CD-Charts Position 1
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Classic FM - Hall of Fame Gold

from: Classic FM

Release Date April 05, 2003
As a younger listener of classical music, I have found this album to be a wonderful collection of well loved pieces, all in one place. Perfect. Although previously I did not have much interest in opera, I have found the compositions on this album to be fantastic and I now have a greater appreciation for pieces like Bellini's Casta Diva, and Dvorak's Song to the Moon.
I am only disappointed by one thing, and I am afraid that must be the appalling attitude of anon1659, who thinks that music must be serious to be enjoyed. I have played classical violin since a young age, and find it to be anything but serious. Classical music is beautiful, but you don't need to concentrate when you listen. It has been written to convey emotion, and to be ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Classic FM - Relax and Escape - The No.1 Collection of Smooth Classics

by: Various Composers

Release Date November 08, 2004

There are numerous great value compilation sets of classical music claiming to have the power of relaxation - Classic FM alone have a few variants such as `Relax', `Relax More' and `Time to Relax' - and all appear to offer the ultimate relaxing experience so it's a difficult task to decide which to buy.

There is no `best' compilation though for it's a matter of personal choice, but there are several advantages of choosing the Classic FM range of relaxation therapy. There is not too much repetition between each set (if there was, we wouldn't buy their next relax release would we?), the recordings are invariably good (and recent) ones, and most importantly they usually offer a selection of some of today's big names in the Classical ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Relaxing Classic FM

from: Bmg

Release Date October 17, 2005
For a relaxing couple of hours just to yourself, plug in the headphones and sit back and enjoy. The music flows pleasantly from soft and light to that more uplifting fibrancy that pulls you and your heart and mind to an edge of pleasure but without going overboard into the more emotional and vibrant pieces. For myself i have preferred using a travel mask to totally remove myself from the house around me! Really relaxing!

CD-Charts Position 4
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Classic FM Relax 3CD

by: Various Artists

Release Date October 29, 2007

There are so many classical music compilations which claim to `relax' the listener that it becomes either daunting for the newcomer to know which to buy, or repetitive to others who have already purchased several such collections. There's no answer to which is best, for they all have their merits, some being better quality performances, others offer a better selection of music, and others may just be great value for money.

The Classic FM series of CD releases - and they are growing in number - generally offer a little of all these attributes, and are increasingly becoming the first choice of classical music compilation for many people.

This 3CD set entitled `relax' is certainly good value and as usual is well packaged ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Classic FM Music for Dinner Parties

from: Classic FM.(Export

Release Date July 12, 2004

Such is Classic FM's marketing team's enthusiasm for releasing these 'Music For' compilation albums we should soon have a CD in our collection to cover every eventuality in our lives!

This one is for dinner parties - although being a single CD it may need to be played several times depending on how quickly your guests eat - and the intention is to create a calm, relaxed atmosphere with perhaps an air of sophistication to those social events.

There should be something on this album to please everyone round the dinner table. Satie's 'Trois Gymnopedies' is soothing and familiar, Haydn's 'Cello Concerto no. 2' is more lively and Handel's 'Water Music' adds a bit of ceremony to the event.

The recordings, as ever ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Film 100

by: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date October 02, 2006
If you're looking for any CD's with movie music, this would be my first, and only, stop. There's something for everyone, and although stuff like the Indiana Jones theme is missing, and the opera CD (Disc 5) is a little week, the likes of "Ride of the Valkiryies" and "Ode to Joy" is just timeles, and best of all, immortalised by the films they're featured in, the compliment of all compliments to these films. It's very cheap to, I would highly recommend this.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Classic FM Music for Studying

from: Classic FM.(Export

Release Date July 12, 2004

A lovely collection of music for relaxing or studying, most of the tracks are just a single movement or piece from the full score, which is probably all that is required for most listeners as it does make the music instantly recognizable and familiar.

There is an abundance of these types of collections though and many are box sets offering better value than this single CD. It forms part of a series by Classic FM (including albums dedicated to Babies, Mothers, Studying, Driving, Bathtime, Dinner Parties, Christmas, Romance, Weddings) so it may appeal to those wanting to get the entire collection and build a modest library of varied classical music.

A good selection of classical music, but probably not the best value for ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Classic FM - Music for Christmas

by: Various Artists

Release Date November 15, 2004

This is a collection of traditional Christmas carols and music from two of today's most respected choirs - The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, and The Sixteen. These performances are subtle and restrained ones from a quiet chapel rather than a Songs of Praise edition from Westminster Abbey, so they are perfect for a quiet sit-down on Christmas Eve or calming Christmas Day morning reflection on life before the work begins.

Christmas CDs are in abundance, but this one offers some lovely traditional versions of songs as they were intended to be heard.

The others in the `Classic FM For' series are albums dedicated to Babies, Dinner Parties, Driving, Fitness, Mums, Romance, Studying, Weddings, so it will also appeal to those ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Classic FM - Voices

by: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Gareth Hancock

Release Date February 26, 2007
Just an amazing 2cd set 1 being really relaxing after a days work. The other been motivating which is disc 2. Classic fm voices 2007 CDs is brilliant I really recommend it to anyone and especially those with stressful lives.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations

from: EMI Classics

Release Date March 11, 2002
This version of The Planets has replaced my recent LSO version.
Why? Well, the balance between the contributing elements is the best i've heard so far: The bass is thunderous analogue and the high woodwind/strings are like crystal in equal measure. This is a superb achievement and exceptionally important for, 'large orchestra' where Dynamics become a recording engineer's delight or problem depending on how good they are. And these people are the best: Abbey road have done a fantastic job on the remastering of a late 70's classic, although there is one thing they could never tackle: Is this as Holst intended?

Bolt was a friend of Holst and was given the opportunity to first conduct the piece; Bolt read and heard the original 'two piano' score and must ... Read More: