Great Russian Classics

On this CD:

1. 1812 -- Festival Overture, for orchestra in E flat major, Op. 49
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by H.M. Royal Marines Band
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

2. In the Steppes of Central Asia (V sredney Azii), musical picture for orchestra
Composed by Alexander Borodin
Performed by Gerald Jarvis
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

3. Night on Bald Mountain (Noch' na Lïsoy gore), symphonic poem, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov
Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
Performed by Gerald Jarvis
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

4. Scheherazade, symphonic suite for orchestra, Op. 35
Composed by Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
Performed by Gerald Jarvis
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

5. Slavonic March, for orchestra, Op. 31
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Seiji Ozawa

6. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Benno Moiseiwitsch
Conducted by Hugo Rignold

7. Violin Concerto, for violin & orchestra (or violin & piano) in D major, Op. 35
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Vladimir Spivakov
Conducted by Seiji Ozawa

8. Gayane Suite No.3, for orchestra Sabre Dance
Composed by Aram Khachaturian

Conducted by Felix Slatkin

9. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel
Composed by Modest Mussorgsky

Conducted by Lorin Maazel

10. Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique", Op.74
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky

Conducted by Jascha Horenstein

Tracks:

Also Sprach Zarathustra (Sunrise) - R. Strauss
Mars (The Planets) - Holst
Overture 1812 - Tchaikovsky
Entry Of The Gladiadtors - Fucik
Sabre Dance - Khachaturian
Procession Of The Sardar - Ippolitov Ivanov
Night On Bald Mountain - Mussorgsky
Anvil Chor (II Trovatore) - Verdi
The Thunderer March - Sousa
Thunder & Lightening Polka - J. Strauss
Prelude To Act III : Lohengrin - Wagner
The Ride Of The Valkryies - Wagner
Montagues & Capulets (Romeo & Juliet Ballet Suite) - Prokofiev
The Storm: Symphony No. 6 In F Major, 'Pastorale' - Beethoven
Rondeau - Edward Carroll
Overture: Fireworks Music - Handel
March To The Scaffold: Symphonie Fantastique - Berlioz
LesToreadors - Bizet
William Tell Overture: Finale - Rossini
Revolutionary Study - Abbey Simon
Fanfare For The Common Man - Copland
Sym No. 1 'Titan' IV Sturmisch Bewegt (Excerpt) - Mahler
Augurs Of Spring From Rite Of Spring - Stravinsky
Russian Dance From Petrouchka - Stravinsky
The Great Gate At Kiev From Pictures At An Exhibition - Mussorgsky

Customer Reviews:

Good selection.......2005-10-02

I bought this CD to use in my classroom as listening examples. I'm not just a super big fan of some of the performances, but they are all good and for the price you can't beat it. That's why I gave it 5 stars. It's worth more than it costs by far.

thunderous applause.......2005-08-31

This is a who's-who of great pieces of music you have heard all of your life, and never knew the names and stories! I listened to it over and over in the car and had my own concert! A friend borrowed it to add music to his Home Movies and it was perfect!

Good Music at a Great Price.......2004-03-06

I bought this CD mostly for "Entry of the Gladiators," which everyone will recognize as classic circus music. The performance on this CD (by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops) is the best available version of Entry of the Gladiators. The rest of the CD offers mostly excerpts of classical music.

You will like this!.......2004-02-19

I had purchased an abundance of the "Favorites" collection and some were better than others.

This CD is at the top of them all. They may be short, but not that short. Wondrous music.

I can almost guarantee that you will like this music.
Well worth the price!

Good for the novice.......2002-06-08

The recordings on this disc are pretty good. However, the editors selected only the *loud* parts, as indicated by the title. I was pretty disappointed to find that the pieces are, in many cases, edited to reflect the most famous themes, etc, instead of including the whole work. In general, I would recommend this to the classical music novice, or someone who wants to expand their knowledge of classical music in general. Those who already are familiar with these pieces will probably feel gypped.

Great Recordings Of The Century - Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Borodin: Polovtsian Dances / Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Cadenza
A classic that survives because of Beecham's infectious good humor
Extraordinarily charismatic
Great performance, not-so-ideal recording technique.
Ablaze with Color

Great Recordings Of The Century - Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Borodin: Polovtsian Dances / Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Great Recordings Of The Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, Concerto in F, American in Paris / Previn, London SO
Grieg: Peer Gynt Op23; Symphonic Dances Op64
Bizet: Symphony in C; L'Arlésienne Suites
Great Recordings Of The Century - Schubert: Symphonies nos. 3, 5, & 6 / Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade for orchestra Op35; Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale

ASIN: B00000IOBM
Release Date: 1999-05-04

Tracks:

Scheherazade, Op.35: The Sea and Sinbad's Ship
Scheherazade, Op.35: The Story of the Kalender Prince
Scheherazade, Op.35: The Young Prince and the Young Princess
Steven Staryk: The Festival of Bagdad - The Sea - The Ship goes to pieces on a Rock surmounted by a Bronze Warrior
Polovtsian Dances ('Prince Igor', Act ll): Introduction: Andantino
Polovtsian Dances ('Prince Igor', Act ll): Allegro vivo
Polovtsian Dances ('Prince Igor', Act ll): Allegro
Polovtsian Dances ('Prince Igor', Act ll): Presto
Polovtsian Dances ('Prince Igor', Act ll): Moderato alla breve
Polovtsian Dances ('Prince Igor', Act ll): Presto
Polovtsian Dances ('Prince Igor', Act ll): Allegro con spirito

Customer Reviews:

Cadenza.......2007-04-30

Of all the recordings of Scheherazade by Rismsky-Korsakov, the one conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham is the performance that is most generous to his musicians. Each cadenza is given such exquisite freedom, the woodwinds particularly, that the solo musician can truly explore the glorious expression of Rimsky-Korsakov. Cadenzas in the Story of the Kalander Prince, the second movement, are so beautifully syncopated, patient here, passionate there, forceful there; so beautifully dynamic, quietly reliant on a single clear note or loud enough to where the instrument is abuzz with natural harmonics. And the final movement of the piece, Shipwreck, here Sir Thomas, more than any other conductor, lets the tapestry of music unravel until there is nothing left but this one last, long golden thread of solo violin.

A classic that survives because of Beecham's infectious good humor.......2006-07-13

Beecham conducted music with a smile, a rare gift that other conductors who possess better techniques and more virtuosic orchestras must envy. This 1958 Scheherazade remains a classic because it flows so naturally and unfolds with such good humor. In the U.S. many collectors automatically reach for Reiner's ultra-polished, stupendously played Living Stereo recording on RCA, whereas in the U.K. collectors just as automatically reach for Beecham.

By comparison, the Royal Phil. isn't a virtuoso ensemble, but their feeling for the music, their supple flexibility and relaxed phrasing outstrip Reiner's cool-sounding Chicago Sym. I love both recordings--and several by Stokowski, who is more flagrantly showing off--but if it came down to a desert-island choice, I think I'd go with the more humane, less spectacular Beecham. EMI's recorded sound is quite open and natural, also, showing its age only in a bit of snarl in the loudest tutties. Woodwinds ae deightfully prominent, strings are recessed.

Extraordinarily charismatic.......2004-09-03

This review is basically the same as the one I wrote for an earlier CD
reissue of this fine recording. Now that it has been rereleased as a
Great Recording of the Century, it will get the attention it deserves.

Beecham's recording of Scheherazade has not been out of print ever since
it was first released in 1958. It is quite simply the best recording of
Rimsky-Korsakov's finest work. The sound quality of the recording is
excellent for its time, and the engineers for the CD have done a good
job. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays fabulously well, and
Beecham brings out all of the mystery, sensuality and barbarism that
used to be associated with the Orient. The notes that come with the
recording describe it best: "extraordinarily charismatic". It is not an
exaggeration. No one does the violin solos better than concertmaster
Steven Staryk, and Jack Brymer's clarinet solos are also brillant.

As a bonus, this CD also has the best recording of Borodin's Polovtsian
Dances I have ever heard. Unlike most recordings of these dances,
excerpted from "Prince Igor", it includes the choral voices just as they
are in the opera (in English, rather than Russian, though).

Great performance, not-so-ideal recording technique........2003-08-25

Sir Thomas Beecham's recording was my first Scheherazade CD. In many ways it remains an outstanding performance of Rimsky's beloved masterpiece. There is a pleasing suppleness to the musical phrasing, an irresistible propulsion from start to finish, and much attention to detail. Having had access to the CD section of a music library, I have hear many other Scheherazades and few, in my opinion, manage to even equal Beecham's reading. Mackerras' and Kondrashin's modern versions are its main rivals. Get all three of these if you can, each is indispensable in its own way.

With regards to the recording acoustics, there has been an on-going tendency of lovers of Beecham's disc to proclaim its superiority over Mackerras, Kondrashin's or any other modern digital version by citing Beecham's attention to detail. In actuality that has a lot to do with the primitive closely-miked recording techniques employed by 1950s EMI engineers. As a result you get to oooh-and-ahh when you hear the delicious close-up bowing of the cellos and violas in the quieter passages of the first movement. However, when the rest of the orchestra (especially the brass) start joining in, you then realize (horrors!) the congested acoustics of this recording. Be not mistaken, this is a finely-reburbished 1950s recording, but it cannot touch the naturally distanced/proportioned, spacious acoustics of digital discs like Mackerras'. Do not be fooled, like some professional critics have been, that the wealth of close-up instrumental details available in Beecham's CD means that his performance is superior to modern CDs. (This is how we get all of this perpetuated rubbish that ALL vintage 50s CDs can never be surpassed. Hmph.)

In summary, this vintage Scheherazade is one not to be without but ideally it should also not be the single version in your music collection. A finely recorded modern version of Scheherazade is also a must.

Ablaze with Color.......2002-11-02

Years and years ago I came across Beecham's wonderful recording of Rimsky-Korsakov's most famous piece while listening to NPR. The channel has since gone to talk format, but I still greatly enjoy this classic disc.

Scheherazade is given both space and atmosphere by Beecham and the RPO. The first time I heard it was while driving around on an autumn evening--the leaves the color of gold and flame. I cannot help but feel the same colorscape whenever I hear this piece now.

This disc is loaded with excellent, colorful, wondrous music. At mid-price, this is a "must-have."

Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Vocalise / Aleko: Intermezzo & Women's Dance (EMI Great Recordings of the Century)
Average customer rating:

A lone voice...

Well, a slip into greatness

One of the great performances of all time

M A G N I F I C E N T !!!

A rightful classic reading of one of the great symphonies

Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Vocalise / Aleko: Intermezzo & Women's Dance (EMI Great Recordings of the Century)
Sergei Rachmaninov , André Previn , and London Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy

Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter

Grieg: Peer Gynt Op23; Symphonic Dances Op64

Chopin: Waltzes Nos. 1-14

Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem [A German Requiem]

ASIN: B00000K4FI
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: I. Largo - Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: II. Scherzo (Allegro molto)
Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: III. Adagio
Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: IV. Finale (Allegro vivace)
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
Aleko: Intermezzo
Aleko: Women's Dance

Customer Reviews:

A lone voice..........2006-09-15

I seem to be the only dissenting voice here, but I have to give my opinion on this rendition of Rachmaninov's 2nd. The main reason that I don't think this is a great version is the tempo, it is too slow. For my taste, the Ashkenazy with the Concertgebouw Orchestra on London is better suited to this symphony. Ashkenazy's pace seems to bring this work to life, whereas Previn and other conductors seem to think a slower pace is better. If you like slower tempos you will love this Previn rendition. But if you prefer a quicker (but not rushed or hurried) tempo, go with the Ashkenazy.

Well, a slip into greatness.......2005-09-24

Andre Previn is the master of the fair-to-middling performance, and a prime example of not getting better with age. But here he pulls off a great performance in demonstration-quality sound. I was floored after so many disppointments. His early Seventies period with the LSO may just be Previn's best, worth exploring for other unexpected gems. In any event, the British critics who perennially sing the praises of this Rachmaninov Second are surely right.

One of the great performances of all time.......2004-12-23

This is one of my favourite recordings. It captures the emotion of a live performance and is a tribute to the tour Previn and the orchestra made of Russia two years before. The string playing is superb, and the clarinet solo in the 3rd movement (Jack Brymer) a revelation. Amazing!

M A G N I F I C E N T !!!.......2004-08-02

ANDRE PREVIN's wondrous recording of Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony for EMI is, justifiably, one of the treasures from the EMI catalog. This edition also includes a famous version of the Vocalise (though not ultimately as good as the Stokowski-EMI), plus Aleko -- the latter is more than just a filler track. On the technical side, this transfer is as close as possible to the old LP in terms of sonics and integrity. A nice job from the buddies at EMI. Among the 'competitors' to the Previn you'll find significant accounts by Edo de Waart (Philips), the excellent Anissimov (Naxos), Lopez-Cobos (Telarc), Ashkenazy (Decca), Jansons (EMI), the illuminating Temirkanov (RCA) and the exquisite Svetlanov (Moscow Studio). In my opinion, none of them can clearly surpass (or let alone equal) the Previn-EMI. The Previn-RPO on Telarc is no competition to the earlier LSO session : If the RPO is a 'very good' recording, then the LSO is a 'great' recording -- there's also a huge difference in term of interpretation that clearly makes the EMI disc a winner on all counts.

A rightful classic reading of one of the great symphonies.......2004-06-09

Other than Vladimir Ashkenazy's performance of Rachmaninov's Second Symphony with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (I believe), this classic reading with Andre Previn leading the London Symphony Orchestra---the first fully uncut performance of the piece---is the only performance of this wonderful work that I've heard, and frankly I'd be just fine having only this recording in my library to represent the work. Previn's tempos in all four movements may be deliberate, but still the reading as a whole never fails to convince. What matters most with this piece is that Rachmaninov's great melodies and soaring emotion are not shortchanged by either conductor or orchestra, and on that level the LSO and Previn do not disappoint. They are masterful in all four movements, but it is the third movement Adagio that a listener will most likely remember most. It may be slow (Ashkenazy was slightly brisker here, while Mikhail Pletnev, in his more recent DG recording, even more brisk and unsentimental) but it still packs an emotional wallop.

Tracks:

Concert Overture
Prelude
I Largo - Allegro Moderato - Moderato
II Allegro Molto
III Adagio
IV Allegro Vivace
Overture

Tracks:

Der Walkurenritt
Feuerzauber
Morgendammerung Und Siegfrieds Rheinfahrt
Trauermarsch
Prelude To Act I
Isoldes Liebestod
Tanz Der Sieben Schleier
Tod Und Verklarung, Op. 24

Customer Reviews:

resurrection of excellence!.......2006-05-27

The "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" series is one of the best "deals" to be found in classical selection. All the recordings are amazingly remastered, and even where the sound quality is poor, there is the unmistakable quality of a past standard of excellence, both in orchestration and production, that is difficult to match today, despite so much technology. It is as though global fascination and reliance on technology has dehumanized much of cultural expression. In fact, a perfect metaphor for this entire series lies in Strauss' tone poem "Tod und Verklarung," so beautifully presented on this particular CD (Volume 31) of the great Artur Rodzinski: the "resurrection" of these rare recordings at least sweetens, however lamentably, the "death" of their times.

Great Conductors of 20th Century = Best Reissues of the 21st.......2003-11-14

It's sad that the "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" reissue series has not gotten more attention, because it has my vote for the best reissue program thus far of the 21st Century. Drawing from the archives of all the major classical labels (EMI, Sony, BMG, DG, Decca, Philips, Supraphon, etc.), EMI and IMG Artists have assembled a wonderful series of affordable two-disc sets by the leading conductors of the last century. And unlike its counterpart, "The Great Pianists of the 20th Century," which are basically compilations of material already available on other CDs, the "Great Conductors" features rare and, for the most part, previously unreleased performances! And as if that wasn't enough, the most recent volumes (beginning with no. 25) are now available at mid-line instead of full-price!

This particular CD, Volume 31, features the great Artur Rodzinski, and as the track information is not very clear above, allow me to tell what is contained in this fine collection. This 2CD set begins with Rodzinski performing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Rimsky-Korsakov's "Russian Easter" Overture and Mussorgsky's "Khovanshchina" Prelude (both from recorded in 1958). Next we go back in time to Rodzinski's tenure with the New York Philharmonic and an excellent account of Rachmaninov's 2nd Symphony, though from 1945 it is the collection's poorest in terms of sound quality. CD1 wraps up with Rossini's "William Tell" Overture (Columbia SO, 1950). The second disc is dedicated in its entirety to the works of Wagner and Strauss. The selections from "The Valkyrie" and "Twilight of the Gods" were recorded in 1955 with the Royal Philharmonic, while the "Tristan und Isolde" excerpts are with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1947. The Strauss recordings, along with the Russian works on disc one, are among Rodzinski's final recordings, in this case with the Philharmonia Orchestra from 1957-8.

Tracks:

Carnaval, Op.9: Preambule - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Pierrot - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Arlequin - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Valse Noble - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Eusebius - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Florestan - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Coquette - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Replique - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Sphinxes - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Papillons - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: A.S.C.H.-S.C.H.A. (Lettres Dansantes) - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Chiarina - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Chopin - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Estrella - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Reconnaissance - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Pantalon Et Colombine - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Valse Allemande - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Paganini - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Aveu - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Promenade - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Pause - Sergei Rachmaninov
Carnaval, Op.9: Marche Des 'Davidsbundler', Contre Les Philistines - Sergei Rachmaninov
Berceuse in D flat, Op.57 - Arthur Rubinstein
Scherzo No.3 in c#, Op.39 - Arthur Rubinstein
Waltz in c#, Op.64, No.2 - Arthur Rubinstein
Mazurka in A flat, Op.59, No.2 - Arthur Rubinstein
Etude in g#, Op.25, No.6 'Thirds' - Josef Lhevinne
Blue Danube Waltz - Josef Lhevinne
Funerailles - Vladimir Horowitz
Etude in F, Op.10, No.8 - Vladimir Horowitz
Mazurka in f, Op.7, No.3 - Vladimir Horowitz
Scherzo No.4 in E, Op.54 - Vladimir Horowitz
Flight Of The Bumblebee - Vladimir Horowitz

Tracks:

Liebestraum - Frederic Lamond
Un Sospiro - Frederic Lamond
Pno Son No.2 in b flat, Op.35: Grave-doppio Movt - Alfred Cortot
Pno Son No.2 in b flat, Op.35: Scherzo (Presto Ma Non Troppo) - Alfred Cortot
Pno Son No.2 in b flat, Op.35: Marche Funebre - Alfred Cortot
Pno Son No.2 in b flat, Op.35: Finale (Presto) - Alfred Cortot
Tannhauser Ov - Benno Moisiewitsch
Venetian Gondola Song - Ignaz Friedman
Duetto - Ignaz Friedman
Etude in G flat, Op.10, No.5/Etude in G flat, Op.25, No.9 - Leopold Godowsky
Poem in F#, Op.32 - Vladimir Sofronitsky
Poem in D, Op.32 - Vladimir Sofronitsky
Nocturne in D flat, Op.27, No.2 - Solomon

Tracks:

Pno Con in a, Op.54: Allegro Affetuoso - Dinu Lipatti
Pno Con in a, Op.54: Intermezzo, Andantino Grazioso - Dinu Lipatti
Pno Con in a, Op.54: Allegro Vivace - Dinu Lipatti
Pno Son in B flat, K570: Allegro - Walter Gieseking
Pno Son in B flat, K570: Adagio - Walter Gieseking
Pno Son in B flat, K570: Allegretto - Walter Gieseking
Pno Son in A, Op.101, 1st Movt - Artur Schnabel
Pno Son in B flat, D960, 1st Movt - Artur Schnabel
Toccata in C, Op.7 - Emil Gilels
Isalmey, Oriental Fant - Claudio Arrau

Tracks:

Prld in D, Op.23, No.4 - Sviatoslav Richter
Prld in g, Op.23, No.5 - Sviatoslav Richter
Prld in b, Op.32, No.10 - Sviatoslav Richter
Prld in g#, Op.32, No.12 - Sviatoslav Richter
Scherzo No.2 in b flat, Op.31 - Sviatoslav Richter
The Seasons (Selection): May, White Nights - Sviatoslav Richter
The Seasons (Selection): June, Barcarolle - Sviatoslav Richter
The Seasons (Selection): November, Troika - Sviatoslav Richter
The Seasons (Selection): January, By The Fireplace - Sviatoslav Richter
Images 1: Reflets Dans L'eau - Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Images 1: Hommage A Rameau - Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Images 1: Movt - Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Images Book 2: Cloches A Travers Les Feuilles - Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Images Book 2:Et La Lune Descend Sur Le Temple Qui Fut - Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Images Book 2: Poissons D'or - Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli

Tracks:

Mephisto Waltz - Earl Wild
'Don Pasquale' Fant - Earl Wild
Fant in c, K396 - Alfred Brendel
Hungarian Rhap No.2 in c# - Alfred Brendel
Csardas Obstine - Alfred Brendel
La Leggierezza - Martha Argerich
Toccata, Op.11 - Martha Argerich
Etude-tableau in e flat, Op.39, No.5 - Nikolai Lugansky
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Scherzo - Nikolai Lugansky

Customer Reviews:

Mostly historical interest.......2005-01-13

Economy is this package's greatest virtue. The price simply cannot be beaten for the quantity and quality of music. That said, however, this is a collection of mostly historical interest for either the aficionado or student. As others have noted, the sound quality on the older recordings is expectedly less than ideal. More importantly, while a large number of great pianists are represented in this collection, one must note: (1) the noticeable lack of quite a few huge names such as Hofmann and Rosenthal (which is excusable, since this is a selection, not a compendium), but also (2) the pieces for each pianist in this collection are not particularly representative. Horowitz is not particularly known for his Chopin, which occupies the majority of his pieces here; nowhere is Brendel's Beethoven; why would the only piece by Solomon here be the tepid Nocturne Op. 27 No. 2 by Chopin; why would we want to hear someone of the magnitude of Richter play excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Seasons? And so on. Finally, there are much better recordings now of many of these pieces (for example, Arrau's only piece here is the Islamey which is rather pedantic, Brendel's 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody is fairly sterile, and Argerich had a better recording of the Toccata (Prokofiev) on her debut recital CD on DG). Hence, as I said, this is a collection of mostly historical interest.

Note that these recordings are not from the Philips label who has been issuing a "great pianists" series and who undoubtedly owns the rights to the more famous and interesting recordings that are consequently not found in this collection.

On the plus side, the Rachmaninoff is well worth-while, as is Lhevinne's famous Strauss/Schulz-Evler. For another (slimmer, but of greater historical interest) CD along the same lines, try "Romantic Rarities" (especially Vol. 1) on the APR label which has a number of rare and previously unpublished recordings. This is not available through Amazon, however, except for one person selling a copy of each volume for $60. If you can find them (or are willing to spend $60 on them), the APR CDs are absolutely invaluable.

Free Tibet!.......2004-09-08

This set is worth it for the Rachmaninoff recording of Carnaval alone. Some of the older pianists in this set are incredible.

Exactly what it says on the tin!.......2003-03-02

I bought this collection a number of years back and have never for one moment regretted it. The selection is wide, the playing superb and, as others have mentioned, the sound is more than reasonable especially given the age of some of the recordings. I have seen individual items (eg. Dino Lipatti's fine Schumann concerto) being sold at the price of this entire set, so value for money is a given. And then there's Michelangeli's Debussy, Richter playing Rachmaninov, Rachmaninov playing Schumann, Earl Wild with the Mephisto Waltz, Cortot with Chopin and a host of other unexpected treasures. The packaging is basic, but then are you buying music for the packaging? Bravo yet again for Brilliant Classics. I hope they continue to thrive with what are bargain cds in the very best sense of the term.

Does it get ANY better?!.......1999-09-06

This CD set is such a bargain!!!...get it!...it's soooo awesome...the piano playing is simply amazing!

Highly recommended overview of pianists, 1920s-1990s.......1999-08-19

This is quite a set, a bargain for 5-CDs with relativelydecent sound considering the range of years, and certainly amazingpiano playing.

Average customer rating:

Great Melodies of the Classics

Manufacturer: Proarte
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Tracks:

Voices Of Spring - Vienna Folk Opr Orch/Carl Michalski
Solveig's Song - London Festival Orch/Julian Armstrong
'Elvira Madigan Theme' (Pno Con No.21, Andante) - Martha Bergerich
Sleeping Beauty: Waltz - Ljublijana RS/Laurenc Siegel
Tales From Hoffmann: Barcarolle - RPO/Frank Shipway
'Kasier' Qt: Poco Adagio - Melos Qt Stuttgart
Polovstian Dance No.17 'Stranger In Paradise' - Ljublijana Radio Sym/Laurenc Siegel
Messiah: Pastorale - Stuttgart Radio Sym/Garcia Navarro

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Great Opera Choruses

Manufacturer: Carlton Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Carmen, Act IV: Marche Et Choer: 'Les Voici, Voici La Quadrille'
Carmen, Act IV: 'A Deux Cuartos'
Il Trovatore, Act II: Anvil Chor: 'Vedi Le Fosche'
Nabucco, Act III: Chor Of The Hebrew Slaves: 'Va Pensiero, Sull 'Ali Dorate'
Macbeth, Act I: Witches Chor: 'Che Faceste'
Faust, Act IV: Soldiers' Chor: 'Gloire Immortelle'
Nabucco, Act I: Gli Arredi Festivi
Aida, Act II: Grand March: & 'Vieni, Guerriero Vindice'
Prince Igor, Act II: Polovtsian Dances

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Exquisite cello collection

Great Moments in Cello Playing

Manufacturer: Cello Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Feuermann: The English Columblas, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00005TNCJ
Release Date: 2001-11-27

Tracks:

Prelude, Op.123 - Zara Nelson
Minuett And Variations - Pablo Casals
Spinning - Arnold Foldesy
Concerto in D, Op.102: Cadenza - Emanuel Feuermann
Plainte - Maurice Marechal
St. John Passion: All Is Fulfilled - Samuel Mayes
Concerto: Final Part Of Mvt 4 - Anthony Pini
Le Petit Ane Blanc (Little White Donkey) - Daniil Shafran
Serenata Del Gaucho - Ennio Bolognini
Introduction: Theme & Variations - Gregor Piatigorsky
Reverie - Pierre Fournier
Guitare, Op.45 No.2 - Maurice Gendron
Kaddisch - George Neikrug
Etude in A, Op.73 No.28 - Janos Starker
Scherzo - Alexandre Gotgelf
Eugen Onegin: Lensky's Aria - Mischa Maisky
Fantasy On 'Le Coq d'Or' - Alexander Rudin

Customer Reviews:

Exquisite cello collection.......2003-04-25

This CD features some incredibly rare, and some just plain incredible, recordings by some of the greatest cellists of the last century. The repertoire and moods are wonderfully varied, as are the playing styles on offer-- from the "catch-me-if-you-can" humor of the Popper Spinning Song to the spiritual intensity of a Bach aria with cello obbligato, from full-blooded concerto excerpts to a flashy flamenco serenade. The personalities of the performers shine through in these miniature musical portraits, lovingly expertly selected by the highly respected English cellist Keith Harvey. This CD has quickly become one of my all-time favorite cello discs. It's not just a tribute to the cello, but a celebration of the most noble human values reflected in the music-making of transcendent artists.