Handel & Porpora: Rivals

On this CD:

1. Violin Sonata in F, Op.1/12, HWV 370 (doubtful)
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by David H. Walters, Four Nations Ensemble

2. D'Amore Il Primo Dardo
Composed by Nicola Porpora
Performed by Christine Brandes, David H. Walters, Four Nations Ensemble

3. Meine Seele hört im Sehen (German Aria No.6), hymn for soprano & continuo, HWV 207
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Christine Brandes, Geoffrey Burgess, David H. Walters, Four Nations Ensemble

4. Süsse Stille, sanfte Quelle (German Aria No.4), hymn for soprano & continuo, HWV 205
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Christine Brandes, David H. Walters, Four Nations Ensemble

5. Quanto Affanno
Composed by Johann Adolf Hasse
Performed by David H. Walters, Four Nations Ensemble

6. Singe, Seele, Gott zum Preise (German Aria No.5), hymn, for soprano & continuo, HWV 206
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Christine Brandes, David H. Walters, Four Nations Ensemble

7. Concerto for cello, strings & continuo in G
Composed by Nicola Porpora
Performed by David H. Walters, Four Nations Ensemble

8. Work(s) Languia di Bocca Lusigniera
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Christine Brandes, Geoffrey Burgess, David H. Walters, Four Nations Ensemble

Tracks:

Eine Klein Nachtmusik: (I. Allegro)
Nutcracker Suite: (Russian Dance)
The Four Seasons, Op. 8: (Spring: I. Allegro)
Hungarian Dance No. 5 In G Minor
Symphony in D, K. 161 - 163: (III. Presto)
Waltz In D-Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 1
Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Op. 214
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G, S. 1048: (III. Allegro)
Swan Lake: (Dance Of The Swans)
Carmen Suite No. 2: (Habanera)
Messiah: (Overture)
Wind Serenade 'The Marriage Of Figaro': Overture
Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 12: (III. Allegro)
Water Music: (Overture)
Sleeping Beauty Ballet Suite, Op. 66: (Panorama)
Symphony No. 26 In E-flat Major, K. 184: (III. Allegro)
Waltz No. 10 In B Minor, Op. 69 No. 2
Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, S. 1041: (III. Allegro)
Water Music: (Lentement)
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 In G Major, S. 1049: (II. Andante)
Habanera
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E-Flat Major, K. 447: (II. Romanza)
Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 43: (Variation No. 18)
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Stars And Stripes Forever

Customer Reviews:

classic music CD.......2007-06-27

The CD was well represented by the clips on the Amazon website and came in time for our event. We did have a problem with the charge but that was taken care of promptly. Great service.

Good for beginners.......2007-02-15

It is an excellent collection of classical music. I would recommend this CD if you have a friend who don't like classical music, since it has the most beautiful overtures and portions of famous artists. If you are a Classic Music Savvy you probably will not be impressed by it, unless you want to play the CD as background music in a friends gathering.

Great mix.......2007-02-14

All the best composers! Over an hour of music. A samble of the greatest pieces.

Good for first-timer.......2007-01-22

This is the first time I have ever bought a classical music CD and I was very pleased with this one. It has a good variety of selections. I would buy it again.

25 Classical Favorites cd.......2007-01-06

This CD has so many of my favorite, lively classical music -- love it!!

Average customer rating:

Best Music Ever for Home Wedding
Excellent resource for wedding planners
Great item!
Preview your wedding day
25 WEDDING FAVORITES

25 Wedding Favorites

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

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Classical Wedding
A Day to Remember - Instrumental Music for Your Wedding Day
Bride's Guide to Wedding Music
Heart Beats: Now & Forever - Timeless Wedding Songs
The Knot Collection of Ceremony and Wedding Music Selected by the Knot's Carley Roney

ASIN: B00004Y6T1
Release Date: 2000-09-05

Tracks:

Wedding March (Lohengrin)
Allegro I (Water Music) - Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
Trumpet Voluntary
Minuet (Music For The Royal Fireworks)
Canon in D Major
Spring - Susan Lautenbacher
Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba (Solomon)
Air (Water Music) - Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
Sheep May Safely Graze (Cantana No. 208)
Arioso
Bist Du Bei Mir' (Anna Magdalena Notebook)
Panis Angelicus
Weichet Nur' (Wedding Cantata)
Silent Worship (Tolomeo) - Mary Ann Hart
Ave Maria
Sehet In Zufriedenheit' (Wedding Cantata)
Ave Maria
Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring
Air On The G String - Mainz Chamber Orchestra
Pastorale (Messiah) - Eastman Chorale
Nocturne - Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Wedding Day At Troldhaugen - Utah Symphony Orchestra
Hornpipe (Water Music)
Wedding March
Toccata (5th Symphony)

Customer Reviews:

Best Music Ever for Home Wedding.......2007-07-20

The tape consists of 25 traditional wedding songs played by big orchestras; the music was beautiful and made a small ceremony into a special, unforgettable ceremony.

Excellent resource for wedding planners.......2007-04-05

I work regularly with people planning church weddings who want the service to be dignified, traditional and formal. Often they have "ear memory" of music they've heard in other weddings, but no idea about its composer or title. This CD is the best compilation I've found of music that fits those requirements. Selections include great music and performances make it easy to imagine how they would sound in a particular church or other setting. Includes works by Protestant, Catholic and secular composers.

Great item!.......2007-03-29

Great CD! Perfect when planning your wedding music. There are a variety of songs from various composers.

Preview your wedding day.......2006-08-14

This CD was inexpensive, and provided a great way to preview songs for my wedding. The CD had a good song selection. My fiance and I were able to get a better idea of how the songs would be at our wedding. Definitely an inexpensive tool that is worthwhile.

25 WEDDING FAVORITES.......2006-07-20

My daughter had to move her wedding 3 weeks before the event and the music she had arranged could not be there. I purchased this CD and we were thrilled with the price, the selections on the cd and how quickly it arrived. Thanks for providing the music for a beautiful wedding.

Songs by Mahler, Handel & Peter Lieberson

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Tribute
how do you even begin to comment on this singer?
A reissued recital in tribute to a great artist
Great Lieberson Recital

Songs by Mahler, Handel & Peter Lieberson

Manufacturer: Wigmore Hall Live
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs
Music of Peter Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto
Bach - Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook (highlights) / Hunt-Liberson, McGegan
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson: Handel Arias
Bach: Cantatas BWV 82 and 199

ASIN: B000MEYHXA
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

Ich Atmet' Einen Linden Duft
Blicke Mir Nicht In Die Lieder
Liebst Du Um Schonheit
Um Mitternacht
Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen
E Vivo Ancora...Scherza Infida
As With Rosy Steps
O Ihr Zartlichen
Stiller Freund
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's Spoken Introduction To: Triraksha's Aria
Triraksha's Aria
Spiritual: Deep River
Unbewegte Laue Luft Op.57 No.8

Amazon.com

We are indebted to Wigmore Hall for preserving this 1998 recital by the great, beloved mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, who was tragically taken from us in 2006. Now that her recordings are all we have left, this one is particularly valuable: it captures the vibrant immediacy of a live performance. The concentrated, spellbound silence of the audience is like a tangible presence. It also captures the incomparable beauty of Hunt Lieberson's voice: a dark alto in the low register, a warm mezzo in mid-range, crowned by a radiant top. Seamless, focused, and pure, she could make it float ethereally or glow with intensity; her intonation and breath-control were impeccable. The program illustrates the breadth of her repertoire. Baroque opera was among her specialties, and the record includes two slow Handel arias, one a lament, one a prayer. She carries the influence of the bel canto style and its tendency to swell notes with delayed vibrato over into the Five Mahler Songs on Rückert poems, making them sound a bit fussy and calculated, particularly the first and last, which are extremely slow. In the fourth, however, the initial despair and final heroic resignation come out beautifully. In both these groups, one misses the orchestra, especially because the pianist, an admirable, empathetic partner, sounds distant and subdued. The program ends with works by her husband, Peter Lieberson: two songs on Rilke poems and an aria from the opera Ashoka's Dream. No composer could wish for a more persuasive advocate. She brings out their majesty, passion, and inward expressiveness with total identification. As encores, the spiritual "Deep River," the first verse in the low register, the second an octave higher, is deeply devout; Brahms' "Unbewegte laue Luft" starts softly and ends in a burst of glory. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Tribute.......2007-07-15

The re-issue of (AT LAST!) of this live concert is a fitting tribute to the late Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson. The achingly beautiful Mahler lieder and the joyous Handel arias for which she was so well known, are exquisitely and movingly sung. This is a must-have for those who loved this great artist. Her favorite encore number, "Deep River" could melt a heart of stone.

how do you even begin to comment on this singer?.......2007-06-22

I am fortunate to work in an office with walls and a door, where I can actually play music without disturbing anyone. Lately, because work has been particularly stressful, I've been playing and replaying my Hunt Lieberson CD's. Sometimes I am forced to just stop what I'm doing and listen, because I can't help it. Other times I'm aware of this glorious, comforting, melodic background to my work that makes everything I do more tolerable and less fraught. To say that I'm awestruck by this woman's gift would be the grossest of understatements. I don't recall ever responding to music in this way--and I am a singer. No one who cares about vocal music should be without all of Hunt Lieberson's work. Simply extraordinary.

A reissued recital in tribute to a great artist.......2007-06-01

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson got her just due as a great singer only in the last seven years or so of her life. She had sung gloriously at the New York City Opera without being offered a chance to debut at the Met until she was in her forties and made a huge success as Dido in Berlioz's Les Troyens. Now that she is gone, her rpemature death has inspsired a number of tribute albums, of which this 1998 recital in Wigmore Hall is one of the best.

For one thing, it's her only solo recital on disk, and it features some staples of her repertoire--two arias from Handel's Theodora, two beautiful Rilke settings by Petyer Lieberson, and the spiritual 'Deep River' as one of the encores. Hunt Lieberson was also a great Mahler singer but never recored any. She was deeply moving in the Third Sym. as she is here in the five Ruckert lieder. Roger Nognobles offers exceptionally sensitive accompaniments, particularly in the Mahler--I'd rank this CD as first choice if you want these songs outside their usual orchestral setting.

In sum, a unique recital form a much loved and greatly missed singer.

Great Lieberson Recital.......2007-05-31

This album is a 1998 recital by the great mezzo Lorraine Hunt Lieberson. It begins with 5 very beautiful songs by Mahler, all settings from poems by Freidrich Ruckert, followed by two Handel Arias, E vivo ancora from Ariodante, and As with rosy steps from Theodora. The Theodora aria is absolutely ravishing and brings down the house. No one sings Handel like Lieberson, the depth of feeling is remarkable. She concludes with three songs by her (at that time future) husband, the American Composer, Peter Lieberson. Finally she sings two encores, the American spiritual Deep River, and a lovely Brahms lieder Unbewegte laue Luft.

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson was one of the finest Mezzo's of our time. She had a gorgeous dark and warm tone with so much depth. In this recital she is at her absolute artistic peak and the audience realize that they are hearing something special. Roger Vignoles is one of the great piano accompanists of our time, and he shows it in this recording. Listening to this recital brings home the tragedy of Liebersons untimely death last year.

Average customer rating:

Sarah's Best Easy Listening CD
Best Brightman CD
Sarah Brightman is a Classic
Not The Best - Not the Worst - From Sarah Brightman
Nice Cover

Sarah Brightman Classics
Sarah Brightman , Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni , Francisco Tarrega , George Frideric Handel , Fryderyk Chopin , Sergey Rachmaninov , Giacomo Puccini , Antonin Dvorak , Andrew Lloyd Webber , Ludwig van Beethoven , Joseph Marie Canteloube , Francesco Sartori , and Paul Bateman
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Time to Say Goodbye
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La Luna

ASIN: B00005RD78
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Ave Maria (new recording)
La Wally (from Time To Say Goodbye)
Winter Light (new recording)
Anytime, Anywhere (from Eden)
Alhambra (new recording)
Lascia Ch'io Pianga (from Eden)
Dans La Nuit (new recording)
Serenade/How Fair This Place (from La Luna)
O Mio Babbino Caro (new recording)
La Luna (from La Luna)
Pie Jesu (new recording)
Figlio Perduto (from La Luna)
Nessun Dorma (new recording)
Bailero (from Eden)
Time To Say Goodbye (New solo version--previously unavailable)

Amazon.com

Have some friends who still haven't discovered what the Sarah Brightman fuss is all about? You'll find the perfect introduction to make converts of them all in Classics, so they'll have no more excuses to remain clueless. Sporting a Botticelli-inspired image of the platinum-selling soprano on the cover, Classics is a classy anthology including highlights from three of Brightman's chart-topping releases along with seven new tracks. Songs personally selected by the diva as her favorite classical interpretations are culled from her previous blockbusters: Time To Say Goodbye, Eden, and La Luna. And whether you're a fan already in the fold or one in the making, the new material here shows the diva at the top of her form, in new renderings of "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Nessun Dorma" (accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic)--fascinating displays of the operatic confidence she's developed over her career. Other new offerings include a touching version of Schubert's "Ave Maria,' "Winter Light," a fresh take on her signature song "Pie Jesu" (from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem). "Alhambra" and "Dans La Nuit"--a real treat, bathing the listener in Brightman's silky, sensuous vocalism--add two original titles to her famous adaptations of classical melodies to new lyrics (using Chopin's haunting E major Etude in the latter case). All told, a lovely affirmation of the directions Brightman has boldly taken in her career to date. -Sarah Chin

Amazon.com

Sarah Brightman Photos

More from Sarah Brightman

Time to Say Goodbye
Diva: The Singles Collection
Eden

Diva: The Video Collection
Live from Las Vegas
La Luna (Live in Concert)

Customer Reviews:

Sarah's Best Easy Listening CD.......2007-03-15

Sarah Brightman's talent is limitless. Her soprano and/or alto voice is among the best and she lets it show in 'CLASSICS'. CLASSICS is a beautiful, easy listening, and peaceful CD. CLASSICS is one to listen to in tranquil or relaxing moments. "CLASICS" is a collection of great pieces of music written by great composers (Shuburt, Handel, Chopin, Puccini, and the like). I have listened to CLASSICS about 15 times now and it always puts me in a quiet and peaceful mood (I am ~50 years old).

Best Brightman CD.......2007-02-07

A classical composition which showcases the beautiful voice of Sarah Brightman. A timeless CD which will continue to be a favourite over the years.

Sarah Brightman is a Classic.......2007-01-02

Sarah Brightman is at her best in "Classics." From Dvorak's "Rusalka" (Opera B.203) to Beethoven's haunting Op 52, slow movement (Symphony #7), Brightman's voice and lyrical style are a joy. I particularly enjoy her performances of Schubert's Ave Maria and Andrew Lloyd Weber's Pie Jesu. This is a great add to my collection of serious music.

Not The Best - Not the Worst - From Sarah Brightman.......2006-12-30

After purchasing this CD for my iPod for iTunes, I must say that I'm a little bit dissapointed. 7 new recordings and 8 old ones, ones that I already happen to have. I do like the fact that they're all on one CD! Some of her new recordings, including, "Ave Maria", "Winter Light", "Alhambra", "Dans La Nuit", and the new recording of "Pie Jesu" are just too breathy for my taste. It seems as with every changing CD, Sarah's voice changes. I'm not saying that the result is bad; it actually gives the songs more of a dream like quality, but I'm used to the younger, more Andrew Lloyd-Webber integrated Sarah. Scooping continually occurs in new recordings of "O Mio Babbino Caro", and "Nessun Dorma". In some tracks from La Luna, like "Figlio Perduto", Sarah's voice is TOTALLY dominated by harmonizing recordings that sound almost mechanical.

OVERALLY - The new songs sound O.K. and the old recordings are just as good as they were back then. This album is still a great buy!

Nice Cover.......2006-12-27

I'm a heterosexual guy who's not an opera aficionado - I only mention these facts because I seem to be right in the bull's-eye of the target market for this product. Sarah B. has a nice voice and she's pretty. Both of these are featured prominently on this CD. The cover and several pages in the insert are devoted to what must have been a very long and expensive photo shoot (and Photoshop) of a semi-clad Sarah looking marvelous. (The CD also comes with a flyer so you can buy various Brightman "Classics" apparel - perhaps not for the heterosexual male).

As far as the music goes: not bad, not great. I don't claim to have the most discerning ears for this sort of music, but everything was OK by me. However, the pieces on the CD with which I'm somewhat familiar, such as "O Mio Babbino Caro," didn't sound quite as good as other versions I've heard (and that includes by Charlotte Church, not just opera stars). Also, the solo version of "Time to Say Goodbye" didn't sound nearly as good to me as the duet with Bocelli.

In sum, there were 3-4 songs I liked enough to rip to MP3s - which is enough so that I didn't feel ripped myself...

Average customer rating:

Two Great Handel Tenors
Bostridge in best form in Handel arias

Great Handel

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Handel Arias
Richard Strauss: Four Last Songs

ASIN: B000PFU9LK
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

Air Where'er You Walk
Accompagnato Comfort Ye
Air Ev'ry Valley
Accompagnato Frondi Tenere
Arioso Ombra Mai Fu
Aria Cosi La Tortorella
Air Love Sounds Th'alarm
Air Love In Her Eyes Sits Playing
Duet Happy We!
Aria Scherza Infida
Aria Dopo Notte
Air Total Eclipse!
Duet As Steals the Morn
Accompagnato Hide Though Thy Hated Beams
A Father, Off'ring Up His Only Child
Air Waft Her, Angels

Amazon.com

Listening to these very diverse arias, it's easy to understand why Beethoven is reported to have esteemed Handel above all other composers. The program includes three of his greatest hits: "Ev'ry Valley," "Where'er You Walk," and "Ombra mai fu." The other arias, taken from operas and oratorios and in Italian and English, are less familiar but no less great. They display Handel's versatile, multi-faceted genius and his ability to express every human mood and emotion through purely musical means. In his liner notes, Ian Bostridge traces his Handelian roots back to his childhood. Indeed the style seems natural to him. Bostridge even makes the arias written for castrati persuasive, despite the difference in key and color. His coloratura runs are brilliant, while his intonation and diction impeccable. However, the baroque orchestra's flat tuning sometimes forces Bostridge into an uncomfortably low register, and his habit of starting notes without vibrato and swelling them tends to become mannered, disrupting the melodic flow. The orchestra is excellent, but with sparing vibrato and straight-forward phrasing seems to inhabit a different stylistic world. Moreover, it sounds distant and subdued, as does soprano Kate Royal, who joins Bostridge in two duets. The program, though compiled for maximum contrast, may be most enjoyable in moderate doses. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Two Great Handel Tenors.......2007-07-20

Just when the torrent of Handel recitals seemed to have slowed, we get two great tenor recitals in less than a month. Mark Padmore and Ian Bostridge double up on only a few airs - Where'er you walk, Total eclipse, As steals the morn, Waft her, angels. Padmore is more dramatic, with longer scenes; Bostridge more lyrical. I usually listen to them back to back, but if I only have time for one, it is the Bostridge that gets chosen. His "Waft her, angels" pierces the heart.

Bostridge in best form in Handel arias.......2007-07-17

I get the feeling that Amazon has given up providing official (paid for) reviews, so buyers won't be told that this colleciton of Handel from Ian Bostridge selects from Ariodante, Acis and Galatea, Samson, Jephtha, l"allegro e il penserosso, Semele, and of course, Messiah. The singer's voice has darkened since it willowy early days, and even though there are still a few holdouts like me who cannot abide its tone, there is no doubt about Bostridge's artistry. Here he gets good period accompaniment from the famous Age of Enlighenment orchestra (zingy strings, ni vibrato), although the conducting is notably sluggish at points. The singer avoids his often excessive underlining and over-acting, so all in all one must call this one of his best recent outings.

The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe

Average customer rating:

the most relaxing classical music in the university
Relaxing Classical Music
Stress-freedom
Greatly enjoy!
the most relaxing classical music in the universe

The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe
Johann Sebastian Bach , Ralph Vaughan Williams , George Frideric Handel , Gustav Holst , Samuel Barber , Edvard Grieg , Jean Sibelius , Antonin Dvorak , Franz Liszt , Charles Gounod , Fryderyk Chopin , Alexander Borodin , Maurice Ravel , Antonio Vivaldi , Satie, Erik , and Various Artists
Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mozart for Relaxation

ASIN: B00008RH16
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Canon - Pachelbel
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik-Andante - Mozart
Fur Elise - Beethoven
String Quartet #1 - Tchaikovsky
Clair De Lune - Debussy
Idyl for Strings - Adagio - Janacek
Adagio in G Mnor - Albinoni
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair - Debussy
Air on a G String - Bach
Greensleeves - Vaughn Williams
Largo from Xerxes - Handel
Prelude in C - Bach
The Planets - Venus - Holst
Goldberg Variations - Aria - Bach
Adagio for Strings - Barber

Tracks:

Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun - Debussy
Fur Elise - Beethoven
Holberg Suite - Sarabande - Grieg
Valse Triste - Sibelius
Concerto in F Minor - Largo - Bach
Serenade for String - Moderato - Dvorak
Liebestraume - Liszt
Ave Maria - Bach/Bounod
Etude in E Major - Chopin
String Quartet No 2 - Nocturne - Borodin
Arabesque - Debussy
Pavane for Dead Princess - Ravel
The Four Seasons - Largo - Vivaldi
Gymno0pedie 1 - Satie
Moonlight Sonata - Adagio - Beethoven
Piano Concerto No 21 - Andante - Mozart "Elvira Madigan"

Customer Reviews:

the most relaxing classical music in the university.......2007-05-12

All my favorites. I can start the CD player, which is wired to speakers in every room of my house, and just let it play, along with "The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the World" and "The Most Relaxing Classical Guitar in the World." I enjoy an awareness of familiar and beautiful strains of my favorites all day long and never get tired of it.

My brother visited me recently and noticed it right away. That will be another order for this fabulour music.

Relaxing Classical Music.......2007-01-08

I was not really a classical music fan but I am now. I purchased this cd for my 14 year old grand-daughter, not knowing we would both enjoy the music so much. She has always enjoyed classical music along with all of the other teen music, rap, rock, country, etc.
Also, it really helped being able to listen to parts of the music before purchasing.

Stress-freedom.......2006-03-14

Perfect music to end the work day. After listening to this I can face the evening. If the morning is hard, a little at lunch time gets me through the afternoon.

Greatly enjoy!.......2006-02-23

I first developed a taste for this music a number of years ago when my daughter started playing in the orchestra. The reason I made this purchase however, was because I have a great deal of difficulty with anxiety and I was looking for ways to find help. I love these CDs. It helps so much to sit and close my eyes and enjoy the music. The CDs are full of beautiful music.

the most relaxing classical music in the universe.......2005-09-21

it's the best next to the first one...

Average customer rating:

Build Baby's Brain through Classics Vol 1
Wonderful stimulating music for baby
The greatest CD!!
Forget baby, it's mine?
Love this CD--why all the complaints?

Build Your Baby's Brain

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000AE72
Release Date: 1998-08-25

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro - Philadelphia Orch; Ormandy, E.
Fse
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba from "Solomon"
Alla Turca
Quintet in a Major for Piano and Strings, Op. 114 "Trout"
Concerto No. 1 in E Major, RV. 269 "Spring" (From the Four Seasons)
"Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" from Cantata No. 147
Canon in D
Quintet in a Major for Piano and Strings, Op. 114 "Trout"
Air ("On the G String") From Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068
Sheep May Safely Graze from Cantata No. 208
Water Music, HWV 348-350 (Wassermusik)
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 "Elvira Madigan"
Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik"
"Dove Sono" from le Nozze Di Figaro, K. 492
"Li Darem la Mano" from Don Giovanni, K. 527
Bist du Bei Mir, BWV 508

Amazon.com

Hundreds of compilation recordings have been thrust on the market in recent years on the theory that classical music makes a nice, non-threatening accompaniment to everything from working out to making love. And here we have one compilation promising to make your baby smarter. It's offensive enough that the music featured on these compilations is spliced up so that the most you hear of any work is a single movement; what's really annoying is the poor quality of so many of the featured performances. So it is some consolation that the artists here include such 20th-century legends as the Cleveland Orchestra under Szell and the Budapest String Quartet with Mieczyslaw Horszowski. Of course if these folks were alive, one can imagine their violent objection to this presentation of their work. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

Build Baby's Brain through Classics Vol 1.......2006-07-25

I am a true fan of Classical music and this was purchased as a gift for a co-worker who is adopting a child from China. Therefore I did not open it nor listen to it. The recipient is now overseas picking up their daughter so I know they haven't had the opportunity to listen to it. I think it's a great idea, though, and purchased a used set for my Grandson.

Wonderful stimulating music for baby.......2006-06-23

I am sorry for the previous review who said that intelligence is hereditary. If that is true, all mankind would have been doomed from the start.

Intelligence is not hereditary, but rather a result of stimulation during infancy and birth. Sure, it isn't a guarantee that your child *will* become a genius if you attempt to educate them from birth, but there is no doubt that real educational stimulation of a young mind is a powerful indicator that the child will be more advanced than the average child.

Music is not just notes played. Music--real music--is everything. Though the music of today will fade, classical music will always be around because it is classic. It fits no matter what era you place it in. There is always a home for it. The artists are timeless just as the beautiful melodies are.

I certainly believe that babies who listen to music will become more familiar with and more easily understand music and instruments. Therefore, they will be quicker of mind. It is just a fact that people who play instruments are usually of higher intelligence.

I don't think that people are destined to be stupid or geniuses. I believe it is a question of environment. I feel I'm a great mother but I haven't done everything I could have been doing to help my son's mind expand as an infant. Now that he is a toddler (18 months) I am teaching him to read and exposing him to the magic of classical music in hopes that it will help mold him and set him apart from the rest.

Minds are trainable. You just have to work at it. This CD compiled of beautiful pieces composed by instrumental geniuses will help you do just that.

The greatest CD!!.......2006-01-17

I received this CD free when I had my first baby and it instantly became my fav cd of all time. I have it on my computer and I had another copy made because I just can not imagine not having it.
And as for the comment that the music has nothing to do with intellingence, you stand alone on that front. Besides, what does it hurt? It's great, soothing music and the babies enjoy it.

Forget baby, it's mine?.......2005-09-01

I love my child, but the first time I heard this CD, It immediately went from her recorder to mine. I take it practically everywhere I go. I know it's technically "Her" CD, but the selections are so soothing; and you need that type of comfort when stuck in traffic. Honestly, we both enjoy it - and I'm glad someone thought enough to give it as a gift.

Love this CD--why all the complaints?.......2004-08-30

I'm not sure what people were expecting when they purchased this. For one thing it tells you exactly what is on the CD. Its not a mystery!! If you buy it on amazon it has listed every title on it so I"m not sure about the people who said they were dissapointed because they already own those titles. Obviously you should glance at the list of titles on this CD if you have a large classical collection already. However if you don't already have a classical collection this is by far excellent .I'll be honest and admit I listen to one of the volumes daily regardless of who is in the room. It's marketed for babies but it is really for anyone. There are SO many classical pieces out there. What they have done is to take the best of the best and also the ones that are known to appeal to babies. For some reason many reviewers thing they just took a random sampling of classical music. In reality they have put together those that appeal most to children. I can tell you that my 1 year old daughter actually dances to these. She really likes them a lot. I consider the whole collection a must have for any household.

Average customer rating:

Not A Music Critic ... But A Lover Of All Music ...
Misleading title scheme
Don't Bother...Really!
Could have been better
Some great tracks, but flawed nonetheless

25 Romantic Classics

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

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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25 Classical Favorites
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ASIN: B0000058HR
Release Date: 1996-01-30

Tracks:

Suite No. 3 In D Major: Air On The G String - Frank Shipway
Fur Elise - Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 23 In A Major, K. 488: II. Adagio - Arie Vardi
The Four Seasons, Op. 8: Summer: I. Allegro - Alberto Lizzio
Nutcracker Suite: Dance Of The Flutes - Jonel Perlea
Ombra mai fu: Handel's Largo - Philip Gibson
Waltz In A-Flat Major, Op. 39 - Brahms
Prelude In A Major, Op. 28 No. 7 - Chopin
Reverie - DeBussy
Canon In D - Gunter Kehr
Spring Song - Mendelssohn
Symphony No. 9 In C Major, K. 73: III. Menuetto - Gunter Kehr
Sarabande - I Musici di Zagreb
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: III. Menuetto; Allegretto - Libor Pesek
Suite No. 2 In B Minor: Menuet - Gunter Kehr
Concerto Grosso In D Major, Op. 6 No. 4: Vivace - I Musici di Zagreb
Ave Maria - Hans Hagan And His Orchestra
Sleeping Beauty Ballet Suite: Waltz - Lawrence Siegel
Concerto In D Minor For 2 Oboes & Strings, Op. 42 No. 2: I. Largo - Piero Santi
Trumpet Concerto In D Major - Gunter Kehr
Lullaby - Hans Hagan And His Orchestra
Nutcracker Suite: Chinese Dance - Don Jackson
Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 107: Andante - David Zinman
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: II. Andante e spicatto - Paul Angerer
Gianni Schicci: O mio babbino caro - Nikea Baroza

Customer Reviews:

Not A Music Critic ... But A Lover Of All Music ..........2006-08-29

Let's not be too harsh regarding this CD. I purchased this as my first baby step into the classical genre and it absolutely made me fall in love with classical music and appreciate it in a way I never could when people tried to make me like it. It is such a wide variety of classical music and I find romance to be joyful, tragic, gentle, harsh & a complete roller coaster that I found all in this ONE CD! It also made my boyfriend who hates, or shall I say HATED classical music NOW like it! That was an amazing feat! We now have many classical cd's and we always go back to this one for dinner parties, romantic baths and other things... I played this CD so much, that it got damaged and I just purchased another one to replace the one I bought years ago. If you are a critic, stay away from this cd, you will rob it of its beauty & innocence. If you are a beginner and want to open your mind to all that classical music has to offer, then this is the best money you can spend. BUY & ENJOY!!!

Misleading title scheme.......2006-01-01

This is what bothered me about the CD. Three of the biggest eras in classical music were: the baroque era, the classical era, and the romantic era. Now, with CD's titled baroque favorites, classical favorites and romantic classics, one would expect these CD's to be era specific. Such is not the case. If you read the back of the CD it even says "from the romantic era of music", but the there are composers like Vivaldi (baroque) and Debussy (impressionism) on this CD. About more than half are from the wrong eras. So this music is romantic in the non-musical sense of the word, which is fine, but a little bit misleading.

Don't Bother...Really!.......2005-02-21

Not what I call classical composers! THis cd is annoying in a way I really can't stand. It lacks the pure elegance of the classical days. Don't buy this cd unless you want a phony all around bad album played by cheap ameteurs.

Could have been better.......2004-02-19

I think the quality is good, and better on a few tracks, but all these romantic tracks?? Not what I listened to. Actually I was kind of disappointed; I had purchased an abundance of the "Favorites" collection some were better than others.
I was kind of perturbed when some same tracks on this CD were on another CD, and visa versa.

Still, I suppose for the price, one can't go wrong.

Some great tracks, but flawed nonetheless.......2004-01-12

Whether or not this CD lives up to its promise of "Romantic" music is not truly a concern, being that the entire nature of classical music is that it is open to one's own interpretation. However, I can speak to the quality of the recordings themselves.

A few of the tracks (Reverie, Canon, Sarabande, a few others) are absolutely superb. Well recorded, and played with genius bravado, coupled with great arrangements (it was interesting to hear Reverie outside of its native instrument, the Piano). Most of the tracks, however, are absolutely horrid. Fur Elise for the sheer amateurish quality, Vivaldi's Concerto for oboe and strings sounds like it was copied from an old phonograph record, as does Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Suite, Mendelssohn's Spring Song, and Puccini's Gianni Schicci, and a few others. A few other tracks still are played horribly, most of them already mentioned.

All in all, for the price you are getting quite a few good tracks, but don't expect stellar quality. I would instead recommend Chopin's Nocturnes and Mozart's and Tchaikovsky's Piano concertos of you're looking for something romantic.

Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel
Average customer rating:

forget the "purists" and enjoy!

Beverly Sills, American Legend: Ave Atque Vale

beverly sill

Classic performance

Fine performances, flawed recording quality

Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel
George Frideric Handel , Julius Rudel , Beverly Sills , Norman Treigle , Maureen Forrester , Spiro Malas , Michael Devlin , Eugenia Earle , Beverly Wolff , William Beck , Dominic Cossa , and New York City Opera Chorus and Orchestra
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation)

Massenet: Manon

Verdi: La Traviata / Sills, Gedda, Panerai; Ceccato

Rossini: L'Assedio di Corinto

Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi

ASIN: B000003EOP
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Julius Ceasar: Overture - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Viva, viva il nostro Alcide! - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Presti omai l'Egizia terra - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Curio, Cesare venna e vide e vinse - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Sua reggia tolomeo - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Giulio, che miri? - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Empio, diro, tu sei - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Gia torna in se - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Priva son d'ogni conforto - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Vani sono i lamenti - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Regni Cleopatra - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Vanne, e torna omai - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Sire, Signor! - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Alma del gran pompeo - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Qui nobile donzella - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Avanti al tuo cospetto - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Sfortunata donzella - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Ahime! Vile e negletta - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Cara speme - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Oh, quanto bella gloria - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Va tacito e nascosto - Wolff
Julius Ceasar: Dove, dove, inumani - Wolff

Tracks:

Julius Ceasar: E seguisti, o Niren - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Taci! -- che fia? - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: V'adoro, pupille - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Non ha in cielo - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Piu amabile belta - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Deh, piangete, o mesti lumi - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Se a me non sei crudele - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Si spietata - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Madre! Ferma! - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Cessa omai di sospirare! - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Figlio non e - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Bella Lidia - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Mora, mora, mora - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Se pieta di me non senti - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Sinfonia - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Vinta cadesti al balenar - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Dall'ondoso periglio - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Cerco in van Tolomeo - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Lascia questo sigillo! - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Voi, che mie fide ancelle - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Cesare, o un'ombra sei? - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Da tempeste il legno infranto - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: Cornelia, e tempo omai - G.F. Handel
Julius Ceasar: La vendetta del padre - G.F. Handel

Customer Reviews:

forget the "purists" and enjoy!.......2007-07-17

In the last 20-30 years with all of the emphasis on "early music" and "authentic" versions that are not edited, there have been many opera fans who dismiss this performance/production somewhat condescendingly. Ignore them! Here's what caused her to become the people's prima donna, and led to her debuts at La Scala and the Royal Opera in London. Certainly there have been other sopranos in the 20th century with brilliant coloratura (Sutherland, Caballe, Callas) but few were as effective dramatically, as heartfelt, or had the Brooklyn "razzle-dazzle" that made opera fans on both side of the Atlantic fall in love with her. It may sound like a cliche, but we lost a national treasure!

Beverly Sills, American Legend: Ave Atque Vale.......2007-07-04

The world is diminished with the news of the death of Beverly Sills. Her impact on American Opera will never be matched. She was an Original, a woman of great beauty, creative intelligence not only in her vocal production, pyrotechniques, and range, but also in her commitment to acting and drama, bringing a far larger audience to the opera houses with both her gifts as an artist and her compassion for those experiencing opera for the first time. Her performances were full of life, uncannily beautiful in singing and deportment, and aided by her own insistence on the use of supertitles above the proscenium arch, a gracious bow to her audiences to draw them into the stories of the works. La Sills had the intelligence to make her final bow on the stage when signs of vocal weakness began to show. Everything she did was form her heart and her brain and her humanity.

Finding a work to call a signature role for her wide repertoire is difficult, but for most of us her creation of Cleopatra as captured in this recording of Handel's 'Giulio Cesare' is a zenith. She sparkles and stuns with her effortless singing and embellishments and she is accompanied by her old friends Norman Treigle, Spiro Malas, Michael Devlin, Maureen Forrester, Beverly Wolff, Dominic Cossa and of course, Julius Rudel who with Sills brought the New York City Opera to importance.

Yes, the recording is old and now dated and now that Handel's jewel is a frequently performed opera in the original style (countertenors, original instrumentation, etc), the performance does sound a bit florid and thick. But Beverly Sills shines brightly and this is the great selfless star we will all remember. Grady Harp, July 07

beverly sill.......2007-05-18

beverly is enchanting as cleopatra. i have started a beverly collection of operas which i am sure will rival my callas collection

Classic performance.......2007-05-13

If you like this opera, this recording is a must have. Good sound quality, amazing performance. Yes, this is one of the productions that launched Beverly Sills' career. I have yet to see or hear a performance of Cleopatra that comes close.

Fine performances, flawed recording quality.......2007-05-05

The women steal the show here--Forrester's voice lush and gorgeous, Sills at her mindblowing coloratura best. I imagine Treigle's booming, grainy voice was powerful on stage, but at times it sounds coarse and a bit wobbly here in the more difficult passages. All in all this is a fine disc, true to Handel without period instrument nonsense, though the recording quality is bad for 1967 (distortion on high notes and forte voice passages), when EMI and Decca and DG were turning out superb sounding operas on a regular basis.

As Steals the Morn: Handel Arias & Scenes for Tenor

Average customer rating:

Can't recommend it
a voice teacher and early music fan
Without peer....!
Best Tenor Handel Singing Ever

As Steals the Morn: Handel Arias & Scenes for Tenor

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Vivaldi Heroes

ASIN: B000N6U1B4
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Customer Reviews:

Can't recommend it.......2007-07-03

I can't recommend this recording unreservedly. Mr. Padmore's voice seems hard pressed and tremulous in some of the arias, and his Italian is un-idiomatic. His diction is superb, in both the English and Italian arias, and the choice of repertoire is adventurous, but I will stick to Robert White.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-06-23

PADMORE HAS ARRIVED!!!!!Gramophone writes: "Mark Padmore uses his extraordinary diction and whispering chamber-like intimacy to remind us that the most exalted tenor arias from the operas and oratorios can achieve true potency even out of context..." To which I heartily agree. This is truly a wondrous portrayal of the many and varied moods of Handels' works. The tenor roles on this disc stretch between Handel's first and last oratorios, and most of them share a philosophy that implies that the dire consequences of personal pride, emotional selfishness, political ambition and sexual lust are amended by virtue and reason.

Padmore has always excelled with his velvet-toned tenderness, such as is displayed on this disc in "Where'er You Walk" from Semele and Jephtha's seraphic "Waft Her Angels". However, in this album he shows that he has acquired a stength and Italian vibrancy in his tone quality as he sings Jeptha's victory aria: "His Mighty Arm" and Bajazet's magnificent death aria :"Figlia mia-Tu spietato" from Tamerlano. I have never heard this death aria sung as well by anyone!!!!And, of course , the lovely melody, so beautifully performed by Padmore and Lucy Crowe is the 'crown' on this album: 'As Steals the Morn'.
Mark Padmore can be listed with the best of the present day tenors. And Andrew Manze with his sensively implemented accompaniment; just perfect!!!I would be remiss if I did not mention the very attractive packaging of the disc as well as the accompanying information; very superior.

Without peer....!.......2007-06-14

I fully agree with the listener above, this is some of the most beautiful and expressive Handel singing in a very long time. I sat in rapture between my two B&W's. Mark Padmore has just raised the bar and Andrew Manze and the English Concert support with playing of stunning virtousity....warm enveloping engineering and you most certainly have a disc to treasure. Please don't hesitate if you love Handel!!

Best Tenor Handel Singing Ever.......2007-06-13

We are in a Golden Age of Handel singing with Andreas Scholl, Daniel Taylor, Vivica Genaux, Ewa Podles and others making baroque music popular again. If you don't own any Lorraine Hunt Lieberson singing Handel (especially with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra) buy some today. But buy it alongside this disc. "As Steals the Morn" stole my heart. This is without a doubt the best tenor disc of Handel arias ever. WIth the women and the countertenors great versions of almost everything that Handel wrote abound. Padmore is in a class by himself among tenors singing this music. The singing is beautiful and heartfelt. This would join my Callas Tosca and Scotto Butterfly on a desert island.

Music Review: