5 comments about Christmas Collection.

1. This is a classic cd and is a great for the Christmas season. It's not
   Christmas without the Carpenter's!!



2. I am 100% satisfied with this purchase, and the entire buying process. I received the CD earlier than I expected (before Christmas even!), and it was brand new. I just love my new CD. I'm so happy



3. The Carpenter's Christmas Collection is the best all-around Christmas album I have ever heard. I listen to it from the beginning of December until well into January. There is such a variety of music and styles, and it just feels so "Christmas-y" that it gets you into the holiday spirit everytime you listen to it. My recent purchase was for a friend, and she loves it too!



4. Incredible voice of Karen and wonderful arrangements by Richard. I wish she could have made back as we would still be having a one of a kind voice entertaining us.



5. Nobody! I mean Nobody can make Christmas music like the Carpenters. In this package you get both Christmas albums. "Christmas Portrait" released back in 1978,contains the songs Merry Christmas Darling,Christmas Waltz,Ave Maria,Sleigh Ride,I'll Be Home For Christmas,and many more. In my opinion, that is the best Christmas album ever made! On Disc 2, you get "An Old Fashioned Christmas" released back in 1984, most of the songs were leftovers from the "Christmas Portrait" recording sessions. On this album you get Little Altar Boy,Do You Hear What I Hear?,Santa Clause Is Coming To Town,An Old Fashioned Christmas and many more. This album is well worth the purchase, your not just get one but two of the greatest Christmas albums of all time and by one of the greatest groups ever! Karen Carpenter had a one in a billion voice and Richard Carpenter's arrangments are flawless. Make sure you get your copy today!

5 comments about Schubert: The Piano Sonatas.

1. Absolutely must have for true music lover and particularly the music of Schubert. This is already an old recording but still stands up the comparison with later, newer CD's ( Brendel, Schiff,Lupu, Perahia). Kempff, the old master, now deceased, left a memorable,moving and romantic in spirit rendition of Schubert Piano Sonatas (the first complete set). I heard Kempff performed in live, and always thought of him as the greatest German Romantic Pianist.
   This set is the work of true love.



2. Kempff himself wrote the liner notes to this highly satisfying set and states the following: "The deeper we penetrate into the world of Schubert, however, the greater is our surprise at discovering that the 'heavenly length' for which he is reproached is to be regarded relatively. If the length becomes evident as longueurs, the fault lies with the interpreter (I speak from my own experience...)." Indeed, in listening to Kempff play the Schubert sonata canon the thoughts of "overly long" or "needlessly repetitive" never entered my head. Barring some extraordinary performances of individual sonatas over the years, such as Richter's old Russian recording of the c minor (D 958) on Melodiya or Serkin's equally old recording of the B-flat (D 960), this is the best playing of the Schubert sonatas I know.
   
   I used to think of some of the earlier sonatas as practice or training pieces for the later masterworks (which of course by definition they are, but they need not be viewed retrospectively from the vantage point of the late works). Unfortunately, they often sound boring and immature. This is due to defects in players and the playing, not a problem with Schubert. Kempff makes all the sonatas here, including the early ones, glow with the utmost musicality so they stand on their own as beautiful works. Just one example: In the earlier of the a minor sonatas he handles little secondary figures that are intercalated within major theme phrases in an amazingly musical and beautiful way. As a pianist myself, I could never figure out how to make them unobtrusive, let alone desirable. Under Kempff's fingers they fit sublimely into the fabric of the work. The playing is clearly layered, every note and phrase has its place and purpose, his internal logic is such that nothing Schubert wrote sounds less than as it should. One more example: The first movement of the G major sonata ("Fantasy" sonata, D 894) floats in its ethereal haze but goes fast, not slow. Kempff can produce the effect of suspended animation without suspending the actual motion. This is no doubt what Schubert intended but it is very difficult to pull off as a performer. Kempff's treatment of the last 5 sonatas (D, G, A, c minor, and B flat) is breathtaking.
   
   This set is a revelation. What a magnificent panorama of Schubert's development as a composer! Also, the origins of later composers' styles can be traced to Schubert's writing for piano. The roots of Bruckner's iterated and protracted symphonies can be heard, for example, in the way the finale of the a minor sonata begins. (I don't think this is apparent from other players, who lack Kempff's lyricism and mysticism.) Included beside the actual titled sonatas are various fragments of incomplete sonatas and collections of piano pieces that in effect are untitled sonatas (such as D 459/459A).
   
   The recordings are from around 1965-1970 and the piano sound is singing, glowing, radiant. I recommend this set wholeheartedly to anyone interested in great musicianship, masterly piano playing, Schubert's piano music, and Schubert's evolution as a composer. Kempff makes you realize that the magic didn't all happen in the last year of Schubert's life, and I can't think of another pianist who does that for me. (There are few, if any, major players of Schubert with whom I'm not familiar.) Kempff was the leading German pianist of the immediate post-WW II era, but I think he has largely been forgotten. His Schubert, Beethoven, and Brahms are wonderful. Modern players, despite their steel fingers and elephantine endurance and machine-like (sometimes machine-gun-like) techniques, stand to learn a lot from this old master's art.



3. I don't really have much to add to the other reviewers vivid discriptions of the superb playing of Kempff on this cycle. While I have interpretations of many of these individual sonatas that I like better than Kempff's (by Richter, Radu Lupu, Fleisher and Uchida), this is easily the most solid complete set. The playing (and sound) is splendid throughout and I can't imagine not owning it. A must have.



4. Schubert's Piano Sonatas essentially are rather private and occasionally introspective works. They are "more Wigmore Hall than Albert Hall" and perhaps this is one reason why they are not so often included in public performances but "Hausmusik" these works are not.
   
   Elliot Richman in an earlier review has said "Modern players, despite their steel fingers and elephantine endurance and machine-like (sometimes machine-gun-like) techniques, stand to learn a lot from this old master's art." How true, how true! Similar exemplars of Kempff's less frenetic approach include Clifford Curzon, Friedrich Wuhrer and Walter Gieseking. Perhaps in some measure it is appropriate that these Sonatas are bypassed by a few of today's heavy hitters on the international recital circuit for these intimate works do not respond well to modern robotics. I am reminded of Rosalyn Tureck's observation: "I have seen a diminution of passionate involvement in the art of music and I have seen a crescendo in passionate involvement with careers".
   
   None of the Sonatas was publicly performed in Schubert's lifetime. This is a sad quirk of history and certainly not a reflection of their musical worth. Beethoven had thirty of his Sonatas published posthumously but in my view these lovely, often haunting Schubert gems are deserving of an appreciation very much wider than they seem to have; certainly beyond the B flat major and a couple of others which are better known.
   
   Wilhelm Kempff's performance here is to his customary and uniquely high standard of interpretation and empathetic treatment; that alone makes this set a "must buy". Whilst the recordings can be a trifle woolly in places and probably would benefit from the digital magic which Deutsche Grammophon successfully has applied to some other older performances, the quality is entirely acceptable and any shortcomings are in no sense obtrusive.
   
   I adore these pieces; it is very evident that Wilhelm Kempff does too.
   



5. To my uneducated ear this set is excellent. But beware, the first CD of the first set sent to me, when viewed on iTunes was totally in an oriental language. I sent the set back and the second set had the very same thing. The first CD seems to have come from a foreign edition. All other CDs were fine. The paperwork was in English.

5 comments about Messiah (George Frederick Handel) London Philharmonic Orchestra.

1. I have the 1979 two cassette tape version. It is excellent. My daughters are wearing that one out, so time to update to the CD.



2. One of the best pieces of music I have ever listened to, and have for many years. I have not listened to different orchestra's, performers, etc., but this is tops. Even with other performers, it must be good. Cannot think who would not be inspired by this music. Great.



3. The Messiah is an old classic and you can't get any better than Mr. Handel. But if you are not the type for it then you might not like it. Otherwise it is excellent. The various chorus numbers are outstanding to listen to.



4. A perfect rendition of Messiah. The Christmas season is not complete without hearing Messiah at least 2 or 3 times. Since Handel adopted England as home, it seems fitting to hear his work performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.



5. Many envision Christmas when they hear Messiah spoken in reference to Handel's classical craftsmanship. I, personally, envision all year round listening rapture.
   
   Handel's composition details various epics of Christ's life--His birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and eventual Messianic millennial rule. You behold through Handel's orchestrated psalms, the Old Testament prophesies concerning Messiah encompassed with the New Testament fulfillments.
   
   Handel's Messiah is remarkable as it is the inspired Scripture set to orchestration. Messiah is absent of Handel's words; only holding his masterful musical scores.
   
   When you insert these CDs, Biblical truths arise in illustrious, serenading ecstasy. You immediately recognize, The London Philharmonic is unequaled in this production. There is no need to search further for the unsurpassed.
   
   Here are all the words for easy tracking:
   
   Isaiah 40:1-3 1. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. . . . The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every Valley; Isaiah 40:4 4.Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain. And the Glory of the Lord Isaiah 40:5 5. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together:for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Thus saith the Lord Haggai 2:6,7 6. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Yet once, a little while and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 7. And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come Malachi 3:1 1. The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. But who may abide the Day of His Coming? Malachi 3:2 2. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire. And He shall Purify Malachi 3:3 3. And He shall purify the sons of Levi. . . that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive Isaiah 7:14 (Matthew 1:23) Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name EMMANUEL, God with us. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion Isaiah 40:9 9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, and be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Isaiah 60:1 1. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth Isaiah 60:2,3 2. For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. 3. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. The people that walked in darkness Isaiah 9:2 (Matthew 3:16) 2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto Us a Child is born Isaiah 9:6 6. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. There were shepherds abiding in the field Luke 2:8 8. There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Luke 2:9 9. And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the Angel said unto them Luke 2:10,11 10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the Angel Luke 2:13 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God Luke 2:14 14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion. Zechariah 9:9,10 (Matthew 21:5) 9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Savior. . And he shall speak peace unto the heathen. Then shall the eyes of the blind Isaiah 35:5,6 5. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd Isaiah 40:11 11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; and he shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Matthew 11:28 Come unto [Him], all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and [He shall]give you rest. . Take [his] yoke upon you, and learn of [Him]; for [he is] meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. His yoke is easy Matthew 11:30 30. [His] yoke is easy, and [his]burden is light. Part II Behold the lamb of God John 1:29 29.Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world. He was despised Isaiah 53:3 3. He is despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. . . Isaiah 50:6 [He]gave [His] back to the smiters, and [His] cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: [He] hid not [His] face from shame and spitting. Surely He hath borne our griefs Isaiah 53:4,5 4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. . . . He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:the chastisement of our peace was upon him, And with His stripes we are healed Isaiah 53:5b 5. and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray. Isaiah 53:6 6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. All they that see him laugh him to scorn Psalm 22:7. All they that see [him]laugh [him] to scorn: they shoot out their lips, they shake their heads, saying: He trusted in God Psalm 22:8 (Matthew 27:43) 8. He trusted [in God] that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, if he delight in him. Thy rebuke hath broken His heart Psalm 69:20 20. [Thy] rebuke hath broken [his] heart; [He is] full of heaviness. [He]looked for some to have pity [on Him], but there was none; neither found [He] any to comfort [Him]. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow Lamentations 1:12. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto [his] sorrow. . . He was cut off out of the land of the living Isaiah 53:8b 8. he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of [Thy] people was He stricken. But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell Psalm 16:10 (Acts 2:27) 10. [But] thou [didst] not leave [his] soul in hell; neither [didst] thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption. Lift up your heads, O ye gates Psalm 24:7-10 7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory. Unto which of the angels said He at any time Hebrews 1:5 (Psalm 2:7) For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? Let all the angels of God worship Him Hebrews 1:6b 6. "Let all the angels of God worship Him." Thou art gone up on high Psalm 68:18 (Ephesians 4:8) Thou art gone up on high, Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even for Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them. The Lord gave the word Psalm 68:11 11. The Lord gave the word: great was the company of [the preachers]. How beautiful are the feet Romans 10:15 (Isaiah 52:7) How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Their sound is gone out Romans 10:18 (Psalm 19:4) 18. Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world. Why do the nations so furiously rage together? Psalm 2:1,2 (Acts 4:25-26) Why do the heathen rage, and why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed, Let us break their bonds asunder Psalm 2:3 3. Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us. He that dwelleth in heaven Psalm 2:4 4. He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision. hou shalt break them Psalm 2:9 9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Hallelujah Revelation 19:6 6. Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Revelation 11:15 15. . . the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ: and He shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 19:16 16. . . . KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS. I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep. [Job 19:25-26; I Corinthians 15:20] Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. [I Corinthians 15:21-22] Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [I Corinthians 15:51-53] Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [I Corinthians 15:54] Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. [I Corinthians 15:55-56. But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. [I Corinthians 15:57] If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercessions for us. [Romans 8:31, 33-34] Worthy is the lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. [Revelation 5:12-13] Amen chorus.
   

5 comments about White Christmas.

1. I was extremely disappointed that this CD was almost a duplicate of her wonderful 1999 "White Christmas" CD with what appears to be only 4-5 of the SIXTEEN tracks actually new material.
   
   In the notes, she says "This album was a joy to make." Apparently the "joy" must've been as result of the clear ease in nearly recycling a CD done 8 years ago.
   
   Yes, the songs are beautiful--wonderful, classic songs of the season. Martina McBride at her best. For sheer musical artistry, it would rank 5 stars.
   
   But it is really sad, when so many artists are trying to create new and original material, that McBride slides in old stuff under new packaging like this.



2. I love Martina McBride.........she has an incredible voice and brings such emotion to the lyrics when she sings. However, I was disappointed when I put this CD in only to discover it is mostly a re-recording of the Christmas songs from her first Christmas CD with a few more additions. I was hoping that she would have re-recorded the songs differently....... oh well, I guess I should have listened first.



3. I love Martina and her wonderful voice. Her latest Christmas album with the new songs added is wonderful, but I hope her next Christmas release includes ALL new songs since there are plenty of terrific holiday songs out there without having to repeat any year after year.



4. I have always loved to listen to Martina McBrides music. This is just another awesome Cd by her.



5. It took awhile to get to me, but was in great condition. It's a lovely cd and I'm glad to have it.

5 comments about Backstreet Boys - Video Hits, Chapter One.

1. This movie was GREAT! I've seen this and "Back Street Stories" and this ranked way higher than that movie. I'm tellin' ya if you want to buy a Backstreet Boy movie that has no Bad motions, cuss words or sexual content this is the one to get.But there is one song that parents might want to listen to first. It's called "EveryBody [Backstreets Back]" and it says.."Am i The Only One" "Am I SEXUAL" "Am I everything You better Rock your Body right." I know my parents don't like that But thats preety much it. I hope i didn't spoile it for you. That is just one song so your ok. My parents didn't buy this for me but we rented it & if i did get it I would watch it EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!



2. I love Backstreet Boys - Chapter One. I enjoy watching them over and over again. If you are a big fan of the Backstreet Boys you will totally enjoy watching all of these videos.



3. I bought this DVD from Amazon. I would say, this DVD is a excelent video collection. All the music lovers should have this DVD. Do not miss this DVD.I'm very happy to purchased it.I gurenteed about the satisfaction as a music lover.



4. This DVD is a great compilation of the hit songs and their music videos the Backstreet Boys have produced over their first three albums: Backstreet Boys, Millennium, and Black & Blue. You can watch a progression of their music and style in this video alone.
   
   The only reason why I give this DVD a 4-star rating instead of five is because of the fact that the region 1 disk here only has the American/ Canadian hits. Hits like We've Got It Goin' On or Get Down (You're the One For Me) aren't present. Another disappointment would be the lack of the new song on The Hits CD - Drowning. The music video for Drowning isn't on this DVD, so if you wanted to buy this DVD for that purpose, you should look elsewhere for it. The DVD is amazing, though, and included my favourite video: The Call. Check it out!



5. With 12 videos from their first three cds. Backstreet Boys, Milennium and Black and Blue.
   
   Backstreet Boys:
   
   Quit Playing Games With My Heart
   As Long As You Love Me
   Everybody (Backstreet's Back)
   All I Have To Give
   I'll Never Break Your Heart
   
   Milennium:
   
   I Want It That Way
   Larger Than Life
   Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely
   The One
   
   Black and Blue:
   
   Shape of My Heart
   The Call
   More Than That
   
   Total running time for the DVD/videos is 55 minutes. But with this at your disposal you can watch any of their vids at anytime and for a pretty good price as well.

5 comments about Bartok: Complete Solo Piano Music.

1. This is a fantastic deal, but the problem with this Collection stems from the fact that the pieces are often not separated by tracks. This is especially annoying for the Children's Pieces and Mikrokosmos. There are so many pieces, one wears out the fast forward button and still may miss the particular piece one is looking for. The booklet is fairly insightful, and the performer is widely hailed as the supreme interpreter of Bartok's piano music. So aside from this slightly annoying at times and ridiculously annoying at other times flaw, this is one of the best deals in Classical music. Don't hesitate. Add it to the cart.



2. To put this set in perspective, for months I would go to my local Tower Records fishing for worthwhile classical CDs at least once a week. One of the discs that sat in the bins the longest was a single CD of Bartok piano music, played by Zoltan Kocsis. It was Volume 7 of a complete series. This CD listed for $17.99, and as long as I went to that Tower Records, it did not budge an inch, nor was its price amended.
   
   Now, Kocsis is one of the greatest pianists alive, and if anyone is worthy of commanding a premium, it is him. And to be fair, that CD is going to be re-released on October 11 as part of a Collector's Edition - eight CDs, $63.97 MSRP. But it's already going up against this little gem, which contains five CDs with all of the truly great solo-piano works by an internationally recognized Bartok specialist for $21 - not much more than the cost of one CD from the other set. This kind of value is not to be taken lightly.
   
   I came to this set with my impression of Sandor informed by his complete Prokofiev - ultra-hard, sometimes rhythmically slack, always melodically lacking in some way or another. But he held a very special feeling for Bartok, and saved his best playing for the great Hungarian. In passages like the first of the Three Csik Dances, the opening of the Improvisations Op. 20, or in the Ten Easy Pieces, there is a simplicity, charm and wistful homesickness that is quite touching. In pieces like the Out of Doors suite, the Sonata, or the Burlesques, there is a vicious, impulsive energy, a wicked sense of humor and an overabundance of overtones. It is never mindless, inappropriate or even overly harsh - it's just very, very loud.
   
   In this set I like best the endless landscape of the Sonatina, the unusual colors and fragrances in the Etudes, the brilliantly conceived Bear Dance (the last of the Ten Easy Pieces), and the multifaceted, complex, gorgeous Improvisations. Any fan of Bartok should hear these.



3. I like the fact that Bartok is into the folk tradition and all, but he just tends to forget the fact that melody has to be SOMEWHERE in the music. I'm all for creative expression when you're sitting alone at the piano, but abstract music should be reserved for performance art. I like playing some of your stuff Bela, but I just don't want to listen to you.



4. I am not a Bartok expert by any scale, but I do like the way these pieces, without exception, are played. There are, however, a couple of other problems.
   
   As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, very few of the works are split into tracks - Mikrokosmos is divided into 7 for each of its six volumes, and to accomodate for a full CD. In these seven tracks there are 121 songs. I would have much preferred if the songs had been split into tracks. Almost the entire CD set is this way - Fifteen Hungarian Songs is one track, Fourteen Bagatelles, etc. It is very annoying when one wants to hear a particular song in those tracks and not the others.
   
   Another detriment to the collection is the recording quality. It is decent most of the time, but in loud sections the piano buzzes. One might be able to ignore it, but I think that it detracts from the passion of the forte quite a bit.
   
   Overall, for $18 it is pretty decent, but if you are like me and like to keep your music library neatly organized (and aren't extremely cheap), I would not recommend this set.



5. Sándor was a champion not only of Bartók's music but also of Bartók's style of playing. He often complained that people were too quick to see Bartók as ultra-modern, and to fail to appreciate the rich seam of lyricism that also runs through his music.
   
   The piano music is dominated by short pieces, many of them written for piano students, notably the collections "Microcosmos" and "For Children". These, together with suites of folk dance arrangements, make up the bulk of the solo piano output.
   
   Sandór plays these short, and often simple pieces, with neither too much nor too little art. As a gifted teacher, he knew unerringly how much music each of these small vessels held. The result is beguiling - but be warned: no-one can listen to the 153 short pieces of Microcosmos end-to-end. This is an anthology to be dipped into, not swallowed whole.
   
   The remastering is pretty successful (fortunately - some of Vox's CD reissues are plagued by severe deterioration of the original tapes). And it's for half nothing-what's not to like?

5 comments about Christmas Eve and Other Stories.

1. By now you no doubt know what this CD is, a concept album telling the story of an angel who is charged by God to go to Earth and bring something back that represents humanity. Along the way, the angel encounters war and loss, hope and potential fulfilled. The music ranges from light choral to hard rocking, with the famous Christmas eve Sarjevo instrumental that gets lots of radio play around the holidays. The CD is engaging throughout, with powerful music and a feel-good ending. Some reviewers have claimed that it is sappy, but it's a holiday album! What did you expect from a Christmas album, gloom and despair? The Ornament, An Angel Returned, and This Christmas Day are personal favorites. If you have a chance to catch TSO in holiday concert, do so. My wife and I saw the concert this past year, with the music being supplemented by a narrator who tied the pieces of music together, telling the story of the angel's trips around the globe. It's beautiful and moving stuff, with a hard-rocking edge.



2. This lives up to the years of superb work by the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
   The music resonated with me in ways they cannot be described in words.
   It is not just music, or just listening to music. It is an organic experience that taps into my memories of Christmas past and antiicpaiton of the Christmas season.



3. I was highly disappointed in this CD. There was only one really good tune on this.



4. I cannot rate this CD high enough! It's awsome! Words can't express how I feel about it!



5. If you love Trans Siberian Orchestra you'll love this cd but even if you don't know who they are this is a great place to start. You might find this one at your local library or might be able to listen to tracks here on Amazon.

5 comments about Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker - Complete Ballet.

1. This recording of Tchaikovsky beloved seasonal ballet, 'The Nutcracker' has got to be one of the best ever recorded for the Digital era. Music performed by the Kirov Orchestra under the superb guidance of conductor Valery Gergiev in no doubt is superflous and eventhough the tempo is of the music is a bit fast, nevertheless it serves its purpose, for the concert hall. You don't have to watch the ballet to appreciate the vivid display of Tchaikovsky brilliant composition. just listen to the music and be transported to a land of magic and childhood fantasies. Simply the best gift for Christmas or any other time. Enjoy and awake your senses!



2. I heard this recording on the radio, and could not believe that a recording company would release such a hideous performance. It is technically unsound because the tempi are so fast in many places that the notes do not speak on even the violins, much less on the viole and celli. The brass sound (especially in the trumpets) is so coarse that it hurts. I have played this piece many times with good conductors and bad ones, but I have never encountered a situation in which the music and the orchestra were so utterly degraded by an "interpretation." Gergiev made what is obviously a GREAT orchestra sound at best mediocre, and most of the way through, just bad. You would have to pay me in seven figures to put this atrocity in my library of recorded music. I had to put one star in the rating to publish this review, but it surely doesn't deserve even that one.



3. this recording doesn't need another review, at what, $14 just buy it. You won't regret it. A great great recording of beautiful music.



4. Beautifully lyrical ballet music. Rarely played in its entirety, it's definitely worth the listen. Go beyond the shorter, holiday performance version. You'll be glad you did.



5. This is an excellent recording of the Nutcracker! It's wonderful to have the full ballet instead of just selections from the suite. The music somehow stays timeless even after millions of seasonal ballet performances and use in shopping malls. Whether or not your a fan of classical music, this is a good recording that almost anyone can enjoy.

5 comments about One More Drifter in the Snow.

1. This is a must for your music collection. Aimee Mann never sounded better.



2. This is an excellent, not so typical, Christmas CD that I think anyone can enjoy. I especially enjoyed the Mr. Grinch cover.



3. This, obviously, is Aimee Mann's Christmas album. It features mostly melancholy renditions of traditional and more recent Christmas songs. The album begins with a lovely version of "Whatever Happened to Christmas", which was orginally recorded by Frank Sinatra. Mann fans will be familiar with "Christmastime", which she orginally recorded as a duet with the song's writer (and Aimee's man) Michael Penn. This solo version is good, but not quite as good as the original version. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is notable because Aimee sings the rarely performed intro to the song. "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" features Grant Lee Phillips reading from the Dr. Seuss book and helping with the singing. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is one of the best versions of that chestnut that I've ever heard. The album concludes with the only new song on the album, the lovely "Calling on Mary". Aimee's sings beautifully throughout the album, and the songs have simple, unpretentious arrangements that work well with her voice. A very nice album. The cover photo is great, too.



4. It's Christmas in LA! Aimee Mann offers her idiosyncratic, offbeat interpretations of holiday classics like "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland," "White Christmas," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The highlight for me is her reading of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." The original cuts, such as "Christmastime" (written by her husband, Michael Penn) and "Calling on Mary," help make this an Xmas collection to keep.



5. I am not one normally for Christmas songs or CDs but this CD is an exception. I really liked Aimee's take on xmas songs. They weren't typically sugary and fake (like I find some holiday music to be) but I felt she really captured some of the bittersweetness of the holiday, but still didn't let things get too down. And I have to admit, I have listened to these tracks year round and still enjoyed them. So get a fire going, sit back, relax and enjoy this wonderful holiday CD.

5 comments about David Bowie Narrates Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf".

1. The material is just wonderful. Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" is a gem. David Bowie does a nice job because he doesn't act like Bowie. Very understated. My five-year old loves it and likes to fall asleep to it. The other scores are great, too. Kid-friendly scores by Britten and Bernstein. Definitely a great intro to classical music for kids. Adults will like it, too.



2. This CD has been a FAVORITE in my family since it first came out... Every year, at Christmas time, someone inevitably asks me for another one because they've worn theirs out... This CD raises the imagination to new heights and stimulates the heart and soul with the amazing music, David Bowie's INCREDIBLE voice, and the vivid scenes one is able to create mentally from the story being told. I've heard several versions of Peter and The Wolf. This being the best rendition I've heard, by far. I gave one to some friends of mine, a few years ago, who have an autistic daughter... I believe she's on her fourth or fifth CD now. "Mom" says it is the only thing that calms her at times. The additional music is WONDERFUL as well. I have nothing but PRAISES for this CD!!!



3. My kids love to listen to this story. Since we bought it for them for Christmas I can't count how many times we have listened to it. They like everything on it, not just Peter and the Wolf!
   
   The only problem I have with it is that when the narration is on it is really quiet. So we have to go back and forth with the volume. You have it loud enough to hear David, then the music comes back and it is too loud. Other than that, like I said my kids love it!



4. I got this for my daughter who remembered it from when she was a child. She wore out the tape as a child. It is still great



5. Peter and the Wolf is a great way to get the kids to listen to classical music. It's fun and very entertaining.