Piano Suites of the 20th Century

On this CD:

1. Pour le piano, suite for piano, L. 95
Composed by Claude Debussy

2. Serenade in A, for piano in A major
Composed by Igor Stravinsky

3. Heptameron, for piano
Composed by Jurg Baur

4. Petite Suite for piano (arranged from 44 Violin Duos 28, 38, 43, 16, 36,& 32), Sz.105, BB 113
Composed by Bela Bartok

Tracks:

Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46: Morning Mood
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46: Aase's Death
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46: Anitra's Dance
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46: In the Hall of the Mountain King
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2 op. 55: The Abduction of the Bride
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2 op. 55: Arabian Dance
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2 op. 55: Peer Gynt's Return Home
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2 op. 55: ibid. Solveig's Song
From Holberg's Time, Op. 40: Praludium: Allegro Vivace
From Holberg's Time, Op. 40: Sarabande: Andante
From Holberg's Time, Op. 40: Gavotte: Allegretto, Musette: Un poco mosso- Gavotte
From Holberg's Time, Op. 40: Air: Andante religioso
From Holberg's Time, Op. 40: Rigaudon: Allegro con brio
Valse Triste: Lento
The Swan of Tuonela
Finlandia

Customer Reviews:

Wide Dynamic Range.......2007-07-02

I'm no music expert but, to be positive, this CD has very dramatic and rich sound. While the performance is outstanding (more expressive than a tape that I'm replacing) I ventured to write this review to say that the dynamic range seems very wide. I have a difficult time adjusting the volume to a comfortable level, I'm either turning it up for the pianissimo sections or down for forte. Too bad CD players don't come with a compressor-limiter dial. I have this problem on a few other classical CDs and it makes it hard to enjoy the music unless I'm in front of the stereo in a quiet room. For some reason, when you're in the concert hall it's easy to hear that lone flute, for example, but not necessarily so on a CD. I have a similar problem on the Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream / Branagh, McNair, Kirchschlager; Abbado, on Sony but this one isn't that bad by comparison. However, I find this particular CD hard to listen to in the car or at work.

Very satisfied with Karajan's interpretation of "Peer Gynt" Suites 1&2.......2007-05-31

I had heard, through Classical 102.1 (KDFC-FM), one part of the entire "Peer Gynt" Suites, namely "In The Hall of The Moutain King". I was curious about the entire Suites to consider buying the entire album. I enjoy listening to Karajan's interpretation of both "Peer Gynt" Suites. He paid very good attention to tempi, and the playing sounds superb.

POWERFUL WORKS; GREAT PERFORMANCES.......2007-03-16

I have long been fond of both composers, but have not always been pleased with the performances of their works available on CD. I have an old London Phase Four on vinyl that I enjoyed a great deal. Other offerings of Peer Gynt just do not provide the same level of satisfaction.

This CD however, offers wonderful performances by the Berliner Philharmonic, led by Herbert von Karajan. The audio quality is wonderful and is, in my opinion, superior to more recent recordings. One of my favorite selections is the performance of "Finlandia," which evokes the emotion inherent in the piece. I must say that Deutsche Grammophon has rarely disappointed me; even if one does not like a particular composer or performance, the presentations are always top-notch and the accompanying notes are always informative.

Like you are in the concert hall!.......2007-01-16

The CD takes me back to the days I used to watch the live concert on PBS. Couldn't ask for better!!!

HERBERT von KARAJAN PULLS IT OFF AGAIN, AS USUAL!.......2005-12-25

What makes this CD so great is how the Berlin Philharmonic performs Sibelius's Finlandia. Karajan is suscessful in making every single member of that orchestra (with extra gredit given to the woodwinds and brass) perform that piece in such a spellbinding fashion.
The Peer Gynt and Holdberg suites are also excellent sounding in this CD, but it is Finlandia that is the highlight.

Bernstein Century - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Norwegian Dance, March of Dwarfs/ Sibelius: Valse Triste, Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia

Average customer rating:

The Grieg is ordinary, but the Sibelius items are unforgettable
Solid
Turn it up!
Rather Bland for my taste.............
Bernstein adds flavor, not power, proves even better

Bernstein Century - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Norwegian Dance, March of Dwarfs/ Sibelius: Valse Triste, Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Bernstein Century: Bernstein on Jazz - What is Jazz?

ASIN: B00000C29D
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: I. Morning Mood - Allegretto Pastorale
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: II. e's Death- Andante doloroso
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: III. Anitra's Dance- Tempo di Mazurka
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: IV. In The Hall Of The Mountain King - Alla marcia e molto marcato
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55: I. The Abduction Of The Bride. Ingrid's Lament - Allegro furioso- Andante doloroso
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55: II. Arabian Dance- Allegretto vivace
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55: III. Peer Gynt's Return Home- Allegro agitato
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55: IV. Solvejg's Song- Andante - Allegretto tranquillamente
Norwegian Dance, Op. 35, No. 2: Allegretto tranquillo e grazioso
Lyric Suite, Op. 54, No. 4: March Of The Trolls
Valse Triste, Op. 44: Lento
The Swan of Tuonela, Op. 22, No. 3: Andante molto sostenuto
Finlandia, Op. 26 (Tone Poem): Andante sostenuto - Allegro moderato - Allegro

Amazon.com

By the time Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic made the recordings featured here, they had been together for more than a decade. There is a lustiness and power to the playing throughout the orchestra. From the lilt and swagger of Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 to the sensuous humor of Grieg's Norwegian Dance--made memorable for oboist Ralph Gomberg's solo playing--Bernstein brought out the best from this strong and virtuosic orchestra. Here, Sibelius's Valse Triste is all grace and elegance. The Swan of Tuonela is superb for it's dreamlike pacing and the marvelous English horn playing. Finlandia makes a perfect finale. All this music is evocative and it remains in motion every moment, however subtly. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

The Grieg is ordinary, but the Sibelius items are unforgettable.......2007-02-20

Bernstein was a great and devoted Sibelian, on a par with Karajan and Beecham among international maestros. I don't think the reviewers below have much of an idea how exquisite this Swan of Tuonela is, played with total freedom and naturalness; the English horn soloist plays with moving expressivity. Even better is Finlandia, so often a throw away but here performed as if the entire nation of Finland were listening. It's a huge, bravura performance that brings out the brash side of the NY Phil. Bernstein's Valse triste, however, lacks mystery and rpoceeds a bit flat-footedly.

You can find the Finlandia and Swan in other pairings, which might be just as well since Bernstein's Peer Gynt Suite #1 is just a run-through, despite a rousing In the Hall of the Mountain King. It's not in as good sound as the Sibelius items, either.

Solid.......2007-01-17

Why did they have to add Sibelius compositions to this CD? How about more
Grieg??? I like the 20 bit sound on these Bernstein Century CDs. Recommended.

Turn it up!.......2006-02-16

This is a great CD but I can't hear it unless I turn it way WAY up on my car CD or portable CD player. I'm not sure why. I wanted to hear Morning Mood on my morning commute but can't seem to get it loud enough.

Rather Bland for my taste....................2005-01-22

If you enjoy these works of Grieg and Sibelius you might find it helpful to know that the Karajan recording is much better than this one.

Bernstein adds flavor, not power, proves even better.......2001-05-20

We've all heard Grieg's classic Morning or In the Hall of the Mountain King time and again. Bernstein, however, does an incredible job at making the music come alive. Although it does like power at times, I think Bernstein added much more emotion, clearly evident in Ase's Death and Sibelius' Finlandia. And although the recording was made in th 40s, the older recording technique adds a unique flavor, especially to the violins, which seem to scream in Peer Gynt. Although these pieces are by no means masterpieces of human expression, Bernstein has done an incredible job, and I find myself listening to these short little tunes over and over.

Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits

Average customer rating:

Classical music CD for everyone
... in a nutshell
Karajan Forever: The "Eternal" Classical Music Album
Meditation!

Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Karajan: Adagio
Famous Overtures
Karajan Conducts Grieg & Sibelius
Romantic Adagio: Karajan
Ravel, Debussy, Saint-Saëns: Orchestral Works

ASIN: B00008CLNO
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Spring - Michel Schwalbe
Adagio In G Minor For Strings And Organ - Leon Spierer
Valese
Menuetto
Morning Mood
Valse Triste
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor, K. 550 (Molto Allegro)
Symphony No. 9 'From The New World' In E Minor
Intermezzo
'Carmen' Suite, Prelude I (Allegro Giocoso)
Bolero (Conclusion)
'The Sleeping Beauty', Valse
'La Traviata', Prelude To Act III
Symphony No. 3 'Organ', In C Minor (Finale) - Pierre Cochereau

Tracks:

'Also Sprach Zarathustra' (Introduction)
'Cavalleria Rusticana', Intermezzo Sinfonico - Wolfgang Meyer
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Allegro)
Swan Lake, Suite Op. 20, Scene 1 (Swan Theme) - Michel Schwalbe
An Der Schonen, Blauen Donau
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G Major (1rst Movement)
Meditation - Michel Schwalbe
Badinerie From Suite No. 2 In B Minor - Karlheinz Zoeller
Barcarolle From 'La Gaiete Parisienne'
Piano Concerto No. 1 In B Flat Minor (Ex. 1rst Movement) - Lazar Berman
Adagietto From Symphony No. 5
Symphonie Classique (Finale. Molto Vivace)
Dance Of Teh Blessed Spirits From 'Orpheus And Eurydice - Karlheinz Zoeller
Danse De La Fee Dragee
Valse Des Fleurs

Customer Reviews:

Classical music CD for everyone.......2007-01-09

A great selection. I bought one for my husband, and later the other one for my parents.
Quality, and a superb selection of masterpieces.
A must have for classical music lovers, and for everyone who wants to get introduced to classical music.

... in a nutshell.......2006-09-08

Probably the best one-volume compilation of Karajan available, with the most broad-based approachable track list currently being offered to the general enthusiast/collector. Back in the vinyl days, there were two-disc sets available like the "Karajan Super Concert" or the three-volume "Karajan Conducts" set on Angel. Some of these have been re-arranged and re-released with new or different cover art on CD too, but here is a newly remastered set just as good or better than any of those.

It also contains probably the best short essay on what Herbert von Karajan was all about by Axel Bruggemann, that I have ever read. A CD or two of the "Adagio" set by this conductor (also on DG) may be a nice supplement too, otherwise you can't really go wrong with this two-disc set at a fairly affordable price.

Karajan Forever: The "Eternal" Classical Music Album.......2005-09-26

Another fine recording of classical music, as conducted by the man considered to be the greatest conductor of the 20th century- Herbert Von Karajan, whose position as conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic made that particular orchestra unbeatable and at number one in the list of world's greatest orchestras. Karajan was involved with the Berlin Philharmonic's musical development for years, until his death in 89, before the Berlin Wall fell, an event he did not live to see. This recording has to the best of Karajan's many collected classical pieces on record. It is a perfect introduction to classical music itself and to Karajan's style. A plethora of composer and time periods- from Baroque, to Classical to Romantic- are all on here. Vivaldi's Spring opens the CD, and is followed by the melancholy and fatalistic sounding Baroque classic Albinoni Adagio in G. This is followed by Mozart's 40th symhony. The first Romantic Era symphony on here is Dvorak's famous New World Symphony, which Karajan conducts with supreme mastership. The Intermezzo from the verisimo opera Cavalleria Rusticana is on here and sounds absolutely breathtaking. The suite of Bizet's Carmen is musically intoxicating and the Bolero has never sounded hotter, except for maybe Zubin Mehta conducting it which I've heard live and know is absolutely wonderful. The famous Waltz from Tchaikovsky's ballet masterpiece Sleeping Beauty is on here as well as the Third Act Prelude to Verdi's Traviata. The final track on CD 1 is Saint Saens Organ Symphony Finale.

The second disc opens with a masterful version of the powerfully evocative Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, another Austrian composer Karajan championed. The Swan Theme from Swan Lake is on here, as well as the Viennese Waltz favorite On the Beautiful Blue Danube- something I didn't know Karajan even conducted. But being Austrian, I'm not surprised. Karajan even conducted Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus as well as other waltzes. Back to Baroque, he continues with the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 by Bach and the gorgeous and somewhat gloomy Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orpheus and Eurydice by Gluck. The CD ends with the elegant and beautiful Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky's Nutracker. This is a must have for fans of classical music, as a lot of favorites are on here.

Meditation!.......2003-07-20

A veritable who's who of pieces & composers, the CDs Karajan Forever will hopefully live forever.
Herbert VonKarajan was the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 1955 until his demise in 1989. His vision & helmsmanship of this magnificent orchestra have literally changed the way a whole generation heard music.

Tracks:

2. Good Friday - Baccholian Singers Of London
4. A Love Song - Baccholian Singers Of London
1. Intercession - Baccholian Singers Of London
6. Before Sleep - Baccholian Singers Of London
3. Drinking Song - Baccholian Singers Of London
A Dirge For Two Veterans, H121 - Baccholian Singers Of London
I. Jig (Vivace)
II. Ostinato (Presto)
III. Intermezzo (Andante Con Moto - Vivace)
IV. Finale: The Dargason (Allegro)
I. Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
I. Prelude (Allegretto)
II. Air (Andante)
III. Allegro
A Somerset Rhapsody, Op.21 No.2
Andante
Dance Of Spirits Of Earth
Dance Of Spirits Of Water
Dance Of Spirits Of Fire

Customer Reviews:

An Interesting Holst Omnibus.......2006-08-17

This CD brings together disparate small works of Holst, as well as recordings made in two different decades. So we have very good analog recordings of the choruses made in the mid-70s and quite decent digital recordings made in the early 90s. The unifying element is the English Chamber Orchestra--a fine choice for the assignment, of course. Holst is in their blood, and even if Sir Yehudi isn't a noted Holst specialist (at least that I know of), his performance of the "Perfect Fool" ballet music is very spirited and attractively colored. Menuhin's performance is pretty much the equal of Adrian Boult's reference recording of this music. Plus Menuhin has much more modern sound.

The other orchestral works are well handled, too, I think, especially the Fugal Concerto--given a sprightly reading--and A Somerset Rhapsody, droll music given an equally droll reading. I have heard more engaging performances of the delightful "St. Paul's Suite," but this is certainly a decent job. And I'm not familiar with "Brook Green," which isn't Holst at his most memorable anyway.

As for the choral music represented here, this is Holst at his most solemn and meditative. If your tastes run more to "The Planets" than to the "Choral Symphony" and "Choral Fantasia," this may not be your cup of tea. But I think Holst had a unique approach to choral music and find the "Six Choruses" both interesting and entertaining. The Dirge moves me in the same way as the war poetry of Wilfred Owen or Walt Whitman does. In fact, this is a setting of one of Whitman's more famous Civil War poems--a very effective setting, with apropos contributions from brass and percussion. Written in 1914, before the outbreak of the First World War, the Dirge anticipates the "Mars" section of "The Planets" written a couple of years later.

So this disc represents a strange mix of Holst music, but it is all effectively performed and recorded--just the thing to fill in gaps in your Holst collection. More authoritative readings may be found in Decca's British Music Collection box set, but I opted for the modern sound accorded Menuhin and Humphreys on this Classics for Pleasure disc and am quite happy. The price is certainly right!

Average customer rating:

Bella España: Music Inspired by Spain

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000BPPVS0
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Tracks:

Aragonaise - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Habanera - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Seguidilla - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Toreadors - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
The Neighbor's Dance (Seguidilas) - Jesus Lopez-Cobos
Dance Of The Miller (Farruca) - Jesus Lopez-Cobos
Jota (Rondalla Aragonesa) - Angel And Celedonio Romero
Adagio From Concierto De Aranjuez - Erich Kunzel
Romance - Angel Romero
En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor Based On The Second Movement Of Rodrigo's Concierto De Aranjuez - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Malaguena - Erich Kunzel
Malaga From Iberia: Book IV - Jesus Lopez-Cobos
Asturias From Suite Espanola, Op.47 - David Russell
Capricho Arabe - David Russell

Average customer rating:

Infrequently Heard Shostakovich Works for Piano
Get this record and you'll simply like it

Shostakovich: Piano Works

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87

ASIN: B0000SWNIO
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks:

I Allegretto
II Largo
III Moderato Con Moto
I Allegretto
II Andantino - Allegretto
III Allegretto
I Allegro Moderato E Scherzando
II Andante
III Allegro Moderato
IV Moderato
V Andantino
Lyric Waltz
Short Piece
Spanish Dance
Nocturne
I Recitative
II Serenade
III Nocturne
IV Elegy
V Marche Funebre
VI Etude
VII Dance Of Death
VIII Canon
IX Legend
X Lullaby
Polka

Customer Reviews:

Infrequently Heard Shostakovich Works for Piano.......2006-08-10

For those who are devoted to the symphonic works, the string quartets, the operas, and the concerti by Dmitri Shostakovich this album is a must for the collection. Not only are there excellent samplings of his works written expressly for the piano, bu there are also some fine piano arrangements of his orchestral works that give us another side of his personality.

Vladimir Ashkenazy is in top form for this collection. His technique is sure, finely sensitive to the difficult interplay of melody lines so often encounter in Shostakovich's music, and the sound he produces is never less than extraordinary. Included on the album is the Sonata for piano No. 2 in B minor, Op. 61 that Ashkenazy plays better than any other pianist on recordings. It is a spectacular work beautifully executed. The works written expressly for the piano include the 'Fantastic Dances', Op. 5, five of the 'Preludes (from collaborative work of 24 preludes with Clements & Feldt), and 'Aphorisms' Op. 13 .

Then Ashkenazy steps into the stage virtuoso ring with 'Dances of the Dolls' suite from the ballet 'Lyric Waltz', transcriptions from 'The Gadfly', Op. 97, and closes with an exuberant 'Polka' form 'The Golden Age'. The balance of works selected makes for a perfect hour of listening, creating one of those CDs destined to be on the player frequently! Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, August 06

Get this record and you'll simply like it.......2006-02-07

I certainly feel happy that I finally decided to purchase this CD. It is well performed and well recorded. I am sure most people will love this CD. This one is NOT like some other CDs, which are often confusing at first, but after several playing, you would start to understand. This CD is like love at first sight (or I should say first hear). Shostakovich's music is always attractive. Ashkenazy's performance adds beauty to the works.

Classical Music Start-Up Kit, Vol. 1 (1500-1825)

Average customer rating:

Good

Classical Music Start-Up Kit, Vol. 1 (1500-1825)

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classical Music Start-Up Kit, Vol. 2: 1825-1945
Discover the Classics, Vol. 2
On the Incarnation (De Incarnatione Verbi Dei)

ASIN: B0000014CD
Release Date: 1996-01-04

Tracks:

The Young Person's Guide to the Orch: Final Fugue - Czechoslovak RSO/Ondrej Lenard
Pope Marcellus Mass: Kyrie - Oxford Camerata
Galliard a 5 - Capella Istropolitana/Adrian Leaper
Les Barricades Misterieuses - Alan Cuckston
Con Grosso, Op.6 No.4: Adagio-Allegro - Capella Istropolitana/Jaroslav Krechek
The Four Seasons: 'Spring' - Takako Nishizaki
Toccata and Fugue in d - Wolfgang Rubsam
Brandenburg Con No. 3: Allegro - Capella Istropolitana/Richard Edlinger
Cant No.208: 'Sheep May Safely Graze' - Phil SO/Hayman
Water Music: Bourree - Capella Istropolitana/Bohdan Warchal
Messiah: Hallelujah Chor - Bratislava City Choir
Rcr Ste in a - Jiri Stivin
Sym No.104 in D, 'London' - Capella Istropolitana/Barry Wordsworth
Pno Con No.21 in C, K.467: Second movt - Jeno Jando
Sym No.35 in D, K.385: Thrid movt - Capella Istropolitana/Barry Wordsworth
Cl & Orch in A, K.622: Rondo from Con - Ernst Ottensamer
Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: First movt - Zagreb Phil/Richard Edlinger
Sym No.9 in d, 'Choral': Finale - Gabriele Lechner/Michael Pabst/Diane Elias/Robert Holzer

Customer Reviews:

Good.......2000-12-27

This CD is great. It covers a lot of different areas of classical and uses songs that act as a good introduction.

Average customer rating:

Listen,Learn, & Grow: Playtime
Grandkids love it!

Listen, Learn, & Grow: Playtime

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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Listen, Learn and Grow Lullabies
Listen, Learn and Grow
Classical Music for Children: A Toddler's Introduction to Classical Music
Children's Favorites

ASIN: B00005LMZT
Release Date: 2001-06-19

Tracks:

Solomon: Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
The Four Seasons: Autumn: Allegro
Symphony No.6 'Pastoral': Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No.41 'Jupiter': Menuetto Allegro
Fair At Sorochintsy: Gopak
La Gioconda: Dance Of The Hours
Carnival Of The Animals: Aquarium
La Mer: Play Of The Waves
Humoresque
Sheep May Safely Graze
Masques Et Bergamasques: Ouverture
The Gadfly: Barrel-Organ Waltz
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Fugue
Symphony No.104 'London': Allegro Finale

Tracks:

Orpheus In The Underworld: Can-Can
William Tell: Overture
Four Overtures: Rakoczy March
Perpetual Motion: A Musical Joke
Pizzicato Polka
Minute Waltz
Concerto For Two Horns: Vivace
Pomp And Circumstance
Parade Of The Sandwich Board Men
Thunderbird Suite: Wolf Song
Indian Scenes: On The Jocko
Lieutenant Kije
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro
Radetzky March
The Tale Of The Tsar Sultan: Flight Of The Bumblebee
Die Walkure: Ride Of The Walkyries
The Bartered Bride: Dance Of The Comedians

Tracks:

Gayane: Sabre Dance
Carmen Suite: March Of The Toreadors
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 In D Minor (Excerpt)
Suite No.2: Badinerie
Fireworks Music: Allegro Finale
Children's Corner Suite: Golliwog's Cake Walk
Parade Of The Tin Soldiers
Carnival Of The Animals: Fossils
Sleeping Beauty: Sleeping Beauty Waltz
Giselle: Allegro
Giselle: Gallop
Peter And The Wolf: Peter In The Meadow/The Bird
Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet Of The Chickens
Masquerade: Gallop
Sylvia: Pizzicato
Italian Polka
The Red Poppy: Russian Sailor's Dance
Shepherd's Hey
Emperor Waltz
Peer Gynt: In The Hall Of The Mountain King
A Night In The Tropics: Festa Criolla
Hungarian Dance No.5

Customer Reviews:

Listen,Learn, & Grow: Playtime.......2007-05-14

The music is excellent, with high quality sound. Not irritating as some classical music can be. Plus the tempo's are varied which is great depending if you need something fast paced or more slow. Best of all, the kids enjoyed it!

Grandkids love it!.......2007-01-03

How to gently insert a little culture into the grandkids' lives without Mom freaking out.....send this set of CDs for Christmas. Dad's into heavy metal and Mom, although she has a long history of listening to Classical music as a child, is now into Country. Nothing wrong with that, but how are the three little ones going to hear any of the Classics with Grandma living more than 600 miles away? "Play this in the background while they're having creative time," said I, "and see if they don't enjoy it." When I talked with them a week later the 4 year old couldn't wait to tell me how much he liked the "playtime music" I'd sent him. The quality of the recording is good and the variety of rhythms and tempos make it interesting. Yes they're a little trite and you're going to have to explain that the theme to "the Bad News Bears" really is Classical, but that's okay. If they skipped the genius of Mozart as an infant, or even if they teethed to "the Magic Flute", these CDs will give them a taste of a variety of good music and who knows how far into the Classical realm it may send them as they mature?

Average customer rating:

Great musicianship from Beecham, but quite variable sound
Excellent remasterings make this a cause of joy for Beecham fans!!

Sir Thomas Beecham

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique Op14; Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain

ASIN: B0000029ZG
Release Date: 1997-12-09

Tracks:

Sym No.4 in A, Op.90 'Italian': I. Allegro Vivace - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Sym No.4 in A, Op.90 'Italian': II. Andante Con Moto - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Sym No.4 in A, Op.90 'Italian': III. Con Moto Moderato - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Sym No.4 in A, Op.90 'Italian': IV. Saltarello - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Capriccio Italien, Op.45 - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Sym No.7 in C, Op.105: Adagio/Vivacissimo/Adagio/Allegro Molto Moderato/Vivace/Presto/Adagio - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Pelleas Et Melisande, Op.46: Melisande (Act 1, Scene 2) - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Merry Wives Of Windsor: Ov - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO

Tracks:

La Gioconda: Dance Of The Hours - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO
Carmen Ste: Prld (To Act I): Andante Moderato - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO
Carmen Ste: Entr'acte (Between Acts III & IV) 'Argonaise'. Allegro Vivo - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO
Carmen Ste: Entr'acte (Between Acts I & II) 'Les Dragons D'Alcala'. Allegro Moderato - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO
Carmen Ste: Prld (To Act I) 'Les Toreadors'. Allegro Giocoso - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO
Carmen Ste: Entr'acte (Between Acts II & III) 'Intermezzo'. Andantino Quasi Allegretto - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO
Carmen Ste: La Garde Montante. Allegro (Act I) - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO
Carmen Ste: Danse Boheme. Andante Quasi Allegretto (Act II) - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO
Capriccio Italien, Op.45 - Sir Thomas Beecham/Columbia SO
Le Coq D'Or Ste: I. Allegro - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Le Coq D'Or Ste: III. Allegretto - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Le Coq D'Or Ste: IV. Allegro Alla Marcia - Sir Thomas Beecham/New York Phil
Semiramide: Ov - Sir Thomas Beecham/Philadelphia Orch

Amazon.com

Sir Thomas Beecham spent much of the war in the U.S., and returned often. Sony's gathered some of his American recordings into this well-transferred Masterworks Heritage set. The two big works with the 1942 New Yorkers, the Mendelssohn Fourth and Sibelius Seventh, are OK, the Mendelssohn sprightly and bustling with wit, the Sibelius more matter-of-fact. But neither represents Beecham at his best; in fact, he sued Columbia to block their release and lost. They're still of interest and worth reissuing, but the real gems are the later recordings of lighter pieces with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the "Columbia Symphony," which Beecham, as always, made his own. The Carmen Suites have an irresistible swagger, Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, enormous atmosphere, and the overtures, bounce and dash. Dan Davis

Amazon.com

The critic who said that Beecham was at his best with second-rate music may have been right. But how delicious that best could be! Here are performances of Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien and Bizet's Carmen Suites that accomplish the amazing feat of making the music sound fresh, new, and exciting. You'll never hear a more delicious version of Ponchielli's Dance of the Hours than this, and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 (the only recording with less than first-rate mono sound) is also as bouncy as can be. The only dark music in the set is Sibelius's Symphony No. 7. Little profundity here, but a good time for all. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Great musicianship from Beecham, but quite variable sound.......2006-03-15

This 2-CD set comes from Sony's lavish but short-lived "Masterworks Heritage" series, and I notice that it's being offered used here at an absurdly low price. The earliest recordings, from 1942 (Mendelssohn Sym. #4, Sibelius Sym. #7, and Capricico italien), come from the same recording sessions. Though perfectly cleaned up by the remastering engineers, their basic sound is gritty and dry. You have to turn them up to extract detail and color, but luckily they can withstand loud volume levels and then acquire considerably more presence. The performances themselves are excellent, putting the lie to Beecham's sad time sitting the war out in the U.S. (for which he was bitterly criticized in England). The reviewer who comments that the Sibelius is inferior to the Mendelssohn seems off base to me; these are both great performances.

At the end of CD 1 we get a marvelous Merry Wives of Windsor Over. from 1949, in noticeably better sound, though far from the best to be heard from that era.

CD 2 conintues the 1949 sessions with the kind of light classical material that Beecham was famous for. We get infectious performances of Ponchielli, Bizet, and a second go at Capricico italien. Since both CDs are genersouly timed at 75 min. and 70 min., this last doesn't seem too wasteful. Then we jump back to 1942 for the Le Coq d'Or Suite, which is spoiled for me by the nasty sonics, despite Beecham's obvious relish for this colorful score. The final Rossini Semiradmide Over. dates from 1952 with the Philadelphia Orch., and the sound is about the same as from 1949. I found hte performance rather ordinary, however.

Since I am not a fan of light classics, much of this collection wouldn't top my list of Beecham greats, and the most appealing items, the two symphonies, are in the worst sonics. Even so, this is a valuable collection, particularly if you can get it used at a low price. BTW more of Beecham's American Columbia recordings have been newly reissued by Sony, although they are more readily available in the UK than here.

Excellent remasterings make this a cause of joy for Beecham fans!!.......2005-12-23

I bought this 2 disc set in 1997 largely for reasons of nostalgia. I recall fondly a CBS "Odyssey" mono LP which I bought in August 1973 from a Doubleday Record store in downtown Detroit, Michigan and had in my collection for over 10 years. The LP performances are in this CD set: Bizet's CARMEN Suite,
Ponchielli's DANCE OF THE HOURS (La Giaconda), and Tchaikovsky's CAPRICCIO ITALIEN, all by Beecham/Columbia Symphony. Needless to say, the CD remasterings and absence of hiss, pops and ticks make the performances spring to new life, and are much superior to the Odyssey LP.

Beecham's Mendelssohn ITALIAN Symphony and Rimsky COQ D'OR movements with the New York Philharmonic are no less excellent. Even the 1942 Mendelssohn is very fine, and quite evenly balanced in all registers/ranges.

All tracks in this collection are Mono, and the Columbia Symphony tracks date from 1949. The New York tracks are from 1942-43, and also include a Sibelius Symphony 7 which Beecham attempted (in court) to keep from being published, but lost the suit.

Note: Beecham's 1949 OVERTURE TO THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Columbia Symphony)also in this collection - has one of the best played Allegro sections I've ever heard: spirit and brio which has to be heard to be believed; describing it in words doesn't do it justice.