Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1; Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99

On this CD:

1. Violin Concerto No. 1, in A minor, Op. 77 (revised as Op. 99)
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
Performed by Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra with Gustav Schmahl
Conducted by Kurt Masur

2. Symphony No. 1 in D major ("Classical"), Op. 25
Composed by Sergey Prokofiev
Performed by Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Kurt Masur

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1; Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99, Music, Sergey Prokofiev, Dmitry Shostakovich, Kurt Masur, Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Gustav Schmahl, 20th/21st Century Symphony, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Concerto, Symphonic, Violin Concerto

Prokofiev, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos no 1 / Rostropovich, Vengerov
Average customer rating:

New favorite recording of Shostakovich

Excellent playing, stunning engineering

Just...beautiful

old cowgirl

The Perfect Marriage of Composers, Soloist, and Conductor

Prokofiev, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos no 1 / Rostropovich, Vengerov

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Vengerov, Maxim | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Prokofiev & Shostakovich: Violin Concertos, No.2

Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99

Brahms: Violin Concerto; Sonata No. 3

Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,

Shostakovich: The String Quartets

ASIN: B000000SLM
Release Date: 1994-11-08

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 1 In D Major, Op. 19: Andantino
Violin Concerto No. 1 In D Major, Op. 19: Scherzo: Vivacissimo
Violin Concerto No. 1 In D Major, Op. 19: Moderato
Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor: Nocturne: Moderato
Violin Concerto in A minor: Scherzo: Allegro
Violin Concerto in A minor: Passacaglia: Andante
Violin Concerto: Burlesque: Allegro con brio

Amazon.com essential recording

With his brilliant tone, flawlessly centered intonation, jaw-dropping technique, and exquisitely beautiful phrasing, Maxim Vengerov is ideal in this repertory. His sparkling account of the Prokofiev conveys the music's mercurial shifts of color and mood with great élan, and turns wonderfully evocative in the ethereal pages. The interpretation of the Shostakovich is equally fine--strongly characterized and imaginative, haunting in its beauty. The young soloist is ably partnered by Mstislav Rostropovich, who draws some remarkably fine and suggestive playing out of an alert London Symphony Orchestra, and makes a convincing whole out of each score. Teldec's engineers take advantage of the Abbey Road venue to deliver a recording that, while predictably balanced in favor of the soloist, is detailed and nicely atmospheric. This disc won Gramophone magazine's Record of the Year award in 1995, and it comes impressively close to capturing the kind of electricity Vengerov generates onstage. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

New favorite recording of Shostakovich.......2007-06-22

I had not heard more than a few of Vengerov's performances and master classes (on YouTube) prior to hearing this disc - he is a remarkable individual and a thinking musician, and this recording of the Prokofiev 1 and Shostakovich 1 really proves that. Although I've heard plenty of good performances of both, these stand out. The review below is 100% correct - Vengerov "really gets it" - and he was a mere 19 or 20 years old when this disc was first released in 1994. He understands these pieces and his readings of them are very welcome. The second part of the first movement of the Prokofiev is often played 'Allegro Moderato' or 'Allegro non Troppo'. Vengerov plays it at the indicated tempo, 'Moderato', and not rushed. The accents and tenutos are perfectly done. He does some great things in the 'Scherzo', especially the slides on the G string! Although I like Lydia Mordkovitch's recording of the Shostakovich with Jarvi equally well (and that disc is also superbly engineered), Vengerov's is filled with great things. And how lucky he was to record it with the composer's close friend and musical collaborator, Rostropovich. If you've become partial to other recordings of these two concertos, listen to this disc and you may very well change your mind.

Excellent playing, stunning engineering.......2006-09-27

This recording pairs a fairly unfamiliar but highly acessible concerto from Prokofiev's younger days with a dark, biting, yet heartbreaking concerto from a difficult time in the difficult life of Shostakovich.

The Prokofiev is highly sensitive and lyrical and technically solid. The London Symphony is at its best here, under the baton of Rostropovich who personally associated with both Prokofeiv and Shostakovich.

I must admit to owning about 10 recordings of the first Shostakovich concerto. This collection includes performances by Perlman, Oistrakh (twice), Hahn, Sarah Chang, and Mullova. I have heard live performances by Caitlin Tully and Vadim Repin.

Out of all of these soloists, three or four stand out as really "getting it." Oistrakh's recordings are essentially definitive, but the orchestra's sound is less-than-ideal in these aging recordings. Among the newer recordings and performances, Repin and Vengerov strike me as more emotionally attached, while Mullova smooths out some of the rough edges the men have in their sound, but unfortunately her slow movements are not slow or emotional enough for me.

The orcehstra is once again ideal. Details are very finely crafted unlike in other lesser recordings. Vengerov's playing is spectacular and takes after Oistrakhs in character and sound.

Just...beautiful.......2006-09-01

Let me start off by saying...I'm no classical expert - I don't spend my days listening to different versions of the same piece played by different composers, solists, etc...

What I have seen in this is utter virtuosity from Vengerov... he can simply evoke any tone that he likes out of his violin. There's never a passage of doubt; vengerov makes his violin sing the melodies and plays with so much expression!

I prefer the Prokofiev piece, mainly because it seems to be more "concentrated" and less drawn out. It's always moving, rushing, flowing in a "contemporary" classical manner. I can agree with other reviewers stating this piece may just be the most beautiful piece of violin literature ever written.

The Shostakovich is more introverted and reflective; sometimes it is slow at places. Reading the liner notes (something all should do, IMHO) revealed the purposed for this - a tribute to the victims of the harrowing purges under Stalin. I also read that this piece was prohibited by Stalin for release - it was not until the death of Stalin that the piece was performed. Such adds to the harrowing, haunting melodies of the piece.

Like I said, I'm no classical expert, so I couldn't tell you how Rostropovich does as a conductor. As an "average Joe," this CD sounds marvelous to me!

old cowgirl.......2006-08-15

For the connoisseur of Prokofiev this is beautifully interpreted. Vengerov obviously loves what he does.

The Perfect Marriage of Composers, Soloist, and Conductor.......2005-08-16

It would be difficult to imagine a more perfect match for these two concerti than Maxim Vengerov and Mstislav Rostropovich. Not only do the two innately understand the shared Russian spirit inherent in Prokofiev's and Shostakovich's music, they also happen to be superb musicians who can make these two concerti appear simple to the ear when they require such an enormous degree of dexterity.

The phrasing and thematic exploration by Vengerov is astonishingly right and in every way and every moment his interpretation is mirrored by Rostropovich and the responsive London Symphony Orchestra. While music lovers will probably be more thrilled with the eloquent beauty of the Prokofiev (and this is certainly the finest recording I have heard of this concerto), Vengerov's virtuosity and clarity of technique should now bring others into the fold of devotees of the Shostakovich.

Recorded in 1994 this CD is remains the Gold Standard for these two spectacular concerti. The recording ambience is rich and full and almost as exciting as being in the concert hall. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 05

Average customer rating:

Great Classic Themes
Simply Wonderful!
Simply Wonderful!
Halloween!!!!!!

Most Frightening Music in the Universe

Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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More Of The Most Relaxing Classical Music In The Universe
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe

ASIN: B0002W4V0G
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Bach - Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
Hermann - Suite From "Psycho": I. Prelude / II. The City / III. The Swamp / IV. The Murder / V. The Cellar / VI. Discovery
Wagner - Flying Dutchman Overture
Mussorgsky - Pictures At An Exhibition: Gnomus / Catacombs / Babi-Yar's Hut On Chicken's Legs
Berlioz - Symphony Fantastique: IV. March To The Scaffold / V. Dream Of The Witches Sabbath
Stravinsky - Firebird, IV. Infernal Dance Of The King Kashchei
Shostakovich - Cemetary (from The film "Five Days And Five Nights")
Holst - The Planets, Mars Bringer Of War

Tracks:

Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathrusta: I. Sehr Breit (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey) / IX. The Song Of The Night Wanderer
Mussorgsky - Night on Bald Mountain
Prokofiev - Romeo & Juliet, The Montagues and the Capulets
Xenakis - The Pleiades, First Movement
Vivaldi - Four Seasons, Summer, III, Presto, Tempo Impetuoso D'Estate
Bernstein - The Grifters
Stravinsky - The Rite Of Spring: III. Mock Abduction / XIII. Sacrificial Dance
Shostakovich - Symphony No 5, IV. Allegro Non Troppo
Dukas - The Sorcerer's Apprentice (From Fantasia)
Bernstein - Ghostbusters

Customer Reviews:

Great Classic Themes.......2006-09-11

This is an awesome collection of unsettling melodies from the masters, not just some horror movie themes (though it does have some Psyco). You will end up playing a round of "Where have I heard that score before?" because these melodies are very iconic.
The only complaint is that the track listing is somewhat occult. One has to use amazon.com's track listings and fill in the numbers.
Still, this is a great buy!!

Simply Wonderful!.......2006-05-18

I would like to begin my review of this wonderful CD by stating that I am not a "kid." (unless you consider a 14-year-old to still be a child) I am, however, too lazy too start a new Amazon.com account before typing about this great CD.

Now then... In my eyes, this CD recieved 5 stars because of (what else!) the music. The quality of the music to be more specific. The sound of it was great and the selection of the pieces was pure genius. My personal favorite would have to be a three-way tie between Bach's Toccata and Fugue, Dukas' Sorceror's Apprentice, and Stravinsky's The Right of Spring.

I will leave you tonight with one final thought... Is it just me, or are most of the pieces from "Fantasia"? At least 7 (!) of the pieces are from that age-old classic. I think it's funny that they are on a collection such as "The Most Frightening Music in the Universe". And could the cover art be any worse?!

All in all it is a great CD to add to any collection. (and cheap!) Thanks!

-Smith

Simply Wonderful!.......2006-05-18

Halloween!!!!!!.......2006-04-02

This Is Great i love Classical and halloween is my favorite holiday its great!! great collection

Classical Music Start-Up Kit, Vol. 2: 1825-1945

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Classical Music Start-Up Kit, Vol. 2: 1825-1945

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Music Start-Up Kit, Vol. 1 (1500-1825)
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The Story of Stonehenge and Other Megalithic Sites (Dover Pictorial Archives)

ASIN: B00005YCX6
Release Date: 1996-01-04

Tracks:

Scherzo - Jeno Jando
Waltz In C# Minor - Peter Nagy
Song Without Words, Op.102, No.5 - Peter Nagy
'The Fountains Of The Villa D'Este' - Jeno Jando
Scherzo - Jeno Jando
'March To The Scaffold' - Pinchas Steinberg
Finale - Adrian Leaper
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (Excerpt) - Adrian Leaper
The Moldau (exc) - Slovak PO/Barry Wordsworth
Final Movement Of Symphony No.9 'From The New World' - Stephen Gunzenhauser
'Bydlo' - Jeno Jando
'Flight Of The Bumblebee' - Balazs Szokolay
'Polovtsian Dances' - Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
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Finale - Takako Nishizaki
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Finale - Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
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Uranus, The Magician - Adrian Leaper
'Jeux De Vagues' - Alexander Rahbari
'Sunrise' - Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Chorus
Adoration Of The Earth (Finale) - Alexander Rahbari
March From Love For Three Oranges Suite, Op.33: March - Andrew Mogrelia
Scherzo - Alexander Rahbari
Finale - Alexander Rahbari

Prokofiev & Shostakovich: Violin Concertos, No.2

Average customer rating:

Vengerov at the top of the tree
A lyrical, un-Russian approach
Two Wondrous Works of the Violin Concerto Repertoire
fabulous 20th century concertos
Another excellent interpretation by Vengerov

Prokofiev & Shostakovich: Violin Concertos, No.2

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Prokofiev, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos no 1 / Rostropovich, Vengerov
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99
Brahms: Violin Concerto; Sonata No. 3
Peter Tchaikovsky/Alexander Glazunov: Violin Concertos
Maxim Vengerov ~ Dvorák, Elgar

ASIN: B000000S8Z
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 63: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 63: Andante assai
Violin Concerto No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 63: Allegro ben marcato
Violin Concerto No. 2 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 129: Moderato
Violin Concerto No. 2 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 129: Adagio
Violin Concerto No. 2 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 129: Adagio - Allegro

Amazon.com

Maxim Vengerov's splendiferous Strad pours reedy-rich tones from its lower register and sings the sweetest high notes this side of Jascha Heifetz, without the least hint of an undesirable sound or mistuned note. Vengerov's impeccable technique and mature musicianship consistently place him at the top of today's young generation of violinists. Here he plumbs Prokofiev's emotionally charged concerto and finds its unadorned essence--especially memorable in the sensuous slow movement and the exuberant finale. The Shostakovich benefits from a confident, commanding style that leaves us utterly convinced that this lesser-known concerto is a work of far greater substance than we thought. As conductor, Mstislav Rostropovich's knowing hand is everywhere, helping to bring home the penetrating drama of these works by two of his former teachers. While the sound is not as vibrant and balanced as we would like, its center-stage placement of Vengerov and his violin is a feature we can't help but applaud. --David Vernier

Amazon.com

Hot on the heels of their coupling of Shostakovich's and Prokofiev's First Violin Concertos comes this welcome sequel. The header says it all. Prokofiev's Second Concerto is the more popular of his two, while the situation is reversed with Shostakovich. In fact, his Second Concerto is all but unknown, which is surprising because the First Concerto is a much larger, more difficult work than its witty, lyrical successor. This recording will, hopefully, give the piece a chance to make some new friends among music lovers, particularly as the performances are absolutely first class in every respect. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Vengerov at the top of the tree.......2006-02-24

Those of us who have been around for over 70 years will have to admit that there has never been a violinist who more sensationally is able to make music at this level. He has the left hand of a Heifitz, the heart of a russian gypsy and the soul of a musician. It is truly remarkable to find in one player the best of all the things required to be great - technique, heart, soul, musicianship, understanding and an ability to create a large catalogue of sounds which seem inevitable. These preformances surely will never be bettered and rarely, if ever, equalled.

A lyrical, un-Russian approach.......2005-10-07

Anyone familiar with the playing styles of Oistrakh, Kogan, and more recent emigrees like Rapin, Spivakov, and Rachlin will instantly hear that Vengerov is not giving a typical Russian reading on this CD. His playing is not aggressive, he doesn't aim for a fat tone in every bar, and he exchanges virtuosic extroversion for inward, lyrical playing as often as not. The Shostakovich and Prokofiev concerti are usually turned into showpieces, whereas on this CD they become personal expressions.

That's really my only comment. The other reviewers have already praised Vengerov's playing. He is in a league ahead of Rostropovich, who is an effective but not inspired conductor. Together, they tame the biting contrasts often brought out in the first movement of the Prokofiev Second, and although Rostropovich can be a bit slack at times--no worse than Previn in the Prokofiev works, however--Vengerov triumphs in every respect. (If only the last movement of the Prokofiev wasn't such a slow poke.)

My remarks apply mostly to the popular Prokofiev Second; the Shostakovich Second has largely fallen out of the repertoire, being a bit too austere, aggressive, and melodically indifferent to capture audience approval, in the West, at least.

Two Wondrous Works of the Violin Concerto Repertoire.......2005-02-23

There is something very grand about the collaboration between Maxim Vengerov and Mstislav Rostropovich captured by Teldec on this CD, a fine and even more distinctive pairing of concerti than their previous disc (Violin Concerti Nos. 1 by Prokofiev and Shostakovich). Though Rostropovich began his performing life as a cellist, he now is much sought after as a conductor. But perhaps by his beginning his career as a soloist he has this special affinity in collaboration as an accompanist for other soloists!

It would be difficult to imagine more brilliant readings of these two concerti (each No. 2 in the respective composer's catalogues). Vengerov plays with sparkling precision on the fiery movements, but seems to blossom with the slow movements, music that conveys so much of the Russian soul that the beauty here is nearly unbearable. Rostropovich makes a sensitive collaborator, drawing empathetic phrasing from the London Symphony Orchestra.

Another factor that lends to the success of this CD is the quality of sound produced by the technical wizardry of Teldec engineers. The violin is never too far forward in the miking and especially in the Shostakovich the soloist deems to come form the middle of the orchestral sound.

In all this recording is the gold standard for these appropriately paired concerti.. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 2005

fabulous 20th century concertos.......2004-08-03

This is a great pairing of two Russian composers who have much in common, having come from the same turbulent era of history, but who are so unique in style and sound.
Prokofiev (1891-1953) wrote this concerto in the mid '30s, and it shares some melodic influences from another composition of the same period, his glorious ballet score for "Romeo and Juliet"; there are many slow passages full of yearning and pathos, intertwined with an up-tempo happier mood.
The Shostakovich (1906-1975) piece is more aggressive, vibrant and modern, written in 1967, and dedicated to the great David Oistrakh. It has a heavenly Adagio, and is my favorite of the two concertos.

Maxim Vengerov is the ideal violinist for these works, full of youthful energy (he was only 22 when this recording were made in 1996) and Russian soul. Mstislav Rostropovich comes from a similar time period as the composers, and knew them as a young musician, giving the first performances of some of their cello compositions.
This is a second team effort for Vengerov and Rostropovich, having recorded the Concerto # 1 of both Prokofiev and Shostakovich two years earlier, and garnering the coveted Gramaphone "Record of the Year" award. Both recordings are a wonderful addition to any 20th century classical violin collection.

The liner notes by Christian Kubnt point out a coincidence, of how Rostropovich was 20 years old when he met Prokofiev in 1947, the same age as Vengerov when he started recording with Rostropovich forty-seven years later, and how it seems to be a Russian tradition "for different generations to inspire one another in this way and for them to spur each other on to exceptional achievements", and exceptional achievements both this CD and its predecessor are. The sound is good, and total playing time 62'18.

Another excellent interpretation by Vengerov.......2003-07-10

Vengerov has a marvelous of way of interpreting pieces in such musical ways that I feel Heifetz lacked. However I give this particular CD only 4 stars because I found that the pieces he played were not very entertaining. Only hardcore Shostakovich or Prokofiev should buy this CD. I recommend buying one of Vengerov's Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto CD's.

Average customer rating:

excellent overview of contemporaneous classic music
For the price you can't lose

Discover Music of the 20th Century

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2005-11-01

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Hymn To St. Cecilia - Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge
IV. Allegretto - Ondrej Lenard
Introduzione: Andante Non Troppo-Allegro Vivace - Alexander Rahbari

Tracks:

Romance - Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Kosice)
II. Allegro - Ladislav Slovak
III. Allegro Agitato - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Main Theme From Schindler's List - Paul Bateman
The Unanswered Question - Northern Sinfonia
Second Electonic Interpolation (Conclusion) - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Third Electronic Interpolation (Beginning) - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
I. Liturgie De Cristal - Amici Ensemble
IV. Commentaire - Idil Biret
Warming Up, Leading To Model 1, Bass - Gregory Rose
'Gott Nochmal' Sun God - Gregory Rose
'Vishnu' God Of Storms - Gregory Rose
God Of The Earth - Gregory Rose
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I. - Roger Heaton
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Vision Of The Hunt I - Philharmonia Orchestra
Voice For Solo Flute - Robert Aitken

Customer Reviews:

excellent overview of contemporaneous classic music.......2007-03-22

excellent overview of contemporaneous classic music.

Should be continued, plenty more 20th-century composers to be discovered.

For the price you can't lose.......2007-02-21

This 2 cd set consists of, as the title indicates, various 20c pieces or movements from the Naxos catalog. Sound quality is uniformly high, although for some such as Stockhausen's it's not clear if that's good or bad. What is excellent is the variety of the collection--some familiar (Debussy), others not, some pretty, others intentionally weird. Few will find every piece to his or her taste, but many listeners who do not spend much time on 20c music will find something to like. Overall, a great introduction to a period of much off-putting, yes, but also much compelling music.

Orchestral Excerpts for Bass Trombone, Tenore Tuba, Bass Trumpet

Average customer rating:

Good, but not the best methods for bass trombonists
Mulcahy Rocks, Reynolds is Hilarious!
Very Helpful
A perfecrt resource...almost!

Orchestral Excerpts for Bass Trombone, Tenore Tuba, Bass Trumpet

Manufacturer: Summit(Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000038JV
Release Date: 1995-07-18

Tracks:

Bass Trbn: Sarabande in c - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Till Eulenspeigel, Zarathustra, Ein Heldenleben - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Miraculous Mandarin/Sym No.9/Vn Con - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Hungarian March, Rome And Juliet - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Sym No.1 - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Sym No.7/Sym in d - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: The Creation/Hary Janos - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Syms No.5, 6, 7, 9 - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Pictures/Romeo And Juliet/Pines Of Rome/Gazza Ladra - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Sym No.3 - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Sym No.5 - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Trbn: Lohengrin, Ride Of Valkyries - Jeffrey Reynolds/Los Angeles Phil
Bass Tpt: Intro - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym
Bass Tpt: Das Rheingold - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym
Bass Tpt: Die Walkure - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym
Bass Tpt: Siegfried - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym
Bass Tpt: Die Gotterdammerung - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym
Tenor Tuba: Bydlo - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym
Tenor Tuba: Sym No.7 - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym
Tenor Tuba: Don Quixote - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym
Tenor Tuba: Ein Heldenleben - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym
Tenor Tuba: The Planets - Michael Mulcahy/Chicago Sym

Customer Reviews:

Good, but not the best methods for bass trombonists.......2007-07-05

After listening to the excerpts, I recognized Jeffrey Reynolds' perspective. He is an experienced player, but some of his advice is not as practical as it seems. For the Franck excerpt, common orchestral practice is to play the f-sharp as written: it is an applicable range study and should be kept intact. The Schumann excerpt is not played as written also, and should be taken literally in the context that it was written. Mr. Reynolds' approach to Wagner is interesting, especially to Die Walkure. It's not for everyone, but it may be beneficial to some. The Kodaly is well presented, as well as the Mahler, Berg, and Strauss excerpts. All things considered, it is a decent aide for study, but should not be seen as a "this is how it must be done" collection of excerpts.

Mulcahy Rocks, Reynolds is Hilarious!.......2006-10-26

Okay, for anyone seriously interested in what NOT to do in an audition, make sure to listen to Reynolds on this disc. There's a reason this CD is infamous, and he's the reason. Even his advice is pretty awful. Take part of the D Major down an octave because the commitee won't notice? Hah! That kills me every time.

Mulcahy rocks on this, though. Just listen to the VAlhalla theme and tell me he's not a monster.

Then, go back and listen to Reynolds play Ein Heldenleben with 'oblique intonation' and 'questionable sound' and roll on the floor for a while.

Very Helpful.......2006-05-27

This CD was very helpful for me, a student bass trombonist. The CD enables you to not only hear the exerpt, but also listen to what the performer says about it and how it should be played. Mr. Reynolds, as well as Mr. Mulcahy played the exerpts beautifully.

A perfecrt resource...almost!.......2000-08-02

The Orchestra Pro series are a very useful tool to student musicians trying to get a grasp on how the major symphonic excerpts should be played. More useful, however is the spoken commentary, which resembles a one on one lesson with the performer. The bass trumpet and tenor tuba excerpts are played beautifully by Mulcahy. The bass trombone playing or Reynolds often leaves the listener wondering if he could not have done a slightly better job on some of the excerpts. All in all this CD is a great resource for those trying to get their foot in the door of the orchestral music scene.

Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2; Violin Concerto No. 1

Average customer rating:

Did NOT get a rosette - but who cares?
The best performances of Shostakovich's Violin Concertos

Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2; Violin Concerto No. 1

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Prokofiev, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos no 1 / Rostropovich, Vengerov
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No1, Op107; Violin Concerto No1 (revised), Op99
Shostakovich: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Sonata No. 2
Shostakovich: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
Prokofiev & Shostakovich: Violin Concertos, No.2

ASIN: B000026CIM
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

Violin Concerto: Andantino - Andante assai
Violin Concerto: Scherzo. Vivacissimo
Violin Concerto: Moderato - Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto: Allegro moderato
Violin Concerto: Andante assai - Allegretto
Violin Concerto: Allegro, ben marcato

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor: I Nocturne: Moderato
Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor: II Scherzo: Allegro
Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor: III Passacaglia: Andante - Candenza
Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor: IV Burlesque: Allegro con brio
Violin Concerto No2 In C Sharp Minor: Violin concerto No2: I Moderato
Violin Concerto No2 In C Sharp Minor: II Adagio
Violin Concerto No2 In C Sharp Minor: II Adagio - Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Did NOT get a rosette - but who cares?.......2006-05-12

At least not in the 2003-2004 edition of the Penguin guide. The Lin / LAPO / Salonen cd did.

But this and the Vengerov/Rostropovich, the Chung/Previn, the Shaham/Previn and the Mintz/Abbado all seem to be neck and neck - depending on who is listening. The Ricci/Ansermet gets high praise, too.

I have this album and like it very much. Might as well be a rosette in my book.

The best performances of Shostakovich's Violin Concertos.......2000-04-16

This 2-CD set contains the EMI/Virgin Classics (CD Album/s(x2): 5616332) masterful performances by Dmitry Sitkovetsky of the Prokofiev and Shostakovich Violin Concertos. Sitkovetsky became a sensation for his bestselling arrangement for string orchestra of Bach's Goldberg Variations. But it is this 2-CD set, his best as a performer, which shows the range of his skill and the depth of his art as a violin virtuoso. His affinity for the material, both emotionally and intellectualy, is very strong, and it particularly shows in the Shostakovich Violin Concerto 1, by far the best performance committed to disk (far superior to Vengerov's). The Penguin Guide of Classical Music gave it a "rossette," indicating just how special this performance is; Gramophone and other reviewers have praised it just as highly. Amazon.com is doing its classical music customers (particularly the Shostakovich fans) a great disservice by improperly labeling this CD, which is also a great bargain. The information I include in the first line of this review is the correct label information. I hope this review helps correct this oversight.

Average customer rating:

Kurt Sanderling Conducts
Shostakovich , Prokofiev , Sanderling , and Berlin So
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006L3X3
Release Date: 2003-02-11

Average customer rating:

good selection -- not bad performances
Good selection, poor performance.

Sensual Classics II

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Sensual Classics
Sensual Classics, Too

ASIN: B000000SL6
Release Date: 1994-03-08

Tracks:

Gymnopedie III
Etude, Op. 10, No. 3
Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 'Pathetique': Adagio. Allegro non troppo
Vocalise, Op. 34
Chanson de matin, Op. 15 No. 2
Romeo And Juliet: Fantasy Overture
Albumblatter: Wiegenliedchen (Lullaby)
Gymnopedie I
Romeo And Juliet Suite No. 1, Op. 64b: Romeo And Juliet
Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major, Op. 83: Andante
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5: Aria (Cantilena): Adagio
La fille aux cheveux de lin (Piano Preludes vol. 1)
Andantino semplice
West Side Story: Maria
Waltz, No. 1 In D Flat Major Op. 64
Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Nimrod
The Planets: Venus, The Bringer Of Peace

Amazon.com

Sensual Classics must have been a hit, particularly the cover photo of a man and woman undressing one another. For here we have Sensuous Classics II, complete with a book of eight more make-out photos sprawled over 10 foldout panels. There are no liner notes (no room, I guess). Again, the selections are absurd and the performance standard uneven. From the first note, Lawrence Foster's performance with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo of Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1 goes limp, if you'll pardon the expression. By contrast, Heitor Villa-Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 with soprano Arlene Auger and the cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic is bold and sensuous and memorable. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

good selection -- not bad performances.......2002-10-03

I agree with the previous reviewers that these are well selected pieces, at least if the standard is potentially to set the mood for romance. I have listened to this album a number of times and find the performances quite adequate -- I disagree that the perforamnces are bad. The roster of who is performing the pieces is not a lot of folks generally considered to be slouches. If these are bad performances, I think a lot of people would have trouble recognizing good performances.

The one thing I find really disappointing about this album is its price, which I find very high for a compilation album. For bettervalue, I would suggest looking for some of the many "adagio" albums that Polygram puts out that have 2 well-filled CDs with very nice selections of generally quiet, relaxing, romantic music (a good one is "Evening Adagios").

Better yet, buy some albums on the Naxos label... that have some of the pieces on any of these compilations and listen to all of the pieces on each CD. You'll get good value for your money and hear a lot of very good music too!

Good selection, poor performance........1999-08-23

I picked up this CD because it seemed to be a great selection of my favorite romantic classical tunes. I found the performances to be poor overall, however I was indeed pleased with the selection.