Queen of Harps

1. Queen of Harps

2. Ex Te Lux Oritur

3. Feachain Gleis/Scott's Lamentation

4. Lamentation of Youths

5. Sir Thomas Brook's Pavan/Cormac's Alman/Lord Sheffield's Pavan

6. First Irish Jig

7. Hawk of Ballyshannon

8. Temple Hill Reel/Temple Hill Jigs

9. Lament for the Harp

Queen of Harps,Ann Heymann,Temple Records,Celtic/Irish,Int'l & World Music,Pop

Average customer rating: Inspiring, noble, and also relaxing! Beautiful Music I love this composer Balanced & Refined English Folk Song Adaptations A great CD

Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5 Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies Vaughan Williams: Fantasies; The Lark Ascending; Five Variants Vaughan Williams: Serenade to Music; The Lark Ascending; Fantasia on Greensleeves; English Folk Song Suite; In the Fen Country; Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 Vaughan Williams - Serenade to Music · Five Mystical Songs · Fantasia on Christmas Carols · Flos Campi / Sixtieen Soloists · Thomas Allen · Nobuko Imai · Corydon Singers · ECO · Matthew Best ASIN: B00000IX81 Release Date: 1999-05-11

Tracks:

1. Fantasia on Greensleeves
2. English Folk Song Suite: I. March: Seventeen come Sunday
3. English Folk Song Suite: II. Intermezzo: My bonny boy
4. English Folk Song Suite: III. March: Folk songs from Somerset
5. Oboe Concerto: I. Rondo pastorale
6. Oboe Concerto: II. Minuet and musette
7. Oboe Concerto: III. Finale
8. Concerto Grosso: I. Intrada
9. Concerto Grosso: II. Burlesca ostinata
10. Concerto Grosso: III. Sarabande
11. Concerto Grosso: IV. Scherzo
12. Concerto Grosso: V. March and Reprise
13. Romance (for Harmonica, Strings & Piano)
14. The Lark Ascending (for Violin And Orchestra)

Tracks:

1. Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus'
2. Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1
3. Partita For Double String Orchestra: I. Prelude: Andante tranquillo
4. Partita For Double String Orchestra: II. Scherzo ostinato: Presto
5. Partita For Double String Orchestra: III. Intermezzo (Homage To Henry Hall)
6. Partita For Double String Orchestra: IV. Fantasia: Allegro
7. In the Fen Country
8. Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring, noble, and also relaxing!.......2007-06-15

Hi. I am familiar with a lot of classical music. However, I knew little about the oeuvre of Vaughan Williams. What a great find! Getting so much of his instrumental work is truly a bargain. He evokes the English countryside and folk traditions very effectively. "The Lark Ascending" is relaxing while also being a virtuoso piece of work. Makes me wonder if J.R.R. Tolkien, with his love for rural England, ever attended a concert by Vaughan Williams...

Highly recommended! :)

Beautiful Music.......2007-01-29

Each piece on this CD is wonderful to listen to. My 2 year old daughter takes her nap everyday with this CD playing softly in the background. This CD is a great deal as it includes 2 CD's including Vaughan Williams: Fantasies; the Lark Ascending; Five Variants. Which is also a wonderful CD, we got it for 2 friends at our church. But better to get this CD with 2 CD's for the price of one. My favorite is Fanatasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis!

I love this composer.......2006-03-17

While not all his works are to my taste, his pastoral ones are so gorgeous that you don't really care that the more boisterous ones are wanting.

Balanced & Refined English Folk Song Adaptations.......2005-02-04

Vaughan Williams is certainly one of the consummate English composers who took the folk song of his country and compsed delightful orchestra works around them.

This budget worthy 2-CD set displays this in two parts, the first performed by the Acadamey of St.Martin in-the-Fields while the second disc features more period instruments with the New Queen's Hall Orchestra and the London Philharmonic.

Celia Nicklin is superb with the Oboe Concerto nusancing this pastoral yet lively offering. Iona Brown likewise contributes a fine solo violin performance with "The Lark Ascending"

The strings also provide a strong offering on the "Tallis Fantasia", one of his strongest compositions on this selection.

Excellent example of this prominent English composer's love with folk song interpretation, in this recording done passionately and naturally.

A great CD.......2004-02-10

English Folk Song Suit is one of my favorite pieces ever! I first heard the song when I played it in Windensambe. It's an exciting piece to play and to listen to. I would recommend this Cd to anyone with an intrest in great music.

Average customer rating: Simply Breath-Taking full of energy worth savouring Versatile virtuoso outshines musically uneven material A Towering Musical Achievement Beautiful Harp Album

Crossing the Stone Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Corea, Armando Chick | ( C ) | 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 Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Reich, Steve | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | 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 Contemporary | 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 | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Harpist Adiemus II: Cantata Mundi Because I Love You So Karl Jenkins: Requiem Free ASIN: B0000AM6IX Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

1. Mountain Dance
2. Harpers Bizarre
3. James
4. Crossing The Stone (Tros Y Garreg)
5. Prelude From Partita No. 3
6. Third Movement From Electric Counterpoint
7. Eternal Dream
8. The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba From Solomon
9. Cafe Vamp Latino
10. Spain
11. Buenos Aires Hora Cero
12. Clair De Lune
13. Prelude In C/Ave Maria
14. Thingamujig
15. Suo Gan
16. Palladio (1st Movement)

Customer Reviews:

Simply Breath-Taking.......2007-03-05

Being a harpist myself, I can truly admire Catrin Finch's talent, style and choice of music selections for her first album.

Some songs are truly a revelation for the harp as an instrument using New Age style accompaniment, while there are still pieces with a classical vibe.

Well Done!

full of energy worth savouring.......2004-12-13

The artist is able to deconstruct the traditional image of harp as an instument. The texture and the hue of the music is rich and full of lustre. very creative and versatile.

Versatile virtuoso outshines musically uneven material.......2004-02-01

There's a reason Charles, Prince of Wales, revived a long-dormant (since 1871) tradition and presented Catrin Finch a Royal Appointment as his harpist. At age 23 she is a remarkable talent, with pristine technique and a fluency in the languages of both classical and contemporary music.

If only the material on her debut disc were equal to her talent.

While Finch is extraordinary, the music is a mixed bag of modern jazz/pop tunes, re-tooled classical favorites, and several hit-and-miss arrangements by Finch's musical partner, composer Karl Jenkins.

It's all starts and stops, ups and downs. In the jazz/pop genre, Dave Grusin's infectious "Mountain Dance" and the relaxed groove of Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays' "James" are perfectly suited for harp, while Chick Corea's "Spain" just never catches fire. Among the contemporary, experimental compositions, Jenkins' minimalist but tuneful "Harpers Bizarre" is far more interesting than Steve Reich's "Third Movement from Electric Counterpoint" - a tedious ostinato that never develops into anything. In a more traditional vein, "Crossing the Stone," taken from Jenkins' double harp concerto, is a rich, lovely setting of a Welsh folk tune, but two other selections from the concerto - "Eternal Dream" and "Caf? Vamp Latino" - don't relate musically at all. And while Finch, unaccompanied, is flawless on Bach's "Prelude from Partita No. 3," her performance of Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" is marred by the decision to include some noisy Middle Eastern percussion, as is Debussy's "Clair de lune" by an intrusive, soporific voice-over.

On the upside again, Bach/Gounod's "Ave Maria" and the Welsh lullaby "Suo Gan" team Finch nicely with solo voices (though countertenor Terrance Barber's vibrato is perhaps an acquired taste), and Jenkins' "Thingamujig" is a fun, lively jig.

Concluding the album, the first movement of Jenkins' "Palladio" (featured for years in TV commercials for DeBeers diamonds) in a dull dance remix has none of the energy of the original version for string quartet and is a totally gratuitous inclusion.

From Finch's liner-note comment that "I've never really been stuffy about classical music ... I'm open to everything, really," it's apparent that some tracks are an attempt to make a "classical" instrument more accessible to listeners of contemporary music. Again, Finch is terrific, but listeners would be better served by a recording of the harpist that displays her virtuosity in a single genre - whether classical, contemporary or experimental - instead of this hodgepodge.

Give the performer five stars, the material two, and look forward to hearing this talented young artist for many years to come.

A Towering Musical Achievement.......2003-10-29

While biographies disguised as reviews are tiresome, some background is in order, in this case. At the age of 23, Catrin Finch has been playing the harp for 18 years. She was appearing on British television and with major orchestras by the time she was 10, and was appointed the Royal Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales (a.k.a. Prince Charles) at the age of 20. Bottom line: This lady has more than enough credentials to be regarded as a major musical talent.

But does having a long list of credentials translate to making a great album? In this case, you bet it does. On "Crossing The Stone," Catrin Finch combines piles of technical expertise with surprising and even stunning musical choices. Sure, she covers classical music (such as Bach's 'Prelude from Partita #3' and Handel's 'The Arrival of The Queen of Sheba') brilliantly, but you'd expect that from an alumnus of The Royal College of Music. But would you expect to hear a piece by jazz pianist Dave Grusin done on the harp? How about music by guitarist Pat Metheny, or a Chick Corea composition?

Catrin Finch is an incredible talent, and she has created a beautiful, eclectic album that demands (and will receive) repeated listening. Unfortunately, it's also an album that you probably won't find in your local music store. This album has not received a lot of publicity, and I have yet to walk into a CD store and find it sitting on the shelf. Save yourself a lot of tedious shopping: buy it here and now.

Beautiful Harp Album.......2003-08-26

I first heard Catrin Finch on a free sample CD I received and when I listened to it, I couldn't believe that the instrument that she was playing was the harp! It was so vibrant and full of life. It felt like I had opened the windows and let the sun shine in. The harp is the world's oldest - and most difficult instrument, but in Ms. Finch's power it is sounds both contemporary effortlessly played. It is a wonderful buy for any appreciate of music, and the most electric harp album ever produced.

Average customer rating:

Singers of Imperial Russia, Vol. 4 Manufacturer: Pearl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Cui, César | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Glinka | Glinka, Mikhail | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rubinstein | Rubinstein, Anton | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | 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 General Contemporary | 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 Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russia | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000000WMO Release Date: 1993-11-15

Tracks:

1. Queen of Spades/Act 3. What Is Our Life? - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
2. Juive/Act 4. Rachel, Quand du Seigneur - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
3. Segreto - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
4. Donkey and the Nightingale - Fable - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
5. Africana/Act 4. O Paradis - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
6. Night ("Why Do I Love Thee, Night?"), Op. 6 No. 9 - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
7. A: Celeste A (Act 1) - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
8. Peurs de Perles/Act 1. Je Crois Entendre Encore - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
9. Cavalleria Rusticana/O Lola, Tu Ch'hai di Latti (Siciliana) - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
10. Leave Me! (Gypsy Song) - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
11. Dubrovsky: O Give Me Oblivion - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
12. Queen of Spades/Act 1. Forgive Me, Bright Celestial Vision - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov
13. Carmen/Act 4. C'est Toi? C'est Moi! - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov, Evgenija Ivanovna Zbrueva
14. In the Wild North - Aleksandr Mikhajlovich Davydov, Vladimir Kastorsky, Maria Michailova
15. She Was Yours - Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bogdanovich
16. Far off, Far Off - Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bogdanovich
17. Demon: On Desire's Soft Fleeting Wing - Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bogdanovich
18. Rusalka: Unwillingly to These Sad Shores, Prince's Cavatina (Act 1) - Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bogdanovich
19. Eugene Onegin: Whither, Whither (Act 2) - Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bogdanovich
20. Ruslan and Ljudmila/Act 1. There Is a Distant Country - Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bogdanovich
21. Princesse Lointaine: Love Is a Delightful Dream - Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bogdanovich
22. Little Slippers/Does the Maiden Hear? - Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bogdanovich
23. What Happiness! - Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bogdanovich

Tracks:

1. Faust: Ah! Je Ris de Me Voir Si Belle en Ce Miroir (Jewel Song) - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
2. Traviata: Ah, Fors' Lui.../Follie, Follie...Sempre Libera (Pt. 2) - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
3. Peurs de Perles: Comme Autrefois - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
4. Dobrynja Nikitich: Zabava's Aria - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
5. Romet Juliette: Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce R - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
6. Perle du Brl: Charmant Oiseau - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
7. Harold: Hush Thee, Dear One, Slumber Well (Adele's Cradle Song) - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
8. Ruslan and Ljudmila: Ah, Thou My Fate - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
9. Snade ("Sing, Smile, Slumber") - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
10. Sadko: Sleep Went Along the River (Cradle Song) - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
11. Life for the Tsar: It Is Not for That That I Grieve - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
12. Peurs de Perles: Brahma, Grand Dieu - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
13. Bolero ("O My Dear, Charming One") - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
14. Snow Maiden/With Friends to Gather Berries - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
15. Huguenots: O Beau Pays de la Touraine - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
16. Mireille/O Lre Hirondell
17. Fra Diavolo/Quel Bonheur! - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
18. Golden Cockerel/Hail to Thee, Sun! - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
19. Tsar's Bride/Act 4. Mad Scene. Look There, Above Your Head - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
20. Barbiere Di Siviglia: Una Voce Poco Fa - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
21. Serenata ("Vola, O Serenata") - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
22. I Vespri Siciliani: MercDilette Amiche - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova
23. How Fair This Spot, Op. 21 No. 7 (Rachmaninov); the Rose and the ... - Antonia Vasil'evna Nezhdanova

Tracks:

1. Life for the Tsar/Act 3. Quartet. The Rose That Blooms - Andrej Labinsky, Maria Michailova, Galina Ivanovna Nikitina, Lev Sibirjakov
2. Night (Folksong) - Lev Sibirjakov
3. Boris Godunov/Act 1. In the Town of Kazan - Lev Sibirjakov
4. Life for the Tsar: What About a Wedding? (Act 1) - Lev Sibirjakov
5. Oh, If Mother Volga - Lev Sibirjakov
6. Why Was I Born? (Convict's Song) - Lev Sibirjakov
7. Askold's Tomb: In Olden Days Our Forefathers Lived - Lev Sibirjakov
8. Sonnambula/Act 1. VI Ravviso, O Luoghi Ameni - Lev Sibirjakov
9. Midnight Review - Lev Sibirjakov
10. Demon/Prologue. Accurs World - Lev Sibirjakov
11. Seafarers - Lev Sibirjakov, Eugene Witting
12. Elegy ("When, My Soul") - Aleksandr Dormidontovich Aleksandrovich, Lev Sibirjakov
13. lian Harps - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
14. Merchant Kalashnikov/The Merchant's Aria - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
15. Halka: Aria of Janusz - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
16. Enchantress/Act 2. Aria. Ah, The Image of That Enchantress! - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
17. Tear Trembles, Op. 6 No. 4 - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
18. Queen of Spades: I Love You, Dear (Eletsky's Aria, Act 2) - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
19. Louder Than the Song of the Lark, Op. 43 No. 1 - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
20. Demon/Act 2. O'er the Airy Ocean - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
21. Askold's Tomb: In Olden Days Our Forefathers Lived - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
22. Song of Triumphant Love/Arioso. O Pure Creature - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
23. Eugene Onegin: Should I Decide on Domesticity (Act 1) - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
24. Demon/Act 2. Do Not Weep, Child - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev
25. Festival During the Plague/Hymn. When Powerful Winter, Like a Vigilant
26. Captive in the Caucasus/Aria - Nikolaj Artem'evich Shevelev

Average customer rating: Err. . . .not quite absolutely stunning! very good

Queen of Harps Ann Heymann Manufacturer: Temple Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Scottish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Celtic | Europe | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000002NOY Release Date: 1995-01-31

Tracks:

1. Queen of Harps
2. Ex Te Lux Oritur
3. Feachain Gleis/Scott's Lamentation
4. Lamentation of Youths
5. Sir Thomas Brook's Pavan/Cormac's Alman/Lord Sheffield's Pavan
6. The First Irish Jig
7. Hawk of Ballyshannon
8. Temple Hill Reel/Temple Hill Jigs
9. Lament for the Harp

Customer Reviews:

Err. . . .not quite.......2007-02-21

I don;t own this album but I believe it that it is SCOTTISH harp music. (Not Irish). Similar but there are some significant differences.

absolutely stunning!.......2007-01-22

This is a great example of historical Irish harp music, beautifully played on the wire-strung Celtic harp. The results are absolutely stunning - buy it now!

very good.......2005-08-18

I really like rock or string quartets usually, but this harp album stands out as very nice!

I don't know enough to say much more, sorry. But it is better than other harp albums I have heard.

Average customer rating: THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME a voice teacher and early music fan

George Frideric Handel: Esther Manufacturer: CORO ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Handel: Jeptha Handel - Joshua / Kirkby, Bowman, Oliver, Ainsley, George, The King's Consort Handel: Alexander's Feast Handel: Joseph and his Brethren / Robert King Samson ASIN: B0001B0A94 Release Date: 2004-06-01

Tracks:

1. Overture Andante - Larghetito - Allegro
2. Recitative Habdonah/Haman: " 'Tis greater far to spare"
3. Aria Haman: " Pluck root and branch from out the land"
4. Recitative Persian Officer: "Our souls with ardour glow"
5. Chorus: "Shall we the God of Israel fear?"
6. Recitative First Israelite: " Now persecution shall lay by her iron rod"
7. Aria: " Tune your harps to cheerfull strains"
8. Chorus: " Shall we of servitude complain"
9. Aria Israelite Woman: " Praise the Lord with cheerful noise"
10. Recitative Israelite Woman: " 0 God, who from the suckling's mouth"
11. Aria Second Israelite: " Sing songs of praise, bow down the knee"
12. Chorus: " Shall we of servitude complain"
13. Recitative Priest of the Israelites: " How have our sins provoked the Lord!"
14. Chorus: "Ye sons of Israel mourn"
15. Aria Priest ofc The Israelites: "0 Jordan, Jordan, sacred tide"
16. Chorus: "Ye sons of Israel mourn"
17. Andante
18. Allegro
19. Adagio
20. Allegro

Tracks:

1. Recitative Esther/Mordecai: " Why sits that sorrow on thy brow?"
2. Aria Mordecai: " Dread not, righteous Queen, the danger"
3. Recitative Esther: "I go before the King to stand"
4. Aria Esther: " Tears assist me, pity moving"
5. Chorus: " Save us, O Lord"
6. Recitative Ahasuerus/Esther: "Who dares intrude into our presence"
7. Duet Esther/Ahasuerus: " Who calls my parting soul from death?"
8. Aria Ahasuerus: "0 beauteous Queen, unclose those eyes!"
9. Recitative Esther: " If I find favour in thy sight"
10. Aria Ahasuerus: " How can I stay when love invites?"
11. Recitative Third Israelite/Fourth Israelite: " With inward joy his visage glows"
12. Chorus: " Virtue, truth and innocence"
13. Arioso Priest of the Israelites: " Jehovah, Crown'd with glory bright"
14. Chorus: " He comes, he comes to end our woes"
15. Recitative Ahasuerus/Esther: " Now, a Queen, thy suit declare"
16. Arioso Haman: " Turn not, a Queen, thy face away"
17. Aria Esther: " Flatt' ring tongue, no more I hear thee!"
18. Recitative Ahasuerus: "Guards, seize the traitor, bear him hence!"
19. Aria Haman: " How art thou fall'n from thy height!"
20. Chorus: "The Lord Our enemy has slain"

Album Description

Handel's oratorios vary greatly in their presentation. In many ways, Esther is a rarity;it is by far the most intimate, not surprisingly as it was composed for the Duke of Chandos. The Duke's Palladian palace near the village ofEdgware had not been completed in time for the first performance so this may have taken place (as did Acis and Galatea) in the intimate surroundings of a small church, St Lawrence, Whitchurch.

We decided, therefore, that we should attempt to convey that intimacy of performance on disc; so we performed in the round with microphones in the middle, the orchestra in front of me, the choir behind and the soloists alongside. The result is everything that chamber music should be where players and singers can enjoy every aspect of Handel's masterpiece.

"The 'sound' of Esther, superbly communicated in the recorded performance here, is pure enchantment... The choral singing has an exceptional grandure, and the instrumental playing a shimmering beauty. Among the soloists, none of whom is less than accomplished, Nancy Argenta and Michael Chance dominate... Both singers affirm a new golden age of Handel interpretation".

Customer Reviews:

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME.......2007-01-26

Esther is the first of Handel's oratorios by a good many years, written when he was 33 and enjoying the patronage of the Duke of Chandos. When he later became his own impresario and was running into trouble as a composer and producer of Italian operas he turned to oratorio as a strategic alternative, but at this early date his concern was to deliver staged entertainments for the Duke, and Esther, contemporary with the work that later gained the title Acis and Galatea, seems to have been just an unusually serious specimen of its type.

As often with Handel, there is no fully official version of the score, and this particular score may not even be fully complete from any point of view. The libretto seems to have been the work of someone in the frivolously named association of big literary figures called the Scriblerus Club, perhaps Dr John Arbuthnot, dedicatee of Pope's great poetic Epistle, but Pope himself may have had a hand in it too. As we have it here, the work breaks into two very asymmetrical parts. Scenes 1 and 2 start with a recitative lasting only seconds from Habdonah followed by a longer one in which Haman announces his onslaught on the Israelites, and from there on feature only anonymous participants. Esther herself and the other named characters make their appearance first in scene 4, but the change of tone occurs in scene 3. At this point the music gains gravity first in the chorus Ye sons of Israel with its extraordinary modulations and then in the striking aria O Jordan, Jordan. I myself feel that this weightier tone is maintained to the end, whether or not the writer of the liner note is correct in saying that the long final chorus with solos is out of proportion to its context.

Throughout - in the first part as well as in scenes 3-6 - the instrumental writing is vivid and varied, with an extraordinary pizzicato accompaniment to Tune your harps and then an even more extraordinary obbligato from the harp itself at Praise the Lord. The harpist is no less than Jan Walters, but sometime I would like to see the score and check out what seem some odd rhythmic interactions here between her and the soloist Nancy Argenta. There are no fewer than ten vocal soloists in a work lasting a little over an hour and a quarter, and a very distinguished bunch they are. I was particularly pleased to find Michael Chance in the countertenor role of the Priest of the Israelites as I admire the strength of his tone, but there is no real weakness among them, unless Lynda Russell as Esther has a couple of very slightly awkward high notes in Flatt'ring tongue, which must be a little nerve-wracking to sing as she has to find her note for herself unaccompanied at the start and later at the reprise. You will see some big names among the instrumentalists too, with Crispian Steele-Perkins on the trumpet making a predictably fine contribution towards the end, and of course with Jan Walters in that marvellous harp part early on. The chorus gets some wonderful work to do, and rises to it fully. I really am unable to worry about the proportionateness of the final chorus when I hear that incomparable Handelian build of tone, sung by 18 singers and sounding as if there were 100.

There is a good liner note by Graydon Beeks Jr, not perhaps the last word in lucidity (neither is the plot of the libretto come to that) but worth re-reading. Harry Christophers himself contributes a short foreword largely concerned with the recording process and highlighting the contributions of Mark Brown and Mike Hatch, his long-time technical collaborators. I was interested to see also the name of Geoff Miles in a role described as `editor'. What responsibilities this involved is not stated and perhaps I ought to know without being told, but I know the work of Geoff Miles as recording engineer from elsewhere and it gave me confidence just to see that he is involved in the proceedings, and the technical work is predictably excellent.

My collection of Handel oratorios is now almost complete, and what a wonderful musical experience they are. Each is unique in its own way, but Esther is unique in some very special ways, and I suggest that you do not wait until you are my age to get to know it.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-04-04

Handel began composing the oratorio 'Esther' in 1718. There is some confusion as to who actually worte the libretto for it, but the story follows very closely the biblical story of Esther in the Book of Esther in the old testament. The story tells of a plot of Haman, the Agagite (Michael George-bass) jealous and powerful vizier of King Xerses (Ahasuerus-Tom Randle-tenor) of Persia(485-464), to destroy in a single day all the Jews living in the Roman Empire. He is moved to this out of hatred for the Jewish servant Mordecai (Mark Padmore-tenor),who for religious motives refuses to render him homage. The day of the proposed massacre is determined by lot. Meanwhile, Esther,niece and adopted daughter of Mordecai, is chosen Queen by King Xerses. She averts the pogrom planned against her people and has the royal decree of extermination reversed against Haman and the enemies of the Jews. Mordecai replaces Haman, and together with Esther, works for the welfare of their people. As you can see this makes for an interesting Oratorio, which it truly is!
This is a "small" contribution compared to many of Handel's other works. However, it is not "small" in a musical sense. There is much creativity on the part of Handel as to orchestral scoring; he exploits his small orchestra and chorus in surprising ways, introducing new vocal and instrumental colours throughout the score, adding and subtracting instruments and voices in many and varied ways. This is a listening surprise as it moves along. And what a great performance on the part of the Christophers as well as some outstanding vocal soloists. Mark Padmore's (Mordecai) aria "Tune Your Harps to Cheerful Strains" was superb as was the Duet between Lynda Russell (Esther) and Tom Randle (Ahasuerus).But the aria that really drew me into the entire drama was sung by Michael Chance (Priest) "O Jordan, Jordan, sacred Tide." It was perfection itself!!!!The Chorus was extremely good and dictionally perfect. It is a great listening experience.

Average customer rating: James Bowman forever

The James Bowman Collection / Bowman, The King's Consort George Frederick Handel Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Couperin, François | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gabrieli | Gabrieli, Andrea | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Gabrieli, Giovanni | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | 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 | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000002ZDV Release Date: 1996-05-21

Tracks:

1. Erbarme dich - Bach
2. 'Handel English Arias': Almighty Power - Handel
3. 'Complete Odes And Welcome Songs' Volume 8: Britain, Thou Now Art Great - Purcell
4. 'Handel English Arias': Yet Can I Hear That Dulcet Lay - Handel
5. 'Awake Sweet Love': Anon - Come Tread The Paths - James Bowman
6. 'Handel Italian Duets': Crudeltontananza - Handel
7. 'Countertenor Duets And Solos By Purcell And Blow': O Solitude, My Sweet Choice - Purcell
8. 'Bach Cantatas For Solo Alto': Stirb in mir - Bach
9. 'Handel Deborah': Impious Mortal - Handel
10. 'Purcell Complete Odes And Welcome Songs' Volume 1: By Beauteous Softness Mixed - Purcell
11. 'Schutz Christmas Story And Gabrieli Christmas Motets': O Magnum Mysterium - Gabrieli
12. 'Handel English Arias': Tune Your Harps - Handel
13. 'Awake Sweet Love': Since First I Saw Your Face - James Bowman
14. 'Handel English Arias': Welcome As The Dawn Of Day - Handel
15. 'Mr. Henry Purcell's Most Admirable Composures': An Evening Hymn - Purcell
16. 'Handel The Occasional Oratorio': Thou Shalt Bring Them In - Handel
17. 'Couperin Trois Lecons de Tenebres': Jerusalem, convertere - Couperin
18. 'Handel Heroic Arias': Or la tromba - Handel
19. 'Purcell Complete Secular Solo Songs' Volume 1: On The Brow Of Richmnd Hill - Purcell
20. 'Handel Music For Ceremonial Occasions': Handell - Eternal Source Of Light - James Bowman
21. 'Purcell Complete Anthems And Services' Volume 2: Vouchsafe, O Lord, To Keep Us This Day - Purcell

Customer Reviews:

James Bowman forever.......2000-06-29

An article title about James Bowman said "A singer in high places" - and it's so true.

James Bowman is a great singer, and one of my favourite performers. One can listen to his CDs over and over again, without tiring.

He feels at home in both English songs and other languages. This CD is a "summary" of some other collection CDs of him.

ýIN SHORT: Good buy for lovers of vocal music, or the baroque and classical. If you don't know his singing, you're missing a lot, and this CD is a great start.

Average customer rating: Take me away, Vaughan Wiiliams.

Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | 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 Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000004CVX Release Date: 1994-04-19

Tracks:

1. Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis
2. Norfolk Rhapsody No.1
3. The Lark Ascending
4. Fantasia On Greensleeves
5. Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus'
6. In The Fen Country

Customer Reviews:

Take me away, Vaughan Wiiliams........2000-01-29

I am pleased to report that I have acquired what Jim Svejda calls "the gentle addiction of Ralph Vaughan Williams's music." The music contained on this CD is lush without being sloppy. I purchased it mainly for "The Lark Ascending," and I am very pleased with Wordsworth's tempi and clarity; e.g., as compared to Previn's recording. But my heart soared when I heard the CD's sumptuous recording of "Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus.'" The rendition is breathtaking and the sound is rich and full. The "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" is very good, but I prefer Slatkin's version. In sum, if my CD collection is ever destroyed or stolen, this if one of the first CDs that I will purchase again.

Average customer rating:

Crossing the Stone Manufacturer: Sbme Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Corea, Armando Chick | ( C ) | 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 Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Reich, Steve | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | 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 Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00009L81Y Release Date: 2004-02-23

Tracks:

1. Mountain Dance
2. Harpers Bizarre
3. James
4. Crossing The Stone (Tros Y Garreg)
5. Prelude From Partita No.3
6. Third Movement From Electric Counterpoint
7. Eternal Dream
8. The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba From Solomon
9. Cafe Vamp Latino
10. Spain
11. Buenos Aires Hora Cero
12. Clair De Lune
13. Prelude In C/Ave Maria
14. Thingamujig
15. Suo Gan
16. Palladio (1st Movement)

Album Description

At only 23 years old Catrin Finch is already being called the finest harpist in the world. Catrin is Harpist to HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales (Catrin herself is a native of the Principality). Crossing the Stone is Catrin's first album for a major label, & is produced & arranged by fellow Welshman Karl Jenkins. The music on Crossing the Stone comes from the worlds of jazz, classical & world music, making it much more than 'just another harp recital'. 16 tracks. Sony Classical. 2003.

Pop Music:

1. Ragas & Talas [Original recording remastered]
2. Reco Do Bandolim & Choro Livre [Import]
3. Sabato Sera Studio Uno 67 [Import]
4. Samba De Gringo: New York - Sao Paulo Sessions [Import]
5. Samuele Bersani [Import]
6. Saure Drops und Schokoroll [Import]
7. Scacchi E Tarocchi [Import]
8. Take Me Home Country Roa [Import]
9. The Early Recordings, Vol. 1
10. The Early Recordings, Vol. 2

Pop Music