Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier (book 1)

Editorial Reviews
USA Today
Hewitt exudes warmth, spontaneity and naturalness, but makes concessions to the stylistic conservatism of the original-instrument movement in her discreet uses of the colors and shadings of the modern piano.

Tracks:

Canon - Pachelbel
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik-Andante - Mozart
Fur Elise - Beethoven
String Quartet #1 - Tchaikovsky
Clair De Lune - Debussy
Idyl for Strings - Adagio - Janacek
Adagio in G Mnor - Albinoni
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair - Debussy
Air on a G String - Bach
Greensleeves - Vaughn Williams
Largo from Xerxes - Handel
Prelude in C - Bach
The Planets - Venus - Holst
Goldberg Variations - Aria - Bach
Adagio for Strings - Barber

Tracks:

Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun - Debussy
Fur Elise - Beethoven
Holberg Suite - Sarabande - Grieg
Valse Triste - Sibelius
Concerto in F Minor - Largo - Bach
Serenade for String - Moderato - Dvorak
Liebestraume - Liszt
Ave Maria - Bach/Bounod
Etude in E Major - Chopin
String Quartet No 2 - Nocturne - Borodin
Arabesque - Debussy
Pavane for Dead Princess - Ravel
The Four Seasons - Largo - Vivaldi
Gymno0pedie 1 - Satie
Moonlight Sonata - Adagio - Beethoven
Piano Concerto No 21 - Andante - Mozart "Elvira Madigan"

Customer Reviews:

the most relaxing classical music in the university.......2007-05-12

All my favorites. I can start the CD player, which is wired to speakers in every room of my house, and just let it play, along with "The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the World" and "The Most Relaxing Classical Guitar in the World." I enjoy an awareness of familiar and beautiful strains of my favorites all day long and never get tired of it.

My brother visited me recently and noticed it right away. That will be another order for this fabulour music.

Relaxing Classical Music.......2007-01-08

I was not really a classical music fan but I am now. I purchased this cd for my 14 year old grand-daughter, not knowing we would both enjoy the music so much. She has always enjoyed classical music along with all of the other teen music, rap, rock, country, etc.
Also, it really helped being able to listen to parts of the music before purchasing.

Stress-freedom.......2006-03-14

Perfect music to end the work day. After listening to this I can face the evening. If the morning is hard, a little at lunch time gets me through the afternoon.

Greatly enjoy!.......2006-02-23

I first developed a taste for this music a number of years ago when my daughter started playing in the orchestra. The reason I made this purchase however, was because I have a great deal of difficulty with anxiety and I was looking for ways to find help. I love these CDs. It helps so much to sit and close my eyes and enjoy the music. The CDs are full of beautiful music.

the most relaxing classical music in the universe.......2005-09-21

it's the best next to the first one...

Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung

Average customer rating:

Beautiful music
Andrea Bocelli-Sacred Arias
An "experience" of sacred arias more than "listening" of sacred arias
amazing talent
Perfect arias for the perfect voice

Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung
George Frideric Handel , Giulio Caccini , Charles Gounod , Franz Schubert , Cesar Franck , Gioachino Rossini , Giuseppe Verdi , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Richard Wagner , Pietro Mascagni , Louis Niedermeyer , Franz Xaver Gruber , John Francis Wade , Jean-Paul Lecot , Myung-Whun Chung , and Andrea Bocelli
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romanza
Andrea Bocelli - Amore
Sogno
Cieli di Toscana
Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria

ASIN: B00002ND9N
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Caccini/Mercurio: Ave Maria
Mascagni: Sancta Maria
Gounod: Ave Maria
Schubert: Ave Maria
Franck: Panis Angelicus
Rossini: Cuius animam
Verdi: Ingemisco
Mozart: Ave verum
Wagner: Der Engel
Handel: Ombra mai fu
Niedermeyer: Pieta signore
Rossini: Dominus Deus
Schubert/Mercurio: Mille Cherubini in coro
Gruber/Mercurio: Silent Night
Wade: Adeste Fideles
Gloria a te, Cristo Ges

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, the release of which coincides with the first English-language biography of the singer. 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. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful music.......2007-01-12

This is my second copy of this CD, I burned the first one out!!
Andrea Bocelli has a very gorgeous voice that is a gift from above. His voice is not affected or braggadoccio but naturally magnificent. I could and do start my day listening to this spiritually uplifting CD almost everyday. It is a wonderful way to get off to a pleasant peaceful start, but also a nice way to come home in the evening if you have a CD player in your car. I highly recommend it to all.

Andrea Bocelli-Sacred Arias.......2006-08-25

Excellent listening. Voice quality and tone is superb. Brings tears to my eyes when I envision listening to this in a church setting.

An "experience" of sacred arias more than "listening" of sacred arias.......2006-04-28

I bought this CD's special edition with DVD, and I am impressed by bocelli's singing in this album. I have heard many voices singing sacred songs, and christmas songs, but very few singers can achieve the "sacred atmosphere" that bocelli devotes when he sings. He may not have a "strong" voice as opera singers, but I think singing these sacred songs, devoting the "sacred atmosphere" to the audience is much more important, the voice actually is just a tool that helps a singer to achieve the result. For real, I have heard some CD by some chorus that perform sacred arias, but they did not move me as much as this CD does, mostly not even close. Personally I like "O come all ye faithful", "silent night", all "ave maria"'s, "domine deus", "cujus animam" the most. When I listen Bocelli's singing I focus on what he tries to devote in singing more than his voice color, because in terms of voice color he surely cant be compared with pavarotti or domingo, so why compares? The way of listening him and listening real opera singers is different man. But the reason I gave only this CD four stars is that I have heard several sacred arias from this album performed by his voice teacher, the legendary tenor Franco Corelli. I tried not to compare both...but I cant, not because Bocelli sings bad, he is already excellent, just Corelli is TOO excellent that cant be described by human language (well I think even Pavarotti is not even close to Franco Corelli, but this is just my opinion). Anyway if you want to "experience" the true beauty of sacred arias, this CD is highly recommended. And this is also a very good sacred aria album for beginning listeners who want to broaden their musical taste to sacred arias.

amazing talent.......2006-03-25

worth the price the songs are breathtaking and talent is indescribable

Perfect arias for the perfect voice.......2006-03-04

These are just terrific. How does Andrea acheive the range he does, and the power he has, without sounding too heavy or too light? His voice sounds like the perfect voice for these perfect arias.

I have noticed one concern with the CD. I have heard several clicks scattered here and there in the songs -- but the CD is clean and I feel confident it is not the machine. Has anyone else noticed this?

Average customer rating:

I hate to be rude, but . . .
Outstanding
Sacred Songs
My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far
Inspiring and beautiful

Sacred Songs

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Haunted Heart
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ASIN: B000AM6OXK
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Jesu bleibet meine Freude
Dank sei dir, Herr
Ave Maria, D839
Laudamus te
Panis Angelicus
Air: "He shall feed his Flock"
Simple Song
Pie Jesu
Domine Deus
Laudate Dominum omnes gentes
Air: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion
Abends will ich schlafen gehn
L'Adieu des bergers
Mariiegenlied, Op.76/52
Amazing Grace

Amazon.com

This lovely CD features Renée Fleming singing religious music in an unaffected, lovely manner. Many favorites are here: both the Bach/Gounod and Schubert versions of "Ave Maria," each offered with long breaths and soft tone; "Rejoice Greatly" from Messiah, delivered with virtuosity and gleaming sound, and "He Shall Feed His Flock," also from Messiah, sung in a smooth, laid-back manner. Bits of the Fauré Requiem and Poulenc Gloria are welcome, as is the gorgeous "L'Adieu des Bergers" from L'Enfance du Christ. In the prayer from Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel, Fleming is joined by the splendid Susan Graham, and a version of "Amazing Grace" features Mark O'Connor on violin. Two excerpts from Mozart's Mass in C Minor, pieces by Reger and Franck, and a few surprises round out this devotional CD. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

I hate to be rude, but . . ........2007-05-06

As stated earlier, I hate to be rude. However, Renee Fleming is not one of the greatest singers that I have heard. At many times, it sounds as if she is drunk, sliding into her notes at times. She also has a habit of hitting a note, and then quickly moving up or down for "dramatic effect". I'm sorry, but I just cannot listen to this. I know that everyone has their own opinions, and this is mine.
She is still a beautiful woman, and always will be. I have seen her concerts online, and she ISN'T bad, it's just that she doesn't have what I'm looking for in an opera singer!

Outstanding.......2007-03-07

I had seen this program on PBS and wanted the CD. Wonderful selection
of music and Renee Fleming's outstanding voice.

Sacred Songs.......2007-01-21

I always look for new presentations of Christmas songs. Rene Flemming did an excellent job in this recording. She has a super voice but sometimes the words of the song get lost in her singing style

My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far.......2006-12-07

There are only two cuts on this CD I tend to flip past (Amazing Grace and the Leonard Bernstein cut), but other than them, I totally love the rest! The cuts in German are divine! I could listen to this CD over and over again.

Inspiring and beautiful.......2006-07-20

I've always loved Renee Fleming's singing and this most recent album is just beautiful in every way. A rich voice, beautiful singing and a devout and magnificent artist. She makes even the most notorious evergreens come to life anew. I enjoyed it very much.

Average customer rating:

awsome CD
Versatile Singer
il divo ancora music
Amazing...
His wrost CD

Encore
Russell Watson , and Leonard Bernstein
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Russell Watson · The Voice
Amore Musica
Reprise
The Voice: The Ultimate Collection
Russell Watson Live

ASIN: B00006JI9W
Release Date: 2002-10-01

Tracks:

Va, Pensiero (Verdi)
Volare
The Prayer
'O Sole Mio
Ave Maria
Mattinata (Leoncavallo)
You Are So Beautiful
Somewhere
Che Gelida Manina (Puccini)
E Lucevan Le Stelle (Puccini)
Magic Of Love
Catch The Tears
Is Nothing Sacred?
Bohemian Rhapsody
Celeste Aida (Verdi)
Where My Heart Will Take Me (from "Enterprise")

Amazon.com

Following up on the release of his debut CD, The Voice, Russell Watson is back with Encore, another mix of opera favorites and popular songs. By now Watson has become virtually a household name--he sells out large concert venues and remains on the top-seller charts. On Encore, we find Puccini and Verdi sharing the billing with Lulu and Lionel Ritchie on the CD's 16 tracks, which range from the much-loved Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria" to "Where My Heart Will Take Me," the theme for Enterprise (the latest Star Trek TV series). Indeed, a more fitting title might have been The Voices, since Watson explores opera, sacred works, film, television themes, and pop songs. The orchestral arrangements on tracks such as "Va, Pensiero" may not win him any fans from the opera contingency, but Watson reveals a captivating sound on pop ballads, including "You Are So Beautiful" and "Somewhere." If you enjoyed The Voice, you're certain to want an encore. --Rebecca Agnew

Customer Reviews:

awsome CD.......2007-06-09

This CD is overall a wonderful sellection of music. I bought it for the one song and have enjoyed all of the songs on the CD.

Versatile Singer.......2007-03-30

Russell Watson has an incredible voice range & a very versatile singer. He even made me appreciate opera!

il divo ancora music.......2006-11-10

The book is wonderful. I love playing their music, its so great. Worth the money, no doubt.

Amazing..........2006-05-05

Russell Watson is amazing. It is truly a delight to hear him sing both the pop and the arias, for he performs both equally well. His rendition of Volare is very fun, and when he sings Somewhere, it's simply breathtaking. His duet with Lionel Richie was also splendid. They really did sound fantastic together. The two low points for me were The Prayer, because I couldn't stand Russell's duet partner, Lulu, and Don't Know How I Got By, because the song just didn't seem to suit Russell's voice. However, the other tracks more than make up for those few inferior selections. Russell Watson truly is a talented man, and I highly recommend this album.

His wrost CD.......2005-01-12

I have all 4 of Russell's Cd's and this is by far his wrose.
The Classical stuff is great but The pop stuff is some of the wrose pop stuff he has even done.

Average customer rating:

nice to remember
It is amazing!!!
The best Latin music I've heard
60's and the Latin Mass
Latinlover

Catholic Latin Classics

Manufacturer: Gia Publications
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Latin High Mass for Nostalgic Catholics
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ASIN: B00004YRAW
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

Ave Maria
O Salutaris Hostia
Panis Angelicus - John Eskola
Tantum Ergo
Ave Maria - Lorelei McDermott
O Sanctissima
O Bone Jesu
Ave Verum Corpus
Jubilate Deo
Confirma Hoc Deus
Adoro Te, O Panis
O Esca Viatorum
Veni, Jesu, Amor Mi
Emitte Spiritum Tuum
Adoremus In Aeternum - William Combs
Ave Maris Stella
Regina Caeli Laetare
Adoramus Te, Christe - The Cathedral Singers/Richard Proulx T
Tantum Ergo
Ecce Sacerdos Magnus

Customer Reviews:

nice to remember.......2007-01-04

Takes my husband & I back to the 60s........not a bad memory......

It is amazing!!!.......2006-11-10

I am very happy with my purchase. This item is better than what I was expecting. It was amazing how fast I received my order, I highly recommend it and hope that more people order it.

The best Latin music I've heard.......2006-04-18

The music in this CD is done beautifully! If features "Panis Angelicus", which if you like Charlotte Church singing it, you will like this- with a man's voice! There is no goofy revisions and modernization done to the music that I can tell. (I only say that in case some smart 15th century music history scholar comes around and disagrees!) It is very peaceful and will help anyone to calm down and give thanks to God. I think because the music is in Latin you will not grow tired of it as easily, and not to mention the fact that this music will continue to inspire you and put you in the presence of Christ better. OHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! How I wish we were singing this sort of Latin music instead of "All our Welcome" and "Sing a new Church"! Let's keep the same Church Christ established thank you! And let's keep the Latin!!!!!!!

60's and the Latin Mass.......2006-03-15

I am one of those 60s people. We did not throw out the Latin mass. Why would we? We liked it. I served most of the high masses of the holidays. It was a small cabal of newly ordained priests and bishops in the Vatican II committees who threw it out. They wanted to be more like their Protestant bretheren; have the congregation face them instead of God. Read the book MISSING MARY while you are listening to this CD. They threw her out at the same time; no women in high places - their answer to the feminists of the 60s.

Latinlover.......2005-12-18

As a devoted lover of Catholic Latin hymns, I was disappointed at the enemic presentation of these beautiful hymns to God. I believe that the singers had the best of intentions but I would suggest to look for other versions of these wonderful songs to heaven.

Average customer rating:

Music for Meditation
Be Thou My Vision
Reverent, beautiful

Prayer: A Windham Hill Collection

Manufacturer: RCA
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000AM6L0
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

Sanctus from Requiem (Gabriel Faur-Tim Story piano, synthesizers
The 23rd Psalm (Condit Atkinson) - Steve Erquiaga guitar
Be Thou My Vision (Irish trad.) - Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning with John Fitzpatrick
Holy, Holy, Holy (trad.) - Jim Brickman piano
The Lords Prayer (Albert Hay Malotte) - Paul McCandless English horn, keyboards
Alisas Prayer (Deborah Henson-Conant) - Deborah Henson-Conant electric Celtic harp
Meditation (Thea Suits) - Thea Suits flute
Ave Maria (J.S. Bach/Gounod) - Steve Erquiaga guitar
Go Gently (Suzanne Ciani & Jeremy Lubbock) - Suzanne Ciani piano
Offering (Tracy Silverman) - Tracy Silverman & Thea Suits
Spanish Stairs (Paul McCandless) - Rosalba Bentivoglio voice
Ave Verum Corpus (W.A. Mozart) - Philip Aaberg solo piano

Customer Reviews:

Music for Meditation.......2007-01-04

This is a delightful collection of music appropriate to meditative prayer. It is often my prayer companion, and I like the style and performance found on this CD. I highly recommend it to people who enjoy deeper reflection with a wordless musical background.

Be Thou My Vision.......2005-10-19

Track 3, Be Thou My Vision, was a surprise as the song was the final song played at my father's funeral. It set the closing mood most fittingly. While Be Thou My Vision is my favorite the entire collection is wonderfully mellow. I recommend it for for the mellow moods.

Reverent, beautiful.......2003-09-21

After criticizing Windham Hill in the past for often recycling the same songs over and over in various collections, I have to hand it to them with the new "Prayer" CD. It's a fine set of all-new acoustic versions of hymns or spiritual songs, plus a good number of original compositions. Producer Dawn Atkinson has done an excellent job of lining up a bunch of top-drawer people for "Prayer," and in working with the artists on the song selection.

Tracks:

Prelude And Fugue No. 1 In C Major, BWV 846: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 1 In C Major, BWV 846: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 847: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 847: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Major, BWV 848: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Major, BWV 848: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Minor, BWV 849: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Minor, BWV 849: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 5 In D Major, BWV 850: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 5 In D Major, BWV 850: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 6 In D Minor, BWV 851: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 6 In D Minor, BWV 851: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 7 In E-Flat Major, BWV 852: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 7 In E-Flat Major, BWV 852: Fuga
Prelude In E-Flat Minor And Fugue In D-Sharp Minor No. 8, BWV 853: Praeludium
Prelude In E-Flat Minor And Fugue In D-Sharp Minor No. 8, BWV 853: Fuga
Prelude Fugue No. 9 In E Major, BWV 854: Praeludium
Prelude Fugue No. 9 In E Major, BWV 854: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 855: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 855: Fuga Fugue No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 855
Prelude And Fugue No. 11 In F Major, BWV 856: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 11 In F Major, BWV 856: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 12 In F Minor, BWV 857: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 12 In F Minor, BWV 857: Fuga

Tracks:

Prelude And Fugue No.13 In F-Sharp Major, BWV 858: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.13 In F-Sharp Major, BWV 858: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.14 In F-Sharp Minor, BWV 859: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.14 In F-Sharp Minor, BWV 859: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.15 In G Major, BWV 860: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.15 In G Major, BWV 860: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.16 In G Minor, BWV 861: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.16 In G Minor, BWV 861: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.17 In A-Flat Major, BWV 862: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.17 In A-Flat Major, BWV 862: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.18 In G-Sharp Minor, BWV 863: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.18 In G-Sharp Minor, BWV 863: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.19 In A Major, BWV 864: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.19 In A Major, BWV 864: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.20 In A Minor, BWV 865: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.20 In A Minor, BWV 865: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.21 In B-Flat Major, BWV 866: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.21 In B-Flat Major, BWV 866: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.22 In B-Flat Minor, BWV 867: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.22 In B-Flat Minor, BWV 867: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.23 In B Major, BWV 868: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.23 In B Major, BWV 868: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No.24 In B Minor, BWV 869: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.24 In B Minor, BWV 869: Fuga

Amazon.com essential recording

It's rather amazing today, when recordings of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier practically fall of the shelves, to recall just how unusual it was back in the 1960s for a pianist to undertake to record this amazing work. It's probably fair to say that until Glenn Gould got his fingers around it, Bach's music was used for teaching purposes more than anything else. What Gould proves in this essential set is that Bach is decidedly not just a threat to hold over the head of budding pianists but a joy to listen to. One of Gould's very greatest recordings. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Best CD I Own........2007-07-13

If I could give this album 10 stars, I would. To me it is the platonic ideal for music. These 24 pieces from Bach are important fundamental building blocks for all of music, and Gould interprets them in ways that allows their greatness to come through. These performances never get stale. I started my toddler kids off in listening to both WTC Book 1 and 2, and they loved them immediately. Even now, if given a choice of what CD to put on they will usually choose one of the WTC CD's. I tend to be underdramatic, but when I listen to this composer and this performer and see how my kids respond, I feel like its a gift from God.

Your Inner Voice is Calling.......2007-03-01

Let's admit it right off the bat - these are individualistic recordings that do not sound like anything you've ever heard. That's probably why I value them so much, that and their brilliant artistic temperament. Bach can sound boring, particularly by those who insist on a rigid (rather than flowing) tempo and an emotionless rendition that approaches machine-like quality. This is NOT the WTC you are used to but it is a work of art unto itself.

Whether it is a Brahms Intermezzo, a work by Scriabin or these creations, there is no one who can bring out that inner melody with such clarity and perfection. It's almost as if his fingers operated totally independent of each other in a way we have yet to discover. At times, he manages to find inner voices that cannot be seen even when looking at the music. Then there is his technique of focusing a work - from the entire piece to a movement to a section, phrase, chord and finally a single note. You know that every single note sounds as it does for a reason known only to Gould. As usual, I have trouble choosing a "favorite" although I admit that I prefer the minor over major because of their alleged "richness".

Questions of authenticity or "how they were meant to be heard" are irrelevant. Chopin wrote for a small pianoforte, not the Grand we hear today. Who wants a tiny "original" chorus of Handel's Messiah or Julius Reubke's Organ Sonata heard on a pre-French Romantic organ? By all means, this is a recording for the ages - buy and enjoy.

Fascinating.......2007-02-13

I was quite surprised to read other reviewer's comments about Gould not following Bach's 'intentions'. Given that there is one prelude with a tempo mark and almost no dynamic markings in the entire 48, it would be hard to find his intentions except by assuming that the tradition is 100 % accurate. I find this recording interesting, most of all because of the lack these days of originality. Gould was original, but that was not his goal. He had a connection with the music of Bach and felt that he had something to say with it that no one else had. It's refreshing to hear something so sincerely original as these unconventional renditions. The fugues are especially amazing. His control over each voice is nothing short of spectacular. I highly recommend this to anyone who is tired of hearing the Prelude in C major played the same way by everyone else.

Gould's unique sound.......2006-06-02

No pianist has been able to play these pieces as steadily and with as much control as Gould, nor with his reverence and clarity in fugues such as the c# and e-flat minor. In the C# major prelude in Book I Gould plays a wrong note in bar 37--a b natural for b#--but this more minor-sounding wrong line actually sounds interesting and maybe even better, and it contrasts with bar 45. I did not realize this elusive sound was a wrong note until relistening after a break of many years. It had to be either a deliberate change or a finger slip--no edition of the piece contains that note. There is also a finger slip in the C# major fugue on the 'and' of beat one in bar 17 where Gould bumps into an f#--that could not be deliberate. These are the only note errors I have found in Gould's recordings, and I don't know that any outtakes have been released of the WTC.
Carefully listening one can also detect the splice between takes in the a minor fugue in Gould's Book I, and other splices in II. Other controversial things await the listener in this immortal record.

Listen to a more conventional recording first........2006-02-16

I highly recommend Gould's recording of WTC books one and two with the caveat that his performances reach the peak of the unpredictable and can be rather traumatizing to the uninitiated.

Glenn Gould's interpretation of The WTC is a manifesto of his musical opinions, saturated with absolute confidence. Gould sees Bach as a sibling to be rivaled and conveys his ideas, from the sentimental to the vulgar to the insane, with perfect clarity.

Average customer rating:

Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin
Yo-Yo keeps on experimental
This is no "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
Excellent CD!
My 1st introduction to Bobby McFerrin (3.5-4 stars)

Hush

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Mozart Sessions
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Play

ASIN: B0000027VR
Release Date: 1992-01-28

Tracks:

Grace
Concerto In D Minor For 2 Mandolins: Andante
The Legend Of Tsar Saltan: Flight Of The Bumblebee
Stars
Hush Little Baby
Vocalise
Notebook For Anna Magdalena Bach: Musette
Coyote
Sonata For 2 Cellos: Allegro prestissimo
Ave Maria
Hoedown!
Orchestral Suite No. 3: Air
Good-Bye

Amazon.com

The idea here was to put two masters together--one classical cellist, one improvisational singer/sound-effects performer--and voilà! instant amazing, unique, hip--and, hopefully, hit--record. The intriguing setup was to see what would happen when each led the other through the unfamiliar territory of his own specialty. The success of this recording lies not so much in the music or even in the overall performances, but in the fascinating and fun opportunity to sit in on the musicians' good-natured, respectful give-and-take, to witness an uncommon form of artistic chemistry that allows each performer to expand his vision and even his technique. On one hand we get Bobby McFerrin's impressionistic, improvisatory jazz/pop; on the other we enjoy Yo-Yo Ma's highly refined, formalized musicianship. Originally planned as a disc for children, Hush goes far beyond its initial premise, with each of the 13 tracks demonstrating these musicians' unique gifts and showing that, whether it's Vivaldi or jazz, it's all music and it's all a lot of fun. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin.......2007-05-12

This CD is one of my favorites. I give it away and buy another. Playful and fun as well as great music. It never fails to make me laugh. A joy. If you aren't a little silly, don't bother. Kids love it, too.

Yo-Yo keeps on experimental.......2006-03-04

One of the best parts of a genius is to try out of his layers. In this case Yo-Yo tried to go out from the classic, and with a very good singer, in a easy say, as Bobby. They make a very special music between classic and jazz, with some elements of pop.
It's an incredible fusion of strings and vocal strings, in some moments it is not possible to separate them, some times is like a big keyboard directed by a single musician. In a word, they experiment, and the result was incredible.

This is no "Don't Worry, Be Happy".......2005-10-23

Have never been a big Bobby McFerrin fan, probably due to that god-awful, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." But I am a classical music junkie and one day listening to our local classical station I heard a selection that I thought was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. What a shock when I learned that it was McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma doing Vivaldi's Andante!

Honestly, I could do without the non-classical pieces on this CD...although I enjoy them.

But the classical interpretations are some of the most heavenly, wonderful, beautiful, awe-inspiring things that I have ever heard, on any CD, in any genre! Yes, that good!

McFerrin uses his voice as the perfect instrument and accompanient to Ma's cello. They were made for each other.

Listen to the samples of the classical pieces if you're a doubter...

Excellent CD!.......2005-09-22

While I admit to being a newbie in my connoisseurship of the classical music genre, not only do I think that this disc is a good collection of some of the best classical music ever written, it is actually FUN sometimes, with silly bits thrown in by Bobby and Yo-Yo Ma every now and then! These guys make great music and have a great time making it.

Bobby uses his voice as a fantastic sounding 'instrument' to sing notes much like an instrument playing a duet with Yo-Yo; sometimes his voice sounds so much like a real instrument that you even forget that you are hearing vocals--I don't even know what other vocalist could pull this off. It is a fascinating experiment. I recommend it highly!

My 1st introduction to Bobby McFerrin (3.5-4 stars).......2005-05-29

I think I kinda heard this back in elementary school (maybe like in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th grade or so, I get kinda mixed when I say that), it's like sumthin I never heard be4, A guy who sings, scats and does it all goes by the name Bobby McFerrin and a cellist by the name of Yo Yo Ma. I'd have follow thru his work as a cellist/string player from various TV apperances, shows, movies, etc. and he does sounds good 2 this day, believe me.

Anyway as I was gonna say this was the 1st album I got introduced a bit by Bobby McFerrin. Not SIMPLE PLEASURES nor SPONTANEOUS INVENTIONS. Just this 1. I hope to hear more from him and collect all of his albums incl. Yo Yo Ma's. They still sound good. No doubt.

The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II

Average customer rating:

Recommended
Gould brings the voices out
My Favorite WTC
Superlative Gould, but bad Bach.
Please consider the version by Andras Schiff...

The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II
Johann Sebastian Bach , and Glenn Gould
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ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I
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Art of the Fugue - 70th Anniversary Edition
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Bach: English Suites, BWV 806-811

ASIN: B0000028NJ
Release Date: 1994-01-11

Tracks:

Prelude And Fugue No.1 In C Major, BWV 870: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No.1 In C Major, BWV 870: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 871: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 871: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Major, BWV 872: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In C-Sharp Major, BWV 872: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 4 In C-Sharp Minor, BWV 873: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 4 In C-Sharp Minor, BWV 873: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 5 In D Major, BWV 874: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 5 In D Major, BWV 874: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 6 In D Minor, BWV 875: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 6 In D Minor, BWV 875: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 7 In E-Flat Major, BWV 876: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 7 In E-Flat Major, BWV 876: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 8 In D-Sharp Minor, BWV 877: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 8 In D-Sharp Minor, BWV 877: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 9 In E Major, BWV 878: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 9 In E Major, BWV 878: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 879: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 879: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 11 In F Major, BWV 880: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 11 In F Major, BWV 880: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 12 In F Minor, BWV 881: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 12 In F Minor, BWV 881: Fuga

Tracks:

Prelude And Fugue No. 13 In F-Sharp Major, BWV 882: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 13 In F-Sharp Major, BWV 882: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 14 In F-Sharp Minor, BWV 883: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 14 In F-Sharp Minor, BWV 883: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 15 In G Major, BWV 884: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 15 In G Major, BWV 884: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 16 In G Minor, BWV 885: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 16 In G Minor, BWV 885: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 17 In A-Flat Major, BWV 886: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 17 In A-Flat Major, BWV 886: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 18 In G-Sharp Minor, BWV 887: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 18 In G-Sharp Minor, BWV 887: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 19 In A Major, BWV 888: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 19 In A Major, BWV 888: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 20 In A Minor, BWV 889: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 20 In A Minor, BWV 889: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 21 In B-Flat Major, BWV 890: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 21 In B-Flat Major, BWV 890: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 22 In B-Flat Minor, BWV 891: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 22 In B-Flat Minor, BWV 891: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 23 In B Major, BWV 892: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 23 In B Major, BWV 892: Fuga
Prelude And Fugue No. 24 In B Minor, BWV 893: Praeludium
Prelude And Fugue No. 24 In B Minor, BWV 893: Fuga

Amazon.com

Glenn Gould's Bach is by now so ingrained in the 20th-century musical consciousness that it's almost hard to remember just how unusual his devotion to this composer was back in the 1950s and '60s when he first started making records. That his Bach recordings are still the standard by which all others are measured is a tribute to his self-awareness as an artist. If you are looking for the essential Glenn Gould playing Bach, then the three sets you really ought to have are his Goldberg Variations (either version), plus the two books of The Well-Tempered Clavier. Gould was simply incomparable in the contrapuntal intricacies of Bach's fugal writing, and in The Well-Tempered Clavier he has 48 opportunities to strut his stuff. He makes a show of every one. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Recommended.......2004-08-24

Why is the Well-Tempered Clavier 2 not as famous as the first Well-Tempered Clavier? I dont know. But just to let you know, I prefer Glenn Goulds recording of this 2nd Clavier book over the first. There are many reasons. The first is that Glenn Gould takes a good tempo on almost all of the preludes and fugues, unlike on the first book. Dont get me wrong though, the first Well Tempered clavier vol. 1 recording is also one of my favorite recordings. The second reason is that he does a VERY GOOD job on bringing out the voices in the fugues of book 2. The third is that there is wonderful sound quality. There are also many other reasons, but I cant name them all right now. I just happen to like this recording better...HIGHLY reccomended.

Gould brings the voices out.......2003-05-12

If you can get by the sound of Gould's own voice as he hums throughout you will get to feast on the genius of Bach's counterpoint. I don't know that I've heard another performer more evenly and distinctly bring out each voice in Bach's keyboard works. The recordings have been excellently remastered from the early originals.

I feel that Bach's early music had a more effortless and sometimes wistful or inspired quality than his later works. However, his later works seem much deeper in thought and character and emotion and skill than the earlier ones. I would have to say that if forced to choose I take the later works (Amazing Mass in B minor, Art of Fugue) including the later set of Preludes and Fugues performed here by a Bach master. I would never force myself to make that choice, however. Pick this one up and hear the voices sing (including Gould's, ouch!).

My Favorite WTC.......2003-03-25

The music of JS Bach is extremely interesting, and one thoughtful listening to his works has the power to change the way you hear and perceive music forever more. Bach's keyboard works are typically polyphonic, and that basically means two melodies, or more acurately stated, two musical thoughts, are presented simultaneously. The resulting musical edifice has the potential to sound like, how does one say? "too many notes". Because of the very nature of counterpoint, the simple elegance of Mozart, or the heart-tugging in-your-face-passion of Beethoven, are not as accessible to the average listener. But there is an unmistakable breadth and vitality found in Bach's musical counterpoint, conjoined with a unique grandeur and nobility, that can move and uplift the spirit in a way that is entirely unique.

The Well Tempered Clavier (WTC) consists of two books, both of which are comprised of a prelude and fugue written in each of the major and minor keys of western music. Because there are twelve major keys, and twelve related minor keys, each book of the WTC is comprised of 24 prelude and fugues. One enjoyable aspect of the WTC for the new listener is that, because all of the major and minor keys are presented in a systematic way, one is able to discern what is most appealing to the listener's unique sensibilities. Perhaps you will find that you prefer major to minor, or vice versa. Perhaps you will find a handful of key signatures that you think are preferable, and that can be the foundation for further exploration into other pieces of music written in the same key.

I own a number of recordings of J.S. Bach's WTC. I happen to like book II better than book I, and this rendition is undoubtedly my favorite of them all. Gould's sense of rhythm is impeccable, and it is that aspect that makes this recording so stunning. The pulse is extraordinary, the ornamentation is played with extreme verve, and Gould's technical abilities and musicianship are more than adequate to keep strict time throughout. I also really appreciate the fact that Gould keeps his foot off the pedal, unlike Richter, or Fischer, or any number of the other standard recordings. A powerful and distinct rhythmic momentum should be felt throughout these works. It is also essential to maintain the clarity of each voice, and the pedal, or reverberation in general, can obscure both rhythm and clarity in the context of polyphonic music. Gould is able to bring distinctness to each voice in a way that is entirely unique.

With that said, Gould does have some singular ideas about tempo. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. For an incredible example of when it works, listen to to his remarkable rendering of the prelude and the fugue in C#-Major. Both, but particularly the fugue, are taken at extremely slow tempos. The result is extraordinary. This is hands down my favorite recording of Bach's WTC. In my opinion, no other recording compares to this one.

Superlative Gould, but bad Bach........2003-03-07

Once again, David Hurwitz is pushing his personal agenda. Do NOT purchase these discs unless you already own several sets of the 48 and want a truly unorthodox view that belies the intent of the music. After staying away from Gould's interpretations of Bach's major keyboard works for some years, I recently decided to revisit them. Unfortunately, my impression of Gould's interpretations hasn't improved over the years. There is some incredible pianism on these CDs, and Gould's insights are often revealing. Nonetheless, the eccentricities and musical anomalies are too numerous and prohibitively distracting. What's more, the plaintive vocalizing is annoying, to say the least. This may be a must for Gould fans, but not for the rest of us. If you want something truly legendary in this repretoire, buy Edwin Fischer's classic recordings from the 30s. Or, if you want digital sound, Angela Hewitt's performances are beyond reproach.

Please consider the version by Andras Schiff..........2002-08-05

I am a person who will not keep multiple versions (by different performers) for a specific record, and this is the version that made me spent extra! I always believe that if I commit a purchase, that will be the only copy that will keep me accompany for many years, and I would rather spend the money on other recordings and give myself more variety in classical music. To be fair, I have to admit that I canýt tell how well he had interpreted this work by Bach, as commented by many other reviewers. As far as I am concern, in term of personal preference and individual expectation, this set had failed me completely!

I bought both WTC Book 1 and 2 by Glenn Gould recently but was extremely disappointed. I like the music very much but I hate the way he played this beautiful piece. It is annoying and frustrating to hear the mumbling throughout his playing! Guess what I did after listening to all the 4 discs? I went to buy WTC Book 1 again by Andras Schiff (London Decca) and immediately I realize the differences - Schiffýs version is definitely the version that I will strongly recommend. Just few words to describe ý Clarity, Pleasant, and Excellent Recording!!! I have no hesitation to buy the Book 2 (by Andras Schiff too).

Tracks:

Canata 147: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Sonata VI For Violin, E Major Partita: Gavotte
The Well-Tempered Clavier: Prelude I
The Well-Tempered Clavier: Prelude VI
The Well-Tempered Clavier: Prelude IX
Cantata 208: Sheep May Safely Graze
Prelude, Fugue And Allegro In E Flat Major For Clavier, Original For Lute): Prelude and Allegro
Cello Suite V: Gavotte I And II
Cello Suite VI: Gavotte I And II
Cantata 140: Sleepers, Awake
Parkening Plays Bach And Music Of Handel, Scarlatti, Couperin And Others: Sarabande And Variations
Samson: Minuet in D
Parkening Plays Bach And Music Of Handel, Scarlatti, Couperin And Others: Giga
Parkening Plays Bach And Music Of Handel, Scarlatti, Couperin And Others: Passacaglia
Ordres, Book II: Les Barricades mysterieuses
Parkening Plays Bach And Music Of Handel, Scarlatti, Couperin And Others: Preambulo And Allegro vivo

Customer Reviews:

more wonderous with each passing year.......2006-11-13

Most of the reviewers have said (and better than I can) what makes this album so special. I remember having this on cassette and wearing it out. People who have no interest (and sometimes I can't blame them...) in classical music might grow fond of this if they give it a try. You don't need any kind of background or knowledge, just a willingness to open your heart and ears to something so sublime it is beyond words. Bach is our true musical spiritual leader!

Pinnacle.......2005-10-24

I can't over-exaggerate the impact this album had on me when my Dad played it for me when I was about 6. It encouraged me to become a guitarist, and hearing it was my first truly profound musical experience that I can remember.

I love all kinds of music, but nothing has touched me like this album in the 19 years since then. Parkening's reading of Bach arranged for the classical guitar is flawless on this recording; no one, not even his mentor has matched it.

"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", "Sheep May Safely Graze" and especially "Sleepers Awake" are the best renditions of these songs that I've heard, regardless of the arrangement. His control and dynamics are just staggering.

I can't explain where this album or music came from. It's my absolute favourite album. It's part of human evolution and the continually unfolding Great Work.

The Perfect Storm.......2005-04-07

The are times when the musician, the composer, and the instrument just match perfectly; this disc is an example of that.

Nevermind that Bach never wrote a single note for the guitar, many of his pieces actually work better on the guitar than they would the clavier. The guitar provides much more opportunity for the musician to impart emotion by varying volume and tone. And Parkening capitalizes on that opportunity beautifully.

His playing is clean, thoughtful, and competent. This is, in my opinion, clearly Parkening's best recording. I highly recommend it. (I also recommend his In the Spanish Style, another of my favorites).

Parkening Play Bach and Plays Him Stunningly!.......2005-02-18

I have loved this recording for over 20 years. I had it on vinyl and was thrilled when it was released in 1985 onto CD along with 6 extra cuts. Originally a Bach interpretive LP of 10 tracks, the CD release added 6 compositions from Couperin, Handel, Weiss, Scarlatti and Visee.

This is now a rare recording, so get it while you can. It's peaceful, highly skilled and simply Christopher Parkening, playing bare and alone, and shining like the sterling musician he is!

Masterpiece.......2003-09-24

The music of J. S. Bach seems to bring out the best in Christopher Parkening. Mr. Parkening understands Bach, and plays his music with grace, intelligence and sensitivity. He displays those qualities magnificently on this collection.

The selections here represent a wide variety of Bach pieces: portions of cantatas, solo cello works, and pieces from the Well-Tempered Clavier. All of the pieces are transcribed skillfully for solo guitar, and every track flows naturally into the next. Standouts among the Bach pieces include "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Sleepers Awake"--two meditative cantata selections which were so brilliantly arranged and performed that you'd almost think they were originally written for guitar.

And the additional baroque works presented here are not just "filler." Mr. Parkening gives stunning performances of great pieces composed by baroque giants like Handel, and he closes the recording in great style, with a passionate performance of Scarlatti.

Music doesn't get more enjoyable than this.

Music Review: