The American Tenors

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Driven by equal amounts marketing savvy and American pride, the rousing efforts of these three young winners of a national talent search were introduced to the world via a well-received PBS television special. Its companion CD release variously showcases the young voices of Nathan Granner, Daniel Montenegro, and Mauricio O'Reilly (and has there ever been a more quintessentially American name than Mauricio O'Reilly?) in solo turns and bracing harmony, meets the challenge of its more renowned Neopolitan elder statesman with aplomb and offers up a concise argument for the nation's own neo-operatic vocal traditions. While many of the Broadway standards and hoary traditionals break little ground, the trio's energized "West Side Story" medley argues that Broadway can offer up music as bracing as La Scala. Their takes on "Torna a Surriento," "Granada," the medley "O Sole Mio"/"It's Now or Never," and "Funiculi, Funicula" range from savory to playful, offering both a tip of the hat to that other trio and a welcome reminder of how these Italian and Latin rooted songs have become an essential ingredient of America's musical melting pot. --Jerry McCulley

Tracks:

Il Lamento Di Federico
O Paradis
Recondita Armonia - Luciano Pavarotti
Dein ist Mein Ganzes Herz
Rondine Al Nido - Luciano Pavarotti
Core 'ngrato
Torna A Surriento - Luciano Pavarotti
Granada
No Puede Ser
L'impovviso
E Lucevan Le Stelle
Nessun Dorma
Finale Medley: Maria - Tonight, 'O paese d' 'o sole, Cielito lINDO
Memory, Ochi tchorniye, Caminito
Mattinata ; Wien, Wien, Nur Du Allein, Amapola, 'O sole mio
Encore: 'O sole mio
Encore: Nessun Dorma

Amazon.com

Magic was created one starlit night in July 1990, when Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras met onstage at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome and became the Three Tenors. They eschewed competitive instincts and cooperated in the spirit of mutual admiration to create one of the greatest musical events ever. This concert is an awe-inspiring orgy of the greatest hits for the tenor voice. Domingo and Pavarotti sing perfectly. The audience wins as these vocal supermen compete to seduce the hearts of the audience. One moment Domingo brings thrilling fire and pain to "E lucevan le stelle" from Tosca; the next, Pavarotti rises to heavenly heights in an inspired rendition of "Nessun dorma" from Turandot. Carreras is the competent little brother, one step behind the greatness of the big brothers from opera's Ponderosa. His singing isn't as captivating as that of the big boys; but his enthusiasm and passion are unrivaled. Mehta exquisitely captures the largeness of this bonanza through the grandiose orchestra. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

delivery went ok.......2006-11-14

the item was delivered to me on-time and with no problems. however,i was looking for a DVD and not a audio Cd. might be good to clearly differentiate when the product is being advertised or shown.

A knockout performance .......2006-05-28

Like so many of the reviewers here I am not an opera aficionado. But I sensed immediately the night I saw this concert on television that this was one of those 'remarkable' artistic events. Domingo and Pavarotti both have such strength and beauty in their voices that they overwhelm. Carreras adds flavor and enthusiasm.
One of the most remarkable music performances I have seen.

The night that started it all!.......2005-11-02

You can read the technical information about the contents of this CD above. That is not what this review is about. I became intrested in opera about 1 1/2 years ago because of happening upon Mario Lanza. Since then, I have experienced many great truly operatic voices, including the "King," Pavarotti.
If you are just discovering opera, suffice it to say; Buy this album!!! It was the concert that launched the 3 Tenors phenomenon. It is full of uplifting, heart- tugging favorites, and you will find yourself listening to it over and over. Buy the dvd as well. It imparts absolute electricity! I am a young pianist and vocalist, and this concert is truly inspiring to me! You won't regret one penny you spend on this!

Great singing from the three tenors.......2005-06-23

This cd is a must-have for anyone interested in opera - or beautiful singing. And when you're at it - why don't buy the dvd from the concert? It will make you appreciate the cd even more.

First of all I have to comment on the editorial review of this cd. I felt the reviewer is "belittling" José Carreras here by saying he's one step behind the big brothers and his singing isn't as captivating as that of the big boys.....?!?!? Of course I can only speak for myself, but I feel she's way out of line. And I'm starting to wonder if she's been listening to the cd at all? In my opinion you have to be dead not to be touched by his rendition of "Lamento di Federico" and "L'improvviso". If anybody can deliver a line it has to be Carreras. When it comes to his interpretation of "Granada" even conductor Zubin Mehta was gobsmacked. Watching the dvd you can see him putting down his baton and applauding. He even steps down from his podium to hug José.

I have to say I'm not too keen on the two other tenors, although I have to admit I loved Pavarotti's "Torna a Surriento" and "Rondine al nido". The thing about Pavarotti is that he has a great singing technique and he's also in possession of this "push-button" which make him sing a lot of high notes, but that alone isn't enough to stir emotion.

As for Domingo, even if he's giving it all in every song, and his "No puede ser" was great,I think he's a bit too much on the nasal side. He's okay when they all perform together, but his "E lucevan le stelle" is sending shivers down my spine - and not of delight. I'm practically unable to sit still and listen to his solos. If you really want "fire and pain" you should check out Carreras in the Tosca-recording from -80, or his recording from -76. It's really breathtaking and I promise you'll end up in tears!

At the end of this concert the three tenors perform a medley together. Their voices blend perfectly and it's powerful to listen to them giving it all. A lot of people are talking about their mis-pronounciations. I for one, think it only adds to the charm of the performers. Pavarotti has some problems with the English songs (okay, big problems..), Domingo stumbles in the words in the beginning of "Wien Wien nur du allein", and (this you'll see in the dvd) in the same song Carreras is actually reading the text from a piece of paper as he's singing and his facial expressions when getting his head around the German words are really hilarious. O sole mio as an encore is fabulous when Pavarotti pushes his button and shakes out all his high notes.... And I love it when the two other join forces and repeat his stunt to perfection.

All in all this is a wonderful album. And well worth 5 stars.... José alone gets 10 stars!!!

Excellent. Like summer sunshine. manna from heaven!.......2004-05-28

This CD is terrific on so many levels. In celebration of one of the world's great sporting events - the World Cup of football (soccer to us stateside), three great tenors and one masterful conductor (Zubin Mehta) were brought together in one of the world's great cities - Rome -- for a special evening that we are blessed to have been able to listen to again and again.

The concert was held during the World Cup in 1990 at the Baths of Caracella, which are ruins of the once great Roman baths. In this beautiful setting Luiciano Pavrotti, Jose Carreas and Placido Domingo came together for one of the best CD's ever made.

The singing is exquisite. The passion of the crowd in this live performance should equal the reaction of the listener. This is art at its highest level. It is a celebration of great music, not just of opera, but in my opinion, the soaring human spirit. What power to move the soul! You don't need to be an opera fan to enjoy this music. If you like any kind of music, you cannot help but be affected by the power of this special evening. And what an evening, those in attendance were lucky to have been there!!

The casual listener will already know some of these arias, as they are from some the great operas of all time. However, I believe even the most hardenend opera fan, unless he or she is a real stiff, cannot be helped to be but moved by this music.

Tracks:

'O sole mio
Funiculi, funicula
Libiamo ne' lieti calici (Brindisi)
Sous le ciel de Paris
Torero quiero ser
Parlami d'amore, Mariu
Manha de Carnaval
Lolita
Dicitencello vuie
Core 'ngrato
Because
You'll Never Walk Alone
Singin' In The Rain
Maria
Tonight
'O paese d' 'o sole
Cielito lindo
Ochi tchorniye
Caminito
La Vie en Rose
Mattinata
Wien, Wien, nur du allein
Amapola
Lippen schweigen
Brazil
Sous les ponts de Paris
Torna a Surriento
Nessun dorma
La donna e mobile

Amazon.com

Back in 1990, three of the world's most celebrated tenors--namely, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti--combined forces to create the Three Tenors, now celebrated on a best-of CD. They gave their first concert in Rome. The event was recorded and went on to become one of the best-selling classical titles of all time.

This latest release brings together tracks from that night in Rome (including "Nessun dorma" and a competitive rendition of "O sole mio") with music performed in a 1994 concert in Los Angeles and at the 1998 event in Paris where the Three Tenors sang to an audience of thousands with the Eiffel Tower as their backdrop.

The 22 tracks making up The Best of the Three Tenors range from operatic standards, such as the joyful "Brindisi" from La Traviata, to popular songs like "Singin' in the Rain" and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (from Carousel). There are no solos on this disc; each piece is performed by all three singers. And with plenty of applause and cheering to be heard, not to mention the sense of fun in the singers' voices, the disc captures the atmosphere of these extraordinary musical events. --Rebecca Agnew

Customer Reviews:

Nice songs from this album.......2007-07-22

This is the first album I have acquired of the Three Tenors, and it was wonderful. The selections were easy to listen to and familiar to me. None of the heavy operatic selections. It is the best. I will buy more albums of them.

Not bad.......2006-03-18

This is a good recording. If you don't like the 3 tenors, then look else where. It's that simple. These are recordings from concerts where they WERE supposed to show off. This ain't opera. If you want opera, go out and attend one.

The best from the three greatest..........2005-08-11

The first thing we must establish here is that this is not meant to be opera. This is three exceptionally talented tenors enjoying themselves and giving tremendous joy to those listening by singing mostly popular "evergreens" and also some operatic arias. The beauty in music lies in the diversity, in my opinion. One can better appreciate one type of music when one knows about the others. And why should we limit ourselves to listen to just one genre in music. It would be the same as having steak for dinner every day for the rest of your life, wouldn't it? So why should we limit three wonderful tenors to only sing operatic arias for the rest of their lives? If so we wouldn't have "Maria", "You'll never walk alone", "Singing in the rain" or any of the evergreens on this recording and that would be a shame.

There are no solos on the cd. I think I've read somewhere that they felt there had been enough "three tenors cd's" and if they were to release yet another one it would be one containing what the audience demands, the three of them joining forces and performing together in the songs.
The result, in my opinion is highly recommendable. The three voices blend perfectly together. I have to admit that I have a personal favourite among the tenors and that I would never buy an entire recording featuring only one of the two others, but I recognize their talents and -as stupid as it may sound- since they are performing together I can also appreciate the other two. (I like them too, but in smaller doses....)Some people have commented on their problems with mastering the english language. If anything, I think it just adds to their charm. By the way, who is perfect??

The songs on this cd is a mixture of beautiful songs, heartwrenching songs, toe-tapping songs and powerful songs. It's wonderful to just listen to the beauty in the three voices. It's fun hearing Pavarotti pushing his "high-note-button" in "O sole mio" and Carreras and Domingo copying his stunt. I have no idea what they're singing about in "Manha de Carnaval", but boy does it sound romantic...... And "Dicitencello vuie" brings tears to my eyes (even if I'm still left in the dark when it comes to understanding the meaning of the words...) In "Because" Carreras takes my breath away when singing "because God made thee mine, I'll cherish thee...through light and darkness, through all time to be, and pray his love may make our love divine...." (What woman wouldn't like to hear those words..??!?) Their rendition of "You'll never walk alone" should satisfy some of the soccer-fans since it's the anthem of a European football-club and "Nessun Dorma" will probably satisfy the rest of the soccer-fans, being the antheme of the 1998 world soccer championship. In short, there should be something for every taste on this cd.

It's a very "versatile" cd. You can play it almost everywhere. You can sing along to it in the car, you can dance around the house to it while doing your chores, you can put your feet up and unwind after a hectic week. Or you can write an Amazon review while listening to it.... (Feel free to add suggestions of your own here.....)

To make a long story short - a very enjoyable cd!

Just Like the Real Thing!.......2005-07-14

A few years ago I was lucky enough to actually see a Three Tenors concert. The experience was amazing. Later I bought this CD. I was so happy when I listened to it because the CD captures the mood of being present at the concert. I like the variety and every time I play it, I am taken back to my personal experience at the concert. Hearing the audiences on the CD really gets you excited about hearing this amazing trio.

Powerful and moving!.......2004-10-21

I got this CD as a gift and it changed my life! I was always a rocker and liked classical music, but never was much into this genre of music. This album changed all of that. Since getting the three tenors I've found a whole new world out there. Thank you guys!

Average customer rating:

Un gran concierto
Give em a 3.5
The Most Enjoyable Evening IN !!!!!!!!!!!
Hmmmm....
Last Encore of songs missing off C.D.

The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994

Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ the three tenors in concert / Mehta
The Best of the Three Tenors
Paris 1998
The Three Tenors Christmas
The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994 / William Cosel

ASIN: B000002IZE
Release Date: 1994-08-30

Tracks:

Le Cid: O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere
Maravilla: Amor, Vida De Mi Vida
Werther: Pourquoi Me Reveiller
Spring Is Here: With a Song In My Heart
Granada
Non Ti Scordar Di Me
'A Tribute to Hollywood': My Way
Tribute To Hollywood: Moon River
Tribute To Hollywood: Because
'A Tribute to Hollywood': Singin' In the Rain
Tu, Ca Nun Chiagne
Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba
Turondat: Nessun Dorma!
'Around the World': America
'Around the World': All I Ask Of You
'Around the World': Funiculi, Funicula
'Around the World': Sous Les Ponts De Paris
'Around the World': Brazil
'Around the World': Be My Love
'Around the World': Marechiare
'Around the World': Lippen Schweigen
'Around the World': Santa Lucia Luntana
'Around the World': Those Were the Days
'Around the World': Te Quiero Dijiste
'Around the World': Torna A Surriento
Encores: La Donna E Mobile
Encores: Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici

Amazon.com

It's not opera; it's not a pop concert; it's not Broadway. It's all of these and none of them. Once you accept the fact that this sequel to the original blockbuster concert recording is less about music and more about entertainment and the power of musical personalities, you can appreciate what you're hearing as an event--phenomenal and bizarre, momentous and frivolous. This is an occasion to celebrate the voices and egos of three huge superstars, and to have fun listening as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras interact, bouncing lines off each other and playing to the overwhelmingly enthusiastic audience. Much of the fun and flavor of the concert is dependent on seeing the action, though, and without the visuals you notice flaws in the singing much more. Domingo comes off as the more solid performer, and his voice is in far better shape than the other two. But if you crave big, high, and loud--and you don't take your opera too seriously--you'll love this disc. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Un gran concierto.......2005-07-19

Yo tenia el Cd de este concierto, pero sin duda el DVD presenta la realidad, lo sublime de este evento, porque ademas de ver las interpretaciones, trae varios puntos y canciones extras. Carreras creo que esta bien, saca la tarea. Placido Domingo en Amor vida de mi vida, logra llevar el concierto a su punto mas alto en ese momento, punto superado unicamente por Pavarotti en Nessum Dorma. Pavarotti como siempre sublime como dije en Nessum Dorma, Ave maria y en los popurris. La calidad del DVD es genial, con full screen y sonido digital. Otro punto buenisimo es la aparicion de Frank Sinatra en la cancion My way y de otras luminarias del cine y la política. Espero que este comentario sirva de ayuda para aquellos que quieran este DVD.

Give em a 3.5.......2004-01-25

The Three Tenors has/have become a cottage industry, churning out one CD after another for every imaginable event and in every combination. This does not mean that the results are necessarily inferior but it does imply a commercial, layman's approach. And maybe this is better - spreading the joys of fine music to the masses. After all, where besides figure skating and cartoons do most people have a chance to even hear opera?

This event, like the first one in Rome, has a magnificent setting but, like Rome, the show was marketed mainly to the American audience. They still include the dreadful "Maria" with the hilarious pronunciation and even added "With a Song In My Heart" (or, as Carreras is wont to sing, "Weeth a Soeeng een My Haht"). Though some may deride the choice of encores, they were almost perfect. The Three Tenors, despite their prior celebrity, are creations of our culture of entertainment in ways that Caruso could only dream about.

Synopsis: Carreras stands out, Domingo substitutes volume for quality and Pavarotti soars when he doesn't have to.

The Most Enjoyable Evening IN !!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-05-01

I am not a regular Opera fan, hoever these THREE are the Best. their songs they sing together are SUPER!!! And the range of NOTES REACHED ARE REMARKABLE. tHE MIXTURE of songs is a treat for all, even if you are not an OPERA FAN!!!! Great show!!!!!!

Hmmmm...........2002-04-21

Not what I thought it was going to be. I like only about 4 of the 20+ tracks on this CD. I shoudl have just bought the DVD instead and actually watched them perform. Much, much more entertaining.

Last Encore of songs missing off C.D........2002-02-06

The Three Tenors are my absolute favourite singers. The 1994 Concert was undoubtedly their best in my view. I taped this live concert from the television, and have played and played and played it!! I also taped it on a cassette, however, when I bought the C.D. I was really disappointed that they did not include the last set of encore songs, which included O Sole a Mio (don't know if I've spelt that correctly), where Placido and Jose try and outdo Luciano!! It received such a fantastic reception from the crowd, (one of the many standing ovations), and really showed how much the Three Tenors seemed to enjoy performing the concert. How come this was not included? I don't know if it was on the Video because I play my own.

Many thanks for your time,

Tracks:

Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Academy And Chorus Of St Martin In The Fields
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Zadok The Priest - Ambrosian Singers
Miserere Mei, Deus - Gerald Finley
Veni Creator Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Lacrimosa - London Philharmonic Choir
For Unto Us A Child Is Born - Ambrosian Singers
The Heavens Are Telling - John Shirley-Quirk
Panis Angelicus - Halle Choir
Ave Maria - Groupe Vocal De France
Ode To Joy - The Westminster Choir
Va, Pensiero - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Chorus Of Slave Girls - Chorus Of The National Theatre Of Sophia
Coro De Romanticos - Coro Cantores De Madrid
In Paradisum - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Totus Tuus - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Song For Athene - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Celebration - London Symphony Chorus
Jerusalem - Royal Choral Society

Tracks:

Zion Hort Die Wachter - South German Madrigal Choir
Pleni Sunt Coeli Et Terra - Charles Brett
Hallelujah Chorus - Ambrosian Singers
Thou Knowest, Lord - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Veni Sancte Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Awake The Harp - City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth - New Philharmonia Chorus
L'Adieu Des Bergers - Choeurs Rene Duclos
Agnus Dei - Peter Barley
Cantique De Jean Racine - MONKS AND CHOIRBOYS OF DOWNSIDE ABBEY
Ave Verum Corpus - Schutz Consort
Begluckt Darf Nun Dich, O Heimat - Bavarian State Opera Chorus, Munich
Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Laudamus Te - Radio France Chorus
Chichester Psalms - Rachel Masters
The Lamb - Vasari Singers
Agnus Dei - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Requiem Aeternam - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Dies Irae - Philharmonia Chorus
O Fortuna - London Philharmonic Choir
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1 (Land Of Hope Glory) - Royal Choral Society

Customer Reviews:

I love it and I give it as a gift.......2006-12-11

This is the first collection of choral music that I've purchased and I love it. I own copies of operas and requiems and masses, but if you attend choral concerts, as I have been recently, you learn there is a huge colletion of choral music appart from the forms I've been listening to. I appreciate the producers selecting "Song for Athene" by Tavener and "Celebration (Standing Stone)" by McCartney. They are new to me and I love them. Disk 1 ends with "Jerusalem" and Disk 2 ends with "Land of Hope and Glory." As an American I rarely hear these and I am so glad they were included. I believe this album was intended to help popularize choral music and I believe the selections do fine job towards that end.

I know snobs rage against popularizing classical music, but everyone deserves exposure to the beauty of song. I will also mention here "The East Village Opera Company" because they work to popularize opera by setting it to a rock beat. They do a fine job but also get criticized for attempting to popularize classical music.

"The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever" was so popular with my teen-age daughter that it was hard to get it back from her. I give the album as a gift to nephews and nieces.

MarMSED.......2005-08-27

The music selections are extraordinary. The only problem has to do with the balance of sound. There are some parts that are very loud, and some that are so very soft. You have to continually adjust the volume.

Diverse range but the songs are butchered..........2005-07-24

Well, this CD isn't horrible by any stretch, but it is irritating to someone who's more than a casual listener of choral music. I'm by no means as musically "literate" as many reviewers out there, but I have a collection of probably twenty-five or thirty choral CD's and this is one that will probably be gathering dust in the back of the CD book.

The peices are well-performed for the most part, but they are hopelessly edited. Beethoven's Ode to Joy is somewhere around twenty four minutes, but this CD only includes an arrangement of about five minutes. The beautiful Miserere is, uncut, almost eleven minutes but is cut down to five and a half minutes here.

Looking back, I should have realized the major editing that would be involved, just by the sheer number of peices on it. I'm familiar with a great many of them and I know they're too long to fit onto a seventy minute disc without some major cutting going on. I just didn't reason that out before I shelled out the money for it.

Bottom line. This CD has decent singing, but is nothing special. If you're a newcomer to this genre, you might get this as a quick overview of the different types of choral music out there, but if you're any kind of an avid listener, this CD will drive you insane with the severity of the cuts. Beginners, if you're looking for a great collection CD, you'd do better to look at "Choral Moods". It doesn't have the diversity in styles of this one, but it will introduce you to incredibly talented composers. To the old hats out there, steer clear of this one and look to CD's by your preferred individual composers themselves. It's more money, but much less frustration in the long run. The old sayings are sometimes the best: You get what you pay for.

Average customer rating:

Heavenly
Definitely worth buying!!!
remarkable transposition
A Classic
Nothing else available like it.

Cathedral Classics
Patricia Thompson , Brian Newhouse , Gregorio Allegri , Samuel Barber , Herbert Howells , Frank Martin , Dale Warland Singers , Jerry Rubino , Angela Malek , Julie Ann Olson , Marie Spar Dymit , Dean Palermo , and Dean Palmero
Manufacturer: American Choral
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

December Stillness
Christmas With the Dale Warland Singers
Harvest Home
Blue Wheat
Lux Aurumque

ASIN: B000003M4Q
Release Date: 1995-07-14

Tracks:

Mass: I Kyrie
Mass: II Gloria
Mass: III Credo
Mass: IV Sanctus
Mass: V Agnus Dei
Agnus Dei
Miserere Mei, Deus
Requiem: I Salvtor mundi
Requiem: II Psalm 23
Requiem: III Requiem aternam
Requiem: IV Paslm 121
Requiem: V Requiem aternam
Requiem: VI I Heard A Voice From Heaven

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly.......2006-12-29

WHOA!!! I bought this CD after singing the Barber with my college group. I never expected such great music! The Martin piece starts out the disc and in my opinion is very average. The Agnus Dei is absolutly gorgeous, the only downer being a sour soprano solo note, but the piece redeems itself at the climax, sending chills down your spine. The Howells Requiem is in a class by itself. You can honestly feel the pain and loss that the composer felt after losing his son, and I have never been so moved by any other piece of music. The singers are like liquid gold, especially in the third movement (Requiem I). All in all, a fantastic disc that belongs in every music lovers home. A MUST!!!

Definitely worth buying!!!.......2006-07-09

I initially heard Samuel Barber's Agnus Dei on our local Public Broadcasting radio station and immediately acquired my own copy afterwards. That piece alone is worth the entire CD.
I have listened to all the other tracks and the Requiem is also very moving.

remarkable transposition.......2006-03-11

The transposition of Barber's Adagio for Strings into a choral piece is by itself worth the price of this CD. This is ethereal music.

A Classic.......2006-02-22

This is a truly fantastic cd! The choir is very tight and seem to follow Dale Warland's every move. The Agnus Dei will give you chills as it reaches the climax of the piece. The Howell's Requiem will leave you at piece. The soloists are top notch, and the choir is as well, and I promise you won't be dissapointed.

Nothing else available like it........2005-09-26

Without question, this recording is on the "not optional" list for any choral director. The acoustics of the space in which it was recording, the amazing technical mastery of the performance, and the music itself are all what make this a very important choral CD.

There are, unfortunately, some real disappointments there too:

1. The fabled Allegri Miserere is certainly the low point of the CD, primarily because the greatness of the work (in my humble opinion) pales with those on the rest of the disc and because it is not performed with an idealy authentic style. Still, it is admittedly somewhat satisfying and very beautifully sung.

2. This CD contains what is perhaps the most perfect recording of Barber's Agnus Dei available anywhere, except for a single, heartbreakingly unfortunate blemish: the vital but 3-second-long soprano solo is very mediocre. Helas!

3. The Martin Mass is amazing music, and most of it's performance here is absolutely captivating and wonderful. The concluding Agnus Dei is perhaps the most personal and goosebump-raising movement, but it is sadly performed FAR too fast and dryly on this recording.

These criticisms notwithstanding, I still have given this a 5-star rating simply because the music selection is unlike anything available on one CD anywhere, and the vast majority of it is still first-rate. All the works included here have a unique and very interesting story behind them, and are very personal, powerfully touching works. The Howells Requiem is particularly amazing. Extraordinarily heart-wrenching, but in a very different, quiet, hazily dissonant, unbelievably lonely way.

Average customer rating:

Nathan Granner Fan
Chubby tenors
Worth listening to, but look for it in the library or used
Good Overall
money better spent

The American Tenors

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The American Tenors
Three Mo' Tenors
In The Presence
Remember Me
Heritage

ASIN: B000089J0H
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Tracks:

With a Song in My Heart
Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair
The House I Live In
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Climb Ev'ry Mountain
Shenandoah
You'll Never Walk Alone
Amazing Grace
Torna a Surrineto
O sole mio/It's Now or Never Medley
Be M Love (Daniel Montenegro solo)
Granada (Mauricio O'Reilly solo)
West Side Story Medley
America the Beautiful
If I Loved You (Nathan Granner solo) (Bonus Track)
Funiculi, Fuinicula (Bonus Track)

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Driven by equal amounts marketing savvy and American pride, the rousing efforts of these three young winners of a national talent search were introduced to the world via a well-received PBS television special. Its companion CD release variously showcases the young voices of Nathan Granner, Daniel Montenegro, and Mauricio O'Reilly (and has there ever been a more quintessentially American name than Mauricio O'Reilly?) in solo turns and bracing harmony, meets the challenge of its more renowned Neopolitan elder statesman with aplomb and offers up a concise argument for the nation's own neo-operatic vocal traditions. While many of the Broadway standards and hoary traditionals break little ground, the trio's energized "West Side Story" medley argues that Broadway can offer up music as bracing as La Scala. Their takes on "Torna a Surriento," "Granada," the medley "O Sole Mio"/"It's Now or Never," and "Funiculi, Funicula" range from savory to playful, offering both a tip of the hat to that other trio and a welcome reminder of how these Italian and Latin rooted songs have become an essential ingredient of America's musical melting pot. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Nathan Granner Fan.......2006-08-04

No offense to the other two great singers on this album, but I'd like to talk about my best friend Nathan who is one of "The American Tenors" and continues to tour and promote this show.

I remember the buzz in the air when they filmed this at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles and the place was standing room only. Critics who were there loved it. Just a few weeks after recording the dvd SONY CLASSICAL (their label) was getting huge marketing projects under way to make "The American Tenors" popular in the States. Unfortunately, all the gigs that were lined up-Jay Leno, The Today Show, and many others got scrapped because the US went to war with Iraq - literally THAT week. Ouch.

That was really too bad because there were some great songs here. The show was buried before it even got a chance because of the war. You might argue that it was buried because the singers were "no names", but let me tell you something, that's crap. There are some songs here that are REALLY GREAT, and the musical arrangments are extraordinary. Nathan's version of "If I Loved YOU" is the best recording of that song you will ever find. I challenge you to find one better.

Whether it be singing on stage at Carnegie Hall, performing on an aircraft carrier in New York Harbor, opening NASDAQ, or a Kareoke Bar in Kansas City, Nathan is a star. He may not be the guy in the headlines today in America, but he has fans in the thousands, and has enormous talent and he can sing any song...ANY SONG and make it sound amazing.

Do yourself a favor and spend the [..] to get this DVD. Or better yet, the [..] for a new copy. Then go visit Nathan Granner's website and find out what he's up to next. If you are lucky someday you may get to hear him sing in person, and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Chubby tenors.......2006-02-23

Chubby American Tenors. Nothing exceptional in the album, but a certain standart does exist -as is the case with most American products.
The album is little above mediocre when compared to its counterparts (IL DIVO, Mario Frangoulis, Celtic Tenors, etc.)

Worth listening to, but look for it in the library or used.......2005-07-07

OK, I know, these are young, up and coming singers. It's probably not fair to compare them to the likes of Domingo, Pavarotti, etc. yet. But, If you are a fan of "The Three Tenors", and you get this CD expecting a similar listening experience, you will probably be disappointed. The American Tenors are all talented, Nathan Granner particularly so, but they are not yet on the same level as *The* Three Tenors. Of course, they are also probably a few of decades younger; it will be interesting to hear them after they have gained some experience.

Still, even allowing for the singers' relative inexperience, the main reason I didn't rate the CD higher is that it suffers seriously from over-orchestration. Often the instruments were way too loud - sometimes overpowering all but the most powerful of the three voices and forcing me lower the overall volume. At first I thought I was just being picky until I listened to some tracks from "The Three Tenors" again. The difference is obvious; understated, balanced orchestration supports the performers and lets the voices shine through.

Good Overall.......2005-06-21

I enjoyed the presentation, and I enjoyed Natan Granner the most. He has a strong clear voice that deals with this material well. Daniel Montenegro is also strong, but Mauricio O'Reilly's voice comes across as thin and not very powerful. He would do better with softer, more intimate songs, with fewer instruments as accompanyment.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this DVD and would recommend it.

money better spent.......2004-05-12

I really applaud Frank McNamara for attempting this, since I think he is one of our best composers/conductors. However, if you want to spend your hard earned cash, I would use it on the Frank's former colleagues, the Irish Tenors. In particular, I think Anthony Kearns has emerged as possibly the finest tenor voice in the world today. As a big fan of American Musical theater as well as a regular at the opera, I think he could emerge as a superstar.
Time (and his interests) will tell.

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All Star Tenors Salute The World

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994

ASIN: B000002A6E
Release Date: 1994-05-17

Tracks:

O Sole Mio - Luciano Pavarotti
L'Africaine: O Paradis - Placido Domingo
Catalan Song: Canco de Taverna - Jose Carreras
Catalan Song: Els Contrabandistes - Jose Carreras
West Side Story: Maria - Placido Domingo
Sevilla - Placido Domingo
El Grito de America - Placido Domingo
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Placido Domingo
Rigoletto: La Donna e Mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
Vienna, My City Of Dreams - Richard Tucker
Pagliacci: Vesti La Giubba - Luciano Pavarotti
An American Hymn - Placido Domingo
Siboney - Placido Domingo
Die Walkure: Wintersturme Wichen dem Wonnemond - Peter Hofmann
Carmen: Flower Song - Richard Tucker
Mamma - Luciano Pavarotti
La Traviata: Libiamo - Jose Carreras
Serenata Tapatia - Placido Domingo
Noche Plateada - Placido Domingo
The Mikado: A Wand'ring Minstrel I - Bonaventura Bottone
Turandot: Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti
Granada - Placido Domingo

Blessed Spirit: Music of the Soul's Journey

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Soothing, Relaxing and Fulfilling
"Journey to Heaven"

Blessed Spirit: Music of the Soul's Journey
Peter Abelard , William Byrd , Gregorian Chant , Sir Henry Walford Davies , William H. Harris , Hildegard of Bingen , Gustav Holst , Sir Charles H.H. Parry , Heinrich Schutz , John Sheppard , John Tavener , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , American Traditional , Russian Traditional , Spiritual Traditional , Tomas Luis de Victoria , Elin Manahan Thomas , Vanessa Huntly , Alexander Jupp , and Timothy Brown
Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004YYQ9
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

Requiem Aeternam
Kontakion Of The Departed
Selig Sind Die Toten
Blessed Are They
Funeral Ikos
Domine Jesu Christe
O Quam Gloriosum
Psalm 121/Requiem Aeternam
The Evening-Watch
Steal Away
There Is An Old Belief
O Quanta Qualia
Justorum Animae
Deep River
In Paradisum
O Felix Anima
Audivi Vocem De Caelo
Faire Is The Heaven

Customer Reviews:

Soothing, Relaxing and Fulfilling.......2005-11-17

As I was driving home one evening, I was tuned into National Public Radio as "Faire is the Heaven" was played. The emotional outburst that followed immediately caused me to purchase this recording. It is simply heavenly. The tone quality and blend of these singers is amazing. Even on average computer speakers, the sounds will take you to a different place.

I highly reccomend this album.

"Journey to Heaven".......2000-12-20

The theme of this CD, "Blessed Spirit" is the music of heaven & our journey to heaven. You can tell John Rutter had a part in producing this beautiful music. It's an imaginary voyage, of course, with 18 selections presented here, and it is some of the most peaceful & beautiful music you might ever hear performed by the wonderful Clare College Choir. It's a inspiring collection of music from different eras and traditions. It's great to sit back, relax, and just let go and enjoy the music and beautiful voices of this choir. This is a follow-up to "Ilumina" , another great choral CD, and this marks the second appearance of the Choir of Clare College on this label. Highly recommended.

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Tenors Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003FRR
Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

TOSCA: Recondita Armonia
TOSCA: E Lucevan le Stelle
La Boh: Che Gelida Manina
Carmen: La Fleur Que to M'avais jet
Martha: M'apparutt' amor
Pagliacci: Recitar, Vesti la giubba
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
La forza del destino: La vita e inferno, O, tu che in seno agli angeli
Otello: Niun mi tema
Aida: Se quel guerrier, Celete Aida
Rigoletto: Questa o quella
Rigoletto: La donna obile
La taberna del puerto: No puede ser
Eugene Onegin: Kuda vy udalilis
Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
Turandot: Nessun dorma

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The Three Tenors in Concert

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000429L
Release Date: 1996-07-16

Tracks:

Lamento Di Federico - Jose Carreras
O, Paradis! - Placido Domingo
Recondita Armonia - Luciano Pavarotti
Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz - Placido Domingo
Rondine Al Nido - Luciano Pavarotti
Core 'Ngrato - Jose Carreras
Torna A Surriento - Luciano Pavarotti
Granada - Jose Carreras
No Puede Ser - Placido Domingo
L'improvviso - Jose Carreras
E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti
Finale Medley: Maria/Tonight/'O Paese D' 'O Sole/Cielito Lindo (Trad.) - CARRERAS/DOMINGO/PAVAROTTI
Finale Medley: Memory/Ochi Tchorniye/Caminito/La Vie En Rose - CARRERAS/DOMINGO/PAVAROTTI
Finale Medley: Mattinata/Wien, Wien, Nur Du Allein/Amapola/'O Sole Mio - CARRERAS/DOMINGO/PAVAROTTI
Encore: 'O Sole Mio - CARRERAS/DOMINGO/PAVAROTTI
Encore: Nessun Dorma - CARRERAS/DOMINGO/PAVAROTTI

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