Land of Hope & Glory

Track Listings

1. You're Not Wrong for Loving Me

2. Lady Starlight

3. Man With the Golden Arm

4. Drum Solo

5. Lies in Your Eyes

6. Six Teens

7. Set Me Free

8. Fox on the Run

9. Sweet F.A.

10. Guitar Solo

11. Land of Hope and Glory

Tracks:

Ciribiribin
The Firefly: Giannina mia
The Firefly: The Donkey Serenade
Naughty Marietta: Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life
Naughty Marietta: Italian Street Song
New Moon: Lover Come Back To Me
New Moon: One Kiss
Smilin' Through: Land Of Hope And Glory
Rose Marie: Indian Love Call
San Francisco
The Holy City
Love Parade: March Of The Grenadiers
Monte Carlo: Beyond The Blue Horizon
The Fortune Teller: Romany Life
The Vagabond King: Only A Rose
Les filles de Cadiz
Ave Maria
Songs My Mother Taught Me
Romeo et Juliette: Je veux vivre dans ce reve
Faust: Il etait un roi de Thule
Faust: Air des bijoux
Louise: Depuis le jour

Customer Reviews:

Jeanette MacDonald Favorites.......2007-05-13

This CD is an incredible testimony and celebration of an American Master Singer.
A must have for all. An introduction to quality and good taste for a new generation of music lovers.

A MUST for any Jeanette fan!.......2006-04-25

This CD is a gem! The songs included on it are beautiful and show off MacDonald's incredible voice. The best part of this CD, however, is the sound quality. Unlike many of her other recordings, and those featuring her with frequent costar Nelson Eddy, the sound on this CD is pristine, and you can barely tell the recordings are 50+ years old!

Jeanette MacDonald Was Unique.......2001-03-12

It really doesn't matter whether or not she could sing; Jeanette MacDonald was unique. On these old recordings, her voice sounds thin and watery, and contemporary tastes do not respond so readily to the sentimentality and predictability of her movies. But she was a gracious lady and glittering presence on the silver screen. These film songs do suggest the excitement she generated when her movies first appeared. And how many truly major singers she inspired! Joan Sutherland recalled meeting MacDonald a few years before her death. Said Sutherland: "I still had stars in my eyes."

An excellent demonstration of Jeanette MacDonald's artistry.......1998-12-18

The highlights of this Jeanette MacDonald CD include her excellent singing of Delibes' "Les Filles de Cadiz," the Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria," and the "Jewel Song" from "Faust." A much-underrated artist, MacDonald proves here that she can handle a wide range of music, from concert songs and opera arias to familiar tunes from her operetta films. Particularly fine are her renditions of "Only a Rose," and Herbert's "Romany Life" (in spite of an amateurish male chorus). Highly recommended not only as a tribute to filmdom's first lady of song, but also to listeners who enjoy both opera and musical comedy.

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Average customer rating:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; The Gypsy Baron (Highlights)
Offenbach: La Belle Hélène; Orpheus in the Underworld; La Vie Parisienne (Highlights)
Music of Sigmund Romberg
Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights)
The Best of Operetta, Vol. 3

ASIN: B00009KHY2
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Customer Reviews:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow ".......2006-09-12

This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!

The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.

Average customer rating:

STUNNING!!!
Correction!!!
the 2nd movement should be 4-5 minutes long

Cello, Celli!

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Bach Bachianas / Arleen Augér, The Yale Cellos of Aldo Parisot
Baroque Baroque
Le Grand Tango: Music of Latin America

ASIN: B000C847G8
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Tracks:

Elegy
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro
God's Love Made Visible
Cello, Celli
The Desert And The Parched Land
Jesus Christ! Je T'Implore, BWV639
Allegro
Adagio Ma Non Tanto
Allegro
Regret

Customer Reviews:

STUNNING!!!.......2006-03-09

I would recommend this recording to any lover of the Cello.
It was magnificent.

Correction!!!.......2006-03-01

According to Naxos.com, track 10 on this CD is the (extremely short) second movement of Brandenburg's 3rd Concerto, which does in fact only last 11 seconds. Therefore nothing is missing on this CD. I was one of the twenty cellos on it, so I should know!! I give it four stars because I am not a huge fan of the Brubeck pieces, but I think the cello playing is great of course!

the 2nd movement should be 4-5 minutes long.......2006-02-12

Most of this CD is satisfactory; however the 2nd movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto has an error. Only 11 seconds are recorded on this album; it really is supposed to be several minutes long (if you want to check for yourself you can hear samples of it, on other recordings available here on Amazon, or you can find the score online). Naxos has made an error here, and hopefully they'll fix it and re-release this.

But you're almost certainly not shopping for Bach's 6th Brandenburg Concerto, which is available in many different recordings. There's no problem with the Brubeck. I've listened to it several times with satisfaction.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful
Pure joy
Copland's vocal work

A Copland Celebration Vol. 3

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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A Copland Celebration Vol. 2
A Copland Celebration Vol. 1
The Copland Collection: Orchestral Works, 1948-1971
Copland: Old American Songs/Canticle Of Freedom/Four Motets
The Copland Collection: Orchestral & Ballet Works, 1936-1948

ASIN: B000050HWV
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: The Boatmen's Dance - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: The Dodge - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: Long Time Ago - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: Simple Gifts - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: I Bought Me A Cat - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: The Little Horses - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: Zion's Walls - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: The Golden Willow Tree - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: At The River - William Warfield
Old American Songs, Sets 1 & 2: Ching-A-Ring Chaw - William Warfield
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: I. Nature, The Gentlest Mother - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: II. There Came A Wind Like A Bugle - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: III. Why Do They Shut Me Out Of Heaven? - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: IV. The World Feels Dusty - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: V. Heart, We Will Forget Him - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: VI. Dear March, Come In! - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: VII. Sleep Is Supposed To Be - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: VIII. When They Come Back - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: IX. I Felt A Funeral In My Brain - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: X. I've Heard An Organ Talk Sometimes - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: XI. Going To Heaven! - Aaron Copland
Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson: XII. The Chariot - Aaron Copland
In The Beginning - Aaron Copland
Lark - Aaron Copland

Tracks:

The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Gently Flowing - Aaron Copland
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Moderate Tempo: 'Once I Thought I'd Never Grow Tall As This Fence' - Joy Clements
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Moderately Fast: 'Do You Suppose They're Makin' Food In There?' - Richard Fredericks
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Somewhat Faster: 'We've Been North'/'We've Been South' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): With Motion: 'Halloo, Halloo' - Norman Treigle
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Moderately: 'If You Boys Work As Smooth As You Talk, We'll Make Good Time In The Fields' - Norman Treigle
The Tender Land: Act One: The Day Before Graduation (Late Afternoon): Trifle Slower: 'The Promise Of Living With Hope And Thanksgiving' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Lively And Rough - Aaron Copland
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Quite Slow: 'Thank You, Thank You All' - Joy Clements
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Very Broadly: 'Ah, Laurie, You Are A Puzzle' - Norman Treigle
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Briskly: 'Stomp Your Foot Upon The Floor' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act Two: That Evening: Somewhat Slower: 'The World Seems Still Tonight' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): Introduction: Starting Slowly - Aaron Copland
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): As At First: 'Daybreak Will Come In Such A Short Time' - Richard Cassilly
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): Fast Tempo: 'That's Crazy!' - Richard Fredericks
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): Broadly: 'The Sun Is Coming Up As Though I'd Never Seen It Rise Before' - Joy Clements
The Tender Land: Act Three: Later That Night/Then Graduation Day (Dawn): (Still Slower): 'You Are Strange To Me' - Claramae Turner

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2007-04-22

I must confess I am unfamiliar with Copland's "The Tender Land" except for this reissue, which I find to be absolutely magnificent. I realize this is a truncated performance, eliminating what I assume to be a fair amount of spoken dialogue. But I don't care. What is presented here is simply one of the finest American compositions - forget American - one of the finest compositions of the 20th century. Period.

Pure joy.......2005-07-29

The recording of Copland's The Tender Land is alone worth getting this disc. The rest of the vocal works are just a bonus, a very good bonus! Copland directs a definitive account of his opera, and in this compressed version leaves out all the spoken parts of the full length opera, no doubt depriving us of a lot of good music but on the other hand giving listeners a very concise version that is even stronger musically (although dramatically a little lacking in logic because of the missing parts - for example without knowing of the confrontation during the party scene you would find the boys' departure the next morning puzzling, and the CD notes does not elaborate on the plot, which is about the only negative thing you can say about this set). Listening to the opera in this abridged version gives you the feeling of one hit after another, there is not a single weak point in the score and Copland has a gift for word-setting that can turn clumsy texts such as "girls come and go, some are good, some are not so good" into goosebumps stuff (a lovely dedication to Laurie sung by Grandpa). Other high points include the stunning transformation of the traditional Walls of Zion into the quartet piece The Promise Of Living and a rollicking Party Scene, which contains the best in Copland's clever orchestration and rythmic vitality - it seems all of the composers best traits have all come together in this work. Martin's Act 2 Song 'Laurie...You Know, Laurie' is a rare gem or an aria and beautifully sung. Other hidden gems include the comical 'We've Been North'. The cast is impeccable and the entire performance is flawless. Add to that one of those scores that simply win you over from start to finish, and you can't but fall in love with this music. I once thought that nothing could better Appalachian Spring but that was before I discovered this neglected work.

Copland's vocal work.......2002-08-08

And so on this third set of the celebration of Aaron Copland's music, all attention is on his vocal work including the opera, "The Tender Land".

I can't completely explain why I give this five stars after giving the first two sets four stars each. This is just the way the opera, in particular, strikes me. I'm no great opera fan, and to my knowledge, America just has not yet proved itself in the operatic field although it's tried. It will take time, but I do see Copland's work as someday being considered the best example of American opera. This is all subjective opinion, obviously, and I'm sure there are those more knowledgeable who will disagree. So be it.

Tracks:

The Dambusters March - Band Of The Royal Air Force College, Cranwell
Prelude - Sir Neville Marriner
Fugue - Sir Neville Marriner
Battle Of Britain March - Band Of The Royal Air Force College, Cranwell
The Boys Of The Old Brigade - The Regimental Band Of The Coldstream Guards
Prologue - Sir Neville Marriner
Epilogue - BBC Philharmonic
Crown Imperial - John Scott
Royal Air Force March Past - Band Of The Royal Air Force College, Cranwell
Onward Christian Soldiers - John Foster Black Dyke Mills Band
Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind - Roy Newsome
God Be In My Head - Roy Newsome
Guide Me O Thou Great Jehova - Tredegar Orpheus Male Voice Choir
Eventide (Abide With Me) - Roy Newsome
Jerusalem - Roy Newsome
Land Of Hope And Glory - Anne Collins
The National Anthem - The Locke Brass Consort
Last Post - Patrick Addinall
Reveille - Patrick Addinall

Tracks:

Greater Love Hath No Man - Bryn Terfel
Komm Susser Tod BWV 478 - BBC Philharmonic
Valiant-for-truth - Richard Hickox Singers
Sospiri - Roderick Elms
Pie Jesu - Libby Crabtree
Air On The G String BWV 1068 - BBC Philharmonic
Finlandia - Sir Alexander Gibson
God So Loved The World - BBC Singers
Adagio In C BWV 564 - BBC Philharmonic
Solemn Melody - Michael Austin
Sheep May Safely Graze - BBC Philharmonic
The Banks Of Green Willow - London Symphony Orchestra
Nimrod - Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Beautiful choral work + great jazz
Lackluster Effort
A Worthy Effort
A Celebration of Dave Brubecks Works

Brubeck: To Hope! A Celebration
Dave Brubeck , Nancy Bittner , Mark Bleeke , Judy Davis , and Cathedral Choral Society
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Brubeck - The Gates of Justice (Milken Archive American Jewish Music)
Classical Brubeck
Into The Light: Symphonic Expressions Of The Spirit
Vince Guaraldi at Grace Cathedral
Second Sacred Concert

ASIN: B000003D1X
Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

I. Processional
II. Lord, Have Mercy
III. The Desert And The Parched Land
IV. The Peace Of Jerusalem
V. Alleluia
VI. Father, All Powerful
VII. Holy, Holy, Holy
VIII. While He Was At Supper
IX. When We Eat This Bread
X. Through Him, With Him
XI. Great Amen
XII. Our Father
XIII. Lamb Of God
XIV. All My Hope
XV. Gloria

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful choral work + great jazz.......2007-02-09

This music may throw some people for a loop, as it did me at first, because it is a choral Mass and most of us don't realize that Dave composed choral pieces, with his wife doing the lyrics. This Mass was commissioned by 'Our Sunday Visitor' many years ago. It is absolutely beautiful! The operatic choral sections move into the jazz sections and are truly inspirational. My favorite songs are 'the Desert and the Parched Land/The Peace of Jerusalem' and 'All My Hope', which I can't get out of my head all day! Give them a listen.

Lackluster Effort.......2004-05-05

I was very disappointed in this CD. This piece in no way compares with Brubeck's "Gates of Justice", which is spectacular. There are a few worthwhile moments for the soloists, but for the most part, the writing is uninspired.

A Worthy Effort.......2002-07-23

"To Hope!" is Dave Brubeck's attempt at composing a mass, or Christian liturgy. The result is mixed. Unlike Vince Guaraldi's masterpiece "Grace Cathedral Concert," this is not a jazz piano mass. Instead, it is largely a contemporary-classical work, focused on vocals and traditional arrangements. It does, however, include several jazz passages, including one that swings almost like a '50s surf-rock record. Not everyone will like this recording, but every fan of jazz or contemporary sacred music should listen to it.

A Celebration of Dave Brubecks Works.......2000-03-15

This CD truly shows the diversity of the genius composer Dave Brubeck. Also credit should to be given to Russell Gloud, the conductor for this CD. This working is one of the greatest pieces by Mr. Brubeck. I recommend this CD to any classical music or jazz fan

Elgar: Coronation Ode; The Spirit of England

Average customer rating:

Major Shortcoming
Wonderful, moving

Elgar: Coronation Ode; The Spirit of England

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Great Recordings Of The Century - Elgar: Violin Concerto, 'Enigma' Variations / Elgar, Menuhin
Elgar: The Wand of Youth; Nursery Suite
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set)

ASIN: B000000A9N
Release Date: 1993-08-11

Tracks:

I. Introduction. Crown The King
II. (A) The Queen
(B) Daughter Of Ancient Kings
III. Britain, Ask Of Thyself
IV. (A) Hark, Upon The Hallowed Air-(B) Only Let The Heart Be Pure
V. Peace, Gentle Peace
VI. Finale. Land Of Hope And Glory
I. The Fourth Of August
II. To Women
III. For The Fallen

Customer Reviews:

Major Shortcoming.......2002-11-26

I think this is an excellent choral recording but both selections offered suffer from the failure of Chandos to include the full words to the score so that the listener can appreciate, for example, the war poems of Binyon that formed the basis for Elgar's Spirit of England work. This seems to be a common fault today. For a full price recording the program notes should include any libretto. Most might be familiar with the words to Land of Hope and Glory but are unlikely to know any of the other words to the Coronation Ode.I would pay more for that information if cost is the Chandos problem.

Wonderful, moving.......2000-05-04

This CD is an important historical document, and is a beautiful performance of two little-known works of Elgar. Anyone who is interested in the cultural changes brought on by the first World War should hear this disc.

Tracks:

Love Songs: Oh, Our Love Does Not Bloom
Love Songs: Death Dwells In So Many A Heart
Love Songs: Now I Stumble Past The House
Love Songs: I Know That In Sweet Hope
Love Songs: Gentle Slumber Reigns Over The Countryside
Love Songs: Here In The Forest By A Brook
Love Songs: In The Sweet Power Of Your Eyes
Love Songs: Oh, Dear Matchless Soul
New Miniatures: The Rich Sweetheart
New Miniatures: The Forsaken Lover
New Miniatures: Lounging
New Miniatures: The Inquisitive Girl
New Miniatures: The Cheerful Girl
New Miniatures: The Unhappy Lover
New Miniatures: The Request
New Miniatures: The Tall Tower
Songs For A Friend Of My Country: Ponies On The Fallow Land
Songs For A Friend Of My Country: The Lost Little Slipper
Songs For A Friend Of My Country: A Religious Song
Songs For A Friend Of My Country: An Invitation
Four Songs: You Heartfelt Songs
Four Songs: Oh, That Was A Beautiful, Golden Dream
Four Songs: In Pain, My Heart Often Broods
Four Songs: Silence On The Mountains
Lullaby
Songs For One Page: Dew
Songs For One Page: Unlocking With A Single Word
Songs For One Page: Journey To The Beloved
Songs For One Page: The Footpath
Songs For One Page: At Mother's
Songs For One Page: The Virgin Mary's Dream
Songs For One Page: Rosemary
New Slovak Songs: So Tell Me
New Slovak Songs: I Had A Blouse
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Who Is The Posy For?
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: A Lover's Picture
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Little Posy
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Constancy
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Love
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: Parting
Moravian Folk Poetry In Songs: My Lover's Horses
Good Night, My Darling

Amazon.com

The composers Antonín Dvorák, Leos Janácek, and Bohuslav Martinu might not be the names that first spring to mind when love songs are mentioned, yet this fascinating collection gives us a taste of what delights we have been missing. They range from seven Moravian folk songs, collected by Janácek at the turn of the century, to songs written by Martinu in the U.S. in 1942. There's also early Martinu--including songs he collected in Slovakia in 1920--plus the world-premiere recording of Songs for a Friend of My Country, a cycle he wrote in France in 1940 on his way to America. All of these songs are of interest in giving us another aspect of each composer's work; most have much more to offer. Many are achingly lovely, especially those by Dvorák--including his Op. 2, a reworking of four songs from a cycle he had written almost 20 years earlier, and Love Songs, a revision of eight songs from the same cycle. "Good night, my darling," from his 1886 cycle In Folk Tone, is worth the price of this CD alone. Czech mezzo Magdalena Kozená, who put together the program, sings with pure, attractive tone. Graham Johnson is her excellent accompanist. --Richard Fawkes

Customer Reviews:

On the Subject of Intelligent and Sensitive Recitals.......2005-05-19

Combing the recorded literature to find CDs that showcase singers who not only own brilliant vocal gifts but who also possess the intelligence to program recordings of lesser known works in a sequence that makes for intelligent recitals, it is becoming more obvious that there are many singers who opt for purity of purpose rather than 'salesmanship' of careers in the PR arena. Magdalena Kozená is one of these gifted singers whose intelligence and sensitivity match her physical and vocal beauty.

LOVE SONGS is a tastefully selected panorama of lesser-known songs by Kozená's fellow countrymen (Czech) Antonín Dvorák, Leos Janácek, and Bohuslav Martinu. And while many of the Dvorák and Janácek songs have been occasionally heard in recitals, the Martinu "Songs for a Friend of My Country", an exquisitely beautiful work written in 1940, here receives its World Premiere recording. Kozená's voice is in prime condition for these songs and she is ably accompanied by pianist Graham Johnson. The special flavor of these Slavic emotions and songs has rarely been so well captured.

But over and above the beauty of Kozená's performance of these neglected masterpieces shines the glow of her sensitive programming. Recordings such as these are rare and should be included in the libraries of those who appreciate the lieder genre. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, May 05

Lovely.......2004-03-25

This is a beautifully performed selection of Czech lieder. Kozena has a lovely voice and sings with precision and nicely modulated emotion. The accompanying pianist, Graham Johnston, is excellent. Despite the title, not all these songs are love or romantic songs but all are well worth hearing. The selection of songs is excellent. Different listeners will prefer different songs. For me, the highlight of this recording are the rarely heard Martinu songs, many of which exhibit the lyrical aspect of his compositional style. Recommended strongly.

A Beautiful Disc.......2002-01-06

This is simply a magnificent recording. I like it better every time I put it on. The voice is fresh, supple, and expressive. I even find myself trying to learn some of the Czech words (from the translation in the booklet) they sound so nice. Both Kozena and the brilliant piano contributions by Graham Johnson are faithfully caught on the recording. There is enough variety and contrast that one doesn't tire in the least (over the generous 67 minutes of playing time) of hearing these playful, sometimes poignant, songs. One of the best discs, in terms of programming, performance, and sound quality, of the past couple of years.

A stunning burst onto the world stage.......2001-12-17

Magdalena Kozena is suddenly known around the world, thanks to this stunning disc of 42 lieder from her Czech homeland. Most of the songs are short - some come in under a minute, the longest 3-4 minutes. Each is a little gem and many have never been recorded before.

Kozena's voice is sheer delight. She does have resonances in her voice which are reminiscent of her compatriot, Lucia Popp, but is certainly a mezzo - although she has chosen her repertoire well so we hear no strain at the top. Her low resonances are delightful and consistent with her head voice. To compare Kozena's voice to that of the late diva (Popp), it is more pure, more consistent in tone from top to bottom, and doesn't have so much of the `squeezey' quality which Popp used to great effect in evincing the passion of her characters. Kozena can empty her voice of vibrato or let it out rich and full, and uses all her vocal resources to great effect in contrasting the individual songs. She has astoundingly mature lieder-singer's technique for such a young singer.

This recording rightly won a Gramophone award this year. Kozena deserves all the accolades she receives for this - doubtless all listeners will develop their own favourites from these delightful miniatures.

Wonderful songs, and a singer with great potential.......2000-10-08

What a wonderful, carefully thought out CD! Kozena obviously revels in these rarely performed songs by Dvorak, Martinu, and Janacek, and Johnson accompanies with his usual ease and sensitivity. What a pity the piano is balanced distantly -- we hear little of Johnson's variety of touch and dynamics. As for Kozena, she is obviously an intelligent musician with a voice of great potential. It is qutie beautiful as it is, yet the colour is still rather pale. Yes, there is something of the late Lucia Popp's timbre, yet it has little of Popp's depth and range of colour. BBC Legends released a CD of Popp a year ago which includes three Dvorak songs also sung by Kozena. The differences are quite marked -- while Kozena's timbre and interpretation suggests a dreamy yet earnest youth, Popp brings out an autumnal glow and a sharp pain that pierces at least this listener's heart. Kozena has started a wonderful career. Only time will tell how her voice will develop. I do hope it goes in the direction of Popp's unique lyric timbre. No one could ever equal Popp (perhaps it's obvious by now that Popp is my favorite singer of all time), but perhaps Kozena will become something of Popp's heir, while still being her own person. I hope so. But her musicality is not in question. Let's keep our ears open!

Average customer rating:

Land of Hope and Crosby
The Coal Porters
Manufacturer: Prima
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

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Rebels Without Applause
Chris Hillman Tribute Concerts
Gram Parsons Tribute Concert
How Dark This Earth Will Shine
Los London

ASIN: B000008O7W
Release Date: 1994-09-13

Tracks:

Imperial Beach
Death Like a Valentine
She Loved Me
What Am I Doin' (In This Thing Called Love)
How Did We Get This Far?
You Can See Them There
Windy City
Playing Dumb #1
Everybody's Fault But Mine
What About Tomorrow
All the Colors of the World

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

9th Avenue

Ultimate Classical Relaxation [Box set]

Troubadours of Folk, Vol. 4: Singer-Songwriters of the 1970's

Nine Years Alone

Thirteen Ghosts [Soundtrack]

Tragedy Again

Ummagumma [Import]

Whispers/Higher & Higher

Toquinho

Trumpet Works / Organ Works

These Days

Valsecitos Criollos [Import]

The Prime Time Rhyme of the Last Poets, Vol. 2 [Explicit Lyrics]

The Bluesman

Capitol Collectors Series

1. You're Not Wrong for Loving Me
2. Lady Starlight
3. Man With the Golden Arm
4. Drum Solo
5. Lies in Your Eyes
6. Six Teens
7. Set Me Free
8. Fox on the Run
9. Sweet F.A.
10. Guitar Solo
11. Land of Hope and Glory