CD-Charts Position 1
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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 2
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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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Classic FM - Most Wanted

by: Philharmonia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Stephan Barratt-Due

Release Date October 30, 2006

This Classic FM 3CD collection is an interesting theme variation from most of their other compilations in that it represents music voted for by the radio show's listeners.

`Classic FM Most Wanted' is a program intended to give listeners the chance to vote for their favourite music and then listen to their choices in the form of a countdown during each weekday afternoon, so this compilation is classical music's equivalent of pop music's `Top 30 chart countdown'.

The result is 30 pieces of music which have no common theme other than representing the type of classical music which today's people like. For those unfamiliar to classical music, this will be a case of 'most welcome', for nearly all of the tracks on the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Classic FM Music for Driving

from: Classic FM.(Export

Release Date July 12, 2004

The `Classic FM Music For' series of CDs, released during 2004 to 2005, aims to provide classical music to suit a variety of moods and occasions, including music for Babies, Bath time, Christmas, Dinner Parties, Driving, Fitness, Romance, Mums, Studying and Weddings.

This collection of well chosen short pieces, intended to be played while driving, is more of a cross section of classical music's most popular hits (they will be familiar to most non-classical fans) than a good listening accompaniment for driving - musical taste will surely dictate the most suitable music for that.

Some of the albums in the series are appropriate for the occasion, but this one is simply a very good selection of classical music suitable for ... 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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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 7
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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 appreciated. You do NOT have ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Smooth Classics - Do Not Disturb

from: Classic FM

Release Date October 20, 2003
A fantastic collection of relaxing classics that leaves you refreshed and ready to take on any challenge. A very peaceful and relaxing selection that will be a delight to any classical music lovers taste.I don't think you will be disappointed.

CD-Charts Position 9
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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 money of its type. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Smooth Classics

from: Classic FM

Release Date October 19, 2002
Every year at this time Classic FM bring out a new triple CD set - and this year's is even better than the ones that have come before. I didn't think they'd be able to better "Time to Relax", which was last year's album - but they have! And they've done it in some style too by choosing music from their evening programme "Smooth Classics at Seven", which is presented by the legendary John Brunning. I can't recommend this album enough. And it does just what it says on the box. I've got my copy in the car at the moment - it's perfect as an antidote to a journey from Hull to Manchester on the M62 every morning. I'm seriously considering ordering two more copies - one for the office and one for home - the music choice really is that good. This is excellent stress-busting stuff ... Read More: