CD-Charts Position 1
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The Best Gregorian Chant Album In The World... Ever!

CD-Charts > Music > General
by: Monks & Choir Boys Of Downside Abbey

Release Date April 19, 2004
My wife (for whom I bought it) says that this CD set is very restful and soothing and I have to say that I quite like to hear the singing in the background whilst I slave away at the computer. And, of course, the great thing is that we got two CDs for about the price of one. Excellent!

CD-Charts Position 2
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Spanish Guitar Music

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Essential Classics

Release Date November 19, 2001
This is a clasical guitar album recorded by John Williams in his style of ultimate perfection. Don't confuse this with Flamenco Spanish guitar.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Classic FM Music for Babies

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Classic FM.(Export

Release Date July 18, 2005

This Classic FM compilation released in 2005 with the intention of relaxing the baby offers a good selection of calming music for babies and their mothers too.

Entirely classical music based - including Einaudi's popular piano piece '(La) Onde' - this is a nice relaxing CD, most of the tracks of which should be familiar to those with only a passing interest or limited knowledge of classical music.

Although now superseded by the more recent 2CD version of 'Classic FM Music for Babies' this still looks good value for an hour of relaxation.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Works of Igor Stravinsky [22cd]

CD-Charts > Music > General
by: Igor Stravinsky

Release Date July 02, 2007
the master himself-why SONY/BMG dont do this with other artists is curious;
but the playing is excellent as well as the sound, for the dates of recording-and Im
exposed to pieces ive never heard, or even heard of before.
Who knew IS stuck his big toe in to the water of Jazz...?
The shoddy booklet is a real shame, but I cannot complain,
its a box set that doesnt require a fork lift to bring into the house-
and I spent EXACTLY $26.00 USD for it at TOWER Mail Order
true value for money.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: British Composers

Release Date September 09, 1991
I JUST WANT TO AGREE WITH EVERY WORD THAT MR JORDAN HAD SAID ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR RECORDING, NOT JUST OF 'THE LARK', BUT OF SERENADE TO MUSIC ALSO. IN FACT I JUST LOVE EVERYTHING ON THIS ALBUM! I BOUGHT MY VINYL COPY IN THE EARLY 70'S AND IT IS NOW SO WORN OUT THAT I DECIDED TO LOOK TO SEE IF A CD WAS AVAILABLE. WHAT JOY! NOT ONLY HAVE I BEEN ABLE TO FIND A CD OF MY TREASURED RECORDING, BUT WITH BONUS TRACKS, AND AT AN INCREDIBLY LOW PRICE. FOR ME THIS IS THE PURCHASE OF THE MONTH.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Bach: The Art of the Fugue

CD-Charts > Music > General
by: Glenn Gould

Release Date September 09, 2002
The Church that Gould recorded the first nine works in Bach's seminal 'Art of the Fugue' burned down before he got round recording remaining pieces: a great shame given the masterful playing on this CD. People forget (or simply have no idea) that Gould studied organ alongside piano at Toronto Conservatory. He graduated in both instruments aged 12! Gould's mother was organist at a Toronto Anglican church, so not surprisingly organ playing was very much in Gould's blood and may go a long way to explaining his remarkable abilities in contrapuntal music.

Original reviews of this set (when it came out on LP) complained about the closeness of the recording, the microphones shoved close-up to the pipes. This was part of the Gould plan, and conceptually ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Baby Einstein: Lullaby Classics

CD-Charts > Music > General
by: The Baby Einstein Music Box Orchestra

Release Date February 06, 2006
Have played this CD at bedtime for my daughter since she was born and have found it very calming, perfect as part of her bedtime routine. I believe that she enjoys the music and has learnt to associate the CD with winding down. I think the CD is a lovely introduction to classical music, with the individual tracks being short and played in a perfect style for little ears. I really recommend it.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Echoes: The Einaudi Collection

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: Bmg

Release Date September 01, 2003
I love piano music and after hearing one of the tracks on Classic FM was determined to buy a copy of this CD. I was looking forward to listening to it but after the first three tracks I started to feel disappointed. Einaudi is best listened to in isolation - ie on Classic FM. An entire CD of his is pretty boring and rather depressing to be honest. There is little differentiation from one song to the next: most are solemn, ponderous, many are written in 3/4 time giving the impression of a long waltz. I think hearing a track on the radio amongst other music does Einaudi's music more justice but he needs to vary the tone, the rhythm, and the mood of his pieces more, in my opinion, to be considered a composer of any real worth or value. Someone else said that this ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Vaughan Williams: Choral Works

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: British Composers

Release Date August 23, 1993
Neither work is particularly well known, even among enthusiasts for Vaughan Williams music. Don't let that put you off. Both are original and gripping works and Sancta Civitas is an extraordinary piece unlike any other work I know. It is the work in which the composer found the unique colours and dissonance that would lead to works like Job and the Fourth Symphony and is, perhaps, even finer than those great works. It is certainly original. The only previous recording that came anywhere near to doing the work justice was that conducted by Sir David Willcocks. This new account is in the same class and has the benefit of a superb modern recording that the earlier record cannot match. I genuinely believe that Sancta Civitas is one of Vaughan Williams' most under-rated ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations

CD-Charts > Music > General
from: EMI Classics

Release Date March 11, 2002
This version of The Planets has replaced my recent LSO version.
Why? Well, the balance between the contributing elements is the best i've heard so far: The bass is thunderous analogue and the high woodwind/strings are like crystal in equal measure. This is a superb achievement and exceptionally important for, 'large orchestra' where Dynamics become a recording engineer's delight or problem depending on how good they are. And these people are the best: Abbey road have done a fantastic job on the remastering of a late 70's classic, although there is one thing they could never tackle: Is this as Holst intended?

Bolt was a friend of Holst and was given the opportunity to first conduct the piece; Bolt read and heard the original 'two piano' score and must ... Read More: