CD-Charts Position 161
Average Rating:

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Mozart: Die Zauberflöte

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 162
Average Rating:

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Saint-Saëns - Carnival of the Animals; Symphony No 3

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Cfp

Release Date February 05, 2007
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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 163
Average Rating:

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Elgar: Enigma Variations

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date June 12, 1990
Norman del Mar was a much-loved and usually very effective conductor. He recorded very little, which is a pity, but his reputation was never front-rank whatever his qualities, and it's names that sell records of familiar repertoire. So it is very nice to have this excellent account of 'Enigma' backed by these spirited marches. The Variations are beautifully played and very well characterised with well-judged tempi and phrasing that is neat and/or lyrical as required. When I first heard the recording (on the radio years ago) I did not know who was conducting and immediately thought of some very big names. Well, del Mar wasn't one of those, but this is still one of the best versions in the catalogue.

CD-Charts Position 164
Average Rating:

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Diana Damrau - Donna (Mozart arias)

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Cercle de l'Harmonie, Jérémie Rhorer

Release Date November 03, 2008
Another stunner of an album by this cult soprano from Germany. Every track is a highlight, and a showcase of her amazing vocal ability. Buy it as soon as you can...

CD-Charts Position 165
Average Rating:

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Mozart for Meditation

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Philips

Release Date February 10, 1997
I really enjoyed this CD and I did find the music relaxing. However as someone who meditates regularly I do not think that it is music that would be used to meditate to. One can sit and relax to this CD but if you want to meditate this CD, in places, can be quite stirring and would not lend itself to an actual meditation practice.

CD-Charts Position 166
Average Rating:

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Sweeney Todd

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Original Broadway Cast Recording

Release Date May 28, 2007
Although the amazon site includes the wrong sound samples above (they are from the LaPone revival), this item is indeed the original cast recording with Lansbury and Cariou. Even better, it's been remastered and includeds 2 bonus track not featured on the original (and much more expensive) RCA double disc. What a find!

CD-Charts Position 167
Average Rating:

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The Best of the Three Tenors

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: José Carreras Plácido Domingo Luciano Pavarotti James Levine Zubin Mehta

Release Date June 23, 2003
I am not really a classical music buff, but with my father in law being one its an obvious choice for presents. knowing that he likes the 3 tenors is a big help seeing as i do not really know much at all about classical music apart form the odd few bits world cup and films. I bought this disc for his birthday not really relishing the thought of hearing it, however I was pleasently supprised indeed. This was very easy on the ears indeed and shock horror on the whole i enjoyed cd there was the odd one i was not that overly keen on not to sure which one it was called i think it was track 4 Sous le ciel de Paris. By comparrison you'll never walk alone i thought was very enjoyable along with nessumdora the world cup anthum from a few years back now. Untill listening to this cd i thought ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 168
Average Rating:

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Foster - Songs; Ungar - Ashokan Farewell

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Cfp

Release Date February 05, 2007
I am not really a classical music buff, but with my father in law being one its an obvious choice for presents. knowing that he likes the 3 tenors is a big help seeing as i do not really know much at all about classical music apart form the odd few bits world cup and films. I bought this disc for his birthday not really relishing the thought of hearing it, however I was pleasently supprised indeed. This was very easy on the ears indeed and shock horror on the whole i enjoyed cd there was the odd one i was not that overly keen on not to sure which one it was called i think it was track 4 Sous le ciel de Paris. By comparrison you'll never walk alone i thought was very enjoyable along with nessumdora the world cup anthum from a few years back now. Untill listening to this cd i thought ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 169
Average Rating:

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Original Soundtrack

Release Date November 20, 2007
I have always considered Miklos Rozsa's score to Ben-Hur to be the greatest film score ever composed. The sheer depth of that music, the quantity of themes Dr. Rozsa composed for that one movie (around 10 or 12 different themes) and the magnificent orchestrations he wrote made that score unique. Considering the quality of film scores that are composed today - good, usually adequate, but nothing truly 'great' - I never thought I would come across anything to match this wonder written 50 years ago.

I'm so glad to say I was wrong.

This score will surely go down as one of the great film scores of all time. I wont go on and on about it, as other reviewers have written fabulous reviews here that sum up my feelings. I only want to make 3 comments.

1) ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 170
Average Rating:

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Mirabilis - Mediaeval Baebes

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Mediaeval Baebes

Release Date July 18, 2005
in hopes of roping in us 'dumb American consumers' with the 'hot chicks' CD cover.
The music is excellent and the front (UK) cover magical.
And, until they stop putting "EXPLICIT LYRICS!" warnings in as part of a cd's cover art, instead of removable stickers, (or better yet, none at all)
I will buy my CDs from Amazon.UK.
the prices usually are about the same, and it can take only THREE DAYS
from when I put an the order, to when it arrives (I live in Seattle.
Ironic-this is where Amazon started)
Oh, and then on every back cover and some label art contain an idiotic FBI warning.
I can see it now:
Bootlegger #1: "Gosh, look here! an FBI warning about copying discs"
bootlegger #2 "Hmmm... maybe we ought to get out of this business ... Read More: