Heavens

Heavens

Track Listings

1. Supermurgatroyd

2. Carts

3. Crossbow

4. The Leads

5. Creeper

6. Half Under

7. 18 Karat

8. Spekter

9. Jazz Noon

10. Floodwater

11. Ravenna

12. Eyeteeth

13. Thrown Salt

14. Lava Lamp

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
The first full-length disc from The Murgatroyd Trio. Pick this up if you like Thievery Corporation, Cinematic Orchestra, Kruder & Dorfmeister or Tosca. Highly recommended.

Product Description
"Heavens" by The Murgatroyd Trio is a 21st-century fusion of jazz, trip-hop, dub and electro. Since 2000, this elusive group has been releasing their brand of chilled downtempo on Two Words Records compilations such as Urban Chill Session Two and Loungeworld. This is their first full-length release. It was worth the wait.

Tracks:

Hallelujah
Ave Verum Corpus K.618
Kyrie Eleison
Passion Chorale
The Shepherds' Farewell
Lift Thine Eyes To The Mountains
He Watching Over Israel
Dona Nobis Pacem
Hallelujah
Worthy Is The Lamb
Sanctus
Bogoroditse Devo
Wie Lieblich Sind Deine Wohnungen
The Heavens Are Telling
Rex Tremendae

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding.......2007-01-12

-gave this as a Christmas gift to my brother-in-law, a church musician. He has listened over & over & thinks it is really outstanding. Thank you!

The heavens are telling.......2005-10-21

This is a very great chorus, and one of Haydn's best as far as i am concerned. The pace, grandness and spirit of the piece all conjure in one's imagination the majesty of heaven, and God's throne. I cannot help but be moved to praise the God of the heavens and the earth.

kanmi ogundipe

Uncle Abe rattles the house with this thing.......2004-11-22

I came home from work one day when my uncle was visiting my wife and myself. He was recently retired from the ministry. He had heard a lot of choral music in his life. My aunt said he had the stereo ( power end of my stereo at the time was an Adcomm 555 amp. conservatively rated at 200 watts RMS per channel) up so loud it was rattling the whole house. I too have come to love this music. I mostly listen to rock and roll; but the way my uncle, and now I, play this thing, it is rock and roll from another era!!!

Sir Robert with ASO and Chorus at their Best!.......2003-11-16

After Mr Shaw spent many years in NYC and Cleveland with RCA Red Label,he came into Atlanta for a big change! Soon he switched to TELARC DIGITAL! I still Joyfully remember our Recording of the Christmas Nativity in Dec of 1975! Sir Robert, conducting with earphones encasing his head shouted: "Stop the taping, there is some Darn Sizzling noise in those Lights!" We may have not heard the word "Damn" lights, that he employed at times!

On both this newer release of TELARC and the older Recording of The Christmas Nativity, there are Bach's Chorale, Break Forth, Dona Nobis Pacem from the B-Minor Mass, Handel's Hallelujah! Plus the exquisite, Shepherds's Farewell to the Holy Family of Berlioz's The Infant Christ!

Those who may not be familiar with Berlioz from both recordings, will be richly rewarded by hearing them plus the Rex Tremendae from Berlioz''s Requiem and the other Kyrie from the Bach B-Minor! Absolutely, no other Christmas Music can ever approach these two splendid recordings, which are the basis of the ASO celebrating every Christmas with "Robert Shaw in the Spirit!"

Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

Celestial melodies.......2001-05-27

No matter what mood you are in, the gorgeous chorals will draft you through the paths of holiness, and you will find yourself situated in the Elysium, land of eternal joy, yet you are far from dead. The past grief, weariness, and worries will fade and torture your soul no more. You are set free.

Tracks:

Dies Irae
Tuba Mirum
Pie Jesu
O Fortuna
Dies Irae
Rex Tremendae
Confutatis
Lacrimosa
Polovtsian Dances
Missa: Kyrie Eleison
Hallelujah Chorus
The Shepherd's Farewell
Sanctus
The Heavens Are Telling
'Va, pensiero' (Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves)
Nyne Otpushchayeshi (Now Let Thy Servant Depart)
Dies Irae

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful choir music CD.......2007-07-12

I just enjoy in it very much. The best of the choir music in very good performance.

Best of American Choral Singing!.......2003-02-08

This CD could be the cornerstone of your choral music library! Wonderful performances of all of the essential choral pieces give a wonderful introduction to choral music for someone new to it, and also give a nice sampler of the best pieces for someone already familiar with the music. Listening to each excerpt may inspire you to purchase the entire work!

As you would expect of performances by Robert Shaw's groups, these performances are really extraordinary and show the best of American choral singing.

A good album, but--.......2001-12-28

The three stars I have given this album are not for the performances, which are all tremendous and deserve five stars or more, but for the idea of releasing this sort of compilation. Every single one of these selections is part of a larger Shaw-recorded work already released by Telarc, and you are far better off seeking the complete recordings that all these pieces are from, than just buying a mere "sampler". (Shaw, however, never did get around to recording the complete " L' Enfance du Christ".) Of course, that can be very expensive for some people, and if one cannot afford all those recordings, I suppose this is the next best thing. One can't shake off the feeling, however, that because Shaw is no longer with us, Telarc is desperately trying to give the impression that "new" Shaw recordings are constantly being released by them, when the truth is that nearly all the new ones are mere recyclings. (The last complete Robert Shaw album released by Telarc was Dvorak's "Stabat Mater", a CD well worth buying.)

Awesome.......2000-04-04

This album is so up-lifting. As the music soars, so do your spirits.

Average customer rating:

The Story Of Haydn

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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The Story of Beethoven
The Story Of Handel
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ASIN: B000001KD1
Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

Symphony No. 104 In D Major 'London': Menuetto - Allegro
Harpsicord Concerto In D Major: Vivace
Symphony No. 100 In G Major 'Miltary': Allegretto
Mass No. 2 In E- Flat Major: Great Organ Mass
Symphony No. 82 In C Major 'The Bear': Vivace assai
Keyboard Sonata No. 48 In C Major: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': Allegro assai
Violin Concerto No. 1 In C Major: Allegro moderato
Allegro con spirito
Symphony No. 96 In D Major 'Miracle': Allegro
Symphony No. 96 In D Major 'Miracle': Andante
Baryton Divertimento No. 107 In D Major: Minuet and Trio
Music Clock
Trumpet Concerto In E-Flat Major: Adagio
Symphony No. 45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': Adagio
Symphony No. 82 In C Major 'The Bear': Vivace
Symphony No.11 In G Major 'Miltary': Excerpts
Philemon And Baucis: Tenor Aria 'Nemo'
Symphony No. 104 In D Major 'London': Allegro spiritoso
Horn Concerto No. 2 In D Major: Allegro
Symphony No. 101 In D Major 'Clock': Presto; Menuetto (Allegretto)
Symphony No. 94 In G Major 'Surprise': Andante
Symphony No. 96 In D Major 'Miracle': Vivace assai
Symphony No. 101 In D Major 'Clock': Andante
Symphony No. 104 In D Major 'London': Andante
Mass in D-flat Major: Gloria
String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76 No. 3 Emperor
The Creation: Chrous: 'The Heavens are Telling'
Austrian National Anthem
Cello Concerto In D Major, Hob. VIIb, No. 2: Moderato
Cello Concerto In D Major, Hob. VIIb, No. 2: Adagio
Cello Concerto In D Major, Hob. VIIb, No. 2: Allegro molto

Average customer rating:

This is what Choir and Organ magazine had to say
The best Russian choral CD of the season
Astonishing Recording!

Russian Medieval Chant

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Russian Divine Liturgy
Basso Profondo From Old Russia
Orthodox Chants from Russia
Russian Chant for Vespers
Ancient Echoes

ASIN: B00005QF3J
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Customer Reviews:

This is what Choir and Organ magazine had to say.......2002-12-08

A perfect portal into the sound world of medieval Russia, this selection of liturgical material, drawn from a tradition harking back to the 11th century, includes unadorned monophonic chant as well as ceremonial pieces in polyphonic styles developed in the 16th and 17th centuries, the sonorities of the former occasionally creating enjoyably spooky, ringing overtones in the generous acoustic. The men of Deisus sing with an almost visceral depth of commitment and, as might be expected, the low basses are profoundly in a class of their own.

The best Russian choral CD of the season.......2002-02-09

This disk is a must for every lover of male Russian choirs! Don't get confused by the name of the choir (I assume it is based on Greek deisis `prayer') or the commercial design of the booklet: this is simply the very best of Russian choral chant that has been published this season. The fourteen singers of the choir perform ancient chants, that have partly been deciphered here for the first time, and so are absolutely unique. Because of the high quality of singing and the choice of repertoire, Deisus can be compared with leading choirs such as the famous Patriarchate Choir of Mr.Grindenko. The chants performed on this splendid disk, all in honour of the Virgin Mary, are either homophonic or polyphonic, in a pleasant alternation. They share the quality of monastic austerity that makes them absolutely captivating: the listener is transposed to another world, a world of quiet and piece. Warmly recommended!

Astonishing Recording!.......2002-02-05

Anyone who hasn't heard Russian chants performed by deep voices has a real delight ahead and a profound musical experience. This recording captivates from beginning to end. The voices of the Deisus Choir, singing heretofore unpublished chants, took this listener onto a soundscape he didn't know existed. The choir emerges like the breath of God and rolls on in a vibrant acoustic that's perfectly suited to the voices, which resonate as much in the solar plexus as in the ear. I've collected a good number of recordings of chants (including the best-selling disc of the Spanish monks that came out some years ago), but the present recording by the Deisus Choir is now at the top of my list.

Average customer rating:

Excellent option at good price
It Touches the Soul
Performance is fine, but recording and liner notes are poor
Inexpensive marvel from naxos
Is like being in Heaven!

Russian Divine Liturgy
Alexander Andreyevich Arkhangel'sky , Russian Orthodox Chant , Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov , Ledkovsky , Alexei Fydorovich Lvov , P. Mironositsky , Apostol Nikolaev-Strumsky , Stepan Smolensky , Igumen Mitrofan , and Novospassky Monastery Choir
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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Russian Chant for Vespers
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ASIN: B000053W45
Release Date: 2001-02-20

Tracks:

Meeting And Vesting Of Bishop
Eis Polla Eti, Despota
Great Litany
Bless The Lord, O My Soul
The Only Begotten Son
Come, Let Us Worship And Fall Down Before Christ
The Trisagion
Prokeimenon
Alleluia
Cherubic Hymn
The Nicene Creed
A Mercy Of Peace
The Hymn To The Theotokos
Praise The Lord From The Heavens!
Psalm CXX (Mironisitsky)
Blessed By the Name Of The Lord, Henceforth And For Ever More
Great Doxology

Customer Reviews:

Excellent option at good price.......2007-03-25

Ortodox liturgic music is sometimes as difficult as it can be considering the fact it belong to a very different liturgy no matter how christian it is.
This little gem can be helpful to understand not only this very important part of russian music but the soul of russian religiosity, guided by the superb performance of Novospassky Monastery Choir, that reminded me other great effort in the same way: the Choir of Santo Domingo de Silos Monastery.
Not always Naxos is the best choice, but in this case is definitely a must for those interested on religious music.
Five stars.

It Touches the Soul.......2005-05-02

This cd is balanced with the melodic strains of the choir, and the rich, deep solos above it. It is an inspiration and I highly recommend it.

Performance is fine, but recording and liner notes are poor.......2004-10-13

RUSSIAN DIVINE LITURGY is a performance by the Novospassky Monastery Choir of the Russian Orthodox liturgy celebrated by a bishop. The music of the Russian Orthodox liturgy consists only of the human voice singing in the Russian Church Slavonic language (a redaction of Old Church Slavonic made easier for speakers of Russian to pronounce). No instrumentation is included.

There is a great deal of passion in this performance as in the "Trisagion". There is also grace and sweetness, as in the "Great Litany" or the recitation of the Nicene Creed. This recording portrays those aspects of Orthodox worship which have wowed members of other denominations with their beauty and profound sincerity.

Though the performance was fine, the sound quality of this recording is unimpressive. Though a DDD studio recording, the engineers did not really explore the space of the venue and the voices are often muddled and indistinguishable. This probably would have sounded better in a church than in a studio with these engineers.

The liner notes are also of rather poor quality, as is unfortunately quite common with Naxos discs. There is no libretto, just excepts from several of the portions and descriptions. Church Slavonic text is missing entirely. The names of the Ukrainian cities Kyiv and Lviv are spelled according to the (often considered offensive) Russian manner of Kiev and L'vov. The commentary, which do not appear professionally edited, are uncredited.

If you are interested in Church Slavonic liturgy in music, I would recommend Arvo Part's setting of the "Kanon Pokajanen" penitence text. The disc released by ECM New Series features a detailed libretto with the Church Slavonic, fine translations, and an essay about this portion of Orthodox liturgy. Naxos has released here an authentic and sincere performance of the liturgy, but the poor liner notes and sound quality do little to recommend it.

Inexpensive marvel from naxos.......2003-07-16

As someone new to choral sacred music, the price of this CD allowed me to experiment without risking to much financially.
I have never heard Russian Orthodox music before. It is more exuberant in many ways than western massesbut also has moments of serenity. This CD contains an amalgam of music from different cenuries which all fits together surprisingly well. The choir sings powerfully from start to fini. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the music of other cultures.

Is like being in Heaven!.......2003-06-29

Beautiful version of the Orthodox Liturgy. If you aren't Orthodox, this might convert you. If you already are, it will bring tears of joy to your eyes.

Average customer rating:

What can I say !
a voice teacher and early music fan
Another Rutter Keeper!
worship of god made mostglorius in this cd
Heavenly Music

Sing Ye Heavens - Hymns for All Time
Cambridge Singers , and John Rutter
Manufacturer: Collegium
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Hymns Triumphant 1 & 2
Best Loved Hymns
Hymns Through the Centuries
Praise to the Lord - Hymns From St. Paul's Cathedral

ASIN: B00004WGEZ
Release Date: 2000-08-02

Tracks:

Hymns From The Psalms: O God, Our Help In Ages Past
Hymns From The Psalms: The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
Hymns From The Psalms: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Invocations: Veni, Creator Spiritus
Invocations: Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending
Invocations: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
The Eucharist: Pange Lingua
The Eucharist: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Passiontide And Easter: Vexilla Regis
Passiontide And Easter: Drop, Drop Slow Tears
Passiontide And Easter: When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Passiontide And Easter: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Folk Hymns: Be Thou My Vision
Folk Hymns: All Things Bright And Beautiful
Folk Hymns: Morning Has Broken
Folk Hymns: Amazing Grace
Folk Hymns: We Plough The Fields, And Scatter
Evening Hymns: Glory To Thee, My God, This Night
Evening Hymns: The Day Thou Gavest, Lord Is Ended
Thanksgiving And Dedication: Eternal God
Thanksgiving And Dedication: Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation

Amazon.com

It's good to have the clean-vowelled, fresh-voiced Cambridge Singers back in action with composer John Rutter, who demonstrates once again his considerable talents as a choral director. Here, he also had his work cut out arranging 15 of the tracks (and composing one other). Divided up into various categories, such as "the Eucharist" and "folk hymns," this album will delight the confirmed hymn enthusiast, provided that he or she doesn't insist on the pure, as-written product. Rutter's reworkings range from the bold and brassy (occasionally deliciously over the top--what would Martin Luther have thought of the naughtiness in "A mighty fortress is our God"?) to those of harp-accompanied simplicity, not least in the charming lines of "Be thou my vision." Several tasteful descants are models of their kind. There are some surprises at which to chuckle. For example, not the expected brass and organ job on "We plough the fields and scatter," but a dainty, tripping harp accompaniment to the familiar melody, such as Haydn might have wedded to a Scottish folksong. Occasional numbers might be too saccharine for some tastes, but there are cunningly placed samples of Gregorian chant, Tallis, and Gibbons to provide contrast and cleanse the palate. --Andrew Green

Customer Reviews:

What can I say !.......2007-02-15

Having listened to this twice... It is difficult to find words for something so Glorious. It doesn't almost hurt, but I almost exploded in heavenly rapture several times.
You will need to get two. It is not music that you will want to keep to yourself.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-02

'The hymns heard on this disc span over 15 centuries of the history of Christian Europe, and have been chosen simply to make up a varied program which can be pleasant to hear.' Some items are accompanied by organ, some by harp where a lighter sound was more appropriate. Some are unaccompanied as in the Gregorian hymns, and five of the grandest hymns are given festival arrangements using brass, timpani, percussion and organ. Although the perspective of this album is Anglican,it must be noted that the Anglican hymn tradition has been notably eclectic. Hymnody is forever changing. 'This album does NOT attempt to reflect the most recent changes-the emergence of pop and folk-influenced worship songs and choruses has been well taken care of elsewhere, and time alone will tell whether there is any lasting worth in this most drastic upheaval of worship style.' Therefore, it is timely to reflect upon the immense riches of hymns built up over so many centuries, when they are at great risk of neglect. John Rutter has produced an amazing number of arrangements as well as original songs, and they are all first-rate. Choirs throughout the world (who are skilled enough to sing them)take great pleasure in working with his selections, and audiences, regardless of listening experience seem to enjoy them. They are tuneful, clever and unusual!!!
The Cambridge Singers number : 10 female sopranos,2 male and 4 female altos, 7 tenors and 8 basses. They sing extremely well with clear consonents and well-shaped vowels and plenty of gusto. I miss the boy sopranos that usually sing in the British choirs, but that's only a personal preference, and it surely is not Rutter's preference, because I have never known him to make use of them. A truly inspiring recording, nonetheless.

Another Rutter Keeper!.......2003-02-17

Rutter has won many fans throughout the world for his passionate, creative yet tasteful contributions to church music. Here is a hymn collection with several traditional choices along with Rutter originals.

Several comprise Rutter's remakes, which is most cases are very diginified and not at all distractive to the thrust of the original. The orchestration is superb, and the Cambridge Singers of course provide outstanding choral might.

Well worth consideration to the church music collection.

worship of god made mostglorius in this cd.......2002-04-30

i was 1st introduced to john rutters music on a radio program... when i 1st heard the arrangement of christ the lord is risen today presented in this cd i pictured a grand celebration of the solemn mass of the resurection of our lord and pictured in particular the grand procession i pictured this being celebrated... this hymn and cd does as best as humanly possible represent the great glory of god and does as its title suggests sing with the heavens and for you fellow traditionalists this is a strongly recomended cd

Heavenly Music.......2001-10-15

The hymns of SING, YE HEAVENS represent 1500 years of music in the Christian church. Pure and rich are these hymns by the Cambridge Singers with their perfect diction that leaves nothing for improvement and their tone quality that envelops the listener. The beauty of the harp, the organ, and the brass adds to the pleasure this CD brings to the listener's ear and heart.

Average customer rating:

A unique ensemble -- it's a shame it had to come to an end.
Great Texas country and an outstanding female voice.
A must have
Different Chicks, somewhat different sounds
If it were a tape, it'd be worn out already

Thank Heavens for Dale Evans
Dixie Chicks
Manufacturer: Crystal Clear Sound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

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I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart
Thunderheads
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Thank Heavens for Dale Evans
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Storm Out on the Sea
West Texas Wind
Rider
Green River
Salty
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Customer Reviews:

A unique ensemble -- it's a shame it had to come to an end........2007-06-07

Some of you might know -- but others might not -- that there was a group called the Dixie Chicks, formed back in the late 80s, that was very different from today's group of the same name. The two groups are related, of course; sisters Martie and Emily Erwin were members of both the original ensemble and the current group. But they really should have changed the name of the band somewhere along the line, because today's group bears little resemblance, in appearance or music, to that original group -- whose first album was "Thank Heavens for Dale Evans".
Clearly, the majority of Americans prefer the new group -- as evidenced by the fact that the new Chicks have found the commercial success that always eluded the original Chicks. But the changes that were required to achieve that success came at a heavy artistic cost. Today's country/pop/rock sound makes the Chicks just part of that generic pop scene that sells most of the records, but has little real art to it. The original Dixie Chicks, on the other hand, were a truly unique group: An all-girl band who could really play and sing serious bluegrass and western swing music. And I mean really play. You'll have to try to get a copy of this album to see that I'm right about that.
Unfortunately, getting a copy might not be easy since the "new" Chicks have tried mightily to erase any memory of their past. "Thanks Heavens for Dale Evans" is out of print and will never be re-released, because Martie, Emily, and Natalie Maines want everyone to forget about Robin Lynn Macy and Laura Lynch -- the other two members of the original group, and the two members who were the real personality and heart and soul of the group (I saw them perform live in the early 90s, and Robin and Laura absolutely sparkled during the performance, while the Erwin sisters -- providing superb instrumental and vocal performances, to be sure -- pretty much stayed in the background from a personality standpoint). I especially remember Robin twisting her hips in time to the music, her western skirt swishing back and forth, as she strummed away at her guitar and sang the lead on the title song to this album. When she, and later Laura, left (were forced out of?) the group, it was the end of something special -- a really unique musical ensemble.
If you can get a copy of this CD, please do so. You might find that the past the current Chicks wish to hide was really the high point of the group's history.

Great Texas country and an outstanding female voice........2007-03-31

One of the greatest female country music albums of the 90's. It is real Texas country with an outstanding vocal performance and a nice fiddle too. If you are looking for the cookie cutter country music of today, don't buy this album! This is nothing like the Dixie Chicks' music of today. But, if you want real, refined and pure country music, you will be hard pressed to find a better one. Check out "West Texas Winds", one of the greatest renditions ever recorded. Enjoy.

A must have.......2007-01-03

This is a must for anyone who collects the Dixie Chicks. I got mine. Good luck getting yours.

Different Chicks, somewhat different sounds.......2006-09-03

I have been a big Chicks fan since "Fly" and supported them through "the incident". I got to see their recent concert and wanted to hear them from "before". I was not disappointed. This album and their older sound has it's own special, acoustic and bluegrass charm. Glad I got it, the old and new Chicks rule!

If it were a tape, it'd be worn out already.......2005-12-24

I drove across country shortly after getting this cd, and I barely took it out of the cd player the whole way--not sure how many hundreds of times that means I've listened to this! I love the "new" Dixie Chicks, too (sisters Martie and Emily Erwin are the only common thread), but I was curious about their previous sound, and I wasn't disappointed! This is a great record, with a lot of great harmony and, of course, talented ladies playing the heck out of just about every stringed instrument there is.

That said, buy their new records too! Natalie Maines, the lead singer, is witty and expressive, and her beautiful voice goes great with Martie and Emily's fiddle/banjo/mandolin/etc. Laura Lynch and Robin Lynn Macy brought some very different things to the mix, but their departures were largely, if not entirely, their own choices, and I hate to see Natalie punished for that.

Average customer rating:

Daring & Pretty Good
Change it to 4 stars
Long Live The Trio!
Matt Skiba finds his inner Morrissey.
Awsome

Patent Pending
Heavens
Manufacturer: Epitaph / Ada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000H7J9XA
Release Date: 2006-09-12

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Gardens
Counting
Heather
Patent Pending
Dead End Girl
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Another Night
Annabelle
Watching You
True Hate
Leave

Album Description

Fans of Matt Skiba's other band, Alkaline Trio, are already spreading the word about Heavens. Mining that rich, dark vein of 1980's songwriting that's suddenly back on the radio with a vengeance, this debut allows Skiba to explore a different side of his songwriting, calling upon the influence of the Sisters Of Mercy rather than the Ramones or Misfits as with Alkaline Trio. His lyrics are as beautiful as they are eerie, his vocal melodies at once darkly hypnotic and intensely catchy, while collaborator Josiah Steinbrick builds great minimalist guitar parts in the tradition of Wire and New Order. Producer Ben Lovett adds ambient backdrops and lush string arrangements, making the whole a beautiful decaying masterpiece, catchy enough to bring Alkaline Trio's legions along for the ride, darkly angular enough to intrigue fans of Interpol.

Customer Reviews:

Daring & Pretty Good.......2007-02-15

Reminds me of Angels and Airwaves in respect to going from a harder sound to a more layered somber approach... but done better IMHO. I was a little hesitant but this album is actually refreshing, different, and pretty good. Keep in mind (like was previously stated) that this calls back to some early 80s sounds but not completely. I liked early New Order very much and some Joy Division but this is not exactly like that. It just reminds you of that sound once in a while. The song previews are a pretty good sense of the album. If you like those go for it. You'll like it.

Change it to 4 stars.......2007-02-05

I initially gave this cd a 3, because after a couple listens I just wasn't that into it. I put it on my ipod and a week or so later I started liking it more and more, I wish I would have given it a 4. I would definitely recommend listening to this more than once or twice, even if you don't like it, to ensure you have noticed everything that's going on with this cd.

Matt Skiba's singing here is incredible. He has always been great with Alkaline Trio, and this album allows him to explore a less raspy, more emotional tone of voice that's reminiscent of the typical robotic 80's pop star sound, but clean and still very unique. His lyrics, as always, are sinister and poetic.

The music on the album is also amazing. It has a very dark and ominous sound and compliments Skiba's vocals perfectly. The New Order and Interpol comparisons make sense at times, but these guys definitely have their own thing going on too. It's definitely worth buying.

Long Live The Trio!.......2007-01-10

The whole is greater than the sum;how often that rings true is unknown,but here is a strong example. While Skiba stays true to form with his dark and macabre lyrics,this effort comes up short.The full and powerful sound that is generated by The Alkaline Trio is clearly missing here.The title track is excellent,but the balance of the album is thin and stale,and there is much to be said for the way that Skiba and his vocal partner in the Trio,Daniel Andriano complement each other perfectly.All in all,this is one reason that what may be the greatest band most people have never heard of are best united.

Matt Skiba finds his inner Morrissey........2007-01-04

This cd is not for those who stopped listening to Alkaline Trio after "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" because they "sold out" by writing more polished songs. It's catchy as hell even though most of the songs are mid-tempo. There are big sing-a-long choruses and a few more agressive fist-pumpers that wouldn't feel out of place on "Good Morning" or "Crimson". Expect Skiba signature clever gothic-tinged lyrics. You'll be singing on the first listen. Keyboards give the slower songs a dream-like quality.

The only reason "Patent Pending" isn't getting 5 out of 5 stars is because the lyrics and music are so simple. Some of the songs feel a little too repetitive, but this album has really grown on me. It's worth the money. Also, seeing Heavens live is an experience not to be missed!

Awsome.......2007-01-03

This review might be a bit bias because I'm a huge Alkaline Trio and as you should know Matt Skibba Lead singer/guitarist for Alkaline Trio is the Lead singer for Heavens. This Cd is awsome, I love it, every single track of it...really laid back and emotional at times.

Berlioz: Requiem; Boito: Prologue to Mefistofele

Average customer rating:

Outstanding
Great but not the Ultimate
A superb modern performance of the Berlioz Requiem.
Utterly magnificent!
Fantastic Recording of a Fantastic Work!

Berlioz: Requiem; Boito: Prologue to Mefistofele

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Verdi: Requiem & Operatic Choruses
Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) / Auger, Stilwell, Atlanta SO, Robert Shaw
Fauré · Duruflé - Requiem / J. Blegen · J. Morris · Atlanta SO · Shaw
Durufle: Requiem, Mass-Con Jubilo, Motets / Plasson, von Otter
Dvorák: Requiem

ASIN: B000003CTJ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

I. Requiem Et Kyrie
II. Dies Irae
III. Quid Sum Miser
IV. Rex Tremendae
V. Quaerens Me
VI. Lacrymosa
VII. Offertorium
VIII. Hostias

Tracks:

IX. Sanctus - John Aler
X. Agnus Dei - John Aler
I. Prelude And Chorus - John Cheek
II. Instrumental Scherzo And Dramatic Intermezzo
III. Vocal Scherzo
IV. Final Psalmody
Te Deum

Amazon.com essential recording

As one would expect, Robert Shaw's rendition of the Requiem is magnificently polished, with choral singing that is beyond compare. The drama is not quite as pronounced as with Davis and Munch, but the work's majestic architecture stands clearly revealed. For once, Telarc's thunderous, bass-heavy pickup adds something to the sonic picture. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding.......2005-12-28

Of all the modern recordings of Berlioz' Requiem, Robert Shaw's is the best on every count.

I wouldn't want to be without it.

However, I also wouldn't want to spend a day without the immortal Charles Munch/Boston Symphony version. Especially in the stunning new hybrid SACD remastering.

Simply, this is one of those times when it is just common sense to own two best recordings of the same work.

If you love this work and know these two recordings, you understand why.

Great but not the Ultimate.......2004-09-09

Whenever I hear works like this (or Mozart's or Verdi's or Brahm's Requiems) I am still in awe of the intellectual and emotional depths to which the composer plunged. This is a good, some might say great recording. I too am a Telarc fan and think their work is of the highest quality. Saying that, I will say that I found the work slightly "sterile" at least compared to Sir Thomas Beecham and the Royal Philharmonic recording that is nothing short of titantic.

Beecham seemed to put his whole heart and soul into the project whereas the current recording is one of intellectual rather than emotional interest. I judge Requiems an odd way - by listening to the Lacrymosa. Whether it is Mozart or Verdi or Berliotz, this particular element seems to hit emotional paydirt. Judging in this case I find it (again) entirely adequate but without the verve of the Beecham recording.

One other thing - many times the orchestra overwhelms the vocalist and this should NEVER be the case unless directly ordered by the composer. What's more, this should never happen in a modern recording studio.

A superb modern performance of the Berlioz Requiem........2003-12-12

Two hundred years ago today, Louis-Hector Berlioz was born. This is a day for me to comment on a few of my favorite performances of his works, some of them "favorites by acclamation" and others simply those in which I find special merit, enough so that they are frequently in my CD players.

Berlioz's Requiem is, with Giuseppe Verdi's "Manzoni" Requiem, one of the two great dramatic renderings of this text; works that have stood the test of time. If the Verdi work is the more frequently performed and operatic Requiem, the Berlioz is the more "forward-looking" and not at all lacking in its own drama and grandeur.

One needs to go "back into the vaults" to find a recorded performance of this essential Berlioz work that matches Robert Shaw's stunning version in its balance of sublime beauty and visceral excitement, not to mention its spacious sonics, all the way back to the much earlier performances by Charles Munch and Sir Thomas Beecham in fact. And then, of course, one pays a fairly heavy penalty in terms of sonics.

Despite the resources required, the work hardly lacks for "decent" recordings that are more modern than the Beecham and Munch ones, by such esteemed Berlioz specialists as Sir Colin Davis and Charles Dutoit, as well as by James Levine, Lorin Maazel, Seiji Ozawa and Sir Andre Previn. But "decent" is just not good enough; some of these fail to catch fire in one way or another, and none of them have the choral excellence of this Shaw recording under consideration. Only the Dutoit (in an otherwise curiously unengaging performance) can come close to matching Shaw in terms of recorded sound. (In fairness, I confess to not yet having heard John Eliot Gardiner's recording. It may, in its HIP [historically informed performance] way, be the equal of this Shaw recording.)

Shaw finds the appropriate dynamic contrasts in the work, from the gentlest supplications of the "Sanctus" and "Agnus Dei" to the most violent outbursts of the "Dies irae" and "Rex tremendae." The sound - and the perception of depth and spatial effects - is of demonstration quality, particularly in the "Tuba mirum" section of the "Dies irae," for which four brass bands are disposed at the extreme corners of the recording venue at Atlanta Symphony Hall.

The blazing originality of Berlioz shines through everywhere, not just in the instrumental (and choral) outbursts. The otherworldly effect in the "Hostias" of having flutes and trombones separated by many octaves, to represent the immensity of the distance from Heaven to Hell, is captured perfectly, right down to the trombones' pedal-tone growl (just one of many Berlioz innovations). John Aler, arguably our very best "American French tenor," is splendid in the "Sanctus," and the Shaw chorus, needless to say, is one that is seldom - if ever - topped.

John Aler can also be found on a Delos recording of another Berlioz work in a similar vein, the Te Deum (conducted by Dennis Keene), a recording I recommend highly. Regrettably, Robert Shaw never committed the Berlioz Te Deum to disc; it would have made a perfect filler. (This might be because of the special antiphonal "call and response" requirements between orchestra and organ that Berlioz takes pains to specify. Aler/Keene had the benefit of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for their recording, a perfect venue for the work.)

But the two fillers in this boxed set - the Prologue to Arrigo Boito's Mefistofele and Verdi's Te Deum - which earlier filled a Telarc LP - are nonetheless excellent "fits" for the Berlioz Requiem.

I can remember, a quarter-century ago, when Norman Treigle "owned" the role of Mefistofele while he was at the New York City Opera (an ownership that was subsequently taken over by Samuel Ramey upon Treigle's unfortunate death by suicide). If John Cheek isn't quite the match for Treigle or Ramey, he doesn't miss by much. And the ASO performance and Telarc recording quality are pretty much assured of shaking your rafters just as well as the dramatic parts of the Berlioz work will.

The Verdi work is equally fine, but not nearly as cataclysmic as his "Manzoni" Requiem or Berlioz's own Te Deum.

The age of these performances (1984 for the Berlioz and 1979 for the fillers) doesn't show a bit. And neither does Berlioz the composer, 200 years old today.

Bon anniversaire, M. Berlioz!

Bob Zeidler

Utterly magnificent!.......2003-06-02

A while ago I gave my opinion of Dutoit's recording of the Berlioz Requiem on this site, and took the opportunity to sing the praise of this magnificent work - extensively so, and I won't repeat myself here. But every time I hear it, it again seems to grow in stature. In fact, I feel this work is so profound that it is more than worthy to stand alongside those other very greatest choral works in history, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis and Bach's Hohe Messe.
And this recording must be the best one made of it (there really ought to be many, many more to choose from, though!). That Shaw knows how to get the best out of a chorus we knew, but frankly I haven't been unreservedly happy with his handling of the orchestra in some other recordings (Mahler's Eight seems a relevant case in point). However, no such reservations here. Details are meticulously moulded, tempo's perfectly judged, and dynamics closely observed (though a little more 'swell' would have been welcome here and there). Rhythmic articulation is stunningly crisp both in chorus and orchestra (notice the choral singing in the Kyrie!). John Aler is the perfect soloist in the Sanctus, giving an unforced, deeply dignified reading of a piece that too often is allowed to veer towards the operatic - and this Requiem certainly isn't opera!
To top things of all these glorious sounds are caught in the best Telarc fashion, with completely natural perspectives and a thrillingly spacial feel to the four brass bands - not only in the Tuba Mirum, but in their quieter parts elsewhere too. Details remain clearly audible when textures thicken. All in all, a recording that allows full and unhampered immersion in this deeply moving and at times overwhelming masterpiece. I would still like to here John Elliot Gardiner's take on this work, as I did after hearing the Dutoit, but I doubt he can do very much better than this.

Fantastic Recording of a Fantastic Work!.......2003-02-08

The Berlioz Requiem is seldom performed, simply because of the sheer enormity of the production and the number of musicians involved. The large main orchestra is surrounded by four brass choirs, in addition to a choir of several hundred voices. There are no less than 16 tympanists, 18 trombonists, 12 horns and nine cymbalists.

Tracks:

Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Academy And Chorus Of St Martin In The Fields
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Zadok The Priest - Ambrosian Singers
Miserere Mei, Deus - Gerald Finley
Veni Creator Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Lacrimosa - London Philharmonic Choir
For Unto Us A Child Is Born - Ambrosian Singers
The Heavens Are Telling - John Shirley-Quirk
Panis Angelicus - Halle Choir
Ave Maria - Groupe Vocal De France
Ode To Joy - The Westminster Choir
Va, Pensiero - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Chorus Of Slave Girls - Chorus Of The National Theatre Of Sophia
Coro De Romanticos - Coro Cantores De Madrid
In Paradisum - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Totus Tuus - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Song For Athene - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Celebration - London Symphony Chorus
Jerusalem - Royal Choral Society

Tracks:

Zion Hort Die Wachter - South German Madrigal Choir
Pleni Sunt Coeli Et Terra - Charles Brett
Hallelujah Chorus - Ambrosian Singers
Thou Knowest, Lord - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Veni Sancte Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Awake The Harp - City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth - New Philharmonia Chorus
L'Adieu Des Bergers - Choeurs Rene Duclos
Agnus Dei - Peter Barley
Cantique De Jean Racine - MONKS AND CHOIRBOYS OF DOWNSIDE ABBEY
Ave Verum Corpus - Schutz Consort
Begluckt Darf Nun Dich, O Heimat - Bavarian State Opera Chorus, Munich
Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Laudamus Te - Radio France Chorus
Chichester Psalms - Rachel Masters
The Lamb - Vasari Singers
Agnus Dei - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Requiem Aeternam - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Dies Irae - Philharmonia Chorus
O Fortuna - London Philharmonic Choir
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1 (Land Of Hope Glory) - Royal Choral Society

Customer Reviews:

I love it and I give it as a gift.......2006-12-11

This is the first collection of choral music that I've purchased and I love it. I own copies of operas and requiems and masses, but if you attend choral concerts, as I have been recently, you learn there is a huge colletion of choral music appart from the forms I've been listening to. I appreciate the producers selecting "Song for Athene" by Tavener and "Celebration (Standing Stone)" by McCartney. They are new to me and I love them. Disk 1 ends with "Jerusalem" and Disk 2 ends with "Land of Hope and Glory." As an American I rarely hear these and I am so glad they were included. I believe this album was intended to help popularize choral music and I believe the selections do fine job towards that end.

I know snobs rage against popularizing classical music, but everyone deserves exposure to the beauty of song. I will also mention here "The East Village Opera Company" because they work to popularize opera by setting it to a rock beat. They do a fine job but also get criticized for attempting to popularize classical music.

"The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever" was so popular with my teen-age daughter that it was hard to get it back from her. I give the album as a gift to nephews and nieces.

MarMSED.......2005-08-27

The music selections are extraordinary. The only problem has to do with the balance of sound. There are some parts that are very loud, and some that are so very soft. You have to continually adjust the volume.

Diverse range but the songs are butchered..........2005-07-24

Well, this CD isn't horrible by any stretch, but it is irritating to someone who's more than a casual listener of choral music. I'm by no means as musically "literate" as many reviewers out there, but I have a collection of probably twenty-five or thirty choral CD's and this is one that will probably be gathering dust in the back of the CD book.

The peices are well-performed for the most part, but they are hopelessly edited. Beethoven's Ode to Joy is somewhere around twenty four minutes, but this CD only includes an arrangement of about five minutes. The beautiful Miserere is, uncut, almost eleven minutes but is cut down to five and a half minutes here.

Looking back, I should have realized the major editing that would be involved, just by the sheer number of peices on it. I'm familiar with a great many of them and I know they're too long to fit onto a seventy minute disc without some major cutting going on. I just didn't reason that out before I shelled out the money for it.

Bottom line. This CD has decent singing, but is nothing special. If you're a newcomer to this genre, you might get this as a quick overview of the different types of choral music out there, but if you're any kind of an avid listener, this CD will drive you insane with the severity of the cuts. Beginners, if you're looking for a great collection CD, you'd do better to look at "Choral Moods". It doesn't have the diversity in styles of this one, but it will introduce you to incredibly talented composers. To the old hats out there, steer clear of this one and look to CD's by your preferred individual composers themselves. It's more money, but much less frustration in the long run. The old sayings are sometimes the best: You get what you pay for.

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