Best Ballet & Dance
The ever-wonderful Kristen Bell convinces everyone to just “Dance It Out.” Samuel L. Jackson stomps his captivating way through “Tyrannosaurus Funk.” Stanley Tucci is the impossibly frenetic caller of the “Rat Race.” Five for Fighting goes full-on big band era with a stunning slow-build/big-finish “Swing Thing.” And when’s the last time you heard Laura Linney and “Weird Al” Yankovic perform a song together? Here they give you the electronic sci-fi “Robot Dance,” which Mr. Yankovic suddenly turns into (naturally enough) a Broadway tap dance number. Take a child by the hand, put on your sneakers or tap shoes (oh heck, bare feet will do), cue up the CD, and get out there and dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance!! Michael Ford, Sandra Boynton’s esteemed collaborator on Philadelphia Chickens and Rhinoceros Tap , is a classically trained composer and pianist, with a long detour in Progressive Rock performance.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We love all the Boynton books and have about every single one."
"Though the songs seem much simpler than other Boynton albums, my kid loves it, and that's what matters most."
"Fun music by a number of artists."
"100% grand-daughter endorsed."
"A truly delightful book/cd."
Now music lovers can enjoy every note of this brilliant and stirring landmark of twentieth-century music, faithfully reproduced in this inexpensive, high-quality edition — ideal for study and for following both live and recorded performances. The leading composer of his day, Igor Stravinsky experimented with virtually every technique of 20th century music.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is one of the greatest masterpieces ever written."
"As a composition student, studying this score in particular has given me a lot of inspiration."
"Study score is clean and accurate."
"What a beautiful piece of music."
"Its so nice to see how my timpani part fits in with everything else."
Das Rheingold, the first opera in Wagner's celebrated four-part Ring Cycle, blends the powerful imagery of Norse and Teutonic mythology with glorious, robustly inventive music to produce a dramatic allegory of greed and lust for power. Composer and conductor Richard Wagner (1813–83) is best known for his four-opera classic, The Ring.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've always loved Wagner's RING operas, and Dover does the world a great favor, imo, in making the full scores available in attractive, fairly low-cost editions."
"Among other things, it offers filmmakers, such as George Lucas, a model of how to create an epic drama involving multiple generations of characters, which nonetheless holds together on stage (or, for Lucas' purposes, on film). There are English translations of the frontismatter, but no German glossary of musical terms."
"Among other things, it offers filmmakers, such as George Lucas, a model of how to create an epic drama involving multiple generations of characters, which nonetheless holds together on stage (or, for Lucas' purposes, on film). There are English translations of the frontismatter, but no German glossary of musical terms."
"Again, Keith Dillon has taken my words out of my mouth before they could be said!"
"great would do business again."
"I have a bunch of Wagner scores, and this is as good as any of them."
"Exactly what I wanted, came quite quickly."
Best Leoncavallo
One of the most enduringly popular of all operas, Pagliacci is a classic of the verismo, or realistic operatic tradition.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"By some book-binderish sleight-of-hand, Schirmer scores can be placed above the keyboard of a piano and (after a minimal period of break-in) be expected to remain open at the correct page I can report from both my own personal experiences and those of other singers, that Schirmer vocal scores are fairly formidable pieces of book-making which will typically last from initial study, during all the rehearsals and through several years of performance without falling apart--although, of course, a volume so often consulted, so casually set aside and so hastily snatched up sooner or later acquires a raffish and slightly battered, if pleasingly indomitable appearance. I notice that fellow singers and I can generally recognize our personal copies at a glance over considerable distances, even though, as may be seen from the illustrations of editions for other operas, Schirmer scores when new are as alike as so many peas in a pod. In the rough and tumble of preparing for actual performances, virtually every Schirmer opera score that I have encountered has disclosed some peculiar oddity--a misprint, a mis-attribution of a couple of of words or bars to an incorrect singer, that sort of thing. Rehearsals have not yet begun for the production for which I purchased tthis score, but I haven't the slightest doubt that substantial time will be diverted to page 205, upon which appear the words, "La commedia e finita!" Schirmer scores tend to include so-called "singing translations" printed beneath the words of the libretto in the original language."
"I needed this score quickly and what I got."
"There was a typo with the Italian in the chorus lyrics in Act 1."
"The score is virtually new and had only 1 very faint mark in the entire score."
"Everything was good in this transaction except delivery time."
"The print quality is light and not very crisp, and since the size is small, one really would like a clear and crisp print. This will sit on the music bookshelf and will probably never be opened again."
"I congratulate Burton Fisher for a job very well done and Amazon for making these handy, information-laden booklets available. My tip: acquire the entire collection because you will be in easy reach of superbly presented opera guides consisting of story analysis, principal characters in the opera, story narrative with music highlights, background, analysis, and commentary."
Best Early Romantic
This new volume in Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics presents 26 preludes, 21 nocturnes and 19 waltzes a large amount of music at a value price.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Printing is not clear as I expected."
"Love this book and playing from it."
"It's Schimer -- what else can I say -- one of the best editions ever on the market."
"Came just like it stated, brand new and in a very short amount of time after I ordered it!!"
"I love Chopin music, and nocturnes and waltzes are my preferred."
"Pages Printed upside down on both shipments."
Best Saint-saens
"; Best's Prelude on a Chorale by Thomas Tallis; Buxtehude's Fugue in C; the charming Four Pieces for Flute Clocks, written by Haydn for his era's popular musical clocks; Mozart's "Fantasie de Salon," based on four themes from T he Magic Flute; and Pachelbel's beloved C anon in D. Other featured composers include Elgar, Dupré, Beethoven, Frescobaldi, Handel, Liszt, Couperin, and Franck.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Nice variety and selection of tunes, suitable for church services and perfect for someone switching from pot to org and t ready for "prime time pedals" yet!"
"This collection of organ music is a lovely addition to my church repertoire."
"After my injury I could no longer play the organ pedals and this book gave me a bunch of new preludes and postludes for manuals only."
"Looks pretty good, but a bit above my level."
"This is an excellent variety of compositions by a good variety of composers."
"I am a pianist/"fake organist" and love this book of wonderful manual only pieces."
"There is incredible variety in this inexpensive edition, and most are excellent for church use."
"I am the organist for a couple of Catholic churches and this collection of organ music provides many pieces that are perfect preludes and postludes, as well as a few pieces for special occasions."
Best Mascagni
Mascagni's first produced opera (1890), and ultimately his most successful, Cavalleria Rusticana is a tempestuous drama of adultery and revenge set in a remote Italian village.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This Dover score, like all Dover scores, is very nice."
"I am really impressed with amazon.com as I got this product £5 cheaper than buying it on .co.uk I wonder why?"
"Like always, Dover prints on high quality paper, and binds books in such a way that their products could survive any abuse short of a nuclear blast."
"Like always, Dover prints on high quality paper, and binds books in such a way that their products could survive any abuse short of a nuclear blast."
"Like always, Dover prints on high quality paper, and binds books in such a way that their products could survive any abuse short of a nuclear blast."
Best Purcell
It is the first book to explore in detail the historical context of Purcell's music, dealing fully with the institutions he worked for, the origin and development of the various genres to which he contributed, and the sources of his music. -- Observer Review "The great merits of the book derive from the fact that the author knows the music well both as scholar and as performer and similarly knows the music by Purcell's predecessors and contemporaries....It is as clear as its subject allows and perserverence is rewarding. -- Early Music Review "A balanced study of Pucell's music...his discussion of music is insightful, and his observations concerning instrumental developments are particularly valuable."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a lovely and lively performance of one of Purcell's best."
Best Stravinsky
Now music lovers can enjoy every note of this brilliant and stirring landmark of twentieth-century music, faithfully reproduced in this inexpensive, high-quality edition — ideal for study and for following both live and recorded performances. The leading composer of his day, Igor Stravinsky experimented with virtually every technique of 20th century music.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is one of the greatest masterpieces ever written."
"As a composition student, studying this score in particular has given me a lot of inspiration."
"Study score is clean and accurate."
"What a beautiful piece of music."
"Its so nice to see how my timpani part fits in with everything else."
Best Pergolesi
This long-awaited re-release of a Music Minus One classic features a completely new edition of 17 famous solo cello works, complete with helpful tips for cellists playing them for the first time. Includes an authoritative, newly engraved music score printed on high-quality ivory paper, complete with performance suggestions from Mr. Thomas, and a compact disc containing a complete version with soloist; then a second version in digital stereo of the orchestral accompaniment, minus the soloist. Helping educate musicians since 1950, Music Minus One provides performers at every skill level, an easy way to study, rehearse and perform with professional musicians in the comfort of their own homes. Offering compact discs with accompanying solo music parts from world-renowned soloists, Music Minus One albums offer a superb practice experience.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It's a treat to hear your playing with other instruments, not to mention an excellent way to measure and achieve intonation."
"Unfortunately, it was too advanced for me, I was feeling like a bit of a failure, or at least a disappointment, to myself and my teacher already, so I gave it to my teacher. I'm not sure what I would think of it now, but I don't want to ask for it back as my teacher had his bag with music stolen from his car and I don't want to make him feel bad if it is gone."
"This is a good selection of music, and the accompaniments are well-done."
"Love the CD."
"This is a good way to practice well-known cello solos."
"great add-on to much of my current music - love the audio cd as well!"
"It is great to have an accompaniment as well as listening to a professional cellist."
"BTW If you have this book http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007MWBWTM?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_81 It's the same book just different cover."
Best Rossini
This is the first and easiest book in a 4-book collection of preludes, interludes, and postludes compiled and arranged by Carlo Rossini for performance on pipe, electronic or reed organs, and with Hammond registrations included.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As other reviewers have written, this is easy to sight read and insert pedals where you will."
"I am new at playing for services and don't have time to prepare preludes, postludes, etc."
"Great options for short or longer preludes-postludes."
"I'm a pianist, not an organist, who plays organ for church services because we have such a shortage of musicians, locally; and when I found this book - worn and incomplete - at a yard sale a couple years ago, I picked it up on the cheap."
"I love it."
"I am a part time organist at a church which means months may pass between the times I am called on to play."
"The product was old, but worth the price."
"Arrived on time and as expected."
Best Symphonies
This charming and interactive picture book with its panel of 19 sound buttons is like a ticket to a concert hall, taking readers on a journey from the exciting first moment when the musicians begin tuning up to the end of the first movement (attention newcomers: don’t clap yet!). Kids will want to match their voices to the A note that tunes the orchestra, dance to the rhythmic passages—and, of course, sing along to da-da-da- daah ! “An ideal way to introduce children to the magic of music—delightful, charming, wonderfully entertaining, beautifully illustrated.” —Gerard Schwarz, Music Director, the All-Star Orchestra. " Welcome to the Symphony [lives] up to the publisher's promise that children will enjoy it . “An ideal way to introduce children to the magic of music—delightful, charming, wonderfully entertaining, beautifully illustrated.”. –Gerard Schwarz, music director, The All-Star Orchestra and music director laureate, Seattle Symphony. (Gerard Schwarz). "A delight for kids of any age! (Terry Kinney). “Lively, beautifully written…a charming way to educate the next generation of concert-goers.”. –Orin O’Brien, double bassist, The New York Philharmonic. (Orin O’Brien). “This beautiful book appeals on so many levels...The charming illustrations and brilliant musical recordings provide the perfect sensory stimuli, while the text illuminates every question a child might have about the experience in the most natural and satisfying way.”. –Dorothy Lawson, artistic director, Ethel String Quartet. (Dorothy Lawson). "An introduction to one of the greatest of all classical works that quite wondrously includes not just words and pictures, but some of the music itself.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It provides great beginner information in a way kids understand and makes it interactive."
"I was surprised by how good the sound is, and that each instrument plays a different part of the piece."
"We read this before bedtime and the music (altho short clips) helps slow her down and lull her to sleep."
"It’s funny and silly with the mice, and also teaches about classical music- and I love that you can then hear what they are explaining with the sound buttons."
"Even though this book is a bit mature for our 2 year old, he loves pressing the buttons and saying the instrument names."
"Wonderful book!"
"I do like the book for my little one."
"Best first music book ever!"
Best Rimsky
This book, therefore, which differs from most other texts on the subject because of its tremendous wealth of musical examples and its systematic arrangement of material according to each constituent of the orchestra, will undoubtedly be of value to any music student. Chapter IV, Composition of the Orchestra, covers different ways of orchestrating the same music; effects that can be achieved with full tutti; tutti in winds, tutti pizzicato, soli in the strings, etc. Immediately following this text are some 330 pages of musical examples drawn from "Sheherazade," the "Antar Symphony," "Capriccio Espagnol," "Sadko," "Ivan the Terrible," "Le Coq d'Or," "Mlada," "The Tsar's Bride," and others of Rimsky-Korsakov's works.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Just started reading it, but was just what I was looking for."
"Explanations of how to orchestrate various groups of musical instruments to create beautiful sounding symphonic arrangements."
"This book is a great and to the point orchestration course book."
"The three stars is only for the "free" Kindle version."
"I don't have any background in music and never studied it but what the author writes here is clear an understandable."
Best Tchaikovsky
Musicians will rejoice that previously difficult-to-find favorites like Waltz of the Snowflakes and Spanish Dance (Chocolate) are now available, along with the rest of this beloved score, in an affordable, single-volume edition.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Orchestration and performance introductory notes in Russian, German, and English, with Russian and French notations (in addition to the usual Italian notations) on the score itself, plus occasional English margin translations. 2) Inconsistency: The French score section headings are translated into English and placed on the bottom margin, whereas the Russian score note translations are put into the introductory section before the score."
"At this price, how wonderful to have the complete ballet score with the original performance notes right there on the staves."
"Wonderful tool for the upcoming staging of our show."
"The pages are a normal 9 x 12 (or so) but the book is about 2 inches thick and for a score with only 90 minutes of music that's unusual (I know, that was trivial factoid)."
""), and now I can look at the score with full appreciation, with more than one exclamation of "So THAT'S how he did it!""
"Good quality printing, affordable pricing."
"I looked around my orchestra's music library, and was disappointed that they had scores of the suites, but not the complete ballet score."