Essential Strauss

On this CD:

1. An der schönen, blauen Donau (On the Beautiful, Blue Danube), waltz for orchestra (with chorus ad lib), Op. 314 (RV 314)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

2. Kaiser-Walzer (Emperor Waltz), for orchestra, Op. 437 (RV 437)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

3. Pizzicato Polka for orchestra, Op 234
Composed by Johann II and Josef Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

4. Wiener Blut (Vienna Blood), waltz for orchestra, Op. 354 (RV 354)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

5. Wein, Weib und Gesang (Wine, Women and Song), waltz for orchestra (with voice ad lib), Op. 333 (RV 333)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

6. Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka (Chit-Chat Polka), for orchestra, Op. 214 (RV 214)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

7. Rosen aus dem Süden (Roses from the South), waltz for orchestra, Op. 388 (RV 388)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

8. Unter Donner und Blitz (Thunder and Lightning), polka schnell for orchestra, Op. 324 (RV 324)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

9. Frühlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring), waltz for orchestra (with voice ad lib), Op. 410 (RV 410)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

10. Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron), overture to the operetta
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

11. Künstler-Leben (Artists' Life), waltz for orchestra, Op. 316 (RV 316)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

12. Morgenblätter (Morning Papers), waltz for orchestra, Op. 279 (RV 279)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Alfred Scholz

13. Liebes-Lieder (Love Songs), waltz for orchestra, Op. 114 (RV 114)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Alfred Scholz

14. Die Fledermaus (The Bat), overture to the operetta (RV 503-1)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Falk

15. Wiener Bonbons (Vienna Bon-Bons), waltz for orchestra, Op. 307 (RV 307)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Alfred Scholz

16. Accelerationen, waltz for orchestra, Op. 234 (RV 234)
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Alfred Scholz

17. Schatz-Walzer (Treasure Waltz), for orchestra, Op. 418
Composed by Johann II Strauss
Performed by Vienna Folk Opera Orchestra
Conducted by Alfred Scholz

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:

Got to like it
A gleaming vision of brass sound
wow
Essential CD
The Best "Best of" the Canadian Brass

The Essential Canadian Brass

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Best of the Canadian Brass
The Christmas Album
Super Hits: Canadian Brass
Go For Baroque! - The Canadian Brass
Red Hot Jazz: The Dixieland Album

ASIN: B00000413N
Release Date: 1992-08-11

Tracks:

Zarathustra Fanfare - (From 'Also sprach Zarathustra')
Concerto For Two Trumpets In C: Allegro
Concerto For Two Trumpets In C: Largo
Concerto For Two Trumpets In C: Allegro
Canzone prima a 5
Turkish Rondo (Rondo alla turca)
Fugue In G Minor 'Little'
Beale Street Blues
Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Largo al factotum - From 'Il barbiere di Siviglia'
Serenade K. 361: Theme, Interludes And Re-Variations
The Flight Of The Tuba Bee - From 'The Tale Of Tsar Saltan'
La Virgen de la Macarena (Traditional)
Die Dreigroschenoper: Cannon Song
Amazing Grace - (Traditional)
Tuba Tiger Rag - (Traditional)
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
Prelude No. 2, BWV 847 From 'The Well-Tempered Clavier': Be-bop Bach
Prelude No. 8, BWV 853 From 'The Well-Tempered Clavier': Blue Bach
Fugue No. 2, BWV 847 From 'The Well-Tempered Clavier': Dixie Bach
Canon
The Saint's Hallelujah - (Traditional)

Customer Reviews:

Got to like it.......2007-02-01

When I heard samples from this CD, I really wanted to get it. However, when I did and listened the full versions I did not seem to like them that much. There are several pices that I totally do not care for, a few I really like (especially, Bach's pieces), and some I got used to. Overall, I like the CD, but not as much as I though I would.

A gleaming vision of brass sound.......2005-10-18

The Canadian Brass have been a lively and fun force in music for decades, since being brought together in Toronto 'by a gleaming vision of brass sound'. They are now world famous, having delighted and dazzled people in concerts all over the globe. One of the problems for a group such as this is the lack of repertoire readily available, so the group has become expert at arranging pieces for other instruments for their ensemble. They have also commissioned a good number of pieces of their performance.

One such commission is found on this recording, entitled 'The Well-Tampered Bach', a take-off on the Bach work 'The Well-Tempered Clavier'. This is a setting of various pieces by J.S. Bach for brass quintet and drums, worked by Luther Henderson for the ensemble's 1985 appearance in Toronto. Henderson is a frequent arranger and composer for the Canadian Brass, having also put together the 'Tuba Tiger Rag', reminiscent of the World War I era, and jazz pieces like 'Beale Street Blues'.

More traditional composers are represented in arrangement for brass, such as a more standard arrangement for Bach's Fugue in G minor, Mozart's Turkish Rondon, and pieces from Gabrieli, Vivaldi, Strauss, Rossini, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Pachelbel.

The disc has a wonderful blend of pieces classical and modern, 'proper' composition and traditional/folk inspiration, and a very lively and powerful presentation of all the music.

wow.......2001-07-20

This CD is amazing. It's a shame more people don't know about this incredible group. I'm a brass player and I just learned of these guys a few months ago. If you like classical music or brass music, this is a must own!

Essential CD.......2000-12-12

If you like the sound of brass and if your tastes run the gamut from Gabrieli to Handy, with stops hither and yon, this CD is essential to your collection. In it, the Canadian Brass demonstrate their amazing ability to play the early Baroque masters right along side the early jazz masters -- and make it seem perfectly natural! In the process, a bit of Rimsky-Korsakov, Mozart and Lord knows what gets thrown in for good measure. Plus, they play a rousing rendition of Bach's "Little Fugue in G Minor." If the music on this CD doesn't get you going, you need to immediately go to the ER at the nearest hospital!

The Best "Best of" the Canadian Brass.......1999-10-26

If you buy one Canadian Brass CD, buy this one. It contains the widest variety of musical eras and styles. Our favorite CB song, Beale Street Blues is hard to find, but on this CD. There are serious, classical selections and fun songs such as the "Tuba Tiger Rag" and "Flight of the Tuba Bee". This is Brass Quintet music at its best!

Average customer rating:

To Previn or not to Previn?
Mostly Essential R. Strauss

The Essential Richard Strauss

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003D1V
Release Date: 1995-06-20

Tracks:

Don Juan, Op.20 - Rainer Kuchl
Introduction/Variation I/Variation II/Variation III/Variation IV/Variation V/Variation VI/Variation VI/Variation VII/Variation VIII/Variation IX/Variation X/Finale - Rainer Kuchl

Tracks:

Introduction/Of The Dwellers In The World Beyond/Of The Great Yearning/Of Joys And Passions/Funeral Song/Of Science/The Convalescent/Dance Song/Sight Wanderer's Song
Largo/Allegro Molto Agitato/Meno Mosso/Etwas Breiter/Appassionato/Tempo 1. Sehr Breit/Tempo Der Einleitung/Allegro, Molto Agitato/Moderato/Tranquillo - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Tracks:

Nacht/Sonnenaufgang/Der Aufstieg/Eintritt In Den Wald/Wanderung Neben Dem Bache/Am Wasserfall/Erscheinung/Auf Blumigen Wiesen/Auf Der Alm/Durch Dickicht Und Gestrupp Auf Irrwegen/Auf Dem Gletscher/Gefahrvolle Augenblicke/Auf Dem Gipfel/Vision/Nebel....

Tracks:

A Hero's Life: The Hero/The Hero's Adversaries/The Hero's Helpmate/The Hero's Battlefield/The Hero's Works Of Peace/The Hero's Retreat From The World And Fulfillment
Fruhling (Hesse)
September (Hesse)
Beim Schlafengehen (Hesse)
Im Abendrot (Eichendorff)

Customer Reviews:

To Previn or not to Previn?.......2005-10-18

The attraction here is twofold: the magnificent Vienna Philharmonic and the equally magnificent Telarc sound. If both appeal to you so much that you don't need to worry about Previn's conducting, this set is self-recommending. But there are many great recordings of all these Strauss tone poems, along with the Four Last Songs, and therefore the question of whether to buy them in a box set under Andre Previn will be important to many listeners.

Let me give a thumbnail for each work:

Also Sprach Zarathustra (1987): Nobody ever labelled Previn a volatile conductor, and here he is at his most comfortable and middle-of-the-road (his overall timing is almost 35 min. compared to Reiner's 32 min. with the Chicago Sym. on RCA). There are no startling thwacks on the timpani, searing trumpets or ear-floodig organ in the famous opening. Previn quickly finds fairly slow tempos and a relaxed sense of phrasing that diminishes the impact of this work quite a bit. On the other hand, the orchestra is to the manner born in Strauss, and the sonics are big and natural. To find a competitive version of Zarathustra with Vienna, one would have to go back to the Karajan performance on Decca/London from 1959--probably his greatest Strauss CD.

Coupled with he Zarathustra is a fairly lusty Death and Transfiguration (1987)that has a few patches of slack phrasing but is on the whole quite good.

Alpine Symphony (1989): Probably the very best thing in the whole set, this performance is caught in even better sound, more detailed than the Zarathustra. Previn isn't as stirring as Karajan with Berlin (DG) or Blomstedt with San Francisco (Decca), and he doesn't have a great feeling for mountain atmopshere, but in this case the playing by the Vienna Phil. is so glorious that simply staying out of their way, as Previn does, makes for a thrilling musical experience. Karajan excels in this work as an interpreter but is plagued with shrill early digital sound that is improved on the latest reissue by DG without becoming beautiful, as the sound for Previn certainly is.

Ein Heldenleben (1988): The story is getting familiar by now. This is a large-scaled, gorgeously played reading, with Previn supplying a generalized approach. Still, he avoids bombast, and this potentially embarrassing bit of self-glorfication on Struass's part sounds like real music. Previn takes 46 min., in line with Karajan, but of course Karajan finds much more to say.

The coupling is a lovely Four Last Songs with Arleen Auger in radiant voice. Her light lyric soptano probably wouldn't carry over the orchestra in a live setting, unlike Jessye Norman or Kirsten Flagstad, who premiered the work. On a CD that's no problem, and Auger is considerably more human than Janowitz for Karajan and less self-conscious than Renee Fleming. There are lots of great versions of this sublime song cycle; hers is one of the most natural and appealing. Previn takes his time compared to Ackermann or Szell in the two classic Schwarzkopf recordings for EMI, and the engineers sometimes swamp the singer, making it hard to udnerstand her words. But Auger isn't paying that much attention to the poetry anyway, just to producing gorgeous, sensitive sounds. Overall, this CD is almost as satisfying as the one with the Alpine Symphony.

Don Quixote (1990): It's refreshing when conductors pull their cello and viola soloists from the orchestra for this work rather than importing a celebrity cellist who inevitably uses the part of Don Quixote as a personal showpiece. The Vienna Phil., needless to say, is gifted with first-desk musicians who embody every ounce of Viennese style. That's certainly true here. The unanimity between soloists and orchestra is remarkable, and even though Previn makes a warm bath of the accompaniment and misses a lot of Strauss's scene painting, this Don Quixote emerges with genuine feeling, from wistful to satiric, ending in sweet melancholy. If you don't need excitment in this work, Previn's aproach is satisfying.

The coupling here is Don Juan, which starts off terrifically but lapses into Previn's familiar easy-going phrasing and lack of dramatic tension. I would rate this CD behind the Alpine Symphony and Heldenleben. There are much more dynamic readings of both pieces to be had, especially from Karajan, Szell, and Reiner.

I hope this overview wasn't an exercise in futility--Previn doesn't reveal any major triumphs or failures here, and the orchestra and sonics don't change much from year to year. As a Strauss conductor in the mid-price range, Previn is nowhere as bland as Ormandy or Sawallisch, and I prefer him to the brusque Karl Bohm. On the other hand, Haitink is excellent in Strauss, far more imaginative than Previn, and he's given excellent sound by Philips--he's a very good direct competitor if you don't demand the Vienna Phil. In terms of having the best readings all around, Karajan is sitll my favorite by quite a bit, but Telarc's set has its own virtues.

Mostly Essential R. Strauss.......2000-02-19

With the exception of a few other "must have" orchestral pieces, this box set does represent the essential Richard Strauss---as far as orchestral music goes. I wish that Metamorphosis was on this set. Regardless, this box set is a fine set of recordings. Previn is considered by many critics to be one of the best living R. Strauss interpreters. Teamed up with the Vienna Philharmonic, great performances are produced. Listening to Don Juan, it is detectable that he takes the piece a little faster than Herbert von Karajan, but the results are incredible. In this set, Arlene Auger sings the four last songs. I have to wonder if this is her best performance. Her voice is perfect for these songs. Subtle, sublime, full of passion and feeling, and great control. These are the true highlights of the package but by no means the only thing great. It is a highly recommendable compilation. The performances are great, and the sounds is spectacular. All recorded in digital Telarc sound, this set is a welcome addition to anyone's R. Strauss collection.

Average customer rating:

A Treasury Of Essential Classics
Various
Manufacturer: Marshmallow Marketing
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0006GRRKY
Release Date: 2005-01-18

Product Description

Over 100 classical pieces on 5 CD's; 6 hours of music. A top quality introduction to classical music with all the great composers and compositions represented. Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Grieg, Chopin, Handel, Strauss, Liszt, Debussy, Vivaldi, more.

Average customer rating:

The Essential Björling

Manufacturer: Mastersound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000027INX
Release Date: 1995-06-20

Average customer rating:

The Essential Classics Collection

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

One World: Music From Around The World (Rounder)
The Best of Ken Burns Jazz

ASIN: B0000029UK
Release Date: 1997-03-04

Tracks:

Symphony No.5: 1st Movement
Symphony No.9 'New World': 2nd Movement
Symphony No.3: 3rd Movement
Symphonie Fantastique (The March to the Scaffold)
Symphony No.9 'The Great': 3rd Movement
The Sorcerrer's Appprentice
Sheherazade: 4th Movement: Festival at Baghdad, The Sea, The Shipwreck
Slavonic Dances Op.46 No.1
Pictures At An Exhibition: A) The Hut On Fowls' Legs B) The Great Gate Of Kiev

Tracks:

Violin Concerto (3rd Movement) - Brahms
Piano Concerto No. 5 'Emperor' (3rd Movement) - Beethoven
Flute Concerto K. 313 (1st Movement) - Mozart
Piano Concerto No. 2 (3rd Movement) - Rachmaninov
Piano Concerto, No. 21 (2nd Movement) - Mozart
Members Of The Philadelphia Orchestra: Concierto d'Aranjuez (2nd Movement) - Rodrigo
The Beautiful Blue Danube - J. Strauss II
Romeo & Juliet (The Montagues And Capulets) - Prokofiev
Swan Lake (Act II Scene One) - Tchaikovsky

Tracks:

String Quartet 'Death And The Maiden' (1st Movement)
Violin Sonata 'Spring' (1st Movement)
Gymnopedie No 1.
Piano Sonata No 14. 'Moonlight' (1st Movement)
Claire du Lune
Gregorian Chant Vol. I: Introitus: 'Rorate' - Offertorium: 'Ave Maria' - Communio: 'Ecce Virgo'
Gloria: RV 589 (1st Movement: Gloria)
Messiah ('Hallelujah' Chorus)
Requiem K. 626 (Confutatis)
Mesa da Requiem (Dies Irae)
Carmina Burana: Blanziflor et Helena: 'Ave Formosissima' - Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: 'O Fortuna'
Symphony No. 9 'Choral' (Last Movement: 'Ode to Joy')

The Essential Leontyne Price:Her Greatest Roles

Average customer rating:

BestVerdian soprano ever!

The Essential Leontyne Price:Her Greatest Roles

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | 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

Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000009W8I
Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

Act I: Ritorna vincitor!
Act I: E l'amor mio?
Act I: I sacri nomi di padre, d'amante
Act III: Qui Ramades verra!
Act III: O patria mia
Act II: [Prelude]
Act II: Ecco l'orrido campo
Act II: Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa
Act III: A tal colpa e nulla il pianto
Act III: Morro, ma prima in grazia
Act I: Che piu t'arresti?
Act I: Tacea la notte placida
Act I: Di tale amor che dirsi
Act I: Siam giunti
Act IV: D'amour sull' ali rosee
Surta e la notte
Ernani! Ernani, involami
Tutto sprezzo che d'Ernani
Act II: Son guinta! Grazie, o Dio!
Act II: Madre, madre, pietosa Vergine
Act II: La vergine degli angeli
Act IV: Pace, pace, mio Dio

Tracks:

Act I: Come scoglio immoto resta
Act II: Piangi? Perche?; Un bel di verdremo
Act III: Tu? tu? piccolo Iddio!
Act II: Vissi d'arte
Act II: In quelle trine morbide
Act IV: Sola, perduta, abbandonata
Act III: Mes filles, viola que s'acheve
Act I: Don Ottavio, son morta!
Act I: Or sai chi l'onore
Act II: Cruedele? Ah, no, mio bene!
Act II: Non mi dir
Act I: Signore, ascolta!
Act III: Tu che di gel sei cinta
Es gibt ein Reich
Act III: Give me my robe

Amazon.com

Since Price's retirement from the stage, there has been no really fine Verdi soprano to take her place: If you want proof, listen to the first of these two CDs and hear her Aida, her two Leonoras, her Elvira, and her Amelia--no-one has come near her sense of line, phrasing, control, and the utter loveliness of her sound. The second CD finds her as Butterfly (a bit gross for my taste), Fiordiligi (ditto--and she misreads or mis-sings Mozart's instructions in the long roulade up to and past the high C), Manon Lescaut (beautiful but dumb), Donna Anna (fine), Liu (gorgeous), Ariadne (a knockout), Cleopatra (sui generis), Tosca (blah but elegant), and Poulenc's Madame Lidoine (imperious). A mixed bag, but that Verdi stuff is dynamite. --Robert Levine.

Customer Reviews:

BestVerdian soprano ever!.......1998-10-12

It is impossible for a passionate Verdi listener not to match the music of Aida,Leonora(1and2),Amelia with the incomparable voice of Leontyne Price.When trying to explain the meaning of the verdian"canto spiegato"it is sufficient to play one of the tracks of this marvellous CD!But also in her Puccini (Tosca) and Mozart(Donna Anna) roles miss Price brings in a freshness, an authority ,which makes also this listening sessions a thrilling experience .

Average customer rating:

Insipid lyrics-just what I wanted!
An Operetta Gem
Beautiful Singing Sabotaged by Insipid Lyrics
An enchanting disc

Essential Operetta

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000029WW
Release Date: 1997-07-01

Tracks:

The Great Waltz: I Long For Vienna
Paganini: I Have Been in Love Before
Boccaccio: Medley
The Merry Widow: Vilja
Der Vigelhandler: Roses From Tyrol
Song Of Norway: Strange Music
Schon ist die Welt: Darling, Trust In Me
Show Boat: You Are Love
A Waltz Dream: Lovesong Of May
New Moon: Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
The Merry Widow: Merry Widow Waltz
The Count of Luxembourg: Medley
Show Boat: Why Do I Love You?
The Opera Ball: In Our Secluded Rendezvous
Das Land des Lachelns: Yours Is My Heart Alone
Song Of Norway: I Love You
Paganini: Love, You Invaded My Senses
Schon ist die Welt: Wonderful World
The Merry Widow: Women
Kismet: Stranger In Paradise
Frasquita: Frasquita's Serenade
Vienna, My City Of Dreams

Customer Reviews:

Insipid lyrics-just what I wanted!.......2001-01-27

I received this CD several days ago and have just ordered two more copies of it so I can play it in the car and living room as well as on the computer. I also have "Vienna, City of My Dreams" sung by Placido Domingo in German and love them both. Many years ago before I ever knew who Richard Tucker was, I bought his record, "Vienna, My City of Dreams" with those English lyrics-I wore out three copies of that record and am finally getting it on CD-regardless of the language he sings in, Richard Tucker's music is a treasure and how wonderful that it will never be silenced!!

An Operetta Gem.......2000-06-29

For those of us who have an unbridled passion for operetta, this CD is a treasure. The focus here is Richard Tucker. Fourteen of the 22 tracks are by him. There is much love and affection in these readings. The english translations are just fine. Original languages are just as confectionary in their own tongue. This is part of the magic--part of the fantasy. I would like to have seen this as a single vehicle for Mr. Tucker. The other selections were extracted from full production highlights from other albums and were transition works from operetta to American musical comedy--Song of Norway, Show Boat and Kismet. While nice, they do not necessarily qualify as essential operetta. My only real concern with the collection is Mr. Tucker's use of falsetto for the concluding high note on four selections. This was particularly disconcerting in the revered Siecynski favorite, VIENNA, MY CITY OF DREAMS. The transition to the high note resembled a yoddle. He hits the same notes so beautifully in the other numbers. But what the heck, you still have 10 other solos to treasure. An investment well worth the price.

Beautiful Singing Sabotaged by Insipid Lyrics.......2000-02-27

Kitch!

Wonderful singing, really wonderful, but 12 (of 22) of the songs are marred by the insipid lyric translations of Merl Puffer and Deena Cavalieri. Unfortunately, the singers sing so well that you hear every word with crystal clarity. Here are some lines: Darling trust in me, for I'll always be a loving subject waiting your command...for a love sincere, conquers every fear...champagne will flow, and our hearts will glow...social pressures I faithfully shun, I defy, those who pry, boredom exists everywhere, and I'll escape from it's snare...ah, you see, what love can be...I languish as I linger, from love's fragile bloom, if you'll but raise a finger, I'll clime to your room, the night is growing colder, the world is growing older, don't turn an icy shoulder. I am no expert on poetry but I think that stuff is awful. If these lyrics won't bother you, these are beautifully sung operetta/show tunes. Tucker and Della Casa are fantastic.

An enchanting disc.......1999-04-15

An enchanting disc with Richard Tucker in quite unbelieveably fine voice, even purists will quickly adjust to the slightly cute "English lyrics"

The great surprise of this disc is that it is sung in English using slightly suspect English lyrics, rather than translations it seems, of the non-American works. Mostly it does not matter much, occasionally they are an improvement or even enlighten the music, such as Lehar's "I have been in love before" from his Paganini. In other cases they seem quite unnecessary or simply wrong and difficult to sing to boot. Given that Tucker also sometimes applies an accent that seems vaguely Viennese and it might seem to add up to a recipe for disaster. Not so at all. The voice wins you over within minutes and the recording and remastering were clearly undertaken with equal and genuine affection.

Then there are the pieces sung by other than the tenor, such as Lisa Della Casa singing Vilja and the Merry Widow Waltz, once again in English, with her individual timbre complete with her usual melancholy tones plus simply exquisite top notes, no strain at all. Della Casa has a distinct and charming (natural, of course) Swiss-German accent mainly evident in the Waltz she sings & hums with John Reardon.

In between we find Tucker singing one of the sacrileges of the re-constructed English lyrics, Zeller's "Roses from Tyrol", it misses the originals dialectic charm, "Schenkt man sich Rosen in Tyrol" does not translate somehow as "In the Tyroler lover knows the special promise of a rose for every blosom that you send swears that your love will never end.......". But the singing is so lovely and the last top note bewitchingly floated you forget the quibbles.

The tempos are leisurely but never quite pure schmalz, even in the Grieg' Song of Norway.

The worst lyric irritation I found to be Heuberger's "Im Chambre separee" as "in our seculded rendevue." English instead of German and French as well as being sung by a tenor, for which it may well have been written but here it lacks the soprano accompaniment. I prefer this as two soprano voices in the original sprachen. The text here really is not well matched to the notes though Tucker fits the syllable's across octaves where necessary, swallowing others that can't be fitted in. Again he finishes on an amazing high note floated literally into the distance.

I am amazed how Allers & Tucker make the Romberg piece sound like an operratic version of Rawhide. I adore Hadley & Swenson in "Stranger in Paradise" as well as the others, especially the rare Della Casa and as I type this I am listening to it all on the computer's CD player for the N'th time since I unwrapped my considerably less than 10 bucks worth.

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7
Concerto No. 3 For Piano And Orchestra In C Minor
Leonore Overture No. 3
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5

Product Description

Tracks:

Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker: Dance Of The Sugarplum Fairy
Verdi La Traviata: Prelude
Rossini The Barber Of Seville: Aria: Largo Al Factotum
Rimsky Kosakov Flight Of The Bumble Bee From The Tale 5. Of Tsar Sultan
Puccini Madama Butterfly: Unbel Di.
Tchaikovsky The Sleeping Beauty, Ballet Suite, Op. 66a: Waltz
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21: 2nd Movement-Andante
Dukas The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Strauss The Blue Danube, Op.314
Hel Water Music, Suite: 6. Alla Hornpipe
Beethoven Symphony No.5: 1st Movt: Allegro
Vivaldi The Four Seasons - Spring: 1st Movt: Allegro

Tracks:

Hel Messiah: No.39: Hallelujah
Puccini La Boh'eme: Che Gelida Manina (Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen)
Tchaikovsky Swan Lake, Ballet Suite: Scene (Lake In The Moonlight)
Debussy Suite Bergamasque: Iii. Clair De Lune
Mozart The Magic Flute, K.620: Overture (Excerpt)
Bizet Carmen Suite No.2: Habanera
Bach Suite No.3: Air On A G String
Canteloube Songs Of The Auvergne: Bailero
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto In D Major, Op.35: 1st Mvt: Allegro Moderato (Excerpt)
Dvor Slavonic Dances, Op.72: No.2: In E Minor
Mozart Piano Sonata No.11 In A Major, K.331: 3rd Mvt: Alla Turca-Allegretto
Grieg Peer Gynt-Suite No.1, Op.46: Death Of Ase

Tracks:

Massenet Thais (Meditation)
Tchaikovsky Swan Lake-Finale
Mozart The Marriage Of Figaro, K.492: Overture
Chopin Fantasia Impromptu
Elgar Enigma Variations: Nimrod
Tchaikovsky The Sleeping Beauty, Ballet Suite, Op.66a: Pas d'action
Vivaldi The Four Seasons, Summer, Op.8/2: 3rd Mvt: Tempo Impettuoso D'estate
Puccini Turandit- Nessun Dorma- Calafs Aria, Act3
Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik 4th Mov: Allegro
Strauss Tales From The Vienna Woods, Op.325
Debussy Prelude A L'apres Midi D'un Faune
Beethoven Fur Elise

Album Description

Instant stress-releasing refreshment and revitalization, Essential Relaxation Classics is the key to unwinding. Sounds evoke rest - this triple-CD shows you just that and more. Carefully chosen Classical masterpieces of pure clarity and resonance, these tracks are the perfect solution to stress pollution.

Beautifully presented in contemporary packaging and its fantastic value in price ensure no hesitation in this essential relaxation purchase. With further releases planned, this series is set to become the one to trust - both in content and price.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

Recommended Music:

On the Pull

Suder: Beschwingte Symphonik

The New Zealand National Youth Choir 'On Tour' North America 1993

Music: Summer Chill, Vol. 1

The Rest of Your Life

The Spanish Recordings: Basque Country -- Biscay and Guipuzcoa

Under The Influence

The Man with the Golden Flute

The Very Best of Jack Scott

Thelonious Alone in San Francisco

The Singles

Se Eu Nao Te Amasse Tanto Assim [Import]

The Ultimate R&B Album [Box set] [Explicit Lyrics] [Import]

The 5 Browns

Barbara Cook at the Met with Special Guests