Musical Offering

Track Listings

1. Rirercar (Harpsichord)

2. Canon Perpetuus Super Thema Regium

3. Canon Cancricans

4. Canon a 2 in Unisono

5. Canon a 2 per Motum Contrarium

6. Canon a 2 per Augmentationem, Contrario Motu

7. Canon a 2 ‘Canon Circularis Per Tonos’

8. Fuga Canonica in Epidiapente

9. Rirercar a 6 (Orchestrated)

10. Canon a 2 ‘Quaerendo Invenietis’

11. Canon a 4

12. Sonata (Trio) Historical Instruments - Largo

13. Sonata (Trio) Historical Instruments - Allegro

14. Sonata (Trio) Historical Instruments - Andante

15. Sonata (Trio) Historical Instruments - Allegro

16. Canon Perpetuus

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
All tracks were orchestrated for various electronic musical instruments and performed by Mehmet Okonsar.

Equipment List:
Synthesizers and Sound Cards
SW1000XG Sound Card (Yamaha)
DSP 2416 Sound Card (Yamaha)
CS6X Synthesizer (Yamaha)
PLG150 AN plug in card (Yamaha)
PLG150 VL plug in card (Yamaha)
BC3 Breath Controller (Yamaha)
MX12/4 Mixer (Yamaha)

Computer: A Pentium IV 2GHz PC with 512 MB Ram solely dedicated to musical applications. Various Software

Monitoring: Soundcraft Spirit Absolute 4P powered speakers.

Musical Edition: Edition Peters (Landshoff)

Tracks:

Die Kunst der Fuge, BWV 1080: Contrapunctus I
Contrapunctus II
Contrapunctus III
Contrapunctus IV
Contrapunctus V
Contrapunctus VI
Contrapunctus VII
Contrapunctus VIII
Contrapunctus IX
Contrapunctus X
Contrapunctus XI
Canon alla octava
Canon alla duodecima
Canon alla decima
Canon per augmentationem in contrario moto
Contrapunctus XII (rectus)
Contrapunctus XII (inversus)
Fuga a 2 Clavicemabli (rectus)
Fuga a 2 Clavicemabli (inversus)

Tracks:

Die Kunst der Fuge, BWV 1080: Contrapunctus XII (rectus)
Die Kunst der Fuge, BWV 1080: Contrapunctus XII (inversus)
Die Kunst der Fuge, BWV 1080: Fuga a 4 soggetti
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Ricercar a 3
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Canon perpetuus a 2
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Canon a 2 violini in unisono
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Canon a 2 per motum contrarium
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Canon a 2 per augmentationem, contrario motu
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Canon a 2
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Canon a 2
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Canon a 2 per tonos
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Canon perpetuus contrario motu
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Canon a 4
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Fuga canonica
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Sonata a 3: I - Largo
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Sonata a 3: II - Allegro
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Sonata a 3: III - Andante
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Sonata a 3: IV - Allegro
Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Ricercar a 6

Customer Reviews:

Step Into The World Of Bach.......2007-06-09

I have nothing but good things to say about this double album. These extremely well-balanced compositions are sure to enthrall listeners with the most discerning taste. The theme here is point and counterpoint, done to perfection. These pieces are like complex equations, only done with music instead of numbers. Bach had an amazing musical mind, and this music showcases that. There is so much to the music; it is quite rich and there is so much going on here that you may not process it all the first time. If you like classical music and Bach's style, this is essential for your collection.

Great recordings.......2007-05-20

After I read Evening in the Palace of Reason: Bach Meets Frederick the Great in the Age of Enlightenment (P.S.), I had to have "Musical Offering" and "The Art of Fugue," and bought this version based on recommendations. The performance by an orchestra, rather than a single instrument such as a piano or harpsichord, seems to bring out the different voices. I listen to it over and over, and never tire of it.

Magisterial and Ethereal.......2006-11-28

As a college student, this 2-cd set has proven itself to be one of the most versatile and beautiful tools with which I can create an atmosphere amenable to studtying and doing homework. But it is not merely a background music; to be fully appreciated, it needs to be listened to while gently resting one's eyes (take care not to fall asleep -- a precaution against such is to have the music up rather high, although not painfully so).

I've listened to the whole set at least once a week since I've come to Stony Brook; its staying power, its ability to never seem to get trite or "used to" is so powerful that it really inspires. Only God (or the Divine Impetus, or whatever one wants to term the higher order), working through Bach, could have produced such an entrancing set of music.

Because of reviews.......2006-08-06

I bought this version because of the other reviews and I think it was a wise choice! The tempo's are perfect and the music is inspirational!

The Crown of Western Music.......2005-11-28

This recording of The Art of Fugue is my all-around favorite.

The premier piece of the set is the final (unfinished) fugue. I place this as the crown of all western music. Three parts of the fugue, out of a theorized four, were completed - but he didn't live to finish it. Some feel that he let it end there on purpose, for some reason. Just before he died, instead of finishing the final fugue, he composed a chorale. If the final fugue represents a journey into the after-life, then this chorale could be thought of as music from the other side, and as the only piece worthy of being played after the final fugue. That chorale is sometimes called "Vor Deinen Thron Tret Ich Hiermit", and is also known as "Wenn wir in Hochsten Noten Sein".

The Art of Fugue was written without scoring - no particular instruments were assigned - so one can find recordings done on the piano (Charles Rosen), harpsichord (Gustav Leonhardt - on vinyl only, I think), chamber orchestra, string orchestra, brass ensemble, organ, etc. My favorite recording of the final fugue is by Arthur Winograd (MGM) on vinyl, but that recording is very scarce.

Other decent recordings that I've heard so far on CD:
The Emerson String Quartet; Deutsche Grammophon B0000908-02 - their versions of the early fugues are quite good.
The Canadian Brass; Sony Essential Classics SBK 89731.
The Keller Quartet (ECM 1652) - some parts work well, others not as well.
Neville Marriner (Phillips 442-556-2) - a bit bland, but good.

Lukas Foss and the Sheffield Ensemble - Quite lively, but very unusual in its orchestration and in its freedom with the notes. Three or four of the pieces are as good as any version I've heard.
-------
One day, quite a while ago, I was walking through the quad of a university and heard one of the fugues being played inside a classroom. I looked in through the window and saw a room full of accordions playing it! True story!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

Mill. Classical review
classical music for the unitiated
Some little gems there that I had forgotten!
A very helpful collection
Excellent!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

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ASIN: B00000K1C9
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Average customer rating:

Thank You Boulez
5 Star music. Some very good performances, some are aimless.
not much more to be said
a transcendent masterpiece
Five stars and a bullet

Complete Webern
Anton von Webern , Clemens Hagen , David Finckel , Anton Webern , Pierre Boulez , Ensemble InterContemporain , Mary Ann McCormick , Berliner Philharmoniker , Eric Schneider , Gianluca Cascioli , Krystian Zimerman , Oleg Maisenberg , Pierre-Laurent Aimard , Christiane Oelze , Francoise Pollet , Lawrence Dutton , Gidon Kremer , and Philip Setzer
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004R9F0
Release Date: 2000-05-09

Tracks:

Passacaglia For Orchestra Op. 1: Sehr massig, Tempo I - Massig bewegt, Tempo II - Sehr lebhaft, Tempo III
5 Movements Op. 5: I. Heftig bewegt
5 Movements Op. 5: II. Sehr langsam
5 Movements Op. 5: III. Sehr lebhaft
5 Movements Op. 5: IV. Sehr langsam
5 Movements Op. 5: V. In zarter Bewegung
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: I. Etwas bewegte Achtel
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: II. Bewegt
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: III. Zart bewegt
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: IV. Langsam. Marcia funebre
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: V. Sehr langsam
6 Pieces For Orchestra Op. 6: VI. Zart bewegt
2 Arrangements: J.S. Bach: Fuga (Ricercata) a 6 voci: Sehr massig
Franz Schubert: German Dances Op. Post. D 820: No. 1 - No. 2 (No. 1) - No. 3 ( No. 1) In A Flat Major
Franz Schubert: German Dances Op. Post. D 820: No. 4 - No. 5 (No. 4) - No. 6 (No. 4) In B Flat Major
Im Sommerwind - Idyll For Large Orchestra: Ruhig bewegt - Ruhig - Lustig - Schnell - Feierlich bewegt - Voll Schwung - Aufjauchzend - sehr ruhig und weihevoll

Tracks:

5 Pieces For Orchestra: I. Bewegt
5 Pieces For Orchestra: II. Langsam (sostenuto)
5 Pieces For Orchestra: III. Sehr bewegte Viertel
5 Pieces For Orchestra: IV. Langsame Viertel
5 Pieces For Orchestra: V. (Alla breve)
3 Orchestral Songs: I. Leise Dufte: 'Leise Dufte, Bluten so zart'
3 Orchestral Songs: II. Kunfttag III: 'Nun wird es wieder Lenz'
3 Orchestral Songs: III. 'O sanftes Gluhn der Berge'
Symphony Op. 21: I. Ruhig schreitend
Symphony Op. 21: II. Variationen: Thema. Sehr ruhig - Var. I. Lebhafter - Var. II Sehr lebhaft - Var. III. Wieder massiger - Var. IV. Ausserst ruhig - Var. V. Sehr lebhaft - Var. VI. Marschmassig. Nicht eilen - Var. VII. Etwas breiter - Coda
Das Augenlicht Op. 26: 'Durch unsre offnen Augen' - 'The Eyes Of Radiance' - Langsam
Cantata No. 1 Op. 29: I. 'Zundender Lichtblitz des Lebens' - Getragen - Lebhaft
Cantata No. 1 Op. 29: II. 'Kleiner Flugel Ahornsamen' - Leicht bewegt
Cantata No. 1 Op. 29: III. 'Tonen die seligen Saiten Apolls' - Ruhig
Variations For Orchestra Op. 30
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: I. 'Schweigt auch die Welt' - Sehr lebhaft - Ruhig
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: II. 'Sehr tief verhalten innerst Leben' - Sehr verhalten
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: III. 'Schopfen aus Brunnen des Himmels' - Sehr bewegt
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: IV. 'Leichteste Burden der Baume' - Sehr lebhaft
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: V. 'Freundselig ist das Wort' - Sehr massig
Cantata No. 2 Op. 31: VI. 'Gelockert aus dem Schosse' - Sehr fliessend

Tracks:

Piano Quintet: Moderato
'Entflieht auf leichten Kahnen' op. 2: Zart bewegt
2 Lieder op. 8: I. 'Du, der ichs nicht sage'
2 Lieder op. 8: 'Du machst mich allein'
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: I. Sehr ruhig und zart
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: II. Leghaft und zart bewegt
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: III. Sehr langsam und ausserst ruhig
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: IV. Fliessend, ausserst zart
5 Pieces for Orchestra op. 10: V. Sehr fliessend
4 Lieder op. 13: I. Wiese im Park: 'Wie wird mir zeitlos'
4 Lieder op. 13: II. Die Einsame: 'An dunkelblauem Himmel'
4 Lieder op. 13: III. In der Fremde: 'In fremden Lande lag ich'
4 Lieder op. 13: IV. Ein Winterabend: 'Wenn der Schnee ans Fenster fallt'
6 Lieder op. 14: I. Die Sonne: 'Taglich kommt die gelbe Sonne'
6 Lieder op. 14: II. Abendland I: 'Mond, als trate ein Totes'
6 Lieder op. 14: III. Abendland II: 'So leise sind die grunen Walder'
6 Lieder op. 14: IV. Abendland IV: 'Ihr grossen Stadte steinern aufgebaut'
6 Lieder op. 14: V. Nachts: 'Die Blaue meiner Augen'
6 Lieder op. 14: VI. Gesang einer gefangenen Amsel: 'Dunkler Odem im grunen Gezweig'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: I. 'Das Kreuz, das musst' er tragen'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: II. Morgenlied: 'Steht auf, ihr lieben Kinderlein'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: III. 'In Gottes Namen aufstehn'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: IV. 'Mein Weg geht jetzt voruber'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: V. 'Fahr hin, o Seel', zu deinem Gott'
5 Canons op. 16: I. 'Christus factus est'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: II. 'Dormi Jesu, mater ridet' From 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: III. 'Crux fidelis'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: IV. 'Asperges me, Domine'
5 Sacred Songs op. 15: V. 'Crucem tuam adoramus, Domine'
3 Traditional Rymes op. 17: I. 'Armer Sunder, du'
3 Traditional Rymes op. 17: II. 'Liebste Jungfrau, wir sind dein'
3 Traditional Rymes op. 17: III. 'Heiland, unsre Missetaten'
3 Lieder for voice, E flat clarinet and guitar op. 18: I. 'Schatzerl klein'
3 Lieder for voice, E flat clarinet and guitar op. 18: II. Erlosung: 'Mein Kind, sieh an' From 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn'
3 Lieder for voice, E flat clarinet and guitar op. 18: III. 'Ave , Regina coelorum'
2 Lieder op. 19 for mixed choir: I. 'Wiess wie Lilien'
2 Lieder op. 19 for mixed choir: II. 'Ziehn die Schafe'
Quartet op. 22: I. Sehr massig
Quartet op. 22: II. Sehr schwungvall
Concerto op. 24: I. Etwas lebhaft
Concerto op. 24: II. Sehr schwungvoll
Concerto op. 24: III. Sehr rasch

Tracks:

3 Poems: I. Vorfruhling: 'Leise tritt auf...'
3 Poems: II. Nachtgebet der Braut: 'O mein Geliebter'
3 Poems: III. Fromm: 'Der Mond scheint auf mein Lager'
8 Early Lieder: I. Tief von fern: 'Aus des Abends weissen Wagen'
8 Early Lieder: II. Aufblick: 'Uber unsre Liebe hangt eine Trauerweide'
8 Early Lieder: III. Bleuengruss: 'Der Strauss, den ich gepflucket'
8 Early Lieder: IV. Bild der Liebe: 'Von Wald umgeben'
8 Early Lieder: V. Sommerbend: 'Du Sommerbend! Heilig, goldnes Licht!'
8 Early Lieder: VI. Heiter: 'Mein Herz ist wie ein See so weit'
8 Early Lieder: VII. Der Tod: 'Ach, es ist do dunkel in des Todes Kammer'
8 Early Lieder: VIII. Heimgang in der Fruhe: 'In der Dammerung'
3 Lieder on poems by Ferdinand Avenarius: I. Gefunden: 'Nun wir uns lieben, rauscht mein stolzes Gluck'
3 Lieder on poems by Ferdinand Avenarius: II. Gebet: 'Ertrage du's, lass schneiden dir den Schmerz'
3 Lieder on poems by Ferdinand Avenarius: III. Greunde: 'Schmerze und Freuden reift jede Stunde'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: I. Ideale Landschaft: 'Du hattest einen Glanz auf deiner Stirn'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: II. Am Ufer: 'Die Wlet verstummt, dein Blut erklingt'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: III. Himmelfahrt: 'Schwebst du nieder aus den Weiten'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: IV. Nachtliche Scheu: 'Zaghaft vom Gewolk ins Land'
5 Lieder on poems by Richard Dehmel: V. Helle Nacht: 'Weich kusst die Zweige der weisse Mond'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: I. 'Dies ist ein lied'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: II. ''Im windes-weben'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: III. 'An baches ranft'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: IV. 'Im morgen-taun'
5 Lieder from 'Der siebente Ring' by Stefan George op. 3: V. 'Kahl reckt der baum'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: I. Eingang: 'Welt der gestalten lang lebewohl!'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: II. Noch zwingt mich treue uber dir zu wachen'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: III. 'Ja heil und dank dir'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: IV. 'So ich traurig bin'
5 Lieder on poems by Stefan George op. 4: V. 'Ihr tratet zu dem herde'
4 Lieder on poems by Stefan George: I. 'Erwachen aus dem tiefsten traumes-schoosse'
4 Lieder on poems by Stefan George: II. Kunfttag I: 'Dem bist du kind, dem freund'
4 Lieder on poems by Stefan George: III. Trauer I: 'So wart bis ich dies dir noch kunde'
4 Lieder on poems by Stefan George: IV. 'Das lockere saatgefilde lechzet krank'
4 Lieder op. 12: I. 'Der Tag ist vergangen' - Folksong
4 Lieder op. 12: II. Die geheimnisvolle Flote: 'An einem Abend, da die Blumen dufteten' - Li-Tai-Po
4 Lieder op. 12: III. 'Schien mir's, als ich sah die Sonne' - 'Gespenstersonate'
4 Lieder op. 12: IV. Gleich und gleich: 'Ein Blumenglockchen'
3 Songs From 'Viae inviae' by HildegardJone op. 23: I. 'Das dunkle Herz, das in sich lauscht'
3 Songs From 'Viae inviae' by HildegardJone op. 23: II. Es sturzt aus Hohen Frische'
3 Songs From 'Viae inviae' by HildegardJone op. 23: III. Herr Jesus mein'
3 Lieder on poems by Hildegard Jone op. 25: I. 'Wie bein ich froh!'
3 Lieder on poems by Hildegard Jone op. 25: II. 'Des Herzens Purpurvogel fliegt durch Nacht'
3 Lieder on poems by Hildegard Jone op. 25: III. 'Sterne, ihr silbernen Bienen der Nacht'

Tracks:

Slow Movement For String Quartet: Langsam, mit bewegtem Ausdruck
5 Movements For String Quartet: I. Heftig bewegt
5 Movements For String Quartet: II. Sehr langsam
5 Movements For String Quartet: III. Sehr bewegt
5 Movements For String Quartet: IV. Sehr langsam
5 Movements For String Quartet: V. In zarter Bewegung
String Quartet
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: I. Massig
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: II. Leicht bewegt
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: III. Ziemlich fliessend
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: IV. Sehr langsam
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: V. Ausserst langsam
6 Batatelles For String Quartet op. 9: VI. Fliessend
Rondo For String Quartet: Bewegt
Movement For String Trio op. post.: Ruhig fliessend
3 Pieces For String Quartet: I. Bewegt
3 Pieces For String Quartet: II. Langsam: Grief Always; Looking Upward; Heaven's Dew; Memory; Black Flowers; On Breast; Out Of Mother
3 Pieces For String Quartet: III. Nicht zu langsam
String Trio op. 20: I. Sehr langsam
String Trio op. 20: II. Sehr getragen und ausdrucksvoll
String Quartet op. 28: I. Massig
String Quartet op. 28: II. Gemachlich - Bewegt
String Quartet op. 28: III. Sehr fliessend

Tracks:

2 Pieces For Cello And Piano: I. Langsam
2 Pieces For Cello And Piano: II. Langsam
Movement For Piano: Lebhaft
Sonata Movement (Rondo) For Piano: (Bewegt) - Ruhig bewegt - Sehr ruhig
4 Pieces For Violin And Piano op. 7: I. Sehr langsam
4 Pieces For Violin And Piano op. 7: II. Rasch
4 Pieces For Violin And Piano op. 7: III. Sehr langsam
4 Pieces For Violin And Piano op. 7: IV. Bewegt
3 Little Pieces For Cello And Piano op. 11: I. Massige
3 Little Pieces For Cello And Piano op. 11: II. Sehr bewegt
3 Little Pieces For Cello And Piano op. 11: III. Ausserst ruhig
Cello Sonata: Sehr bewegt
Children's Piece For Piano: Lieblich
Piano Piece: Im Tempo eines Menuetts
Variations For Piano op. 27: I. Sehr massig
Variations For Piano op. 27: II. Sehr schnell
Variations For Piano op. 27: III. Ruhig fleissend

Amazon.com

Pierre Boulez's Complete Webern Edition appears just over two decades after his last traversal. Well, it's not literally complete, but does have enough early works to set the mature ones in the right context. These days, Webern is no longer seen so much as a new music guru as he is a major composer, pure and simple--his expression as concise as it is intense. Performancewise, there's a quality of musicianship here that few previous recordings have matched; familiarity with the idiom certainly plays its part, but so does Boulez's belief that what we're hearing needs to be presented with conviction. Try the Passacaglia, sensuous music that combines the soundworld of Brahms and Mahler, or the string quartet or orchestra pieces--miniatures in duration, but whole dramas of expression.

Ease of performance doesn't always make this music easy to come to grips with: the song cycles need several listenings to grasp the meaning behind the compression, while the later instrumental and choral works have a luminous austerity that looks back to Bach and beyond to Renaissance masters such as Schütz and Isaac. While much of Webern's music has long been admired, only now is it becoming possible to respond to it through the heart as well as the brain. This set, superbly packaged and comprehensively documented, marks a major step forward, and deserves investigating by anyone keen to appreciate something of the music's quiet, calm essence in an often strident, dislocated century. --Richard Whitehouse

Customer Reviews:

Thank You Boulez.......2001-10-23

If you are a fan of the "New Vienna School" (Schoenberg, Berg, Webern) or 20th century "classical" or "serious" music, this disk set is very rewarding. Beautifully recorded and packaged, and with equally good liner notes, it is a treat to strap on the headphones and listen.

I debated between buying this or Boulez's older Webern set and went with this one. There is much more music on this set because pieces without opus numbers are included. They lend a lot of insight into his "published" works. I also went with this set because it is a modern digital recording, the previous set being from the early 70's. I will often side with a classic recording when needed-performance over sound. Here, I'm happy to report, the listener gets both. Every detail is captured.

Thank you very much Pierre Boulez and DG for making this project happen. Please keep the Schoenberg and Berg disks coming. And thank you Anton Webern for continually opening my ears.

5 Star music. Some very good performances, some are aimless........2001-08-25

Webern's music demonstrates a level of craft, in which few composers ever contend. The more that I listen to the works of Webern, the more I hear that each note must be just as it is. There is nothing wasted in this music. The expression is never vague, always intense. I do admire the works of many modern composers, but few are so discerning and meticulous in their works. Webern's craft is equal with the greats of music history; Guillarme de Machaut, Carlo Gesualdo, Claudio Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, Franz Joseph Haydn, Ludwig Beethoven. He is a towering figure. The music that is played here is first rate. However, I have not yet heard performances of many of his works that bring out everything that Webern's music has to offer. For example, the Op. 27 Piano Variations are seldom done justice. All of the movements are given `circa' tempo indications, but many take the movements much slower or faster than indicated. Unfortunately, on this recording the fast movement is slow and the slow movements fast. Presumably the slower tempo in the fast movement would allow for more accurate interpretation of the frequent changes between piano and forte. The problem is that the F's typically don't fade away fast enough and drown out the P's. The other option is to make the P's a little bit more like mezzo forte's. The recording that Pollini did of the work on Deutsche Gramaphon with the Boulez 2nd Sonata manages to reconcile the dynamics with the tempo. However, what I have not heard with the work is the full impact of the affect in the work. What the Pollini performance fails in is the coldness of the interpretation. For those interested, I believe that DG is currently putting out the Pollini performance with Stravinsky's Petruska and a Prokofiev sonata at a fairly low price. This recording brings together several performances of more `high profile' ensembles than the older recording on Sony, which mostly featured performances of musicians from Juilliard. The performances are often more colorful, but I can't say that I always think they surpass their predecessors. The interpretations of the works are a little bit `hit and miss.' The ensembles that Boulez conducts tend to bring out the same sorts of things in the works that the previous ensembles did with the last `complete Webern.' This is good in places; I appreciate the more resonant quality that the recent recording equipment affords, and Boulez conducts a comparable performance of the orchestral works such as the `Symphonie.' The recording of the `Konzert' for nine instruments is good. The performances of the early expressionist works, such as the `Five Orchestral Pieces,' are powerful. Boulez is less afraid to see the human in Webern and let the shocked silences speak. Furthermore, the peaks are less harsh, allowing more of the subtle affects to become visible. Some of the performances just lack a certain power of expression that the previous `complete webern' had; a viscerally that the strength of the `Webern - Vogue' afforded them. The musicians that played the previous complete were looking at Webern as a giant, they are young and virile performances. These performances sometimes view Webern as a curiosity, a historical anachronism, the way that your grandfather will tell you a strange story, of which he himself doesn't understand the point, but he relates as a bit of curio. All in all, I wouldn't say that this set of recordings is the final word on the majority of Webern's works. Many of the performances in the previous set are just as good, but neither do those constantly surpass these performances. Both have their faults. The previous set tended to be cold and more aggressive than was necessary in places. The new set tends to wander at times, as if the performer does not understand the point. It's always difficult to sum up a complete works set for a prospective buyer. Just as in `complete works' of Bach sets that I own, the performances are not always amazing. However, the strength of the compositions often overcomes my desire for a strong performance, and I'm just glad that I have a recording of someone performing that Bach work that I want to hear. Here, similarly, the performances aren't always the best, but there is a wider range of Webern's ouvre represented and many of the performances are quite good. I suppose my counsel would be that one should consider the price of this set vs. the older sony set. The sony set is less complete, but it does include all of the really monolithic, profound Webern works. You also get a view of the younger, romantic Webern in this new set, in addition to better sound quality. Certain performances are better in each set, and so you'll get some good and some bad in either choice. For those that already have a strong taste for Webern's music, try this set. For those who are looking for a starting place, you might try the sony set. The highlights of this set are the Boulez orchestral performances. He has honed his vision for Webern since the last set and they are `worth the price.' For those further exploring Webern, those performances should be heard.

not much more to be said.......2001-08-01

... i could be extremely nit-picky, and complain about the solo piano pieces, and their performer's occasional humming, and the baffling ordering of the quartet disc, and the discrepencies in the translations of the booklet, and how the english left out any explanation of sator arepo etc..., yet the french seems to, and all the little tiny errors, in the booklet... but... these are all moot points when any of the performances are heard. it brings to light all facets of the composer, so he no longer seems ascetic and overly intellectual, just check out the highly romantic string quartet op. 28, and variations for orchestra, yes even the solo piano pieces with the humming. all in all, a very enlightening experience.

a transcendent masterpiece.......2000-07-17

The performances here are absolutely brilliant.

Nuance, detail, sensitivity.

This is not merely music, this is magic!

Five stars and a bullet.......2000-06-13

Pierre Boulez, the enfant not-very-terrible-any-more of French music, has surpassed himself. Twenty-two years ago, CBS released his Complete Works of Anton Webern, and it's remained the definitive Webern collection. Until, as they say in movie trailers, now.

This consists of the three Webern albums Boulez has recorded for DG over the past five years or so, plus everything else Webern ever wrote. It thus scores straightaway over the earlier CBS/Sony set, which was restricted to works that had opus numbers and filled three CDs. This one includes the charming early songs, the equally early "Im Sommerwind" for orchestra and a number of posthumous and otherwise non-Opus works that didn't make it onto the earlier set. Webern is a composer whose entire output takes about six hours to listen to in its entirety, and it's all here, on six CDs.

That's fine; is it any good? Well, it's digitally recorded, and if ever a composer was born for CD, it's Webern. The pianissimos are more ppp than ever, thanks to better recording techniques. Boulez himself has also unbuttoned a bit. His earlier set, recorded between 1967 and 1972, was high on austerity and, if it fell down at all, did so on emotion. The older Boulez (he's 75 this year) is more relaxed about letting tuttis blare and climaxes, well, climax. The result is both as intellectually satisfying as we've come to expect from Boulez, and warmly expressive; in general, a more moving and less didactic set of recordings than the previous lot. And all the better for it, as far as this composer (and this listener) is concerned.

There are many benefits of a digital set, not the least being the better registration of timbral variety, which Webern (as is well known) made into a compositional principle. Even those allergic to twelve-tone music can't help but be ravished by the intricate sweetness of his arrangement of the Bach six-part fugue from the "Musical Offering". The arrangement of Schubert's German Dances has been re-recorded, and can be heard now in all its sprightliness. (The CBS/Sony set has an archive recording conducted by Webern himself in the thirties, but dodgy sound quality prevented it from shining forth properly, despite Webern's witty conducting.)

Tracks:

A Musical Offering, BWV1079: Ricercare a 3
A Musical Offering, BWV1079: Ricercare a 6
Four Duettos, BWV802 - 805: Duet No 1 In E Minor
Four Duettos, BWV802 - 805: Duet No 2 In F Major
Four Duettos, BWV802 - 805: Duet No 3 In G Major
Four Duettos, BWV802 - 805: Duet No 4 In A Minor
The Art Of The Fugue, BWV1080: Contrapunctus 1
The Art Of The Fugue, BWV1080: Contrapunctus 2
The Art Of The Fugue, BWV1080: Contrapunctus 3
The Art Of The Fugue, BWV1080: Contrapunctus 4
The Art Of The Fugue, BWV1080: Canon in Hypodiapason (Canon alla Ottava)
The Art Of The Fugue, BWV1080: Contrapunctus 5
The Art Of The Fugue, BWV1080: Contrapunctus 6 (per Diminutionem) in Stylo Francese
The Art Of The Fugue, BWV1080: Contrapunctus 7 per Augmentationem et Diminutionem
The Art Of The Fugue, BWV1080: Canon alla Duodecima in Contrapunto alla Quinta

Tracks:

The Art Of The Fugue: Contrapunctus 8
The Art Of The Fugue: Contrapunctus 9 alla Duodecima
The Art Of The Fugue: Contrapunctus 10 alla Decima
The Art Of The Fugue: Contrapunctus 11
The Art Of The Fugue: Canon (in Hypodiatessaron) per Augmentationem in Contrario Motu
The Art Of The Fugue: Canon alla Decima (Contrapunto alla Terza)
The Art Of The Fugue: Contrapunctus 13 (Rectus)
The Art Of The Fugue: Contrapunctus 13 (Inversus)
The Art Of The Fugue: Contrapunctus 12 (Rectus)
The Art Of The Fugue: Contrapunctus 12 (Inversus)
The Art Of The Fugue: Contrapunctus 14

Customer Reviews:

Extraordinary and beautiful rendering of Bach's great fugal opus.......2007-07-11

As an obssesed fan of Glenn Gould, I would not have found my way to buying this album had I not realized that Gould had not recorded it on piano but only did some extracts on an organ, of all things. I have played through these fuges before and found them uninterested compared to the lovely themes that permeate the entire Well Tempered Clavier books 1 and 2. I read a few reviews of people who had bought this cd and on the strength of their passionate and positive appraisal, I bought it. Good that I did.

Her playing is first class, impeccable with a sure sense of dynamic, rythmic and colorful phrasing that entertain and enchant from the beginning to the end. This is a woman who had lived with these pieces, played them and contemplated their meaning. I have always said that a mere technician can reproduce sounds on a piano, often in a very accurate way but if there is no soul, if there is no artistic merit in the interpretation, then it is like listening to a robot playing the instrument. A gifted artist rises to the occassion and is motivated and inspired by the material at hand. The results here are worth a lifetime of repeated listening. If my memory is correct, there are so little, if any, indications in Bach's edition of how fast or loud or soft to play these pieces. That ommission allows an opportunity for the great artist to interpret with creativity. We are not disappointed here. The intuition of this artist led her to imbue this work with such beauty, allowing the work to reveal it's own inner realities on sublime levels. This is supposed to be Bach's crowning achievement and in most ways closes the Baroque era. A very rich accomplishment both for Bach, who died writing the last notes and for Tatiana Nikolayeva a recording that places her at the highest levels of musical accomplishments.

Excellent Exposition of the art of the fugue.......2007-07-10

The clarity of the notes and the even balance of the melody and harmony made this familiar piece of music sound new and exciting

A great master plays one of the monuments of the Baroque.......2006-04-21

When I first saw this recordings in a music store I never realized what was waiting for me inside the jewel case. Two or three years had to go before I got one. Since then this is one of my favourites. Nikolayeva was a master in all the meaning of the word and although I am a purist (would have liked a Harpsichord instead of a Piano) her interpretation is magnificent, moving and executed with the precision required for a Brain surgery. Do not miss this set, it is without a question one of the very best AoF ever recorded. You will only need to hear how this great Russian Master played the first three notes of the Ricercare a 3, BWV1079, to know what I mean.

Absolutely stunning.......2005-11-29

This is far and out the greatest interpretation ever (on piano) of this monumental work - absolutely perfect, under any aspect. If you are a classical music fan it would be a crime to give it a miss.

Best of the best.......2005-05-08

I own about a dozen performances of The Art of Fugue (ranging from solo piano and organ over string quartet to Hermann Scherchen's orchestral arrangement). This is hands down my favorite (Scherchen's a distant second). Glenn Gould's might have been equally good if he had ever recorded the whole set for piano. (He recorded a partial set for organ, and piano recordings of a few individual fugues were released posthumously.)
While Bach never specified instruments for TAoF, the voice leading is too keyboard-friendly to be coincidental. It is not a "flashy" work but --- despite that --- extremely demanding on a keyboard player in that exceptional articulation skills are required to clearly bring out the four voices.
The purist may be annoyed at the fact that a piano (rather than a harpsichord) is used at all, and that (obviously) modern A=440 tuning is used. If you are one of these, you may wish to consider Davitt Moroney's harpsichord recording instead.
Unlike Moroney and organist Helmut Walcha, Ms. Nikolayeva does not attempt to "complete" the final unfinished fugue: her playing tapers off on the last notes in the manuscript.
The playing is not only crisp and technically perfect but beautiful at all times, and the recording very clean.
Bonuses are the four Duets (which work surprisingly well on the piano) and the two Ricercars from The Musical Offering. (The Ricercar a 3, incredibly, is actually rooted in an improvisation session by Bach on an early Silbermann fortepiano at the palace of Frederick II in Potsdam.)

Average customer rating:

Transcending!
WOW!!!
EXTRA-ORDINARY!
A Wonderful CD
Gorgeous!

Reveal
Girish
Manufacturer: Spirit Voyage
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Album Description

Popular percussionist Girish is blasting through the defining boundaries of the chant music genre, bringing a fresh, exciting, and yet deeply spiritual interpretation that is sure to change the way that audiences and performers think of chant music. You may readily recognize the familiar sound of Girish's tabla playing, which has consistently graced popular chant recordings for the last decade. Now Girish is revolutionizing the world of chants with his funky, stirring style. On his new CD, Reveal, he intelligently incorporates pop, jazz, and folk nuances into ancient Sanskrit mantras. His voice is well trained through years of studying Sanskrit and chanting for hours a day, year after year. "I took mantras that are ten thousand years old and combined them with a musical style that makes the benefit of the mantras accessible and appealing to modern listeners," says Girish. But rather than translating the mantras, he kept the integrity of the Sanskrit sounds intact for a reason. "When you chant, the mantra acts as a portal to the presence of the deity whose name you're chanting. There's this whole energy field built up around a mantra that has been used for thousands of years and has this vortex of spiritual power built around it," he explains. A remarkable cast of performers participated in and supported the making of Reveal. These include top female vocalists Donna De Lory, Wah!, CC White and Snatam Kaur. Saxophone, keyboards, electric sitar and cello add tremendous texture and flavor. But most impressive is Girish's effort in conceptualizing, writing for, singing on, and performing multiple instruments throughout the recording. Though it is deeply rooted in the wisdom and spiritual knowledge of the Vedas, listening to Reveal is fun and light-hearted

Customer Reviews:

Transcending!.......2007-03-16

Open your heart and sink inside....Pure Bliss!
Girish redefines mantra. Donna De Lory's backing vocals are just stunning!

WOW!!!.......2005-04-15

I'm new to some of eastern influenced music. I've worked in the music business for many years with rock and pop artists, but I wanted to expand my horizons. Until I came across this Girish CD, my favorites have been Dave Stringer, Krishna Das, and David Parson. My new favorite of the genre is Reveal. The entire album is amazing. I especially can't stop listening to Hanuman.

I highly recommend this CD. I'm looking forward to seeing what Girish does in the future too!!!

EXTRA-ORDINARY!.......2005-01-19

Upon first listening to REVEAL, I found myself intoxicated by ancient sounds woven together by the modern hands of an artist who truly understands the soul's desire to experience something deeply transcendent. Strong, earthy tones permeate mantras often thought inaccessible are now open to many in this cross-culturally infused album. Girish's languid voice takes us on a journey where inspiring, heart-felt expression is mixed with a groove all its own. These subtle, jazz-like compositions set REVEAL apart from other chant albums, allowing those who may not usually swim in these waters a chance to dive in and feel immediately at home.

To create an album with a unique sound, both vocally and instrumentally, is rare. To uplift and heal the spirit as well is...extraordinary!

A Wonderful CD.......2004-11-09

"Reveal" by Girish is a CD of articulate beauty, accessible devotion and amazing musicianship. Girish weaves ancient Sanskrit mantras with contemporary and inventive melodies to bring chant out of the ashram and into the living room.

I love this CD. I'm instantly enveloped by Girish's hypnotic vocals and lush arrangements every time I listen to it. His voice is deep and fluid, expressing the emotional calling of Kirtan through melodies that you come away singing. Yes, I find myself singing in Sanskrit, understanding the meaning even if I don't know what the words themselves mean, being connected to an ancient intelligence on a visceral level.

Gorgeous!.......2004-10-17

Girish's beautiful sound is overlain with a palpable sense of devotion that speaks to a place deep inside. When friends are over and I play it, it never goes unremarked, and this is true whether or not they are from a Hindu tradition. It's one of my absolute favorite cds.

Average customer rating:

Colourful!

J.S. Bach: Musikalisches Opfer

Manufacturer: Alia Vox Spain
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge
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ASIN: B00005B84O
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Customer Reviews:

Colourful!.......2005-06-16

This interpretation is a perfect match to Savall's equally beautiful Art of the Fugue. Here you find even more variety in the blend of instruments. I am not going to have only one version of this music and my first recommendation is Münchinger's more emotional recording on Decca. When it comes to colourful instrumentation, however, Savall is the winner, and the direction & playing needs no justification, it is simply wonderful, even if I doubt this folk music style reflects the spirit of the baroque era. The king's theme must have been very popular during the 18th century; you find it even in the song "Gråt Fader Berg" by the Swedish minstrel Carl Michael Bellman (1740-95).

Average customer rating:

lively and clear
Precise and clear, but emotionally dry.

Bach: The Musical Offering

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000009CJD
Release Date: 2000-10-05

Tracks:

The Musical Offering: Ricercar A 3
The Musical Offering: Canon Perpetuus Super Thema Regium
The Musical Offering: Canon 2 A 2 Violini In Unisono
The Musical Offering: Canon 3 A 2 Per Motum Contrarium
The Musical Offering: Canon 4 A 2 Per Augmentationem, Contrario Motu
The Musical Offering: Canon 5 A 2: Canon Circularis Per Tonos
The Musical Offering: 1: Largo
The Musical Offering: 2: Allegro
The Musical Offering: 3: Andante
The Musical Offering: 4: Allegro
The Musical Offering: Canon A 4
The Musical Offering: Fuga Canonica In Epidiapente
The Musical Offering: I
The Musical Offering: II
The Musical Offering: III
The Musical Offering: IV
The Musical Offering: Canon 1 A 2: Canon Cancrizans
The Musical Offering: Canon Perpettuus A Flauto Traverso, Violino E Basso Continuo
The Musical Offering: Ricercar A 6

Customer Reviews:

lively and clear.......2007-02-03

This is a very fine recording of a piece which can be hard to approach, and is usually made more so by too-serious or high-and-dry performances where earnestness replaces musicality.

Bender and his forces present a very lively view of The Musical Offering, well varied, clear, and always musical. They avoid the soft edges inherent in some of the older recordings (Mariner - for whom I have much respect), and are equally successful in steering clear of the bright-and-brittle trap that original instrument ensembles often fall into. Their sound is clear, and the performers maintain an admirable rhythmic drive and control; this is very musical playing. This is a modern instrument performance, informed however by all we heave learned from the original instrument movement, that is, clear articulation, somewhat faster speeds, a chamber music approach rather than an orchestral one.

Don't be fooled by the price; this recording can hold its own against any full-price recording I have heard. Highly recommended as an introduction or as an only recording.

Precise and clear, but emotionally dry........2006-01-19

This was my first recording of The Musical Offering. The other I own is the Neville Marriner. Of those two, I prefer this one. The players work wonderfully together. The lines of music come out crisp and clear. Not a beat is missed. In that sense, this is an incredible recording. However, it really sounds like they're just kind of playing the notes. Very little emotion is conveyed. Part of me likes that approach because it's kind of a "no nonsense" Bach. You get exactly what's on the sheet music. But the other, greater part of me thinks that if that's all I wanted I could just download a MIDI version. I would like at least a little individuality and personality thrown in. Not so much that it bastardizes Bach's music, but just enough to display the awesome emotion present in all Bach compositions. There is meaning behind the musical use of the word "interpretation."

Now, I really just cannot help but comment on the other review. No artistic merrit? You MUST be joking! The Musical Offering and The Art of the Fugue are Bach's two greatest works, both written around the time of his death. (Indeed, AotF was not finished.) They represent everything that Bach stood for regarding music. There are few pieces of music known to me that carry as much emotion as the Ricercare a 6 from MO. And the MO along with the AotF are masterpieces of counterpoint. The MO is more canon oriented while you can guess what the AotF primarily consists of. Please, do not let this person keep you from purchasing a recording of this music.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful collection

#1 Bach Album

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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#1 Beethoven Album
No. 1 Mozart Album

ASIN: B00007MB3R
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Tracks:

Allegro Assai - Maurice Andre
Aria - Christophe Rousset
Echo - Rafael Puyana
Praeludium - Andras Schiff
Preludio - Henryk Szeryng
Air - Thurston Dart
Allegro - Musica Antiqua Koln
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Peter White
Toccata And Fugue - Wolfgang Rubsam
Prelude - Helmut Wacha
Fugue In G Minor 'The Little' - Helmut Wacha
1. (Allegro) - Alfred Brendel
2. Andante - Alfred Brendel
3. Presto - Alfred Brendel
Allegro - The English Concert
Allegro - Philip Ledger

Tracks:

Prelude - Mischa Maisky
Badinerie - The Academy Of Ancient Music
Bourree - Narciso Yepes
Sheep May Safely Graze - The Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Invention No. 4 In D Minor - Andras Schiff
Prelude - Rosalyn Tureck
Fugue - Rosalyn Tureck
Chromatcal Fantasy And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 903 - Trevor Pinnock
Bist Du Bei Mir - Kiri Te Kanawa
Jesu, Priceless Treasure - Simon Preston
Fugue - Carlo Curley
Komm, Susser Tod, BWV 478 - Ton Koopman
Sinfonia - Heinz Holliger
Andante - Arthur Grumiaux
Largo - Trevor Pinnock
Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme - Munchener Bach-Chor
Gigue - Janos Starker
Fuga Ricercata A 6 - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam
Magnificant Anima Mea - Monteverdi Choir

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful collection.......2006-02-02

The album earns its title in many ways. Not only are the selections excellent, but the compilers of this collection chose performances from the late 1950's all the way to the late 90's. Well chosen.

Average customer rating:

Superb!
Dark, rich clarity. Intricate detail and very listenable!

Bach: Alio Modo

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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J Jenkins: Six-Part Consorts /Phantasm

ASIN: B000AMQ00C
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

Piece D'Orgue In G Major BWV 572 A 6
Wenn Wir In Hochsten Noten Sein BWV 641 A 4
Prelude & Fugue XVI In G Minor BWV 885 A 4
Passacaglia In C Minor BWV 582 A 5
Kyrie, Gott Vater In Ewigkeit (Unaccompanied Chorale Tune)
Christe, Aller Welt Trost (Harmonization From Riemenschneider Chorale No. 132)
Kyrie, Gott Heiliger Geist BWV 671 A 5
Dies Sind Die Heiligen Zehen Gebot BWV 678 A 6
Dies Sind Die Heiligen (Alio Modo) BWV 679 A 4
Prelude & Fugue XXII In A Minor (Originally, B-flat) BWV 867 A 5
Aus Tiefer Not Schrei Ich Zu Dir BWV 686 A 6
Fugue In E Flat Major, 'St Anne' BWV 552.2 A 5
Von Deinen Thron Tret Ich Hiermit BWV 668 A 4
Prelude & Fugue XI In F Major BWV 880 A 5/A 3
Wir Glauben All An Einen Gott BWV 680 A 5
Fugue IV In D Minor (Originally, C-sharp) BWV 849 A 5
Ricercar BWV 1079 A 6
Canon Triplex BWV 1076 A 6 (Pictured In The Haussman Portrait Of Bach, See P. 4)

Customer Reviews:

Superb!.......2006-03-20

If you like the complexities of melody and rythm, this recording of Bach using only viols will take you away. Beautifully recorded too. You can hear everything.

Dark, rich clarity. Intricate detail and very listenable!.......2005-12-24

I was somewhat apprehensive about buying this CD because of a previous Fretwork CD entitled "Art of the Fugue". I was not only very happy with this but CD, but very impressed. Instead of using modern instruments, the music is arranged using groups of Viols (instruments that were already long obsolete even by Bach's time). You might think that such a choice of instrumentation might make this CD more austere than rich, but you will be pleasantly suprised. I will concede that the viols grouped in the music here do produce a dark sound, they nonetheless lend a particuliar intricacy (especially in C Minor) that cannot be otherwise heard in Bach's original organ arrangements.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Webern from the master Boulez and company.
Webern may grow on you and Boulez et al. are worth every penny.
Interesting and Challenging
The original and still the best
Boulez's Webern -- brilliant modern miniatures

Anton Webern: Complete Works, Opp. 1-31
Anton Webern , Pierre Boulez , Heather Harper , Charles Rosen , Isaac Stern , Halina Lukomska , Colin Bradbury , John [guitar] Williams , Daniel Majeske , Robert Marcellus , Abraham Weinstein , and Barry McDaniel
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002707
Release Date: 1991-02-08

Tracks:

Passacaglia fur grobes Orch Op.1 - LSO/Pierre Boulez
'Entflieht auf leichten Kahnen' Op.2 (Text: Stefan George) - John Alldis Chor/Pierre Boulez
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: I. Dies ist ein Lied fur dich allein... - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: II. Im Windesweben-Sehr fliebend - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: III. Am Bachesranft-Ziemlich rasch - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: IV. Im Morgentaun-Fliebend - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: V. Kahl reckt der Baum-Langsam - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: I. Eingang-Ruhevoll - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: II. Noch zwingt mich Treue-Bewgt - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: III. Ja Heil und Dank-Sehr langsam - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: IV. So ich traurig bin-Sehr fliebend und zart - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: V. Ihr tratet zu dem Herde-Langsam - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Satze fur Streichquartett Op.5: I. Heftig bewegt - Juilliard Str Qt
Funf Satze fur Streichquartett Op.5: II. Sehr langsam - Juilliard Str Qt
Funf Satze fur Streichquartett Op.5: III. Sehr bewget - Juilliard Str Qt
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Funf Satze fur Streichquartett Op.5: V. In zarter Bewegung - Juilliard Str Qt
Sechs Stucke fur grobes Orch Op.6: I. Etwas

1. Rirercar (Harpsichord)
2. Canon Perpetuus Super Thema Regium
3. Canon Cancricans
4. Canon a 2 in Unisono
5. Canon a 2 per Motum Contrarium
6. Canon a 2 per Augmentationem, Contrario Motu
7. Canon a 2 ‘Canon Circularis Per Tonos’
8. Fuga Canonica in Epidiapente
9. Rirercar a 6 (Orchestrated)
10. Canon a 2 ‘Quaerendo Invenietis’
11. Canon a 4
12. Sonata (Trio) Historical Instruments - Largo
13. Sonata (Trio) Historical Instruments - Allegro
14. Sonata (Trio) Historical Instruments - Andante
15. Sonata (Trio) Historical Instruments - Allegro
16. Canon Perpetuus