A Classic Romance

On this CD:

1. Boléro, ballet for orchestra (or piano)
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Ljubljana Radio Orchestra
Conducted by Samo Hubad

2. Nocturne for piano in E flat major, Op. 9/2, CT 109
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Peter Schmalfuss

3. Bagatelle for piano in A minor ("Für Elise"), WoO 59
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Helene Gal

4. An der schönen, blauen Donau (On the Beautiful, Blue Danube), waltz for orchestra (with chorus ad lib), Op. 314 (RV 314)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Carl Michalski

5. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor ("Moonlight"), Op. 27/2
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Dubravka Tomsic

6. Symphony No. 41 in C major ("Jupiter"), K. 551 Allegro vivace
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Alfred Scholz

7. Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major ("Eine kleine Nachtmusik"), K. 525 Romance: Andante
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Slovak National Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Libor Pesek

Tracks:

Romance
Pavane
Sunburst
Una Limosna Por el Amor de Dios
Asturias
Gymnopedie No. 3
El Condor Pasa
Verano Porteno
Scherzino Mexicano
Berceuse
Natalia
Dance from la Vida Breve
Planxty Madame Maxwell
Epitafios
Prelude from Lute Suite
I. Prelude from Suite for Lute (Guitar) No. 4 in E Major, BXV 1006a - From The Seville Concert
Sonata in E Major, K. 380 (L. 23) - From The Baroque Album
III. Allegro from Trio For Violin, Lute (Guitar) And Basso Continuo In C Major, RV 82 - From John Williams Plays Vivaldi Concertos
II. Adagio From Conceirto de Aranjuez For Guitar And Orchestra

Amazon.com

Guitarist John Williams (no, not John Williams the soundtrack composer) adds to his fine catalog of impeccable recordings with Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar. But this isn't just a best-of collection (though some of his greatest work is included here) since the disc contains three new recordings. Among the new tracks, Fauré's Pavane is a real stunner, a short but gorgeous piece originally meant for orchestra and choir, where Williams's guitar sounds as though it always belonged there. We get Williams at his most interpretative--his arrangements of Satie's Gymnopedie No. 3 and Piazzolla tango Verano porteno--and his most serene (the "Cavatina" theme from the movie Deer Hunter). Let's face it, some fine classical guitarists can lull their listeners into near comatose states with their instrument; Williams, on the other hand, is just the opposite. His gorgeous tone, inventive arrangements, and interesting repertoire continue to make the classical guitar sound exciting. In short, a great introduction to Williams and a real gem for lovers of classical guitar. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

The Aranjuez Adagio is Perfection.......2007-03-01

The second movement adagio of the Aranjuez concert is one of my favourite pieces, a very difficult one to get right. I've listened to well over a dozen variations, the one on this CD, track 19, is an absolute gem. Just by itself is reason enough to own this CD. The only other Aranjuez performance that's even worth mentioning in the same breath is Julian Bream's, track 2 of the CD titled just "Julian Bream", with the Monteverdi orchestra. Both are just stunning performances, as close to perfection as it gets. Julian's is a bit stronger on the guitar than the one here.

Classic.......2007-01-26

Excellent CD for those interested in classical music. All the tracks are great in sound quality!

Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar.......2007-01-20

Loved the songs....loved the guitar renditions. Would highly recommend!

The Best One Disc Compilation of the Man That's Out There!.......2006-04-19

If you had to call modern classical guitar by another name, it would be John Williams. A student of none other than the brilliant Andres Segovia himself, John has shown over the years to have learnt a great deal from the master and has himself developed simply impeccable technique.

As a guitarist myself who has been struggling all these years with "Cavatina", it always amazes me how effortlessly John makes the tune sound so simple and as if two guitarists are playing, one for the accompanyment and one for the melody and yet it's all him! Not only are the tracks representative of John's great talent but they also represent some of the most famous and challenging pieces to play.

Another great example of this is "Asturias(Leyenda) by Albeniz, a hauntingly beautiful and deceptively simple-sounding piece. We also get pieces that span the centuries from J.S. Bach and Vivaldi to Stanley Myers and York ending with the brilliant second movement of Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez".

Although the sound quality isn't brilliant as some tracks sound better mastered than others, overall this is a great one disc introduction to John Williams' work and comes highly recommended.

Excellent!!.......2006-03-06

This is a delightful compilation. The music flows effortlessly and leaves the listener wanting more.

Christopher Parkening - The Great Recordings ~ By America's Preeminent Guitar Virtuoso

Average customer rating:

Excellent recording
Highly Recommended!
Amazing
A gentleman musical agreement!
Extreme virtuosity

Christopher Parkening - The Great Recordings ~ By America's Preeminent Guitar Virtuoso
Johann Sebastian Bach , François Couperin , Gabriel Fauré , Isaac Albeniz , Anonymous , Francisco Tarrega (y Eixea) , Silvius Leopold Weiss , Claude Debussy , Maurice Ravel , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Gordon Young , Georg Philipp Telemann , Heitor Villa-Lobos , Manuel de Falla , Manuel Ponce , Enrique Granados , Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco , Andrew York , Fernando Sor , Gaspar Sanz , Joaquin Rodrigo , and Christopher Parkening
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Christopher Parkening plays Bach
Simple Gifts: Christopher Parkening
In the Spanish Style / Christopher Parkening
The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume 2: Guitar Technique
Christopher Parkening - A Tribute to Segovia

ASIN: B000002RTR
Release Date: 1993-09-14

Tracks:

Fugue From Violin Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001 - J S Bach
Estudio brillante
Etude No. 1 In E Minor
Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Leyenda
Romance
Rumores de la Caleta
Capricho Arabe
Cantata 147: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Well-Tempered Clavier: Prelude No. 1
Well-Tempered Clavier: Prelude No. 6
Cantata 140: Sleepers Awake
Prelude, Fugue, And Allegro: Allegro
Cantata 208: Sheep May Safely Graze
Les Barricades mysterieuses
Preambulo & Allegro vivo: Preambulo And Allegro vivo
Passacaglia
The Girl With The Flaxen Hair
Gymnopedie No. 1
Empress Of The Pagodas
Afro-Cuban Lullaby

Tracks:

Fourth Lute Suite: Praludium
Fairest Lord Jesus
Praise Ye The Lord, K. 339
Simple Gifts
Hymn Of Christian Joy
Cantata 29: We Thank Thee, Lord
Cantata 156: Arioso
Cantata 99: What God Hath Done
Canon
Dolly Suite: Berceuse
La Vida breve: Spanish Dance No. 1
Terezinha De Jesus
Prelude (In The Baroque Style)
Goyescas: Intermezzo
Prelude & Fugue No. 4 In E: Fugue
Evening Dance
Variations On A Theme Of Mozart
Canarlos
La Maja de Goya
El Noi de la Mare
Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio - J. Rodrigo

Customer Reviews:

Excellent recording.......2007-05-12

If you are a fan of classical guitar than this is a must own set. I enjoy every moment.

Highly Recommended!.......2006-12-23

I would recommend this CD to anyone who loves music--period! Christopher Parkening is unquestionably one of the greatest classical guitarists of all-time. He embodies personal excellence like no other and is a brilliant artist. This CD is a must-have for any classical enthusiast. My favorite pieces include: Tárrega's "Recuerdos de la Alhambra," "Romance," Bach's "Prelude No. 6," and Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez." There are other versions of these pieces as well, but I always prefer Parkening's renditions, as they are oh so extraordinary--especially the recording of Aranjuez!! Other guitarists never seem to capture the essence of Rodrigo's musical masterpiece (e.g., Göran Söllescher in "Mad About Guitars"). But Parkening did! And the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was a perfect accompaniment.

This CD is definitely worth buying. Included is a CD booklet, which illustrates the history of Parkening's illustrious career, interesting tidbits about all 25 recorded pieces, and several photos of his early life to his "breathtaking performance" at Rodrigo's 90th birthday celebration at the Royal Festival Hall in London, 1992.

Amazing.......2006-05-08

I am not going to go into great detail. I am working on a degree in classical guitar and I can say this is something to strive for. His musical interpretation of the peices represented here are some of the best I've heard. His tone,color, and phrasing is incredible.

A gentleman musical agreement! .......2006-03-16

In guitar ` s playing there have been many renowned performers, gifted of exuberant technique. But curiously the Apollonian playing is not by itself strictly enough. The guitar is the instrument which is closer to heart as any other one. It demands from you passion and sentiment. There have been three well known guitarists, one of them from England and the other one from Spain and the third one from Japan whose sensibility was totally absent in their performances.

But fortunately for us, there have been notable interpreters that have been maintained a desired balance and contrast between brain and heart, achieving great distinction and total acknowledgement around the world. I would name seven primordial names along the instrument `s story. First of all: the mythic soloist Andres Segovia, Regino Sainz de la Maza, John Williams, Alirio Diaz, Manuel Berrueco, Siegfried Behrend and Christopher Parkening, among the most representative ones of a great list.

Christopher Parkening `s career has made a brilliant colorist, an impeccable and sensitive interpreter of this well reduced repertoire. His profound artistic conviction and convincing phrasing has been a perpetual motive of constant invitations and presentations around the world.

Extreme virtuosity.......2005-09-25

CP has become my chief inspiration to improve as a classical guitarist. His performances here are, without exception, phenomenal. He makes the most difficult pieces sound effortless. I prefer CP over John Williams because, while Williams is also unquestionably a master, he sounds a bit robotic to me at times. CP, on the other hand, never sacrifices musicality to precision. He sublimely maintains both.

Average customer rating:

Classic Hits for Kids

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000A4T9AS
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Average customer rating:

The Greatest
Enchanting, moving, Perlman is magic!

Classic Perlman: Rhapsody

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Cinema Serenade
Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits
Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Cinema Serenade II: The Golden Age
Ithzak Perlman: Encores

ASIN: B0000636A5
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Tracks:

Henry V: Canzonetta
Schindler's List: Theme From Schindler's List
Concerto In D Major For Violin, Piano And String Quartet, Op.21: Sicilienne - Juilliard String Quartet
Humoresque No.7 In G-Flat Major, Op.101
Violin Sonata No.3 In D Minor, Op.108: Adagio - Daniel Barenboim
Now, Voyager: Theme From Now, Voyager
Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse: Theme Four Hoursemen Of The Apocalypse
Slavonic Dance No.2 In E Minor, Op.72
Cantabile For Violin And Guitar - John Williams
Cinema Paradiso: Love Theme
Romance In F Minor For Violin And Orchestra, Op.11
Henry V: Touch Her Soft Lips And Part

Amazon.com

This compilation of selections from recordings made between 1975 and 1998, including one previously unreleased to create a framework, is a curious mix. All the pieces are slow, and this being the age of the soundbite, none is longer than five minutes except the Romance by Dvorák, who is also represented by two other popular pieces, specifically arranged to include a cello part for Yo-Yo Ma. Half the program consists of "themes" from movie soundtracks, and the comparison between them is interesting. John Williams, André Previn, and Max Steiner are film composers whose juicy melodies and swooping orchestrations are appropriate to the medium, while William Walton was a "serious" composer whose style retained its austerity in his film music. Two single slow movements, from Chausson's Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, and from Brahms's Third Violin Sonata, make one yearn for more. The latter is the only piece on the disc that can reasonably be called "classical;" as for the "rhapsodic" part of the title, it is certainly justified by the performances. Perlman plays everything, whether by Brahms or John Williams, with the same concentration, commitment, and emotional intensity. His expressiveness is always noble and so genuine that there is never a moment of sentimentality or condescension. The program gives him little chance to display his virtuosity, but shows off his glorious tone in all its variety, warmth, and radiance; the climaxes soar with rapturous ecstasy. His partners and accompanying orchestras could not be better. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest .......2007-06-11

Once in a very great while, God creates a musician who even He is in awe of. Itzhak Perlman is simply the greatest violinist who has ever lived. His Violin Concerto (Beethoven) is perhaps the greatest ever recorded, while here his violin expresses the joys and horrors of Cinema Paradiso and Shindler's List, themes not to be missed by anyone.

Enchanting, moving, Perlman is magic!.......2005-04-21

I played the violin growing up and could never imagine it could be played as
beautifully as Perlman can play it. He is unequalled as far as I'm concerned,
but anyone would enjoy this album as it has wonderfully memorable show
tunes like Cinema Paradiso and Schindler's List and the most beautiful
rendition ever of Michel Legrand's If It takes forever, I will wait for you
from UMBRELLAS of CHERBOURG.
It stays in my car CD player where I enjoy it over and over!

Average customer rating:

Great Classical Spectrum

Classic Chillout, Vol. 2
Various Artists
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Classical Chillout
Euphoric Classics: A Classical High
Jazz Chillout
Reel Chill: The Cinematic Chillout Album
Classic Chillout Album

ASIN: B00005Y49H
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

Any Other Name - Nikolaj Bloch
Vision - Richard Souther
Song Of Tears - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Largo - Reginald Kilbey And His Strings
Hedwig's Theme - Nic Raine
Sheep May Safely Graze - Sir Neville Marriner
II. Adagio Un Poco Mosso - Philharmonia Orchestra
Cavatina - Manuel Barrueco
Eddie - Michael Nyman
Espiritu - Thomas Otten
Cinema Paradiso Love Theme - Ennio Morricone & His Orchestra
Pavane - New Philharmonia Orchestra
Pie Jesu - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Goldberg Variations - Maria Tipo
Agnus Dei - David Hill
II. Adagio Sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
Canzonetta Sull'Aria - Gianna Rolandi

Tracks:

Time To Say Goodbye - Orchestra
Aquarium - Katia & Marielle Labeque
Barcarolle (Les Contes D'Hoffman) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Jean De Florette Theme - Toots Thielemans
La Valse D'Amelie - Yann Tiersen
Love In Slow Motion - The Planets
Heart Of The Volunteer - David Temple
II. Adagio - Ton Koopman
Nimrod ('Enigma' Variations) - London Symphony Orchestra
Going Home (Largo) - Izzy
Sarabande - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Facades - John Harle
Panis Angelicus - Halle Choir
Teleplene And Rubber Band - Simon Jeffes
Agnus Dei - National Youth Choir Of Great Britain
II. Romance - Garrick Ohlsson
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
II: Andantino - James Galway
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini - Cecile Ousset
An Ending - Brian Eno

Album Details

Instrumental Chill Out of the Classical Variety, Not of the Dancefloor. Chill Baby!

Customer Reviews:

Great Classical Spectrum .......2005-03-21

These cd's are a great set of varied classical music. Pavane is my favorite. Additionally, Classical Chillout 2 offers theme music from Harry Potter and it is very well done.

Average customer rating:

More Than Fine
A nice compilation
Not what the composer intended

A Fine Romance: Jerome Kern Songbook
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Till the Clouds Roll By: The Songs of Jerome Kern
'S Wonderful: The Gershwin Songbook
Isn't It Romantic: Capitol Sings Rodgers & Hart
A Jerome Kern Songbook
We'll Have Manhattan (The Rodgers & Hart Songbook)

ASIN: B0000046WH
Release Date: 1994-11-22

Tracks:

A Fine Romance - Ella Fitzgerald And Louis Armstrong
Let's Begin - Margaret Whiting
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - Billy Eckstine
Bill - Morgana King
I'm Old Fashioned - Cassandra Wilson
All The Things You Are - Sarah Vaughan
The Folks Who Live On The Hill - Arthur Prysock
I Won't Dance - Blossom Dearie
They Didn't Believe Me - Dinah Washington
I'll Be Hard To Handle - Ella Fitzgerald
The Way You Look Tonight - Fred Astaire
Yesterdays - Helen Merrill Featuring Stan Getz
Pick Yourself Up - Anita O'day
Why Do I Love You? - Margaret Whiting
The Way You Look Tonight - Ella Fitzgerald
A Fine Romance - Billie Holiday

Customer Reviews:

More Than Fine.......2007-01-11

This is one of my all-time favorite CDs. I originally bought this as a cassette but recently purchased the CD. I have listened to this for nearly 10 years and it's such a great mix of songs and singers that I have yet to grow bored of it. From what I've read, though, if you are a big Jerome Kern fan, you may not enjoy these renditions of his songs. I would suggest listening to the demos first before buying. My favorites are "All the Things You Are", "Yesterdays", "Bill", "They Didn't Believe Me", "I'm Old Fashioned", "Why Do I Love You?"... oh, who am I kidding.. all of them are my favorites!

A nice compilation.......2003-07-02

Charming songs, sung by a variety of talented performers. The audio quality is excellent, just as it is for every Verve CD that I own. This is a nice compilation, suitable both as an introduction to Kern and the various singers and as a compilation to play at a party.

Not what the composer intended.......1999-02-06

In his lifetime,Kern despised jazz versions of his songs. Many of the versions on this disc and on the two companion discs in this series are just that. Verve has reached for, it would seem, the lowest common denominator for its selections. In fact, some of the tracks have no vocals at all, which is strange considering this is a "songbook"! It is better than no Kern at all, but you will find more authenticity in KIRI SINGS KERN on EMI that anywhere on this or the other two discs. Sorry, but pass this one up if you are a purist.

Goodbye To Romance: Standards For A New Generation

Average customer rating:

This is the album I have been looking for, for years
I dream of Hairbands . . . .
This disgusts me.
Alex Skolnick's solo offering rules!
Alex Skolnick Rules!!!

Goodbye To Romance: Standards For A New Generation

Manufacturer: Skol Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Transformation
Last Day in Paradise
Attention Deficit
The New Order
Hall of the Mountain King

ASIN: B00008ZA2A
Release Date: 2002-03-20

Tracks:

Detroit Rock City
Dream On
No One Like You
Goodbye To Romance
Still Loving You
Skol Blues
Pinball Wizard
Ofri
War Pigs

Album Description

Take classic hard rock tunes from the 70s and 80s by the likes of Kiss, Scorpions, Black Sabbath and others. Rearrange them with rich harmonies and pulsating grooves of swing, funk and Latin. Throw in fiery improvisations on hollowbody guitar, double-bass and drums. What do you get? The Alex Skolnick Trio. At age eighteen, Alex Skolnick became a guitar hero with the metal band Testament. A few years and several albums later, he went on to perform and study jazz in New York, earning a music degree. Now, the worlds of metal and jazz have come together. Hear the result on "Goodbye To Romance: Standards For A New Generation."

Customer Reviews:

This is the album I have been looking for, for years.......2005-10-18

I love both heavy metal and jazz, and I have been looking for a good confluence of the two. I've found some swingcore (Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Hipster Daddio & The Hand Grenades, Leslie Bell & The First Bang Band), but most of it never lived up to its potential. The Lukather/Carlton collaboration was good but also fell short, and Stanley Jordan's experiments were too tentative.

This, however, is terrific. Skolnick is a great guitar player with serious knoweldge of music theory. The arrangements are truly in the jazz idiom, with the requisite improvistational feel and the triad chord structure, but the melodies are metal all the way (if tamed a bit). I've been listening to this album a lot.

I dream of Hairbands . . . ........2005-04-02

It came to me in a dream that I should get a big band together (like count basie's) and do covers of megadeth!

This disgusts me........2005-03-21

His tone is ugly, there is no soul, he is just shredding scales with no melodic content. This is not jazz. I have a hard time writing this without cursing. I am almost ashamed to be a guitarist because of garbage like this.

Alex Skolnick's solo offering rules!.......2004-04-20

After playing in two of the biggest and most important metal bands (Testament and Savatage) in the world, Alex Skolnick decided it was time to move on and explore different musical textures. Alex has always been so much more than just a typical metal guitarist who can shred his heart out. Even when he was in Testament, one of the leading forces of thrash metal, his sense of melody made him stand out among any other guitar player in the genre. His bluesy and jazzy feel became an indispensable part of his musical vision and it was clear that he would have to move on to broaden his horizons.

I bought Goodbye to Romance as soon as it was released in 2002 through Alex's independet label Skol Productions and was greatly pleased when I saw he'd taken the time to sign the CD for me. Upon reading his message in the booklet, I was even more intrigued than before. This isn't just an average cover album of a once-metal guitarist. While Alex covers and pays tribute to lots of rock and metal classics of bands including KISS, Aerosmith, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, The Who and Black Sabbath, he also plays two of his own songs ("Skol Blues" and "Ofri"). Moreover the tunes sound nothing like the original versions, they are all re-worked and put into the framework of Alex's jazzy musical direction. The song patterns are quite different (and sometimes even more interesting) and rich with variety, melody and warmth.

This project took off the ground when Alex had a dream in which he heard a very beautiful melody and had to wake up. As he couldn't place the tune, he felt compelled to pick up his guitar and work it out, only to find the melody he'd heard was a jazzified version of Scorpions' "No One Like You" and the rest is history. He put together a great band employing two very talented young musicians: John Graham Davies (double bass) and Matt Zebroski (drums).

Miles Davis has always been a great influence on Alex's songwriting. This solo release also seems to follow the path opened up by Davis decades ago. The music here is unbelievably eclectic and borrows elements from rock, funk and blues. It's an amalgam of all of these textures centred around a strong jazzy background. It's very deeply constructed, yet it flows so naturally. The interplay between all the instruments gives the album its final shape.

The title Goodbye to Romance actually has a very special significance, because as we all know, the song "Goodbye to Romance" was a song on Ozzy's debut album with guitar god Randy Rhoads, who was one of Alex's idols and biggest influences. Back in the mid-90's Alex played with Ozzy for a handful of shows in England and felt deeply honoured about playing Randy's songs so when he decided to release his solo album he titled it after this tune. As stated in the booklet, it is commonly known that Randy was planning to eventually leave the band to pursue his classical music education, but was unable to due to his untimely passing. Alex, on the other hand, just like Randy, was bold enough to leave his rock stardom behind and went back to school for his music degree. Randy's spirit guided him through all the way.

This is one of my favourite instrumental albums ever and I wish Alex nothing but all the best in his future career. I know it must be hard to create something like this, but if he ever gets to put another solo album I'll be one of the first to buy it.

Alex Skolnick Rules!!!.......2003-10-13

I saw the trio perform live in Indy. IT WAS AWESOME... I remember Alex from back in the Testament days... It is great to see him doing something like this that he really loves. The show was great start to finish... A CD can never do justice to a live jazz concert... but this one is good. I got to hang out with Alex for a bit after the show. Truly an artist that appreciates his fans. I would highly recommend this treasure to jazz and metal fans alike.

Average customer rating:

No no no no
A clever fusion
Amateurish
What a Voice!
What a fabulous CD!

Classic French Songs

Manufacturer: Eroica Classical
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

French Cafe
French Kiss
I Love Paris: 18 Sensuous French Classics
C'est L'amour: Romantic French Classics
Putumayo Presents: Paris

ASIN: B00005CFHA
Release Date: 2001-03-01

Tracks:

Sous Le Ciel De Paris
Si Mes Vers Avaient Des Ailes
Le Chevalier De Paris
A La Seine
Plaisir DAmour
Le Malheur DAimer
Clair De Lune
Les Feuilles Mortes
Mister Georgina
Le Bonheur Est Chose Lre
Blues
Barbara
Romance
Paris Canaille
LInvitation Au Voyage
JEntends JEntends
Chanson DAmour
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Heureux Celui Qui Meurt DAimer
La Diva De LEmpire

Album Description

What makes a wonderful song? My own view is that a great song is that magical combination of a good poem with good music, resulting in a whole that is greater than the mere sum of its parts. This is a collection of some wonderful songs of France, both "classical" and pop, dating from about 1800 through the 20th century. There are songs of nostalgia, playfulness, tragedy, loneliness, irony, and mystery, mostly involving love in its myriad guises. It has been an adventure -- exploring the nuances of the language and the music. I hope you enjoy listening to these songs as much as we have enjoyed working on and performing them. Eileen Mager.

Customer Reviews:

No no no no.......2005-02-07

Wonderful selections, but if we are looking for a beautiful voice this is not it. Screechy, forced, at times unlistenable. Sometimes we just have to no when to say no!

A clever fusion.......2005-01-31

Imagine modern French chansons like Jacques Brel's Ne Me Quitte Pas or the well known Sous le Ciel de Paris performed in the style of Schubert lieder --- no percussion or elaborate instrumental backing, just a voice, singing in the traditional formal style, with piano accompaniment. That's roughly the idea behind Eileen Mager's recording of Classic French Songs.

It works well. The effect is not what one normally expects from French cafe music, but then, Mager includes songs by Debussy, Faure, and Satie, so it is to hardly surprising that the overall flavour is of a lieder recital. While Mager's voice is not the smoothest and most honeyed soprano around, and she uses falsetto for her upper range, nevertheless she hits the notes spot on, and the rough tones somehow suit the songs. Even as a lieder recital, one wants the hint of tobacco and absinthe when the song is about Mister Giorgina playing the accordion in a bistro with no name.

Amateurish.......2003-06-29

I'm sorry to be negative, but I feel that the two previous reviews are misleading. They implied I'd be hearing some fabulous unknown here--but no, this is a charming program sung by a roundly second-rate artist. Mager's voice has an unpleasant raspy quality which is completely unsuited to classical song and perhaps to high notes altogether. There's also the occasional breathiness and pitch instability. If you're used to hearing Susan Graham sing Hahn and Janet Baker sing Faure, be prepared for a disconcerting experience. There's a reason this CD is not on a major label. Mager is somewhat more credible on the popular songs, however, and perhaps she'll concentrate on those in the future. The one 100% enjoyable and polished song on the CD is "Mister Georgina"--we want more like that!

What a Voice!.......2001-09-28

Not knowing French but loving the country's music, I purchased this CD expecting to hear a culture of songs that could be added to my collection. I was not disappointed. Actually, I added a bonus to my collection because of the manner by which these songs were presented. The feeling of "being there" is in every song. From the intro of the sounds of Paris to the dancing in Piccadilly Square (a Frenchman's view of an English music hall femme fatale) ... accomplished by a single voice accompanied by piano.

What a voice! Eileen Mager's voice is whatever she wishes it to be ... early English, classical Italian, festival German, or seductive French. The range of her voice is from a rich deep contralto singing "Blues" by Ferre to an angelic soprano singing "Si Mes Vers Avaient Des Ailes" by Reynaldo Hahn. I was very impressed with her "Mister Giorgina" by Ferre.

Ellen Brown is a sought-after accompanist in all of Phoenix ... this CD displays the reason. She feels the music with the soloist.

I am looking forward to Eileen Mager's other CDs, "Christmas Treasures," "Vivaldi a Due Voce," and "Broadway: Love & Laughter," and I highly recommend to all who love an absolutely beautiful voice in their entertainment room this CD of "Classic French Songs."

What a fabulous CD!.......2001-09-04

I loved this CD. As a matter of fact, my son and I listened to it seven times the first day. Why?

Because it's so interesting, and has such an incredible breadth of repertoire and expression--from the mischievous and boisterous "Paris Canaille" to the sweet, delicate and operatic "Le Bonheur Est Chose Legere"; and from the out-and-out coquettish fun of Satie's "La Diva De 'L'Empire'" to the dreamy joy of Duparc's "L'Invitation Au Voyage" to the anguish of Brel's "Ne Me Quitte Pas." I especially enjoyed hearing, in addition to Joseph Kosma and Jacques Prevert's "Les Feuilles Mortes" ("Autumn Leaves"), another song by the same composer and lyricist that is completely unfamiliar to American listeners, the deeply moving World War II remembrance called "Barbara."

Because it's gorgeous. Eileen Mager's voice has great purity and clarity of tone, effortless delivery. Her French diction is so clean that my five-year-old son can (and does) easily pick up and repeat even the French that goes at rapid-fire speed. She uses a broad palette of vocal colors; and her range extends from the lyric coloratura soprano to the bluesy alto. Ms. Mager and her excellent accompanist, Ellen Brown, work together as one; and Ms. Brown, who is also an arranger and who accompanied her on their earlier CD, "Christmas Treausures," adds a special touch of her own to the songs.

The accompanying CD booklet contains translations of all the songs (done by the singer herself, with the able help and counsel of French poet/librettist/teacher Michel Sarda), so listeners who don't speak French will be able to enjoy the recording as much as those who do.

Product Description

1. All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera-The West End Players & Singers 2. Almost Like Being In Love from Brigadoom- Shirley Jones & Jack Cassidy 3. People Will Say We're In Love from Oklahoma- John Raitt& Florence Henderson 4. Tonight from West Side Story- Carol Lawrence & Larry Kert 5. They Say It's Wonderful from Annie Get Your Gun- Doris Day & Robert Goulet 6. It's De-Lovely from Anything Goes- Hal Linden & Barbara Lang 7. Just In Time from Bells Are Ringing- Judy Holliday & Sydney Chaplin 8. Sixteen Going On Seventeen from The Sound Of Music- Brian Davies & Lauri Peters 9. If I Loved You from Carousel- John Raitt & Jan Clayton 10. I've Never Been In Love Before from Guys and Dolls-Robert Aldo& Isabel Bigley 11. We Kiss In A Shadow from The King and I- Jeanette Scovotti & Daniel Ferro 12. You Are Love from Show Boat- Shirley Jones & Jack Cassidy

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Clubbing: Hard House Invasion

Invisible Gold [Live]

Music Review: 3 Books of Music in Tablature for Vihuela

Live in Japan [Import]

Il Buono Il Brutto Il Cattivo (The Good, The Bad & The Ugly) / La Resa Dei Conti (The Big Gundown) [Import] [Soundtrack]

Fue en un Cafe

Jump Back: The Best of the Rolling Stones

I Can't Read [CD-single] [Import]

Pop Music: A Cena Muda [Import]

Guitar Concertos

Invisible Documents [Live] [Import]

Grandes del Romanticismo [Import]

Forever Everlasting

Forces Sweetheart: 49 Original Mono Recordings 1936-1952

Box