Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 1/Vocalise

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
In Symphony #1, the special traits of musical language typical of the composer are vividly revealed. "Vocalise", is one of Rachmaninov's most popular works. Artistic perfection, extraordinary plasticity of a melancholic melody, and lucidity rate the work among the best samples of the world’s vocal literature.

Tracks:

Eine Klein Nachtmusik: (I. Allegro)
Nutcracker Suite: (Russian Dance)
The Four Seasons, Op. 8: (Spring: I. Allegro)
Hungarian Dance No. 5 In G Minor
Symphony in D, K. 161 - 163: (III. Presto)
Waltz In D-Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 1
Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Op. 214
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G, S. 1048: (III. Allegro)
Swan Lake: (Dance Of The Swans)
Carmen Suite No. 2: (Habanera)
Messiah: (Overture)
Wind Serenade 'The Marriage Of Figaro': Overture
Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 12: (III. Allegro)
Water Music: (Overture)
Sleeping Beauty Ballet Suite, Op. 66: (Panorama)
Symphony No. 26 In E-flat Major, K. 184: (III. Allegro)
Waltz No. 10 In B Minor, Op. 69 No. 2
Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, S. 1041: (III. Allegro)
Water Music: (Lentement)
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 In G Major, S. 1049: (II. Andante)
Habanera
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E-Flat Major, K. 447: (II. Romanza)
Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 43: (Variation No. 18)
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Stars And Stripes Forever

Customer Reviews:

classic music CD.......2007-06-27

The CD was well represented by the clips on the Amazon website and came in time for our event. We did have a problem with the charge but that was taken care of promptly. Great service.

Good for beginners.......2007-02-15

It is an excellent collection of classical music. I would recommend this CD if you have a friend who don't like classical music, since it has the most beautiful overtures and portions of famous artists. If you are a Classic Music Savvy you probably will not be impressed by it, unless you want to play the CD as background music in a friends gathering.

Great mix.......2007-02-14

All the best composers! Over an hour of music. A samble of the greatest pieces.

Good for first-timer.......2007-01-22

This is the first time I have ever bought a classical music CD and I was very pleased with this one. It has a good variety of selections. I would buy it again.

25 Classical Favorites cd.......2007-01-06

This CD has so many of my favorite, lively classical music -- love it!!

Average customer rating:

Yes
A decent introduction to the music of Rachmaninoff
Great Collection of "Hits"
One of the best CD I own

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Debussy's Greatest Hits
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ASIN: B000002A1L
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: III. Allegro scherzando
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: 18th Variation
Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: III. Adagio
Prelude In G Minor, Op. 23, No. 5
Prelude In G-Sharp Minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2
Cello Sonata In G Minor, Op. 19: II. Allegro scherzando
Etude-tableau In D Major, Op. 39, No. 9
Six Pieces, Op. 11: Scherzo
Six Pieces, Op. 11: Slava
Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: III. Lento assai

Customer Reviews:

Yes.......2003-04-03

This is a marvelous collection. There were a few pieces I wish that it would include, such as the rest of his Piano Concerto No.2, or perhaps The Rock, but the fact that the performances are generally great and the recording quality is near-perfect makes up for that.

I would recommend this to anyone who is just starting to become interested in the works of Sergei Rachmaninov.

A decent introduction to the music of Rachmaninoff.......2001-08-12

Sergi Rachmaninoff was the last of the great Romantic composers, especially since the Romantic period had ended for European artists when he was at his height. Although a composer and a conductor, Rachmaninoff was also a virtuoso pianist, which explains why his best compositions feature the piano, either in solo work or with an orchestra. His "Prelude in C-Sharp Minor," which he wrote when he was 20, made him famous throughout the world. This collection also includes several other preludes, "Vocalise," and the famous 18th Variation (Andnate cantible) from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. My only serious complaint about this collection as an introduction to Rachmaninoff is that it only has one movement from his Second Piano Concerto and I have other CDs that include the entire work, which I thing is a good idea.

Great Collection of "Hits".......2000-06-22

This is actually not a bad collection of Greatest Hits. Usually the problem with collections like these is that they have bad recordings and not very good performances but some of these ones are actually okay, and it features performances by Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax among others. In general these are the works of art you think of when you think of Rachmaninoff and so these pieces are a perfect representation of his style.

One of the best CD I own.......1999-12-30

This is one of the best I own. The music is so great, hard to explain...so moving, especially the first track. It reminds me of Russia a lot. I listen to it everyday while driving to work. I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Rostropovich stands out like a dazzling star
The flight of no return!
Rostropovich at 75 - A Look Back

Rostropovich, Master Cellist

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000062R5A
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Tracks:

Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In B Minor Op. 104: Allegro
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In B Minor Op. 104: Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In B Minor Op. 104: Finale. Allegro Moderato
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In A Minor: Nicht Zu Schnell
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In A Minor: Langsam
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In A Minor: Sehr Lebhaft
Andante Cantabile Op. Posth. For Cello And String Orchestra: Andante Cantabile Op. Posth.
Chand Du Menstrel Op. 71 For Cello And Orchestra: Chant Du Menestrel

Tracks:

Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor Op.19: Lento - Allegro Moderato
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor Op.19: Allegro Scherzando
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor Op.19: Andante
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor Op.19: Allegro Mosso
Introduction And Polonaise Brillante For Cello And Piano In C Major Op.3: Introduction And Polonaise Brillante For Cello And Piano In C Major
Vocalise Op.34 No.14: Vocalise
Impromptu In G Flat Major D 899 No.3: Impromptu In G Flat Major
Kinderszenen Op.5 No.7 Scenes From Childhood: Traumerei - Dreaming

Amazon.com

Mstislav Rostropovich's 75th birthday is the occasion for this two-disc set of prime recordings by the protean artist. The Dvorák Concerto with Karajan's overrefined conducting, one of the better of the cellist's five recordings of this masterpiece, is not as lively as his version with Ozawa or as idiomatic as his early recording with Talich and the Czech Philharmonic in monophonic sound. The Schumann Concerto, here with Rozhdestvensky and the Leningrad Philharmonic, is incisively Romantic, but disciplined and done with a ravishing tone, vividly recorded. It's superior to his later, indulgent version with Bernstein. The charming short pieces by Tchaikovsky and Glazunov are also irresistible for Rostropovich's gorgeous playing. Disc two partners him in solo pieces with pianist Alexander Dedyukhin, the centerpiece being Rachmaninov's Sonata, overflowing with lovely melodies played to the hilt by the cellist. The shorter works include transcriptions, perfect encore fare perfectly played. This set is a feast for Rostropovich's fans. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Rostropovich stands out like a dazzling star.......2007-05-20

As difficult a period as the 20th century was ... and all the more so in the soviet union -- Rostropovich stands out like a dazzling star. He represented some the finest levels of musical art that man can achieve -- a triumph of the human spirit.

In the 21st century in the western world, we are witness to the decline of the art form known as "classical music"... with nothing comparable or better on the horizon to replace it. As the 6 billion people of the earth, soon to be 9 billion, struggle for light and space ... there are ominous reverberations in the arts.

Thank God the few of us left who love this music have recordings of men like Rostopovitch ... always with the hope that the fire will be passed on to new generations of performers and composers who will catch the spirit and breath new life into the world.

The flight of no return!.......2007-05-02

This genius of the cello left us April 27th. For the recent music newcomers this name is synonymous of a talented musician, but Rostropovich meant for the music much more than a privileged and sheer artist. His multiple activities as soloist performer and conductor ranked such historical achievements that hardly could be resumed in this little note.

His loss is extremely significant, due he embodied the goal of a total artist. Reader, thinker, and always worried by his country, he knew about so many unsaid details of the missed U.R.S.S, and his narrow collaboration with Dimitri Shostakovich make of him a essential part of the musical History of the last Century With his departure a cycle ends. Fortunately his enormous musical bequeath stand out through the years to come, as striking evidence of his egregious talent.

Hail and farewell!

Rostropovich at 75 - A Look Back.......2003-09-19

To celebrate the 75th year of the birth of cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, the various labels he recorded with over his illustrious career have issued several excellent collections. EMI outdid themselves by issuing, among other sets, the breathtaking 13-CD box set "The Russian Years," featuring rare recordings and numerous premieres made by Rostropovich during his tenure behind the Iron Curtain. That set's a hard one to match, but the two-disc "Master Cellist: Legendary Recordings 1956-78" comes close. What it lacks in quantity, "Master Cellist" makes up for in quality. It contains arguably the single best recording ever made of the Dvorak Cello Concerto (with von Karajan), an excellent Schumann Concerto, and stunning shorter works for cello and orchestra by Tchaikovsky and Glazunov. These are legendary accounts for sure, but no big deal to most serious collectors because they are, or have been, previously available on CD. But what made me trade in my DG Originals disc of the Dvorak Concerto, and get "Master Cellist" was disc two of this set. It features four glorious works for cello and piano, never before released on CD, with Slava's long-time collaborator, pianist Alexander Dedyukhin. They are all, along with the Rach Sonata, quite simply sublime. Rostropovich will sadly not live another 75 years, but his legacy will live on for at least that long thanks to magical recordings like these.

Rachmaninoff for Romance: Passionate Music for Love and Desire

Average customer rating:

Tear Time
The Beauty of Rachmaninoff
Applause
Beautiful
Rachmaninoff for Romance

Rachmaninoff for Romance: Passionate Music for Love and Desire

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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Chopin and Champagne: Set Your Mood for Romance
Liszt for Lovers: Piano Dreams of Love and Passion
Tchaikovsky At Tea Time: A Refreshing Blend For Body And Spirit
Debussy for Daydreaming: Music to Caress Your Innermost Thoughts
Bach for Breakfast

ASIN: B0000041DX
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

Vocalise For Orchestra
Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini - 18th Variation: Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini - 18th Variation (Excerpt)
Symphony No. 2 in E minor: Symphony No. 2 In E Minor - Adagio
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor: Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor - Adagio sostenuto
Prelude In D
Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor: Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor - Intermezzo (Adagio)
Symphonic Dance: Symphonic Dance - I. Non Allegro (excerpt)
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F - Sharp Minor: Piano Concerto No. 1 In F - Sharp Minor - Andante
Prelude In E-Flat
Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor: Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor - Largo
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor: Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor - Allegro scherzando (Excerpt)

Customer Reviews:

Tear Time.......2007-05-09

Find your loved one, get some tissue and escape into a world of desire and fantasy. All ages will love this music. Tender, soft, and relaxing with the hint of being alive again.

Donald Lindsey

The Beauty of Rachmaninoff.......2006-11-10

This album contains some of Rachmaninoff's most beautiful and romantic music which should appeal to everyone, even if you're not a classical music fan. The performances are first rate and you may even shed a few tears listening to this very emotional music. These excerpts from some of Rachmaninoff's major works may induce you to want the entire compositions for your collection.

Applause.......2002-03-12

I'll add my applause to these reviews. It's an elegant collection of Rachmaninov pieces. Simply beautiful.

Beautiful.......2001-05-21

If you are a Rachmaninov fan, this CD is a must. Of all the CD's I have of Rachmaninov, this is my favorite. The orchestra's that perform capture the essence of what he composed. It is a beautiful CD guaranteed to please. As the back of the CD states, "Rachmaninov and romance go together like Romeo and Juliet"

Rachmaninoff for Romance.......2000-04-25

I purchased this CD primarily for Trac#2--Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini-18th Variation. I wasn't disapointed! The whole cd is very relaxing and definitly puts you in the mood. I thought the cd would contain only piano music but there are many well-orchestrated and dramatic tracs.

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

Mill. Classical review
classical music for the unitiated
Some little gems there that I had forgotten!
A very helpful collection
Excellent!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000K1C9
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Average customer rating:

Rachmaninoff's Masterpieces
superb
Great Piano Fireworks
Rhapsody is best
No. of concerto is wrong

The Best Of Rachmaninoff

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff
Serge Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4/Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini
Rachmaninoff plays Rachmaninoff
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO
Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3

ASIN: B00000416Q
Release Date: 1993-10-12

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18: 1. Moderato
Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18: 2. Adagio sostenuto
Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18: 3. Allegro scherzando
Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 43
Vocalise, Op. 34 No.14
Liebesleid
Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.3 No.2
Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 No.5

Tracks:

Symphony No.2, Op.27: 1. Largo - Allegro moderato
Symphony No.2, Op.27: 2. Allegro molto
Symphony No.2, Op.27: 3. Adagio
Symphony No.2, Op.27: 4. Allegro vivace
The Isle of the Dead, Op. 29

Customer Reviews:

Rachmaninoff's Masterpieces.......2005-11-13

Sergei Rachmaninoff remains the most celebrated of the modern Russian composers who retained the spirit of Romantics like Tchaikovsky. In this fabulous recording from the Phillips Label, we are treated to his most cherished piano/orchestral masterpieces. They include the incomparable Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, as performed by the Royal Philharmonic with Spanish pianist Rafael Orozco and conducted by Edo De Waart. This piano concerto is grand in scale and at times borders on Beethovenesque melody. It's dark and brooding and supremely romantic. It was prominently featured in the David Lean 1940'ish film "Brief Encounter" about a romance that is forged on a train ride. The most famous piece associated with the great Rachmaninoff is his Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini for Piano and Orchestra. Lush, sweeping romantic melodies sigh and stir on the piano and escalate into voluminous beauty in the orchestra. Upon hearing it, you will recognize it for sure. The Vocalise was originally a piano piece, at times resembling a sort of modern Moonlight Sonata, with a long haunting melodic line, but has become famous as a concert aria and sopranos like Renee Fleming still sing the aria today. As most piano composers tend to do, Rachmaninov transcribed works from other composers for piano and here we hear his lovely piano version of Kreisler's violin work "Liebeslied" or "Love Song". Beautiful! The Preludes are works of tonal beauty and nocturnal moods. Orozco is truly gifted on the piano. Years of training sharpened his musical talents so that he mastered the piano and Rachmaninoff especially. He knows Rachmaninoff's music intimately. He uses flowing rubato and handles the music with a sacred spirit. He breathes life into the works and never succumbs to mechanical playing. Instead, we get colorful musical portraits, complete with evocative imagery, such as in the Isle of the Dead, a symphonic poem that is also terrific in orchestral form. The Symphony No. 2 is another brilliant piece on here. Overall, a fine album and the quality of sound is excellent. At an affordable price, this is a treasure.

superb.......2005-09-17

Out of my huge collection of classical music, I find these disks being played more often than almost all the rest!

Great Piano Fireworks.......2004-02-05

This is my favorite recording of Rachmaninov's 2nd! Orozco and de Waart are thrilling right from the very first note. I keep flipping back to Track 1 just to hear the passionate opening movement! I have Ashkenzy, Vasary, and Entremont's recordings of this piece. The spacious engineering and Orozco's riveting performance keep me coming back to this one! The reading of the Rhapsody is also one of my favorites. I have a special attachment to this work, and these performances do not disappoint my picky taste. I hate to say it, but Orozco's technique and interpretation of the Rhapsody rival the performance with Rachmaninov as soloist with the Phila. Orch.
The other pieces in this "two-fer" are exceptional performances as well. I especially love Orozco's brilliance and technique in the G minor prelude--why couldn't I play it like that in piano lessons??? The Vocalise and Liebeslied are lovely arrangments.
For this price, this set is absolutely essential to anyone interested in Classical music! This is THE recording to have!

Rhapsody is best.......2004-01-19

This performance of the Rhapsody is absolutely amazing! The Concerto 2 is pretty intense as well, but get it for the Rhapsody -- it is worth it!

No. of concerto is wrong.......2004-01-04

I thing you made a mistake on your homepage.
The correct title is "Piano Concerto No.2" on "Listen to Sample" as below.

Tracks:

Rhap On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.43: Var 18 - Dmitri Alexeev
Sym No.2 in e, Op.27: III. Adagio - The Philadelphia Orch/Eugene Ormandy
Prld in G, Op.32 No.5 - Alexis Weissenberg
Vocalise, Op.34 No.14 - Anna Moffo
Prld in F - Mikhail Kazakevich
Prld in D, Op.23 No.4 - Barry Douglas
Prld in E-flat, Op.23 No.6 - Barry Douglas
Vc Con in g, Op.19: III. Andante - Janos Starker/Shigeo Neriki
It's Peaceful Here, Op.21 No.7 - Vladimir Spivakov/Sergei Bezrodny
Pno On No.1 in f#, Op.1: II. Andante - Byron Janis
Pno Con No.2 in c, Op.18: II. Adagio Sostenuto - Barry Douglas

Customer Reviews:

The Best.......2002-08-31

I thought this was so good, especially tracks 8 thru 11 that I bought copies for my six siblings.

Buy This Now!!!!.......2001-09-07

This is a beautiful work by the master composer Rachmaninoff. I have been a fan of his work, but when I heard this recording it nearly blew me away. Listen to Vocalise - the beauty of this track is what sold me on the rest of the album.

Average customer rating:

DON'T GET THIS FROM AMAZON!!!!!
Bounty of Flute's Best From One of Best Flutist
A Masterpiece
The Master of the Flute
lotsa flute

James Galway ~ Meditations
Jules Massenet , George Frideric Handel , Johann Sebastian Bach , Tomaso Albinoni , Giovanni Pergolesi , Baldassare Galuppi , Johann Pachelbel , Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach , Romano Antonio Piacentino , Antonio Vivaldi , Claude Debussy , John [composer] Field , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Franz Schubert , Joaquin Rodrigo , Sergey Rachmaninov , Fryderyk Chopin , Christoph Willibald Gluck , John Georgiadis , James Galway , Jorg Faerber , Claudio Scimone , Claudio Schimone , David Measham , Michael Tilson Thomas , Eduardo Mata , and Charles Gerhardt
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Very Best of James Galway
The Wind Beneath My Wings
James Galway - Dances for Flute
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Song of Home

ASIN: B000006OP0
Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

Adagio
'Winter' Concerto In F Minor: ll Largo - The Four Seasons
Largo: Xerxes
Flute Concerto In C, BWV 1032: ll Largo E Doice
Pastoral Symphony: Messiah
Flute Concerto In G: ll Adagio
Flute Concerto In D, Op 10 No 3 'll Cardellino': ll Cantabile
Flute Concerto In D: ll Adagio
'Spring' Concerto In E, Op 8 No 1: ll Largo - The Four Seasons
Canon
Flute Concerto In F, Op 10 No 5: ll Largo E Cantabile
Flute Concerto In A, Wq168: ll Largo Con Sordini
Flute Concerto In G: ll Andante
Flute Concerto In G, Wq169: ll Largo
Flute Concerto In G Minor, Op 10 No 2 'La Note': V Largo 'll Sonno'
Flute Concerto In D Minor, Wq 426: ll Un Poco Andante

Tracks:

Meditation - Thais
The Little Shepard
Nocturne No 5 In B Flat
ll Andantino
Serenade, D957
Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre
Prelude A L' Apres-midi d'un Faune
En Bateau
Vocalise
Nocturne In E Flat, Op 9 No 2
Andante In C, K315
Syrinx
Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits

Customer Reviews:

DON'T GET THIS FROM AMAZON!!!!!.......2005-11-04

Ok people. I ordered this from Oct. 13 and NOw it's Nov. 3. I still didnt' get it. They told me it's gonna be delayed until the 14... I'm rating this only a one star not because SIR James Galway isn't a great flutist, but it's Amazon's crappy service and lack of interest.

Bounty of Flute's Best From One of Best Flutist.......2005-02-17

Being married to a flutist allows me to hear some of the greatest works written for this beautiful instrument. Here one of its greatest virtuosos records his favorites from its reportoire.

Gallway performs superb renditions of 29 of his favorites, from Albinoni and Bach to Vivaldi. Much of what he plays most are already familiar with but will enjoy his passionate interpretation even then, e.g. CPE Bach's Flute Concertos and Vivaldi's four seasons selections. The fun comes from hearing other that some might not be that familiar with: Galuppi's Flute Concerto in D or Field's Nocturne in B Flat.

These are all enhanced by Gallway's personal notes on each selection, which is truly a wonderful addition to the liner notes.

This two CD set is truly a wonderful addition to all who love the sweet and flowing tone of flute well played accompanied by excellent orchestration and other instruments. Top shelf!

A Masterpiece.......2003-02-08

I am a college student and I am majoring in music education. My primary instrument is the flute, and my goal is to attain all of the pieces that I have studied. By buying this CD with many different selections has saved me the aggravation of purchasing many different CDs. James Galway is an extremely talented man, and this collection shows off his capabilities with flare. There are selections from all of the major musical periods such as the Baroque and the Classical which makes for a wonderful variety. This CD is worth every penny.

The Master of the Flute.......2001-01-18

James Galway performs miracles on the flute. This is an exquisite CD. Flautist must own this one!! It is a wonderful resource and helpful to young musicians needing some musicality help.

lotsa flute.......2000-09-09

you really have to love flute music to have 2+ hours, I didn't realize it was ALL flute.

Average customer rating:

One of my most-played CDs
One of the best sets of organ works
Mystic!
By All Means Get This CD
To be fair...

In A Quiet Cathedral

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Canons | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Organ Favorites
The Music of St. Paul's Cathedral
A Vaughan Williams Hymnal
Bach: Great Organ Works
The Great Organ at Methuen - Bach: BWV 540, 542, 582, 643, & 737

ASIN: B0000006Z0
Release Date: 1994-08-02

Tracks:

Op. 122, No. 5: Chorale Prelude: Schumcke dich, o liebe Seele
Air
Prelude On The Welsh Hymn Tune 'Rosymedre'
Pastorale On 'Forest Green'
Prelude In E-Flat Major
BWV 731: Chorale Prelude: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Adagio (For Glass Harmonica) K. 356
Sonata I in F Minor, Op. 65: Adagio
BWV 647: Choral Prelude: Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten
Cantata No. 147: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Aria
Lotus (Lotus Blossom)
Irish Air From 'County Derry' (Londonderry Air)
Jerusalem, My Happy Home
Suite in D: Air On The G String
Adagio In E Major
The Good Shepherd
Op. 18, No. 10: Magnificat I
Symphonie Gothique, Op. 70: Andante sostenuto

Tracks:

Fiori Musicali: Toccata per l'Elevazione
Chorale Prelude: Meine Seele erhebt den Herren
Prelude And Fugue In F Minor, Op. 7, No. 2
Canon In B Major, Op. 56, No. 6
Pieces de Fantaisie, Op. 53: Clair de lune
Vocalise
Pieces en style libre, Op. 31: Berceuse
Strings, Op. 11: Adagio
Meditation
Sonatina: Very Slowly
Trois Paraphrases Gregoriennes: Ave Maria, Ave Maris Stella
Chant de Paix (Song Of Peace)

Customer Reviews:

One of my most-played CDs.......2005-10-13

This is one of my most frequently played CDs. I find it perfect background music for meditation, prayer, reading and other tasks, as well as a good CD that doesn't disturb people at work.

This is not intended to be organised as a church service or a concert performance per se, but rather, as the co-producer Carol Rosenberger states, 'this album is meant to recreate an experience many of us have treasured: slipping inside the doors of a cathedral and finding oneself alone in a vast, quiet space with light streaming through stained glass windows. The organist begins to play gentle music, and one is lost in contemplation...'

As a churchy person, I've often had the experience of working or sitting in an empty church while the organists or their students practiced. This recording in many ways reminds me of that experience. Of course, our organ is a far cry from the pipe organ in Atlanta's Cathedral of St. Philip, with over 5000 pipes (and our church does not have a 5-second delay reverberation, either), 4 manuals and 96 ranks. This Aeolian-Skinner organ is a genuinely stunning instrument, but as with any instrument, it takes the right performer to bring out the fullness of the sound from it.

Todd Wilson is just such a performer. His playing is solid and well-suited for this task, with occasional flashes of brilliance. Mozart's 'Adagio', Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Many's Desiring', and Barber's 'Adadio for Strings' (here arranged for the organ) are truly wonderful pieces. The programme here is a diverse collection of pieces from Baroque, Renaissance, and later pieces, including folk tunes and a few modern compositions. Todd Wilson is a church organist and music director at Church of the Covenant in Cleveland, Ohio (a city with not insignificant music resources and life), and is also head of the Organ Department at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has had an international performance and recording career.

I applaud the decision to make this a double-disc set - the producer writes that there was just too much good music to limit the selection. Thus, there is a method to the organisation, given the availability of two discs. The first disc has more simple pieces, easily recognisable melodies and well-known hymn/sacred pieces. The second disc has a bit more complexity of music.

There is a booklet that is particularly designed for young people, so that they may become more familiar with the organ as an instrument, and this type of music.

This is a truly wonderful recording.

One of the best sets of organ works.......2005-02-20

This is a superb set of organ works. Strongly recommended.

Mystic!.......2003-12-28

The Æolian-Skinner organ in St.Philip's Cathedral, Atlanta is the finest example on Earth of eclectic organ...and the last- really-marvellous instrument erected by this firm. Flutes and Erzählers speak directly from Heaven...and the organ, despite electric, seems to have tracker action! Listen to Bach's BWV 731 and 648: they sound like played on a Silbermann instrument!
Todd Wilson is a delicate musician, a poet of the organ and a genius in the choice of the stops.
Buy also the other recordings of this Æolian-Skinner by Robert Delcamp (Naxos) and Alan Morrison (Gothic)...and don't forget that Michael Murray recorded in St.Philip's Cathedral for Telarc the finest rendition of Poulenc's "Concerto in sol minore per organo, archi e timpani" under the direction of the late Robert Shaw.

By All Means Get This CD.......2003-09-06

I found this wonderfully relaxing CD above and beyond my expectations. Do you enjoy organ music, then listen and explore the sacred music of J.S. Bach. This music will relax you: keep your muscles relaxed as you work on a time deadline for a large project, or doing some casual items around the house.

To be fair..........2003-04-04

The hiss that one reviewer refers to is undoubtedly the organ's wind supply. The wind can be heard on most organ recordings.

Average customer rating:

Beuatifull & Sensitive Performance, Orchestra Sounds Great
Good performance ....but not extraordinary
An Amazing Performance of Rach 3
A show-off piece with a lyrical performance
Rach 3? No place to showcase your poetic & lyrical side

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.3, etc.

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000003FF0
Release Date: 1993-07-13

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 3, Op.30: Allegro ma non tanto
Piano Concerto No. 3, Op.30: Intermezzo: Adagio
Piano Concerto No. 3, Op.30: L'istesso tempo; Finale: Alla breve
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
Prelude, Op. 23 No. 2 In B Flat

Customer Reviews:

Beuatifull & Sensitive Performance, Orchestra Sounds Great.......2007-03-16

I was at the Shostakovich wing at Rhapsody and hit the play button for Symphony 8 and for some strange reason this concerto started playing. The info provided said merely that it was Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto and did not give artist or orchestra info. This was my first time hearing this concerto so I am no expert, but I enjoyed it greatly! I have heard Kissin's performance of Tchaikovsky's first with Karajan and this concerto is quite a bit different. It is more beautiful and serene and a little moody at times and far less the emotional rollercoster that is Tchaikovsky's first PC. The Orchestra sounds beautiful too! The strings sound sooo sweet. I was enthralled enough by the playing that I wanted more info so I bipped over to Amazon. Kissin is well known for his play of Chopin and he brings a Chopin-esque touch to this concerto. Having heard his Tchaikovsky performance, I know he can bring down the house too when the music calls for it.

The piece, Vocalise, that follows the concerto is well suited to the mood of the concerto. Prelude 2 is a bit more spirited. Though this is a short piece, it is a real hoot. All the music on this disk highlight Rachmaninoff as a 19th century Romantic rather than a 20th century modernist.

Good performance ....but not extraordinary.......2005-12-28

I'm a big fan of Martha Argerich's Rach 3, and am, perhaps yet to come across a recording which surpasses her monumental 1982/w Chailly recording. Kissin here does pretty well, though I personally do not appreciate the slower tempi chosen by him..it just doesen't seem to harmonise with his own individuality as observed in his other recordings. Maybe his teacher had an (over)influence in this interpretation.
However, this recording has got arguably the best last 3 minutes or so ...the orchestra work by Ozawa is simply phenomenal and the ecstatic heights to which the coda is pulled and lured into is truly mesmerising. That was the only bit the slow tempo seemed to fit really well !
In all, its a good performance, but there are many better ones.

An Amazing Performance of Rach 3.......2005-09-06

I must confess, the first time I heard Evgeny Kissin's interpretation of this formidable concerto, I was left disappointed. At the time, Martha Argerich's recording was the best in my mind. Like many of the reviewers here, I felt Kissin's performance was painfully slow at the opening of the first movement, and especially so in the opening of the third. After hearing several versions of this concerto, I know longer consider Argerich's to be the best (It's still up there, though). Rather, I have learned to appreciate the more poetic version Kissin presents. Don't let other reviewers fool you; there are still plenty of fireworks in this recording. Kissin's performance of the cadenza in the first movement is astounding, huge sound and very passionate. The whole second movement has a great, sweeping sound, with perfect phrasing. And the third is flashy, but with a slower tempo. This solemn recording is exactly how Rachmaninoff envisioned it. Other great recordings of this concerto are by Mikhail Pletnev and Olga Kern (STAY AWAY FROM THE RECORDINGS BY LANG LANG AND DAVID HELFGOTT).

A show-off piece with a lyrical performance.......2004-06-09

Yeah, many of you are saying the Rach 3 should not be played lyrically. However, many of you are also inane. Rachmaninoff would turn over in his grave if he heard this. Sure, I like Horowitz's and Van Cliburn's performances better (but those are unbeatable), but I have certainly been a fan of this recording for a long time. The highlight of this CD is the ossia in measures 273 through 275 of the third movement. It's only symbolic of Kissin accepting the greater challenge, and tackling it quite mightily I must say. But, my point was that this piece can be played poetically and it can be played virtuosically. But Kissin accomplishes both. Maybe not as virtuosic as Cliburn or Horowitz, but certainly darn close enough for me.

And let us not forget the encores. The Vocalise arrangement is astoundingly spacious and beautiful. The B-flat prelude is one of the hardest he wrote, as I am learning a few of the Opus 23 ones. The ease with which Kissin plays those mind-boggling passages is obvious and the result: fantastic.

Rach 3? No place to showcase your poetic & lyrical side.......2003-07-03

Kissin displayed such abilities at an early age, it was hard not to imagine he would live his life at the top level virtuosity.

I bought Kissin's Rach 3 because I have never been impressed by Kissin; The quality of his playing is uneven, with the main problem that strikes me, is that he often seems to lack a sense of certain works as a coherent whole.

Kissen's Rach 3 has been around for 10 years or so, but I never got around to hearing it. I listened to it recently and was completely disappointed.

Kissen plays the entire work more or less understated. The conducting by Ozawa is outstanding in the sense it supports Kissin's approach to the work.

But Kissin's approach to the work is the problem. He plays slowly and softly, and I seems to me he is attempting to focus on the lyrical and poetic aspacts of the work.

A poetic, understated and lyrical and poetic Rach 3. Is Kissin kidding? This a work where the big boys and girls get a chance to show what they can do. Perhaps Kissin thought he found a legitimate new way to approach the work.

However whatever Kissin was trying do it didn't work. With the works natural emotional high points smoothed out, there was nothing left but a flat CD, that doesn't say a single thing new. I found it flat and boring throughout.

There are quite a few outstanding Rach 3 recordings out there, but this isn't one of them.

If you a Rach 3, the 1951 Horowitz studio recording, and the 1958 live performane by Van Cliburn jump to mind. A lyric and poetic approach is fine for many works but certainly not this one.

Kissin had a perfect opportunity to demonstrate he was one the the big dogs on the block, and strut his stuff. He didn't do it, and believe he can't do it. Time will tell if Kissin develops, but in the meantime stay away from this on. I also like the 1999 recording of the Rach 3 by Arcadi Volodos, recorded live with the Berlin Philharmonic.

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Music Review

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Music Review

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