Karajan Intermezzo

1. Les Contes d'Hoffmann, opera in 4 acts Barcarolle
Composed by Jacques Offenbach
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

2. Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun), for orchestra, L. 86
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Karlheinz Zoeller
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

3. Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major ("Eine kleine Nachtmusik"), K. 525 Romanza
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

4. Notre Dame, opera Intermezzo
Composed by Franz Schmidt
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

5. Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique", Op.74 Adagio
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

6. Suor Angelica, opera Intermezzo
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

7. Water Music Suite, No.1 for orchestra in F major, HWV 348 Air
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

8. Carmen, opera, overtures & intermezzi for orchestra Act 3: Intermezzo
Composed by Georges Bizet
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

9. La Traviata, opera Act 3: Prelude
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

10. Symphony No. 41 in C major ("Jupiter"), K. 551 Andante Cantabile
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

11. Valse Triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1 Valse Triste
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

12. Hänsel und Gretel, opera Overture
Composed by Engelbert Humperdinck
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

13. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Allegretto Grazioso
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

14. Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64 Andante Cantabile
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

15. The Swan of Tuonela, tone poem for orchestra (Lemminkäinen Suite No. 3), Op. 22/3 The Swan Of Tuonela
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Gerhard Stempnik
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

16. Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D. 485 Andante
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

17. La Mer (3), symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109 No 2, Jeux de Vagues
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

18. Symphony No. 9 in E minor ("From the New World," first published as No. 5), B. 178 (Op. 95) Largo
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

19. Pini di Roma (The Pines of Rome), symphonic poem, P. 141 Pines of the Catacombs
Composed by Ottorino Respighi
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

20. Manon Lescaut, opera Act 3: Intermezzo
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

Tracks:

Carmen: Act 1: Prld - LPO/Sir Georg Solti
La Traviata: Brindisi: Libiamo, Ne'lieti Calici - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Luciano Pavarotti
Lakme: Flower Duet: Dome Epais Le Jasmin - Joan Sutherland/Jane Berbie
Fedora: Amor Ti Vieta - Jussi Bjorling
Carmen: Habanera: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Tatiana Troyanos/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis
Nabucco: Chor Of The Hebrew Slaves: Va Pensiero - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hills
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Dove Sono - Kiri Te Kanawa
Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
Lohengrin: Bridal Chor: Treulich Gefuhrt Ziehet Dahin - Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor/Walter Hagen-Groll
Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Renata Tebaldi
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Leo Nucci
La Wally: Ebben?... Ne Andro Lontana - Angela Gheorghiu
Madama Butterfly: Humming Chor - Wiener Staatsopernchor/Norbert Balatsch
Carmen: Flower Song: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Placido Domingo
Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Barcarolle: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Joan Sutherland/Huguette Tourangeau/Chor De La Radio Suisse Romande, Pro Arte De Lausanne Et Du...
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di - Mirella Freni
Les Pecheurs De Perles: C'est Toi... Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Gregory Cross/Gino Quilico

Tracks:

Die Walkure: The Ride Of The Valkyries - Wiener Phil/Solti
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete - Cecilia Bartoli
Pagliacci: Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba - Luciano Pavarotti
La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti/Roland Panerai
Il Trovatore: Anvil Chor: Vedi! Le Fosche - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hillis
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai - Jose Carreras
Don Giovanni: La Ci Darem La Mano - Lucia Popp/Tom Krause
Mattinata - Andrea Bocelli
Faust: Soldiers' Chor - Ambrosian Opr Chor/John McCarthy
L'elisir D'amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Roberto Alagna
Turandot: Signore, Ascolta! - Montserrat Caballe
Don Giovanni: Champagne Aria: Finch'han Dal Vino - Bryn Terfel
Cosi Fan Tutte: Trio: Soave Sia Il Vento - Renee Fleming/Anne Sofie Von Otter/Michele Pertusi
Il Trovatore: Di Quella Pira - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
Tosca: Vissi D'arte - Kiri Te Kanawa
Carmen: Toreador Song - Jose Van Dam/Tatiana Troyanos/Norma Burrowes/Jane Berbie/Thomas Allen/Pierre Thau/John Alldis...
Madama Butterfly: Love Duet: Vogliatemi Bene - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Nat PO/Gianandrea Gavazzeni
Rusalka: O Silver Moon - Renee Fleming
La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - Angela Gheorghiu
Turandot: Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis

Amazon.com

The labels that are now gathered under the Universal Classics umbrella have a pretty impressive scorecard in the area of classical compilations. We've seen The Greatest Opera Show on Earth, The Yellow Guide: Classical Music, Best of the Millennium, and now there's The No. 1 Opera Album. But that's no surprise, since Universal has some of the finest interpreters in its catalogue to draw from. This two-CD set (at the price of one), for example, brings together the likes of Cecilia Bartoli, Renée Fleming, Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Georg Solti, Herbert von Karajan, and many more. Yet the other key to a successful compilation is canny anthologizing, and here again, you have a nice selection to give you a smattering of opera's heavyweights from the Italian, German, and French repertory (there's even a step outside the standard framework with an aria from Dvorák's lovely Rusalka). Ranging from 1959 to 1997, the choices from back catalogue will doubtless be the entry ticket for many into this grandest of the arts. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

The beautiful gift of opera..........2007-07-17

This 2-CD set is absolutely wonderful! You can close your eyes and feel like you're actually at the opera, listening to those beautiful voices bringing tears to your eyes. Nessun Dorma still stirs up emotions in me, no matter how many times I hear it. Great examples of opera to give someone wanting to get interested in this style of music.

Pretty darn good.......2007-07-04

This CD set has a lot of familiar music on it, so if you're a newbie, you might want to try starting with this. There are some great pieces on the first CD. I usually don't even make it to the second.

The Opera #1 Opera Album.......2007-06-07

The music is wonderful. The production is terrible!! The sound fades in and out and is very scratchy in some places.

Excellent assortment.......2007-05-12

I'm not a big opera fan but I wanted to expose an assorted selection for my kids. This was perfect since it included several recognizable selections.

Great Selections.......2007-03-31

This Cd, has the very best of Opera
covering mainly from the classcal
to the to the romantic periods, a most
memorable selection here is Leo Nucci
in a lagendary performance of Rossini's
"Largo al Factotum" from "Il Barbiere di Seviglia"
also Andrea Bocelli in his performance of Leoncavallo's
memorable "Matinatta" here in an orchestrated version.
Indeed some of opera's most loved arias are in this recording
various conductors, orchestras, and soloists. All in their
very best. Indeed a five-star recording...

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana / Herbert von Karajan

Average customer rating:

Makes a Masterpiece out of Cavalleria
Beautiful opera, but recording volume too extreme...
Wonderful...look no further
wangerian verismo
The Best Cavalleria Rusticana Recording Ever!

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana / Herbert von Karajan

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Leoncavallo: Pagliacci
Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana
Verdi:Otello
Beethoven: Fidelio
Verdi - Don Carlo / Domingo · Caballé · Raimondi · Milnes · Verrett · Estes · Giulini

ASIN: B000031WYP
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

Cavalleria Rusticana: Preludio - Siciliana
Cavalleria Rusticana: O Lola ch'hai di latti la cammisa
Cavalleria Rusticana: Tempo I
Cavalleria Rusticana: Allegro giocoso
Cavalleria Rusticana: Gli aranci olezzano
Cavalleria Rusticana: Largo
Cavalleria Rusticana: Dite, mamma Lucia...
Cavalleria Rusticana: Il cavallo scalpita
Cavalleria Rusticana: Beato voi, compar Alfio
Cavalleria Rusticana: Regina coeli laetare
Cavalleria Rusticana: Inneggiamo
Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo saoete, o mamma
Cavalleria Rusticana: Tu qui, Santuzza?
Cavalleria Rusticana: Fior di giaggiolo
Cavalleria Rusticana: Ah! lo vedi!
Cavalleria Rusticana: Oh! il Signore vi manda
Cavalleria Rusticana: Comare Santa
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo sinfonico
Cavalleria Rusticana: A casa, a casa
Cavalleria Rusticana: Viva il vino spumeggiante
Cavalleria Rusticana: A voi tutti salute!
Cavalleria Rusticana: Mamma, quel vino e generoso

Customer Reviews:

Makes a Masterpiece out of Cavalleria.......2006-04-22

This disc proves how important it is to choose the right cast.

Karajan's restrained, wagnerian-influenced aproach is the apropriate way to interpret this opera!
The problem lies with the execution of Karajan's(/Mascagni's? ) vision, which demands a very able tenor, with perfect italian and flexibility of a lyric tenor together with the long breath of a heldentenor.
Such a tenor was found - Carlo Bergonzi.

Another important decision is who shall sing the part of Santuzza.
I think that a dramatic soprano/mezzo is the most effective.
Mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto as Santuzza is an excellent choice.
She sings beautifully without ever yelling, crying or screaming, but still with a certain dramatic impact.
The fact that she's a mezzo and not a soprano is also an advantage, for there are many low notes which should have dramatic strength many sopranos don't posses.
Nevertheless, she has no problem with the high notes either, and she could have easily developed into a fine dramatic soprano, but then we would have lost the greatest mezzo of the century.
Still, I would love to find a recording of her portraying a wagnerian role.

The rest of the cast is good, Allegri and Martino have beautiful voices and Guelfi is an apropriately violent Alfio.
The Chorus and Orchestra of La-Scala are the best.

Is there anything more to ask for?

Beautiful opera, but recording volume too extreme..........2006-01-02

I am not a sophisitcated opera afficiando. My love of opera is limited mostly to the operas I recall my father listening to on Sunday afternoons, Madame Butterfly, Aida, Tosca, and Cavalleria Rusticana. Cavalleria is my favorite, but unfortunately, this recording is not.

The volume extremes make it essentially impossible to listen to and enjoy. Listening in my car (a Jaguar XJ12), if the volume is loud enough to hear the softer portions, then when the louder portions arrive, I'm nearly scared into having an accident. I think my point is important to consider because nowadays about the only place you can listen to opera is in a car.

I'm online now to buy a different recording.

Wonderful...look no further.......2004-12-10

I think the story of this famous opera needs no telling. It is very accessible and very exciting....and it's short. All in all, a brilliant package.

The singers, however, are paired with one of my favourite conductors of all time. Herbert von Karajan has been criticised for making his music "too beautiful". Well, for me there can be no such thing. His conducting here is typically sensitive and his devotion to the singers was just pure genius. The chorus is excellent and their hymn with Santuzza goes the full way in making the audience sympathetic to the circumstances leading to her drastic actions.

So we come to Santuzza. Fiorenza Cossotto is one of those singers who give it her all. You hear it in her voice. She can rise, soar and float her notes like a warm current as well as stop your world with her chest register. Naturally, she excels in both mezzo and soprano roles. Not to eclipse her esteemed art, I would concur that she is every bit as astounding as the great Simionato.

Allegri's Mama Lucia seems an improvement over all the others I've heard. Not a wobbly, fruity note in sight, yet not the sort of melo-drama to leave you feeling overindulged. Her "Aiutateci noi..." for example, feels genuinely 'winded'- like someone who has heard the sort of new to make her quietly sit down. To complete the female protagonists, Martino's Lola made me applaud the CD-player as if it were a live performance! There she came along, singing sweetly, only to be caught unawares...in other words, the vocal acting and singing were excellent. BUT it get's better. The exchange with Santuzza (and here Cossoto deserves even more high praise) builds to an electrifying tension that gets released in sheer genius: Martino's "Io me ne vado"! I dare you not to laugh at the cat-fight metaphor when you listen to it!!

Bergonzi has always been a reliable tenor for me...in fact, perhaps more than that. While I can't claim that he was particularly amazing, he was amazing nonetheless. His Turridu is faultless...I only wish I hadn't heard Bjorling! But these should not be reasons to under-rate a great singer. Once again, Bergonzi gives a wholly Italian and aesthetically appealing performance. Nowhere is this more apparent than the cavatina at the beginning.

Finally, Guelfi's Alfio, with his resonant, secure baritone, is simply dashing. He colours his voice superbly (e.g., "Io me ne vado").

This is for me a first choice.

wangerian verismo.......2004-07-20

this is one of the recordings that made me believe that hvk knew what he was doing. he brings out details in the music that i'd never heard in other recordings. it was a revelation. one reviewer put it well: this is a wagnerian treatment of an italian opera, the music telling the story even w/o the words. i was impressed. a first rate version of cav. highly recommended. good price, too, considering it includes the libretto.

The Best Cavalleria Rusticana Recording Ever!.......2003-10-18

This is the ultimate live recording of Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana. The audience noise doesn't even exist in the recording. Karajan's choice of casting characters is very good. The La Scala Orchestra plays excellently like both Karajan and Mascagni himself wanted. And the La Scala chorus is the same way. Carlo Bergonzi is a Beniamino Gigli-like Turiddu and really sounds excellent the whole way through, especially in "O Lola, ch'ai di latti la cammisa" or "No, No, Turiddu" or "Compar Alfio, Lo So Che il Torto e mio", or even in "Mamma, Quel Vino e Generoso". Carlo Bergonzi is the best Turiddu ever. And Fiorenza Cossotto as Santuzza is as great as Mascagni wanted Santuzza to be like. Cossotto is like no other Santuzza: One who never oversings and one who's not a "Zinka Milanov acting like Maria Callas" like singer. She sings "Turiddu mi tolse l'Onore" and "Voi lo Sapete, O Mamma" nicely. Mariagrazia Allegri sings the role of Mamma Lucia excellently and she sounds as old as Mascagni wanted the character to sound. Giangiacomo Guelfi is the loudest and greatest Alfio to cast. He's a super-villain in "Il Cavallo Scalpita" and "Ad Essi Non Perdono". This is by far the only Cavalleria Rusticana for people to get.

Average customer rating:

The Best Of Karajan At A Cheap Price! Wow!
WONDERFUL COLLECTION.........
Enchanting!
A music lover's dream

Romantic Adagio: Karajan

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Karajan: Adagio
Adagio 2
Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits

ASIN: B000001GS6
Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo sinfonico
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Romeo And Juliet: Love Theme
Les Sylphides: Nocturne
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romance
Vltava (The Moldau)
Scheherazade: The Young Prince And The Young Princess
Coppelia: Ballad
From Holberg's Time: Sarabande
Serenade For String Orchestra: Moderato
Carmen: Entr'acte III
Tristan And Isolde: Isoldes Liebestod - Wagner

Customer Reviews:

The Best Of Karajan At A Cheap Price! Wow!.......2005-08-15

Close to perfect, really, if at least one track included Beethoven's Ninth Symphony "Ode To Joy" or other Karajan-conducted slow movements from symphonies. Also if Ravel's Bolero or Debussy's La Mer were on here. This is truly an incomparable collection at the very affordable price of about 2-3 dollars. Karajan's magical interpretations of adagios are gloriously showcased. Karajan was without a doubt the greatest conductor immediately after the loss of Arturo Toscanini, who is still hailed as the number one conductor of all time. Karajan, like Toscanini, were giants of classical music, making the music such a powerful and emotional experience that it was as if they had written the pieces themselves. Karajan was so involved with the music he conducted that he was able to conduct with his eyes closed. He FELT the music and was genuinely passionate about conducting. In adagios, the more relaxed, sustained and lyrical aspects of the music is exposed as is the more graceful conducting of Karajan.

The music included here is the moving and very Italianate Intermezzo from the opera Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni. Karajan really delivers here and is a fine first track to begin with. It's followed by the elegantly-executed Barcarolle, complete with nocturnal and watery modes from the Offenbach opera, The Tales of Hoffman. The Love Theme from the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky is priceless music and Tchaikovsky really steps up the emotional impact of the work. More charming and genteel phrasing is used in the music for the ballet Les Sylphides, with music from Chopin arranged for orchestra and for the Romanza in Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

I have never heard the true "Moldau" by Smetana until I heard it here. Under Karajan's baton, the river comes alive and the journey is much more compelling. The theme for the Young Prince and Princess from Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" is simply gorgeous, full of romantic Russian-ism. Karajan takes us to the time of Holberg in Grieg's Holberg Suite in a fine interpretation of the Sarabande. Karajan conducting Dvorak's String Serenade in E major is noble. The final tracks are perhaps the most musically masterful, eventhough all the previous pieces were well-executed even if they are not bigger in scope. The Carmen music- Overture and Preludes are remarkable. Karajan is in fine form and the music is crisp, powerful and colorful. Karajan knew Carmen. How this proudly Austrian man knew how to bring out the magnetism of a French piece like Carmen is beyond me. He in fact conduced the best Carmen performances at the Salzburg Festival, the ones with Grace Bumbry and Jon Vickers in the late 60's.

Finally, the last piece is the Liebestod, the Finale from Wagner's great opera Tristan and Isolde. Now, if anything, get this cheap album for that !! You have not heard the Liebestod until you've heard it conducted by Karajan. In this recording, he is already a seasoned conductor with years of experience since his young conductor days in the 30's and 40's. Judging ffrom the cover in which his hair is white and his face is wrinkled I can discern this is a probably an 80's recording when he was in his old age (because Karajan began seriously recording for labels in the 80's most people assumed he was always white-haired). His interpretation of the Liebestod is powerful, and deeply spiritual, withou sounding affected or melodramatic. He is in full control of the music. He knew Wagner through the music. Isolde's final aria has been likened to an orgasm or to a spiritual transformation by music scholars. Karajan brings out every bit of this theory in his rendition. A young Karajan conducting the Liebestod is harder to find, but its probably preferable to go with this version since by this time he knew the Liebestod inside and out. It's breathtaking and climatic. It's the best piece of music ever and the best of Karajan's repertoire.

WONDERFUL COLLECTION................2002-03-13

THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR
MUSIC WRITTEN. HERBERT VON KARAJAN IS AT HIS USUAL BEST. THIS IS A GREAT CD TO READ BY OR JUST SIT AND LISTEN TOO. I HIGHLY
RECOMMEND IT...

Enchanting!.......2001-01-11

This is the rare CD that will appeal to newcomers and afficionados alike. For a lover of classical music, it is often annoying to hear parts of a composition played out of context from the main piece but this is alleviated by the choice of music on this disc. As the name itself indicates, the selected pieces are highly melodic slow movements from masters of the genre. The composers on this CD need no introduction and the selection is by and large superb, with only one jarring note. Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Chopin's Nocturne from Les Sylphides, Tchaikovsky's Theme from Romeo & Juliet, Korsakov's Theme from Scheherazade, Dvorak's Moderato and of course Mozart's Romance from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik are melodies that live forever and the others are not far behind, with the possible execption of Smetana's Vltava which does not quite fit in with the overall theme of the disc. The icing on the cake of course is that the performances are by none other than the Berlin Philharmonic under Karajan's baton. What more can one ask for? A perfect disc to listen to on a lazy evening or after a hard day's work. And for a newcomer to classical music, this disc is an excellent sampler that will whet the appetite for more.

A music lover's dream.......2000-04-30

The CD has all the lushness and slow tempi (adagio, of course) for which Karajan was renowned (and sometimes reviled). Every track is a gem, from the graceful ballet music of Les Sylphides to the opulent melody from Scheherazade. Particularly exquisite is the Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde. All in all, a beautiful listening experience, and highly recommended.

Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits

Average customer rating:

Classical music CD for everyone
... in a nutshell
Karajan Forever: The "Eternal" Classical Music Album
Meditation!

Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Karajan: Adagio
Famous Overtures
Albinoni: Adagio; Pachelbel: Canon
Romantic Adagio: Karajan
Karajan Conducts Grieg & Sibelius

ASIN: B00008CLNO
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Spring - Michel Schwalbe
Adagio In G Minor For Strings And Organ - Leon Spierer
Valese
Menuetto
Morning Mood
Valse Triste
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor, K. 550 (Molto Allegro)
Symphony No. 9 'From The New World' In E Minor
Intermezzo
'Carmen' Suite, Prelude I (Allegro Giocoso)
Bolero (Conclusion)
'The Sleeping Beauty', Valse
'La Traviata', Prelude To Act III
Symphony No. 3 'Organ', In C Minor (Finale) - Pierre Cochereau

Tracks:

'Also Sprach Zarathustra' (Introduction)
'Cavalleria Rusticana', Intermezzo Sinfonico - Wolfgang Meyer
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Allegro)
Swan Lake, Suite Op. 20, Scene 1 (Swan Theme) - Michel Schwalbe
An Der Schonen, Blauen Donau
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G Major (1rst Movement)
Meditation - Michel Schwalbe
Badinerie From Suite No. 2 In B Minor - Karlheinz Zoeller
Barcarolle From 'La Gaiete Parisienne'
Piano Concerto No. 1 In B Flat Minor (Ex. 1rst Movement) - Lazar Berman
Adagietto From Symphony No. 5
Symphonie Classique (Finale. Molto Vivace)
Dance Of Teh Blessed Spirits From 'Orpheus And Eurydice - Karlheinz Zoeller
Danse De La Fee Dragee
Valse Des Fleurs

Customer Reviews:

Classical music CD for everyone.......2007-01-09

A great selection. I bought one for my husband, and later the other one for my parents.
Quality, and a superb selection of masterpieces.
A must have for classical music lovers, and for everyone who wants to get introduced to classical music.

... in a nutshell.......2006-09-08

Probably the best one-volume compilation of Karajan available, with the most broad-based approachable track list currently being offered to the general enthusiast/collector. Back in the vinyl days, there were two-disc sets available like the "Karajan Super Concert" or the three-volume "Karajan Conducts" set on Angel. Some of these have been re-arranged and re-released with new or different cover art on CD too, but here is a newly remastered set just as good or better than any of those.

It also contains probably the best short essay on what Herbert von Karajan was all about by Axel Bruggemann, that I have ever read. A CD or two of the "Adagio" set by this conductor (also on DG) may be a nice supplement too, otherwise you can't really go wrong with this two-disc set at a fairly affordable price.

Karajan Forever: The "Eternal" Classical Music Album.......2005-09-26

Another fine recording of classical music, as conducted by the man considered to be the greatest conductor of the 20th century- Herbert Von Karajan, whose position as conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic made that particular orchestra unbeatable and at number one in the list of world's greatest orchestras. Karajan was involved with the Berlin Philharmonic's musical development for years, until his death in 89, before the Berlin Wall fell, an event he did not live to see. This recording has to the best of Karajan's many collected classical pieces on record. It is a perfect introduction to classical music itself and to Karajan's style. A plethora of composer and time periods- from Baroque, to Classical to Romantic- are all on here. Vivaldi's Spring opens the CD, and is followed by the melancholy and fatalistic sounding Baroque classic Albinoni Adagio in G. This is followed by Mozart's 40th symhony. The first Romantic Era symphony on here is Dvorak's famous New World Symphony, which Karajan conducts with supreme mastership. The Intermezzo from the verisimo opera Cavalleria Rusticana is on here and sounds absolutely breathtaking. The suite of Bizet's Carmen is musically intoxicating and the Bolero has never sounded hotter, except for maybe Zubin Mehta conducting it which I've heard live and know is absolutely wonderful. The famous Waltz from Tchaikovsky's ballet masterpiece Sleeping Beauty is on here as well as the Third Act Prelude to Verdi's Traviata. The final track on CD 1 is Saint Saens Organ Symphony Finale.

The second disc opens with a masterful version of the powerfully evocative Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, another Austrian composer Karajan championed. The Swan Theme from Swan Lake is on here, as well as the Viennese Waltz favorite On the Beautiful Blue Danube- something I didn't know Karajan even conducted. But being Austrian, I'm not surprised. Karajan even conducted Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus as well as other waltzes. Back to Baroque, he continues with the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by Bach and the gorgeous and somewhat gloomy Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orpheus and Eurydice by Gluck. The CD ends with the elegant and beautiful Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky's Nutracker. This is a must have for fans of classical music, as a lot of favorites are on here.

Meditation!.......2003-07-20

A veritable who's who of pieces & composers, the CDs Karajan Forever will hopefully live forever.
Herbert VonKarajan was the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 1955 until his demise in 1989. His vision & helmsmanship of this magnificent orchestra have literally changed the way a whole generation heard music.

Tracks:

Carmen: Prelude To Act One
Tosca: Vissi D'arte
Il Trovatore: Vedi! Le Fosche
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete
Rigoletto: Bella Figlia Dell'amore
Nabucco: Va Pensiero
Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee
La Wally: Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana
Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Largo Al Factorum
Verdi: Gloria All'egitto
Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babino Caro
Turandot: Nessun Dorma
Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'armor
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo
Don Giovanni: Finch'han Dal Vino
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
Turandot: Non Piangere Liu...Ah! Per L'ultima Volta!

Customer Reviews:

Great compilation but the title's a misnomer........2006-07-14

I agree that this--and Essential Opera 2--is a very good collection for opera lovers and opera beginners alike, but am afraid I can't agree that this is "essential" opera. Where is Maria Callas in the line-up? Absent Maria, any opera collection that deems itself "essential" deludes itself. Callas is as indispensable to opera as, say, Picasso is to cubism.

The misnomer is made the more stark and jarring when one sees that a contemporaneous rival, Renata Tebaldi, is given two tracks to sing and the Divina Absoluta, none. Tebaldi was Callas' rival like Clementi was Mozart's--whoever remembers the rivals now? History has judged well who the masters are. So I listen to arias in this CD--arias that Callas have incomparably performed like Tosca's Vissi d'Arte, La Wallys's Ebben Ne'andro Lontana"--to disappointment.

I'd give this disc five stars if not for Callas' omission, a fatal mistake for an opera collection that aspires to be "essential."

A great introduction to opera!.......1998-12-19

This CD is full of the most accessible works from the world of opera by some of the greatest performers. Several of the selections have been used in popular media(commercials, movies etc.)so they may be familiar. The liner notes give full details of the operas from which the pieces are selected. I find this an excellent gift for my opera-phobic friends and for children. The performances are top notch and the arrangement of pieces on the CD is well thought out.

Average customer rating:

Overtures & Intermezzi

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Intermezzo
Tango Song & Dance
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons/Tartini: The Devil's Trill

ASIN: B00005NPK4
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Tracks:

Overture
Meditation
Overture
Overture
Intermezzo
Intermezzo
Intermezzo
Intermezzo
Overture
Overture, Op.26

Average customer rating:

Famous Overtures

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Ravel, Debussy, Saint-Saëns: Orchestral Works
R. Strauss: Zarathustra; Don Juan; 4 Last Songs, etc.
Dvorak: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9; Smetana: The Moldau
Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits
Karajan Conducts Grieg & Sibelius

ASIN: B00008CLNU
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

Die Zauberflote: Overture
Allegro Con Brio
Sostenuto, Ma Non Troppo - Allegro
Adagio - Molto Vivace
Allegro Marcato, Con Molto Fuoco
Adagio Sostenuto - Allegro Con Fuoco
Allegro Moderato - Animato In Tempo
Prelude

Tracks:

Overture
Overture
Prelude
Overture
Overture
Barcarolle
Overture
Intermezzo - Der Bajazzo
Intermezzo Sinfonico - Wolfgang Meyer
Overture
Overture

Average customer rating:

glorious singing of puccini's greatest 'hits'
Opera !

Essential Puccini

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Essential Verdi
The Ultimate Puccini Collection
Essential Mozart Opera
Essential Opera
Puccini: Great Opera Arias

ASIN: B000026ESE
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

Turandot: Nessun Dorma
Tosca: Vissi D'Arte
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
Madama Butterfly: Vogliare Mi Bene (Love Duet)
La Fanciulla Del West: Minnie, Dalla Mia Casa
Madama Butterfly: Scuoti Quella Fronda (Flower Duet)
Gianni Schicchi: Firenze E Come
Suor Angelica: Senza Mamma
Manon Lescaut: Tra Voi, Belle
Turandot: In Questa Reggia
La Boheme: O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle
La Rondine: Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta
Madama Butterfly: Humming Chorus
Tosca: Recondita Armonia
Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
Tosca: Tre Sbirri (Te Deum)
La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla

Tracks:

La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
La Boheme: Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi
Madama Butterfly: Dovunque Al Mondo
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo (One Fine Day)
La Fanciulla Del West: Ch 'Ella Mi Creda Libero
La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz
Manon Lescaut: Intermezzo
Turandot: Non Piangere Liu
Turandot: Tu, Che Di Gel Sei Cinta
La Fanciulla Del West: Non Mi Defendero
La Fanciulla Del West: Laggiu Nel Soledad
Manon Lescaut: Oh, Saro La Piu Bella!
Manon Lescaut: In Quelle Trine Morbide
Manon Lescaut: Ah! Non V'Avvicinate!
Manon Lescaut: Sola, Perduta, Abbandonata
Madama Butterfly: Addio, Fiorito Asil
Turandot: Signore, Ascolta!
La Boheme: Dunque E Proprio Finita!

Customer Reviews:

glorious singing of puccini's greatest 'hits'.......2004-12-13

This compilation is a great introduction to puccini's music, It has all of puccini's most popular numbers and
the singers are some of the greatest opera stars of the
20th century. Just look at the names: Pavarotti, te kanawa Freni,caballe, Tebaldi,Corelli, Sutherland ,bergonzi,ludwig...
Leona mitchel isn't as famous as the rest but she sings her two arias beautifully.
Pavarotti's "nessun dorma" is the best!
highly recommended for opera lovers.

Opera !.......2002-12-12

Great cd the songs, music are beautiful and not to talk about the voices, is what I expected to be. It should be in all opera lovers collection

Average customer rating:

Twilight Hour

Nightmoods: Twilight Hour

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Night Tracks
Nightmoods: Moonlight
Nightmoods: Solo Journey
Morning Mood: The Soft Sounds of Grieg
Nightmoods: Winter Dreams

ASIN: B00000613Q
Release Date: 1998-04-14

Tracks:

Suite For Orchestra No. 3, BWV 1068: Air
Concerto For Lute, 2 Violins And Basso Continuo, RV 93: Largo
'The Swan': Le Carnaval des animaux
Gymnopedies No. 3
Gymnopedies No. 1
The Lark Ascending
The Planets, 'Venus The Bringer Of Peace'
Carmen-Suite, Intermezzo
Pavane, Op. 50
'Enigma' Variations 'Nimrod'
Andante Festivo For String Orchestra
Ma Mere L'Oye-5th Tableau And Apotheose

Customer Reviews:

Twilight Hour.......2006-09-14

This cd is for easy listening. Great music to listen to before going to bed. Opens the mind and relaxes the body. I also highly recommend Moonlight and Night Wanderer as an addition to this cd.