Massenet: Orchestral Suites

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
During the late 19th century in France, composers either wrote for the theater (opera or ballet) or they wrote nothing at all. Chamber music and music for orchestra was comparatively rare right up until the turn of the century. Only in the 1880s did Auguste Franck and Camille Saint-Saëns write symphonies that gave later French composers a model for the form, and such lively early works as Georges Bizet's single Symphony had to wait more than 80 years for a first performance. That makes these colorful, lively suites by Jules Massenet all the more unusual, and they deserve a much wider exposure in today's concert halls. As you can hear for yourself, they are charming, tuneful, and not a minute too long. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Suite No. 4: Scs pittoresques:: Marche
Suite No. 4: Scs pittoresques:: Air de ballet
Suite No. 4: Scs pittoresques:: Angelus
Suite No. 4: Scs pittoresques:: F boh
Suite No. 5: Scs napolitaines:: La danse
Suite No. 5: Scs napolitaines:: La procession
Suite No. 5: Scs napolitaines:: La f
Suite No. 6: Scs de fe'erie: Cort
Suite No. 6: Scs de fe'erie: Ballet
Suite No. 6: Scs de fe'erie: Apparition
Suite No. 6: Scs de fe'erie: Bacchanale
Suite No. 7: Scenes alsaciennes: Dimanche matin
Suite No. 7: Scenes alsaciennes: Au cabaret
Suite No. 7: Scenes alsaciennes: Sous les tilleuls
Suite No. 7: Scenes alsaciennes: Dimanche soir

Amazon.com

During the late 19th century in France, composers either wrote for the theater (opera or ballet) or they wrote nothing at all. Chamber music and music for orchestra was comparatively rare right up until the turn of the century. Only in the 1880s did Auguste Franck and Camille Saint-Saëns write symphonies that gave later French composers a model for the form, and such lively early works as Georges Bizet's single Symphony had to wait more than 80 years for a first performance. That makes these colorful, lively suites by Jules Massenet all the more unusual, and they deserve a much wider exposure in today's concert halls. As you can hear for yourself, they are charming, tuneful, and not a minute too long. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Good Tunes + Great Orchestration = A Winning Disc.......2007-06-16

It's rare that so-called "light" music has strong lyricism, careful construction, and impeccable orchestration; but this is certainly the case in Massenet's 7 Orchestral Suites. Each one is a delight, extremely memorable even on a first hearing, but offering up fresh delights with each subsequent airing. Ossonce breaks them up over two discs, filling out the first with the ballet music to Herodiade. He is the perfect conductor for this music, which demands to be played colorfully, assertively, and without any false pretenses. He makes you believe in this music, and though I have heard another recording of Suites 4 and 7, this is definitely the one to buy.

This disc covers suites 4-7, which are slightly more mature and concise than the previous ones, though they are all cut from the same cloth. These are all character sketches, somewhat picture postcard, and highly theatrical. This is certainly the case in the Scenes napolitanies, Suite No.5, which captures the vivacity and exoticism of Naples as viewed by a foreign student (I believed Massenet traveled there in his youth). Suite No.6, Scenes de feerie, sounds a lot like his Suite No.3, Scenes Dramatiques (on Disc 1), which was drawn from incidental music from productions of Shakespeare's plays. Here, though the only explicit content is "fairyland," he conjures a bold, magical world that could complement A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Winter's Tale, or The Tempest. Particularly interesting is the movement "Apparition," which shows his mastery of orchestral color.

The two mastepieces are Suites 4 and 7, Scenes pittoresques and Scenes alsaciennes respecitvely. In Suite No.4, Massenet offers us his most original melodies, clothed in orchestration that, like Tchaikovsky or Ravel, makes every note "sound." The deicious cello melody in "Air de ballet" says it all. This is a naive and untroubled world, but a world well worth inhabiting for an hour or so. We get much of the same, yet with more sentiment in Suite No.7, which begins playfully in the "Dimanche matin," only to become boisterously comic in "Au cabaret." The highlight is the incredibly beautiful (and the best melody in the suites) "Sous les tilleuls," which evokes a still, tranquil moment "under the lime trees." The suite ends with the tour de force, "Dimanche soir," bringing our tour of Alsace to a rewarding conclusion.

These suites are not second rate, though make no pretensions to the kind of symphonic range of Tchaikovsky's Orchestral Suites. They fall more in the category of opera suites, similar to Bizet's l'arlesienne suites, or the works of Chabrier. They are works of life, love, and happiness, and they will undoubtedly bring you joy when they are performed with such gusto as in these fine recordings.

Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits

Average customer rating:

Classical music CD for everyone
... in a nutshell
Karajan Forever: The "Eternal" Classical Music Album
Meditation!

Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Karajan: Adagio
Famous Overtures
Albinoni: Adagio; Pachelbel: Canon
Romantic Adagio: Karajan
Karajan Conducts Grieg & Sibelius

ASIN: B00008CLNO
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Spring - Michel Schwalbe
Adagio In G Minor For Strings And Organ - Leon Spierer
Valese
Menuetto
Morning Mood
Valse Triste
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor, K. 550 (Molto Allegro)
Symphony No. 9 'From The New World' In E Minor
Intermezzo
'Carmen' Suite, Prelude I (Allegro Giocoso)
Bolero (Conclusion)
'The Sleeping Beauty', Valse
'La Traviata', Prelude To Act III
Symphony No. 3 'Organ', In C Minor (Finale) - Pierre Cochereau

Tracks:

'Also Sprach Zarathustra' (Introduction)
'Cavalleria Rusticana', Intermezzo Sinfonico - Wolfgang Meyer
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Allegro)
Swan Lake, Suite Op. 20, Scene 1 (Swan Theme) - Michel Schwalbe
An Der Schonen, Blauen Donau
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G Major (1rst Movement)
Meditation - Michel Schwalbe
Badinerie From Suite No. 2 In B Minor - Karlheinz Zoeller
Barcarolle From 'La Gaiete Parisienne'
Piano Concerto No. 1 In B Flat Minor (Ex. 1rst Movement) - Lazar Berman
Adagietto From Symphony No. 5
Symphonie Classique (Finale. Molto Vivace)
Dance Of Teh Blessed Spirits From 'Orpheus And Eurydice - Karlheinz Zoeller
Danse De La Fee Dragee
Valse Des Fleurs

Customer Reviews:

Classical music CD for everyone.......2007-01-09

A great selection. I bought one for my husband, and later the other one for my parents.
Quality, and a superb selection of masterpieces.
A must have for classical music lovers, and for everyone who wants to get introduced to classical music.

... in a nutshell.......2006-09-08

Probably the best one-volume compilation of Karajan available, with the most broad-based approachable track list currently being offered to the general enthusiast/collector. Back in the vinyl days, there were two-disc sets available like the "Karajan Super Concert" or the three-volume "Karajan Conducts" set on Angel. Some of these have been re-arranged and re-released with new or different cover art on CD too, but here is a newly remastered set just as good or better than any of those.

It also contains probably the best short essay on what Herbert von Karajan was all about by Axel Bruggemann, that I have ever read. A CD or two of the "Adagio" set by this conductor (also on DG) may be a nice supplement too, otherwise you can't really go wrong with this two-disc set at a fairly affordable price.

Karajan Forever: The "Eternal" Classical Music Album.......2005-09-26

Another fine recording of classical music, as conducted by the man considered to be the greatest conductor of the 20th century- Herbert Von Karajan, whose position as conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic made that particular orchestra unbeatable and at number one in the list of world's greatest orchestras. Karajan was involved with the Berlin Philharmonic's musical development for years, until his death in 89, before the Berlin Wall fell, an event he did not live to see. This recording has to the best of Karajan's many collected classical pieces on record. It is a perfect introduction to classical music itself and to Karajan's style. A plethora of composer and time periods- from Baroque, to Classical to Romantic- are all on here. Vivaldi's Spring opens the CD, and is followed by the melancholy and fatalistic sounding Baroque classic Albinoni Adagio in G. This is followed by Mozart's 40th symhony. The first Romantic Era symphony on here is Dvorak's famous New World Symphony, which Karajan conducts with supreme mastership. The Intermezzo from the verisimo opera Cavalleria Rusticana is on here and sounds absolutely breathtaking. The suite of Bizet's Carmen is musically intoxicating and the Bolero has never sounded hotter, except for maybe Zubin Mehta conducting it which I've heard live and know is absolutely wonderful. The famous Waltz from Tchaikovsky's ballet masterpiece Sleeping Beauty is on here as well as the Third Act Prelude to Verdi's Traviata. The final track on CD 1 is Saint Saens Organ Symphony Finale.

The second disc opens with a masterful version of the powerfully evocative Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, another Austrian composer Karajan championed. The Swan Theme from Swan Lake is on here, as well as the Viennese Waltz favorite On the Beautiful Blue Danube- something I didn't know Karajan even conducted. But being Austrian, I'm not surprised. Karajan even conducted Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus as well as other waltzes. Back to Baroque, he continues with the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by Bach and the gorgeous and somewhat gloomy Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orpheus and Eurydice by Gluck. The CD ends with the elegant and beautiful Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky's Nutracker. This is a must have for fans of classical music, as a lot of favorites are on here.

Meditation!.......2003-07-20

A veritable who's who of pieces & composers, the CDs Karajan Forever will hopefully live forever.
Herbert VonKarajan was the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 1955 until his demise in 1989. His vision & helmsmanship of this magnificent orchestra have literally changed the way a whole generation heard music.

Tracks:

Air on the G String (J.S. Bach, arr. Stokowski) BBC Philharmonic/ Mathias Bamert
Largo (from 'Winter' of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons) Bournemouth Sinfonietta/ Ronald Thomas
Canon (Pachelbel) Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble
Sheep May Safely Graze (J.S. Bach, arr. Stokowski) BBC Philharmonic/Matthias Bamert
Apres un reve (Faure, arr. Peter Graham) Philip McCann (cornet)/Sellers Engineering Band/Roy Newsome
Bridal March (from Wagner's Lohengrin) Michael Austin (organ)
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (from Handel's Solomon) Cantilena/Adrian Shepherd
Trumpet Tune (Purcell) Michael Austin (organ)
March (from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus) Collegium Musicum 90/Simon Standage)
Alla Hornpipe (from Handel's Solomon) The Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Sir Alexander Gibson
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke) Michael Austin (organ)
I Was Glad (Parry) Roderick Elms (organ)/London Symphony Chorus London Symphony Orchestra/ Richard Hickox
God Is Gone Up (Finzi) The Finzi Singers/Paul Spicer
Panis Angelicus (Franck, arr. Gordon Langford) Phillip McCann (cornet)/Simon Lindley (organ) Boys of Leeds Parish Church Choir/Sellers Engineering Band/Roy Newsome
The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) (Crimond, arr. H. Roberton) Rhos Orpheus Male Voice Choir/J. Glyn Williams
Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod, arr. Phillip McCann) Phillip McCann (cornet)/Lain Robertson (organ)
Ave Maria (Schubert, arr. Phillip McCann) Phillip McCann (cornet)/Malcolm Hicks (organ)
Come Down, O Love Divine (Vaughan Williams) Choir of Worcester Cathedral/Christopher Robinson
Praise My Soul the King of Heaven (Goss, arr. Gordon Langford) Besses O' Th' Barn Band
Greater Love Hath No Man (Ireland) Paula Bot (soprano)/James Oxley (tenor)/London Symphony Chorus/London Symphony Orchestra/Richard Hickox

Tracks:

Air (from Handel's Water Music) The Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Alexander Gibson
Priere Notre-Dame (from Boellmann's Suite gothique) Ian Tracey (organ)
Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, 2nd movement (J.S. Bach) Collegium Musicum 90/Simon Standage
Chanson de matin (Elgar) Bournemouth Sinfonietta/Norman Del Mar
Laudate Dominum (from Mozart's Solemn Vespers) Phillip McCann (cornet)/Simon Lindley (organ) Boys of Leeds Parish Church Choir
Salut d'amour (Elgar) Nigel Kennedy (violin) Steven Isserlis (cello)/Peter Pettinger (piano)
Meditation (from Massenet's Tha=EFs) Yuri Torchinsky (violin)/BBC Philharmonic/Yan Pascal Tortelier
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring (from Bach's Cantata 147) Michael Austin (organ)
Cantique de Jean Racine (Faur=E9, arr. John Rutter) Huddersfield Choral Society / BBC Philharmonic/Vernon Handley
Wedding March (from Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream) Michael Austin (organ)
Toccata in G (Dubois) Francis Jackson (organ)
Organ Sonata No. 2, 3rd movement (Mendelssohn) Piet Kee (organ)
Hallelujah Chorus (from Handel's Messiah) Collegium Musicum 90/Richard Hickox
Toccata (from Widor's Symphony No. 5) Ian Tracey (organ)
March triomphale - Nun danket alle Gott (Karg-Elert) Michael Auston (organ)
Andante (from Stanley's Trumpet Voluntary, Op. 6 No. 5) Richard Marlow (organ)
Finale (from Saint-Sains' Symphony No. 3) Gillian Weir (organ)/Ulster Orchestra/Yan Pascal Tortelier=

Customer Reviews:

wedding classics.......2007-06-18

a very useful collection of music for weddings. A pity that at least two of the samples let you hear the wrong music, i.e. other music than the title shows......

Problem with Samples.......2007-06-13

I am just reviewing to let people know that at least one of the audio samples is incorrect. I clicked the sample to listen to the sample of Meditation from Thais by Massenet but what played was the Entrance to the Queen of Sheba by Handel.

Perfect Music for a Perfect Day.......2003-04-02

What an excellent collection of music from the amazing Chandos catalog. All the selections are arranged into sections based on where in the ceremony the music would be heard. And there's more than just 'Here Comes the Bride' (although it is there) but all sorts of choices that any bride would love to make her wedding memorable and individual. 2 CDs that have all sorts of different music whether you're planning a traditional wedding or just a few friends in the park, there is something in it for anyone. I highly recommend this collection!

Paul Paray Conducts French Orchestral Music

Average customer rating:

A must have for lovers of French Orchestral music
Paray's MLP French Gems Are Back!,

Paul Paray Conducts French Orchestral Music

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Antal Dorati Conducts
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Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6
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Symphonie Fantastique

ASIN: B00035VV7S
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Customer Reviews:

A must have for lovers of French Orchestral music.......2006-04-29

Paul Paray is one of the best interpreters of French orchestral music whose stereo recordings are gathered together in this budget priced box, and offer terrific value to the consumer: great recordings/ performances AND sound, at a low price. First off, this item is highly recommended.

There may be some listeners who have favorite recordings of certain works in this set, such as the Saint Saens ORGAN Symphony, the Ravel TOMBEAU DE COUPERIN (Paray strikes me as rather too fast in the Forlane movement, and other parts), or CARMEN Suites. But it is great to have all this music in one set, and Paray is not inferior to anyone in this music. There are several rare works here, including Paray's own MASS. And there is Bizet's rarely heard LA PATRIE Overture, and Thomas Overtures to RAYMOND and MIGNON; Herold's ZAMPA; and Saint Saens' Bacchanale from SAMSON ET DALILA. The Detroit Symphony of the late 1950s/early 60s plays wonderfully, sounding as good as many more prestigious "big name" orchestras.

Of course other listeners have favorites and may not agree with my perception, but I enjoyed this set alot, and will continue to return to it in the future. That's saying alot for one who's a committed fan of Karl Bohm (1894-1981), Eugene Ormandy (1899-1985), Carl Schuricht (1880-1967) and Bruno Walter (1876-1962). The "French" sound and style Paray drew from the Detroit Symphony is much different from Bohm, Ormandy, Schuricht, or Walter, but is most enjoyable. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Paray's MLP French Gems Are Back!, .......2005-06-07

Those familiar with my reviews on Amazon know my great love for the Mercury Living Presence series. Equally great is my disgust that so many of these brilliant recordings have been deleted in the last few years! Thankfully, some of these legendary performances are resurfacing as SACD hybrids. However, they are unfortunately now being sold at full-price, despite a competing Living Stereo hybrid series on RCA/BMG being available at midline. In spite of the added expense, I hope this MLP reissue trend will continue, and maybe we'll even see a few items receiving their CD debut in this series.

These various performances of French Orchestral Music by the great Paul Paray have always been among my favorite MLP offerings. While three of these recordings continue to be available in their original CD incarnations -- the Ibert/Ravel, the Bizet Suites and Saint-Saens discs -- the remaining two discs of material have been out-of-print for some time. However, with this box set Paray's Lalo/Chausson and French Opera Highlights albums are now deservedly restored to the catalog. Even better is the fact that the four 5CD box sets being reissued have been reasonably priced, however they are not SACD Hybrids. This Paray set, and the ones of Dorati conducting Bartok and Tchaikovsky, and Hanson conducting a variety of American music, including his own compositions, have a total cost cheaper than the original single issue CDs! Once again, Mercury Living Presence lives!

Average customer rating:

Wondrous and lively music
Color and Craft--Orchestral Suites of Massenet
What a great recording.

Massenet: Orchestral Suites

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Massenet: Orchestral Suites
Jules Massenet: Ballet Suites
Massenet: Complete Works for Solo Piano, Piano Concerto & Complete Works for Piano Duet
Orchestral Suites
A. Glazunov: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 8

ASIN: B00000144P
Release Date: 1995-07-18

Tracks:

Hdiade (Ballet Suite): Les Egyptiennes
Hdiade (Ballet Suite): Les Babyloniennes
Hdiade (Ballet Suite): Les Gauloises
Hdiade (Ballet Suite): Les Phciennes
Hdiade (Ballet Suite): Final
Suite No. 1: Pastorale et fugue
Suite No. 1: Variations
Suite No. 1: Nocturne
Suite No. 1: Marche et strette
Suite No. 2: Scs hongroises: Allegro risoluto
Suite No. 2: Scs hongroises: Allegro leggiero
Suite No. 2: Scs hongroises: Allegro risoluto
Suite No. 2: Scs hongroises: Andate
Suite No. 2: Scs hongroises: Allegro risoluto
Suite No. 3: Scs dramatiques: Prde et Divertissement
Suite No. 3: Scs dramatiques: Mdrame
Suite No. 3: Scs dramatiques: Sc finale

Amazon.com

Jules Massenet wrote more than operas. There's an outstanding piano concerto, as well as six charming "characteristic suites" for orchestra. Each has a different theme, and the titles emphasize the theatrical connection in calling each movement a "scene." When listening you may indeed be reminded of the opera, or even more, the ballet. Even so, these colorful and tuneful scores stand as one of the finest series of purely orchestral works by any 19th-century French composer, and they deserve a much wider exposure among music lovers. If you've had occasion to enjoy Massenet's operas, then you're sure to enjoy these delightful recordings as well. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Wondrous and lively music.......2006-09-17

When one thinks of classical music from the Romance period; French music is often left out as our ears dwell on the Russians, Germans, Italian operas, and maybe the more recent English composers. But the French produced many great composers, and one of them is Jules Massenet. Though he never wrote a "symphony", he wrote numerous orchestral suites that span 15 - 30 minutes each, and whose music is every bit as lively, enrapturing and melodic as symphonies from Brahms, Tchaikovsky and others. This CD includes several of the better ones, each themed around a specific item in pop culture at that time. The first suite, for example, is based of the stories revolving around King Herod of biblical fame. Every piece on the CD has its own mood, theme, and rhythm. Each is performed by a full orchestra and can be listened on its own. Overall, the music here makes for great movie music and the quality is great. This is a great buy for the price and I recommend it.

Color and Craft--Orchestral Suites of Massenet.......2005-07-19

In some ways, Jules Massenet is a slightly sad musical figure. Not forward-looking enough to suggest a bridge between the two centuries he lived in--like Gabriel Faure or Paul Dukas--not potent enough to be one of Romantic music's heavy hitters, he inhabits a world of shadowy reputation a little better than that of his contemporary Edouard Lalo by virtue of the fact that people still listen to some of his perfumed operas, especially Manon and Werther. And speaking of perfume--while Massenet specialized in the painting of exotic scenes, Debussy left him far in the dust, as did for that matter the often-maligned Saint-Saens, whose Bacchanale, for example, outstrips all of the faux orientalisms in Herodiade.

Now that I've dispatched my duties as dry-eyed critic, I'm here to say that all the music on this disc is unfailingly attractive and entertaining, even if it doesn't storm the heavens. Even the unnamed Suite No. 1, which is a little more "academic" than the others, is well crafted and very pretty, though with a bit less profile. And the orchestration is colorful and expert throughout. I doubt any of the melodies or orchestral effects will stick with you, but you'll be very happy while you're giving this disc a spin.

Conductor and orchestra do this music full justice. M. Ossonce specializes in this sort of out-of-the-way fare from the late Romantic era in France (I've enjoyed his work in Alberic Magnard symphonies), and he keeps the pace sprightly, the colors bright and clean a la francais, as they should be. Naxos' engineers do more of the good work they seem inclined to do in the South Seas. On balance, a good disc for late-night listening while catching up on your reading.

What a great recording........2004-03-19

I wasn't familiar with Massenet until I heard a sample of this recording on NPR. I loved it so much that I bought the CD that night. It's a good CD to use to introduce people to classical music. There's wonderful, catchy melodies throught the suites and the finales are just incredible. The music reminds me of some of my favorite Tchaikovsky pieces.

Massenet: Complete Works for Solo Piano, Piano Concerto & Complete Works for Piano Duet

Average customer rating:

Rare French Musique...

Massenet: Complete Works for Solo Piano, Piano Concerto & Complete Works for Piano Duet
Aldo Ciccolini , Jules Massenet , Sylvain Cambreling , and Orchestre National de l'Opera de Monte Carlo
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Massenet: Orchestral Suites
French Piano Concertos
Jules Massenet: Ballet Suites
Massenet: Orchestral Suites
Kullak / Dreyschock: Piano Concertos

ASIN: B0000CE7FS
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Tracks:

I. Andante Moderato - Allegro Non Troppo (Cadenza)
II. Largo
III. Airs Slovaques: Allegro - Allegro Maestoso - Allegro Molto Animato
1. Papillons Noirs (Allegro Agitato Molto)
2. Papillons Blancs (Allegro)
1. Eau Dormante (Lent Et Calme)
2. Eau Courante (Vite)
Toccata
Musique Pour Bercer Les Petits Enfants
1. Nocturne: Andante Con Moto
2. Marche: Allegro Con Molto Di Moto
3. Barcarolle: Andantino Quasi Andante
4. Rigodon: Allegro Non Troppo
5. Melodie (Elegie Jouee Par Les Erinnyes): Lento Ma Non Troppo
6. Saltarello: Allegro Vivace
7. Vieille Chanson: Andante Quasi Andantino
8. Legende: Allegretto - Presto
9. Fughetta: Andantino Quasi Allegretto
10. Carillon: Allegro
1. Andantino (Calme Et Soutenu Sans Lenteur)
2. Allegretto Con Grazia - Con Moto
3. Triste Et Lent
4. Allegretto Scherzando
5. Andante Cantabile Espressivo (Quasi Recitativo)
6. Allegro Deciso Con Moto
7. Allegretto (Calme Et Simplement)

Tracks:

Valse Folle
Valse Tres Lente (Tres Lente Et Tres Douce)
Devant La Madonne (Souvenir De La Campagne De Rome, Nuit De Noel) (Allegro Moderato)
I. A L'Ombre (Assez Lent Et Mysterieux)
II. Dans Les Bles (Modere)
III. Grand Soleil (Avec Ampleur)
I. Feuilles Jaunes (Assez Lent)
II. Deux Novembre (Triste, Assez Lent)
III. Joyeuse Chasse (Tres Anime)
I. Noel (Tres Modere)
I. En Songeant (Tres Lent)
III. On Valsait (Mouvement De Valse)
I. Premiers Nids (Vif, Alerte Et Gai)
II. Lilas (Tres Modere Et Caressant)
III. Paques (Sortie De La Grand-Messe) (Modere)
1. Avec Entrain (In C)
2. Tres Anime (In G)
3. Expressif Et Triste, Sans Lenteur (In B Flat Minor)
4. Tres Anime (In D Flat)
5. Avec Elan (In C)
6. Avec Ampleur, Sans Lenteur (In F)
1. Modere Et Bien Rythme (In B Minor)
2. Allegretto, Avec Delicatesse (In G)
3. D'Une Allure Franche Et Gaie, Mesure Cependant (In C)
La Vierge: Danse Galileenne
I. Andante (In F)
II. Allegretto Quasi Allegro (In G)
III. Andante (In D Flat)
1. Tres Calme Avec Un Sentiment Intime (In E Flat)
2. (Sans Indication De Mouvement) (In G)

Customer Reviews:

Rare French Musique..........2007-02-12

.
Nice reissue of some rare French piano music, at a bargan rate.

Ciccolini is an adequate pianist who specializes in French art. His readings of Satie are questionable--but Massenet's piano pieces are otherwise unobtainable.

Jules Massenet is not widely remembered now--aside from a couple of operas which maintain a toehold in the repetoire. In his heyday during the Second Empire, however, he was an important teacher and opera impresario. These little piano pieces reflect the pale rosy eroticism popular in art during the corrupt reign of Napoleon III.
.

Average customer rating:

Music For Reading

Manufacturer: Classical Heritage
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

The Four Seasons: Spring: Allegro
Air On The 'G' String
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5: Allegro
Canon In D
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
String Quintet In E Major, Op. 13, No. 5: Minuet
Nocturne In D-Flat Major, Op. 27-2
Trois Gymnopedies: Lent et Douloureux
Nocturne In G Major Op. 37-2
Adagio For Strings

Tracks:

Brandenberg Concerto No. 3: Allegro
Royal Fireworks Music: La Rejouissance
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
La Mer: From Dawn Until Noon On The Sea
Lieutenant Kije: Troika
Symphony No. 4: Introduction
Polovtsian Dance No. 17: Excerpt - Borodin
On The Beautiful Blue Danube: Excerpt
The Nutcracker: Waltz Of The Flowers
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Lohengrin: Prelude - Wagner
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
William Tell Overture: Finale
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35: Funeral March
Nocturne In G Minor, Op. 37-1

Tracks:

Xerxes: Largo
Bassoon Concerto In B-Flat Major: Andante Ma Adagio
Impromptu In F-Sharp Major, Op. 36
'Emperor' String Quartet, No. 3: Poco adagio
Waltz No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 34, No. 2
Nocturne In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27-1
Egmont: Overture
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
'Water Music' Suite: Alla Hornpipe
Adagio For Strings And Organ
Orchestral Suite No. 2: Minuet And Badinerie
Concerto For Two Violins And Orchestra: Vivace
Oboe Concerto: Adagio
Prelude And Fugue In C Major

Tracks:

Claire de Lune
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante ('Elvira Madigan' Theme)
Pavan For A Dead Princess
Pathetique Sonata: Adagio Cantabile
Prelude No. 15 In D-Flat Major
Arabesque No. 1
Nocturne
Thais: Meditation
The Afternoon Of A Faun: Prelude
Fur Elise
Peer Gynt: Dawn
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E-Flat Major: Andante
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E-Flat Major: Romanza
Clarinet Concerto In A Major: Adagio

Average customer rating:

Orchestral Suites
Massenet , Jean , and Hong Kong Phil Orch
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Massenet: Orchestral Suites
Massenet: Orchestral Suites

ASIN: B000069CUZ
Release Date: 2002-08-20

Tracks:

Evocation
L'ile Maglque
Hymenee
Dans La Foret: Pastorale - Chasse
Pastorale Et Fugue
Variations
Nocturne
Marche Et Strette
Marche Des Princesses
Les Filles De Noblesse
Menuet De Cendrillon

Average customer rating:

A clarinet master
A Clarinetist Takes Us To The Opera
Stoltzman being Stoltzman!
excellent!
Incredible Sound!

Aria

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Begin Sweet World
Dreams
Visions
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto; Clarinet Quintet
Copland: Clarinet Concerto; Bernstein, Gershwin / Stoltzman

ASIN: B000003G9W
Release Date: 1997-09-16

Tracks:

Je veux vivre
O mio babbino caro
O Dieu! Que de bijoux!
Seguidilla
Flower Song (La fleur que tu m'avais)
Gypsy Dance (Chanson boheme)
My Man's Gone Now
Summertime
It Ain't Necessarily So
Quando m'en vo 'Musetta's Waltz'
Nina's Aria
Che gelida manina
Bell raggio lusinghier
Recitative And Gavotte
Ah pur ce soir ...Je suis Titania
La vita e inferno
Addio del passato
Vilja

Customer Reviews:

A clarinet master.......2007-05-18

Rchard Stoltzman, the clarinetist featured on this CD, is one of the masters. I had no idea how great the clarinet could sound till I heard Stoltzman. This CD is a keeper.

A Clarinetist Takes Us To The Opera.......2006-02-15

During his musical career, Richard Stoltzman has gained a reputation not only for excellence as a clarinetist but also as a show person. His recordings are varied and demonstrate both his ability to perform difficult music as well as to provide an enjoyable listening experience. Perhaps the best example of his classical talents along with his gift for entertaining would be the collection of music from opera in his recording ARIA.

ARIA is a collection of opera's favorite arias arranged for clarinet. The clarinet is an instrument that is just as at home with high and low registers, so Stoltzman is able to select arias from the soprano, tenor, mezzo, and baritone repertoire. Each of the selections transposes nicely to the clarinet arrangements. The selections range from the Bel Canto sounds of Rossini to the music of Verdi and the verissmo sound of Puccini. The French repertoire of Bizet, Gounod, and Massanet is also represented. Gershwin and Lehar round out the collection. Stoltzman is true to the music but does more than just play. He also adds a feeling that many of the great voices of opera added to these works to give them life.

ARIA is a great collection for background music or for that time that a listener is in the mood for something different. It will be appreciated by anyone who loves good music but will have a special appeal for opera lovers, and of course those of us who played the clarinet as children. We can listen and discover what could have been if we had listened to our parents who told us over and over again to practice.

Stoltzman being Stoltzman!.......2004-09-07

One thing that I love about Stoltzman (it's the thing many hate about him) is his stylistic flamboyance. While his bravado may be somewhat out of place in more reserved pieces (I personally don't feel this way, though I can see how one could make the argument), it seems completely at home here. After all, what's more flamboyant than opera?!?!

A diverse style is represented here, including the jazzy Gerswhin Pieces, the flashy Rossini, the sublime Bizet pieces (which sound great with Opperman's clarinet choir), and many more lyrical pieces.

Stotlzman is a true showman, and this CD presents him in all his glory. If you are a clarinet fan, an opera fan, or just a person who likes music in general, this CD will make you smile from the first time you listen to it.

excellent!.......2004-05-07

i loved it. the tone was nearly perfect andi love the sound of the different clarinets and the mix of jazz and classical styles

Incredible Sound!.......2001-07-12

Top notch, lush, dark tone. Stylistically it's all there!. Stoltzman doesn't hold anything back in his interpretations. You will NOT be disappointed with this CD!