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Average customer rating:

Great Buy!
Perfect Match
Probably the most beautiful musical of all time
Beautiful!
A good musical

Jane Eyre, the Musical (Original 2000 Broadway Cast)
John Caird
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Light in the Piazza (2005 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000051Y31
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Tracks:

The Orphan
Children of God
Forgiveness
The Graveyard
Sweet Liberty
Secrets of the House
Act One: Perfectly Nice
Act One: As Good As You
Secret Soul
Finer Things
The Pledge
Sirens
Things Beyond This Earth
Painting Her Portrait
In the Light of the Virgin Morning
The Gypsy
The Proposal
Slip of a Girl
Sirens (Reprise)
Farewell, Good Angel
My Maker
Rain
The Voice Across the Moors
Poor Sister
Brave Enough for Love

Amazon.com

Here's another to join the parade of page-to-stage musicals inspired by 19th-century fiction. This ambitious adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's haunting classic Jane Eyre for the musical theater seems to be part of a trend represented most famously by Les Misérables. It also reflects the increasing pressure to schedule an original cast recording release as close as possible to a new show's Broadway opening: in this case, in fact, the CD was both recorded and released prior to the show's opening in December 2000 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. But what's most significant for the artistic character of Jane Eyre: The Musical is found in yet another pattern: like a number of his colleagues, composer-lyricist Paul Gordon comes to the project from a pop music industry background (best known for his hit "Friends and Lovers"). And quite a few of the show's numbers benefit from Gordon's catchy craftwork, weaving melodies that are clearly destined to be whistled long past curtain. Yet the effect is sometimes too facile, not diving as deep as we would like into the emotional predicaments of Brontë's characters. You begin to crave a more deftly defined and imagined variety of sound worlds (especially for the darker aspects of Thornfield Hall) than what is hinted at. Gordon doesn't forge any new paths, but his melodic fluency does have its moments of payoff--especially in the moving final duet "Brave Enough for Love," which is also strong enough to stand on its own.

Gordon's predilections as a would-be son of Sondheim are nevertheless clear, and he's telescoped the story into mostly effective lyrics, with some thoughtful juxtapositions of material. Most importantly, he understands that this is more than a Gothic romance, foregrounding the central message of forgiveness that Jane learns as a girl. He attempts to explore the injured sense of self shared by both Jane and Rochester and sets them on a painful, mutual voyage of discovery.

The creative team also includes the veteran duo John Caird (book and direction) and John Napier (scenic design), who have collaborated on such epics as Les Mis and Nicholas Nickleby (not to mention the Las Vegas Siegfried and Roy extravaganza). And the show's creators seem to share a vision geared toward the more operatic end of the spectrum (it was opera composers, after all, who early on claimed 19th-century Gothic fiction for the stage, as in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor), with an actual parody of coloratura in one showstopper ("The Finer Things") given to Blanche Ingram. Fortunately, the two principals have large, richly expressive voices to encompass the large, complicated emotions of these characters. Marla Schaffel singswith unusual beauty and brings dimension to her Jane, while James Barbour (whose resumé includes Beauty and the Beast) is never really threatening as Rochester, but rather a tortured soul who is sweet-voiced even at his most cynical. Mary Stout is a stitch as the blustery Mrs. Fairfax. While the show has already undergone a lengthy evolution from its very first workshops, the viability of its final, fully staged realization has yet to be determined. But this cast recording conveys an authentic sense of the musical's atmosphere and emotional scope. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Great Buy!.......2007-06-08

Not only was this CD super cheap, it also arrived at my house 3 days later!

Perfect Match.......2007-03-16

The music in this album really gave me the feeling of reading the book. I think the songs were well chosen and well written, except of course for the songs sung by Mrs. Fairfax... I could have done without those. Jane and Mr. Rochester's songs carry the story well and they sound lovely. For any musical lover, or romance fan I definitely recommend this album.

Probably the most beautiful musical of all time.......2007-02-16

This is a hidden gem and if you buy it and listen to it, I don't see how you can not love it. I have bought many, many Broadway cast albums but I still am a popster at heart. With all that said, this is a cast album that soars above the crowd.

I bought this several years ago and have listened to it repeatedly since I got it. Why do I love it so much? First of all, the lyrics are full of heart and emotion and tell the story ably. But it is the music and the performances that are truly remarkable here. The melodies are memorable and absolutely exquisite. The orchestration is lush but not sappy. The performances by the two leads are nothing less than stunning.

I never get bored with this wonderful cast album and it is very, very highly recommended.

Beautiful!.......2007-01-28

I listen to this soundtrack all the time and I never get tired of the songs. If Charlotte Bronte story was written as a musical, then this would definitely be it.

A good musical.......2006-07-20

if you like old-fashioned romantic stuff, this one's for you. Some songs are very inspired, the music is,for the most part, quite beautiful, and the story line keeps the essence of the Bronte novel. I heard this right after "Wuthering Heights: the musical", which is quite good, yet this is superior. Give it a try and you might be nicely surprised. I would highly recommend it to the ones who know the novel and to English Literature students: it offers a different and interesting approach to the novel.

1000 Years of Great Music for Great Cathedrals

Average customer rating:

Moving and beautiful CD
Glorious Music

1000 Years of Great Music for Great Cathedrals

Manufacturer: Ambassador
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000004ABP
Release Date: 1997-02-18

Tracks:

Veni Creator Spiritus - Cathedral Chant Chour/Lorin Wingate/South Tower Bells
Feierlicher einzug - Cathedral Brass/Joseph Adam
Kyrie - Seattle girls' Choir/Cathedral Choir Men/Cathedral Brass/Joseph Adam/Loren Ponter/Ellen henderson
Nicholai presulis - Women Of st. James Scola/ David Stutz/ Lisa Cardwell
Ubi caritas - Cathedral Choir
Eripe me - Cathedral Choir/Joseph Adam
Pange lingua...corporis - Women Of St. James Schola/Ann Glusker
Agnus Dei - Cathedral Choir Cathedral Brass & Woodwinds
O Lord, save the people - Cathedral Choir/Howard Fankhauser/Norman Smith/Matthew Wilkins & Joseph Adam/Nancy Zyltra
March & Thou Knowest, Lord - Cathedral Brass/Cathedral Choir/Joseph Adam
Ave Maria (Angelus Domini) - Cathedral Choir Men/Lorin Wingate/Howard Fankhauser & Dan Dunne/Matthew Wilkins
Ave tu plena - Women Of st. James Scola
Ave maris stella - Women Of st. James Scola/Ann Glusker
A Hymn to the mother of God - Cathedral Choir
Eia. mater - Cathedral Choir/Joseph Adam
Dear Lord and Father - Cathedral Choir/Joseph Adam
Naiades - Joseph Adam
I was glad - Joseph Adam/Cathedral Choir/Cathedral Chamber Orch

Customer Reviews:

Moving and beautiful CD.......2002-11-09

I was lucky enough to sing in the St. James Cathedral Choir the year we recorded this CD. While they were often demanding recording sessions, the music is still some that I've never heard done better. The Biebl "Ave Maria" (track 11), with Howard's tenor solo can still move me to tears with it's soul-wrenching beauty, and the Bruckner "Agnus Dei" (track 8) is divine (just to name my favorites). While the choir has an amazing blend, it did not end up a homogeniged sound like many other large choirs. The listener really gets to hear the minute details of the music and dynamics that make this music a spiritual epihany.

Glorious Music.......2002-07-02

This is a stunning musical treat. The music is beautiful and varied. The Biebl 'Ave Maria', alone, is worth the CD. Highly recommended for choral and pipe organ lovers.

Average customer rating:

Connect The Hearts
Martha Hall Bowman
Manufacturer: Martha Hall
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000059GXV
Release Date: 2000-10-21

Tracks:

Introit/Connect The Hearts
Celebrate!
Butterfly
Thank You, Lord
I Need You Now
You Heal Me
The Kingdom of God
Let Go
An Offering
Take My Life
You Are There
Give Yourself To Love
Lemonade

Album Description

"Connect The Hearts" is a collection of fun, inspirational and thought-provoking songs, most of which are written and arranged by Martha Hall. From raggae to soft ballad, from meditative to funky rock, this album offers a variety of musical styles and lyrics. The songs invite you to think about life on a deeper level -- and tap your foot or sing along. They are guaranteed to inspire.

Average customer rating:

Secrets of God

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Tracks:

Capitalist Punishment
Motorman
Human Remains
Down And Out
Key To Success
Mark Of The Devil
Something I Ate
Workers Of The World
A Friend Of Mine
Liquids Of My Life
World's Fair (Demo Version)

Average customer rating:

an excellent presentation of Barber's piano songs
Lively and pleasan t renditions
The best colleciton of Barber's orchestral songs and arias

Barber: Songs

Manufacturer: Etcetera
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Leontyne Price Sings Barber

ASIN: B0000000O0
Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

Three Songs Op.2: The Daisies
Three Songs Op.2: With Rue My Heart Is Laden
Three Songs Op.2: Bessie Bobtail
Three Songs Op.10: Rain Has Fallen
Three Songs Op.10: Sleep Now
Three Songs Op.10: I Hear An Army
Four Songs Op.13: Nocturne
Four Songs Op.13: A Nun Takes The Veil
Four Songs Op.13: The Secrets Of The Old
Four Songs Op.13: Sure On This Shining Night
Two Songs Op.18: The Queen's Face On The Summery Coin
Two Songs Op.18: Monks And Raisins
Nuvoletta, Op.25
Hermit Songs, Op.29: At Saint Patrick's Purgatory
Hermit Songs, Op.29: Church Bell At Night
Hermit Songs, Op.29: St. Ita's Vision
Hermit Songs, Op.29: The Heavenly Banquet
Hermit Songs, Op.29: The Crucifixion
Hermit Songs, Op.29: Sea-Snatch
Hermit Songs, Op.29: Promiscuity
Hermit Songs, Op.29: The Monk And His Cat
Hermit Songs, Op.29: The Praises Of God
Hermit Songs, Op.29: The Desire For Hermitage
Despite And Still, Op.41: A Last Song
Despite And Still, Op.41: My Lizard (Wish For A Young Love)
Despite And Still, Op.41: In The Wilderness
Despite And Still, Op.41: Solitary Hotel
Despite And Still, Op.41: Despite And Still

Customer Reviews:

an excellent presentation of Barber's piano songs.......2006-08-02

First of all, I must mention that Chopra fan "Huntley Dent"'s review is not of this CD, Songs by Barber, which is all songs for voice and piano, but rather of Arias and Scenes, a collection also sung by Roberta Alexander and also on Etcetera of Barber's orchestral vocal music.

That said, this is an excellent collection of Barber's piano songs. Roberta Alexander has a lovely, creamy voice, and she puts real passion into these songs, though her diction is sometimes slightly occluded. Her performance of "Sure on This Shining Night" is spine-tingling.

There a couple of moments of slight distortion in the recording or the mastering at louder points in the performance.

Lively and pleasan t renditions.......2006-03-25

The beauty of the artist's voice shows through despite the difficulties of Barber's modern piano stylings. Fans of Barber's vocal music will enjoy this CD.

The best colleciton of Barber's orchestral songs and arias.......2005-10-11

Only three songs on this excellent CD are orchestral arrangements of songs originally written with piano accompaniment, but they include the haunting, masterful "Sure on This Shining Night," with text by James Agee. Agee was a natural lyrical fit for Barber's talents, as witness the famous "Knoxville, Summer of 1915"--it sets a prose poem to music that was the intorduciton to Agee's wonderful posthumous novel, "A Death in the Family."

Roberta Alexander does everything well. Her clear, striaghtforward, well-tuned soprano is without wobble or excessive vibrato, so one hears the words more clearly than usual. The arias come from Barber's operas Vanessa and Antony and Cleopatra. It's a shame that the disastrous premiere of the latter effectively shamed Barber into giving up compsoing for the rest of his life.

For anyone who wants to hear a generous sample of Barber's writing for soprano, thse skillful interpretations are unmissable.

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