Poems to Music

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 6 in F major ("Pastoral") Op. 68 2nd movement (Andante)
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Ljubljana Radio Orchestra
Conducted by Anton Nanut

2. Violin Concerto ("L'inverno", The Four Seasons), for violin, strings & continuo in F minor ("Il cimento" No. 4) Op. 8/4, RV 297 1. Andante
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra (Heilbronn) with Susanne Lautenbacher
Conducted by Jorg Faerber

3. Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2 for orchestra, Op. 64 ter Montagues and Capulets
Composed by Sergey Prokofiev
Performed by Minnesota Orchestra
Conducted by Stanislaw Skrowaczewski

4. Enigma Variations for orchestra, Op.36 Nimrod
Composed by Edward Elgar
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra [members of]
Conducted by Eduardo Mata

5. The Planets, suite for orchestra & female chorus, Op. 32, H. 125 Jupiter
Composed by Gustav Holst
Performed by St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Walter Susskind

6. Die Moritat von Mackie Messer (The Ballad of Mack the Knife), song for voice & piano (from "Die Dreigroschenoper") Instrumental Version
Composed by Kurt Weill
Performed by Westchester Symphony Orchestra Music
Conducted by Siegfried Landau

7. Violin Concerto ("L'autunno", The Four Seasons), for violin, strings & continuo in F major ("Il cimento" No. 3), Op.8/3, RV 293 2. Adagio molto
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra (Heilbronn)
Conducted by Jorg Faerber

8. Adagio, for violin, strings & organ in G minor (composed by Remo Giazotto; not by Albinoni), T. Mi 26
Composed by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni
Performed by Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra (Heilbronn) with Douglas Haas
Conducted by Jorg Faerber

9. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major ("Elvira Madigan") K. 467 2nd movement (Andante)
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Mainz Chamber Orchestra with Gunter Kehr
Conducted by Jorg Faerber

Editorial Reviews
Gramophone Magazine
"...admirably paced, and presented vivaciously and spontaneously in a most attractive manner. What is most remarkable about this issue is the improvement in the sound in the current CD transfers offering an attractive ambience, plenty of body, yet clear detail."

Album Description

Music can be both calming and relaxing, or invigorating and passionate...this phenomenal 20-CD set is definitely the latter. This amazing collection brings together for the first time the most passionate music of all time, from Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Wagner's Magic Fire Music to Ravel's La Valse, Orff 's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This is a must have collection for every passionate music lover.

Customer Reviews:

A good gift for novice.......2007-05-12

This was a good gift for somebody learning about Classical music in Japan.

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

Mill. Classical review
classical music for the unitiated
Some little gems there that I had forgotten!
A very helpful collection
Excellent!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | 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

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

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

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

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Rendezvous of Angels - Concert Collection [20 CD Set]

ASIN: B00000K1C9
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Average customer rating:

It's lovely - But not newly recorded!
Yet another compilation
how precious!
Disappointing Duplication
If you like this sorta thing

Song of America
Charles Tomlinson Griffes , Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Charles Naginski , Ned Rorem , American Traditional , Elinor Remick Warren , Kurt Weill , Haydn Wood , Michael Parloff , Jay Ungar , Armen Guzelimian , Craig Rutenberg , David Alpher , Evan Stover , Garrison Keillor , and Mark Rust
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Very Best of Thomas Hampson
Christmas with Thomas Hampson
Long Time Ago - Copland / Dawn Upshaw & Thomas Hampson
American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason
Leading Man

ASIN: B000BGR0TW
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

As Adam Early In The Morning
Ah! May The Red Rose Live Alway (1850)
Shenandoah (Traditional)
Beautiful Dreamer (1864)
Danny Deever
Roses Of Picardy
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair (1854)
Hard Times Come Again No More (1854)
Molly, Do You Love Me? (1850)
An Old Song Resung
Tomorrow (When You Are Gone)
The Erie Canal (Traditional)
We Two
The Nightingale (Traditional)
Comrades, Fill No Glass For Me (1855)
Luke Havergal
To What You Said
Look Down Fair Moon
Dirge For Two Veterans
Ethiopia Saluting The Colors

Amazon.com

Thomas Hampson is a persuasive advocate for these treasures from the Library of Congress' vast collections, so this CD's generous sampling leaves you wanting more. It covers the American songbook in all its variety, from traditional "folk" items like Shenandoah to Stephen Foster to the immigrants Erich Korngold and Kurt Weill to Leonard Bernstein and contemporary composers. Hampson adjusts his flexible, light baritone to fit each song. The voice is full and resonant on Danny Deever, simple and direct in 19th-century traditional songs and ballads, and nuanced in songs like Ned Rorem's "As Adam Early in the Morning," one of several on the disc with texts by Walt Whitman. A standout is the last song in this recital, one that leaves you with thoughts about music, history, and our nation's continuing issues, "Ethiopia Saluting the Colors," by Henry Burleigh. Most of the selections are performed with piano accompaniment, but several are with a small ensemble of traditional instruments. A word of caution: everything was recorded in the 1990s and presumably was available piecemeal on previous releases, although few are likely to have more than a handful of these 20 gems. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

It's lovely - But not newly recorded!.......2006-10-04

I don't think this recording deserves One Star ratings or that the artist deserves such crude bashing. And re: Hampson's eye-colour.... Uh, these aren't lenses? He has blue eyes. I met him many times and...indeed, they are dark blue.

Anyhow, this is what Hampson is focusing on right now, American song. While those aren't exactly my thing I have to say that he sings them beautifully. I wish he'd stick to that rather than heavy Verdi and Wagner which his voice isn't right for.

Yet another compilation.......2006-06-13

I am a huge Tom fan. I go to his concerts and buy all of his CDs. I must say that I have been disappointed by this CD because it's entirely made of old recordings. There's a new photo on the cover, but that's all that is new here. So if you've bought your share of Tom CDs over the years, you want to check out the track info before you guy this one.

Now, Tom has been on tour and I STRONGLY recommend that you go see him next year when he comes through your city.

The other thing really annoying is that on the CD where you'd expect information about the music or the recording co., you instead get a large warning label from the FBI on pirating.

how precious!.......2006-05-08

Thomas Hampson swoons and croons to monotonous effect throughout this tired collection; again displaying his ego and faux scholarship in ample measure. Oi-vay, what a disaster! And what is with the blue contact lenses in the Jacket phot? Hampson's eyes are brown. What an unbelievably vain Diva!

Disappointing Duplication.......2006-01-17

I have not even heard the album, and I will not. Although I revere Mr. H. in just about everything he does, especially in song and Lieder, I am very disappointed that so many of these songs appear on other cds of which I already have about 19 of him. I think he and the producers should have chosen totally NEW material for this instead of drawing on his past achievements. I have no reservations about his performances, for I have seen him at the Met in opera and at Carnegie Hall in Mahler. I value them and all of his past cd productions.

If you like this sorta thing.......2006-01-17

Here Mr. Hampson is in his element. Unlike his less than viable attempts at Opera, Mr. Hampson is a thorough and intelligent singer of songs. His affectations, so fully inappropriate in bigger operatic literature, work well with the intimate nature of these sweet and personal songs. If you are Hampson fan, this album will thrill you.

DEBUT ~ Nathan Gunn - "American Anthem" from Ragtime to Art Song / Kevin Murphy

Average customer rating:

okay
A promise about to be fulfilled
Amazing collection - amazing voice.
Amazing recordings
First Rate Singing!

DEBUT ~ Nathan Gunn - "American Anthem" from Ragtime to Art Song / Kevin Murphy
Nathan Gunn , and Kevin Murphy
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Barber: Prayers of Kierkegaard/Bartok: Cantata profanna/Vaughan Williams: Dona nobis pacem
Brahms: A German Requiem (New English Adaptation)
John Adams: Shaker Loops; The Wound-Dresser; Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Bernstein: Symphony No. 1 "Jeremiah"; Concerto for Orchestra "Jubilee Games"
Prokofiev - War and Peace / Bertini, Gunn, Kit, Mamsirova, Gouriakova, Brubaker, Paris Opera

ASIN: B00000IWW3
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

Shenandoah
Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
Early In The Morning
The Lordly Hudson
At Howard Hawks' House
Holding Each Other
The Lass From The Low Countree
Recuerdo
Nocturne
Sure On This Shining Night
Fur (Murray The Furrier)
Over The Piano
Black Max (As Told By The De Kooning Boys)
Slugging A Vampire
Two Little Flowers
General William Booth Enters Into Heaven
The Lamb
I Wonder As I Wander
At The River
Long Time Ago
Lean Away
American Anthem

Customer Reviews:

okay.......2007-01-05

I heard wonderful things about this recording... but was a little disappointed. It is good, but nothing spectacular.

A promise about to be fulfilled.......2006-12-17

Not all of EMI's Debut seeries make it to the U.S., but since this one features an American singer, it did (as did the one featuring rising pianist Jonathan Biss). Nathan gunn is certainly well kn0wn now, after high-profile Met appearances in The Magic Flute and Harbison's An American Tragedy. The past few years have seen him mature, even though his voice will never be heroic. Gunn is very well suited to songs, although he makes a moving (and physically handsome) Billy Budd.

Her he sounds a little stiff, and he cannot carry off the numbers that re comic (Bolcom's Fur) or popular (Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?), but his straightforward masculinity works extremely well in Gene Scheer's Holding Each Other, he has enough poetry for Barber's Sure on This Shining Night, and just enough savoir faire for Rorem's Early One Morning. The voice itself isn't intrinsically beautiful, which may in the end mean that Gunn falls behind young counterparts like Gerald Finley and Simon Keenlyside, both of whom he resembles. Even so, this is a nice debut, and one can say that gunn's promise is being fulfilled.

Amazing collection - amazing voice........2006-02-22

Nathan Gunn has chosen a collection of mostly obscure songs and has applied his remarkable baritone voice to music not usually in the operatic repetoire. What results is a CD of depth, some humor, and extraordinary listenability. It's nice to see one of my favorite opera stars branch out. Bravo!

Amazing recordings.......2006-01-02

I first listened to this recording at the recommendation of a voice teacher and I am eternally grateful. I strongly recommend this album. Nathan Gunn is an extremely talented singer. As a singer myself (also a baritone like Nathan Gunn) I find much in his voice to model.

Nathan Gunn has an extremely beautiful voice, superb technique and execution, and has a very natural sound. There is an old steriotype of opera as sounding forced or artificial, but Nathan Gunn does a great job of avoiding this. He does a great job of communicating the "story" of the song to the listener, and I frequently found myself taken to the world of the song. Listening to many of his songs are like opening a good book and Nathan Gunn takes you there.

Highly recommended.

First Rate Singing!.......2005-12-20

I only recently discovered Mr. Gunn, but after hearing this recording, it makes me wonder why his name has eluded me for so long. Simply put, Nathan Gunn sings like a god! His voice is pure, and hypnotically beautiful to listen to. Turn on this CD and you will be wrapped in the most luxurious blanket of sound--his phrasing is impeccable, and his dynamics are wonderfully varied without being affected. His recording of Barber's "Nocturne" is haunting. "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" shows he isn't afraid of low notes, and the ending has some of the most spectacular high notes I've ever heard from a baritone. The Copland songs are also well done, as are the two John Jacob Niles selections. I wasn't familiar with Gene Scheer's songs prior to this CD, but they are all quite remarkable, though most especially "Lean Away" and "American Anthem." This is the best addition to my CD collection in a long time. I'm only saddened by the fact he doesn't have more recordings available. Mr. Gunn, I know you're busy with your opera schedule, but for those of us who can't make it to New York to see you in person, please record another CD!

Average customer rating:

GRIEG APPASSIONATO
A warm Spring in Norway

Anne Sofie von Otter - Grieg Songs
Edvard Grieg , Anne Sofie von Otter , and Bengt Forsberg
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Anne Sofie von Otter - Johannes Brahms Lieder
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Anne Sofie von Otter - Schubert Lieder (Ave Maria, Im Abendrot, Ständchen, etc.)

ASIN: B000001GI8
Release Date: 1993-06-22

Tracks:

Haugtussa Op. 67: 1. Det syng
Haugtussa Op. 67: 2. Veslem
Haugtussa Op. 67: 3. Blr-Li
Haugtussa Op. 67: 4. M
Haugtussa Op. 67: 5. Elsk
Haugtussa Op. 67: 6. Killingdans
Haugtussa Op. 67: 7. Vond Dag
Haugtussa Op. 67: 8. Ved Gje-Bekken
Seks Sange op. 48: 1. Gruss
Seks Sange op. 48: 2. Dereinst, Gedanke mein
Seks Sange op. 48: 3. Lauf der Welt
Seks Sange op. 48: 4. Die verschwiegene Nachtigall
Seks Sange op. 48: 5. Zur Rosenzeit
Seks Sange op. 48: 6. Ein Traum
Seks Digte af henrik Ibsen op. 25: 2. En svane
Seks Digte af henrik Ibsen op. 25: 4. Med en vandlilje
Fem Digte af John Paulsen op 26: 1. Et h
Tolv Melodier til Digte af Aasmund Olavsson Vinje op. 33: 2. Vn
Digte af Vilhelm Krag op. 60: 3. Mens jeg venter
Barnlige sange op. 61: 3. Lok
Tolv Melodier til Digte af Aasmund Olavsson Vinje op. 33: 5 Langs ei
Romancer op. 39: 1. Fra Monte Pincio
Hjertets Melodier af H. C.Andersen op. 5: 1. To brune ne
Hjertets Melodier af H. C.Andersen op. 5: 3. Jeg elsker Dig
Seks Digte af Holger Drachmann op. 49: 6. Forregn

Amazon.com

Grieg's song's were almost all composed for his wife Nina. She was a singing actress with a considerable stage presence, if not a particularly impressive voice. In fact, Nina and Edvard Grieg were very much the Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya of the 19th century, though the style and substance of Grieg's songs' is as different from 1920s Berlin as can be imagined. Haugtussa is Grieg's most important song cycle. It's tells the story of a goat shephard abandoned by her lover. Each of the songs is in simple strophic (verse and refrain) form, but the music has a tremendous range and variety, particularly in the folk-tinged harmony. Anne Sofie von Otter's performance is the outstanding Grieg song recital of our time, period. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

GRIEG APPASSIONATO.......2005-07-18

A good deal of care and sensitivity has gone into just making the selection of these 25 songs, before we even reach the performances. Some of the songs are fairly light in sentiment and expression, and none is to full German-Lied weight or portentousness, but there is real passion in most of them. What is blessedly absent throughout is the sentimental trifling that Grieg can sometimes be guilty of.

Von Otter is not one to do things by halves either. As usual she gives the songs everything she's got, which is of course a great deal. Thought has obviously gone into the way she has been recorded too. The acoustic is just faintly suggestive of a cathedral, but a voice like this needs space around it, and I myself support this way of doing things. I simply can't comment on any national or Scandinavian aspects to these readings. In any case I suspect the personal tone of this high-powered singer is a lot more to the point. The song `Spring' on the 18th track of this disc is well known from its orchestral version, but never in the innumerable orchestral renditions, many by Scandinavian orchestras, that I've heard has the climactic phrase of the melody been put over with such power and intensity as it is here. Obviously, the music has to be able to stand up to such an approach, and I find that it comes through with flying colours. The songs are mainly love-lyrics with some associated folk-pastoral numbers in a familiar way. There are some sad moments, particularly when the poor shepherdess loses her love in the 7th song, and the text of the following and final poem in this cycle about the brook must surely recall Schubert's Baches Wiegenlied to everyone, but even it stops short of what happens in that. In general however the tone is one of longing with intermittent joy, and every song seemed to me perfectly well suited to its singer.

Von Otter's partnership with Forsberg is well and truly established by now and there is a sense of complete understanding between them as we would expect. Forsberg isn't afraid to let his concert grand rip on occasion either, nor would I have wanted him to be. What I would have liked all the same is a little more refinement in his touch. He provides that very nicely indeed in the very last item in the recital. If he had done this more consistently throughout my mind would have been veering off less into tangential thoughts about how Gould might have handled such piano-writing.

The liner-note is brief but helpful, and full texts of the lyrics (some German, mostly in alternative forms of Norwegian) are provided with English translation.

A warm Spring in Norway.......2004-06-20

This is one delicious album. Von Otter has made a wonderful selection of love songs from Grieg. You very seldom hear the Nordic iciness that can be found so often in Grieg's instrumental chamber works. There is beautiful lyrical warmth in these songs written for his wife, springing out of the nature of the lyrics. Flowers explode from the piano accompaniment. The theme of Springtime appears again and again throughout these songs. Von Otter's warm, full voice brings the songs to wonderful life. The recording acoustics have the sound of recital hall instead of a recording studio. But I'm grateful for this. Von Otter's powerful voice singing directly into your ear could be overwhelming. Although the acoustics make Forsberg's piano sound a bit flat. Von Otter and Forsberg sink their teeth into every emotion projected from the lyrics and music, so be prepared for an often unsubtle emotional assault on your sensibilities. The beauty of these neglected songs is brought to life in a vivid way. This album is a treat you can't afford to pass up.

Average customer rating:

I love the variety
Love this CD.
The Perfect Kid CD
we all love it!
We wore it out - have to get a new one

Toddler
Sara Hickman
Manufacturer: Big Kids Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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Newborn
Big Kid
MOTHERLODE
Faithful Heart
Spiritual Appliances

ASIN: B00005MCW8
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

Get Up, Everybody
Ten Little Bubbles
Walking, Walking
Mr. Kawasaki (the wok song)
Remember Your Name and Address
Hey There Little Insect
Up in a Tree a Kookaburra Sat
Waar is Mign dulfje
Oh, I Wish I Were a Fishy in the Sea
Storytime with Sara: Guinea Pig Story
Weenie Man
Bunnies
I Like My Boots
Bill Groggin's Goat
Frere Jacques
Duke of York
Junkyard
Gerbil
This Little Light of Mine
Pupu Hinuhinu
Storytime with Tish Hinanjosa
I Got You, Babe
Down by the Bay
hiney Rakavet
Storytime With Sara: The Story of P
Hole in the bottom of the Sea
Three Little Monkees
Someone
Storytime with Mr. Peppermint
Muddy Hands
Goodnight, Everybody

Amazon.com

Sara Hickman's spring-loaded Toddler plays like a 2-year-old's trip to the zoo. What's around the bend is anybody's guess, but because each creature is as kooky or adorable or exotic as the one that came before it, you can hardly wait to get there. Think of it as a 31-track grab-bag: "I Got You Babe," its lyrics modified from "I got you to wear my ring" to "I got you to push me on the swing," butts up against "Storytime with Tish Hinojosa," a spoken-word saga of feline demise and rat liberation; the 1930s safety song "Remember Your Name & Address" swings out soberly on the heels of "Mr. Kawasaki (the Wok Song)," a gastronomic gross-out detailing a stir-fry gone wrong; and a hip-hop take on "This Little Light of Mine" thumps along in the hands of guest vocalist MC Overlord before this CD shoves off to Hawaii for "Pupu Hinuhinu." Interspersed are more spoken-word tracks (someone called Mr. Peppermint takes a turn, as do Sara and other friends), old standbys like "Freres Jacques" and "Duke of York," and, with "Waar Is Mijn Dulfje (Where is My Baby Bird)" and the Hebrew "Hiney Rakavet," there are some stabs at toddler world music. Where most CDs that string together snatches of this and that collapse into catchalls--nothing special--Toddler stands steady on its feet, buoyed by Hickman's wit, spunk, and way with a song. Her's is a voice as warm and inviting as a best-loved blanket, calling to mind Karen Carpenter in calmer moments, and what she chooses to wrap it around will leave moms, dads, and tots hoping she takes this boringly titled series, which started with Newborn, all the way past Tween and College Kid to Old Geezer. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Sleeveless is Sara Hickman's very own groovy label

Customer Reviews:

I love the variety.......2007-07-07

I bought Sara Hickman's toddler album after listening to her Newborn album. I'm an even bigger fan of the Toddler album. The songs are all upbeat, but from different musical genres. I walk around all day singing the songs we hear on the way in to work.

Love this CD........2007-01-09

This is a sweet and well balanced CD. My husband and I fell in love with it right away, and my daughter started to like it after it's played a few times. She can now sing a few songs from it. It's so funny to hear her sing the weenie man. :) Now it's one of our favorite CDs.

The Perfect Kid CD.......2006-11-02

The warning i'm going to give is also the best reason to buy it! If you play this in your car for your 3 year old, you will never hear any other music besides this CD EVER again! Keep them happy! Buy it now! of course, there are one or two throw away tracks, but after the 20-something song, no one notices!

we all love it!.......2005-12-02

We weren't surprised that we love it, as Sara does not put out bad albums. This cd lives in the minivan to keep my 18 month old twins and my 15-18 year old teens happy. The twins clap and sing and wave their arms to the music. Everyone sings and has their favorite songs, especially Weenie Man. Even on long trips, nobody gets tired of it. Even my teens' friends sing along with gusto. An amazing album from an amazing woman.

We wore it out - have to get a new one.......2005-06-07

Fun for both adults and toddler. We've loved this cd and on a long car trip to grandmas (it kept everyone happy!), we somehow scratched it. I probably miss it more than my 2 year old. I was hoping to get a cheap used copy but obviously everyone else loves it too.

Average customer rating:

One last touch of Paris (but oversold by the critics)
wonderful perforance of excellent songs
Classic Rorem Songs!
Come To Pop, Baby!
Worthy indeed - a gem

Susan Graham - Songs of Ned Rorem
Susan Graham , Martin Martineau , and Ensemble Oriol
Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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Ned Rorem: Selected Songs
The Faces of Love ~ The Songs of Jake Heggie / Fleming, McNair, Larmore, von Stade, Forand, Cao, Clayton, Vaness, Asawa
Susan Graham - La Belle Époque (The Songs of Reynaldo Hahn)
Susan Graham ~ Berlioz - Les nuits d'été
Poèmes de l'Amour

ASIN: B00004R9BK
Release Date: 2000-04-04

Tracks:

Sonnet [Bynner]
Clouds [Goodman]
Early In The Morning [Hillyer]
The Serpent [Roethke]
Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal [Tennyson]
Opus 101 [Bynner]
I Strolled Across An Open Field [Roethke]
To A Young Girl [Yeats]
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair [after Foster]
Ode [de Ronsard]
For Poulenc [O'Hara]
Littlle elegy [Wylie]
Alleluia
Look Down, Fair Moon [Whitman]
O You Whom I Often And Silently Come [Whitman]
I Will Always Love You [O'Hara]
The Tulip Tree [Goodman]
The Wintry Mind [Bynner]
I Am Rose [Stein]
The Lordly Hudson [Goodman]
O Do Not Love Too Long [Goodman]
Far - Far - Away [Tennyson]
For Susan [Goodman]
A Journey [Glaze]
Sometimes With One I Love [Goodman]
Love [Lodge]
Orchids [Roethke]
Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening [Frost]
Do I Love You More Than A Day [Larson]
Ferry Me Across The Water [Rossetti]
The Sowers [Bynner]
That Shadow, My Likeness [Whitman]

Amazon.com

Contemporary composer Ned Rorem is typically likened to an American Schubert (living in Paris) for the fecundity, emotional range, and quality of his songs (though this represents only one facet of a prolific career). And Rorem's masterful 1998 cycle Evidence of Things Not Seen would seem to justify that reputation, as does this marvelous anthology from the Rorem songbook of the past half-century. The composer is fond of dividing musicians into the "German" and the "French," clearly identifying himself with the latter for the elusive sparkle and subtle play of shadows that characterize his art. What other kind of sensibility could "through-compose" Gertrude Stein's "I Am Rose" in a deftly perfect 27 seconds? Fortunately, American lyric mezzo Susan Graham intuitively understands this expressive aspect, as does pianist-partner Malcolm Martineau. Graham is constantly attentive to the marriage of music and text in the 32 songs here and phrases their little worlds into being with grace and wit. She can shade to a sweet vanishing point or allow her voice to blossom, orchidlike, into a dazzling profusion of colors. Few of these songs, which draw on the poetry of Walt Whitman, Theodore Roethke, Frank O'Hara, and many others, last more than two minutes. But their resonance lingers, whether in the haunting "Opus 101"--with its lean but potent string trio scoring--or the enigmatic "That Shadow, My Likeness" from Whitman. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

One last touch of Paris (but oversold by the critics).......2005-10-11

Ned Rorem is the last survivor, since the death of Virgil Thompson, of the long reach that Paris exerted over a generation of American expatriate composers, many of whom drifted overseas between the wars to study with the legendary Nadia Boulanger. Rorem's songs sometimes have American folk roots, but mostly he writes chansons, and like their French counterparts, his are crystalline, spare, sophisticated, and precisely defined emotionally.

If he were more tlaneted he might have wirtten masterpieces, but mostly this sounds like Samuel Barber on skim milk. Rorem often sets minor, if not trivial poetry. His lyrical gift is modest. But there's no doubt that he has been neglected, largely because of his stubbornly tonal conservatism, and now that tonality is repsectable again, he is being accorded last-minute honors. I'm glad for him, and his best work, which consists of his multi-volume memoirs, has added much to American culture. But even when skillfully sung by an artist of the caliber of Susan Graham, a hour's worth of Rorem's tiny jewel-like chansons is about twice too much at one sitting.

wonderful perforance of excellent songs.......2005-01-20

I'm a neophyte to Ned Rorem's work. To be honest I purchased this CD because I really enjoy listening to Susan Graham. Although I really love hearing Ms. Graham's opera performances, I find it refreshing to hear her singing something in English. I also appreciate how she's taken time to perform something other than opera. Susan Graham's performance of Ned Rorem's songs has me seeking out other performances of his work.

Classic Rorem Songs!.......2004-05-18

Susan Graham has a remarkable mezzo voice and sings Rorem as though she really is a sounding board for the composer. Kudos to her and this CD comes highly recommended to newbies to Rorem songs and those many die-hard fans!

Come To Pop, Baby!.......2004-03-12

Recently, I heard Susan Graham on Garrison Keillor's "Prarie Home Companion" show. Wow! I didn't know who she was, but she had so much humour, verve and style while singing some show tunes, and that incredible voice. I rushed to amazon but all the English language songs I could find seemed to be on this album of Ned Rorem music. Well, whatever the weight lieder songs carry for the Germans, it seems that art songs in English mean songs you can't snap your fingers to, can't slap out a beat to and would never, ever, sing with your friends. I know, I know, I'm a Philistine, but please, Ms. Graham, give us an album of American popular classics, show tunes and the like. When I listened to you on Mr. Keillor's show, if I had been a bell, I'd have been ringing too! You are simply great. Don't let the classical music fans have all the fun. Throw a little our way too. Pretty please.

Worthy indeed - a gem.......2002-08-27

I cannot disagree with "A Music Fan"'s panning of this CD. Having first purchased the Hearing CD which he/she references, I reached the conclusion that Rorem's music was too knotty and "20th century" for repeated listenings and enjoyment. This CD with Susan Graham completely reversed my opinion. The songs are indeed chosen to be accessible, but they are much more than that. They are, simply stated, lovely. This is a disc I will play again and again, and has caused me to investigate many other Rorem CDs. I just came on line to buy it as a gift for a friend. Rorem deserves his due, and this disc gives it to him.

Delius: On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring

Average customer rating:

Lloyd-Jones is a Worthy Successor to Beecham as a Delian

Delius: On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | 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
Similar Items:

Frederick Delius: Orchestral Works
Delius: Paris; Brigg Fair; Eventyr; Irmelin; La Calinda
Delius: Orchestral Works
Delius: Orchestral Works
Delius: Sea Drift/Songs of Farewell/Songs of Sunset

ASIN: B00019P6PE
Release Date: 2004-03-16

Tracks:

Marche Caprice
I. Summer Evening
II. Winter Night (Sleigh Ride)
III. Spring Morning
American Rhapsody
The Walk To The Paradise Garden
I. On Hearing The First Cuckoo In Spring
II. Summer Night On The River
A Song Before Sunrise
Fantastic Dance

Customer Reviews:

Lloyd-Jones is a Worthy Successor to Beecham as a Delian.......2004-04-14

In 1997 David Lloyd-Jones conducted a different program of Delius orchestral (and vocal) music that included the early 'Florida Suite' and the final scene of his American opera 'Koanga.' It was with a different orchestra, the English Northern Philharmonia, and it was very good, very natural-sounding. I wondered at the time - perhaps 'hoped' is a better word - if this might be the beginning of a Delius series on the Naxos label. Well, here it is seven years later and another program of Delius orchestral music with Lloyd-Jones at the helm, this time of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Indeed, the ten works on this disc are recorded in chronological order, beginning with the 'Marche Caprice' (which I'd never heard) from 1889 and leading on to his very last piece, 'Fantastic Dance,' premièred only four months before his death in 1934. (I'd also never heard this piece. Shame on me!)

In between these two not-so-well-known pieces are some of his loveliest creations. There are the 'Three Small Tone Poems,' each named for a season: 'Summer Evening,' 'Winter Night,' 'Spring Morning.' There was originally a fourth piece called 'Autumn,' but it seems to be lost. These works, from the same time period as the early 'Marche Caprice,' confirm that Delius from early on was able to limn the characteristics of nature as well as any English composer ever has.

'American Rhapsody' is a shorter version of the later 'Appalachia' and does not contain a choral section. But it does contain worksongs from the African American workers whom Delius heard singing when he was in Florida running a family-owned orange plantation. It also includes extensive treatments of 'Dixie' and 'Yankee Doodle.' The piece was never performed as written until the 1980s.

'The Walk to the Paradise Garden,' from his opera, 'A Village Romeo and Juliet,' is, of course, one of Delius' most loved compositions. It is given a meltingly beautiful reading here. Following that are 'Two Pieces for Small Orchestra,' containing the vastly familiar 'On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring' and then the somewhat less-heard 'Summer Night on the River.' I was not aware until reading the excellent booklet notes by Hugh Priory that 'Cuckoo' quotes a Norwegian folksong that had also been used by Grieg. Again, Lloyd-Jones and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra do themselves proud. In fact, I don't know if I've ever heard a lovelier 'Cuckoo' either in concert or on recording. And that includes Beecham's famous recording. Simply splendid!

The CD is rounded out by 'A Song Before Sunrise,' written in 1918, the last of Delius' nature studies. 'Fantastic Dance,' dictated to Delius' amenuensis Eric Fenby after he became incapacitated, is rather more spirited than any of the foregoing and is a fitting close to this entirely glorious concert.

This is an impressive program well-played and -recorded, and all the more so when one considers the budget price.

Enthusiastically recommended.

Tracks:

Ballade No.3 In A Flat Major
La Fuente Y Al Campana
Fantasia (Variations)
Pining For The Spring Breeze
Scherzo
Berceuse Op.83
Finale
Vivace
Pas De Quatre
Chanson D'Automne
Polonaise No.2 In E Major
Prelude: Andante Malinconio
The Musical Chocolate Box: Senza Tempo-Allegretto Innocente
Changes: Andante Intimo
Elegie Enigmatique: Allegretto Mesto
Etude Da Capo: Allegro Brillante
Nocturne-Cavatina: Tempo Rubato
Troisieme Choral M40

Franz Liszt: Complete Tone Poems, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

la colleccion mas espectacular II
Rounding up from a 4.5
"More 'respected' than loved"? Here's to respect!!
Part Two of a great Liszt Tone Poem cycle from Haitink

Franz Liszt: Complete Tone Poems, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Liszt: Complete Tone Poems Volume One

ASIN: B00000417T
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

Complete Tone Poems: Heroide funebre (Heldenklage) - Liszt
Complete Tone Poems: Hungaria - Liszt
Complete Tone Poems: Hamlet - Liszt

Tracks:

Complete Tone Poems: Hunnenschlacht - F. Liszt
Complete Tone Poems: Die Ideale - F. Liszt
Complete Tone Poems: Von der Wiege bis zum Grabe - F. Liszt
Complete Tone Poems: Mephisto Waltz No. 1 - F. Liszt

Amazon.com

Liszt's tone poems are "respected" more than loved. It's kind of easy to see why--the thematic material is not always distinguished, and the orchestration--however interesting and experimental--is often just plain screechy. But maybe that's part of the point. As the inventor of the "symphonic poem," Liszt was trying to create a piece of symphonic length and continuity based on the transformation of just one or two themes. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but the results are seldom dull. Bernard Haitink's performances are very musical, and they are attractively recorded. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

la colleccion mas espectacular II.......2004-11-30

Bernard Haitink nos entrega con este CD los poemas sinfonicos restantes, y nos sigue sorprendiendo, estos sonj registros que no podra escuchar en ningun otro lado y a la imcomparable calidad de este director y la Orquesta Sinfonica de Londres que como siempre nos deslumbra hasta el climax del disfrute musical.
Son muy pocas palabras para describir 6 poemas sinfonicos, La batalla de los hunos es soberbia, Heroide funebre y Hungaria y lo mas expresivo de la tradicion hungara, Die ideale, hamlet y de la cuna a la tumba son sencillamente sorprendentes, Haitink ademas grabo y se incluye en este CD el vals mefisto N°1, asi se convierte en una coleccion imperdible.
Un CD doble, precio economico, la mejor calidad, la mejor i