CD-Charts Position 41
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Bryn

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
by: Bryn Terfel London Symphony Orchestra Barry Wordsworth

Release Date October 03, 2005

There are two versions of this album, this single disc release and a `special edition' 2CD set.

It makes a change to hear a collection of familiar music sung by a baritone rather than the more popular tenor and Bryn fans should be pleased with the selection of music, it's a good range of styles, with the emphasis on classical and opera excerpts plus a few traditional folk style songs. Bryn's voice works well on the opera favourites like Bizet's Toreador song (lots of rolling r's here) and sounds good with Andrea Bocelli on The Pearl Fishers duet `Au Fond du temple saint'. The folk songs and traditional like `Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' and `Danny Boy' are well suited to the deep baritone voice, and the `Ave Maria' duet with ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 42
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The World's Greatest Mozart Album

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
from: Decca

Release Date May 08, 2000

Putting a title like `Worlds Greatest' on the front of a CD is obviously a bold claim, and one which many people have become so familiar with that they tend to take it with a pinch of salt. There are so many ways of trying to catch the buyers interest that very few titles like these really jump out at the buyer.

This one did jump out at me, though not so much for the choice of tracks, more for the quality of artists who perform them. Considering this is only a 2CD set, far too short for any Mozart compilation, the list of performers reads like a roll call for the best `Last Night of the Proms' ever staged.

A simple list of some of the orchestras, conductors, singers and soloists sums up this gem of an album:
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CD-Charts Position 43
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Chavez Ravine

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
by: Ry Cooder

Release Date June 13, 2005
....it's going to be. That is ....it isn't Buena Vista Social Club, it isn't Ibrahim Ferrer, it isn't Ali Farka Toure, it isn't Flaco Jimenez. But then again it's all of these and more. In particular it's more of Ry and in a bigger sense its more altogether. A commanding view with all Ry Cooder's talents of bringing together disparate elements into a musical whole. Every play pays off and the record gets better and better with each hearing. In some ways it reminds me of early spring backs to folk melodies on "Into the Purple Valley" but with everything that he has done since coming together over a long and fruitful career and adding to the disc. Quite possibly the best thing that he has out together for a long time and worth persisting with

CD-Charts Position 44
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Gladiator: Music from the Motion Picture

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
by: Lee Ritenour

Release Date March 11, 2002
Despite the plagiarism of Wagner (Siegfried's Funeral March) and Holst (Mars) this is an astonishing soundtrack.

Dr BeeClarke.

CD-Charts Position 45
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Glassworks

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
by: Philip Glass

Release Date March 10, 2003
When Mr Sax invented what Homer Simpson memorably refers to as "The Saxamaphone" he had in mind a number of uses for it. Something like a clarinet but louder, to make the grade in a marching military band. And in a symphonic setting, something that would allow the wind section to compliment the strings more fully. Well he got his wish with the military bands, but once adopted by jazzers and honking rock and rollers the saxaphone seems to have been diverted from the classical home Adolph intended for it. That is until Philip Glass wrote this sumptious setting for the instrument.You will have heard a few of these pieces in the better class of TV advert. They are all pattering pianos, swelling strings and those saxaphones are there, doing what they were born ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 46
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Titanic : Music from the Motion Picture

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
from: Sony Classics

Release Date August 12, 2002
Like the film, Horner's Oscar winning score has it's moments. 'Never an Absolution' is marvellous, 'Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave' is OK (once you get past the irritating Chariots of Fire-esque effects) and that's it really. Much of the score is ruined by Horner's insistence on choosing instrumentation rooted in the story over what would work better.

Southampton for instance is spoilt by annoying synthesised choirs. The composers reason for this was apparently to give the film a contemporary feel, unfortunately it just grates, particularly when you realise how well-written the rest of the instrumentation is. The action cues are fine, but nothing mind-blowing. 'My Heart Will Go On,' performed by the ever-irritating Celine Dion, is utterly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 47
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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
from: Walt Disney Records

Release Date July 10, 2006
This is a BRILLIANT soundtrack and just as good as the first with the memorable theme tunes of the organ playing DAVY JONES, the satanic monstrous KRAKEN and the tuneful, boingy theme of the guy we all love JACK SPARROW. There's also plenty more music from the film (which did I forget to mention is AMAZING only second in my opinion to the STAR WARS SAGA) such as the music accompnying the brilliantly choregraphed sword fight on the island leading to the giant wheel and much more. However I agree with the previous review (that you may have read also) that the 'remix', the last track on the CD is absolutely AWFUL and I can't express this enough, its TERRIBLE, its DRAB, ITS THE WORST TRACK OF MUSIC I'VE EVER HEARD and does not fit in with the other music AT ALL or ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 48
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Chariots Of Fire

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
by: Vangelis

Release Date November 06, 2006
This CD was excellent first-time round, but now digitally remastered, it is even better sounding. Vangelis is a genius - no argument. Chariots of Fire will always remain his most commercial output.

"Titles" is the main familiar theme. "Five Circles" is well known as well, having been added to compilation CDs. This CD is a soundtrack and nothing else but there are some ommissions from the film, for instance "Hymn" was used in the film but doesn't appear on the CD. "Hymn" can be found on a 1970s recording "Opera Sauvage" which is now available also on CD and is recommended. Watching the film recently, I chanced on hearing Vangelis calling on previous recordings and experiments. In "Abraham's Theme" I can hear "Reve" again from "Opera Sauvage". The main ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 49
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(40) Most Beautiful Arias

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
from: Wea

Release Date October 02, 2006
This is a beautiful album, which lives up to its title. Will be enjoyed by both opera buffs, and those of us who just like the songs we keep hearing on TV and radio. Now you can match the song to the title, to the opera. Includes many arias not usually found on opera compilations. Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 50
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Fistful of Sounds

CD-Charts > Music > Composers
by: Ennio Morricone

Release Date April 12, 1999
These two discs contain three complete, original recordings by this unique composer, who along with Schifrin changed the sound of film music. His music for many great Sergio Leone westerns announced a new direction for the evolution of the soundtrack, with the sort of creative and often startling use of instrumentation so well exhibited on this collection.

The first cd presents the music from the first two 'Dollars' films. The opening theme, not one of his best-known, builds on guitars and an evocative whistled melody with unsettling vocals and rolling percussion, which carries your imagination over a sunscorched desert plain. Full string sounds layer the music, adding depth and musical texture.
Whilst you notice the most significant themes almost ooze ... Read More: