19 Chansons Nouvelles

On this CD:

1. Ung gay bergier, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

2. Jehanneton fut l'aultre jour, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

3. L'espoir confus
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

4. Il estoit une fillette, chanson for 4 voices
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

5. Guillot ung jour, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

6. Secouez moy, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

7. Une belle jeune espousée, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

8. Ung jour Robin, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

9. Plus Ne Suys, chanson for 4 voices
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

10. Baisez moy tost, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

11. M'Amye A Eu de Dieu, chanson for 4 voices
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

12. Sy celle la qui oncques, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

13. Las qu'on congneust, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

14. L'Amour, la Mort et la Vie, chanson for 4 voices
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

15. O fortune n'estois tu pas contente, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

16. J'Atens le Temps, chanson for 4 voices
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

17. Va Rossignol, chanson for 4 voices
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

18. Si come il chiaro sole, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

19. Ou mettra l'on ung baiser, chanson
Composed by Clement Janequin
Performed by Veronique Dietschy, Ensemble Polyphonique de France, Jean-Claude Orliac, Michel Sanvoisin, Charles Whitfield, Xavier Tamalet

Tracks:

Le Collier
Trois Chansons De Bilitis
Trois Chansons De Bilitis
Trois Chansons De Bilitis
L'Escalier Redit, Gestes Du Soleil
Amour Oiseau D'etoile
Lua Descolorida
Priere Exaucee
La Chanson D'Eve
La Chanson D'Eve
La Chanson D'Eve
La Chanson D'Eve
La Chanson D'Eve
La Chanson D'Eve
La Chanson D'Eve
La Chanson D'Eve
La Chanson D'Eve
La Chanson D'Eve
Resurrection

Amazon.com

Dawn Upshaw here explores outstanding examples of the past century of French song, adding a brief detour into Spanish with a haunting gem by Osvaldo Golijov. The recital's centerpiece is Fauré's La Chanson d'Eve, a cycle of 10 exquisitely fashioned songs whose delicate subtlety and carefully weighed balance between light and shade are beautifully realized by Upshaw and her excellent accompanist, Gilbert Kalish, whose rippling piano in "Eau vivante" captivates. The pair also excel in the spare, mysterious "Crépuscule" (Twilight). Threaded throughout the disc are five songs by Olivier Messiaen, whose blending of spiritual faith and sensuous feeling often reaches ecstatic heights, as in the wildly virtuosic coloratura singing and keyboard demands of "Prière exaucée" (A Prayer Granted). Upshaw makes much of the sensuous close of the disc's opening song, "Le Collier," and the tenderly languorous "Amour oiseau d'étoile" (Love, Star-Bird). The elusive songs of Debussy's Chansons de Bilitis are given their full due as well, nicely set among Messiaen's more unbuttoned fervor. Upshaw fans and lovers of French song won't want to miss this. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

French songs luminously performed.......2005-09-14

OK, quibble all you want with Dawn Upshaw's French pronunciations...I'm told the French find American accents "sexy." Upshaw and Kalish bring remarkable interpretive skill to these performances. The Debussy "Chansons de Bilitis," set poems by one of the composer's best friends to music of exquisite, almost erotic playfulness. Similarly, Faure's "Chanson d'Eve" is a remarkably beautiful late work of serene detachment. I'm not a big fan of Messian's music, but Upshaw and Kalish certainly make the most of these difficult and "ecstatic" songs. All told, with the delicious Golijov song tossed in, a lush treat.

Lay me etherized upon the table...............2004-12-18

The otherworldly presentation by Dawn Upshaw and Gilbert Kalish of songs by the under appreciated spiritualist composer Olivier Messiaen in the company of other composers of luminosity songs such as Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure and the contemporary Osvaldo Golijov is one of the most unique and successful recordings to appear in a long time. Upshaw remains a clear voiced soprano who cares deeply about exploring repertoire to challenge her large audience: her recitals are never retreads of standard warhorses.

This recording is simply from another place that seduces us into a level of transcendental meditation. Not only do Upshaw and Kalish weave their expected magic with the Debussy and Faure cycles ('Chansons de Bilitis' and 'La Chanson d'Eve'), but they also evoke all of the special mysteries for voice and piano that Messiaen wrote so well. The moments of music seem to taper off into the ether of another world. And the single Olijov 'Lua descolorida' is so stunning that it leaves us wanting more.

A beautiful collection of songs, superbly performed, and beautifully recorded. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 2004

Another challenging, engaging triumph.......2004-08-30

I can't really speak to the technical side of this album.
But it is gorgeous. Yes, rather challenging material. But I think she really shows the 'link' between a 'conservative' composer like Faure and Debussy & Messaien. & the addition of the Golijov also shows his indebtedness to the French school (it's a beautiful piece in it's own right too IMO). Gilbert Kalish adds really inciteful accompaniment. If you
like her album of Debussy's FORGOTTEN SONGS, you'll love this I think. But even fans of any of her others will
like it too. One of the most thoughtful performers today-- she really has an interesting discography, & for me this is
a definite highlight.

Cecilia Bartoli - Chant d'amour (Mélodies française) / Myung-Whung Chung

Average customer rating:

my introduction to Cecilia Bartoli.....
a voice teacher and early music fan
One of my favorite Bartoli collections. Buy It!
Beautiful collection
tres bien

Cecilia Bartoli - Chant d'amour (Mélodies française) / Myung-Whung Chung
Georges Bizet , Maurice Ravel , Pauline Viardot , Hector Berlioz , Léo Delibes , Cecilia Bartoli , and Myung-Whun Chung
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Bartoli, Cecilia | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Cecilia Bartoli - A Portrait
Cecilia Bartoli - Mozart Arias

ASIN: B00000429N
Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

Chant d'amour
Ouvre ton coeur
Adieux do l'hotesse arabe
Tarentelle
La Coccinelle
Les Filles de Cadix
Hai luli!
Havanaise
Les Filles de Cadix
La Mort d'Ophe
Za
Chants populaires: I - Chanson franse
Chants populaires: II - Chanson espagnole
Chants populaires: III - Chanson italienne
Chants populaires: IV - Chanson hae
Vocalise-de (en forme de habanera)
Deux melodies Hebraiques: I - Kaddisch
Deux melodies Hebraiques: II - L'igme rnelle
Tripatos

Customer Reviews:

my introduction to Cecilia Bartoli............2007-06-05

This is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful albums of classical music I own in my collection. Cecilia Bartoli, born in Rome, Italy, in 1966, is one of the most beautiful contemporary opera singers of today (in my opinion and in the opinion of others). What makes her stand apart from other singers is her gorgeous interpretation of baroque and well known art songs. On CHANT D'AMOUR (MELODIES FRANCAISE), with Myung-Whung Chung, her pianist, Bartoli takes on some beautiful lesser known tunes by Bizet ("Chant D'Amour," as an example) and other composers. Be it more upbeat music ("Ouvre Ton Coeur") or slower love ballads ("Hai luli!"), Bartoli OWNS these songs. There is a great range of tunes, that include Arabic and Spanish inspired pieces, in the French language. I've had this album for at least fifteen years, and I still hold these songs close to my heart after all of this time.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-13

The French 'melodie'grew out of the 18th century ballad, and is the equivalent of what the Germans call 'Lied' or art song, as opposed to pop or folk. The music of the five French composers included on this recording are all quite notable in the musical world. And Bartoli has included some of my personal favoites. Just to comment on a few:

Bizet liked to use the poems of Victor Hugo in many of his songs and the one I like best is supposedly his most popular work: "Adieux de l'hotesse arabe" (The Farewell of the Arab Hostess-1866). It is an intriguing blend of persistent rhythm and novel harmonies inflected with neat dramatic touches and conveys the poignant urgency of the Arab girl's passion.

The song I enjoy the most from this album is Pauline Viardot's "Les Filles de Cadix"(The daughters of Cadiz), the libretto of which was supplied by the poet Alfred de Musset, who was very fond of her. It conveys the Spanish tang and the girls' flirtatious mockery.

There is so much to like about this album, such as the great singing of Ceclia Bartoli. Her voice is powerfully resonent when it needs to be, and yet she can lighten up when necessary, as in some of the 'wispier' French songs. I have a disc of Handel's "Rinaldo" which includes the excellent American countertenor David Daniels. It's a great recording and Bartoli can really "belt" out the Handel.

If French music is to your liking, this is indeed a good listen!!!!

One of my favorite Bartoli collections. Buy It!.......2006-06-13

'Chant D'Amour' by mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, with piano accompaniest, Myung-Yhun Chung is one of my two favorite Bartoli recordings. To be sure, her voice is every bit as marvelous and beautiful as on her collections of operatic selections or her live albums such as 'Live in Italy', but this recording, and her recording of Italian love songs has an intimacy which makes it feel as if Mme. Bartoli is singing just for me. This impression is heightened by the fact that many of her selections, such as the one by Leo Delibes and the three by Pauline Viardot are not commonly found on collections by other performers. And, her interpretations seem to have a lot of unusual effects not found in the work of other mezzos doing more Teutonic material.

As with almost all of my classical music reviews, this is based purely on my personal reaction to the performance. And, if I were to recommend an excellent first purchase of Cecilia Bartoli material, this would be it!

Beautiful collection.......2005-10-01

I heard one song from this album and decided to give it a try, and it was a great surprise for me. Great collection and Cecilia's singing is simply beautiful, without any of these strange mannerisms that sometimes show up in her performances. Her sound is still fairly breathy, but that does not detract at all from the wonderful delivery, and she is great at putting colors and different characters into her voice.
I certainly didn't think of Cecialia Bartoli as champion of the French song; I like Veronique Gens for this type of repertoire, but I was not familiar with Pauline Viardot-Garcia's songs, and I am glad that I discovered them, thanks to Cecilia. This album has many songs which were not recorded often, and it's great to see so much effort put into choosing a unique and wonderful collection like this one.
Just listen to Havanaise, which is a great introduction to this album and a real beauty in Cecilia's commited interpretation.

tres bien.......2004-12-23

Although Cecilia Bartoli has a prodigious recorded output, she nevertheless puts care into each thing she commits to disc. These French songs are no exception. Her customary technique is on wonderful display in these songs, and her musicality is impeccable. Moreover, she is a singer who can alter the tone of her voice with remarkable effectiveness, and that too comes out on this disc. Very fine stuff.

Philips and Decca Recordings, 1961-1979 (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Essential Performances from a Great & Beloved Singer

Philips and Decca Recordings, 1961-1979 (Limited Edition)
Janet Baker , John Shirley-Quirk , Graham Sheen , Johann Sebastian Bach , Ludwig van Beethoven , Hector Berlioz , Giovanni Bononcini , Benjamin Britten , Giulio Caccini , and Antonio Caldara
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | 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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Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000B0A0Q
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Customer Reviews:

Essential Performances from a Great & Beloved Singer.......2004-01-09

For those of us who grew up on Janet Baker's recordings (and were lucky enough to hear her "live" as well), the sound of her voice and her singular artstic personality - British restraint coupled with fierce emotional and spiritual commitment - are indelibly imprinted in our minds and hearts. The closest current equivalent is Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, another superb artist who has charted her own course, and not surprisingly there is some overlap of repertoire, in the music of J.S. Bach, of course, but also Berlioz's Didon and Beatrice, Handel's Ariodante and Britten's Phaedra (composed for Baker).
This wonderful compilation is complementary to EMI's 2-CD "The Very Best of Janet Baker" -- no overlap of repertoire whatsoever. Unlike that set, which focused on concert repertoire (with orchestra or piano) there's a generous sampling here of Baker's operatic roles including Handel, Mozart, Purcell, Rameau, Gluck, and Britten. Also welcome is "Phaedra," one of Britten's strongest late works. And it's good to have the Berlioz: "Cleopatre" and "Herminie" complete, the big aria from "Beatrice et Benedict." (Why EMI included nothing from her recording of the last 2 scenes of "Les Troyens" is unfathomable.) The wide time-span allows us to hear Baker's voice in all its youthful, "sappy" warmth, as well as in its artistic maturity (though truth to tell she was pretty much a complete artist from the start). There are a few signs of wear in later items, nothing serious, in fact rather less than I remembered. I could have done with fewer of the "Arie Amorose" in favor of more cuts from her Gluck LP, which I believe has never been issued complete on CD, but that's just personal preference. The focus here is entirely on orchestrally accompanied works (or, in the case of the marvelous early disc of Ravel, Chausson & Delage songs, with chamber ensemble) so for Baker the supreme interpreter of English, German and French song you'll need to go elsewhere (the EMI has a fair sampling, especially of her Schubert). But everything here is indispensible.

Average customer rating:

I waited for this for five years
Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE!
ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS
SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!
A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans

Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005R5UJ
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tracks:

Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman

Tracks:

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir

Tracks:

Oh What A Circus - David Essex
Memory - Betty Buckley
The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
With One Look - Petula Clark
You Must Love Me - Madonna
The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
No Matter What - Boyzone
The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church

Tracks:

Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
Try It And See - Rita Pavone
Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
Disillusion Me - Gary Band
The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
Magdalena - Tony Christie
Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers

Album Description

Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance

Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love

Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game

CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church

Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers

Customer Reviews:

I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30

Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.

The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.

I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.

There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."

But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.

First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.

Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?

On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?

The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).

There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.

With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?

Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.

In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.

Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10

Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.

ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.

Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.

Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:

* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.

* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.

* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.

* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.

* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.

Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.

SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19

"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.

A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21

This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!

Average customer rating:

The Very Best of Tchaikovsky

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

$9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000B6N65Y
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

Love Theme
Pezzon In Forma Di Sonatina
Waltz Of The Flowers
Cherubikon
Allegro Con Fuoco
Scene (Swan Theme)
Andante Cantabile
Valse
Adagio: Pas D'action
Chanson Triste
Finale

Tracks:

Allegro Non Troppo E Molto Maetoso/Allegro Con Spirito
Danse De La Fee
Danse Des Mirlitons
None But The Lonely Heart Op.6, No.6
Allegro Con Grazia
Nocturne Op.19, No.4
Lensky's Aria
Waltz
June/Barcarolle
1812 Overture

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Wieniawski: Virtuoso Music for Violin

Manufacturer: MD&G Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Vieuxtemps: Violin Concertos Nos. 5, 6 & 7

ASIN: B00000IJGS
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Fantaisie Brillante Op.20
Chanson Polonaise Op.12, 2
Polonaise Brillante Op.21
Dudziarz (Joueur De Cornemuse)
Legende Op.17
Obertas Op.19, 1
Scherzo-Tarantelle Op. 16
Gigue Op. 23
Romance Sans Paroles Op.9
Kujawiak
Polonaise Concertante Op.4
Sielanka Op.12, 1

Offenbach - Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Alagna, van Dam, Dessay, Vaduva, Jo, Lascarro, Dubosc, Ragon, Sénéchal, Bacquier, Lamprecht, Nagano

Average customer rating:

Not a flawless version, but one to be REALLY loved
The best of a mediocre-to-bad lot
Hoffman contines to elude the recording world
Excellent but not definitive
O Dieu, de quelle ivresse embrasse-tu mon âme?

Offenbach - Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Alagna, van Dam, Dessay, Vaduva, Jo, Lascarro, Dubosc, Ragon, Sénéchal, Bacquier, Lamprecht, Nagano
Jacques Offenbach , Roberto Alagna , Natalie Dessay , Kent Nagano , Choeur et Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon , Leontina Vaduva , Sumi Jo , José van Dam , Catherine Dubosc , Gilles Ragon , Gabriel Bacquier , Doris Lamprecht , and Juanita Lascarro
Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rossini - Guillaume Tell / Bacquier, Caballé, Gedda, Mesplé, Kovacs, Howell, RPO, Gardelli
Russian Album

ASIN: B000005E4D
Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Prelude - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Act 1, Scene 1: Glou! Glou! - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets de la muse: La verite, dit-on, sortait d'un puits - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Elle est sur la scene, un peuple l'acclame - La Muse - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 2: Le conseiller Lindorf, morbleu! - Lindorf, Andres - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 3: Vayons? Pour Hoffmann! - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets: Dans les roles d'amoureux - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Deux heures devant moi - Scene 4: Vite, vite, qu'on se remue! - Lindorf, Luther - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 5: Choeur des Etudiants - Drig, drig - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Vrai Dieu! Mes amis - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Eh! Luther! Ma grosse tonne - Lindorf, Luther, Nathanael, Hermann, Wolfram, Wilhelm - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 6: Bonjour, amis! - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets and Andante: Va pour Kleinzach! - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Peuh! Cette biere est detestable! - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Duo: Et par ou votre Diablerie - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Simple echange de politesse - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Je vous dis, moi - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ma maitresse? - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Final: Messieurs, on va lever le rideau! - Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Lindorf, Luther, Nathanael, Hermann, Wolfram, Wilhelm - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Act 2: Entracte - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 1: La! Dors en paix - Spalanzani - Scene 2: Ah! Bonjour! Enchacte! - Spalanzani, Hoffmann - Scene 3: Fais allumer partout! - Spalanzani, Cochenille - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 4: Allons! Courage et confiance! - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Pardieu! J'etais bien sur - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets: Une poupee aux yeux d'email - Nicklausse, Hoffmann - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 5: C'est moi, Coppelius! - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Je me nomme Coppelius - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: J'ai deux jeux, de beaux yeux - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Serviteur - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Ange du ciel, est-ce bien toi? - Nicklausse, Hoffmann, Coppelius - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 6: Hein! Vous! - Hoffmann, Coppelius, Spalanzani - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 7: Choeur des Invites: Non aucun hote vraiment - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Vous serez satisfaits, messieurs - Hoffmann, Spalanzani, Nicklausse - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 8: Mesdames et Messieurs - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Mesdames et Meisseurs, fiere de vos bravos - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Air: Les oiseaux dans la charmille - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Mon ami! Quel accent! - Hoffmann, Spalanzani, Nicklausse, Olympia, Cochenille - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 9: Ils se sont eloignes! Enfin! - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Vivre deux! - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Tu me fuis? - Hoffmann, Olympia - Scene 10: Eh! morbleu! modere ton zele! - Hoffmann, Nicklausse - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 11: Voleur! Brigand! Quelle deroute! - Coppelius - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 12: En place les danseurs - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Voila! Assez, assez, ma fille - Kent Nagano
Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Quoi? L'homme aux lunettes, la! - Spalanzani, Cochenille, Hoffmann, Olympia, Nicklausse, Coppelius - Kent Nagano

Tracks:

Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act 3: Entracte - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Elle a fui, la tourterelle - Antonia - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Malheureuse enfant! - Crespel, Antonia - Scene 3: Desespoir! Tout a l'heure, encore! - Crespel - Scene 4: Frantz! n'ouvre a personne! - Crespel, Frantz - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 5: Jour et nuit je me mets en quatre - Frantz - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 6: Frantz, c'est ici! - Hoffmann, Frantz - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 7: Enfin je vais savoir pourquoi - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Romance: Vois sous l'archet fremissant - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: C'est une chanson d'amour - Hoffmann, Antonia, Nicklausse - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 8: Ah! Je le savais bien - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ah! J'ai le bonheur dans l'ame - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Pourtant, o ma fiancee - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Viens la comme autrefois - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Qu'as-tu donc? - Antonia, Hoffmann - Scene 9: Rien! J'ai cru qu'Hoffmann etait ici! - Hoffmann, Crespel, Frantz, Miracle - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 10: Pour conjurer la danger - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Allons, parle! et sois bref! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: J'ai la certains flacons - Miracle, Crespel, Hoffmann, Antonia - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 11: Ne plus chanter - Hoffmann, Antonia - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 12: Tu ne chanteras plus? - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ah! Quelle est cette voix? - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ta mere, oses-tu l'interroger? - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Non! Assez! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ja cede au transport qui m'enivre! - Miracle, Antonia, La Voix - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 13: Mon enfant, ma fille! - Crespel, Antonia, Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Miracle - Jacques Offenbach

Tracks:

Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act IV: Entracte - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Messieurs, silence! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Recit et Chant bachique: Et moi, ce n'est pas la - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Amis, l'amour tendre et reveur - Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Giulietta - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Je vois qu'on est en fete! - Schlemil, Giulietta, Pitchinaccio, Hoffmann - Scene 3: Au premier reve je t'enleve - Nicklausse, Hoffmann - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 4: Tourne, tourne, miroir - Dapertutto - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 5: Cher ange! - Dapertutto, Giulietta - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 6: Melodrame: Vivat! J'ai tout gagne! - Giulietta, Schlemil, Dapertutto - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 7: Giulietta, palsembleu! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Air de Giulietta: Vous ne jouez pas? - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Que dit-elle? - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Giulietta, je vous jure! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Oui, fut-ce au prix de ma vie - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Sextuor and Choeur: Helas! Je vais encore la suivre - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Morbleu! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Il a ma cle - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Ton ami dit vrai! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Romance: O Dieu, de quelle ivresse - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Jusque-la, cependant - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Si ta presence m'est ravie - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ah! Tu m'as defiee - Giulietta, Hoffmann, Dapertutto, Pitchinaccio - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Alerte, Hoffmann! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Voyez! Il n'a plus le moindre reflet! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Je n'aime pas qu'on me defie! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ainsi, tu mentais! - Nicklausse, Hoffmann, Dapertutto, Pitchinaccio, Giulietta - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act V: Entracte - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Choeur: Folie! Oublie tes douleurs - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Voila quelle fut l'histoire - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Choeur des Esprits et des Etudiants: Glou! Glou! - Hoffmann, Luther, Lindorf, Nathanael, Nicklausse - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Stella, Stella! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Couplet: Pour le coeur de Phrygne - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Denouement: Hola! Quelqu'un de fort pour emporter Hoffmann! - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ingrat! Et moi? - Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Adieu! Je t'abandonne - Andres, Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Stella, La Muse, Lindorf - Jacques Offenbach

Amazon.com

Of all the revisionist Hoffmanns, this one is the best, using the latest (and one trusts) last version of Michael Kaye's edition, based on sketches recently discovered for the unfinished opera. Most of the changes are in the Giulietta act; it now tracks better dramatically, and unlike some restoration attempts, its length is sensible. In the title role, Roberto Alagna is full of imaginative touches of characterization, singing the famous Kleinzach song with an intentional vocal roughness in a worthy effort to convey the Hoffmann's debauched state. As the mechanical doll Olympia, Natalie Dessay proves she's not only a phenomenal singer but a great comedienne. Kent Nagano deploys his Lyon Opera forces with great stylistic authority. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Not a flawless version, but one to be REALLY loved.......2006-05-09

This is a recording with significant highs and lows. But in overall it is an excellent account of this wonderfully tuneful and beloved opera.
First, about the edition. The Kaye edition restores a lot of music including recitatives written by Offenbach and a number of musical numbers. It also goes for the Guiraud recitatives which some versions totally omit and replace by the dialogues which Offenbach likely might have intended. Compared to, say, the historical Sutherland/Domingo/Bonynge version, this version is significantly longer and more substantial, musically speaking. With more than 30 minutes of music compared to the Bonynge edition, it is understandable why the Kaye version needs up to 3 CDs to bear the substantial amount of music.
While fans of Contes d'Hoffmann would likely be grateful at the ressurrection of so much musical material, I personally find this version sometimes just too painfully long. The Guiraud recitatives sometimes simply are bland and cause the opera to just drag along. Yes, Guiraud obviously has a lot of skills and bright ideas in these recitatives, mostly shown by the quoting of music by Offenbach in these recitatives to give the opera a better sense of unison. But compared to the simpler recitatives that Offenbach himself wrote, the Guiraud sometimes just seems aloof. Unless you really have a lot of time, you might want to stick to the more important musical numbers. Also, the new ending, with Hoffmann facing the Muse in the apotheose is a wonderful ensemble, with sounds from the church organ that gives the scene its necessary "holy" feel.
Now to the singers. Alagna has a masculine voice and is dramatically very effective. He also has a perfect French diction-crisp, idiomatic and a real joy to listen to. His instrument naturally is not very beautiful; and I personally find his Hoffmann a bit beefy and hysterical; but his good understanding of the role still helps him come across as a better Hoffmann. The best Hoffmann is in my opinion either Domingo or Schicoff.
The ladies are provided with quite a luxury cast. Natalie Dessay's Olympia is perhaps second only to Sutherland and Sills. To everyone who honors La Stupenda's E flats, listen: Dessay presents the role of the mechanical doll with FOUR Gs, yes 4 full-voiced, stunning, jaw-dropping Gs!!! Musically speaking, Dessay is not as comedic as Sutherland; her tone is a little thin and nasal but her coloratura and lovely portrayal of the role is simply untterly convincing.
Vaduva's Antonia is excellent: excellent diction, girly tone and very successfully portrays the youngsinger's vulnerability and sensibility. She however lacks power in the trio and that C sharp falls flat. Her "Elle a fui la tourterelle" is however wonderfully touching and moving. The best Antonia, in my opinion, is Victoria de Los Angeles. To one of the reviewers here, Vaduva is not a Slavic singer. She is a French singer of Romanian origin. A totally Latin singer!
Sumi Jo portrays a very convincing Giulietta with very believable spinto qualities, which she provides effectively with chaning in tone. The rediscovered coloratura, with a couple of E flats and spellbinding runs, well, brings the wonderful Korean coloratura soprano to her prime best. Her French is surprisingly idiomatic.
Lascarro's got a small role as Stella. I personally don't like her tone; but she is good enough in the beautiful apotheose ensemble.
Jose Van Dam's quartet villain almost matches Bacquier's famous portrayal. His voice is not as dark or evil-sounding as Bacquier's but still gives a top-notch interpretation. His doctor Miracle might have been the best on record if he took some of those melodramatic laughs in the Trio. His reluctance, combined with Vaduva's small voice, creates a flat Trio. This being said, the French bass's quartet of villains stills ranks among the undisputed best. My favorite villain quartet, Gabriel Bacquier has a cameo role here as Crespel, which he does a great job.
Gilles Ragon's a good tenor and his stuttering in the portrayal of Cochenille is very convincing. I however find him a bit too serious and heavy for these tenore buffo roles. The same can be said for Senechal's Spalanzani. Compared to Charon's Spalanzani on the Bonynge recording, he is very unfunny. The "brigand! Bandit!" quarrel after the destruction of the doll is bland and lifeless.
Catherine's Dubosc has a lovely voice and does great job as Nicklausse. There is nothing to criticize about her singing qualities. My only objection is that the casting of this trouser role for a soprano harms the overall balance of the opera: 5 soprano roles and 1 mezzo role (the voice of the mother): this is not a good balance. The Barcarolle duet, in particular, suffers from both a misbalance and a ridiculous fast tempo.
Kent Nagano's conducting does not have the solid tempos of Bonynge and sometimes overwhelms the singers: most notably in that C sharp of the Trio. But he has really interesting ideas and provides invaluable support.
With the exception of a bland Spalanzani, some strange tempos and the unusual length of the edition, this is a very good Hoffmann. Together with the Bonynge version, this is another very good all-around recording. The set is a tad expensive, but given the substantial amount of music and a very informative booklet, this is a recording to really consider. It will provide a lot of listening pleasures. You will not be disappointed.

The best of a mediocre-to-bad lot.......2003-10-30

I have heard six recordings of "Hoffmann," an opera that is particularly dear to me for sentimental reasons. None of them are perfect, all have flaws, but on balance this is the best of the lot.

Now that musicologists have finished playing with the Mahler 10th Symphony (which ended rather well) and the Beethoven 10th (which ended rather badly), they have been taking a whack at "Hoffmann," rushing to revise music the composer never sanctioned and adding music found in buckets and boxes long after his death. My personal feeling was, if it ain't broke, don't fix it: you're not Offenbach, and to speak for him requires a tremendous amount of chutzpah. And a lot of the revisions, to my ear, simply do not work well, such as turning Giulietta into a coloratura soprano, spinning out an aria that ends much like Olympia's doll song as on this recording.

I'm also not fond of switching the Antonia and Giulietta acts from their traditional positions for both dramatic and musical reasons. To begin with, having the "tales" end with Antonia gives Hoffmann's character a certain sense of redemption that simply isn't there the other way. Also, the Giulietta act is musically the weakest: as primiarily an operetta composer, Offenbach simply had a hard time creating music for this act which is darker and more tensely dramatic than anything else in the work. The superp trio that climaxes the Antonia act, on the other hand, is one of the most brilliant and transcendent things he wrote.

That being said, there is much to admire in this set. Kent Nagano conducts briskly, which is his wont, thereby tying together the music in a cohesive and satisfying way where others (particularly Cluytens and Cambreling) sound slow and rambling. On the other hand, his chorus of the spirits, though light and brisk, just misses the rapt, enchanting sound achieved by Bonynge; and though it was probably Offenbach's intent to have only a few strings play the violin motif in the Antonia trio, they sound too thin, not sweeping or driven enough, for the dramatic situation. Nagano also conducts the famed "Barcarolle" at a shade-too-fast tempo, thus robbing the music of its mysterious charm (even Arthur Fiedler made a better recording of the instrumental version). These moments point to a lack of "theatricality" in Nagano's conducting style that Bonynge, Rudel and even Beecham managed to capture.

Alagna is not as suavely beautiful or haunting in the role as Robert Rounseville or Stuart Burrows were. This is something of an abrupt, nervous reading, though if one knows something about E.T.A. Hoffmann and his tales it is perfectly in keeping with his character. (I have yet, however, to see ANY tenor perform the role made up to LOOK like Hoffmann, a scrawny little man with a square jaw, popping eyes and a shock of unruly, frizzy hair. I guess no tenor really wants to look like that!)

This is unquestionably the finest performance Dessay has ever recorded: her voice is brilliant, in focus, on pitch and wonderfully secure. Only Bond in the Beecham performance and Sutherland come close, though I personally feel that Sutherland was funnier in the role. She had a real flair for comedy, whereas she did not possess enough personal warmth for Antonia or Giulietta.

The Sutherland recording also had the best "villains" in Gabriel Bacquier in his prime, but to my ears Van Dam is an excellent second. (Treigle, in the Sills set, was good but not great, his somewhat gruff voice rather overwhelimg the roles with too much histrionics.)

Vaduva has a pretty tone but your typical "Slavic wobble," more noticeable in the early and late parts of her act. For some reason, the voice is better focused in the middle sections, but she does not efface memories of de los Angeles who was the best Antonia ever.

Jo is surprisingly good as Giulietta: though her voice is even smaller than Dessay's, it had a fuller lyric sound in the mid-range which captured well on records. (I have beel told that her "live" career is just about over on stage as the voice is too small to carry in most modern theaters.) I liked Margherita Grandi in the old Beecham film, but a chesty, spinto Giulietta is apparently persona non grata in the new Michael Kaye edition of the work.

Dubosc is a good Nicklausse, though I preferred Tourangeau and the singer (I forget her name) from the Beecham film. Bacquier, with far less voice, is still predictably good as Crespel; the timeless Senechal is a classic Spalanzani; Ragon is an excellent Cochenille, not so memorable as Franz. (I miss Andrea Velis, the old Met comp, who was brilliant in these roles but was never recorded in them.) The other small roles range from excellent (Tezier as Schlemil) to poor (Juanita Lascarre as Stella).

An ideal modern "Hoffmann" would have Elisabeth Vidal as Olympia, Hong as Antonia, Fleming as Giulietta, Alvarez as Hoffmann, Rene Pape as the three villains, and someone like Pappano or Plasson conducting.....but we can dream all we want. The era of complete opera recordings, according to many inside sources, is over as we know it--even the Bobby & Angela act is being shelved--so we must pick from what we have, and this is simply the finest over all "Hoffmann" on record, with Bonynge's being a good second choice, though I do not like Domingo's hard-voiced, beefy Hoffmann.

Hoffman contines to elude the recording world.......2001-10-03

This is a very good Hoffman, with the new edition of the score and a lot more music than in earlier editions. There is MUCH here to be admired and enjoyed as there is in the classic Domingo/Sutherland recording.

I prefer Domingo's more passionate Hoffman to Alagna's workmanlike effort, which is still quite fine.

On the other hand, having different female vocalists, as this recording does is preferable to my ear than having the same throughout as the Domingo/Sutherland recording does. The three female leads here range from good (Dessay) to excellent (Jo). Having heard Sumi Jo sing Olympia on record and in person, I find it hard to enjoy Dessay's quite as much. Jo is here as Antonia however.

No single recording of Hoffman is clearly preferable and listening to each is recommended. In the meanwhile, there is still an opening here for a more fully satisying Hoffman.

Excellent but not definitive.......2001-04-20

This recording has given me many hours of listening pleasure. Pretty much every artist featured in it gives an excellent performance, and the greatness of Offenbach's opera is conveyed more fully than can be done by other performances that contain less of what he composed for "Hoffmann" before his untimely death. However, the recording has several specific faults that result in my giving it only 4 stars, even though it is among my favorite operatic recordings.

First, the good points. Listening to this recording one definitely thinks of the opera's characters rather than the artists portraying them.... I find Alagna's voice quite beautiful on this recording and feel that he portrays the character of Hoffmann with spectacular success....

Van Dam is one of the recording's great assets as the villains. The three main heroines are each memorable(.).......(Jo's) interpretation of Giulietta's long-lost coloratura aria is spectacular and features a spine-chilling moment in her climactic cadenza ...she sings a rising series of notes almost identical to one sung by Dessay as Olympia in Act II, emphasizing the connection of the heroines. ...Lascarro does a very good job in the small role of Stella (....Dubosc is excellent as the Muse and Nicklausse, giving a truly memorable performance of nearly the entire role. Unfortunately, Nicklausse's Antonia-act aria, arguably the artistic and emotional heart of the entire opera ...,seems somehow disappointing on this recording. Dubosc's voice does not cut through the orchestra as it should when she sings in her lower register, and as a result the aria fails to have the cathartic impact on me that it has when I have heard it in Metropolitan Opera broadcasts. .... Ragon gives an excellent, highly memorable performance in the four "grotesque" roles.

Now I may turn to the disappointing features of this recording. ....(T)his recording contains no extra-musical sound effects whatsoever. To a certain extent this is a valid approach to recording an opera. The problem is that "Hoffmann" contains an unusually high number of passages which were composed with the extra-musical sounds that would be heard from the stage in mind and which lack some of their intended impact without sound effects. The effectiveness of the students' drinking song is reduced when we don't hear them banging their glasses together and on the tables, and without the winding-up sound the pauses in Olympia's song when she runs down make less sense. We also should hear Coppelius smashing Olympia, Hoffmann and Schlemil moving around heavily as they duel, the death-gasp of another character who dies in the new ending of the Giulietta act (I won't spoil the unfamiliar twists of plot here), and various other sound effects which would add to the drama of the story. Moreover, Van Dam's villains never laugh except when their laughter is notated in the score, even though the libretto specifies some additional evil laughs, notably the one as Dr. Miracle disappears and Antonia falls dying at the end of the trio for Miracle, Antonia and the voice of Antonia's mother.

One of the main problems with the recording is that Van Dam, Ragon and Dubosc are the only performers to play multiple roles. Not only are the heroines played by four different sopranos, but none of the artists who play Luther and the students reappear in other roles in the acts devoted to Hoffmann's three stories. All of this goes against what are presumed to be Offenbach's wishes for his opera, despite the fact that this is a recording of Kaye's critical edition (in its "grand opera" version). Moreover, this recording was, unfortunately, made before Offenbach's own finished finale for the Giulietta act, written very shortly before his death, became available for inclusion in Kaye's edition. ....

Finally, it seems bizarre that the aria "Scintille, diamant," which has been one of the most popular numbers in the opera for a long time, is not included on this recording. ....

Despite these flaws, this recording is recommended. It is extremely enjoyable and represents the totality of Offenbach's intentions for "Hoffmann" more fully than any other recording currently available. One hopes that a new recording of Kaye's edition, with the definitive ending for the Giulietta act and with a single soprano playing all four heroines, will be made in the not-too-distant future.

O Dieu, de quelle ivresse embrasse-tu mon âme?.......1999-11-21

Comme un concert divin ta voix m'a pénétré!....

Tracks:

A vous douce debonaire (Chansons)
Hareu! Hareu! le feu - Helas! ou sera pris confors (motet)
Amours me fait desirer (ballade)
Trop plus est belle - Biaute paree - je ne sui mie certeins (motet)
Amis tout dous vis (rondeau)
Se ma dame m'a guerpy (virelai)
Se je souspir (virelai)
Dame se vous m'estes lointeinne (ballade)
Quant je sui mis au retour (virelai)
Mes esperis se combat (ballade)
Ma fin est mon commencement (rondeau)
Douce dame jolie (virelai)
De Bon Espoir - Puis Que la douce rousee (motet)
De toutes flours (ballade)
Quant Theseus - Ne quier veoir (double ballade)
Anon La Septime estampie Real (dance)
Quant j'ay l'espart (rondeau)
Phyton le mervilleus serpent (ballade)
Armes amours - O flours des flours (double ballade)
A l'arme a l'arme (virelai)
Phiton Phiton (virelai)
Two variants on the tenor 'Roussignoulet du bosi' Borlet: He tres doulz roussignol (virelai)
Fumeux fume (rondeau)
De home vray (ballade)
Istampitta Tre fontane (dance)
Ma douce amour (ballade)

Tracks:

Tres doulz amis - Ma dame - Cent mille fois (rondeau)
Plasanche or tost (virelai)
Amour m'a le cuer mis (ballade)
Tribum quem (motet)
Helas! je voy mon cuer (ballade)
Contre le temps (virelai)
Andray soulet (canon)
Le greygnour bien (ballade)
Restoes restoes (virelai)
Ce moys de may (rondeau)
La belle se siet (ballade)
Je ne fai tousjours que penser (rondeau)
Files a marier (chanson)
Amoreux suy et me viente toute joye (rondeau)
Je loe Amours et ma dame mercye (ballade)
Navre je sui d'un dart penetratif (rondeau)
Lamentatio Sanctae Matris Ecclesiae Constantinopolitanae (O tres piteulx - Omnes amici) (motet)
La Spagna (Variant 1) (basse danse)
Par droit je puis bien complaidre (rondeau)
Donnes l'assault (rondeau)
Vostre tres doulx regart (rondeau)
Helas mon dueil (virelai)
Bien puist (rondeau)
Vergine bella (stropha)
La Spagna (Variant 2)

Customer Reviews:

Superb Early Music. Buy It........2005-12-13

'The Art of Courtly Love' is a two CD set, condensed from a three LP album performed by The Early Music Consort of London. I know less than I would like about early music, considering how much I enjoy it, but one very important thing I do know is that the director of this recording, David Munrow was, until his untimely death, the big man in early music.

One of the many things I especially like about this collection is that by showcasing a lot of vocal music, the tinny quality of a lot of early music is moved to the background. Antother thing I like is the fact that one can plainly distinguish secular from liturgical music by listening carefully to these selections. The biggest differences I see are the appearance of percussion instruments and male / female duets.

One reviewer commented on the quality of the notes. I agree they are good, but only about average for an old music offering by a major label.

Highly recommended to all who like early music.

A Fiver from one of the Archangels of early music performance.......2005-06-26

I bought this when the album was first released. Even though scholarship has advanced, and it can be argued that Munrow's interpretations are dated, what has been lost over the years is the joy in performing this music. Many modern performances are ponderous and much, much too serious. But David Munrow found this music as a wonderous discovery. Through albums such as this one, he released into the open air music that had been locked away, languishing in the libraries for years, trotted out occasionally for a scholarly study, and then tucked back on the shelves. Munrow's enthusiasm for this music is evident in this collection, and his performances make them walk - no, dance - in the open air once more. This album is beautifully performed. I hope the notes in the CD are as good as the ones in my original release.

In 1974, I had the great pleasure of meeting David Munrow and the other members of the Early Music Consort, and was blown away with that enthusiasm and unselfishness, their willingness to discuss their work - I remember Munrow trading recorder performance tips with a friend of mine - and Munrow's truly amazing store of energy. He radiated! : -)

Outdated but Still Rivetingly Interesting.......2005-05-01

This 2-CD boxed set is the digital version of a 3-LP box from 1973 and was reissued in 1996 as part of the edition with which EMI/Virgin celebrated the twentieth anniversary of David Munrow’s unfortunate demise. The recordings, made at London’s prestigious Abbey Road studios, are digitally remastered to a very high standard, so that I found myself enjoying them via headphones more than via loudspeakers, something which is pretty unusual with CDs from the old analogue days. The two discs contains no less than some 156 minutes (51 tracks) of absolutely fascinating music. The first part is devoted to Guillaume Machault’s songs, works which can be dated around 1350 to 1360. The second part of the programme is concerned with the so-called avantgarde from Avignon (including names such as Matteo da Perugia), composers who wrote for esoteric circles around 1380 to 1410. And the third part (the third LP of the original) is devoted to fifteenth-century music from the court of Burgundy, the two great composers here being Dufay and Binchois.

Of course, David Munrow’s performances, fascinating and rivetingly interesting as they are, were shaped by his own interests and research at the time, and the booklet notes point out that since then “scholarship and performance practices have moved on healthily”, which I interpret to mean that today nobody would dream of performing this music the way Munrow did: for instance, he has most of the songs accompanied by a whole plethora of ancient instruments, although today it is generally agreed that works from this period should be sung unaccompanied or with minimal instrumental support. Munrow also performs some of the songs as purely instrumental pieces, a legitimate decision perhaps. Munrow also uses the two countertenors James Bowman and Charles Brett for many of the songs, and not everyone will appreciate being bombarded with their somewhat forced androgynous falsetto for nearly three hours; personally, it was the singing of Martyn Hill, tenor, and Geoffrey Shaw, baritone, which delighted my ear during these sessions. Along with the instruments, of course: slide trumpet, cornett, shawm, crwth, fiddle, rebec, citole and so on, plus several tracks with the amazing Christopher Hogwood playing an organ that sounds, at least, very old – unfortunately, the otherwise good liner notes give no details concerning the instruments used.

The Old French texts are printed in full with English translations, so it is possible to follow every nuance. Exceptionally good value for money! – For more historically-informed performances of music of this kind, I suggest searching names such as Gothic Voices, Hilliard Ensemble or Binchois Consort.

If 6 were available, this would get them!.......2002-02-16

Lovely, beautiful, amazing, charming, and vital. I'll not replicate the previous reviewer, though my favorites differ from his, but I bought this on LP 25 years ago and it changed my life. These are exhilarating performances, that move you effortlessly through time and space into a world both far away and very, very close. So much great music, wonderfully performed. Take a chance--it might change your life as well!

One of the finest early music performances ever recorded.......2001-09-03

And an intriguing work of scholarship besides. This was originally released back in the early 1970's by the late David Munrow as a three album box set.

The first part of this recording is basically dedicated to Machaut and his contemporaries. The chanson -Amours me fait desirer- remains striking to this day, with its unusual leap in its first measures. -Amis tout dous- is a lovely miniature, and so also is the monophonic -Quant je sui mis au retour-. But the high point of this part of the record is -Quant j'ay l'espart-, a duet between countertenor and bass cornetto (a serpent?), understated and heartbreaking.

The second part is weirdness from the Avignon court of the Popes, the time when rhythmic notation got more sophisticated, and composers grew more experimental. The unusual chromaticism of -Fumeux fume- is given a great performance here. The -Tre fontane- estampie is given a reading here that is truly frenzied. -Plasanche, ou tost- is a lovely song. You also get rhythmic oddities like -Le greygnour bien-.

The third album nears Renaissance music, and focuses on Dufay and Binchois. Loud instruments like sackbuts and shawms are featured on pieces like -Donnes l'assault-, which seems risky, but sometimes works. The usually quiet pieces on the -La Spagna- ground are here given a marching-band performance on loud winds. The real high points here, though, are the motet -O tres piteulx-, Binchois absolutely gorgeous -Amoureux suy-, and the setting of Petrarch's -Vergine bella-.

Customer Reviews:

A tempting treasury, but only a few performances are great.......2007-02-03

Ten discs of Berlioz is a sumptuous offering, and temptingly cheap at Amazon Marketplace. DG has used this occasion to repackage some outstanding performances. At the top of the list goes James Levine's electrifying Requiem from Berlin, with playing and singing to match the conductor's inspiration. Also exciting--perhaps surprisingly so--is Abbado's Te Deum, which has rawer edges and sharper focus than Colin Davis's on Philips, long the standard version.

Dropping down a notch in quality, we have an elegantly played Romeo et Juliette by the Boston Symphony, superbly recorded, that has few rivals for refined virtuosity. But after a while Seiji Ozawa's approach seems to lack depth and meaning; he's skating over the surface of the musical drama, however brilliantly. Sharp and brilliant also describes Myung-Whun Chung's contribution, a Symponie fantastique, two overtures, and the Royal Hunt and Storm from Les Troyens, all with his well-trained Bastille Opera orchestra. Chung is to the manner born in Berlioz, but so are greater conductors in these works, including Munch and Markevitch.

At about the same quality level I'd place the Mort de Cleopatre, a dullish early vocal scene sung with plushness by Jessye Norman, and Kiri Te Kanawa's Les Nuits d'Ete, which is ravishing in terms of sheer vocalism but otherwise vacant. Daniel Barenboim's slack conducting does the piece no favors, either, which holds true on a much larger scale for his Damnation of Faust. This is a typical Barenboim product, full of lush sounds, excellent singing, big-scale orchestral work, but leading to a meager artistic payoff. Barenboim's Faust isn't remotely competitive with Markevitch, Chung, Solti, Pretre, and others in this work. It's great to hear Domingo in the title role, but the conducting is so routine that I'm not sure the overall experience is worth it.

We get odds and ends of varying quality: the rarely recorded Tristia done superbly by Boulez, an uneven batch of songs that previously appeared in their own double-CD set (a chore to listen to in its entirety, despite the occasional gem), and a pedestrain Harold in Italy conducted by Lorin Maazel in Berlin, a performance that DG surely could have bettered by looking deeper into their vaults.

In all, I can't see investing in such an uneven collection except at super-budget price. If you do a little searching, all the best things here can be gotten separately, and the lesser recordings pale by comparison with classic Berlioz from Colin Davis, Charles Munch, and Igor Markevitch.

Berlioz with immaginative variety.......2003-10-30

This box makes a nice alternative to the Philips boxes under Colin Davis. Not to take anything away from Davis. His Berlioz cycle certainly ranks up there with the elite for recording achievements. But many will not want to invest in all 3 boxes, so Universal has brought us a great compilation of some of Berlioz' best works from a variety of performers with different styles.
The jewel has to be Ozawa's unsurpassed Romeo and Juliet. This 1976 studio recording had its birth at the Tanglewood Festival and features excellent soloists (Julia Hamari, Jose Van Dam, and Jean Dupouy), a very competent choir, and of course the reliable Boston SO. The recording is of outstanding quality. It seems cleaned up a little from what I remember of the CDs from the mid 80s; much more spacious, less muddy sounding. I especially like the chorus in the hushed night scene.
Barenboim's Damnaton is perdictably Furtwangler-like in tempo, and again features top notch singers in Fischer Dieskau, Jules Bastin, & Placido Domingo; Yvonne Minto is probably not in the same class with the others, but she's more than acceptable.
Levine directs a well recorded and balanced classical-sounding Requiem, and Abbado is more than competent in the Te Deum.
Chung's Fantastique is fun and enjoyable, if not first-class.
The rest of the works are very commendable, if not top-of-the-class.
In short, you can't go wrong for the price, and if you love Berlioz' Romeo, you've got to get this box just for the Ozawa gem.