Thomas Hampson & Samuel Ramey - NTA (No Tenors Allowed) ~ Famous Italian Duets for Baritone and Bass

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This disc is remarkable in many ways. Not only does it bring together two of opera's reigning lower-voiced superstars, it shows them at their best and presents, in addition, repertoire we rarely get to hear. In the past, Samuel Ramey has occasionally come across as bland and Thomas Hampson as just a bit too eager for a man with what is essentially a very lyric baritone voice. But their chemistry here works: Ramey is filled with passion--some of it comic (as Don Pasquale), some of it vitriolic (as Fiesco), and some of it loony (as Attila); throughout, his burnished tone never lets him down. Hampson is charming and in handsome voice as well--equally light and patterful when comic (a delicious Malatesta), and nicely dire (Ezio and Rodrigue). He isn't up to Simon Boccanegra's stature either vocally or emotionally (for that, listen to the classic performance of Piero Cappuccilli, but the sheer loveliness of his singing is enough to carry the day. A must for fans of either gent, and an intelligent, unhackneyed collection of music to boot. --Robert Levine

Album Description

Mozart Edition: The Complete Works will make a great gift this Holiday season for the music lover in your life or someone who is hard to buy for. This collection contains 170 discs of completed works by Mozart in one beautiful package. Also included is a cd-rom containing essays on his works, artist bio's, text and libretti's. At this super low price all music lovers will enjoy the Symphonies - Concertos - Serenades - Divertimenti - Dances - Chamber Music - Church Sonatas - String Ensembles - Violin Sonatas - Keyboard Works - Sacred Works - Concert Arias - Songs - Canons and Operas in this collection.

Customer Reviews:

a surprising offer.......2007-07-05

Complete works of Mozart for such a price is a surprising offer. We are pleased of the good quality, and the availability of otherwise difficult to find works of Mozart

Welcome to Perfection.......2007-06-28

Dispite what anyone else says, if god ever tried to talk to humanity it was through Wolfgang because his music is absolute perfection.It is the most beautiful music i've ever heard in my life( and this is coming from a 21 year old metal-head ).If one has second thoughts about buying this collection dispell them right now because this is probably the first item i've bought in a long time that i have not regreted.

Buy this as an encyclopedia of Mozart, then add other recordings..........2007-06-22

Brilliant Classics Complete Mozart edition, released for the 250th anniversary year of Mozart's birth (he was born in 1756), has much to recommend it. It contains almost all the works of Mozart, and has many fine performances: the piano sonatas by Klara Wurtz, Piano Concertos by Derek Han, Paul Freeman/Philharmonia, The Magic Flute, conducted by Charles Mackerras (licensed from Telarc), String Quartets by the Franz Schubert Quartet (Licensed from Nimbus) each stand out. The Symphonies, by the Amsterdam Mozart Academy/ Jaap ter Linden, are "So-so": I don't like the small period ensemble, but Symphonies 20, 40 (both versions: one with clarinets and the other without), 23, 24, and 34 are pretty good. Symphonies 1:I, 25 and 41 are sub-par: scrappy playing and weak violins make for a pretty rough experience. I would supplement this with the complete Mozart Symphonies by Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (DG), among the best recordings of these works, and the best complete set of Mozart's Symphonies, completed in 1968.

The Requiem, conducted by Nicol Matt (2001 recording) has had better performances, and for this I would recommend Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic (DG) and Colin Davis/London Symphony (Philips), which use a larger choir and orchestra, and have more drama where it is needed. The other choral works conducted by Nicol Matt are better, especially "Exsultate Jubilate" motet, the short Masses, and "Ave Verum".

Also worthy of mention are the "Posthorn" and "Haffner" Serenades, by Colin Davis/Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, licensed from Novalis for this release.

This is a great overview, and Brilliant Classics are to be commended for making it available at a low price, to get Mozart's music out to the mass public. It's a great buy, but I would get the Bohm Symphonies, and also Piano Concertos by either Ashkenazy/Philharmonia (Decca), Perahia/English Chamber Orchestra (Sony) or Anda/Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg (DG) for supplements. Also, Karl Bohm's recordings of the operas: The Magic Flute, the Marriage of Figaro, Idomeneo, and La Clemenza di Tito (all DG) are required listening, too. Recommended, but not as the only recording of Mozart's works.

Great value..Cant beat this deal at all!!!.......2007-06-13

As others have reviewed the product and highlighted that there are a few poor pieces... But who cares when there is 170 discs.. if you had have 10 cds that are poor quality and had a 160 disc set of good cd's and you paid $90 for the set.. would you be happy? I would think so... So don't get frustrated and just buy the set.. Enjoy the music for the price.. I am not going to go into details like others did but just buy the set!

Incredible Bargain.......2007-06-10

This offer is an incredible bargain at just over 50 cents a CD. The price jumps around often - you can sometimes get it for $4 or $5 less. but still at 50 cents. Mine arrived in excellent shape - it's hard for them to do otherwise. The way they are packaged they are either in good shape or some major disaster has happened destroying a whole bunch. Those I have played sound great. It will probably take a life time to play them all. Meanwhile we can just revel in our riches and feel all warm and fuzzy.
I also own the Bach set and am wildly happy with that as well.

The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever!

Average customer rating:

Latter-day also-rans
A well-sung compilation
This cant be the best
TRUE OPERA LOVERS CANNOT POSSIBLY LIKE THIS!
Even if you Hate Complilations, Get This One

The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever!

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Most Famous Opera Arias
The #1 Opera Album
The Most Famous Opera Duets
The Best of Italian Opera
Rapture: Opera's Most Heavenly Moments

ASIN: B0000084JD
Release Date: 1999-07-27

Tracks:

La Traviata: Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici (Brindisi) (Atto I) - Alfredo Kraus
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum (Atto I) - Thomas Hampton
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina (Atto I) - Roberto Alagna
La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi (Atto I) - Mirella Freni
L'amico Fritz: Suzel, Bon Di (Cherry Duet) (First Part) (Atto II) - Bernard Haitink
Nabucco: Va, Pensiero (Chorus Of Hebrew Slaves) (Atto III) - Bernard Haitink
Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile (Atto III) - Roberto Alagna
Lakme: Viens, Mallika (Flower Duet) (Acte I) - Mady Mesple
Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Victoria De Los Angeles
Tosca: Recondita Armonia (Atto I) - Placido Domingo
Tosca: Vissi D'arte (Atto II) - Maria Callas
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle (Atto III) - Placido Domingo
Adriana Lecouvreur: Ecco: Respiro Appena ... Lo Son L'umile Ancella (Atto I) - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Les Pecheurs De Perles: Au Fond Du Temple Saint (Acte I) - Nicolai Gedda
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Non Piu Andrai (Atto I) - Thomas Allen
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete (Atto II) - Ann Murray
Le Nozze Di Figaro: E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono (Atto III) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Martha: M'appari (Ach So Fromm) (Akt III) - Roberto Alagna
Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise (Liebestod) (Akt III) - Helga Dernesch

Tracks:

Aida: Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida (Atto I) - Placido Domingo
Il Trovatore: Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie (Anvil Chorus) (Atto II) - Bernard Haitink
Samson Et Dalila: Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix (Acte II) - Maria Callas
Carmen: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera) - Victoria De Los Angeles
Carmen: Votre Toast (Toreador's Song) (Acte II) - Maria Callas
Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee (Acte III) - Roberto Alagna
Les Contes D'Hoffman: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) (Acte II) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta (Atto III) - Maria Callas
Pagliacci: Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba (Atto I) - Jose Carreras
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo (Atto II) - Renata Scotto
Cosi Fan Tutte: Soave Sia Il Vento (Atto I) - Margaret Marshall
La Rondine: Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta (Atto I) - Montserrat Caballe
Die Zauberflote: Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja (Akt I) - Walter Berry
Die Zauberflote: Der Holle Rache (Akt II) - Edita Gruberova
Rusalka: Song To The Moon (Act I) - Lucia Popp
La Wally: Ebben? Ne Andro Iontana (Atto I) - Maria Callas
Werther: Toute Mon Ame Est La!...Pourquoi Me Reveiller? (Acte III) - Roberto Alagna
Turandot: Signore, Ascolta! (Atto I) - Montserrat Caballe
Turandot: Nessun Dorma (Atto III) - Jose Carreras

Customer Reviews:

Latter-day also-rans.......2007-05-28

There will always be arguments for this or that singer, but this title is absurd. I didn't see a single Jussi Bjoerling, George London, Leonard Warren, or Zinka Milanov, and only one mention of Del Monaco. These were singers. Bjoerling and London were in a class by themselves. I saw all of these folks live on stage. London and Del Monaco had stage presence you don't get now. Di Stefano, Kirsten, de los Angeles should be on any best list. Play any tenor aria by any tenor; then play Bjoerling's. Play any bass/baritone aria by any singer; then play London's. Jussi and George will knock your socks off. They sang everything in every language. Tebaldi and Pavarotti sang only Italian, much easier.

A well-sung compilation.......2003-09-15

Compilations usually receive negative feedback from experienced opera listeners. However, this compilation by no means should be only welcomed by opera listeners, it should be welcomed by all music listeners. This CD is a great one to own for a first time opera listener. Also, for the person who wants to listen to opera once in a while and who does not want to buy a myriad of CD's in order to have the same amount of arias as this CD has. Eighty-percent of the singers are high-quality singers in this CD and the orchestras along with their respective conductors, do justice to the songs. All of the arias in this CD are what we in the field call, standard repertoire, and therefore are a good source for a beginning musician to help him or her listen to phrasing, colour, dynamics, language etc. I certainly recommend it, without a doubt.

This cant be the best.......2003-04-20

Elisa from Italy is absolutely right--well, the present generation may not be able to listen the golden oldies and the grand masters in person but it is still true that the past masters far surpassed the new. De Stefano had a magnetic voice, but listen to Gigli singing Puccini's La boheme and you will melt away, though it is v v v difficult to get hold of his mono recordings, even in CD. I disagree with Elisa only on one point: Tebaldi is good, but Victoria de Los angeles' Mimi is better. And the indulgent Thomas Beecham is my favourite conductor of this opera, way ahead of Toscannini, but De Stefano's Boheme is worth keeping and listening to again and again....

TRUE OPERA LOVERS CANNOT POSSIBLY LIKE THIS!.......2002-11-27

True opera lovers (I won't say "experts" 'cos I dislike the word) cannot possibly like this ... ! Apart from Callas, here there is none of the greatest artists! Callas may be great in Carmen but nobody can beat RENATA TEBALDI and her angel-like voice in all of Puccini's operas or in GIORDANO's Andrea Chénier. No Carreras can beat MARIO DEL MONACO in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, or Verdi's Otello. And finally, NO ALAGNA, or PAVAROTTI, or LICITRA, or whatever CHEAP TENOR or CROOK can ever beat the greatest tenor of all times: GIUSEPPE DI STEFANO!
Come on! You can't like crook Pavarotti once you have heard Giuseppe Di Stefano!! You can't like ... connductor Riccardo Muti if you have listened to Arturo Toscanini!!
True opera lovers, especially lovers of Puccini, go for the Immortal, the Sublime, the Beautiful in opera: GO FOR GIUSEPPE DI STEFANO!
Go hear his performance of "E lucevan le stelle" as in EMI Callas/Di Stefano "Tosca" or "Che Gelida manina" always as in EMI Callas/Di Stefano "La Boéme" and you'll know what I mean.

Even if you Hate Complilations, Get This One.......2002-06-21

This is a marvelous collection of better known arias and duets in Opera. The singers are those famous for setting, and raising, the bar in their field and for their times: Renata Scotto, Maria Callas, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti. If you are only somewhat familiar with opera, these recordings give you the highest feeling of what an aria or duet can sound like when sung and interpreted at its best. If you are already familiar with these songs, then you will appreciate this collection all the more for having gathered them in one place. I play both discs all the time. I've especially appreciated being able to compare vocal qualities side by side, so to speak, as Maria Callas can be heard next to Mirella Freni and Victoria de los Angeles. Even if you are not familiar with these singers, this is the way to meet them. Maria Callas has a much darker, back of the throat tone. Mirella Freni is pure, clear and light floating up in the higher notes. You can almost visualize the singers as they place the notes in their throats and set them out in the air to vibrate.

Average customer rating:

Hampson: One of the sexiest voices in opera today.
radiant
Beautiful. Two fine singers create a special CD
Simply Stunning!! Hadley/Hampson are among the best ever.
Hadley & Hampson blend beautifully.

Famous Opera Duets

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

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Jerry Hadley - Golden Days - Tenor hits from the Golden Age of Operetta
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Leading Man
The History Boys

ASIN: B000000SEV
Release Date: 1993-10-05

Tracks:

La Boheme: 'O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni'
Belisario: 'Leberi Siete, Addio!'
Les Vepres siciliennes: 'Quel Est Ton Nom?'...'Henri'
Don Carlos: 'Le Voila! C'est l'Infant!'
Les Pecheurs De Perles: 'Au Fond Du Temple Saint'
L'Elisir D' Amore: 'Venti Scudi'
Lucia Di Lammermoor: 'Orrida E Questa Notte'
Dinorah: 'Quand L'heure Sonnera'
Die Fledermaus: 'Komm Mit Mir Zum Souper'

Customer Reviews:

Hampson: One of the sexiest voices in opera today........2006-02-06

This is a wonderfully varied album, one which I've given to several opera neophytes among my friends, as well as to my mother who has been an opera fan since the 1930s. The excerpt from Bizet's Pearl Fishers is gorgeous, everything the other reviewers say, but my personal favorite is the one from Don Carlo for its rollercoaster emotional dramatics (be sure and read the notes to this one so you know what's going on!), a showcase for the versatility of the performers. Hampson's performances here are subtly nuanced, self-assured, and sophisticated without losing a sense of fun, while Hadley's lovely tenor contains an irresistible ebullience. They are great foils for each other, and I'll bet they had a fine time making this album.

radiant.......2001-02-01

Although Jerry Hadley may not have the reputation of some of the world's other great tenors, his voice is truly beautiful and his straightforward, unegotistical style is refreshing. Everything about this disc is perfect, it is superbly recorded, the orchestration is just right, and the two singers (Hampson is, as he always is, masterful) blend flawlessly. The Pearl Fishers Duet, taken at a relatively leisurely pace, is absolutely riveting for its sheer beauty and probably ranks with the great recordings ever of this masterpiece.

Beautiful. Two fine singers create a special CD.......2000-07-26

I had never heard of Jerry Hadley prior to seeing an ad in one of the auctions. I bought the CD and became an instant lover of Hadley's voice. I am a Michael Crawford fan and also admire Michael Feinstein. Carreras and other greats have their places. Why didn't I hear about Hadley earlier?

I acquired this CD also on auction. Listening to it one thought came to mind. Sometimes two = better than one. The interplay and synergy displayed by tenor Hadley and baritone Hampson is marvelous. This CD represents a case where two voices = a four-power recording. The works should all be savoured.

Which of the nine tracks do I enjoy the most? All nine is not an acceptable answer. I admire the opening Puccini excerpt from La Boheme. Bizet's selection from Les Pecheurs de peries can stand with any. My favorite has to be the Strauss selection from Die Fledermous. Hadley and Hampson are more Broadway-type opera singers. Their duet in Die Fledermous may only be 3.36. You might put this track alone on repeat.

I highly recommend the CD. Maybe you will find other tracks more desirable than #1 (Pucinni), #5 (Bizet) and #9 (Johann Strauss). Try this. Maybe I will have to re-listen. That would be such sweet joy. It is going to be my next CD played (again and again). Enjoy.

Simply Stunning!! Hadley/Hampson are among the best ever........1998-11-07

These two, individually masters at solo expression, set a new standard for absolutely superb ensemble. Puccini's "Au fond du temple saint" from LES PECHEURS DE PERLES elicits strong emotions and tears every time I hear it in concert. And it does every time I listen to these two exceptional master interpreters.

Hadley & Hampson blend beautifully........1998-09-11

Hadley & Hampson blend as beautifully as it is possible for two voices to blend. Each wonderful voice is complimented by the other. Never has there been such a gorgeous recording of duets.

American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason

Average customer rating:

It's Dreamy
My Favorite Composer of all time
An American classic from Hampson that brings smiles and tears
OMG!!! More than 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 stars, one of the best album in the world!!!
It's simply lovely

American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason
Thomas Hampson , Jay Ungar , Molly Mason , Garrison Keillor , David Alpher , Mark Rust , Michael Parloff , Peter Ecklund , John Kirk , Arnold Kinsella , and Stephen Foster
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Song of Home
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ASIN: B000002SK7
Release Date: 1992-10-20

Tracks:

Opening Solo Violin
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
Hard Times Come Again No More
The Voice Of Bygone Days
Foster Favorites Medley (Ring, Ring The Banjo (1851) Oh! Susanna (1848) Camptown Races (1850)
Open Thy Lattice, Love (1844)
Beautiful Dreamer (1864)
That's What's The Matter
Old Home Medley (Old Folks at Home (1851) My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night (1853)
Molly! Do You Love Me? (1850)
Sweetly She Sleeps, My Alice Fair (1851)
Comrades, Fill No Glass For Me (1855)
Dancing On The River (Nelly Bly (1850) The Glendy Burk (1860) Angelina Baker (1850)
My Wife Is A Most Knowing Woman (1863)
Gentle Annie (1856)
Linger In Blissful Repose (1858)
Ah! May The Red Rose Live Alway (1850)

Customer Reviews:

It's Dreamy.......2007-01-10

This is a very wonderful recording of Stephen Foster by a master singer.
Foster's songs are of a more innocent and naive time in the American psyche, a time that it would not hurt us to remember, given the wretched brutality of American culture today (something you'll appreciate after listening to this recording).

The songs are beautifully sung by Mr. Hamspon, and the musical accompaniment with piano, mandolin, tuba, banjo, etc. seems a perfect setting for this period music. I enjoyed the musical interludes of Foster songs (not sung by Mr. Hampson), such as "Oh, Suzanna", "My Old Kentucky Home", and "Camptown Races." They are foot-stompin' and finger-snappin' good in a non-syncopated way.

Mr. Hampson's voice is so beautiful, and he has done such a wonderful job with these song's you'll just have to hear it, and when you do, tell me that you're not dreaming.

I remember reading a quote by John Phillip Sousa that decried the use of syncopation in American popular music. I never understood it until listening to this recording. The richness and intensity of American popular music (as experienced in the work of Stephen Foster) has been lost.
Everything has to be so cool today, thanks to syncopation, and "cool" really means no emotion.

If emotion is what you want, emotion is what you'll get with Stephen Foster's songs. It was a time when the death of loved ones (especially those who died in their youth) was experienced more often (see "I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair" and "Gentle Annie"). And we were not protected from the vicissitudes of fate by myriad government programs, modern medicine and universal prosperity (see "Hard Times").
Husbands and wives had their differences then, as today, (see the amusing song "My Wife is a Most Knowin' Woman") The passion of the Civil War (Foster was a Unionist),is reflected in a wonderful, fun song, "That's What's the Matter."

If you love good music, and you have heart which can be stirred, and you love your country, this is for you.

I love this recording. It has opened up the door to my "beautiful dreams," dreams of bygone days, lost love, and whatever else we pine for.

I wanted to buy several copies for my friends, but somehow I felt that the impact of this recording was so personal, that it could not be shared with others. Not that they couldn't enjoy it, but that I could not begin to share the intense emotion and reverie stirred in my heart by these beautiful songs.

My Favorite Composer of all time.......2006-08-20

Growing up playing his stuff on piano, I love the instrumentality of this CD..the violins give off that wail that he speaks of..I am not sure what it is about Stephen Foster but these verses..grab me like no other..there is so much sensitivity to it..

I dream of Jeannie with the light brown hair
Born like a vapor on the summer air
I see her tripping where the bright streams play
Happy as the daisies that dance on her way
Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour

but the violins in this CD make this CD the best out there..
FYI should you be into astrology Stephen Foster is definition of Cancer...Sun and Moon conjunct in Cancer with mars in Scorpio..i love his lyrics..almost to the point of obsession..

An American classic from Hampson that brings smiles and tears.......2006-07-17

Stephen Foster was the greatest American composer of sentimental parlor ballads--he so perfectly imitated folk songs that his music wound up turning into them. In an age of home music-making and later of families sitting around the radio, Foster's songs were a staple, often performed by crossover artists from opera like Lawrence Tibbett. Those were plump, ripe styles of singing, highly flavored by church hymns.

In this 1992 collection of 17 Foster favorites, plus a few rareties, Hampson drops the platform manner and goes straight for heartfelt sincerity. His tone is plain yet sweet, his expression intimate. He is accompanied by instruments redolent of the Victorian drawing room (guitar, fiddle, upright piano), and the mood they create brings tears and smiles of remembrance. This music is embedded in America's genes, and it's wonderful to realize that every note is still alive and throbbing with feeling.

OMG!!! More than 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 stars, one of the best album in the world!!!.......2005-11-25

Simply one word, WOW!!!
Thomas Hampson's voice is simply fantasic. His voice is very different from regular operatic baritone voice, very sweet, and rich. I really cant believe an operatic baritone can sing folk song like THIS good, in my opinion he sounds even better than his opera works in this album. His voice and the background music matches perfectly, the outcome would move u to tears, and u can feel the origin of MUSIC. This album really shows what the word MUSIC means, and the songs simply just ALL beautiful. I like his "beautiful dreamer", "my life is well knowing woman", and "jeanie with the light brown hair" the most. When I listen the songs I would just imagine that I am in the world of past USA, and I can feel the life of the ppl in the past USA~ just like watching an old classic movie, it would touch ur heart and fall in love with this album.

It's simply lovely.......2004-12-14

I didn't know Stephen Foster (I thought): wrong: Oh Susanna, etc, I knew, but had no idea who the composer was.

This CD is a revelation. The melodies are so beautiful, as are the poems, and Thomas Hampson just brings them to life as wonderfully as ever. I especially love "Beautiful Dreamer" - it gives me butterflies - and "My wife is a most knowing woman" - the way he makes the voices and the indignation is just brilliant. If one needed reminding what a brilliant singer Mr Hampson is - this disk does it.

Average customer rating:

What is all the hype about?
great cd
My girls listen to this every night
I would give it more than 5 stars....
Great CD: soothing music by best performers. Worth every penny.

Baby Sleep

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Scenes Form Childhood: Foreign Lands And People
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Lullaby

Amazon.com

I think this music is intended for adults, though the photo on the cover is of a sleeping baby. In any event, Schumann's work, Scenes From Childhood, Op. 15, featured here is more likely to bolt you out of bed than put you to sleep, as the mike is far too close to the piano being played by Cyprien Katsaris. Purcell's Adagio from The Indian Queen is magnificent, performed by John Elliott Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists. The Weird Award goes to triple harpist Tim Hobrough and lutenist Stephen Barber for their bizarre, spiky rendition of Minuets Nos. 4 and 5 from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach. I would like to meet Bill Holland, producer of all these Atlantic Records classical compilations. He's programmed Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1 on three different CDs, billed alternately as sensuous, romantic, and now here: good for a long snooze. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

What is all the hype about?.......2007-07-09

I purchased this CD on the basis of the reviews written on Amazon. I have to say I am terribly disappointed. My son hates the CD, I listened to it and I am not all that impressed either. It is ok but nothing like described by other users.

great cd.......2007-06-26

We play this cd every night at bedtime. It not only helps my baby stay asleep, but helps me fall asleep. The only issue I have is that one of the tracks near the end of the cd is a little louder than the tracks before it, so I just make sure I keep it on very quiet and it's wonderful.

My girls listen to this every night.......2006-11-10

My girls (ages 3 & 5) have a hard time winding down at night. We have a regular bedtime routine (bath, snack, teeth brushing, books, hugs), but they still take forever to settle down and sleep. Adding this CD to the bedtime routine has really helped.

I would give it more than 5 stars...........2005-11-18

I had this CD when my daughter was born 5 years ago, and it gave us such a soothing environment in which to bond during quiet times. We also put it on shortly before we'd put her down to sleep, and by 6 weeks she was sleeping through the night in her own crib. I think it was her sanctuary, and the music helped her feel comforted. We've since then completely worn out the CD (she listened to it through her 3rd year), and will have to buy a new one for our next little addition (coming soon!). I found it on this site and just listened to the samples from each track. Aahhh... very soothing for Mommy, too!
I also plan to get it as a baby gift for a friend. :)

Great CD: soothing music by best performers. Worth every penny........2005-08-05

I listened to this CD countless times ever since I first bought it from BMG music service back in 1997. Compositions of this CD are popular classical hits. That is, you will likely recognize at least some of them if you listen to the sampler.

What sets this CD apart is supreme music performance. Every composition is performed flawlessly, with real feeling and passion. There is a good reason why this CD that was released in 1997 is still around and costs over ten dollars. This reason is called quality.

Average customer rating:

Late Christmas present
Mahler-iffic!!!!
Three Brilliant Mahler Works Perfectly Melded
THe Mahler Bargain of a lifetime
Why pay more?

Mahler: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5; Lieder
Gustav Mahler , Leonard Bernstein , and Thomas Hampson
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies 1
Mahler - Symphony No. 8 / Popp · Auger · Minton · Harper · Kollo · Shirley-Quirk · Talvela · Chicago SO · Solti
Dvorak: 3 Great Symphonies

ASIN: B00004XT2A
Release Date: 2001-01-23

Tracks:

Sym No.1 'Titan': 1. Langsam. Schleppend - Im Anfang Sehr Gemachlich - Concg O/Leonard Bernstein
Sym No.1 'Titan': 2. Kraftig Bewegt, Doch Nicht Zu Schnell - Trio. Recht Gemachlich - Concg O/Leonard Bernstein
Sym No.1 'Titan': 3. Feierlich Und Gemessen, Ohne Zu Schleppen - Concg O/Leonard Bernstein
Sym No.1 'Titan': 4. Sturmisch Bewegt - Concg O/Leonard Bernstein
Songs Of A Wayfarer: 1. Wenn Mein Schatz Hochzeit Macht - Thomas Hampson
Songs Of A Wayfarer: 2. Ging Heut Morgen Ubers Feld - Thomas Hampson
Songs Of A Wayfarer: 3. Ich Hab Ein Gluhend Messer - Thomas Hampson
Songs Of A Wayfarer: 4. Die Zwei Blauen Augen - Thomas Hampson

Tracks:

Sym No.5: First Part: 1. Trauermarsch. In Gemessenem Schritt. Streng. Wie Ein Kondukt - VPO/Leonard Bernstein
Sym No.5: First Part: 2. Sturmisch Bewegt. Mit Grosster Vehemenz - VPO/Leonard Bernstein
Sym No.5: Second Part: 3. Scherzo. Kraftig, Nicht Zu Schnell - Friedrich Pfeiffer
Sym No.5: Third Part: 4. Adagietto. Sehr Langsam - VPO/Leonard Bernstein
Sym No.5: Third Part: 5. Rondo-Finale. Allegro - Allegro Giocoso. Frisch - VPO/Leonard Bernstein

Customer Reviews:

Late Christmas present.......2007-01-23

Thank you Amazon for this CD. It was well received from my brother in law who is a Mahler Fan. It did arrive sooner than promised from USA and he was delighted when it came in the early new year!
Thank you for the prompt reply I will use this service again.

Mahler-iffic!!!!.......2006-08-16

I have heard that Symphony 1 is considered Mahler's weakest but I find myself listening to this CD over & over.

Movements #2 & #3 are just beautiful to hear. Sound quality is good and it's a great value for the $.

Symphony 5 has been quoted as being 'overdone' (but nothing compared to Symphony 8). It's OK. A little too pretty for me.

Three Brilliant Mahler Works Perfectly Melded.......2005-11-01

Remember the days in the 1960s when we all waited for the next Mahler Symphony from Leonard Bernstein to be unveiled? As I recall that was the same time frame when the Solti recordings of Wagner's 'Ring' were slowly being released. So many music lovers 'found' Mahler through Leonard Bernstein and this splendid set of CDs reminds us why.

Here are perfect performances. The Symphony No. 1 "The Titan" with Bernstein conducting the 'Mahler orchestra' AKA the Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam. The response from the orchestra to Bernstein's penetrating approach is sensitive and breathtaking - some of the finest recorded sound the orchestra ever made.

On that first CD the remainder of the disc is rounded out with the still-respected partnership of Bernstein with Thomas Hampson in a performance of 'Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen', this time with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The communication among conductor, soloist and orchestra is on the highest level. This is the young Hampson when his approach feels not only secure but also very fresh. Listen to the way he uses his head tones for the higher notes in 'Die Zwei Blauen Augen': this is as close to Mahler's vision as a singer can get.

The second CD is devoted to a performance of the Symphony No. 5 again with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Bernstein is at the height of his powers here, able to rush into the heady movements with steady will and then bask in the Adagietto in as perfect a reading as any conductor has produced. This, too, is a perfect performance.

At Amazon.com's low price this is a recording that is easily accessible to every budget and one that is a must in the libraries of all those who love Mahler's wondrous music. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

THe Mahler Bargain of a lifetime.......2005-06-28

Bernstein in his later wisdom filled years gives us a 1st symphony bursting with edge of your seat tension and bombast.
Each movement is played with passionate articulate phrasing and sharp precision to reveal the wondrous worlds of nature,ghouls,enigma,struggle, and triumph.
Bernstein does have a tendency to extend certain passages out for maximum effect but he does it successfully without any sense of routine or premeditation.
This 1st sounds totally spontaneous as it is live and it feels like it but Mahler's soundworld is kept sharply intact.
As for Mahler's 5th, expect an over the top milk it till it bleeds interpretation.
Bernstein digs and digs deep to uncover all of the darkness of the 1st movements funeral march with plenty of phrasing that makes the tragedy all the more vivid but natural unforced phrasing.
The 2nd movement is off the chain chaotic madness with the vpo whipping up a storm of violence and destruction and the scherzo counterpoint and waltz schizophrenia is brought forth with precision and style.
Now the Adaggietto is done very expansively as it lasts over 11 minutes but Bernstein knows how to pace and phrase it well enough to where it doesn't drag and the climactic concluding full string fortissimo really hits your heart when it finally kicks in.
Now some people say that Mahler intended this movement to be done in a slightly brisk manner as Mahler's student Bruno Walter interpreted it at about 8 minutes but Bernstein chooses to caress every note which doesn't erase the romantic love letter concept of the movement as one critic had mentioned but it actually enhances that concept.
The final rondo movements triumphant jovial spirit is aplenty with the v.p.o. again providing technical and musical fireworks and sounding as if they're having a ball doing it.
So in this 5th expect highly individualistic phrasing and dynamics from Bernstein with emotions teetering on the edge resulting in a most compelling and convincing performance.
The Lieder performed by Thomas Hampson is simply icing on the cake as he sings with wonderful heartfelt musical eloquence with Bernstein as his trusty and enthusiastic partner.
Trully a Bargain to scoop up before they yank it like they do so often in classical.
Happy Listening.

O.f.

Why pay more?.......2004-10-08

Both the First and Fifth Symphonies are considered to be the gems of Bernstein's later Mahler cycle on DG. Previously, they were available separately at full price each. But now, thankfully, they have been released together, along with Songs of a Wayfarer featuring Thomas Hampson, at a 2 for 1 price. Shame on Amazon for not recommending this one instead of the 2 CDs separately. I guess it has to do more with profits than with recommendations.

Mendelssohn: Elijah / Shaw, Bonney, Quivar, Hadley, Hampson, Atlanta Symphony (Sung in English)

Average customer rating:

Great music
Why mess with the words?
Very excellent, especially the choral work
Good choral technique, weak on prophetic message
Simply an excellent and enjoyable performance

Mendelssohn: Elijah / Shaw, Bonney, Quivar, Hadley, Hampson, Atlanta Symphony (Sung in English)

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mendelssohn - Elijah / Terfel, Fleming, Bardon, Ainsley, Fulgoni, Paul Daniel
Elijah in Full Score
Elijah: An Oratorio for Piano & Vocal Score

ASIN: B000003D0S
Release Date: 1995-09-26

Tracks:

Introduction (Elijah) - 'As God The Lord Of Israel Liveth'
Overture
1. Chorus - 'Help Lord'
Quartet: Recitative - 'The Deep Affords No Water'
Duet With Chorus - 'Zion Spreadeth Her Hands For Aid'
3. Recitative (Obadiah) - 'Ye People, Rend Your Hearts'
4. Air (Obadiah) - 'If With All Your Hearts'
5. Chorus - 'Yet Doth The Lord See It Not'
6. Recitative (Angel) - 'Elijah! Get Thee Hence'
7. Double Quartet - 'For He Shall Give His Angels'
Recitative (Angel) - 'Now Cherith's Brook Is Dried Up'
8. Air (Widow) - 'What Have I To Do With Thee' - And Recitative (Elijah, Widow) - 'Give Me Thy Son!'
9. Chorus - 'Blessed Are All They That Fear Him'
10 Recitative (Elijah, Ahab) With Chorus - 'As God The Lord Of Sabaoth Liveth'
11. Chorus - 'Baal, Answer Us'
12. Recitative (Elijah) And Chorus - 'Call Him Louder, For He Is A God!'
13. Recitative (Elijah) And Chorus - 'Call Him Louder! He Heareth Not'
14. Air (Elijah) - 'Lord God Of Abraham, Isaac And Israel'
15. Quartet (Angels) - 'Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord'
16. Recitative (Elijah) And Chorus - 'O Thou, Who Makest Thine Angels Spirits'
17. Air (Elijah) - 'Is Not His Word Like A Fire?'
18. Air - 'Woe Unto Them Who Forsake Him!'
19. Recitative (Obadiah, Elijah, Youth) And Chorus - 'O Man Of God, Help Thy People!'
20. Chorus - 'Thanks Be To God!'

Tracks:

21. Air - 'Hear Ye, Israel!'
22. Chorus - 'Be Not Afraid'
23. Recitative (Elijah, Queen) And Chorus - 'The Lord Hath Exalted Thee'
24. Chorus - 'Woe To Him!'
25. Recitative (Obadiah, Elijah) - 'Man Of God, Now Let My Words Be Precious'
26. Air (Elijah) - 'It Is Enough, O Lord'
27. Recitative - 'See, Now He Sleepeth'
28. Trio of Angels - 'Lift Thine Eyes'
29. Chorus - 'He, Watching Over Israel'
30. Recitative (Angel, Elijah)- 'Arise, Elijah'
31. Air (Angel)- 'O Rest In The Lord' (Florence Quivar)
32. Chorus - 'He That Shall Endure To The End'
33. Recitative (Elijah, Angel) - 'Night Falleth 'Round Me'
34. Chorus - 'Behold, God The Lord Passed By!'
35. Recitative, Quartet and Chorus - 'Above Him Stood The Seraphim'
36. Chorus - 'Go, Return Upon Thy Way' - And Recitative (Elijah) - 'I Go On My Way'
37. Arioso (Elijah) - 'For The Mountains Shall Depart'
38. Chorus - 'Thus Did Elijah The Prophet Break Forth'
39. Air - 'Then Shall The Righteous Shine Forth'
40. Recitative - 'For God Sent His People The Prophet Elijah'
41. Chorus - 'Thus Saith The Lord'
Quartet - 'O Come, Everyone That Thirsteth'
42. Chorus - 'And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth'

Customer Reviews:

Great music.......2007-01-12

I love "Elijah" -- I sang it in college. The music is fine, but when I downloaded it into Windows Media Player the music was split up and stored in a random order, rather than in chronological order. I don't know why, and I couldn't fix it, so I deleted it. When I loaded it into iTUnes for my iPod, however, it was fine.

Why mess with the words?.......2004-01-05

Robert Shaw certainly is the choral master and this powerful story is well "acted" by soloists and chorus. That said, I don't understand why Shaw changed the words in so many places. He wasn't updating King James English (i.e., the verbs still end in "eth"); there's a bit of generic "they" instead of "men" but that isn't consistent. "Baal, we cry to thee" becomes "Ba-al, answer us." "Draw near" becomes "O come." In some places it just loses the poetry and becomes flat prose - for no obvious reason. Or he substitutes another verse of Scripture! The cd notes include nothing from Shaw himself so it's a mystery. I sang along with my old score and, frankly, some of his changes don't flow nearly as well as the older versions -- or maybe I'm just being picky!

But that isn't a reason to pass up this recording and I'm glad I bought it. Elijah is a star of the choral repertoire and this performance is very well done. Put away your old score and enjoy.

Very excellent, especially the choral work.......2003-12-17

Having sung in this oratorio many times (both the contralto, and the soprano solo parts) I was very familiar with the work. What hit me first in this recording was the WORDS were not the same as those I had sung so many times. It was sort of a jolt. Instantly, that made me wonder what was going on, after all, didn't Mendelssohn write this oratorio in English. Well, he did, but it was an English translation of the German libretto which came from the German translation of the Bible. We were all used to those words, and they have taken on special meaning. There have even been recordings of the past that gave the scriptural cross references to those lines. Well, what has happened here is the conductor and others have actually gone back to those scriptural references and made sure the words sung are those found in our King James Version of the Bible.

The changes in this text are not that great, but they are noticeable. Do I like them? Well, yes, but I have to admit while listening to the recording my mind always trails back to the familiar words.

There are a few things different about this recording than most. Firstly, there are not only four soloists, but nine of them. To some, with our tradition of having only four soloist, that may seem odd. It is not at odds with the original performance. In this oratorio, like many by Bach, there are soloists who are simple commentators, and some who are characters. We never had that distinction in other recordings. It is refreshing to hear it. Thus, we hear very different voices intone the "mother" and those who are just singing commentary (the first duet in the oratoria). It wasn't necessary to do this, and the oratorio works quite well if it is not done, but there is an added sense of drama, like we are witnessing a real story not just talking about it when we hear certain voices associated with certain people and events.

I found it delightful to listen to the good diction in English of some of the singers, though not all the women have good diction in English. I wonder why we tolerate bad diction in English but simply won't tolerate it in Italian or German? That is a very eternal question for me. I remember one of my own teachers saying that if a singer can't sing in their own language and make sense how can they really sing in a foreign one? Whether her conclusion was correct or not, I do know that with all the "Native English speaking singers" out there why so few of them have mastered diction in their own language. It would be wonderful if they had teachers wise enough to help they understand the pure Italian vowels they sing don't fit English where there is no such thing as a pure vowel. One singer who bad diction cannot be leveled at is Thomas Hampson. It is a real pleasure to hear him sing the Part of Elijah. I have an old recording of this oratorio with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Nicolai Gedda, Gwyneth Jones, and Janet Baker. Each of them sing English masterfully and clearly, no distortion, yet, only two of them are native English speakers. Gedda and Fischer-Dieskau have the most wonderful English, and one would think they really spoke the language from birth as it has no "foreign" sound to it at all. Thomas Hampson comes super close to having the same affect with his diction as Fischer-Dieskau, and filling the text with special meaning (as this fine German artist did). Sadly, the rest of the cast, though understood, simply doesn't have his mastery of "Their own language." I say that because everyone in this recording IS A NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER.

The quality of the singing is superb and it cannot be faulted. The orchestral presentation is masterful. The choral work is breathtaking, and with an oratorio like this, the chorus is what makes or breaks it far more than the soloists.

The quality of the recording is superb, though I wish the sound were more "full-bodied." I have this complaint about most digitally created CD's. The old Annalog recording method captured the brilliance and the depth of the music more completely. In digital music it seems the upper overtones are lost, but the "shrillness" of the high notes is not, and the depth and sonorous sound of the lower harmonics is not full or complete enough (and adding the "enhanced bass" setting does not give the reality of the depth to the sound). Having heard all the lead singers in life, I can tell you there is that special depth of tone, that richness that is part of their sound that simply is not there. One person who is really losing out in representation of her sound is Florence Quivar. Whatever her flaws in diction, her sound is rich and plummy, but you wouldn't know that listening to this recording. Even Thomas Hampson, though his voice is not a huge one, doesn't quite reflect his ability to resonate. His sound is very resonnant, very full, and it has a depth of emotion that is spine tingling. His voice caresses and invites the listener in. In some ways, it sounds like we are invited to listen in, but to stay out of the room in which he is singing. This is all the balance of the technicians. Wonderful as digital technology is, it still can't capture the human voice with all the nuances and overtones it has. I doubt any form of recording ever has, but it is missing some of the most important parts of it. The result of all this is a performance, wonderful as it is, that is lacking the amount of life it should have. One knows this is NOT the result of anything the performers or conductor are doing, for one can get that life if you play the recording quite loudly. The problem is, one shouldn't have to play it loudly to feel that.

Whether this is the best of the best, I couldn't say. It is a good recording and well worth adding to your library. The approach is different from the common way of doing things, and that adds a special refreshing touch to a work that is well known, and well performed.

Good choral technique, weak on prophetic message.......2003-12-07

If you like choral technique, then buy this one. Robert Shaw is the unquestioned master in that regard. If you want something to capture the essence of the biblical story, you would do well to find another. Shaw himself once said that Mendelssohn had maybe become "too Christian" with the obvious messianic implications at the end.

Simply an excellent and enjoyable performance.......2000-05-01

Growing up, my family played an LP of Elijah almost every week. As I grew up, I discovered what an excellent recording it was. When I went searching for my own copy a few years ago on CD, I bet on the conducting of Robert Shaw. I have never regretted the purchase, and have never grown tired of the recording. The singing is excellent, and the conducting superb. This is my favorite classical cd in my collection, and I've even bought a copy for my Mother!

Violetta: Arias and Duets from Verdi's La Traviata [Includes DVD]

Average customer rating:

Awesome
Anna Netrebko: a glorious Violetta
Netrebko wins hearts
Heavenly
Exciting new Traviata

Violetta: Arias and Duets from Verdi's La Traviata [Includes DVD]

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Anna Netrebko: Opera Arias
Sempre Libera
Russian Album
The Mozart Album
Anna Netrebko - The Woman, The Voice

ASIN: B000E0OF9S
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Tracks:

Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi)
E strano! - "Ah, fors'ui"
Follie! Delirio vano uesto!
Sempre libera
Lunge da lei - "De' miei bollenti spiriti"
O mio rimorso!
Pura siccome un angelo
Non sapete quale affetto
Un dquando le veneri
Ah! Dite alla giovine
Imponete "Non amarlo ditegli"
Che fai? "Nulla"
Invitato a qui seguirmi
Ogni suo aver tal femmina
Di sprezzo degno se stesso rende
Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core
Annina? "Comandate?"
Teneste la promessa
Addio del passato
Signora... "Che t'accade?"
Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo
Ah, non pi"Ah! Gran Dio! Morir siovine"
Ah, Violetta! "Voi? Signor?"
Prendi, quest''immagine

Tracks:

Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi)
Crudele!-Ah no, mio bene! - "Non mi dir, bell'idol" (Donna Anna)
Photo Gallery Anna Netrebko / Bonus-DVD Violetta USA

Customer Reviews:

Awesome.......2007-04-05

I LOVE this CD. Her voice is too beautiful, and the duets are fantastic. I get tired of the fancy pants opera listeners from Amazon reviews criticizing minute details. Seriously, who are they ? In the end, her voice is like an angel & the effect is quite pleasant. Close your eyes and enjoy :}

Anna Netrebko: a glorious Violetta.......2006-11-04

While there is certainly no shortage in recordings of Verdi's LA TRAVIATA score (Maria Callas, Beverly Sills and Monika Krause immediately come to mind), a new version is nevertheless always welcome. This is a highlights disc featuring Anna Netrebko taking on the role of consumptive courtesan Violetta Valery, and Ms Netrebko does a credible job.

One of the relatively-recent discoveries in opera, Anna Netrebko brings a great deal of fiery youth and vocal polish to the role of Violetta; she literally sprints through "Folie! folie" and "Sempre libera" at breakneck speed, scaling those delicious high notes with incredible ease, but never makes the music more flashy than it needs to be. Partnering her in the role of Alfredo is the talented Rolando Villazon. Villazon is the perfect anchor for Netrebko's vocal pyrotechnics, and together they create some palpable moments with the duet "Ah non piu!". The hand-picked cast also features Thomas Hampson as Germont, Helene Schneiderman as Flora, Diane Pilcher as Annina, and Salvatore Cordella as Gastone.

Carlo Rizzi leads the Wiener Philharmoniker, and they do complete justice to what is in my book Verdi's single greatest score. The complete score is also available [Deutsche Grammophon 477 5933], but the full flavour of the story, and most of the better arias, are all amply-supplied on this "highlights" disc.

[Deutsche Grammophon 477 5953]

Netrebko wins hearts.......2006-08-07

Anna Netrebko has a rare voice - direct, unaffected, pure enough to stand without need for frills. This CD is a recording of her live opening night performance, it's truly a thrill and her tenor co-star matches her passionate delivery. Sound quality is good, for a live recording excellent. If you're not yet a Netrebko fan this will convert you.

Heavenly.......2006-05-06

Netrebko had the voice of an angle, sang like an angle and die as Violetta like a healthy soprano! Her voice had purity and power few can match, despite some lack of expressiveness in her lower register. As violetta she conveyed effectively strong passion. I hope to see as well as hear her in a DVD of the Saltzburg performance. If the Bonus DVD was an indication, this production should be unconventional and exciting.

On the slightly negative side she seemed to pause (breath?) at strange places and glossed over some notes every now and then. Perhaps these were to be expected in a live performance.

The CD was well produced with nice, clean sound. It was very good for a live recording. The singers and orchestra seemed to be at two different acoustical spaces.

Highly recommended!

Exciting new Traviata.......2006-03-19

In spite of many flaws, which are to be expected in a live recording, this is very exicitng new Traviata! I don't care about comparing this one to old recordings, if you want to hear Verdi sung by today's young, gifted and very engaging singers, this is the album to get. Callas, Moffo and Cotrubas were great, but what's the point of these endless comparisons. This Traviata can stand on its own. The tempi are on the slow side, but there's a feeling of great intensity, especially on this highlight disc, I like the way they put it together. I liked the complete opera recording too, but if you want to hear selection of great arias, this album works very well. Libiamo, Fors'e Lui and all the lyrical pasages are just great. Villazon is marvelous, so passionate. Anna Netrebko has such a beautiful voice and she puts so much drama into her singing, you don't have to see her to understand all the different emotions that Violetta is going through. Of course, these two singers look the part, that's just great, it's time we have such a good looking and talented pair to grace the opera stages. Hampson does not sound his best, but I liked him in Germont's role.
The DVD that comes with this album shows the Libiamo video, and I just can't wait for the DVD of this production! The other video for Donna Anna's aria is taken from Anna's previous DVD collection, but it's somewhat similar in style. This is a very nice bonus, and overall this is a great recording. I am very excited about this new generation of opera singers like Netrebko and Villazon. They may not sing technically perfect, but at least they make you feel something.

Durufle: Requiem, Mass-Con Jubilo, Motets / Plasson, von Otter

Average customer rating:

Such a Beautiful Requiem
Great French Music
All things bright and beautiful...
PERFECTION!!

Durufle: Requiem, Mass-Con Jubilo, Motets / Plasson, von Otter
Maurice Duruflé , Michel Plasson , Anne Sofie von Otter , Marie-Claire Alain , Thomas Hampson , Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse , and Orféon Donostiarra
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Duruflé: Requiem Op.9/Messe Cum Jubilo,Op.11

ASIN: B000031X3K
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: I Introit
Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: II Kyrie
Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: III Domine Jesus Christe
Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: Hostias
Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: IV Sanctus
Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: V Pie Jesu
Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: VI Agnus Dei
Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: VII Lux aeterna
Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: VIII Libera me
Requiem pour soli, choeur, orchestre & orgue, Op.9: IX In Paradisum
Messe (cum jubilo) pour baryton solo, choeur de barytons, orchestre & orgue, Op.11: I Kyrie
Messe (cum jubilo) pour baryton solo, choeur de barytons, orchestre & orgue, Op.11: II Gloria
Messe (cum jubilo) pour baryton solo, choeur de barytons, orchestre & orgue, Op.11: III Sanctus
Messe (cum jubilo) pour baryton solo, choeur de barytons, orchestre & orgue, Op.11: IV Benedictus
Messe (cum jubilo) pour baryton solo, choeur de barytons, orchestre & orgue, Op.11: V Agnus Dei
4 Motets sur des themes gregoriens pour choeur a cappella, Op.10: I Ubi caritas (4 voix mixtes)
4 Motets sur des themes gregoriens pour choeur a cappella, Op.10: II Tota pulchra es (3 voix de femmes)
4 Motets sur des themes gregoriens pour choeur a cappella, Op.10: III Tu es Petrus (4 voix mixtes)
4 Motets sur des themes gregoriens pour choeur a cappella, Op.10: IV Tantum ergo (4 voix mixtes)
Notre Pere pour choeur a cappella (4 voix mixtes), Op.14

Amazon.com

This is the 1947, full-orchestra version of Maurice Duruflé's Requiem, one of the 20th century's most beloved choral works. It's the first of three versions the composer made of the piece. Despite the enhanced intimacy of the smaller-scale versions, the original offers a rich orchestral tapestry, especially compelling in the performance by Michel Plasson's forces, without diminishing the work's radiant beauties or its spiritual depths. Those virtues are enhanced by the singing of Anne Sofie von Otter and Thomas Hampson. The chorus, a weak element in the Requiem, shines brighter on the rest of the disc, which gathers all of Duruflé's choral music. The Mass is more assertive than the Requiem and should be heard more often. It gets a powerful performance here, as do the miniature Motets, intense in their restrained beauties. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Such a Beautiful Requiem.......2006-04-20

If you're a fan of requiems (especially the ones made by Brahms, Faure, and Berlioz) then you'll love this one by Maurice Durufle. It sounds so angelic and passionate. Michel Plasson's superb handling of the Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse and the Orfeon Donostiarra gives makes this piece of work shine with full fervor and magnificence. The vocal soloists, von Otter and Hampson, never miss a step. This is a beautiful, but sometimes neglected, requiem, and it should be more recognized from outside of France.

Great French Music.......2006-02-27

I love this composition and its rendition by Michael Plasson. However, the inept sound recording used on this CD greatly reduces its value. Wish it were issued on SACD.

All things bright and beautiful..........2005-09-01

I've listened to 4 different recordings of Durufle's Requiem closely: Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra Rome with Cecilia Bartoli and Conducted by Myung-Whun Chung, Voices of Ascension Chorus & Orchestra with Patricia Spence and Conducted by Dennis Keene, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus with Judith Blegen and Conducted by Robert Shaw, and this one. And I have to say that this is my favorite. The textures are richer and the performances by the orchestra and choir are better than the others. I will admit though that Cecilia Bartoli gets my vote for most beautiful performance of the Pie Jesu, but Anne Sofie von Otter's rendition is also very nice.
However, if you're looking for just one recording of Durufle's Requiem, this should be the one.

PERFECTION!!.......2001-08-13

This is one of the most beautiful CDs on the face of the planet. Durufle, a composer of the French Organ School, was a composer who possessed much reserve and this shows through in the restrained beauty of his music. Of particular interest is Track 16, UBI CARITAS--Durufle as well as the chorus are at their best here. The chorus sings the beautiful motet gently and with much feeling. The sublime beauty of this work of art instantly brings Durufle as an equal to that of Mozart, Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Beethoven. This music is not for those who like humungous bangs but rather those who can appreiate the quiet dignity of this man's work.

Massenet - Thaïs / Fleming, Hampson, Sabbatini, Shkosa, Vidal, Devellereau, Cals, Yves Abel

Average customer rating:

The magical voice of Renée Fleming
Listenable
A welcome addition to Massenet....
Amazing!
My introduction to the Beautiful Voice - Renee Fleming

Massenet - Thaïs / Fleming, Hampson, Sabbatini, Shkosa, Vidal, Devellereau, Cals, Yves Abel
Jules Massenet , Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine , Renée Fleming , Thomas Hampson , Yves Abel , Giuseppe Sabbatini , Elisabeth Vidal , Marie Devellereau , Enkelejda Shkosa , and Stefano Palatchi
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00004RCZO
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

Acte Un, Premier Tableau: Voici Le Pain ... Et Le Sel - Stefano Palatchi
Acte Un, Premier Tableau: Le Voici ! Le Voici ! - Thomas Hampson
Acte Un, Premier Tableau: Helas! Enfant Encore - Thomas Hampson
Acte Un, Premier Tableau: Ne Nous Melons Jamais, Mon Fils - Thomas Hampson
Acte Un, Premier Tableau: Vision/Honte ! Horreur ! - Thomas Hampson
Acte Un, Premier Tableau: Toi Qui Mis La Pitie Dans Nos Ames - Thomas Hampson
Acte Un, Premier Tableau: Mon Fils, Ne Nous Melons Jamais - Thomas Hampson
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: Prelude - Orchestre National bordeaux Aquitaine
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: Va, Mendiant, Chercher Ailleurs Ta Vie ! - Thomas Hampson
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: Voila Donc La Terrible Cite - Thomas Hampson
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! ... Athanael, C'est Toi ! - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Je Vais Donc Te Revoir - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: Garde-toi bien ! Voici Ta Terrible Ennemie ! - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: C'est Thais, L'idole Fragile - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: Quel Est Cet Etranger - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: Qui Te Fait Si Severe - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Un, Deuxieme Tableau: Non ! Non ! Je Hais Vos Fausses Ivresses ! - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Premier Tableau: Ah ! Je Suis Seule, Seule Enfin ! - Renee Fleming
Acte Deux, Premier Tableau: Dis-moi Que Le Suis Belle - Renee Fleming
Acte Deux, Premier Tableau: Etranger, Te Voila, Comme Tu L'avais Dit ! - Thomas Hampson
Acte Deux, Premier Tableau: Eh Bien ! Fais-moi Connaitre... Tout Cet Amour - Thomas Hampson
Acte Deux, Premier Tableau: Je Suis Athanael, Moine D'Antinoe ! - Thomas Hampson
Acte Deux, Premier Tableau: Je N'ai Pas Plus Choisi Mon Sort Que Ma Nature ! - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Premier Tableau: Meditation Religieuse - Symphonie - Renaud Capucon

Tracks:

Acte Deux, Deuxieme Tableau: Pere, Dieu M'a Parle Par Toi Voix ! - Thomas Hampson
Acte Deux, Deuxieme Tableau: Non Loin D'ici, Vers L'occident - Thomas Hampson
Acte Deux, Deuxieme Tableau: Considere, O Mon Pere - Thomas Hampson
Acte Deux, Deuxieme Tableau: Suivez-moi Tous, Amis ! - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Divertissement: No.1 Allegro Vivo - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Divertissement: No.2 Melopee Orientale - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Divertissement: No.3 Allegro Brillante - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Divertissement: No.4 Allegretto Con Spirito - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Divertissement: No.5 Mouvement De Valse - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Divertissement: Voila L'incomparable !/No.6 La Charmeuse - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Divertissement: No.7 Finale - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Divertissement: Eh ! C'est Lui ! Athanael ! - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Deux, Divertissement: Il Dit Vrai ! - Giuseppe Sabbatini
Acte Trois, Premier Tableau: L'ardent Soleil M'ecrase - Thomas Hampson
Acte Trois, Premier Tableau: Ah ! Des Gouttes De Sang Coulent De Ses Pieds Blancs - Thomas Hampson
Acte Trois, Premier Tableau: O Messager De Dieu, Si Bon Dans Ta Rudesse - Renee Fleming
Acte Trois, Premier Tableau: Baigne D'eau Mes Mains Et Mes Levres - Thomas Hampson
Acte Trois, Premier Tableau: La Paix Du Seigneur Soit Avec Toi - Thomas Hampson
Acte Trois, Premier Tableau: Mon Oeuvre Est Accomplie ! - Thomas Hampson
Acte Trois, Deuxieme Tableau: Que Le Ciel Est Pesant ! - Stefano Palatchi
Acte Trois, Deuxieme Tableau: C'est Lui Qui Vient ! - Thomas Hampson
Acte Trois, Deuxieme Tableau: Qui Te Fait Si Severe - Thomas Hampson
Acte Trois, Deuxieme Tableau: Thais Va Mourir ! - Thomas Hampson
Acte Trois, Troisieme Tableau: Seigneur, Ayez Pitie De Moi - Choeur De L'Opera De Bordeaux
Acte Trois, Troisieme Tableau: Sois Le Bienvenu Dans Nos Tabernacles - Thomas Hampson
Acte Trois, Troisieme Tableau: C'est Toi, Mon Pere ! - Thomas Hampson

Amazon.com

Given the renaissance in recent years of an interest in Jules Massenet--consider, for example, the 1999 release of two Werthers back to back--the time definitely has become ripe for a new account of his late opera, Thaïs. This is the first alternative to appear on CD since the problematic version with Beverly Sills from the 1970s. While far from flawless (curiously, it was recorded in two stretches, with a pause of 15 months between them), it makes a mostly convincing case for the stirring beauty of Massenet's much-misund