Editorial Reviews
David Taylor, Associate Concert Master, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
"This unique chidren's CD is one of the best I have heard"

Philip Feo, Classical Connections Program,Ravinia Festival
Ferdinand & Friends by Drostan Hall is a wonderful and enchanting recording of a true classic story" "Bravo" & "Ole"

Album Description
Drostan Hall-Violin Dorothy Hall- Narrator Lyudmila Lakisova-Piano Douglas Johnson-Double Bass David Cunliffe-Cello This album is especially designed for children and features the famous classic story of Ferdinand the Bull by Munro Leaf. The story is set in Spain and little Ferdinand prefers to sit under his favorite cork tree smelling the flowers rather than fight like the other little bulls. The story has been set to music by Alan Ridout and is written for solo violin and narrator. This is a charming rendition of one of the best loved children's stories. The most famous selections from the Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens such as "The Swan" and "The Elephant" are also included along with favorites such as "The Flight of the Bumble Bee" and "The Laughing Violin". This album also offers some amusing poetry from Ogden Nash's Zoo to accompany the musical selections. An absolutely delightful album for children of all ages.

Ferdinand & Friends

Tracks:

'The Marriage Of Figaro': Overture
Symphony No. 29 In A, K. 201: ll. Andante
Symphony No. 25 In G Minor, K. 183: l. Allegro con brio
Piano Concerto No. 9 In E Flat, K. 271: ll. Andantino
Piano Concerto No. 17 In G, K. 453: l. Allegro
'The Magic Flute': Overture
Symphony No. 40 in G minor: l. Molto Allegro
Symphony No. 38 In D, K. 504 'Prague': lll. Finale: Presto
Serenade In B-Flat For 13 Winds, K. 361/370A 'Gran Partita': lll. Andante
Clarinet Concerto In A, K. 622: l. Allegro
Flute Concerto No. 2 In D, K. 314: ll. Andante ma non troppo
Clarinet Quintet In A, K. 581: ll. Larghetto
Piano Sonata In C Minor, K. 457: ll. Adagio
Piano Sonata In A Minor, K. 310: l. Allegro maestoso
Piano Concerto No. 23 In A, K. 488: ll. Adagio
Symphony No. 39 in E-flat, K. 543: lV. Finale: Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E-Flat, K. 447: lll. Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21 In C, K. 467: ll. Andante
Sinfonia Concertante For Violin And Viola In E-Flat, K. 364: l. Allegro maestoso
String Quartet No. 17 In B-Flat, K. 458 'The Hunt': l. Allegro vivace assai
Violin Concerto No. 4 In D, K. 218: ll. Andante cantabile
Violin Concerto No. 5 In A, K. 219: ll. Adagio
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525: lV. Presto
Requiem, K. 626: Confutatis Maledictis
Exsultate Jubilate: Alleluia

Amazon.com

This is an astonishing collection of works - or parts of works - by Mozart that covers almost every aspect of his creative output: symphonic, religious music, concerti (for piano, horn, violin, clarinet, flute), chamber music, serenades (for strings; winds), a couple of opera overtures and more. Those who know and love Mozart's music will not need this, but it's a great introduction, a great overview. The selections are well-chosen and interestingly organized, with familiar pieces splrinkled among some not-so well known. A good primer. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

How can you go wrong with Mozart?...Buy this and find out........2007-05-13

I was extraordinarely ignorant when I purchased this recording. I thought,"WOW!! Look at all the music you get in this CD set. The price cannot be beat!" When I received the CD, I discovered that you don't really get any music at all. This is a great sample CD, and should be bought by a person brand new to classical music. However, if you have any experience with classical music, you will want to pass on this CD.

Each of the pieces are hacked apart to the point of it being comical. It's interesting to listen to the greatest music in the world, only to have the development cut. All of a sudden I was thrust into a new key, I thought my ears were going crazy. Perhaps an effort by a decent high school orchestra, but this music is not up to snuff with any other recording.

Do yourself a favor and go out and purchase real recordings of Mozart, and not watered down stereotypes.

25 Mozart Favorites.......2007-05-12

Very pleased with product, delivery, cost and service. Will use this vendor again.

Wonderful collection and price!.......2007-05-11

I found this to be a nice collection of favorites, especially to keep in the car and listen to. It is a variety of well known compilations. Although not encompassing, it is perfect as a review for driving, relaxing, and enjoyment. Plus, the price is right!

Nice Mozart selection - Nice price.......2006-09-24

Nice selection of Mozart work that give us inner peace...

Mozart Listener.......2006-08-31

This is a good CD if you like Mozart's music. It is not the best CD I ever purchased. It is nice to listen to it in the morning before I go to work. And I sometimes listen to it in the evening before I go to bed. It is relaxing and soothing. I am not a music major or therapist. This is the best review I can write. Mary Agnes Cross

Average customer rating:

One of the decade's most overhyped albums. (3.5)
A modern classic
Fun Stuff
Certainly More Fun than the Archduke Ever Was
Best pop-rock album of recent years

Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Get Behind Me Satan

ASIN: B0001ZMWQO
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Tracks:

jacqueline
tell her tonight
take me out
matinee
auf acshe
cheating on you
this fire
darts of pleasure
michael
come on home
40 ft

Amazon.com

Franz Ferdinand is an unrelentingly smart, fluffy, and fun debut. This Scottish four-piece plays vaguely angular, guitar-heavy post-pop that makes you want to dance around the room while playing air guitar. It's the ideal hipster guilty-pleasure music. This is what the Rapture and Interpol would sound like if they wrote songs half as good as those they rip off, or the Strokes if their parents had sent them to art school instead of the fashion academy. Every song on here is so blatantly derivative it sounds almost original, like a Blur without the gloomy hangover. It's too early yet to tell if this is just a band for the moment or one for the ages--but who really cares with pop music, anyway? Songs like "Darts of Pleasure," "Come on Home," "Take Me Out," and "Cheating on You" are so good they will surely appeal even to those without slanty, messy haircuts. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

One of the decade's most overhyped albums. (3.5).......2007-07-18

Okay, so in spite the title, the record isn't really bad. However, in spite the glowing reviews of praise, it isn't anything extraordinary or even ground-breaking for that matter. There are too many bands to name of the past 25+ years who played "post-punk" that played in a similar vein to this group. Yet for some reason people go ga-ga on this. I suppose it's another case of the guys being British, and critics just love those kinds of bands. The comparisons to the Strokes made a lot of sense when it was out, as they merely worked better for the release time than actually had a whole lot of verve going on.

There is a certain style to the tracks, I have to admit. It's fairly catchy and not that hard to get into. I particularly am a fan of the lead single "Take Me Out," with its minute-long intro having a classic melody and then it goes into its dance-rock mode for the rest of the song. While I'm kind of glad the hi-hat has been brought back into music during the type of "in" indie music of the past few years, I've heard other bands pull this off in a much more interesting manner. The tracks are fine enough, but can also be a bit redundant and can get old after awhile. There are other moments that I like and it's entertaining so I guess it can work for you. And some of those moments include things like the opening chords of "40" and the record was nicely enough produced.

I suppose it will work for you but while entertaining, it's not that special at all. It seems that in its context people don't even remember the record quite as well as when it was first released.

A modern classic.......2007-06-27

This album won numerous album of the year awards from music magazines and deserved the praise. Franz Ferdinand is an incredibly fun band to listen to and you won't regret picking this album up.

Fun Stuff.......2007-03-19

After hearing take me out over and over again i figured this band wrote one decent song that was going to be hyped until they faded. I imagined people would buy their album based on that song and be thouroughly dissapointed with the rest of the material. Well one of my friends bought it, what fool i thought, after listening through the album while playing ping-pong i realized i was. . .WRONG! THIS ALBUM IS SICK. Fun single note guitar riffs that instantly hook and move you, fun upbeat drums keep it moving as well, creative and clear basslines, and of course some occasional whacked out lyrics. While take me out is a great song there are even better ones. And Michael is a great song to sing along to, especially in your car at a red light-with the windows down.

Certainly More Fun than the Archduke Ever Was .......2007-02-27

Endlessly peppy, FF is a fine listen when spirits are low. But they are as fluffy as Stellastarr* and after the 39 short minutes of the CD, I felt like I'd had enough aural cotton candy for awhile. They play great pop, they sing well, the hooks are irresistible if repetitive and best of all they clearly have a good time without a smidgen of angst drama. Next question -- can they keep that touching lack of self-aggrandizing while toughening their sound and moving beyond gleeful borrowing to some originality. We'll see. For now, keepers include The Dark of the Matinee, Darts of Pleasure, and Michael.

Best pop-rock album of recent years.......2007-02-15

This is a really great CD, it has that raw energy that rockers had back in 1970s and that is long gone from the rock-n-roll establishment. This days you either find energy or decent melody, but almost never these two come together. Franz Ferdinand is making a point of giving each song a "hook" as they call it, a tune that sticks in your head and makes you want to dance or jump or simply listen to it again.
Having said that I was quite disappointed with their second CD which I think does not compare to this one. I hope they will keep writing and singing and performing for years to come. I am certainly looking forward to hearing more of them.

Average customer rating:

Not quite as good as their first
virtuous among us, walk among us.....
So much better!
So much better
Extraordinary

You Could Have It So Much Better
Franz Ferdinand
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Franz Ferdinand
Extraordinary Machine
First Impressions of Earth
Get Behind Me Satan
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ASIN: B000B0WODA
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

The Fallen
Do You Want To
This Boy
Walk Away
Evil And A Heathen
You're The Reason I'm Leaving
Eleanor Put Your Boots On
Well That Was Easy
What You Meant
I'm Your Villian
You Could Have It So Much Better
Fade Together
Outsiders

Amazon.com

After more than a year spent on the road behind their breakthrough self-titled debut--just how many times can Alex Kapranos sing "Take Me Out" without getting his skinny tie into a knot, anyway?--you might expect the members of Franz Ferdinand to feel a little frayed around the edges. But if You Could Have It So Much Better was supposed to be a bloated sophomore album focusing on bad airline meals and cold hotel swimming pools, somebody forgot to tell the Mercury Music Prize winning Scottish quartet. Instead, the Franzies return with a disc packed with thrilling punk-pop treatises like the single "Do You Want To," political rabble-rousers such as opener "The Fallen," and lovely psychedelic ballads that explore the common ground between the Beatles and Bowie, like "Eleanor Put You Boots On" (about Eleanor Freidberger of the Fiery Furnaces, no less). It's a stunning, confident piece of work that suggests the band is merely getting started. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

Not quite as good as their first.......2007-06-27

Franz Ferdinand went downhill a bit with their sophomore album, but "Outsiders" is one of the best songs they've ever released so this album is still worthy of purchase.

virtuous among us, walk among us............2006-09-23

I have to admit, I REALLY like this album. I don't own the first album yet, but I can't imagine how it can be much better than this. It took me three tries to get fully embroiled in this album. Once that happened I have been playing it non-stop. There is definitely a punk base to all their songs, but there's something about the pace of their music (ever changing, pulsatile and jagged, then smooth...) that keeps you imbalanced yet wanting more. I can't wait to try the first album.

So much better!.......2006-08-05

Although I'll admit I like the eponymous album a little better, I find this album a breath of fresh air to my somewhat-jaded soul. I've seen FF on SNL and Austin City Limits; the lyrics blend very well with the music, and there's enough of the unexpected to keep me entertained. I look forward to hearing a lot more from these guys!

So much better.......2006-07-16

This album is amazing. The first 7 tracks are all good, and then there is a mix amongst the last half. To think of the career of Franz Ferdinand reminds me now of the path the Cure took with Boys Don't Cry. There is a great amount of structure to each song, and nothing beats the 3-4 hits such as This Boy and Walk Away.

Extraordinary.......2006-06-08

An extraordinary second album, it's even better than the homonymous.
Songs filled of intelligent lyrics about a group of people living in an industrial and decadent city. The stories are from Glasgow but, like all local stories, the identification is global.

Average customer rating:

Great Teaching Tool
Donna Diana
William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures
Blockbuster demo disk!
Fantastic!

William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Famous Overtures
25 Thunderous Classics
Rossini: Overtures (14)
Orchestral Spectaculars
Symphonic Spectacular

ASIN: B000003CTP
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Light Cavalry
Daniel-Francois Auber
Zampa
Poet And Peasant
Donna Diana
Orpheus In The Underworld
William Tell

Customer Reviews:

Great Teaching Tool.......2007-05-29

The pieces on this disc represent some of the more intersting and dynamc overtures, very suitable for music appreciation classes to point out use of classics and neo-classical music in contemporary culture

Donna Diana.......2005-07-28

This CD has a nice mix of the familiar and unfamiliar --- but all are upbeat and fun to listen to. Well worth the price.

William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures.......2002-09-10

Suppe's Light Calvary and Poet and Peasant Overtures were absolutely grand, as were Daniel-Francois Auber's Fra Diavolo, Herold's Zampa, Reznicek's Donna Diana, Offenbachs Orpheus in the Underworld, and the magnificent William Tell Overture by Rossini. One word of caution: this CD will really test your stereo, the bass actually thunders, and will blow your socks off. Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Orchestra did a fine job, I would recommend this CD to anyone who loves the thunderous music of an orchestra, you cannot go wrong buying this CD, I love it on the car stereo and at home.

Blockbuster demo disk!.......2000-09-22

The Telarc label does it again. This is the perfect disk for showing off your sound system. Great recordings and great selection of overtures. I've been listening to this CD for about 15 years now and the Orpheus in the Underworld track still sends chills up my spine.

Fantastic!.......2000-05-26

Couldn't ask for anything more from a CD full of famous overtures. Kunzel and co. rock my world yet again.

Average customer rating:

Brilliant Artist!
Incredible technique and emotional range
Incredible Musicality and Technique!!!
any kid can do it

Romance de Amor

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Si ji (Four Seasons)
Romance
Chamber Music
Jubilation
Shostakovich: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B000HIVGT4
Release Date: 2007-02-06

Tracks:

Asturias
Romance De Amor
Recuerdos De La Alhambra
Zapateado
Michelle
Cavatina
El Colibri
El Condor Pasa
Seis Por Derecho
Un Sueno En La Floresta
Etude No. 7
La Cumparsita
I Believe
Sakura
Spring Breeze
Anak

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant Artist!.......2007-06-01

I just received Xuefei Yang's "Si Ji" and "Romance De Amor" from Amazon. Xuefei's playing is both powerful and exquisite. Specifically, I want to mention about the piece "Romance De Amor". This is my all time favourite solo guitar piece. Xuefei's interpretation of this piece is personal and intimate, and I enjoyed it very much. She plays it as if gently caressing her lover in her arms, almost to the point of being too careful; by her playing, one can really hear that she loves the piece "Romance De Amor".

With due respect to Xue Fei's insightful performance, I have my very own reference performance of "Romance D'Amour" that is truly haunting, romantic, passionate, and nostalgic. Listening to it really gives a sense of the 1970's -- the self discovery and the lost of innocence of the period. It is the best I have heard (maybe you may feel the same if you heard it). Many other performances simply fall flat compared to the one I have.

About it's history: My father bought a classical guitar music tape in 1979 when I was living in Macao. This tape has travelled far with us, and been played many, many times. The tape is by some foreign label that probably does not exist anymore; internet searches does not bring anything up. Consequently, I cannot find a copy of this anywhere in CD format or tape. What a shame.

Last year, I bought myself an elite Nakamichi (one of the best) 3-head tape deck and a Pioneer CD recorder (not the computer kind), and transferred this music from tape to CD. Now, it is preserved and I no longer need to worry about further deteriorating the tape everytime I play it. The transfer is as ideal as I can get it, with a bit of tape hiss, but with the Nakamichi deck's purity and great sonics shining through.

Drop me an email at "kyleyyi@gmail.com" for further discussion on this rendition if you're interested. And yes, it is also called "Romance D'Amour".

Incredible technique and emotional range.......2007-05-12

Following "Si Ji" is no small task. That CD was a masterpiece of modern guitar; so different from anything else out there that it shines in a totally different light.
That being said, "Romance de Amor" showcases some of the great gems of this instrument's repertoire by one of the world's premier guitarists. Yang Xue Fei is a masterful technician, but make no mistake, emotionally she gives her all in every note. After listening to 3 of her CD's (the two already mentioned, and "Classical Guitar") I've been impressed with her passion for music. I've heard her say that she looks at the guitar as a lover. Her playing shows this by being at turns powerful, seductive, intimate, tender and even humorous. She can play incredibly fast and still retain her phrasing and subtlety.
"Asturias" has rarely been so explosive
"Requerdos de la Alhambra" breaths with a life of its own thanks to her pacing
"El Colibri" is a great example of her speed and accuracy
If you are at all a fan of classical guitar, you've heard these pieces from other artists. Part of the fun of this genre is hearing how individual artists interpret the same piece. I love the sensitivity of Ana Vidovic, the smokiness of Lily Afshar, the intelligence of the Assad brothers and the sheer artistry of John Williams, and this is just to name a few. One might think that Segovia laid down the law for pieces like Asturias (judging from Christopher Parkening's description of his studies with this great master, Segovia certainly thought so), but Yang Xue Fei is such a wonderful talent, she is a law unto herself. She displays a vitality that makes each piece uniquely hers. To take ownership of these songs with such authority across the board makes this CD a worthy addition to any collection.

Incredible Musicality and Technique!!!.......2007-03-24

Wow! I just bought this cd and have listened to it over and over again. Fantastic interpretations of the classics. I fell in love with these standards all over again. Incredible tone and technique. Buy it now!!!!

any kid can do it.......2007-03-20

just terrible makes one want to leave the room

Average customer rating:

Fantastic Debut
Heard it on madden-now enfatuated
It's A Love-It Or Don't-Get-It Album. I Have The Bliss Of Understanding The Love-It Side
Some very good new-wave influenced alternative pop-rock
AMAZING album

Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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You Could Have It So Much Better
You Could Have It So Much Better
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Hot Fuss

ASIN: B0006B29WA
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Tracks:

Jacqueline
Tell Her Tonight
Take Me Out
The Dark Of The Matinie
Auf Achse
Cheating On You
This Fire
Darts Of Pleasure
Michael
Come On Home
40'

Tracks:

This Fffire Rich Costey Re-record
Van Tango
Shopping For Blood
All For You, Sophia
Words So Leisured

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Debut.......2006-03-11

Franz Ferdinand's music is incredibly powerful and unique. There's just something about it that makes you want to just stand up and dance. This "Special Edition" of the bands self-titled debut comes with a bonus disc containing five tracks that were left off of the original pressing. The five tracks are "This Fffire", which is a remix of the single found on the original album. Next up is the funky b-side "Van Tango" which, as the title suggests, is a great song to dance to. Track three on the second disc is another b-side which was left off of the album, "Shopping For Blood". This a great song, with a great beat, and great lyrics. Next up is yet another b-side, "All For You, Sophia". The final track found on this bonus disc is an alternate take of the single "Darts Of Pleasure" retitled from the song lyric "Words So Leisured". I personally find this second disc to be a waste, considering the fact that these tracks could just be part of one CD.
The Original Album: From the minute you hear the opening guitar strum of "Jacqueline" you know that you will be in for a treat. Suddenly, out of the acoustic guitar melodies of the intro, the bass kicks, then so does heavily distorted guitar. Magnificently composed. Track number two, "Tell Her Tonight" is a highly infectious, funky track with a great guitar riff. The Singles: The very first single we heard from Franz was the smash hit "Take Me Out". No wonder this song became a hit! From it's opening lyric "So if you're lonely. . ." you are hook. Right before the chorus begins, the instrumentation breaks down to a crawl, and then the fun begins. "The Dark Of The Matineè" was released as a single as well. Probably the most controversial single released from this album has to be "Michael". The song seemed to be a homosexual, erotic theme for the gay community, and law officials were certain to point that out. In all reality, the song was written about one of the bands friends who got drunk at a bar and began hitting on a man. "Darts Of Pleasure" comes next. "This Fire" was the very last single to be released from the album, and proved to be a hit.
This is a great album and I highly recommend that you try it out.

Heard it on madden-now enfatuated.......2006-02-06

This was a great album i like every song on this cd, i have not bought their sophmore cd hopefully a slump is not in the future.

It's A Love-It Or Don't-Get-It Album. I Have The Bliss Of Understanding The Love-It Side.......2006-01-06

There is not a single song that can be described as bad on this album. Sure, the background singing in TELL HER TONIGHT is terrible, but besides that, what is there to complain about? I've noticed from the reviews that a lot of people love this album or just don't get it. Luckily I am one of the love-it people, and maybe you are too if you give the album a chance.

JACQUELINE--This song starts out slow and soft and you're not sure if you care to listen to the rest of the song. But 40 seconds into the song, it picks up and turns itself into an awesome rock song with some serious guitar playing and drumming. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

TELL HER TONIGHT--While this song is the worst song on the original album, it still maintains not being bad nevertheless. The "home demo" on the album DARTS OF PLEASURE, however, is so bad that it's hilarious. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy

TAKE ME OUT--This was the song that Franz Ferdinand performed on one of the worst episodes of Saturday Night Live that I've ever seen that got me into the band's music. The awesome lead guitar and great tune are perfection. A must to hear. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

THE DARK OF THE MATINEE--The best song on the album. It even outdoes TAKE ME OUT. The lyrics are a bit soft, but the chorus is awesome and so is the music. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

AUF ACHSE--This is the softest song on the album, and it still is good nevertheless. The singing, piano, and bass all add up to make a good song. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

CHEATING ON YOU--This fast paced song is probably better than TELL HER TONIGHT, but nothing else on the album. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

THIS FIRE--A very good song. Very fast paced, though not nearly as much as CHEATING ON YOU. The drums go very good with the guitar rythem. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, and Paul Thompson.

DARTS OF PLEASURE--This song is also very good, but not quite as much as THIS FIRE. It transits well between the soft rock and the hard rock. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Paul Thomson.

MICHAEL--This song was based on an experience of a friend of the band's. It has good rock, especially the lead guitar playing. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

COME ON HOME--A relatively good song, though the chorus isn't that great. It's no match for TAKE ME OUT or THE DARK OF THE MATINEE, but it's still a good song. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy

40'--I was first introduced to this song from the trailer of IN GOOD COMPANY, and recognized it immediately when I heard it. It's a pretty good song, featuring the soon-to-become- frequent la-la-la-la-la-las. (They are featured frequently in the next Franz Ferdinand album, YOU COULD HAVE IT SO MUCH BETTER). Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

THIS FFFIRE--I really don't see much of a difference between this song and THIS FIRE. The assemblance of the lyrics is a bit different, but otherwise it almost sounds exactly the same. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy and Paul Thomson.

VAN TANGO--The only Franz Ferdinand song so far to not be sung by Alex Kapranos. And it's a bit evident why. Nick McCarthy's voice isn't bad for singing, but he sings the song with a high pitch and lazy sound. He works better for backup, though it is always interesting to hear a song not sung by the lead singer. Featuring vocals by Nick McCarthy, Alex Kapranos, and Paul Thompson.

SHOPPING FOR BLOOD--Okay, probably the worst song on the album. I haven't listened to it much, but I don't like it from what I've heard. Alex Kapranos's voice just wasn't meant to sing so low and rough. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos, Paul Thompson, and Nick McCarthy.

ALL FOR YOU, SOPHIA--This song is rather repeatative, but it is appreciative after the last song. The chorus really goes deep into being repeatative, with the same four words being being repeated over and over and over again. Featuring vocals by Nick McCarthy and Alex Kapranos

WORDS SO LEISURED--This song takes some of the words from DARTS OF PLEASURE, and puts them to a slow, soothing melody. However, I think they overdid the soothingness and slowness. It's just not enough of a song now. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos.

Some very good new-wave influenced alternative pop-rock.......2006-01-04

Franz Ferdinand is another entry into today's trendy "new-wave-influenced-alternative-pop-rock". Their first self-titled album is full of fun and catchy songs, but they aren't interesting or thought-provoking enough to truly make it a classic and an essential own (the album doesn't seem to have much soul to it). I can't put my finger on it but there's also something about the songs that make it kind of cheesy (they don't sound..."serious", and this hurts the rating). A lot of the songs are memorable lyrically simply because they're simple and catchy (it's easy to sing along) - they're definitely not deep, though. The musicianship is occasionally interesting but in a generic kind of way. All things aside, however, there is a high probability that you'll like this album, so for that reason alone I'd recommend buying it. The bonus tracks help, but not by much. Not an essential album but worth getting if you have the extra cash. Recommended.

Highlights include:
the whole album!

AMAZING album.......2005-11-16

Without a doubt, this is the single best album of 2004. And NOT because of their 2 hits- "Take Me Out" and "This Fire."

The album is great because it's almost a re-invention of indie rock. Franz has such a unique indie sound that one can't help but be drawn in. After "Take Me Out" hit such high heights, I decided to check the album out... and to my initial surprise, I was absolutely blown away. I dare a true rock fan to listen to the album and find even ONE bad song.

Franz is also an interesting band because of their lyrics- one song can have entirely one dimensional (and rather repetitive) lyrics, while the next song will have true meaning. If you want songs with great lyrics definitely check out "The Dark of the Matinee" (my personal favorite song on the album) and "Come On Home." Those songs have some true feeling.

The rhythms of EVERY song are just great. They really make you want to move and (for me) they just make you so happy. It really is a cheer-you-up kind of album.

While I am certainly not trying to present Franz as some kind of earth-shattering new sound/band/movement- I AM saying this is just a great listen. Their unique sound has given me new hope in indie rock (along with a great band named Kasabian- check them out, too) and I can tell they have some staying power (check out Franz's new album- You Could Have It So Much Better- it's also great, even though it sounds similar to this one).
So, if you've only heard their singles and hits, check out the whole album- it'll be a pleasant surprise. I know it was for me.

Average customer rating:

Stalwart singing from the young Windgassen
There is beauty here...
A Jewel of Wagner.

Wolfgang Windgassen singt Wagner

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Wagner: Das Rheingold

ASIN: B000M05VOS
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Customer Reviews:

Stalwart singing from the young Windgassen.......2007-04-15

It's shocking to think that Windgassen died when he was 60, but here in these mono recordings from 1953-55 he was turning forty and well on his way to being the almost-heldentenor, the voice everyone turned to for Wagner when a real heldentenor wasn't available, a drought that lasted basically from the end of World War II until the appearance of Jon Vickers in the late Fifties (and Vickers never sang Siegfried to my knowledge). The young Windgassen wasn't yet a formed artist; his interpretations sound straightforward. His voice was never beautiful, either, and he didn't have the true ease and heft for Tristan or siegfried.

Yet with all those deficits, he had a great career becasue he was intelligent and musical. He never bellowed, and his stage presence was intense and committed. All these mixed qualities come across on this Cd, for good or ill. I will never be able to love Windgassen's voice, but I am grateful that he was around when so sorely needed.

There is beauty here..........2007-03-21

This is a remarkable disc, and is a welcome boon to fans of fine singing, and of Wolfgang Windgassen. Here his voice is caught in its absolute prime- strong, expressive, steady of tone, and simply beautiful to hear. Windgassen had a distinctive sound to his voice and intelligence in phrasing. He also knows what he is singing, and what he feels. These qualities make these studio recordings come alive as if he were singing the performances on stage, so much does his performance grab you and pull you in to the drama. If you are only familiar with Windgassen in his later recordings under Solti and Bohm, you owe it to yourself to hear him in these recordings of a decade earlier. A disc recommended to any who enjoy Wagner and Wagnerian singing at its best.

A Jewel of Wagner........2007-03-13

This collection is immaculate: nearly all the great heldentenor arias from Wagner are there. And they were sung to heavenly standard here by Wolfgang Windgassen.
I don't care if it's mono or stereo or what not. The voice is SO good...I don't know how to describe it, suffice it to say that I've heard no less than a dozen heldentenors' various recordings, and find this to be THE one.
No wonder Wieland Wagner used to say that if Windgassen retires, his Bayreuth Opera Festival might as well wind up for good!
Rarely do one find such a fine collection - all the great arias - the Forging Song from Siegfried, the Prize Song from Meistersinger, the Farewell Song from Lohengrin, those other famous arias from Tristan und Isolde, Rienzi, Tanhausser, Goetterdamerang, you name it - they are there.
And they are all very satisfying - the tone is never harsh, never dull, never lacking in ardour; burnishing and vigorous, yet at the same time, lyrical! What a miracle in a heldentenor.

Average customer rating:

Protestant Work Ethic
Very good ALL STEREO recording; great value
Brahms quintets
First-Rate Quintets

Brahms: The Complete Quintets

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000041C0
Release Date: 1995-06-13

Tracks:

Piano Quintet In F Minor, Op. 34: 1. Allegro non troppo
Piano Quintet In F Minor, Op. 34: 2. Andante, un poco adagio
Piano Quintet In F Minor, Op. 34: 3. Scherzo. Allegro
Piano Quintet In F Minor, Op. 34: 4. Finale. Poco sotenuto - Allegro non troppo
The Complete Quintets: 1. Allegro non tropo, ma con brio
The Complete Quintets: 2. Grave ed appassionato - Allegretto vivace - Tempo I - Presto
String Quintet in F, Op. 88: 3. Allegro energico

Tracks:

String Quintet In G, Op.111: 1. Allegro non troppo, ma con brio
String Quintet In G, Op.111: 2. Adagio
String Quintet In G, Op.111: 3. Un poco allegretto
String Quintet In G, Op.111: 4. Vivace ma non troppo presto
Clarinet Quintet In B Minor, Op.115: 1. Allegro
Clarinet Quintet In B Minor, Op.115: 2. Adagio
Clarinet Quintet In B Minor, Op.115: 3. Andantino - Presto non assai, ma con sentimento
Clarinet Quintet In B Minor, Op.115: 4. Con moto

Customer Reviews:

Protestant Work Ethic.......2007-02-17

When I first heard Brahms' prodigious Piano Quintet in F minor on a Columbia vinyl in the 1960s, the performance struck me as rough. The Werner Haas performance seems smoother; but the initial impression of roughness derives from the composition itself. The work comes from the same early stage of Brahms' career as the D minor piano concerto and like it is some of the stormiest romantic music ever written. When the main theme of the first movement gets started, it could not be more emphatic; the strings sound momentarily distraught despite going on to gentler music in major key. There may be something truculent about the key of F minor; but the music sounds like a personal, Promethean manifesto in the same way as the D minor concerto. Throughout his career Brahms sounds a note of stressful effort-- a quality he seemed to derive in part from Beethoven. The effect is the opposite of Mozart's impression of effortlessness based on the "art of concealing art." Because Brahms was from Hamburg in Protestant northern Germany, I associate this impression of stern effort with the "Protestant work ethic." Brahms reinforced this impression when he said that he envied Johann Strauss for his ability to produce so many popular melodies. Although Brahms is profoundly eloquent in his own way, easy gracefulness was not in him.

Even in the slow second movement of the F minor quintet, Brahms sounds as though he is grunting and sweating. In the 1960s my young wife used to refer to Brahms as a "tired old man." Although there is nothing tired about the music itself, it can make a hearer feel fatigued from the perpetual sense of effort. Brahms supposedly derived from Schumann; but Schumann's music is more fluent and impulsive. Brahms and Beethoven are the definition of compulsiveness in music. I was not surprised to discover that Beethoven once said, "Artists are fiery and do not weep"-- fiery, choleric, headstrong and compulsive. What I hear in Brahms' music is the same cultural theme as in Tennyson's poems "Ulysses" and "The Lotus-Eaters"-- an effort to keep striving rather than dropping out of history and turning into the likes of Debussy, master of the drifting "Lotus Eaters."

What could be more compulsive than the relentless, hammering chords of the third movement of Brahms' piano quintet? The rhythm of this movement sounds like a horse managing to gallop despite having its hind legs tied together. When the composer turns to the "Poco sostenuto" at the start of the fourth movement, he halts the tempo and gives us a taste of hot tears, followed by more sound and fury signifying much. In this "Allegro non troppo," he turns to wild Gypsy music for an outlet. The work is an expressive masterpiece and furnishes a striking contrast to the equally engaging Piano Quintet in A minor by Swiss Joachim Raff. Raff's piece starts off with a comparable sense of struggle but is smoother, more gracefully lyrical and less dramatic than Brahms' furious work. Whenever I deal with Raff now, I react against a hideously negative and misguided response to his music in the Music Guide. In an environment created by such reviews, I recommend an experiment. Play Brahms' and Raff's piano quintets one after another starting with Brahms and try to explain away the sense of complementary balance and plenitude achieved by these two contrasting styles.

Very good ALL STEREO recording; great value.......2006-02-02

There is nothing mono on this CD, contrary to one reviewer's comments.

If this were a "full price" CD pair, I might have rated it with a four=star mark. (Again, why won't Amazon allow half-star ratings?)

I don't like Brahms too romanticized, but thought the clarinet in the Clarinet Quintet could actually have used a bit more of that.

Brahms quintets.......2005-07-24

A valuable performance of all Brahms quintets in one set of CD's, which pays off for the fact that this is a relatively old Mono recording.

First-Rate Quintets.......2003-11-04

I love the Philips Duo series -- you always get a lot of music in slim, space-saving jewel cases for surprisingly little money. This outstanding CD collects all four of Brahms' Quintets as performed by pianist Werner Haas and/or members of the Berlin Philharmonic Octet from the early 1970s. Originally I had bought three different CDs in order to get the very same music featured on this set -- the String Quintets by Juilliard with Walter Trampler added, the Piano Quintet (with the Dvorak PQ as well) by Guarneri and Rubinstein, and the Clarinet Quintet (coupled with Mozart's) by Emerson. Those performances were all excellent but when I began running out of room on my CD shelves (a constant problem for us serious collectors), I wised up and replaced three CDs with this one Philips Duo two-fer. Well, I certainly didn't sacrifice musical quality in my quest to consolidate my holdings. If I had to do it all over again, I would just buy this title and save myself some time, money and space.

Average customer rating:

Five stars for five winning performances.
Great Performances Indeed!

Favorite Overtures

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Famous Overtures

ASIN: B0000025ME
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Zampa Overture
Mignon Overture
Raymond Overture
Poet And Peasant Overture
William Tell Overture

Customer Reviews:

Five stars for five winning performances........2003-09-19

I owned the LP of this back in the early 1960s (the cover showed a bright red apple with a target painted on it) and played these pieces over and over. The music is wonderful, the performances among Bernstein's best, and the sonics spectacular. I wish I still had my vinyl copy, however, because I would love to compare it to this CD-for sonics, I suspect the LP would win.

Not that the CD is bad, but Columbia LPs in those days were produced with a very recognizable equalization that is not apparent here. And as I remember, there was somewhat more detail on the LP, especially in the strings and in the many bells that decorate these quickly recognizable, entertaining pieces. (Each of the five compositions held a firm place as background music for Warner Brothers cartoons.)

However, the CD is entirely listenable (and certainly contains no pops or scratches). I will be interested to hear the SACD version if Columbia ever produces one. From what I have heard, Columbia's few SACD reissues sound more like the LPs. In any case, the product labeling is poor. The front cover says, "Digitally mastered analog recording," while the back cover informs us that the disc is AAD. (The disc itself says AAD, but it wouldn't be the first mislabeled CD.) No date of production whatsoever appears, though we learn that the cover was designed in 1981. (Give me the apple with the target on it.) The interesting liner notes are what appeared on the back of the LP, no more, no less.

It's not an expensive disc, and some of the pieces, oddly, are not easy to find. Get it!

Great Performances Indeed!.......2001-08-04

This disc which is aptly named "Favorite Overtures" captures Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic at the peak of their creative powers during the 1960's. Each of the five overtures are gems, but of particular delight are the Mignon and Raymond Overtures by Ambroise Thomas. The Raymond Overture with it's galloping opening motive is a hidden treasure which has not been recorded very often. Thankfully, Bernstein gives us a rendition of Raymond that could only be described as definitive. The other overtures on this disc are Zampa, Poet and Peasant, and William Tell. Not only are they expertly played, but their sound is in the demonstration class which is amazing considering that they were made nearly forty years ago. The fact that this disc has remained in circulation for so long speaks for itself. My highest recommendation.

Haydn, Hummel, David, Wgenseil: Concertos for Trumpet & Trombone

Average customer rating:

Haydn, Hummel, David, Wgenseil: Concertos for Trumpet & Trombone

Manufacturer: Arte Nova Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Hummel: Missa Solemnis in C Major / Te Deum
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ASIN: B0007X9TSE
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Album Description

"ALERT AND INVIGORATING PERFORMANCES OF TWO OLD FRIENDS: The subtle inflections Jeffrey Segal brings to the trumpet's only genuine Classical concertos, the Haydn and Hummel, is just what the catalogue needs. His musical line is seamlessly stylish, velvety in its natural lyricism and boasting an attack as clean as a whistle.

Both works are blessed with gorgeous orchestration although its essence is habitually under-explored in most recordings. But not with David Zinman and his characterful Zurich players who relish the dialogues between wind and trumpet in the Hummel and an unforced transparency of strings in the Haydn, as well as delighting in lively and unpredictable articulation. It really is a testament to how a vigorous imagination can still render old warhorses afresh. Brass specialists will also enjoy the original E major key of the Hummel (unrecognised in the documentation) which makes sense of the irradiating textures...Bertoncello's legato playing is truly melting and the buoyant Allegro lifts the spirits." -GRAMOPHONE (March 2005)

Australian-born Jeffrey Segal was performing professionally as a trumpeter by age 17. A student of the legendary Edward Tarr, he became solo trumpeter with the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra in 1991. He became principal trumpet of the Tonhalle Orchestra, Zürich, in 1996.

Also from Australia, Michael Bertoncello took up the trombone at age 13, after studying the euphonium for six years! Bertoncello soloed with all the Australian orchestras, then the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Tonhalle Orchestra, Zürich, where he was named principal trombonist in 2001.

Ever since 1999, when the Tonhalle Orchestra was awarded the German Record Critics' Award for its seminal recording of all Beethoven's symphonies, the oldest symphony orchestra in Switzerland has been the focus of international interest. David Zinman has been Chief Conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of the Netherlands, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and now the Tonhalle Orchestra, Zürich.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Sonic Souvenirs [EP]

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Redundant [CD-single]

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All the Things You Said...

Together Brothers [Soundtrack]

The Secret Garden (1991 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Romantic Moments, Vol. 8: Bach

Teddy Boy Anthems

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Sylvia [Original recording remastered] [Import]

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Si Dios Me Lleva Con El

Break the Grip of Shame

The Way We Were: Original Soundtrack Recording

1. Ferdinand - Alan Ridout - music, Munro Leaf - words
2. The Puppet Show - J. Trott
3. The Kangaroos - Saint-Saens
4. The Elves Dance - E. Jenkins
5. The Swan - Saint-Saens
6. Donkey Doodle - W. Kroll
7. The Elephant - Saint-Saens
8. The Laughing Violin - K. Mortensen
9. Hobgoblin Dance - G. Eberhardt
10. Dancing Doll - F. Kreisler
11. The Tortoise - Saint-Saens
12. The Flight of the Bumble Bee - N. Rimsky-Korsakoff-Heifetz