Beethoven/Mozart: Piano Concertos

On this CD:

1. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major ("Emperor"), Op. 73
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra with Clifford Curzon
Conducted by Pierre Boulez

2. Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major ("Coronation") K. 537
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra with Clifford Curzon
Conducted by Pierre Boulez

Tracks:

Harp Concertos, Op. 4 No. 6: Andante - Allegro
Harp Concertos, Op. 4 No. 6: Larghetto
Harp Concertos, Op. 4 No. 6: Allegro moderato
Harp Concertos In 3 Tempi: Allegro biliante -
Harp Concertos In 3 Tempi: Andante lento
Harp Concertos In 3 Tempi: Allegro agitato
Harp Concerto: Allegro molto
Harp Concerto: Larghetto -- Dittersdorf
Harp Concerto: Rondeau: Allegretto -- Dittersdorf
Theme, Variations And Rondo pastorale
Variations for Harp
Six Variations on a Swiss Song

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Music!!.......2007-06-27

This CD is just beautiful. If you enjoy classical music and/or are looking for music to relax you after a busy day. This CD can help. I especially enjoy listening to this CD when you need to clean,cook it makes the task more enjoyable. (If you can call cleaning enjoyable)
It is great to listen to it when you are reading, having people over for dinner...anytime really.
I hope you like it as much as I have. Happy listening!

Sublime playing and excellent recording.......2007-05-17

I bought this for the Handel and was immediately taken with the clarity of tone and an overall crystalline ambiance to the sound. There isn't a slip up anywhere on this recording. The performance is clean and the balance is extraordinary especially considering the soft sound of the harp opposed by an orchestra. This was no problem for the engineers and I don't know of any other recording of Harp concerti that is as successful as this one.

First on the disc is the Handel and this concerto is pretty famous. It also exists as an organ concerto and both versions are valid. The organ sound is quite different than the harp so the 2 versions can almost sound like different works. Handel's writing is engaging, supple and energetic. He has never written an awkward phrase that I'm aware of. His music always has strong direction forward and is brilliantly logical. This is no exception and the rhythmic energy in the music seems rooted in a lively dance-like bounce. I was literally doing a boogaloo in my chair while grinning widely as the music played. Ha! This is great stuff!

The 2nd work on the disc is a Boieldieu concerto and it has characteristics more typical of the Romantic period. Probably the high point of this piece is the slow central movement. This is very beautiful music that has plenty of drama to offset the gentle tinkling of Robles' Harp. His use of diminished chords and moderate dissonance gives a more modern impression than the Handel or the Dittersdorf. (which follows it on the disc) The Rondo Finale uses a line that is at first dissonant and then resolves partly into a slightly unsettling minor chord. This is alternated over and over with contrasting material and perhaps the theme is a bit tiresome after all the returns. This is what a Rondo does though so you will know this theme thoroughly by the time the concerto ends.

Next on the CD is a Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf concerto that is an excellent work. This sweetly melodic concerto shows why he was an extremely popular composer who was lauded during his lifetime. I think this is one of his best efforts. It is easy to get into and the music has logic and beauty and will carry the listener easily along with it. Robles is at home in all three, exhibiting complete control of her complex instrument. The last 3 tracks are single movement bon bons of lesser importance, but that doesn't mean they aren't pleasurable to hear.

The only shortcoming I found was the liner notes. They are short and the information is misleading at times. I would expect a major label like London to check facts presented in the notes. The Theme, Variations and Rondo Pastorale is said to be attributed to Mozart. Instead of elaberating on that, the writer discusses another work not even on this disc and then gives an incorrect Kochel number for it. It took me a few minutes on the internet and a little sleuthing at home to discover the work "attributed to Mozart" is really by Eberl and the Rondo section is based on the Finale of Mozart's String Trio in Eb, K 563.
Of course the liner notes are not why someone buys a CD. If you like harp music in particular and enjoy well written concerti, you absolutely can not go wrong here. This is first class music all the way. Performance, sound, balance and content are all superior. At mid price, its a steal.

Terrible waste of my $18.00.......2007-04-01

This Cd was deceiving to me. I am so sorry that I bought it brand new!
I expected harp music and it was the classics so don't be fooled by the Harp on the cover because you hear very little Harp being played in the music. I would say 14% Harp all the rest fluffy classical music.

Beautiful Beethoven.......2007-03-28

Simply fantastic. Any classical music lover would love this CD. Beautiful pieces, beautifully and expressively performed. Harp with orchestra. I play this several times a week.
I have always loved harp music, am a harpist, and this is essential listening. Beyond that, the overall presentation is very well thought out, so that the whole effect is more than the individual (very fine) pieces.
I am amassing a little library of CDs with harp music, and taken as a whole, this is my favorite so far.

My all time favorite..........2002-03-15

I have loved Handel's harp concerto Op.4, No.6. There has been many recordings but this rendition has been my favorite. Thanks to listening chance through Amazon, I could stop my long journey of search for this version. The rendition of Iona Brown and Marisa Robles is a little bit faster than that of others, which worked very well. Of course, other harp pieces in this CD are great and beautiful as well.

Tracks:

Concerto No. 1 For Piano & Orchestra In C Major, Op. 15: I - Allegro con brio
Concerto No. 1 For Piano & Orchestra In C Major, Op. 15: II - Largo
Concerto No. 1 For Piano & Orchestra In C Major, Op. 15: III - Rondo: Allegro scherzando
Concerto No. 2 In B - Flat Major For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 19: I - Allegro con brio
Concerto No. 2 In B - Flat Major For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 19: II - Adagio
Concerto No. 2 In B - Flat Major For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 19: III - Rondo: Molto allegro

Tracks:

Concerto No. 3 In C Minor For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 37: I - Allegro con brio
Concerto No. 3 In C Minor For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 37: II - Largo
Concerto No. 3 In C Minor For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 37: III - Rondo: Allegro
Concerto No. 4 In G Major For Piano & Orchestra, No. 58: I - Allegro moderato
Concerto No. 4 In G Major For Piano & Orchestra, No. 58: II - Andante con moto
Concerto No. 4 In G Major For Piano & Orchestra, No. 58: III - Rondo: Vivace

Tracks:

Concerto No. 5 In E - Flat Major For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 73: I - Allegro
Concerto No. 5 In E - Flat Major For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 73: II - Adagio un poco moto
Concerto No. 5 In E - Flat Major For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 73: III - Rondo: Allegro
Concerto No. 25 In C Major For Piano & Orchestra, D. 503: I - Allegro maestoso (Cadenza: Eugene Istomin)
Concerto No. 25 In C Major For Piano & Orchestra, D. 503: II - Andante
Concerto No. 25 In C Major For Piano & Orchestra, D. 503: III - Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

The young Fleisher in dazzling form.......2007-05-09

Sony has been eprverse with this classic set of Beethoven piano concertos, now over forty years old. It has never let it out of its sight but has never given the cycle the remastering it deserves. Here the sonics are better than the hissy, shallow original LPs form Epic, but at long last Sony has upgraded Concertos 3 and 4 to best sound in the newest Great Performances series. The Emperor desperately needs the same treatment but hasn't got it yet. A word of caution: don't bother sampling the dozens of recouplings that the Fleisher-Szell readings have gone through. None of them is any better than what we get here, and quite a few are worse.

Instead of adding the Triple Concerto, the last CD is filled out with a masterful performance of the Mozart C major K. 503 concerto. Szell's quicksilver Mozartean style is also present in the early Beethoven. He and Fleisher are out to dazzle us with rapid passagework and to make the music zip along in constant high spirits. Their approach is extremely successful in Concerto 1 and 2, perhaps less so in the later works where more heroism and variety are called for.

To most listeners, however, that will seem like a churlish quibble. These are adored recordings that some of us have lived with since we ere kids. As a pupil of Schnabel, Fleisher had much more depth than he displays here; listen to his latest recordings and you will hear what's missing. Yet on the whole no complete Beethoven cycle has ever been better, or even come close to the high polish and technique of Fleisher-Szell. Now let's get the updated sound that it richly deserves.

Definitive.......2005-03-17

Leon Fleisher is an incredible pianist, and I believe he is THE most underrated pianist of the 20th (and 21st) century. One must realize that he is a student of a student of a student of a student of BEETHOVEN HIMSELF! He is also in a descendent line of students of Liszt and Czerny! This man is a living legend. Unfortunately, the set with the triple concerto also included has gone out of print, so this is now the one to get. Needless to say, the performances are phenomenal.

Great Performances.......2001-01-19

This is an outstanding recording. Leon Fleischer and George Szell are a match made in heaven. The standouts in this collection are the Beethoven 4th and the Mozart 25th. George Szell was one of the absolute best conductors of concerti. The musicality and ensemble playing are flawless. The recording of the Mozart 25th is the best I've ever heard. Don't overlook one of Mozart's later masterpieces played so flawlessly. This particular work comes off best with a large modern orchestra,like the CSO, as opposed to a smaller ensemble. Great performances!

Fleisher-Szell=Poise & Power.......1998-09-11

In an interview,Leon Fleisher said that he had been in awe of George Szell from an early age-thanks to a recording of the Brahms D-minor concerto that his parents had given him featuring his future piano teacher (Artur Schnabel!) and Szell conducting. Many years later Fleisher himself would make a series of records with Szell and the Cleveland orchestra in music ranging from Mozart and Beethoven to Grieg and Rachmaninoff. Along with their sublime set of the two Brahms concerti(also now available)this set remains a classic in the anals of recording for their forward impetus,sweep,power and poetry.Szell never just supports his soloist,but offers instead an ongoing dialogue between pianist and orchestra.Fleisher plays with all the fire and poetry that hallmarked his famous teacher,and with technical aplomb.The orchestra was at the top of their form-in a word,magnificent! The piano sound is a little hard in places,but the balance is fine. This set is a must for every Beethoven lover,it will never be bettered.

Fleisher-Szell=Poise & Power.......1998-09-11

Average customer rating:

RUN - not walk - to pick this up!!
From the sublime to the merely good.
Meh...
In spite of...
Great Piano Concerto Collection

Favourite Piano Concertos, Vol.1

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Favourite Piano Concertos, Vol.2
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 2
Brahms, Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos [Hybrid SACD]
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 1
Mozart: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B0000069CV
Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

Concerto No. 21 In C, KV 467 (Elvira Madigan): 1. Allegro
Concerto No. 21 In C, KV 467 (Elvira Madigan): Andante
Concerto No. 21 In C, KV 467 (Elvira Madigan): Allegro vivace assai
Concerto No. 2 In F Minor, Op. 21: Maestoso
Concerto No. 2 In F Minor, Op. 21: Larghetto
Concerto No. 2 In F Minor, Op. 21: Allegro vivace
Concerto No. 1 In E Flat, S. 124: Allegro maestoso - Liszt
Concerto No. 1 In E Flat, S. 124: Quasi adagio - Liszt
Concerto No. 1 In E Flat, S. 124: Allegretto vivace - Allegro animato
Concerto No. 1 In E Flat, S. 124: Allegro marziale animato - Liszt

Tracks:

Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73 < >: Allegro
Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73 < >: Adagio un poco mosso
Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73 < >: Rondo. Allegro
Concerto symphonique No. 4, Op. 102: Scherzo
Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: Moderato
Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: Adagio sostenuto
Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: Allegro scherzando

Customer Reviews:

RUN - not walk - to pick this up!!.......2006-10-30

I purchased this CD set on eBay for less than $2 some time ago. Reviews here on Amazon are usually written by people who buy the CD from Amazon, but this set has brought me so much pleasure that I am obliged to - nay, MUST - write a review here to spread the word. :)

I have been a classical aficionado for the last 6 years or so, and have to date accumulated a collection of >150 classical CDs. Artistic merit aside, I am picky about recorded quality; most of my listening is done through headphones (AKG k501), so poor sound quality in a CD is a big no-no for me.

I'll get sound quality out of the way first then - the SQ on this set varies from good to excellent. Sometimes the miking may come across as a little too warm (Rachmaninov) or a wee bit hollow sounding (Chopin), but there is nothing major to complain about here. There is a spot of easily noticed distortion in the first 10 seconds of the Emperor (more on that later).

I originally purchased this set for just one performance in particular - Clara Haskil's Chopin #2. This particular performance has been out of print for some time and was last available as part of an exorbitantly priced set (Clara Haskil: Legacy) that is now impossible to find.

In a nutshell, Haskil's performance alone is worth the full price of the entire set. The playing in the 2nd movement is absolutely magical - Haskil interprets Chopin with a delicacy and refinement that is difficult to put into words. Her playing brings to mind something my old piano teacher once told me - "Anyone can play Chopin, but few can play Chopin well". The way the solo melodic line is strung together at ~41 seconds into the 2nd movement will send shivers down your spine. Beauty too rich for use / for earth too dear, indeed.

But wait - there's more!

Imagine my surprise when another of the performances in this set turned out to be a 'sleeper hit': Brendel's Beethoven #5 ("Emperor"). I quickly grew to prefer Brendel's Emperor over my 'reference' recording - Pollini with Abbado (part of a very expensive DG 3CD set!). Brendel plays with more emotion and warmth - his Emperor comes off as truly majestic when compared to Abbado, who comes off as a little more magisterial and cold. There is a spot of piano clatter about 10 seconds into the first movement, but it is nothing major and certainly does not detract from the beautiful playing that follows.

Unfortunately Brendel's Elvira Madigan comes across as faaaaar tooooo slooooowwwww (for my taste). The playing is mannered, and there is none of the wiry elegance that should (in my opinion) characterise interpretations of music written during the Classical period. I much prefer my Pires with Abbado on DG for this concerto.

Janis's Rachmaninov #2 is worth a mention as well. Tape hiss on this recording is noticeable on headphones, but not overly prominent. There are few options for the Rach 2nd nowadays - Ashkenazy's warhorse is the usual (and nearly unanimous) recommendation.

Byron Janis was (in?)famous due to his being one of Vladimir Horowitz's two 'officially' recognised pupils, yet I find little Horowitz in this interpretation. There is none of the bravado and bold impulsiveness that characterised Horowitz's earlier work, no awkward mannerisms that characterised his middle work and none of the introspectiveness and coolness that characterised his late work.

What you will get instead is a well-measured and 'polite' Rach #2 with rather melancholy overtones, I find. Certainly a viable alternative to the Ashkenazy mentioned earlier, but a choice subject to personal taste. I prefer my own copy on Naxos by Jando.

I am not familiar with the Litolff and the Liszt, so I shall reserve comment on their respective readings. They are both well recorded though - warm and expansive.

From the sublime to the merely good........2006-04-27

This collection is an absolute steal. Three of the concerto recordings are unsurpassed. The Haskil Chopin is legendary, Richter's Liszt is colossal and Janis's Rachmaninoff is absolutely formidable. Brendel's recordings of Mozart and Beethoven are on a lesser level of achievement, but never less than good.

It should be noted that the Liszt and Rachmaninoff are Mercury Living Presence recordings, and if you've never heard a recording with only 3 well-placed mics, they do sound different from the usual 25-plus microphone recordings we are usually blessed (cursed) with.

At this price, one of the absolute CD bargains of all time.

Meh..........2006-03-28

This collection serves as a descent introduction to some great piano concertos, but the performances are not the best and the recording quality of most of them leaves much to be desired for me. I learned my lesson with regards to the 'best of' classical collections. Personally I'd rather have gotten great recordings of great performances of great classical pieces for a little more money.

In spite of..........2005-06-21

The problem with a heterogeneous collection like this one is that you may like some of the concertos, but not all. I have never found any better recording of Chopin's 2nd concerto than the one with Haskil/Markevitch, so this alone is worth the price, hence my five stars - only for that one! Brendel on Mozart's 21st is also one of many nice accounts. The others are not good enough, if you ask me. Chopin's 2nd by Haskil/Markevitch carries the stars; it is pure magic!

Great Piano Concerto Collection.......2003-07-03

Back in the days before I became a serious collector of classical music, I had this title. What a wonderful introduction it was for me, and if all you are looking for is some first rate performances of some of the best loved Piano Concertos ever written, then this disc is for you. Of course, I no longer own this CD, but I still have all of the individual performances (save the Litolff by Dichter/Marriner) on more comprehensive collections -- the Mozart on the Philips Duo of the "Great Mozart Piano Concertos" featuring Brendel and Marriner, the Chopin on the now o.o.p. Clara Haskil Legacy Vol. 2, the Liszt on a recently reissued Philips 50 title, the Beethoven on the new 3CD Universal Trio collection, and the Rach 2 on good old Mercury Living Presence -- and they are still among my favorites. If you buy this set, just be prepared to upgrade like I did.

Average customer rating:

Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations

The Violinist
Yehudi Menuhin , Johann Sebastian Bach , Bela Bartok , Ludwig van Beethoven , Alban Berg , Johannes Brahms , Max Bruch , Arcangelo Corelli , Edward Elgar , Franz Joseph Haydn , Edouard Lalo , Felix Mendelssohn , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Carl Nielsen , Niccolo Paganini , Camille Saint-Saens , Jean Sibelius , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Michael Tippett , Henri Vieuxtemps , Antonio Vivaldi , William Walton , Alberto Lysy , Anatole Fistoulari , Antal Dorati , Anthony Bernard , Gaston Poulet , John Pitchard , Mogens Woldike , Pierre Boulez , and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos
Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet
Bach: Orchestral Suites & Concertos
The Glory of Rostropovich: 80th Birthday Tribute
Schubert: 8 Symphonies

ASIN: B0000BWTKJ
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Affettuoso
III. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Assai
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Assai
I. Vivace
II. Largo Ma Non Tanto
III. Allegro

Tracks:

Rhapsody No. 2 (Lassu [Moderato] - Friss [Allegro Moderato])
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andante Tranquillo
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante
I. Allegretto (Scherzando)
II. Allegro
II. Adagio

Tracks:

Romance No. 1 In G Major
I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Larghetto
III. Rondo (Allegro) (Cadenza: Kreisler)
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Finale (Allegro Energico)

Tracks:

Romance No. 2 In F Major, Op. 50
I. Allegro Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo Vivace - Poco Piu Presto
I. Allegro Molto Appassionato
II. Andante
III. Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante Tranquillo
II. Presto Capriccioso Alla Napolitana & Trio (Canzonetta)
III. Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato (Cadenza: Menuhin)
II. Adagio Molto
III. Finale (Presto) (Cadenza: Menuhin)
I. Allegro
II. Andante Cantabile
III. Rondo (Andante Grazioso - Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Andante
III. Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Scherzando (Allegro Molto)
III. Intermezzo (Allegretto Non Troppo)
IV. Andante
V. Rondo (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andantino Quasi Allegretto
III. Molto Moderato E Maestoso - Allegro Non Troppo
Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Havanaise, Op. 83

Tracks:

I. Allegro Maestoso (Cadenza: Emile Sauret)
II. Adagio Espressivo
III. Rondo (Allegro Spiritoso)
I. Andante - Moderato - Cadenza
II. Adagio Religioso
III. Scherzo (Vivace) & Trio
IV. Finale (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Cadenza
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro Con Fuoco

Tracks:

Serenade Melancolique
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Di Molto
III. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
I. Praeludium (Largo)
I. Allegro Cavalleresco
II. Intermezzo (Poco Adagio)
II. Rondo (Allegretto Scherzando)

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Adagio
III. Presto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Vivace - Allegro - Adagio - Vivace - Allegro - Largo Andante
II. Allegro
III. Grave - Andante Largo - Allegro
Fantasia Concertante On A Theme Of Corelli

Customer Reviews:

Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations.......2004-01-06

The recent trend toward classical box sets focusing on the performer instead of the composer (see my reviews of the various DG/Decca "Original Masters" sets) continues with EMI's new "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist." Sure EMI's past sets have showcased individual performances by Samson Francois, Eugen Jochum and Rudolf Kempe to name a few, but it was always under the heading of a given composer's works, and in the cases mentioned above, to Chopin's piano pieces, Bruckner's Symphonies and Strauss' Orchestral Works respectively. Therefore, this Menuhin collection is the first of EMI's "Budget Box Sets" to showcase a performer playing the works of a variety of composers.

As Menuhin was an EMI recording artist for an incredible 68 years (1931-99), his performances for the label number in the hundreds. With so much music from which to choose, this 10-disc set aims "to highlight some of those alternative versions, including recordings that have not been easily available since the days of LP and others that have never previously appeared on CD." Therefore, the obvious mainstream, easily attainable recordings are omitted here -- for example, the Beethoven/Mendelssohn VCs with Furtwangler, the Elgar VC with the composer conducting, and the Bruch/Mendelssohn VCs with Susskind and Kurtz.

However, a lot of this material has been on disc before on titles which the serious collector most likely already owns. Most of the Bach is currently available as part of the Bach "Budget Box Series" title. The Bruch, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Vivaldi VCs were all available in the now out-of-print 2CD EMI Seraphim series. The Elgar and the Walton are still available in the "British Composers" series. And perhaps most annoyingly, the previously unpublished Beethoven VC and Tchaikovsky "Serenade melancolique" (available as a single disc), and the Beethoven Romance No. 2 (available on an EMI Encore title) were both reissued just a few months back.

But let's focus on the positive, which are the other rare performances, the most significant being the never before reissued 1954 performance of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 with John Pritchard and the Philharmonia. Other elusive recordings include Viuextemps and Paganini VCs with Fistoulari, Lalo and Saint-Saens works with Goossens, and excellent Berg and Bartok accounts with Boulez. Though I'm delighted at their inclusion, of lesser importance is a 1965 Bartok VC No. 2 with Dorati -- his mono EMI with Furtwangler and an earlier account with Dorati on Mercury Living Presence are far superior. Also, neither the Sibelius (Boult, 1955) nor Nielsen (Woldike, 1952) Concertos are truly Menuhin's cups of tea.

My last complaint has to do with the packaging. I know I'm being rather trite but it seems that EMI has taken the "slim" out of slim, paper-sleeved box sets with their latest batch of releases. Both this title and the new box of Liszt Orchestral Works by Masur are noticeably thicker than previous EMI sets featuring a similar number of discs. A minor point, but us serious classical collectors need every centimeter of space on our increasingly crowded CD shelves, not to mention the amount of wasted packaging.

Overall though, despite the fact that "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist" is not as essential a reissue as its counterparts in the "Original Masters" series, it is a delightful set that most collectors will thoroughly enjoy.

Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music

Average customer rating:

A Very Pleasurable Mix
Good for beginners.

Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music

Manufacturer: Proarte
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
25 Classical Favorites

ASIN: B000000C3P
Release Date: 1993-02-01

Tracks:

Canon
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Four Seasons: Largo - Allegro
Fanfare
Air On A 'G' String
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante: 'Elvira Madigan' Theme
Symphony No. 5: Opening
William Tell Overture: Conclusion
Aida: Triumphal March
The Blue Danube Waltz
Waltz Of The Flowers
1812 Overture - Conclusion

Customer Reviews:

A Very Pleasurable Mix.......2005-10-29

I still consider myself a rock music fan, but received this CD/album as a Christmas gift in 1995, and have listened to it in my car countless times. It contains a very nice assortment of familiar arrangements performed brillantly by various orchestras. Even if the title doesn't ring a bell, chances are you've heard these songs before and can connect with them. My wife's favorite is "Canon" (she's a diehard romantic) and I'm partial to "Fanfare" (Masterpiece Theater's old theme). Guaranteed to mellow you out while stuck in rush-hour traffic.

Good for beginners........1999-01-16

For those of us who think we would like classical music but have no idea where to start or what to buy, this is a good CD. I now have a small classical music library which gives me a great deal of pleasure, but this was one of my first selections. I still enjoy it. I recommend it to friends who are beginning to enjoy classical music and need a place to start.

Average customer rating:

25 Classical Heartbreakers

25 Classical Heartbreakers

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0007TFHCA
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Customer Reviews:

25 Classical Heartbreakers.......2006-11-29

Although these are popular and widely heard compositions (that's why I gave it 4 stars) they are very soothing when you want to mellow out. However, I can't understand why the title reads '20 Classical Heartbreakers' when there are 25 pieces.

Average customer rating:

Beethoven/Mozart: Piano Concertos

Manufacturer: BBC Legends
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Brahms: Piano Concerto no 1 / Curzon, Szell

ASIN: B000026CTS
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5 In E Flat Major, Op. 73 'Emperor': I. Allegro
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5 In E Flat Major, Op. 73 'Emperor': II. Adagio un poco moto
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5 In E Flat Major, Op. 73 'Emperor': III. Rondo. Allegro
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.26 in D major, K537 'Coronation': I. Allegro
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.26 in D major, K537 'Coronation': II.[Largetto]
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.26 in D major, K537 'Coronation': III. [Allegretto]

Average customer rating:

An unbelievable Bruch

Mischa Elman Plays Violin Concertos

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mischa Elman Plays Violin Sonatas and Violin Encores
The Art of Ivry Gitlis

ASIN: B0001K2KTI
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Customer Reviews:

An unbelievable Bruch.......2005-03-03

This Mischa Elman's violin concertos album deserve being bought and listened for the pure sake of his two Bruch concertos performances.
The magnificent musical ideas of Elman render the overplayed Bruch n.1 and the seldom played Bruch n.2 the most captivating performance we can imagine, as if they were two concertos never listened before!
The recordings remount back to 1956, with Adrian Boult and London Philharmonic,Anatole Fistoulari and London Symphony respectively.
Compared to Elman's rendition, the various glorified Heifetz,Ferras,Accardo and so on give only a faint interpretation of what this wonderful romantic violin music should sound.

Svjatoslav Richter: Grieg, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert Piano Concertos

Average customer rating:

Svjatoslav Richter: Grieg, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert Piano Concertos
Svjatoslav Richter , Ludwig Van Beethoven , and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005GTQ
Release Date: 1993-01-12

Average customer rating:

25 Golden Classics

Manufacturer: Golden Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00013D5DU
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks:

Four Seasons, Violin Concerto, Op. 8 - I: Allegro, From: Spring, Op. 8 - Rainer Kussmaul, Martin Sieghart, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Overture from "The Thieving Magpie" - London Festival Orchestra, Alfred Scholz
Faust's Damnation - Hungarian March - Christian Rainer, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Ave Maria, For Organ - Ernst Riedlinger
Coppa, Ballet Suite - Vienna Opera Orchestra
Orpheo and Euridice - Ballo: Andante (Dance of the Blessed Spirits) - Wilhelm Keitel,
Midsummer Night's Dream - Wedding March (Allegro Vivace) - Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Christian Rainer
From "Scenes from Childhood" Op. 15, No. 7 - Dreaming
At the Spring, From "The Moldau" (Excerpt) - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pesek
Watermusic, Suite - Allegro - Slovak Philharmonic, Oliver VonDohnanyi
Caro Mio Ben - Ernst Riedlinger
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048 - I: Allegro - Hans Swarowsky

Tracks:

Arlenne-Suite, No. 2 - I: Pastorale - Munich Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Scholz
Orpheus in the Underworld, Overture
Pictures at an Exhibition - Promenade No. 1 - Gerhard Eckle
Danse Macabre, Op. 40
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song - Libor Pesek, Slovak Philharmonic
Overture from "Fidelio", Op. 72
From: Suite Espa, Op. 47 - Sevilla - Irina Kircher
Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E Minor - The London Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Scholz
Etude in C Minor, Op. 10/12 "Revolution" - Peter Schmalfuss
Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525/"A Little Night Music" - I: Allegro - Libor Pesek, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Carmen Suite No. 2 - Haba (No. 1. Movement) - Loic Bertrand,
Bolero [Short Version, Ed. Durant] - Samo Hubad,

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