Der Die Das [Import]

1. Der Wandel

2. Die Form

3. Das Sprachspiel

4. Der Wandel Von Einer Ande

5. Absurd

Tracks:

Sei Lob Und Preis Mit Ehren
Erbarme Dich
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Ertot' Uns Durch Dein' Gute
Ich Ruf' Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel Herunter
Lab Mein Herz Die Munze Sein
Dein Blut, Der Edle Saft
'Air On A G String'
Cello Concerto In G Major
Cello Concerto In G Major
Cello Concerto In G Major
Cello Concerto In D Major
Cello Concerto In D Major
Cello Concerto In D Major
Cello Concerto In D Major
Was Gott Tut, Das Ist Wohlgetan
Aria From Goldberg Variations
Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme

Customer Reviews:

Simply the Best.......2005-05-31

I can only say, that as far as I am concerned, this is just some of the best music I have ever heard.... Im guessing this is the way Bach intended his music to sound in the first place, and who better for that than the AMO and Koopman...and of course YO YO... if u love classic music, you are absolutly going to LOVE this cd..I highly recommend it

Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection

Average customer rating:

Wonderful collection and price!
Awesome collection!
Helicopters? Marines?
A great addition to my music collection
Quintessential Wagner

Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Wagner: Overture & Preludes
The Best Of Wagner
Wagner: The "Ring" Without Words
Wagner without Words
25 Thunderous Classics

ASIN: B000009ON7
Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

The Valkyries: Ride Of The Valkyries
Twilight Of The Gods: Siegfried's Funeral March
Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III
The Flying Dutchman: Overture
The Flying Dutchman: Sailors' Chorus
The Rheingold: Journey Down To Nibelheim
The Mastersingers Of Nuremberg: Overture
Tannhauser: Overture
Tannhauser: Entry Of The Guests
Tannhauser: Tannhauser's Pilgrimage
Siegfried: Act III Orchestral Interlude
Twilight Of The Gods: Siegfried's Rhine Journey
Twilight Of The Gods: Finale
The Rheingold: Entry Of The Gods Into Valhalla

Tracks:

Lohengrin: Prelude To Act I
Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus
Parsifal: Prelude to Act I
Parsifal: Good Friday Music
Parsifal: Transformation Scene
Tannhauser: Venusberg Music
Tannhauser: Pilgrims Chorus
The Mastersingers Of Nuremburg: Prelude To Act III
The Rheingold: Vision Of Valhalla (Scene II Introduction)
Siegfried Idyll
Siegfried: Brunnhildes Awakening
Tristan And Isolde: Prelude To Act III
Tristan And Isolde: Death Of Isolde

Amazon.com

If you like your Wagner served up in bleeding chunks or if you're simply in a hurry to hear the tunes, then this compilation is for you. The performances, drawn from the Polygram (mainly Deutsche Grammophon) back catalog, are for the most part authoritative. They feature the likes of Herbert von Karajan, with the Berlin Philharmonic, and Karl Böhm, with the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra (and chorus), in extracts from recordings of complete operas, and conductors Giuseppe Sinopoli, Otto Gerdes, and Antal Doráti in some of the more familiar overtures and preludes. Singing, without which it is impossible to get the full flavor of Wagner's work, is skirted whenever possible: this is an unapologetic tribute to Wagner the orchestral genius. At times the salesmanship is a little overblown--the glitzy packaging includes a cover shot of the helicopters from Apocalypse Now--and the sound, some of it from very good originals, seems to have been juiced with a little added digital reverb, resulting in an overall glassiness. The gaps between tracks are minimized, disco style, so there's no dead air, and the whole thing has an Entertainment Tonight feel to it. Were he around, Wagner would have screamed bloody murder, then happily taken his cut of the action. For today's on-the-go listener, this may well be the most practical way to enjoy Wagner's music, but we won't be happy until it motivates at least one newcomer to seek out a recording of a complete opera. Anyone who does that will find out what "apocalypse" really means. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful collection and price!.......2007-05-11

I found this to be a nice collection of favorites, especially to keep in the car and listen to. It is a variety of well known compilations. Although not encompassing, it is perfect as a review for driving, relaxing, and enjoyment. Plus, the price is right!

Awesome collection!.......2007-01-10

This is a great collection of some of Wagner's most memorable songs for those of you who do not want to buy the whole opera's for some of his works.

Helicopters? Marines?.......2006-12-05

Do those infotainment marketing mavens ever get it right? Talk about Hollywood disconnect! Not only are the helicopters irrelevant, but to quote from the gushy drivel on the jacket, "The gripping power of Richard Wagner's music was demonstrated with spectacular effect in...Apocalpse Now, when the "Ride of the Valkyries' became synonymous with the chilling journey of Marine 'Huey' helicopters into battle..."

Marine? Marine? Them Hueys in the movie was ARMY Air Cav, slick! "First of the ninth--air mobile." If you're going to dally down that primrose path, at least get it right.

Better yet, drop the choppers. Most people who listen to Wagner probably realize that quality of an artistic work has a mystically inverse relationship to the number of helicopters contained in it.

As for the music, it is good, but the operatic equivalent of sound bites, which may be just right for people who are new to Wagner or just can't take very much of him. Hmm...perfect for a helicopter ride, perhaps?

A great addition to my music collection.......2006-07-20

This CD takes the place of all my other Wagner music. VERY well done. Somehow I didn't realize that there were two cds in the package--what a pleasant surprise! Of the two cds, I like the first one best, but they are both good. I listen to this cd daily on my way to work. Stirring! I am so glad that I purchased this. Some purists might have a problem with the fact that some of the selections are not there in their entirety. I have no problem with that though. I recommend this to anyone who loves Wagner.

Quintessential Wagner.......2006-05-15

Okay, so I like Wagner. I LOVE "Ride Of The Valkyries". Do I want to go out and buy every single stinkin thing Wagner did? No. If you are a die-hard Wagner fan you probably will not think much of this collection.

But if you like Wagner and appreciate "Ride Of The Valkyries", and maybe require it in just a little more substance than what is included in "Apocolypse Now Redux", then this is what you want. The extra tracks are bonuses and are quite good. Meets my needs, presentation great, performance excellent. I recommend it for anyone that needs a Wagner fix.

Average customer rating:

A well-kept secret
Essential Wagner
Excellent Wagner from a surprising source ... or maybe not!
Go For Boult
Memorable and dramatic- A must have for Wagner fans

Wagner: Overtures & Preludes

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde/Parsifal/Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg/Lohengrin/Tannhäuser
The Best Of Wagner
Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture
Wagner: The "Ring" Without Words

ASIN: B000002S08
Release Date: 1992-09-29

Tracks:

Tannher: Overture
Tannher: Grand March
Der Fliegende Holler: Overture
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act 1
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act 3
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Overture
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude to Act 3
Lohengrin: Prelude to Act 1

Tracks:

Lohengrin: Prelude to Act 3
Parsifal: Prelude to Act 1
Parsifal: Act 1 Transformation scene
Parsifal: Prelude to Act 3
Parsifal: Good Friday Music
Das Rheingold: Entrance of the Gods
Die Walkure: Ride of the Walkyries
Siegfried: Forest murmurs
Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Rhine Journey
Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Funeral March

Customer Reviews:

A well-kept secret.......2007-05-18

Everyone wants to have a crack at the "bleeding chunks" eventually, and while I love the flashier Stoky and Furtwangler approach, I wouldn't want to be without the Boult. He's a great Wagnerian, strange as it may seem. Who could blame him for not wanting to go down in history merely as the finest Holstian? As long as this stays in print, Ormandy will still be considered the least sexy conductor. (I heard CBS researchers found an Ormandy fan once!)

Essential Wagner.......2006-06-17

As a child, this set was my first experience of Wagner's music, and it made quite an impression on me. However, as I grew older and began to collect the full operas I felt I could surely do better than Adrian Boult and the British for a collection of the preludes, overtures, and orchestral music from the operas. I was wrong. I have yet to here any recordings that can match the power and intensity as demonstrated in these discs from Boult and the LSO (and LPO). The Meistersinger prelude alone is worth the price, and the only version of the prelude to Tristan which outdoes the one here is Bohm's live 1966 Tristan. The Solti, Karajan, and Klemperer highlight discs have their moments (and truthfully, I do prefer Solti and Karajan for the "Ring" highlights), but their contributions are greatest in the full operas, and overall, they simply can't muster the power and intensity that Boult brings to these preludes, overtures, etc.

Even if you have other compilations of Wagner's music in "bleeding chunks", I can assure you they don't come close to this one; and with two discs (the second containing mostly music from Parsifal and the "Ring") at 14 bucks, there is absolutely no excuse not to have this essential recording. So go ahead and buy this disc, never buy another Wagner compilation again, and with the money you save get started on the more important task at hand: the full operas.

Excellent Wagner from a surprising source ... or maybe not!.......2004-09-27

Does Sir Adrian Boult conjure up of images of Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughn Williams, but not Wagner? You're not alone! Nevertheless, this is a double CD set not to be missed! Many years ago, I was listening to a classical radio music station in NYC that was playing the music of Wagner. The performance was so good, that I wouldn't leave the radio until I found out the name of the conductor. When the announcer said the conductor was Sir Adrian Boult, I was quite surprised. I had recordings of English music from Sir Adrian on Angel/EMI, but I never associated that conductor with Wagner. Having been blessed with a friend who had knowledge of classical music way beyond his years, I gave him a call to find out more about the recording. He told me that, Boult had solid expertise in the area of Germanic music, but, in England, had been overshadowed in that repertoire by Otto Klemperer. He told me not to be surprised about Boult's very fine Wagner, it was an excellent recording to purchase and, indeed, search out Sir Adrian's wonderful performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (now available on Vanguard). Fast-forward many years and I find myself browsing through Amazon for a recording of Wagner's Overtures and Preludes. Like everyone else I know, I foolishly jettisoned my LPs in the 1990s and have been "back-filling" ever since. Well, I was able to obtain this splendid set for less than $7 per CD! There are a total of 18 selections covering most of Wagner's operas including five excerpts from the Ring Cycle. The performances are excellent coming from no less than three British orchestras, and the sound is top-shelf EMI. Sir Adrian's pacing is measured and his vision is broad and sensitive, highlighting the beauty and grandeur --rather than just the fire-- of this glorious music. I heartily recommend this two-CD set, and at this price, I think it's a steal.

Go For Boult.......2003-07-08

Sir Adrian Boult is best known for his recordings of the British repertoire, and his performances, particularly of Holst's "The Planets" and Elgar's Symphonies and Orchestral Works, are legendary. But Boult was also an excellent conductor of Beethoven, Brahms and Wagner, and this 2-CD set collects the Overtures and Preludes of the latter German titan. These stereo recordings from the early to mid-1970s with the New Philharmonia Orchestra, and London Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras are truly first rate. EMI's set compares nicely in terms of price, quality and musical offerings with competing sets by DG (Bohm, Kubelik, et al) and Sony (Ormandy & Szell). You might have reservations about getting German music conducted by a Brit, but you really can't go wrong with Boult.

Memorable and dramatic- A must have for Wagner fans.......2000-03-20

I bought this cd for the following reasons: 1 I'm a Wagner fan, 2 the cover looks exquisite and 3 I wanted to hear a "prelude" since it sounds fancy and never heard one. The result is great cd. The Tannhauser overture, Tristan and Isolde prelude and Lohengrin Prelude to act 3 are all very excellent. Excerpts from the Ring of the Nibelunge aren't as good as I had anticipated but are still enjoyable. The music speaks the tales of Wagner's operas. Just hear it, as slow and irksome as they maybe, these preludes make you feel the tragic love of Tristan and Isolde, the epic odyssey of Lohengrin and the holy, heavenly spirit in Parsifal as he discovers the Holy Grail. Buy this CD and you won't regret it. Except that one bit from Gotterdammerung, Siegfried's Funeral March. It does'nt quite have the feel of grand disaster as it did in John Boorman's film Excalibur. If you're hoping to find that version(which is better) stick with the Classics Go To The Movies Vol 2 cd. But all the other pieces on this CD are excellent. Go and buy this CD- now !

Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehaair, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss

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

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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:

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

Bach: Matthaus-Passion (St Matthew Passion) BWV 244 /Bostridge * Selig * Rubens * Scholl * Gura * Henschel * Collegium Vocale * Herreweghe (+CD-Rom)

Average customer rating:

Beautiful
a voice teacher and early music fan
The True Drama of the St. Matthew Passion
My favorite too!
Excellent work - but problems with sound level

Bach: Matthaus-Passion (St Matthew Passion) BWV 244 /Bostridge * Selig * Rubens * Scholl * Gura * Henschel * Collegium Vocale * Herreweghe (+CD-Rom)
Collegium Vocale Gent
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bach: St. John Passion
Bach: Mass In B Minor
Bach - Mass in B minor / Argenta, Nichols, Chance, Stafford, Milner, W. Evans, Gardiner
Bach: Mass in B minor / McNair, Ziegler, Simpson, Aler, Stone, Paul; Shaw
Bach: The Art of Fugue; Musical Offering

ASIN: B00002R0ZL
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

Kommt, ihr Toechter, helft mir klagen
Da Jesus diese Rede vollendet hatte
Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen
Da versammleten sich die Hohenpriester / Ja nicht auf das fest / Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien / Wozu dienet dieser Unrat / Da das Jesus merkete
Du lieber Heiland du
Buss und Reu
Da ging hin der Zwoelfen einer
Blute nur, du liebes Herz
Aber am ersten Tage der suessen Brot / Wo willst du, dass wir dir bereiten / Er sprach: Gebet ihn in die Stadt / Un sie wurden sehr betrubt / Herr, bin ich's
Ich bin's, ich sollte buessen
Er antwortete und sprach:
Wiewohl mein Herz in Traenen schwimmt
Ich willdir mein Herze schenken
Und da sie den Lobgesang gesprochen hatten
Erkenne mich, mein Hueter
Petrus aber antwortete
Ich will hier bei dir stehen
Da kam Jesus mit ihnen zu einem Hofe
O Schmerz! hier zittert das gequaelte Herz
Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen
Und ging hin ein wenig
Der Heiland faellt vor seinem Vater nieder
Gerne will ich mich bequemen
Und er kam zu seinen Juengern
Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh' allzeit
Und er kam und fand sie aber schlafend
So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen / Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden
Und siehe, einer aus denen
O Mensch, bewein' dein Suende gross

Tracks:

Ach! nun ist mein Jesus hin
Die aber Jesum gegriffen hatten
Mir hat die Welt trueglich gericht't
Und wiewold viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten
Mein Jesus schweigt zu falschen Luegen stille
Geduld, Geduld!
Und der Hohepriester antwortete / Er ist des Todes schuldig / Da speieten sie aus in sein Angesicht / Weissage uns, Christe
Wer hat dich so geschlagen
Petrus aber sass draussen im Palast / Wahrlich, du bist auch einer von denen
Erbarme dich
Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen
Das Morgens aber heilten alle Hohenpriester / Was gehet uns das an / Und er warf die Silberlinge in den Tempel
Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder
Sie heilten aber einen Rat
Befiehl du deine Wege
Auf das Fest aber hatte der Landpfleger / Lass in kreuzigen!
Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe
Der Landpfleger sagte
Er hat uns allen wohlgetan
Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben
Sie schrieen aber noch mehr / Lass in kreuzigen! / Da aber Pilatus sahe / Sein Blut komme uber uns / Da gab er ihnen Barrabam los
Erbarm es Gott
Koennen Traenen meiner Wangen

Tracks:

Da nahmen Kriegsknechte / Gegruesset seist du, Judenkoenig / Und speieten ihn an
O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden
Und da sie ihn verspottet hatten
Ja! freilich will in uns das Fleisch und Blut
Komm, suesses Kreuz
Und da sie an die Staette kamen / Der du den Tempel Gottes zerbrichst / Desgleichen auch die Hohenpreister / Andern hat er geholfen / Desgleichen schmaeheten ihn
Ach, Golgatha, unsel'ges Golgatha
Sehet Jesus hat die hand
Und von der sechsten Stunde / Der rufet dem Elias / Und bald lief einer unter ihnen / Halt, lass sehen / Aber Jesus schriee abermals laut
Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden
Und siehe da, der Vorhang im Tempel zerriss / Wahrlich, dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen / Und es waren viel Weiber da
Am Abend da es kuehle war
Mache dich, mein Herze, rein
Und Joseph nahm den Leib / Herr, wir haben gedacht / Pilatus sprach zu ihnen
Nun ist der Herr zu Ruh gebracht
Wir setzen uns mit Traenen nieder

Amazon.com essential recording

The St. Matthew Passion, Bach's monumental retelling of the story of the Last Supper and the arrest and execution of Jesus, typically runs from two-and-a-half to three hours. Yet this performance makes the time... well, not exactly fly past (consider the subject matter), but it's not tedious for even a second. Much of the credit for this goes to the marvelous Evangelist, Ian Bostridge. He's an outstanding narrator: the clear tone and diction, skillful timing, and intense involvement with words that made him a famous lieder singer are all in evidence; his part consists of nothing but recitative, yet he holds your interest unfailingly. Franz-Josef Selig gives a more dramatic reading of Jesus than you usually hear these days--he may be a bit too "operatic" for some listeners, but he really communicates his character's very human anguish and sorrow. Similarly, soprano Sibylla Rubens, tenor Werner Güra, and bass Dietrich Henschel sometimes unleash a bit too much vibrato for some tastes, but their singing is full-throated and attractive and they're very sensitive to the nuances in the text and music. Superstar countertenor Andreas Scholl is the standout--he combines unearthly purity with very earthly feeling and blends beautifully with the baroque instruments. The real stars of the record, however, are Philippe Herreweghe and his remarkable choir and orchestra. This conductor and his musicians (especially his radiant choir, Collegium Vocale) have always been superb at conveying warmth, devotion, and contemplation, but intense joy, anguish, or anger have sometimes seemed beyond them. Not here: they cover the full emotional range of this work--from reverent reflection to anguished remorse to churning fury--without ever crossing the line into melodrama or sacrificing clarity.

On top of all this, you get a CD-ROM chock full of interesting and well-organized information (in English, German, and French): texts as well as an overview with a timeline of Bach's life, a discussion of how the work is put together, marvelous graphics, sound clips, and an extensive interview with Herreweghe himself. A superb accompaniment to a superb release. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2007-02-03

Do not hesitate for a moment to purchase this CD/CD ROM package. I researched thoroughly the many recordings of this work, and I am very pleased to have decided on this one. It is a gorgeous, moving recording.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-01-08

Bach (1685-1750), a Lutheran, was specifically asked by St. Thomas' Church, Leipzig, to supply a non-theatrical Passion. In this context passion stands for the act of passive suffering, of watching and occasonally empathising in the suffering of Christ, a development which began in the Middle Ages when the church took steps to popularise the Bible. When sung, the role of the Evangelist would be taken by a tenor and that of Jesus by a bass. As various instruments were added they began to be associated with certain roles and as with opera any dramatic action in the text occurred during the recitative. The chorus has two functions: to participate in the action and then to reflect upon it, such reflections provided by the chorales which were familiar Lutheran hymns.
The St. Matthew Passion was composed for the Good Friday service at the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig in 1727. As time went on Bach revised and added other pieces and subsequently this Passion became the grandest and the largest of his works. He used a Double Chorus, included a third soprano group for the opening and close of Part One, two orchestras split so that they either accompanied the first or the second chorus, four soloists who carry specific parts and a number of other singers who have other roles. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 26 and 27 plus traditional Lutheran chorales and meditative poems (by Henrici also known as Picander) provide the text.The Evangelist narrates the action scene by scene.
Although the work as a whole is somewhat heavy and sombre there are some lighter moments to treasure, and none more delightful than the soprano aria in Part One "Ich will dir mein Herze schenken" (I will give my heart to Thee). Part two contains the best known and loved aria from the work "Erbarme dich,mein Gott" (Have mercy, my God) for alto and violin obligato and pizzicato bass. The death is terse but dramatic as is the earthquake following with the heartrending crying "Walrlich dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen" (Truly this was the Son of (God). It all ends with a Sarabande-like chorale bidding Jesus to rest in peace.
The packageing of this edition is outstanding; the booklet includes absolutely all the documentation that one may need to fully comprehend this monumental work of Bach's. In addition, the the 3 CD's, there is a CD-Rom that explains the entire procedure for the production of this recording (in 3 languages:French,English and German).
The performance itself is excellent and beyond reproach. Ian Bostridge is all that one would desire in a tenor Evangelist; a joy just to hear his voice. Andreas Scholl gives one of the most emotional performances I have ever heard from him; he tends to be somewhat 'laid-back' in some renditons, but not in this one. Just my opinion; all you Scholl fans, don't get excited!!!!!I suggest you allow yourself an entire day to explore this wonderful musical experience.

The True Drama of the St. Matthew Passion.......2006-04-11

There are gratefully many recordings of Bach's great St. Matthew Passion from which to choose, and the approaches to this long and mighty work of inspiration are varied. While this listener cut his teeth of the old Klemperer recording now re-mastered from the LP days to CD, this recording under the sensitive and commanding control of Philippe Herreweghe has become the recording most favored for return listenings, especially during the Holy Week. Herreweghe obviously knows the work from intense study, a fact that gives him all the stamina to make the overall Passion work both musically and dramatically.

Herreweghe draws sumptuous playing from his Collegium Vocale Orchestra and Chorus, keeping the period sound intact while adding the contemporary trend for finding the operatic aspects of the work in the lead of all the other recordings. Of course he has an extraordinary group of soloists who give definitive performances. The leading actor is the Evangelist who guides us through the arrest and assassination the Jesus according to the Gospel of Matthew: Ian Bostridge not only has a beautiful tenor voice, rich and warm, but he also offers perfect enunciation of the text and delivers his comments with the exact amount of propelling drama. The role of Jesus is strongly delivered by Franz-Josef Selig and matches his competition (Fischer-Dieskau, Quasthoff and Goerne included!) in conveying both the agony and the transcendence of Bach's lines.

Add to this strong matrix the exquisite singing of Andreas Scholl and the solo work by Sibylla Rubens, Werner G?ra, Dietrich Henschel, Dominik Worner, Elisabeth Hermans, Susan Hamilton and Frits Vanhulle and the beauty of the drama is perfect. This is truly the most dramatic performance of Bach's most dramatic Passion and one to cherish for years. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, April 06

My favorite too!.......2005-09-17

I own six different St. Matthew Passion recordings, and this is my favorite. Herrweghe gets it right. I am not a stickler for HIP, but prefer it. In my opinion this is the most balanced high quality HIP treatment of the St. Matthew available. Get it!

Excellent work - but problems with sound level.......2005-05-29

I have no complaints about the performance, with the exception of two points: (1) the bass can at times sound too sharp and loud; (2) there is a bit of showing off, desire to impress the listener. Otherwise the work is awesome, but I am irritated by the recording quality. I thought that I would get used to it, but as I continue to listen to it, it irritates me more and more. The sound level is unequal. It is either too low, or annoyingly too high. I simply cannot just turn on the CD and listen through without adjusting volume levels all the time. Music becomes too quiet, then it bursts into sudden loudness, sharp, unpleasant sounds, which is extremely vexing. This is the main reason for my not listening to this recording more often. To add insult to injury, the bonus CD does not work on my computer, but freezes and muddles up. If I knew about this, I wouldn't have bought these CDs. Fortunately, I have also Herreweghe I, which I prefer to this one. But my all time favourite is - HARNONCOURT.

Lotte Lenya sings Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins & Berlin Theatre Songs

Average customer rating:

One of the greats
I cannot live without this album.
Lenya and Weill at their best! Buy It.
"An important landmark in dancing history"
"An important landmark in dancing history"

Lotte Lenya sings Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins & Berlin Theatre Songs

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000029YI
Release Date: 1997-12-09

Tracks:

The Seven Deadly Sins: Prologue: Andante sostenuto
The Seven Deadly Sins: Idleness: Allegro vivace
The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride: Allegretto, quasi andantino - Schneller Walzer
The Seven Deadly Sins: Anger: Molto agitato
The Seven Deadly Sins: Gluttony: Largo
The Seven Deadly Sins: Lust: Moderato
The Seven Deadly Sins: Avarice: Allegro giusto
The Seven Deadly Sins: Envy: Allegro non troppo - Alla marcia, un poco tenuto
The Seven Deadly Sins: Epilogue: Andante sostenuto
The Threepenny Opera: 'Moritat vom Mackie Messer'
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The Threepenny Opera: 'Seerauberjenny'
Aufstief und Fall der Stadt mahogany: 'Havanna-Lied'
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Aufstief und Fall der Stadt mahogany: 'Denn Wie Man Sich Bettet'
Happy End: 'Bilbao-Song'
Happy End: 'Surabaya-Johnny'
Happy End: 'Was die Herren Matrosen sagen'
Das Berliner Requiem: 'Ballade vom ertrunkenen Madchen'
Der Silbersee, Ein Wintermarchen: 'Lied der Fennimore'
Der Silbersee, Ein Wintermarchen: 'Casar Tod'

Amazon.com essential recording

Whether playing Anna in The Seven Deadly Sins or singing "Moritat vom Mackie Messer" ("Mack the Knife"), Lotte Lenya helped define the music of her husband, Kurt Weill. The duo literally created the soundtrack for the prewar Berlin of our fantasies--an exotic land of nicotine and nightlights--where cabaret, jazz, and the odd American instrumental influence all coexist happily. Now remastered, this collection gathers Lenya's legendary 1957 recordings of Sins and her 1955 recording Sings Berlin Theatre Songs. Forget subtlety--Lenya is all about emotion. On cuts like "Pirate Jenny," Lenya's voice sounds fluttery and frantic, and on "Surabaya-Johnny," her German sounds fragile and sweet, but mostly she's just herself--bittersweet, raw, and (most of all) human. In spirit, Marianne Faithfull, PJ Harvey, and a host of others all kept the torch of Lenya's style going. But after listening to these Berlin theater songs in classic form (and in their original tongue), you'll never hear them the same way again. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

One of the greats.......2007-04-17

When I was a student in 1965, the turntable in my college apartment was kept busy spinning The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Broadway show cast albums, Nina Simone and Lotte Lenya. Lotte Lenya? Yes, the widow of German composer Kurt Weill and the star of the legendary 1950s off-Broadway revival of THE THREEPENNY OPERA, who also played James Bond's adversary Rosa Kleb in the movie FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE. (Rosa Kleb was a martial arts expert with poison knives in the toes of her shoes.) But my theory is that Lotte Lenya enjoyed great cachet with the baby-boomers primarily because of the cover of Bob Dylan's 1965 "Bringing It All Back Home" album. That cover shows Dylan and a brunette woman in a rather elegant setting crammed with books and phonograph records. Prominent among the stack of recordings is Lenya's "Berlin Theatre Songs of Kurt Weill" album. Even though this was the age of "Don't trust anyone over thirty," if Bob Dylan liked Lotte Lenya, then she was okay. I loved everything about her Berlin Theatre Songs album, from the expressionistic cover portrait to all the unfamiliar songs sung in quavery German.

Now that CDs have made phonograph records obsolete, I've wanted to replace my LP version of the Berlin Theatre Songs for some time. Well, I feel that I've hit the jackpot with this Masterworks Heritage CD reissue which is packaged with the Brecht-Weill THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS, an experimental dance-drama that Brecht and Weill created in Paris after fleeing Nazi Germany. I had never heard THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. It is a revelation. It could have been written by no one else. The haunting melodies, the offbeat orchestrations and the unorthodox subject matter combine to form a Brecht-Weill classic. I love this music and have played it repeatedly for weeks. Lenya's voice during this period had not yet become raspy and her saucy personality shines through. My German is much better now than it was as a college student and I can at last appreciate Lenya's perfectly enunciated German. I find this recording mesmerizing. The CD is packaged as a foldout album/book, rather than a jewel box. It includes a brief essay by Teresa Stratas and helpful notes by Mario R. Mercado. Also included are more than a dozen sepia-toned photos of the recording session and four beautiful color photographs of Lenya in Hamburg in 1956. And of course, that wonderful Saul Bolasni portrait that graced the original LP is included on the inside cover of the jacket.

I think this CD is essential. For me, it conjures up a whole era, maybe a whole century. Five stars.

I cannot live without this album. .......2006-06-09

The Weill/Brecht "Seven Sins" may not be as famous as the Threepenny, and it's certainly not as long. The songs aren't "catchy"-- no Doors or Darin or David Bowie or Dresden Dolls are going to cover any of the ballet's nine pieces. But, in all its operatic beauty, it's one of my favourite musical works on this planet.

In short: the Seven Sins is unbelievable. It's Brecht/Weill at their very best. It will latch itself onto your brain, stick its claws into your skull, surpass anything you've ever heard before. From the very start -- just three notes that will, I promise, make you shiver -- to the beautiful, melancholy ending; it's what opera should be like, and it's beyond perfect.

Miss Lotte Lenya, who was the smartest woman in the world for marrying Kurt Weill TWICE, sings what's probably the definitive version of Anna-Anna. Yes, it's two octaves lower than what was intended (but if it's high-pitched warbling you're after, I can highly recommend the lovely Anne Sofie von Otter version), and some people seem to be slightly allergic to Lotte's voice. Which I still fail to understand. She embodies everything Weill writes -- every word out of her mouth feels just right, just exactly the way it was intended.

One other version I'm particularly fond of is the one starring Marianne Faithfull. The differences are easy to spot: Marianne sings in English. Marianne sounds more stoic. Marianne's choir is more overwhelming, but smoother, though the pieces don't fit together quite as well. Marianne is just slightly faster, less emotional, slightly sweeter. Lotte, on the other hand, gives it everything she's got -- never holds back -- and fills the part with emotion. Lotte's choir is tinny, Berlin-y cabaret-y. Lotte's orchestra is much more solid. And Lotte toys more with the lyrics. Both versions are perfect, and I would VERY highly recommend buying both if you can afford it, if just to compare.

Just like Marianne's CD, this album is filled up with as much other Brecht/Weill stuff as would still fit on the disc. The final notes of the Seven Sins epilogue are quickly followed with a gorgeous full Mack The Knife (yes, uncensored), an unbelievable (and definitive) Pirate Jenny, an Alabama Song... pretty much everything these people are famous for, and even some rather obsure songs. The orchestra and background singers mix perfectly with Lotte's vocals on every track. There's not a single flaw -- not in the music, not in the recording quality, nothing -- every bit of it is as perfect as these songs get.

Whether you're just starting out collecting Berlin cabaret, or finally look to complete your collection, this album is simply something you can't NOT buy. So buy it. Buy it. Yes. Excellent. And, if you're searching for more excellent related stuff, here's some other CDs I can recommend:

- Die Dreigroschenoper: 1999 version, starring Nina Hagen, Max Raabe, HK Gruber
- The Threepenny Opera: 1954 Blitzstein adaptation (English softened version)
- Jasperina de Jong - Sieben Rosen hat der Strach (Brecht tribute)
- Cathy Berberian - The Unforgettable
- The Tiger Lillies - Twopenny Opera (It's One Cheaper)

And a final note: avoid the Ute Lemper version at all costs. She's a great singer, absolutely, but will never be Anna-Anna.

Lenya and Weill at their best! Buy It........2005-11-04

'Lotte Lenya sings Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins and Berlin Theatre Songs' is a single CD combining two separate 1955 LPs recorded in Germany, five years after the death of husband and composer, Kurt Weill.

As a lifelong Weill fan who has heard many different interpretations of these songs most notably from Ute Lemper and Maria Stratas, I was struck by how dramaticly better was Lenya's performance of the lyrics. I think this goes far beyond the fact that many of these works were written specifically to be performed by Lenya in Berlin between 1927 and 1933. It is obvious to my ear that even though Lemper is a great cabaret singer, Lenya trumps this with years of performing on the live stage without the aid of electronic amplification.

Lenya does 'Die Sieben Todsunden' with the version done for a lower voice (same as Lemper) rewritten for her by Weill. As other reviewers have noted, this was originally a combination ballet / song cycle commissioned in Germany by George Balanchine where the singer and the ballerina perform two sisters, both named Anna.

None of the individual songs are nearly as popular on their own as the following collection of songs from the German works, 'The Threepenny Opera', 'Mahagonny', and 'Happy End'.

My first encounter with Lotty Lenya's singing was on a Columbia collection done on vinyl in the 1960s, done, probably following on her appearance in the second James Bond movie, 'From Russia, With Love' as the Russian Colonel Klebb. I think this recording is far superior to that issue or to any other recent recording where Lenya does songs she never performed on the stage.

"An important landmark in dancing history".......2001-06-16

The seven Deadly Sins was commissioned as a dance piece for Les Ballets 1933 with choreography by George Balanchine, Balanchine re-staged it at the New York City Ballet with Lenya at 1958. Anna Sokolow who has difficulties to work with Bertold Brecht to close (Galileo), gave her own independent interpretation to this play as a director with Netherland Dance Theatre in 1967 and at Detroit in 1967 (Cleo Laine).

"An important landmark in dancing history".......2001-06-16

The seven Deadly Sins was commissioned as a dance piece for Les Ballets in 1933 with choreography by George Balanchine. Balanchine restaged it at the New York City Ballet with Lenya in 1958. Anna Sokolow who had difficulties working with Bertold Brecht closely (Galileo), gave her own interpretation to this play as a director with Netherlands Dance Theatre in 1967 and in Detroit in 1976 (Cleo Laine, Mary Hinkson), and in Boston in 1990.

Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

A good gift for novice

Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classical Evolution: Spanish Guitar Music

ASIN: B00012QLTQ
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Album Description

Music can be both calming and relaxing, or invigorating and passionate...this phenomenal 20-CD set is definitely the latter. This amazing collection brings together for the first time the most passionate music of all time, from Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Wagner's Magic Fire Music to Ravel's La Valse, Orff 's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This is a must have collection for every passionate music lover.

Customer Reviews:

A good gift for novice.......2007-05-12

This was a good gift for somebody learning about Classical music in Japan.

Strauss: Four Last Songs/12 Orchestral Songs

Average customer rating:

This is just a review of the transfer and booklet
A wiser Schwarzkopf in one of her best latter recordings
HEAVENLY
Schwarzkopf and Szell Team Up For An Incandescent Strauss Record
A thing of beauty ...

Strauss: Four Last Songs/12 Orchestral Songs

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000GCAE
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

Four Last Songs, Op. Posth.: Fruhling
Four Last Songs, Op. Posth.: September
Four Last Songs, Op. Posth.: Beim Schlafengehem
Four Last Songs, Op. Posth.: Im Abendrot
12 Songs: Mutterandelei, Op. 43, No. 2
12 Songs: Waldseligkeit, Op. 49, No. 1
12 Songs: Zueignung, Op. 10, No. 1
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12 Songs: Die Heiligen Drei Konige, Op. 56, No. 6
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12 Songs: Winterweihe, Op. 48, No. 4

Amazon.com

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was one of those singers whom one either loves or hates. She was a "stylist," who inflected every phrase, every note in her urge to communicate what she considered to be the meaning of the text. Others feel that the only thing she communicated was her own need to impress people with her ability to communicate, and I believe she often forgot the difference between art and artfulness. Be that as it may, she was an outstanding Strauss singer, and her performance of the Four Last Songs, in particular, is legendary. Of course, having George Szell on the podium doesn't hurt either. He insures that the music shows the singer in the best possible light. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

This is just a review of the transfer and booklet.......2007-03-30

I have little to add to the excellent reviews here--I owned a previous transfer, and it was worth it to me to buy another, given its low cost at Amazon.

I think the transfer is excellent, removing a surprising amount of murk from a 1991 version (I think). In fact, I'm wondering if some distortion hasn't been removed as well, at least in the voice. As for Szell & his orchestras, their playing sounds fresher and lovelier than ever. Instrumental placement in the sound image seems more firm, and details are more clear.

As for the booklet, well, EMI is not one for documentation, and it should be ashamed of itself for wasting our time in the middle of the song texts with ads for their other recordings. However, yes, the texts for these songs are all there, and that is a minor miracle.

So yes, this is a no-brainer purchase. In my view, the improved sound quality does merit purchasing it if one's transfer is prior to 1997.

A wiser Schwarzkopf in one of her best latter recordings.......2006-11-04

One of the landmark opera albums of the 1960s', Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's recording of Strauss' "Four Last Songs"; and the twelve Lieder songs of Burger, Dehmel, Bierbaum and others, is beautifully-remastered here for compact disc.

Schwarzkopf was in her fifties when she recorded these works, and there is a lot to be said for the mature, knowing performance from a soprano voice of that age. It speaks of life's joys and heartaches, and a heart still longing for youthful romance. I seriously doubt that anyone will ever fully eclipse Elisabeth's sheer dramatic intensity in this recording. She transforms herself back into a young girl, yet still retains the dramatic use of her maturity.

This recording has been remastered using Abbey Road's Prism SNS system, which gives the recording a natural soundscape, free of annoying echo or reverb, allowing Schwarzkopf's voice to come forth with astonishing clarity. Simply, it's the best this recording has ever sounded. A bargain price too.

[EMI Classics 7243 5 66908 2 0]

HEAVENLY.......2006-09-14

The "Gramophone" magazine reviewer couldn't have put it better:- "a heavenly record, so beautiful that I find it goes against the grain to attempt to analyse it". A must-have for any self-respecting classical record collection.

Schwarzkopf and Szell Team Up For An Incandescent Strauss Record.......2006-09-09

Four decades later this remains one of the greatest recordings of this final, transcendent Richard Strauss masterpiece. Some have shown preference for the earlier Schwarzkopf sung, Otto Ackermann conducted EMI record. I can't imagine why someone would want that mono recording over this gorgeous stereo version. Schwarzkopf here is just as radiant if not more so, the speeds are perfectly judged by Szell and everything has an luminous glow about it. The fact that 12 extra Strauss songs are here too puts this CD over the top, a must buy.

There have been plenty of great versions of the Four Last Songs since Schwarzkopf, the likes of Gundula Janowitz with Herbert Von Karajan and especially the spectacular Jessye Norman with Kurt Masur, yet the Schwarzkopf account can still match any other version in the catalogue for sheer beauty, the tender articulation of words and deep understanding of the music. Jessye Norman surpasses Elizabeth Schwarzkopf for operatic splendour and voluptousness of sound so you definitely need to get that version too. Having several performances of this immortal masterwork is a must!

A thing of beauty ..........2006-02-06

... is a joy forever, John Keats wrote, referring to the unending beauty of the things in Nature. The same can be said for the music making as captured for eternity on this recording, which seems to have been touched by a muse of fire, making it truly ascend the highest heaven of invention ... and art. The interpretations of all of these songs by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf is ever intelligent and astute, but always deeply human. Her singing is finely intimate, I believe, revealing her unrivaled mastery of invoking every single syllable with deepest possible meaning. The same can be said for the orchestral playing, so very intelligent, utterly complementing Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's gorgeous, deeply human, deeply moving singing. A marvel!

Average customer rating:

Sensuality Personified!

The Very Best of Régine Crespin

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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Italian Opera Arias
Very Best of
Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; et al / Crespin, Ansermet
Legend: Régine Crespin [CD & DVD]
The Very Best of Lucia Popp

ASIN: B0006VYEJQ
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

Ils S'Eloignent Enfin...Sombre Foret
D'Amour L'Ardente Flamme
Les Grecs Ont Disparu...Malheureux Roi!
Nous Avons Vu Finir...Chers Tyriens
Je Vais Mourir...Adieu, Fiere Cite
Ah! Salome! Dans Ce Palais...Il Est Doux, Il Est Bon
Je Souffre
Mes Cheres Filles, J'Ai Encore A Vous Dire
Soir
Le Secret
Apres Un Reve
Clair De Lune
Lo Fiolaire
Lou Coucut
Coeur En Peril
Berceuse Creole

Tracks:

Einsam In Truben Tagen
Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen
Eine Waffe Lass Mich Dir Weisen...Der Manner Sippe
Ich Sah Das Kind
I. Der Engel
II. Stehe Still!
III. Im Treibhaus
IV. Schmerzen
V. Traume
I. In Der Fremde
II. Intermezzo
III. Waldesgesprach
Timor Di Me?...D'Amor Sull'Ali Rosee
Ecco L'Orrido Campo...Ma Dall'Arido Stelo Divulsa
Tu Che Le Vanita
D'Art Et D'Amour

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Sensuality Personified!.......2005-04-27

This is one of the best collections of Regine Crespin. Of course, her Berlioz/Ravel set with Ansermet is definitive, but the beauty and soft womanliness of her voice can be heard in all the selections on this disc. The engineers went for her vocal best and they created a fine collection aptly titled "The Best of..." One would be unduly captious to find Crespin "brittle" of tone here.

It is by now, very difficult to imagine anyone singing "Il est doux" with more apt expression of the line than La Crespin. Wagner's Wesendonk lieder is simply sublime from start to finish and the Faure takes on new meaning. That she is comical, melancholy, fun and happy by turns singles her out. This collection captures all her awesome talent. Underneath it all seems to be a very, if I may, sexual energy.

Crespin must be heard to be believed and the miracle lies in that even her softest tones are really enveloping, never thin. All tones are open and this is why there are enough colors in Regine Crespin's delicious voice to paint the world a thousand times, but it may also be why she infamous for being short and edgy on top but I remind, never here is she such. She is a relaxed singer in superb voice, comfortable in her own olive skin and makes the most out of every word those poets wrote.

The whole collection is unique in pace, style, and voice. It is Regine Crespin...in a nutshell fabulous!

Average customer rating:

A great introduction to the art of Placido Domingo
This is really the best.
If you like Placido at all, you must have this CD.
Rare And Great Domingo Classics
A real Bobby Dazzler

Very Best of
Placido Domingo
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Placido Domingo: A Love Until The End Of Time
Bravo Domingo
Perhaps Love
The Domingo Songbook
The Best of the Three Tenors

ASIN: B000083GOJ
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

Ill Mio Tesoro
Un'aura Amorosa
Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schon
La Ci Darem La Mano
Vani Sono I Lamenti...Svegliatevi Nel Core
Pays Merveilleux...O Paradis
Quel Trouble Inconnu Me Penetre...Salut ! Demeure Chaste Et Pure (Faust, Act III)
Ah! Tout Est Bien Fini... O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere (Le Cid, Act III)
None But The Lonley Heart
Lensky's Aria
Donna, Non Vidi Mai (Manon Lescauy Act, II)
Ah, Manon, Mi Tradisce
Dammi I Colori...Recondita Armonia
E Lucevan Le Stelle (Tosca, Act III)
Ch'ella Mi Creda (La Fanciulla Del West, Act III)
Dai Campi, Dai Prati (Mefistofele, Act I)
Virgini Muse...Quando Al Soave Anelito
O Sink Hernieder, Nacht Der Liebe
Was Am Besten Er Kann...Hoho! Hohei!

Tracks:

Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida
Su, Profetessa...Di Tu Se Fedele
Forse La Soglia Attinse...Ma Se M'e Forza Perderti
O Tu Che In Seno Agli Angeli
Su, Cacciator...Fontainebleau!...
Niun Mi Tema
Ach, Wie So Herrlich Zu Schau'n
Sckenkt Man Sich Rosen In Tirol
Gern Hab'ich Die Frau'n Gekusst
O Vaterland...Da Geh'ich Zu Maxim
Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz
Mi Aldea
Cancion Del Sembrador
No Puede Ser
Serenata
Copillas De Belen
Coplas Del Pastor Enamorado
En Aranjues Con Tu Amor
Jealousy Tango
La Golondina

Amazon.com

Placido Domingo is a phenomenon, and every aspect of his artistry is on display in this 2-CD compilation, which includes arias from his signature roles in Italian, French, German, and Russian operas, and songs from Viennese and Spanish operettas. The original recordings range from the early 1970s to the present and show that though over the years his bright golden voice has taken on a darker, more burnished glow, it has retained the melting lyricism, the heroic ring, the thrilling top notes, and the focused intensity that make it instantly recognizable. (Comparing the Verdi arias included here with their counterparts of later vintage in the all-Verdi set The Tenor Arias bears this out.) The program demonstrates his stylistic and expressive versatility and his ability to instantly establish character and mood, from Lenski's sorrow (in Eugene Onegin), Cavaradossi's heart-rending despair (in Tosca), Otello's shattering agony, to Tristan's passion, Siegfried's exuberance, Faust's ardor (first in French by Gounod, then in Italian by Boito). In three Mozart arias, Domingo spins endless, perfectly shaped phrases with incredible breath control, then adds an oddity: the famous duet between Zerlina and Don Giovanni, a role he has not performed. Five Viennese operetta songs, one of which he also conducts, are delightful; there is a smile of pleasure in his voice, but not a hint of kitsch. By contrast, Tchaikovsky's "None but the Lonely Heart" is spoiled by an orchestration that is pure Hollywood. In the final Spanish group, he is on home ground and incomparable. This is a glorious record, a must for all lovers of great singing. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

A great introduction to the art of Placido Domingo.......2007-07-04

Placido Domingo, of course, is one of the finest tenors of the latter part of the 20th century. This 2 CD set well captures his talent, showing the range of his singing. We hear cuts from Puccini and Verdi to Tchaikovsky and Wagner to Strauss and Handel. And even a traditional Spanish sung and some operetta thrown in for good measure!

This is a wonderful introduction to his artistry, and shows that he can sing well across a variety of styles and eras. Let's sample some cuts:

"Il mio Tesoro" (from Mozart's Don Giovanni) is a difficult aria to sing well. And Domingo is up to the challenge. He displays a smooth and rich voice. His is one of those distinctive tenor voices, like Tucker's or Pavarotti's, that is quickly recognizable. This is, as noted, a challenging piece and Domingo handles it well, showing off considerable vocal agility in the process.

From the same opera, "La ci darem la mano," a sweet duet with, in this instance, soprano Susan Graham. This seductive work is sung well by both parties and is a ravishing version.

From Puccini's "Tosca," "Recondita armonia." At the close, his voice rises above orchestra and chorus. Overall, well and richly sung.

And now for something very different. . . The "Forging Scene" from Siegfried. One may not think of Domingo as a heldentenor, but he does a serviceable job here. His voice sometimes appears a bit light, but, overall, he does estimable work. He catches Siegfried's spirit as he forges the shattered remains of his father's sword, "Nothung." When he sings the name of his sword at the close, with the leitmotif ringing out from the orchestra, it is an affecting moment.

Then, "Celeste Aida" (from Verdi's opera). A stentorian voice well deployed to meet the challenges of this wonderful aria. Some tenors scoop as they move from those lower to the higher notes; Domingo's voice is well controlled here. The final high note is well hit.

Strauss (Junior's) "Ach, wie so herrlich zu schau'n" is a romp! A fun piece and well sung by Domingo. He demonstrates, as before, excellent vocal agility.

Lehar's "O Vaterland" is also fun. It is a sprightly tune sprightly sung.

Finally, he ends the second CD with a traditional Spanish tune--"La Golondrina." He does not overpower this work with operatic technique. He sings it well and affectingly.

So, all in all, if one wants a good introduction to Placido Domingo's vocal oeuvre, this is a very strong starting point.

This is really the best........2007-05-16

I have many of Mr. Domingo's recordings but I really love this one. He seems to get better with age. Some of the songs are on some of my other recordings but they seem new and fresh on this CD. I really think this is the best of Placido Domingo.

If you like Placido at all, you must have this CD........2005-04-06

Placido Domingo has been around for so long, it is easy to take this great artist for granted. I totally agree with the previous reviews of this album; I can also say that I had the opportunity to hear him live in concert on April 2, 2005 in Biloxi, Mississippi, and his voice is still stunning. His opening aria that night was the prayer from El Cid, "O Souverain," which he dedicated to the memory of Pope John Paul II. This piece is the 8th selection on CD 1, and is from a 1997 live recording. His thrilling finish blew me away when I listened to it the first time, and and the crowd on the recording reacts the same way the Mississippi audience did when we heard him. That aria alone is worth the price of this CD set.

Rare And Great Domingo Classics.......2005-03-08

EMI's "The Very Best Of" series is a wonderful way for the opera lover/novice or even connoisseur in training to get acquainted with the great singers of opera in the 20th century. It is possible that in a few years, the great singers of today (from the 90's up to now and further into the future) will grace the album covers of The Very Best Of...The Very Best Of Renee Fleming, The Very Best Of Salvatore Licitra, etc. This is not exactly the best of Domingo. It is more of a collection of rare and wonderfully expressive arias from operas that range all over the map- Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, Meyerbeer, Gounod, Massenet. Now, here's the reason why so many people adore Domingo, myself included - Domingo is a Renaissance Opera Tenor. He has sung almost every tenor role in the opera universe. Even if he is, to some, the "tenor who sang with Pavoratti in the three tenors" he proves he's the strongest of the bunch, the most dedicated, the most prolific and most artistic. Domingo has a beautiful voice, with secure high register and dark, masculine middle chest voice and exciting dramatic electricity! He's sung more than 50 operas, in addition operetta and Spanish Zarzuela (the Spanish equivalent to musicals or operetta which is where he got started and his parents sung in Zarzuela) and he has also recorded Spanish mainstream love songs for Latin audiences. A winner of Grammies, an actor in movies about operas that he starred in (Tosca, La Traviata, Otello) and the most active tenor on tv broadcasts, he is just incredible and powerful.
He is a great force in opera.

Even in his old age, he does'nt seem to be slowing down or call it quits. Recent performances (2000-2005) include Eugene Onegin, the lead in Queen of Spades, Rasputin in Debra Dratell's Nicolas and Alexandra, Idomeneo and his next role Parsifal. He is the singular tenor who mastered every repertoire- Mozart (Don Ottavio, Tamino...unfortunately Domingo as Don Giovanni is a miscast because he is too noble and romantic and GOOD to be a bad guy)..to Puccini heros (Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca, Dick Johnson in Fanciualla Del West, Rodolfo in Boheme, Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, Calaf in Turandot) Verdi heroes (Radames in Aida, Don Carlos, Stiffelio, etc) to the French repertoire...Gounod (Faust, Romeo) Meyerbeer heroes, Massenet hero (Des Grieux, Le Cid) and Saint Saens (Samson) the list goes on and on. When this man dies, an era will die with him. His legend will live on because he will leave behind dozens of albums, movies and memories......

A real Bobby Dazzler.......2004-02-19

Fans of Mr. Domingo would be lucky to find a selection of music that more profoundly explores and exhibits the diversity of his vocal ability and interpretation than is offered on these two discs. Delicious displays of Mozart, ringing renditions of the most challenging high Italian roles, powerfully rounded accounts of some of the heavy German/Russian repetoir, and some noticably nostalgic songs from the light Spannish tradition provide an impressive catalogue of the great man's rich, focussed, technically impecable and singularly beguiling vocal talent. Those who are yet to form an opinion on any particular genre of the operatic spectrum would do well to start here, so eclectic is this album. Also, you might be reassured to know that, should you become an admirer of P.D.'s talent as a result of listening to this compilation, (it is difficult to resist), you will have no trouble finding other recordings by him. A record-breaker with more than 110 roles to his repetoir (40 is a respected total for an opera singer), he is the most recorded tenor in history, leaving more than 80 complete accounts to date of operas in the Italian, French, German and Russian traditions.

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