CD-Charts Position 261

.

The Best of John Tavener

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

Release Date May 03, 2004

CD-Charts Position 262
Average Rating:

.

Songs From The Labyrinth

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Sting

Release Date October 09, 2006
This 're-imagining' of some of the best works of one of England's most important composers is a woeful failure. The most prominent failing of this album, is that Sting simply does not have a strong enough voice to carry off such songs. His voice lacks the range and subtlety needed to effectively communicate the melancholic poetry of Dowland's lyrics. Sting's attempt is rather like sculpting a reproduction of Michelangelo's David with a sledgehammer!

Despite, the limitations of Sting's vocal skills, which were in fairness largely to be expected(it would come as quite a shock if he had managed to match Alfred Deller!), the project could have been saved by an interesting 're-imagining' of the songs. I am afraid to say that it isn't! ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 263
Average Rating:

.

Bach - Piano Concertos

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: David Fray

Release Date November 03, 2008
This 're-imagining' of some of the best works of one of England's most important composers is a woeful failure. The most prominent failing of this album, is that Sting simply does not have a strong enough voice to carry off such songs. His voice lacks the range and subtlety needed to effectively communicate the melancholic poetry of Dowland's lyrics. Sting's attempt is rather like sculpting a reproduction of Michelangelo's David with a sledgehammer!

Despite, the limitations of Sting's vocal skills, which were in fairness largely to be expected(it would come as quite a shock if he had managed to match Alfred Deller!), the project could have been saved by an interesting 're-imagining' of the songs. I am afraid to say that it isn't! ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 264
Average Rating:

.

The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe: TV soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

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

Release Date October 01, 1999
I bought this album after a search as basically I could not get the theme music out of my head after 40 plus years.

The haunting themes remain one of the great TV programme soundtracks. They were never obtrusive but added to the atmosphere to a stupendous series.

Much recommended to all 40 somethings and makes this reviewer wish for the simpler life and entertainment we had in those halcyon days of the 60's and 70's

CD-Charts Position 265
Average Rating:

.

Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: EMI

Release Date September 16, 1996
This recording of the Young person's guide to the orchestra takes you right into the concert hall, the excitment, invigoration and sheer power of the recording leaves you breathless.

The transition of music from live performance onto disc is not an easy one and only a handful of recordings achieve it - but this is one of them

CD-Charts Position 266
Average Rating:

.

Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: London Symphony Orchestra Claudio Abbado

Release Date November 11, 2001
I bought these from Amazon about a year or two ago but it is only recently that I have had to time to listen to them carefully several times. They seem very good recordings to me and are good value for money.

CD-Charts Position 267
Average Rating:

.

Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Decca

Release Date January 20, 1984
I believe, like may other reviewers here, that this recording is the finest of this perfectly proportioned opera. It is quite literally flawless. Amongst the many wondrous highlights, I am at a loss to describe the tender and layered vocal beauties contributed by Lucia Popp. Recorded at her musical peak, her version of 'Deh vieni non tardar' sets the benchmark in the art of perfect vocals. An angelic delight. A categorical must-have disc for any music collection.

CD-Charts Position 268
Average Rating:

.

Hickox Conducts Vaughan Williams

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: British Composers

Release Date June 05, 2000
This double CD album, a mixture of Vaughan Williams's most popular and rarely-heard music, is a cherishable collection indeed for the excellent performances contained in it, the constant delight the music affords, and the fact that both discs are full to the brim with an embarrassment of riches.

Richard Hickox is a most gifted interpreter of RVW, and these performances see him - and the Northern Sinfonia - at their peak. The soloists in the concerti are also heard at their best - Bradley Creswick in the Concerto Accademico, and Roger Winfield in the Oboe Concerto.

The first disc has a most attractive mixture, much of it comparative rarities, starting with the orchestral version of the Serenade to Music, and includes the overture to the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 269
Average Rating:

.

Elgar: Cello Concerto

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Natalie Clein

Release Date September 24, 2007
About 13 years ago, Natalie Clein won the BBC Young Musician of the year with a memorable performance of the Elgar. She has lived with it some years now and this recording is no disappointment. It is a wonderfully sombre reading of the piece that Elgar intended as a requiem to the dea of the First World War. More restrained than Du Pre's wonderful version, I wonder if it didn't hit an even deeper note at times. But comparisons are odious. Both have great music making to enjoy. One slight disappointment is in the fairly meare fill-up of salon pieces. Would have liked to hear Clein in another concerto. But this record also acts as a memorial to the fine British conductor, the late Tod Handley, so that's another reason for buying it.

CD-Charts Position 270
Average Rating:

.

Vaughan Williams: Riders to the Sea

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Chandos

Release Date October 01, 1999
About 13 years ago, Natalie Clein won the BBC Young Musician of the year with a memorable performance of the Elgar. She has lived with it some years now and this recording is no disappointment. It is a wonderfully sombre reading of the piece that Elgar intended as a requiem to the dea of the First World War. More restrained than Du Pre's wonderful version, I wonder if it didn't hit an even deeper note at times. But comparisons are odious. Both have great music making to enjoy. One slight disappointment is in the fairly meare fill-up of salon pieces. Would have liked to hear Clein in another concerto. But this record also acts as a memorial to the fine British conductor, the late Tod Handley, so that's another reason for buying it.