5 comments about A Winter's Solstice: Windham Hill Artists.

1. If you are a fan of the Winter's Solstice series, than you will enjoy this cd, especially if you like the earlier volumes with the more original pieces rather than mostly traditional christmas music.



2. The Windham Hill "Winter's Solstice" series is a great way to experience Christmas in a musical way. This series goes well with Regency Music's "Winterlude" series (which I have reviewed here).
   
   I thoroughly enjoy acoustic instruments in the making of Christmas music. While keyboards have their place, acoustic instruments have a unique quality and character that brings out the best in Christmas music, something that synthesized sounds lack. "A Winter's Solstice" accomplishes this while presenting a cornucopia of music ranging from classical pieces and traditional carols to folk melodies. Especially important here is the inclusion of non-traditional music that, although not necessarily seasonal, still blends well in the mix.
   
   I have found that the best way to listen to this CD, for me at least, is in a darkened room with only the lights on the Christmas tree for illumination, and perhaps a scented candle for added emphasis. This permits the melodies to flow through me freely, allowing me to deeply experience the music. The CD is especially helpful for those who are stressed out and in need of relaxation.
   
   Windham Hill excels at spotlighting independent musicians without the pomp and vanity forced upon them by the major record labels. Volume 1 is a good starting point, certainly, and is an excellent addition to anyone's Christmas music collection. This volume stands well either alone or with the rest of the series.
   
   If you are looking for a CD that offers something other than the usual "manufactured" commercial, low-quality, over-hyped, cookie-cutter-type Christmas fare, then "A Winter's Solstice" is for you.



3. In the early months and years of my first marriage, this music was the bridge between two people who were not accustomed to building bridges. The emotional resonances that it triggers in me even now make me wonder whether music should be trusted as a reliable means of communication. The answer is, of course, yes; I just have to learn to remember without regret. Five stars, and more. The first, and probably the best, of the Solstice records.



4. Windham Hill has certainly milked this series for a very long time based on the success of this album in the 1980s. Many of its successors are really very good, but this is the seminal Windham Hill artists' statement about music, memory, and seasonal sentiment. Most of the cuts on this album are so well crafted that they may seem simplistic, but what is so telling for me is that the pieces hold up year after year and they possess a magical quality that allows the music to become a part of one's Solstice/Christmas experience. Will Ackerman's "New England Morning" is especially moving in this sense, and certainly seems to capture something elemental about New England in winter. This quality of the music is a tribute to the pure artistry of the performers/composers. Winter's Solstice II also works well on this level of grace and harmony. While the albums that follow the first two are good in many ways, and certainly contain high quality performances, the series sets a high standard with the first two attempts that is very tough to match. Highly recommended at any price.



5. This beautiful acoustic CD by Windham Hill is one of my favorites. Several musicians (William Ackerman and Mark Isham among them) take the solstice and midwinter as a theme for its pieces. It's very moody and relaxing, and it suggests, to those of us living in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. There are two pieces which have a "Christian" theme in it (a retelling of Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's desiring by David Quadley and a theme called Christmas on the High Line), but it mostly suggests to me the ancient pagan past in Northern Europe, the fresh snow over the beech forests as the pale sunlight of the midwinter gives way to the starry night, and the local folk erect a bonfire.

5 comments about Shadow of the Raven.

1. "Shadow of the Raven" is an elegant, mesmerizing tour de force that expertly captures both the refinement and unforgettable horror of Edgar Allan Poe's classic tales of terror. Nox Arcana's superb array of intricate, brooding piano and harpsichord pieces such as "Haunted Memories" and "Lenore" are balanced by turbulent, sweeping anthems like "Masque of the Red Death," effectively highlighting Poe's literary duality: he was able to tell stories of shocking madness and emotional chaos with a rational elegance unmatched in American literature. This CD contains some of Nox Arcana's finest music, including "Mysteries of the Night," in which a piano and mournful violin provide a lovely counterpoint to one another in a melody that deserves to be the main title music of a period horror film. Another standout track is the unnerving "Descent into Madness," in which a pipe organ, jagged strings, piano and tolling bells swirl around each other in an urgent, tense masterpiece of psychological implosion. A classical sensibility dominates this CD, just as Poe's writing itself was infused with a linguistic grandeur no one ever forgets. With every new CD, Nox Arcana raises the bar, and in "Shadow of the Raven" they have merged the grace of Schubert and Chopin with the visceral power of the great modern film composers, resulting in a musical tribute to Poe that is, quite simply, stunning.



2. I personally think this is Nox Arcana's best work, topping CARNIVAL OF LOST SOULS. They take you inside the tortured mind of Edgar Allen Poe and not only musically represent his personal demons but nearly a dozen of his most famous works including "The Pit And The Pendulum, "Murders In The Rue Morgue" and "Fall Of The House Of Usher." In fact, several tracks deal with the latter story. I kind of wish Nox Arcana had musically adapted one or two more of Poe's stories and done less with representing Poe's mindset. Don't get me wrong; all the tracks here are very moody and some rather pretty, but the tracks in the middle ("Legacy Of Sorrow", "Mysteries Of The Night", "Morbid Reminiscence" and "A Dream Within A Dream") all kind of ran together for me and made the CD drag just a bit. Anyway, I found the tracks focusing on Poe's stories to be the strongest on the CD. "The Black Cat" will creep you out. "The Tell-Tale Heart" will have your heart pounding. "The Cask Of Amontillado" builds just like a vengeful man laying brick to seal you in your doom. "Murders In the Rue Morgue" has a great sense of dread and use of tympani...although I'm not sure it makes me think of a gorilla with a razor blade...but it's quite good. There are also 2 hidden tracks after the final track "Nevermore". One is a partial recitation of "The Raven" which I personally entitled "Quoth The Raven" and put it bewteen "Masque Of The Red Death" and Nevermore". The other track is "The Premature Burial" which I end the CD with. A CD should always go out with a bang...or in this case a man buried alive and banging on the inside of his casket to be let out. All in all this is a very creepy and well produced CD.



3. In a word, Brilliant. The work of Nox Arcana keeps getting better. As a professional Magician, I not only enjoy this music at my leisure, it serves as inspiration in my work. I am especially moved with Annabel Lee, Lenore and of course, the Raven. When this album was released, I did not hesitate to purchase it because I have enjoyed their past works. Carnival of Lost Souls and Darklore Manor to name two. Edgar Allan Poe himself would seem proud, in his own melancholy way, to have a soundtrack to accompany his immortal works.



4. You know you're holding something spectacular when you get chills just reading the track listing. Such was my response upon holding the latest gem from Nox Arcana, Shadow of the Raven, in my hands. A tribute to one of the greatest Gothic writers of all time, Edgar Allan Poe, this cd is a masterpiece of art; flawlessly capturing in musical notes what Poe set down in ink.
   
   Based upon some of his greatest stories and most famous poems, this disc is their finest work to date.
   
   Starting with the vocal track "Darkest Hour" you enter the despair and sorrow that was Poe's life. This feeling never really leaves you as you move onto the other songs. Some of the best are "Descent Into Madness" which will leave you with the feeling of growing dread, "Madeline's Lament" holds a gentle touch of sadness and "Haunted Memories" lives up to its' name with a haunting quality lying within each note. "Annabel Lee" is soft and poignant. "Mysteries of the Night" is simply beautiful while "The Raven" is heartbreakingly so. "A Dream Within A Dream" has an almost ethereal quality to it while "The Tell-Tale Heart" will have your own pounding with terror. "Murders in the Rue Morgue" is pure suspense and "The Pit and the Pendulum" is absolutely disturbing.
   
   This album is definitely a must have for fans of both Poe and Nox Arcana. To be without this album? Well....quothe the Raven "Nevermore!".



5. There are almost no words to describe this amazing album. Every track has its own macabre beauty. my favorite pieces on this disk are The House of Usher, Madeline's Lament, Annabel Lee, Legacy of Sorrow, Mysteries of the Night, The Raven, Morbid Reminesence, and Lenore. I hope you enjoyed this album as much as I did.

5 comments about Marshmallow World & Other Holiday Favorites (with Bonus Track) - Amazon.com Exclusive.

1. Fantastic Christmas cd from the former lead singer of The Mavericks!
   
   His rendition of Marshmallow World would make Dean Martin smile!!



2. I bought Marshmallow World because Raul's voice is simply amazing and I thought his Christmas CD would be an excellent addition to my Christmas collection. I was right!! Raul's Marshmallow World did not disappoint and it even made my mom into a fan!!



3. This CD made me smile and even laugh at times. Without a doubt, Raul Malo has a beautiful voice, no matter what he sings. Some of the songs were soulful, some spiritual and some put you right in the toe-tapping holiday mood! You can purchase this CD along with "After Hours" for a discounted price. Get it! Again, no matter what he sings, you like. Some more than others, but always worth the price.



4. This is a Jazzy/New Orleans Style Christmas Music - Christmas Music tends to be so repetitious so I am always looking for "Different" Christmas Music! I only gave this a 3 because I did not like all the songs, just some of them.



5. Having been a Mavericks fan, I knew his voice would be perfection (as always). However, his original "Not So Merry Christmas" is a great tune that has so many 1960s influences that its scary. You can almost see Phil Spector behind the board. He has some interesting takes on classics (most work, but they are different) and other tunes he stays pretty traditiional. I love the use of the guitar on this. I think if you have diverse tastes in music, you will love it. If you are purely traditional....you'll love about 70%.......if you are a total lunatic, you probably won't like it. *ha, ha*
   
   Seriously....really, really good

5 comments about Accardo Plays Paganini: Complete Recordings.

1. Salvatore Accardo performs Paganini's scores with much elegant grace and warmth. Deutsche Grammophon has successfully assembled all of Accardo's recordings of Paganini's music. Undoubtedly, the highlights are Accardo's riveting accounts of Paganini's violin concerti. Charles Dutoit and the London Philharmonic Orchestra give splendid, warm performances of their own, without overwhelming Accardo's playing. Yet Accardo also shines in Paganini's solo works, such as the Caprices. This is absolutely an essential set of CDs for those who are unfamiliar with Paganini's music. Is it a surprise that these performances are still regarded as definitive in classical CD guides issued by Grammophone and Penguin?



2. Salvatore Accardo has played magnificently! I am not a classical music critic; I don't know what it really means to be a great violinist, but I certainly enjoy listening to every song in this 6 cd set. I am fifteen years old, but Paganini's music has a great impact on me. My mother bought me this album for Christmas, and I couldn't have received a more wonderful collection of music. I tend to have a preference for the first recording I ever hear of certain songs, and I have heard several of these songs performed by different artists. Let me tell you, these recordings are fantastic. My favorites are the 21st Caprice, the second movement of the 6th concerto, and the entire 4th concerto. Accardo's tone is rich and robust, and the orchestra behind him compliments him perfectly.
   Utterly Satisfied,
   Bobby

   P.S. The title for my review was what Franz Liszt (classical pianist and composer) exclaimed when he heard Paganini perform.:)




3. Nicolo Paganini is primarily a virtuoso composer who did not compose anything other than for the violin in the early 19th century. He was a true prodigy of the instrument whose ferocious and innovative style of playing frightened many of the credulent folk into thinking he was the devil. With the increasing popularity of the waltz, he along with other romantics such as Beethoven completely revolutionized the concept of violin concertos that were still then mostly in the antiquated Roccoco menuet formulas of Mozart and Haydn. The caprices are more technical excercises for this new revolutionary style and are the cornerstones of all Romantic traditions of violin including the Romantic German and, to a much lesser extent, the Polish/Klezmer tradition of Joseph Joachim.
   
   Salvatore Accardo is an accomplished violinist who performed many times with the most reputable groups such as I Musici di Roma and the English Chamber Orchestra. He was a long-time mentor of Anne-Sofie Mutter who performed with Karajan. Despite working often with various Baroque styles, Salvatore Accardo is primarily a specialist at Paganini and the Italian Romantic period and this is the main reason this recording is one of the best you can obtain for Paganini. Charles Dutoit is also an accomplished orchestral conductor and generally works very well with Rossini whose light romantic style in his operatic overtures have overlaps with the style in Paganini's contemporary symphonic arrangements for his violin concerti. Accardo and Dutoit were therefore a perfect match in performing Paganini and this ablum is a great example along with their other collaborations for the composer available on single CD. The music is light and joyful in its interpretation while many others tend to be heavy and sluggish. Accardo's performance is filled with vitality as he has complete mastery over the instrument and feels at ease in his performance without ever faltering. His performance brings out the fluidity and full range of Paganini's style very well. Salvatore Accardo's performance of the caprices is also legendary in which he performs all of the most difficult pieces briliantly without effort: they are truly divine in every respect!
   
   Although it's extremely difficult to make a judgment call between these three undisputed virtuosos of the violin and Paganini, Perlman and Heifetz would not be my first choices because they are not really masters of the Italian Romantic style as that of the German/Polish/Klezmer traditions. However technical the differences might be, they do make a significant difference and so I prefer Accardo for Paganini as he is simply the foremost expert with this composer and the Italian Romantic style which Heifetz and Perlman are not. This album is a great buy where you can get all of Paganini's passionate violin concerti and caprices at a good price. There are really few if any performances equal to this one on the market other than those of Perlman and Heifetz. Such other performances, even by child prodigies, are simply beneath them in every respect to the point that they actually sound amateurish in comparison. No matter which of the three you choose, you can't really go wrong with any of them but I would really look no further than them as everything else is far beneath their legendary talents. Enjoy!



4. I really enjoy this CD set very much. Accardo is phenomenal in playing violin. I listen to thisevery morning and sometimes while I am cooking.



5. Excellent work from Accardo. 30 years old recording sesions on this cds. Good price from 6 high quality cds. Remember that they're from Deutsche Gramophon's Label!
   Some concerts have any variations respect "Works from violin and orchestra" played also by Accardo. I stronlgy recommend this cd too. Pure class A!
   Regards.

5 comments about Snow Angels.

1. All original songs for the holidays. I love this CD and highly recommend it.



2. OTR has been my favorite band over the past decade. The song-writing has been excellent and Karen's voice is one of the best female voices to ever come out of America. This offering for the Holidays is even better than their earlier effort "The Darkest Night of the Year". If your looking for something to have to play every Winter Holiday season you have to look no further. I am looking forward to their April release on Live from Nowhere Vol. 3.



3. Snow Angels is an amazing CD. Over the Rhine has true talent & creativity.
   Who wouldn't get a kick out of "North Pole Man"? Played it well past Christmas.



4. I could listen to this CD over and over. In fact I have! There's not a bad song on it.



5. Well, this one is not my favorite. My favorites of Over the Rhine include Drunkard's Prayer, Films for Radio, Good Dog Bad Dog, Eve, Ohio, and Besides. I really haven't played this new cd that much, so perhaps it would grow on me, but so far I am disappointed in it. I don't really care for the bluesy, cabaret feel of it. But I have been a fan of OTR for a long time and I still love this band!

5 comments about Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas - Holiday Memories.

1. I am a music lover and to me and my family the Christmas season is a time that the joyful and heartfelt music of the time should be heard from near and far, this collection fits the bill to do just that. In it you will find so many songs that you grew-up with and hearing them will touch a cord in your heart and bring to memory the joy of the season. I highly recommend this collection and hope you will be as enriched with it as my family is. Merry Christmas!



2. I purchased this item from the television ad the year it was released directly from Time-Life. As a result of getting divorced, I needed to repurchase this great set I had bought from Time-Life years ago. After seeing the price for the bundle and recognizing the album covers, I was elated to finally get a new set for myself. Upon receipt, I immediately discovered that it is not "As Seen on TV" at all. the song selection is a fraction of the original, with a different discograpghy, but still the same album covers.
   The songs are indeed great classics, however, if you have experienced the original "As Seen on TV" set that was released in 2001 you, too, will be as disappointed and left feeling rather robbed.



3. I enjoy Méhdi"Christmas Treasures",Charlie Brown Christmas ,Mannheim Steamroller etc.and this a magnificent production that I also enjoy just as much. Time-Life Treasury of Christmas: Holiday Memories collects 24 classic tracks of the holiday genre spread out over two discs, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Nat King Cole, "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt, "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms, "I Believe in Father Christmas" by Greg Lake, and "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Many of these artists will appeal to a broad range of ages, making it perfect for family gatherings.



4. The CD - Treasury, from Time-Life was not the one I wanted. I wanted the first Time Life Christmas collection.



5. This CD has a good selection of traditional Christmas songs from the original artists that I remember from my childhood. You know, when it was still OK to say "Merry Christmas" to someone on the street. I played this CD and the other Time-Life Christmas CD all December long. I want my kids to have these songs as their Christmas memories as I do.

5 comments about Dvorák: The String Quartets.

1. I have heard multiple recordings of these quartets, including the Chiligirian quartet, and selections by the Amadeus quartet, Hagen quartet, Melos quartet, Vlach quartet and Cleveland quartet. However, these renditions are (in my opinion) the most adherent to the Czech folk roots. I'm sure it helps that the ensemble is in fact Czech-for that reason they seem to have an edge over some of the other notable groups which have made recordings. Everyone has obviously heard the American quartet, but just as fine are quartets 10,11, 13 and 14 (as well as 7-9). I am less entranced by the early works, but they are not without their merit as well.
   Overall, the sound seems a bit better in this re-release than in the previous version available on CD. Not much better, but better. And at this price, it is an absolute steal. Highly recommended for lovers of chamber music, or Dvorak in general.



2. Wow! Great quartets played with real gusto and dynamism by the Prager String Quartet. The sound is incredibly crisp and clear. The performances are impeccable. You won't be disappointed!



3. Compaired to the Vlach on Naxos, this exelent recording left me a little cold. Where is all the emotion that these quartet's should have.



4. One of the best composers for chamber music together with Joseph Haydyn, I think. Thank you.



5. I must admit up front that when it comes to classic music, I prefer chamber music (any era or style). If you like chamber music, buy this set. If you are are curious about chamber music and Dvorak's work, buy a budget single CD of any Dvorak string quartets. When you've fallen in love with Dvorak's work --- and you will --- then buy this set.
   
   These are simply some of the finest string quartets ever written. Lyrical and inventive, they will make you understand why Brahms and Dvorak were such good friends and admired each other's work so much. There are other recordings out there of various quartets, particularly the late ones. But the value in having a complete set is that you get to hear the composer's development, and you get to hear infrequently played yet brilliant works. A good example is the Quartet No. 5, which is intense --- as full of bite as, say, "Death and the Maiden," yet as richly melodic as anything Dvorak ever wrote. The recording is clean and warm, the playing precise yet soulful. The set is now selling for about $12 more than I paid for it, but it's still a bargain. You will never regret having bought it.

5 comments about A Very Special Christmas.

1. I actually wanted this CD when I was in junior high, when it was released. I never did get it, but this year was adding to my Christmas CD collection and thought it was about time!
   
   You will recognize at least half of the songs from what you hear on the radio during Christmas. Great songs by Bon Jovi, John Cougar Melloncamp, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, The Pointer Sisters etc. I think this is a great addition to any Christmas CD collection!



2. This CD had alot of my favorite Christmas songs on it. I love it!!!



3. I really enjoyed this CD over the Christmas Holidays. It features all the original artists. I especially enjoyed Santa Baby by Madonna. I have heard other versions that I don't like as well. When I ordered it I didn't expect it so soon. It came within a week. Great Service.



4. I REALLY PURCHASED THIS CD SPECIFICALLY FOR STEVIE NICKS RENDITION OF SILENT NIGHT WHICH I THINK IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL OTHERWISE, THE REMAINDER OF THE CD IS QUITE NICE



5. The original "A Very Special Christmas". I remember buying the LP when it first came out and loved it so much that I decided to get the CD recently. Still a classic. Great Album.

5 comments about Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.

1. I've lost count how many times I've purchased this CD. In my dream of the world, everybody owns a copy. I cannot imagine ever getting tired of this CD, ever getting the feeling "Enough, already." It is possibly the best "various artists" CD I will ever own.



2. I have always loved the dance rhythms, especially in the Overature. It is a really wonderful collage of all the kinds of African American music through history. I do recommend this product for a different feel of Handel's Messiah.



3. I had heard the Hallelujah Chorus before (it was played in my spinning class at Christmas time) so I knew how great a song it is. I was hoping that the rest of the album was close to that level of inspiration and excitement - but I was disappointed. I liked the first cut (a short history of Black music in America) and a couple other cuts, but the Hallelujah Chorus is definitely the best. Most of the others are just so - so, in my opinion. Still the album is worth getting, just for the Hallelujah Chorus!



4. I heard this CD at a friend's house once, years ago, and spent five years searching for it since. It showed up in Amazon this year, and I now, finally!, own it for myself.
   
   I LOVE this CD! It pays homage to the original, but brings a lively, joyful, unique sound to the musical ideas Handel started with. It modernizes it without degrading it in any way. I still love the original (Tafelmusik's is my favourite rendition, as true to the original ideas as possible), but I love this adaptation equally as much. Some top-name musicians perform here, too, and I love hearing them add their creative ideas to this project.
   
   5 stars, for sure!



5. I don't listen to all the tracks on this recording, but I've all but worn out 8, 12 and the final track, the Halleluia Chorus. Stevie with Take 6 is masterful, as well as Al Jarreau on the all-star big band session. The one disapointment that kept me from giving it 5 stars was the recording quality. I wanted to use Why Do the Nations... with Jarreau to audition a pair of high-end stereo speakers in the store, and the band sounded like they were recorded in a shoe-box. Unfortunate for such great musicianship and arranging.

5 comments about O Holy Night / Luciano Pavarotti / Special Deluxe Edition (Decca).

1. This is a CD I have listened to repeatedly. Pavarotti sings with sincerity and great musicality. The songs are familiar and some are 'potboilers' (such as Schubert's "Ave Maria" and "Panis Angelicus"). Pavarotti's voice is characteristically warm, open-throated and full yet there is an intimacy to these recordings, which were made over several decades.
   
   Pavarotti sings with various top class orchestras and some songs have a choral backing. There are 17 songs, which is generous.
   
   It seems strange to have included "Che faro senza Euridice?" on what is otherwise a CD of exclusively Christian music, but Pavarotti does such a beautiful job with it that that is a minor quibble.
   
   This is a CD which will give the listener years of pleasure.O Holy Night / Luciano Pavarotti / Special Deluxe Edition (Decca)



2. This is one of 5 cd's that we purchased to help in some small way to capture the voice of the ages that was quieted this past year. Now we will be able to enjoy his emense talent simply by a click of the switch. Purchasing this and the other 4 items was so easy on Amazon no hunting through aisles of cd's-very pleased with all 5 and unwilling to single one out as the best of the best. Each is a treasure.But for seasonal music this is the primo selection of all.



3. My wife and I love Christmas music, but this album is in a class by itself. It is opera, classical music, Christmas carols, and the most heartfelt and expressive personal expression of religious feeling. It is exalted and joyous, and to my wife and me, inexpressively beautiful. We're listening to "O Holy Night" as I type this on Christmas Eve, as we've listened to this album since its release, several times each year before and after Christmas. Each year, I discover new depths and new appreciation for songs that we maybe didn't hear as clearly previously.
   
   Forget the aging Pavarotti singing with diminished voice into a microphone to packed arenas, handkerchief in hand. This was recorded in January 1976 in England when Pavarotti was in his prime, movingly expressing his deep religious feeling through magnificent music. The great opera conductor Kurt Herbert Adler of the Chicago Lyric Opera and then Music Director of the San Francisco Opera perfectly led the National Philharmonic Orchestra, along with the magnificent Wandsworth Boys Choir and London Voices led by Terry Edward. I should point out that this album is classical and operatic music, or beloved carols done in a classical or operatic style. You won't find "Frosty the Snowman", "Jingle Bells", or "A Chipmunk's Christmas" here.
   
   Treat yourself to this album, and look forward to years of deepening appreciation and pleasure from it. It can become an integral part of your Christmas celebration, a special annual treat, as it's become for my family.



4. Since Pavarotti's death, there will be no more wonderful Christmas music from such a perfect voice. The "O Holy Night" CD was glorious to listen to during the holidays. His "Ave Maria's" were outstanding!



5. Pavarotti is in his prime for this one and the selections are both touching and grand. Mille Cherubini, a tender lullaby, is my favorite but his Agnus Dei is rich and grand. The choral backgrounds are also very good. I bought the cassette when it came out in the 70's and I am thrilled that they reissued it as CD to grace my 2007 Christmas .