Final Collection [Import]

Product Description
48 original hits on 2 CDs plus a bonus DVD (PAL/Region 0) Live at the National Exhibition Centre Birmingham. *Please note you will need an All Code DVD player to view. EMI. 2005.

Final Collection,Shadows,EMI,Pop,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: These are not the same arrangements as the original movie soundtracks An outstanding compilation The really good ones are missing. "many were winners by the Academy for best scores"

The Longest Day: The Ultimate World War Movie Theme Collection Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Albinoni | Albinoni, Tomaso | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Goodwin, Ron | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Newman | Newman, Alfred | ( N ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sakamoto, Ryuichi | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kamen | Kamen, Michael | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Battle of Britain The Longest Day: Music From The Classic War Films (Soundtrack Anthology) The Wild West: The Essential Western Film Music Collection Patton (1970 Film): Also Featuring Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970 Film) (1997 Studio Recording) The Battle of the Bulge: The Original Score by Benjamin Frankel ASIN: B00020R02O Release Date: 2004-05-25

Tracks:

1. The Longest Day
2. Attack On The Iron Coast
3. Band Of Brothers-Prelude
4. Band Of Brothers-Theme
5. Battle Of Britain
6. The Battle Of The Bulge
7. The Blue Max
8. Das Boot
9. The Bridge At Remagen
10. The Bridge On The River Kwai
11. A Bridge Too Far
12. The Caine Mutiny
13. The Captive Heart
14. Casablanca

Tracks:

1. Coastal Command
2. The Cruel Sea
3. The Dambusters
4. The Diary Of Anne Frank
5. The Eagle Has Landed
6. Empire Of The Sun
7. The English Patient
8. Fear And Desire
9. Force Ten From Navarone
10. Gallipoli
11. The Great Escape
12. The Guns Of Navarone

Tracks:

1. Hanover Street
2. The Hindenburg
3. In Harm's Way
4. Is Paris Burning?
5. King Rat
6. Lawrence Of Arabia
7. Lifeboat
8. Macarthur / Patton
9. Malta G.C.
10. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
11. Midway
12. The Mountain Road
13. 1941

Tracks:

1. The Naked And The Dead
2. The Night Of The Generals
3. Paradise Road
4. Paths Of Glory
5. Pearl Harbor
6. Saving Private Ryan
7. Schindler'S List
8. Sergeant York
9. The Sharkfighters
10. Sink The Bismarck!
11. 633 Squadron
12. Where Eagles Dare
13. The World At War
14. The Longest Day

Customer Reviews:

These are not the same arrangements as the original movie soundtracks.......2007-01-21

I was disappointed that these are not the same arrangements as the original movie soundtracks. For example, in Colonel Bogey, the countermarch from the movie soundtrack is not included in the arrangement on this CD. Don't get me wrong, the songs are good, but I would have preferred the same arrangements as the original movies.

An outstanding compilation.......2006-08-25

This compilation is superb and a real must-buy. From Band of Brothers to A Bridge Too Far: every war movie theme is represented here. An all time classic.

The really good ones are missing........2005-07-18

While this compilation has some masterpieces such as the theme from The Great Escape and Is Paris Burning, it's missing some of the finest tracts ever written. Where is the theme from Victory and Ernest Gold's stirring epic from Cross of Iron? The closing theme from Inchon was also a feast for the ears, but it's not here. It was written by Jerry Goldsmith, one of the foremost soundtrack composers of our time. Instead we're subjected to the likes of Hanover Street and The English Patient. I'll admit Inchon and Victory weren't Academy Award winning movies, but their soundtracks were second to none. As John Stossel would say," Give me a break"!!!

"many were winners by the Academy for best scores".......2004-05-26

Silva America presents the essential in film music during the period of World Wars ~ "Longest Day:Ultimate World War Movie Theme", featuring some long forgotten cues, 53 to be exact that sent chills and thrills into the pulses of world events ~ selections from a limited collectors edition that would make any "film-score-buff" green with envy.

Released to commemorate the sixth Anniversary of D-Day, never has there ever been such a tribute compilation package from any other label and Silva comes to the forefront ~ featuring The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Paul Bateman, Nic Raine Tony Bremner and Carl Davis as conductors), The Philharmonia (Kenneth Alwyn, Jerry Goldsmith, Mario Klemens and Paul Bateman as conductors) and also the world renown Crouch End Festival Chorus (David Temple as choir master) ~ what a gathering of talented musicians and singers fill this collection supreme.

The lineup of composers is a Who's Who in the world of film music ~ John Addison, Tomaso Albinoni, Kenneth J. Alford, Paul Anka, John Barry, Arnold Bax, Elmer Bernstein, Eric Coates, Carl Davis, Klaus Doldinger, Antonin Dvorak, Benjamin Frankel, Gerald Fried, Hugo Friedhofer, Jerry Goldsmith, Ron Goodwin, Bernard Herrmann, Maurice Jarre, Michael Kamen, Jerome Moross, Alfred Newman, Clifton Parker, Alan Rawsthorne, Ryvichi Sakamoto, Lalo Schifrin, Gerard Schurmann, David Shire, Max Steiner, Dimitri Tiomkin, Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Williams, Gabriel Yared and Hans Zimmer ~ set the stage for compositional human drama while exploring the deepest troves of musical emotion ~ one masterpiece after another, each cue manages to display both a convincing authenticity of the times and places ~ experience every tracks passion and skill for striking the exotic orchestral colors, explosive power and spectacular works of full large scale orchestral arrangements previal at every turn.

We are grateful to James Fitzpatrick (producer), Reybnold da Silva (executive producer), Rick Clark (associate producer/album sequence), Marion Garden (associate producer) and the whole gang at Silva America who have resurrected many of the soundtracks for the "film-score-buffs" in all of us.

Total Time: 4-CD-Set ~ Silva America 812 ~ (5/25/2004)

Average customer rating: Dessay rules Amor - N. Dessay Sparkling Strauss Glorious Strauss a wonderful holiday gift

Amor: Opera Scenes and Lieder by Richard Strauss Richard Strauss , Natalie Dessay , Felicity Lott , Sophie Koch , Angelika Kirchschlager , Thomas Allen , and Antonio Pappano Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Allen, Thomas | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Natalie Dessay - French Opera Arias Natalie Dessay ~ Delirio (Handel Italian Cantatas) Mozart Heroines; Natalie Dessay Natalie Dessay - Vocalise Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski ASIN: B0002ZBSN6 Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

1. Oper-Grossmachtige Prinzessin
2. Vorspiel-Kindskopf! Merkt Auf
3. An Ihre Platze... Seien Wir Wieder Gut
4. No. 2-Ich Wollt' Ein Stausslein Binden
5. No. 3-Sausle, Liebe Myrte
6. No. 4-Als Mir Dein Lied Erklang
7. No. 5-Amor
8. Act 1-Ich Danke, Fraulein... Aber Der Richtige
9. Act 2-Mir Ist Die Ehre Widerfahren
10. Act 3-Marie Theres', Wie Gut Sie Ist
11. Ist Ein Traum... Spur' Nur Dich

Amazon.com

Natalie Dessay's vocal crisis--she was operated on for nodes on her vocal cords three years ago--is clearly over. The voice has ripened somewhat but the incredible high notes are still present and easily produced. Zerbinetta is one of her signature roles, and she knows this complex, winning gal well. She can be cajoling, sarcastic, witty and sincere--and toss off high Cs, Ds and more, with impeccable staccati and trills, making them seem as natural as speech. She works magic with the four Brentano Lieder recorded here, expressing longing, sweetness and rapture as well as sheer perkiness in "Amor" with its vocal imitation of flame. In the extended scene from Ariadne, the composer sung by Sophie Koch delivers her aria with passion and seems to lack only a bottom note or two to fill the role ideally. In the act-one Arabella-Zdenka duet, Dessay is girlish and loving of her big sister, unaffectedly sung here by Felicity Lott. But the pieces de résistance on this CD are the highlights from Der Rosenkavalier: the Presentation of the Silver Rose and final trio and duet. Dessay sounds youthful and pure in the Presentation and sings with the most loving legato and tone at the opera's end. She's abetted by Angelika Kirchschlager as Octavian, who is simply perfect, and Felicity Lott, also smooth as silk. Pappano is becoming an all-purpose great opera conductor, and the Covent Garden orchestra is polished and elegant. The sound is rich and full. This CD is a gem. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Dessay rules.......2007-02-07

For an opera or a classical music admirer, Natalie Dessay is a must. This is an excellent recording. And the DER ROSENKAVALIER interprentation amazing. It's worth it!!!

Amor - N. Dessay.......2006-01-12

I'm sorry to say that I did not enjoy this CD. When I was listening to the songs from Der Rosenkavalier, all I could think of was: she doesn't have the voice for this - her high notes seem a little thin to me. I realize taste is subjective, but Lucia Popp, Theresa Stich-Randall, Kiri Te Kanawa, Renee Fleming all do much better interpretations of those songs. This is the first CD I've ever heard from her - and I don't want to judge her by this CD alone. I'd say try another CD by her if you've never listened to her before.

Sparkling Strauss.......2005-09-24

I just love this CD; Ms Dessay is radiant vocally, and she puts on a great show in each aria- you can practically see her on stage, she is so absorbing and vivid. Of the current sopranos, she is probably best Zerbinetta, and she has a great laughter. Actually, I felt that Der Rosenkavalier pieces were the best, but there are no weak links and any arias and songs that are less than spectacular on this CD. Ms Dessay has a touch of French accent when she sings in German, but I find totally charming and overall her diction is very good.
The other singers are great, especially Angelika Kirchschlage, and the sound is just perfect. This is such a sweet treat, a real Straussian desert!

Glorious Strauss.......2005-01-02

This is a major CD release of a major singer obviously very much at home with this repertoire. The disk comprises scenes from three of Strauss's most affecting operas for Soprano, with the Brentano Lieder thrown in for good measure. Dessay's voice is in wonderful shape - it is clear, well positioned, on key and agile. Yet my one reservation is her voice is too "bright" for the Marschallin and Arabella. The bright, ringing quality is very well suited for Ariadne, but I prefer a slightly darker, more mature sound, certainly in Rosenkavalier and even in Arabella. If you believe that Arabella is a younger Marschallin, then the same voice best becomes both roles. In recent times, think Te Kanawa. The voice is big enough to carry through the at times too loud and evasive orchestral playing by the Covent Garden Opera Orchestra, led by an obviously zealous Antonio Pappano. All these reservations aside, this is a wonderful disk. Dessay will never be my favorite Marschallin or Arabella, but a wonderful collection nonetheless. Certainly worth the money and worth repeated listenings.

a wonderful holiday gift.......2004-12-14

Unquestionably the reigning coloratura of our times, Natalie Dessay has the misfortune of blossoming at a time where complete opera recordings are no longer being produced at the rate they were from the 50's to the 80's. Thankfully, we have this delightful pastiche of Strauss, including her signature role, Zerbinetta. She is far and away my favorite opera singer of the current generation. First, she is to be commended for reviving the tradition of the French coloratura, which has been lacking ever since the heyday of Mady Mesple. Second, she defies the notion that all coloraturas have to stand up to Joan Sutherland (my all-time favorite). True, Sutherland's vocal legacy is truly formidable, but then again, would Sutherland have tackled roles like Zerbinetta or Zdenka? It takes a Natlie Dessay to bring these roles to life.

This is a very satisfactory recital, from start to end. What's more, complete scenes are featured, with a host of top-drawer guests, like Felicity Lott and Angelika Kirschlager. Decca is to be thanked for pulling out all the stops. Not being an expert on Strauss, I can't judge Pappano's conducting, except to say that it sounds quite fine to my ear. Furthermore, the sound quality is excellent.

Now, I'm sure everyone will listen closely for evidence of vocal distress. Natalie just had another surgery to remove a node from her vocal cords, and in a recent press release stated that she hasn't "completely healed" from her intial surgery over a year ago. The only thing I can pick up on are a few high notes sung in alt (like in the duet from Arabella) that sound like they were squeezed out. However, there isn't anything really troubling, like a wobble or ugly spread on top. Let's pray for Dessay's full recovery from her second surgery.

This is music that is absolutely sublime. Surprise someone with this recital for Christmas, especially those who stubbornly listen to Italian opera and eschew any other genre.

Average customer rating: Dies Irae-The Essential Choral Collection Review The Greatest Choral Masterpieces Not that bad... at first Gread Idea, Great Performance Dies Irae

Dies Irae-The Essential Choral Collection Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Elgar, Edward | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Faure, Gabriel | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Handel, George Frideric | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mascagni, Pietro | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Monteverdi, Claudio | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Orff, Carl | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vivaldi, Antonio | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Borodin, Alexander | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Sutherland, Joan | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The #1 Choral Album Mass: The Most Powerful, Uplifting & Passionate Music You Will Ever Hear Choral Masterpieces Simply the Best Classical Anthems Tears from Heaven ASIN: B0000041NV Release Date: 1997-09-16

Tracks:

1. Dies Irac: Requiem - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
2. Chorus Of THe Hebrew Slaves: Nabucco - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
3. Entrance Of The Toreadors: Carmen - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
4. An die Freude: Symphony No. 9 - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
5. Zadok the Priest - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
6. Bridal Chorus: Lohengrin - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
7. Easter Hymn: Cavellera Rusticana - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
8. Requiem Aeternam: Requiem - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
9. Pavane - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
10. Gloria In Excelsis Deo: Gloria - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
11. For Unto Us A Child Is Born: Messiah - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
12. O Isis und Osiris: The Magic Flute - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
13. Credo: Messe Solennelle Di Sainte Cecile - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
14. I Vow To Thee, My Country - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL
15. Final Chorus: Turandot - DIES IRAE-ESSENTIAL CHORAL COL

Tracks:

1. O Fortuna: Carmina Burana - Various Artists
2. Trimphal March: Aida - Various Artists
3. Deus in adiutorium - Domine ad adiuvaum: Vespro Della Beata Vergine - Various Artists
4. See, The Conqu'ring Hero Comes: Judas Maccabeus - Various Artists
5. In The Hall Of The Mountain King: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Various Artists
6. Magnificat anima mea: Magnificat - Various Artists
7. Agnus Dei: Requiem - Various Artists
8. Humming Chorus: Madama Butterfly - Various Artists
9. Ich will hier bei dir stehen: St. Mathew's Passion - Various Artists
10. Entry Of The Guest: Tannhauser - Various Artists
11. Auto0da-fe' Chorus: Don Carlo - Various Artists
12. Polovtsian Dances: Prince Igor - Various Artists
13. Anvil Chorus: Il Trovatore - Various Artists
14. Land Of Hope And Glory: Pomp And Circumstance - Various Artists
15. 'Hallelujah' Chorus: Messiah - Various Artists

Amazon.com

This certainly is a desirable compendium of some of the most famous large-scale choral pieces, primarily drawn from Deutsche Grammophon's catalog of operas and oratorios. Among the 30 selections on this two-disc set are choruses from Carmen, Lohengrin, Aida, Madame Butterfly, and Il Trovatore, as well as Messiah, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Bach's St. Matthew's Passion, and Verdi's Requiem. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Dies Irae-The Essential Choral Collection Review.......2007-07-07

This 2 disc collection of Choral music is a great introduction to classical music. Many of these selections have been made famous in movies and will be recognizable to even the most casual listener. I bought this album for O Fortuna by Carl Orff, a song that is featured in Excalibur and Jackass: The Movie. The music on these CDs is great. I especially like Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven, Peer Gynt Suite by Grieg, and Requiem by Mozart.

Other albums recommended:
Amadeus: Original Soundtrack Recording
25 Beethoven Favorites
Excalibur: Original Movie Soundtrack

The Greatest Choral Masterpieces.......2005-10-02

This collection is outstanding, featuring the best choral works from operas and oratorios in classical repertoire. It begins with the fiery and intense Dies Irae from Verdi's Requiem. This piece is sublimely performed by the Berlin forces. It's followed by the anthem-like Va Pensiero from Verdi's early opera Nabucco, as conducted by Sinopoli and sounds maravelous. A brief excerpt from Beethoven's Ninth "The Ode to Joy" is a treat. The Coronation Anthem from Zadok The Priest by Handel is well-executed and powerful. The famous Bridal March (better known as "Here Comes The Bride") from Wagner's opera Lohengrin is sumptuous. A lot of this music is grandiose, and all the famous grand choruse from the grand operas like Aida (The Triumphal March scene) and the Inquistion Scene from Don Carlo. What is missing however, and I would have enjoyed, is the wondrous Finale to Wagner's Die Meistersanger which features a great chorus in praise of art. My favorite piece on here is the little known Mass of Saint Cecilia by Charles Gounod. It is absolutely gorgeous and epic sounding. The underrated but great conductor Igor Markevitch conducts. The famous O Fortuna from Orff's Carmina Burana is also on here, not to mention Handel's "Hallelujah" chorus from Messiah and other pieces from Judas Maccabeus. This is a great collection of chorus masterpieces that any fan would appreciate or if you are studying to sing in chorues yourself.

Not that bad... at first.......2005-03-26

There's plenty of free samples to this CD, and I agree that this is a great collection of music. Chances are you won't find a collection of songs, all of them with angelic choirs, as great as this. When I got it I was quite happy with it, but when I heard the same songs done with different conductors I thought to myself: 'Hey, why doesn't it sound like my CD?' It's the quality that I don't like. For example, Dias Irae is a great song, and it sounds pretty good on the CD, but compare it to another version and this one is slower, the chorus is off key, and it doesn't have that intense emotion. Same thing with O Fortuna, it's a great song, but the chorus is just terrible on this CD, the instruments are lacking in emotion: percussion doesn't add that extra 'oomph' to the bass drum, the cymbals don't have enough emphasis, the chorus sounds like they're about to go asleep, and the dynamics between fortissimo and pianissimo have little effort.

I'd recomend this if you have little cash to blow on a lot of good songs, otherwise you might want to search for a bunch of seperate CDs with the same songs.

Gread Idea, Great Performance.......2003-03-03

This CD should move people in a way that few other recordings can. The one word to describe many of the works is "exalted". This is not music for dinner parties but instead should be heard in solitary contemplation of all the great artists and their efforts in creating such an inspiring recording.

Dies Irae.......2000-03-07

I have an extensive CD collection, but since purchasing this CD, it has become my very favorite. This music sent chills down my spine. I felt transported to a different world....What amazing voices! I intend to give this cd as xmas presents to family and friends.

Average customer rating: Enigimatic Flame! perhaps the most sensual of German lieder singers

Ljuba Welitsch The Complete Columbia Recordings Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Sopranos | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Tenors | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000029V9 Release Date: 1997-06-03

Tracks:

1. Salome, Op. 54: Final Scene
2. Tosca - (Act I): 'Perche chiuso?...Mia gelosa'
3. Tosca - (Act II): 'Vissi d'arte'
4. Don Giovanni - (Act I): 'Don Ottavio, son morta!...Or sai, chi l'onore'
5. Don Giovanni - (Act II): 'Crudele! Ah no, mio ben... Non mi dir, bell'idol mio'
6. Die Fledermaus: 'Czardas'
7. Der Zigeunerbaron: 'Habet Acht' - (Gypsy Song)
8. Four Last Songs: 'Fruhling'
9. Four Last Songs: 'September'
10. Four Last Songs: 'Beim Schlafengehen'
11. Four Last Songs: 'Im Abendrot'

Tracks:

1. Op. 43, No. 1: 'Von ewiger Liebe'
2. Op 105, No. 1: 'Wie Melodien Zieht Es Mir'
3. Op. 84, No. 4: 'Vergebliches Standchen'
4. 'Die Mainacht'
5. 'Meine Liebe ist grun'
6. Op. 2: 'Gretchen Am Spinnrade'
7. Op. 43, No. 1: 'Die Junge Nonne'
8. Schwanengesang: 'Liebesbotschaft'
9. Op. 32: 'Die Forelle'
10. Myrthen, Op. 25, No. 1: 'Widmung'
11. Liederkreis, Op. 39, No. 5: 'Mondnacht'
12. Myrthen, Op. 25, No. 3: 'Der Nussbaum'
13. Zigeunerlieder,Op. 103: No. 1
14. Zigeunerlieder,Op. 103: No. 2
15. Zigeunerlieder,Op. 103: No. 4
16. Zigeunerlieder,Op. 103: No. 7
17. 'Mne Grustno'
18. ''Mel'nik'
19. 'Gde ti, zvezdochka?'
20. 'Hat Dich Die Liebe Beruhrt'
21. 'Valse De Chopin'
22. 'Dei Nacht' - Op. 10, No. 3
23. 'Cacilie' - Op. 27, No.2
24. 'Ich atmet' einen linden Duft'
25. 'Blicke Mir Nicht In Die Lieder'
26. 'Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen'
27. 'Um Mitternacht' - (Incomplete)

Amazon.com

Ljuba Welitsch had a short career, her stardom spanning the mid-1940s to the mid-1950s. Perhaps this is because she gave so much of herself--even on records you feel she's operating on all cylinders. Her most famous role, Salome, is represented here by the closing scene with Fritz Reiner and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, recorded at the time of her triumphant New York debut. She was also a great Donna Anna, her rendition of the big arias from Don Giovanni full of fire and thrust. Tosca's "Vissi d'arte" is a passionate reading, one of the best on disc. The song disc is more variable but always interesting. A great singer, captured in her prime. -- Dan Davis

Amazon.com

Half of Bulgarian soprano Ljuba Welitsch's Columbia output stems from her salad days at the Met, when her silvery voice cut across the footlights like liquid fire. The 1950 Tosca and Don Giovanni selections, as well as her incomparable Salome Final Scene with the fiery Fritz Reiner at the helm, sound more potent than ever in these 20-bit transfers from original source material. Also memorable are two delicately scaled Joseph Marx lieder and a peerless Strauss Cacille. Sadly, the 1952-3 lieder sessions find Welitsch in dire straits: her voice has acquired a papery edge, with perceptive decline in intonation and breath control. Give Paul Ulanowsky credit, though, for admirably maneuvering through the thankless, Crisco-thick piano "deorchestrations" of Strauss' Four Last Songs. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Enigimatic Flame!.......2003-11-14

This woman moved me! I felt exitement, finality, pain, passion, victory, sensuousness, and nostalgia of a time unknown to me. The Salome aria is the most convincingly and beautifully sung I have ever heard by far. The thread of sound is never broken. The lieder selections are very lovely and interestingly personal, not at all detached or serious; a joy. Strauss' Four Last Songs done with piano are quite effective as such.

The recorded sound is very impressive; a clean, full-bodied sound. Columbia's mono recordings are absolutely superior.

This soprano seemed to have something very important to say. There is an ever present urgency in her delivery, a haste, and a desperation that clings to the heart. As she sings, she invokes compassion, mystery, fear and joy.

Please hear this woman!

perhaps the most sensual of German lieder singers.......1999-08-22

This collection of Ljuba Welitsch's singing Strauss is an great example of a singer's cultural connection to a composer giving her an almost eerily innate feeling for the music. Welitsch's voice can only be described as sexy, in a pre-war German sort of way, silvery hard and focused in tone combined with a sensuality of expression that is unique. She breathes life and fire into this music in a way that later singers -- even the great Elisabeth Schwarzkopf -- could not.

Average customer rating: SHOCKING!!! For fans only From New Wave To Late 1980s Dance Where The Seagulls Went To Die (but not until after a last gasp)... The Worst of A Flock Of Seagulls...

Dream Come True A Flock of Seagulls Manufacturer: Almacantar Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Listen A Flock of Seagulls Walkabout Quick Step & Side Kick Astra ASIN: B000667QKU Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

1. Better & Better
2. Heartbeat Like A Drum
3. Who's That Girl (She's Got It)
4. Hot Tonight
5. Cry Like A Baby
6. Say So Much
7. Love On Your Knees
8. How Could You Ever Leave Me
9. Whole Lot Of Loving

Product Description

Now on CD.

Customer Reviews:

SHOCKING!!!.......2007-06-06

I am amazed they reissued this without adding bonus tracks like probably their best song 'Cosmos (Effect of the Sun)' b-side to 'Heartbeat like a Drum' 12inch. HOW? I don't care since I perfectly transferred that song to CD. You truly don't know Flock without hearing Cosmos.

Sad pathetic reissue to a poor album to begin with. Outright embarrassing corny lyrics displayed here. I don't mind the attempt at a new style of sound here, I have a soft spot for 'Heartbeat like a Drum' but Mike Score truly has nothing left to say. 'Dream Come True' represents the complete end of this once brilliant band.

For fans only.......2007-03-15

This album has it's moments. I actually don't mind listening to it now, but if this was 1986 and they just released this album, I would have pissed on it, especially knowing it would have been one of their last.

With their first 3 records, I think their sound was a little too weird for most music buyers at the time. Although they are a talented band, it was total luck they scored a hit with "I Ran" because the industry was just not ready for that kind of stuff back then. I believe this 4th release was an attempt to make an album a little easier on the ears for the more conservative, average music listener. Comparing this to their first album is a huge departure where that album played on a vibe rooted in punk rock with dark synth overtones and a concept story line about alien abduction. (((The cloud is moving nearer still. Aurora borealis comes in view. .......Aurora comes in view)))

AFOS is one of my favorite bands and I consider myself a loyal fan which is why I own this album. There are at least a few really awesome tracks on this record like "Hot Tonight", "Say So Much" and "How Could You Ever Leave Me" being some of the best songs of their career, in my opinion.

There are 2 types of people when it comes to this band: Those who really love their bizare, science fiction themed weirdness and own everything they've released and those who are only looking for "I Ran". Well, "I Ran" is not on this album which means you're probably wasting your time and money with this record unless you really love 80's synth-dance music like I do.
The thing is, the last time you heard this album was probably in the mid 80's while high on coke in some modish nightclub and 20 years younger. Now that you're older, and sober, this album might not sound as good as it used to.

From New Wave To Late 1980s Dance.......2007-02-06

This Flock of Seagulls album is a drastic shift from their spacy-sounding New Wave sound they were best remembered for to sounding like every late 1980s dance act group. Not that it's their worst effort for such a shift in music styles, though their weakest song here is "Whole Lot Of Loving".

Where The Seagulls Went To Die (but not until after a last gasp)..........2006-02-27

First, the criticism: The departure of guitar virtuoso Paul Reynolds is what really finished off The Gulls, and the release of this album sure didn't help them stay around any longer than they should have or could have. Just about all the material on Dream Come True is light-years away from the brilliance of "I Ran", "Space-Age Love Song" or "DNA". Actually it's just a continuance of the slide that began with the Flock's second album, "Listen," which was still excellent, just not on the same level as the group's debut. The Third album, "The Story Of A Young Heart" had several genuine gems (such as "Never Again," possibly their very best song), and the potential to be a stirring and emotional opus, yet didn't quite live up to the standards of the first two albums. And the void left by Reynolds' absence must have swallowed up just about whatever creativity the band had left.

Now, the good: Dream Come True isn't a total disaster. And, if you're reading this, you must either be a new fan of the group or already own this album on vinyl or cassette. So, I do believe I can recommend this disc for any Seagulls fan without guilt or remorse. It's like that one bad album that just about any group or artist records. As a fan, you want to have it, and listening to it once in a while helps you appreciate just how great the previous (or later) releases are.

After reevaluating the album as a whole, I've come to agree with most fans that "Hot Tonight" is the best song here. That in itself wouldn't be saying much, but it is really a good song, worthy of being on their second or third albums had it been written during those times. It's a solid, bass-heavy rocker, with some surprisingly good vocals throughout, especially at the end.

I've always questioned why "Who's That Girl" was the single from the LP, it just doesn't do anything for me. "How Could You Ever Leave Me" is far superior, with some fat guitar work that's (slightly) reminiscent of Paul Reynolds. That should have been the single. "Whole Lot of Loving" follows to close out the album, and it's a nice little ballad. Not quite as good as, say, "Transfer Affection" from "Listen" but a good song nonetheless. I can't say much about the other songs, except to mention "Love On Your Knees." Most fans would agree this is the Flock's worst song ever, but again after re-listening to it, it made me think, if Prince had wrote this song (and he could have, given the sexual innuendo) no one would say one bad thing about it. I say that "Heartbeat Like A Drum" and "Cry Like A Baby" are just plain awful, and should have never seen the light of day.

Conclusion: if you know these songs and like them, (or are just a loyal fan), get the disc. The remastering does sound good. There are no extras here, though. No b-sides or rare demos, nada. Not even lyrics or commentary. Makes you wonder why sometimes record companies can't go that extra step and give the customer a little more value for their money.

The Worst of A Flock Of Seagulls..........2006-01-28

I remember being a high school senior back in 1985, and listening to AFOS first two albums nearly nonstop. Then "Story of A Young Heart" came out, and although I didn't (initially) regard it as highly as the previous two discs, I gradually warmed to it and gave it a spot in my musical pantheon alongside A Flock's previous albums.

So obviously, I purchased "Dream Come True" when it was released and...was stunned by just how bad it was. I mean, how could their talent have deteriorated so rapidly between albums 3 and 4? A lot of this, I think, had to do with the departure of guitarist Paul Reynolds - a very underrated player, in my opinion. At any rate, "Dream Come True" pretty much marked the end of AFOS. (Mike Score still performs - with an ever-changing lineup of musicians - as A Flock Of Seagulls, and I continue to hear rumors about a tour featuring some original members, but nothing concrete.)

Ultimately, I'm left with a question about the re-release of "Dream Come True": Why release this abomination while "Story Of A Young Heart" remains unavailable?

Average customer rating:

The British Music Collection: Gerald Finzi Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Finzi, Gerald | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Gerald Finzi: Choral Works Finzi: A Centenary Collection Gerald Finzi: I Said to Love; Let Us Garlands Bring; Before and After Summer Finzi: Cello Concerto; Grand Fantasia & Toccata; Eclogue Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other choral works ASIN: B00005IA6E Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

1. In Terra Pax, Op.39: A Frosty Christmas Eve - Libby Crabtree/Donald Sweeney/Waynflete Sgrs/Chor Of Winchester Cathedral
2. In Terra Pax, Op.39: And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord Came Upon Them - Libby Crabtree/Donald Sweeney/Waynflete Sgrs/Chor Of Winchester Cathedral
3. Dies Natalis, Op.8: Intrada - Philip Langridge
4. Dies Natalis, Op.8: Rhapsody - Philip Langridge
5. Dies Natalis, Op.8: The Rapture - Philip Langridge
6. Dies Natalis, Op.8: Wonder - Philip Langridge
7. Dies Natalis, Op.8: The Salutation - Philip Langridge
8. For St. Cecilia: Delightful Goddess, In Whose Fashionings - Philip Langridge/London Sym Chor
9. For St. Cecilia: Changed Is The Age - Philip Langridge/London Sym Chor
10. For St. Cecilia: How Came You, Lady Of Fierce Martyrdom - Philip Langridge/London Sym Chor
11. For St. Cecilia: How Smilingly The Saint Among Her Friends - Philip Langridge/London Sym Chor
12. For St. Cecilia: Wherefore We Bid You To The Full Concent - Philip Langridge/London Sym Chor
13. Lo, The Full, Final Sacrifice: Amen - Chor Of New College Oxford/Edward Higginbottom

Tracks:

1. Magnificat - City Of London Sinf/Richard Hickox
2. Romance - ASMF/Sir Neville Mariner
3. Earth And Air And Rain: Summer Schemes - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
4. Earth And Air And Rain: When I Set Out For Lyonnesse - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
5. Earth And Air And Rain: Waiting Both - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
6. Earth And Air And Rain: The Phantom - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
7. Earth And Air And Rain: So I Have Feared - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
8. Earth And Air And Rain: Rollicum-Rorum - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
9. Earth And Air And Rain: To Lizbie Brown - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
10. Earth And Air And Rain: The Clock Of The Years - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
11. Earth And Air And Rain: In A Churchyard - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
12. Earth And Air And Rain: Proud Songsters - Benjamin Luxon/David Willinson
13. Let Us Garlands Bring, Op.18: Come Away, Come Away, Death - Bryn Terfel/Malcolm Martineau
14. Let Us Garlands Bring, Op.18: Who Is Silvia? - Bryn Terfel/Malcolm Martineau
15. Let Us Garlands Bring, Op.18: Fear No More The Heat 'O The Sun - Bryn Terfel/Malcolm Martineau
16. Let Us Garlands Bring, Op.18: O Mistress Mine - Bryn Terfel/Malcolm Martineau
17. Let Us Garlands Bring, Op.18: It Was A Lover And His Lass - Bryn Terfel/Malcolm Martineau

Average customer rating: wedding songs

Wedding Collection Manufacturer: Madacy Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Boccherini | Boccherini, Luigi | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Johann Strauss Sr. | Strauss Sr., Johann | ( S ) | 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 Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program 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 Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music ASIN: B000000KGE Release Date: 1997-06-03

Tracks:

1. Wedding Chor From 'Lohengrin' - Choir Of Belgrad Nat Opr
2. Matrimonial Benediction in F, Op.9 - Joseph Berger
3. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': Wedding March - LPO/Alfred Scholz
4. The Beautiful Blue Danube: Waltz Op.314 - Vienna Opr Orch/Carl Michalski
5. Wedding March: Mazurka Op.20a - London Festival Orch/Alberto Lizzio
6. Champagne Polka From 'The Bat' Op.211 - RPO London/Frank Shipway
7. Flower Waltz Op.71a/8 - London Festival Orch/Alberto Lizzio
8. Str Qt Op.13: Menuett in A - Stuttgart CO/Bernhard Guller
9. Radetzky March Op.228 - Vienna Opr Orch/Carl Michalski
10. Menuett in D - Stuttgart CO/Bernhard Guller
11. Emperor Waltz Op.437 - Vienna Opr Orch/Peter Falk
12. Ave Maria - Ernst Riedlinger

Tracks:

1. I Finally Found Someone
2. Power Of Love
3. Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You
4. Unchained Melody
5. Just The Way You Are
6. You Are So Beautiful
7. My Love
8. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
9. You're In My Heart
10. Always
11. Love Is All Around
12. Enless Love

Customer Reviews:

wedding songs.......2005-10-12

I don't think this CD is for weddings....I personaly didn't care for it. It's to circus like music...

Average customer rating: One of the triumphs of recorded sound A decent Wagner collection, for the price Part 2: DIE MEISTERSINGER Analysis Difficult Part 1 of Comments

Solti: The Wagner Opera Collection (Limited Edition) [21-CD Box Set with Bonus Unreleased CD] Manfred Jungwirth , Peter Klein , Waldemar Kmentt , Tom Krause , and Resnik, Regina Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Braun, Hans | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sir Georg Solti An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen (Milan 1950) Puccini - La Bohème / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov, Karajan Wagner: Tristan und Isolde ASIN: B00006469R Release Date: 2002-10-08

Album Description

Track Listings:

Discs 1-3 Der Fliegender Holldnder

Discs 4-6 Tannhduser

Discs 7-9 Lohengrin

Discs 10-13 Tristan und Isolde

Discs 14-17 Die Meistersinger von N|rnberg

Discs 18-21 Parsifal

Bonus CD: The Birth of an Opera (Solti in rehearsal of Tristan und Isolde)

Customer Reviews:

One of the triumphs of recorded sound.......2007-01-09

This collection not only represents all of the glorious music of Wagner the continues to influence composers to this day; it is also one of the greatest achievements both for Maestro Solti and for recording technology that was in practice during this time period. Yes, this music is lengthy, and because of the german dialogue often difficult to follow and comprehend, but I assure you that the rewards of listening to this collection will change your life. I would also recommend seeing any of these operas live, in that they are a truly magical experience.

A decent Wagner collection, for the price.......2004-06-08

None of these is my favorite recording of each particular opera, but for the new fan of Wagner who wants an instant, and decent, collection of recordings, one could do much, much worse than this. These recordings feature the most accomplished singers and orchestras of their day, as well as the most advanced sound engineering available. That said, these recordings (The Ring in particular) suffer from an over-consciousness of their own greatness. The producers strove too hard to create perfect, definitive recordings. The result frequently is a gorgeous, but lifeless reading of the drama. Solti's languid tempi don't help, either. Bohm or Kegel (when you can find him) are far better Wagner conductors. On the positive side, the presence of French tenor Rene Kollo in several of these recordings is a particular delight. He was a singer of extraordinary taste and refinement.

A note about Tristan und Isolde: The main reason to own this recording is for the supporting cast: Tom Krause as Kurwenal, and particularly Regina Resnik as Brangaene (the best recorded Brangaene ever, by far). Fritz Uhl as Tristan is a nonentity (where's Kollo when you need him!). Nilsson of course is brilliant, but her 1966 live recording under Karl Bohm has more fire.

Part 2: DIE MEISTERSINGER Analysis.......2004-01-29

Solti's Die Meistersingers is without doubt one of the best in the catalogue. His conducting is lively and very animated, and all the singers sing very beautifully - they all have beautiful voices. As with ANY wagner opera recording, there are drawbacks. Firstly, the orchestra and singers are really recorded too closely to each other - there is a lack of space in between orchestra, singer and chorus. Secondly, the microphones were placed too close, again, to singers, chorus and orchestra. This has to do with the recording venue - Orchestra Hall in Chicago - which does not allow the singers, chorus and orchestra to be spaced out nicely. So the sound is slightly unpleasant - but you can mitigate that by turning the volume down a little. It does help. Having said that, the digital sound is very full and vivid, all the details are beautifully captured by Decca's engineers. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is absolutely gorgeous - they play beautifully and articulate clearly. Having said that, you notice that the Chicago forces lack something that the Vienna Philharmonic possesses. Call it the X-factor. The Vienna Philharmonic is an opera orchestra - they play under the name Vienna State opera orchestra at the Vienna State Opera. But in concert and in recordings, they assume the name Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Anyway, being an opera orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic certainly knows how to play opera music better than the Chicago Symphony. The Chicago forces, though technically wonderful, lack that extra X-factor in their playing. I think it has to do with injecting emotion into the playing. The end result is that although the Chicago Symphony plays beautifully, the playing is sometimes a bit bland, and you miss the kind of frisson an opera orchestra provides. Mattila sings very beautifully as Eva - she is one of the highlights of the performance. the other highlight is Ben Heppner who is wonderful in his singing and phrasing. Van Dam is excellent as Hans Sachs. All the other principals are never less than adequate although they are a bit detached.

Having said all that, this is still one of the best Die Meistersingers in the catalogue. But you have to listen to it over a long period of time before you can appreciate it properly. I only began to really enjoy the performance after spending over a year listening to it (in between other things). But that's only because I listen to tons of other music. I guess if you just concentrate on Die Meistersinger, it might take a shorter time.

There's always this talk about the K's in Die Meistersinger - Karajan, Kubelik, Kempe. Well, Kempe is in MONO, Karajan's 1951 performance is in MONO, Kubelik's recorded sound is not very nice - on the hard side. I guess Jochum and Karajan's stereo would be good alternative, but this version can hold its own against those two. Unless you are a Wagner freak (in which case, you should just buy them all), this is perfectly fine as a sole representation of Die Meistersinger in your collection.

Difficult.......2004-01-27

Wagner's non-Ring operas can be quite difficult to listen to. If you buy this set, be prepared to spend time on it. I listened to it for a very long time. For some time I was quite dissatisfied. But with time, you learn to appreciate the operas. Now I enjoy them thoroughly. Like good wine, these operas become better over time. So don't throw your set away after 1 hearing. Listen to each opera for 100 times, then you'll discover the magic.

Part 1 of Comments.......2003-07-25

LOHENGRIN ANALYSIS:

Lohengrin. My goodness, the singing here is simply gorgeous. Jessye Norman is in superb voice and her voice rings out gloriously throughout the opera. Domingo has been criticized for his German diction. But don't forget that Lohengrin is supposed to be a foreigner. Besides, his beautiful golden tone more than makes up for the unidiomatic diction. With such wonderful singing from Domingo, you just forget any shortcomings with respect to diction and related stuff. Besides, a lot of listeners do not know German (I don't) so they won't really care. Contrary to popular beliefs, Wagner loved beautiful singing. Many will be astounded to know that Bellini was one of his favorite composers. Did you know that Brunhilde's battle cry "Hoyotoho!" HAVE TRILLS WRITTEN IN THEM!!!!! YES!! Birgit Nilsson doesn't sing the trills. Almost no Brunnhilde ever attempts the trills. Only exception is Gwyneth Jones. Yes, contrary to popular belief, Wagner has some elements of Bel Canto written in them. Wagner's music has been subject to much abuse - singers singing it in a rough way. the Solti set shines out for the wonderful legato lines by Domingo, Norman, Randova et. al. It is simply a ravishing performance. No doubt one of Solti's most beautiful Wagner recording. I am not suprised that the Penguin Guide once gave this opera a rosette. Finally, instead of a tenor and a soprano with pressed shrill sound and a forced out tone, we have sensuous, beautiful, gorgeous legato lines - ravishing tone poured out minute after minute, underscored beautifully by the incomparable VPO and Solti's lively conducting - the tempi never sags but Solti never drives the music hard either.

More comments on other sets to come in time....

Average customer rating: AWESOME

The Classical Collection Manufacturer: Chesky Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Septets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foss, Lukas | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Domenico Scarlatti | Scarlatti, Domenico | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000003GEF Release Date: 1995-09-15

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro: The Four Seasons - Concerto In E Major 'Spring'
2. III. Presto: The Four Seasons - Concerto In G Minor 'Summer'
3. III. Andante - BWV 1034: Sonata In E Minor For Flute & Harpsichord
4. IV. Allegro - BWV 1034: Sonata In E Minor For Flute & Harpsichord
5. K.380: Sonata In E Major
6. Ave Verum Corpus
7. Piano Trio In A Minor - IV. Final (Anim
8. I. Los requiebros: Goyescas - 'Los majos enamorados'
9. I. Allegro non troppo: Piano Trio No.1 In C Minor
10. III. Allegro agitato: Piano Concerto In F
11. Histoire du soldat - The Royal March
12. Behold I Build A House!

Customer Reviews:

AWESOME.......2000-06-11

Being fairly new to the world of classical music, I wanted a starter album as an introduction. Naturally this album was that and so much more. If you are like me or a conniseur of classical music, this is a must have!

Average customer rating: A Great cd!

Virtuoso Cello Encores Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( 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 Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vieuxtemps | Vieuxtemps, Henri | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Intermezzos | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | 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 Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Romantic Music for Cello & Orchestra Dohnanyi: Sonata for cello in Bfm; Konzertstück in D Kodály: Music for Cello Le Grand Tango Dances Kodály: Music for Cello, Volume 2 ASIN: B000BK53GK Release Date: 2005-11-15

Tracks:

1. Dance Of The Green Devil
2. Fantasy On Little Russian Songs
3. Serenade, Op.54, No.2
4. Air From Suite No.3 In D, BWV 1068
5. Standchen (Serenade)
6. Die Biene (The Bee)
7. Intermezzo From Goyescas
8. Tarantella From The Gadfly, Op.97
9. Habanera
10. The Girl With The Flaxen Hair
11. Allegro Spiritoso
12. Cantilena, Op.48, No.24
13. Boulevard De Garavan
14. Danse Bohemienne, Op.28
15. Vocalise, Op.34, No.14
16. Short Story

Customer Reviews:

A Great cd!.......2006-12-15

I love it. To me, every note of this sounds gorgeous. There is a really wide variety of songs. Every track is like the title says, a "virtuoso cello encore". Her playing is very expressive and beautiful but also has a flawless, effortless quality. This CD is over 75 minutes long and was recorded in only a couple days. Her concerts must be amazing.

Rock Music:

1. Foretold...Foreseen [Explicit Lyrics]
2. Franc Aledia
3. Furioso II
4. Garden's Edge [Import]
5. Golden Oldies [Box set]
6. Goodbye [EP]
7. Habitats in the Wound
8. High Voltage Punk & Oi!
9. Hits + [Import]
10. Hits of the 50's, Vol. 5

Rock Music