CD-Charts Position 141
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Myaskovsky - Complete Symphonies and Orchestral Works

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Warner Classics Svetlanov Edition

Release Date May 26, 2008
In 30 years of listening I had only heard just four of Miaskovsky's 27 symphonies. To explore them all has been a wonderful voyage of discovery. They are far more various and original than the usual critical summaries would suggest, with the 'middle period' works from the late 20s and early 30s as 'modern' as anything that, say, Copland, Honegger or Walton were writing at that time. And then the later works have a marvellous autumnal glow, suffused with melancholy.

Svetlanov's performances present each work with great vigour and character. The recording quality is a bit congested, but has been mastered to give reasonable consistency for performances that must have been spread over 15 years or more of studio sessions. And of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 142
Average Rating:

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Nyman - The Piano

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: EMI

Release Date May 01, 2006
In 30 years of listening I had only heard just four of Miaskovsky's 27 symphonies. To explore them all has been a wonderful voyage of discovery. They are far more various and original than the usual critical summaries would suggest, with the 'middle period' works from the late 20s and early 30s as 'modern' as anything that, say, Copland, Honegger or Walton were writing at that time. And then the later works have a marvellous autumnal glow, suffused with melancholy.

Svetlanov's performances present each work with great vigour and character. The recording quality is a bit congested, but has been mastered to give reasonable consistency for performances that must have been spread over 15 years or more of studio sessions. And of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 143
Average Rating:

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Elgar - Enigma Variations; Cello Concerto

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Unknown Label

Release Date July 03, 1995

Of all Elgar recordings by Du Pre, this live recording is no doubt the most deeply moving one. The slow movement is probably the slowest interpretation, yet it never loses tension as she gives everything to express the heart-breakingly poignant Elgarian longing. Despite the almost fierce outpouring of emotion, this performance never gives an impression of vulgar sentimentalism, as the sheer depth of music making transcends everything else!

Barenboim's account of Enigma is equally great recording. No over-emotionality here, yet full of grace, magical moments and noble beauty presented in Wagnerian grandeur. The famous Nimrod is played most beautifully.

CD-Charts Position 144
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Martha Argerich: Evening Talks (A Film by Georges Gachot) [2008] (NTSC)

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
starring: Martha Argerich
directed by: Georges Gachot

Release Date July 28, 2008
Martha Argerich, for many of us, has long been an enigma. She has always been a private person, one who does not seek the spotlight, who even cancels performances because, it is said, of nervousness, shyness. Filmmaker Georges Gachot, after years of entreaties, gets her to agree, to speak with him on camera. She comes across as a soft-spoken, shy, immensely intelligent but often cryptic person, one who has idiosyncratic but attractive ideas about her relationships with composers and various pieces of music. For instance, she will not play the Beethoven Fourth Concerto because she is afraid of 'what might happen', this after talking about the galvanic emotional effect it has had on her ever since she heard Claudio Arrau play it when she was six.

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CD-Charts Position 145
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Hannibal

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Universal Classics

Release Date March 11, 2002
There are few occasions these days where music will take your emotions to the depths of despair and up to the highest cloud and back before the album is finished. Mostly this happens in film soundtracks and Hannibal is easily one of the finest. There is humour, sadness, heart-pounding atmosphere and some pieces that will make your heart sing and sent your soul alight as the finest music does, and should.
The highlight of the album is Vide cor Meum by Patrick Cassidy - the album is worth buying for this alone. When I first watched the film I became determined to discover which great opera that piece was from, not realising that it was written specially for the film. Rarely will you find a piece of music that makes you want to simply sit back, shut your ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 146
Average Rating:

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Beethoven - Complete Symphonies (LSO, Haitink)

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: London Symphony Orchestra, Twyla Robinson, Karen Cargill

Release Date March 05, 2007
this is my favourite set of the beethoven symphonies..the sound is superb, and the playing has plenty of energy and feeling - quite a fast pace to other versions though

CD-Charts Position 147
Average Rating:

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Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Ibrahim Ferrer

Release Date May 24, 1999
From the first track 'Bruca Manigua' (which you will replay over and over) to the last. This album is simply Unbelievable. I only discovered Buena Vista with the free Movie cd with my Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago and Ibrahim Ferrer is just an undiscovered Legend in my books. Well, up till the last few years of his life. GET THIS!!!

CD-Charts Position 148
Average Rating:

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Brahms: The 4 Symphonies

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Universal Classics

Release Date April 14, 2003
Karajan recorded the four Brahms symphonies three times for DG and for me the earliest (1963 or thereabouts) is the best by a fair margin, and although not perfect, the sound quality is better - more natural and open. There's more life, spontanaity and drama in the 60s cycle, which by comparison his later efforts sound somewhat mannered. Like much of Karajan's output, his earlier years with the BPO give better performances. Later repeats (say 1970 onwards) are generally marred by a BPO which had been over-refined by Karajan's influence in the way it sounded - plush and too 'well-rounded' - a good anology would be a typical German big car; smooth and comfortable but ultimately bland and boring. The approach might suit Richard Strauss but not Brahms or Beethoven. Also, by the 70s Karajan ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 149
Average Rating:

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Oliver (1994 London Cast)

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: First Night Records

Release Date March 21, 1995
This is the revived version of the classic 'Oliver' musical that was based on 'Oliver Twist' by Dickens. It is a triumph! I absolutely love it! With music that lifts you up and stirs the emotions. We are invited to follow Oliver, a small timid orphan, on his journey in search of love. Along the way we meet such wonderful characters as Fagan (played by Jonathan Price), the artful dodger, Nancy(played by Sally Dexter) and the terrifying Bill Sykes (played by the wonderful Miles Anderson). It is truley a heart warming story that is told so beautifully as only music could! It is like one of those films that you can watch over and over again - each time you listn to it you find something new and wonderful! Don't let faffy school productions put you off such a beautiful musical! Top class!

CD-Charts Position 150
Average Rating:

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Pride and Prejudice: Original Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: BBC

Release Date September 25, 1995
The music from the Pride and Prejudice 1995 tv series is good music in its own right. I really love the title theme. However, if you have watched the tv series enough times, then the music is inextricably tied to what is going on in the drama, and this serves to intensify the feelings evoked by the music.

This CD is great to own if you love the TV series, as listening to the CD almost makes you feel like you are watching it again!

It is a way of re-experiencing the emotions of the drama.