CD-Charts Position 81

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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

CD-Charts Position 82
Average Rating:

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Mozart: Great Piano Concertos

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

Release Date July 07, 1997
Mozart is deceptively hard to play - everything is so exposed and must sound clean and polished. I have a lot of respect for Ashkenazy as a pianist, because in these Mozart concertos he has achieved just that. Perfect legato, even playing. I find these recordings so satisfying to listen to, as he is in utter control of everything.

The D minor concerto has to be one my favourites of Mozart's 27, and it is given an amazing performance here (as are the rest). The work is so good, Beethoven wrote a magnificent set of cadenzas for it! I particularly enjoy listening to how Ashkenazy executes these cadenzas with so much expression and real virtuosity.

Ashkenazy's performance of these works sound perfect to my ears. Go on treat ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 83
Average Rating:

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Haydn - The Creation

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Academy of St Martin in the Fields

Release Date November 06, 2006
Mozart is deceptively hard to play - everything is so exposed and must sound clean and polished. I have a lot of respect for Ashkenazy as a pianist, because in these Mozart concertos he has achieved just that. Perfect legato, even playing. I find these recordings so satisfying to listen to, as he is in utter control of everything.

The D minor concerto has to be one my favourites of Mozart's 27, and it is given an amazing performance here (as are the rest). The work is so good, Beethoven wrote a magnificent set of cadenzas for it! I particularly enjoy listening to how Ashkenazy executes these cadenzas with so much expression and real virtuosity.

Ashkenazy's performance of these works sound perfect to my ears. Go on treat ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 84
Average Rating:

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The Only Piano Album You'll Ever Need

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Victor

Release Date May 26, 2003
As a professional concert pianist for the last thirty years or so, it was a great relief to find that they have released everything you need on 2 CDs. Sure enough, since I bought it I have been able to discard the 1000 or so CDs that I had collected of performers like Cortot, Horowitz, Rachmaninoff and Schnabel (and I now have enough room for a pool table!). They are simply not necessary when you have these two CDs.

CD-Charts Position 85
Average Rating:

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Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites

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

Release Date April 17, 1989
This marvellous suite is the very embodiment of the Henrik Ibsen's unparalelled work of fantasy. The music is more than an accompaniment to the play, it is essential to a successful performance, enabling both the actors and the audience alike to become completely absorbed by Ibsen's stunning world.

CD-Charts Position 86
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Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Philharmonia Orchestra

Release Date February 05, 2007
I had the Peter and the Wolf album, with Richard Baker narrating, when I was little and it is one of the best things that I can remember from my childhood. It is still one of my favourite pieces of classical music and listening to it still makes me feel slightly scared of that wolf! Together with Richard Baker's calm narration it is just brilliant. I would recommend this to any parent for their child - it will keep them quiet for hours!

CD-Charts Position 87
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Lang Lang: Nigel Hess Piano Concerto

CD-Charts > Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Lang Lang

Release Date August 04, 2008
Nigel Hess's piano concerto was commissioned in memory of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother: hence the somewhat portentous titles for each of the movements. It is a shame that it occupies a CD all on its own (at under 23 minutes) and it would make an excellent coupling with Howard Blake's, the latter piece having been dedicated to Princess Diana.

Hess is primarily a film music composer, and clearly needed the `hook' of a extra-musical concept in order to get his creative juices flowing, however he wouldn't be alone amongst composers in this. Certainly the concerto itself shows no signs of being any kind of detailed narrative.

If you're expecting a deep and intellectual work, then this isn't for you, but if you value melodic ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 88
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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 89
Average Rating:

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The John Rutter Collection

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

Release Date October 21, 2002
The John Rutter Collection

Quite simply pure joy. This music is an experience that will inspire you, transport you and delight you. John Rutters arrangements are special and this particular collection is one treat after another. Buy the CD and you will appreciate all that lies within. I enjoyed it so much I bought two (in case one ever got damaged). Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

CD-Charts Position 90
Average Rating:

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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, ... Read More: