Songs of Sibelius

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
By rights, Sibelius should be up there with the big boys--Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf--in the song stakes. He has such a formidable ability to convey the meaning of a text through his music, transporting the listener into another world. Here, we find the young Swedish mezzo, Katerina Karneus, tackling some of his greatest offerings in the genre (the Op. 50 set in particular). Karneus first made waves when she won Cardiff Singer of the World in 1995, and in this repertoire she's entirely at home, particularly as most of Sibelius's songs use Swedish texts, the language of his childhood. Her rich, creamy mezzo is expressive but never overbearing, and it's particularly effective in such numbers as "Sigh, sedges, sigh," which demands brilliance on the part of the pianist as well as the singer. That she's versatile is demonstrated by her mastery of songs as dissimilar as the pent-up, glowering "Watersprite," the stately grandeur of "The March Snow," and the rapturous "First Kiss." And in those later, German text Op. 50 songs, where Sibelius's language has become even more economical, even more potent, Karneus is at one with the tone of supposed lost love in "In the field a maiden sings" and the sparse, Schubertian "The Silent Town." Throughout, Julius Drake is splendid, and the recording brings the performers comfortably into your living room. --Harriet Smith

Tracks:

RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto #2, Adagio
VERDI Preludio
PAGANINI "Introduzione e tema con variazioni"
BRAHMS Sonata for two pianos, Andante
MOZART Adagio in E Major
BEETHOVEN "Pathetique" Sonata, Adagio
YSAYE Sonate #2, "Malinconia"
BACH Prelude #22, Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I
VERDI "Quando le sere al placido" (When the Evening Becomes Peaceful)
BACH Orchestral Suite #2
SIBELIUS The Swan of Tuonela
PROKOFIEV Romeo and Juliet
MASSENET Meditation from "Tha
RACHMANINOFF Prelude

Tracks:

TRADITIONAL Catalonian Folk Song
CHOPIN Piano Concerto #1, Larghetto
PUCCINI "Crisantemi" (Chrysanthemums)
SCHUMANN "Traumerei" (Dreaming)
TCHAIKOVSKY Swan Lake (excerpt)
K. YAMADA ''Chugoku-Chiho No Komoriuta" Lullaby
DEBUSSY "En Bateau" (By Boat)
BEETHOVEN Symphony #6 "Pastoral", Andante
MENDELSSOHN Songs Without Words
WEBER Introduction, theme and variations
GRANADOS "Goyescas" (Sketches on the works of Goya)
TCHAIKOVSKY Nocturne in F
HOLST The Planets, "Neptune"

Customer Reviews:

Better than most.......2007-02-08

This is a good mixture of elevator music, and some soft relaxing melodies.

Wonderful Music.......2007-01-18

Wonderful music for your listening pleasure. Very relaxing and soothing. Nothing beats classical music.

Average customer rating:

Movie Themes CD
"three decades of film composers ~ Simply The Best"

Simply the Best Movie Themes

Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Great Movie Love Themes: Five Star Collection
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Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores
The Wings of a Film: The Music of Hans Zimmer

ASIN: B0001CNRL6
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

Theme From Mission Impossible - Schifrin
Theme From Gladiator - Zimmer
Hedwig's Theme - Williams
Harry's Wondrous World - Williams
Allegro Moderato - Symphony No. 8 'Unfinished' - Schubert
Suite From Shakespeare In Love - Warbeck
Out Of Africa - Barry
Requiem, Rex Tremendae - Mozart
Prelude In E Minor, Op. 28, No. 4 - Chopin
Suite No. 3 In D, Air On The G String - J.S. Bach
I Will Always Love You - Parton
Symphony No. 40, Molto Allegro - Mozart
Finlandia - Sibelius
My Heart Will Go On - Horner

Tracks:

Theme From Lord Of The Rings - Shore
Overture To All That Jazz - Kander & Ebb
'Trout' Quintet, Theme, Andantino And Variations - Schubert
Prelude No. 15 In D-Flat - Chopin
Windmills Of Your Mind - LeGrand
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - KAMEN
Theme From Schindler's List - Williams
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Excerpt - Strauss
Symphony No. 3, Lento Cantabile - Semplice - Gorecki
Die Walkure, Ride Of The Valkyries - Wagner
Goldberg Variations, Aria Da Capo - J.S. Bach
Theme From License To Kill - KAMEN
Sonata No. 8, Op. 13, 'Pathetique,' Andante Cantabile - Beethoven
Die Another Day - Arnold
Symphony No. 9, Ode To Joy, Excerpt - Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

Movie Themes CD.......2007-03-10

Very nice CD with beautiful music from past movies. Very relaxing music to listen to.

"three decades of film composers ~ Simply The Best".......2004-03-06

Rhino Movie Music presents "Simply The Best Movie Themes", featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and other various artists ~ within the realm of the following composers David Arnold, John Barry, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Wendy Carlos, Fred Ebb, James Horner, James Newton Howard, Michael Kamen, John Kander, Michel Legrand, Alex North, Basil Poledouris, Howard Shore, Wladyslaw Szpilman, Stephen Warbeck, John Williams and Hans Zimmer ~ each composer has created one or more of the scores in this twenty nine classic line up.

Film scores covering over three decades with "2001:SPACE ODYSSEY", "A CLOCKWORK ORANGE", "APOCALYPSE NOW", "THE BODYGUARD(I Will Always Love You)", "CHICAGO(Overture to All That Jazz), "DIE ANOTHER DAY", "EYES WIDE SHUT", "FEARLESS", "GLADIATOR(Theme)", "HANNIBAL", "HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE(Hedwig's Theme)", "HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE(Harry's Wondrous World)", "THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER", "JURASSIC PARK:THE LOST WORLD", "LICENSE TO KILL, "LIVING DAYLIGHTS", "THE LORD OF THE RINGS(Theme)", "MINORITY REPORT", "MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (Theme)", "OUT OF AFRICA", "THE PIANIST", "ROBIN HOOD, PRINCE OF THIEVES", "SCHINDLER'S LIST", "SE7EN", "SHADOWLANDS", "SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE", "THE SIXTH SENSE", "THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR"and "TITANIC(My Heart Will Go On)" ~ a mixture of original compositions and classics of the old masters. Loaded with not just themes, but full of orchestral arrangements that are fresh and rewarding ~ sure to bring back those special moments from the film.

The presentation is superb with every cue inclusive with spectacular performances from suspense, romance and adventure all rolled into a two disc package. Rhino must be commended on doing such a great job and doing it well. Most serious "film-score-buffs" will welcome this compilation, has many cues available all under one banner ~ Rhino Records...gotta love it!

Tracks:

Thais: Meditation - Nigel Kennedy
Vn Con No.1 in g, Op.26: Adagio - Kyung Wha Chung
Con No.4 in f, RV 297 'Winter': Largo - Alan Loveday
Con in d, BWV 1043: Largo, Ma Non Tanto - Henryk Szeryng/Maurice Hasson
Adagio in E, K.261 - Henryk Szeryng
Vocalise, Op.34 No.14 - Akiko Suwanai/Philip Moll
Vn Con in D, Op.77: Adagio - Joshua Bell
Vn Con: Andante - Joshua Bell
Melodie - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Vn Son No.5 in F, Op.24 'Spring': Adagio Molto Espressivo - Itzhak Perlman/Vladimir Ashkenazy
Vn Con in D, Op.35: Canzonetta: Andante - Leila Josefowicz
Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op.55 No.4 - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
None But The Lonely Heart - Josef Sakonov
The Gadfly: Romance - Alexander Kerr

Tracks:

Romance No.2 in F, Op.50 - Arthur Grumiaux
Vn Con in E, BWV 1042: Adagio - Midori
Salut D'amour - Kyung Wha Chung/Philip Moll
Ave Maria, D.839 - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Con in a, RV 522: Larghetto - Midori/Pinchas Zukerman
Son in D, Op.1 No.13: Larghetto - Iona Brown
Vn Con No.3 in G, K.216: Adagio - Arthur Grumiaux
Liebesleid - Joshua Bell/Paul Coker
Vn Con in e, Op.64: Andante - Kyung Wha Chung
Souvenir D'un Lieu Cher, Op.42: Melodie - Akiko Suwanai/Philip Moll
Vn Con in d, Op.47: Adagio Di Molto - Kyung Wha Chung
Vn Con in D, Op.35: Romance: Andante - Chantal Juillet
Standchen, D.957 No.4 - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Estrellita - Arthur Grumiaux/Istvan Hajdu
Orchestral Ste No.3 in D, BWV 1068: Air ('Air On A G String') - ASMF/Neville Marriner

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2005-11-07

An excellent compilation of folk tunes and violin concerto adagios, played masterfully by some of the world's most revered musicians. Features modern pieces (Korngold, Barber), which are a personal favorite of mine.

Thanks you Decca.......2005-01-23

My daughter is a violin student of 7 years and she has played 3 or 4 of these pieces for recitals. I bought the CD's so she could become familiar with the pieces as she was learning to play them. Now I find myself listening to the CD's almost every night when I go for my end of the day drive to relax. My favorites are the Mozart Concerto in G, the Mendelssohn Concerto in E minor and Beethoven's Romance in F on disc 2, but all the songs are exquisitely beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Exquisite music for the soul.......2004-06-14

These CDs have the most incredible selections of music on them. Listening to the violins has enabled me to complete papers for my doctoral level classes without the usual neck aches. This is soothing, exquistie music for the soul! Lovely!!

Indeed a joy forever!.......2003-05-22

Before buying this 2 CD set,I've read Reviews by Chicagodreamer,
who rated it as "Highly, highly recommended." His laudatory recommentation, I must say, is found "well justified."

Exquisite collection & performances, unbelievable value!!!.......2002-01-15

"Over 2 l/2 hours of the world's most beautiful music." These words on the cover are very close to true. What an incredible value this collection is!! So many of these compilations of this sort are cheaply produced, and those "greatest hits" collections are one trite piece after another -- after a while one runs screaming to the stereo to shut it off. However, this collection is top-notch, and the performers they chose are masterful musicians at the top of their game. Every selection is lovely, each one unfolding after the other in a sublime slide show of exquisite compositions performed by legends. This is TWO CDs of sparkling performances composed and performed by masters. There is not a bad selection or a piece of inferior quality in the entire lot.

Tracks:

Men Of Freedom
The Longest Day
Into The Fire
Rise Up, O Men Of God
On Great Lone Hills
Lest We Forget
Mansions Of The Lord (Interlude)
Mansions Of The Lord
Jerusalem
Via Dolorosa
Non Nobis
The Star-Spangled Banner
Take Me Home (With I Am A Soldier)
America (My Country 'Tis Of Thee)
Men Of Freedom
This Christmastide

Customer Reviews:

bowersreview.......2007-01-04

Exceptional CD. Inspirational and motivational. Highy recommend this for anyone seeking great quality music.

USMA Glee Club scores a real hit.......2006-11-14

This album is awe-inspiring. I bought the album after hearing an out take from "Men of Freedom", the tune is from an old Welsh battle song. You will recognize the tune if you saw Zulu Dawn with Michael Caine. Many of the other songs are equally powerful and mesmerizing. The only songs I didn't like were when the Glee club used guest soloists. They were less impressive and, in my opinion, took away from the strength of the group.

I liked the multiple verses sung from America, I wished they would have given the Star Spangled Banner the same treatment. The Mansions of the Lord is powerful and supremely reverent, as is Rise Up. I would dearly like to hear more from this talented group of soldiers.

Reverent, Full of Love.......2006-09-26

When I saw and heard this music broadcast Veteran's Day on TBN and my friends serving in our Armed Forces in Iraq saw it broadcast on Armed Forces Network, I was so happy to find the stereo CD and companion Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound DVD on Amazon. I cannot stop listening to it! The 60 minute musical program, reminiscent of the great concept albums of years ago, is one of the most reverent, intelligent and passionate portrayals of America's character ever produced. It contains many styles of choral music - all superbly performed by the world famous Cadet Glee Club of West Point arrayed in breathtaking formation on the altar of the massive 100 year old Cadet Chapel. There are richly textured vocal a capella songs such as "Rise Up O Men of God", "Manisons of the Lord", one of the most popular new hymns written, and "America (My Country `Tis of Thee)". Your buttons will burst with pride when you hear the brand new song "Men of Freedom" introduced by a single Cadet then followed by a cascade of additional voices building to a unified and thunderous declaration of defiant freedom in a style reminiscent of the great Welsh Male Choirs. Four songs highlight the power and majesty of the largest church organ in the world. You'll have to fight the urge to stand at attention when you hear and feel its power kick in on "Lest We Forget", "On Great Lone Hills", "Jerusalem" and "This Christmastide". The musical variety is further enhanced by the addition of brass and percussion for the rousing marches, "The Longest Day" and "Non Nobis". When was the last time you heard these two songs - one by world famous singer, songwriter and teen idol, Paul Anka and the other a medieval celebration of thanksgiving sung in Latin! The rich background vocals of the Cadet Glee Club musically frame two songs that underpin the message of this album - Bravery and Sacrifice. "Into the Fire" by NYPD's Daniel Rodriguez made me want to immediately rise up and rush to anyone's aid and when he holds that note at the end - wow! Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga's performance of the classic Christian hit, "Via Dolorosa", (one of the top 50 Christian songs of all time), is "The Passion of the Christ" embodied in a 5 minute song. You will alternate between tears and goose bumps. Her performance of the Spanish stanza will overwhelm you. Finally, Irish song writing master, Phil Coulter's wistful "Take Me Home" is accompanied by beautiful piano and guitar and introduced by a new poem entitled "I Am A Soldier" that is sobering reminder of the oath our soldiers swear to and the actions they are bound to take. God bless them!

A great bonus of the CD and DVD is that they both include a stylish lyric booklet as well as commentary by the producer on why he chose each song.

On the back cover of the CD and DVD cases is the statement that this production was created to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces, past and present, and the great values of America that they defend. This it surely does!! Also, it states that the producer is contributing a portion of his wholesale proceeds from its sale to organizations assisting our wounded soldiers. Bravo, Mr. Coppi.

Good CD.......2006-07-19

Wonderful songs and wonderful renditions of the songs. I must say, though, that the numbers would have been better if they were performed with more "ooomph" (for instance, "The Star Spangled Banner" could have been sung with more power and the arrangement could have used more creativity). The wisest decision on this CD was the inclusion of the numbers from Ms. Lea Salonga (whose hauntingly beautiful voice is able to effectively draw listeners in) and Daniel Rodriguez, one of America's newest tenors. Overall a good CD.

A real disappointment..........2006-06-10

I was so excited to stumble upon this album when a local music store was going out of business and selling CD's at great discounts. I love Glee Club music, I love patriotic music, and I love cathedral/chapel accoustics. Unfortunately, this album did not live up to its billing.

My primary complaints with this recording are twofold: the overuse of unison singing and the unnecessary inclusion of guest soloists. The beauty of glee club music is the rich chords, which are thankfully heard in many songs. To my dismay, though, there are many songs that mostly or entirely omit the beautiful harmonies that make glee clubs great.

As for the guest soloists, I don't understand why a singing group which obviously has many wonderful voices would bring in outsiders for an album like this. Actually, I do know why they would do it, and it's obviously a marketing thing that has financial implications. As reasonable as this may seem, it just cheapens the experience for me. Another great feature of glee clubs (and college choirs more generally) is the lack of polished, perfect, professional singers. There is something raw, authentic, and refreshing about a bunch of college kids singing together. Why bring in random people with no particular connection to the group?

To be fair, "Rise Up, O Men of God" and "Mansions of the Lord" are fantastic. I'll continue to play this album to listen to those songs. However, much of the remainder is somewhat forgettable.

Sibelius: Luonnotar Orchestral Songs [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Soile Isokoski masters another genre

Sibelius: Luonnotar Orchestral Songs [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Transcriptions 2

ASIN: B000FBHSHC
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

Kaiutar, Op.72/4
Luonnotar, Op.70
Men Min Fagel Marks Dock Icke, Op.36/2
Sav, Sav Susa, Op.36/4
Demanten Pa Marssnon, Op.36/6
Varen Flyktar Hastigt, Op.13/4
Under Strandens Granar, Op.13/1
Den Forsta Kyssen, Op.37/1
Soluppgang, Op.37/3
Var Det En Drom?, Op.37/4
Hostkvall, Op.38/1
Pa Verandan Vid Havet, Op.38/2
Arioso, Op.3
Illalle, Op.17/6
Lastu Lainehilla, Op.17/7
Souda, Souda Sinisorsa
S'en Har Jag Ej Fragat Mera, Op.17/1
En Slanda, Op.17/5
Hertig Magnus, Op.57/6

Customer Reviews:

Soile Isokoski masters another genre.......2006-11-29

Finnish soprano Soile Isokoski has graced the concert and opera stage as a penultimate interpreter of the works of Strauss, Mozart, and Wolf, giving evidence of one of the rare voices that can soar over huge orchestras and maintains a tone of glowing beauty. Here she turns that focus to the songs of Jean Sibelius and the result is a CD collection that should gain her wide, glowing attention.

In collaboration with Leif Segerstam conducting the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra Isokoski sings Sibelius' works for voice and orchestra with penultimate ease and beauty of tone and phrasing. Hers is a voice not only of lustrous timbre but one of great interpretative and technical intelligence. The recital includes some Sibelius songs written for voice and piano and here the orchestrations by such composers as Jussi Jalas are a bit thicker and less sensitive than the majority of the songs using Sibelius' own orchestration.

But there is not a weak band on this CD. The songs have a beauty that is suggestive of Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler without being imitative. Isokoski simply overwhelms with her interpretations. The sound as engineered by Ondine is stunning. This is a recording that should garner prizes when it comes to Grammy Awards. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, November 06

Average customer rating:

Classic Hymns

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

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Voluntaries | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The Best of Organ & Brass

ASIN: B000A2UBXO
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

Now Thank We All Our God
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Doxology
Thine Is The Glory
Be Still, My Soul
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Shall We Gather At The River?
O For A Thousand Tongues
Lord, Speak To Me
Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Average customer rating:

Sibelius: Tone Poems; Songs

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Sibelius: Complete music for cello & piano
Bridge: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 3
Balakirev: Symphony No. 1; Islamey; Tamara

ASIN: B0001RVRH2
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

Luonnotar, Op.70 - Dame Gwyneth Jones
En Saga, Op9 - London Symphony Orchestra
Night-Ride And Sunrise, Op.55 - London Symphony Orchestra
The Oceanides, Op.73 - London Symphony Orchestra
I: Nocturne - Sir Alexander Gibson
II: Elegie - Sir Alexander Gibson
III: Musette - Sir Alexander Gibson
IV: Serenade - Sir Alexander Gibson
V: Ballade - Sir Alexander Gibson

Tracks:

Karelia Overture, Op.10 - Sir Alexander Gibson
I: Intermezzo - Wiener Philharmoniker
II: Ballade - Wiener Philharmoniker
III: Alla Marcia - Wiener Philharmoniker
Swan Of Tuonela, Op.22 No.2 - Wiener Philharmoniker
Finlandia, Op.26 - Wiener Philharmoniker
Pohjola's Daughter, Op.49 - BBC Symphony Orchestra
The Bard, Op.74 - Sir Alexander Gibson
Festivo, Op.25 No.3 - Sir Alexander Gibson
The First Kiss, Op.37 No.1 - Geoffrey Parsons
Spring Is Flying, Op.13 No.4 - Geoffrey Parsons
The Tryst, Op.37 No.5 - Geoffrey Parsons
Black Roses, Op.36 No.1 - Geoffrey Parsons

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Music - What more can one ask for?

J. Sibelius: Piano Music Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004WMX3
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

Six Finnish Folk-Songs: My Beloved
Six Finnish Folk-Songs: I Love You With My Whole Heart
Six Finnish Folk-Songs: Evening Comes
Six Finnish Folk-Songs: That Beauty
Six Finnish Folk-Songs: Killing A Brother
Six Finnish Folk-Songs: Wedding Memories
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Valse
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Air De Danse
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Mazurka
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Couplet
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Boutade
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Reverie
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Danse Pastorale
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Joueur De Harpe
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Reconnaissance
Ten Bagatelles, Op.34: Souvenir
The Cavalier
Spagnuolo
To Longing
Mandolinato
Morceau Romantique
Dance Intermezzo, Op.45/2
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Valsette
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Chant Sans Paroles
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Humoresque
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Minuetto
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Berceuse
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Pensee Melodique
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Rondoletto
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Scherzando
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Petite Ser
Pensees Lyriques, Op.40: Polonaise (Alla Polacca)
Kyllikki, Op.41 'Three Lyric Pieces': Largamente - Allegro
Kyllikki, Op.41 'Three Lyric Pieces': Andantino
Kyllikki, Op.41 'Three Lyric Pieces': Comodo

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Music - What more can one ask for?.......2001-03-08

Though Sibelius may be known as an "intellectual" composer as far as his greatest works are concerned, as a composer for solo piano, he is almost a pure "Romantic". Here is music which is sweetly light, lusciously lyrical, carefree, heartwarming and melancholic and more. Many of the pieces here are less than 2 minutes long, concise wisps of music concentrated in mood and expression. No need to think too much about these works, just listen to them for pleasure. Pianist Havard Gimse proves an extremely musical exponent of this music, perfectly in tune with the moods, the flow and its many colours.

The Romantic Violin Vol. 2 - Famous Encores

Average customer rating:

Great perfomances - cheap price

The Romantic Violin Vol. 2 - Famous Encores

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Heifetz Showpieces

ASIN: B000004101
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Ave Maria - Op.52 No.6
Meditation de 'Thais'
Siciliano, Op.3 No. 11
Tambourin
Minuet In G
Melodie
Traumerei, Op.15 No. 7
Serenade, D 957 No.4
Minuet - Divertimento In D, K. 334
Ave Maria
Estrellita
Rondino On A Theme By Beethoven
La Capricieuse, Op.17
Apres un reve, Op.7 No. 1
Nocturne, Op.51 No. 3
Andantino
Larghetto - Sonatina in G, Op.100
Sonata No. 12, Op.3 No. 6
Sicilienne
Valse sentimentale, Op.51 No. 6
Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op.55 No. 4

Customer Reviews:

Great perfomances - cheap price.......2004-12-06

This is another one of those Philips concept albums where they cobble together performances from their catalogue and then package them under some corny title to attract the general public who might not have much knowledge or interest in classical music.

Good news for those of use who are knowledgeable and interested in classical is that this is a CD of all Arthur Grumiaux performances at a great discount price! Grumiaux is one of my favorite performers, and Philips uses his performances in a variety of concept albums, one other worth checking out is "Mozart for Coffee."

All of these songs and performances on this CD are excellent, and the sound quality is wonderful. Some of the selections fall more on the "pop" side of classical music, but with Grumiaux they are rendered wonderfully.

Instead of shelling out full price for a second rate violinst (hear that, Andre Rieu fans?), why not pay half price for a first-rate violinist?

Average customer rating:

SONGS WITHOUT WORDS
Exploring Sibelius's Songs

Sibelius: Songs

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000KJTML4
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Tracks:

Illalle
Varen Flyktar Hastigt
Den Forsta Kyssen
Svarta Rosor
Flickan Kom Ifran Sin Alskings Mote
Sav, Sav, Susa
Var Det En Drom?
Demanten Pa Marssnon
Lastu Lainehilla
Souda, Souda, Sinisorsa
Kaiutar
Segelfahrt
Im Feld Ein Madchen Singt
Schnsucht
Die Stille Stadt
Serenadi
En Visa
Den Forsta Kyssen
Orgier
Sav, Sav, Susa
Soluppgang
Vanskapens Blomma
No.1:Sinivuokko
No.2:Kaksi Ruusua
No.3:Valkovuokko
No.4:Vuokko
No.5:Villiruusu
No.6:Kukkasen Kohtalo
Narsissi
Hymn To Thais, The Unforgettable

Customer Reviews:

SONGS WITHOUT WORDS.......2007-03-18

How essential is it to know the words of what is being sung? This disc prompts the question, because only the titles of the songs are given. Of the 30 numbers one (the last of all) is actually in English. Four are in German, so I have a fighting chance of catching the words after a while. Ten are in Finnish and might as well be in Martian so far as I'm concerned, and the balance are in Swedish where my competence is little greater.

There must be English translations somewhere, but goodness knows how long it may take to find them. The title of a song or a poem does not necessarily provide any clue to what is about - Schubert's Linden Tree is not `about' a linden tree, to take an obvious case. The matter as I see it is that a synopsis more often than not tells us what we need to be told about vocal lyrics, (music drama is a different case, I admit), but we don't even have synopses here. However I was thrilled with this recital from first hearing, and that was before I found out that Sibelius himself said that his songs could be appreciated without the words' being sung at all. Emboldened by this discovery, I now wish to commend this fine issue without reservation.

The style of the songs may come as a surprise if you have read some of the comment from the special authorities on the matter. Overwhelmingly, they are lyrics, if I may use the term with a very little latitude - the song Orgier (orgies) is a lyric in my book just as Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King is a lyric, although not the same sort of lyric as On Wings of Song. These songs are melodious Lieder, I hear them as being much more in the tradition of Schumann than in that of Wolf, and I presume this is why the composer said they could be heard as wordless vocalises. I would not have recognised the composer although I know his orchestral works almost by heart, and a lot of the fascination of this disc comes precisely from discovering this totally different side to him. I would also suggest that you treat with caution what you may read about the piano parts. Sibelius was not a pianist, but these accompaniments are conceived entirely in terms of piano sound. The symphonies and other orchestral works of Sibelius are imagined in sound so exclusively orchestral that they would be meaningless if played on the piano (which is not so with Beethoven or Brahms), I was surprised to find that such an orchestral master was reluctant to sanction orchestrated versions of his solo songs, but now I have an idea why.

I like this singer's voice enormously. Its tone is not particularly ingratiating, but what Jurmu has is power, that is vital in these songs if the strength of the melodic line is to be put across adequately, and I am thrilled with the ring and confidence of his top notes in particular. The recording has been particularly well calculated for this voice too, with a sense of space around the singer. The piano playing is all of a piece as well, not the last word in refinement perhaps but full-blooded and responsive, which are the characteristics that matter more. What they all convince me of is the stature and significance of these songs, greater and much greater than I had appreciated previously.

There is very little doubt in my mind that when I listen to my familiar favourite Lieder and arias my interest in them is predominantly musical. However that is not going as far as Sibelius suggests, whether or not with his tongue in his cheek. At the very least I like to have known at some stage what they are about, and I'm not there yet with these songs. The short liner-note, in English with German translation, is not bad but it could have used its restricted space more usefully, I feel, if it had said something about the content of the songs rather than about their authorship, which must be of interest mainly to specialists. It refers to the book on Sibelius by Robert Layton in the Master Musicians series, and as I have the book to hand I read the chapter on the songs with benefit. However even that is fairly selective in its comments, referring us for a fuller discussion to a symposium on Sibelius edited by Gerald Abraham which apparently deals with all the songs individually. Manchester Central Library here I come, I suppose. What I recommend all the same is to become acquainted with this recital while progressing our investigations and not to postpone discovering what we can discover immediately. It has all been something of a revelation to me.

Exploring Sibelius's Songs.......2007-03-15

Jean Sibelius (1865 -- 1957)composed over 100 songs during his career, but they have been overshadowed by his orchestral works. Sibelius did not have the same fluency in writing for voice and piano as he showed in composing for the orchestra. He was uncomfortable with the piano and arranged many of his songs for orchestral accompaniment. Most of Sibelius's texts are in Swedish, which was the composer's first language, with a relatively small number in Finnish, German, and one in English. Sibelius set poets, such as Johan Runeberg (1804-1877) who remain little known outside Scandanavia. But for all the obscurity and mixed quality of the songs, there is lovely music to be found in them. This CD includes 30 Sibelius songs, ranging from his first song composed in 1898 to one of his final songs composed in 1925, performed by two promising young Finnish artists, the tenor Hannu Jurmu and pianist Jouni Somero. Jurmu sings these difficult songs expressively and well; his voice is sometimes throaty in negotiating large leaps and high notes in Sibelius's scores. I grew to enjoy these songs more with each hearing. The CD is available on Naxos and is the first of what I assume will be a 3 or 4 CD collection of the complete Sibelius songs. In listening to the songs, I had the benefit of Robert Layton's study, "Sibelius" (1992) in the Master Musicians series. Unfortunately, this book is out-of-print. It has an excellent chapter discussing Sibelius's songs in detail.

The album cover for this CD prominently displays the English names of three of Sibelius's relatively better-known songs: "Black Roses", "The Tryst, and "Was it a Dream?" These songs are written in a florid, late romantic style as are some others on this CD, including "The First Kiss." ("The First Kiss" and a better song titled "Reed, reed, rustle", track 6 appear on this CD in two different versions. The latter-track versions are early efforts of Sibelius and do not have an opus number.)

These three named songs are in a style that will be familiar to lovers of late romantic music. But Sibelius is at his best in his songs in a different style. His better songs are melancholy and spare and feature descriptions of nature. These songs generally tend as well to have simpler piano accompaniments than do the more romantic songs.

The songs I most enjoyed on this CD include the lyrically simple opening track, "To Evening" and its companion, "Driftwood" (track 9). The German songs, "In the Field a Maiden Sings" track 13) and "The Silent City" (track 15) are also lovely in their lyricism and simplicity. The Finnish song "The Echo Nymph" (track 11) has a flowing melodic line. The six short songs collected as opus 88 are short and somewhat slight portrayals of objects in nature. The late song "Narcissus" (track 29) in Swedish is one of Sibelius's finest songs with a delicate treatment of its theme. And Sibelius's only song set in English, the "Hymn to Thais" (track 30) is surprisingly eloquent, even though the English words are almost impossible to understand. There is also an early song, not recorded before, called "orgies" which in its frenetic style amply suggests its subject matter.

Sibelius's songs are worth getting to know, and they add to his stature as a composer. They are idiosyncratic, as is much of the composer's work, and probably not the best place to start for listeners unfamiliar with art song. Listeners who love Sibelius and who have some familiarity with the genre of art song will enjoy this CD. Naxos is doing a service in making Sibelius's songs accessible.

Robin Friedman

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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Schubert: Wanderer Fantasy / Sonata D760

Struttin' With Yoko

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This Is Where We Disappear

Story of Rhythm & Blues V.10 [Import]

Tenderness

Schutz: Kleine Geistlixche Donzerte Vol.2

The Silent Majority: Terry Allen's Greatest Missed Hits

Soprano Sax [Import]

The Family Values Tour '98 [Explicit Lyrics] [Live]

Strange Beautiful Music [Import]

Redone

Christmas Shorts (Accompaniment CD)

The Max Roach Quartet, Featuring Hank Mobley