CD-Charts Position 1
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Classic FM Babies

by: Katherine Jenkins, Elin Manahan Thomas, Julian Lloyd-Webber, Pascal Roge, Herbert Von Karajan, Charles Dutoit, Harry Christophers, London Symphony Orchestra

Release Date July 23, 2007

A lovely 2CD Classic FM compilation of relaxing music - for mothers as much as their babies - consisting of an interesting assortment of baroque, classical, romantic and modern music with the underlying theme of aiming to relax the listener.

Some pieces are chosen partly for their title as well as the soothing effect they have, these include the 'Lullaby' by Brahms and 'The Swan' from 'Carnival of the Animals' by Saint-Saens. The more contemporary offerings are by popular composers such as Patrick Hawes. These are good recordings, as expected by Classic FM, many of which will be comfortably familiar to most of the radio shows listeners.

Comfortably safe by Classic FM maybe, but comfortably relaxing too.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

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Handel Messiah

by: The Sixteen Harry Christophers, Carolyn Sampson, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Mark Padmore, Christopher Purves

Release Date September 01, 2008

A lovely 2CD Classic FM compilation of relaxing music - for mothers as much as their babies - consisting of an interesting assortment of baroque, classical, romantic and modern music with the underlying theme of aiming to relax the listener.

Some pieces are chosen partly for their title as well as the soothing effect they have, these include the 'Lullaby' by Brahms and 'The Swan' from 'Carnival of the Animals' by Saint-Saens. The more contemporary offerings are by popular composers such as Patrick Hawes. These are good recordings, as expected by Classic FM, many of which will be comfortably familiar to most of the radio shows listeners.

Comfortably safe by Classic FM maybe, but comfortably relaxing too.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

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Christmas Music from Medieval and Renaissance Europe

from: Hyperion

Release Date July 01, 1994
This is now the 11th Christmas that this music has been part of the tradition of my holiday season, and although I've acquired numerous other holiday music collections over the years, this far surpasses any other collection that I own. It is difficult to do justice to this music by describing it in mere words. The collection ranges from the 14th to the 16th Century, and is unlike any other collection of Christmas music available. It evokes the true spirit of the Christmas season, is enlightening, inspirational, and transports the listener far from the trite elements of the 'modern' holiday season. No other choral group can compare to the Harry Christophers The Sixteen (named such as the group consists of four treble/mean, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Renaissance - Music for Inner Peace

by: Harry Christophers, Sixteen

Release Date February 21, 2005
Beautiful and haunting vocals. Always a pleasure to listen to this uplifting CD. Recommended.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Allegri - Miserere; Lotti - Crucifixus; Palestrina - Stabat Mater Dolorosa

from: Coro

Release Date May 05, 2003
Allegri's Miserere is given the top billing on this disc, perhaps because of some celebrated special effects, explained in the liner notes, that it contains. The first track is devoted to a sombre and beautiful Crucifixus (from the Nicene Creed) by one Lotti, an older contemporary of Bach. Admirable and compelling, both of these, but what I bought this disc for was the two items by Palestrina, his Stabat Mater and the celestial Missa Papae Marcelli.

It is not just the quality of the early music specialists these days but the sheer profusion of them that continues to astonish me. I looked through the list of singers (18, not 16) and while I did not recognise most of the names offhand that may simply be because I did not investigate ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Fauré - Requiem

by: Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Elin Manahan Thomas, Roderick Williams

Release Date March 03, 2008
I was present at the live concert at the Barbican in August 2007 when this was recorded. It was probably the best concert ever attended, and the recording shows this in it's energy, yet passionate and sensitive qualities.Harry Christoper ,The Sixteen and the Academy of St martin's in the field have produced a superb C.D..
J. Battershill

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

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A Traditional Christmas Carol Selection

from: Coro

Release Date October 30, 2006
I was present at the live concert at the Barbican in August 2007 when this was recorded. It was probably the best concert ever attended, and the recording shows this in it's energy, yet passionate and sensitive qualities.Harry Christoper ,The Sixteen and the Academy of St martin's in the field have produced a superb C.D..
J. Battershill

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

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The Flowering of Genius

by: The Sixteen/Harry Christophers

Release Date October 01, 2001
I was present at the live concert at the Barbican in August 2007 when this was recorded. It was probably the best concert ever attended, and the recording shows this in it's energy, yet passionate and sensitive qualities.Harry Christoper ,The Sixteen and the Academy of St martin's in the field have produced a superb C.D..
J. Battershill

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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Renaissance - Music For Inner Peace

by: The Sixteen Harry Christophers

Release Date September 27, 2004
This is a lovely double CD, very relaxing and inspirational, with a diverse and well-chosen repertoire of music. The Sixteen always deliver a deliciously nerve-tingling and evocative performance, exemplified by their rendition of Allegri's "Miserere", (my favourite version of this piece). Anyone seeking "inner peace" will not be disappointed by this CD!

CD-Charts Position 10
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Smooth Classics

by: London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date October 19, 2002
Every year at this time Classic FM bring out a new triple CD set - and this year's is even better than the ones that have come before. I didn't think they'd be able to better "Time to Relax", which was last year's album - but they have! And they've done it in some style too by choosing music from their evening programme "Smooth Classics at Seven", which is presented by the legendary John Brunning. I can't recommend this album enough. And it does just what it says on the box. I've got my copy in the car at the moment - it's perfect as an antidote to a journey from Hull to Manchester on the M62 every morning. I'm seriously considering ordering two more copies - one for the office and one for home - the music choice really is that good. This is excellent stress ... Read More: