CD-Charts Position 1
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Mozart: Die Zauberflöte

from: Great Recordings of the Century

Release Date September 04, 2000
There really isn't much to say.

Yes, this is an "old recording" and it shows the technology of its age with a slight lack of bright crispness, but DON'T LET THIS PUT YOU OFF.

There are some performances that are genuinely special and even if they were recorded in 1964, before the advent of digital recording techniques, they remain special nevertheless. This performance has gravitas, power, majesty and sublime magnificence.

Yes, I'd accept that Lucia Popp could have done with being a bit more fearsome - she is, after all, the epitome of monstrous evil - but that is the tiniest of criticisms when you're wallowing in her GLORIOUS voice and utterly brilliant coloratura.

This is the best recording ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Weber: Der Freischütz

from: The Originals

Release Date September 07, 1998
Balancing brilliant value in performance and recording against infuriating lack of commentary in the liner, I still have to give this great set the full 5 stars.

The performance is 30 years old now, but the recording at its frequent best would draw high praise even today. The quality is not quite 100% consistent - now and again passages for full orchestra lack the spaciousness and depth that are so remarkable at many other points, and there is just a hint of distortion on Janowitz's high notes in her big scena in Act II, but these are quibbles. Far more representative of the general proficiency in the recording is the wonderful romantic aura round the even more wonderful horn playing near the start, the really terrific sense of eerie menace in the wolves' ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Mahler: Complete Symphonies

from: DG

Release Date September 11, 2000
As a complete set, Kubelik's DG recordings are still unbeatable, because every symphony in the set is in a class of its own, unlike Solti, Bernstein, Tennstedt, Sinopoli, Haitink, Rattle, and Chailly's complete Mahler cycle in which you find at least two or three unsatisfactory performances.

What makes Kubelik's recordings stand out from the rest is the way he lets every part of the score sing with all heart and soul in every phrase and every bar, yet his eyes are firmly fixed on the whole developement of the symphony, not just the structural developement but psychological and dramatic developement too. That is why Kubelik's rendition of any Mahler Symphony never sounds artificial or calculated, unlike so many of recent recordings by so called great conductors, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Feeding of the 5,000

by: Crass

Release Date May 27, 1999
This is rough, raw, minimalistic sonic punk ok - frankly I am certain not many people could pull this off as brilliantly as they did. Plus this album stands the test of time. Why? Honesty, determination, attitude, unwavering political belief? Those guys had a message to deliver and they did it uncompromisingly their own way whether you liked it or not - form or substance! The sheer unadulterated energy delivered throughout this short bomb has made it a firm favourite of mine for approximately 20 years - and that just won't change.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Beethoven: Fidelio

from: Great Recordings of the Century

Release Date September 04, 2000
This is a very good recording as far as I can tell. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to these CDs and think that they are good value for money.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Best Before 1984

by: Crass

Release Date October 01, 1990
As a social scientist i do rightly think without hesitation or debate that all politicians should be placed in a very large box, subject to Crass at megawattagevolume and only when they undestand should they be let out.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Bach: Christmas Oratorio

by: Münchener Bach-Orchester Karl Richter

Release Date October 23, 1995
As a social scientist i do rightly think without hesitation or debate that all politicians should be placed in a very large box, subject to Crass at megawattagevolume and only when they undestand should they be let out.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Stations of the Crass

by: Crass

Release Date March 04, 1999
In my opinion: quite simply the best album ever produced. Crass at their best with 3 sides ( as it was on the vinyl version )of pure impassioned protest with some gems of musically brilliance ( I've always felt that Crass's creative ability was never fully appreciated by enough people).
Every track is a classic even the live side of the album is a valuable document of Crass's live sound and ideas at the time.
Essential listening and even better with cd quality.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Penis Envy

by: Crass

Release Date May 27, 1999
Not one of their best but still a good album with a few catchy numbers.Best song Where next Columbus?.Cant beat some original punk now and again.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Mozart: Die Zauberflöte

from: The Originals

Release Date February 24, 1997
This is a very satisfying account of 'Die Zauberflote', principally on account of Bohm's handling of the score. He inspires the Berlin Philharmonic to convey a Masonic 'gravitas' which is in keeping with the philosophy of Enlightenment Reason which lurks behind the pantomime elements of this unusual work. You will certainly find deliberate speeds here, which may not be to your taste if you like fleet,revisionist, original-instrument Mozart. Vocally it's the women in this recording that have had a bad press: but Evelyn Lear has some lovely tones in her voice even if there are occasions when Pamina's music presents her with challenges. If you want perfection in this part, go for Janowitz on the Klemperer recording (but be warned, that has no dialogue). Similarly you may feel that Klemperer's young Lucia ... Read More: