Symphony 3 / Suite on Russian Themes

1. Suite on Russian Folk Melodies (Russian Suite), for orchestra, Op. 79b
Composed by Max Bruch
Performed by Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Manfred Honeck

2. Symphony No.3, in E major Op. 51
Composed by Max Bruch
Performed by Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Manfred Honeck

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tracks:

Andante Assai-Allegro Eroico - Mstislav Rostropovich
Andante Tranquillo - Mstislav Rostropovich
Moderato Quasi Allegretto - Mstislav Rostropovich
Allegro Risoluto - Mstislav Rostropovich
Andante-Allegro Eroico - Mstislav Rostropovich
Andante Tranquillo - Mstislav Rostropovich
Moderato Quasi Allegretto - Mstislav Rostropovich
Allegro Risoluto - Mstislav Rostropovich

Tracks:

Allegro Moderato - Mstislav Rostropovich
Largo - Mstislav Rostropovich
Vivace - Mstislav Rostropovich
Allegro - Mstislav Rostropovich
Larghetto - Mstislav Rostropovich
Gavotte - Mstislav Rostropovich
Finale - Mstislav Rostropovich

Tracks:

Allegro - Mstislav Rostropovich
Theme Et Variations - Mstislav Rostropovich
Moderato - Mstislav Rostropovich
Andante - Mstislav Rostropovich
Allegro Agitato - Mstislav Rostropovich
Andantino Mosso - Mstislav Rostropovich

Tracks:

Moderato - Mstislav Rostropovich
Allegretto - Mstislav Rostropovich
Andante Espressivo - Mstislav Rostropovich
Vivace - Mstislav Rostropovich
Andante - Mstislav Rostropovich
Allegro Marcato - Mstislav Rostropovich
Adagio - Mstislav Rostropovich
Allegro Giocoso - Mstislav Rostropovich

Tracks:

Andantino - Maxim Vengerov
Scherzo: Vivacissimo - Maxim Vengerov
Moderato - Maxim Vengerov
Andante - Mstislav Rostropovich
Allegro Giusto - Mstislav Rostropovich
Andante Con Moto - Mstislav Rostropovich

Tracks:

Allegro Moderato - Vadim Repin
Andante Assai - Vadim Repin
Allegro, Ben Marcato - Vadim Repin
Vivace - Vladimir Kraniev
Andante - Vladimir Kraniev
Moderato - Vladimir Kraniev
Vivace - Vladimir Kraniev

Tracks:

Allegro Brioso - Vladimir Kraniev
Andante Assai - Vladimir Kraniev
Allegro Scherzando - Vladimir Kraniev
Allegro Con Brio - Vladimir Kraniev
Moderato Ben Accentuato - Vladimir Kraniev
Toccata: Allegro Con Fuoco - Vladimir Kraniev
Larghetto - Vladimir Kraniev
Vivo - Vladimir Kraniev

Tracks:

Andantino-Allegretto - Vladimir Kraniev
Scherzo: Vivace - Vladimir Kraniev
Intermezzo: Allegro Moderato - Vladimir Kraniev
Finale: Allegro Tempestoso - Vladimir Kraniev
Andante-Allegro - Vladimir Kraniev
Theme And Variations: Andantino - Vladimir Kraniev
Allegro, Ma Non Troppo - Vladimir Kraniev

Tracks:

Montagues And Capulets - Armin Jordan
Juliet The Little Girl - Armin Jordan
Friar Laurence - Armin Jordan
Dance - Armin Jordan
Romeo And Juliet Before Parting - Armin Jordan
Dance Of The Maids With Lillies - Armin Jordan
Romeo At Juliet's Grave - Armin Jordan
Folk Dance - Armin Jordan
Scene - Armin Jordan
Madrigal - Armin Jordan
Minuet - Armin Jordan
Masks - Armin Jordan
Romeo And Juliet - Armin Jordan
Death Of Tybalt - Armin Jordan
Romeo At The Fountain - Armin Jordan
Morning Dance - Armin Jordan
Juliet Variations - Armin Jordan
The Nurse - Armin Jordan
Aubade - Armin Jordan
Death Of Juliet - Armin Jordan

Tracks:

Musical March - Patrick Stewart
Andantino - Patrick Stewart
Allegro-Andantino, Come Prima - Patrick Stewart
L'Istesso Tempo-Piu Mosso - Patrick Stewart
Moderato-Allegro, Ma Non Troppo-Moderato - Patrick Stewart
Poco Piu Andante-Andantino, Come Prima-Andante - Patrick Stewart
Andante Molto-Nervoso-Allegro-Meno Mosso - Patrick Stewart
Allegro-Moderato - Patrick Stewart
Andantino, Come Prima-Vivo-Andante Molto - Patrick Stewart
Allegro-Poco Meno Mosso-Moderato - Patrick Stewart
Allegro Moderato-Andante - Patrick Stewart
Moderato-Poco Piu Mosso-Sostenuto-L'Intesso Tempo-Poco Piu Mosso-Andante-Allegro - Patrick Stewart
Musical March - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Andantino - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Allegro-Andantino, Come Prima - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
L'Istesso Tempo-Piu Mosso - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Moderato-Allegro, Ma Non Troppo-Moderato - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Poco Piu Andante-Andantino, Come Prima-Andante - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Andante Molto-Nervoso-Allegro-Meno Mosso - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Allegro-Moderato - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Andantino, Come Prima-Vivo-Andante Molto - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Allegro-Poco Meno Mosso-Moderato - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Allegro Moderato-Andante - Marius Muller-Westernhagen
Moderato-Poco Piu Mosso-Sostenuto-L'Intesso Tempo-Poco Piu Mosso-Andante-Allegro - Marius Muller-Westernhagen

Tracks:

Musical March - Jacques Martin
Andantino - Jacques Martin
Allegro-Andantino, Come Prima - Jacques Martin
L'Istesso Tempo-Piu Mosso - Jacques Martin
Moderato-Allegro, Ma Non Troppo-Moderato - Jacques Martin
Poco Piu Andante-Andantino, Come Prima-Andante - Jacques Martin
Andante Molto-Nervoso-Allegro-Meno Mosso - Jacques Martin
Allegro-Moderato - Jacques Martin
Andantino, Come Prima-Vivo-Andante Molto - Jacques Martin
Allegro-Poco Meno Mosso-Moderato - Jacques Martin
Allegro Moderato-Andante - Jacques Martin
Moderato-Poco Piu Mosso-Sostenuto-L'Intesso Tempo-Poco Piu Mosso-Andante-Allegro - Jacques Martin
Musical March - Miguel Bose
Andantino - Miguel Bose
Allegro-Andantino, Come Prima - Miguel Bose
L'Istesso Tempo-Piu Mosso - Miguel Bose
Moderato-Allegro, Ma Non Troppo-Moderato - Miguel Bose
Poco Piu Andante-Andantino, Come Prima-Andante - Miguel Bose
Andante Molto-Nervoso-Allegro-Meno Mosso - Miguel Bose
Allegro-Moderato - Miguel Bose
Andantino, Come Prima-Vivo-Andante Molto - Miguel Bose
Allegro-Poco Meno Mosso-Moderato - Miguel Bose
Allegro Moderato-Andante - Miguel Bose
Moderato-Poco Piu Mosso-Sostenuto-L'Intesso Tempo-Poco Piu Mosso-Andante-Allegro - Miguel Bose

Tracks:

Russia Under The Mongolian Yoke - Carolyn Watkinson
Song About Alexander Nevsky - Carolyn Watkinson
The Crusaders In Pskov - Carolyn Watkinson
'Arise, Ye Russian People' - Carolyn Watkinson
The Battle On The Ice - Carolyn Watkinson
The Field Of The Dead - Carolyn Watkinson
Alexander's Entry Into Pskov - Carolyn Watkinson
Adoration Of Weles And Ala - Carolyn Watkinson
Tshushbog And The Dance Of The Spirits - Carolyn Watkinson
The Night - Carolyn Watkinson
Departure Of Lolli And Followers To The Sun - Carolyn Watkinson

Tracks:

Adagio - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
Allegro Fastoso - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
Presto - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
Andante Assai - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
Andante Pomposo - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
Cinderella Arrives At The Ball (2nd Suite, No.5) - Alain Lombard
Cinderella And The Prince (3rd Suite, No.2) - Alain Lombard
Galop (2nd Suite, No.7) - Alain Lombard
Amoroso (3rd Suite, No.8) - Alain Lombard
Cinderella's Waltz/Midnight (1st Suite, Nos.7 & 8) - Alain Lombard
Entry Of The People - Philharmonia Orchestra
The Officials - Philharmonia Orchestra
The Sailor And The Factory Worker - Philharmonia Orchestra
The Factory - Philharmonia Orchestra

Tracks:

Ridiculous Fellows - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
Magician Tchelio And Fata Morgana - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
March - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
Scherzo - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
The Prince And The Princess - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
Flight - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
The Birth Of Kije - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Romance - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Wedding Of Kije - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Troika - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Burial Of Kije - London Philharmonic Orchestra

Tracks:

Andante Assai - Boris Berezovsky
Allegro Brusco - Boris Berezovsky
Andante - Boris Berezovsky
Allegrissimo - Boris Berezovsky
Moderato - Boris Berezovsky
Scherzo-Presto - Boris Berezovsky
Andante - Boris Berezovsky
Allegro Con Brio - Boris Berezovsky
Andante - Boris Berezovsky
Lento, Ma Non Troppo - Boris Berezovsky
Animato, Ma Non Allegro - Boris Berezovsky
Allegretto Leggero E Scherzando - Boris Berezovsky
Andante Non Troppo - Boris Berezovsky

Tracks:

Andante Cantabile - Vadim Repin
Allegro - Vadim Repin
Commodo (Quasi Allegretto) - Vadim Repin
Allegro Con Brio - Vadim Repin
Moderato - Jean-Pierre Rampal
Scherzo - Jean-Pierre Rampal
Andante - Jean-Pierre Rampal
Allegro Con Brio - Jean-Pierre Rampal
Andante Grave - Arto Noras
Moderato - Arto Noras
Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Arto Noras

Tracks:

Allegro, Ma Non Troppo - Pascal Devoyon
Scherzo - Pascal Devoyon
Andante - Pascal Devoyon
Vivace - Pascal Devoyon
Allegro Inquieto - Alexei Sultanov
Andante Caloroso - Alexei Sultanov
Precipitato - Alexei Sultanov
Andante Dolce - Steven De Groote
Andante Sognando - Steven De Groote
Vivace - Steven De Groote

Tracks:

Morning - Gyorgy Sebok
Promenade - Gyorgy Sebok
A Little Story - Gyorgy Sebok
Tarantella - Gyorgy Sebok
Regret - Gyorgy Sebok
Waltz - Gyorgy Sebok
March Of The Grasshoppers - Gyorgy Sebok
The Rain And The Rainbow - Gyorgy Sebok
Playing Tag - Gyorgy Sebok
March - Gyorgy Sebok
Evening - Gyorgy Sebok
The Moon Strolls In The Meadow - Gyorgy Sebok
No.7 Prelude - Cyprien Katsaris
National Dance (Allegro Giocoso) - Steven De Groote
Scene (Allegretto) - Steven De Groote
Menuet (Assai Moderato) - Steven De Groote
Juliet (Vivace) - Steven De Groote
Masks (Andante Maricale) - Steven De Groote
The Montagues And Capulets (Allegro Pesante) - Steven De Groote
Friar Laurence (Andante Espressivo) - Steven De Groote
Mercutio - Steven De Groote
Dance Of The Young Girls (Andante Con Eleganza) - Steven De Groote
Romeo And Juliet Before Separation (Lento) - Steven De Groote
Toccata For Piano - Cyprien Katsaris

Tracks:

Moderato - Berlin Soloists
Andante Energico - Berlin Soloists
Allegro Sostenuto, Ma Con Brio - Berlin Soloists
Adagio Pesante - Berlin Soloists
Allegro Precipitato, Ma Non Troppo Presto - Berlin Soloists
Andantino - Berlin Soloists
Overture On Hebrew Themes - Berlin Soloists
Overture On Hebrew Themes - Orchestre Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo
No.2 Andantino - Nathan Milstein
No.3 Andante Assai - Nathan Milstein

Tracks:

Ouverture - Lajos Miller
'Ciel Clair Et Printannier' - Lajos Miller
'Je Ne Veux Pas Dormir, Je Ne Peux Pas Dormir' - Lajos Miller
'Peu Leur Importe Que J'Existe' - Lajos Miller
Un Bal Chez Un vieux Gentilhomme - Lajos Miller
Scene Et Arrivee De L'Empereur - Lajos Miller
'Que Les Astres Poursuivent Leur Ronde' - Lajos Miller
'Par Un Soir De Printemps' - Lajos Miller
Un Salon Dans L'Hotel Particulier Du Prince Bolkonski - Lajos Miller
Le Comte Rostov, Natasha, La Princesse Marie - Lajos Miller
'Ah, Mademoiselle La Comtesse' - Lajos Miller
'De Quel Droit Me Refusent-Ils?' - Lajos Miller

Tracks:

'Enfin Vous Etes Venue Chez Moi' - Lajos Miller
'Comme Elle Est Belle' - Lajos Miller
'Mon Sort Est Entre Vos Mains' - Lajos Miller
'Je La Retrouverai' - Lajos Miller
Entree Du Cocher Balaga - Lajos Miller
'Joseph, De Loutre!' - Lajos Miller
Un Salon De La Maison De Madame Akhrossimova - Lajos Miller
'C'est Du Propre!' - Lajos Miller
'Bezoukhov... Fais Entrer' - Lajos Miller
'J'ai Une Confiance Aveugle En Vous' - Lajos Miller
Le Cabinet De Pierre Bezouhkov - Lajos Miller
'J'ai A Vous Parler' - Lajos Miller

Tracks:

Epigraphe - Lajos Miller
Borodino Avant La Bataille - Lajos Miller
'Allons-y Les Enfants' - Lajos Miller
'Vous Etes Le Prince Bolkonski' - Lajos Miller
Un Groupe De Paysans - Lajos Miller
'Moscou!' - Lajos Miller
'Denissov, Son Premier Fiance!' - Lajos Miller
Apparition De Pierre, En Frac Vert Et Chapeau Blanc - Lajos Miller
'Dans L'Espace' - Lajos Miller
Choeur Des Soldats, Choeur Des Partisans - Lajos Miller
'Travailler Sans Relache' - Lajos Miller
'Peuple Incomparable, Peuple Merveilleux' - Lajos Miller
Des Grenadiers Defilent Au Loin. Passage Du Regiment Izmailovski - Lajos Miller
Passage Au Loin Du Regement Du Cosaques - Lajos Miller
'Dommage, Mais Tu N'as Pas Tort'/'Pauvre Vieux'/'Tout Notre Peuple S'Est Leve' - Lajos Miller
'Le Vin Est Tire' - Lajos Miller
'Freres, Courons Au Combat' - Lajos Miller
Conseil De Guerre Dans Une Isba A Fili - Lajos Miller
'L'Antique Et Sainte Capitale' - Lajos Miller
'Si Vous Decidez De Vous Battre' - Lajos Miller
'L'Ennemi Nous Apporte La Mort' - Lajos Miller
'Comment Est Arrivee Cette Chose Terrible?' - Lajos Miller
Des Soldats Passent Sur La Route - Lajos Miller

Tracks:

Une Rue De Moscou, Occupee Par Les Francais - Lajos Miller
'La Fillette Chante' - Lajos Miller
'Viens Donc, Viens Ma Belle Amie' - Lajos Miller
Un Groupe De Moscovites, Une Femme Ouvrier, Une Boutiquiere, Douniacha, Mavra Kouzminicha, Matveiev - Lajos Miller
Passage Des Soldats Maraudeurs - Lajos Miller
Foule De Moscovites - Lajos Miller
'C'est L'Heure De Mourir Ou De Triompher' - Lajos Miller
'Vous En Avez Des Tetes' - Lajos Miller
Les Francais Sortent. Accourt Une Foule De Moscovites - Lajos Miller
Entre Du Marechal Davoust. Un Detachement Francais Amene Un Groupe De Prisonniers Parmi Lesquels Platon Karataiev - Lajos Miller
'Voyez, Voyez Ces Flammes!' - Lajos Miller
'Trois Fois Ils M'Ont Tue' - Lajos Miller
Arrivee Des Comediens Et Comediennes - Lajos Miller
'Quel Affreux Spectacle' - Lajos Miller
'Par Une Sombre Nuit Sans Lune' - Lajos Miller
Une Isba. Il Fait Nuit. Le Prince Andre Grievement Blesse - Lajos Miller
'Tout S'Allonge, S'Etire' - Lajos Miller
'Qu'est-ce La?' - Lajos Miller
'Pourquoi Trop?' - Lajos Miller
Une Route De Smolensk Sous Une Tempete De Neige. Les Troupes Francaises Battent En Retraite. Entree De Rampal Et Bonnet - Lajos Miller
Les Prisonniers. Pierre Et Platon Karataiev - Lajos Miller
'Freres, Vous Nous Avez Sauves' - Lajos Miller
Denissov, Pierre - Lajos Miller
'Un Jouir Notre Fedor Voulut Faire Prisonnier Un Francais Tout Vif' - Lajos Miller
'Le Serenissime' - Lajos Miller
'Notre Russie Est Sauvee' - Lajos Miller

Tracks:

March - Sergei Prokofiev
Intermezzo - Sergei Prokofiev
March - Sergei Prokofiev
Tales Of Old Grandmother - Sergei Prokofiev
Toccata - Sergei Prokofiev
Prelude, Op.23 No.5 In G Minor - Sergei Prokofiev
Prelude, Op.45 No.3/Winged Poem Op.51 No.3 - Sergei Prokofiev
Bydlo; Ballet Des Pousins Dans Leur Coques - Sergei Prokofiev
Promenade, The Old Castle - Sergei Prokofiev
Fantasia (Improvisation) On Themes From The Symphonic Suite 'Sheherezade' - Sergei Prokofiev
Song Of Praise - Sergei Prokofiev
Canon Founders - Sergei Prokofiev
Serge Prokofiev American Radio Interview - Sergei Prokofiev
Serge Prokofiev Russian Interview - Sergei Prokofiev

Customer Reviews:

An excellent collection of Prokofiev's major works.......2007-06-25

I was introduced to the music of Prokofiev through his symphonies, and was immediately drawn in by the beauty of his music. So I bought this box set without listening to any other of his works first.

I was not disappointed in any way. Here, collected together very nicely, are a large portion of Prokofiev's works. Many of the performances here are reissues of past recordings, mostly from the '80s and early '90s. There are many imminent performers here, such as Mstislav Rostropovich (Prokofiev was a good friend and teacher of Rostropovich, and dedicated his Cello concerto to him after hearing him play), Seiji Ozawa, Jean-Pierre Rampal, and many other excellent musicians and orchestras. Rest assured that these are some of the best performances available of the works included.

The recording quality is unquestionable. Most of the performances are digital, clean, and rich (no distorted, thin, distant, or weak recordings here!). The only disc which contains poor recordings is the Archive Recordings disc, which is understandable as the recordings are very old (including Prokofiev playing or singing some of his own works and some works by other composers).

As for range of compositions included, we have here a magnificent collection of Prokofiev's most important music (and some of his rarer pieces as well): his entire symphonies and concertos, a selection of his instrumental music (including violin, flute, cello, and piano sonatas), many of his stage works including Romeo & Juliet, Alexander Nevsky, the Prodigal Son, The Steel Step, The Love for Three Oranges, Lieutenant Kije, etc., and an entire recording of his War and Peace opera.

One inclusion that I find somewhat baffling is that of 4 different versions of Peter and the Wolf: English, German, Spanish, and French. I would have been content with just the English, but I suppose listeners from other countries can benefit from the other languages.

I really can think of no better way to start a collection of Prokofiev's music. Here you can get his major works, and for a decent price (used copies can be a very good deal). If you are interested in the music of Prokofiev, or in 20th century classical music, this set is a great way to get a thorough introduction to Prokofiev. Highly recommended!

A great gift for classical collectors.......2004-05-13

I think it's needless to say how famous are S. Prokofiev and his works. I just want to give some details about this collectible gem.

This boxset has 5 parts:

-Sonatas box: Instrumental and chamber music. 5 CDs including sonatas for violin(s), sonatas for piano, piano and cello, piano and flute. Music for childen, and a quintet (G minor)
-Concertos box: 4 CDs. Including concertos for violin(no1 and 2), for piano, symphony-concerto for cello.
-Symphonies box: 4 CDs from sym No1 to sym no7. no4: Op.47 and Op.112
-Stage works and Films scores: 6 CDs. Romeo and Juliet, Peter and the wolf, Alexander Nevsky, Scythian Suite, The Prodigal Son, Cinderella, The love for three oranges...
-War and Peace opera: 4CDs
-Bonus: Role music. Including piano pieces.

There is no question about the quality:
-Sound: 5 stars
-Performers technique: 5 stars
-Boxes and color: 5 stars
-Price: $7/CD is acceptable.

Finally, I would like to use Sviatoslav Prokofiev's words: "This Anniversary boxset is a most impressive testimony to the interest my father's music arouse among artists, orchestras and audiences alike."

Bruch: Symphony No. 3; Suite on Russian Themes

Average customer rating:

This is really nice music

Bruch: Symphony No. 3; Suite on Russian Themes
Max Bruch , Manfred Honeck , and Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006B1KL
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

Andante Sostenuto - Adagio, Ma Non Troppo Lento - Vivace
Dance: Vivace Ma Non Troppo
Adagio Sostenuto - Andante Sostenuto - (Furneral March) Allegro Enregico, Ma Non Troppo
Andante Sostenuto - Allegro Molto Vivace
Adagio: Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Scherzo: Vivace
Finale: Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Customer Reviews:

This is really nice music.......2006-08-23

This CD contains recordings of two compositions by the German composer Max Bruch (1838-1920), his Suite on Russian Themes and his Symphony No. 3 in E Major. The performance by the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Manfred Honeck is quite good - the music is well performed, always on key, and the different sections of the orchestra are well synchronized. The sound quality of this digital recording, made in the Hungaraton Studio in Budapest during May 1987 is excellent - clear and bright.

The Suite on Russian Themes is a symphonic work in 3 movements that was written by Bruch in 1903. The themes incorporated into this work are, of course, Russian folk melodies. Bruch provides excellent orchestration to emphasize the emotional appeal of the melodies, which range from a melancholy serenity to a happy joyous melody (with a touch of the melancholy)to a militaristic theme full of Russian machismo with brass fanfares and an outwardly noble ambiance. The Suite on Russian Themes is not melodically original but Bruch used his considerable powers as a orchestrator to dress up the melodies. It is a work that is not deep but is altogether enjoyable for what is - a series of beautiful melodies that are richly orchestrated. It would do well as the "second piece" in any symphonic concert.

The Third Symphony is the star of this CD. Bruch resided in Liverpool as conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra from 1880 to 1883. The symphony, written while Bruch was in Liverpool, was meant to conjure images of Bruch's native Rhineland and expresses the joy of life in his homeland. The melodies in the symphony are truly wonderful with evolving and in places intertwined motifs and themes for brass, woodwinds, and strings. After listening to this recording several times, it is difficult to fathom why Bruch's 3rd symphony is not played more often on the concert circuit. It does not contain the sweeping grand melodies of his friend and contemprary Brahms but rather simpler, more folk-oriented themes with an instinctive emotional appeal. Altogether an enjoyable work and a fine performance.

Average customer rating:

Tomita's Fantasy Music
Tomita's Fantasy Music

Extraterrestrial Classics

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Monster Classics

ASIN: B000003G7A
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Tracks:

Space Fantasy
Parade of the Ewoks (Star Wars: Return of the Jedi)
No. 3 from Suite bergamasque: Clair de lune (The Right Stuff)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
LUX AETERNA: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1: In The Hall of The Mountain King: Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
Symphony No. 3: Funeral March (Space: Above and Beyond)
The Planets: Mars, the Bringer of War
Gymnopedie No. 1: The X-Files
Imperial March: Darth Vader's Theme - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Andante (Alien)
Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances (Fire Maidens from Outer Space)

Customer Reviews:

Tomita's Fantasy Music.......2000-06-19

When the Tomita music hit the popular music stores in the early 1970's, synthesizers had been used, for the most part, as substitution for the "real" instruments. Isao Tomita's vibrant, truly musical use of his instrument reversed that erroneous impression for all who heard him. In the album, Extraterrestrial Classics, one is treated to the wild cacaphony of voices in the Mos Eisley Cantina and soothed with the crystalline spell of Claire de Lune. The music is sublime and silly, truly fantasy music for all ages. My children grew up on it, and my first old vinyl record was pilfered by a 9th grade student one day early in the 1990's. I am purchasing the old fantasy on a new CD just for myself....and because teaching a unit on wave motion, sound and music isn't complete without Tomita!

Tomita's Fantasy Music.......2000-06-19

Sergei Prokofiev, Enfant Terrible (1891-1953): A 50th Anniversary Celebration

Average customer rating:

An eye-opening Prokofiev survey (try to buy it used)

Sergei Prokofiev, Enfant Terrible (1891-1953): A 50th Anniversary Celebration

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000084H93
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Customer Reviews:

An eye-opening Prokofiev survey (try to buy it used).......2006-03-26

I can't see paying full price for a two-CD compensdium, even one as lavish as this package, when all the itmes are samples for promoting Universal's catalog (expect a good representation by Ashkenazy, Rostropovich, Previn, and Gergiev). But the selection is good enough and often rare eough to warrant a buy if the price is low.

As I listened straight through, I was surprised at how unacquainted I actually was with the wide extent of Prokofiev's style. From the very early "Dreams," which could be mistaken for Glazunov through the unfamiliar operas (Betrothal in a Monastery Garden, Semyon Kotko) to the final, sadly diminished works like the Seventh Sym. and the cello concerto, the composer covered every major Russian style of the century. I didn't find any new masterful performances--not that a short excerpt is a good enough trial--but everything here is well performced. Any listener should find something unexpected and intriguing in this two-and-a-half-hour traversal.

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Orchestral Works (Box Set)

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Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Orchestral Works (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Boccherini: Clavier Quintets (Complete)
Boccherini: Cello Concertos
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Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies

ASIN: B00007E8M3
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

The Sea And Sinbad's Ship (Largo E Maestoso-Lento-Allegro Non Troppo) - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Kalendar Prince (Lento) - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Young Prince And The Young Princess (Andantino Quasi Allegretto) - Loris Tjeknavorian
Festival At Bagdad - The Sea (Allegro Molto-Lento-Allegro Molto E Frenetico - Poco Piu Tranquillo - Loris Tjeknavorian
Sadko, Musical Picture Op.5 - Loris Tjeknavorian
Song Of India, From Sadko - Loris Tjeknavorian

Tracks:

The Tsar's Bride, Overture - Philharmonia Orchestra
Fantasia On Serbian Themes, Op.6 - Philharmonia Orchestra
Largo Assai-Allegro - Philharmonia Orchestra
Andante Tranquillo - Philharmonia Orchestra
Scherzo, Vivace - Philharmonia Orchestra
Allegro Assai - Philharmonia Orchestra
Largo-Allegro Giocoso - Philharmonia Orchestra
Allegro - Philharmonia Orchestra
Allegro Risoluto Alla Marcia - Philharmonia Orchestra
Allegretto Vivace - Philharmonia Orchestra

Tracks:

Overture On Russian Themes, Op.20 - Philharmonia Orchestra
Moderato Assai - London Symphony Orchestra
Scherzo (Vivo) - London Symphony Orchestra
Andante-Animato Assai - London Symphony Orchestra
Allegro Con Spirito-Animato - London Symphony Orchestra
Fairy-Tale (Skazka), Op.29 - London Symphony Orchestra

Tracks:

Tsar Dodon In His Palace - Loris Tjeknavorian
Tsar Dodon On The Battlefield - Loris Tjeknavorian
Tsar Dodon As The Guest Of The Queen Of Semakha - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Wedding And Lamentable End Of Dodon - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Tsar's Farewell And Departure - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Tsarina In A Barrel At Sea - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Three Wonders - Loris Tjeknavorian
Flight Of The Bumble-Bee - Loris Tjeknavorian
Holy Night - Loris Tjeknavorian
Games And Dances Of The Stars-Mazurka-The Sixth Comet-Csardas And Rain Of The Falling Stars - Loris Tjeknavorian
The Devil's Christmas - Loris Tjeknavorian
Polonaise - Loris Tjeknavorian
Procession To Midnight Mass And Carols - Loris Tjeknavorian

Musik...Sprache der Welt: Selected Orchestral Recordings II [Box Set]

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Musik...Sprache der Welt: Selected Orchestral Recordings II [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | 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

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Musik.... Sprache der Welt (Music.... The Universal Language): Works by Haydn / Mozart / Beethoven / Schubert / Berlioz / Schumann / Brahms / Bruckner Conducted by Fricsay / Jochum / Sanderling / Böhm / Markevitch / Lehmann / Furtwängler

ASIN: B00083D4JS
Release Date: 2005-10-11

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500 Classic Masterpieces

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

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Inventions | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | 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

English | Languages | 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

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008FZWM
Release Date: 1992-11-04

Bruch: Suite on Russian Themes; Symphony No.3

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Bruch: Suite on Russian Themes; Symphony No.3

Manufacturer: Marco Polo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000045T2
Release Date: 1992-12-17

Tracks:

Andante Sostenuto - Adagio, Ma Non Troppo Lento - Vivace
Dance: Vivace Ma Non Troppo
Adagio Sostenuto - (Funeral March) Andante Sostenuto-Allegro Energico, Ma Non Troppo
Andante Sostenuto-Allegro Molto Vivace
Adagio: Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Scherzo: Vivace
Finale: Allegro Ma Non Troppo