Shostakovich: Violin & Viola Sonatas

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Two remarkable chamber compositions by D. Shostakovich are presented in this album. Sonata for Viola and Piano is the composer's last work.

Tracks:

Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99: I. Nocturne, Adagio
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99: II. Scherzo, Allegro non troppo
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99: III. Passacaglia, Andante
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99: IV. Burlesca, Allegro con brio
Concerto For Cello And Orch No. 1 In E-Flat Major, Op. 107: I. Allegretto
Concerto For Cello And Orch No. 1 In E-Flat Major, Op. 107: II. Moderato
Concerto For Cello And Orch No. 1 In E-Flat Major, Op. 107: III. Cadenza
Concerto For Cello And Orch No. 1 In E-Flat Major, Op. 107: IV. Allegro con molto

Amazon.com

Sony has brought together Shostakovitch's greatest concertos in first recordings made soon after their American premieres by the artists most closely identified with them. Neither performance has been bettered, though some, such as Vengerov's Teldec Violin Concerto, come close. The Violin Concerto is in solid, detailed mono; the Cello Concerto in fine stereo. Oistrakh goes to the heart of the violin work, playing with extraordinary tonal magnificence and emotional power. He's matched by Mitropoulos, whose identification with the score is apparent. Rostropovitch is as good in the Cello Concerto, getting excellent support from Ormandy's Philadelphians. Both performances share the white heat of fresh discovery and have stood the test of time to become classic recordings. --Dan Davis

Amazon.com

Eugene Ormandy was Shostakovich's great interpreter (along with Bernstein) in the West, and he was entrusted with many U.S. premiers of the great Russian composer's symphonies and concertos. This recording of the First Cello Concerto was made while both the composer and his cellist friend were on tour in the United States, so it has the imprimatur of Shostakovich himself. The Violin Concerto similarly was recorded just days after its U.S. premiere in New York with the Oistrakh, for whom it was written. This is as distinguished a pair of performances as you're likely to hear, and although the Violin Concerto is mono, the sound never gets in the way of your enjoyment. An event. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic oldy but goody..........2007-07-12

I rediscovered the Shost cello concerto. Turns out I had bought a copy on LP back in the 50's. I had forgotten it, but recognised the cover picture on the insert. I haven't played it in many years.

After hearing of Slava's death, I decided to add him to my collection, especially any DSCH pieces. I was pleasantly surprised to re-aquaint myself with an old friend. The sound of these older recordings are fantastic, stereo or not. If you want to collect authentic Shostakovich, you must collect this CD.

Authoritative Performances..........2007-02-02

I have owned both LPs and worn them out with repeated listenings. I feel these performances are breathtaking in their energy and emotion. I only wish there was such a paring on CD of the 2nd Violin and 2nd Cello Concertos with these soloists.

Incredible excitement from a cello.......2006-10-24

I'm a great fan of piano concerti, not string concerti, definitely not cello concerti. But this one makes me go weak in the knees. I first heard it performed by Rostropovich 30 years ago. It made my heart pound. It still does. This performance is the best I've heard. The sound quality is excellent, the orchestra is excellent, and Rostropovich is at the height of his powers. The concerto is modern, but not in the ugly atonal way of much modern orchestral music. It has a driving pulse, simple but powerful melodic lines that linger in the memory, a passionate, almost erotic, exoticism. A friend of mine who didn't like it referred to it as "cosmic debris." I can sort of understand his metaphor, but this trails a glorious plume on re-entry.

The violin concerto was for me just something extra on the disc. But after a careful listening, I'm impressed. Oistrakh was a top-notch violinist, and he was in exteme good form for this performance. The sound quality is good, but not as good as in the cello concerto. The orchestra is dazzling. I won't be skipping over this performance to get to the cello concerto - they make a fine pair in this recording. This disc is a must-have for any lover of 20th century concert music.

Slava! Electrifying stuff! .......2006-03-14

These are absolutely gorgeous recordings of both pieces. Indeed, these are the first ever recordings of both pieces, both recorded just months after their world premieres in the USSR, in 1956 and 1959. Sony have done an excellent job with the remastering, and the sound is crisp and clean.

As for the playing - Oistrakh and Rostropovich in their prime, with Shostakovich present and advising during both recordings - what more needs to be said. Shostakovich dedicated the First Cello Concerto to Rostropovich, his pupil and friend, and he almost seems to breathe the music. Oistrakh is magnificent in the Violin Conecrto, especially in the fast and furious finale. The New York Philharmonic under Mitropoulos and the Phildaelphia Orchestra under Ormandy are pretty damn good as well, and both pieces are fiendishly difficult in places.

Sorry this is praise is a little over the top, but it is entirely deserved!

Stunning Shostakovich.......2005-05-17

Rostropovich in the Cello Concerto is superb and, without question, this is the greatest STUDIO account of the Violin Concerto. But please note: Oistrakh and Mitropoulos gave the American premiere of the Violin Concerto in a LIVE radio broadcast performance on New Year's Day 1956, and the studio recording on this Sony CD was made the following day. That LIVE premiere performance can be heard (excellent sound!) in a 10-disc box set from the New York Philharmonic called "The Historic Broadcasts 1923 to 1987." It's an expensive set ($225), but it contains some other extraordinary items, such as Stravinsky conducting Tchaikovsky's 2nd Symphony, Artur Rubinstein's finest account of the Chopin Piano Concerto #1 with Bruno Walter, Kirsten Flagstad and Walter in an incredible Immolation Scene from Wagner's Gotterdammerung, Stokowski's only recording of Mendelssohn's "Scotch" Symphony, and a great performance by Heifetz with Toscanini of the Brahms Violin Concerto. While I'm not a great fan of Heifetz, this was his finest account of the Brahms.

But the REAL highlight of that NY Phil. set: the SUPERLATIVE performance by Oistrakh and Mitropoulos in the Shostakovich Violin Concerto. While this Columbia studio recording is indeed wonderful, it doesn't quite touch the inspired intensity of Oistakh's "live" premiere. Of course, not all "live" performances are better than their studio counterparts (e.g., I much prefer Sviatoslav Richter's studio Liszt concertos on Philips to his "live" concert recording on BBC Legends). But Oistrakh and Mitropoulos in the premiere tightened the screws and threw off sparks "live" that even this superb studio performance doesn't quite match.

This Sony Columbia Masterworks CD is worth its price just to have the outstanding account of the Cello Concerto with Rostropovich. But if you want to hear Oistrakh's interpretation of the Violin Concerto at its absolute zenith, you should try to hear the NY Phil. set too.

Highly recommended.

Tchaikovsky At Tea Time: A Refreshing Blend For Body And Spirit

Average customer rating:

Tchaikovsky and Tchai
Teatime...or otherwise.
Tchaikovsky's Dreamier Music: A Soothing Album
Beautiful
Tchaikovsky's Most Enchanting Tunes

Tchaikovsky At Tea Time: A Refreshing Blend For Body And Spirit

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Beethoven for Book Lovers: An Intimate Companion for Reading
Bach for Breakfast
Chopin and Champagne: Set Your Mood for Romance
Debussy for Daydreaming: Music to Caress Your Innermost Thoughts
Mozart for Morning Coffee: Freshly Brewed to Perk Up Your Day

ASIN: B0000041FC
Release Date: 1996-06-11

Tracks:

String Quartet No. 1 In D: Andante Cantabile
Swan Lake: Odette And The Prince (Act II)
Piano Concerto No. 1 In B-Flat Minor: Andantino
Swan Lake: Pas de deux (Act III)
The Sleeping Beauty: Panorama (Act II)
Violin Concerto In D: Canzonetta (Andante)
The Nutcracker Suit (Selections): Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
The Nutcracker Suit (Selections): Coffee Dance
The Nutcracker Suit (Selections): Tea Dance
The Nutcracker Suit (Selections): Dance Of The Reed-pipes
Rococco Variations: Final variation
Piano Trio In A Minor: Andante con moto
Piano Trio In A Minor: Variation I. L'istesso tempo
Piano Trio In A Minor: Variation IX. Andante flebile, ma non tanto
Piano Trio In A Minor: Variation XI. Moderato
The Sleeping Beauty: Vision Of Aurora
Serenade For Strings In C: Elegie: Larghtto elegiaco

Customer Reviews:

Tchaikovsky and Tchai.......2006-07-17

I wondered what do Tchaikovsky and Tea have in common, and then I remembered that in many countries across the world - the word for tea is "tchai". That aside, yes, this is a refreshing blend of music, perfect for tea time - relaxing and reviving at the same time, and quite a bit dreamy.

Teatime...or otherwise........2005-11-02

I've owned this for years & play it often. It IS perfect for teatime, as it makes pleasant background music which you can talk over....but is also great w/volume up in car w/it's rambunctious side and incredible instrumentation. A really nice blend of Tchaikovsky's pieces.

Tchaikovsky's Dreamier Music: A Soothing Album.......2005-07-31

"Set your Life to Classical Music" is a fine album series that feature beautiful classical music for background music of any occasion- weddings, barbecues, breakfast, beauty sleep, bathtime, reading a book, romantic dinner, massages you name it. And indeed many classical pieces are perfectly therapeutic sessions in themselves. This album features the more intimate-sounding, soulful, sweet and relaxing tunes of Tchaikovsky. He did compose heavier and more dramatically intense music- his later symphonies, his Overtures and operas. But here we hear no Russian fire or harshness. Instead we are treated to the charming Mozartian style works of the Roccoco Variations and the Piano Trios. The disc also features the Andantino from his Piano Concerto No. 1 - and that piece is almost a Chopin Nocturne, with beautiful soft rubato and dream-like qualities. Included here is also the Pas De Deux and Odette and Siegfried theme from his ballet Swan Lake, lilting and graceful as the dancers movements themselves. The dance divertissements from Nutcracker round out the ballet segments with charming allure. The melancholy String Quartet and Serenade For Strings is here as well and not to mention the beautiful, wistful excerpts from the ballet Sleeping Beauty, his greatest ballet. The Panorama and Vision of Aurora played with delicate strings and sublime technicality. This is indeed a "refreshing blend for body and spirit" and is in fact perfect to listen to while drinking tea cosnidering you drink tea. I have tried it and believe me the experience is very soothing and refreshing. Try putting this on in your miniature CD player with headphones, then go out into an outdoor, natural environment, a park or a backyard garden or patio, and drink tea or read a book and you will find this is a fine companion.

Beautiful.......2003-08-25

One of the best aspects of Tchiakovsky's music is the ocnsistency: he just DIDN'T compose any bad pieces. And with such consistency, you can compile a CD such as this.
THis CD gives you a proper taste of Tchaikovsky's style, and is a very nice sampler of some of his most famous works. This CD lacks some of his more energetically volatile works, but it thus lives up to its title. It is extremely relaxing, and soothes you as you listen to it. The works are melodic, and the orchestras and soloists are superb, especially in the Serenade and the Rococco Variations. I highly recommend this CD for anyone, even if you aren't a huge classical music fan.

Tchaikovsky's Most Enchanting Tunes.......2000-08-19

Like the title suggest, a good companion for tea time. Or any time. The music of Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky is beautiful, lyrical and full of a grace and charm that parallels to Mozart's. A great collection of music by the legendary Russian composer. He had a gift for making music in a style that did not sway away from Russian folk music but that added a Classical perfection, or better yet a Romantic mastership. Who can forget the Sleeping Beauty suite. Here is the Panorama scene.. gorgeous music. I recommend the entire ballet score. The Nutcraker and Swan Lake are also here. The Piano concerto no. 1 in B, Andante Cantibile and so much more. I garauntee any listener satisfaction.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful
Thanks you Decca
Exquisite music for the soul
Indeed a joy forever!
Exquisite collection & performances, unbelievable value!!!

Violin Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Cello Adagios
Piano Adagios
Romantic Adagios
Guitar Adagios
Movie Adagios

ASIN: B000058BGY
Release Date: 2001-03-20

Tracks:

Thais: Meditation - Nigel Kennedy
Vn Con No.1 in g, Op.26: Adagio - Kyung Wha Chung
Con No.4 in f, RV 297 'Winter': Largo - Alan Loveday
Con in d, BWV 1043: Largo, Ma Non Tanto - Henryk Szeryng/Maurice Hasson
Adagio in E, K.261 - Henryk Szeryng
Vocalise, Op.34 No.14 - Akiko Suwanai/Philip Moll
Vn Con in D, Op.77: Adagio - Joshua Bell
Vn Con: Andante - Joshua Bell
Melodie - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Vn Son No.5 in F, Op.24 'Spring': Adagio Molto Espressivo - Itzhak Perlman/Vladimir Ashkenazy
Vn Con in D, Op.35: Canzonetta: Andante - Leila Josefowicz
Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op.55 No.4 - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
None But The Lonely Heart - Josef Sakonov
The Gadfly: Romance - Alexander Kerr

Tracks:

Romance No.2 in F, Op.50 - Arthur Grumiaux
Vn Con in E, BWV 1042: Adagio - Midori
Salut D'amour - Kyung Wha Chung/Philip Moll
Ave Maria, D.839 - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Con in a, RV 522: Larghetto - Midori/Pinchas Zukerman
Son in D, Op.1 No.13: Larghetto - Iona Brown
Vn Con No.3 in G, K.216: Adagio - Arthur Grumiaux
Liebesleid - Joshua Bell/Paul Coker
Vn Con in e, Op.64: Andante - Kyung Wha Chung
Souvenir D'un Lieu Cher, Op.42: Melodie - Akiko Suwanai/Philip Moll
Vn Con in d, Op.47: Adagio Di Molto - Kyung Wha Chung
Vn Con in D, Op.35: Romance: Andante - Chantal Juillet
Standchen, D.957 No.4 - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Estrellita - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Orchestral Ste No.3 in D, BWV 1068: Air ('Air On A G String') - ASMF/Neville Marriner

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2005-11-07

An excellent compilation of folk tunes and violin concerto adagios, played masterfully by some of the world's most revered musicians. Features modern pieces (Korngold, Barber), which are a personal favorite of mine.

Thanks you Decca.......2005-01-23

My daughter is a violin student of 7 years and she has played 3 or 4 of these pieces for recitals. I bought the CD's so she could become familiar with the pieces as she was learning to play them. Now I find myself listening to the CD's almost every night when I go for my end of the day drive to relax. My favorites are the Mozart Concerto in G, the Mendelssohn Concerto in E minor and Beethoven's Romance in F on disc 2, but all the songs are exquisitely beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Exquisite music for the soul.......2004-06-14

These CDs have the most incredible selections of music on them. Listening to the violins has enabled me to complete papers for my doctoral level classes without the usual neck aches. This is soothing, exquistie music for the soul! Lovely!!

Indeed a joy forever!.......2003-05-22

Before buying this 2 CD set,I've read Reviews by Chicagodreamer,
who rated it as "Highly, highly recommended." His laudatory recommentation, I must say, is found "well justified."

Exquisite collection & performances, unbelievable value!!!.......2002-01-15

"Over 2 l/2 hours of the world's most beautiful music." These words on the cover are very close to true. What an incredible value this collection is!! So many of these compilations of this sort are cheaply produced, and those "greatest hits" collections are one trite piece after another -- after a while one runs screaming to the stereo to shut it off. However, this collection is top-notch, and the performers they chose are masterful musicians at the top of their game. Every selection is lovely, each one unfolding after the other in a sublime slide show of exquisite compositions performed by legends. This is TWO CDs of sparkling performances composed and performed by masters. There is not a bad selection or a piece of inferior quality in the entire lot.

Tracks:

Praeludium and Allegro (in the style of Pugnani)
Habanera, Op. 21, No. 2
Cantabile
Kaleidoscope: Orientale, Op. 50, No. 9
Oberek, No. 2
Salut d'Amour
Miniature Viennese March
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 10 - Moderator non tropp
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 15 - Allegretto
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 16 - Andantino
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 24 - Allegretto
Chanson de matin, Op. 15, No. 2
Introduction et Tarentelle
Slavonic Dance in E minor, Op. 46, No. 2 (B 170)
The Love For Three Oranges: March
Souvenir d'un lieu cher: Melodie, Op. 42, No. 3
Mythes, Op. 30: La FOntaine d'Arethuse
Syncopation
Orfeo ed Euridice: Melodie ('Dance Of The Blessed Spirits')
Berceuse, Op. 16
Etude in Thirds, Op. 8, No. 10
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Dance With Sticks - Allegro moderato
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Waistband Dance - Allegro
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Stamping Dance - Andante
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Hornpipe Dance - Molto moderato
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Romanian Polka - Allegro
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 56: Quick Dance - Allegro
Reve d'enfant, Op. 14

Customer Reviews:

A+.......2007-05-10

To say that I love this disc would be an understatement. I have probably listened to it 500 times. To comment on just a few of the tracks...
The "Praeludium and Allegro" is definitely the best recording anyone (except maybe Kreisler!) has ever done. The praeludium, which is almost all quarter notes, is often just blindly sawed out. Midori treats each note individually. The allegro is also nice - not rushed at all. The staggeringly difficult Skryabin-Szigeti "Etude in Thirds" tossed off with impeccable technique and spotless intonation. Sarasate's "Habanera" sparkles with a decisive 'Spanish' flavor. Elgar's "Chanson de Matin" is just plain beautiful. Also nice are inclusions of some numbers not heard hardly ever, including Bacewicz's "Oberek #2" mazurka and the Shostakovich preludes. Robert McDonald, definitely one of the best, is the able pianist for all the numbers.

Even for a trained jazz musician who thinks classical artists are overhyped, this stands out as one of the best albums........2007-04-11

Let's be honest--any kid with a violin who ever set foot in a conservatory thinks (s)he's a prodigy, the next Mehta or Yo Yo Ma, while they play the same old tired music everyone else plays, exactly as the greats play it, with hardly a shred of originality that doesn't arise out of an inability to replicate the 'masters' as well as their CD players (and that goes for jazz musicians too, but they don't get as snobby about it). The musicians who are truly great don't have any sort of attitude about their playing or their music--they just play, and they play anything, and it's great.

Midori has been one such great artist from early on. She simply had the knack. You would still want to listen to her if she was half as skilled. Every decent musician practices assiduously, seeks out the best people to learn from, makes sacrifices in life just for the chance to play for a living (even weddings and strip clubs if need be), but few have 'the knack.'

I don't know if Midori has a similar story, nor does it really matter in terms of actually making music. I know her parents moved from Osaka to the States with her when she was about ten just so she could pursue her potential--as all great students have great parents. I'm sure she didn't just pop out of the womb playing violin. But, like I wrote above, she's got the knack that you can't get through practice or training. She's just plain great.

Yes, I'm bored by classical music in general. I like 'good' music regardless of style though, and this album is so far beyond good that it belongs in whatever collection of immortal artist you may have--say: Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Shaka Khan, Luther Vandross, and--even if you have no other classical music in your collection--Midori.

Fantastic.......2006-08-11

Midori produces some amazing sounds out of her violin!
You cant go wrong with Encore! Shes brilliant.

Enjoyable listening.......2005-09-24

I enjoyed this cd especially the first three pieces. Midori played Sarasate and Paganini pretty well.

very interesting.......2005-09-13

I as watching (and listening!) her play live in Dubrovnik this summer. In this record she is equally brilliant as she is when playing live!

Average customer rating:

Mendelssohn, 3rd Movement
Amazing technique
Very special promise and a glittering technique
Competent technique, but Hahn's sound production is just plain bad
A young virtuoso makes a gritty piece her own

Violin Concertos
Hahn , Mendelssohn , Shostakovich , and Opo
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Hilary Hahn ~ Brahms · Stravinsky - Violin Concertos
Hilary Hahn ~ Beethoven - Violin Concerto · Bernstein - Serenade
Hilary Hahn - Barber & Meyer: Violin Concertos
Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1; Spohr: Violin Concerto No. 8
Mozart: Violin Sonatas K. 301, 304, 376 & 526

ASIN: B00006LWQH
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

Allegro Molto Appassionato
Andante
Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace
Nocturne. Moderato
Scherzo. Allegro
Passacaglia. Andante
Cadenza
Burlesque. Allegro Con Brio

Amazon.com

Though at first glance these two concertos seem an odd coupling, Hilary Hahn offers convincing reasons for pairing them in her scholarly but rather chatty program notes. For the listener, the most important one is her avowed love and affinity for the music, which speak through every note of her performance. At 22, Hahn has developed from an arresting teenage prodigy into a formidable violinist. Her technique is equal to all challenges and so effortless that one forgets about it. Her tone has the directness and intensity of a laser beam and the unblemished purity of fine-spun crystal. This carries over into her style: clear and straightforward, without fuss, external effects, or exaggeration--there is hardly a slide on the whole record. If her playing is rather cool, it's also noble and emotionally so genuine that she can make a popular warhorse like the Mendelssohn sound fresh and new. She takes few rhythmic liberties, but freely changes tempo for mood and expression: the second theme of the first movement is much slower than the rest. The Shostakovich, too, sounds new and different. A repertory staple of all great Russian violinists, it is usually played with a lush tone and unbridled emotionality. Hahn captures the work's bleak, lamentatious despair, the obsessiveness and sardonic irony, but her playing has the sort of fire that burns ice-blue rather than red-hot. It projects a sense of restraint, of pent-up tension and excitement that finally burst out in the cadenza. It is a riveting performance. The orchestra is very good, but often too loud in the Mendelssohn. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Mendelssohn, 3rd Movement.......2006-10-30

Hilary Hahn has a great technique. I loved her Bach even more than Grumiaux's. I figured you couldn't lose with the stuff she uses. I was wrong. What in the world did this young lady do to the 3rd movement of the Mendelssohn? Did she have to run off to the loo or something? I bet the conductor's arm nearly fell off when she sprinted away. She lost all clear articulation when she did that and she also lost the orchestra in a couple of places. As a violin teacher, I would have to tell her to come back to that passage and play it again, slower, and with some clear articulation.
It was so rushed I couldn't catch up enough to hear some music. It looks I'm going to keep listening to the old guys on this one ;-). Isaac Stern's and Fritz Kreisler's have left pleasant memories.

Amazing technique.......2006-07-19

This is probably the most virtuosic and technically dazzling recording of the Mendelssohn I've ever heard. Unfortunately, it was too fast (particularly in the third movement) to convey much depth. The opening of the third movement is one of the most dramatic in the entire repertoire, but the drama/suspense was killed because she rushed through it. Even the timing is off - she suddenly speeds up for no apparent reason shortly after the tempo change, immediately before the introduction of the theme. Mendelssohn wrote the opening to create a sense of anticipation about the presentation of the theme, but this anticipation is not conveyed in Hahn's recording because she speeds through it and doesn't even hold a steady tempo. That was my biggest complaint about the recording, although the rest of it seems to be primarily about displaying her impressive technique, rather than playing with any real depth. As mentioned in other reviews, Heifetz's famous recording is a great example of a virtuosic and moving performance of this piece. Hahn's falls short in this regard. In any case, my favorite recordings of this concerto are Midori's live performance with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Salerno-Sonnenberg's.

Very special promise and a glittering technique.......2005-11-01

The other reviewers here have touched on many points that don't need repeating about Hilary Hahn's silvery tone, exemplary technique, and fresh approach. Hearing her in perosn makes clear that she has charisma, a special gift of communication with the audience that keeps an entire concert hall silent while she plays. Her tone is rather small, very sweet, and naturally lyrical. She makes no attempt to produce a fat virtuoso sound.

This would seem to work agaisnt her in the Shostakovich, which is dominated by the classic interpretation from Oistrakh, biggest of all big violinists. But Hahn makes something different of the Shostakovich First Concerto, turning her back on its very Russian black sorrow and biting irony. The orchestra still sounds that way, but Hahn herself becomes a lone voice of lyrical balm, and the contrast is very convincing. Oistrakh was such a powerhouse in the long cadenza at the end of the slow movement that every other violinist since has been tempted to try the same huge approach. Hahn is penetrating, gritty, and wiry instead--it's the only time she allows herself actual grit. Her finale is mercurial, more positive emotionally than the usual biting slashes one hears from everyone else.

The Mendelssohn is lightness and lyricism all the way, which means that Hahn misses many chances for depth and inward phrasing such as Menuhin famously found in his classic postwar recording with Furtwangler (EMI). Hahn's mercurial swiftness becomes pure delight in the very fast finale, and her feminine sparkle (I mean that as a high compliment) results in a captivating performance that holds one's interest from first to last. Highly recommended in both works.

Competent technique, but Hahn's sound production is just plain bad.......2005-08-08

I listened to the first movement of the Shostakovich, and found myself, as I have very rarely, feeling disgust for the sound of the solo violin. Suddenly the sound of Hanhn's playing, which at first was merely thin, as it would be for the rest of the piece, became something that made me push the stop button at once, for it was, I have to say, intolerable. It was the same feeling I had when listening to Tchaikovsky's pathetique being performed on a theremin (the instrument with the thin, shrill, mosquito-like buzz you hear on the Beach Boy's "Good vibrations" and countless "B" horror and sci-fi movies from the 50's), just plain disgusting. As they say in the business, sound production is just plain horrible. Whats worse is that it happens in the easy parts, in the long melodious parts, not in the ones that require the violinist to show off his technical virtuosity. I can almost feel the horsehair in Hanhn's bow just slipping on the strings, instead of pulling them enough to make them vibrate and produce that full sound that is the trademark of masters like Kogan, Oistrakh and Szigeti. And this weak slipping is also the cause of her thin sound.

Hahn to me has a passable, if not competent, tecnique, aparent in the way she deals with the difficult parts of the concerto, but her playing is almost totally lacking in energy and passion, something made obvious by the thin sound of her playing. But no less a violin luminary than Heifez also had the same problem, though not in the same degree. But Heifez, I have to say, with apologies for his many admirers, had more serious problems - he made romantic music, like Strauss's violin sonata, sound pathetic in exaggerated sentiment (the pesky violinist in certain folksy restaurants come to mind). At least Hahn's tries to PLAY with the music - playing as in interacting with the printed notes and the character of the composer and the feeling he imprinted on his music, second guessing him or giving the music her own interpreation.

But the major problem, the thin sound, remains and here Hahn goes lower than Heifez. The violin was born of neccessity, as music left the ornate halls of European chateaus for more open, public places, where a more powerful sound was required to have the same effect on the more numerous listeners in the audience. That's why, when it began to spread from Italy, snobbish purists (who had privileged access to royal courts, of course) looked down on it, to the point that a Frenchman of the 18th century wrote a satire in which the violin appeared as the leader of a band of Italian barbarians (consisting of the new violoncello and countrebass) conspiring to take over the exclusive concert halls of Europe (see Weiss and Tarkuskin's "Music in the Western World"). So a thin sounding violin is almost an oxymoron, unless, like many snobbish purists in the present (the kind who behave as if they knew how Bach, Mozart and Beethoven wanted their music performed), one is looking for the intimate experience of virtually digging out the sound of the solo violin using tube amplifiers and other expensive audio equipment. Even then, as I wrote before, a thin sound is almost always the product of a lack of passion and energy in the violinists' part, so all that expense will be for nothing (unless the recording is to blame, but that is another matter).

By the way, why all this partisanship about reviews? It doesn't seem ok to me to vote against a review MERELY because you don't agree with what it says. Don't you all think that it would be better to trash those reviewers who merely express their opinions , not bothering to explain why they don't like (or do like) a product?

I can't finish without saying that I don't agree with these sexy covers. Even if some girl with the looks of Isabelle Huppert in her prime had appeared on it, winking like a dancer from some Parisian house of ill repute and showing enough cleavage to make Mae-Nicholson and Mutter blush, if Huppert's playing had been thin, I would rather pierce my eardrums than proclaim her playing is as good as it gets.

A young virtuoso makes a gritty piece her own.......2004-07-28

About two years ago I first heard Hilary Hahn do the Shostakovich live -- and liked it so much that I heard her perform it again a few weeks later. For someone so young, she really has an incredible measure of what the work is about. (Let's hope when she is older she will record it again.) Aside from her (apparently) note-perfect reading, she plays it a bit cool with her interpretation, which some have felt as an indicator that she is a bit young for this difficult work. I don't quite agree: her seeming reticence only emphasizes the more sorrowful passages in the piece, and this work is chock-full of those.

Hahn blazes through the final pages with amazing energy, and at times it seems that Marek Janowski and the Oslo Philharmonic will be hard pressed to keep up with her -- but they do, winningly. The Mendelssohn is also engaging, if as some have noted, the coupling of these two concerti might seem a bit odd. (I confess that as a piece I prefer the Shostakovich.) Never mind. Here conducted by the excellent Hugh Wolff, Hahn brings out the poetry and melodic invention that makes this work so enormously popular. And it could be argued that its relative sweetness makes a nice contrast to the violence of the Shostakovich.

Sony's sound is very good -- no complaints. Hahn is rapidly mowing down staples of the violin repertoire and proving she is one of the best violinists around. If you like these pieces, here is a great opportunity to hear for yourself.

Average customer rating:

A Vengerov Sampler: Life is just a box of chocolates....
Over hyped former prodigy
vengerov is the best
virtuoso vs. choice of music ?
Definitely a Five-Star Violinist

Maxim Vengerov - The Road I Travel
Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Franz Waxman , Johannes Brahms , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Felix Mendelssohn , Ludwig van Beethoven , Jules Massenet , Dmitry Shostakovich , Israel Philharmonic Orchestra , Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra , Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra , London Symphony Orchestra , Zubin Mehta , Mstislav Rostropovich , Kurt Masur , Claudio Abbado , Itamar Golan , Maxim Vengerov , and Aleksandr Markovich
Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Vengerov
Vengerov and Virtuosi
Virtuoso Vengerov
Brahms: Violin Concerto; Sonata No. 3
Bruch/Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B000000S9Z
Release Date: 1997-04-01

Tracks:

Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Op. 42: Melodie No. 3
Carmen Fantasie
Violin Sonata No.2 In A Major, Op. 100: Andante tranquillo - Vivace
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 35: Canzonetta: Andante
Violin Sonata In B Flat Major: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionato
Violin Sonata No. 5 In F Major 'Spring' Op. 24: Rondo. Allegro ma non troppa
Meditation from Thais
Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor, Op. 77: Burlesque -Allegro con brio

Customer Reviews:

A Vengerov Sampler: Life is just a box of chocolates...........2005-08-16

For some reason I have always been averse to recordings of single movements from other disparate recordings which usually makes the spotlighted artist seem a bit crass and commercial. But amazingly enough this THE ROAD I TRAVEL featuring Maxim Vengerov is anything but that! Perhaps it is just that this young violinist weaves such a spell that little tidbits from here and there seem justifiable: then perhaps it is just a forgiving ear that can jump around his 'Road' and share the good memories.

The selections vary from concerto movements from Shostakovich, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky to movements from sonatas by Beethoven and Brahms to oddities like the Franz Waxman 'Carmen Fantasia'. Different conductors and orchestras and pianists partner each excerpt. But it just comes together. This is a fine recording for friends who don't understand the fanaticism of Vengerov's following. It makes a fine calling card for the virtuoso! Grady Harp, August 05

Over hyped former prodigy.......2005-02-10

Maxim is a over hyped former child prodigy. Among his generation, Gil Shaham, Joshua Bell, Kyoko Takezawa, Chee Yun, Christian Tetzlaff's intonation and music are more pleasing to my ears. Why I cannot find Kyoko and Chee Yun's records.

vengerov is the best.......2004-09-02

Wow... I've been a huge fan of Vengerov's for about 6 years now, but he continues to surprise me. When I first heard him play, I thought he was the best romanticist I had ever heard, but he probably wouldn't be good at much else. Then I heard him play unaccompanied Bach on a period instrument, and it was pristine. I had never heard him play any classical music, but thought that there was NO WAY someone could be a master of all three broad musical styles, but once again Vengerov surpasses my EXTREMELY lofty expectations and proves that he is a master of the classical style as well. These recordings of Mozart's sonatas are among the best i've ever heard, in every way. His technical proficiency is beyond reproach, and his style is flawless from beginning to end. This CD makes me want to dust off all of my Mozart sonatas and start playing them again!! I purchased this disc for the sole purpose of hearing Vengerov play Mozart, and I'm thrilled that I did so. This is another new Vengerov purchase that is easily one of my favorite CDs in my collection. I'm beginning to think that he can do no wrong!

virtuoso vs. choice of music ?.......2004-02-12

While the violinist was excellent I thought his choice of music was not. I only recognized two or three of the selections that were offered on this CD. Needless to say I was a bit disappointed that he had not chosen more recognizable selections. Since I purchased this CD because of the "Meditation"piece from "Thais" I suppose I got what I wanted but, nevertheless I am still disappointed in the CD as a whole. I suppose it is alright for someone with more esthetic tastes than mine. As for Vengerov "B R A V O"!!!

Definitely a Five-Star Violinist.......2003-05-30

And this CD is one of his best. Be sure the bass on your system is turned up and get ready to spend one of the most enjoyable hours of your life.

Universe 4: A Hearts Of Space Collection

Average customer rating:

Hearts of Space: Universe 4
Hill brings another awesome mix of HOS artists

Universe 4: A Hearts Of Space Collection

Manufacturer: Hearts of Space
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Space And Time
Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces (part 1)
Compounds + Elements: An Introduction to All Saints Records
Nuages du Monde
Amarantine

ASIN: B000000X8S
Release Date: 1997-07-08

Tracks:

Rainstreet - Kevin Braheny & Tim Clark
A Perfect Night for Flying Carpets - Kevin Braheny & Tim Clark
Early Morning - Zeus Faber
Angels of the Deep - Raphael
Cootes Paradise - Mychael Danna & Tim Clement
Resting Upon Jacob's Pillow - John Doan
Down by the Sally Gardens - Joanie Madden
Heaven in a Wild Flower - Bill Douglas
The Drowning Plains - Mychael & Jeff Danna
O Earth, O Earth, Return - Bill Douglas
Rolling Earth - Coyote Oldman
Boot & Paisley - Al Gromer Khan & Kai Taschner
Eternal Return - Constance Demby
Forgiveness - Raphael
Adieu - Paul Sauvanet

Customer Reviews:

Hearts of Space: Universe 4.......2005-08-14

Pleasant-listening CD. I expected a little more variety, but overall it's relaxing to listen to.

Hill brings another awesome mix of HOS artists.......2002-02-01

Another great set of Hearts of Space artists....

Once again I now own the individual discs of all the artists but 4 of them...and if I could find a Zeus Faber disc, I'd get it...

Alot of the tracks on this collection have a water theme to them...Braheny and Clark have tracks from their "Rain" disc, Danna and Clement contribute from their "North of Niagra" disc...both of these have a waterfall, rivers and rain feel to them...then add in the ocean induced work of Raphael to finish the water feel...

There's also an Irish section, albeit small with a track from John Doan and one from Joanie Madden...The largest feel of this disc is solemness...Bill Douglas contributes a pair of songs backed by the amazing Ars Nova Singers...and Constance Demby presents a soaring soundscape...and to end the disc...a quiet sad track from Paul Sauvanet...

Once Again the HOS label at its best...another must own cd...
Stephen Hill knows how to find the best new age talent and bring it together in its purest form...

Prokofiev, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos no 1 / Rostropovich, Vengerov
Average customer rating:

New favorite recording of Shostakovich

Excellent playing, stunning engineering

Just...beautiful

old cowgirl

The Perfect Marriage of Composers, Soloist, and Conductor

Prokofiev, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos no 1 / Rostropovich, Vengerov

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Vengerov, Maxim | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Prokofiev & Shostakovich: Violin Concertos, No.2

Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99

Brahms: Violin Concerto; Sonata No. 3

Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,

Shostakovich: The String Quartets

ASIN: B000000SLM
Release Date: 1994-11-08

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 1 In D Major, Op. 19: Andantino
Violin Concerto No. 1 In D Major, Op. 19: Scherzo: Vivacissimo
Violin Concerto No. 1 In D Major, Op. 19: Moderato
Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor: Nocturne: Moderato
Violin Concerto in A minor: Scherzo: Allegro
Violin Concerto in A minor: Passacaglia: Andante
Violin Concerto: Burlesque: Allegro con brio

Amazon.com essential recording

With his brilliant tone, flawlessly centered intonation, jaw-dropping technique, and exquisitely beautiful phrasing, Maxim Vengerov is ideal in this repertory. His sparkling account of the Prokofiev conveys the music's mercurial shifts of color and mood with great élan, and turns wonderfully evocative in the ethereal pages. The interpretation of the Shostakovich is equally fine--strongly characterized and imaginative, haunting in its beauty. The young soloist is ably partnered by Mstislav Rostropovich, who draws some remarkably fine and suggestive playing out of an alert London Symphony Orchestra, and makes a convincing whole out of each score. Teldec's engineers take advantage of the Abbey Road venue to deliver a recording that, while predictably balanced in favor of the soloist, is detailed and nicely atmospheric. This disc won Gramophone magazine's Record of the Year award in 1995, and it comes impressively close to capturing the kind of electricity Vengerov generates onstage. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

New favorite recording of Shostakovich.......2007-06-22

I had not heard more than a few of Vengerov's performances and master classes (on YouTube) prior to hearing this disc - he is a remarkable individual and a thinking musician, and this recording of the Prokofiev 1 and Shostakovich 1 really proves that. Although I've heard plenty of good performances of both, these stand out. The review below is 100% correct - Vengerov "really gets it" - and he was a mere 19 or 20 years old when this disc was first released in 1994. He understands these pieces and his readings of them are very welcome. The second part of the first movement of the Prokofiev is often played 'Allegro Moderato' or 'Allegro non Troppo'. Vengerov plays it at the indicated tempo, 'Moderato', and not rushed. The accents and tenutos are perfectly done. He does some great things in the 'Scherzo', especially the slides on the G string! Although I like Lydia Mordkovitch's recording of the Shostakovich with Jarvi equally well (and that disc is also superbly engineered), Vengerov's is filled with great things. And how lucky he was to record it with the composer's close friend and musical collaborator, Rostropovich. If you've become partial to other recordings of these two concertos, listen to this disc and you may very well change your mind.

Excellent playing, stunning engineering.......2006-09-27

This recording pairs a fairly unfamiliar but highly acessible concerto from Prokofiev's younger days with a dark, biting, yet heartbreaking concerto from a difficult time in the difficult life of Shostakovich.

The Prokofiev is highly sensitive and lyrical and technically solid. The London Symphony is at its best here, under the baton of Rostropovich who personally associated with both Prokofeiv and Shostakovich.

I must admit to owning about 10 recordings of the first Shostakovich concerto. This collection includes performances by Perlman, Oistrakh (twice), Hahn, Sarah Chang, and Mullova. I have heard live performances by Caitlin Tully and Vadim Repin.

Out of all of these soloists, three or four stand out as really "getting it." Oistrakh's recordings are essentially definitive, but the orchestra's sound is less-than-ideal in these aging recordings. Among the newer recordings and performances, Repin and Vengerov strike me as more emotionally attached, while Mullova smooths out some of the rough edges the men have in their sound, but unfortunately her slow movements are not slow or emotional enough for me.

The orcehstra is once again ideal. Details are very finely crafted unlike in other lesser recordings. Vengerov's playing is spectacular and takes after Oistrakhs in character and sound.

Just...beautiful.......2006-09-01

Let me start off by saying...I'm no classical expert - I don't spend my days listening to different versions of the same piece played by different composers, solists, etc...

What I have seen in this is utter virtuosity from Vengerov... he can simply evoke any tone that he likes out of his violin. There's never a passage of doubt; vengerov makes his violin sing the melodies and plays with so much expression!

I prefer the Prokofiev piece, mainly because it seems to be more "concentrated" and less drawn out. It's always moving, rushing, flowing in a "contemporary" classical manner. I can agree with other reviewers stating this piece may just be the most beautiful piece of violin literature ever written.

The Shostakovich is more introverted and reflective; sometimes it is slow at places. Reading the liner notes (something all should do, IMHO) revealed the purposed for this - a tribute to the victims of the harrowing purges under Stalin. I also read that this piece was prohibited by Stalin for release - it was not until the death of Stalin that the piece was performed. Such adds to the harrowing, haunting melodies of the piece.

Like I said, I'm no classical expert, so I couldn't tell you how Rostropovich does as a conductor. As an "average Joe," this CD sounds marvelous to me!

old cowgirl.......2006-08-15

For the connoisseur of Prokofiev this is beautifully interpreted. Vengerov obviously loves what he does.

The Perfect Marriage of Composers, Soloist, and Conductor.......2005-08-16

It would be difficult to imagine a more perfect match for these two concerti than Maxim Vengerov and Mstislav Rostropovich. Not only do the two innately understand the shared Russian spirit inherent in Prokofiev's and Shostakovich's music, they also happen to be superb musicians who can make these two concerti appear simple to the ear when they require such an enormous degree of dexterity.

The phrasing and thematic exploration by Vengerov is astonishingly right and in every way and every moment his interpretation is mirrored by Rostropovich and the responsive London Symphony Orchestra. While music lovers will probably be more thrilled with the eloquent beauty of the Prokofiev (and this is certainly the finest recording I have heard of this concerto), Vengerov's virtuosity and clarity of technique should now bring others into the fold of devotees of the Shostakovich.

Recorded in 1994 this CD is remains the Gold Standard for these two spectacular concerti. The recording ambience is rich and full and almost as exciting as being in the concert hall. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 05

Average customer rating:

Shostakovich: Complete Concertos

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Prokofiev: Complete Concertos
Shostakovich: The Complete Symphonies - Mariss Jansons (10 CD)
Shostakovich: The String Quartets
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87
Prokofiev: 7 Symphonies; Lieutenant Kijé

ASIN: B0000C6IW1
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

I. Nocturne: Moderato - Viktoria Mullova
II. Scherzo: Allegro - Viktoria Mullova
Passacaglia: Andante - Viktoria Mullova
IV. Burlesque: Allegro Con Brio - Presto - Viktoria Mullova
I. Moderato - Gidon Kremer
II. Adagio - Gidon Kremer
III. Adagio - Allegro - Gidon Kremer

Tracks:

I. Allegretto - Heinrich Schiff
II. Moderato - Heinrich Schiff
III. Cadenza - Heinrich Schiff
IV. Allegro Con Moto - Heinrich Schiff
I. Largo - Heinrich Schiff
II. Allegretto - Heinrich Schiff
III. Allegretto - Heinrich Schiff

Tracks:

I. Allegretto - Peter Jablonski
II. Lento - Peter Jablonski
III. Moderato - IV. Allegro Con Brio - Peter Jablonski
I. Allegro - Cristina Ortiz
II. Andante - Cristina Ortiz
III. Allegro - Cristina Ortiz

Average customer rating:

Great Classic Themes
Simply Wonderful!
Simply Wonderful!
Halloween!!!!!!

Most Frightening Music in the Universe

Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Percussion | Instruments | 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

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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Classics from the Crypt
Very Scary Music: Classic Horror Themes
Fright Night: Music that Goes Bump in the Night
More Of The Most Relaxing Classical Music In The Universe
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe

ASIN: B0002W4V0G
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Bach - Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
Hermann - Suite From "Psycho": I. Prelude / II. The City / III. The Swamp / IV. The Murder / V. The Cellar / VI. Discovery
Wagner - Flying Dutchman Overture
Mussorgsky - Pictures At An Exhibition: Gnomus / Catacombs / Babi-Yar's Hut On Chicken's Legs
Berlioz - Symphony Fantastique: IV. March To The Scaffold / V. Dream Of The Witches Sabbath
Stravinsky - Firebird, IV. Infernal Dance Of The King Kashchei
Shostakovich - Cemetary (from The film "Five Days And Five Nights")
Holst - The Planets, Mars Bringer Of War

Tracks:

Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathrusta: I. Sehr Breit (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey) / IX. The Song Of The Night Wanderer
Mussorgsky - Night on Bald Mountain
Prokofiev - Romeo & Juliet, The Montagues and the Capulets
Xenakis - The Pleiades, First Movement
Vivaldi - Four Seasons, Summer, III, Presto, Tempo Impetuoso D'Estate
Bernstein - The Grifters
Stravinsky - The Rite Of Spring: III. Mock Abduction / XIII. Sacrificial Dance
Shostakovich - Symphony No 5, IV. Allegro Non Troppo
Dukas - The Sorcerer's Apprentice (From Fantasia)
Bernstein - Ghostbusters

Customer Reviews:

Great Classic Themes.......2006-09-11

This is an awesome collection of unsettling melodies from the masters, not just some horror movie themes (though it does have some Psyco). You will end up playing a round of "Where have I heard that score before?" because these melodies are very iconic.
The only complaint is that the track listing is somewhat occult. One has to use amazon.com's track listings and fill in the numbers.
Still, this is a great buy!!

Simply Wonderful!.......2006-05-18

I would like to begin my review of this wonderful CD by stating that I am not a "kid." (unless you consider a 14-year-old to still be a child) I am, however, too lazy too start a new Amazon.com account before typing about this great CD.

Now then... In my eyes, this CD recieved 5 stars because of (what else!) the music. The quality of the music to be more specific. The sound of it was great and the selection of the pieces was pure genius. My personal favorite would have to be a three-way tie between Bach's Toccata and Fugue, Dukas' Sorceror's Apprentice, and Stravinsky's The Right of Spring.

I will leave you tonight with one final thought... Is it just me, or are most of the pieces from "Fantasia"? At least 7 (!) of the pieces are from that age-old classic. I think it's funny that they are on a collection such as "The Most Frightening Music in the Universe". And could the cover art be any worse?!

All in all it is a great CD to add to any collection. (and cheap!) Thanks!

-Smith

Simply Wonderful!.......2006-05-18

Halloween!!!!!!.......2006-04-02

This Is Great i love Classical and halloween is my favorite holiday its great!! great collection

Music Review: