Works for Cello and Piano

On this CD:

1. Sonata for cello & piano, No. 2 in E flat minor, Op. 36
Composed by Richard Franck
Performed by Maria Bergmann, Thomas Blees

2. Pieces (3) for cello & piano, Op. 146
Composed by Carl Reinecke
Performed by Maria Bergmann, Thomas Blees

3. Cello Sonata in D major, Op. 6
Composed by Eduard Franck
Performed by Maria Bergmann, Thomas Blees

Customer Reviews:

badly remastered.......2007-06-25

"The Complete Rachmaninoff', at 2-3 times the price is a better deal. This version is re-mastered in a way that reduces surface noise, but, at the same time, removes much of the pianists' tone quality that comes through so well on the original LP release, as well as the more expensive set. Also, this album is lacking the documentation of recording dates that the LP and 'The Complete Rachmaninoff' provide. For the neophyte, the re-mastering reduces the magic of Rachmaninoff's tone. I would expect the connoisseur to be even more disappointed. There are bargains out there, but for this album, you get what you pay for.

Rachmaninov is the master.......2007-05-15

Some people like the recordings and some dont, but as a fan of Rachmaninov it would be a shame not to own these recordings. To hear a master composer from history play his own works is not that common. Just put the cd in your player put your headphones on and watch the black and white images appear in your mind as though you were at a concert in the 1930's looking on at the man sitting at the piano carefully but with feeling pounding each note into the air of time. If you don't like the scratchy recordings then obviously you are a spoiled brat who doesnt appreciate fine art.

A Master of Musical Love.......2007-01-18

There have been other brilliant composers and genius pianists as Rachmaninoff lived and afterwards. Yet, in my opinion, he is the real central figure of his days and, as far as I can feel, what there is of most modern up to now in classical music. I do not think it exaggerated to say that, after all these decades, someone is still to pick up the torch from his hands at that level of inspiration, just as he picked it up from Tchaikovsky. It is true that a few of his compositions seem quirky and cerebral: but more than a few are the masterpieces. His second Concerto is the concert of the century. And where do we find, for instance, a match for his etude tableau 39/5 in one hundred years? Or a simply revolutionary piece as his prelude 32/12 is?

One could go on with a list of marvelous compositions either created or played by him and many reviewers already pointed so much of great in his recordings. So a good thing to do here is what a previous reviewer also did: to say something special about one favorite piece of the box-set. My forerunner pointed to Rach's rendering of Haendel's "Harmonious Blacksmith" and I agree with each word he wrote about it. Now I should like to declare my amazement about his version of "Leise flehen", initially a Swansong written by Schubert and later transcribed by Liszt.

Hopefully Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and other singers will not mind my saying this, but Rachmaninoff unveils and exposes such a treasure in this song that now its original lyrics only seem to obstruct the inestimable wealth in piano notes below them at all other known recordings: the piece is infinitely more beautiful when left to the pianist alone. Rach's playing is warm and generous, just like Schubert's creative Geist, and the result is light-years ahead of the usual rough, squared, catacomb mood with which people bring the composition along with singers.

Impossible not to love, but there is more to that. After listening so many times to this piece that never ceases to stun me, I came to conclude that in fact very few people could manage to play the `leise flehen' like this, even among good pianists. As expressed here, its notes speak to their listener in such frank, open, and direct way - like a true friend making an important confession - that only a man with Rachmaninoff's `heart of gold' could manage to convey its meaning.

Ahhh, maybe we're talking about technique... To have a most noble heart, then, is THE decisive technical prerequisite for communicating these notes, otherwise they will simply not come out at all.

Notes: Here are a few opinions about the pieces mentioned above; hopefully they will be helpful for persons who don't know Rachmaninoff's works and stimulating for those who already know them. 1) As far as I am aware, besides Rachmaninoff only Valentina Lisitsa recorded the Leise flehen in a solo version. It can be found in her 2005 DVD with the Swan Songs program. 2) The etude tableaux 39/5 is not in this box set; many performers have played it, but none as Van Cliburn, who simply operates a miracle in the CD "My Favorite Rachmaninoff". His playing and the vertigo sensation it leaves behind are so powerful that I am sometimes afraid to listen to him. 3) Horowitz, the wizard, masters the prelude 32/12 in his CD "Horowitz Plays Scriabin" and in his legendary 1986 Moscow recital; the prelude is also in Rach's box-set. 4) About the second concerto, there are so many recordings, most of which I have not heard; my favorite performer is Benno Moiseiwitsch, a sublime piano poet much admired by Rachmaninoff himself. None of the recordings I've heard of the concerto, including the two available by its own composer, reach the climax of its third movement as Moiseiwitsch does in a 1944 movie called "Battle for Music". It is only a short excerpt from one of his wartime presentations with the LSO, but long enough to show how it sounds when perfectly done. The excerpt is also in the movie "The Art of Piano", in which the entire footage involving Rachmaninoff and Moiseiwitsch is simply a gem (however much historically unprecise).

Classic Historic Rachmaninoff........2006-01-14

If you're a tad bit confused between this boxed set and "The Complete Recordings" boxed set from 1992, fear not. Both this and "The Complete Recordings" are exactly the same. The only difference is in the cover art and packaging. Also, the price of this recent reissue is half as much as the original edition. If you have the original edition, there's no need to buy it again. If you don't own this already, then this present edition is the one to get mainly because of its reduced price tag.
With this out of the way, onto the music itself:
The Rachmaninoff Complete recordings collection includes everything the great Russian composer/pianist recorded between the years 1919 and 1941. Besides recording historic versions of his own classic Piano Concertos, his "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paginini" as well as conducting his own Third Symphony and Isle of the Dead, Rachmaninoff also recorded arrangements of works by such great composers ranging from Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert to most importantly, Chopin. These recordings are also included in this mammoth set alongside more obscure works by Mussorgsky, Daquin, Henselt and Dohnanyi.
The sound quality varies throughout the set ranging from highly listenable to sounding as if it were transferred by placing a microphone directly into the horn of an old grammophone. Despite the variants of sound quality, one cannot deny that this music as well as these recordings are important and historic.
The CD booklet gives a brief insight to Rachmaninoff's history as a recording artist as well as a breakdown of the tracks themselves. The only major flaw with this present edition is the fact that there are no recording dates listed anywhere in the liner notes. Considering that these are historic recordings dating from the very birth of the recording age, it would've definitely been helpful to be able to identify the year in which each work included here was recorded. Considering that I do not own the original edition of this set, there's a good chance that the first edition included the dates of the recordings. Not so here though. This is the reason why this reviewer docked this set one star.
Apart from this, this present edition or Rachmaninoff's complete recordings is a must for the die-hard Rachmaninoff fan. You get to hear the genius at work not only with his own material but with works by others as well. There are also a few note worthy collaborations such as a full disc of duets with legendary violinist Fritz Kreisler, an appearance by mezzo soprano Naddejda Plevitskaya on the arrangement of the traditional tune "Powder and Paint" and a fabulous four-hand piano rendition of Rachmaninoff's own "Italian Polka" with his daughter Natalie as second pianist (which actually sounds like a homemade wax-cylinder recording).
With this said, if you can get around guessing when these recordings were made, this is some great and historic music from one of the very best composer/musicians of our time - the one and only, the great Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Average customer rating:

Elegance and precision
Did not buy this item
Mysterious, magical, and a little bit maudlin
Hypnotically Beautiful
THE ART OF THE THEREMIN

The Art Of The Theremin
Manuel de Falla , Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov , and Henryk Wieniawski
Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Glass Harmonica

ASIN: B0000006U6
Release Date: 1992-12-14

Tracks:

Vocalise
Song Of Grusia
The Swan
Pantomime
Hebrew Melody
Romance
Berceuse
Piece en forme de Habanera
Berceuse
Valse sentimentale
Serenade melancolique
Chant du menestrel

Customer Reviews:

Elegance and precision.......2007-06-30

The theramin is, without question, the most difficult instrument in the world to play. Consider: since its invention in 1928 and commercial release in the early 1930s, only one musician - Clara Rockmore - has been able to produce any real music on it. Her performances are spellbinding and, if one sometimes years for, say, a whole sonata or something more substantial than encore pieces, think of how difficult it is to play ANYTHING on this instrument and be glad that we at least have this much.

A one-of-a-kind disc of a one-of-a-kind performer. If you like the samples you can hear on this site. by all means buy it.

Did not buy this item.......2007-05-03

Don't know why this is here as I never purchased this item.

Mysterious, magical, and a little bit maudlin.......2007-03-08

I recently went through a theremin phase after seeing the documetary "Theremin: An Electronic Oddysey" which featured Clara Rockmore prominently. That led me to buy this recording, which seems to be the traditional standard of classical theremin artistry. The story around the instrument is even more bizzare than the music it makes: spooky Cold-War intrigue, sudden disappearances in New York and the USSR, spy gadgets, dead men found alive, old friends reuniting after decades of separation and obscurity... it all fits the eerie ethos of the music. So to really "get" the instrument, you need to know the story behind it. That's the maudlin part.

While the rest of my family violently disagrees, this is indeed lovely music. A careful listening to Mrs. Rockmore's technique reveals, I think, that she's fascinatingly far beyond waving her hands up and down in front of antennas. She makes glissandos and runs happen with discrete pitches in a way that is hard for me to picture on an instrument that can generate any pitch, and every pitch in between. She developed a way to "finger" an instrument you don't touch. That's why it's magical.

A note on the recording: the timbre of the theremin seems to land in a resonant frequency range on most systems/speakers on which I have listened to this recording, leading to the solo instrument badly overbalancing the piano accompaniment.

PS: I have given on someday owning a theremin. Phase over.

Hypnotically Beautiful.......2007-02-28

Classical music, and specifically Theremin music, is not normally my favored listening. But I took a chance on this disc and am very glad I did. Clara Rockmore's mastery of her instrument is astonishing. The music is tastefully chosen and very beautiful. She often mimics violin or human voice in her phrasing, but subtly gives the theremin its own voice and proves its suitability for classical.

I knocked a star off for the lack of arrangement-diversity, but I have to admit that I usually listen to this disc from start to end. Its lyrical qualities are very transfixing and hypnotic. A welcome diversification to my music collection!

THE ART OF THE THEREMIN.......2007-02-24

I HAVE HAD THIS CD FOR YEARS AND HAVE NEVER GOTTEN TIRED OF HEARING IT, ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE RIGHT MOOD TO REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE HEARING. THIS IS THE PREEMINENT THERMEIN RECORDING, BY THE PREEMINENT THEREMIN PERFORMER, CLARA ROCKMORE. HAUNTING, STRANGE, HYPNOTIC, YET MELODICAL, THE THERMEIN IS A VERY DIFFICULT INSTRUMENT TO PLAY, AND CLARA ROCKMORE WAS THE ONLY PERSON TO EVER REALLY "MASTER" IT. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR THEREMIN MUSIC, I GUESS THIS IS THE ONE CD YOU NEED TO GET.

DEBUT - Alisa Weilerstein & Vivian Hornik Weilerstein ~ Works for Cello and Piano

Average customer rating:

Hear Her Live
Weilerstein Debut
powefull
Florida Music Lover
Love it or hate it!

DEBUT - Alisa Weilerstein & Vivian Hornik Weilerstein ~ Works for Cello and Piano
Niccolo Paganini , Antonin Dvorak , Alberto Ginastera , Felix Mendelssohn , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Gabriel Faure , Leos Janacek , Camille Saint-Saens , Manuel de Falla , Alisa Weilerstein , and Vivian Hornik Weilerstein
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00003ZKRO
Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

Variations On One String On A Theme By Rossini
Forest Quietude, Op.68 No.5
Pampeana No.2, Op.21
Lied Ohne Worte, Op.109 (Posth.)
Pezzo Capriccioso, Op.62
Apres Un Reve, Op.7, No.1: After A Dream
Pohadka - Fairy Tale: I
Pohadka - Fairy Tale: II
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The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Popular Spanish Suite: I. El Pano Moruno (The Moorish Cloth)
Popular Spanish Suite: II. Asturiana
Popular Spanish Suite: III. Jota
Popular Spanish Suite: IV. Nana (Lullaby)
Popular Spanish Suite: V. Cancion (Song)
Popular Spanish Suite: VI. Polo

Customer Reviews:

Hear Her Live.......2006-12-19

You must witness Alisa Weilerstein live. I fell in love with her playing at the Spoleto festival where she played the basso continuo part of a Bach Brandenberg Concerto as if it was the Dvorak Cello Concerto. She has a passion for music that i have not heard or seen. And in her early 20s. Oh my gosh what a performer she will eventually be!

Weilerstein Debut.......2006-01-21

I've been playing the cello for almost 40 years and I agree about the complaints about the vibrato and phrasing: overdone! I also agree with the question about "aristocratic" playing: why all of the exaggeration? Instrument playing should ideally be like that of a vocalist, where one is not limited by one's technical abilities. I doubt that Ms. Weilerstein would sing these phrasese the same way she plays them. There is still time for her to develop, however. If you want to hear more refined playing, listen to Gendron, Rose, Fournier or Rostropovich.

powefull.......2005-12-18

I am a cellist of 15 years on the breakthrough of becoming a renowed cellist. This cellist tone is so powerfull and clear.she tells a story this is so clear to understand because the music speaks. alisa should watch the slurs from the f to b and be more gracefull. The apres un reve was ok i guess. she really should of tooken more time. like floating on a dream cloud. when i play this piece i take the music from the begining as a fuzzy dream and play the pitch so the music tells a story and becomes more clear every measure. The elgar is somenthing she might not want to touch because no one plays it better than du pre.

Florida Music Lover.......2002-10-12

I have been fond of the cello for years. I have enjoyed Casals even though he was somewhate austere. I love Rostropovich's tone and color but have felt that no one has ever played with the passion of Du Pre until I heard Weilerstein on, I believe, NPR when they played an unreleased tape of the Elgar Concerto by Weilerstein. I missed the intro and would have bet the farm that I was listening to Du Pre until the announcement at the end. I immediately ordered this disc and it has me wondering about re-incarnation. Is Du Pre back? This disc is a wonderful sample of the immense talents of this new young artist. I can't wait for Alisa to record the my favorite Elgar for EMI.

Love it or hate it!.......2002-05-21

SUCH PRESENCE! This is cello playing without apologies. She is always secure in what she is saying whether that is what you wanted to hear or not. She is the real thing. May she go onto continue to create controvery through her playing!

Average customer rating:

A Must have if you're a cello lover
Sublime performances of some too-oft overlooked chamber gems
this CD is a real pleasure
Add this to your collection

Fauré: Complete Works for Cello

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fauré: Requiem, Op. 48; Pelléas et Mélisande, Suite, Op. 80; Pavane, Op. 50

ASIN: B000003FTT
Release Date: 1995-04-11

Tracks:

Romance, Op. 69 in A
Elegie, Op. 24
Sonata No. 1, Op. 109 In D Minor: Allegro
Sonata No. 1, Op. 109 In D Minor: Andante
Sonata No. 1, Op. 109 In D Minor: Final: Allegro commodo
Allegretto moderato For Two Cellos
Serenade, Op. 98
Sicilienne, Op. 78
Papillon, Op. 77
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Sonata No. 2, Op. 117 In G Minor: Andante
Sonata No. 2, Op. 117 In G Minor: Allegro vivo
Original Version Of Romance, Op. 69: Andante - Francis Grier

Customer Reviews:

A Must have if you're a cello lover.......2006-11-26

Faure's cello works feature great melodies. Isserlis' performance features great sensitivity to the music's form and wonderful use of technique. He is also one of the best when it comes to French chamber music in general. In my studies on the violin I am most familiar/exposed/trained-in with works from this period by French composers, so when I compare any other performances I would have to say this CD is my pick. One of my all-time favorite records, this CD is beautiful and satisfying to listen to on any given day, any given time. I have three copies of this CD because I keep "losing" my primary copy, and I am fine with having paid for it three times.

Sublime performances of some too-oft overlooked chamber gems.......2006-01-07

When listening to any music, but classical music in particular, I live by the advice of some wise old public radio announcer (who I suspect also read Aaron Copland's bible on "What To Listen For In Music"): A great musical album is the combined product of 1.) well-written music, 2.) impeccably performed, and 3.) flawlessly recorded.

Well, here's Exhibit A.

This RCA recording of Steven Isserlis (mostly with pianist Pascal Devoyon) performing the cello works of Gabriel Faure is remarkable. It's truly unfortunate that most casual listeners of classical music are only familiar with Faure's "Dolly", "Requiem", or perhaps some of his fine piano compositions (of which there are many), because he has a fine catalog of other chamber works (violin sonatas, trios, quartets, quintets [stunning!] etc.), as well as some great orchestral works and songs.

His compositional style which combines typical French Impressionistic coloring with lush Romantic styling is clearly evident on these beautiful, playful, emotional cello works. Isserlis gives each piece his individual attention, and his phrasing seems effortless and spot on. The trademark tone of his cello is perfectly mic'd and reproduced here on this recording.

You'll love every minute of this brilliant album. It has that certain something that makes it stand out from the rest of your library as a special musical experience that you'll want to keep revisiting over and over (at the unfortunate expense of some worthy competitors in your collection!).

This is a "Top Ten" cd in my personal collection of over 800 classical cd's. You can't go wrong here, folks.

I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd's rating was based on:
Music quality = 9.6/10; Performance = 9.7/10; Production = 9.5/10; CD length = 10/10.
Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 9.6 ("5 stars")

this CD is a real pleasure.......2005-10-08

Faure's compositions on this disc are consistently great works in his usual vein of subtle beauty. Isserlis has big, rich tone and the piano accompianist does a nice job. The sound is top notch. This is well worth your money and if you are not familiar with Faure it would be a great place to start. Any comment that these pieces sound alike is true only in that a cello and piano are involved. The pieces themselves have obviously varied musical content.

Add this to your collection.......1999-06-08

Although the pieces start to sound alike, the melodies are gorgeous and the piano/cello arrangements are sublime. Great for an evening of solitude, romance, or a cocktail party.

Average customer rating:

Pieces, playing, and price: all excellent
Must Be Heaven
Wonderful pieces filled with wonderful memories
Polite & reserved
superlative

Bruch: Works for Clarinet & Viola

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005OBR9
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

Concerto For Clarinet, Viola And Orchestra In E Minor, Op.88: Andante Con Moto
Concerto For Clarinet, Viola And Orchestra In E Minor, Op.88: Allegro Moderato
Concerto For Clarinet, Viola And Orchestra In E Minor, Op.88: Allegro Molto
Eight Pieces For Clarinet, Viola And Piano, Op.83: No.1 Andante In A minor
Eight Pieces For Clarinet, Viola And Piano, Op.83: No.2 Allegro Con Moto In B Minor
Eight Pieces For Clarinet, Viola And Piano, Op.83: No.3 Andante Con Moto In C Minor
Eight Pieces For Clarinet, Viola And Piano, Op.83: No.4 Allegro Agitato In D Minor
Eight Pieces For Clarinet, Viola And Piano, Op.83: No.5 Andante In F Minor
Eight Pieces For Clarinet, Viola And Piano, Op.83: No.6 Andante Con Moto In G Minor
Eight Pieces For Clarinet, Viola And Piano, Op.83: No.7 Allegro Vivace Ma Non Troppo In B Major
Eight Pieces For Clarinet, Viola And Piano, Op.83: No.8 Moderato In E Flat Minor
Romance For Viola And Orchestra In F Major, Op.85: Andante Con Moto

Customer Reviews:

Pieces, playing, and price: all excellent.......2007-07-05

I really don't like to review a CD based upon price. I'd rather pay more to have a great CD than pay less for a mediocre one.

In this case, though, you get some great works by Bruch, played wonderfully by Meyer, at an obscenely low price.

I've had reservations with Warner Apex because of a previous CD and the poor sound quality; but that is not an issue on this CD.

Overall, a great purchase for any classical fan.

Must Be Heaven.......2006-08-17

Bruch: Works for Clarient and Viola must be the music that is played in heaven. You will surely think you are there, when listening to these soul soothing yet most dramatic sounds.It is simply beautiful and may be the best hour of your day(actually about 65 minutes).Bruch, an already much admired composer and teacher of the mid 19th century to early 20th, composed these works during the later years.

Opening with a "Concerto for Clarinet, Viola and Orchestra in E minor, OP.88, the three movements (Andante con moto,Allegro moderato, and Allegro molto), will take your breath away, as the music seems to float in the air around you.

Next up are 8 pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op.83 to savour. Each instrument and every track with it's own personality. Sometimes sweet, or solemn, other times happy, lively,or more dramatic, at times powerful. Some of the pieces are "Andante in A Minor", "Allegro agitato in D minor", and Moderato in E flat minor"(see buying ino page for a complete list of tracks.

The final section is "Romance for Viola and Orchestra in F major, Op.85. One gorgeous track, the 7 and a half minute, "Andante con moto".Music that more than lives up to it's title. It may have you swooning.

Kent Nagano and the Lyon Opera Orchestra, with Paul Meyer on Clarinet, Gerard Causse, viola,and Francois-Rene Duchable piano,perform Bruch with perfection.There are 12 tracks in total.They range from 2:22 to 7:49. Most are a good length. The CD is an excellent quality, and includes an insert with a notes on Max Bruch and his music.

I would highly recommend this album to lovers of instrumental classical. It's an album that you should take with you on long scenic drives to add to the beauty of your visual pleasure, or at times you may be stuck in traffic, to ease your drive(be careful though, if you feel like conducting, make sure no one is watching!). Not bad for a wonderfully atmospheric evening, or lazing Sunday morning as well.

Enjoy it whenever the mood or need hits...Laurie

Wonderful pieces filled with wonderful memories.......2006-03-23

My late fiance and I played half of the 8 pieces for our recitals and we both loved them. It is what drew us together as a couple. These pieces are beautiful and each are so different that taking them out of context is fine too. We even gave each one that we played together their own titles. I love the Clarinet & Viola combination very much (espically the Kegelstatt!) and will miss my beloved duet partner.

I highly recommend this CD as it is an enjoyable experience! You will not be disappointed...Bruch is a truly wonderful composer!

Polite & reserved.......2006-03-16

The music is polite and soothing and good background music. Nothing that I could sink my teeth into.

I had to smile at Mr. Bryson's comments below when said that he wants to get to know Bruch's music as well as he knows Brahms and said that he knows of no other composer besides Bruch that has written for the combination of clarinet & viola or violin. Actually, the use of clarinet in chamber music is not that rare. Mozart's trio for Trio for clarinet, viola & piano in E flat major ("Kegelstatt"), K. 498 is one such work and another is Robert Schumann's Märchenerzählungen for clarinet, viola & piano, Op. 132. And, of course, both Beethoven and Brahms wrote clarinet/cello/piano trios with the cello having about the same role as the viola.

superlative.......2005-10-15

This is a great deal! The viola/clarinet concerto is a jighly enjoyable work in the romantic tradition and the clarinet/piano pieces while slightly less approachable are really excellent. The sound is good and the price can't be beaten.

Average customer rating:

Outstanding. A classic.
Pay not attention to the crab behind the curtain
This is incredible. Arrogant but incredible
not a rave
Pieces in a peaceful style.

Pieces in a Modern Style
Samuel Barber , Ludwig van Beethoven , John Cage , Ferry Corsten , Henryk Gorecki , George Frideric Handel , Pietro Mascagni , Maurice Ravel , Erik Satie , Andre (aka ATB) Tanneberger , Antonio Vivaldi , and William Orbit
Manufacturer: Maverick
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Strange Cargos
Strange Cargo 1, 2 & 3
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Remasterpiece

ASIN: B000046S1W
Release Date: 2000-02-22

Tracks:

Adagio For Strings
In A Landscape
Ogive Number 1
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte
L'Inverno
Triple Concerto
Largo From Xerxes
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Piece In Old Style III
Opus 132

Tracks:

Adagio For Strings: Ferry Corsten Remix
Adagio For Strings: ATB Remix

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William Orbit's Pieces in a Modern Style is an ambient album that rejigs 11 works by classical composers in a particularly tacky fashion. Even though Orbit has proved his mettle as an innovative and exciting producer for others--Blur's 13 and Madonna's Ray of Light--this is an ungainly meeting of the sublime and the absurd that, frankly, doesn't work. Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings," Ludwig van Beethoven's "Triple Concerto," Henryk Gorecki's "Piece in the Old Style I," and Antonio Vivaldi's "L'Inverno" are four that unfortunately meet their maker in a crude pileup of flat, belching synths and wallpaper flourishes. If he had combined live instrumentation with a playful reverence for the arcane glories of the past, perhaps he could have managed to make reality out of that most elusive of notions: experimental music that actually sells. However, Orbit fails to do anything more than resemble a second-rate Vangelis. --Maxine Kabuubi

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding. A classic........2007-06-06

I have been working in electronic music for almost 20 years years. I have a massive library of music for almost any reason, mood and itch. Tonight, I am taking the five minutes to stop and write how unique, amazing and consistently refreshing this album is everytime I go back to it since the day it was released.

Highly Melodic, very electronic and overall lacking the percussive elements most have come to know when listening to Orbit.

Much more sophisticated than the average listener might appreciate.Consider it a staple for anyone serious about electronic music.

I believe anyone rating this poorly is looking for a pop appeal that you just won't find here, thankfully.

Pay not attention to the crab behind the curtain.......2006-06-22

I don't know who Maxine Kubabi is. She's certainly untitled to her opinion. An "ungainly meeting of the sublime and the absurd?" What a sublimely empty and inadequate statement.

You have to know something about a genre before you can be an effective critic inside it. You should be able to specify why you don't like something in some detail, rather than resort to crabby nebulousities ... that's greasy kid stuff.

What Orbit has done is to realize some old, familiar works in an electronic medium, using smooth and musical strokes. He's taken many big chances. Some of them worked out well, others not as well as one might hope. But he deserves kudos for taking a risk and for making some of it work.

Why would anyone who *likes* electronic music complain that it doesn't have live instrumentation? That's like complaining that jazz has no rock and roll in it. "Reverence"? "Second rate Vangelis"? so: you were disappointed that Orbit didn't create more of the kind of schmaltz you personally like. Yanni, anyone?

For those who actually like electronic music, and like Beethoven's Opus 132, please, give that track a listen. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This is incredible. Arrogant but incredible.......2006-05-26

I have been a fan William Orbit since Water from a vine leaf and I have to admit while this ins't exactly a electronica per se it is still amazing to see what he has done with our classics. The listening experience depends solely on the listener. More ambient than anything else I have heard though.

Recommended for William orbit and curious georges

not a rave.......2006-02-04

If you're looking for something to pop in late at night to dance to...this is not the album. This album is eery and some of it is painful. It's not full of upbeat electronics like originally thought it would be. But, I love it. It's great to listen to while just thinking...relaxing...reading...it's beautiful.

Pieces in a peaceful style........2005-11-28

Being a fan of ambient and electronica for some time, I decided to give this a try. I can understand how some may simply hear this as a cheesy reworking of the classics, just a man and his keyboard, but it's really much deeper than that if you just sit and listen. I suggest not comparing to the originals as much as enjoying what these pieces are themselves. A few tracks do lag, and there are quiet spots, but as a whole I find "Pieces In A Modern Style" to be almost hypnotic, and as I said in my review title, rather peaceful. The tracks I prefer the most are "Adiago For Strings", "Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo", "L'Inverno", and the music-box sounding "Triple Concerto". However the others are fine as well. I say, if you think you might like this, you probably will. It's well worth the used price if nothing else.

Average customer rating:

Screamers: Virtuosity beyond belief!!!

Screamers: Difficult Works For The Horn
John Cerminaro , Toby Saks , William Kraft , Henri Lazarof , Stephen Mosko , and California EAR Unit
Manufacturer: Crystal Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003J67
Release Date: 1997-10-28

Tracks:

Adagio And Allegro: Adagio
Adagio And Allegro: Allegro
Evening Voluntaries
Divertimento A Tre - Charlotte Cerminaro
Hexadecathlon: 'A New-Slain Knight': Intro/First Movt
Hexadecathlon: 'A New-Slain Knight': Entr'acte/Second Movt
Hexadecathlon: 'A New-Slain Knight': Entracte Two/Third Movt/Epilogue
Intrada For Solo Horn

Customer Reviews:

Screamers: Virtuosity beyond belief!!!.......2002-04-09

Everything on this cd is terrific, but the Kraft "Evening Voluntaries" is simply not to be believed. The range Cerminaro covers is over four and a half octaves, from the low pedal C to a written high G above C. He plays unearthly chords, lips trills, Glissandos, huge interval leaps and machine-gun staccatos. Honestly, I would have thought this kind of gymnastic virtuosity on a French horn completely impossible if I hadn't heard it for myself.

Average customer rating:

Such a magnificent touch on the fretboard.
great playing
Bach at its best
An Instant Classic in the Segovia Tradition
An indispensible CD to any music collection

Artistry of Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening , Johann Sebastian Bach , and Andres Segovia
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Christopher Parkening - The Great Recordings ~ By America's Preeminent Guitar Virtuoso

ASIN: B000002RTK
Release Date: 1993-05-11

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3/ Solo Piano Works

Average customer rating:

Digital Rachmaninoff
Stunning performance, and excellent sound!!
Beautiful
One of the best recordings to date!
Quite Simply The Best Rach 3rd Out There Today

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3/ Solo Piano Works
Arcadi Volodos , and James Levine
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004YC2F
Release Date: 2000-09-26

Tracks:

Con No.3 in d, Op.30: I. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
Con No.3 in d, Op.30: II. Intermezzo. Adagio
Con No.3 in d, Op.30: III. Finale. Alla Breve
Son, Op.10: Andante
Morceaux De Fant, Op.3 No.5: Ser in B flat
Morceaux De Salon, Op.10 No.6: Romance in f
13 Prlds, Op.32 No.6: Prld in f
Prld in d, Op. Post.
Etude-Tableaux in c#, Op.33 No.6

Amazon.com

Volodos is the real thing, a flamboyant virtuoso with a great sense of style, tonal variety, and the kind of dexterity that draws attention to itself without taking your mind off the music. Rachmaninoff's Third is perfect repertoire for him, and he delivers an astonishing performance that combines fluency with weight. For those who found Argerich's Rachmaninoff 3 too brilliant, this performance will be deeply satisfying, the best of its kind since Weissenberg-Pretre of three decades ago. The alert, purposeful playing of the Berlin Philharmonic under James Levine adds greatly to the total impression. The recording and performance invite such concentration that you'll be startled to hear applause at the end. The solo pieces, including a transcription by Volodos of a movement from the Cello Sonata, are also beautifully played. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Digital Rachmaninoff.......2006-01-28

Sergei Rachmaninoff's compositions are often lumped in with other Russian nationalist composers, like Rimsky-Korsakov who wanted to raise the state of Russian music by incorporating modes and folk-elements of their native land into the mainstream. With Rachmaninoff, you get the feeling his music is Russian, but without selling out; he avoided in most cases, overtly inserting folk-sounds, but instead, composed classical music which was greatly influenced by his environment and surroundings.

The opening of his Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, is a fine example of that. A simple unison melody for piano, with simple orchestral accompaniment seems delicate, classically balanced, and tuneful, but the integrity of the melancholy nature seems to listeners as Russian. The theme returns three times, each time as charming and fondly remembered as the first. A more positive secondary melody speaks of love and yearning, evoking Rachmaninoff's highly Romantic compositional style. After the second reprise is a passionate piano cadenza (Volodos choose the longer one), bringing the moods of both motives. The d minor opening movement has a feel of forward movement without being rushed, and the lush Romantic orchestration is colorful and dramatic. The second movement has a potpourri of emotions, including a few reoccurring important ideas. The opening pastoral string section continues the mood of the opening movement, but when the piano enters, it becomes a peaceful pastoral scene. In contrast, a great sweeping theme of passionate emotion, in an almost exotic mode, takes over from time to time, again, rooting the listener in a Russian composition. A brash conclusion links the second movement to the third with a whirlwind scalular passage for orchestra and piano. The final movement begins with a forceful idea, again in the minor, which modulates around creating an interesting kaleidoscope of colors, much like the opening. A whimsical scherzo, along with a reprise of the opening movement's "love" theme gives the final movement an emotional pastiche feel. The work ends in an upbeat key, with broad Romanticism and stunning virtuosic athleticism. The final movement is a work-out for both orchestra and pianist.

This recording features James Levine and the Berlin Philharmonic. Levine, the conductor of the Metropolitan Orchestra, has a natural timing for drama, and it aids this performance of a highly dramatic, Romantic work. The Berlin Philharmonic is full-bodied and accompanies well (the piano rarely takes a break); although, I feel the orchestra could be more present, especially in the opening movement and parts of the third, where the orchestra is sometimes obscured by the piano. Levine also keeps the music moving forward, never langoring in over-Romanticization, a plus for this performance (leaves the listener wanting more). The engineers know who the star of the concerto is; Arcadi Volodos gives an extroverted performance of the concerto and is placed forward in the recording. He is delicate and sensitive at need, but really shines in the virtuosic arena. Minus the slight balance issue, this is a stupendous performance, if not the finest, at 40 minutes.

An extra 20 minutes of Rachmaninoff's solo piano repertoire is added to the concerto. The etude tableaux in c-sharp minor, no. 6(9), preludes in d minor and f minor, romance in f minor, serenade in b-flat minor, and Volodos' transcription from a cello sonata is included. Showcasing sensitivity, as well as athletic virtuosity, the pieces fill out the CD nicely. Interpretively, this CD can stand with most, sonically, it outdoes most. If you are looking for just the 3rd concerto only, this is an easy recommendation of a digital recording. Many labels, however, put out combinations of concertos, which might appeal to a larger consumer base. This CD is an excellent performance, an easy buy.

Stunning performance, and excellent sound!!.......2005-07-05

Volodos is an aspiring star at the piano, and he has showed us his technical and musical abilities several times. This recording of Rach 3 is to be remember as one of the great! I am not saying it is the best, because that for me can change day by day. I have my top 3 and that is enough!
The performance is excellent both from pianist, orchestra and sound technicians! The sound is overwhelming on a good surround system!
The enterpretation is strong and majestic and has all the elements you demand plus somewhat more. The octaves on the end of the 3. mvmt could have been much faster. We know Arcadi by now, and is there something he has no problems handling it is octaves.
If you like Rach 3, this shoukd be in your shelf!

Beautiful .......2004-09-16

This is a beautiful performance of the Rachmaninoff Third, well thought out, finely crafted, lovingly realized. I had not heard the young Russian pianist Volodos before, and I put on this CD with some trepidation, thinking, "Oh boy, here goes another young firebrand virtuoso, trying to out-Horowitz Horowitz, out to razzle-dazzle us into submission with his virtuosity." But that's not what we get here at all. Volodos plays with admirable taste, restraint, and lyricism, with poetry and sensitivity, phrases beautifully and plays with handsome, singing tone (he never pounds or bangs). He has technique to burn and his fingers fly as fleetly as anyone's, but his virtuosity is everywhere at the service of the music (not the other way around, as was so often the case with Horowitz). (My only quibble, and it is a minor one, is that he sometimes uses more pedal than I would like.) His goal is to offer the most beautiful performance possible of the concerto, to perform the music to the music's utmost advantage, and not to show off his own big technique. He plays with remarkable maturity for so young a pianist (he was 27 when the recording was made). Clearly a young man to watch.

For their part Levine and the Berlin Philharmonic provide warm, finely gauged, fully sympathetic support--support really isn't the right word here, for a work that has been aptly described as a "piano symphony." The live performance (from the Berlin Philharmonie, June 1999) is captured in fine sound, with the balances well judged: the piano is not unduly prominent, but is well integrated into the fabric of the orchestra. You are unaware there is an audience until the well-deserved spontaneous ovation erupts at the end. A lovely performance. If it never achieves, for example, quite the heroic liftoff of the famous Cliburn/Kondrashin 1958 live performance in Carnegie Hall, it has compensating beauties of its own (including better sound). Those who view this concerto as a vehicle for fire-breathing virtuoso display are advised to look elsewhere.

The CD is filled out (total timing 61:02) with six short Rachmaninoff pieces, studio recordings (made in Berlin in Jan. 2000). These pieces are pleasant without being of any great substance. I found Volodos's own transcription of an andante movement from a cello/piano sonata the most attractive of the lot. Again, Volodos's singing tone and warmly affectionate playing emphasize lyricism more than fire (and again, he sometimes plays with more pedal than I like). Strongly recommended.

One of the best recordings to date!.......2004-01-19

I consider the Rach Third Piano Concerto to be my favorite romantic concerto. I have heard many recordings of this piece, including the Horowitz version with Philiadelphia Orch, and the video with Zubin Mehta. Volodos's command of the piece is Astonishing to say the least. I feel Volodos pulls off every facet needed to play this great piece. He has the virtoustic power of Horowitz and the needed sensitivity to bring out the concerto's darker and more expressive sides.
All in all a truely fantastic recording worthy of all praise.

Quite Simply The Best Rach 3rd Out There Today.......2003-12-15

I am frankly, flabbergasted as to the negative criticisms of this recording! It is simply, sonically AND artistically the best performance of this concerto on the market today. It's better than the Weissenberg/Pretre version. It's better than Argerich! Yes, it's even better than Horowitz himself! It's simply astonishing. I have over 50 recordings of this piece and this one surpasses them all. I have recently listened to every one of the recordings I have, and none even come close. The sound is fantastic. The playing sublime.

Volodos plays the entire work without any cuts for starters unlike the Horowitz, Janis, Wild, Watts and Rachmaninoff, himself, versions and connects the whole thing together structurally tight as a drum. Volodos plays the heavier cadenza in the first movement, and quite simply, gives the most stunning performance of it I've ever heard. The only person who comes close is Cliburn's legendary 1959 recording, but the sound isn't as good, obviously, and Cliburn doesn't have Volodos' sense of spine-tingling drama and excitement (though, I'd have to say Cliburn's rendition is not far behind).

Volodos' playing of the 2nd movement is beautiful beyond compare. He takes the 3rd movement at a breakneck speed and one can hear just about every note, unlike many performances (Argerich's for one) where half the notes on the piano aren't even audible. Argerich's performance, while fantastic, is simply not as well thought out, technically as perfect, nor as carefully prepared as Volodos'.

Levine and the Berlin Philharmonic are excellent and the sound quality is the best I've ever heard on a live recording. I would be interested to know how much touch-up work was done on it if any. The piano can be heard properly at all times unlike many newer Rach 3rds that try to "integrate" the orchestral and piano parts so it sounds like a symphony, which it is NOT. IT'S A PIANO CONCERTO and the piano needs to be heard almost all the time as the most prominent player; and this recording fills the bill most expertly.

Tracks:

Son in g, Op.19: Lento - Allegro Moderato
Son in g, Op.19: Allegro Scherzando
Son in g, Op.19: Andate
Son in g, Op.19: Allegro Mosso
Romance in F, Op.4, No.3 Lento
Lied (Romance) in f: Andantino
Melodie in D: Moderato
Prld in F, Op.2, No.1: Comodo
Vocalise in e, Op.34, No.14: Lentamente - Molto Cantabile
Danse Orientale in A, Op.2, No.2: Andante Cantabile

Customer Reviews:

Music to Close Your Eyes to, Dream, and Float Away.......2005-12-04

This beautifully performed CD is filled with Rachmaninov's hauntingly beautiful melodies, including one of the most famous in the classical repertoire, "Vocalise," peformed with warmth and sensitivity by two highly talented musicians.

The CD is so reasonably priced that it would be worthwhile to purchase it even if the only selection on it were the 34 minute "Sonata in G minor," one of the most beautiful sonatas ever composed for cello and piano, with its enrapturing Andante third section. I geatly enjoyed every selection on this CD, especially the final selection, Danse Orientale, composed in 1892, when Rachmaninov was only 19 years old. This last selection has a timeless quality and an ethereal hypnotic beauty and intensity that I found very moving.

In addition to the outstanding music on this CD, the insert has two different essays that are both well-written and informative, one in English and a second essay in French, with the second essay providing background information about the musical influences and historical circumstances behind the compositions that is not in the English essay. There is also biographical information on both of these highly talented musicians.

Breathtaking; quintessentially Russian and romantic.......2004-06-26

Russian composers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries have always been some of my favorites. Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, and Prokofiev all wrote music with a similar sort of fiery, overwhelming, and tragic passion. These pieces for cello and piano are quintessential works of this genre; the cello is an instrument particularly suited to this type of music. The musicians, Janet Guggenheim and Michael Grebanier, use near-perfect technical ability to supplement sensitive interpretations of the pieces. I highly recommend the G minor sonata.

Brilliant.......2003-04-23

The CD is priceless, considering its wonderfully low price. The sonata alone is worth buying the disc for, though the other pieces are also first-rate.

This is a good CD.......2000-02-29

I liked this recording. The sound is clear and brilliant. The interpreters are ok, and ¿what can I say about the music? It's Rachmaninov! The sonata is full of passion and the price makes this CD a real to consider!

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