No comments about Haydn, Hummel: Trumpet Concertos.

5 comments about Beethoven: Piano Sonatas.

1. In some places, the playing seems rushed and in others, it sounds uncoordinated. There are better versions of these sonatas out there.



2. This is an excellent recording of the three most well-known and well-loved piano sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven. As an aspiring Beethoven expert (I'm a college student and just recently began really discovering Beethoven), I wanted to hear a masterful, even "definitive" if you will, recording of these sonatas. I listened straight through the entire album, enjoying every minute of it. I smiled as I recognized a piece that I finally got to hear in its proper context, and the whole time I was in awe of Beethoven's work coming through Claudio Arrau. The Pathetique and Moonlight sonatas were especially wonderful to hear, since I've heard parts of them hundreds of times in other arrangements--from Trans-siberian Orchestra to Dance Dance Revolution and other music video games to Schroeder of the Peanuts gang at his piano. Nothing compared to hearing Claudio Arrau play the pieces as Beethoven intended: it was magical. Delightful, masterful, beautiful, fun, timeless...you will love Beethoven's three great piano sonatas.



3. What more can I say....
   I dont really know much about classical, and I wont pretend that I do, but to me, this is perfection!
   Excellent service to as item arrived in good time!



4. First of all I would like to say, I have to disagree with a reviewer that says Arrau plays "too slow" this I can handle although I consider his speed is fine... but mostly when he says something like "he gives a romantic touch to these sonatas that were dedicated to men".
   
   That is a huge blasphemy and here's why: Beethoven was a passionate man, I guess every Beethoven fan and student knows that, and if you still don't believe it just listen to his piano, violin and cello trios to see how much passion and romance there is involved. So it doesn't matter if he dedicated these sonatar (or any of his works) to a woman, a man or an alien, it is quite clear that whoever it was intended to, Beethoven would have probably execute it with passion and romance.
   
   The execution of the Appassionata sonata is the ultimate execution. I need more words from other universe to describe how you can easly breeze into the composer's mind and actually feel what he felt and thought when he composed this piece. The 3rd movement is to me the best around and the best I've heard (from dozens of dozens), especially the last two minutes when it's clear the composer went drive mad. With other performers you will see that in these two minutes (when the piece reachis its climax) they will normally slow down which obviously a clear mistake and not what Beethoven intended). The last two minutes are to be played with madness, more madness, anger, more anger and all the passion you can put into those 88 keys. You can't slow down the climax of the piece ! That's why it is called Appassionata ! Such a beautiful piece.
   
   The moonlight execution is the best I've heard too (with the exception of the 1st movement). Each one of the three movements take you to a mind state where you can feel how and what Beethoven felt about countess Giuletta Giucardi: love, joy and then hate, respectively. Just like the appasionata, the 3rd movement's performance is stunning. By the time you reach half of it, your mind will think you're listening to Beethoven.
   
   Patetique is a good execution. I haven't really heard a notable performance, probably due to the fact of being one of Beethoven's earlier -more Mozartian/classisist- works. Still it is very good, and the movement that impresses me the most is the second.
   
   Do your self a favor and get this CD. You will trash any other Beethoven Piano sonatas CD, and you will eventually look forward to buy the 32 piano sonata box set by Claudio Arrau -to listen to the man himself playing all his works-, which I proudly own and just like this disc, it is worth every single penny.



5. Claudio Arrau is not always an easy pianist to listen to. His playing is sometimes very irritating and at times can seem boring. Not everyone will agree with his Beethoven playing, and his playing in general, but many will be fascinated by his complex intellectuality. His Beethoven playing, particularly the sonatas, are some of his best and most interesting work. If anyone was to own one recording of Arrau's playing, I would surely suggest a Beethoven recording. His interpretations of these three popular sonatas are unorthodox but are given very passionate and interesting performances. Anyone studying or interested in these sonatas should listen to Arrau, the Appassionata especially is given an excellent performance.

   This CD is highly recommended, it's an excellent lesson in Arrau's Beethoven playing.

5 comments about Osvaldo Golijov: Oceana.

1. Golijov is all the rage nowadays. Hailed by the New Yorker and the New York Times as the next big thing in classical music, he has all the right credentials to appeal to our politically-correct aesthetic. He's Argentinian, Jewish and American all at the same time. We love the idea of mixed cultural influences, I suppose because it satisfies our liberal longing for a world where everyone gets along just fine.
   I have enjoyed other Golijov productions, although I doubt his ultimate talent. He's not up there with the greats. In this collection, I realized that he is a superb collector of other peoples' themes and inspirations -- rather than a bone fide creator of his own. There is one movement, superbly sung by Dawn Upshaw, where the setting is just lovely. That's where Golijov excels. But the theme is somebody else's.
   The first movement with choir and guitars was just tedious. The string quartet section was better but I'd heard it before, or something remarkably similar, on many other Kronos Quartet recordings.
   If Golijov is really a composer rather than an arranger, I'd like to see him compose.



2. If you're curious, the cover image for this DG release is recycled from Bill Evans and Jim Hall's 1962 'Undercurrent' album.



3. I was very curious about this cd and almost picked it up in a store. I decided to check it out online (where I purchased it after streaming a bit) instead. The main offering ('Oceana') was immediately forgettable. It had some interesting sounds but nothing that sticks with you. I still sometimes will play it as something to have on, as some of the rhythms are fun. The main piece is followed up with Kronos Quartet playing a two movement quartet entitled 'Tenebrae'. Initially I was really drawn to this piece. I still like it very much. Its slow and sombre. Not for every mood, but skillfully played and recorded. The three songs, as sung by Dawn Upshaw, are what really shine here. Especially the third one.
   
   In closing I would recomend this cd, so long as you understand it is a mixed offering.



4. This is a gorgeous experience, musically, poetically. There is the presence of a great artist -- working with exceptional vocal and instrumental artists and deriving word/image focus from passionate tender rough vibrant poetry and song - that embraced me in a transcendent yet life affirming experience. The roots and yearnings of a people in their culture, their land, their oceans, their traditions, their generations, made personal - speak through. The fine abstract elements create a new universe in which to experience what is essential, unalloyed, rich. I am with this body of work as if it were a great living love in my life. In truth, it is.
   Osvaldo Golijov: Oceana



5. Osvaldo Golijov is a terrific composer, bringing exciting new sounds and influences to concert music. If you've not experienced his music, it's an eclectic delight, with primary influences ranging from Argentina, Jewish tradition, and western classical music (with occasional digital elements for good measure). This is substantial, imaginative, superbly crafted music that also manages to be a very accessible and enjoyable.
   
   The performances are first rate, Bob Spano is very gifted conductor and all of the performers are outstanding. Highly recommended for those looking for some fun, adventure, and real stimulation in their listening experiences!

5 comments about Andre Rieu - New Year's in Vienna.

1. We are very pleased. Pretty ladies in beautiful gowns, superb music and the typical, superb Andre fare.



2. I wasn't all that impressed with it; i have many of the numbers elsewhere and i don't think there was any singing, which is a great loss.As well i do not think theyrdid new years eve itself that well. I was impressed that Manoa played the bag pipes; are these French bagpipes?
   
   Incidentally the first copy i got was no good from a quality point of view but Amazon replaced it straight away at no cost to myself. There attitude was great regarding this matter as well.
   
   Rgds
   Ian J Brown



3. New Year's in Vienna was one of the best that I have received so far
   it is highly entertaining and the music is excellent. I will be purchasing more of his DVDs in the future.



4. As usual, Andre's music is super. The only complaint I have about
   this performance is the lighting used. There are bursts of bright
   light throughout the performance which I would call glare. Otherwise
   the DVD is well worth watching and should be included in anyone's
   music collection.



5. I am a huge fan of Andre Rieu, and I think this DVD is excellent entertainment. The marimba selection is fantastic.

5 comments about Words of the Angel.

1. I'm a big fan of religious choral classical music, and this album was not nearly as good as I was expecting it to be. It is good music, and the performers do a fine job, but it is not as awe inspiring as most of the music I listen to.
   
   The music has very little variance of dynamics. Many people like music where one setting of the volume control works throughout the entire piece, but I prefer music that has quieter parts and louder parts. Music is more expressive when it changes dynamics, or especially when the composer tastefully uses silence. These composers did not use any silence at all in their pieces. That, combined with the performers swinging their notes made the pieces feel too hurried. The embellishments were also annoying, because some of the notes just felt unimportant, almost like they were only put in to avoid the singer singing one note for too long. But the embellishments made the piece feel too busy, and not contemplative enough. The only modern piece on the CD (the 19th track, composed by Moody) fits in well with the CD, and is definitely in the old style.
   
   The music does sound distinctively western European, and not similar to the orthodox Christian tradition. As much as I've criticized some aspects of the music in the above paragraph, I do like the music. It does a good job of helping one attain the peaceful spiritual mood it attempts to instill.
   
   However, I give it only a 3 because there are many other pieces which do a better job at giving the listener a peaceful, sometimes mournful, contemplative content mood. I can't go around giving a 5 to every CD I like - it would be unfair to my truly favorite CDs. Some choral pieces that I prefer include Rachmaninov's Vespers & Liturgy to St John, Silvestrov's 4th movement of his Requiem to Larissa, both Szymanowski & Dvorak's Stabat Maters, Henryk Gorecki's 3rd Symphony, Avet Terterian's 6th Symphony, most of Arvo Part's later music (after his switch to tintinnabuli), and a few other modern works from that part of the world.
   
   I do realize that not everyone has the same tastes as me, so there will be those who love this music more than they would love the pieces that inspire me the most. However, reviews are a place to not just hear from those who are the biggest fans of a type of music, but to hear from those who are buying the music even though it is not completely their style of music.
   
   ECM did a fine job on its side. The sound quality is great, and the liner notes were fabulous. There was even more music on this CD than one often finds on ECM releases (they often put well under an hour of music on one CD).
   
   I do recommend this CD, as it is quite accessible to those who do not regularly listen to classical music. It is beautiful music, yet it is still music that most people can appreciate.



2. Trio Mediaeval is the name chosen by three Scandinavian singers who specialize in the early music of the church. Gregorian chant or Plainsong is one of the oldest forms of Western religious music and though much of the original chanting was one-part intoning by the monks, the composers of the time gradually created polyphony and the results are well sampled on this beautifully recorded CD.
   
   Not only does this a cappela trio of women's voices demonstrate a clarity of tone and pitch and timbre, they move through these at times complex harmonies with utter ease. In addition to excerpts from the Anonymous Tournai Mass, the Trio weaves the mysteries of English and Italian chant and even includes a truly beautiful contemporary setting of the chant form by Ivan Moody entitled 'Words of the Angel'.
   
   This is one of those recordings that soothes the mind and soul and confirms the importance of medieval music on the development of music through the ages. A new recording by this group entitled "Stella Maris" is promised soon and having heard that recording it is even better! The Trio Mediaeval is a fine performing arts group that should have a long life. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 05



3. The title of this CD does a wonderful job to tell what's included. It's the best music I've ever heard. I believe that if there do exist angels in Heaven, their songs could not be better than the ones on this CD!



4. If you are not inspired by these contemplative arrangements, you might want to check your pulse. Very insprired, indeed.



5. I bought this CD on an impulse, not knowing what to expect. The three a capella female vocalists harmonize in the most eerily beautiful way -- this CD is as close to transcendental music as I've ever heard. Everyone I've shared it with has had the same reaction -- the music is riviting and relaxing at the same time. A must for Gregorian chant lovers and anyone else who appreciates the majesty of the human voice.

5 comments about Music for Compline.

1. This CD rocks, if you are into this kind of music. I listen to it on my morning commute and it is uplifting and wonderful. Hearing is believing!



2. This first offering from British vocal group stile antico is an exceptional listening experience. Beautiful and soothing, the vocals on this CD are ouststanding. This is a 5-star listen through and through. Also enjoyable is the booklet that comes with the CD explaining Compline and the 16th century composers whose music is featuered on the CD.
   
   Highly recommended. This is a 5 star treat, don't miss this one.



3. The CD is worth purchasing for track #10 alone (Tallis' Miserere Nostris)-- By far the most sublime and etheral recording on this album, although the entire album is very well produced.



4. This music is truly a gift to the soul. Very relaxing, very calming. Well worth it.



5. I put this music on when I'm doing the dishes or relaxing at night. It's so soothing and easy to meditate to.

5 comments about Heartland: An Appalachian Anthology.

1. Heartland is a haven and a piece of heaven. I was transported.



2. Great violin, appalachian music, brings out your country roots, beautiful song by Allison Krauss, good mix of slow and up beat songs, excellent cd!



3. If you are planning to open up a high-end gift shop specializing in handcrafted wind chimes and micro-bakery scone mixes and the like, then you must have this CD playing for your customers. It might have a certain appeal there that it did not find in my living room. Not to say that the musicianship is not utterly outstanding, which it is most certainly. Aside from Short Trip Home, which is why I purchased this CD in the first place, I found the rest of the pieces somewhat vapid considering the caliber of the artists. Again, it has its appeal in an easy listening realm, but this was not what I was looking for.



4. Didn't expect an outstanding cd, don't know exactly why i got it,maybe because of yo yo and bela, but every piece is played
   beautifully, even the vocal piece by James Taylor. The album is almost too good to be called Heartland, every piece is a class act. Bravo!



5. I drive alot commuting to and from my job. This music has served as the perfect backdrop to an lovely Indiana fall! I'm sure I'll recall those colorful images as I continue to listen to this CD through the colorless days of winter!

5 comments about 25 Thunderous Classics.

1. I love this cd. The majesty and power of the music is overwhelming.
   
   If you like a strong, powerful melody, you'll like this cd



2. I bought this CD to use in my classroom as listening examples. I'm not just a super big fan of some of the performances, but they are all good and for the price you can't beat it. That's why I gave it 5 stars. It's worth more than it costs by far.



3. 
   This is a who's-who of great pieces of music you have heard all of your life, and never knew the names and stories! I listened to it over and over in the car and had my own concert! A friend borrowed it to add music to his Home Movies and it was perfect!



4. I bought this CD mostly for "Entry of the Gladiators," which everyone will recognize as classic circus music. The performance on this CD (by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops) is the best available version of Entry of the Gladiators. The rest of the CD offers mostly excerpts of classical music.



5. I had purchased an abundance of the "Favorites" collection and some were better than others.

   This CD is at the top of them all. They may be short, but not that short. Wondrous music.

   I can almost guarantee that you will like this music.
   Well worth the price!

5 comments about Catholic Latin Classics.

1. I so love the Catholic Latin Classics. we now have the Latin Mass in the City where I live, so it's great to listen to this CD on the way to Latin Mass :-)



2. This cd is the absolute best. One review states that it is monotonous, but I only half agree. It is true that some of the songs sound the same but it does not get boring no matter how many times you listen to it. These hymns are the most beautiful I have heard. I listen to this cd constantly and have had it for about 3 months and I am not tired of it at all. The only problem I see is that Bach's ave Maria gets "blasty" in the stereo. It is the recording. It sounds like they had the microphone too close or something. Even then this cd is the best. If you are looking for latin hymns, this is it.



3. A sweet, inspiring, grand sound of angelic voices. Soothing chords that take one back to a rich high-church feel. This is what church music is supposed to be - the remedy to the inane hand-clapping choruses that seem to dominate church music these days. Chorus music may (debatable) have a function but it can never compete for the rich grandeur of these classics. Perfect for mood music or for worship - both private and corporate.



4. With the release of Pope Benedict XIV's Motu Proprio and the Summurum Pontificum, I hope we will see a return of such beautiful music to the Mass. The "Panis Angelicus", by tenor John Eskola, is sublime and the "Adoremus Te, Christe", brings tears to my eyes, as does the "Ave Verum Corpus".
   I can't say enough about this cd. I highly recommend it for those who love traditional Roman Catholic mass music.



5. Takes my husband & I back to the 60s........not a bad memory......

5 comments about Mozart's Magnificent Voyage.

1. A friend of mine got this for her son about 3 years ago and he's still listening to the stories. Its calming and interesting. Its great in the car. The story goes along with the movements of the piece and really brings classical music and a great story to children. I now get this for all my friends with babies and small children.



2. I was hoping for more music - there's just too much storytelling for my and my kids' taste. We love the Beethoven's Wig series and were hoping this would be similar.



3. Product arrived in ample time overseas and was pleased with quality of product!



4. i bought this item after reading some of the reviews on amazon for my nephews who are 2 and 4 years of age. two months after christmas their mom was explaining how they request the cd everytime they are in the car. she groaned when i was in the car and they boys wanted to show me how much they liked the cd. during the trip i witnessed a mother humming along to the music with her children, the boys singing to excerpts, and an overall execptional learning experience about music, culture, and history. if you are looking for something that all children will like, passes the time on a road trip, and teaches important lessons about life without being pretentious then get this cd, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.



5. This CD is awesome, the music great, the story captivating. But it's Mozart, you already know about the music. Other reviewers have already discussed the story and I agree with their assessments that it's very good. The reason for this review is to say that my very active, never stopping, constantly in motion 5 year old SAT DOWN AND LISTENED without fidgeting or fiddling for a full 20 minutes and then sat but fiddled for the remainder of the CD. Maybe this is not a big deal to moms of "normal" energy level children -- but this simple act of being still for 20 minutes moved me to tears. I said nothing before putting the CD in, I just put it in while he was doing his running around. Within seconds of hearing the story start he sat down on the floor, crossed his legs, and listened while looking at the speakers. I have never seen this behavior from my child before, ever. Please note that this is a child who is not ADD, he just cannot be still. He listens to hundreds of hours of stories we read to him -- while he's doing something else. He "watches" videos -- while he's doing something else. He reads, while clapping or tapping out the beat of the syllables. I cannot remember my child ever stopping what he was doing to JUST LISTEN. When it was over he said, "That was a cool story," and got up to run around. That was it, but that's high praise from this child. To see my child sitting still for a full 20 minutes, you cannot begin to imagine my awe. I am running right out to get the rest of the series! Bravo to the producers!