Pelléas et Mélisande [Enhanced]

Editorial Reviews
— Opera Magazine
"One of the thirty all-time great opera recordings"

— BBC Music Magazine
"Whatever modern recording is in your collection this should be alongside it. You will probably play it more."

Album Description
This four-CD set showcases the premiere complete recording of Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande, recorded in Paris in 1941. Celebrating the centennial year of the opera's debut, this deluxe reissue features this famous recording led by Roger Désormière as well as substantial comparative selections from abridged recordings. One of andante's most sumptuous presentations to date, the set's 300-page-plus booklet includes an array of rarely seen photographs from the 1902 debut, along with vintage photos of the composer and the principal performers. The extensive annotation includes an introduction by Pulitzer Prize–winner Tim Page and essays by Pierre Boulez, Susan Sontag and Debussy himself, as well as the full libretto in French, English and German. In surveying the history of Pelléas et Mélisande on record in centennial articles for Gramophone and BBC Music magazines, the British critic and authority on French music Roger Nichols chose the! 1941 Désormière recording as the opera's definitive document.

Pelléas et Mélisande [Enhanced]

Tracks:

Ouverture - John Georgiadis
Pastorale - John Georgiadis
Trois Romances Sans Paroles, Op. 17, No. 1 In A Flat Major - Jean Martin
Romance, Op. 28 - Pascal Devoyon
Pavane, Op. 50 - Keith Clark
Requiem, Op. 48: Pie Jesu - Lisa Beckley
Prelude - John Georgiadis
Sicilienne - John Georgiadis
Kitty-Valse - John Georgiadis
Tendresse - John Georgiadis
Le Pas Espagnol - John Georgiadis
Barcarolle No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 20 - Pierre-Alain Volondat
Berceuse, Op. 16 - Pascal Devoyon
Reqiem, Op. 48 - In Paradisum - Colm Carey
Shylock, Musique De Sc, Op. 57: Nocturne - John Georgiadis
Ballade In F Sharp Major, Op. 19 - Francois-Joel Thoillier
Ballade - The Best Of Faure

Customer Reviews:

Faure Essentials.......2007-05-29

If you want to persuade someone to listen to Faure then this is the album to begin with. It contains the very best known melodies.

music inside you.......2005-10-01

Have you ever felt music inside you when watching the sun going down, when felling the breeze in your hair, when smelling the grass in a gentle summer night...? The music of this CD may remind you that part of yourself that we may tend to forget in our busy life, liked the words of Celibidache which I liked very much: "the music is not the notes, YOU are the music"!
You would feel in this way, when listening to this CD.

An excellent compilation of Faure's work.......2003-02-15

I bought this cd not knowing anything about Gabriel Faure's music. A local orchestra was planning to perform Masques et Bergamasques, so I picked this cd being the most inexpensive way of buying something I possibly was not going to enjoy. But nothing could be further from the truth. I love this cd! It has such a nice variation of formats: piano concerto (Ballede in F sharp major Op. 19), piano solo (Baracarolle No.1 in A minor, Op. 20), vocal (Requiem, Op. 48), and symphony (Masques et Bergamasques). The music is also well played by various artists...no complaints on the performance side. And if it is true that one becomes the thoughts and vibrations that one allows to enter his or her mind, then by listening to Faure you may find yourself becoming a bit more tender, patient, and even romantic in your ways.

Romance.......2002-11-23

Bought this CD originally because of Romance, but I like it all. This is a new composer for me and I'm glad I found Faure'.

good value.......2002-03-01

i'd recommend this to anyone who wants to get an inexpensive taste for faure's music. The recordings are decent, and the selection is interesting. After this, check out his nocturnes for piano and of course the Requiem.

Average customer rating:

relation through beautiful music
A Great Find!

Guitar Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Cello Adagios
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Piano Adagios

ASIN: B00028DNCW
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

Adagio In G Minor - Dominic Miller
The Deer Hunter - Goran Sollscher
Largo - Eduardo Fernandez
Prelude - John Williams
Apres Un Reve - Steve Erquiaga
Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte - Steve Erquiaga
Courante - Pepe Romero
Torija (Elegia) - Segovia
Andantino - Piu Mosso - Primo Tempo - Julian Bream
Andaluza - Pepe Romero
Granada (Serenata) - Pepe Romero
Bachians Brasileiras No.1 - Alexandre Lagoya
Andante Cantabile - Segovia
Cancion De Cuna - Eduardo Fernandez
Arioso - Steve Erquiaga
Romance D'Amour - Goran Sollscher
Adagio - Christine Pendrill
Qui Tollis - Dominic Miller

Tracks:

Air On A G String - Dominic Miller
Largo - Alexandre Lagoya
Andante Sostenuto - Alexandre Lagoya
La Maja De Goya - Pepe Romero
Romance De Los Pinos - Pepe Romero
Sarabande - John Williams
Sonata, Op.16 - Pepe Romero
Recuerdos De La Alhambra - Eduardo Fernandez
Barcarolle - John Williams
Bourees I & II - John Williams
Sarabande - John Williams
Andante - Alexandre Lagoya
Oriental - Alexandre Lagoya
Cantabile - Alexandre Lagoya
Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Alexandre Lagoya
Andante - Alexandre Lagoya
Canzone In E Minor - Alexandre Lagoya
Sicilienne - Steve Erquiaga
Clair De Lune - Alexandre Lagoya

Customer Reviews:

relation through beautiful music.......2005-10-02

This is arguably the most relaxing music anywhere. It is lovely to take a nap to, fall asleep to..... use your imagination to......

A Great Find!.......2004-08-02

These are wonderful cds. They include Andres Segovia,Julian Bream, John Williams, Presti/Lagoya and Pepe Romero among other guitarist's. This two cd set has a rare performance of Segovia with the "Symphony Of The Air"performing Boccherini's "Cello Concerto in D". John Williams performing Bach's "Cello Suite In D" at seventeen years old. Also Ida Presti and Alexandre Lagoya performing Debussy's "Clair de Lune" and Granado's "Spanish Dance No.2 The Oriental". Presti/Lagoya's music has long been out of print and to the best of my knowledge this is the first time their music has been available on cd.These cd's have over 2 and a half hours of music and are well worth the money.

Fauré - Requiem · Orchestral Music / Hendricks · van Dam · Plasson

Average customer rating:

Fauré - Requiem · Orchestral Music / Hendricks · van Dam · Plasson
Gabriel Fauré , Michel Plasson , Barbara Hendricks , José van Dam , Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse , and Orféon Donostiarra
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Symphonie Fantastique
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Liszt: Piano Concertos; Totentanz; Hungarian Fantasy

ASIN: B00004TV9D
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Tracks:

Gabriel Faure: I. Introit et kyrie
Gabriel Faure: II. Offertoire
Gabriel Faure: III. Sanctus
Gabriel Faure: IV. Pie Jesu
Gabriel Faure: V. Agnus Dei
Gabriel Faure: VI. Libera me
Gabriel Faure: VII. In Paradisum
Gabriel Faure: Pavane, Op. 50
Gabriel Faure: Prelude
Gabriel Faure: La Fileuse (Andantino quasi allegretto)
Gabriel Faure: Sicilienne
Gabriel Faure: Mort de Melisande (Molto adagio)
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Gabriel Faure: Menuet
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Gabriel Faure: Pastorale

Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems

Average customer rating:

5 stars for the syms
Beautiful and comprehensive compilation of Sibelius works
excellent collection
A must for Sibelius lovers
A terrific and near-perfect set

Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies
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Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead

ASIN: B00005MIZT
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

I: Andante, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Energico
II: Andante (Ma Non Troppo Lento)
III: Scherzo: Allegro
IV: Finale (Quasi Una Fantasia): Andante - Allegro Molto
I: Allegretto
II: Tempo Andante, Ma Rubato
III: Vivacissimo - Lento E Suave - Tempo Primo - Largamente -
IV: Finale: Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

I: Allegro Moderato
II: Andantino Con Moto, Quasi Allegretto
III: Moderato - Allegro (Ma Non Tanto)
I: Tempo Molto Moderato, Quasi Adagio
II: Allegro Molto Vivace - Doppio Piu Lento
III: Il Tempo Largo
IV: Allegro

Tracks:

I: Tempo Molto Moderato - Largamente - Allegro Moderato
II: Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto
III: Allegretto Molto - Un Pochettino Largamente
I: Allegro Molto Moderato
II: Allegretto Moderato - Poco Con Moto
III: Poco Vivace
IV: Allegro Molto - Allegro Assai - Doppio Piu Lento

Tracks:

Adagio -
Un Pochettino Meno Adagio - Vivacissimo -
Poco Rallentando Al Adagio - Allegro Molto Moderato - Allegro Moderato - Vivace -
Presto - Adagio - Largamente Molto - Affettuoso
Cantata: Oma Maa, Op.92: 'Our Own Land'
Tulen Synty, Op.32: The Origin Of Fire

Tracks:

I: Introductione: Allegro Moderato
II: Kullervo's Youth: Grave
III: Kullervo And His Sister: Allegro Vivace
IV: Kullervo Goes To Battle: Alla Marcia
V: Kullervo's Death: Andante

Tracks:

The Oceanides, Op.73
I: Intermezzo
III: Alla Marcia
I: All'overtura: Grave - Allegro/II: Scena: Tempo Di Menuetto - Allegro Moderato/III: Festivo: Tempo Di Bolero
Tapiola, Op.112
Finlandia, Op.26
Serenade No.1 in D, Op.69a
Serenade No.2 in g, Op.69b (Lento Assai)

Tracks:

Luonnotar, Op.70
Pohjola's Daughter, Op.49
En Saga, Op.9
I. Nocturne
II. Elegie
III. Musette
IV. Serenade
V. Ballade
The Bard, Op.64

Tracks:

Spring Song, Op.16
III. The Swan Of Tuonela
IV. Lemminkainen's Return
I. At The Castle Gate
II. Melisande
IIa. By The Seashore
III. A Spring In The Park
IV. The Three Blind Sisters
V. Pastorale
VI. Melisande At The Spinning-wheel
VII. Entr'acte
VIII. The Death Of Of Melisande
Valse Triste
Scene With Cranes
II. The Harp
III. The Maidens With Roses
IV. Listen, The Robin Sings
VI. Swanwhite And The Prince

Customer Reviews:

5 stars for the syms.......2006-03-18

with the Helsinki
3 Stars for the Bourgemouth on the poems.
But truth be told, no matter how EMPHATIC statements that his syms are not programmatic, that is fall into a logical step by step order, they are just that, very predictible.
I've given these syms 30 yrs, and lately I've lost interest.
While Schonberg, Berg, Webern, Varese were scoring creative new atonal/poloytonal works of new genius, here was Sibelius struggling with old forms, that fail to deliver anything really new. And he knew it, and bothered him to no end.
I feel there is way too much Beethoven/Bruckner(I like neither) influence in the syms for me to become a fan of the syms. I like the 1st sym "somewhat" that is I never listen to it, and small parts of the 4-7 syms. But I'm afraid I only like Sibelius pre 1905, the Kullervo, VC, tone poems. Here is where the genius of Sibelius truly lies.
The syms long ago held some interest, but lately i've moved on to Schnittke and Pettersson.
I also much prefer Vaughan Wialliams syms to all of Sibelius.
Sibelius was a genius in his element, that of representing the folk ideas of his land. His syms are like a string of ideas that lack the connective passages. IOW the whole is less than the few interesting parts.

Beautiful and comprehensive compilation of Sibelius works.......2005-09-29

For me, this has been the year of Sibelius. Previously, I had listened to (and enjoyed) Finlandia. I also had a couple of the symphonies but hadn't listened too them but once or twice. After listening to Finlandia again, I decided to seek out more SIbelius to sample. After some searching through reviews, I settled upon this compilation of works because it offered a large variety of Sibelius and seemed to be well-received. I have been very happy with this purchase! Not only have I spent countless hours listening to each of the 8 disks in this set, the enjoyment of the music has led me to many other wonderful performances of Sibelius by other worthy conductors such as Ashkenazy and Vanska. Still, this boxed set will always be fondly remembered as the one that introduced me to the wonders of so many of these pieces.

I was immediately captured by the haunting clarinet solo that begins the first symphony. All of the symphonies, performed by the Helsinki Orchestra, are recorded in very clear digital sound -- so the solo and the pecussion accompanyment were perfectly captured. I was hooked by the first symphony, but all of the symphonies are presented clearly and with outstanding interpretations. The Helsinki Philharmonic has always had a strong affiliation with Sibelius's music, and Paavo Berglund is a renowned Sibelius conductor who has recorded three separate symphony cycles (once with the Bournemouth Symphony orchestra, the 2nd time with these recordings, and a third time with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe). The commitment felt by the conductor and orchestra comes through in these performances.

In addition to the complete symphony cycle, there are a number of other treasures. A fine version of Finlandia is accompanied by a number of truly delightful tone poems such as Tapiola, the haunting Swan of Tuonela and Lemminkainen's Return (from the Lemminkainen Suite). These tone poems were inspired by the Finnish Kalevala. Other tone poems such as the Oceanides and Spring Song were inspired by Sibelius's love of nature. All receive strong performances by Berglund conducting the Bournemouth Symphony (in analog sound that is still quite good). The violin serenades (especially no. 2) were unexpected delights. The version of Kullervo is magnificent, as is the singing in Luonnotar and Oma maa. This set is a treasure trove of Sibelius treats!

excellent collection.......2004-06-28

This box set includes Sibelius' all symphonies, with Kullervo and his almost complete tone poems. The Symphonies are performed by Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Kullervo and tone poems with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. All of them conducted by Paavo Berglund, who always a champion on performer of Sibelius.

Even so there are his incidental musics: Pelleas et Melisande, Swanwhite, Kuolema and King Christian II.
Especially Pelleas and Kuolema (which includes ever famous Valse triste) are the most beautifuls. Pelleas et Melisande is a very impressive music, and the best "Pelleas" music with Debussy's Pelleas (opera).

Kullervo is symphony-cantata for two soloists, men-chorus and orchestra, which be constitued in 5 movements, comparable in artistically with Mahler's 2nd Symphony "Resurrection". Especially the last movement "Kullervo's Death" is very effective, pathetique.

And one more a vocal work, a tone poem for soprano and orchestra: Lounnutar. This is based on Kalevala again, and Luonnotar is creator of nature in this poem. It is a very radical work, like his darkful 4th Symphony and The Bard. I think, The Bard is one of the best works of the composer, with it's harmonis, dark colours, contemplative mood. Still, this was written in tragic E-flat minor. It is based on a mythologic creature which plays an harp, like lyre in Greek mythology. And in the last minutes there is a dramatic climax and then music slowly fades out.

And there is the best Tapiola recording, I've ever heard (with Petri Sakari's version at Naxos). This is based on Kalevala, again. Tapio is the name of the forest god, according story. There are very impressive contrasts between hypnotic, a little hesitated, light colours and dramatic darkful colours. The orchestration is marvellous again. Especially, in last minutes there is a terrific storm scene and it's very spine chilling. Climaxes (which played by brass) are very powerful...

This is a very good addition to collectors of Sibelius fans and any classical music lovers. Highly recommended.

A must for Sibelius lovers.......2003-01-07

Jean Sibelius is one of those composers who I feel that even on his off days he did well. While I certainly can't say I enjoy all of his music enough to buy (Sacaramouche for instance), most of his music is highly pleasureful. All of the pieces on this set, conducted by Paavo Berglund, save maybe one or two, are part of the later catagory.

This set consists of most of Sibelius's major orchestral music, with the notible exceptions of Night Ride and Subrise, the first two sections of the Lemmenkainen Suite, and the Violin Concerto. It also contains such rarities as Origin of Fire, Our Own Land, and excepts from Swan White.

Berglund, I believe, was the first to fully record a complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies. The recordings here are not from his first set (which I have not heard), but the second cycle recorded in the mid-80s. The symphonies and two canatas mentioned above are recorded in digital, while the rest is analog. It's all in very good sound, though not perfect. That they wanted to keep the D and A recodings on seperate discs is the only possible reason I can see for why they left out the Violin Concerto (there's plenty of room on disc 4).

Now of course, contents are one thing, but what really matters is performance. And suffice it to say, they for the most part shine. This has easily the finest Symphony 1 I've heard, and the finale of Symphony 5 (truly one of the greatest works of the 20th century) shines with brillance. Symphony 3 makes its mark nicely, and Symphony 2, while perhaps a bit on the fast side, is certainly up to par. The only disappointment is Symphony 7, which falls totally flat compared to Davis/BSO.

The two cantatas are wonderful rarities, but its disc 5 where the choral aspect is full played out -- Kullervo. If you've never heard this piece, it's a 75 minute long programatic symphony (to use to term losely) with many ups and downs. This was the first ever recording, and most say it hasn't been topped.

The final three discs contain shorter works. Especially noteable are the absolutely beautiful Serenade #2 for Violin and Orchestra, the hauntingly lovely Luonnotar, a very rousing version of Lemminkainen's Return, and a passionate Pelleas and Mellsande.

Of course, it's almost impossible to have this big a set without some disapointments. Beyond the aformentioned Symphony 7, there's also not overly convincing Finlandia, and a WAY too slow Karelia Intermezzo. Thankfully, the rest of the set makes up for it. It's a great deal at only about $7 a disc retail, and if you're like me, on you'll keep coming back to.

A terrific and near-perfect set.......2002-04-05

This release couples Berglund's classic Bournemouth recordings of the Kullervo Symphony and a host of tone poems with his most recent cycle of the Symphonies.

The Bournemouth recordings are legendary, especially the Kullervo, which belongs in every classical music library. There is a real warmth to these readings, which charms me into letting the minor flaws in playing pass. The sound is pretty good, though slightly muddy at times (particularly in Tapiola), and the selections have been excellently remastered.

The Symphonies, recorded with the Helsinki Philharmonic in superb digital sound, are a real peak in the discography. Berglund doesn't play his Sibelius lukewarm; his readings are sharp, neo-classical and very powerful. You won't confuse these recordings with those of Colin Davis to be sure. Very comparable to Maazel's earlier readings with the Vienna Philharmonic, but with less over-dramatization. His First, Second, Third, Sixth and Seventh are as good as any, and his reading of the Fourth, while rather bleak for my taste (I like the idea of some kind of softening at the end) is a coherent vision, almost harsh in it's execution.

I really like Maazel's Pittsburgh Fifth, and Berglund's recording in no way comes close to Maazel's splendor or power as a total conception. But, Berglund's middle movement is the best I've heard by far; the obsessively repeated melody seems to weave in and out of the orchestral fabric very seductively. Berglund's knack for architecture is spot on here.

Tracks:

Arabesque No. 1
The Girl With The Flaxen Hair
Le tombeau de Couperin: V - Menuet
Pelleas et Melisande: II - Fileuse
Pavane pour une infante defunte
The Birds: La Colomba
Sylvia Suite: II - Intermezzo: Valse lente
Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Faust Ballet Music: V - Moderato con moto
Damnation Of Faust: Ballet Of The Sylphs
Pelleas et Melisande: III - Sicilienne
Petite Suite: En Bateau
Suite Bergamasque: Clair de Lune
Pavane, Op. 50
Gymnopedie No. 1
Gymnopedie No. 3
Reverie

Customer Reviews:

CD- "Dinner Classics: THe French Album".......2006-07-03

I have bought 3 of these items, the first was an audio tape from Avon. The 2 CDs I bought from Amazon were bought because I knew how beautiful the music was. One was a gift and the other is for my classroom. They were in perfect condition,the music is incredibly beautiful and I highly recommend it to everyone!

PAR EXCELLANCE!.......2006-03-14

This is one of the best classical cd's for dinner music, relaxing,reading or even just putzing around the house. Elegant, pure classical and beautiful. Fills your home with a higher ambience if you are so mentally inclined. Everyone who hears it wants a copy. This the third one I have owned as I have worn out and given away one. I first purchased this in the early nineties and it still is timeless in it's symphonic artistry.

It will grow on you.......2005-12-11

I didn't know what I was getting when I first purchased this work. Now, I can't imagine being without it. Debussey's Claire De Lune is the best I've heard. This is the same piece that was used on the movie "The Right Stuff". I believe you will enjoy this compilation.

French Essentials.......2001-12-07

Maybe the best compositions of the impressionist epoca.
It includes the best performances of Debussy pieces I've ever listened.

CBS Masterworks French Album.......2001-12-07

This is a great starter CD to buy if you're just beginning to build your classical music collection. It only covers French composers, and the melodies are superb. When I bought this CD I was looking for the Debussy Arabesques, but arranged for an orchestra instead of just for piano. It turnes out THIS was the CD I was searching for without even knowing the title to it! Reason being, a few tracks from this CD is used as background music for a 15 minute presentation of the daily Holy Rosary on EWTN, the Catholic channel. It's the Rosary prayed by what seems to be a 12 year old girl in the middle of a big grass field who starts out praying alone then is joined by several people. The rich melodies complement this presentation very well. No one else has mentioned the fact that in the liner booklet there are several French recipes presented by Martha Stewart! I haven't tried any yet, but they seem easy enough to attempt and enjoy while playing this marvelous CD. I highly suggest purchasing it as a sample of some of the finest French classical pieces ever composed.

Average customer rating:

Nordic Drama and Karajan's BPO....a winning combination.

Karajan Conducts Grieg & Sibelius

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008CLNS
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Customer Reviews:

Nordic Drama and Karajan's BPO....a winning combination........2003-10-06

For those already familiar with the performances contained in this DG "2-fer", you're either a Karajan fan or you're not. The magic and sweep of the Berlin Philharmonic's strings under Karajan's baton were its signature. Not the best tool for edgy and angular 20th century repetoire, but for Karajan's core recordings of Early-, Mid-, and Late-Romantic scores--plus a key group of 20th century specialties--the BPO was practically unmatched in their suavity, virtuosity, sheen and beauty. Such was the case with his readings of Sibelius and Grieg anthologized here, with recordings ranging from mid-60s analogue sources to his digital era of the 1980s.

The 96/24 digital remastering has been largely successful in softening the glare and hardness of the 80s digital efforts while preserving their tremendous impact and presence...witness the noticeable improvement in the Grieg "Holberg Suite" and the Sibelius "Pelleas." In both cases, there's more "air" around the orchestra as recorded in the notoriously difficult acoustic of the Philharmonie. Likewise, the earlier analogue sources gain in a sharpening of focus and punch, while retaining the attractive ambience of the Jesus-Christus Kirche recording venue used by the BPO througout the 60s and early 70s. Tape hiss is well-managed and unobtrusive, while still permitting the percussion to sparkle and string harmonics to shimmer, as in the Grieg "Peer Gynt" selections and "Sigurd Jorsalfar" suite, plus a rightly acclaimed reading of Sibelius' chilling "Tapiola."

Tracks:

Concerto For Harpischord, Strings, And Continuo No. 5 In F Minor, BWV 1056 - Raymond Leppard
Concerto Grosso In B Minor, Op. 6, No. 12 - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Pavane For A Dead Princess - Steve Erquiaga
Romance For String Orchestra - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Carnival Of The Animals - Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 - Alexandre Lagoya
En Bateau - l'ochestre de la suisse romande
Humming Chorus - BBC Concert Orchestra
Sicilienne - Steve Erquaiaga
Italiana - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Una Furtiva Lagrima - BBC Concert Orchestra
Chanson De Matin, Op. 15, No. 2 - BBC Concert Orchestra
Suite In E Major For Lute, BWV 1006A/1000 - Eduardo Fernandez
Touch Her Soft Lips, And Part - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Suite for Cello Solo No. 3 In C Major, BWV 1009 - Pepe Romero
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Julian Lloyd Webber
Pavane - Nicholas Kraemer
Serenade For Strings In E Major, Op. 22 - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields

Tracks:

O Mio Babbino Caro - BBC Concert Orchestra
Cavatina - Goran Sollscher
La Fileuse - L'Orchestre De La Suisse Romande
Flower Duet (Sous Le Dome Epais) - BBC Concert Orchestra
Pied-En-L'Air - Nicholas Kraemer
Arioso - Steve Erquiaga
Two Aquarelles - English Chamber Orchestra
In Paradisum - Stephen Cleobury
After A Dream - Steve Erquiaga
Suite For Cello Solo No. 1 In G Major, BWV 1007 - Mischa Maisky
My Bonny Boy - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Concerto For Guitar In D Major, RV 93 - Eduardo Fernandez
Un Bel Di - BBC Concert Orchestra
Holbert Suite, Op. 40 - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Concerto For Oboe In D Minor, BWV 1059 - Heinz Holliger
Vissi D'Arte - BBC Concert Orchestra
Sheep May Safely Graze - William Bennett
Fantasia On Greensleeves - William Bennett

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional Collection.......2003-12-31

I have heard many, many classical "mood" collections, and this is one of the best, with many surprise selections.
It is consistently restful and calming.
I recommend it highly.

Fauré: Requiem, Op. 48; Pelléas et Mélisande, Suite, Op. 80; Pavane, Op. 50

Average customer rating:

Drags quite a bit
This is a beautiful CD
It lacks spark
Excellent program
In Paradisum

Fauré: Requiem, Op. 48; Pelléas et Mélisande, Suite, Op. 80; Pavane, Op. 50

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Fauré
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ASIN: B0000041UE
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Requiem, Op. 48: Introit et Kyrie
Requiem, Op. 48: Offertoire
Requiem, Op. 48: Sanctus
Requiem, Op. 48: Pie Jesu
Requiem, Op. 48: Angus Dei
Requiem, Op. 48: Libera me
Requiem, Op. 48: In paradisum
Pelleas et Melisande, Suite, Op. 80: Prelude. Quasi Adagio
Pelleas et Melisande, Suite, Op. 80: Andantino quasi Allegretto
Pelleas et Melisande, Suite, Op. 80: Sicilienne: Allegro molto moderato
Pelleas et Melisande, Suite, Op. 80: Molto Adagio
Pavane pour orchestre avec choeur, Op. 50

Amazon.com

A fine French touch is evident in this collaboration between the Swiss- born conductor Charles Dutoit and his Canadian orchestra. They give a highly polished performance of the standard Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, a reading both suave and supple that is characterized throughout by a remarkable beauty of sound. Emphasizing the idyllic aspect of Fauré's conception, Dutoit is at his best in the suite's inner movements. The recording is ideally atmospheric and well detailed, and, combined with Fauré's Requiem, is the preferred one. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Drags quite a bit.......2007-04-12

I have listened to many recordings of Faure's Requiem, but this, I have to say is not one of the best. The music is, of course, breathtaking, but under Charles Dutoit's direction the tempo drags dismally. The lilting ethereal quality of Faure's delicate harmonies is lost under Dutoit's heavy-handed and overly romantic interpretation. Ironically, much of the dramatic impact of the more passionate moments, such as Libera me, is also lost in a sea of bathos. The only selection which I found did justice to Faure was In Paradisum, which, while more emotive than the usual choir of angels, did have a glorious, heart-expanding climax. For a more authentic, and ultimately more moving, recording listen to the Choeurs et Orchestre National de Lyons, under Emmanuel Krivine. I am sure that Faure would have preferred it.

This is a beautiful CD.......2007-04-11

The Faure Requiem is glorious and beautiful. This is a sensitive
performance from the orchestra, choir, Milnes, and Ti Kanawa.
The disc is worth having just for this work. The Pelleas et
Melisande Suite and Pavane are extra bonuses of Faure's
beautiful melodies.

It lacks spark.......2007-02-09

It does tend to drag a bit; ironically, even a requiem mass should have a bit of life to it. And the balance between the instruments and singers needs adjustment-a bit muddy for my tastes.

However, the Pelleas part was quite satisfactory

Excellent program.......2005-10-10

I can enthusiastically recommend this high quality production. First off the program includes Faure's two best large scale works (Op. 48 and Op. 80). The sound is outstanding. As an example the organ in Requiem is clearly heard even during periods of both choral and orchestral activity. Fine details in the orchestra are easily discerned. The singing in Requiem is also excellent although at times the Sherrill Milnes' vibrato is a bit 'wide' for my taste. Op. 80 is also beautifully played. Well worth the investment of your time and money.

In Paradisum.......2004-12-01

I first encountered the Faure Requiem by singing it in high school. I enjoyed the experience, but had little to compare it to, musically or artistically. I have since then acquired a little more knowledge and perspective. Faure's vocal writing is subtle, melodic, and can be rapturous, as witnessed by his art songs (and I sang my share in college and afterward). The requiem has a quiet lyricism, as opposed to the works by Mozart, Berlioz or Verdi. I would like to think that maybe death is more in Faure's view than the angst of the other works. If I want to be swept away by overcharged emotionalism and dramatic writing for huge forces, I turn to the Verdi. It always makes me want to weep, for it conjures up Man's deepest fears and longings. The Faure is gentle, lulling, and breathtaking in its simplicity. It also makes me want to weep, for it suggests hope and peace. If you have never heard this work, you owe yourself this experience. If you know this work, this is a beautiful recording. I've been listening to it since its first release and have yet to tire of it.

Average customer rating:

Bang for your buck
Nicely thought out program...
A Great Intro to Some of Opera's Orchestral Moments

Intermezzo

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Overtures & Intermezzi
Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana / Herbert von Karajan
25 Vivaldi Favorites

ASIN: B00004RGDR
Release Date: 2000-04-11

Tracks:

Prld To Carmen - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
I Pagliacci: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
Notre Dame: Interlude - Budapest SO/Michael Halasz
Hansel & Gretel: Dream Pantomime - Slovak RSO/Peter Breiner
Manon Lescaut: Intermezzo - BRT PO/Alexander Rahbari
Tausend Und Eine Nacht: Intermezzo - Sslovak State PO/Christian Pollack
Thais: Meditation - Janos Selmeczi
Carmen: Act 3: Entr'acte - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
Pelleas & Melisande: Sicilienne - NSO Of Ireland/John Georgiadis
The Song: Interlude - Helsingborg SO/Okko Kamu
Karelia Ste: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Kenneth Schermerhorn
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle - Slovak State PO
L'Amico Fritz: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Ondrej Lenard
La Traviata: Act 1: Prld - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
La Traviata: Act 3: Prld - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
La Gioconda: Dance Of The Hours - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Ondrej Lenard

Customer Reviews:

Bang for your buck.......2007-05-23

Lots of good music on this compilation. Originally bought it with just one piece in mind and ended up discovering numerous tracks that I enjoy as well. The music quality is well-above average and for less than $10, you can't beat it.

Nicely thought out program..........2007-02-09

This one disc contains many of the most beloved orchestral excerpts from opera(Sorry, no Wagner). They are competently played by a variety of NAXOS's usual roster of artists and orchestras. As I have stated before!
The NAXOS producers seem to include not so typical repetoire on most of their compilations. The lush interlude from Schmidts "Notre Dame" is a gem. Strauss's little known "1001 Nights" gives us a Viennese twist on the Arabian fantasy. The gushing brass of the introduction to Stenhamar's interlude to the "Song" leaves us wanting for more. Sure, you don't get Karajan or Bernstein like performances, but the disc as a whole is worth the budget price asked. Recording quality varies from track to track, good to excellent.

A Great Intro to Some of Opera's Orchestral Moments.......2003-12-20

Some of opera's (or related stage works') best orchestral moments are included on this CD. Starting with the joyous Prelude to Carmen and ending with the tour de force of the Dance of the Hours, this CD has it covered, at least as well as any near eighty minute CD can. If you are not familiar with classical music, this is a great opener. None of the tracks are "hard" to listen to- they just gracefully take you off to another world. For beginners make sure you listen to the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffman, Dance of the Hours from La Giocanda [I promise you, you will know it], and Meditation from Thais [no matter how supposedly "overplayed" it is, it is still one of the most beautiful songs], and Prelude to Carmen. For beginners and seasoned music aficionados [which I do not pretend to be], I beg you to listen to Interlude from Notre Dame by Schmidt. This is one of the most surprising songs on the entire CD. Very nice and every bit as enjoyable as the most popular ones. This piece is not often found on other CDs; thank goodness Naxos included it. For those with massive CD collections the few dollars you spend on this CD is worth Interlude from Notre Dame, and for the beginner, you will not find a better group of famous and not-so-famous songs.

Average customer rating:

A fine collection of Faure's romantic music
The real Gil: working under his own paramters
Simply delicious
Finally, Fauré
Beautiful sound and good interpretation of Faure

The Fauré Album

Manufacturer: Artemis Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Fiddler of the Opera

ASIN: B0000B1A26
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13, I. Allegro molto
Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13, II. Andante
Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13, III. Allegro vivo
Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13, IV. Allegro quasi presto
Romance, Op. 28
Fileuse ("Spinning Song"), Op. 80 No. 2
Sicilienne, Op. 78
Berceuse, Op. 16
Serenade Toscane
Andante, Op. 75
Clair de Lune, Op. 46, No. 2
Morceau de lecture a vue
Trio for Piano, Cello and Violin, Op. 120, I. Allegro ma non troppo
Trio for Piano, Cello and Violin, Op. 120, II. Andantino
Trio for Piano, Cello and Violin, Op. 120, III. Allegro
Apres un Reve, transcribed for violin,cello and piano

Amazon.com

This is a lovely disc, featuring Fauré's early A Major sonata for violin and piano, his very late Piano Trio, and a handful of shorter bits, some of them transcriptions from orchestral works. The "Sicilienne" from Pélléas at Mélisande is lilting and soft; the transcription of "Clair de Lune" from Masques et Bergamasques captures its charm perfectly. The Sonata gets a performance which has both energy and sensitivity, and Shaham varies his tone throughout; the contemplative, slow movement really contrasts well with the perky finale. The Piano Trio is a masterfully understated work, full of rich harmonies and melodies, and the playing of Shaham, pianist Akira Eguchi, and cellist Brinton Smith captures just the right Romantic scent--if that's the right word--as well as sense of the music. The same three play Eguchi's arrangement of "Après un reve" almost as an encore, and its mellowness sums up the disc. Shaham's playing throughout offers a wonderful palette of colors. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A fine collection of Faure's romantic music.......2006-04-04

Gabriel Faure [1845-1924] was a major force in restoring chamber music to the French music scene dominated by the opera in the late 19th century. Faure was a modest gentleman not given to the current exceeses of the day in lifestyle or music. This is reflected in his music which has an urbane, refined sentiment and a refreshingly "old fashioned" emphasis on clear form, tonal beauty and equistite French elegance within 20th-century chromatic textures.

As I stumbled upon this CD at the library and was not familiar with the artists prior, I had no expections of this recording - other than perhaps low ones. But, it does not take long into this wonderful compilation of intimate Faure pieces to reveal musicians who have done their homework. Violinist Gil Shaham finds a very attractive and resonant center within this music. His phrasing and tone are not forced, nor overbearing, nor drip with excessive romantic passion. Rather, he takes a more introspective approach giving us delicately passionate melodies within a kaladioscope of colors and textures that bathe the senses in pure tonal pleasure. Serving him well too is an equistite vibrato not used to excess. Shaham's approach to the music here is perhaps not unlike Faure the man - rather humble and not flashy, subtle and delicate and with a feline grace. His tone and intonation have a buttery smoothness and transparent lyricism - somewhat like Fabio Biondo's equistitely sweet, vocal tone if he played such romantic repertoire.

For example, in the rhythmically driving opening Sonata movement, Shaham exudes a discreet but alluring passion compared to Dong-Suk Kang's full-throttled romantic reading (Naxos). I like both really, perhaps Kang's more impassioned version in the daytime and Shaham's more poised tones in the quiet of the night. The lilting third movement is perfect - gossamer-light, quick-footed with crisp bow attack and plaintive expressions from Shaham and sparkling semiquavers from pianist, Akira Eguchi. The Andante (and Andantino of the Trio) is drop-dead gorgeous in its quiet simplicity. On the whole throughout this disc, tempos are on the meditative side but serve the music well.

Equally successful is their luminous performance of Faure's magnificent Piano Trio, Op. 120 - a reading which approaches the Florestan Trio's wonderous account on Hyperion. At times in some movements, the piano could be more prominant (it sounds slightly muted in the mix), but this is a minor criticism as Eguchi finds a graceful flow that matches Shaham's delicacies. For the remaining pieces, it would be a disservice really to call them "fillers" as they each is a gem of French Romanticism in their own miniature world. Shaham's performance of the sensual Romance Op. 28 and Berceuse Op. 16 have a ever-so-gentle and ethereal beauty while the more famous Sicilienne transcription will captivate all but the most hardened criminal. Again, Gil Shaham and Akira Eguchi find the poetic center of french beauty so important to these pieces. I cannot say any of these works were unattractive and without something musical to say or emotionally moving in their appeal.

But, what was unattractive at times was Mr. Shaham's heavy breathing which was all-too-well recorded along with his violin. Perhaps some will see this an intimate involvement with the music (like Glenn Gould's humming during his Bach recordings). Others will see it as just plain bad sound engineering (too close to the microphone) and breathing technique. As ClassicsToday's noted in their otherwise stellar review of this CD (which scored a healthy 9/10), the violinist would best find a way to correct this tendency. With headphones or really focused listening, this will a problem for some, but less with more casual listening. Otherwise, the sound quality is crystal clear and vivid. Hopefully listeners will be able to gracefully integrate this unfortunate sound flaw into their listening experience and fully enjoy what seems to be this talented artist's best recording in a fairly obscure but richly rewarding niche of the repertoire.

All together, this is a really attractive and easy-on-the-ear recording of late 19th-century/early 20th-century French chamber music. Throughout these pieces Shaham really finds the gentle and kind heart of Faure in readings that should appeal to both the classical connoisseur as well as the average person looking for some nice music for that special candle light dinner. I also found Shaham's more restrained probing of these pieces produced a greater clarity than in other recordings I heard which seem to "push" the envelop of Faure's gracefulness perhaps too much. And such a refreshingly gentle approach as Shaham's here really w