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
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Classics for Children

from: Decca

Release Date October 18, 1999
The recordings found on this disc are some of the best available (...in fact, the Britten conducting Britten is the Gramophone's Recommended Recording!). Add to that the most delightful account of Schumann's "Scenes from Childhood", and you find a fantastic disc. Then look at the price! 5 stars for a well rounded CD, which wont break the bank.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Debussy: Piano Works

from: Universal Classics

Release Date October 12, 1994
Wonderful interpretations of these masterpieces of impressionism, especially the first set of 'Images' and the Preludes. Never too harsh with the colours, but never afraid to be bright and fresh either. The essential debussy solo interpretations.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos

from: Double Decca

Release Date March 03, 1995
Wonderful interpretations of these masterpieces of impressionism, especially the first set of 'Images' and the Preludes. Never too harsh with the colours, but never afraid to be bright and fresh either. The essential debussy solo interpretations.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Essential Saint-Saëns

from: Double Decca

Release Date October 23, 1995
Recently I gave a talk on Saint Saens at my local music society and played several extracts of his music all of which were taken from this CD. I have other recording of some of the tracks but those on this cd are better especially those that are conducted by Charles Dutoit. Kyung-Wha Chung the violin soloist in the violin concerto is also of a terrific standard and gives a performance saint saens would be proud of. I would highly recommend this CD to you.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Ravel: Piano Works

from: Double Decca

Release Date March 01, 1994
The best recording of Ravel's complete solo piano music, this includes famous works such as Pavane for a dead infanta, Gaspard de la Nuit, Le Tombeau de Couperin and less well-known works. This extraordinary composer, who fused jazz (he was influenced by Gershwin), fairy-tales and craftmanship so perfect that Stravinsky accused him of being "only a Swiss clockmaker" was one of the greates composers for the piano. Hewitt's combination of passion and precision, which makes her such a superb interpreter of Bach, magnificent here.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Satie: Piano Dreams

from: Music from Six Continents

Release Date June 16, 1997
Usually I avoid compilations and other cds marketed in this way. I am glad I did not in this case. I bought this cd a couple of years ago and looking back I would say I have listened to it more than any other cd I own. Pascal plays wonderfully and the production quality is excellent in my opinion. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this cd, whether an avid classical music lover or not.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Poulenc - Orchestral Works

from: Decca

Release Date December 01, 1996
Usually I avoid compilations and other cds marketed in this way. I am glad I did not in this case. I bought this cd a couple of years ago and looking back I would say I have listened to it more than any other cd I own. Pascal plays wonderfully and the production quality is excellent in my opinion. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this cd, whether an avid classical music lover or not.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Ravel: 3 Sonates pour Violon - Trigane/Habanera/Berceuse etc.

from: Universal Classics

Release Date February 09, 2004
Among Ravel's distinguished musical contemporaries was the great, but deeply conservative, writer on music Donald Francis Tovey. Tovey characterised the composer, in a rather supercilious way, as 'eclectic'. There is no denying that I suppose, and anyone who shares Tovey's conviction that the apogee of musical development had been attained with Beethoven and the Sonata Form should perhaps regard this recital with caution.

Those of us for whom eclecticism does not have to be any bad thing may, on the other hand, welcome this disc with enthusiasm. The seven chamber works offered here cover most of Ravel's creative life and display a surprisingly wide cross-section of his ecumenical and assimilative musical interests. The middle movement ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Poulenc: Vocal, Chamber and Orchestral Works

from: Double Decca

Release Date March 11, 1996
Among Ravel's distinguished musical contemporaries was the great, but deeply conservative, writer on music Donald Francis Tovey. Tovey characterised the composer, in a rather supercilious way, as 'eclectic'. There is no denying that I suppose, and anyone who shares Tovey's conviction that the apogee of musical development had been attained with Beethoven and the Sonata Form should perhaps regard this recital with caution.

Those of us for whom eclecticism does not have to be any bad thing may, on the other hand, welcome this disc with enthusiasm. The seven chamber works offered here cover most of Ravel's creative life and display a surprisingly wide cross-section of his ecumenical and assimilative musical interests. The middle movement ... Read More: