CD-Charts Position 1
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The John Rutter Christmas Album

from: Collegium

Release Date November 04, 2002
I thought this CD had got lost in our recent house move and was delighted when it turned up in one the last boxes to be opened. I immediately rushed to listen again even though it is early March and am once again entranced by the warmth and beauty of the music and the singing. You really can play this CD anytime in the year and that is what I am doing now! If you buy it you will not be disappointed!

CD-Charts Position 2
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Bach: Christmas Oratorio

from: Archiv Produktion

Release Date November 04, 1987
This disc is a bit of an oddity. I can give it a perfectly sincere recommendation, but I think I had better explain myself carefully, and explain exactly what I am recommending.

The spirit of the selection is much what you would expect in a disc entitled `Christmas Treats from JSB' or `Immortal Melodies from The Christmas Oratorio' or something of that sort. Bach's Christmas Oratorio is not an oratorio in the Handelian sense. In the 1730's Bach faithfully turned out a cantata for each Sunday and major feast, but in one particular year he elected to reprocess some of his older music, most of it secular originally, and string the numbers together for the entire festive season under the overall title of `Christmas Oratorio'. Borrowing, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Christmas Music from Medieval and Renaissance Europe

from: Hyperion

Release Date July 01, 1994
This is now the 11th Christmas that this music has been part of the tradition of my holiday season, and although I've acquired numerous other holiday music collections over the years, this far surpasses any other collection that I own. It is difficult to do justice to this music by describing it in mere words. The collection ranges from the 14th to the 16th Century, and is unlike any other collection of Christmas music available. It evokes the true spirit of the Christmas season, is enlightening, inspirational, and transports the listener far from the trite elements of the 'modern' holiday season. No other choral group can compare to the Harry Christophers The Sixteen (named such as the group consists of four treble/mean, four alto, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Carols from King's

from: EMI Classics

Release Date November 17, 1997
Having just heard the CD, I am warmed by the quality of ALL the tracks, the singing is beautiful and sung so professionally.
If you are looking for a traditional Carol CD, then I would definately recommend this one,

CD-Charts Position 5
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Handel: Messiah

from: Duo

Release Date May 10, 1993
This is more like it. I bought the Harry Christopher/Sixteen version and was left unmoved by it. This however, was sublime - fantastic soloists, an orchestra and chorus that sounded as if they meant it, a wonderful range of emotion beautifully realised. To me this is what a performance of the Messiah should sound like. The other reviewers got this one spot-on. I can only 'rejoice greatly' for such a recording.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Noël - Christmas at King's

by: Cambridge David Willcocks, The Choir of King's College

Release Date November 13, 1995
There are different versions of these carols on different cds. This is one of the few collections, where you really get the best of the best. As the other reviewer said it's too good just for Christmas, such beauty in every carol, and the moment I hear them it lifts me, in a way no other music does. If you listen to any Christmas music this year, make sure it's these carols, because I assure you won't be disappointed with the quality, and the beauty of what's on offer. It is Christmas Music at its best. 10 Stars forget 5.

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Uncommon Reader

by: Alan Bennett

Release Date July 03, 2008
Alan Bennett has discovered a latent royalist tendency with this little gem, Her Majesty being portrayed as, in this one respect at least - a reader, nay devourer of books, whatever next - just like us. It won't do, can't be allowed actually. I chuckled and chortled and laughed out loud and was cheering every successful subterfuge. It's a book that makes you feel good.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Bach: The Art of the Fugue

by: Glenn Gould

Release Date September 09, 2002
This is definitely one of my favourite GG Edition CDs. As with all of his Bach recordings, I'm struck by the brilliant mind of Glenn Gould, listening to the amazing clarity and freedom of his playing which makes this wonderfully complex music sound as if coming directly from his mind. What a shame he did not record complete piano version of the work! Highly recommendable not just to fans, but anyone who loves Art of Fugue, alongside koroliov's enthralling complete recording.

CD-Charts Position 9
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The Lives Of Others [2007]

starring: Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur, Hans Bauer, Ulrich Muehe
directed by: Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck

Release Date September 17, 2007
an authentic portrayal of the stasi spy system in Eastern Germany which prevailed before the collapse of the Berlin wall and which conscripted millions of its citizens to spy on each other and everyone else.
an intimate poignant representation via the its central characters, the film needs to be slow in order to capture the oppressive mood, and what developes subsequently..... but it never feels laboured .
remember that it is the director's first film which makes it even more significant.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Bach - Brandenburg Concertos

from: Universal Classics

Release Date March 03, 1995
I don't know much about classical music unlike the other reviewers for this CD. However, I was fortunate in that my mother bought me a record (remember them?) of Concertos no 1,3 and 5. You get

1. all 6 Brandenburg concertos beautifully played by English Chamber Orchestra. Normally albums of Bach's Brandenburg concertos only have three of the concertos. Having listened to a few of these, the quality of this CD is at least equal to those recordings in my opinion.

2. two additional concertos: the Concerto for Oboe, Violin and Strings and the Concerto for Flute and Strings. The first of these, as observed in the other reviews, is stunning.

I think this CD is fabulous to listen to and is a complete steal for the price.