5 comments about The Most Relaxing Piano Album in the World...Ever!.

1. Wonderful classical music. The CD is very relaxing and offers a wide variety of favorite classical music. I can't wait to listen to the other "Relaxing" CD's that are available.



2. This CD is ok and Obviously is not Grammy material. For the price it is ok but was looking for something "more relaxing." Sorry I cannot be more specific.



3. I was disappointed in this CD because I didn't find the music was as soothing as I would have expected from the title. Much of the music tended to be faster beats, loud, and somewhat "noisy". The CD is not bad, but it's just not as relaxing as other CD's I've listened to.



4. This is simply an exquisite collection of beautiful piano pieces. I am very satisfied with this purchase. I can read while listening to this music-call it background music...maybe, but even when you're doing something else-the music is there...it does not intrude, but it doesn't get lost either. I am having a hard time explaining this. I wanted music to relax and enjoy. I got just that with this collection. I think it's a bargain and highly recommend it!



5. I looked forward to receive this CD, and was not disappointed.
   Wonderful pieces with some of my favorites incl.Chopin Nocturne No. 5 and
   Beethoven "Für Elise",Schumann Träumerei.I can highly recommend this CD to all pianolovers.

5 comments about Simply Baroque.

1. I bought this because I love to listen to cellos. On my Mark&Daniels,the sound is first rate, overall. ButI would have loved to have the cello given a bit more prominence, audio-wise. The accompanying instruments are aggressive enough to drown the cello out in the musical pictures, except for the first selection which is just fabulous.



2. The Baroque Period in Europe originated in the early 17th century and reached it's peak in the early 18th century. The English word "baroque" is translated from the Italian "barocco", meaning "bizarre". "Passionate" is probably more like it. Johann Sebastian Bach is the most celebrated of the Baroque composers, although George Frederick Handel and Antonio Vivaldi are also famous for their Baroque music.
   
   Yo Yo Ma's Simply Baroque (1999) brings the Grammy Award winning master cellist together with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra (Tom Koopman) to perform mostly Bach pieces from the 18th century late Baroque period. You might recognize some of this music even if you don't know your classical music. It is thoughtful and soothing, even sounding sacred at times. Yo Yo's rich and soulful cello brings a sad beauty to these beautiful melodies, and his skillful perfection is satisfying and impressive. Enveloped by the A.B.O., Ma brings these great compositions to life, and once again a new generation hears the music of Bach and Boccherini.
   
   You don't have to know anything about classical music to enjoy Simply Baroque, it's quite enjoyable just as it is. It's relaxing, reflective and interesting. It's simply...wonderful!



3. Simply Baroque
   Beautiful listening and perfect showcase for Yo-Yo-Ma. This music can be enjoyed every day and still give you the emotions that you felt the first time you heard such music played.



4. Yo Yo Ma is a consummate musician. If you love baroque music, you'll love this CD. It offers a sublime musical experience.



5. Simply Baroque by Yo-Yo Ma is an excellent addition to anyone's collection of Baroque Music. The rich Cello tones strike a proper balance between showcasing Yo-Yo Ma and letting the rest of the musicians play the music. This CD is a beautiful collection of Baroque music. If you like Baroque, get this CD.

1 comments about Live in Vienna, Limited Edition (CD & DVD).

1. If you prefer having Andre's music in CD format you'll enjoy the selections on this CD. The DVD is a bonus piece with selections from several of his other DVD shows. It's a good DVD sampler, but only whets your appetite for more. If you prefer sitting down to a full DVD concert with Andre, then this CD/DVD Bonus Boxed Set may not be for you. I regard the full DVD 'Live in Vienna' as better value for money.

5 comments about Pavarotti Forever.

1. This CD proves what we've known for over 40 years. The Maestro has NO PEERS. A collection of all his famous arias - Che Gelida Manina, Cielo e Mar, Vesti la Giubba... they're all here. And every one magnificent. For new opera lovers - you won't find a better CD to start you on your discovery of the greatest tenor of all time. BUY IT - you will fall in love with the Grand Tenore!!!



2. This was my 1st classical cd purchase & I'm so happy with the selection of songs. I absolutely love Pavarotti and will now start to add other classical cd's to my music collection.



3. This 2 CD collection is exactly what I hoped for-Pavarotti at his best!
   It's a nice variety of his classic repertoire and his popular music performances. It's a good way to archive the great tenor in one location, and one to listen to over and over.



4. It is sad, isn't it, that we take our gifted artists for granted until they're gone forever. I'm guilty of that short-sightedness to this day and here is a great example. When Pavarotti began his rush to fame in the early 1990's, like many others, I just knew his singing would be around throughout my lifetime. Now he's gone. Had he not passed on, I probably would still not have owned this CD continuing to take his gift to us for granted. Nevertheless, the reality creeps in and I bought it in remembrance of him and I'm not one bit disappointed. The CD is clear and crisp and if you close your eyes, he is standing in the room waving his white handkirchief at you so you can wipe away the tears - I'll guarantee you they'll come.



5. A world treasure and he will be missed for his beautiful voice. Pavorotti Forever is CD to keep.

5 comments about Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna, etc. / Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale.

1. The Masterchoral is in top form on this recording. The recording was up for a Grammy a few years back, and it deserved the nomination.
   
   This music is magical and these performances are wonderful.



2. I actually already had had this previously but a friend stepped on it. Okay, my fault that it was laying out. Anyway I have loved it so much that I immediately ordered another one. So wonderful to hear this beautiful music once again.



3. This is a fabulous CD! I have sung at least one of the compositions on the CD in a choral society to which I belong. I am also familiar with the composer and love his music. The Los Angeles Master Chorale is a wonderful music group!



4. Two days ago I had never heard of Morten Lauridsen (shame on me). Our local PBS station (WITF in Harrisburg, PA) opened its morning show a few days ago at 9 AM with his lovely "Sure on This Shining Night," a segment of a poem by James Agee. I could not work for an hour after hearing it. Students entered my office and left quickly at the sight of my dazed look. I immediately purchased three recordings, and this one, "Lux Aeterna," is my favorite. The music is so beautiful that it hurts.
   
   Buy this album now. The music is truly exquisite. The performance is outstanding. The CD is a masterpiece. After one hearing of Lauridsen's "Lux Aeterna," I tell you the truth: I could not sleep the entire night. The music was with me all night, and it continues to resonate through my soul.



5. Excellent recording - Lauridsen music represents the best choral composers of this age. This CD captures as many of his best compositions as one can expect - Great buy.

5 comments about 25 Tchaikovsky Favorites.

1. He is one of my favorite classical composers. This cd contains some of his best and well-known works. While not every selction is a favorite, there are more than enough to make getting the cd worthwhile



2. Muy buena adquisición. Excelente opción para escuchar mientras estoy en la oficina, en el auto, leyendo o simplemente disfrutando de buena música clásica.



3. definitely not the best rendition of the popular suite.on the other hand,try finding another one.
   stuff is edited,bludgeoned,rather.
   tempos verge on comical.
   rather disapointing,I really needed a nice version of the sugar plum faerie dance.
   will probably stick to Wendy Carlos's,cheesy,runningly cheesy,blue cheese smelly,even,as it might be,still holds the original pace and campy pomp.
   
   ...not nuch of a cheese shop is it?
   -it's fairly clean.
   certainly not contaminated by Cleese!



4. This is a good introduction to Tchaikovsky for the beginner that gives a broad sampling of his work. Considering the price, it's a good value if someone is just wanting to begin exploring classical music or Tchaikovsky in particular.
   However, the sound quality on this albumn is quite poor and there are much higher quality Tchaikovsky recordings available.



5. Here are some of Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky's greatest works. His Nutcraker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty ballets are the most famous in the repoirtaire. The Symphony No. 5 and 6 are very excellent symphonic orchestrations. However, despite all the good stuff in here from the Russian master, the performers and conductors cannot surpass the beauty and artistry that such Tchaikovsky music masters as Dorati, Markevitch and Ormandy are. So if you want quality Tchaikovsky, get those conductor renditions. However, for a Tchaikovsky beginner, these pieces will get you hooked. This is a good cd to begin with for a Tchaikovsky listener. I am a Tchaikovsky listener ever since a friend recommended his glorious works to me. I am a Mozart fan but Tchaikovsky is undoubtedly the greatest Romantic composer of all time. He combines Russian melodies (Russian dances, mazurkas, waltzes) and gives them a definite Western romantic feel. He was friends with such noted Romantic composers as Camille Saint Saens, known to create such marvelous music of the era- Carnival of the Animals (now popular through Dysney) and Danse Macabre, to name only a small portion. Tchaikovsky also adored Mozart and although he is not exactly a Classical composer, he greatly admires the beauty of Mozart's works. Three cheers for Tchaikovsky !

4 comments about The Berlin Concert.

1. With her previous release of Bach's Goldbergs Dinnerstein has rapidly become generation X's favorite Bach interpreter. With so many great Goldbergs available, that suit any imaginable taste ranging from Leonhardt, Kempff and Walcha to Gould, I was last impressed than Dinnerstein's 5-star legion. Yet, after reading an interesting interview in the Grammophone with the young pianist I decided to give this latest disc another chance. Amazonians I am sorry, but it is just the quality of Lasser's Bach Variations that keeps me from giving this disc a single star.
   
   This well recorded recital starts with Bach's 5th French Suite.
   Anton Schoenberg at many occasions voiced his enormous adoration for Bach and Mozart's sense of key and tonality. Bach's WTC is a good example how important the key choice is in setting the "basic temperament" of the piece. As such, keyboardist like Leonhardt, Casadesus, Gould, Gavrilov, Donohoe or Macgregor, may span a whole universe of approaches to this piece, but all subscribe to one basic tenet: this G major piece is joyful. Not so with Dinnerstein. Of course generation x-ers, I know one of your central dogmas "Every rose has its thorn, Like every day has its dawn, Like every cowboy sings a sad sad song" (Bill and Ted's "Bogus Journey", 1991). Yet, this suite should not be counted among Bach's sad songs.
   
   While the pianism is decent throughout the piece, Dinnerstein seems to have taken an approach that ticked me of in her previous Goldbergs to a level that has become excrutiating. This is her tendency that evolved from rubato to the current state of broken phrasing in which many a counterpoint answer undergoes an artificial delay. A fellow Amazonian has remarked on the Romantic effect that this approach results in. While Garvrilov uses it quite a bit and is "modern romantic", Dinnerstein sounds like attempting to be "deep and philosophical", but becomes tedious, incongruous and just plain boring. Here differentiation of the various dance rhythms is sub par, as is the counterpoint. There are thousands of pianists that can do better than this.
   
   Next comes Lasser's Bach Variations, a truly interesting and accessible piece. You could say Reger's Bach variations meeting Rzewsky "the people united". Yet again, the individual movements get too little drive and character. Another gem in need of some pianistic Prozac. Let's hope that pianists like Hamelin, Hough or Macgregor will pick up this piece and truly express its potential.
   
   To add insult to injury, we now arrive at the presumed meat and potatoes of this cd: Beethoven's Opus 111. With hundreds of recordings in the catalog I still held up hope that Dinnerstein could put her own valid stamp on this piece. I still remember a lunch concert in the eighties by the young pianist Eliane Rodriguez who toured with a Bach 6th Partita/Beethoven 111 combination to prepare for the Reine Elisabeth Competition and reckoned that Dinnerstein would be able to give the listener a similar emotional high. No way Jose!
   
   From the very opening fanfare things go awry. Weird phrasing, invented pauses, chord imbalance, poor counterpoint etc. etc. There is no doubt that Opus 111 remains a daunting piece, but those without a clue only need to spend $23.98 here to get Pollini's masterclass. Yet, others have done some weird things with this piece and yet received high acclaim. There is Ugorski with his slow but earth shattering Arietta and Gould with his demolition derby of the Opening movement, who had Strawinsky remark "this is the first time that I have truly understood this piece and its significance. No such luck for Dinnerstein. Muss es sein? I don't think so.
   
   Then as an encore, var 13 from the Goldbergs. Due to the pianist's evolved voicing tendency commented upon above this attempt at being deep and profound is just tedious and at complete odds what Bach wrote or stands for.
   
   Many will disagree with these negative words. Yet, those who consider this a great record are mistaken. There may be moments of beauty here and there, but Bach, Beethoven and Lasser deserve so much better. One can only hope that this young pianist will go back to the drawing board, since it is just a matter of hours to go from Berlin to Waterloo.



2. On the merit of the J.S. Bach French Suite BWV 816, it is a pity Ms. Dinnerstein seems unaware that there are some rules to this music and she should be well inspired to read Evgueny Teregulov's essay or/and she should simply enrol herself at the Gnessins Academy in Moscow where the legacy of prof. Alexandrov is alive and well. Her playing would benefit from this knowledge, sadly so slow to reach western students.
   
   There, she would learn about rules of articulation in Bach's clavier music. In particular here are dying phrases and molto legatos, slowing downs, crescendos and diminuendos in a Romantic way that are simply going against the esthetics of baroque clavier music. This is particularly true in slow movements. Her fast movements are more convincing as they display a good pulsation, but sometimes too fast as tempi in baroque were never exagerrated.
   
   There is much more than sighing in the French Suites as they belong to the Baroque esthetics and do not reflect the romantic "I" but a philosophical system of values, including according to Gnessins Academy Professor Vera Nosina's research, the physics of movement that was established around the same time.
   
   Knowledge is key in understanding this music.



3. This is a beautiful recording, Simone Dinnerstein's renderings of the Bach French Suite and the Opus 111 of Beethoven are altogether perfect, with fine musical judgment and finesse. To point out just one track, the Gavotte of the French Suite was delightfully cheery, remaining adult while fleetly avoiding the trap of "cuteness". My only doubt in pre-ordering this CD was whether the contemporary Variations by Philip Lasser would stand up in such august company. I'm glad to report that the Lasser made me happy; it is musical and skillful in its echoes of Bach and impressionism both. I am pleased to have this recording join Dinnerstein's Goldberg Variations on my music shelf.



4. Barely more than six months after Simone Dinnerstein's triumphant debut at the Berlin Philharmonie - the modern concert hall which is the official residence of the Berliner Philharmoniker - Telarc has issued her sophomore recording, "The Berlin Concert", and one which is bound to please her ever growing legion of fans (of which I am now one). In a performance that is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes in length, Dinnerstein offers some fascinating insights into works composed across the span of three centuries by Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, and contemporary American composer Philip Lasser, playing each as though they were being heard by the audience for the very first time. What unites these works by these three different composers is their joyful spontaneity and tendency towards almost jazz-like improvisation; Bach's French Suite No. 5 in G major, Lasser's Twelve Variations on a Chorale by J. S. Bach "Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott" (Cantata 101), and Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111. In her performance of the Bach French Suite, Dinnerstein emphasizes - as she notes in the liner notes - its exquisite dance rhythms and spontaneity. In Lasser's work, her playing, while also sounding spontaneous, ranges from Bach's "contrapuntal energy" to brief nods to both French Impressionism and jazz too. As for jazz itself, Dinnerstein's performance of the final Beethoven piano sonata's second movement is light years removed from the elegant simplicity of, say, Alfred Brendel; hers is one which, unlike others I have heard either live or on recordings, truly emphasizes the improvisational, almost jazz-like, qualities of this very movement (Arietta: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile). It is still a quite compelling interpretation that holds its own against the likes of Brendel and Uchida, among others. A brief encore, Bach's Goldberg Variations: Variation 13, concludes this most remarkable recording. If anyone has doubted whether Simone Dinnerstein is a first-rate concert pianist, then this exhilarating live recording should dispel such doubts.

5 comments about The Mozart Effect - Music for Babies - Playtime to Sleepytime.

1. Purchased as a gift, but glad to receive it. Haven't listened to it myself, but I like Mozart.



2. My baby boy just like it..... and my wife is enjoying it toooo.... It is a very soothing CD to listen to. It is definitely worth the $$...



3. I bought the "Mozart Effect" CD and a few other classical CD's; Bach and another Mozart after my daughter was born in late 1998. We had a difficult time getting her to sleep at night and decided to try playing music to soothe her. The "Mozart Effect" CD worked every time. As soon as she heard the Toy Symphony play she would relax and just listen to the music until she fell asleep. It's been more than a year since we played the CD, and recently when she was ill, she asked to listen to "her music". It still has the same calming effect. Regardless of the controversy surrounding Mozart's ability to make babies more intelligent, I think this music is very comforting and enjoyable.



4. I received several classical music CD's as gifts before my daughter was born, and out of all of them (also including classical CD's I had already owned) this is definitely my favorite. It stands out because it is not full of simply "traditional" arrangements but rather is very light and playful - there are all sorts of cute little chirping and whirring noises that add to it as well. It is just a lot of fun, and provides the perfect background for cuddling with your new little one.

   There is one comment below from someone who thought the music was too simple and was of poor quality. I would agree that the music is very simple (not a bad thing), but disagree with the notion that it is poor quality. Anyway, this should be just one CD in a library of different types of music, classical and other, to help your child's music appreciation develop. If it happens to expand other developmental skills as well, even better!




5. The Mozart Effect - Music for Babies is a pretty good disc. Admittedly not the best Mozart recordings around, but then my child is not exactly picky. I prefer Genie's Angels All Around as a lullaby CD but either The Mozart Effect or Angels All Around would make excellent baby shower gifts.

5 comments about Bach: Violin Concertos.

1. I can understand the criticism and praise from the reviewers on this interpretation. Once again, it's a matter of taste and ultimately liking the balance between technical skill and expression. Sometimes the tempi can alter the course of appreciation as well, and I think that's more the case here.
   
   To my ear, this is a very solid and beautiful rendition. Perlman plays with a very distinct crispness and Zukerman contributes handsomely on this recording. The slow movement of the double violin concerto has almost a pulse to it which is unique but I don't find it distracting or taking away from the movement at all. All the pieces are played beautifully with feeling and mastery of technique. I have several versions of these pieces and this is the one I come back to most often.



2. Most people reading this will have heard Bach's violin concertos many times before, so it's really the performers' interpretations that make this album special. All the performances are very good-to-outstanding, but far too subject to one's individual taste to properly rate. But if you love Bach, this is absolutely worth a listen.



3. These are good-to-excellent performances on a bargain disc. Probably the best single disc set of these concertos at any price.



4. I was looking for a recording of Bach's Concerto No. 1 in A minor so that I could hear how to better play the accompaniment (on piano) and my daughter could hear a master play the piece on violin. We listened to 3 different recordings, and this was our favorite by far. The concerto was played at a great tempo with just the right amount of vibrato.



5. Bought this CD to round out a larger order and was happily surprised with both the quality of this CD, the beauty of the music, and the great price. Very nice buy!

5 comments about Baby Einstein: Traveling Melodies.

1. We love playing this while in the car with my grandson. He is one year old and tries to sing to it and has so much fun.



2. My baby, the dad and I love this cd! It makes car rides FUN! She relaxes and sleeps too!!!
   Whoever buys it won't regret!
   Baby Einstein must know what they're doing cause it is really amazing.



3. This tape is short and the melodies are not engaging for kids. It was waste of money.



4. Hello everyone,
   This CD is great!
   My son has ADD & when we are out & he gets Anxious I put this CD in his portibale CD player.
   It seems to help him calm down & better cope with things.
   I think that every parent should have this CD that has a special needs child.
   Thanks so much for putting it online for people to buy.
   Thanks Again,
   A Greatfull Mom



5. My husband and I are musicians so I inwardly groaned when we were given this CD as a gift--I'd rather play the originals rather than some synthesized kiddie version. However, on a recent road trip we got desperate when our colicky son would not stop screaming. We popped this in the CD player and it calmed him down immediately. I swear, it's like aural crack for babies. We now play it at bedtime to help calm him down and it still works. You may not love this CD, but your baby will.