Hindemith: Chamber Music

On this CD:

1. Quartet, for clarinet, violin, cello & piano
Composed by Paul Hindemith
Performed by Ettore Pellegrino

2. Sonata for clarinet & piano in B flat major
Composed by Paul Hindemith

3. Sonata for cello solo, Op. 25/3
Composed by Paul Hindemith

4. Meditation (from ballet "Nobilissma visione"), for violin (or viola or cello) & piano
Composed by Paul Hindemith
Performed by Ettore Pellegrino

5. Work(s)
Composed by Paul Hindemith
Performed by Ettore Pellegrino

Hindemith: Chamber Music, Music, Michele Chiapperino, Paul Hindemith, Ettore Pellegrino, Cello Solo, Chamber, Chamber Music & Recitals, Clarinet Solo/Sonata, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Quartet for Mixed Instruments without Keyboard, Violin with Keyboard

Horn Concertos
Average customer rating:

Scintillating Strauss

The Gold Standard 50 years later

Brilliant Brain!

The Brain Behind Strauss and Hindemith

Horn Concertos
Strauss , Hindemith , Brain , and Sawallisch
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000063UMB
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

Horn Concerto No.1 In E Flat, Op.11: I: Allegro
Horn Concerto No.1 In E Flat, Op.11: II: Andante
Horn Concerto No.1 In E Flat, Op.11: III: Allegro - Rondo (Allegro)
Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat: I: Allegro - Tranquillo
Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat: II: Andante Con Moto
Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat: III: Rondo (Allegro Molto)
Horn Concerto: I: Moderately Fast
Horn Concerto: II: Very Fast
Horn Concerto: III: Very Slow/Moderately Fast/Fast/(Declamation)/Lively/Very Slow
Concert Music For Brass And Strings, Op.50: I: Massig Schnell/Mit Kraft/Sehr Breit, Aber Stets Fliessend
Concert Music For Brass And Strings, Op.50: II: Lebhaft/Langsam/Lebhaft

Customer Reviews:

Scintillating Strauss.......2007-05-07

For me, the first horn concerto of Richard Strauss is the finer work: it has all the ebullience of youth (rather like Beethoven's Pathetique sonata). The second concerto is mellower and has echos of Capriccio, which was composed about the same time.

Notwithstanding the presence of the inimitable Dennis Brain, the delight in this recording is the sparkling performance of the Philharmonia orchestra conducted by the under-rated Wolfgang Sawallisch. He memorably captures the passion of the first concerto and is equally at home with the more subtle nuances of the second.

The Gold Standard 50 years later.......2005-03-11

It's hard to argue that the Strauss horn concertos have made their way into the standard classical repertoire that the Mozart horn concertos hold. That's too bad, because they are both excellent showpieces for the soloist, and the change in Strauss's style over time (the first horn concerto was completed in 1883; the second, in 1942) was remarkable. Both concertos are technically challenging for the horn player, of course; the second is a workout for the orchestra as well. And no recording features a performance as facile as the late brilliant Dennis Brain, whose mellow, dark tone hardly changes throughout all registers. One has no clue just how difficult these concertos are, listening to Brain's polished, relaxed, perfect execution.

Horn players are still in debt to Brain for his inspiration of Paul Hindemith's Horn Sonata, the Sonata for 4 horns, and the Horn Concerto, which fills out this re-release. Perhaps it's because I'm rather familiar with this concerto, but I find it more accessible than much of Hindemith's music, in part because the first two movements are shorter than usual, resulting in a concerto that lasts a compact 15 minutes. In this concerto, like the flute sonata, Hindemith has compact themes that still exploit his entire system of simple-to-complex harmonization within a few bars. The performance on this CD is both conducted by the composer and played by the performer for whom it was written.

There are other good recordings of these works, of course -- the Tuckwell recordings of the Strauss come to mind -- but they will all be heard in the shadow of the Brain recordings. An absolute requirement for fans of the French horn, and a rich addition to any classical CD collection.

Brilliant Brain!.......2004-12-05

This CD from EMI features Dennis Brain, in my opinion the greatest horn player who ever lived. In his tragically brief life Brain recorded the definitive versions of numerous works, and although his Mozart horn concertos are my favorites, his treatment of Strauss is a close runner up.

Despite these recordings being from the mid-1950s, the musicianship of Brain still makes these the best available. While I like Strauss, I find Hindemith a bit derivative and monotonous, although with Brain's treatment still a delight.

These recordings are crisp and sonically well defined, despite the Strauss concertos having been recorded in mono. I am grateful to EMI for releasing these recordings on a single disc at a reasonable price. Horn lovers everywhere will relish in these recordings. I highly recommend this CD.

The Brain Behind Strauss and Hindemith.......2003-08-16

How does a performance remain definitive even after nearly fifty years? Answer: When it's played by Brain. Dennis Brain was arguably the greatest horn player to ever live. He also was the first to ever record the Strauss Horn Concertos (in 1947), and the Hindemith Concerto was dedicated to him, so he was tailor-made for this music. Despite the fact that all these recordings were made in 1956, the Strauss Concertos were taped earlier in the year and are in mono, while both Hindemith works from later that year are in stereo. The three Concertos have been available on CD previously (and still are) as a full-price title, but this remastered version from EMI's Great Recordings of the Century series offers superior sound and more music in the form of Hindemith's Concert Music for Brass and Strings. So I guess perfection can be improved on after all.

The Most Relaxing Harp Album in the World... Ever!

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The Most Relaxing Harp Alblum in the World...Ever!

The Most Relaxing Harp Album in the World... Ever!

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Music for Solo Harp

ASIN: B000AXWGXG
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

Rrie - Claude Debussy
Gymnope No. 3 - Erik Satie
Sonata in A, K.208 (Andante e cantabile) - Domenico Scarlatti
Siciliana - Ottorino Respighi
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat, Op. 73 Emperor - II Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Sonatine, Op. 30 - II Calme et expressif - Marcel Tournier
Allemande & Courante (from French Suite No. 6 in E, BWV 817) - Johann Sebastian Bach
Arabesque No. 1 in E - Claude Debussy
Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty (from Ma M lOye) - Maurice Ravel
Lute Concerto in D, RV 93 - II. Largo - Antonio Vivaldi
Sarabanda - Nino Rota
Siciliano (BWV 1031) - Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for Harp & Orchestra in G Minor, Op. 81 - II Romanza (Andante) - Elias Parish-Alvars
Andante (from Violin Sonata in A, BWV 1015) - Johann Sebastian Bach
In a Landscape - John Cage

Tracks:

Concerto for Harp & Strings in B-Flat, Op. 4 No. 6 - George Frideric Handel
Concerto for Harp & Strings in B-Flat, Op. 4 No. 6 - George Frideric Handel
Concerto for Harp & Strings in B-Flat, Op. 4 No. 6 - George Frideric Handel
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair (from Preludes, Book I) - Claude Debussy
Sonata for Harp - III Lied - Paul Hindemith
Pavane - Antoine Francisque
Concerto for Flute & Harp in C, K.299 - II Andantino - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Clair de lune (from Suite bergamasque) - Claude Debussy
The Sunken Cathedral (from Preludes, Book I) - Claude Debussy
Andantino (from Sonata in C Minor) - Giovanni Pescetti
La Source, Op. 44 (ude) - Alphonse Hasselmans
Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring (from Cantata, BWV 147) - Johann Sebastian Bach
Gymnope No. 1 - Erik Satie
Danses sacret profane - Claude Debussy

Customer Reviews:

The Most Relaxing Harp Alblum in the World...Ever!.......2007-01-08

Very soothing. Allows you peace of mind

Hindemith Conducts Hindemith: The Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

Average customer rating:

Hindemith conducts Hindemith
Hindemith continues the musical traditions of the Germanic schools
Phenomenal performances
Lean, clean and unadorned, as Hindemith intended
Hindemith Himself

Hindemith Conducts Hindemith: The Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Kammermusik

ASIN: B0000U1NHE
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Customer Reviews:

Hindemith conducts Hindemith.......2006-11-10

The musician's musician, the most versatile, skilled and knowledgeable composer of the 20th Century can be heard with delight in this excellently remastered Deutsche Grammophon recording of him conducting the Berlin Phiharmonic Orchestra in definitive renditions of some of his own masterpieces. Hindemith by and large was the best interpreter of his own works. Under his direction pure, unadulterated, joyfull music-making of great vitality prevails, thoroughly unpedantic, yet devoid of vanity, pretentious display or exaggeration. The rendition of the Mathis Symphony is, of course, definitive and the nowadays most frequently perfomed Symphonic Metamorphosis is done with gusto. But we would like to call special attention to such an inexplicably neglected masterpiece as the thoroughly delightful, but substantial Symphonic Dances and the unique and profound Konzermusik for piano, brass & harp. What neo-Baroque, roaring twenties exhuberance displayed in the Concerto for Orchestra and what a gem of human insight "The Four Temperaments",
here definitively rendered! ER

Hindemith continues the musical traditions of the Germanic schools.......2006-08-19

Hindemith is a far too overlooked composer, and I daresay that in decades to come people will realize the greatness of his compositions, a Hindemith renaissance will take place. I for one enjoy his music greatly and this box set is a perfect introduction to his music. Contrapuntally Hindemith stands apart from most 20th composers, indeed his music speaks the 20th century idiom, however as one will recognize immediately Hindemith speaks his own language. In fact this composer is one of the most original of his time. Contrapuntally he continues and adds to the great traditions harkening back to the Renaissance. His conducting is no nonsense and gets to the heart of his music. I find this music to be riveting, exciting, intellectual and heartfelt. Hindemith has his place in Music history.

Phenomenal performances.......2006-03-07

Hindemith may not have been a Schoenberg or Stravinsky, but at his most inspired he was certainly way up there near the top of the heap, among the greatest composers of the late lamented 20th Century. What these recordings tell us, however, and to me this comes as something of a shock, is that he was also a truly great conductor. All the performances in this set are in my opinion truly extraordinary, among the very best orchestral performances I've ever heard -- of any music by any composer of any period.

Everything one would expect of a superlative performance is here, the tempi, the balances, the shadings, accents, nuance, intonation, attention to detail, attention to overall structure, sweep, authority, intensity, even expressiveness (YES, expressiveness!) and passion (yes, passion too).

To get a sense of how remarkable a conductor Hindemith is, listen carefully to the slow movement of Mathis. With tempi this slow (and this is the slowest I've heard for this piece, extremely slow), it's very difficult to maintain interest, not to mention control. However, in the hands of Hindemith and this remarkable orchestra, with whom he's obviously established an extraordinary rapport, the tempo works beautifully and the piece takes on an almost Mahlerian intensity I'd never heard before.

As if this weren't enough, the set contains one of the most remarkable pianistic performances I've ever heard, from Hindemith's composition student, Hans Otte. The "Four Temperaments" begins in typical middle period Hindemithian style, with a statement of the rather steady, bland and predictable theme, but with the entry of the piano for the first variation, all is transformed -- and suddenly we are back in the world of early Hindemith, one of the most inventive and masterful composers since Bach himself. The pianism is simply beyond belief here, just stunning in its verve, precision, virtuosity, nuance and phrasing. With the entry of the piano the piece just takes off, soars into the stratosphere, thanks to composer and pianist both. Otte was hand picked by Hindemith for this performance so possibly what we hear is at least in part due to careful coaching. But it's hard to understand how mere coaching could produce such marvels of nuance and such complete control of the instrument and total musical involvement in passage after passage. If you ever want to inspire a young performer with the possibilities of his art, you would do well to play your student this recording.

As for the more mundane details, even they are all good. The sonics are fantastic for a recording of this vintage, clear, even vibrant, with lots of body and power when called for. The orchestra itself is superb and in perfect rapport with its director. Even the piano selected for these recordings is a marvel, simply one of the finest instruments of its kind I've ever heard.

I know, it's easy to be skeptical in the face of all these superlatives, but I assure you I'm not usually this enthusiastic. These recordings truly are gems, trust me. HAH!

Lean, clean and unadorned, as Hindemith intended.......2006-02-04

Hindemith jumped at the chance to record his major works with Deutsche Grammophon when it was offered in the early 1950s.

First, was his theory of conducting. He felt the conductor should, as much as possible, be "transparent" and not add anything to the music, i.e., through not gesticulating (especially wildly), etc.

Second, he had seen and heard conductors do just that to his works. And he had heard this result in what he considered overconducting.

Now, that doesn't mean that Hindemith wanted some "native" style of conducting, or even people conducting his works as sight-reading exercises. He expected a piece to be properly understood so that such overconducting was unnecessary.

The result is to be heard here. Now, by "lean and clean," we're not not talking Boulez. But, compared to his day and age, to the Furtwaenglers and others, we are talking something almost that spare.

When you hear these CDs, you'll immediately understand why Hindemith thought that other composers made his music sound too muddy.

These are mono recordings, but in studio in the early and mid 1950s with the Berlin Philharmonic, the baseline sound quality was quite good and the CDs have been well-engineered.

This is an outstanding buy of a great 20th-century composer.

Hindemith Himself.......2005-02-24

"Hindemith Conducts Hindemith: The Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon" is another essential release in Universal's "Original Masters" series. This 3CD set features the composer himself conducting some of his best known works, including his two Symphonies, Symphonic Metamorphosis, Concerto for Orchestra, and Konzertmusik with Monique Haas on piano. All of the recordings hail from 1954-57 and while they are in mono, the DG sound is clear as a bell. Previously I owned a dozen or so CDs featuring various Hindemith works (performed by conductors Abbado, Bernstein, Blomstedt, Goossens, Kletzki, Kubelik, Szell, etc.), but only one with Hindemith himself conducting his own music (the Violin Concerto with David Oistrakh -- see my review). Well if you like a composer and have the ability to hear them conduct their own music, then you should do it, whatever the cost. I mean what would you give to have the opportunity to hear Beethoven or Mozart perform! Luckily in this case you don't have to fantasize, you just have to buy this affordable, budget-priced box set.

Average customer rating:

A must buy!!
The only CD I know of like this!

The Road To Cello Playing

Manufacturer: Parnassus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001Z51
Release Date: 2000-09-16

Tracks:

Etudes , Op.70: No.4 In G
Etudes , Op.70: No.11 In G
Etudes , Op.70: No.20 In G
Etudes , Op.70: No.24 In G Minor
Etudes In G , Op.31 No.12
Etudes, Op.120: No.2 In A Minor
Etudes, Op.120: No.8 In G
113 Exercises For Cello: No.32 In D Minor
Etude No.7 In G Minor
Etude No.8 In D
Etude No.13 In E Minor
Etudes, Op.25: No.7 In C
Etudes, Op.25: No.8 In A Minor
Etudes, Op.25: No.11 In G
Etudes, Op.25: No.9 In D
Etudes, Op.73: No.2 In G
Etudes, Op.73: No.6 In F
Etudes, Op.73: No.7 In A
Etudes, Op.73: No.13 In E Flat
Etudes, Op.73: No.15 In G
Etudes, Op.73: No.22 In G
Etudes, Op.73: No.28 In A
Etudes, Op.73: No.34 In F
Etudes, Op.73: No.36 In C
Etudes, Op.73: No.40 In D
Etude In D, Op.38, No.21
Caprice In B Flat, Op.1 No.13
Sonata For Solo Cello, Op.25 No.3: 1. Lebhaft, sehr markiert
Sonata For Solo Cello, Op.25 No.3: 2. Massig schnell, Gemachlich
Sonata For Solo Cello, Op.25 No.3: 3. Langsam
Sonata For Solo Cello, Op.25 No.3: 4. Lebhafte Viertel
Sonata For Solo Cello, Op.25 No.3: Massig schnell
Variations On ' Liliburlero'
Suite For Solo Cello: 1. Preludio -- Fantasia
Suite For Solo Cello: Sardana (Danza)
Suite For Solo Cello: Intermezzo e danza finale

Customer Reviews:

A must buy!!.......2000-09-22

This is a truly amazing recording! I have looked all over for a CD of Popper etudes and as far as I can tell this is the only recording of it's kind. Starker's amazing technique and intonation make this CD a real gem. I only wish he recorded all 40 Popper etudes!!

The only CD I know of like this!.......2000-03-10

If you are an aspiring cellist and want a role model to follow or just want to hear how these etudes SHOULD sound OR enjoy listening to a virtuosic performance then this is the CD for you! Starker is the one cellist who can play techically as well as artistically. Even Yo Yo Ma has not attempted this genre! Enjoyable listening experience. Fun to follow the music as well. Well worth the money.

Average customer rating:

extremely overrated
Some nice moments, but...
excellent twentieth century repertoire
Great Job, Mr. Marsalis
Good CD

On the Twentieth Century

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000027IU
Release Date: 1993-09-21

Tracks:

Piece en forme de Habenera
Intrada
Triptyque: I. Scherzo
Triptyque: II. Largo
Triptyque: III. Saltarelle
Sonata For Trumpet And Piano: I. Allegro moderato
Sonata For Trumpet And Piano: II. Adagio tenero
Sonata For Trumpet And Piano: III. Allegro
Eiffel Tower Polka
Legende
Rondo for Lifey
Rustiques
Sonate fur Tromete und Klavier: I. Mit Kraft
Sonate fur Tromete und Klavier: II. Massig bewegt - Lebhaft
Sonate fur Tromete und Klavier: III. Trauermusik - Sehr langsam; Ruhig bewegt - AlleMenschen mussen sterben - Sehr ruhig

Customer Reviews:

extremely overrated.......2004-08-01

For reasons that I do not understand, Wynton is considered a player of the highest caliber. While his technique would have to seem impressive to most of his fans, in comparison to players such as Phil Smith, Charlie Schleuter, Matthias Hofs, and many other top symphony players, Wynton is completely out of his league. Wynton's interpretations of some of these pieces are laughable in their complete lacking of any sense of direction. Compare his recordings of the Enesco and Hindemith with ones put out by Phil Smith and Charlie Schleuter,amd it is like listening to a student play a piece for his teacher, and then the teacher playing it the way it ought to go. The only valid reason to buy this recording is the great programming. It's just a shame that it is not another trumpet player playing the same pieces.

Some nice moments, but..........2004-06-30

Wynton's playing on this album is, unquestionably, very accomplished and there are some really shining moments -- especially in the Halsey Stevens' Sonata and the Honegger.

As a classically trained trumpet player I must disagree with the other reviewers and point out a number of weaknesses in the playing in this disc. The Poulenc and the Bernstein, the easiest pieces are also the sloppiest. Througout the entire album, save the Chorale at the end of the Hindemith, Wynton uses, in my opinion, excessive and unmusical vibrato -- I feel it especially breaks the mood of the end of the Enesco.

The playing throughout doesn't do much musically interesting and there are better recordings of all the works here. I feel the Hindemith was just rushed through, first and last movements especially. See Charlie Schlueter's "Trumpet Works" on Kleos Classics for a much more musical Hindemith and Philip Smith's self-titled album on Cala Records for better renditions of the Enesco and Tomasi.

Overall, I really liked the program choice and some of the really good moments, but I think you won't find much here that isn't done better elsewhere.

excellent twentieth century repertoire.......2001-01-09

Another recording of Wynton's in which he displays desirable command over his trumpet. Although I wouldn't consider it perfection, he is truly a master of his instrument, and attaining perfection is no mean feat. He starts off with the Ravel, Piece en forme de Habanera, which is an exquisite work, originally written for solo piano, but Mr. Marsalis captures the expression and lyricism of Ravel's composition beatifully.

There is some very difficult music on this album, and Wynton makes it sound natural. The Honegger Intrada is definitely within this category. Mr. Marsalis made it sound so easy that I didn't realize the endurance it takes to play the opening lines until I looked at the music myself. Henri Tomasi is better known to trumpet players for his spectacular trumpet concerto, and he is represented in this list of works with his short and fun Tryptique. The Halsey-Stevens Sonata has become one of my favorite pieces of music with its wonderful thematic material, strong melodies and interesting rhythms. Marsalis is so good that he gets right out of the way and lets the strength of the composition shine, a task well done. Wynton displays strong performances of the Bozza and the Enesco as well, using the Bernstein and the Poulenc as short, fun pieces to provide comic relief from the heavier works found on this disc.

He ends it off with the famous Hindemith Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, a spectacular composition, which Mr. Marsalis plays with command. Wynton displays the intensity involved in this piece more than adequately. Although I somewhat disagree with some of his interpretation of the first movement, the second and third movements are wonderful. The album ends with the segment, Alle Menschen mussen sterben, or, "all men must die". An incredibly slow, incredibly difficult section to play, especially at the end of the entire piece. He pulls it off with control, not so much as even a waver in tone, and his is brilliant. Well done Mr. Marsalis! Aside from picky stylistic disagreements, an excellent collection, definitely recommended.

Great Job, Mr. Marsalis.......2000-05-30

Overall, this CD was excellent. Marsalis displays the art of contemporary music on a good note, playing such works as the Hindemith Sonata for trumpet. Also, from this cd, i learned of the Halsey Stevens Sonata for trumpet, now my favorite piece. Lastly, Wynton plays the Honneger Intrada, which had a section so fast i couldn't roll my toung and keep up...

Good CD.......1999-09-07

I like Wynton's playing on this CD. The only thing I didn't like about the CD was Pièce en forme de Habañera, where Wynton plays both trumpet parts in synchronized recording, it sounds stupid. Otherwise this is a marvelous CD.

Average customer rating:

The Art of Ruggiero Ricci

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

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ASIN: B0001NPTX4
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Sonatas by Beethoven, Hindemith and Heiden

Average customer rating:

Technically brilliant recording of standard chamber works
Blue CD...a must-have....John is the greatest!
En Foret is the best
Masterful Playing
Awesome Horn Playing

Sonatas by Beethoven, Hindemith and Heiden

Manufacturer: Crystal Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Horn Concertos

ASIN: B000003J64
Release Date: 1993-06-15

Tracks:

En Foret
Nocturno, op. 7
Sonata In F For Horn And Piano, Op. 17: Allegro moderato
Sonata In F For Horn And Piano, Op. 17: Poco Adagio
Sonata In F For Horn And Piano, Op. 17: Allegro molto
Reverie
Sonata For Horn And Piano: Moderato
Sonata For Horn And Piano: Tempo di Minuetto
Sonata For Horn And Piano: Rondo; Allegretto
Apres un Reve, Op. 7, No. 1 - Gabriel Faure
Sonata For Horn In F And Piano: Massig bewegt
Sonata For Horn In F And Piano: Ruhig bewegt
Sonata For Horn In F And Piano: Lebhaft
Intermezzo, Op. 35, No. 11
Im Tiefsten Walde, Op. 34, No. 4

Customer Reviews:

Technically brilliant recording of standard chamber works.......2005-03-15

If you are considering purchasing this CD, it's likely you're either a present or past French horn player (I'm a past one) or an esoteric collector of classical music (I'm getting there myself). The selections on this disc are probably not well known by the non-horn playing sections of the orchestra, but they are de rigeur selections for the professional or ensemble soloist. (It would have been perfect had Poulenc's "Elegie" been included as well.) I purchased this disc for four specific selections: En Foret, the Beethoven sonata, Gliere's "Intermezzo", and Glazunov's "Reverie". The difficulty of En Foret is legendary and obvious from its performance, but for some reason both the Faure and Gliere drove me nuts when I was getting my music degree back in the old days.

Mr. Cerminaro plays all the selections on this disc with note-perfect mastery, and that is saying quite a bit. Not only are there no missed notes (or at least none that I could detect, following along with my mental scores), but there is a full mastery of range throughout the low and high registers that is not frequently found in horn players. The liner notes reveal Mr. Cerminaro's justifiable pride in, for example, nailing the falling octaves in the final movement of the Hindemith sonata. (The notes also contain an unusually detailed description of his horn.)

I can recommend this disc for anyone interested in the horn or any of the composers. My reservation in rating this disc five stars, rather than four, concerns the overall tone of Mr. Cerminaro's horn. Before his solo career, Mr. Cerminaro was principal horn for the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has the "New York" horn sound, which, as a matter of personal taste, I find a bit brash. I am a big fan of the soft, dark, mellower tones of Dennis Brain, whose virtuosity was an inspiration for Mr. Cerminaro (and countless other scores of players!). At times, forte and fortissimo passages sound to me like a trombone playing a little bit out of control. However, if you enjoy what I think of as the "New York" sound (and what the notes refer to as a "distinctly thicker and richer American concept of sound"), then you will probably enjoy this CD even more than I did -- and I enjoyed it a lot.

Blue CD...a must-have....John is the greatest!.......2000-07-26

This is the best solo horn CD I've come across. Cerminaro's playing is amazing and versatile...from the Bozza to the Franz Strauss. It has plenty of the horn solo standards and some lesser known works. I also recommend John's recording of the Mozart Concerti.

En Foret is the best.......2000-03-24

On the whole, all the recordings are excellent (particularly the Hindemith and the Franz Strauss), but, as stated in other entries, the En Foret is absolutely breath-taking. In my mind, a CD single of just this recording of the Bozza would be worth retail price, for this is the definitive recording. The way John Cerminaro traverses the stunning four octave range of this piece (with special emphasis on the pedal C that is amazing), takes apart the technical sections with the virtuosity of a smaller horn player and the solid sound of a Conn, and sails with phrasing that ties the piece together sets this recording apart from the others. By all means, do what I did: listen to the Tuckwell, listen to other recordings--then BUY the Cerminaro.

Masterful Playing.......1999-12-29

As he has shown us time and again, John Cerminaro is a masterful interpreter of not only the "classical" works for Horn, but also of twentieth century music. The Franz Strauss "Nocturno" Op. 7 has brought Cerminaro much acclaim throughout the Horn-playing community as well as in the music loving community. In addition to this, the closely related Hindemith and Bernard Heiden Sonatas show his knowledge and mastery of perhaps lesser known works. But, the crown jewel of this album is Eugene Bozza's "En Foret." This recording is the definitive one. His bold theme statements from the get-go let us know this is truly "his piece." The chant-like sections of the work are played with such reverence and grace that one could not argue that the sections are trite or cheap (as has been said by some). This album, although released nearly twenty years ago, is all-too-unfamiliar for most. This should be a standard in record collector's homes.

Awesome Horn Playing.......1997-10-10

This CD is a must for any Horn player or lover of the instrument! Cerminaro has tremendous technique AND extremely sensitive mucicality. END

Average customer rating:

Underpriced
Superb survey of one of the all-time greatest violinists

Violin Concertos [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B0009VI51G
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Customer Reviews:

Underpriced.......2006-12-19

It is incredible to me that I was able to purchase ten discs of probably the single greatest violinist of the century tackling immortal masterpieces for less than the cost of a utility bill.

You are thinking, "where's the catch?" Well, there is none. The transfers are excellent, the performances, of course, are superb. The only corner-cutting to be found was in the packaging, but even that was more than sufficient.

All these riches made me greedy, though. I wish there was Bartok 2 as well as 1, same with Szymanowski. I wish there was Khatchaturian. But how spoiled I am to be complaining! There is so much here to be enjoyed, from the crags of Szymanowski and the peaks of Beethoven to the cool, dark valleys of Chausson. If you only ever buy one violin box set, buy this one.

Superb survey of one of the all-time greatest violinists.......2005-08-28

We haven't been exactly short on releases by the great David Oistrakh, whether in the LP days or on CD. The trouble was that his recorded legacy - one of the most extensive in history by any violinist - has been made accessible through a multitude of labels, often in a haphazard fashion, and even more often for a very short time. The arrival of this new 10 CD-box has to be saluted for its effort to group a splendid selection of live recordings by Oistrakh made in the USSR between 1939 and 1968 with the Moscow Philharmonic, the Leningrad Philharmonic and the USSR Radio Symphony Orchestra, with some of the foremost conductors of the day (Alexander Gauk, Kirill Kondrashin, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Kurt Sanderling).

Undoubtedly, collectors will already have the majority of the recordings presented here (although a lot is no longer available), but this box covers all the great concertos and as a survey of the art of "King David" it is presently unbeatable.

The sound quality is variable, of course, but totally acceptable regarding the age of some of the documents.

Shura Cherkassky plays Rameau, Haydn, Chopin, Liszt, Hindemith & Berkeley

Average customer rating:

A Perfect Piano Recital

Shura Cherkassky plays Rameau, Haydn, Chopin, Liszt, Hindemith & Berkeley

Manufacturer: Wigmore Hall Live
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gavottes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Haydn: Piano Sonatas

ASIN: B000MEYHXK
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

Gavotte Variee
Presto
Adagio-
Vivace Molto, Innocentemente
Ruhig Bewegt
Sehr Lebhaft
Massig Schnell
Fuge: Lebhaft
Ballade No.3 In A Flat Major Op.47
Nocturne In F Sharp Minor Op.48 No.2
Mazurka In F Sharp Minor Op.59 No.3
Mazurka In G Major Op.67 No.1
Prelude Op.23 No.5
Prelude Op.23 No.6
Polka Op.5
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 In C Sharp Minor
October: Chant D'Automne

Customer Reviews:

A Perfect Piano Recital.......2007-06-19

This disc was recorded at Wigmore Hall on October 29, 1993, and shows, once again, how vibrant Shura Cherkassky played a mere two years before his death. The recital begins with a Gavotte by Jean-Philippe Rameau, a favorite piece for Mr. Cherkassky that he plays with great elegance. A sonata by Joseph Haydn (composed ca. 1781 - 1782) continues the program, and is charmingly played with nimble dexterity, particularly in the rondo finale.

The Haydn is followed by the longest piece on the program - the Hindemith Sonata No. 3 (1936), which was a favorite work of Mr. Cherkassky. The Sonata is an engaging work written in a neo-classical style that came to dominate Hindemith's music. Chopin dominates the middle of the concert with four pieces - the Ballade No. 3, Nocturne in F-sharp, Mazurka in F-sharp and Mazurka in G. The Nocturne is beautifully phrased and delicately nuanced, arguably among the best performances of this music. There are three pieces by Sir Lennox Berkeley: two preludes from his opus 23 that are engaging and nicely played and a charming Polka that is satiric along the lines of Shostakovich and is a nice bravura piece.

The Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 concludes the concert with Mr. Cherkassky giving a superb account with nice touches of drama and virtuosity, and the disc concludes with an encore: Tchaikovsky's October from The Seasons.

The music is beautifully recorded; there is applause after each selection and I detected only a single cough during the Chopin Nocturne. The booklet describes each piece in detail with pictures of the composers and there is a nice biography of Shura Cherkassky. This is another great Cherkassky recital and one that should not be missed.

Average customer rating:

A standard for any oboe player

John Mack, Oboe

Manufacturer: Crystal Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Masters of the Oboe
The Art of the Oboe

ASIN: B000003J3J
Release Date: 1993-12-29

Tracks:

Three Romances, Op. 94: Nicht Schnell
Three Romances, Op. 94: Einfach, Innig
Three Romances, Op. 94: 3. Nicht Schnell
Oboe Sonata, Op. 166: Andantino
Oboe Sonata, Op. 166: Pastorale
Oboe Sonata, Op. 166: Molto Allegro
Sonata For Oboe: Munter
Sonata For Oboe: Sehr Langsam-Lebhaft-Sehr Langsam-Wieder Lebhaft
Sonata For Oboe: Elegie
Sonata For Oboe: Scherzo
Sonata For Oboe: Deploration
Capriccio
Pavane
Serenade
Romance

Customer Reviews:

A standard for any oboe player.......2001-10-14

John Mack is definitely one of the pillars of the oboe playing world. His playing and teaching alike draw much praise. This CD is no expception. During his career, Mack has put out many definitive and emulated performances, and this CD contains many of the pieces standard in the oboe repetoire. In fact, some of these pieces are rarely recorded and can only be found on this CD. The Schumann Romances are beautifully done with excellent tone and phrasing, the Saint-Saens is wonderful and Mack's interpretation has become the standard for this sonata, the Hindemith is playful and quirky, and the Poulenc is pretty and well executed(though I prefer the Leleux interpretation). The little French pieces are pretty and a nice addition, though not that exciting.

My one gripe is with the engineering which makes things sound a bit unbalanced and hollow at times. Nevertheless, the CD is very well done.

Music Track: