Ballet Music by Offenbach, Rachmaninov, & Smetana

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Philadelphia Orchestra was Rachmaninoff's favorite band. He conducted them himself, and formed a close working relationship with both Leopold Stokowski in the 1920s, and then with Eugene Ormandy. He was reported to have been very disappointed when Ormandy gave a cool reception to the opportunity to conduct the Symphonic Dances premiere, and Ormandy didn't make this recording until a couple of decades later. It's most notable for the typically rich and lovely string sound that Ormandy draws from his players. While other performances may be more exciting, this one does have a certain idiomatic stamp which, at budget price, is worth a listen. --David Hurwitz

Album Description

Music can be both calming and relaxing, or invigorating and passionate...this phenomenal 20-CD set is definitely the latter. This amazing collection brings together for the first time the most passionate music of all time, from Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Wagner's Magic Fire Music to Ravel's La Valse, Orff 's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This is a must have collection for every passionate music lover.

Customer Reviews:

A good gift for novice.......2007-05-12

This was a good gift for somebody learning about Classical music in Japan.

Average customer rating:

If You Love Classical Music, This CD Is For You
Probably Decca's best "Adagios" set
One of the best CDs you'll ever own
Sublime!
GREAT MUSIC

Movie Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romantic Adagios
Evening Adagios
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Violin Adagios
Cello Adagios

ASIN: B00005OC0D
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

Platoon: Adagio For Strings - Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/David Zinman
Elvira Madigan: Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 - Radu Lupu/English Chamber Orchestra/Uri Segal
A Room With A View: O Mio Babbino Caro (Gianni Schicchi) - Renata Tebaldi/Orch Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Lamberto Gardelli
Dangerous Moonlight: Warsaw Concerto - Cristina Ortiz/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Moshe Atzmon
Dances With Wolves: John Dunbar Theme - Hollywood Bowl Orchestra/John Mauceri
Raging Bull/Godfather III: Intermezzo (Cavalleria Rusticana) - National Philharmonic Orchestra/Gianandrea Gavazzeni
Brief Encounter: Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor: Adagio Sostenuto (Excerpt) - Jean-Yves Thibaudet/The Cleveland Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy
The Mission: Gabriel's Oboe - Prague Philharmonia/Nick Ingman
The Piano: The Heart Asks Pleasure First - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
The Gadfly: Romance - Alexander Kerr/Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Riccardo Chailly
Amadeus: Serenade In B Flat Major, K.361 'Gran Partita': Adagio - Members Of The Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
Sunday, Bloody Sunday: Soave Sia Il Vento (Trio) (Cosi Fan Tutte) - Lucia Popp/Brgitte Fassbaender/Tom Krause/Vienna Haydn Orchestra/Istvan Kertesz
Diva: Ebben?...Ne Andro Lontana (La Wally) - Renee Fleming/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Charles Mackerras
Hannah And Her Sisters: Keyboard Concerto No.5 In F Minor, BWV 1056: Largo - Andras Schiff/Chamber Orchestra Of Europe
Immortal Beloved: Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor 'Moonlight': Adagio Sostenuto - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Carrington: String Quintet In C Major, D956: Adagio (Excerpt) - Weller Quartet
Amadeus: Lacrimosa (Requiem) - John Alldis Choir/BBC Symphony Orchestra/Colin Davis

Tracks:

Billy Elliot: Scene (Opening Of Act 2) (Swan Lake) - Orchestre Symphonique De Montreal/Charles Dutoit
Life Is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella): Barcarolle (The Tales Of Hoffmann) - L'Orchestra De La Suisse Romande/Richard Bonynge
Dead Poets Society/Picnic At Hanging Rock: Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat Major, Op.73 'Emperor'... - Vladimir Ashkenazy/The Cleveland Orchestra
Hilary And Jackie: Cello Concerto, Op.85: Adagio - Moderato (Excerpt) - Julian Lloyd Webber/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Yehudi Menuhin
Out Of Africa: Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K.622: Adagio - Jack Brymer/London Symphony Orchestra/Colin Davis
Children Of A Lesser God: Concerto In D Minor For 2 Violins, BWV 1043: Largo, Ma Non Tanto - Henryk Szeryng/Maurice Hasson/Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
Frankie And Johnny: Clair De Lune - Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra/Frederick Fennell
Cinema Paradiso: Nuovo Cinema Paradiso - Prague Philharmonia/Nick Ingman
Death In Venice: Symphony No.5: Adagietto - Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti
Seven: Suite No.3 In D Major, BWV 1068: Air - Stuttgarter Kammerorchestra/Karl Munchinger
The Shawshank Redemption: Che Soave Seffiretto (Letter Duet) (The Marriage Of Figaro) - Kiri Te Kanawa/Lucia Popp/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti
Fatal Attraction: Un Bel Di (Madama Butterfly) - Renee Fleming/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Charles Mackerras
Ordinary People: Canon In D Major - Stuttgarter Kammerorchester/Karl Munchinger
Truly, Madly, Deeply: Cello Sonata In G Minor, BWV 1029: Adagio (Excerpt) - Janos Starker/Gyorgy Sebok
Shine: Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op.3 No.2 - Vladimir Ashkenazy
On Her Majesty's Secret Service: We Have All The Time In The World - Prague Philharmonia/Nick Ingman

Customer Reviews:

If You Love Classical Music, This CD Is For You .......2007-01-10

This compilation of movie themes is one of the most pleasurable CD's you'll ever own.

Probably Decca's best "Adagios" set.......2006-07-26

I say "probably," since it's hard to outdo its "Beethoven Adagios" set. I've only bought a few of these "Adagios" sets because, looking over the track listings of so many, there's just so much overlap. Here, you get the best single collection of the bunch. Here, I was introduced to Addinsell's "Warsaw Concerto," and for that alone it was worth the price. But let's not forget a significant number of other gorgeous classic adagios: Beethoven's "Emperor" concerto (used in a gorgeous film, "Picnic at Hanging Rock"), Bach's "Air on a G String," Mahler's Adaghietto from Symphony no. 5, some obligatory Mozart, the Barber adagio, Debussy's Claire de lune, and - oh lovely! - Schubert's String Quintet in C. Then there are much-appreciated entries (Cinema Paradiso, Gabriel's Oboe) from a personal favorite composer, Ennio Morricone, one of the actual official film composers (as distinct from long-dead composers whose music was used in film) used for this collection, along with a couple from another personal favorite, John Barry. (You'd really need to get Barry's own set of "adagios," titled "Moviola," to get his best, e.g., the title theme to "Out of Africa" and to "Somewhere in Time." For Morricone, the master of the romantic adagio in the past century, go with "Itinerary of a Genius" or individual soundtracks like "Legend of 1900," "Lolita," "Once Upon a Time in America," "Once Upon a Time in the West," and others.)

A couple drawbacks to this set: (1) The adagio from Rachmaninov's 2nd is truncated to a mere 4 minutes. For this, one is well advised to purchase a CD with the entire concerto, or get a full version of just the adagio elsewhere (Decca does include a full version on its "Romantic Adagios" collection). (2) So much from so many composers is included, that there is too little room for more Beethoven. I'd prefer the adagio from the "Pathetique" sonata to the "Moonlight" one which was included here. For Beethoven adagios, you need the "Beethoven Adagios" set as an accompaniment (where you get, among other things, adagios for the op. 130 string quartet, the 6th symphony, the violin concerto, piano concerto no. 3, the 7th symphony, and the romance for violin no. 2, op. 50). If you're a fan of Mozart music often used in the movies, there's the "Mozart Adagios" set and/or the "Amadeus" soundtrack.

I'm a "purist" as to a few works; I'd rather hear the entirety of the "Emperor" concerto than merely the adagio, for instance. In plenty of other cases, an adagio movement is heard just fine as a stand-alone work; plenty of the most beautiful music is used for adagio movements, as these sets make clear enough.

One of the best CDs you'll ever own.......2003-03-23

This is an excellent selection of music. I listen to it every chance I get. It is great just to put in your CD player on "repeat" and allow it to soothe and inspire you for a few hours, for an evening, or an for entire day.

One reason I chose it was that I was looking for music that could simply be a nice background noise for when I'm working on things that require reading and concentration. I wanted music that would not be a distraction, and this does a good job. It is also great to listen to when doing almost anything, like even cleaning the house or doing laundry. I will admit though, that listening to the selection from Swan Lake might make you want to dance around the living room.

Also, besides the obvious ones that everybody knows (Beethoven's 5th, or Canon in D, etc.) I do not know enough to distinguish specific songs from their composers, which is why I was hesitant to buy a classical CD soley of one artist because once I got it I may not have liked it or been familiar with any of the songs. That is why I picked Movie Adagios because I knew it would be a selection of some of the best classical music from the movies, which it is.

Sublime!.......2002-09-08

Of course, I'm nuts for classical music and classic movies, so this compilation of music featured in some of the most famous movies ever made is an absolutely ideal CD.

Filmmakers have been raiding the classical music files since the days of the silents in order to heighten the mood of a scene and provide a greater emotional impact. Barber's Adagio for Strings has been used not only in "Platoon", as this CD lists, but also in "The Elephant Man". While there's only a small snippet of Rachmininoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 here, it's worth remembering that the entire piece is used throughout the magnificent "Brief Encounter" to heighten the impact of the romance. Mozart's Trio (Cosi fan tutte) was brilliantly used in "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" to comment on a complex romantic triangle.

There are also 5 pieces written directly for the screen, two by Ennio Morricone (the haunting Gabriel's Oboe from "The Mission" and the exquisite Nuovo Cinema Paradiso from "Cinema Paradiso"), two by John Barry (a lovely version of We Have All the Time in the World from the James Bond classic "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and the elegiac John Dunbar Theme from "Dances With Wolves") and one by Michael Nyman (The heart asks pleasure first from "The Piano").

I love this CD, to relax with, to read with, and just immerse myself in the spectacular sounds of genius.

GREAT MUSIC.......2001-12-03

This is a great classical piece for the lovers of classical, as well as the ones who may hate it. These Adagios CDs get beter and better each time there is a new release. I must warn you there some good as well as some bad ones. There is a certain Adagio flavor for everyones. At the present I have others, but the ones I truly enjoy are Violin Adagios, The Piano Adagios and this one. This compilation is great for reading. Furthermore this CD can be great evening music... for sleeping.

Those of you who have not got on board with the ADAGIOS, please get on board the next time you go to your favorite music store. You may be surprised at how you have enriched yourselves with great music for your listening pleasure.

You may want to check other reviews here at Amazon under my section in the customers reviews.

Thanks

Tracks:

Three Dances From 'The Bartered Bride': Polka (Act I, Scene 5)
Three Dances From 'The Bartered Bride': Furiant (Act II, Scene I)
Three Dances From 'The Bartered Bride': Dance Of The Comedians (Act III, Scene 2)
Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: I - Non allegro
Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: II - Andante con moto (Tempo di valse)
Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: III - Lento assai-Allegro vivace-Lento assai. Come prima - L'istesso tempo - Allegro vivace
Gaiti Parisienne: Ouverture
Gaiti Parisienne: Allegro brillante
Gaiti Parisienne: Polka
Gaiti Parisienne: Allegro (Galop)
Gaiti Parisienne: Valse lente
Gaiti Parisienne: Tempo di marcia
Gaiti Parisienne: Valse moderato-Vivo-Valse-Allegro molto - Valse moderato
Gaiti Parisienne: Allegro-Cancan-Quadrille-(Cancan) - (Allegro) - Vivo
Gaiti Parisienne: Barcarolle

Amazon.com

The Philadelphia Orchestra was Rachmaninoff's favorite band. He conducted them himself, and formed a close working relationship with both Leopold Stokowski in the 1920s, and then with Eugene Ormandy. He was reported to have been very disappointed when Ormandy gave a cool reception to the opportunity to conduct the Symphonic Dances premiere, and Ormandy didn't make this recording until a couple of decades later. It's most notable for the typically rich and lovely string sound that Ormandy draws from his players. While other performances may be more exciting, this one does have a certain idiomatic stamp which, at budget price, is worth a listen. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Great performances at a Bargain Basement Price!.......2005-11-06

All these are outstanding perfomances. The Szell leadership in the Smetana is exciting and echt Cleveland. The Offenbach is also quite good, though I prefer Fieldler. However the best thing about this issue is the Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances. Ormandy never makes things too difficult, he just lets the orchestra have its way and allows the melodic themes to unfold as fully as possible. Given the full majesty of the most sonorous orchestra in the world, the listener is allowed to literally bath in an unmatched sonic magnificence.
Despite the astonishing heft and weight to the orchestra's sound Ormandy never lets them loose sight of the dance elements, and the basic propulsion is remarkable considering the fullness of sound. (You might try the opening 1 minute preview of the first Dance - the first full fanfare is unforgettable.)
Because the Philadelphians give such a good account of themselves I see no reason for anyone to look elsewhere, and certainly there should be absolutely no reason to spend three times as much for the equally highly regarded performance by the Dutch orchestra. If you have never heard the Philadelphia Orchestra this is a good introduction. The sound is much more colorful than the Decca version, which presents a darker, and to my ears, sometimes overloaded and murky tapestry.
And yes, the LP version of the Ormandy is better, I own it. But for most people this bargain CD should be just fine.

Danzas y ballet de lo mejor...........2004-09-30

Ormandy se lleva el mérito de estas grabaciones, Szell hace un pequeño aporte, las tres primeras danzas son pequeños trozos musicales extraidos de "La novia vendida" de Smetana, son sin lugar a dudas unas pequeñas piedras preciosas, George Szell es alegre, energico y casual, nada mejor para este tipo de piezas.
Pero luego de esa introducción Ormandy se hace cargo de una obra de peso pesado, las "Danzas Sinfónicas" son tres piezas increibles, que van de lo inusual para llegar a lo inesperado, son grandiosos momentos musicales llenos de fuerza y vigor, se embarcara en un placentero viaje por un mar calmo y la tormenta lo alcanzara, vivira la alegria de un momento de gloria y la inmensidad del desconsuelo lo llevara a la pureza del silencio asolador. Son danzas pero conllevan en si majestuosidad y pulcritud, tienen momentos de fulgor y oscuros pasajes de profunda decadencia. Rachmaninov estrenó esta obra con la orquesta de Filadelfia en los 40's, y años mas tarde Ormandy la revivió en una grabación inigualable.
Termina esta recopilación con momentos banales de alegria inconmensurable, la vida parisina de Offenbach es felicidad, alegria, libertad, entretenimiento y liviandad manifiestamente incontrolable, es energia pura.
Eugene Ormandy es un director que logra con su orquesta el sonido mas impecable que jamas pueda oir, las danzas sinfónicas estan en su mayor logro y Offenbach ni siquiera en Paris hubiese sonado mejor.

Dedicated to Ormandy and the Fantasic Philadelphians.......2002-12-17

Eugene Ormandy learned how to conduct Rachmaninoff at the composer's very feet. In fact, the Symphonic Dances -- Rachmaninoff's last piece -- were written for and dedicated to his favourite conductor and orchestra, Ormandy and the Philadelphia. During his own lifetime, Rachmaninoff was treated with a mixture of contempt and patronizing humor by music critics who considered his work as banal and outdated. There were some conductors of vision (Ormandy, Stokowski, Koussevitzky, Mitropoulos) who saw the originality and beauty in his music, and were able to impart it to the public (who were always at odds with the finicky, more "cultured" critics) who have always adored Rachmaninoff's unabashed romanticism. Symphonic Dances is much more complex and dark work than its title implies. The dances are not written as disconnected "episodes," but have a progression from lushness to despair to longing to exhilaration that fits within the framework of a three-movement concerto for orchestra.

Ormandy and the Philadelphia refrain from giving this piece a hurried tempo, conservatively and incrementally building up to the climax in the middle of the third movement. This is in keeping with the composer's own method of performing in which he - whether as pianist or conductor - would find a composition's acme and basically ascend to and descend from it. Ormandy's methodical tempo nonetheless draws out the orchestra, and brilliant flashes of instrumentation pervade this performance, some morose, others con dolce and yet others triumphant.

The playing in this recording -- especially in the strings and brass -- is precise, but not without feeling. The opening bars are played almost mechanically on the lower strings, contrasting with the solo clarinet, which fluidly winds its way around the strings' ostinato. The results are masterful. Moreso than any other conductor, Ormandy shied away from bombast and podium calesthenics of other conductors and instead concentrated on the sound of a composition, with all its attendant tonal shadings and color. This is further evidenced by the haunting and melancholic saxophone solo in the second movement.

Although I prefer this performance to Ashkenazy's majestic Concertgebouw recording from 1983 (Decca 410-124-2), I only barely prefer the recording itself. In fact, while I uniformly prefer listening to RCA compact disc digital remasterings of earlier analog LPs, SONY has badly outdone even the flat and tinny recordings it inherited from Columbia when it bought out the CBS catalog. The CD is just fine, and tolerable, but for the purposes of this review, I went to the vinyl in order to let the music soak in. When you have to use an old Columbia vinyl pressing to find tonal warmth and depth, something is wrong. From listening to the CD, it sounds as though the master tapes had deteriorated slightly because of the overwhelming tape hiss evident on the CD; Hence, the 4 stars instead of 5.

Tracks:

The Four Seasons: Allegro From 'The Spring'
Divermento No.1: Allegro
Moonlight Sonata: Adagio sostenuto
Love Dreams
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Overture
Piano Concerto No.2: Adagio sostenuto
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
The Merry Widow: Vilya, Oh Vilya
Swan Lake: Waltz
Giselle: Adagio; Waltz
La Boheme: Che gelida manina (What A Cold, Little Hand)
Excerpt From 'On The Beautiful, Blue Danube'

Tracks:

'Brandenburg' Concerto No.5: Allegro
Canon In D
Orchestral Suite No.2: Minuet And Badinerie
Allegro For Brass
Violin ConcertoNo.3: Allegro
Impromptu In A Flat Major
Peer Gynt: Dawn
Orpheus In The Underworld: Can-Can
The Merry Widow: I'll Go To Maxime's
Serenade For Strings: Waltz
La Boheme: Musetta'a Waltz: Quando me'n vo' (When I Go Out In Public)
Tritsch, Tratsch Polka
Pavan For A Dead Princess
Solace - Robert Strickland

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Fairy Queen' Symphony: Largo
Rondo alla Turca
Clarinet Concerto: Allegro
Fur Elise
The Barber Of Seville: Overture
Eugene Onegin: Waltz
Voices Of Spring
Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro (Oh, My Dear Papa)
'Sylvia' Ballet Suite
Trois Gymnopedies: Lent et douloureux
Rhapsody In Blue: Finale

Tracks:

Symphony No. 40: Molto Allegro
'The Four Seasons - The Fall': Allegro
Arioso For Brass
Horn Concerto No. 2: Rondo
Clarinet Concerto: Adagio
'Egmont': Overture
Musical Moment No. 3
Consolation
'The Sleeping Beauty': Pas D'action: Andante
'La Belle Helene': Overture
Symphony No. 5: Waltz
'Madama Butterfly': Un bel di (One Fine Day)
Clair de lune
'The Bartered Bride' Overture - Festival Symphony Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Just add coffee........1999-11-27

I saw this CD set in a store and told my friend I would like to have it for my birthday. She bought it on the spot for me. I am so glad she did. I really wasn't a classical music fan, but I am now. I listen to this CD set while I am driving home from my job as a broadcaster. It does help you to relax. I even wrap Christmas presents to the music. I would also like to make the suggestion of finding an open field where there are lighting bugs and play this CD while watching the lighting bugs. It is better than a fireworks show. If you are into classical music this is a CD that you must have.

Average customer rating:

Romantic Strings (25)

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

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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25 Romantic Classics
Sentimental Favorites (25)
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ASIN: B0000058I9
Release Date: 1996-08-20

Tracks:

Concerto In B-Flat For 2 Violins, Strings & Harpsichord, RV 524: II. Andante
Lullaby
Violin Concerto No. 4 In D, K. 218: III. Rondo-Andante grazioso
Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Beginning
Serenade for Strings in E, Op. 22: I. Moderato
Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III
Violin Concerto No. 6 In G Minor: II. Adagio
Ave Maria
Ancient Airs & Dances: Italiana
Coppelia: Waltz
Orpheus In The Underworld: Waltz
Les Patineurs: Pas de trois
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Menuet Celebre
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
Of Holberg's Days, Op. 40: I. Prelude
Traumerei, Op. 15 No. 7
Serenade For Strings, Op. 48: II. Waltz
Badinerie
Hungarian Dance No. 1
Concerto Grosso No. 6 In G Minor: II. A tempo giusto
The Four Seasons: Winter, II. Largo
Violin Concerto No. 2 In A Minor, BMV 1041: III. Allegro assai
Spanish Dance No. 6, Op. 23: Zapateado
24 Caprices For Solo Violin, Op. 1: Tema con variazioni

Average customer rating:

HE HAS DONE BETTER, MUCH BETTER

Classical Jukebox, Vol.II

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

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

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Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000026Z0
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Air On The G String
Blue Danube Waltz
Minuet
Nocturne
Clair De Lune
Colonel Bogey March
Flight Of The Bumblebee
Greensleeves
Hora Staccato
Jalousie
Londonderry Air
The Threepenny Opera: Mack The Knife
Malaguena
La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Gaite Parisienne: Cancan
Paganini Variations: 18th Variation
Reverie
Rhapsody In Blue: Andante
El Amor Brujo: Ritual Fire Dance
Sleeping Beauty: Waltz
Gayne: Sabre Dance
Swan Lake: Waltz
The Nutcracker: Waltz Of The Flowers

Customer Reviews:

HE HAS DONE BETTER, MUCH BETTER.......2000-07-10

This is the companion volume to CLASSICAL JUKEBOX Vol. 1 with Eugene Ormandy (see my review). Here we have André Kostelanetz leading his orchestra or the New York Philharmonic. The program is quite varied, going from Bach (AIR ON THE G STRING) to Weill (MACK THE KNIFE). Generally, the sound of this compilation is quite good and the recording technique superior. But this suffers in the fact that some items such as the BLUE DANUBE WALTZ by Strauss seem to be played at a pops tempo, not the real unhurried symphonic tempo. Other pieces such as the Alford COLONEL BOGEY MARCH are played with such over-bearing forces that one is left without any sense of musicality. Kostelanetz has done much better, I remember an LP of the 60's presenting 24 of the world's greatest waltzes. It had everything in the right places. This CD has little to say musically, though many could find it enjoyable.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music

Average customer rating:

Good, but not great selections given the title selected.
Worthy on any level
Humans Are Classically Stubborn
The title says it all.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: Greatest Hits
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
Tchaikovsky: Greatest Hits

ASIN: B000003FQB
Release Date: 1994-07-19

Tracks:

'Peer Gynt' Suite No. 1: Morning
Cantata No. 147: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - London Symphony Orchestra
The Four Seasons - Winter: Largo - English Chamber Orchestra
Clarinet Concerto : Adagio - English Chamber Orchestra
Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Lakme: Flower Duet - Richard Kapp
Clair de Lune
Tales From The Vienna Woods
Sabre Dance
The Nutcracker: Pas de deux - Fritz Reiner
Polovtsian Dance No. 17 ('Stranger In Paradise')
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini: Variation 18
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante - Vienna Symphony
Symphony No. 9 'New World': Going Home Theme - Various Artists
Rhapsody in Blue (Excerpt)

Customer Reviews:

Good, but not great selections given the title selected........2007-03-04

This CD contains some good pieces, but overall, the selections were not what I would have picked for a CD with this title. I used to think that I hated classical music, but now that I've sailed past 40 I have learned to enjoy it in almost every variety. Nevertheless, as a child of the Rock/Pop Music era, I can tell you most people today who think they hate classical music, think so because they've pretty much only heard the slower/less dramatic compositions. (I.e., "elevator" music.) The goal, of course, is to develop a real love for the genere, but in most cases, the introduction needs to be a "grabber." Perhaps I'm too skeptical, but while there is more than elevator music on this CD, I do not think it is on the whole upbeat or rythmatically appealing enough to sieze the interest of most of today's A.D.D. generation --- which is the presumable target audience.

Worthy on any level.......2002-01-23

I bought this cd for my father about 3 years ago. My father loved classical music. Actually, one might consider him quite the snob about classical music. Pop (was 83 at the time) and I (48 at the time) spent many an occasion listening to this wonderful cd. It has enough variety and familiar pieces (and yet, not the regular stuff) that we could let it play again and again and still be delighted with the pleasure that it brought to us both. I am listening to it even as I write this review. Buy, buy, buy! It is a PERFECT gift.

Humans Are Classically Stubborn.......2001-05-16

We humans are quite a stubborn bunch. Once we get something in our heads, it's hard to change our minds. I have been a life "shunner" of classical music. A pseudo snob, I couldn't waste time on music I couldn't.....A. Dance (poorly) to, or...B. Sing (horribly) along with. Yet in galleries, museums, or theatres, I would hear strains of truly beautiful music and would think "I just have to find out what that is!" Then, of course, I didn't. I finally forced myself to purchase this CD at the urging of my 12 year old and I fell in love. YOU know all of these pieces. YOU'VE heard them every time you cried during a tear-jerker or strolled through a museum. And YOU like them, you really, really like them. The CD has become one of my favorites and actually induced me to buy more classical music. The name of my new purchase? "MORE Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music." Hey -It's a start. Give this one a listen, it will seem like an old friend has come to visit. And you just might learn something.

The title says it all........1999-08-28

This CD is good for those who do not regularly collect classical CD's. If you don't really know much about classical music, but would like just a taste, this CD is for. This album is also good for those who love classical music, I bought it because it had all of my favorite classical works all on one CD. I can play a song at a get together and everyone there has heard the song some where at some point in their lives.

Average customer rating:

Classics for Lovers

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music