Piano Lessons Ep [CD-single] [Import] [Limited Edition]

Piano Lessons Ep [CD-single] [Import] [Limited Edition]

Track Listings

1. Like Dust

2. Cloud Watch

3. Baby Piano (You Are Sunshine Mix)

4. Drownwood

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
First Solo Release from Electronic Composer Lol Hammond Since 2001's 'all this is Bliss', Taken from the Soundtrack of the Film 'it's all Gone Pete Tong'.

Tracks:

En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor (Rodrigo)
Mattinata (Leoncavallo)
Barcarolle (Offenbach)
L'Alba Separa Della Luce I'ombra (Tosti)
Sogno d'Amore (Liszt)
La Serenata (Tosti)
L'Ultima Canzone (Tosti)
Malia (Tosti)
La Danza (Rossini)
Ideale (Tosti)
Sogno (Tosti)
Plaisir d'Amour (Martini)
Musica Proibita (S. Gastaldon)
Occhi Di Fata (Denza)
A Vuchella (Tosti)
Vorrei Morire (Tosti)
Vaghissima Sembianza (S. Donaudy)

Amazon.com

The international crossover success of tenor Andrea Bocelli has spawned any number of imitators on both sides of the Atlantic. But this collection of romantic arias and duets with violinist-conductor Lorin Maazel (who also arranges and helms the London Symphony Orchestra here) proves once again that the classical canon still offers ample room for compelling reinvention without nettlesome pop affectations. In reviving a genre (violin and vocal) largely dormant since the days of Caruso, Bocelli has taken some rewarding liberties with Rodrigo's "En Aranjuez can ta amor" and forged Liszt's familiar Liebestraume No. 3 into "Sogno D'Amore" with new, self-penned lyrics. Maazel's warm, evocative violin obligatos and sensitive, sympathetic arrangements infuse this tenor's showcase not only with unabashed romance, but as their lively romp through Tosti's "Malia" demonstrates, a sense of joyous fun. An album for romantics of all ages and persuasions--and one that gratifyingly demonstrates that crossing over is hardly the same as selling out. Enhanced CD includes a mini-documentary with comments by Bocelli and Maazel, as well as links to a more comprehensive interview with the tenor. --Jerry McCulley

Album Details

A Sensational Album featuring Truly Beautiful Songs and Arias that Evoke Feelings of Passion and Romance. The UK Special Edition of the Album Includes the Bonus Track "Non T'amo Pui" by Tosti.

Customer Reviews:

Fine idea, weak execution.......2007-04-26

Lorin Maazel, in the self-indulgent pat on the back that passes for linear notes, manages to make one good point: the tenor-violin duet was once a fine tradition worthy of exploring afresh. As an effort to revive this dusty tradition, this disc is not successful.

Maazel seems to enjoy the feel of the violin under his chin, and generally produces elegant sounds. The orchestration, which he tells us in his notes evolved amidst a hectic schedule of conducting and rehearsing Don Carlo and Don Giovanni, is basic and generally inoffensive. Good thing he tells the listener of his busy schedule, or one would have to be harsher with his sometimes dreary musical arrangements.

Andrea Bocelli is something of a controversial figure in some circles. I am a picky listener, and suffer from the maniacal ailments that afflict the opera buff. Still, I have always enjoyed Bocelli's popular recordings. I like pleasant tunes sung by a full, clear tenor voice. Having said this, I find his operatic recordings lamentable.

Though not opera per se, Bocelli sounds over-taxed by the repertory at hand (mostly lovely 19th century songs). Each track is unworthy of comparison with past performances by operatic greats-- Pavarotti, Carreras, Gigli, Di Stefano, and Schipa come to mind. Bocelli's voice is strained, and he offers nothing resembling the grace required by these three-minute masterpieces.

Those who are in love with Bocelli's voice will no doubt enjoy this recording. Still, I strongly urge exploring this repertory as it is presented by far more capable performers, and far better endowed voices.

He's magnificent.......2007-03-12

I thoroughly enjoyed this CD, especially some favorites that I haven't heard in years. I wholeheartedly recommend.

Romantic sounds!.......2007-01-12

Adrea's voice continues to enthrall me! Even if you don't understand Italian, you will enjoy this album. Highly recommended.

Simply beautiful!.......2006-07-09

I wont repeat what others with positive reviews already said. Just know that none of Bocelli's CD's have ever disappointed me, and if you are looking for as fine a piece of work as possible (thus far), THIS and "Romanza" are it.

Average Bocelli at best.......2005-01-20

I bought this Bocelli album because I truly wanted to hear him perform "Plaisir D'Amour," one of my all time favorites. While I do love Bocelli I wasn't completely impressed with the entire CD. This is not the best I've heard from Andrea and his voice is not great throughout the CD. I do enjoy it though. He's one of the few artists I can listen to these days without getting a headache.

Decca Recordings, 1965-1972 (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Stokowski in Phase 4 land, Vol. 1
Stupendous Stokowski

Decca Recordings, 1965-1972 (Limited Edition)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Original Masters: Leopold Stokowski: Decca Recordings 1964-1975 [BOX SET]
Pierre Monteux Decca & Philips Recordings, 1956-1964
Ernest Ansermet: Decca Recordings 1953-1967
CARL SCHURICHT Decca Recordings 1949-1956
Dvorak: Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9

ASIN: B0000B0A0P
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Customer Reviews:

Stokowski in Phase 4 land, Vol. 1.......2006-09-22

Decca has pulled a lot of Stokowski's gaudy Phase 4 recordings off the market so that they can reappear in this box set, but the company had already licensed many out to another label, Cala, that specializes in all things Stokowski. So if you pick and choose, you can buy your favorites recordings individually with a little effort. Of the two volumes in the Original Masters series, this one is the more interesting musically.

For one thing, it features two of the conductor's great strengths: his incomparable Bach transcriptions (no one else performs them with the same total commitment) and his Debussy and Ravel. Admittedly, this La Mer and Daphnis and Chloes have been multi-miked within an inch of their lives, and neither represents Stokowski as wonderuflly as his EMI Debussy collection, but if you love the old magician, you'll love these readings.

Aslo very appealing are the Enigma Variations, which Stokowski recorded only once, and the Franck D minor Sym., though don't expect world-class execution in either case. Stokowski championed early Messiaen in l'Ascension, and here is his last version, along with a swooning and seductive Scriabin Poeme d'Extase.

You have to adore recorded excess to swallow this Symphonie fantastique and Firebird, both gorgeous in a kind of Las Vegas neon billboard sort of way. But for geneations of listeners, that's what Stokowski is all about. What he's not about, sadly, is the wretchedly eccentric and nearly unlistenable Tchaikovsky Fifth Sym., the only performance in this whole set that made me hold my nose.

In all, thee are enough goodie here to justify buying the whole box, unless you want to pick and choose, in which case turn to Cala's excellent reissues.

Stupendous Stokowski.......2004-03-30

This five disc box set featuring the Decca Recordings (1965-72) of conductor Leopold Stokowski is among the latest batch of releases in the limited edition "Original Masters" series. While parts of this particular collection have been available on CD in the past (in the old "Phase 4" and "Weekend Classics" series), some of this material is being made available for the first time internationally. Those performances include Franck's Symphony (Hilversium RPO, 1970), Elgar's Enigma Variations (Czech PO, 1972), Ravel's "Fanfare" (Hilversium, 1970) and Messiaen's "L'Ascension" (London SO, 1970). Other highlights include an entire disc (CD1) of Stokowski's Transcriptions, and a delightful reading of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" with the New Philharmonia Orchestra from 1968. In all, another great set in the "Original Masters" series.

Philips Recordings, 1967-1974 (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Add it to your collection
Another "Original Masters" Gem

Philips Recordings, 1967-1974 (Limited Edition)

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Haydn: Complete Piano Trios
Beethoven: The Piano Trios
Les Introuvables de Pierre Fournier
Antonín Dvorák: Complete Piano Trios
Liszt: Piano Works

ASIN: B0000B0A0R
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Customer Reviews:

Add it to your collection.......2006-09-18

Uniformly great playing on recordings spanning eight years, eleven compositions, and two violinists is not an easy feat, but the BAT does it admirably here. Excellent also is the sound: analog to digital remastering sounds like an LP to my ears, and the balance of the three instruments is always even and well tempered. True, I am on more than one compostion drawn to Pressler's beautiful cantabile touch more than the other instruments, but the violin and cello are always first rate.

Nine of the pieces are 19th century, Romantic works which are paired with two from the 20th: Ives and Shostakovich. They deftly and successfully handle the disparate styles.

Thirty dollars will get you over five hours of pleasure on four discs. Highly recommended.

Another "Original Masters" Gem.......2005-05-22

Those familiar with my reviews on Amazon know of my love for Universal's "Original Masters" box set series, but at first I passed on purchasing this title. It's not that I don't enjoy the Beaux Arts Trio, for I do, and I own their recordings of the Piano Trios of Beethoven, Haydn, Dvorak, and Mozart among others. Mainly it had to the with the fact that I don't collect chamber performances the way I do concertos and symphonies, and I already had other renditions of many of the works collected here -- Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, etc. However, after stumbling upon this set at my local library, it took only one listen to know that I had to add this limited edition box to my shelves. These recordings, made between 1967 and 1974, capture Beaux Arts in their prime in glorious, crisp analog stereo sound. Many of their accounts, particularly of the Chopin, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky, are superior to the other versions I own (in this case trios featuring Ma and Argerich respectively). Also, there are several compositions I had never heard before, including trios by Smetana, Ives and Clara Schumann, which are all delightful. Overall, this is a wonderful box set and another gem in the "Original Masters" series.

Philips and Decca Recordings, 1961-1979 (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Essential Performances from a Great & Beloved Singer

Philips and Decca Recordings, 1961-1979 (Limited Edition)
Janet Baker , John Shirley-Quirk , Graham Sheen , Johann Sebastian Bach , Ludwig van Beethoven , Hector Berlioz , Giovanni Bononcini , Benjamin Britten , Giulio Caccini , and Antonio Caldara
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

The Very Best of Janet Baker
Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll)
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx
Clara Haskil: Philips Recordings, 1951-1960
The Very Best of Régine Crespin

ASIN: B0000B0A0Q
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Customer Reviews:

Essential Performances from a Great & Beloved Singer.......2004-01-09

For those of us who grew up on Janet Baker's recordings (and were lucky enough to hear her "live" as well), the sound of her voice and her singular artstic personality - British restraint coupled with fierce emotional and spiritual commitment - are indelibly imprinted in our minds and hearts. The closest current equivalent is Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, another superb artist who has charted her own course, and not surprisingly there is some overlap of repertoire, in the music of J.S. Bach, of course, but also Berlioz's Didon and Beatrice, Handel's Ariodante and Britten's Phaedra (composed for Baker).
This wonderful compilation is complementary to EMI's 2-CD "The Very Best of Janet Baker" -- no overlap of repertoire whatsoever. Unlike that set, which focused on concert repertoire (with orchestra or piano) there's a generous sampling here of Baker's operatic roles including Handel, Mozart, Purcell, Rameau, Gluck, and Britten. Also welcome is "Phaedra," one of Britten's strongest late works. And it's good to have the Berlioz: "Cleopatre" and "Herminie" complete, the big aria from "Beatrice et Benedict." (Why EMI included nothing from her recording of the last 2 scenes of "Les Troyens" is unfathomable.) The wide time-span allows us to hear Baker's voice in all its youthful, "sappy" warmth, as well as in its artistic maturity (though truth to tell she was pretty much a complete artist from the start). There are a few signs of wear in later items, nothing serious, in fact rather less than I remembered. I could have done with fewer of the "Arie Amorose" in favor of more cuts from her Gluck LP, which I believe has never been issued complete on CD, but that's just personal preference. The focus here is entirely on orchestrally accompanied works (or, in the case of the marvelous early disc of Ravel, Chausson & Delage songs, with chamber ensemble) so for Baker the supreme interpreter of English, German and French song you'll need to go elsewhere (the EMI has a fair sampling, especially of her Schubert). But everything here is indispensible.

Solti: The Wagner Opera Collection (Limited Edition) [21-CD Box Set with Bonus Unreleased CD]

Average customer rating:

One of the triumphs of recorded sound
A decent Wagner collection, for the price
Part 2: DIE MEISTERSINGER Analysis
Difficult
Part 1 of Comments

Solti: The Wagner Opera Collection (Limited Edition) [21-CD Box Set with Bonus Unreleased CD]
Manfred Jungwirth , Peter Klein , Waldemar Kmentt , Tom Krause , and Resnik, Regina
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sir Georg Solti
An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle)
Puccini - La Bohème / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov, Karajan
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde

ASIN: B00006469R
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Album Description

Track Listings:

Discs 1-3 Der Fliegender Holldnder

Discs 4-6 Tannhduser

Discs 7-9 Lohengrin

Discs 10-13 Tristan und Isolde

Discs 14-17 Die Meistersinger von N|rnberg

Discs 18-21 Parsifal

Bonus CD: The Birth of an Opera (Solti in rehearsal of Tristan und Isolde)

Customer Reviews:

One of the triumphs of recorded sound.......2007-01-09

This collection not only represents all of the glorious music of Wagner the continues to influence composers to this day; it is also one of the greatest achievements both for Maestro Solti and for recording technology that was in practice during this time period. Yes, this music is lengthy, and because of the german dialogue often difficult to follow and comprehend, but I assure you that the rewards of listening to this collection will change your life. I would also recommend seeing any of these operas live, in that they are a truly magical experience.

A decent Wagner collection, for the price.......2004-06-08

None of these is my favorite recording of each particular opera, but for the new fan of Wagner who wants an instant, and decent, collection of recordings, one could do much, much worse than this. These recordings feature the most accomplished singers and orchestras of their day, as well as the most advanced sound engineering available. That said, these recordings (The Ring in particular) suffer from an over-consciousness of their own greatness. The producers strove too hard to create perfect, definitive recordings. The result frequently is a gorgeous, but lifeless reading of the drama. Solti's languid tempi don't help, either. Bohm or Kegel (when you can find him) are far better Wagner conductors. On the positive side, the presence of French tenor Rene Kollo in several of these recordings is a particular delight. He was a singer of extraordinary taste and refinement.

A note about Tristan und Isolde: The main reason to own this recording is for the supporting cast: Tom Krause as Kurwenal, and particularly Regina Resnik as Brangaene (the best recorded Brangaene ever, by far). Fritz Uhl as Tristan is a nonentity (where's Kollo when you need him!). Nilsson of course is brilliant, but her 1966 live recording under Karl Bohm has more fire.

Part 2: DIE MEISTERSINGER Analysis.......2004-01-29

Solti's Die Meistersingers is without doubt one of the best in the catalogue. His conducting is lively and very animated, and all the singers sing very beautifully - they all have beautiful voices. As with ANY wagner opera recording, there are drawbacks. Firstly, the orchestra and singers are really recorded too closely to each other - there is a lack of space in between orchestra, singer and chorus. Secondly, the microphones were placed too close, again, to singers, chorus and orchestra. This has to do with the recording venue - Orchestra Hall in Chicago - which does not allow the singers, chorus and orchestra to be spaced out nicely. So the sound is slightly unpleasant - but you can mitigate that by turning the volume down a little. It does help. Having said that, the digital sound is very full and vivid, all the details are beautifully captured by Decca's engineers. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is absolutely gorgeous - they play beautifully and articulate clearly. Having said that, you notice that the Chicago forces lack something that the Vienna Philharmonic possesses. Call it the X-factor. The Vienna Philharmonic is an opera orchestra - they play under the name Vienna State opera orchestra at the Vienna State Opera. But in concert and in recordings, they assume the name Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Anyway, being an opera orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic certainly knows how to play opera music better than the Chicago Symphony. The Chicago forces, though technically wonderful, lack that extra X-factor in their playing. I think it has to do with injecting emotion into the playing. The end result is that although the Chicago Symphony plays beautifully, the playing is sometimes a bit bland, and you miss the kind of frisson an opera orchestra provides. Mattila sings very beautifully as Eva - she is one of the highlights of the performance. the other highlight is Ben Heppner who is wonderful in his singing and phrasing. Van Dam is excellent as Hans Sachs. All the other principals are never less than adequate although they are a bit detached.

Having said all that, this is still one of the best Die Meistersingers in the catalogue. But you have to listen to it over a long period of time before you can appreciate it properly. I only began to really enjoy the performance after spending over a year listening to it (in between other things). But that's only because I listen to tons of other music. I guess if you just concentrate on Die Meistersinger, it might take a shorter time.

There's always this talk about the K's in Die Meistersinger - Karajan, Kubelik, Kempe. Well, Kempe is in MONO, Karajan's 1951 performance is in MONO, Kubelik's recorded sound is not very nice - on the hard side. I guess Jochum and Karajan's stereo would be good alternative, but this version can hold its own against those two. Unless you are a Wagner freak (in which case, you should just buy them all), this is perfectly fine as a sole representation of Die Meistersinger in your collection.

Difficult.......2004-01-27

Wagner's non-Ring operas can be quite difficult to listen to. If you buy this set, be prepared to spend time on it. I listened to it for a very long time. For some time I was quite dissatisfied. But with time, you learn to appreciate the operas. Now I enjoy them thoroughly. Like good wine, these operas become better over time. So don't throw your set away after 1 hearing. Listen to each opera for 100 times, then you'll discover the magic.

Part 1 of Comments.......2003-07-25

LOHENGRIN ANALYSIS:

Lohengrin. My goodness, the singing here is simply gorgeous. Jessye Norman is in superb voice and her voice rings out gloriously throughout the opera. Domingo has been criticized for his German diction. But don't forget that Lohengrin is supposed to be a foreigner. Besides, his beautiful golden tone more than makes up for the unidiomatic diction. With such wonderful singing from Domingo, you just forget any shortcomings with respect to diction and related stuff. Besides, a lot of listeners do not know German (I don't) so they won't really care. Contrary to popular beliefs, Wagner loved beautiful singing. Many will be astounded to know that Bellini was one of his favorite composers. Did you know that Brunhilde's battle cry "Hoyotoho!" HAVE TRILLS WRITTEN IN THEM!!!!! YES!! Birgit Nilsson doesn't sing the trills. Almost no Brunnhilde ever attempts the trills. Only exception is Gwyneth Jones. Yes, contrary to popular belief, Wagner has some elements of Bel Canto written in them. Wagner's music has been subject to much abuse - singers singing it in a rough way. the Solti set shines out for the wonderful legato lines by Domingo, Norman, Randova et. al. It is simply a ravishing performance. No doubt one of Solti's most beautiful Wagner recording. I am not suprised that the Penguin Guide once gave this opera a rosette. Finally, instead of a tenor and a soprano with pressed shrill sound and a forced out tone, we have sensuous, beautiful, gorgeous legato lines - ravishing tone poured out minute after minute, underscored beautifully by the incomparable VPO and Solti's lively conducting - the tempi never sags but Solti never drives the music hard either.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent overview of Dietrich Fischer Dieskau with Deutsche Grammophon.......2005-11-08

"An die Musik", aptly named after the famous Schubert lied of the same title, is an excellent overview of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's recorded output for Deutsche Grammophon over the past 56 years. On the CDs, there are six Schubert lieder from Fischer-Dieskau's 21 disc set with pianist Gerald Moore, (dating from ca. 1970) and other lieder by Wolf, Richard Strauss, Brahms, and Schoeck. Also included are two chansons of Claude Debussy, and arias from Mozart's "Die Zauberflote" and "Don Giovanni", both conducted by Ferenc Fricsay; small part of Fricsay's Orff "Carmina Burana" (rec. 1949), Schubert's "Dichterliebe" cycle with pianist Jorg Demus; and the 4 Ruckert lieder with Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic. Fischer-Dieskau is amazing, with such a wide repertory, and such enthusiasm for singing such varied and different styles of music.

The bonus DVD, lasting about 28 minutes, is very interesting to watch and listen to. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and pianist Sviatoslav Richter peform 8 famous Schubert lieder in the great room of a hotel in a remote Bavarian village, in utterly charming and rather informal surroundings. The camera work is minimal, the sound, very fine but a little low level mono: filmed in 1978. Fischer-Dieskau looks alot younger here than more recent photos of him, but a little older and more classy than the photos I'm used to seeing of him, which date from the late 1960s. Fischer-Dieskau and Richter work as one, and their partnership and great working relationship is evident from measure 1. There is no doubt watching this that they had alot of fun performing for the cameras.

I am grateful DG released this set: 2 very full discs at over 70 minutes of music each, + the DVD of a telecast not seen since 1978. The sound is very good, even in the mono tracks, and if you like lieder and opera excerpts, you will be delighted. I mention this as one who's experienced Fischer-Dieskau's recordings for 25 years, and been usually delighted by them.

Schumann: Piano Trios (Special Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Schumann: Piano Trios (Special Limited Edition)

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Dvorák: Piano Trios, Opp. 65 & 90
Schubert: Piano Trio, D 898; Trio movement, D 28; Notturno, D 897
Brahms: Complete Piano Trios
Schumann: Piano Trios, Op. 88, Op. 110; Piano Quartet, Op. 47
Piano Trio in E Flat

ASIN: B0000CDVR4
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Prelude: The Best Of Charlotte Church [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD]

Average customer rating:

Classic Grace
Great CD and DVD!
too pretty too bad
This CD is SO good! A must for Charlotte Church fans!
AWESOME!!

Prelude: The Best Of Charlotte Church [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD]
Charlotte Church
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Enchantment
Charlotte Church - Enchantment (From Cardiff, Wales)
Tissues and Issues
Charlotte Church
Dream a Dream

ASIN: B00007E8OU
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

Pie Jesu from Requiem
My Lagan Love
In Trutina (from Carmina Burana)
Panis Angelicus
Amazing Grace
Just Wave Hello
La Pastorella (The Little Shepherdess)
She Moved Through The Fair
Ave Maria
Dream A Dream (w/ Billy Gilman)
The Flower Duet
Haba
The Prayer (w/ Josh Groban)
All Love Can Be
It's The Heart That Matters Most
Tantum Ergo
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Sancta Maria

Amazon.com

Need more evidence of the record industry's obsession with youth? Consider that budding Welsh diva Charlotte Church was a ripe, old 16 when this, her first greatest-hits anthology was released. Spanning her first four releases, as well as some outside collaborations and unreleased material, this 18-track collection underscores the soprano's seemingly boundless potential--as well as some potential career obstacles ahead. Her crystalline, still-maturing voice is best showcased on classically oriented works like Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu," Franck's "Panis Angelicus," and her now-ubiquitous rendering of Delibes' "Flower Duet." She also excels on folk traditionals such as "She Moved Through the Fair" and "My Langan Love." But overwrought productions like the already-dated "Dream a Dream" and "Habanera," a faux-flamenco take on Bizet, nearly get the best of her. Still, her promising duet with fellow young phenom Josh Groban on "The Prayer" and her mature, dreamy reading of A Beautiful Mind's "All Love Can Be," as well as strong performances on the previously unreleased "It's the Heart That Matters Most" and "Bridge over Troubled Waters," are ample evidence of her potential for rewarding pop crossover--if she doesn't retire by 21. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Classic Grace.......2003-01-30

Bravo! This CD, is such a great compilation of all Charl's albums. It's sort of sad though that this was a Prelude, to a different type of music.
However I think Charlotte is just so talented and she is getting better in every album I hear her. Bravo!

Great CD and DVD!.......2003-01-08

This is my first Charlotte cd and dvd. I wasn't really into this type of music but I work at a retail store and when I saw her cd fly of the shelf, I wanted to know what the fuss is all about so I bought this cd...and I'm glad I did. I also liked the dvd included. I was awed.

too pretty too bad.......2002-12-27

This album is appropriately dubbed as greatest hits. Appropriately because, judging by how much the voice has deteriorated over the last 4 years, it's unlikely that we'll see more of Charlotte Church's albums. What's needed now is a skilled vocal coach who might (!) be able to restore Church's originally pretty soubrette soprano back to the way it sounded when "A voice of an angel" was recorded. Big labels, shame on you. A talent needs to be nurtured and brought up SLOWLY, so that it could first develop into something. By shamelessly exploiting Charlotte's adorable looks and youth, Sony executives have ruined a promising career before she could even develop into a real opera singer.
Charlotte, if you're reading this, STOP singing now and look for a good teacher. Or just be content as one of richest children in the world.

This CD is SO good! A must for Charlotte Church fans!.......2002-12-20

This CD is filled with her best songs from all of her albums, including new ones. My favorite new ones are "It's The Heart That Matters Most" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." They are all really good! It is the best! Go Charlotte!

AWESOME!!.......2002-12-06

I can't get enough of this CD and DVD! It absolutely ROCKS!! This gal is so talented. A must-have selection!

Nocturama (Limited Edition) (+ Bonus DVD)

Average customer rating:

Don't nag! Just bring it on!
Requires repeated listening ...
A real disappointment!
Underdeveloped
Mediocre Nick

Nocturama (Limited Edition) (+ Bonus DVD)
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Manufacturer: Mute
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

No More Shall We Part
The Boatman's Call
Let Love In
B-Sides & Rarities
The Good Son

ASIN: B00007J4VY
Release Date: 2003-02-10

Tracks:

Wonderful Life
He Wants You
Right Out Of Your Hand
Bring It On
Dead Man In My Bed
Still In Love
There Is A Town
Rock Of Gibraltar
She Passed By My Window
Babe, I'm On Fire

Amazon.com

After 2001's tender and tormented No More Shall We Part, Nick Cave's Nocturama sounds like the work of a madman spinning desperately and beautifully out of control. Since the Birthday Party called it quits in 1983, Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds have reframed the Party's cranky and disturbing post-punk to encompass sad blues, literary nihilism, and a kind of serenity; witness Shall We Part, and 1997's The Boatman's Call. Those qualities are still present on Nocturama, most notably in the brokenhearted violin that winds through "Right Out of Your Hand" and "She Passed by My Window." But Cave's arrangements embrace a range of styles and textures. The 14-minute-plus noise explosion of "Babe, I'm on Fire" and the dark, wide-open pop of "Bring It On" are looser and rougher than anything since at least 1994's Let Love In. This makes Nocturama feel messy, unpredictable, and even a little dangerous--qualities Cave's music hasn't had in far too long. --Matthew Cooke

Album Description

Limited edition of Cave's twelfth studio album includes a bonus NTSC/Region 0 DVD featuring a 15 minute version of the 'Babe I'm On Fire' video. The CD contains 10 tracks. Slipcase. Mute. 2003.

Album Details

Strictly Limited Format Will Come with a Bonus 15 Minute Dvd (Ntsc/Rc-0) featuring the Video Clip for the Album's Closing Track, "Babe, I Am on Fire". Dvd Will Play in all Territories and on all Modern Sets.

Customer Reviews:

Don't nag! Just bring it on!.......2006-06-23

A lot of people, and apparently even Nick Cave himself, have complained a bit about the album. Too shallow in its depths, too obvious, disappointing song texts going nowhere, a particular song ("Bring it on") would be nothing more than a cheap and corny rock song, and so on.

But what is exactly wrong with a cheap and corny rock song, as long it is catchy enough to want to sing along? And "Bring it on" does just that to me.
As does the manic "Dead man in my bed". Who cares if the lines do suggest little more than a cheap B-horror flick about waking up and find... a dead man in your bed. You can see Nick Cave almost swinging out of your sereo system, boy is he ever having fun!

And then there is the surprise of the year: "Babe, I'm on fire", the 14 minute plus song that "goes all the way" and leaves you gasping for breath, only to "go even further", all the way to purgatory and back. Big fat tongue-in-cheek trashy thing. It's a spoof, it's a fake, it's hard core fun and a huge "take a run on the wild side".
The limited edition of this disc contains the video for this musical outburst and it's hilarious fun. Repetitious as hell, yeah, but you're missing the point if you don't see that it is just that what's the fun of it.

And to end with the opening song: rarely have I heard Nick Cave more melancholical, rainy, bluesy and haunting. Piano tones dripping like rain drops. "We can build our dungeons in the air / and sit and cry the blues / We can stomp across this world / with nails hammered through our shoes. / We can join that troubles chorus / who criticise and accuse / It don't mater much / We got nothing much to lose / But this wonderful life..."

Shallow? Obvious? I call it Weltschmerz turned into straight and horrifying Caveian art. And isn't that just what we want from The Man?

Requires repeated listening ..........2004-11-13

As with much of Nick Cave's work, "Nocturama" needs time to sink in. Why everyone (including myself) loves the album, "And No More Shall We Part", is because it's very accessible (perhaps his most accessible album), but it's subtle in its hooks, which is why people find it so attractive and mature.

With "Nocturama", the hooks are more obvious and is therefore interpreted as 'too conventional'. That is until the track "Babe I'm on Fire". There is an incredible amount of debate about this song. What throws people off is that it repeats themes for 14 minutes - themes being verse - chorus - verse - chorus, etc. The song almost embodies noise rock, but within a structure. I find it to contain an incredible amount of charisma and showmanship. It truely puts the Nick Cave fan to the test. If you can appreciate the unconventionality (and I'm not referring to some kind of pretentious avant-garde) and pure skill of Cave's vocal delivery, then you truely have an open mind - and a fine taste in music, in my opinion.

But while there are some great moments (I personally find "Bring It On" to be a great pop song - as pop was intended to sound at least), there are some lackluster moments as well.

I have some mixed feelings about "Dead Man in my Bed", whereas I liked the lyrics and loved the outro (the 'We've gotta get ourselves together' chant), but overall there seems to be something missing, overall I'd give it 3/5 stars. The worst track is "Right out of Your Hand", which isn't to say it's terrible, but compared to Cave's previous work, it's pretty bad.

I have mixed feelings about "Rock of Gibraltar" as well, because I sort of like it because it has a kind of simple gospel hook and rhyming scheme. But it strikes me as almost too conventional, there are no surprises except that Cave wrote such a conventional song. The song itself I'd give 3/5 stars.

The rest of the tracks would amount to "And No More Shall We Part" B-sides (as a previous reviewer mentioned), which is still pretty impressive. The songs are simpler and softer (an almost pop country sound) than the usual Cave affair both lyrically and musically - but that's just more proof that Cave is continuing to cover all the bases.

Also I must mention that the limited edition of this album is only worth it if you like "Babe I'm on Fire", because there's a music video of it - which is just pure fun. All others will be perfectly content with the regular album.

A real disappointment!.......2004-01-11

Nick Cave had some of the greatest albums of the last ten years. Then this. Wonderful Life is quite good and He Wants You is fine. However, my problems come with the "rock" songs. Bring It On is completely uninspired as is Right Out of Your Hand. My biggest qualm is with the (and I can't believe I'm saying this for any Nick Cave song) truly horrible "Babe, I'm on Fire". 17 minutes of the same verses. This is the only 17 minute song that probably took 17 minutes to write. My feeling on this CD is that someone told him to try and mix the new sound of his prior, truly wonderful recordings with his old sound. This mixture leads to a bunch of poorly written songs that seem quite forced. However, every artist has a bad album here and there. Note: The DVD video of "Babe I'm on Fire" is kind of silly and fun but the song is just so so bad.

Underdeveloped.......2003-07-26

This is Nick at his most disappointing. Lyrically and musically the album is underdeveloped--most strikingly in the tiresome, often childish lyrics (e.g. Rock of Gibraltar). The love ballads are starkly unconvincing, the rocking tracks are dull and repetitious. There is very little enjoyment to be taken from this listen, particularly in comparison with Cave's last studio release, the exquisitely crafted No More Shall We Part.

Mediocre Nick.......2003-04-13

NIck Cave has a habit of putting out a great album followed by a good but decidedly less powerful album. And he's done it again. No More Shall We Part is one of Cave's best albums. There are at least three or four songs that are classics! I'd have to say that this album has none. Not that they're bad! It's a good album. Just not up to par. In fact most of this album sounds like B-sides from the No More Shall We Part sessions. However, Nick is my very favorite musical artist and I will still buy anything he puts out, because chances are it will staisfy me more than 99% of the albums released that year.

Decca Recordings, 1950-1960 (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

The passion for the instrument!
It's About Time !!
Rewarding Ricci

Decca Recordings, 1950-1960 (Limited Edition)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Virtuoso Violin
Oistrakh, Menuhin & Rostropovich Play Bach, Brahms & Mozart (EMI Classic Archive 18)
David Oistrakh: Brahms/Sibelius/Tchaikovsky

ASIN: B0000B0A0O
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Customer Reviews:

The passion for the instrument!.......2006-11-05

After having watched Ricci six times during two long decades in Caracas, I even can evocate and still remember with meridian clarity, the powerful sound, the enraptured vibratos and vibrant staccatos to produce an expressive sound, without excess of the Romantic vision of violinists such as Menuhin, for instance. Thanks to Ricci I always preferred the Guarnerius del Gesu 1734 rather than the well know Stradivarius sound.

This album contains a very special selection that talks by itself about his overwhelming technique and voluptuous lyricism.

His approach about two of his most beloved composers, Paganini and Sarasate are simply illuminating. But the sound talks better than any other compliment. Go for this five albums set and enjoy over and over about one of the most distinguished violinists of the past Century.

It's About Time !!.......2005-03-28

I've been waiting for these Ricci productions to be transferred to CD for years and years. Why did it take so long?

Ricci, to me, is an astounding violinist who loves his instrument. Don't expect Ruggiero to play like anyone else; he is
unique among fiddle players. Ricci is, well, Ricci.

I once owned everything he recorded in the 50's and 60's; much
of it can be found here. And, make no mistake, these recordings
were mastered on state-of-the-art equipment and do not sound dated at all.

You will not find cookie-cutter performances from Ruggiero Ricci.
Here you will find a new way. The Prokofiev tracks have been
fondled by sweet hands too long; listen to Ricci. He plays
Prokofiev in a devilishly different style. And 'O !! his Tzigane by Ravel is played so hauntingly that you will get the creeps !!
Leave the lights on if you must, but it's best listened to in the dark. Your skin will crawl.

Rewarding Ricci.......2004-02-04

This five disc box set featuring the Decca Recordings (1950-60) of violinist Ruggiero Ricci is easily the best of the latest batch of releases in the limited edition "Original Masters" series. Nearly 3/4 of this collection is material that is being made available for the first time internationally. All of the first three CDs (CD1: Paganini's 24 Caprices; CD2: Paganini's 1st & 2nd VCs with Collins and Ravel's Tzigane with Ansermet; and CD3: Strauss and Weber Sonatas) and most of the fifth disc (Hindemith & Prokofiev Sonatas) fall into this category. Furthermore, all of the material on CD4 (Saraste & Saint-Saens with Gamba and Lalo's "Symphonie Espagnole" with Ansermet) was previously available on a disc in Decca's "Classic Sound" series but it has been out of print for years. In fact, the only selection currently in print from this set is Khachaturian's Violin Concerto (Fistoulari, 1956), which is available on a Double Decca title that I had fortunately yet to purchase. The only downside to this collection is the predominance of mono recordings (only the Tzigane, CD 4 and the Hindemith & Prokofiev Sonatas are in stereo), but they still sound delightful, and only the Paganini Caprices suffer the slightest hiss. In all, another great set in the "Original Masters" series.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review