Mountain King

1. Bergakungen, ballet-pantomime, Op. 37, R99
Composed by Hugo Alfven
Performed by Swedish Radio Orchestra Conducted by Evgeny Svetlanov

Mountain King,Alfven,Svetlanov,Musica Sveciae,Classical,Classical Music

Average customer rating: Greatest baby gift ever Great for the whole family More Great Fun One is better but this is still awesome!! Gotta have it! Absolute joy, and endless fun!

Beethoven's Wig, Vol. 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Paganini, Niccolò | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music Compilations | Children's Music | Styles | Music Sing-A-Longs | Children's Music | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies Beethoven's Wig 3: Many More Sing-Along Symphonies Mozart's Magnificent Voyage Mr. Bach Comes To Call World's Very Best Opera for Kids... in English! ASIN: B0001I2C8O Release Date: 2004-03-16

Tracks:

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

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

Greatest baby gift ever.......2007-03-15

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

Great for the whole family.......2007-01-04

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

More Great Fun.......2006-03-13

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

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

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

Absolute joy, and endless fun!.......2005-11-15

The tunes and word stay with you and before you know it, you are signing them along. My two kids (ages 9 and 7) ask me to put the CD on as soon as we get into the car. What a wonderful and fun way to get them to love classical music!

Average customer rating: Wonderful!!! Relaxes your mind. Relaxing music from a great composer Better than just an introduction Great CD

Grieg: Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | 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: Debussy's Greatest Hits Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits Liszt: Greatest Hits Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits ASIN: B000002A21 Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

1. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1: Morning Mood
2. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1: Ase's Death
3. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1: Anitra's Dance
4. Peer Gynt Suite No.1: In The Hall Of The Mountain King (Peer Gynt Suite #1)
5. Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 16: I Allegro molto moderato
6. Norwegian Dance, Op. 35 No. 2
7. Sigurd Jorsalfar: Homage March
8. Jeg elsker dig, Op. 5: Jeg elsker dig, Op. 5 (Ich liebe dich)
9. Lyric Suite, Op. 54: No. 3: Norwegian March
10. Two Elegiac Melodies, Op. 34: No. 1: Heartwounds
11. Two Elegiac Melodies, Op. 34: No. 2: The Last Spring
12. Lyric Suite, Op. 54: No. 4: March of the Trolls
13. Peer Gynt Suite No. 2: I The Abduction of the Bride - Ingrid's Lament (Peer Gynt Suite No. 2
14. Peer Gynt Suite No. 2: II Arabian Dance
15. Peer Gynt Suite No. 2: III Solvejg's Lullaby
16. Peer Gynt Suite No. 2: IV Peer Gynt's Return Home

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!!!.......2007-05-14

I bought this for my husband but fell in love with it myself. I had never heard of it but now consider Edvard Grieg my favorite composer. It is magnificent.

Relaxes your mind........2005-12-30

The peer gynt suite is very delicate and it relaxes me. Whenever I hear the first movement of Peer Gynt, I feel as if I am walking along the forest at dawn with sunshine passing through the tall trees. It calms me and I usually close my eyes to imagine Grieg's creative masterpiece. What also interests me the fourth movement. It starts with slow and quiet and then slowly the music accelerates with power. Like the title, "Mountain King," says itself, you can feel the grandness of the music toward the end.

The piano concerto in a minor is my favorite. This music seem to convey the full spectrum from quiet and delicate or gracious feel of music to more powerful and magnificent all proportionally adequately. It is very enjoyable. Whenever I listen to this music, I feel as if I am resting in the high mountainn looking at the full panorama. Anyway, that's just my imagination I feel from his music and of course, yours can be very different from mine.

As for the CD quality, I hear no distraction sound and it is recorded well, I think. The little cover booklet can be informative about Grieg. Also nice price from Amazon.

Relaxing music from a great composer.......2005-08-02

I absolutely loved the string music on Track 3. I remembered it from an old PC RPG called Quest for Glory IV. I was disappointed to find out that Track 4 was only a minute and a half long, because I grew up loving that song from the various places I heard it (Fantasia and a kid Detective PC game from the late 80's).
Overall, though, Grieg's greatest hits is a must-have for collectors of classical music. Grieg is revered as Norway's greatest composer of all time and he certainly has a knack for creating imagery of bustling fjords and majestic mountainsides with interlaced river ravines.

Better than just an introduction.......2004-04-28

This CD goes beyond just introducing Grieg. It is a truly beautiful and for me, invaluable collection of this excellent composer. Grieg had an inimitable gift for exploring emotion, often sadness and nostalgia. However, he also had a large touch of the virtuoso, as demonstrated by the famous Piano Concerto. True, the last 2 movements are not included here; however, the first is still stunning. The Peer Gynt Suites are wonderfully played, and Ase's Death and Heartwounds are especially noteworthy - the lush orchestral sounds of these gorgeous pieces unfold exquisitely. Homage March is a nice change of pace, upbeat and with a memorable theme, and Leonard Bernstein moves at a devilish pace in March of the Trolls. This CD will not disappoint you - buy it today!

Great CD.......2002-01-29

For an intro to Greig, this is great. The "hall of the mountain king" is done very well.

Average customer rating: Axe Rufus Wainwright, and it would be 5 stars Yes, it's one of the best albums I own Brokeback Mountain A matter of taste... Perfect, just like the movie...

Brokeback Mountain Gustavo Santaolalla , and Various Artists Manufacturer: Verve Forecast ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Brokeback Mountain (Widescreen Edition) Brokeback Mountain: Story to Screenplay Brokeback Mountain: Now a Major Motion Picture Close Range: Wyoming Stories Memoirs of a Geisha ASIN: B000BEZQ18 Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

1. Opening - Gustavo Santaolalla
2. He Was A Friend Of Mine - Willie Nelson
3. Brokeback Mountain 1 - Gustavo Santaolalla
4. A Love That Will Never Grow Old - Emmylou Harris
5. King Of The Road - Rufus Wainwright
6. Snow - Gustavo Santaolalla
7. The Devil's Right Hand - Steve Earle
8. No One's Gonna Love You Like Me - Mary McBride
9. Brokeback Mountain 2 - Gustavo Santaolalla
10. I Don't Want To Say Goodbye - Teddy Thompson
11. I Will Never Let You Go - Jackie Greene
12. Riding Horses - Gustavo Santaolalla
13. An Angel Went Up In Flames - The Gas Band
14. Its So Easy - Linda Ronstadt
15. Brokeback Mountain 3 - Gustavo Santaolalla
16. The Maker Makes - Rufus Wainwright
17. The Wings - Gustavo Santaolalla

Amazon.com

Argentina-born, California-based Gustavo Santaolalla helped shape the rock en Español movement by producing Mexican bands Molotov and Café Tacuba , and Colombian singer Juanes. In the late 1990s he made a switch to soundtracks, working on well-received albums for Amores Perros and The Motorcycle Diaries. His instrumental contributions to Ang Lee's tale of two cowboys in love are acoustic guitar-based and, let's face it, a bit on the sonic-wallpaper side.

The vocal tracks, on the other hand, are uniformly lovely, even if the selection of interpreters falls on the predictable side. Linda Ronstadt, Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, and Mary McBride on the soundtrack to a contemporary Western? What a shock! Still, they're all wonderful and Santaolalla wrote at least a couple of classic-sounding country ballads ("A Love That Will Never Grow Old," sung by Emmylou Harris, and "No One's Gonna Love You Like Me," sung by Mary McBride). And don't miss Teddy Thompson and Rufus Wainwright's sweet cover of Roger Miller's 1964 "King of the Road." --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Axe Rufus Wainwright, and it would be 5 stars.......2007-06-13

This album is a mixture of the instrumental theme, which is incredibly beautiful and haunting, and some very solid country songs. I was surprised by how good the other songs were (you still have to like country music, though). There are only two songs that I don't like at all, and those are the two by Rufus Wainwright - one a cover of "King of the Road" (originally by Roger Miller). They are great demonstrations of him at his most nasal and whiny. It sounds like he is a French guy holding his nose and singing too slow. It's too bad, because they are good songs otherwise. I guess if you like him, you're golden; but I can't stand these versions. Fortunately, the rest of the disc is really good.

Yes, it's one of the best albums I own.......2007-06-03

I listened to it over and over and over last year. Such quality all 'round.

Brokeback Mountain.......2007-05-13

The product is what I expected. It arrived on time and in the condition advertised.

A matter of taste..........2007-05-08

I didn't really pay a lot of attention to the music in the film, except for in the most intense of scenes. Perhaps this is why I was so, completely, disappointed with this soundtrack. I felt that if it did even half of what the film did for me it would be a worthy buy. My friends, this soundtrack is shat. It's mostly country and folk, which I am plainly not into. If you like these things then check this out - if not, turn away.

Perfect, just like the movie..........2007-04-21

It is so wonderful, relaxing..if you`re thinking in buying...Just do it!

Average customer rating: Classic Savatage album Madness Reigns Nicely Confused ok, but certainly not this band's best Thank God For Savatage

Hall of the Mountain King Savatage Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gutter Ballet Edge of Thorns The Wake of Magellan Streets: A Rock Opera Dead Winter Dead ASIN: B000002ILK Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. 24 Hrs. Ago
2. Beyond The Doors Of The Dark
3. Legions
4. Strange Wings
5. Prelude To Madness
6. Hall Of The Mountain King
7. The Price You Pay
8. White Witch
9. Last Dawn
10. Devastation

Customer Reviews:

Classic Savatage album.......2007-04-01

After 1986's lackluster attempt at commercialism with Fight for the Rock, Savatage came to the point of break-up, and had it not been for the arrival of producer Paul O'Neill, we might have never heard from them again -- at least in this capacity. Paul O'Neill reinstated the band, bringing in new elements that would heighten them to a new level, and also contribute to the songwriting. Interestingly, the three tracks he co-wrote with the Oliva brothers also proved to be among the band's all-time finest heavy metal staples. The first song, "24 Hours Ago", backed by Middleton's unbreakable bass drive, boasts a majestic riff and awesome tapping from Criss Oliva -- and the presence of O'Neill shows.

However, it was with the amazing instrumental "Prelude to Madness", inspired by Romantic era musician Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite (1874-1875), that Savatage started displaying signs of evolving into the unique heavy metal band on which their successive albums would further expand. Bringing in classical music arrangements, interpreted by Criss Oliva's sharp guitar playing, the song is originally called "Hall of the Mountain King" from which the title of this album was inspired. In the long run, this would culminate in vocalist Jon Oliva being called the Mountain King and become an indispensable song played in pretty much every concert (along with pieces like "Believe" from Streets). Introducing Oliva's trademark evil laughter, irresistible riffery, and fantastic guitar theme along with Wacholz' furious drumming, "Hall of the Mountain King" ranks among heavy metal's most representative anthems of all times.

"Legions" is comprised of a strong bass intro, stratosphere vocals, and some of Criss' finest playing. It was with this album he started opting to create threads of mini "guitar choruses", which he would perfect on the following three albums. And when supported by Steve Wacholz' drum parts, it felt like Savatage songs had one vocal and one guitar chorus, which resulted in them being all the more powerful. I love the solo on this song. Had "Strange Wings" been featured on their previous album, it could have garnered them more critical acclaim than all songs on there combined. It is easily the most melodically engaging track on this CD, decorated yet with another awesome guitar theme, some beautiful Van Halen-style tapping harmony, and a killer vocal support by Ray Gillen (spelt Gillian in the booklet) of Badlands and Black Sabbath fame. As strange as it may seem, O'Neill was actually planning to use the classical-themed guitar music, which later spawned the Trans-Siberian Orchestra project, with Gillen-era Sabbath, but the project never took off the ground because of Gillen's untimely death.

Unlike many other Savatage albums, Hall of the Mountain King also features two tracks penned by the Oliva brothers on their own. "Beyond the Doors of the Dark", the lost song from this record, is sort of a foreshadowing of Jon Oliva's interest in theatrical vocals a la 70's Alice Cooper and one of the first Tage tunes to utilise a keyboard in its intro. Complete with his scorching screams and Criss' remarkable soloing, this is one of the darkest and most mesmerizing Savatage tunes of their 80's era. Similarly, Criss Oliva appears on the short instrumental, "Last Dawn", a piece he wrote for his wife (may both rest in peace!).

Hall of the Mountain King was basically the band's greatest achievement upon its release, and is still regarded their best record by their old-school fan base. While it is important to note its historical significance for Savatage, the Oliva brothers, along with Paul O'Neill, would go on putting out other amazing discs, each considerably better than this one.

Madness Reigns.......2006-07-03

If Savatage felt that they had something to prove after the lackluster 1986 album Fight for the Rock, they certainly achieved that goal with 1987's triumphant Hall of the Mountain King.

With Hall of the Mountain King, Savatage unleashes a power metal assault that picks up right where Power of the Night left off, allowing fans to forget about the corporate rock experiment that was Fight for the Rock. Hall of the Mountain King is pure metal from start to finish, and is as powerful an album as Savatage has released. Standout tracks? Try all of them. Seriously, if you like the early Savatage sound, Hall of the Mountain King is the best of that era.

Hall of the Mountain King is also noteworthy because it marks the first Savatage album with producer Paul O'Neill at the helm. Beginning with follow-up album Gutter Ballet, the O'Neill/Oliva team would go on to totally redevelop Savatage's sound, and would pave the way for the smash hit Trans-Siberian Orchestra. You get a little preview of what is to come in the instrumental track Prelude to Madness.

NOTE: While the standard version of Hall of the Mountain King is a bargain at $9.98, you may want to spend a few more dollars on the German import reissue by SPV. It hasn't been remastered, but the 2002 SPV reissue does have a few extras that make it a better buy. It features 2 additional tracks - live versions of Hall of the Mountain King and Devastation, but the real bonus is that the liner notes have been expanded to include several pages of very detailed information about the band during this particular stage of their career. When added to the chapters from the other SPV Savatage reissues, you'll get the real story behind one of the best (and most underrated) metal bands of all time.

Nicely Confused.......2006-03-13

Bought this on spec for Hall of the Mountain King after Accept's guitarist Wolf Hoffman did a version of it (which I think is better because it's purer, but Savatage's extension is brilliant none-the-less). First listening was: ho-hum, second listening was: this ain't half bad, third listening: jammed in the CD player! This is a great metal CD - the vocals are wierd, but addictive and what a sensational range; the guitars (and vocals) remind me a bit of Accept (albeit a more learned version, more sophisticated maybe?) and a bit of a whole lot of other metal that I can't quite put my finger on, maybe even some thrash creeping in? This is seriously good metal, good riffs, power and grind. Turn it up LOUD!

ok, but certainly not this band's best.......2006-01-22

This album is ok, but Savatage has done much better. The songs all have pretty good guitar work, the vocalist are all right, but nothing particularly special (they've had much better as far as vocals go). This album lacks the catchy memorable songs that some of this band's other albums have (most notably Edge of Thorns). In this album Savatage starts to sound a bit too much like a generic metal band. The track Prelude to Madness is notable, though it is not something originally composed by this band, turning it into a symphonic metal song was pretty cool.

Thank God For Savatage.......2006-01-03

Savatge were the band that started out as metal (like this album), became more progressive (like Gutter Ballet), and then eventually evolved into the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This album is a metal must-have. Jon Oliva is such a strong vocalist. The song "Hall Of The Mountain King" is one of the greatest metal songs ever. Fans of 80s New Wave Of British Heavy Metal will enjoy.

Average customer rating: Not all that impressed Fifty Very Talented Fingers... The Browns are Great Outstanding Young Pianists Disappointed

The 5 Browns The 5 Browns Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | 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: No Boundaries No Boundaries Romance Of The Violin (Live From New York In Concert) Ancora Greatest Hits Volume One ASIN: B0006HHU5A Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

1. Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumble Bee
2. Bernstein: Scenes from West Side Story
3. Dukas: The Sorcerers Apprentice
4. Ravel: La Valse (po choraphique)
5. Friedman: Tabati usique, Op. 33 No. 3
6. Rachmaninoff: Moments musicaux, Op. 16 No. 4
7. Rachmaninoff: Ele from Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3
8. Debussy: LIsle joyeuse
9. Prokofiev: Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 28
10. Bowen: Toccata, Op. 155
11. Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King, from Peer Gynt, Op. 23

Amazon.com

Their story is truly one of the more unusual tales of classical music today. Pop music has produced world-famous examples of all-in-the-family groups (which typically gave way to one or two solo stars as the years passed). And of course there's the Trapp Family singers of The Sound of Music fame. But the sibling pianists known as the 5 Browns are in a category all their own. They've gotten mega-exposure from profiles on 60 Minutes, Oprah, and the like as the first example in the history of the esteemed Juilliard School of Music in which five members of the same family have won admission (scholarships at that!) and studied concurrently. But if this sounds like a P.T. Barnum publicity stunt, make no mistake: Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan are the real thing--musicians of intense dedication and talent. Their debut CD offers different perspectives on this pianistic quintet. It's not surprising that the literature isn't exactly overflowing with arrangements for five pianos--so only 4 tracks here actually have all ten hands busy tickling the ivories (arrangements of "Flight of the Bumblebee," West Side Story scenes, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and music from Grieg's Peer Gynt). The flip DVD side includes videos of their amazing in-sync dexterity for "Flight" and the Bernstein excerpts, plus a charming interview introducing the very down-to-earth Browns. They talk about how they took to the piano, one by one, at a very early age and also point out that they remain each other's best friends, which helps them weather the stresses of the competitive classical performing arts world. Other tracks involve several four-hands settings and some solos (my own favorite is Melody's beautiful rendition of Debussy's gorgeous "L'Isle joyeuese"). We're sure to hear more from this amazingly talented family--whether as a group or as soloists. --Sarah Chin

Album Description

CD AUDIO SIDE: Entire Album

DVD SIDE: * Entire Album in 5.1 Surround Sound and enhanced LPCM Stereo * Video Performances: - Rimsky-Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumble Bee (arr. Jeffrey Shumway) - Bernstein: Scenes from "West Side Story" (arr. Kendall Briggs) * Exclusive interview footage with The 5 Browns This disc is intended to play on standard DVD and CD players. May not play on a limited number of models.

Customer Reviews:

Not all that impressed.......2007-06-01

I can't help but thinking that this is just another group of virtuoso kids that is being used for the fame of another. The music lacks fullness and invention, and tends to be a doubling of a lot of standard voicing. There is some ornamentation, and there's no doubt that each of these kids is a giften pianist, but as a group, I was not all that impressed. Cute group, though.

Fifty Very Talented Fingers..........2006-12-05

I got this CD for Christmas, and I was a little reluctant to listen to it, thinking "Oh what a yawn. Probably Mozart and Bach and--horror of horrors!--Rachmaninoff!" Well needless to say, boy was I wrong! I caught the name 'Bernstein' in the track listing, and although I had never really listened to Lenny's works, I always thought he sounded like an interesting guy, so in went the disc into the player, and on went 'Scenes from West Side Story.' I listened to it once. I listened to it twice. The third time I was hooked. I didn't recognize anything they were playing, but man it was good! It was awesome! The Browns' masterful piano version of Bernstein led me to explore deeper the marvellous music of West Side Story. To this day, after listening to recording after recording of Bernstein's West Side Story suites, the 5 Browns have a timeless rendition. It's positively brilliant. That's the only word for it--for them. They're glorious. Let classical music bore you no more, for the piano has found fifty VERY talented fingers to capture its beauty. Personally I think the very best track is West Side Story, but don't forget about The Flight of the Bumble Bee and the very fun In the Hall of the Mountain King. This is music at the height of its glory. And of course don't miss No Boundaries (note my review: I was the one who raved about The Firebird.) Enjoy, bambini!

The Browns are Great.......2006-08-04

I had vaguely heard of the Browns before I popped their CDs in my player. WOW!! What playing & what great enthusiasm. They obviously have fun making music together and they have the chops to make it exciting for the listener. Especially fun are the excerpts from Bernstein's West Side Story & Grieg's Peer Gynt. The DVD video bits are a nice bonus.

Outstanding Young Pianists.......2006-07-14

I was fortunate to see the 5 Browns in person therefore, it has been enjoyable to listen to the music that they performed in the concert. These 5 siblings are so refreshing and so talented. I recommend this CD to anyone who is looking for a CD that has outstanding piano music performed by 5 very talented young people.

Disappointed.......2006-06-07

BUYER BEWARE! When the CD Cover warns you that the "...audio side of this disc does not conform to CD specifications and therefore not all DVD and CD players will play the audio side of this disc." THEY ARE DEAD SERIOUS. I bought the album, tried it in FIVE different CD and CD/DVD players - NONE of them would play the CD. Fortunately, the retailer who I bought the CD/DVD from was willing to allow me to return it (sounds like they have had similar problems!) The 5 Browns are great artists, however, it is VERY disconcerting that their CD producers/manufacturers are putting these kind of limitations on their product.

Average customer rating: Neither Circus nor Spectacular, but it is Karl King. Great circus music Good music, mediocre playing Review of Circus Spectacular Circus Spectacular

Circus Spectacular Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Grand Old Circus Band Circus Music from the Big Top Under the Big Top: 100 Years of Circus Music Screamers (Circus Marches) Clown and Midway Calliope Music Vol. 1 ASIN: B000001KEZ Release Date: 1997-02-18

Tracks:

1. Sells-Floto Triumphal March
2. Voice of America
3. The Home Town Boy March
4. Wings for Peace
5. 'Loyalty' March
6. Prestissimo Galop
7. Emblem Of Freedom
8. Our Heritage
9. We Stand United
10. Glorious America
11. The Kentucky Derby
12. Yellowstone Trail March
13. On The Warpath, Indian War Dance
14. Broadway One-Step Or Two-Step
15. The American Way
16. The Joy Riders, March & Two Step
17. Bombardier March
18. Diplomacy March
19. Aviation Tournament March
20. Call To Victory March
21. Thumbs-Up US.A. March
22. Step On It! March
23. Fete Triumphal March
24. The Victor March
25. Mountain Trail March
26. The Defending Circle March
27. Canton Aero Club March
28. Auld Lang Syne March

Customer Reviews:

Neither Circus nor Spectacular, but it is Karl King........2006-10-15

Having played a number of times under Karl King, I had great expectations for this CD. Alas, it was not to be. The music is there, the musicians play all the right notes and the conductor keeps time. The recording is only mediocre, of Laserlight quality, and the performance is not what I expected from what they call a "Circus Band." Indeed, the liner notes state that the band is mostly students and professionals from the Philadelphia area. In other words, a "pick up" band. And the conductor seems to have no circus experience only small town symphony experience (from the puffery in the liner notes). From listening, it would appear that he has never even heard a real circus band. Both conductor and band would not last a day at a real circus. I do have a suspicion, however, that the musicians would do better under a better conductor.

Now, if they called themselves a concert band, that would be accurate and fair, and would not have dashed my hopes, as they are OK as a concert band. But just OK.

Of course, a concert band can indeed generate all the excitement of a bona fide circus band, as Frederick Fennell so aptly demonstrated on his Mercury recordings.

Now, if you want real circus music played by a real circus band, get a Merle Evans recording.

However, having said all that, I will keep the album, as I have always been a Karl King fan, and it is fine music decently played by an OK concert band.

Great circus music.......2005-08-12

I needed some circus music to promote a fundraiser our Lion's club was having (a circus). I got the CD on time and it sounded great. I could not find this type of music anywhere else. Thanks.

Good music, mediocre playing.......2001-11-19

It was indeed exciting to find so many of Karl King's marches on one disc. The band's playing, however leaves a lot to be desired, as does the sound quality of the disc. The balance is poor, with a very annoying tenor sax playing loud and out-of-tune on every cut. Buy this if you are a march collector (which I am), but I do not recommend it for its entertainment value. Get the "Screamers" disc by Fennell and Eastman for a far superior set of circus marches with great playing and sound.

Review of Circus Spectacular.......2000-12-07

Certainly the best thing about this CD is that there are many of Karl King's marches that have probably never been recorded previously, which is curious, since some of them rank with his best. The curious thing about this CD, on the other hand, is that it is supposedly a circus album, but only a few marches were actually written for the "big top". This band is not the best I have heard - recommend listening with headphones, to get a much clearer, less muddled sound. King was only kind of a contemporary of Sousa, having lived 35-40 years later. He actually published more marches than Sousa, and generally wrote in a style that was "softer" than the March King. Sousa wrote mostly military-style marches (better than anyone else ever has, of course), whereas King wrote many military as well as circus marches, and marches in a simpler style, suitable for school bands.

Circus Spectacular.......2000-08-12

This recording of music by Karl King is absolutely splendid -it contains 28 tracks most of which I have certainly not heard before - I particularly liked the tempos of the marches - not too quick but just right - the band is good (although I had never heard of them) - I came across this recording by chance and I'm glad I did - highly recommended

Average customer rating: Classic Scary Music Classical and great Great collection, but they missed one The Perfect Halloween-Themed Classical Album Spooky Classical Music That Is Great For Halloween Or Anytime Of The Year!

Classics from the Crypt Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Dukas | Dukas, Paul | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Organ | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Dukas, Paul | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | 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 Similar Items: Halloween Hits Chiller Very Scary Music: Classic Horror Themes Fright Night: Music that Goes Bump in the Night Halloween Howls ASIN: B000003FAI Release Date: 1992-09-08

Tracks:

1. Toccata & Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
2. Danse Macabre
3. Funeral March Of A Marionette - Arthur Fiedler
4. Night On Bald Mountain
5. Symphonie Fantastique - March To The Scaffold - Georges Pretre
6. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - In The Hall Of The Mountain King
7. Mephisto Waltz - Fritz Reiner
8. The Sorcerer's Apprentice
9. Symphonie Fantastique - Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath - Georges Pretre

Customer Reviews:

Classic Scary Music.......2007-01-10

If you're looking for classic haunted castle type scary music, this is a good CD.
Used this in a haunted maze in our basement, and it helped freak the kids out fairly well.

Classical and great.......2006-11-28

A must-have for your Halloween music collection. Different and strong, the music will definitely get you in the Halloween mood. I played it on my stereo while answering the door to trick-or-treaters. It made me feel "oh-so-spooky" and festive.

Great collection, but they missed one.......2006-06-10

An excellent compilation of the darker side of classical music, although I would have preferred a different rendition of Toccata and Fugue in D (New York Philharmonic perhaps), it's still quite good.

But how could the series producer leave off Ravel's Pavane For a Dead Princess? It's preferable to Symphonie Fantastique - March to The Scaffold, plus Berlioz already makes an appearance with Dream of a Witches' Sabbath. If there was room, Verdi's Requiem would have been a nice addition too.

So I have to go with 4 stars only.

The Perfect Halloween-Themed Classical Album.......2005-10-17

What better way to celebrate Halloween than by throwing a party and popping this recording on the stereo. This is classical music with a Halloween theme. Conductors Eugene Ormandy and George Pretre (whom I would have never believed did this kind of stuff) conducts classical music with a dark and Gothic twist. The cover is attrative- a cartoon drawing of the Phantom of the Opera playing on his organ. The first track is Bach's Toccata and Fugue for organ in D minor. It is genuinely considered a Halloween piece, and has been associated with such films as Dracula. The malevolent sound of the Toccata (the opening chords) are especially memorable. Danse Macabre was Saint Saen's ode to Halloween and it is a devilish waltz for violin. Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette became famous for the theme to Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky was used in Disney's Fantasia, in the last segment and is very frightening and brisk. Lisz's Mephisto Waltzes are piano pieces that evoke a wild frenzy but I find nothing dark about it. It is difficult music to play however. The music of Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique utilizes many horror themes. In the Romantic Era, Gothic lore spread and such figures as Mary Shelley and Bram Stroker would write novels of Gothic horror -Frankenstein and Dracula. In the Symphony Fantastique, a young man falls in love with an elusive woman. He imagines she is unfaithful to him and then has a disturbing dream in which she is a witch in a coven. Then he is marched to a scaffold and beheaded. The music is very compelling and dark. All the music here is great to listen to on Halloween and the conductors and orchestra play them well. A must have.

Spooky Classical Music That Is Great For Halloween Or Anytime Of The Year!.......2005-10-16

I love Classical music, it is one of my favorite styles of music and I also like Halloween and scary movies, etc, I bought this CD because I heard, In The Hall of the Mountain King, Night on Bald Mountain, Dance Macabre and Funeral March of a Marionette and I liked them. Dance Macabre was used in a season 4 episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer called Hush. Also Funeral March of a Marionette was used as the theme for Alfred Hitchock Presents. All of these pieces are great and I also liked Tocata & Fuge in D minor. This CD with it's spooky sounding classical music is great for playing on Halloween but can really be listened to anytime and not just on Halloween and I highly recommend it!

Average customer rating: The Whole Thing Hauntingly Beautiful Good-enough readings but outstanding sound Passionate Maybe this is THE (one disc-) Peer Gynt album to own ...

Grieg: Peer Gynt Manufacturer: Virgin Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 Copland: Appalachian Spring/Fanfare For The Common Man/El Salón México/Danzón Cubano Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil Bach - Brandenburg Concertos / Il Giardino armonico Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker - Complete Ballet ASIN: B0007Z47JI Release Date: 2005-06-07

Tracks:

1. No. 1 At The Wedding (Prelude To Act I)
2. No. 2 Halling
3. No. 4 The Abduction Of The Bride
4. No. 6 Peer Gynt And The Woman In Green
5. No. 7 Peer Gynt: 'You Can Tell Great Men By The Style Of Their Mounts!'
6. No. 3 Springar
7. No. 8 In The Hall Of The Mountain King
8. No. 9 Dance Of The Mountain King's Daughter
9. No. 12 The Death Of Ase (Prelude To Act III)
10. No. 13 Morning Mood (Prelude To Act IV)
11. No. 15 Arabian Dance
12. No. 16 Anitra's Dance
13. No.17 Peer Gynt's Serenade
14. No. 19 Solveig's Song
15. No. 20 Peer Gynt At The Statue Of Memnon
16. No. 21 Peer Gynt's Homecoming. Stormy Evening On The Sea (Prelude To Act V)
17. No. 22 The Shipwreck
18. No. 23 Solveig Sings In The Hut
19. No. 25 Whitsun Hymn: 'O Blessed Morning'
20. No. 26 Solveig's Cradle Song

Customer Reviews:

The Whole Thing.......2007-05-10

If there's an earlier 'Peer Gynt' recording that's complete (as opposed to just the 'suite') I've never heard of it. This is the entire incidental music to the play, not just the usual 'Dawn', 'The Hall of the Mountain King' 'Solveig's Song', etc.
Jarvi's reading is smooth and incisive and the choral parts are wonderful. I've never heard a scarier version of HOTMK. I never even knew that there was a solo vocal part for Peer himself, but here it is.

My only complaint-and it's a tiny one-is that the selections are not in the order that they would appear in Ibsen's play. But that's picking a very small nit indeed.

Hauntingly Beautiful.......2007-03-11

Conductor Paavo Jarvi does a masterful job of leading the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra plays with great emotion and precision creating an exciting and almost hypnotic effect. Although Beecham's version is very good, his Peer Gynt does not come close to matching the sheer beauty of Jarvi's.
The soloists on this album are outstanding. I consider baritone Peter Mattei to be the most talented baritone of his type today and his rendition of Peer Gynt's Serenade is nothing short of incredible. Soprano Camilla Tilling as Soveig has a lovely ethereal sound to her voice which is used to great effect in her songs. Tilling has the loveliest female voice I have ever heard. Mezzo Charlotte Hellekant has also grown on me as Anitra. Many of these vocal songs are not included on other versions of Peer Gynt, which is a great shame. The choir, something I don't usually enjoy, is very impressive.
I would rate this CD as by far the best version of Peer Gynt and perhaps my favorite CD of all time. The sound quality of the recording should also be mentioned because it is absolutely stunning.

Good-enough readings but outstanding sound.......2007-02-21

I don't find that Paavo Jarvi and his Estonian forces have much to say in the familiar numbers from Peer Gynt. You must turn to Beecham for sheer delight in famous numbers like In The Hall of the Moutain King, Morning, Anitra's Dance, and so on. Where this recording scores is in the unfamiliar numbers; Peter Matteo's excellent rendition of the little-known Peer Gynt's Serenade is one highlight, as is the convincingly crude folk fiddling that begins half a dozen numbers.

Secondly, there's the sound. The engineers have achieved quite exceptinally clear, open sonics that I've never heard the like of in Peer Gynt. Even when Jarvi's conducting is ordinary and his Estonian musician ae playing at far less than virtuosic level, the gorgeous sounds coming out of one's speakers remain alluring. As far as completeness goes, the Ruud 2-CD set from Bis is unchallenged.

Passionate.......2006-08-18

The story line gives the listener a guide to follow the music, but the score leaves out the connections for the listener to only imagine the performance. The music is passionate and descriptive and introduces the listener to the singing voices of parts of the presentation that are left out in the "Suite." I appreciate hearing it over and over.

Maybe this is THE (one disc-) Peer Gynt album to own ..........2006-02-15

... to keep closely beside the gorgeous, incisively intelligent and deeply concentrated performance (also on 1 CD) with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and Barbara Hendricks singing the role of Solveig (Sony Classical).
Together with the recordings by Neeme Jarvi (27 cues; DGG), Marriner (only 12 cues; EMI), Tate (17 cues; EMI), Blomstedt (19 cues; Decca), Dreier (the first truly complete recording of all of the original music (1978); 32 cues, including 'Bridal Procession', 'Solveig's Song' and three 'Norwegian Dances' all of them n o t originally written for the play; Unicorn UKCD + NKFCD) and Ruud (the first complete recording with 29 cues plus all of the dialogue, making a total of 51 cues, coming up on 113 minutes; BIS), these two (1-CD) albums by Paavo Jarvi and Esa-Pekka Salonen are as complete as can get concerning this so called 'incidental' music for the Henrik Ibsen play of Peer Gynt. Nowadays, Peer Gynt is Norway's No. 1 national epic, thereby giving this music extra significance and poignancy. Originally, there are in all some twenty-six numbers of incidental music for the play: almost ninety minutes of music, as can be learned from the booklet-essay. And according to the booklet, twenty of those are on this album; No. 5, 10, 11, 14, 18 and 24 are left out of this recording. 'Solveig's Song' wasn't originally written for the stage play but nonetheless included as such on this CD, so actually 19 original pieces from Peer Gynt, op. 23 are on this album, and not 20. But anyhow, such 'criticism' would amount to nitpicking ;-)
Here I would like to warn the reader that this will be a somewhat one-sided review, as I have only ever heard the Peer Gynt-recordings of Esa-Pekka Salonen, Per Dreier (freshly inspired, very natural performances) and this newest one of Paavo Jarvi. So this review is, for what it is worth, a personal and somewhat subjective approach, leaving out many other alternatives ...

Anyhow, as for the one-CD albums of Peer Gynt, op. 23, the merits of the Salonen/Oslo Philharmonic album (aside from the artistic ones, which are huge, as well as spot on as far as the 'Nordic' atmosphere of the music is concerned) lie in the fact that - up to now - it has been as near 'complete' a rendering of the music for Peer Gynt - as much as fits on one CD - as one might wish, covering the whole dramatic arc of the play from beginning to end (but without any of the spoken dialogue). I believe that this new recording with Paavo Jarvi is even more complete - as could be fitted on one disc - and gives the listener an even better feel of the drama of the play, if only because there is more singing here, namely by Peer Gynt (in the delightful 'Peer Gynt's Serenade'). Also, one hears here seldomly recorded, but wonderfully evocative pieces, such as 'Peer Gynt and the Woman in Green', 'Peer gynt: you can tell great men by the style of their mounts', 'Peer Gynt at the Statue of Memnon' (similar to 'Prelude Act III: Deep in the Coniferous Forest' on the Salonen/Oslo Philharmonic album. Actually it is the same piece, but it was never intended as the prelude to act III) and 'The Shipwreck'. Simply delightful, all this! As are all the soloists - truly, the best one could wish for! - singing in this recording. If I may steal a quote from Tim Ashley, The Guardian, May 13, 2005: "Peter Mattei is the swollen-headed Peer, Camilla Tilling a dignified, unsentimental Solveig and the incomparable Charlotte Hellekant a camp but lethally seductive Anitra." But although Camilla Tilling's Solveig is superb, IMHO she is not as completely involved-sounding or as convincing in the projecting of the troubled mind and heart of (especially the elderly) Solveig as does Barbara Hendricks for Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Even more than Esa-Pekka Salonen's performance with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, this recording offers the listener a more 'true to the letter-performance', as the music is here performed as heard during the play, as witnessed by 'Solveigs vuggevise' ('Solveig's Cradle Song'), where her singing is interlaced with the 'Whitsun Hymn', which, to the ears of this listener, only heigtening the sense of drama and storytelling.
All in all a fantastic album, I believe, and one that brings into focus the drama even more than other recordings of this music. Even though the orchestral playing of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra is maybe a (slight) nodge below that of the Oslo Philharmonic under Salonen and missing out on the deepest or finer layers of melancholy and dramatic tension (which are indeed touched upon by Salonen, I think), it is warmly sympathetic and more lush (as is the acoustics of the recording venue).
The really adventurous or Peer Gynt-completists (and once taken this step, the all too brief Suites will never be an option again!) should really go for Dreier or Ruud - this last one is said to be simply magnificent (music as well as acting) - but this generous one disc album, with some of the most gorgeous playing and singing, is warmly recommended (at least, in my opinion) to anyone who loves this wonderfully evocative music. Delightful!

Average customer rating: AN EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION TO NORWAY'S GREATEST COMPOSER

The Best of Grieg Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Haydn Best Of Rimsky-Korsakov Best of Elgar Best of Schumann Best of Schubert ASIN: B0000014H9 Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op.16: Allegro molto moderato
2. Two Elegiac Pieces, Op.34: Last Spring (Varen)
3. Norwegian Dance No.2, Op.35: Allegretto tranquillo e grazioso
4. Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: Morning
5. Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: Anitra's Dance
6. Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: In the Hall of the Mountain King
7. Peer Gynt Suite No.2, Op.55: Arabian Dance
8. Peer Gynt Ste No.2, Op.55: Solveig's Song
9. Holberg Suite, Op.40: Prelude
10. Holberg Suite, Op.40: Andante
11. Norwegian Bridal Procession, Op.19, No.2
12. Lyric Suite, Op.54: No.3 Notturno
13. Lyric Suite Op.54: No.4: March of the Dwarfs
14. Wedding Day At Troldhaugen, Op.65, No.6
15. Two Elegiac Melodies, Op.34: Heart Wounds (Hjertesar)
16. Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op.56: Homage March

Customer Reviews:

AN EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION TO NORWAY'S GREATEST COMPOSER.......2000-05-18

When i first picked up this cd, i must say that i was somewhat dubious in doing so. 'It's just another Grieg collection', i was thinking to myself. However, this collection is more than this. It offers an excellent insight to Norway's greatest composer. Fine for anyone who wishes to find out more about this great composer.

Average customer rating: The Price Club A living legend not your daddy's old timey spiritual Immaculate Vocals of Leontyne Price Great Gospel Stuff

The Essential Leontyne Price: Spirituals, Hymns & Sacred Songs Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Price, Leontyne | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Gershwin, George | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Schubert, Franz | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anonymous | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Classical 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: Leontyne Price: The Ultimate Collection Leontyne Price Christmas Songs Chants de Noel.Weihnachtslieden Wiener Philharmoniker Herbert Von Karajan Amazing Grace: Jessye Norman Spirituals in Concert Spirituals ASIN: B000003FWE Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

1. Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
2. Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees - Various Artists
3. His Name So Sweet - Various Artists
4. 'Roun' About The Mountain - Various Artists
5. Swing Low , Sweet Chariot - Various Artists
6. Sit Down, Servant - Various Artists
7. Were You There - Various Artists
8. He's Got The Whole World In His Hands - Various Artists
9. Deep River - Various Artists
10. Honor! Honor! - Various Artists
11. My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord - Various Artists
12. On Ma Journey - Various Artists
13. A City Called Heaven - Various Artists
14. Ride On, King Jesus - Various Artists
15. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Various Artists
16. Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass - Various Artists
17. Sweet Little Jesus Boy - Various Artists
18. There Is A Balm In Gilead - Various Artists
19. Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler - Various Artists
20. Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
21. My Way Is Cloudy - Various Artists
22. Nobody Knows The Touble I've Seen - Various Artists
23. I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray - Various Artists

Tracks:

1. Holy, Holy, Holy - Leontyne Price
2. Lead, Kindly Light - Leontyne Price
3. Blessed Assurance - Leontyne Price
4. Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
5. What A Friend We Have In Jesus - Leontyne Price
6. Amazing Grace - Leontyne Price
7. The Lord's Prayer - Leontyne Price
8. Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior - Leontyne Price
9. The Church's One Foundation - Leontyne Price
10. Bless This House - Leontyne Price
11. I Need Thee Every Hour - Leontyne Price
12. Schlesische Volkslieder: Fairest Lord Jesus - Leontyne Price
13. I Wonder As I Wander - Leontyne Price
14. Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
15. Porgy And Bess: Summertime - Leontyne Price
16. America The Beautiful - Leontyne Price
17. Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing - Leontyne Price
18. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - Leontyne Price
19. Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Leontyne Price

Customer Reviews:

The Price Club.......2005-04-28

"I am here," said Leontyne Price when interviewed as she opened the new Metropolitan Opera with Samuel Barber's underrated ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, "and you will know that I am the best and will hear me. The color of my skin or the kink of my hair or the spread of my mouth has nothing to do with what you are listening to." Back in the 1960s Price was one of the greatest divas in all of opera, and it wasn't just her voice but her magnificent stage presence, combined with her social activism. All of the above come into play in this collection of secular songs and ditties, some of them traditional plantation chanties and others, art songs and a scattering of pop music. And some of them, like Gershwin's "Summertime," cross the ever-permeable boundaries between Broadway and classical. These recordings were made at different times in Price's career, and her voice, while always angelic, has different shadings and reaches a different range of timbre in each separate recording date, but there is no question that, as time goes by, she is able to impart a richness of life experience noticeably absent from some of her earlier work.

"Ave Maria" sounds heavenly no matter which way you slice it, and as for "I Wonder As I Wander," it brings tears to your eyes. If you have a heart that's beating you will be moved by this rendition. "Ein feste Burg" is pretty strong, but Price seems more comfortable with the traditional spirituals, though perhaps it is the slightly off-kilter sounds of the Ambrosian Singers (what a name) who back her up on many of these tracks, that detract slightly from the experience. Compare "Lead Kindly Light" for a clear sense of what constitutes authority vs. what is a wee bit overproduced. If you had this compilation, and perhaps one of Leontyne Price's Christmas albums, you could attain nirvana any time you wanted to, just flip a switch and close your eyes, let her lift you up on wings of song.

A living legend.......2005-03-10

Leontyne Price (still alive) and already passing into immortality amongst vocal artists, both classical and popular. Leontyne Price stands at the pinnacle of her classical art, but those who only know her work in La Forza del destino or the Verdi Requiem are in for a heart rending treat with this album where Leontyne Price goes home to her roots in Mississippi and gives an unabashed account of the classic spirituals she sang as a young woman. Like John Mc Cormacks rendering of Irish songs there is a personal longing and devotion expressed here that reveals a side of the artist not known in the bulk of their "classical" repetoire. A sense of going home like Citizen Kane's rosebud, or as Dorothy Gale observes at the end of the Wizard of Oz "everything I could ever have wanted was right in my own backyard "

not your daddy's old timey spiritual.......2004-06-23

Agreed this is a good cd for a beautiful voice, but this is not, repeat not, for someone who wants to hear that old-timey religious fervor that you think of when you've been to a Black Baptist hand-clapping, standing, swaying, and singing service.

Immaculate Vocals of Leontyne Price.......2003-12-31

IMMACULATE, SUPERB vocal range and style! There's no other words that can complement Miss Leontyne Price's vocal arrangements. Miss Price's voice is strong, and shrills very nicely to the instruments played on many songs listed on this double CD which is a joy to treasure; every song listed are songs I was raised to hearing and singing. Miss Price is the reason why many of these songs remain in popularity and presently used. Miss Leontyne Price has been incredible in many of her past performances. This is my fourth CD of Miss Price and I am glad to own this particular CD forever and ever. Many thanks to the executors who found this remarkable album and upgraded it to a CD format! **Angi**

Great Gospel Stuff.......2001-04-12

This is a great CD. The only problem I have with it is that on some of the selections there is a boy's choir screaming in the background, and this takes away (a bit) from her performance. That said, her best selections are those that are either unaccompanied or those where her voice is not buried. Songs that strike me are - His Name So Sweet, He's Got The Whole World, Were You There, I Wonder as I Wander, Lift Every Voice and Sing, and my all time favourite Summertime. Enough said.

Track Listings:

1. Mozart: Sonatas for piano No18; Sonatas for piano No4
2. Music across the Baltic
3. Music at the Royal Palace: 3 Crowns
4. Musical Portrait
5. Musik på Dramaten (Music at the Royal Dramatic Theatre)
6. Orfeo E Euridice
7. Otto Olsson: Ad Dominum
8. Piano Music of Clara & Robert Schumann
9. Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben; Horn Concerto No. 2
10. Salon Viennois

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Parfum d'étoiles

Schumann: Waldszenen Op82; Piano Sonata in Fm No3, Op14

Steady Rollin' Blues

Love in Us All [Import]

Summer Song

Stop, Drop and Roll

The Christmas Gift

Otto Klemperer at the Concertgebouw

The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits

Ones (CD & DVD) (Limited Edition Package) [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]

Super Unknown [Import]

Still Waiting [Import]

Solid Sounds, Vol. 3 [Import]

Una Furtiva Lagrima

Under the Pink