Best Chamber Music
The Piano Guys have become a YouTube sensation with their clever and inspiring takes on popular music and creative videos that accompany them.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is excellent music to work by, especially if you work with words. There's not much singing, the music is uplifting without being exhausting (Hans Zimmer soundtracks, I'm looking at you here), it's like a mental massage while you work."
"I can't remember who first introduced me to The Piano Guys, but I saw them first on YouTube."
"We really enjoy listening to these two musical geniuses."
"I love the upbeat quality of some of my favorite classical pieces blended with more contemporary music."
"Lest that makes them sound stuffy, it was precisely because they were so completely different from anything I'd heard before that I wanted to know if I was really hearing them accurately. My favorite piece involves a topless piano so they can pluck the strings, play percussion with their hands on the side of the piano from the inside, carry a beat by lightly hitting the keyboard cover to the full-up position in rhythm to, yes, someone actually playing the keys on the keyboard."
"Their sound is. deep, soulful, and expressive, which only comes from truly gifted and trained artists."
"Whatever, "Piano Guys" is at least as much "Cello Guys" as piano."
"This album is a good value for your money."
The Piano Guys are back with their new album, The Piano Guys 2, continuing their unique take on music from Pachelbel to The Turtles to Bruno Mars, featuring songs never before available on CD.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love the blend of the classical music with the modern music. and some of the modern music I remember the lyrics for."
"They always have such beautiful scenery for each song, or they do a little skit along with the song. If you've been following her lately, you know what a great artist she is, as she dances or plays a part in a skit (which is the case in this song) with every song she plays on her violin."
"This follow-up to the original album "The Piano Guys" is just as fun and creative as their original album."
"The DVD allows you to not only listen, but see the fun, the passion, the drive they put into their music."
"Same as my other reviews."
"Did not like the selection as well as a few other from these guys, but product quality was fine and item arrived promptly well-packaged and as described."
"John and Steven's work is original and very entertaining."
"I am having some problems with this download!!"
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in The Universe, the 1st 2-CD set in the & Most Relaxing, series features some of the most well known classical pieces of all time, including Canon in D, Clair De Lune, Fur Elise, Ave Marie, Moonlight Sonata, Adagio for Strings, Greensleeves, and More!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This collection of Classical music is superb."
"I love listening to this on the speake's of our travel trailer."
"Very good for relaxing."
"love this collection of classical music."
"Added this to my collection of relaxing music to fall asleep to."
"great music, very soothing."
Best Classical Duets
Mozart Edition: The Complete Works will make a great gift this Holiday season for the music lover in your life or someone who is hard to buy for.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you are loading some of the works into your iTunes library for use on an iPod, as I am, there are inconveniences in variability of the disc labeling such that the format of the labeling varies between parts of the same opera so that iTunes loads the tracks on one part out of order in the library. You will have to manually correct the labeling of each track in order to get the tracks of the operas affected by this problem in correct order for iTunes and your iPod to play them in correct order. For instance, the CD in the envelope labeled part 3 of Cosi Fan Tutte, volume 9 CD 40 with the CD itself labeled part 3, volume 9 CD 40, actually contains the tracks for part 1, volume 9 CD 38, so you get a duplicate of CD 38 but no CD 40, thus missing the last tracks of Cosi Fan Tutte. There are also several cases so far of tracks that "freeze" and cycle the read head in the CD drive and preventing ejection of the CD without closing iTunes and starting it up again with the offending track unchecked to cause iTunes to bypass it. So far (about 60% of the discs reviewed) the errors have occurred on only a few discs, with manual relabeling correcting all but a couple of incorrect track content problems."
"It is hard to justify spending $120 for one opera, but if you do buy this Mozart box set you will be rewarded with a delightful Così fan tutte. Huub Claessens brings the correct blend to Don Alfonso -- a character actor's comic patter plus a lyrical ability to actually sing the music. Soile Isokoski tosses off Fiordiligi's "Come scoglio" without making it sound like an Olympic routine on the uneven parallel bars. While her trouser impersonations of the doctor and notary are somewhat sloppy (albeit for intentional comic purposes), I'll take her chesty blustering over the standard drill of ear-piercing nasality. Don Giovanni is quite good, although the cast is not as strong as for Così, and the tempos seem out of proportion in the Act One finale. I like Le nozze di Figaro despite its flaws -- blatant nepotism is perpetrated by Marie Kuijken (the conductor's wife? I have found a few unfamiliar (to me) treasures in the box set: The Divertimenti of Volume 3 make pleasant background music while I am working."
"Mozart, along with all piano music composers/players of that period, would have given his right arm for a modern piano; well maybe not an arm, but possibly a leg. Most of those are very well done as well, although I must point out to those performers as well as all other "period practice" cultists, that Bach did not write for countertenors."
Best Classical Nonets
GRAMMY® Winning artist Laura Sullivan has created another blissful masterpiece that you will love for MEDITATION MUSIC, MASSAGE MUSIC, HEALING MUSIC, RELAXING SPA MUSIC, MUSIC THERAPY, BACKGROUND MUSIC, YOGA MUSIC, MUSIC FOR RELAXATION, CALMING MUSIC FOR KIDS, DINNER MUSIC, CALM MUSIC, and RELAXING MUSIC FOR SLEEP. This album of of BEAUTIFUL PIANO MUSIC combined with violin, guitar, flute, oboe and other ambient instrumentation, takes listeners on a SOOTHING MUSIC journey of music inspired by America s mystical and sacred places. CD PRODUCT PACKAING: The product packaging of this CD is an all new, simple, and eco-friendly trademarked professional packaging for CD and DVD duplication called an eco-pack.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is really nice music to."
"An absolutely fantastic album!"
"Beautiful and relaxing music."
"This is my favorite CD ever!"
"Extra ( 7 ) cds for Christmas gifts. My favorite piano artist ever and a wonderful friend .!"
"Ms. Sullivan is a musical genius."
Best Classical Octets
2007 issue of 22 CD's filled with the works of the great composer drawn from the vaults of Columbia Records.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I found all the performances (as conducted either by Stravinsky or Craft) gave me a strong sense of how Stravinsky personally envisioned his works."
"22 discs, conducted by The Master himself (with one exception, and exceptional, disc conducted by friend and protege Robert Craft. I purchased that 22 disc set for about $30 (that's not a typo) from a UK seller listed on amazon/us and received it in less than a week - many US sellers take longer to ship their product!"
"Stravinsky is the conductor for almost all the performances with the CBS orchestra and, though recorded in the early to late 60's, the sound is spectacular. Bravo for this generous release and anyone, both new and familiar with Stravinsky need not think twice about purchasing this."
"I originally purchased this set in order to replace a few worn out LP's from the 60's."
"Having just watched Jewels by the Paris Opera Ballet on DVD, I was curious about his Capriccio for Piano, which was the first from this set I played."
"oh my this is great music."
"The price for this many works is astounding, and I highly recommend this to any classical enthusiast."
"Loves the whole collection and would recommend it to any fan of Stravinsky you literally get all of his works famous and not but excellent selection."
Best Classical Quartets
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in The Universe, the 1st 2-CD set in the & Most Relaxing, series features some of the most well known classical pieces of all time, including Canon in D, Clair De Lune, Fur Elise, Ave Marie, Moonlight Sonata, Adagio for Strings, Greensleeves, and More!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This collection of Classical music is superb."
"I love listening to this on the speake's of our travel trailer."
"Very good for relaxing."
"love this collection of classical music."
"Added this to my collection of relaxing music to fall asleep to."
"great music, very soothing."
Best Classical Quintets
does its best to cover both well-worn classical favorites (Bach's "Air on the G String," Pachelbel's "Cannon," Debussy's "Clair de Lune") and some eclectic left-field choices (an excerpt from Gerick's Symphony No. does its best to cover both well-worn classical favorites (Bach's "Air on the G String," Pachelbel's "Cannon," Debussy's "Clair de Lune") and some eclectic left-field choices (an excerpt from Górecki's Symphony No.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He finds it very relaxing and soothing to listen to, and finally decided he wanted a copy of his own."
"This is a must buy for anyone who enjoys classical music while they are busy working, relaxing, knitting, reading a book or just want to sit down and listen to beautiful music."
"The cover says it all."
"love this cd, great choices & many well known; totally worth the price."
"Don't get me wrong, I don't spend my time in a coma, but beautiful music floating thru the room is so much more enjoyable, and conducive to my reading.... and infinitely better than the tinnitus I hear 24-7."
"The 1999 set retains the cuts I love most--the Canon and Delibes' Flower Duet, cuts 3 and 7 on disc one."
"I have loved this collection for decades now."
Best Classical Septets
2007 issue of 22 CD's filled with the works of the great composer drawn from the vaults of Columbia Records.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I found all the performances (as conducted either by Stravinsky or Craft) gave me a strong sense of how Stravinsky personally envisioned his works."
"22 discs, conducted by The Master himself (with one exception, and exceptional, disc conducted by friend and protege Robert Craft. I purchased that 22 disc set for about $30 (that's not a typo) from a UK seller listed on amazon/us and received it in less than a week - many US sellers take longer to ship their product!"
"Stravinsky is the conductor for almost all the performances with the CBS orchestra and, though recorded in the early to late 60's, the sound is spectacular. Bravo for this generous release and anyone, both new and familiar with Stravinsky need not think twice about purchasing this."
"I originally purchased this set in order to replace a few worn out LP's from the 60's."
"Having just watched Jewels by the Paris Opera Ballet on DVD, I was curious about his Capriccio for Piano, which was the first from this set I played."
"oh my this is great music."
"The price for this many works is astounding, and I highly recommend this to any classical enthusiast."
"Loves the whole collection and would recommend it to any fan of Stravinsky you literally get all of his works famous and not but excellent selection."
Best Classical Sextets
Mozart Edition: The Complete Works will make a great gift this Holiday season for the music lover in your life or someone who is hard to buy for.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you are loading some of the works into your iTunes library for use on an iPod, as I am, there are inconveniences in variability of the disc labeling such that the format of the labeling varies between parts of the same opera so that iTunes loads the tracks on one part out of order in the library. You will have to manually correct the labeling of each track in order to get the tracks of the operas affected by this problem in correct order for iTunes and your iPod to play them in correct order. For instance, the CD in the envelope labeled part 3 of Cosi Fan Tutte, volume 9 CD 40 with the CD itself labeled part 3, volume 9 CD 40, actually contains the tracks for part 1, volume 9 CD 38, so you get a duplicate of CD 38 but no CD 40, thus missing the last tracks of Cosi Fan Tutte. There are also several cases so far of tracks that "freeze" and cycle the read head in the CD drive and preventing ejection of the CD without closing iTunes and starting it up again with the offending track unchecked to cause iTunes to bypass it. So far (about 60% of the discs reviewed) the errors have occurred on only a few discs, with manual relabeling correcting all but a couple of incorrect track content problems."
"It is hard to justify spending $120 for one opera, but if you do buy this Mozart box set you will be rewarded with a delightful Così fan tutte. Huub Claessens brings the correct blend to Don Alfonso -- a character actor's comic patter plus a lyrical ability to actually sing the music. Soile Isokoski tosses off Fiordiligi's "Come scoglio" without making it sound like an Olympic routine on the uneven parallel bars. While her trouser impersonations of the doctor and notary are somewhat sloppy (albeit for intentional comic purposes), I'll take her chesty blustering over the standard drill of ear-piercing nasality. Don Giovanni is quite good, although the cast is not as strong as for Così, and the tempos seem out of proportion in the Act One finale. I like Le nozze di Figaro despite its flaws -- blatant nepotism is perpetrated by Marie Kuijken (the conductor's wife? I have found a few unfamiliar (to me) treasures in the box set: The Divertimenti of Volume 3 make pleasant background music while I am working."
"Mozart, along with all piano music composers/players of that period, would have given his right arm for a modern piano; well maybe not an arm, but possibly a leg. Most of those are very well done as well, although I must point out to those performers as well as all other "period practice" cultists, that Bach did not write for countertenors."
Best Classical Trios
Aside from the technical mastery and beautiful tone that are absolutes in all of his playing, one is dazzled by his curiosity and ability to adapt to so many forms and types of music. His Bach and Vivaldi are pellucid and played with non-sentimental crispness, his tango music gritty and rhythmically pungent, his jazz seemingly spontaneous, the "Meditation" from Thais simply ravishing, "Anything Goes" a romp, and the Appalachian music performed with both respect and a great twang, while the traditional Chinese music is fascinating.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Excellent recording of this master of the cello."
"A very good value as it is two CDs with something for every taste, from classical to folk to "show tunes" to world music, and of course all impeccably performed."
"I bought this album primarily for Alison Krauss singing "Simple Gifts," one of the finest (and hard to find) renditions of that wonderful song that is often badly covered, both instrumentally or vocally."
"What a fabulous and diverse collection: Classical, American traditional, Chinese traditional, Appalachian, Brazilian, baroque, and jazz."
Best Baroque Dance Suites
Giuliano Carmignola, backed by the Venice Baroque Orchestra led by Andrea Marcon offer a program of such thrilling energy and virtuosity that it's impossible not to get caught up in their passion for the music.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Wonderful music!!"
"A nice addition to our collection."
"Really beautiful...I listen to this often."
"I have a large classical music collection and a wide range of favorites but this album is a continual favorite."
"I highly recommend this CD and Concerto Veneziano (#1 fabulous!)."
"One can easily imagine this entorage playing in the very special small churches and other venues in Venice that surround the Ospedale della Pieta (the orphanage where Vivaldi was employed for most of his composing lifetime)."
Best Chansons
That's the only explanation of why Grammy-nominated composer Morten Lauridsen can claim that his works are some of the most often-performed new pieces in years, although few among the East Coast intelligentsia have ever heard of him. Like the similarly popular John Rutter , Lauridsen inhabits an extremely conservative style directed simply and single-mindedly at showing off the beauty of choral singing while it illustrates inspiring texts. Unlike many of his fellow neo-Romantic conservatives, Lauridsen displays a brand of conservatism that is completely convincing and sincere. Though the Los Angeles Master Chorale has a suitably red-blooded sound, the music would be better served with more precise diction. Rich, complex, intensely moving...Rose Songs may be the finest Rilke settings by an American composer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Bravo to Morten Lauridsen and Paul Salamunovich who appear to be a match made in heaven....Since the title piece was actually written for and dedicated to the conductor by the composer, I'm left wondering what it would have been like to have had initial recordings performed by the original inspirators of composers of the great, classical works who wrote those pieces for them."
"In my view, the CD is weakened by tracks 12-16 ("Mid-Winter Songs"), which sound Copelandesque sans Copeland's distinctively memorable tunes. Still, this is a good production that I have listened to several times, not the best in its genre, but definitely recommended if you like this type of music."
"This is one of the very finest vocal classical music albums (make that one of the finest classical albums, period) that I have ever heard. If you don't, the music is so good that I'd suggest shutting up and enjoying the music."
"Lauridsen's choral compositions are highly regarded, and often performed by vocal ensembles with for good reasons; his music is easily accessible to listeners, while also being musically satisfying to those performing."
"I cannot tell you how transporting this music is."
"Just received this Requiem from Amazon-Oh My God! A truly brilliant deeply moving masterpiece....it scours and penetrates your soul!"
"Dissonant music is not my favorite, and I really did not enjoy this CD."
Best Classical Grounds
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you just find 8 new recordings in this for your collection, the set will have paid for itself."
"If you are interested in baroque and earlier music, this is the set for you."
"This is an absurd bargain - very high quality stuff (nearly all the recordings are from the 90s) covering an enormous range, and at a low low price."
"The recordings are wonderful performances captured in the highest audiophile quality."
"There are few words that can describe the breath and quality of this wonderful set."
"Although I had some problems receiving the product, Grandmafred answered all my doubts and provided the solutions to all the drawbacks."
"I collected a few of these recordings over the years when they were first released, so when I saw this set come up for sale I ordered immediately."
"I have bought much of this music in individual CD's at many times the price, and so this collection represents a terrific value. The thing has 50 CD's and weighs close to four pounds and is housed in a formal presentation box, and they pathetically wrap it in a paper backed bubble wrap--with absolutely NO BOX--and send it media mail. This set does not use jewel cases--if it had, the plastic shards would have just poured out (as has happened several times in the past with these corner and cost-cutting affiliated sellers). It is terribly frustrating: you have to either do a send-back (and you'll have to find your own shipping box), or accept an expensive item which is in tatters. After this experience with this set (Movie Mars offered me a $5 credit--which I obviously declined), I have decided that in the future I'm just going to spend the extra dollars and buy directly from Amazon."
Best Romanian Music
1980 POLYGRAM RECORDS Audio CASSETTE.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I remember this music from years past."
"I first heard this " The Lonely Shepard" as background music for video of the natural beauty of our world."
"Beautiful and very relaxing."
"He plays wonderfully - I really enjoy listening to his music."
"This is a nice music CD for those who likes inspirational music, wonderful melodies to help get relax any body."
"If you have never heard the panpipes played before, this is the CD to start with."
Best Chants
It's often quipped that most of those discs have been listened to exactly once and put away--to the puzzlement of many musicians and critics, who point out that there are more beautiful, more varied performances by professional singers available. Yet the singing of these Spanish Benedictines has a special quality that probably explains this disc's popularity--a reverent serenity that no doubt stems from the fact that the monks are actually praying, not just performing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My dogs lay down and relax to the sounds of the Monks."
"great music but interruptions in playback.. not sure if its my playback unit that is causing the problem or not.. jr."
"Very relaxing music."
"Sometimes soothing music makes the world a calmer place."
"Soothing and mellow with haunting overtones, this is a perfect CD to relax by."
"I remember when this was a popular thing in the 90's."
Best Appalachian Music
These Copland performances have been the preferred versions since they were first issued--better even than the composer's own, later recordings.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm a sucker for sentiment, so I particularly love Appalachian Spring: Doppio movimento (sometimes called Variations on a Shaker Tune or Simple Gifts), but it's all wonderful."
"Considering that this is played in the car with the road noise, and player electronics, this recording was a nice relief to commute traffic."
"This CD must be in every American music collection!"
"A classic set of recordings."
"What more could you ask for -- Copland and Bernstein."
"On the last part of Appalachian Spring track 8 Moderato - Coda, the phrasing of the string section is absolutely gorgeous, and every note is played with such feeling and clarity."
"This recording of Hoe Down is sharper and clearer than is the Boston Pops rendition, but I do prefer the slightly slower pace of that recording."
Best Classical Overtures
Sing along symphonies by Beethoven's Wig are zany stick-in-your-head lyrics set to the greatest hits of classical music. symphony no. You'll also marvel at the expertise throughout the CD, with all the pieces well played yet thoroughly fun. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have had to explain to him that the words to the songs were written by someone else, not the composer. It is has lead to some great discussions about what a composer is and the difference between the music and the lyrics."
"We used to hear these played every Saturday morning on Classic 99, KFUO, St. Louis' classical music station, till the Missouri Synod made the horrific mistake of selling the station in 2010."
"She has also started comparing the music to what she has heard from her Barbie Swan Lake movie and the Beauty and the Beast play we saw. I personally love that it creates a story for each song--which is what lots of people miss when listening to classic music."
"I bought this to share with the grandchildren but have played it for myself so often that I can now sing many of the tunes."
"We LOVE this!"
"If you are looking for a fun gift for someone who likes classical music, pick this one!"
"In less than a week, my kids could name all the pieces, who they were composed by, and had all the words memorized."
"The words are catchy to each song and they walk around the house singing them all day."
Best Tenor Voices
Jonathan Antoine's solo debut, "Tenore," follows the success he achieved with former singing partner, Charlotte Jaconelli, which includes a top 10 debut on the Billboard Classical Crossover chart and over 200,000 albums sold worldwide. "Tenore" is the result of combined natural talent and strong work ethic; it is our first taste of Jonathan Antoine s potential as he begins his promising solo career.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I believe this young man will be opera's greatest ambassador."
"It has taken me a few days longer than normal to write this review for no other reason than I fear I will not have the words to do this incredible album and this brilliant tenor the justice deserved. The tour de force of Tenore will have you experiencing heights of great joy and haunting sorrow. Jonathan instinctively knows when the "telling of the story" requires power and intensity or should be sweetly gentle."
"It's mature and sophisticated well beyond his 19 years, extremely powerful, gorgeously beautiful, exquisitely tender, heartwrenchingly emotional."
"Someday though I am hoping to watch him as an opera singer in opera houses."
"Plan to be mezmoized by his powerful voice and in awe of how he has complete control of those long wonderful notes and the levels he reaches so effortlessly."
"I was mesmerized by his voice, and probably watched his audition video 50 times or more."
"This is a beautiful album which deserves it's place at #1 in UK Classical Charts - Jonathan now holds the official record at 19 years of age for achieving this!!!"
"The beauty and passion displayed in each track by this young man defy description.He sings so effortlessly. The only thing better than hearing TENORE on CD or download, would be to see JONATHAN ANTOINE in person."
Best Pavanes
The Piano Guys have become a YouTube sensation with their clever and inspiring takes on popular music and creative videos that accompany them. Their debut album on Sony Masterworks includes songs featured in their hit videos, including their latest viral smash, a distinctive take on One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful." The deluxe release of their self-titled 2012 album, with 3 bonus tracks plus an accompanying DVD containing 8 of their most popular music videos.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is excellent music to work by, especially if you work with words. There's not much singing, the music is uplifting without being exhausting (Hans Zimmer soundtracks, I'm looking at you here), it's like a mental massage while you work."
"I can't remember who first introduced me to The Piano Guys, but I saw them first on YouTube."
"We really enjoy listening to these two musical geniuses."
"I love the upbeat quality of some of my favorite classical pieces blended with more contemporary music."
"Lest that makes them sound stuffy, it was precisely because they were so completely different from anything I'd heard before that I wanted to know if I was really hearing them accurately. My favorite piece involves a topless piano so they can pluck the strings, play percussion with their hands on the side of the piano from the inside, carry a beat by lightly hitting the keyboard cover to the full-up position in rhythm to, yes, someone actually playing the keys on the keyboard."
"Their sound is. deep, soulful, and expressive, which only comes from truly gifted and trained artists."
"Whatever, "Piano Guys" is at least as much "Cello Guys" as piano."
"This album is a good value for your money."
Best Virelais
The second Gothic Voices recording was something of a milestone: the first recording of 14-century music performed by voices alone.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Guillaume de Machaut wrote some of the finest medieval music I've ever heard. Some of the tracks such as "Foy Porter," and "Tuit Mi Penser" are monophonic; that is to say that only one voice is present, sometimes male, sometimes female. These monophonic songs are extrememly pretty; they have very pleasing and interesting melodies and rhythms -- just as sophisticated as anything one might hear in later periods, but different in style both compositionally and in terms of performance. The range of pitches is pretty wide, yet even the higher registers are smooth and natural, not overwhelming or grating like some opera sopranos can be at times. There are four- and five-part harmonies that are out of this world, mixing male and female voices in a manner one might describe as an otherworldly, Francophonic, medieval barber shop quartet/quintet."
"Wonderful material, intelligently presented, sung by gorgeous voices with perfect pitch control."
"Results: both good, but "The Mirror" is more intense, more passionate, and more artful in articulating the hockets and other effects of Ars Nova heterophony."
"This is a fabulous example of medieval a capella singing."
"The poetry is beautiful in itself."
Best Classical Variations
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in The Universe, the 1st 2-CD set in the & Most Relaxing, series features some of the most well known classical pieces of all time, including Canon in D, Clair De Lune, Fur Elise, Ave Marie, Moonlight Sonata, Adagio for Strings, Greensleeves, and More!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This collection of Classical music is superb."
"I am new to classical music but i must say this cd is fantastic."
"I love listening to this on the speake's of our travel trailer."
"Very good for relaxing."
"Added this to my collection of relaxing music to fall asleep to."
"great music, very soothing."
Best Tangos
While the result isn't your essential Piazzolla album (that would have to include more of the composer's own playing), it's an atmospheric and convincing collection, perhaps a good introduction for those who don't know the music.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have better sounding CD's from Yo Yo Ma."
"After reading "The Gods of Tango" I decided to learn more about the music that was so much a part of the novel."
"Beautiful soulful music to listen to, love it."
"La delicadeza de la interpretacion y los arreglos de YO-YO-MA, es sinigual."
"The first song on this CD superbly captures the Argentina tango."
"What can you say about a musical icon, fantastic."
Best Lieder
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Once again I can enjoy the beautiful music of days gone by."
"This CD captures the real Trapp family and their love for good pure music."
"I never actually heard this CD as it was a gift to my granddaughter at the time of her appearance in the stage play, "The Sound of Music" but she loved the CD."
"Many of us were unfamiliar with the Trapp Family Singers until Rodgers and Hammerstein produced "The Sound of Music," first on Broadway in 1959 and then in the beloved motion picture version in 1965. Nevertheless, Maria had a hand in creating a wonderful singing group that still delights us via these vintage recordings."
"The original von Trapp Family's twenty years of touring and performing internationally had finished, and Maria Augusta von Trapp had written their story in three books and begun several decades of missionary work in New Guinea by the time "The Sound of Music" hit Broadway, and Julie Andrews later sang about her favorite things in a top-earning film. I don't know if the original von Trapp Family benefitted from show and film royalties; they certainly deserved to, for they worked very hard perfecting, under their conductor Dr Franz Wasner, their natural ensemble and music-making talents."
"But the final result is very pleasant, excellent to listen in the car while you're driving in the countryside (before lunch, of course)."
Best Voices
Jonathan Antoine's solo debut, "Tenore," follows the success he achieved with former singing partner, Charlotte Jaconelli, which includes a top 10 debut on the Billboard Classical Crossover chart and over 200,000 albums sold worldwide. "Tenore" is the result of combined natural talent and strong work ethic; it is our first taste of Jonathan Antoine s potential as he begins his promising solo career.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I believe this young man will be opera's greatest ambassador."
"It has taken me a few days longer than normal to write this review for no other reason than I fear I will not have the words to do this incredible album and this brilliant tenor the justice deserved. The tour de force of Tenore will have you experiencing heights of great joy and haunting sorrow. Jonathan instinctively knows when the "telling of the story" requires power and intensity or should be sweetly gentle."
"It's mature and sophisticated well beyond his 19 years, extremely powerful, gorgeously beautiful, exquisitely tender, heartwrenchingly emotional."
"Someday though I am hoping to watch him as an opera singer in opera houses."
"Plan to be mezmoized by his powerful voice and in awe of how he has complete control of those long wonderful notes and the levels he reaches so effortlessly."
"I was mesmerized by his voice, and probably watched his audition video 50 times or more."
"This is a beautiful album which deserves it's place at #1 in UK Classical Charts - Jonathan now holds the official record at 19 years of age for achieving this!!!"
"The beauty and passion displayed in each track by this young man defy description.He sings so effortlessly. The only thing better than hearing TENORE on CD or download, would be to see JONATHAN ANTOINE in person."
Best Madrigals
Morten Lauridsen : Lux aeterna.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I can't pronounce the title, I often find churchy choral music quite boring or pompous, but I accidentally stumbled across a PBS broadcast about the composer, and as I watched I thought "This man loves what he's doing, is deeply inspired, and seems unpretentious and cool.""
"This is my go to music when I am experiencing anxiety or turmoil, or when I just need a spiritual boost."
"I'm not a fan of choral music ordinarily but this is a must buy."
"one of the most hauntingly beautiful cds I have ever heard."
"A friend sent me a cd of Lux Aeterna ..I had no idea what to expect.."
"A powerful, haunting CD of superb music by Lauridsen."
"Lux Aeterna is the best album ever..."
"Beautiful music to calm the soul..."
Best Sarabande
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If they can now be found, I actually prefer the later re-makes from the 1990s by de Leeuw of Satie's early works Piano Music [3 CD/DVD Box Set] -- they are played for the most part at marginally faster tempi, and I like the sound better (there are other reviewers that report audio short comings. These later versions are also paired with some of Satie's songs from an earlier LP, and a DVD of an artsy Satie film from the early 90s, which has a sound track also played by de Leeuw (alas, I believe this 4-disc set is very long out-of-print, find it if you can). For Satie played at just the right pace, the "golden mean" perhaps, one may wish to check out the work of Håkon Austbø Satie: Gymnopédies, Gnossiennes, who also tends to play rather slow, but not in the shocking manner of de Leeuw."
"These renditions are played incredibly slowly--that is the key feature of this recording, and if a listener is used to how these pieces are generally played, they may find the slow pace disconcerting."
"Compelling performances of the gymnopedies AND the much less known Gnostic fantasies."
"I feel de Leuuw's interpretation of Satie to be the most beautiful and satisfying."
"Very good recording if you like the style of the artist."
"Mr. de Leeuw's slow, spacious interpretations have caused some controversy."
"The best Gymnopdies and Gnossiennes performance."
"This is the man that brought real basic dark music to the piano."
Best Classical Tone Poems
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in The Universe, the 1st 2-CD set in the & Most Relaxing, series features some of the most well known classical pieces of all time, including Canon in D, Clair De Lune, Fur Elise, Ave Marie, Moonlight Sonata, Adagio for Strings, Greensleeves, and More!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This collection of Classical music is superb."
"I am new to classical music but i must say this cd is fantastic."
"I love listening to this on the speake's of our travel trailer."
"Very good for relaxing."
"Added this to my collection of relaxing music to fall asleep to."
"great music, very soothing."
Best Magnificats
The listener will be both comfortable with and surprised by the changes he's made: his essential style/approach and the beauty of the music remain constant, but Pärt is no whispering new-age poster boy. The performances, by Paul Hillier, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and organist Christopher Bowers-Broadbent, do Pärt's ethereal, still, but ever-moving music absolute justice, and the recorded sound is crystal clear.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Exceptional recording."
"exquisitely beautiful and sacred!"
"The music is so pure and heavenly."
"The chamber choir is superb and Salve Regina is 12 minutes of heaven."
"CONCERNING PART'S MUSIC: IS IT THAT THE MUSIC'S RELIGIOUS ESSENCE CONTENT,TOUCH AND CONSOLE US? This collection of shorter sacred works by Arvo Part(b.1935)includes some of his newest works as well as a sprinkling of works from earlier in his career. While some of the newer pieces demonstrate a more colorful and nuanced approach to the setting of texts to music, the influence of early music on his style is a constant presence and returns with renewed strength in these recent compositions. Among the most recent works, the title track 'DA PACEM DOMINE'(Give us peace in our time)2004, is as near-perfect an evocation of text as the composer has ever achieved, and as is usual with Part he does this via more subtle techniques. The first of Part's "TWO SLAVONIC PSALMS" 1984 which is 'Psalm 117' includes an almost dance-like rhythm that is quite untypical of Part's music."
"Truly, the choir, direction, venue, and engineering of this recording lead to some exceptional sounds."
"Nevertheless, this album of vocal music -- Da Pacem -- is perhaps my second favorite Part album of all time. Nine slow tracks of vocal other-wordliness."
Best Ecossaises
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My 8 yr old son LOVES these."
"This was a gift and the recipient was delighted to receive it; she had a very happy day and plays it often."
"We have this set, as well as volume 1."
"The CDs arrived promptly, and my niece loves them!"
"a must have for long car rides... great stories about composers and their music for the family."
"bought as a gift for nephew's family."
"My son listens to these over and over since he was 5 and he is now 13. if you pic any classical children's cds, pick these!!!"