CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

.

The Only Classical Album You'll Ever Need

from: Classics

Release Date November 03, 2003

The budget price doesn't reflect the quality of this 2 disc collection of classical music highlights, for the soloists, orchestras, conductors and the recordings themselves ensure it is a good quality selection of mostly familiar music from the classical music repertoire.

The choices lean heavily towards the opera style, so for that reason alone will not be the only album necessary to cover everyone's taste - even the complete classical beginner will find many of their familiar favourites are absent.

The tracks are mostly single movements from the whole score, which may not please the more enthusiastic classical fan, but it's unavoidable given the short time permitted by only 2 CDs. In any case, this album really ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

.

The Only Choral Album You'll Ever Need

from: Victor

Release Date October 06, 2003
I've always enjoyed choral music but never really been sure what it was I was listening to, apart from the really well known tunes, some of which, shamefully, I recognised from adverts or films. Many well known ones are included here of course, such as "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana, the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves", the "March of the Toreadors" from Carmen; "Ode to Joy", "Zadok the Priest" and of course chunks of "The Messiah".

This double CD with well over 2 hours of music and 33 samples is the perfect way to discover (and put a name to!) other beautiful pieces of music. I was particularly pleased to hear Allegri's "Miserere" which has always sent goose bumps up and down my spine, and the "Humming Chorus" from Madame Butterfly.
Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

.

Classic FM Music for Driving

from: Classic FM.(Export

Release Date July 12, 2004

The `Classic FM Music For' series of CDs, released during 2004 to 2005, aims to provide classical music to suit a variety of moods and occasions, including music for Babies, Bath time, Christmas, Dinner Parties, Driving, Fitness, Romance, Mums, Studying and Weddings.

This collection of well chosen short pieces, intended to be played while driving, is more of a cross section of classical music's most popular hits (they will be familiar to most non-classical fans) than a good listening accompaniment for driving - musical taste will surely dictate the most suitable music for that.

Some of the albums in the series are appropriate for the occasion, but this one is simply a very good selection of classical music suitable for ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

.

Handel: Messiah

from: Duo

Release Date May 10, 1993
In the same way that Naxos' New College Oxford recording of "Messiah" is an example of the English Cathedral tradition, this recording is a great sample of the choral society tradition. Although the recording includes some huge names from the world of classical music, I was not over-enthralled by the recording as a whole. The age of the recording (1966) is made obvious in the quality of sound, and the entire ensemble is too big to hear the words properly, and of course this is reflected in the acoustic. The presentation is acceptable, but there are few programme notes and no copy of the text. However, what this recording does have is drama and vigour in abundance.

Both the choir and orchestra sing well and accurately enough, and the soloists ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

.

The Only Opera Album You'll Ever Need

from: RCA Victor

Release Date March 31, 2001
The tracks on this cd are excellent and well worth the money. I get worried about the packaging of this sort of disc though because it reminds me of Tesco's attempt to sell wine to the masses by renaming a mediocre chablis as 'Good with meat' or whatever. If this was called 'Fine Opera' or 'An Opera Sampler' then I'd be a lot happier but the dumb approach of 'The Only Opera Album You'll Ever Need' makes me cringe. Once again though: the music is very good and the performances are excellent on the whole.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

.

100 Classical Hits

from: Belart

Release Date October 13, 2003

This is a great low cost box set which does exactly what it says on the box - it gives you 100 classical music hits, covering all the styles such as baroque, classical, romantic and modern, and includes music from all the popular composers.

Some of the tracks are simply excerpts from the full piece, for example Beethoven's Ninth symphony, originally over 60 minutes long, is reduced to a two and a half minute rousing chorus of the popular `Ode to Joy'. Likewise, Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture is cut from 15 minutes down to the last few minutes of the exciting thunder and fireworks finale.

This editing enables a great range of `hits' to be squeezed onto five discs, and gives the classical music novice a chance to dip their toe ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

.

Last Night of the Proms Collection

from: Philips

Release Date September 09, 1996
As a Yank and a lover of all things brit, I found this cd overwhelming. Play it at full blast and all the neighbors will join you in singing both the British version and American version of these wonderful, familiar, and sacred songs. What an experience!!!

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

.

Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias

from: Philips

Release Date May 13, 2002
A CD that has so much beauty it moves you from beginning to end. His voice portrays so much emotion that you don't just appreciate the sound, you feel every note that he sings.

There are some CDs that are simply labelled "mood music", and this for me is one that I file under such a category. Every time I listen it lifts me and transports me to places only I can go to. Somewhere that escapes the modern world.

The choice of arias is perfect. Many of which I was unfamiliar with. However, I have since introduced this CD to a number of people, many who listen to an entirely different genre of music; nearly all have been captivated by it.

All I can say is buy it and soak up the rich fare on offer.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

.

Super Ape

by: Lee Perry

Release Date August 25, 1997
This is a superb album. Usually dub albums strip down the sound and instrumentation, but this one seems to add layers of sound to create a dense jungle effect. Buy it and especially marvel at the uncredited Prince Jazzbo toast on Croaking Lizard. Deejay music at its best.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

.

The Best Classical Album in the World...Ever!

from: Virgin TV

Release Date November 08, 2004
A fantastic selection of all the tunes you've ever said "Oh.. that's the tune from the ....advert, isn't it? What's it called?" about.

OK that's a very trite comment, but you get my point. Pure enjoyment, without the intervention of the tracks in a single classical album which you have to pretend to appreciate if you're not to look like a Philistine.

An absolute belter..an education, and a gateway to composers you'd never heard of, (neither had I).