Malena (2000 Film) [Soundtrack]

malena (2000 film) [soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It's rare when a composer forges an artistic bond with a director that encompasses several films over the years, and rarer still when a musician has that relationship with two different filmmakers. Ennio Morricone's collaboration with the late director Sergio Leone on a series of so-called spaghetti Westerns has assumed almost mythic proportions. But, beginning with Cinema Paradiso, the Roman scoring maestro has also fashioned a latter-day bond with director Giuseppe Tornatore that has produced music of a wholly different color, character, and emotional resonance. Malèna takes its place as one of their finest achievements. The composer has called the film one of his toughest assignments: music that must underscore both comedy and pathos, romance and tragedy--often in the same musical passage. The main theme here is vintage Morricone, filled with memorably melodic grace and simple dignity. The score evokes the story's setting (wartime Sicily) and its troubling meditation on the lasting effects of prejudice, sexism, and jealousy with a deceptive effortlessness that's also a Morricone trademark. Distinctly European and elegantly subtle, Malèna also marks the composer's 40th anniversary in film scoring. --Jerry McCulley

Malena (2000 Film),Ennio Morricone,Virgin Records,Film Music,Original Score,Pop,Soundtrack,Soundtracks,Soundtracks & Film Scores

Malena (2000 Film) [Soundtrack]

Average customer rating:

Sweet
superb
Oh my Gosh, Josh!
a true star
Floodgates of the Heart

Josh Groban
Josh Groban
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005RGNI
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Alla Luce Dal Sole
Gira Con Me
You're Still You
Cinema Paradiso (Se)
To Where You Are
Alejate
Canto Alla Vita - featuring The Corrs
Let Me Fall
Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)
Un Amore Per Sempre
Home To Stay
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (w/Lili Haydn)
The Prayer - featuring Charlotte Church

Amazon.com

There are worse things in life than making your acting debut on the much ballyhooed season finale of Ally McBeal, though teen operatic baritone Josh Groban doesn't seem destined to encounter them anytime soon. As the awkward high school student-client who asks the typically romance-jinxed Ally to his senior prom, Groban performed this debut album's "You're Still You" (adapted from film-composing legend Ennio Morricone's Academy Award-nominated score for Malèna, with lyrics by Linda Thompson) as a heart-tugging, literal showstopper. The young phenom was just 17 when veteran producer-writer David Foster tapped him to fill in for Andrea Bocelli at rehearsals for the 1999 Grammys, where Groban found himself suddenly dueting with Celine Dion.

Indeed, such were his fortunes that the young Foster protégé was forced to drop out of Carnegie Mellon when professional commitments--including this record--interfered. And if this collection tends to hew sometimes uncomfortably close to Foster's own MOR sonic instincts, the material offers enough challenges to display Groban's talent and the potential of his warm, mature voice: a lyrical take on another Morricone classic, "Cinema Paradiso"; melancholy readings of Don McLean's "Starry, Starry Night" and Albert Hammond's "Alejate"; masterfully dramatic takes of the Neapolitan "Alla Luca Del Sole" and "Canto Alla Vita," the latter featuring the Corrs. Many of Groban's performances here, including a neo prog-rock-opera take on Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (with Lili Haydn), seem both bigger and bolder than their precious musical frameworks, a telling hint that Grand Opera can't be far from his grasp. As said earlier, there are worse things in life. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Sweet.......2007-07-13

Josh Groban and Charolette Church! Yum. This is a very good album and a must buy!

superb.......2007-07-05

What a voice, what an artist, what a man.
Underestimated in Europe. His concert on 21 May 2007 in Amsterdam was superb!

Oh my Gosh, Josh!.......2007-07-03

I love Josh Groban's music! It is romantic, mellow and beautiful :)
This CD has two songs on it that are very unusual. I believe both are from Cirque de Soleil, and draw you into the music--warning-- While driving, do not close your eyes!

a true star.......2007-06-24

First saw and heard Josh on the Tv and was blown away by his talent! it was about a year later that I found out who he was and bought the first album and can honestly say that I have never tired of his work. Every song is magical and he is truely wonderful. Have since purchased all his work and have also had the priviledge of seeing him live in concert in Glasgow/Scotland and was amazed. such a talented young man with a truely magical voice

Floodgates of the Heart.......2007-06-05

This CD played almost constantly in my wife's car for several years. Josh Groban's voice is so gentle and can go from gentleness to anthematic, almost operatic, textures. He sings in Italian effortlessly. The orchestration on "Cinema Paradiso" is enthralling with its emotional reach, powerful even with lyrics beyond my understanding. "To Where You Are" is one of the most gorgeous songs. Knowing how it moved my wife in the years before breast cancer proved stronger than her body, it touches me now, "Fly me up to where you are beyond the distant star I wish upon tonight to see you smile, if only for awhile to know you're there; a breath a ways to where you are." The song opens the floodgates of my heart. The Corrs were on Groban's 143 label when this release came out in 2001 and join him on the upbeat "Canto Alla Vita." Groban makes an interesting selection with Don McLean's "Vincent," polishing the melody to a fine sheen in ways that surpassed the original. Listening to Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is like being in a sonic cathedral with Groban's voice matching the grandeur of the music. With Charlotte Church on "The Prayer," Groban concludes the set with the Carole Bayer Sager/David Foster composition that makes one contemplate the eternal, "Lead us to a place, find us with your grace, give us faith so we'll be safe." Groban's first CD enhances with repeated listening by virtue of the depth of musicianship and performance. I listen to it now hearing the music that moved the one I love to tears. It does the same for me. I hope it touches you too. Bravo!

Average customer rating:

Is it bad to say I like this better than the original soundtrack?
Absolutely Exquisite
Yo Yo Ma and the Maestro Marvelous!!!
Better Every Time
Fabulous CD

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Mission: Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture
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Appassionato
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ASIN: B0002YCVXI
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

The Mission: Gabriel's Oboe
The Mission: The Falls
Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Playing Love from The Legend of 1900
Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Nostalgia from Cinema Paradiso
Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Looking for You (Love Theme) from Cinema Paradiso
Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Malena (Main theme)
Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Remembering (Ricordare)*
Sergio Leone Suite: Deborah's Theme from Once Upon A Time In America
Sergio Leone Suite: Cockeye's Song from Once Upon a Time in America
Sergio Leone Suite: Main Theme from Once Upon a Time in America
Sergio Leone Suite: Main Theme from Once Upon a Time in the West
Sergio Leone Suite: Ecstasy of Gold from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Brian DePalma Suite: Main Theme from Casualities of War
Brian DePalma Suite: Death Theme from The Untouchables
Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Journey from Moses
Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Theme from Moses
Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Main Theme from Marco Polo
The Lady Caliph: Dinner
The Lady Caliph: Nocturne

Amazon.com

Ennio Morricone is well-known to moviegoers. His soundtracks for The Mission, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in America, Cinema Paradiso, and others are invariably warmly melodic and superbly suited to the films they grace. They not only add atmosphere; they help tell the story. For this CD Morricone has created new orchestrations for many of his scores, adding a solo cello part for the indefatigable Yo-Yo Ma, whose musical curiosity seems to be endless. Outside the films, these pieces tend to be lovely melodies, mostly pretty sentimental stuff, and, in the best way, gorgeous aural wallpaper. The most moving are the two selections from The Mission, but fans of Morricone's music will find plenty to enjoy here. Ma's playing, as always, is exquisite---warm, deeply felt (given the circumstances), and entirely idiomatic within the context. Perhaps not quite for the classical music lover, but an affectionate reworking of music by an important film composer. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Is it bad to say I like this better than the original soundtrack?.......2007-06-02

I never thought Yo-Yo Ma would do Gabriel's Oboe (Track 1) from THE MISSION justice, but I was wrong. There's a pureness to this version that makes it easier casual listening than the version(s) on the soundtrack CD itself. So no matter how much I love the theatrical "largeness" of the Original Soundtrack (not to mention the full choir), this is the version I grab for the CD player/iPod/whatever.

My two other recommendations are Main Theme from ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (Track 11) and Ecstasy of Gold from THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (Track 12). I suggest playing these consecutively as a single medley. Track 11 *WILL* bring tears to the manliest among us --particularly if you remember in the movie where Sergio Leone pulls the camera up to reveal the town rising.

I get the feeling "hardcore" classical fans would dismiss movie scores as commercial work. I truly believe Ennio Morricone transcends that. Even moreso than, say, John Williams, and on a different plane than a Danny Elfman. And I can't say more about the emotion Yo-Yo Ma brings to the table than what's already been discussed.

Absolutely Exquisite.......2007-05-15

The combination of Morricone and Ma is pure perfection. This CD fills my heart with so much joy that I could just cry. I listen to it almost daily and have given it away as a gift to my loved ones. I am captivated by their incredible talents, and I know you will be too.

Yo Yo Ma and the Maestro Marvelous!!!.......2007-05-13

Having recently succumbed to Yo Yo Ma after a longtime love of Ennio Marricone I was excited to get this CD from Amazon. It is superb! All of the songs had to be recrafted by Morricone to suit Yo Yo Ma but it is a great listen as you sonically travel down memory lane through some of Maestro Moricone's musical marvels. "Gabriel's Oboe" from "The Mission" now becomes "Gabriel's Cello." I laugh as Yo Yo Ma bows his brains out on the "Ecstacy of Gold' from "The Good,The Bad, and The Ugly." I recommend this to all Yo Yo Ma and Morricone fans...a great listen. Soothing after a hard day!

Better Every Time.......2007-05-09

This CD gets better with every listening. It was a great purchase.

Fabulous CD.......2007-05-07

I love Morricone and this CD has some of the best versions of my favorite pieces. I have ordered several as gifts for friends.

Average customer rating:

Down to earth Flamenco
This is not Gypsy Kings...
superb flamenco classics
Beautiful Songs
Love it

Legends of Gypsy Flamenco
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Arc Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000058T8K
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

Zingaros - Manitas De Plata
Maldigo Tu Ojos Verdes - La Paquera De Jerez
Pajaros Sedientos - Manuel Jimenez Rejano
En Una Huerta De Lora - Pepe Nunez 'El Loreno'
De Los Campos De Jerez - Juan Torres 'El Ciclon De Jerez'
Temple Y Alma - Manitas De Plata
Bulerias - Curro Malena
Coplas A Curro - La Paquera De Jerez
Llanto Por El Nino De La Huerta - Pepe Nunez 'El Loreno'
Yo Ye Comparo Con Ella - Juan Torres 'El Ciclon De Jerez'
Solea - Con Cambio De Gloria - Curro Malena
En Las Minas - Manuel Jimenez Rejano
Mi Sentimento - Manitas De Plata
Fandangos De Enrique El Almendro - La Paquera De Jerez

Customer Reviews:

Down to earth Flamenco.......2007-05-12

The performers on this collection are the cream of the crop of grass roots Flamenco. El Loreno's voice is simply mystical. La Paquera holds in her feeling the power and pasion of Flamenco in one person. if you love Flamenco this is a must.

This is not Gypsy Kings..........2007-05-07

This music was not at all what i expected. I was expecting a bit more fun guitar and such, but the singing is what blew it: it sounded like so much screeching to me. Played once. It hurt my ears. Now, its collecting dust.

superb flamenco classics.......2007-03-12

If you want to hear flamenco at its very best you can't do better than to buy this CD. Manitas de Plata was the best of the flamenco guitarists of the 60's and La Paquera de Jerez was the signature female flamenco vocalist of her generation. The other artists on this CD are also the best of their times. Flamenco of our day still has technical virtuousity, but I can't help but think that something essential has been lost, something to do with the soul of this music form.

Beautiful Songs.......2006-02-23

This CD is perfect CD for me. Traditional flamenco music.
I enjoy this CD a lot.

Love it.......2005-11-16

I always loved gipsy music and unfortunately it's not easy to come by a good recording with the 'real' gipsy music. Well this one is the real deal.
Good recording - good music.

Average customer rating:

Great debut album
My All-Time Favorite Album Just Got Better
Simply exquisite!
definetly worth the money
Fantastico!

Josh Groban (with Bonus Track)
Josh Groban
Manufacturer: Wea Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000065EMI
Release Date: 2002-05-22

Tracks:

Alla Luce del Sole
Gira con Me Questa Notte
You're Still You
Cinema Paradiso (Se)
To Where You Are
Alejate
Canto Alla Vita - The Corrs, Josh Groban
Let Me Fall [From "Cirque du Soliel"]
Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)
Amore per Sempre
Home to Stay
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Josh Groban, Lili Haydn
Prayer - Charlotte Church, Josh Groban
Mia Per Sempre (Bonus Track)

Album Description

Japanese edition of the pop & classical vocalist's hit 2001 debut album includes the exclusive bonus track 'Mia Per Sempre'. 14 track in total. Warner.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: "Mia Per Sempre".

Customer Reviews:

Great debut album.......2007-05-18

The collaboration of carefully crafted orchestrations, substantial content, and astonishing vocal talent have combined to produce one of the richest and most enjoyable listening experiences to arrive in many years. The music was lavish and varied, ranging from lyrical ballads sung in Italian to a sincere yet polished cover of Don McLean's Vincent. Josh Groban possesses a velvety, richly textured voice that brings each piece to life with a youthful freshness while maintaining respect for the music that is simply magic to behold in one so young. I enjoyed this CD immensely and would recommend this to music lovers of all ages and tastes.

My All-Time Favorite Album Just Got Better.......2005-08-12

Of all the Albums I've ever owned, Josh Groban's self-titled debut album is my all-time favorite. I love almost of all of Josh's music, but this album is totally unique. I find the wide variety of music encompassed in this album totally awe-inspiring. It is the most played album I've ever owned. My recent purchase of this album with the bonus track, "Mia Per Sempre," was like adding the perfect desert to a delicious meal.
I would highly recommend it!

Simply exquisite!.......2005-03-25

This CD is a treasure trove of tracks, from the opening, "Alla Luce del Sole" to the end duet with the incredible Charlotte Church. Josh's rendering of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is the best I've ever heard in or out of a cathedral. This is a delight to the ear and would make a wonderful gift to any classical fan, as well as an excellent intro to people who want to learn to appreciate it. My newest favorite CD! Highly recommend!

definetly worth the money.......2005-03-23

josh groban is beyond genius. if you love a great voice, he is the one to buy. i have is regular cd so i bought this cd just for the song mia per sempre. and it is definetly worth the extra money.

Fantastico!.......2003-06-23

Since I already own Josh's debut CD, his DVD and VHS, I bought the Japanese export just for the bonus trak, Mia Per Sempre. Josh's voice mesmorizes, and Mia per Sempre is another proof of this phenomena. I'm only a student of the Italian language, but one needs not speak Italian to apprecite, and fall in love with the rich baritone voice of this incredibly talented, gorgeous man.

György Ligeti Edition 4: Vocal Works (Madrigals, Mysteries, Aventures, Songs) - The King's Singers / Philharmonia Orchestra / Esa-Pekka Salonen

Average customer rating:

An important modern composer for voice.
Another Entry into the Ligeti Library
Contains some good mature writing with some frankly dull early works
where's the dead weight?
Excellent in parts, but lumbered with much dead weight

György Ligeti Edition 4: Vocal Works (Madrigals, Mysteries, Aventures, Songs) - The King's Singers / Philharmonia Orchestra / Esa-Pekka Salonen
Gyorgy Ligeti , Esa-Pekka Salonen , Rosemary Hardy , Christiane Oelze , The King's Singers , Philharmonia Orchestra , Philip Lawson , Bruce Russell , Sibylle Ehlert , Phyllis Bryn-Julson , Omar Ebrahim , Irina Kataeva , David Hurley , Pierre-Laurent Aimard , Stephen Connolly , Malena Ernman , Eva Wedin , and Robert Chilcott
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000029P3
Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

Nonsense Madrigals: I Two Dreams And Little Bat
Nonsense Madrigals: II Cuckoo In The Pear-Tree
Nonsense Madrigals: III The Alphabet
Nonsense Madrigals: IV Flying Robert
Nonsense Madrigals: V The Lobster Quadrille
Nonsense Madrigals: VI A Long, Sad Tale
Le Grand Macabre: Mysteries Of The Macabre
Aventures
Nouvelles Aventures: Sostenuto
Nouvelles Aventures: Agitato molto
Der Sommer
Harom Weores-dal: I Tancol a Hold feher ingben
Harom Weores-dal: II Gyumolcs-furt
Harom Weores-dal: III Kalmar jott nagy madarakkal
Ot Arany-dal: I Csalfa sugar
Ot Arany-dal: II A legszebb virag
Ot Arany-dal: III A csendes dalokbol
Ot Arany-dal: IV A bujdoso
Ot Arany-dal: V Az ordog elvitte a financot
Negy lakodalmi tanc: I A menyasszony szep virag
Negy lakodalmi tanc: II A kapuban a szeker
Negy lakodalmi tanc: III Hopp ide tisztan
Negy lakodalmi tanc: IV Mikor kedves Laci batyam

Amazon.com

Rejoice! The world-premiere recordings of six Ligeti works are cause for celebration. Three of the pieces are recent (1988-93), and three were written during Ligeti's youth in Hungary. In the liner notes, Ligeti movingly describes the artistic climate under the Communist regime. One of the highlights, the third of six Nonsense Madrigals is a beautiful setting of the English alphabet. The other premieres are Mysteries of the Macabre sung by the brilliant Sibylle Ehlert, and a Hölderlin poem arranged for soprano and piano. The earlier premieres are settings of Hungarian poets, for one or three voices and piano. This is a stunning set, encompassing Ligeti's adventurous, polyphonic side and ample heartfelt poignance as well. --Robert Regile

Customer Reviews:

An important modern composer for voice........2006-08-26

'Gyorgy Ligeti Edition 4' composed by Gyorgy Ligeti and performed under the direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen is at least as entertaining as the second title in this series, even if it does not include any of Ligeti's works which were used on the sound track of '2001'. Like his 'a capella' works, this disk shows a great range of styles, going from central European folk dances to some phrases which sound as if they are being done by the Limelighters!. To the voices, the instruments add a lot of pops, whistles, and hoots which are beyond the range of the human voice, but the human and the mechanical sounds meld well to produce a really enjoyable sample of modern music.

Another Entry into the Ligeti Library.......2005-10-22

The solo voice and choral works of György Ligeti are rarely heard, with the exception of performances in some of the better university and college choral programs. This richly entertaining and fascinating recital once again survey's Ligeti's influence on contemporary music by scanning his career from early to current works, this time for the human voice.

The 'Nonsense Madrigals' as performed by the King's Singers are wildly funny and endearing. Here are compositional techniques that reflect the long career in instrumental composition that has influenced them. Esa-Pekka Salonen, long a devotee of Ligeti's music, conducts the Philharmonia when ensemble support is indicated ('Mysteries of the Macabre' excerpts form his opera "Le Grand Macabre" as perfectly intoned by Sibylle Ehlert; the various forms of 'Aventures & Nouvelles aventures' with soloists Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Omar Ebrahim and Rose Taylor). The remainder of the works are for voice and piano and are honored by the performances by the likes of pianists Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Irina Kataeva and vocalists Christiane Oelze, Rosemary Hardy, Malena Ernman and Eva Wedin.

The music recorded here may be new to many but it is fine, accessible Ligeti for the novice and true treats for the followers. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

Contains some good mature writing with some frankly dull early works.......2005-09-30

The fourth volume of Sony's "Gyorgy Ligeti Edition" series of the contemporary Hungarian composer's collected works is dedicated to vocal works, especially those that use instrumentation. Like with all installments in Sony's series, performances are by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Salonen with Aimard and Kataeva on pianos. The vocal performances here are by the King's Singers.

The earliest pieces on the disc were written before Ligeti fled to the West following the Hungarian uprising, and among these the "Harom Weores-dal" (Three Weores songs) were composed while Ligeti was still a student. Sandor Weores was one of the greatest Hungarian poets of the last century, and was especially skilled in writing poems that hid deep philosophical insights behind child-like verse. This makes his poems especially suitable to be set to music (Peter Eotvos has tackled some of his more complex poetry). Ligeti's settings are quite traditional, and for lovers of contemporary repertoire that can even mean dull; Aimard must have been bored by the simple piano writing when he's tackled the composer's later "Etudes". Still, the music does complement the imagery of Weores well. The following two works by "prehistoric Ligeti" were composed as a way out of the straitjacket of socialist realism. The first, "Negy lakodalmi tanc" (Four wedding dances) takes folklore as a refuge, and the second "Ot Arany-dal" (Five Arany songs) sets to music the poems of the pre-revolutionary and accepted poet Jozef Arany. These early works don't hold up well against the rest at all.

After Ligeti came to the West, his music changed greatly. "Aventures" and "Nouvelles Adventures" were composed in the mid-1960s and are very reminiscent of the theatrical project of the music avant-garde of that time. They use a soprano, contralto, and baritone backed by orchestra and articulating nonsense text (notated in the score with the International Phonetic Alphabet) seek to express all emotions without using words. I think the pieces have aged quite well, though I know that others disagree. I don't know if this performance was satisfactory to Ligeti for, although he allowed it to appear on this disc, another performance can be found on volume five of Teldec's "Ligeti Project".

"Mysteries of the Macabre" is a setting for chamber ensemble of the zany solo by the Chief of Secret Police (a coloratura soprano) from the composer's sole opera "The Grand Macabre". Even for those who dislike the opera--and it is a work that leaves no one ambivalent--this is an exciting work, perhaps the high point of the disc. The seven minutes of vocal acrobatics here have been called the most challenging piece ever composed for coloratura soprano, and yet Sibylle Ehlert carries it through gloriously. Note that an alternate setting using trumpet in place of soprano can be found on the first volume of Teldec's "Ligeti Project".

"Nonsense Madrigals" for voices a capella (1988-1993) is the most recent work here, a collection of six English-language pieces based on favourite meaningless writers, such as Lewis Caroll, William Brighty Rands, and Heinrich Hoffmann. The finest of these is surely Ligeti's setting of the English alphabet, a diatonic but non-tonal "labyrinth" of polyrhythms. It combines the best of the micropolyphony sound of his 60s works with his newer interest in non-Western metrics. In the course of putting these together, he also set Hoelderlin's "Der Sommer".

The liner notes are fine, containing remarks on the pieces by Ligeti as well as the sung text and many photos. All in all, this is a three-star installment. If you are interested in the work of Ligeti but haven't gotten anything from "Gyorgy Ligeti Edition" yet, try the third volume (piano works) or the first (string works). Save this one for later.

where's the dead weight?.......2004-12-08

This is an amazing disc, one of the best in Sony's monumental Ligeti Edition series.

On Sony's Ligeti Edition 4, the _Nonsense Madrigals_ were premiered. These six pieces for six voices, composed in the late-80s/early-90s, are some of the composer's finest offerings. Writes Ligeti, "They are virtuosic works in which I have tried to create a non-tonal but diatonic harmony as well as rhythmic labyrinths." The songs set different pieces of strange poetry against each other in tightly meshed counterpoint, with humorous melodic lines and overwhelming musical imagination. Ligeti also colors the arrangement with nonsense phonetic sounds.

_Mysteries of the Macabre_ takes the three arias of the Chief of the Secret Police from Ligeti's wonderful opera (_Le Grand Macabre_) and rearranges them. This has been called the most difficult music ever written from coloratura soprano, but you wouldn't know it listening to Sibylle Ehlert. Amazing!

Contrary to another reviewer, I think the harsher, earlier avant-garde vocal works (_Aventures_ and _Nouvelles Aventures_) have aged very well. They are comprised of meaningless vocal sounds with chamber orchestra accompaniment. Their pure chromaticism was something Ligeti would later abandon, but even with the prevailing seriousness of the Darmstadt school, these pieces are quite witty and amusing and consistent with Ligeti's goal of composing idiomatically for instruments (including voice), given that the music is pretty much atonal.

This disc also features pieces for one or three voices and piano from Ligeti's early Hungarian days. Because of stifling artistic conditions under Communist rule, the pieces are consonant and accessible.

I assure you that there is no other avant-garde vocal music like Ligeti's. Very highly recommended!

Excellent in parts, but lumbered with much dead weight.......2003-11-26

Gyorgy Ligeti has not been greatly known for his music for solo voice--indeed it was not until 2000 that he completed his first mature song cycle--but this disc conveniently collects all his solo vocal music before then along with the Nonsense Madrigals for six voices, the Aventures and Nouvelles Aventures for three voices and some early socialist realism for three voices.

The Nonsense Madrigals are without doubt the highlight of the disc. These wonderfully witty a capella works were written for the performers on the disc, the King's Singers, who reward Ligeti with a wonderful reading of all six songs. Five of the songs are based on nonsense poems, with the remaining item being a setting of the alphabet. These vary wildly in style from the complex counterpoint of the first through the floating Lux Aeterna-like harmonies of the alphabet setting, to the bizarre backbeat in the finale.

Less worthwhile is Mysteries of the Macabre, a medley of the three coloratura arias from Ligeti's opera Le Grand Macabre, with reduced scoring arranged by the opera's first conductor, Elgar Howarth. While these are certainly entertaining, they don't add anything to the opera.

Aventures and Nouvelles Aventures are works from the 1960s, and to be honest it shows. Their verbal shrieks, contortions and phonetic texts--along with the fragmentary accompaniment--are very much of their time. They aren't devoid of musical interest, or humour, but nothing can hide the fact that they, unlike almost all of Ligeti's other avant-garde works, haven't aged well.

Der Sommer is a brief Hoelderlin setting for soprano and piano dating from 1989. Even though this song reuses the lamento motif prominent in the finale of the Horn Trio and the Sixth Etude, the general style and use of minimal material reminds me as much of Ligeti's countryman Gyorgy Kurtag as of Ligeti himself.

The rest of the disc is taken up with songs written from before Ligeti escaped from Hungary. The Three Weores Songs are from 1946 and 1947, during Ligeti's first year at the Budapest Conservatoire, and I'm sure they must have made it very clear that Ligeti was an outstanding student. Couched in a language derived from Bartok and Stravinsky, but going further than either, they have a splendid rustic feel. Sadly, the Stalinist ousting of the short-lived post-war regime made it impossible for Ligeti to continue along this direction and still be performed. Hence the Five Arany songs are pallid in comparison, and even if the last of the folk-song transcriptions that end the disc is infuriatingly catchy, the cycle as a whole is very minor Ligeti.

This disc can be recommended for the Nonsense Madrigals and (to a lesser extent Der Sommer and the Weores Songs). The rest of the music on it is more for completists only, despite the generally fine level of the performances.

Malena (2000 Film)
Average customer rating:

Absolutley Beautiful

"VINTAGE" ENNIO MORRICONE

MARVELOUSLY MUSICALLY MAGNIFICENT MALENA!

Great Music but Once Again............

Buy it to remeber Malena but do not expect a Masterpiece...

Malena (2000 Film)
Ennio Morricone
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000589U4
Release Date: 2001-02-06

Tracks:

Inchini Ipocriti E Disperazione
Malena
Passeggiata In Paese
Visioni
Nella Casa...
Malena (End Titles)
Linciaggio
Orgia
Il Ritorno
Bisbigli Della Gente
Ma L'amore No
Casino-Bolero
Alto Casino
Visioni (Fantasie D'amore)
Cinema D'altri Tempi
Ipocrisie
Pensieri Di Sesso
Momenti Difficili

Amazon.com

It's rare when a composer forges an artistic bond with a director that encompasses several films over the years, and rarer still when a musician has that relationship with two different filmmakers. Ennio Morricone's collaboration with the late director Sergio Leone on a series of so-called spaghetti Westerns has assumed almost mythic proportions. But, beginning with Cinema Paradiso, the Roman scoring maestro has also fashioned a latter-day bond with director Giuseppe Tornatore that has produced music of a wholly different color, character, and emotional resonance. Malèna takes its place as one of their finest achievements. The composer has called the film one of his toughest assignments: music that must underscore both comedy and pathos, romance and tragedy--often in the same musical passage. The main theme here is vintage Morricone, filled with memorably melodic grace and simple dignity. The score evokes the story's setting (wartime Sicily) and its troubling meditation on the lasting effects of prejudice, sexism, and jealousy with a deceptive effortlessness that's also a Morricone trademark. Distinctly European and elegantly subtle, Malèna also marks the composer's 40th anniversary in film scoring. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Absolutley Beautiful .......2005-07-28

I have never in my life heard such a perfect score for such a perfect movie before, with the acceptions of Amelie and Titanic. The score of this heartrending movie is so beautiful and fresh, filled with so many emotions which provokes the same exact storyline. The song "Malena" (I'm guessing is the theme song) is so beautiful and sounds totally original. Its no wonder this score was Oscar nominated!!! (pssh, should have won)

"VINTAGE" ENNIO MORRICONE.......2005-07-14

The man is such a treasure/a living legend. Here again you will experience everything you ever loved about Ennio's music. Many have little idea of the signifance of the music score on a movie. Ennio is pure MAGIC and proves it once again. The movie and CD are both a masterpiece.

MARVELOUSLY MUSICALLY MAGNIFICENT MALENA!.......2005-06-01

Ennio Morricone's score to MALENA is totally original, but totally Morricone at the same time. Perhaps that's why one disgruntled reviewer felt there were too many similarities to another of his scores. My musical ear does not hear what he hears. And another reviewer sadly stated that you can sum up the Maestro's entire career in 6 albums, and proceeded to name them. Unfortunately, the 6 cds he named are all from a Morricone "later period" [roughly '86 - '98] and, thus, only cover a small fraction of his range and genius. You'd be missing that most wonderful period from '70 - '76, or thereabout, that for many of us diehards defines a big part of the Morricone mystique. [Those totally original and extremely creative and unforgettable scores for THE BURGLARS, A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE [A/K/A DUCK, YOU SUCKER], LE PROFESSIONEL, VERUSCHKA, etc., etc. Not to mention even earlier masterpieces as diverse as METTI UNA SERA A CENA, THE LADY CALIPH, AND ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST.]

There simply is no greater movie score composer, and it's hard to peg just one Morricone "sound," because the Maestro's genius is just too big. Quite plainly, no one has created a body of work for movie music that is as diverse, and at the same time, so distinct and identifiable. In a nutshell, that is the genius of Morricone.

Now, for the music to MALENA. I can't imagine how it could have better captured the feel of what happened on the screen, and, at the same time, elevate the story, and become a character in itself. It's also wonderful how Morricone used a period song, written by D'Anzi & Galdieri, "Ma, l'amore no!" to accentuate the story. What a beautiful addition to the movie, what an unforgettable melody, how absolutely brilliant and evocative!! If I have a complaint, it's that the original sung version of the tune [which we hear a few times in the movie, when Malena dances with the picture of her missing-in-action husband, etc.]is not included, rather, a lovely and fully orchestral version by the Maestro is featured on the album. Also, one of my other favorite original themes is not isolated, but always combined with either an action cue or another theme. I would have liked one version of this theme by itself.

The score to MALENA, while perhaps not Morricone's VERY best, still represents the absolute best of his work. Yo Yo Ma, in fact, included the main theme in his Morricone tribute album, which has been one of the biggest "classical" cds of the year.

TOTALLY and thoroughly enjoyable, very satisfying, and highly recommended.

Great Music but Once Again...................2003-08-20

What a lovely music.... Ennio Morricone does it again by re-displaying his magic touch of lively and haunting melodies of music. Yeah right..... I saw the movie and music went very well with the movie. I thought, rather, the movie was an average and not an exceptionally interesting. 'Summer of 42' captured the essence of infatuation of liking older women. This movie had too much of realism rather than dreamy fantasy of a young boy. Back to music. I loved the music while watching the movie but had this inkling that I heard these melodies from somewhere. It bothered me. A few years later, as of tonight (20030819), I was compiling some soundtrack collections that I have and I found them. Two movie soundtracks by same composer. 'Malena' and 'Once upon on the time in the America'. Track 2 'Malena' is 99% identical to Track 3 'Deborah's theme'. Melody is same, Notes are identical(should I say identifiable for a couple of different notes here and there that are different), and pace is the same. And Track 4 'Visioni'! Yes it is different song but if you have seen 'Once upon the time in the America' this melody and the instrumentation is ............ yikes. Whole album's up and down of upbeat and downbeat is so eerily identical to the other; it is hard for me to give high regard for this CD. I have always enjoyed Ennio Morricone's music from old days of spaghetti western including this one but this one sounded a little too much as if he went thru his secret box one too many time. Sounded beautiful but originality........ No. If you enjoyed this one, then certainly try 'Once upon the time in the America' to your further enjoyment. 'Once upon the time in the west' is not bad either.

Buy it to remeber Malena but do not expect a Masterpiece..........2003-01-06

As some of the reviewers have mentioned this is not Morricone's best, the main score wich you can listen on the track 1 (wich is lovely) repeats itself in several other ones along the CD with no originality on the other songs as for different versions of the Malena theme. But, and this is a big BUT, if you fell in love with Malena like I did, you would not mind listen it to it again and again a little bit differente every time. Like when she would walk along the beach or go to the piazza in the center of town, the same girl all the time but with a different beautifull look neverthless....

A Pianostrings Tribute Featuring The Music Of Josh Groban

Average customer rating:

Great CD
A tribute? Not so sure about that.
Why Bother??
Most Romantic Music Ever
It Works

A Pianostrings Tribute Featuring The Music Of Josh Groban

Manufacturer: Tribute Sounds
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001XAPD8
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Tracks:

Home to Stay
Let Me Fall
Vincent
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Never Let Go
You're Still You
Cinema Paradiso (Se)
To Where You Are
Prayer
Mi Mancherai [From Postino]

Customer Reviews:

Great CD.......2006-03-20

This CD has become one of our favorites. It is great during the dinner hours as background music. Tom Bartsch, the pianist has done a great job intrepreting the music of Josh Groban. I will surf the net for other CDs of Tom Bartsch. Highly recommended!

A tribute? Not so sure about that........2006-02-05

I was already in love with Josh Groban's fantastic voice and the beautiful songs he has sung for his previous albums. So I figured this piano version of those wonderful songs would be a nice addition to my album collection. Wrong. The pianist is of average capability, at best. I was expecting a very embellished, rich sound, but was disappointed at the mediocre arrangements. The piano part is musical, however, and is somewhat pleasant, but it's not dazzling. The whining, seedy sounding string sound is obviously the product of some type of synthesizer and does not do anything to make the music better. I found it overall rather a disappointment.

Why Bother??.......2006-01-12

I knew better; I really did. But I read the 2 great reviews, and being a "Grobanite", jumped at the chance to hear something "Josh related" while he works on his new CD. I got 1/2 way through this CD, and turned if off, to quickly replace it with a "real" Josh CD, "Closer". I had an overwhelming need to hear his rich, beautiful voice, to make the world right again! Why would anyone want to hear his music without his voice in it!
I gave this CD 2 stars because in itself it's not a bad CD, if you like piano music. I think it has too much synthesizer, which distracts from the "live" piano. To me though, the world has turned upside down if you prefer this when you can listen to the real thing. Save your money for when Josh's new CD is released this summer.
Now, what to do with this tribute CD? Frisbee, anyone?

Most Romantic Music Ever.......2005-01-04

This is absolutely the most romantic music CD I know! A few candles, a bottle of wine, and this CD playing make for an unforgettable romantic setting. Pianist, Tom Bartsch, is a delight. His phrasing of Josh Groban songs is just wonderful. You'll think of Josh but you won't be thinking you're missing his voice because you'll be so caught up in the piano melodies. You won't be disappointed!

It Works.......2004-11-06

I am madly in love with Josh Groban, so when I saw this at the store one day I decided to pick it up. If you do not own any of Josh's CDs, then don't buy this one first because he isn't singing obviously. However, if you know Josh's songs by heart I'd recommend this CD. It's fun to listen to and sing along to, like a karaoke CD almost. Plus it's also a very good CD to fall asleep to - when you have Josh's real CDs in your ear it's impossible to fall asleep: you are too busy listening to that gorgeous voice! I'm not unhappy about buying this CD. It's a nice little gift for someone who loves Josh :)

Average customer rating:

Three CD Box Set

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000AV1N7I
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Product Description

Disc 1- CLASSIC YO-YO Disc 2- SOUL OF TANGO Disc 3- PLAYS ENNIO MARRICONE

Martin Y Malena "24 Cansiones Del Pueblo [Import]

Average customer rating:

Martin Y Malena "24 Cansiones Del Pueblo [Import]
MARTIN Y MALENA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000NOF4DQ

Product Description

LUCERITO MANANERO/ QUISIERA MEJOR/ AMOR WS VIVIR NUNCA JURES AMOR/ PEDASITO DE MI VIDA/ NO QUIERES VOLVER AMAR/ CORAZON BURLADO/ POR MAS QUE QUIERAS/ DE CONTRABANDO/ CORAZON CORAZONCITO/ AMOR Y CELOS/ A QUE SE DEVE Y 12 CANSIONES MAS IMPORTADO

Average customer rating:

A More Intimate Yet Gently Uplifting Performances of Two Favorite Requiems

Fauré, Duruflé: Requiem [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000EQ5Q8Q
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Customer Reviews:

A More Intimate Yet Gently Uplifting Performances of Two Favorite Requiems.......2006-10-09

There are so many recordings of the Requiems by Maurice Duruflé and Gabriel Fauré that seeing a new recording released seems excessive. But the reason this recording of these quietly spiritual works deserves attention is that it obeys the composers' wishes for performances in the churches, without orchestra, and with only organ accompaniment for the chorus and soloists. The sound is different but to this listener (and with the forces assembled for this recording) the result is well worth the effort.

Fredrick Malmberg conducts the Swedish Radio Choir (Sveriges Radiokor), organist Mattias Wager, and soloists Malena Ernman, Olle Persson, Ola Håkansson, and Miah Persson in beautifully crafted, exquisitely sung and sensitively rendered devotional moods. The soloists are all outstanding, especially the women, and there are few performances of the Fauré 'Pie Jesu' that can match the ethereal beauty of Miah Persson's hauntingly beautiful rendering. The balance between the organ, the chorus and the soloists is perfect and the engineer who created this CD deserve awards for the quality of sound: the presence of hearing the works in a cathedral is captured as well as any recording on the market! Highly Recommended on every level. Grady Harp, October 06

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