Premiere

premiere

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Brian Withycombe studied under the great Don Haas (Benny Goodman's long time piano player). He is in high demand as a producer, performer and composer. Also apperas on Indigo, Vitality and The Best of Elton John.

Dana Atherton won first prize at the West Coast Music Festival in Berkeley, California, and numerous awards from Billboard magazine.

Terry Lester is a daytime TV star and 5 time Emmy nominated actor.

Product Description
Premiere is a memorable piano collection of some of the most popular movie themes of all time. Featuring compositions from Alan Menken, Jean Michel Le Grand, Nono Rota and Vangelis.

Premiere,Various,Sugo Records

Premiere

Average customer rating:

'95 Was Theirs, But Where Are They In 2 Thousand? (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4 stars)
1995 pure premo dope
Mind-blowing beats, borderline awful lyrics
real underground Hip Hop
A focused masterpiece

Livin' Proof
Group Home
Manufacturer: Fontana London
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000003R65
Release Date: 1995-11-21

Tracks:

Intro
Inna Citi Life
Livin' Proof
Serious Rap Shit
Suspended In Time
Sacrifice
Up Against The Wal
4 Give My Sins
Baby Pa
2 Thousand
Supa Star
Up Against Tha Wall
Tha Realness

Customer Reviews:

'95 Was Theirs, But Where Are They In 2 Thousand? (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4 stars).......2007-03-13

If I had to give a "Where Are They Now" award, Group Home would probably receive it. Group Home's debut CD "Livin' Proof" was a rememerable CD back in late 1995. I first heard these guys on Gang Starr's "Hard To Earn" LP. What grabbed my attention to get this LP was that everybody said that this was some of DJ Premier's best production. Heck, it's a blessing to have a couple of tracks produced by Primer, let alone an entire album. I have to say this is the best production I heard comming from the East Coast in a good minute. If you heard the beats to "Serious Rap Sh..." and "Up Against The Wall" (and thats just some of the songs here with awesome production). It seemed like Premo just held back his production from Gang Starr and and Jeru, and gave them to Group Home. A lot of people wondered if he gave those same beats to artists like Nas or Jeru The Damaja what would the results would be. Hell, if he gave the beats to the wackest rapper out right now, it would almost sound like a second comming of Illmatic or such. They're THAT good.

As for Group Home (Melachi the Nutcracker & Lil' Dap), they don't do a bad job holding down the rhymes. In fact that is the only inferior in this album. I've heard better rhymes, but I've also heard way worse. Especially with all the music comming out today, they make this duo sound like lyrical masters. "Suspended In Time" would be a good song from a lyrical standpoint. Another excellent song is "2 Thousand" (hence my review title) with some good rhymes. Guru and Big Shug comes in for the song "Serious Rap Sh..", as well as Jack The Ripper and Smiley The Ghetto Child rhyme on the song "The Realness". Jeru The Damaja talks at the end of one of the tracks as well.

So this album is excellent for fans of Gang Starr and Primo's production. This album has some of the best beats that he has made in his career. Although Lil' Dap and Melachi's rhyme skills aren't that great, they don't make this CD a waste. If possible, search for the instrumentals for this LP, because you'll be glad that you did. But this album is also a keeper. They followed up with another album in 1999, that I will check out as well.

Lyrics: C+
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A-
Musical Vibes: A-
Overall: B+

Favorite Tracks: Livin' Proof, Serious Rap Sh.., Suspended In Time, Sacrifice, Up Against The Wall (both mixes), 2 Thousand, Supa Star, The Realness

Peace Everyone!!!

1995 pure premo dope.......2007-01-27

A dope disc of smooth beats by DJ Premiere and hard rhymes by lil dap and the nutcracker. It takes you back to better times. The lyrics are not graduate level but overall it hits the mark. If you enjoy 90's gritty hip hop, get it fast before it goes out of print.

Mind-blowing beats, borderline awful lyrics.......2007-01-24

In the early to mid-90's, DJ Premier could do no wrong. Building on his legendary production work on Gang Starr's "Daily Operation" (1992) and "Hard to Earn" (1994), Jeru's classic "The Sun Rises In the East" (1994), and Nas' seminal "Illmatic" (1994), he released perhaps his last classic effort with Group Home's "Livin' Proof". Lil' Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker were the last of the Gang Starr Foundation to release a record (Big Shug was also member, but he seemed to get lost in the shuffle), and it seems that Primo kept some of his best beats for last. Songs like "Supastar", "Tha Realness", "Suspended In Time", and "Livin' Proof" prove that nobody could touch him in the arena of gritty NYC boom-bap.

Unfortunately, the vocals can't match the production. Dap's lyrics are mediocre but tolerable, mainly thanks to his unique voice. Melachi's verses are, for the most part, terrible. But this album gets over on beats alone, and none of the lyrics are bad enough to make songs unlistenable. If you're a DJ Premier fan, you must own this. If you're an MC, find the album's instrumental, throw it on your Tech 12's and start freestyling. Enjoy one of the last great albums released before Puff Daddy changed NYC production forever with Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa" and the remix of "One More Chance".

real underground Hip Hop.......2006-09-28

This is one of the nmost underground hh crew !!! This is dope and classic!

A focused masterpiece.......2006-08-24

Group Home's 1995 debut album "Livin' Proof" is a gorgeous and beautiful hip hop album that is certainly very underappreciated. This album teams the MC duo Lil' Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker, two talented and unknown teenage rappers from New York, with the legendary DJ Premier on the mixing boards, arguably the greatest hip hop producer of all time. The result is a truly special and unique masterpiece. The majority of the enjoyment in "Livin' Proof" comes from the production, which is the most diverse and my favorite of his entire career. His sound is very focused, and the theme of "low budget environment" is played very well. Premo's beats sound less polished than on a Gang Starr record, and instead of his usual horns and instrumentals, he often uses heavy, creative sampling, and a simple drumkit and keyboard to make simple, beautiful beats. His music has a very nostalgic feel to it, and this production is experimental without sounding at all futuristic. His music really is capable of evoking a lot of feelings and emotions. Lyrically I am impressed with Dap and Melachi, and I really can't begin to comprehend the three and four star ratings bashing these two rappers. I guess in 1995 people were only used to hearing Guru and Jeru the Damaja over Premier beats, and granted Dap and Melachi are not quite on their level, but they really do a phenomenal job on the mic. Despite their young age, they have a very worldly intelligence, and they speak of life in an often depressed, downcast tone that comes from living in such abject poverty. Despite their tough situations, though, they continue to look forward. "Livin' Proof" is an amazing rap album that is really unlike any other I've heard, and I recommend it highly to all types of music listeners.

The album begins with a 40-second intro that displays why DJ Premier is one of the top producers of all time. With just a piano and drumset, he makes one of the coolest little beats I've ever heard, and it just eases you into the album so well. "Inna City Life" introduces Dap and Melachi, both dropping some raw philosophy gained from years in the ghetto, and Premo's simple, staticky beat is hard and gritty. The beat to "Livin' Proof" is raw but attractive, simple and ear-catching, and Melachi and Dap establish themselves as new young truth-kicking rappers. The chorus samples Wu-Tang and Nas in Premo's signature two-bar fashion. "Serious Rap S..." has an electronic, ultra-funky beat that will make your head bob instantly, the raps show great flow. A highlight of the disc is "Suspended in Time," a very nostalgically and thoughtfully produced track with verses to match. "Sacrifice" has cool guitars on the production, and harder raps than usual. "Up Against tha Wall (Low Budget Mix)" has bouncy vibes and my favorite lyrics on the album, expressing the depressed and pessimistic view of inner city life. "4 Give My Sins" has some muted horns and a simple beat, with introspective lyrics. Premo steals the show on "Baby Pa," making not one but two completely dope beats on this track. I love "2 Thousand," with its winding deep piano and great chorus ("95 is yours, 2000 is mine, and we walkin' through the ghetto and the feeling is fine..."). It's followed by "Supa Star," another classic single. My favorite song on the whole album is "Up Against tha Wall (Getaway Car Mix)." It's another mix to the song earlier on the album, but Premo's slower, simple piano lined-beat is absolutely perfect, and he engineers a nice chorus for this mix. The album ends with the tough song "Tha Realness."

"Livin' Proof" is an album so exceptional and musical that I don't think you'd have to be a rap fan to enjoy it. In my mind, it showed the world that the legendary Premier didn't need Guru or Jeru to make an awesome record, and I think this is maybe his greatest musical accomplishment. It is really unlike a Gang Starr album in every way, but Gang Starr fans will probably enjoy it immeasurably as well. I could not praise or recommend "Livin' Proof" any higher, this is really a one-of-a-kind type of album.

The Premiere Collection: The Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Original Cast Compilation)

Average customer rating:

Musical Pleasure
The Premiere Collection
beautiful
Fair Album with 1 starlight and 0 aspects
Superb collection

The Premiere Collection: The Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Original Cast Compilation)

Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
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Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore
Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection

ASIN: B000002O5W
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Phantom Of The Opera
Take That Look Off Your Face
All I Ask Of You
Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Magical Mr. Mistoffeles
Variations 1-4
Superstar
Memory
Starlight Express
Tell Me On A Sunday
The Music Of The Night
Another Suitcase In Another Hall
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Pie Jesu

Amazon.com essential recording

There are many, many Andrew Lloyd Webber albums out there, including cut-and-paste compilations and songbooks from individual artists, most notably Sarah Brightman, Michael Crawford, and even Jose Carreras. The Premiere Collection is probably as authentic as you can get in a hits album, however. In addition to the most popular selections from the original casts of Evita, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar, the 57-minute album includes two selections from Tell Me on a Sunday (also recorded by Bernadette Peters as Song and Dance), the title tune from Starlight Express, the "Pie Jesu" from the Requiem, and a snippet from the Paganini Variations, thereby allowing you to hear the good stuff without having to spring for the complete albums. Note that the three selections from Phantom of the Opera are the 1986 pop singles instead of the cast recordings, meaning Steve Harley rather than Crawford sings with Brightman on the title tune and Cliff Richard subs for Steve Barton on "All I Ask of You." (Crawford does sing "The Music of the Night," of course.) This 1989 compilation was too early for Aspects of Love or Sunset Boulevard, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is ignored, but these omissions are rectified in the follow-up album The Premiere Collection Encore, and the American-slanted version, The Very Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Musical Pleasure.......2007-07-03

I enjoy all of this music, listening frequently. Some not original cast members, so less than 5 star. Product exactly as advertised.

The Premiere Collection.......2007-01-17

My sister had this and it got destroyed. She wanted an other, This was the only place I have found it!! Very hard to find! I have been to every music store in my area. She loved it!! And was so happy to have it again. Anyone who loves Andrew Lloyd Webber will love this. As it has many songs from some of his most famous plays with the original cast. Great item.

beautiful.......2006-12-21

This CD is a great compilation of some of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hits. If you are just looking for a "quick fix" for your Broadway craving, this is a great value.

Fair Album with 1 starlight and 0 aspects.......2004-07-09

I think this album is F-A-I-R because it has one starlight express song and zero aspects of love songs. This is why i liked the album The reason i said that this is a fair album is that I like Starlight Express better. Song i like are "The Phantom of the Opera", "Take That Look off Your Face", All I Ask of You", "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", "Mr. Mistofflees," "Superstar," "Memory", "Starlight Express", "Tell Me On A Sunday", "Music of the Night", "Another Suitcase in Another Hall", and "I Don't Know How To Love Him". I dislike the following songs:" Track 6" and the last one because the last one was hard to understand and track 6 is instrumental.

Superb collection.......2003-08-11

... It is a collection of the best of ALW's creative efforts, and a collection of great performances. Anyone who loves "Broadway" should have this disk in their collection.

Average customer rating:

Musique de la Grece Antique: Sherri's Opinion
Beauty can survive destructive time
Interesting.
A collector's item for any music lover
Unique Find

Musique de la Grece Antique

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004TVG7
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

Anakrousis
Orestas Stasimo
Premier Hymne Delphique A Apollon
Plainte De Tecmessa
Papyrus Wien 29825/G 13763/1494
Hymne Au Soleil
Hymne A La Muse
Hymne A Nemesis
Papyrus Michigan
Aenaoi Nefalai
Epitaphe De Seikilos
Pean. Papyrus Berlin 6870
Kolon Exasimon/Allos Exasimon/Tetrasimos/Allos Exasimos/Dodekasimos/Allos Dodekasimos...
Premiere Ode Pythique
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 2436
Hymne Chretienne D'Oxyrhynchus
Homero Hymnus
Papyrus Zenon. Cairo Fragment
Terencio. Hecyra 861
Poem. Mor 1, 11f. Migne 37, 523
Second Hymne Delphique A Apollon
Papyrus Oslo A/B. Epilogos-Katastrophe

Customer Reviews:

Musique de la Grece Antique: Sherri's Opinion.......2007-04-11

This music is almost like hearing ghosts. In a way the listener does hear ghosts, for the music has been saved from oblivion, and experts do not know everything about it. As much as possible, traditional instruments have been reconstructed based on pictures found on documents like vases and paintings. Sometimes you hear only a little fragment of something, about a minute. It's intriguing to think about who may have sung/played this music. The notes explain some of the technical details; musicologists will find that interesting. Because I know little about music, I wish for better notes about other things. For example, I would like more information in English about provenance, titles, and lyrics--as far as they are known. I wanted to know the words I heard sung. Other than the shortage of helpful notes, this is very interesting music.

Beauty can survive destructive time.......2006-04-27

The first remark concerns the instruments of this music, instruments that have been reconstituted on the model of the ancient ones. We will consider them as germanely faithful, and they create sounds, a sound environment or ambience that is particularly original. The second remark is that this music is based on the pythagorian five-note scale that corresponds to the first five degrees of our modern major scale. Then a second group of these five degrees and intervals are added to the first five in a second identical group constituting a ten-note scale that will be the basis of all western music up to the Renaissance, and thus the basis of all Christian sacred music of the Middle Ages, a music known as gregorian. So, in this surprising sound ambience we also recognize some elements we have already heard and enjoyed in our heritage. Just take track # 3, ? Premier hymne delphique ? Apollon ?. Some of the chords are so close to gregorian music, and yet the instruments are so different, that we may think we are at the crossroads between some extraterrestrial music and gregorian chanting. In fact we are here at the very source of gregorian music that was to borrow everything from ancient Greek music. And then put this track # 3 in parallel with track # 16, ? Hymne chr?tienne (sic) d'Oxyrhynchus ? and you will hear the direct filiation. Track # 8 will provide you with the model of the traditional musics we find in the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean, Sicilia, Sardinia, Corsicca and Provence, among others, the music of shepherds and fishermen when coming back to land, a music that will become religious and christian later on and that still exists, mainly in the form of a polyphony. But the worst part - and also the best in a way - is that we only have fragments, tidbits, and that it is the concrete realization of the tremendous waste history has willed us and yet also the concrete evidence that history is never able to destroy something completely and that we have the means to reconstruct what has been destroyed with a specific procedure of genetic musical archaeology. To conclude we must take into account this recording is from 1978, i.e. a long time ago. To get a more complete vision we have to look for more recent recordings.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Universit? Paris Dauphine, Universit? Paris I Panth?on Sorbonne

Interesting........2003-12-29

I was expecting something a little more vigorous. But it is still fun. In a sober way.

A collector's item for any music lover.......2003-12-26

Pretty much everything that I can think of to say about this CD has already been said here.

I agree that it is a bit weird. I don't listen to it very often either.

But having said that my tastes in music are not so much driven by intellect, so it doesn't bother me that liner notes might not be as complete as they could be.

I bought this CD in Japan back in the mid-1980's when compact discs were still an upcoming trend and LP's dominated. It's believable but still somehow amazing that I paid the equivalent of more than thirty U.S. bucks for what is now practically a steal.

I also am wondering why the quality of this old disc is deterioriating. Yes! There are scratchy sounds abounding where studied silence was once 'heard.' Consequently, I listen even less than I would otherwise. (I had considered putting it on an MD with the soundtrack to 'Gladiator' and then listening to both on the 'shuffle' mode.)

Unique Find.......2002-09-11

I loved this cd. It has a professional feel to the music. It evokes images from the period that are distinct, useful, and complimentary to examination of the time. There seems to have been a real effort at authentication of the sounds of the era without over stepping the claims of its ultimate veracity. I was delighted and surprised at its very existence.

My only complaint would be that I was left wanting more. Knowledge of the exact origins and history of each piece would be useful.

The View From Here - Premiere Cast Recording
Average customer rating:

The Perfect additon to my CD Collection...

just amazing: a new musical with heart

The View From Here - Premiere Cast Recording
Timothy Huang , Shonn Wiley , David Epstein , Tim Byrnes , Tim Connell , and Cole Huang
Manufacturer: Relentless Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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High Fidelity (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000GDIALC
Release Date: 2006-06-12

Tracks:

Prelude
Six Flights / First Letter to Kelly: The View From Here
Message One: Verizon Girl
Five Days / Unstoppable
Message Two: Debt Free Man
Second Letter to Kelly: Only Words
Message Three: Danish Heidi
How Do People Do This Every Day?
Message Four: Fable Land Girl
Third Letter to Kelly: Don't Ask Why
Conversation with Sam
The Wanderer
A Little Part of Every Day (Instrumental)
A Little Part of Every Day
Message Five: Father and Son
Promise / Last Letter to Kelly: Love Always
Promise (Demo Version- As sung by composer)

Product Description

A new one-act musical featuring the award winning performance of Shonn Wiley, David Epstein and Tim Byrnes. A nameless novelist arrives in New York intent on getting his first book published. As he recounts his daily misadventures in a series of letters to his girl back home, we see through his eyes the colorful eccentric, vibrant and wildly bizarre characters that make up his new life, and the tragic events that make up his old one. With music and lyrics by Timothy Huang, The View From Here "...plays like a fresh variation on 'Wonderful Town' propelled by stunning music and a tremendously appealing solo performance by Shonn Wiley. Timothy Huang's score boasts masterful plot- and character-driven songs and comedic set pieces... Some have a contemporary throb, but others have a haunting melodic quality that seems torn from the annals of the Great American Songbook, populated by such folks as George Gershwin and Harold Arlen..." - Ron Cohen, Backstage

Customer Reviews:

The Perfect additon to my CD Collection..........2006-08-31

I saw this show in New York and fell in love, how excited was I to find it on CD! If you love Musical Theatre but are not familar with this show or the Composer Timothy Huang, trust me you won't be dissapointed. (Track 4 Five Days / Unstoppable is my favorite)

just amazing: a new musical with heart.......2006-07-12

"A view from here" is a must recording for anyone interested in the future of musical theatre. Not only does this CD introduce us a hot new composer (Timothy Huang) but also sets a new future for musical theatre, heavily rooted in those times when the "theatre" part was much more combined to "musical theatre" than nowadays. You've got all the elements here: a good and simple story, a full-dimensional character and a perfectly integrated score. A great CD!!

Dead Man Walking (Live recording of 2000 world premiere production)

Average customer rating:

Isa Lei
Weak attempt at opera realism
Challenging in many dimensions
The Opera is Fabulous.
It Could Have Been More

Dead Man Walking (Live recording of 2000 world premiere production)
Jake Heggie , Susan Graham , Frederica von Stade , Patrick Summers , and San Francisco Opera Chorus and Orchestra
Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Previn - A Streetcar Named Desire / Fleming, Futral, Gilfry, Griffey, SF Opera, Previn

ASIN: B000059ZHR
Release Date: 2002-01-08

Tracks:

Prelude - Patrick Summers
Prologue - Patrick Summers
Act One, Scene 1. Hope House: 'He Will Gather Us Around'
Act One, Scene 2. The Drive To Angola State Prison: 'Be Careful,' People Have Always Told Me.
Act One, Scene 2. The Drive To Angola State Prison: Aria: This Journey. This Journey To Christ.
Act One, Scene 3. Outside Of Angola State Penitentiary: Sister Helen? I've Been Waiting For You.
Act One, Scene 4. Father Grenville's Office: Some Of Them Didn't Look So Bad.
Act One, Scene 4. Father Grenville's Office: I Don't Like That Man.
Act One, Scene 5. The Walk Through Death Row: Woman On The Tier!
Act One, Scene 6. The Death Row Visiting Room: Thank You.
Act One, Scene 6. The Death Row Visiting Room: Aria: A Warm Night.
Act One, Scene 7. The Pardon Board Meeting: The Defendant's Mother, Mrs. Patrick De Rocher. - Frederica Von Stade
Act One, Scene 8. The Parking Lot Outside The Courthouse: Its A Good Sign When They Take So Long.
Act One, Scene 8. The Parking Lot Outside The Courthouse: You Don't Know What It's Like To Bear A Child.
Act One, Scene 8. The Parking Lot Outside The Courthouse: It's The Decision Of This Pardon Board
Act One, Scene 9. The Death Row Visiting Room/Scene 10. The Waiting Room: Guess Your Nun Ain't Comin' Back, De Rocher./Excuse Me. Do You Have Any Change?
Act One, Scene 10. The Waiting Room: 'He Will Gather Us Around'

Tracks:

Prelude - Patrick Summers
Act Two, Scene 1. Joseph's Cell: 31...32...33... - John Packard
Act Two, Scene 2. Sister Helen's Bedroom: Oh!... Now And At The Hour Of Our Death. Amen.
Act Two, Scene 2. Sister Helen's Bedroom: Duet/Scene 3, Joseph's Cell. August 4 In The Evening: Sometimes Forgiveness Is In The Smallest Gesture./Well? Well?
Act Two, Scene 3. Joseph's Cell. August 4 In The Evening: What Time Is It?
Act Two, Scene 4. The Visiting Room: Wow! Those New Ford Mustangs Are So Cool.
Act Two, Scene 4. The Visiting Room: Aria: Dont' Say A Word.
Act Two, Scene 4. The Visiting Room: Who Will Walk With Me?
Act Two, Scene 5. Outside The Death House: Good Evening.
Act Two, Scene 5. Outside The Death House: Duet: I've Said Some Harsh Things.
Act Two, Scene 6. Joseph's Holding Cell: You're A Regular Illustrated Man, De Rocher. - David Okerlund
Act Two, Scene 7. The Confession: How Much Longer? How Much More Time?
Act Two, Scene 7. The Confession: We'd Been Drinkin' And Smokin' Weed At The Road House.
Act Two, Scene 8. The Execution: Dead Man Walking!
Act Two, Scene 8. The Execution: 'He Will Gather Us Around.'
Applause

Amazon.com

Dead Man Walking opens with a brutal rape-murder scene and ends with a passage, silent except for the clicks of the machine delivering fluids that execute a condemned man, followed by Susan Graham intoning the spiritual "He will gather us around." Those searing scenes flank that rarity, a contemporary opera that deals with an important issue--the death penalty--with balance and empathy while sustaining dramatic tension, the narrative conveyed with musical alertness. Small wonder that the opera has been so successful. It's based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean and the acclaimed Tim Robbins film made from it about a nun who befriends a condemned man and brings him to face the redemptive truth of his actions. The recording was made during the San Francisco premiere of the opera and has all the intensity of a live performance, in addition to the overwhelming power of the story and the music.

It would be hard to imagine a better performance, too. Susan Graham is perfect as Sister Helen, singing with purity of tone and fiery passion. She's delightful, too, in the humorous bits that leaven what would otherwise be a story too harrowing for the medium. Frederica von Stade, as the murderer's mother, is as good, and baritone John Packard as the condemned man is a real find--a singing actor totally convincing throughout, both as the hardened killer and later as the repentant man finally accepting responsibility for his deeds. The supporting cast is also first-rate, and Patrick Summers conducts with unerring sweep and fervor. Jake Heggie's score may lack hummable arias (other than the traditional hymn that plays so important a part throughout), but the orchestration is fresh, the vocal lines are grateful, and the range is wide, moving seamlessly from modern romanticism to bits of pop and rock. No small part of the opera's success is due to Terrence McNally's dramatically cohesive libretto. A triumph for all concerned. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Isa Lei.......2006-12-25

The merging of the Fijian song Isa Lei into a deeply moving piece of sub-continental music is brilliant. Worth the whole CD

Weak attempt at opera realism.......2004-09-02

The idea of making this story into an opera is a great idea, and I was so excited to see it, but the music is way too tonal and lyrical for a story like this. The whole opera sounds very amateurish. Heggie's sense of orchestration and musical language is very bland and unimaginitive in my opinion. And a good chunk of the opera consists of about four or five themes that keep reappearing throughout the opera almost always in the same form. There is no intellectual system of Wagnerian leitmotif here, it is simply direct repetition of material throughout the opera. This is not a story of heros and heriones with an epic romantic plot. This is a very dark and gritty look at the death penalty, and I'm amazed that reviewers complained that this opera is too atonal and 20th century for their tastes. In my opinion this opera does not nearly have enough atonality and emotional depth to it. Dark stories should use dark music. Just look at operas like Peter Grimes, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Wozzeck, and Lulu. In all of these operas the purpose of the music is to elevate the drama in this dark stories to a level that could not be achieved by simple spoken word. To me Heggie undercuts the drama by reverting to lyrical numbers at very dramatic points in the opera. It doesn't help that the stage direction was pitiful in the version I saw (stage symmetry is the last thing you would want in a 20th century realism opera). It seems that I am alone here in my argument. But anybody who knows anything about 20th century opera realism (Puccini does not count) will probably agree that Heggie completely missed a good opportunity to make a scoarching opera.

Challenging in many dimensions.......2004-06-09

I think that this opera (or it's subject more generally) gets to the heart of the entire debate about capital punishment - if we could devise a test that was perfect in its ability to distinguish the guilty from the innocent, would we still be willing to execute people for horrendous crimes. Having just seen this opera in a performance in Pittsburgh, I'm not sure. One of the amazing things about this opera is the extent to which it presents the conflicts associated with the death penalty without manipulating the observer. Is this despicable person really worth anyone's time? Is there some sense in which his death is warranted as retribution for his crimes? Would his death provide any sort of compensation to the surviving victims of his crimes? I honestly have no idea. But an extraordinary feature of this opera is the way in which it introduces these issues without biasing the viewer. During the after-show dinner, my wife and I discussed these issues a number of times. Any work that induces that type of reflection about the deeper underlying issues is worthwhile from my point of view.

In terms of the music, I suppose that there are moments of power and beauty. We're talking about a modern opera, so there aren't many hummable songs (see Broadway if you want those.) I suspect that the entire endeavor is more effective in person.

The Opera is Fabulous........2003-06-21

I recently saw the Opera in Detroit, Michigan. It was a wonderful experience (but isn't going to the opera always a wonderful experience?). I thought it was well done-- the music was a tad too 20-th Century for my tastes, but I still loved it!

It Could Have Been More.......2002-06-26

This opera has it's moments and they are glorious moments. The story is powerful and the central idea is important. Jake Heggie is a wonderfully lyrical composer. He really knows how to show off the voice and has an innate sense of drama. He also proves a brilliant orchestrator. The duet on forgiveness in the second act is very moving...as is the music for Von Stade. Occasionlly the opera goes a bit over the top, particularly at the end of the first act, where Sister Helen seems to be having a psychotic break...seems a bit much. But more often the piece is pretty understated for an opera and the ending is extremely effective.

So why only three stars? I think the problem rests with the libretto. This opera continues the deplorable late 20th century trend in opera toward sung play. As opera houses move toward commissioning playwrites such as McNally and William Hoffman as librettists the things that distiguish the particular art of the librettist are dying out. This opera libretto reads like a play. While there are a few ensembles that attempt to present multiple viewpoints simulteneously, they don't compare to the great ensemble situations of a Da Ponte or Boito. And perhaps more importantly, though McNally does include soliloquies, they are in a rather straightforward prose...one that is hard to set well in music. Too many syllables and too little verbal rhythm. As a result, no matter how hard Heggie struggles (and he does a heroic job at this) the opera never bursts into song, as it obviously wants to. Some will say that this is because the opera is throughcomposed, as is the style in modern opera. While that's true, you only have to listen to the operas of Barber or Carlisle Floyd to here examples of throughcomposed opera that still retains the sense of song. Even Nixon in China manages to create a sense of song while remaining throughcomposed.

Perhaps the difference is that in the most successful contemporary opera libretti, the librettist is either the composer, or a poet. In many ways, the best choice for a modern librettist is to follow the practice of Broadway and let the dialogue be written by a playwrite, reserving the set pieces (and most operas still have set pieces, even Britten) for a poet or lyricist. Certainly, this would have helped this opera to do what opera can do best, soar.

Tracks:

Somone Like You (Solo Piano Introduction)
Home Is Where the Heart Is
Here We Are
Empty Spaces
Someone Like You
What You Got!
All Through the Years
So Easy
Getting the Right Thing Wrong
I Am What You Need
Young 'Un
Losing You
Amen
All Through the Years

Customer Reviews:

Dreadful.......2007-06-08

When I heard the previous mini-album of the show with Petulia Clark and David Willetts I was not very impressed, so I didn't have high expectations here. Unfortunately, this album is worse. A mess of styles, dull singing, and cheesy orchestrations caused me to send this CD straight to the back of my closet. Sorry, Petulia!

Average customer rating:

A Fabulous Introduction to Igor Stravinsky!!

The Essential Igor Stravinsky

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Stravinsky: Works for Piano
Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms/Symphony in 3 Movements
Stravinsky: Three Greek Ballets (Apollo, Agon, Orpheus)
Stravinsky: Rite Of Spring, Fireworks, Petrouchka / Ozawa, Tilson Thomas, Chicago Symphony
Stravinsky: The Soldier's Tale, Dumbarton Oaks Concerto / Ward, Keeble, Soames, et al

ASIN: B00008NGAW
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Fireworks, Op.4 - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Danse Infernale De Tous Les Sujets De Kastchei - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Berceuse (L'Oiseau De Feu) - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Reveil De Kastchei - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Mort De Kastchei - Profonds Tenebres - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Disparition Du Palais Et Des Sortileges De Kastchei, Animation Des Chevaliers Petrifies Allegresse Generale - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Opening - Philharmonia Orchestra
The Shrove-tide Fair - Philharmonia Orchestra
The Charlatan's Booth - Philharmonia Orchestra
Russian Dance - Philharmonia Orchestra
Petrushka's Room - Philharmonia Orchestra
Introduction - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Les Augures Printanieres (Danse Des Adolescentes) - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Jeu Du Rapt - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Rondes Printanieres - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Jeux Des Cites Rivales - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Cortege Du Sage - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Adoration De La Terre (Le Sage) - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Danse De La Terre - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
I. Andante - Members Of The CBC Symphony Orchestra
II. Napolitana - Members Of The CBC Symphony Orchestra
III. Espanola - Members Of The CBC Symphony Orchestra
IV. Balalaika - Members Of The CBC Symphony Orchestra
Ragtime For 11 Instruments - Toni Koves
Marche Royale - Columbia Chamber Ensemble
Petit Concert - Columbia Chamber Ensemble
Piano Rag Music - Igor Stravinsky
Sinfonia (Ouverture) - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Gavotta Con Due Variazioni - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
I. Sinfonia - London Sinfonietta
III. Allegro - Philippe Entremont

Tracks:

Part I. Exaudi Orationem Meam - London Symphony Chorus
IV. Capriccio - Cho-Liang Lin
Chant Sants Paroles - Israel Baker
Premiere Donne - Cleveland Orchestra
I. Tempo Giusto - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
III. Allegretto - London Symphony Orchestra
The Star-Spangled Banner - The Festival Singers Of Toronto
I. Intrada - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Circus Polka (For A Young Elephant) - CBC Symphony Orchestra
Scherzo A La Russe - Philharmonia Orchestra
III. Con Moto - London Symphony Orchestra
I. Allegro Moderato - Benny Goodman
Good People, Just A Moment - Colin Tilney
Tango - Columbia Jazz Combo
Greeting Prelude (For The Eightieth Birthday Of Pierre Monteux) - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
II. Ma Tu, Cagion Di Quella - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Elegy For J.F.K. - Charles Russo
Fanfare For A New Theatre - Robert Nagel
II. Exaudi - Donald Gramm
III. Dies Irae - Donald Gramm
IV. Tuba Mirum - Donald Gramm
The Owl And The Pussycat - Robert Craft
Stravinsky In His Own Words - John McClure

Customer Reviews:

A Fabulous Introduction to Igor Stravinsky!!.......2004-05-19

Sony Music's "The Essential Igor Stravinsky" truly lives up to its title. This double-CD set includes nearly every important piece of work (either in part or in whole) by the great Russian composer. The set also presents the pieces in chronological order beginning in 1908 with "Fireworks" and ending in 1966 with his final piece, the short but simple "Owl and The Pussycat". In between, there are excerpts from Stravinsky's most famous works including the first part of "The Rite Of Spring" and highlights from the "Firebird" and "Petrushka" ballets. There are also lesser-known works included as well as his harmonically rearranged version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" (a rendition which caused a stir in the early 1940's). The entire collection concludes with a rare recorded interview with Igor Stravinsky himself in which he remembers the infamous premere of "The Rite Of Spring".
The CD booklet includes detailed liner notes as well as a written tribute by Trey Anastasio of the band Phish. The sound quality of the recordings is amazing (even on the historic 1934 recording of "Piano Rag Music"). All in all, this an excellent collection of works by the great Igor Stravinsky. In a sense, this compilation gives the composer the 'rock musician' treatment. It's a 'greatest hits' album and a career-spanning retrospective that serves as an ideal introduction to Igor's music. Even if your not a fan of Classical music, it isn't difficult to listen to the works of Stravinsky and not be stirred.
Definitely The Essential Igor Stravinsky!!!

Average customer rating:

Some of the best Rameau, but...
Rameau: Orchestral Suites (vol. 1)
Lively, spirited introduction to the French Baroque

Rameau: Orchestral Suites (vol. 1)

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Rameau: Anacréon; Daphnis et Eglé
Rameau: Ballet Suites
Rameau: Harpsichord Music (Complete), Vol. 1
Manfredini: CONCERTI GROSSI OP. 3 Nos. 1-12
Rameau: Harpsichord Music (Complete), Vol. 2

ASIN: B00000147V
Release Date: 1996-12-17

Tracks:

La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Overture
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra0: Musette
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Premier et deuxieme gavotte
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Rondeau graceiux
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Air de musette
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Premier et dexieme tambourin
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Air gracieux
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Musette tendre
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Marche gaye
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Premiere et deuxieme gavotte
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Air majesteux et gracieux
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Air vif
La naissance d'Osiris (Suite For Orchestra): Contredanse
Abaris ou les Boreades (Suite And Dances): Overture
Abaris ou les Boreades (Suite And Dances): Menuet
Abaris ou les Boreades (Suite And Dances): Allegro
Abaris ou les Boreades (Suite And Dances): Entree
Abaris ou les Boreades (Suite And Dances0: Rondeau vif
Abaris ou les Boreades (Suite And Dances): Contredanse en rondau
Abaris ou les Boreades (Suite And Dances): Premier et deuxiemen rigaudon
Abaris ou les Boreades (Suite And Dances): Gavaotte pourles Fleures et les Zephirs
Abaris ou les Boreades (Suite And Dances): Premiere et deuxieme contredanse

Amazon.com

Baroque opera in France was very different from the Italian "opera seria" form that prevailed elsewhere in Europe at the same time. While the Italian tradition preferred a succession of detachable arias that provided a showcase for star singers, French opera consisted of an equal measure of song and dance, with the vocal parts integrated into a much more continuous musical structure. Rameau's ballet music is the finest of the period--it has a really physical quality of movement, and the most interesting and pronounced rhythmic definition. All of which is a complicated way of saying that it really sets your toes tapping. Check it out; with excellent performances and a budget price, you've nothing to lose. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Some of the best Rameau, but..........2007-07-11

I prefer Bruggen's interpretations and recordings whenever possible.

The Naxos recordings here are a little on the dull side, from a sound-quality and energy/vitality perspective. Bruggen's are richer and more dance-like - they are simply more musical performances.

Rameau: Orchestral Suites (vol. 1).......2006-07-15

Rameau: Orchestral Suites (vol. 1)~ Jean-Philippe Rameau is simply put it a wonderful and stupendous recording from one of the masters of French Baroque music. The Baroque time period was an amazing time for music in my opinion and produced such great composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Purcell to mention a few. Whilst not being as accomplished as Bach, Rameau is right on par with composers such as Vivaldi and Purcell. The book-let is well done with a wonderful painting on the front and the essay on Rameau is well written and not over-long or verbose. I highly recommend this splendid recording to fans of Baroque music and to people that fancy good music in general and give this 5 out of 5 stars.

Lively, spirited introduction to the French Baroque.......2002-12-01

Rameau at his best. Flutes, tambourines and strings in wonderful arrangement. Oboes in the slow movements played with infinite precision. Tubas and horns adding contrast. Embellishment with the greatest of delicacy. Rhythm is created by stress on the strings and overlay of the other instruments. A tribute to the 18th century and the royal court of Louis XV. Here, the ensemble Capella Savaria, led by Mary Terey-Smith, a Hungarian who became an accomplished academician in the United States and Canada, uses original instruments to create the authentic sound of the royal court in Baroque France. This is supposed to be "opera", but it is far from the "operas" two centuries hence and, controversally, the Italian operas of the day. The libretto is not disclosed nor is it significant. Polyphony is restrained but very much evident in multi-instrument dialogues and duets. The interplay of the flutes with the strings and other instruments is very satisfying. It all culminates in a rousing finale in 6/8 time.

Average customer rating:

Spirit - The Seventh Fire
Peter Buffett
Manufacturer: BisonHead
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Spirit - The Seventh Fire
Ojibwe: Waasa Inaabidaa
Spirit
Spirit Dance
500 Nations: A Musical Journey (1996 Television Documentary)

ASIN: B00078S63I
Release Date: 2004-12-07

Tracks:

Wolf Love song
Urban Overture
Auglaize River, 1830
Hidden Heritage
The Place Where The Crying Begins
Animal dance interlude
Fire Dance
An Eagle Above
Traditional Song I
Passage
Spirit Dance
Walk of Sorrows
Auglaize Reprise
Traditional song II
The Dream
Aubenaubee
Traditional song III
New West
The Return
Thunderbird
Spirit Dance Reprise

Album Description

Spirit - The Seventh Fire is a new live recording of the show that features Chief Hawk Pope, Patrick Mirabal and many other fine performers. This was the show that had its world premiere on the National Mall in Washington D.C. during the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian. Package includes a 32 page full color booklet of images from the production. The soundtrack also includes many of the memorable words spoken by Chief Hawk Pope.

Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore

Average customer rating:

Premier Collection a hit
It is a great CD.
Problem
Okay
Even Better than the Original

Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore
Andrew Lloyd Webber , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Trevor Nunn , Sarah Brightman , Jose Carreras , Michael Ball , Barbra Streisand , Lon Satton , and Ray Shell
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore
The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection
Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore
Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber

ASIN: B000001E0E
Release Date: 1993-03-09

Tracks:

Amigos Para Siempre ( Friends For Life) - Jose Carreras, Sarah Brightman
Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
Memory - Barbara Streisand
I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton, Ray Shell
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
Argentine Melody - San Jose, Rodriguez Argentina
Oh What A Circus - David Essex
Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball, Ann Crumb
The Jellicle Ball - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
Everything's Alright - Sarah Brightman
Close Every Door - Phillip Schofield
The First Man You Remember - Michael Ball, Diana Morrison
Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
Point Of No Return - Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman
Hosanna - Placido Domingo

Customer Reviews:

Premier Collection a hit.......2006-05-10

Loved this c.d.
Streisand's rendition of MEMORY has always been my favorite version of the song outside of the show...Betty Buckley's is my favorite within the show. I am a Streisand afficiando, and this is my FAVORITE Streisand song period..so it must be good...
Michael Ball singing anything is wonderful...It captures the wonderful feeling of being on a cloud when you listen to this album

It is a great CD........2005-10-14

Whenever I listen to this CD, my heart and my soul are deeply touched.

Problem.......2003-11-02

Has no one else noticed that on the version of this CD produced in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada "Past the Point of No Return" from "The Phantom of the Opera" is NOT Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman? The male is obviously Colm Wilkenson (most famous for originating the role of Jean Valjean), apparently the soprano is Rebecca Caine?

Okay.......2003-04-17

If you are an Andrew Lloyd Webber fan, you probably already own some of the versions of songs on this CD. Having them all in one package is nice. I like to listen to this at work, as I know the music so well that it is nice background. I could do without Amigos Para Siempre.

Even Better than the Original.......2001-08-18

This anthology is definately better than the original Premiere recording. Here we get the star who were famous for the part they are performing. On the original collection, Phantom of the Opera was sung by someone I had never heard of and the tone and atmosphere were all wrong. I am pleased to say that here we get performers who are established in the role or are well-known for including the song in shows or other recordings. I love "Amigas para siempre," "Hosanna," and all the others. I find it fascinating that we get two Josephs fot the price of one. Not only can we compare the merits of Donny Osmond and Michael Damian, but two others as well

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