The Enchanted Dawn

Editorial Reviews
Classical Guitar Magazine
The fact they are husband and wife gives them a clear musical advantage. A convincing performance and intelligent music making.

Album Description
This second CD by the Schmidt/Verdery Duo is an "around the world" view of flute and guitar repertoire. Duos include works by Miyagi, Piazzolla, Hand, Biberian and Shankar. Solo guitar arrangements of Janacek's work for piano, "On an Overgrown Path" are played by Benjamin Verdery.

Tracks:

Canon In D
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Four Seasons - The Winter: Largo And Allegro
Fanfare ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
Camerata Romana: Air For The 'G' String
'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21 ('Elvira Madigan' Theme): Andante
Introduction To Symphony No. 5
'William Tell' Overture: Finale
'Aida': Triumphal March
On The Beautiful, Blue Danube Waltz
'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers
'1812' Overture: Finale

Tracks:

Sabre Dance
'Light Cavalry' Overture: Finale
Carmen: The Toreadors
' Midsummer Night's Dream': Wedding March
Radetzky March
Symphony No. 9, 'Choral': Finale
'Prince Igor': Polovstian Dance No. 17
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Sleepers, Wake
Water Music: Hornpipe
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
Emperor Waltz
'Emperor' Quartet: St. Anthony's Chorale
'The Tales Of Hoffman': Barcarolle
L'Arlesienne: Farandole
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Mirlitons
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
'Rhapsody In Blue': Highlight
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can

Tracks:

Introduction To 'Also sprach Zarathustra'
Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Saltarello: Presto
Piano Concerto No. 20: Romance
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
'The Four Seasons' - The Spring: Allegro
Toccata and Fugue
Trumpet Voluntary
'Royal Fireworks Music': la rejouissance: Allegro
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
London Festival Orchestra: Overture To 'The Barber Of Seville'
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto

Tracks:

Carmina Burana: Introduction To 'Carmina Burana'
Peer Gynt: Dawn From 'Peer Gynt'
Lohengrin: Prelude To 'Lohengrin'
'Lieutenant Kije': Troika From 'Lieutenant Kije'
Adiago For Strings
'Carmen': Habanera From 'Carmen'
'Double' Concerto: Allegro From 'Double' Concerto
The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture To 'The Marriage Of Figaro'
(Rondo) Alla Turca
Xerxes: Largo From 'Xerxes'
Symphony No. 5: Allegro vivace From Symphony No. 5
'Swan Lake': Scene: Enchanted Lake From 'Swan Lake'
Clair De Lune
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

CD set is misnamed.......2007-06-08

They should have titled this "classical music for people who love classical music" because most of the selections are typical classical music. The title suggests it would be lively selections of "light classical" music that is more upbeat, i.e. Sabre Dance, etc. I really don't hate classical music at all and have many classical CDs in my collection but I really wanted to hear more exciting selections. I won't be purchasing any more of this set but if you like traditional classical music these are good one.

Do not Buy.......2007-02-21

I do know it says classical music for people who hate it, but serioulsly you would have better luck never listening to classical music again. The recordings are awfull and do not do justice to any of the composers. Buy something else.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music.......2007-01-30

We love this set of CD's. I just got a new copy because my kids keeping taking our first copy with them so that they can listen at work or in their bedrooms but then I can never find them.

Seek better versions.......2006-12-09

If you are fairly new to classical purchases then compilation CD's can be useful for deciding what to buy next. Sometimes you only need a small taste of a piece to inspire you to buy a release with the whole performance on. The problem with this compilation however is that most of the versions are poor in performance or recording quality (or both) when compared to the best versions and the fact that the conductors aren't even credited on the track listing made me suspect that this would be the case. One of my favorite classical pieces is Tchaikovsky's 1812 festival overture but if the first CD version I had heard had been the finale excerpt that is on this compilation I may not have gone on to buy the whole thing. Luckily I heard Adrian Leaper's version first and Adrian's version is rather good.
My classical CD buying experience is limited to only a couple of dozen discs but I have found that the Naxos and Deutshe Grammophon releases are fairly safe. Avoid any release which does not name the conductors on the track listing or sleeve notes.

It Is What It Is.......2006-10-27

It's fitting that this page is fraught with the same kind of silly snobbery that turns people off from classical music (and necessitates collections like this) in the first place.

Any criticism of this compilation, which focuses on the quality of the performances or the fact that many tracks are excerpts, misses the point. This is not a collection for people who consider such things, nor does it purport to be. The idea is to package as many ultra-famous classical melodies as possible in one affordable collection and market it to people who have never purchased a classical recording. As such, top-tier performances are likely too expensive to be sold so cheaply and are unnecessary anyway. Those of us who already know and love a piece or two can forgive the compilers the inclusion of sub-par recordings, when we are exposed to so many other beautiful pieces for the first time.

It probably comes as a shock for some to hear that most people are not familiar with these classics. We may hear snippets on TV or movies, but are left with no idea as to the composer or historical context. With that in mind, it is extremely intimidating to begin buying classical. I suppose those among us, who so thoroughly dismissed the very notion of a boxed set like this, would have us begin by buying full albums by reputable interpreters. Surprisingly enough though, the majority of people would consider that a tad cost-prohibitive.

To conclude, this is a STARTER collection. It will either affirm a listener's feelings about classical music or lead to an interest in purchasing better recordings. Ideally, I suppose the interpretations would be better, but, for reasons mentioned above, that just isn't in the cards for a collection of this nature. If you're familiar with 50 different recordings of "The Ring" series, or have season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, then this probably isn't for you. For us cretins with limited foreknowledge of classical music though, it serves as a succinct introduction with little to complain about.

Average customer rating:

Classics for Lovers

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002PYSTC
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Pachelbel: Canon in D major
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 ("Elvira Madigan") -Adante
Leoncavallo: Vesti la giubba from "Pagliacci"
Puccini: Madame Butterfly - Un bel dm
Tchaikovsky: "Romeo and Juliet" Fantasy Overture
Borodin: Prince Igor -Polovstian Dances 8 and 17
Wagner: Overture to "Tristan and Isolde"
Saint-Sakns: Symphony No. 3, "Organ" -- Poco adagio

Tracks:

Bach: Air for the "G" String
Beethoven: "Moonlight" Sonata - Adagio sostenuto
Tchaikovsky: "Swan Lake" Suite-Scene: Enchanted Lake
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 - Adagio sostenuto
Debussy: Clair de lune
Verdi: Aida - Celeste, Aida
Puccini: La Boheme -Che gelida manina
Dvorak: Symphony No. 9, "From the New World" -- Largo
Flotow: Martha - Ach, so Fromm
Holst: The Planets, Op. 32 -Venus (The Bringer of Peace)
Ravel: Bolero

Tracks:

Grieg: "Peer Gynt" Suite - Morning Song
Handel: Largo from "Xerxes"
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 - Romance
Tchaikovsky: "The Nutcracker" Suite -Arabian Dance
Ravel: Pavan
Debussy: Prelude to "The Afternoon of a Faun"
Adam: Giselle- Adagio ; Waltz
Saint-Sakns: The Carnivals of the Animals -The Swan
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik -- Romanze: Adante
Offenbach: The Tales of Hoffman - Barcarolle
Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana -Intermezzo
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloi: Suite No. 2

Tracks:

Tchaikovsky: "The Sleeping Beauty" Suite - Pas d' action:
Rimsky-Korsakoff: Scheherazade - The Young Prince and
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major - Adagio
Strauss Jr.: On the Beautiful, Blue Danube
Debussy: La Mer - From Dawn Until Noon on the Sea
Bizet: "Carmen" Highlights: Intermezzo
Seguidilla
Habaqera
Nocturne
Orff: "Carmina Burana" Highlights: Omina sol temperat
Amor volat undique
Dies, nox et omina
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, "Pathitique" - Adagio

Average customer rating:

Sunday With the Times

Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Four Seasons: 'The Spring': Allegro
Canon In D
Water Music: Alla Hornpipe
Arioso
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3: Allegro
Flute Concerto, Op. 44, No. 11: Largo
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante ('Elvira Madigan' Theme)
String Quintet In E Major, Op. 13, No. 5: Minuet
Impromptu In A-Flat Major
'Emperor' String Quartet, No. 3: Poco Adagio
Swan Lake: Scene: Enchanted Lake
On The Beautiful Blue Danube: Excerpt
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
The Afternoon Of A Faun: Prelude
Appalachian Spring: Variations On A Shaker Dance

Tracks:

'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 5: Allegro
Air For The 'G' String
'Xerxes': Largo
Concerto For Two Violins And Orchestra, 'Double': Vivace
Sheep May Safely Graze
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio sostenuto
'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': Romanze: Andante
Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral': Andante molto mosso
Polovstian Dance No. 17: Excerpt
Symphony No. 9m 'From The New World': Largo
'Cavalleria rusticana': Intermezzo
La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz
Trois Gymnopedies: Lent et douloureux

Tracks:

Solomon: Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Orchestral Suite No. 2: Minuet And Badinerie
Prelude And Fugue In C Major
Adagio For Strings And Organ
Violin Concerto In E Major: Allego assai
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Fur Elise
Clarinet Concerto: Adagio
Violin Concerto: Allegro
Peer Gynt: Dawn
Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Introduction
Serenade For Strings: Waltz
Thais: Meditation
Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio

Tracks:

Canzona per Sonare No. 2
Orchestral Suite No. 3: Overture
Highlights From Oboe Concerto: Adagio
Highlights From Oboe Concerto: Presto
Harpsichord Suite No. 5: Air And Variations ('The Harmonious Blacksmith')
Symphony No. 40: Molto allegro
Piano Concerto No. 20: Romance
Symphony No. 1: Adagio molto; Allegro con brio
Various Waltzes: No. 1, Op. 18
Various Waltzes: No. 7, Op. 64
Various Waltzes: No. 11, Op. 70
Voices Of Spring
Aida: Celeste Aida (Heavenly Aida)

Average customer rating:

A Collection Like No Other
Russian sound for russian music.
Authentic Russian Interpretations
This is an obscure but worthwhile CD
Fantastic!!

Orchestral Pictures From Russia

Manufacturer: Melodiya
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Symphonic Poems From Russia
Russian Moods
Rachmaninov-Symphony No. 2/The Rock

ASIN: B000001HDC
Release Date: 1997-06-17

Tracks:

Dawn on the Moskva-River (from 'Khaovanshchina')
A Night on Bald Mountain
Hopak (from 'Sorochintsy Fair')
In the Steppes of Central Asia
Polovtsian Dances with Chorus (from 'Prince Igor') - USSR Radio Large Chor/Klavdi Ptitsa
Sadko, Op.5
Bright Holiday (Russian Easter Festival Ov, op.36)
Islamey

Tracks:

Ov from 'Dream on the Volga'
Spring, Op.34
Romantic Intermezzo in D, Op.69
About Olden Times, Op.21b
From the Apocalypse, Op.66
Baba Yaga, Op.56
The Enchanted Lake, Op.62
Kikimora, Op.63
Nymphs

Customer Reviews:

A Collection Like No Other.......2007-07-10

This is a boon: a scoop of Russian gems, well-known and not-so-well-known, in some of Evgeny's Svetlanov's greatest performances (recorded between 1963 and 1990), in superbly remastered sound. If you are familiar with Svetlanov's Hyperion Balakirev set, you already know that, at his best, he was the equal of Mvravinsky, Reiner, Beecham and a few select others.

All but a few tracks of this two-disc set are of definitive quality...The NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN is HAIR-RAISING, and the DAWN ON THE MOSCOW RIVER makes the great 1936 Boston / Koussevitsky look TAME by comparison.

The BRIGHT HOLIDAY (aka RUSSIAN EASTER OVERTURE) is as exciting as but completely different from the classic '68 Stokowski / Chicago.

The various Liadov tracks are among the great recordings of any Russian music. (KIKIMORA is a sort of Russian "Sorcerer's Apprentice" but even more pungent, and THE ENCHANTED LAKE really is just that.)

The Balakirev ISLAMEY (orchestrated by his protegee Lypunov) is scintillating and energizing; you can almost SMELL the mountain air of the Caucus region. (A note to the paranoid: this work does not promote or portray "radical Islam" ; the "Islamey" is a Kabardinian folk dance...Think of whirling dervishes.) True, at 1:47-1:49 there is a moment when the woodwinds go off the rails. Still, no other version has the spine-tingling ELAN of this one. And since Svetlanov apparently made no commerical recording of ISLAMEY, this precious live performance (from Christmas Eve, 1986) rounds out his recorded Balakirev.

Perhaps the most affecting track is the last to be recorded, Glazunov's VESNA [SPRING], which cuts as emotionally deep as anything by Tchaikovsky or Rachmaninov- but, paradoxically, with a lighter touch.

Admittedly, as one prior reviewer pointed out, the PRINCE IGOR scene is not among the more powerful tracks, here; Nemi Jarvi's rival effort on DG outshines this one in terms of splendor, ensemble and chosen tempos.

Why this set received so little promotion (and even "littler" critical notice) is beyond me. But don't let this set get beyond YOU if you run across a copy. Because, more and more, when these things go they GO.

Russian sound for russian music........2002-12-03

Soviet orchestras were the only orchestras ever to properly do justice to many russian pieces in my opinion. After hearing many of the pieces on this disc, I can't help but find American or West European versions of the same works a bit bland in comparison. Extremely emotional and moving renditions.

Authentic Russian Interpretations.......2002-09-20

Don't be misled by the claim in another review that this conductor and orchestra are obscure. Svetlanov was a leading Russian conductor (he died recently), and the USSR Symphony (now the Russian State Orchestra) was one of Russia's leading orchestras. These performances are part of a series of re-releases of material originally recorded by Melodiya during the Soviet era. Do not consider buying this compilation for the more familiar music; consider it for the rarities and for the the authentic Russian-sounding performances in good remastered analog stereo. If you are unsure about the music on these particular discs, investigate Svetlanov's other BMG releases, such as his Tchaikovsky symphonies (including one of the best Manfred Symphonies ever recorded).

This is an obscure but worthwhile CD.......2002-06-06

I have a penchant for shopping in local used music stores, and this is one of the CDs I found. This CD does not cater to the Tchaikovsky, bombastic Russian fan which I am, but instead explores lesser-known works with excellent merit in their own right. Though I bought the CD for Bright Holiday (that is, the Russian Easter Overture), I kept it for the pieces by Liadov, Glazunov and other virtual unknowns.
The Russian Easter Overture was sub-par by my standards, but for an obscure orchestra (USSR Symphony? Who are they?) and an obscure conductor (Svetlanov? Who's he?), I was quite impressed by the maturity and expressiveness of the lesser-known pieces on the second disc. About Olden Times by Liadov became my instant favorite, and the nostalgic and passionate harp and strings at the start endeared me to it instantly.
Do not buy this CD for the "known" pieces. The Polovtsian Dances are also sub-par. However, this CD is worth a listen, and perhaps a purchase, for the touching mystique and fiery obscurity of the lesser-knowns.

Fantastic!!.......1999-06-09

A marvellous CD. Moving and a great way to be introduced to the amazing and powerful music of the Mighty Handful et al. A must buy.

Pictures at an Exhibition/Capriccio Espagnol

Average customer rating:

Get this one, and Reiner too.
just BUY this one- case closed
Marvelous work throughout
Szell's Great Russian Classics
Russian Masterpieces masterfully restored

Pictures at an Exhibition/Capriccio Espagnol

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Dvorak: Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; An American In Paris; Porgy and Bess (symphonic picture)
Mozart: Concerto Nos. 21 & 24
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5; Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra
Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture

ASIN: B0000CF33L
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Promenade
Gnomus
Promenade
The Old Castle
Promenade
Tuileries
Bydlo
Promenade
Ballet Of Chicks In Their Shells
Samuel Goldenberg And Schmuyle
Limoges, The Market Place Catacombs
Roman Sepulchre
Con Mortuis In Lingua Mortua
The Hut On Fowl's Legs
The Great Gate At Kiev
I. Alborada
II. Variazioni
III. Alborada
IV. Scena E Canto Gitano
V. Fandango Asturiano
Dawn On The Moskva River
Introduzione
Allegro Vivo
Allegro
Presto
Moderato Alla Breve
Presto
Allegro Con Spirito
The Enchanted Lake, Op.62

Customer Reviews:

Get this one, and Reiner too........2007-05-16

This is a glorious disc, and instead of trying to compare it to Reiner's legendary Pictures at an Exhibition I would simply say buy this one and the RCA Living Stereo version of "Pictures" with the CSO, which also includes "Russian Showpieces" by Glinka, Kabalevsky and others.

These two Midwestern orchestras, a few hundred miles apart and commanded by expatriate Hungarian Jewish musical tyrant/geniuses, were phenomenal, exceptional ensembles that still define refinement of tone, ensemble playing, clarity and overall musical excellence.

Today they are still astonishingly good orchestras but they were never better than they were under the men who built them into the best--Reiner and Szell. When reviewers write that they were cold blooded I think of Lincoln's remark when he was told that Grant--his only able General--was a drunk. "I wish that my other Generals would drink whatever he is drinking."

When I listen to the bland, correct, contemporary recordings of the standard repertoire in flawless digital sound I wish that some of today's maestros had the same "cold blood" that ran in Szell and Reiner--blood that made for hair raising performances that have not faded a bit (or been topped) in fifty years.

just BUY this one- case closed.......2006-08-17

The late George Szell had a fearsome reputation as a bloodless musical technocrat, even more so than his contemporary (and also transplanted Midwesterner) Fritz Reiner. Part of this came from his indisputable perfectionism as to EXECUTION; part of this was due to the way Szell prepared his recordings. For him, this was a two-stage process.

Stage One was for cleaning & polishing as much as possible- never mind if it meant reaching the point where "even the spontaneity is rehearsed." Then, as his first horn Myron Bloom wrote, THEN came Stage Two: "magic" - as the whole ensemble actaully felt their way into the landscape they had just cleared. Problem was, Szell spent so much time in Stage One that, in some recording sessions, he wouldn't ALLOW himself & his players to reach Stage Two. But when it happened, and the microphones were in place to capture it, look out.

Among these "Stage Two" gems: the 1950s Wagner Ring excerpts (never mind the dry-as-dust 1968 stereo re-makes, except for the Entrance into Valhalla- Szell's only version of it); some of his Mozart Piano Concerti with Serkin (especially #s 19, 20 & 25); the 1958-1960 Schumann Symphonies; the stereo Haydn 93rd and mono 97-99; the Dvorak 7th; the 1949 Smetana "From My Life" (orchestrated by Szell himself); the 1957 Tod und Verklarung; his 1966 Prokofiev 5th; and these glittering Russian jewels from 1958 and 1963.

And let's face it: Szell would never had held sway in Cleveland from 1946 to his death in 1970, and would NEVER have been the globally-sought guest conductor that he was, had the "norm" of his concerts been as "freeze-dried" as some of those "Stage One" Cleveland recordings (like the stereo Brahms & Beethoven cycles, oi sheesh they'sh dry).

But here, the coffee is anything but "freeze-dried"; rather, it's oven-roasted, freshly ground, freshly brewed Jamaican Blue Mountain. Everything here is "bulls-eye." Even Lyadov's Enchanted Lake comes off as an authentic, pristine piece of the Old Russia, deep with feeling but none of the sticky, maudlin pathos which usually renders this piece trite. (Szell didn't do "trite.")

The newly remastered sound is leagues ahead of any earlier transfers. Now we can really hear that under Szell, the tonal luster of Cleveland's strings and woodwinds, to say nothing of the unusally tasteful brass, all came dangerously close to Van Beinum's post-war Concertgebouw. Quality of execution, yes- but even more: quality of life.

Marvelous work throughout.......2004-10-22

I am not a great admirer of George Szell and do not enjoy the other CD coupling of his magnificent "Pictures At An Exhibition" that was accompanied by Prokofiev's Lt. Kije Suite and the Hary Janos Suite.

This one delivers the same outstandingly fine portraits and includes other Russian music more akin to the Mussorgsky. The sound on this version is better than the other Sony CD, too. Of the pair, I'd say this is easily the better buy.

One thing I very much enjoy on this outstanding disk is the multiple tracks dedicated to all the longer works including Rimsky-Korsakov's "Capriccio Espanol", which receives an acutely warm and characterful reading from Szell and the Clevelanders. There are probably more tracks for "Dawn on the Moskva River" than it deserves but choices are great and never too many.

This is an outstanding and wonderful sounding disk of Russian music not often associated with Szell. It makes for an exceptional collection at a very low price. Do not hesitate in acquiring it if you have the least interest in the music or performers.

Szell's Great Russian Classics.......2004-01-22

This splendid CD is yet another example showing why George Szell's Cleveland Orchestra was the best symphony orchestra in the New World, and without question, among the top three in the world, ranking alongside the Berlin and Vienna philharmonics. Szell's vibrant, brisk interpretation of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" is truly in a class by itself. It may be the best recording I have heard. Equally memorable is his interpretation of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Capriccio Espagnol" and Borodin's music from his opera "Prince Igor". Sony's engineers deserve much credit for releasing this CD.

Russian Masterpieces masterfully restored.......2004-01-21

The Classical record companies have latched on to a brilliant business proposition-the re-release of old recordings. It's certainly good business; the company gets to maximize its profits without having to pay for another recording session, and mostly likely any royalties are minimal or even non-existant. The only costs are re-mastering the recordings and the production/marketing expenses. Here again, because the companies are dealing with established names, costs can be kept to a minimum. Critics decry the practice because it promotes the familiar, presumably at the expense of newer artists and literature. But at its best, re-release provides capital for investment in less sure projects and gives easy access to superior performances that would otherwise be lost. I'm pleased to report that is the case with this CD, a re-issue of Russian music performed by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra made between 1958 and 1963.

The performances are all suberb. They hail from the Golden Age of the Cleveland Orchestra, who plays with a wonderful, almost glowingly rich sound. The intonation is perfect, and Szell's sense of line and phrasing is impeccable. In addition to Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition and his Dawn on the Moskya River, we're also treated to Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol, the Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin (in the entirely instrumental version, without the female chorus sometimes added to the tune that later became known as Stranger in Paradise), and Anatol Lyadov's enchanting orchestral snapshot, The Enchanted Lake.

Tracks:

Khovanshchina: Dawn On The Moskva River - Cleveland Orchestra
Prince Igor: Polovstian Dance No. 2 - Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
The Statue Of Tsarskoye Selo - Cesar Cui
Under The Mysterious Mask - Jennie Tourel
The Tale Of The Tsar Saltan: Flight Of The Bumblebee - Arcadi Volodos
Le Coq d'Or: Bridal Procession And Lamentable Death Of King Dodon - Philadelphia Orchestra
Mlada: Procession Of The Nobles - Philadelphia Orchestra
Caucasian Sketches For Orchestra: Procession Of The Sadar - Philadelphia Orchestra
The Seasons For Orchestra: Autumn - Andre Kostelanetz & His Orchestra
Legend For Orchestra: The Enchanted Lake - Cleveland Orchestra
Prelude In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 3, No. 2 - Phillippe Entremont
Pathetique: Adagio Lamentoso From Symphony No. 6 In B Minor Op. 74 - National Symphony Orchestra
Sleeping Beauty: Waltz - Philadelphia Orchestra
Pilovaya Dama: Midnight Draws Near - Stefka Evstatieva
Op. 4: Fireworks - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Sonata For Piano No. 1 In F Minor Op.1 - Yefim Bronfman
Classical: Gavotta: Non Troppo Allegro - New York Philharmonic
Classical: Finale: Molto Vivace - New York Philharmonic

Average customer rating:

The Great Russian Mezzo-Soprano

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

It Is Evening - Dear Friends
Konchakovna's Aria
Is It You, Vladimir?
Marfa's Divination
Elegy: When, My Soul?
In The Dawn Of Youth
The Maiden's Grief
Serenade: Child Beneath Your Window
No Word My Friend
Reconciliation
Stars In The Sky
We Went Out In To The Garden
The Quiet Summer Night
Again, I Stand Enchanted
An Old Waltz
Vorrei Morire
Departed Joys
Why does this heart
Kalinushka Malinushka

The Enchanted Dawn Flute & Guitar - Miyagi Piazzolla Hand Janacek Biberian Shankar

Average customer rating:

A duo that **SHINES**

The Enchanted Dawn Flute & Guitar - Miyagi Piazzolla Hand Janacek Biberian Shankar

Manufacturer: Doremi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006NSXJ
Release Date: 1998-06-01

Tracks:

Michio Miyagi - Haru no umi
Astor Piazzolla - Bordel 1900
Astor Piazzolla - Cafe 1930
Astor Piazzolla - Nightclub 1960
Astor Piazzolla - Concert d'aujourd'hui
Frederic Hand - Psalm 100
Leos Janacek - In Tears
Leos Janacek - A Faded Leaf
Leo Janacek - The Virgin Mary of Frydek
Gilbert Biberian - Armenian Song
Gilbert Biberian - Armenian Dance
Ravi Shankar - L'Aube Enchantee

Album Description

This second CD by the Schmidt/Verdery Duo is an "around the world" view of flute and guitar repertoire. Duos include works by Miyagi, Piazzolla, Hand, Biberian and Shankar. Solo guitar arrangements of Janacek's work for piano, "On an Overgrown Path" are played by Benjamin Verdery.

Customer Reviews:

A duo that **SHINES**.......2004-04-11

This Duo makes great music, creates charm and class through their music! Between the flute and guitar, Ben Verdery and Rie Schmidt the music will always be good!

Average customer rating:

Cocktail Classics

Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000000BNE
Release Date: 1995-06-27

Tracks:

Pachelbel's Canon: Canon in D
Pachelbel's Canon: Minuet and Badinerie from Orchestral Suite No. 2
Pachelbel's Canon: 'Masterpiece Theatre' Theme
Pachelbel's Canon: Air for the 'G' string
Pachelbel's Canon: Alla Hornpipe from 'Water Music' Suite
Pachelbel's Canon: Allegro from 'The Spring' from 'The Four Seasons'
Pachelbel's Canon: Trumpet Voluntary
Pachelbel's Canon: Allegro from 'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 5
Pachelbel's Canon: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Pachelbel's Canon: Largo from 'Xerxes'
Pachelbel's Canon: Allegro:Rustic Dance from 'The Spring' from 'The Four Seasons'
Pachelbel's Canon: Overture to Orchestral Suite No. 3

Tracks:

Beethoven's Fifth: Allegro from 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Beethoven's Fifth: Andante from Piano Concerto No. 21
Beethoven's Fifth: Allegro con brio from Symphony No. 5
Beethoven's Fifth: Adagio sostenutp from 'Moonlight Sonata'
Beethoven's Fifth: Overture to 'The Barber of Seville'
Beethoven's Fifth: Allegro vivace from Symphony No. 5
Beethoven's Fifth: Wedding March from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Beethoven's Fifth: Overture to 'William Tell'

Tracks:

The Nutcracker: On the Beautiful Blue Danube
The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers from The 'Nutcracker'
The Nutcracker: Polovtsian Dance No. 17 from 'Prince Igor'
The Nutcracker: Largo from Symphony no. 9, 'From the New World'
The Nutcracker: Barcarolle from 'The Tales of Hoffman'
The Nutcracker: Scene:Enchanted Lake from 'Swan Lake'
The Nutcracker: Waltz from Serenade for Strings
The Nutcracker: Clair de Lune
The Nutcracker: Dawn from 'Peer Gynt'
The Nutcracker: Adagio for Strings

Average customer rating:

Weekend Classics

Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Classical | Box Sets |