Powerweapons in the Complex

Powerweapons in the Complex

Track Listings

1. Flawless Victory
2. Tranquility
3. Drain Out
4. To Redefine
5. Almost Only Counts
6. Words Unspoken
7. This Visible Camouflage
8. Fall
9. Until Dawn
10. Displacements Secret Crush
11. Just a Phase
12. Bleeding Night

Powerweapons in the Complex,Between Home & Serenity,Rust Records,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop


Powerweapons in the Complex

Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • AWESOME!
  • This CD is great!
  • Great gospel album!
  • Awesome
  • Great music , Fine performance
Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings
Elvis Presley
Manufacturer: Bmg / Elvis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances
  2. The 50 Greatest Love Songs
  3. He Touched Me, Vols. 1-2
  4. Elvis Ultimate Gospel
  5. How Great Thou Art

ASIN: B00004WJEC
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

  1. His Hand In Mine
  2. I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs
  3. In My Father's House
  4. Milky White Way
  5. Known Only To Him
  6. I Believe In The Man In The Sky
  7. Joshua Fit The Battle
  8. He Knows Just What I Need
  9. Swing Down, Sweet Chariot
  10. Manson Over The Hilltop
  11. If We Never Met Again
  12. Working On The Building
  13. Crying In The Chapel
  14. How Great Thou Art
  15. In The Garden
  16. Somebody Bigger Than You And I
  17. Farther Along
  18. Stand By Me
  19. Without Him
  20. So High
  21. Where Could I Go But To The Lord
  22. By And By
  23. If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side
  24. Run On
  25. Where No One Stands Alone
  26. We Call On Him
  27. You'll Never Walk Alone
  28. Who Am I?
  29. Life

Tracks:

  1. Only Believe
  2. He Touched Me
  3. I've Got Confidence
  4. Amazing Grace
  5. Seeing Is Believing
  6. He Is My Everything
  7. Bosom Of Abraham
  8. An Evening Prayer
  9. Lead Me, Guide Me
  10. There Is No God But God
  11. A Thing Called Love
  12. I, John
  13. Reach Out To Jesus
  14. Miracle Of The Rosary
  15. Put Your Hand In The Hand
  16. I Got A Feelin' In My Body
  17. Help Me
  18. If That Isn't Love
  19. Help Me (Live Version)
  20. Why Me Lord (Live Version)
  21. How Great Thou Art (Live Version)
  22. Farther Along
  23. Oh Happy Day
  24. I, John
  25. Bosom Of Abraham
  26. You Better Run
  27. Lead Me, Guide Me
  28. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus/Nearer My God To Me

Tracks:

  1. When The Saints Go Marchin' In
  2. Just A Little Talk With Jesus
  3. Jesus Walked That Lonesome Valley
  4. I Shall Not Be Moved
  5. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley
  6. Down By The Riverside
  7. Farther Along
  8. Blessed Jesus (Hold My Hand)
  9. On The Jericho Road
  10. I Just Can't Make It Myself
  11. I Hear A Sweet Voice Calling
  12. When The Saints Go Marchin' In
  13. Softly And Tenderly
  14. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)
  15. It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)
  16. I Believe
  17. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
  18. I Asked The Lord
  19. He
  20. Oh How I Love Jesus
  21. Show Me Thy Ways, O Lord
  22. Hide Thou Me
  23. Down By The Riverside/When The Saints Go Marchin' In
  24. Sing You Children
  25. Swing Down, Sweet Chariot
  26. Let Us Pray
  27. Gospel Medley: Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child/Where Could I Go But To The Lord/Up Above My Head/Saved
  28. The Lord's Prayer
  29. How Great Thou Art (Live Version)
  30. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars AWESOME!.......2007-07-10

If you enjoy gospel music -- YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET! Elvis' incredible voice is perfect for the soulful lyrics. Plus he picks up the tempo on many of them making them sound more like rock. All of my favorites are on this 3CD set - so I'm very very happy that I bought it. I highly recommend it!

4 out of 5 stars This CD is great!.......2007-07-07

Elvis sings gospel songs like no other! Some of the songs are a litte rough but you have to realize some songs were recorded in his home or at the studio while he is just playing around. The first disc is more of the released songs while some of the songs on the other CD's are live versions or unreleased versions with him laughing and talking. I thoroughly love this set!

5 out of 5 stars Great gospel album!.......2007-07-05

I have always thought that Elvis' voice was never better than when he was singing gospel and this album proves it! Well done remastering, clear, very good sound. Absolutely a must for people who love gospel and Elvis!!

5 out of 5 stars Awesome.......2007-06-27

Its great to have all of the Kings inspirational music in one collection.I have one word for this collection AWESOME!!!

5 out of 5 stars Great music , Fine performance.......2007-06-14

Elvis is at his best on these albums singing songs that he apparantly very fond of as he puts his heart and soul into these great old time gospel hits. Your service was prompt and every thing arrived in perfect
condition. Thanks
Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great for starting from scratch
  • Happy with "Message in a Box"
  • its the police
  • i agree, not complete
  • All that you need
Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings
The Police
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Live
  2. The Dream of the Blue Turtles
  3. Nothing Like the Sun
  4. One Train Later: A Memoir
  5. Ten Summoner's Tales

ASIN: B000002G23
Release Date: 1993-09-28

Tracks:

  1. Fallout
  2. Nothing Achieving
  3. Dead End Job
  4. Next To You
  5. So Lonely
  6. Roxanne
  7. Hole in my Life
  8. Peanuts
  9. Can't Stand Losing You
  10. Truth Hits Everybody
  11. Born In The 50's
  12. Be My Girl, Sally
  13. Masoko Tanga
  14. Landlord (Live)
  15. Next To You (Live)
  16. Landlord
  17. Message In A Bottle
  18. Reggatta De Blanc
  19. It's Alright For You
  20. Bring On The Night
  21. Deathwish

Tracks:

  1. Walking On The Moon
  2. On Any Other Day
  3. The Bed's Too Big Without You
  4. Contact
  5. Does Everyone Stare
  6. No Time This Time
  7. Visions Of The Night
  8. The Bed's Too Big Without You (Mono)
  9. Truth Hits Everybody (Live)
  10. Friends
  11. Don't Stand So Close To Me
  12. Driven To Tears
  13. When The World Is Running Down, You Make The...
  14. Canary In A Coalmine
  15. Voices Inside My Head
  16. Bombs Away
  17. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
  18. Behind My Camel
  19. Man In A Suitcase
  20. Shadows In The Rain
  21. The Other Way Of Stopping

Tracks:

  1. A Sermon
  2. Driven To Tears (Live)
  3. Shambelle
  4. Spirits In The Material World
  5. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
  6. Invisible Sun
  7. Hungry For You (Jaurais Toujours Faim De Toi)
  8. Demolition Man
  9. Too Much Information
  10. Rehumanize Yourself
  11. One World (Not Three)
  12. Omegaman
  13. Secret Journey
  14. Darkness
  15. Flexible Strategies
  16. Low Life
  17. How Stupid Mr. Bates
  18. A Kind Of Loving

Tracks:

  1. Synchronicity I
  2. Walking In Your Footsteps
  3. O My God
  4. Mother
  5. Miss Gradenko
  6. Synchronicity II
  7. Every Breath You Take
  8. King Of Pain
  9. Wrapped Around Your Finger
  10. Tea In The Sahara
  11. Murder By Numbers
  12. Man In A Suitcase (Live)
  13. Someone To Talk To
  14. Message In A Bottle (Live)
  15. I Burn For You
  16. Once Upon A Daydream
  17. Tea In The Sahara (Live)
  18. Don't Stant So Close To Me '86

Amazon.com

"This is it: Everything the Police released," boasts the notes in the 66-page booklet included with this box set. Obsessive fans have already written to rock magazines indignantly pointing out the omission of this or that obscurity. But everyone else will find that these four discs include all the Police they'd ever want to own. The first two discs include all of Outlandos d'Amour, Reggatta de Blanc, and Zenyatta Mondatta in their original order, interspersed with live rarities and singles B-sides. Discs 3 and 4 are more satisfying, including the band's well-crafted studio high points, Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity, plus more outtakes and live tunes. The set ends with "Don't Stand So Close to Me '86," a dismal remake of the early favorite. By this point, the musician's egos were running rampant and they were barely speaking. If anyone wonders why the group called it quits so abruptly, this tune makes it clear that the split was smart and timely. --Jim DeRogatis

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great for starting from scratch.......2007-07-25

We were going to the Police Concert and realized that while we had some Sting on CD, all our Police music was on Cassette Tapes! Luckily, we had a tape deck in the car we were taking to the concert, but I went to go check out getting some on CD for the next week and saw this box set - its worked out great since now we have all that great music on CD

5 out of 5 stars Happy with "Message in a Box".......2007-05-28

This product is great! I love having the complete recordings of The Police in one collection. Having the B-side and the live versions of songs is very nice. I'm an even bigger fan since opening this collection!

5 out of 5 stars its the police.......2007-03-28

it's good if you like the police. bad if you don't. simple enuff.

5 out of 5 stars i agree, not complete.......2007-03-10

I don't own this, but from just looking and listening to what is on these CD's, I know that there are more than one version of some of these songs (like message in a bottle which sting performed solo as well, and in fact sounds better that way). I think masata tango has a slightly different version as well. Other songs (such as "Tea in Saraha"), imo, sound better when there are not live.
That being said, I suspect that some of these songs you might not be able to get on CD (maybe, maybe not - depends on the song).
A very good collection nonetheless if you are a Police fan.

5 out of 5 stars All that you need.......2007-03-05

This box set is excellent. It has all five of their studio albums, b-sides, live tracks, and a few unrealeased cuts. It also has a book on their history with photos. Perfect for the fan who doesn't have ecverything.
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring - The Complete Recordings
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Beautiful
  • Awesome
  • Excellent Music tracks from Movie
  • Complete?
  • Great Collection, Poor Packaging
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring - The Complete Recordings
Howard Shore
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - The Complete Recordings
  2. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
  3. Ringers - Lord of the Fans
  4. The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook
  5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

ASIN: B000BNI90O
Release Date: 2005-12-13

Tracks:

  1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Prologue: One Ring ...
  2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Shire
  3. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Bag End (Featuring ...)
  4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Very Old Friends
  5. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Flaming Red Hair
  6. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Farewell Dear Bilbo
  7. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Keep It Secret, Keep ...
  8. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/A Conspiracy Unmasked
  9. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Three Is Company
  10. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Passing of the Elves
  11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Saruman the White
  12. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/A Shortcut to Mushrooms
  13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Strider
  14. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Nazgul ...

Tracks:

  1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Weathertop
  2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Caverns of Isengard
  3. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Give Up the Halfling
  4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Orthanc
  5. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Rivendell
  6. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Sword That Was ...
  7. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Council of ...
  8. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Great Eye
  9. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Gilraen's Memorial
  10. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Pass of Caradhras
  11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Doors of Durin
  12. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Moria
  13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Gollum
  14. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Balin's Tomb

Tracks:

  1. Khazad-Dum
  2. Caras Galadhon (featuring Lament for Gandalf, performed by Elizabeth Fraser)
  3. The Mirror of Galadriel
  4. The Fighting Uruk-hai
  5. Parth Galen
  6. The Departure of Boromir
  7. The Road Goes Ever On (part 1)
  8. May It Be (composed and performed by Enya)
  9. The Road Goes Ever On (part 2. featuring In Dreams, perfomed by Edward Ross)
  10. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Khazad-D
  11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Caras Galadhon ...
  12. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Mirror of Galadriel
  13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Fighting Uruk-Hai
  14. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/Parth Galen
  15. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Departure of Boromir
  16. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Road Goes Ever ...
  17. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/May It Be
  18. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Road Goes Ever ...

Amazon.com

As fans of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy know, each film exists in two versions: the theatrical one and the extended one that appeared on DVD. This luxurious box set--which also comes with a detailed essay on the movie's musical themes--features the full extended score, so many cues not on the CDs of the individual movies are included. Granted, the majority of listeners will be perfectly happy with the shorter versions of the scores--it's a safe bet that most people can live without hearing, say, Ian McKellen's 35-second-long ditty "The Road Goes Ever On" at the beginning of "Bag End," or Viggo Mortensen's performance of his own composition, "The Song of Lúthien," within the track "The Nazgûl." But if you're a completist and/or a devotee of Howard Shore's pounding tympani and overwhelming choral compositions (featured particularly prominently on disc 3, a large chunk of which is devoted to a battle scene), then this set is a dream come true. Audiophiles should note that the fourth disc, a DVD, offers the score in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Fire up those speakers so the whole shire can hear. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

An epic film score receives epic treatment with The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring/Complete Recordings. Released for the first time on CD, the complete score for the first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy contains more than 180 minutes of music on three CDs plus a DVD-Audio disc of the entire score in Surround Sound. Breathtaking and majestic, the 2001 Oscar and Grammy winning score compsted by Howard Shore also includes Enya's Oscar nominated "May It Be." For fans of any of The Lord of the Rings films, the Fellowship of the Ring/Complete Recordings is an essential experience.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Beautiful.......2007-06-15

I picked up this set because I am both a LOTR fan, movies and books and I need music to help me work. There are some tracks that I skipped over, like the short little ditties in the bar, but many of the songs, such as the Elvish chants are easy to get lost in - its just too bad they don't last longer. The packaging really is well done, though the DVD disc was loose when I received it in the mail, but unharmed. I will have to wait until the price on the second set comes down a little more, but I can't wait for ROTK.

5 out of 5 stars Awesome.......2007-06-12

This is by far the editon to get if you loved the lord of the rings soundtrack. It has every song on it from the extended edition. and the DVD-A version is very nice.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Music tracks from Movie.......2007-05-03

Brings the movie back as you listen to the full version of the track.

3 out of 5 stars Complete?.......2007-04-07

This CD collection is wonderful; it has much of the material from the movie that was only included in the extended edition DVD, but it is far from complete. While it does have the complete version of "The Passing of the Elves" and two versions of "The Road Goes Ever On", many of the songs are highly incomplete and inferior to the originals. "Aniron," the theme for Aragorn and Arwen performed by Enya, is incomplete and the lyrics are hard to match to what is being sung. The sound quality for this song is even worse on the accompanying DVD, which is supposed to have all of the music in "superior sound". The song "Prophecy" is reduced to two barely-audible lines and "May It Be" is shortened and different than the original. $60 for this when there are more complete songs on the original soundtrack is ridiculous.

3 out of 5 stars Great Collection, Poor Packaging.......2007-04-03

I realy can't add to what others have said about this set, the music is simply the best LOTR soundtrack collection out there! It is all here, and the contents of this set will make any LOTR fan happy and the music DVD is a great one disc addition if you want to hear the entire score in one sitting (to which I have done a number of times already).
My only complaint is the somewhat flimsy cardboard box that houses the contents of this musical treasure. Mine came damaged, and considering the price, I expected better packaging. This is a minor quabble on my part and NO, I havent returned it due to the fact that the music itself Is what I truly treasure, It just would have been nicer to have recieved it undamaged.

Music-5
Packaging-3

*for the record I had rated this Item 5 stars not the 3 stars that is showing at the top of my review*
Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A wonderful Beethoven cycle
  • A LONG TIME COMING AT THIS PRICE
  • What more can be said?
  • With the Best of the Best
  • What sound problems????
Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet
Ludwig van Beethoven , Alban Berg Quartet , and Gerhard Schulz, Hatto Beyerle, Thomas Kakuska, Valentin Erben Günther Pichler
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas / Daniel Barenboim
  2. Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos
  3. Mozart: String Quartets Nos. 14 - 23
  4. Shostakovich: The String Quartets
  5. Complete String Quartets

ASIN: B000026D4J
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

  1. Op. 18 No. 1 In F Major: I: Allegro Con Brio - Alban Berg Quartett
  2. Op. 18 No. 1 In F Major: II: Adagio Affettuoso Ed Appassionato - Alban Berg Quartett
  3. Op. 18 No. 1 In F Major: III: Scherzo (Allegro Molto) & Trio - Alban Berg Quartett
  4. Op. 18 No. 1 In F Major: IV: Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett
  5. Op. 59 No. 1 In F Major 'Rasumovsky': I: Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett
  6. Op. 59 No. 1 In F Major 'Rasumovsky': II: Allegretto Vivace E Sempre Scherzando - Alban Berg Quartett
  7. Op. 59 No. 1 In F Major 'Rasumovsky': III: Adagio molto e mesto : IV: Allegro (Th russe) - Alban Berg Quartett

Tracks:

  1. Op. 18 No.2 In G Major: I: Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett
  2. Op. 18 No.2 In G Major: II: Adagio cantabile - Alban Berg Quartett
  3. Op. 18 No.2 In G Major: III: Scherzo (Allegro) & Trio - Alban Berg Quartett
  4. Op. 18 No.2 In G Major: IV: Allegro molto, quasi presto - Alban Berg Quartett
  5. Op. 18 No. 6 In B Flat Major: I: Allegro con brio - Alban Berg Quartett
  6. Op. 18 No. 6 In B Flat Major: II: Adagio, ma non troppo - Alban Berg Quartett
  7. Op. 18 No. 6 In B Flat Major: III: Scherzo (Allegro) & Trio - Alban Berg Quartett
  8. Op. 18 No. 6 In B Flat Major: IV: Adagio (La Malinconia) - Allegretto quasi Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett
  9. Op. 135 In F Major: I: Allegretto - Alban Berg Quartett
  10. Op. 135 In F Major: II: Vivace - Alban Berg Quartett
  11. Op. 135 In F Major: III: Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo - Alban Berg Quartett
  12. Op. 135 In F Major: IV: Grave, ma non troppo tratto - Allegro - Alban Berg Quartett

Tracks:

  1. Op. 18 No. 3 In D Major: I. Allegro
  2. Op. 18 No. 3 In D Major: II. Andante con moto
  3. III. Allegro
  4. Op. 18 No. 3 In D Major: IV. Presto
  5. Op. 18 No. 5 in A Major: I. Allegro
  6. Op. 18 No. 5 in A Major: II. Menuetto & Trio
  7. Op. 18 No. 5 in A Major: III. Andante cantabile
  8. Op. 18 No. 5 in A Major: IV. Allegro
  9. Op. 95 In F Minor: I. Allegro con brio
  10. Op. 95 In F Minor: II. Allegretto ma non troppo
  11. Op. 95 In F Minor: III: Allegro assai vivace, ma serioso

Tracks:

  1. Op. 18 No. 4 In C Minor: I. Allegro ma non tanto
  2. Op. 18 No. 4 In C Minor: II. Scherzo (Andante scherzoso quasi Allegretto)
  3. Op. 18 No. 4 In C Minor: III. Menuetto (Allegretto) & Trio
  4. Op. 18 No. 4 In C Minor: IV. Allegro
  5. Op. 130 in B flat Major: I. Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro
  6. Op. 130 in B flat Major: II. Presto
  7. Op. 130 in B flat Major: III. Andante con moto, ma non troppo
  8. Op. 130 in B flat Major: IV. Alla danza tedesca (Allegro assai)
  9. Op. 130 in B flat Major: V Cavatina (Adagio molto espressivo)
  10. Grosse Fuge In B Flat Major, Op. 133
  11. Op. 130 in B flat Major: VI. Finale (Allegro)

Tracks:

  1. Op. 59 No. 2 In E Minor 'Rasumovsky': I: Allegro
  2. Op. 59 No. 2 In E Minor 'Rasumovsky': II: Molto Allegro
  3. Op. 59 No. 2 In E Minor 'Rasumovsky': III: Allegretto
  4. Op. 59 No. 2 In E Minor 'Rasumovsky': IV: Finale (Presto)
  5. Op. 127 In E Flat Major: I: Maaestoso - Allegro
  6. Op. 127 In E Flat Major: II: Adagio ma non troppo, molto cantabile
  7. Op. 127 In E Flat Major: III: Scherzando vivace
  8. Op. 127 In E Flat Major: IV: Finale

Tracks:

  1. Op. 59 No. 3 In C Major 'Rasumovsky': I: Introduzione (Andante con moto) - Allegro vivace
  2. Op. 59 No. 3 In C Major 'Rasumovsky': II: Andante con moto quasi allegretto
  3. Op. 59 No. 3 In C Major 'Rasumovsky': III: Menuetto (Grazioso) & Trio
  4. Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: I: Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo
  5. Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: II: Allegro molto vivace
  6. Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: III: Allegro moderato
  7. Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: IV: Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile
  8. Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: V: Presto
  9. Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: VI: Adagio quasi un poco andante
  10. Op. 131 In C Sharp Minor: VI: Adagio quasi un poco andante

Tracks:

  1. Op. 74 In E Flat Major 'Harp': I Poco adagio - Allegro - Beethoven
  2. Op. 74 In E Flat Major 'Harp': II. Adagio ma non troppo - Beethoven
  3. Op. 74 In E Flat Major 'Harp': III. Presto - Beethoven
  4. Op. 74 In E Flat Major 'Harp': IV: Allegretto con Variazioni - Beethoven
  5. Op.132 In A Minor: I: Allegro sostenuto - Allegro - Beethoven
  6. Op.132 In A Minor: II: Allegro ma non tanto - Beethoven
  7. Op.132 In A Minor: III: Molto adagio - Beethoven
  8. Op.132 In A Minor: IV: Alla marcia, assai vivace - Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A wonderful Beethoven cycle.......2007-06-18

This is a fine recording, remastered for the reissue. Intelligent, driving, finely played. Excellent musicianship. Buy it. You won't be sorry you did.

5 out of 5 stars A LONG TIME COMING AT THIS PRICE .......2007-06-02

On LP I own any number of complete Beethoven String Quartets by the great masters of that genre. I bought them all as a teenager and in college. When I started buying CDs a complete Beethoven set for over $100 by a great quartet became out of my price range at the time. To find the Berg Quartet, (a favorite group of mine), surveying these great works at this price from Amazon is one of the best bargains going.

I went immediately to Op. 135 and found it marvelous in concept, execution and recording. I've now listened to almost all the quartets, and the consistency is wonderful. Because I'm in the business I'm using only high end professional equipment for playback and the sound is truly "You Are There". The recordings capture the upper overtones of all the instruments without the least harhsness, no mean feat. The blend of the group and the hall is articulated in a way that happens on only a very few recordings. Ocassionally one can hear a minor difference in what might be placement of microphones, even from movement to movement. This could, in fact, be the result of a temperature or humidity change in the recording venue. You have to pay very close attention to notice this and it does nothing to diminish these sonic wonders) Worth thrice the price.

5 out of 5 stars What more can be said?.......2007-02-03

There are many wonderful performances of these remarkable pieces. Which is the finest? Only God, in his wisdom, will ever be able to answer such a question, but I'm sure with his celestial headphones on he'll be listening to the Alban Berg Quartet. For me this quartet is able to "read" each individual quartet with such clarity, from the light hearted humor of the Op.18 to the intense and darkly passionate Op.95 through to the strangely happy yet unearthly Op.135, with many other wonderful moments, that I can hardly imagine any better. You won't go wrong buying this.

5 out of 5 stars With the Best of the Best.......2006-12-14

I know it's saying a great deal with the excellent full sets of these quartets to choose from, but these overall are my favorites. The playing is excellent, balanced and perfectly toned. There are unquestionably the deep emotional commitment of the Vegh Quartet, the intelligence of the Juilliard, the parlor intimacy of the Talisch and the muscular intensity of the Italiano. And the serious collector needs to listen to these sets, or selections of, for a rounded understanding of these works. But for a consistency of quality and feeling throughout a traversal of all the quartets I believe the Berg set wins an arguably close contest--at least for me.

5 out of 5 stars What sound problems????.......2006-11-14

I am only writing this review in dispute of RB Townsend remarks below.
I have been listening to this mostly Live set for a few years now on high end Audiophile equipment and notice NO problems with sound at all.
It is clear, clean, crisp, transparent and rich with no "glare" at all.
if it is "well lit", this would suit Beethoven's strings perfectly.
An absolutely stunning performance with a Superb sound stage and sound.
All the other reviewers and the buyers who agree with their assessments (a hundred of them) can't be wrong.
With all due respect, Perhaps Mr. Townsend is listening to this on an Aiwa bookshelf System. Perhaps.
Brahms: The Complete Symphonies / Karajan, Berlin PO
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Karajan- Brahms symphonies
  • Symphonic Heaven
  • A great part of your collection!
  • The greatest Brahms twofer you could imagine
  • Very polished Brahms
Brahms: The Complete Symphonies / Karajan, Berlin PO

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO
  2. Schumann: The 4 Symphonies
  3. Beethoven: 9 Symphonies
  4. Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
  5. Dvorak: 3 Great Symphonies

ASIN: B000007ODY
Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor Op. 68: 1. Un poco sostenuto - Allegro
  2. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor Op. 68: 2. Andante sostenuto
  3. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor Op. 68: 3. Un poco Allegretto e grazioso
  4. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor Op. 68: 4. Adagio - Piu Andante - Allegro non troppo, ma con brio
  5. Symphony No. 3 In F Major op.90: 1. Allegro con brio
  6. Symphony No. 3 In F Major op.90: 2. Andante
  7. Symphony No. 3 In F Major op.90: 3. Poco Allegretto
  8. Symphony No. 3 In F Major op.90: 4. Allegro

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 73: 1. Allegro non troppo
  2. Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 73: 2. Adagio non troppo - L'istesso tempo, ma grazioso
  3. Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 73: 3. Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Andantino) - Presto ma non assai - Tempo l
  4. Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 73: 4. Allegro con spirito
  5. Symphony No. 4 In E Minor Op. 98: 1. Allegro non troppo
  6. Symphony No. 4 In E Minor Op. 98: 2. Andante moderato
  7. Symphony No. 4 In E Minor Op. 98: 3. Allegro giocoso - Poco meno presto - Tempo l
  8. Symphony No. 4 In E Minor Op. 98: 4. Allegro enerico e passionato - Piu Allegro

Amazon.com

These 1977-78 recordings are Karajan's best Brahms--better than his somewhat mannered digital set. The Berlin Philharmonic, as ever, is amazingly smooth and accomplished, playing with great class without losing any power--as an example, just listen to the finale of the second symphony. DG's engineers have turned this always-good recording into something truly magnificent to hear, and, at the price, this is a sure bet. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Karajan- Brahms symphonies.......2007-01-03

No matter who plays, Brahms always satisfies. This edition, however, is superlative! Highly recommend.

5 out of 5 stars Symphonic Heaven.......2005-10-13

Karajan is largely considered the greatest exponent for mainstream symphonic works- Mozart, Brahms, Tchaikovsky Mahler, Dvorak and Bruckner. This collection is a terrific buy and it's affordable. You can't go wrong. Recorded in 1977 and 1978, Karajan delivers all the rich melody, grace, grandeur and musical harmony that Brahms suffused his four symphonies with. The Berlin Philharmonic are trained so that even the strings move with miraculous exactitude. The only other worthy set is Solti's. This one has everything one can hope for in Brahms symphonies.

Karajan was always a champion of his own German music's history. He is still regarded as the first-rate exponent of Wagner and Strauss for example. Brahms, born in Austria, was another composer whose Germanic music Karajan was able to aptly depict through the magic of his baton. The impressive parts of this set include the entire 1st symphony- not reduced to the Beethoven parody some make it out to be. Instead, it holds its own as a work of compelling power. The finale is inspirational. The finale to the second is equally as moving. The 4th symphony is my favorite symphony of the post Beethoven Romantic Era. In this symphony we find a mixture of mysticism, romantic beauty and classical balance. In it we also find, in the last movement, the greatest example of theme and variations, Brahm's strongest suit as a composer. Karajan knows his stuff. You can never go wrong with any of his interpretations, though he, too, has his detractors. His Tchaikovsky tends to be too fiery and melodramatic for example and he was never at home with Italian opera as he was in German. Karajan is brilliant and his Berlin forces electrify. At a cheap price, this is a must have if you call yourself a true classical music fan.

5 out of 5 stars A great part of your collection!.......2005-10-07

This is an easy, afforable way to get all four Brahms symphonies on two great quality cds. Each symphony is recorded with the passion and fire you get from Brahm's music, although I have heard better recordings of the symphonies,I would still buy these cd's for the price.


If I have to say the worst thing about these recordings is the first movement of the third symphony is not what I was expecting ( I was expecting much more on the recording)

5 out of 5 stars The greatest Brahms twofer you could imagine.......2005-09-24

DG's catalog is overflowing with Brahms performances from Karajan, and although this late-Seventies cycle of the four symphonies is not esteemed as highly as his earlier analog recordings, the truth is that Karajan had few real competitors in these works during the postwar era--except himself. He was the greatest Brahms conductor after Walter and Furtwangler, bar none, and these are outstanding performances in every way. The best are the First and Thrid symphonies, two works that Karajan was peerless in.

5 out of 5 stars Very polished Brahms.......2004-08-28

Wonderful performances from the finest of the Brahms conductors...Herbie Karajan. Wonderfully straightfoward performances without the wayward stylings of the 63 set....

That being said the Fourth and First of the 63 set are incredible and deserve to be in any serious Brahms collection ...

sonincally these are very fine readings!!!
Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Performance
  • Great Analog Beethoven Cycle
  • An essential collection
  • The best value in classical music on CD at the moment...
  • Wonderful Performances
Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
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Binding: Audio CD

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  5. EMI Great Recordings of Century - Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4/Klemperer

ASIN: B00004YA0S
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

  1. I: Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
  2. II: Andante Cantabile Con Moto
  3. III: Menuetto & Trio: Allegro Molto E Vivace
  4. IV: Adagio - Allegro Molto E Vivace
  5. I: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
  6. II: Andante Molto Mosso
  7. III: Allegro - In Tempo D'allegro - Tempo I
  8. IV: Allegro
  9. V: Allegretto

Tracks:

  1. I: Allegro Con Brio
  2. II: Marcia Funebre: Adagio Assai
  3. III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro Vivace
  4. IV: Finale: Allegro Molto - Poco Andante - Presto
  5. Gross Fuge

Tracks:

  1. I: Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
  2. II: Larghetto
  3. III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro
  4. IV: Allegro Molto
  5. I: Allegro Con Brio
  6. II: Andante Con Moto - Piu Mosso - Tempo I
  7. III: Allegro -
  8. IV: Allegro - Presto

Tracks:

  1. I: Adagio - Allegro Vivace
  2. II: Adagio
  3. III: Menuetto: Allegro Vivace - Trio: Un Poco Meno Allegro
  4. IV: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
  5. I: Poco Sostenuto - Vivace
  6. II: Allegretto
  7. III: Presto - Assai Meno Presto
  8. IV: Allegro Con Brio

Tracks:

  1. I: Allegro Vivace Con Brio
  2. II: Allegretto Scherzando
  3. III: Tempo Di Menuetto
  4. IV: Allegro Vivace
  5. Overture
  6. Overture
  7. Overture
  8. Overture

Tracks:

  1. I: Allegro Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso - Christa Ludwig
  2. II: Molto Vivace - Presto - Christa Ludwig
  3. III: Adagio Molto E Cantabile - Andante Moderato - Christa Ludwig
  4. IV: Presto - Recitativo - Allegro Assai - Alla Marcia - Christa Ludwig
  5. Overture - Christa Ludwig

Tracks:

  1. I: Allegro Con Brio
  2. II: Largo
  3. III: Rondo: Allegro Scherzando
  4. I: Allegro Con Brio
  5. II: Adagio
  6. III: Rondo: Molto Allegro

Tracks:

  1. I: Allegro Con Brio
  2. II: Largo
  3. III: Rondo: Allegro
  4. I: Allegro Moderato
  5. II: Andante Con Moto
  6. III: Rondo: Vivace

Tracks:

  1. Fantasia For Piano, Chorus And Orchestra
  2. I: Allegro
  3. II: Adagio Un Poco Mosso -
  4. III: Rondo: Allegro

Amazon.com essential recording

Otto Klemperer's Beethoven is one of the towering achievements in the history of recordings. By today's standards, these performances are hopelessly old-fashioned: dark, heavy, and frequently very slow. But they are also the grandest, most unsentimental, most purposeful versions in the catalog. In addition, the relatively slow tempos (only in the fast movements--the slow ones are pretty swift) and forward wind balance permit more detail to be heard than in most original-instrument performances. At budget price and with the entire piano concerto cycle thrown in for good measure, this is greatness incarnate. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Performance.......2007-07-07

There are many different ways to perform Beethoven and each one is valid.
If you like it fast - go to Toscanini or Norrington. If you prefer slow, powerful and majestic, this is your set. Towards the end of his distinguished career, the great Otto Klemperer set down his final views of the performance of these symphonnies. The set is a coherent whole and will give great pleasure for ever. The challenging mix of the young Barenboim and the aged Klemperer worked surprisingly well and thus the concertos may also be recommended. There are odd additional items which add to the pleasure. Finally do not forget to purchase his memorable set of 'Fidelio' to complete your traversal of a great conductor giving great performances of a composer that he loved. Finally the price is ridiculously low and provides quality and quantity at a great price. Thus you should be able to buy the opera set from the savings made!

4 out of 5 stars Great Analog Beethoven Cycle.......2007-05-07

This Klemperer cycle is just one of a dozen or so GREAT analog Beethoven symphony cycles that were recorded during Analog's golden age starting about 1958. These cycles are easily a match for digital and they should still be around for another 1,000 years, if the Lord tarries. These sets include: Karajan (twice, early 60s and late 70s) Bohm, Krips, Jochum, Bruno Walter, Leinsdorf, Rene Leibowitz, Szell, Ormandy, Bernstein, Steinberg, and Solti. This morning I listened to the Klemperer recordings of Beethoven's symphonies 5, 6, & 7. Very enjoyable, I got my Beethoven RDA fix.

Of all these Analog sets, I most enjoy the Leibowitz Spring 1961 cycle with the Royal Philharmonic. I have this cycle on an audiophile early 90s European import Edition Phoenix label special pressing "on extra virgin vinyl." These are by far the best analog symphonic lps I have ever heard from a recording standpoint. BY FAR! And they will rock your house.

You can almost justify Karajan's 4 recorded Beethoven cycles and one video based upon improvements in recording technology. Thru Rhapsody, I have listened to his mid 50s cycle and the orchestra sounds great, but the recording quality is sub par compared to Analog's golden age. So the rational for 4 cycles would be, (1) recent great improvements in recording technology (early 60s), (2) it has been 15 years and he has grown as an artist (late 70s), (3) we now have digital! Let's do one of the first Beethoven digital cycles (80s).

Klemperer is a no-brainer. I do not have to think twice about plopping one of his lps onto my turntable or hitting the play button at Rhapsody. When the music starts, the listening pleasure begins. Don't miss his Bruckner symphony recordings!

5 out of 5 stars An essential collection.......2007-04-25

How best to describe Otto Klemperer's perspective on Beethoven's symphonies: grand, heroic, intense, insightful, stubborn, obstinate, detailed, dramatic, monumental, granitic, deeply emotional, never sentimental. This boxed set of the complete symphonies and concerti embodies all of these elements as stands as one of the great achievements of recorded music.

These performances were recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra at its peak, in the sumptuous acoustics of Kingsway Hall in London and in fine and detailed sound, and mostly in the mid-1950's during one of the brief charmed periods of Klemperer's life. EMI's impresario Walter Legge had made him permanent conductor of the Philharmonia, and when Klemperer embarked on this project in his 70's, he was in relatively good mental and physical health (Klemperer could show symptoms of manic depression and survived many health crises - brain tumor, broken bones, paralysis - which would have stopped most people).

By this time Klemperer had slowed the tempi of the fast movements of the Beethoven symphonies (listen to his early 1950's recordings of the 5th and 6th on Vox to hear by how much). This tendency is more pronounced in these studio recordings than in the live performances which were recorded during that era. The slowness is mostly saved by Klemperer's use of "sprung" rhythms, which keep the slow tempi from feeling laggardly.

Klemperer's earliest recordings in this series - symphonies 3, 5 and 7 - predate stereo and were recorded in excellent monaural sound. He rerecorded all three of these symphonies in stereo, but those recordings were made after he burned himself by falling asleep while smoking in bed. All three performances feature slower tempi than the earlier ones (whether this was the conductor's preference or the result of physical incapacity is open to conjecture). In particular, the rerecorded 7th suffered from lax phrasing, inattentiveness and perverse tempi. That is NOT the version contained in this set: fortunately, EMI had simultaneously recorded the earlier version of the 7th in "experimental" stereo, and it is that earlier version which is released here (and in remarkably good stereo). The versions of the 3rd and 5th are the rerecorded stereo ones.

You will find no finer studio versions of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th or 8th. All are insightful, beautifully detailed and powerful. The 2nd clearly looks forward to the 3rd and not back toward Hayden, the 4th is boisterous and vital, the 6th bucolic and sumptuous (not a quality normally associated with Klemperer), the 7th gains in drama what it loses in swiftness and lightness, and in the 8th in particular we see the conductor's empathy to Beethoven's sense of humor. Klemperer had a deep affinity for the "Eroica", and the rerecorded version here, while slower than the 1955 recording, was dubbed by "High Fidelity"'s Harris Goldsmith (no Klemperer fan, he) as "the best Eroica going slow" and is a monumental masterpiece (the second movement is shattering). The 1st, while leisurely, is a lovingly crafted.

That leaves the 5th and 9th. There is no doubt in my mind that the earlier, mono 5th is superior to the remake in this set. We lose that sense of an inevitable onslaught, especially in the outer movements. And the 9th, while similar in conception to the live versions recorded around the same time (on Testament with the Philharmonia and on Music&Arts with the Concertgebouw), suffers from diffuse sound and occasional lack of focus. I emphasize that these recordings of both symphonies are still head and shoulders above most of the competition; we're talking about different levels of greatness here.

Are there superior Klemperer recordings of these symphonies? Yes; but all are live, and despite the relatively good reprocessed sound, they don't reveal the same level of detail that these studio recordings do. Klemperer was a very different conductor in front of an audience, and there is more vitality and drama in the live versions of the 3rd (Testament, with the Danish Symphony), 6th 7th and 8th (Music&Arts with the Concertgebouw) and the 9th (see above). Music&Arts' set of the complete symphonies, recorded live in Vienna in 1960, is long out of print and had cramped sound with poor detail - a supplement to this set, not a replacement.

As to the piano concerti: they are better than one might expect. Barenboim, although steeped in the Germanic performance tradition, is more naturally aligned with the Furtwangler and Edwin Fischer than with Klemperer. However, the two of them actually work together extremely well and this is a fine, insightful set.

Any complete cycle of Beethoven, symphonies or concerti, will have drawbacks. There will be unevenness in the performances, as there are here. But there are advantages to hearing one musician's perspective on the works, especially when (as here) the performer has depth of understanding, integrity of vision, and a structural understanding of the pieces.

The digital remastering is excellent and the sound barely shows its age. This may not be your only complete set of Beethoven's symphonies, but it should be one of them. And at a price this low, it's a bargain too.

5 out of 5 stars The best value in classical music on CD at the moment..........2007-01-02

What is the best value in classical discs available today ? Who knows, but I defy anyone to beat the EMI compilation of Klemperer' recordings of the complete Beethoven Symphonies, Piano Concertos (with Barenboim), several overtures the Choral Fantasia etc etc. 9 discs for only $44 ( well that was the price I paid). You have got to be kidding... I only had two concerns with buying this. First on the age of the recordings, all more than 40 years old. No worry at all. This is a masterpiece of reconstruction. The sound quality indistinguishable from any modern recording. Secondly , the performances themselves. I had been warned that Klemperer notoriously chose rather slow tempi. Again I needn't have worried. I immediately went to the slow movements of the 2nd piano concerto and the fourth symphony, where many slow tempists have in the past come unstuck. The piano concerto was an absolute revelation. The combination of the youthful Barenboim and the Philharmonia's masterful playing time and gain had me on the edge of my seat. " Yes,go on, well...." Slow it may have been. Boring, never. The same applies in spades to the slow movement of the fourth. Right from the eerie opening, which is yes, very slow indeed, I knew this movement would be a revelation and I can honestly say I have never hear it better played. Follow this with a scherzo bounding in energy and thumping finale and you will never get a better performance of this, one of Beethoven's "lesser" symphonies. And I haven't even got round to the "biggies" yet! The box set looks unattractive and the portrait of Klemperer makes him appear a first class nerd. Pay absolutely no attention to this....

4 out of 5 stars Wonderful Performances.......2006-04-07

I have admittedly not made it through the entire set as of yet, but feel sufficiently blown away by the First Symphony and the Eroica - particularly the second movement of the latter - to weigh in here. With respect to the tempo issue, I must - at least so far - argue in favor of Klemperer's decision to slow things down a bit. I think the effect is, as someone else has observed, a clearer and more visceral experience of Beethoven's composition. It brings out the feeling. The sound comes up a little short on the low end, but it isn't a major distraction. My only problem lies in EMI's inexplicable lack of any discussion of the performances. The notes are bland, dry descriptions of the pieces themselves, with some basic history thrown in. Given the fact that there are probably hundreds of different CDs of Beethoven's symphonies out there, all with similar explanatory notes, it is infuriating that nothing is said about these particular performances. This is in contrast with the EMI Bach set (with Yehudi Menuhin) in which there is a wonderful essay that discusses Menuhin's work in historical context.
Piano Quintet in F Min / Complete String Quartets (1, 2, 3)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Brahms' Bonus Bargan...
  • A very fine digital recording of the quartets
  • Best Recording of the Brahms Piano Quintet & Superb Brahms String Quartets Too
  • Overproduced
  • The Piano Quintet becomes an instant classic--Fleisher is incomparable
Piano Quintet in F Min / Complete String Quartets (1, 2, 3)

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Haydn: Piano Sonatas
  2. Volodos Plays Liszt
  3. Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4
  4. Chopin, Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
  5. Intimate Voices

ASIN: B000MGB3DK
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

  1. Allegro
  2. Romanze: Poco Adagio
  3. Allegro Molto Moderato E Comodo-Un Poco Piu Animato
  4. Allegro
  5. Allegro Non Troppo
  6. Andante Moderato
  7. Quasi Minuetto, Moderato-Allegretto Vivace
  8. Finale: Allegro Non Assai

Tracks:

  1. Vivace
  2. Andante
  3. Agitato (Allegretto Non Troppo)-Trio
  4. Poco Allegretto Con Variazioni-Doppio Movimento
  5. Allegro Non Troppo
  6. Andante, Un Poco Adagio
  7. Scherzo: Allegro-Trio
  8. Finale: Poco Sostenuto-Allegro Non Troppo-Presto, Non Troppo

Amazon.com

This handsome set of Brahms's chamber music features the stunning Emerson Quartet, and in the Piano Quintet, the pianist Leon Fleischer, happily recovered from a very lengthy crippling illness. The Quintet is singingly, lyrically played, with Brahms's long melodies the focal point. It's a beautiful performance, with the Emerson seemingly listening to and following Fleischer. The Quartets are performed with lush tone, with the Op. 51, no. 2, sounding particularly intense, with each dynamic change pointedly underlined. Op. 51's second movement (Romanze) makes the listener wish Brahms had set a text to the music -- it is played with exquisite lyricism. The B-flat major Quartet is vibrant, with the final movement's variations, colored by the viola, so clearly played that one can hear the echoes of the Quartet's first movement. A fine pair of CDs. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Brahms' Bonus Bargan..........2007-07-25

.
What can one say?--for the price of a pack of cigarettes (nearly!), you can now obtain what are probably the finest Brahms' string quartet realizations available.

I find it strange that Brahms' string quartets have never really been "popular." Possibly this popular ambivalence is due to his running away from Beethoven and towards Schoenberg. Anyway, I've always loved them for this reason, and I have long preferred the old Amadeus reading Brahms: The String Quartets/Dvorak: Quartet, Op. 96 for its Schoenbergian razor-sharpness.

Fleisher--sorry for his trouble; glad he's back; definitely NOT the star of this disc. The Quartets are.

By the way, if you want the finest realization of Brahms' Piano Quintet, look no further than Glenn Gould's Glenn Gould Edition: Schumann & Brahms What he does with the inner two movements is absolutely astounding, while taking the whole work as a gestalt: now, that is Art.
.

4 out of 5 stars A very fine digital recording of the quartets.......2007-06-25

Leon Fleisher and the Emerson Quartet had a chance to make a fabulous digital recording of the Brahms F minor Piano Quintet--but they blew it. Instead we get an okay performance that features an overly thoughtful interpretation and frustratingly slow tempos in some spots. This is not an autumnal work, and the attempt by the players to do it that way doesn't work for me. I am not a total fan of the Emerson quartet--I personally prefer the more urgent and less lyrical sound of the Juilliard or Tokyo Quartets. However there is some exceptional playing in the 3 Brahms Quartets. Given the low price and the scarcity of recordings of the Brahms Quartets, I would recommend this 2-disc set.

5 out of 5 stars Best Recording of the Brahms Piano Quintet & Superb Brahms String Quartets Too.......2007-06-21

I have long been a fan of Murray Perahia's great recording of the Brahms Piano Quartet with the Amadeus String Quartet, but now, Deutsche Grammophon has released what ought to be regarded as the definitive recording of this work. The great American pianist Leon Fleischer - who has thankfully recovered the use of his right hand due to some rather intriguing, innovative treatment - leads the Emerson String Quartet in a stunning, quite rhapsodic performance of one of the great works in the Piano Quintet repertoire, and indeed, of chamber music itself. I should add too that "lead" is the correct verb to describe this admirable performance by all five musicians in this truly incandescent recording, which is replete with ample distinguished, lyrical playing from cellist David Finckel and his Emerson String Quartet colleagues (Their playing is truly distinguished, at a technical and interpretative level which is unquestionably at a higher level than the Amadeus String Quartet's.). As for the three Brahms String Quartets, these are inspiring, vibrant performances in their own right, with ample exqusite lyrical playing from all four string players. Recorded over the course of several years in the venerable American Academy of Arts and Letters auditorium in Washington Heights, Manhattan (New York, NY) Deutsche Grammophon's sound engineers have done an exemplary job in capturing with exqusite detail ever note played by these five superb musicians, in an acoustical setting that should be regarded as quite ambiently warm. Needless to say this two-CD set is one of the finest recordings released by both pianist Leon Fleischer and the Emerson String Quartet. Devout fans of these musicians, Johannes Brahms' chamber music, and of great classical chamber music in general, will want to add this fine recording to their collections.

3 out of 5 stars Overproduced.......2007-05-22

I never thought I would apply this adjective to a classical recording, but somehow it perfectly describes the cultured detachment of these performances, especially the Op 51, No. 1 C Minor Quartet. There is not a note out of place, the phrasing is precise and musicianly, the execution of its architecture is flawless, but... the sum of the parts is bloodless.

It's not the recording I would have expected given their full blooded Beethoven cycle. In fact, the Brahms production has more in common with their Mendelssohn cycle than the Beethoven. Their Mendelssohn too, was beautiful, but leaning toward the beauty of a still life. There are other performances, in both the Mendelssohn and the Brahms, that better capture the pathos of the music. Compare Emerson's performance of the C Minor Quartet with that of the Alban Berg Quartet, a superior performance. What the Berg may lack in refinement and polish, only in comparison to the Emerson Quartet, they more than make up for in sheer vitality.

And that's the nub of it. The desire, impetuosity, fear, triumph and pathos is missing -- in short, youthfulness. I just read a review, in the New York Review of Books, of some new translations of Casanova's autobiography and one of his statements reminds me of the Emerson. Casanova wrote that throughout his thirties, his vigor faded. I can't help wondering if the same thing hasn't happened to the Emerson quartet. They are more polished than ever, but the vigor has faded. The sexual rush of the great music is missing.

5 out of 5 stars The Piano Quintet becomes an instant classic--Fleisher is incomparable.......2007-05-09

One could say that this DG 2-CD set is unmissable even before the first track begins. At two-for-one price we get to hear the great Leon Fleisher, miraculously recovered from his decades-long muscle affliciton (thanks to neurology and botox) and now capable of performing Brhams's most difficult works. Fleisher is, along with Rudolf Serkin, the greatest Brahms player among Americans. Here he doesn't disappoint, in a reading of the Piano Quintet that's incredibly moving, full of mastery in every phrase.

At first I was worried that he wouldn't be a match for the strainless stel Emersons, but they adapt their style to his. In every way they are second to Fleisher's lead, and the microphone placement puts his every note front and center. Often that's a drawback, but here it's what I wanted to hear. The interpretation is more relaxed than the great one from Pollini and the Quartetto Italiano and more emotionally free than Gilels with the Amadeus Qt. (NOt to mention that the Emersons show more technical ability and polish than either ensemble.) Fleisher's touch isn't as rapid and scintillating as it was in youth, but he never drags or blurs the notes. He makes each movement one great expanse of song, and in my experience there has never been a performance to equal his. rahms's broad sweeps of lyric beauty simply take off.

Oh yes, and there are three string quartets in addition. I have never warmed to Brahms's quartet writing, much as I love his other chamber music. The Emersons play with their usual amazing unanimity, and they capture Brahms's full-scale romanticism without reserve. This isn't one of their attempts to redo a classic composer in modern style. As in the Quntet, DG's sonics are wonderful, giving us the best string sonority I've heard in a long time. I'll leave it to other reviewers to detail the individual performances here. For me, the glory of this set will always be Fleisher and his amazing autumnal rebirth.
Beethoven Collection: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Complete Recording (Box Set)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Beethoven Collection
  • Amazing!
  • An excellent introduction to beethoven's symphonies.
  • Beethoven Collection
  • Top music!
Beethoven Collection: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Complete Recording (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by BeethovenAll Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
RomanticRomantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000001VVY
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Allegro con brio
  2. Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Andante con motto
  3. Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Scherzo - Allegro
  4. Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Finale - Allegro
  5. Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Adagio - Allegro vivace
  6. Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Adagio
  7. Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Menuetto, Allegro vivace Trio: un poco meno allegro
  8. Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Allegro con brio
  2. Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Marcia funebre. Adagio assai
  3. Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Scherzo-Allegro vivace
  4. Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Finale-Allegro molto
  5. Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegro vivace e con brio
  6. Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegretto scherzando
  7. Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Tempo di menuetto
  8. Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegro vivace

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro ma non troppo
  2. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Andante molto mosso
  3. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
  4. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
  5. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegretto
  6. Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
  7. Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Larghetto
  8. Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Scherzo Allegro
  9. Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Allegro molto

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Poco sostenuto - vivace
  2. Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Allegretto
  3. Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Presto - Assai meno presto
  4. Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Allegro con brio
  5. Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
  6. Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Andante cantabile con moto
  7. Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Menuetto (Allegro molto e vivace)
  8. Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Finale Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso - Beethoven
  2. Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Molto vivace - Beethoven
  3. Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Adagio molto e cantabile - Beethoven
  4. Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Presto - Allegro assai - Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Beethoven Collection.......2007-05-14

I just got this for my brother-in-law as a gift and he loves it!

5 out of 5 stars Amazing!.......2007-01-24

Having Beethoven's Symphonies in one, very affordable, set is heaven! The recordings are clear and crisp. Each symphony is truly a masterpiece from the very soft tones of the woodwinds to the thundering sounds of horns. It is amazing to listen to certain passages of Beethoven and realize the genius and otherworldliness of his talent.

5 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to beethoven's symphonies........2007-01-11

The sound is excellent, and the musicianship and conducting is excellent.

5 out of 5 stars Beethoven Collection.......2006-07-23

Beethoven is my favorite composer. No matter how upset or tired I am, his music calms me down, just like a big, gentle hug.
But the cheap CDs have poor quality. And the good ones are too expensive for me. When I found this collection, with such a good price on Amazon.com, I couldn't believe it. Shortly after I purchased it, I received it. The quality is great. I am enjoying it. Thank you

Hoda

5 out of 5 stars Top music!.......2006-07-19

Everything else you can get over, but classical music like Beethoven is stuff you just can't get sick of. A whole collection of Beethoven's Symphonies for such a small price, Wow!. Classical music is so relaxing and peaceful that you can't go wrong with spending time chillin out to this pure classic. The symphonies are great but after this you've got to go get the sonata's etc and I guarantee you won't be dissapointed!

Think about it, they don't call it classical for nothing.
Chopin: The Complete Nocturnes And Impromptus
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great set, with a couple let-downs.
  • Serious sound issues
  • You must, among others, have this set.
  • Returning the "night" to the night piece
  • Don't know what to make out of it
Chopin: The Complete Nocturnes And Impromptus

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by ChopinAll Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
FantasiesFantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
ImpromptusImpromptus | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
NocturnesNocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Arrau, ClaudioArrau, Claudio | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Chopin: Favorite Piano Works
  2. Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
  3. Beethoven: Favourite Piano Sonatas / Vladimir Ashkenazy
  4. Chopin: Waltzes Nos. 1-14
  5. Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 2

ASIN: B0000041ND
Release Date: 1997-08-12

Tracks:

  1. Nocturnes: No. 1 In B Flat Minor, Op. 9 No. 1
  2. Nocturnes: No. 2 In E Flat, Op. 9 No. 2
  3. Nocturnes: No. 3 In B, Op. 9 No. 3
  4. Nocturnes: No. 4 In F, Op. 15 No. 1
  5. Nocturnes: No. 5 In F Sharp, Op. 15 No. 2
  6. Nocturnes: No. 6 In G Minor, Op. 15 No. 3
  7. Nocturnes: No. 7 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No.1
  8. Nocturnes: No. 8 In D Flat, Op. 27 No. 2
  9. Nocturnes: No. 9 In B, Op. 32 No. 1
  10. Nocturnes: No. 10 In A Flat, Op. 32 No. 2
  11. Nocturnes: No. 11 In G Minor, Op. 37 No. 1
  12. Nocturnes: No. 12 In G, Op. 37 No. 2
  13. Nocturnes: No. 13 In C Minor, Op. 48 No. 1

Tracks:

  1. Nocturnes: No. 14 In F Sharp Minor, Op. 48 No. 2
  2. Nocturnes: No. 15 In F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1
  3. Nocturnes: No. 16 In E Flat, Op. 55 No. 2
  4. Nocturnes: No. 17 In B, Op. 62, No. 1
  5. Nocturnes: No. 18 In E, Op. 62 No. 2
  6. Nocturnes: No. 19 In E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1
  7. Nocturnes: No. 20 In C Sharp Minor, Op. Posth.
  8. Nocturnes: No. 21 In C Minor, Op. Posth.
  9. Impromptus: No. 1 In A Flat Major, Op. 29
  10. Impromptus: No. 2 In F Sharp Major, Op. 36
  11. Impromptus: No. 3 In G Flat Major, Op. 51
  12. Impromptus: No. 4 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 66

Amazon.com

Claudio Arrau considered the Nocturnes among Chopin's deepest, most searching works, rather than mere descriptive mood paintings, and he plays them that way. The same can be said vis-à-vis Arrau's Impromptus, with brooding textures and cosmic breadth that leave the drawing room behind. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Great set, with a couple let-downs........2007-05-31

Having owned the set for about a year now, I'm sorry to be giving it four stars, as Arrau brings something special to almost every one of Chopin's nocturnes. In short, his playing is occasionally labored, but for the most part he does carry melodic lines very well (and has a very natural and satisfying sense of rubato). The recorded sound isn't terrific, and all things considered I'm giving the CD four stars.

I'd like to add that I don't understand some other reviewer's complaints about heavy breathing or extraneous noises, as on my high-end speaker system I hear nothing out of the ordinary.

3 out of 5 stars Serious sound issues.......2007-05-16

Most other reviewers here are, thankfully, much better qualified to review Mr Arrau's talents and interpretative strategies than I. However, what no one has mentioned up here (to my knowledge anyway) is the abysmal static issue on both discs. Almost every ten seconds a static wave obtrudes itself onto the sound--you can anticipate it and you will cringe every time you hear it (at least I did). It makes Chopin's beautiful numbers unbearable at parts, for Chopin relies so much on a pure and clear atmosphere of pensive motion--and this cannot be maintained on discs encumbered with such noxious static. Stand warned.

5 out of 5 stars You must, among others, have this set........2006-11-24

Arrau's playing is unique, a throwback to the age of the romantic virtuoso of a century long gone. This set is rightfully famous, and is, with the 60's collection by Rubinstien and the 90's set by Pires, the three I have always most loved and recommended, though each is very different in its approach. Of the three, Rubinstein's is the most faithful to the "letter" of Chopin's score, but even then, Rubinstein's indomitable personality shines through. Pires takes some liberties with speed and dynamics-- so she rests nominally in the middle.

Then there is Claudio Arrau, and I agree with another reviewer that the pianist indeed treats each note as if matters. Does he dwell too much, slide into notes, take different dynamic turns, play with a rubato just this side of Paderewski or Busoni, and bathe the music in pedal at times?--yes, all of that. But let's face it, there is no "right" Chopin, and no recorded collection that is the be-all--because if so, it would sell Chopin's genius far short of its due. I and others choose to listen to all the above sets on their own terms and love all of them-- likewise the Cortot, and available selections of Horowitz, Godowsky, Friedman, Hofmann, etc. (Not to mention more recent, sublime interpretations in the concert hall by Tzimon Barto.) In any event, this 70's Arrau set holds its own,in its own way, with any and all of the above.

For years, this was the set I listened to on LP, both at home and transferred to cassette to play in the car. Rubinstein's later became a favorite for me, finally Pires's. For purposes of sound, either of the latter two are preferable, but sound is definitely a secondary issue. Regarding that, I must say that the CD remastering of the Arrau has heightened not only the breathing issues, but also the too-close miking of the keyboard, so that, especially in one channel of the stereo mix, the sound the piano mechanism itself is often heard. That's close miking, too close really, but so what. I can live with it and with Arrau's exchange of breath for the individual quality of his music.

In summary, this set should be in every collection, but so should the others, and perhaps three or four more that could be mentioned-- Cortot, perhaps Ashkenazy and Zimmerman too. Why so many? These pieces are part of the bedrock of romantic pianism, and far deeper in intellectual and spiritual intent than they are often credited with. On that, I agree with Arrau, that Chopin starts here, and should, after a wide foray, also finish here.

5 out of 5 stars Returning the "night" to the night piece.......2006-09-10

Arrau's playing of the Chopin nocturnes emphasizes the extent to which these wonderfully well-crafted works belong to the realm of the night in all its Romantic mystery and, especially, longing (what an odd-seeming word for the 21st century!). Despite what some have claimed, his exquisite rubato is always musically justified and recalls Chopin's pupil Mikuli's comment that "Chopin's rubato possessed an unshakeable emotional logic. It always justified itself by a strengthening or weakening melodic line, by exaggeration or affectation." Always observing a fine cantilena, Arrau repeatedly works wonders in these marvellous pieces, making each into its own unique little self-contained variegated musical universe. In doing so, he fully realizes Liszt's apt depiction of Chopin as "a divine aristocrat, a feminine archangel with prismatic wings!"

3 out of 5 stars Don't know what to make out of it.......2006-06-07

I've always had mixed feelings about Arrau's playing. While at times it can be indescribably beautiful and revealing, which is often the case with his sublime, if controversial, interpretations of Liszt, Arrau nonetheless seems to lack the necessary technique (I don't think that's the case) or the proper understanding to play certain works. Even though his uncanny ability to grasp the spirit of each composer whose music he plays is widely stressed, I think he's not that respectful of Chopin's music on this record - he does turn it into something else. To be sure, Chopin's works are obviously open to various interpretations and it would be risky to finger such or such pianist as having reached the 'true', 'real' Chopin - no one knows exactly what Chopin sounded like and the best we can do here is guessing - but this openness can't be understood as meaning that anything goes, that one interpretation is as good as the other, that there are no bounds or limits to interpretation. Here I think Arrau overasserts himself at the expense of what we know about Chopin's musical identity, as it were, though we can surely be proven wrong in the future. Who knows?
Bach - The Complete Brandenburg Concertos / Pearlman, Boston Baroque
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • nobody tops Boston Baroque
  • posthorn problems
  • He was a german baroque father
  • A Great Set
  • Great Pair of CDs
Bach - The Complete Brandenburg Concertos / Pearlman, Boston Baroque
Johann Sebastian Bach , Martin Pearlman , Boston Baroque , Christopher Krueger , Marc Schachman , Daniel Stepner , and Friedemann Immer
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  5. Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35-41

ASIN: B000003D1F
Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

  1. I. (Allegro)
  2. II. Adagio
  3. III. Allegro
  4. IV. Menuetto; Trio; Polonaise; Trio
  5. I. (Allegro)
  6. II. Andante
  7. III. Allegro Assai
  8. I. (Allegro)
  9. II. Adagio
  10. III. Allegro

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro
  2. II. Andante
  3. III. Presto
  4. I. Allegro
  5. II. Affettuoso
  6. III. Allegro
  7. I. (Allegro)
  8. II. Adagio Ma Non Tanto
  9. III. Allegro

Amazon.com

Boston Baroque and Martin Pearlman recorded a splendid set of the Brandenburg Concertos on period instruments in 1993 and 1994. Made entirely in the US, these snappy, crisply articulated, and fluent performances rely heavily on the talents of violinist Daniel Stepner (who doubles as one of the two solo violists in Concerto No. 6). Among the highlights are the joyous finale to Concerto No. 4 and the superb cembalo cadenza in No. 5, played by Pearlman. Along with outstanding sound, there's a winning sense of freshness and discovery in these performances. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars nobody tops Boston Baroque.......2007-05-12

I am just knocked out by Boston Baroque's performances and the technical perfection of their recordings. This music is still very much alive in these good hands. If you like Bach and you have a decent sound system, you'll play this one for your friends.

4 out of 5 stars posthorn problems.......2006-09-29

the telarc recording is full and detailed as would be expected, but the posthorn player botches a lot of lines, or at least plays them with totally hamfisted phrasing. of course it's probably tough on an older instrument but the end result is that it distracted me from what was probably an otherwise excellent recording.

5 out of 5 stars He was a german baroque father.......2005-03-18

He wrote this piece in Köthen 24.3.1721 near the capital Berlin. this work was dedicated to Count Christian Von Brandenburg.
The six Concertos are bizarre dimension from Bach. Because the concertos 1, 3, 5 are dance-menuett sätze. The concertos 2, 4, 6 are fugue forms. The concerto 5 is very special because the Cemballo/Hapsichord was represented or played in a solo instrument. this might be the oldest piano concert in the music history.

PS: this CD is only dedicated to the intelligent music listeners! not to the crappy fans who love Britney Spears or Tina Alquiera.....

5 out of 5 stars A Great Set.......2005-03-17

These are the best versions of the Brandenburgs I have heard. The tempos are quick, as baroque tempos should be, the music sounds light, as baroque music should, and the period instruments make the recording all the more "authentic." I even recommend this over Pinnock and the English Concert's version. Sound quality is very good. Highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars Great Pair of CDs.......2004-07-14

I don't know much about classical music, but I must say that these CD's are great. I love the music and the production quality is perfect. I've heard the same pieces preformed by other groups and these CD's always sound far better to me.

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