Spinning

On this CD:

1. Sonata for flute & piano
Composed by Carl Vine
Performed by David Miller, Geoffrey Collins

2. Ceremony III for solo flute
Composed by Roger Smalley
Performed by Geoffrey Collins

3. Wind stirs gently, The, for flute & cello
Composed by Nigel Butterly
Performed by David Pereira, Geoffrey Collins

4. Spinning for solo alto flute
Composed by Andrew Ford
Performed by Geoffrey Collins

5. Sonata for flute
Composed by Keith Humble
Performed by David Miller, Geoffrey Collins

6. Ecstatic Dances for 2 flutes
Composed by Ross Edwards
Performed by Geoffrey Collins

7. Balibo for flute & tape
Composed by Martin Wesley-Smith
Performed by Geoffrey Collins

Tracks:

There There
(Nice Dream)
No Surprises
Polyethylene Part II
How I Made My Millions
Like Spinning Plates
Sail To The Moon
The Tourist
Cuttooth
2+2=5
Talk Show Host
Gagging Order
Paranoid Android
Street Spirit (Fade Out)

Amazon.com

Tribute albums are always suspect; classical interpretations of rock even more so--and follow-ups to the same are fraught with mediocrity. Just witness the inexplicable glut of String Quartet Tribute discs to Tool, Bruce Springsteen, and many other top-selling and cult artists. On Hold Me to This, his second run at the music of art-rock group Radiohead, classical pianist Christopher O'Riley avoids all these pitfalls. These aren't easy-listening piano renditions of Radiohead tunes, but deeply inspired, often challenging and dissonant re-imaginings. O'Riley succeeds by taking the music on its own terms. He doesn't try to make it "classical" but lets the classical nature of the music ring out. From the storming chordal overtone clusters of "There There" to the Chopinesque refrain of "The Spinning Plates," O'Riley makes you forget these songs were originally played by a raging rock band. Instead, they seem born on the keys of his piano. His "Paranoid Android" is like Conlon Nancarrow going boogie-woogie one moment and painfully, sweetly rhapsodic the next. I'm not sure how Radiohead fans will respond to this, but piano and classical listeners should rejoice. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

this has the depth you need..........2007-02-17

I don't believe you need to be ga-ga over Radiohead to enjoy this CD. This CD, it's all piano (w/o vocals) if you didn't already know that going in, will provide an even deeper appreciation of the textures & depth of the Radiohead catalog. Mr. O'Riley does takes some artistic liberties with the songs, albeit minor, but in so doing he unleashes the potential they all have. And this potential is truly staggering---some selections are nothing short of gorgeous.
Hold me to this: you WILL be floored by this CD. it's well worth the purchase.

Oddly Boring.......2006-07-16

I adore Radiohead, and really enjoy solo piano. I should love this disc, but I don't. Even though the wonderful creepiness of Radiohead is completely absent, I would be willing to chalk that up to artistic interpretation. But that's not what bugs me about this disc. What really bugs me is his style of playing. He relies on resonance and the transcript is completely devoid of silence. The result is a droning wall of notes, and all the pieces sound the same. It reminds me of Windham Hill recordings, but without the expression. Get Yorke's new album, Eraser, if you need a Radiohead fix, or get George Winston if you want solo Piano. I really wish I could recommend this, but I just can't.

a bit disappointing.......2006-07-11

O'Riley takes some liberties here, and that's fine. I'm a bit disappointed by his dynamic range, which is a bit predictable from song to song, and also with his tendency to overload the songs with schizophrenic ramblings. The craziness works well at times -- see "There There" for a time when it works well -- and other times it is overwhelming (see: "Nice Dream").

Despite a sometimes overloaded sound, the song list is so attractive and O'riley hits so many high notes (if you will..) that the CD is well worth owning. I prefer the "True Love Waits" album.

Cocktail Party Radiohead.......2006-03-21

I own the first Christopher O'Reily Radiohead Tribute - True Love Waits. If you love his stunning piano in that, or if you love stunning piano altogether, you will love Hold Me To This. I am an avid lover of all things Radiohead turned into wordless music lullabyes and this one does not dissapoint.

Good effort.......2006-03-02

Sound all the same...listen to the samples before you buy it. If your a fan of radiohead you wont like it...if your a fan of the piano you wont like it. But I give my respect to the musician for making the effort to replicate already beutiful music.

Average customer rating:

Amazing Songwriter and Unique Vocalist
Why didn't I discover this before?
jimmie dale gilmore's masterpiece.
spinning with joy
studio

Spinning Around the Sun
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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One Endless Night
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ASIN: B000002HD7
Release Date: 1993-08-24

Tracks:

Where You Going
Santa Fe Thief
I Was The One
So I'll Run
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Mobile Line (France Blues)
Nothing Of The Kind
Just A Wave
Reunion
I'm Gonna Love You
Another Colorado
Thinking About You

Amazon.com

After years of making brilliantly eccentric albums with his scruffy Texas friends, Jimmie Dale Gilmore was invited to Nashville to record an album with mainstream country producer Emory Gordy Jr., George Jones, Patty Loveless, and some of country music's top session players. The result, Spinning Around the Sun, sounds very much like its predecessors, proving that Gilmore has far more to teach Nashville than it has to teach him. Gilmore, named after Jimmie Rodgers and a product of Buddy Holly's hometown of Lubbock, sings with a hillbilly purity that nails every note even as it retains a dirt farmer's dignity in the midst of a lover's last-chance confession. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Songwriter and Unique Vocalist.......2007-07-05

Jimmie Dale Gilmore is a talented songwriter and vocalist. His voice is so strong and unique. He can do things with his voice that you just don't hear from any other artist. It is amazing. I have several of his cds and this is my favorite of his work. I really like the song "Another Colorado" because that is the name of the river that runs through my hometown and I love it. Jimmie's song is called "Another Colorado" because one day when he was on the banks of the river he learned that the Colorado River running through Austin, Texas is a whole different river from that other Western Colorado River that so famously carved out the Grand Canyon.

Jimmie Dale's songwriting skills are impressive in the lyrics to songs like "Just a Wave." He has some newer work out Come on Back but this is the best. Some of his best music is with his band the Flatlanders Wheels of Fortune including his buddies from his hometown, Joe Ely Letter to Laredo and Butch Hancock War and Peace. The film Lubbock Lights, Limited Edition gives some great background to Jimmie Dale and the other flatlander's experience growing up in Lubbock where the people are the biggest things around.

Why didn't I discover this before?.......2007-05-17

The absolute best of Jimmie Dale as a solo artist. The cover songs sounded new and written for Jimmie Dale's unique voice. The original songs are soulful and memorable. My favorite states "Babe, you're just a wave, you're not the water".

jimmie dale gilmore's masterpiece........2007-04-05

i had a dream last night. i dreamed that i lived in a world where toby keith, vince gill and garth brooks were anonymous individuals, perhaps working in construction, and that the most lauded and famous country music stars were fellas named "billy joe shaver," "buddy miller," and "jimmie dale gilmore." what a great dream. and when i awoke i was sad, because i remembered how the world really was. i just wanted to go back to sleep and dream some more.

spinning with joy.......2007-03-08

This is flat-out the best Jimmie Dale Gilmore CD ever. Just listen to it once and you will want to listen again and again. And again.

studio.......2006-07-03

If you are like me, (and nobody is) you will want to have all of JDG's works, but I would get Fair and Square or One Endless Night before getting this one. Even when an actual artist does a "studio" album it has a feeling of being handcrafted. Maybe he should have culled I'm So Lonesome. . . But this is a guy who took Mack the Knife away from Bobby Darin and Louie Armstrong.

Average customer rating:

breakdown by cd.
I'm not a music expert

Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00062FLJW
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

breakdown by cd........2007-01-14

CD1-7:SYMPHONIES 1-9

CD8:PIANO CONCERTO

CD9:VIOLIN CONCERTO & CELLO CONCERTO

CD10-11:REQUIEM

CD12-13:STABAT MATER

CD14:PIANO TRIOS OP.90 "DUMKY" & 21

CD15:PIANO TRIOS OP.65 & 26

CD16:PIANO QUARTETS

CD17:PIANO QUINTETS

CD18:STRING QUINTETS

CD19-20:MUSIC FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO

C21:SERENADE/HAUSMUSIK

CD22-31:THE COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS

CD32:SLAVONIC DANCES OP.46 & 72

CD33:PIANO DUET SLAVONIC DANCES

CD34:PIANO DUET LEGENDS FROM THE BOHEMIAN FOREST

CD35:PIANO WORKS

CD36-37:RUSALKA

CD38-40:SYMPHONIC POEMS

I'm not a music expert.......2005-08-25

I don't know too much about music. I own over 700 cds, but I don't play music and I don't have much experience with this music. My only point of reference was the ninth symphony, seeing as every other piece in this box set was new to me. It sounds fine, nothing wrong with it as far as I can see.

Now, here's what you'll get in this box set, seeing as Amazon does not give it a description. 40 cds! no joke, you get 40 cds in this box set. It features:
1. Complete symphonies
2. Complete symphonic poems
3. Cello concerto
4. Piano concerto
5. Violin concerto
6. Requiem
7. Stabat Mater
8. Slavonic Dances
9. Complete String quartets
10. Chamber music
11. Piano Works (solo and duet)
12. Rusalka

As far as I can tell, the only things missing are The Spectre's Bride and Jacobin. Seeing as it is 40 cds, i have not had an opportunity to listen to it, however what i have heard i have been quite satisfied with.

Average customer rating:

Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set]

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ASIN: B00062FLJM
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Spinning World: 13 Ways of Looking at a Waltz

Average customer rating:

Beautiful, Romantic Music!
Sex and the City
Quite brilliant!
Beautiful
I just got this CD on a lark, and I love it

Spinning World: 13 Ways of Looking at a Waltz
Gunnar Madsen
Manufacturer: G-Spot (City Hall)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000006P53
Release Date: 1998-08-10

Tracks:

Anna
Wedding Waltz
Far And Away
Five Lakes
The Old Vienna
Hans Is Happy
Eye Of The Camel
Model A Waltz
Sentimental Rag
Greater Than The Earth
Lota
Tipsy Arabella
St. Agnes

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, Romantic Music!.......2006-09-09

Like many others, I discovered this CD because of Sex in the City and LOVE it. If "Anna" is the song that appeals to you, you'll be absolutely swept away by Regina Carter's Paganini, which is exquisite and was also played on the show.

Sex and the City.......2006-04-08

Looks like a good bit of people bought this for the same reason. Anna from the end episode "La Douleur Exquise!" of season 2 of Sex and the City. Aparently other songs from teh CD were in the show too.

I had to do a good bit of googling before I finally found out the song and artist. Listening to the whole song is no disappointment...

...however the other CDs advertized by this artest seem inordinanly different... I heard somewhere that this song was made because it did a better job of representing what the artists grandmother would have liked (who gave him everything she owned when she passed away simply because she loved the fact that he wanted to study music)...

Anyhow, the end result was a very good song.

Quite brilliant!.......2005-09-09

Like a lot of other people, my intention in purchasing this album was to hear the 'Anna' track that I had heard and fallen for on a particular Sex and the City episode. Turns out the rest of the tracks are just as magnificent. I'd highly recommend this to anyone seeking some truly touching and pleasant sounds.

Beautiful.......2005-08-18

I first heard Gunnar Madsen on Sex and the City. I couldn't figure out what song it was, but I would play it over and over with Carrie's voice over and everything. Then I figured out it was "Anna" and a moment later bought this CD. It is better than I expected, only having heard "Anna." I play this CD all the time. It is perfect for when I'm reading, driving, cooking, doing anything. It's fabulous!

I just got this CD on a lark, and I love it.......2004-12-05

This CD is amazing, It is my favorite music to cook to, and I am a great cook. Wonderful. I am buying one for my mom now.

Average customer rating:

Brilliant vintage hamonics!

Auf Wiederseh'n

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Definitive Collection
Breezin' Along with the Revelers

ASIN: B000001HJO
Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

Creole Love Call
Must I Now Leave My Little Town?
Perpetual Motion
A Little Madness Is No Bad Thing
Tea For Two
A Little Spring Breeze
Darling, My Heart Longs To Greet You
Congo Lullaby
When Russian Sonja Is Dancing
Whispering
The Blue Danube
The Old Spinning-Wheel
The Barber Of Seville Overture
The Wedding Of The Painted Doll
At The Well Before The Gate
Barcarolle
Woodchoppers' Ditty
I Dream Of A Magical Night
In Silent Night
Night And Day
A Boy Saw A Wild Rosebush
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Tell Me Tonight
Auf Wiederseh'n, My Dear

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant vintage hamonics!.......1999-07-21

The Comedy Harmonists were an a close harmony group who recorded in Germany from '28 to the late '30's. They were harassed and force to disband because of Nazi disapproval of their semitic origins as well as their avant-guarde, jazz-oriented material. They sing here in German and English doing everything from folk songs to Tea for Two with clarity, musical grace and lightness. Their comic songs are very deft and witty. If you enjoy close harmonics, you will find this recording a revelation.

Average customer rating:

A fine collection of Faure's romantic music
The real Gil: working under his own paramters
Simply delicious
Finally, Fauré
Beautiful sound and good interpretation of Faure

The Fauré Album

Manufacturer: Artemis Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Fiddler of the Opera

ASIN: B0000B1A26
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13, I. Allegro molto
Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13, II. Andante
Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13, III. Allegro vivo
Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Op. 13, IV. Allegro quasi presto
Romance, Op. 28
Fileuse ("Spinning Song"), Op. 80 No. 2
Sicilienne, Op. 78
Berceuse, Op. 16
Serenade Toscane
Andante, Op. 75
Clair de Lune, Op. 46, No. 2
Morceau de lecture a vue
Trio for Piano, Cello and Violin, Op. 120, I. Allegro ma non troppo
Trio for Piano, Cello and Violin, Op. 120, II. Andantino
Trio for Piano, Cello and Violin, Op. 120, III. Allegro
Apres un Reve, transcribed for violin,cello and piano

Amazon.com

This is a lovely disc, featuring Fauré's early A Major sonata for violin and piano, his very late Piano Trio, and a handful of shorter bits, some of them transcriptions from orchestral works. The "Sicilienne" from Pélléas at Mélisande is lilting and soft; the transcription of "Clair de Lune" from Masques et Bergamasques captures its charm perfectly. The Sonata gets a performance which has both energy and sensitivity, and Shaham varies his tone throughout; the contemplative, slow movement really contrasts well with the perky finale. The Piano Trio is a masterfully understated work, full of rich harmonies and melodies, and the playing of Shaham, pianist Akira Eguchi, and cellist Brinton Smith captures just the right Romantic scent--if that's the right word--as well as sense of the music. The same three play Eguchi's arrangement of "Après un reve" almost as an encore, and its mellowness sums up the disc. Shaham's playing throughout offers a wonderful palette of colors. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A fine collection of Faure's romantic music.......2006-04-04

Gabriel Faure [1845-1924] was a major force in restoring chamber music to the French music scene dominated by the opera in the late 19th century. Faure was a modest gentleman not given to the current exceeses of the day in lifestyle or music. This is reflected in his music which has an urbane, refined sentiment and a refreshingly "old fashioned" emphasis on clear form, tonal beauty and equistite French elegance within 20th-century chromatic textures.

As I stumbled upon this CD at the library and was not familiar with the artists prior, I had no expections of this recording - other than perhaps low ones. But, it does not take long into this wonderful compilation of intimate Faure pieces to reveal musicians who have done their homework. Violinist Gil Shaham finds a very attractive and resonant center within this music. His phrasing and tone are not forced, nor overbearing, nor drip with excessive romantic passion. Rather, he takes a more introspective approach giving us delicately passionate melodies within a kaladioscope of colors and textures that bathe the senses in pure tonal pleasure. Serving him well too is an equistite vibrato not used to excess. Shaham's approach to the music here is perhaps not unlike Faure the man - rather humble and not flashy, subtle and delicate and with a feline grace. His tone and intonation have a buttery smoothness and transparent lyricism - somewhat like Fabio Biondo's equistitely sweet, vocal tone if he played such romantic repertoire.

For example, in the rhythmically driving opening Sonata movement, Shaham exudes a discreet but alluring passion compared to Dong-Suk Kang's full-throttled romantic reading (Naxos). I like both really, perhaps Kang's more impassioned version in the daytime and Shaham's more poised tones in the quiet of the night. The lilting third movement is perfect - gossamer-light, quick-footed with crisp bow attack and plaintive expressions from Shaham and sparkling semiquavers from pianist, Akira Eguchi. The Andante (and Andantino of the Trio) is drop-dead gorgeous in its quiet simplicity. On the whole throughout this disc, tempos are on the meditative side but serve the music well.

Equally successful is their luminous performance of Faure's magnificent Piano Trio, Op. 120 - a reading which approaches the Florestan Trio's wonderous account on Hyperion. At times in some movements, the piano could be more prominant (it sounds slightly muted in the mix), but this is a minor criticism as Eguchi finds a graceful flow that matches Shaham's delicacies. For the remaining pieces, it would be a disservice really to call them "fillers" as they each is a gem of French Romanticism in their own miniature world. Shaham's performance of the sensual Romance Op. 28 and Berceuse Op. 16 have a ever-so-gentle and ethereal beauty while the more famous Sicilienne transcription will captivate all but the most hardened criminal. Again, Gil Shaham and Akira Eguchi find the poetic center of french beauty so important to these pieces. I cannot say any of these works were unattractive and without something musical to say or emotionally moving in their appeal.

But, what was unattractive at times was Mr. Shaham's heavy breathing which was all-too-well recorded along with his violin. Perhaps some will see this an intimate involvement with the music (like Glenn Gould's humming during his Bach recordings). Others will see it as just plain bad sound engineering (too close to the microphone) and breathing technique. As ClassicsToday's noted in their otherwise stellar review of this CD (which scored a healthy 9/10), the violinist would best find a way to correct this tendency. With headphones or really focused listening, this will a problem for some, but less with more casual listening. Otherwise, the sound quality is crystal clear and vivid. Hopefully listeners will be able to gracefully integrate this unfortunate sound flaw into their listening experience and fully enjoy what seems to be this talented artist's best recording in a fairly obscure but richly rewarding niche of the repertoire.

All together, this is a really attractive and easy-on-the-ear recording of late 19th-century/early 20th-century French chamber music. Throughout these pieces Shaham really finds the gentle and kind heart of Faure in readings that should appeal to both the classical connoisseur as well as the average person looking for some nice music for that special candle light dinner. I also found Shaham's more restrained probing of these pieces produced a greater clarity than in other recordings I heard which seem to "push" the envelop of Faure's gracefulness perhaps too much. And such a refreshingly gentle approach as Shaham's here really wears well with repeated listening as others have noted as well. Gramophone also gave this CD a very favorable review for all the same reasons. Compositions - 5 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Sound quality - 4 stars (for the extraneouos noises).

The real Gil: working under his own paramters.......2004-01-19

No one can play everything well but when you are working under your own guidelines I would think your chances of high quality improve? I believe many of Gil Shaham's recordings were made before he was ready and under conditions not completely favorable, hense less than desireable results.

This is Gil Shaham's first recording on his own label playing what he wants, with who he wants, and when he wants according to an old issue of The Strad.

I have spoken many times of the beautiful tone and vibrato of Gil Shaham and of the incredible music of Faure and the sense of mystery I get from hearing his music. The great thing about the music of Faure is the incredibly robust harmony of the piano parts and unique signature that only he can offer.

It is nice to hear these works with high quality modern recording technology and a fully-inspired musician who is working under conditions he freely chooses.

Simply delicious.......2004-01-18

This CD has spent a long time (very) in my player...and will spend much more. It is addictingly beautiful. It reaches a place in the center of my head that is a pleasure center of the highest order. I saw Mr. Shaham deliver this program live and it was entrancing. This CD captures all of that quiet luscious enchantment.

Finally, Fauré.......2004-01-02

Rumor has it-at least according to the CBC Radio-that Deutsche Grammophon, prior to electing not to renew Mr. Shaham's contract, dictated that there was no audience for the chamber music of Gabriel Fauré. It's no wonder that there is a shirking market for recorded classical music with such gross errors in judgment being made by a label that until recently educated and informed the listening public, and in doing so created its audience rather than truckle to the demands of a rather bland, poorly imagined performances of a smattering top-twenties lists of war horses. This is one of Shaham's finest and most intimate recorded moments that shouldn't be missed simply because classical recording labels perpetuate a "combination platter" of the Saint-Saens First, the Debussy, Frank and Ravel violin and piano sonatas-and occasionally the Fauré First-with the expectation that re-mediated in this way, audiences will be drawn in by a "sampling."

The efforts of Shaham, Eguchi, and Smith are accurate and very acutely intellectualized in their approach to a composer who is too often discounted as the author of salon pastels. Each of the ensembles results in a combination of both a tension and fluidity of color that forms the arch of the trajectory of the composer's rather wide and varied chamber output. There is a sweetness to Shaham's playing without any of the cloying sentimentality that is far too often read into much of this work, which seems to be a return to his most fully-realized performances like those in his recordings of the Barber, Wieniawski Second and Sibelius concerti. His intonation and musicality combine both a youthful freshness and a muscular exuberance for these works with the seasoned knowledge of their construction.

Shaham is to be congratulated also on the assemblage of Canary itself. This CD has all of the wonderful "thingness" that seems to have gone out of recorded classical music packaging: the artwork informs the listener without what seems to be the perfunctory distraction of glamour that likens the performer to a fashion model; the liner notes by Jessica Duchen provide detailed descriptions and historical data without the chatty trans-historical musings that other classical labels have begun to want to think necessary to sell the product. Instead, Shaham has offered a package as smartly formulated and detailed as his performances.

If I have any one major criticism of this recording it is the absence of Fauré's Second Violin Sonata. The CD clearly sets out to dispel the myth Fauré's limited palette as a composer; it seems a shame that a work that so keenly illustrates Fauré's shift toward neo-classicsim (much more so than the opus 120 Piano Trio) should be so carelessly ignored. The title "The Fauré Album" suggests that it may be the only Fauré album, and audiences may not benefit from yet another clarification of this composer's legacy from Mr. Shaham. And where Shaham may have set out to pay tribute to Fauré, he may simply be mirroring the shortsightedness of his former studio by denying his audience this incredibly significant utterance in the Fauré oeuvre. Yet there's comfort in the warmth of affection Shaham has for this project as evidenced in the "extraneous noise" aforementioned in the earlier reviews on this page. It is his breathing--not a "careless bow"--life into each passage before it is modeled and shaped in the air. Like Gould's humming, for those of us who like are recorded chamber music to seem up-close, personal, it is an intimacy in Shaham's recordings--with all of their lustrous and technically proficient playing--that makes them so incredibly human and alive.

Beautiful sound and good interpretation of Faure.......2003-12-29

This is really another excellent job of a chamber music made by Shaham recently, despites some argue of noises of the recording. I would like to recommend all of you one alternative choice of Faure's violin sonatas, which was played by the first rated violinist, Dong Suk Kang and French pianist, Pascal Devoyon. The CD was issued by Naxos in 1995. You will not regret!

Average customer rating:

Maybe it is time to rethink these works
Arguably the Definitive Set of Dvorak Symphonic Poems
Fantastic performances
Jarvi and the RSNO do Dvorak's glitter and gore proud!

Dvorak: Symphonic Poems

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000IM6P
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Overture: My Home, Op. 62 - Dvorak
The Water Goblin, Op.107 - Dvorak
The Golden Spinning Wheel, Op.109 - Dvorak

Tracks:

The Noon Witch, Op. 108 - A. Dvorak
The Wood Dove. Op. 110 - A. Dvorak
The Hero's Song, Op. 111 - A. Dvorak

Customer Reviews:

Maybe it is time to rethink these works.......2006-07-30

Antonin Dvorak's (1841-1904) most popular composition is his Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World"). Written in America, it was Dvorak's last symphony, and his greatest orchestral work. Or, at least that is what everyone thinks.

As it turns out, Dvorak returned to his home in Bohemia after the completion of the New World Symphony and set out to compose a series of symphonic poems based on tales from "The Garland," which contains a collection of Czech folk ballads. Four of Dvorak's symphonic poems are directly based on the grisly tales from this collection, while the final and fifth symphonic poem, "The Hero's Song" (Dvorak's final orchestral work) is based on Dvorak's general ideas about an adventurer setting out in the world.

First things first, this is some of greatest music of the Romantic tradition available. Each of these pieces contains the best elements of Dvorak's music: the orchestration is colorful, the tunes are distinctive, and the codas are some of the most exciting in classical music. Dvorak was clearly at his creative height when the symphonic poems were composed. What makes these pieces truly spectacular is Dvorak's vivid portrayal of the macabre stories from "The Garland." And the word "macabre" isn't used lightly here. These stories involve decapitations, murders, witches and goblins.

The first symphonic poem "The Water Goblin" concerns a goblin who forces a girl, who has fallen into a lake, to live with him in the watery depths. The girl's only consolation is her half-goblin baby. Eventually, the girl escapes, but the goblin finds her and kills the baby. Not really a happy story, but Dvorak's depiction of all of these events is masterful. The goblin theme is menacing, the girl's lament is lovely, and the gruesome events concluding the story are depicted in dramatic fashion by the orchestra. The CD notes by Gerald Larner are extremely detailed and explain the stories much better than I have with "The Water Goblin" above. Further the notes reconcile Dvorak's musical ideas to the story in a manner which anyone can understand.

I won't try to describe the remaining symphonic poems, as the stories are far too detailed and I probably couldn't do the music justice. Suffice it to say, the remaining pieces are fabulous. And despite the long length of these works ("The Golden Spinning Wheel" is 27 minutes long) there is not a dull moment. As a side note, the earlier "My Home" overture opens the program and is included primarily as a filler. Nevertheless, the performance of that work is also great.

Given that Dvorak worked on these pieces simultaneously (they are labeled with contiguous opus numbers) and that they were based on stories from the same source, one could argue that the symphonic poems could be viewed as a single multi-movement work, perhaps a proramme symphony based on nationalistic elements. In such a work, "The Wood Dove" would constitute the adagio; "The Noon Witch" would probably be the scherzo; while "The Hero's Song" would serve as the finale, bringing the whole thing to a triumphant (emphasized) close. Of course, such an idea conflicts with the romantic idea that Dvorak wrote nine symphonies, with his dark and dramatic ninth being is crowning achievement.

All of that is hypothetical though. You just need to know that this release is a must classical music lovers. These works should be far better known and can stand as equals along side the best moments within Dvorak's symphonies. Get this disc, you won't be disappointed.

Highest recommendation!!

CD 1: 57:14
CD 2: 53:57

Arguably the Definitive Set of Dvorak Symphonic Poems.......2005-01-08

This 2-CD set of Dvorak's complete symphonic poems should arguably be considered the definitive choice for anyone who wants a complete recording of these pieces. Although the two great Dvorak interpreters, Kertesz and Kubelik, have made recordings of these pieces, Jarvi's set should arguably be considered a more appealing and engaging interpreter of these underrated gems. Jarvi's interpretations tend to be more vivid than his illustrious predecessors and the Scottish National Orchestra players respond well to his inspired direction and to this rarely-heard Dvorak repertoire, with the atmospheric and reverberant Chandos recording allowing the listener to immerse himself in the grisly and grutesque fairy-tale world of the Erben ballads that inspired these four works. Jarvi highlights many nuances in the four poems, from the drama of The Noonday Witch to the exotic surroundings of the Water Goblin, from the frightful incidents in The Golden Spinning-Wheel to the misleadingly pastoral Wood Dove, and the vividness of his interpretations make you wonder why people don't consider these pieces as durable as the New World Symphony. Jarvi's set is the only complete set of Dvorak symphonic poems to include the rarely-heard Hero's Song, with its bold, swaggering character and a forward drive the typefies some of the Mahler symphonies. This is as well-played as the Erbenesque poems and the My Home Overture, which makes a fitting fill-up to this set with its homage to a Czech playwright. An added bonus is the superb and lucid booklet notes by Gerald Larner, featuring all the details of the symphonic poems to guide the listener along. This set is now doubly attractive at a superb bargain price. All-in-all, a must-have for any Dvorak lover.

Fantastic performances.......2004-03-28

Although one would not expect the Royal Scottish Orchestra under Neeme Jarvi to produce the best recordings of the rarely performed Dvorak symphonic poems, Jarvi has created electrifying performances of the four poems and the rarely heard Hero's Song.
I have Kubelik's version on DG as well as these recordings. Although Kubelik does some very interesting things with the poems, bringing out nuances of the scores and delightful orchestral effects, he does not have the convection that Jarvi has. Rather, it sounds as if Kubelik is treating these works as inferior; he is not convinced by them. Jarvi, on the other hand, has totally immersed himself in the music of the Bohemian master, producing a complete traversal of the symphonies with the orchestra. And his love of Dvorak is evident here. Jarvi is completely aware of the charm and beauty of these works, as well as their musical importance. He performs these works smashingly, especially the Water Goblin, which he champions. The sound of the orchestra is warmer and smoother than Kubelik's performances. My only complaint would be that the orchestra does sound a bit distant in these recordings - the acoustics are not top notch. However, Jarvi's energy and belief in these works make this CD a must for any Dvorak lover.

Jarvi and the RSNO do Dvorak's glitter and gore proud!.......2000-10-19

This 2-CD compilation is one of Chandos's generous reissues of "fillers" that accompanied Jarvi's performances of Dvorak's symphonies, but as other critics have noted, these tone poems are much more than a few extra minutes of music pinned to end of a CD. Instead these beguilingly childlike but often rather grisly works are models of late-Romantic music-making writ large. Except for the 1894 opus 62 and the opus 111, Dvorak's last orchestral piece, the music in this set is based on some folk ballads written by Dvorak's compatriot Karl Jaromir Erben, a sometime poet. The fairy tales each tell a chilling story often interspersed with gore (I'll let you find out the details, which Gerald Larner's lucid liner-notes handle beautifully), but Dvorak is hardly put off by the subject matter and paints a gorgeous program in sound for each one, filling all with one heart-easing (or heart-rending, when necessary) melody after another. Highlights include the lovely lullaby for the half-goblin baby in the center section of The Water Goblin, the King's warmly grand tune and the Janacek-like obsessing string-figures for the three gruesome exchanges in The Golden Spinning Wheel, and the poignant conclusion to The Wood Dove. So what of Jarvi's performances of these fascinating works? I looked at the playing time of some of these pieces (27:02 for the Spinning Wheel alone) and thought I might get bored by a certain symphonic sameness, which can often be the case with lesser-known Dvorak conducted and played without even the last ounce of concern, but this was never the case here. Jarvi and his Scots play every note with interest and loving conviction, so that the tales engross and entertain, as Dvorak knew they could. The sound is vintage Chandos, reverberant as many recordings are from this source and venue (Henry Wood Hall) but sonically spectacular: the engineers handle the fortissimo marching figures at the opening of the Spinning Wheel with the same attention as the breathless entry of the Noon Witch in that tone poem. All-in-all, an unusual bargain and an absolute must!

Average customer rating:

Worldly
A Feminine Celebration
Pretty good for circle.
Great music.
Lovely rounds

A Circle Is Cast
Libana
Manufacturer: Spinning
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

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Chants: Ritual Music
Night Passage
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Ancient Mother

ASIN: B0000000DK
Release Date: 1994-07-26

Tracks:

Ah, Comme C'est Chose Belle
Sure As The Wind
A River Of Birds
Autumn Time
Fly, Fly, Fly
In May, That Lusty Season
Lachen
Full Moonlight Dance
Kore Chant
Ma Belle Sinkwanee
Young Rider
As I Mee Walked
The Earth, The Air, The Fire, The Water
A Circle Is Cast
Mowtay
The Earth Is Our Mother
Ancient Mother
Russian Lullaby
Eyli
Higher
Round And Round
Sisters, Now Our Meeting Is Over

Customer Reviews:

Worldly.......2006-08-02

I have enjoyed both the Libana albums that I have purchased very much. While this type of music is not for everyone, the rounds really help me relax with their interesting rhythms that almost remind me of Gregorian chant. It's almost completely a capella and all women's voices. The influences from around the world really appeal to me as well. The musical quality is very good. This isn't something I'd listen to in the car, but it is something that I would listen to if I needed to induce calm or intense concentration.

A Feminine Celebration.......2005-09-27

I can't imagine being without this CD. This is my third copy as I give it away, and then have to get it again. The voices are sweet and clear. The songs fit so many different occasions. I have taught them to women's circles, and circles of children. They gently encourage you to lift your voice in celebration.

Pretty good for circle........2005-08-09

This is a pretty good cd for ritual or learning new chants and songs. It's not for meditation and a lot of people may not like the sort of unprofessional sound to the voices. It's like sitting around a campfire and listening to your friends singing. I liked it.

Great music........2004-02-27

I had an old warn out cassette of this music and I'm glad to see that it's now available in CD format. The sound quality is much better than the old cassette. The voices are beautiful voice and the songs are thrilling. The arrangements are well done.

Lovely rounds.......2003-08-29

This is an excellent CD with lovely vocals. I look forward to using it in my winter soltice rituals as it has a very "rennaissance" feel. Very mystical.

Average customer rating:

happiness takes place in small piano tunes
Cacaphonic Harmonious

Gurdjieff's Music for the Movements

Manufacturer: Channel Crossings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00003CK7L
Release Date: 1999-12-14

Customer Reviews:

happiness takes place in small piano tunes.......2001-07-24

these short piano pieces are simple, but absolutely not boring. gurdjieff and de hartmann wrote some of the most thoughtful and sincere music you'll ever hear. I found this CD over a year ago and it's one I return to over and over again.

Cacaphonic Harmonious.......2001-07-15

Truly an exposition of beautiful "objective" listening. This music will not put you to sleep. Transitions are abrupt and engaging throughout the score's entirity. I play the music whenever I find myself searching for something to do or am bored. This music will consume all negativity and poke the listner to begin a stirring sensation in their own mentation. The music is not sophisticated or eligant by no means, but has a way about it which will intrige one to listen again and again.

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