Bohemian Rhapsodies

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Leila Josefowicz's 1997 contribution to the lollipop aisle, this is not just another CD sporting a picture of a pretty girl with bare shoulders and a big smile holding her violin at a rakish angle. What's really on display here is Josefowicz's considerable talent as a fiddler. The program may not place great demands on her intellect, but it certainly calls for fingers, and she makes a real go of it. So does the recording team. Yes, the violin sounds bigger and louder in relation to the orchestra than it does to anyone whose ear isn't three inches away from the fingerholes. But the sound Philips has captured is vibrant and extremely detailed. The solo instrument's distinctive color and richness of tone--it is a Guarneri del Gesú--come right across, while the orchestra's playing is captured with great accuracy and clarity. P.S.: They play pretty well, too. --Ted Libbey

Bohemian Rhapsodies, Music, Maurice Ravel, Camille Saint-Saens, Jules Massenet, Henryk Wieniawski, Pablo de Sarasate, Ernest Chausson, Leila Josefowicz, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of the St Martin-in-the-Fields, Chamber, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Concerto, Violin Concerto, Violin with Keyboard
Bohemian Rhapsodies
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good violinist, not the best pieces to showcase her talent
  • Disappointing
  • Outstanding performances of great violin "warhorses."
  • Yeah, she's good.
  • Incredibly Moving!
 Bohemian Rhapsodies
Maurice Ravel , Camille Saint-Saens , Jules Massenet , Henryk Wieniawski , Pablo de Sarasate , Ernest Chausson , Leila Josefowicz , Sir Neville Marriner , and Academy of the St Martin-in-the-Fields
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chausson, ErnestChausson, Ernest | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by MassenetAll Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Ravel, MauriceRavel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by SarasateAll Works by Sarasate | Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by WieniawskiAll Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
ViolinViolin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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  1. Leila Josefowicz: Solo
  2. Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D/Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D
  3. Americana
  4. Violin for Anne Rice
  5. Leila Josefowicz Plays Beethoven, Ravel, Salonen, Grey, Messiaen

ASIN: B0000041LX
Release Date: 1997-05-13

Tracks:

  1. Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25 - Leila Josefowicz
  2. Introduction And Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28 - Leila Josefowicz
  3. Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20 - Leila Josefowicz
  4. Polonaise No. 1 In D, Op. 4 - Wieniawski
  5. Meditation de Thais - Massenet
  6. Tzigane - Ravel
  7. Poeme, Op. 25 - Chausson

Amazon.com

Leila Josefowicz's 1997 contribution to the lollipop aisle, this is not just another CD sporting a picture of a pretty girl with bare shoulders and a big smile holding her violin at a rakish angle. What's really on display here is Josefowicz's considerable talent as a fiddler. The program may not place great demands on her intellect, but it certainly calls for fingers, and she makes a real go of it. So does the recording team. Yes, the violin sounds bigger and louder in relation to the orchestra than it does to anyone whose ear isn't three inches away from the fingerholes. But the sound Philips has captured is vibrant and extremely detailed. The solo instrument's distinctive color and richness of tone--it is a Guarneri del Gesú--come right across, while the orchestra's playing is captured with great accuracy and clarity. P.S.: They play pretty well, too. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Good violinist, not the best pieces to showcase her talent.......2005-03-09

As other reviewers mentioned, Josefowicz is a good violinist, though I wouldn't put her in the top ranks as Shaham and Chang. Personally, I think she lacks the real passion required to be truly great.

However, the music chosen to show her talent was disappointing. I expected an album entitled "Bohemian Rhapsodies" to be *much* more lively. Instead, we're left with "Poeme" by Chausson and other equally somnolent pieces. The "Carmen Fantasy" is a good introduction, and the "Rondo Capriccioso" of Saint-Saens is one of my favorite violin pieces, up there with Bruch's famous "Violin Concerto in G minor". However, these two pieces are not enough to make the entire CD a good buy.

2 out of 5 stars Disappointing.......2002-08-06

Leila Josefowicz is one of my favorite violinists, and I like her in recording as well as in live performance, so it pains me to give her only 2 stars for this album. Every piece in this album has an air of perfunctoriness, and the venerable Academy orchestra under the equally venerable Sir Neville never seem to click with their gifted soloist. The recorded sound is good, not spectacular, but this neither adds to nor detracts from the fact that the "warhorses" on this album do not need another just polite compilation, especially from a violinist like Ms Josefowicz. Listen to her ealier "Solo" album, and you will get an idea of what fire and passion Ms Josefowicz can add to her technical prowess. Sadly, this is simply absent from the current album. If you've never heard these pieces before, you wouldn't mind this album at all, but if you have heard the old masters (e.g. Heifetz, Ricci, etc) handle them, you will be left wanting much more.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding performances of great violin "warhorses.".......2002-04-21

We are currently in the midst of a Golden Age of violin playing and Leila Josefowicz is one of the finest of an outstanding crop of young violinists, which includes Sarah Chang and Gil Shaham, among many others. Leila has everything -- a beautiful tone and phenomenal virtuosity combined with genuine artistry. I can think of no living violinist who surpasses her. The pieces on this CD may merely be tired old warhorses to some jaded tastes but, as performed by Leila, they are anything but tired and come across as the beautiful (and deservedly popular) masterpieces which they truly are. If you love the violin as I do, please get this CD and listen to these outstanding performances with fresh ears. If you do, you will be richly rewarded.

3 out of 5 stars Yeah, she's good........2001-01-06

Leila Josefowicz is still my favorite violinst. Not flaunting her talent like other violinst, she is quite modest about proclaiming her greatness. And that's why I like her (and of course, she is very very good). Only reason I gave it a 3 star instead of higher is that not all the music appealed to my personal taste. It might to you though. Many of, well, all of them relate somehow to gypsy music. I learned about more composers as well as never seen works but old favorites like Tzigane by Ravel which I really enjoy. The quality of this CD is very good too. Recording is good. The booklet is pretty lame though. Most of the room was spent translating into another language. The only worthwhile thing to read in there is Leila's talk about the pieces she's doing.....the english quote that is. Haha. If you just want to hear her play, go for the type of music she plays among her collection that you like. For me, that's the Tchaikovasky Concerto.

5 out of 5 stars Incredibly Moving!.......2000-07-19

I bought this album based on the other reviews listed here. No need to repeat what's already been said. It's all true! I'm back to buy more music by Leila Josefowicz!
Bohemian Rhapsodies
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Bohemian Rhapsodies

    Manufacturer: Philips
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD
    ASIN: B000A63QTQ
    Dvorák: The Complete Published Orchestral Works
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • 20 Hours of Dvorak at a Bargain Price
    		 Dvorák: The Complete Published Orchestral Works

    Manufacturer: Naxos
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    DancesDances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
    PolkasPolkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
    PolonaisesPolonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
    WaltzesWaltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    DivertimentosDivertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    RomanticRomantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    MarchesMarches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    OverturesOvertures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    Tone PoemsTone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
    PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
    CelloCello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
    ViolinViolin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    Russian National OrchestraRussian National Orchestra | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    CzechCzech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B0001FYRB2
    Release Date: 2004-07-20

    Tracks:

    1. Allegro
    2. Adagio Molto
    3. Allegretto
    4. Finale: Allegreto
    5. Allegretto
    6. Molto Moderato
    7. Allegro Giusto
    8. Molto Maestoso
    9. Allegro Giusto

    Tracks:

    1. Allegretto
    2. Poco Adagio
    3. Scherzo: Allegro Con Brio
    4. Finale: Allegreto Con Fuoco
    5. Allegro Con Moto
    6. Allegretto Grazioso
    7. Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
    8. Andante Con Moto
    9. Andante

    Tracks:

    1. Allegro Moderato
    2. Adagio Molto, Temp Di Marcia
    3. Allegro Vivace
    4. Allegro Non Tanto
    5. Adagio
    6. Scherzo: Furiant: Presto
    7. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

    Tracks:

    1. Allegro
    2. Andante Sostenuto E Molto Cantabile
    3. Scherzo: Allegro Feroce
    4. Finale: Allegro Con Brio
    5. Allegro Con Brio
    6. Adagio
    7. Allegretto Grazioso - Molto Vivace
    8. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

    Tracks:

    1. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
    2. Andante, Con Moto
    3. Andante Con Moto, Quasi L'istesso Tempo - Allegro Scherzando
    4. Finale: Allegro Molto
    5. Allegro Maestoso
    6. Poco Adagio
    7. Scherzo Vivace - Poco Meno Mosso
    8. Finale: Allegro

    Tracks:

    1. Adagio- Allegro Molto
    2. Largo
    3. olto Vivace
    4. Allegro Con Fuoco
    5. Sumphonic Variations, Op. 78

    Tracks:

    1. Allegro Agitato - Jeno Jando
    2. Andante Sostenuto
    3. Allegro Con Fuoco
    4. The Water Goblin, Symphonic Poem, Op. 107

    Tracks:

    1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Ilya Kaler
    2. Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Ilya Kaler
    3. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo - Ilya Kaler
    4. Romance For Violin And Orchestra In F Minor, Op. 11 - Ilya Kaler
    5. Mazurka For Violin And Orchestra, Op. 49 - Alexander Trostianski

    Tracks:

    1. Allegro - Maria Kliegel
    2. Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Maria Kliegel
    3. Finale: Allegro Moderato - Andante - Allegro Vivo - Maria Kliegel
    4. Walderuhe For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 68/5 - Dmitry Yablonsky
    5. Rondo For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 94 - Dmitry Yablonsky

    Tracks:

    1. No. 1 In C Major
    2. No. 2 In E Minor
    3. No. 3 In A Flat Major
    4. No. 4 In F Major
    5. No. 5 In A Major
    6. No. 6 In D Major
    7. No. 7 In C Minor
    8. No. 8 In G Minor
    9. No. 1 In B Major
    10. No. 2 In E Minor
    11. No. 3 In F Major
    12. No. 4 In D Flat Major
    13. No. 5 In B Flat Minor
    14. No. 6 In B Flat Major
    15. No. 7 In C Major
    16. No. 8 In A Flat Major

    Tracks:

    1. Rhapsody, Op. 14
    2. No. 1
    3. No. 2
    4. No. 3

    Tracks:

    1. The Noon Witch, Op. 108
    2. The Golden Spinning-Wheel, Op. 109
    3. The Wild Dove, Op. 110

    Tracks:

    1. Moderato
    2. Tempo Di Valse
    3. Scherzo: Vivace
    4. Larghetto
    5. ale: Allegro Vivace
    6. Moderato, Quasi Marcia - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
    7. Minuetto - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
    8. Andante Con Moto - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
    9. Allegro Molto - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
    10. Notturno In B Major, Op. 40
    11. Five Prague Waltzes
    12. Polka In B Flat Major, Op. 53 A / 1

    Tracks:

    1. I
    2. II
    3. III
    4. IV
    5. V
    6. VI
    7. VII
    8. Preludium (Pastorale)
    9. Polka
    10. Sousedska (Minuetto)
    11. Romance (Romanza)
    12. Fineal (Furiant)
    13. Andante Con Moto
    14. Adagio
    15. onderato (Alla Polacca)
    16. Andante
    17. Allegro
    18. Polonaise In E Flat Major
    19. Festival March, Op. 54

    Tracks:

    1. King And Charcoal Burner, Overture
    2. Prelude To Act 1
    3. Prelude To Act 2
    4. Ballet Music From Act 3
    5. Overture
    6. Prelude To Act 2
    7. Infernal Dance From Act 2
    8. Prelude To Act 3
    9. Overture
    10. Polonaise
    11. Dmitrij, Overture
    12. Armida, Overture

    Tracks:

    1. Vanda (Overture), Op. 25
    2. In Nature's Realm (Overture), Op. 91
    3. Carnival (Overture), Op. 92
    4. Othello (Overture), Op. 93
    5. My Home (Overture), Op. 62

    Tracks:

    1. Hussite Overture, Op. 67
    2. Selma Seklak Overture, Op. 37
    3. Dramatic Overture, Op. Posth
    4. Scherzo Capriccioso, Op. 66
    5. A Hero's Son, Op. 111

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars 20 Hours of Dvorak at a Bargain Price.......2004-08-03

    This 17-CD set collects together in one box all the published orchestral works of Antonin Dvorak. It's neatly done: each CD is in a paper envelope and there is a 51-page booklet (with knowledgable and helpful notes for each disc) all fitted into a cardboard box no thicker than that ordinarily used for a two-CD opera recording. All this music has been issued previously on separate discs or sets by Naxos and most of it is, if I'm not mistaken, still available that way. But this collection is one easy way to scoop up all of Dvorak's orchestral music at once. There is much music here that is almost never heard, certainly not in the concert hall and even on CD. For instance, I cannot recall ever seeing a recording (and I know I've never heard in performance) Dvorak's 'Intermezzi.' And the rarely-heard 'Legends' are nicely done here by Stephen Gunzenhauser and the Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. Of course, the name of the orchestra tells you something: some of these performances were recorded before the breakup of Czechoslovakia into Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Yes, some of the recordings go back to the late 1980s. No matter - the sound is quite acceptable throughout.

    There are numerous participants in these recordings, many of them orchestras in the Czecho-Slovak area, as well as the Polish National Radio Orchestra, the Russian Philharmonic and even London's Royal Philharmonic (in a smashing performance, with Maria Kliegel, sure one of our best current cellists, in the Cello Concerto). Conductors include Gunzenhauser, Antoni Wit, Camilla Kolchinsky, Dmitry Yablonsky, Michael Halasz, Zdenek Kosler, Libor Pesek, and Robert Stankovksy.

    Obviously one wouldn't buy this set for the most familiar Dvorak pieces - the 'New World' Symphony, the Cello Concerto, the Slavonic Dances - if that was all one was interested in. There are too many fine performances of those already on the market. But how many of you have recordings of poorly known but top-drawer works like the 'Czech Suite,' the 'American Suite,' (it is fashionable to dismiss this suite, but it's actually one of Dvorak's best), or some of the orchestral music from his many operas--overtures to 'King and Charcoal Burner,' 'The Jacobin,' 'Kate and the Devil,' 'Rusalka'? All of these, and more, are here. I recently returned from a trip and the only music I took along was this box of Dvorak. I never got sated, or bored, by it.

    I was also quite taken by the performance of one of my favorite pieces by Dvorak, his 'Wind Serenade,' here played by the Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists. And there are marvelous performances by Gunzenhauser and the Polish NRSO of 'The Noon Witch,' 'The Golden Spinning Wheel,' and (a particular favorite of mine) 'The Wild Dove.'

    And then there's the super-bargain Naxos price. This is an easy recommendation for the music lover in the market for this specific collection of music.

    Scott Morrison

    Music Review:

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    2. Brahms: Music for Two Pianos
    3. Brahms: Piano Concerto Nos.1 & 2/Waltzes/Handel Variation
    4. Brahms: Piano Trios
    5. Brahms: String Sextets
    6. Brahms: Symphony No. 4; Tragic Overture; Schicksalslied
    7. Brahms: Violin Concerto; Schumann: Fantasie, Op. 131
    8. Bridge: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 3
    9. Britten: String Quartets No. 1, 2, 3; Three Divertimenti
    10. Bruckner: Symphony No. 4

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