Trout Quintet / Death & The Maid

1. Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass in A major ("Trout"), D. 667 (Op. posth. 114)
Composed by Franz Schubert
with Roger Best , Howard Davies , Tony Hougham , Seta Tanyel , David Smith

2. String Quartet No. 14 in D minor ("Death and the Maiden"), D. 810
Composed by Franz Schubert
with Roger Best , Howard Davies , Peter Pople , David Smith

Tracks:

Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato
Marche Militaire, Op. 51, No.1
Ave Maria
Serenade
Erlkonig
Rosamunde Overture
Impromptu In E-Flat Major, Op. 90, No. 2
Death And The Maiden String Quartet In D Minor: IV Presto
Moment Musical In F Minor Op. 94, No3
Trout Quintet For Piano & Strings In A Major: III Scherzo Presto
Symphony No. 9 In C Major 'The Great': I Andante - Allegro ma non troppo

Schubert: Trout Quintet, Death and the Maiden / Amadeus Quartet

Average customer rating:

Interpretative solvency!
Indelible
Fair purchase
heart-rending beauty
Two classics from 1958 and 1975, some fine and some not so fine moments

Schubert: Trout Quintet, Death and the Maiden / Amadeus Quartet
Norbert Brainin , Emil Grigoryevich Gilels , Martin Lovett , Peter Schidlof , Rainer Zepperitz , and Amadeus Quartet
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" in B minor Op. 74

ASIN: B000001GXF
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

Quintet For Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello And Double Bass In A Major, 'The Trout' D 667: 1. Allegro vivace
Quintet For Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello And Double Bass In A Major, 'The Trout' D 667: 2. Andante
Quintet For Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello And Double Bass In A Major, 'The Trout' D 667: 3. Scherzo. Presto
Quintet For Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello And Double Bass In A Major, 'The Trout' D 667: 4. Thema. Andantino - Variazioni I-V - Allegretto
Quintet For Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello And Double Bass In A Major, 'The Trout' D 667: 5. Finale. Allegro giusto.
String Quartet In D Minor 'Death And The Maiden' D 810: 1. Allegro vivace
String Quartet In D Minor 'Death And The Maiden' D 810: 2. Andante con moto
String Quartet In D Minor 'Death And The Maiden' D 810: 3. Scherzo. Allegro molto
String Quartet In D Minor 'Death And The Maiden' D 810: 4. Presto

Customer Reviews:

Interpretative solvency!.......2007-06-05

The main virtue of Emil Gilels as colossal pianist was always ironically his main failure: his extreme coldness. But when he played with the Amadeus quartet, something inside him seemed to bright with radiant intensity and his temperament showed us his Dionysian side, a remarkable and not precisely his main landmark.

This was successfully what it happened with this remarkable version of the celebrated Quintet Op 144 best known as "The trout". Filled of nostalgic reminiscences and genuine Viennese flavor, they conveyed us the own core of this work.

"The Death and the Maiden" is beautifully performed although I think no one has been able to surmount two insurmountable historical achievements of a recent past: the first version belongs to the famous ensemble Konzerthaus of Vienna of the middle fifties and the other is performed by the famous ensemble Chiringilian.

My favorite Trout version until this date: Horzowski and the Julliard ensemble, although I recognize the memorable versions of Paul Badura Skoda, Andras Schiff, Clifford Curzon, Rudolf Serkin and Arthur Schnabel.

Indelible.......2007-02-05

This is one of my favorite recordings. A reissue of recordings made by the Amadeus many years ago, these are wonderful interpretations of 2 of the most beautiful works in the chamber literature. The sound quality may not be quite up to that possible with modern recording technology but the quality of playing is superb.

Fair purchase.......2007-01-10

I think the price it's fair: the sound quality is not perfect, but the price is cheap and both Death and the Maiden and the Trout are enjoyable. For whoever is missing them and does not want to spend to much this is a fair purchase.

heart-rending beauty.......2006-11-03

Lovely, but sound quality of this reissue not tops. Wonderful as additional CD to compare with other interpretations. Ultimately I prefer the Emersons.

Two classics from 1958 and 1975, some fine and some not so fine moments.......2006-08-23

DG has brought together, now on their "The Originals" collection, two recordings dating from different periods of the Amadeus quartet's recording career: in 1958, then the very early days of stereo, they rerecorded Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" which they had already committed to mono LP in 1953 (now in an "Original Masters" DG box). The "Trout" Quintet, recorded in 1975 with Emil Gilels (with bassist Rainer Zepperitz), is their second go at the piece (the first was with Hebzibah Menuhin on EMI in 1958, reissued on CD by EMI and Testament) and dates from their later years; the Gilels and Amadeus quartet encounter was a purely studio affair which before this recording had resulted in the Brahms 1st piano quartet.

The great thing about the opening "allegro vivace" (taken with its repeat) in particular and the "Trout" quintet in general is that Gilels and his partners do not let their interpretation be colored by any pre-conception of a "gemütlich", e.g. easy-going and genial Schubert. On the contrary, they give full weight and impact to the accents and piquant perkiness to the staccato markings, resulting in a reading of great vigor and zest. Gilels proves a fine chamber player, with crisp playing and a fine sense of balance with his partners.

Not so great, on the other hand, is the well-known and distinctive feature of the Amadeus quartet: namely, Norbert Brainin's thin violin tone and sometimes pitch uncertainty, Martin Lovett's dry cello emission and Peter Schidlof's nasal viola. This is especially penalizing in the 2nd movement's deeply moving viola & cello cantilena (1:30), which doesn't approach the gripping lyricism which others impart to it. The 3rd movement's Presto is brisk (though not as brisk as Curzon-Wiener Oktett members) but string tone is somewhat shrill; fortunately (and unlike the afore-mentioned Curzon-Wiener) the pace is maintained in the central trio, consequently avoiding the usual mawkishness. In the 4th movement's "Trout" theme, the tempo is somewhere in between Curzon's lively briskness and Serkin's more sedate deliberation, and the ensuing variations maintain a reasonably acceptable unity of tempo, with a lively and carefree coda; but violin tone retains a not entirely pleasant edge of shrillness. The Finale is nicely brisk, forward-moving and carefree, reminiscent of Serkin and Marlboro friends from 1967. All things considered, despite the slight discomfort of the Amadeus' tone production, this is a fine version of Schubert's piano quintet. Now, for more choices of "Trouts" recorded since 1975, see my reviews of the Beaux Arts Trio (Philips), Brendel-Cleveland (Philips), Richter-Borodine (EMI), Ax-Ma and partners (Sony), Badura-Skoda (Amiata), Adès-Belcea (EMI) among others.

The "Death and the Maiden" is early stereo and the sound is somewhat dry, not as full as that afforded by Boston Skyline's transfer to the Fine Arts quartet from 1962 (with the same coupling - see my review), but it is still quite acceptable and with no audible tape-hiss. Interpretively, the opening "Allegro" a little more spacious and slightly less biting than the Amadeus' earlier mono attempt, with a tendency to be a little finicky on small details - and of course in much better sound. As before, the opening D triplets are taken legato rather than the written staccato and rushed headlong into; then ensues a reading that is vigorous and dogged rather than fast and furious; it commendably avoids any mawkish prettifying of the second, lyrical theme, which is given instead a fine rhythmic snap on its further developments, though not as biting as in the earlier version. As in 1953, the famous "Death and the Maiden" theme (2nd movement) is taken at a forward-moving pace, true to Schubert's "andante con moto" indication, and tempo relationships in the ensuing variations are more coherent than before, with less "gas and breaks"; Martin Lovett's cello voices a profound and moving chant in the 2nd variation, and the 3rd variation sounds like the heavy and powerful canter of warhorses rather than like Death furiously whipping its steed. Where this 1958 remake varies most from its 1953 predecessor is in the Scherzo and Finale, where the Amadeuses now go for power and weight more than rage and fury, but the Scherzo's middle trio maintains a laudable unity of tempo and displays charm without mawkishness. Likewise the "Presto" Finale is more deliberate than five years before and elicits less of the sense of a race to the abyss - more of an unhurried - but inexorable? - canter.

One can think of more gripping "Death and the Maiden" quartets (see my reviews of the Hollywood Quartet-Testament, Juilliard-Testament, Alban Berg Quartet-EMI, Brodsky-Teldec, Petersen-Capriccio among others) but this one has nonetheless something of a classic poise.

Average customer rating:

inspired performance !!!

The Story of Schubert

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

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ASIN: B000001KCT
Release Date: 1994-02-28

Tracks:

Rosamunde, D. 797: Overture
Mozart: String Quartet In B-Flat Major, K. 172
Marche Militaire, D. 733, No. 1
Hark, Hark, The Lark!, D. 889
Mass No. 5 In A-Flat Major, D. 678: Credo
Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485: Allegro
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, D. 417 'Tragic': Finale: Allegro
Moment Musicaux No. 3 In F Minor, D. 780
Piano Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: Moderato
The Erl King, D. 328
Symphony No. 2 In B-Flat Major, D. 125: Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In C Major, D. 589 'Little': Andante
Symphony No. 6 In C Major, D. 589 'Little': Scherzo
To Music, D. 547
The Trout, D. 550
Piano Quintet In A Major, D. 667 'Trout': Theme And Variations
Octet In F Major, D. 803: Finale
Impromptu In B-Flat Major, D. 935 No. 3
String Quintet In C Major, D. 956: Allegro ma non troppo
Wanderer Fantasy In C Major, D. 760
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor, D. 759 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 9 In C Major, D. 944 'Great': Andante-Allegro ma non troppo
Mass No. 6 IN E-Flat Major, D. 950: Gloria
String Quartet No. 14 In D Minor, D. 810 'Death And The Maiden': Andante con moto
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor, D. 759 'Unfinished': Andante
Ave Maria, D. 839
Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Allegro
Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Andante con moto
Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Menuetto: Allegro molto
Symphony No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485 (Complete): Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

inspired performance !!!.......2001-09-02

this collection deserves more than 5 stars.peter maag and the philharmonica hungarica are in top form.this is the best ever of schubert's fifth and eigth i have ever listened to.it is not karl bohm or leonard bernstein or george szell or lorin maazel.
truly the hungarians inspired by maag easily beat all the other top orchestras.
the orchestral texture is transparent with a perfect balance among the string sections ,the woodwind and the brass sections.peter maag obviously loves this music and brings out the heavenly beauty ,the pathos and the monumental dramatic quality of these works.
just listen to schubert's fifth second movement which ends with a heart rending cello phrase.
it is a shame that the well established record companies have not thought it fit to record more of peter maag.in my opinion he is one of the greatest ever conductors.
i will not exchange these performances for any other!

Average customer rating:

One of the best of the Masterworks series
Will not buy this
Worth it!
Great way to jumpstart a schubert collection
Better to Pick a Few First-rate Performances

Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00062FLJC
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

One of the best of the Masterworks series.......2007-07-06

Brilliant Classics' "Masterworks" series, if you can get them cheaply (and currently they go for about $1/CD from Amazon's France Web site), are a great way to amass a significant library of the works of several great computers. The production values and the performances themselves are uneven, and the interpretations are not always historically-informed (unlike the bulk of Brilliant's "Complete Editions" of the works of Bach and Mozart). But there are numerous gems in the rough in The Masterworks, and the economic value is unsurpassed, even if you were to throw away half of the CDs in each set.

You're unlikely to throw away much of this Schubert collection though. This seems to be the finest of the Masterworks sets, with a succession of solid, often first-rate performances of most of the major Schubert works. Here's what you get:

- The symphonies, performed by The Hanover Band in a historically-informed style. Very interesting performances perhaps marred by an odd recording balance that makes the woodwinds sound distant. Takes up four CDs
- The six Latin masses. Also the Deutsche Messe in the version with wind instruments. Five CDs in all
- Edison Denisov's completion of Schubert's unfinished dramatic work Lazarus (2 CDs, Helmuth Rilling's premier recording)
- The last four string quartets (including the Quartettsatz) with #9 thrown in. Also the octet, piano quintet ("The Trout"), string quintet and both piano trios. In short all the canonical chamber works. Performances are strong, and well recorded
- Two CDs of violin/piano duets, including Op. 137 and Op. 162
- 19 of the 21 "canonical" piano sonatas (missing #7 and #12) as well as the Moments Musicaux, Impromptus, German Dances, Wanderer Fantasy and several other piano works, 11 CDs in all. As with the chamber music, the performances and recordings are strong, often stunning
- Two CDs of piano duets, including the Divertissements and D. 617
- Song cycles: Die Schöne Müllerin, Winterreise, Schwanengesang, and four CDs of standalone songs, including such "standards" as Erlkönig and Gretchen am Spinnrade. The singers are a bit uneven here, ranging from standouts Robert Holl, Deitrich Fischer-Dieskau and John Shirley-Quirk to the somewhat shrill Arleen Augér

Missing from the collection is Rosamunde, and a number of famous songs: Die Forelle (The Trout), Death and the Maiden, Ellens Gesang III (the so-called Ave Maria, D. 839), Der Hirt auf dem Felsen and Der Wanderer. But you do have almost all the important instrumental works, and most of the vocal works generally considered to be essential, with some padding added in the form of minor works such as the parochial Deutsche Messe, the German Dances, and the modernist-informed completion of Lazarus by the 20th Century Russian composer Denisov.

As with the other Masterworks sets, there are no program notes. You'll need to do your own research. Answers.com is a good starting point for Schubert compositions. There are also no song texts or translations provided, so again you'll need to track down your own. Try "The Lied and Art Song Texts Page" for lieder lyrics and translations. Hunt down a good price on this collection, browsing one of Amazon's European sites if necessary, and treat yourself to many hours of lovely music for the cost of a modest night out.

Will not buy this.......2007-03-16

I can't see D965 or D945 on this 40 disks worth of Schubert. Bizarre! There are so many great songs missing it scares me.

Worth it!.......2006-12-19

One of the best in "The Masterpices" series. Many of the discs (the symphonies in particular) were licensed from Nimbus and other full-line labels. Not all that long ago these discs would have set you back $18 to $20 a piece. That said, I still wouldn't part with my Hyperion collection. 40 CD's at this price... you can't go wrong.

Great way to jumpstart a schubert collection.......2006-12-19

Hartmut Holl, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Stephanie Brown, and Jaime Laredo as well as the Stuttgart Bach Collegium performing Schubert are hardly "left-behind artists and ensembles" as the previous naysayer states. These are licensed from major label releases and from the original masters issued at a bargain price, especially for the number of discs you get. Sound quality ranges from good to excellent. Good for all Schubertians and anyone who wants to jumpstart a Schubert collection.

Better to Pick a Few First-rate Performances.......2006-11-14

This is a bargain in dollar/listening time ratio, but who cares? There are many second-rate performances by left-behind artists and ensembles. Obviously the economics of resurrecting disks that don't require royalties has been the driving factor of selection. (On the other hand, the complete edition boxed sets of Bach and Mozart, which you'll find if you look, are stupendous successes artistically.)

Schubert: Trout Quintet; Death and the Maiden

Average customer rating:

Top-rate prformance of the Trout Quintet and very good performance of the string quartet, too

Schubert: Trout Quintet; Death and the Maiden

Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00016XMY4
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Tracks:

Allegro Vivace
Andante
Scherzo (Presto)
Theme And Variations: Andantino
Finale (Allegro Giusto)
Allegro
Andante Con Moto
Scherzo (Allegro Molto)
Presto

Customer Reviews:

Top-rate prformance of the Trout Quintet and very good performance of the string quartet, too.......2006-11-20

James Levine and the string players who perform the "Trout Quintet" do an excellent job at interpreting this work and getting though it without virtually any rough spots. (The only reason there would be is because it is a very hard work.) The quintet is a top Schubert chamber music piece. Different movements in the work contain sections of (vastly) contrasting characteristics and emotions, but it blends together very nicely to make a great (but, again, challenging) piece. String quartet #14, "Death and the maiden" is also a favorite Schubert piece and in this performance, the Melos Quartet displays their virtuousity as a great group. The recording quality is great, and the price is also excellent. If you buy this, you will be very happy that you did.

Tracks 1 - 5: Piano Quintet in A major, ("Trout")
Tracks 6 - 9: "Death and the maiden" String Quartet #14 in D minor
Total Time: 79:27

Meditation: Classical Relaxation (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Meditation: Classical Relaxation (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000001W1A
Release Date: 1991-03-12

Tracks:

Canon
Piano Concerto No. 21 'Elvira Madigan': Andante
Coppelia: Notturno
String Quintet In C: Adagio - Schubert
Orchestral Suite No. 3: Air - Bach
Clarinet Concerto: Adagio
Symphony No. 8 'Unfinished': Andante con moto - Schubert
Concerto, Op. 9, No. 2: Adagio
Orpheus And Eurydice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits

Tracks:

Thais: Meditation
Romance In G, Op. 26
The Last Spring
Minuet
Serenade, Op. 3, No. 5
Poeme, Op. 41, No. 6
Elegiac Melody No. 1
Serenade For String Orchestra: Elegia
I Love You
La Gioconda: Dance Of The Hours

Tracks:

Adagio
Romance In F Minor, Op. 11
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Romance For Violin No. 2 In F, Op. 50
Rosamunde: Ballet Music In G
Symphony No. 5: Adagietto

Tracks:

Peer Gynt: Morning
Standchen (Serenade)
Mozartiana Suite: Preghiera (Ave Verum)
Moonlight Sonata: Adagio sostenuto
Piano Concerto No. 23 In A,, 2nd Movement
Rosamunde: Intermezzo
Violin Concerto In E Minor, 2nd Movement
Serenade For String Orchestra, 1st Movement
L'Arlesienne, Suite No. 2: Intermezzo
Concierto de Aranjuez, 2nd Movement
Trout Quintet: Theme And Variations

Tracks:

The Tales Of Hoffman: Barcarolle
Valse Triste
Liebestraum No. 3 In A Flat
Minuet
Oboe Concerto In D Minor (Excerpt)
Piano Sonata, No. 8 'Pathetique', 2nd Movement
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo sinfonico
Christmas Oratorio: Sinfonia
Ave Maria
Horn Concerto No. 3, 2nd Movement
Symphony No. 1, 3rd Movement
Traumerei
Peer Gynt: Ase's Death
Xerxes: Largo
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World', 2nd Movement

Average customer rating:

Relaxing music at its finest!
Get it for $9.99 at Sam's Club!
Beautiful, moving music! You'll recognize many of the pieces
Meditative, But Not Boring
A Bargain and Beautiful

Meditation: Classical Relaxation (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Masters of Classical Music (Box Set)
Chopin For Relaxation
Classics for Relaxation and Meditation
Beethoven for Relaxation
Vivaldi for Relaxation

ASIN: B000001VUT
Release Date: 1991-10-11

Tracks:

Canon
Andante From Piano Concerto No. 21: Elvira Madigan
Coppelia: Notturno
String Quintet In C: Adagio - Schubert
Orchestral Suite No. 3: Air - Bach
Clarinet Concerto: Adagio
Symphony No. 8 'Unfinished': Andante con moto - Schubert
Concerto, Op. 9 No. 2: Adagio
Orpheus And Eurydice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits

Tracks:

Thais: Meditation
Romance In G, Op. 26
The Last Spring
Minuet
Serenade, Op. 3 No. 5
Poeme, Op. 41 No.6
Elegiac Melody No. 1
Serenade For String Orchestra: Elegia
I Love You
La Gioconda: Dance Of The Hours

Tracks:

Adagio
Romance In F Minor, Op. 11
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Romance For Violin No. 2 In F, Op. 50
Rosamunde: Ballet Music In G
Symphony No. 5: Adagietto

Tracks:

Peer Gynt: Morning
Standchen (Serenade)
Mozartiana Suite: Preghiera (Ave Verum)
Moonlight Sonata: Adagio sostenuto
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A: 2nd Movement
Rosamunde: Intermezzo
Violin Concerto In E Minor: 2nd Movement
Serenade For String Orchestra: 1st Movement
L'Arlesienne, Suite No. 2: Intermezzo
Concierto De Aranjuea: 2nd Movement
Trout Quintet: Theme And Variations

Tracks:

The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Valse Triste
Liebestraum No. 3 In A Flat
Minuet
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Oboe Concerto In D Minor (Excerpt)
Piano Sonata No. 8: Pathetique: 2nd Movement
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo sinfonico
Christmas Oratorio: Sinfonia
Ave Maria
Horn Concerto No.3: 2nd Movement
Symphony No. 1: 3rd Movement
Traumerei
Peer Gynt: Ase's Death
Xerves: Largo
Symphony No. 9: From The New World: 2nd Movement

Tracks:

Swan Lake
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romance
Nocturne In B Major, Op. 9 No. 3
Madama Butterfly: Humming Chorus
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Notturno
Symphony No. 35: Haffner: Andante
Carmen Suite No. 1: Intermezzo
Piano Sonata In B-Flat Major, D.960: Andante sostenuto
Sinfonia Concertante In E Flat Major: Andante
Piano Concerto No. 2: Larghetto

Tracks:

Impromptu In G Flat Major
Evening Song
Serenade No. 1: Adagio non troppo
The Merry Peasant
Flute Quartet In G Major
Symphony No. 7: Allegretto
Cradle Song
Quartet in G Major: Theme And Variations
Barcarolle: The Seasons: June
Symphony No.36 'Linz': Poco adagio

Tracks:

Prelude In C Minor - Meditation
Piano Concerto In A Minor: Adagio - Meditation
Flute Concerto No. 2: Adagio non troppo - Meditation
Andante - Meditation
Impromptu In B Flat Major - Meditation
Clair de lune - Meditation
Divertimento In D, K.251: Andantino - Meditation
Caro mio ben - Meditation
Piano Concerto No. 9: Jeunehomme: Andante - Meditation
Theme And Variations - Meditation

Tracks:

The Sleeping Beauty: Panorama
Waltz, Op.39 No.15
Flute Concerto In G Minor: Andante
Impromptu In A Flat
Violin Concerto No. 5: Adagio
Symphony No. 3: Allegretto
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2: Andante
Piano Sonata No. 3: Largo
Suite No. 1: Intermezzo
Piano Concerto No. 3: Largo

Tracks:

La Traviata: Act 1: Prelude
Kinderscenen: Foreign Countries And People
Chanson triste
Symphony No. 5: Andante
La Campanella
Flute Concerto in B Flat: Adagio
Piano Sonata No. 2: Funeral March
Symphony No. 94: Surprise: Andante
Concerto for Flute and Harp: Andantino
Symphony No. 6: Pathetique: Adagio lamentoso

Customer Reviews:

Relaxing music at its finest!.......2005-10-14

This is a GREAT 10-CD set!The performances are top-notch, the music is varied, and the feelings engendered are wondrously beautiful.

Get it for $9.99 at Sam's Club!.......2005-06-22

Very nice set of CD's, very beatiful and relaxing, but don't pay $27, get it for $9 at Sam's Club. I know this will be censored but come on, how can you guys charge those saps that much! Amazon should try to find the best price for its customers, even if it sends them to different vendors. Censoring this message is a crime, DON'T DO IT. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Beautiful, moving music! You'll recognize many of the pieces.......2004-02-24

John Cheng's review, below, said it's "an undeniable bargain," and I whole heartedly agree! I especially LOVE Volume 5. I have a Typing/Resume business, and I listen to Volume 5 ALL the time on my computer while I'm doing my work. It inspires me to be creative and calms me down when I'm stressed.

I would say I've _easily_ listened to Volume 5 at least 100 times, and I'm still not tired of it. That's amazing for me, because I'm also a musician (singer/pianist) and I get bored easily. I actually found the Volume 5 CD at a Thrift store, and loved it so much that I bought the whole set recently. So I've only listened to a few of the other CD's in this set, so far, and they're also great.

This is NOT boring music. My clients and family have heard it also, and they've also mentioned how soothing and wonderful these pieces are. Most of you will probably recognize a lot of these songs! You'll be saying, "OH! I remember THIS one! I haven't heard this for YEARS!!!"

It's well worth the money for 10 very full CD's!!! Try it! You won't be disappointed!

Happy listening!
Betty, Owner of Betty's Desk Typing Service and Quality Resumes

Meditative, But Not Boring.......2002-06-21

Here's the deal: If you check out the individual CDs of this collection, you'll pay way too much. That said, compare this price, and realize it is a steal at twice the price.

The list of selections is immense. 101 selections. Most of it you've heard before, but that's OK. Despite the various cute names -- quite creative -- "Vol. 9"!... you can load your CD player and enjoy them without feeling a transition of style.

It's true these aren't meditative in the sense of a Gregorian chant. Anyone familiar with classical music will recognize the composers and various movements to know this. What is true is that you can sit down and write Amazon reviews with it in the background quite comfortably. No weird interpretations, just the music as you know it.

It is also meditative in the sense of popping on it your portable player as you go for a Sunday afternoon walk. The music has just the right pacing: no quite aerobics class, but not ready for the office elevator either.

The box and jewel cases are not that flimsy kind of thing often associated with box sets. It sounds silly to review the jewel cases, but I'm frustrated with the ones I've received lately that have no meat to them. This'll do the job.

I fully recommend "Meditation: Classical Relaxation, 10 Volume Set [BOX SET].

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

A Bargain and Beautiful.......2002-02-28

This is a wonderful collection of some of my most favorite classical selections. Most I already own, but still like having these all together. I could only wish that the recording level was the same for all selections. Yes, some are written to be softer, but I found it often necessary to turn the volume up or down for different selections. But aside from this minor preference, the quality, the choices, and the price are all super.

Average customer rating:

Classical Highlights: Schubert

Manufacturer: St. Clair Entertainment
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000CDLBN
Release Date: 2003-09-16

Tracks:

Quintet for Piano in a Major "Trout"/Allegro Vivace
Quintet for Piano in a Major "Trout"/Andante
Quintet for Piano in a Major "Trout"/Scherzo: Presto
Quintet for Piano in a Major "Trout"/Tema Con Variazioni: ...
Quintet for Piano in a Major "Trout"/Finale; Allegro Giusto
Symphony No. 8 in B Minor "Unfinished"/Allegro Moderato
Symphony No. 8 in B Minor "Unfinished"/Andante Con Moto
Impromptus, Op. 90/Impromptu in C Minor. Allegro Molto Moderato
Impromptus, Op. 90/Impromptu in E Flat Major. Allegro
Impromptus, Op. 90/Impromptu in G Flat Major. Andante
Impromptus, Op. 90/Impromptu in a Flat Major. Allegretto
String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor "Death and the Maiden"/Allegro
String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor "Death and the Maiden" Andante ...
String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor "Death and the Maiden" Scherzo: ...
String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor "Death and the Maiden"/Presto
String Quartet No. 12 in C Minor "Quartettsatz" Allegro Assai ...
Rosamunde/Ballet Music
Symphony No. 9 in C Major "Great" Introduction: Andante-Allegro Ma Non
Symphony No. 9 in C Major "Great"/Andante Con Moto
Symphony No. 9 in C Major "Great"/Scherzo + Trio: Allegro Vivace
Symphony No. 9 in C Major "Great"/Allegro Vivace
Symphony No. 3 in D Major/Adagio Maestoso-Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 3 in D Major/Allegretto
Symphony No. 3 in D Major/Minuetto (Vivace)-Trio
Symphony No. 3 in D Major/Presto-Vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major/Allegro
Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major/Andante Con Moto
Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major/Minuetto: Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major/Allegro Vivace
Impromptus, Op. 142/Impromptu in F Minor. Allegro Moderato
Impromptus, Op. 142/Impromptu in a Flat Major. Allegretto
Impromptus, Op. 142/Impromptu in B Flat Major. Andante
Impromptus, Op. 142/Impromptu in F Major. Allegro Scherzo
String Quartet No. 13 in a Minor "Rosamunde"/Allegro Ma Non Troppo
String Quartet No. 13 in a Minor "Rosamunde"/Andante
String Quartet No. 13 in a Minor "Rosamunde"/Minuetto: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 13 in a Minor "Rosamunde"/Allegro Moderato
Moment Musical in a Flat Major
Symphony No. 1 in D Major/Excerpt
Symphony No. 4 in C Minor "Tragic"/Adagio Molto-Allegro Vivace
Symphony No. 4 in C Minor "Tragic"/Andante
Symphony No. 4 in C Minor "Tragic"/Minuetto E Trio (Allegro Vivace)
Symphony No. 4 in C Minor "Tragic"/Allegro
Scherzo No. 1 in B Flat Major
Sonatine for Violin and Piano No. 2 in a Minor/Excerpt
Sonatine for Violin and Piano No. 2 in a Minor/Andante
Sonatine for Violin and Piano No. 1 in D Major/Allegro Vivace
Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in a Minor/Allegro Moderato
Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in a Minor/Adagio
Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in a Minor/Allegretto

Average customer rating:

Lovely music

Nightmoods: Night Wanderer

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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 | Classical | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Nightmoods: Moonlight
Nightmoods: Twilight Hour
Nightmoods: Solo Journey
Nightmoods: Intimate Conversations
Schubert, Debussy / Rostropovich, Britten

ASIN: B000001GZU
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

Piano Trio No. 2 In E-Flat: Andante con moto
Ave Maria
Standchen (Serenade - Softly A Voice Is Calling)
Impromptu No. 3 In G-Flat
Piano Trio No. 1 In B-Flat: Andante un poco mosso
Piano Quintet In A ('The Trout')
Rosamunde, Princess Of Cyprus - Entr'acte
Quartet No. 14 In D Minor (Death And The Maiden): Andante con moto - Theme And Variations I, II (Excerpt)
String Quintet In C: Adagio

Customer Reviews:

Lovely music.......2001-08-12

Could've been even more powerful---okay recordings. Low sound quality and the music could've been done better. If you NEED to hear a song on this disc, this is a good quencher until you can find something better. I'm sorry to say!