CD-Charts Position 171
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Yellow River Piano Concerto

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Naxos

Release Date September 06, 1999
Having listened to this CD dozens of times now, it keeps getting better. The piano playing is brilliant, the orchestral accompaniment up to the job.Sound quality on high-end hi-fi is a little below top-notch, but more than adequate. Fillers are also varied and interesting AND beautifully played. As the only (?) stereo recording, this is superb value from every perspective, and rates between 4 and 5 stars on every count.

CD-Charts Position 172
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Gershwin: Orchestral Works

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

Release Date October 05, 1998
The orchestral playing on this disc is top-notch, but it is unfortunately let down by bland and uninspiring pianism.

It's not that Previn's playing is too subtle for my tastes; he is just poor: neither imaginative nor passionate, yet not sensitive and controlled either, and with a less-than-perfect technique (not that that is necessarily a criticism per se).

CD-Charts Position 173
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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 174
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Brahms - Violin Concerto

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

Release Date February 03, 2003
This is a magnificent performance of an incredible violin concerto - without a doubt, a must have. I like it so much that I have also brought another performance of the same piece by Oistrakh, this time with Otto Klemperer conducting.

CD-Charts Position 175
Average Rating:

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Rutter - Requiem; Magnificat

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Collegium

Release Date October 05, 1998
This recording of the Cambridge Singers has them recording pieces composed by their own director, John Rutter. The Magnificat is Rutter's version of a standard piece of liturgical music, an intersection of old and new. This was recorded at one of the Cambridge Singers' favourite venues, the Great Hall of University College School, London; the Requiem was recorded in 1986, and the Magnificat in 1991.

--Music--
'The Magnificat' is one of my favourite pieces of the liturgy, and one I enjoy hearing set to different kinds of music. This is a very lively and spirit-filled rendering, with magnificent vocals expressing the joy that is found in the prayer of Mary - 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour'. The ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 176
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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 177
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Schubert: Complete Impromptus

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Duo

Release Date March 10, 1997
This is such a beautiful recording. Alfred Brendel is the best pianist in my opinion and he once again interpreted these pieces extremely well. It's truly relaxing to listen to this CD.

CD-Charts Position 178
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Shostakovich: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Cello Concerto No. 1

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Theta

Release Date September 17, 2001
I've never written a review before, but my listening to this CD after I bought it earlier has compelled me to do so!

This recording of three truly great solists, Yo Yo Ma, André Previn and Leonard Bernstein, is simply fantastic. The amazing work of Shostakovich is given a new lease of life by these contemporary performers, who definitely breathe into it new life.

Typically, Shostakovich's cello music is attributed to Rostropovich, but I think Yo Yo Ma's interpretation of this - his edgy sound - is something to rival even him.

This is definitely a CD you'll want to play on loud - the orchestral clarity and recording quality is simply divine.

CD-Charts Position 179
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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 180
Average Rating:

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Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Various

Release Date
It has to be said that all(non live) recordings of Le Mis have their faults.For one thing they cannot re~create the atmosphere of a live performance(as these discs do).
Not only that,this recording gathers together the best of (many) Le Mis casts from around the world,and manages to give us the electric feeling that a staged performance does.
Add to this the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,which reveals the true emotion,breadth and sweep of Boublil & Schonberg's wonderful score.
As a sidenote,I don't quite know what disc of Le Mis(previous reviewer) Mr Oram was listening to.I have just listened to both discs on headphones(which are merciless for showing up recording faults) and can find none.
If anything can be described as a perfect ... Read More: