Symphony 9 in E Flat Major Op 70

1. Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
Conducted by Stewart Robertson

2. Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 100
Composed by Sergey Prokofiev
Conducted by Stewart Robertson

Symphony 9 in E Flat Major Op 70,Shostakovich,Prokofiev,Ukraine State Phil,Empire Music Group,Classical,Classical Music

Average customer rating: Heartfelt, passionate versions Great Recording Great set of music! Kertesz or Kubelik in the Dvorak symphonies? Amazing performances

Dvorák: The Symphonies Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures Schubert: 8 Symphonies Schubert: The Piano Sonatas Schumann: The 4 Symphonies Johannes Brahms: The Symphonies ASIN: B0000041WV Release Date: 1992-02-11

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor 'Zlonicke zvony': I: Allegro
2. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor 'Zlonicke zvony': II: Adagio molto
3. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor 'Zlonicke zvony': III: Allegretto
4. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor 'Zlonicke zvony': IV: Finale - Allegro animato
5. Symphony No. 2 In B Flat Major, Op. 4: Allegro con molto

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 2: II: Poco adagio
2. Symphony No. 2: III: Scherzo: Allegro con brio
3. Symphony No. 2: IV: Finale: Allegro con fuoco
4. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 10: I: Allegro moderato
5. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 10: II: Adagio molto
6. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 10: III: Finale: Allegro vivace

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 4 In D minor, Op. 13: I. Allegro
2. Symphony No. 4 In D minor, Op. 13: II. Andante sostenuto e molto cantabile
3. Symphony No. 4 In D minor, Op. 13: III. Allegro feroce
4. Symphony No. 4 In D minor, Op. 13: IV. Allegro con brio
5. Symphony No. 5 In F Major, Op. 76 (Beginning): I. Allegro ma non troppo
6. Symphony No. 5 In F Major, Op. 76 (Beginning): II. Andante con moto
7. Symphony No. 5 In F Major, Op. 76 (Beginning): III. Scherzo: Allegro scherzando

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 5 (Conclusion): IV. Finale: Allegro molto
2. Symphony No. 6 In D Major, Op. 60: I. Allegro non tanto
3. Symphony No. 6 In D Major, Op. 60: II. Adagio
4. Symphony No. 6 In D Major, Op. 60: III. Scherzo (Furiant): Presto
5. Symphony No. 6 In D Major, Op. 60: IV. Finale: Allegro con spirito
6. 'V prirode', Op. 91: In Nature's Realm

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: I. Allegro maestoso
2. Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: II. Poco adagio
3. Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: III. Scherzo: Vivace - poco meno mosso
4. Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: IV. Allegro
5. Symphony No. 8 In G Major, Op. 88: I. Allegro con brio
6. Symphony No. 8 In G Major, Op. 88: II. Adagio
7. Symphony No. 8 In G Major, Op. 88: III. Allegretto grazioso
8. Symphony No. 8 In G Major, Op. 88: IV. Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'Z Noveho sveta': I. Adagio - Allegro molto
2. Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'Z Noveho sveta': II. Largo
3. Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'Z Noveho sveta': III. Molto vivace
4. Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'Z Noveho sveta': IV. Allegro con fuoco
5. 'Karneval' Overture, Op. 92
6. Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66
7. 'Domov muj' Overture, Op. 62

Amazon.com essential recording

For decades, there were only three complete collections of Dvorák's symphonies: this one; Rowicki's with the same orchestra; and Kubelik's with the Berlin Philharmonic. Kertész offers the most rustic, gutsy interpretations of all. Famous for his dislike of rehearsals, he allows the London Symphony to make a much rougher sound than his colleagues tolerate, and though not the last word in polish, the results have a spontaneous charm that's pretty hard to resist. More to the point, Dvorák's early symphonies (Nos. 1 to 5) remain sadly neglected, and each one of them is full of gorgeous tunes cloaked in mellifluous orchestration. At budget price, this set now costs less than it did on LP in the 1960s. How can you do better than that? --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Heartfelt, passionate versions.......2007-06-23

The late Istvan Kertesz continues to amaze, with this spectacular reissue of his 1960s Dvorak symphonies cycle. These versions each compare well with or exceed the legendary recordings by Ancerl, Szell, Talich, et al. Sound quality is excellent, and the mix on the orchestra is almost always just right, balancing strings, brass, and percussion. Compared to some Czech recordings, the woodwinds volumes are a bit weak, which is unfortunate because woodwinds are one of Dvorak's specialties. If you have no other set of Dvorak symphonies, or have 10 copies of "From the New World" and no copies of Symphonies 1, 2 or 3, then this is a must-have set. From the opening bars of Symphony No. 1, you'll agree you're in the presence of greatness.

Great Recording.......2007-06-03

Friends and CD-guides told me this was the best. And they were right.

Great set of music!.......2007-05-24

Along with Piotr Tchaikovsky, Antonin Dvorak was probably the most prolific composer of the Romance period. He composed for just about every genre of classical music except ballet, and is known for a wide variety of works. Some of his most famous are his symphonies. He wrote 9, out of respect for Beethoven, and like the German master, the last one is the most widely recognized. But like Beethoven, all 9 symphonies are incredible pieces of music in their own right. This set has all 9 symphonies, along with several other popular orchestral works. The sound quality is good, the orchestration is great, and the choice of music is great. All the pieces are dramatic, with melodies that range from powerful to awe-inspiring to melancholy. Every piece of music in this set is purely in the Romantic style; full of emotion, and many are inspired by folk tunes from Eastern Europe. All in all, a great set, and for a great price.

Kertesz or Kubelik in the Dvorak symphonies?.......2006-05-03

Although decades old, the two analog sets of Dvorak symphonies from Kertesz and Kubelik remain the front-runnters. From the mid-Sixties onward Decca has been so satisfied with the groundbreaking Kertesz cycle, the first to bring Sym. 1-6 to the general listening public outisde Czechoslovakia, that the company has rarely re-recorded any but the last three, most famous symphonies. DG, on the other hand, didn't release Kubelik's Sym. 1-6 until the digital era (1988, I believe), keeping them in the vualts and out of competiiton with Kertesz.

Now both sets are offered at basically the same price on 6 mid-line discs, with deep discounts on the used market. The difference between the two is quite marked musically, however. Kertesz comunicates the thrill of discovery in the early symphhonies. Amazingly, he had never conducted them before, and their vibrancy and inner life lift my spirits every time I hear them. The LSO didn't know these pieces, either, but play with rousing commitment and vivacity.

By comparison, Kubelik sounds rather correct and staid. He often chooses marginally slower tempos, and his enthusiasm for letting the dance rhytyms become exciting is limited. The Berlin Phil. seems not to catch on to the Slavonic folk idiom, which gets played far too straight (Dvorak had the same problem with Greman orchestras in his lifetime and was only accepted in Vienna and Berlin at first as a kind of naive, folk-flavored Brahms). As to sonics, the Decca set holds up well, being a bit bright at times but otherwise detailed and forward. DG, unforunately, gave Kubelik's later symphonies (#7-9) harsh, glaring sound that makes his readings sound brash; there's an unpleasant sting to the sound at higher volumes. This problem seems less in the earlier symphonies (the cycle was recorded over a longer period than Kertesz's and thus has more variable sound). I do not know if the current re-issue also includes remastering.

It's regrettable that in the interest of economics Decca has cut out several of Kertesz's most interesting fillers, such as the Hussite Over., though they can be found on other CDs from him. We get the Carnival Over. on both sets, after which Kertesz gives us the "My Homeland" and "In Nature's Realm" Over., while Kubelik offers the Scerzo capriccioso and The Wild Dove tone poem, both performed by his Bavarian State Orchestra rather than the Berliners.

As msut be obvious by now, I don't feel the two sets are competitive artistically. Kubelik was a major conductor and dedicated to Dvorak, but his best work isn't here. Kertesz, though not native born to the composer as Kubelik was, found a special affinity for Dvorak, and his cycle is one of the small miracles of Sixties recording. Perhaps not so minor considering that no one has bettered him in the early symphonies for forty years.

Amazing performances.......2005-03-28

This orchestra really has a rich, powerful sound, but can still give deep emotional sounds, all of which are needed to perform Dvorak. I doubt one can find finer performances of these symphonies, and the other works included in the set are very well chosen. The performances of each symphony are incredible, the sound quality is very good, and as I said before, the orchestra is wonderful. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating: Below Average Beethoven Performances Immortal beloved film Living Perfection A wonderful tribute to the artist Very emotional and moving!!

Immortal Beloved / Sir Georg Solti (film 1994) Ludwig van Beethoven , Georg Solti , Renée Fleming , Yo-Yo Ma , Murray Perahia , Emanuel Ax , Pamela Frank , Thomas Frost , Gidon Kremer , Vinson Cole , London Symphony Orchestra , and London Voices Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Bagatelles | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Solti, Sir Georg | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | 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: Immortal Beloved More Immortal Beloved Amadeus: The Complete Original Soundtrack Recording Amadeus: Original Soundtrack Recording Amadeus: More Music From The Original Soundtrack Of The Film Amadeus ASIN: B000002AQD Release Date: 1994-12-06

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op.67: Napoleon Shells Vienna
2. Fur Elise: Childhood Dreams
3. Symphony No. 3 In E-flat Major, Op. 55: Ludwig And Julia At Schonbrunn Palace Gardens
4. Piano Sonata No. 14 (Quasi Una Fantasia) In C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2 'Moonlight': Julia And Her Father Secretly Watch
5. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op.68 'Pastoral': Ludwig And Caspar Fight
6. Piano Trio No. 4 In D Major, Op. 70 No. 1 'Ghost': Ludwig Consols Anna Marie
7. Violin Concerto In D Major, Op. 61: The Beethoven Brothers In Baden
8. Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13 'Pathetique': A Concert For Lichnowsky
9. Piano Concerto No. 5 In E-Flat Major, Op. 73 'Emperor': The Letter
10. Missa Solemnis In D Major, Op.123: The Funeral
11. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: Karl At The Ruins
12. Violin Sonata In A Major, Op. 47 'Kreutzer': The Carriage Stuck In The Mud
13. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: The Night Of The Premiere

Customer Reviews:

Below Average Beethoven Performances.......2007-03-10

It is unfortunate that they chose Solti's direction for the symphonic pieces in this soundtrack as he is simply one of the worst conductors for Beethoven. His direction is so slow one would think he is leading a funeral procession instead of music inspired by the French Revolution.

Of all old school directors such as Karajan, Toscanini, etc., Solti's performances are simply morbidly slow to the point of killing the grieving attendants with boredom. The cacophony of the oversized orchestra doesn't help either. Solti's interpretations are even too slow for a requiem. You think a regular interpretation of the 7th's second movement is slow? Wait 'til you hear this one; you're going to need a massage you'll be so stiff. The 9th symphony march is supposed to be a brisk revolutionary march calling the citizens to arms and to join the militia marching through a town. With Solti you imagine only a funeral procession coming through the town. In the Fifth the whole orchestra is almost struggling to slow down to match the strings. Karajan's interpretations are not particularly fast either but at least he breathes some life into them and the orchestra. I personally like Toscanini in terms of the old 20th century symphonic conductors and Gardiner's traditional interpretations that are at least at a correct speed and give the listener the impression they are marching off as part of a revolutionary batallion to bring liberty to the oppressed instead of being rolled to the morgue. Beethoven was a revolutionary anti-monarchist and strongly supported the idea of political change. Although Periah is a great pianist for Beethoven's concertos, there are simply better performances by him that fortunately aren't conducted by Solti such as on Sony with Bernard Haitink and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The same goes for the performances with Axe and Yo-Yo Ma. Gidon Kramer's performance for the Violin Concerto in D is also mediocre at best: there are better violinists out there than Kremer for Beethoven.

This is just not the best CD to get quality performances of Beethoven's works. Overall, Solti's interpretations are simply too sluggish and indecipherable to represent the ideals of Beethoven's music. Solti would definitely be my last choice for anything. You won't lose anything by not buying this soundtrack that's for sure: Solti's interpretations are so slow they will simply fossilize you.

Immortal beloved film.......2007-02-06

having watched a recording of Immortal beloved for a number of years the tape was past its best. now that i have the chance of ordering on line i did , and a good move it was. It was nice to see the film and things so clear, i had not see before, the writing on the love letter at the begining and tears that was shed. Iam very pleased with the dvd.

Living Perfection.......2007-01-14

This is one of the most perfect CDs I own, it's one I come back to time and time again. The recording quality is excellent - even on the cassette, which I've finally replaced after 12 years - but even better, the musical interpretation is splendid. Anyone who thinks that classical music is no longer relevant in our culture needs to buy this CD.

A wonderful tribute to the artist.......2005-05-25

This CD is perfect in my opinion. The recording is perfect, the pitch is perfect, the tempo is perfect, and the track selections are perfect. I think the album samples Beethoven's most remarkable pieces of work from his early years to his death. I have heard many recordings of the Ninth symphony that was just executed poorly; which is a shame because it is such a powerful piece. However, this album does it superbly. Sir Georg Solti and Murray Perahia did an amazing job with this album.

The album just flows really well from one piece to the next evoking a vast array of emotions along the way. Beethoven is timeless and forever will be. There is no comparison even to this day. This a wonderful tribute to the artist.

Very emotional and moving!!.......2005-05-23

I am a big fan of classical music. Beethoven, in my opinion, was one of the best composers, Mozart 1st, Beethoven 2nd, etc. This album is very moving and filled with emotion. I am currently listening to Adagio Cantabile-from Piano Sonata No. 8-from the film album. This piece is so moving and emotional. Another piece was Moonlight Sonata which I especially liked. Beethoven loads this piece with love and emotion for his one true love. In my opinion, Beethoven was the best at writing emotional and moving music. Whenever I listen to his music, I am immersed in a world of emotion and feeling. His music is truly beautiful. Back to the album, Sir Georg Solti really captured Beethoven's genius and devotion to his music in this album. This album really accents the film. You cannot have one, you must have both the film and the soundtrack. This is a must have for classical music/Beethoven fanatics and people who want to get a great summary of Beethoven's genius. BUY THIS!!!!

Average customer rating: masters of classical music A good basic collection An excellent introduction to classical music Very Beautiful!!!!!1 Still Stuck on Beethoven

Masters of Classical Music (Box Set) Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. 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Tracks:

1. Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
2. Piano Concerto In A Major, K 488: Adagio - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
3. Flute Concerto In D Major, K 314: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
4. Symphony No. 40 in G minor: Molto allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
5. Clarinet Concerto KV 622: Adagio - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
6. Serenade, K 375: Menuetto - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
7. Turkish March - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
8. Violin Concerto, K 216: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
9. Divertimento, K 334: Menuetto - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
10. Horn Concerto, K 447: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
11. Cassation, K 99: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Tracks:

1. Overture No. 4 In Major: Rejouissance - J.S.Bach
2. Overture No. 3 In D Major: Air - J.S.Bach
3. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 In F Major: I. Allegro - J.S.Bach
4. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - J.S.Bach
5. Overture No. 2 In B Minor: Menuet & Badinerie - J.S.Bach
6. Prelude In C Major - J.S.Bach
7. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor - J.S.Bach
8. Prelude In C Minor - J.S.Bach
9. Overture No. 1 In C Major: Passepied - J.S.Bach
10. Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 In F Major: II. Adagio - J.S.Bach
11. Kommst du nun, Jesu vom Himmel herunter, Chorale - J.S.Bach
12. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G Major: II. Allegro - J.S.Bach
13. Violin Concerto In E Major: I. Adagio - J.S.Bach
14. St. Matthew Passion: Finale Chorus: 'Wir setzen uns mit Tranen nieder' - J.S.Bach

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 5: Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Fur Elise - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Violin Romance No. 2 - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. 'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio sostenuto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Minuet - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 8 In F Major: Allegretto scherzando - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. Coriolan: Overture - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
9. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor: Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
10. Egmont: Overture - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Die Fledermaus: Die Fledermaus (Excerpts) - Johann Strauss
2. Wine, Woman And Song - Johann Strauss
3. Tritsch Tratsch Polka - Johann Strauss
4. The Blue Danube - Johann Strauss
5. The Gypsy Baron: Introduction - Johann Strauss
6. Annen Polka - Johann Strauss
7. Vienna Blood - Johann Strauss
8. The Gypsy Baron: Einzugsmarsch - Johann Strauss

Tracks:

1. Tannhauser: Overture - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
2. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Dance Of The Prentices - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
3. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude Act 3 - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
4. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Aufzug der Meistersinger - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
5. Der fliegende Hollander: Overture - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
6. Lohengrin: Prelude - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
7. Tristan und Isolde: Prelude And Liebestod - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
8. Tannhauser: Arrival Of The Guests At Wartburg - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1: Allegro non troppo - Peter Tchaikovsky
2. String Serenade: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
3. Violin Concerto: Andante - Peter Tchaikovsky
4. The Sleeping Beauty: Introduction - Peter Tchaikovsky
5. The Sleeping Beauty: Pas d'action - Adagio - Peter Tchaikovsky
6. The Sleeping Beauty: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
7. Capriccio italien Op. 45 - Peter Tchaikovsky
8. Swan Lake: Ballet Suite: Scene No. 10 - Peter Tchaikovsky
9. Swan Lake: Ballet Suite: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
10. Eugene Onegin: Polonaise - Peter Tchaikovsky

Tracks:

1. The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 1 In E Major: Spring - VIVALDI, Antonio
2. Siciliano - VIVALDI, Antonio
3. Concerto In D Minor:: (Allegro Assai) Cologne Concerto - VIVALDI, Antonio
4. The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 2 In G Minor: Summer - VIVALDI, Antonio
5. Oboe Sonata In B Flat Major, RV 34: Adagio - Allegro - Largo - Allegro - VIVALDI, Antonio
6. The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 3 In F Major: Autumn - VIVALDI, Antonio
7. Oboe Concerto: Allegro non tasto - Largo - Allegro non molto - VIVALDI, Antonio
8. Concerto In D Minor: (Largo e spiccato) Cologne Concerto - VIVALDI, Antonio
9. The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 4 In F Minor: Winter - VIVALDI, Antonio

Tracks:

1. Scherzo No 1 In B Minor, Op. 20 - Frederic Chopin_
2. Three Nocturnes, Op. 9: No 3 In B Major - Frederic Chopin_
3. Twelve Etudes, Op. 10: No 5 In G Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
4. Twelve Etudes, Op. 25: No 10 In B Minor - Frederic Chopin_
5. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 13 In F Sharp Major - Frederic Chopin_
6. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 14 In E Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_
7. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 15 In D Flat Major 'Raindrops' - Frederic Chopin_
8. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 16 In B Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_
9. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 17 In A Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
10. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 18 In F Minor - Frederic Chopin_
11. Scherzo No. 2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 31 - Frederic Chopin_
12. Waltz In E Flat Major, Op. 18 - Frederic Chopin_
13. Nocturne In C Sharp Minor, Op. Posth. - Frederic Chopin_
14. Four Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 3 In A Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
15. Four Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 4 In B Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
2. Impromptu In E Flat Major - Franz Schubert
3. Standchen - Franz Schubert
4. Trout Quintet: Tema con variazioni - Franz Schubert
5. 'Rosamunde': Entr'acte No. 1 - Franz Schubert
6. Moment Musical In A Flat Major - Franz Schubert
7. 'Rosamunde': Entr'acte No. 2 - Franz Schubert
8. Moment Musical No. 3 In F Minor - Franz Schubert
9. 'Rosamunde': Ballet Music No.2 - Franz Schubert
10. Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato - Franz Schubert

Tracks:

1. Nabucco: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe
2. Nabucco: Va pensiero, sull'ali dorate - Verdi, Giuseppe
3. Aida: Prelude - Verdi, Giuseppe
4. II Trovatore: Verdi! le fosche notturne (Gypsies' Chorus) - Verdi, Giuseppe
5. II Trovatore: Or co' daddi, ma fra poco (Soldiers' Chorus) - Verdi, Giuseppe
6. Aroldo: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe
7. La Traviata: Prelude - Verdi, Giuseppe
8. La Traviata: Noi siamo zingarelle - Verdi, Giuseppe
9. La Traviata:: Libiamo ne' lieti calici - Verdi, Giuseppe
10. La Traviata: Di Madride noi siam mattadori - Verdi, Giuseppe
11. La forza del destino: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe

Customer Reviews:

masters of classical music.......2007-03-26

A nice collection for the classical listener. Great variety of composers and the music quality of the cds are very good.

A good basic collection.......2006-11-10

With selections from numerous composers, it is an easy way to familiarize oneself with some of the most popular classical works and excerpts. A pleasant listen for the initiated too.

An excellent introduction to classical music.......2006-10-18

This is an excellent introduction to classical music. Well performed and presented.

Very Beautiful!!!!!1.......2006-10-05

If you are a fan of classical music then you better get this set. Not only is it very cheap, 10 Discs for about 2$ per disk. Now where are you gonna find a deal like this. I actually found mine chaper, $20.00 even and the music is outstanding. If you had a very bad day and very stressed out, just put in one of these cds, lay down, dim down the lights and just relax. It really helped me out.

Still Stuck on Beethoven.......2006-08-22

I just recently started listening to classical music so I'm certainly not one to compare or critique the quality of this set. However, I do have a few comments...

My interest started in this genre of music because I'm researching my ancestry in Prussia and this is the music of those times. Never mind my ancestors were poor peasants who probably never got the chance to hear such wonderful music... when listening to these CDs, I'm taken back in time... to a royal court in Europe... to another place in time. The music is inspiring, relaxing, invigorating.

I have yet to listen to all the CD's in the set. I'm stuck on Beethoven! Wasn't he AWESOME!?!

I think this set is a wonderful introduction to classical music!!!!!

Average customer rating: One of my favourite symphonies Five stars for a sparkling, vivacious Ninth, but set a snooze alarm for the Fifth A Soviet Artist's Response to Just Criticism?! Superb interpretation and ultra superb recording Incredible!!!

Shostakovich: Symphonies no 5 and 9 / Haitink Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Hungarian Sketches Dmitry Shostakovich: String Quartet Nos. 2,3,7,8 & 12 Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99 Stravinsky: Rite Of Spring, Fireworks, Petrouchka / Ozawa, Tilson Thomas, Chicago Symphony ASIN: B00000IP35 Release Date: 2000-07-18

Tracks:

1. Symphony No.5 In D Minor, Op.47: I. Moderato
2. Symphony No.5 In D Minor, Op.47: II. Allegretto
3. Symphony No.5 In D Minor, Op.47: III. Largo
4. Symphony No. 5 In D MInor, Op.47: IV. Allegro non troppo
5. Symphony No.9 In E-Flat Major, Op.70: Allegro
6. Symphony No.9 In E-Flat Major, Op.70: Moderato
7. Symphony No.9 In E-Flat Major, Op.70: Presto
8. Symphony No.9 In E-Flat Major, Op.70: Largo
9. Symphony No.9 In E-Flat Major, Op.70: Allegretto - Allegro

Amazon.com

Gorgeously recorded so that all of Shostakovich's eerieness of texture (and harps) can be heard, Haitink's performance of the Fifth symphony is pretty wonderful. The bare landscape of the first movement, with its lonely oboe solos, leads into the very Mahlerian, faux-fun second movement with creepy ease. The Largo is introverted but poignant, with handsome, sustained pianissimo playing, and the finale has great energy, but not quite enough of the grotesque--it's a bit too well-groomed. The Ninth, on the other hand, is ideal, with a finale to rollick over, and a refusal to turn the sometimes sappy second movement into empty emotion. It's one of those moments when Haitink's coolness pays off. A good buy. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

One of my favourite symphonies.......2007-01-24

I'm not going to debate who's interpretation of Shostakovich's symphonies is best as some reviewers have. I'll simply say this: the fifth symphony is among my favourite of all symphonies by anyone. I highly reccomend it, whether it is this recording or another one. However, without going into issues of interpretation, I will say that the recording quality on this CD is very good.

Five stars for a sparkling, vivacious Ninth, but set a snooze alarm for the Fifth.......2006-07-20

Here we have one triumphant Shostakovich performance and one nearly inexcusable one. The praise that Haitink's Shostakovich Fifth has garnered here is inexplicable--this is a plodding reading that barely gets on its legs for the entire first movement. Don't the reviewers below detect the total absence of rhythmic vitality and pace? I guess not. Oh well, one person's nobility is another's long nap.

The Scherzo clumps along well enough, but without bite or satire. The centerpiece of Haitink's interpertation is a hushed, singing slow movement expressed with great refinement, if a bit blandly. The finale, needless to say, is among the slowest, but there's so much impact in the brass playing that excitement is generated without undue speed. It will appeal to the tortoise-wins-the-race crowd. The Concertgebouw plays beautifully throughout, and is strikingly captured by Decca's engineers.

Fortunately, the skies brighten with Haitink's Shostakovich Ninth from the London Phil., his second orchestra. It's so good-humored and light on its feet that you are constantly smiling. Tempos are fast, the mood sprightly--Haitink was wise, I thin, not to take the more serious approach adopted by Bernstein and Gergiev. Good as the sonics are for the Fifth, these are of demonstration quality, with loads of inner detail and perfect clarity. The orchestra seems to relish every bar. They should send condolence notes to their counterparts in Amsterdam.

How odd of Decca to pair the very worst of Haitink's cycle with the very best.

A Soviet Artist's Response to Just Criticism?!.......2006-02-25

The Symphony No. 5 is one of Shostakovich's greatest masterpieces, which can hardly be ascertained from its origins as a piece to satisfy the Soviet state's artistically stifling demands in music (for example, all other aspects of music had to be subordinate to melody). The previous year Shostakovich was savagely attacked in the Pravda for his opera `Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District', primarily because Stalin was shocked by its graphic sex and violence, and the fifth symphony was Shostakovich's reaction to this scathing criticism. (He was undoubtedly aware that the article extended further than trying to damage his confidence, if he didn't produce music along the lines of the states prerequisites he would be imprisoned or killed.)

It received the expected reaction: Rostropovich claimed that the ovation lasted for an hour. Whatever optimism and buoyancy the Soviet authorities may have seen in it; to me it seems more like a comic satire. The opening of the quasi-triumphant finale seems like a bitter, lacerating march fit to represent snide ridicule at its own hollow pomposity. This soon gives way to angry explosions in the brass which speak more of fury and violence than joyous optimism. Shostakovich himself said, `There is a feeling of rejoicing, but it is one of forced rejoicing. It is as if someone is hitting you over the head with an iron bar telling you "Your business is rejoicing" over and over again. Eventually, you walk away muttering "My business is rejoicing".'

The first movement is sombre and claustrophobic with its incessantly repeated, probing string melodies which for me speak of desolation and broken, empty landscapes, dead trees etc. etc. ... There are searching, melancholy oboe solos, warm horn chords, urgent string crescendos, pizzicato strings, pseudo-miliatary trumpet and snare drum jollity, and massive anger expressed through explosive brass. But it is also undoubtedly beautifully melodic, as is the entire symphony, and the symphony features enough material in major keys to bespeak at least forced hopefullness.

The second movement is brisk, occasionally pungently Russian, and bursting with Shostakovich's `forced' joy: an effect which is achieved through near superimposition of the melancholy and the mirthful; the minor and the major etc. The third movement can be summarised as one of subdued melancholy.

Haitink's performance is excellent, crystal clear, never over dramatic, and expressing the music with perfect musicianship and feeling. In comparison with this performance Bernstein's is demure, seeming like a piece designed more at ostentatious display than power and dignity. All I can say is buy this disk!!! You won't regret it.

Superb interpretation and ultra superb recording.......2006-01-09

I wish that Haitink made more amazing recordings like this one of the 5th and 9th symphonies by Shostakovich. He is usually thought of as being in the top rank of conductors, but by hearing this disc, you might think that he's just about the best. Maybe the amazing sound quality kind of makes him look good, but not really, this is just a greatly played superb interpretation. The Concertgebouw (which by the way is my favorite Orchestra at the present time) are on their toes throughout this version of the 5th. They are just truly amazing here, just as they are on most occasions. Did you know that this recording won the Gramaphone top prize for it's sound engineering? That was no surprise to me! Haitink alternated between the Concertgebouw and London Philharmonic for this symphony cycle, and of course the Londoners are in really fine form also, but still not the equal (in my opinion) of this fine dutch orchestra. I've never been quite so impressed with a classical cd's sound quality, except for a few cds of the conductors Christopher Hogwood and Trevor Pinnock. I haven't heard more than 8 or 9 different versions of the 5th, but this and Semyon Bychkov's version with the BPO in 1986 are my favorites at the present time. I think the Bychkov version has almost as good sound quality, and it's severely underrated, because I've never heard the Penguin Guide or any other classical magazine rate it, which is quite crazy, because it's a bold blistering performance that does deserve very high praise. This is also one of the best 9th's out there, but that is a symphony that I have not listened to very much to this point in my life, though I plan to listen to it more very soon. Haitink pretty much can't do wrong when he's conducting Bruckner or Shostakovich, but it you haven't listened to his Bruckner or Shostakovich, do yourself a favor and buy some, because he's definitely one of the top interpreters there are. If nothing else buy this for the demonstration sound quality, and I'm sure you'll fall in love with this incredible disc. ENJOY!!!

Incredible!!!.......2004-09-16

Few superlatives can match the incredible performances which Haitink achieves in Number 5...this has long been one of my favorite recordings for various reasons. Simply put the winds and brass and strings are all on the same waveleagnth...there is not a single phrase in this performance that isn't perfect. On top of this are the incredible heights of the DECCA recording which matches perfectly the great scores.

As to Nine I also love Bernstein in NY...here it also well recorded too. The London Phil plays brilliantly here as well!!

Average customer rating: Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material! Beginner or Expert Very Informative and Enjoyable Frank's view Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra

Instruments of the Orchestra Various Artists Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra | ( H ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra | ( M ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Op34; Simple Symphony Op4 What to Listen for in Music Study of Orchestration, Third Edition The Life and Works of Ludwig van Beethoven The Life and Works of Frédéric Chopin ASIN: B00006O0NT Release Date: 2002-12-03

Tracks:

1. Overture To 'Tannhauser'
2. Domna, Pos Vos Ay Chausida
3. We Don't Merely Use Instruments, We Play On Them. And They Play On Us.
4. Hungarian Dance No.7
5. The Violin Is One Of The Most Tender And Beautiful Instruments Ever Invented.
6. Violin Concerto In D Major (Adagio)
7. But For A Long Time It Was Seen As The Instrument Of The Devil.
8. The Soldier's Tale: Triumphal March Of The Devil
9. The Manipulative Seductiveness Of The Gypsy Violin.
10. Csardas Music
11. The Violin And The Initiation Of Nature
12. The Four Seasons (Spring, Mvt 1)
13. Birds Are Again Evoked In The Second Concerto, Especially Music's Natural Favourite.
14. The Four Seasons (Summer, Mvt 1)
15. Like The Devil, The Violin Is A Master Of Disguise.
16. Old Viennese Dance No.3 'Schon Rosmarin'
17. The Menacing Sensuality Of Ravel's Tzigane: A Very Different Side Of The Violin:
18. Tzigane
19. Do We Now Have The True Measure Of This Instrument? Not Just Yet.
20. Caprice No.24
21. The Many Effects Of The String Tremolando: Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (Last Mvt)/From Joy To Fright/Quartettsatz In C Minor/The String Tremolo Practically Spells The World Agitato.
22. Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No.7)
23. Prokofiev's Tremolo In Romeo And Juliet Should Not Be Heard Just Before Bedtime.
24. Romeo And Juliet: Act IV
25. Vivaldi Use It To Illustrate The Shivering Of Travellers Crossing The Ice.
26. The Four Seasons (Winter, Mvt 1)
27. The Violin Muted
28. Clair De Lune
29. The Gentleness Of Muted Strings Persists Even When A Whole Orchestra Plays.
30. Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 (Slow Mvt)
31. The Pizzicato Violin
32. Pizzicato Polka
33. In Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, The Accompaniment Is Pizzicato.
34. Violin Concerto No.2 In G Minor (Slow Mvt)
35. Varieties Of Pizzicato: Colas Breugnon (The People's Feast)/Now A Drier, Leaner, Hungrier Pizzicato. There's Not A Lot Of Comfort Here./Capriol Suite (Tordion)/The Use Of Pizzicato As 'Percussion'/Romeo And Juliet (Act I)/Mahler Used Pizzicato...
36. The Planets (Mars - The Bringer Of War)
37. The Technique Of Double-Stopping Enables The Violin To Play Duets With Itself./Sonata No.3 In C Major For Unaccompanied Violin (Fugue)/Now A Later Example Of The Same Technique
38. Hungarian Dance No.4
39. Double-Stopping Is A Standard Feature Of A Lot Of Folk Music.
40. The Four Seasons (Autumn, Mvt 1)
41. Now The Same Technique, But The Sound Might Have Come From Another World.
42. Bolero
43. Double-Stopping Can Only Approximate The Sound Of A Real Violin Duet.
44. Cadenza To The Violin Concerto By Brahms
45. Now Compare That With A Real Violin Duet.
46. Forty-Four Duos (No. 1: Teasing Song)
47. Another Duo By Bartok, Demonstrating The Violin's Rich Lower Register
48. Forty-Four Duos (No.2: Maypole Dance)
49. And Now What May Be The Most Beautiful Accompanied Violin Duet In History
50. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
51. The Soul Of The Violin Is In Song; But What About This Weird Passage?
52. Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major (Mvt 2)
53. The Use Of Harmonies In The Orchestra Can Be Both Magical And Unsettling.
54. Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 1, Opening)
55. Tchaikovsky's Use Of Harmonics In The Sleeping Beauty Is Both Strange And Darling.
56. The Sleeping Beauty (Act II, No.15: Entr'Acte)
57. Ravel's Harmonics In Mother Goose Effect A Magical Transformation.
58. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
59. Stravinsky's Harmonics In The Firebird Transport Us Almost Into Another World./The Firebird (Introduction)
60. The Natural Upper Notes Of The Violins Have A Unique Emotional 'Grab'.
61. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Of The Afterworldsmen)
62. Still In Their Upper Register, The Violins Unleash The Energy Of A Young Colt.
63. Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No. 4)
64. Elsewhere, Britten Uses The Same High Register To Create A Very Different Mood.
65. Four Sea Interludes (Dawn) From 'Peter Grimes'
66. To End This Outing With The Violins, A Charming Little Elfin Dance
67. Elfenreigen

Tracks:

1. Introduction To The Viola
2. Viola Concerto (Mvt 1)
3. Khatchaturian Gets A Very Different Sound From It: Fuller, Fruitier, More Exotic.
4. Gayane Suite No.1 (Armen's Solo)
5. Very Nearly The Whole Of The Violin's Upper Register Is Also Available To The Viola.
6. Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'
7. The Viola Can Bring A Special, Rich Twanginess To Pizzicato That The Violins Lack./Don Quixote/Berlioz Drew Sounds From It That Retain Their Metallic Strangeness Even Today.
8. Harold In Italy (Mvt 4)
9. The Muted Viola: Intimate, Gentle, Poignant In Dvork
10. Cypresses (No.9)
11. The Massed Violas Of The Modern Symphony Orchestra In Mahler
12. Symphony No.4 (Mvt 3)
13. The 'Period' Viola In Bach
14. Brandenburg Concerto No.6 (Last Mvt)
15. The Cello: A Voice Of Unique Nobility
16. Suite No.1 For Unaccompanied Cello (Prelude)
17. Brahms And The 'Soul' Of The Cello
18. Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat Major (Mvt 3)
19. Most Orchestral Composers Tend To Emphasize The Cello's Lower Register.
20. Cantata 'Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben', BWV 147 (Soprana Aria: Bereite Dir, Jesu)
21. In The Time Of Beethoven The Cello Remained As Fundamental As Ever.
22. Symphony No.3 'Eroica' (Finale)
23. But The Cello Is Not Condemned To Spend Its Life In The Basement.
24. Elfentanz, Op.39
25. Not Only In Recital Showpieces Like That Is The Cello Is Used In Its Highest Register.
26. The Protecting Veil (Opening)
27. A Cello With An Identity-Crisis: The Pizzicato Flamencan
28. Flamenco
29. Double-Stopping In The Lower Reaches Of The Cello's Range
30. Solo Suiet For Cello And Piano (Sardana)
31. It's In The Middle Register That The Cello Really Comes Into Its Own.
32. Oriental Dance, Op.2 No.2
33. It Was To The Cellos That Beethoven Gave Two Of His Most Famous Themes./Symphony No.5 (Mvt 2)/Still More Famous Than That Theme Is This One From The Ninth Symphony.
34. Symphony No.9 (Finale)
35. Introduction To The Double-Bass
36. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Elephant)
37. But The Double-Bass Can Be Intensely Expressive And Graceful.
38. Elegy No.1 In D Major
39. The Range Of The Double-Bass Is The Greatest Of All The String Instruments/Allegro Di Concerto, 'Alla Mendelssohn'/And It's Also Capable Of Very Considerable Virtuosity.
40. Capriccio Di Bravura
41. Double-Bass Solos In Orchestral Scores Are Rare But Often Memorable./Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 3)/In His Third Symphony Mahler Makes A Very Different Use Of The Instrument./Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1)
42. The Double-Bass Muted In Prokofiev/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Kije's Wedding)/In Another Work Prokofiev Uses The Double-Bass To Enhance The Winds./Romeo And Juliet (Act III)/And He Combines The Bass Clarinet With A Shivering Tremolo From The Double-Basses....
43. Symphony No.5 (Mvt 3)/So Much For The Strings/On Now To The Winds

Tracks:

1. The Antiquity And Magic Of The Flute
2. Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune
3. The Versatility And Agility Of The Flute
4. Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor (Badinerie)
5. The Flute In Fifteenth-Century Spain
6. Sa'Dawi
7. Other Flutes: The Bass And Alto
8. Chamber Music No.II
9. The Piccolo - Aptly Named
10. La Naissance D'Osiris (Mvt 6)
11. From A Piccolo Of The Eighteenth Century To One Of Its Descendants In The Twentieth
12. Suite No.1 For Small Orchestra (Valse)
13. A Variety Of Techniques
14. Chamber Music No.II
15. Flutter-Tonguing. But Tchaikovsky Got There Eighty Years Before.
16. The Nutcracker (Act II, No.2: Scene)
17. From The Transverse To The Vertical: The Baroque Recorder
18. Recorded Suite In A Minor (Menuet II)
19. An Unfamiliar, Early Vision Of The Instrument
20. Naelden, Naelden
21. The Bachian Oboe
22. Cantata 'Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott', BWV 80 (No.7: Duetto)
23. Introduction To The Cor Anglais Or 'English Born'
24. Symphony No.9 'From The New World' (Mvt 2)
25. The Loneliness Of The Cor Anglais
26. The Swan Of Tuonela
27. The Cor Anglais Joins The French Horn In Haydn.
28. Symphony No.22 'The Philosopher' (Opening)
29. Introduction To The Oboe D'Amore, Beloved Of Bach - But Also Of Ravel
30. Bolero
31. The Clarinet Family: Boxing The Compass, From The Depths Of The Bass Clarinet.../The Egyptian (Violence)/...To The Raucous And Squealy.../Taras Bulba (The Death Of Ostap)/...To The Shrill And Complaining...
32. Petrushka (No.8: Peasant With Bear)/...To The High Sprits Of A Playful Puppy./Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)/And To The Downright Jazzy/Romeo And Juliet (Act II)
33. As The High Clarinets Tend To Be Loud, So The Bass Tends To Be Soft:
34. Gayane Suite No. 1 (Mvt 5)
35. The Bass Clarinet Is Used By Most Composers Mainly As A Colouring Agent.../Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/...But It Does Occasionally Get A Whole Tune To Itself./Iberia (Almeria).
36. The Range Of The Normal Clarinet Parts Goes Quite High...
37. The Snow Maiden (Scene 5: Melodrama)
38. ...And Quite Low.
39. Peter And The Wolf (The Cat)
40. The Clarinet As Concerto Soloist
41. Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
42. But That's Not The Instrument Mozart Wrote It For; This Is:
43. Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
44. Introduction To The Saxophone
45. Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 4)
46. The Soprano Saxophone Has Quite A Different Feel To It.
47. L'Arlesienne Suite No.1 (Minuet)
48. The Little Sopranino Sax Goes Even Higher.
49. Bolero
50. The Most Famous Use Of The Saxophone Is In An Orchestration By Ravel.
51. Pictures At An Exhibition (The Old Castle)
52. The Saxophone Can Be Quite Contagiously Good-Humoured.
53. Sax-O-Phun
54. The Puffa-Puffa Image Of The Bassoon
55. Peter And The Wolf (Grandfather)
56. The Bachian Bassoon, In Accompanimental Mode
57. Cantata 'Weichet Nur, Betrubte Schatten' ('Wedding Cantata'), BWV 202 (Aria No.1)
58. Bizet Leaves The Puffa-Puffa Image Out, Allowing The Bassoon To Sing./Carmen Suite No.1 (Les Dragons D'Alcala)
59. And Ravel, Also In Spanish Mode, Does Likewise.
60. Bolero
61. The Bassoon As A Voice Of High Seriousness, Indeed Desolate Loneliness
62. Symphony No.3 (Opening)
63. The Eerie Bassoon In Its Highest Register
64. The Rite Of Spring (Opening)
65. Stravinsky Now Draws On Its Lowest Register, Lonely And Melancholy.
66. The Firebird Suite (1919, Berceuse)
67. The Bassoon As Concerto Soloist, Avoiding All Exaggeration
68. Bassoon Concerto In G Minor (Finale)
69. The Deep-Voiced Contra-Bassoon, As A Fairy-Tale Beast
70. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
71. The French Horn Under Its Woodwind Hat
72. Wind Quintet, Op.43 (Last Mvt)
73. Now A More Prominent Role, In A Woodwind Quintet From An Earlier Era
74. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Mvt 2)
75. The Horn In Harmonious Blend With Strings In Another Quintet
76. Horn Quintet, K.407 (Finale)

Tracks:

1. The Trumpet As Virtuoso Soloist
2. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Last Mvt)
3. The Special Brillance Of Paired Trumpets
4. Concerto In C For Two Trumpets, RV537 (Mvt 1)
5. The Ceremonial Trumpet
6. Fanfare For The Common Man
7. Trumpets And Drums - An Incomparable Alliance
8. Messiah (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
9. The Versatility Of The Trumpet, From The Most Public To The Most Lonely
10. Piano Concerto In F (Slow Mvt)
11. The Trumpet As The Voice Of The City/An American In Paris/The Trumpet As Recruitment Officer/The Soldier's Tale (The March)/The Trumpet As Swaggerer
12. Carmen Suite No.2 (Habanera)
13. The Trumpet As The Voice Of Strength And Courage
14. Carmet Suite No.2 (Toreador's Song)
15. The Trumpet Muted/Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Opening)/The Trumpet As The Voice Of Weariness
16. Billy The Kid
17. The Trumpet As Character Actor
18. Pictures At An Exhibition (No.6)
19. The Trumpet As The Voice Of God
20. Mass In B Minor ('Et Exspecto')
21. The Birth Of The Trombone
22. Aenmerckt Nu Hier
23. The Birth Of The Brass As A Family
24. Canzon 12 In Double Echo
25. The Trombone In The Eighteenth Century
26. Trombone Concerto In B Flat Major (Finale)
27. The Tone Of The Tenor Trombone/Romance For Trombone And Organ/The Memorable Voice Of The Bass Trombone/Requiem (Mvt 2)/But The Bass Trombone Is More Than An Instrumental Bullfrog.
28. Hosannah
29. The Trombones Become Part Of The Orchestra.
30. Symphony No.5 (Finale)
31. The Wagnerian Trombone:/Overture To 'Tannhauser'
32. The Trombone As Caricaturist
33. Pulcinella (No.19: Vivo)
34. The Trombone As Raspberry/Concerto For Orchestra (Intermezzo)
35. The Horn And The Hunt
36. Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495 (Finale)
37. The Challenging Horn Of The Baroque
38. Abaris Ou Les Boreades (Menuet)
39. The Scarcity Of First-Rate Players In Handel's Time
40. Walter Music (Minuet 1)
41. The Horn As Magician/The Firebird Suite (1919, Finale)
42. Horns And The Sound Of Nobility
43. Overture To 'Tannhauser' (Opening)
44. The Special Sound Of The Horn In Its Higher Register
45. Mass In B Minor ('Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus')
46. The Trumpet-Like Sound Of Massed Horns
47. Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1, Opening)
48. The Tuba - Unfairly Maligned?
49. Symphony No.6 (Mvt 3)
50. The Tuba Perfectly Cast By Ravel
51. Pictures At An Exhibition (Bydlo)

Tracks:

1. Introduction. And We Begin With A Bang.
2. Fanfare For The Common Man/The Bass Drum On The Battlefields/Wellington's Victory, Op.91 (Opening)
3. At The Opposite Extreme Is The Triangle.
4. Piano Concerto No.1 In E Flat (Scherzo)
5. Categories Of Percussion: Tuned And Untuned. The Side Drum
6. Overture To 'La Gazza Ladra' - The Thieving Magpie (Opening)
7. The Side Drum In An Effective But Unexpected Role/Clarinet Concerto (Mvt 1)
8. The Tambourine. One Of The Oldest Instruments In The World
9. Den Hoboecken Dans
10. Even Older Is The Originally Oriental Gong.
11. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
12. No Single Instrument Can Match The Gong In Evoking The Breaking Of Waves./Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'/But Gongs Don't Have To Be Struck To Be Effective.
13. Gymnopedie No.2
14. The Cymbals Are Generally Discovered Early In Life./The Sanguine Fan/And They Do More Than Clash Together Loudly. They Can Be Clashed Together Softly./Studio Example: But They Needn't Be Clashed Together At All/Studio Example: They Can Be Lightly...
15. Other Untuned Percussion Instruments Include The Whip.: Piano Concerto In G Major (Opening)/And Here Are No Fewer Than Twenty, Cracked By Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Act I, Scene 5)
16. More Versatile Than The Whip Are The Wood Blocks.../Studio Example/...Which Crop Up All Over The Place In Twentieth-Century American Music.
17. Rodeo (Hoe-Down)
18. Related To The Wood Blocks, By Sound, Are The Castanets./Jota Aragonesa/But The Castanets Were Also Used By Monteverdi Back In The Seventeenth Century.
19. Scherzi Musicali (Damigella Tutta Belle)
20. A Still Earlier Example From Fifteenth-Century Spain
21. Yo M'Enamori D'Un Aire
22. The Birth Of The Bongo
23. Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story'
24. From The Streets Of New York To The Blacksmith's Shop/Il Trovatore ('Anvil Chorus')
25. Desert-Island Decibels: Grand Canyon Suite (On The Trail)/Arcana
26. From One Vegetable To Another: The Humble Squash, Or Marrow/Huapango
27. Onwards To The Tuned Percussion. First, The Timpani
28. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Introduction)
29. But The Drum Roll Can Be More Effectively Frightening Than The Big Bang.: Symphony No.2 'Resurrection' (Mvt 3)
30. Not One Drum Roll, But Many/Grand Canyon Suite (Sunrise)/Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)
31. Taking Advantage Of Tunability
32. Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Mvt 2)
33. The Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Takes A Downward Turn./Carmen Suite (Changing Of The Guard)/Tuned, Yes; But For The Truly Melodic We Must Look Elsewhere.
34. Introducing The Glockenspiel/Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
35. Saint-Saens And The Xylophone
36. The Carnival Of The Animals (Fossils)
37. Ravel And The Xylophone
38. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
39. Introducing The Marimba/Carmen Suite (First Intermezzo)
40. Introducing The Vibraphone
41. The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Narange Dolce)
42. The Vibraphone Goes Russian.../Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)/...And Is Joined By The Marimba./Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
43. Introducing The Hungarian Cimbalom
44. Folk Dances
45. The Cimbalom And The Symphony Orchestra
46. Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 3)
47. Introducing The Tubular Bells
48. Hary Janos Suite (Viennese Musical Clock)
49. A More 'Up-Front' Approach From Rodion Shchedrin
50. Carmen Suite (Introduction)
51. But The Bells Can Also Make The Sinister Even More Sinister./Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
52. Introducing The Celeste
53. The Nutcracker (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy)
54. Magic, In The Use Of Collective Percussion
55. Miroirs (La Vallee Des Cloches)
56. Plucked Instruments: The 'Undercover Percussion'/Carmen Suite (Scene)
57. A Prime Case In Point Is The Harp, Irresistible To The Romantics./The Nutcracker (Act II, No.1: Scene)/The Non-Solo Harp As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Hungarian Rhapsody No.1
58. The Traditionally Subservient Role Of The Harpsichord In The Baroque Orchestra
59. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Slow Mvt)
60. The Piano: King Of The Tuned Percussion/Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Mvt 3)/And A Quarter Of A Century After That:
61. Petrushka (Russian Dance)
62. The Anti-Romantic Piano As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra
63. Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Last Mvt)

Tracks:

1. Keyboard Instruments In The Orchestra - The Most Powerful Of Them All:
2. Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Finale)
3. But Things In Handel's Day Were Very Different.
4. Organ Concerto In B Flat, Op.4 No.3 (Last Mvt)
5. The Organ Is Difficult To Classify.
6. An Unexpected, Organ-related Guest
7. Concerto Pour Zampogna (Last Mvt)
8. Peasant-Fancying... And A Touch Of The Roaming Cowboy
9. Les Miserables (Drink With Me)
10. Outside Artefacts And The Power Of Association
11. Mahler's Sleighbells
12. Symphony No.4 (Opening)
13. A Roll-Call Of Some Unusual Guests/The Typewriter/Parade
14. Chains, And More/Integrales/An American In Paris/Sandpaper Ballet
15. Purpose-Built Oddities: Wind Machines/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Opening)
16. Don Quixote (Variation VIII)
17. National Calling Cards: The Guitar For Spain/Concierto De Aranjuez (Finale)
18. And The Guitar's Poor American Relative, The Banjo/Washington Breakdown
19. And Poorer Still, The Mouth Organ/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Packing Up)
20. The Balalaika For Russia/Romeo And Juliet (Act II: No.14)
21. The Maracas For Mexico/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (El Desayuno)
22. The Bongos And Congas And A Whole Wealth Of Other Drums For Africa And Central America/Studio Example
23. The Sitar Of India/Evening Raga: Bhapoli
24. The Accordion For France (Especially Paris)/Paris Canaille
25. The Zither For Vienna/The Third Man (Theme)
26. The Cimbalom For Hungary/Folk Dances
27. The Guitar As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Rondena
28. There Are Whole Orchestras Of Balalaikas./Sveit Mesiats
29. The Effect Of The Wordless Human Voice, Used Purely As An Instrument/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
30. Nocturnes
31. Instruments And the Imitation Of Nature. The Clarinet As Cuckoo
32. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Cuckoo)
33. The Flute As An All-purpose Aviary
34. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aviary)
35. The Oboe As Duck
36. Peter And The Wolf (The Duck)
37. The Recording Of Reality. Does It Work As Well?
38. The Pines Of Rome (The Pines Of The Janiculum)
39. The Recording Of Reality Electronically Reborn In New Guises
40. Cantus Articus - Concerto For Birds And Orchesra (Mvt 2)
41. Beethoven Turns Avian: Cuckoo, Nightingale, And Quail
42. Symphony No.6 'Pastoral' (Andante Molto Mosso)
43. Some Improbable Casting: The Violin As Braying Donkey
44. The Carnival Of The Animals (Persons With Long Ears)
45. A Truly Orchestral Hee-haw To Be Reckoned With
46. Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
47. A Thunderstorm In A Million
48. Symphony No.6 'Pastoral (Allegro-Allegretto)
49. the Instrumental Depiction Of A Silent World
50. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aquarium)
51. Saint-Saens' Menagerie Takes A Curtain Call.
52. The Carnival Of The Animals (Finale)

Tracks:

1. The Grouping Of Instrumental Families. An Additive Approach. First, Two Violins
2. Forty-Four Duos (No.4)
3. A Great Contrast, Of Both Pitch And Character: Violin And Viola
4. Duo For Violin And Viola In B Flat Major, K.424 (Finale, Vars 1 & 2)/Studio Example
5. Arrival Of The Standard String Trio: Violin, Viola, And Cello
6. String Trio In B Flat (Menuetto)
7. The String Quartet: Two Violins, Viola, And Cello
8. String Quartet In F, Op.18 No.1 (Mvt 3)
9. The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Viola
10. String Quartet No.5 In D, K.593 (Adagio)
11. The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Cello
12. String Quintet In C (Mvt 3)
13. The String Sextet: Two Violins, Two Violas, And Two Cellos
14. String Sextet In B Flat (Mvt 2)
15. The String Octet: The Standard String Quaret Times Two
16. Octet In E Flat, Op.20 (Mvt 1)
17. Double The String Octet: A Fully Fledged String Orchestra
18. String Symphony No.2 (Finale)
19. The Massed Strings Of A Symphony Orchestra
20. Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis
21. Contrasts Of Pitch And Instrumental 'Colour' In The Woodwind Section
22. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Theme)
23. In The First Variation It's The Horn That Gets The Lion's Share.
24. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 1
25. In Variation Two The Torch Is Handed To The Bassoon.
26. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 2
27. In Variation Three The Oboe Leads.
28. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 3
29. Variation Four: Conversation Before Returning To A Solo-dominated Texture
30. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 4
31. And Variation Five is Dominated By The Clarinet.
32. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 5
33. The Next To Be Featured Is The Virtuoso Flute.
34. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 6
35. Individual Farewells And A Closing Chorus
36. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 7
37. A Mixed Group: Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, String Quartet, And Double-Bass
38. Octet In F (Mvt 3)
39. The Early Classical Symphony Orchestra Of Haydn And Mozart
40. Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Finale)
41. Strings, Wind, But No Brass. What Haydn And Mozart Never Knew
42. Canzon 28
43. Beethoven's Fifth: Two Horns, Two Trumpets, And Three Trombones Join The Team.
44. Symphony No.5 (Finale)
45. From Beethoven To The Massive Orchestras Of Berlioz, Wagner, And Mahler
46. Beethoven Changed The Face Of The Symphony And The Orchestra Forever
47. Symphoy No.6 'Tragic' (Mvt 1)
48. The Cult Of Orchestral Elephantiasis Reaches Its Peak.
49. Symphony No.1 'Gothic' (VI: Te Ergo Quaesumus)
50. When Large Doesn't Necessarily Mean Loud: Debussy
51. Images (Gigues)
52. A Crisis Of Confidence; The Orchestra's Survival Hangs In The Balance, But It Still Develops. The Ondes Martenot:
53. Turangalila Symphony (Chant D'amour 1)
54. The Advent Of The 'Early Music' Movement Brings A New Vitality And Freshness.
55. Balle De Xerxes (Gavotte En Rondeau)
56. Computer And Synthesiser: Friends Or Foes?
57. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
58. A Speculative Look Ahead/Mass In B Minor ('Dona Nobis Pacem')

Customer Reviews:

Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!.......2007-04-04

This set lends itself to greatly enhancing one's knowledge of the orchestra, instruments in it, and their usage. I am a huge music buff, and I still picked up a great deal I previously did not know. I highly recommend this for all who wish to understand the origin of music, as well as the processes that are employed to create music!

Beginner or Expert.......2007-03-12

This CD is excellent for the beginner or expert! To be able to haear the instrumets separately and then together really provides a good education. and/or refresher. The book thaty comes with the CD is alomost worth the price by itself!

Very Informative and Enjoyable.......2006-11-20

Whether you're a music novice or pro, "The instruments of the Orchestra" is a very worthwhile purchase. The 7 CDs, with a total of 8 hours, are expertly narrated by Jeremy Siepmann. He's a great speaker, very much like the late Leonard Bernstein was. Mr. Siepmann takes you on an unforgetable musical journey covering the origins and use of the various orchestral instruments throughout musical history. The balance between his narration and a wealth of musical examples, which range from snippets to entire movements, is superb. The comprehensive enclosed booklet is excellent and faithfully follows the 7 CDs in content. Even with my 40+ years of music training I still learned new things from this wonderful collection. Considering the excellence of the content, and a cost that translates to about $5 per disc, this collection is a great value. Grab it, you won't regret that you did. Five solid stars!

Frank's view.......2006-08-19

This boxed set of CD's with booklet achieved all I had hoped that it would. There are good samples of individual instruments and well done commentary on each. The only drawback was that some of the samples were too brief and could have been longer, hoiwever I guess this fits in with time constraints of the medium. It has given me a lot of clues as to future purchases of CD's for listening to individual instruments. Altogeth a satisfactory purchase and a welcome addition to my collection.

Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra.......2003-11-08

I've listened to classical music for years and am interested in composition. I bought this CD set to learn how an orchestra and its instruments work. I thought the CDs would be a nice but boring lecture. They aren't! Not only are they FUN but they are informative as well. I learned a huge amount from each CD and couldn't wait to listen to the next one.

The narrator and writer is a great speaker and holds your attention well. He is definitely knowledgeable. He provides musical examples for each point he makes, so you get to "hear" what he just talked about. I'd say the CDs are about 65% music and 35% narration. You'll learn about the range of instruments, some history, different ways to play them, how they sound, and how they are used in the orchestra. This CD set was a great learning experience and is sold at such a low price!

I recommend this CD for those who want to learn about classical music and those who know about it but are interested in learning more about the inner workings of an orchestra. You'll learn much useful information. For instance, the Rite of Spring (with that eerie start) is written for bassoon! I never knew a bassoon could sound like that but now I do.

The one complaint I have is the last CD. This deals with the orchestra. I wanted more of a tour of how the orchestra has been used through history up to the present. Instead, it was a tour of how different groups of instruments sound. I thought it could have been better. The other 6 CDs are excellent.

Average customer rating: Good in quality, typically unusual Bernstein style. Concerning tempos an incorrect interpretation New York saves Bernstein A moment in history, but not as riveting as before

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 9 Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Performers, 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 Similar Items: Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 7 Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Hungarian Sketches Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99 Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6 "Pathetique" ASIN: B00000K4J7 Release Date: 1999-09-14

Amazon.com essential recording

Leonard Bernstein's performances of Shostakovich were almost as highly regarded as his Mahler. This performance of the Fifth Symphony was the highlight of his celebrated tour of the Soviet Union with the New York Philharmonic in 1959. The composer himself attended the performances and approved of Bernstein's interpretation, which is the exact opposite of the traditional Russian one. Rather than take the finale ponderously, Bernstein flies through the music at a frantic pace, carrying it forward with irresistible momentum. The Ninth Symphony is the composer's lightest and most carefree. Bernstein walks the fine line between humor and seriousness with acrobatic skill. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Good in quality, typically unusual Bernstein style........2006-11-12

Shostakovich's music (especially the symhonies) is filled with wit and sarchasm, but this recording does not express these aspects. It takes just about all of the music at the kind of brisk pace more appropriate for period performances of pieces like Beethoven's earlier symphonies. One of the things strongly emphasized in this piece is the competition between the lower and higher pitches, and the dynamics of this performance are relatively flat and don't emphasize this. Also, I MUCH prefer the more modern ironic interpretation of the finale, wich is featured in Rostrapovich's recording, among others. Here, Bernstein seems to raise the tempo MUCH faster in the finale in order to force it to be a triumph that it simply is not. I highly recommend Rostropovich's recent recording of this work with the LSO.

Concerning tempos.......2006-04-18

Regarding tempos: yes, this Bernstein recording is famous for being rather quick. Though these ARE the tempos Shostakovitch has down in the score. Most people now take it much slower, and that way is considered 'correct.' FWIW.

an incorrect interpretation.......2006-01-19

The Shostakovich 5th is interpreted incorrectly. The tempos are always way too fast. Bernstein perhaps should have done more research before he conducted this Shostakovich. The ending is misleading. Because of the fast tempo, there lacks sorrow and pain. Buy the Rostropovich recording instead.

New York saves Bernstein .......2006-01-15

I am not here to dispute the great talent of the all-American musical hero Leonard Bernstein. A man far above the rest as far as skill and attention to detail is concerned but as for this recording there are many dissapointing aspects of the interpretation. The Ninth is done quite well. Although it does feel slightly bland and downright boring at times, I attribute this to my own personal preference. The orchestra performs superbly and Bernstein is in his element amongst this famed group of musicians. All in all, this is a solid recording of the Ninth.
It is the Fifth that completely turned me off to this recording. The interpretation was completely headstrong (a Bernstein-ian trait that is very well done in some works but goes way overboard in this Symphony) and at times careless. The tempos that Bernstein employs are much too fast and tend to waver slightly. For instance, the second movt. of the Fifth is a driving introduction introduced by low strings. At the outset, it is much too fast. As the theme is introduced a little later on, the speed is such that the orchestra cannot execute the passages cleanly and this creates a jumble of muddy orchestral sound not up to N.Y. Phil. standards. At the end of this passage, just before the entrance of the horns, there is an anticlimatic fall in the sound. As the bones and tuba have the descending line there is almost a decresendo in the sound rather than a building. This makes the entrance for horns sound quite out of place and overblown. The other movts. tend to fare slightly better, all except the last. While I do like the driving, intimidating tempo of the opening very much, there isn't much else musically that is appealing. The orchestra continues to play beautifully under the somewhat healed interpretation that Bernstein has gained since previous movts. But just when the music becomes its most enthralling, it seems that Lenny gets bored. The final chords of dissonance (the ones thought to represent the screams of Stalin's victims underneath a false hope and happiness) are bowled over. There is no feeling or passion invoked, just the notes on the page. Over all, I was quite dissapointed in the interpretation. The playing was good, if not up to the standards that are the Phil. For me, the orchestra was what shined in this recording, not Bernstein.
I'm not knocking Lenny. I have many amazing recordings of his other works that are beautiful and full of soul and passion. This one lacks in that respect. If you are looking for a wonderful interpretation of the Fifth, pick up LSO's live recording with Rostropovich. Amazing and right on the money, in my opinion.

A moment in history, but not as riveting as before.......2005-11-12

From the mid-Fifties to the mid-Sixties Leonard Bernstein had a complete grip on any "young people"--he didn't call us kids--who wanted to fall in love with classical music. It's hard to turn your back on the influence that shaped your taste, and this Shostakovich 5th was for an entire geneeration the very first time they had heard the work, or any Shostakovich symphony.

The detractors here are right in some respects. The sound, though detailed, is thin and noticeably shrill in the upper strings at forte or louder (they should have heard it before Sony's remastering). There is no muddiness in the bass, however. Bernstein doesn't see this as a savagely ironic or menacing work. But he still conceives a full specturm of emotions: The first movement is lyrical and reflective before the sudden intrusion of a powerful but not threatening march. The Scherzo is paced at medium speed and crisply played but again without satire or menace--LB was almost always positive in this phase of his career, the "Joy of Music" phase.

The Largo is tender, almost dreamy, taken broadly but without a hint of inward grief or respite from the preceding eruptions as some conductors play it. The finale, the touchstone of this performance, is exuberantly fast and triumphant. It comes off as a fitting conclusion--the only possible conclusion--to Bernstein's whole approach. He had no intention of using the Shostakovich 5th as a jab against the Soviet regime, and there's a good chance that the composer didn't, either. This was the work, after all, that he presented to regain favor with Stalin and his apparatchiks.

I must admit that I've gorwn to admire more intensely expressed performances that cover the political ground with a range of bitter, sorrowing, and satiric emotions. Bernstein's vision seems more limited, the piece less significant in his hands. But this was a moment that I can't quite shake.

Average customer rating: Mill. Classical review classical music for the unitiated Some little gems there that I had forgotten! A very helpful collection Excellent!

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Tracks:

1. Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
2. Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
3. Violin Concerto In E First Movement
4. Prelude In C minor
5. Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
6. Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
7. Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
8. Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
9. Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
10. Easter Oratorio - Overture
11. Minuet In D minor
12. Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
13. Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
14. Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
15. Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
16. Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
17. Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
18. Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
19. Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
20. Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
21. Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
22. Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
23. Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
24. Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
25. Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
26. Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
27. Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
28. Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
29. Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
30. Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
31. Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
32. Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
33. Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
34. Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
35. Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
36. Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
37. Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
38. Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
39. Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
40. Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
41. Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
42. Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
43. Water Music - Air
44. Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
45. Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
46. Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
47. The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
48. Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
49. Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
50. Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
51. Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
52. Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
53. Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
54. Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
55. Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
56. Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
57. Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
58. Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
59. String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
60. Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
61. Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
62. Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
63. String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
64. Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
65. Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
66. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
67. Piano Concerto in A - second movement
68. Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
69. Serenade - Minuet
70. Violin Concerto - first movement
71. Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
72. Clarinet Concerto - second movement
73. Turkish March
74. Divertimento - Minuet
75. Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
76. Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
77. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
78. Overture
79. O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
80. Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
81. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
82. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
83. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
84. Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
85. Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
86. German Dance No. 1 In C
87. Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
88. Heidenroslein
89. Ave Maria
90. Der Lindenbaum
91. Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
92. Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
93. Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
94. German Dance No. 2 In G
95. Piano Sonata In B-Flat
96. Nachtgesang Im Walde
97. Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
98. German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
99. Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
100. Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
101. Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
102. Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
103. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
104. Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
105. Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
106. Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
107. Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
108. Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
109. Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
110. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
111. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
112. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
113. Violin Concerto - second movement
114. The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
115. Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
116. Swan Lake - Waltz
117. Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
118. The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
119. Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
120. Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
121. Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
122. Hungarian Dance No.5
123. Lullaby
124. Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
125. Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
126. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
127. Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
128. Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
129. String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
130. Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
131. Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
132. Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
133. German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
134. Die Fledermaus - Overture
135. Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
136. Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
137. Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
138. AnnenPolka, Op. 117
139. Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
140. Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
141. Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
142. On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
143. Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
144. Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
145. Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
146. Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
147. The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
148. The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
149. Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
150. Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
151. Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
152. Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
153. Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
154. Don Juan, Op. 20
155. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
156. Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
157. Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
158. Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
159. Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
160. Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
161. Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
162. Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
163. Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
164. Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
165. Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
166. Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
167. Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
168. Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
169. Angelus
170. Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
171. Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
172. Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
173. Les Préludes
174. Boléro
175. Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
176. Rhapsodie Espagnole
177. Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
178. Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
179. Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
180. La Valse
181. Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
182. Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
183. Humoresque, Op. 101
184. Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
185. Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
186. Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
187. Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
188. Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
189. Carneval Overture, Op. 92
190. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
191. Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
192. Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
193. Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
194. Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
195. String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
196. Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
197. Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
198. Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
199. Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
200. String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
201. Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
202. Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
203. Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
204. Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
205. Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
206. Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
207. Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
208. Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
209. Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
210. Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
211. The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
212. Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
213. Nordic Melody Op. 63
214. Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
215. Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
216. Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
217. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
218. Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
219. Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
220. Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
221. Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
222. Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
223. Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
224. Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
225. Frühlingsgruss
226. Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
227. Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
228. Manfred Overture, Op. 115
229. Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
230. Die Rose stand im Tau
231. Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
232. Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
233. Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
234. Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Average customer rating: Mostly good Look at the List of Performers First this "masterworks" series is available much more cheaply from Amazon France You heard guy below: Beethoven needs the royality checks! Buy my box Set!

Beethoven: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | 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 Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set) Bach: Complete Works - 155 CD Box Set Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) ASIN: B00062FLHE Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

Mostly good.......2007-05-26

A bit of a mixed bag. The symphonies are superb. This is one of the great symphony cycles. The piano sonatas are good, very good (analog) sound. The quartets are well recorded indeed, but there are better cycles out there. The rest is OK, and the sound is genrally good.

Look at the List of Performers First.......2006-11-17

If you want most of Beethoven sitting on one bookshelf, this is a great bargain (especially if you shop for it on amazon.de). But few if any of the performances represent the pinnacles of interpretation that most listeners demand when Beethoven is the composer. The symphonies for instance: can Blomstedt be compared to Furtwangler or (if you lean toward historically informed instrumentation) Gardiner? Most amazingly, the artists who perform the quartets -- the heart of Beethoven's music -- are not even named in the listing.
On the other hand: Vivaldi: The Masterworks is a collection including the very best interpreters, such as Fabio Biondi! Bach Edition (complete Bach) is a fabulous selection of recordings made over 20 years, and almost the same praise can be given the Complete Mozart.

this "masterworks" series is available much more cheaply from Amazon France.......2006-05-28

there are several sets in this series and it's much cheaper to buy these from Amazon France.

included are bach, beethoven, vivaldi, brahms, dvorak, schubert, handel, hayden, and mendelssohn.

they're even cheaper than the list price once u go through the checkout (VAT is removed for overseas (out-of-france) purchases).

**also, the 'complete works of mozart' set is much cheaper there (or at Amazon Germany), too. the 'complete works of bach' is due out later this year.

You heard guy below: Beethoven needs the royality checks! .......2006-04-07

There is quality beyond the Austrian green cardboard (which is lovely to look at, to say the least). In fact, the performance of the symphonies (Dresden Staatskapelle and Herbert Blomstedt) is alone worth the price. The Staatskapelle is a solid group, and Blomstedt, although less wellknown, holds his own. It should be mentioned that Blomstedt recorded many of the most celebrated 20th composition CDs on the market, and definitely knows his stuff. Peter Wohlert recorded mostly for compiliation lables, but to be selected by the Berlin Phil shows that he is a formdiable conductor in rank as well.

Should you buy this collection then? Given the fact that each CD cost $1.75, there is definitely the bargin factor. However, Beethoven's music desveres the top interpreters and musicians of our time - and this applies for all of his music, not just the symphonic. If you are into bargins, then proceed to buy this collection. However, if you save up a bit more, you can buy Karajan's 1963 Beethovens symphonies along with Kempff's 1956 sonata cycles for just a bit more than 70 bucks. Shop around for the string quartets, and the complete overtures should range anywhere from 15 to 30 bucks depending on the conductor/ensemble.

Overall, this is certainly an exceptional bargin. However, quality matter more than money. Besides, chicks dig people with sophisticated tastes.

Buy my box Set!.......2006-03-21

Awesome deal, 40 CD box set of me, Beethoven! There are 3 principle reasons you should buy this box set:

This box is QUALITY my friend, made of the finest, Austrian cardboard with a lovely green finish, it is made to last! You can just set it on your dresser and whenever you need a Beethoven fix you can just pull a CD out. But don't you hate getting your CDs out of order so you can't find what the hell you're looking for?! Not with this set! They are well organized into symphonies, concerti, sonatas and such, so you can find EXACTLY what your looking for, and they have big numbers on them so you can put them right back where they belong.

And the music! Need we go into this, composed through the inspiration of God himself and penned by the greatest composer who ever walked the streets of Vienna, me, Beethoven! Top notch, all done by top performers and recorded at high, clear, digital quality, stick one in your stereo and rock out man! All of my great and mighty works are here, absolutely sublime!

Lastly, you'll be supporting me, I need those royalty checks to keep rolling in!

Buy it if you love me or just buy it if you want people to think that you're sophisticated (the chicks also dig it, I should know: Antonie Brentano, giggity!), you can't go wrong!

Average customer rating: Great value!

Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 1-9; In Nature; Serenade for Winds; Serenade for Strings, etc. Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, 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: Sibelius: The 7 Symphonies; Finlandia; Kullervo; etc. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphonies; Overtures; Concertos Elgar: The 2 Symphonies; Enigma Variations; Overtures; Serenade; Violin Concerto; Cello Concerto Ludwig van Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies - Arturo Toscanini / NBC Symphony Orchestra Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1-6, 8 & 9 ASIN: B000A6T2KI Release Date: 2005-09-06

Customer Reviews:

Great value!.......2007-06-01

I think this 7 cd set is totally worth the low price.
I can't find any review of this set of CDs online, so I did some research after I bought it.
It is the first CD release of Sir Andrew Davis's complete Dvorak's symphonies.
These recordings were made between 1978-1982 by CBS. (ADD/DDD)
SONY DSD remaster eliminated most of the early digital sound problems.
PO players produced warm and dramatic sounds.
The still young Andrew Davis did a great job adding his personal reading of the scores. I like his slower tempo treatment of Symphony No. 9.
Symphony no.1,3 and the Carnival overture are also great.
Only down side is the linear notes is too short, and lack of detail.
Dvorak's music always bring me the love for life. I hope you will enjoy it too.

Average customer rating: breakdown by cd. I'm not a music expert

Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set] Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music | Divertimentos Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music St. Louis Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music St. Louis Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set] ASIN: B00062FLJW Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

breakdown by cd........2007-01-14

CD1-7:SYMPHONIES 1-9

CD8:PIANO CONCERTO

CD9:VIOLIN CONCERTO & CELLO CONCERTO

CD10-11:REQUIEM

CD12-13:STABAT MATER

CD14:PIANO TRIOS OP.90 "DUMKY" & 21

CD15:PIANO TRIOS OP.65 & 26

CD16:PIANO QUARTETS

CD17:PIANO QUINTETS

CD18:STRING QUINTETS

CD19-20:MUSIC FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO

C21:SERENADE/HAUSMUSIK

CD22-31:THE COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS

CD32:SLAVONIC DANCES OP.46 & 72

CD33:PIANO DUET SLAVONIC DANCES

CD34:PIANO DUET LEGENDS FROM THE BOHEMIAN FOREST

CD35:PIANO WORKS

CD36-37:RUSALKA

CD38-40:SYMPHONIC POEMS

I'm not a music expert.......2005-08-25

I don't know too much about music. I own over 700 cds, but I don't play music and I don't have much experience with this music. My only point of reference was the ninth symphony, seeing as every other piece in this box set was new to me. It sounds fine, nothing wrong with it as far as I can see.

Now, here's what you'll get in this box set, seeing as Amazon does not give it a description. 40 cds! no joke, you get 40 cds in this box set. It features:
1. Complete symphonies
2. Complete symphonic poems
3. Cello concerto
4. Piano concerto
5. Violin concerto
6. Requiem
7. Stabat Mater
8. Slavonic Dances
9. Complete String quartets
10. Chamber music
11. Piano Works (solo and duet)
12. Rusalka

As far as I can tell, the only things missing are The Spectre's Bride and Jacobin. Seeing as it is 40 cds, i have not had an opportunity to listen to it, however what i have heard i have been quite satisfied with.

Track Listings:

1. Tchaikovsky/Dvorak Violin Concertos
2. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No5, Op64; Beethoven: Symphony in Bf No4, Op60
3. Telemann: Tafelmusik; Concerto for violin No3
4. The Temperature in Hell Is Over Three Thousand Degrees
5. Toscanini's First NBC Concert
6. Tristan & Isolde / Parsifal
7. Violin Concerto in D Op 77 / Souvenir Op 42
8. Vocies From Lindenoper on Radio
9. Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concertos, Op. 8 Nos. 5-12
10. At Hollywood Bowl

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Tribute to the King

Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas, Nos. 1-32 [Box set]

Blues Explorer

Spotlighting Mitchell Ayres and His Fashions in Music

Best Of

Best of Capella Gospel Singing 1944-1949

Chosen Treasure

Barbirolli: Music of Beethoven

Anthology [Import]

Amor, Familia y Respeto...

Anthology 1968-1993

Bare Bones

Chocolate Pt.1 [CD-single] [Import]

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5: Lieutenant Kijé

Team Sleep