Piano Artistry

On this CD:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1, for piano & orchestra (or 2 pianos) in B flat minor, Op. 23
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Halle Orchestra with Solomon Trio
Conducted by Hamilton Harty

2. Polonaise for piano in A flat major, Op. 53, CT 155
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Solomon Trio

3. Etude for piano in A flat major, Op. 25/1, CT 26
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Solomon Trio

4. Fantasy for piano in F minor/A flat major, Op. 49, CT 42
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Solomon Trio

5. Etude for piano in F major, Op. 10/8, CT 21
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Solomon Trio

6. Etude for piano in F major, Op. 25/3, CT 28
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Solomon Trio

7. Polonaise for piano in A major, Op. 40/1, CT 152
Composed by Fryderyk Chopin
Performed by Solomon Trio

8. Hungarian Rhapsody (Rákóczi-Marsch III), for piano No. 15 in A minor, S. 244/15 (LW A132/15)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Solomon Trio

9. La Leggierezza, for piano in F minor (Grandes études de concert No. 2) , S. 144/2 (LW A118/2)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Solomon Trio

10. Au bord d'une source (II & III), for piano (Années I/4), S. 160/4 & S. 160/4bis (LW A159/4)
Composed by Franz Liszt
Performed by Solomon Trio

Tracks:

Prelude For Lute
Fugue From Violin Sonata No. 1
Prelude From Cello Suite No. 1
Courante From Cello Suite No. 3
Chaconne From Violin Partita No. 2
Saltarello: Two Renaissance Pieces For Lute
Preludio
Scherzino From Cavatina
Danza Pomposa From Cavatina
Estudio No. 3 In A Major
Melancolia
Andante Cantabile
Cuna
Gymnopedie No. 1
Gymnopedie No. 2
Gymnopedie No. 3
The Girl With The Flaxen Hair
Pastourelle
Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty
Empress Of The Pagaodas
Afro - Cuban Lullaby

Customer Reviews:

Such a magnificent touch on the fretboard........2006-10-12

Parkening has such a sensitive touch. He can make the softest song come alive into a world of its own with simple picking techniques. Or, on faster pieces, his brilliant interpretation and dexterity are truly amazing. You'll experience a wide range of emotions when listening to this CD, and you'll be in awe of Parkening's mastery of the classical guitar.

great playing.......2005-09-17

this is one of the best recordings on any instrument. Parkening is a truly great artist.

Bach at its best.......2003-04-24

The best part of this CD is the Bach recordings. I could listen to the Fugue from Violin Sonata No. 1 over and over without let up--it's astounding. The Chaconne is one of the best recordings of that most exalted work by Bach. The main reason I didn't give this CD a 5-star rating are the non-Bach selections, which although played brilliantly, are not among my favorite compositions. The exceptions are the charming Renaissance pieces for lute and the impressively transcribed and skillfully performed "Empress of the Pagodas." To be sure, there are some beautiful and dazzling passages within many of the other pieces, which makes this CD definitely worth it. However, the best Parkening release is "The Great Recordings," which is a double-CD set with a greater variety of music and includes the Fugue and a few other recordings from this CD.

An Instant Classic in the Segovia Tradition.......2000-02-18

Christopher Parkening's work has always been nothing less than stellar. This particular collection of works is drawn from four previous releases (and also includes unreleased recordings), and is exemplary of his artistry and talent. The recordings are as crisp and clear as the day they were set down on tape. His expression and tone are without comparison. The selection of works on this particular CD show his ability to perform classics in the broadest range imaginable, and does so with ease.

The liner notes give great detail on each piece, including a brief history on Parkening himself. If nothing else, this brings the listener even closer to the performer, something I find rare in the classical music genre.

I once attended a concert given by local artists in a small church in Germany many years ago, and whenever I listen to this CD, it brings to mind memories of that afternoon. Parkening makes you feel as though you are in the room with him, listening in awe; you are never aware that he is playing in a studio at all.

Overall, this is a great example of one of the world's greatest classical guitarists (he's number one on my list).

An indispensible CD to any music collection.......1999-08-26

This cd is a fine collection of some of the works released on Parkening's first four recordings, "In The Classic Style", "In The Spanish Style", "Romanza", and "Parkening And The Guitar". The music itself spans more than three centuries and effectivly demonstrates what the guitar is capable of in the hands of a great master. The disc begins with some of the better known transcriptions of Bach,and then moves on to some rarly heared guitar transcriptions of Mompou, Satie, Poulenc and Ravel. The entire album is wounderfully played, technically flawless and very expressive. As always Parkening plays with a beautiflly warm tone and a poetry reminiscent of Segovia's playing. I give this cd my highest recomendation.

Average customer rating:

The Artistry of Nelson Eddy
Artistry of Nelson Eddy
A Nelson Eddy Tour de Force: Magnificence here on earth
For those who are already fans of N.E. only.
A Surefire Way To Turn A Bad Day Into A Good One!

The Artistry of Nelson Eddy

Manufacturer: Legacy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Through the Years
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The Old Refrain
When I'm Calling You
Ah Sweet Mystery of Life: Anthology (1931-1938)

ASIN: B000002NRY
Release Date: 1994-07-18

Tracks:

Tchaikovsky's Pno Con in b flat (Tonight We Love)
Ravel's Pavanne (The Lamp Is Low)
Debussy's Reverie (My Reverie)
Chopin's Polonaise ('Til The End Of Time)
Grieg's Wedding Day (Strange Music)
Rachmoninoff's Pno Con No. 2 (Full Moon And Empty Arms)
Tchaikovsky's 6th Sym (Story Of A Starry Night)
Drigo's Serenade (Love Serenade)
Borodin's Prince Igor (Stranger In Paradise)
Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 4 (As The Years Go By)
Rubenstein's Romance (If You Are But A Dream)
Ananymous (Alone Together)

Customer Reviews:

The Artistry of Nelson Eddy.......2006-11-04

Nelson Eddy's flawless singing and diction, with a modern orchestral accompaniment, make The Artistry of Nelson Eddy a romantic, sophisticated musical experience.

Artistry of Nelson Eddy.......2006-08-22

Contemporary music which is sung well but voice not as expected of Nelson Eddy. The true baritone of his voice missing. This may be the recording but CD received in good condition.

A Nelson Eddy Tour de Force: Magnificence here on earth.......2006-03-17

I have most of the movies of Nelson Eddy. Together with Jeanette MacDonald, this team produced some of the most romantic movie-operattas ever made. But the sound quality of those movies pale in comparison to the magnificence of this production.
Nelson Eddy has never sounded better, aided (1994) by more modern recording techniques, the quality here (even with a disclaimer) is beyond belief. He has got to be one of the premier baritones of all time. Singing Popular tunes adapted from classical themes, he may be without peer. I have a CD of the young Sinatra singing "Full Moon and Empty Arms" to Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. He is not in the same universe with Eddy, whose crisp diction, timbre, fullness, perfect pitch, and passion ~ YES! PASSION! ~ must be heard (hopefully on on quality audio) to be fully appreciated. This is AWESOME. Maybe the best it gets here on earth. This is a wholly magnificent CD if you appreciate really good music, a fantastic baritone, and have a romantic bone in your body. I am astounded. Until today, I had no idea that Nelson Eddy was this good. This CD proves he was.

For those who are already fans of N.E. only........2003-12-22

Nelson Eddy made these recordings when he was about 60 years old and it shows. He retained an excellent voice for a very long time, allowing him to perform successfully until the day he died. However, this particular recording seems to emphasize vocal decline, in terms of control and range. The problem may be that the songs presented here are mostly VERY GREAT classical orchestral pieces, to which are sung pop lyrics. In my opinion, most (but not all) of the lyrics to these songs are not worthy of their music and are incongruous. The last number, "Alone Together", an excellent Schwartz/Dietz song (which seems out of place with Rachmaninov and Ravel,) is actually a duet with Nelson's partner, Gale Sherwood. It was recorded a couple of years later than the other songs on this album, and is given a bossa nova background that in this mix, practically drowns out the singers! As to the overall sound quality, there are some light snaps and pops as on a record, but the music is loud and clear. I do not mean to discourage Nelson Eddy fans from buying this album. I think you need this album. I own this album. Buy this album, and encourage the release of more albums and radio recordings by Nelson Eddy. What I do mean to say, is that "The Artistry of Nelson Eddy" is not the best introduction to the artistry of Nelson Eddy. His recordings from the 30's, 40's or even 50's are a better purchase for the beginner. Once you love Nelson Eddy, then pick up this album.

A Surefire Way To Turn A Bad Day Into A Good One!.......2003-04-12

The music on this CD is so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it. It proves that the music of Nelson Eddy is simply timeless. I have always loved his voice, but these arrangements bring out the very best of it. It is highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Elly Ameling now more available
Delight in every note
While they last...
Treasures From a Treasure
More than fully earned praise for an exceptional singer.

Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll)
Elly Ameling
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Ave Maria--Lieder

ASIN: B00007KMSJ
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Matthaus-Passion
Johannes-Passion
Weihnachts-Oratorium
Juditha Triumphans
Messiah
Crudel Tiranno Amor
Die Schopfung
Orlando Paladino
7 Lieder
Le Nozze Di Figaro
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11 Lieder
20 Morike-Lieder

Customer Reviews:

Elly Ameling now more available .......2007-03-07

I had a 33 rpm album of Elly Ameling singing Schubert lieder accompanied by piano and clarinet at times. It was one of my all time favorite albums so I have been disappointed that I have not been able to find it anywhere on CD.

Now I can just buy this excellent collection. So much music in one place! Since I confess that I am far from an expert on the rest of her records, I look forward to hearing her sing many other styles and composers.

I think it is silly to criticize her for not singing Wagner, for example, since her version of many songs, especially lieder, are nothing short of sublime. I would like to hear how many Wagnerians sing Schubert or Mozart.

I doubt if they could approach the skill and soul with which Elly Ameling sings lieder.

Delight in every note.......2006-03-10

To speak as briefly as possible about this superb collection from an equally superb singer, what can I say but that Ms Ameling possessed a voice that shone with radiant warmth and star-like shimmer? And unlike many another light lyric soprano, Elly Ameling was possessed of a very high standard of musicianship, considerable intelligence, and a sort of immediate charm that captivates the listener.

So many of her recordings have still to be released on CD, but this 5CD-set goes some way towards remedying the situation. The repertoire spans a wide variety - French mèlodies, Lieder, light-hearted "sentimental" songs, Bach, etc. - and in each piece, Ms Ameling shows that quality of pearl-like beauty. It is a beauty which is also extremely pretty - a beauty of voice that is never overbearing and over-ripe, but perfectly blossoming upon the tree of inspiration.

I recommend this set unequivocally. It truly is sheer delight.

While they last..........2005-05-17

Elly Ameling held the quiet stage for recitals of great artistry and dignity for several decades and sadly most of the enormously successful CDs of her long career output are now unavailable. For those who have little access to the documentation of this very special artist, this box set is a must. It is a compilation of many of her recordings with differing accompanists, conductors, orchestras and composers. And while not all of the choices for inclusion here would be considered her greatest moments, there are enough works that sustain the warm memories of the little Dutch hausfrau who quietly and simply paid homage to composers with her clear and intelligent musicianship and radiant voice.

Ameling was known to schedule recitals of Schubert cycles and songs and in the afterglow of her performance answer the demand for curtain calls with additional Schubert melodies: she gifted her audience with the dignity of honoring a composer's works by maintaining the focus on that composer rather than milk the audience with the usual encore applause-getting favorites. And special moments such as quietly and pensively strolling through the orchestra during the Mahler 4th symphony to arrive at front stage, unapplauded, just in time for the opening line of her singing - those simple homage to composers and collaborators made her selfless manner endearing to audiences.

Despite the fact that Ameling's voice was on the small side she was always able to muster the projection to carry her message solidly in context with an orchestra. Yes, other more famous singers have recorded Ravel's quintessentially French SHEHERAZADE, but few have the perfection of diction and aura of mystery that Ameling maintained. Whether singing with piano or orchestra, or interpreting Bach, Mozart, Handel, and Vivaldi with the same degree of involvement as Brahms and Schumann and Schubert, Elly Ameling spanned a career that engendered passionate commitment from her fans. And this boxed set is a pocket full of memories to be treasured. Buy it before this too becomes unavailable. Grady Harp, May 05

Treasures From a Treasure.......2004-09-25

Treasures from a Treasure.

Ameling, one of the world's most beloved recitalists is captured here in a 5 CD collection offering some of her most beautiful recordings of song. While we are used to her perfection in songs of Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Faure and Hahn, an added joy is her "pop" side, tackling - without a whiff of pretension, Porter, Kern, Gershwin, Ellington, et al.

What an absolute joy it is listening to this amazing artist sing these songs with an almost uncanny natural ease. There is no resorting to a "pop" voice and yet most of these pop standards songs sound as though they could have been written for her. Clean attacks, sometimes a bit of the pop technique of hanging on to a consonant longer than a classical artist normally would shows an appreciation and understanding of the style. Still, there is never once a compromise of her vocal beauty.

I like the way the songs have been arranged for her voice in that she sort of sings them clean, unaffected in the first half and then lets loose and kinda "swings" with it adding embellishments but never really changing her voice (Price, von Stade and other favorite singers of mine seem to have always added a breathy quality to much of their crossover material.)

Ameling doesn't resort to trying to "let her hair down" or get down and dirty, but rather the honest with which she approaches every one of these songs shows how much she enjoys singing them and her style is as refreshing as stumbling onto a cool spring on a sweltering summer's afternoon. A wonderful surprise.

More than fully earned praise for an exceptional singer........2003-07-15

As I had the privilige of hearing this outstanding Lied-singer during her long career in Holland and being the proud possessor of almost all her recordings, I cannot but fully agree with the professional and joyful review of Mr. Robert Holliston from Victoria, B.C. Canada.
Yes, it is unbelievable that of about the 150 recordings Mrs. Ameling made during her long career (for the greater part of course on the 'oldfashioned' LP's, as well as the innumerable Dutch live-recorded radio-concerts), so few CD's have been released.
Speaking of tradition: it was the page-turner of the Wigmore Hall in London who told Mrs. Ameling after her first recital in this hall, that she reminded him of Elisabeth Schumann. (And he certainly didn't mean her looks only!)
For those who are eager to hear her singing Ravel's Shéhérazade (just one example of stirring imagination combined with her Art of Singing) I can tell you that Philips released a 2-box CD of this work in 1999, combined with Debussy's La Damoiselle élue and a compilation of French mélodies, i.e. Debussy, Fauré, Duparc, Satie. One of the gems is Caplet's Le Corbeau et le Renard which even make children, who know the fables of La Fontaine, revel in the singing of the quarrelsome birds....
Her brilliant accompanyist is Rudolf Jansen. Let us cherish great artists in their art!

The Blues Piano Artistry of Meade Lux Lewis

Average customer rating:

blues piano artistry, indeed

The Blues Piano Artistry of Meade Lux Lewis
Meade Lux Lewis
Manufacturer: Ojc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Piano | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000000Z6Z
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Hammer Chatter
You Were Meant For Me
Celeste Bounce
Bear Trap Stomp
Frompy Stomp
Rough Seas
Madame Vod's Celeste Blues
C-Jam Blues
Fate
Breezing At The Celeste

Customer Reviews:

blues piano artistry, indeed.......2004-02-12

In 1961, the great Meade 'Lux' Lewis entered the studio with producer Chris Albertson to record this masterpiece of blues and boogie woogie piano. It's nothing short of a true wonder to hear Lewis on a grand piano, with superb sound quality, tickling and pounding the keys, playing strikingly modern-sounding music. For some strange reason, Lewis was considered something of a has-been at the time, but now, almost 43 years later, the music sounds as if it was recorded only yesterday. The grooves never quit, and harmonically, Lewis pulls a few amazing stunts. He also plays the celeste on three tracks, which has often been sneered at by critics, but the music-box effect is surprisingly beautiful, and somehow it all fits in very nicely. If you only want to buy one blues piano cd in your lifetime, this one is not at all a bad choice.

Bella: The Incomparable Artistry of Angel Romero

Average customer rating:

Angel Romero is Aptly Named
Beautiful !!
Incomparable indeed!

Bella: The Incomparable Artistry of Angel Romero

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005R5ZF
Release Date: 2001-11-13

Tracks:

Yradier: La Paloma
Massenet: Meditation from Thais
Barry: Theme from "Somewhere In Time"
Romero: Tango Angelita
Debussy: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
Cordero: The Question
Schumann: Of Foreign Lands & Peoples
Schumann: Traumerei
Chopin: Waltz, Op. 34 No. 2
Chopin: Nocturne, Op. 9 No. 2
Beethoven: Adagio from "Moonlight" Sonata
Beethoven: Adagio from "Pathetique" Sonata
Bach: Air on the G String
Ravel: Pavane for a Dead Princess
Converse: A Prayer

Customer Reviews:

Angel Romero is Aptly Named.......2006-12-27

Before my father died in November, he told me about the Romeros and how much he had loved listening to them on a PBS special a few years ago and how their guitar playing never left his heart. He said that they were a national treasure in Spain and that he had tried to find their CDs for years but couldn't find them. I found the CDs here at Amazon ten minutes later. He died before the CDs arrived, but I sat down with a bottle of claret and listened to them-- this is one of my favourites that I ordered. On here, Angel's music brought me to tears and then to my knees as I listened to him strum Beetoven's Adagio from Moonlight Sonata. To me, classical music is more lovely on guitar than it is on piano, probably because my father loved it and passed on his love, but it's also more relaxing. Guitar music becomes a seduction under Angel's mastery. Look at his CD picture-- Angel is a stud, a cabellero if there ever was one. His passion is conveyed through his music.

We played this CD and several others by the Romeros at my father's funeral and people stopped and paused and listened and smiled and commented on how lovely the music was. It's soothing without putting the listener to sleep. I had never appreciated classical music before and this CD has made me take a few lessons on guitar so I can understand it better and appeciate the artistry more.

Beautiful !!.......2005-12-19

I have many CDs of other classical guitarists like John William, Julian Bream, David Russel etc. I decided to try out Angel Romero's "Bella" and was simply awe struck. Every single track is exquisitely interpreted and played with such musicianship seldom found elsewhere. His phrasing and the tone of his sound is amazing. He uses a Daniel Friedrich guitar in this recording and the sound quality is top notch. This collection is dedicated to his parents and contains some of the most relaxing and beautiful guitar music you can find. The only reason why i gave four instead of five stars is because i was hoping for some fast tracks in the CD but other than that you will not regret it! Enjoy!

Incomparable indeed!.......2002-07-12

For those of you who know Angel Romero and his family, this is a confirmation of their undebatable status as the first family of Spanish guitar. For those of you who do not, this is a good introduction to the best form of art of its kind.

Average customer rating:

Reflections of Faerie
music for the soul
Wonderful CD! A beautiful weave of music and faeries.

Reflections of Faerie
Gary Stadler
Manufacturer: Sequoia Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000ALFY2
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

Spinneee
Lullaby
Heartsong
Winged Ones
Elphame
Echo
Whispers
Reflections
Fae's Kiss

Album Description

Gary Stadler returns after completing his highly acclaimed Fairy-Trilogy, with new music that radiantly sparkles with enchantment, revealing the essence of his evocative musical style. On this new release,Gary places the focus on the purity of his beautiful piano sound, He artfully combines that with other acoustic instruments such as classical guitar, cello, vocal choirs as well as the lovely Harp artistry of Lisa Lynne. The result is another understated masterpiece of dreamy Celtic-influenced magic. It is no wonder Gary's music has generated a dedicated base of fans; there is a simple beauty in his music, which comforts the heart and stirs the soul.

Customer Reviews:

Reflections of Faerie.......2006-03-03

This is my favorite CD of all time. Every friend I share it with immediately asks the title and where to find it. It takes you immediately on a personal journey into yourself -- be careful not to get lost and not come back.

music for the soul.......2005-01-25

This music permeates my mood and creates a peaceful lovely place in my soul. Would recommend to anyone who likes soothing beautiful strains.

Wonderful CD! A beautiful weave of music and faeries........2004-05-30

Gary Stadler has created another amazing album. Reflections of Faerie, is beautiful. I have every CD of Gary's and I love each of them, including this one. On this album, Gary has brought in almost all acoustic instruments. To my ear each song has an energy of sound waves that lightens the weight on my shoulders. I feel I'm able to distance myself and take a draw from the magical composition, beginning with the alluring song, Spinneee. The music on this album feels much like a reflection in sonic form. I love each song. I feel Gary has the blessing from the faeries, he has a true gift. If I could I would give Reflection of Faerie ten stars.

Average customer rating:

first impression: great bass solo
lyric piano, with a bit too much bass
Another stellar outing from Alan Broadbent . . .

'Round Midnight
Alan Broadbent
Manufacturer: Artistry Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000AY9OJ4
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

Groovin' High
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Lament
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I'm Old Fashioned
'Round Midnight
The Man I Love

Album Description

2006 GRAMMY NOMINEE!! Two-time Grammy winner Alan Broadbent continues to display his melodic touch on the beautifully recorded "Round Midnight." Known for his legendary playing with Woody Herman, Irene Kral, Chet Baker, Charlie Haden and countless others, Broadbent has recently been called upon by Linda Ronstadt, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, and Michael Feinstein for his piano, arranging and conducting skills. "Round Midnight" is the perfect follow-up to Broadbent's Grammy nominated 2004 release "You and the Night and the Music

Customer Reviews:

first impression: great bass solo.......2006-03-04

Heard the title track on the car radio and was hooked. Most of the time I can not hear bass solos in my car, but this one comes thru. I must admit that I am writing mostly in reaction to the other Amazon customer reviews. Histrionics?! Moldy figs! Too much bass?! Yes, compared to our old Prestige recordings. BAH! Great job guys, keep them coming. PS Now that I have my own copy, I think it plays very nicely at home too.

lyric piano, with a bit too much bass.......2005-12-14

The late Bill Evans had a few bass players in his various groups who pushed back so loud they sounded like they were the soloist, always trying to have virtuouso shootouts with the pianist. distracting. From what other reviewers have said, I expected this here.

This is a fine album, but I agree that there is too much bass here. Brian Bromberg, (whose "Wood" album is a new jazz classic not to be missed), isn't so much histrionic and show-offy as the bass is just mixed poorly. The bass is too loud in the mix, often louder than the piano and this distracts the listener from Boardbents lyrical piano. (maybe the producer could remix, just turn Broadbent up and Bromberg down!)

As in his previous album Alan Broadbent rolls out the fastest most articulate arpeggios, trills and grace notes since Jazz master Al Haig. And like Haig, they are at blazing speeds but in perfect meter. Great versions of the old standards.

If your stereo has a tone control (mine doesn't) maybe you can make a better album by turning down the bass! All is pleasant listenable swing. Approaches the level set by Broadbent's last, "You and the Night and the Music", I think, but it grows on you with repeated listening. All in all it's one of the better Jazz album's in a meagre year. I especially like the variations on the often done title track, the perky take on Charlie Parker's "High Groovin'" and his rhapsodic version of Leroy Anderson's "Serenade" .

Three to four stars in my tough grading system = B- for an album great when Broadbent is playing, graded down for Bromberg's distractions.

Another stellar outing from Alan Broadbent . . ........2005-11-06

. . . falling perhaps just short of You and the Night and the Music on account of producer and double bassist Brian Bromberg's histrionics. As much as I liked him on that previous disc, I believe he's gone just a little over the top on this one. This may merely be a case of de gustibus non disputandum est, but I don't think so.

Don't get me wrong; the man is a killer player; it's just that he seems more concerned with displaying his chops (not inconsiderable, it must be admitted) than fitting into a cohesive and dialogic group concept. Not that he can't do the latter; it just seems as if he gets bored or something and is always looking for an excuse to cut loose with some technically brilliant if not entirely apposite bass blasts. Moreover, he evidences a (not nowadays uncommon) propensity for his instrument's upper register when soloing, which will undoubtedly earn him accolades from either the uninformed or those mesmerized by such grandstanding, again emphasizing his chops and dexterity at the expense of spinning out lines that advance conversation. That said, it must be admitted that he is actually a very gifted musician, often supplying brilliantly imaginative statements and compelling conversation in a group setting. Still, if one encountered this session in a blindfold test, one might easily mistakenly think the disc is Bromberg's, not Broadbent's

Drummer Joe Labarbera, on the other hand, operates out of an almost opposite approach to Bromberg's: he's positively restrained on his instrument, and his solo statements are exercises in taste without sacrificing innovation. Where one might wish Bromberg to back off slightly, one might like to see a little more expressivism from Labarbera.

How such a pair can operate successfully, even brilliantly, as a rhythm section is a mystery, solved, perhaps, because the leader splits the difference between the two: He's got the chops of Bromberg and the taste of Labarbera, bringing these together so that the whole is infinitely greater than the sum of its parts. And that is the real genius of Alan Broadbent. He can be tasteful and expressivistic, restrained and loquacious, always displaying his ridiculous chops appositely, sans unnecessary and unseemly virtuosity. There may be more dexterous players (Jean-Michel Pilc) more tasteful players (Kenny Barron?) more chops-heavy players (Vijay Iyer, Eldar) more purely virtuoso players (Jacky Terrasson) more inventive players (Brad Mehldau) more idiosyncratically brilliant players (Frank Kimbrough, Omar Sosa) more percussive players (Iyer again, McCoy Tyner) more ravishingly romantic players (Keith Jarrett) but no one who combines elements of all these approaches as profoundly and effectively. Besides, I'm not sure if there's a better interpreter of standards alive, pace Keith Jarrett and Bill Charlap.

So even if there's perhaps a little too much of Bromberg on this disc, it nevertheless contains a very high level of conversation, entirely worth hearing and certainly worth acquiring by anyone who loves modern jazz piano of the first water. Warmly recommended.

Excellence: The Artistry of Karita Mattila

Average customer rating:

Soaring Lyric Soprano at Her Best in Diverse Compilation

Excellence: The Artistry of Karita Mattila

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Wild Rose
The Very Best of Lucia Popp

ASIN: B0002MPQKK
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Dedication
The Nut Tree
You Are Like A Flower
My Love Is In Bloom
Vain Serenade
The Path To The Beloved
When The Sun Shines
Miriam's Song I
Miriam's Song II
Morning Song
Autumn Mood
To Evening
Did I Just Dream?
The First Kiss
The Tryst
Black Roses
Hail Mary
Song To The Moon
Return, Victorious!
I Have Live For Art
Csardas
Somewhere
I Could Have Danced All Night

Customer Reviews:

Soaring Lyric Soprano at Her Best in Diverse Compilation.......2005-05-08

I was fortunate enough to see the magnificent soprano Karita Mattila perform the title role in Janácek's "Kát'a Kabanová" at the Metropolitan Opera last December. A striking blonde and a charismatic presence onstage, she lifted me from my upper balcony seat by the sheer volume of her voice. As this best-of compilation proves, Mattila is an accomplished singer who knows how to wrap her voice around the most challenging of measures and still display a rare communicative gift to all who listen. This wide-ranging collection (recorded from 1995 to 2001) shows how she effectively uses the timbre of her voice to gauge the emotional terrain of a song. It's a testament of her interpretive artistry that you never hear her reaching for an unnecessary flourish.

Mattila's versatility within the Romantic movement is showcased to strong advantage in the Schumann and Brahms selections, where she handles the delicacy of the melodies with lovely economy. Then there are a series of pieces by master composers from her homeland, Finland - Oskar Merikanto, Erkki Melartin, Toivo Kuula and the most famous, Jean Sibelius. It helps that so many of these selections invoke the haunting, desolate beauty of Nordic landscapes, which are ideally infused by the cool radiance of her vocal tone. Especially in the Sibelius sections, you hear how Mattila captures his very powerful modal implications drawn out over a number of notes. Ilmo Ranta accompanies on piano with immaculate skill on all the Romantic and Finnish selections.

From that point, the disc goes into more familiar programming starting with a lovely version of Schubert's "Ave Maria" and an ethereal performance of Dvorak's "Song to the Moon" from "Rusalka" with a rich string accompaniment. More dramatic interpretations follow with her one-two punch of Italian arias: a rousing "Ritorna vincitor" from Verdi's "Aida" and the bitter melancholy she expresses in Puccini's "Vissi d'Arte" from "Tosca". For all intents and purposes, the disc should have ended with the high-flying dramatic runs she displays in her impressive live performance of Strauss' "Klänge der Heimat" from "Die Fledermaus". Jukka-Pekka Saraste masterfully conducts the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra on all these selections.

Alas, the last two tracks highlight Mattila's ability to crossover to Tin Pan Alley. It's arguable as to whether their inclusion is necessary - a harp-introduced rendition of "Somewhere" from Bernstein and Sondheim's "West Side Story", which she sings with thankfully elegant simplicity, and more frustratingly, a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed version of "I Could Have Danced All Night" from Lerner and Lowe's "My Fair Lady", where her Finnish accent betrays her only when she enunciates "dance" with the roundest of o's. Regardless, Mattila is a lyric soprano with powers of expansive generosity, a mature and warm tone in the middle register, and an upper register that effortlessly releases the excitement of an emotional climax. Even with the Broadway tunes, she displays a sophisticated gift for phrasing. Strongly recommended.

Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Vol. 5, Famous Song Cycles

Average customer rating:

"the evidence of a great witness"

Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Vol. 5, Famous Song Cycles

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Vol. 4
Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Vol. 3 (1922-1942)
Shostakovich: Complete Songs, Volume 1
Shostakovich: Complete Songs 2 - The Last Years
Shostakovich Symphonies and Concertos - An Owner's Manual: Unlocking the Masters Series (Unlocking the Masters)

ASIN: B0007IO6DC
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Tracks:

From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Lament For A Dead Baby
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Caring for Mum and Auntie
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Lullaby
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Before A Long Separation
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Warning
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Father Abandoned
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Poverty Song
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Winter
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Good Life
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: A Girl's Song
From Jewish Folk Poetry, a vocal cycle. Op.79: Happiness
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Truth
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Morning
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Love
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Separation
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Wrath
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Dante
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: To The Exiled
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Artistry
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Night
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Death
Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Op.145: Eternity

Customer Reviews:

"the evidence of a great witness".......2007-01-19

These five volumes of Shostakovich's Complete Songs are simply astonishing. If admirers have with good reason found the private voice of the composer in his string quartets, there's another, perhaps more intimate voice to be found in his songs. Let this review stand for the entire collection - each disc yields generous returns. An entirely Russian production recorded in Russia, this is estimable treasure. If you love Shostakovich's music, the breadth of revelation found throughout these discs is overwhelming. Here is Shostakovich the man, genius, survivor, sufferer - but never victim. The works themselves are no less than a kind of eternal definition of art, an all-encompassing humanity borne by one man to our lasting benefit. The singing performances are uniformly excellent, as are the production values on every level, with fine sonics. Among the Russian singers who contribute, soprano Victoria Evtodieva, mezzo Liudmila Shkirtil, and the mighty bass Fyodor Kuznetsov stand out. Most of the songs are set for voice and piano. The cycles and a number of other songs use orchestration of varying details. Pianist Yuri Serov, besides distinguished playing, provides insightful commentary with each disc, ideal remarks full of detail - the title of this review is taken from his notes on 'The Anti-Formalist Raree Show', which he hails as '...a striking document of that bygone era, the evidence of a great witness.' What more fitting could be said of these amazing musical works and their composer? Full translation of every song text is included in each of the discs.

Average customer rating:

Excellent musicians on this Palmieri album
Still the Sun
Palmieri still king
Eddie Palmieri: poderoso senor del piano
Eddie's new begining

The Sun of Latin Music
Eddie Palmieri & Lalo Rodriguez
Manufacturer: Artistry / Mps
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Salsa | Latin Music | Styles | Music

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Listen Here!

ASIN: B00005LPTY
Release Date: 2001-11-13

Tracks:

Nada De Ti
Deseo Salvaje
Una Roza Espanola
Nunca Contigo
Un Dia Bonito
Mi Cumbia

Album Description

Part of Snapper Music's reissue series for one of the world's leading Latin labels throughout the 70s, Coco Records. Eddie Palmieri is one of the most influential & charismatic figures on today's Latin scene, renowned for his fiery piano solos, hence the nickname, 'Hard Hands'. During the seventies he recorded several highly-regarded albums for Coco in which he successfully blended raw salsa & experimentation. Palmieri's most successful Coco album was 'The Sun Of Latin Music'. Released in 1974, it won the Grammy Award for the best Latin recording in 1975. It also marked the debut of the remarkable singer/songwriter Lalo Rodriguez, merely 16 years of age at the time & the writer of one of the album's highlights, 'Deseo Salvaje' ('Savage Desires').

Customer Reviews:

Excellent musicians on this Palmieri album.......2005-03-05

This album features excellent trumpet solos by Victor Paz and the always powerful trombone playing of Barry Rogers. Add to the mix the solid and steady percussion of Nicky Marrero on timbales, Eladio Perez on conga, and Tommy "Chuckie" Lopez on bongo. Eddie also takes some killer solos, as usual.

Still the Sun.......2002-06-25

Eddie Palmieri is one of my favorite musicians of all time. His ability to blend traditional afro-Cuban rythms and traditional is jazz is brilliant. All of the cuts on this album are great and deserve great admiration from any Latin jazz fan. I highly recommend it to all.

Palmieri still king.......2002-06-22

Eddie Palmieri, a pioneer of Latin Jazz is at his best on this work. This is one of his original works and I still love it. His Afro-Cuban roots are more apparent than ever on this work. A must have for any Latin Jazz fan, or anyone who just wants to groove.

Eddie Palmieri: poderoso senor del piano.......2001-11-23

Eddie Palmieri is Eddie palmieri is Eddie Palmieri. The Lord. The Piano Man. The orchesta riffs, the sweaty and hell-fast bongo player (his name's Choki). The singer. Pardon me: the sirene-wailing singer. Lalo Rodriguez "la trepa en la China" (an expression for salsa climaxes). This CD is a classic. Well, it won a Grammy!

Eddie's new begining.......2000-11-20

This is Eddie's first post "La Perfecta Orchestra" days where Eddie uses an unusually large and variable brass section; trumpets,t-bones, saxs, tubas, flutes and french horns. That and his great rhythm section provides excellent tumbaos and marvelous solos. The 16 year old Lalo Rodriguez really show the salsa world he was here to stay. Eddie's "Nada de ti" has to be one of the greatest salsa songs ever recorded. Everybody gets down on this one. This is without question one of Eddie's five best recordings.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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