Du Temps & de L'Instant [Hybrid SACD]

Track Listings

1. Cantaiga de amigo V : Quantas sabedes amare Martin Codex (ca. 1230)

2. Nastaran (Haghma instrumental) Anonymous (Afganistan)

3. Noumi, noumi yaldatii Berceuse hebraique (Israel)

4. Variations sur O sonjai Gwerz Breton/Jordi Savall

5. La Canco del Lladre Traditional catalan/ Ferran Savall

6. Romanesca & Passamezzo (instrumental) Diego Ortiz(1510-1570)

7. La Salve /Arianna Savall

8. Paxarico tu te llamas (instrumental) Anonymous sefardi (Sarajevo)

9. apo zeno meros Traditional Greek

10. Ghazali tal jahri (instrumental) Anonymous (Morocco)

11. Durme, hermosa donzella berceuse sefardi (Rhodes)

12. Tarantela d'apres Lucas Ruiz de Ribayas (ca. 1650)

13. Jaroslaw (improviasations) Ferran Savall & Jordi Savall

14. Canarios (instrumental improvisations0 Jordi Savall

15. Fantasiant (improvisations) Arianna Savall & Ferran Savall

16. Muzettes I - II (IV> 28.29) Marin Marais (1656-1728)

17. El Cant dels Aucells Tradional Catalan/ Jordi Savall

18. Diferencias sobre la Guaracha (Mexiques s. XVII) Jordi Savalla

19. sentirete una canzonetta Tarquinio Merula (1594-1665)

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Title: Du Temps & de l'instant

Tracks:

Quartet For The End Of Time: Liturgy of Crystal
Quartet For The End Of Time: Vocalise, for the Angel who announces the end of Time
Quartet For The End Of Time: Abyss of the birds
Quartet For The End Of Time: Interlude
Quartet For The End Of Time: Praise to the Eternity of Jesus
Quartet For The End Of Time: Danse of Fury, for the seven trumpets
Quartet For The End Of Time: Cluster of rainbows, for the Angel who announces the end of Time
Quartet For The End Of Time: Praise to the Immortality of Jesus

Amazon.com

This all-star chamber ensemble was specifically formed to play Messiaen's masterpiece. Two decades after this recording was made, it still shows the effects of their intense identification with the music. Some listeners find Messiaen's music longwinded and difficult, and my own opinion varies depending on the work and my mood. But this piece, written in a German concentration camp during the early years of World War II, is truly one of the greatest works of music of the 20th century. Although it lasts nearly an hour, its variety of color and its powerful expressiveness will engross any responsive listener, especially in this performance. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Fin.......2007-07-18

I gave my copy of this (favorite) album to my favorite music professor -- now I have to replace it! Other reviewers have stressed the history behind the composition and its premiere in a Nazi POW camp, so I won't go into that, interesting and pertinent as it may be. Other reviewers have focussed on the fact that Messiaen was a devout Catholic mystic, implying that the listener must share the composer's religious convictions in order to fully appreciate his artistic expression. However, because this is a work of art, listeners will hear in it beauties unique to their own sensibilities. The listener can be a complete atheist and respond emotionally to Messiaen's passionate, idiosyncratic, and heart-wrenching composition. This is a piece that brings tears to my eyes and makes me intellectually curious too; I want to get the score so I can see how Messiaen works his magic. It's emotional, odd, intense, riveting, and harmonically sophisticated, right up there with the best of the 20th Century composers' works.

A great work, a Catholic work.......2007-02-17

This recording of the "Quartet for the End of Time," one of the greatest musical works of the 20th century, is precious to me. Performers Peter Serkin (piano), Ida Kavafian (violin), Fred Sherry (cello), and Richard Stoltzman (clarinet) offer a stunning, heartfelt performance. Olivier Messiaen, a Frenchman born in 1908 who demonstrated an early gift for music as a pianist, composed the piece in a Nazi prison camp for the few instruments he had available, including an out-of-tune piano on which he performed, a violin, a cello, and a clarinet. Imagine. World War II was obviously a dark time, and Messiaen went into the army with some rations and a few musical scores that he kept in his backpack. Not to diminish his suffering, but he was not treated as poorly as Jewish prisoners were in the death camps. He was not made to work in total starvation, nor was he deprived of all contact with the outside world (he was able to write home and have supplies sent to him). However, being a Catholic mystic, Messiaen sensed that the rise of the Third Reich signified the Apocalypse as prophesied in Revelations. Germans being Germans (they do love their music, after all), the camp guards allowed him to perform this piece in the camp with the group of musicians he assembled. His astonishing music captures not only that desperation and discord of the earth's final days, but also the redemption that can only be found through Our Lord Jesus Christ. However, you do not have to be a Christian to feel or understand the power in this music. Christianity has inspired the best music in Western culture (those "scientists" and "mathematicians" and "philosophers" who misguidely try to secularize J.S. Bach are wrong), and while Messiaen's music speaks for itself, his explanation for the final passage of this quartet is eternal: "Why this second glorification? It addresses itself more specifically to the second aspect of Jesus -- to Jesus the man, to the Word made flesh, raised up immortal from the dead so as to communicate His life to us. It is total love. Its slow rising to a supreme point is the ascension of man toward his God, of the son of God toward his Father, of the mortal newly made divine toward paradise." Amen to that, son, which is an important message for today's youth.

Imagining the end..........2007-02-07

I wonder how many other masterpieces were in fact lost in prisoner or war camps. We shouldn't be listening to this work today. It should not have survived. Perhaps Messiaen should not have either. But he did, and it did, and we are lucky because of it.

The quartet, composed for violin, clarinet, cello and piano because those were the instruments Messiaen's fellow inmates played, is in, oddly, eight movements instead of the Biblical seven. It is prefaced by a quotation from the Apocalypse of St. John Chapter 10: "I saw a mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire." That moment is depicted on the cover of this CD. The eight movements describe the harmonious "silence" of the heavens (including the awakening of birds--birds fascinated Messiaen all his life), Vocalise for the angel who announces the end of Time,* the Abyss of the birds, with a very technically-demanding clarinet solo (as an amateur clarinetist myself I find it hard to just play it all in tune, never mind the extreme dynamics), a bouncy scherzo interlude, which is the brightest part of the work, Praise to the Eternity of Jesus, which is deeply moving and spiritual if pulled off right, Dance of Fury for the Seven Trumpets, which is a real rhythmic tour-de-force (try to figure out the time signatures), Cluster of Rainbows, for the angel who announces the end of time (supremely haunting) and finally Praise to the Immortality of Jesus, which is supposed to represent the man Jesus more than the divine Son of God.

In terms of time, the work is extraordinarily complex, even in this post-Stravinsky universe. In fact, I couldn't begin to tell you I understand all that's going on, and would love to get my hands on a score. But the sonorities of this unusual combination of instruments makes you really pay closer attention--the unusual message is heard in an unusual voice. Use of dissonance is extremely intelligent--compared to so many "modern" compositions I hear today that claim to be profound (the Fourth Concerto for Orchestra by Robert Holloway, which I just heard premiered the other night in San Francisco, comes to mind), this score uses dissonance and consonance for a very high purpose, very judiciously, and not just because it can. Oh, and the ending pages of this work are a stunner, one of the most chilling finishes I've ever heard in a work. It's like the end of Mahler's 9th without the sentimental comfort--and yes, next to this, Mahler's 9th sounds sentimental and comforting.

This is all-around the best performance I've ever heard of the Quartet, though a Philips recording with Vera Beths, George Pieterson, Anner Bijlsma and Reinbert de Leeuw is better-recorded. They don't quite reach the heights and depths that these four musicians do, however, particularly in the Abyss of the Birds and the Praise to the Immortality. Despite some intonation issues by Stoltzman, he's more soulful in his lengthy solo than the more-in-control Pieterson.

The rest of the forces here are magnificent too. Ida Kavafian has always struck me as an underrated violinist. For a while she played with the Beaux Arts Quartet, but recently I have not seen her with them--what happened?

The Quartet was premiered to an audience of fellow prisoners and prison guards in Stalag VIII-A in Görlitz, Germany on January 15, 1941. "Never have I been heard with as much attention and understanding," Messiaen later said. Considering the effect this music has on us, as we arrive warm and fed at the concert hall after the attendant parks our Mercedes or Lexus, how this work must have felt to the starving cold war prisoners of 1941 surely cannot be imagined.

*The "end of time" is not purely an allusion to the Apocalypse, the work's ostensible subject, but also refers to the way in which, through rhythm and harmony, Messiaen used time in a way that was completely different from the music of his predecessors or contemporaries.

Unique Spiritual Expression.......2006-12-22

The Quartet for the End of Time and The Turangalila Symphony are great pieces by Messaien. If you're looking at this version by Tashi, you are looking at a legendary performance. Similarly, Antoni Wit on the Naxos label does wonders in the Turangalila Symphony, a very lively work. Let's not skirt the issue: both are strange pieces, lovable for their insanity. Here, however, you have a piece with an amazing history and an intimate depth of soul.

I think the titles of some of the movements say a lot about the work, like "Cluster of Rainbows, for the Angel Who Announces the End of Time." As a person who is awe-inspired by symbols, alchemical art work, and out of the ordinary things, titles like these bring tears to my eyes. The cover art for this album is a striking representation of this rare kind of beauty.

The music expresses itself on its own terms. You are receiving the language of another dimension. It is that bizarre, and you must be prepared. Put down all conceptions of what Western music is. Do not compare this to any other work. Extraterrestrial visitors will guide you to the mothership. Take the ride. And remember that for Messaien God is at the center of all things. You will feel this presence as the music wends its way through the final moments.

Unique and Interesting.......2006-07-19

Oliver Messiaen's music takes some getting used to. It's not unlike some of Stravinsky's works, but doesn't quite fit into any particular category. This particular work was written in a German prison camp and first performed there in 1941. Some people might want to buy it just for the historical significance, but I encourage you to buy it because it is downright interesting and enjoyable music. This might not be the best first album to buy as an introduction to Messiaen, as it's not his best work. It is somewhat subdued music; not particularly upbeat or awesome. It's not meant to be. Still well worthy of 5-stars.

Average customer rating:

A regular listener's impression
VIOLIN
Everything remembered and wanted on strings
Absolutely Wonderful

Violin for Relaxation

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Cello for Relaxation
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ASIN: B00004SSEC
Release Date: 2000-05-16

Tracks:

Meditation - Philharmonia Orchestra
Vocalise
Violin Concerto No.5 In A, K.219 II: Adagio
Nana
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Aka-Tonbo
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Praise To The Immortality Of Jesus

Customer Reviews:

A regular listener's impression.......2006-03-24

I am not an expert in classical music, but have always loved the string instruments. I bought this CD for relaxation (as the title implies) and to help me focus on writing a thesis. I was torn between this CD and the Cello for Relaxation. I am pleased with my choice. My favorites are track #2 and #10 (listen to the samples through Amazon) - I usually play these two on repeat. My least favorite is track #7 because it sounds like a piano dominated movie soundtrack.
Although I wish I could have exchanged some of the tracks for others, I think this CD was worth the money and is a nice mix for those of us who don't know specific composers by name or who want a good sampling.

VIOLIN.......2005-09-10

The selection of music was a good mix and pleasant in listening to them.

The choice of orchestras and conductors are also very well selected offering very good variety in the similar music mood.

My two long time favourites "Meditation" and "Salut d'amour" were very well played in the right tempo and instrumental arrangement.

The recording quality is good offering both clarity and defination in the recording.

Everything remembered and wanted on strings.......2003-10-16

To me, it is an extraordinary combination demonstarting the old world beauty and timeless artistry of the violin.

It will take you back to everything good remembered, and forward to everything good ahead of us.

Absolutely Wonderful.......2000-06-16

The music on this cd is so beautiful. It is perfect to listen to when you want to relax.

Average customer rating:

Savall family extravaganza

Du temps & de l'instant

Manufacturer: Alia Vox Spain
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lux Feminae
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Harmonie Universelle

ASIN: B0009JOMDI
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Cantiga De Amigo V: Quantas Sabedes Amare
Nastaran
Noumui, Noumi Yaladatii
Variations Sur O Sonjal
La Canco Del Lladre
Romanesca & Pasamezzo
La Salve
Paxarico Tu Te Llamas
Apo Xeno Meros
Ghazali Tal Jahri
Durme, Hermosa Donzella
Tarantela D'apres
Jaroslaw
Canarios
Fantasiant
Muzettes I-II (IV.28.29)
El Cant Dels Aucells
Diferencias Sobre La Guaracha
Sentirete Una Canzonetta

Customer Reviews:

Savall family extravaganza.......2006-01-27

Jordi Savall and Montserrat Figueras are the two giants in the Catalan early music scene. On this album they enlist the help of percussionist Pedro Estevan and their two children to produce some truly exceptional music. Jordi Savall, the most famous family member, almost fades into the background, although he is obviously the rock that anchors the album. His playing is superb, and it seems as though it was most likely him who chose the excellent repertoire. Figueras, like wine, is only improving with age. Also like wine, however, she's a bit of an acquired taste; I am a huge fan of straight tone singing and even I took a while to get used to her bizarre, raw sound. It's worth it, however, as she is one of the most intriguing singers of this era.

Daughter Arianna is a world-class artist in her own right. Like her father, she is multi-talented; she sings, plays the harp, and composes (her contribution to this album, "La Salve," is beautiful and affecting, but some of the selections on her own solo album "Bella Terra" are far superior). Like her mother, her voice is haunting and beautiful, more polished than the elder woman but slightly less interesting. She sounds particularly lovely in the background of the first track. Ferran Savall also lends his voice to the album, although his singing is far less classical sounding, which may be a plus to some listeners. "Noumi, Noumi, Yaladatii," which Figueras has previously recorded as a solo, includes a vocalise from Ferran astonishing in its power, although his one solo on this album, "La Canco Del Lladre," is the least impressive track, as his voice can be irritating after a while and the song itself is repetitive and overlong.

The instrumental tracks are universally excellent. Jordi Savall is one of the world's best viola da gamba players and this album proves that he is still at the top of his game. Arianna's virtuosic harp solo is one of the album's highlights; her playing is less restrained and more visceral than most harpists. Pedro Estevan seems to have very little to do, but a little goes a long way with this music.

I sincerely hope that this will not be the last album to feature the Savall-Figueras family together. These five musicians have produced an album of surreal beauty, not to be missed.

Average customer rating:

Breathtaking Virtuosity!
good but not flawless
Lovely

Jonathan Cohler: The Clarinet Alone

Manufacturer: Ongaku
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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20th Century Music For Unaccompanied Clarinet
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ASIN: B000001Z2I
Release Date: 1995-10-31

Tracks:

A Set: 1. Allegro
A Set: 2. Adagio
A Set: 3. Allegro
Ste, Op.74: 1. Rhap: Tempo Rubato
Ste, Op.74: 2. Ser: Molto Tranquillo
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Ste, Op.74: 4. Dance: Allegretto
Quatour Pour La Fin Du Temps: Abime Des Oiseaux
Monolog 3: 1. Andante Sostenuto
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Five Pieces: 2. Flowing
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Five Pieces: 4. Singing
Five Pieces: 5. Spirited
Parable, Op.126 (Parable XIII)
Rhap
Moto Perpetuo, Op.11

Album Description

Stunning collection of some of the most important 20th century solo clarinet works performed by one of the world's most renowned clarinetists.

Customer Reviews:

Breathtaking Virtuosity!.......2007-04-07

Love the album! First heard a live performance of the Martino "A Set for Clarinet" while in college. This recording is as good, for sure! Also love Mr. Cohler's take on Wm. O. Smith's "Five Pieces for Clarinet Alone".
(I know Bill Smith personally, and I'm sure he loves it too!). Best of all though, is the Paganini "Molto Perpetuo". Superb circular breathing!

good but not flawless.......2003-11-22

I don't have any overwhelming complaints about this recording, but from a clarinetist's standpoint, there are a few detractions. I thought the use of vibrato was a bit overdone and definitely affected the tone in a less than positive way. The echo-y sound of the recording definitely helps gloss over some things, but it almost has the effect of a pianist who uses too much pedal. On pieces for solo clarinet, I'd really like to hear a good clear tone with more core to it, rather than a somewhat flighty sound that uses vibrato to maintain your interest.

Matters of taste aside, the technical facility was excellent, except for a few minor spots where the rhythmic consistency seemed a little shaky. Some of the pieces have a lot of rubato feel to them, and that's fine, but some of them clearly demand a steady pulse, and there are just a few minor places were you're not quite sure if it's still there (a couple places in the smith 5 pieces for clarinet for example). Pitch on the extreme registers was good, and most of the weird effects came across well.

All in all, I'd recommend this to any clarinet aficionados, but serious students would be advised to take the performance with a grain of salt (as I suppose could be said of any recordings really.)

Lovely.......2003-03-25

Every composition well-chosen, every performance well-played. The recording quality is clear with splendid presence.

The Paganini--wow! I've already moved the doleful Osborne to my frequent-listening shelf. It's unsurprising the Martino appeals to clarinetists: it's exciting and athletic, leaping over multiple octaves at a single bound! I also enjoyed Enland von Koch's alternatively playful and pensive "Monolog 3".

This is a fine collection of 20th century solo clarinet works. It's great to have them recorded. That they are so *well* recorded makes it all the sweeter.

Le Temps Des Gitans: Extrait De La Bande Du Film "Kuduz"
Average customer rating:

Mezmorizing... haunting.... unforgettable...

Not the whole soundtrack

Astounding!!

Swell cd

Excellent soundtrack, but could be better.

Le Temps Des Gitans: Extrait De La Bande Du Film "Kuduz"
Goran Bregovic
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2002-08-26

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Ederlezi (Scena Durdevdana Na Rijeci)
Scena Pojavljivanja Majke
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Tango
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Album Description

Remastered 1990 soundtrack from Sarajevo born film composer. Bestseller in France. Mercury.

Album Details

Original Soundtrack Composed by Jugoslavian Artist - Goran Bregovic.

Customer Reviews:

Mezmorizing... haunting.... unforgettable..........2007-03-16

I saw this movie in France about 10 years ago & the soundtrack has haunted me ever since. This is an incredible soundtrack to a truly gifted film by a sensational musical talent.

Not the whole soundtrack.......2007-03-09

WHY IS "EDERLEZI AVELA" NOT ON THIS SOUNDTRACK? That was one of the most important parts of the movie and they didn't even include the two versions from the film(the first from when Perhan is leaving his village, and the second when he returns.)!!!
This is definately worth having, but for diehard fans of the film like me, there is a lot missing. Also missing "Save ratke daje me pirava" instrumental from the wedding scene.

Astounding!!.......2001-04-08

When I first saw this beautiful and magical movie I was stunned by the music. Immediately, I got carried away by the vocals of the singers on "Ederlezi". WOW!!

I looked for this CD for a long time and I'm happy to say that I got it. I have it for about 6 months now and "Ederlezi" is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard in my life.

I truly recommend this soundtrack from the bottom of my heart. Every music lover will be happy to be the owner of this title. You won't regret.

P.S. The first version(The first track)of "Ederlezi" is the theme of this movie and the second version(The last track)is the "outro" of the movie. I find the first one to be amazing.(Don't get me wrong...The second one is also beautiful..).

Uriah(18) from Israel.

Swell cd.......1999-10-02

I really love this cd, although, as someone else has already mentioned, some of the best songs aren't on it. I'm not sure why they weren't included: the cd is only about a half hour long, and two of the songs are actually from another movie, 'Kuduz.' But it was worth it to be able to listen to 'Talijanska' and the two versions of 'Ederlezi' without having to fast forward through my videotape:)

Excellent soundtrack, but could be better........1999-04-10

The soundtrack Time of the Gypsies (Temps Des Gitans Et Kuduz) features music from the incredible, must-see movie of the same name. While some of the most memorable music from the movie is included (Perhane's accordian music and music from the dream sequence, for example), three excellent pieces of music featured in the film are NOT on the CD (music during Ahmed's return from Italy, music when Perhane and Danira leave home, and music when Perhane is dancing in a bar). This CD is an excellent purchase for anyone who came away from the movie humming Perhane's accordian song and is anxious to preserve his or her memory of the movie, but potential buyers should note the CD's shortcomings.

Lully: Les Divertissements de Versailles

Average customer rating:

Wonderful CD
Versailles, Le Roi Soleil, et Lully
A great introduction to the father of French opera

Lully: Les Divertissements de Versailles
Jean-Baptiste Lully , Les Arts Florissants , William Christie , Sophie Daneman , and Paul Agnew
Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2002-06-11

Tracks:

Prelude pour les trompetes
Chantons les plaisirs charmants
Quittons notre vaine querelle
Chantons tous de l'Amour
Enfin il est en ma puissance
Chere Climene, dis-moi
Je vous aime, Nymphe charmante & Plainte du Dieu Pan
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Customer Reviews:

Wonderful CD.......2005-09-22

I only would like to say that this is a first class disc. I love classical music since the barroque century to our days. Thank you very much.

Versailles, Le Roi Soleil, et Lully.......2002-06-19

Great music, wonderfully performed, historically accurrate,
what else could we ask for.

A great introduction to the father of French opera.......2002-06-11

Considering his historical importance as the founder of French Baroque opera, it is perhaps surprising that Jean-Baptiste Lully has not received the same degree of attention on disc as his rivals and followers. The revival of French Baroque music which has been such a phenomenon over the last two or three decades has only rarely paid him much attention. Listeners seem to find the harmonic daring of Marc-Antoine Charpentier or the incredible colour and imagination of Jean-Philippe Rameau far more to their taste. Lully's suave, well-crafted music is often dismissed as bland beside the music of these figures and that of Lully's English follower, Purcell. But as this well-filled (78 minutes) disc of extracts from the whole range of his stage music demonstrates, Lully was a considerable and innovative composer in his own right. If you are new to Lully, this is the ideal place to start.

The new recording tells the story of how this ambitious, and frequently ruthless, young Florentine transformed himself into a French citizen and friend of "Le Roi Soleil", just as he transformed the Italian opera of the mid-seventeenth century into something uniquely Gallic. Lully began by catering to the young King Louis XIV's mania for dance with a series of comedies-ballets written in collaboration with Moliere. Extracts from two of them, "Georges Dandin" and "L'Amour Medecin" are included here, where the Italian influence is still strong with plenty of lively comedy. This phase of Lully's career culminated with the amazing five-hour extravaganza, "Psyche", in 1671. Two powerful choruses from this divertissement start the disc.

It was while he was working on "Psyche" that Lully met the librettist Philippe Quinault who was to be his partner in forging a distinctively French form of opera, the 'tragedie lyrique'. Quinault's contribution was vitally important since Lully saw opera as an equal marriage of words and music. The key would be expressive recitative rather than the show arias that dominated the Italian 'opera seria' of the time. The chorus and ballet would also play a major part in the divertissements which ended each act, offering a chance for Lully to show off his musical imagination. Some of the best examples of this come in the extracts from the opera "Isis" (1677) included here. In fact the first audience found the music rather too imaginative and it soon acquired the reputation as a work for connoisseurs only, 'the musicians' opera'. One of the connoisseurs who appreciated it was Henry Purcell. The "Scene de Froid" inspired him to write the wonderfully atmospheric Frost Scene in his "King Arthur" (1691). You can hear immediately what appealed to the Englishman's imagination - the chattering chorus and shivering violins conjure up a vivid impression of extreme cold. It is quickly followed by a scene depicting blazing heat - the smithy of the Chalybes, where the ringing percussion suggests the music of Wagner's Nibelheim two hundred years later. But the most haunting music is a lament by the god Pan for the nymph Syrinx, after her transformation into a reed. It is touchingly accompanied by woodwind and an organ. The characteristic Lullian blend of words and music (which is possibly one reason why many non-French speaking Baroque enthusiasts find a whole Lully opera hard to listen to) is illustrated by scenes from "Armide" and "Roland". In the latter, the hero Roland searches for his lost love Angelique. Lully's music conjures up a beautiful pastoral scene using only smoothly sliding strings, becoming more and more troubled as Roland learns from the names carved into the trees that his beloved has married his rival, Medor. Finally, Roland explodes into rage, his anguish turns to madness and the music rages too. In "Armide", the eponymous heroine, a pagan sorceress, has lulled the Christian hero Renaud asleep so she can stab him to death. However, when she sees him lying defenceless, she falls in love with him and cannot bring herself to commit the murder. Armide's monologue included here, where she hesitates between hatred and love, has always been rightly regarded as one of the high points of the entire French repertoire with its masterly psychological depiction of the tortured enchantress. The disc ends with a love duet between Armide and Renaud from the final act of the opera, followed by another dance, the massive 'grande passecaille'. Its interweaving musical lines have an extraordinary, hypnotic beauty.

Tracks:

Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'un Faune - Alexander Rahbari
Walzer - Peter Hill
I. Andante-Scherzo - Rebecca Hirsch
Sehr Ruhig Und Zart - Ulster Orchestra
Lebhaft Und Zart Bewegt - Ulster Orchestra
Sehr Langsam Und Ausserst Zart - Ulster Orchestra
Fliessend, Ausserst Zart - Ulster Orchestra
Sehr Fliessend - Ulster Orchestra
Forlane: Allegretto - Klara Kormendi
First Tableau: The Shrove-Tide Fair - Philharmonia Orchestra
The Mountebank - Philharmonia Orchestra
Vivo - Bournemouth Sinfonietta
III. Moderato Pesante - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Hymn To St. Cecilia - Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge
IV. Allegretto - Ondrej Lenard
Introduzione: Andante Non Troppo-Allegro Vivace - Alexander Rahbari

Tracks:

Romance - Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Kosice)
II. Allegro - Ladislav Slovak
III. Allegro Agitato - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Main Theme From Schindler's List - Paul Bateman
The Unanswered Question - Northern Sinfonia
Second Electonic Interpolation (Conclusion) - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Third Electronic Interpolation (Beginning) - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
I. Liturgie De Cristal - Amici Ensemble
IV. Commentaire - Idil Biret
Warming Up, Leading To Model 1, Bass - Gregory Rose
'Gott Nochmal' Sun God - Gregory Rose
'Vishnu' God Of Storms - Gregory Rose
God Of The Earth - Gregory Rose
First Interlude - Boris Berman
I. - Roger Heaton
Short Ride In A Fast Machine - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
The Lord's Prayer - Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge
II. Lento E Largo-Tranquillissimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
Lullaby - Philharmonia Orchestra
Vision Of The Hunt I - Philharmonia Orchestra
Voice For Solo Flute - Robert Aitken

Customer Reviews:

excellent overview of contemporaneous classic music.......2007-03-22

excellent overview of contemporaneous classic music.

Should be continued, plenty more 20th-century composers to be discovered.

For the price you can't lose.......2007-02-21

This 2 cd set consists of, as the title indicates, various 20c pieces or movements from the Naxos catalog. Sound quality is uniformly high, although for some such as Stockhausen's it's not clear if that's good or bad. What is excellent is the variety of the collection--some familiar (Debussy), others not, some pretty, others intentionally weird. Few will find every piece to his or her taste, but many listeners who do not spend much time on 20c music will find something to like. Overall, a great introduction to a period of much off-putting, yes, but also much compelling music.

Average customer rating:

Heavenly
The Holy Grail of Choral Recordings
One Small Correction
Gorgeous music, gorgeous performances
Stunning collection suitable for music nuts or newbies alike

Choral Moods

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Choral Masterpieces
Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony
The Only Choral CD You'll Ever Need
Tears from Heaven
Agnus Dei II: Music to soothe the soul

ASIN: B00000DFKO
Release Date: 1998-10-13

Tracks:

Miserere Mei, Deus
Deutsche Messe D.872: Sanctus
Hear My Prayer, Oh Lord
Timor Et Tremor
Videntes Stellam
Psalm 13, OP.27
O Salutaris Hostia
Salvette Flores
Evening Hymn
L'enfance du Christ: Shepherd's Farewell
Ave Maria
Advent Responsory
Ave Maria OP.93
Edi Beo Thu, Hevene Quene
Missa Cum Iubilo (Gregorian Chant): Kyrie
Missa Cum Iubilo (Gregorian Chant): Gloria
Missa Cum Iubilo (Gregorian Chant): Sanctus & Benedictus
Missa Cum Iubilo (Gregorian Chant): Agnus Dei
Requiem: In Paradisum
Agnus Dei

Tracks:

Nunc Dimittis
Mass In G: Agnus Dei
Ave Verum Corpus Op. 65 No. 1
O Ignis Spiritus Paracliti
Hear My Prayer
Ave Maria
Panis Angelicus
Eternal Father
Vom Himmel Hoch
Ave Maria
Messe basse: Kyrie
Messe basse: Sanctus
Messe basse: Benedictus
Messe basse: Agnus Dei
Rejoice, Rejoice
Salve Regina, Op. 67 No. 1
Ave, Verum Corpus
Laudi Alla Vergine Maria
Tenebrae Facta Sunt
O Sacrum Convivium

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly.......2007-03-29

This is the most uplifting music I have encountered. The angelic sounds of this choral group help me stay sane on California highways!

The Holy Grail of Choral Recordings.......2006-07-03

This was the first choral CD I've ever purchased when I started becomming involved with choir during my senior year of high school five years ago. My director was telling the choir that he had finally found his copy at a music store and referred to it as the "Holy Grail" of choral recordings. So, I went out to find my own copy and I'm still blown away by it today. I've even given copies as gifts. The music is certainly relaxing and such, but what I most value from it is the spiritual magic. The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (then and now my favorite choir in the world) brings every composition to life in such a way that's pure, elegant, and deep. Listening to this music and enjoying this choir has allowed me to set my own standard of singing and compositional excellence.

One Small Correction.......2004-03-06

I keep finding new things to love on this CD, including the fact that it has the first recording I found of Gabriel Faure's beautiful Soprano (or Soprano/Alto) duet Ave Maria., Opus 93. The same recording appears on another CD where the singers are named. The above description of this selection unaccountably adds a baritone. Incidentally, Faure also composed a shorter SATB Ave Maria, which John Rutter has recorded.

I only wish the recording included the complete text of Psalm 50/51 from Gregorio Allegri's Miserere Mei Deus. This might come from John Rutter's recently edited score, published by Oxford Press, if I'm not mistaken. I, for one, do not find this selection (or indeed the entire recording) too long and I believe that the embellishments at the end (mentioned in another review) are probably correct when considering performance conventions of the time of its composition.

Gorgeous music, gorgeous performances.......2003-06-19

I am a semi-professional singer with a BA in Music, and I bought this CD with some trepidation because it looked like one of those dreadful "pop classical" compilations that are everywhere lately. But it had lots of great repertoire all in on place, so I decided to risk it, and I was not disappointed! In fact, this is now one of my favorite choral CDs.

As usual, the Choir of Trinity College delivers stunning performances, and the music itself is just gorgeous. Lots of "church" favorites from a wide range of musical periods. The mood of the CD is definitely on the mellow side, but it's perfect for those quiet moods. I love this CD -- highly recommended!

Stunning collection suitable for music nuts or newbies alike.......2002-03-18

Even as an avid fan of classical music with very picky tastes, there was just so much good music packed on these two (cheap!) discs for me to take in at once!
The perfectly balanced and locked chords can really give you chills.

Tracks:

Suite Populaire espagnole for violin and piano: El Pano moruno
Suite Populaire espagnole for violin and piano: Nana
Suite Populaire espagnole for violin and piano: Cancion
Suite Populaire espagnole for violin and piano: Polo
Suite Populaire espagnole for violin and piano: Asturiana
Suite Populaire espagnole for violin and piano: Jota
Quatuor pour la fin du temps: 8. Louange a l'Immortanlite de Jesus
Sonata No. 3 in C Minor Op. 45 for violin and piano: Allegro molto ed appassionato
Sonata No. 3 in C Minor Op. 45 for violin and piano: Allegretto espressivo alla Romanza
Sonata No. 3 in C Minor Op. 45 for violin and piano: Allegro animato
Sonata No. 1, Sz 75 for violin and piano: Allegro appassionato
Sonata No. 1, Sz 75 for violin and piano: Adagio
Sonata No. 1, Sz 75 for violin and piano: Allegro

Amazon.com

Philips has been giving Leila Josefowitz a major buildup recently. This time around she has pop star packaging and program notes in the form of an interview, printed in an almost illegible format. Still, the playing is what counts. The technical weakness heard on her debut release has now been overcome, and she deals intelligently with an impressive variety of music here. The program is uncommonly attractive, and in John Novacek she has an appropriately assertive partner. But Josefowicz doesn't seem to have developed the musical personality to handle her role here effectively, and as well-played as these performances are, they are also a bit bland and lacking in passion. She'll probably do better in a few years, but this is the disc we have now. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Wow!.......2000-03-29

I just purchased this recording last night, and I have not been able to stop listening to it since. Even though I play horn, not violin, this CD is a very inspiring recording. I have purchased a few of Leila's other recordings (Solo and her debut cd with the Tchaikovsky/Sibelius concertos) but, in my point of view, this one tops them all. The pieces she performs are all very different from one another, and very enjoyable, especially the Grieg. To any aspiring solo or concert musician (as I am), Leila is one admirable artist--it's so hard to believe she's only a year older than I am! I highly recommend this recording to anyone wanting musical inspiration or simply some great violin playing to listen to.

Average customer rating:

Masters of the Bow: Cello

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Masters of the Bow
Masters of the Keyboard
Masters of the Guitar
Masters of the Voice: Tenor
Masters of the Trumpet

ASIN: B000095J86
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

The Swan - Maurice Gendron
Sarabande - Janos Starker
Pezzo - Maurice Gendron
Vocalise - Nina Kotova
Gigue - Pierre Fournier
Allegro Con Brio - Pablo Casals
III. Rondo (Allegro) - Christine Walevska
III. Largo - Ton Koopman
Intermezzo - Bruno Canino
Silent Woods - Mischa Maisky
Introduction & Polonaise Brillante For Cello And Piano In C Major, Op. 3 - Maurice Gendron
The Flight Of Bumble Bee - Julian Lloyd Webber
II. Andante - Scherzo - Lynn Harrell

Tracks:

Ave Maria - Mischa Maisky
Langsam, Mit Innigem Ausdruck - Gerhard Oppitz
Rasch Und Feurig - Heinrich Schiff
Nocturne - Julian Lloyd Webber
Allegretto - Mstislav Rostropovich
Kol Nidrei - Lynn Harrell
Scherzo Tarantelle - Heinrich Schiff
Abendlied - Tibor De Machula
Guitarre - Maurice Gendron
Elegie - Lynn Harrell
Irish Tune - Julian Lloyd Webber
Ritual Fire Dance - Nina Kotova
Elite Syncopations - Heinrich Schiff
Apres Un Reve No. 1 Op. 7 - Lynn Harrell
Eulogy To The Eternity Of Jesus - Maurice Gendron

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Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1; Piano Concerto No. 2

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Bach - Brandenburg Concerto / AAM, Hogwood

Suspended Night

1. Cantaiga de amigo V : Quantas sabedes amare Martin Codex (ca. 1230)
2. Nastaran (Haghma instrumental) Anonymous (Afganistan)
3. Noumi, noumi yaldatii Berceuse hebraique (Israel)
4. Variations sur O sonjai Gwerz Breton/Jordi Savall
5. La Canco del Lladre Traditional catalan/ Ferran Savall
6. Romanesca & Passamezzo (instrumental) Diego Ortiz(1510-1570)
7. La Salve /Arianna Savall
8. Paxarico tu te llamas (instrumental) Anonymous sefardi (Sarajevo)
9. apo zeno meros Traditional Greek
10. Ghazali tal jahri (instrumental) Anonymous (Morocco)
11. Durme, hermosa donzella berceuse sefardi (Rhodes)
12. Tarantela d'apres Lucas Ruiz de Ribayas (ca. 1650)
13. Jaroslaw (improviasations) Ferran Savall & Jordi Savall
14. Canarios (instrumental improvisations0 Jordi Savall
15. Fantasiant (improvisations) Arianna Savall & Ferran Savall
16. Muzettes I - II (IV> 28.29) Marin Marais (1656-1728)
17. El Cant dels Aucells Tradional Catalan/ Jordi Savall
18. Diferencias sobre la Guaracha (Mexiques s. XVII) Jordi Savalla
19. sentirete una canzonetta Tarquinio Merula (1594-1665)