Bizet: Djamileh [Original recording remastered]

Track Listings

1. Ouverture

2. Choeur

3. RÊVerie D'haroun Et Dialogue

4. Duo

5. Trio

6. Ghazel

7. Trio

8. ScÈNe Et Choeur

9. Dialogue

10. Chanson Et Dialogue

11. Lamneto

12. MÉLodrame

13. Danse De L'almÉE

14. Couplets De Splendiamo

15. MÉLodrame

16. Duo Final

Bizet: Djamileh, Music, François Roux, Georges Bizet, Jacques Mercier, Marie-Ange Todorovitch, Orchestre National d'Ile de France, Jean-Luc Maurette, Jean-Louis Grinfeld, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Collections-Composer Desc., French Romantic Opera, Opera

Carmen Jones (1943 Original Broadway Cast)
Average customer rating:

A Contemporary Adaptation of Carmen

Now THIS is how CARMEN JONES should sound like!

Carmen Jones (1943 Original Broadway Cast)

Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Carmen Jones

Carmen Jones (1962 Studio Recording)

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Pipe Dream (1955 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00008BNUK
Release Date: 2003-02-25

Tracks:

Prelude
Opening Scene: Lift 'Em Up And Put 'Em Down
Dat's Love
You Talk Just Like My Maw
Dere's A Cafe On De Corner
Beat Out Dat Rhythm On A Drum
Stan' Up And Fight
Whizzin' Away Along De Track
Dis Flower
De Cards Don't Lie
My Joe
Dat's Our Man
Finale
Beat Out Dat Rhythm On A Drum

Amazon.com

Carmen Jones is one of the weirdest projects to ever hit the American musical theater. In 1943, lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II adapted Georges Bizet's Carmen for Broadway. The music was pretty much left intact, but Hammerstein transferred the action to WWII America. Carmen's tobacco factory became Carmen Jones' parachute factory, bullfighter Escamillo became boxer Husky Miller, and so on. As if this weren't enough, there also was the "small" detail of casting the show only with African-Americans. All in all, this ambitious endeavor makes Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme seem timid. Hammerstein's attempt at writing "black" hasn't aged all that well, but many of the show's songs retain a surprising impact. The feverish intensity of "Beat Out dat Rhythm on a Drum," for instance, hasn't dimmed over the years, and the song's been covered by a wide variety of performers, from Pearl Bailey and Marc Almond to Mandy Patinkin. The track is reprised as a bonus track at the end of the CD in a version sung by Kitty Carlisle (who's rather stiff compared to the show's June Hawkins). --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

A Contemporary Adaptation of Carmen.......2003-12-02

You may know that the smash grunge musical RENT is based on Puccini's opera LA BOHEME. And MISS SAIGON is MADAME BUTTERFLY, and trickiest of all AIDA is AIDA, but before all of those there was CARMEN JONES.

What makes CARMEN JONES different, however, is that it uses Bizet's original music, though it changes the setting and the lyrics (they're in English, too, rather than the original French). And who would have done such a thing? Oscar Hammerstein II (as in Rodgers & Hammerstein, I know you've heard of them. If not, shame on you, go straight to OKLAHOMA, do not pass go, do not collect CD of CARMEN JONES). This is one of Hammerstein's earlier works, and it's a great show. (There's a very successful movie version available on video, if you want to see it.)

CARMEN JONES updates the story of CARMEN. The original plot took place in Spain in 1820, Carmen was a gypsy. The first performance of CARMEN was in Paris in 1875. (Wow! Over 125 years, and it still plays regularly all over the world, talk about a great run!) What Hammerstein did was akin to what our current composers are doing with shows like RENT. He updated the show for his audience. Instead of Spaniards and gypsies, he used African-American factory workers, and set the story in 1943 during the war in a Southern town.

The story makes this a darker musical than Hammerstein's later shows like OKLAHOMA, CAROUSEL, THE KING AND I and SOUTH PACIFIC, some of which had their heavier elements, but were focused more on the romance. The tone of CARMEN JONES is more akin to his first show (the first musical) SHOWBOAT. It is also unusual not just for it's time but in general that it had an entirely African-American cast. While recent shows like Disney's THE LION KING and ONCE ON THIS ISLAND have also had predominantly African/African-American casts, these shows are few and far between. Another comparable show in terms of music and style would perhaps be Gershwin's PORGY AND BESS, though it's considered an opera rather than a musical.

Now THIS is how CARMEN JONES should sound like!.......2003-02-26

Words cannot begin to sum up my joy that Decca Broadway finally deemed CARMEN JONES fit for a proper remaster. Oscar Hammerstein's lyrics set to Georges Bizet's classic score can now be heard clearly without distortion and this CD includes a complete plot synopsis and pictures. Now we no longer have to settle for that monstroscity from Pearl CD, which was an unauthorized recording, and I hope didn't take away too many sales from Decca Broadway. For musical buffs this CD is a must-have!

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A STEREO ALTERNATE TO THE ORIGINAL CAST & FILM SOUNDTRACK . . . .

Carmen Jones (1962 Studio Recording)

Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000AGWH5
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

Overture
Dere's A Cafe On De Corner
You Talk Jus' Like My Maw
Dat's Love (Habanera)
Dis Flower
Beat Out Dat Rhythm On A Drum
Stan' Up An' Fight
Whizzin' Away Along The Track
Card Song
My Joe
Finale

Customer Reviews:

A STEREO ALTERNATE TO THE ORIGINAL CAST & FILM SOUNDTRACK . . . . .......2007-05-03

Grace Bumbry had aleady established herself as one of opera's finest CARMENs by the time this concert version of CARMEN JONES was recorded in 1962. Kurt Ganzl writes: "Bumbry is the fruitiest of thee three recorded Carmens, and the lower notes of her music roll out with the same dark frisson as they do when the are well sung in the opera. She is more operatic in her tone and her approach than Horne [film soundtrack], and pays very much less attention to the words of her songs, concentrating mainly on producing a very lovely sound, which is, indeed, very lovely." (THE BLACKWELL GUIDE TO MUSICAL THEATRE ON RECORD) I personally find her performance stunning.

Heading the supporting cast as Joe is stage and film veteran George Webb ("The Dogs of War," "The Wild Geese"). His mixture of head and chest voices produces an easy, unforced sound, but he comes across as a whiner. "George Webb is a milquetoast in voice and manner. Bumbry demolishes him him in the last scene without so much as chipping her nail polish." (Richard Barrios, THE THEATERMANIA GUIDE TO MUSICAL THEATER RECORDINGS) Ena Babb does not come across as the simpy, wimpy Cindy-Lu from the movie. Instead she brings strong, ringing high notes to her version of "My Joe." (Kurt Ganzl lists her name as Ena Cabayo. Ena Cabayo played Queenie in the 1971 London revival of SHOW BOAT and also appeared in the first Broadway production of HAIR.) Guyana-born Thomas Baptiste does a fine job with "Stand Up and Fight," even though his accent gets in the way at times. Finally, the legendary Elizabeth (Elisabeth?) Welch brings her own inimitable style to "Beat out That Rhythm on a Drum," with just as much verve and panache as Pearl Bailey, but with better diction. (Ms. Welch sang "Solomon" in the orginal 1933 production of Cole Porter's NYMPH ERRANT, and can be heard on EMI's 1989 World Premiere Complete recording - sadly no longer in print.) The New World Show Orchestra and the Mike Samme Singers perform with zest and gusto under the direction of Kenneth Alwyn, and the stereo sound is bright and spacious.

William Ruhlmann writes: " . . . it's hard to see the point of performing CARMEN JONES as though it was CARMEN; the whole idea of the adaptation was to humanize the story." (The All Music Guide) Whether you agree or not, this version is definitely worth a listen. Perhaps it might persuade some of us to pick up a DVD of the spectacular 1966 Salzburg Festival staging of Bizet's opera with Ms. Bumbry, Jon Vickers & Mirella Freni; Herbert von Karajan conducting the Vienna State Opera Chorus and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Thanks to the folks at DRG for bringing this recording back to life.

Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Recordings

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Save some $ money! Get the newer January 2006 reissue set instead.
6, or Even 7 Stars!
A must have for Piano and classical music lovers
Ah, Rachmaninoff, brilliant star of music, how we adore you
Review from a spoiled modern listener

Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Recordings

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003FB7
Release Date: 1992-09-15

Tracks:

Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Moderato; Allegro
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Adagio sostenuto
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Allegro scherzando
Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 In D Minor: Allegro ma non tanto
Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 In D Minor: Intermezzo: Adagio
Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 In D Minor: Finale: Alla breve

Tracks:

Concerto No. 1, Op, 1 In F Sharp Minor: Vivace
Concerto No. 1, Op, 1 In F Sharp Minor: Andante
Concerto No. 1, Op, 1 In F Sharp Minor: Allegro vivace
Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 In G Minor: Allegro vivace
Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 In G Minor: Largo
Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 In G Minor: Allegro vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Introduction: Allegro vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation I: (Precedente)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Tema: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation II: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation III: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation IV: Piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation V: Tempo precedente
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VI: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VII: Meno mosso, a tempo moderato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VIII: Tempo I
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation IX: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation X: Poco marcato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XI: Moderato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XII: Tempo di minuetto
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIII: Allegro
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIV: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XV: Piu vivo scherzando
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVI: Allegretto
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVII: (Allegretto)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVIII: Andante cantabile
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIX: A tempo vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XX: Un poco piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXI: Un poco piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXII: Un poco piu vivo (Alla breve)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXIII: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXIV: A tempo un poco meno mosso

Tracks:

Isle Of The Dead, Op. 29
Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
Symphony No.3, Op. 44 In A Minor: Lento; Allegro moderato
Symphony No.3, Op. 44 In A Minor: Adagio ma non troppo
Symphony No.3, Op. 44 In A Minor: Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata, Op. 30, No. 3 In G: Allegro assai
Sonata, Op. 30, No. 3 In G: Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso
Sonata, Op. 30, No. 3 In G: Allegro vivace
Sonata D. 574 In A: Allegro moderato
Sonata D. 574 In A: Scherzo: Presto; Trio
Sonata D. 574 In A: Andantino
Sonata D. 574 In A: Allegro vivace
Sonata, Op. 45 In C Minor: Allegro molto ed appassionato
Sonata, Op. 45 In C Minor: Allegretto espressivo alla Romanza
Sonata, Op. 45 In C Minor: Allegro animato

Tracks:

Partita No. 4, BWV 828: Sarabande
Harpsichord Suite No. 5: Air And Variations - 'Harmonious Blacksmith'
Sonata, K. 331: III: Turkish March
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Thema: Allegretto
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation I
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation II
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation III
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation IV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation V
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation VI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation VII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation VIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation IX
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation X
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XIV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XIX
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXIV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXVI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXVII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXVIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXXI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXXII
Return Home
Polish Songs: The Maiden's Wish
Die schone Mullerin: Das Wandern
Schwanengesang: Serenade
Polonaise No. 2 In E
Songs Without Words, Op. 67: Spinning Song
Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 4 In A Flat
Concert Etude No. 2: Gnomenreigen
Orfeo ed Euridice: Melodie
Etude, Op. 104b, No. 2 In F
Etude, Op. 104b, No. 3 In A Minor
Spanisches Liederspeil: The Smuggler
Minuet, Op. 14, No. 1 In G
Liebesfreud

Tracks:

Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Grave; Doppio movimento
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Scherzo
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Marche funebre
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Presto
Carnaval, Op. 9: Preambule
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pierrot
Carnaval, Op. 9: Arlequin
Carnaval, Op. 9: Valse noble
Carnaval, Op. 9: Eusebius
Carnaval, Op. 9: Florestan
Carnaval, Op. 9: Coquette
Carnaval, Op. 9: Replique
Carnaval, Op. 9: Sphinxes
Carnaval, Op. 9: Papillons
Carnaval, Op. 9: A. S. C. H. - S. C. H. A. (Letteres dansantes)
Carnaval, Op. 9: Chiarina
Carnaval, Op. 9: Chopin
Carnaval, Op. 9: Estrella
Carnaval, Op. 9: Reconnaissance
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pantalon et Colombine
Carnaval, Op. 9: Valse allemande
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pganini (Intermezzo)
Carnaval, Op. 9: Aveu
Carnaval, Op. 9: Promenade
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pause
Carnaval, Op. 9: Marche des 'Davidsbundler' contre les Philistins
Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2 In E Flat
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 2 In C Sharp
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 3
Ballade No. 3, Op. 47 In A Flat
Mazurka, Op. 68, No. 2
Waltz, Op. Posth. In E Minor

Tracks:

Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Preludio
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Gavotte
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Gigue
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Scherzo
Liebersfreud
Die schone Mullerin: The Brooklet
Polka de V.R.
Etude-tableau, Op. 39, No. 6 In A Minor
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
Sorochintsy Fair: Hopac
Lullaby, Op. 16, No.1
Tsar Saltan: Flight of the Bumblebee
The Ruins Of Athens: Turkish March
Scherzo In A Flat
The Seasons: November: Troika
Prelude No. 8, Op. 11, No. 8 In F Sharp
One Lives But Once
Powder and Paint
Polka italienne (Piano 4 Hands)

Tracks:

Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Maderato; Allegro
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Adagio sostenuto
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Allegro scherzando
Prelude, Op. 23, No. 10 In G Flat
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 3 In E Major
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 7 In F Major
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 6 In F Minor
Etude-tableau, Op. 33, No. 2 in C Major
Etude-tableau, Op. 33, No. 7 In E Flat
Daisies, Op. 38, No. 3
Oriental Sketch
Melodie, Op. 3, No. 3 in E
Serenade, Op. 3, No. 5 In B Flat
Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 5 In G
Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5
Moment Musical, Op. 16, No. 2 In E Flat

Tracks:

Mazurka, Op. 63, No. 3 In C Sharp Minor
Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 2 In F Sharp
Waltz, Op. 18 'Grande valse brilliante' In E Flat
Waltz, Op. 34, No. 3 'Valse brilliante' In F
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 1 'Minute'
Waltz, Op. 69, No. 2 In B Minor
Waltz, Op. 70, No. 1 In G Flat
Scherzo No. 3, Op. 39 In C Sharp Minor
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 1 'Minute' In D Flat
Le coucou
L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1: Minuet
Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Songs Without Words, Op. 67: Spinning Song
Waltz
Lyric Pieces, Op. 12: Elfin Dance
Etude, Op. 28, No. 6 In F Minor
If I Were a Bird
La jongleuse
Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum
Children's Corner: Golliwogg's Cakewalk
The Seasons: November: Troika
Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 2 In G
Waltz, Op. 40, No. 8 In A Flat

Tracks:

Prelude, Op. 23, No. 5 In G Minor
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 12 In G Sharp Minor
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 5 In G
Serenade, Op. 3, No. 5 In B Flat
Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5
Polichinelle, Op. 3, No. 4 In F Sharp Minor
Polka de V.R.
Liebesleid
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Pastorale In E Minor
Theme and Variations
Waltz, Op. 42 'Two - Four' In A Flat
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 3 In A Flat
Polka de V.R.
Bacarolle, Op. 10, No. 3 In G Minor
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor

Amazon.com

We remember Rachmaninov today mostly for the music he wrote. But as this set quickly reveals, he was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, able to play his own music and a great variety of others with tremendous personality and a technique that is still astonishing. There's no point picking highlights from this set, since they are everywhere. But if you've never heard Rachmaninov play Schumann's Carnaval, try starting there for one of the most imaginative recreations of a piece of music ever recorded. The set also includes Rachmaninov's only recordings as a conductor in two of his own major works. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Save some $ money! Get the newer January 2006 reissue set instead........2006-05-17

At the time of this review, whenever you search for a phrase such as "Rachmaninoff Complete", amazon's search engine always lands on this out-of-print recording (ASIN: B000003FB7) . It's also no fun to see that it costs more than a hundred bucks! But if you type "B000A2AD2S" in the search box, you'll see the new reissued set for half the price. It's the exact same 10 CDs. Just the cover art is different.

Unfortunately, this situation is a common pattern with amazon's listing of classical music: when you use your intuition and type in common-sense search phrases for Bach, Mozart, etc, you often get the ultra-expensive out-of-print ships-in-4-weeks items as the default item. It takes a lot of detective work to find the newer reissue recordings. For example, to find the new reissue without knowing the ASIN, I had to enter just "Rachmaninoff" in the search text (deliberately left the word "Complete" out of the search) so it would no longer lock me into this item page that you're looking at and give me a full listing instead. I then sorted the listing by "Original Release Date" and found it on the 2nd page. There's no picture on the new item which doesn't give you any confidence that you found the right one. Don't worry, B000A2AD2S is what you want.

For product research, it's good to have both ASIN product listings because the older out-of-print B000003FB7 has the sound samples (and also all the helpful customer reviews) while the new B000A2AD2S has the better price and availability.

To make things even more confusing, the amazon staff sometimes copies entire customer reviews to the new item which would then make THIS review seem strangely out of place. If that happens and I notice it, I will delete this review for B000003FB7.

(In another strange twist, amazon searches in rock/pop usually points you to the newer cheaper remastered/repackaged/reissued/whatever of a particular recording. I don't know why it works the opposite way in classical music?!?!)

6, or Even 7 Stars!.......2005-06-04

Hofmann hit the nail on the head when he said Rachmaninov had "arms of steel and heart of gold". From this album, we can have a clear picture of Rachmaninov's vison of music, of his musical mind and thoughts and moreover his own playing.

While Kempff's playing would often remind of the protestant church music, Rachmaninov bring to our mind the chanting of the Orthodox church, which is much thicker and darker. On top of that, his playing is orchestral which is so powerful and full colours. Yet, it is nothing like Richter, where often the whole piece is just one phrase.

Here each piece has it's own life and identity each with a focal point. It is water tight compact and yet very much natural and alive, never as hair-raising as Horowitz. But, it is not natural in Arrau's way. It is somewhere in between, closer to Argerich but with more consistency and depth. And like Casals' playing, it keeps our attention from the first note up to its focal point until its very end. But unlike Casals, he touches our hearts. It is very emotional but never to the point of being sentimental-- the performance of his own concertos, for example, can tell you that.

Sure, he did have fingers of steel that helped him to bring out whatever colour or atmostphere as appropriate. And despite that fact that there are some minor alterations on the scores like his Chopin, he is one of the few pianists who could really show you every note on the score counts and, above all, how it counts...

His Chopin may not be as neurotic as Cortot. Nonetheless, he sheds light on the dark and nervous side of Chopin so well: a very throbbing interpretation that is so unique. We also have him accompanying Kreisler on some violin sonatas, something that one could turn to time and again, year after year. What a great chamber musician and accompanist he was...!

The recorded sound of the CDs do vary, and some are more acceptable than the others. But for genuine music lovers, they should be able to get over this very soon: how else would they benefit from one of the greatest legacies of a genuinely great musician!

A must have for Piano and classical music lovers.......2005-04-04

To respond to a review about the sound quality-for those people who have no experience with historical performances i.e cortot-hofmann-etc these discs are for the most part much better recorded. There are the inevitable pops and hisses but if these things disturb you, or you cant get past them, then you shouldnt be listening to this kind of thing anyway. the importance here is in the playing, and the playing is extra ordinary. I you want to buy a disc for the reperatoire then i can think of hundreds of performances that will satisfy, but only people with a true interest to hear and study these pieces will be beyond satisfied. I know that may not sound like a lot of fun, but these discs are fun, great, and for me, almost too good to be true. Again, if sound disturbs you, then you may be listening to the music for the wrong reasons. Take from it the playing, the revelations that Rach provides to his pieces, and how fortunate we are that it sounds as good as it does.

Ah, Rachmaninoff, brilliant star of music, how we adore you.......2003-09-14

The music of Rachmaninoff is beyond words, furthermore, beyond imagination. He was a genius, no doubt, and nobody will ever understand how incredibly lucky we are to be blessed with his compositions. Furthermore, it is truly astonishing to hear Rachmaninoff play his own work. There is nothing so beautiful on this earth and there never will be.

Review from a spoiled modern listener.......2003-07-13

I'll admit that I'm a spoiled modern listener, accustomed to having the bang and hiss edited out of a recording, and it took me a while to warm to these. Rachmaninoff's performances are splendid, but if you can hardly hear them over the cacophony of background noise, what's the use? His performance of his own, often overlooked Concerto No. 4 finally made me sit up and listen, even though I've owned two versions of this piece for a number of years (Ashkenazy & Wild).

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Pearl Gets These Classic Horowitz Reissues Right

Horowitz-Solo Recordings 1928-36

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Caprices | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000WRU
Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

Carmen: Variations On Themes
Mazurka No. 21 In C# Minor Op. 30 No. 4
Capriccio In E Major, L. 375
Serenade For The Doll
Capriccio In F Minor (Concert Etude In F Minor Op. 28 No. 6)
Valse Oubliee
Paganini Etude In E Flat Major: Paganini
Paganini Etude In E Flat Major: Danse Excentrique
Prelude in G Minor Op. 23 No. 5
Pastourelle
Toccata
Toccata Sonata No. 52 In E Flat: Allegro Moderato
Toccata Sonata No. 52 In E Flat: Adagio
Toccata Sonata No. 52 In E Flat: Finale (Presto)
The Flight Of the Bumble Bee
Petrouchka: Russian Dance
Sonata In B Minor: Lento Assai
Sonata In B Minor: Allegro Energico
Sonata In B Minor: Grandioso
Sonata In B Minor: Recitativo - Andante Sostenuto - Quasi Adagio
Sonata In B Minor: Allegro Energico - Pui Mosso - Stretta Quasi Presto - Prestissimo
Sonata In B Minor: Andante Sostenuto
Sonata In B Minor: Allegro Moderato
Sonata In B Minor: Lento Assai

Tracks:

Presto Passionato
Funerailles
Mazurka In F Minor Op. 7 No. 3
Etude In F Major Op. 10 No. 8
Traumeswirren (Dream Visions) Op. 12 No. 7
Mazurka No. 27 In E Minor Op. 41 No. 2
32 Variations In C Minor G. 191
Choral Prelude
Etude XI Pour Les Arpeges Composes
Arabeske, Op. 18
Toccata In C Op. 7
Etude Op. 25 No. 3 In F
Mazurka No. 32 In C# Minor Op. 50 No. 3
Etude Op. 10 No. 4 In C # Minor
Etude Op. 10 No. 5 In G Flat
Sonata In B Minor KK 87
Sonata In G Major KK 125
Scherzo No. 4 In E Op. 54

Customer Reviews:

Pearl Gets These Classic Horowitz Reissues Right.......2007-05-11

Vladimir Horowitz's earliest recordings, believed by some to be his finest, have been reissued numerous times since their initial appearance over 70 years ago.

Horowitz's first recordings were made in RCA's Camden, New Jersey studios in 1928. They consisted of short, "encore" type works such as his own Carmen Variations and Danse Excentrique, Debussy's Serenade, and Dohnanyi's Capriccio. From 1930-1936, Horowitz concentrated his recording activity in London (RCA's European affiliate, HMV, had not been as decimated by the Great Depression than its American counterpart).

This reissue contains some classics. The Liszt Sonata has never been equaled and is a must for any serious collector, as is the Funerailles. But the Hungarian composer's Valse oubliee is played more captivatingly in Horowitz's 1985 recording. It's hard to imagine in this day and age that Horowitz's version of Haydn's E-flat sonata was a world premiere recording, but indeed it was. Its relaxed elegance continues to charm, and it remains more musicologically "correct" than Horowitz's 1951 live version. Horowitz was also an early champion of Scarlatti, and recorded the composer's Capriccio as transcribed by Tausig. The two sonatas included here are among the first recordings of "pure" Scarlatti. The pianist preferred his Bach "un-pure", and the Choral Prelude as transcribed by Busoni is a miracle of line separation and clarity. Horowitz's early foray into Beethoven, the 32 Variations in C minor, is more straightforward and successful than many of his later attempts with this composer.

Horowitz's early Schumann, though technically impeccable, did not quite plumb the depths as in his later recordings. So much the better then, that the pianist limited himself to recording shorter works, including an Arabeske with unmatched legato, an effortless Toccata, and whimsical Traumeswirren. Originally intended as the finale for Schumann's G minor sonata, the Presto Passionato was rejected by the composer's wife as unplayable. Horowitz makes it sound like child's play. (Pearl's is the only reissue that I know of that gets the 78RPM side change right in this piece.)

Horowitz once referred to Chopin and "the only truly great composer for the piano" and he invariably included a selection of the Polish master's music in his recitals. The sampling here includes four technically impeccable Etudes, four Mazurkas, and a remarkably up-tempo Scherzo in E major.

Horowitz also championed "modern" composers like Rachmaninoff and Poulenc. It says much about the changing mores of performing that Horowitz (often condemned these days for violating composers' intentions) received nothing but praise from the many composers he knew personally. While the Poulenc Pastourelle and Toccata are gracious and dazzling, the Rachmaninoff G minor Prelude is disappointingly sloppy. A thrilling Russian Dance from Stravinsky's Petrouchka is also included.

Pearl has handled these old recordings with care, and they sound better than in any other issue thus far. Highest recommendation.

Average customer rating:

DO NOT BUY THIS CD!!!
Robin Hood Revisited

The Merry Widow & The Desert Song

Manufacturer: Box Office
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Song of Norway & Roberta - Edvard Grieg & Jerome Kern

ASIN: B000001ZRJ
Release Date: 2000-01-01

Tracks:

The Merry Widow: Overture - Franz Lehar
The Merry Widow: In Marsovia - Kitty Carlisle And Chorus
The Merry Widow: Maxim's - Wilbur Evans
The Merry Widow: Finale Of Act I - Kitty Carlisle/Wilbur Evans
The Merry Widow: Down In Dear Marsovia - Jeffry Alexander
The Merry Widow: Vilia - Kitty Carlisle
The Merry Widow: Women - Wilbur Evans/Felix Knight
The Merry Widow: Love In My Heart - Felix Knight
The Merry Widow: Finale Of Act II - Kitty Carlisle/Wilbur Evans
The Merry Widow: The Girls At Maxim's - Lisette Verea
The Merry Widow: I Love You So (The Merry Widow Waltz) - Wilbur Evans/Kitty Carlisle
The Merry Widow: Finale - Wilbur Evans/Kitty Carlisle
The Desert Song: Opening Chorus And Riff Song - Wilbur Evans
The Desert Song: French Military Marching Song - Kitty Carlisle
The Desert Song: Romance - Kitty Carlisle
The Desert Song: Then You Will Know - Kitty Carlisle/Wilbur Evans
The Desert Song: The Desert Song - Kitty Carlisle/Wilbur Evans
The Desert Song: Finale Of Act I - Kitty Carlisle/Wilbur Evans/Felix Knight/Vicki Vola
The Desert Song: One Flower In Your Garden - Felix Knight
The Desert Song: One Alone - Wilbur Evans
The Desert Song: The Sabre Song - Kitty Carlisle
The Desert Song: Finale - Kitty Carlisle
Kitty Carlisle Selections: Beat Out Dat Rhythm On A Drum - Carmen Jones/Georges Bizet/Oscar Hammerstein II
Kitty Carlisle Selections: Jalousie - Jacob Gade/Vera Bloom
Kitty Carlisle Selections: Good Night Sweetheart - Ray Noble/James Campbell/Peg Connelly/Rudy Vallee

Customer Reviews:

DO NOT BUY THIS CD!!!.......2002-03-28

The performances are great and both THE MERRY WIDOW and THE DESERT SONG are given very theatrical recordings here.

The problem is sound quality. These are bootleg Cds dubbed from poor quality 78 RPMS with no attempt to clean up the sound. It is muddy, scratchy, noisy and distant. Also several of the sides were transferred running off-speed!!

Happily Decca Broadway has sued to have these bogus discs taken off the market and have announced plans to issue these same titles under their own label. Decca owns the original masters so the sound will be much better. Do yourself a favour and wait a few months for the Decca releases, and avoid at all costs this an any other releases from Encore/Box-Office!!

Robin Hood Revisited.......2001-04-04

Many years ago, when i was a child, I used to listen to The Desert Song on the original 78 rpm records. Since one song took in an entire record side, I got to be choosy as to what i wanted to hear, and in what order. Somehow, no matter what the record selection might be on the turntable stack, it always included the musical tale of the Red Shadow (aka Paul, the French commander's son), in his quest for justice, love, and adventure in North Africa.

The Desert Song is one of those old-time musicals that they just don't seem to make any more...perhaps we have become too cynical, too worldly, to believe that once upon a time, people would go out by themselves, shuck off their privilaged existance, get together with a band of loyal henchmen (the Riffs in this case), and right wrongs, chastise villians, win the girl, and reveal their secret identity at the very end....and do all this set to some well-written music, including one of the great polyamorous love ballads of all time - "If One Flower Grows Alone In Your Garden".

Put some fun, adventure, and old-fashioned idealism back into your life and let yourself be recruited by the Red Shadow and his band, happily roistering in the secret cave hide-out, as they plan their next sorty against the evil-doers of a simpler - and possibly better - world.

Tracks:

Fantaisie Sur Un Theme Original
Varations Faciles Et Brillantes
Trois Pieces De Fantaisie Sur Un Theme De Berlioz
Trois Pieces De Fantaisie Sur Un Theme De Berlioz
Trois Pieces De Fantaisie Sur Un Theme De Berlioz
Solo Sur La Tyrolienne
L'Arlesienne - Intermezzo
Andantino
Moderato
Molto Agitato
Fantaisie Sur Le 'Freischutz' De C.M. Von Weber
Souvenir De Natal - Reverie
Introduction Et Grande Valse Brillante Sur Un Theme De Thomas
Caprice Et Variations

Jan Kubelík, The Acoustic Recordings 1902-1913

Average customer rating:

Jan Kubelík, The Acoustic Recordings 1902-1913

Manufacturer: Biddulph Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Average customer rating:

Opera Favourites

Manufacturer: Hallmark (Empire)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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