CD-Charts Position 1
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Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
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 2
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Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Spanish Guitar Music

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
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 4
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Saint-Saëns: The Complete Works for Piano and Orchestra

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
from: Hyperion

Release Date September 03, 2001
There is no doubt that these are brilliant performances. But the question in my mind is how much do you want three discs of this music? The works are well crafted, certainly, and I suppose they do sparkle. There is often invention that is both surprising and delightful. But after a while one wishes for a bit more of the "red meat" of truly great romantic repertoire. I have something of a soft spot for Saint Saens but discovering his works can be a bit of a mixed experience - sometimes joyful and sometimes almost cringing (at a particularly banal tune, for example). In the end I am not sorry I bought these records and will return to them with pleasure in some moods. But there are byroads of the repertoire that I have mined with more consistently satisfying results ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

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Elgar - Cello Concerto; Cockaigne; Sea Pictures

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
from: EMI Classics

Release Date August 02, 2004

There are now many releases in the EMI 'Great Recordings of the Century' series, and this has to be one of the best I've heard.

The three pieces on this CD date from the 1960's and all have benefited from recent remastering.

The 'Cello Concerto' is a 1965 recording performed by Jacqueline du Pre (who else would you expect?) and remains today, more than 40 years on, the standard to which all other performances of this work are measured. I'm sure I am amongst many others who regret not having seen such a gifted musician play live. I've seen several performances of Elgar's cello concerto, and always find that the best are when the soloist totally immerses him/herself into the music and brings out the emotions from somewhere deep within themselves. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

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Fiesta

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
by: Gustavo Dudamel

Release Date May 19, 2008

There are now many releases in the EMI 'Great Recordings of the Century' series, and this has to be one of the best I've heard.

The three pieces on this CD date from the 1960's and all have benefited from recent remastering.

The 'Cello Concerto' is a 1965 recording performed by Jacqueline du Pre (who else would you expect?) and remains today, more than 40 years on, the standard to which all other performances of this work are measured. I'm sure I am amongst many others who regret not having seen such a gifted musician play live. I've seen several performances of Elgar's cello concerto, and always find that the best are when the soloist totally immerses him/herself into the music and brings out the emotions from somewhere deep within themselves. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

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Tchaikovsky: Ballet Suites

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
from: Universal Classics

Release Date October 14, 1996
One might have thought that the Ballet suites have been recorded too many times, for anyone to get excited about 'another' recording! In truth these are fabulous performances, with inner detail that I have to say I haven't heard in any other recordings! At an incredibly low price, I urge anyone thinking of buying a recording of the suites to look no further.
A superb cellist and wonderful conductor, golly how we will miss him!

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

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Classic FM Babies

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
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 9
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Vaughan Williams: Tallis Fantasia; Fantasia on Greensleeves; The Lark Ascending etc.

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
from: Universal Classics

Release Date April 03, 1986
Not really had a lot to do with classical music but flicking through the radio channels the other day found the "FANTASIA A THEME BY THOMAS TALLIS" by RVW and was instantly gobsmacked and researched more about his work and the rest is history...a great CD and cannot stop playing it...i am even listening to it as i write this, the title of my message says it all.
enjoy

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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Mozart: Die Zauberflöte

CD-Charts > Music > Performers
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 of Die Zauberflote I've come across ... Read More: