Invitation to the Dance

Editorial Reviews
Lynnda Greene, Fanfare Magazine - November/December 2000
...as a classical crossover conception this is beautifully presented and played... a definite "invitation" to dance further.

Lee Prosser, Jazzreview.com- March 2001
...a classic of its kind...good music blessed with much feeling, sensitivity, style, in-depth meanings, and mood.

Album Description
With her debut recording, pianist Lara Downes beckons you to the dance floor as she interprets works by 19th and 20th century masters, from Carl Maria Von Weber to Samuel Barber. This collection of solo pieces captures the spirit of the ballroom through the ages, from the sublime to the grotesque, all remarkably and passionately performed by one of today's brightest talents

Lara Downes has attracted attention as one of the most exciting and communicative pianists of today's younger generation. She has been cited by critics for her breathtaking virtuosity and penetrating, sensitive accounts of classical and romantic repertoire. She has been hailed as an artist worthy of placement in the highest rank of classical performers. Since making noteworthy debuts at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Vienna Konzerthaus, and Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, Ms. Downes performs regularly throughout Europe and the United States.

Ms. Downes eclectic and engaging programs encompass both the standard repertoire and works by young composers such as Augusta Read Thomas and Stephen Paulus. Her recent projects include a Copland Centennial recital, a recently discovered piano concerto by Clara Schumann, and a four-part recital series entitled This American Century. She recently made the world premiere recording of On Gossamer Wings by legendary jazz composer Benny Golson for the Arkadia/Postcards label.

Invitation to the Dance

Invitation to the Dance, Music, Samuel Barber, Fryderyk Chopin, Alberto Ginastera, Franz Liszt, Maurice Ravel, Carl Maria von Weber, Lara Downes, Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Crossover, Classical Music, Classical Vocals, Collection of Dance-Based Music for Keyboard, Keyboard, Piano, Rondo for Keyboard, Suite/Partita for Keyboard, Transcription for Keyboard, Waltz for Keyboard

Average customer rating:

Invitation to the Dance

Raw energy, driving rhythms, and original vocal style

Here's your invitation...will you accept?

Good, but lacking.

awsome!!!!!

Invitation to the Dance
40 Below Summer
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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No One

ASIN: B00005NOZA
Release Date: 2001-10-16

Tracks:

We The People
Rope
Still Life
Whither Away
Step Into The Sideshow
Falling Down
Smile Electric
Rejection
Power Tool
Drown
Minus One
Jonesin'

Customer Reviews:

Invitation to the Dance.......2007-05-30

This CD is quite an enigma. I wanted to buy it when I heard `Falling down,' a song that starts out hard-hitting and changes into a completely different, beautiful song about half-way through. There are a few good songs that are incredibly creative both in lyrics and in style. On the other hand of the spectrum, there are some terrible songs as well.

The style isn't terribly far from their contemporaries, but they master it nonetheless. The lead singer, Max's vocals are far better than anyone I've heard in a genre even close to this. His style seems more derivative of R&B with beautifully balanced high's and lows. There's a lot of Deftonesesque scream-rapping, but it's done far better than most bands who try to pull it off. Another reviewer used the phrase `rabid-dog' to describe Max's singing on some spots, which I couldn't say better: other similar artists try to do that whole going-crazy thing but it sounds fake. This guy sounds like a nutcase.

There are a few trite songs and a few absolutely terrible ones. `Step into the Sideshow' really has terrible lyrics, reminiscent of nineties white-rappers (maybe that was the point? Some sort of ode?) even though it's catchy. That's why this album is such an enigma: then you turn right around and have `Falling Down' which I've actually included in my top 100 favorite songs of all time.

`Smile Electric' might be a good little rowdy song for any other band, but when you listen to the album straight through with raised expectations after hearing `Rope' and `Falling Down' it falls incredibly short.

You eventually get to Minus One, which not only sounds dull and uninteresting, but has terribly written lyrics about killing some lost love or something. In places, the album has this great sort of freaky psychosexual vibe going, and in other places, where it attempts to be very dark and shocking, it just comes off campy and cringe-inducing. It had a very unbalanced vibe that could have used a more discerning producer.

But then on the other hand, you have a couple gems: `Power Tool' is not only up their with `Falling Down' but I felt, is right up there with that of the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Living Color. The music is jazzy, fluid and sexy. The lyrics are actually brilliant and honest. `Jonesin' concludes the record with excellent style and ease but again, the lyrics are too much like `Minus One' and cover the same subject matter--pure camp.

Over all, the album gets three stars alone for `Falling Down' and `Power Tool.' The very fact that `Minus One' is even on the same record as these, is automatic grounds for a one-point deduction. It's too bad the band split up, because I felt that with a little bit of improvement and maturity, these guys had a lot of potential to blossom into a great band. I thought they were one of the most exciting things in the genre and had the potential to affect not just the GENRE but MUSIC. Oh well.

Raw energy, driving rhythms, and original vocal style.......2007-04-13

40 Below Summer was one of my favorite bands during my college years. They are just a great band to party to. Lots of upbeat, heavy, and fun to sing along to tunes. The vocals and bass guitar are probably my favorite parts of 40BS. Check out "We the People", "Rope", "Wither", "Power Tool", and "Step Into the Sideshow". I guess you would define them as nu-metal, but without the rap-rock thing going on.

Here's your invitation...will you accept?.......2007-01-27

40 Below Summer kind of slipped under the radar for the most part. They didn't get much if any radio time, and I don't recall them ever playing a venue in my home-town but I do remember stumbling on their song `Rope' while cruising Napster and taking a double-take. After getting their debut album `Invitation to the Dance' I was impressed because this little known band had a sound better than a lot of the more well known artists everyone swears by. No this is far from a perfect and polished album, but this band has more promise than a lot of bands making the big bucks today.

The opening track `We the People' is an infectious anthem, the perfect way to open an album...immediately causing the listener to crave the attention of a mosh-pitt. Personally `Rope' remains my favorite track, the entire experience is perfect. Max comes off like a rabid animal towards the ends of `Still Life' and the softer partly acoustic `Wither Away'. It's brilliant. `Step into the Sideshow' has an infectious chorus but the rap influence is annoying. Stick to singing and screaming please.

And scream they do through most of `Falling Down', just about every other word is screamed at ear splitting levels. Actually the best part about this song is the fact that in the end they switch things up completely, softening the riffs and singing soft and slow and then really blowing it out...shows a great side to this band. Max falls back into the rabid dog vocals on `Smile Electric', a song that resorts to the rap influence again but redeems itself in pure intensity. `Rejection' should have, can't help it, been rejected from the final track listing. It's just not that great, kind of boring if that's believable. I just really don't like it.

They redeem themselves though with `Power Tool'...just love this song. `Drown' is actually a beautifully melodic track, one that I listen to regularly. `Minus One' yet again delves into rap, but this is probably their best go at it. It's so heavy and aggressive that the rap sounds well suited. I love the fading they do with the riffs, it adds character. The closing track `Jonesin' is just what you'd expect from a band like this, sick, creepy and somewhat sadistic while being somewhat docile compared to the remainder of the album. It works but not as well as it could have. Thanks to the ending it's deemed a worthy closer.

So in closing this is a great debut, while it's not brilliant. There are a few killer tracks, some are much better than others, but they show promise so they're a band to watch out for...maybe they'll perfect what they started.

Good, but lacking........2007-01-12

Quick review of 40 below summer,.. being a listener of many bands from Metallica '83, Pantera '90 etc. to Tool '92, Korn '94 etc. Slipknot '99, Mudvayne '00 etc. This group sounds like they are trying to set themselves up there with the big dogs, right off the bat the songs sound good and heavy, the intros keep you wanting more but if your a deep listener and like complex drumming and original guitar riffs the songs start to fall apart, they sort of go all over the place ("Rejection" is a good example). Im not a drummer i do play a little guitar but it sounds like amateur drumming compared to what im used to listening to and thats the big let down with these guys for me. but if your ready for a loud sound and tearing vocals its a keeper. Id say these guys have one up on primer 55. Most satisfying song "Power Tool".

awsome!!!!!.......2006-01-06

its an awsome album. I think you are trying to sound like you really know music but im sure you have no clue what your talking about. Either you like it or you don't, it's not that hard. This guy's writing a novel over here about what he thinks is creative guitars or not, just shut up and let people see for themselves.

Average customer rating:

Ballet music for the Optimistic Spirit

Invitation to the Dance

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000013JR
Release Date: 1992-06-30

Tracks:

Invitation To The Dance
No. 7 - Allegro Marcato
Variation A - Allegro
Gallop
Waltz
Alla Loure
Andante
No.12 - Andantino Non Troppo
Allegro Non Troppo
Intermezzo
(Transition)
Andante
Allegretto
Adagio
Allegretto
Moderato Maestoso
Moderato Con Moto
Allegretto
Allegro Vivo
Moderato
Terana. Andante
Rektah. Allegro Vivo
Persian. Allegretto - Andante
Coda. Allegretto Marcato
La Gioconda - Dance Of The Hours

Customer Reviews:

Ballet music for the Optimistic Spirit.......2004-09-07

Assuming that you have the necessary good hifi equipment to make this CD sound as it was intended, this is a fine recording of some ballet highlights that will have you tapping your foot, humming along and generally enjoying life, very much as I suspect the Slovakian musicians did while playing (in February 1988). Weber's 'Invitation to the Dance' is the version orchestrated by Berlioz for the last act of 'Der Freischütz' and is, in my opinion, more subtle than the original piano version (which is also definitely worth listening to). The ballet music from Adam's 'Giselle' and from Gounod's 'Faust' is equally delightful, and the brass is put to some very good effect, especially at the close of the 'Walpurgis-Nacht' scene from Faust/Margarete. The suite of oriental dances from Délibes' 'Lakmé' is short but fascinating; and perhaps the best piece is saved until last: Ponchielli's 'Dance of the Hours' from 'La Gioconda'; the main theme of this beauty was once re-worked into a highly successful pop song by the title of 'Hello, Mudder, hello, Fadder', but only folks of 50 and older will remember it, I guess.

The recording was made in the empty Concert Hall of the Slovakian Radio in Bratislava, and there is a certain amount of echo which is not really appropriate. Also I found that when playing the CD on inferior equipment such as a CD-ROM player, there was a lot of background noise and the sound came over quite weak. On good hifi equipment these problems disappear; don't ask me why.

The Best of Film Works: 20 Years of Soundtrack Music

Average customer rating:

A good overview of Zorn's soundtrack compositions.
Curious about Zorn?

The Best of Film Works: 20 Years of Soundtrack Music

Manufacturer: Tzadik
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000A0GPJU
Release Date: 2005-08-23

Tracks:

Main Title
End Titles
Yakisoba
Punk Rock Hero
Through The Night
Surfing Samba
Fanfare/Theme
France
Sweden
Arsenal Dance Mix
Main Title
Wheelchair Racers
Pueblo
Lituus
Fireworks
End Titles
Deseo
Shanghai
Trembling Before G-d
Filming
Shabbos Noir
Chippy Charm
Vocal Phase
Shaolin Spirit
Main Title
Sekhel (Vocal Version)
Protocols Of Zion
Indonesia

Customer Reviews:

A good overview of Zorn's soundtrack compositions........2005-10-24

Over the past twenty years or so, John Zorn has built up an enormous library of composition for film, released on sixteen CDs (cleverly titled "Filmworks I", "Filmworks II", and so on...) on his Tzadik record label. For a neophyte, this can be a bit much to tackle, as such, this album, "Filmworks Anthology: 20 Years of Soundtrack Music" has been released to provide an overview of Zorn's soundtrack composition.

As an overview of Zorn's work, this succeeds well. It also appears that another goal was to represent every volume, as at least one piece is drawn from each (volumes VI and VIII get two cuts, I and XII get three, and III and VII get four). Just about everything in Zorn's diverse catalog of film soundtracks is covered-- movies, documentaries, pornography, cartoons and commercials (certainly none I've seen!) are all represented with a suitably diverse array of pieces, from gamelan to string trios to surf rock, Zorn pretty much covers a wide array of sounds and moods-- if nothing else, the diversity of these 28 tracks is a testament to his vast skills to compose in virtually any environment. I could make a few arguments about what cuts I would have picked, but by-and-large, the compilation is a rather good and thorough overview, and the cast of performers is immense, with virtually all key players in the downtown scene involved to some extent or another.

Another notable point about this release is the artwork-- packed in a digipack with a pair of photos of Zorn (one from '86, one from '05) and stills from the various pieces littered throughout the liner notes, it certainly looks great. And speaking of the liner notes, Zorn offers a superb essay on film soundtrack composition and appreciations by musicians Marc Ribot, Anthony Coleman, Jamie Saft and Cyro Baptista (all of whom appear to some extent or another on the music) are included.

I've got currently about half of the filmworks series and I found value in this overview. Several of the individual pieces hold together far better than this recording does, but it certainly does a great job providing an impression of Zorn's diverse film scoring career.

Curious about Zorn?.......2005-10-23

Considering myself a casual fan of John Zorn I have been at times either annoyingly put off or enthusiastically engaged with the diversity of his music. Admittedly, It can be daunting for a Zorn novice to find a suitable entry point in which to begin navigating through the extremities of his musical output. This new collection, which pulls material from the sixteen releases (thus far) of his FILMWORKS series, is everything the curious could want in a well-rounded introduction.

The selections chosen for this disc make for an exhilarating listening experience from start to finish as the focus jumps from one musical genre to the next, from cartoon scores to punk rock to jazz and surf music. Most selections early on clock in at under 4 minutes, with many others zipping by under just one. All these various styles meld together so effortlessly that it's impressive it all comes from a single creative mind.

The packaging is also deserving of mention, as the CD is housed in a fold-out digipack case with two booklets attached inside. In one of these booklets Zorn describes his methods and self-imposed rules in creating music for film (as well as for dealing with snoopy film directors). The other booklet features short essays by a few of Zorn's collaborators on what the creative sessions were like. There are also many photos from the films the music accompanies. (So far the only films I've seen with Zorn's scores are "Trembling Before G-D" and "Protocols of Zion".)

Favorite tracks: "Surfing Samba", "Arsenal Dance Mix", "Shanghai", "Main Title (Invitation to a Suicide)"
Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Average customer rating:

Ultimate Weber: And Not Andrew Lloyd Webber!
Impressed Clarinet Student

Best Of Weber

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Weber: Der Freischütz
Weber: Oberon
The Best of Paganini
Elgar: Cello Concerto; Sea Pictures; Cockaigne Overture

ASIN: B00000J9H3
Release Date: 1999-06-15

Tracks:

Overture 'Der Freischutz'
Overture 'Oberon'
Overture 'Euryanthe'
Aufforderung zum Tanz, Op. 65: Invitation To The Dance
Konzerstuck In F minor, Op. 79
Symphony No. 1 In C, Op.19: 1. Allegro con fuoco
Symphony No. 1 In C, Op.19: 2. Andante
Symphony No. 1 In C, Op.19: 3. Scherzo. Presto
Symphony No. 1 In C, Op.19: 4. Finale. Presto

Tracks:

Overture 'Abu Hassan'
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 73: 1. Allegro
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 73: 2. Adagio ma non troppo
Clarinet Concerto No. 1 In F Minor, Op. 73: 3. Rondo. Allegretto
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 In E Flat, Op. 74: 1. Allegro
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 In E Flat, Op. 74: 2. Romanza. Andante
Clarinet Concerto No. 2 In E Flat, Op. 74: 3. Alla Polacca
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat, Op. 34: 1. Allegro
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat, Op. 34: 2. Fantasia. Adagio non troppo
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat, Op. 34: 3. Menuetto. Caoricio presto
Clarinet Quintet In B Flat, Op. 34: 4. Rondo. Allegro giocoso

Customer Reviews:

Ultimate Weber: And Not Andrew Lloyd Webber!.......2005-09-24

Carl Maria Von Weber would himself enjoy this collection of his most famous and brilliant compositions. Released on the Phillips label, this 2 disc cd contains music of a composer who was largely considered to be the first composer of German Romantic opera in the 19th century which would quickly become the vogue of influential composers such as the young Richard Wagner. Von Weber (pronounced "Von-Vay-bur") lived and composed at the time of Beethoven, though the two probably never crossed paths and Von Weber outlived Beethoven by a couple of years. The post-classical, early Romantic style of music which was prevalent at the time is clearly stamped into this beautiful music. This cd is the best introduction to his music and if you're already a fan, it is a supremely delightful collection.

The disc begins with three overtures to Weber's Romantic operas, which were trend-setters at the time: his most famous work, Die Freischutz, Oberon and Euryanthe. These energetic and musically perfected overtures are conducted by the remarkable conductor, Antal Dorati and his Concertgebuow Orchestra of Amsterdam. Invitation to the Dance, one of Weber's popular piece, is conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras and the London Symphony Orchestra. Nikit Magaloff is the solo pianist in the Konzert in F with Sir Colin Davis conducting. This is a truly breathtaking piano concerto one unlike I've ever heard. It is not quite Beethovenesque, nor Mozartian, but it is compelling and maintains a very elegant charm all the way. His First Symphony is on here, and sounds excellent. Also here is the rare opera Abu Hasan Overture as well as music Weber wrote for Clarinet. All in all this is a fine collection of his most beautiful and popular music.

Impressed Clarinet Student.......2000-02-04

I recently played the Weber Concerto 1 in a competition and bought the recording to help me with it. Weber is an incredible composer and I have found this CD to be inspiring and entertaining! It's a great set.

Let's Dance, Vol. 1: Invitation to Dance Party

Average customer rating:

No angry tangos?
Columbia Ballroom Orchestra CDs: Far From Perfect
Good Choice!

Let's Dance, Vol. 1: Invitation to Dance Party
Columbia Ballroom Orchestra
Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

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Let's Dance, Vol. 5: Modern Collection (Michelle)
Let's Dance - Invitation to Dance Party 3
Let's Dance: Latin Collection (Chariots of Fire)
Let's Dance! : The Best Of Ballroom Foxtrots & Waltzes
Let's Dance: I Kiss Your Little Hand

ASIN: B0000034OJ
Release Date: 1994-01-04

Tracks:

Danny Boy
La Malaguena
L'Amour, C'Est Pour Rien
Quien Sera
Sunrise, Sunset
Sing, Sing, Sing
Broken Promises
Sans Toi Mamie
La Cumparsita
Tea For Two
A Time For Us
Thriller
Stardust
Tonight
Jalousie
In The Mood
Changing Partner
I Could Have Danced All Night
Strangers In The Night
Over The Rainbow
Two Guitars
The Stranger
Tennessee Waltz
Save The Last Dance For Me

Customer Reviews:

No angry tangos?.......2007-04-05

Coumbia Ballroom Orchestra albums will make an inexpensive foundation for your new or growing collection of ballroom dance music. This is full orchestra dance music and the strings often carry the melody line. The cover lists the appropriate dance and the tempo (bpm). The tempos are appropriate to the suggested dance and it is all just sweet and beautiful. But sometimes this is not enough, because tangos can also be angry, and cha chas provocative. . .

This is great for practice, and barring a better recording, playing at dancers' requests. I wouldn't schedule a lot of this for black-tie dance parties. Please don't be distressed by the three star rating. I explain the difference between three and four stars in my profile, and you can find links to several dozens albums reviewed there.

Here is the title, duration, suggested dance, and the tempo (bpm):

Danny boy 2:59, Foxtrot, 30
Malagueña, La 2:44, Rumba, 27
L'amour, c'est pour rien 3:13, Tango, 33
Sway / Quien sera, Cha cha, 32
Sunrise, sunset 2:58, Waltz, 30
Sing, sing, sing 1:55, Swing, 48 (You could also dance quickstep to this)
Broken promises 3:04, Foxtrot, 30
Sans toi Mamie 3:17, Rumba, 27
Cumparsita, La 3:10, Tango, 33
Tea for two 2:14, Cha cha, 32
Time for us, A 2:58, Waltz, 30
Thriller 2:02, Samba, 54
Stardust 3:04, Foxtrot, 30
Tonight (Westside Story) 3:17, Rumba, 27
Jealousy 3:10, Tango, 33
In the mood 2:32, Swing, 44
Changing partners 2:59, Waltz, 30
I could have danced all night 2:15, Cha cha, 32
Strangers in the night 3:06, Foxtrot, 29
Over the rainbow (Wizard of Oz)2:46, Rumba, 27
Two guitars 2:15, Tango, 33
Stranger, The 2:05, Swing, 44
Tennessee waltz 2:28, Waltz, 30
Save the last dance for me 2:10, Cha cha, 32

Columbia Ballroom Orchestra CDs: Far From Perfect .......2005-10-04

THIS REVIEW APPLIES TO ALL THEIR CDs: Unless you have access to a large music collection, this series may be your best bet. HOWEVER, its far from perfect:
1. Most of the music feels artificial, and lacks artistic feel.
2. Several of the songs do not have a clear beat, required for beginning dancers.

On the three albums I bought, I found only about one third of the tracks to be acceptable. I just wish someone would come up with a better collection of music.

Good Choice!.......1999-02-04

Let's Dance Volumes 1-6 are all good choices for ballroom dancing enthusiasts or instrumental music listeners. I went to a ballroom dancing school that used this music almost exclusively, because it is of high quality, it stays close to strict tempo, and it uses popular songs. Unlike some other ballroom music collections whose songs all sound alike, this one is not boring and numbingly dull. The Latin tunes have authentic-sounding instruments and rhythms, and the smooth tunes (foxtrot, waltz, tango, etc.) have a nice full sound. These CDs should definitely please anyone with an interest in this type of music.

Average customer rating:

Excellent album
I love this CD!

Invitation to the Dance
Samuel Barber
Manufacturer: Arkadia Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

American Ballads

ASIN: B00004U3A2
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Tracks:

Polonaise from Eugene Onegin
Invitation to the Dance
Danzas Argentinas: Danza del Viejo Boyero
Danzas Argentinas: Danza de la Moza Donosa
Danzas Argentinas: Danza del Gaucho Matrero
La Valse
Bolero, Op.19
Souvenirs, Op.28: Waltz
Souvenirs, Op.28: Schottische
Souvenirs, Op.28: Pas de Deux
Souvenirs, Op.28: Two-Step
Souvenirs, Op.28: Hesitation-Tango
Souvenirs, Op.28: Galop

Album Description

With her debut recording, pianist Lara Downes beckons you to the dance floor as she interprets works by 19th and 20th century masters, from Carl Maria Von Weber to Samuel Barber. This collection of solo pieces captures the spirit of the ballroom through the ages, from the sublime to the grotesque, all remarkably and passionately performed by one of today's brightest talents

Customer Reviews:

Excellent album.......2000-09-27

I like this a lot. The selections range from very dramatic and exciting to contemplative mood music. The playing is great. Miss Downes has it all! I've been recommending this album to all my friends who enjoy classical piano music.

I love this CD!.......2000-07-19

This is a great recording. I'm a big fan of Lara's, and this is more of what we're used to, amazing playing and interesting musical choices.There are some really nice selections on this CD that I haven't heard before, and some old favorites. I've heard Lara play the Liszt Polonaise in concert. Check this out, it'll blow you away!

Average customer rating:

A dyspeptic program done with the utmost orchestral polish
A must for every music lover
The essential Isle of the Dead
Classic recording! Maybe one day in surround stereo?
One great LivingStereo R C A

Reiner Sound

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Vienna
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7 / Reiner
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale [Hybrid SACD]
Respighi: Pines of Rome, etc
Rossini: Overtures

ASIN: B000003FAX
Release Date: 1993-03-09

Tracks:

Rapsodie espagnole: Prelude la nuit
Rapsodie espagnole: Malague
Rapsodie espagnole: Habanera
Rapsodie espagnole: Feria
Pavan For A Dead Princess
Totentanz (Byron Janis,Piano)
Invitation For The Dance
Isle Of The Dead, Op. 29

Customer Reviews:

A dyspeptic program done with the utmost orchestral polish.......2006-01-17

Reiner looks unusually dyspeptic, even for him, on the cover of this smorgasbord CD. Maybe it's the musical menu that got to him. Ravel, Liszt, and Rachmaninov is like a dinner of cotton candy, spicy goulash, and embalming fluid. These recordings from 1957-59 sound miraculous--it's the Living Stereo sonics rather than the bogus "Reiner Sound" that should be the title.

The best thing here is at the beginning. Ravel can sound slithery and glib, but not in Reiner's hands. He make Rhapsodie Espagnole and Pavane for a Dead Princess move along to a steady beat, and because of the CSO's immaculate precision, the result is wonderful Ravel for those who avoid Ravel. Five stars.

After that, there's not much to say. Liszt's Totentanz, a quasi-piano concerto based on the Dies Irae, is out-and-out claptrap, here played within an inch of its life by Byron Janis. Weber's Invitation to the Dance sits weirdly in this mix; it is given a highly polished but not very happy reading. The ultimate sonic blockbuster here is the gloomy Rachmaninov Isle of the Dead, which sounds like Tchaikovsky on downers. Even so, Reiner's forthright conducting, which refuses to succumb to the vapors, plus RCA's stellar sound, saves the day. Five stars.

In all, this hodgepdge was clearly an excuse to throw together some Reiner recordings that didn't fit anywhere else. I would recommend listening one piece at a time rather than trying to digest the whole thing. Or use it as a stereo demonstration record, in which case the actual musical content doesn't matter.

A must for every music lover.......2005-08-30

Fritz Reiner has never let me down. A minimalist leaving the music to speak for itself. All pieces of this great CD are amazing, though my favourite is the "Totentanz". Byron Janis, passionate as always, gives the reading of a lifetime. The "Isle" is great too, among the very best I have heard, though the sound is not always supporting the music making - especially before the first climax. As an alternative I would go with Askhenazy (Decca). Still a must....

The essential Isle of the Dead .......2005-01-19

For those of you who think Rachmaninoff is a superficial composer, this is the CD for you. Reiner's Isle of the Dead spoils you for any other - listening to another performance you can't help but begin thinking how it falls short. Long before George Solti, Reiner whipped the Chicago Symphony - often, apparently, through sheer terror - into an orchestra that was second to none, with many of its most phenomenal performances documented by RCA in recordings whose sound, even though they date back the dawn of the stereo age, surpasses most CD's issued today. From its opening measures, Reiner's performance of Isle of the Dead grabs you by the throat and never lets go.

Classic recording! Maybe one day in surround stereo?.......2003-03-27

The master tapes are getting long in the tooth in the old RCA vaults, but this recording still shines. I own it on first release vinyl--and playing it is the auditory equivalent of opening a really good wine. The LP preserves the sound of the original master tape back when it was newly made, but it's great to have it on CD to play more often.

The original Living Stereo master tapes were three-channel: left, right and an ambient channel to capture the sonics of the performance space. It would be great, when a multi-channel music audio format becomes commercially viable, for BMG to remaster the Living Stereo series in three-channel form (and at a 24-bit or higher uncompressed sampling rate).

It would probably take an engineer as talented as Lewis Layton to remaster these classics correctly, but it would be worth it: Living Stereo in surround stereo could really put you in the middle of the concert hall, which was Living Stereo's inherent promise all along.

One great LivingStereo R C A.......2003-03-04

This cd contains top recordings (well, nearly peerless) of Island of the dead by Racmaninov, especially in great sound and style,-not surprisingly Mohr and Layton impressive production job. It is known for quite a long time as audiophile's favourite and truly deserves the praise it has received for years in the hifi press;the sonics are amazing and the Chicago Orchestra could be compared to the best orchestras from Europe. F.Reiner stands on high heels with a devastatingly beautiful Pavane, from Ravel;the Spanish Rhapsody reveals a richly textured atmosphere.

Weber:Horn Concertino-Overtures Symphonies Nos. 1&2

Average customer rating:

Excellent stuff.
Vital and Esprit
Vital and Esprit

Weber:Horn Concertino-Overtures Symphonies Nos. 1&2

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004XPKJ
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

Ov: Euryanthe
Ov: Oberon
Ov: Der Freischutz
Ov: The Ruler Of The Spirits
Invitation To The Dance
Ov: Abu Hassan
Ov: Peter Schmoll

Tracks:

Sym No.1 in C: I. Allegro Con Fuoco
Sym No.1 in C: II. Andante
Sym No.1 in C: III. Scherzo: Presto
Sym No.1 in C: IV. Finale: Presto
Hrn Con in E - Anthony Halstead
Sym No.2 in C: III. Allegro
Sym No.2 in C: II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Sym No.2 in C: III. Menuetto: Allegro
Sym No.2 in C: IV. Finale: Scherzo Presto

Customer Reviews:

Excellent stuff........2005-03-24

This disc served as my introduction to Weber's music OTHER than Der Freischutz (I already had the complete recording of Freischutz before I found this one). The Hanover Band sounds absolutely stunning, very resonant even on period instruments. It's really breathtaking to hear this music the way it would've sounded to Weber's ears in the 1820's. The brass tuttis are stellar...if you don't like bass trombone, you may become a little annoyed with this recording because it constantly has lots of prescence when it has any part at all. I don't mind this, as I love the instrument.

If you are a horn player, like me, and/or have any interest in handhorn, this recording is a must for the Concertino. I've never heard natural horn sound so good. The horn openings of the Oberon and Freischutz Overtures sound amazing on the period instruments. You'll be amazed how open the brass sound is on the chorale-style section in Ruler of the Spirits...it can make you wish the valve was never invented.

I didn't really care for the symphonies...if you like Schubert's symphonies, you will probably enjoy them. Weber's music had a huge impact on the musical world, almost pointing a straight arrow to Wagner. If you listen closely to the Overture to Oberon, you can hear the similarity to many parts of Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream. (same plot line, after all). In my opinion, this is great music played very capably by a great ensemble. For the quality of the Overtures and Concertino alone, this disc is a bargain.

Vital and Esprit.......2002-11-15

The orchestral colours are excitingly recorded, especially the brass is pretty dramatic.

Thanks to the period instruments with Goodman as conductor one can hear the demonic power and richness of sonority of Weber's beautiful music.

I compared quite a lot of other recordings and must say that this one is my favourite.

Vital and Esprit.......2002-11-15

The orchestral colours are excitingly recorded, especially the brass is pretty dramatic.

Thanks to the period instruments with Goodman as conductor one can hear the demonic power and richness of sonority of Weber's beautiful music.