Songs by Richard Strauss and Jean Sibelius

On this CD:

1. Zueignung ("Ja, du weisst es, teur Seele"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 10/1
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

2. Allerseelen ("Stell' auf den Tisch die duftenden Reseden"), song for voice & piano, Op. 10/8
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

3. Befreit ("Du wirst nicht weinen"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 39/4 No. 4, Delivered
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

4. Cäcilie ("Wenn du es wüsstest"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 27/2 No. 2, Cecilia
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

5. Wiegenlied ("Träume, träume, du mein süsses Leben"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 41/1 No. 1, Cradle Song
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

6. Ständchen ("Mach' auf, mach' auf, doch leise, mein Kind"), song for voice & piano, Op. 17/2 No. 2, Serenade
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

7. Ruhe, meine Seele ("Nicht ein Lüftchen regt sich leise"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 27/1
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

8. Songs (6), for voice & piano, Op. 36 No. 1, Black Roses
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

9. Songs (6), for voice & piano, Op. 36 No. 4, Sigh, Sedges, Sigh
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

10. Songs (6), for voice & piano, Op. 50 No. 3, A Maiden Yonder Sings
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

11. Songs of Runeberg (7), for Voice and Piano, Op. 13 No. 4, Spring is flying
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

12. Songs (5), for voice & piano, Op. 37 No. 1, The First Kiss
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

13. Songs (5), for voice & piano, Op. 37 No. 5, The Tryst
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

14. On A Balcony by the Sea (På verandan vid havet), for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 38/2 No. 2, On a Balcony by the Sea
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

15. Songs (7), for voice & piano, Op. 17 No. 1, And I Questioned Then No Further
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

16. Songs (7), for voice & piano, Op. 17 No. 6, To Evening
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

17. Songs (5), for voice & piano, Op. 37 No. 4, Was it a Dream?
Composed by Jean Sibelius
Performed by Birgit Nilsson, Janos Solyom

Tracks:

The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1843: Wedding March, From 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1847: Liebestraum No. 3 In A Flat - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1842: Nabucco - Overture - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1848: The Merry Peasant - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1847: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1850: Lohengrin - Preldue To Act 3 - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1853: La Traviata - Prelude to Act 1 - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1845: Tannhauser - Arrival Of The Guests At Wartburg - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1845: Violin Concerto In E Minor, 2nd Movement - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1842 - 1853: 1846: Poet And Peasant - Overture - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES

Tracks:

The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1858: Orpheus In The Underworld - Overture - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1858: Melody In F - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1854: Les Preludes - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1865: Waltz In A Flat - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1862: The Force Of Destiny - Overture - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1864: I Love You - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1866: The Bartered Bride - Overture - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1864: Barcarolle, From 'The Tales Of Hoffman' - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1858: Tritsch Tratsch Polka - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1854 - 1866: 1866: Light Calvary - Overture - Various Artists

Tracks:

The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1875: Piano Concerto No. 1 In B Flat Minor, 1st Movement (excerpt) - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1868: Cradle Song - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1875: The Moldau - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1870: Ride Of The Valkyries - From 'The Valkyrie' - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1876: Morning, From 'Peer Gynt' - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1875: Les Toreadors, From 'Carmen' - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1870: Notturno, From 'Coppelia' - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1876: Marche Slave, Op. 31 - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1872: L'Arlesienne - Intermezzo - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1867 - 1876: 1867: The Blue Danbue - Waltz - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES

Tracks:

The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1878: Polonaise, From 'Eugene Onegin' - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1893: Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World' - 2nd Movement - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1892: Waltz Of The Flowers, from 'The Nutcracker' - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1887: Alborado, From 'Capriccio Espagnol' - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1886: The Last Spring - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1886: Slavonic Dance No. 2 - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1889: The Sleeping Beauty - Introduction - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1877: Siegfried's Death And Funeral March, From 'Twighlight Of The Gods' - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1880: Songs My Mother Taught Me - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1877 -1893: 1889: Emperor Waltz - TOP 100 MASTERPIECES

Tracks:

The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1896: Also sprach Zarathustra - Fanfare - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1902: Symphony No. 5 - Adagietto - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1899: Finlandia - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1900: Dance Of The Bumble Bee - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1894: Meditation, From 'Thais' - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1901: Pomp And Circumstance - March No. 1 - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1894: Humoresque - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1903: Valse Triste - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1899: Vienna Blood - Waltz - Various Artists
The Top 10 Of Classical Music 1894 - 1928: 1928: Bolero - Various Artists

Customer Reviews:

Great collections, with poor quality sound.......2003-01-09

I expected to listen to great professional classical orchestra ...for this classical music collection, but the quality of the music is not too good.

There are a lot of great music collections, but they will sound better when they record it right.

It is good when you just want to have more classical music, but for a CD, the sound quality is like a [poorley made] CD.

I give 3 stars for this product.

The Greatest Collection Of Romantic Era Music.......2002-09-05

The Top 100 Classical Music series is a must have for novices of classical music, or someone already into the classics but wishes to amassa an "essentials" collection. This particular cd's span the Romantic Era, and although the 19th century saw much more music than what is covered on these recordings, this is nevertheless a brilliant and essential body of works. The Wedding March of Mendelsshon's Midsummer Night's Dream (played in weddings all over the world I'm assuming), Franz Lizst Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (The Looney Tunes Theme Music by the way) and other jewels of the era, such as the Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss, the operetta overtures of Franz Von Suppe, Verdi's preludes to such operas as Nabucco and La Traviata, Wagner's intense, dramatic music for his Ring of the Nibelung operas, regarded as the epitome and the zenith of Romantic Era opera, and the music of other composers such as Tchaikovsky, Bizet, Sibelius, Rimsky Korsakov and many others. I highly recommend this cd to anyone wanting to sample and taste what Romantic Era music was all about. Five stars all the way.

Somewhat lacking.......2001-03-28

(referring to the entire collection)

Tracks:

Varen Flyktar Hastigt
En Slanda
Illalle
Vanskapens Blomma
Den Forsta Kyssen
Flickan Kom Ifran Sin Alsklings Mote
Nacht
Schilflied
Die Nachtigall
Traumekront
Im Zimmer
Liebesode
Dommertage
Das Rosenband
Meinem Kinde
Du Meines Herzens Kronelein
Morgen
Cacilie
Summertime
Ma Elan

Customer Reviews:

Glorious! Some of the most beautiful Sibelius you're ever likely to hear.......2007-05-20

I must admit I'm puzzled by the reviewer below who calls this recital "tepid". Perhaps my musical thermometer is set to a different standard...?

At any rate, I first heard this CD at a friend's house. I was absolutely captivated, and was dearly tempted to borrow the CD. But I knew I'd want my own copy - I hate returning CDs or books with which I've fallen in love, so I wisely just wrote down the CD title and added it to my wishlist so that I could get my own copy.

A week ago I was fortunate enough to spot the CD at one of the music stores I visit. I didn't hesitate for a second, but grabbed this CD (along with another instant "must buy", Suzie LeBlanc's latest recording).

And I'm not disappointed. I've loved Soile Isokoski's beautiful voice since I have first heard her singing Strauss. I haven't always thought her beyond reproach - I found her Finnish sacred song recital uninspired, for some odd reason, and I have to admit I wasn't entirely convinced by her as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte (perhaps I want a little more fire in the performance for that role? I'm not sure...) - but it's always such a beautiful voice, and her German is lovely. The cool loveliness of her voice reminds me of a silver-glinting river winding its murmuring way under the milky light of a gibbous moon - it has that quality of silvery shimmer and almost tremulous elegance.

This recording may well be one of her best. I could do without the Gershwin, but it is an encore, not part of the actual recital programme... and the rest of the programme is meticulously chosen with great intelligence. The Sibelius songs are something to rave about - I cannot fathom why anyone would not adore these. I particularly loved the first track "Våren flyktar hastigt", which is by turns shimmering and delicate, then fuller and more passionate. The Berg (Sieben frühe Lieder) are miraculously sung - perfect miniatures of some of my favourite Berg (as I lean definitely more towards the melodic than towards 12-tone eschewing of it). The Strauss Lieder, of course, are ravishing - perhaps Cäcilie, the final song of the set, is the absolute high point, but it's all utterly gorgeous.

I also enjoyed the delightful "Ma elän" (Merikanto - a composer by whom I'd not heard anything previously).

The piano accompaniment by Marita Viitasalo was perfectly fine. I would probably class her as a "very good" accompanist than a "brilliant" accompanist, but really there's little of which to complain. And Soile Isokoski soars with poise, charm, elegance and real beauty... The recording was, in short, as good as I remembered.

Recommended without hesitation.

An extremely brave recital, but the interpretations are tepid.......2007-02-24

One has to admire the courageous integrity of a soprano who could fill a ecital hall with Schubert chooisng instead to program six songs by Sibelius followed by Berg's Seven Early songs. Soile Isokoski has a lovely lyric soprano that has darkened and grown fuller with maturity. She is Finnish and therefore attuned to Sibelius's rather moody vocal style (his musical inspirations are essentially German, not Scandinavian, however). At the end of the recital we do get to hear some familiar lieder by Strauss, several of them masterpieces. but by then it has become clear that Isokoski is too placid to hold on'es attention, and her accompanist is equally bland, of not more so. That's too bad, given the adventurous and welcome repertoire.