Rose Marie [Import]

1. Keep It A Secret

2. By The Water Of Minnetonka

3. Amateur In Love

4. Restless Heart

5. Song Of The Old Water Wheel

6. How Can I Tell You

7. All That I'm Asking Is Sympathy

8. North Wind

9. Darlin' Don't Cry

10. Danny Boy

11. There's A Rainbow In Every Teardrop

12. Stairway To Heaven

13. Lord Help Me Be As Thou

14. Secret Love

15. Why

16. Rose Marie

17. Stood At The Altar

18. Beautiful Dreamer

19. Ride Away

20. Singing Hills

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Rose Marie,Slim Whitman,Country Stars,Country/Bluegrass

Average customer rating: Repetitive A Healing CD Another Great Album Great stress reliever CLASSICALLY-TRAINED PIANIST KAREN MARIE GARRETT COMPOSES ENTIRE NEW ALBUM

It's About the Rose Karen Marie Garrett Manufacturer: Karen Marie Garrett Music, Waterstreet Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Allure of Sanctuary Pensare Piano Sacred A Trip Through Tuscany Scenic Listening ASIN: B000L4393K Release Date: 2007-01-01

Tracks:

1. It's About the Rose in the Vase on the Table
2. Tally's Lullaby
3. Vinot and the Sea Bird
4. The Piano Called
5. Moon Night
6. Waiting
7. Beethoven, Chopin and the Rose
8. Impressions
9. Tip Toe Dancer and the Sea Pearl
10. Cafe Espresso
11. Daydreams
12. Finale of the Rose

Album Description

Another beautiful CD by pianist Karen Marie Garrett. It's evident Ms. Garrett went exploring for something new and exciting to share with listeners in this collection of twelve new compositions. Whatever you want to call the genre; New Age, Adult Contemporary, Light Jazz, Classical Inspired, or ? ... it's working and it's gorgeous!

BILL BINKELMAN, NEW AGE REPORTER:

"BEST of 2006" , one of the "Twelve Best New Age / Adult Contemporary / World Fusion Recordings of 2006"

"This is one of the most beautiful piano recordings I've heard in recent memory, and even maybe longer. I highly recommend it especially for quieter times when you bask in its sepia-toned glow."

Will Ackerman, creator Windham Hill Records, gold and platinum record producer,
and Grammy Award-winning recording artist...
"Karen Marie Garrett's previous recording, Allure of Sanctuary, offered an abundance of melody and emotion, making it truly a remarkable debut. Her latest recording, It's About the Rose, presents an absolutely stunning evolution in musical styles, textures, virtuosity and emotional depth. She has not departed from what worked so well for her in Allure of Sanctuary, but has simply dug deeper to create an even richer experience."

Kathy Parsons, New York Solo Piano Publications... WOW!(full review below)

John Iverson, Shades of Classics, CKUW 95.9 FM Winnipeg, Canada
Beautiful as a Rose! I had not heard the music of new age pianist Karen Marie Garrett prior to reviewing this album, but after giving it a listen, I wish I had known about her much sooner."

Stephen Cairns, Piano Heaven - England
"A true gem of a CD....pure Piano Heaven." (full review below)

Customer Reviews:

Repetitive.......2007-07-13

I heard Tally's Lullaby on cable and loved it so I listened to some snippets of the different tracks on Amazon and ordered it. I wish I'd listened longer to more tracks because I wouldn't have purchased this CD--I may be the only person to listen to this album and NOT like it! Except for Tally's Lullaby, the other tracks are so repetitive that I checked my CD player to see if I'd hit "repeat"---there is so little difference between them that it could be the same piece over and over, with the same left-hand accompaniment. Ms. Garrett must be a talented pianist, but I don't think you could prove it with this album.

A Healing CD.......2007-07-03

After the Va.Tech tragedy, I just happened to hear "Tally's Lullaby" on my digital music station and was impressed with the apparent healing qualities of this piece. It was the best song to hear at that particular time. I have since bought the cd and highly recommend it.

Another Great Album.......2007-06-13

I have to agree with another reviewer. This album is just great for relaxing and stress relief. I can't remember when I bought back to back albums by an artist that were as good as Allure of Sanctuary and It's About the Rose.

Great stress reliever.......2007-03-11

Karen Marie Garrett's latest CD is so soothing and stress relieving that I would encourge anyone who loves soft, warm piano music to purchase this album instantly on Amazon. Tally's Lullaby is my favorite and knowing the background on why it was recorded just makes for a better listening experience. Check Karen's web page for the details - [...]

CLASSICALLY-TRAINED PIANIST KAREN MARIE GARRETT COMPOSES ENTIRE NEW ALBUM.......2007-03-06

KAREN MARIE GARRETT
IT'S ABOUT THE ROSE

For her fourth album, pianist Karen Marie Garrett has created a hauntingly-beautiful CD of original contemporary instrumental music that contains contemporary classical and new age elements. IT'S ABOUT THE ROSE contains some solo piano pieces and also gentle duets with either cello (Eugene Friesen), violin (Steve Schuch or Derrik Jordan) or flugel-horn (Jeff Oster). These melodies are so captivating that the album went right to the very top of the national airplay chart. The CD was produced by famed guitarist and producer Will Ackerman, who also founded Windham Hill Records.

Garrett's background and training is classical music, and her first three albums contained some classical compositions. But now with the release of her fourth CD, IT'S ABOUT THE ROSE, you still hear her classical influences, but she penned all the material. The music includes melodic, structured solo piano numbers ("It's About the Rose in the Vase on the Table," "Beethoven Chopin and the Rose," "Impressions" and "Waiting") as well as free-spirited solo piano improvisations ("The Piano Called" and "Daydreams"). "Tally's Lullaby," a tribute to pets that have passed on, is a lovely piano-cello duet with Friesen (from the Paul Winter Consort). "Vinot and the Seabird" (with flugelhorn and vocals) was primarily inspired by Erik Satie, but also has Karen showing other classical influences including Beethoven and Pachabel. Garrett turned to Mozart and the local coffee shop for the inspiration behind "Café Espresso" which includes bass and percussion. According to Garrett, "Tip Toe Dancer and the Sea Pearl" (piano interacting with violin and bass), took its genesis from a moment on the beach when she saw a young child twirling with delight over a treasure found in a tide pool.

The melodies are memorable, the musicianship first-rate, and the production crisp and clear. There are plenty of contemporary instrumental pianists out there, but Karen Marie Garrett brings a little something extra to the table, perhaps a deeper level of emotionalism not commonly found.

Average customer rating: The best of the best. Beautiful and creamy voice Renee Fleming;THE BEAUTIFUL VOICE The most gorgeous soprano voice I've ever heard Wow!!!

Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehaair, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss Gustave Charpentier , Charles Gounod , Jules Massenet , Antonin Dvorak , Friedrich von Flotow , Giacomo Puccini , Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Carl Orff , Richard Strauss , Sergey Rachmaninov , Johann II Strauss , Franz Lehar , Jose Maria Cano , Marie-Joseph Canteloube , Jeffrey Tate , Sir Charles Mackerras , Renée Fleming , English Chamber Orchestra , Osian Ellis , London Voices , and Clive Greensmith Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Canteloube, Joseph | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | 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 Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Fleming, Renee | C to G | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Renée Fleming Renee Fleming: By Request Renée Fleming - Signatures ~ Great Opera Scenes / Sir Georg Solti Sacred Songs Handel ASIN: B0000042I6 Release Date: 1998-02-10

Tracks:

1. Louise (Acte 3): Depuis le jour ou je me suis donnee
2. Faust (Acte 3 - Air des bijoux): O Dieu! que de bijous!... Ah! Je ris de me voir si belle (Air des bijoux - Jewel Song)
3. Manon (Acte 3): Je marche sur tous les chemins... Obeissons... Profitons bien de la jeunesse (Gavotte)
4. Gypsy Melodies, Op. 55 B104 No. 4: Songs My Mother Taught Me
5. Martha (Act 2 - No. 8 The Last Rose): 'Tis The Last Rose Of Summer
6. La rondine (Act 1): Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
7. Die tote Stadt (Act 1 - Mariettas Lied): Gluck, das mir verblieb
8. Carmina Burana (No. 21): In trutina
9. Vier Lieder, Op. 27 No. 4: Morgen!
10. Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14: Vocalise
11. Die Fiedermaus (Act 2 - Csardas): Klange der Heimat (Csardas)
12. Die lustige Witwe (Act 2 - Vilja-Lied): Es lebt' eine Vilja (Vilja-Lied)
13. LUNA: Epilogo
14. Chants d'Auvergne, Series 1: Bailero

Amazon.com essential recording

This vocal recital certainly lives up to its title, perhaps too well. It's a collection of arias and songs Fleming has sung for years that for some may be too much frosting and not enough cake. Surely, her performances are rich with interpretive nuances, wonder-filled portamentos and word colorings that reflect a long history with this repertoire, which ranges from Charpentier's "Depuis le jour" to Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise." Some may find Fleming a bit much, but agree with her or not, she's far more interesting than singers who keep a safe, discreet distance from the music. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

The best of the best........2007-04-11

I've given away at least a dozen copies of this CD. I'm running low, so I just refilled the stash. For people who haven't discovered Renee Fleming or who think they don't care for opera, this CD is the best possible way to blow down the walls. If you think there's nothing new to be heard in these old arias, you owe it to yourself to find out how wrong you can be.

Beautiful and creamy voice.......2006-02-28

I like so much Ren?e Fleming and this is special cd !

Renee Fleming;THE BEAUTIFUL VOICE.......2006-01-30

IT'S A FINE RECORDING THAT OFFERS A VARIETY OF SELECTIONS FROM OPERA, OPERETTAS AND FOLK SONGS, ALL WITH FLEMING AT HER BEST.

The most gorgeous soprano voice I've ever heard.......2006-01-02

I am a 19-year-old voice student at the University of Central Arkansas and I came across Renee by way of a soprano in my voice studio. She said it was her favorite soprano and that I should give her a listen. I was a little hesistant because I'm a baritone and my voice teacher told me that I should listen to men, but I just want to hear it all. So this past summer I first bought Renee's self-titled album with all of the lolipop arias on it and I was just amazed, not just because of how good she is but how easy she is to listen to. I loved her voice immediately. From the the moment the first tone passed through her throat on Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro." So I had to hear more. The Beautiful Voice is even better. It wasn't as easy to listen to at first because some of the songs on this album are not as famous as those on the other one, but these songs are all gems. The Korngold with the pianissimi B flats is my personal favorite. Even my mother who screams at me to turn down that "noise" when I listen to opera cds has grown to be quite fond of Renee Fleming. Sometimes her interpretations can be over the top, but the voice is beyond spectacular. It pours out like melted butter. It's vibrant, rich, expressive, free and always perfectly in tune. There is no hint of strain from any sound emitted from her body. She will undoubtedly be remembered like Callas & Sutherland and all the other great soprano voices before her. Not for the dramatic intensity of Callas or the coloratura & technical ease of Sutherland, but for the sheer unspeakable beauty of her voice. This is a must have for any vocalist seriously dedicated to classical training.

Wow!!!.......2005-09-28

This album is the album that introduced me to Renee Fleming. Every selection on this recording is a gem. Her voice is so gorgeous and her technique is so solid. I love her voice so much, her interpretations of J. Strauss, Jr.'s Csardas is incredible and Puccini's Chi il bel sogno di Doretta makes me cry everytime I listen to it. She is a true American treasure. Brava Renee!!!

Average customer rating: Jeanette MacDonald Favorites A MUST for any Jeanette fan! Jeanette MacDonald Was Unique An excellent demonstration of Jeanette MacDonald's artistry

San Francisco and Other Jeanette MacDonald Favorites Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herbert | Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Traditional | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: When I'm Calling You Love's Old Songs Ah Sweet Mystery of Life: Anthology (1931-1938) San Francisco Through the Years ASIN: B000003F6P Release Date: 1991-11-09

Tracks:

1. Ciribiribin
2. The Firefly: Giannina mia
3. The Firefly: The Donkey Serenade
4. Naughty Marietta: Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life
5. Naughty Marietta: Italian Street Song
6. New Moon: Lover Come Back To Me
7. New Moon: One Kiss
8. Smilin' Through: Land Of Hope And Glory
9. Rose Marie: Indian Love Call
10. San Francisco
11. The Holy City
12. Love Parade: March Of The Grenadiers
13. Monte Carlo: Beyond The Blue Horizon
14. The Fortune Teller: Romany Life
15. The Vagabond King: Only A Rose
16. Les filles de Cadiz
17. Ave Maria
18. Songs My Mother Taught Me
19. Romeo et Juliette: Je veux vivre dans ce reve
20. Faust: Il etait un roi de Thule
21. Faust: Air des bijoux
22. Louise: Depuis le jour

Customer Reviews:

Jeanette MacDonald Favorites.......2007-05-13

This CD is an incredible testimony and celebration of an American Master Singer.
A must have for all. An introduction to quality and good taste for a new generation of music lovers.

A MUST for any Jeanette fan!.......2006-04-25

This CD is a gem! The songs included on it are beautiful and show off MacDonald's incredible voice. The best part of this CD, however, is the sound quality. Unlike many of her other recordings, and those featuring her with frequent costar Nelson Eddy, the sound on this CD is pristine, and you can barely tell the recordings are 50+ years old!

Jeanette MacDonald Was Unique.......2001-03-12

It really doesn't matter whether or not she could sing; Jeanette MacDonald was unique. On these old recordings, her voice sounds thin and watery, and contemporary tastes do not respond so readily to the sentimentality and predictability of her movies. But she was a gracious lady and glittering presence on the silver screen. These film songs do suggest the excitement she generated when her movies first appeared. And how many truly major singers she inspired! Joan Sutherland recalled meeting MacDonald a few years before her death. Said Sutherland: "I still had stars in my eyes."

An excellent demonstration of Jeanette MacDonald's artistry.......1998-12-18

The highlights of this Jeanette MacDonald CD include her excellent singing of Delibes' "Les Filles de Cadiz," the Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria," and the "Jewel Song" from "Faust." A much-underrated artist, MacDonald proves here that she can handle a wide range of music, from concert songs and opera arias to familiar tunes from her operetta films. Particularly fine are her renditions of "Only a Rose," and Herbert's "Romany Life" (in spite of an amateurish male chorus). Highly recommended not only as a tribute to filmdom's first lady of song, but also to listeners who enjoy both opera and musical comedy.

Average customer rating: Beautiful Robert Shaw Chorale a perfect Ceremony of Carols! Brilliant compilation Didn't care for it that much

A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Howells, Herbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Kopïlov, Alexander | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Lauridsen | Lauridsen, Morten | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Michael Praetorius | Praetorius, Michael | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thompson | Thompson, Randall | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Easy Listening | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music $7 - $10 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale The Many Moods of Christmas (1963 RCA Victor Version) Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra Carols from Trinity O Come All Ye Faithful: Christmas Carols at King's College, Cambridge ASIN: B000003D2M Release Date: 1997-09-23

Tracks:

1. O Come, Emmanuel
2. Alleluia
3. The First Nowell
4. The Carol Of The Birds
5. Allon, Gay Bergeres
6. A Hymn To The Virgin
7. O Magnum Mysterium
8. Christmas Oratorio: Rejoice And Sing
9. Ave Maria
10. What Is This Lovely Fragrance?
11. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
12. Sing Lullaby
13. While By My Sheep
14. Christmas Oratorio: Break Forth, O Wondrous Heavenly Light
15. Heavenly Light
16. Adeste Fideles
17. Ceremony Of Carols: Procession - Hodie Christus Natus Est
18. Ceremony Of Carols: Wolcum Yole!
19. Ceremony Of Carols: There Is No Rose
20. Ceremony Of Carols: That Yonge Child
21. Ceremony Of Carols: Balulalow
22. Ceremony Of Carols: As Dew In Aprille
23. Ceremony Of Carols: This Little Babe
24. Interlude (Harp Solo)
25. Ceremony Of Carols: In Freezing Winter Night
26. Ceremony Of Carols: Spring Carol
27. Ceremony Of Carols: Deo Gracias
28. Ceremony Of Carols: Recession: Hodie Christus Natus Est

Amazon.com

In this beautifully chosen program of mostly a cappella arrangements, Robert Shaw and the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers deliver the Christmas story in tones of gentle and moving splendor. The carols and sacred settings recorded here are all of an intimate sort, and the rapturous, gently expressive realizations Shaw and his singers give them prove unfailingly appealing. Particularly moving is the newest work on the disc, a setting of "O magnum mysterium" by the American composer Morten Lauridsen. Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria" is another gem, as is the arrangement by Healy Willan of the French carol "What Is This Lovely Fragrance?" The offering includes a pair of chorales from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and two wonderful Christmas works by Benjamin Britten: "A Hymn to the Virgin" and A Ceremony of Carols, both well done, even if the sound of sopranos and altos (rather than boy trebles) in the latter takes some getting used to. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-02-16

The music is beautiful of course. The Robert Shaw Chorale is a high quality group of singers, and the arrangements they sing are really nice. Because of the age of the recording today's standards of equpment and tonal quality simply weren't available but the upgrade from analog vinyl was well-done. I shall look for more of these.

Robert Shaw Chorale.......2007-01-10

This is an excellent ablum. The music is lovely and quite varied. While there are many of the familiar favorites, there are also many new and different songs and the whole CD is a delight to listen to.

a perfect Ceremony of Carols!.......2005-12-22

This is the finest recording of Britten's A Ceremony of Carols I've ever come across, and there are plenty of versions to choose from. The King's College Choir rendition suffers from overstuffed acoustics, a constant with that choir, and their recording of Ceremony of Carols falls short in the requisite rhythmic clarity and intensity. The Christ Church, Oxford version is plodding, and lacks sparkle. Harry Christopher's The Sixteen come close, with marvelous sonics and ecstatic diction, but fall apart in the exacting 'This Little Babe' round with uneven cohesion, and strange stressed notes that ruin the waterfall effect so felicitously construed by Britten. I've not heard Britten's own conducted version, but he scrupulously insisted on boy trebles, and it's difficult if not impossible to conjure a more perfect rendering than the one given here by Shaw and his Chamber Singers. 'This Little Babe' is incomparable in each and all of its rapid fire contours, which is no mean feat. Mezzo-soprano Nanette Soles deserves special mention for incandescent singing on 'That Younge Child". The luminous pacing of 'There is no rose of such virtue' is notable, and to his credit Shaw employs the ecclesiastical pronunciation of the various Latin passages, unlike The Sixteen (and most other English choir recordings of this piece) who insist on an idiomatic British pronunciation of Latin, which offers nothing but distraction. Some will prefer boy treble singers, an attractive option, but for high musical values and the art they inevitably enshrine, it's impossible to be disappointed with this profoundly wrought version of Ceremony of Carols. Bach's 'Break Forth, O beauteous heavenly light' is just right, and I'd not heard 'Heavenly Light' by Aleksandr Kopylov; both are favorable additions to an excellent recording. Recommended.

Brilliant compilation.......2005-03-16

This is an absolutely outstanding collection of carols - some of them well-known, some of them obscure. As a choral singer, I've had the pleasure of singing many of these pieces, and I was delighted when I found them all in one place, and done by an ensemble so accomplished as the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers! It just isn't Christmas for me without this recording.

Didn't care for it that much.......2004-12-27

I prefer to hear the voices and the words of the carols, and this one has too much other sound (maybe even the use of massed voices); I have a hard time hearing what they are singing.

Average customer rating: Gruberova's Extraordinary "Mein Herr Marquis", Sumi Jo's winning "Der hölle Rache" Beautiful collection, even though not perfect Breathtaking performances of standard literature Finally, a 2-disc soprano collection from Decca The grandeur of the Opera

The #1 Soprano Album Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Canteloube, Joseph | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Academy of Ancient Music | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Harrell, Lynn | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | 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 Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The #1 Tenor Album Jewel Song ~ 20 Great Soprano Arias / Crespin, Freni, Te Kanawa, Sutherland, Jo, Tebaldi, Cotrubas, Caballé, Cerquetti... The #1 Opera Album The Ultimate Divas Album The Most Famous Opera Duets ASIN: B000060OHV Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

1. Puccini: Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
2. Delibes: Lakme: Flower Duet
3. Catalani: La Wally: Ebben?...Ne Andro Lontana
4. Strauss: Die Fledermaus: Mein Herr Marquis
5. Canteloube: Chants D'Auvergne: Bailero
6. Bellini: Norma: Casta Diva
7. Mozart: The Marriage Of Figaro: Che Soave Zeffiretto
8. Mozart: The Magic Flute: Der Holle Rache Kocht In Meinem Herzen
9. Mozart: The Abduction From The Seraglio: Welche Wonne
10. Verdi: The Sicilian Vespers: Merce, Dilette, Amiche
11. Verdi: Rigoletto: Caro Nome
12. Puccini: Tosca: Vissi D'Arte
13. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremi
14. Puccini: La Rondine: Chi il Bel Sogno Di Doretta
15. Puccini: La Boheme: Quando M'en Vo'
16. Puccini: La Boheme: Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi
17. Schubert: Ave Maria

Tracks:

1. Bizet: Carmen: L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle
2. Offenbach: The Tales Of Hoffman: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour
3. Rossini: The Barber Of Seville: Una Voce Poca Fa
4. Verdi: La Traviata: E Strano.Ah Fors'e Lui.Sempre Libera
5. Mozart: The Marriage Of Figaro: Giunse Alfin Il Momento.Deh Vieni Non
6. Mozart: Don Giovanni: In quali Eccessi.
7. Villa-Lobos: Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
8. Bach/Gounod: Ave Maria
9. Handel: Rinaldo: Lascia/Ch'io Pianga
10. Handel: Samson: Let The Bright Seraphim
11. Giordano: Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta
12. Flotow: Martha: Last Rose Of Summer
13. Puccini: Manon Lescaut: In Quelle Trine Morbide
14. Wagner: Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise
15. Orff: Carmina Burana: Cour D'Amours: In Trutina
16. Shenandoah

Customer Reviews:

Gruberova's Extraordinary "Mein Herr Marquis", Sumi Jo's winning "Der hölle Rache".......2007-06-30

I bought that 2-CD set only for the extraordinary performance of Adele's "Laughing Song" ("Mein Herr Marquis") by Edita Gruberova. It is highly surprising (and inexcusable IMO) that a great label as Universal/Decca wrongly gives it to Kiri Te Kanawa, and that another great company (amazon) relays that big error on this site; the recording is quite recognizable (Gruberova can't be confused with anyone; and at her final, you can't confuse the particular audience of that live performance unable to refrain from blowing their stunning and applause before end), and you can check J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Te Kanawa, Gruberova, Fassbaender, Bär, Wiener Philharmoniker, Previn and search it, 1st for "Gruberova", 2nd for "Kanawa".

Another track is, alone, worth buying the CD: Königin der Nacht's "Der hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen" by Sumi Jo. Lucia Popp despite her quite deserved immense reputation for this, is beaten (IMO) by Cheryl Studer (purer and more subtle - at least when with Neville Marriner), who is in turn by Sumi Jo: Jo brings the incredible energy and speed and emotion yet chirurgical precision required by that piece full of terrible wrath and grudge (I once attended the Flute where Königin was on her balcony, pointing her finger at her daughter, far away in the court, giving full life to the ultra-powerful music and lyrics "The hellish revenge burns in my heart! Death and destitution to the traitor I hate! Strike him with this deadly weapon! Or you are not my daughter! never more and forever! Go away, ungrateful! Ungrateful! Everything is broken between us until he gives back his villain soul!"), she sings with perfect pitch, tempo and power even up to the 4-repeated highest note (F), with score in hand you find exceptionally little and small flaws, and only in secondary passages. And she sings with "no emotion added" (or removed!), I mean, she is quite accurate emotionally - not everyone is, particularly when singing perfectly such a masterpiece.

There are several more very good tracks (Casta Diva/Sutherland, Welche Wonne welche Lust/Kathleen Battle, O mio babbino caro/Fleming, Dôme épais le jasmin/Sutherland, Schubert's Ave Maria/Leontyne Price), each worth buying the disc, but I agree with previous reviewers that globally the selection is uneven.

Versailles, Sun 1 Jul 2007 01:55:40 +0200

Beautiful collection, even though not perfect.......2006-05-17

As many reviewers have said before, there is a lot of incoherencies in the choices of singers on this double CD. In order to be a truly ultimate collection, the boundaries of recording companies and rights must not interfere, as must have been in this case. This said, it is up to the private collector to accumulate his/her ultimate soprano collection, BUT these CDs are an enormous contribution!

It starts out very strong with beautiful pieces of, and then some singers repeat OFTEN. Not that they are bad choices, it's just that a greater variety would have been nice. More importantly it would have been great to have the "definitive" version/singer of a given aria. Just one example, Sumi Jo's Der Holle Rache is just everywhere as a previous reviewer mentioned -- let's not forget that there is a pristine-perfect-beyond-comparison of Lucia Popp's Queen of the Night also out there somewhere...just NOT on this particular CD...

As far as aria choices are concerned, that is a bit strange to me, too. Of all of Mozart's arias, why those and leave out the magnificent soprano aria from Zaide, "Ruhe sanft"? Hmm...But anyway, the CDs are much better than any other compilation I have of the same type. Highly recommendable after all.

Breathtaking performances of standard literature.......2005-06-09

This CD is a delight from start to finish. It covers most of the most famous soprano arias and duets, featuring celebrated performances by such artists as Nillson and Sutherland, Te Kanawa, Fleming and Bonney. The booklet lists the information on each performance, but does not include the translations. As all are very familiar peices, finding the opera from which they are taken should not be much of a challenge. Not all are opera arias, either; we have "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Let The Bright Seraphim" to mention a few of the sacred arias here. For opera collectors and those who are just starting to listen alike, this is a very enjoyable CD.

Finally, a 2-disc soprano collection from Decca.......2004-01-09

This is a great compilation to have. I understand that no Maria Callas recordings are not available on this CD because she was never part of the company. There, I set the record straight for any fans of the late opera singer who question it. There are, however, some sopranos and mezzos who are a part of the company that were left off as well, which is my reasoning for giving a 4-star rating rather than a five. Where are Cecilia Bartoli and Mirella Freni. I know that Freni is featured as Mimi on the recording of Musetta's Waltz, but it is minor on the recording, and there should be a recording of her singing an actual aria of her own. Also, recordings of "Dove Sono" (by Te Kanawa, for example), "Voi Che Sapete" (by Bartoli, let's say), "Signore Ascolta" by Caballe, and the Song to The Moon should all be on this compilation. Plus I think that Tatiana Troyanos' recording of the Habanera from Carmen should be featured rather that of Marylin Horne's. Other than that, the #1 Soprano Album is great.

The grandeur of the Opera.......2003-11-27

The #1 soprano album, is a compilation of the most popular opera arias.
This album includes some of the best female voices in history, such as:
Joan Sutherland
Monserrat Caballé
Birgit Nilsson
Renée Fleming
Leontyne Price
Sumi Jo
Kiri Te Kanawa
singing excerpts from Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly, La Bohéme, The Magic Flute, Carmen, Les contes du Hoffman, among many others.

Higlights:
O mio babbino caro/ Fleming
Dome epais le jasmin/ Sutherland & Berbié
Der hölle rache kocht in meinem herzen/ Jo
Un bel di vedremi/ Crespin
Let the bright seraphim/ Sutherland
La mamma morta/ Caballé
Mild und leise/Nilsson
among others.

This album is, in fact, a very good choice for the people who enjoys classical music. For the people that is not familiarized
with opera, this is a great oportunity to approach bel canto with some of the most beautiful voices in opera history.

Note: This compilation it's probably not complete (we miss many arias and some names as Flagstad and Callas) but it's a very good opera selection. Enjoy.

Average customer rating: Wonderful music, middling performance Far Below Average Compared To Savall Nice Selection of Marais' Viola Da Gamba Music Great baroque compositions but recording could be crisper

Marin Marais · Sainte-Colombe ~ The Greatest Masterworks / Spectre de la Rose Marin Marais , Sainte-Colombe , David Miller , Spectre de la Rose , Elizabeth Liddle , Alison Crum , Susanna Pell , Timothy Roberts , and Marie Knight Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Marais | Marais, Marin | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tous Les Matins du Monde/Dix Ans Apres Marais: Viol Music for the Sun King Marin Marais: Pièces de Viole du Second Livre, 1701 All the Mornings of the World (Tous les matins du monde) Two-Disc Edition Lully - Ballet Music for the Sun King / Mary Enid Haines · Aradia Baroque Ensemble · Kevin Mallon ASIN: B0000013XP Release Date: 1994-01-28

Tracks:

1. Sonnerie De Sainte Genevieve Du Mont De Paris
2. Le Retour
3. Le Badinage
4. Le Labyrinthe
5. Prde
6. Allemande Et Double
7. Gigue 'La Petite'
8. La Ruse
9. L'Arabesque
10. Prde In G
11. Tombeau 'Les Regrets'
12. Tombeau Pour Monsieur De Sainte-Colombe

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful music, middling performance.......2005-11-19

The previous author couldn't resist comparing this recording to other recordings by Jordi Savall, and I have to say that I couldn't agree with him/her more. Savall's interpretations, sound, and dynamic are far above that of this recording. I would look into his CD "Tous les Matins du Monde," which includes many of these works and has better quality and spirit. The French Baroque IS a complicated style and few understand it as well as Savall.

One historical note: The viola da gamba was NOT the "predecessor" of the violoncello any more than the recorder was the predecessor of the flute: both instruments developed concurrently, but the gamba fell out of fashion by the Classical period. What a shame!

Far Below Average Compared To Savall.......2005-10-23

French Baroque is not a very well known style in performance circles either by the performers themselves or audiences. In particular, viola performances are probably the least known or heard. The viola da gamba is the cello's predecessor and prominent in both English and French Early-Mid Baroque. The instrument has greater range and resonance with 7 strings. There are probably fewer than 300 professional players performing on this instrument today. There are probably 4-5 who are the best and the musicians here are not even close to the talent of the undisputed and unmatched French master violist, Jordi Savall: there is absolutely no comparison.

The pieces here are mostly too slow in their interpretations of the meter and the players are simply not proficient enough to play most of them in terms of technique and knowledge of the French Baroque style. The violas are groaning in slow agony or screeching most of the time which is completely at odds with the intentions of the composer. All of them are equally pathetic in their execution. Listen to a sample of Savall's performances such as on the soundtrack to 'All The Mornings of The World' and the music will simply explain itself for you to make your descisions in buying French Baroque. He also has the best performance of Lully's 'Les Concerts Royaux' that I have ever heard: this man is nothing less than a prodigy in his art of the viola and his direction of French Baroque. I have the utmost respect for this man as an artist: he is truly a living legend.

For French Baroque in general and especially for Marin Marais or other viola composers, there is no other performer/conductor than Jordi Savall worth listening to. Especially for viola, his closest contenders are still motionless on the ground while he is flying circles in the stratosphere: there is simply no comparison and his virtuosity is exponentially superior to every one else's. Find out for yourselves and you will soon be agreeing with what I say. Since they didn't mention him by name, it seems that the previous reviewers have not heard Savall and so I wouldn't give too much credence in their overgenerous ratings. Good luck in your search for great music!

Nice Selection of Marais' Viola Da Gamba Music.......2005-09-20

Naxos' mission is to make available to an international audience all significant Classical music compositions at budget price with lesser known but talented artists and high recording quality. This company policy allows the issue and maintenance in their catalog of CDs such as this one, which is a great collection of the music of Marin Marais composed for viola da gamba. Marais was the most popular and prolific of the 17th Century French composers for the Viola da Gamba, an antique predecessor to the cello or bass. Coupled with a harpsichord continuo,this hauntingly beautiful chamber music takes anyone back to a time before the industrial revolution when the rich wore elaborate wigs and clothing, and paid musicians to create music for their ornate parlors.While the performances may or may not be comparable to those on CDs costing about twice as much, for the overwhelming majority of listeners they are of outstanding quality.This and other Naxos discs are an affordable introduction to a style and period of music which offers a unique peacefulness and emotion in music. If this and other Naxos CDs are not good enough, just buy the full-price CDs and have fun comparing them. Take a walk on the baroque side.

Great baroque compositions but recording could be crisper.......1999-11-29

This CD is a siblime collection of pieces, when I get tired of squealing metal, industrial sounds, 3 chord punk... I turn to CDs such as this.

The music is splendid, and in fact heart filling. However, I think the recording is "muted" a bit. I think I should "feel" the deeper bass notes on some of the pieces, so I think it may be since NAXOS is more of a budget operation (ah the price is the give away eh).

So, if you are a super audio-phile or uber-classical snob you may find the quality in the recording lacking.

However, if you are beyond only liking Mozart's Eine Kleine Nacht Music and Bach's all too famous Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, this is a refreshing new step to older music. Hard core Barouque for the less fussy classical listener.

Average customer rating: A Timeless Tradition A nice blend of music for Christmas

Candlelight Carols The Choir of Trinity Church Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Howells, Herbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Now It is Christmas Again Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas [Remastered] Christmas at Trinity The Spirit of Christmas The Christmas Song ASIN: B0000041Y7 Release Date: 1991-09-13

Tracks:

1. O Come, All Ye Faithful
2. Candlelight Carol
3. Carol Of The Bells
4. All Poor Men And Humble
5. Shepherd's Pipe Carol
6. The First Nowell
7. What Is This Lovely Fragrance?
8. King Jesus Hath A Garden
9. A Spotless Rose
10. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
11. Away In A Manger
12. Joseph est bien marie
13. Sleeps Judea Fair
14. Noel Sing!
15. O Holy Night
16. Suo Gan
17. What Strangers Are These?
18. I Wonder As I Wander
19. O Little Town of Bethlehem

Customer Reviews:

A Timeless Tradition.......2005-12-15

I have been listening to this choir since 1982. I wore out the original tape, in the days before CD's. I have been to the actual performance, a week before Christmas three times and am going back this year 2005.

The performance is so delicate, yet so powerful that it is emotional and moving, regardless of your orientation. Imagine this performance, in the manificent HH Richardson-designed Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston. People wait for hours to get in. The lights go out, the Choir, brass timpani and organ just work so well together. One by one, candles are lit, and the huge church comes alive. The choir processes down the asiles singing in strength and everyone joins in.

It is a spiritual experience even if you are not religious. The strength of the performance invites you to participate. I find myself singing louder than I do anywhere else.

After my first child was born, I held her in my arms, and "Candlelight Carol" became my anthem:
How do you capture
The wind on the water?
How do you count all the stars in the sky?
How can you measure
The love of a mother
Or how can you write down
A baby's first cry?

I am not a musician and to my ear, the Chorus is professional. The tunes are classic, but they bring a new life to familiar tunes.

If you've been feeling stressed out, this is the perfect time to calm the nerves, focus on meaning and purpose, and let you enjoy yourself for a few minutes.

If you can't attend, do the next best thing, get the CD, turn it up till you hear the bass of the organ rumble your rafters and sing your heart out.

Enjoy!

A nice blend of music for Christmas.......2003-12-30

This is one of my favorite discs at Christmas time. It is at once peaceful and calm, yet joyous and expectant. There are the usual brass and organ carols, but also stunning arrangements and performances of lesser-known things. Prime among these are the setting of "Away in a Manger" that makes me want to pull off the highway and listen just to that song without distractions, and the pulsing, exciting "What Strangers are These", which I have never heard anywhere else. Chorally, the disc is a little unsatisfying because of balance issues with the rest of the disc--some songs are loud, others very soft, so it makes it hard to listen to without having to adjust the volume periodically. However, I still wouldn't trade it for all the Messiahs in the world!

Average customer rating: Excellent Perfect Classic Dale Warland

Christmas With the Dale Warland Singers Manufacturer: Gothic Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Michael Praetorius | Praetorius, Michael | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rubbra, Edmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Harvest Home December Stillness Christmas Echoes, Vol. 1 Christmas Echoes, Vol. 2 Blue Wheat ASIN: B00009W0HQ Release Date: 2003-08-05

Tracks:

1. Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant (He Is Born)
2. The Virgin's Cradle Hymn (Dormi, Jesu!)
3. Susanni
4. Prepare The Way
5. Fum, Fum, Fum! From Seven Joys Of Christmas
6. Sweet Was The Song The Virgin Sang
7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
8. Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine
9. The Holly And The Ivy
10. This Endris Night
11. Wonder Tidings
12. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
13. Ai, Nama Mamina From Three Latvian Carols
14. The Friendly Beasts
15. Carol Of The Bells
16. Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen (Lo, How A Rose)
17. Huron Carol ('Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime)
18. Patapan From Seven Joys Of Christmas
19. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
20. Gabriel's Message
21. Silent Night

Album Description

The Dale Warland Singers make their debut on Gothic with a beautiful new Christmas CD, featuring imaginative arrangements of carols from around the world. The sound is incomparable!

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-01-19

To anyone who appreciates choral music, or even some of you who only like to listen to it during the holidays, this is the album for you. The music is so familiar, but so aesthetically pleasing to listen to. The choir sounds clear and majestic from the clear sounds of the basses to the beautiful pings of the sopranos. Forget the garbbled sounds of Choirs with people who think that singing in Forte the whole way through is beautiful. This is angelic, yet very fun to listen to. Enjoyment for the whole family. 5 Stars

Perfect.......2005-12-02

This CD is worth buying for the track Prepare the Way alone. All the tracks are amazing, but that one is the best.

Classic Dale Warland.......2003-10-31

As has been the case with most DWS recordings, this is truly a classic. Beautifully sung, with new and interesting arrangements of traditional favorites, this disc is a must for all holiday music and DWS fans. Of note are Stephen Paulus' rhythmic "The Holly and the Ivy" and Praetorius' beautiful "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" arranged by Jan Sandström. I highly recommend this recording.

Average customer rating: Bravos belong to beloved baritone Howard Keel

Bless Yore Beautiful Hide Manufacturer: Asv Living Era ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Howard Keel And I Love You So The Incomparable... Only Make Believe: My Life in Show Business Lovely to Look at ASIN: B0007KTBH6 Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

1. My Defences Are Down - Adolph Deutsch, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
2. Girl That I Marry [From Annie, Get Your Gun] - Adolph Deutsch, Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
3. They Say It's Wonderful [From Annie, Get Your Gun] - Adolph Deutsch, Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
4. Anything You Can Do [From Annie, Get Your Gun] - Adolph Deutsch, Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
5. Pagan Love Song [From Pagan Love Song] - Adolph Deutsch, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
6. House of the Singing Bamboo [From Pagan Love Song] - Adolph Deutsch, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
7. Tahiti [From Pagan Love Song] - Adolph Deutsch, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
8. Make Believe [From Show Boat] - Adolph Deutsch, Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
9. You Are Love [From Show Boat] - Adolph Deutsch, Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
10. Why Do I Love You? [From Show Boat] - Adolph Deutsch, Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
11. Young Folks Should Get Married [From Texas Carnival] - Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra,
12. Lovely to Look At [From Lovely to Look At] - Carmen Dragon, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
13. You're Devastating [From Lovely to Look At] - Carmen Dragon, Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
14. Touch of Your Hand [From Lovely to Look At] - Carmen Dragon, Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
15. Higher Than a Hawk [From Calamity Jane] - Ray Heindorf, Howard Keel,
16. I Can Do Without You [From Calamity Jane] - Doris Day, Ray Heindorf, Howard Keel,
17. So in Love [From Kiss Me, Kate] - Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra, Andrrevin,
18. Were Thine That Special Face [From Kiss Me, Kate] - Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra, Andrrevin,
19. Wunderbar - Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra, Andrrevin,
20. I've Come to Wive It Wealthily in Padua [From Kiss Me, Kate] - Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra, Andrrevin,
21. Where Is the Life That Late I Led? [From Kiss Me, Kate] - Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra, Andrrevin,
22. Right Place for a Girl [From Rose Marie] - Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra, Georgie Stoll's Trio
23. Rose Marie [From Rose Marie] - Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra, Georgie Stoll's Trio
24. Bless Yore Beautiful Hide [From Seven Brides for Seven Brothers] - Adolph Deutsch, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
25. Sobbin' Women [From Seven Brides for Seven Brothers] - Adolph Deutsch, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra
26. When You're in Love [From Seven Brides for Seven Bothers] - Adolph Deutsch, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra, Jane Powell
27. Your Land and My Land [From Deep in My Heart] - Adolph Deutsch, Howard Keel, MGM Studio Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Bravos belong to beloved baritone Howard Keel.......2005-08-30

Travel back in time to an era when songs were created to enjoy like a rich desert that your mom would make. Howard Keel and his various duet partners have done just this! This CD has a wonderful selection from the great musicals of the 1950's and makes you smile....sigh....and seek to hear them again and again. I would encourage you to add this to your collection as I have. I've even shared it with many of my friends who have come back with the same remarks of great music from one of the great singers of our recent past.

Average customer rating: good, though some room for improvement Poor Interpretations of French Baroque Viola Pieces Great Baroque Music Nice music, not a great recording... For all moods

Marais: Viol Music for the Sun King Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Marais | Marais, Marin | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Marin Marais · Sainte-Colombe ~ The Greatest Masterworks / Spectre de la Rose Tous Les Matins du Monde/Dix Ans Apres Marin Marais: Pièces de Viole du Second Livre, 1701 Schenck: The Nymphs of the Rhine, Vol. 1 (Sonatas for Two Violas da Gamba) / Les Voix Humaines Schenk: The Nymphs of the Rhine, Vol. 2 ASIN: B000001440 Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

1. Un Peu Grave - Legerment - Un Peu Gai
2. Sarabande
3. Tres Vivement - Gravement
4. Gigue
5. Prelude
6. Fantasie
7. Allemande
8. Rondeau
9. Plainte
10. Charivary
11. Les Voix Humaines (Pieces De Violes, 2de Livre 1701)
12. Prelude
13. Caprice
14. Passacaille
15. Tombeau De M. Meliton (Pieces De Violes 1re livre 1686)
16. Couplets De Folies (Pieces De Violes 2de Livre 1701)

Customer Reviews:

good, though some room for improvement.......2006-05-28

This cd is generally very very nice. I think this is only my 2nd cd with Marais music on it so I was interested to see if it was as good as the Marais stuff on Jordi Savall's Tous les Matins du Monde. I would say that I liked it about as much as that cd, except for the Couplets de Folies. On that track I thought the viol was too low in the mix. It wasn't "front and centre" like it is in Savall's version. Of the rest of the pieces on the disc the D major suite (tracks 5-10) is definitely my favourite; it's mostly slow & simltaneously happy & sad somehow. I think the other two suites are almost as good.

Poor Interpretations of French Baroque Viola Pieces.......2005-10-23

French Baroque is not a very well known style in performance circles either by the performers themselves or audiences. In particular, viola performances are probably the least known or heard. The viola da gamba is the cello's predecessor and prominent in both English and French Early-Mid Baroque. The instrument has greater range and resonance with 7 strings. There are probably fewer than 300 professional players performing on this instrument today. There are probably 4-5 who are the best and the musicians here are not even close to the talent of the undisputed and unmatched French master violist, Jordi Savall: there is absolutely no comparison.

The pieces here are mostly too slow in their interpretations of the meter and the players are simply not proficient enough to play most of them in terms of technique and knowledge of the French Baroque style. The violas are groaning in slow agony or screeching most of the time which is completely at odds with the intentions of the composer. All of them are equally pathetic in their execution. Listen to a sample of Savall's performances such as on the soundtrack to 'All The Mornings of The World' and the music will simply explain itself for you to make your descisions in buying French Baroque. He also has the best performance of Lully's 'Les Concerts Royaux' that I have ever heard: this man is nothing less than a prodigy in his art of the viola and his direction of French Baroque. I have the utmost respect for this man as an artist: he is truly a living legend.

For French Baroque in general and especially for Marin Marais or other viola composers, there is no other performer/conductor than Jordi Savall worth listening to. Especially for viola, his closest contenders are still motionless on the ground while he is flying circles in the stratosphere: there is simply no comparison and his virtuosity is exponentially superior to every one else's. Find out for yourselves and you will soon be agreeing with what I say. Since they didn't mention him by name, it seems that the previous reviewers have not heard Savall and so I wouldn't give too much credence in their overgenerous ratings. Good luck in your search for great music!

Great Baroque Music.......2005-09-29

This is another outstanding Naxos recording of hauntingly beautiful viola da gamba music from the era of great French kings and queens. Although the artists and recordings may not be the finest available, they are certainly fine enough for all but the most critical enthusiasts.If you really like these, search out the more expensive versions and double your pleasure!

Nice music, not a great recording..........2003-08-13

As always, Marais' music is in a league of its own, and it is performed here with finesse and in a style appropriate to the music, but what disappointed me about this CD was the quality of the recording. It sounds like it was recorded in a room that was a little too small, and the result is a bogged down and at times irritatingly boxy recording.

For all moods.......2003-01-30

I'm not an expert on classical music, and my review will not be a technical one - all I know is if you enjoy baroque and/or the deep, affecting tones of the viol, you will really enjoy this. This is a CD which is alternately pensive and stirring. Great stuff if you want to think about nothing or everything.

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2. Singer-Songwriter-Comedian 1930-2000
3. Sleepy Eyed John
4. Strong As I Am
5. Sunday Morning Coming Down
6. Symphonies of the Sage
7. Tennessee Guitar Man
8. The Best of the Kentucky Headhunters: Still Pickin'
9. The Complete Sun Recordings 1955-1958 [Box set]
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