5 comments about Brahms at Bedtime: A Sleepytime Serenade.

1. Great music for helping you unwind after a long day so you can be more relaxed at bedtime.



2. A few years ago I started having trouble sleeping at night. It was probably due to my new husband's snoring! I remembered how when I worked at a daycare, we would play classical music while the children took naps. So I thought I would give it a try. I have tried a couple different CD's and so far this is my favorite! All of the music is soothing. There aren't any songs that get loud or fast. The only weird thing is that the first and last song are the same. I repeat the CD all night and it really does help me to sleep! If the power goes out I notice immediately because my soothing music is gone! I highly recommend this CD!



3. Amazingly this compilation has managed to get together some of the most untallented performances of Brahms' music. With a few exceptions the moto of this CD can be summed up as 'no understanding and appreciation for a musical genius'. The choice of music is also quite perfunctory. There are many Brahms pieces that could have served better the bedtime purpose. Buy at your own risk. My only fear is that some people will get their first impressions of Brahms from this CD...



4. I love to listen to this cd if I'm tired and need to take a nap or just rest for a while. It is very soothing.



5. This is one of my favorite nap and quiet time choices. It is very mellow and soothing. My three year old frequently falls asleep listening to it, and even turns it on again for herself if she wakes up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep!

5 comments about Tchaikovsky At Tea Time: A Refreshing Blend For Body And Spirit.

1. 
   Who doesn't know Tchaikovsky ? I mean yes, it took me a while to learn how to spell his name but the guy has supplied all those lucky who will listen with a lifetime of good music. This compilation starts of soothing and relaxing, just when your tea is still hot, later when it starts to cool off the tunes get rowdier and more mischievous. My guess is that no one wanted spilling hot tea through over excitement, especially when that Nutcracker suite starts to bubble up, by then even my cats look like they want to dance. His music is sincere, beautiful, romantic and easily accessible for any ear.
   
   Tea, books and kitties go perfectly well with this album, it's nice to have something to listen to while I enjoy three of my favorite things. I'm not a total geek, I do like lots of other things that include life but when I want to curl up and sip away this is beautiful and almost hypnotic but not distracting from relaxation. Everyone will find a favorite here, something they heard before and even those new to classical music or to Tchaikovsky will find that this covers a lot of his well knows pieces. I like this series because it's all ready mixed up, I don't have to select separate albums and pick out what I want to listen to, it's a play list that will match the activity almost to a tee. Overall most of these are relaxing, one can certainly take a bath and put this on or it's perfect for the holidays when the music seems to be more sparkling as if sprinkled with sugar and spice. So sit back and enjoy, tea not mandatory but certainly advisable.
   
   - Kasia S.



2. This is a simple compilation of (a few of) Tschaikovsy's lighter works performed by some of the world's most renowned artists. Nice CD for someone who is learning to appreciate good music like myself.



3. I wondered what do Tchaikovsky and Tea have in common, and then I remembered that in many countries across the world - the word for tea is "tchai". That aside, yes, this is a refreshing blend of music, perfect for tea time - relaxing and reviving at the same time, and quite a bit dreamy.



4. I've owned this for years & play it often. It IS perfect for teatime, as it makes pleasant background music which you can talk over....but is also great w/volume up in car w/it's rambunctious side and incredible instrumentation. A really nice blend of Tchaikovsky's pieces.



5. "Set your Life to Classical Music" is a fine album series that feature beautiful classical music for background music of any occasion- weddings, barbecues, breakfast, beauty sleep, bathtime, reading a book, romantic dinner, massages you name it. And indeed many classical pieces are perfectly therapeutic sessions in themselves. This album features the more intimate-sounding, soulful, sweet and relaxing tunes of Tchaikovsky. He did compose heavier and more dramatically intense music- his later symphonies, his Overtures and operas. But here we hear no Russian fire or harshness. Instead we are treated to the charming Mozartian style works of the Roccoco Variations and the Piano Trios. The disc also features the Andantino from his Piano Concerto No. 1 - and that piece is almost a Chopin Nocturne, with beautiful soft rubato and dream-like qualities. Included here is also the Pas De Deux and Odette and Siegfried theme from his ballet Swan Lake, lilting and graceful as the dancers movements themselves. The dance divertissements from Nutcracker round out the ballet segments with charming allure. The melancholy String Quartet and Serenade For Strings is here as well and not to mention the beautiful, wistful excerpts from the ballet Sleeping Beauty, his greatest ballet. The Panorama and Vision of Aurora played with delicate strings and sublime technicality. This is indeed a "refreshing blend for body and spirit" and is in fact perfect to listen to while drinking tea cosnidering you drink tea. I have tried it and believe me the experience is very soothing and refreshing. Try putting this on in your miniature CD player with headphones, then go out into an outdoor, natural environment, a park or a backyard garden or patio, and drink tea or read a book and you will find this is a fine companion.

4 comments about Dinner Classics: The Italian Album.

1. Elegant, soothing and graceful. I recently moved into a work-at-home situation and had to get away from my rock-and-roll standards if I were to get any work done. I find the rich sounds of this album perfect for me. It isn't distracting and seems to steer my creative energies effortlessly. I love it.



2. I place a high priority to the selections made for my dinner party, and although this is still a good CD, it did not meet my expectations to play for dinner guests. I was disappointed. It is marketed as "Dinner Classics", but not a good mix in my opinion.



3. I heard this album for the first time at a restuarant in Florence during my trip to Italy. I was surprised it was from the US beacause it has captured the very soul of Italy. After 7 years it has remained my favorite of all Puccini cds I own. I especially like the fact that it is instumental and can be played for many occassions. It never fails to stir the wanderlust for a trip back to Italy! A must for every romantic!



4. I have been a music lover for years. This CD introduced some Italian music to me that I was not familiar with. I listen to this music very often...it is almost theraputic in effect. I have never heard more beautiful music together on one CD. You won't regret getting this one!

1 comments about The Story of Mozart.

1. This short CD comfortably displays the basics of Mozart in words and music. If your a classical lover interested in these geniuses, and have a literary love also, then you would enjoy these nicely told stories.
   
   I learned here that Mozart picked up his x-girlfriends sister after she cheated on him; Nice! What a stud.
   
   I purchased CD's like this a year ahead of time to use them as time effective sources for English book reports in school because it takes a load off if you're over pressed and over worked. The narrator I found to be enjoyable also. For a couple bucks I really couldn't beat it.

5 comments about 25 Baroque Favorites.

1. I ordered this CD to use in my classroom with Quantum Learning. It is great!



2. The CD I received came from Amazon Return Center. On my stereo at home absolutely no sound came out. I tried it out in my car, and it played, but with blips every few seconds. The CD is no good, but since I opened the package I can't return it, and nowhere on this site can I find a place to discuss this matter with an Amazon representative. At least the CD is an inexpensive one, so I'll eat the cost. But I think I'll order my CD's from a local store from now on. This review shouldn't even earn one star, but I couldn't proceed without checking it.



3. I bought this album a number of years ago and always enjoy listening to it. You really can't go wrong with an album that begins with Pachelbel's "Canon" and ends with Clarke's "Trumpet Voluntary." Also included are works by Handel, Bach, Vivaldi and many other lesser known Baroque composers. Almost all of the works that were chosen are true classics. The performances are stellar. When I need some beautiful music to calm my spirit or provide a backdrop when I'm reading, this album is perfect. It's not remarkable enough to earn 5 stars, but I'm happy to recommend it to anyone, especially at such a reasonable price.



4. a great selection of baroque favorites, but the sound quality, especially on the pachelbel canon, not great at all. for that reason, i cannot recommend getting it. what do you expect for five dollars, right !>? i would suggest spending a little more money and getting something that you can't bear to part with, for continued listening enjoyment.



5. An introduction to the best baroque music by famous composers.
   Great sound on this CD. There are over 10 CD's in this Farorites collection, and this by far is one of the best ones.

   If you like the classical sounds of music, then you will like this. Check out the samples on this page that they provide, that's the best way to review.

5 comments about Prokofiev: 7 Symphonies; Lieutenant Kijé.

1. Where's the intensity? Where are the ironic twists, the contrasts, the sharpness and acerbicness that are hallmarks of Prokofiev's compositional style? Where is the epic buildup that is the 5th, the War and Peace of Russian symphonies? Seiji Ozawa leads--slogs--the Berlin Philharmonic through some of the smoothest, velvetiest Prokofiev ever recorded. There isn't a hair-raising moment on this disc. But it's not-a-hair-out-of-place perfect. I'd rather have some ratty excitement myself.
   
   Whether it's a charmless "Classical"--lifeless and slow--or an un-otherworldly 3rd or weak and unmuscular 5th or a 7th that lacks all irony and cheerful cynicism, Seiji just misses the boat here. You have to give him credit: at least he misses it consistently. Al the symphonies sound alike, and they all sound like Ozawa when he conducts. He prefers balance and harmony, and that can be good. But Prokofiev deliberately wrote dissonant, even grating sections for expressive purposes, and they are just missing here as even mysterious moments like the slow movement of the 5th are whittled down to plush, lifeless run-throughs. None of the solo passages for winds--and Prokofiev was brilliant at writing very spirited solo passages for winds--have any character here. This is Prokofiev that's nearly Muzak--an amazing feat, really.
   
   While he didn't have the magnificent orchestra that is the Berlin Philharmonic to work with, Gennady Rozhdestvensky and the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra runs rings around Seiji in terms of expression and passion. Other fine recordings are Ormandy in a fine "Classical" (Sony) and 5th (RCA, but good luck finding it except in Japan). Tennstedt for a fine 5th and 7th, Ormandy for a fine 6th (hard to find that too), and Leinsdorf in 2, 3, 5, and 6. As for this set, take a pass, no matter how cheap.



2. Karajan's recording of Prokofiev's 1st and 5th symphonies has long been one of my favorite discs so I decided to take the plunge and get the complete set. Unfortunately Karajan never recorded them all so I got the Ozawa who does a pretty good job although his 5th is nowhere near as good as Karajan's but then again whose is?
   As for the other symphonies I enjoyed them all except the 2nd. The 3rd symphony which is based on music derived from Prokofiev's opera The Fiery Angel (which was never staged during his lifetime) is much better than the opera itself which I thought to be a little static. The 4th symphony was derived from Prokofiev's ballet The Prodigal Son. It's nice but I thought it inferior to the ballet which is one of my all-time favorites. The 6th symphony seems to have a lot of admirers and it's good but I don't see what all the hoopla is about. The real undiscovered gem on these discs is Prokofiev's 7th. I was expecting it to be dull since it was composed towards the end of Prokofiev's life when the Soviet government was forcing it's composers to work in a more conservative style but Prokofiev rose above all that and created a real work of art. It's a shame it's not better known.



3. I hope Seiji Ozawa is happy that there's one place in the world, [...] where his Prokofiev symphony cycle fills people with joy. Most critics were quite disappointed in his approach, which veers erratically between the genteel, the bland, and the explosive. You can hear all three styles in the opening movement of Sym. #1, which jolts from one mode to the next. Ozawa seems at a loss to find eihter the wit or the classical elegance of this beloved student work.
   
   The companion symphony on CD 1 is Sym. #6, which typifies the strength of the whole set--outstanding playing from the Berlin Phil.--as well as Ozawa's besetting weakness: he can't find a consistent style for the work. As a result, he tends to fall back on generalized music-making. You can't tell which sections are meant to be elegaic, mysterious, witty, satiric, or romantic.
   
   Ozawa does well when the music is lyrical, brisk, or lightweight. He softens the brutality of the machine-driven idiom of Sym. #2 and #3, which spares our nerves; I am grateful for that, and for the Berliners' fearless execution. The Third emerges as a sonic blockbuster with great impact--I was genuinely thrilled by Ozawa's reading.
   
   
   By general consensus the masterpiece among Prokofiev's symphonies is the Fifth, which has had some great performances over the years, including Karajan's famous 1968 account with the Berliners. Ozawa's agreeable, suave conducting isn't in the same league, but his performance is better recorded, and for sheer impact it can stand with the best. If only he could have found more bite and elan in the music.
   
   In sum, I can see why critics were decidedly mixed about this set and why the new one from Gergiev is likely to eclipse Ozawa totally.



4. This really is an untterly fantastic box set. I am just learning Prokofiev's symphonic cycle with these, and I would certainly enjoy hearing something better than this!
   
   The sound is exquisite, the orchestra is utterly tops, the music (other than the 1st and 5th of course) is a bit inaccessible for the neophyte (although I did love my mother's old LP of the 4th as a kid) but is glistening here so brightly it's undeniable.
   
   Recommended.



5. Ozawa conducts Prokofiev complete symphonies in Berlin. You can't get any better than that! In true Ozawa fashion, you can hear just about every line, every staff, every note. He is such a perfectionist that if you haven't seen him conduct live, you don't know what orchestral perfectionisim is. Get the scores and follow along and you will see what I mean.

5 comments about Lanza: Greatest Hits.

1. Excellent product. CD just as described and fast delivery. Love Mario Lanza and his voice.



2. The 4 stars are for the song selection, and not for Mario's Voice.
   Mario Lanza voice will always be a 5 star.
   There are great signers in this world, and he was one of them.
   Bravo Mario.



3. Mario Lanza's music brings back memories of when I was a little girl. He introduced me to classical/opera music which I enjoy now. Great CD!



4. I have not received this poroduct I am stillwaiting I have wrote the seller and with no results. Ana Kirk



5. Great product!! It was a gift for mom and she absolutely loves it and lisens to it often. Also, prompt delivery.

5 comments about Baroque Trumpet Concertos.

1. For this price you cant go wrong. It has all styles, allegro, largo, slow and fast paced with the trumpet and background instruments. Vivaldi and Telemann's pieces are my favorites on this CD, but the rest is great as well. This soothing music that makes you feel great to live at the same time is impossible to pass up. All it took was one sample for me to buy it, and no regrets!



2. I love this CD. The music is very uplifting. If you love Baroque Music then you can't go wrong with this CD. Great Price and Value.



3. I originally purchased this disc as an EMI Classics Red Line release (I think I paid $5.99 for it). It was a steal then, and remains so today on the Seraphin line (simple a reissue of the same EMI Red Line release).

   Maurice Andre is a fantastic trumpet player, and he simply shines on this recording (featuring the Academy of St. Martins on the Field under Sir Neville Marriner). Bargain-priced CDs tend to get the proverbial bum rap, but Seraphin (as usual) offers a first-rate recording that can compete with any full-priced release. I've listened to this disc at least 20 times, and I never tire of it. Andre and Marriner bring to life these works, some by lesser-known composers (like Stolzel, Telemann and Torelli). I can't think of a better introduction to these underrated Baroque artists (with the exception of Sony's 'Baroque in Italy' CD, which sadly is now out-of-print, too).

   This recording, as with so many others, will not be available forever. Given the quality of the recording and beauty of the pieces, I strongly recommend purchasing this disc before it, too, goes out-of-print. It's a great disc at a great price, and would be a welcomed addition to any Classical music collection.




4. This is a great feel-good record. Music to reign by.
   
   The Stölzel concerto for four instrumental choirs is a particular gem, a great piece to cue up and wake up in the morning to. There is nothing particularly deep or heavy here. All of these pieces are light, in major keys. They are well recorded and well played.



5. This CD is just a delight. If you enjoy Baroque, you will find this CD one of your favorites. It has a pleasant register and a lightness that is a pleasure to any ear. An excellent value.

5 comments about Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits.

1. Don't get me wrong on the rating; the CD is good and the recordings and performances are great, but to call something a greatest hits collection, there really needs to be more of the greatest hits and not just the filler they have included. All of the songs are wonderful but if you are a new Saint-Saens lover you will need more.
   Camille Saint-Saens was the master French impressionist, the wizard of piano and organ composition, one of the greatest composers ever. He is definitely top 5 in my book.
   The problem with this recording is simply what is provided on the CD, or more appropriately, what is not provided. There are far too many omitions to count this as a greatest hits collection.
   Bare minimum, a greatest hits collection for Saint-Saens must contain the entire 3rd symphony (the "organ" symphony), the Carnival of Animals (and if not all 14 pieces, at least include Aquarium with The Swan and Finale), at least one of his cello concertos (which are mysteriously absent from all Saint-Saens best of or greatest collections and that is truly a shame), and at least one of his violin concertos.
   What is provided on this disc is wonderful. Samson et Dalila is signature Camille, Danse macabre is another wonder, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso is Saint-Saens perfection, and his Piano Concerto No. 2 is marvelous. But there is just so much more to Saint-Saens.
   So, for the price at which Sony provides these marvels of greatest hits, it is a very good deal, but I would recommend another collection if you truly want to experience Saint-Saens' greatest works.
   The price is slightly higher, but the inclusion of the entire Carnival and the entire Organ Symphony along with other works excluded here makes it a much better collection. Just consider the Phillips' release before you purchase so you don't have to go back later. The Best Of Saint-Saëns
   Enjoy!



2. This music take me away from every day troubles and brings my soul to a beutiful world of music.Saint-Saent's vision of music is different, his creations are sensitive and intence. He is agreat talent.



3. I think that the sound of Saint Saens Music is very unique. I think that anyone out there wanting to listen to some excellent writing I assure you that Saint Saens has written it. On behalf of Amazon I would definitely rate this music 5 stars. I thank Amazon for a perfect portrayal of his works. You shoppers out there might want to take a look at buying this.

   RIGHT AWAY!!!
   -Nick




4. I have come accross very few CD's that have 74 minutes of music that I enjoy. This CD is one of those. Mason Jones does a great job on Morceau, everyone likes danse bachannalle, the piano concerto is great, it's just a really enjoyable CD to own. I recommend it highly, it's one of my favorites.



5. As all good elementary school music teachers know, Saint-Saëns could evoke emotions from a rock. I don't know if it's his masterful command (or creation) of the idioms of music, or whether it's the formal structure of his compositions, but there's never any confusion about how one feels when listening to this Apollo.

   This Sony recording supposedly collects his best. It does and it doesn't. The "Danse Macabre"--a perennial Saint Saëns fave--is definitely better than any others on the market--crisper, livelier, and ... er... creepier. And the Bacchanale is also superbly done. (Don't take my word for it though--you can compare these yourself from the various samples.) But as great as these individual pieces are, Sony failed to bring to the "Swan" the rest of the zoo from "Carnivale des Animaux," and, worse, they forgot the "Aquarium," too! Plus, the "Organ Symphony" *must* be heard in its entirety to sound like the serious piece of music that it is.

   I haven't found the noumenal Saint-Saëns collection yet. But this one surely isn't phenomenal.

5 comments about Chopin and Champagne: Set Your Mood for Romance.

1. This is a most wonderful collection of some of the most beautiful pieces of music to listen to when you want to hear something soothing and relaxing. The piano is much in evidence as you might expect from anything by Chopin and it is played flawlessly and flowingly here. Quite simply, music to calm your mind. If you like peaceful and beautiful poetic sounding music, you can't go wrong with this one. It is marketed as a CD to play when you are involved in some romantic interlude, but it by no means needs to be reserved for only that kind of scenario. This is to be enjoyed anytime you want to wind down and relax, maybe even to meditate to as there are no jarring elements that could come in and interfere with your reverie. The music just flows effortlessly along. Truly, a treasure!



2. I started collecting the Set Your Life to Music series of CDs when stores such as Tower Records still existed to purchase music in person and I haven't regretted it since. I'm now on a mission to collect each of these CDs as they really do fit well for any season and any time of your day. My favorites are 'Chopin and Champagne' and 'Tschaikovsky at Teatime' and the prices are a steal for quality, timeless music.



3. There's another CD for sale called Chill with Chopin which seems to have about five of the same tracks as this CD. I found that the Chill with Chopin, performed by Slovak's, has a more precise playback. I prefer this version played by London Philharmonic and Rotterdam Philharmonic, for they are much warmer. These performances conducted by David Zinman and Eliahu Inbal have a greater healing and emotionally warm playback then the precision of the Chill CD. If you prefer artful character, comfort, and warmth this would be it.



4. My two favorite pianists are Chopin and Bill
   Evans, both for the same reasons: they both had the hand independence, ability to play those fast, multi-noted runs, and they both had what can't be taught, touch and taste. This an excellant overview of his work and will hopefully lead the listener to more of his work (especially the Preludes).



5. The most sensitive piano playing I've ever heard. My wife likes it too.