Hindemith: Great Orchestral Works [Import]

Track Listings

1. Violin Concerto--I. Massig Bewegte Halbe

2. Ii. Langsam

3. Iii. Lebhaft

4. Symphonic Metamorphoses On Themes Of Weber

5. Ii. Turandot, Scherzo- Moderato

6. Iii. Andantino

7. Iv. March

8. Mathis Der Maler--I. Engelkonzert

9. Ii. Grablegung

10. Iii. Versuchtung Des Heiligen Antonius

Tracks:

Military March No. 1 In D Major, Op. 39: Pomp Ad Circumstance
Waltz Fom Der Rosenkavalier Suite
'Von der Schonheit' From Das Lied von der Erde
'De l'aube a midi sur la mer' From La Mer
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical Symphony': III. Gavotta. Non troppo allegro
L'histoire du soldat Suite - IV. The Royal March
L'histoire du soldat Suite - V. The Little Concert
Le tombeau de Couperin - V. Menuet
Le tombeau de Couperin - VI. Toccata
Sinfonia From Pulcinella Suite
Walzer From Funf Klavierstucke, Op. 23
Interlude From Wozzeck, Act III
Prologue From Music Ffor The Theatre
'Shine On Harvest Moon'
'Alexander's Ragtime Band' - Irving Berlin
'Over There'
'How You Gonna Keep'em Down On The Farm (After They've Seen Paree)?'
'The Man I Love' From Stride Up The Band
'West End Blues'

Amazon.com

The first two-thirds of this disc is a fascinating cram course in concert music around the time of World War I. The programmer has put together some fascinating juxtapositions--for example, Strauss's Rosenkavalier leads almost seamlessly into Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, and Schoenberg sounds out of context with everybody (including Berg). The selections are all short, and performance quality runs from great to mediocre, but this is still a thought-provoking educational experience, even though Bartók and Ives are conspicuously missing. The popular selections are less interesting, often campy, and although vintage recordings are used, they aren't always the right vintage. And someone missed a point by separating Copland's jazzy "Music for the Theatre" from Louis Armstrong, who could have followed immediately. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Music and the Great War.......2007-05-14

This is a fascinating compendium of popular and classical music from the World War One period. It evokes all the turmoil, anguish, and also humor, of the age, and is a vital CD to own if you have an interest in the Great War and the music it inspired or was inspired by.

How a Century Has Change Our Perception of War.......2005-10-29

War. Tough subject these days - tough subject since the beginning of time. Yet Americans tend to mend wounds and gradually allow the atrocities of yesteryear to fade into coated cases that signal more memories of 'how things used to be' rather than learning from the tragedies with which war has scarred the planet. National Public Radio issued this excellent memoir at the turn of the millennium and one wonders if it now has the same response that greeted it in 1999.

Linda Kobler reconstituted this mix of classical and popular music with a keen sense of history. The CD is twice divided (in both the classical and the popular music) into 'Before the War' 1901 - 1917, 'During the War' 1917 - 1922, and 'After the War' 1922 - 1928. In the first era are the works of Elgar ('Pomp and Circumstance'), Strauss (a waltz from 'Der Rosenkavalier'), Mahler (excerpt from 'Das Lied von der Erde'), and Debussy ('La Mer') joining the songs 'Shine On Harvest Moon' and 'Alexander's Ragtime Band'. The War period is represented by Prokofiev's 'Symphony No. 1', Stravinsky's 'L'histoire du soldat', and Ravel's 'Le tombeau de Couperin' in tandem with 'Over There'. After the war include Stravinsky ('Pulcinella Suite'), Schoenberg (Waltz from 'Five Piano Pieces'), Berg (excerpt from 'Wozzeck') and Copland ('Music from the Theatre') with popular songs 'How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm', 'The Man I Love', and 'West End Blues'.

The excerpts selected for this survey are exceptionally good: orchestras include NY Phil, LA Phil, Philadelphia Orchestra, London Symphony, and the Columbia Symphony under such batons a Ormandy, Bernstein, Salonen, Tilson Thomas, Schippers and Stravinsky; soloists include Glen Gould, Robert Casadesus, Lili Chookaskian, Louis Armstrong, et al. The sonics are very fine and the performances are each from significant full recordings remaining in the catalogue.

The booklet accompanying this concert of memories is written by Linda Kobler who uses each selection as a pivotal point in the atmosphere of the globe that accompanied the Great War: it is very well written and informative. This is one of those recorded collections that goes far beyond an accumulation of bits and pieces and instead gives food for thought about how our political and social actions intertwine with the arts in a prophetic way. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

Excellent Recording!.......1999-03-13

(It was called The "Great" War, because nobody knew about WWII at the time and it was the biggest war anyone had ever seen.)

I think this CD may be a bit choppy to "easy" listeners, but for anyone who has a sincere interest in delving into the musical senses of earlier generations it's VERY good! I recommend the entire NPR Milestones of the Millennium series to such aficionados.

Good music, bad title.......1999-02-11

Since when is war great? Life in the trenches waiting for the germans to attack you worrying about whether mustard gas is gonna loft your way isn't exactly like sipping chablis.

Average customer rating:

Harp for meat lovers.
A full 145 minutes of wonderful harp and orchestral music
Classic Performances, aging but still good sound

Great Works For Harp

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

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

The Harmonious Harp
Harp Concertos
Music for Solo Harp
The Magic Of The Harp
Romantic Music for Flute and Harp

ASIN: B000001GLD
Release Date: 1995-03-14

Tracks:

Concerto pour flute, harpe et orchestre en ut majeur, K.299 (297c): 1. Allegro - Mozart
Concerto pour flute, harpe et orchestre en ut majeur, K. 299 (297c): 2. Andantino - Mozart
Concerto pour flute, harpe et orchestre en ut majeur, K.299 (297c): 3. Rondeau. Allegro - Mozart
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en ut majeur: 1. Allegro brilliante - Boieldieu
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en ut majeur: 2. Andante - Lento - Attaca
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en ut majeur: 3. Rondeau: Allegro agitato
Concerto-Serenade pour harpe et orchestre: 1. Estudiantina. Allegro - Rodrigo
Concerto-Serenade pour harpe et orchestre: 2. Intermezzo. Molto tranqillo - Rodrigo
Concerto-Serenade pour harpe et orchestre: 3. Sarao. Allegro deciso - Rodrigo

Tracks:

Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en si bemol majeur, op.4 no. 6: 1. Andante Allegro
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en si bemol majeur, op.4 no.6: 2. Larghetto
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en si bemol majeur: 3. Allegro moderato
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en ut majeur: 1. Allegro moderato
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre: 2. Adagio
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre: 3. Allegro
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en la majeur: 1. Allegro molto
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en la majeur: 2. Larghetto
Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en la majeur: 3. Rondeau : Allegretto
Introduction et Allegro pour harpe, quatuor a cordes, flute et clarinette: Ravel - Allegro
Danses pour harpe et orchestre a cordes: 1. Danse sacree - DeBussy
Danses pour harpe et orchestre a cordes: 2. Danse profane - DeBussy

Customer Reviews:

Harp for meat lovers........2007-04-26

This is a weighty and meritorious collection of orchestral works featuring harp. As someone who has always loved harp, a begginning harpist, looking for a broad base of serious harp music this is essential listening for me.
This collection is transporting. Styles and preferences come and go in the classical music world and the world of record production, but this collection is solidly timeless. A great overview, resource, and tremendous listening pleasure.

A full 145 minutes of wonderful harp and orchestral music.......2005-10-16

I certainly realize that this is an older recording but this is also an absolutely wonderful collection of some outstanding works for the harp played by Nicanor Zabaleta. There are 8 composers represented, each with an outstanding composition for harp and orchestra. I have never tired of listening to this CD over the last 20 years, it is rich and varied.

Georg Friedrich Haendel's Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en si bemol majeur, op. 4 no. 6 has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years. It immediately transports me into a state of serenity. It is utterly beautiful with the wonderful support for the harp with the string instruments of the orchestra. The movements remain light, floating, and flowing.

Johann Georg Albrechtberger's Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en ut majeur is a perfect piece to follow the Handel piece since it has more integration of the orchestra into the piece but the harp holds its own amongst the orchestral textures. The influence of Handel seems evident, but this is not meant as a negative comment. On the contrary, the for six movements of this CD moving from Handel to Albrechtsberger is seemless.

Karl Ditters Von Dittersdorf's Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en la majeur has a Mozart sound with flowing harp scales supported by the orchestra. The piece ends with Rondeau: Allegretto that is upbeat energetic and fun. This is a great movement to have in the very center of the CD side 1 to keep the guest awake at your next party.

Maurice Ravel's Introduction et Allegro pour harpe, guatour a cordes, flute et clarinette is very different from the three composers that preceed him on the CD. They are baroque, full of flourish and fun. When we hear Ravel, the mood changes to lush romance.

Claude Debussy's Danses pour harpe et orchester a cordes is less lush and moody romantic like the Ravel piece that preceeds it. However the first movement, Danse scree, is somewhat minimal and almost experimental in its lack of flourishes. In the second movement, Danse profane, I thought of Aaron Copeland compositions for the ballet.

Mozart's Concerto pour flute, harpe et orchestre en ut majeur, K. 299 is well done with Karlheinz Zoeller on the flute in all movements. The second movement, Andantino, is sublime. The third movement, Rondeau Allegro takes off like a rocket, with the harp and flute taking turns in center stage.

Francois-Adrien Boteldieu's Concerto pour harpe et orchestre en ut majeur offers the most pensive piece on the CDs in the second movement Audante-Lento-Allaca. Reverent and well constructed, the piece is only a bit melancholy.

Joaquim Rodrigo's Concerto-Serenade pour harpe et orchestre is upbeat and fun in the first and third movements and pensive in the second, with wonderful compliments between the harp and woodwind instruments.

This is an amazing collection of music, 8 composers are included, and the range of works is impressive and enjoyable. I would strongly recommend this CD.

Classic Performances, aging but still good sound.......2001-06-23

Nicano Zabaleta was perhaps the first of the superstar virtuoso harpists of the stereo era and his recordings remain touchstones of unhurried virtuosity coupled with elegant musicianship. These performances are beginning to show their age a bit in sound, but the performances are luminous. The Boieldieu Concerto is seldom encountered in concert, but what a lovely, melodic and enchanting work. Today, Marielle Nordman and Marisa Robles both have very fine recordings of the concerto, but Zabaleta's is still worthy, and in this package, quite a bargain. The Albrechtsberger concerto is equally unfamiliar to many listeners and also a charmer, and the performance of the Handel concerto offered in a warm style that may seem a bit old fashioned by today's Original Instrument crowd, but it is highly persuasive. The Debussy and Ravel pieces are given appealing performances, again somewhat large scale compared to some of the chamber performances in the catalog, but brilliantly played.

Tracks:

Toccata And Fuge In D Minor
'Little' Fugue In G Minor
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Now Thank We All Our God
Air For The G - String
Sheep May Safely Graze
Cantata No. 156: Arioso
Sleepers, Wake!

Customer Reviews:

A Mockery of Bach.......2006-02-18

Fox makes a mockery of Bach's great organ works. Fox should confine his playing to calliope at a carnival. Fox's flamboyance in playing and in his choice of organ stops disrespects Bach's work and genius.

Good introduction to Bach organ tunes.......2003-12-25

This CD is probably a good introduction to school children on some popular organ works by Bach. The first work "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" will be immediately familiar to anyone who has ever gone to a haunted house. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is another familiar tune and done quite prettily. "Now Thank We All Our God" is churchy. The rest of the CD tracks 4-8 seem too sleepy for me. The last one is "Sleepers, Wake!", at least he tried, ha ha.

Caveat Emptor.......2003-12-14

Virgil Fox (1912-1980) was, with E. Power Biggs, one of the best known organists of the 1950s and 1960s. But any resemblance to Biggs, Biggs' preferences in organs and music, and Biggs' style of playing, ends there; two organists could hardly have been less alike. For many Fox became a byword for razzle-dazzle, crowd-pleasing organ showmanship that was long on virtuosity and short on taste. The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music says of him: "As organist at Riverside Church in New York, 1946-65, he became a tourist attraction. During the late 1960s his penchant for flamboyant showmanship and oratory enabled him to reach out to a new generation, touring with an electronic organ and a psychedelic light show." I regret to say that this description fits my mental image of Fox as the vulgar and garish "Mr. Showbiz" of the organ and self-styled proponent of "heavy organ," a kind of flashy Las Vegas type touring with his electronic organ and psychedelic light show. Ugh! But that image is probably unjust, certainly incomplete. He had legions of fans, and in his own way he was a proselytizer and got many people interested in the organ who otherwise might not have been. Those who admired him found him a colorful, unconventional, creative player who made interesting, offbeat choices in registrations and interpretive decisions.

As Bach programs go this is a pretty hackneyed one, limited to standard chestnuts ("Bach's Greatest Hits"), but at least it's all Bach, instead of the treacly stuff Fox sometimes liked to play and record. This CD has the advantage of being a budget-priced cheapie, but the offsetting disadvantage of being only 40:23 long. As you might expect of a cheapie CD like this one, there are no notes (no information about Fox, the music, or the organs, other than simply identifying them) and no information about recording dates. The issue date of the CD looks like 1988; the CD itself bears a copyright date of 1974; this just may be about the date of the recordings, which are identified as analog. I suppose we should be grateful that RCA took the trouble to identify the organs Fox was playing. The first two selections (the most substantial ones) were recorded on the Royal Albert Hall organ, London; all the rest on the Riverside Church organ, NYC, which for so long was home base for Fox. Both are enormous organs. I am an organ buff and a Bach buff, and must admit that I am not fond of Bach played on enormous organs like these. Biggs and others have demonstrated long since that Bach goes better on smaller organs (in smaller spaces) that emphasize clarity and articulation than on huge instruments (in huge spaces) that emphasize grandeur, power, volume of sound, reverberation. I don't care much for the sound of either of these two huge organs, at least as we hear them here, and by today's standards neither would recommend itself as a good choice for Bach.

So how does the CD stack up? The engineering is not bad at all, really quite listenable: highs are not the smoothest or sweetest in town; bass is surprisingly full and deep. The Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, that ubiquitous warhorse, gets a performance that is very free, with heavy, exaggerated contrasts in dynamics (Fox goes in for some echo effects) and tempo (a good deal of arbitrary taffy-pulling of tempos, it seems to me). It certainly is "different" and doubtless will make purists cringe, but it's entertaining (you wonder what he's going to pull out of his bag of tricks next) and on its own terms I suppose it's effective. Dull it ain't. The "Little" Fugue is heavily but impressively done. I found it the best performance on the CD.

After the first two pieces, my interest in this recital flagged rapidly. Some of the remaining slighter fare ("favorite Bach tunes") are played with registrations that to my ears are too "churchy" sounding, and some of them made me feel like I'd stepped into the undertaker's chapel.

Overall I found this to be "heavy organ" indeed--ponderous, bloated, outdated Bach, historically uninformed and with good taste in short supply. (Alas, I fear I'm never going to make a Virgil Fox fan.) This CD is best recommended to admirers of this organist. If you are looking for a good introduction to Bach, or a recommendable sampling of his best organ works, I'm afraid this isn't it. (Try E. Power Biggs, Peter Hurford, Michael Murray, Marie-Claire Alain, Christopher Herrick.)

This cd kills me........2003-06-13

Yeah, it's pretty music, but its so inaccurately interpretted, it hurts my ears. The colors he chooses for T&F and for the G-minor are somewhat acceptable, but oh man, what kind of articulation esp. on the little fugue? And then on the slow movements like the Ariso and Air on the G-string, I thought I was at Fenway Park or something. Baroque music has a very distinct style, and though Mr. Fox hits all the right notes and plays with expression, it is not Bach! A previous reviewer said it was the most fresh version of Toccata and Fugue in D-minor. That is actually one of the few Bach pieces that has room for using different colors, and most recordings I've heard interpret it the right way. (actually Bach probably didn't even write most it anyway, though it was acredited to him). Bach is probably rolling over in his grave now because of this cd, as are all 9000 of his children. The reason the organ is exciting is because it can sound different, depending on the kind of music you are playing...playing Bach is its own style, one different from Buxtehude, Couperin, Mendelssohn, Franck, or what have you; one which scholars have spent years studying and perfecting, and here is a motion that destroys everyone's hard work for all those years. You don't have to make up your own way of playing standard repetoire to create an illusion; just play a more varied program so that you can say "yeah, this is bach, and then this stuff is still great, but not Bach." Sorry if I sound overly conservative, but if you want to play like he does, save it for more contemporary music...Bach is Bach, he is the master, and you play bach like you are supposed to, not like this.

Good performace, no documentation........2003-04-11

Virgil Fox was certainly one of the great organists of his century! This performance is a good example Virgil's mega-organ approach to Bach (and everything else). It greatly contrasts with the "historically informed" instruments and performances we are used to today.

One complaint is that the cd includes no documentation aside from the list of tracks. There is no organ description or stoplist (although a quick search on google will yield this). There is no essay on the performance or biographical information about the organist. The photo on the front cover doesn't relate to the recording in any way. Certainly, this recording could have been more thoughtfully prepared.

Tracks:

The Red Pony, Film Suite For Orchestra (1948): I. Morning On The Ranch
The Red Pony, Film Suite For Orchestra (1948): II. The Gift
The Red Pony, Film Suite For Orchestra (1948): III. Dream March And Circus Music
The Red Pony, Film Suite For Orchestra (1948): IV. Walk To The Bunkhouse
The Red Pony, Film Suite For Orchestra (1948): V. Grandfather's Story
The Red Pony, Film Suite For Orchestra (1948): VI. Happy Ending
Preamble For A Solemn Occasion (1949): Preamble For A Solemn Occasion
Orchestral Variations (1957): Theme: Grave
Orchestral Variations (1957): Variation I - Varation XX
Orchestral Variations (1957): Coda: Subito lento moderato
Dance Panels (1959, Revised 1962) (Ballet In Seven Sections): I. Introduction: Moderato (Tempo di Valzer); Espressivo un poco rubato
Dance Panels (1959, Revised 1962) (Ballet In Seven Sections): II. Allegretto con tenerezza (un poco rubato)
Dance Panels (1959, Revised 1962) (Ballet In Seven Sections): III. Scherzando; Moderato
Dance Panels (1959, Revised 1962) (Ballet In Seven Sections): IV. Pas de trois. Lento
Dance Panels (1959, Revised 1962) (Ballet In Seven Sections): V. Con brio
Dance Panels (1959, Revised 1962) (Ballet In Seven Sections): VI. Con moto
Dance Panels (1959, Revised 1962) (Ballet In Seven Sections): VII. Molto ritmico; Coda; come prima; Moderato

Tracks:

Connotations (1961-1962) For Orchestra
Down A Country Lane (1962)
Music For A Great City (1963-1964): I. Skyline
Music For A Great City (1963-1964): II. Night Thoughts
Music For A Great City (1963-1964): III. Subway Jam
Music For A Great City (1963-1964): IV. Toward The Bridge
Inscape (1967)
Three Latin-American Sketches: 1. Estribillo (1971)
Three Latin-American Sketches: 2. Paisaje Mexicano (1959)
Three Latin-American Sketches: 3. Danza de Jalisco (1959)

Customer Reviews:

Copland's conduction of GREAT CITY is better than Slatkin's.......2005-09-05

SKYLINE is a fun track that's based on the premise of Big City Overload. And naturally it's immediately followed by the low-key introspective NIGHT THOUGHTS.

Consider Lenny Bernstein's main theme from his MASS. I'm talking about the tune that was done klezmer-style and chorale-style. When the chorale sings it, it contains a descending 4-note phrase. Followed by a descending 5-note phrase. Okay--now listen for a certain passage in NIGHT THOUGHTS that sounds similar to Bernstein's passage. The only basic difference is that both of Copland's phrases are 5-note phrases. And let me add that Copland's NIGHT THOUGHTS was written years before Bernstein's MASS.

Another masterpiece..........2000-06-30

The third of the Copland Collection from Sony is much like the other two: Wonderful playing, orchestration, recording, and booklet. This is my favorite of the three of the CD sets though. Music is very 'Copland' like. The Red Pony is from the movie is an excellent suite. Dance Panels is the least known of the 4 ballets by Copland. But just like Appalachian Spring and Billy the Kid, it is very Copland, very exciting, and very good. Unlike the other three you may find on the 2nd CD set of this series, this is the entire ballet not just the suites. Down A Country Lane is now one of my favorite Copland works. So soothing, it can really paint the picture of a beautiful country road on a spring day. Music for a great city is actually from a movie (booklet tells all). Each of the four movements describes the big city just as we all have known it. All the other works are nothing to look down upon either. Most works are conducted by Copland with the London Symphony (he really knocked them into shape). A couple were conducted by Bernstein which are still up to standard. Great CD collection! Buy all three.

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
A generally good Berlioz collection
Power and passion from Berlioz

Berlioz: Great Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Elgar: Cello Concerto; Sea Pictures; Cockaigne Overture

ASIN: B00000419B
Release Date: 1994-05-10

Tracks:

Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 1. Reveries - Passions (Largo - Allegro agitato e appassionato assai)
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 2. Un bal (Valse. Allegro non troppo)
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 3. Scene aux champs (Adagio)
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 4. Marche au supplice (Allegreto non troppo)
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14: 5. Songe d'une nuit de sabbat (Larghetto - Allegro - Ronde du sabbat: Poco meno mosso)
Le carnaval romain, Op. 9: Overture
Le corsaire, Op. 21: Overture

Tracks:

Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 1. Harold aux montagnes (Adagio - Allegro)
Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 1. Harold aux montagnes (Adagio - Allegro)
Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 2. Marche des pelerins chantant la priere du soir (Allegretto)
Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 3. Serenade d'un montagnard des Abruzzes a sa maitresse (Allegro assai - Allegretto)
Harold en Italie, Op. 16: 4. Orgie des brigands, finale (Allegro frenetico - Adagio - Allegro. Tempo I)
Symphonie funebre et triomphale, Op. 15: 1. Marche funebre (Moderato un poco lento)
Symphonie funebre et triomphale, Op. 15: 2. Oraison funebre (Adagio non tanto - Andantino un poco lento e sostenuto)
Symphonie funebre et triomphale, Op. 15: 3. Apotheose (Allegro non troppo e pomposo)

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-03-17

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)belonged to no school, and resists categorization more fiercely, perhaps, than any other composer. The originality and vitalilty of his ideas demanded novel means of expression which affected the fundamental elements of musical language. The language he forged depended to an unusual extent upon the subject-matter of his works, all of which are related to a dramatic or poetic theme. This theme determines the manner of each work, so that there is no clearly defined development from an early period, through the middle of his career, to a later style; his works never repeat the inventions, harmonic and melodic or formal, of their predecessors.
The 'Symphonie fantastique' blazed new paths, filling the ear with novel combinations to a degree hardly experienced again. The symphony is nowhere operatic, but it is dramatic, and the high points of the drama are embodied in expressive instrumental music; the program, integral to the conception, acts, Berlioz said,like the spoken dialogue in an opera,in that it provides the motivation and explains and justifies the mood of the successive movements.
His second symphony, 'Harold en Italie', was begun at the request of Paganini, who wanted a piece for viola, but then rejected the drafts of Berlioz, who promptly converted the work into a symphony with viola solo. Searching for a subject, he considered a plan for a work on the death of Mary Queen of Scots. He then adopted a title referring to Byron's wandering hero (Childe Harold) and created a loose sequence of scenes in the figure of the lonely wanderer(represented by the viola) is set in contexts reminiscent of his own experience in Italy. This symphony is a picturesque work,whereas the 'Fantastique' is dramatic.
Berlioz was given a commission in 1840, by the newly formed French government for his 'Symphonie funebre et triomphale'. He wrote it for wind, with optional strings and chorus. The style of the work recalls the open-air ceremonials of the previous Revolution, when music was used at open-air gatherings of national prayer and praise.
The selections on these 2 discs cover the years from 1963 to 1975,although this compilation dates 1994. The performance of these selections are all basically outstanding because the variance of orchestral colour demanded by the very expressive music of Berlioz is present at all times, although some of the tempos run a bit on the slow side especially in the 'Symphonie fantastique'. However, I continued to be impressed by the instrumental expertise, especially in the solo 'spots', of which there were many. The 3rd movement of the 'Symphonie funebre' featuring the John Aldis Choir was exciting to hear, and I wish in the liner notes that they had included the words because they are not really audible on the recording. The violist in 'Harold in Italie' Nobuko Imai was skilled and in tune most of the time. All in all, for lovers of Berlioz, this is a good collection.

A generally good Berlioz collection.......2005-08-19

This recording is good generally, but the Symphonie fantastique really disappoints. The recording would be great if the LSO sound more 'fantastique'(you will konw what I'm talking about if you listen to the Concertgebouw/Davis recording by DECCA). Despite the disappointing Symphonie fantastique, I still like Colin Davis' "Harold in Italy" and the overtures, his poetry-like expressions and passion is perfectly suitable for Berlioz.

However, taking its price into consideration, I would not hesitate to reccomend this recording to those who want to try Berlioz.

Power and passion from Berlioz.......1998-11-12

This 2-disc set gives a wonderful selection of the orchestral works of Hector Berlioz. Of the five pieces included, I most enjoyed the "Symphonie Fantastique" and the "Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale." The power of Berlioz is beautifully expressed by the London Symphony Orchestra; one can feel the musical power, not just hear it. A wonderful collection of truly passionate music.

Mussorgsky-Stokowski: Pictures at an Exhibiton [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Exceptional sound and knowing interpretation
Pictures, as a Revelation

Mussorgsky-Stokowski: Pictures at an Exhibiton [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves; Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis [Hybrid SACD]
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Stravinsky: The Firebird; Petrushka [Hybrid SACD]
Spain (RMST)
Morten Lauridsen: Lux aeterna

ASIN: B000AMMSG2
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional sound and knowing interpretation.......2006-03-01

Jose Serebrier assisted Stokowski in their days with the American Symphony Orchestra, the memory and motivation for the coductor to record his mentor's version of "Pictures At An Exhibition" in up to date 21st century sound, coupled with a number of other Stoki specialties.

Aside from the more Russian sounding "Pictures", what I enjoyed most here were "Night on Bald Mountain", the "Khovanshchina" conglomeration and the symphonic synthesis on "Boris Godunov". This adds up to about 40 minutes of exciting Russian music delivered with gusto in great sound.

The Bournemouth Symphony hardly play like understated Englishmen in this recording, which will tear a hole in your speaker or knock some dishes off the shelves if you aren't careful with your volume or subwoofer controls when you first play this thing.

This 5.0 SACD is the real thing right from the first few notes of "Night On Bald Mountain" that begin the program. On my 5.1 surround sound system it about knocked down the walls of my house. It brings new definition to the term "demonstration recording"!

Not long ago I wrote a review of Stoki's last remaining CD of his version of "Pictures At An Exhibition" in his own orchestration and scoring. Stoki dropped two of the French paintings and made everything else sound Russian by emphasizing low strings and deemphasizing brilliant brass. Serebrier carried the memory of his mentor's work forward in this recroding, which is destined to wind up on some "best sounding CD of the year" lists.

Pictures, as a Revelation.......2005-11-12

This recording of "Pictures at an Exhibition" came on the radio today as I was waking up. I had not heard the Stokowski orchestration before (is it true that the principal clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra was his ghost orchestrator?) and it was a revelation. The tried-and-true Ravel instrumentation will never be replaced, but this is a "Pictures" from a distinctly different corner of the hall, and a welcome departure. Serebrier and Bournemouth perform with exemplary precision and freshness, digging in where Stokowski's excesses can withstand some enthusiastic wrangling. If you love this Mussorgsky and want to hear it with new ears, here's your chance.

The Great Violinists: Recordings from 1900-1913

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The Great Violinists: Recordings from 1900-1913

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Ivry Gitlis [DVD Video]

ASIN: B0000X81WQ
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Amazon.com

This amazing collection of early violinists comes from the dawn of recorded history. Some, like the headliners mentioned in the artist listing, may be still well remembered (all three were also fine composers). Some are extremely obscure. But anyone seriously interested in the history of the violin will want to hear this collection. Joachim, who inspired Brahms and other composers, was a faded performer by 1903, but a powerful personality still comes through. Sarasate, still in his prime in the same year, is simply one of the most impressive violin virtuosi who ever recorded. Both musicians' recordings are presented complete. Others in the collection include Kreisler, Thibaud, Kubelik, Szigeti (very early, in uncharacteristic dazzling performances of Hungarian showpieces), and many lesser celebrities, most impressive among them Franz von Vécsey. Although there are similar collections available, the sound quality on this set makes it far preferable to the others. You can actually hear what is going on clearly, with minimal surface noise, even in the 1900 sides! Tully Potter's intelligent program notes are another worthwhile bonus. --Leslie Gerber

Bach: The Conductors' Transcriptions [Hybrid SACD]

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Bach: The Conductors' Transcriptions [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Bach: Transcriptions
Bach: Transcriptions
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 [Special Edition] [Hybrid SACD]
Vivaldi: Four Seasons [Hybrid SACD]
Bach: The Four Great Toccatas and Fugues [SACD]

ASIN: B0002AAPC6
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Tracks:

Toccata
Fuga
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen
Prelude
Lament
Scherzo
Gavotte And Musette
Andante Mistico
Finale
Air On A G String
Sheep May Safely Graze
Fantasia
Fuga
Ich Ruf' Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ
Bist Du Bei Mir?
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Average customer rating:

Magnificent performances of a singular composer.

Delius: Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Frederick Delius: Orchestral Works
In a Summer Garden: The Music of Delius
Delius: Orchestral Works
Delius: On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring
Delius: Florida Suite RTvi/1; Pieces RTvi/19

ASIN: B00005MO9Y
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

Paris: The Song Of A Great City
In A Summer Garden
Brigg Fair: An English Rhapsody
The Walk To The Paradise Garden
Two Pieces For Small Orchestra: On Hearing From The First Cuckoo In Spring
Two Pieces For Small Orchestra: Summer Night On The River

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent performances of a singular composer........2004-05-04

Frederick Delius (1862-1934) is often called an "English impressionist," a term which implies that he can be lumped together with Debussy or Ravel. But just as Debussy isn't Ravel and Ravel isn't Debussy, Delius is an artist unlike any other.

He has never been a world-renowned figure, and his music doesn't have the power or universality of Beethoven or Mozart, but for those who love Delius, he is one of the sublime creators in the history of music. I, for one, love his music, and these exemplary performances of some of his best-known works present this singular creative mind at his very best.

Delius has some superficial similarities to Debussy and Ravel, but his highly personal harmonic thinking and his penchant for subtle but pronounced melodies make his music among the most accessible and rewarding of any in the classical repertory. The titles of his pieces, from "In a Summer Garden" to "On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring," demonstrate his preoccupation with beauty and the evocation of nature. His work is subdued, quietly passionate, and immediate in its rewards. In Delius, refinement rather than hysteria is the defining element.

This recording has been justifiably praised as one of the finest Delius discs available, and other than the great recordings of Thomas Beecham (Delius' first and best champion and interpreter), you can't do better than Andrew Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Look into Delius, and I think you'll see why his music sparks such fanatical devotion in his admirers.

Life & Works of Bach
Average customer rating:

Well done and interesting

Wonderful biography, needs more proportion in the music

Life & Works of Bach
Bach , Siepmann , and Shrapnel
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Life & Works

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Brahms: Life & Works

ASIN: B0000666A8
Release Date: 2002-07-16

Tracks:

Family Background And Early Years
Music: Capriccio On The Departure Of His Beloved Brother
Bach And The Organ
Music Toccata And Fugue In D Minow, BWV 565
Bach In Trouble
Music: Trio Sonata In E Flat, BWV 525
Bach The Husband And Father
Music: Vivaldi/Bach: Concerto In A Minor For Four Harpsichords
Bach The Younger Composer
Music: Prelude And Fugue In A Minor, BWV 543
Bach In Weimar (And In Jail)
Music: Prelude In E Flat Minor (The Well Tempered Clavier, Book 1)
Bach Leaves Weimar
Music: Violin Concerto In E Major (Finale)

Tracks:

Bach At Cothen
Music: Concerto For Two Violins (Largo Ma Non Tanto)
Bach And The Brandenburgs
Music: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 In D (First Movement)
From Grief To Joy Through Faith
Music: 'Et Resurrexit' (B Minor Mass)
New Beginnings: Bach Remarries And His Family Grows
Music: Aria In G
Goldberg Variations And Anna Magdalena's Notebook
Music: Stolzel: Bist Du Bei Mir
Domestic Happiness And The Move To Leipzig
Music: Magnificat
Bach's Duties At Lepzig
Music: Cantata No. 80 (Duetto)
Bach The Teacher
Music: Sinfonia (Three-Part Invention) In E Flat
The Great Keyboard Works On Educational Agenda
Music: Italien Concerto
A Letter To The King
Music: Cantata No. 147 (Opening Chorus)

Tracks:

Bach Takes Up The Poet's Pen
Music: Partita No. 1 In B Flat BWV 825 (Courante)
Bach's Frustration At Leipzig
Music: Singet Dem Herrn, BWV 225
Frustrations Intensify
Music: St John Passion (Opening Chorus)
Bach's Efforts To Leave Leipzig
Music: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 (First Movement)
The King Of Poland's Jubilee
Music: Suite No. 3 In D, BWV 1068
The Ernesti Affair
Music: Prelude In D Major, BWV 532
Adolf Scheibe's Scathing Views On Bach
Music: Concerto In C For Three Harpsichords (Finale)

Tracks:

Bach And Opera
'Coffee' Cantata (Excerpts)
'Peasant' Cantata (Excerpts)
The Twilight Years
Music: The Art Of Fugue
Bach's Visit To Frederick The Great
Music: The Musical Offering
Decline And Death
Music: Mass In B Minor

Customer Reviews:

Well done and interesting.......2005-02-22

This recording alternates extended selections of Bach's music (complete pieces or movements) with a narrated and sometimes dramatized biography of Bach. The music selections are excellent and the biography itself is well done and interesting. The lengthy accompanying booklet is also very nice.

My only reservation comes from a feeling that the music and the narration are not as well integrated as they could be. The narrator identifies the musical selections and may give a sentence or two of background for the selection but never really discusses it. Instead, the narration is focused almost entirely on the events of Bach's life. I would have preferred more of a "music appreciation" approach that discussed the music, and had trouble getting used to the bifurcated nature of production. The extended free-standing music selections do mean that the four discs are a sort of "best of Bach" anthology and you can re-listen to just the music by skipping every other track.

Naxos also produces a 2-disc set called An Introduction to Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 4 & 5 (ASIN: B0000666A9), also by Mr. Seipmann, which closely analyzes the actual music of these two concertos. I found that the two sets are complementary with no overlap, except for part of the booklets, and I would recommend getting both if you have an interest in Bach and are also interested in understanding what to listen for in his music. In addition (or as an alternative), I would also recommend the lectures by Robert Greenberg on "Bach and the High Baroque" produced by the Teaching Company, which are much longer, more detailed, and more focused on the "music appreciation" aspect. They are also much more expensive.

Overall, this item is very worthwhile and a good value, like most of Naxos's products.

Wonderful biography, needs more proportion in the music.......2002-08-21

Naxos continues to do a wonderful job with its "Life and Works" series. Quite some time ago, we had a Life/Works of Mozart, one of Chopin and then two more, Liszt and Beethoven. he latter are even better packaged than are the earlier sets, with a thick booklet that offers us essays on the historical background, the position of the composer in his time, a look at the major works, a listening plan, recommended readings, personalities, a calendar of the artist's life, a glossary, and a discography. This booklet is worth the price of the set alone.

Now we have two more entries in this amazing series, again written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann: "Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky" (8.558036-39) with a playing time of 4 hrs. 5 min. and "Johann Sebastian Bach" (8.558051-54) with a playing time of 4 hrs. 34 minutes. (Please see my comments for the Tchaikovsky on that webpage.)

In direct contrast to the tortured personality of Tchaikovsky, we have the life-loving J.S. Bach, he who lost his temper only when he ran up against ineptitude. Again, the biographical details are fascinating. But also again, the musical examples are far too few--especially for this prolific composer--and some are simply far too long. We do not really need a complete rendition of the famous "Toccata and Fugue" and certainly not of the "Prelude and Fugue in A minor" to which is devoted a 13 minute track.

Here the voice of Bach is supplied by actor John Shrapnel, with Trevor Nichols, Ruth Sillers and David Timson in supporting roles. So 5 stars for the biography, somewhat less for musical examples.

Music Review:

Music Review

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Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

This Providence

1. Violin Concerto--I. Massig Bewegte Halbe
2. Ii. Langsam
3. Iii. Lebhaft
4. Symphonic Metamorphoses On Themes Of Weber
5. Ii. Turandot, Scherzo- Moderato
6. Iii. Andantino
7. Iv. March
8. Mathis Der Maler--I. Engelkonzert
9. Ii. Grablegung
10. Iii. Versuchtung Des Heiligen Antonius