Christmas Song

1. Hodie Christus Natus Est

2. Maria Durch ein Dornwald Ging

3. Gabriel's Message

4. The Cherry Tree Carol

5. I Wonder as I Wander

6. In the Bleak Mid-Winter

7. Good King Wenceslas

8. Because All Men are Brothers

9. Edelweiss

10. Es Wird Scho Glei Dumpa

11. "Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

12. Dona Nobis Pacem

13. Ding Dong Merrily On High

Editorial Reviews

Seven Days, Pamela Polston
Von Trapp applies her flawless soprano to songs that are far from typical caroling fare.....stunning... haunting.. jazzy ...breathtaking...

Product Description:
Christmas Song is an imaginative blend of soothing medieval hymns, haunting Gregorian chants and sumptuous, centuries-old carols from around the world. Elisabeth, lead vocalist and guitarist, has arranged the selections along with the support of her talented collaborators, cellist Erich Kory and pianist Charles Eller.

From the first cut, a 7th century Gregorian chant, Hodi Christus Natus Est, the sound is rich with quiet beauty. In Because all Men are Brothers [ a poem by Tom Glazer gorgeously set to J.S. Bach's Saint Matthew Passion ] Ms. von Trapp's ethereal, crystalline voice is tenderly illuminated by Mr. Kory's resonant cello. Throughout this captivating CD, luminous sensitivity combines with a rich musical pedigree.

Elisabeth von Trapp. grand daughter of the famous Baroness, selected all 13 pieces in the collection. She says, " Music has permeated my childhood. We lived, breathed and studied music. My fondest memories are when our farmhouse filled with friends and family and the air resounded with Christmas song. This collection contains some of my favorites.”

Mellifluous carols from the Basque, England, France, Austria and Appalachia are combined with popular favorites including Good King Wenceslas. Elisabeth's exquisite voice is accompanied by a superlative arrangement of guitar, cello, keyboard, piano, percussion and Native American flute. The only direct acknowledgement of her family's Sound of Music fame is a soulful rendition of Edelweiss.

Elisabeth von Trapp’s Christmas Song, bends Christmas traditions - just a bit.

Christmas Song

Amazon.com

Cynical types will accuse Disney of milking the "greatest" concept until it's drier than Tinkerbell's fairy dust ("Supercalafragilisticexpealidocious," "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Da," and "Heigh Ho" were hits off of Vol. 1; "Bare Necessities," "It's a Small World," and "Some Day My Prince Will Come" stole the show on Vol. 2), but a glimpse of this installment's track listing is all it'll take to squash their suspicions. Once again running reverse-chronologically, Vol. 3 opens with Jonatha Brooke's gorgeously achy ballad "I'll Try," from 2002's arguably not-so-great Return to Neverland, and gradually reaches back through the years to re-raise the curtain on Toy Story 2 ("When She Loved Me," performed by Sarah McLachlan), The Lion King ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight"), Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews's classic "A Spoonful of Sugar"), Pinocchio ("Give a Little Whistle"), and a bundle of treasured others, bottoming out at 1933's "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" from The Three Little Pigs. Vol. 3 is not without its weak moments--would a G-rated movie-goers' poll produce Beauty and the Beast's "Gaston" or The Hunchback of Notre Dame's "Topsy Turvy" on a hits list? Seems unlikely. Still, the bulk of these tracks are, as the included Little Mermaid song goes, "Part of Your World," and the spread of decades they represent proves their staying power. Don't expect Disney to latch the lid on its inexhaustible archives until a dozen or so of these records, each as strong as the next, beckon you back for more. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Disney's greatest hits, volum 3.......2007-05-13

This is one of the better volums for kids and for those who are
above 18 but still have some kid in them

Timeless Disney Music.......2007-05-07

Nothing brings sweet recollection of Disney movies like hearing the wonderful songs. In an age where there so much music with no redeeming qualities, these Disney CDs are priceless. Wonderful for the entire family to listen to around the house or in the car while traveling. We can't help but sing along. We love that these are the original tracks from the movies! Wonderful! We now have all three volumes.

Disney songs are the best.......2006-03-18

I love the songs on this volume. I'll Try by Jonatha Brooke is such an amzing somg. I especially bought this CD fort that song but, was pleasantly surprsed by the rest of the playlist.

Great Disney Music.......2006-02-21

I have bought the first 2 volumes of Disney's Greatest Hits and the 3rd volume doesn't disapoint. My 2 young children love to listen to this CD and talk about the movies that they come from. A definate must have!

Not as good as Vol 1 and Vol 2.......2005-09-11

This Disney CD represents the "leftovers" that didn't make it on Vol 1 and Vol 2 of this series. Although it has some of my favorites, I don't listen to the entire CD often. Disney could have done a better job of editing the which sound files should make the cut on this one. Still, it's nice to have all 3 CDs.

Average customer rating:

Not bad
The best from the three greatest...
Just Like the Real Thing!
Powerful and moving!
Great Compilation

The Best of the Three Tenors
Luciano Pavarotti , Placido Domingo , Jose Carerras , Zubin Mehta , and James Levine
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Three Tenors Christmas
Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ the three tenors in concert / Mehta
Romantica: The Very Best Of Luciano Pavarotti
The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994
Pavarotti: Greatest Hits

ASIN: B00004UB8A
Release Date: 2002-06-11

Tracks:

'O sole mio
Funiculi, funicula
Libiamo ne' lieti calici (Brindisi)
Sous le ciel de Paris
Torero quiero ser
Parlami d'amore, Mariu
Manha de Carnaval
Lolita
Dicitencello vuie
Core 'ngrato
Because
You'll Never Walk Alone
Singin' In The Rain
Maria
Tonight
'O paese d' 'o sole
Cielito lindo
Ochi tchorniye
Caminito
La Vie en Rose
Mattinata
Wien, Wien, nur du allein
Amapola
Lippen schweigen
Brazil
Sous les ponts de Paris
Torna a Surriento
Nessun dorma
La donna e mobile

Amazon.com

Back in 1990, three of the world's most celebrated tenors--namely, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti--combined forces to create the Three Tenors, now celebrated on a best-of CD. They gave their first concert in Rome. The event was recorded and went on to become one of the best-selling classical titles of all time.

This latest release brings together tracks from that night in Rome (including "Nessun dorma" and a competitive rendition of "O sole mio") with music performed in a 1994 concert in Los Angeles and at the 1998 event in Paris where the Three Tenors sang to an audience of thousands with the Eiffel Tower as their backdrop.

The 22 tracks making up The Best of the Three Tenors range from operatic standards, such as the joyful "Brindisi" from La Traviata, to popular songs like "Singin' in the Rain" and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (from Carousel). There are no solos on this disc; each piece is performed by all three singers. And with plenty of applause and cheering to be heard, not to mention the sense of fun in the singers' voices, the disc captures the atmosphere of these extraordinary musical events. --Rebecca Agnew

Customer Reviews:

Not bad.......2006-03-18

This is a good recording. If you don't like the 3 tenors, then look else where. It's that simple. These are recordings from concerts where they WERE supposed to show off. This ain't opera. If you want opera, go out and attend one.

The best from the three greatest..........2005-08-11

The first thing we must establish here is that this is not meant to be opera. This is three exceptionally talented tenors enjoying themselves and giving tremendous joy to those listening by singing mostly popular "evergreens" and also some operatic arias. The beauty in music lies in the diversity, in my opinion. One can better appreciate one type of music when one knows about the others. And why should we limit ourselves to listen to just one genre in music. It would be the same as having steak for dinner every day for the rest of your life, wouldn't it? So why should we limit three wonderful tenors to only sing operatic arias for the rest of their lives? If so we wouldn't have "Maria", "You'll never walk alone", "Singing in the rain" or any of the evergreens on this recording and that would be a shame.

There are no solos on the cd. I think I've read somewhere that they felt there had been enough "three tenors cd's" and if they were to release yet another one it would be one containing what the audience demands, the three of them joining forces and performing together in the songs.
The result, in my opinion is highly recommendable. The three voices blend perfectly together. I have to admit that I have a personal favourite among the tenors and that I would never buy an entire recording featuring only one of the two others, but I recognize their talents and -as stupid as it may sound- since they are performing together I can also appreciate the other two. (I like them too, but in smaller doses....)Some people have commented on their problems with mastering the english language. If anything, I think it just adds to their charm. By the way, who is perfect??

The songs on this cd is a mixture of beautiful songs, heartwrenching songs, toe-tapping songs and powerful songs. It's wonderful to just listen to the beauty in the three voices. It's fun hearing Pavarotti pushing his "high-note-button" in "O sole mio" and Carreras and Domingo copying his stunt. I have no idea what they're singing about in "Manha de Carnaval", but boy does it sound romantic...... And "Dicitencello vuie" brings tears to my eyes (even if I'm still left in the dark when it comes to understanding the meaning of the words...) In "Because" Carreras takes my breath away when singing "because God made thee mine, I'll cherish thee...through light and darkness, through all time to be, and pray his love may make our love divine...." (What woman wouldn't like to hear those words..??!?) Their rendition of "You'll never walk alone" should satisfy some of the soccer-fans since it's the anthem of a European football-club and "Nessun Dorma" will probably satisfy the rest of the soccer-fans, being the antheme of the 1998 world soccer championship. In short, there should be something for every taste on this cd.

It's a very "versatile" cd. You can play it almost everywhere. You can sing along to it in the car, you can dance around the house to it while doing your chores, you can put your feet up and unwind after a hectic week. Or you can write an Amazon review while listening to it.... (Feel free to add suggestions of your own here.....)

To make a long story short - a very enjoyable cd!

Just Like the Real Thing!.......2005-07-14

A few years ago I was lucky enough to actually see a Three Tenors concert. The experience was amazing. Later I bought this CD. I was so happy when I listened to it because the CD captures the mood of being present at the concert. I like the variety and every time I play it, I am taken back to my personal experience at the concert. Hearing the audiences on the CD really gets you excited about hearing this amazing trio.

Powerful and moving!.......2004-10-21

I got this CD as a gift and it changed my life! I was always a rocker and liked classical music, but never was much into this genre of music. This album changed all of that. Since getting the three tenors I've found a whole new world out there. Thank you guys!

Great Compilation.......2003-07-16

Definitely worth purchasing. It is not an opera CD - it is a concert CD with 3 superb tenor voices that blend together so nicely. A wonderfully entertaining music CD with lots of variety and an opportunity for opera to grow on non-opera lovers. What else can you expect from the BEST. A DVD version would be wonderful.

Average customer rating:

Un gran concierto
Give em a 3.5
The Most Enjoyable Evening IN !!!!!!!!!!!
Hmmmm....
Last Encore of songs missing off C.D.

The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994

Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ the three tenors in concert / Mehta
The Best of the Three Tenors
Paris 1998
The Three Tenors Christmas
The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994 / William Cosel

ASIN: B000002IZE
Release Date: 1994-08-30

Tracks:

Le Cid: O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere
Maravilla: Amor, Vida De Mi Vida
Werther: Pourquoi Me Reveiller
Spring Is Here: With a Song In My Heart
Granada
Non Ti Scordar Di Me
'A Tribute to Hollywood': My Way
Tribute To Hollywood: Moon River
Tribute To Hollywood: Because
'A Tribute to Hollywood': Singin' In the Rain
Tu, Ca Nun Chiagne
Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba
Turondat: Nessun Dorma!
'Around the World': America
'Around the World': All I Ask Of You
'Around the World': Funiculi, Funicula
'Around the World': Sous Les Ponts De Paris
'Around the World': Brazil
'Around the World': Be My Love
'Around the World': Marechiare
'Around the World': Lippen Schweigen
'Around the World': Santa Lucia Luntana
'Around the World': Those Were the Days
'Around the World': Te Quiero Dijiste
'Around the World': Torna A Surriento
Encores: La Donna E Mobile
Encores: Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici

Amazon.com

It's not opera; it's not a pop concert; it's not Broadway. It's all of these and none of them. Once you accept the fact that this sequel to the original blockbuster concert recording is less about music and more about entertainment and the power of musical personalities, you can appreciate what you're hearing as an event--phenomenal and bizarre, momentous and frivolous. This is an occasion to celebrate the voices and egos of three huge superstars, and to have fun listening as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras interact, bouncing lines off each other and playing to the overwhelmingly enthusiastic audience. Much of the fun and flavor of the concert is dependent on seeing the action, though, and without the visuals you notice flaws in the singing much more. Domingo comes off as the more solid performer, and his voice is in far better shape than the other two. But if you crave big, high, and loud--and you don't take your opera too seriously--you'll love this disc. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Un gran concierto.......2005-07-19

Yo tenia el Cd de este concierto, pero sin duda el DVD presenta la realidad, lo sublime de este evento, porque ademas de ver las interpretaciones, trae varios puntos y canciones extras. Carreras creo que esta bien, saca la tarea. Placido Domingo en Amor vida de mi vida, logra llevar el concierto a su punto mas alto en ese momento, punto superado unicamente por Pavarotti en Nessum Dorma. Pavarotti como siempre sublime como dije en Nessum Dorma, Ave maria y en los popurris. La calidad del DVD es genial, con full screen y sonido digital. Otro punto buenisimo es la aparicion de Frank Sinatra en la cancion My way y de otras luminarias del cine y la política. Espero que este comentario sirva de ayuda para aquellos que quieran este DVD.

Give em a 3.5.......2004-01-25

The Three Tenors has/have become a cottage industry, churning out one CD after another for every imaginable event and in every combination. This does not mean that the results are necessarily inferior but it does imply a commercial, layman's approach. And maybe this is better - spreading the joys of fine music to the masses. After all, where besides figure skating and cartoons do most people have a chance to even hear opera?

This event, like the first one in Rome, has a magnificent setting but, like Rome, the show was marketed mainly to the American audience. They still include the dreadful "Maria" with the hilarious pronunciation and even added "With a Song In My Heart" (or, as Carreras is wont to sing, "Weeth a Soeeng een My Haht"). Though some may deride the choice of encores, they were almost perfect. The Three Tenors, despite their prior celebrity, are creations of our culture of entertainment in ways that Caruso could only dream about.

Synopsis: Carreras stands out, Domingo substitutes volume for quality and Pavarotti soars when he doesn't have to.

The Most Enjoyable Evening IN !!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-05-01

I am not a regular Opera fan, hoever these THREE are the Best. their songs they sing together are SUPER!!! And the range of NOTES REACHED ARE REMARKABLE. tHE MIXTURE of songs is a treat for all, even if you are not an OPERA FAN!!!! Great show!!!!!!

Hmmmm...........2002-04-21

Not what I thought it was going to be. I like only about 4 of the 20+ tracks on this CD. I shoudl have just bought the DVD instead and actually watched them perform. Much, much more entertaining.

Last Encore of songs missing off C.D........2002-02-06

The Three Tenors are my absolute favourite singers. The 1994 Concert was undoubtedly their best in my view. I taped this live concert from the television, and have played and played and played it!! I also taped it on a cassette, however, when I bought the C.D. I was really disappointed that they did not include the last set of encore songs, which included O Sole a Mio (don't know if I've spelt that correctly), where Placido and Jose try and outdo Luciano!! It received such a fantastic reception from the crowd, (one of the many standing ovations), and really showed how much the Three Tenors seemed to enjoy performing the concert. How come this was not included? I don't know if it was on the Video because I play my own.

Many thanks for your time,

Tracks:

CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No. 1, Larghetto
DEBUSSY: Clair de Lune
MANFREDINI: Concerto grosso in C, I. Largo (Pastorale)
MOZART: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Andante
BEETHOVEN: Moonlight Sonata, Adagio
BACH: Goldberg
SIBELIUS: Swan of Tuonela
LISZT: Liebestraume
SCHUMANN: Dreaming
MASSENET: Meditation from "Thais"
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Greensleeves

Tracks:

HANDEL-WEINER: Sicilienne
A. CORELLI: Concerto grosso in G, Pastorale
VERDI: "When the evening becomes peaceful"
CHOPIN: Three Preludes
MOZART: Clarinet Concerto in A, II. Adagio
BRAHMS: Piano Sonata No. 3, II. Andante espressivo
TCHAIKOVSKY: Swan Lake (excerpt)
MENDELSSOHN: Three Songs Without Words
MAHLER: Symphony No. 3, IV. Sehr Langsam

Average customer rating:

Christmas Songs
YeeHaa. Merry Christmas.
If you like Diana Krall you'll probably hate this review.
Have Diana Krall over for the holidays.
Christmas Songs/Diana Krall

Christmas Songs
Diana Krall , and Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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From This Moment On
Thanks For The Memory...The Great American Songbook IV
The Girl In The Other Room
Diana Krall - Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival
The Christmas Collection

ASIN: B000B7BRMM
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

Jingle Bells
Let It Snow
The Christmas Song
Winter Wonderland
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Christmas Time Is Here
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
White Christmas
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
Sleigh Ride
Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep

Amazon.com

As the song goes, "Merry Christmas" has already "been said many times, many ways." Diana Krall's Christmas Songs is a worthy--though not particularly unique--addition to the holiday catalog. On it, she excels with an approach mastered long ago: elegant delivery that gives extra polish to a very familiar lineup. Some might find her style frosty at times, but that will come as a relief to those who want their carolers to cut through some of the holiday treacle and create a festive, yet grown-up vibe. And Krall does show off her playful side with little, personal touches. In "Winter Wonderland" she promises to "frolic and play the Canadian way," which should draw smiles from her native land. (That'll mean toasting the holiday with Molson, eh?) Elsewhere, she ends "Jingle Bells" with the girlishly giddy statement, "I'm just crazy about horses." Well…can't argue with that. --Leah Weathersby

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Songs.......2007-05-13

The product is what I expected. It arrived on time and in the condition advertised.

YeeHaa. Merry Christmas........2007-02-22

Hot babe. Good Jazz.

Helluva voice.

Nice take on some well-worn standards.

This and the Vince Guarldi Charlie Brown Christmas album are the only two Christmas albums that should be given to everybody who ever bought a CD player, Ipod, whatever.

Nice dress.

Elvis Costello (Mr. Diana Krall) better thank God every day.

I proudly listen to this album at non-Christmas times of the year, by the way. When it plays at work, someone almost always stops and says "Who is THAT?"; never "Why are you listening to Christmas music in June?". That's the power of the voice and arrangements we're dealing with, here.

Thank you for coming into my life, if only as a beautiful voice. And what a voice!

If you like Diana Krall you'll probably hate this review........2007-01-26

I love Diana Krall's voice, style, the music she chooses to record, and the polish of her music. I have all her CDs and they're great. So, when I got this CD at Christmas 2005 I was really disappointed. Look, it's OK, I guess, but not up to her usual standards. There's no enthusiasm here (except for the false enthusiasm of her fingernail-on-chalkboard tittering "I'm just crazy 'bout hooorses").

Rather than write it off as just average I decided to give it a whirl again for Christmas '06, and had the same reaction. Guys might like this CD for her recumbent "come hither and unwrap THIS present" look and posture on the CD packaging, but there's little to come hither for inside.

Have Diana Krall over for the holidays. .......2007-01-21

If your into Diana Krall and your into Christmas, Then this CD is a MUST! It's everything you want in your Jazz Christmas collection.

Christmas Songs/Diana Krall.......2007-01-19

Good CD -- only thing I didn't care for was "scat" on a couple of songs --

Average customer rating:

Beautiful
A few bright spots, but also some disappointments
This CD Deserves SIX Stars!
every good adjective
Fabulous!

Peace Like a River
James Lucas , Janice Kapp Perry , John Rutter , Jean Sibelius , John Tavener , American Traditional , English Traditional , Spiritual Traditional , Mack Wilberg , Craig D. Jessop , Clay Christiansen , John Longhurst , Richard L. Elliott , Daron Bradford , and Meredith Campbell
Manufacturer: Mormon Tabernacle
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Consider the Lilies
Love Is Spoken Here
America's Choir
Mormon Tabernacle Choir: The Sound of Glory-Battle Hymn of the Republic
Choose Something Like a Star

ASIN: B00020H9W0
Release Date: 2004-06-22

Tracks:

Sweet Peace
Be Still, My Soul
Peace Like a River
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Lord Is My Shepherd
This Is My Father's World
Wayfarin' Stranger
Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Deep River
Lamb
Child's Prayer
It Is Well With My Soul
Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep
Gaelic Blessing
Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends
Come, Let Us Anew

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-06-14

This CD is a must have for any Mormon Tabernacle Choir fans. The music is very reverent and gentle, and should also appeal to those not from the LDS church, seeing as how most of the music is common to the wider Christian community. This CD is a fantastic addition to any music collection.

A few bright spots, but also some disappointments.......2007-01-19

It Is Well With My Soul is one of my favorite-favorites and that is the main reason why I bought the CD; it turned out to be a huge let down on this album, they rearranged it so much that I almost didn't recognize it. Be Still My Soul is another reason why I bought it and it's good, but not great. Swing Low Sweet Chariot is where it starts to get good. The last two songs "Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends"
and "Come, Let Us Anew" are very good reasons to buy this CD, they each have truely powerful passages and make the CD worth having. The Mormon Tabernacle Choirs 2006 release entitled Then Sings My Soul is by far the best that I've heard from them.

This CD Deserves SIX Stars!.......2005-11-05

However, the rating scale has a limit of five. I own over 700 CDs of virtually every type of music. Peace Like A River belongs in a class by itself! I've never written a review before but, after listening to this STUNNING performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I feel compelled to share my praise with that of the five other reviewers. If I were limited to one word, I would use the word "SUPERB" to describe this beautiful and moving CD. SIX stars for Peace Like a River! BRAVO!!!

every good adjective .......2005-08-06

This album is all beauty and solace. The singing is pristine, the arrangements lush and often stirring--never saccharine. As with the previous reviewer, my first listing of "Peace Like a River" brought me to tears (especially "Peace Like a River," the sopranos in "Swing Low," and the bagpipes in "Thou Gracious God"). Buy this one.

Fabulous!.......2005-05-29

The perfect recording to help you recover from a long, hard day. Showcasing the MTC's "new" sound in contemporary choral arrangements with its own orchestra and conductor, "Peace Like a River" brought tears to my eyes in selection after selection during my first listen -- and I'm not normally an emotional person! The title song together with "Deep River," "Swing Low" and "Be Still My Soul" are alone worth the cost of the recording. Get this one!

Sinners & Saints: The Ultimate Medieval and Renaissance Music Collection

Average customer rating:

Rennaissance music at it's finest!
a voice teacher and early music fan
A good sampler of New London Consort's work
Excellent renditions of lively 'old music'.
A Treasure of the Time Period

Sinners & Saints: The Ultimate Medieval and Renaissance Music Collection

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Music for a Medieval Banquet
English Renaissance Music
Music Of The Crusades
Panorama: Dances of the Renaissance
Codex Faenza: Instrumental Music of the Early 15th Century

ASIN: B00000428D
Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

Dum pater familias
La Bouree
The Sylvan And Oceanic Delights Of Posilipo: Gagliarda
Quen a Virgen ben servira
Bransles de Villages
Carmina Burana: Katerine collaudemus
The Sylvan And Oceanic Delights Of Posilipo: La scesa de' Pastori dal Monte
Orientis partibus
Volte
Llibre Vermell: Stella Splendens
Carmina Burana: Tempus est iocundum
The Sylvan And Oceanic Delights Of Posilipo: Ballo de Cigni
Carmina Burana: Bache, bene venies
Lux optata claruit
Ballet Incerti
Non e gran causa
Passo e mezzo - Saltarello Giorgio

Customer Reviews:

Rennaissance music at it's finest!.......2007-06-29

This was my first Renaissance music album and the broad styles of several composers were very well represented, especially Michael Pretorius, probably the most well-known composer of his time. The tonal quality sparkles and the latin language comes alive (along with English translation in the included booklet); be prepared for an aural "feast" of some of the more eclectic music from the Renaissance period!

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-04

To quote from the accompanying booklet seems to be in order to start this review: "This collection attempts to wipe the dust from some old ideas and restore music from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to its roots deep in the human soul.........What you're listening to on this disc is not the domain of museums, but the music of the people,born of faith and the love of song and dance".
This is a varied group of works, some dances, some strictly instrumental and some accompanied vocal.
The role of dancing, as you might suspect, was enormously important in this era. 'Le Bouree' showcases the dance music of the composer Michael Praetorius. The 'Bransles de Villages' is of French origin and features 2 violins, 2 violas, a cello, a great bass viol, hurdy-gurdy and 2 lutes. 'La scesa de Pastori dal Monte' is an Italian dance by Andrea Ansalone. Another dance written by Michael Praetorious was the 'Volte' which actually involved 4 short dances. It was considered not respectable because of the close contact between the dancers.
The strictly instrumental songs are : 'Dum pater familias' is called a pilgrim song, and it was religious in nature. And, of course, all the dance songs are instrumental.
The vocally oriented songs are: 'Quen a Virgin ben servira' is a song taken from a collection of songs about the miracles attributed to the Virgin Mary.-Three of the songs are from the famous 'Carmina Burana' manuscript.- 'Orientis partibus' is from the 'Feast of fools'which was a feast held by the church itself in which the status of the church herarchy was reversed as inferior clergy assumed the role of their superiors.-'Stella Splendours' is another pilgrim song; this song was sung by pilgrims who went to worship as the Shrine of the Virgin at Montserrat.

I always trust the quality of a CD when Philip Pickett and the New London Consort are involved. This album is very interesting, but I would hope that this would be classified as the more "pop" type music of the period. Also, I don't think that I personally would call it early music, as is indicated in the accompanying booklet. Today that term brings to mind Monteverdi, Cavalli, Palestrina, the Scarlatti's, up to and including Handel and Bach etc.. Just a personal reaction on my part. This is a very well put together disc.

A good sampler of New London Consort's work.......2006-12-20

Although there's nothing special about this disc as a compilation, it does provide a value-priced sampling of 17 tracks from the New London Consort's excellent recorded work. Given that so many of their recordings are difficult to find on CD at a reasonable price, and that one of my personal favorites ("Bache bene venies", from their masterful 4-CD recording of the Carmina Burana) is included here, I'd recommend this CD as a great place to start while you search for the original releases.

Excellent renditions of lively 'old music'........2005-11-23

'Sinners & Saints' by Philip Pickett and the New London Consort is just a bit too ambitious with their subtitle, 'The Ultimate Medieval and Renaissance Music Collection' as I find it hard to believe that 70 minutes can be the ultimate anything on 500 years of history. This is especially true since they seem to focus a lot more on the sinners than the saints, as there is virtually no liturgical music here. But, since there are so many good recordings of medieval liturgies, we aren't missing much.

This is really the sort of thing you would expect to hear from a travelling troupe of minstrals, but not from a solo artist, as practically every performance involves several instruments and voices.

Some tracks will sound especially familiar, as they are very similar to Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana', inspired by medieval texts.

Compared to many recordings of music from Shakespeare's time, this collection is superior and well worth the investment.

A Treasure of the Time Period.......2005-08-11

I bought this CD with a children's history class in mind. We are studying the Dark Ages to the Rennaisance. I was delighted to hear the variety of selections which span the spectrum of genres during this period of history. My children and I have been listening to it in the car as well as at home for the simple enjoyment of the music. It will be exciting to present these pieces to my class as I feel it is a very accurate display of the cultures, instrumentation, languages, and styles of the Middle Ages. I am a proffesional musician and thoroughly enjoy most types of music so it wasn't hard to get me interested but I was surprised to hear my eight-year-old and five-year-old sons asking to hear this CD. The former child said it made him feel "important" to listen!!

Average customer rating:

FORGOTTEN (BY ME) BEAUTIES
MENDELSSOHN'S 48
Portraits at exhibition!
Second-tier Mendelssohn and Boringboim to boot
Excellent!

Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, etc.

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Mendelssohn: Sonata for Piano; Prelude & Fugue; Variations Sérieuses; Rondo Capriccioso
Songs Without Words
Schumann: Complete Piano Trios

ASIN: B000001GYC
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Tracks:

Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 1 In E Major - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 2 In A Minor - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 3 In A Major 'Hunting Song' - Molto allegro e vivace
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 4 in A Major - Moderato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 5 In F Sharp Minor - Piano agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 19: No. 6 In G Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song' - Andante sostenuto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 1 In E Flat Major - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 2 In B Flat Minor - Allegro di molto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 3 In E Major - Adagio non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 4 In B Minor - Agitato e con fuoco
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 5 In D Major - Andante grazioso
Lieder ohne Worte op. 30: No. 6 In F Sharp Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song' - Allegretto tranquillo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 1 In E Flat Major - Con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 2 In C Minor - Allegro non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 3 In E Major - Presto e molto vivace
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 4 In A Major - Andante
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 5 In A Minor - Agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 38: No. 6 In A Flat Major - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 1 In A Flat Major - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 2 In E Flat Major - Allegro non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 3 In G Minor - Presto agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 4 In F Major - Adagio
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 5 In A Minor 'Folksong' - Allegro con fuoco
Lieder ohne Worte op. 53: No. 6 In A Major - Molto allegro, vivace

Tracks:

Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 1 In G Major - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 2 In B Flat Major - Allegro con fuoco
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 3 In E Minor 'Funeral March' - Andante maestoso
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 4 In G Major - Allegro con anima
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 5 In A Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song' - Andante con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 62: No. 6 In A Major 'Spring Song' - Allegretto grazioso
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 1 in E Flat Major - Andante
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 2 In F Sharp Minor - Allegro leggiero
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 3 In B Flat Major - Andante tranquillo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 4 In C Major 'Spinning Song' - Presto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 5 In B Minor - Moderato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 67: No. 6 In E Major 'Wiegenlied' - Allegretto non troppo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 1 In F Major - Andante espressivo
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 2 In A Minor - Allegro agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 3 In E Flat Major - Presto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 4 In D Major - Andante sostenuto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 5 In A Major - Allegretto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 85: No. 6 In B Flat Major - Allegretto con moto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 1 In E Minor - Andante, un poco agitato
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 2 In D Major - Adagio
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 3 In C Major - Presto
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 4 In G Minor - Un poco agitato, ma andante
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 5 In A Major - Allegro vivace
Lieder ohne Worte op. 102: No. 6 In C Major - Andante
Kinderstucke op. 72: Allegro non troppo
Kinderstucke op. 72: Andante sostenuto
Kinderstucke op. 72: Allegretto
Kinderstucke op. 72: Andante con moto
Kinderstucke op. 72: Allegro assai
Kinderstucke op. 72: Vivace
Gondellied: Allegretto non troppo
2 Klavierstucke: Andante cantabile
2 Klavierstucke: Presto agitato
Albumblatt op. 117: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

FORGOTTEN (BY ME) BEAUTIES.......2007-05-14

Until I purchased this bargain (two discs for the price of one), recording of Mendelssohn's "Songs without Words" that are played exquisitely by Daniel Barenboim, I, in the past, have listened mainly to Mendelssohn's chamber music, Concertos and/or Symphonies kind of forgetting about these most beautiful compositions, What a real pleasure this recording has been for me. I believe that Mendelssohn composed these" Songs without Words" (also included are Mendelssohn's "Kinderstucke", op 72, "Albumblatt", op. 117 and 2 short pieces) through out his short life. Daniel indeed plays all of the works including the "demanding" ones (there are surprisingly for me some very demanding ones) most beautifully never forgetting that the compositions are above all else "Songs". Daniel Barenboim always lets the melodies be heard above all else and there are some very beautiful melodies to hear.

This recording was made in the early 1970s; however, DGG has done a wonderful job of transferring them to the CD format--the sound is rich, lush and clear.

If you want to hear some beautiful compositions that are played most beautifully, buy this recording.

MENDELSSOHN'S 48.......2006-09-01

Bach's 48 preludes and fugues seem to me to be to some extent a diary of the composer's feelings, and I get much the same impression from Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words, which are also 48 in number. To me, they are beautiful and touching minor masterpieces and when I hear them I am not disturbed, or even visited, by the thought that they are not masterpieces to rank with Bach's. However I am not as exacting in evaluating a performance of them as I would be with Bach either, and when I willingly award this set 5 stars I know that I'm setting the bar lower. There are limits to what any interpreter, even the greatest, of the Songs Without Words can find in them, but for all that some interpreters are greater than others, and I happen to know even better accounts of some of these pieces than you will find on these two discs from Barenboim.

It was high time in any case that I had a complete set of these lovely works. My collection up to now had only stretched to 14 of them, but - I have to say it again - those 14 are enough to teach me the difference between fine performances and great ones. Barenboim's accounts should be easily good enough for most of us most of the time, and in addition to the Songs he throws in the Children's Pieces plus a few other short numbers that Mendelssohn, for reasons known principally to himself, chose not to publish. With one solitary exception, Barenboim's touch is affectionate, warm and beautiful, and is well served by the 1974 recording. Speeds adopted sound about right to me in general, and the interpretations offered are full of insight and loving care, and free from eccentricity or egotism. Barenboim can be powerful when he needs to be, but the requirement for power is very limited in what we have here, and the overall impression that the set leaves is rightly one of tact, sympathy and enthusiasm. My single regret concerns my own favourite of all the Songs - the Duetto op 38/6. Something goes quite unaccountably wrong here. I'd call the speed too fast in the first place, and I would have liked the pseudo-voices brought out more strongly against the arpeggio accompaniment, but the real affront to my sensibilities comes when the two voices sing forte in octaves, and Barenboim bangs out the melody in a bad-tempered and cacophonous way that reminds me of one of Kissin's off-days.

One botched effort out of 58 is not a bad ratio nevertheless. I can play the Duetto to my own satisfaction anyway, or I can listen to it on my old Turnabout LP played by Guiomar Novaes. Novaes seems to be all but forgotten these days, but she was a great player, recognised as such by no less than Debussy when she was a teenager. Her idea of the Duetto is slower than mine, indeed for an amateur like me the piece, which lies beautifully and naturally under the hands, seems practically to dictate its own speed. However it's not the tempo that makes the impression. In this piece as in many others starting with the very first of all the Songs, what transfixes me is the haughty and highlighted clarity of Novaes's melodic line and the magnificence of her left-hand tone. It also happens that in the disc that accompanies the biography of Serkin by Stephen Lehmann and Marion Faber there are two of the Songs in Novaes's selection - a solemn and gripping op 62/1 and a coruscating Spinning Song worthy of Horowitz or Cziffra for virtuosity. The point is simply this - there is an aura of greatness that surrounds the playing of Serkin and Novaes in practically anything they do. Admirable as he is, Barenboim is not quite in that league, although I don't consider the balance of advantage to be totally one-sided, and it may be that Barenboim actually makes a more appealing job of the Spring Song.

Nevertheless I have only 14 of the Songs from Novaes, and all of two from Serkin, in somewhat antiquated sound at that. Barenboim gives me all 48 plus some bonus extras, played with love and appreciation of the soul of this beautiful and affecting music. This is a set I am going to be returning to for solace and balm to the spirit, I can tell already. The recorded sound is not wondrous, but it's good 1974 quality. The liner note is from the distinguished pen of Joan Chissell, but I can't say it seems to me to amount to much. Moreover she nails her colours to the mast with the ringing challenge `No 19th-century composer exceeded Mendelssohn in respect for Classical tradition, and such ordered modes of expression as fugue...' I dispute this strenuously. Not only are Mendelssohn's fugues not his best or most professional work, as Tovey makes very clear, they are inferior in respect for classical precedent and thoroughness of workmanship to Schumann's, as the same sage also points out. Besides which Brahms was a musical scholar of minute and profound learning, particularly steeped in the great German musical tradition, to an extent that Mendelssohn never rivalled. What Mendelssohn can claim is to be sui generis, what he does best he does better than anyone, and some of his most intimate musical thoughts are to be found in the Songs Without Words. For the pleasure and comfort they bring me I thank Mendelssohn's shade and the loving and expert guidance of Barenboim.

Portraits at exhibition!.......2006-04-09

In contrast to many other musicians, Mendelssohn had an evident, fruitful and fortunate association with the visual arts. Keeping in mind his education was conceived as part of the Renascence man, so we should not ignore his classical-humanistic education, so that explains why his Symphonies maybe basically, considered such arresting visual landscapes: the Scottish, Italian and Reform would seem confirm it.

The Songs without words conform ostensibly, a great stylistic and conceptual unity. It could not be other way, noticing the fact John Field was essentially the grandfather of the nocturnes for piano and Chopin the most expressive and intimate explorer of the human soul, Mendelssohn had all those variables in mind and decided to create a portrait album. As other artists as Liszt and Goethe the exerted fascination after being in Venice would work out as febrile inspiration. Every little page of this kaleidoscopic reflects different state anima; they are structured and interweaved similarly respect Robert Schumann with his Carnival or Childhood scenes; with profound lyric and evocative accent, destined to recreate the tourist memory. He achieved then to make a voluminous album of feelings but without that marked introspective mood of Frederic Chopin, for instance.

Daniel Barenboim decided to record these ebb tide piano pieces with personal conviction and lyric imagination. The result was simply refulgent and deeply inspiring.

Second-tier Mendelssohn and Boringboim to boot.......2002-10-21

The majority of Mendelssohn's works consisted of fluff and flutter reminisent of Mozart on an off-day and these piano pieces certainly aren't among Mendelssohn's small number of masterworks.The fact that these compositions are no more than trifles is made worse by Barenboim's insistence in trying to infuse an element of profundity to them.The result is tedium and annoyance.I owned this 2 disk set for more than 2 years and didn't listen to it more than 7-8 times.Every time I would try and listen boredom would set in and within a few minutes listening became a matter of endurance.I finally traded it off and haven't missed it in the least.It may be a 2 for the price of 1 set but,as usual,such "bargains" are hardly a bargain.

Excellent!.......2002-02-18

This is one of my top 5 classical piano CDs. It has a relaxing, easy-to-listen-to sound that I never get tired of. Every song in this 2-cd set is great.

Average customer rating:

Mannheim Steamroller
I like it
Wonderful Christmas tunes from Mannheim Steamroller
Christmas Extraordinaire
Doesn't Really meet the test of time

Christmas Extraordinaire
Mannheim Steamroller , George Frideric Handel , Irving Berlin , James R. Murray , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Noel Regney , Christmas Traditional , Ray / Livingston, Jay Evans , Catalan Traditional , Alfred S. Burt , Felix Bernard , Robert Burns , and Chip Davis
Manufacturer: American Gramaphone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Celebration
Christmas
Fresh Aire Christmas
Christmas in the Aire
The Lost Christmas Eve

ASIN: B00005NNDK
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Tracks:

Hallelujah - from 'The Messiah'
White Christmas
Away In A Manger
Faeries - from 'The Nutcracker'
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The First Noel
Silver Bells
Fum, Fum, Fum
Some Children See Him
Winter Wonderland
O Tannenbaum
Auld Lang Syne

Amazon.com

Chip Davis's Mannheim Steamroller hasn't lost any ground in the six years since their last Yuletide offering. Christmas Extraordinare is another innovative and heartfelt collection of seasonal treasures played on a combination of 18th-century instruments and modern-day synthesizers, drums, and electric guitars. While not the first to marry different ages of musical instruments, Davis and his cohorts use them with imagination and an intensity that gives new life and drama to this rather inert genre. For material, Mannheim Steamroller asked their fans to choose their favorite holiday selections and vote on their Web site. The results of the poll are a fine mix of old and new--with slightly more emphasis on the modern--ranging from the bracing "Fum, Fum, Fum," a traditional Catalan carol, to Tchaikovsky's "Faeries" from The Nutcracker. Mannheim Steamroller imbues this beloved song with an almost militaristic edge, grounding it with an ominous tuba that gives the usually fey "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" an edgy tension. "Winter Wonderland" is a spectacular work, bordering on prog rock, as if Emerson, Lake & Palmer had re-formed to whip up a winter blizzard gone amok. While most of the Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas albums are largely instrumental, Davis has employed the considerable talents of University of Michigan's Glee Club to sing on "O Tannenbaum," respectfully fading their elegant, full vocals around the pristine voice of Johnny Mathis, elevating this German carol to a cinematic peak. Don't miss out on the clever liner notes, which give the reader a whimsical, anecdotal history of the 12 songs. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Mannheim Steamroller.......2007-01-10

I own quite a few of Mannheim Steamroller cd's and love them all.

I like it.......2006-12-18

Although, anyone should definately buy their first two albums from the 80s first, this is much calmer and more sophisticated. The first two albums are much more upbeat and inticing. This is still some beautiful Christmas music though. It's relaxed and possibly more suitable for the parents (not that children wouldn't like it) and creates a really great chilled out loving mood.

Wonderful Christmas tunes from Mannheim Steamroller.......2006-12-06

This was a pleasure to listen to again!It makes nice background yule-tyde music for the winter solitice holiday celebration.The birth of Jesus also represents the growing length of sunlight and rebirth of life.Also smartly included are Johnny Mathis (O Tannenbaum),University of Michigan Men's Glee Club,Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum Women's Choir, Almeda Berkey directing.They should continue to stick with Christmas standard classics and stay away from the Halloween tunes.This wintertime CD from Mannheim Steamroller is extraordinaire indeed!

Christmas Extraordinaire.......2006-02-26

I am a fan of Mannheim Steamroller and had high expectations for this CD. This is not quite as good as their older Christmas Cd's. It is ok but far from what it could have been.

Doesn't Really meet the test of time.......2006-01-05

With no offense intended to Mannheim Steamroller, I just wasn't very excited about this CD. Probably the best thing on here is the Nutcracker selection, but nothing stands out as being original or a fresh look at music. The best thing I think that can be said about it came from my father, who heard it at Christmas, and said "At least it doesn't sound like all their other music." So, if you are tired of hearing the standard radio playlist of Chip Davis, this might be refreshing. On the other hand, if none of the selections from CHRISTMAS EXTRAORDINAIRE are being played, then probably none are very good (or popular).

In retrospect, I wish I had gotten FRESH AIRE, which I recognize as having some of my favorite Mannheim Steamroller songs. I'm not throwing this CD away, but it won't be on the top of my Christmas music pile either.

Average customer rating:

A Beautiful, Relaxing Project
It just cannot be the end for Charlotte's classical career! :(
Charlotte Church
Somewhat decent but still mediocre
R&B For Charlotte

Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church
Charlotte Church
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Enchantment
Voice of an Angel
Charlotte Church
Tissues and Issues
Dream a Dream

ASIN: B00006LFGG
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

Pie Jesu from Requiem
My Lagan Love
In Trutina (from Carmina Burana)
Panis Angelicus
Amazing Grace
Just Wave Hello
La Pastorella (The Little Shepherdess)
She Moved Through The Fair
Ave Maria
Dream A Dream (w/ Billy Gilman)
The Flower Duet
Haba
The Prayer (w/ Josh Groban)
All Love Can Be
It's The Heart That Matters Most
Tantum Ergo
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Sancta Maria

Amazon.com

Need more evidence of the record industry's obsession with youth? Consider that budding Welsh diva Charlotte Church was a ripe, old 16 when this, her first greatest-hits anthology was released. Spanning her first four releases, as well as some outside collaborations and unreleased material, this 18-track collection underscores the soprano's seemingly boundless potential--as well as some potential career obstacles ahead. Her crystalline, still-maturing voice is best showcased on classically oriented works like Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu," Franck's "Panis Angelicus," and her now-ubiquitous rendering of Delibes' "Flower Duet." She also excels on folk traditionals such as "She Moved Through the Fair" and "My Langan Love." But overwrought productions like the already-dated "Dream a Dream" and "Habanera," a faux-flamenco take on Bizet, nearly get the best of her. Still, her promising duet with fellow young phenom Josh Groban on "The Prayer" and her mature, dreamy reading of A Beautiful Mind's "All Love Can Be," as well as strong performances on the previously unreleased "It's the Heart That Matters Most" and "Bridge over Troubled Waters," are ample evidence of her potential for rewarding pop crossover--if she doesn't retire by 21. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

A Beautiful, Relaxing Project.......2007-06-15

My only other experience with Charlotte Church was seeing part of a PBS special on her, where she sang songs like "Some Enchanted Evening". I actually enjoy her voice on this style of music.

I love her rendition of "Amazing Grace". She also did good on covering "Bridge Over Troubled Water", though I was disappointed she didn't try the high note on the verses as Garfunkel did. My favorite on the project was "It's the Heart That Matters Most".

If I want some beautiful sounding music to relax to while I'm working, this would be a very good project for that.

It just cannot be the end for Charlotte's classical career! :(.......2006-08-20

I'm just shocked that Charlotte has decided to end her classical career with this mediocre assortment of her most loved pieces from her other albums! I wish that she had re-sung all of the pieces to make them sound better than ever with her mature voice! To me, it seems disgusting that anyone would want to end their career with a last album that sounds the way this album does!

Her beginning pieces (Pie Jesu, My Lagan Love, In Trutina, Panis Angelicus, and Amazing Grace) were sung at the beginning of her classical career, and you can hear her flat vowels and shaky low notes. You can also hear it in "She Moved Thru the Fair". It's really annoying!

La Pastorella is a beautiful song to sing, and Church masters it beautifully! Just Wave Hello - the Ford Anthem, is also a beautiful piece, with amazing work from the orchestra.

Ave Maria is a complete annoyance! Church lays on the high notes too much, putting too much emphasis on them, and it's an annoyance! Her vowels are also flat on the high notes - I just hate it!

Dream a Dream is a very nice piece, leaning more towards the pop scene. Church still seems to make it work, and I would listen to it all day!

The Flower Duet is a beautiful song, but Church's vocals are strained, which makes it hard to listen to with a smile on your face! It's still beautiful!

The Prayer (w/ Josh Groban) is a very nice piece, originally sung by Celine Dion. She's still a little bit flat here!

All That Love can Be is sung beautifully, completely smooth and connected. The vocals are flawless and have a mezmerizing effect.

It's the Heart that Knows is a pop piece that Church sings with strong vocals. It's just showing us that she's ending her career as a classical superstar!

Tantum Ergo, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and Sancta Maria, are all beautiful pieces!

I am a Charlotte Chruch fan, no doubt, but I really didn't like this album! I still wish that she would stay with opera, but I guess dreams don't come true! I wouldn't advise you to buy this CD - but as long as you have Voice of an Angel, Charlotte Church (the Self Titled Album) and Enchantment, there's no need for this CD!

Sorry Charlotte!

Charlotte Church.......2006-07-29

Love that voice!! This is a great CD and any one who had not heard this young lady sing should buy it and prepare for some musical enjoyment.

Somewhat decent but still mediocre.......2006-06-07

I am well aware of Charlotte's age. However, I am also aware of her amazing vocals and powerful range. But these things don't make you a good singer. Charlotte chose to stick to opera in most of her songs. And face it, not just anyone can do opera.

Charlotte's voice is very well trained - maybe too trained. From a very young age she's been hitting the same notes as Sarah Brightman. But I feel that Charlotte's over-worked and not to mention overdone voice has been declining tremendously.

But I guess none of this really matters now because I haven't heard her do anything classical for a while. If you want to listen to Charlotte now, go find the song 'Crazy Chick.'

If you want to listen to other angel voiced sopranos, I'd go with Sarah Brightman or Renee' Fleming.

R&B For Charlotte .......2006-05-07

If a bird can be annoying as in a Rooster Crowing in the morning, some people will like it. A dog can bark in the nights we sleep, some People will like it. A human voice so light, so vibrated within their own dimensions, people will like it, but not I. I never really saw the beauty of opera, agitating to the ears, just like a Rooster calling on it's hens. With that said, Charlotte needs to turn to Blues Rock or R&B. Yes, Boogie style Blues Rock, she has the voice for it. No matter how many here perceive Opera or know what should sound good, no opera singer could ever sing Blues without a voice and a heart for it. Not One! So why should a girl with soulful music embedded in her, do the same? I say, "it's time to really Rock Charlotte!"

Music Album:

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