Baroque Festival [Import]
Track Listings
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1. Concerto Grosso Op.3/12 in C Major
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2. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 BWV1048
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3. Canon and Gigue: Canon in D
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4. Concerto Für Streicher und Cembalo RV109 in C Majo
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5. Adagio in G Minor
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6. Concerto Grosso Op.6/5 in D Major
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7. Work(s): Unspecified Work(s)
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Baroque Festival, Music, Various Artists, Baroque, Classical
Average customer rating:
- Awesome CD
- He started dancing as soon as we put it on!
- Better than baby einstein
- great music at a great price
- A Wonderful CD for all ages
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Classical Music for Children: A Toddler's Introduction to Classical Music
Manufacturer: Ent. Media Partners
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ASIN: B000002XE8
Release Date: 1997-10-24 |
Tracks:
- Clair de Lune
- Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romance: Andante
- Moonlight Sonata: Adagio sestonuto
- Minute Waltz
- On The Beautiful Blue Danube
- The Nutcracker Suite: Russian Dance
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- Sonata In C Minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': Adagio cantabile
Customer Reviews:
Awesome CD.......2007-05-11
Have enjoyed this CD immensely with our four-year old. Great price for the quality. Thank you.
He started dancing as soon as we put it on!.......2007-01-09
My 12 month old loves this CD and happily bops away to the music (in the car he sometimes even starts singing!). We like it too and not being very well versed in Classical music, it is a nice mix for us.
Better than baby einstein.......2006-02-26
This is a great CD, with great music, at a great price. Everyone seems to love Baby Einstein, but I don't like the plinking music on those CD's, I like real orchestral pieces to stimulate my child. This is exactly what parents need, at a good price!
great music at a great price.......2006-02-02
I got this cd to use as background when putting my 18 month old to sleep and for car rides. So far it has not made it out of the car. The cd is wonderful. The first song is the Luftansa airline comercial song (that is what my husband calls it) and is beautiful. I didn't think my husband would enjoy the cd at all but he doesn't mind one bit listening to it, he actually will put it on himself when we get in the car. My daughter loves it and will often start nodding her head back and forth to songs. I actually listen to it even when my daughter is not in the car. The music is soft and relaxing but not boring. It is also one of the only cd's that my in laws don't mind listening to when they are in the car with us.
I only paid like $4 here on amazon for it and I gladdly would of paid more for such a great cd. Its a great cd for such a great price!
A Wonderful CD for all ages.......2002-11-03
My whole family has enjoyed this CD. It is very upbeat and easy to listen to. I think there is something for everyone on this one.
Average customer rating:
- Theme to movie "Ordinary People"
- great melody
- Canon in D is Great!
- Good thing x 8
- My very favorite music CD ever
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Pachelbel's Greatest Hit: Canon in D
Manufacturer: RCA
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ASIN: B000003F39
Release Date: 1991-02-15 |
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- Canon in D - Rudolf Baumgartner
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- Quartet No. 6: Rochburg: Variations (On The Pachelbel Canon In D) - Concord String Quartet
- How, Where, When? (Canon in D) - John Dankworth
- Earth Angel - The Hampton String Quartet
- Canon of the Three Stars (The Pachelbel Canon) - Plasma Symphony Orchestra
- Canon in D - Ettore Stratta
Customer Reviews:
Theme to movie "Ordinary People".......2007-07-07
I have beeen searching for this music and this CD comes closest to my memories of the haunting theme to that movie
great melody.......2007-07-05
I thought that I would get tired of hearing the same song over and over but this cd keeps me listrning it over and over.
Canon in D is Great! .......2007-05-26
We have truely enjoyed Pachelbel's Greatest Hit. Although often associated with weddings this is wonderful to hear anytime. I would highly recommend this CD.
Good thing x 8.......2006-10-28
If you'd told me that I could listen to eight consecutive versions of the same music, I would have been maybe just a tad skeptical. Yet, I just did exactly that and I am now a believer. I gave it four stars because although I do like Cleo Laine, I feel that her vocal version here is sort of like, "which one doesn't belong?" from this set, Galway's excellent flute accompaniment notwithstanding. If you find the Canon in D compelling, then by all means consider this CD.
My very favorite music CD ever.......2006-05-02
My husband and I used to listen to this every night before sleep. After he passed away, it was years before I could listen to it without crying my eyes out. I know that the original has no lyrics, as one poster mentioned, but I absolutely love that one. "When will we ever touch again"... speaks to my very soul. I am here buying it again because I wore out the first copy. You can't go wrong with this CD...
Average customer rating:
- Good selection
- thunderous applause
- Good Music at a Great Price
- You will like this!
- Good for the novice
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25 Thunderous Classics
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ASIN: B00004Y6SQ
Release Date: 2000-09-05 |
Tracks:
- Also Sprach Zarathustra (Sunrise) - R. Strauss
- Mars (The Planets) - Holst
- Overture 1812 - Tchaikovsky
- Entry Of The Gladiadtors - Fucik
- Sabre Dance - Khachaturian
- Procession Of The Sardar - Ippolitov Ivanov
- Night On Bald Mountain - Mussorgsky
- Anvil Chor (II Trovatore) - Verdi
- The Thunderer March - Sousa
- Thunder & Lightening Polka - J. Strauss
- Prelude To Act III : Lohengrin - Wagner
- The Ride Of The Valkryies - Wagner
- Montagues & Capulets (Romeo & Juliet Ballet Suite) - Prokofiev
- The Storm: Symphony No. 6 In F Major, 'Pastorale' - Beethoven
- Rondeau - Edward Carroll
- Overture: Fireworks Music - Handel
- March To The Scaffold: Symphonie Fantastique - Berlioz
- LesToreadors - Bizet
- William Tell Overture: Finale - Rossini
- Revolutionary Study - Abbey Simon
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- Augurs Of Spring From Rite Of Spring - Stravinsky
- Russian Dance From Petrouchka - Stravinsky
- The Great Gate At Kiev From Pictures At An Exhibition - Mussorgsky
Customer Reviews:
Good selection.......2005-10-02
I bought this CD to use in my classroom as listening examples. I'm not just a super big fan of some of the performances, but they are all good and for the price you can't beat it. That's why I gave it 5 stars. It's worth more than it costs by far.
thunderous applause.......2005-08-31
This is a who's-who of great pieces of music you have heard all of your life, and never knew the names and stories! I listened to it over and over in the car and had my own concert! A friend borrowed it to add music to his Home Movies and it was perfect!
Good Music at a Great Price.......2004-03-06
I bought this CD mostly for "Entry of the Gladiators," which everyone will recognize as classic circus music. The performance on this CD (by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops) is the best available version of Entry of the Gladiators. The rest of the CD offers mostly excerpts of classical music.
You will like this!.......2004-02-19
I had purchased an abundance of the "Favorites" collection and some were better than others.
This CD is at the top of them all. They may be short, but not that short. Wondrous music.
I can almost guarantee that you will like this music.
Well worth the price!
Good for the novice.......2002-06-08
The recordings on this disc are pretty good. However, the editors selected only the *loud* parts, as indicated by the title. I was pretty disappointed to find that the pieces are, in many cases, edited to reflect the most famous themes, etc, instead of including the whole work. In general, I would recommend this to the classical music novice, or someone who wants to expand their knowledge of classical music in general. Those who already are familiar with these pieces will probably feel gypped.
Average customer rating:
- A great introduction to Baroque music...
- Good "best of" CD, but nothing more.
- Phenomenal Collection of Music
- Phenomenal Collection of Music
- DEFINES "CLASSIC"
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Pachelbel Canon and Other Baroque Hits
Manufacturer: RCA
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- Pachelbel's Greatest Hit: Canon in D
ASIN: B000003F5Y
Release Date: 1991-09-06 |
Tracks:
- Canon
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Allegro
- Messiah: Overture
- The Four Seasons: Spring: Allegro (Danza pastorale)
- Orchestral Suite No. 2: Menuet & Badinerie
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
- Guitar Concerto in D: Adagio
- Xerxes: Largo
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 2: Allegro Assai (Theme From 'Firing Line')
- Orchestral Suite No. 3: Air On The G String
- Royal Fireworks Music: Overture (excerpt)
- Water Music: Hornpipe
- Brandenberg Concerto No. 5: Allegro
- Adagio
- The Four Seasons: Winter: Allegro non molto
- Rondeau (Theme from 'Masterpiece Theatre')
Customer Reviews:
A great introduction to Baroque music..........2005-10-04
This CD contains a great sampling of Baroque music. Some of the best known songs of the period are included. Listeners will likely instantly recognize many of the songs (you've likely heard them before, you just didn't know their names). An excellent rendition of Pachelbel's Canon starts off the CD. Then plenty of music from big names such as Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi fill out the disc's 72 and a half minutes of music.
The demographics of this disc point to an intended mainstream audience. For example, the track listing includes references to which songs served as themes for television shows. For example, Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 includes the byline "Theme from 'Firing Line'" and Mouret's Rondeau says "Theme from 'Masterpiece Theater'". So this collection does represent a popular collection of Baroque songs. And it plays that role very well.
Other standout tracks include: 2 movements from Vivaldi's justifiably famous "The Four Seasons", Bach's amazing "Air on the G String" and Handel's "Xerxes". The disc includes no vocal tracks. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" from Bach's Cantata No. 147 gets performed on a solo organ (the original has vocals and a string arrangement). So those uneasy with "classical style singing" will find no problems here.
All in all, this disc serves as a good introduction to a great period of music history. It could also serve as a starting point for selecting a favorite composer or as a guide for building a classical music collection.
Good "best of" CD, but nothing more........2001-09-27
This CD does what it says it does: it gives you a brief, excellently recorded overview of the Baroque. But remember, this is just bits and pieces of a great store of music.
This CD will whet your appetite. You'll need to buy more, after you've heard the excerts of the great works here.
Phenomenal Collection of Music.......2001-09-19
Pachelbel's Canon in D is always good but the rest of the tracks shine as well. This is a superb collection of classical music. If you're new to classical music and love strings, purchase this CD. You'll be glad that you did.
Phenomenal Collection of Music.......2001-09-18
Pachelbel's Canon in D is always good, but the rest of the tracks shine as well. This is a superb collection of classical music. If you're new to classical music and love strings, purchase this CD. You'll be glad that you did.
DEFINES "CLASSIC".......2000-05-26
We have all heard the infinitely moving Canon in D by Pachelbel hundreds of times - it is not surprising that it has appeared, in one form or another, in commercials, films (most notably Ordinary People, which used the main theme as the underscoring for the entire film) - it is perfect, simple and incredibly, undeniably moving. But you are in for more treats on this basic Baroque sampler, which features many popular themes you may know, despite the fact that you may not be a hard-core classical music buff. The joy of each and every one of these cuts lies in their simple, enduring melodies and the gorgeous musical settings provided here. They sound fresh, new and as contemporary as anything you might hear on the radio. This album has a holiday after-effect as well; the fanfares, hymns and exciting instrumentation (horns, harps, strings galore) make you feel as if it is Christmas every day.
Average customer rating:
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Lully: Thésée
Manufacturer: Cpo Records
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Similar Items:
- Handel - Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno
- Callirhoe
- Johann Georg Conradi: Ariadne
- Handel: Floridante
- Great Handel
ASIN: B000Q7ZKHK
Release Date: 2007-06-26 |
Album Description
CPO presents The Boston Early Music Festival in a follow up to their GRAMMY nominated recording of Conradi's Ariadne with a World Premiere recording of Lully's Thesee. Renowned Musical Directors Paul O'Dette and Stephen Stubbs present this highly anticipated edition, which was first performed by the BEMF in 2001, to international acclaim.
Average customer rating:
- CD set is misnamed
- Do not Buy
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- Seek better versions
- It Is What It Is
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Similar Items:
- Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
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- The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
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ASIN: B000003QWH
Release Date: 1994-06-09 |
Tracks:
- Canon In D
- 'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3: Allegro
- The Four Seasons - The Winter: Largo And Allegro
- Fanfare ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
- Camerata Romana: Air For The 'G' String
- 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': Allegro
- Piano Concerto No. 21 ('Elvira Madigan' Theme): Andante
- Introduction To Symphony No. 5
- 'William Tell' Overture: Finale
- 'Aida': Triumphal March
- On The Beautiful, Blue Danube Waltz
- 'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers
- '1812' Overture: Finale
Tracks:
- Sabre Dance
- 'Light Cavalry' Overture: Finale
- Carmen: The Toreadors
- ' Midsummer Night's Dream': Wedding March
- Radetzky March
- Symphony No. 9, 'Choral': Finale
- 'Prince Igor': Polovstian Dance No. 17
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
- Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
- Sleepers, Wake
- Water Music: Hornpipe
- Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
- Emperor Waltz
- 'Emperor' Quartet: St. Anthony's Chorale
- 'The Tales Of Hoffman': Barcarolle
- L'Arlesienne: Farandole
- 'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Mirlitons
- 'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
- 'Rhapsody In Blue': Highlight
- 'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can
Tracks:
- Introduction To 'Also sprach Zarathustra'
- Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Saltarello: Presto
- Piano Concerto No. 20: Romance
- 'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
- 'The Four Seasons' - The Spring: Allegro
- Toccata and Fugue
- Trumpet Voluntary
- 'Royal Fireworks Music': la rejouissance: Allegro
- 'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
- London Festival Orchestra: Overture To 'The Barber Of Seville'
- Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto
Tracks:
- Carmina Burana: Introduction To 'Carmina Burana'
- Peer Gynt: Dawn From 'Peer Gynt'
- Lohengrin: Prelude To 'Lohengrin'
- 'Lieutenant Kije': Troika From 'Lieutenant Kije'
- Adiago For Strings
- 'Carmen': Habanera From 'Carmen'
- 'Double' Concerto: Allegro From 'Double' Concerto
- The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture To 'The Marriage Of Figaro'
- (Rondo) Alla Turca
- Xerxes: Largo From 'Xerxes'
- Symphony No. 5: Allegro vivace From Symphony No. 5
- 'Swan Lake': Scene: Enchanted Lake From 'Swan Lake'
- Clair De Lune
- Bolero
Customer Reviews:
CD set is misnamed.......2007-06-08
They should have titled this "classical music for people who love classical music" because most of the selections are typical classical music. The title suggests it would be lively selections of "light classical" music that is more upbeat, i.e. Sabre Dance, etc. I really don't hate classical music at all and have many classical CDs in my collection but I really wanted to hear more exciting selections. I won't be purchasing any more of this set but if you like traditional classical music these are good one.
Do not Buy.......2007-02-21
I do know it says classical music for people who hate it, but serioulsly you would have better luck never listening to classical music again. The recordings are awfull and do not do justice to any of the composers. Buy something else.
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music.......2007-01-30
We love this set of CD's. I just got a new copy because my kids keeping taking our first copy with them so that they can listen at work or in their bedrooms but then I can never find them.
Seek better versions.......2006-12-09
If you are fairly new to classical purchases then compilation CD's can be useful for deciding what to buy next. Sometimes you only need a small taste of a piece to inspire you to buy a release with the whole performance on. The problem with this compilation however is that most of the versions are poor in performance or recording quality (or both) when compared to the best versions and the fact that the conductors aren't even credited on the track listing made me suspect that this would be the case. One of my favorite classical pieces is Tchaikovsky's 1812 festival overture but if the first CD version I had heard had been the finale excerpt that is on this compilation I may not have gone on to buy the whole thing. Luckily I heard Adrian Leaper's version first and Adrian's version is rather good.
My classical CD buying experience is limited to only a couple of dozen discs but I have found that the Naxos and Deutshe Grammophon releases are fairly safe. Avoid any release which does not name the conductors on the track listing or sleeve notes.
It Is What It Is.......2006-10-27
It's fitting that this page is fraught with the same kind of silly snobbery that turns people off from classical music (and necessitates collections like this) in the first place.
Any criticism of this compilation, which focuses on the quality of the performances or the fact that many tracks are excerpts, misses the point. This is not a collection for people who consider such things, nor does it purport to be. The idea is to package as many ultra-famous classical melodies as possible in one affordable collection and market it to people who have never purchased a classical recording. As such, top-tier performances are likely too expensive to be sold so cheaply and are unnecessary anyway. Those of us who already know and love a piece or two can forgive the compilers the inclusion of sub-par recordings, when we are exposed to so many other beautiful pieces for the first time.
It probably comes as a shock for some to hear that most people are not familiar with these classics. We may hear snippets on TV or movies, but are left with no idea as to the composer or historical context. With that in mind, it is extremely intimidating to begin buying classical. I suppose those among us, who so thoroughly dismissed the very notion of a boxed set like this, would have us begin by buying full albums by reputable interpreters. Surprisingly enough though, the majority of people would consider that a tad cost-prohibitive.
To conclude, this is a STARTER collection. It will either affirm a listener's feelings about classical music or lead to an interest in purchasing better recordings. Ideally, I suppose the interpretations would be better, but, for reasons mentioned above, that just isn't in the cards for a collection of this nature. If you're familiar with 50 different recordings of "The Ring" series, or have season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, then this probably isn't for you. For us cretins with limited foreknowledge of classical music though, it serves as a succinct introduction with little to complain about.
Average customer rating:
- One of my all-time classical favorites
- The Bells! The Bells!
- GREAT WORK MUSIC
- Quite a nice little compilation.
- Rock fan falls in love with Baroque's "greatest hits" album!
|
The Bells of St. Genevieve and Other Baroque Delights
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- Marin Marais · Sainte-Colombe ~ The Greatest Masterworks / Spectre de la Rose
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- Marais: Viol Music for the Sun King
- Baroque at Bathtime: A Relaxing Serenade to Wash Your Cares Away
ASIN: B000003F8U
Release Date: 1992-01-28 |
Tracks:
- The Bells Of St. Genevieve
- Concerto For Violin, BMV 1042: Allegro
- Concerto For Flute No. 3, Op. 10: Allegro
- 'The Four Seasons': Summer: Presto
- The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
- Canon
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, BWV 1047: Allegro Assai
- Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068: Air On The G String
- Concerto For Violin (Transcribed From BWV 1056): Largo
- Guitar Concerto, R. 93: Adagio
- Orchestral Suite No. 2 BWV 1067: Minuet & Badinerie
- Concerto For Violin, BWV 1042: Allegro assai
- Trumpet Voluntary
- Messiah: Overture
- Brandeburg Concerto No. 3, BWV 1048: Allegro
- Rondeau
Customer Reviews:
One of my all-time classical favorites.......2005-12-12
I reach for this CD time and again. It is both relaxing and upbeat. I like every recording on this CD...even if they are selections and not the complete works. You cannot go wrong this this purchase!!
The Bells! The Bells!.......2005-10-12
I give this album an average rating as it does what it sets out to do which is give the average listener of classical music various average samples of average performances of great classical compositions. Albums such as these are always a great way to explore various or specific classical music styles with pieces that are usually not too intrusive to the common ear. The only downside of these albums is that they unfortunately, more often than not, introduce a new listner to only the most elementary of performances and leave them believing that all others sound as the ones they just heard when such differences in most cases are huge ones. I chose to review this particular album after hearing the Sonnerie "Bells" de Ste Genevieve on this album (originally composed by the unfortunately obscure Marin Marais) as it is a perfect example of what I am trying to convey.
Although some but few classical chamber pieces can be played well by pretty much any average group, some pieces such as "The Bells" require a certain expertise in instrument and style that very few musicians can properly apply to bring out all of the desired qualities of the piece. The interpretation on this album is a perfect example. Marin Marais was a French Baroque composer who was one of several royal court composers for King Louis XIV in the 17th-18th centuries. He was a soloist prodigy in the viola da gamba which actually sound as if they're being played by cellos here instead. Aside from any change in instruments, they are played with such deficiency in terms of quality, interpretation, and execution,here that it is rather sad that this would be included in an album such as this one. The viola is an instrument with a lot of range as it has more strings and is larger than the cello and the notation is made for the range of such instruments. In particular, there are literally less than five musicians today who are anywhere near proficient with this type of music and those playing here aren't anywhere near the top contenders. All of these things take out an enormous aspect of the full potential of this piece in terms of how it is supposed to sound and performances such as the one here are literally mutilations instead of transcriptions or interpretations. Such performances in many ways cheat the curious listener who is exploring this music as to the music's real potential as intended by its genius source. I recommend to those who may have heard a sample of the 'Bells' here and liked it to then compare it to the performance of this piece by Jordi Savall and Le Concert Des Nations in the soundtrack for 'All The Mornings of the World" available on Amazon. You will hear what I mean and understand how there's simply no comparison. Jordi Savall is the undisputed master in performing on authentic violas that have completely different acoustics than their modern counterparts. Savall is also an established conductor of French Baroque music unlike those here who completely misinterpret the piece as a result. Buying classical music is not as simple as just buying a certain piece by any performer thinking it's great. Unless you really don't care too much and just want to use it as background muscac in your life, classical music requires fine tuning just like playing the instruments themselves as the musicians are in a sense the instruments of the composer and the conductor's interpretatation. Don't settle for second best because the catastrophic results such a choice entails is similar to the range on the Richter scale: the difference between a No. 1 and a No. 4 best performance is exponential as the difference with the 'Bells' version I have mentioned perfectly illustrates. There are differences between symphonic and chamber groups, conductors, soloists, instruments, specialities of technique, production, etc. All of these things fine tune the performance and make the difference between epic and atrocious.
In sum then, although this album is a great source of introductory material as to the range of classical styles and in some cases has reputed perfomers, it is certainly not a sample of the best performances around. These types of albums always require a closer look because you never know what you're gonna get anyway unless you know what you're looking for. Trusting record labels to find stuff for you is not always a good idea. More often than not, this is the place where mediocre professionals can make some form of living without having to wait for a major deal that's never gonna come. If you feel you like the style of music here once you've heard it, expand your horizons in terms of performances as many on this album and similar ones are often simply mediocre in one form or another and there's stuff that's so much better out there for your listening enjoyment of a particular composition and/or style. Hope this helps! Good luck!
GREAT WORK MUSIC.......2004-09-17
Great work music, great travel music. Wonderful upbeat and get-you-going music for all things you do. Even NAXOS brand CDs don't come close to matching the preformances on this disc. Like the Masterpeice Theater theme song? Brandenburg Concerto by Bach is done PEFECTLY on this album. All songs are absolutely brilliant and masterfully done. This is a MUST HAVE CD no matter what kind of music you enjoy. Surely to inspire YOU!
Quite a nice little compilation........2002-03-21
"The Bells of St. Genevieve" is a compilation of Baroque pieces that would serve as an excellent introduction for someone who would like to hear more of the Baroque style beyond "Spring" from "The Four Seasons" or "Canon" by Pachelbel. Granted, this cd does contain "Canon" (what Baroque compilation could resist including it), but it doesn't stop there.
I'm not an expert when it comes to Baroque music, but I am something beyond a beginner; I guess I'd consider myself a moderately knowledgable amateur. However, before purchasing this album, I had never heard the title piece, "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba," or track # 10 "Guitar Concerto" by Vivaldi. Some of the other tracks were familiar but not well-known to me. I was also pleased to see the inclusion of the turbulent Presto from "Summer" instead of the ubiquitous "Spring."
Compilations are often quite useful in helping neophytes get a better understanding and appreciation for classical music (I know they've helped me over the years). Not all compilations are a good mix or contain decent recordings; many seem like carbon copies of each other. This one, however, has good sound quality and great recordings from the likes of James Galway, Pinchas Zukerman, Canadian Brass, and James Levine.
I recommend this album to anyone wishing to branch out a bit in Baroque music but who is not sure where to start. I've discovered new favorites from listening to this album.
Rock fan falls in love with Baroque's "greatest hits" album!.......2002-03-16
"Bells of St. Genevieve" (BSG) is the cd that got me, a rock fan, into classical music (technically Baroque and Classical are 2 different periods/styles, but we rock fans call it all "classical":-). This is a "best of" album of some of the greatest, and most famous Baroque music. BSG focuses on the last 50 years of Baroque period, which lasted roughly from 1600 to 1750. Most of the pieces come from the "big 3" of the late Baroque period: Vivaldi (3 of the 16 cuts), Bach (7), Handel (2). The tempo is mostly "allegro" (fast and cheerful), although Bach's Concerto for Violin is "largo" or very slow (the only slow piece on the cd). Still, this album has a very uplifting, energetic feel to it. I doubt it will put anyone to sleep, even if they grew up listening to Zeppelin & the Stones! Even the most classical-clueless rock fan will recognize many of these pieces: "Roundeau" by Mouret is the theme from BBC's "Masterpiece Theatre." Clarke's "Trumpet Voluntary" a.k.a. "The Prince of Denmark's March" is another "deja vous" song, often played in wedding processionals and I think was also BBC theme music. Likewise, Pachelbel's "Cannon" is a popular wedding march. In fact, this album contains many songs commonly played in wedding processionals, recessionals, and during dinner, so is good for anyone who needs quality classical recorded music for a wedding. Much of the music is played by chamber orchestras (small ensembles of up to about 9 instruments), so has more of an intimate feel than music played by large symphonies. I highly recommend this cd as an introduction to great Baroque music. However, once initated, I encourage folks to listen to these pieces in their entirety, such as Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and Bach's "Brandenburg Concertos" to get the full picture of how these great composers intended their music to sound, complete with key and tempo changes.
Average customer rating:
- Bach for Relaxation
- Peaceful and Beautiful
- Bach to knit up your raveled sleeve of care
- My favorite...
- Wonderful for baby!
|
Bach for Relaxation
Manufacturer: RCA
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ASIN: B000003G7C
Release Date: 1998-01-13 |
Tracks:
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
- Suite BWV1012: Allemande
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 6: Adagio ma non tanto
- The Well Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude In C
- Trio Sonata No. 4, BWV1079: Andante
- Violino solo e Basso l'accompagnato
- Sonata BWV1005: Largo
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 4: Andante
- Violin Concerto BWV1041: Andante
- Flute Sonata BWV1034: Andante
- The Goldberg Variations: Aria
- Lute Suite No. 1 BWV996: Courante
- Sonata No. 1 For Violin And Harpsichord BWV1014: Andante
- The Well Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude In E - Flat Minor (excerpt)
- Concerto For Flute, Violin, And Harpsicord BMV 1044: Adagio
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 2: Andante
- Sonata BWV1001: Siciliano
- Prelude In D Minor BWV999
- Orchestral Suite No. 3 BWV1068: Air On The G-String
Customer Reviews:
Bach for Relaxation.......2007-03-09
This is a great CD of instrumental Bach music. I listen to it very often
Peaceful and Beautiful.......2002-11-01
I have purchased this CD twice, first for myself to listen to during labor and secondly for a friend who has a new, very stressful job. I love the music on this CD, it is wonderfully played and listening it to it during labor was very helpful and uplifting. Now both my daughter and I enjoy listening to it, and during fussy days it calms her down a bit, which is very nice. The music truly brings on a serene feeling without making one sleepy, which means its great for anytime you just need to relax yet stay alert. I'll be giving it to my friend for the holidays, and I'm sure she'll love it as much as we do.
Bach to knit up your raveled sleeve of care.......2001-12-19
What better way to begin 'Bach for Relaxation' than with "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." This CD is not dumbed-down Johann Sebastian Bach just because it advertises itself as relaxation music (which was my initial fear before purchase). Good orchestras and soloists perform the nineteen well-chosen chamber works, ranging from the deceptively simple "Prelude in C" from "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1" (Sviatoslav Richter, piano) to selections from the powerful Brandenburg Concertos.
This is Bach in his most serene, mathematically perfect form. None of his mighty organ or choral works will disturb your contemplative mood as you drift through the sixty-eight minutes of this CD.
I'm usually asleep by track fifteen, the adagio from "Concerto for Flute, Violin & Harpsichord BWV 1044."
Another very good CD in this 'relaxation' series from BMG RCAVictor is "Cello for Relaxation."
My favorite..........2000-11-21
This is one of my favorite classical CD's. It is a composition of soft, calmer Bach, and is perfect for almost any occassion. This is a great CD for first time classical listeners or long time fans ... It functions as perfect dinner background music, or to listen to alone. I highly recommend this compilation of Bach.
Wonderful for baby!.......1999-12-04
We received this as a baby gift and it has been a godsend. Our newborn relaxes to the sound of this when nothing else works. We also love it for ourselves; the CD contains the best of Bach's less fiery works, and the musical interpretation and recording quality are outstanding.
Average customer rating:
- BACH FREATEST HITS
- Of course
- Beautiful Music!
|
Bach: Greatest Hits
Manufacturer: RCA
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ASIN: B000003F5A
Release Date: 1991-09-06 |
Tracks:
- Toccata & Fugue in D Minor
- Air On The G String
- Sleepers, Wake
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 - Allegro
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
- Orchestral Suite No. 2 - Minuet & Badinerie
- Sheep May Safely Graze
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 - Allegro assai
- 'Little' Fugue In G Minor
- Brandenburg Concerto No.3 - Allegro
- Chaconne
Customer Reviews:
BACH FREATEST HITS.......2005-09-08
IT IS A VERY GOOD CD TO HAVE AND MAKE PART OF THE OWN COLLECTION. i REALLY LIKED MY SHOPPING.
Of course.......2004-06-23
The classical music component of my CD collection is admittedly lacking. These beautiful renditions of music composed by one of the great geniuses of the human race go a long way toward rectifying that imbalance.
Beautiful Music!.......2000-10-26
Bach was a genius. At moments of this CD, we hear this. I would buy this CD just for "Chaconne", a 17 minute, highly emotive masterpiece which is performed here particularly well. Bach has an intimate understanding of the most profound and advanced depths of music, and it can be heard on Chaconne during its climax. Some other songs, such as "Air on a G String" and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" are also quite exceptional. What makes this CD special is the performances and the sound engineering, which are sweet. Admittedly, some of the organ concertos on this CD may sound a bit banal. But you must buy this CD for "Chaconne" and "Air on a G String"! I find Bach to be incredibly inspiring.
Average customer rating:
- perfect selection for commencement/ graduation
- Great Starting Point for Classical Music Novices
- **An Exquisite Album**
- Samples
- Great Sampler!
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Simply the Best Classical Anthems
Manufacturer: Erato
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Ballets
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ASIN: B00004SUVI
Release Date: 2000-04-25 |
Tracks:
- Requiem: Dies Irae
- Carmina Burana: O Fortuna
- The Planets: Mars
- The Ride Of The Valkyries
- Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves
- Fanfare For The Common Man
- Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1
- Aida: Grand March
- Summer - Four Seasons: Presto
- Te Deum: Prelude
- The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra
- Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
- Symphony No. 5: First Movement
- Spartacus: Adagio
- Sabre Dance
- Symphony No. 40: First Movement
- Zadok The Priest
- Turandot: Nessun Dorma
Tracks:
- Also Sprach Zarathoustra
- Romeo And Juliet: Dance Of The Knights
- Requiem: Dies Irae
- 1812 Overture
- Piano Concerto
- Spring - Four Seasons: Allegro
- Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
- The Royal Fireworks: La Ruissance From Music
- Flight Of The Bumble Bee
- Symphonie Fantastique: March To The Scaffold
- Carmen: Overture
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
- Jerusalem
- The Planets: Jupiter
- Symphony No 9, 'Ode To Joy'
- Swan Lake: Scene
- Enigma Variations: Nimrod
- Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini [Variation 18]
- Pictures At An Exibitions: Promenade
- Symphony For Organ No 3: Finale, Symphony For Organ No 3
Customer Reviews:
perfect selection for commencement/ graduation.......2007-06-11
We were concerned after reading some other reviews that this version of Pomp and Circumstance wouldn't be the correct movement or the full length version. This selection has the song for graduation AND the extended length, so it gives plenty of time for processionals. If this is what you need, this is the CD to get.
Great Starting Point for Classical Music Novices.......2004-08-13
"Simply the Best Classicial Anthems" is exactly what the title indicates. This is a collection of what the CD says are "36 of the most powerful classics on Earth". My review of this CD comes from someone who is a Classical Music Novice. I'm familiar with some of the composers, musical styles, musical periods, and some of the terminology that is key to understanding Classical Music. By no means am I an expert. I have basically popped in this two CD collection into my player and have enjoyed the sounds it produces. If you are in the same category as I am or maybe just wanting to be introduced to Classical Music - this is going to be a very good CD to have in your collection. For the more seasoned Classical Music fan, this could be either enjoyable or overkill.
The CD contains 36 songs composed by the legends of Classical Music Composers from the past. The bulk of the works come from Composers in the the 19th and 20th century, but there are works from the Romantic and Classical eras of the late 18th and early 19th century (such as Beethoven and Mozart). In general you will find most of the major names of Composers you would expect to find - names such as Tchiakovsky, Handel, Verdi, Strauss, Elgar, and Bach are all there. The only major composer who I would have expected to see on this CD that I don't see is Frederic Chopin. The composers of the late 20th century are not included on this collection - so you won't see Leonard Bernstein or John Williams on this set. While these Composers are excellent, I do think style of the tracks on this collection pre-date their style.
The recordings themselves are done by the great Orchestras around the world. For the most part, European Orchestras were used to deliver the tracks. There are a few exceptions: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra delivers "The Ride of the Valkyries"; The Toronto Symphony Orchestra delivers "Dance of the Knights"; and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra delivers Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". Some of the European Orchestras that are well known include: BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra, Choeur Philhamonique de Strasbourg, and more. Also included are performances by well known names in the Classical space such as Marie-Claire Alain (Bach's "Toccate and Fogue in D Minor" and Saint-Saens' "Symphony for Organ No 3"), Piero Toso (Vivaldi's "Allegro From Spring - Four Seasons"), and Placido Domingo appears on Puccini's "Nessun Dorma".
The 2 Disc collection contains a total of over 2 hours and 6 minutes of music. The selections that are included in the set will sound very familiar to you when you play them. You probably have both heard and seen the names of tracks such as: Oref's "O Fortuna"; Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man"; Beethoven's "First Movement from Symphony Number 5" and "Ode To Joy"; Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance", and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". Many of the other tracks will also sound familiar, but maybe not so much by name - such as Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries", Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathoustra"; Grieg's "Piano Concerto", and "Dies Irae" (versions included by Mozart and Verdi - you can compare the two and judge for yourself). As for the Discs themselves, I think most of the casual fans will like the selections on Disc Two better, but Disc One is still very good. On a sidebar, the Israel Philharmonic's version of "1812 Overture" is by far the best you will hear - particularly at the end, the booming drums create almost a 3 dimensional vision of fireworks being launched into the air.
There one big negative on this collection is some of the recording quality. The clarity of the recording is there, but some of the recording levels leave a lot to be desired. On some of the softer parts, it is barely audible without significantly turning up your volume. This is very evident on "O Fortuna" where you will hear almost dead silence during from the 30 second to 1:30 mark of the track unless you crank your volume up. Same with the first few seconds of Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathoustra" and Tchiakovsky's "1812 Overture". When the volume is cranked up you will hear them - but then the other sections will be way too loud. I'm surprised with modern technology that this couldn't be addressed better.
The liner notes are pretty thin. You do get the Composers, Performers/Orchestras, and recording dates. There isn't any more details than that and you won't learn anymore insight on the tracks than this information. Despite some of the shortcomings of the liner notes and recording volume, I still think this is an excellent place to start and do recommend this CD if you are a novice to Classical Music and are looking for a great place to start listening to what the Classics have to offer.
**An Exquisite Album**.......2004-02-21
Simply The Best Classical Anthems
Simply The Best Classical Anthems is a compilation album of `36 of the most powerful Anthems on Earth'. But, it is also said to be something else. It is said to be a gateway. A gateway to another world. A world where our imagination can run free without being shackled down by any borders or boundaries or rules or limits. A world that we have all seen or perhaps more accurately have all heard of but for many of us a world that we have never dared to enter. Never dared to enter because of fear. The fear of being ostracised and shunned by our community.
THE MYTH
`Classical Music!', I can hear some of you cry. `That isn't another world. That's just music for the upperclass, the high-brow, and the pompous.' Surprisingly, I too felt this way for a long time until I accepted the invitation made to me by Simply The Best Classical Anthems. I always felt that Classical Music was nice to listen to as background music for a Levis ad or a Car ad but I would consider people strange if they chose to hear it on its own. However, after having listened to this album I realised how wrong I was in my assumptions.
THE TRUTH
Music as with all forms of amusement helps to take you away from where you are now. It helps to relax you when you are stressed with anger; it helps to give you strength when you are vulnerable; it helps to keep your spirits up when you have faced tragedy or loss. It helps. And, for me the type of music that best conjures up the most passionate emotions (love, hate, courage and anger) at our most testing times is Classical Music.
How? I don't know.
Why? I don't know.
I can only promise you that in my experience it does.
THE CHEST
The album, in visual terms, is very difficult to overlook amongst the plethora of records that may surround it. This is because the album has a very distinct purple sleeve cover. Not any kind of purple mind you but the Cadbury's kind of purple. The kind of purple that carries with it an invitation. An invitation that if accepted promises you a treasure inside.
And since, I have always enjoyed the treasure within the purple Cadbury's Dairy Milk wrapper, I asked myself why would an album carrying the same invitation promise to be anything different? Thus, I parted with my tuppence worth and went back home to open this purple chest of promised treasures.
THE PROMISED TREASURE
As you may have guessed, the contents of the album are somewhat different to the contents of a Cadbury's bar. When I opened the album, I was presented with two compact discs. At first glance, there did not seem to be anything special about them. They were just your average, everyday, run of the mill compact discs. To tell you the truth, I was a bit disappointed because I suppose I had hoped for something more.
However, looks can be deceptive. (Afterall, a Cadbury's Dairy Milk does not seem very appetising until you taste it!) And, also come November each year, I am always bemused and surprised at how the shabby contents of a cardboard box can both light up the sky and light up the faces of the neighbourhood. Thus, I pushed aside my assumptions and I ignited the discs (not literally of course, I just pressed the play button on the CD player). And, I let the fireworks begin.
THE KEY
From the very beginning, you will feel like you have unlocked the doorway to something special. And, after a full two hours of listening to both discs, you will feel like you have been taken out of this world and transported to another. Welcome to the world of Classical Music.
GUIDANCE
In the beginning, continue to listen to both discs in one go (i.e. one after the other). After a while, you will know which tracks you enjoy listening to the most. For those tracks you enjoyed the most make a promise to yourself that you will listen to the whole of the piece from which that track came from.
Good Luck on your quest if you choose to accept it.
Ride amongst the Valkyries, listen to the Flight of the Bumblebees, and use The Planets to keep you on the path.
I am not a good reviewer because as with all of my reviews I refuse to comment too much about what is inside the product but rather more about what effect the product has had on me. (Me, me, me. Vain & Egotistic, I know, so my friends and family keep telling me). But, I just want to cause a raucous about the product, enough not to spoil but enough of a raucous to let you experience it for yourself.
So my final words are:
Simply The Best Classical Anthems is an invitation. An invitation to the world of classical music. A world where you can begin a never-ending quest of curiosity. A curiosity that will always be rewarded with fulfilment.
Do you accept such an invitation?
Hope you found this review helpful.
Samples.......2003-11-23
The samples are too short and the quality leaves a lot to be desired. Having said that the choices are wonderful and the price is great. If you're looking for a overview of the best of classical music then this is for you. However if it's quality you're looking for then spent the extra money and look at other choices.
Great Sampler!.......2002-03-20
This is a good sampler, since it covers what you would want in a classical music CD. Looking at the tracks, it has the classic hits, such as "Ride of the Valkyries," "Toccata and Fugue," "Fanfare for the Common Man," "'Jupiter' from `The Planets,'" "Eine Klein Nachtmusik," and "Hallelujah Chorus."
There are also some new pieces that I have fallen in love with, such as "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," "'Promenade' from Pictures at an Exhibition." The compilers did an interesting double take by including both Verdi's and Mozart's "Dies Ire." I'm not sure which is better.
This music is good for the brain and good for the soul. There is a power and passion that the blaring and glaring music that makes up most of the FM band. I'm reminded of the religious man who said that there is no music in hell. Probably because they wouldn't appreciate it there.
These CDs has a good transfer from the analogue tapes; there is no hiss or fuzziness. The packaging hearkens back to 2001: A Space Odyssey, with the black monolith. And appropriately, "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is the opening track on Disk 2.
Music Review:
- Bedrich Smetana: Má Vlast
- Beethoven: Piano Concertos No.1-5
- Beethoven: String Quartets, Opp. 18/5 & 59/1
- Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Coriolon Overture
- Bizet/Strauss/Berlioz/Verdi/Mozart/Elgar/Rimsky-Korsakov/Tchaikovsky: Ultimate Overtures
- Black Dyke Plays Rossini
- Blitz
- Bononcini: Amarilli ~ Cantatas for solo countertenor, Sonatas / Lesne, Il Seminario musicale
- Borodin: Prince Igor; Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain
- Brahms: String Quartet 3/Piano Quartet 1
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