Essential Baroque

On this CD:

1. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050 1st Movement
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Janice Graham, Ian Watson, Robert Winn

2. Cantata No. 147, "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben," BWV 147 Jesus Bleibet Meine Freude No. 10
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Adrian Leaper

3. Concerto for 4 harpsichords & strings in A minor, BWV 1065
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Claudio Abbado, Antonio Ballista, Bruno Canino, Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini
Conducted by Alberto Zedda

4. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56 Hallelujah Chorus
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Royal Music College Edinburgh
Conducted by Serge Baudo

5. Water Music Suite, No.2 for orchestra in D major, HWV 349 Hornpipe
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Philip Gibson

6. Harp Concerto in B flat major, Op.4/6 HWV 294 1st Movement
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Helen Tunstall, Ian Watson

7. Concerto Grosso in A minor for Strings & Harpsichord
Composed by Giuseppe Tartini

Conducted by Claudio Abbado

8. Violin Concerto ("La Primavera", The Four Seasons) for violin, strings & continuo in E ("Il cimento" No. 1), Op.8/1, RV 269 Allegro
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra with Alexander Barantschik

9. Violin Concerto ("L'estate", The Four Seasons) for violin, strings & continuo in G minor, Op. 8/2, RV 315 Presto
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra with Alexander Barantschik

10. Violin Concerto ("L'autunno", The Four Seasons), for violin, strings & continuo in F major ("Il cimento" No. 3), Op.8/3, RV 293 Allegro
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra with Alexander Barantschik

11. Violin Concerto ("L'estate", The Four Seasons) for violin, strings & continuo in G minor, Op. 8/2, RV 315 Allegro non Molto
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra with Alexander Barantschik

12. Concerto, for 2 violins, cello, strings & continuo in D Minor (L'estro armonico No. 11), Op. 3/11, RV 565
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by Bruno Salvi
Conducted by Alberto Zedda

Tracks:

Prde from Suite No. 1 in G Major for Cello, BWV 1007
II. Largo from "Winter", Op. 8, No. 4, RV 297 from the Four Seasons
Jesus, bleibet meine Freude (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring), BWV 147
Schafe kn sicher weiden (Sheep May Safely Graze), BWV 208
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers Awake), BWV 645
The Swan from Carnival of the Animals (Chamber Version)
Havanaise, Op. 83
Mtation from Tha
Liebesfreud Instrumental
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso from Three Preludes
Vocalise Vocal
IV. Allegro from Sonata in D minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 40
Andante Cantabile for Cello Solo and String Orchestra, Op. posth.
IV. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto from Quartet No. 1 in G minor for Piano and Strings, Op. 25
III. Finale. Allegro moderato from Concerto in B minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 104

Tracks:

Cristal
A lenda do caboclo
Chega de Saudade Live
Wapango Live
Libertango
Appalachia Waltz Solo Cello Version
Butterfly's Day Out
1B
Pickin' from Three Pieces for Solo Cello
Simple Gifts
The Mission
Gabriel's Oboe
The Falls Album Version
The Eternal Vow from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
The Cellist of Sarajevo - A Lament in Rondo Form for Solo 'Cello, Op. 12
Chi passa per'sta strada
Mido Mountain (Chinese Traditional)
Mohini (Enchantment)
Baroque in Rhythm from Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio
Anything Goes Instrumental
I Could Have Danced All Night Extended version

Amazon.com

Here are three dozen pieces of music, all played by Yo-Yo Ma, culled from his extensive discography. Aside from the technical mastery and beautiful tone that are absolutes in all of his playing, one is dazzled by his curiosity and ability to adapt to so many forms and types of music. His Bach and Vivaldi are pellucid and played with non-sentimental crispness, his tango music gritty and rhythmically pungent, his jazz seemingly spontaneous, the "Meditation" from Thais simply ravishing, "Anything Goes" a romp, and the Appalachian music performed with both respect and a great twang, while the traditional Chinese music is fascinating. It's really a matter of how much Ma loves whatever he plays here, how entirely he becomes involved in it, and what a fine partner he invariably is to other musicians. This collection is a doozy--it is truly "essential." --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

pure genius.......2007-05-21

No instrument asks more from the soul of an artist as the cello does.
Yo Yo Ma shows to be master of the instrument and his interpretations en technique are pure genius. Everyone should have this album in his (or hers of course) basic classical collection

Another great Yo-Yo Disc.......2007-05-15

The set-up with the classical pieces on the first disc and the other on the second is excellent.

first disc great- second a flop.......2007-04-12

the first disc is awesome. the second disc is weird and boring.

Encore.......2007-03-31

Incredible. My young cellist (son) loves it. Beautiful music. The album is well organized and each song transitions nicely.

The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma.......2007-03-29

I've found this collection to be extremely delightful! It gives you a sense of the versatility of Yo-Yo Ma like no other, with one disc being dedicated more to his classical side, while the other explores jazz and world music venues. Not your typical "greatest hits" collection.

Average customer rating:

so amazing
Essential Bach is OK
Excellent collection of mostly recognizeable music
Exquisite Essential Bach
Good

Essential Bach

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

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ASIN: B00004SPLF
Release Date: 2000-06-13

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor: Toccata in D minor
Orchestral Suite No. 3 In D Major: Air
Prelude in C major
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 In G Major: Allegro
Goldberg Variations: Aria
Sleepers Awake: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor: I Allegro moderato
Jesu, joy of man's desiring
Keyboard Concerto No.4: Allegro: I Allegro
Cello Suite No.3: Bourees I & II: Bourrees I And II
Concerto for Oboe & Violin In C Minor: Adagio
Mass In B minor: Crucifixus
Cello Suite No.1 in G Major: Praeludium
French Suite No.5 in G major: Gigue
Prelude in D Minor
Brandenburg Concerto No.5 In D Major: III Allegro
Matthaus-Passion: St Matthew Passion

Tracks:

Brandenberg Concerto No.2 In F Major: I Allegro
Concerto For 2 Violins In D Minor: II Largo, ma non tanto
Lute Suite In E Major: Prelude
Cantata: Sheep may safely graze
Cello Sonata In G Minor: II Adagio (excerpt)
Italian Concerto In F Major: II Allegro
Weihnachtsoratorium: Pastoral sinfonia
Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor: II Andante
Partita No.1 In B Flat Major: Gigue
Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor: Menuet
Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor: Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In F Major: Siciliano
Brandenberg Concerto No.3 In G Major: I Allegro
Violin Partita No.2 In D Minor: Allemande
Violin Partita No.2 In D Minor: Gigue
Keyboard Concerto No.2 In E Major: I Allegro (excerpt)
Cantata: Sanctify us by thy goodness
Keyboard Concerto No.5 In F Minor: II Largo
Concerto In A Minor: I Allegro

Amazon.com

It is not possible to fit 36 Bach masterpieces on two CDs, so what Essential Bach does is present individual movements from across a range of the composer's work. The anthology is clearly aimed at the newcomer, and the absence of booklet notes to put the music in context is disappointing. We are only given titles, performers, and what films the extracts have been featured in, from Rollerball to The English Patient.

On the plus side, most if not all of the music is instantly recognizable, by melody if not by name. Everything from the Brandenburg Concertos to "Air on a G String" to the B Minor Mass and St. Matthew Passion is represented. Performances range from 1960 to 1993, encompassing both early instrument and modern orchestra interpretations by a wide variety of forces, including Sir Neville Marriner with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Raymond Leppard leading the English Chamber Orchestra. Given such diversity the result is unavoidably a patchwork, albeit one made from the finest materials, and as such is perhaps best treated as a sampler to aid exploration of the vast legacy of one of the very greatest composers who ever lived. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk

Customer Reviews:

so amazing .......2006-06-14

I love this kind of playing. this is my favorite classical cd.

Essential Bach is OK.......2005-09-29

This is a good basic primer. A true Bach lover might find a better selection/orchestra.

Excellent collection of mostly recognizeable music.......2005-03-18

LOVE LOVE LOVE this 2-CD set. I bought I a awhile back and have enjoyed it very much. My toddler likes it too. I think it's a great value for the money and may have to get another copy if this one wears out.

Exquisite Essential Bach.......2005-02-01

Value and exquisite sampler of Bach on two CD's at an affordable price. Recorded by the likes primarily of Academy of the St. Martin-in-the-fields, Chicago Sympony, Boston Symphony, English Chamber Orchestra and with virtuoso performers as William Bennett, Heinz Hollinger, Pepe Romero, and Wolfgang Rubsam, one gets treated to wonderful Bach exerpts of all his fantastic breath and depth of chamber, symphony and choral works.

One will have to go to other places to find background on these marvelous compositions as the liner notes only list perfomer and date recorded.

Good.......2004-07-13

This is a good album but for information on real choral music visit www.freewebs.com/bachster67/

Average customer rating:

Mad about Baroque
The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes
Brilliant
Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames).
Brilliant Purcell Disc

Essential Purcell
Henry Purcell , New College Choir Oxford , King's Consort , Robert King , Roy Goodman , Charles Daniels , John Mark Ainsley , James Bowman , Peter Buckoke , Jane Coe , Rogers Covey-Crump , Gillian Fisher , Michael George , Miles Golding , Jane Norman , Barbara Bonney , Mark Caudle , William Carter , King's Consort Choir , Helen Gough , Paul Nicholson , Angela East , Barry Guy , Tessa Bonner , Jerome Finnis , Rupert Bawden , Lucy Howard , Richard Campbell , Susan Addison , James O'Donnell , and Stephen Saunders
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

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ASIN: B000002ZDU
Release Date: 1995-04-10

Tracks:

Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 5: Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn. Symphony And Opening Chorus
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 3: Be Welcome Then, Great Sir
Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: Oh, Fair Cedaria
The Choir Of The King's Consort: Hear My Prayer, O Lord
Great Baroque Arias: When I Am Laid In Earth ('Dido's Lament')
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.1: Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears (Part 1)
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.4: The Sparrow And The Gentle Dove
Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: If Music Be The Food Of Love (First Setting)
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.5: Rejoice In The Lord Always ('The Bell Anthem')
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Hosanna To The Highest
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.7: Thou Knowest, Lord, The Secrets Of Our Hearts
Mr. Henry Purcell's Most Admirable Composures: Fairest Isle, All Isles Excelling
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.6: Mark, How Readily Each Pliant String
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: Sound The Trumpet
Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.3: She Loves And She Confesses Too
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: O How Blest Is The Isle
Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences
Complete Anthems And Services Vol. 11: An Evening Hymn
Complete Church Music Vol.2: Vouchsafe, O Lord, To Keep Us This Day
Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.2: With Rapture Of Delight... Hail Bright Cecilia

Amazon.com essential recording

The "Essential" Purcell? Well, you could get a bunch of critics to argue about that for a few days, but in the meantime, here is a sampler of highlights from the King's Consort's three admirable Purcell series: the Complete Odes and Welcome Songs, Complete Anthems and Services, and Complete Secular Solo Songs. There are, of course, some of Purcell's most-performed pieces (which probably are "essential"): Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, "Sound the trumpet" from Come, ye sons of Art, Rejoice in the Lord alway (the "Bell Anthem," named for the string figure at the opening that sounds like pealing bells), the gently patriotic "Fairest isle, all isles excelling" (sung by a miscast James Bowman), and a selection from the funeral music for Queen Mary. There are also some delightful surprises--particularly among the little-known secular songs and church music. The plaintive "O fair Cedaria" gets a lovely performance by Barbara Bonney (a singer not usually associated with Purcell); tenor Rogers Covey-Crump (possibly the ideal high tenor for Purcell) sings the enchanting "If music be the food of love"; the church anthems "Let mine eyes run down with tears" and "Remember not, O Lord, our offences" have some startling harmonies as daring as any Monteverdi ever wrote. If you're unfamiliar with Purcell, this reasonably priced disc is a good place to start exploring without a big initial investment. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Mad about Baroque.......2007-02-12

This is a terrific CD. The music is breathtaking. Just buy IT !!!!!

The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes.......2002-08-21

Absolutely beautiful baroque music! The arrangament, singing and instrumentation is superb. It is too bad that Henry Purcell is not as widely known as Bach, because he should be recognized equally well."The Sparrow and the Gentle dove" is alone worth the price of the album! I can not stop playing it!

Brilliant.......2001-10-31

Like in his renditions of Handel's oratorios, Robert King manages to bring a freshness and strenght to Purcell's music that I had seldom heard before. This CD also features some of the best performers of early music in the world. My favourite tracks are Oh, Fair Cedaria, sung by the multi-talented Barbara Bonney; Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher; She Loves and she Confesses too, sung by the wonderful Susan Gritton; and Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn, sung by Rogers Covey-Crump. The only track I didn't find absolutely wonderful is Fairest Isle, sung here by James Bowman. Don't get me wrong, I generally love Mr Bowman, I think that his performance in Mr Purcell's Most Admirable Composures (also conducted by Robert King) makes it another essential Purcell recording; but I find that Fairest Isle was much better done elsewhere, particularly by Christopher Hogwood and Barbara Bonney.

These songs aren't only beautiful, they're also poignant, sweet and unpretentious. I think that it will be very clear to anyone who listens to this recording that Mr Purcell was one of the finest composers that ever lived.

Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames)........2001-10-20

If anyone has benefitted from the reversion in the last three or so decades to period instruments and historical reconstruction, it is Henry Purcell. Before, he was merely great, the peerless word-setter in the English language, a virtuoso of boundless range, a professional composer whose offical commissions were always imbued with personality and invention. But period instrumentation has added to this a greater depth, an other-worldly texture of sound. With his intricate, multi-part vocal writing, his preference for low, rumbling instruments such as the bass viol and the strange and remarkable theorbo, as well as his often sombre and low-key subject matter and treatment, Purcell creates a round, glowing, humming sound as pregnantly full as dub reggae.

This has an extraordinary effect on the listener. Whereas Bach, with his mathematical abstractions, sounds universal and timeless, Purcell's music takes the listener back 300 years, back to different ways of thinking about, feeling about and addressing things we still think etc. about today - death, love, friendship. The emotion is timeless, but the music's beauty is alien, THEIRS, hence its preciousness.

A lot of intelligence has gone into the unity of this compilation, beginning with two Welcomes (to the dawn and to the listener, in this case a King), and ending with thoughts of evening, death and a Baroque 'Thank you for the music'. These are bright, fanfare-like works, but the predominant mood is slow, ruminative, quiet. The selection covers the wide range of Purcell's oeuvre, from opera and funeral marches to secular songs and odes, and includes his most famous vocal works - Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher, and never more evocative of pagan loss and death; the massive 'Bell Anthem', with its ingenious opening symphony and joyful antiphon; and a miraculously serene 'Evening Hymn', Dido's opposite, death indicating hope, the treble voice swirling over the heavy ground bass like the soul released from the inert body.

it might seem quixotic to choose highlights from an exemplary collection of highlights, but the entry of the strings washing over the serene repetition of 'Be Welcome then, great Sir' always makes my heart stop still, while the musical picture of 'Bold Honour', the 'noisy Nothing, stalking shade', blocking the poet's amorous intentions in 'She loves and confesses too', adds a chilling hint of life's transience to a bouyantly bawdy song.

Brilliant Purcell Disc .......2000-11-30

With this album director and Purcell expert Robert King provides the listener with an excellent introduction to the composer's vocal works. The pieces presented here were taken from Mr. King's recordings of 'The Complete Odes and Welcome Songs', 'The Complete Anthems and Services', 'The Complete Secular Solo Songs' and diverse anthology discs. King, his wonderful soloists and musicians do the brilliance of Purcell's music fully justice. Whether he was commissioned by royalty, the church or theatre, Purcell shone in all areas. This disc certainly demonstrates the variety and originality of his craft, not to speak of his uncanny ability of setting words to music.

An outstanding Purcell offering. With a beautiful perfomance by Barbara Bonney of 'Oh, fair Cedaria'. Susan Gritton is equally captivating in 'She loves and she confesses too'. Gillian Fisher's rendition of the famous 'Dido's Lament' is haunting and poignant. Further an intelligent and brilliant 'Hosanna to the highest' by Michael George. James Bowman and Michael Chance sparkle in the countertenor duet 'Sound the trumpet' (from 'Come Ye sons of Art away'). And I should not forget to mention the joyous, luminous performance of the beautiful 'Bell Anthem'. To name but a few favourites, only James Bowman's 'Fairest Isle' was a disappointment.

Those who are familiar with Purcell's music will get an excellent disc with some of his most beloved works. If you are new to Purcell, this is, as already said a great introduction. Which might be the incentive to further explorations of Purcell.

by stardustraven

Average customer rating:

Essential Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD

The Essential Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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God Bless America

ASIN: B000F8OIH8
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Tracks:

The Sound Of Music
Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'
Born Free
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
Goin' Home
All Through The Night
Londonderry Air
Seventy-Six Trombones
Art Thou With me (Aria: Bist Du Bei Mir), BWV 508
Simple Gifts (A Shaker Song)
Battle Hymn Of The Republic
The Lord's Prayer
Bless This House
Ave Maria
Medley From Pinocchio: When You Wish Upon A Star/Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor's Life For Me)
The Impossible Dream
Over The Rainbow
Medley From Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs: Whistle While You Work/Heigh-Ho! Heigh-Ho!
Climb Ev'ry Mountain
Somwhere
Oklahoma!
You'll Never Walk Alone

Tracks:

Anvil Chorus From Il Trovatore
Heavenly Father! (Ave Maria)
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again
Holy Art Thou (Largo From Xerxes)
Loch Lomond
None But The Lonely Heart
The Lost Chord
Nearer My God To Thee
I'll See You In My Dreams
Smilin' Through
Medley: Pretty Baby/You Are My Sunshine/Avalon
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
The Anniversary Song
It's A Grand Night For Singing
My Favorite Things
The White Cliffs Of Dover
It's A Long, Long Way To Tipperray
Final Chorus From Schiller's 'Ode To Joy'

Customer Reviews:

Essential Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD.......2006-07-15

This CD was timely shipped in great condition, and at a reasonable price. These classical songs are wonderful to hear in order to bring back old memories and feelings. The only glitch is that the reproduction of these recordings is alittle weak; the volume and clarity of some songs are off just a bit. I have heard better reproductions of other old recordings, but I'm not really complaining. You'll love this CD if you like its genre.

Average customer rating:

Great Collection
A remarkable anthology
High-quality, marvelously varied intro to baroque music

Essential Baroque

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006L3IL
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Customer Reviews:

Great Collection.......2007-01-19

Essential Baroque is a great collection, especially for the price. It has two CDs packd full of the best Baroque music. Like most Baroque collections, it has the best of some of the better known artists like Handel, Bach, and Vivaldi. However, unlike most other collections, it excels in adding some good pieces from lesser known artists from the period.

A remarkable anthology.......2005-09-08

A fine selection of pieces excerpted from the chamber ensemble, solo and opera repertory. Some recordings, though from paramount artists, are elderly; yet, performers are anyway flawless. It may be objected that a few of Vivaldi's masterpieces were disregarded.

High-quality, marvelously varied intro to baroque music.......2003-12-13

I am buying this as the perfect gift for Russian and Chinese scientist friends. They have knowledge of classical music but perhaps not much about baroque music, which achieved special popularity in the U.S. during the 1970's and 1980's. Russians seem to have more familiarity with romantic classical music, while the more recently arrived Asian classical buffs have special affinity to the "Classical" classical period and the great 19th Century romantics. How can a baroque sampler be better than with a span of music ranging from solo harpsichord to full orchestra and chorus, and from the very familiar (Pachelbel Canon and Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah) to a trio sonata by Zelenka and the Dardanus Overture by Rameau. Not only that, but both the period instrument and living tradition baroque styles are represented by noted performers (e.g. Trevor Pinnock and Christopher Hogwood; and Henryk Szeryng, Andras Schiff, Pepe Romero, and Alicia de Larrocha, respectively). The producers were careful enough to state that the "Albinoni Adagio in g minor" was actually composed by Remo Giazotto - though in fact Giazotto did use a fragment of Albinoni. This is definitely not a supermarket special, but a box of choice musical bonbons.

Average customer rating:

A very nice collection
A Fine Listen...an "Essential" for Any Collection!

Essential Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Very Best
How Does That Grab You?
Boots
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ASIN: B000EHQ52Q
Release Date: 2006-03-20

Tracks:

Bang, Bang
Sugar Town
Somethin' Stupid
The Highway Song
Kind Of A Woman
Love Eyes
Did You Ever?
Flowers In The Rain
In Our Time
Drummer Man
Lady Bird
I Love Them All (The Boys In The Band)
These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?
Friday's Child
Jackson
You Only Live Twice
Hook And Ladder
Some Velvet Morning
So Long, Babe
God Knows I Love You
Here We Go Again
100 Years
Let Me Kiss You
Machine Gun Kelly (Previously Unreleased)
Shot You Down - Audio Bullys

Album Description

Compiled by Nancy herself and with new and exclusive photographs from her archives. Also features a new, previously unreleased track 'Machine Gun Kelly'. Features her massive hits 'These Boots are Made for Walking', 'Bang Bang', 'Somethin' Stupid' (with father Frank Sinatra). Includes collaborations with Morrissey on 'Let Me Kiss You' and 2005's #3 hit 'Shot You Down' with Audio Bullys. Liberty/EMI. 2006

Album Details

Features her Massive Hits 'these Boots Are Made for Walking', 'bang Bang', 'somethin' Stupid' (With Father Frank Sinatra). Includes Collaborations with Morrissey on 'let Me Kiss You' and 2005's #3 Hit 'shot You Down' with Audio Bullys.

Customer Reviews:

A very nice collection.......2006-08-15

Nancy is simply at her best on this extensive collection that covers her usual greatest hits,and then some. Her take on Bang Bang is more superficial than Chers',but has it's own foxy simple read.
Her hits of the 60s'are unbeatable. Sugartown,You only live twice,as well as her Lee Hazelwood duets are pop masterpieces,with great Billy Strange productions.Nancy brings us up to date with "Let me kiss you"(Morrisey production).
The modern-ized bang Bang is the only misplaced track,simply stupid.
Nancy and dad on "Somethin' Stupid are heaven. Buy this cd

A Fine Listen...an "Essential" for Any Collection!.......2006-07-04

I was probably playing with dolls when Nancy Sinatra had her big hit with "Boots". But while I've always liked that song with its catchy music and straightforward "this is how it is, buster!" lyrics--along with "Somethin' Stupid" which she recorded with her Dad, I never gave much thought or knew a lot about her other work. After seeing her on "Entertainment Tonight" recently where she mentioned this new release of some of her past recordings, I was intrigued enough to purchase it. All I can say is, it's an "easy on the ears" collection of tunes by a fine singer! On "Bang, Bang", I think Nancy's reading gets to the heart of the lyric and is tremendously more effective than the usual, more popular tempo. "Drummer Man", "Kind of a Woman" (a catchy single girl's anthem if there ever was one!), and "Here We Go Again" (a touch of Nashville) are other favorites here. Nancy can sing anything...pop, country, jazzy tunes...she weaves her style around them all. (And who knew she recorded a theme featured in a Bond movie?!) There's a little bit of everything represented on this CD. There's even some more recently recorded tunes near the end. So, perhaps the best thing I can say is that Nancy Sinatra proves you can have tunes recorded over 30 years ago which are still relevant and "good listening", as well as, today, be over 50 and still have an affecting (and surprisingly youthful sounding!) voice that effortlessly interprets more current music. I do wish she had included "Summer Wine", a popular recording she did with Lee Hazelwood, but I guess there wasn't room for everything. Overall, a fine representation from a talented singer. Keep singing and recording Nancy!

The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]

Average customer rating:

wonderful
Favorite Soprano: Gorgeous Dramatic Voice
Amazing.... if you get it somewhere else
A MUST HAVE...
Amazing Voice

The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | 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

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Jessye Norman Classics
I Was Born in Love With You
Jessye Norman at Christmas (Ac3 Dol Dts)
Jessye Norman - Sacred Songs ~ Ave Maria, Amazing Grace, etc..
Brava, Jessye!: The Very Best Of Jessye Norman

ASIN: B00067GKEM
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

Quand Je Vous Aimerai? L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera)
Pres Des Ramparts De Seville (Seguidilla)
Porgi, Amor, Qualche Ristoro
E Susanna Non Vien! ... Dove Sono I Bei Momenti
Regina Coeli Laetare ... Inneggiamo, Il Signor Non E Morto (Easter Hymn)
Thy Hand Belinda ... When I Am Laid In Earth
Cacilie, Op. 27 No. 2
Wiegenlied
Villanelle (No. 1)
Standchen
Ave Maria
Amazing Grace
Somewhere
With A Song In My Heart
O Holy Night
Panis Angelicus
Mild Und Leise (Isoldes Liebestod)

Customer Reviews:

wonderful.......2007-04-04

This record is wonderful; simply Jessye Norman. What else can I say: loved it!

Favorite Soprano: Gorgeous Dramatic Voice.......2006-11-05

The first time I ever heard Jessye Norman sing was a recording of Dich Teure Halle from Wagner's Tannhauser, and I was immediately enchanted. She has a gorgeous ringing tone and powerful voice. However, she can also bring her voice to a delicate sweetness that other dramatic sopranos find difficult. This album is put together particularly well. I love her Carmen and Isolde here, but I cannot stop listening to the other songs either, the non-operatic ones included. This my favorite CD, and I would definitely reccomend it to anyone considering the purchase.

Amazing.... if you get it somewhere else.......2006-05-28

I got it for HKD $69 in HKV in Hong Kong (which is around 8.70USD)

A MUST HAVE..........2006-02-09

The American soprano Jessye Norman was born in Augusta, Georgia (the segregated South) on September 15, 1945 in a family of amateur musicians; her mother a pianist, her father a singer in a local choir.

Norman received a scholarship to Howard University (a historically black university in Washington, D.C.) -NOT INDIANA-, graduating in 1967 with a degree in music. The following year, she won the ARD International Music Competition in Munich. She made her operatic debut in 1969 as Elisabeth in Richard Wagner's Tannhäuser at the Berlin State Opera, and in subsequent years performed with various German and Italian opera companies. She returned to the US to make her professional concert debut at Lincoln Center in 1973.

Amazing Voice.......2005-07-06

Jessye Norman has possibly the greatest voice I have ever heard. Being a bass/baritone, I usually shy away from higher voices (especially tenors), but I find this soprano to be flooring. For being a classicaly trained vocalist (she attended Indiana University) Ms. Norman has an incredibly versatile voice. In this album alone, she sings broad French arias, light Mozart, spirituals, and Broadway. Each is done superbly. Out of every track, her rendition of "Ave Maria" is my favorite. She sings it so tenderly and intimately, it is like she is singing it directly in front of you. You will be moved, certainly.

I suggest this CD to everyone, a fan of classical music or not. It is important for everyone to have these songs to relax, calm down, or to just listen to. You would not regret it.

Average customer rating:

Nothing but hits

Essential Hyperion, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Septets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Essential Hyperion (Label Highlight Compilation)
Essential Purcell

ASIN: B00004RITB
Release Date: 2001-01-09

Customer Reviews:

Nothing but hits.......2001-01-31

As with their first collection of label highlights, Hyperion's new two-disc collection provides a broad sampling of their exceptional catalogue and performers. Particularly rewarding are the selections from Beethoven (Scherzo from String Trio in C minor, op 9 no 3, performed by the Leopold Trio) and Thomas Tallis (Salvator mundi I, performed by the Winchester Cathedral Choir), but experienced and novice listeners alike will find much to enjoy on these discs. It's also a good value--more than 2 1/2 hours of music for less than $10.

Essential Piano: The Ultimate Piano Collection

Average customer rating:

Essential Piano: The Ultimate Piano Collection

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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#1 Piano Album
Essential Violin
Masters of the Keyboard
Essential Baroque
Essential Bach

ASIN: B00076YNIC
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

I. Adagio Sostenuto - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Aria - Andras Schiff
II. Adagio Sostenuto - Zoltan Kocsis
Grande Valse Brillante In E Flat Major, Op.18 - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Traumerei, Op.15 No.7 - Radu Lupu
Consolation No.3 - Jorge Bolet
Gymnopedie No.1 - Pascal Roge
Adagio - Stephen Kovacevich
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Julius Katchen
II. Andantino Semplice - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Melody In F Major, Op.3 No.1 - Shura Cherkassky
Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
II. Andante - Radu Lupu
Moment Musical No.3 In F Minor - Radu Lupu
Bagatelle In A Minor, WoO 59 (Fur Elise) - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Waltz In D Flat Major, Op.64 No.1 'Minute' - Jorge Bolet

Tracks:

Clair De Lune - Pascal Roge
Romance (Excerpt) - Vladimir Ashkenazy
II. Adagio Cantabile - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Golliwogg's Cake Walk - Pascal Roge
Impromptu In G Flat Major, Op.90 No.3 - Radu Lupu
Rondo Alla Turca - Andras Schiff
II. Adagio Un Poco Mosso - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Fruhlingrauschen (Rustle Of Spring) - Joseph Cooper
Nocturne In E Flat Major, Op.9 No.2 - Vladimir Ashkenazy
II. Andante - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Nocturne, Op.33 No.1 - Pascal Roge
II. Andante - Cristina Ortiz
Sevilla - Alicia De Larrocha
Liebestraum No.3 - Jorge Bolet

Average customer rating:

Robert King deserves to be famous in America, too
Bargain-priced first-class overview

Essential Handel

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The King's Consort Collection
Essential Purcell
Handel - Concerti Grossi, op. 6 (Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11) / AAM · Manze
Essential Vivaldi: 20 Greatest Masterpieces
The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles

ASIN: B000A7XJQA
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Customer Reviews:

Robert King deserves to be famous in America, too.......2006-07-23

Robert King and his King's Consort have made dozens of recordings, establishing themselves in London as a pre-eminent Baroque group. They benefit greatly from King's unflagging energy and musical insight. Twenty years ago you couldn't say that the period movement had attracted the best musicians and conductors. That situation has changed radically, and this sampler CD from King's complete recordings exhibits first-class playing throughout. Baroque singing is at a high level, too, but you couldn't say that his singers are of Met or Royal Opera House quality--even so, they are very good.

As an indicator of the strides that period performance has made, this is an eye-opening CD, but it's also engaging for the general listener, like me, who only dips into Handel's many, many operas and oratorios occasionally.

Bargain-priced first-class overview.......2006-05-01

This is a great CD for beginners, but also for those who already have a few Handel CDs. So often samplers have all the favourites which you already have on other CDs. But this set has a few well-known tracks, such as Zadok the Priest, See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes and La Rejouissance from The Fireworks, but mostly wonderful music, superbly played which is not extremely well known.

Highly recommended.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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