Danse Macabre

Amazon.com
The old saying goes that if you pretend to be something long enough, you'll eventually become it. If this is true, then the men of the Faint must have spent a lot of time between their rocking debut album, Media, and their third full-length, Danse Macabre, practicing their Duran Duran, Cure, and Depeche Mode impressions. In the process, they have become all that is, was, and probably ever shall be good about new wave music, combining arty electronics with smart social commentary to create an album that is sublime in its ability to recall more goth-rock times while still coming across as entirely original. Songs such as "Posed to Death" and "The Conductor" take on sounds of the band's contemporaries--in these cases, Marilyn Manson and Daft Punk, respectively--but their doing so seems rooted in clever reclamation of new wave sounds appropriated by current artists. In making angular, passionate, and hypnotic music, the Faint are not out to give a history lesson but rather to move a languorous generation of indie kids. And whether mentally or physically or both, Danse Macabre will do just that. --Sarah A. Sternau

Product Description
2003 album and third so far from Nebraska's electo-rockers. Highly recommended, NME gives the album 8 out of 10. City Slang.

Danse Macabre,Faint,Saddle Creek,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Danse Macabre

Average customer rating:

Carnival of the Animals
Carnival...
This is a Carnival of Fun
Musical Playfulness at it's finest
Magnificent

Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B0000041QC
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Carnival Of The Animals: Introduction And Royal March Of The Lion
The Carnival Of The Animals: Hens And Cockerels
The Carnival Of The Animals: Wild Asses
The Carnival Of The Animals: Tortoises
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Elephant
The Carnival Of The Animals: Kangaroos
The Carnival Of The Animals: Aquarium
The Carnival Of The Animals: Persons With Long Ears
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Cuckoo In The Depths Of The Woods
The Carnival Of The Animals: Aviary
The Carnival Of The Animals: Pianists
The Carnival Of The Animals: Fossils
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
The Carnival Of The Animals: Finale
Phaeton, Op.39
Le Rouet d'Omphale, Op.31
Danse macabre, Op.40

Customer Reviews:

Carnival of the Animals.......2007-01-10

The music is beautiful. I used it for a music lesson for Kindergarten on how to interpret animals using music. It is also very soothing in the background for working.

Carnival..........2005-07-26

I found this disk to be "adequate." Other than The Swan, nothing really moved me. The swan rates five stars, the rest, four! You might like it more than I did...

This is a Carnival of Fun.......2005-06-29

I had been a fan of this recording when it was first released. While looking for the recording for my daughter, I fell upon this release.
Sensational! Who can't love the Romantics?

Musical Playfulness at it's finest.......2005-02-20

This CD is absolutely charming. The Carnival of the Animals is so full of different expressions- the majestic lion, the agonizingly slow tortoise, the free-flying birds, the dancing fossils, and the regal swan. Phaeton is amazing, as is le Rouet d'Omphale and the Danse Macabre. I wasn't into Saint-Saens before this CD, but now I'm hooked. For model romantic era music, buy this CD without delay :)

Magnificent.......2002-01-31

It's humourous, it's simple, it's great. Those three words best describe Carnvial of Animals. From the lovely and beautiful Aquarium and Aviary to the more serious, respectable March of the Royal Lion, this musical composistion goes everywhere and does everything in great strides. A must-have for any classical music fan

Average customer rating:

the most sensetive music ever
Cool Camille
Astounding!!!
Great Selections, So-So Collection
Classical is the best

Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002C61
Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

Samson et Dalila: Bacchanale
Carnival Of The Animals (Chamber Version): No. 13. The Swan
Carnival Of The Animals (Chamber Version): No. 14: Finale
Dance Macabre, Op.40
Suite algerienne, Op. 60: Marche militaire francaise
Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, Op.28
Samson et Dalila: 'Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix'
Concert Piece For Horn & Orchestra, Op.94
Romance, Op.37
Piano Concerto No.2 In G Minor, Op.22: III. Presto
Symphony No.3 In C Minor, Op.78 'Organ': II. Allegro moderato - Presto - Maestoso - Allegro

Customer Reviews:

the most sensetive music ever.......2005-10-26

This music take me away from every day troubles and brings my soul to a beutiful world of music.Saint-Saent's vision of music is different, his creations are sensitive and intence. He is agreat talent.

Cool Camille.......2003-03-06

I think that the sound of Saint Saens Music is very unique. I think that anyone out there wanting to listen to some excellent writing I assure you that Saint Saens has written it. On behalf of Amazon I would definitely rate this music 5 stars. I thank Amazon for a perfect portrayal of his works. You shoppers out there might want to take a look at buying this.

RIGHT AWAY!!!
-Nick

Astounding!!!.......2000-10-06

I have come accross very few CD's that have 74 minutes of music that I enjoy. This CD is one of those. Mason Jones does a great job on Morceau, everyone likes danse bachannalle, the piano concerto is great, it's just a really enjoyable CD to own. I recommend it highly, it's one of my favorites.

Great Selections, So-So Collection.......2000-06-23

As all good elementary school music teachers know, Saint-Saëns could evoke emotions from a rock. I don't know if it's his masterful command (or creation) of the idioms of music, or whether it's the formal structure of his compositions, but there's never any confusion about how one feels when listening to this Apollo.

This Sony recording supposedly collects his best. It does and it doesn't. The "Danse Macabre"--a perennial Saint Saëns fave--is definitely better than any others on the market--crisper, livelier, and ... er... creepier. And the Bacchanale is also superbly done. (Don't take my word for it though--you can compare these yourself from the various samples.) But as great as these individual pieces are, Sony failed to bring to the "Swan" the rest of the zoo from "Carnivale des Animaux," and, worse, they forgot the "Aquarium," too! Plus, the "Organ Symphony" *must* be heard in its entirety to sound like the serious piece of music that it is.

I haven't found the noumenal Saint-Saëns collection yet. But this one surely isn't phenomenal.

Classical is the best.......2000-06-22

It's composition very good. Thanks Sony for this great album.

Average customer rating:

Such A Beast
Incredible
Dance of the Dead
never gets old
not even close to 80's wannabe's

Danse Macabre
The Faint
Manufacturer: Saddle Creek
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Danse Macabre Remixes
604
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I Disappear

ASIN: B00005NF1H
Release Date: 2001-08-21

Tracks:

Agenda suicide
Glass Danse World
Total Job
Let The Posion Spill From Your Throat
Your Retro Career Melted
Posed To Death
The Conductor
Violent
Ballad Of A Paralysed Citizen

Amazon.com

The old saying goes that if you pretend to be something long enough, you'll eventually become it. If this is true, then the men of the Faint must have spent a lot of time between their rocking debut album, Media, and their third full-length, Danse Macabre, practicing their Duran Duran, Cure, and Depeche Mode impressions. In the process, they have become all that is, was, and probably ever shall be good about new wave music, combining arty electronics with smart social commentary to create an album that is sublime in its ability to recall more goth-rock times while still coming across as entirely original. Songs such as "Posed to Death" and "The Conductor" take on sounds of the band's contemporaries--in these cases, Marilyn Manson and Daft Punk, respectively--but their doing so seems rooted in clever reclamation of new wave sounds appropriated by current artists. In making angular, passionate, and hypnotic music, the Faint are not out to give a history lesson but rather to move a languorous generation of indie kids. And whether mentally or physically or both, Danse Macabre will do just that. --Sarah A. Sternau

Album Description

2003 album and third so far from Nebraska's electo-rockers. Highly recommended, NME gives the album 8 out of 10. City Slang.

Customer Reviews:

Such A Beast.......2007-05-27

Okay, so The Faint aren't doing anything new or revolutionary, but they have a pretty unique sound and definitely drop the smokin' dance-y tunes we have come to expect from them.
Honestly, this record is loads of fun. It makes you want to dance around the room and sing along like a fool. Plus, their lyrics touch on themes not usually addressed in your usual dance rock fare (see: The Conductor, Ballad of a Paralysed Citizen).
It gets five stars based on its sheer fun quotient.

Incredible.......2006-07-26

This CD is incredible. Some songs are good, some songs are incredible. Go and buy this CD right now! The best songs on this cd are:
1. Glass Danse
2. Your retro career melted
3. Agenda Suicide
4. Let the poison spill from your throat
5. Total Job

Dance of the Dead.......2006-04-16

"Dance Macabre" literally means "Dance of the Dead" and is an achaiac traditon of dancing with the corpse at a funeral; sort of like a final party thing. That being said, the title seems very approprate for the very goth-rock inspired, electronic sound of this album. Mixing morbid themes with dance beats, The Faint definetly have some issues, but those issues make a pretty cool sound.

never gets old.......2005-12-02

As a big synth fan of all types and as a long-time Faint fan, I would say Danse Macabre is still one of the best, if not THE best, cd in my entire electro collection. Their other albums are also definately top runners. To any new listeners who are trying to decide which album to buy first, pick this one up and if you love it (how could you NOT?), then check out their newest release: Wet From Birth. It has some irresistable violins in some songs. Danse Macabre is best for a first listen because of songs like Glass Danse and Let the Poison Spill. They grab you right away and throw you for a high energy whirlwind of purely perfect music that has you bouncing around like a maniac in no time. As you listen to it more, songs like The Conductor, Total Job, and Agenda Suicide make their presence more known. Every song on here except Ballad of a Paralyzed Citizen has at one point been my "favorite song", and after all that, Danse Macabre will go down as one of my all-time favorite CDs. THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY MUSIC FAN.

not even close to 80's wannabe's.......2005-09-10

You're lost and deluded if you think the faint is a sad immitation of a few bands from years past. They are totally original, fun, metal,synthy,dancy,all of the tracks on this album rock, as well as wet from birth which is a little more fun than this one...but The Faint is one of my absolute favorite bands. I've only seen them in concert once, but it was by far one of the most enjoyable concerts I've been to.

Average customer rating:

Classic Scary Music
Classical and great
Great collection, but they missed one
The Perfect Halloween-Themed Classical Album
Spooky Classical Music That Is Great For Halloween Or Anytime Of The Year!

Classics from the Crypt

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003FAI
Release Date: 1992-09-08

Tracks:

Toccata & Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
Danse Macabre
Funeral March Of A Marionette - Arthur Fiedler
Night On Bald Mountain
Symphonie Fantastique - March To The Scaffold - Georges Pretre
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - In The Hall Of The Mountain King
Mephisto Waltz - Fritz Reiner
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Symphonie Fantastique - Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath - Georges Pretre

Customer Reviews:

Classic Scary Music.......2007-01-10

If you're looking for classic haunted castle type scary music, this is a good CD.
Used this in a haunted maze in our basement, and it helped freak the kids out fairly well.

Classical and great.......2006-11-28

A must-have for your Halloween music collection. Different and strong, the music will definitely get you in the Halloween mood. I played it on my stereo while answering the door to trick-or-treaters. It made me feel "oh-so-spooky" and festive.

Great collection, but they missed one.......2006-06-10

An excellent compilation of the darker side of classical music, although I would have preferred a different rendition of Toccata and Fugue in D (New York Philharmonic perhaps), it's still quite good.

But how could the series producer leave off Ravel's Pavane For a Dead Princess? It's preferable to Symphonie Fantastique - March to The Scaffold, plus Berlioz already makes an appearance with Dream of a Witches' Sabbath. If there was room, Verdi's Requiem would have been a nice addition too.

So I have to go with 4 stars only.

The Perfect Halloween-Themed Classical Album.......2005-10-17

What better way to celebrate Halloween than by throwing a party and popping this recording on the stereo. This is classical music with a Halloween theme. Conductors Eugene Ormandy and George Pretre (whom I would have never believed did this kind of stuff) conducts classical music with a dark and Gothic twist. The cover is attrative- a cartoon drawing of the Phantom of the Opera playing on his organ. The first track is Bach's Toccata and Fugue for organ in D minor. It is genuinely considered a Halloween piece, and has been associated with such films as Dracula. The malevolent sound of the Toccata (the opening chords) are especially memorable. Danse Macabre was Saint Saen's ode to Halloween and it is a devilish waltz for violin. Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette became famous for the theme to Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky was used in Disney's Fantasia, in the last segment and is very frightening and brisk. Lisz's Mephisto Waltzes are piano pieces that evoke a wild frenzy but I find nothing dark about it. It is difficult music to play however. The music of Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique utilizes many horror themes. In the Romantic Era, Gothic lore spread and such figures as Mary Shelley and Bram Stroker would write novels of Gothic horror -Frankenstein and Dracula. In the Symphony Fantastique, a young man falls in love with an elusive woman. He imagines she is unfaithful to him and then has a disturbing dream in which she is a witch in a coven. Then he is marched to a scaffold and beheaded. The music is very compelling and dark. All the music here is great to listen to on Halloween and the conductors and orchestra play them well. A must have.

Spooky Classical Music That Is Great For Halloween Or Anytime Of The Year!.......2005-10-16

I love Classical music, it is one of my favorite styles of music and I also like Halloween and scary movies, etc, I bought this CD because I heard, In The Hall of the Mountain King, Night on Bald Mountain, Dance Macabre and Funeral March of a Marionette and I liked them. Dance Macabre was used in a season 4 episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer called Hush. Also Funeral March of a Marionette was used as the theme for Alfred Hitchock Presents. All of these pieces are great and I also liked Tocata & Fuge in D minor. This CD with it's spooky sounding classical music is great for playing on Halloween but can really be listened to anytime and not just on Halloween and I highly recommend it!

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 'Organ'; Poulenc: Organ Concerto

Average customer rating:

THE Performance of this Symphony
The Glory That Was France
Outstanding in every way

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 'Organ'; Poulenc: Organ Concerto

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"; Danse Macabre; Bacchanale; Le Déluge
Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff

ASIN: B00005MO9U
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Customer Reviews:

THE Performance of this Symphony.......2007-05-20

The original recording was made in 1966. Of course it lacks the super-hi fidelity of todays DDD recordings, however, the performance of Marie Clair Alain and that of conductor Jean Martinon by far overshadows the shortcomings of fidelity. I have three other performances of this work and have heard actually dozens more and this disc tops them all. It was like hearing the great Symphony for the first time.

The Glory That Was France.......2006-04-03

This CD is especially appreciated as a reminder of the prominent position France once held in the musical and artistic world as well as the international arena. I mean, how much more French could you get - Camille Saint-Saens, Francis Poulenc and Marie-Claire Alain - three musical giants.

This is really a wonderful album, deeply felt, the Gallic flavor quite intense. It is NOT just an organ CD: "Le Rouet D'Omphale" and "Danse Macabre" are included as well as the two signature works - the Third Symphony by Saint-Saens and the Concerto for Organ in G Minor by Poulenc. In an ironic turn, the (in my opinion) inferior Saint-Saens has triumphed in the public mind over the far superior Poulenc. When one considers the treatment of the organ and orchestra, there is no contest. Also, the work by Poulenc had a striking originality - from the gargantuan theme to the "merry go round" finale (what a stroke of genius).

Although the Third Symphony pales slightly by comparison, Alain gives her 110% as she does on all her recordings. She has stated in the past that she has no national preference but undeniably she arises to the occasion when performing Widor, Vierne, Franck or any works by her own famous relatives. This CD is an easy five star. PLEASE - if you want to hear the organ in all its glory (it's the famous Saint Sulpice), purchase GREAT TOCCATAS with Ms. Alain - a stunning work of incredible virtuosity.

Outstanding in every way.......2005-05-07

Jean Martinon was a superior conductor, especially in his native French repertoire. This CD has excellent sound, great orchestral playing and highly musical interpretations. Everything sounds just right. If you buy this CD, program it to end with the symphony. It will give you 71 minutes of pure, musical pleasure.

Average customer rating:

Melodic phrasing
This is a must have CD
Excellent Recording
Superb Collection

The Best Of Saint-Saëns

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000041AP
Release Date: 1994-10-11

Tracks:

Violin Concerto No. 3 In B minor: Allegro non troppo
Violin Concerto No. 3 In B minor: Andantino quasi allegretto
Violin Concerto No. 3 In B minor: Molto moderato e maestoso
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Introduction, And The March Of The Lion
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Hens And Cocks
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Fast Animals
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Tortoise
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Elephant
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Kangaroos
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Aquarium
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Persons With Long Ears
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Cuckoo In The Forest
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Birds
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Pianists
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Fossils
Le Carnaval des Animaux: The Swan
Le Carnaval des Animaux: Finale
Danese Macabre, Op. 40: Symphonic Poem After
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22: Andante sostenuto
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22: Allegro scherzando
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22: Presto

Tracks:

Introduction et Rondo capriccioso, Op. 28
Le carnaval des animaux- Le cygne
Piano Concerto No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 44: 1. Allegro moderato
Piano Concert No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 44: 2. Allegro vivace - Andante - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 78 Organ: 1. Adagio - Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 78 Organ: Poco adagio
Symphony No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 78 Organ: 2. Allegro moderato - Presto - Allegro moderato -
Symphony No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 78 Organ: Maestoso - Piu allegro - Molto allegro

Customer Reviews:

Melodic phrasing.......2007-05-03

Camille Saint-Saens was merciless in composing a score, often demanding performances that crowded the very limits of what is possible. Consequently, there are a lot of recordings that are frustrating to listen to because one can hear where the work is close but unfulfilled. This anthology of recordings compiled by Philips is the holy grail of Saint-Saens because the choice of conductors and artists was obviously based on melodic phrasing. There is no better performance of the seamless second movement or of the third movement's full string-section counterpoint in Violin Concerto No. 3. This CD set has the best Danse Macabre ever done; people think they know this symphonic poem, but unless they have heard the one conducted by Bernard Haitink, they have not. This Danse Macabre is symphonic perfection. Again, people think they know the Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, but the one with Henryk Szeryng playing violin and conducted by Edouard Van Remoortel transcends and bewilders the mind. Both piano concerti, No 2 and especially No. 4, these works open a new musical paradigm, the piano played by Michele Campanella in No. 4 making music only Saint-Saens knew a piano could make. The undeniable conclusion is that the performances were searched for and chosen as a tour de force of melodic phrasing, with an impressionist composer who imagined brilliance beyond this world.

This is a must have CD.......2007-04-14

I must admit that the Penguin Guide was overly critical of this CD. They said the recording of the Organ Symphony was not exciting and they are certainly far from being correct. The standard by which I judge the Symphony is mainly (if not almost) purely based on the finale. Out of the recordings I have heard this is the finest account. I found the Ormandy version a bit too fast forsaking the majestic feel. The Levine version is well played, but there just seems to be some issue with balance and heaven forbid the Berlin Philharmonic percussionists making a mistake near the end (they played 2 bars late). Dutoit's account is fairly similar to this recording, but I find Edo de Waart's recording has a more 'natural' and richer sound. There is something magical in the finale, the organ is brilliantly captured throughout. Polished, balanced, finely controlled tempi and well-executed this is the best version of the Organ Symphony. If you're starting a Saint-Saens' collection, this 2CD set will certainly not disappoint. The accounts of the other pieces are first-rate.

Excellent Recording.......2003-10-03

As an orchestral player (violinist, violist) and student conductor who is currently in a performance cycle of Symphony No. 3 "Organ", I think that this is one of the best recordings I have heard of the symphony. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for great balances and a full sound of an orchestra!

Superb Collection.......2000-11-05

This was my first Saint-Saëns CD, and I did not quite know what to expect. It was love at first hear(?!). An excellent collection, ranging from the humorous "Carnival of the Animals" to the serious Organ Symphony. If you are not familiar with Saint-Saëns, I would strongly recommend this collection as a great introduction.

Average customer rating:

Irresistable
true to its title
Suffers much from poor quality
The Encore is more important than you might think!
Rave Review!

Horowitz Encores

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Horowitz: The Last Recording

ASIN: B000003ER2
Release Date: 1990-02-22

Tracks:

Horowitz Variations on a theme from Carmen
Danse macabre
Sonata No.11, K.331: Rondo alla turca
Wedding march and variations: Liszt - Horowitz Wedding march and variations
Elegie Op.85 No.4: Songs without words - Elegie
Spring Song,Op.62, No 6: Mendelssohn: Spring Song
The Sheperd's Complaint,Op.67,No.5: Mendelssohn: The Sheperd's Complaint
Serenade of the doll: Debussy - Serenade of the doll
Etude In A-flat
Etude,Op.72 No.6 in F: Etude In F
Op.36,No.6: Etincelles
polonaise, Op. 53 In A-flat
C- Traumerei Op.15 No.7: Traumerei
Scherzo a capriccio
Rakoczy March Hungarian Rhapsody No.15: Rakoczy March
Valse oubliee #1: Valse oubliee No. 1
Prelude in G Minor Op.23,No.5: Prelude In G Minor
The Stars And Stripes Forever

Amazon.com

Whether you love Vladimir Horowitz or not, you had to admit that in some showpieces he is incomparable. Here are lots of them: his own Variations on a Theme from Carmen, his souped-up versions of the Danse Macabre and Rakoczy March, and Moszkowski's Sparks. Stars and Stripes Forever sounds as though the pianist had at least three hands--and good ones at that. I never cared for Horowitz's Chopin, and I'm afraid he beats the hell out of the Chopin Polonaise he plays here. But when you want to hear Horowitz the great showman, this is definitely the disc to play. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Irresistable.......2006-02-17

Vladimir Horowitz was a master programmer, for the formal recital, and for an informal recital of encores after the printed program was finished. His first encore would invariably be a restful, contemplative piece, with contrasting fireworks to follow. Not every piece on this CD, recorded from 1942-1981, was used by Horowitz for encore material, and the emphasis here is on fireworks.

The works on this CD can be divided into three categories: Horowitz's arrangements of orchestra pieces, double hyphenated elaborations by Horowitz of Liszt transcriptions, and "straight" piano music.

Horowitz's Variations on a Theme from Bizet's Carmen followed him throughout most of his career. None of Horowitz's seven recordings (including two piano roles, three studio recordings [1928 this one from 1947, and 1957], and two televised performances) are quite the same, as Horowitz was constantly revising and refining this piece.

As an expression of gratitude and pride at becoming an American citizen, Horowitz concocted an arrangement of Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever--which he premiered in 1945 at I Am An American Day in New York's Central Park. By playing the piece at a true march tempo (rather than the scherzo-like tempo used in most orchestral performances) Horowitz is able to perform nearly very detail of Sousa's orchestration--including the piccolo flourishes at the climax.

Both Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre and the Mendelsson-Liszt Wedding March are enhancements of Liszt's arrangements which would have made even that 19th Century titan gasp. Likewise Horowitz's total reworking of Liszt's Rakóczy March (which really sounds more like an arrangement of Berlioz's orchestral version), which takes demonism to new levels.

Yet there is an intimate side to Horowitz's playing which can be forgotten in the virtuosic sound & fury. The three Mendelssohn Songs Without Words are played with a lyrical simplicity. The inner voices of Schumann's Träumerai wake up and stretch while the piece dreams away. Horowitz's performance of Debussy's Serenade of the Doll makes one wish he had recorded the entire Children's Corner. He did record the complete Mozart Sonata in A, K. 331 years after the exerpt included here, and unlike the standard performance here, played the Rondo alla turca at a true march tempo.

Horowitz's performances of Moszkowski are so well known that it's difficult to think of the composer without thinking of the pianist. Yet he only recorded three pieces, all included here. Over fifty years after their issue, they remain benchmarks among piano recordings.

Not every performance on this CD shows Horowitz at his best. Chopin's A-flat Polonaise is effortlessly tossed-off, yet somehow misses the majesty Rubinstein brought to this piece. Both Mendelssohn's Scherzo a capriccio and Rachmaninoff's G minor Prelude have labored moments. Yet even off form Horowitz is better than many another pianist's best efforts.

The sound varies on this CD, and most of it is in mono. Many of these pieces had been dropped from Horowitz's repertoire by the stereo era. But as examples of masterful exploitation of the piano's resources, exciting interpretation, and brilliant--even manic--performance, this compilation transcends any sonic limitations.

true to its title.......2005-03-24

Horowitz plays these gems with the brilliance that can only come from his hands. "Technique" is the operative word here, and you can find it in abundance. Several of these pieces are Horowitz arrangements of pieces in the classical repertory (ie, Variations on a theme from Carmen, Danse Macabre, Wedding March, Racokzy March, Stars and Stripes, etc.). It is in these arrangements that Horowitz' technique flames overwhelmingly. Others are performances of pieces in their original form (Alla Turca March, Chopin Polonaise, Elegy, Midsummer Night's Dream, etc.). It is in these latter pieces that one finds light, sweet treats that tantalize our auditory "taste buds."

Dont expect anything heavy, profound, or deep-thinking. Encores were meant to be light, showy, brilliant gems of limited significance musically.

Suffers much from poor quality.......2002-09-02

Its a shame that Horowitz was in retirement through most of the "golden age" of recording in the 60's. I didn't discover 'til I had it unwrapped (and non-returnable) that most of the pieces on this disk are simply transfers from old 78's, and Horowitz's magical piano dynamics are simply gone. This one is only for the true afficianados, scholars, and historical buffs. Buy it for the historic value, but not the sound; which is terrible.

The Encore is more important than you might think!.......2002-07-09

These are famous Horowitz encores. They are not the titanic pieces he became famous or historically important for, but they are the pieces that made him popular with the public. Some are his own transcriptions, and every performance is his own.

As one reviewer below said well, the encore was a special part of the recital that had its own demands and expectations. Having attended many recitals in my life I can tell you that it is a part of the recital art form that could use some revival. It isn't enough to simply flash and toss off little musical candies. That isn't what these are.

Nor do you want to lay on something with too much weight that detracts from what you did during the main recital. However, you want to send the audience away happy, impressed, and with a sense of delight with the performer and their recital experience.

Each of these pieces accomplished those goals. And Horowitz has a lot to teach all of us.

Plus these are wonderful and spectacular performances. I am so glad to have them on disk.

Rave Review!.......2000-03-19

As a lifetime student and advanced coach of the piano I highly recommend this recording to all, who would like to here music of a bygone era. This album features encores of a pianistic style seldom heard in our day, recorded by the last of the truly great masters of the art of keyboard science. Though most are flashy in appearance (such as his 1940's recording of The Stars and Stripes Forever), some reveal an elegant simplicity (Schumann's Traumerei), and all display a technical mastery of the keyboard rarely achieved in the pianistic art. Trully all of these recordings reflect the art form of the encore, which was an intricate part of the 19th century concert stage. The Horowitz recordings contained on this CD are historic and will be a real treat for all who appreciate fine music.

Average customer rating:

FABULOUS!
Eduardo Carlos Leon
Unique and pleasant.
Emotional, Powerful, Fizzy
Infernal Violins

Infernal Violins

Manufacturer: Analekta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Diamond Music

ASIN: B00015EDL6
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Danse Macabre
Allegro Con Fuoco - Lento - Allegro Vivace - Andante
Allegro
I. Larghetto Affettuoso
II. Allegro Energico / III. Grave - Allegro Assai
Les Beautes Du Diable
Pantomima
Danza Ritual Del Fuego
Mephisto Waltz No.1
Le Diable Matou
Caprice No.24
Le Reel Du Diable
Andante Sostenuto
Allegro Con Molto
Paint It Black / Sympathy For The Devil
Once Upon A Time... The Devil

Amazon.com

Angèle Dubeau is a remarkable violinist, and here, she and her all-woman, 12-strong (including herself) group, La Pieta, tackle some of the showiest---and most interesting---virtuoso pieces composed or transposed for solo violin and strings, in various combinations, and occasionally featuring a piano. The violin tone at the start of Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre has a warmth which stays with us throughout the disc, despite the fact that so many of the pieces are razzle-dazzle. Hearing the delicious can-can from the overture to Orpheus in the Underworld so thrillingly played, with as much emphasis on the piano as the violin, is a treat, and the "Fire dance" from El amor brujo positively throbs. There's great skill---even daring---in the Tartini "Devil's Trill" sonata and a Boccherini Sonata, but the string tone never turns strident. And as a complete surprise, Dubeau and her group offer an arrangement of The Rolling Stones' "Paint it Black" which teases and riffs before getting into the melody, then plays it in the lower reaches of the instrument, and is then joined by the piano, allowing it to reach upwards and jazzily improvise---and then she throws in a moment or two of "Sympathy for the Devil" (!) before it concludes with the original melody. There are other joys on this CD as well---this is not your everyday violin bon-bon recital. It's all highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Album Description

This mischievious recital celebrates works inspired by the Devil: from Tartini's Devil's Trill, written after the composer dreamt that he had sold his soul to the Devil, to the infernal whirlwinds of Saint-Saën's Danse Macabre and Dompierre's Les Beautés du diable, composed specifically for La Pietà. It also pays homage to Paganini, the famed violinist who once confided to a friend that the Devil led him by the hand. This program shows an impish sense of humor as well... it features a unique arrangement of The Rolling Stones' Paint it Black and Sympathy for the Devil! • Angèle Dubeau is one of Canada's most prominent recording artists. belonging to the exclusive group of Canadian classical soloists who can boast of having attained "gold" sales status. She is also the founder and director La Pietá. • This CD is packaged with a bonus DVD featuring video clips and live concert excerpts.

Customer Reviews:

FABULOUS!.......2007-02-15

I ADORE this CD. I first heard it on the local classical music station and my ears picked right up. "What IS that?" It was so alive, so vibrant. The station only plays it about once a year, but each time it catches my attention. "Ah, that's Angele Dubeau." The selections are a mix of new and old. Two of the new pieces are by Francois Dompierre; his "Le Diable matou" is one of my favorites. I play this CD over and over and over...

I disagree with the reviewer who said you must love violin music to enjoy this. I do enjoy the violin, but I think the CD's power and reach go far beyond violin lovers.

The CD also includes a DVD of concert excerpts.

Give this CD a try. I'm so glad I did.

Eduardo Carlos Leon.......2007-02-01

The sound is tight and fresh.But take heed--only a person who love`s violin works would enjoy this c-d.And i would be one of those persons.ESP.Hot Women with violins!!!

Unique and pleasant........2006-12-23

It is refreshing to hear something new. The tracks are old favorites but the sound is new. Different. And in a good way.
Not the same old interpretations sped up or slowed down. But a genuine new groove down a familiar road.
She is a great violinist and has a knack for interplay with the rest of the band. It's not a flashy highly technical performance like you may expect from Perlman or Mutter. But not on the emotional ragged edge like Sonnenberg. But something in between with a new twist.

Emotional, Powerful, Fizzy.......2005-05-19

Long a stodgy devotee of baroque music, with the first few notes of this strong stuff I became an addict. Over and over again I play this CD, never quite anticipating the power and emotional bang of the music as it plays - even though I know the notes by now. If you ever studied Walter Piston's "harmony" the structures and transitions are back-of-the-book stuff, but the push is all elemental, basic, built-in, the familiar 1-4-5 with musical sequins, trampolines, backflips, and gelginite. Wow. And then some.

I'm so besotted, I had a couple of 13-year old boys (my son and a friend) listen to it in the car one day. They were bug-eyed after a couple of cuts, and not with horror. Now they ask for it, and yell with glee when the musical tension breaks over their heads in crashing chords.

Can I add a few more stars?

Infernal Violins.......2004-04-12

This music is fantastic. Because the violin she uses is a Stradovarius, the music pours like liquid velvet out of it. The choices of compositions are fantastic also. I think her interpretation of them along with the violin and her back-up group are what make this album so outstanding.

Average customer rating:

Halloween Violin
Puzzling choices, and not all that devilish
Watch Out Where You Play This CD
... the best music ever recorded!
Pretty good

Devil's Dance

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004XRY7
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

The Witches Of Eastwick: Devil's Dance
Young Frankenstein: A Transylvanian Lullaby
Puck
Danse Macabre
Caprice Fantastique
Walpurgisnacht
Hexenlied
La Ronde Des Lutins
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Sonata In G Minor 'Devil's Trill'
Solo Sonata No. 2: Obsession

Amazon.com

Though it's haunted by goblins, ghosts, and monsters, it is hard to find anything very satanic in much of this music, except its fiendishly difficult pyrotechnics. Its sole purpose is to display Gil Shaham's devilishly dazzling virtuosity, glorious tone, elegance, humor, and bewitching charm. The only substantial piece is Tartini's "Devil's Trill Sonata," in Kreisler's edition complete with his long, diabolically strenuous cadenza; Shaham plays it very beautifully, with genuine, moving expressiveness. Elsewhere, his tongue is never far from his cheek, whether he is tossing off Bazzini's "Rondo de Lutins" perfectly at top speed, or having fun with the fireworks of Korngold's "Caprice fantastique," Sarasate's "Faust Fantasie," Grieg's "Puck" arranged by Joseph Achron, Paganini's Caprice No. 13, with a piano part by Robert Schumann, and Saint-Saëns' "Dance macabre," in which the pianist doubles for a whole orchestra. There are also transcriptions of passionately romantic pieces by Brahms and Mendelssohn, and excursions into different styles: William Bolcom's "Graceful Ghost" rag; "Transylvanian Lullaby" from John Morris's soundtrack for "Young Frankenstein" transcribed by Shaham's pianist, Jonathan Feldman; and the title piece, "Devil's Dance" arranged by John Williams from his soundtrack for "The Witches of Eastwick." You can safely invite this devil of a violinist into your home--he is excellent company. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Halloween Violin.......2005-10-17

While not always frightening as much as classical music with a Halloween theme, this is a fine recording to play at parties if the guests fancy this kind of music. The title refers to the Devil's Dance, for violin & piano from the film Witches of Eastwick, a work composed by John Williams. It is followed by A Transylvanian Rhapsody from the comic film Young Frankeinstein. The most famous piece of all "Danse Macabre" was Saint Saens' ghoulish work that nearly caused his mother a heart attack at the premire. Using stage effects like smoke and mist, Saint Saens had dancing skeletons waltzing on stage. The Devil Trill Sonata by Tartini has a frightening story behind it. It was rumored that the composer dreamt that the Devil gave him the score to this violin piece. It is played at an impossible speed and is one of the most difficult violin pieces ever composed. Only few violinists take on this piece. The music on this album is however not as scary as some other classical Halloween CD's out there but violin afficionados will be quite delighted.

Puzzling choices, and not all that devilish.......2004-10-21

I'll say right off that Shaham's technique is top-notch, which is what one expects from such an album. And this is fine playing, with the violin and piano generally blending well.

But while this was clearly intended to be a "concept album," the artists/producers made several puzzling (and frustrating) choices that left me wondering just what the concept was supposed to be. The music is "devilishly difficult" at some times (the Tartini, for example), "creepy and eerie" at others (the "Danse macabre", others). However, several of the pieces are neither dazzingly difficult nor all that creepy - the Brahms and the Mendelssohn, for example, fail both definitions and, frankly, just don't seem to fit on this album. And then, there's the Paganini B-flat caprice - a solo violin piece transcribed for violin and piano, weakening the focus on violin virtuosity - while the Ysaye is left as a solo piece . . . well, a **piece** of a piece - we're given only a part of one movement of a four-movement work that is both very difficult AND built around that ultimate "creepy" theme, the "Dies Irae." Why only part of a single movement?

The net effect of all this is an album that doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. It's almost as if someone committed to an album concept without making sure there was enough material to fill the album. Further quibbles: the violin is placed somewhat too far back, for my taste; on a virtuoso album, I want to be "up close" to catch all the nuances of the performance. And the balance between violin and piano is less than ideal at times, at least to my ear.

As I said, the playing is fine; it's the concept execution that falls short of "as advertised."

Watch Out Where You Play This CD.......2002-05-17

As everyone says this is an extremely enjoyable disc. While it played fine in my ordinary CD player, the one in my computer couldn't handle it. Not only wouldn't it play, but it crashed the whole machine. Real deviltry at work!

... the best music ever recorded!.......2002-05-07

Sometimes I forget to breathe-this CD is so mind-blowing! This is the type of CD that you can't help but wave your hands around pretending to conduct the song!........ Ok.... Deep breathes.......o-o...I have to calm down! Now this CD features not just the best musicians but the best composers. They are John Williams (simply the best), Camille Saint-Saens (who composed one of the most famous "spooky" songs: Danse macabre!) ,and John Morris, you know.... Composed the music for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, the funniest movie EVER! And guess what the theme song is on the CD!.. The charming yet spooky.........'Young Frankenstein': A Transylvania Lullaby. Hexenlied, one of my favorites, is by MR. Felix Mendelssohn (no he's not Felix the cat!)..........So...many....good.....songs....so.....Little--t-t-time. OK. It's time to wrap things up.....BUY THIS CD, YOU WON'T REGRET IT! :)

Pretty good.......2002-01-23

This CD has pretty interesting selection. My only qualm about it is sometimes it seems that the piano is competing for volume with the soloist, especially in Dans Macabre. This rendition is definitely not my favourite version. But some other gems make up for this, like Devils Dance, and La Ronde des Lutins. Devils dance is really well arranged and performed, and thats my favourite track on this album.

Saint-Saëns: Danse macabre; Phaéton; "Organ" Symphony; etc.

Average customer rating:

Great recordings

Saint-Saëns: Danse macabre; Phaéton; "Organ" Symphony; etc.

Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Symphonie Fantastique

ASIN: B00016XMX0
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Tracks:

Danse Macabre, Op. 40
Phaeton, Op. 39
Le Rouet D'Omphale, Op. 31
Introduction Et Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Marche Militaire Francaise
Adagio - Allegro Moderato
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Maestoso - Piu Allegro - Molto Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Great recordings.......2007-05-15

These are all fantastic recordings of the music of a very underrated composer, Camille Saint-Saens. I was skeptical about buying a disc where the feature artists were the Detroit Symphony Orchestra et al. (not that they are poor orchestras; I have simply grown accustomed to the sounds of the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras). I was pleasantly surprised! Of the works on the CD, I greatly prefer listening to the "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso," op. 28. It is performed very well, and is well worth the price of the CD if for only this work. The "Danse Macabre" is also performed very well.

The "Organ Symphony" was still performed pretty well, however I am a fan of the Karajan, BPO, and Pierre Cochereau (Organ) recording released by DG a few years back.

This CD presents a very good and affordable opportunity to become introduced to the music of Saint-Saens.

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