The French Suites

Track Listings

1. Allemande

2. Courante

3. Sarabande

4. Menuets I & II

5. Gigue

6. Allemande

7. Courante

8. Sarabande

9. Air

10. Menuet

11. Gigue

12. Allemande

13. Courante

14. Sarabande

15. Anglaise

16. Menuet & Trio

17. Gigue

18. Allemande

19. Courante

20. Sarabande

See all 39 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
New York Times, September 2000
"Perhaps the finest Bach harpsichordist active today in New York."

The American Organist
"Brookshire is a brilliant performer."

The French Suites

Tracks:

Stuck In The Saddle Again (Light Cavalry March, Suppe)
Sing Verdi Very Loud (La donna e mobile, from Rigoletto, Verdi)
Its The Same Every Verse (In The Hall of The Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg)
Musical Bs (Hungarian Dance #5, Brahms)
Dont Play That Violin (Violin Concerto #2, Paganini)
Schuberts Trout (Trout Quintet, Schubert)
Dvorak The Czechoslovak (Humoresque #7, Dvorak)
A Fan of Chopin (Prelude 7, Op. 28, Chopin)
Please Do Not Tease The Viennese (Blue Danube Waltz, Strauss)
Its Spring! (Spring, from The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)
Wow What a Wedding Cake (Wedding March, from A Midsummer Nights Dream,. Mendelssohn)
Instrumental Performances:
Light Cavalry March, Suppe
La donna e mobile, from Rigoletto, Verdi (with vocals)
In The Hall of The Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg
Hungarian Dance #5, Brahms
Violin Concerto #2, Paganini
Trout Quintet, Schubert
Humoresque #7, Dvorak
Prelude 7, Op. 28, Chopin
Blue Danube Waltz, Strauss
Spring, from The Four Seasons, Vivaldi

Amazon.com

From a pure-pleasure standpoint, the first Beethoven's Wig was nothing to flip over, and the second disc in the series follows suit. However, that is not to say that this is not a valuable and possibly ingenious record. Those unfamiliar with the premise will quickly get the picture: Producer/writer/lead singer/chief clever guy Richard Perlmutter gathers a bundle of important classical works (Paganini's "Violin Concerto #2," Strauss' "Blue Danube Waltz") and makes up silly, catchy lyrics to lay over them, informing the listener about the piece or its composer. Standing out for their offbeat brilliance this time are "Dvorak the Czechoslovak" ("Humoresque #7," Dvorak) and "Wow What a Wedding Cake" (Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mendelssohn). Few stabs at mixing education with entertainment succeed so well. As a bonus, the second half of the CD repeats the symphonies straight up, presenting a neat opportunity to quiz kids 5-12 on what and who they've just heard. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Greatest baby gift ever.......2007-03-15

Both of my grandchildren (and their parents and grandparents) are hooked on this CD and all of the silliness and beauty it brings into our lives. We sing to it, dance to it, and find ourselves thinking about it at odd times. Who can't love singing Verdi VERY LOUD? I've now started giving this as a simple baby gift, especially to those with older siblings. They are already equipped with clothing and nursery gear, and Beethoven's Wig invites the whole family to gather round...even if it is just on short car rides.

Great for the whole family.......2007-01-04

My husband, 18 month old daughter and I all love this CD. It's a staple in the car. One caveat- these lyrics will get stuck in your head and I now find myself singing the "words" to these songs when I hear them in a store or commercial! I'm hoping this means my daughter will recognize these songs as she gets older.

More Great Fun.......2006-03-13

Like the first volume, this CD encourages young children to enjoy classical music. The silly lyrics sometimes impart factual information on the composer or the piece. There are 11 sing-along symphonies and then the 11 symphonies are replayed without the lyrics--total of 22 tracks. Booklet with lyrics and trivia is included. All our children (aged 2-12) enjoy this CD, as do we.

One is better but this is still awesome!! Gotta have it!.......2006-01-10

My children loved Beethovens Wig 1. I checked this one out at the library. Then, we decided we had to have this one too.
Yes, one is the best but 2 is still wonderful.
Save yourself the shipping and order both at the same time.
We all thoroughly enjoy it. My 4 yr old can name these classicals when he hears them elsewhere and he can hum these beautiful songs. Much better than kiddie rhymes and Disney jingles. Culture your children the funniest way!!

Absolute joy, and endless fun!.......2005-11-15

The tunes and word stay with you and before you know it, you are signing them along. My two kids (ages 9 and 7) ask me to put the CD on as soon as we get into the car. What a wonderful and fun way to get them to love classical music!

French Suites - 70th Anniversary Edition

Average customer rating:

So many insights
realy, really fast
Controversial, yet unsurpassed
Worth Owning
Excellent!

French Suites - 70th Anniversary Edition
Glenn Gould , and Bach
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Art of the Fugue - 70th Anniversary Edition
English Suites 1 2 & 3 - 70th Anniversary Edition
A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)
Partitas 1 2 & 3 - 70th Anniversary Edition
Partitas 4 5 & 6 - 70th Anniversary Edition

ASIN: B00006FI81
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Customer Reviews:

So many insights.......2007-07-11

Of all the many French Suite recordings I've heard, in spite of its eccentricities, this is the recording I return to, because every time I hear it, I hear something new and fresh. It has everything - and no other recorded-performer comes anywhere near such understanding, enthusiasm and dancing-qualities.

realy, really fast.......2007-02-09

Glenn Gould bach is really irregular. I love the three goldbergs (1954, 1981, an live recording in Salzburg), but these French suites are really, very fast, in the first minutes the music sound lively, and pretty, but almost an hour of staccato fast music, It's really like a ta ta ta ta ta ta ta sound.

I much more prefer gould playing bach's fugues, he use to be more slow

Controversial, yet unsurpassed.......2006-08-03

Gould was a character, in every sense of the word. Reading his numerous articles, one is inspired and challenged by his complex and elegant thought... His music, especially his Bach interpretations, have been criticized and praised alike, by people who know eons more about Music Theory than I do.

I can, however, share with you my intense appreciation of these suites. This is absolutely the work of a genius. His rendering of Bach's music for keyboard is utterly original, superbly balanced, deliciously nuanced, and stand alone as an untouched benchmark.

Listen carefully to his wise melancholy in the First Suite, especially the 2 menuettos. This is an interpretation which would astonish Bach himself, I am sure. No other performer will give you what you will hear in (at least) these specific two movements: such living beauty, such exquisite heartbreak... vibrant and fragile, an absolute joy.

Worth Owning.......2005-11-15

I listen to this CD all the time. There is a simplicity and clarity to it that just puts my mind at ease. At times a bit frenetic, but always precise and of an even temper. Very much recommended.

Excellent!.......2005-05-18

I am becoming a huge Glenn Gould fan. I first heard him about 15 years ago from a recording from my father. Listening to the Bach "French Suites" is an amazing experience. It is interesting to do some googling to learn more about Gould the man as well.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music

Average customer rating:

CD set is misnamed
Do not Buy
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
Seek better versions
It Is What It Is

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
25 Classical Favorites
25 Romantic Classics
The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe

ASIN: B000003QWH
Release Date: 1994-06-09

Tracks:

Canon In D
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Four Seasons - The Winter: Largo And Allegro
Fanfare ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
Camerata Romana: Air For The 'G' String
'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21 ('Elvira Madigan' Theme): Andante
Introduction To Symphony No. 5
'William Tell' Overture: Finale
'Aida': Triumphal March
On The Beautiful, Blue Danube Waltz
'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers
'1812' Overture: Finale

Tracks:

Sabre Dance
'Light Cavalry' Overture: Finale
Carmen: The Toreadors
' Midsummer Night's Dream': Wedding March
Radetzky March
Symphony No. 9, 'Choral': Finale
'Prince Igor': Polovstian Dance No. 17
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Sleepers, Wake
Water Music: Hornpipe
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
Emperor Waltz
'Emperor' Quartet: St. Anthony's Chorale
'The Tales Of Hoffman': Barcarolle
L'Arlesienne: Farandole
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Mirlitons
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
'Rhapsody In Blue': Highlight
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can

Tracks:

Introduction To 'Also sprach Zarathustra'
Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Saltarello: Presto
Piano Concerto No. 20: Romance
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
'The Four Seasons' - The Spring: Allegro
Toccata and Fugue
Trumpet Voluntary
'Royal Fireworks Music': la rejouissance: Allegro
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
London Festival Orchestra: Overture To 'The Barber Of Seville'
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto

Tracks:

Carmina Burana: Introduction To 'Carmina Burana'
Peer Gynt: Dawn From 'Peer Gynt'
Lohengrin: Prelude To 'Lohengrin'
'Lieutenant Kije': Troika From 'Lieutenant Kije'
Adiago For Strings
'Carmen': Habanera From 'Carmen'
'Double' Concerto: Allegro From 'Double' Concerto
The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture To 'The Marriage Of Figaro'
(Rondo) Alla Turca
Xerxes: Largo From 'Xerxes'
Symphony No. 5: Allegro vivace From Symphony No. 5
'Swan Lake': Scene: Enchanted Lake From 'Swan Lake'
Clair De Lune
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

CD set is misnamed.......2007-06-08

They should have titled this "classical music for people who love classical music" because most of the selections are typical classical music. The title suggests it would be lively selections of "light classical" music that is more upbeat, i.e. Sabre Dance, etc. I really don't hate classical music at all and have many classical CDs in my collection but I really wanted to hear more exciting selections. I won't be purchasing any more of this set but if you like traditional classical music these are good one.

Do not Buy.......2007-02-21

I do know it says classical music for people who hate it, but serioulsly you would have better luck never listening to classical music again. The recordings are awfull and do not do justice to any of the composers. Buy something else.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music.......2007-01-30

We love this set of CD's. I just got a new copy because my kids keeping taking our first copy with them so that they can listen at work or in their bedrooms but then I can never find them.

Seek better versions.......2006-12-09

If you are fairly new to classical purchases then compilation CD's can be useful for deciding what to buy next. Sometimes you only need a small taste of a piece to inspire you to buy a release with the whole performance on. The problem with this compilation however is that most of the versions are poor in performance or recording quality (or both) when compared to the best versions and the fact that the conductors aren't even credited on the track listing made me suspect that this would be the case. One of my favorite classical pieces is Tchaikovsky's 1812 festival overture but if the first CD version I had heard had been the finale excerpt that is on this compilation I may not have gone on to buy the whole thing. Luckily I heard Adrian Leaper's version first and Adrian's version is rather good.
My classical CD buying experience is limited to only a couple of dozen discs but I have found that the Naxos and Deutshe Grammophon releases are fairly safe. Avoid any release which does not name the conductors on the track listing or sleeve notes.

It Is What It Is.......2006-10-27

It's fitting that this page is fraught with the same kind of silly snobbery that turns people off from classical music (and necessitates collections like this) in the first place.

Any criticism of this compilation, which focuses on the quality of the performances or the fact that many tracks are excerpts, misses the point. This is not a collection for people who consider such things, nor does it purport to be. The idea is to package as many ultra-famous classical melodies as possible in one affordable collection and market it to people who have never purchased a classical recording. As such, top-tier performances are likely too expensive to be sold so cheaply and are unnecessary anyway. Those of us who already know and love a piece or two can forgive the compilers the inclusion of sub-par recordings, when we are exposed to so many other beautiful pieces for the first time.

It probably comes as a shock for some to hear that most people are not familiar with these classics. We may hear snippets on TV or movies, but are left with no idea as to the composer or historical context. With that in mind, it is extremely intimidating to begin buying classical. I suppose those among us, who so thoroughly dismissed the very notion of a boxed set like this, would have us begin by buying full albums by reputable interpreters. Surprisingly enough though, the majority of people would consider that a tad cost-prohibitive.

To conclude, this is a STARTER collection. It will either affirm a listener's feelings about classical music or lead to an interest in purchasing better recordings. Ideally, I suppose the interpretations would be better, but, for reasons mentioned above, that just isn't in the cards for a collection of this nature. If you're familiar with 50 different recordings of "The Ring" series, or have season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, then this probably isn't for you. For us cretins with limited foreknowledge of classical music though, it serves as a succinct introduction with little to complain about.

Average customer rating:

GREAT WEDDING MUSIC!
Good Music
A very complete selection of ceremony music!
Comprehensive Classical Selection
Just one note...

A Bride's Guide to Wedding Music

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Knot Collection of Ceremony and Wedding Music Selected by the Knot's Carley Roney
Bride's Guide to Wedding Music, Vol. II
The Ultimate Wedding Album
Bride's Guide to Wedding Music
25 Wedding Favorites

ASIN: B00005YD53
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

Bach: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Vivaldi: Largo Winter
Bach: Air On A G String
Torelli: Trumpet Concerto
Bach: Sheep May Safely Graze
Handel: Let The Bright Seraphim
Handel: Pastoral Symphony
Boccherini: String Quintet, Minuet
Mendelssohn: On Wings Of Song
Liszt: Dream Of Love
Rachmaninov: Vocalise
Debussy: Claire De Lune
Satie: Gymnopedie No.1
Gluck: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits
Debussy: Arabesque
Bizet: Intermezzo
Elgar: Salut D'amour
Debussy: Prelude A L'apres - Midi D'un Faun

Tracks:

Wagner: Bridal Chorus
Clarke: Trumpet Voluntary
Handel: Royal Fireworks Music, Overture
Gabrieli: Canzon V
Charpentier: Te Deum
Purcell: Trumpet Tune
Mussorgsky: Promenade
Pachebel: Canon In D
Handel: Larghetto
Vivaldi: Guitar Concerto In D Major, Largo
Handel: Water Music, Air
Macdowell: To A Wild Rose
Beethoven: Pathetique Sonata, Adagio
Melchior: Adagio
Gounod: Ave Maria
Schubert: Ave Maria
Franck: Panis Angelicus
Faure: Pie Jesu
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini
Schumann: Romance For Violin And Piano
Massenet: Meditation

Tracks:

Mendelssohn: Wedding March
Vivaldi: Concerto For Two Trumpets In B, Allegro
Telemann: Trumpet Concerto In D, Allegro
Vivaldi: Spring, Allegro
Telemann: Trumpet Concerto In B, Allegro
Handel: Concerto Grosso, Hornpipe
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No.4, Allegro
Handel: Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Schumann: Piano Quintet In E Flat Major
Widor: Toccata
Dubois: Toccata
Walton: Crown Imperial
Bach: Cantata No.51. 'Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen.' Alleluia
Mozart: Exsultate Jubilate, Alleluia
Handel: Water Music, Hornpipe
Chopin; Variations On A Theme From 'La Cenerentola'
Faure: Sicilienne
Offenbach: Barcarolle
Faure: Berceuse
Saint-Saens: The Swan
Brahms: Waltz In A Flat
Grieg: Wedding Day At Troldhaugen

Album Description

The process of choosing music for a wedding day can certainly be a daunting process for any couple. There are many choices and the questions can be endless. Traditional music or something off the beaten path? Will your Mom cry (and not in a good way) if you do not come down the aisle to the traditional Wedding March from Wagner, or are you eager to try something new? This collection is designed to give the bridal couple some key pointers to navigate the world of classical music for their wedding day. The package includes over 3 1/2 hours of music on 3 CDs for all portions of the wedding service, all from the Naxos classical label (known for high-quality recordings at inexpensive prices). Wedding day favorites are there, along with new discoveries and tunes you may have never considered for a wedding. All pieces are hand selected by professional wedding musicians and consultants. As a bonus, the 20 page booklet will lead you through the process of choosing music, from hiring musicians to sample programs. Everything you need to create your own unique personal wedding soundtrack.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT WEDDING MUSIC!.......2007-01-24

I used these CD's for my wedding, and I was so happy I did. You need to buy this CD if you like having a traditional wedding! :)

Good Music.......2006-07-05

I bought these CDs for my wedding, in ceremony and reception. Also, when I created my own wedding video, I used it as background music.

A very complete selection of ceremony music!.......2005-02-02

I am getting married in several months and we couldn't decide what music we wanted at our wedding ceremony. This three disk compilation reminded us of all the great ones- including new options we hadn't thought about. I really enjoyed hearing the organ and strings versions of the songs. If you're someone who hears a classical or baroque piece of music, but can't remember the name or the precise tune, this is a must-have to jog your memory and trigger the tear ducts!

Comprehensive Classical Selection.......2004-04-15

I searched all over for a CD set that had a somewhat comprehensive list of classical selections that are traditionally played at weddings. When I found this 3 CD set, I was very pleased. It contains 61 works from almost as many composers. This set might not contain the "best recording ever" of each of the selections, however it is very well done and the quality is very good. I used it primarily to choose the pieces that I wanted to have played by the church organist, and so the actual recordings were more for my consumption rather than for use in the ceremony/reception itself. However, I would not have hestitated to use the CD's in the wedding itself if needed. The book inside includes a list of suggested songs for various wedding styles (formal, outside, morning, etc.). From the classical neophyte to the seasoned classical music expert, this CD set will meet if not exceed expectations.

Just one note..........2003-06-07

I have not heard this album, so I cannot rate it as a whole. (The form made me include a rating, but disregard that.) However, I want to point out that track 36, the Pie Jesu from Gabriel Faure's Requiem is - well, from a requiem, a mass for the dead. The Pie Jesu is a lovely, gentle movement, and it has a beautiful and pure sound that does seem to fit the mood of a wedding. The Latin words, however, mean "Merciful Lord Jesus, grant them everlasting rest," where "them" refers to the dead.

Tracks:

Sonata In D Minor, BWV964: Adagio
Sonata In D Minor, BWV964: Fuga: Allegro
Sonata In D Minor, BWV964: Andante
Sonata In D Minor, BWV964: Allegro
French Suite No. 1 In D Minor, BWV812: Allemande
French Suite No 1 In D Minor, BWV812: Courante
French Suite No. 1 In D Minor, BWV812: Sarabande
French Suite No. 1 In D Minor, BWV812: Menuet I And II
French Suite No. 1 In D Minor, BWV812: Gigue
French Suite No. 2 In C Minor, BWV813: Allemande
French Suite No. 2 In C Minor, BWV813: Courante
French Suite No. 2 In C Minor, BWV813: Sarabande
French Suite No. 2 In C Minor, BWV813: Air
French Suite No. 2 In C Minor, BWV813: Menuet I And II
French Suite No. 2 In C Minor, BWV813: Gigue
French Suite No. 3 In B Minor, BWV814: Allemande
French Suite No. 3 In B Minor, BWV814: Courante
French Suite No. 3 In B Minor, BWV814: Sarabande
French Suite No. 3 In B Minor, BWV814: Anglaise
French Suite No. 3 In B Minor, BWV814: Menuet And Trio
French Suite No. 3 In B Minor, BWV814: Gigue
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In C Major, BWV924
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In G Minor, BWV 930
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In D Major, BWV 925
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In D Minor, BWV 926
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In F Major, BWV 927
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In F Major, BWV 928

Tracks:

Six Little Preludes: Prelude In C Major, BWV 933
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In C Minor, BWV 934
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In D Minor, BWV 935
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In D Major, BWV 936
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In E Major, BWV 937
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In E Minor, BWV 938
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In C Major, BWV 939
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In D Minor, BWV 940
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In E Minor, BWV 941
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In A Minor, BWV 942
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In C Major, BWV 943
Six Little Preludes: Prelude In C Minor, BWV 999
French Suite No. 4 In E Flat Major, BWV815: Praeludium
French Suite No. 4 In E Flat Major, BWV815: Allemande
French Suite No. 4 In E Flat Majoe, BWV815: Courante
French Suite No. 4 In E Flat Major, BWV815: Sarabande
French Suite No. 4 In E Flat Major, BWV815: Gavotte I
French Suite No. 4 In E Flat Major, BWV815: Gavotte II
French Suite No. 4 In E Flat Major, BWV815: Menuet
French Suite No. 4 In E Flat Major, BWV815: Air
French Suite No. 4 In E Flat Major, BWV815: Gigue
French Suite No. 5 In G Major, BWV816: Allemande
French Suite No. 5 In G Major, BWV816: Courante
French Suite No. 5 In G Major, BWV816: Sarabande
French Suite No. 5 In G Major, BWV816: Gavotte
French Suite No. 5 In G Major, BWV816: Bourree
French Suite No. 5 In G Major, BWV816: Loure
French Suite No. 5 In G Major, BWV816: Gigue
French Suite No. 6 In E Major, BWV817: Allemande
French Suite No. 6 In E Major, BWV817: Courante
French Suite No. 6 In E Major, BWV817: Sarabande
French Suite No. 6 In E Major, BWV817: Gavotte
French Suite No. 6 In E Major, BWV817: Polonaise
French Suite No. 6 In E Major, BWV817: Bourree
French Suite No. 6 In E Major, BWV817: Menuet
French Suite No. 6 In E Major, BWV817: Gigue
Prelude And Fugue In A Minor, BWV894: Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In A Minor, BWV894: Fugue

Customer Reviews:

Very Refined Yet Not Uncharming - One of Her Best Performances.......2007-03-27

Ms Hewitt has never quite swept me away, and she certainly does nothing here to suggest she is a legendary pianist. However, she is very at ease with these works, and brings to them quite a bit of charm and piquancy. She's convincing and - my most important criteria for rating any CD - relistenable. The music itself is fresh and delightful, as charming as anything in all of Bach - he could be very charming indeed: though for too many Bach is revered as serious and intellectual. Anyway, these are nice performances and perhaps it's just my personal taste, but I find Ms Hewitt's efforts here in the lighter keyboard repetoire of Bach easier to accept than most of her efforts in the French repetoire.
The great performances of Bach's French Suites remain those of long ago - Helmut Wacha on the harpsichord, but those are not currently available in America.

Lovely, heartfelt Bach.......2005-11-07

Bach's music weaves together many elements: heartfelt story-telling, intellectual fascination, inspiring technique, and joyful dance. My favorite Bach interpreters are those who can reveal the innate sensitivity of Bach's music, and Angela does that superbly. Her tone is always singing, her dance rhythms will set even Grandma to jumping and cavorting, and her emotional connection so intimate I thought it was my mother singing to me in the cradle.

I particularly like that her technique never becomes showy in itself; even the difficult final Gigue of Suite 5 is purely about dance and joy.

Her ornaments are always tasteful. Not easy to do with Bach, when you consider that ornamenting is a form of composition.. and to ornament well, one is essentially adding to Bach's composition.

Her interpretation of Bach on the piano (as opposed to the harpsichord, for which is was written) is absolutely convincing.

This is my first CD purchase of Angela's Bach, and I plan to get them all.

It's perfect........2005-09-10

Awesome CDs. You need to have this if you enjoy piano classical music. Angela performs the best french suites!

Elegant Artistry .......2005-08-14

Recorded early in Angela Hewitt's Bach cycle, the popular French Suites (along with the "Little Preludes" and other two more dynamic virtuoso pieces) take a step back from the more serious and complex fugal compositions of Bach and settle into the restrained elegance of the courtly and rustic dances of the era. Although Bach never titled these works as "French," the suites take much of their inspritation from the various "dance" forms of music in that period (French mainly) that form each suite: the processional German-inspired allemandes ... the stately French courantes ... the spicier Italian correntes ... the slow and meditative sarabandes of Spanish-origin ... the French-aristocratic minuets, gavottes and airs ... the bouncy and free-spirited bourrees ... and, to close the suite, the most musically serious French gigues (inspired by the English 'jig'). The three minor-key suites take a more introverted flavor while the three major-key suites are more extraverted and bright. Suites 5 and 6 are perhaps the most popular for their bright, major-key sounds.

Every generation has its one or two Bach legends, and for the 'boomer generation,' one of them is certainly Angela Hewitt. Her poised playing finds its natural home here and wonderfully matches the spirit of this elegant, gentle and noble music. Her decorative touches are pure artistry and always delightfully enhance the atmosphere of the music without detracting or distracting. Penguin Guide gave this set their "Recommended Recording" of all the available recordings of the French Suites. It all just sounds "right" for this type of music. Addtionally, the sound quality is clear and without extraneous noise and has a somewhat-spacious but pleasant ambiance.

The so-called "Little Preludes" were exercises for Bach's son or pupils but really are not so "little" in terms of style or substance. Most are light and delightful - with some pure charm (BWV933). Notably Hewitt makes them all sound - not as mere exercises - but as viable performances in themselves. On a more virtuostic scale are the "filler works" on this CD: the Sonata in D minor and the Prelude/Fugue in A minor - the former being transcribed from the solo violin sonata in A minor (BWV 1003) and the latter being a work Bach later encorporated into the "Triple Concerto (BWV 1044, on Hewitt's Bach Concertos Vol. I). The closing allegro of the Sonata is a highlight and is played by Hewitt with an effortless radiance. Her galloping triplets and ever-so delicate and deft shifts in dynamics and touch here create the famous Bach "echo" that gives a facinating and larger-than-life quality to the movement. All-in-all, a most pleasant, accessible and artistic recording from one of the most talented pianists playing Bach today.

If you are trying to sort out Bach's great solo keyboard music, you can characterize them like this in general: the FRENCH SUITES are overall the most refined, elegant and 'restrained' musically (French courtly style) as compared to the more dynamic preludes and dances in the ENGLISH SUITES (but also having haughtingly-beautiful sarabandes to contrast). Along with the great showpieces, CHROMATIC FANTASY & FUGUE in C minor, the PARTITAS and the TOCCATAS are certainly the most outright virtuostic of the sets - with the latter being the most free of form and the most extemporaneous sounding. The two books of Bach's "WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER" are in a class of their own from the often-charming preludes in Book I to the most complex musical-intelligence contained in the fugues of Book II. Bach's WTC is both systematic and pedogogic but also delightfully lyrical and often deeply meditative and is essential music in any piano-loving human being. This wide range of contrasting emotional qualities (movements) is really characteristic of nearly all of Bach's keyboard music and is most marvelously showcased in the legenday 30 GOLDBERG VARIATIONS. All of Angela Hewitt's Bach recordings are excellent (no 'dogs') and are consistently rated among the top 2 or 3 choices in the field. Hard to go wrong with any really.

Hewitt or Gould.......2004-09-29

Angela Hewitt is often compared to Glenn Gould, her fellow Canadian pianist, because she also plays Bach. I won't compare them. When I listen to Gould I marvel at his genius. When I listen to Hewitt, I marvel at Bach's genius.

Average customer rating:

I can name that tune in three notes
A Fabulous CD
Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!
Fun Sampler
Useful.

Idiot's Guide to Classical Music

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Scott Joplin: Greatest Hits
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Music
Classical Guitar, Vol. 2
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

ASIN: B000003FPT
Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

Adagio
Air on the G String: Air on the G String, Excerpt
Brandenburg Concerto: Third Movement, Excerpt
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Excerpt
Tocatta & Fugue: Excerpt
Adagio for Strings: Excerpt
Synphony No. 5: First Movement, Excerpt
Symphony No. 9: Fourth Movement, Excerpt
Fse: Excerpt
Turkish March: Turkish March, Excerpt
Moonlight Sonata: Excerpt
Symphonie Fantastique: March Ot the Scaffold, Excerpt
Damnation of Faust: Excerpt
Carmen - Habanera: Habanera, Excerpt
Toreador Song [From Carmen]
Minuet: Minuet, Excerpt
Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dance No 17, Excerpt
Hungarian Dance No. 5: No 5, Excerpt
Lullaby: No 4, Lullaby, Excerpt
"Minute" Waltz: Excerpt
Grande Valse Brillante: Excerpt
Marche Fune: Marche Fune
Appalachian Spring: Excerpt
Fanfare for the Common Man: Excerpt
Clair de Lune: Excerpt
Prelude to the Afternoon: Excerpt
Lakm Flower Duet: Flower Duet, Excerpt
Symphony No. 9 "New World": Second Movement, "Going Home" Theme, ...
The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Excerpt
Pomp & Circumstance: Excerpt
El Amor Brujo
Pavane: Excerpt
Rhapsody in Blue: Excerpt
American in Paris: Excerpt
Funeral March of Marionette: Excerpt
Piano Concerto in a Minor: Excerpt
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Morning: Morning, Excerpt
Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus: Hallelujah Chorus, Excerpt
Water Music - Hornpipe: Hornpipe, Excerpt
Symphony No. 94 "Surprise": Second Movement, Excerpt
The Planets - Mars: Mars, Excerpt
Sabre Dance: Sabre Dance, Excerpt
Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba, Excerpt
Hungarian Rhapsody
Liebestraum No. 3: No 3, Excerpt
Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo: Intermezzo, Excerpt
Midsummer Night's Dream - Wedding March: Wedding March, Excerpt
Symphony No. 4 "Italian": Fourth Movement, Excerpt
Rondeau: No 1, Rondeau
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante, Excerpt
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: First Movement, Excerpt
The Marriage of Figaro - Overture: Overture, Excerpt
Sonata in A - Rondo Alla Turca: Rondo Alla Turca, Excerpt
Symphony No. 40: First Movement, Excerpt
Night on Bald Mountain: Excerpt
Pictures at an Exhibition - Great Cave of Kiev: Great Gate of ...
Barcarolle: Barcarolle, Excerpt
Orpheus in Hades - Theme II: Excerpt (Theme)
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna: O Fortuna, Excerpt
Canon: Canon, Excerpt
Romeo & Juliet - Montagues & Capulets: Montagues & Capulets, Excerpt
Lt. Kije's Wedding: Lt. Kije's Wedding, Excerpt
Turandot - Nessun Dorma: Nessun Dorma, Excerpt
Piano Concerto No. 2: Second Movement, Excerpt
Symphony No. 2: Third Movement, Opening, Excerpt
Rhapsody on a Theme: Variation 18, Excerpt
Bolero
Flight of the Bumblebee
Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio: Adagio, Excerpt
The Barber of Seville - Overture: Excerpt
The Barber of Sville - Largo Al Factotum: Largo Al Factotum, Excerpt
William Tell Overture - Theme II: Excerpt
Danse Macabre: Excerpt
Gymnope No. 1
Symphony N0. 8 "Unfinished": Excerpt
Ave Maria: Excerpt
Finlandia [Finale: Finale, Excerpt]
Valse Triste: No 1, Valse Triste, Excerpt
Stars & Stripes Forever: Excerpt
Semper Fidelis: Excerpt
Blue Danube Waltz: Excerpt
Tales from the Vienna Woods: Excerpt
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Fanfare, Excerpt
Firebird - Infernal Dance & Main Theme: Infernal Dance & Main ...
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers: Waltz of the Flowers, Excerpt
Swan Lake - Waltz: Waltz, Excerpt
Sleeping Beauty -: Waltz, Excerpt
Romeo & Juliet - Theme II: Theme LL, Excerpt
Piano Concerto No. 1 - Opening: Opening, Excerpt
1812 Overture - Finale: Finale, Excerpt
Fantasia on "Greensleeves": Excerpt
Alda - Grand March: Grand March, Excerpt
Il Trovatore - Anvil Chorus: Anvil Chorus, Excerpt
Requiem - Dies Irae: Dies Irae, Excerpt
Rigoletto - La Donna Mobile: La Donna Mobile, Excerpt
The Four Seasons "Spring" - Allegro: Allegro, Excerpt
The Four Season "Winter" - Largo: Largo, Excerpt
Lohengrin - Bridal Chorus: Bridal Chorus, Excerpt
Die WalkRide of the Valkyries: Ride of the Valkyries, Excerpt

Customer Reviews:

I can name that tune in three notes.......2005-02-19

My family likes to put this disc in on shuffle and play name that tune. I wish they made more discs like this, only with more obscure works.

A Fabulous CD.......2004-10-14

The Idiot's Guide to Calssical Music is an awesome Cd for those people who want to have a tiny sample of all the great classical compositions. Track 61 and 63 are my favorite.

Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!.......2002-03-20

Yes, this CD really does have 99 tracks. How do they do it? Each is about a minuet long. Some are longer, some are shorter, but you get the micro-essential moments of the music.

If you like burning your own CDs, then this is a great source for intra-track fillers, along the lines of They Might Be Giants' "Apollo 18" album, which has all of those short tracks on the end. The idea is to put your CD player on shuffle, so the short tracks get mixed in with the bona fide songs. The result being a very unusual album.

The booklet gives an explanation of the track, where you heard it (i.e. the Warner Brother's Cartoons, or on famous films), and where you can get the full piece of music. So it's a mega sampler CD.

I can honestly say that this CD is a great gift for the friend who has everything.

Fun Sampler.......2001-11-09

For the beginner. You will be surprised at how many of the 99 themes you recognize here. It is an easy introduction to classical music. Nice booklet too.

Useful........1999-03-22

Take it for what it is, a clever and useful GUIDE to classical music. No, it is NOT an uncut rendition of Beethoven's 9th symphony. It IS a cd that will jog your memory. You have heard many of the tunes presented here, but not always knowing what the work was. This is your chance to catch up with all the great classical music you have been exposed to. Cheap too.

Average customer rating:

Greatest Collection of Classical I have.
This is not a good digital recording

Classics for Lovers

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Canon In D Major - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Piano Concerto No.21 'Elvira Madigan': Andante - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Pagliacci: Vesti la giubba - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Madame Butterfly: Un bel di - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Romeo And Juliet: Fantasy Overture - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Polovstian Dances 8 And 17: Prince Igor - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Tristan And Isolde: Overture - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Symphony No.3, 'Organ': Poco adagio - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS

Tracks:

Air For The 'G' String - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Moonlight Sonata: Adagio sostenuto - Dubravka Tomsic
Swan Lake: Suite - Scene: Enchanted Lake - London Festival Orchestra
Piano Concerto No.2: Adagio sostenuto - Garrison Kent
Clair de lune - Anna Lelkes
Aida: Celeste, Aida - Jose Perez
La Boheme: Che gelida manina - Jose Perez
Symphony No.9, 'From The World': Largo - Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Martha: Ach, so Fromm - Jose Perez
The Planets, Op.32: Venus (The Bringer Of Peace) - Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Bolero - Radio Symphony Orchestra

Tracks:

'Peer Gynt' Suite: Morning Song - Slavonic Philharmonic Orchestra
Xerxes: Largo - London Festival Orchestra
Piano Concerto No.20: Romance - Svetlana Stanceva
The Nutcracker Suite: Arabian Dance - Berlin Festival Orchestra
Pavan - London Festival Orchestra
The Afternoon Of A Faun: Prelude - London Festival Orchestra
Giselle: Adagio: Waltz - Philharmonia Orchestra Of London
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan - London Festival Orchestra
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romanze: Andante - Camerata Academica
The Tales Of Hoffman: Barcarolle - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - London Festival Orchestra
Daphnis And Chloe - Slavonic Philharmonic Orchestra

Tracks:

The Sleeping Beauty Suite: Pas d'action: Andante - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Scheherazade: The Young Prince And Young Princess - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Clarinet Concerto In A Major: Adagio - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
On The Beautiful, Blue Danube - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Dawn Until Noon On The Sea: La Mer - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Carmen: Intermezzo - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Carmen: Seguidilla - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Carmen: Habanera - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Carmen: Nocturne - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Carmina Buraba: Omnia sol temperat - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Carmina Buraba: Amor volat undique - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Carmina Buraba: Dies, nox et omnia - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS
Symphony No.6, 'Pathetique': Adagio lamentoso: Andante - CLASSICS FOR LOVERS

Customer Reviews:

Greatest Collection of Classical I have........2006-12-14

I don't care much for compilation CDs. Usually they are someone else's favorite set of songs from that genre or composer. I usually like the songs, but when I get into listening to the other songs in the genre or by the same composer I find songs that I'm more fond of.

This collection is different.

I try not to be too generous with my top ratings in iTunes for songs, I don't give out a four or five stars to just anything, but many of the songs from this collection make up a good chunk of my top rated songs. I just love this collection.

This is not a good digital recording.......1999-07-27

There is a 'record player' hum in the background when you try to listen to various tracks on these CDs. The compilation is wonderful. The Quality of the recording is very disappointing. The outside of the album cover reads DDD which I thought to mean clean and clear all digital recording. Don't be deceived by the cover.

Average customer rating:

Utter enchantment

Rameau: Ballet Suites

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rameau: Orchestral Suites (vol. 1)
Rameau: Anacréon; Daphnis et Eglé
Rameau: Harpsichord Music (Complete), Vol. 1
Rameau - Les Indes Galantes, Suites d'orchestre / La Chapelle Royale · Herreweghe
Rameau: Une Symphonie Imaginaire

ASIN: B000AMMSLC
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Ouverture
Air Pantomime
Air De Ballet
Orage
Air Pour Des Fous Gais Et Des Fous Tristes
Menuets I & II
Rigaudons I & II
Ouverture
Les Differents Caracteres De La Danse (Gracieusement, Air Tres Lent, Gavotte Lent, Menuet, Gavotte Gaie, Chaconne Vive, Loure Tres Grave, Passepiet Vif, Rigaudon Vif)
Sarabande Pour La Statue/Tambourin (For Et Vite)
Marche
Pantomime Niaise Et Un Peu Lente/Deuxieme Pantomime Tres Vite
Air Gracieux Et Gai Et Contredanse
Ouverture
Marche Pour Les Differentes Nations
Menuet
Tambourins I & II
Rigudons I & II
Entree D'Iphise
Air Gay En Rondeau
Menuets I & II
Tambourins III & IV
Sommeil De Dardanus
Chaconne

Customer Reviews:

Utter enchantment.......2005-11-01

I bought this CD three weeks ago in Melbourne and I have been playing almost every day ever since. I have many recordings of Rameau's operas and orchestral music and I bought this one out of sheer curiosity. I assumed it would be an attractive recording and I hoped it would have some nice surprises in store for me.

I was more than pleasantly surprised, I was/am utterly enchanted by this wonderful recording by the European Union Baroque Orchestra. Perhaps it is Roy Goodman's direction? Perhaps it is the fact that this band consists of young and enthusiastic musicians?

The music is, of course, all very exciting and beautiful - it is the great genius Jean-Philippe Rameau we're talking about here! The orchestra is not too large and not too small.

The music is played with great style, feeling and expressiveness. The rhythmic aspects of Rameau's music are brought out in a very tasteful and potent way.

Further evidence of the fact that Rameau is THE MAN! - and a very good debut on NAXOS from the European Union Baroque Orchestra. I hope we see many more recordings of this nature from this ensemble. More Rameau would be nice.

I would like to warmly recommend this delightful current recording to all music lovers.

Average customer rating:

Bach French Suites -- Andras Schiff, Pianist
Andras vs. Andrei
Schiff not quite his best, but nevertheless most enjoyable
NOT SCHIFF'S STRONG SUIT, THESE SIX FRENCH "SWEETS" OF BACH
Interesting, delightful CD

Bach: The Six French Suites

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: English Suites BWV 806-811
Bach: Two part Inventions/Three Part Inventions
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1
J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations
Bach: The Well Tempered Clavier Book II

ASIN: B0000041ZG
Release Date: 1993-08-10

Tracks:

French Suite No.1 In D Minor, BWV 812: I. Allemande
French Suite No.1 In D Minor, BWV 812: II. Courante
French Suite No.1 In D Minor, BWV 812: III. Sarabande
French Suite No.1 In D Minor, BWV 812: IV. Menuet I
French Suite No.1 In D Minor, BWV 812: V. Menuet II
French Suite No.1 In D Minor, BWV 812: VI. Gigue
French Suite No.2 In C Minor, BWV 813: I. Allemande
French Suite No.2 In C Minor, BWV 813: II. Courante
French Suite No.2 In C Minor, BWV 813: III. Sarabande
French Suite No.2 In C Minor, BWV 813: IV. Air
French Suite No.2 In C Minor, BWV 813: V. Menuet I
French Suite No.2 In C Minor, BWV 813: VI. Menuet II
French Suite No.2 In C Minor, BWV 813: VII. Gigue
French Suite No.3 In B Minor, BWV 814: I. Allemande
French Suite No.3 In B Minor, BWV 814: II. Courante
French Suite No.3 In B Minor, BWV 814: III. Sarabande
French Suite No.3 In B Minor, BWV 814: IV. Anglaise
French Suite No.3 In B Minor, BWV 814: V. Menuet - Trio
French Suite No.3 In B Minor, BWV 814: VI. Gigue
French Suite No.4 In E Flat Major, BWV 815: I. Allemande
French Suite No.4 In E Flat Major, BWV 815: II. Courante
French Suite No.4 In E Flat Major, BWV 815: III. Sarabande
French Suite No.4 In E Flat Major, BWV 815: IV. Gavotte
French Suite No.4 In E Flat Major, BWV 815: V. Air
French Suite No.4 In E Flat Major, BWV 815: VI. Menuet
French Suite No.4 In E Flat Major, BWV 815: VII. Gigue

Tracks:

French Suite No.5 In G Major, BWV 816: I. Allemande
French Suite No.5 In G Major, BWV 816: II. Courante
French Suite No.5 In G Major, BWV 816: III. Sarabande
French Suite No.5 In G Major, BWV 816: IV. Gavotte
French Suite No.5 In G Major, BWV 816: V. Bourr
French Suite No.5 In G Major, BWV 816: VI. Loure
French Suite No.5 In G Major, BWV 816: VII. Gigue
French Suite No.6 In E Major, BWV 817: I. Allemande
French Suite No.6 In E Major, BWV 817: I. Courante
French Suite No.6 In E Major, BWV 817: II. Sarabande
French Suite No.6 In E Major, BWV 817: IV. Gavotte
French Suite No.6 In E Major, BWV 817: V. Polonaise
French Suite No.6 In E Major, BWV 817: VI. Menuet
French Suite No.6 In E Major, BWV 817: VII. Bourr
French Suite No.6 In E Major, BWV 817: VIII. Gigue
Italian Concerto In F Major, BWV 971: I. (Allegro)
Italian Concerto In F Major, BWV 971: II. Andante
Italian Concerto In F Major, BWV 971: III. Presto
French Overture (Partita) In B Minor, BWV 831: I. Ouverture
French Overture (Partita) In B Minor, BWV 831: II. Courante
French Overture (Partita) In B Minor, BWV 831: III. Gavottes I & II
French Overture (Partita) In B Minor, BWV 831: IV. Passepieds I & II
French Overture (Partita) In B Minor, BWV 831: V. Sarabande
French Overture (Partita) In B Minor, BWV 831: VI. Bourr I & II
French Overture (Partita) In B Minor, BWV 831: VII. Gigue
French Overture (Partita) In B Minor, BWV 831: VIII. Echo

Customer Reviews:

Bach French Suites -- Andras Schiff, Pianist.......2007-01-22

The genius and humanity of J.S. Bach are nowhere on better display than his French Suites, and this recording does not dissapoint. Andras Schiff gives us his usual flawless and inspired interpration of Bach and reminds us how pleased the old master would have been to hear his works played on a modern piano. The inclusion of Bach's Italian Concerto and Partita in B flat minor are an additional treat on the CD. This is a must-own collection for anyone who claims to have more than a passing interest in baroque masterpieces and no better recording of Bach's French Suites will be found anywhere.

Andras vs. Andrei.......2001-11-20

The reason I brought this CD is mainly for my comparison with the Andrei Gavrilov on the French suite no. 5. My conclusion is: In many ways, I think Schiff seems to be trying very hard to make the piano sounds like harpsichord while playing all those baroque music. In a big contrast, Gavrilov has totally captured the very nature of piano and played the no. 5 suite so beautifully!!

Schiff not quite his best, but nevertheless most enjoyable.......2001-08-06

I must admit that despite admiring most of Schiff's version(s) of J.S. Bach's works, I don't think that he has most of these pieces as highly refined / polished as some of his other pieces. Nevertheless, despite being slightly off his peak doesn't mean that he's any less than Gould; in fact, the amount of thought put into his playing (including embellishments!) is considerably more intelligent than Gould's. This recording merits the full 5 stars, but not the special 6 stars that Schiff so obviously deserves with some of his other recordings of other works.

NOT SCHIFF'S STRONG SUIT, THESE SIX FRENCH "SWEETS" OF BACH.......2000-07-18

What a fundamentally ludicrous way to play Bach! This isn't a rendition of six individual suites... it's 82 minutes of one gigantic "French Suite," period. Schiff doesn't penetrate, doesn't differentiate. No, not at all. The light and dark hues inherent in this music he rides roughshod over completely. He contents himself with merely skittering around the keyboard, mostly, and because of this there is a "sameness" about every movement that borders on absolutely incredible tediousness. Under Schiff's fingers, Bach cannot "breathe." The pianist, in a whirlwind, allows no real ebb and flow, no real give and take. Emotion and depth just seem to elude him completely. It's a "rush job," a disservice to Bach and the French Suites, and the kind of pianism that stereotypifies what people of a non-classical bent think Bach's music is: monotonous. (One simply need listen to Wolfgang Rubsam's performances of Bach's English Suites on Naxos to realize just how Bach can sound.)

Schiff continues droning on with his homogenous renditions of the French Overture in Bm and the Italian Concerto in F, both also included on the second disc of the set. Now, ordinarily, I would rejoice at the inclusion of these exceptional works. Unfortunately, not in this case. And not at Schiff's tedious, monochromatically hectic, superficial pianism. To add insult to injury, the London sound image is typically ambient and adds yet another annoying element into the mix.

There's more here than Mr. Schiff would lead us to believe. Much, much more.

Interesting, delightful CD.......2000-01-13

András Schiff is one of the best Bach players among Gould, Rosalyn Tureck and Wanda Landowska. On Schiff's French Suites, every part from every suite has a different color and gives you different feeling. Every harmony is taken to its end with care, and dynamic balance is always delightful to listen. Articulation of the notes is excellent, full of humour, and in some places you surely start to smile and you feel very happy when you listen to Schiff. He also plays the slow parts very deeply and warmly, which is for some artists a big problem when playing Bach. There are also Italian Concerto and French Overture on the CD's, played brilliantly, so this set is really worth buying. Recommended for everyone.

The Most Beautiful Melodies of Classical Music, Vol. 1-10 (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

The Most Beautiful Melodies of Classical Music, Vol. 1-10 (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Septets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

The Four Seasons: Concerto No. 1 In E Major 'Spring,' I. Allegro
Overture No. 3 BWV 1068: Air
Water Music: Alla Hornpipe
Orpheus and Eurrdice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits
Piano Sonata In A Major K. 331: Alla turca
Symphonie No. 3: Allegretto
String Serenade: Waltz
Foreign Countries And People op. 15 No. 1
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major, K. 313: Rondo. Tempo di Minuett
Piano Concerto No. 2 In F Minor Op. 21: Larghetto
Quintet In A Major 'Trout': Theme & Variations
Waltz In A Flat Major
Impromptu In G Flat Major D 899,3
Sinfonia concertante In E Flat Major K 364: Presto

Tracks:

Voices Of Spring Waltz Op. 410
Serenade Op. 3 No. 5
Songs Without Words In E Major Op. 19,1
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major K. 447: Allegro
Fausts Verdammnis: Dances Of The Sylphes
Flute Concerto In G minor
Salomon: Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Piano Concerto No. 23 In A Major K 488: Andante
Holberg Suite Op. 40: Prelude
Carmen: Intermezzo
String Serenade op. 22: Tempo di valse
Impromptu In B Flat Major D 935 No. 3
I Love You Op. 5 No. 3
Roses From The South, Waltz Op. 388

Tracks:

Peer Gynt: Morning
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarole
Melody In F, Op. 3 Nr. 1
The Nutcracker: Waltz Of The Flowers
Standchen
Etude In G Sharp Minor 'La Campanella'
Peer Gynt: Anitras Dance
Moment Musical D 780 No. 3
Canon In D
Overture No. 2: Menuet & Badinerie
Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major: Andante
Carmen: Seguedille
'Songs without Words': The Venetian Gondola
Eugen Onegin: Waltz
Romance For Violin And Orchestra In G major Op. 26

Tracks:

Die Fledermaus: Overture
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Waltz No. 1 Op. 18 In E flat major 'Grande Valse brillante'
Lullaby
L'Arlesienne: Intermezzo
The Seasons Op. 37b: Barcarole
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Fairies' March
Clarinet Concerto In A Major K 622: Adagio
The Sleeping Beauty: Waltz
La Traviata: Prelude
Carmen, Suite No. 2: Chanson du Toreador
Happy Farmer
Menuet
On The Beautiful Blue Danube, Waltz Op. 314

Tracks:

A Little Night Music K 525: Allegro
Sonata No. 2 In E Major BWV 1031: Siciliano
Op. 11 No. 5: Menuet
Songs Without Words: Duetto
The Nutcracker: Dance of the Toy Flutes
Fruhlingslied (Spring Song)
Waldszenen: Abschied
Mandolin Concerto: Allegro
Music For The Royal Fireworks: La paix: Largo alla Siciliana
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Allegro
Waltz In B Minor Op. 69 No. 2
Romance Op. 5
Impromptu In A Flat Major D 935 Nr. 2
Tales from the Vienna Woods, Waltz Op. 325

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Humoresque Op. 101
Sleeping Beautiful: Panorama
Impromptu In E Flat Major, D899 No. 2
Melancholy
Waltz Op. 54,1
Nocturne In B Major Op. 9 No. 3
Caro mio ben
PARTITA IN D FLAT MAJOR: Pastorale
An den Fruhling
The Sleeping Beauty: Pas de quatre, Adagio
Rosamunde - Ballet In G Major
Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor Op. 37: Largo
Emperor Waltz, op. 437

Tracks:

Harp Concerto In B Flat Major: Andante allegro
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Adagio
Flute Concerto In F Major, Op. 10 'La Tempesta di Mare': Presto
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor Op. 13 'Pathetique': Adagio cantabile
Horn Concerto In E Flat Major K 495: Rondo. Allegro vivace
Poeme Op. 41 No. 6
Wilhelm Tell: Soldier's Dance
Liebestraum No. 3 In A flat Major
Violin Romance No. 2
Flute Concerto In E Minor: Rondo
Intermezzo In E Flat Major Op. 117,1
Carmen: Habenera
Symphony No. 3 'Scottish': Vivace non troppo
Vienna Bonbons: Waltz Op. 307

Tracks:

Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K. 550: Molto Allegro
Preghiera - Mozarianna Suite: Ave Verum
Arietta Op. 12,1
Concerto BWV 1056: Arioso
The Four Seasons: Concerto Nr. 3 Autumn: Allegro
Des Abends (Evening)
Holberg Suite Op. 40: Gavotte
Melancholy Galliard
Flute Concerto No. 2 In D Major K. 314: Rondo. Allegretto
Spinning Song
Orchestral Suite No. 3: Valse Melancolique
Flute Quartet K. 285a: Tempo di Minuetto
Moment Musical In A Flat Major, D 780 No. 2
Piano Concerto No. 9 In E Flat Major K 271 'Jeunehomme': Rondo - Presto

Tracks:

String Serenade: Moderato
Traumerei Op. 15
Ave Maria
Cello Concerto No. 2 In D Major: Allegro
Minuet In D Minor
Suite No. 1: Marche Miniature
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Notturno
Mazurka In D Major Op. 33 No. 2
Divertimento K 251: Andantino
On Wings Of A Song
Carmen: Nocturne
Melody
Sonata In C Major BWV 1033: Allegro
Symphony No. 1 In G Minor 'Winter Dreams': Adagio cantabile
Sound Of The Spheres, Waltz Op. 235

Tracks:

The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture
Sonata In C sharp Minor Op. 27,2 'Moonlight Sonata': Adagio sostenuto
German Dance No. 1
Nocturne In C Sharp Minor Op.posth.
Haffner Serenade: Minuet
Septet In E Flat Major Op. 20: Tempo di Minuetto
Symphony No. 4 Italian: Andante con moto
Prelude In D Flat Major Op. 28, No. 15 'Rain Drops'
'3 Small Pieces': Impromptu
'The Nutcracker': March
Romance In E Flat Major Op. 44
Piano Sonata No. 16 In C Major 'Sonata facile': Allegro
'The Nutcracker': Scene No. 10
Enjoy Your Life Waltz, Op. 340

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Franke & Knockouts [Import]

Il Barocco concertante

Mississippi Blues

Essential Della Reese [Import]

For the Lion and the Unicorn in the Oak Forests of Faun

My Way [Clean]

Musicals

Liszt: A La Chapelle Sixtine; Six Preludes and Fugues; Fantaise and Fugue in G minor

Not Gonna Get Us [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

John Cage: Sonatas And Interludes For Prepared Piano

Lines [Import]

Gaita Y Trombon

Joyas Musicales

New Blues Classics - Bullseye Blues

Front Page

1. Allemande
2. Courante
3. Sarabande
4. Menuets I & II
5. Gigue
6. Allemande
7. Courante
8. Sarabande
9. Air
10. Menuet
11. Gigue
12. Allemande
13. Courante
14. Sarabande
15. Anglaise
16. Menuet & Trio
17. Gigue
18. Allemande
19. Courante
20. Sarabande