Russian Orchestral Classics

1. Scheherazade, symphonic suite for orchestra, Op. 35
Composed by Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
Performed by St. Petersburg Radio & TV Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Stanislav Gorkovenko

2. The Golden Cockerel (Zolotoy petushok), concert suite for orchestra
Composed by Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
Performed by St. Petersburg Philharmony Academic Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Viktor Fedotov

Russian Orchestral Classics,Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov,Stanislav Gorkovenko,Viktor Fedotov,St. Petersburg Philharmony Academic Symphony Orchestra,St. Petersburg Radio & TV Symphony Orchestra,Sony,Classical,Classical Composers,Classical Music,Orchestral,Orchestral & Symphonic,Suite for Orchestra

Average customer rating: Stellar Performance Nostalgia Best Classical CD bargain on Amazon, IMHO Cheap? Only in price Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra | ( H ) | Performers, 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: Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Op35; Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Op77 Symphonie Fantastique Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance Marches Op. 39; Enigma Variations Op. 36 Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor Bach: Brandenburg Concertos No. 1-4; Neville Marriner; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields ASIN: B000000UW0 Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

1. Scheherazade - Symphonic Suite, Op. 35: The Sea And Sinbad's Ship
2. Scherherazade - Symphonic Suite, Op. 35: The Story Of The Kalandar Prince
3. Scheherazade - Symphonic Suite, Op. 35: The Young Prince And The Young Princess
4. Scheherazade - Symphonic Suite, Op. 35: Festival At Bagdad - The Sea - The Ship Goes To Pieces On A Rock Surmounted By A Bronze Warrior - Conclusion
5. Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36
6. Capriccio espagnol: Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34

Customer Reviews:

Stellar Performance.......2007-06-27

Having been a professional violinist and pianist for thirty years, I have developed a special appreciation for classical music. Scheherezade is one of the great orchestral pieces. This version clearly highlights the great skill of the composer and the orchestra. All the pieces on this cd are performed at a high skill level and the recording quality is excellent. It is on a par with the great performances by other orchestras, and I highly recommend it.

Nostalgia.......2007-06-27

My father was a classical musician in the days when every major theater had a pit orchestra of concert-level musicians. Boris Morros, a Russian born impresario paid tribute to them, saying: "the impact of these luxurious film theaters on the culture of America has never been properly emphasized. In one of our marble movie temples every tired scrub-lady could feel like a queen--for fifty cents--and every bootblack like a king as they lounged back in more comfortable chairs than monarchs ever enjoyed. I was impressed by the ever-growing popularity of the so-called good music the large symphony orchestras in these theaters played at each performance. From the day they opened they had thrilled audiences of ordinary people (who were supposed to have appreciation only for ragtime and sentimental ballads) with first-rate renditions...." Anyway, when those theaters and orchestras went, the substitute was a cult of mediocrity, so I was just indulging myself listening to all the horn work in Korsakov and remembering all those 'good ol days.'

Best Classical CD bargain on Amazon, IMHO.......2007-03-29

I'm surprised this CD isn't displayed on the Classical Blowout store. Perhaps it's *too* good a bargain? I purchased this CD for one piece: The Story Of The Kalandar Prince. My children and I love this work, as it is orchestrated like a story ("tone poem" is the correct term I think) - insert your imagination as to how it plays out.

This a wonderful CD to play on a cold winter night, with a roaring fire and a glass of wine. If you want a fine introduction to the 'oomph' of Easter European composers, you can do no wrong with this CD. I also recommend the Edwin Elgar Pomp & Circumstance CD from this bargain Seraphim collection.

Cheap? Only in price.......2007-02-22

First - how can one go wrong buying this cd at this price? The answer is - one cannot go wrong buying this cd at this price. Not even at three times this price. It's a lush recording and is every bit as good as anything recorded yesterday in a state of the art studio. At least some people have never heard of Rimsky-Korsakov. This is a cheap way to be introduced nicely. Others have these pieces by three or four different orchestras. Add this one - you'll be glad you did if for no other reason than when it arrives you'll listen once again to music you've put away for some time.

It's truly wonderful.

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade.......2006-11-10

I love Russian composers. They have so much fire. I received the CD timely and in great condition. Thank you.

Average customer rating: Good selection thunderous applause Good Music at a Great Price You will like this! Good for the novice

25 Thunderous Classics Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | 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 General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | 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 | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Minnesota Orchestra | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music St. Louis Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: 25 Classical Favorites Symphony (25) Favorites 25 Tchaikovsky Favorites 25 Mozart Favorites 25 Beethoven Favorites ASIN: B00004Y6SQ Release Date: 2000-09-05

Tracks:

1. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Sunrise) - R. Strauss
2. Mars (The Planets) - Holst
3. Overture 1812 - Tchaikovsky
4. Entry Of The Gladiadtors - Fucik
5. Sabre Dance - Khachaturian
6. Procession Of The Sardar - Ippolitov Ivanov
7. Night On Bald Mountain - Mussorgsky
8. Anvil Chor (II Trovatore) - Verdi
9. The Thunderer March - Sousa
10. Thunder & Lightening Polka - J. Strauss
11. Prelude To Act III : Lohengrin - Wagner
12. The Ride Of The Valkryies - Wagner
13. Montagues & Capulets (Romeo & Juliet Ballet Suite) - Prokofiev
14. The Storm: Symphony No. 6 In F Major, 'Pastorale' - Beethoven
15. Rondeau - Edward Carroll
16. Overture: Fireworks Music - Handel
17. March To The Scaffold: Symphonie Fantastique - Berlioz
18. LesToreadors - Bizet
19. William Tell Overture: Finale - Rossini
20. Revolutionary Study - Abbey Simon
21. Fanfare For The Common Man - Copland
22. Sym No. 1 'Titan' IV Sturmisch Bewegt (Excerpt) - Mahler
23. Augurs Of Spring From Rite Of Spring - Stravinsky
24. Russian Dance From Petrouchka - Stravinsky
25. The Great Gate At Kiev From Pictures At An Exhibition - Mussorgsky

Customer Reviews:

Good selection.......2005-10-02

I bought this CD to use in my classroom as listening examples. I'm not just a super big fan of some of the performances, but they are all good and for the price you can't beat it. That's why I gave it 5 stars. It's worth more than it costs by far.

thunderous applause.......2005-08-31

This is a who's-who of great pieces of music you have heard all of your life, and never knew the names and stories! I listened to it over and over in the car and had my own concert! A friend borrowed it to add music to his Home Movies and it was perfect!

Good Music at a Great Price.......2004-03-06

I bought this CD mostly for "Entry of the Gladiators," which everyone will recognize as classic circus music. The performance on this CD (by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops) is the best available version of Entry of the Gladiators. The rest of the CD offers mostly excerpts of classical music.

You will like this!.......2004-02-19

I had purchased an abundance of the "Favorites" collection and some were better than others.

This CD is at the top of them all. They may be short, but not that short. Wondrous music.

I can almost guarantee that you will like this music.
Well worth the price!

Good for the novice.......2002-06-08

The recordings on this disc are pretty good. However, the editors selected only the *loud* parts, as indicated by the title. I was pretty disappointed to find that the pieces are, in many cases, edited to reflect the most famous themes, etc, instead of including the whole work. In general, I would recommend this to the classical music novice, or someone who wants to expand their knowledge of classical music in general. Those who already are familiar with these pieces will probably feel gypped.

Average customer rating: An Outstanding Collection Gorgeous playing, beautiful pieces.

Itzhak Perlman - A la carte / Lawrence Foster Jules Massenet , Sergey Rachmaninov , Pablo de Sarasate , Alexander Glazunov , Fritz Kreisler , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Henryk Wieniawski , Lawrence Foster , Itzhak Perlman , and The Abbey Road Ensemble Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sarasate | Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Perlman, Itzhak | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Perlman, Itzhak | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Ithzak Perlman: Encores Itzhak Perlman - Greatest Hits ~ "Carmen" Fantasy · Havanaise · Poème · and more Cinema Serenade ASIN: B000002RVH Release Date: 1996-03-12

Tracks:

1. Meditation (Thais)
2. Mazurka-Obereque: Mazurka - Obereque
3. Vocalise, Op.34, No.14
4. Zigeunerweisen, Op.20
5. Fantasy On Russian Themes
6. Meditation, Op.32
7. Scherzo, Op. 42 No. 2
8. Legende, Op.17
9. The Old Refrain
10. Introduction & Tarantelle, Op. 43
11. Schon Rosmarin

Customer Reviews:

An Outstanding Collection.......2002-02-12

Here is Perlman at the top of his game- performing short Romantic and turn-of-the-century gems. Perlman has always seemed to revel in this specific era in classical music. From Glazunov's fiery Mazurka, to Pablo de Sarasate's virtuosic jaunt, to the simple, romatic charm of Kreisler's "Schon Rosmarin", Itzhak Perlman and the Abbey Road Ensemble deliver with graceful mastery. I've never heard Massenet's Meditations from "Thais" performed with more passion and elegance.
A lot of violinists, myself included, feel that Perlman has had a rather inconsistent recording career, and A La Carte should be impressive and refreshing for his critics. The exceptional sound quality of this recording makes it a very involving experience and great addition to any audiophile's collection. I never tire of this album, and it is a mainstay and a favorite in my collection. I recommend it 100%.

Gorgeous playing, beautiful pieces........1998-10-29

This collection of rarely performed pieces is a fantastic record. Perlman's playing, as usual, is a feast for the ears. The lush accompaniment is equally beautiful. The pieces are accessible to the classical connoisseur as well as the novice. This is the perfect album for a winter afternoon around the house.

Average customer rating: I love it and I give it as a gift MarMSED Diverse range but the songs are butchered...

The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever! Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Allegri | Allegri, Gregorio | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Charpentier | Charpentier, Marc-Antoine | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Duruflé, Maurice | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Górecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tavener | Tavener, John Kenneth | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The #1 Choral Album Choral Masterpieces The Only Choral CD You'll Ever Need Gloria: Music of Praise & Inspiration The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics ASIN: B00002ZZH6 Release Date: 2005-06-07

Tracks:

1. Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Academy And Chorus Of St Martin In The Fields
2. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
3. Zadok The Priest - Ambrosian Singers
4. Miserere Mei, Deus - Gerald Finley
5. Veni Creator Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
6. Lacrimosa - London Philharmonic Choir
7. For Unto Us A Child Is Born - Ambrosian Singers
8. The Heavens Are Telling - John Shirley-Quirk
9. Panis Angelicus - Halle Choir
10. Ave Maria - Groupe Vocal De France
11. Ode To Joy - The Westminster Choir
12. Va, Pensiero - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
13. Chorus Of Slave Girls - Chorus Of The National Theatre Of Sophia
14. Coro De Romanticos - Coro Cantores De Madrid
15. In Paradisum - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
16. Totus Tuus - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
17. Song For Athene - Winchester Cathedral Choir
18. Celebration - London Symphony Chorus
19. Jerusalem - Royal Choral Society

Tracks:

1. Zion Hort Die Wachter - South German Madrigal Choir
2. Pleni Sunt Coeli Et Terra - Charles Brett
3. Hallelujah Chorus - Ambrosian Singers
4. Thou Knowest, Lord - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
5. Veni Sancte Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
6. Awake The Harp - City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
7. And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth - New Philharmonia Chorus
8. L'Adieu Des Bergers - Choeurs Rene Duclos
9. Agnus Dei - Peter Barley
10. Cantique De Jean Racine - MONKS AND CHOIRBOYS OF DOWNSIDE ABBEY
11. Ave Verum Corpus - Schutz Consort
12. Begluckt Darf Nun Dich, O Heimat - Bavarian State Opera Chorus, Munich
13. Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
14. Laudamus Te - Radio France Chorus
15. Chichester Psalms - Rachel Masters
16. The Lamb - Vasari Singers
17. Agnus Dei - Winchester Cathedral Choir
18. Requiem Aeternam - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
19. Dies Irae - Philharmonia Chorus
20. O Fortuna - London Philharmonic Choir
21. Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1 (Land Of Hope Glory) - Royal Choral Society

Customer Reviews:

I love it and I give it as a gift.......2006-12-11

This is the first collection of choral music that I've purchased and I love it. I own copies of operas and requiems and masses, but if you attend choral concerts, as I have been recently, you learn there is a huge colletion of choral music appart from the forms I've been listening to. I appreciate the producers selecting "Song for Athene" by Tavener and "Celebration (Standing Stone)" by McCartney. They are new to me and I love them. Disk 1 ends with "Jerusalem" and Disk 2 ends with "Land of Hope and Glory." As an American I rarely hear these and I am so glad they were included. I believe this album was intended to help popularize choral music and I believe the selections do fine job towards that end.

I know snobs rage against popularizing classical music, but everyone deserves exposure to the beauty of song. I will also mention here "The East Village Opera Company" because they work to popularize opera by setting it to a rock beat. They do a fine job but also get criticized for attempting to popularize classical music.

"The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever" was so popular with my teen-age daughter that it was hard to get it back from her. I give the album as a gift to nephews and nieces.

MarMSED.......2005-08-27

The music selections are extraordinary. The only problem has to do with the balance of sound. There are some parts that are very loud, and some that are so very soft. You have to continually adjust the volume.

Diverse range but the songs are butchered..........2005-07-24

Well, this CD isn't horrible by any stretch, but it is irritating to someone who's more than a casual listener of choral music. I'm by no means as musically "literate" as many reviewers out there, but I have a collection of probably twenty-five or thirty choral CD's and this is one that will probably be gathering dust in the back of the CD book.

The peices are well-performed for the most part, but they are hopelessly edited. Beethoven's Ode to Joy is somewhere around twenty four minutes, but this CD only includes an arrangement of about five minutes. The beautiful Miserere is, uncut, almost eleven minutes but is cut down to five and a half minutes here.

Looking back, I should have realized the major editing that would be involved, just by the sheer number of peices on it. I'm familiar with a great many of them and I know they're too long to fit onto a seventy minute disc without some major cutting going on. I just didn't reason that out before I shelled out the money for it.

Bottom line. This CD has decent singing, but is nothing special. If you're a newcomer to this genre, you might get this as a quick overview of the different types of choral music out there, but if you're any kind of an avid listener, this CD will drive you insane with the severity of the cuts. Beginners, if you're looking for a great collection CD, you'd do better to look at "Choral Moods". It doesn't have the diversity in styles of this one, but it will introduce you to incredibly talented composers. To the old hats out there, steer clear of this one and look to CD's by your preferred individual composers themselves. It's more money, but much less frustration in the long run. The old sayings are sometimes the best: You get what you pay for.

Average customer rating: Ever-reigning Queen of Sopranos Lucia Popp Lucy: The Reigning Queen of Opera

The Very Best of Lucia Popp Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles Lucia Popp: Opera Arias Very Best of Very Best of Opera Arias ASIN: B0000AHEAY Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

1. Song To The Moon
2. Should I Ever Learn
3. How Confused I Feel
4. Solveig's Song
5. Solveig's Cradle Song
6. Amor Volat Undique
7. Stetit Puella
8. In Trutina
9. Vier Letzte Lieder
10. Vier Letzte Lieder
11. Vier Letzte Lieder
12. Vier Letzte Lieder
13. Symphony No. 4 In G
14. Tatiana's Letter Scene

Tracks:

1. Un Cenno Leggiadretto
2. Ho Perduto Il Caro Sposo
3. O Had I Jubel's Lyre
4. Laudate Dominum
5. Welche Wonne, Welche Lust
6. Porgi, Amor
7. Voi Che Sapete
8. Giunse Alfin Il Momento...Deh Vieni, Non Tardar
9. Crudele?...Non Mi Dir
10. Come Scoglio
11. Una Donna A Quindici Anni
12. Der Holle Rache
13. Ach, Ich Fuhl's
14. Crucifixus
15. Die Forelle
16. Gretchen Am Spinnrade
17. An Sylvia
18. Zueignung
19. Es Lebt' Eine Vilja
20. Klange Der Heimat

Customer Reviews:

Ever-reigning Queen of Sopranos.......2007-05-28

Listening through these two discs, one thought kept leaping up to mind: will ever there be another soprano as versatile and accomplished as Lucia Popp? Died in 1994 at the early age of 54, the operatic world hadn't really mourned her enough.
People are still lingering on Maria Callas, the 'star' soprano with all her glamour and legendary life could offer.
Real listeners, however, could not give up the memory of Lucia Popp's terrific artistry and almost supernatural voice.
Her Rusalka, her Solveig, her Susanna, Zerlina, Despina in the da Ponte/Mozart trio, her terrific Queen of the Night (unsurpassed by ANY subsequent sopranos up till now), and ALSO her Pamina in the same opera. In any language you ask her to sing, and she excelled. I marvel at the Letter Scene in Eugene Onegin - only if Lucia had the chance to perform the whole opera during her short life! The joy, the expectation, the emotional tribulations, so vividly captured in girlish and pure timbre. No one will ever beat her; not even Fleming and Netrebko.
"Weird and wonderful" - that's what Elisabeth Schwarzkopf said of Lucia Popp's singing. We today would modify it to 'wonderful and unsurpassable'.
This 2-CD set is an absolute must have, even if you have never heard of Lucia Popp before.

Lucia Popp.......2006-01-12

This is a wonderful album showcasing the very best of Lucia Popp (as the title suggests). Her voice was absolutely beautiful. She could sing the slavic languages like no one else. Her version of Dvorak's Song to the Moon is unbeatable. I dare anyone to find a better performance! Also, the song from Die Zauberflute -Ah Ich fuls (sp?) is outstanding. I've yet to hear a better version. Her diction was fantastic and while she wasn't the highest soprano around - she knew what worked for her voice. This is album is a keeper!

Lucy: The Reigning Queen of Opera.......2004-07-12

Lucia Popp is one of the best sopranos to ever grace the operatic/classical voice stage. This CD compilation shows her progression through lyric Handel to lyric and dramatic Mozart (her Der Holle Rache from Magic Flute is unrivaled) to tender art song and operetta literature. The first disc also showcases her adeptness with 20th Century literature as well as the ability to step out of the traditional four languages of opera. Any avid music fan MUST have this CD compilation.

Average customer rating: My 3 yr old loves it! My baby loves this CD! A Reasonable Collection

Classics for Kids (Box Set) Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | 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 All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leopold Mozart | Mozart, Leopold | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Pachelbel | Pachelbel, Johann | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Bagatelles | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | 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 Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Children's Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Classics for Kids Children's Favorites Classical Music for Children: A Toddler's Introduction to Classical Music Bernstein Favorites: Children's Classics 50 Kids Favorites ASIN: B00000IGUV Release Date: 2000-11-15

Tracks:

1. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro
2. The Nutcracker: Russian Dance
3. The Nutcracker: Dance Of The Toy Flutes
4. Flight of the Bumblebee
5. Cannon in D Major
6. Sabre Dance
7. Happy Farmer
8. Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade (Excerpts)
9. Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet Of The Chickens In Their Shells
10. On The Beautiful Blue Danube (Excerpts)
11. Fse
12. Trout Quintet In A Major (Theme & Variations) - Schubert
13. The Syncopated Clock
14. The Typewriter
15. Rhapsody in Blue (Excerpts)
16. Spring Song In A Major - Mendelssohn
17. Lullaby

Tracks:

1. Peter And The Wolf - Classics For Kids
2. The Toy Symphony - Classics For Kids

Customer Reviews:

My 3 yr old loves it!.......2007-03-17

This is one of my three year old's top requests for listening. She simply loves it; She hums along and can name most of the songs. I am vey pleased.

My baby loves this CD!.......2006-11-05

Of all the many CDs we were given, this is my baby's favorite. Unlike most CDs of classical music for babies, this isn't just smooth, soft music. It does have some of that, but it also has more exciting pieces like the bouncy Nutcracker music, The Flight of the Bumble Bee, and The Sabre Dance. My baby bounces and dances to this music happily. And once she's a bit older, I'm sure she's going to love "Peter the Wolf," narrated by Jack Lemmon.

A Reasonable Collection.......2004-08-11

This is a reasonable selection of works to start with as a child's introduction to Classical music. There are two main flaws - a handful of the pieces are performed rather poorly and the sound quality is muffled. But keeping the intended audience in mind and the price, it's not a bad value.

Average customer rating: A lone voice... Well, a slip into greatness One of the great performances of all time M A G N I F I C E N T !!! A rightful classic reading of one of the great symphonies

Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Vocalise / Aleko: Intermezzo & Women's Dance (EMI Great Recordings of the Century) Sergei Rachmaninov , André Previn , and London Symphony Orchestra Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | 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 Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter Grieg: Peer Gynt Op23; Symphonic Dances Op64 Chopin: Waltzes Nos. 1-14 Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem [A German Requiem] ASIN: B00000K4FI Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: I. Largo - Allegro moderato
2. Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: II. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
3. Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: III. Adagio
4. Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: IV. Finale (Allegro vivace)
5. Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
6. Aleko: Intermezzo
7. Aleko: Women's Dance

Customer Reviews:

A lone voice..........2006-09-15

I seem to be the only dissenting voice here, but I have to give my opinion on this rendition of Rachmaninov's 2nd. The main reason that I don't think this is a great version is the tempo, it is too slow. For my taste, the Ashkenazy with the Concertgebouw Orchestra on London is better suited to this symphony. Ashkenazy's pace seems to bring this work to life, whereas Previn and other conductors seem to think a slower pace is better. If you like slower tempos you will love this Previn rendition. But if you prefer a quicker (but not rushed or hurried) tempo, go with the Ashkenazy.

Well, a slip into greatness.......2005-09-24

Andre Previn is the master of the fair-to-middling performance, and a prime example of not getting better with age. But here he pulls off a great performance in demonstration-quality sound. I was floored after so many disppointments. His early Seventies period with the LSO may just be Previn's best, worth exploring for other unexpected gems. In any event, the British critics who perennially sing the praises of this Rachmaninov Second are surely right.

One of the great performances of all time.......2004-12-23

This is one of my favourite recordings. It captures the emotion of a live performance and is a tribute to the tour Previn and the orchestra made of Russia two years before. The string playing is superb, and the clarinet solo in the 3rd movement (Jack Brymer) a revelation. Amazing!

M A G N I F I C E N T !!!.......2004-08-02

ANDRE PREVIN's wondrous recording of Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony for EMI is, justifiably, one of the treasures from the EMI catalog. This edition also includes a famous version of the Vocalise (though not ultimately as good as the Stokowski-EMI), plus Aleko -- the latter is more than just a filler track. On the technical side, this transfer is as close as possible to the old LP in terms of sonics and integrity. A nice job from the buddies at EMI. Among the 'competitors' to the Previn you'll find significant accounts by Edo de Waart (Philips), the excellent Anissimov (Naxos), Lopez-Cobos (Telarc), Ashkenazy (Decca), Jansons (EMI), the illuminating Temirkanov (RCA) and the exquisite Svetlanov (Moscow Studio). In my opinion, none of them can clearly surpass (or let alone equal) the Previn-EMI. The Previn-RPO on Telarc is no competition to the earlier LSO session : If the RPO is a 'very good' recording, then the LSO is a 'great' recording -- there's also a huge difference in term of interpretation that clearly makes the EMI disc a winner on all counts.

A rightful classic reading of one of the great symphonies.......2004-06-09

Other than Vladimir Ashkenazy's performance of Rachmaninov's Second Symphony with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (I believe), this classic reading with Andre Previn leading the London Symphony Orchestra---the first fully uncut performance of the piece---is the only performance of this wonderful work that I've heard, and frankly I'd be just fine having only this recording in my library to represent the work. Previn's tempos in all four movements may be deliberate, but still the reading as a whole never fails to convince. What matters most with this piece is that Rachmaninov's great melodies and soaring emotion are not shortchanged by either conductor or orchestra, and on that level the LSO and Previn do not disappoint. They are masterful in all four movements, but it is the third movement Adagio that a listener will most likely remember most. It may be slow (Ashkenazy was slightly brisker here, while Mikhail Pletnev, in his more recent DG recording, even more brisk and unsentimental) but it still packs an emotional wallop.

The couplings are also very good, particularly the short and sweet "Vocalise." Right now, this is one of my favorite classical recordings, and my enthusiasm for it is not likely to lessen anytime soon.

Average customer rating: A famous "Little Russian" and more great Tchaikovsky from Giulini Extraordinary performances by a master conductor! My Favorite "Pathetique"

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 6; Romeo and Juliet; Francesca da Rimini Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Beethoven: Symphonies 6, 8 & 9; Carlo Maria Giulini; London Symphony Orchestra The Chicago Recordings Dvorák: Symphony No.9/ Schubert: Symphony No.8 Mahler: Symphony No. 9 / Schubert: Symphony No. 8 Brahms: Symphony No.1, Haydn Variations ASIN: B0007RO570 Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

1. I. Andante Sostenuto - Allegro Vivo
2. II. Andantino Marziale, Quasi Moderato
3. III. Scherzo (Allegro Molto Vivace - L'istesso Tempo)
4. IV. Moderato Assai - Allegro - Presto
5. Symphonic Fantasia

Tracks:

1. I. Adagio - Allegro Non Troppo
2. II. Allegro Con Grazia
3. III. Allegro Molto Vivace
4. IV. Finale (Adagio Lamentoso - Andante)
5. Fantasy Overture

Customer Reviews:

A famous "Little Russian" and more great Tchaikovsky from Giulini.......2006-09-26

Giulini's classic recording of the 'Little Russian' symphony was always one of his calling cards--it has real sweep and urgency, miles away from the less-than-vital conducting style he adopted in later years. The sonics are paper thin but clear, and the Philharmonia plays with commitment. I was grateful to hear such excitment in the first movement (by comparison the readings from Karajan, Abbado, and even Bernstein sound inert). The pointed woodwind playing in the second movement is tangy, the Scherzo bounces along like ballet music, and the finale remains grand without pomposity. How rare those virtues are in performances of the Tchaikovsky Second.

Francesca da Rimini is considerably better recorded, but I wish EMI had toned down the treble a little. Giulini's reading doesn't quite match the searing ones from Mravinsky, Stokowski, and Markevitch, but it's very good, with additional intensity form the highlighted recording. The Pathetique that follows was always well rgarded, even if once again Giulini can't match the incandescence of Mravinsky, the sheer virtuosity of Reiner with the Chicago Sym., or the personal intensty of Bernstein on DG. His is an ardent, heart-on-sleeve performance that appeals to me far more than, say, Jansons or Pletnev, however. The Scherzo is dashing and vibrant, and the finale, a minute or two slower than usual, feels melancholy rather than tragic. The recorded sound is the best so far on this bargain two-fer.

finally we get Giulini's Romeo and Juliet, also widely admired in its day forty years ago. By now te listener will appreciate the conductor's overall style, which is distinctly warm but not Russian, tending toward gentleness rather than blazing excitement. All the ardor of Rome and Juliet is brought out, yet the intensity remains restrained. All in all, EMI has ignored these recordings for a long time, and it's woderufl to have them gathered together in one place.

Extraordinary performances by a master conductor!.......2005-12-13

Carlo Maria Giulini 's death on June has been possibly the saddest musical absences of this year. I won 't get tired to affirm the musical world lost a wise man in all sense. The happy meeting with the Philharmonia was a successful event, this orchestra is simply magnificent. Woods, strings, metals are extremely powerful and filled with aristocratic profile when you require it. Giulini and this ensemble made important contributions. Go for instance to his Mozart' s Symphonies 40 and 41 of 1965 (London Label, hard to get it, by the way)

His vision of Tchaikovsky 's Second Symphony is the most complete and integral I have ever heard previously or even later. There have been fortunate, powerful, sumptuous and perfumed versions: Markevitch and Muti have made striking performances. But anyone of them has been able to equal this unique and eloquent reading. Giulini made a true dissection, an openhearted and systematic interpretation filled with details without losing the apex of the work. He underlined literally all the ingredients that consolidate it as the most Imperial of his three First Symphonies. There is emotion, lyricism, vitality, energy, expressive elegance and visceral approach. There is not any detail you may refuse.

His Sixth Symphony deserves special mention. Absolutely idiomatic, profound and persuasive. Giulini went to the core of the score and extracted all the substance to expose before us one of the most relevant and pyramidal versions in the history of the disc. There is an admirable fact you always should take in mind every time you listen it. Go for the expressive Waltz of the second Movement and then go to the Fourth Movement and realize how the composer reintroduces the same Waltz but in a dark tonality This is the key.

Francesca de Rimini is rich in details, precise and dramatic, although the best rendition of this page comes from Munch and the Boston Symphony.

Romeo and Juliet is a magisterial version, filled of flair and panache; once more the virtuosity of the Orchestra allows us to watch those little details, such as modulation, tempi, and careful sense of expression.

This album deserves without any bit of doubt, to be placed in the coveted list of the best and more successful re mastering records of the Year. Not only due its artistic significance but besides, the sumptuous fidelity and polished sound.

Bravo for the Sound Engineers of EMI. I really hope future feats keep going like this extraordinary event.

A must-buy; it 's my most sincere recommendation.

My Favorite "Pathetique".......2005-05-25

There are lots of magical accounts of Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony available on CD -- Monteux (see my review), Mravinsky, Reiner, Markevitch, Karajan, Ormandy, Barbirolli, Silvestri -- but my hands-down favorite account of the "Pathetique" has always been Giulini's 1959 recording with the Philharmonia. It was previously available in several CD incarnations from EMI but has been out-of-print for years...until now! With this release, EMI has produced another gem in the "Gemini" series, the label's new incredibly inexpensive two-disc budget classical line. This set features four glorious Giulini Tchaikovsky recordings -- the aforementioned 6th Symphony, the 2nd Symphony also known as "Little Russian" (a brilliant performance!), Romeo and Juliet, and Francesca da Rimini, all with the Philharmonia from the late 50s and early 60s in grand golden-age stereo. Like the 6th, the 2nd and Romeo have been available on CD previously but were also OOP prior to this reissue -- only the Francesca was currently in-print via an EMI Seraphim title. Now you can finally hear for yourself what all the fuss is about, and you don't have to spend a fortune to do it.

Average customer rating: How one CD made a conductor's career The best since Mravinsky and a superbargain unforgettable One of the best performances so small sound

Tchaikovsky: Symphony Pathetique Tchaikovsky , Pletnev , and Russian National Orchestra Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Russian National Orchestra | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Great Recordings Of The Century - Schubert: Symphonies nos. 3, 5, & 6 / Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Tchaikovsky: Symphony 4 In F Minor Op. 36 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 Symphony 3 Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6 "Pathetique" ASIN: B000027JET Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

1. I. Adagio - Allegro con brio
2. II. Allegro con grazia
3. III. Allegro molto vivace
4. Finale: Adagio lamentoso
5. Marche Slave, Op. 31
6. I. Prelude
7. II. Fugue a 4 voix
8. III. Impromptu
9. IV. Marche funebre
10. V. Mazurque
11. VI. Scherzo

Tracks:

1. Introduction
2. Danse des pages
3. Vision d'Aurore
4. Andante
5. La Fee-Argent
6. Le Chat Botte et la Chatte Blanche
7. Gavotte
8. Le Canari qui chante
9. Le Chaperon rouge et le loup
10. Adagio
11. Finale
12. I. Janvier (au coin du feu)
13. II. Fevrier (Carnaval)
14. III. Mars (Chant de l'alouette)
15. IV. Avril (Perce-neige)
16. V. Mai (Les nuits de mai)
17. VI. Juin (Barcarolle)
18. VII. Juillet (Chant des moissonneurs)
19. VIII. Aout (La moisson)
20. IX. Septembre (La chasse)
21. X. Octobre (Chant d'automne)
22. XI. Novembre (Course en troika)
23. XII. Decembre (Noel)

Customer Reviews:

How one CD made a conductor's career.......2005-09-24

Only Pletnev's biggest fans would claim that this noted russian pianist turned into a great conductor, but he became a famous one as the result of recording this Tchaikovsky 'Pathetique." Wwith the collpase of the Soviet Union, orchestras that were once state supported ran into jeopardy, and Pletnev rescued many musicians by forming the Russian Naitonal Orch. to provide jobs and income. If not their first, this was nearly their first recording, and the British press hailed Pletnev's efforts as a new condcutor as if her were, well, Mravinsky reborn.

He wasn't. This Pathetique has sensitive, careful playing and man interesting ideas about phrasing, but in ohter respects Pletnev is almost the anti-Mravinsky. He lacks the old master's passion and excitement, and he's metronomic and rigid where Mravinsky was flexible and inspired. You sense that a fine musician is on the podium, but not a born maestro (I get the same feeling from Vladimir Ashkenaz, another favorite in London). Virgin's sonics are excelent, and the orchestra's execution is first-rate.

I know there are reviewers who adore this performance, but my attention is more captured by Pletnev's piano playing on CD 2, which centers on his reduction of excerpts from Sleeping Beauty for solo piano. He's imaginative in ways he never equals on the podium (compare his respectable but rather lifeless DG recording of the complete ballet) and deserves the high praise this CD won when it was first released. At tis low price I'm happy to have his Pathetique

The best since Mravinsky and a superbargain.......2002-04-23

This performance conveys the same kind and degree of passion, intensity and commitment as the famous Mravinsky DG stereo recording. Although I still prefer the Mravinsky in a some respects, namely his subtle use of rubato to highlight expressive details, his more sharply characterized second movement, and the cutting edge detail of the brass (which I think is more due to the use of a more distant perpective in the Pletnev recording than in the performances themselves), Pletnev fully matches Mravinsky in the drive and dramatic intensity he imparts to the development section of the first movement, and the third movement, in which this recording conveys the impact of the drums more clearly than with Mravinsky. At its superbudget pricepoint, plus its inclusion of items from Tchaikovsky's rarely played music for solo piano, it is truly a must have.

unforgettable.......2001-12-25

This is without a doubt the finest recording of the Pathetique ever made. In Pletnev's hands, the music flows naturally and the climaxes are extremely powerful. Indeed, he brings out all the pathos in this great symphony. Just listen to the violent development section of the first movement to witness this drama for yourself; the way Pletnev brings out the climax is simply unsurpassed. The second movement is very beautifully played as well, although there's nothing special about it which sets it apart from other recordings. Pletnev then takes the third movement at a death-defying speed. Indeed, no conductor has ever played this movement at such a rapid tempo, but Pletnev allows the listener to feel a sense of impending doom Tchaikovsky must have felt when writing this movement. This is simply the most exciting performance of this famous march ever committed to record. The fourth movement is also outstanding in terms of bringing out the pathos inherent in this work, although Pletnev does not quite match Mravinsky in sheer power of the brass in the closing pages. Nonetheless, it is safe to say that this performance of the Pathetique is a desert island disc and would be a top recommendation even if it cost far more. In fact, the Penguin Guide to CDs has given this recording the highest possible rating (three stars plus a rosette). The sound throughout is wide-ranging and is in the demonstration bracket, although it is true that you'll have to turn up the volume a notch from other CDs due to the wide range.

If the only thing you were getting on the CD was the symphony, it would be a "must have" any day of the year. However, Virgin is extremely generous and includes outstanding performances of the Seasons and excerpts from the Sleeping Beauty (arranged and played by Pletnev on piano). Marche Slav is also included as an apt coupling to the symphony and is an exciting performance, though the closing minutes are not as spectacular as some other performances, notably that conducted by Erich Kunzel on Telarc. But for two CDs at the cost of one MID-PRICED CD, and one of the most legendary performances ever, everyone needs to have these precious discs in his or her collection, whether you like the couplings or not.

One of the best performances.......2001-06-02

This is one of the best performances out there. Pletnev really knows how this masterpiece should be played. Especially, the final movement is deeply moving. I have listened several recordings of this symphony, but I've never heard a better final mvt. After listening this CD, I found the Jansons - Oslo recording a little bit monotonous than this one.

This CD is also coupled with wonderfully played "Marche Slave", 6 piano pieces, music from The Sleeping Beauty, and The Seasons, but it's still 1 CD price. Great deal.

Rating 1 star only because the recording volume level is low? Don't be bothered with the poor rating below. You will never disappointed if you have a decent CD player (& headphone). By the way I don't think the volume level is that low.

P.S. Gramophone CD Guide and Penguine Guide both recommend this CD as the best recording of this symphony.

so small sound.......2001-05-21

When I heard this CD last night, I was very disappointed. I love the music of Pletnev. When I bought , I heard and heard that CD. So I thought "I will buy his CD all, and I bought . The CD was also very good. The melody and technic caught me in every track. In Korea, there is not so many CDs about Pletnev. This Tchaikovsky CD is in Korea, but it was very very disappointed to me. Aboveall, the volume is very low. I can't hear the sound of this CD with my portable CD player at highest volume level. Although a music is very beautiful, it is useless to me.

However, I want to hear Pletnev continuously. Because he is one of the greatest pianist in our world.

Average customer rating: Love It! Best of the Best GREAT compilation!!! Very well organized The greatest parts from all your favorites

Mad about The Classics Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Pachelbel | Pachelbel, Johann | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | 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 Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | 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 General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Paris Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Opera Goes to the Movies Mad about Piano Mad About Mad About Mad About Baroque Mad About Guitars ASIN: B000001GKR Release Date: 1993-08-10

Tracks:

1. Thus Spake Zarathustra: Sunrise
2. Carmina Burana: O Fortuna
3. Carmen Suite: March Of The Toreadors
4. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
5. Orpheus In The Underworld: Can Can
6. Peer Gynt (Suite No. 1): Morning Mood
7. William Tell Overture: Finale
8. Symphony No. 9 ('From The New World'): Largo (Theme)
9. Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries
10. Prince Igor: Flowing Dance Of The Polovtsian Maidens-Men's Dance
11. Hungarian Dance No. 6
12. The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
13. The Four Seasons: 'Spring' - Allegro
14. Jesu, Joy Of The Man's Desiring - Bach
15. Canon In D
16. Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro
17. Symphony No. 5: Allegro con brio
18. Peer Gynt (Suite No. 1): In The Hall Of The Mountain King
19. The Firebird Suite: Finale
20. 1812 Overture: Finale - Tchaikovsky

Customer Reviews:

Love It!.......2005-08-11

I first received this CD as a Christmas present more than 6 years ago. My old copy was too scratched to play any more. I was so happy to see that Amazon carried this CD, it has all the best classics on it!

Best of the Best.......2005-05-11

I listen to a variety of music from Cajun to classic rock, to classical---depending on my mood or the situation. This clasical ensemble truly encompasses some of the most hauntingly beautiful music ever to have been written by our civilization's most talented people. I never tire of listening to it.

GREAT compilation!!!.......1999-07-27

I can only wish that popular music (rock, rap, dance) compilers could take a hint from this album, and include only the GOOD songs. This has all of the well-known classical songs. I really wanted to get the title of a particular classical song, and I looked for 4 weeks on the Internet until I remembered I had this album. I put it in, and the second song, "O Fortuna", was it.

Very well organized.......1999-06-25

I really like to llisten your these MAD ABOUT series. However, I could not buy these series in Japan. Please let me now how to buy these series. And tell me what kind of albums you have in stock, and how much if I need air persel. Thanks.

The greatest parts from all your favorites.......1998-10-18

From 2001: A Space Odyssey's theme, to Beethoven's fifth, this CD has the all time best compilation of Classical and Romatic music I have ever heard. The only thing that comes close is Polygram's Really Mad About the Classics.

Track Listings:

1. Saint-Saëns: Piano Trio No. 2; Ravel: Piano Trio in A
2. Scelsi: The Complete Works For Clarinet
3. Schbert: Symphony Nos. 5 & 8/German Dances, D.820
4. Schubert: String Trio in Bf D581; String Trio in Bf D471
5. Schumann: overture, Op.52/Konzertstück,Op.86/Symphony No.1In F flat
6. Seixas/Soler/Scarlatti/Mozart/Schumann/Brahms
7. Shchedrin: Polyphonic Notebook For Piano/24 Preludes And Fugues For Piano
8. Shchedrin: The Sealed Angel
9. Sonatas for Violin
10. Sowerby: Fantasy For Flute Stops/Requiescat In Pace/Symphony In G Major For Organ

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Rock & Roll Stars On Stage [Live]

Tippett: Piano Sonata Nos. 1-3

The Single Life

Personal Statement [Import]

Universal Masters Collection [Import]

Things Are Getting Better [CD-single] [Import]

Used to Would've

Un Concierto Para Mi Caballo

The Very Best of Sue Thompson [Original recording remastered]

The Sixth Sense [Enhanced] [Import]

Threebie 3

Used Record Pile [Explicit Lyrics]

Three Overpopulated Cities Built by Shortsighted Planners, An Unbalanced and Quite Dang

Hummel: Piano Concerto in C major, Op.34

I'm Still in Love With You