1 comments about Prokofiev: Cinderella.

1. The story of Cinderella has its origins in antiquity, but our modern concept of the story is due to Charles Perrault and the Brother's Grimm. It is from the Perrault version that we get the role of the Fairy Godmother and it is from the Grimm version that we find a link between Cinderella's adventures and her mother's spirit(manifested in the form of two birds in the Grimm version). The concept in this ballet combines elements from both versions, and even includes ideas from other versions. The dancing itself is mostly based on classical ballet technique with the usual character elements. For example, all the female roles are danced entirely on pointe with the exception of the dancers in foreign lands and, most notably, Cinderella herself, whose roles are danced barefoot. The other traditional aspect is the presentation of the story itself. We begin with a pas de deux between the father(danced by Roelandt) and his first wife, Cinderella's mother(danced by Coppieters, who also dances the part of the the Fairy). The relationship between the members of the original family is emphasized, which gives this story great emotional depth. It is the love in this family that survives the mother's death and gives the impetus for the adventures to come. There is even a scene at the end, where the father is happy to see his daughter's joyous fate, but then realizes how lonely he is and the spirit of his first wife returns to comfort him. Most of the other aspects of the story are included in their familiar forms. The modern aspects are the sets and costumes. They are quite surreal and impressionistic, but the entire ballet genre could be said to be surreal and impressionistic so this fits just fine. The music is mostly Prokofiev's Cinderella, but some music from other Prokofiev pieces is also used. There are actually two DVDs in this set. One is the performance and the other includes an extensive look into the rehearsals and making of this ballet, as well as a documentary on the life and art of Bernice Coppieters. There are subtitles in English, German, Spanish, and Chinese(most of the discussions are in French).
   The dancing is of the highest caliber and the story is presented in one of the most thorough and romantic styles. Don't miss this most amazing and unique version of Cinderella!

5 comments about Between the Barres 20th Anniversary Edition.

1. So much to choose from on this double CD. Lots of room for different nuances of expression in both barre and centre work. Lush adages and exciting grand allegro, perfectly-timed pirouette selections, subtle port de bras/reverance. This music highlights the role of artistry in daily senior class work while still having the well-defined melodies more suited to younger students. As a new-comer to this CD the "4bar intro - 4/4 - 64bars" notation format is extremely helpful.



2. Listening to this CD is like being in class in New York. excellent It is for teaching an intermediate or advanced class and it is also great for giving oneself a class.



3. I am so glad I ordered this CD. I read numerous reviews before choosing this album for a ballet class I was asked to teach and I was not disapointed. As an added bonus, the CD is great listening music as well!



4. I enjoy about 1/4 of the music on this 2 disc set. I wish more of the center work music repeated. My favorite track is #12 (Tango)



5. I've been dancing since I was 5 years old and teaching ballet now for the past 3 years. This was a great purchase and a lot better than I honestly thought it would be. The music is perfectly designed for barre work and center combos. Plus, with the multiple choices for each exercise, the class never becomes bored with the same music. Overall, I would highly recommend this cd to anyone who is teaching ballet or even for someone who just wants a great ballet workout at home!!

5 comments about Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra.

1. This music represents what Christmas joy is all about,the thrill of old favorites presented in top quality form. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!



2. I have always preferred classical Christmas music as opposed to something like Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You" and the 10,000 versions of "Silver Bells" so this album really fit the bill. Great pick if you prefer classical music to pop Xmas songs.



3. Since I am a musician and director of music also, I really get into the listening of music. Christmas music is my favorite next to religious choral pieces we do in my church. This particular CD ranks quite high on my list because of the fullness of the music and the selection of pieces. The use of dynamics is quite effective as well. It really puts me into the spirit of Christmas and in particular, the reason for Christmas, the birth of Christ. Enjoy!!



4. This wonderful CD has everything to celebrate the great joy of the Christmas season. Recorded in the early 1970's it still sounds as fresh and timeless as it did way back then.
   The orchestrations are majestic and imaginative without being mushy or too symphonic in structure.The addition of the chorus in most of the carols is an added bonus. The singers and orchestra blend wonderfully without either dominating the other too much. The programme of selected songs is excellent and with some lovely orchestra only tracks the CD is not tiring to listen to creating a well balanced programme.
   Maestro Eugene Ormandy conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra with great zeal and a passion for the music that is felt by the listener.The chorus master is the very talented Robert Page and the carols are arranged and orchestrated by the great Arthur Harris.
   The sound quality is excellent and the CD has been beautifully remastered without any loss of crispness or dynamics.The stereo balance and instrument placement sound superb with the singers centre stage.
   This is a remarkably good CD from the RCA Gold Seal range and is a must for lovers of really good seasonal music played with love and passion for the joys of the Christmas season.
   Thank you for taking the trouble to read my review and I wish one and all much enjoyment from this lovely CD.
   
   Happy listening!



5. A truly great collection of classical Christmas music. Highly recommended.

3 comments about Ravel: Greatest Hits.

1. Since this is a selection of works played by various orchestras, it's not really a comprehensive piece of work. But really, Ravel is not one of the "great" composers. Bolero is a fun piece and I enjoy it. For the rest, but for the dates of composition I would swear it was a movie soundtrack.



2. I do not like Bolero. I have never liked Bolero. I don't think I will ever enjoy Bolero. I say this only to offer a reason for my lack of mention of that piece (beyond this, obviously). In fairness, Ravel at least once described Bolero as trivial, "a piece for orchestra without music". Fortunately, I did not let my feelings for Bolero sour my appreciation for the remaining works of Ravel.
   Ravel was the master of transcriptions; reworking most of his works from piano to orchestra or vice-versa, which basically means that his output was virtually doubled because he wrote the majority of his pieces for orchestra and solo piano. He was a master of the French Impressionist era and an innovator in the move to modern 20th century classical composition.
   
   Ravel's catalogue of work is astounding and his influence on composers that followed him, astounding. He began playing the piano a little later in life than some of the well known composers who were "prodigies" and playing before they could write. Ravel began playing the piano when he was 7 and, with his ability apparent, ended up at the Conservatoire de Paris where his art would be refined.
   While at the Conservatoire, he composed [track 2] Pavane pour une infante defunte (Pavane for a dead Princess), a pavane being a processional dance played slowly. This piece was composed when Ravel studied under another of France's greatest composers, Gabriel Faure. The piece was written for piano as a tribute of sorts to the customs and rhythms of the Spanish, whom Ravel (along with other French greats) respected greatly. The piece is staggeringly beautiful and is, perhaps, my favorite by him. The version offered here is the orchestrated transcription by Ravel as published by Ravel 11 years after his original piano piece was composed.
   Alborada del gracioso (The Comedian's Aubade) is, like Pavane, heavily influenced by Ravel's appreciation for the Spanish musical form. The gentle pluck of the strings at the opening of the piece is reminiscent of Spanish guitar and gently gives way to woods and brass that are light and airy, until there is a sudden flourish of woods, brass and percussion that is exhilarating. The piece is lovely and is, again, provided in the orchestrated version, rather than the original form as composed for piano as a piece of the work of 5 movements for piano called "Mirroirs" or Mirrors.
   Rhapsodie Espagnol (get the feeling that Ravel loved the Spanish? Ravel's mother was Basque, Spanish, and heavily influenced the Frenchmen's work) was one of Ravel's first major works for orchestra. As with most of his works, this piece was written for piano; two actually, for four hands; but was transcribed for orchestra before its first performance. It consists of 4 short movements and the work as a whole is sweeping in its ability to move so gracefully from the somber to the uplifting.
   Rigaudon comes from what began, again, as a work for Piano. In its original composition, Le Tombeau de Couperin was a suite for solo piano in six movements. Years later, Ravel would transcribe the work in to 4 movements for orchestra, this being the final movement. The orchestrated version of the suite is far more popular now and sees heavy rotation in the repertoires of Symphonies throughout the world. The sweeping movement is a dance that harkens back to the Baroque dance suites of old whilst still providing Ravel's signature innovative harmonies that relied on classical structures that were traditional, allowing him to mask his creativity.
   La Valse (or La Valse, un poeme choreographique) is a tribute to the history, the rise, the pinnacle, and the fall of the waltz. Although truncated throughout with punctuated and harsh chords from the entire orchestra which, ironically, make it very difficult to be viewed as a waltz at all; though it is still particularly appealing in that it was bombastic in a way that Ravel rarely was. Interestingly, the piece was transcribed by Ravel for piano, but the orchestrated version remains the popular piece for performance.
   Piece in the form of a Habanera is, again, a tribute to the music of Spain, a habanera being a rhythm like the tango. This is a short piece that focuses on strings and woods. It is haunting, airy and light with a feel of open space where there could be more music, but is not. It is minimal in a marvelous way.
   The Mother Goose Suite was 5 pieces composed for piano duet for close friends. As the title implies, the pieces were written as tone poems to the tales of Ma Mere l'Oye. The Fairy Garden was the 5th piece from this suite. Ravel, as with most of his work, transcribed the piece for orchestra and created, in this piece 4 minutes of orchestral magic. It is a joy to hear.
   Lever du Jour (daybreak); what a great title. This piece evokes the mental picture of a sunrise, birds and wildlife rising to a new day. This is a wonder. I don't know what else to say to describe it. The piece was composed for the ballet Daphnes et Chloe; the first piece from the second suite in a 3 suite ballet.
   Pantomime, again from Daphnes et Chloe, again from the second suite, this being the 2nd piece, is much in keeping with the feel and theme of daybreak before it. It is a beautiful piece which evokes many possible pictures, but more importantly, showcases Ravel's gift for composition as the piece is widely regarded as one of his best.
   General Dance closes the disc (the 3rd and final movement from the second suite of Daphnes et Chloe). It is much more animated in its use of the orchestra and the play between the instruments is both uplifting and disconcerting because it translates a feel of general uneasiness and, again, tends to border on a slight bombast, even adding a chorus toward the end of the piece.
   
   The entire CD is performed, recorded and mixed beautifully. I have no complaints about this CD (except for the inclusion of Bolero, which I have attempted to justify above). Buy this disc with confidence. Unless you are looking for the piano works. This disc does not contain the piano works of Ravel; which I do highly recommend anyone out there reading this should definitely hear as well.
   Enjoy!



3. Listen to the genuis of Ravel on a clean sounding recording that you can enjoy time and time again without deterioration.Be advised the recording levels are not dampened so dinner guests and headset wearers will certainly be awokened especially at the end of Bolero.If you listen closely the music pages can be heard turning ,nice sense of being there ,get the cd they dont make em like this anymore.

2 comments about Music for the Spanish Kings.

1. This is a wonderful(double)CD, and great value for money. Anyone who loves early music would enjoy this. I'd been looking for Hesperion xx or xxi music for ages, as I'm always hearing them on Radio 3, and I just never came across their recordings in any shops, so this is a real treat. A good variety of sounds, with some beautiful solo singing. I shall definitely be looking for more of their recordings from Amazon in the future.



2. Jordie Savall and Hesprion XX do it again. I've yet to hear a CD of his that I didn't love. Most of my collection of 15th-17th Century music is English, French, German, and Italian, and I am happy to see the Spanish masters taking their place alongside them.

No comments about The Best of Lawrence Welk Collector's Edition.

No comments about The Ultimate Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe.

3 comments about More Of The Most Relaxing Classical Music In The Universe.

1. i got the cd timely and in excellent condition, but i didn't like the way the music was arranged that much. i was a little disappointed.



2. This is a good mixture of elevator music, and some soft relaxing melodies.



3. Wonderful music for your listening pleasure. Very relaxing and soothing. Nothing beats classical music.

No comments about Mediterranean Nights.

1 comments about Essential Tchaikovsky.

1. There's something for every Tchaikovsky lover on this disc. From Swan Lake to Onegin, many of Tchaikovsky's most-known melodies are on this disc. I'd have preferred more than an excerpt of the first movement of Piano Concerto No. 1, but this disc is a great introduction to Tchaikovsky's works.