Moving On [Import]
Track Listings
|
1. Toccata
|
|
|
|
2. For the Love of a Princess {From Braveheart}
|
|
|
|
3. Allegretto {From Palladio}
|
|
|
|
4. If You're Not the One
|
|
|
|
5. Heart Asks Pleasure First
|
|
|
|
6. Moonlight Sonata
|
|
|
|
7. Krwing
|
|
|
|
8. Pavane - Moving On
|
|
|
|
9. Adagio
|
|
|
|
10. Sarabande
|
|
|
|
11. Now We Are Free [Myleene Mix]
|
|
|
|
12. Gymnopédie - Live the Dream
|
|
|
|
13. Moonlight Sonata [Classic Version][*]
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Klass was a Member of the Pop Group Hearsay, as She Beat Out 3000 Other Competitors in 2001 for a Berth in the Band. She Has One Great Distinction: She is a Classically Trained Pianist. "Moving On" is her Debut Solo Recording and Offers a Refreshing Collection of Beautiful Classical Pieces Including Faure's "Pavane", "Now We Are Free" (From "Gladiator"), the Theme from "The Piano" by Nyman, Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", Satie's "Gymnopedie No. 2" and Arrangements for Piano of More Contemporary Works Including Daniel Bedingfield's Chart Topping Hit "if You're Not the One" and "Crawling" by Linkin Park.
Moving On, Music, Johann Sebastian Bach, Daniel Bedingfield, Ludwig van Beethoven, Edward Elgar, Gabriel Faure, George Frideric Handel, James Horner, Karl Jenkins, Linkin' Park, Michael Nyman, Erik Satie, Hans / Gerrard, Lisa Zimmer, Daryl Griffith, London Chamber Orchestra, Telephilmonic Orchestra, Miles Bould, Myles Bould, Myleene Klass, Cello Concerto, Choral, Classical, Concerto, Film, Film Music, Keyboard, Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Music for Organ, Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard, Secular Choral Music with Orchestra, Suite/Partita for Keyboard, Vocal, Vocal Music
Average customer rating:
|
Moving On
Myleene Klass
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B0002UXM58
Release Date: 2004-08-16 |
Tracks:
- Toccata
- For The Love Of A Princess (From Braveheart)
- Allegretto
- If You're Not The One (Her Interpretetion Of Daniel Bedingfield's Uk#1 Hit)
- Heart Asks Pleasure First (From The Piano)
- Moonlight Sonata
- Krwlng (Her Interpretation Of Linkin Park's Crawling)
- Pavane-Moving On
- Adagio (Elgar Cello Concerto)
- Sarabande
- Now We Are Free (From Gladiator)
- Gymnopedie-Live The Dream
- Moonlight Sonata (Classic Version)
- Trouble (Bonus Track)
- Sahara (Bonus Track)
- Onde (Bonus Track)
Album Description
Asia exclusive pressing of the ex-Hearsay vocalist's debut solo album includes three bonus tracks, 'Trouble', 'Sahara', & 'Le Onde'. Universal. 2004.
Album Details
Asian Release featuring Three Bonus Tracks: 'trouble', 'sahara', and 'le Onde'.
Customer Reviews:
Quite Excellent.......2005-12-19
I bought this on a sort of a whim. The store was playing some of it, I was interested and needed to get something... well, interesting. I like piano tunes, but not the sappy sort and the guy in the store was convinced me to get it. I had never heard of Myleene Klass but I'm real glad I got this CD. Linkin's Park Krwlng is one of my favourites, and she gives other classics a kind of a spin. I recommend this strongly if you like Maksim.
Average customer rating:
|
Moving On
Oleta Adams
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Contemporary R&B
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Contemporary
| Vocal Pop
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Adult Contemporary
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
Traditional Vocal Pop
| Broadway & Vocalists
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Evolution
- Circle of One
- All the Love
- The Very Best of Oleta Adams
- Come Walk With Me
ASIN: B000001EHQ
Release Date: 1995-11-07 |
Tracks:
- Never Knew Love
- Once In A Lifetime
- I Knew You When
- You Need To Be Loved
- Slow Motion
- We Will Meet Agian
- This Is Real
- Life Keeps Moving On
- Long Distance Love
- Love Begins At Home
- If This Love Should Ever End
- New Star
Customer Reviews:
More than Good!!!.......2001-10-30
Oleta Adams is like few other vocalists. It never fails but exterme talent and musical integrity are never fully appreciated. I first met Oleta in 1989 at a club in Dallas. She was performing at a friends birthday party. At this time she was relatively unknown outside of Kansas City. I knew upon listening to her that she was special. Time passed and suddenly she has a mojor hit with "Get Here". From that moment I have folled her every musical step. Movin' On shows that great artist can be slowed but not stopped. This CD has her skill shine above industry producers with vocals, keyboard playing and composing. "New Star" and "This is Real" are classic songs both lyrically and vocally. I have yet to hear an R&B artist articulate the soul and wholesomeness that comes from Adams' work. This CD does have a bit of useless producer polish that doesn't add to the vibe. Nevertheless, she overcomes it all; As she has in performance and on other recordings. Popular or not, I hope her music continues to flow to us true fans. Peace.
Average customer rating:
|
Moving On
Hird
Manufacturer: Dealers of Nordic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Dance & DJ
| Styles
| Music
General
| Dance Pop
| Dance & DJ
| Styles
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Nordic Lounge
- Nomad Songs
- Nordic Lounge, Vol. 3
- Love Mysterious
- Hotel Costes, Vol. 8
ASIN: B0002IQJ46
Release Date: 2006-09-28 |
Tracks:
- Fadin Blue
- Keep You Kimi
- Getting Closer
- Burn4
- Love Again
- Under My Bridges
- I Love You My Hope
- Moving On
Album Description
The music of Christoffer `Hird' Berg is an exhilarating example of the wonderful relationship between the attentive listener and the thoughtful music maker. It's very hard to imagine that this fine musician and accomplished producer is only 21 years of age!
Not so hard to imagine though, is that he is extremely sensitive, compassionate and very excitable. A charming young man actuated sometimes more by emotion rather than reason! The heedful hearkener will no doubt familiarize him or herself with the persona of the Hird.
This is the reason why we relate to music so passionately. It's simply an extension of whom or what we want to be also.
Customer Reviews:
Hird Moving On.......2004-11-09
This CD took me by surprise. Nice blend of jazz, downtempo and housey tracks. Yukimi Nagano Is on a few tracks. Her voice is silky smooth and perfect for Hird's production. The first 3 tracks will get you. The truly stand out tracks are:
Fading Blues
Moving On
Keep you Kimi
I love you my
Getting closer
THe only reason that the cd does not get 5 stars is that there are a couple of tracks that don't flow with the mood the CD sets. Other than that it is well worth the purchase.
Average customer rating:
- Great CD
- my favorite cd at the moment....
- Awesome talent
- One of the Best Christian Albums of 2004
- Incredible Album!
|
Moving on Faith
Jadon Lavik
Manufacturer: Bec Recordings / Emd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
Gospel
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
Christian Alternative
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
Christian Contemporary Music
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Life on the Inside
- Lifesong
- Arriving
- Made To Shine
- History
ASIN: B0002ABUWK
Release Date: 2004-06-29 |
Tracks:
- Following You
- What If
- Searching
- Saved By Grace
- Let It Go
- Redeeming King
- Moving On Faith
- Today
- How Majestic
- This Day
- Nothing But The Blood
Customer Reviews:
Great CD.......2006-03-24
Love this CD...Very upbeat and makes you happy kind of songs!
Highly recommend this CD. Sounds like America's songs..from the 70's
my favorite cd at the moment...........2006-02-16
I keep this in the car and play it when doing errands. I'm a little picky when it comes to music but I love every song on this cd. Jadin wrote every one, except the obvious hymn at the end. What a great songwriter-I hope his future cds can remain at this level of excellence.
Awesome talent.......2005-09-21
The first time I heard "What If" I was hooked. I immediately become one with the album and felt the message he was sending. I recommend the cd to anyone who is wanting to feel closer to GOD and might need a little inspiration.
One of the Best Christian Albums of 2004.......2005-08-05
Jadon Lavik's Moving On Faith is an addictive CD. I purchased this cd last summer, and instantly fell in love with it.
The lyrics AND the music are so wonderful. Highlights on the album, for me, are Following You, Saved By Grace, Redeeming King, How Majestic, and Nothing But The Blood. (Although I enjoy all the songs on the album.)
I am eagerly waiting for his second album.
Incredible Album!.......2004-07-31
This album is what every music listener needs in there CD player. Don't waste another minute of your life. Buy this album today...right now...and be blessed by what you experience.
Average customer rating:
|
Keep on Moving
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Chicago Blues
| Blues
| Styles
| Music
General
| Blues
| Styles
| Music
Electric Blues Guitar
| Blues
| Styles
| Music
Modern Blues
| Blues
| Styles
| Music
Harmonica Blues
| Blues
| Styles
| Music
Blues Rock
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
Psychedelic Rock
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
Blues
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- It All Comes Back
ASIN: B000024JAX
Release Date: 2007-05-08 |
Tracks:
- Love March
- No Amount of Loving
- Morning Sunrise
- Losing Hand
- Walking by Myself
- Except You
- Love Disease
- Where Did My Baby Go
- All in a Day
- So Far, So Good
- Buddy's Advice
- Keep on Moving
Average customer rating:
- love it lots!
- WONDERFUL-A MUST-LISTEN TO THE LYRICS
|
The Gay 90s Musical: Looking Back... Moving On... (1997 Original Cast)
Various Artists - Soundtracks
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Contemporary Folk
| Folk
| Styles
| Music
Singer-Songwriters
| Contemporary Folk
| Folk
| Styles
| Music
General
| Musicals
| Broadway & Vocalists
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Z: The Masked Musical (1998 Concept Cast)
- A Party With Betty Comden And Adolph Green (1977 Broadway Revival Cast)
- BINGO Original Cast Recording
- Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
- [title of show] (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
ASIN: B00000152L
Release Date: 1997-10-14 |
Tracks:
- The Gay 90's
- Couplets
- Sweet Dreams
- Simply Love
- 976 Number
- Mirror Image
- John And Fred
- Lookin' At Me
- Desmond, Sam And Ellen
- Well Spoken Woman
- My Superman
- Any Once Upon A Time
- All The Good Men Are Gay
- Mirror Image
- Bisexual Tango
- Jonathan Wesley Oliver, Jr.
- And The Ship Sails On
- In This Moment
Customer Reviews:
love it lots!.......2005-12-26
I saw this show at the Celebration Theater a couple times, and absolutely loved it so I bought the CD right then and there. Since then, I have hooked other people onto the CD. It has songs - that will make you laugh hysterically, and then such emotionally powerful songs that can hit close to home....I was going to list my favorties, but I think I would list the entire album! Everyone that has gotten the album based on my strong recommendation has absolutely loved it. My only regret is that the show is not playing anymore, maybe one day....I hope :)
WONDERFUL-A MUST-LISTEN TO THE LYRICS.......2000-06-09
I first saw this show a few years back (3 times) at the Celebration theatre in Hollywood. I immediately thought, I need to have this music. My friend, Jamie Anderson, is in the show, but this isn't the only reason for my high rating. The music and the lyrics (please listen to them and pay attention to the play on words) are quite wonderful. The emotion that come through in each song is quite effective. You will be able to relate to at least one of the songs on this CD. I highly recommend this CD. My pushing of this CD to friends has probably been responsible for at least a couple dozen purchases. You won't be disappointed.
Average customer rating:
|
Keep on Moving: The Best of Angelique Kidjo
Angélique Kidjo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Africa
| International
| Styles
| Music
Benin
| Africa
| International
| Styles
| Music
General
| International
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B00005IC0A
Release Date: 2001-05-15 |
Tracks:
- Summertime
- Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
- Agolo
- Fifa
- Batonga
- Wombo Lombo
- Malaika
- Open Your Eyes - Angque Kidjo, Kelly Price
- Sound of the Drums
- Adouma
- Na - Angque Kidjo, Carlos Santana
- Tourner la Page
- Babalao
- Agossi
- Idjdj
- Tombo
- W
- S
Average customer rating:
- Cool Techno-Tribal Groove
- Dissapointing!
- Soles on Earth is Out of this World!!!
|
Soles on Earth
Zingaia
Manufacturer: Sequoia Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| International
| Styles
| Music
General
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
Meditation
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
Relaxation
| New Age
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Dancers of Twilight
- Beneath the Veil
- Akwaba
- Original Face
- World Groove Mix, Vol. 1
ASIN: B0002SPPOG
Release Date: 2004-09-07 |
Tracks:
- Soles on Earth
- Bone Dance
- Dancing with Ganesha
- Nomad's Land
- In the Between
- In the Center
- Portal of Water
- Shamantic
- Sahaja
- Sky Dancer
Album Description
Find Yourself in the Rhythm - Let go into the sacred groove as Zingaia's world trance-dance music empowers you to find your own dance of life. Sensual African, Middle-Eastern and Indian rhythms, ecstatic global instruments and exotic voices come together in an irresistibly cool techno-tribal sound that will get your your feet moving and your spirit soaring. Musical mastermind Michael Breene has returned with an earthy, invigorating world groove tour-de-force. By combining ethnic instruments and voices with modern dance beats Zingaia has defined the leading edge of the global trance-dance sound. Put your body in motion and free your soul!
Customer Reviews:
Cool Techno-Tribal Groove.......2005-03-01
Wow ! This is a real departure from Zingaia's earlier releases and I love where they take me on this new musical adventure. Super cool techno-tribal beats, world rythyms and sampled voices from Africa and the Near and Far East blend beautifully. This release really transports me into a whole other world. While I really love the vocals from Abbi Spinner and Katlyn Breene from the previous releases, this new drum heavy trance inducing excursion from Zingaia is a complete a joy and an amazing listening experience.
Dissapointing!.......2005-02-16
I might like this album better if I didn't already have a fairly large collection of albums by Putamayo World Music which are much better than this! The reason I mention that is that this album reminds of the things that company releases, just not nearly as good.
I have both of their other releases which are superb! They are all about Sacred Sex and praise the Lady and the Lord. This album is bland and boring compared to the other two. The only good thing I can really find to say about it is that it might be enjoyable to drum along with it.
However, I have several other albums I like better which are also good for drumming along with. If thier next album isn't any better I will have to revise my opinion of Zingaia!
Soles on Earth is Out of this World!!!.......2004-10-27
This latest release by Zingaia (their third) is vastly different than their previous releases, both of which I absolutely love. Where their first release "Beneath the Veil" is a trance journey into the seductive heart of the Goddess, and their second release "Dancers of Twilight" featuring the alluring vocals of Abbi Spinner, further develops the original theme, deepening and expanding the voyage into musical spirit; with their latest release "Soles on Earth" Michael & Katlyn Breene and crew launch into a tribal poly-rhythmic trance dance groove that is no less than phenomenal. Middle Eastern, East Indian and African rhythms combine with sampled vocals from around the world to produce an album that sets the mind, body and spirit free to dance joyously to the pulsing rhythms of life. Definitively the most eclectic of their releases yet, Soles on Earth will stir your soul and get your feet moving. I give it my highest recommendation.
Average customer rating:
- Pleasant Enough
- Pure joy
- A Different Type of Musical
|
Brownstone the Musical (2003 Studio Cast)
Liz Callaway , Brian D'Arcy James , and Rebecca Luker
Manufacturer: Original Cast Record
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Musicals
| Broadway & Vocalists
| Styles
| Music
Traditional Vocal Pop
| Broadway & Vocalists
| Styles
| Music
General
| Broadway & Vocalists
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
- The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
- I Love You Because (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
- Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)
- Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
ASIN: B0000AYL3S
Release Date: 2003-08-26 |
Tracks:
- Someone's Moving In
- Cellphone Song
- Fiction Writer
- There She Goes
- We Should Talk
- Camouflage
- Thanks a Lot/Neighbors Above, Neighbors Below
- Pretty City
- What Do People Do?
- Not Today
- You Still Don't Know
- Not Today Trio
- Babies on the Brain
- Almost There [Act I Finale]
- Don't Tell Me Everything
- One of Them
- Fiction Writer (Reprise)
- He Didn't Leave It Here
- It Isn't the End of the World
- Since You Stayed Here
- We Came Along Too Late
- Books
- It's a Funny Thing
- It Isn't the End of the World (Reprise)
- If It's Time to Go
- Almost There (Reprise)
Customer Reviews:
Pleasant Enough.......2007-02-19
A pleasant score. Fine singing, especially the wonderful Liz Callaway. The score, however, doesn't have those one or two numbers that stand out and stop you in your tracks. I haven't seen the show, and perhaps when integrated with the text.....
Pure joy.......2005-03-08
I have bought this CD with Wild party and each of them was amazing. Fist I have heard Wild party and after that I haven't thought that I would enjoy the second one but Brownstone was simply so amazing. I didn't skip songs, because all of them are beautiful sung by actors who's singing voice are pure, strong and wonderful.
As you can see, I'm a true Brian D'arcy James fan but each singer amazed me, really.
Buy this Cd if you want to hear a fantastic musical.
A Different Type of Musical.......2004-03-09
I bought BROWNSTONE at the recommendation of a friend and have mixed feelings. I know this show has quite a history as far as transfer from off-Broadway to Broadway and the controversy surrounding its revamping for its journey to the Great White Way. I think the songs are catchy and clever, I just am sort of turned off by the orchestrations. The instruments sound like they are coming from a computer built in 1990. They sound too fake and I think there could be better orchestration, though the melodies are nice. Some songs are just corny like The Cell Phone Song, added only recently. Certain songs are great like The opening, Fiction Writer, Camouflage, and Babies on the Brain.
I would say that if you are looking for a musical CD to add to your collection that is a little different from what you're used to, BROWNSTONE is for you. And also, it features an amazing cast of seasoned veterans and new comers as well.
All in all, a nice CD.
Average customer rating:
- THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
- a voice teacher and early music fan
|
George Frideric Handel: Esther
Manufacturer: CORO
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Handel
| Handel, George Frideric
| ( H )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Sonatas
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Baroque (c.1600-1750)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Oboe
| Reeds & Winds
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Chamber Music
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Oratorios
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Oratorios
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Classical
| Indie Music
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Handel: Jeptha
- Handel - Joshua / Kirkby, Bowman, Oliver, Ainsley, George, The King's Consort
- Handel: Alexander's Feast
- Handel: Joseph and his Brethren / Robert King
- Samson
ASIN: B0001B0A94
Release Date: 2004-06-01 |
Tracks:
- Overture Andante - Larghetito - Allegro
- Recitative Habdonah/Haman: " 'Tis greater far to spare"
- Aria Haman: " Pluck root and branch from out the land"
- Recitative Persian Officer: "Our souls with ardour glow"
- Chorus: "Shall we the God of Israel fear?"
- Recitative First Israelite: " Now persecution shall lay by her iron rod"
- Aria: " Tune your harps to cheerfull strains"
- Chorus: " Shall we of servitude complain"
- Aria Israelite Woman: " Praise the Lord with cheerful noise"
- Recitative Israelite Woman: " 0 God, who from the suckling's mouth"
- Aria Second Israelite: " Sing songs of praise, bow down the knee"
- Chorus: " Shall we of servitude complain"
- Recitative Priest of the Israelites: " How have our sins provoked the Lord!"
- Chorus: "Ye sons of Israel mourn"
- Aria Priest ofc The Israelites: "0 Jordan, Jordan, sacred tide"
- Chorus: "Ye sons of Israel mourn"
- Andante
- Allegro
- Adagio
- Allegro
Tracks:
- Recitative Esther/Mordecai: " Why sits that sorrow on thy brow?"
- Aria Mordecai: " Dread not, righteous Queen, the danger"
- Recitative Esther: "I go before the King to stand"
- Aria Esther: " Tears assist me, pity moving"
- Chorus: " Save us, O Lord"
- Recitative Ahasuerus/Esther: "Who dares intrude into our presence"
- Duet Esther/Ahasuerus: " Who calls my parting soul from death?"
- Aria Ahasuerus: "0 beauteous Queen, unclose those eyes!"
- Recitative Esther: " If I find favour in thy sight"
- Aria Ahasuerus: " How can I stay when love invites?"
- Recitative Third Israelite/Fourth Israelite: " With inward joy his visage glows"
- Chorus: " Virtue, truth and innocence"
- Arioso Priest of the Israelites: " Jehovah, Crown'd with glory bright"
- Chorus: " He comes, he comes to end our woes"
- Recitative Ahasuerus/Esther: " Now, a Queen, thy suit declare"
- Arioso Haman: " Turn not, a Queen, thy face away"
- Aria Esther: " Flatt' ring tongue, no more I hear thee!"
- Recitative Ahasuerus: "Guards, seize the traitor, bear him hence!"
- Aria Haman: " How art thou fall'n from thy height!"
- Chorus: "The Lord Our enemy has slain"
Album Description
Handel's oratorios vary greatly in their presentation. In many ways, Esther is a rarity;it is by far the most intimate, not surprisingly as it was composed for the Duke of Chandos. The Duke's Palladian palace near the village ofEdgware had not been completed in time for the first performance so this may have taken place (as did Acis and Galatea) in the intimate surroundings of a small church, St Lawrence, Whitchurch.
We decided, therefore, that we should attempt to convey that intimacy of performance on disc; so we performed in the round with microphones in the middle, the orchestra in front of me, the choir behind and the soloists alongside. The result is everything that chamber music should be where players and singers can enjoy every aspect of Handel's masterpiece.
"The 'sound' of Esther, superbly communicated in the recorded performance here, is pure enchantment... The choral singing has an exceptional grandure, and the instrumental playing a shimmering beauty. Among the soloists, none of whom is less than accomplished, Nancy Argenta and Michael Chance dominate... Both singers affirm a new golden age of Handel interpretation".
Customer Reviews:
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME.......2007-01-26
Esther is the first of Handel's oratorios by a good many years, written when he was 33 and enjoying the patronage of the Duke of Chandos. When he later became his own impresario and was running into trouble as a composer and producer of Italian operas he turned to oratorio as a strategic alternative, but at this early date his concern was to deliver staged entertainments for the Duke, and Esther, contemporary with the work that later gained the title Acis and Galatea, seems to have been just an unusually serious specimen of its type.
As often with Handel, there is no fully official version of the score, and this particular score may not even be fully complete from any point of view. The libretto seems to have been the work of someone in the frivolously named association of big literary figures called the Scriblerus Club, perhaps Dr John Arbuthnot, dedicatee of Pope's great poetic Epistle, but Pope himself may have had a hand in it too. As we have it here, the work breaks into two very asymmetrical parts. Scenes 1 and 2 start with a recitative lasting only seconds from Habdonah followed by a longer one in which Haman announces his onslaught on the Israelites, and from there on feature only anonymous participants. Esther herself and the other named characters make their appearance first in scene 4, but the change of tone occurs in scene 3. At this point the music gains gravity first in the chorus Ye sons of Israel with its extraordinary modulations and then in the striking aria O Jordan, Jordan. I myself feel that this weightier tone is maintained to the end, whether or not the writer of the liner note is correct in saying that the long final chorus with solos is out of proportion to its context.
Throughout - in the first part as well as in scenes 3-6 - the instrumental writing is vivid and varied, with an extraordinary pizzicato accompaniment to Tune your harps and then an even more extraordinary obbligato from the harp itself at Praise the Lord. The harpist is no less than Jan Walters, but sometime I would like to see the score and check out what seem some odd rhythmic interactions here between her and the soloist Nancy Argenta. There are no fewer than ten vocal soloists in a work lasting a little over an hour and a quarter, and a very distinguished bunch they are. I was particularly pleased to find Michael Chance in the countertenor role of the Priest of the Israelites as I admire the strength of his tone, but there is no real weakness among them, unless Lynda Russell as Esther has a couple of very slightly awkward high notes in Flatt'ring tongue, which must be a little nerve-wracking to sing as she has to find her note for herself unaccompanied at the start and later at the reprise. You will see some big names among the instrumentalists too, with Crispian Steele-Perkins on the trumpet making a predictably fine contribution towards the end, and of course with Jan Walters in that marvellous harp part early on. The chorus gets some wonderful work to do, and rises to it fully. I really am unable to worry about the proportionateness of the final chorus when I hear that incomparable Handelian build of tone, sung by 18 singers and sounding as if there were 100.
There is a good liner note by Graydon Beeks Jr, not perhaps the last word in lucidity (neither is the plot of the libretto come to that) but worth re-reading. Harry Christophers himself contributes a short foreword largely concerned with the recording process and highlighting the contributions of Mark Brown and Mike Hatch, his long-time technical collaborators. I was interested to see also the name of Geoff Miles in a role described as `editor'. What responsibilities this involved is not stated and perhaps I ought to know without being told, but I know the work of Geoff Miles as recording engineer from elsewhere and it gave me confidence just to see that he is involved in the proceedings, and the technical work is predictably excellent.
My collection of Handel oratorios is now almost complete, and what a wonderful musical experience they are. Each is unique in its own way, but Esther is unique in some very special ways, and I suggest that you do not wait until you are my age to get to know it.
a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-04-04
Handel began composing the oratorio 'Esther' in 1718. There is some confusion as to who actually worte the libretto for it, but the story follows very closely the biblical story of Esther in the Book of Esther in the old testament. The story tells of a plot of Haman, the Agagite (Michael George-bass) jealous and powerful vizier of King Xerses (Ahasuerus-Tom Randle-tenor) of Persia(485-464), to destroy in a single day all the Jews living in the Roman Empire. He is moved to this out of hatred for the Jewish servant Mordecai (Mark Padmore-tenor),who for religious motives refuses to render him homage. The day of the proposed massacre is determined by lot. Meanwhile, Esther,niece and adopted daughter of Mordecai, is chosen Queen by King Xerses. She averts the pogrom planned against her people and has the royal decree of extermination reversed against Haman and the enemies of the Jews. Mordecai replaces Haman, and together with Esther, works for the welfare of their people. As you can see this makes for an interesting Oratorio, which it truly is!
This is a "small" contribution compared to many of Handel's other works. However, it is not "small" in a musical sense. There is much creativity on the part of Handel as to orchestral scoring; he exploits his small orchestra and chorus in surprising ways, introducing new vocal and instrumental colours throughout the score, adding and subtracting instruments and voices in many and varied ways. This is a listening surprise as it moves along. And what a great performance on the part of the Christophers as well as some outstanding vocal soloists. Mark Padmore's (Mordecai) aria "Tune Your Harps to Cheerful Strains" was superb as was the Duet between Lynda Russell (Esther) and Tom Randle (Ahasuerus).But the aria that really drew me into the entire drama was sung by Michael Chance (Priest) "O Jordan, Jordan, sacred Tide." It was perfection itself!!!!The Chorus was extremely good and dictionally perfect. It is a great listening experience.
Track Listings:
- Mozart: Flute Concertos; Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter"
- Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 14-16
- Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 23 & 24
- Music for 88
- Prokofiev-Piano Concertos 1, 4 & 5
- Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 9 / Piano Concerto - Bryden Thomson
- Rautavaara: On the Last Frontier
- Richard Strauss: Don Quixote; Don Juan
- Ris'n With Healing in His Wings: The 2002 St. Olaf Christmas Festival
- Rosa Ponselle: 1939 Victor & 1954 "Villa Pace" Recordings [Box set]
Track Listings
track listings
Track Listings
Cydonia
George Copeland: The Victor Solo Recordings
Homeland
Big Band Time
Hits
Godfather of Soul
i have dreamed
Franz Joseph Haydn: 6 String Quartets, Op. 50 "Prussian Quartets" - Tátrai Quartet
Happiness [Import]
Fauré: Barcarolles (Complete); Ballade (Original Solo Piano Version)
Gerry Mulligan Quartet/Paul Desmond Quintet
Fiesta Loca
DJ's Choice: Latin Hits
Travelin' Light
Pioneer