Songs of Ariel

1. Songs of Ariel (5) from Shakespeare's Tempest, for a-cappela choir
Composed by Frank Martin
with Ulfert Smidt

2. Passacaglia for organ
Composed by Frank Martin
with Ulfert Smidt

3. Mass for double chorus
Composed by Frank Martin
with Ulfert Smidt

Songs of Ariel,Martin,Smidt,Straube,Thorofon,Classical,Classical Vocals

Average customer rating: Classic Art Songs Sung with Brilliance and Artistry Pretty, but not memorable Returning to the Recital Hall: A Soiree Pretty sound spoiled by a bad vocal habit Excellent!

Forgotten Songs: Dawn Upshaw Sings Debussy Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Debussy, Claude | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Upshaw, Dawn | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Angels Hide Their Faces: Dawn Upshaw Sings Bach and Purcell Knoxville Summer of 1915 Voices of Light I Wish It So Dawn Upshaw Sings Rodgers & Hart ASIN: B000002B6P Release Date: 1997-03-18

Tracks:

1. Vasnier Songbook: I. Pantomime
2. Vasnier Songbook: II. Calmes dans le demi-jour (En sourdine)
3. Vasnier Songbook: III. Mandoline
4. Vasnier Songbook: IV. Clair de lune
5. Vasnier Songbook: Fantoches
6. Vasnier Songbook: VI. Coquetterie posthume
7. Vasnier Songbook: VII. Romance - Silence ineffable
8. Vasnier Songbook: VIII. Musique
9. Vasnier Songbook: X. Paysage sentimental
10. Vasnier Songbook: X. Romance - Voici que le printemps
11. Vasnier Songbook: XI. La Romance d'Ariel
12. Vasnier Songbook: XII. Regret
13. Forgotten Melodies: I. C'est l'extase langoureuse
14. Forgotten Melodies: II. Il pleure dans mon coeur
15. Forgotten Melodies: III. L'ombre des arbres
16. Forgotten Melodies: IV. Chevaux de bois
17. Forgotten Melodies: V. Green (Aquarelle)
18. Forgotten Melodies: VI. Spleen (Aquarelle)
19. Five Poems Of Charles Baudelaire: I. Le Balcon
20. Five Poems Of Charles Baudelaire: II. Harmonie du soir
21. Five Poems Of Charles Baudelaire: III. Le Jet d'eau
22. Five Poems Of Charles Baudelaire: IV. Recueillement
23. Five Poems Of Charles Baudelaire: V. La Mort des amants

Customer Reviews:

Classic Art Songs Sung with Brilliance and Artistry.......2006-11-10

Dawn Upshaw possesses a voice with beautiful bell canto tonal quality and uses the glissando technique, only when effective, rendering this collection of uncommon art songs superbly sung. The entire album is a joy to listen to...

Pretty, but not memorable.......2006-04-29

'Forgotton Songs, Dawn Upshaw sings Debussy' with James Levine at the piano is, to my layman's ear, very pretty to listen to, but not a whole lot to get excited about. If you are especially fond of Upshaw, you must have this recording. If you are especially fond of Debussy, other vocalists may have just a little more to offer. Everything about this recording is 'nice', just not a whole lot to get excited about.

Returning to the Recital Hall: A Soiree.......2005-04-09

Dawn Upshaw is one of the most intelligent and creative and adventuresome singers on the concert stage today. Just reviewing the list of her recordings available and it is obvious that she has paid attention to both contemporary and established composers in a way that is truly refreshing.

Here the program is devoted to the works of Claude Debussy, a composer for whom Upshaw has a particular penchant. Her voice is crystal clear, perfectly focused and yet not afraid to animate when the lyrics demand. She covers three cycles here: 'Ariettes oubliees' (for this listener the most successful on the album), 'Racueil Vasnier', and 'Cinq Poemes de Charles Baudelaire' (contrast these with the recently released Susan Graham version and see what interpretation is all about!).

The collaboration between Upshaw and James Levine is sensitive (if not always the pianism of others..). But the entire recital is uplifting and satisfying for the variation in the songs, recorded sound, the generosity of the disc, and most of all for the musical intelligence in which these songs are performed! Grady Harp, April 05

Pretty sound spoiled by a bad vocal habit.......2004-05-07

Every voice teacher I have ever had, and I have had many, were unanimous in their advice that sliding into notes is something that must be done with great moderation. Dawn Upshaw does it all the time and to the ears of a trained singer it becomes extremely annoying extremely quickly. Constant sliding into notes is less objectionable if one actually reaches the right pitch in the process. Miss Upshaw frequently does NOT, resulting in numerous instances where she is simply not in tune at all on some notes. Her sliding also creates constant dissonances with the piano which are entirely undebussyesque. If it were Webern or Berg she were singing she might get away with it. Here she does not. NOT RECOMMENDED.

P.S. Since writing this review (quite some time ago), I was fortunate to hear a recording of Ms. Upshaw in a production at the Metropolitan Opera where she didn't do any of her annoying sliding at all - not once - (probably because it was music from a much earlier time) The difference was astounding. It was a glorious performance. It was hard to believe it was the same person. This, more than ever, confirms my opinion that she ruined this recording with a bad singing habit.

Excellent!.......2003-11-26

This recording of Debussy's Melodies are really excellent. Dawn Upshaw's voice is exactly right for this kind of music - light, charming, and lyrical, with real sensitivity to the text. The Ariettes Oubliees are the best I've heard, with the exception of Frederica von Stade. In addition, her interpretation of Mandoline from the Vasnier Songbook is perfect - the tempo, piano, voice, and interpretation are exactly right. My only criticism is that the diction, while perfectly clear, has an "American" accent that is sometimes distracting.

Average customer rating: Mellow Magic Anhelo A large voice sings small A Cura for Heartache Jose Cura's voice is truly magnificent!

Anhelo: Argentinian Songs Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Ginastera | Ginastera, Alberto | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ramirez, Ariel | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cura, José | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ramirez, Ariel | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jose Cura - Puccini Arias / Domingo Boleros Verismo Artist Portrait Jose Cura Verdi Arias ASIN: B00000DGWU Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

1. Preludio a los Sonetos de Amor y Muerte
2. La rosa y el sauce
3. Se equivoco la paloma
4. El unico camino
5. Elegia para un gorrion
6. Campanilla, adonde vas?
7. Riqueza
8. Soneto 4
9. Anhelo
10. Caminito
11. Nocturno
12. Milonga
13. Cancion del arbol del olvido
14. Alfonsina y el mar
15. Cancion del carretero
16. Cancion de Perico
17. Adios Nonino
18. Desde el fondo de ti
19. Postal de guerra
20. Sonetos de Amor y Muerte

Amazon.com

So often, operatic crossover discs seem to be devised according to marketing surveys, with the star swooping into the recording studio between engagements with minimum thought or care. Jose Cura's first crossover disc, Anhelo, is quite the exception. The tenor not only sings but has orchestrated and conducted several numbers as well, which is only the most tangible evidence of the thought and feeling he's put into this. The emphasis is on ballads--which is only fitting for an album whose title means intense, suffocating desire--though there are also folk-like songs and instrumental cuts, one of which Cura composed himself in a neo-Puccinian style. Some of the songs have orchestrations, but the instrumentation is mostly spare: often acoustic guitar or piano and, in one cut, only solo voice. Cura may not have the most flexible instrument, yet he scales it down extremely well here. Clearly, this disc didn't just arise out of a career strategy but as a sincere desire to communicate. And it does. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Mellow Magic.......2005-12-16

In this exquisite CD of Argentine music, you will not hear Jose Cura sing with the full power of his magnificent operatic voice, but rather with a gentle beauty that is captivating. He shows us his heart in these songs, and what he is capable of doing artistically as well as his commitment to excellence, beyond his career as an international opera superstar. The repertoire consists of music by 20th and 21st century composers: Cura himself (2 tracks), Carlos Guastavino (8), Carlos Lopez Buchardo (2), and Julian Aguirre, Alberto Muzzio, Jorge Cardozo, Alberto Ginastera, Ariel Ramirez, Astor Piazzolla, Hilda Herrera, and Maria Elena Walsh each contributing one selection apiece.

The arrangements (by Cura) and musicianship are superb, featuring the brilliant talents of Eduardo Delgado (piano) and Ernesto Bitetti (guitar). Cura also conducts, and also had a hand in the design of the booklet insert, which has terrific liner notes, recording info, and lyrics in Spanish, English and French. There are also lots of photographs, and one of Cura as a toddler at the piano that is priceless.

There are 4 instrumentals on the CD, and the transcription of Piazzolla's "Adios Nonino" for piano quintet is stupendous, and another big favorite is Ginastera's "Cancion del arbol del olvido." There is nostalgia, sweet simplicity, and a purity to this album that may not appeal to those who like their music always on full throttle, but it is rich with a depth of soul and emotion, and is a rare encounter in this age of sound overkill. Total playing time is 62'08.

Anhelo.......2001-11-20

I discovered Jose Cura through Sarah Brightman's "Time to Say Goodbye." What a find I made! This man has the most expressive voice. Full of emotion and grandure, but not to the point of being ridiculous.

"Anhelo" is the perfect introduction to this wonderful man's voice. It is traditional Argentine music. The first time I heard "La Rosa" I was literally crying by the time it was over. The production is not over the top. You can hear Jose, without fighting the orchestra. Even if you don't speak Spanish, you can understand what he's singing through the emotion he gives each song.

Where most operatic voices do not understand that not every song is an aria, Jose does. He, like Sarah Brightman, can sing the opera with the "pop." Pick up this CD, with the bath and wine ready!

A large voice sings small.......2001-06-01

Many opera singers cannot seem to make their voices fit small or popular-type songs. The great Placido Domingo's pop albums are all disappointing: overproduced and underfelt. Jose Cura, on the other hand, gives these small songs from his homeland a warm, heartfelt treatment. The spare, always apt accompaniment adds to the poetic quality of the whole. This CD is a treasure.

A Cura for Heartache.......1999-09-23

Musical wonderman José Cura conducts himself in this splendid collections of art songs from his native Argentina. Wrapping his big, rich, meltingly warm barti-tenor voice around each ballad of heartache and romantic longing, Cura beautifully conveys the emotion at the heart of the song; it's meaning comes clear even for us listeners who aren't up on our Spanish. Especially impressive are his top notes, which he deploys either forcefully or very soft and intimate, like a lover's whisper in one's ear. Superb support from Ernesto Bitetti and Eduardo Delgado on guitar and piano contribute to the aura of closeness surrounding this disc. Simply put, ANHELO is a beautiful album and one which deserves a place any serious music lover's collection. ¡Viva El Cura!

Jose Cura's voice is truly magnificent!.......1999-09-22

I bought this CD after I heard Jose on Sarah Brighman's "Time to Say Goodbye." His voice is always so powerful, yet sweet that moves the hearts of those who listen to his music. He has truly put his heart into this CD. His feelings about Argentina is clearly reflected in all the songs that he included on this CD. HE will be the greatest tenor!!! He has all the qualities that a truly great tenor should! Let's wait for Jose's career to shine like no one else's.

Average customer rating: Superb Performances of Major Martin & Messiaen Choral Works

Frank Martin: Messe; Olivier Messiaen: Cinq Rechants / RIAS Kammerchor / Daniel Reuss Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Martin | Martin, Frank | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Messiaen | Messiaen, Olivier | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00020HD8A Release Date: 2004-08-10

Customer Reviews:

Superb Performances of Major Martin & Messiaen Choral Works.......2005-05-05

The Mass for Unaccompanied Double Choir is now the most frequently recorded work by the great Swiss composer Frank Martin (1890-1974) - testimony to its direct musical & spiritual appeal, and especially astonishing for a piece that had to wait nearly 40 years after its completion (in 1926) for its premiere! The hauntingly beautiful five Songs of Ariel (1950) make up Martin's most important a cappella choral work on profane texts, and his only English-language settings - passages from Shakespeare's Tempest; typically, the longest piece focuses on serious themes of guilt, retribution and mercy. Both works receive exceptional performances here, as do the 2 formidably challenging Messiaen works, again one secular - the wild, unbuttoned Cinq Rechants (1948), with mixed French/invented tongue text referencing Tristan & Yseult, Orpheus, etc. - and one sacred, the brief but moving O sacrum convivium (1937). Conductor Daniel Reuss and the RIAS Chamber Chorus have done themselves and these inspired composers proud. I can't think of another recent disk of great 20th century choral music that has given me more pleasure and satisfaction. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating: Worth hearing

Sir Michael Tippett: Remember Your Lovers Manufacturer: Signum UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tippett | Tippett, Michael | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000BCHJP6 Release Date: 2005-11-29

Customer Reviews:

Worth hearing.......2006-03-21

Sir Michael Tippett is not a composer one automatically associates with English song. This album of extraordinarily beautiful songs should go some way to remedying that. Tippett's World War 2 song cycle, The Heart's Assurance, deserves to be more widely known. The remainder of the album consists of the long, reflective Boyhood's End, and Benjamin Britten's Canticle I, a hymn by Pelham Humphrey, Tippett's settings of Shelley's Music and three Shakespeare texts, and his arrangements of some of Purcell's songs. These latter are spare, elegant settings and compare favourably with Britten's Purcell Realizations. They might even be better. Of course, the performers contribute to the beauty of this album. Both singer and pianist treat these works with repsect. Iain Burnside's accompaniment is sensitive, supportive and never overpowers the singer. John Mark Ainsley's slightly melancholy tone suits these songs admirably. He is not overtly emotional; the impact of these moving songs is greater, I think, because of his restraint. His phrasing is superb, and his diction excellent. You can hear the words without needing them in front of you. This album is already near the top of my favourites list.

Average customer rating: Beautiful, soulful and at times shiveringly wonderful beautiful Stunningly Good : You've GOT to Hear This in SACD! A Spoonful of Sugar Spoonful of Sugar

Shakespeare in Song [Hybrid SACD] Matthew Harris , Nils Lindberg , Jaakko Mantyjarvi , Frank Martin , Alan Murray , Ralph Vaughan Williams , Charles Bruffy , Carol Platt , Cassandra Ewer , Laura Inman , and Robert Comeaux Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Argento | Argento, Dominick | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Martin | Martin, Frank | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Shall I Compare Thee? Choral Songs on Shakespeare Texts Shakespeare Songs Eternal Rest - Phoenix Bach Choir, Kansas City Chorale Songs and Dances from Shakespeare Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs ASIN: B0002NRRCO Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

1. Hark! Hark! The Lark Adagio
2. Tell Me Where Is Fancy Bred. Allegretto
3. I Shall No More To Sea. Largo
4. When That I Was And A Little Tiny Boy. Moderato
5. It Was A Lover And His Lass Gently
6. O Mistress Mine! Adagietto
7. When Daffodils Begin To Peer. Lilting, With A Beat
8. I. Come Unto These Yellow Sands (Ariel's Song). Molto Tranquillo
9. II. Full Fathom Five. Tres Calme
10. III. Before You Can Say, 'Come', And 'Go'. Allegro Molto
11. IV. You Are Three Men Of Sin. Allegro - Adagio - Allegro
12. V. Where The Bee Sucks, There Suck I. Allegretto Grazioso
13. Slowly, With Expression - Meno Mosso - Poco Meno Mosso
14. 1. Come Away, Come Away, Death. Andante Moderato
15. 2. Lullaby. Andante Con Moto
16. Double, Double Toil And Trouble...
17. Full Fathom Five. Grave
18. Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day?
19. Molto Lento Ed Elegiaco
20. O Mistress Mine! Tranquillo
21. 1. Full Fathom Five. Andante Misterioso
22. 2. The Cloud-Capp'd Towers. Lento
23. 3. Over Hill, Over Dale. Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, soulful and at times shiveringly wonderful.......2005-07-10

For a lover of choirmusic - this album is a pearl! The Phoenix Bach Choir are wonderful singers, with enviable technique and intonation... This album is among the stayers on my MP3 player :o)

beautiful.......2005-03-21

My chamber group performed the four Mantyjarvi songs, so I bought this album for those four songs alone and because absolutely addicted to most of the album, especially the song by composer Matthew Harris. Hauntingly beautiful. I love this album.

Stunningly Good : You've GOT to Hear This in SACD!.......2005-03-03

As a Kansas Citian, I've had many years experience hearing Charles Bruffy work his magic with choral singers; his home church is a quarter-mile from my home and even his small amateur church choir is wonderful. The Kansas City Chorale, his first professional choir, has made memorable recordings for Nimbus. And now his Phoenix Bach Choir is recording for Chandos. As a recent article by James Reel in Fanfare puts it, Bruffy 'is one of the next big things in American choral music. He's mentioned in the same breath with his former mentor, Robert Shaw.' Possibly my most memorable choral music experience was several years ago when Bruffy combined the Kansas City and Phoenix choirs to sing Thomas Tallis's legendary 'Spem in alium,' with 40+ singers ranged around the periphery of an oval cathedral space with the audience in the middle. Waves of polyphony came crashing over the audience from different directions like musical tidal waves. Extraordinary!

This recording of music set to words by Shakespeare is not the usual olde tyme music, but rather is all from the 20th (and in at least one case, the 21st) century by well-known composers like Vaughan Williams and Frank Martin, and little-knowns like Matthew Harris and Major Alan Murray. All of it is good, some of it strikingly good (like the Martin, the RVW, and Sametz's 'When he shall die,' written in honor of Louis Botto, the late founder of America's most famous professional choir, Chanticleer, and which the choir apparently learned only two days before the recording date!)

Others have already written in some detail about the program. Let me just add that unless you hear this in SACD you're missing something. I have heard it in both formats and can tell you that the SACD is sensational, not that the plain-vanilla CD lacks anything for that medium. As Bruffy predicts in the Fanfare article, 'Once you listen on SACD you'll never go back.'

This is stunningly beautiful release that I recommend unstintingly. On my wish-list is a recording in SACD of the Phoenix Bach Choir and the Kansas City Chorale reunited to sing 'Spem in alium.' Now THAT would really be something heard in surround sound the way Tallis intended it!

TT=55:52

Scott Morrison

A Spoonful of Sugar.......2004-10-09

Shakespeare, for me, is like cough syrup. It's good to have once in a while, but a spoon of it once a year is all you need. Nothing against the Bard, I just wouldn't want him over for my dinner party. But I try to keep an open mind - at least for a few minutes - so I popped the disc into an SACD player and listened.

I heard something new, and something unexpected. Here, the Phoenix Bach Choir doesn't offer some type of trite and foolishly cheerful Renaissance romp, but instead, new settings of old texts.

First, the quality of the recording is superb - listening in 5.1 surround it feels as though the group is singing to you in your living room, albeit in a much better acoustic without the drapes, carpet and recliner. Second, the quality of the sound of the ensemble is exquisite, even in extreme dynamic ranges or technically difficult passages. Bruffy and his singers offer impeccable blend, ideal choral balance, spot-on intonation, careful attention to the ebb and flow of the text, and absolute control of technique, especially in complex polyphonic sections.

These qualities should be reason enough for anyone to buy the album, even though these attributes should be (but often aren't) par for the course for professional choral ensembles.

While the introspective interpretation of the music is an excellent quality, the innovative sounds of these (perhaps unfamiliar) composers are truly wonderful. All of the composers featured on the album have written music during the past 100 years, and the several songs are fresh and accessible. The Matthew Harris "Shakespeare Songs" are absolutely addictive - you'll find yourself humming these tunes while you make your morning muffins. The Nils Lindberg "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" is a mellow and jazzy piece, conjuring images of a choral ensemble around the piano at a martini bar. Alan Murray's "O Mistress Mine" is a very English-sounding anthem that, words aside, wouldn't sound out of place in an Anglican church service.

To be fair, the other selections on the disc are not as immediately pleasing. The dark, edgy pieces by Frank Martin and Steven Sametz are the best examples, full of brooding and bite. The Vaughan Williams pieces are much more bitter than one might expect from this beloved composer. Unfortunately, these melancholy, hazy selections tend to get buried together on the album, so be sure to sample things out of order as you listen. I suspect that these other pieces are like a good coffee that one must appreciate over several tastings. But perhaps this coffee needs another spoonful of sugar.

But after the SACD has stopped spinning, I realize that this music has offered me a window to profundity. As I encountered this offering of art, bringing to it all of my prior judgements and feelings, I found that this music activates a point of resonance within myself. Upon reflection, I realized what I heard was the hum of the universal experience of the human condition, the clear ring of music that is carefully laid out as a mirror before the soul.

While most of this album is dark, brooding, and edgy, there is a familiar echo in the sonorities that stays with you like a distant, bittersweet, mysterious, but much treasured, memory.

Spoonful of Sugar.......2004-10-07

Shakespeare, for me, is like cough syrup. It's good to have once in a while, but a spoon of it once a year is all you need. Nothing against the Bard, I just wouldn't want him over for my dinner party. But I try to keep an open mind - at least for a few minutes - so I popped the disc into an SACD player and listened.

I heard something new, and something unexpected. Here, the Phoenix Bach Choir doesn't offer some type of trite and foolishly cheerful Renaissance romp, but instead, new settings of old texts.

First, the quality of the recording is superb - listening in 5.1 surround it feels as though the group is singing to you in your living room, albeit in a much better acoustic without the drapes, carpet and recliner. Second, the quality of the sound of the ensemble is exquisite, even in extreme dynamic ranges or technically difficult passages. Bruffy and his singers offer impeccable blend, ideal choral balance, spot-on intonation, careful attention to the ebb and flow of the text, and absolute control of technique, especially in complex polyphonic sections.

These qualities should be reason enough for anyone to buy the album, even though these attributes should be (but often aren't) par for the course for professional choral ensembles.

While the introspective interpretation of the music is an excellent quality, the innovative sounds of these (perhaps unfamiliar) composers are truly wonderful. All of the composers featured on the album have written music during the past 100 years, and the several songs are fresh and accessible. The Matthew Harris "Shakespeare Songs" are absolutely addictive - you'll find yourself humming these tunes while you make your morning muffins. The Nils Lindberg "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" is a mellow and jazzy piece, conjuring images of a choral ensemble around the piano at a martini bar. Alan Murray's "O Mistress Mine" is a very English-sounding anthem that, words aside, wouldn't sound out of place in an Anglican church service.

To be fair, the other selections on the disc are not as immediately pleasing. The dark, edgy pieces by Frank Martin and Steven Sametz are the best examples, full of brooding and bite. The Vaughan Williams pieces are much more bitter than one might expect from this beloved composer. Unfortunately, these melancholy, hazy selections tend to get buried together on the album, so be sure to sample things out of order as you listen. I suspect that these other pieces are like a good coffee that one must appreciate over several tastings. Perhaps this coffee needs another spoonful of sugar.

But after the SACD has stopped spinning, I realize that this music has offered me a window to profundity. As I encountered this offering of art, bringing to it all of my prior judgements and feelings, I found that this music activates a point of resonance within myself. Upon reflection, I realized what I heard was the hum of the universal experience of the human condition, the clear ring of music that is carefully laid out as a mirror before the soul.

While most of this album is dark, brooding, and edgy, there is a familiar echo in the sonorities that stays with you like a distant, bittersweet, mysterious, but much treasured, memory.

Average customer rating: One of my Favorite CDs Melodious Shakespeare

Songs to Shakespeare John Addison , John Addison II , William Aikin , Thomas Arne , Sir Henry Rowley Bishop , Benjamin Britten , Geoffrey Bush , John Clifton , Henry Balfour Gardiner , Franz Joseph Haydn , Mervyn Horder , Herbert Howells , John Ireland , William Linley , John Major , Sir Charles H.H. Parry , Roger Quilter , John Christopher Smith , Charles Villiers Stanford , Michael Tippett , Ralph Vaughan Williams , Graham Johnson , and Anthony Rolfe Johnson Manufacturer: Hyperion ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Arne | Arne, Thomas Augustin | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Howells, Herbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tippett | Tippett, Michael | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000002ZP7 Release Date: 1993-11-19

Tracks:

1. You Spotted Snakes
2. No More Dams I'll Make For Fish
3. On A Day, Alack The Day
4. She Never Told Her Love
5. O Mistress Mine
6. Lawn, As White As Driven Snow
7. If Love Make Me Forsworn
8. O Happy Fair!
9. If Music Be the Food Of Love
10. Farewell, Thou Art Too Dear For My Posessing
11. When In Disgrace With Fortune And Men's Eyes
12. Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day?
13. The Rain It Raineth Every Day
14. Orpheus With His Lute
15. Come Away Death
16. Fear No More The Heat o' The Sun
17. Take, O Take Those Lips Away
18. It Was A Lover And His Lass
19. Winter
20. When Daffodils Begin To Peer
21. Under The Greenwood Tree
22. Songs For Ariel - I. Come Unto These Yellow Sands
23. Songs For Ariel - II. Full Fathom Five
24. Songs For Ariel - III. Where The Bee Sucks
25. Who Is Silvia?
26. Francie
27. Sigh No More Ladies

Customer Reviews:

One of my Favorite CDs.......2004-02-19

In this wonderful collection of Shakespeare settings, Mr. Rolfe-Johnson creates a magical atmosphere using his unbelievable musicality and gorgeous, gorgeous voice! The songs themselves range from the sweet and charming "No more Dams!" to the heavenly interpretation of "She Never Told Her Love", but for me the high point of the whole CD is his incredible performance of the early version of Vaughan Willams' "Orpheus with his Lute"...this song alone is worth the price of the album! Mr. Rolfe Johnson is truly one of the worlds most exquisite tenors! A must have for every fan of English Song!

Melodious Shakespeare.......2001-01-24

This CD consists of a collection of settings of Shakespearian lines by composers ranging from the 18th to the mid-20th centuries. It is an ideal vehicle for finding a new way to enjoy these writings of Shakespeare and also experience the work of a number of British composers, some well-known and some not so well-known

Average customer rating: the ingredients

Christmas with King's Singers Manufacturer: Signum UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Michael Praetorius | Praetorius, Michael | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Part | Part, Arvo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ramirez, Ariel | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( 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 Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Warlock | Warlock, Peter | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music King's Singers | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music ASIN: B0000DDB84 Release Date: 2003-01-01

Tracks:

1. Veni, Veni Emmanuel
2. Angelus Ad Virginem
3. This Is the Truth Sent from Above
4. Wie Scheuchtet Der Morgenstern
5. Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprunger
6. There Is No Rose
7. Coventry Carol
8. Nowell Sing We Now
9. Remember, O Thou Man
10. In Dulci Jubilo
11. Lullay My Liking
12. Bogoroditsye Dyevo
13. Lamb
14. Maria Durch Ein' Dornwald Ging
15. O Little One Sweet
16. Bethlehem Down
17. Crown of Roses
18. To Us in Bethlem City
19. Szczo to Za Prediwo
20. There Is a Flower
21. Peregrinan
22. Away in a Manger
23. NoNouvelet
24. Stille Nacht
25. Born on a New Day

Customer Reviews:

the ingredients.......2006-12-23

This is a perfect King's Singers recording filled with Christmas music. The sustained success of this group of six English gentlemen is legendary, but not surprising. The ingredients for that success have remained the same for many years, through varying personnel, and across a very wide-ranging repertory of a capella music. First and foremost, these men are true musicians - musicians first, singers and interpreters second. Musicianship consisting of equal parts learning and attentive transmission, the King's Singers are immaculate musicians - attuned, commited, ready, and fortunately blessed with musical intelligence to guide their choices of material. Second, and as important in my view, these men are comrades. In their recently released DVD, one finds abundant evidence of a committment not only to their art, but to each other. A capella singing by nature revealing, you'll find no seams in the singing of this mastergroup. Everything is seen to, raised up, compelling - and ever beautiful. This is authentic art of the gods. As fond as I am of Chanticleer, and of Harry Christopher's The Sixteen, the work of those fine ensembles pales when compared to the lingering beauty of the King's Singers. Constant invention is one of the hallmarks of their recorded legacy, and is bountiful on this disc - voicings, approaches, and a magical communion of voices. Check out Ariel Ramirez' instantly amenable 'La peregrinacion' and you'll never turn back. Big recommendation.

Average customer rating: Awesome

Michael Nyman: Songbook / Ute Lemper Michael Nyman , Ute Lemper , and Michael Nyman Band Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Nyman | Nyman, Michael | ( N ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Nyman: Time Will Pronounce ASIN: B0000041VI Release Date: 1992-03-10

Tracks:

1. Six Clean Songs: Chanson Einer Dame Im Schatten
2. Six Clean Songs: Es War Erde In Ihnen
3. Six Clean Songs: Psalm
4. Six Clean Songs: Corona
5. Six Clean Songs: Nacht; Ich Geschurzt
6. Six Clean Songs: Blume
7. Ariel Songs: Come And Go
8. Ariel Songs: While You Here Do Snoring Lie
9. Ariel Songs: Full Fathom Five
10. I Am An Unusual Thing
11. Allez! On Previendra Les Reflux D'incendie
12. Quand Tes Pieds Ont Danse

Customer Reviews:

Awesome.......1999-04-21

Combine Paul Celan, Ute Lemper and Michael Nyman and what do you get. Pure genius of course. Chanson einer Dame im Schatten was a great poem. It is an unbelievable song. I own over 500 CDs. This is one of my favorite ones.

Average customer rating: The Classical Christmas Album

The Classic Christmas Album Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( 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 Corelli | Corelli, Arcangelo | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cornelius, Peter | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( 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 Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( 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 Ramirez, Ariel | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | 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 Modern | 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 Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | 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 Studer, Cheryl | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Adam, Adolphe-Charles | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Berlin, Irving | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gruber, Franz Xaver | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Faure, Gabriel | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Handel, George Frideric | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Schubert, Franz | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ramirez, Ariel | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Battle, Kathleen | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Te Kanawa, Kiri | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Ultimate Classical Christmas Album of All Time Christmas Adagios #1 Christmas Album All Star Classic Christmas Album The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album 2 ASIN: B0000041L5 Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

1. Sinfonies de Fanfare: Rondeau
2. O Holy Night (Minuit chretien)
3. The Nutcracker: March
4. O Tannenbaum
5. Die Schlittenfahrt
6. White Christmas
7. Jesus bleibet meine Freude
8. Ave Maria
9. Meditation
10. El Nacimiento
11. Judas Maccabaeus: See, The Conquering Hero Comes
12. Chorale From Cantata BWV 147: Jesus bleibet meine Freude
13. Requiem: Pie Jesu
14. Concerto Fatto per la notte di Natale: Concerto Fatto per la notte di Natale - Adagio
15. The Three Kings: Die Konige
16. Silent Night
17. Ave Maria
18. Dance Of The Reedpipes
19. Magic Is The Moonlight
20. Geistiches Wiegenlied
21. Messiah: Hallelujah

Customer Reviews:

The Classical Christmas Album.......2000-12-06

This is THE Christmas CD for the holidays. It has all the beautiful Christmas songs you want. Kiri Te Kanawa's version of Schubert's Ave Maria will bring tears to your eyes, Gabriel Faure's performance of Pie Jesu from Requim is simply beautiful, and the English Concert Choir's performance of Handel's Hallelujah from Messiah will take your breath away. This is a great buy and will be treasured all year long.

Average customer rating: Very pretty and with the virtues of that prettiness

Debussy: Early Songs Manufacturer: Deux-Elles ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Forgotten Songs: Dawn Upshaw Sings Debussy Susan Graham - La Belle Époque (The Songs of Reynaldo Hahn) ASIN: B0000926RI Release Date: 2003-12-30

Customer Reviews:

Very pretty and with the virtues of that prettiness.......2007-05-18

Gillian Keith's voice is a young very pretty light soprano, with ease in the top notes and considerable agility. She brings all of that plus her very good French to this recording of often unrepresented Debussy songs - some rarities indeed of Debussy's early vocal compositions.

Accompanist Simon Lepper is marvellous. He plays like limpid streams of water - transparent, beautiful, full of movement and colour and reflections.

Where this album falls for me is in the vocal interpretation. What I hear is sound - very pretty sound, but not a remarkable facility for interpretation. I feel the phrasing is musical but perfunctory, so that many times a moment of significance is lost because it is not phrased with more feeling. And while the voice is (as I said) very pretty, and the top notes are sung with ease, it does seem to me that some of those top notes are slightly pinched... a little white and not quite matching the rest of the voice. But this is a minor criticism - from what I can see, Ms Keith has plenty of time to develop her technique further, and it's always a pretty sound and with such a lovely line of clarity.

It's charming to listen to, and if I was left wanting a little more, it doesn't detract from the prettiness of it. I think this will please many listeners. Recommended.

Track Listings:

1. Spanish Recital, Works for Two Guitars
2. Stahmer: I Can Fly / Dreamscape
3. Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in Am Op50; Babadjanan: Trio
4. Terremoto con variazioni - 19th cent. virtuoso guitar music
5. The Magic Bassoon
6. Toccata (Terremoto con Variazioni)
7. Tribute to Rolf Liebermann
8. Unitá in Musica: Dietrich Erdmann Instrumentalmusik
9. Villa-Lobos: Complete works for Solo Guitar
10. Vivaldi: Concertos Op. 9 "La Cetra"

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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Collection