Flute Visions of the 20th Century

1. Sonata for flute & piano, Op 14
Composed by Robert Muczynski

2. Sequenza I, for flute
Composed by Luciano Berio

3. Hungarian Peasant Songs (15), for piano, Sz. 71, BB 79
Composed by Bela Bartok

4. Vision for flute & piano
Composed by Gyorgy Geszler

5. Hommage à Johann Sebastian Bach for flute
Composed by Gyorgy Kurtag

6. Sonata for flute & piano
Composed by Paul Hindemith

Tracks:

The Prayer Of St. Gregory
Elibris
Mystic Flute
Aria, Hymn & Fugue: Sympony No 46 - To The Green Mountains
Moon Lullaby: Mountain Idylls
Adagio
Give A Cat A Twig And He Takes A Tree: Sonata Fred The Cat
Aria From Haroutiun

Customer Reviews:

Visions Need Some Glasses.......2006-06-01

I must admit that I enjoyed this sampler CD introduction to the musical world of Alan Hovhaness more than the other reviewer. These are peaceful and lovely recordings and renditions of these works. It was refreshing to hear a more varied collection of Hovhaness' sound than the repetitiveness that he is often criticized for. One of the criticisms of Hovhaness was that he was trying to be like Vaughan Williams in every piece (which is not true). He had a specific spiritual "vision" that lent a characteristic sound to his music like many other composers.

My one problem with this affordable disc is that the track listing is incorrect for the pieces: Mountain Idyll and Sonata Fred the Cat (both solo piano works). They are listed as having multiple tracks (#5-7) and (#9-12) when in actuality they are on the CD in single one track movements, so the CD comes out actually having 8 tracks (1 per work sampled). For a while I thought I had the wrong CD or it was defective. Then I figured it out by putting it in my CD Rom and it displayed the actual track listing with titles through Windows Media Player.

If that glitch doesn't bother you too much, this is a nice and afforable intro to Hovhaness' music. - - Max Stoltenberg, LPC

Hovhaness needs more maturity.......2005-02-02

I was very dissapointed when I heard this album. The sound is tinny, strident, and unbalanced. I can imagine how hard it is for unfunded orchestras to make recordings, but this sounds like a scraggly bunch of pickup players who play with no soul. Hovhaness demands a fuller, burnished tone. Even worse than the poor sound quality and sketchy intonation is the lack of a sense of flexibility and nuance. The hollowness of the playing would not be so offensive if there were a feeling of expansiveness, languidness, or generousity. I can't help thinking the composer would be very saddened by this effort. I hope Mr. Clark's realizes someday that music is not something that can be hammered out like a wall street stock deal. The kind of crassness on display here is better suited to commerce or (lamentably), politics.

Average customer rating:

Orchestral Gems: Visions of England

Manufacturer: Metronome
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008HAUI
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Tracks:

Popular Song (Facade Suite) - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sad Doll (Nursery Suite, No. 4) - The London Symphony Orchestra
Merry Doll (Nursery Suite, No. 6) - The London Symphony Orchestra
Runaway Rocking Horse - Queen's Hall Light Orchestra
Voice of London - Queen's Hall Light Orchestra
Street Corner - Overture - The Philharmonia Orchestra
Coronation Scot - Queen's Hall Light Orchestra
Spitfire Prelude - Halle Orchestra
Spitfire Fugue - Halle Orchestra
London Fantasia - Sidney Torch & His Orchestra
Fantasia on Greensleeves
On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
May Song - The New Symphony Orchestra of London
Barwick Green - Queen's Hall Light Orchestra
Quiet Countryside - Queen's Hall Light Orchestra
Birdsongs at Eventide - The New Symphony Orchestra of London
Pictures in the Fire - Queen's Hall Light Orchestra
Hymn-Tune Prelude (Eventide)
Walk to the Paradise Garden - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Les Musiques de Chagall

Manufacturer: Valois
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | 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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008KH23
Release Date: 2004-03-16

Tracks:

Dona, Dona - Ami Flammer
Az Der Rebe - Ami Flammer
Rebe Elimelekh - Ami Flammer
Zilberne Khasene - Ensemble Kasbek
Di Mezinke Oysgegebn - Ensemble Kasbek
Monotonously Rings The Little Bell - Moscow Male Voice Choir
The Fog Is Coming Down - Moscow Male Voice Choir
If Only I Had Known - Lina Mkrtchyan
Cradle Song - Lina Mkrtchyan
Waltz 1 - Dmitry Yablonsky
Little Polka - Dmitry Yablonsky
Waltz 2 - Dmitry Yablonsky
Kalinka - Mixed Choir Of Sofia

Tracks:

Prayer: Andante Moderato - Peter Bruns
Simchas Torah: Allegro Giocoso - Peter Bruns
Arie Ach, Ich Fuhl's (Pamina) - Sandrine Piau
Vivace - The Rare Fruits Council
Erbarme Dich - Alison Browner
Nocturne - Kenneth Jean
I. Kaddish - Bernard Kruysen
II. L'enigme Eternelle - Bernard Kruysen
Pezzo Elegiaco - Vovka Ashkenazy
Amen Du Jugement - Reinbert De Leeuw
Prelude - Pablo Casals
Allemande - Pablo Casals
Courante - Pablo Casals
Sarabande - Pablo Casals
Menuets I And II - Pablo Casals
Gigue - Pablo Casals

Mystic: The Musical Visions Of Olivier Messiaen

Average customer rating:

Discover a divine composer for just pennies
DON'T JUDGE THIS CD BY ITS COVER
Insightful collection of sublime music
Sounds like Debussy

Mystic: The Musical Visions Of Olivier Messiaen

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001GRV
Release Date: 1996-02-13

Tracks:

Concerto For Four: 'Volcalise'
Turangalila Symphony: 'Joy Of The Blood Of The Stars'
Turangalila Symphony: 'Garden Of Love's Sleep'
Quartet For The End Of Time: 'Praise Eternity'
Illuninations Of The Beyond: 'To Remain In Love'
The Ascension: The Ascension: Movement 1
The Ascension: Movement 2: 'Majesty Of Christ...'
The Ascension: Movement 3: 'Alleluia Of The Trumpet...'
The Ascension: Movement 4: 'Prayer Of Christ...'

Customer Reviews:

Discover a divine composer for just pennies.......2006-12-05

Anyone who takes a walk down the classical aisles at any record store will notice the sheer amount of compilations produced in this genre. From opera arias to ambient mixes to the greatest hits of a particular era, there's hundreds of them. But compilations of modern composers are rare, and Deutsche Grammophon deserves praise for this disc offering samples of the ecstatic music of Olivier Messiaen. The music of this devout Roman Catholic who saw colours when he heard notes and thought birdsong was the voice of God is full of majesty and glittery effects like no other.

The selections cover the two ends of Messiaen's career. Four selections are early. "The Ascension" for orchestra is from 1932, one of the his first major pieces he ever wrote. From the "Quartet for the End of Time", the masterpiece he wrote while held by the Germans in a prisoner of war camp, we have the passionate "In Praise of the Eternity of Jesus" movement. And from the "Turangalila Symphony" of 1948, the massive composition highlighting Messiaen's interest in exotic rhythms and praising romantic love, we get the two most exhuberant movements. The compilation skips over the 50s, 60s, and 70s. From the late end of Messiaen's career we get the "Abide in Love" movement from his last full work "Illuminations of the Here-After", and the "Vocalise" movement from his "Concerto for four soloists", completed by his wife Yvonne Loriod after his death.

The orchestral works here are performed by the Orchestre de l'Opera conducted by Myung-Whun Chung. I've never been too passionate about these, preferring the Rattle recording of the "Illuminations" and the Nagano of the "Turangalila Symphony". Ditto for the "Quartet for the End of Time", here in the old Barenboim recording, for which I prefer the TASHI ensemble's performance. Still, while the material here seems second-best to this review who has built up a whole Messiaen collection, none of the performances here are poor. You'll be entertained from all. There's also an informative booklet with enlightening details on the pieces.

If you're curious about Messiaen's music, this compilation, used copies of which go for pennies, is a great way to encounter the work of this highly individual and supremely listenable composer.

DON'T JUDGE THIS CD BY ITS COVER.......2000-11-30

As averse as I am most of the time to compilations, and with good reason (e.g. Mozart's Greatest Hits, Vol. 25), this CD is a find and, if not exactly altering my opinion, does serve up a little crow for me to munch.

At first I didn't know what to make of it; I'd seen it bouncing around the library bins for weeks, its purple "presence," with the DG logo hidden discreetly at the bottom left corner, throwing me completely offguard.

"MYSTIC." That's all the cover says. I thought--- not thinking at all, actually--- "Mystic," what? Mystic Moods (for a Rainy Night)? The Mystic Moods Orchestra?

So out of obstinate curiosity, and looking for something new to hear, I pulled the "plum" from the bin... and opened it.

Egad! Messiaen! Who would have suspected? (Purple for passion, I guess.) Regardless of this rather ludicrous marketing gambit, what we have here is an otherwise intelligently-packaged collection of superb music by Messiaen (1908-1992), crowned by the glorious "L'Ascension" (Four Symphonic Meditations for Orchestra) and sprinkled by excerpted "gems" like the "Vocalise," "Garden of Love's Sleep" and "To Remain In Love." Even a die-hard, anti-compilationist (like me) cannot fail but to be moved by these--- dare I speak the word!--- MYSTICAL, serene, beautiful and devotional pieces that form the very core of the composer.

In the very kindest sense of the analogy, this CD is the musical equivalent of CLIFF NOTES (except we're not drudging through WUTHERING HEIGHTS, here). And my feeling is: For those not familiar with Messiaen, any appreciable method to enlightenment is fine, any approach valid.

This CD offers the gentlest of entrees into the sound world of Messiaen, and for this, alone, it must be enthusiastically recommended.

[Running time: 75:18]

Insightful collection of sublime music.......2000-07-17

While Messiaen's music is finding increasing interest in recording and performance, it is still sometimes difficult "break the shell" to get to the heart of it. This disk not only serves the purpose of approaching his music, but itself provides a glimpse of the broad musical landscape, extraordinary tone color and inspiration in his writing. And the performance and production are first rate. A beautiful collection of music by one of the great composers of the last century.

Sounds like Debussy.......1999-09-28

Messiaen sounds like Debussy to me. I enjoyed this album very much and it seems to be a good introduction to his work. If you like meditative classical music, give this one a try.

Average customer rating:

Flute Visions of the 20th Century

Manufacturer: Hungaroton
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000030BI
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

Son, Op.14: Allegro Deciso
Son, Op.14: Scherzo. Vivace
Son, Op.14: Andante
Son, Op.14: Allegro Con Moto
Sequenza I. - Anna Garzuly
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Chants Populaires Tristes: Rubato
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Chants Populaires Tristes: Andante
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Chants Populaires Tristes: Poco Rubato
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Chants Populaires Tristes: Andante
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Scherzo
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Ballada/Ballade
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Vieilles Dances: Allegro
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Vieilles Dances: Allegretto
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Vieilles Dances: Allegretto
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Vieilles Dances: L'istesso Tempo
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Vieilles Dances: Assai Moderato
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Vieilles Dances: Allegretto
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Vieilles Dances: Poco Piu Vivo
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Vieilles Dances: Allegro
Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs: Vieilles Dances: Allegro
Vision
Hommage A J.S.B.
Son: I. Heiter Bewegt
Son: II.Sehr Langsam
Son: III. Sehr Lebhaft-Marsch

Average customer rating:

Inspirational
Beyond Excellent
Visions Critique

Visions: Duo Nuova
Timothy McAllister , and Kevin Class
Manufacturer: Centaur
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

Scena: Contemporary Music for Saxophone

ASIN: B0000057Z7
Release Date: 1996-08-01

Tracks:

Piece en forme de Habanera
Lessons of the Sky
Lilith: The Female Demon
Lilith: Succuba
Lilith: Will-o-the Wisp
Lilith: Child Stealer
Lilith: The Night Dance
Visions Fugitives, Op.22: Lentamente
Visions Fugitives, Op.22: Con vivacita
Visions Fugitives, Op.22: Con eleganza
Visions Fugitives, Op.22: Assai moderato
Visions Fugitives, Op.22: Ridicolosamente
Visions Fugitives, Op.22: Dolente
Visions Fugitives, Op.22: Poetico
Visions Fugitives, Op.22: Comodo
Distances Within Me
Son in G: Grave
Son in G: Allegro
Son in G: Adagio
Son in G: Allegro Molto

Customer Reviews:

Inspirational.......2002-02-15

I absolutely adore this recording. The way Mr McAllister delivers the music is quite astonishing. I also like each and every single piece that he has put on this CD. I bought it for a recording of the Lennon "Distances Within Me" however, I was suprised to find out that there isn't a single track on this disc that I don't enjoy more and more everyday. As a young saxophonist, I try to stay focused on getting better and better everyday as a performer, student and as a future teacher of saxophone myself. At the risk of sounding somewhat "over inspired" I can honestly say that Mr McAllister's playing is the reason why I have decided to pursue the saxophone as a career.

In other words....
I liked it and I think you would too

Beyond Excellent.......2000-02-25

Mr. McAllister's approach to this music is innovative, virtuosic, and interesting. He not only understands the elements which are contained in this music, but feels the music that he is playing. The pieces which are so rarely recorded are indeed masterpieces for the saxophone and should be studied with great care. Mr. McAllister and Mr. Class combine to form an excellent sax/piano team and I await further recordings made by the two. This is one buy that I am very glad that I made. I would definitely recommend this CD to anyone interested in something unique and marvelous.

Visions Critique.......1999-12-16

This CD is one of the best classical CD's I have ever heard by a duo. The artistic and technical expertise is superb. These artists are magnificent and any young musician wishing to perform classical music on the saxophone must have this CD. The saxophone is severely underated when used to perform classical music and this CD shows the listener how exciting it can sound. I hope Duo Nuova records many more CD's as they have "the right stuff." They are magnificent performers and put new meaning to classical and contemporary music which is underappreciated.