Smetana: The Bartered Bride (Highlights)

On this CD:

1. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Overture
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

2. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act I, Scene I: Let us rejoice let's be merry
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

3. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act I, Scene II: Should I ever happen to learn
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

4. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act I, Scene II: While a mother's love
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

5. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act I, Scene II: Faithful Love
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

6. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act I, Scene III: He's well brought up and decent
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

7. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act I, Scene V: Polka
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

8. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act II, Scene II: My-my-my-mother dear
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

9. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act II, Scene III: I know of a maiden fair
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

10. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act II, Scene IV: Now then my dear man
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

11. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act II, Scene IV: Every man maintains
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

12. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act II, Scene V: How could they believe
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

13. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act III, Scene VII: Marenka mine
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

14. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act III, Scene VII: Are you really so stobborn dear
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

15. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Act III, Scene 09 and 10: What have you decided Marenka
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Gabriela Benackova, Peter Dvorsky, Jaroslav Horacek, Jindrich Jindrak, Miroslav Kopp, Marie Mrazova, Richard Novak, Marie Vesela
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

Tracks:

Orchestra Tune-Up
Bartered Bride Overture
Symphony 5, 1st Movement
The Four Seasons, Autumn, RV293, 1st Movement
Divertimento In F, K.138, 1st Movement
March Militaire
Symphony 5, 4th Movement
Annen Polka
Capriccio Espagnol, Alborada
Trish-Trash Polka
Concerto In C, RV537, 3rd Movement
Capriccio Espagnol, Fandango
The Four Seasons, Spring, RV269, 1st Movement
Serenade For Strings, Waltz
The Bartered Bride, Polka
Symphony 100, 'Military' 2nd Movement
Piano Sonata 15, Op.28, 4th Movement
Waltz In G Flat Op.70, No.1
Symphony 101, 'Clock' 2nd Movement
6 Children Pieces, Op.72, 2nd Movement
Lullaby

Customer Reviews:

Selection is not good.......2006-07-27

This tape is short and the melodies are not engaging for kids. It was waste of money.

Baby Einstein: Traveling Melodies .......2006-02-23

Hello everyone,
This CD is great!
My son has ADD & when we are out & he gets Anxious I put this CD in his portibale CD player.
It seems to help him calm down & better cope with things.
I think that every parent should have this CD that has a special needs child.
Thanks so much for putting it online for people to buy.
Thanks Again,
A Greatfull Mom

Saved My Sanity.......2005-11-03

My husband and I are musicians so I inwardly groaned when we were given this CD as a gift--I'd rather play the originals rather than some synthesized kiddie version. However, on a recent road trip we got desperate when our colicky son would not stop screaming. We popped this in the CD player and it calmed him down immediately. I swear, it's like aural crack for babies. We now play it at bedtime to help calm him down and it still works. You may not love this CD, but your baby will.

A Very Pleasant CD for Little Ones in the Car.......2005-11-01

I picked this up for driving around music and was very pleasantly surprised. Quite enjoyable (and my son seems to like it too!) and perfect for exactly what it says--traveling around. Easy listening and could possibly make your child smarter, great!

Average customer rating:

Woo Hoo!
Einstein
The baby danced.
A Lot of Fun for Playtime
Synthesized dreck

Baby Einstein: Playtime Music Box

Manufacturer: Buena Vista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Baby Einstein: Lullaby Classics
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Baby Einstein: Music Box Orchestra

ASIN: B0006SSRP6
Release Date: 2004-12-21

Tracks:

Carmen Suite Medley
Snow Maiden, Dance Of The Birds
William Tell Overture, 'Lone Ranger'
Flight Of The Bumblebee
Humpty Dumpty/Child's Verse Medley
The Bartered Bride, Furiant
Minute Waltz
Gaite Parisienne, Vivo
Hey Diddle Diddle
Wellington's Victory, Op.91, 'England'
Wellington's Victory, Op.91, 'Victory Finale'
Swan Lake, Waltz
Old MacDonald Had A Farm
Happy Farmer
Farmer In The Dell
Jack & Jill
Symphony No.4
Dance Of The Hours
The Bartered Bride, Skokna
Voices Of Spring, Waltz

Product Description

The Playtime Music Box music CD is a 20-track, 31-minute concert featuring a collection of up-beat classical melodies and traditional song favorites to inspire your little one to dance, clap and play! Each delightful piece was specially selected and produced to bring musical fun to any activity - playtime, travel time, tummy time and more. Playtime Music Box includes classical pieces such as Rossini's ?Ç£William Tell Overture?Ç¥ and Schumann's ?Ç£Happy Farmer,?Ç¥ as well as ?Ç£Old MacDonald Had a Farm.?Ç¥Musical Selections:1. Carmen Suite, Medley, G. Bizet2. Snow Maiden, Danse des Oiseaux, N. Rimsky-Korsakov3. William Tell Overture, G. Rossini4. Flight of the Bumblebee, N. Rimsky-Korsakov5. Humpty Dumpty, W. Weisbach (traditional verse)6. The Bartered Bride Suite, Furiant, B. Smetana7. Minute Waltz, F. Chopin8. Gaite Parisienne, Vivo, J. Offenbach9. Hey Diddle Diddle, W. Weisbach (traditional verse)10. Wellington's Victory, Op 91, England, L. Beethoven11. Wellington's Victory, Op 91, Victory Finale, L. Beethoven12. Swan Lake, Waltz, P. Tchaikovsky13. Old MacDonald Had a Farm, traditional14. Happy Farmer, R. Schumann15. Farmer in the Dell, traditional16. Jack & Jill, W. Weisbach (traditional verse)17. Symphony No. 4, Italian, F. Mendelssohn18. Dance of the Hours, A. Ponchielli19. The Bartered Bride Suite, Skocna, B. Smetana20. Voices of Spring, Waltz, J. Strauss IIAge: birth +

Customer Reviews:

Woo Hoo!.......2007-05-07

This is by far the best CD in the Baby Einstein collection--it will put your toddler in hyperactive playful mode and exhaust you as you try to keep up. But for today's overweight, tv- and game- addicted children, this is great!

Einstein.......2007-04-09

Anything that has an Einstein in the title my twins love. I used to play this for them at night while they slept.

The baby danced........2007-03-09

I gave Baby Einstein: Playtime Music Box to a little boy on his first birthday. He loves it and dances and dances to the music.

A Lot of Fun for Playtime.......2006-01-04

This CD is a lot of fun. The music is bubbly and upbeat and makes you want to get up and dance or just jump around. It's a great way to spend some play time with your kids. And the classical music exposure is a bonus.

Synthesized dreck.......2005-08-13

Why did the producers use synthesizers for this music? It's awful. It's possible to hook kids on classical music using the actual instruments written for it - that's how I got hooked. That's what Mel Blanc and Disney did in their cartoons, Bugs Bunny and Fantasia. I do NOT recommend this CD to anyone. It was a shower gift. If you are not familiar with classical music, then I recommend "Baby Needs Beethoven", which is a collection of music using real instruments (albeit shortened - no full length symphonies here).

Dvorák's New World Symphony and Other Orchestral Masterworks [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Excellent rendition
A Good CD with a BIG mistake in it!
A truly wonderful experience
One of the Great Recordings of this All Time Classic
Stunning clarity for classic performance

Dvorák's New World Symphony and Other Orchestral Masterworks [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, A Night on Bald Mountain, and Other Russian Showpieces [Hybrid SACD]
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale [Hybrid SACD]
Brahms, Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos [Hybrid SACD]
Richard Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Ein Heldenleben [Hybrid SACD]
Respighi: Pines of Rome; Fountains of Rome; Debussy: La mer [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B00076OMW4
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

Adagio/Allegro Molto
Largo
Scherzo: Molto Vivace
Allegro Con Fuoco
Carnival Overture, Op.92
Overture
Polka And Fugue

Customer Reviews:

Excellent rendition.......2007-02-16

As good as it gets. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the "old days."
I cannot speak for the other titles, but Dvorak's 9th was very good indeed...

Be sure you get the Hybrid SACD version and not an SACD unless you have an SACD player...

A Good CD with a BIG mistake in it!.......2006-02-10

The New World Symphony is the best blended and most musical I've ever heard, but the end of the Polka and Fugue everyone, except the tubist, is playing too loud. Its blatty and offensive to me especially the trumpets. Don't get me wrong I like loud playing but not when the whole section is in unison. Also there is a very loud wrong note in the trumpets in the last statement of the subject! It's kind of funny! Anyways everything else about this CD is very good. Especially the New World Symphony.

A truly wonderful experience.......2006-01-09

I have several CD's of Dvorak's 9th Symphony but it's unlikely I will play them again. The performance is the best I've heard and the recording is outstanding. My wife, who doesn't even particularly like classical music, came into the room when I played this recording the first time and actually sat down and listened to the whole CD. That might be a first for her and the fact that she was impressed, impresses me.

I've been buying a number of the RCA Living Stereo SACD's recently and I'm more impressed every time I listen to them. I also have a few of the Mercury Living Presence CD's and SACD's which are also outstanding (although the Living Presence SACD's are premium priced). Considering more recent recordings of the same works, the performances and the sound are both better on the 45-50 year old recordings than on the current DDD's.

To those who want to buy recordings of the most popular classical works, I would highly recommend Living Stereo and Living Presence CD's and SACD's. Of the Dvorak's "From The New World" Symphony recordings available, I consider this a first choice.

One of the Great Recordings of this All Time Classic.......2005-12-08

RCA has a vast and incredible library of classical music recordings, particularly in its LIVING STEREO series, and over the years has re-released some of its great titles. One of the more popular and enduring recordings in this series is Fritz Reiner's recording of Dvorak's Ninth Symphony with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. People familiar with the LP version will instantly recognize it distinctive cover with a photograph of the Statue of Liberty, the same monument which would have greeted Dvorak when he first visited the United States and where he was inspired to write this great work.

The showpiece of the recording is Dvorak's 9th. Recorded in 1957, the orchestra has a hearty sound. Both Reiner and the orchestra seem familiar with the work. Reiner moves the work along, and is particularly vigorous in his conducting of the fourth movement, which may not be to everyone's liking, but works well with this recording. The CD also contains three other works that are in keeping with Dvorak's 9th. Two are overtures: a robust version of Dvorak's "Carnival Overture," and a lively recording of Smetena's overture to "The Bartered Bride." The third piece is Weinberger's Polka and Fugue from "Schwanda the Bagpiper." Interestingly, while he conducts the Dvorak's pieces with energy, the Weinberger piece is conducted a bit slower than other recordings of the work.

One bonus of the re-release of the "Living Stereo" recordings is that they contain the original liner notes from the LP. Since this CD is a compilation from two different LP's, the liner notes from both are included in this set. RCA has not re-released as many of the titles as they promised ten years ago when they first opened the vaults. Let's hope some of the other great titles will be released in the near future.

Stunning clarity for classic performance.......2005-03-26

A well thought out and impassioned classic performance of Dvorak's 9th from Reiner and the CSO, who are both in excellent form here.
The SACD transfer allows you to really hear all of the little details in the score/recording with stunning clarity. Woodwind and horn solos come out firmly placed and well defined rather than lost in the mix. The rich sound produced by these musicians is well served, faithfully reproduced.
The Bartered Bride Overture is given a lively and striking performance, string sections digging in ferociously, and it is nice to have the Weinberger piece, more of a rarity, given such high quality treatment.

I got the impression that these particular recordings are showing their age a bit more than some of the other Living Stereo master tapes, but the sound is still incredible all things considered. The symphony is presented in its original three-track multichannel, and it is well worth hearing it in that format.
All in all, another fine addition to this series of remasterings.

Average customer rating:

Fine anthology but still prefer her "Four Last Songs" recording
RIP DAME ELIZABETH (1915-2006)
SCHWARZKOPF ----- ONE OF THE GREATS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
¡PERFECT!
PERFECTA INTERPRETACIÓN

The Very Best of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000AF1SC
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

Ach War Ich Schon (Fidelio)
Non So Piu (Le Nozze Di Figaro)
Porgi, Amor (Le Nozze Di Figaro)
E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono (Le Nozze Di Figaro)
Mi Tradi Quell'Alma Ingrata (Don Giovanni)
Come Scoglio (Cosi Fan Tutti)
Leise, Leise, Fromme Weise (Der Freischutz)
Dich, Teure Halle (Tannhauser)
Einsam In Truben Tagen (Lohengrin)
Wie Fremd Und Tot (Die Verkaufte Braut)
Bruderchen, Komm, Tanz Mit Mir (Hansel Und Gretel)
Da Geht Er Hin (Der Rosenkavalier)
Es Gibt Ein Reich (Ariadne Auf Naxos) - Richard Strauss
Das War Sehr Gut (Arabella)

Tracks:

Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen
Bist Du Bei Mir
Ridente La Calma
An Die Musik
Der Musensohn
Nachtviolen
Der Musensohn
Auch Kleine Dinge
Mein Liebster Ist So Klein
Verschling' Der Abgrund
Ich Hab' In Penna
Wiegenlied Im Sommer
Mausfallenspruchlein
In Dem Schatten Meiner Locken
Mignon (Kennst Du Das Land?)
Gsatzli (Swiss Folksong)
Fruhling
Im Abendrot
Muttertandelei
Zueignung
Klange Der Heimat (Die Fledermaus)
Es Lebt'Eine Vilja (Die Lustige Witwe)
Im Chambre Separee (Der Opemball)
Wien, Du Stadt Meiner Traume

Amazon.com

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was certainly one of the greatest singers of her own, or indeed any other time. An obsessive perfectionist, her flawless technique and intonation over a huge range, vocal flexibility, breath control, phrasing, stylistic versatility, and above all her focused, radiantly beautiful sound were matchless and incomparable. All these are on full display on this generous 2-CD set, which features over a dozen arias, songs by Schubert, Wolf and Richard Strauss, and some lighter fare. The recordings were made between 1950 and 1967, and the singing becomes better and better, the voice richer and more varied, the expression deeper and more immediate. Not surprisingly, the peaks come in the arias from her signature roles in Mozart's Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Cosi fan tutte; Richard Strauss' Ariadne, Rosenkavalier, and Arabella, which rise to real ecstasy; and arias from Weber's Freischütz and Smetana's Bartered Bride, which are wonderfully intimate and touching. She is less convincing in roles she never sang on stage, and the "childish" voice she cultivated especially for Hänsel and Gretel is unnatural and contrived. The same is true of the last two "popular" numbers, which sound condescending and artificial. The songs, however, have all her customary finesse and inwardness; the Wolf group, perhaps chosen for its gentle humor, is charming, while Strauss' "Four Last Songs" (represented by two) shimmer and soar. Schwarzkopf's singing had instantly recognizable characteristics: a tendency to hold back both vocally and emotionally, giving a sense of noble restraint, but also of cool detachment; excessive use of color and nuance, creating a fussy, calculated and somewhat artificial air. Only rarely does she "let go" with full voice and spontaneous feeling. However, as these recordings show, she invariably inspires admiration and captures ear and heart through the inimitable, glorious beauty of her voice. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Fine anthology but still prefer her "Four Last Songs" recording.......2006-11-06

The engineering and audio quality of these 1960's performances are surprisingly good. The songs are wonderfully peformed and cover a range of periods and styles, but I find myself returning to her recording (also re-released on CD) of Strauss' "Four Last Songs", which I would give 6 stars -- my favorite recording of all time.

RIP DAME ELIZABETH (1915-2006).......2006-08-04

This set is a fine tribute to this extraordinary singer and musician. I was saddened to read about her passing. She had a long life (90 years) and inspired a whole generation of singers and music lovers throughout the world.

SCHWARZKOPF ----- ONE OF THE GREATS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.......2006-01-29

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's career is what legends are made of. She is every bit as fundamental to classical singing in the twentieth century as is Maria Callas. Schwarzkopf sang with refinement, polish, beauty of voice, and meticulous articulation. She was the greatest Mozart and Strauss soprano of her day; her ability to sing the operetta music of Lehar, Suppe', and Johann Strauss has not been equalled; she performed with distinction orchestral compositions of Mahler, Brahms, Bach, and Handel; her Schubert, Schumann, Wolf, and Mahler lieder were exemplary. She sang many operatic roles, far more than many people realize, and was certainly the definitive Marshallin in "Rosenkavalier" throughout the 1950's and 1960'. I saw her many times in recital in Chicago, and even at the time of her farewell (which I was fortunate enough to see), she was sublime. All of the superlative qualities of Schwarzkopf are generously demonstrated throughout these two wonder CD's. Virtually every item is magnificent (though obviously some will prefer some to others) and has the detailed Schwarzkopf imprint stamped right into the music. This CD, great as it is, represents only a very small part of the greatness of Schwarzkopf. I already own tons of her operas and recitals, from which many of the items here come from. But for the sake of completeness, I will probably add it. A person who loves great singing can never have too much of the art of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. She's a vocal icon.

¡PERFECT!.......2005-02-10

I only want to say that you can hear, in this double cd, one of the great singers of all time. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Why? Because she sings all the arias and lieder with pure of tone, brilliance, perfect inflexion, modulation, excellent control breath, measured vibrato, and, all above, great emision of colours. She is master in this art.

PERFECTA INTERPRETACIÓN.......2005-02-09

La mejor recopilación de la discografía de Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Su belleza de voz, la impecable hilación de frases, y, sobre todo, su expresiva interpretación son algunas de las sorpresas que se podrán escuchar en estos dos discos. Sin duda, UNA DE LAS MEJORES SOPRANOS DEL SIGLO XX.

Average customer rating:

Wicked Funny Music
Gift Idea
Octoberfest fun
A great CD!

Opera's Greatest Drinking Songs

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003FV4
Release Date: 1995-04-11

Tracks:

La Traviata: Brindisi
Martha: Lasst mich euch fragen
The Student Prince: Drink, Drink, Drink
Il Trovatore: Anvil chorus
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intanto, amici
Carmen: Votre toast (Toreador Song)
Carmina Burana: In taberna quando sumus
Cherubin: Vous parlex de peril And La Manola
Rigoletto: La donna obile
What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor
Das Lied von der Erde: Der trunkene im fr
Wiener Blut: Stoss an!
Lucrezia Borgia: Il segreto per esser felici
Der Freischutz: Hier im ird'schen Jammertal
La Damnation de Faust: Song Of The Rat
Don Giovanni: Finch'han dal vino
La forza del destino: Holholhol
Tafellied
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Otello: Inaffia l'ugola!
The Bartered Bride: Welch Gottesgabe is das Bier
Die Fledermaus: O Fledermaus; Champagne hat's verschuldet

Customer Reviews:

Wicked Funny Music.......2007-05-18

Excellent choices for drunken idiots to sing to. Get some culture while you get smashed!

Gift Idea.......2007-01-17

This was a gift for a man in my life who is a beer conosouir and fluent in German. I fell in love with the cover art because it was so humourous. According to him, the music is also fun and entertaining. This could make an excellent unique gift for someone, even as a joke.

Octoberfest fun.......2000-12-12

My father got this as a joke, ... I heard it and had to have it,, perfect for drinking beer in October. Just a wonderful hearty mix!

A great CD!.......1998-12-12

This CD is so much fun, and has great music! Buy it...you'll love it

Average customer rating:

Ever-reigning Queen of Sopranos
Lucia Popp
Lucy: The Reigning Queen of Opera

The Very Best of Lucia Popp

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles
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Very Best of
Very Best of
The Very Best of Janet Baker

ASIN: B0000AHEAY
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

Song To The Moon
Should I Ever Learn
How Confused I Feel
Solveig's Song
Solveig's Cradle Song
Amor Volat Undique
Stetit Puella
In Trutina
Vier Letzte Lieder
Vier Letzte Lieder
Vier Letzte Lieder
Vier Letzte Lieder
Symphony No. 4 In G
Tatiana's Letter Scene

Tracks:

Un Cenno Leggiadretto
Ho Perduto Il Caro Sposo
O Had I Jubel's Lyre
Laudate Dominum
Welche Wonne, Welche Lust
Porgi, Amor
Voi Che Sapete
Giunse Alfin Il Momento...Deh Vieni, Non Tardar
Crudele?...Non Mi Dir
Come Scoglio
Una Donna A Quindici Anni
Der Holle Rache
Ach, Ich Fuhl's
Crucifixus
Die Forelle
Gretchen Am Spinnrade
An Sylvia
Zueignung
Es Lebt' Eine Vilja
Klange Der Heimat

Customer Reviews:

Ever-reigning Queen of Sopranos.......2007-05-28

Listening through these two discs, one thought kept leaping up to mind: will ever there be another soprano as versatile and accomplished as Lucia Popp? Died in 1994 at the early age of 54, the operatic world hadn't really mourned her enough.
People are still lingering on Maria Callas, the 'star' soprano with all her glamour and legendary life could offer.
Real listeners, however, could not give up the memory of Lucia Popp's terrific artistry and almost supernatural voice.
Her Rusalka, her Solveig, her Susanna, Zerlina, Despina in the da Ponte/Mozart trio, her terrific Queen of the Night (unsurpassed by ANY subsequent sopranos up till now), and ALSO her Pamina in the same opera. In any language you ask her to sing, and she excelled. I marvel at the Letter Scene in Eugene Onegin - only if Lucia had the chance to perform the whole opera during her short life! The joy, the expectation, the emotional tribulations, so vividly captured in girlish and pure timbre. No one will ever beat her; not even Fleming and Netrebko.
"Weird and wonderful" - that's what Elisabeth Schwarzkopf said of Lucia Popp's singing. We today would modify it to 'wonderful and unsurpassable'.
This 2-CD set is an absolute must have, even if you have never heard of Lucia Popp before.

Lucia Popp.......2006-01-12

This is a wonderful album showcasing the very best of Lucia Popp (as the title suggests). Her voice was absolutely beautiful. She could sing the slavic languages like no one else. Her version of Dvorak's Song to the Moon is unbeatable. I dare anyone to find a better performance! Also, the song from Die Zauberflute -Ah Ich fuls (sp?) is outstanding. I've yet to hear a better version. Her diction was fantastic and while she wasn't the highest soprano around - she knew what worked for her voice. This is album is a keeper!

Lucy: The Reigning Queen of Opera.......2004-07-12

Lucia Popp is one of the best sopranos to ever grace the operatic/classical voice stage. This CD compilation shows her progression through lyric Handel to lyric and dramatic Mozart (her Der Holle Rache from Magic Flute is unrivaled) to tender art song and operetta literature. The first disc also showcases her adeptness with 20th Century literature as well as the ability to step out of the traditional four languages of opera. Any avid music fan MUST have this CD compilation.

Average customer rating:

valuable asset
Hats off, gentlemen, a genius!
This man is a genius!

Orchestral Excerpts for Violin
William Preucil , Bedrich Smetana , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Ludwig van Beethoven , Felix Mendelssohn , Johannes Brahms , Robert Schumann , and Richard Strauss
Manufacturer: Summit(Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Orchestral Excerpts for Cello
Orchestra Excerpts for Viola
Violin Mastery: Interviews with Heifetz, Auer, Kreisler and Others (Dover Books on Music)

ASIN: B00000F1UN
Release Date: 1998-11-17

Tracks:

Don Juan
Don Juan
The Bartered Bride
The Bartered Bride
Sym No.39
Sym No.39
Sym No.39
Sym No.39
Sym No.39
Sym No.39
Sym No.39
Sym No.39
Sym No.39
Sym No.39
SymNo.3
SymNo.3
SymNo.3
SymNo.3
SymNo.3
SymNo.3
SymNo.3
SymNo.3
Sym No.9
Sym No.9
Midsummer Nights Dream
Midsummer Nights Dream
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Sym No.2
Closing Comments

Customer Reviews:

valuable asset.......2006-03-15

This cd is a valuable asset for the aspiring professional violinist. It's the next best thing to having a lesson on these orchestral excerpts.

Hats off, gentlemen, a genius!.......2002-12-10

Severance Hall, 3rd row center, Beethoven Concerto, Preucil and the Cleveland Orchestra...

...musical nirvana

(Bill, do you need a roadie?)

This man is a genius!.......1999-04-12

The first time I heard William Preucil play "live," it was the Symphony No. 5 by Shostakovich. He was a young man and my expectations weren't ready for what came next. Having collected all of the top recordings, I ran home after the concert to confirm, this guy played -- far and away -- better than any recording I had ever heard. The last time I heard William Preucil play "in person," it was a Mozart Divertimento with a chamber orchestra. How often do you go crazy over a violin solo from a Mozart Divertimento? Although Mr. Preucil's solos were extended, not a single note went by without the entire audience sitting on the edge of their seats, riveted. Years later, I was in a CD shop talking about recordings of violinists when the shop owner mentioned, "the most memorable" violin solo he had ever heard. It was William Preucil's performance that night, of this Mozart Divertimento. I wasn't the only one to maintain that recollection. Next, I was in a movie theater where the New York City Ballet's production of the Nutcracker had been released as a feature film. Having recently studied and listened to EVERY recording available to Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Ballet, I was surprised during the film to hear the big violin solo from Sleeping Beauty suddenly begin during a film adaptation of Nutcracker. More surprising, it was obvious to me that the violinist here was better than any recording (ever made, probably) of the Sleeping Beauty ballet. My precise thoughts were, "This playing is as good as William Preucil...I guess violinists are getting better because I thought only he was this good!" I waited through the end credits, because I had to know the name of this violinist whose playing is equal to my memory of William Preucil. I had to smile when the end credits said, "William Preucil, concertmaster." Not surprisingly, William Preucil is now concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra. There is nobody like him on the planet and all I can say is, if you are interested in violin playing at all, you cannot afford to pass up on this incredible opportunity to hear Mr. Preucil play and give "advice" on some great excerpts from the orchestral literature for violin. The man is a genius!

Average customer rating:

My all time favorite CD
Beautiful!!

Class Brass

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Class Brass - On The Edge
Royal Brass: Music from Renaissance & Baroque
King's Court and Celtic Fair
Music Of Gabrieli
The World Sings: An Empire Brass Christmas

ASIN: B000003CW6
Release Date: 1989-11-21

Tracks:

Procession Of The Nobles
Polovetsian Dances
Buckaroo Holiday
Dance Of The Comedians
Anitra's Dance
Morning Dance
Simple Gifts
Wedding/Troika
Arabian Dance
Neopolitan Dance
Triumphal March
Pavane
Toreador Song
Slavonic Dance No. 8
Hungarian Dance No. 5
Estancia
Pavane For A Dead Princess
Great Gate Of Kiev

Customer Reviews:

My all time favorite CD.......2004-01-11

Perfect. The best performance of the best music.

Beautiful!!.......2001-11-10

This album is an absolute joy to experience! The recording proves to all who may doubt, that brass quintet is a medium capable of musical miracles! The pieces here are taken from the orchestral repetoire and have been arranged for five brass voices. Trumpeter Rolf Smedvig and his ensemble perform in a manner that is always immaculate, tasteful and above all, musical. The precision of the enemble playing here is in a word, astonishing. On track #1, 'Procession of the Nobles', for example, there is a moment where the 2nd trumpet begins an ascending line that is overtaken and completed by the 1st trumpet. The transition is so liquid and seemless that the casual listener will not even be aware that the line wasn't played by one person! Tubist Samuel Pilafian offers a lovely arrangement of Copland's 'Simple Gifts' that shows off a wide range of sound from soft and sweet to bold and grand. Another favorite is the joyous 'Slavonic Dance No. 8' with its rollicking, sunny feel and inspiring dynamic contrast. Brass enthusiasts, purchase this recording with confidence! It is amazing!

Average customer rating:

Empire Brass-Greatest Hits

Empire Brass: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The World Sings: An Empire Brass Christmas
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Class Brass: Firedance

ASIN: B000003D23
Release Date: 1997-11-18

Tracks:

Canzon Septimi Toni No 2
Canzona Bergamasca
Feierlicher Einzug
Overture To The Impresario
Prelude
Romanian Rhapsody No. 1
Arabian Dance
Amarilli Mia Bella
Basse Danse Bergeret
Hopper Dance
Dance Of The Comedians
Summertime
Big Spender
When The Saints Go Marchin' In

Customer Reviews:

Empire Brass-Greatest Hits.......2003-11-27

This is one of the best CD's I own. Oustanding muscianship, expression and interesting repertoire. A must buy.

Dvorak: Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9

Average customer rating:

Good Lord, just buy it.
Virtuosic
Emotionally flat
poor audio quality
Wonderful

Dvorak: Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000007QCH
Release Date: 1998-06-16

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 In D Minor Op. 70: I. Allegro maestoso
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor Op. 70: II. Poco Adagio
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor Op. 70: III. Scherzo. Vivace -- Poco meno mosso
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor Op. 70: IV. Finale. Allegro
Carnival Overture, Op. 92
Overture To The Bartered Bride
Quartet In E Minor 'From My Life': I. Allegro vivo appassionato
Quartet In E Minor 'From My Life': II. Allegro moderato alla Polka
Quartet In E Minor 'From My Life': III. Largo sostenuto
Quartet In E Minor 'From My Life': IV. Vivace -- Meno mosso

Tracks:

Symphony No. 8 In G, Op. 88: I. Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 8 In G, Op. 88: II. Adagio
Symphony No. 8 In G, Op. 88: III. Allegretto grazioso - Molto vivace
Symphony No. 8 In G, Op. 88: IV. Allegro, ma non troopo
Symphony No. 9, In E Minor Op. 95: I. Adagio. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 9, In E Minor Op. 95: II. Largo
Symphony No. 9, In E Minor Op. 95: III. Scherzo, Molto vivace
Symphony No. 9, In E Minor Op. 95: IV. Allegro con fuoco

Amazon.com

George Szell's great musical hero was Toscanini, but the truth is that on any given day Szell was probably the better conductor. Of course, comparisons like this aren't fair, especially when so much of Szell's musical prime has been preserved in really good sound, which certainly isn't true of the great Italian conductor. But it's worth pointing out all the same, because all of Toscanini's best qualities are here. The razor-sharp rhythms, perfect orchestral balances, and, where required, stunning power of the orchestra are all placed in the service of Dvorák's magnificent music. The result is that the "interpretation" as such simply vanishes; you experience an inevitable, organic musical discourse. It's what all great conductors aspire to- -but for Szell, it was all in a day's work. Essential. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Good Lord, just buy it........2007-05-29

Not only is this the most passionately and perfectly played Dvorak and Smetana I've ever heard, it is sonically head and shoulders above the Columbia/Sony reissues we had to suffer through for so many years.

The Cleveland Orchestra is quite simply on fire here, Szell is inspired, one of the great musicians of the century, and the sound reflects the bright, spacious feeling of Severance Hall.

Let's just hope that Sony continues to clean up the scores of remaining Szell/Cleveland recordings they have in their vault for digital release. Music making of this caliber is of historical importance.

Postscript--After several more listenings I notice that in the wildly intense mono recording of Smetana's Bartered Bride overture there are moments where Szell can be heard driving the string section attack by singing the parts in a mad voice reminescent of Glenn Gould or Bernstein in their wackiest moments of musical transport. And his orchestration and performance of "From My Life".... Szell an Ice Cube? Stereotypes and reportage from third rate journalists die hard. This is music making of such barely contained passion and frenzy that even after thirty years of listening to it I still find new things to marvel at...

Virtuosic.......2006-02-17

This set contains the most technically accomplished performances of these works. Just listen to the hair-raising coda of the 8th symphony's last mvt. Truly virtuosic.

Emotionally flat.......2006-01-08

These recordings, though aurally quite good (including the 1949 Smetana quartet orchestration, in spite of its mono vintage) present the Szell/Cleveland collaboration that I remember hearing live in Carnegie Hall: everything beautifully, even gorgeously, played, balances perfect, everything well-done...but emotionally flat as a pancake, totally lacking in excitement or verve. Now, this wasn't ALWAYS the case, on record or live; witness the Smetana overture here, and the "quartet". But the symphonies are all that way, gorgeous but unmoving.

One reviewer compares Szell to Toscanini, citing the perfection of execution of both of these artists and saying that Szell, and Toscanini, are out of favor now. Well, Toscanini's performances, whatever you say about them, cannot EVER be called emotionally cold or flat, as these are!

I am still searching for the Szell/Cleveland Dvorak 8th, recorded by EMI in 1970, which presented an entirely different view, a performance with real passion and verve, even excitement, added to the perfect execution in evidence here. But it seems to be out of print!

poor audio quality.......2005-09-03

The performances are good, but the background hiss is overwhelming if you have a good audio system. Especially during soft, lyrical passages such as in the Adagio movement of Symphony no. 8.

Wonderful.......2004-05-08

All the other reviewers have said basically summed up what needs to be said about these recordings - the razor sharp precision, the amazing orchestral balance, the powerful dynamics. The Cleveland Orchestra under Szell was something unlike anything else in the world of music. Highly Recommended.

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Barbara Bonney sings Mozart ~ Great arias and duets with Bryn Terfel, Arleen Auger and many more

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15 Gran Exitos

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