Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier

Track Listings

1. Einleitung

2. Er Katzenkopf Er Unvorsichtiger

3. Selbstverstandlich Empfangt Mich Ihro

4. Hat Sie Schon Einmal Mit Einem Kavalier

5. I Komm' Glei......Drei Arme Adelige Waisen

6. Di Rigori Armato Il Seno

7. Als Morgengabe....Ganz Separatim Jedoch

8. Da Geht Er Hin Der Aufgeblasene Schlechte Kerl

9. Ach Du Bist Wieder Da!

10. Die Zeit Die Ist Ein Sonderbar Ding

11. Einleitung

12. Mir Ist Die Ehre Widerfahren

13. Ich Kenn' Ihn Schon Recht Wohl

14. Jetzt Aber Kommt Mein Herr Zukunftiger

15. Wird Sie Das Mannsbild Da Heiraten Ma Cousine

16. Herr Baron Von Lerchenau'

17. Da Lieg Ich Was Einem Kavalier Nit All's Passieren Kann

18. Einleitung Und Pantomime

19. Walzer- Hab'n Euer Gnaden Noch Weitre Befehle

20. Die Schone Musi

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Tracks:

Les Peurs des perles Act 1 - Au fond du temple saint
Madama Butterfly Act 1- Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino
Le Nozze di Figaro Act III - Sull'aria - Le Nozze di Figaro
La Traviata Act I - Un di, felice, eterea
Lucia Di Lammermoor Act I - Ah! Verranna a te sull'aure
Tristan und Isolde Act II - O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe
Carmen Act I - Parle-moi de m
Die ZauberflAct I - Bei Mern, welche Liebe F
Lakmct I - Viens, Mallika
Rigoletto Act I - il sol dell'anima
Der Rosenkavalier Act II - Mir ist die Ehre wilderfahren
Don Giovanni Act I - Li darem la mano
La Boh Act IV - O Mimi, tu pi torni
Il Trovatore Act IV - Miserere...Quel suon, quelle preci

Amazon.com

This is a misnomer--not all of these duets are all that famous--but it's a fine compilation nonetheless. You'll hear selections from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers (Nicolai Gedda and Ernest Blanc at their most elegant French), Madama Butterfly (Carlo Bergonzi and Renata Scotto--an impassioned pair), Lucia di Lammermoor (a classy Alfredo Kraus and Edita Gruberova), the lovely Lakme duet, The Presentation of the Silver Rose from Der Rosenkavalier (with the earnest Christa Ludwig and the other-worldly Teresa Stich-Randall), and a fine Trovatore "Miserere" (with Leontyne Price and Franco Bonisolli singing up a storm). There are many others, too--a veritable cornucopia of couplings--and a treat for the opera lover. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Can't go wrong.......2007-07-14

This is a really great CD for the price. It has many of the famous Arias on it and although the singers may not be the best out there they are certainly very good. This is cheaper than the price of a take away lunch; you can't go wrong with this CD.

Most Famous???.......2007-05-14

The title of this cd is misleading and I found myself wondering whose list did they use. That is not to say that there aren't some real treasures included here. The duet from Lakme is lovely in every way, Mady Mesple in particular, very beautful and very french, and far superior to Sutherlands hooty approach. Scotto and Bergonzi are superb, the Tristan and Isolde of Vickers and Dernesch truly other worldly, and the presentation of the rose duet with the young Ludwig and the astonishing Teresa Stich- Randell had me playing it over and over and I still can't believe it, but the most famous??? This cd is definitly worth buying, and I hated giving it only 3 stars but if you're talking most famous you could fill a couple of cd's with Puccini, not to mention Verdi, Mozart, etc. before Bizet's Les Pecheurs des perles, beautiful as it is, made the most famous list.

Only one song knew well.......2007-05-14

I should have done more research. The last song is the only one I could easily recognize. Live and learn.

The Most Famous Opera Duets.......2007-01-05

This seller truly makes a purchaser confident in the product as well the time in which is promised.

Thanks again!!!!!

Good selection of opera highlights.......2006-11-04

Super performances by famous opera artists of the 20th century, most of them no longer performing and some of them deceased. I enjoy having their voices available at home.

Average customer rating:

Andrea Bocelli - Sogno
Not bad!
pleasure to lilsten
Bocelli - Aria
Why...?

Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romanza
Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung
Cieli di Toscana
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Andrea Bocelli - Amore

ASIN: B0000069CO
Release Date: 1998-04-07

Tracks:

Rigoletto: Questa o quella
La Boheme: Che gelida manina
TOSCA: Recondita armonia
TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
Madama Butterfly: Addio, fiorito asil
Andrea Chenier: Come un bel di di maggio
I Puritani: A te, o cara
Der Rosenkavalier: Di rigori armato il seno
Fedora: Amor ti vieta
La Fanciulla del West: Ch'ella mi creda
La Gioconda: Cielo e mar!
Adriana Lecouvreur: La dolcissima effigie
La Boheme: Musetta! - Testa adorata
Lucia di Lammermoor: Tombe degli avi miei - Fra poco a me ricovero
Werther: Pourquoi me reveiller
Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
La Fille Du Regiment: Pour mon ame

Amazon.com

Andre Bocelli is no opera singer, but he shows far more potential in this album than does another pop-vocalist tenor-wannabe, Michael Bolton. For one thing, he can shake off the crooner mannerisms and really sing when performing music that calls for it. At his best, he has a rich, dark timbre and an easy, unforced top. At other times, however, the tone turns dry and thin and the high notes are constricted, the inconsistency suggesting a lack of technique. Never does one get the impression that he could be heard over a medium-sized orchestra without amplification. This isn't bad singing per se, but there is much better out there, readily available on disc. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Album Description

Exclusive Australian Gold pressing released to coincide with his first public appearance in Australia. He'll be performing at the opening ceremonies and then onto to tour the land down under. His back catalogue will be released & re-packaged in slipcases with his signature on them as well as all of them pressed on gold plated CD's. This pressing includes 17 tracks, all sung in his native Italian Tongue. 1998 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews:

Andrea Bocelli - Sogno.......2007-06-27

I am 45 years old. The reason why this is something I am mentioning, is to let all of you reading my review know what age group I am in. It might be important to the age you are in knowing what I have to say. I have four Andrea Bocelli CD's and they are all wonderful. I love each of them. My mom turned me on to him, and, since I love Josh Groban, I decided to listen to Andrea Bocelli and see what all her fuss over him was about. I'm glad I did. I am half Italian and half Spanish. I don't know either language, but when I listen to both Andrea and Josh, I don't have to. They make the music tell a story, and instantly, you understand something about the words from just the sound of their voices. If you love Josh Groban, then Andrea Bocelli is someone you should give a listen to. His voice is soothing, powerful, and romantic. I am looking forward to getting more of his CD's. Great Stuff!!!

Not bad!.......2007-04-09

What I have heard about Andrea Bocelli is bimodal--some think that he is not up to the operatic repertoire and is way overrated; others see him as a fine singer, from a nontraditional background and career path. What I hear on this CD is fine singing, with some limitations. He was once a law school student; he played in piano bars. He took lessons from the great Franco Corelli. Some examples of his work illustrate his skills:

"Questa O quella" is a nice romp. His smooth voice moves through this aria nicely. His voice is not a big one. On the other hand, his musicianship seems fine (thank goodness none of the sobbing and catches that some tenors adopt).

In Puccini's "Che gelida manina" (from "La Boheme"), he again sings smoothly. He has a nice sound to his voice. The high note is a bit thin, but certainly not as bad as some critics would have it. A serviceable version, in short.

Then, the twin arias from "Tosca"--"Recondita armonia" and "E lucevan le stelle." Both are well sung. His version of "Recondita armonia" compares well with other versions. He certainly has no reason to hang his head. When he amps up the volume, his voice is not quite as rich as many other tenors, bit it is still fine. Top notes, as observed before, are a bit thin, but--again--hardly reason for lamentation. This is nicely sung. My notes for "E lucevan le stelle" simply say "Ibid." That is, one could write a very similar set of comments.

The last piece is from a different tradition--a selection from Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," "Tome degli avi miei." Smoothly sung. A bit thin on higher notes. Overall, though, a nice job.

As I listen to his work, I think that Bocelli does a good job in the standard tenor repertoire. Is he a great tenor? No. Is he a good tenor? Yes.

pleasure to lilsten.......2007-01-19

This album is a pleasure. The selections are spirited and well executed. I was very satisfied with this purchse and would recommend it to any one who enjoys opera.

Bocelli - Aria.......2006-11-05

Introduced me to arias that were not known to me, and I find to be
quite beautiful. As usual, Bocelli does not fail.

Why...?.......2006-03-13

Why is there all this continuing controversy after so many years about whether or not Andrea Bocelli is - or is not - Operatically sound? All I know (and that's not saying much for me in this genre), is that after having listened to Amazon.com's sampling of the music on this Audio CD a few moments ago, I wept. Andrea Bocelli always makes me weep - because of his profound spiritual depth. And I don't care what anyone thinks on that issue. All I do know is this. The man sings from his soul...and nothing could surpass that - ever.

Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Schwarzkopf · Ludwig · Karajan

Average customer rating:

Waltz me around again
Discovering Strauss
The Ochs is stayed before it tramples the rosegarden
ROSES AND RAPTURES
Five stars, but not for Karajan

Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Schwarzkopf · Ludwig · Karajan
Richard Strauss , Herbert von Karajan , Elisabeth Schwarzkopf , Christa Ludwig , Anny Felbermayer , Karl Friedrich , Nicolai Gedda , Paul Kuen , Otto Edelmann , Erich Majkut , Kerstin Meyer , and Franz Bierbach
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Richard Strauss - Capriccio / Schwarzkopf, Wächter, Gedda, Fischer-Dieskau, Hotter, Ludwig, Moffo, Philharmonia Orchestra, Sawallisch
R. Strauss - Ariadne auf Naxos / Schwarzkopf · Seefried · Streich · Schock · Prey · PO · Karajan
Beethoven: Fidelio
Verdi - Falstaff / Gobbi · Schwarzkopf · Moffo · Karajan
J. Strauss: Die Fledermaus / Schwarzkopf, Gedda, Streich, Krebs, Kunz, Christ; Karajan

ASIN: B00005NW0B
Release Date: 2001-09-11

Tracks:

Act One: Intro - Philharmonia Orch/Herbert Von Karajan
Act One: Wie Du Warst! Wie Du Bist! - Christa Edelmann/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: Lachst Du Mich Aus? ...Lach' Ich Dich Aus? - Christa Edelmann/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: Der Feldmarschall Sitzt Im Krowatischen Wald - Christa Edelmann/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: Quinquin, Es Ist Ein Besuch - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Erich Mjkut/Gerhard Unger/Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig
Act One: Selbstverstandlich Empfangt Mich Ihro Gnaden - Otto Edelmann/Gerhard Unger/Erich Majkut/Eberhard Wachter/Harald Proglhof
Act One: Euer Gnaden Werden Vielleicht Verwundert Sein - Otto Edelmann/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: Dann Ziehen Wir Ins Palais Von Faninal - Otto Edelmann/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Erich Majkut/Gerhard Unger
Act One: Hat Sie Schon Einmal Mit Einem Kavalier - Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: Geben Mir Euer Gnaden Den Grasaff' Da - Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: I Komm' Glei'... Drei Arme, Adelige Waisen - Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Christa Ludwig/Kerstin Meyer/Anny Felbermayer/Gerhard Unger...
Act One: Di Rigori Armato Il Seno - Nicolai Gedda
Act One: Als Morgengabe, Ganz Separatim Jedoch - Otto Edelmann/Harald Proglhof/Nicolai Gedda
Act One: Mein Lieber Hippolyte - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Kerstin Meyer/Christa Ludwig/Kerstin Meyer
Act One: Da Geht Er Hin, Der Aufgeblasene Schlechte Kerl - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: Ach, Du Bist Wieder Da? - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Eberhard Wachter
Act One: Oh, Sei Er Gut, Quinquin - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Eberhard Wachter
Act One: Die Zeit Im Grunde, Quinquin - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: Mein Schoner Schatz - Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: Quinquin, Er Soll Jetzt Geh'n - Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act One: Ich Hab' Ihn Nicht Einmal Gekusst! - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Gerhard Unger/Erich Majkut/Eberhard Wachter/Harald Proglhof

Tracks:

Act Two: Ein Ernster Tag, Ein Grosser Tag - Eberhard Wachter/Ljuba Welitsch/Erich Majkut/Gerhard Unger
Act Two: In Dieser Feierlichen Stunde Der Prufung - Teresa Stich-Randall/Ljuba Welitsch
Act Two: Mir Ist Die Ehre Widerfahren - Eberhard Wachter/Teresa Stich-Randall
Act Two: Hat Einen Starken Geruch Wie Rosen - Eberhard Wachter/Teresa Stich-Randall
Act Two: Wo War Ich Schon Einmal Und War So Selig? - Eberhard Wachter/Teresa Stich-Randall
Act Two: Ich Kenn' Ihn Doch Recht Wohl - Eberhard Wachter/Teresa Stich-Randall
Act Two: Jetzt Aber Kommt Mein Herr Zukunftiger - Teresa Stich-Randall/Eberhard Wachter/Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig
Act Two: Belieben Jetzt VVielleicht... Ist Ein Alter Tokaier - Teresa Stich-Randall/Eberhard Wachter/Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig
Act Two: Mocht' Wissen, Was Ihm Dunkt Von Mir Und Ihm - Teresa Stich-Randall/Eberhard Wachter/Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig
Act Two: Wird Sie Das Mannsbild Da Heiraten - Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig/Teresa Stich-Randall/Eberhard Wachter/Erich Majkut/Gerhard Unger
Act Two: Mit Ihren Augen Voll Tranen - Christa Ludwig/Teresa Stich-Randall
Act Two: Herr Baron Von Lerchenau! - Kerstin Meyer/Paul Kuen/Otto Edelmann/Teresa Stich-Randall/Christa Ludwig
Act Two: Ich Hoff', Er Kommt Vielmehr Jetzt Mit Mir Hinters Haus - Christa Ludwig/Otto Edelmann/Teresa Stich-Randall/Kerstin Meyer/Eberhard Wachter
Act Two: Er Muss Mich Pardonieren - Christa Ludwig/Eberhard Wachter/Teresa Stich-Randall
Act Two: Heirat' Den Herrn Dort Nicht Lebendig Und Nicht Tot! - Teresa Stich-Randall/Eberhard Wachter/Christa Ludwig/Ljuba Welitsch
Act Two: Da Lieg' Ich! - Otto Edelmann
Act Two: Und Doch, Muss Lachen, Wie Sich So Ein Luder - Otto Edelmann
Act Two: Ohne Mich, Ohne Mich Jeder Tag Dir Zu Bang - Otto Edelmann/Kerstin Meyer
Act Two: Ganz Zu Befehl, Herr Kavalier - Otto Edelmann/Kerstin Meyer

Tracks:

Act Three: Intro - Philharmonia Orch/Herbert Von Karajan
Act Three: Pantomime - Philharmonia Orch/Herbert Von Karajan
Act Three: Hab'n Euer Gnaden Noch Witre Befehle? - Karl Friedrich/Erich Majkut/Gerhard Unger/Eberhard Wachter/Franz Bierbach
Act Three: Nein, Nein, Nein, Nein! I Trink' Kein Wein - Christa Ludwig/Otto Edelmann
Act Three: Die Schone Musi! - Christa Ludwig/Otto Edelmann
Act Three: Macht Sie Der Wein Leicht Immer So? - Otto Edelmann
Act Three: Er Ist Es! Es Ist Mein Mann! - Kerstin Meyer/Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig/Karl Friedrich/Erich Majkut/Gerhard Unger...
Act Three: Halt! Keiner Ruhrt Sich! - Franz Bierbach/Paul Kuen/Christa Ludwig/Otto Edelmann/Karl Friedrich
Act Three: Zur Stelle! Was Wird Von Mir Gewunscht? - Eberhard Wachter/Otto Edelmann/Franz Bierbach
Act Three: Die Braut! Oh Was Fur Ein Skandal! - Children's Chor From Loughton High School For Girls And Bancroft's School/Philharmonia Cho...
Act Three: Sind Desto Eher Im Klaren! - Otto Edelmann/Fraz Bierbach/Christa Ludwig/Karl Friedrich
Act Three: Bin Glucklich Uber Massen - Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig/Franz Bierbach/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Teresa Stich-Randall
Act Three: Er Sieht, Herr Kommissar, Das Ganze War Halt Eine Farce - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Franz Bierbach/Teresa Stich-Randall/Otto Edelmann/Christa Ludwig
Act Three: Bin Von So Viel Finesse Charmiert - Otto Edelmann/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Teresa Stich-Randall
Act Three: Leupold, Wir Geh'n! - Otto Edelmann/Kerstin Meyer/Erich Majkut/Gerhard Unger/Eberhard Wachter/Franz Bierbach
Act Three: Mein Gott, Es War Nicht Mehr Als Eine Farce - Teresa Stich-Randall/Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act Three: Heut Oder Morgen Oder Den Ubernachsten Tag - Teresa Stich-Randall/Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act Three: So Schnell Hat Sie Ihn Gar So Lieb? - Teresa Stich-Randall/Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act Three: Marie Theres'!... Hab' Mir's Gelobt - Teresa Stich-Randall/Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act Three: Ist Ein Traum, Kann Nicht Wirklich Sein... Spur' Nur Dich Allein - Teresa Stich-Randall/Christa Ludwig
Act Three: Sind Halt Aso, Die Jungen Leut'! - Eberhard Wachter/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act Three: Ist Ein Traum, Kann Nicht Wirklich Sein... Spur' Nur Dich Allein - Teresa Stich-Randall/Christa Ludwig

Customer Reviews:

Waltz me around again.......2007-05-07

OK, Der Rosenkavalier opera is a smidgeon kinky. But the music is ethereal. One of the most hauntingly beautiful waltzes ever written. This music was sung (with words by Hollywood lyricist Earl Brent) by the fetching Jeanette Mac Donald in the movie "Three Daring Daughters."

Listen to the waltz music a few times and you can't get it out of your head. Nor do you want to.

Discovering Strauss.......2007-03-08

I've just started listening to Strauss's Operas. I found "Elektra" exhausting but breathtaking. This work is definitely more lyrical and less loud, took some getting used to after Elektra, I half expected a huge orchestra to take over and blast everyone offstage but that never happened.
I find some of the "comedy" a little tedious but parts of it are exquisite.
I love Schwarzkopf's rendition of the " monologue", she conveys so much emotion and brings this character to life perfectly. Brava!!
And I think I've listened to "Presentation...Rose" about a 1000 times already. Ear candy if there ever was.
I think the story is intriguing and addictive.
Love Christa Ludwig's Octavion, wow! (I like von Otter too)

The Ochs is stayed before it tramples the rosegarden.......2006-12-13

Richard Strauss humbly announced this opera as some kind of musical comedy. And we must say that the theme and the action are nothing more than a good old bourgeois comedy if not a vaudeville. But it is charming in a way. A page and confindent, Octavian, is the centre of the comedy. In love with and loved by his mistress, the Feldmarshallin, he is used, disguised as a chambermaid, which is easy since he is impersonated by a mezzosoprano, to titillate and also highjack onto a false trail the gross, philandering and greedy Baron Ochs, the well named Baron Ochs, both bovine and sterile. But this same Octavian will become the Rosenkavalier sent by the Feldmarshallin in the name of Baron Ochs to the young daughter Sophie of the very rich Herr von Faninal to propose the very badly matched wedding of the aforesaid Baron Ochs with the very reluctant Sophie who in the meantime falls in love with the charming Rosenkavalier who does the same in return. And it will all end well because Baron Ochs will be trapped in an inn and his multiple marriages will be exposed, thus accusing him of at least bigamy, which will make him run away. A comedy, nothing but a comedy revealing how money is no guarantee against the immorality of feudal practices. In fact it may even make them worse. Luckily love is there to clean up the plate and make things right. So what made this musical comedy of sorts such a success as an opera for one full century ? We may wonder, and yet the answer is simple. The very first reason is the depicting and staging of the feudal Germanic society of Maria Theresias in the middle of the 18th century when Europe is agitated by the Enlightenment, when Germany is already feeling the growing Sturm und Drang that is pushing feudal practices aside and replacing them with new ethics. And Richard Strauss keeps some cute nostalgic customs, like the Rosenkavalier, some kind of go-between of old, and highjacks them to vindicate love in the place and state of feudal arrangements and monetary greed and vanity. In other words it is quaint and it enables the Germans to forget about the looming up first world war that will be coming soon after the opera was created in Vienna on April 8, 1911. And it will become classic since it depicts the Germans as highly light, moral, humane, lovable, the very antithesis of what will develop and triumph to finally fall down ignominously from the 1920s to 1945. An acceptable and charming image of these our friends the Germans, the Austrians. In other words the light side that can counterbalance the very austere wagnerian side, especially when read in a nationalistic direction or distortion, the light side of Mozart's operas, and first of all Figaro's Wedding, to which it is akin by the theme and treatment. But that is not enough, far from it, to explain the phenomenal success of this opera. The music is of course the main reason. And what a music ! First of all, to clear the way for the rest, I will regret the only thing I find kind of easy. Octavian should have a masculine voice and be an alto instead of a feminine mezzosoprano. It makes his role unclearly ambiguous. We should have a page disguising as a chambermaid and then becoming the Rosenkavalier. Instead we have a mezzosoprano disguising as a page, then disguising as a chambermaid, then disguising as a Rosenkavalier and then mimicking love for Sophie. But the music is a lot more than that. The music is systematically anachronic for the 18th century, but who cares in the 20th century, and what's more today in the 21st century. It is light, dancelike and waltzy all the time and all along, from the light whirling and whorling mozartlike tunes everywhere to the real waltzes in the best straussian Viennese tradition. But Strauss also borrows some more exotic and entertaining forms with Italian singers and some popular tunes here and there, or at least tunes that sound as if they were coming out of some public house. But the best achievement of this music is its very high degree of dramatic construction. The music is used to give each character his or her personal depth, and each situation, each scene and each moment in each scene, their flavour and taste, their discursive value. That is probably the most attractive charm of this opera. We can literally let the music flow and forget about the words, the voices being a set of human instruments that join their harmonics to those of the orchestra to tell us a story that is displayed in front of our eyes through the circumvolutions of the measures that mesmerize our ears, due not to too many notes, nor too many instruments, but quite a few nevertheless if not many, just like a meadow scattered with thousands of colourful flowers.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine & University Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne

ROSES AND RAPTURES.......2006-10-02

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf has recently departed our society after a long and illustrious career, and no admirer of her work should be without one of her finest and most celebrated monuments. This Rosenkavalier still stands comparison with any other that I know, but its significance is over and above its merits purely as a performance and recording.

What we have here is a memorial to two epochs. One epoch is the world that was heading for destruction in the wars of the 20th century. Part of that world was the society of the idle rich, the gilded butterflies with their servants and silver roses, a kind of Wellsian Eloi marking time until the advent of their own Morlocks in 1914 and 1917. By the date of this performance in 1956 the world had had enough nemesis and catharsis to be going on with, and was trying to retrieve something of what had been lost while re-establishing itself in a new form. The technology of musical recording had made enormous advances, the discerning musical public was ready for some added spice to the standard fare of Mozart Beethoven and Brahms, and the imagination and opportunism of Walter Legge was well vindicated in the reception given to his production of Rosenkavalier. Both the story and the music of Rosenkavalier were ostentatiously and provocatively reactionary in 1911, the very year of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, and Legge's instinct was right in sensing that this evocation of a vanished and irresponsible culture would be welcomed in a society yearning to put austerity and dull dutifulness behind it. In the 50's the number of classical recordings had not yet exceeded what could be annually reviewed in a leisurely way in a hardback book called The Record Year, and I can still remember what a landmark production it saw this Rosenkavalier as being.

Another factor was Karajan. This was a new kind of orchestral maestro, flamboyant in his lifestyle and a `society' figure. It would be perverse to deny that he was an outstanding musician nevertheless, and this Rosenkavalier is as good a test-case as any for how one finally rates him. To me he seems to have done nearly everything very well without ever attaining the outright greatness of Fuertwaengler Toscanini or Beecham. He was outstandingly professional and even in his way perfectionistic, just as Legge was, but he had a soul and deep sensibility as well, and there is no way this performance can be faulted for failure to understand the music or the composer. And that takes us back to the performers. Schwarzkopf, for me, is ideal as the Marschallin, her voice coming over as the right kind of thirtysomething as well as having the authority and poise that the role demands. I think it would be possible to quibble endlessly over the right sort of voices for Octavian and Sophie without coming to any firm conclusion. I wouldn't claim that Teresa Stich-Randall has a vocal quality to rival, say, Janowitz or Ameling, but Sophie is an innocent and unsophisticated young girl, not Princess Margaret or Joanna Lumley, and I have no difficulty with Stich-Randall in the part. As for Octavian, how does the singer act the part of a youth who can pass for feminine to Ochs not only by his looks but apparently by his voice as well? Ludwig is a great singer and a great musician and that will do for me. I particularly like the way Edelmann handles the part of Ochs, partly Austria's answer to Squire Western but also with the right air of second-tier aristocracy to him. It would be hard to think of anything Waechter did not sing well, and there is an unlooked-for bonus in the form of Gedda, no less, as the Italian tenor.

The recording has benefited from some digital remastering, and it would be unreasonable to complain that it is not and cannot be quite the equal of productions dating from 30 and 40 years later. The booklet is excellent too, with a fine essay by Karajan's biographer Richard Osborne; and Legge, husband of Schwarzkopf, supplies the English translation of the libretto. This is not, I should say, an absolutely transcendental performance in the sense that one might say that of Fuertwaengler's Tristan or of Parsifal from Knappertsbusch, the kind of reading that has never been fully equalled and never seems likely to be. It's more on the level, eminent indeed but not out of sight, occupied by Karajan's own fine Mastersingers, which I also own and highly value. If the performance and recording are your exclusive preoccupation there are certainly rivals to this account and there is plenty of informed commentary on those to guide your choice. For me, as I suppose I've indicated, this is a set that I want just for itself regardless of comparisons. I shall be very surprised if it ever disappoints anyone else either.

Five stars, but not for Karajan.......2006-08-29

Most of the reviews of this recording are helpful and high-quality. And yet, I find myself disagreeing with some criticism and with some praise as well. Some reviewers complain that Schwarzkopf overinterprets her role, including "cooing" or "meowing." Much depends on whether one finds her interpretation convincing. I do. How else is one supposed to realize an over-ripe Viennese role? Touching, funny, but highly stylized most of all. The Marshallin, after all, is not supposed to sound either like a valkyrie or a Mozartian momma.

My criticism is both for the sound and the conducting. The orchestral sound *is* a bit unfocussed, although my pressing has one less remastering than the current one, so this problem may have lessened somewhat.

But then there's Karajan. I am not a fan of his work in general, although his Strauss is sometimes very effective. In this case, I find that Strauss's orchestral brilliance is dimmed because of Karajan's aesthetic of instrumental blending in which some of the distinctive qualities of the instruments are lost in the attempt to interlace them. Sometimes this works for Strauss (e.g. K's version of Four Last Songs), but here it interferes with the play among instruments, in my opinion.

Still, this gets five star for the quality of the singing, in particular Schwartzkopf's.

Average customer rating:

FAVORITE WALTZES
Dream Away
What a wonderful CD!!!
Wonderful Waltzes
[poor quality]

Favorite Waltzes

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000000UVT
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

The Blue Danube
Tales From The Vienna Woods
Artist's Life
Voices Of Spring
You And You (From Die Fledermaus)
Vienna Life
Emperor Waltz
Live, Laugh And Love
Skaters Waltz
The Waves Of The Danube
Waltzes (From Der Rosenkavalier)

Customer Reviews:

FAVORITE WALTZES .......2007-05-12

I ENJOY THE CLASSICS AND IF YOU DO, OR JUST BEGINNING TO LISTEN, THE OLD MASTERS ARE GREAT. TO ENJOY THIS MUSIC ONE MUST DEVOID YOUR MIND OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. THEN LISTEN TO THE INSTRUMENTS AND PLACE YOURSELF THERE. IT WILL TAKE YOU AWAY TO A PEACEFUL PLACE.

Dream Away.......2007-02-16

Nice relaxing music with a good sound and orchestra containing an assortment of famous waltzes.

What a wonderful CD!!!.......2006-10-24

Like the last review, I am not sure what the first person was thinking when they gave this CD only 1!!! star. I just received this and sitting here with tears in my eyes. This is exactly what I have been looking for. I have been looking for specifically the "Skater's Waltz" for some time now and finally found it!! I can't believe that anyone who listens to this Wonderful CD could give it anything less than 5 stars! I purchased one for my mom for Christmas and one for myself.
I had to add to this because I just purchased my third CD of this!! I have already given away two as gifts. This is so delightful and you really listen on a headset in a quiet room. You will be swept away by the beauty of these waltzes!!!

Wonderful Waltzes.......2005-05-04

I don't know what the previous reviewer is talking about (maybe he did spend too much of his money on cheap beer), but this is a wonderful CD of Waltzes. The original EMI Seraphim series featured some of the greatest recordings of the golden age of stereo at absurdly low prices. The titles that are still readily available like this one, for many are out-of-print and fetching prices ten times their original price, are among the best values in the history of classical music. This CD in particular features Felix Slatkin and Milos Rosza both leading the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra in memorable renditions of Strauss Family, Waldteufel and Ivanovici classics. All the nuggets are here -- The Blue Danube, Emporer, Skaters and Der Rosenkavalier Waltzes -- in legendary performances. Don't be fooled, this is a great buy!

[poor quality].......2003-02-25

Take your $... and spend it on some cheap beer instead of this CD, You will enjoy it more. However, If you want to hear what "Quality High Fidelity" sounded like on a very low grade record player in the late 1950's, go ahead and buy this CD. It sounds as if it was recorded from a neighbor's 78 rpm player using an inexpensive microphone held up to the speaker.

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.

The Great War: Classical And Popular Selections From The Time Of World War I (National Public Radio Milestones Of The Millennium)

Average customer rating:

Music and the Great War
How a Century Has Change Our Perception of War
Excellent Recording!
Good music, bad title

The Great War: Classical And Popular Selections From The Time Of World War I (National Public Radio Milestones Of The Millennium)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Great War
Over There - Songs From America's Wars
Words and Music of World War II
The Roaring Twenties
Songs That Got Us Through WWII

ASIN: B00000HXKX
Release Date: 1999-01-12

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:

Half the tracks are march or played like one
decent for dancing
Recommended
Wonderful selection, but not really dancing music
This Will Keep You Dancing

25 Classical Dance Favorites

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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25 Classical Favorites
A Night at the Ballet (Box Set)
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ASIN: B0000058IQ
Release Date: 1997-07-01

Tracks:

Blue Danube Waltz
Midsummer's Night Dream: Scherzo
Sleeping Beauty: Introduction
Sleeping Beauty: Adagio pas d'action
Annen Polka
Tales From The Vienna Woods
Turkish March
Bella Bolka Polka
Les Patineurs: Pas de Duex From Les Patineurs
Les Patineurs: Finale From Les Patineurs
Dance Of the Nubian Slave Girls
Samson: Ballet Music From Samson
Entry Of The Gladiators
La Gioconda: Dance Of The Hours
Washington Post
Peaches & Cream
Polovtsian Dances (Extract)
Slavic Dance In G Minor, Op.46 No. 8
Der Rosenkavalier Waltz
Galop (La Vie Parisienne)
Orpheus: Can Can (Orpheus)
Sabre Dance
Gavotta Choro
Faust: Ballet (Extract)
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

Half the tracks are march or played like one.......2007-06-05

This disc reminded me of Leonard Bernstein's conducting: somehow many of his conducting session became marches. Many tracks on this disc is like that. I am a novice when it comes to classical music, so part of allure of this disc was that it contained many titles I didn't recognize, so it wasn't a total loss. I guess I should have read the track listing more carefully... what is Washington Post by Sousa doing on dance compilation?

decent for dancing.......2006-12-31

There are quite a few tracks on here that do well for recital music. THere's different ones from the unoriginal swan lake's and nutcracker..my students loved to hear what came next....it gets better towards the end of the cd!

Recommended.......2005-10-03

For those who would enjoy a fast, fun, and cheerful kind of classical music, I guess this cd is a very good choice. Also, if you want to make your kids a classic music lover, you could start with this fun, lighthearted music.

Wonderful selection, but not really dancing music.......2000-06-27

I agree that this is indeed absolutely beautiful light classical music. It is indeed a perfect beginning to a lifelong passion to have classical music playing in the background or to turn up the volume and immerse yourself in it. But it consists of mostly ballet music, several marches, polkas, an entrance of the gladiators, a gavotte and just to show that he can-can, a delightful little march by Beethoven of all people (Turkish March). Or can you dance to the continuous hypnotic rhythm of Ravel's Bolero? Quite tiring, I would think. Nevertheless, great music at an astounding price. Consider buying all or most of the "25 Favorites" series. You will not regret it

This Will Keep You Dancing.......2000-03-30

If you like to dance and you like classical, this cd is a must have. Who says you can't dance to classical? This CD proves those who think so wrong. Highlights include Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty, Mendhelsson's Midsummer Night's Dream, Gounod's Dance of the Slave Girls and Faust, Dvorak's Slavonic Dance, Offenbach's can-can (yeah!) Katchaturian's Sabre Dance and Ravel's Bolero. All these are excellent. Sousa Marches are here too. You must get this CD if you are a serious lover of the classical. In fact, this was my first Classical CD. Make it a part of your life and dance to the great beats of the classics ! Yeah I'm serious.

Average customer rating:

Fine anthology but still prefer her "Four Last Songs" recording
RIP DAME ELIZABETH (1915-2006)
SCHWARZKOPF ----- ONE OF THE GREATS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
¡PERFECT!
PERFECTA INTERPRETACIÓN

The Very Best of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Great Recordings Of The Century - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Sings Operetta / Ackermann
Strauss: Four Last Songs/12 Orchestral Songs
Schubert: 24 Lieder
Mozart: Opera Arias
Mozart: Lieder & Concert Arias

ASIN: B0000AF1SC
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

Ach War Ich Schon (Fidelio)
Non So Piu (Le Nozze Di Figaro)
Porgi, Amor (Le Nozze Di Figaro)
E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono (Le Nozze Di Figaro)
Mi Tradi Quell'Alma Ingrata (Don Giovanni)
Come Scoglio (Cosi Fan Tutti)
Leise, Leise, Fromme Weise (Der Freischutz)
Dich, Teure Halle (Tannhauser)
Einsam In Truben Tagen (Lohengrin)
Wie Fremd Und Tot (Die Verkaufte Braut)
Bruderchen, Komm, Tanz Mit Mir (Hansel Und Gretel)
Da Geht Er Hin (Der Rosenkavalier)
Es Gibt Ein Reich (Ariadne Auf Naxos) - Richard Strauss
Das War Sehr Gut (Arabella)

Tracks:

Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen
Bist Du Bei Mir
Ridente La Calma
An Die Musik
Der Musensohn
Nachtviolen
Der Musensohn
Auch Kleine Dinge
Mein Liebster Ist So Klein
Verschling' Der Abgrund
Ich Hab' In Penna
Wiegenlied Im Sommer
Mausfallenspruchlein
In Dem Schatten Meiner Locken
Mignon (Kennst Du Das Land?)
Gsatzli (Swiss Folksong)
Fruhling
Im Abendrot
Muttertandelei
Zueignung
Klange Der Heimat (Die Fledermaus)
Es Lebt'Eine Vilja (Die Lustige Witwe)
Im Chambre Separee (Der Opemball)
Wien, Du Stadt Meiner Traume

Amazon.com

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was certainly one of the greatest singers of her own, or indeed any other time. An obsessive perfectionist, her flawless technique and intonation over a huge range, vocal flexibility, breath control, phrasing, stylistic versatility, and above all her focused, radiantly beautiful sound were matchless and incomparable. All these are on full display on this generous 2-CD set, which features over a dozen arias, songs by Schubert, Wolf and Richard Strauss, and some lighter fare. The recordings were made between 1950 and 1967, and the singing becomes better and better, the voice richer and more varied, the expression deeper and more immediate. Not surprisingly, the peaks come in the arias from her signature roles in Mozart's Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Cosi fan tutte; Richard Strauss' Ariadne, Rosenkavalier, and Arabella, which rise to real ecstasy; and arias from Weber's Freischütz and Smetana's Bartered Bride, which are wonderfully intimate and touching. She is less convincing in roles she never sang on stage, and the "childish" voice she cultivated especially for Hänsel and Gretel is unnatural and contrived. The same is true of the last two "popular" numbers, which sound condescending and artificial. The songs, however, have all her customary finesse and inwardness; the Wolf group, perhaps chosen for its gentle humor, is charming, while Strauss' "Four Last Songs" (represented by two) shimmer and soar. Schwarzkopf's singing had instantly recognizable characteristics: a tendency to hold back both vocally and emotionally, giving a sense of noble restraint, but also of cool detachment; excessive use of color and nuance, creating a fussy, calculated and somewhat artificial air. Only rarely does she "let go" with full voice and spontaneous feeling. However, as these recordings show, she invariably inspires admiration and captures ear and heart through the inimitable, glorious beauty of her voice. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Fine anthology but still prefer her "Four Last Songs" recording.......2006-11-06

The engineering and audio quality of these 1960's performances are surprisingly good. The songs are wonderfully peformed and cover a range of periods and styles, but I find myself returning to her recording (also re-released on CD) of Strauss' "Four Last Songs", which I would give 6 stars -- my favorite recording of all time.

RIP DAME ELIZABETH (1915-2006).......2006-08-04

This set is a fine tribute to this extraordinary singer and musician. I was saddened to read about her passing. She had a long life (90 years) and inspired a whole generation of singers and music lovers throughout the world.

SCHWARZKOPF ----- ONE OF THE GREATS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.......2006-01-29

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's career is what legends are made of. She is every bit as fundamental to classical singing in the twentieth century as is Maria Callas. Schwarzkopf sang with refinement, polish, beauty of voice, and meticulous articulation. She was the greatest Mozart and Strauss soprano of her day; her ability to sing the operetta music of Lehar, Suppe', and Johann Strauss has not been equalled; she performed with distinction orchestral compositions of Mahler, Brahms, Bach, and Handel; her Schubert, Schumann, Wolf, and Mahler lieder were exemplary. She sang many operatic roles, far more than many people realize, and was certainly the definitive Marshallin in "Rosenkavalier" throughout the 1950's and 1960'. I saw her many times in recital in Chicago, and even at the time of her farewell (which I was fortunate enough to see), she was sublime. All of the superlative qualities of Schwarzkopf are generously demonstrated throughout these two wonder CD's. Virtually every item is magnificent (though obviously some will prefer some to others) and has the detailed Schwarzkopf imprint stamped right into the music. This CD, great as it is, represents only a very small part of the greatness of Schwarzkopf. I already own tons of her operas and recitals, from which many of the items here come from. But for the sake of completeness, I will probably add it. A person who loves great singing can never have too much of the art of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. She's a vocal icon.

¡PERFECT!.......2005-02-10

I only want to say that you can hear, in this double cd, one of the great singers of all time. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Why? Because she sings all the arias and lieder with pure of tone, brilliance, perfect inflexion, modulation, excellent control breath, measured vibrato, and, all above, great emision of colours. She is master in this art.

PERFECTA INTERPRETACIÓN.......2005-02-09

La mejor recopilación de la discografía de Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Su belleza de voz, la impecable hilación de frases, y, sobre todo, su expresiva interpretación son algunas de las sorpresas que se podrán escuchar en estos dos discos. Sin duda, UNA DE LAS MEJORES SOPRANOS DEL SIGLO XX.

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Songs with Orchestra; Rosenkavalier Suite

Average customer rating:

One of my favorite recordings of Strauss' Four Last Songs
Magnificent!!!

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Songs with Orchestra; Rosenkavalier Suite

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001TSWIW
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Tracks:

Fruhling
September
Beim Schlafengehn
Im Abendrot
Befreit, Op. 39 No. 4
Muttertandelei, Op. 43 No. 2
Wiegenlied, Op. 41 No. 1
Waldseligkeit, Op. 49 No. 1
Cacilie, Op. 27 No. 2
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59: Suite

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite recordings of Strauss' Four Last Songs.......2005-05-03

It is hard for me to imagine that Renee Fleming began her career singing Mozart and Strauss roles, considering the career that has been skyrocketing her into the international scene with bel canto roles and recently, Handelian successes. Most sopranos who succeed in the "Mozart and Strauss" repertoire do not usually become great Italianate sopranos, but Renee Fleming apparently has the throat to sing them all. Now to get to the matter of this recording, I would like to look back to many of the great recordings of these four pieces. Great Straussian staples like Jessye Norman and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf have given these pieces a genius of interpretation that puts a lot of the Vier Vetzte Lieder to substandard class. Schwarzkopf, whose interpretation of the pieces is considered by many the quintessential recording of the work, is in my opinion one of the most expressive renderings of Strauss' final masterpiece. Indeed, one can listen to the emotional inflections Madame Schwarzkopf inserts in every word, and although her attention to detail may bother some, I think in the realm of interpretation no one can ever surpass her. Not even Kirsten Flagstad, who pioneered these songs. Jessye Norman is of course, by far, one of the greatest Straussian vocalists, and it may seem to others that La Norman has a more beautiful timbre, but then I think her recording lacks the intelligence of Schwarzkopf's recording. Janowitz is another great singer of the role, but then Elisabeth's intreprative skills will usually stick to you when you listen to it enough that you find value in every word she utters. Then comes along Renee Fleming. This recording, in my opinion, balances vocal beauty (naturally, it's Renee) and interpretation to a level that will easily place itself with Schwarzkopf's reading of Strauss' piece. Her Fruhling is simply haunting, her September calming, Beim Schlafengehn a jewel to behold, and her Im Abendrot, I believe, to be the greatest Im Abendrot of them all. This undoubtedly is an essential recording, and with the addition of a few songs plus a great reading of Strauss' music by Christoph Eschenbach, I will highly recommend this along with Schwarzkopf's rendition of the Four Last Songs.

Magnificent!!!.......2005-02-04

I'm in LOVE with Strauss...someday I'll sing this and I can't wait!!!! Renee is amazing and molto expressivo, as usual. She soars as if she's as light as a feather yet her voice carries with it so much emotion and heaviness...wow! A MUST have for any serious music lover/collector!

James Levine's 25th Anniversary Metropolitan Opera Gala

Average customer rating:

James Levine's 25th Anniversary Met Opera Gala
Passing the acid test
Great cd
Great variety of fantastic singers!

James Levine's 25th Anniversary Metropolitan Opera Gala
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Giuseppe Verdi , Georges Bizet , Franz Lehár , Charles Gounod , Gustave Charpentier , Johann Strauss II , Jules Massenet , Camille Saint-Saëns , Richard Wagner , Jacques Offenbach , Richard Strauss , Metropolitan Opera Orchestra , James Levine , Plácido Domingo , Renée Fleming , Birgit Nilsson , Bryn Terfel , Roberto Alagna , Anne Sofie von Otter , Samuel Ramey , Ileana Cotrubas , Dolora Zajick , Jerry Hadley , Hei-Kyung Hong , Kiri Te Kanawa , Ruth Ann Swenson , Hakan Hagegard , Karita Mattila , Alfredo Kraus , Grace Bumbry , and Deborah Voigt
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
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ASIN: B000001GRR
Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

Les Pecheurs De Perles: 'Au Fond Du Temple Saint'
Louise: 'Depuis Le Jour'
Faust: Duet From Act I
Giuditta: 'Meine Lippen Sie Kuessen So Heiss'
Don Carlo: 'O Don Fatale!'
Don Giovanni: Sextet From Act II
Romeo et Juliette: Juliet's Waltz ('Je Veux Vivre')
Die Fledermaus: Watch Duet ('Dieser Anstand, So Manierlich')
Werther: 'Pourquoi Me Reveiller'
Samson et Dalila: 'Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix'
Tannhauser: 'Dich, Teure Halle'
La Perichole: 'Ah, Quel Diner'
Der Rosenkavalier: Trio From Act III
A Tribute To James Levine

Customer Reviews:

James Levine's 25th Anniversary Met Opera Gala.......2006-08-14

It is an incredibly beautiful album. As with any album I like some pieces better than the next but overall it is beautiful and soothing. I keep it in the car and listen to it in horrid traffic time. It helps!

Passing the acid test.......2004-07-04

My acid test is whether I leave the CD in the player for repeated (and repeated) playings. This one makes my cut. Every track is not as marvelous as some, but each has its charms. The whole adds up to a delicious opera excursion.

I saw this live and was completely captivated. Without the visuals, it is just as wonderful. I too wish they would release the rest of this marathon extravaganza. It deserves to be memorialized.

Great cd.......2003-08-13

i recommend this cd it's great to listen to while walking the dog.Opera makes fluffy happy.

Great variety of fantastic singers!.......2002-01-07

This is as good as it gets. An awesome roster of international stars singing some of the best (but not the most well known) selections in all of opera, and of course James Levine, the man they are all celebrating. It almost goes without saying that Levine's conducting is without comparison throughout the recording. He is truly one of the best conductors of the last thirty years, and he has molded the Met Orchestra into the best in the world. This celebration perfectly captures the incredibly broad repertoire that he is familiar for. It starts out with a well-rounded performance of the famous duet from The Pearl Fishers by Bryn Terfel and Roberto Alagana. When I bought the CD I had never heard the incredible melody that forms the theme of the duet, but it is one of the best in all of opera. Renee Flemming gives a performance of "Despuis le jour" that would be hard to match for sheer vocal beauty. Her final pianisimo is stunning. Domingo and Ramey sing a typically excellent performance of the Faust duet, while Ileana Cotrubas, in a Lehar excerpt shows why she was one of the best lyric sopranos of the last 25 years. "O don fatale" as sung by Dolora Zajick is the thrilling experience it should be. She nails the top notes perfectly and still maintains the warm fullness of the bottom of her register. The 'bravas' start almost before she finishes her final note. The sextet from Don Giovanni is given a world class performance (I have never heard it done better). Ruth Ann Swenson displays awesome coluratura ability in Juliet's lively waltz song, soaring to a high D in the final cadenza. I am not a big fan of Die Fledermaus, but if you are you will surely love the included duet. I was also never a big Alfredo Kraus fan, and I think he sounds more than a bit strained while singing the famous aria from Werther. Not so Grace Bumbry, who's seductive performance of Delila's music should be the standard for this aria. Deborah Voight's Tannhauser is impeccable, while Frederica von Stade sounds a little shrill in her aria. To round out the program is possibly the most exquisite performance ever of some of the most gorgeous music ever written; the final trio from Die Rosenkavalier. It will make a Strauss convert out of anyone.
There are no problems with the live sound, which is crisp, clean and sounds like it could have come from a recording studio. My only complaint is the lack of an overture or other orchestral number that would showcae the Met orchetra. Overall a CD well worth your money. Hopefully DG will release another CD soon with the rest of the concert. You won't find these selections anywhere else so every minute of it will be new and fresh. Fantastic for hard core opera fans or beginners. Highly Recommended!

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1. Einleitung
2. Er Katzenkopf Er Unvorsichtiger
3. Selbstverstandlich Empfangt Mich Ihro
4. Hat Sie Schon Einmal Mit Einem Kavalier
5. I Komm' Glei......Drei Arme Adelige Waisen
6. Di Rigori Armato Il Seno
7. Als Morgengabe....Ganz Separatim Jedoch
8. Da Geht Er Hin Der Aufgeblasene Schlechte Kerl
9. Ach Du Bist Wieder Da!
10. Die Zeit Die Ist Ein Sonderbar Ding
11. Einleitung
12. Mir Ist Die Ehre Widerfahren
13. Ich Kenn' Ihn Schon Recht Wohl
14. Jetzt Aber Kommt Mein Herr Zukunftiger
15. Wird Sie Das Mannsbild Da Heiraten Ma Cousine
16. Herr Baron Von Lerchenau'
17. Da Lieg Ich Was Einem Kavalier Nit All's Passieren Kann
18. Einleitung Und Pantomime
19. Walzer- Hab'n Euer Gnaden Noch Weitre Befehle
20. Die Schone Musi