Schmidt: Symphony No. 2 In E Flat Major

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Schmidt (1874-1939) is an interesting musical figure in that he is a curious bridge from the 19th century to the 20th in Austro-Hungarian (or Czechoslovakian) music. After Mahler's death in 1911, Schmidt was considered to be Vienna's leading composer (even though Schoenberg lived nearby). Schmidt's music is ornately Romantic and has about it a fin de siecle ambience, a sense of the old aristocratic orders languishing in their twilight years. The Symphony 2 (of 1913) does not have a hint of the Great War to come. It's written in the grand manner of Strauss, but with a touch of Bruckner for structure. --Paul Cook

Tracks:

Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: I. Allegro Con Brio - Concertgebouw Orch/Bernard Haitink
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: II. Allegretto - LSO/Antal Dorati
Romance No.2 in F, Op.50 - Arthur Grumiaux
Pno Son No.14 'Moonlight' in c#, Op.27 No.2: I. Adagio Sostenuto - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Fur Elise (Bagatelle in a, WoO 59) - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Pno Son No,17 in d, Op.31 No.2: III. Allegretto - Stephen Kovacevich
Spt in E flat, Op.20: V. Scherzo: Allegro Molto E Vivace - Members Of The Berlin Phil Octet
Pno Con No.3 in c, Op.37: II. Largo - Alfred Brendel
Sym No.8 in F, Op.93: IV. Allegro Vivace - Chicago SO/Sir Georg Solti
Ov 'Egmont', Op.84 - VPO/George Szell
Vn Con in D, Op.61: III. Rondo: Allegro - New Philharmonia Orch/Alceo Galliera

Tracks:

Pno Con No.5 'Emperor' in E flat, Op.73: II. Adagio Un Poco Mosso - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Sym No.6 'Pastoral' in F, Op.68: V. Allegretto: Shepherd's Song. Happy And Thankful Feelings... - Staatskapelle Dresden/Colin Davis
Pno Con No.2 in B flat, Op.19: III. Rondo: Molto Allegro - Radu Lupu
Pno Son No.8 'Pathetique' in c, Op.13: II. Adagio Cantabile - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Str Qt in B flat, Op.130: V. Cavatina: Adagio Molto Espressivo - Qt Italiano
Bagatelle, Op.126 No.6 - Alfred Brendel
Vn Son No.5 in F, Op.24: IV. Rondo: Allegro Ma Non Troppo 'Spring' - Itzhak Perlman/Vladimir Ashkenazy
Minuet No.11, WoO 7 - ASMF/Neville Marriner
Pno Son No.14 'Moonlight' in c#, Op.27 No.2: III. Presto Agitato - Vladimir Ashkenazy
In Questa Tomba Oscura, WoO 133 - Luciano Pavarotti
Mir Ist So Wunderbar - Hildegard Behrens/Sona Ghazarian/David Kuebler/Hans Sotin
Oh Welche Lust (Prisoner's Chor) - Robert Johnson/Philip Kraus/Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hillis
Sym No.9 in d, Op.125: Chor Finale (Excerpt) - Joan Sutherlan/Marilyn Horne/James King/Martti Talvela/Wiener Staatsopernchor

Customer Reviews:

Excellent sample.......2005-10-25

This two disc set is a good sampler of Beethoven; I had forgotten how inspiring his work could be. This set has motivated me to order all three of the Deutch Grammaphone two disc which together include all 9 of Beethoven's symphonies.

Some of the Best.......2005-09-11

Some of these songs are the best that I've heard. I also enjoy the fact that this album provides the ENTIRE movement or selection, unlike some of the other albums that I've heard that only play for a little bit of the song. One example is Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A Major Second Movement, this movement is one of my favorites to begin with and hearing it so smoothly and masterfully recorded made my heart sing the first time I heard this all the way to end (the other recordings usually stop after the major key shift after the first theme). Also the Egmont Overture is one of the best full versions that I've had the pleasure of enjoying performed this well. The Moonlight Sonata First Movement I found to be nice, but there are better versions out there. For those people just looking for a nice collection of Beethoven songs that are well recorded and well performed, I stronly suggest that you purchase this album.

Storms.......2005-03-09

Classical music compilations are extremely difficult to review. You are always fighting with someone else's opinion of what is "Best of" material. And why should we buy selections when we could buy the entire pieces and hear them played as the composers intended?

A quick answer would be simple: we simply cannot afford to purchase every single piece by every single composer we love. And if the buyer is familiar with the music, he or she would perhaps only want the famous selections everyone knows. In my case, I am particularly picky with recordings and don't have the time to meddle with libraries or going to stores that offer listening stations. Recordings vary greatly and so does playing ability. So why did I go with Essential Beethoven?

It is released with Decca, one of the finest classical music companies out there. You are guaranteed no gimmick or inexpensively recorded tracks on this compilation. Essential B. also has a wider selection than other compilations I looked at. For once, there isn't a movement to be found from the Fifth Symphony. If that's all you want to buy, look elsewhere. Essential B. has pieces I was not familiar with, so here I am listening to it.

Regrettably, there are three distinct issues with this recording, and I want to get them out of the way. 1. Für Elise is atrociously boring to listen to. As a pianist, it is fun to play and almost required learning for the beginner. It should've been dropped. 2. Piano Concerto No. 5 is missing the third movement. It is common to drop the first movement here, but the second and third movements are programmatically tied, providing some of the most emotionally charged music ever put down on lined paper. Also, this rendition of the concerto is less than inspiring and I regret that it is the famous Ashkenazy playing this version. There is almost no life in the playing. 3. The remastering could've been better. The listener will enjoy the loud and boisterous pieces, but the quieter parts, and even the soft piano solos, will have him straining his ears to the point of exasperation. Because of this, I recommend listening on headphones or in a place where you can turn the volume up a little more than usual.

That aside, the rest of the tracks are well recorded, extremely well played, and varied enough to quench even the most learned ears. Decca has included pieces conducted by Sir Georg Solti, one of the greatest conducters in my opinion. (Another "collection" solely conducted by Solti is the "Immortal Beloved" soundtrack.) The orchestral pieces are lush and the range is dynamic. (A little too dynamic, like I stated above, in some areas.) The inclusion of movement IV from Symphony no. 8 pleases me, as I feel this is the least appreciated symphony, overshadowed by Symphony no. 9

The piano pieces are some of the best renditions I've heard. I own all of Ashkenazy's sonatas, so it was nice to hear a movement from "The Tempest" played by Stephen Kovacevich, who plays with fierce determination. Selections from B's piano concertos are fantastic and have prompted me to delve further into listening to more concertos from him. The Rondo from Piano Concerto No. 2, played by Radu Lupu, is one of the most upbeat and wonderfully played pieces here.

To round things off nicely is a movement from the Violin Sonata No. 5, played by the one and only Itzhak Perlman! The piano is caressed by Mr. Ashkenazy himself, and he does so lovingly. You will also find pieces from a string quartet, a violin Romance (and orchestra), and one overture: the "Egmont." I'm not a huge fan of this rendition either, but that's probably because I've heard the Egmont a thousand times.

A huge bonus with this collection are the three choral selections at the end, two of which are from "Fidelio," an opera I've yet to hear in its entirety. The Prisoners' Chorus is beautiful. The introduction sounds very much like a major contribution to Charles Ives's 1906 piece "The Unanswered Question." The compilation ends with Symphony No. 9's finale, but unfortunately, it is a horribly edited excerpt, and mixed extremely hot. I have to turn my volume down everytime this comes on.

I would like to make a little note about the art design, however. Credit here is given to Mark Millington, who did a fine job blending black & white photos of storm clouds, an inspiring sculpture, and blackletter-styled fonts. The CDs themselves are a contrasting bright orange. As a sucker for marketing, I would've plunked money down for this compilation just for the art!

Wonderful selections.......2003-11-08

My kids and I have really enjoyed this CD. This is a great collection of music with high quality performances.

Great intro to Beethoven.......2003-04-05

Great intro to beethoven. There are many great performances by Ashkenazy, Academy of Saint Martin in the fields, Concertgetbouw Orchestra and many other exceptional artists. I would recommend this disc as it contains the masterpieces of beethoven, even though not all of them.

Build your baby's brain through the power of Mozart: Brain 2

Average customer rating:

Enjoyable Classical Music
Beautiful Collection of Classical Music
Build baby's brain with Classics Vol 2

Build your baby's brain through the power of Mozart: Brain 2

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Build Your Baby's Brain
Beethoven: Build Your Baby's Brain 3
Bach:Build Your Baby's Brain 4
Build Your Baby's Brain 5
Beethoven for Babies

ASIN: B00000IPZA
Release Date: 1999-05-04

Tracks:

Overture To The Marriage Of Figaro
Piano Sonata No. 15, K .545
The Sleigh Ride (From Three German Dances, K. 605)
Horn Concerto No.4, K.495
Variations On Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, K. 265
Violin Concerto No.4, K. 218
Piano Sonata No.10, K. 331- (Rondo Alla Turca)
Piano Concerto No.21, K.467
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - (Romance)
Serenade For Winds, K.3 75 - (Adagio)
Selections From The 'Marriage Of Figaro': Cavatina - ('Se Vuol Ballare, Signor Contino')
Selections From The 'Marriage Of Figaro': Aria - ('Non Piu Andrai')
Selections From The 'Marriage Of Figaro': Terzetto - ('Susanna Or Via Sortite')
Symphony No. 38, 'Prague' - (Andante)
Ave Vernum Corpus, K. 618

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyable Classical Music.......2006-10-26

This cd is great because unlike other classical music cds made for babies, this one even adults can enjoy. Sometimes they change the song so that it sounds more like something a baby will appeal too, but this one just keeps the original song format which means even people without babies would be able to enjoy some of Mozart's classics.

Beautiful Collection of Classical Music.......2006-08-07

This is a fantastic CD of beautiful music. It is uplifting and soothing at the same time. I have several good classic music compilations CDs, but this is my favorite and the one that gets played daily! When the littlest one is napping, it goes on. When I'm cooking, it goes on. When we have the TV off and the kids are playing games or making puzzles, it is on! It stays in my kitchen CD player so at a touch of a button, lovely music can fill the house.

Check out the samples above (my [...] especially likes #5, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). It is not "children's music," a disc of lullabies, or something to reserve for baby shower gifts. I cannot say enough good things about this disc! This is great music that makes you feel good - if it is building our brains too, all the better! Try it and enjoy :)

Build baby's brain with Classics Vol 2.......2006-07-25

I am a true fan of Classical music and this was purchased as a gift for a co-worker who is adopting a child from China. Therefore I did not open it nor listen to it. The recipient is now overseas picking up their daughter so I know they haven't had the opportunity to listen to it. I think it's a great idea, though.

Average customer rating:

Uneven quality but great value
A superb collection of Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set]

ASIN: B00062FLJ2
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

Uneven quality but great value.......2007-04-30

Brilliant Classics has found a niche with their extremely low-price multi-disc collections of the work of a single composer or performer. The Bach, Mozart and Chopin Complete Editions are legitimately considered to be artistic and economical triumphs. But the Masterworks series are more uneven. Currently available from Amazon France at about a buck per CD, they're still a bargain for those interested in quickly building a music library. But it's worth keeping a few things in mind. Unlike the Bach and Mozart Editions, these are not always historically informed performances. In this Mendelssohn set, the Hanover Band puts in a cameo (in Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage), but most of the ensembles use modern instruments, techniques and proportions. This doesn't always work out, as in the case of the ponderously heavy recordings of the String Symphonies by an apparently full complement of Gewandhausorchester Leipzig strings (Mendelssohn likely wrote these early works for a much smaller group). The caliber of the performances varies too, ranging from good to poor, and from marquis musicians such as Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau to a few Dutch who-dats. The chamber musicians generally acquit themselves well (though the Octet recording is marred by an engineering flaw in the last movement, distortion, at least on my copy). But the symphonies suffer from some substandard performances, such as the Italian Symphony's live recording with not only audience noise but also ensemble flaws such as a distracting clarinet squeak in the first movement's recapitulation. Another strike is the lack of program notes. Brilliant's Complete Editions provide a booklet or CD-ROM with program notes, but here you'll need to do your own research.

Despite these shortcomings, this set is still good value (at least at Amazon France's current price of 31 Euros). And it's a fine way to become acquainted with Mendelssohn's music.

A superb collection of Mendelssohn.......2007-03-24

Let me preface this by saying that most of these works were not new to me - I own many other Mendelssohn CDs and have enjoyed his compositions for some time now. Also, this set is available much cheaper elsewhere, particularly from European retailers.
The symphonies are well-performed. 'Reformation' is an inspired live recording. The 12 string symphonies, written in Mendelssohn's youth, are also included. The concertos are exceptional - the violin concerto is as good as you'll find anywhere. The oratorios Elijah and Paulus are included, as well as the complete chamber works and a diverse assortment of choral works. The last few discs include the Lied ohne worte, the epic organ sonatas, and excellent renditions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Fingal's Cave. While there are a few sketchy performances in the choral and chamber works, the performances and recordings are generally very solid, and the body of work couldn't be better.

Average customer rating:

One of the best of the Masterworks series
Will not buy this
Worth it!
Great way to jumpstart a schubert collection
Better to Pick a Few First-rate Performances

Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00062FLJC
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

One of the best of the Masterworks series.......2007-07-06

Brilliant Classics' "Masterworks" series, if you can get them cheaply (and currently they go for about $1/CD from Amazon's France Web site), are a great way to amass a significant library of the works of several great computers. The production values and the performances themselves are uneven, and the interpretations are not always historically-informed (unlike the bulk of Brilliant's "Complete Editions" of the works of Bach and Mozart). But there are numerous gems in the rough in The Masterworks, and the economic value is unsurpassed, even if you were to throw away half of the CDs in each set.

You're unlikely to throw away much of this Schubert collection though. This seems to be the finest of the Masterworks sets, with a succession of solid, often first-rate performances of most of the major Schubert works. Here's what you get:

- The symphonies, performed by The Hanover Band in a historically-informed style. Very interesting performances perhaps marred by an odd recording balance that makes the woodwinds sound distant. Takes up four CDs
- The six Latin masses. Also the Deutsche Messe in the version with wind instruments. Five CDs in all
- Edison Denisov's completion of Schubert's unfinished dramatic work Lazarus (2 CDs, Helmuth Rilling's premier recording)
- The last four string quartets (including the Quartettsatz) with #9 thrown in. Also the octet, piano quintet ("The Trout"), string quintet and both piano trios. In short all the canonical chamber works. Performances are strong, and well recorded
- Two CDs of violin/piano duets, including Op. 137 and Op. 162
- 19 of the 21 "canonical" piano sonatas (missing #7 and #12) as well as the Moments Musicaux, Impromptus, German Dances, Wanderer Fantasy and several other piano works, 11 CDs in all. As with the chamber music, the performances and recordings are strong, often stunning
- Two CDs of piano duets, including the Divertissements and D. 617
- Song cycles: Die Schöne Müllerin, Winterreise, Schwanengesang, and four CDs of standalone songs, including such "standards" as Erlkönig and Gretchen am Spinnrade. The singers are a bit uneven here, ranging from standouts Robert Holl, Deitrich Fischer-Dieskau and John Shirley-Quirk to the somewhat shrill Arleen Augér

Missing from the collection is Rosamunde, and a number of famous songs: Die Forelle (The Trout), Death and the Maiden, Ellens Gesang III (the so-called Ave Maria, D. 839), Der Hirt auf dem Felsen and Der Wanderer. But you do have almost all the important instrumental works, and most of the vocal works generally considered to be essential, with some padding added in the form of minor works such as the parochial Deutsche Messe, the German Dances, and the modernist-informed completion of Lazarus by the 20th Century Russian composer Denisov.

As with the other Masterworks sets, there are no program notes. You'll need to do your own research. Answers.com is a good starting point for Schubert compositions. There are also no song texts or translations provided, so again you'll need to track down your own. Try "The Lied and Art Song Texts Page" for lieder lyrics and translations. Hunt down a good price on this collection, browsing one of Amazon's European sites if necessary, and treat yourself to many hours of lovely music for the cost of a modest night out.

Will not buy this.......2007-03-16

I can't see D965 or D945 on this 40 disks worth of Schubert. Bizarre! There are so many great songs missing it scares me.

Worth it!.......2006-12-19

One of the best in "The Masterpices" series. Many of the discs (the symphonies in particular) were licensed from Nimbus and other full-line labels. Not all that long ago these discs would have set you back $18 to $20 a piece. That said, I still wouldn't part with my Hyperion collection. 40 CD's at this price... you can't go wrong.

Great way to jumpstart a schubert collection.......2006-12-19

Hartmut Holl, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Stephanie Brown, and Jaime Laredo as well as the Stuttgart Bach Collegium performing Schubert are hardly "left-behind artists and ensembles" as the previous naysayer states. These are licensed from major label releases and from the original masters issued at a bargain price, especially for the number of discs you get. Sound quality ranges from good to excellent. Good for all Schubertians and anyone who wants to jumpstart a Schubert collection.

Better to Pick a Few First-rate Performances.......2006-11-14

This is a bargain in dollar/listening time ratio, but who cares? There are many second-rate performances by left-behind artists and ensembles. Obviously the economics of resurrecting disks that don't require royalties has been the driving factor of selection. (On the other hand, the complete edition boxed sets of Bach and Mozart, which you'll find if you look, are stupendous successes artistically.)

Prokofiev: 7 Symphonies; Lieutenant Kijé

Average customer rating:

The Berlin Phil. isn't enough--where's the spirit of Prokofiev?
Stunningly good set
Prokofiev Symphonies
Best complete set, but this isn't your grandpa's "Lt. Kije"
There's a reason for everything.

Prokofiev: 7 Symphonies; Lieutenant Kijé

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004SA89
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

1. Allegro
2. Larghetto
3. Gavotta: Non Troppo Allegro
4. Finale: Molto Vivace
1. Allegro Moderato
2. Largo
3. Vivace

Tracks:

1. Allegro Ben Articolato
2. Tema: Andante/Var.I: L'istesso Tempo/Var.II: Allegro Non Troppo/Var.III: Allegro/Var.IV: Larghetto/Var.V: Allegro Con Brio/Var.VI: Allegro Moderato/Tema: Andante Molto, Doppio Movimento
1. Moderato
2. Allegretto - Allegro
3. Andante Espressivo
4. Vivace - Moderato Marcato

Tracks:

1. Moderato
2. Andante
3. Allegro Agitato
4. Andante Mosso
1. Andante - Allegro Eroico
2. Andante Tranquillo
3. Moderato, Quasi Allegretto
4. Allegro Risoluto - Andantino - Allegro Come Prima

Tracks:

1. Andante - Andreas Schmidt
2. Allegro Marcato - Andreas Schmidt
3. Adagio - Andreas Schmidt
4. Allegro Giocoso - Andreas Schmidt
1. Kije's Birth - Andreas Schmidt
2. Romance - Andreas Schmidt
3. Kije's Wedding - Andreas Schmidt
4. Troika - Andreas Schmidt
5. Kije's Burial - Andreas Schmidt

Customer Reviews:

The Berlin Phil. isn't enough--where's the spirit of Prokofiev?.......2006-07-14

I hope Seiji Ozawa is happy that there's one place in the world, [...] where his Prokofiev symphony cycle fills people with joy. Most critics were quite disappointed in his approach, which veers erratically between the genteel, the bland, and the explosive. You can hear all three styles in the opening movement of Sym. #1, which jolts from one mode to the next. Ozawa seems at a loss to find eihter the wit or the classical elegance of this beloved student work.

The companion symphony on CD 1 is Sym. #6, which typifies the strength of the whole set--outstanding playing from the Berlin Phil.--as well as Ozawa's besetting weakness: he can't find a consistent style for the work. As a result, he tends to fall back on generalized music-making. You can't tell which sections are meant to be elegaic, mysterious, witty, satiric, or romantic.

Ozawa does well when the music is lyrical, brisk, or lightweight. He softens the brutality of the machine-driven idiom of Sym. #2 and #3, which spares our nerves; I am grateful for that, and for the Berliners' fearless execution. The Third emerges as a sonic blockbuster with great impact--I was genuinely thrilled by Ozawa's reading.

By general consensus the masterpiece among Prokofiev's symphonies is the Fifth, which has had some great performances over the years, including Karajan's famous 1968 account with the Berliners. Ozawa's agreeable, suave conducting isn't in the same league, but his performance is better recorded, and for sheer impact it can stand with the best. If only he could have found more bite and elan in the music.

In sum, I can see why critics were decidedly mixed about this set and why the new one from Gergiev is likely to eclipse Ozawa totally.

Stunningly good set.......2005-10-21

This really is an untterly fantastic box set. I am just learning Prokofiev's symphonic cycle with these, and I would certainly enjoy hearing something better than this!

The sound is exquisite, the orchestra is utterly tops, the music (other than the 1st and 5th of course) is a bit inaccessible for the neophyte (although I did love my mother's old LP of the 4th as a kid) but is glistening here so brightly it's undeniable.

Recommended.

Prokofiev Symphonies.......2005-08-09

Ozawa conducts Prokofiev complete symphonies in Berlin. You can't get any better than that! In true Ozawa fashion, you can hear just about every line, every staff, every note. He is such a perfectionist that if you haven't seen him conduct live, you don't know what orchestral perfectionisim is. Get the scores and follow along and you will see what I mean.

Best complete set, but this isn't your grandpa's "Lt. Kije".......2004-09-29

I concur with the reviewers who saw exceptional merit in the (undeservedly) obscure symphonies (namely, those other than 1 & 5). Each sound-world has its own charms. One can hear antecedent rumblings of the 5th lurking in the 4th -- as if in nascent form, waiting to open the matrix of the womb. The melodic invention seems bottomless, and the penchant for boldly painted colors never flags. The low brass surprised me at many points -- it seems Ozawa (or his engineers) had coaxed something out of them that was hard to come by under Karajan's baton. While one can argue over Ozawa's take on individual symphonies (e.g., I'd take de Burgos over Ozawa on the 1st), a Complete Set has to be evaluated on its own terms. This one is a true five-star find.

The Lieutenant Kije suite will shock anyone expecting to hear excerpts from Woody Allen's "Love and Death." In two movements (the Romance and the popular Troika), a baritone vocalist covers the main themes (following the 1933 original version). When a previous reviewer lamented the coupling of the symphonies with yet another Lt. Kije, I found it to be a premature judgment. I've heard a half dozen other versions, but this is the first I've heard the original version with the baritone singing the Russian text. Frankly, I don't even think I like the original 1933 version -- but I certainly can't complain that this seventh Lt. Kije Suite was a redundant addition to my music library!

There's a reason for everything........2003-11-27

Prokofiev was a great composer. His first and fifth symphonies can be found everywhere. The others are much harder to come across. I always wondered why. Now I know; they're not nearly as good.

Tracks:

Spring - Michel Schwalbe
Adagio In G Minor For Strings And Organ - Leon Spierer
Valese
Menuetto
Morning Mood
Valse Triste
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor, K. 550 (Molto Allegro)
Symphony No. 9 'From The New World' In E Minor
Intermezzo
'Carmen' Suite, Prelude I (Allegro Giocoso)
Bolero (Conclusion)
'The Sleeping Beauty', Valse
'La Traviata', Prelude To Act III
Symphony No. 3 'Organ', In C Minor (Finale) - Pierre Cochereau

Tracks:

'Also Sprach Zarathustra' (Introduction)
'Cavalleria Rusticana', Intermezzo Sinfonico - Wolfgang Meyer
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Allegro)
Swan Lake, Suite Op. 20, Scene 1 (Swan Theme) - Michel Schwalbe
An Der Schonen, Blauen Donau
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G Major (1rst Movement)
Meditation - Michel Schwalbe
Badinerie From Suite No. 2 In B Minor - Karlheinz Zoeller
Barcarolle From 'La Gaiete Parisienne'
Piano Concerto No. 1 In B Flat Minor (Ex. 1rst Movement) - Lazar Berman
Adagietto From Symphony No. 5
Symphonie Classique (Finale. Molto Vivace)
Dance Of Teh Blessed Spirits From 'Orpheus And Eurydice - Karlheinz Zoeller
Danse De La Fee Dragee
Valse Des Fleurs

Customer Reviews:

Classical music CD for everyone.......2007-01-09

A great selection. I bought one for my husband, and later the other one for my parents.
Quality, and a superb selection of masterpieces.
A must have for classical music lovers, and for everyone who wants to get introduced to classical music.

... in a nutshell.......2006-09-08

Probably the best one-volume compilation of Karajan available, with the most broad-based approachable track list currently being offered to the general enthusiast/collector. Back in the vinyl days, there were two-disc sets available like the "Karajan Super Concert" or the three-volume "Karajan Conducts" set on Angel. Some of these have been re-arranged and re-released with new or different cover art on CD too, but here is a newly remastered set just as good or better than any of those.

It also contains probably the best short essay on what Herbert von Karajan was all about by Axel Bruggemann, that I have ever read. A CD or two of the "Adagio" set by this conductor (also on DG) may be a nice supplement too, otherwise you can't really go wrong with this two-disc set at a fairly affordable price.

Karajan Forever: The "Eternal" Classical Music Album.......2005-09-26

Another fine recording of classical music, as conducted by the man considered to be the greatest conductor of the 20th century- Herbert Von Karajan, whose position as conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic made that particular orchestra unbeatable and at number one in the list of world's greatest orchestras. Karajan was involved with the Berlin Philharmonic's musical development for years, until his death in 89, before the Berlin Wall fell, an event he did not live to see. This recording has to the best of Karajan's many collected classical pieces on record. It is a perfect introduction to classical music itself and to Karajan's style. A plethora of composer and time periods- from Baroque, to Classical to Romantic- are all on here. Vivaldi's Spring opens the CD, and is followed by the melancholy and fatalistic sounding Baroque classic Albinoni Adagio in G. This is followed by Mozart's 40th symhony. The first Romantic Era symphony on here is Dvorak's famous New World Symphony, which Karajan conducts with supreme mastership. The Intermezzo from the verisimo opera Cavalleria Rusticana is on here and sounds absolutely breathtaking. The suite of Bizet's Carmen is musically intoxicating and the Bolero has never sounded hotter, except for maybe Zubin Mehta conducting it which I've heard live and know is absolutely wonderful. The famous Waltz from Tchaikovsky's ballet masterpiece Sleeping Beauty is on here as well as the Third Act Prelude to Verdi's Traviata. The final track on CD 1 is Saint Saens Organ Symphony Finale.

The second disc opens with a masterful version of the powerfully evocative Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, another Austrian composer Karajan championed. The Swan Theme from Swan Lake is on here, as well as the Viennese Waltz favorite On the Beautiful Blue Danube- something I didn't know Karajan even conducted. But being Austrian, I'm not surprised. Karajan even conducted Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus as well as other waltzes. Back to Baroque, he continues with the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by Bach and the gorgeous and somewhat gloomy Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orpheus and Eurydice by Gluck. The CD ends with the elegant and beautiful Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky's Nutracker. This is a must have for fans of classical music, as a lot of favorites are on here.

Meditation!.......2003-07-20

A veritable who's who of pieces & composers, the CDs Karajan Forever will hopefully live forever.
Herbert VonKarajan was the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 1955 until his demise in 1989. His vision & helmsmanship of this magnificent orchestra have literally changed the way a whole generation heard music.

Tracks:

Concerto No. 1 In C Major, Op. 11: Allegro
Concerto No. 1 In C Major, Op. 11: Adagio
Concerto No. 1 In C Major, Op. 11: Presto
Concerto No. 2 In E-Flat Major, Op. 32: Allegro Moderato
Concerto No. 2 In E-Flat Major, Op. 32: Adagio
Concerto No. 2 In E-Flat Major, Op. 32: Rondo: Presto
Konzertstr Piano And Orchestra In F Minor, Op. 79
Konzertstr Piano And Orchestra, Op. 42

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio: Concerto No. 1 In D Major
Concerto Da Camera No. 2 In C-sharp Minor
Introduction And Allegro Appassionata In G Major, Op. 92
'Ode To Spring' Op. 76
Totentanz For Piano And Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

A hard to find romantic selection !.......2004-11-22

The elegant style of Weber Piano Concertos reminds me too much to Hummel , Pixis , Thalberg and Moscheles . They are chiefly written in a gallant style , gracefully combined with delicacy , that was the immediate legacy left for the French Revolution , refinement without deepness , the tearful spectacle to induce you to the great music. After you listen these pages you can easy understand why Beethoven decided to write string quartets , because Rossini and the show business were empowering the Great Concert Halls .
Robert Wolkmann Piano Concerto however owns a certain dignity , you feel the composer has something to say and Jerome Rose does the best he can .
Franz Berwald the Swedish composer had a personal style a little affected but with a great sense of musical architecture .
The CD is worthy in the following items . Alkan Concerto de Camera is a very interesting work , the somber style of the composer helps to Mr Ponti for reaching the goal .
And last we come to a great discovery : The almost unknown introduction and allegro of Robert Schumann in the hands of Mr Ponti , is by far more elaborated than Richter cold version or Ashkenazy cerebral approach ; this is a real epitome of the romantic style in the middle of the XIX century , but when you listen Ode to Spring of Joachim Raff you must beware the enormous neglect the people and mostly of the pianists have had with this work . Freshness , innocence and a deep savoir vivre style in the best tradition of the evasive pages in a century where the nationalism was possibly the most employed word.
And finally with the Totentanz of Franz List you just only find in the market one recording evidently superior : Byron Janis in the late fifties , however this is a real effort made for Michael Ponti and considering this may be well the second best recording of this hard to find work , you should sum and the result is positive for you .
This low prize CD will reward you .

R. Strauss: Complete Music for Winds and Brass, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

R. Strauss: Complete Music for Winds and Brass, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Arts Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Richard Strauss: Music for Symphonic Brass
Richard Strauss: Complete Music for Winds and for Brass, Vol. 1

ASIN: B000007NQ5
Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

Parade March (No.1) For The King's Cavalry Regiment Without Op. No.AV 97
Parade March (No.2) For Cavalry Without Op. No.AV 98
'De Brandenburgsche Mars' (Free Arrangement Of An Old Display March) Without Op. No.AV 99
Military Festival March (Imperial March) Without Op. No.AV 100
Processional For The Arrival Of The Knights Of St. John Of Jerusalem (Investiture March) Without...
Processional For The Knights Of St. John Of Jerusalem (Investiture March) Wihout Op. No.AV 103
Vienna Phil Fanfare Without Op. No.AV 109
Fanfare For The Beginning Of Music Week In Vienna, Without Op. No.AV 110
Vienna Fanfare (Fanfare For The City Of Vienna) Without Op. No.AV 134
Festival Music For The City Of Vienna Without Op. No.AV 133
Ste in B flat, Op.4: Prld (Allegretto) - Blaser Ens Amade/Klaus Rainer Scholl
Ste in B flat, Op.4: Romanze (Andante) - Blaser Ens Amade/Klaus Rainer Scholl
Ste in B flat, Op.4: Gavotte (Allegro) - Blaser Ens Amade/Klaus Rainer Scholl
Ste in B flat, Op.4: Intro Und Fuge (Andante Cantabile-Allegro Con Brio) - Blaser Ens Amade/Klaus Rainer Scholl

Average customer rating:

Panorama: Gabriel Fauré

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005IB63
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

Requiem, Op.48: 1. Intro Et Kyrie: Requiem Aeternam Dona Eis, Domine/Kyrie Eleison - Philharmonia Chor/Horst Neumann/Timothy Farrell
Requiem, Op.48: 2. Offertoire: O Domine Jesu Christe, Rex Gloriae - Andreas Schmidt/Philharmonia Chor/Horst Neumann/Timothy Farrell
Requiem, Op.48: 3. Sanctus: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus, Deus Sabaoth - Philharmonia Chor/Horst Neumann/Timothy Farrell
Requiem, Op.48: 4. Pie Jesu: Pie Jesu Domine - Kathleen Battle/Timothy Farrell
Requiem, Op.48: 5. Agnus Dei: Agnus Dei, Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi - Philharmonia Chor/Horst Neumann/Timothy Farrell
Requiem, Op.48: 6. Libera Me: Libera Me, Domine, De Morte Aeterna - Andreas Schmidt/Philharmonia Chor/Horst Neumann/Timothy Farrell
Requiem, Op.48: 7. In Paradisum: In Paradisum Deducant Angeli - Philharmonia Chor/Horst Neumann/Timothy Farrell
Pelleas Et Melisande, Op.80: 1. Prld. Quasi Adagio - Boston SO/Seiji Ozawa
Pelleas Et Melisande, Op.80: 2. Fileuse. Andantino Quasi Allegretto - Boston SO/Seiji Ozawa
Pelleas Et Melisande, Op.80: 3. Chanson De Melisande - Lorraine Hunt
Pelleas Et Melisande, Op.80: 4. Sicilienne. Allegro Molto Moderato - Boston SO/Seiji Ozawa
Pelleas Et Melisande, Op.80: 5. Molto Adagio (La Mort De Melisande) - Boston SO/Seiji Ozawa
Une Chatelaine En Sa Tour, Op.110 - Nicanor Zabaleta

Tracks:

Pavane, Op.50 - Tanglewood Festiival Chor/John Oliver
Dolly, Op.56: 1. Berceuse. Allegretto Moderato - Alfons Kontarsky/Aloys Kontarsky
Dolly, Op.56: 2. Mi-a-ou. Allegro Vivo - Piu Lento - Allegro - Alfons Kontarsky/Aloys Kontarsky
Dolly, Op.56: 3. Le Jardin De Dolly. Andantino - Alfons Kontarsky/Aloys Kontarsky
Dolly, Op.56: 4. Kitty-Valse. Tempo Di Valse - Alfons Kontarsky/Aloys Kontarsky
Dolly, Op.56: 5. Tendresse. Andante - Alfons Kontarsky/Aloys Kontarsky
Dolly, Op.56: 6. Le Pas Espagnol. Allegro - Alfons Kontarsky/Aloys Kontarsky
Les Berceaux, Op.23 No.1 - Gerard Souzay/Dalton Baldwin
Le Secret, Op.23 No.3 - Gerard Souzay/Dalton Baldwin
Soir, Op.23 No.2 - Gerard Souzay/Dalton Baldwin
L'Horizon Chimerique, Op.118: 1. La Mer Ist Infinie - Gerard Souzay/Dalton Baldwin
L'Horizon Chimerique, Op.118: 2. Je Me Suis Embarque - Gerard Souzay/Dalton Baldwin
L'Horizon Chimerique, Op.118: 3. Diane. Selene - Gerard Souzay/Dalton Baldwin
Apres Un Reve, Op.7 No.1 - Jules Eskin
Elegie, Op.24 - Jules Eskin
Nocturne No.4 in E flat, Op.36 - Pascal Roge
Barcarolle No.2 in G, Op.41 - Pascal Roge
Masques Et Bergamasques, Op.112: 1. Ov. Allegro Molto Vivo - Orpheus CO
Masques Et Bergamasques, Op.112: 2. Menuet. Tempo Di Minuetto - Allegretto Moderato - Orpheus CO
Masques Et Bergamasques, Op.112: 3. Gavotte. Allegro Vivo - Orpheus CO
Masques Et Bergamasques, Op.112: 4. Pastorale. Andantino Tranquillo - Orpheus CO
Cantique De Jean Racine, Op.11 - King's College Chor, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury/James Vivian

Mahler - The Complete Symphonies / LPO, Tennstedt

Average customer rating:

Mostly fine but somewhat uneven
Classic Sound of Mahler from LPO
IMHO best Mahler performe.
Tennstedt's Mahler Cycle: A Best Buy
Challenging, Sensitive, Sincerely Committed Performances.

Mahler - The Complete Symphonies / LPO, Tennstedt
Lucia Popp , London Philharmonic Orchestra , Elizabeth Connell , Edith Mathis , David Hill , Jorma Hynninen , Trudeliese Schmidt, Richard Versalle, Edith Wiens Doris Soffel , Hans Sotin , Nadine Denize , and Ladies of London Philharmonic Chorus Southend Boys' Chor
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies
Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet
Mozart: Chamber Music
Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra

ASIN: B00000C2KM
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In D Major: 1. Langsam. Schleppend - Im Anfang Sehr Gemachlich
Symphony No. 1 In D Major: II: Kraftig bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell
Symphony No. 1 In D Major: III: Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen
Symphony No. 1 In D Major: IV: Sturmisch bewegt
Symphony No. 2 In C Minor 'Resurection': I: Adagio maestoso

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2 In C Minor 'Resurrection': II: Andante moderato
Symphony No. 2 In C Minor 'Resurrection': III: In ruhig fliessender Bewegung
Symphony No. 2 In C Minor 'Resurrection': IV: Urlicht (Sehr feierlich aber schlicht)
Symphony No. 2 In C Minor 'Resurrection': V: Im Tempo des Scherzos (Wild herausfahrend) - Langsam - Allegro energico - Langsam

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 In D Minor: Erste Aabteilung: I: Kraftig. Entschieden
Symphony No. 3 In D Minor: Zweite Abteilung: II: Tempo di Menuetto. Sehr massig
Symphony No. 3 In D Minor: Zweite Abteilung: III: Comodo. Scherzando. Ohne Hast
Symphony No. 3 In D Minor: Zweite Abteilung: IV: Sehr Langsam. Misterioso. Durchaus ppp
Symphony No. 3 In D Minor: Zweite Abteilung: V: Lustig im Tempo und keck im Ausdruck

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 In D Minor: Qweite Abteilung: VI: Langsam. Ruhevoll. Empfunden.
Symphony No. 4 In G Major: I: Bedachtig. Nicht eilen
Symphony No. 4 In G Major: II: In gemachlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast
Symphony No. 4 In G Major: III: Ruhevoll
Symphony No. 4 In G Major: IV: Sehr behaglich

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In C Sharp Minor: I: Trauermarsch
Symphony No. 5 In C Sharp Minor: II: Sturmisch bewegt, mit grosster Vehemenz
Symphony No. 5 In C Sharp Minor: III: Scherzo: Schattenhaft
Symphony No. 5 In C Sharp Minor: IV: Adagietto: Sehr langsam
Symphony No. 5 In C Sharp Minor: V: Rondo-Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: I: Langsam - Allegro
Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: II: Nachtmusik I: Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: III: Scherzo: Schattenhaft
Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: IV: Nachtmusik II: Andante amoroso

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 In E Minor: V: Rondo - Finale: Tempo I (Allegro ordinario) - Tempo II (Allegro moderato ma energico)
Symphony No. 6 In A Minor: I: Allegro energico, ma non troppo. Heftig aber markig
Symphony No. 6 In A Minor: II: Scherzo Wuchtig
Symphony No. 6 In A Minor: III: Andante moderato

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6 In A Minor: IV: Finale: Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': I. Teil. Hymnus: Veni, creator spiritus
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': I. Teil. Hymnus: Allegro impetuoso: Imple superna gratia
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': I. Teil. Hymnus: Allegro impetuoso: Infirma nostri corporis
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': I. Teil. Hymnus: Allegro impetuoso: Accende lumen sensibus
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': I. Teil. Hymnus: Allegro impetuoso: Veni, creator spiritus
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': I. Teil. Hymnus: Allegro impetuoso: Gloria, Patri Domino

Tracks:

Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Poco adagio: Waldung sie schwankt heran
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Poco adagio: Ewiger Wonnerbrand
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Poco adagio: Wie Felsenabgrund mir zu Fussen
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Allegro deciso: Gerettet ist das edle Glied
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Allegro deciso: Uns bleibt ein Erdenrest
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Allegro deciso: Hier ist die Aussicht frei
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Allegro deciso: Hochste Herrscherin der Welt
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Ausserst langsam. Adagissimo: Dir, der Unberuhrbaren
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Allegro deciso: Bei der Liebe, die den Fussen
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Allegro deciso: Neige, neige, du Ohnegleiche
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Allegro deciso: Blicket auf zum Retterblick
Symphony No. 8 In E Flat Major 'Symphony Of A Thousand': II. Teil. Schlussszene 'Faust': Allegro deciso: Alles Vergangliche

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In D Minor: I: Andante comodo
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor: II: Im Tempo eines gemachlichen Landlers. Etwas tappisch und sehr derb
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor: III: Rondo-Burleske: Allegro assai. Sehr trotiz

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In D Minor: IV: Adagio: Sehr langsam und noch zuruckhaltend
Symphony No. 10 In F Sharp Minor: I: Adagio

Amazon.com

Hot on the heels of DG's new reissue of the Bernstein's complete Mahler symphonies and song cycles, EMI has repackaged Klaus Tennstedt's recordings of all 10 symphonies. Although he remade symphonies 5 through 7, these are his first versions, essentially the same performances that used to be available in three separate boxes at mid price. Now at budget price, and at virtually a third of the cost of DG's Bernstein set, Tennstedt's Mahler is one hell of a bargain. The performances aren't as consistent as Bernstein's. The London Philharmonic was never a great Mahler orchestra, and minor errors are fairly common, especially in the Sixth Symphony, which was the conductor's own favorite among all his recordings despite the lapses in the brass section. It's a performance of frightening intensity, and it's easy to understand his affection for it. All of Tennstedt's Mahler features such spontaneity, emotional honesty, and real human warmth that reservations about execution and sound largely fall by the wayside. Hearing it again is a deeply moving experience. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Mostly fine but somewhat uneven.......2007-04-26

Tennstedt's interpretations emphasize the darker side of Mahler's scores; hence he is among the "hands on" Mahler conductors, such as Barbirolli. Especially successful interpretations are those of # 1-3, 5, and 9. The sound is mostly fine analogue stereo, but some of the recordings are problematic: early digital with a nasty, edgy sound.

Some comments of each recording.

Symphony 1. A very fine interpretation, in outstanding analogue sound. Especially the two final movements are memorable showcases for Tennstedt's dark emphasis. But Kubelik's recordings (DG and Audite) are more consistent.

Symphony 2. Excellent drama and tension, but the sound is not entirely satisfying (edgy early digital). Consider Metha's fine recording (Decca) for reference.

Symphony 3. Also a very fine performance, but perhaps not great. Excellent, swift account of the finale. Anyway, first choices are Kubelik (DG and Audite), Barbirolli (BBC) and Schuricht (Classical D'Oro).

Symphony 4. Not entirely successful, too fast and partly weak playing. Popp is excellent in the finale, however. Again, Kubelik is my first choice, followed by Barbirolli (BBC) and Horensten (EMI).

Symphony 5. Excellent! A classical reading of tremendous power and passion. Very fine sound too.

Symphony 6. Bad hammerblows, and a lukewarm middle of the road reading. The most problemtic interpretation in this set. Barbirolli's is my favourite recording (EMI), but Horenstein's is fine too (BBC or Unicorn).

Symphony 7. Slow and entirely unconvincing, especially in a crowded field with great recordings, such as Kubelik's (DG and Audite), Gielen's (Hänssler), Bernstein's (DG and SONY).

Symphony 8. Mahler requires two choirs, Tennstedt uses only one. Thus no "heavenly" sound. In addition, I have hard times with Lott's voice. But the recorded sound is very fine. Kubelik (Audite), Horenstein (BBC) and Mitropoulos (Orfeo) are first choices.

Symphony 9. One of the best recordings in this set, and a moving interpretation as well. Consider Ancerl (Supraphon) and Klemperer (EMI) for reference.

The Tennstedt set was for a long time the best and cheapest bargain set. But now it has been challenged by Gary Bertini's Mahler cycle on the same label. That set is more or less contemporary with Tennstedt's set, but it is generally far more arresting - virtually the interpretations and the recording quality are clearly superior. In addition, it is even cheaper. So my advice is that budget collectors grab the Bertini cycle while it is available. It is the best Mahler bargain cycle, and it is even better than many other, more expensive sets. However, Kubelik's classic cycle on DG remains my first recommendation.

Nonetheless, dedicated collectors should have the Tennstedt cycle too. Recommended, but not without reservations.

Classic Sound of Mahler from LPO.......2005-09-30

Tennstedt has his unique ways and skill of engeenering the sound of Mahler's symphonies.

Personally, I enjoy this CD set of Symphony 1, 5, 6, 8 and 9

IMHO best Mahler performe........2005-07-25

I can say, what sound quality and performe of this symphonies is on top,best i ever heard. I'm professional musician,so this is not just a mere words.

Tennstedt's Mahler Cycle: A Best Buy.......2005-03-19

Whether you are new to Mahler or just a fellow Mahler enthusiast looking for yet another way of hearing these wonderful works, this well-recorded 11-disc set strikes me as a clear "best buy." I recently acquired a brand-new, sealed copy from one of Amazon's alternative vendors for about $40, which works out to less than $4 per CD.

On 19 December 1974 I was fortunate to attend Klaus Tennstedt's American debut concert with the Boston Symphony. The sole work was Bruckner's 8th Symphony (I am amazed to discover that I still have the concert program). The East German conductor was tall, gaunt, and seemingly rather un-coordinated: he almost fell down on his way to the podium. But once he lifted his baton, egad! The BSO, which often sounded so dispirited under Ozawa, immediately caught fire and delivered one of the greatest performances in my entire concert-going experience. Sadly, Tennstedt's later studio recording (different orchestra) was just a shadow of what I heard in Boston.

My interest in Tennstedt was re-ignited a couple years ago by the purchase of an expensive ($225) box set of "live" Mahler recordings put out by the NY Philharmonic. Its main attraction was the opportunity to hear the legendary Mitropoulos 6th (superb!), the 1950 Stokowski 8th (excellent, but no match for Horenstein's), and Walter's Das Lied with Ferrier and Svanholm (preferable over-all to Walter's famed 1952 studio effort on Decca). But the set's two biggest surprises were a hypnotic 7th under Kubelik and a staggeringly brilliant Tennstedt 5th: I can't recall EVER hearing the orchestra sound quite this good in Mahler under Bernstein.

The present Tennstedt set is not at that rarefied level: these are studio readings with a fine but lesser ensemble. The 1st is fairly straightforward and beautifully played, if lacking a little in the klezmer music's inherent vulgarity. The 2nd is very satisfying if, like me, you prefer a less interventionist version than Bernstein's. Regrettably, the sound here is rather recessed - you really have to turn up the volume to achieve sonic impact. The 3rd is better played & recorded than Horenstein's, if not quite its interpretive equal. Tennstedt's 4th is excessively hasty in the first mvt. and Lucia Popp's singing is rather over-extended in the 4th mvt. Beautiful slow mvt., though. The 5th, while to my ears clearly superior to both Kubelik and Bernstein, is not as brilliant as Tennstedt's later live EMI version or the live NY Phil. account. The 6th is a bit "over the top" for my taste and has some messy brass playing, but it's an unquestionably committed account. The 7th is a little tentative in the first mvt. but fine thereafter. The 8th has, along with the 3rd, the set's best recorded sound. It's a performance of real stature, despite an under-sized chorus ("the symphony of 500?"). The 9th is somewhat heavy until the last mvt., which is gorgeously played (likewise the Adagio from the 10th).

So Tennstedt's set, like everybody else's, is a bit uneven. His main competition in the complete set sweepstakes comes primarily from Bernstein (Sony) and Kubelik (DG). Bernstein's is a highly proselytizing Mahler, with frequent dramatic underlinings and triple exclamation points: to my ears Lenny is just a little too exaggerated and inveigling. Kubelik has a rather rustic-sounding orchestra and often veers toward quickish tempos, with recorded sound that is uncomfortably bright and bass-deficient. If you are looking for a first-ever set in reasonably decent sound, this Tennstedt offering is probably the best choice (and by far the cheapest).

Ultimately, just as a meal prepared from scratch will satisfy more than a TV dinner, I feel that choosing individual readings from a variety of conductors is the most satisfying course to pursue. My suggestion: buy this cheap Tennstedt set and then garnish it with some of the best individual offerings, plus a completed version of the 10th and a Das Lied (a symphony in all but name). Here are my current preferences in addition to this Tennstedt set:

#1. The live Kubelik (Audite) is just about perfect - it's even better than his two studio versions. The mono Horenstein on Vox (great interpretation, some scrappy playing) is closer to how the music was played in Mahler's day (e.g., lots of lovely string portamento), and it's available for just $3.98 from Berkshire Record Outlet.

#2. The Scherchen (Millenium), despite some eccentric tempos, has choral entries steeped in mysticism, and Mimi Coertse's glorious soprano voice is unmatched for innocent radiance (what a shame she didn't do a 4th with Scherchen). The studio Klemperer (EMI) is excellent, but I prefer his more urgent live 1951 Amsterdam account, with Ferrier's unforgettably valiant Urlicht (recently available on a Membran CD for just $2.99 at broinc.com).

#3. Horenstein (Unicorn) is simply indispensable. Another of my favorite 3rds comes live from Jean Martinon and the Chicago Symphony. It features spot-on ensemble, a deeply-felt interpretation, and sensational recorded sound. It's available only in an expensive ($225) 10-disc set from the CSO (which includes an outstanding live Bruckner 7th with Tennstedt). I also admire the big-hearted Barbirolli 3rd (BBC) and Mahler disciple F. Charles Adler's old-fashioned account (Tahra).

#4. Horenstein (Chief CD) and Kletzki (EMI) now strike me as the finest stereo readings. Would somebody PLEASE re-issue the enchanting Otterloo (Epic LP)? Stich-Randall's ingenuous soprano was just about ideal. And, last but not least, there's the Mengelberg (on Q Disc and other labels) with the appealing soprano of Jo Vincent.

#5. Tennstedt/NY Phil. is breathtaking, even though I prefer a quicker Adagietto (i.e., Mengelberg's stand-alone reading). A more blunt and very well-played account is Barshai's (coupled with #10 on Brilliant Classics). The early Scherchen (DG Westminster) is also a classic.

#6. My favorites: Barbirolli (EMI), in spite (or perhaps because) of the slow 1st mvt., the blazing live Mitropoulos/NY Phil., and the live Rosbaud (much in need of CD re-issue).

#7. The aforementioned Kubelik/NY is magical, even though the 1st mvt. is quite slow. I also treasure the Horenstein despite its poor execution (better heard on a Descant CD than on BBC or M&A). Scherchen (Orfeo) and Rosbaud (Wergo) present Mahler in a more avant-garde guise: both are riveting performances. The Bernstein/NY Phil. (Sony) strikes me as that conductor's finest Mahler recording.

#8. Horenstein (BBC) carries the day for me. The 1950 Scherchen (Tahra) has problematic sound and some pretty awful singing: soprano Illitsch sounds like a mis-placed Brunnhilde, and mezzo Anday's wobbly vibrato reminds me of Bert Lahr singing "If I Were King of the Forest." But there are moments (the last ten minutes especially) where Scherchen achieves a Furtwanglerish intensity that is hair-raising.

#9. Two that really stand out: Ancerl (Supraphon), especially his electrifying Rondo Burleske, and the mono Horenstein on Vox.

#10. My favorites: Wyn Morris (an Adagio of heart-rending loneliness) and the Martinon/Chicago (too fast in the Adagio but brilliant otherwise; available only in another wallet-depleting 12-CD box set). The Morris (Philips LP) is WAY overdue for a CD transfer. Barshai's 10th (coupled with his 5th on budget label Brilliant Classics) is excellent.

Das Lied. Kubelik (Audite) with Baker & Kmentt is a superb all-round choice. The 1939 Schuricht (Minerva, etc.) has Ohmann's Melchior-like heldentenor (extraordinary!). The finest studio set is probably the Klemperer with Ludwig & Wunderlich (EMI). Ludwig is even better with Kmentt in a live Carlos Kleiber set on Golden Melodram (but the sound is rather poor).

This Tennstedt set is a fine and inexpensive introduction to Mahler's symphonies. After adding a completed 10th, a Das Lied, and perhaps a few supplementary readings, you can then sit back and revel in many hours of glorious music making.

Challenging, Sensitive, Sincerely Committed Performances........2004-04-05

I have the distinct feeling that, in time, Tennstedt's Mahler will grow in the affections of others as it has with me. Simply put, there is something very authentic about these accounts. The sense of commitment is unquestionable. Generally, the interpretations are thoughtful and emotionally satisfying. Tennstedt often digs deeply to ferret a wealth of detail, which provides substantial rewards, including a broader, more fulfilling connection with Mahler's musical messages. (Listen to the thoroughly captivating reading given of the first movement of the Fourth Symphony or the soulful account of the final movement of the Ninth.) The conductor's characterization of these messages tends to be vivid, yet typically free of emotional excess. This is as true of Mahler's uplifting aspects as it is of his anxiety ridden, sardonic and tragic aspects. Where other sets are concerned, I also like Bernstein in his earlier all-New York Philharmonic endeavor and Kubelik with the BRSO on DG. Any of these three compilations merits high marks. Overall, however, it is difficult to pick a clear winner. Each presents individually moving interpretations. My preferred performances in the Bernstein set are 2-3-4-6-7-9 ; in the Tennstedt set, 3-4-5-7-8-9 ; and in the Kubelik set, 1-2-3-5-7-8-9. (Incidentally, after listening to selected excerpts, I'm anxious to hear some of Kubelik's live and complete performances in his Audite set.).... Sonically, Bernstein's recordings are typically fine (but not the Fifth). Tennstedt's are often clear, detailed and ambient, though sometimes there is a touch of brightness and sharpness. Kubelik's are uniformly good except for occasionally tinny sounding trumpets.... Regarding orchestral execution, I am rarely concerned about what some others allude to as occasional inconsistency in the quality of play demonstrated by the New York Philharmonic's horns. Frankly, there are a few intermittent brass problems with Kubelik's BRSO too. As far as what some cite as the London Philharmonic's tendency toward occasional lapses in concentration, either I don't detect those lapses as much or I tune them out or don't care. Tennstedt's is a wonde