Best Passions
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I plan to buy more classical choral music as I used to sing with the choral affiliates of the Indianapolis and the Detroit Symphonies."
"CD Arrived Timely and Nicely Packaged!"
"I have admired Robert Shaw and I love Choral arrangements."
"Anyone who pursues the art of choral excellence - and with it a representation of the masterpieces will want and enjoy this CD."
"I like knowing that music I have hunted for can be found at Amazon."
"As usual, the articulation of words is such that you can hear them clearly, even sung by a large chorus."
"Robert Shaw (1916-1999) founded his Chorale in 1948 in New York City."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The Monteverdi Choir, and the various soloists, including the accompaniment by The English Baroque Soloists (EBS), under the direction of John Eliot Gardiner, does an excellent job of presenting Bach’s St. John Passion."
"This is indisputably a deeply moving Passion setting, less famous than the St. Matthew's by the same composer, but still worthy to be part of your life."
"This was the first ever recording of the St. John Passion I heard in my life----I borrowed this same album from some family friends back in the early 2000's."
"The crisp quality and depth of interpretation more than met my expectations."
"Beautiful and creative genius captured in quality recording."
"Who doesn't like Bach?"
"Superb in every aspect."
"It is an important performance that must be left to future generations."
To celebrate its 50th Anniversay, harmonia mundi presents 50 masterworks in the development of Western classical music, performed by undisputed masters in their field. Whether you are an inquisitive novice or a discerning connoisseur, you will be thrilled to experience the sonic triumphs of the world's most innovative independent label. This imaginative collection offers exceprts from some of the label's most memorable albums, featuring such artists as William Christie, Isabelle Faust, Rene Jacobs, and Andrew Manze. ". Anonymous 4, Alfred Deller, Andrew Manze, Rene Jacobs, and Phillippe Herreweghe among them, this is a special treat.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I sat on the fence for a long time before purchasing this Harmonia Mundi 50th anniversary box set. The works themselves range from those you have probably heard, or know to some extant (Bach / Matthew'sPassion, Art of Fugue, Chopin Ballads, Schubert Sonata D960, Fantasy in C etc) to those you are probably not as familiar with (Purcell/ King Arthur) to those that are completely unfamiliar (Keiser / Croesus). Herreweghe's first recording of Matthew's Passion was a gorgeous, soulful interpretation of this masterwork that has me seeking out his other performances. Fretwork's interpretation of the Art of Fugue was nothing but delightful, and complements the versions on the shelf featuring piano, string quartet and organ (you know who) without replacing them."
"No matter where you live, Amazon UK is offering this superb boxset at an unbeatable price (the original European retail)."
"Imagine my good fortune, and surprise, when this arrievd at my house! I have been picking out and listening to CDs that immediately appealed to me, either because of the composer, or the orchestra/artist playing it, or the venue where it was recorded (there are several CDs that have a Belgian connection, and I am from Belgium originally)."
"I have been thoroughly surprised to enjoy 98% of the music on the 30 CDs."
"Wonderfully varied selection of works, a treasure trove - everyone will discover something new, about 90% was new to me."
"I have found this interesting and informative."
Best Masses
Its hauntingly simple and hypnotic sound has attracted many followers, and Universal is determined to find the real masters of this music to perform a 21st Century version. "the musical structure of chanting can have a significant and positive physiological impact ... studies also demonstrate that such practices have been shown to lower blood pressure, increase levels of the performance hormone DHEA as well as reducing anxiety and depression." "It's a pretty safe bet that very few of Universal Music's recent signings count Pope Benedict XVI among their fans.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Latin Prayers never die instead it lives for forever through the hearts of the Catholic Faith..........."
"So relaxing and before bedtime or during prayer."
"I use t his to relax to and it is perfect."
"Great Music for mediation."
Best Psalms
This album features more than 24 excerpts of Mozart's most important and engaging works including Symphony #1, Clarinet Quintet, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, plus excerpts from Mozart's most famous operas including Figaro, Don Giovanni and the Magic Flute.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Each uses a slightly different style like the Tchaikovsky is an action filled radio play that feels like you are watching a movie with your ears. Some are like listening to a play as it's being acted out and others, like Bach are like a dream sequence of a girl being visited by Bach because she loathes practicing piano so much and Bach encourages her and tell her his story. All the while the music of each composer is expertly crafted into the story."
"We have been doing it for a while, so it is mesmerizing to see how they react when we start playing "Mozart's magnificent Voyage"."
"This is another beautiful Classical Kids production, in which Mozart's son and friends go on an imaginary journey through time and space to gain a new appreciation of his superstar father."
"My daughter and other friends who ride in the carpool are mesmerized by the story and have really developed an appreciation and ear for the music and can even tell Mozart's music apart from Beethoven, etc."
"Wanted her to know the great music for which the instrument is known."
"My four year old grandson really likes this and the Bach one also."
"My six year old daughter has listened to these various titles since she was three and has a love for classical music and can even recognize compositions."
"This series of CD's have captivated my children on many car trips over the last 7 years."
Best Hymns
No Description Available. No Track Information Available Media Type: CD Artist: PHILADELPHIA BRASS ENSEMBLE Title: FESTIVAL OF CAROLS IN BRASS Street Release Date: 09/29/1986. Domestic Genre: CLASSICAL ARTISTS.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"No bellowing opera baritones, no screeching sopranoes, no "pop" or "country performers who can't sing, just quietly flowing, joyful, peaceful y reverent Christmas favorites."
"Especially love brass Christmas music."
"In case it's not obvious: This is a recording of instrumental Christmas music arranged for brass instruments and played by a fantastic ensemble."
"This album has always been in my Christmas music rotation and I"m just thankful that I found a replacement CD for one that I lost in my last move for some strange reason so I can continue on with this tradition..."
"I had been thinking about purchasing one copy of this CD for my car, but when the price dropped so low, I just went ahead about bought 4 copies, one for me and 3 extras for friends and family."
"This was an LP that my family played long ago."
"This is my favorite Christmas CD."
"The cd is basic Christmas brass , I was hoping for more variations on the melodies but could not listen to samples before I bought it."
Best Noels
At times, the analog synthesizers used in this 1984 recording sound dated and a little cheesy, particularly on "Deck the Halls" and "Good King Wenceslas." As pleasant and soothing as a Willard Scott birthday wish, Christmas does offer one selection that truly merits "classic" status: the reverent, prayerful, slow-motion interpretation of "Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht") for piano and strings that closes the album--a beautiful and heart-touching work.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"arrived faster than expected and is perhaps my favorite manheim steamroller album played all the way through with out any notice of scratches as well."
"love all mannheim steamroller."
"Great music , but I should have looked at what the songs were."
"My favorite Christmas cd!"
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 Te Deum
Though these pieces are typical of Pärt's style, they seem less bleak than those on previous discs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love the Arvo."
"The booklet accompanying the CD carries a generous set of black & whites from the sessions, and the atmosphere and richness of the background come through of the photographs, which show Part collaborating with the Tonu Kaljuste and the performers. When I first heard the Te Deum, it immediately struck me as an exceptional contemporary piece, sprawling and ambitious, rising very gradually from the depths of silence – a full 15 seconds passes before the music becomes audible -- to a climax and then fading away into sacred oblivion. There are monophonic antiphons interspersed among ensemble sections, including a refrain high up in the women’s voices that may be the Te Deum’s signature theme. I found this to be an attractive and easy to listen to work but, based on my many experiences with contemporary music, also a fairly ordinary one, without any of the distinctive ardor of Part’s other pieces. I think of Part’s style as a floating admixture of minimalism, archaic references to ancient music and a fervent mystical Christianity."
"Part's work creates a bridge between Gregorian chant in a monastery and Prokofiev."
"04-21-2015 This ECM CD contains four orchestral works by the contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Part. The Tallinn Chamber orchestra and the Estonian Philharmonic Choir perform, led by Tonu Kaljuste. The total disk time runs a healthy 65:27. ARTISTC IMPRESSIONS AND IDEAS. Shortly after graduating from Indiana University as a Nuclear medicine Technologist, I accepted an offer over the phone to practice in San Jose, for a generous amount of cash, took it and moved my gang West from Chicago. My advise is this------Buy this CD and simply listen to it, closely, and try, very hard not to let your mind wander, but take note of the structure, form and effect of the composer's skills. I feel comfortable saying this, because I am a VERY careful collector, no longer wooed by the "new," "unique and austere voice" that simply MUST he heard."
Best Sacred & Religious Voluntaries Music
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love this thing...this and also the Brilliant Classics Corellil box set...I am going to stick with Brilliant Classics in the future."
"It's OK. Nicely packaged."
"nice to have this compilation in one set-."
"These are very well recorded and thoughtful performances."
"Did not to much about the composer."
"All of it displays Purcell's melodic gift and inventive harmony and there's nothing in any of the seven discs that smacks of filler; it's a treasure trove of great music which will give you pleasure for many years. They play on violins, violas and violas da gamba rather than viols, and I miss the wonderful sound on Fretwork's superb disc of these pieces Purcell the Complete Fantazias & in Nomines, but the playing is excellent and, on these instruments, I have no complaint about the performance whatever."
"Purcell (like Correlli) is often overlooked when folks start looking for Baroque and/or Chamber music."
"Not all is harpsichord, the first four discs are sonatas with violin, violas, bass, and continuo. The completeness, sound, and, price of this set combined together guided me give this the 5 star rating."