The Italian Voyage

1. Cantata No. 20, "O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort," BWV 20 Wachet Auf
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
with Maryland Bach Aria Group

2. Sonata in D major for trumpet, strings & continuo
Composed by Giuseppe Torelli
with Maryland Bach Aria Group

3. Chamber Concerto ("La notte"), for flute or violin, 2 violins, bassoon & continuo in G minor, RV 104
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
with Maryland Bach Aria Group

4. Salmo Decimoquinto, for baritone, bassoon, & continuo
Composed by Benedetto Marcello
with Maryland Bach Aria Group

5. Il Barcheggio, for 3 voices, trumpet, 2 violins & continuo Sinfonia
Composed by Alessandro Stradella
with Maryland Bach Aria Group

6. Sonata for cello & continuo No. 5 in C major, Op. 1/5
Composed by Benedetto Marcello
with Maryland Bach Aria Group

7. Cantata No. 110, "Unser Mund sei voll Lachens," BWV 110 Wachet auf
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
with Maryland Bach Aria Group

Tracks:

Symphony No.1 In C Minor, Op.11
Octet In E Flat, Op.20
Overture "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op.21
The Hebrides, Op.26 (Fingal's Cave)
Meeresstille Und Glkliche Fahrt, Op.27
Symphony No.2 In B Flat, Op.52 - "Hymn Of Praise"
Symphony No.3 In A Minor, Op.56 - "Scottish"
Overture "The Fair Melusine", Op.32
"Trumpet Overture", Op.101 - Allegro Vivace
Ruy Blas, Op.95 - Overture To Victor Hugo's Play
Symphony No.4 In A, Op.90 - "Italian"
Symphony No.5 In D Minor, Op.107 - "Reformation"
Overture For Wind Instruments, Op.24 (F Harmoniemusik)

Customer Reviews:

Real class.......2007-06-24

Abbado has created an excellent anthology of Mendelssohn's symphonic output - rich, lush and balanced. A+

Great set.......2007-05-18

By my calculations, this is the single best set of Mendelssohn symphonies out there today. Though better versions of the "Reformation," "Scottish," and "Italian" Symphonies exist in other disks, I still like the interpretations offered by Abbado and the LSO.

For the "Reformation", and "Italian" Symphonies, I'd recommend John Eliot Gardiner and the Vienna Philharmonic's DG set.

For the Scottish Symphony I'd go with Karajan's recording with the BPO (that CD also comes with the best "Hebrides Overture" recording available, and a pretty good "Italian Symphony" interpretation, too).

All of the overtures in this set are performed very well, both in technical execution and musical interpretation. The Hebrides (a work far ahead of its time), in particular, is a fine recording. So is "Overture 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'." I really have grown fond of the "Ruy Blas" overture as well.

Another reviewer complained that the interpretations in this set are "too Classical." I think they are correct in saying the set is Classically performed, but I think that works with Mendelssohn, as he was "the Romantic Mozart."

Overall this is a great set, and a good way to become familiar with the music of Felix Mendelssohn, or build your Mendelssohn library.

MENDELSSOHN: 5 Symphonies/7 Overtures (LSO/Claudio Abbado) DG 471 467-2.......2006-07-13

Unlike many all-digital compilations offered by one orchestra and conductor, this collection of Mendelssohn favorites is outstanding in performance and interpretation throughout. Maestro Abbado shows a genuine affection for the composer and his genius by the sequence of selections on each disc, and I find no weak performances anywhere in this remarkable recording.

Charlie Hastings
Falls Church, VA

Great Concept but Not So Great Execution!.......2006-06-14

First, the good: Great box design for packaging, great booklet in various languages describing the history of all the performed works, great value for money, excellent representation of the great Mendelssohn's best works.

Now, the bad: the problem with compilations like this is that the material tends to have been recorded at different times and places and frequently by different personnel on various recording equipment of varying quality. What this means is that some tracks within each disc sound much better then others and even whole discs come in varying sound qualities.

Fortunately, the best disc, disc one starts out very well with the great first symphony and ends with the composer's best Overtures and the quality of the sound recording is very good. Then we get to disc 2 and the sound quality can only be described as abysmal. The difference in the sound is like night and day when compared with the first disc. The third disc sounds much better but is still not as good as the first disc while the last disc comes somewhere in between the second and third.

There's no doubting the quality of the performances though by Claudio Abbado and the LSO and of course the choice of material but too bad about the inconsistency of the sound quality from track to track and from disc to disc.

Still, the 3 stars are for the good points listed above and for the great disc 1.

More of Mendelssohn to Love.......2005-11-08

I had heard all the music on here before interpreted by other conductors and other symphonies but Claudio Abbado proved to be the most efficient for me. Thanks to the world's leading classical music label- Deutsche Grammophone -we are able to hear a complete set of Mendelssohn's symphonies and overtures with the acclaimed London Symphony in a beautiful and surprisingly afforadable album. For music that is this good, I was surprised that it wasn't a little more expensive. But good, right ? Just more of Mendelssohn to love. On this album: his symphonies 1-5, Scherzo in G Minor from the Octet for Strings, the Overture to A Midsumer Night's Dream incidental music and Hebrides Overture. These are the most famous Mendelssohn creations. His Fourth Symphony is the "Italian" symphony, with lyrical, bouncy rhythms and classical harmony. The Midsummer Night's Dream overture encompasses romanticism at its peak, with sprightly strings representing the mischievous fairies that figure prominently in the Shakespeare comedy. The Hebrides Overture is evocative of wintery landscapes and sea breezes, a fine example of a tone poem and musical painting at its best. Its haunting melody is instantly recongizable. Abbado is clearly suited for this kind of music and it's refreshing to see him stray from the usual Italian repertoire he is most famous for. Still, inescapably, his Italian soul stands out but this gives this music more color, more volume and lyricism than what can often succumb to stale, cold English interpretations like Andre Previn's conducting. No offense to Mr. Previn, who has produced some brilliant music.

Average customer rating:

Mendelssohn In Words And Music
Felix Mendelssohn , Johann Sebastian Bach , Louis de Froment , Aaron Rosand , and Arthur Hannes
Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000001KCR
Release Date: 1995-05-01

Tracks:

Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' Op. 21
Concerto For 2 Pianos In A-Flat Major: Allegro vivace; Presto
'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Op. 61: Scherzo
Song Without Words No. 30 In A-Major, Op. 62 No. 6 'Spring Song'
Octet In E-Flat Major, Op. 20: Scherzo
St. Matthew: Chorale
Hebrides Overture ('Fingal's Cave'), Op. 26
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Vivace non troppo
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 90 'Scottish': allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 90 'Scottish': Con molto moderato
Overture To 'Calm Sea And Prosperous Voyage,' Op. 27
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 90 'Scottish': Saltarello-presto
'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Op. 61: Wedding March
St. Paul, Op. 36: Dir Herr, Dir Will Ich Michs Ergeben
Piano Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: Molto allegro con fuoco
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegretto non troppo
Song Without Words No. 23 In C Major, Op. 67 No. 4: 'Spinning Song'
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Allegro un poco agitato
Overture To 'Ruy Blas,' Op. 95
'On Wings Of Song,' Op. 95
A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Op. 61: Scherzo
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionata
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Andante
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro non troppo; allegro molto vivace

Average customer rating:

Took a nap during labor
Awesome!
Induces great relaxation, pair with noise-cancelling headphones and sleep on plane.
Recommended for first rate relaxation and sleep!
Worth the listen

Brainwave Symphony

Manufacturer: Relaxation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00009L4UI
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Tracks:

Violin Concerto In A Minor, BWV 1041, Andante
Concerto For 2 Violins In D Minor, BWV 1043, Largo Ma Non Tanto
Sinfonia Decima A 7 For 2 Trumpets and Strings, Op. 3, Adagio, Grave, Adagio
Cello Concerto In C, Adagio
Cello Concerto In D, Op. 101, Adagio
String Symphony No. 4, Andante
Capriol Suite Pieds-En-Lair
Violin Concerto No. 4 In D, K. 218 Andante Cantabile
Concerto In F Major, F VII 2, RV. 455, Grave
Concerto In A Minor, F VII 5, RV. 461 Larghetto
Symphony No. 6 In F Major Op. 68, 'Pastoral' Szene Am Bach/Scene By The Brook, Andante Molto Mosso

Tracks:

Concerto In D For 2 Trumpets, Strings, And Continuo
Sonata In D For 2 Trumpets, Strings, And Continuo
Violin Concerto In A Minor, BWV 104 First Movement
Cello Concerto In C, Moderato
Oboe Concerto In B-Flat, Op. 7, No. 6 Allegros I & II
Oboe Concerto In D Major, Op. 7, No. 6 Allegros I & II
Oboe Concerto In D Major, F VII 10 RV. 453 Allegro, Largo, Allegro
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor, K. 550 Andante
Basset Clarinet Concerto In A, K. 622 Allegro

Tracks:

The Planets Suite: Venus, Bringer Of Peace
The Planets Suite, Neptune, The Mystic
Adagio For Strings
Adagio In G Minor
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, Andante
Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, Andante
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Andante
Lady Radnor's Suite, Slow Minuet
Sospiri, Op. 70
Suite For String Orchestra, Nocturne
Marche Funevre, Lento, Excerpt
Calm Sea & Prosperous Voyage Op. 27

Tracks:

Fantasia On A Theme By Tomas Tallis
Lark Ascending
Eclogue For Piano And Strings
Clair De Lune
Clarinet Concerto, Adagio
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op. 10, Adagio
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge, Op. 10, Chant

Album Description

BRAINWAVE SYMPHONY combines carefully selected music from the baroque, classical, romantic, impressionistic, and twentieth-century eras with breakthrough audio technology to give you the best of classical wisdom and modern science.

We all experience many states of consciousness, from ordinary waking and sleeping states to extraordinary states in which we are more at peace, particularly aware, or unusually creative. Each state has a unique pattern of brainwaves that can be mapped and measured. Brainwave Symphony uses of inaudible pulses of sound, based on these brain maps, to trigger your brain to produce the state you want to experience.

Combining this powerful new recording process with carefully selected works of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Bach, and other masters offers a beautiful and unique listening experience as well as a powerful tool for personal transformation.

Orchestrate Your State of Mind

CD1 Alpha Relax & Let Go Alert Meditation, Tranquillity, and Active Relaxation. Mozart, Bach, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Warlock, Vivaldi, Bononcini, and Beethoven

CD2 Beta Energize & Focus Heightened Focus, Enhanced Energy, and Peak Performance. Mozart, Bach, Alberti, Haydn, Albinoni, and Vivaldi

CD3 Delta Unwind & Sleep Deep Relaxation, Rejuvenation, and Restful Sleep Holst, Barber, Albinoni, Parry, Elgar, Bridge, Mendelssohn, and Chopin

CD4 Theta Meditate & Create Deep Meditation, Heightened Intuition and Enhanced Creativity.

Williams, Finzi, Debussy and Britten

All brainwave frequencies were scored by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson whose innovative work, based on over 20 years of clinical research, is used by healthcare professionals in 26 countries. Dr. Thompson is currently on the faculty of, and has research and clinical offices at, the California Institute for Human Science.

Music was selected and sequenced by Pat Moffitt Cook, M.M., Ph.Dc., AMI Fellow, a pioneer in the use of music in health care. Pat is the founder and director of the Open Ear Center for Music in Healthcare and Education, where she trains professionals, musicians, and laypeople in the use of healing music.

Customer Reviews:

Took a nap during labor.......2007-01-16

I used the first CD in this collection (Alpha) to assist me during the labor and delivery of our daughter. I put it on our ipod and listened to it over and over during the labor process. I actually managed a light nap during active labor and had very little pain throughout the process. It that doesn't tell you that it keeps you relaxed and able to meditate, I don't know whatelse might convince you. The recording is great, the music lovely, and it does what it claims to do. I highly recommend it!

Awesome!.......2006-03-17

These really work! Ever wonder why listening to classical music may make you more up-tight than relaxing you? Here's the reason...

Induces great relaxation, pair with noise-cancelling headphones and sleep on plane........2005-12-30

So far I have only really used the relaxation CD, which works amazingly well. I have been flying more red-eyes lately in part because I know I can sleep on the plane from as soon as I get on. However, I have always slept pretty well on airplanes!

I keep forgetting to try out the rest of the CD collection.

Recommended for first rate relaxation and sleep!.......2005-06-06

These cds sound like simple classical music, but they do indeed assist you to enter different states of mind. For best effect, wear stereo headphones. But even without, you will find it easier to relax, sleep and meditate. If you don't like classical, the Brainwaves Suite has a new age/environmental sound.

Worth the listen.......2004-10-17

My curiousity was well rewarded when I first listened to these four CDs. The symphonic music is seamlessly recorded, accented with tone notations that are easy on the ear and peaceful on the mind. This set is at the office, on the iPod and the home computer, and loaned to others on a regular basis. They have flavored prayer services and supported pastoral conversations. Make good presents, too. Worried about subliminal suggestion? Well, if clearer thinking and thoughtful reflection is subliminal thinking, then you will get the message each time you listen to these recordings. Other recordings by Dr. Thompson deliver just as these do.

Average customer rating:

Uneven quality but great value
A superb collection of Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

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

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ASIN: B00062FLJ2
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

Uneven quality but great value.......2007-04-30

Brilliant Classics has found a niche with their extremely low-price multi-disc collections of the work of a single composer or performer. The Bach, Mozart and Chopin Complete Editions are legitimately considered to be artistic and economical triumphs. But the Masterworks series are more uneven. Currently available from Amazon France at about a buck per CD, they're still a bargain for those interested in quickly building a music library. But it's worth keeping a few things in mind. Unlike the Bach and Mozart Editions, these are not always historically informed performances. In this Mendelssohn set, the Hanover Band puts in a cameo (in Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage), but most of the ensembles use modern instruments, techniques and proportions. This doesn't always work out, as in the case of the ponderously heavy recordings of the String Symphonies by an apparently full complement of Gewandhausorchester Leipzig strings (Mendelssohn likely wrote these early works for a much smaller group). The caliber of the performances varies too, ranging from good to poor, and from marquis musicians such as Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau to a few Dutch who-dats. The chamber musicians generally acquit themselves well (though the Octet recording is marred by an engineering flaw in the last movement, distortion, at least on my copy). But the symphonies suffer from some substandard performances, such as the Italian Symphony's live recording with not only audience noise but also ensemble flaws such as a distracting clarinet squeak in the first movement's recapitulation. Another strike is the lack of program notes. Brilliant's Complete Editions provide a booklet or CD-ROM with program notes, but here you'll need to do your own research.

Despite these shortcomings, this set is still good value (at least at Amazon France's current price of 31 Euros). And it's a fine way to become acquainted with Mendelssohn's music.

A superb collection of Mendelssohn.......2007-03-24

Let me preface this by saying that most of these works were not new to me - I own many other Mendelssohn CDs and have enjoyed his compositions for some time now. Also, this set is available much cheaper elsewhere, particularly from European retailers.
The symphonies are well-performed. 'Reformation' is an inspired live recording. The 12 string symphonies, written in Mendelssohn's youth, are also included. The concertos are exceptional - the violin concerto is as good as you'll find anywhere. The oratorios Elijah and Paulus are included, as well as the complete chamber works and a diverse assortment of choral works. The last few discs include the Lied ohne worte, the epic organ sonatas, and excellent renditions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Fingal's Cave. While there are a few sketchy performances in the choral and chamber works, the performances and recordings are generally very solid, and the body of work couldn't be better.

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphonies; Overtures; Concertos

Average customer rating:

Triumphant return of Flor's Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphonies; Overtures; Concertos

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009A1AJG
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Tracks:

Merce, Diletti Amici - O Tu, Che L'alma
Scena, Coro E Brindisi
Mamma...Quel Vino E Generoso
Lamento Di Federico
Improvviso
Come Un Bel Di Dimaggio
Oh! Fede Negar Potessi
Fontainebleau, Foresta Immense
Amor Ti Vieta
Cielo E Mar
Epilogo
Vesti La Giubba
Dio, Mi Potevi Scagliar
La Danza

Customer Reviews:

Triumphant return of Flor's Mendelssohn.......2005-06-01

At last Claus Peter Flor's Mendelssohn symphonies, overtures and piano concertos (with Edelmann) have returned. On the basis of these recordings (all previously issued) Flor, who is probably in his early 50s now, is still one of the better Mendelssohn conductors out there.

In particular, his Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5 have been hailed by critics on this side of the Atlantic for their beauty, proportion and Mendelssohnian sensibility. His other symphonies are also good and his collected overtures have been revered on both sides of the Atlantic by critics from Gramophone (which gave the overtures a rosette) to American Record Guide (which continued to promote his works even after they were out of print).

Flor's regualr partner in these performances, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, is a European band of the second rank. While not being confused with the more well-known orchestras in Vienna, Berlin or London, they perform universally well in these CDs in recordings that sound better than ever.

This is a very good collection of Mendelssohn's symphonic music and piano concertos that will rank with the best recorded boxes including Abbado and Karajn. In musical terms is far exceeds the collections led by Masur, Ashkenazy and the newer Naxos cycle of mixed quality.

Collectors that have never heard Flor conduct (or have never heard of him) can rest assured that this is a worthy alternative collection in this music. If this grouping and this price are attractive, go for it.

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
The Vienna Phil. is the star here
Fantastic performances
Double Decker or Box Set

Mendelssohn: The Symphonies, Vol.2

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00000IX7X
Release Date: 1999-05-11

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Andante con moto - Allegro un poco agitato - Assai animato - Andante come prima
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Vivace non troppo
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Adagio
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Allegro vivacissimo - Allegro maestoso assai
Symphony No.4 In A Major, Op. 90 'Italian': Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 'Italian': Andante con moto
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 'Italian': Con moto moderato
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 'Italian': Saltarello: Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 107 'Reformation': Andante - Allegro con fuoco - Andante come I - Meno allegro come I
Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 107 'Reformation': Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 107 'Reformation': Andante
Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 107 'Reformation': Chorale (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott): Andante con moto - Allegro vivace - Allegro maestoso - Piu animato poco a poco
Overture: The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave), Op. 26: Les Hebrides- Hebridenouverture
Overture: Calm Sea And Prosperous Voyage, Op. 27: Mer calme et heureux voyage - Meeresstille und gluckliche Fahrt
Overture
Athalie, Op. 74: War March of the Priests - Marche guerriere des pretres - Kriegsmarsch der Priester

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-03-20

Few composers of the 19th century enjoyed the almost universal acclaim accorded to Felix Mendelssohn(1809-1847). He was rightfully admired as a protector of artistic standards in an age when musical values were being assailed and reshaped. Mendelssohn confronted musical Romanticism and struck a balance between tradition and reform. His music evinces a classical purity of structure and emphasis on tradtional craft; yet it was not unaffected by the new cult of self-expression which dramatically altered musical esthetics during the first few decades of the nineteenth century.
The origins of almost all the music collected here lie in the same short period of Mendelssohn's early maturity and European travels at the end of the 1820's and beginning of the 1830's. It was during his travels in the Scottish Highlands that he 'Scottish Symphony'(#3) was conceived followed by the "Hebrides" Overture which he composed after seeing the rock formatons of Fingal's Cave. The following year his travels to Italy brought forth the 'Italian Symphony'(#4); just the opposite of the Scottish Symphony in mood (morose & dark); the sunlight of Italy inspired him to write "the jolliest piece I have ever done" (his own words). Around 1829 Mendelssohn began serious work on his fifth symphony for full orchestra, intended as a contribution to the tercentenary celebration of the Augsburg Confession in June 1830. At first referred to as the Kirchen-symphonie, the work became known as the 'Reformation' symphony, becasue of its use of Luther's chorale 'Ein feste Burg' aas a kind of 'cantus firmus' in the finale, and the citation of the 'Dreden Amen' in the first movement.
Mendelssohn has always been one of my personal favorites, and in his short life he has composed so much quality music in all genres and in his 'classical-romantic' way he stabalized and guided indirectly the way that the next generation of composers might go.
The performance of Christoph von Dohnanyi and The Weiner Philharmonic suits me fine; I enjoy the discs very much, and really can not find much fault with them.

The Vienna Phil. is the star here.......2007-02-26

I don't find that Dohnanyi has anything special to say here, since as usual he prefers to keep a tight rein on the music. But Mendelssohn himself was apparently a brisk, no-nonsense conductor who eschewed Romatnic expressiveness. If you want "classical" Mendelssohn, however, I'd be hard pressed to think of a better example. The real delight here is the incomparable sweetness, elegance, and precision of the Vienna Phil., who like to play for Dohnanyi. They make the rapid-fire perpetual motion in the finale of the Italian Sym. sound effortless.

This Double Decca twofer was extracted from Dohanyi's complete symphony cycle, and considering that it contains Mendelssohn's three mature sympphonies along with the Hebrides and Meerstille overtures, the cream of the crop is right here. All tempos are standard, as are the interpretations. We don't get Karajan's authority and swagger or Abbado's charm, and of course there are great individual recordings of the Scottish and Italian symphonies by the score. But for elegance, dynamic sound, and the presence of the Vieena Phil., this is a set to seriously consider.

Fantastic performances.......2004-03-30

Christoph von Dohnanyi and the Vienna Philharmonic truly deliver fantastic readings of these three popular symphonies by Felix Mendelssohn. The Vienna Philharmonic (as always) is well balanced, very transparent, and well rehearsed; they play incisively and with total conviction. The playing is especially inspired in the Scottish Symphony, where the dialogue between wind and strings is delightful. However, the best parts of this set are the "filler" overtures. Both Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage and Fingal's Cave are played to the hilt. Dohnanyi conducts the symphonies tightly, and that taught quality makes these recordings very exciting. My only complaint would be that, at times, the orchestra sounds a bit small. Still, overall, a wonderful compilation by London Decca.

Double Decker or Box Set.......2003-08-05

This value-priced Double Decker featuring Mendelssohn's Symphonies Nos. 3-5 and three Overtures by Christoph von Dohnanyi and the Vienna Philharmonic is terrific. However, a potential problem arises if you plan to also buy the Double Decker featuring Symphonies 1 & 2. By this I mean that Decca/London has released Symphonies 1-5, and the three overtures featured on this title, as a space-saving, slim-paper box set (see my review). It basically comes down to whether you want to pay more money and get Die Erste Walpurgisnacht (Cantata for Chorus & Orchestra, Op. 60), which is also included on the Double Decker featuring Symphonies 1 & 2, but not on the box set. With either the two Double Deckers or the Box Set, you will get first rate performances of Mendelssohn's magnificent Symphonies.

Average customer rating:

Highly recommended

Coloratura Assoluta

Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French Coloratura Arias

ASIN: B00000DFNQ
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

'Chacun Le Sait'
'Il Faut Partir'
'Et Mon Coeur La Changer
La Fille Du Regiment: 'Salut A La France'
Sadks: 'Song Of India'
Lakme: 'Pourquoi Dans Les Grands Hois?'
Dinorah: 'Ombre Legere' (Shadow Song)
'Regnava Nel Silenzio...Quando Rapita In Estasi'
Lucia Di Lammermoor: 'Il Dolce Suono Mi Colpi...Ardon Gl'Incensi'
Rigoletto: 'Caro Nome'
Lakme: 'Ou Va La Jeunne Hindoue' (Bell Song)
Mireille: 'O Legere Hirondelle'
Romeo Et Juliette: 'Je Veux Vivre'
La Traviata: 'Ah, Fors'e Lui...Sempre Libera'

Tracks:

Le Coq D'Er: 'Hymne Au Soleil'
Les Contes D'Hoffmann: 'Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille'
Zemire Et Azor: 'La Fauvette'
Mignon: 'Jesuis Titania'
I Puritani: 'Son Vergin Vezzosa'
Linda Di Chamounix: 'O Luce Di Quest' Anima'
La Sonnambula: 'Ah, Non Credea..Ah, Non Giunge'
Porgy And Bess: 'Summertime'
'The Russian Nightingale'
'Fledermaus Fantasy'
'Les Roses D'Ispahan'
'L'invitation Au Voyage'
Chansons De Rensard: 'A Une Fountaine'
Chansons De Rensard: 'A Cupidon'
Chansons De Rensard: 'Tais-Toi, Babillarde'
Chansons De Rensard: 'Dieu Vous Gard'
'Clair De Lune' - Frank La Forge
'Fantoches' - Frank La Forge
'Plaisir D' Amour'
'Home, Sweet Home'

Amazon.com

In many respects, Lily Pons was the Galli-Curci of her generation: a winning combination of good looks, charm, an appealing and non-confrontational timbre, and easy facility in the stratosphere. Those who learned the "Mad Scene" from Lucia di Lammermoor or the "Bell Song" from Lakmé via the original 78s back in the 40s will be bowled over by the vivid detail and lack of background noise in these stunning Sony restorations. First-time listeners will marvel at her effortless passagework and high notes (she often transposed her arias up on records); but may be put off by a slight thinness in the middle register (not evident in her Odeon recordings from the late 20s), sketchy intonation at times, and expedient aspirating in downward scales. Although these selections encompass a gamut of stylistic and emotional contrasts, you'd scarcely know it from the singer's pleasant but characterless interpretations, which tickle the ear without quite racking the brain. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Highly recommended.......2007-07-09

This could have been recorded yesterday, the sound quality is excellent and without blemish. By far the best recordings of Pons I have, and I would like to have others. She reminds me of Jo, separation of notes, clear, real trills, a range to rival Sumac, flexibility to perfection, and always that today neglected once standard fare of the coloratura, the requisite leap to the top note at the end of an aria. And a pretty sound. I love this album.

The Last Dance: Music for a Vanishing Era (The Music Heard on the Fateful Voyage of the Titanic)

Average customer rating:

An excellent recording.

The Last Dance: Music for a Vanishing Era (The Music Heard on the Fateful Voyage of the Titanic)

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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

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

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

And the Band Played On
Titanic: Music As Heard On The Fateful Voyage
Music Aboard The Titanic
Tangos Argentinos
I Salonisti Play Music From Titanic, Casablanca, The Godfather, Schindler's List, Sense And Sensibility And More

ASIN: B0000061LV
Release Date: 1998-02-24

Tracks:

Melodie In F; Op. 3
Serenata
Noce Villageoise
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
La Plus Que Lente
Intermezzo
Humoreske; Op. 101 No 7
Kuolema; Op.44: Valse Triste
L'Heure Espagnole
Syncopation
Spanish Dances; Op: 12, No 1 Moderato, No 2 Con spirito, Bolero
Blumengefluster
Petite Marche Viennoise
Gebet Einer Jungfrau
Csardas

Customer Reviews:

An excellent recording........1999-03-22

I cannot think of anything better to say than the caption on the album itself: "A tender soiree, a romantic tete-a-tete, the anticipation of a jour fixe are what come to mind when listening to this album of fond reminiscences from a vanished but perhaps more colourful and intimate era. As an expression of a quite definite spirit of an epoch, the music on this recording is romantic without being sentimental, colourful but never flamboyant, and intimate whilst avoiding excessive stylisation."

Tracks:

The Planets Suite: Venus, Bringer Of Peace
The Planets Suite: Neptune, The Mystic
Adagio For Strings
Adagio In G Minor
Symphony No.4 In C Minor, Andante
Symphony No.5 In B-Flat Major Andante
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Andante
Lady Radnor's Suite, Slow Minuet
Sospiri, Op.70
Suite For String Orchestra, Nocturne
Marche Funebre, Lento, Excerpt
Calm Sea & Prosperous Voyage, Op.27

Tracks:

Hidden Beauty - Natural Music For Sleep
Kiss Good Night - Natural Music For Sleep

Tracks:

Ambience - Ambient Music For Sleep
Ethereal Dreams - Ambient Music For Sleep

Tracks:

Stratus - Peaceful Music For Sleep

Album Description

Sleep is vital to our health and well-being. Yet millions of us don't get the sleep we need to live healthy and productive lives. Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's breakthrough musical system, the result of over 20 years of clinical research, is proven to lead you to deep and restful sleep. Simply listen to the warm and soothing music at bedtime, and specific inaudible sound frequencies embedded into the soundtrack help you fall asleep easily and naturally.

* Safe and natural process based on over 20 years of pioneering clinical research
* Easy to use with light headphones or ordinary speakers
* Alternate between these four soothing recordings for a more varied and effective listening experience
* Contains no spoken words or subliminal messages

CD 1) Classical Music for Sleep: Specifically selected and sequenced Baroque, Romantic, and Classical music composed by Holst, Barber, Mendssohn, Elgar, Chopin, and others

CD 2) Natural Music for Sleep: Soft melodic compositions combined with soothing sounds of nature

CD 3) Ambient Music for Sleep: A free floating, ethereal musical soundtrack to relax your body and calm your mind

CD 4) Peaceful Music for Sleep: Tranquil melodies to guide you to rejuvenating and restful sleep

Customer Reviews:

Comatose.............2007-05-18

My father and grandmother died this year. My father left me and my brother the family business, my girlfriend ran off with another guy, AND my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Can we say STRESSED?! This CD collection brought tranquility back to my nights. Four hours of music, uploaded on to an Ipod, set to repeat once equates to a full night of restful sleep. I don't know if it's real or psychosomatic, but it works for me.

Caribbean Voyage: Brown Girl in the Ring

Average customer rating:

great

Caribbean Voyage: Brown Girl in the Ring
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rounder Select
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Delta Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Caribbean & Cuba | Compilations | International | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Caribbean & Cuba | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Delta Blues | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Brown Girl in the Ring: An Anthology of Song Games from the Eastern Caribbean

ASIN: B0000002UX
Release Date: 1997-11-02

Tracks:

There's A Brown Girl In The Ring - San Juan Girls' Government School Children
There's A Brown Girl In The Ring - Anguila Children
One, Two, Three - Brick Kiln Village and Port of Spain Children
Zinglito - Women In Lopinot, Trinidad
Gypsy In The Moonlight - San Juan Girls' Government School Students
Coming Down With A Bunch of Roses - San Juan Girls' Government School Students
In a Fine Castle - Women In Lopinot, Trinidad
I Have A Tree In My Right Hand - Rose of Sharon Singers Group
One Spaniard Came - Barataria, Trinidad School Children
Jane And Louisa - Women In Lopinot, Trinidad
Roman Soldiers - San Juan Girls' Government School Children
Sandy Girl - San Juan Girls' Government School Children
Some Like It Hot, Some Like It Cold - Barataria Schoolchildren/Brick Kiln Village Women
Green Gravel - San Juan Girls' Government School Child
Sammy Dead-O - San Juan Girls' Government School Children
Ring Diamond - Rose of Sharon Friendly Society Chorus
Mamselle Marie, Marry The Girl One Time - A Group Of Adults From Rampanalgas and St. George, Trinidad Women
Afouyeke - Rose of Sharon Friendly Society
Poco, Le' Me 'Lone - A Group Of Children from Cape Yard, Pembroke, Tobago
Miss Lucy Has Some Fine Young Ladies - Cape Yard, Tobago Children
Mister Ram Goat-O - A Group Of Pupils at San Juan Girls' Government School, San Juan, Trinidad
Bese Down - Barataria, Trinidad School Children
Si, Si, Maria - A Group Of Adults in Blanchisseuse, St. George, Trinidad
Down To The Carpet - A Group Of School Childre at La Plaine, Dominica School Children
Mosquito One - A Group At Massacre, Dominica
Early In The Morning - A Group Of Children La Plaine, Dominica
Tra La La Voumbe - A Group Of Children La Plaine, Dominica
Bonjour Ma Cousine - A Group Of Children La Plaine, Dominica
Sikola Ola Vanni - A Group Of Children La Plaine, Dominica
Dis Solda La - A Group Of Children La Plaine, Dominica
Ariyel-O - A Group Of Adults And Children At La Plaine, Dominica Children and Adults
Missy-LA, Massa-LA - A Group Of Women At Oleon St. Lucia
Lindi Mwen La Rivie - A Group Of Adults At Anne La Raye, St. Lucia
Mango Ti-N - A Group Of Adults At Odeon, St. Lucia
Yun Ti Pwaye - A Group Of Women, Oleon, St. Lucia
Ay Zabel-O - A Group Of Adults At Ane La Raye, St. Lucia
Fiole - A Group Of Women At Oleon, St. Lucia
Round And Round The Village - A Group Of School Children, La Plaine, Dominica
You Lie, You Lie - A Group Of Children In Massacre, Dominica
Went To Jamaica - A Group Of Children At San Juan Girls's Government School, San Juan, Trinidad
Rolling Shilling - A Group Of Adults At Woodford, Dominica
What Shall I Put It In? - A Group Of Adults At Woodford, Dominica
Van-La - A Group Of Children In Massacre, Dominica
Mwen Leve Lindi Bon Matin - A Group Of Children In Massacre, Dominica
Eliza Kongo - A Group Of Adults At Woodford, Dominica, A Group Of Children In Massacre, Dominica
Here We Go Loo-By Loo - Children Of The Valley Secondary Anguila School
Drop Peter Drop - Gropu Of Children Of The Valley Secondary Anguila School
Who Stole the Cookie From The Cookie Jar - Group Of Children In Brick Klin Village
Little Sally Water - Anita Williams, A Group Of Children In Brick Kiln Village
Walking Up The Green Grass - A Group Of Women In Brick Kiln Village
How Green You Are - Anita Williams, A Group Of Children In Brick Kiln Village
Man O' War In The Harbor - Children Of The Valley Secondary Anguila School
Aunty Nanny Thread The Needle - Children Of The Valley Secondary Anguila School
Annie, Le' Go Me Fowl - Children Of The Valley Secondary Anguila School
A Goosie Lost His Tale - Children Of The Valley Secondary Anguila School
Something Make Me Laugh, Ha, Ha, Ha - Older Women Of Brick Kiln Village
Anana-O - A Group Of Women At La Resource, Carriacou
Ele Misi-O - A Group Of Women At La Resource, Carriacou
Meet Me On The Road - A Group Of Adults At La Resource, Carriacou
Vio Vio Le - A Group Of Adults At La Resource, Carriacou
'Dolphus Coker - A Group Of Adults At La Resource, Carriacou
Mary And Martha Is Bound To Wear The Crown-O - A Group Of Women At La Resource, Carriacou

Amazon.com

This collection of children's song-games from the Caribbean marks a high point in the annals of field recordings. Alan Lomax, who has traveled from work fields to prisons to front porches in order to best capture the spirit of folk music, caught these songs in fine fashion, even with the limitations of his audio equipment. The title track, recorded twice at different tempos, is robust and widely familiar to kids as both a game and a song on Smilin' Island of Song, a winning kids' recording by Cedella Marley Booker (Bob Marley's mother). There are dozens of tracks on the CD, each of which conveys the spirit of sing-along play in numerous manifestations. Kids thrill at the sound of their distant peers' voices, and Brown Girl makes an excellent educational tool for those interested in international cultures and a fun play tool for those interested in.... playing. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

great.......1998-12-26

A very worthwhile addition to the thoughtful person's record collection. Rounder says:

Brown Girl in the Ring is a collection of delightful and inventive game and pass play songs, sung by children and adults from Trinidad, Tobago, Dominica, St. Lucia, Anguilla, Nevis, and Carriacou. Recorded by Alan Lomax in 1962 in the Lesser Antilles and Eastern Caribbean, this album is a joyful mix of African, British, French, and Spanish rhythms and traditions -- movement, song, and preparation for life.

The Alan Lomax Collection gathers together the American, European and Caribbean field recordings, world music compilations, and ballad operas of writer, folklorists and ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax. Remastered to 20-bit digital from the original field recordings. Contains previously unreleased recordings.

"A feast of field recorded songs sung by children and adults in the Eastern Caribbean. These game and pass-play songs present to the ear a delightful mix of African, British, French and Spanish rhythms and traditions." --Parenting Council

I'm looking forward to future CARIBBEAN VOYAGE installments, which are to include sea chanties, work songs, story songs, ballads, and social dances.

Track Listings: