Complete Works for Chorus & Orchestra

On this CD:

1. Christnacht, for solo voices, chorus & orchestra
Composed by Hugo Wolf
Performed by Alison Browner, Stuttgart Ensemble '76, Stuttgart Academy Choir, Christian Beller, Kathrin Koch
Conducted by Dieter Kurz

2. Elfenlied, for soprano, women's chorus & orchestra
Composed by Hugo Wolf
Performed by Alison Browner, Stuttgart Ensemble '76, Stuttgart Academy Choir, Christian Beller, Kathrin Koch
Conducted by Dieter Kurz

3. Der Feuerreiter, for chorus & orchestra (arranged from solo song)
Composed by Hugo Wolf
Performed by Alison Browner, Stuttgart Ensemble '76, Stuttgart Academy Choir, Christian Beller, Kathrin Koch
Conducted by Dieter Kurz

4. Dem Vaterland, for men's chorus & orchestra (arranged from solo song)
Composed by Hugo Wolf
Performed by Alison Browner, Stuttgart Ensemble '76, Stuttgart Academy Choir, Christian Beller, Kathrin Koch
Conducted by Dieter Kurz

5. Morgenhymnus, for chorus & orchestra (arranged from solo song)
Composed by Hugo Wolf
Performed by Alison Browner, Stuttgart Ensemble '76, Stuttgart Academy Choir, Christian Beller, Kathrin Koch
Conducted by Dieter Kurz

6. Manuel Venegas, opera Frühlingschor
Composed by Hugo Wolf
Performed by Alison Browner, Stuttgart Ensemble '76, Stuttgart Academy Choir, Christian Beller, Kathrin Koch, Engel der Verkundigung
Conducted by Dieter Kurz

Complete Works for Chorus & Orchestra, Music, Wolf, Ensemble Stuttgart, Kurtz, Classical, Orchestral & Symphonic

Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001
Average customer rating:

Good Blend

My Favorite Choral Composer

whitacre

Choral excellence

Spine tingling

Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001

Manufacturer: Arsis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:

Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other choral works

Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna, etc. / Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale

Morten Lauridsen: Lux aeterna

The Music Of Eric Whitacre

Nocturne

ASIN: B00008YJET
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Customer Reviews:

Good Blend.......2007-05-17

If you are trying to decide between this recording and "Cloudburst," pick this one. The female voices do not have that shrieking quality that they do on "Cloudburst" and the soprano soloist from the BYU Singers is fantastic.

I do prefer the faster pacing of some of the pieces on the "Cludburst" recording, but this one is better all around.

My Favorite Choral Composer.......2007-03-09

Taken as a whole, Eric Whitacre is my favorite choral composer. I have to listen to his music at least once a week. As far as student choirs go, BYU does a stunning job for the most part. The few minor mistakes do not detract from the music. This is an essential album in my book.

whitacre.......2007-01-25

I bought this CD because it included the piece "Lux aurumque", which I feel must have been inspired because it transforms the listener into another realm. The other pieces are well done, too, but none reach me in the same way as "Lux aurumque". I love the tight overlapping harmonies and suspensions.

Choral excellence.......2007-01-07

I asked for, and received, this recording for Christmas based on the excellence of prior BYU performances and having really enjoyed performing Cloudburst in the past. This recording does not disappoint. It excels on every level. The choral writing is compelling and the performance of the BYU Singers is simply amazing. I've been around choral singing for many, many, years and the level of achievement here is stunning. Based solely on hearing recordings and seeing their recorded concerts on PBS, I would recommend anything from the BYU choral department.

Spine tingling.......2006-12-29

I was VERY suprised to hear this kind of sound from a college choir! The blend of the choir and the emotion behind the music is enough to give anyone goosebumps. From the soaring harmonies of "Water Night" to the subdued tenderness of "Sleep" to the playfulness of "Leonardo" this disc has something for everyone. A guaranteed Best Buy!

Varèse - The Complete Works / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra · Asko Ensemble · Chailly

Average customer rating:

Superb with just one reservation
Go ahead, test your intelligence...
The definitive recordings.
Sound Splitting Music
An aural knockout

Varèse - The Complete Works / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra · Asko Ensemble · Chailly
Edgard Varese , Riccardo Chailly , Mireille Delunsch , Sarah Leonard , Royal Concertgebouw Orhcestra , and Asko Ensemble
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Anton Webern: Complete Works, Opp. 1-31
Varese: Arcana; Ameriques; Ionization; Offrandes; Density 21.5; Octandre; Integrales
Penderecki: Anaklasis; Threnody; etc.
Xenakis: Orchestral Works & Chamber Music
Arnold Schoenberg: Serenade/Five Pieces For Orchestra

ASIN: B00000AFR8
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

Tuning Up
Amques (Original Version)
Po ectronique
Arcana
Nocturnal
Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Orchestral Version)

Tracks:

Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Original Version)
Offrandes: Chanson de laut
Offrandes: La Croix du Sud
Hyperprism
Octandre: Assez lent
Octandre: Trvif et nerveux
Octandre: Grave - Animt jubilatoire
Intales
Ecuatorial
Ionisation
Density 21.5
Drts: 1st Episode
Drts: 1st interpolation of organized sound
Drts: 2nd episode
Drts: 2nd interpolation
Drts: 3rd episode
Drts: 3rd interpolation
Drts: 4th episode
Dance for Burgess

Amazon.com essential recording

For a composer who is (now) recognizably part of the 20th-century classical canon, the French émigré Edgard Varèse's output was astoundingly meager. Just 15 compositions from his entire life (he destroyed the compositions from his early years, and was a merciless editor of his own material in general) made it out to the listening world. Varèse was caught in the chasm between the music of yesterday and the music of tomorrow: scoring music for modified theremin, steamboat whistles, or air sirens, all balanced with the force of a large orchestra; writing pieces based on the flows of water and wind because that's what shapes the earth; using the concepts of chemical reactions and specific gravity as a basis for his music. Using extremes of contrast, dissonance, and variety in sound, Varèse's pieces had power in the way he attacked and shaped the sound he imagined. From Ionisation (1929), scored almost entirely for unpitched percussion, to the electronic-only, three-dimensionally produced Poeme Electronique (1958), he's provided a foundation that many genres, musicians, and composers were to build from not only for the next 40 years, but inevitably beyond. --Robin Edgerton

Customer Reviews:

Superb with just one reservation.......2006-11-10

This complete works of Varèse, superbly performed and recorded, is a fine accomplishment. My only disappointment was its version of Poème Elèctronique being the sole representation of that ground-breaking work that still holds up for me today as one of the finest pieces of electronic music yet created. It is interesting to be able to hear the version in this collection, which appears to be a loving restoration of what must have been primarily the raw, performing version, to be further enhanced during its performances in a very large space? What I miss in the present version is the more clearly heard textures of its huge sound palette; the resonant and often humerous interplay between them, and its dramatic sweep as it was presented on a sparcely documented stereo mix that first appeared on a Columbia Records LP, later reissued on a CD, now out of print. That one is surely more like an actual performance, presumably mixed to re-create as well as possible then what it might have sounded like over its four hundred loudspeakers in the Philips Pavillion. I hope there will be further reissues. To me the CBS version's drama and energy are more like that of the performances of the other pieces in this wonderful Complete Works set. -Curt Wittig

Go ahead, test your intelligence..........2006-06-18

Frank Zappa used to play Varese to test the intelligence of his friends, and most of them used to look at him like he was "out of his f---ing mind" as he put it. As a major Zappa fan, I bought this compliation, and I love every minute of it. This 2 CD set contains all of Varese's work (needless to say, Edgar wasn't very prolific). You really hear Varese's influence in Zappa's work. Some favorite pieces are Deserts, Poem Electronique, and Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Original Version). Varese's music reminds me of universes being created, in all their violence, beauty, and glory. Instruments crashing down upon one another. This music is reminiscent of Zappa's Weasels Ripped My Flesh and his orchestral work especially. Varese is one of the great American composers, like Aaron Copland, John Cage, and Conlon Nancarrow. Superb....

The definitive recordings........2005-11-09

Riccardo Chailly once said Varèse was going to be the Brahms of the XXI Century. I really don't know if he will be right or wrong, specially because of the very conservative auditoriums we have all around the world, but it should be this way, as the french composer has died too many years ago and his music should be understood but most of the public. It's sad to know that composers, like the own Mahler said, use to be years, decades, even centuries in advance to the general public .

Anyway, it's very important for the popular knowledge of this composers to have recordings like this, in which everything works perfectly as if it was a clock. After many years having some good recordings conducted by Boulez (Sony) and Nagano (Erato) mainly, we have now the possibility of listening one of the most musical and technical orchestra & baton of this time: The Concertgebouworkest and Riccado Chailly.

Most of the versions in this 2CDs set are the best I know, specially the orchestral works, played with conviction and precision by the Concertgebouworkest, an orchestra that had some problems with Mr.Chailly when they begin to play this, for them, `rare' music. The way Arcana sounds its incredible, full of power, mistery and perfection, the performing of Ameriques is breathtaking and I can only compare it with the truly outstanding version by Pierre Boulez with the CSO for DG. Deserts is a new dimension in Chailly's hands, really terrible and full of dark emotions.

Of course, there are little things that could be a bit better, like the Spanish sung in Ecuatorial, better sung in Nagano's version, but generally the performing is marvellous and the instrumental and ondes Martenot's playing in this piece is perfect in Chailly's version.

The ASKO Ensemble versions are outstanding too, showing a very modern Varèse. The performing of Ionisation, that great jewel, listened with a good Hi-Fi system is a experience not to be lost.

The recordings are very good, not outstanding, as it sounds like distant sometimes, but clear and with good definition, of course better with good electronics.

Booklet and presentation of the box is marvellous too; as it has to be in real event in recorded music in the last decades.

Sound Splitting Music.......2002-06-25

First, let me state that I am a long-time Varese fanatic. I first heard Ionisation live at a contemporary music concert in my town when I was 12, and I was hooked. I immediately bought the old Robert Craft double album on Columbia and played it until there were scratches on the scratches. So I was overjoyed to see a modern "complete" recording with up to date sonics. For the most part, I haven't been too disappointed with the performances either.

Chailly is great on much of this music. Ameriques and Arcana are sonic extravagazas. And this is the best recording I've heard of Nocturnal and Ecuatorial. Chailly does a good job with the chamber pieces of the 20s and 30s, though I agree with other reviewers, Boulez is much clearer on Ionisation. Chailly misses some of my favorite parts, and I find it hard to hear the first snare drum theme. (I'm also quite partial to Craft's version, but I don't think it's available anymore.)

I also must add to the chorus of exceptions on the questionable material. The orhestrated version of the solo song has no place on this CD. It doesn't sound like Varese, more like Debussy, and though the song is quite impressionistic, I think we presume too much to orchestrate it and pass it off as "complete" Varese. And neither Tune Up nor Dance for Burgess really add much to our understanding of Varese, and are of questionable value. I suspect that Varese would have destroyed them completely had he been able. Much better to have a recording of the revised version of Ameriques. The revision is so extensive, that a side by side comparison would be illuminating.

All in all, I like this CD. Chailly's take on Varese is big and passionate, something that I think both Boulez and Craft miss. Abravanel comes close to this passion, but Chailly wins because of the gorgeous sonics. I highly recommend this CD to those interested in exploring the unique sound world of Varese.

An aural knockout.......2002-02-01

Here are two discs with some of the most exciting 20th-century music around. Chailly and the Concertgebouw give definitive readings of Varèse's complex pieces, some written for a huge orchestra, and recorded in typically opulent London sound.

My favorites are, without a doubt, "Ameriques" and "Arcana," two explosive showpieces that will give your sound system quite a workout. But far from being merely loud, the scores have many beautiful textures (including quiet ones) scattered throughout the orchestra, and Chailly captures much of the glittering detail.

I even like "Tuning Up," which may seem like a less substantial work to most ears. To be fair, if the piece is not the last word in Varèse's imagination, it is clever enough for its short duration, and as with everything on this disc, the orchestra sounds superb and totally undaunted. Their virtuosity is both satisfying and thrilling, especially in such seldom-performed music.

Make sure your neighbors are away before turning up the performance of "Ameriques," though - the last few pages will blow your roof off.

Tracks:

Suite Espanola, Op.47: Asturias (Leyenda)
Cavatina From The Deer Hunter
Lute Suite No.4 In E Major, BWV 1006a: Prelude
Triangular Situations
Recuerdos De La Alhambra
Romance
Dance From La Vida Breve
Sonata In E Major, K 380
Como Llora Una Estrella (Valse-Cancion)
The Mission
El Colibri
Gymnopedie No.3
Courante
La Catedral
El Condor Pasa
Salut D'Amour
Malinke Guitars
Concerto For Lute (Guitar), Two Violins (Strings) And Basso Continuo In D Major, R.93: I. Allegro Giusto
The Entertainer

Tracks:

Concierto De Aranjuez: II. Adagio
El Diablo Suelto (Valse)
Preludio En Do Menor (In C Minor)
Suite Espanola, Op.47: Sevilla (Sevillanas)
Gnossienne No.1
Cueca
Schindler's List
Lute Suite No.4 In E Major, BWV 1006a: Gavotte
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika
Pavane
Trio For Violin, Lute (Guitar) And Basso Continuo In C Major, R.82: III. Allegro
Sunburst
The Godfather
Scherzino Mexicano
Aeolian Suite For Guitar And Small Orchestra: I. Aeolian Chant
3 Blues For Classic Guitar: Spanish Guitar Blues
3 Blues For Classic Guitar: Blues For Felix
3 Blues For Classic Guitar: Swing 59
The Black Decameron: The Flight Of The Lovers Through The Valley Of The Echoes
Una Limosna Por El Amor De Dios
Saltarello
12 Piezas Caracteristicas, Op.92: No.12 Torre Bermeja (Serenato)

Customer Reviews:

The Best Compilation of the Man on 2 Discs! Great Sound Quality Too!.......2006-04-21

The title very aptly describes this great classical guitar album showcasing some of the best ever works of John Williams on 2 discs. The track selections are great as they span the centuries from the Baroque greats of Bach and Vivaldi to the modern day composers such as Stanley Myers and York. John even flirts with Blues and Jazz-style pieces and they actually sound very good. In addition, they did a much better mastering job on this version than on the single disc, "Classic John Williams" album that was released a few years earlier and so the sound quality is much better. John Williams' playing is without peer and his technique is superior to the vast majority of the exponents of classical guitar that are out there. I've heard recordings of many others who have tried to play "Cavatina" for example and they have never come close to the natural and flowing version that John plays. If you are a fan of this type of music or of John Williams' work, this is the best compilation that you can get that's out there. Highly recommended!

Relaxing and Enticing to the Ear.......2006-01-26

The first song on this set is why I bought the whole album. It blows you away listening to the precise picking and the gorgeous way it is done. Not robotic like some freaks out there. This is true beautiful music. Runs together like a long summer drive in the country. It is just a perfect album to listen to at home or on the go.

A little something for everybody.......2005-06-15

First, this is gorgeous guitar playing by someone who knows what he's doing. John Williams (not to be confused by the film score composer of the same name) is a superb classical guitarist. Many of these pieces are *classical* in nature, while a few are more *popular*. Many are solo, the rest in small chamber groups. Some will get your toes tapping, some will start you daydreaming, and some will make you cry with their beauty. All of it is magnificent.

Average customer rating:

I am in a Box with Berlioz Box Sets
A superb set, well worth the price!
all the overtures *NOT*
A wonderful collection of Berlioz

Berlioz: Complete Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra
Strauss: Orchestral Works
Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
Dvorák: The Symphonies
Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies

ASIN: B0000041MZ
Release Date: 1997-09-16

Tracks:

Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 1. Rries, Passions (Largo - Allegro agitato ed appassinonato assai)
Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 2. Un bal (Valse: Allegro non troppo)
Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 3. Sc aux champs (Adagio)
Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 4. Marche au supplice (Allegretto non troppo)
Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14: 5. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat (Larghetto - Allegro- Ronde du Sabbat: Poco menu mosso)
Tristia, Op 18 (excerpts): 3. Marche fune pour la derni sc d'Hamlet (Allegretto moderato)
La Damnation De Faust, Op. 24 (excerpts): Menuet des follets
La Damnation De Faust, Op. 24 (excerpts): Marche hongroise

Tracks:

Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 1. Le peur (Goethe, Duboys)
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 2. Choeur d'ombres (Berlioz)
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 3. Chanson de brigands (Berlioz)
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 4. Chant de bonheur (Berlioz)
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 5. La harpe ienne - Souvenirs
Lo ou Le retour a vie, Op. 14b: 6. Fantasie sur la Temp de Shakespeare (Berlioz)
Grande Symphonie fune et triomphale, Op. 15: 1. Marche fune (Moderato un poco lento)
Grande Symphonie fune et triomphale, Op. 15: 2. Oraison fune (Adagio non tanto - Andantino un poco lento e sostenuto)
Grande Symphonie fune et triomphale, Op. 15: 3. Apothe (Allegro non troppo e pomposo)

Tracks:

Harold en Italie, Op.16: 1a. Harold aux montagnes (Adagio)
Harold en Italie, Op.16: 1b. Harold aux montagnes (Allegro)
Harold en Italie, Op.16: 2. Marche des prins (Allegretto)
Harold en Italie, Op.16: 3. Snade (Allegro assai - Allegretto)
Harold en Italie, Op.16: 4. Orgie de brigands (Allegro frenetico - Adagio - Allegro, Tempo I)
Les Troyens arthage: Prelude From: Les Troyens arthage: Part II, Act III
Les Troyens (Act IV): No. 29: Chasse royale et orage - Pantomime
Les Troyens (Act IV): No. 32: Marche pour l'entrde la reine; No. 33: Ballets
Les Troyens (Act IV): -A: Pas des Alm
Les Troyens (Act IV): -B: Danse des esclaves
Les Troyens (Act IV): - C: Pas d'esclaves nubiennes
Rrie et Caprice, Op.8

Tracks:

Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Introduction
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Prologue: 'D'anciennes haines endormies'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Strophe 1: 'Premiers transports que nul n' oublie'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Strophe 2: 'Heureux enfants aux coers de flamme'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part I, Rtatif et Scherzetto: 'Bientot de Romeo' - 'Mab! la messagere' - Bientot la mort est souveraine'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part II, Romseul - Tristesse - Concert eet bal
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part II, Grande f chez les Capulets
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part III, 'Ohe! Capulets! Bonsoir, bonsoir!'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part III, Sc d'amour

Tracks:

Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Scherzo: La reine Mab ou la fdes songes
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Convoi fune de Juliette: 'Jetez des fleurs pour la vierge expiree!'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Romau tombeau des Capulets
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Finale. Choeurs et Rtatif du P Laurence: 'Quo! Romeo de retour!'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Finale. Air du P Laurence: 'Pauvres enfants que je pleure' - 'Mais notre sang rougit leur glaive'
Romeo et Juliette, Op. 17: Part IV, Finale. Serment de rnciliation: 'Jurez donc'

Tracks:

Beatrice et Benedict
Benvenuto Cellini
Overtures: Le roi Lear, Op. 4
Les Francs - juges, Op. 3
Waverley, Op. 1
Le corsaire, Op. 21
Carnaval romain, Op. 9

Amazon.com

Berlioz was the first Romantic master of the orchestra. His music hasn't been surpassed in terms of sheer brilliance and accuracy of effect. This set includes all of the overtures, the Symphonie fantastique, Harold in Italy, the Royal Hunt and Storm from Les Troyens, orchestral music from The Damnation of Faust and Romeo and Juliet, and the completely insane Grande Symphonie funebre et triumphale. Davis achieved his reputation as a conductor as a Berlioz specialist, and he proves an expert advocate on behalf of this stimulating, bizarre, and totally original genius. The recording quality, so critical in such colorful music, is also very good. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

I am in a Box with Berlioz Box Sets.......2004-02-22

First I ordered Hector Berlioz Complete Orchestral Works (Box Set) in a 6-CD set by Sir Colin Davis because orchestral is what I like best. That was in 2002. Now I have ordered The Berlioz Edition (Box Set)in a 24-CD Box Set by Sir Colin Davis because I like what I have heard of Berlioz by Davis. I will put this up for sale, and if it doesn't go I will consider putting The Berlioz Edition up for sale after I have heard it. As I said I am in a Box with Berlioz Box Sets and can't afford both.

A superb set, well worth the price!.......2002-08-16

For those of us who grew up in the 1950s and '60s, the music of Berlioz means Munch and Toscanini: Munch for his incendiary performances of "Symphonie Fantastique," "Romeo et Juliette," "Damnation of Faust," the Requiem and the overtures (among others), Toscanini primarily for his gorgeous reading of "Harold in Italy" but also for his versions of the Roman Carnival Overture and (for those who could find it) the "Romeo" with Gladys Swarthout. These readings had one thing going for them, which was a rhythmic impetus that made even the slow movements exciting. Unfortunately, for those of us who read scores, when we checked these versions against the music we found that Toscanini and Munch had fiddled a bit with tempi and bowing accents in an attempt to make the music more exciting. Is this so bad? Not necessarily, because these conductors had this music in their blood, they were presenting Berlioz as they had processed him over a lifetime of love, and so their fast tempi had little in common with the rattly, jangly readings often turned out by John Eliot Gardiner.

Sir Colin Davis was, and of this reading remains, the greatest Berlioz interpreter of the stereo/digital era. This is no mean feat when one realizes that he now has several competitors in the field, among them James Levine and Charles Dutoit, but in my view only the wonderful John Nelson (whose recordings of the Te Deum and "Nuits d'Ete" with Susan Graham are so wonderful) really comes close. And what makes Davis so great is that, like those legendary conductors of old, he really gets under the skin of Berlioz and makes him exciting while maintaining score tempi. Listen, for instance, to his "Symphonie Fantastique," still the benchmark modern recording after nearly 30 years. Davis also excels in his readings of the Overtures, music from "Les Troyens," and the Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale which grabs the listener and pulls him/her into its vortex of sound.

In the other two symphonies, "Harold in Italy" and "Romeo et Juliette," I sense a lapse of sorts: the slow music is conducted not necessarily too slowly, but with a certain Romantic mushiness bordering on easy listening. This, for me, robs the "Romeo alone" and "Scene d'amour" of its passion, though of course it is wonderful to hear the score in modern stereo instead of Munch's cramped mono, and for me Toscanini's second movement of "Harold," with its peculiar yet engaging walking gait, shall never be surpassed--and, unlike Munch, Toscanini somewhat transcended his mono sound because of the wonderful clarity and transparency of his orchestra. Nevertheless, if I were forced to I would live with this Davis set over my Munch and Toscanini recordings because of their overall warmth and excellent sound.

Other highlights include excerpts from "Lelio" sung superbly by pre-leukemia Jose Carreras (listen to him ascend fearlessly to those high notes--he hasn't done that in nearly a quarter-century!), dramatically astute singing by Patricia Kerns and John Shirley-Quirk in "Romeo," and marvelous interpretations of the Overtures (oh, and you can forget "Rob Roy"...Berlioz decided after one performance that he would never publish it or even bother revising it, hence it is not here). I do question the omission of the Requiem and Te Deum (after all, they ARE "orchestral works"), but with so many riches at such a low price, who cares? Liner notes are sparse, and this is a slimline box which means paper sleeves and no jewel boxes, but so what? For this much Berlioz, so beautifully sung and conducted, the composer himself would gladly have plunked down ...

all the overtures *NOT*.......2001-05-04

This isn't a "complete" recording of Berlioz' orchestral music - what about the 'Rob Roy' overture? Granted it recycles some of Harold in Italy, but still...

A wonderful collection of Berlioz.......2000-08-15

This incredible six CD set features all of Hector Berlioz's purely orchestral music conducted by the great Sir Colin Davis, widely regarded as one of the greatest living Berlioz interpreters. In addition to favorites such as Symphonie fantastique, Harold en Italie and Romeo et Juliette, the set also includes the lesser known Lelio and several other works. The works were recorded between 1965 and 1980, and the sound is wonderful and rich. His interpretations are also lively and full of energy, especially in the overtures.

Tracks:

I. En Bateau
II. Cortege
III. Menuet
IV. Ballet
Marche Ecossaise Sur Un Theme Populaire
I. Pour Invoquer Pan
II. Pour Un Tombeau Sans Nom
III. Pour Que La Nuit Soit Propice
IV. Pour La Danseuse Aux Crotales
V. Pour L'Egyptienne
VI. Pour Remercier La Pluie Au Matin
Lindaraja
I. Avec Emportement
II. Lent - Sombre
III. Scherzando
Prelude A L'apres-Midi D'un Faune
I. Nuages
II. Fetes
II. Entre-Cloches

Tracks:

I. Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant
II. Petit Poucet
III. Laideronnette, Imperatrice Des Pagodes
IV. Les Entretiens De La Belle Et De La Bete
V. Le Jardin Feerique
Frontispice: For Two Pianos And One Hand
Mouvement De Vaise Viennoise
I. Prelude A La Nuit
II. Malaguena
III. Habanera
IV. Feria
I. L'Escarpolette
II. La Toupie
III. La Poupee
IV. Les Chevaux De Bois
V. Le Volant
VI. Trompette Et Tambour
VII. Les Bulles De Savon
VIII. Les Quatre Coins
IX. Colin-Maillard
X. Saute-Mouton
XI. Petit Mari, Petite Femme!
XII. Le Bal
L'Apprenti Sorcier

Customer Reviews:

Superlative Performances.......2007-03-07

Superlative Duo in superlative music - really sums up these performances. The Debussy is sublime from the "Six Epigraphes antiques" the exotic,"Lindaraja", the spirited,"Marche Ecossaise",the charming, "Petite Suite", to the modern abstract,"En Blanc et noir". The Ravel is as ravishing and the music's strong linear sweep is revealed in two pianos or four hands(with Ravel's "Frontispice" for two piano with one hand - an unusual combination). This is music that brightens up your aural realm!

Lo the Full Final Sacrifice & Other Choral Works

Average customer rating:

Ravishing Music, Ravishingly Sung

Lo the Full Final Sacrifice & Other Choral Works
Finzi , Robinson , Whitton , and Choir St John's Collg
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B00006RHPP
Release Date: 2003-01-21

Tracks:

God Is Gon Up, Op.27, No.2
Magnificat, Op.36
My Lovely One, Op.27, No.1
Welcome Sweet And Sacred Feast, Op.27, No.3
Thou Didst Delight My Eyes, Op.32
Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, Op.35
I Praise The Tender Flower
I Have Loved The Flowers That Fade
My Spirit Sang All Day
Clear And Gentle Stream
Nightingales
Haste On, My Joys!
Wherefore Tonight So Full Of Care
Lo, The Full, Final Sacrifice, Op.26

Customer Reviews:

Ravishing Music, Ravishingly Sung.......2003-04-09

As a choral singer myself, I was particularly drawn to this new Naxos release of sacred and secular choral music, some of it familiar but much of it quite unfamiliar (at least on this side of the Atlantic).

The disc leads off with what is probably Finzi's most popular sacred choral work, 'God is gone up with a triumphal shout,' set to a text by Edward Taylor. The opening organ fanfare is followed by sung fanfares with men's voices echoing those of the trebles. [The choir in this recording is that of St. John's College, Cambridge, and as such follows the Anglican tradition choirs consisting of boy sopranos, male altos, tenors and basses. There are some who dislike this sound but I find it very attractive, and of course it is the sound that Finzi surely heard in his mind's ear as he was writing these pieces.] The piece has colorful choral and organ writing that mirrors such words as 'Methinks I see Heaven's sparkling couriers fly.'

This is followed by 'Magnificat,' Op. 36 (Finzi's only American commission, written for the choirs of Smith and Amherst Colleges), a moving setting without the usual concluding 'Gloria', that begins with an exulting 'My soul doth magnify the Lord' and ends on the words 'for ever and ever' gradually dying away to the final 'Amen.'

'God is gone up' is the second of three sacred pieces in Opus 27. The other two are included (although not in consecutive order). They are 'My lovely one,' and 'Welcome sweet and sacred feast.' The latter is a setting of Henry Vaughan's poem celebrating the poet's redemption through religious conversion ('Dead was I, and deep in trouble'). It contains a meltingly beautiful passage on the words 'O rose of Sharon! O the Lily of the Valley!'

There are two part-songs for male voices, the a cappella 'Thou didst delight my eyes,' Op. 32, and one set to the famous passage from Ecclesiastes, 'Let us now praise famous men,' Op. 35. The latter, in two-part harmony, is notable for its Elgarian treading bass in the organ.

'Seven Unaccompanied Partsongs,' Op. 17, are set to texts by Robert Bridges. They are lyrical and tender and the part-writing is especially grateful to sing. The joyous 'My Spirit Sang All Day' is a particular favorite of small choirs. (For American readers/singers I will add that these songs remind me harmonically and in tone of those in Randall Thompson's 'Frostiana.')

The final and longest piece here is 'Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice,' Op. 26, a 14-minute festival anthem set to Crashaw's elegant translation of Aquinas's 'Adoro te' and 'Lauda Sion.' It starts with a longish organ introduction and features a cappella and accompanied passages and short solos following the poetry's verse structure. There are some ecstatically lovely melodies, particularly at the words 'Jesu, Master, just and true' and at the final 'Amen.'

The singing here is impeccable and stylish. The recorded sound is all one could ask. Another triumph for St. John's, Cambridge, its conductor, Christopher Robinson, and for Naxos.

Tracks:

Passacaglia fur grobes Orch Op.1 - LSO/Pierre Boulez
'Entflieht auf leichten Kahnen' Op.2 (Text: Stefan George) - John Alldis Chor/Pierre Boulez
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: I. Dies ist ein Lied fur dich allein... - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: II. Im Windesweben-Sehr fliebend - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: III. Am Bachesranft-Ziemlich rasch - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: IV. Im Morgentaun-Fliebend - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.3, aus 'Der siebente Ring' von Stefan George: V. Kahl reckt der Baum-Langsam - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: I. Eingang-Ruhevoll - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: II. Noch zwingt mich Treue-Bewgt - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: III. Ja Heil und Dank-Sehr langsam - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: IV. So ich traurig bin-Sehr fliebend und zart - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Lieder Op.4, nach Gedichten von Stefan George: V. Ihr tratet zu dem Herde-Langsam - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Funf Satze fur Streichquartett Op.5: I. Heftig bewegt - Juilliard Str Qt
Funf Satze fur Streichquartett Op.5: II. Sehr langsam - Juilliard Str Qt
Funf Satze fur Streichquartett Op.5: III. Sehr bewget - Juilliard Str Qt
Funf Satze fur Streichquartett Op.5: IV. Sehr langsam - Juilliard Str Qt
Funf Satze fur Streichquartett Op.5: V. In zarter Bewegung - Juilliard Str Qt
Sechs Stucke fur grobes Orch Op.6: I. Etwas bewegte Achtel - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Sechs Stucke fur grobes Orch Op.6: II. Bewgt - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Sechs Stucke fur grobes Orch Op.6: III. Zart bewegt - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Sechs Stucke fur grobes Orch Op.6: IV. Langsam - LSO/Pierre Boulez L
Sechs Stucke fur grobes Orch Op.6: V. Sehr langsam - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Sechs Stucke fur grobes Orch Op.6: VI. Zart bewegt - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Vier Stucke fur Geige und Klavier Op.7: I. Sehr langsam - Isaac Stern/Charles Rosen
Vier Stucke fur Geige und Klavier Op.7: II. Rasch - Isaac Stern/Charles Rosen
Vier Stucke fur Geige und Klavier Op.7: III. Sehr langsam - Isaac Stern/Charles Rosen
Vier Stucke fur Geige und Klavier Op.7: IV. Bewegt - Isaac Stern/Charles Rosen
Zwei Lieder fur mittlere Stimme und acht Instrumente Op.8, nach gedichten von Rainer Maria Rikle:... - Heather Harper
Zwei Lieder fur mittlere Stimme und acht Instrumente Op.8, nach gedichten von Rainer Maria Rikle:... - Heather Harper
Sechs Bagatellen fur Streichquartett Op.9: I. Mabig - Juilliard Str Qt
Sechs Bagatellen fur Streichquartett Op.9: II. Leicht bewegt - Juilliard Str Qt
Sechs Bagatellen fur Streichquartett Op.9: III. Zeimlich fliebend - Juilliard Str Qt
Sechs Bagatellen fur Streichquartett Op.9: IV. Sehr langsam - Juilliard Str Qt
Sechs Bagatellen fur Streichquartett Op.9: V. Auberst langsam - Juilliard Str Qt
Sechs Bagatellen fur Streichquartett Op.9: VI. Fliebend - Juilliard Str Qt
Funf Stucke fur Orchester Op.10: I. Sehr ruhig und zart - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Funf Stucke fur Orchester Op.10: II. Lebhaft und zart bewegt - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Funf Stucke fur Orchester Op.10: III. Sehr langsam und auberst ruhig - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Funf Stucke fur Orchester Op.10: IV. Fliebend, auberst zart - LSO/Pierre Boulez L
Funf Stucke fur Orchester Op.10: V. Sehr fliebend - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Drei kleine Stucke fur Violoncello und Klavier Op.11: I. Mabige Achtel - Gregor Piatigorsky/Charles Rosen
Drei kleine Stucke fur Violoncello und Klavier Op.11: II. Sehr bewegt - Gregor Piatigorsky/Charles Rosen
Drei kleine Stucke fur Violoncello und Klavier Op.11: III. Auberst ruhig - Gregor Piatigorsky/Charles Rosen
Vier Lieder fur Singstimme und Klavier Op.12: I. Der Tag ist vergangen (Volkslied)-Sehr ruhig - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Vier Lieder fur Singstimme und Klavier Op.12: II. Die geheimnisvolle Flote (Li Tai po/Bethge)-... - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Vier Lieder fur Singstimme und Klavier Op.12: III. Schein mir's als ich sah die (aus August ... - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen
Vier Lieder fur Singstimme und Klavier Op.12: IV. Ein Winterabend (Goethe0-Sehr flieBend - Heather Harper/Charles Rosen

Tracks:

Vier Lieder fur Sopran und Orch Op.13: I. Wiese im Park (karl Kraus)-Sehr ruhig - Heather Harper
Vier Lieder fur Sopran und Orch Op.13: II. Die Einsame (Wang Xen Yu/Bethge)-Bewegt - Heather Harper
Vier Lieder fur Sopran und Orch Op.13: III. In der Fremde (Li Tai Po/Bethge)-FlieBend - Heather Harper
Vier Lieder fur Sopran und Orch Op.13: IV. Ein Winterabend (Georg Trakl)-Sehr ruhig - Heather Harper
Sechs Lieder fur Singstimme und vier Instrumente Op.14, nach Gedichten von Georg Trakl: I. Die... - Heather Harper
Sechs Lieder fur Singstimme und vier Instrumente Op.14, nach Gedichten von Georg Trakl: II. ... - Heather Harper
Sechs Lieder fur Singstimme und vier Instrumente Op.14, nach Gedichten von Georg Trakl: III. ... - Heather Harper
Sechs Lieder fur Singstimme und vier Instrumente Op.14, nach Gedichten von Georg Trakl: IV. ... - Heather Harper
Sechs Lieder fur Singstimme und vier Instrumente Op.14, nach Gedichten von Georg Trakl: V. Nachts... - Heather Harper
Sechs Lieder fur Singstimme und vier Instrumente Op.14, nach Gedichten von Georg Trakl: VI. Gesang.. - Heather Harper
Funf geistliche lieder fur Sopran und funf Instrumente Op.15: I. Das Kreuz-Getragen - Halina Lukomska
Funf geistliche lieder fur Sopran und funf Instrumente Op.15: II. Morgenlied (aus'Des Knaben... - Halina Lukomska
Funf geistliche lieder fur Sopran und funf Instrumente Op.15: III. In Gottes Namen aufstehn-... - Halina Lukomska
Funf geistliche lieder fur Sopran und funf Instrumente Op.15: IV. Mein Weg geht jetzt voruber-... - Halina Lukomska
Funf geistliche lieder fur Sopran und funf Instrumente Op.15: V. Fahr hin , o Seel'-FlieBend - Halina Lukomska
Funf Kanons nach lateinischen Texten fur Sopran, Klarineete und BaBklarinette Op.16: I. Christus... - Halina Lukomska
Funf Kanons nach lateinischen Texten fur Sopran, Klarineete und BaBklarinette Op.16: II. Dormi... - Halina Lukomska
Funf Kanons nach lateinischen Texten fur Sopran, Klarineete und BaBklarinette Op.16: III. Crux... - Halina Lukomska
Funf Kanons nach lateinischen Texten fur Sopran, Klarineete und BaBklarinette Op.16: IV. Asperges... - Halina Lukomska
Funf Kanons nach lateinischen Texten fur Sopran, Klarineete und BaBklarinette Op.16: V. Crucem... - Halina Lukomska
Drei Volkstexte fur Singstimme und drei Instrumente Op.17: I. Armer Sunder, du - Halina Lukomska
Drei Volkstexte fur Singstimme und drei Instrumente Op.17: II. Liebste Jungfrau, wir sind dein - Halina Lukomska
Drei Volkstexte fur Singstimme und drei Instrumente Op.17: III. Heiland, unsre Missetaten - Halina Lukomska
Drei Lieder fur Singstimme, Es-Klarinette und Gitarre Op.18: I. Schatzerl klein - Halina Lukomska/John Williams/Colin Bradley
Drei Lieder fur Singstimme, Es-Klarinette und Gitarre Op.18: II. Erlosung - Halina Lukomska/John Williams/Colin Bradley
Drei Lieder fur Singstimme, Es-Klarinette und Gitarre Op.18: III. Ave Regina - Halina Lukomska/John Williams/Colin Bradley
Zwei Lieder fur gemischten Chor und funf Instrumente Op.19, aus'Chinesisch-deutsche Jahres-... - John Alldis Choir/Pierre Boulez
Zwei Lieder fur gemischten Chor und funf Instrumente Op.19, aus'Chinesisch-deutsche Jahres-... - John Alldis Choir/Pierre Boulez
Streichtrio Op.20: I. Sehr langsam - Members of the Juilliard Str Qt
Streichtrio Op.20: II. Sehr getragen und ausdrucksvoll - Members of the Juilliard Str Qt
Sym Op.21: I. Ruhig schreitend - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Sym Op.21: II. Variationen - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Qt fur Geige, Klarinette, Tenorsaxophon un Klavier Op.22: I. Sehr maBig - Charles Rosen/Daniel Majeske/Robert Marcellus/Abraham Weinstein
Qt fur Geige, Klarinette, Tenorsaxophon un Klavier Op.22: II. Sehr schwungvoll - Charles Rosen/Daniel Majeske/Robert Marcellus/Abraham Weinstein
Drei Gesange Op.23, aus 'Viae inviae' von Hildegard Jone: I. Das dunkle Herz-Getragen - Halina Lukomska/Charles Rosen
Drei Gesange Op.23, aus 'Viae inviae' von Hildegard Jone: II. Es sturzt aus hohen Frisch-Bewegt - Halina Lukomska/Charles Rosen
Drei Gesange Op.23, aus 'Viae inviae' von Hildegard Jone: III. Herr Jesus mein-Langsam - Halina Lukomska/Charles Rosen
Konzert fur neum Instrumente Op.24: I. Etwas lebhaft - Members of the LSO/Pierre Boulez
Konzert fur neum Instrumente Op.24: II. Sehr langsam - Members of the LSO/Pierre Boulez
Konzert fur neum Instrumente Op.24: III. Sehr rasch - Members of the LSO/Pierre Boulez
Drei Lieder fur Singstimme und Klavier Op.25, nach Gedichten von Hildegard Jone: I. Wie bin ich... - Halina Lukomska/Charles Rosen
Drei Lieder fur Singstimme und Klavier Op.25, nach Gedichten von Hildegard Jone: II. Des Herzens... - Halina Lukomska/Charles Rosen
Drei Lieder fur Singstimme und Klavier Op.25, nach Gedichten von Hildegard Jone: III. Sterne, Ihr... - Halina Lukomska/Charles Rosen

Tracks:

'Das Augenlicht' fur gemischten Chor und Orch Op.26, Worte von Hildegard Jone - John Alldis Chor/Pierre Boulez
Variationen fur Klavier Op.27: I. Sehr maBig - Charles Rosen
Variationen fur Klavier Op.27: II. Sehr schnell - Charles Rosen
Variationen fur Klavier Op.27: III. Ruhig flieBend - Charles Rosen
Streichquartett Op.28: I. MaBig - Juilliard Str Qt
Streichquartett Op.28: II. Gemachlich - Juilliard Str Qt
Streichquartett Op.28: III. Sehr flieBend - Juilliard Str Qt
Kantate Nr.1 Op.29, Worte von Hildegard Jone: I. Zundender Lichtblitz-Getragen - Halina Lukomska/John Alldis Chor
Kantate Nr.1 Op.29, Worte von Hildegard Jone: II. Kleiner Flugel, Ahornsamen-Leicht bewegt - Halina Lukomska/John Alldis Chor
Kantate Nr.1 Op.29, Worte von Hildegard Jone: III. Tonen die seligen Saiten -Ruhig - Halina Lukomska/John Alldis Chor
Variationen fur Orch Op.30 - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Kantate Nr.2 Op.31: I. BaB. Schweigt auch die Welt - Halina Lukomska/Barry McDaniel/John Alldis Chor
Kantate Nr.2 Op.31: II. BaB. Sehr tiefverhalten - Halina Lukomska/Barry McDaniel/John Alldis Chor
Kantate Nr.2 Op.31: III. Chor. Schopfen aus Brunnen des Himmels - Halina Lukomska/Barry McDaniel/John Alldis Chor
Kantate Nr.2 Op.31: IV. Sopran. Leichteste Burden der Baume - Halina Lukomska/Barry McDaniel/John Alldis Chor
Kantate Nr.2 Op.31: V. Chor. Freundselig ist das Wort - Halina Lukomska/Barry McDaniel/John Alldis Chor
Kantate Nr.2 Op.31: VI. Chor. Gelockert aus dem SchoBe - Halina Lukomska/Barry McDaniel/John Alldis Chor
Funf Satze fur Streinchquartett Op.5: I. Heftig bewegt - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Funf Satze fur Streinchquartett Op.5: II. Sehr langsam - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Funf Satze fur Streinchquartett Op.5: III. Sehr bewegt - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Funf Satze fur Streinchquartett Op.5: IV. Sehr langsam - LSO/Pierre Boulez
Funf Satze fur Streinchquartett Op.5: V. In zarter Bewegung - LSO/Pierre Boulez
J.S. Bach/A. Webern: Fuga (Ricercata) Nr.2 aus dem 'Musikalischen Opfer' - LSO/Pierre Boulez
F. Schubert: 'Deutsche Tanze' (German Dances/Danses allemandes/Danze tedesche): I. - Frankfurter Funkorchester/Anton Webern
F. Schubert: 'Deutsche Tanze' (German Dances/Danses allemandes/Danze tedesche): II. (I.Da capo) - Frankfurter Funkorchester/Anton Webern
F. Schubert: 'Deutsche Tanze' (German Dances/Danses allemandes/Danze tedesche): III. (I.Da capo) - Frankfurter Funkorchester/Anton Webern
F. Schubert: 'Deutsche Tanze' (German Dances/Danses allemandes/Danze tedesche): IV. - Frankfurter Funkorchester/Anton Webern
F. Schubert: 'Deutsche Tanze' (German Dances/Danses allemandes/Danze tedesche): V. (IV. Da capo) - Frankfurter Funkorchester/Anton Webern
F. Schubert: 'Deutsche Tanze' (German Dances/Danses allemandes/Danze tedesche): VI. (IV. Da capo) - Frankfurter Funkorchester/Anton Webern

Amazon.com essential recording

This collection presents all Webern's works with opus numbers in chronological order, allowing listeners to scrutinize the inner workings of this influential composer's intense, compressed style from the lush Passacaglia to the starkness of his late vocal works. A broadcast recording of Webern conducting a group of Schubert Dances makes a lively bonus. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Webern from the master Boulez and company........2006-09-12

Boulez has a DG recording, which I have several singles from that set. The DG is very good and recommended as a second set. This Sony recording is outstanding and the finest in my Webern collection. If you have this set , you still may want to look at the DG set. Why? Because this music is so wonderful, so that another experience is well worth the price of say $40. But if you have the DG set, you definetly want to keep that set and also get this Sony set.
Notice how few new Webern recordings are released. When conductors hear this set, I guess they feel its pointless to try to meet these standards. The artists here are all in excellent form and understanding of this extremely difficult but rewarding music.

Webern may grow on you and Boulez et al. are worth every penny........2005-09-18

If you are looking for an introduction to Webern, give this a try. It has the advatage of being comprehensive and well played. If you don't like all of Webern, so be it. If you buy this recording and give it a few listenings you will have heard enough to make an informed judgement.

I have found that Webern's music demands mutiple hearings before you can say you've really heard it. When you are in the mood for some 20th century pioneering work, turn to this recording and listen. Over time, you will be glad you did.

Interesting and Challenging.......2004-04-09

I don't know if I "like" Webern, but he is certainly interesting and challenging. The textures of his music are very fragile and transparent. The pieces are extraordinarily economical (the average Webern piece, I would guess, is about two minutes in duration, maybe less). The dissonances are extreme (strange to say, twelve-tone music can vary in how dissonant it sounds, as some twelve-tone composers (Berg, for example) use "easier" tone rows as the bases of their works). Webern was a musician of great integrity, and he pushed twelve-tone music to the radical extreme (as compared his more conservative teacher, Schoenberg, and fellow-pupil, Berg.) Again, I don't know if it works, and I don't know if I like it. I will definitely continue to listen to it. What I definitely like is this wonderful recording, with performances lovingly rendered. For this reason, I'm giving the recording five stars. However, if you want an "easier" introduction to twelve-tone and atonal music, get Berg's Violin Concerto, or even Schoenberg's piano concerto. With respect to the Schoenberg piano concerto, Mitsuko Uchida's disc is wonderful, and is highly recommended.

The original and still the best.......2003-11-25

Boulez's seminal original recordings of Webern are still important today. They capture the extraordinary distance this composer travelled from his tonal opus 1 passacaglia, though the atonal expressionism of the opus 5 and opus 6 pieces, the extreme compression of the opus 9 bagatelles, the contrapuntal abstraction of the mid-period songs to the serial masterpieces of his later years. These pieces still divide concert audiences today--I've been to Webern performances where half the audience was electrified and the other half clearly wanted to be elsewhere--but their historical significance cannot be denied. I believe their musical significance cannot either: close on a dozen of these works are amongst the finest pieces the 20th century has to offer. This set of performances, dating from the late 1960s and early 1970s and largely recorded under the direction by Pierre Boulez, has long since been regarded as being as close to definitive as one can get. I wouldn't go so far--there are occasional less impressive performances (such as the saxophone quartet) amongst the very fine ones. However, as complete sets go, I find the performances here largely superior to Boulez's more recent traversal on DG.

Technically, this set is not a Complete Works. It only includes those works that Webern published with an opus number, with the addition of the composer's wonderful orchestral transcription of the Ricercare a 6 from Bach's Musical Offering, and an old recording of Webern conducting his orchestrations of Schubert's German Dances. There are more works included on Boulez's rival set on DG--at twice the price--but most of what you gain are juvenilia.

And, for those who remain unconvinced that they'd like Webern, check out http://www.antonwebern.com -- a website that has free streaming mp3s of several of the recordings on this set. Listen to a few of them a few times (though skip the opus 16-18 songs, some of his driest works), and then decide.

Boulez's Webern -- brilliant modern miniatures.......2001-11-27

All 31 works that Webern gave official Opus numbers on 3 discs, conducted by Boulez (not Kolbe!), with the Juilliard Quartet and the London Symphony Orchestra, and a superb booklet with commentary and lyrics -- so why only 4 stars? My objection is the strictly chronological presentation, and the fact that I am not won over by Webern's vocal works -- I would vastly prefer grouping the music by form. Everything is brilliantly performed, and Charles Rosen, who accompanies sopranos on piano on several pieces, plays with sparkling luminosity. But the reason I sought out this collection is because I wanted to hear Boulez's versions of Webern's masterpieces, the "Symphony (Op. 21)" and "Variations for Orchestra (Op. 30)," as well as the string trios and quartets. Here these instrumental works are mixed among the lieders, Webern's many vocal works, and I find this frustrating. I prefer hearing the instrumental pieces grouped together, as on the Dohnanyi or Sinopoli discs of orchestral works (see my reviews of both), or the Schoenberg or Emerson Quartet's discs of the string trios and quartets (see my reviews of both). Unfortunately there is not a Boulez disc comparable to the Dohnanyi (on London) or Sinopoli (on Teldec). So it's either this Sony box or the several more recently recorded discs on DG, unless of course you are a total Webern fanatic and want the Ultra-Complete box with all the numbered AND un-numbered pieces...

It's really hard to fault this excellent Webern collection. Obviously if you have a more catholic appreciation of Webern's music than I (including the vocal works), my criticism is irrelevant. If you are a completist on a budget, this is a clear choice over the more expensive box. But if you are looking for an introduction to Webern's music, the best of which is some of the best of the 20th century in my opinion, I suggest that you begin with 1) Dohnanyi and the Cleveland Orchestra, and 2) the Schoenberg Quartet.

[There is a mistake on the site. Pierre Boulez is the conductor, not Helmuth Kolbe. Careful inspection of the box reveals that Kolbe was the engineer...]

Henry Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

Essential Purcell compositions
The entire set is outstanding

Henry Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Purcell: The Complete Anthems and Services, Vol. 11

ASIN: B000002ZR3
Release Date: 1993-11-19

Tracks:

O Sing Unto The Lord: Symphony
O Sing Unto The Lord: O Sing Unto The Lord A New Song...
O Sing Unto The Lord: Sing Unto The Lord And Praise His Name...
O Sing Unto The Lord: The Lord Is Great And Cannot Worthily Be Praised...
O Sing Unto The Lord: O Worship The Lord In The Beauty Of Holiness
O Sing Unto The Lord: Tell It Out Among The Heathen That The Lord Is King
O Praise God In His Holiness: Symphony
O Praise God In His Holiness: Praise Him In His Noble Acts...
O Praise God In His Holiness: Praise Him Upon The Well-Tuned Cymbals
Praise The Lord, O Jerusalem: Symphony
Praise The Lord, O Jerusalem
Praise The Lord, O Jerusalem: Be Thou Exalted, Lord, In Thine Own Strength
It Is A Good Thing To Give Thanks: Symphony
It Is A Good Thing To Give Thanks: To Tell Of Thy Loving-Kindness...
It Is A Good Thing To Give Thanks: O Lord How Glorious Are Thy Works...
It Is A Good Thing To Give Thanks: For Thou, Lord, Hast Made Me Glad...
O Give Thanks Unto The Lord: O Give Thanks Unto The Lord...
O Give Thanks Unto The Lord: Who Can Express The Noble Acts Of The Lord...
O Give Thanks Unto The Lord: Remember Me, O Lord...
O Give Thanks Unto The Lord: That I May See The Felicity Of Thy Chosen...
O Give Thanks Unto The Lord: Blessed Be The Lord God Of Israel...
Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears: Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears...
Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears: We Acknowledge, Lord, Our Wickedness
Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears: Do Not Abhor Us, For Thy Name's Sake...
My Beloved Spake: Symphony
My Beloved Spake: For Lo! The Winter Is Past...
My Beloved Spake: And The Time Of The Singing Of Birds Is Come...
My Beloved Spake: Symphony
My Beloved Spake: My Beloved Is Mine And I Am His.

Customer Reviews:

Essential Purcell compositions.......2004-10-07

According to the liner notes, this first volume contains works that span throughout the whole (short) career of Purcell. Even his earliest anthems written when he was a teenager demonstrate that he was a genious from the beginning. The King Purcell demonstrates a composer at the same level as Bach in talent and depth.
The performances could not be bettered. The singers, choir and orchestra bring their all to these pieces.
The 11 volumes are expensive but really belong in every classical music lover's collection. Buy as many as you can afford.

The entire set is outstanding.......2003-01-16

While some of the works are superior to others the entire set is great in the realm of production. Mostly all of these pieces are just superb and if you are someone who enjoys English Baroque then you absolutely MUST purchase these cds. If you enjoy complex, melancholic or heroic music then I urge you to purchase this cd and the rest of the volumes in the set...you won't be disappointed.

Gabriel Fauré: Complete Works for Violin and Piano

Average customer rating:

Lovely Faure

Gabriel Fauré: Complete Works for Violin and Piano

Manufacturer: Arte Nova Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Fauré: Complete Works for Cello
Fauré: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2
Fauré: Piano Music complete [Box Set]

ASIN: B00096S2V4
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

I. Allegro Molto
II. Andante
III. Allegro Vivo
IV. Allegro Quasi Presto
Romance Op.28
Berceuse Op.16
Andante Op.75
Morceau De Lecture
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andante
III. Allegro Non Troppo
Sicilienne Op.78
Air De Danse

Customer Reviews:

Lovely Faure.......2007-06-18

How strange it is to here what have become flute classics played on the violin! It is clear that the violin was originally the instrument, but still... It is a fascinating comparison. Take Berceuse, for example. It has become a common piece to play on the flute, and it sounds lovely like that. Honestly, the violin doesn't sound as good playing it, but it's still pretty, and the uninterrupted flow is certainly a plus.

However, most of this album was new to me. The starting sonata is powerful and beautiful. While it can also be found on other CDs, certainly none beat this incredibly low price. The playing is just so beautiful, and this CD can be heard on repeat for hours. It is both appropriate for studying as well as just relaxing and listening to some music.

Overall, this squeezes in everything a person would want on one CD. All of Faure's violin and piano works means that for those concerned with money, there will never be a need for purchasing another CD. It also means that for these people they will barely spend any money on what they already get.

Honestly, it may just be a 4 1/2 rating, but it's a great CD that I love listening to and have enjoyed whole-heartedly. I assure you that you'll enjoy it just as well.