Violin Concerto / Cello Concerto

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This disc is simply superb Dvorák. It's only incidentally for fans of Isaac Stern, Leonard Rose, or Eugene Ormandy, and that's really the way it ought to be. The major labels persist in attempting to sell classical music as though it were pop music--in other words, they try to sell artists instead of repertoire. You have to sell music first, and then try to persuade the consumer that it makes sense to have several versions by different artists. It makes sense to have these two fine string concertos together on a single disc, but this is the only such coupling in existence--and it's even at a budget price. Go figure. --David Hurwitz

Dvorak: Violin Concerto / Cello Concerto, Music, Antonin Dvorak, violin Isaac Stern, cello Leonard Rose, conductor Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music
Appassionato
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Pure Listening Pleasure
  • Appassionato
  • Deep, Serious and diverse
  • Yo-Yo Ma's Appassionato
  • A soulful compilation
Appassionato

Manufacturer: Sony Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by BrahmsAll Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000KWZ7DS
Release Date: 2007-01-09

Tracks:

  1. Going To School featuring John Williams
  2. IV. Allegretto poco mosso from Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano
  3. II. Andante con moto e poco rubato from Three Preludes
  4. II. Largo from "Winter", Op. 8, No. 4, RV 297 from the Four Seasons
  5. Doce de coco
  6. II. Largo from Concerto No. 1 in G minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 49
  7. Cinema Paradiso: Nostalgia from Giuseppe Tornatore Suite
  8. The Swan from Carnival of the Animals (Chamber Version)
  9. Yanzi (Swallow Song)
  10. II. Andante from Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra in A minor,
  11. Soledad
  12. No. 4 Mikin Pekko from Five Finnish Folk Songs
  13. First Impressions featuring Edgar Meyer; Mark O'Connor
  14. Song Without Words, Op. 109
  15. Gabriel's Oboe from The Mission featuring Ennio Morricone

Amazon.com

Any new compilation CD starring Yo-Yo Ma is certain to please. This master of the cello takes the listener through so many types of music that the ear and mind never tire. The present selection is billed as a sort of "musical autobiography," and, indeed, it gives us a tour of Ma's musical life. The Silk Road Project is represented by Zhao's "Swallow Song," with its eerie, fascinating soundscape (specially re-recorded for this CD). We also accompany Ma on his excursions into the world of the baroque cello with Vivaldi or of the Finnish folk song (by Mamiya, a first recording). There are Gershwin's languid Second Prelude, with its intimations of the song "Summertime," and an all-new recording of a nine-minute heart-breaker by Astor Piazzolla ("Soledad"). Ma also gives us more familiar Brahms, Franck, and Saint-Saens. The compilation's mellow 65 minutes offer relaxing, beautiful music, all exquisitely played. Ma is joined by the best: Emanuel Ax, Kathryn Stott, John Williams (who plays piano on his own "Going to School" from Memoirs of a Geisha), Isaac Stern, and Claudio Abbado. This is a veritable Who's Who of superb musicians. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Pure Listening Pleasure.......2007-05-18

There is no pretension in this collection - just the pure, simple pleasure in Ma's performance and in our enjoyment.

5 out of 5 stars Appassionato.......2007-05-18

With a little help of some of his friends Yo Yo Ma offered us another of his masterpieces. No other title could define better the tracks selection, pleasant and inspired.

5 out of 5 stars Deep, Serious and diverse.......2007-04-26

Yo Yo Ma is simply fantastic, and has arrived as such a height of recognition that any production he is invovled in will be top of the line, as this is.

This is a darker collection than I expected. And like a serious, reserved friend, it can take a little longer to appreciate than the bubbly outgoing ones. I now find I like it very much, but it is serious "conversation."

There is great variety here as well, and I gave it to a friend's teenager who is considering whether she wants to learn the cello. Her response was much the same as mine. Initially not so sure, but over time, has really come to like it, too. This collection has great depth.

5 out of 5 stars Yo-Yo Ma's Appassionato.......2007-04-13

For those who share Yo-Yo Ma's passion for music, and especially his passion for diversity in music, and for connecting with the spirit of global humanity, this recording has a prominant place in your library.

5 out of 5 stars A soulful compilation.......2007-04-13

I love this album for the diversity of music and the great programming. I especially love the collaboration with Isaac Stern, no longer with us in body, but always in music. Thanks YoYo.
Mozart for Mothers-To-Be: Tender Lullabies for Mother and Child
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful
  • Great for putting kids to sleep!
  • Very Relaxing
  • A Must Have for all Parents of Little Children !!!
  • Inspire the baby-within
Mozart for Mothers-To-Be: Tender Lullabies for Mother and Child

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000041EV
Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

  1. Divertimento In B-Flat (Adagio)
  2. Cassation (Final-Musik) In G - Adgio
  3. Divertimento In G Minor (Andante)
  4. String Quartet No. 12 In B-Flat - Adagio
  5. Divertimento In D, KV 131 - Adagio
  6. 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' - Romance (Andante)
  7. Divertimento In D, KV 136 - Andante
  8. Serenade In B-Flat 'Gran Partita' - Adagio
  9. Prelude No. 3 In F
  10. String Quartet No. 1 In B-Flat - Adagio
  11. Violin Concerto In D - Andante cantabile
  12. Divertimento In B-Flat - Adagio

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful.......2007-06-26

I bought this CD to listen to at work (I am 6 months pregnant). The quality is awesome and the choice of songs is perfect I can listen to it over and over.

5 out of 5 stars Great for putting kids to sleep!.......2007-06-08

I absolutely love this CD! In fact this is our second one because we wore out the first since we played it so much. It is very soothing, and in fact we used it to help both our kids (now 4 and 18 mo) go to sleep since they were babies. I highly recommend it!

5 out of 5 stars Very Relaxing.......2007-04-10

It is very soothing and really helps you relax. I enjoy listening to it in the car during my high stress commute.

5 out of 5 stars A Must Have for all Parents of Little Children !!!.......2006-11-25

I bought this when my first baby was...well, a baby. That was 8 years ago. Now I am on my 4th copy of this cd (Mozart For Mothers to Be) and my 3rd child. Nothing works better. I'm on here to buy my 4th copy becasue I've worn them out over the years and have to keep replaceing them. My 8 and 3 year old still use it, and now the new baby, also. Make it part of your nightly bed time routine and you'll have good little sleepers in no time. I swear by it. It is very soothing, calming and not distracting so it won't drive you bonkers if you can hear it a little from the next room.

A truely great gift for new parents, or if you have a sleepless little one at home. Turn on the cd, turn down the lights and let it sooth them to sleep.

4 out of 5 stars Inspire the baby-within.......2005-12-13

Beyond sheer musical appreciation and enjoyment, Mozart's music in general is ideal for gently stimulating the "creative centers" as well as instilling a sense well-being. While there is much academic disagreement about the extent or reality of the so-called "Mozart Effect," it doesn't take a genius to observe how Mozart's music puts most people (and probably babies-to-be) in a happy mood ready to take on the day's challenges. There is a simplicity - yet elegance and musical brilliance - in his music that is also well-suited for the youngest of children.

The selections on this CD are all excellent and represent a nice range of Mozart's compostions, emphasising those that are ideal for creating a pleasant backdrop for leisure, dining and social occasions ("divertimentos"). The recordings are from the creme of musicians famous for their Mozart. Few works are as elegant and soaring as the Serenade #10 for winds - an astonishingly beautiful tune made famous from the early scenes of the movie, "Amadeus." Mozart supreme gifts of music are even seen in such humble "background music" as these pieces. And such continuity of warm, leisurely tones as these over 70 minutes is ideal for inspiring the baby to-be if that is why you are considering this CD. Better to expose a baby to the gentile, lyrical music of Mozart than to the dissonant, loud and disturbing tones of some classical music written well after Mozart.

As the reviewer below rightfully notes, compilation CD's of various unrelated works like this one is not quite how classical music is best meant to be heard. But in a way it is better for many to start with such collections like this - especially for those who just want the more quiet selections that are unintrusive. In that respect, this collection can be satisfying for most anyone (not just moms or babies). I have a huge classical music collection, but still really enjoy listening to one full CD of similar-temperament music like this one that flows easily and smoothly that doesn't demand my attention but only seeks to delight. And, in the end, that was the simple and primary goal of many of Mozart's compositions - to be purely enjoyed and delighted.
25 Wedding Favorites
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Best Music Ever for Home Wedding
  • Excellent resource for wedding planners
  • Great item!
  • Preview your wedding day
  • 25 WEDDING FAVORITES
25 Wedding Favorites

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by J.S. BachAll Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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All Works by WagnerAll Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by MendelssohnAll Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Character PiecesCharacter Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Incidental MusicIncidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00004Y6T1
Release Date: 2000-09-05

Tracks:

  1. Wedding March (Lohengrin)
  2. Allegro I (Water Music) - Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
  3. Trumpet Voluntary
  4. Minuet (Music For The Royal Fireworks)
  5. Canon in D Major
  6. Spring - Susan Lautenbacher
  7. Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba (Solomon)
  8. Air (Water Music) - Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
  9. Sheep May Safely Graze (Cantana No. 208)
  10. Arioso
  11. Bist Du Bei Mir' (Anna Magdalena Notebook)
  12. Panis Angelicus
  13. Weichet Nur' (Wedding Cantata)
  14. Silent Worship (Tolomeo) - Mary Ann Hart
  15. Ave Maria
  16. Sehet In Zufriedenheit' (Wedding Cantata)
  17. Ave Maria
  18. Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring
  19. Air On The G String - Mainz Chamber Orchestra
  20. Pastorale (Messiah) - Eastman Chorale
  21. Nocturne - Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
  22. Wedding Day At Troldhaugen - Utah Symphony Orchestra
  23. Hornpipe (Water Music)
  24. Wedding March
  25. Toccata (5th Symphony)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Best Music Ever for Home Wedding.......2007-07-20

The tape consists of 25 traditional wedding songs played by big orchestras; the music was beautiful and made a small ceremony into a special, unforgettable ceremony.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for wedding planners.......2007-04-05

I work regularly with people planning church weddings who want the service to be dignified, traditional and formal. Often they have "ear memory" of music they've heard in other weddings, but no idea about its composer or title. This CD is the best compilation I've found of music that fits those requirements. Selections include great music and performances make it easy to imagine how they would sound in a particular church or other setting. Includes works by Protestant, Catholic and secular composers.

5 out of 5 stars Great item!.......2007-03-29

Great CD! Perfect when planning your wedding music. There are a variety of songs from various composers.

4 out of 5 stars Preview your wedding day.......2006-08-14

This CD was inexpensive, and provided a great way to preview songs for my wedding. The CD had a good song selection. My fiance and I were able to get a better idea of how the songs would be at our wedding. Definitely an inexpensive tool that is worthwhile.

5 out of 5 stars 25 WEDDING FAVORITES.......2006-07-20

My daughter had to move her wedding 3 weeks before the event and the music she had arranged could not be there. I purchased this CD and we were thrilled with the price, the selections on the cd and how quickly it arrived. Thanks for providing the music for a beautiful wedding.
Bach: Complete Works - 155 CD Box Set
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Deserves 10 stars
  • Excellent Bach Collection
  • Wonderful way to enjoy all of Bach
  • Bach
  • An Absolute Essential for any Classical Music Enthusiast
Bach: Complete Works - 155 CD Box Set

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

AllemandesAllemandes | Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
MinuetsMinuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
MusettesMusettes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
PolonaisesPolonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
TriosTrios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by J.S. BachAll Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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CanonsCanons | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
ConcertinosConcertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Concerto GrossiConcerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
FantasiesFantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
FuguesFugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
PreludesPreludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Character PiecesCharacter Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
CanzonesCanzones | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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ToccatasToccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
PassacagliasPassacaglias | Variations | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
VariationsVariations | Forms & Genres | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems
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GeneralGeneral | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music
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CantatasCantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
OratoriosOratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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PassionsPassions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000HRME5U
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Deserves 10 stars.......2007-07-18

I've been an amateur classical music enthusiast for decades with over 1000 CDs in my collection. I have listened to ALL of the CDs in this box now at least once, many of them twice and some three times, with headphones, on my stereo at home or in the car. I found all the recordings to be excellent. A couple of the vocal CDs with ADD recording are old and one could hear some background hiss with headphones but this was not noticeable playing them over the home stereo. I loved the performances. The only "disadvantage" is that all the keyboard works are played on the harpsichord, and I do prefer Bach sometimes on the piano. And one could argue whether some famous musician's interpretation of a piece is "better" than the one found here, but it's a little like arguing whether the food is better at one 5 star restaurant compared to another--both meals are delicious, and which one you enjoy more is more dependent on the context of the meal--how you feel that moment, what's going on in your life, etc.--than the food itself. But bottom line, this box contains endless treasures at an incredible bargain price, and I can't recommend it strongly enough.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Bach Collection.......2007-07-05

I am a professional musician, composer and teacher. this collection is wonderful, recorded in Europe, and all that one would expect from talent in that part of the world (which on this set includes Nordic countries as well).
If you are into studying bach, euro recordings, musicology, this is a good purchase.
Only criticism is on a few recordings the balance/mix is not the best. However, it all sounds wonderfully recorded.

4 out of 5 stars Wonderful way to enjoy all of Bach.......2007-06-28

One reason to buy this set is simply to acquire recordings of all Bach's surviving Cantatas. The only downside I've discovered so far is that I would have preferred his harpsichord music played on a piano.

4 out of 5 stars Bach .......2007-06-08

Arrived in excellent condition -price was higher that I liked by a little bit

5 out of 5 stars An Absolute Essential for any Classical Music Enthusiast.......2007-05-22

This comprehensive collection of all known Bach works is simultaneously the easiest and the most difficult set to review. "Easiest" because in a single set of some 150 CD's, one immediately has the entire Bach repertoire at one's hands, with the majority of individual recordings consisting of solid performances and good recording quality. "Difficult" because, due to the sheer number of performances, it would take many pages to individually and meaningfully write up a description that accurately conveys the range of entries within the set. But in a sense, this entirely misses the point. It is simply impossible to understate what Brilliant Classics has done for the classical music world with the release of a set like this. For the first time, one can own a comprehensive Bach collection for little more than the price of a single, good restaurant meal for two people. The fact can hardly be overstated: this set makes acquiring such a collection no longer the domain of only the wealthiest amongst us. This is most certainly the "democratization" of classical baroque music.

Over the years, I have certainly spent what often feels like exorbitant amounts of money on individual, and sometimes, box sets, of classical music. There is no denying the human skill possessed at the major recording labels, including experiential knowledge of the proper placement of microphones, the best mixing techniques, the optimal types of equipment selected for use, and then, of course, access to the world's greatest performers. We would never wish to lose that combination of talent, and there is no attempt here at minimizing either the value or the enjoyment that can be experienced through such endeavors. Quite the contrary. Such undertakings are both an art form and a technical skill that provides immense value to the world at large. And we should give kudos to those major labels who in recent years have begun to reissue classic records in box sets at much lower prices (Detusche Grammophon's "Collector's Editions" immediately comes to mind, as well as Philip's "Duo Series," and many others, not the least of which also includes Philip's recent reissue of the "Complete Mozart Edition.") But what we have here completely surpasses these in every respect, and opens up new possibilities for the average listener who does not have mountains of disposable income to put towards the acquisition of a classical music collection. There can be no question in my own mind that the people who put this set together did it far more for the sake of classical music as an art form rather than a money-making exercise. It is truly a meaningful contribution to the music world at large.

And what of the quality of the performances and the recordings? For the discs which I have already played, there are simply no real disappointments here. Some of the performances are on par with the "best of the best," and many of them are absolutely gorgeous. With a set this large, it is beneficial to read the multiple reviews individuals are posting to get a better sampling of the various sections of the overall set, but I've been quite pleased with what I've heard so far. I will likely update this post with more specific comments over time, but for now, let me just say that you should BUY THE THING BEFORE IT DISAPPEARS. You won't regret it, will probably be increasingly pleased over the years that you did, and hopefully will receive many years of enjoyment from the collection. Ten stars out of five, but even more important than that, a genuine "Thank you" to Brilliant Classics for what they have done for all of us here.
25 Vivaldi Favorites
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • terrific
  • Get what you pay for.
  • Wonderful!
  • If only the Amazon discography was as good...
  • One of the best Vivaldi CDs on the market
25 Vivaldi Favorites

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. 25 Mozart Favorites
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ASIN: B00000IPS5
Release Date: 1999-12-13

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro - Antonio Vivaldi
  2. I. Allegro - Paul Grund
  3. I. Allergro - I Musici di Zagreb
  4. II. Largo - Edward Carroll
  5. III. Alegro - Gli Accadmici di Milano
  6. Et In Terra Pax - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
  7. II. Adagio Molto - Susanne Lautenbacher
  8. I. Allegro - Musici Di San Marco
  9. II. Largo - Musici Di San Marco
  10. III. Allegro - Melvin Berman
  11. II. Largo - Anton Stingl
  12. I. Allegro - Alois Sprach
  13. II. Adagio - Susanne Lautenbacher
  14. Stabat Mater Dolorosa (Opening Movement) - Margarethe Bence
  15. III. Allegro - I Musici di Zagreb
  16. II. Largo - Gunter Lemmen
  17. III. Allegro - Hans-Martin Linde
  18. III. Allegro - Susanne Lautenbacher
  19. I. Allegro - Musici Di San Marco
  20. III. Allegro - Susanne Lautenbacher
  21. I. Allegro - Musici Di San Marco
  22. II. Larghetto - I Musici di Zagreb
  23. Chamber Concerto In G Minor For Recorder And Oboe - Baroque Trio Of Montreal
  24. Opening Movement From 'Gloria' - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
  25. Concerto In C For 2 Trumpets, PV 75: III Allegro - Edward Carroll

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars terrific.......2006-04-23

Vivaldi 25 favourites is marvelous ,it has been digitally enhanced and is certainly a keeper.Really am pleased with anything i have purchased from Amazon

3 out of 5 stars Get what you pay for........2005-10-15

This CD is decent but does NOT sweep you off your feet into a soaring concert hall with your heart beating loudly and your breaths coming in faster. Why? I think its the quality of the recording and the caliber of the musicians maybe? But hey, $4.98 does not buy much more than a fast food meal- so no harm done! Happy Listening!
-Rupa

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful!.......2004-11-26

I couldn't believe the wonderful, pure sounds that came from this low-priced CD. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it!!

4 out of 5 stars If only the Amazon discography was as good..........2004-02-14

The majority of the musical selections is undeniably fine. If only the track listing (s) were accurate or agreed with each other and the actual selections as they are ordered on the CD!

5 out of 5 stars One of the best Vivaldi CDs on the market.......2003-01-24

I don't know how SPJ Music Inc., based in the world-famous town of Hauppaage, NY, manages to do it, but they have released at least 24 of these "25 XXXX Favorites" CDs, and all those that I have heard are superb collections. OK, many of the performances on this album are by ensembles that few will have heard of in North America, such as the Wurttemburg Chamber Orchestra, Musica di San Marco, and I Musici di Zagreb, and maybe they are a bit old (no recording dates are given), so SPJ probably doesn't have to pay much in the way of royalties. But this collection of works by Vivaldi is truly second to none.

Wait till you hear track 6, "Et in terra Pax from 'Gloria', by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, for instance, or track 14, from Stabat Mater Dolorosa, sung by Margarethe Bence with the Alto Pro Music Orchestra of Stuttgart. We are transported into the heights of the etherial world of sacred music, right up into the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, yet with that unmistakable touch of Vivaldi, who could be both consumately sacred and masterfully secular as he wished -- or even both at the same time. As has been proven again and again in the 20th century, Vivaldi was one of the greatest composers in history, and every classical music lover should have this CD in his or her collection.

I have a lot of Vivaldi recordings by period music ensembles like the virtuosic Il Giardino Armonico (who recorded the two best DVDs of Vivaldi works in existence, one with Cecilia Bartoli) and the somewhat more conservative Europa Gallante, led by Fabio Biondi. Then there are CDs by individual masters like Andrea Marcon (with the Venice Baroque Orchestra) and the immortal Nigel Kennedy (with the English Chamber Orchestra). Older classics re-released on CD include recordings by the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Orchestra of the 18th Century, and the Romero family (Los Romeros). And the list goes on and on. All are superb recordings that have given me hours of pleasure.

But this "bargain" CD rates right up there with the best of them, and I highly recommend it both for those who are just beginning to discover the wonders of Vivaldi's music and for "hardened" veterans. If it had been issued as a full price CD it might have had trouble getting known in such a crowded and competitive field, but it would have deserved every bit as much praise as I have given it here. As a collection of superb performances of many of Vivaldi's greatest masterpieces by a wide variety of different ensembles, it even has something to commend it over recordings by a single artist or a single ensemble. Buy it and enjoy!
Master and Commander
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Marvelous
  • Pretty Good
  • the music
  • Good incidental music but not great listening music - except the classical pieces
  • Great classical music accompanies bland original score
Master and Commander
Christopher Gordon , and Richard Tognetti
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Musical Evenings With The Captain
  2. Musical Evenings With The Captain, Vol. 2
  3. Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World (Widescreen Edition)
  4. Musical Evenings in the Captain's Cabin
  5. A Sea of Words, Third Edition: A Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O'Brian

ASIN: B0000DG07D
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Tracks:

  1. The Far Side Of The World
  2. Into The Fog
  3. Violin Concerto No. 3 'Straussburg' K.215, 3rd Movement
  4. The Cuckold Came Out Of The Amery (Traditional) 5. Smoke N' Oakum
  5. Fantasia On A Theme - Barry Wordsworth 7. Adagio From Concerto Grosso Op. 6. No. 8 In G Minor Christmas Concerto - Arcangelo Corelli Listen Listen Listen
  6. The Doldrums
  7. Prelude (From The Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 In G Major, BWV 1007 - Yo-Yo Ma
  8. The Galapagos Listen Listen Listen
  9. Folk Medley: O'Sullivan's March/Cuckold Came Out Of The Amery/Mother Hen/Mary Scott/Nancy Dawson - Jim Walker
  10. The Phasmid
  11. The Battle
  12. Boccherini La Musica Notturna Delle Strade Di Madrid No. 6, Op. 30
  13. Full Circle

Product Description

A trio of noted Australian musicians--Iva Davies, Richard Tognetti and Christopher Gordon--composed the film's score. They previously collaborated on "The Ghost of Time," a piece commissioned for the Millennium celebrations in Sydney, which came to the attention of Peter Weir. The director was so impressed, he played the piece on the Master And Commander set throughout production, and he asked its creators to write the music for his movie. The score interweaves "Old World" and "New World" music, reflecting the talents and backgrounds of its composers. Iva Davies hails from both pop and classical traditions; Richard Tognetti, one of the world's great violin virtuosos, taught Russell Crowe the ins and outs of the instrument; and film/television composer Christopher Gordon brought orchestral texture to the project. Given the period, it comes as no surprise that the score is infused with source music from Bach (Cello Suite) and Mozart, among other great classical composers. Percussion dominates portions of the score. "Drums signal the forward movement of the ship," says Davies, "that it's on a mission. It brings you back into the action." The score's biggest surprise comes with its use of synthesizers. "Peter doesn't make films in the expected way," says Davies, "and for that reason we wanted the score to be not what everyone expected. Peter wanted some scenes to have what I call a kind of 'futuristic' sense"--conveying the idea that these 19th century sailors were cutting-edge explorers.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Marvelous.......2007-02-12

A marvelous collection of compositions which greatly enhanced this fantastic film. This CD is marvelous on its own. It did not leave my CD player for weeks.

4 out of 5 stars Pretty Good.......2006-12-14

I purchased this soundtrack because I really enjoyed this music while watching the movie. But I was a little disappointed at the CD. Some soundtracks allow you to follow the entire plot like through the music (such as the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack). But this CD doesn't provide that. Several of the songs are recurring in the film but are only played once in the soundtrack. I would have liked the soundtrack to reflect the music for the whole film rather than just excerpts.

I give the music 5 stars and the CD 2-1/2 stars.

5 out of 5 stars the music .......2006-11-10

The music is excellent . Flows well Better than the movie score

3 out of 5 stars Good incidental music but not great listening music - except the classical pieces.......2006-11-09

The soundtrack for Master and Commander contains two distinct types of music. First there is the incidental music for the film. These pieces are heavy on the bass side of the orchestra and are often emphasized with bass drums and tympani. This music is very effective and appropriate for the scenes in the film, and I commend the composers for making a soundtrack that so seemlessly and effortlessly invokes the moods and excitement of the visuals. Unfortunately, these pieces are quite moody and slow moving - great as incidental music but not so interesting to listen to as straight orchestral music.

The second type of music is much more enjoyable to listen to. Those that have seen the film know there are several scenes in which people are playing music - for example, Aubrey and Maturin in the captain's cabin performing a cello-violin duet, or the sailors on deck playing sea shanties on tin whistles. The pieces chosen for the film range from Bach to traditional folk music, and are a welcome addition to the soundtrack. The performances are very good (including a cello solo by Yo Yo Ma), and the recording quality is excellent. Deserving special mention is the Boccherini piece (La Musica Notturna Delle Strada di Madrid), which serves as a second unofficial theme song for the movie. The piece itself is presented in its entirety, and there is a callback to the piece in the incidental music as well, which is a welcome ray of levity in an otherwise oppressive piece.

People purchasing this disc run the real risk of being disappointed - the incidental music works so well in the context of the film that you are likely to think (as I did) that the music is itself worth listening to alone. Unfortunately, I don't find this is the case, but the classical music that is included makes this a soundtrack worth having, especially for the Boccherini piece.

3 out of 5 stars Great classical music accompanies bland original score.......2006-09-27

The original music to this film is dull, repetitive, and only offers the hint of good music at certain points during it's lengthy tracks. But what about all the good music you heard in the film? That was all classical music, which was used in the film incredibly well. There are three tracks in particular that save this album. The piece by Corelli is used as something the captain and doctor play together. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of baroque music of which I am aware. A second piece, Vaughn Williams "Fantasia" is the piece heard when the crewmen have to cut the line that might save their friend who fell overboard. It's a tragic scene and accompanied perfectly by the heart-breakingly glorious piece. The original piece of music is quite a bit longer than the version on the CD, but the original version also tends to drag a little in places. All the best parts are on the version of the piece in the film. The third classical piece from the album that saves it is the cello solo by Bach that plays as a theme for the galapagos islands. This solo is performed perfectly by Yo Yo Ma. These tracks make the album worth purchasing. If you already have them, avoid the album because the rest is not very enjoyable. If you wonder about this one, watch the film and listen for the music. It speaks well for itself in the film.
Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Two-and-a-half hours of bliss
  • not what i expected
  • excellent guitar performances
  • Essential Guitar...
  • Lives up to its Name!
Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000069KIT
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Two-and-a-half hours of bliss.......2007-04-04

This may be the best money I've ever spent. I got 2-1/2 hours of bliss for less than what I'd usually pay for one CD -- and you know how it is with music. You buy an album because of a song or two that you love, and you find that you like maybe half the songs on it. There's not a single selection in this one that I would've left out. It includes Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, performed by Pepe Romero on the guitar with the Acadamy of St. Martin in the Fields. I needed to replace my old LP recording of that. But I also get 30 other classical compositions and traditional Spanish pieces, each special in its own way.

Have you ever heard music that you wanted to last forever, maybe even to dive inside and live there for a while, immersing yourself in sound? That's how I feel about this collection. The only problem I have with it is that I bought it thinking it might be nice to listen to while I write. Not so. It's terrible for that. I'll sit with my hands poised above the laptop keyboard, assuring myself I'll get some work done while I listen. The music takes hold and carries me away.

I'm not expert at describing this or any type of music. I just know what I love. You might too, if you enjoy classical or Spanish guitar -- unless you have absurd expectations about combining listening with work.

2 out of 5 stars not what i expected.......2007-03-26

This CD for me was a waste of money. Its just not what i thought it would be. Others may enjoy it but for me..it wasnt what i was hoping to hear.

4 out of 5 stars excellent guitar performances.......2006-07-27

Outstanding guitar performances. I gave it only 4 stars because I do not personally like some of the compositions.

5 out of 5 stars Essential Guitar..........2005-07-26

Up until this collection, I'd never heard the "Cavatina" played in the Deer Hunter movie. After hearing it, I could play it all day and not tire of it! It moves me that much, considering that it's almost "not" a classical guitar selection. The rest of the music is first rate! Excellent playing, but the "Cavatina..."
Buy it and enjoy!!!!

5 out of 5 stars Lives up to its Name!.......2005-06-10

If you only bought this double CD set, you'd have a good starter collection of classical guitar music. It includes most of the standards, as well as rarer pieces. In addition to the many solo pieces, there are several excerpts from orchestral works, with Rodrigo's indispensible Adagio from "Concierto de Aranjuez" topping the list. There are also several flamenco numbers included, complete with heel taps and castanets.

The recording quality is uniformly good, even on the tracks by Segovia. I don't know if they were remastered or recorded late in his career, but they're free of the surface noise present in so many of his recordings. The set clocks in at a generous 2 1/2 hours - one of the greatest deals in instrumental music; this is not a "bargain" quality set. Listen to the samples online - great stuff.

My only mild criticism is in the marketing. The advertising features John Williams and Julian Bream. Each contributes exactly one track. I would have enjoyed more pieces by them for stylistic comparison. But the less well-known (at least to guitar music neophytes like me) artists are every bit as good, and I intend to obtain more of their work.
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Fantastic oldy but goody...
  • Authoritative Performances...
  • Incredible excitement from a cello
  • Slava! Electrifying stuff!
  • Stunning Shostakovich
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter
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  3. Shostakovich: Symphonies no 5 and 9 / Haitink
  4. Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,
  5. Bach: Cello Suites Nos. 1-6

ASIN: B000007QCK
Release Date: 1998-06-16

Tracks:

  1. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99: I. Nocturne, Adagio
  2. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99: II. Scherzo, Allegro non troppo
  3. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99: III. Passacaglia, Andante
  4. Concerto For Violin And Orchestra No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99: IV. Burlesca, Allegro con brio
  5. Concerto For Cello And Orch No. 1 In E-Flat Major, Op. 107: I. Allegretto
  6. Concerto For Cello And Orch No. 1 In E-Flat Major, Op. 107: II. Moderato
  7. Concerto For Cello And Orch No. 1 In E-Flat Major, Op. 107: III. Cadenza
  8. Concerto For Cello And Orch No. 1 In E-Flat Major, Op. 107: IV. Allegro con molto

Amazon.com

Sony has brought together Shostakovitch's greatest concertos in first recordings made soon after their American premieres by the artists most closely identified with them. Neither performance has been bettered, though some, such as Vengerov's Teldec Violin Concerto, come close. The Violin Concerto is in solid, detailed mono; the Cello Concerto in fine stereo. Oistrakh goes to the heart of the violin work, playing with extraordinary tonal magnificence and emotional power. He's matched by Mitropoulos, whose identification with the score is apparent. Rostropovitch is as good in the Cello Concerto, getting excellent support from Ormandy's Philadelphians. Both performances share the white heat of fresh discovery and have stood the test of time to become classic recordings. --Dan Davis

Amazon.com

Eugene Ormandy was Shostakovich's great interpreter (along with Bernstein) in the West, and he was entrusted with many U.S. premiers of the great Russian composer's symphonies and concertos. This recording of the First Cello Concerto was made while both the composer and his cellist friend were on tour in the United States, so it has the imprimatur of Shostakovich himself. The Violin Concerto similarly was recorded just days after its U.S. premiere in New York with the Oistrakh, for whom it was written. This is as distinguished a pair of performances as you're likely to hear, and although the Violin Concerto is mono, the sound never gets in the way of your enjoyment. An event. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Fantastic oldy but goody..........2007-07-12

I rediscovered the Shost cello concerto. Turns out I had bought a copy on LP back in the 50's. I had forgotten it, but recognised the cover picture on the insert. I haven't played it in many years.

After hearing of Slava's death, I decided to add him to my collection, especially any DSCH pieces. I was pleasantly surprised to re-aquaint myself with an old friend. The sound of these older recordings are fantastic, stereo or not. If you want to collect authentic Shostakovich, you must collect this CD.

5 out of 5 stars Authoritative Performances..........2007-02-02

I have owned both LPs and worn them out with repeated listenings. I feel these performances are breathtaking in their energy and emotion. I only wish there was such a paring on CD of the 2nd Violin and 2nd Cello Concertos with these soloists.

5 out of 5 stars Incredible excitement from a cello.......2006-10-24

I'm a great fan of piano concerti, not string concerti, definitely not cello concerti. But this one makes me go weak in the knees. I first heard it performed by Rostropovich 30 years ago. It made my heart pound. It still does. This performance is the best I've heard. The sound quality is excellent, the orchestra is excellent, and Rostropovich is at the height of his powers. The concerto is modern, but not in the ugly atonal way of much modern orchestral music. It has a driving pulse, simple but powerful melodic lines that linger in the memory, a passionate, almost erotic, exoticism. A friend of mine who didn't like it referred to it as "cosmic debris." I can sort of understand his metaphor, but this trails a glorious plume on re-entry.

The violin concerto was for me just something extra on the disc. But after a careful listening, I'm impressed. Oistrakh was a top-notch violinist, and he was in exteme good form for this performance. The sound quality is good, but not as good as in the cello concerto. The orchestra is dazzling. I won't be skipping over this performance to get to the cello concerto - they make a fine pair in this recording. This disc is a must-have for any lover of 20th century concert music.

5 out of 5 stars Slava! Electrifying stuff! .......2006-03-14

These are absolutely gorgeous recordings of both pieces. Indeed, these are the first ever recordings of both pieces, both recorded just months after their world premieres in the USSR, in 1956 and 1959. Sony have done an excellent job with the remastering, and the sound is crisp and clean.

As for the playing - Oistrakh and Rostropovich in their prime, with Shostakovich present and advising during both recordings - what more needs to be said. Shostakovich dedicated the First Cello Concerto to Rostropovich, his pupil and friend, and he almost seems to breathe the music. Oistrakh is magnificent in the Violin Conecrto, especially in the fast and furious finale. The New York Philharmonic under Mitropoulos and the Phildaelphia Orchestra under Ormandy are pretty damn good as well, and both pieces are fiendishly difficult in places.

Sorry this is praise is a little over the top, but it is entirely deserved!

5 out of 5 stars Stunning Shostakovich.......2005-05-17

Rostropovich in the Cello Concerto is superb and, without question, this is the greatest STUDIO account of the Violin Concerto. But please note: Oistrakh and Mitropoulos gave the American premiere of the Violin Concerto in a LIVE radio broadcast performance on New Year's Day 1956, and the studio recording on this Sony CD was made the following day. That LIVE premiere performance can be heard (excellent sound!) in a 10-disc box set from the New York Philharmonic called "The Historic Broadcasts 1923 to 1987." It's an expensive set ($225), but it contains some other extraordinary items, such as Stravinsky conducting Tchaikovsky's 2nd Symphony, Artur Rubinstein's finest account of the Chopin Piano Concerto #1 with Bruno Walter, Kirsten Flagstad and Walter in an incredible Immolation Scene from Wagner's Gotterdammerung, Stokowski's only recording of Mendelssohn's "Scotch" Symphony, and a great performance by Heifetz with Toscanini of the Brahms Violin Concerto. While I'm not a great fan of Heifetz, this was his finest account of the Brahms.

But the REAL highlight of that NY Phil. set: the SUPERLATIVE performance by Oistrakh and Mitropoulos in the Shostakovich Violin Concerto. While this Columbia studio recording is indeed wonderful, it doesn't quite touch the inspired intensity of Oistakh's "live" premiere. Of course, not all "live" performances are better than their studio counterparts (e.g., I much prefer Sviatoslav Richter's studio Liszt concertos on Philips to his "live" concert recording on BBC Legends). But Oistrakh and Mitropoulos in the premiere tightened the screws and threw off sparks "live" that even this superb studio performance doesn't quite match.

This Sony Columbia Masterworks CD is worth its price just to have the outstanding account of the Cello Concerto with Rostropovich. But if you want to hear Oistrakh's interpretation of the Violin Concerto at its absolute zenith, you should try to hear the NY Phil. set too.

Highly recommended.
Beethoven's Wig, Vol. 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Greatest baby gift ever
  • Great for the whole family
  • More Great Fun
  • One is better but this is still awesome!! Gotta have it!
  • Absolute joy, and endless fun!
Beethoven's Wig, Vol. 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies

Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies
  2. Beethoven's Wig 3: Many More Sing-Along Symphonies
  3. Mozart's Magnificent Voyage
  4. Mr. Bach Comes To Call
  5. World's Very Best Opera for Kids... in English!

ASIN: B0001I2C8O
Release Date: 2004-03-16

Tracks:

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

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Greatest baby gift ever.......2007-03-15

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

5 out of 5 stars Great for the whole family.......2007-01-04

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

5 out of 5 stars More Great Fun.......2006-03-13

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

5 out of 5 stars One is better but this is still awesome!! Gotta have it!.......2006-01-10

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

5 out of 5 stars Absolute joy, and endless fun!.......2005-11-15

The tunes and word stay with you and before you know it, you are signing them along. My two kids (ages 9 and 7) ask me to put the CD on as soon as we get into the car. What a wonderful and fun way to get them to love classical music!
The Essential Yo-Yo Ma
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • pure genius
  • Another great Yo-Yo Disc
  • first disc great- second a flop
  • Encore
  • The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma
The Essential Yo-Yo Ma

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Appassionato
  2. Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone
  3. Vivaldi's Cello
  4. Classic Yo-Yo
  5. Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon

ASIN: B000A7Q29G
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Tracks:

  1. Prde from Suite No. 1 in G Major for Cello, BWV 1007
  2. II. Largo from "Winter", Op. 8, No. 4, RV 297 from the Four Seasons
  3. Jesus, bleibet meine Freude (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring), BWV 147
  4. Schafe kn sicher weiden (Sheep May Safely Graze), BWV 208
  5. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers Awake), BWV 645
  6. The Swan from Carnival of the Animals (Chamber Version)
  7. Havanaise, Op. 83
  8. Mtation from Tha
  9. Liebesfreud Instrumental
  10. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso from Three Preludes
  11. Vocalise Vocal
  12. IV. Allegro from Sonata in D minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 40
  13. Andante Cantabile for Cello Solo and String Orchestra, Op. posth.
  14. IV. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto from Quartet No. 1 in G minor for Piano and Strings, Op. 25
  15. III. Finale. Allegro moderato from Concerto in B minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 104

Tracks:

  1. Cristal
  2. A lenda do caboclo
  3. Chega de Saudade Live
  4. Wapango Live
  5. Libertango
  6. Appalachia Waltz Solo Cello Version
  7. Butterfly's Day Out
  8. 1B
  9. Pickin' from Three Pieces for Solo Cello
  10. Simple Gifts
  11. The Mission
  12. Gabriel's Oboe
  13. The Falls Album Version
  14. The Eternal Vow from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
  15. The Cellist of Sarajevo - A Lament in Rondo Form for Solo 'Cello, Op. 12
  16. Chi passa per'sta strada
  17. Mido Mountain (Chinese Traditional)
  18. Mohini (Enchantment)
  19. Baroque in Rhythm from Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio
  20. Anything Goes Instrumental
  21. I Could Have Danced All Night Extended version

Amazon.com

Here are three dozen pieces of music, all played by Yo-Yo Ma, culled from his extensive discography. Aside from the technical mastery and beautiful tone that are absolutes in all of his playing, one is dazzled by his curiosity and ability to adapt to so many forms and types of music. His Bach and Vivaldi are pellucid and played with non-sentimental crispness, his tango music gritty and rhythmically pungent, his jazz seemingly spontaneous, the "Meditation" from Thais simply ravishing, "Anything Goes" a romp, and the Appalachian music performed with both respect and a great twang, while the traditional Chinese music is fascinating. It's really a matter of how much Ma loves whatever he plays here, how entirely he becomes involved in it, and what a fine partner he invariably is to other musicians. This collection is a doozy--it is truly "essential." --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars pure genius.......2007-05-21

No instrument asks more from the soul of an artist as the cello does.
Yo Yo Ma shows to be master of the instrument and his interpretations en technique are pure genius. Everyone should have this album in his (or hers of course) basic classical collection

4 out of 5 stars Another great Yo-Yo Disc.......2007-05-15

The set-up with the classical pieces on the first disc and the other on the second is excellent.

3 out of 5 stars first disc great- second a flop.......2007-04-12

the first disc is awesome. the second disc is weird and boring.

5 out of 5 stars Encore.......2007-03-31

Incredible. My young cellist (son) loves it. Beautiful music. The album is well organized and each song transitions nicely.

5 out of 5 stars The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma.......2007-03-29

I've found this collection to be extremely delightful! It gives you a sense of the versatility of Yo-Yo Ma like no other, with one disc being dedicated more to his classical side, while the other explores jazz and world music venues. Not your typical "greatest hits" collection.

Track Listings:

  1. Where the Wild Things Are
  2. 50 Classical Highlights: Symphonies
  3. A Garland for Linda
  4. A Sense of Place
  5. African Sunrise/Manhattan Rave
  6. Aida (Sung in English)
  7. America the Dream Goes on [Soundtrack]
  8. Bach J.S: Famous Cantatas [Import]
  9. Bach: Ten Years Channel Classics
  10. Bach: Weihnachtskantaten (Cantates de Noël) / Jezovsek, Connolly, Padmore, Kooy

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Peakin' at the Beacon [Live]

Schubert: Piano Sonata in A / Impromptus Op.90

These Are My Blues

Montage [Import]

Singles [Import]

Taylored to Please

Troy Cory Sings - Harbin China Vol Two

Szymanowski: Complete Works for Violin & Piano

Swimming Deeper

Roccellanea [Import]

The Charm of the Highway Strip

Su Primera Orquesta [Import]

Revolu Super Mix

Left Behind 2: Southern Gospel

Blues for Rampart Street