The Art of Robert Black

On this CD:

1. Capriccio (Blown Apart)
Composed by Robert Black
Performed by Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Jerzy Swoboda

2. Foremen Habet!
Composed by Robert Black
Performed by James Winn
Conducted by Jerzy Swoboda

3. Three Pieces for violin and piano
Composed by Robert Black
Performed by Charles Abramovic, Gregory Fulkerson
Conducted by Jerzy Swoboda

4. Concerto, for chamber orchestra in E-flat Major, "Dumbarton Oaks"
Composed by Igor Stravinsky
Performed by Prism Orchestra

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Well known to New York audiences as a pianist and conductor, Robert Black had begun to make his mark on the international conducting scene when he was suddenly cut down by cancer at the age of 43. During his last years Black turned to composition, and this recording bears the fruit of his endeavors. Some of Black's finest work as a conductor came leading the Warsaw Philharmonic, so it is fitting that this ensemble should give the recording premiere of Black's Capriccio (Blown Apart), of 1993. Jerzy Swoboda leads a spectacular performance of this virtuosic and witty orchestral tour-de-force. Black's pianism was much admired in repertoire centering around Beethoven, Liszt, and the masters of twentieth century music. His Foramen Habet!, of 1992, is given a reading of preternatural intensity by pianist James Winn. Black's Capriccio was based on his Three Pieces for Violin and Piano, which is preformed here by the noted chamber players, Gregory Fulkerson and Charles Abramovic. Also included is an "in concert" performance of Black conducting Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks Concerto. On display here is the superb rhythmic elan and sense of line that made Robert Black one of New York's finest conductors during the 1970s and 80s.

Tracks:

First Booke Of Songes: I. Unquiet Thoughts
First Booke Of Songes: II. Who Ever Thinks Or Hopes Of Love
First Booke Of Songes: III. My Thoughts Are Wing'd With Hopes
First Booke Of Songes: IV. If My Complaints Could Passions Move
First Booke Of Songes: V. Can She Excuse My Wrongs
First Booke Of Songes: VI. Now, O Now, I Needs Must Part
First Booke Of Songes: VII. Dear, If You Change
First Booke Of Songes: VIII. Burst Fourth My Tears
First Booke Of Songes: IX. Go Crystal Tears
First Booke Of Songes: X. Think'st Thou Then By Thy Feigning
First Booke Of Songes: XI. Come Away, Come Sweet Love
First Booke Of Songes: XII. Rest Awhile, You Cruel Cares
First Booke Of Songes: XIII. Sleep, Wayward Thoughts
First Booke Of Songes: XIV. All Ye, Whom Love Or Fortune Hath Betray'd
First Booke Of Songes: XV. Wilt Thou Unkind Thus Reave Me
First Booke Of Songes: XVI. Would My Conceit
First Booke Of Songes: XVII. Come Again: Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
First Booke Of Songes: XVIII. His Golden Locks
First Booke Of Songes: XIX. Awake, Sweet Love
First Booke Of Songes: XX. Come, Heavy Sleep
First Booke Of Songes: XXI. Away With These Self-Loving Lads

Tracks:

Second Booke Of Songs: I. I Saw My Lady Weep
Second Booke Of Songs: II. Flow My Tears
Second Booke Of Songs: III. Sorrow, Stay
Second Booke Of Songs: IV. Die Not Before Thy Day
Second Booke Of Songs: V. Mourn, Mourn, Day Is With Darkness Fled
Second Booke Of Songs: VI. Time's Eldest Son
Second Booke Of Songs: VII. Then Sit Thee Down
Second Booke Of Songs: VIII. When Others Sing Venite
Second Booke Of Songs: IX. Praise Blindness Eyes
Second Booke Of Songs: X. O Sweet Woods
Second Booke Of Songs: XI. If Floods Of Tears
Second Booke Of Songs: XII. Fine Knacks For Ladies
Second Booke Of Songs: XIII. Now Cease My Wand'ring Eyes
Second Booke Of Songs: XIV. Come Ye Heavy States Of Night
Second Booke Of Songs: XV. White As Lilies Was Her Face
Second Booke Of Songs: XVI. Woeful Heart
Second Booke Of Songs: XVII. A Shepherd In A Shade
Second Booke Of Songs: XVIII. Faction That Ever Dwells
Second Booke Of Songs: XIX. Shall I Sue
Second Booke Of Songs: XX. Toss Not My Soul
Second Booke Of Songs: XXI. Clear Or Cloudy
Second Booke Of Songs: XXII. Humour Say What Mak'st Thou Here

Tracks:

Third Booke Of Songs 1603: I. Farewell, Too Fair
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: II. Time Stands Still
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: III. Behold A Wonder Here
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IV. Daphne Was Not So Chaste
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: V. Me, Me, And None But Me
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VI. When Phoebus First Did Daphne Love
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VII. Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: VIII. Flow Not So Fast, Ye Fountains
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: IX. What If I Never Speed?
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: X. Love Stood Amazed
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XI. Lend Your Ears To My Sorrow
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XII. By A Fountain Where I Lay
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIII. O What Hath Overwrought
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIV. Farewell, Unkind
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XV. Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVI. Fie On This Feigning!
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVII. I Must Complain
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XVIII. It Was A Time When Silly Bees
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XIX. The Lowest Trees Have Tops
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XX. What Poor Astronomers Are They
Third Booke Of Songs 1603: XXI. Come When I Call

Tracks:

A Pilgrimes Solace: I. Disdain Me Still
A Pilgrimes Solace: II. Sweet Stay Awhile
A Pilgrimes Solace: III. To Ask For All Thy Love
A Pilgrimes Solace: IV. Love, Those Beams That Breed
A Pilgrimes Solace: V. Shall I Strive Wih Words To Move?
A Pilgrimes Solace: VI. Were Every Thought An Eye
A Pilgrimes Solace: VII. Stay, Time, Awhile Thy Flying
A Pilgrimes Solace: VIII. Tell Me, True Love
A Pilgrimes Solace: IX. Go Nightly Cares
A Pilgrimes Solace: X. From Silent Night
A Pilgrimes Solace: XI. Lasso vita mia
A Pilgrimes Solace: XII. In This Trembling Shadow Cast
A Pilgrimes Solace: XIII. If That A Sinner's Sights
A Pilgrimes Solace: XIV. Thou Mighty God
A Pilgrimes Solace: XV. When David's Life
A Pilgrimes Solace: XVI. When The Poor Cripple

Tracks:

A Pilgrimes Solace: XVII. Where Sin Sore Wounding
A Pilgrimes Solace: XVIII. My Heart And Tongue Were Twins
A Pilgrimes Solace: XIX. Up Merry Mates
A Pilgrimes Solace: XX. Welcome Black Night
A Pilgrimes Solace: XXI. Cease, Cease These False Sports
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Lachrimae Pavane
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can Shee
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: The Frogge
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Frog's Galliard
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavana And Galiarda
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Paduana Lachrymae
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Can She Excuse
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavion Solus cum sola
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Dowland's Almayne
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Piper's Paven And Galliard
Keyboard Transcriptions Of Dowland's Music By Other Musicians: Pavan Lachrymae

Tracks:

Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: I. The Lamentation Of A Sinner
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: II. Domine ne in furore
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: III. Miserere mei Deus
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: IV. The Humble Suit Of A Sinner
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: V. The Humble Complaint Of A Sinner
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VI. De profundis
Mr. Henry Noell Lamentations: VII. Domine exaudi
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Gementes
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Tristes
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Coactae
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Amantis
Lachrimae: Lachrimae Verae
Lachrimae: Mr. John Langton's Pavan
Lachrimae: Mr. Nicholas Gryffith His Galiard
Lachrimae: Sir John Souch His Galiard
Lachrimae: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens
Lachrimae: Mr. Giles Hobies Galiard
Lachrimae: The King Of Denmark's Galiard
Lachrimae: Sir Henry Umpton's Funerall
Lachrimae: Mr. Henry Noell His Galiard
Lachrimae: The Earl Of Essex Galiard
Lachrimae: Mr. Bucton His Galiard
Lachrimae: Mr. George Whitehead His Almand
Lachrimae: Captain Digorie Piper His Galiard
Lachrimae: Mr. Thomas Collier His Galiard
Lachrimae: Mrs. Nichols Almand

Tracks:

Sacred Songs: Sorrow, Come!
Sacred Songs: I Shame At Mine Unworthiness
Sacred Songs: An Heart That's Broken And Contrite
Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
Psalms: Psalm 38: Put Me Not To Rebuke O Lord
Psalms: Psalm 130: Lord To Thee I Make My Moan
Psalms: Psalm 104: My Soul Praise The Lord
Psalms: Psalm 100: All People That On Earth Do Dwell
Psalms: Psalm 134: Behold And Have Regard
A Prayer For The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
Instrumental Music: Solus cum sola pavan
Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
Instrumental Music: Galliard
Instrumental Music: Pipers Pavan
Instrumental Music: Lachrimae
Instrumental Music: Lady Rich Galliard
Instrumental Music: Earl Of Essex Galliard
Instrumental Music: If My Complaints
Instrumental Music: Lachrimae Doolande
Instrumental Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home
Instrumental Music: My Lord Chamberlaine His Galliard
Instrumental Music: Comagain
Instrumental Music: Pavan Lachrymae
Instrumental Music: Sorrow Stay

Tracks:

Lute Music: Preludium
Lute Music: Lachrimae
Lute Music: Can She Excuse
Lute Music: Dr. Case's Pavan
Lute Music: Melancholy Galliard
Lute Music: Sir John Smith, His Almain
Lute Music: Fantasia
Lute Music: A Dream
Lute Music: Almain
Lute Music: The Queen's Galliard
Lute Music: Coranto
Lute Music: Resolution
Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux Galliard
Lute Music: Almain
Lute Music: Mr. Dowland's MIdnight
Lute Music: Fantasia
Lute Music: Loth To Depart
Lute Music: The Most Sacred Queen Elizabeth, Her Galliard
Lute Music: The Earl Of Essex, His Galliard
Lute Music: Pavan
Lute Music: John Dowland's Galliard
Lute Music: Aloe
Lute Music: The Lady Clifton's Spirit
Lute Music: What If A Day
Lute Music: Mr. Giles Hobie's Galliard
Lute Music: Come Away (Song arrangement)
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)

Tracks:

Lute Music: Lachrimae (Basic Version)
Lute Music: Galliard To Lachrimae
Lute Music: [Jig]
Lute Music: Galliard On 'Wasingham'
Lute Music: Complaint (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Mignarda (Galliard)
Lute Music: Semper Dowland Semper Dolens (Pavan)
Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
Lute Music: A Fancy (Fantasia)
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
Lute Music: Piper's Pavan
Lute Music: Captain Digorie Piper's Galliard
Lute Music: Lady Laiton's Almain
Lute Music: Dowland's Galliard
Lute Music: Dowland's First Galliard
Lute Music: Tarleton's Jig
Lute Music: Walsingham (ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Lord Willoughbie's Welcome Home (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Sir Henry Guilforde, His Almain
Lute Music: Pavan (Related To 'Lachrimae')
Lute Music: Mr. Langton's Galliard
Lute Music: Mrs. Clifton's Almain
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Lady Hunsdon's Puffe (Almain)
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Go From My Window (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)

Tracks:

Lute Music: Pavana Johan Douland
Lute Music: Mrs. Brigide Fleetwood's Pavan (Solus sine sola)
Lute Music: La mia Barbara
Lute Music: Sir Henry Umpton's Funeral (Pavan)
Lute Music: Lachrimae
Lute Music: Farewell Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)
Lute Music: Farewell (On The 'In Nomine' Theme)
Lute Music: The King of Denmark's Galliard
Lute Music: Mrs. Vaux's Jig
Lute Music: Mrs. Nichol's Almain
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Lord Strang's March
Lute Music: Mrs. Winter's Jump
Lute Music: Can She Excuse (Galliard)
Lute Music: The Shoemaker's Wife, A Toy
Lute Music: Mrs. Norrish's Delight
Lute Music: Galliard
Lute Music: Mrs. White's Thing (Almain)
Lute Music: Mrs. White's Nothing
Lute Music: The Frog Galliard
Lute Music: Solus cum sola
Lute Music: The Lord Viscount Lisle, His Galliard
Lute Music: Orlando Sleepeth (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Robin (Ballad Setting)
Lute Music: Galliard (On A Galliard By Daniel Bacheler)
Lute Music: Forlorn Hope Fancy (Chromatic Fantasia)

Tracks:

Lute Music: The Lady Russell's Pavan
Lute Music: Fancy (Fantasia)
Lute Music: Sir John Langton's Pavan
Lute Music: Earl Of Derby, His Galliard
Lute Music: A Coy Toy
Lute Music: Fortune My Foe
Lute Music: [Almain]
Lute Music: Mr. Knight's Galliard
Lute Music: Sir John Souch His Galliard
Lute Music: Tarletone's Riserrectione
Lute Music: The Lady Rich, Her Galliard
Consort Music: Lachrimae Pavan
Consort Music: Can She Excuse Galliard
Consort Music: Captain Piper's Pavan And Galliard
Consort Music: The Frog Galliard
Consort Music: Round Battell Galliard
Consort Music: Fortune My Foe
Consort Music: Dowland's First Galliard
Consort Music: Katherine Darcie's Galliard
Consort Music: Tarleton's Jigge
Consort Music: Almain a 2
Consort Music: Mistress Nichols Almain a 2
Fullsack And Hildebrandt: Auserlesener Paduanen und Galliarden: Susanna Fair (Galliard)
Haussmann: Rest von polnischen und andern Tanzen: Mistress Nichols Alman a 5
Opusculum: Mr. John Langton Pavan And Galliard
Opusculum: La mia Barbara Pavan and Galliard
Opusculum: Lachrimae Antiquae Novae Pavan and Galliard

Tracks:

Consort Music: Mistress NIchols Almain
Consort Music: Volta a 4 ('Ioh. Douland')
Consort Music: Were Every Thought an Eye
Consort Music: Lady If You So Spite Me
Consort Music: Pavan a 4
A Musicall Banquet: I. My Heavy Sprite (Anthony Holborne)
A Musicall Banquet: II. Change Thy Mind Since She Doth Change (Richard Martin)
A Musicall Banquet: III. O Eyes, Leave Off Your Weeping (Robert Hales)
A Musicall Banquet: IV. Go, My Flock, Go Get You Hence (Anon.)
A Musicall Banquet: V. O Dear Life, When Shall It Be? (Anon.)
A Musicall Banquet: VI. To Plead My Faith (Daniel Bacheler)
A Musicall Banquet: VII. In A Grove Most Rich Of Shade (Guillaume Tessier)
A Musicall Banquet: VIII. Far From Triumphing Court
A Musicall Banquet: IX. Lady, If You So Spite Me
A Musicall Banquet: X. In Darkness Let Me Dwell
A Musicall Banquet: XI. Si le parler et le silence (Pierre Guedron)
A Musicall Banquet: XII. Ce penser qui sans fin tirannise ma vie (Pierre Guedron)
A Musicall Banquet: XIII. Vous que le Bonheur rappelle (Pierre Guedron)
A Musicall Banquet: XIV. Passava Amor su arco desarmado (Anon. Spanish)
A Musicall Banquet: XV. Sta notte mi sognava (Anon. Italian)
A Musicall Banquet: XVI. Vuestros ojos tienen d'Amor (Anon. Spanish)
A Musicall Banquet: XVII. Se di farmi morire (Domenico Maria Megli)
A Musicall Banquet: XVIII. Dovro dunque morire? (Giulio Caccini)
A Musicall Banquet: XIX. Amarilli mia bella (Giulio Caccini)
A Musicall Banquet: XX. O bella piu (Anon, Italian)

Customer Reviews:

A musical treasure-box.......2006-09-10

Both the music and this actual product are masterpieces. John Dowland's collected works here - covering 12 compact discs - exhibit the depth and power of this composer, a composer who many now regard as suffering from clinical depression. I doubt that the issue of the diagnosis of Dowland's depression can ever be settled, however, it is certainly obvious from his music, so completely on display here, that he was a man with very dark depths and corners in his mind. Dowland's various manifestations and "takes" on his own tune, "Flow my tears"/"Lachrimae" are here. This tune has haunted me ever since I first heard it when I was a child. It seems to sum up Dowland's feelings - at least Dowland seems to have thought so.

The First, Second, Third and Fourth Bookes of Songes, A Musicall Banquet, the keyboard transcriptions, all the lute music, consort music are here and virtually everything else written or supposedly written by John Dowland. Anthony Rooley and The Consort of Musicke perform this music with style and feeling throughout. This 12 CD set is something of a monument to the ensemble - I only wish they'd finished their collection of Monteverdi madrigals, which was equally good (La Venexiana are currently doing a magnificent job of recording all Monteverdi's books of madrigals for the GLOSSA label).

This is an expensive set, however, you will probably never need to buy another John Dowland CD again after buying and listening to this collection.

I bought this CD set on a mild Summer evening of 1998 and listened to it while sitting in my sun room - which a glorious orange sunset in progress, and a glass of wine. It brought back so many memories.

a beautiful journey into melancholy.......2001-06-15

I'm amazed at how many people tend to associate John Dowland's music with a tragic sense of drama. While no doubt this is art highly based on sadness, the "tragic" sense of it is more a legacy from the Romantic period. During the Renaissance, however, sadness was undestood as a very aesthetic way of approaching life. That is also the reason why Shakespeare's tragedies appear more sophisticated than his comedies.

Tracks:

Ring de Banjo
Beautiful Dreamer
Gentle Annie
Way Down in Ca-i-ro
My Old Kentucky Home
Old Black Joe
Dolcy Jones
Thou Art the Queen of My Song
Old Folks At Home
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
Oh! Susanna
Gentle Lena Clare
Nelly Bly
Some Folks
Laura Lee
Camptown Races
Traditional:Steal Away
Traditional:Nobody Knows (duh Trouble I See)
Traditional:I Want to Die Easy
Traditional:Dere's No Hidin' Place

Customer Reviews:

Stephen Foster.......2007-05-13

I saw a program on OPB about him so I got this. But, I didn't like it and don't listen to it. It is now under my bed collecting dust.

Terrific choral renditions.......2006-01-27

I own this CD and am especially fond of it for the solos by Thomas Pyle and Clayton Krehbiel, particularly the latter's singing of "I Want to Die Easy." All other soloists and choristers are equally superb, but those two gentlemen, sadly since deceased, were personal acquaintances and musical influences. If you don't have a taste for great choral arrangements, then pass, but you'll be missing out on something special. Enjoy it, you who adore the finest.

Make the exquisite into the mundane.......2004-07-21

Oh, puleeze, this is the sappiest rendition of these gorgeous songs ever recorded, right up there with sing-a-long with Mitch Miller.

I always hate when songs that are meant to be sung intimately as solos or duets are done by 7,000 harmonized voices.

I recommend this recording only to be listened to in a nice comfortable elevator

Great Drinking Music!.......2002-07-20

This CD Kicks ...! BR>The trombone riff in "Camptown Races" is incredible. The screaming axe in "Oh! Susanna" is mind-blowing. The fantastic jamming on this CD reminds me of HMTT. This CD is one monster hit after another. "Steal Away To Jesus", is a real kicker, although not quite as good as "Will You F'n Give Me Jesus".......

Just sit back, pop a cold one, maybe a whiskey shooter , pop this
baby on the victrolla and enjoy.......

Here's to ya Hawks...........

One of my favorite CDs.......2000-08-09

This is one of the best recordings of historic American music that I have heard, along with Joel Cohen's "Liberty Tree." The arrangements and interpretations of the songs are very beautiful. Some of the banjos are cheesy, but it is much much better than every other Foster recordings that I have heard. If you are in the mood to hear great music of Antebellum America, than I highly recommend this CD to you. You won't regret it!

Average customer rating:

stupid and not Eno. Zero stars.
Eno gone wild
Mostly good
Takes the recording out of the studio
not what i expected!

Music For Airports

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000069CI
Release Date: 1998-02-24

Tracks:

Amazon.com

An avant-garde ensemble playing the 1978 Brian Eno piece which put ambient music on the map. Eno's idea was to make a series of tape loops into tightly composed Muzak. He wanted a sonic backdrop for bland public spaces that would reward close listening. Bang on a Can, playing acoustic and electric instruments, breathe life into it, making the music's neutrality seem coldly beautiful. The piece is divided into four parts, each consisting of a few gentle, minimal figures, calmly repeated and shifted. Rhythm is eliminated and time seems to stretch. What is revealed is the sensuousness possible in a single note. Music has never been the same. This is the best place to hear where it changed. --Steve Tignor

Customer Reviews:

stupid and not Eno. Zero stars........2006-12-28

Its not an Eno album, but its credited to him.

Yes, I know, its "bang on a can", but it lists him as primary regardless. It should not.

The compositional process for the original is Algorithmic. treating it like a reproduceable composition is like trying to repaint Pollack's "Blue Poles". You could, but why?

As a lifetime fan of Eno, I find this product absurd and misleading.

Airports is a masterpiece.
This is a piece of something else.

Eno gone wild.......2005-09-27

Bang On A Can's version of "Music for Airports" adds a jangly depth to Eno's more compressed version. They've managed to use the studio to create space in an already swiss cheese like piece. But the key difference here is the space is much more stark than Eno, thanks to the startling presence of their instruments, which rattle and drone and twitter expressively. The quiet becomes the space for anticipation of the instruments. so rather than the steady rolling pulse of Eno's, you get more up and down with BOAC's version.

It doesn't improve on Eno's piece. I think in some way, it vindicates Eno's abilities as a composer.

Mostly good.......2005-04-25

I have known the original Eno version intimately for years, so I approached this CD with a question: Does it add anything to the original? The short answer is one part does, two maybe do and one part doesn't. The first part (arranged by Michael Gordon) is the least satisfying. It doesn't seem to add anything to the original Eno version apart from an unsettling deep piano chord at the start. It sounds awkward and clumsy, and it lacks the smooth beauty of the original. Part two consists of mostly aetherial voices, as did Eno's, but on this version David Lang has fleshed it out with subtle additions that work quite well. Third section brings out a slight jazz flavour to the original, which is interesting although I have yet to decide whether I like that angle or not! The best part is the final part, which certainly adds to the original Eno composition. Eno's rich, chorale of synths has been enhanced by the addition of some interesting instruments, e.g. plucked instruments, that really brings out some novel textures in the piece. So, overall, three stars - one for each reasonable piece on the album.

Takes the recording out of the studio.......2003-09-26

By taking Brian Eno's legendary ambient cornerstone album "Music for Airports" out of the studio, i.e. by recording it with live musicians in real time, avant-garnd ensemble Bang on a Can present us with quite a masterpiece, considering the original work was conceived as a piece solely with synthesizers and tape loops in mind (and at hand) when the music was first put together over two decades ago.

After interpreting works of the great minimalists Steve Reich and Terry Riley it would only seem appropriate for them to be the most appropriate pick to give new life to Eno's seminal ambient work, and they do an extraordinary job at it, in my opinion. The result is an album (an exec. production by Philip Glass, by the way) that is true to the source while adding new instruments to it in a process that counted with Eno's blessing all along the way.

not what i expected!.......2003-05-15

so, i bought this CD thinking i was getting the 'brian eno' version... but no; it was the 'bang on a can' version! hmmm, 'bang on can' doesn't exactly conjure up "ambient" music.
well, i gave it try and man am i impressed! i'm not sure how this stacks up to the original, but this is awesome mood music!
highly recommended! ranks right up there with eno's "apollo" disk.

Excellence: The Artistry of Karita Mattila

Average customer rating:

Soaring Lyric Soprano at Her Best in Diverse Compilation

Excellence: The Artistry of Karita Mattila

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0002MPQKK
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Dedication
The Nut Tree
You Are Like A Flower
My Love Is In Bloom
Vain Serenade
The Path To The Beloved
When The Sun Shines
Miriam's Song I
Miriam's Song II
Morning Song
Autumn Mood
To Evening
Did I Just Dream?
The First Kiss
The Tryst
Black Roses
Hail Mary
Song To The Moon
Return, Victorious!
I Have Live For Art
Csardas
Somewhere
I Could Have Danced All Night

Customer Reviews:

Soaring Lyric Soprano at Her Best in Diverse Compilation.......2005-05-08

I was fortunate enough to see the magnificent soprano Karita Mattila perform the title role in Janácek's "Kát'a Kabanová" at the Metropolitan Opera last December. A striking blonde and a charismatic presence onstage, she lifted me from my upper balcony seat by the sheer volume of her voice. As this best-of compilation proves, Mattila is an accomplished singer who knows how to wrap her voice around the most challenging of measures and still display a rare communicative gift to all who listen. This wide-ranging collection (recorded from 1995 to 2001) shows how she effectively uses the timbre of her voice to gauge the emotional terrain of a song. It's a testament of her interpretive artistry that you never hear her reaching for an unnecessary flourish.

Mattila's versatility within the Romantic movement is showcased to strong advantage in the Schumann and Brahms selections, where she handles the delicacy of the melodies with lovely economy. Then there are a series of pieces by master composers from her homeland, Finland - Oskar Merikanto, Erkki Melartin, Toivo Kuula and the most famous, Jean Sibelius. It helps that so many of these selections invoke the haunting, desolate beauty of Nordic landscapes, which are ideally infused by the cool radiance of her vocal tone. Especially in the Sibelius sections, you hear how Mattila captures his very powerful modal implications drawn out over a number of notes. Ilmo Ranta accompanies on piano with immaculate skill on all the Romantic and Finnish selections.

From that point, the disc goes into more familiar programming starting with a lovely version of Schubert's "Ave Maria" and an ethereal performance of Dvorak's "Song to the Moon" from "Rusalka" with a rich string accompaniment. More dramatic interpretations follow with her one-two punch of Italian arias: a rousing "Ritorna vincitor" from Verdi's "Aida" and the bitter melancholy she expresses in Puccini's "Vissi d'Arte" from "Tosca". For all intents and purposes, the disc should have ended with the high-flying dramatic runs she displays in her impressive live performance of Strauss' "Klänge der Heimat" from "Die Fledermaus". Jukka-Pekka Saraste masterfully conducts the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra on all these selections.

Alas, the last two tracks highlight Mattila's ability to crossover to Tin Pan Alley. It's arguable as to whether their inclusion is necessary - a harp-introduced rendition of "Somewhere" from Bernstein and Sondheim's "West Side Story", which she sings with thankfully elegant simplicity, and more frustratingly, a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed version of "I Could Have Danced All Night" from Lerner and Lowe's "My Fair Lady", where her Finnish accent betrays her only when she enunciates "dance" with the roundest of o's. Regardless, Mattila is a lyric soprano with powers of expansive generosity, a mature and warm tone in the middle register, and an upper register that effortlessly releases the excitement of an emotional climax. Even with the Broadway tunes, she displays a sophisticated gift for phrasing. Strongly recommended.

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Chaliapin, the great Russian singer actor.
A Chaliapin feast

Chaliapin: A Vocal Portrait

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Prima Voce: Chaliapin

ASIN: B00006RHPA
Release Date: 2003-01-21

Customer Reviews:

Chaliapin, the great Russian singer actor. .......2004-08-23

Born in the same year as Caruso and attracting the wild acclaim that used to be accorded to opera singers, Feodor Chaliapin is now featured in the Naxos "Great Singers" series. A selection of his acoustic recordings (1902-1924) occupy the first CD and a selection of his electric recordings (1926-1936), and in charge of restoration is Ward Marston.

Like Caruso, Chaliapin had a huge voice that nevertheless proved eminently compatible with acoustic recording processes. Indeed, collectors need not be deterred by the age of many of these recordings. Some of the very best items, whether opera or song, fall into the acoustic group. The 1911 recordings of Rubinstein's "Demon" excerpts, which I heard a few times many years ago and have never forgotten, are amongst the best of all in this entire selection.

Also like Caruso, Chaliapin's recording career owed much to producer Fred Gaisberg who, in his autobiography, allotted a whole chapter to this great singer. In recent times, eminent critic John Steane has named Chaliapin as one of the two or three great singer actors of the C20th. Gaisberg was responsible for recording the Prayer and Death of Boris during an actual performance of "Boris Godunov" at Covent Garden in 1928. Perhaps this best indicates Chaliapin's work as singer and actor. Another successful item here is the `Le veau d'or' from "Faust", which one critic has judged ideal for showing Chaliapin's special magnetism.

The notes provide an informative survey of Chaliapin's recording output. One error is the attributing some of the orchestral support in the recordings from the 1920s to the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and orchestra which was founded by Beecham in 1932.

A Chaliapin feast.......2003-02-14

It's nice of Naxos to collect in one place some of the most representative recordings of the great Russian basso, Fyodor Chaliapin. This is a 2CD set; the first CD is from the acoustic era of recording, the second from the electrical era. Not only are the expected arias and songs from the Russian literature represented, but also there are more than a few Italian/French/German selections.

There are two scenes from 'Boris Godunov': Varlaam's Song and the Farewell and Death of Boris. Three versions of Mussorgsky's 'Song of the Flea', from 1907, 1929 and 1936 (the latter his last recording) are included, all of them marvelous. Other highlights, made all the more effective by Chaliapin's amazing ability to act with the voice, are 'La calunnia' from 'The Barber of Seville' and 'Le veau d'or' from Gounod's 'Faust.' I also liked 'Chanson Bachique' by Glazunov, which I'd never heard before.

The sound is fantastic, the wizardry of Ward Marston who, along with Mark Obert-Thorn, is involved with Naxos's extensive re-issue of treasures from the history of the recorded voice.

If you don't have these selections from previous issues on other labels, you can't go wrong here. And then there's the budget price . . .

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Average customer rating:

F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.!

At LAST the complete series ORIGINAL soundtrack, the wait is over!

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2

The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Book: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of a Television Classic

Man from U.N.C.L.E.

In Like Flint / Our Man Flint: Original Motion Picture Soundtracks

ASIN: B0006SSQ8E
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

First Season Main Title
Vulcan Affair
Deadly Games Affair
Double Affair
Project Strigas Affair
King of Knaves Affair
Fiddlesticks Affair
Meet Mr. Solo
First Season End Title
Second Season End Title
Alexander the Greater Affair

Tracks:

Foxes and Hounds Affair
Discotheque Affair
Re-Collectors Affair
Arabian Affair
Tigers Are Coming Affair
Cherry Blossom Affair
Dippy Blonde Affair
Third Season End Title
Her Master's Voice Affair
Monks of St. Thomas Affair
Pop Art Affair
Fourth Season (Main Title)
Summit-Five Affair
"J" for Judas Affair

Customer Reviews:

F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.!.......2006-02-02

I've got the original music (including v2 and v3), the books (the best is Heitland's The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Book; still in print);
the 22 VHS tapes issued in the early 1990's (a haphazard collection issued in no particular order of episodes that boasted famous guest stars). Can I please get the whole series on DVD? I have not seen Mother Fear toying with Illya (The Children's Day Affair) in over 40 years.

At LAST the complete series ORIGINAL soundtrack, the wait is over!.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.

Henry Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol. 7

Average customer rating:

Excellent performance (not everybody will like this music)

Henry Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol. 7

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Henry Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol. 2
Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol. 3
Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol 6 /King's Consort * King
Henry Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol. 1
Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol. 5

ASIN: B000002ZTB
Release Date: 1994-03-01

Tracks:

The Complete Anthems And Services - 7: I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me
The Complete Anthems And Services - 7: O Consider My adversity
The Complete Anthems And Services - 7: Beati omnes qui timent Dominum
The Complete Anthems And Services - 7: I was Glad When They Said Unto Me
The Complete Anthems And Services - 7: In The Black Dismal Dungeon Of Despair
The Complete Anthems And Services - 7: Save Me, O God
The Complete Anthems And Services - 7: Te Deum In B Flat
The Complete Anthems And Services - 7: Julibilate In B Flat
The Complete Anthems And Services - 7: Thy Way, O God, Is Holy
The Music For The Funeral Of Queen Mary 1695: Drum Prosessional
The Music For The Funeral Of Queen Mary 1695: March
The Music For The Funeral Of Queen Mary 1695: Man That Is Born Of A Woman
The Music For The Funeral Of Queen Mary 1695: In The Midst Of Life
The Music For The Funeral Of Queen Mary 1695: Thou Knowest, Lord, The Secrete Of Our Hearts
The Music For The Funeral Of Queen Mary 1695: Thou Knowest, Lord, The Secrete Of Our Hearts
The Music For The Funeral Of Queen Mary 1695: Canzona
The Music For The Funeral Of Queen Mary 1695: Drum Recessional

Customer Reviews:

Excellent performance (not everybody will like this music).......2000-06-13

Henry Purcell is regarded as the most gifted of England composers of all times. His genius reveals in all his music - ceremonial, operas, semi-operas, secular songs, religious and instrumental. This series of King conducting Purcell's anthems and services follows up the success of King's odes and welcome songs recordings. While all the performances in this series are excellent it's the quality of the music that counts and number 7 of this series arguably includes the best music. The booklet enclosed with King's notes is also very illuminating. The rating of four stars and not five is because not all admirers of purcell will enjoy this music as much as they enjoy his operas, semi-operas and wellcome songs as it's more on the melancholic side.

Average customer rating:

Indoubliable Alfred Deller: A Portrait

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000074Z
Release Date: 1996-02-12

Tracks:

The Plaint - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie/Roderick Skeaping
If Music Be The Food Of Love - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
I Attempt From Love's Sickness - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
Fairest Isle - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
Sweeter Than Roses - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
Not All My Torments - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
Thrice Happy Lovers - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
An Evening Hymn - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
From Rosy Bow'rs - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
O Lead Me To Some Peaceful Gloom - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
Retired From Any Mortal's Sight - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
Music For A While - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
Since From My Dear Astrea's Sight - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie
O Solitude - Alfred Deller/Wieland Kuijken/William Christie/Robert Elliott/Jane Ryan

Tracks:

Miserere My Maker - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
Shall I Sue - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
I Care Not For These Ladies - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
Come Heavy Sleep - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
Of All The Birds - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
I Saw My Lady Weep - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
Wilt Thou Unkind - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
The Cypress Curtain - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
What Then Is Love - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
Rest Sweet Nymphs - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
The Fair Lover And His Black Mistress - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
The Self-Banished - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
The Glory Of The Arcadian Groves - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
Oh! The Mighty Pow'r Of Love - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
In Her Brave Offspring - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
My Time, O Ye Muses - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
O Ravishing Delight - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
A Hymne To God The Father - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
What Then Is Love But Mourning - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
Fine Knacks For Ladies - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott
Flow My Tears - Alfred Deller/David Munrow//Richard Lee/Desmond Dupre/Robert Elliott

Tracks:

Flow, My Tears - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Galliard - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
The Lady Laiton's Almain - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Fortune My Foe - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
The Frog Galliard - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Weep You No More, Sad Fountains - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Me, Me, And None But Me - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
What If I Never Speed? - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Lasso, Vita Mia - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Toy: The Shoemaker's Wife - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Galliard: Can She Excuse - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Mistress White's Thing - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
The Round Battle Galliard - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Wilt Thou, Unkind, Thus Reave Me - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Come Away, Come, Sweet Love - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Sorrow, Stay - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
If That A Sinner's Sights - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Midnight - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Say, Love, If Ever You Didst Find? - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Lachrimae Pavan - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Galliard: Can She Excuse - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
If My Complaints Could Passions Move - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six
Katherine Darcy's Galliard - Alfred Deller/Robert Spencer/The Consort Of Six