Concertino / Piano Concerto

On this CD:

1. Concertino for piano & orchestra
Composed by Jean Francaix
Performed by Sinfonia da Camera of Illinois with Ian Hobson

2. Concertino for piano & orchestra
Composed by Jean Francaix
Performed by Sinfonia da Camera of Illinois with Ian Hobson

3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
Performed by Sinfonia da Camera of Illinois with Ian Hobson

Tracks:

Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.1 In F Minor, Op.73: Allegro
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.1 In F Minor, Op.73: Adagio, Ma Non Troppo
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.1 In F Minor, Op.73: Rondo - Allegretto
Concertino For Clarinet And Orchestra In E Flat Major, Op.26: Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Andante - Allegro
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74: Allegro
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74: Andante Con Moto
Concerto For Clarinet And Orchestra No.2 In E Flat Major, Op.74: Alla Polacca
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48: Allegro Con Fuego - Paul Meyer
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48: Andante Con Moto - Paul Meyer
Grand Duo Concertant For Clarinet And Piano, Op.48: Rondo - Paul Meyer

Customer Reviews:

Pleasing interpretations at an excellent price.......2006-11-06

These are not overly flashy performances, just very musical. Boeykens is technically secure, and he makes these works sound easy. His musicality is genial, with dramatic touches as required. His performances naturally delineate the form of the music, while tastefully playing up its early Romantic emotional qualities. Easily the best bargain in Weber clarinet concerto recordings. My opinion of the Meyers performance of the Grand Duo is similar.

good.......2005-08-16

This CD is well recorded and the musicianship is excellent. The compositions seem to me good but not great. A nice listen and good price.

Good Basic Weber CD.......2004-09-06

Boeyken's rendition of the Weber pieces are very good. I may agree with a previous poster that the performances aren't spectacularly exciting. However, as a clarinetist I've played and heard these pieces performed so many times that it would be next to impossible to create a "ground-breaking" recording, no matter how hard the clarinetist tries. That being said, Boeyken's renditions are very pleasant and played with technical perfection. They will not disappoint.

I personally like Paul Meyer's rendition of Grand Duo Concertante. It is quite fast, so many passages that might be intricately phrased at a slower tempo are just torn through by Meyer, but if you are looking for a technically impressive performance, this will do.

At the price, this is a great CD, especially for someone wanting to hear the Concerti played in a conservative style. My favorite Weber Concerti is Sabine Meyer's on EMI (her interpretations are much more daring than Boeykens), so you might check that out also. Any music fan's CD library should have enough room for many renditions of these famous staples from the clarinet world.

Nothing special, but worth a look.......2004-06-16

Walter Boeykens does not have a stand-out, easy-to-identify tone, and does not play with an outward charm. But however, the performance is technically flawless and confidently played. James Conlon, one of the great American conductors today, leads the Rotterdam to a phenominal accompainment.
In the Concertante, Paul Meyer plays his typical fast rendition. Though he pulled it off, this recording of the concertante seems a bit sloppy and unattractive to me. Perhaps it is because this is one of Meyer's earlier recording jobs prior to hitting it big with Denon in the early 90's. Anyway, his tonguing, especially in movement 1 was not quite sharp, and he also takes a long annoying repeat that rarely shows on any other recordings (and for good reason, too!), as a result prolonging the length of the first movement to well over 7 minutes.

Still, this disc is well worth buying. At a measly 6.98 bucks, it contains a lot of music: 4 complete pieces including 2 concertos, a set of variations (the concertino), and the concertante which is really a sonata-like composition. All centerpieces of romantic era solo clarinet literature.

An absolute steal!.......2004-04-15

What you get for $6 is absolutely amazing! Walter Boeykens takes the Weber Clarinet Concerti to new heights. In particular, his playing during the alla polacca of the Concerto in E-flat Major is nothing short of supberb. It is the most effortless version of these pieces that I have ever heard. I am buying more of these for family members; it's probably the best-valued clarinet CD out there today.

Average customer rating:

Just perfect
CD The Very Best of James Galway
Not for the serious flautist
The Very Best of James Galway
Lightweight

The Very Best of James Galway
James Galway
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Wind Beneath My Wings
James Galway - Greatest Hits
James Galway ~ Meditations
James Galway - Dances for Flute
The Best Of Jean-Pierre Rampal

ASIN: B000068773
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

Canon - James Galway and the Munich Radio Orchestra
Gayane: Sabre Dance - James Galway and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Concertino for Flute and Piano, Op. 107 - James Galway
Song of the Seashore (Hamabe No Uta) - James Galway and the Tokyo String Orchestra
Thais: Meditation - James Galway and the National Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: Minuet and Badinerie - James Galway and the National Philharmonic Orchestra
Dolly Suite, Op. 76: Berceuse - James Galway and the National Philharmonic Orchestra
Carnival of Venice, Op. 77 - James Galway and the National Philharmonic Orchestra
Suite bergamasque: Clair de Lune - James Galway and the National Philharmonic Orchestra
Concerto No. 2 for Flute & Orchestra, K. 314 in D: Rondeau: Allegro - James Galway and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Sonata in E-Flat, BWV 1031: Siciliana - James Galway
Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance of the Blessed Spirits - James Galway
Peer Gynt, Suite No.1: Morning - James Galway and the National Philharmonic Orchestra
The Tale of Tsar Saltan: The Flight Of The Bumblebee - James Galway and the National Philharmonic Orchestra
My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From ''Titanic'') - James Galway and the London Telefilmonic Orchestra
El Condor Pasa (If I Could) - James Galway and the Galway Pops Orchestra
I Will Always Love You - James Galway
Ashokan Farewell - James Galway
The Girl from Ipanema - James Galway
Wind of Change - James Galway with Peter Willison & His Sinfonia Strings
Annie's Song - James Galway and the National Philharmonic Orchestra
The Wind Beneath My Wings - James Galway and the Galway Pops Orchestra
Memory (From ''Cats'') - James Galway
Riverdance - James Galway and the Tranquility Strings
Tango del Fuego - James Galway
Beauty and the Beast - ames Galway and the Galway Pops Orchestra
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (From ''The Lion King'') - James Galway and the London Telefilmonic Orchestra
Shenandoah - James Galway and the Nashville String Machine / Shelly Kurland Strings
Waltzing Matilda - James Galway and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Danny Boy - James Galway with The Chieftains and the National Philharmonic Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Just perfect.......2007-01-12

The CD case was in perfect condition; no cracks. The CD plays great and the product came just on time

CD The Very Best of James Galway.......2007-01-10

This was a gift and the receipant loves it. Amazon responded to my order in above average time and I will continue to buy through their website.

Not for the serious flautist.......2006-06-10

Most of the tracks on this CD consist of saccharine fluff, such as Disney, show-tunes, etc. If I buy a flute recording, I want to hear some serious music, not this ghastly schmaltz. And I hate to say it, I'm not a huge fan of Galway's playing style. It's too light and airy, just on the edge of going into overtones. He overuses his vibrato, especially on the higher notes. When you want them to just smoothly soar with rich tone, they just sort of flutter about. He does have impeccable technique and speed, but his tone leaves a lot to be desired, in my opinion. Seek out another artist!

The Very Best of James Galway.......2005-09-23

Really is one of the best of James Galway, if not the very best. Easy listening, soothing, relaxing - easy to enjoy

Lightweight.......2005-08-24

Admirers of James Galway as a superb classical flutist, of whom I am one, should be forewarned that this 2002 release has been packaged by the mass merchandisers for the "crossover" crowd and the mass market: there's slim pickin's here for serious music lovers. The first CD contains brief, lightweight classical "hits" in "arranged" versions, basically encore bonbons, while almost the entire second CD is devoted to ephemeral, forgettable pop fluff. There's not much of substance here; given Galway's vast (over 50 recordings) discography, the classical music lover would be well advised to look elsewhere.

Average customer rating:

Solid performance and great value
Great collection and great value
No brainer -- buy it!

Prokofiev: Complete Concertos
Sergey Prokofiev , Vladimir Ashkenazy , Joshua Bell , Lynn Harrell , Andre Previn , Charles Dutoit , and London Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Shostakovich: Complete Concertos
Complete Concertos / Overtures
Prokofiev: 7 Symphonies; Lieutenant Kijé
Prokofiev: The Complete Symphonies
Shostakovich: The Complete Symphonies - Mariss Jansons (10 CD)

ASIN: B000076GYI
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Customer Reviews:

Solid performance and great value.......2007-02-15

This set contains almost all Prokofiev's concertos. Contrary to what is advertised as "Complete Concertos", it omits Prokofiev's early work "Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 58". Although a large amount of thematic material is reused in the later piece "Sinfonia Concertante for cello & orchestra in E minor, Op. 125", there are really substantial differences. (Traditionally, when a set is advertised as "complete", it will contains at least all works with Opus numbers.) But really, Op. 58 is not performed in the concert halls these days. (At least, none that I am aware of.) If you are really interested in comparing these 2 works, you may consult, e.g. Chandos recording "The Unknown Prokofiev".

I like the performances here. For each individual piece, there are performances closer to my heart. For example, Richter's Piano Concerto in G and Argerich's Piano Concerto in C., Heifetz's Violin Concerto in g minor, besides those mentioned in other 2 reviews. (By the way, Rostropovich's Sinfonia Concertante is now available in DVD from EMI Classic Archive 15.) However, if you are looking for solid performances at an affordable price, hesitate no more! This set is for you.

Highly recommended.

Great collection and great value.......2006-10-09

This 3-CD set includes all of Prokofiev's concertos in one place. The best part is that it includes Ashkenzy and Previn's perfomances of the piano concertos- generally considered the best on recording.

Bell's perfomance of the violin concertos and quite good, maybe not the best, but Lynn Harell's cello renditions are excellent.

Highly recommended.

No brainer -- buy it!.......2004-08-22

This is a great and inexpensive introduction to the concerti of Sergei Prokofiev. And there's not a boring piece--or performance--in the box. I'm generally not a big Ashkenazy fan these days, but many of his earlier recordings were often very fine, and these are among them. His direct, declamatory way of played works to the advantage of the music here as well. He seizes these works by the horns, and the results are spectacular. Previn and the LSO never sounded better--for those who are familiar mostly with the later Previn, somewhat burned out and sluggishly leading the RPO or LAPO, these recordings will be a revelation. From the mechanical workings of No. 1 to the agitated fury of No. 2 to the quicksilver lithe of No. 3 to the enigma that is No. 5, these are great performances that manage to hit the mark while being very middle-of-the-road. (I don't mean middle-of-the-road in a negative way.) You'll notice I didn't mention No. 4, which has never really worked for me. As far as left-hand concertos go, listen to Ravel's.

The violin concerto is very fine, but it won't displace either Oisktrakh (a tall order, I admit) or, believe it or not, Perlman, with Rozhdestvensky and the BBC Symphony. The two cello concerti are tremendously exciting compositions that deserve to be played a lot more often than they are. Written for Rostrapovich, they are given credible readings by Harrell here, though I wish Rosty's performances were available (other than Op. 132 in an expensive 13-CD box) to show you you're *really* supposed to burn up these works. There aren't a whole lot of other performances of either of them, so you'll have to settle for these.

The Instruments of Classical Music, Vol. 2: The Oboe

Average customer rating:

Interested oboe player
Oboe cd
What a great CD for a Great Price
Good for orchestra studies
Excellent

The Instruments of Classical Music, Vol. 2: The Oboe

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Art of the Oboe
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Oboe Obsession
The Instruments of Classical Music, Vol. 6: The Cello
Masters of the Oboe

ASIN: B000001VMJ
Release Date: 1990-06-04

Tracks:

Oboe Concerto In C, K314: Rondo. Allegretto
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Adagio
Sinfonia Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (from 'Solomon')
Oboe Concerto In B Flat, Wq 164: Allegro moderato
Water Music, Suite No. 1 In F: Adagio e staccato
Swan Lake: Dance of the Swans
Concertino, Op. 110: Vivace
Symphony No. 3, 'Eroica': Marcia funebre
Oboe Concerto In In F, RV 455: Allegro
Oboe Concerto In C, RV 447: Minuet
Oboe Concerto In F: Rondo
Water Music, Suite No. 1 In F: Hornpipe
Swan Lake: Scene (from 'Swan Lake')
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
Concerto 'La Favorita': Allegretto-Allegro velocissimio

Customer Reviews:

Interested oboe player.......2007-05-13

It is a fine collection of oboe pieces, and I really enjoy listening to them. The only complaint I have is that the case was broken when it got here (I'm not sure if it was before it was shipped or not).

Oboe cd.......2007-01-11

This cd took a little while to be delivered (a few weeks) but it was in excellent condition. I bought it along with another oboe cd so it could be that one of them was out of stock and they waited for that so that both could be shipped at the same time (which was fine with me).

What a great CD for a Great Price.......2007-01-09

I really love the music on this CD.
I just cant stop listening to this. If you enjoy classical music. You will like this CD and if you would like a introduction to classical music than this is the CD for you.
(If you find that you dont like it, you have not spent a lot of money on it).
Enjoy :-)

Good for orchestra studies.......2005-07-24

The record presents the oboe very well. Price can't be beat too. Oboe music is always enjoyable (well, that's somewhat subjective, of course, but if you like oboe, you'll like this collection).

Just a small caution: this is a study aid sort of thing. I find listening to fragments of music -- frequently very familiar music -- somewhat distressful because of this coitus interruptus sorta feeling, kind of like when in the middle of Watermusik the Dying Swan piece suddenly heaves into sight.

In other words, this is a perfect CD for teaching kids the orchestra, but if you simply want some oboe music for pleasure, then I'd recommend to pick something else; for example "The Handel Collection" (a pretty old record), by The City of London Sinfonia (cond. John Rutter), 1990 American Gramaphone Records -- it is a collection too, but not excerpts, pieces are played fully, and the performance is sometimes better. It's just one example; I have it handy so I've mentioned it, that's all. I don't like listening to excerpts, that's what I'm trying to say. But I'm not saying this CD's bad, it's very good for orchestra studies.

Excellent.......2004-06-15

I really enjoyed this! It was really great for all oboe and classical music lovers! Very Very Nice!

Average customer rating:

not too bad
A well-produced classical variety album
Great Concertos from Baroque to Romantic Era
Great cd, especially for the cost

25 Concerto Favorites

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

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Symphony (25) Favorites
25 Vivaldi Favorites
25 Mozart Favorites
25 Classical Favorites
25 Bach Favorites

ASIN: B0000058IS
Release Date: 1997-07-01

Tracks:

Concerto For Two Trumpets In C Major PV 75 (1st Mvt.) - Antonio Vivaldi
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (1st Mvt.) - Johann Sebastian Bach
Lute Concerto In D Major (3rd Mvt.) - Antonio Vivaldi
Trumpet Concerto In D Major, 'Etienne Roger' (1st Mvt.) - Giuseppe Torelli
Four Seasons: Winter (1st Mvt.) - Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto For 2 Harpsichords In C Minor (3rd Mvt.) - Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto Grosso No. 12 In B Minor (2nd Mvt.) - George Frideric Handel
Four Seasons: Summer (3rd Mvt.) - Antonio Vivaldi
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat Major (2nd Mvt.) - Franz Josef Haydn
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major (1st Mvt.) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major 'Elvira Madigan' (1st Mvt.) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Clarinet Concerto In A Major (3rd Mvt.) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto In C Major For Flute & Harp (2nd Mvt.) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Concerto (Divertimento) In C Major, Finale - Franz Josef Haydn
Piano Concerto No. 23 In A Major (1st Mvt.) - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concerto Rondo For Cello & Orchestra - Jacques Offenbach
Piano Concerto In A Minor (1st Mvt.) - Edvard Grieg
Violin Concerto (3rd Mvt.) - Johannes Brahms
Cello Concerto (1st Mvt.) - Antonin Dvorak
Piano Concerto No. 2 (2nd Mvt.) - Sergey Rachmaninov
Violin Concerto 'La Campanella': Rondo - Niccolo Paganini
Piano Concerto No. 3 (1st Mvt.) - Sergey Rachmaninov
Violin Concerto In E Minor (1st Mvt.) - Felix Mendelssohn
Violin Concerto In D Major (2nd Mvt.) - Pyotr Il'yich Tchiaikovsky
Piano Concerto No. 5 In E Flat Major 'Emperor' (3rd Mvt.) - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

not too bad.......2004-02-19

For the price, you can't go wrong.

*I had purchased an abundance of the "Favorites" collection some were better than others. This one was not too bad compared to the others, but not the best one.
I was kind of perturbed when some same tracks on this CD were on another CD, and visa versa.

A well-produced classical variety album.......2003-10-13

This album could have easily been filled with selections just from Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, and Beethoven, but thankfully the record producers chose some deeper cuts. Though the above mentioned greats are prominently featured (and rightly so), Grieg and Offenbach are welcome additions.

Like all the "25 _____ Favorites" albums I've listened to, the pieces are well-chosen, expertly performed, and excellently produced with sharp, clear sound. The album's variety is welcome as well, giving the listener 70+ minutes of a changing but continuous audio landscape.

There's not much here that will knock the socks off a classical purist, but that's part of its appeal. The pieces are good enough to satisfy the more refined classical music palate but accessible enough for those less-experienced in concertos. 25 CONCERTO FAVORITES comes recommended to those seeking a well-produced and pleasant classical variety album.

Great Concertos from Baroque to Romantic Era.......2000-08-16

The excerpts from 25 concertos range from the Baroque to Romantic Periods. They are all masterfully performed by virtuoso musicians (example: Brendel is the pianist in the last track, the Beethoven Emperor piano concerto). The violinists are skillful and well-known artists. Concerto music by Baroque legends such as Torelli and Bach. Mozart and Haydn's music is marvelous to hear. We have Mozart's piano concerto movements and flute concertos. Finally, in the Romantic field, Brahms, Mendelsshon and Tchaikovsky. This an affordable price for a cd that contains such excellent music.

Great cd, especially for the cost.......1999-05-04

25 great songs, and for $3.57, its a great buy

Average customer rating:

Outstanding performances
Reviving a Lost Love
Not for beginners...
One of the very best of all EMI sets! The 2nd coming for all Straussians!
terrible, awful, hideous, lousy

Strauss: Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies
Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra
Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead

ASIN: B000026D4K
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

Horn Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 11: I: Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 11: II: Andante
Horn Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 11: III: Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major: I: Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major: II: Andante con moto
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major: III: Rondo (Allegro molto)
Oboe Concerto In D Major: I: Allegro moderato
Oboe Concerto In D Major: II: Andante
Oboe Concerto In D Major: III: Vivace
Duett-Concertino: I; Allegro moderato
Duett-Concertino: II: Andante
Duett-Concertino: III: Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)

Tracks:

Burleske
Parergon zur Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 73
Panathenaenzug, Op. 74

Tracks:

Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Don Juan, Op. 20
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Adversaries
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Wife
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Certainty Of Victory
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Battlefield
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: War Fanfares
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Work Of Peace
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Withdrawl From The World
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Renunciation

Tracks:

Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8: I: Allegro
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8: II: Lento
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8: III: Rondo
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Bewegt - Thema I - Thema II - Thema III
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Scherzo (Munter)
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Wiegenlied - Massig langsam
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Adagio - (Langsam)
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Finale (Sehr lebhaft)

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30
Tod und Verklarung, Op. 24
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59

Tracks:

Salome, Op. 54: Dance Of The Seven Veils
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Overture
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Jourdain - Minuet
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: The Fencing Master
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Entrance and Dance of the Tailors
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Minuet of Lully
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Courante
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Entry Of Cleonte
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Intermezzo (Prelude To Act 2)
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: The Dinner
Schlagobers, Op. 70: Waltz
Josephslegende, Op. 63: Symphonic Fragment

Tracks:

Metamorphosen: Study For 23 Solo Strings
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Night
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sunrise
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: The Ascent
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Entering The Forest
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Strolling By The Stream
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: By The Waterfall
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Apparition
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: In Flowery Meadows
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: In A Mountain Pasture
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Lost In The Thickets And Undergrowth
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: On The Glacier
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Dangerous Moments
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: On The Summit
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Vision
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Mists Rise Up
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: The Sun Grows Dark
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Elegy
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Quiet Before The Storm
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: A Thunderstorm - Descent
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sunset
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Conclusion
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Night

Tracks:

Aus Italien, Op.16: I: Andante
Aus Italien, Op.16: II: Allegro molto con brio
Aus Italien, Op.16: III: Andantino
Aus Italien, Op.16: IV: Finale (Allegro molto)
Macbeth, Op. 23: Symphonic Poem

Tracks:

Don Quixote, Op. 35: Introduktion (Massiges Zeitmass)
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Massig (Don Quixote)
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Maggiore (Sancho Panza)
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation I: The adventure with the windmills
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation II: The battle with the sheep
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation III: Discourse between knight and squire
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation IV: The adventure with the pilgrims
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation V: The knight's vigil
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VI: The meeting with Dulcinea
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VII: The ride through the air
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VIII: The voyage in the enchanted boat
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation IX: The combat with the two magicians
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation X: The defeat of Don Quixote
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Finale (Sehr ruhig)
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: I: Entree and stately round
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: II: Courante
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: III: Carillon
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: IV: Sarabande
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: V: Gavotte
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VI: Tourbillon - Wirbeltanz
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VIII: Allemande
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VIII: March

Amazon.com essential recording

When it comes to the music of Richard Strauss, none of the world's great orchestras has a more distinguished tradition than the Staatskapelle Dresden. As pit orchestra of the Dresden Court Opera, the Staatskapelle was involved in the premieres, between 1901 and 1911, of Feuersnot, Salome, Elektra, and Der Rosenkavalier; later, with Karl Böhm conducting, its players participated in the premiere of Daphne. Most of Strauss's major tone poems have been in the Dresden orchestra's concert repertory since completion.

Back in the 1970s, EMI was able to capitalize on this association when it reunited the Staatskapelle with Rudolf Kempe--a native of Dresden, one of the master conductors of the 20th century, and an absolutely authoritative Straussian--for an integral recording of Strauss's orchestral works and concertos. The cycle was warmly received when it was originally released on LP, and it has become one of the treasures of the CD catalog since EMI reissued it whole, in three volumes, in 1992. With this latest repackaging, the whole impressive enterprise becomes available in one box.

Across the board, Kempe and the Dresdeners give magnificent readings of the music. Their Zarathustra is imposing and grand; their Heldenleben suitably heroic and quite smashingly played; their Till Eulenspiegel and Don Juan delightfully brisk, characterful, and exultant (the latter is dispatched in a blazing 16:06, and receives as ardent and exhilarating a reading as you are ever likely to encounter on disc). One of the finest of all the offerings is the account of Eine Alpensinfonie, a Kempe favorite and still a sonic knockout after nearly three decades.

The less familiar orchestral works are here, as well, including the early tone poems Aus Italien and Macbeth and the admittedly rather frothy ballet scores Josephslegende and Schlagobers. Of special value are the accounts of all Strauss's concerted works, from the early Violin Concerto (played by Ulf Hoelscher) and Burleske for piano and orchestra (with Malcolm Frager as soloist), through Don Quixote (featuring Paul Tortelier in magisterial form) and the two horn concertos, to the Oboe Concerto of 1946 and the final Duett-Concertino for clarinet and bassoon.

It's hard to imagine any label tackling such a project in today's bottom-line environment, or coming up with such definitive readings from today's performers. All the more reason to celebrate the appearance of this compendium. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding performances.......2007-05-13

Rudolf Kempe's interpretations of Richard Strauss orchestral works (almost complete - one miss the orchestral songs) have been classic recordings since they first appeared on record in the early seventies (1970-75).

Especially fine are his interpretations of the core works, e.g., the symphonic poems Also sprach Zarathustra, Ein Heldenleben, Eine Alpensinfonie, Tod und Verklärung, Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel, Don Quixote. All these are given first rate interpretations.

Furthermore, you get outstanding interpretations of Strauss' two horn concertos as well, with Peter Damm's superb horn playing, and an outstanding performance of Metamorphosen.

There is simply no rival to this collection of "core works of Richard Strauss".

In addition, this box collects also Strauss less interesting orchestral works - see Amazon's listing above. These minor works receive fine interpretations and performances too, but the main attraction is of course the core works above.

Sound quality is very fine - just excellent analogue stereo - and the orchestra, Staatskapelle Dresden, was one of the top orchestras in the world when these sessions were put on record.

Warmly recommended!

Reviving a Lost Love.......2006-08-07

The highest praise for any conductor must be that he rekindles enthusiasm and love for music that had been recently abandoned. In his autobiography, the conductor Felix Weingartner confesses that he had grown out of touch with Strauss' music; until hearing this set, I had felt the same, with only a few exceptions. But Rudolf Kempe and his really great Staatskapelle Dresden have won me back to Richard's orchestral music. So far, I have only heard part of the set: Zarathustra, Heldenleben, Till, Tod und Verklaerung, Der Buerger als Edelmann, Don Juan, Burleske, and Sinfonia Domestica, but my appetite is whet for more. Because of the refined, subtle, and yet intense conducting of Kempe, what used to strike me as cheap and taudry now strikes me as profound and moving. And the sheer musical skill of Strauss in thematic invention and counterpoint never ceases to amaze. Kempe was truly, in my not so humble opinion, the greatest conductor of the German classics following Furtwaengler; Karajan was empty and shallow by comparison. Kempe brings to this music the same passion and dignity that he brought to Beethoven, Brahms, Wagner, Schumann, and other of "his" composers. To make just one comparison, Reiner's Zarathustra, once hallowed by me as by most listeners, now sounds like overripe, rotting fruit as compared to the passionate yet thoughtful quality that Kempe brings to it. The Staatskapelle Dresden, by the way, sounds like the greatest orchestra in the world, only matched by the Berlin Philharmonic under Kempe or Furtwaengler, an orchestra that produces incidentally beautiful sounds but whose main goal is the projection and characterization of the music. No virtuosity for its own sake, just musicianship, musicianship, and more musicianship. EMI's sound is the very epitome of how to record an orchestra: Impactful, yet smooth and detailed, with natural perspectives and no spotlighting. This set belongs in every music lover's library.

Not for beginners..........2006-07-16

Most boxed sets have their ups and downs because no conductor is equally sympathetic to all of a composer's works. Kempe is no exception to this rule.

The masterpieces, Zarathustra, Heldenleben, and Quixote, are superb here. Kempe clarifies Strauss' complex textures in a way that other conductors like Karajan don't. Most of the time, I prefer to hear these works Karajan's way, but it's nice to hear what Kempe does with them, too. No one does Sinfonia Domestica the way Kempe does it...with such gentleness and humor. I listened to Reiner's recording for years, but I put it up for sale on amazon after I heard the Kempe. With all four of these large tone poems, Kempe and Karajan are all I really need.

The Don Juan is just about the best I've ever heard. It is so vital and exciting! Better than Karajan or any other I know. It is hard to imagine that Macbeth will ever be done better than this either. Macbeth is one of the reasons I own this set, but it's hardly one of Strauss' masterpieces. Speaking of non-masterpieces, I also treasure Kempe's recordings of Strauss' strange works for piano and orchestra. The Burleske has more poetry but less excitement than the classic Byron Janis/Reiner recording.

Kempe's recordings of the Horn Concertos are truly awful. Listen to the weak, watery tones of the first-chair horn player stepping into the solo spotlight. One listen to the mono recordings of Dennis Brain conducted by Sawallisch shows what is missing: bold, ringing tone and lots of excitement. If I only knew Kempe's recordings, I wouldn't even care about these pieces.

The bad news continues with the Oboe Concerto (weak oboist) and the charming Duet Concertino (weak bassoon).

Kempe misses the raucous fun that charges the best recordings of Till Eulenspiegel. This is a limp dishrag of a performance (until the last few minutes). At the very start of the performance, you will hear a familiar sound -- our weak horn player from the concertos playing a solo -- and you will long to stop the CD and reach for a different recording.

Metamorphosen is one of my favorite pieces by Strauss. Kempe, as is his wont, tries mightily to clarify Strauss' dense counterpoint here, and I appreciate the effort. I hear things here that I miss in other recordings. But this reading does not move me the way others have. Ormandy, to name just one. Death and Transfiguration is another one that Ormandy did better. Kempe is too fast at times! Really fast!

My greatest disappointment with this set is a recording that has been acclaimed by many as one of the greatest Strauss recordings ever made...Kempe's take on Eine Alpensinfonie. I have lived for many years with the Karajan recording, and I must say that Kempe misses many of the moments that I have come to treasure in Karajan's version. One example would be those 20 horns playing! Karajan makes this absolutely thrilling, which I'm sure is what Strauss intended. With Kempe, this telling touch by Strauss passes by unremarkably. The slow, quiet passage at the summit lacks magic. The apotheosis at the top of the mountain is certainly thrilling in Kempe's hands, but he misses too much on the way up. By the way, his cowbells sound almost comically bad. He certainly does bring out the beauty of the closing sections of the work, though.

If you are really serious about getting to know Strauss' music, this is a necessary purchase for the rarities that will probably never be done better like the Violin Concerto and the pieces I've already mentioned. If you just want Strauss' most famous works, this is a waste of your money (no matter how cheap it is!)because there's a lot of stuff here that either isn't very good or that you probably won't want to listen to that often. You would be better off buying Karajan's recordings (the 1970s recordings, not the remakes from the 80s) of the big three tone poems and then filling in the smaller ones as your interests dictate. Casual listeners will never need to hear pieces like Macbeth or the piano works that make this set so vital to Strauss-aholics like me!

One of the very best of all EMI sets! The 2nd coming for all Straussians!.......2006-02-10

The great Strauss tone poems soar to the highest level imaginable! With Kempe's genius, the lesser works become great! Kempe resists all temptation to be banal or bombastic. He directs the Staatskappele Dresden with a silken, burnished tone yet with restraint that has a radiant glow that never sacrifices the inherent capacity of the music to thrill, deeply move, or elevate to another plain. Each work played is in itself the guide: conductor and orchestra let the works deliver their own brilliance. The Don Juan and Dead and Transfiguration are soul piercing, along with Ein Heldenleben, and....... The Staatskapelle Dresden has always been an inspired ensemble and in Kempe's hands they are simply put, magnificent, delivering one thrilling performance after another. Like Wagner and Faith, you get Strauss or you don't. If you do get it, this set is beyond self recommendation; Buy this set before it disappears from the shelves. Classical Cd shelves these days have hidden boomerangs. One minute here, next minute.....boing going gone)...! The concert hall may never hear greater performances of Strauss' orchestral works as we hear on these nine disks. The sound is nothing short of a rich, full timber as Kempe leads then with inspired and interpretive genius . This all may sound over the edge but I don't think so and I don't think you will be disappointed. Strauss has been served in splendor by the Dresden musicians under Kempe's baton. [Although in an aside I must say that Raphael Fruhbeck de Burgos and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra's performance this past summer of Don Juan and the Rosenkavalier suite were superb.] Then I think of the BSO with Levine...., their Strauss should be something else. Bravo and kudos to all for bringing us this gift. Booklet is very well done with one exception. There is not a word in the booklet about Rudolf Kempe and/or the orchestra itself. 10 stars anyway!!

terrible, awful, hideous, lousy.......2005-04-22

The problem with the "classics" is that too many hacks have hacked them to pieces. My opinion of these recordings, for whatever it is worth, is that they simply do not do justice to Strauss's magnificent music.

There is a reason they are a "bargain". I would avoid this set.
Sometimes a boxed set is a good deal, but this one is not. I find the entire set unspeakably dull and literally unlistenable.

In any event, this is merely my opinion. The majority of the other reviewers think its terrific.

Average customer rating:

Hot Lips Trumpets
"Abblassen" Used in "Sunday Morning"
fun trumpets

Masters of the Trumpet

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000A2H8YY
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

Abblasen - Don Smithers
Rondeau - Wynton Marsalis
Allegro Assai - Thomas Stevens
I. Allegro - Maurice Andre
II. Largo - Maurice Andre
III. (Allegro) - Maurice Andre
I. Andante - Hakan Hardenberger
II. Allegro Moderato - Hakan Hardenberger
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I. Adagio - Maurice Andre
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I. Allegro - Aldoph Herseth
II. Andante - Adolph Herseth
III. Finale. Allegro - Adolph Herseth
I. Allegro Con Spirito - John Wilbraham
II.Andante - John Wilbraham
III. Rondo - John Wilbraham
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Theme & Variations On 'The Carnival Of Venice' - John Wilbraham

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Reiterfanfare - Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble
XXI: Sonata A 3 - Michael Laird
Sonata A 7 - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
March For 3 Trumpets And Timpani - The London Festival Brass Ensemble
I. Allegro - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
II. Andante - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
III. Vivace - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
I. Moderato - John Wilbraham
II. Menuett - John Wilbraham
III. Larghetto - John Wilbraham
IV. Vivace - John Wilbraham
Fanfare For St. Edmundsbury - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Quiet City - Thomas Stacy
Concertino For Trumpet, Piano And Strings - Pierre Thibaud
Fanfare For A New Theatre - Raymond Mase
Marche Royale - ARMANDO GHITALLA
Etude Characteristique - Elgar Howarth
Hora Staccato - Rafael Mendez
Czardas - Rafael Mendez

Customer Reviews:

Hot Lips Trumpets.......2007-01-10

I appreciate this CD, it is high quality and a great variety and I enjoy it very much.
Vernon M. Dean

"Abblassen" Used in "Sunday Morning".......2006-02-01

The CBS News show "Sunday Morning" is using "Abblassen" as their theme music.

fun trumpets.......2005-09-13

"Masters of The Trumpet" is a simple and accurate title for this 2- disc collection. The recordings cover trumpet/cornet literature ranging from Gabrieli to Stravinsky.
Especially enjoyable moments are Don Smithers playing Reiche's "Abblasen" & Armando Ghitalla's work on Stravinsky's "Marche Royale" (L'Histoire du Soldat).
Rafael Mendez sounds as though he has more fun playing than should be legal...exciting!..and Adolph Herseth is a pleasure to hear whether he's playing in "delicate mode" or shattering asteroids with his power.
Get this recording.

dj

Average customer rating:

Phenomenal recording of Russian Horn music
Amazing
Amazing

Russian Horn Concertos

Manufacturer: Koch Schwann (Germ.)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Chicago Principal: First Chair Soloist Play Famous Concertos

ASIN: B000001STL
Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

Con Op.91 for Hn & Orch: I. Allegro
Con Op.91 for Hn & Orch: II. Andante
Con Op.91 for Hn & Orch: III. Moderato. Allegro vivace
Four Pieces for Hn & Pno: 1. Romace, Op.35, No.6
Four Pieces for Hn & Pno: 2. Valse triste, Op.35, No.7
Four Pieces for Hn & Pno: 3. Intermezzo, Op.35, No.11
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Ser, Op.11, No.2: Allegro scherzando
Idyll: Andante
Conc Op.14, No.2, for Hn & Orch: I. Andante cantabile. Allegro moderato
Conc Op.14, No.2, for Hn & Orch: II. Andante
Conc Op.14, No.2, for Hn & Orch: III. Vivo

Customer Reviews:

Phenomenal recording of Russian Horn music.......2004-04-07

This CD opens with the Gliere Horn Concerto - this is the best recording available of this piece. Neunecker has musicality that is unparalleled in any other recordings available. The other tracks are also played incredibly. The music of Glazunov though not a concerto, is played with an orchestra and is beautiful to listen to. The smoothness of the horn is wonderful. You won't find that on any other recording. The exciting Shebalin Concerto concludes this CD, and if there are other reecordings, I can guarantee that this is the best one. Basically, the only issue I have is with the title of the CD since only six of the thirteen tracks are from concerti.

Amazing.......2003-07-25

This is easily one of the best recordings of the Gliere horn concerto ever made. Marie Luise Neunecker plays with passion and an amazing sound to match. She is not afraid to approach this piece in a new light, and the results are stunning. I am more in love with this recording than any other, including the very acclaimed Hermann Baumann. This is essential Gliere, and an essential addition to any horn player's library. I would reccomend this Gliere recording over any other, and I think after you hear it, you will easily understand why.

Amazing.......2003-07-25

Average customer rating:

worth buying alone just for the Ustvolskaya

Mosaic

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005E3Y
Release Date: 1996-05-07

Tracks:

Concerto for Piano, String Orchestra, and Timpani
'Introitus' Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra
Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra: Allegro Molto
Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra: Vivace
Concertino Bianco for Piano and Chamber Orchestra: I- Con Intenerimento
Concertino Bianco for Piano and Chamber Orchestra: II- Con Venerazione
Concertino Bianco for Piano and Chamber Orchestra: III- Con Anima

Customer Reviews:

worth buying alone just for the Ustvolskaya.......2003-07-07

but the Pelecis and Gorecki pieces are interesting also. I have about 4 different recordings of the Gubaidulina which speaks for itself, so no comment needed. The Ustvolskaya is harrowing and beautiful, composed in the 40's and one can feel Shostakovich's influence on her music clearly here. Much, much different then her other cerebral works and more firmly lodged in "classical" notions.
The Gorecki is pretty interesting, but the surprise was the Pelecis, whom I had never heard of. A bizarre work, plinky and high-spirited, yet sounds serialist to me. Hope to see more of his music recorded...

Average customer rating:

Some Interesting Arrangements of Early 20th Century French Music
B. Marsalis delights, but does not surprise
The Disc Title Says it All
Fairly lackluster, but interesting to hear
Shivers down my spine

Creation

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romances for Saxophone
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ASIN: B00005A8I4
Release Date: 2001-03-06

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Gymnopedie No.3
Children's Corner Ste: The Little Shepherd
Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte
La Creation Du Monde, Op.81
Requiem, Op.48: Pie Jesu
Sorocaba (Saudades Do Brasil No.1), Op.67
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Scaramouche Ste, Op.165c: III. Brazileira
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Sumare (Saudades Do Brasil No.9), Op.67
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Concertino Da Camera: III. Animato Moto
Laranjeiras (Saudades Do Brasil No.11), Op.67
Children's Corner: Golliwogg's Cake-Walk

Amazon.com

This CD is the long-awaited follow-up to jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis's 1986 debut, Romances for Saxophone with the English Chamber conducted by Andrew Litton. Since that project, Marsalis has led his own jazz combos and worked with The Grateful Dead and Sting. On this recording, Marsalis's superb soprano and alto sax are buoyed by the wonderful, conductorless Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, an ensemble that was featured on Herbie Hancock's Gershwin's World. Marsalis's clear sound and mature phrasing imbue French classics like Ravel's "Pavane pour une infante défunte," Debussy's ragtime-rhythmed "Golliwogg's Cake-Walk," and Fauré's "Pie Jesu" with verve and vitality. Marsalis navigates the New World syncopations of Darius Milhaud's "Saudades do Brasil" with the same ease he displays on the composer's jazz-inspired ballet, "La création du monde." On Jacques Ibert's showcase for the alto saxophone, "Concertino da camera," Marsalis's negotiation of its florid melody and his swing-spiced cadenza show that the innovations of jazz improvisation have enriched and extended the classical tradition. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Some Interesting Arrangements of Early 20th Century French Music.......2007-02-04

A few years back, I remember hearing Branford Marsalis interviewed as part of an intermission feature of a broadcast from, the Metropolitan Opera. He was speaking about the one opera that made him fall in love with the musical form. Most people who fall in love with opera usually name a work such as LA BOHEME or RIGOLETTO as a first love, but for Marsalis the choice was TRISTAN UND ISOLDE. As he began stating his reasons for choosing one of Wagner's monumental and challenging works, he began discussing the composer's intricacies of the vocal and orchestral components and the originality of the work. It was obvious we were hearing a musician's musician speak. Marsalis has the same appreciation for what a composer intends in this collection of early twentieth century French compositions and just like the interview, demonstrates that he is a musicians' musician.

CREATION is a collection of early twentieth century works arranged for saxophone and orchestra. Marsalis is joined by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra for arrangements that are original yet also respect the intention of the composers. Overall CREATION is a great relaxation disc, with the exception of some of the Milhaud pieces (the arrangement of LA CREATION DU MONDE is perhaps the one piece that makes this collection of what could be termed background music somewhat startling). Our local classical music radio station often plays some of the pieces from this collection and calls the pieces "tracks to relax." The selections are varied from Debussy, Satie, Ravel and Faure to the more experimental sounds of Darius Milhaud. The choice of selections shows the variety of the music and in many ways shows that the line between classical and jazz in the twentieth century is not always as fixed as it seems.

This collection provides great musical entertainment and offers some interesting interpretations of great music that's certain to be enjoyed by many.

B. Marsalis delights, but does not surprise.......2005-08-16

Can an album seem pleasant, become a bit predictable, and then drift into the beautiful category? Here is graceful playing by one of the best saxophonists alive today, but there is no perspiration in the music. Why perspiration? Because when playing like this is so effortless, it does not ask much of the listener to join in with the musician's effort.
Then I realize this is all BS. Just listen to one of the best instumentalists playing very nice tunes. It is not his fault if it is so smooth, and clean. Just great.

The Disc Title Says it All.......2004-10-14

"Creation" is probably the best word one could choose for this fine effort. This is an interesting recording, one that mostly excels, but also has some shortcomings.

Branford's playing is a lot of things here, studied, practiced, prepared, thorough, and strong. It could have been more sensitive and collaborative. This is not something that necessarily need be laid at his door; it could be a "group" thing as much as anything. Other reviewers have noted that ensemble players often have difficulty working within an orchestra setting, and that the presence of a conductor could have kept things in check.

But that was not the point of this effort. If Orpheus and Branford had wanted a conductor they would have hired one. So one must use a more nuanced and blended yardstick to measure this . The compositions themselves clearly have a strong jazz influence, so the conceptual approach of the players is not only entirely appropriate but interesting. And that's what in the end separates jazz music from classical music. You may not like what people play or the way they play it, but at least it's not the same old stale sh-t. Branford's history of exploring a variety of musical stylings comes in well here; I appreciate his playfulness and almost joyful approach to some of these pieces. That's the way I think they ought to be played.

Highly Recommended.

Fairly lackluster, but interesting to hear.......2001-12-08

Branford Marsalis is an excellent jazz saxophonist.

However, he runs into the same problems many jazz musicians have when trying to "cross over" into classical: too little emphasis on tone quality, rough articulation, trouble blending with the strings, and in some cases, sloppy ensemble technique.

Perhaps this latter problem has more to do with the lack of a conductor than a lack of skill.

Marsalis plays quite respectably on the Ibert. He doesn't take the ossia altissimo passages, but many "classical" artists don't either, so I can't fault him for that.

The "Scaramouche" comes off the best of all the traditional recital pieces on this disc. Marsalis caputures the fleeting playfulness of the first movement, and his technique is flawless here.

His tone is unacceptably bright and raucous in the "Creation du Monde," however. His playing in that piece is beyond the range of any interpretation I've ever heard. Much of this has to do with the placement of the microphones and the production of the recording as well.

I would have preferred that the disc include fewer transcriptions, but Marsalis seems to enjoy recording transcriptions instead of the more serious works for classical saxophone. It would be interesting to hear him play some of the heavier repertoire: the Glazonov concerto, the Dubois Concerto, the Dahl concerto, etc.

Shivers down my spine.......2001-08-03

If you're a Branford Marsalis fan, you'll be on the edge of your seat 4 seconds into the opening cut. Imagine his exquisitely clear alto sax intoning the melody of Satie's Gymnopedie. And with Orpheus's incredible group energy (it's an orchestra whose members conduct themselves) and you'll understand.

I thought it would be wonderful background as I sat working at my computer -- it's so incredible it's distracting. Savor this.

Music Review: