CD-Charts Position 121
Average Rating:

.

Ikon

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
by: Sixteen

Release Date April 03, 2006
It has to be said that there is little more versatile as the human voice as an instrument. This proves the point beyond measure.
Clarity, emotion and total respect for the piece are in abundance throughout the album.
Wonderful.

CD-Charts Position 122
Average Rating:

.

Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
from: EMI Classics

Release Date May 08, 1997
I am constantly playing this in the car because I love it so much, other recordings are good but this is just a little bit different, in the Allegro movement of Spring if you listen to the bit before the whole violin and viola section thunders it's way to the tumultuous tweeting solo, you will notice that Nigel bow's 4 times in quick succession instead of the usual 2, the cadenza allows for this and Nigel exploited it with typical panache. It's good to see him back in the limelight once more with his new recording, now lives in Krakow with his Polish missus.

CD-Charts Position 123
Average Rating:

.

Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
from: Universal Classics

Release Date September 18, 1995
Thirty years later, there still hasn't been a better sounding "Zarathustra". There have been more analytical recordings (including Karajan 1984), and higher-fidelity, but the beauty of the sounds that emerge from the speakers transcends any technical considerations. (It is earphone-safe too, with no peaking or distortion.) More importantly, the music ebbs and flows naturally, like the thoughts of a great mind: Karajan was a Strauss master, and so, it seems, was every member of the Berlin Philharmonic. (Special praise to the concert master, Michel Schwalbé, who delivers the Tanzlied with admirable purity of tone and Viennese Schwung and yes, a sense of ecstasy.) This is exhilarating stuff, whether you want to commune with the spirit of Nietzsche, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 124
Average Rating:

.

Book of Longing

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
by: Philip Glass, Leonard Cohen

Release Date November 26, 2007
Yes, the lyrics are interesting and some of the settings are nicely done...but the singing? Good grief, it really is terrible stuff. The voices are those of sub-standard musical theatre, formal, careful and well-articulated, and with all the character and feel of cardboard. If you're a Cohen fan, I guess you'll find it simply cringe-making.

CD-Charts Position 125
Average Rating:

.

Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake [1996]

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
starring: Adam Cooper, Scott Ambler, Fiona Chadwick, Barry Atkinson (II), Emily Piercy
directed by: Matthew Bourne, Peter Mumford

Release Date October 05, 1998
A truly wonderful interpretation of the timeless classic. Every bit as stunning as seeing it live. Probably not one for the children, so if you are looking for that seek out a more traditional production.

It is witty, excellently crafted and moving. A world wide phenomenon and and instant classic. It is difficult for a DVD to truly capture the magic of a live performance, but this does an admirable job.

Essential viewing for all of the Billy Elliot's out there!

CD-Charts Position 126
Average Rating:

.

Orff: Carmina Burana

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
from: Great Recordings of the Century

Release Date October 05, 1998
Okay, first, for the uninitiated, what is Carmina Burana? It is that piece of music which they play if someone (prizefighters love it) needs a particualrly ostentatious entrance. Those in the UK who remember the Old Spice ads of the 70's and 80's featuring a surfer - that's Carmina Burana; specifically the first and last track "O Fortuna", "Fortune, you are like the moon; waxing and waning, bringing one man good forune and the next man ill luck" being an approximate translation. It is one of those pieces everybody has heard if they watch television or films at all (Oh yes, John Boorman's Excalibur uses a version). So, subtle it ain't? Wrong! - it has some of the most beaufiful, subtle, sophisticated, and charming pieces of music in it. Dulchissimo was ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 127
Average Rating:

.

Opera

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
by: Anna Netrebko

Release Date September 10, 2007

Anna Netrebko's `Opera' album I think successfully builds some bridges to satisfy today's broad range of opera listeners.

There are a growing number of singers who are taking on opera music and including it in their repertory, often to the dismay of those dedicated followers of `real' opera who believe it should be left to those able to perform an entire on-stage theatre performance. Undeniably though there is a public desire to hear short, familiar opera arias and excerpts which provide enjoyment as stand alone pieces, and I am fully in favour of any artist, whether truly qualifying as an opera singer or not, taking on anything providing they do it well - a good singer can sing a three minute aria, an opera singer is required to sing the other ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 128
Average Rating:

.

Brassed Off: film score [SOUNDTRACK]

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
from: RCA

Release Date December 18, 2000
Excellent product. I really love brass band band music and this CD brought a lump to my throat.

Bridgeoverday

CD-Charts Position 129
Average Rating:

.

Verdi: La Traviata -- Royal Opera House [1994] (NTSC)

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
starring: Angela Gheorghiu, Frank Lopardo, Leo Nucci, Leah-Marian Jones, Gillian Knight
directed by: Humphrey Burton, Peter Maniura

Release Date March 12, 2001
This is the opera that shot Georgiu to stardom. It's easy to see why, with her combination of acting, looks and singing. Violetta is a very difficult role, it places very different demands on the singer in each act. Georgiu isn't quite ideal for act 1, but after that she's really in her element. You can practically see the paternal pride in Solti's face as he watches his young protegee bloom. Surely the definitive Traviata.

CD-Charts Position 130
Average Rating:

.

Abide with Me - 50 Favourite Hymns

CD-Charts > Music > Classical
from: Double Decca

Release Date July 08, 1996
I have often listened to church music thinking to myself is it all manifested in the same place and released under different titles? However this selection 'hits the spot' with some great renditions of worshipful music and if you like to listen to part singing then cd 1 is excellent. There also some lovely descants some of which i had not heard before, an inspiring selection. Excellent.