German Songs

On this CD:

1. Vignon vignon vignette, chanson for 6 voices, B. xiv/142 (S. xvi/144)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

2. Fraw ich bin euch von hertzen Hold, lied for 5 voices, S. xviii/31
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Wilfried Jochens, Lautten Compagney

3. Ich weiss nur ein hubsches Meidlein, lied for 4 voices, S. xx/28
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Thomas Herberich, Wilfried Jochens, Bernhard Landauer, Lautten Compagney, Mona Spagele

4. Work(s) Fantasia
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

5. Work(s) Fantasia
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

6. Work(s) Fantasia
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

7. Ich weiss nur ein hubsches Meidlein, lied for 4 voices, S. xx/28
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Wilfried Jochens, Lautten Compagney

8. Einmal ging ich spatzieren, lied for 5 voices, S. xviii/98
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Wilfried Jochens, Lautten Compagney, Mona Spagele

9. Épigraphes antiques (6), for piano, 2 or 4 hands (or orchestra), L. 131
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Lautten Compagney

10. Poi che 'l mio largo pianto, madrigale for 4 voices (S. viii/84)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

11. Ich hab ein Mann, set of 8 lied for 4 voices (S. xx/31)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney, Mona Spagele

12. La cortesia voi donne predicate, villanelle for 4 voices, S. x/66
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

13. Madonna mia pieta, villanelle for 4 voices, S. x/61
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

14. Io ti vorria contra, villanelle for 4 voices, S. x/85
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

15. Es Jagt ein Jeger vor dem Holtz, lied for 5 voices, S. xviiii/88
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Wilfried Jochens, Lautten Compagney, Mona Spagele

16. Las je n'iray plus, chanson for 5 voices, B. xii/125 (S. xvi/126)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Mona Spagele

17. Nun gruss dich Gott, lied for 8 voices, S. xx/54
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Wilfried Jochens, Lautten Compagney, Mona Spagele

18. Un jour l'amant, chanson for 8 voices, B. xiv/110 (S. xiv/136)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

19. O vin en vigne (Bonte divine, vien et monster), chanson for 4 voices, B. xiii/84 (S. xii/67)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

20. Quand mon mary vient (Quand l'homme honneste), chanson for 4 voices, B. xiii/136 (S. xii/23)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

21. Un jour vis un foulon (On ne peut le fol amour), chanson for 4 voices, B. xiv/122 (S. xii/39)
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

22. Der Wein, der schmeckt mir also, lied for 5 voices, S. xviii/11
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Thomas Herberich, Wilfried Jochens, Bernhard Landauer, Lautten Compagney, Mona Spagele

23. Baur, was tregst im Sacke?, lied for 4 voices, S. xx/29
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Thomas Herberich, Wilfried Jochens, Bernhard Landauer, Lautten Compagney, Mona Spagele

24. Matona mia cara, villanelle for 4 voices, S. x/93
Composed by Orlande de Lassus
Performed by Lautten Compagney

Tracks:

Letzte Szene: "Ah! Du wolltest mich nicht deinen Mund"
Mondscheinmusik
Letzte Szene: "Morgen mittag um elf!"
Frühling (Hermann Hesse)
September (Hermann Hesse)
Beim Schlafengehn (Hermann Hesse)
Im Abendrot (Joseph von Eichendorff)

Amazon.com

This gifted Swedish soprano, rapturously praised internationally in Wagner, is clearly eager to stake a claim in Strauss. She has the necessary vocal strength, wide range, fine musicianship, clear textual delivery, and flexibility. But listen to legendary benchmarks of Strauss singing (Ljuba Welitsch in the Salome scene, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf or Lisa della Casa in the other material on this disc) and you'll hear voices of pristine timbre and absolute steadiness, both of which Stemme lacks; her vibrato might be less intrusive in the theater, but on records it consistently puts her at a disadvantage, especially in Strauss. Even if the Salome finale offers a certainly amount of feverish excitement, throughout the program the singing generally wants variety of color. With the Capriccio Countess, the line-by-line specificity for this demanding characterization - above all, the lady's abundant charm - is conspicuously missing. Likewise, phrase after phrase of the Four Last Songs lacks profile, and here the vibrato prevents Stemme from achieving the serenity so crucial to this sublime music. EMI provides fine supporting singers (but why weren't the Capriccio Majordomo's opening lines included?) and a splendid Strauss orchestra, that of London's Royal Opera House, elegantly led by music director Antonio Pappano. --Roger Pines

Album Description

Tracklisting:

Richard Strauss- Songs & Scenes
Salome (Hedwig Lachmann after Oscar Wilde)
1. Letzte Szene: "Ah! Du wolltest mich nicht deinen Mund"

Capriccio (Clemens Krauss/Richard Strauss)
2. Mondscheinmusik
3. Letzte Szene: "Morgen mittag um elf!"

Four Last Songs
4. FrÃ¼hling (Hermann Hesse)
5. September (Hermann Hesse)
6. Beim Schlafengehn (Hermann Hesse)
7. Im Abendrot (Joseph von Eichendorff)

Customer Reviews:

EUREKA, I've found out what is lacking............2007-06-24

Timbre is to the voice what French Silk is to chocolate pudding; the difference between rich cream and skim milk, it is texture, depth and perspective, and sheen. Nina Stemme does not have the finer of those qualities, but she is not alone.

She seems to me the hope for tomorrow, so low is her tone, firm her committment, and classic her appearance - even if not on this cover. Her singing is very musical, but I don't hear beauty - the production is too narrow and this works for Wagner but not Strauss. Her phrasing is straight - very little variance and again - Wagnerian, not Strauss. Ideally, the portamento and a floating vibrato free tone (ethereal) are two of the hallmarks of Strauss singing. The most fine singer of these wonderful songs - to me - will always be the late Elizabeth Schwarzkopf but Rene Kollo (tenor) also recorded them. His Abendrot is very touchingly sung. But Nina Stemme brings her own touch that validates this attempt. Any singer who attempts Four Last Songs is brave indeed, not only for attempting the difficult music, but for the grand tradition preceeding them.

Somehow, Nina Stemme seems more serious than the airy prima donnas of the past 10 years - Fleming and Angela Alagna come to mind first -- also this young Russian woman (her name escapes me). Stemme is a classic woman, knowing, practical - she is a prima donna, an authentic opera singer - very far from Church, Bocelli, and those pop-classical people (where are they now?) --- she is the beginning of a new practical era where the Art is the measure of productivity - not the Spin Meister.

Brava Nina!!!

Another one bites the dust.......2007-05-25

I could not believe it when I picked up this disc in my local music store to see my favourite music by Strauss on one CD. The first thing I thought is how is Nina Stemme going to pull off each of these selections. The answer is unfortunately, much to my expectations, she excels in the Salome scene, while the remainder of the CD shows her to a bit of a disadvantage. She sings the Countess's Final Scene music well enough, but just like the 4 Last Songs, she lacks the inner-most feeling and cannot penetrate the music like Fleming or Schwarzkopf. Her vibrato also seems to get in the way of most of the music, although it seems to work better in the Salome Final Scene than anywhere else. Pappano and ROH Orchestra provide worthy accompaniment.

Marvellous Salome.......2007-05-24

Stemme makes a most dramatic, marvellous interpretation, one of the best I have ever heard, of the final scene of Salome. The sheer power in her voice points forward to Elektra and Brünnhilde. And the orchestra is in top form. The reason why I do not give this record five stars is to be found in the final scene from Capriccio. Stemme seems not quite to understand the deeps of this role. The best recording ever made of this scene is done by Elisabeth Söderström, CBE - also on EMI.
It is wonderful to hear a "Hochdramatische" sing Vier letzte Lieder! Strauss obviously wanted this kind of voice, and here Stemme, I must confess, scores over Flagstad. Ms. Stemme has to attend to a small vibrato. But: Do not miss this record!

Disappointing Strauss: Expert-polished orchestra, Adequate Soprano.......2007-05-21

If I could only take one Richard Strauss vocal disc to my lonely desert island, I would be torn between choosing the highlights of Der Rosenkavalier, and the Four Last Songs. Come to think of it, I bet the Four Last Songs and other orchestrated songs would finally win out, though I suppose I could try to burn a personal combo disc of the four songs plus at least the bulk of the Rosenkavalier excerpts.

So we come to Nina Stemme singing both a couple of opera excerpts from Salome and Capriccio, and the songs. The orchestra is Covent Garden, with their current music director, Antonio Pappano, leading.

Right off you hear that Pappano is generating a leaner, cleaner Strauss orchestra sound than the lavish, sumptuous sound we now tend to expect. He is not asking the band for high calorie strings, and daring the woodwinds and the brass to cut through when possible. Instead he brings a clean touch that reminds a listerner of George Szell and Cleveland. The difference is that Pappano also generates more warmth of tone, and the sort of razor-edged, hair-pin precision that we associate with Fritz Reiner and Chicago in their heyday.

In sum, this combo approach works, definitely. The orchestra draws a listener in, and gets all the right Straussian juices going. One wants to hear more Richard Strauss - opera, plus orchestral, plus songs - from Pappano and Covent Garden then. Much, much more. There hasn't been such a gifted Strauss conductor resident in England, apparently, since the late, great Tommy Beecham.

Now to the soprano, Nina Stemme.

I have nothing against a bigger voice doing the songs. If only Flagstad had lived to record them in better conditions. For a hint of that imaginary blessing, check out her Mahler song cycles with orchestra, under Vienna led by Boult and Knappertsbusch.

What I think you will hear from Flagstad, that, alas, I do not hear from Ms. Stemme is yet another confidence and physical embodiment, bolstered by seasoned years of professional work, founded on unfailing vocal technique.

At first and later plays, I thought that Ms. Stemme just missed the stylistic differences between opera and lieder in her overall way with musical phrasing. And maybe the differences between Strauss and Puccini. Overall sweep and lift are there, but the focus in her voice gets to spread too much, as if general intention and vocal gesture and obvious involvement were all there was to it.

No, I am afraid I am disappointed. Is Ms. Stemme yet another gifted younger singer who is being pushed too fast into the limelight, short-cutting her technical foundations? Was she just having a bad day?

Other passing deficits, which are indeed not all that terrible but not all that great either, include a so-so take on the texts, again as if one could make the point with just singing this music and letting the texts slide into home base, whenever and however they may.

Not so, again check out other Straussians like Schwarzkopf whose way with lieder was justly renowned. Even Flagstad shows more lieder text insight in her Mahler cycles. Even Jesseye Norman, whose downside is the just okay support she gets from Kurt Masur and the Leipzig band.

One suspects that Stemme has notable gifts which still need a further technical foundation to fully realize them. Breath control is the deep foundation of tonal control. And even more focus on not just hitting the notes, but keeping them fine tuned wouldn't hurt. Now in her favor, Ms. Stemme does not sing out of tune at all, no. But she lets her tone spread and vibrate every time she reaches up, or tries to point the arch of the phrase, and this bodes ill generally for her interpretations, with ill effects in her lieder phrasing particularly.

My guess is this goes back to resale. But I will watch like a hawk or a night owl for more Richard Strauss from Pappano.

Three stars, then. Adequate. Probably for die hard fans of Ms. Stemme, and for listeners who can prize Pappano and Covent Garden as the real treasure trove here.

My recommends? Well, Schwarzkopf/Szell, plus Isokowski/Janowski, plus Norman/Masur, plus Te Kanawa/Davis, plus Auger/Previn, plus Fleming/Eschenbach, plus Lott/Jarvi, plus Brewer/Runnicles, plus Janowitz/Karajan, plus Price/Leinsdorf. Not a thin field, then. Take your pick and love it. The music is the thing.

A gratifying new voice for Strauss.......2007-05-20

Amazon seems to have hired a new reviewer, and for once I hear what he hears. As Mr. Pines points out, Stemme's voice has a prominent vibrato that probably helps it carry in the opera house but is intrusive on CD when she sings either loud or high. It's unusual to hear a dramatic soprano undertake these songs, even though Kirsten Flagstad debuted them with Furtwangler. For anyone who wants to hear a Deborah Voigt-style voice in the Four Last Songs, Stemme does well, and Pappano provides really superior accompaniment, in a class with Karajan and Szell.

Stemme's capacious voice makes more sense in the final scene from Salome, where Pappano again provides great accompaniment, as good as anyone could want in terms of vividness and excitement. My reaction is about the same as to the songs. I like Stemme's timbre, despite the vibrato (which, alas, will probably turn into a wobble fairly soon), and she makes Salome's yearning for Jokanaan poignant rather than crazed or sexually abandoned. There have been almost no voices recently that can encompass this taxing role, so congratualtions to Ms. Stemme, who dives in fearlessly, even if her achievement is only partial. In the end, it will be Pappano's contribution and EMI's excellent recorded sound that I will remember.

Average customer rating:

I hate to be rude, but . . .
Outstanding
Sacred Songs
My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far
Inspiring and beautiful

Sacred Songs

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Haunted Heart
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HOMAGE: The Age of the Diva

ASIN: B000AM6OXK
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Jesu bleibet meine Freude
Dank sei dir, Herr
Ave Maria, D839
Laudamus te
Panis Angelicus
Air: "He shall feed his Flock"
Simple Song
Pie Jesu
Domine Deus
Laudate Dominum omnes gentes
Air: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion
Abends will ich schlafen gehn
L'Adieu des bergers
Mariiegenlied, Op.76/52
Amazing Grace

Amazon.com

This lovely CD features Renée Fleming singing religious music in an unaffected, lovely manner. Many favorites are here: both the Bach/Gounod and Schubert versions of "Ave Maria," each offered with long breaths and soft tone; "Rejoice Greatly" from Messiah, delivered with virtuosity and gleaming sound, and "He Shall Feed His Flock," also from Messiah, sung in a smooth, laid-back manner. Bits of the Fauré Requiem and Poulenc Gloria are welcome, as is the gorgeous "L'Adieu des Bergers" from L'Enfance du Christ. In the prayer from Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel, Fleming is joined by the splendid Susan Graham, and a version of "Amazing Grace" features Mark O'Connor on violin. Two excerpts from Mozart's Mass in C Minor, pieces by Reger and Franck, and a few surprises round out this devotional CD. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

I hate to be rude, but . . ........2007-05-06

As stated earlier, I hate to be rude. However, Renee Fleming is not one of the greatest singers that I have heard. At many times, it sounds as if she is drunk, sliding into her notes at times. She also has a habit of hitting a note, and then quickly moving up or down for "dramatic effect". I'm sorry, but I just cannot listen to this. I know that everyone has their own opinions, and this is mine.
She is still a beautiful woman, and always will be. I have seen her concerts online, and she ISN'T bad, it's just that she doesn't have what I'm looking for in an opera singer!

Outstanding.......2007-03-07

I had seen this program on PBS and wanted the CD. Wonderful selection
of music and Renee Fleming's outstanding voice.

Sacred Songs.......2007-01-21

I always look for new presentations of Christmas songs. Rene Flemming did an excellent job in this recording. She has a super voice but sometimes the words of the song get lost in her singing style

My favorite of Fleming's CDs so far.......2006-12-07

There are only two cuts on this CD I tend to flip past (Amazing Grace and the Leonard Bernstein cut), but other than them, I totally love the rest! The cuts in German are divine! I could listen to this CD over and over again.

Inspiring and beautiful.......2006-07-20

I've always loved Renee Fleming's singing and this most recent album is just beautiful in every way. A rich voice, beautiful singing and a devout and magnificent artist. She makes even the most notorious evergreens come to life anew. I enjoyed it very much.

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Wagner" Excerpts from Tristan und Isolde & Götterdämmerung

Average customer rating:

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Wagner" Excerpts from Tristan und Isolde & Götterdämmerung

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000O59Z0C
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

I. Beim Schlafengehen
II. September
III. Fruhling
IV. Im Abendrot
Prelude
Mild Und Leise Wie Er Lachelt
Dawn And Siegfried's Rhine Journey
Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort

Average customer rating:

Middle of the road wedding music
just what I was looking for
Most Chosen Selections
Another Great Reference CD
A Nice CD

Bride's Guide to Wedding Music

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bride's Guide to Wedding Music, Vol. II
25 Wedding Favorites
Classical Wedding
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ASIN: B000002SOG
Release Date: 1993-09-14

Tracks:

Three Lute Dances: Prelude: Courante
Sonata In E-Flat: Prelude: Adagio
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 In G: Prelude: Allegro
Water Music: Prelude: Suite No. 1- Air
Processional: Trumpet Voluntary (The Prince Of Denmark's March)
Te Deum: Processional: Prelude
Processional: Canon In D
Processional: Trumpet Tune
Lohengrin: Processional: 'Wedding March'
Cantata 147: Ceremony: 'Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring'
The Four Seasons: Ceremony: 'Spring' - Allegro
Ceremony: 'Ave Maria'
Five Mystical Songs: Ceremony: 'The Call'
Ceremony: 'Sheep May Safely Graze'
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Recessional: 'Wedding March'
Solomon: Recessional: 'Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheeba'
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 In F: Recessional: First Movement
Organ Symphony No. 5: Recessional: Toccata

Customer Reviews:

Middle of the road wedding music.......2007-01-20

I bought this cd because I had everything in my wedding planned to the last tiny detail except the ceremony music. All the songs on the cd are nice traditional wedding songs. I did not use any of the music from the cd, but I am glad I bought it because it helped me realize that traditional wedding music was not what I wanted. All and all a nice classical music cd but not for brides who really want a personal ceremony. BTW I went with Enya and Lorena McKennitt.

just what I was looking for.......2007-01-10

We wanted traditional wedding music and found it in this CD. I'm no music expert, but the arrangements and performances seemed fine. I would definitely recommend this CD for any bride looking for a concise collection of traditional wedding pieces.

Most Chosen Selections.......2006-03-13

As a wedding officiant, my wife and I are often asked to assist the couple with other services for their ceremony, such as music. For this, we have a very large selection in our music library to choose from. We have put together a catalog of cd's that we loan out to the couple for their review, and most often, their selections come from BRIDE'S GUIDE TO WEDDING MUSIC.

If you're planning a traditional or formal wedding on a budget, this cd has it all. There are even two selections of Wagner's "Wedding March" to choose from. Only two of the selections have vocals, the rest are all extraordinary instrumental selections.

Often, even around the house or in my car, I find myself listening to this cd. The music is soothing, refreshing, uplifting and most enjoyable. I recommend this cd over all other wedding music cd's.

Another Great Reference CD.......2006-01-09

This is a great compilation, CD, along with Bride's Guide to Wedding Music Volume 2, to use as a reference for some of the more popular wedding songs; just about everything on here is standard fare for weddings. All of the musicians are generally superb, and the sound quality is very good. However, this is most useful if you are playing the CD at your wedding, or using it as a reference CD to talk over potential music selections with an organist, a string quartet, etc. Like my review for Volume 2, I only gave it four stars based on practicality, not on quality. If it were just quality, I would give it five stars. I purchased this CD since I am in the process of making my own wedding CD (I am a professional, freelance violinist), and this was nice to listen to, even just as background music for dinner. BTW: beware of reviewers who don't use their names, especially "A music fan." This is most likely the producer of the "Wedding Traditions" CD and he slanders other CDs so his will look better. You'd think that in the wedding music business people would have better ethics, but unfortunately, that's not always the case. The best advice I can give, as a classical musician myself, if to take time to listen to the sound clips, and if possible, try to find them on iTunes where they might sound higher quality. This is the only real way of knowing whether the CD is right for you.

A Nice CD.......2005-12-30

This is a very nice CD.
Our daughter used some of the songs on this CD
and some of the songs that are on the
"Classical Wedding Traditions" CD for the wedding.
She also used many of the songs on the
"New Wedding Traditions Volume I" CD
Amazon is a great place to find good wedding music

Average customer rating:

listening to this cd
If you are unsure about opera, this is where to begin
The Perfect Opera CD
Romantic

Amor--Opera's Great Love Songs

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000009OU8
Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

Celeste Aida
O mio babbino caro
Donna non vidi mai
Quando le sere al placido
Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix
Una furtiva lagrima
Signore, ascolta!
Recondita armonia
Vissi d'arte
E lucevan le stelle
Habanera: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle
Amor ti vieta
Gualtier Malde...Caro nome
Cielo e mar
Quando m'en vo
La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
O mio Fernando
Pourquoi me reveiller
Voi che sapete
Un bel di (One fine day)
Nessun dorma

Customer Reviews:

listening to this cd.......2007-02-19

this is a wonderful cd. i have it in my car and listen to it all the time. you wont go wrong buying this cd if you love the operah and great voices.

If you are unsure about opera, this is where to begin.......2004-06-22

Many people are turned off of opera because of the nature of the beast - unknown tongue, the continual singing and particularly the sopranos whose voices are as piercing as they are diffdicult to understand. These selections are ravishing in their beauty. It has been estimated that 2/3 of all classical effort was put into opera. Thus it is not surprising that some of the best music ever penned can be found here, particularly those that deal with that most human of emotion - love.

The orchestration is wonderful, the voices emotional and quite sincere, the authenticity is present. It is difficult to surpass Verdi or Puccini in plumbing the emotional depths. All in all a good experience.

The Perfect Opera CD.......2002-08-08

I'm so in love with this CD, I'm giving it to as many ppl as I can. It's a great introduction to opera for ppl who don't listen to it very often. It has all the great hits with all the great singers, who can make shivers go down your spine. My friends who don't know opera as much as I do love it too.

Romantic.......2000-05-12

If you have just got to be interested in Opera, this is a good start. You can listen to the best pieces of the most famous (an romantic) Operas performed by the best singers. If you are a long-time Opera lover, this CD will remind you of all the performances that you went with your loved one and romantic moments after the concerts.

Average customer rating:

Movie Themes CD
"three decades of film composers ~ Simply The Best"

Simply the Best Movie Themes

Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Great Movie Love Themes: Five Star Collection
Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores
The Wings of a Film: The Music of Hans Zimmer

ASIN: B0001CNRL6
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

Theme From Mission Impossible - Schifrin
Theme From Gladiator - Zimmer
Hedwig's Theme - Williams
Harry's Wondrous World - Williams
Allegro Moderato - Symphony No. 8 'Unfinished' - Schubert
Suite From Shakespeare In Love - Warbeck
Out Of Africa - Barry
Requiem, Rex Tremendae - Mozart
Prelude In E Minor, Op. 28, No. 4 - Chopin
Suite No. 3 In D, Air On The G String - J.S. Bach
I Will Always Love You - Parton
Symphony No. 40, Molto Allegro - Mozart
Finlandia - Sibelius
My Heart Will Go On - Horner

Tracks:

Theme From Lord Of The Rings - Shore
Overture To All That Jazz - Kander & Ebb
'Trout' Quintet, Theme, Andantino And Variations - Schubert
Prelude No. 15 In D-Flat - Chopin
Windmills Of Your Mind - LeGrand
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - KAMEN
Theme From Schindler's List - Williams
Also Sprach Zarathustra, Excerpt - Strauss
Symphony No. 3, Lento Cantabile - Semplice - Gorecki
Die Walkure, Ride Of The Valkyries - Wagner
Goldberg Variations, Aria Da Capo - J.S. Bach
Theme From License To Kill - KAMEN
Sonata No. 8, Op. 13, 'Pathetique,' Andante Cantabile - Beethoven
Die Another Day - Arnold
Symphony No. 9, Ode To Joy, Excerpt - Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

Movie Themes CD.......2007-03-10

Very nice CD with beautiful music from past movies. Very relaxing music to listen to.

"three decades of film composers ~ Simply The Best".......2004-03-06

Rhino Movie Music presents "Simply The Best Movie Themes", featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and other various artists ~ within the realm of the following composers David Arnold, John Barry, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Wendy Carlos, Fred Ebb, James Horner, James Newton Howard, Michael Kamen, John Kander, Michel Legrand, Alex North, Basil Poledouris, Howard Shore, Wladyslaw Szpilman, Stephen Warbeck, John Williams and Hans Zimmer ~ each composer has created one or more of the scores in this twenty nine classic line up.

Film scores covering over three decades with "2001:SPACE ODYSSEY", "A CLOCKWORK ORANGE", "APOCALYPSE NOW", "THE BODYGUARD(I Will Always Love You)", "CHICAGO(Overture to All That Jazz), "DIE ANOTHER DAY", "EYES WIDE SHUT", "FEARLESS", "GLADIATOR(Theme)", "HANNIBAL", "HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE(Hedwig's Theme)", "HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE(Harry's Wondrous World)", "THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER", "JURASSIC PARK:THE LOST WORLD", "LICENSE TO KILL, "LIVING DAYLIGHTS", "THE LORD OF THE RINGS(Theme)", "MINORITY REPORT", "MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (Theme)", "OUT OF AFRICA", "THE PIANIST", "ROBIN HOOD, PRINCE OF THIEVES", "SCHINDLER'S LIST", "SE7EN", "SHADOWLANDS", "SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE", "THE SIXTH SENSE", "THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR"and "TITANIC(My Heart Will Go On)" ~ a mixture of original compositions and classics of the old masters. Loaded with not just themes, but full of orchestral arrangements that are fresh and rewarding ~ sure to bring back those special moments from the film.

The presentation is superb with every cue inclusive with spectacular performances from suspense, romance and adventure all rolled into a two disc package. Rhino must be commended on doing such a great job and doing it well. Most serious "film-score-buffs" will welcome this compilation, has many cues available all under one banner ~ Rhino Records...gotta love it!

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Average customer rating:

Mostly as good as usual, some of the selections are excellent
One of Pavarotti's best CDs
Luciano's greatest compilation CD

Amore: Romantic Italian Love Songs

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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Similar Items:

Romantica: The Very Best Of Luciano Pavarotti
Italian Wedding Favorites
Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour)
Pavarotti: Greatest Hits
The Best of the Three Tenors

ASIN: B000004218
Release Date: 1992-09-15

Tracks:

'Turandot': Nessum Dorma!
O Sole Mio
La Danza
'Rigoletto': La donna e mobile
'Martha': M'appari tutt'amore
'La Boheme': Che gelida manina
Maira, Mari!
'L'elissir d'amore': Una furtiva lagrima
'Tosca': Recondita armonia
'Fedora': Amor ti vieta
Core 'ngrato
Funiculi-funicula
'Tosca': E lucevan le stelle
'Aida': Celeste Aida
'Pagliacci': Vesti la giubba
'La fanciulla del West': Ch' ella mi creda
Torna A Surriento

Amazon.com

From Calaf's "Nessun dorma" from Turandot, in which the singer exclaims his love for the ice princess and the victory he will have over her, through Lionel's realization that he will have a new life and be happy with Lady Harriet in Martha ("M'appari"), and on to Rodolfo's falling in love with Mimi in La Bohème when he touches her hand ("Che gelida manina"): here we have some of opera's most beautiful love songs, sung by Pavarotti when he was in his golden-voiced prime. His "Una furtiva lagrima" is touching and gentle, while his rendition of the Neapolitan song "Core 'ngrato"--a diatribe against his lover's rejection of him--is heartbreaking. Radames's hymn to Aida ("Celeste Aida") in which he sees Aida as "the splendor of [his] life," is glorious, and all of the other selections are equally fine. For lovers and others, this is a handsome collection. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Mostly as good as usual, some of the selections are excellent.......2006-02-22

Everybody knows Pavarotti has a good voice, whatever he sings it sounds great. In this CD I think he sounds better than the more recent recordings from him, e.g. the three tenor concerts. In my opinion I like "Una Furtiva Lagrima" the most, when his voice comes out he devoted such a sincerity throughout the song, I can just imagine that I am inside an opera house watching an excellent performance. "Nessun Dorma", which is one of his most "famous in singing well" aria, also excellent, his high notes are so beautiful and always beautiful (well...he is a king of high C man~ for real I rarely heard ppl can sing high notes better than him), but personally I like Franco Corelli singing "Nessun Dorma" more, and "Vesti la guibba" too (but of coz pavarotti also sound really good in this aria). As I read from some books, they said Pavarotti is the biggest lyric tenor nowadays, I think it is pretty true though. But one thing I found Pavarotti not "perfect" is, when he sings, mostly I just feel that "wow he sings this note beautifully", or "he sings everything perfectly", but not always have a feeling of "wow he melts my heart", or "wow he makes such a great atmosphere throughout the song", maybe because of his song selections. In general case I like Domingo and Mario Lanza better, when I heard Domingo sings I almost always feel his passion, musical sense, and communication to the audience; but in Pavarotti I dont always feel that, in this CD some of the song has this tiny problem too (like in "E lucevan le stelle", I really think he just "sounds well", I like Jose Carreras singing this song much better), but well this is just my personal opinion. However, his voice is a "legendary beautiful voice", that's 120% true. Again personally I highly recommend his "una furtiva lagrima", listen it and you won't regret it.

One of Pavarotti's best CDs.......2003-11-21

This is one of the best Pavarotti CDs I have listened to. It contains a great selection of 17 arias and Italian lyric songs. However, if you can afford it, "Pavarotti Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection" will offer more in a 2-CD set (a total of 41 arias and Italian lyric songs).

Luciano's greatest compilation CD.......2000-04-28

For over three decades Maestro Luciano Pavarotti has brought joy to human ears all around the world. Sure, the critics may scoff at the big arena concerts and at the later years' natural darkening of his voice. But we the fans just know that listening to him lifts our spirits and opens our hearts to the glory of human voice.

And that's exactly what this collection is all about. To compile it, the Decca producers used material from three albums: "Arias" (his earliest), "Favorite Neapolitan Songs" and "Passione," as well as some complete opera recordings such as "La Boheme" and "Rigoletto." The song "La Danza," Rossini's engaging tarantella is from a rare album "Pavarotti in Concert in Bologna" with Richard Bonynge. Most of these selections, therefore, are from 60s and 70s, in other words, Pavarotti's prime years. As he was establishing himself as one of the all-time greatest tenors on stage, he gave an all-out effort on recordings. And it shows. Listen to the vocal line in "Che gelida manina"; the breath control on "la speranza" is truly unbelievable. There is his signature aria "Nessun Dorma" and, of course, a song often mistaken for Italian National Anthem - Di Capua's "O Sole Mio!"

In addition to magnificent vocal pyrotechnics, Pavarotti's considerable acting-with-voice skills are represented on such demanding arias as "Celeste Aida" and "Vesti la Giubba". And it's a real treat to hear his Duca singing sparkling "La donna e mobile."

Tracks:

Mack The Knife - Nick Cave
Ballad Of The Soldier's Wife - P.J. Harvey
Alabama Song - David Johansen
Youkali Tango - Teresa Stratas
Lost In The Stars - Elvis Costello
Pirate Jenny - Lotte Lenya
Speak Low - Charlie Haden
Oh, Heavenly Salvation - The Persuations
Lonely House - Betty Carter
Surabaya- Johnny - Teresa Stratas
Furchte Dich Nicht - Mary Margaret O'Hara
September Song - Lou Reed
Mack The Knife - Bertolt Brecht
What Keeps Mankind Alive? - William S. Burroughs

Customer Reviews:

some brilliant renditions, but can't quite all mix together.......2006-10-19

I like the spirit of this album, which is to let the music of Kurt Weill attach itself to the many worlds it came from. This was classical music that also used elements of popular music at the time, all with a very dark and almost mechanical tone. So it would seem fitting to have exquisite voices like Teresa Stratas rub elbows with darker elements like Nick Cave in this collection. There are also the jazz influences developed by Charlie Haden and Betty Carter.

In all, there are some brilliant interpretations of Weill here. I am a fan of Cave's "Mack the Knife" and David Johansen's "Alabama Song," and how can someone NOT like Lotte Lenya herself on "Pirate Jenny" and the drolling of the immortal William S. Burroughs talking through "What Keeps Mankind Alive?"

But other tracks feel to be just too short of brilliance. I love that Lou Reed tries to turn "September Song" into a kind of rock ballad, almost a VU "It Was a Pretty Good Year," but the rendition seems a little short of energy and falls flat after a while. Elvis Costello, though magnificent as an overall artist, just doesn't bring new life to "Lost in the Stars."

Perhaps the problem in the end that the choices were a little too much of the Top 40 Weill (if there really can be such a term). These are songs that have for a long time been regarded as the best of Weill, and it might have furthered the purpose of his music to find new gems and bring them into the sunlight.

Cool and Camp.......2006-08-24

This is a very biased review- I originally had much of Weill's work on cassette tape- way back in the olden days- before CD's- so I am already very partial to many of the tracks on this CD- I would recommend it not only to Kurt Weill fans, and the fans of the various artists featured, but I would also strongly recommend this to anyone who likes artsy, camp, fun burlesque, Bohemian European stuff. The record, even though performed by contemporary artists still retains much of it's zeitgeist, it evokes the era in which Weill was writing and it rounds out any great eclectic record collection. It's a great musical discovery for fans of all sorts of genres, and EVERYONE should own at least one recorded arrangement of "Mack The Knife". (You know, for parties and stuff!)

September Song Music of Kurt Weill.......2006-08-22

Songs from the film-documentary done by various artists. Excellent choice if you like Mr Weill's music. I saw the film and always wanted the CD. Now I have and I recommend it highly.

It's a long time between January and December.......2004-06-11

Kurt Weill is one of those composers who juggles Jewish angst with Catholic guilt: and possibly vice versa. As a collection, it is nonpareil. Each interpretation becomes a definitive reading of the "song". Lord, it is one of the best assemblies of contemporary artists going. Lou couldn't be better; Ms O'Hara, in fine form, performs her deranged puppet-dance to the X. OK. An unknown. Roping-in, such a postmodern figure as, well, you-know-who, to orate Weill's lyrics is never less than exceptional. An amazing collection. Is there a DVD?

Paul

Ain't we Hip?!!?.......2003-07-23

This is the avant version of these songs, everything done with that Downtown fingers-across-the-blackboard screech. They even got Johanson doing it, which is no less than amazing. The sole exception is the Persuasions' "O Heavenly Salvation", but one song does not an album make.

Tracks:

Louise (Acte 3): Depuis le jour ou je me suis donnee
Faust (Acte 3 - Air des bijoux): O Dieu! que de bijous!... Ah! Je ris de me voir si belle (Air des bijoux - Jewel Song)
Manon (Acte 3): Je marche sur tous les chemins... Obeissons... Profitons bien de la jeunesse (Gavotte)
Gypsy Melodies, Op. 55 B104 No. 4: Songs My Mother Taught Me
Martha (Act 2 - No. 8 The Last Rose): 'Tis The Last Rose Of Summer
La rondine (Act 1): Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
Die tote Stadt (Act 1 - Mariettas Lied): Gluck, das mir verblieb
Carmina Burana (No. 21): In trutina
Vier Lieder, Op. 27 No. 4: Morgen!
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14: Vocalise
Die Fiedermaus (Act 2 - Csardas): Klange der Heimat (Csardas)
Die lustige Witwe (Act 2 - Vilja-Lied): Es lebt' eine Vilja (Vilja-Lied)
LUNA: Epilogo
Chants d'Auvergne, Series 1: Bailero

Amazon.com essential recording

This vocal recital certainly lives up to its title, perhaps too well. It's a collection of arias and songs Fleming has sung for years that for some may be too much frosting and not enough cake. Surely, her performances are rich with interpretive nuances, wonder-filled portamentos and word colorings that reflect a long history with this repertoire, which ranges from Charpentier's "Depuis le jour" to Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise." Some may find Fleming a bit much, but agree with her or not, she's far more interesting than singers who keep a safe, discreet distance from the music. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

The best of the best........2007-04-11

I've given away at least a dozen copies of this CD. I'm running low, so I just refilled the stash. For people who haven't discovered Renee Fleming or who think they don't care for opera, this CD is the best possible way to blow down the walls. If you think there's nothing new to be heard in these old arias, you owe it to yourself to find out how wrong you can be.

Beautiful and creamy voice.......2006-02-28

I like so much Ren?e Fleming and this is special cd !

Renee Fleming;THE BEAUTIFUL VOICE.......2006-01-30

IT'S A FINE RECORDING THAT OFFERS A VARIETY OF SELECTIONS FROM OPERA, OPERETTAS AND FOLK SONGS, ALL WITH FLEMING AT HER BEST.

The most gorgeous soprano voice I've ever heard.......2006-01-02

I am a 19-year-old voice student at the University of Central Arkansas and I came across Renee by way of a soprano in my voice studio. She said it was her favorite soprano and that I should give her a listen. I was a little hesistant because I'm a baritone and my voice teacher told me that I should listen to men, but I just want to hear it all. So this past summer I first bought Renee's self-titled album with all of the lolipop arias on it and I was just amazed, not just because of how good she is but how easy she is to listen to. I loved her voice immediately. From the the moment the first tone passed through her throat on Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro." So I had to hear more. The Beautiful Voice is even better. It wasn't as easy to listen to at first because some of the songs on this album are not as famous as those on the other one, but these songs are all gems. The Korngold with the pianissimi B flats is my personal favorite. Even my mother who screams at me to turn down that "noise" when I listen to opera cds has grown to be quite fond of Renee Fleming. Sometimes her interpretations can be over the top, but the voice is beyond spectacular. It pours out like melted butter. It's vibrant, rich, expressive, free and always perfectly in tune. There is no hint of strain from any sound emitted from her body. She will undoubtedly be remembered like Callas & Sutherland and all the other great soprano voices before her. Not for the dramatic intensity of Callas or the coloratura & technical ease of Sutherland, but for the sheer unspeakable beauty of her voice. This is a must have for any vocalist seriously dedicated to classical training.

Wow!!!.......2005-09-28

This album is the album that introduced me to Renee Fleming. Every selection on this recording is a gem. Her voice is so gorgeous and her technique is so solid. I love her voice so much, her interpretations of J. Strauss, Jr.'s Csardas is incredible and Puccini's Chi il bel sogno di Doretta makes me cry everytime I listen to it. She is a true American treasure. Brava Renee!!!

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