In particular, I will always remember one reported incident. She was about to make her first recital in America but she had no accompanist- pianist/guitarist etc. When asked how she would handle this, she remarked: "Well I brought my guitar with me". And she proceeded to accompany herself with the guitar.

the genius of de los angeles.......2004-02-14

the incomparable de los angeles combines exquisite sound and nuance to the world of superb singing. her mastery of a variety of styles is astounding and yet it always sounds natural.her magic will live forever.

A n angelic voice.......2004-02-06

De los Angeles' ability to sing with elegance and style has rarely been equalled and never been surpassed. She's the greatest Charlotte in "Werther", the most tender Santuzza in "Cavalleria Rusticana" and the most sumptuos Nedda in "I Pagliacci". Her Lieder-Recordings are legendary, my favourites are the Spanish ones of course. What a piano-culture and what a velvet sound! Get this set, it's cheap and it has GREAT singing!

Average customer rating: Invitation to the Dance Raw energy, driving rhythms, and original vocal style Here's your invitation...will you accept? Good, but lacking. awsome!!!!!

Invitation to the Dance 40 Below Summer Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Mourning After The Last Dance The War of Art The Darker Side of Nonsense No One ASIN: B00005NOZA Release Date: 2001-10-16

Tracks:

1. We The People
2. Rope
3. Still Life
4. Whither Away
5. Step Into The Sideshow
6. Falling Down
7. Smile Electric
8. Rejection
9. Power Tool
10. Drown
11. Minus One
12. Jonesin'

Customer Reviews:

Invitation to the Dance.......2007-05-30

This CD is quite an enigma. I wanted to buy it when I heard `Falling down,' a song that starts out hard-hitting and changes into a completely different, beautiful song about half-way through. There are a few good songs that are incredibly creative both in lyrics and in style. On the other hand of the spectrum, there are some terrible songs as well.

The style isn't terribly far from their contemporaries, but they master it nonetheless. The lead singer, Max's vocals are far better than anyone I've heard in a genre even close to this. His style seems more derivative of R&B with beautifully balanced high's and lows. There's a lot of Deftonesesque scream-rapping, but it's done far better than most bands who try to pull it off. Another reviewer used the phrase `rabid-dog' to describe Max's singing on some spots, which I couldn't say better: other similar artists try to do that whole going-crazy thing but it sounds fake. This guy sounds like a nutcase.

There are a few trite songs and a few absolutely terrible ones. `Step into the Sideshow' really has terrible lyrics, reminiscent of nineties white-rappers (maybe that was the point? Some sort of ode?) even though it's catchy. That's why this album is such an enigma: then you turn right around and have `Falling Down' which I've actually included in my top 100 favorite songs of all time.

`Smile Electric' might be a good little rowdy song for any other band, but when you listen to the album straight through with raised expectations after hearing `Rope' and `Falling Down' it falls incredibly short.

You eventually get to Minus One, which not only sounds dull and uninteresting, but has terribly written lyrics about killing some lost love or something. In places, the album has this great sort of freaky psychosexual vibe going, and in other places, where it attempts to be very dark and shocking, it just comes off campy and cringe-inducing. It had a very unbalanced vibe that could have used a more discerning producer.

But then on the other hand, you have a couple gems: `Power Tool' is not only up their with `Falling Down' but I felt, is right up there with that of the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Living Color. The music is jazzy, fluid and sexy. The lyrics are actually brilliant and honest. `Jonesin' concludes the record with excellent style and ease but again, the lyrics are too much like `Minus One' and cover the same subject matter--pure camp.

Over all, the album gets three stars alone for `Falling Down' and `Power Tool.' The very fact that `Minus One' is even on the same record as these, is automatic grounds for a one-point deduction. It's too bad the band split up, because I felt that with a little bit of improvement and maturity, these guys had a lot of potential to blossom into a great band. I thought they were one of the most exciting things in the genre and had the potential to affect not just the GENRE but MUSIC. Oh well.

Raw energy, driving rhythms, and original vocal style.......2007-04-13

40 Below Summer was one of my favorite bands during my college years. They are just a great band to party to. Lots of upbeat, heavy, and fun to sing along to tunes. The vocals and bass guitar are probably my favorite parts of 40BS. Check out "We the People", "Rope", "Wither", "Power Tool", and "Step Into the Sideshow". I guess you would define them as nu-metal, but without the rap-rock thing going on.

Here's your invitation...will you accept?.......2007-01-27

40 Below Summer kind of slipped under the radar for the most part. They didn't get much if any radio time, and I don't recall them ever playing a venue in my home-town but I do remember stumbling on their song `Rope' while cruising Napster and taking a double-take. After getting their debut album `Invitation to the Dance' I was impressed because this little known band had a sound better than a lot of the more well known artists everyone swears by. No this is far from a perfect and polished album, but this band has more promise than a lot of bands making the big bucks today.

The opening track `We the People' is an infectious anthem, the perfect way to open an album...immediately causing the listener to crave the attention of a mosh-pitt. Personally `Rope' remains my favorite track, the entire experience is perfect. Max comes off like a rabid animal towards the ends of `Still Life' and the softer partly acoustic `Wither Away'. It's brilliant. `Step into the Sideshow' has an infectious chorus but the rap influence is annoying. Stick to singing and screaming please.

And scream they do through most of `Falling Down', just about every other word is screamed at ear splitting levels. Actually the best part about this song is the fact that in the end they switch things up completely, softening the riffs and singing soft and slow and then really blowing it out...shows a great side to this band. Max falls back into the rabid dog vocals on `Smile Electric', a song that resorts to the rap influence again but redeems itself in pure intensity. `Rejection' should have, can't help it, been rejected from the final track listing. It's just not that great, kind of boring if that's believable. I just really don't like it.

They redeem themselves though with `Power Tool'...just love this song. `Drown' is actually a beautifully melodic track, one that I listen to regularly. `Minus One' yet again delves into rap, but this is probably their best go at it. It's so heavy and aggressive that the rap sounds well suited. I love the fading they do with the riffs, it adds character. The closing track `Jonesin' is just what you'd expect from a band like this, sick, creepy and somewhat sadistic while being somewhat docile compared to the remainder of the album. It works but not as well as it could have. Thanks to the ending it's deemed a worthy closer.

So in closing this is a great debut, while it's not brilliant. There are a few killer tracks, some are much better than others, but they show promise so they're a band to watch out for...maybe they'll perfect what they started.

Good, but lacking........2007-01-12

Quick review of 40 below summer,.. being a listener of many bands from Metallica '83, Pantera '90 etc. to Tool '92, Korn '94 etc. Slipknot '99, Mudvayne '00 etc. This group sounds like they are trying to set themselves up there with the big dogs, right off the bat the songs sound good and heavy, the intros keep you wanting more but if your a deep listener and like complex drumming and original guitar riffs the songs start to fall apart, they sort of go all over the place ("Rejection" is a good example). Im not a drummer i do play a little guitar but it sounds like amateur drumming compared to what im used to listening to and thats the big let down with these guys for me. but if your ready for a loud sound and tearing vocals its a keeper. Id say these guys have one up on primer 55. Most satisfying song "Power Tool".

awsome!!!!!.......2006-01-06

its an awsome album. I think you are trying to sound like you really know music but im sure you have no clue what your talking about. Either you like it or you don't, it's not that hard. This guy's writing a novel over here about what he thinks is creative guitars or not, just shut up and let people see for themselves.

Average customer rating: Ballet music for the Optimistic Spirit

Invitation to the Dance Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weber | Weber, Carl Maria von | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000013JR Release Date: 1992-06-30

Tracks:

1. Invitation To The Dance
2. No. 7 - Allegro Marcato
3. Variation A - Allegro
4. Gallop
5. Waltz
6. Alla Loure
7. Andante
8. No.12 - Andantino Non Troppo
9. Allegro Non Troppo
10. Intermezzo
11. (Transition)
12. Andante
13. Allegretto
14. Adagio
15. Allegretto
16. Moderato Maestoso
17. Moderato Con Moto
18. Allegretto
19. Allegro Vivo
20. Moderato
21. Terana. Andante
22. Rektah. Allegro Vivo
23. Persian. Allegretto - Andante
24. Coda. Allegretto Marcato
25. La Gioconda - Dance Of The Hours

Customer Reviews:

Ballet music for the Optimistic Spirit.......2004-09-07

Assuming that you have the necessary good hifi equipment to make this CD sound as it was intended, this is a fine recording of some ballet highlights that will have you tapping your foot, humming along and generally enjoying life, very much as I suspect the Slovakian musicians did while playing (in February 1988). Weber's 'Invitation to the Dance' is the version orchestrated by Berlioz for the last act of 'Der Freischütz' and is, in my opinion, more subtle than the original piano version (which is also definitely worth listening to). The ballet music from Adam's 'Giselle' and from Gounod's 'Faust' is equally delightful, and the brass is put to some very good effect, especially at the close of the 'Walpurgis-Nacht' scene from Faust/Margarete. The suite of oriental dances from Délibes' 'Lakmé' is short but fascinating; and perhaps the best piece is saved until last: Ponchielli's 'Dance of the Hours' from 'La Gioconda'; the main theme of this beauty was once re-worked into a highly successful pop song by the title of 'Hello, Mudder, hello, Fadder', but only folks of 50 and older will remember it, I guess.

The recording was made in the empty Concert Hall of the Slovakian Radio in Bratislava, and there is a certain amount of echo which is not really appropriate. Also I found that when playing the CD on inferior equipment such as a CD-ROM player, there was a lot of background noise and the sound came over quite weak. On good hifi equipment these problems disappear; don't ask me why.

Average customer rating: Excellent The film was great, but the score made it outstanding. A Great Soundtrack for a Great Film ANOTHER GREAT GLASS SCORE! Glass' dramatic score is Fog's 'secret sauce'

Philip Glass : The Fog of War Manufacturer: Orange Mountain Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Glass | Glass, Philip | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Fog of War - Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara Roving Mars Philip Glass : Music from the Thin Blue Line Philip Glass : Symphony No. 8 Philip Glass : Orion ASIN: B0000EWQ0S Release Date: 2003-12-02

Tracks:

1. 100,000 People
2. Target Destruction
3. Revolution in the Pentagon
4. Low Evil
5. Blind Moles
6. Behind the Moon
7. November 1, 1967
8. IBM Punch Cards
9. The War to End All Wars
10. Statistical Control
11. A New Weapon
12. Damned If I Dont
13. The Family
14. Chengtu
15. Dominoes
16. 67 Cities
17. Rolling Thunder
18. Invitation
19. Success
20. Data
21. Across the World
22. 5 Weeks
23. Norman Morrison
24. Snowing
25. Gulf of Tonkin
26. Return From Vietnam
27. Private and Public
28. Unilateralism
29. Why Are We Here?
30. Evil Grade
31. Body Count
32. The Light That Failed
33. No Second Chance
34. The Fog of War

Album Description

Errol Morris' adroitly assembled documentary film "The Fog of War" examines the career of Robert S. McNamara-- United States Secretary of Defense during the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations and whose tenure includes the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crises. Combining excerpts from 26 hours of interviews with McNamara, archival footage, filmed recreations, as well as newly declassified White House recordings Morris' filmmaking illuminates a national past that ominously parallels the contemporary political present. Morris reveals what previous biographies failed to investigate—the relationship between McNamara and the infamous United States General Curtis LeMay and their involvement in the firebombing of Tokyo—along with 67 other Japanese cities—in 1945. Errol Morris states "The easy thing to say would be McNamara is a bad guy, he did all these bad things...the story is more complex and far more interesting than I imagined. The disturbing thing is that this was a man with real ethical dimension who did something terrible."

As with music previously contributed to Morris' films, Philip Glass' score to "The Fog of War" effortlessly supports and enhances the film. The music, at times lyrical and at other times intense, deepens the horrifying images of war, highlighting the ambiguities of McNamara's character—and the consequences of his actions. Glass' music reinforces Morris' effort to understand the difficult ethical questions about governing and power raised by "The Fog of War".

Album Description

The acclaimed composer's score to the 2003 documentary by Errol Morris, their third collaboration. The film is subtitled ''11 Songs From The Life of Robert S. McNamara. Orange Mountain Music.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-08-09

Intriguing historical account of MacNamara- what he was thinking, what he did not say during two administrations involved in the Viet Name war. Use of film footage and Philip Glass' eerie and ominous soundtrack further developed the power of this film.

The film was great, but the score made it outstanding. .......2004-08-05

Ever thought about what it would be like to watch a film with no muscial score? I have and I did for this documentary. Believe me when I write this, there's no way this film would have been as good without Glass' melodic brutality looming in the background.

Glass does something wonderful with this score; he gives war, uncertainty, doubt and fear a musical element, an audible personality that captures each bomb, burnt building and ominous threat in complete perfection, leaving your ears and your mind in a state of disbelief and amazement, thinking to yourself, "Wow, that music fits this segment like a glove."

The Thin Blue Line score made me an instant Glass fan but this score made me borderline Glass fanatic.

In my opinion, he surpasses Carter Burwell in the category of most unflinching film composer.......by a long shot.

A Great Soundtrack for a Great Film.......2004-05-24

Errol Morris is the best documentary film maker ever and The Fog of War is his crowning achievement. The film explores the complexity of war and how it evolves. There is no political bias or agenda here...just plain truth and facts. Great work. Equal to the task is Phillip Glass's soundtrack. The music is haunting and eerie.

ANOTHER GREAT GLASS SCORE!.......2004-03-31

I'll keep this review short, just like the length of the pieces on the CD. This is yet another great score by Glass, and superbly recorded as well. Glass uses his classic strings and percussion to great effect and oftentimes great surprise as well.

This score has more variety than Glass's score for another Morris film, "The Thin Blue Line". By the way, will "The Thin Blue Line" ever get released on DVD?

The pieces are all short ones, which makes it an easier listen for Glass newbies I would imagine, but I would have preferred a few longer pieces- all the short pieces make it sound like "Glass fragments"- on some pieces once Glass gets going he has to come to a stop.

Still, I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful CD!

Glass' dramatic score is Fog's 'secret sauce'.......2004-03-22

If you've seen Errol Morris' "The Fog of War," you know that a big part of what makes the movie click is Phillip Glass' outstanding soundtrack. Morris and Glass have worked together before and it shows. Morris' imagery (the falling dominos, the accelerating list of Japanese cities, JFK's slow-blinking visage before TV cameras) appears to be literally lifted off the screen into 3-D by the strength of Glass' score. I don't think you'll find another movie (certainly no other documentary) where the words, images and music mesh with such dramatic effect.

Average customer rating: ORDER AND BEAUTY Breathtaking

The Songs of Henri Duparc Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Allen, Thomas | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Songs of Chausson / Lott · Murray · McGreevy · Trakas · Chilingirian Quartet · G. Johnson Gabriel Fauré: The Complete Songs, Vol. 3 Fauré: The Complete Songs, Vol. 2: Un paysage choisi Fauré - The Complete Songs, Vol. 4 ~ Dans un parfum de roses Songs by Bizet ASIN: B000002ZLE Release Date: 1993-06-21

Tracks:

1. L'Invitation au voyage
2. Serenade florentine
3. Testament
4. Phidyle
5. Extase
6. La vague et la cloche
7. Chanson triste
8. Le Galop
9. Romance de Mignon
10. Serenade
11. La Fuite
12. Lamento
13. Elegie
14. Le manoir de Rosemonde
15. Au pays ou se fait la guerre
16. Soupir
17. La vie anterieure

Customer Reviews:

ORDER AND BEAUTY.......2006-08-30

Duparc composed little and published less. The 17 songs with piano (including one duet) that we have on this disc - just over one hour of music - constitute virtually all he chose to leave us as a musical legacy after more than 80 years of life. Some of the poets he set are familiar names - Baudelaire, Gautier, Sully-Prudhomme, Leconte de Lisle, one translation from Goethe - but three of the 17 are by one Jean Lahor. What they have as a common theme is a sense of incapacity to deal with mundane life, this manifested in the earlier poems as an escape into fantasy and dreams, lapsing into lonely sadness in the later. Whether the poetry of Lahor is of `middling quality', in the supercilious phrase of the liner-note writer, I wouldn't be knowing. My own French has no difficulty with understanding the literal meaning of anything here, and it is probably up to recognising the stature of Baudelaire, but whether it is good enough to pass such judgments on the plain and innocent-seeming verses of Lahor I am not so sure. It seems to me that a native speaker of French might miss the magic behind the simple diction of Housman, and what I seem to find in Lahor is at least a patent and fragile sincerity.

This poetry is set to a music of exquisite refinement and poise. There is clear influence from Wagner in one or two ways, particularly in some of the more vigorous accompaniments and probably also in the almost total avoidance of word-repetition, but the very French sense of atmosphere is as strong as it is in Debussy, and the vocal lines combine a Wagnerian flexibility with a delicate lyricism that recalls Berlioz. Duparc was also an outright perfectionist, and perfectionism is catching. It infects even such a slattern as I am myself when I listen to these fine-spun little masterpieces, and it seems to me that nothing less than total perfection in their performance can do them full justice.

What I find in this recital is total perfection from Thomas Allen, but only excellence from Sarah Walker and Roger Vignoles. They all show thorough understanding of this music, and they convey their understanding with both power when required and discretion, which is always required. I could probably ask for nothing more by way of insight into the soul of the works. Where I find something slightly lacking is at a more mundane level. Apart from a couple of slightly uneasy high notes, Sarah Walker's technical command is assured, and I feel more than a little ungallant in saying crudely that her voice is not quite what is needed for Duparc - it is just slightly ordinary, and her French is not as good as Allen's either. As the recital progressed I longed more and more for Veronique Gens, whose memorable Berlioz Nuits d'Ete came back forcefully into my mind. As for the accompaniment, it calls for the highest praise in its mastery of the idiom and style (which are more varied than you might expect). Vignoles catches the special and elusive atmosphere of this special and elusive composer with genuine and deep insight, and there is real and impressive power in the later sequences of the last song of all. However the shortcomings - slight but in this context very telling - are once again at a more humdrum level. The touch needs to be the last word in the `order, beauty, comfort, peace and pleasure' that Baudelaire himself yearns for in `L'Invitation au Voyage'. In particular the frequent tremolando sequences call for superhuman evenness, and when I ask myself `Who do I want to be doing this?' the answer that comes to me is as much a fantasy as anything in the poems - I want Michelangeli.

For some reason credits are given in the liner to the translators of only three of the poems. I can think of no reason for this discrimination, and all the translations are in my own opinion excellent. I spotted no misprints in either English or French, unless Baudelaire's `ciels', which Lahor and I thought was `cieux', is one of those and not his divine afflatus as I am assuming. The liner-note itself is businesslike and informative, and the recorded quality gives me no grounds for criticism. This is a fine production, and whether or not I have laboured my reservations unduly I recommend it cordially. Perfection was what I had wanted. It is not quite what I have got, but I have got a great deal nonetheless, and it may be a long time before I am given as much again.

Breathtaking.......2002-08-23

The music of Duparc is as intense, layered, complex, and as emotional as the man who wrote it - who in fact, drove himself mad in the process. To convey this music effectively, a journey must be taken by the vocalist and the pianist into rich text and engulfing harmonies, without drowning in over analysis & self indulgence. There is a foreboding sense of secret, or the opening of a private self, and a great vulnerability and tenderness in this music. Here, the vocalists Allen & Walker, present immaculate readings of these 17 works, along with the supreme artisty of Vignoles. These recorded pieces are such exquisite duets between voice and piano that they leave you in rapture. Walker's mellifluous "Extase" with it's Wagnerian, lush accompaniment is impeccable and haunting. Allen opens his soul, along with those of the poet and composer, in "Soupir" - laden with all the angst of unrequited love. Both he and Vignoles transport their listener heavenward on soft stardust in their intimate "Serenade Florentine". This is divinely inspired music. Honest. Unpretentious. Transcendental.

Jazz Music:

1. Jazz Impromptu, Vol. 2
2. Jazz in the Pocket
3. Jazzmen Detroit [Import] [Original recording remastered]
4. Lionel Hampton with Dexter Gordon
5. Live At Chadney's [Live]
6. Live at the Riverbop [Live]
7. Marionette
8. Montreux '77 [Live]
9. Montreux '77 [Live]
10. Montreux '77 [Live]

Jazz Music

jazz music