Levi

About the Artist
PHIL CUNNEFF has led his own innovative piano-less jazz trios for over fifteen years, Based in Baltimore, Maryland, he performs in venues throughout the mid-Atlantic. His newest recording, "Levi," has just been released on the Fells Point Jazz label. He can also be found supporting jazz guitarists Paul Wingo and Rick Hannah, Steve Kraemer's Bluesicians, and the vocal jazz group After Hours. He has performed with pianists Sammy Price, Kenny Barron, Dorothy Donegan, Bill Mays, George Colligan, and Harry Pickens, vocalists Jon Hendricks, Carol Sloane, and Mark Murphy, saxophonists Houston Person, Eddie Barefield, Clifford Jordan, Harold Vick, Julius Hemphill, Ken McIntyre, Carl Grubbs and Thomas Chapin, bassists Drew Gress, Mike Formanek, Larry Ridley and Paul Gill, trumpeters Doc Cheatham, Terence Blanchard, Marcus Belgrave and Virgil Jones, trombonist Dicky Wells, Curtis Fuller, and Benny Powell, violinist Sara Caswell, and guitarists Ted Dunbar, Paul Bollenback, Rory Stuart, Sheryl Bailey, and Joshua Breakstone.

Product Description
Original compositions and interpretations of Jerome Kern, Lennon/McCartney, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, and Mal Waldron from drummer Phil Cunneff's post-modern acoustic jazz trio (trumpet/bass/drums). Hard swinging, gentle ballad-playing, deep funk, and free improvisation co-exist in this innovative group conception.

Levi,Phil Cunneff,Fells Point Jazz,Jazz

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: This is a fantastic deal! Excellent, Broad Selection $70....when was this??? $70/40... you do the math.

Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Trio Sonatas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Bassoon | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piccolo | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Recorder | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set) Bach: Complete Works - 155 CD Box Set Beethoven: The Masterworks (Box Set) Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set) ASIN: B00062FLHY Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

This is a fantastic deal!.......2007-02-25

If you are a fan at all of the Four Seasons you should love this music. I will admit right now that I am a classical music fan. I don't write or perform it. I am a novice listener. I have never taken any music lessons(though I am leaning in that direction) and certainly have not gone through any university music training. I started out in rock and roll but found classical as I got older and fell in love with it a few years ago.

With that context in mind I do hope I am able to recognize quality and this work is of the highest. It helps when you are starting with good ingredients in the first place. You can't bake great bread without great ingredients and Vivaldi's music library has some of the greatest musical ingredients of the last 300 years. They are very much the foundation for modern western culture and music. His talent is woven through what we are

The first 26 CDs are instrumental starting with the four seasons and working through many of the Master's many popular works. I will admit the four seasons are not the best interpretation I have heard but it is definitely acceptable. The rest of the music shows us many facets of the Baroque style and you can see themes emerging through some of the pieces that give us a 'fingerprint' of Vivaldi's style and the parameters of the stylistic leanings of the genre at the time. If you want to immerse yourself in 18th century music this is your chance

This music would be ideal for someone who owns a store and is looking for background music. With over 26 CDs of instrumental music alone you could have those constantly looping and you'd probably never get bored of them(OK I may be stretching it a little there). The reason is that the music does not leave a bad 'aftertaste' in your mind. It fits into the background as easily and naturally as it is to listen to it consciously in the foreground. If you are a fan of classical Baroque you don't usually need to be in the mood for this, it will adjust your mood to itself and Vivaldi's music is almost always of an uplifting sort if this collection is any indication. If you want something to listen to at your job 8 hours per day this is good for the mind and it would take you over a week to get through it if you listened to it every minute of every work day. You will also work without the worry of the music distracting your concentration. I find it enhances it when I'm working. I don't know how well this would work on school kids but teachers might want to try playing this during school time. You may create a few geniuses, we certainly could use more!

If you are looking for something to ease your sleep and oil your dreams I have put these CD's on in the background. Not only can I easily fall asleep when they are playing quietly in the background but it helps you sleep and you wake up in a very pleasant atmosphere if the music is still playing quietly when you wake(you probably would need to rip them to your MP3 player to do that). It's like napping at a classical music concert without the worry of being nudged by your spouse or offending the other concert goers with your snoring. That will be quite a unique experience for you and possibly give you some real sweet dreams. It has for me

So to wrap it up this is very intelligent, uplifting music that is great for your mind and your soul. It is definitely worth the purchase if you are a fan of the Four Seasons and the Baroque genre in my novice classical music fan's opinion

Excellent, Broad Selection.......2007-01-25

This 40-cd collection affords me a rare pleasure almost daily: the thrill of hearing something new by Vivaldi. Despite my best efforts over the years, I've managed to miss hearing a lot of great works by the master. Listening to a single CD now and then, catching tunes on the radio... you can't possibly get a comprehensive understanding of Vivaldi's output that way.

But when you work your way systematically from CD 1 through 40, you're sure to find many pleasant surprises. I've been skipping through everything I already know -- in some cases, it has only taken me about a minute to get through a whole CD (first 3 seconds of each track is usually enough). But then I stop and listen carefully three or four times to anything that's new.

Ah, what a pleasure. I've already acquired some new favorites. And some old standbys have proved even more rewarding, e.g. at first I thought RV 127 (CD 7, tracks 10-12) was performed too slowly (Naxos No: 8.553742 is much faster), but now I'm not sure; maybe it's BETTER that way! I can't recommend this set highly enough.

$70....when was this???.......2006-11-25

Wish the cost was $70 now. Guess the record producer (or Amazon) got tired of making less than $2 per CD.

$70/40... you do the math........2006-04-07

No, I don't own this collection...yet. However, the price of the collection compels me to review it beforehand. Never have I seen such a complete collection of Vivaldi compositions at such an incredibly low price. At $1.75 dollars a CD, the record producer (Brilliant Classics) isn't making much of a profit. The compilation pulls some of its works from DG Achiv Produktion's vault (see Standage), such as the violin concertos, as well as from unknown producers (the Poland Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra is heavily featured). The collection is so complete that it is academic, and I would not be surprised if music libraries quickly emptied it from Amazon's shelves. The collection is simply worth it for the incredible price (English Concert's recording of the violin concertos cost nearly 30 bucks, and is exactly featured here). Overall, the price alone makes this collection exceptionally attractive, and the ensembles featured aren't bad either.

Average customer rating: Baby caught us flirtiing.... Good if you're in the mood... Brilliant His future looks bright, but the present can be dull.

The Return to Form Black Magick Party Pop Levi Manufacturer: Counter Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sound of Silver The Good, the Bad & the Queen Myth Takes We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank Blue Honey ASIN: B000MM0L2I Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

1. Sugar Assault Me Now
2. Blue Honey
3. (A Style Called) Crying Chic
4. Pick-Me-Up Uppercut
5. Skip Ghetto
6. Dollar Bill Rock
7. Flirting
8. Mournin' Light
9. See My Lord
10. Hades' Lady
11. From The Day That You Were Born

Album Description

Pop Levi completely explodes the already-tired consensus of rock music, with equal parts psychedelia and glam, as he carries you on a wave of jagged guitar riffs, rumbling drums, fuzzed up bass and his unique vocals. Call it astral projection if you like, but Pop Levi is going to be a star.

Customer Reviews:

Baby caught us flirtiing...........2007-06-14

Pop Levi is an amazing artist and absolutely incredible live. If you listen to nothing else, do yourself a favor and listen to the songs 'Flirting' and 'Sugar Assault Me'. Then after you are properly infatuated, by the cd.

Good if you're in the mood..........2007-05-22

Pop Levi has me betwixt and between. Some days I love this album. On others, I can't stand it.

This is at times almost bubblegum pop, done very well. There are elements of T-Rex, but also hints of techno. The tracks vary widely in sound and feel, and there does seem to be plenty of evidence to suggest Pop Levi is very inventive. From experience, this is a good party record. If you're in the mood for melody, harmony and meaningful lyrics though, go elsewhere.

Brilliant.......2007-03-14

Amidst so much tired and rehashed "music" filling current CD shelves, it's refreshing to hear something different. Not only that -- you'll get something different out of this album every time you listen to it.

Unlike the "spotlight" reviewer, I appreciate the variety and suprises. The cohesive factor throughout is coolness.

His future looks bright, but the present can be dull........2007-02-28

There's always one that you just don't understand. An album that receives near-unanimous praise, but you can't really understand where it's all coming from. Pop Levi has been around for a while, making brief appearances with several other artists, the most notable of which is probably Ladytron. "The Return to Form Black Magick Party," however, is the artist's first solo album and first opportunity to gain fans of his own. He tries, but oftentimes the album feels more like he's trying too hard to impress. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's just utterly confusing. One thing's for sure, in the 40 plus minutes of Pop Levi's debut there's probably something for everyone, just not enough of it.

The album actually starts off on a high note with the driving distortion and piercing vocals of "Sugar Assault Me Now." Despite a few deliberately missed notes, the song is energetic, fun, and admittedly pretty catchy. Here, as he does throughout the album, Levi stacks layers upon layers of vocals and guitars to make the songs sound fuller and more complete. It works quite well. This great song is followed by the album's first single and arguably strongest song, "Blue Honey." The song is plagued by a repetitive bass line, but is saved by the artist's vocal performance in the chorus ("It's the way you squeeze me, baby"). It sounds like the better moments of classic rock, often stepping into Led Zepplin territory, without fully sounding like a rip-off.

"(A Style Called) Cryin' Chic" has a steady groove to it, but not much else to offer. The lyrics here are repetitive to the point of being annoying. Essentially, Levi takes one line, repeats it four times, and then does the same thing with about a dozen other lines. The actual 2-bar guitar riff doesn't ever change throughout the song, which just adds to the repetitiveness of it. "Pick Me Up Uppercut" is probably my favorite song on the album, despite it being the most obnoxious song since Aqua's "Barbie Girl." It has a very unique appeal to it, and sounds like a mix between glam rock and The Go-Gos.

The album goes off the deep-end from here, never really recapturing the energy or appeal that it began with. "Dollar Bill Rock" is a futile attempt at classic rock n roll, though one could definitely assume that it would be a better song live than it is here. "Flirting" lends the help of a xylophone to give it a more friendly feel, but like so many other songs on the album, it suffers from being incredibly repetitive. To be honest, "From the Day That You Were Born" is the album's only real notable track throughout it's second half. Levi plays acoustic guitar and sings, but not much else is happening. On an album that is full of layers and layers of vocals, guitars, and other noise, the song serves as a peaceful and welcomed break. It ends the album on a positive note, which is always appreciated.

If "The Return to Form Black Magick Party" is the best that Pop Levi has to offer, his career will either be short-lived or elongated on a wave of hype. Fortunately for the artist, however, the album seems to really be the tip of the iceberg for Levi. Though it's really hit or miss, it's high points are good enough to get even the most skeptical listener excited for what this artist has yet to do. That's enough of a reason to give it a listen in my book. Pop Levi is a name you might want to remember, even if this album isn't your thing.

Recommended for fans of classic rock and anyone who wants to hear what the future of indie rock could very well sound like.

Key Tracks:
1. "Sugar Assault Me Now"
2. "Blue Honey"
3. "Pick Me Up Uppercut"
4. "From the Day That You Were Born"

5 out of 10 Stars

Average customer rating:

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites Manufacturer: Castle Pulse ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | 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 Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | 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 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 | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | 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 Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Favourite Welsh Choirs Land of Song Welsh Choral Classics Welsh Choirs: Wonderful Welsh Choirs Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome Traditional Songs of Wales ASIN: B0009SOFXG Release Date: 2005-08-01

Tracks:

1. Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
2. Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
3. Dies Irae
4. Men of Harlech
5. You'll Never Walk Alone
6. Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
7. Old Folks at Home
8. Il Liza Jane
9. Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
10. Vergine Degli Angeli
11. Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
12. My Hero
13. God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
14. German Mass/Gloria
15. German Mass/Sanctus
16. Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
17. All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
18. Arwelfa
19. Invictus
20. Softly as I Leave You

Tracks:

1. Diolch l'R L
2. Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
3. Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
4. Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
5. Memories of Martha
6. I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
7. Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
8. Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
9. Creation's Hymn
10. In the Spirit!
11. Shall We Gather at the River
12. Nos a Bore
13. Very Best Time of Year
14. Soon Ah Will Be Done
15. Thanks Be to God
16. Flower That Shattered the Stone
17. Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
18. Where Shall I Be?
19. Bywyd y Bugail
20. Lord's Prayer

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria
2. Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
3. She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
4. Cymru Fach
5. Nidaros
6. Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
7. Watching the Wheat
8. Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
9. Misbles/Stars
10. Rachie
11. Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
12. There Is a Balm in Gilead
13. Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
14. My Lord, What a Mornin'
15. Bryn Myrddin
16. Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
17. Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
18. Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
19. Ride the Chariot
20. Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir

Tracks:

1. Y Nefoedd
2. Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
3. Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
4. By Babylon's Wave
5. I'm Gonna Sing
6. Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
7. Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
8. Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
9. Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
10. That's All I Want from You
11. Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
12. Give Me Jesus
13. Just a Closer Walk with Thee
14. My Wish for You
15. Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
16. Mose in Egitto/Prayer
17. Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
18. God's Choir in the Sky
19. Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
20. Smilin' Through

Tracks:

1. Calon Lan
2. True Love
3. Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
4. Aberystwyth
5. Comrades in Arms
6. Cats/Memory
7. They Led My Lord Away
8. State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
9. When I Fall in Love
10. Let's Face the Music and Dance
11. Windmills of Your Mind
12. How Soon
13. Non Nobis Domine
14. Rhythm of Life
15. Kalinka
16. Sound an Alarm
17. Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
18. Turandot/Nessun Dorma
19. Christus Redemptor
20. Ann Evening's Pastorale

Album Details

Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.

Average customer rating: Another highlight in the Adagio series A collection of masterpieces Will transport you... Contemplative Bliss Beautiful compelation of classical music!

American Adagios Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Corigliano | Corigliano, John | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Hovhaness, Alan | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rouse, Christopher | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music St. Louis Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | 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 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Corigliano, John | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Hovhaness, Alan | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rouse, Christopher | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | ( A ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music St. Louis Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Nature Of America: A Musical Impression Alan Hovhaness: Symphony No. 22 ("City of Light"); Cello Concerto Beautiful Hollywood Hovhaness: Celestial Gate and Other Orchestral Works Barber's Adagio / Munch, Galway, Boston SO Strings ASIN: B000009RCU Release Date: 1998-08-05

Tracks:

1. Adagio For Strings - Leonard Slatkin
2. Voyage For Flute And String Orchestra - Rudolf Werthen
3. Fantasy On A Hymn By Justin Morgan - Jesus Lopez-Cobos
4. Alleluia And Fuge - Rudolf Werthen
5. Anhran, From Flute Concerto - Houston Symphony
6. Andante From Violin Concerto - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
7. Variations On A Shaker Melody From Appalachian Spring - Erich Kunzel
8. Gershwin Centennial: Lullaby for Strings - Erich Kunzel
9. Agnus Dei (Based On Adagio for Strings) - Robert Shaw

Customer Reviews:

Another highlight in the Adagio series.......2002-05-30

Many of the pieces of music on this disc are masterpieces and all are played to perfection.Barber's Adagio appears twice:in orchestral and choral versions,and the Agnus Dei choral is given loving treatment by the Robert Shaw festival singers.The familiar but never tiring Shaker variations of Copland and the exquisite Lullabye for strings of Gershwin are two quintessential slices of Americana performed by the Cincinnati Pops under Eric Kunzel.The most beautiful work of the collection may be the Anhran from flute concerto by Christopher Rouse.This little piece may find its way on many recordings in the coming years.With all around excellent performances and gorgeous sound this disc is definitely a keeper.

A collection of masterpieces.......2001-08-28

This Telarc CD is a compilation of selections from a dozen different albums. It features slow movements by such greats as Barber, Copland and Gershwin and includes beautiful works by lesser known composers. The album is stylistically varied but is uniformly beautiful, meditative and relaxing. I particularly enjoyed Thomas Canning's "Variations on a Hymn by Justin Morgan". However, I purchased this CD for the final piece, Barber's "Agnus Dei". This particular performance by the Robert Shaw Festival Singers is transcendental. Each time I listen to it, I feel like I've left the here and now and am somewhere that it better and very beautiful. I have other recordings of Agnus Dei that are nice, but seem kind of stiff in comparison to this one. This CD comes with my highest recommendations.

Will transport you..........2000-07-10

Adagios may be slower pieces, but this CD is definitely not simple background music. The tenderness of the Gershwin "Lullaby" and Barber's haunting "Adagio" demand your attention. This is music that soars and takes the listener along.

Contemplative Bliss.......2000-04-22

I bought this disk to get Barber's Adagio for Strings. The entire disk is a contemplatively blissful experience. I don't want to meet the person for whom the "Agnus Dei" based on Barber's Adagio doesn't open the cosmos. I'm online ordering six more copies for my wife to give to friends.

Beautiful compelation of classical music!.......2000-03-14

I am playing the Adagio for Strings by Barber in my orchestra and it is an absolutely moving piece. I watch the film Platoon now every weekend just because the Barber is so amazing to listen to. The Agnus Dei is great too and so are all the other pieces. A fantastic CD that is so much more than a few pieces for the orchestra.

Average customer rating: Enjoying The Pleasures of K. Battle & C. Parkening Great blending of the talents of two top-notch artists in their respective fields. Parkening on the guitar and Battle singing. Superb technique, emotionally flat, but enjoyable even so. ONE OF MY FAVOURITES Fans will be delighted!

Kathleen Battle & Christopher Parkening ~ Pleasures of Their Company John Dowland , Manuel de Falla , Charles Gounod , Heitor Villa-Lobos , Enrique Granados , Fini Henriques , Jaime Ovalle , Joaquim Antonio Barroso Neto , Franz Xaver Richter , Anonymous , William Levi Dawson , Robert MacGimsey , Kathleen Battle , and Christopher Parkening Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Dowland | Dowland, John | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | 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 General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | 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 Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Battle, Kathleen | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Battle, Kathleen | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Angels' Glory Kathleen Battle · Wynton Marsalis ~ Baroque Duet / Anthony Newman · Orch St. Luke's · Nelson The Best of Kathleen Battle So Many Stars Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart ASIN: B000002RNM Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Music By John Dowland: Come Again! Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
2. Music By John Dowland: Allemande (Guitar Solo)
3. Music By John Dowland: What If I Never Speed?
4. Music By John Dowland: Galliard (Guitar Solo)
5. Music By John Dowland: Fine Knacks For Ladies
6. Ave Maria
7. Bachianas Brasileiras No.5: Aria
8. Coleccion De Tonadillas: La Maja De Goya
9. Three Brazilian Songs: Boi-Bumba
10. Three Brazilian Songs: Azulao
11. Three Brazilian Songs: Para Ninar
12. Three Spanish Folk Songs: Cancion
13. Three Spanish Folk Songs: Nana
14. Three Spanish Folk Songs: Seguidillia Murciana
15. Six Spirituals: Ain't Got No Time To Die
16. Six Spirituals: I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
17. Six Spirituals: Ain't That Good News!
18. Six Spirituals: Sweet Little Jesus Boy
19. Six Spirituals: This Little Light Of Mine
20. Six Spirituals: Ride On King Jesus

Customer Reviews:

Enjoying The Pleasures of K. Battle & C. Parkening.......2007-05-06

Whether you are very familiar with these two artists or have never heard either one, you will delight in this musical collaboration. Only a guitarist of Christopher Parkening's stature could be the ideal accompaniment to the perfection of Kathleen Battle's voice. The music ranges from selections by John Dowland to American spirituals, Bach/Gounod, Villa-Lobos, Granados and some Spanish folk songs. The result is a coherent, soothing and utterly delightful listening experience. You will revisit this album often, and always be glad that you have it. For fans of Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening, I think it is a must.

Great blending of the talents of two top-notch artists in their respective fields. Parkening on the guitar and Battle singing........2006-01-31

We always enjoyed seeing and hearing Battle in concerts, usually on the television and Parkening has been a favorite guitarist. To listen to these two fine artists in concert is a real treat.

Superb technique, emotionally flat, but enjoyable even so........2005-05-25

I can't imagine these songs being performed with any greater technical brilliance than they are by Parkening and Battle on this CD. Both are virtuosos, him in the guitar, her the voice. Their skill is particularly apparent in the Dowland songs, the "Ave Maria", and the Bachianas brasileiras no. 5 (for me, the high point of the recording), which are all in a formal style well suited to the talents of the performers.

I compare the Brazilian songs to the version recorded by Salli Terri with Laurindo Almeida in the late '50's on "Duets with Spanish Guitar", which I have listened to repeatedly since I first heard it in 1959. Battle's phrasing, enunciation, and vocal skill are far superior to Terri's, but Terri brought a level of emotion to her singing that Battle seems to lack. Where Battle's perfection enhances her superb performances of the Dowland and Villa-Lobos pieces, it seems to detract from her performance of the Brazilian folk pieces.

I find this to be true again in the spirituals - vocal perfection and control detracting from the "soul" required to bring out the "spiritual" feeling. Imagine these same pieces sung by Mahalia Jackson or Aretha Franklin and you'll understand my point.

Parkening's performance has the same quality - technical virtuosity, especially noticeable in his lute-like technique in the Dowland solo - but lacking in emotional depth.

The classical selections are highly recommended, the folk pieces a bit disappointing, but overall an enjoyable recording.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITES.......2004-03-19

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BATTLE ALBUMS, HER SWEET VOICE IS ACCOMPAINED BY THE GUITAR VIRTUOSO CHRISTOPHER PARKENING, TOGETHER CREATE A TENDER, DELIGHTFUL & BEAUTIFUL LISTENING EXPERIENCE. BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS N- 5 HAS IT`S BEST PERFORMANCE IN THIS CD.

Fans will be delighted!.......2003-08-25

Fans, maybe, but I must say I'm not a huge fan of Kathleen Battle or opera or songs in different languages, either. My mom is, though. And through her I have heard Kathleen's best. And her very best (if you ask me) is one of the tracks ON THIS CD titled "Ain't that good news," even though it should be called "Ain'ta dat good news," since that is how its sung. It is a really good song (ask anybody) with a little surprise high-note at the end. If I were you I would (if not buy this CD right here and now) then go to [a book store] and see if their computers will let you hear "Ain't that good news" because that song is great.

Average customer rating: Oil and Water... a little too wobbly for me A replacement for Robert Shaw The Best Recording by One of our Finest Choral Ensembles Wonderful Ensemble

Deep River Adam Reinwald , Alan Dunbar , Kelvin Chan , Timothy Takach , Harry T. (Henry) Burleigh , William Levi Dawson , Jester Hairston , John W. II Work , Albert Jordan , Brad Erbes , Brian Arreola , Michael Hanawalt , Peter Zvanovec , and Cantus Male Ensemble Manufacturer: Cantus ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Let Your Voice Be Heard ...Against the Dying of the Light The Spirituals Of William L. Dawson (#2159) Comfort & Joy: Volume Two Comfort and Joy: Volume One ASIN: B0000V8G1O Release Date: 2003-10-01

Tracks:

1. Ezekiel Saw the Wheel: Harry T. Burleigh
2. Heaven, Heaven: Harry T. Burleigh
3. Poor Man Lazrus: Jester Hairston
4. King Jesus Is A-Listening: William Dawson
5. In His Care-O: William Dawson
6. This Ol' Hammer: John W. Work III
7. Great God A'mighty: Jester Hairston
8. Were You There?: Harry T. Burleigh
9. There is a Balm in Gilead: William Dawson
10. Deep River: Harry T. Burleigh
11. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: William Dawson
12. My Lord, What a Morning: Harry T. Burleigh
13. Steal Away: William Dawson
14. Soon ah-Will Be Done: William Dawson
15. Ain't a That Good News: William Dawson
16. Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit: William Dawson
17. In That Great Getting' Up Morning: Jester Hairston

Album Description

Cantus proudly announces the release of "Deep River," a treasury of African-American Spirituals. The Spiritual represents the musical melting pot of America like no other type of song by at once revealing its African roots while reflecting the American experience with music that speaks of both hardship and hope. The album features some of the most beloved American folk songs such as "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel", "Were You There", "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "Soon-ah Will Be Done." "Deep River" also delves into the roots of American roots music by exclusively featuring music by the preeminent first and second generation African-American composers - Harry T. Burleigh, William Dawson, John W. Work and Jester Hairston - in both well known and long forgotten arrangements of these immortal songs. Recorded by Stereophile Magazine editor John Atkinson in 24 bit sound, "Deep River" is a treat for the ears and a balm for the soul.

Customer Reviews:

Oil and Water..........2005-10-05

Don't Get me wrong... Cantus is one of the finest male chamber choirs around right now. They do marvelous work and cover a wide variety. Unfortunately, spirituals are not exactly Cantus's strongest suit. The biggest hindrance to this recording is that Cantus does not effectively capture the "spirit" of a spiritual. The music almost sounds funny because the spirituals are sung with very traditional, very trained classical voices. I love hearing people sing who were trained very meticulously to sing well, but I don't want to hear someone sing "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel" like Pavoratti. It sounds really funny and doen't capture the character of the music.
Another issue that I have with this recording (and most of Cantus's other recordings at that) is that it was recorded so softly. I don't like to have to feel like I am cranking my speakers to hear the music effectively. Being an active listener, I like to listen to music loud just because I can hear more layers when its loud. The low recording volume on the CD really hinders the active listening experience, leaving the CD to lend itself to the purpose of background music and passive listening.
Also, the first 5 arrangements on the disc are fairly bland. They are lack variety and musicality. Only until "Great God Almighty" comes around does the listener truly become exposed to really good choral writing. Other standing out arrangements are "Where You There?" which is absolutely moving, "There Is A Balm In Gilead" which is very well written, "Deep River" which is so tranquil and relaxing, and "Soon Ah Will Be Done" and "In His Care-O" are great bouncy arrangements.
Essentially, Cantus and Spirituals are just oil and water: they don't mix so well. Aside from a hand full of bland arrangements and a very low mixing job the CD only has one real hindrance of a problem: Cantus doesn't make the distinction between Spirituals and Brahms.

a little too wobbly for me.......2005-03-03

I am familiar with this group and their origins with the world famous St. Olaf Choir of Northfield, MN. While the singers are obviously talented, I felt like I was listening to 11 "solo" singers, rather than a tight ensemble. Way too much individual vibrato even considering the free-flowing genre of the music. I don't want them to be as "tight" as San Francisco's "Chanticleer", but holy smoke, there has got to be something in the middle. Maybe an association with Dale Warland would help, because they obviously have great potential.

A replacement for Robert Shaw.......2004-12-03

Many years ago I had a vinyl record by the Robert Shaw Chorale the title of which was "Deep River." I've been waiting for it to be reissued on cd and have purchased many recordings of negro spirituals on cd hoping to find one where the performance could be compared favorably with the Robert Shaw recording. All of the tries were busts until I found this one. Wow!!! This is a super recoridng of those spirituals. The only thing it lacks is the female voices but thi group of males needs to make no apologies. I love this cd.

The Best Recording by One of our Finest Choral Ensembles.......2004-10-24

"Take this Hammer,' "Steal Away," and "My Lord What a Morning" are just three of the acappella treasures recorded in a warm, natural accoustic by these nine superb singers from Minnesota. The arrangements they've chosen are as complex and moving as their source lyrics and melodies, and the the 24-bit recording by John Atkinson is as good as you get.

It's not easy to make spirituals sound fresh, dynamic and viscerally affecting. But that's exactly what Cantus has done. This is choral singing of the highest order recorded by a master of recorded sound.

I do hope Cantus continues to record on this or another independent label. A big music conglomerate would just glitz it up.

These young men have accomplished so many splendid things on their own over the past nine years, and this release is their best by far.

Wonderful Ensemble.......2004-04-15

I bought "let Your Voice Be Heard" some time ago and really loved the interpretations, the virtuosity of the singing and the clarity of the recording. I'm a Stereophile subscriber and read the articles by Atkinson regarding the recording sessions - they take great care to do a good job and it shows.

This CD is compelling, if you like choral music you will love this disc. Listen to it a few times and you will go away singing.

There are a couple of spirituals on this disc that are also on "Let your voice..." but in different arrangements.

Average customer rating: A spiritual experience

Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD] Andrea Bocelli , Giulio Caccini , Cesar Franck , Charles Gounod , Franz Xaver Gruber , George Frideric Handel , Jean-Paul Lecot , Eric Levi , Steven Mercurio , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Louis Niedermeyer , Gioachino Rossini , Franz Schubert , Giuseppe Verdi , John Francis Wade , Richard Wagner , Myung-Whun Chung , and Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra Rome Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | 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 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( 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 Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | 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 Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Bocelli, Andrea | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Andrea Bocelli - Amore Romanza Sentimento: Andrea Bocelli with Lorin Maazel and the London Symphony Orchestra [Limited Edition w/ Bonus Track] Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria Andrea Bocelli - A Night in Tuscany ASIN: B0000CE9VO Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria
2. Sancta Maria
3. Ave Maria
4. Ave Maria
5. Panis Angelicus - Norbert Balatsch
6. Cujus Animam
7. Ingemisco
8. Ave Verum Corpus
9. Der Engel
10. Frondi Tenere... Ombra Mai Fu
11. Pieta, Signore - Norbert Balatsch
12. Domine Deus
13. Mille Cherubini In Coro - Norbert Balatsch
14. Silent Night
15. Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful) - Norbert Balatsch
16. Gloria A Te, Cristo Gesu (The Hymn Of The Great Jubilee)
17. Agnus Dei
18. I Believe

Amazon.com

When he was growing up, Andrea Bocelli recalls finding inspiration in a favorite recording of sacred music performed by tenor legend Franco Corelli. Bocelli--who in the meantime has come to inspire millions of fiercely loyal fans himself--returns to the genre as the guiding theme of Sacred Arias. These performances are filled with the singer's phenomenally well-known vocal signature: his flair for long, sweetly floating high notes and the gentle sense of cadence he brings to a melody. It's a mistake to compartmentalize Bocelli into a singer of "operatic" versus "popular" styles: in truth his approach is at heart the same. Lack of color and control in his phrasing remains a drawback, but the emotional empathy Bocelli evokes is never in doubt. The arias collected here sample some of the most famous devotional pieces: Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's transporting "Ave Verum," as well as an arrangement of "Silent Night" in which Bocelli tries out his English. There's also a decidedly odd choice of bedfellows for a program of "sacred" music, such as a song from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder (whose "angel" is the object of an overpoweringly erotic attraction) and Handel's figurative ode to a tree, "Ombra mai fu." Still, Bocelli sings with an unfeigned directness that is sure to expand his already enormous following even further. This new special edition includes two bonus tracks on a CD enhanced with a picture gallery as well as a full-length DVD of Bocelli in concert filmed at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. --Thomas May

Album Description

Special Edition includes enhanced CD with bonus tracks and concert DVD.

Customer Reviews:

A spiritual experience.......2003-11-27

The DVD is the full 77 minute concert with two featurettes previously released alone. The CD is the full 72 minute concert previously released alone, except that two bonus tracks have been added. The audio quality of each one is quite good. (If you have a Dolby Digital stereo, then you must go into the setup menu on the DVD to select Dolby Digital sound. The default music track is the stereo 2.0 sound.) The video quality of the DVD is astonishing.

The DVD gives the feeling that you are in the church with the other worshippers. It literally sends chills up and down my spine. I highly recommend this CD/DVD combination Special Edition while it is still available.

Average customer rating: great album a great selection of Barber works Pure Americana Awesome "Knoxville", AwFUL "Overture" Awesome "Knoxville", AwFUL "Overture"

Music of Samuel Barber Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | 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 $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | ( A ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sergei Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2/Vocalise Sylvia McNair - The Echoing Air ~ The Music of Henry Purcell / AAM, Hogwood Hindemith: Mathis der maler; Nobilissima Visione; Symphonic Metamorphosis Vaughan Williams: Fantasies; The Lark Ascending; Five Variants Come Rain Or Come Shine - The Harold Arlen Songbook / McNair, Previn ASIN: B000003CX0 Release Date: 1992-02-11

Tracks:

1. Overture To 'The School for Scandal', Op.5
2. Knoxville: Summer Of 1915, Op.24
3. (First) Essay For Orchestra, Op.12
4. Second Essay, Op.17
5. Adagio For Strings, Op.11
6. Medea's Dance Of Vengence, Op.23A

Customer Reviews:

great album .......2006-02-12

great album to the previous reviews i cannot add anything that makes sense. I just like this music very much.

a great selection of Barber works.......2005-01-25

The diverse pieces on this CD give us a wonderful example of Samuel Barber's genius, and leaves no doubt as to his place in the hierarchy of American music, from the dramatic and theatrical opening and closing works, to the poignant, exquisite "Knoxville: Summer of 1915", to the much loved "Adagio for Strings", a composition even people who never listen to classical music are familiar with.
"The School for Scandal Overture" has always been a favorite of mine, and "Knoxville", so beautifully sung by soprano Sylvia McNair, uses the words of James Agee, that describes small town living in days gone by, in a profoundly touching way.

The "First Essay for Orchestra" was premiered along with "Adagio for Strings" by the grand maestro Arturo Toscanini in an NBC broadcast when Barber was only 28, and was the beginning of Barber's many huge successes, both critical and popular.
The "Second Essay" was written for Bruno Walter in 1942, and is much more abstract than the "First Essay", and is the least familiar piece on this CD for me, and the "Adagio for Strings" is given an appropriately delicate, somber performance, contrasted by "Medea's Dance of Vengeance", which builds to a fantastic rhythmic finale.

Barber's music stirs the emotions, enchants with his strong melodic lines, and always has that uniquely American "sound", music that could not have been composed anywhere but the U.S.A.
Yoel Levi and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra do justice to these terrific works, and Ms. McNair is perfect in "Knoxville", which is one of the signature pieces in her repertoire.
Recorded in 1991, the booklet insert has liner notes on Barber's life, the text of "Knoxville", a small bio of McNair, and full recording info. Total playing time is 65'29.

Pure Americana.......2002-02-06

This is a terrific collection of works by Barber. Like Copland, Barber's pieces evoke nostalgic images of America, but their overall character is delicate and pensive. The opening overture is as delightful as a summer picnic. It is a perfect lead-in to the soft reminiscences of Knoxville, poignantly rendered by Sylvia McNair. The outpouring of grief from the 1st Essay and the heartbreak of the Adagio are adroitly interrupted by the anger & agitation of the 2nd Essay. Medea's Dance is an appropriate farewell closer. All in all, a well programmed disc with 65 minutes of great music and Telarc's unmatched sonics. Easily recommended!

Awesome "Knoxville", AwFUL "Overture".......2002-01-21

I agree with earlier reviewers regarding this recording of "Knoxville: Summer of 1915" - one of Barber's most beautiful and hauntingly nostalgic works - is exceptional. Sylvia McNair is one of (if not THE) best interpreters of this piece that I've ever come across.

HOWEVER, the "Overture to the School for Scandal" - a wonderful, playful, and above all, swift orchestral work is taken INTOLERABLY SLOW here. The "Adagio for Strings", probably Barber's most famous work, is well conducted here, although for both "Adagio" and "Overture", I would strongly recommend the recording made by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Slatkin, of Barber's music. Here, the "Adagio" is suffused with more emotion, and the Overture is handled magnificently.

Awesome "Knoxville", AwFUL "Overture".......2002-01-21

I agree with earlier reviewers regarding this recording of "Knoxville: Summer of 1915" - one of Barber's most beautiful and hauntingly nostalgic works - is exceptional. Sylvia McNair is one of (if not THE) best interpreters of this piece that I've ever come across.

HOWEVER, the "Overture to the School for Scandal" - a wonderful, playful, and above all, swift orchestral work is taken INTOLERABLY SLOW here. The "Adagio for Strings", probably Barber's most famous work, is well conducted here, although for both "Adagio" and "Overture", I would strongly recommend the recording made by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Slatkin, of Barber's music. Here, the "Adagio" is suffused with more emotion, and the Overture is handled magnificently.

Average customer rating: Watts Still Owns the Saint-Saëns New Shine on Old War-Horses Very impressive performance Truly World Class Pianist Amazing Power

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1/Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | 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 Similar Items: Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor; Paganini Etudes; Hungarian Rhapsody No. 13; Transcendental Etude No. 10 Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 MacDowell: Piano Concerto No.2/Liszt: Piano Concertos No.1 & No.2 The Royal Edition - Brahms: Piano Concerto no 2 Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 ASIN: B000003D0P Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro Non Troppo E Molto Maestoso
2. II. Andantino Simplice
3. III. Allegro Con Fuoco
4. I. Andante Sostenuto
5. II. Allegro Scherzando
6. III. Presto

Customer Reviews:

Watts Still Owns the Saint-Saëns.......2006-11-18

André Watts remains one of the concert stage favorites since his auspicious debut at age 16, now some 40 odd years ago. He still commands the respect of the critics and the adoration of the audience, and most importantly he still continues to grow into the works he has elected to keep in his standard repertoire.

This recording made in 1995 with Yoel Levi and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra remains one of the most satisfying performances of the Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor Opus 22 on record. Yes, the performance of the more popular Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 receives a fine reading here, but it is the Saint-Saëns that makes the recording one that belongs in everyone's library. At a recent performance of this work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under guest conductor Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos the venerable Watts proved that if anything he is more at home with this concerto than ever. His nimble fingers fly over the keyboard in the many rapid passages at speeds that would be daunting to other artists (his lip action also dazzles audiences with his trance-like state during live performance!). Yet he finds the haunting melodies and caresses them with more definition than is usually heard.

Watts continues to grow as a performer and an artist, seemingly more involved in the depth of the works as the years pass. And that is the sign of the great ones. This recording is a fine one and deserves attention. Grady Harp, November 06

New Shine on Old War-Horses.......2004-01-20

I have not been a particular advocate of André Watts; I've heard him bang about in live concert too many times. And I've even heard him play the Tchaik 1 in concert and was not particularly impressed. But earlier today I heard this performance of the First Concerto on our local NPR station, having tuned in at literally bar 5 (perfect timing!) and, not knowing who it was, I listened. And listened. And listened. And kept thinking, who is this? This is good! And even more I was thinking that the aural stage was perfectly managed, with the piano sound seeming to come OUT of the orchestra rather than set way in front. Further, I could hear orchestral detail (e.g., like those two-flute arpeggios just before the final onrush of the first movement) that are almost never heard on recording. So, fool that I am, I sat in my car until the whole thing was over, really curious to find out who the performers were. I was shocked (and uneasy about my own bias) to learn that it was André Watts, with Yoel Levi conducting the Atlanta Symphony. A recording from ten years ago. I was even more dismayed to remember, once I got home, that I OWN this recording--but I couldn't ever remember listening to it, frankly--and I found it, removed the shrink-wrap (sure enough, I HAD never listened to it) and sat down for a complete run through.

My initial impression lasted. Yes, there were some smudges in the last movement (as Watts sometimes does, alas) and some brief odd blurring of the overall sound, also in the last movement, but myt general assessment from the radio lasted.

And then I listened to the Saint-Saëns Second Concerto and, again, I had a very positive impression. No, Watts doesn't make the most of the leggierissimo aspects of the third movement, but overall it's a very creditable performance and he conveys convincingly the declamatory aspects of the piece. What Levi and his Atlantans do is electrifying in both pieces. (I even initially wondered, though I assume these concerti are not really part of his repertoire, that it could possibly be Pierre Boulez conducting because of the care taken with instrumental detail.) Some credit, of course, has to go to the recording engineers; Telarc has long been noted for its sterling sound.

So, the bottom line is that these are valuable recordings of both of these warhorses, and particularly if one wants a more natural sound--no harsh spotlight on the piano--and crystal clear orchestral sound.

But I do go on. This is an excellent release in spite of my biases.

Scott Morrison

Very impressive performance.......2002-09-23

The version of Tchaikovski's first piano concerto featured on this Telarc disc is good enough, but this recording's main attraction is undoubtedly André Watts' fantastic performance of the Saint-Saëns second piano concerto, which is at least as good as any version that I've heard, and probably better than most. The monumental, cosmic first movement comes through very strongly here; he's no less impressive with the offbeat rhythms of the second movement, and the spectacular presto is perfectly executed. One should not forget to give Yoel Levi and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra some well-derserved credit: in other recordings of this piece, the soloist and orchestra don't seem to be quite on the same page, but there's no such problem here. I'd be curious to hear Watts perform the four other Saint-Saëns piano concertos.

Truly World Class Pianist.......2002-01-25

Andre Watts is one of my favorite pianists. I've heard him both live and on disc, and I must say he is truly a world class pianist. This is one of my favorites, especially for the intensely passionate and elegant interpretation of the Saint-Saens concerto of which there is none better out on market. Watts' has so much sensitivity toward the instrument and amazing versatility. He captures the energy of the Tchaikovsky and the grace of the Saint-Saens concertos perfectly. Highly recommended.

Amazing Power.......2001-08-03

I first heard this recording when public radio played Saint-Saens' 2nd. I ordered the album that day. Andre Watts is an absolutely fantastic pianist, channeling incredible energy through the music. Although I enjoy the Tchaikovsky, especially the final movement, his playing of the Saint-Saens is utterly incredible. From the first to the last notes, it is one of the most captivating recordings. Other recordings of the concerto just do not measure up to the tension and beauty he instills in it. A must have!

Average customer rating: a voice teacher and early music fan I really love this recording Some very good parts Great mezzo and trumpet And He Shall Reign Forever and Ever, Amen.

Handel - Messiah / McNair · von Otter · Chance · Hadley · Lloyd · Marriner George Frideric Handel , Neville Marriner , Anne Sofie von Otter , Michael Chance , Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields , Sylvia McNair , Jerry Hadley , and Robert Lloyd Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Marriner, Sir Neville | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Handel - Messiah - The 250th Anniversary Performance / Marriner, Academy and Chorus of St. Martin in the Fields Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (The Historic 1955 Debut Recording) ASIN: B00000414Y Release Date: 1992-11-17

Tracks:

1. Messiah: Part I: Symphony
2. Messiah: Part I - No. 1 Accompagnato: Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye, My People
3. Messiah: Part I - No. 2: Air Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
4. Messiah: Part I - No. 3 Chorus: And The Glory Of The Lord
5. Messiah: Part I - No. 4 Accompagnato: Thus Saith The Lord
6. Messiah: Part I - No. 5 Air: But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
7. Messiah: Part I - No. 6 Chorus: And He Shall Purify The Sons Of Levi
8. Messiah: Part I - No. 7 Recitative: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
9. Messiah: Part I - Nos. 8-9 Air And Chorus: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
10. Messiah: Part I - No. 10 Accompagnato: For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover The Earth
11. Messiah: Part I - No. 11 Air: The People That Walked In Darkness
12. Messiah: Part I No. 12 Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born
13. Messiah: Part I No. 13 Pifa: Pastoral Symphony
14. Messiah: Part I No. 14 Recitative: There Were Shepherds - And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord - And The Angel Said Unto Them - And Suddenly There Was
15. Messiah: Part I No. 15 Chorus: Glory To God In The Highest
16. Messiah: Part I No. 16 Air: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
17. Messiah: Part I No. 17a Recitative:Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind
18. Messiah: Part I No. 18a Duet: He Shall Feed His Flock
19. Messiah: Part I No. 19 Chorus: His Yoke Is Easy
20. Messiah: Part II No. 20 Chorus: Behold The Lamb Of God
21. Messiah: Part II No. 21 Air: He Was Despised
22. Messiah: Part II No. 22 Chorus: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
23. Messiah: Part II No. 23 Chorus: And With His Stripes We Are Healed
24. Messiah: Part II No. 24 Chorus: All We Like Sheep

Tracks:

1. Messiah: Part II No. 25 Accompagnato: All They That See Him
2. Messiah: Part II No. 26 Chorus: He Trusted In God
3. Messiah: Part II No. 27 Accompagnato: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
4. Messiah: Part II No. 28 Arioso: Behold, And See
5. Messiah: Part II No. 29 Accompagnato: He Was Cut Off
6. Messiah: Part II No. 30 Aria: But Thou Didst Not Leave
7. Messiah: Part II No. 31 Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads
8. Messiah: Part II No. 32 Recitative: Unto Which Of The Angels
9. Messiah: Part II No. 33 Chorus: Let All The Angels Of God
10. Messiah: Part II No. 34a Air: Thou Art Gone Up On High
11. Messiah: Part II No. 35 Chorus The Lord Gave The Word
12. Messiah: Part II No. 36 Air: How Beautiful Are The Feet
13. Messiah: Part II No. 37a Arioso: Their Sound Is Gone Out
14. Messiah: Part II No. 38 Air: Why Do The Nations
15. Messiah: Part II No. 39 Chorus: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder Let us break their bonds asunder
16. Messiah: Part II No. 40 Recitative: He That Dwelleth In Heaven
17. Messiah: Part II No. 41 Air: Thou Shalt Break Them
18. Messiah: Part II No. 42 Chorus: Hallelujah
19. Messiah: Part III No. 43 Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
20. Messiah: Part III No. 44 Chorus: Since By Man Came Death
21. Messiah: Part III No. Accompagnato: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
22. Messiah: Part III No. 46 Air: The Trumpet Shall Sound
23. Messiah: Part III No. 47 Recitative: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
24. Messiah: Part III No. 48 Duet: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
25. Messiah: Part III No. 49 Chorus: But Thanks Be To God
26. Messiah: Part III No. 50 Air: If God Be For Us
27. Messiah: Part III No. 51 Chorus: Worthy Is The Lamb - Blessing And Honour
28. Messiah: Part III: Amen

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-10-21

The "Messiah" was composed by Handel at his London home in the late summer of 1741..Charles Jennens described his libretto for the 'Messiah' as a "Scripture Collection", because it consists of a cleverly-arranged selection of biblical texts. Musically speaking, the recitatives and arias are definately in a style derived from opera, supplemented by choruses of the type Handel has developed in his English odes and oratorios-the presentation of the story was unconventional. The work is divided into three acts or parts, but the narrative is largely confined to Part Two: Part One is mainly concerned with prophecy and its fullfilment and Part Three with commentary on the importance of the previous story. This recording of the famous 1992 performance at Dublin took place at the Point Theatre on the 250th anniversary of the work's premeire which took place in Dublin on April 13th 1742. It is an outstanding performance, especially chorally and instrumentally. The soloists: Sylvia McNair(soprano)-Anne Sofie von Otter(mezzo)-Michael Chance (alto) were superb!!! Personally I was not pleased by Jerry Hadley's interpretation of Handel; I have a recording of him singing show tunes, and I think he does that best! Robert Lloyd's (bass) diction was most peculiar and annoyed me. However, the last 2 comments may not be universally accepted. All in all, it's one of the best 'Messiahs' I have heard, and is actually my favorite of many that I own.

I really love this recording.......2005-03-26

While I haven't sampled that many different recordings of the Messiah, I really like this version. I sometimes find myself singing it, and this is the version I hear. One thing I don't like about it is that it is a 2-disc set, but the Messiah has three parts. Part II is divided -- the first half on disc 1 and the second part on disc 2. It would be nice if the parts weren't divided in the middle.

Some very good parts.......2002-12-14

This is my fifth Messiah disk and I had hoped my last. Von Otter is a real draw and she is truly great. Marriner's pacing is still good. But many aspects of this CD pull it down. I have a theory that the tenor (Jerry Hadley) was mad at Marriner and sang technically perfect with zero emotion. I don't how he was allowed to get away with this. I also did not like the baritone. While I think varying the size of the chorus in this piece has merit, this choir is generally on the small side and does not have the punch when needed. Messiah choirs carry a two edged burden, either the choir is large and it gets muddy in the delicate sections or it is small and can't punch the big sections. This disk errs on the small side. The recording quality is very good, something that dodges many Messiahs. The violins are too close to the soloist microphone (or poorly mixed) and come in much too loud. So whenever there is an sprite from the violins it jumps out at you and drowns the soloists.

The best Messiah for me is still Marriner's 1976 disk, much better overall rendition.

Great mezzo and trumpet.......2002-05-17

This is one of the better Messiahs, although not quite up to Westenberg's level.

Its world-beater aspects include mezzo Anne-Sophie von Otter, whose "He was despised" is well north of magnificent: Warmly mournful in the slow sections, snarling and spitting in the center section.

Trumpeter Mark Bennett does by far the best trumpeting on any of my 30 complete Messiahs. "Glory to God" and "Hallelujah" are as good as it gets -- no, better than any other recording gets.

Countertenor Michael Chance is quite good in "If God be for us" -- I say that as someone who doesn't like countertenors.

Some of the other choruses are also well done. But tenor Jerry Hadley seems to have thought he had more lucrative things to do with his time than to think about Messiah.

And He Shall Reign Forever and Ever, Amen........2002-01-01

This recording ranks itself on the top of the greatest recordings of Handel's Messiah. Being a live recording, it surpasses every other studio recordings of this piece in terms of interpretation and drama. The soloists are superb, the chorus are crisp and vital, and the ensemble plays with great virtuoso. My special remark goes to Miss McNair, I simply cannot grow tired of her! Her lyrical voice is simply destined for this work, especially in aria no 16 `Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion' - rejoice indeed! It is to Marriner we should all be grateful for producing this remarkable recording in the first place. Known mainly for his stupendous recordings of Mozart, it is not surprising that he's able to interpret in a true Handelian way. It's a pity that he seldom records works by Handel - I don't know if he performs them unrecorded.
There are actually two versions of this live performance, the one here and the other is available on LaserDisc. I believe that they were recorded on two different performance time, for on some arias the soloists have different style in singing the cadenza. Whichever you prefer, this is a recording you must simply own - even when your music library boasts a dozen or so of Handel's Messiah!!

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