CD-Charts Position 71
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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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 72
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Vaughan Williams: The Collectors Edition

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Various Artists

Release Date April 28, 2008
EMI's new 30-disc box-set is one of the truly outstanding contributions to Vaughan Williams' 50th anniversary celebrations. In one collection listeners now have virtually his entire output in recordings ranging from the very good to the exceptional: this set is a tribute of EMI's long-standing commitment to British music (now sadly curtailed).

Vernon Handley's magisterial cycle of the symphonies is beautifully played and recorded, and the major choral works and operas are all presented in excellent performances and recordings. There are some omissions (of course, since EMI did not record absolutely everything Vaughan Williams wrote) but these can be easily rectified through the additional purchase of the opera 'The Poisoned Kiss' and the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 73
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Simple Gifts

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Bryn Terfel, LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, BARRY WORDSWORTH

Release Date October 10, 2005
Absolutely brilliant selection of popular songs by the incomparable voice of Bryn. How is it that the Welsh have such amazing voices? Well worth getting and listening to again and again.

CD-Charts Position 74
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Verdi - Requiem

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

Release Date October 08, 2001
Well I would have to disagree with the previous reviewers. Of course, it's all a matter of personal taste, but I was quite disappointed (having read the first review before I purchased) with this recording. I thought the pace a little slow -- ponderous, even -- at times, especially the "Te decet hymnus" passage. And the soloists, who look so promising on paper, failed to deliver, to my mind. The singers are supposed to serve the music, not the other way around. Having said that, Gheorghiu does hit some beautiful notes. I'm afraid that Daniela Barcellona's voice has a tinny quality, and Roberto Alagna may have been having an off day. Picky of me? Probably, but I expect more of such a line-up.
The orchestra and the chorus, on the other hand, get a big thumbs ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 75
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Chopin: Nocturnes and Ballades

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Double Decca

Release Date July 07, 1997
I don't think anyone could argue with Vladimir Ashkenazy's ability to perform Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev or Scriabin with great eloquence and passion. He seems so at home in that repertoire.
However, when placed in the entirely more intimate environment of Chopin he really doesn't seem to know what to do. His waltzes are bland and sound just like encore pieces with little or no real expression, his mazurkas are just too dull.
In Ashkenazy's hands the etudes do sound wonderful, however, and I like his recordings of the polonaises also, and the scherzi and ballades.
This recording of the nocturnes falls somewhere in the middle. However, the Nocturnes really are one of the cornerstones of piano music and there are many much better recordings to be had, in my opinion.
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CD-Charts Position 76
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Vaughan Williams - Folksong Arrangements

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Ralph Vaughan Williams

Release Date June 02, 2008
Every so often a CD comes along where just one track takes your breath away, and no matter what the disc cost it immediately becomes priceless in your collection. Here the track in question is 21), an arrangement by VW for voice, violin and piano of the folksong "How cold the wind doth blow", also known as "The Unquiet Ghost". I'd never heard this arrangment by VW before (he arranged it a number of times), and was literally blown away. The singing, by the wonderful Robert Tear, and the equally wonderful accompaniment from Hugh Bean and Philip Ledger (the former made the best recording EVER of The Lark Ascending, with Boult, by the way), allied to the timeless melody and tragic words, will break your heart. It is as simple as that.

The rest of the disc is almost as marvellous ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 77
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Garth - Cello Concertos Nos 1 - 6

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Divine Art

Release Date October 08, 2007
Do you like Correlli, Bach, and cello? Do you enjoy period instruments when they produce a warm, earthy timbre? Do you appreciate musicianship of quality and sensitivity? This is a lovely double cd, with a warm human vision at its centre. Richard Tunnicliffe's cello playing is a mellow, earthy delight, equally matched by the playing of the Avison Ensemble, who generate a rich, bouyant 'sprung rhythmn', which lifts the music effortlessly to another level. This is very well recorded, having an immediacy which would have you believe the musicians are in the room with you. Ideal music for relaxation, for mood enhancement, and with sufficient richness and complexity to reward repeat listening. This is a rich little treasure indeed.

CD-Charts Position 78
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Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 29, 33, 35 "Haffner", 38 "Prague", 41 "Jupiter"

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

Release Date July 14, 2008
Do you like Correlli, Bach, and cello? Do you enjoy period instruments when they produce a warm, earthy timbre? Do you appreciate musicianship of quality and sensitivity? This is a lovely double cd, with a warm human vision at its centre. Richard Tunnicliffe's cello playing is a mellow, earthy delight, equally matched by the playing of the Avison Ensemble, who generate a rich, bouyant 'sprung rhythmn', which lifts the music effortlessly to another level. This is very well recorded, having an immediacy which would have you believe the musicians are in the room with you. Ideal music for relaxation, for mood enhancement, and with sufficient richness and complexity to reward repeat listening. This is a rich little treasure indeed.

CD-Charts Position 79
Average Rating:

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Gorecki - Symphony No.3: Sorrowful Songs

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Nonesuch

Release Date July 06, 1992
I can't judge this from a musicians point of view, or from anything apart from that this music connects with some bit inside of me that I can't explain in technical language.

Sorrowful yes, you certainly feel that raw emotion from this album. It is also very peaceful and grounding - not great over-worked symphony that makes you wallow in your own depression. Very simple and beautiful.

All I can say is that this music connects with some inner part of me and that I love it. It's rather personal and you should take a listen to it before you buy it - but I'm sure you'll love it.

CD-Charts Position 80
Average Rating:

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A Brides Guide to Wedding Music for Civil Ceremonies

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Various Composers

Release Date May 29, 2006
I can't judge this from a musicians point of view, or from anything apart from that this music connects with some bit inside of me that I can't explain in technical language.

Sorrowful yes, you certainly feel that raw emotion from this album. It is also very peaceful and grounding - not great over-worked symphony that makes you wallow in your own depression. Very simple and beautiful.

All I can say is that this music connects with some inner part of me and that I love it. It's rather personal and you should take a listen to it before you buy it - but I'm sure you'll love it.