Essential Classics

Track Listings

1. Allegro

2. William Tell Overture

3. Canon and Gigue for Strings

4. Allegro Con Brio

5. Allegro

6. Claire de Lune

7. Waltz of the Flowers {From the Nutcracker Suite}

8. Ballade No. 1 in G Minor

9. Air on the G String

10. Allegro Molto

11. Lullabye

Tracks:

Dies Irae
Tuba Mirum
Pie Jesu
O Fortuna
Dies Irae
Rex Tremendae
Confutatis
Lacrimosa
Polovtsian Dances
Missa: Kyrie Eleison
Hallelujah Chorus
The Shepherd's Farewell
Sanctus
The Heavens Are Telling
'Va, pensiero' (Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves)
Nyne Otpushchayeshi (Now Let Thy Servant Depart)
Dies Irae

Customer Reviews:

Best of American Choral Singing!.......2003-02-08

This CD could be the cornerstone of your choral music library! Wonderful performances of all of the essential choral pieces give a wonderful introduction to choral music for someone new to it, and also give a nice sampler of the best pieces for someone already familiar with the music. Listening to each excerpt may inspire you to purchase the entire work!

As you would expect of performances by Robert Shaw's groups, these performances are really extraordinary and show the best of American choral singing.

A good album, but--.......2001-12-28

The three stars I have given this album are not for the performances, which are all tremendous and deserve five stars or more, but for the idea of releasing this sort of compilation. Every single one of these selections is part of a larger Shaw-recorded work already released by Telarc, and you are far better off seeking the complete recordings that all these pieces are from, than just buying a mere "sampler". (Shaw, however, never did get around to recording the complete " L' Enfance du Christ".) Of course, that can be very expensive for some people, and if one cannot afford all those recordings, I suppose this is the next best thing. One can't shake off the feeling, however, that because Shaw is no longer with us, Telarc is desperately trying to give the impression that "new" Shaw recordings are constantly being released by them, when the truth is that nearly all the new ones are mere recyclings. (The last complete Robert Shaw album released by Telarc was Dvorak's "Stabat Mater", a CD well worth buying.)

Awesome.......2000-04-04

This album is so up-lifting. As the music soars, so do your spirits.

Karl Jenkins & Adiemus: The Essential Collection

Average customer rating:

Jenkins' Essential Collection with Diamond music
A Great Sampler

Karl Jenkins & Adiemus: The Essential Collection

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Karl Jenkins: Requiem
The Journey: The Best of Adiemus
Songs of Sanctuary
Adiemus II: Cantata Mundi
Adiemus III: Dances of Time

ASIN: B000EGDMEG
Release Date: 2006-03-27

Tracks:

Adiemus (Adiemus I - 1999 Version)
Pie Jesu (Requiem)
Hymn Before Action (The Armed Man)
Cantus - Song Of Tears (Adiemus II - Journey Edit)
Palladio (Diamond Music)
Lacrimosa (Requiem)
Cantilena (The Journey)
In Paradisum (Requiem)
The Exile Song (In These Stones Horizons Sing)
Agnus Dei (The Armed Man)
Cantus - Song Of The Plains (Adiemus II - Journey Edit)
Dies Irae (Requiem)
Allegrettango (Adiemus Vocalise)
Benedictus (The Armed Man)
Beyond The Century (The Journey)
Sanctus (The Armed Man)

Album Details

Karl Jenkins Has Been Composing for Three Decades, but it was his Knack for Delivering Themes for TV Commercials in the '80s and '90s that Began his Rise to Wider Recognition - Delta Airlines, Cheltenham and Gloucester Building Society, De Beers and Levi's Jeans Amongst Others - Earning Him Many Prestigious Music Awards. " it is Perhaps for his Adiemus Project for which Karl is Best Known, Having Topped Both Pop and Classical Charts around the World, Its Evolving Nature Giving it Universal Appeal. In Recent Years, Jenkins Has Concentrated on Classical Works with the Armed Man (Sold Over 100k in the UK) and Requiem Introducing Him to Yet Another Audience, Topping the Classical Chart, as Well as Entering Classic FM'S 'hall of Fame' in the Top Ten for the Last Two Years Running as the Highest Position for a Living Composer.

Customer Reviews:

Jenkins' Essential Collection with Diamond music.......2006-11-10

This CD is an excellent addition to anybody's musical collection. It reflects the popular famous music from TV commercials as well as other music not as well known, but equally as entertaining. All the music reflects Jenkins' ability to vary his style of music.
I have listened to this music many times.

A Great Sampler.......2006-11-10

Here's an excellent and representative collection of Karl Jenkins' best compositions and arrangements. Buy this one first if you're still not sure you want to invest in a half-dozen Adiemus-type recordings. I predict that, if you listen to this one, you'll want more.

Average customer rating:

The Essential Mark O'Connor

Essential Mark O'Connor

Manufacturer: Sony Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Essential Joshua Bell
More Motown Classics Gold
Essential Broadway
Gold
Gold

ASIN: B000NDIAXS
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Appalachia Waltz - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Tiger Rag - Jon Burr, Wynton Marsalis, , Mark O'Connor, Frank Vignola
Caprice No. 1 in a Minor - Mark O'Connor
Butterfly's Day Out - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Caprice for Three - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Stephane and Django - Jon Burr, , Mark O'Connor, Frank Vignola
Midnight on the Water/Bonaparte's Retreat - Mark O'Connor
College Hornpipe - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Flailing - Mark O'Connor
Brave Wolfe - Wynton Marsalis, , Mark O'Connor
Misty Moonlight Waltz - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
F.C.'s Jig - Yo-Yo Ma, , Mark O'Connor
Caprice No. 6 in G Major - Mark O'Connor
Vistas - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, , Mark O'Connor
Amazing Grace - Mark O'Connor

Tracks:

Surrender the Sword for Violin and Strings - Nashville Symphony Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
Call of the Mockingbird from Fanfare for the Volunteer - London Philharmonic Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
Sons of the Liberty Bell for Violin and Strings - Nashville Symphony Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
American Seasons (Seasons of an American Life) For Violin and Orchestra - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
American Seasons (Seasons of an American Life) For Violin and Orchestra - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
American Seasons (Seasons of an American Life) For Violin and Orchestra - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
American Seasons (Seasons of an American Life) For Violin and Orchestra - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor
Appalachia Waltz - Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, , Mark O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

The Essential Mark O'Connor.......2007-06-13

This is a wonderful 2-disc set. Mark O'Connor is extremely versatile. He plays beautifully, no matter what type of music he is playing; classical, jazz, bluegrass. His talents as a composer and as a violinist are showcased.

Average customer rating:

Superb match of music, artist, and instrument
Beautiful, commanding; dynamite recording quality

Works for Organ - Essential Classics
Bach , and Biggs
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bach: The Four Great Toccatas & Fugues
Virgil Fox Encores
The Biggs Bach Book
Bach: Great Organ Works
Bach: Four Great Toccatas & Fugues

ASIN: B000069JLH
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Tracks:

Toccata
Fugue
Passacaglia
Fugue
Pastorale
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro Vivace
Prelude (Fantasia)
Fugue
Prelude
Fugue
Prelude
Fugue
Prelude
Fugue

Customer Reviews:

Superb match of music, artist, and instrument.......2006-02-24

On March 2, 1972, a spacecraft called Pioneer 10 was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. On the grounds that the craft might at some point, at some time, come under the notice of intelligent beings on another world, a plaque was attached to the craft, etched with some figures and whatnot. The figures were designed to "represent the type of creature that created Pioneer." It struck me at the time that if we wanted to tell others not only what type of creature we are, but what we are supremely capable of, that we should include a recording of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and, more specifically, this recording of that marvelous expression of the human mind and spirit.

E. Power Biggs was known not only for his mastery of the pipe organ, but also for his careful matching of a particular composition to an organ best suited to its performance. We can hope that Sony will at some point release a CD of Biggs' performance of the Toccata from Widor's fifth organ symphony on the organ of the Episcopal Church of St. George in New York City with its 32 -foot ranks. The thundering pedal notes in the concluding part of the work have never had better justice done to them.

All the tracks on this CD were recorded on the Flentrop organ in the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University, from about 1961 to 1972. Again, Biggs seems to have chosen his instrument wisely, as the pieces he plays here feel so absolutely right on that organ. Yes, there is some tape hiss, and I think I detected a little bit of tape "wow" at one point. But if you will listen beyond those things, concentrate on the music in itself, I think you cannot fail to be both impressed and moved, even if you have heard the pieces played by many other artists in many other venues. Technique and artistry alike are both superb and unique in this recording of these monuments of Bach's genius.

Highly recommended.

Beautiful, commanding; dynamite recording quality.......2005-10-28

This CD is a 2002 re-issue of the Sony Essentials CD from 1991. That disc is also still available from Amazon. Just type in "E. Power Biggs" on the search line to make sure you get to the appropriate page. Several customer reviews are available there. You will see it listed as "Bach: Toccata & Fugue; Passacaglia & Fugue; Pastorale; Prelude & Fugue". I can really only add my voice to the other reviewers, some of whom are far more eloquent than I. Suffice it to say that E.Power Biggs is the best. The famous Toccata & Fugue in D Minor is so perfectly performed here by Mr. Biggs. Of course, all the other compositions are equally well-performed. These recordings date from 1961, 1965, and 1972, according to the last page of the liner notes. There is some tape hiss present; however, it only appears during very quiet passages, and there are precious few of those, so I don't really consider it a problem. Take my word that the recordings on this disc are absolutely excellent. I have some vinyl discs from Columbia Masterworks featuring Mr. Biggs, and this disc reminds me of those top-quality recordings. It may be that these CD recordings come from original Columbia Masterworks as well. What matters in the end here is twofold: the works of Bach and the performances of Mr. Biggs. I would also suggest that anyone who wants to pursue E. Power Biggs' recordings of Bach to browse through his other recordings here on Amazon in order to complete their collection. In the meantime, I can guarantee that this disc at this low price is one wonderful buy.

The Best of: Essential Original Masters 25 Classics

Average customer rating:

Definitely an essential collection of mid-1960s music from Mac

The Best of: Essential Original Masters 25 Classics
Mac Wiseman
Manufacturer: Rural Rhythm
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Standard Songs for Average People
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The Essential Bluegrass Album

ASIN: B000G1R4M0
Release Date: 2006-07-18

Tracks:

Rovin' Gambler
Sittin' On Top Of The World
Little Pal
Picture From Life's Other Side
The Georgia Mail
Precious Memories
How Many Biscuits Can You Eat
More Pretty Girls Than One
Wreck Of Old #9
Grandfather's Clock
Little Blossom
Corina, Corina
Midnight Special
Tramp On The Street
Sourwood Mountain
I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
Just Over In Glory Land
Mary Of The Wild Moor
I Saw Your Face In The Moon
When They Ring Those Golden Bells
Wreck Of The Old 97
Little Mohee
Turkey In The Straw
The Black Sheep
The Waltz You Saved For Me
Bonus Track 1

Customer Reviews:

Definitely an essential collection of mid-1960s music from Mac .......2007-01-02

With over 50 years in business, Rural Rhythm Records has built a catalog that connects many dots from past to present. Since its 1955 creation, Rural Rhythm has released hundreds of classic performances by many legendary bluegrass and old-time musicians such as J.E. Mainer, Don Reno, Red Smiley, Mac Wiseman, Vassar Clements, Hylo Brown, Bill Harrell, Jim Eanes, and many others. This album is part of that archival catalog. The label owes its Arcadia, California start to Uncle Jim O'Neal whose vision was to release the music of many top bluegrass and old-time musicians in the 1950-70s, seeking success where Starday had failed by producing records of limited appeal by lesser known, albeit talented, musicians.

Mac Wiseman was born on May 23, 1925. He hails from Crimora, Virginia but lives on Percy Priest Lake, near Nashville. He was born in 1925, the same year the Grand Ole Opry started. In 1944, Mac began his career as a DJ in in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In 1946, he worked with Molly O'Day, then in 1948 an original member of Flatt and Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys, and then in 1949 with Bill Monroe. From 1952-1956, Mac with his band "The Country Boys" recorded several hits for Dot Records including "Jimmy Brown the Newsboy," "Love Letters in the Sand," "The Ballad of Davy Crockett." From 1957-1963, he was an A & R man (Artists and Repertoire) for Dot Records and ran the company's country-music department. While at Dot, he was instrumental in the success of Pat Boone's career. It was Mac who suggested that Pat record the song "Love Letters in the Sand" which became a smash hit for the young singer. In 1958, Mac one of the founders of the Country Music Association (CMA) and its first secretary. In 1965, he performed at the first bluegrass festival in Fincastle, Virginia. In 1966, Mac managed WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia. That was the year that he recorded this album for Uncle Jim's Rural Rhythm Records.He was in fine country voice for songs that also include some uncredited accompaniment with drums, jew's harp, Dobro, harmonica, autoharp, electric bass, and others.

In more recent time, Mac's kept busy with music. In 1990, he was elected president of R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) in Nashville. One of the goals of the organization is to build a retirement home for country music entertainers. In 1991, he worked at the revived Old Dominion Barn Dance, Richmond, Virginia. In 1992, he worked at the Willie Nelson Theatre in Branson, Missouri. In 1993, Mac was inducted into the IBMA's Hall of Honor. In 1997, he recorded with "The Groove Grass Boyz." In 2001, Wiseman recorded a duet with his old friend Johnny Cash: "When It's Reveille Time in Heaven."

Songcarriers and musicologists would be particularly interested in this type of archival material. This set of 25 classics is reissued in Rural Rhythm's "Heritage Collection." It contains original mixes from 1966 along with some bonus tracks from the Wiseman master vault archives. Liner notes were written by country music historian Colin Escott based on an interview conducted with Wiseman. For the price and volume, this is an essential collection of mid-1960s Wiseman music for your own library.

Don't expect to hear vocal harmonies, elaborate arrangements or the same level of clarion studio recording quality we hear today. Rather, just enjoy and relive a classic country sound of yesteryear. Most of the cuts span about 2 minutes apiece. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 / 1812 Overture / Marche Slave - Essential Classics

Average customer rating:

You'll get what you pay for
Tchaikovsky estruendoso
"The Philadelphia Sound" in all its glory
Same album, same sound, different look. Still very good!
Terrific Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 / 1812 Overture / Marche Slave - Essential Classics

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5/Serenade For Strings
Tchaikovsky: The Three Piano Concertos
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture

ASIN: B000069JL5
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Tracks:

I. Andante Sostenuto; Moderato Con Anima In Movimento Di Valse; Moderato Assai, Quasi Andante; Allegro Vivo
II. Andantino In Modo Di Canzona
III. Scherzo: Pizzicato Ostinato; Allegro
IV. Finale: Allegro Con Fuoco
'1812' Overture, Op. 49 - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Marche Slave, Op. 31

Customer Reviews:

You'll get what you pay for.......2006-06-06

I was suckered into this recording by the rather cheap price, thinking that Ormandy would work his magic with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Ormandy does take a very moderate interpretation, both in terms of tempo and dynamic, which I thought to be perfectly acceptable for Tchaikovsky. However, I did not find this to be a particularly riviting performance of any of the works, for two reasons.

First, intonation is a consistant problem throughout the disk, especially in the brass instruments. The begining of the 1812 Overture is particularly sloppy in the choir, both on intonation, as well as rhythmic precision.

Second, the style is a bit 'un-Russian'. Many of the notes that (I believe) should be played as long as possible, are clipped off, and played staccato (separated, short). For example in the opening fanfare of the Fourth Symphony, the first five notes are played so separated, it sounds weak.

The bottom line: You can get better recordings. I would take Mr. Grabowski's advice of getting the Mravinsky recording or you might want to check out Karajan's recording with the Berlin Philharmonic.

Tchaikovsky estruendoso.......2004-09-15

Tchaikovsky es un compositor que pasa de la dulzura del ballet a la tragedia de la sinfonía patética, y llega al estruendo de la overtura 1812, sin trauma, sin dolor, sin esfuerzo. La sinfonía Nº 4 es ceremoniosa, alegre, dulce y estruendosa; preparandonos en este Cd para la obertura 1812, en este caso un coro masculino nos introduce en forma mágica al mundo de la guerra, de las marchas y el estruendo, la banda militar agrega un toque solemne de desfile y las campanas y los cañones terminan en un ensordecedor holocausto del triunfo y la victoria. Finalmente una marcha en plena forma, solemne, vivaz y muy bella, la marcha eslava es un cierre lógico para estas grabaciones de fuerza incontenible que Tchaikovsky sabe entregar.
Ormandy junto al Orquesta Filadelfia saben de fuerza y belleza y lo mezclan sutilmente, el coro del Tabernaculo Mormón se acopla en forma correcta y la banda militar y los cañones cierran este apoteosis musical, mucho ruido y por cierto mucho más nueces.
Disfrutenlo, la música es ruido bellamente presentado.

"The Philadelphia Sound" in all its glory.......2003-12-07

You get pretty much what you expect with this album, if you know anything about Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra's legacy. Strings are rich and smooth. Winds have that woody "Old World" sound and vibrato. Brass and percussion are restrained.

The Fourth Symphony gets the treatment in moderate tempi and dynamics; volume tends to stay in the mf range and never falls below p or goes above f. Accents are softened. For a radical contrast (and, in all honesty, a better account of the symphony) you should check out Mravinsky's account on DG: he finds more profundity than Ormandy, although the Philadelphias are more polished.

Ormandy doesn't quite find the pathos in the work that others do, and his is more emotion recollected in (relative) tranquility. This is not to say the performance is dull, but it is not white-hot, like Bernstein's, or melodramatic, like Mravinsky's, or steely, like Monteaux's. A little annoyingly, Ormandy does not observe the considerably detailed dynamic markings in the score. (This was a common fault of his; he was never obsessed with detail and tended to be concerned with the overall sheen, the "big picture" or perhaps more accurately, "big sound.")

I can't really review the 1812 Overture, because I hate it, so I'll leave you to other Amazon reviewers for an evaluation of that. (Seems to me, though, that the Philly under EO might be a little too "rounded" and "smooth" to do that work justice.) As for the Marche Slave, while this one is good, the definitive reading of that work remains Leopold Stokowski (Ormandy's predecessor in Philly!) and the London Symphony Orchestra, recorded in 1969 for London Records. If you can find that recording, which also has a stunning Firebird Suite and a fun Night on Bald Mountain, grab it. The piece on this disc is nice filler.

Same album, same sound, different look. Still very good!.......2003-09-07

You know? There are times when an album gets a new look and somewhere it said things like "Digitally remastered for superior sound!" I got this latest reissue and compared it to an earlier CD (late '90s reissue). I made sure that both CD players are pretty much in sync while carefully comparing the sound quallity. You know what? NO DIFFERENCE! They both sound very good! So, if you want the 1960s Ormandy's version of Tchaikovsky's 4th symphony, it would not make a difference if you were to get this latest release, OR the earlier issue of the SAME album.

Why do I gave it 4 stars? Well, my least favorite part is the 1812 Overture. The cannon sounds are like something out of an old movie or TV show with cheesy quality (and Hi-Fi stereo recording had already been around for quite a while)! The sound of the bells are kinda odd. At least, the playing of the piece itself is good and the orchestral sound is very good. But I prefer other versions by Dutoit and Sir Adrian Boult. Outside of the 1812 Overture, you can't go wrong.

Terrific Tchaikovsky.......2003-01-16

In the 1950s and 60s, CBS/Columbia (now Sony Classical) had the great fortune to have three of America's best orchestras and their conductors on its recording roster -- Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic, Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. Nearly a half-century later, only Leonard Bernstein remains a name that even the non-classical music world knows well. But in the world of the compact disc, this is a wonderful thing, because while Leonard Bernstein analog stereo recordings sell at mid-price, classic performances by Ormandy and Szell are regulated to the budget line. Well, my friends there is justice in the world because the vast majority of these "budget line" recordings are not only amazing, but some are still considered definitive more than 40 years later! One such definitive performance is this Ormandy recording of Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony (the 5th and 6th on Sony Essential Classics are equally amazing). Throw in terrific performances of the 1812 Overture and Marche Slave and you've got a classic disc. Never did something of such high quality come at such a small price. Enjoy!

Emperor & Triple Concertos - Essential Classics

Average customer rating:

Great Music Played Superbly
Conciertos esenciales
Brilliant Beethoven

Emperor & Triple Concertos - Essential Classics
Beethoven , Fleisher , Szell , Rose , and Ormandy
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: Piano Concertos
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 4
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Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6
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ASIN: B000069JLG
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Tracks:

I. Allegro - Leon Fleisher
II. Adagio Un Poco Moto - Leon Fleisher
III. Rondo. Allegro - Leon Fleisher
I. Allegro - Eugene Istomin
II. Largo - Eugene Istomin
III. Rondo Alla Polacca - Eugene Istomin

Customer Reviews:

Great Music Played Superbly.......2006-03-23

This CD offers wonderful performances of two Beethoven compositions, one very well known, the Piano Concerto #5, and the other somewhat less well-known, the Triple Concerto. The recording of the piano concerto is legendary and remains one of the greatest performances of this piece on record today. Pianist Leon Fleisher and the Cleveland Orchestra conducted by George Szell recorded all of the Beethoven concerti and this performance shows both Fleisher and Cleveland in top form. The Triple Concerto, while less well known than the piano concerto, is a wonderful piece requiring a great orchestra to really bring it to life and give it it's due and the Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Ormandy certainly fill the bill. The soloists, Isaac Stern, Leonard Rose and Eugene Istomin give a marvelous performance although here and there the tempos seem a bit slower than I prefer. Still, this is great musicmaking and I highly recommend this recording. By the way, I know a little something about these pieces because I am the violinist of The Amadeus Trio.

Conciertos esenciales.......2004-09-16

"Emperador" es el gran concierto y si esta o no dedicado a Napoleon es una discusión que solo especialistas tienen, para nosotros lo importante es poder disfrutarlo, y en este caso, eso es lo que hacemos. Leon Fleisher es un gran pianista, claro que de los años sesenta y no tan popular, lo he comentado son grabaciones de la CBS-Columbia (hoy Sony classical) que por años registro de manera grandiosa una amplia gama de obras con solistas de gran nivel que no alcanzaron resonancia tiempo despues salvo algunos casos, asi tenemos a Leonard Rose, Eugene Istomin, Rudolf Serkin, Isaac Stern y el propio Fleisher, que bajo la batuta de George Szell y Eugene Ormandy lograron grabaciones excepcionales. El triple Concerto por su lado aunque una obra simple en su estructura nos muestra la genialidad de Beethoven al integrar tres solistas y lograr que el cello no sea opacado por el violin o el piano. Istomin, Rose y Stern, hacen de este concierto una pequeña obra maestra. Ormandy los acompaña como siempre de la mejor forma.
George Szell un director húngaro al igual que Ormandy realiza interpretaciones de un nivel insuperable, sinfonías que van desde Mozart a Bruckner, conciertos y otras obras son presentadas por este director de manera soberbia.

Brilliant Beethoven.......2003-01-15

In the 1950s and 60s, CBS/Columbia (now Sony Classical) had the great fortune to have three of America's best orchestras and their conductors on their recording roster -- Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic, Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. Nearly a half-century later, only Leonard Bernstein remains a name that even the non-classical music world knows. But in the world of the compact disc, this is a wonderful thing, because while Leonard Bernstein analog stereo recordings sell at mid-price, classic performances by Ormandy and Szell are regulated to the budget line. Well, my friends there is justice in the world because the vast majority of these "budget line" recordings are not only amazing, but some are still considered definitive more than 40 years later! One such definitive performance is this Szell recording of Beethoven's "Emperor" Piano Concerto with Leon Fleisher, and in fact the cycle of all five concertos is still something at which to marvel. Fleisher bows out on the Triple Concerto to be replaced by Eugene Istomin, and along with violinist Isaac Stern and cellist Leonard Rose they record a memorable performance. Never did something of such high quality come at such a small price. Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Complete After Midnight Sessions
Nat King Cole
Manufacturer: Essential Jazz Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Try Me One More Time
West
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series

ASIN: B000M2E8SG
Release Date: 2007-01-29

Tracks:

You Can Depend On Me
Candy
Sweet Lorraine
ItS Only A Paper Moon
(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66
DonT Let It Go To Your Head
YouRe Looking At Me
Just You, Just Me
I Was A Little Too Lonely (And You Were A Little Too Late)
Caravan
Lonely One
Blame It On My Youth
What Is There To Say?
Sometimes IM Happy
I Know That You Know
When I Grow Too Old To Dream
Two Loves Have
DonT Blame Me
It Could Happen To You
I Surrender Dear
Little Girl

Album Description

Appearing at a time when for the grand public Nat King Cole was more of a singer and entertainer than a Jazz pianist, this album was a reminder of Nat's superlative skills as an instrumentalist. For the remainder of his successful career, which ended with his sudden death in 1965 due to lung cancer, he continued singing more and more, and playing less and less. This splendid, primarily instrumental album was to be one of his last hits as a pianist (as opposed to a singer and entertainer), presenting the classic Nat King Cole Trio plus some of his illustrious friends in Jazz (drums and horns). The current edition contains the complete master takes in their original session order, allowing the listener to enjoy the music just as it was recorded in August and September of 1956 and fully appreciate the collaboration between Cole's magic and the horns. As a bonus, there is a previous session featuring Cole in a quartet format backed by the same rhythm section. 21 tracks. Essential Jazz Classics. 2007.

Album Details

Appearing at a Time When for the Grand Public Nat King Cole was More of a Singer and Entertainer Than a Jazz Pianist, this Album was a Reminder of Nat's Superlative Skills as an Instrumentalist. For the Remainder of his Successful Career, which Ended with his Sudden Death in 1965 Due to Lung Cancer, He Continued Singing More and More, and Playing Less and Less. This Splendid, Primarily Instrumental Album was to Be One of his Last Hits as a Pianist (As Opposed to a Singer and Entertainer), Presenting the Classic Nat King Cole Trio plus Some of his Illustrious Friends in Jazz (Drums and Horns). The Current Edition Contains the Complete Master Takes in their Original Session Order, Allowing the Listener to Enjoy the Music Just as it was Recorded and Fully Appreciate the Collaboration Between Cole's Magic and the Horns. As a Bonus, We Present a Previous Session featuring Cole in a Quartet Format Backed by the Same Rhythm Section.

The Essential Collection: 24 Smooth Jazz Classics

Average customer rating:

Great CD but one fave missing
The Essential Collection: 24 Smooth Jazz Classics
Good Collection

The Essential Collection: 24 Smooth Jazz Classics
Bob James
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0009UVC2G
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Tracks:

Night On Bald Mountain
Feel Like Makin' Love
Nautilus
Farandole
Take Me To The Mardi Gras
Women Of Ireland
Westchester Lady
Where The Wind Blows Free
Heads
Night Crawler
Kari

Tracks:

Angela (Theme From Taxi)
Touchdown
Blue Lick
Shepherd's Song
Thoroughbred
Reunited
Sign Of The Times
Spunky
Miranda
Marco Polo
Ruby Ruby Ruby
Ensenada Madness
Brooklyn Heights Boogie

Customer Reviews:

Great CD but one fave missing.......2007-06-05

Bob James is a musical chameleon and I have enjoyed his music for years. He's one of the most "in demand" keyboardist, arranger, etc. of the last 30 years. This collection is an admirable project but my heart was broken when I discovered that "Unicorn" was not one of the tracks included. How could this have happened? Anybody who has listen to this track from James' "Sign Of The Times" CD knows that this track is completely mesmerizing, especially with Spyro Gyra's Jay Beckenstein sax work heavily featured. This omission leaves me puzzled.

The Essential Collection: 24 Smooth Jazz Classics.......2007-05-13

Great CD when you are in "work mode" and want to work and relax - at the same time. :O)

Good Collection.......2005-09-12

Bob James has alot of vibes depending on who you talk to.He is One of the Most Sampled Acts Ever,but yet He was able to blend some tight Rhythms&Grooves over the years."Nautilus" is still a cut.this pretty much covers His career into detail.

Average customer rating:

Essential Broadway

Manufacturer: Sony Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B000GH39X2
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' (From "Oklahoma!") Guittard, Laurence; Blackton, Jay
Old Man River (from "Showboat") Allers, Franz; Warfield, William
Prologue: The Carousel Waltz (From "Carousel") Allers, Franz
There's No Business Like Show Business (From "Annie Get Your Gun") (Remastered 1988) Orbach, Jerry; Smith, Rufus; Allers, Franz; Yarnell,
Almost Like Being in Love (from "Brigadoon") (Remastered 1988) Bell, Marion; Brooks, David
Wunderbar (Album Version) Morison, Patricia; Drake, Alfred
Some Enchanted Evening Pinza, Ezio
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend (Album Version) Channing, Carol
The Oldest Established (From "Guys and Dolls") Strauss, Edward
The King and I; Hello Young Lovers (Barbara Cook) (Voice) Cook, Barbara; Bikel, Theodore
And This Is My Beloved (From "Kismet") Calvin, Henry; Banke, Richard; Drake, Alfred; Venora, Lee
Hey There (from "The Pajama Game") Raitt, John
I'm Flying (From "Peter Pan") Adrian, Louis; Stafford, Joseph; Nolan, Kathy; Martin, Mary; Harrington, Robert
Heart (From "Damn Yankees") (Remastered 1988) Komach, Jimmie; Frey, Nathaniel; Linville, Albert; Brown, Russ
I Could Have Danced All Night (Album Version) Andrews, Julie
Standing On The Corner (from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956") Henson, John; Gilbert, Alan; Long, Shorty
Overture (Album Version) Bernstein, Leonard
America (From West Side Story) (Album Version) Rivera, Chita; Cooper,
Everything's Coming Up Roses (Album Version) Merman, Ethel

Tracks:

The Sound Of Music Martin, Mary
If Ever I Would Leave You (Album Version) Goulet, Robert
Hello, Dolly! (From "Hello, Dolly!") (Remastered 2003) Channing, Carol; Coleman, Shepard
Sunrise, Sunset (From "Fiddler on the Roof") (Remastered 2003) Migenes, Julia; Greene, Milton; Karnilova, Maria; Mostel, Zero; Convy, Bert
The Impossible Dream (The Quest) Mitchell, Brian Stokes
Cabaret Richardson, Natasha
The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In) (From "Hair") (Remastered 2003) Moore, Melba; Kellogg, Lynn; Rado, James
Another Hundred People (Album Version) Vocal Minority, The; Myers, Pamela
Losing My Mind (From "Follies") Cook, Barbara; Gemignani, Paul
Send In The Clowns (Album Version) Johns, Glynis
One (Album Version) Original Broadway Cast
Tomorrow from Annie Howard, Peter
Sunday (From "Sunday in the Park With George") Gemignani, Paul
Bring Him Home (From Les Miserables) Wilkinson, Colm
Nowadays (From "Chicago") Sabella, D.; Reinking, Ann; Neuwirth, Bebe; Borstelmann, John; Fisher, Rob
Music Of The Night (From The Phantom Of The Opera) Wilkinson, Colm
We Can Do It (Vocal) Brady, Patrick S.
You Can't Stop The Beat (Version without hidden (bonus) material) Hoyt,
Lullaby of Broadway (from "42nd Street") Lesko, John; Orbach, Jerry

Music Review:

Music Review

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