Frank Martin

On this CD:

1. Petite symphonie concertante for harp, harpsichord, piano, & 2 string orchestras
Composed by Frank Martin
Performed by Christiane Jaccottet

2. Monologes (6) Aus "Jedermann" for alto (or baritone) & piano (or orchestra), Nos 1-6, complete
Composed by Frank Martin
Performed by Gilles Cachemaille

3. Concerto for 7 wind instruments, timpani, percussion & string orchestra
Composed by Frank Martin
Performed by Roger Birnstingl, Stephen Jeandheur, Bruno Schneider, Yves Guigou, Jean-Claude Hermanjat
Conducted by Armin Jordan

Tracks:

Prologue (Little Shop Of Horrors) - Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Bill Mitchell
Skid Row (Downtown) - Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Ellen Green, Rick Morranis Donny Gerrard
Da-Doo - Rick Moranis, Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, The Do Wops
Grow For Me - Rick Moranis, Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell,
Somewhere That's Green - Ellen Green
Some Fun Now - Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell,
Dentist! - Steve Martin, Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Robby Perkins, Robert Billig,
Feed Me (Git It) - Levi Stubbs,Rick Moranis, Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell
Suddenly, Seymour - Rick Moranis, Ellen Green, Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell
Suppertime - Levi Stubbs, Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell
The meek Shall Inherit - Rick Moranis, Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Robby Merkin, Frank Oz...
Mean Green Mother From Outerspace - Levi Stubbs, Chorus
Finale (Don't Feed The Plants) - Chorus

Customer Reviews:

Offbeat enough to be worth your time........2007-06-02

This adaption of a famous Broadway play is a truly funky story with overtones of science fiction and some of the greatest music ever performed on screen. I never get tired of the soundtrack and play it often.

A great album.......2007-02-04

This album contains must of the song fron 1986 movie. This movie is great the music is fantastic. Unlike the on the movie the song are all unabriged on the track. The final song one the second version of the movie mean green mother from outer space for reason I don't understand was abriged for the movie. The songs running time was drasticaly cut from about 4.5 minutes on the album to about a little over 2 minutes. This originally was not the final song for the movie. When this movie was original first the last song was Don't Feed the Plants from the off brodway play. However six months after the movie was first released the whole ending sequence of the movie with Rick Morransis, Ellen Greeen. Levi Stubs and Jim Bilusie had to be shot over again due to negative audience reactions from several people who were upset and not stastified with director Frank Ozze's original first ending. As a result of the ending being modified from a sad depressing ending to a lovely romantic happy ending the song Don't feed the plants and the footage that went along with it were instantly trimed out of footage and only a small fragmet of it exist on the dealete scenes and out take portions of the dvd. However for reason I could never figure out don't feed the plants is include as the final song one the last track of the album even though it no longer exist in the current dvd and vhs formats of the movie

Little Shop At Its Musical Best.......2006-09-21

The film recording of Little Shop is the best recording of the score yet (despite missing many of the stage version's more superflous and campy ditties)The vocal arangements and orchestrations are the best and most appropriately complementary to the piece. They capture the sound, and spirit in full and with fun and excitement. The cast is superb, and Ellen Greene proved herself quite brilliant in her ability to adapt her stage performance for the small size of film. The performance of Levi Stubbs, criticized on this site, is actually the BEST interpretation and vocal performance of Audrey II to date, anywhere. It is the only performance to truly bring the role to life and is damn funny. The cuts and changes are all logical for the medium of film, and obviously approved of as they were made by Howard Ashman himself. The original off-broadway cast (yes, the show was NOT an official broadway show, therefore could not have won a tony for anyone) is the next best recording. But to those who harp on the film for cutting the stage songs, the original cast album is not the full score, and has cuts made as well. The New Broadway Cast recording, which had great potential and money behind it, is the full stage score. Yet the worst in orchestration, quality, and casting to date. Though bland enough to easily digest, it is no where close to the film's sound and energy.

Great Soundtrack.......2006-07-25

Nice adaptation of the show to the screen. Rick Moranis in the best part of his career. And having Ellen Greene preserved on film as Audrey is wonderful. One of the best musical comedy performances of the 80's. Too bad the original was an Off-Broadway production. She deserved a Tony.

Little Shop of Horrors -The Moview CD.......2006-02-18

If you are a fan of the movie, then you will really enjoy this CD. It revives the memory of the movie in every song that is played. First rate soundtrack.

Average customer rating:

Hatebreed trying to immitate Hatebreed
READ MY REVIEW!! (If you haven't heard it yet)
GREAT HARDCORE!!!
Good enough (if you're not too picky)
BURY YOUR DEAD'S BROTHER

Supremacy
Hatebreed
Manufacturer: Roadrunner Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000H0MGSW
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Tracks:

Defeatist
Horrors Of Self
Mind Over All
To The Threshold
Give Wings To My Triumph
Destroy Everything
Divine Judgment
Immortal Enemies
The Most Truth
Never Let It Die
Spitting Venom
As Diehard As They Come
Supremacy Of Self

Customer Reviews:

Hatebreed trying to immitate Hatebreed.......2007-07-05

When Hatebreed initially "made it big" with their record 'Satisfaction is the Death of Desire', the entire hardcore scene was flush with crappy bands trying to immitate Hatebreed. This record sounds like Hatebreed is trying to immitate themselves.

READ MY REVIEW!! (If you haven't heard it yet).......2007-05-18

OK listen, don't listen to those that said that this album sucks, because if you think so, you have no life. THIS IS THE BEST HARDCORE ALBUM EVER!!!
Impressive guitars for a hardcore band, and very strong, deep vocals! They sound more brutal than ever! "Horrors of Self" had a dark part in the beginning with a loud screaming! "Give Wings To My Triumph" and "Immortal Enemies" are the best tracks ever! "To The Threshold" was a song that actually sends messages or tell a story behind it. The music video was pretty weird too. Leave it to Roadrunner records to have kick-a** bands! "Never Let It Die" had a catchy beginning, and "Destroy Everything" does repeat the chorus often. "Defeatist" is a good song, with great guitars and fast vocals!

Best tracks:

3. "Mind Over All" 10/10- Short and sweet. Has a screaming part with some angry guitars!

5. "Give Wings To My Triumph" 11/10- God, I love this song! With a soft, dark side in the beginning then out came Jamey's loud vocals! Very catchy singing and chorus!

8. "Immortal Enemies" 11/10- Great drumming part in the beginning, and very catchy guitars too! Love Jamey's vocals here! Just love it!

11. "Spitting Venom" 10/10- Great beginning, has similiar vocal styles from "Give Wings To My Triumph".

12. "As Diehard As They Come" 10/10- Good guitars at the beginning, has a groovy part as they chant out "YOU ARE! As diehard as they come!" with some drummings too!

GREAT HARDCORE!!!.......2007-03-07

This album is faster, heavier, and more angry than theirn other albums! Great hardcore! So many people keep saying that Hatebreed is metal! To me, they sound nothing like metal, just by their lyrics and the way they sound, their music is fast and short. Exactly like hardcore. "To The Thresold" is about people who bares scars from an abusive childhood, just by watcfhing the video. "Defeatist" had the speed and the hating lyrics. This band sounds so much like Bury Your Dead (when they had Mat as ex-singer) and Sick of It All! I can tell that Hatebreed is definetly not thrash metal! I don't understand why soooo many keepsaying that their lyrics are weird and not good. Jamey's voclas sounds a lot less throaty like their first album, and their music and guitars sound faster and thicker! This is a perfect hardcore album! GET THIS!!! And check out te band Sick Of It All!

Good enough (if you're not too picky).......2007-01-26

It's hard to find much talent among the generation of post-Pantera metal bands.

Vocally: weak (although this is to be expected; none of these guys can actually sing).

Lyrically: kind of interesting in parts.

Songwriting: adequate. I didn't hear a lot of variation. Nothing really interesting. The songs do tend to sound a bit alike.

Guitar work: dull with brief moments of butt-kicking. There were a couple pretty cool riffs but, overall, pretty mundane.

People seem to think that earlier albums are better (this is my first Hatebreed experience) but, based on this recording, I'd say that they don't have much going for them. I feel like I'm being generous giving them 3-stars (but I like the heavy stuff generally). These guys aren't great but there a bands a lot worse out there selling records.

BURY YOUR DEAD'S BROTHER.......2007-01-04

This album was angry and headbanging!! The best tracks are "Mind Over All", "Horror Of Self", "Destroy Everything", "Never Let It Die", "The Most Truth", "To The Thresold", and Defeatist". I don't understand why a lot of people don't approve with this album?! It's so angry and sounds so much like Bury Your Dead, both moshcore, both angry, and headbanging!! GET THIS!!! For the fans of Bury Your Dead, get this!

Average customer rating:

It is absolutely breath-takingly beautiful.
Robert Shaw Choruses At Their Best!
Glorious

Gloria: Music of Praise & Inspiration

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
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Choral Masterpieces
Sacred Classics - Messiah, Ave Maria, Pie Jesu, Zadok the Priest, L'enfance du Christ
The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics
Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony
The #1 Choral Album

ASIN: B00000DFWF
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

Gloria In Excelsis
Sanctus
Glory To God
Awake The Harp
Gloria
Gloria
Sanctus
Heavenly Light
Aeterna Fac
Slava V Vyshnikh Bogu
Sanctus
Gloria
Alleluia
Sanctus
Magnificat

Amazon.com

This compilation features excerpts from some of the greatest sacred works in the literature--including Bach's Mass in B Minor, Handel's Messiah, Beethoven's Missa solemnis, and Verdi's Requiem--all led by Robert Shaw. The selections, from recordings made between 1983 and 1997 by Shaw and various ensembles including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, are presented more or less in order of their composition, from Vivaldi's Gloria to Arvo Pärt's Magnificat. Especially thrilling is the complete "Gloria" from the Missa solemnis, 17 minutes of sheer grandeur, and the Sanctus movements from the Requiems of Verdi and Maurice Duruflé. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

It is absolutely breath-takingly beautiful........2007-05-15

I enjoyed this CD very much. It is just beautiful music.

Robert Shaw Choruses At Their Best!.......2004-09-20

If Sir Robert were still alive, & breathing, I believe he would be caught-up making music with this awesome, majestic, mystical GLORIA, Sanctus, Hallelujah Masterworks! I lucked-up on this old collection in the few classical CD'S in Best Buy!

At first hearing they sent me back into the 1970's when most of Church Musicians majored in Vivaldi's Gloria, the Sanctus of Bach's B-Minor Mass, the Long, georgeous GLORIA, Missa Solemnis, Beethoven, and incomparable Alleluia by Randall Thompson.

During a visit of Hurricane IVAN'S rushing winds and torrents of rain, I stayed on back roads of Decatur and East Atlanta! Also keeping alert & relaxed listening to Robert Shaw re-inventing his Choral Mystique! In slowly moving traffic of 2++ hours to Fayetteville, I kept alert singing along at 30 mph, wrapped in his quiet heavenly beauty of Koplov's "Heavenly Light!"

That mysteriously spiritual power of glorious choruses provided the same resourceful sounds of his eternal music-making from rehearsals in the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, Westminster Choir College and Avery Fischer Hall concerts in NYC! (1975-1985)

Only the early 33 1/3 recordings of the Robert Shaw Chorale in his Spirituals and Irish Songs, later Handel's Messiah and Bach B-Minor Mass were forerunners to his awesome listing of repeated Grammy winners, now printed in digital stereo color and sound! Hooray for Sir Robert and his rich chorale legacy... Let's keep them singing for Eternity! Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

Glorious.......2000-06-30

If I had to choose one conductor to compile exerpts from the greatest masses and works in choral literature and history, I would only bestow that duty to Robert Shaw and his choruses. Once again he displays his uncanny ability to not only choose beautiful music but also perform it in a spellbinding manner. Even with the pieces the average listener has heard or performed, such as Vivaldi's Gloria or portions of Handel's Messiah, one cannot help but become enthralled with the recordings of Shaw's interpretations of those works. Although Shaw never followed through on his early-life ambition to be a minister, I still believe he does so and perhaps to a greater extent through his music ministry. One cannot help but feel closer to understanding what heaven is about after having finished listening to this CD. This is well worth buying for it will live up to the english interpretation of its Latin title: Glorious.

Average customer rating:

Frank Martin: Le vin herbé

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lamentazioni per la Settimana Santa
As Steals the Morn: Handel Arias & Scenes for Tenor
Richard Strauss: Four Last Songs
Handel - Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno
Strauss: Josephslegende, Op.63 [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B000N8UX0G
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

Prologue
1 Tableau: Quand Le Temps Arriva
2 Tableau: La Nef Tranchant Les Vagues Profondes
3 Tableau: Un Jour Les Vents Tomberent
4 Tableau: De Nouveau La Nef Cinglait Vers Tintagel
5 Tableau: Iseut L'aimait
6 Tableau: Au Troisieme Jour
1 Tableau: Iseut Est Reine
2 Tableau: Un Jour, Guide Par Un Forestier
3 Tableau: A Trois Jours De La
4 Tableau: Dans Le Fourre Clos De Ronces
5 Tableau: Elle Entendit Alors

Tracks:

1 Tableau: Les Amants Ne Pouvaient Vivre
2 Tableau: Or, Il Advint Que Tristan
3 Tableau: Il Manda Kaherdin En Secret
4 Tableau: Ecoutez, Seigneurs
5 Tableau: Tristan Etait Trop Faible
6 Tableau: Sur La Mer Le Vent S'Etait Leve
7 Tableau: Quand Le Roi Marc Apprit La Mort Des Amants
Epilogue: Seigneurs, Les Bons Trouveres D'Antan

Average customer rating:

Cd doesn't Merit the hype
Disappointing
Wonderful collection!
Made for a Very Well Received Gift

Three Of A Kind
Frank Sinatra , Dean Martin , and Nat King Cole
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001PCFZ2
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Tracks:

I've Got The World On A String - Frank Sinatra
I Get A Kick Out Of You - Frank Sinatra
They Can't Take That Away From Me - Frank Sinatra
My Funny Valentine - Frank Sinatra
Young At Heart - Frank Sinatra
Someone To Watch Over Me - Frank Sinatra
In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning - Frank Sinatra
I've Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra
You Make Me Feel So Young - Frank Sinatra
It Happened in Monterey - Frank Sinatra
Oh! Look At Me Now - Frank Sinatra
Night And Day - Frank Sinatra
Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra
The Lady Is A Tramp - Frank Sinatra
All The Way - Frank Sinatra
Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra
Put Your Dreams Away - Frank Sinatra
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Frank Sinatra
Come Dance With Me - Frank Sinatra
Nice 'N' Easy - Frank Sinatra

Tracks:

Arrivederci Roma - Dean Martin
Return To Me (Ritorna-Me) - Dean Martin
Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - Dean Martin
Innamorata (Sweetheart) - Dean Martin
On An Evening In Roma (Sott'er Cielo De Roma) - Dean Martin
In Napoli - Dean Martin
Non Dimenticar - Dean Martin
Take Me In Your Arms - Dean Martin
Come Back To Sorrento - Dean Martin
Luna Mezzo Mare - Dean Martin
You're Breaking My Heart (Mattinata) - Dean Martin
Oh Marie - Dean Martin
Viene Su (Say You Love Me, Too) - Dean Martin
From The Bottom Of My Heart (Dammi, Dammi, Dammi) - Dean Martin
There's No Tomorrow (O Sole Mio) - Dean Martin
That's Amore - Dean Martin

Tracks:

The Very Thought Of You - Nat King Cole
It's Only A Paper Moon - Nat King Cole
(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 - Nat King Cole
Mona Lisa - Nat King Cole
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole
This Can't Be Love - Nat King Cole
Smile - Nat King Cole
Lush Life - Nat King Cole
That Sunday, That Summer - Nat King Cole
Orange Colored Sky - Nat King Cole
(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons - Nat King Cole
Tenderly - Nat King Cole
Autumn Leaves - Nat King Cole
Straighten Up And Fly Right - Nat King Cole
Avalon - Nat King Cole
Don't Get Around Much Anymore - Nat King Cole
Too Young - Nat King Cole
Nature Boy - Nat King Cole
Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup - Nat King Cole
Almost Like Being In Love - Nat King Cole
Thou Swell - Nat King Cole
Non Dimenticar - Nat King Cole
Our Love Is Here To Stay - Nat King Cole
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole (with Natalie Cole)

Amazon.com

Classic Photos of Martin, Cole, and Sinatra

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Customer Reviews:

Cd doesn't Merit the hype.......2007-07-04

We thought we would enjoy a trip down memory lane with 3 singers we remember from our childhood. I don't believe anything recorded by them after 1960 is on the CDs. Maybe someone in their seventies would like it. It is boring with all the same type songs. Would not buy it again.

Disappointing.......2007-07-04

This is a disappointing repackaging of 3 mediocre cd's of three exceptional 50's crooners. I guess I should have read the description closer. I was expecting remastered greatest hits cd's and what is included are three old cd's that can be found in most any store's cut-out bin for $9.99 or less.

Wonderful collection!.......2007-06-08

This is a fabulous CD set and an excellent value. I highly recommend it.

Made for a Very Well Received Gift.......2007-06-06

Bought this for my parents. They just happened to be going on a road trip in two days, and were thrilled to have all the great new music to listen to on their trip. "Wow! What a great gift!" were their exact words.

Average customer rating:

Guitar music
Great CD all around!
Wonderfully relaxing!
Very Relaxing, Highly Recommended!
Has hard-to-find pieces by Bream

Guitar for Relaxation

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Cello for Relaxation
Flute For Relaxation
Violin for Relaxation
Piano for Relaxation
Chopin For Relaxation

ASIN: B00004SSEF
Release Date: 2000-05-16

Tracks:

Dedicatoria
Larghetto
Sempre Expressive
Pavane For A Dead Princess
The Master
The Son Of The Virgin
Pavanas
Prelude No.5 In D
Adagio, Op. 2 No.1
Cuna
Air
Adagio
Granada
You Beutiful Stream
Andante
Sarabande
Adante Sostentuo
Prelude

Customer Reviews:

Guitar music.......2007-02-12

This is an amazing CD. I recommend it highly for reading on a rainy day, relaxing, or just reading the paper on a Sunday morning. It's one of my top 10 relaxation CDs.

Great CD all around!.......2005-08-30

I got this CD because I am a massage therapist,and refuse to buy
those cheesey new agey relaxation CD's.I was finally getting a little tired of the bach cello concertos and a couple of other classical recordings that had been deemed "relaxing",and decided to try this one.It is great!I never seem to get tired of it!I have not had a client that didn't love it.Most even ask what it is because they like it so much.Based on the success of this CD,I am going to try the Cello For Relaxation CD in the same series.I hope that it is just as much of a hit!

Wonderfully relaxing!.......2005-05-09

This CD definitely lives up to it's name. Julian Bream's guitar playing is ethereal and leaves your mind in a state of blissful relaxation...A wonderful collection! Well worth the investment!

Very Relaxing, Highly Recommended!.......2005-05-03

I find myself choosing this CD whenever I want to unwind. It is absolutely exquisite. I have bought quite a few different "relaxation" CD's, and this is my favorite.

Has hard-to-find pieces by Bream.......2003-02-20

Despite a title sure to embarrass any self-respecting music snob, this is no less than a full disc of nicely mastered solo guitar recordings by the great Julian Bream (a string quartet joins Bream on one track). If these pieces could be easily found elsewhere, on albums with more continuity, then this disc wouldn't be worth buying. But probably 40% of the material on this cd can't be found in print, to my knowledge. In particular, the Mompou, Mozart, Llobet, Aguado, Henze, and Diabelli tracks aren't readily available elsewhere as of early 2003. Several of these tracks are nice hefty 6-7 minute pieces. In particular, the beautiful Andante from Diabelli's Sonata, arranged by Bream himself, is worth the purchase price by itself. If you're a Bream fan trying to get beyond his half-dozen easily available cds, add this to your collection.

Eternal Rest - Phoenix Bach Choir, Kansas City Chorale

Average customer rating:

brief correction
Exceptional...a Reference CD!!
The Best Choral CD I've Heard This Year

Eternal Rest - Phoenix Bach Choir, Kansas City Chorale
Phoenix Bach Choir , and Kansas City Chorale
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Fern Hill

ASIN: B000IB0JSE
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Tracks:

Andante, Rubato. 'Lux Aeterna Luceat Eis, Domine' - Andante Pesante. 'Domine, Miserere, Domine - Andante Pesante. 'Domine, Miserere, Domine' Con Moto...
Tempo Rubato
Kyrie. Lent
Gloria. Calme Sans Tratner
Credo.
Sanctus
Agnus Dei. Andante
Sostenuto

Customer Reviews:

brief correction.......2007-06-08

Just a brief correction to a previous review: Clausen's "In Pace" was written in 1996-97. Clausen says about the piece:

"I composed 'In Pace' initially in response to ... the Holocaust, following a visit to the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz, Poland, by the Concordia Choir in 1996. Rather than portray the horrible drama of those events, I chose a tone poem which is a supplication for peace and rest for those who lost their lives there."

However, the official dedication is "In Memory of Cantor Stuart Pittle of Temple Jedea of Coral Gables, Florida" (commissioned by the University of Miami Chorale, Jo-Michael Scheibe, Conductor.)

There is another wonderful recording with this piece called "In the New Moon" by the Concordia Choir (all around wonderful recording).

About this disk: Very fine choral singing, and wonderful literature!

Exceptional...a Reference CD!!.......2007-05-11

Since the break up of the Dale Warland Singers, I have been looking for my next benchmark choir and I believe I have found it in Mr. Bruffy's combined Kansas City Chorale and Phoenix Bach Choir. Perhaps not quite up to the Dale Warland standard, but very close- blend, intonation, balance is absolutely spot on. Occasionally (and this is a nit pic), attacks are not exactly together; by this I mean that if you turn the volume up very high a section of the choir may come in a half second before the rest of the group, however, this does not detract from the music at all and I only mention it here because they are already close to perfection.
As for this disc, I was blown away. I sat, spellbound for an hour. Never once does the choir lose its balance or intensity -difficult to do when the music gets quiet, and rest assured with a title like eternal rest miles and miles of soft singing exists here. In essence this disc includes the best performance of Ticheli's piece I have ever heard and the Martin is a strong contender for best. On a side note, Chandos has some fantastic engineers working for them as every Cd I have heard recorded by them has been phenominally done and this one is no different. Do yourself a favor and buy this disc, I will be snapping up all their other material as well.

The Best Choral CD I've Heard This Year.......2006-12-21

There is little question that I'll run out of superlatives before I get to the end of this review. I was so taken by this CD that features the combined forces of the Phoenix Bach Choir and the Kansas City Chorale that I was actually daunted by the prospect of writing a review that would do it justice. I finally decided I had to jump in and let the plaudits fall where they may, even if the review risks sounding breathlessly sophomoric.

If nothing else this disc proves the assertion that one doesn't have to live in the largest metropolitan centers to hear absolutely top-rank choral singing. Both these professional choirs are directed by Charles Bruffy who, over the last twenty years, has made a real name for himself in American choral circles. This CD can do nothing but elevate his and the choirs' status further.

The disc contains four relatively unknown works. Probably the best known, but hardly known for all that, is the Mass for Double Choir by the Swiss composer Frank Martin, written when he was fairly young and before his harmonic language became more advanced. It is a half-hour work that magically combines Renaissance polyphony with post-impressionist harmonies. It was obviously written with the resonant acoustics of a cathedral in mind; harmonic motion is generally slow, with the ethereal harmonies hanging in the acoustic space and occasionally blurring ecstatically. The Gloria is especially striking in this regard; instead of being a spirited song of praise, it is a musing, introspective meditation on the glory of God. The 'et incarnatus' section of the Credo is mystical, hushed, ecstatic. The Sanctus is quiet, incorporating a haunting descending figure on the words 'sanctus, sanctus, sanctus' ('holy, holy, holy') but when the text reaches 'pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua' ('Heaven and earth are full of your glory') the choral sound, rarely above a mezzo forte up to this point, bursts forth in exuberant praise, all the more effective for the previously sparing use of loud dynamics. The beginning of the Agnus dei has a medieval ars antiqua feel that becomes, at 'miserere', a veritable wail of pain, before it resolves into quiet acceptance at 'dona nobis pacem.' This is a powerfully effective work that deserves to be better known. It must be exceedingly difficult to sing, however, partly because it is a cappella (as is all the music on this CD), harmonically difficult to tune (although very easy for the listener to grasp), and requiring extraordinary breath control, especially for the lower voices who much of the time provide an organum, a harmonic plane supporting the sometimes seemingly disconnected upper harmonies. This is a gorgeous performance; it is hard to imagine it being bettered. I had heard a performance of the Martin Mass only once before, many years ago, and it made a lasting impression. I am thrilled to become reacquainted with it.

The CD begins with the Canticum Calamitatis Maritimae by Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (b 1963). It commemorates a 1994 Estonian maritime disaster in which 852 lives were lost. The work, 13 minutes long, combines the Latin words from Psalm 107 ('They that go down to the sea in ships') with words from the Requiem Mass and a Latin translation of a news report concerning the tragedy. This first track on the CD starts with over twenty seconds of silence out of which grows the quiet voice of a single woman's voice (alto Kira Z. Rugan) intoning what sounds like an Estonian folksong of mourning. Again, harmonic motion is extremely slow and the dynamic generally quite soft; the ability of the combined choirs to maintain pitch, centered tone and extremely long note values is eerily expert. A haunting work.

René Clausen is a choral composer and conductor well-known in American choral circles. His 'In Pace' concludes the disc. It is an eight-minute work honoring the victims of 9/11. The opening line, sung in Latin, is 'In peace I shall lay me down and take my rest' from Psalm 4, followed by 'If I surrender my eyes and eyelids to slumber, I shall sleep and rest' from Psalm 132. Harmonic language is not all that different from that of the Martin and the first time I listened to the CD I was not aware that the Martin had ended and the Clausen begun.

For me the most immediately appealing work (after the Martin) on the disc is Frank Ticheli's 'There Will Be Rest', written in 2000 after the death of the child of some friends. Its text is a lyrical poem by Sara Teasdale and Ticheli has used consolingly lush harmonic language. It is an immensely popular work these days, having aready been recorded several times. I am familiar with the recording of the Austin, Texas choir called Conspirare (whose most recent disc was just nominated for a Grammy) and I have to say that I much prefer the performance presented here by the Kansas City and Phoenix choirs largely because the work requires subtle blending and unending breath support at very soft dynamics, which these choirs provide in abundance. Indeed, one of the amazing things about these combined choirs is that even at the softest dynamics their tone always has body, a center and a spin, a very hard thing to do consistently. [In checking the Internet for more about Ticheli, I noted this from the composer about the present performance: 'Of the half dozen or so recordings of my piece, "There Will Be Rest", this is by far the best of them.']

Finally, a word about the sound on this hybrid SACD from Chandos. The engineering here is absolutely first-rate. In SACD the sound is spectacular, possibly the best choral sound I've ever heard on disc, and frankly sound on the plain stereo layer is not discernibly inferior to the SACD sound. I'm delighted to note that these two choirs are now recording for Chandos because one can rely on the label to give them top-notch production values. I understand that they will have a new release of music by Gretchaninov coming out some time in the next few months. Given the glorious blend (and the marvelous basses, particularly, so necessary for Russian choral music) of these combined choirs, I can only imagine it, too, will be marvelous.

Urgently recommended.

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating:

Great Music and Outstanding Voices
Time for a new one
Wonderful music, wonderful voices
Professional on professionals
Tenners for Tenors

Live in Belfast
Irish Traditional , James L. Molloy , Philip Martin , Lynette Johnson , Thomas Moore , Frank Lambert , Raymond Loughborough , Percy French , Richard Farrelly , William Wallace , Tempest Sanderson , and Francis McPeake
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The Irish Tenors / McNamara, McDermott, Kearns, Tynan
Ellis Island
The Very Best of The Irish Tenors
Heritage
Home for Christmas

ASIN: B00004RDSK
Release Date: 2007-01-08

Tracks:

Dublin Medley: Dublin in the Rare Old Times; Molly Malone
Carrickfergus
Bantry Bay
Scorn Not His Simplicity
The Fields of Athenry
Star of the County Down
The Last Rose of Summer
Red is the Rose
Lift the Wings
She is Far from the Land
Ireland, Mother Ireland
Green Isle of Erin
Percy French Medley: Phil the Fluther's Ball/Come Back Paddy Reilly/The Lay of the West Clare Railway (Are Ye Right There Michael?)
Mary from Dungloe
Isle of Inisfree
There is a Flower that Bloometh
As I Sit Here
The Kerry Dance
Will Ye Go Lassie Go?

Product Description

1. Dublin Medley
2. Carrickfergus
3. Bantry Bay
4. Scorn Not His Simplicity
5. Fields Of Athenry
6. Star Of The County Down
7. The Last Rose Of Summer
8. Red Is The Rose
9. Lift The Wings
10. Ireland Mother Ireland
11. She Is Far From The Land
12. Green Isle Of Erin
13. Percy French Medley:
-Phil The Fluther s Ball
-Come Back Paddy Reilly
-The Lay Of The West Clare Railway
14. Mary From Dungloe
15. Isle Of Inisfree
16. There Is A Flower
17. As I Sit Here
18. The Kerry Dance
19. Go Lassie Go

Format: CD

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Just a year after their smash breakthrough debut album--itself still riding high in the charts--the Irish Tenors have added another delightfully varied collection to their discography. Live in Belfast again showcases the group's obvious concert charisma from a performance given in February 2000. It's a generous smorgasbord of medleys, traditional numbers, and songs from popular sources (including "Scorn Not His Simplicity," which Sinead O'Connor has interpreted)--mixing nostalgic sentimentality with selections of bittersweet melancholy. Binding the whole together is the unmistakable stylish charm of the Irish Tenors, whether singing in solos or in ensembles. But the biggest surprise for fans already hooked on the Tenors is the introduction of Finbar Wright as replacement for original member John McDermott. Wright's bright, romantic voice easily wins over a potentially skeptical crowd--especially in the dreamy "Isle of Innisfree"--and blends nicely with his colleagues. (McDermott, who had to bow out of the performance due to the death of his mother, makes a surprise appearance to solo in a memorable and touching "The Last Rose of Summer"--given as a tribute to his parents--and to rejoin the Tenors for "Red Is the Rose.") The arrangements by Tenors producer Frank McNamara are played with zest by the Orchestra Warsaw Sinfonia. --Tom May

Customer Reviews:

Great Music and Outstanding Voices.......2007-03-28

My wife and I saw these tenors live and on stage and we were truly impressed. Their voices blend beautifully and they present a well rounded variety of songs. We so enjoyed the first CD that we bought this current one.

Time for a new one.......2001-10-19

I bought this CD, (plus the video) in July 2000 and listened to it so much I think it must be just about worn out.!!!The video I have seen so often I bet I have seen every idiosyncrasy of each of them. The Tenors are almost my total pastime. About 12 hours a day, listening and viewing. I "met" them July 22/00 and have been to four concerts, and I'm still impressed by the joyous sounds of their voices.
It's been a lomg time since I wrote my last review of this CD, but I hope I have helped to encourage others to enjoy the thrill of the most magnificent voices of their lives.
The Tenor's #1 Fan,,,, Joan Way

Wonderful music, wonderful voices.......2001-05-31

I do not claim to be a musical expert. It has always been my contention that music which makes the listener feel good, which raises the spirits and makes the heart glad, is worthy of being heard. Such is this CD. I don't listen to it to search for flaws, flubs, failings and screw-ups. I listen to it because it makes me happy. I am of Irish ancestry, and this wonderful music stirs a core deep within my soul. I got to hear some traditional Irish folk music I'd never heard before. I would hope that all those who listen to this CD would choose to enumerate its merits based on the fact that this music is meant to lighten the soul. It never was meant to be held up to intense scrutiny, because it is folk music. These are the songs the people sang. They weren't meant to be grand, classical opera, and should not be regarded or critiqued as such. They are beautiful and moving, just as they stand, and I am grateful that God gave these four men such voices to sing these old tunes and to preserve them for the generations to come. God knows we need positive, beautiful music now more than ever.

Professional on professionals.......2001-05-05

I am taking from the best in the world. I have met Pavarotti's teachers (Joan Doanerman and Joan Sutherland) and also take from them. I am very well-known in musical analyzing and teaching. I have read all reviews, and personally, many of you need to learn much more about proper vocal technique to be a critic. The voice must flow, with support (breath), low larynx, etc. All four tenors possess the proper singing qualities. However, stage presence, song interpretation, and musicianship also take into affect. Finbar Wright needs to continue his musicianship. He possesses much more romanticism than he shows. Also, anyone can say words like "texturing, spellbinding and dominance," and sound like a knowledgeable critic. However, these words are thrown into sports review as well. Face it folks, know what you are saying. John McDermott has a beautiful voice, but it is a much different classical style than many people know. John is a Celtic Tenor, which means that his under- and overtones will sound much different than the other three. The symphony is NOT too dominant, David Schierholz. If you have worked with the Met recording studios, than you can talk with me, because I have sat in on them. These are live performances, not takes in a studio. Folks, I am a born and bred Irishman. These men are great, but there needs to be more of there individual literature available. I would love to find Anthony Kearns classical recordings. Then, when you have studied and understand the nature of the voice and theatre, then you can write your reviews.

Tenners for Tenors.......2001-02-16

This cd and video was my introduction to the wonderful "Irish Tenors". Seperately each is spellbinding. Together they are nothing short of magical. Finbar Wright is a dashingly romantic figure while Ronan Tynan is most compelling. Anthony Kearns will be a major star someday in the opera world. His voice is clear and strong. Wright's voice soars in songs such as "Carrickfergus" and "Isle of Innisfree". He seems a bit nervous which is understandable given he had only 10 days to prepare for this concert. He was asked literally days before the performance to step in for John McDermott. Thank goodness he did! The one downer for me was the appearance of John McDermott as his voice is not my cup of tea.

Ernest Ansermet: Decca Recordings 1953-1967

Average customer rating:

A memento of a conductor lost in the golden age
Remembering Ansermet in style
Ansermet is Awesome, and...

Ernest Ansermet: Decca Recordings 1953-1967

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pierre Monteux Decca & Philips Recordings, 1956-1964
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Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies

ASIN: B000JU7N7Y
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Customer Reviews:

A memento of a conductor lost in the golden age.......2007-06-20

This 6-CD set gives uninitiated listeners a fair introduction to a conductor they never knew while he was alive or in his heyday. Ernest Anserment (1883-1969) was born in Switzerland and was a contemporary of both Furtwängler and Klemperer, although he was of a far different school of music than either German. Originally a mathematician, Ansermet founded Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (Swiss Radio Orchestra) during World War I, toured with them worldwide after the war, and rose to prominence after World War II when he and the orchestra developed a recording contract with Decca Records.

Ansermet was most at home in coolorful scores, 20th century French music, in the works of his countrymen Honegger (born French but spent time in Zurich) and Frank Martin, and in the Russians Stravinsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. But, as represented here, his expertise began with Bach and went well into the 20th century.

Ansermet's strengths were clarity in execution and delivery, strict adherence to original scoring (he opposed Stravinsky's tendency to revise his own works), and a romantic bent that was in vogue in the postwar years. Stated another way, Anserment's work captured the essence of what today might be characterized as a "romantic period performance" style whose chief proponent may be Martin Perlman in Boston.

For me, Ansermet's conducting in the mainstream German classics was equally engaging. He was expert in capturing the full blown romance of Brahms, Beethoven and other romantics through the rigors of exposing every instrument in the orchestra and ensuring all contrapuntal lines could be heard. His Beethoven set included a dazzling performance of the Symphony No. 2 and a draft of the "Choral" symphony most collectors would enjoy today (it's still avaiable in Japan).

While recordings of Ansermet's Rimsky-Korsakov and Stravinsky have rightly stayed in the catalog and been hailed by critics for decades, his greatest recording of romantic repertoire, in my opinion, is neither included in this box nor avaialable anywhere worldwide. That is his pairing of the Franck D Minor Symphony and the St. Saens "Organ" Symphony which Decca paired early in the CD era on a Weekends Classic recording. It has been out of print everywhere for some time and is a great loss for all of us.

Still today, I treasure Ansermet's box of Beethoven symphonies (also out of print everywehere; No. 4, is represented here) for its clarity, romance and elocution. I will never forget buying this box at my local LP store about 1972; what a revelation it was after exposure to the Beethoven of all the high cholesterol German romantics! Ansermet's combination of score adherence, clarity in orchestral detail, and blooming romance in interpretation led to my most satisfying performances of the most recorded symphonies in history during the period when the greatest conductors of the recording era were all represented in this repertoire.

The latter point is, I believe, the linchpin to Ansermet's career. I don't think there's any question that, if a conductor came along today with his combination of skills, sensitivity and technique, he or she would be regarded as a wunderkind combining the best traits of the current and bygone eras. In his lifetime, however, Ansermet was never regarded in this way. I think that's because he existed on a plane or two below all the acknowledged giants of the podium that were active or in their prime in his day.

While Ansermet was making the recordings in this box, Wilhelm Furtwangler was conducting the Berlin Philharmonic, dying, and being replaced by an up and coming German named Karajan that would go on the become the most recorded conductor in history. Klemperer was one of the giants in Germany with Bohm, Jochum and others sharing the spotlight. Among Europe's rising stars of the day were Colin Davis and Bernard Haitink, who had recently taken over for Beinum in Holland. Elsewhere, Leonard Bernstein was in the midst of his titanic career on the other side of the Atlantic and other American orchestral posts were manned by Ormandy, Szell, Solti, Mehta, Monteaux and another young, up and coming condcutor, Lorin Mazzel. Stokowski was in his prime making stereo recordings in this era, too.

This was the epoch of Ansermet's maturity. He was in the same position as a number of great conductors of his era such as Rudolf Kempe -- great men at the podium cast in the shadow of giants. While Ansermet was a member of the Decca stable, he nonetheless was cast in a secondary role as Decca also had new recordings by Solti and Maazel that were outselling anything Ansermet put forth. Simultanously, collectors could also find all the recordings of legendary conductors including Toscanini, Bruno Walter and Beecham. It was surely a crowded time in the record business and the most difficult time in history for a conductor to make his name.

In baseball terms, Ansermet had some of the affect of Sammy Sosa, whose 600 home runs came in the shadow of Mark McGwire's record-breaking season in 1998 and while Barry Bonds would first break the all-time single season record and, second, chase Hank Aaron's home run record. The metaphor may not be competely satisfactory for Ansermet was probably not the third greatest conducting home run hitter of his day.

But he was one of the great conductors with his own orchestra, a unique style, a broad repertoire, and a delivery mechanism underrated due to the shadow cast on him by other greats of the day. We are fortunate, living in the late digital era, to have this testament of his work before us. Now a new generation of listeners can hear what many did a half-century ago with new ears developed in the period performance practice era.

Of the contents of this set, my favorites are the Haydn Symphony 22, Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite, the orchestrated Schumann Carnaval (which I had never heard before), both Resphigi suites -- Pines of Rome and Rossiniana -- Honneger's Pacific 231 and Frank Martin's Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, Timpani, Percussion and String Orchestra, an interesting, powerful and lively 20th century concerto. I agree with an earlier reviewer that said this set cherry picks certain pieces, teasing you with portions such as the Borodin Polovtsian Dances and Dukas La Peri selections. Still, there's enough here to satisfy both Ansermet enthusiasts and newcomers to the conductor.

Remembering Ansermet in style.......2007-03-01

Ernest Ansermet was one of Decca's most prolific artists, to whom they consigned dozens of Stravinsky works, the standard Russian repertoire, and all French music. We've been steadily getting reissues of this output, and here's the latest batch. Newcomers may be surprised at how good even the earliest sound is, but they should also expect less than virtuosic playing from the Suisse Romande orchestra; the lack in execution is made up for by the special tang of French winds and brass, a constant pleasure throughout.

CD 1: Ansermet conducted very good Bach and Brahms but is little known for that. Here we get a sampling of his skill in German music. The snippet of orchestral music from Bach's Cantata #31 is a prelude to a fresh, lively Haydn Sym. #22 "The Philosopher" (named for its sober opening Adagio) that's performed in the same gentle, loving style as Bruno Walter's Haydn. The same soft-grained approach applies to the Beethoven 4th Sym., but in this case the scrawniness of the string section compares badly with great German and American orchestras, and one also feels that Ansermet really should dig in more. But if you want a feminine reading of a symphony often called feminine by older critics, this is a fine one. This generous disc ends with three overtures many listeners won't already own: Weber's Ruler of the Spheres and Preciosa Over., plus the more familiar Mendelssohn Ruy Blas. The performances are lively to the point of brashness, and very enjoyable.

CD 2: This disc is Russian and Finnish. For many French conductors Russian music comes as second nature, and this is true for Ansermet. His suite of Polovtsian Dances from Borodin's Prince Igor is light, fast, and pointed. Rendering a pops staple with such detailed delicacy really refreshes it; Ansermet's version is worthy to stand beside Beecham's minor classic. In the same vein is Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite, which as Mr. Richman points out, is different from the complete score performed by Ansermet on Decca's box set of his Stravinsky recordings. The stereo sound is rather narrow and thin, but this Pulcinella is a model of how to avoid heaviness and over-emphasis in this music. Nobody would expect the Sibelius Fourth to follow, nor is Ansermet noted for being a Sibelian. His reading is super-clear, lean, and light-textured. It works very well in this pastoral music, although for intensity and better execution one has to look elsewhere.

CD 3: From here on out the music is primarily French, the area of Ansermet's greatest renown. Decca has kindly provided some rarities to everybody but committed collectors. This disc starts out with pops chestnuts, however, including one excerpt each from Coppelia and Sylvia (why bother?) and then the more unusual Saint-Saens Chasseur Maudit tone poem. Given that the ballet snippets are sparkling, as always from this conductor, while the Saint-Saens lacks atmosphere and panache, the choice is dubious. After bits of Chabrier and Faure we arrive at a curiostiy, an orchestration under the title of Coquette (for ballet) of Schumann's Carnaval. Nobody plays these transcriptions anymore, but I msut confess to being delighted with this one, which is full of vivacity and sounds like Offenbach--you'd swear a can-can or two has been thrown in.

CD 4: When Faure's orchestral music gained a flurry of popularity in the Sixties, Ansermet led the way. This version of Masques et Bergamesques is all that anyone could desire. The mock-classic idiom isn't that far removed from Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin, music I usualy don't have much patience with--it sounds dainty and precious--but Ansermet's reading is winning in its directness. I was quite ready to leave wispy Gallic nostalgia behind, but next comes more of the same--Debussy's Petite Suite and other atmospheric bits from him. This disc was the first to lose my atention, even though on its own terms the musicmaking is expert, if not as charismatic as Beecham's way with trifles. The disc ends with a light, bright reading of Respighi's Fountains of Rome blessedly free of vulgarity.

CD 5: Honegger gained wide popularity with two religious oratorios, Joan of Arc at the Stake and this King David, even though both works have slipped out of the repertoire outside France. King David uses cinematic Orientalism and modal harmonies to describe ancient Jerusalem, a style that seems a bit cheap and slithery nowadays. But the combination of spoken narration, vocal soloists, and choruses, all in highly accessible music that never challenges the first-time listener, has its appeal. Ansermet's was one of the classic versions in stereo, and here it is, elegantly displaying Honegger's dramatic intentions. However, for me the total effect was like kindergarten Stravinsky.

CD 6: Dukas' admireres point to his opera La Peri as a minor masterpiece, and here we get a hint via the Fanfare and one dance, followed by a pops march from Rimsky's Dubinushka, a rare item for certain. More familiar is the suite of Rossini excerpts known as Rossiniana (antoher ballet), and I can't imagine anyone doing it with quite the same elegant polish of Ansermet. The recorded sound is extremely detailed in its transparency, which made it an early audiophile classic. Back to Stravinsky for a colorful but fairly leaden Scherzo a la russe, not a striking effort. But what follows is striking and perhaps the best thing in the set, Frank Martin's Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments, Percussion, and Strings, a nod to the orchestra's Swiss-ness. The playing is pointed and eager, and Ansermet conducts so well that the work is jsutified as being a minor masterpiece of Poulenc-inspired whimsical elegance.

What to say overall? This box set has no bad performances and many striking ones. I think judgment comes down to one's tastes in music. Mine don't tend toward ballet and French pops, or to Honegger's religious crossover style, so I'm not the best one to recommend what is in any case a very enjoyable listen from beginning to end.

Ansermet is Awesome, and..........2007-02-22

Generally I am a big fan of the Original Masters box sets, but with this latest collection Decca/UNI has gone too far. Don't get me wrong there are some wonderful rare recordings on "Ernest Ansermet: Decca Recordings 1953-1967" -- Haydn's 22nd Symphony, Beethoven's 4th, Sibelius' 4th, Respighi's Fountains of Rome, an entire CD of Honegger performances, and even Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite, a different version from the full account contained on Ansermet's Stravinsky box (see my review). But way too much of the rest of this set is just repackaged previously available material. In fairness much of it has been out of print, or only available in Japan, but that won't do much to satisfy the serious collectors to whom this series is aimed, and who have gone to great lengths to track down those previous CD incarnations. What makes matters worse is the sampling is so far and wide that not only is the sequencing haphazard, but it is infuriating for those of us that have purchased other Ansermet titles in the past. For example, reprised from his "Double Decca" Rimsky-Korsakov title we get one lousy four minute selection, "Dubinushka." Why bother to include it? Just go buy the two-fer!!! They mention Ansermet's pioneering stereo recording of "Antar" in the liner notes, so why not include that here instead. The only other way to currently get the "Antar" is with an often reissued account of Scheherazade as a Decca Legend import, which no one buys because it duplicates their collections. Another example is the Debussy Six Epigraphes, which was recently reissued on Testament -- why include it? For that matter why tack on Borodin's Polovtsian Dances when they are already on his great CD with Borodin's 2nd & 3rd Symphonies? Why include another four minute track -- Stravinsky's Scherzo a la Russe -- when it is on the aforementioned Stravinsky box? I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that the Delibes, Franck, Faure, Ravel, Martin and other Debussy selections have all been available elsewhere. Of course, since Decca/UNI has only picked a couple of tracks at most from those original titles, it's not like you can just discard or sell the old CDs you own, or burn the remaining selections you need. With so many other rare Ansermet recordings lingering in the vaults or only on expensive imports -- Beethoven, Berlioz, Bizet, Brahms, Lalo, Roussel, Schumann, etc. -- surely a more cohesive reissue strategy could have been applied by Decca/UNI. If you plan on eventually giving us the "Complete" Decca Ansermet recordings over time, through various OM volumes, all of my fussing is moot, however I seriously doubt that is in their marketing plans. Next time, instead of making us an expanded "Great Conductors of the Century" title or some sort of awkward "Greatest Hits" collection, concentrate on the rare performances that a connoisseur would want, and stick them all on one limited edition box, with fewer discs if necessary.

Average customer rating:

Could be better
Good choral CD, but . . .
WTH?
Albonini's Adagio (Beatitudes) is an Italianate emotion feas
Awesome music - fidelity a bit lacking

Agnus Dei II: Music to soothe the soul

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony
Tears from Heaven
Gloria: Music of Praise & Inspiration
Choral Moods
Sacred Classics - Messiah, Ave Maria, Pie Jesu, Zadok the Priest, L'enfance du Christ

ASIN: B000006Q25
Release Date: 1998-06-16

Tracks:

Adagio
Geistliches Lied, Op.30
Agnus Dei
Ave Verum Corpus
Libera Me
Ave Verum Corpus, Op. 65-1
Agnus Dei
Gott Ist Mein Hirt (Psalm 23)
Crucifixus A 8
Beatus Vir (Psalm 112)
Christus Factus Est (Philippians 2: 8-9)
Pie Jesu
Hear My Prayer, O Lord (Psalm 102, V. 1)
Ruht Wohl

Amazon.com

Building on the enormous success of the first Agnus Dei disc, its successor offers more of the same musical mood, but with a few surprises too. One of the hits of the first album was John Cameron's arrangement of Elgar's Nimrod, using the words of the Lux Aeterna. Here he really rolls his sleeves up and similarly tackles the Albinoni-Giazzoto Adagio (using the words of the Beatitudes) and the Intermezzo from Bizet's second L'Arlésienne Suite (using the text of the Agnus Dei). The role of the orchestra (the excellent ensemble Capricorn) has been expanded, and Edward Higginbottom himself has arranged a delicious string septet accompaniment to Brahms's Geistliches Lied. Much of the music is of the kind that the choir obviously eats for breakfast--which is not to say that they ever sound bland or tired, just at home. The one weak track is Monteverdi's Beatus Vir, which needs voices of more sophistication and agility than the boys can provide. That aside, this is another album that should do their reputation no harm. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews:

Could be better.......2006-07-08

After owning Agnus Dei I for years, and somehow misplacing the CD, I decided to buy both I and II from Amazon. Of the CD's, I is still my favorite. Agnus Dei II is a decent CD, but it doesn't have the fluidity or the dynamics that the first disk has. I guess I got spoiled with the first disk.

Good choral CD, but . . . .......2006-01-22

Agnus Dei II is a really good choral CD with a more otherworldly sound than most choral offerings. But the first Agnus Dei is better, amazing really. Own both, but if you only want one, get the first one.

WTH?.......2005-07-14

I bought this CD because it said Eamon as an artist. WTH? I can't find Eamon anywhere on this CD. It says Eamon on the other one, but I'm not even going to try. Never again will a buy a CD associated with Agnus Dei.

LAST WORD: Don't buy this if your buying it for Eamon music.

Albonini's Adagio (Beatitudes) is an Italianate emotion feas.......1999-06-11

I happened upon this album while looking for some choral works for a church choir. Not schooled in the literature, I had never heard of Tomaso Albinoni. His Adagio ("Beatitudes") is a choral emotion feast in Italian style, the likes of which I have never heard before. Unless...did the Coppollas (pere et fils) use it in the soundtrack to Godfather 3? I'm not sure. Great piece. The rest of the album is okay. Standard fare.

Awesome music - fidelity a bit lacking.......1999-02-16

The opening song "The Beatitudes" by Albinoni is incredibly moving, so much so that the other songs have a hard time comparing. Overall, excellent, although the fidelity could be greatly improved. I had to crank up my volume 30-40% higher to achieve a comparable volume and noticed some distortion (in the recording, not my system) that was a bit distracting. Still, an outstanding CD.

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