Out Of The Darkness

out of the darkness

Track Listings
1. Into The Darkness...
2. Introduction
3. Blackout
4. As The Lights Go, So Too Do We
5. Misbegotten Fame
6. Tuesday Morning Drive
7. The Dream (1987)
8. The New Graffiti Artists
9. Red Planet Rising
10. Winston Churchill
11. Sing Me To Sleep
12. The Hours, They Seem An Eternity
13. Tracing Lines
14. Darkness, Deliver Me
15. Lullaby's Lost
16. Through The Night
17. ...Out Of The Darkness

Editorial Reviews
Westword, July 8, 2004
"'Out of the Darkness' is one of a kind..."

Product Description
vee device's startling first album.

Out Of The Darkness

Out Of The Darkness,Vee Device,veedee Records,Folk,Folk-infused Chamber-pop taking the world by storm. It's eclectic and that's a good thing. Listen for yourself...,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop


Out Of The Darkness
Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert,  Pinnock
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty
  • So Fashionable, and So Disappointing
  • A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal
  • Wait! Before you buy...
  • La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener
Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock
George Frideric Handel , Arleen Auger , Anne Sofie von Otter , Trevor Pinnock , The English Concert & Choir , Michael Chance , Howard Crook , and John Tomlinson
Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by HandelAll Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Pinnock, TrevorPinnock, Trevor | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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OratoriosOratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Otter, Anne Sophie vonOtter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Handel, George FridericHandel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Pinnock, TrevorPinnock, Trevor | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Otter, Anne Sophie vonOtter, Anne Sophie von | ( O ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner
  2. Beethoven: Symphony No 9 /ORR * Gardiner
  3. Belcea Quartet ~ Debussy · Dutilleux · Ravel
  4. Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" in B minor Op. 74
  5. Handel: Messiah /Nelson * Kirkby * Watkinson * Elliott * Thomas * AAM * Hogwood

ASIN: B0000057DB
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

  1. Messiah: Part One - 1. Sinfony (Grave - Allegro moderato)
  2. Messiah: Part One - 2. Accompagnato : Comfort Ye My People
  3. Messiah: Part One - 3. Air : Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
  4. Messiah: Part One - 4. Chorus : And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed
  5. Messiah: Part One - 5. Accompagnato : Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts
  6. Messiah: Part One - 6. Air : But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
  7. Messiah: Part One - 7. Chorus : And He Shall Purify
  8. Messiah: Part One - 8. Recitative : Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
  9. Messiah: Part One - 9. Air and Chorus : O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
  10. Messiah: Part One - 10. Accompagnato : For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover
  11. Messiah: Part One - 11. Air : The People That Walked In Darkness
  12. Messiah: Part One - 12. Chorus : For Unto Us A Child Is Born
  13. Messiah: Part One - 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
  14. Messiah: Part One - 14. Recitative: There Were Shepherds Abiding In The Field - Accompagnato: And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord - 15. Recitative: And The Angel Said Unto Them - 16. Accompagnato: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
  15. Messiah: Part One - 17. Chorus : Glory To God In The Highest
  16. Messiah: Part One - 18. Air : Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
  17. Messiah: Part One - 19. Recitative : Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind
  18. Messiah: Part One - 20. Air : He Shall Feed His Flock
  19. Messiah: Part One - 21. Chorus : His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light
  20. Messiah: Part Two - 22. Chorus : Behold The Lamb Of God
  21. Messiah: Part Two - Air : 23. He Was Despised

Tracks:

  1. Messiah: Part Two - 24. Chorus : Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
  2. Messiah: Part Two - 25. Chorus : And With His Stripes We Are Healed
  3. Messiah: Part Two - 26. Chorus : All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
  4. Messiah: Part Two - 27. Accompagnato : All They That See Him
  5. Messiah: Part Two - 28. Chorus : He Trusted In God
  6. Messiah: Part Two - 29. Accompagnato : Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
  7. Messiah: Part Two - 30. Arioso : Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
  8. Messiah: Part Two - 31. Accompagnato : He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land
  9. Messiah: Part Two - 32. Air : But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul
  10. Messiah: Part Two - 33. Chorus : Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
  11. Messiah: Part Two - 34. Recitative : Unto Which Of The Angels
  12. Messiah: Part Two - 35. Chorus : Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him
  13. Messiah: Part Two - 36. Air : Thou Art Gone Up On High
  14. Messiah: Part Two - 37. Chorus : The Lord Gave The Word
  15. Messiah: Part Two - 38. Air : How Beautiful Are The Feet
  16. Messiah: Part Two - 39. Chorus : Their Sound Is Gone Out
  17. Messiah: Part Two - 40. Air : Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage
  18. Messiah: Part Two - 41. Chorus : Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
  19. Messiah: Part Two - 42. Recitative : He That Dwelleth In Heaven
  20. Messiah: Part Two - 43. Air : Thou Shalt Break Them
  21. Messiah: Part Two - 44. Chorus : Hallelujah
  22. Messiah: Part Three - 45. Air : I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
  23. Messiah: Part Three - 46. Chorus : Since By Man Came Death
  24. Messiah: Part Three - 47. Recitative : Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
  25. Messiah: Part Three - 48. Air : The Trumpet Shall Sound
  26. Messiah: Part Three - 49. Recitative : Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
  27. Messiah: Part Three - 50. Duet : O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
  28. Messiah: Part Three - 51. Chorus : But Thanks Be To God
  29. Messiah: Part Three - 52. Air : If God Be For Us
  30. Messiah: Part Three - 53. Chorus : Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain --- Amen

Amazon.com essential recording

This is a terrific performance of Messiah. Not only are the soloists all superb, but Trevor Pinnock completely contradicts the image of many period instrument performances as small-scale, scrappy affairs. Indeed, he invests the choruses with as much genuine Handelian pomp as Beecham at his most extravagant. The trumpets really blaze, and the timpani thunder, and everyone simply has a great time. A joyous performance, just right for the holiday season. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Trevor Pinnock meets with mixed success in this account of the Messiah with the English Concert & Choir and soloists Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, and John Tomlinson, recorded and released in 1988. Its strengths are the strengths of the early-music movement in general. The size and distribution of the instrumental and vocal forces are optimal, which means that textures are clear and balances apt. Rhythms are nicely pointed, though often, in Pinnock's case, not quite well enough sprung. Tempos are well chosen; for example, "All we like sheep"--which turns out to be one of the set's best numbers--is a real bourré, and Pinnock animates it in just the right way. But the performance often seems workmanlike and unemotional, weighed down in too many instances by the humdrum work of the chorus. The alto section in particular, which is half male and half female, sings timidly and is constantly swallowing its entrances. Bass soloist John Tomlinson is a further drag on the effort. He has the right idea--that there's an Italian opera hiding behind all this biblical imagery--but his cottony sound is out of place, a misguided attempt to mimic Nicolai Ghiaurov. His usable range is less than a tenth (he croaks the low G's and F-sharps), and his diction is horrible. "Thus spake the Lord" is strangled, and when, in "The trumpet shall sound" Tomlinson gets to the words "we shall be changed," one can't help wishing that he had been changed too, right before the sessions started. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty.......2007-06-13

Handel's Messiah is my favorite piece of classical music. Of the two versions that I had I only have left this one, and it is not the best (the other had been a cheap recording whose author's name I forgot too). This version seems to lack a little enthusiasm from the voices; too melancholic. Anyway, this is the first review of any music that I write, and probably will be the last too, so I just want to leave my impression of how I feel when I hear these solemn and heavenly sounds. One feels so raised to the heavenlies... I can almost sense the presence of the Lord Almighty up yonder among the clouds, and me being carried in solemnity to meet Him. Far away are the buzzing sounds of earthly chores. The air is fresh and clean as we are raised above the valleys, and we come to meet God's elected amid the singing, stronger and stronger. Jubilant, bathed in the glorious rays of the Savior's Light, we come together and sing: Glory to God, glory to God, praise and glory for He is coming...

2 out of 5 stars So Fashionable, and So Disappointing.......2007-02-01

This would be a great 21st Century Reader's Digest version of Messiah, if such a thing existed any more. Handel did as much as he could, but really, the performers still have to do something besides posture, which, by the way, seems to me to characterize many performances these days. Fashionable, but musically deficient.

Specifically: John Tomlinson sings like he thinks he IS God, instead of singing about Him. Heavy, cumbersome, and overblown. May I add boorish?

Arleen Auger has a very sweet voice. And??

Despite the program notes insisting that certain segments of this Messiah are given to "the contralto", Anne Sofie von Otter is NOT a contralto. Not even close.

The male alto can barely sustain a legato line - why he insists upon throwing in those complicated, badly-performed embellishments I can't figure. Well, I can, but I'd really rather not say.

Wake up, choristers!! It's 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born," not "Oy, I have to go to the grocery store today."

Boy do I regret having spent almost $40 on this one. Thank goodness I have the Colin Davis to console me.

4 out of 5 stars A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal.......2006-12-17



This 1988 recording sits between the euqally English, euqally period-ifnluenced Hogwood and Garidner. Of the three, Hogwood sounds more 'authentic' because it uses boys in the chorus and singers schooled period practice. By comparison, Pinnock's soprano, Arleen Auger, and mozeeo, Von Otter, are essentially modern singers--gorgeous ones, of course, Gardiner is far more anemic in his conducting and uses a scrwny-sounding orchestra, so if that's more authentic, so be it. Of the three, Pinnock gives us more traditional music values in his emotional expression and instrumental timbres.

The competiiton is mushc stiffer now than in 1988, but Pinnock's reading has survived the test of time. He is not a genuinely inspired conductor--sadly, Messiah has become a cottage industry that excludes most big-name talents--but neither are Gardiner and Hogwood. (For sheer musicality, I tend to put my money on Andrew Parrott, Robert King, Marc Minkowski, Niklaus Harnoncourt, and Rene Jacobs.) But he's certainly good eough. The reason I haven't given five stars is that the male soloists aren't first-rate, and in particular the Wotan voice of John Tomlinson sounds cavernous in the bass arias. Add to that Pinnock's tendency toward tepidness, and what you end up with is a very good but not great performance.

5 out of 5 stars Wait! Before you buy..........2006-05-28

... This Messiah has recently been re-released at a much cheaper price. Go back and look for the DG "The Originals" release, which is being sold new for under $12.

5 out of 5 stars La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener.......2004-12-29

Soy uno de los mas fanaticos seguidores de Handel y de su obra El Mesias... He escuchado muchas versiones de esta genial e impresionante obra del maestro Handel y, sencillamente no me queda mas que recomendar esta interpretacion, bajo la batuta del maestro Trevor Pinnock. Se nota la exigencia con que esta version se interpreto, dentro el contexto del arte barroco y la magnificencia de la pronunciacion del ingles de la epoca. La orquesta se luce impresionantemente desde la obertura... y le da a cada movimiento, toda aquella fuerza y a la vez delicadeza requerida en el sentimiento que aplica en cada uno de los textos biblicos escogidos por el guionista Jennens. El Coro del English Concert es arrebatador y demuestra maestria en la interpretacion de cada una de las arias que le corresponde. La soprano Arleen Auger, la puedo definir como un angel cantando y resulta ser una caricia a los oidos, a la vez que es capaz de arrancarle a uno las lagrimas por lo excelso de su magia interpretativa. El tenor Crook, aunque no es un tenor con tesitura para canto barroco, es realmente habil y agil al momento de interpretar los melismas caracteristicos de este brillante periodo musical. El contratenor Michael Chance, es fenomenal y quiera Dios que yo tenga el honor de conocer a este genio del canto: "But who may abide..." interpretado por Chance en esta version, es como para caer en extasis. La contralto Anne Sophie von Otter..., tiene una voz oscura y redondeada..., tambien resulta una caricia a los oidos y su "If God be for us..." es desbordante, capaz tambien de hacerle a uno derramar lagrimas por su belleza interpretativa. El bajo Tomlinson..., es barbaro!!! (Soy bajo-baritono en el Coro de la Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica...) A pesar de su voz tan oscura, es tremendamente agil cuando le toca cantar los melismas y es genial al alcanzar la tonalidad brillante en las partes de notas altas y agudas...; por ejemplo: "The people that walked in darkness..." y "Why do the nations..." Tengo seis años de experiencia, interpretando musica coral y tengo que decir que espere esos seis años, desde 1999, para felizmente cantar esta obra "El Mesias". Ha sido fantastico finalmente lograr este objetivo..., la espera valio la pena y debo admitir que mi inspiracion ha sido sin duda alguna, la version que puede usted encontrar en este disco compacto. Doy gracias a todos los que intervinieron en esta grabacion (al maestro Trevor Pinnock, al English Concert and Choir y a los solistas ya mencionados), en nombre mio y en nombre del maestro Handel.
Out of the Darkness (Retrospective: 1994-1999)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Deliciously Dark Music
  • Great way to start your Midnight Syndicate collection!
  • Wonderful
  • This is Halloween
  • fair, but not original.
Out of the Darkness (Retrospective: 1994-1999)
Midnight Syndicate
Manufacturer: Entity Productions, Inc.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GothGoth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. The 13th Hour
  2. Vampyre : Symphonies from the Crypt
  3. Gates of Delirium
  4. Carnival Of Lost Souls
  5. Transylvania

ASIN: B000GFRA02
Release Date: 2006-07-04

Tracks:

  1. Realm of Shadows
  2. Darkness Descends
  3. Born of the Night
  4. Return of the Apparition
  5. Legions of the Dead
  6. Eye of the Storm
  7. Solemn Reflections
  8. Nightstalker
  9. Noctem Aeternus
  10. Haunted Nursery
  11. Sanctuary
  12. Into the Abyss
  13. The Night Beckons
  14. Masque of Sorrow
  15. Forbidden Crypts
  16. Theme to "The Dead Matter" ("Vampire's Kiss")
  17. Darkfolk ("Shadows")
  18. Soliloquy
  19. Beyond the Gates
  20. Eclipse
  21. Scenes from "The Dead Matter"
  22. Prisoner of Time
  23. Theme to "Journey Into Dementia"
  24. Druids

Product Description

"Out of the Darkness (Retrospective: 1994-1999)" features re-recorded, re-mastered horror music instrumental classics from Midnight Syndicate's "Midnight Syndicate," "Born of the Night," and "Realm of Shadows" CDs as well as four rare, previously unreleased tracks. Before the Haverghasts, before the haunted asylum and the Crypts of the Foresaken, there was Arcacia, a ruined village by the sea with a dark past and a sinister link to an ancient tower hidden away among the cliffs of the Northern Jarls. Containing close to 70 minutes of music, "Out of the Darkness" features both the band's and the fans' favorite songs from their first three CDs re-recorded, re-mastered, and sounding better than ever. Looking at it as an opportunity to breathe new life into the material, Midnight Syndicate attempted to maintain as much of the sound and character of the original versions while still making minor changes to the arrangements and performances to bring them closer to what they originally envisioned. The disc also features previously unreleased material including selections from two of Edward Douglas' early horror films ("The Dead Matter" and "Journey Into Dementia"). An updated take on the early signature tracks that helped launch Midnight Syndicate, "Out of the Darkness" invites listeners to return to the haunted village of Arcacia where it all began.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Deliciously Dark Music.......2007-05-18

OUT OF THE DARKNESS is a collection of tracks from three early Midnight Syndicate albums of mid to late 1990s. For those unfamiliar with the band, it is composed of Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka. Their music is a horror lover's dream; its eeriness and atmospherically creepy notes will please even the most demanding Halloween music or Gothic symphony aficionados.

Back to OUT OF THE DARKNESS. The songs (they're really instrumentals, save for one) have been re-mastered and re-recorded for this release, making them sound even better than they must have sounded originally now that they've grown musically. Some of the standout tracks include "Born of the Night" (my personal favorite), "Eye of the Storm" (the piano in these songs is haunting), "Legions of the Night", "Eclipse", and "Darkfolk".

All in all, this album has a total of 24 songs and also includes some previously unreleased tracks as well as two songs from Edward's short horror film, The Dead Matter (which will become a feature-length horror film in 2008).

This one's a winner. Everything these guys put out is simply awesome. I'm a horror writer and I always seek out good atmospheric music, such as horror film scores, when I write; Midnight Syndicate have become regulars in my player. If you don't have any of their albums yet, this is a good place to start. Then get THE 13TH HOUR, their masterpiece, in my opinion. Highly recommended!

5 out of 5 stars Great way to start your Midnight Syndicate collection!.......2007-01-19

Since I don't own any of this band's CD, I figured this one would be a great choice to become aquainted with them since it has songs from their other CDs.

If this CD is any indication of what their other music sounds like, I'M IN! I wish I'd heard of them sooner. My only problem now is trying to decide whcih CD of theirs to buy next.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful.......2007-01-16

I really enjoy this CD. I have been a fan of Midnight Syndicate for several years, and I look forward to each release. When I heard this CD was going to be a retrospective, I must admit I was a little disappointed as I was hoping for new material. I bought the CD anyway and it has exceeded my expectations.

First of all, there is new material! There are four tracks that were previously unreleased, so that satisfied my need for something I hadn't heard before. Also, there are tracks from Midnight Syndicate's first release, which was self-titled and which I hadn't heard before - so that was new to me, too!

Second, I very much enjoy listening to how the tracks have changed from when they were first released on "Born of the Night" and "Realm of Shadows". They seem to have a bit more depth - to be more finely tuned than they were before, but not changed so much that they're too different to enjoy if you liked them the first time around.

5 out of 5 stars This is Halloween.......2007-01-15

I grew up with Halloween albums filled with screeching cats, laughing witches, rattling chains and howling wind. Those were great, but if you're hosting a haunted house or are looking to set a darker mood, this is the best Halloween music out there.

Sophisticated, varied and truly dark, Midnight Syndicate has the corner on the market as far as I'm concerned. I've had people ask me what music was playing and how where they could find it. If you're a Halloween afficianado or are simply looking for a gothic sound, I can't recommend Midnight Syndicate highly enough.

2 out of 5 stars fair, but not original........2007-01-08

There are some nice things to say about this album. It was actually the 1st "gothic" CD I ever bought at hot topic and listened to it right away.

Now that I have several other pieces by different artists, I am noticing that there is something missing from this. A certain pizazz.... I like it, but don't listen to it much anymore.
Out of the Darkness, Into the Light
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • From Solo Piano Publications
Out of the Darkness, Into the Light
Michael Stribling
Manufacturer: Leela Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Songs of Hope & Healing
  2. Journey Within

ASIN: B000L22UT6
Release Date: 2007-01-01

Tracks:

  1. - Driven
  2. - Out of the Darkness, Into the Light
  3. - Northern Lights
  4. - Letting Go/Afterthought
  5. - Seven Faces of Home
  6. - Ripples of Awareness
  7. - Reflection
  8. - Longing
  9. - Water Nebula
  10. - Glory and Honor/A Glimpse Beyond

Product Description

The follow-up to the #1 debut album (Songs of Hope and Healing), "Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is a collection of 10 new age instrumental compositions that celebrates the journey from our ego-driven nature to higher levels of awareness and consciousness. There's plenty of evocative heart music here, with lush harmonies and moving melodies.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars From Solo Piano Publications.......2007-01-19

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is multi-instrumentalist Michael Stribling's follow-up to 2006's chart-topping "Songs of Hope and Healing." I haven't heard Stribling's earlier work, but I sure like this CD! Most of the ten tracks are ambient and spacious, but there are a couple of very rhythmic, uptempo pieces that make you sit up and take notice. The piano appears in several of the pieces, but this is much more of an electronic CD. Stribling's mission is "to help others in their journey toward wholeness through the gift of music, by creating works that inspire and uplift the human spirit" (from his website). Stribling calls his label "Leela Music," and "leela" means "divine play," so this music obviously comes from a rich variety of sources. Stribling has been playing the piano since he was seven, and was a percussionist for Johnny Mathis early in his career. After several years working as a studio musician, playing in musical theater, and radio announcing, Stribling went back to graduate school in 1981 and became a marriage and family therapist. After working in that field for many years, life changes brought him back to music in 2005. Lucky us!

The CD opens with "Driven," a piece whose pounding beat and intoxicating rhythm I find completely addicting. In the car, I had the volume up to the point of being almost painful and kept hitting the "repeat" button on the CD player. My piano students could probably hear me coming from several blocks away! Sure to bring a smile and more than a few head bobs! From there, we get down to more serious business. The title track takes us on a journey that begins with the feeling of dark mystery that is non-threatening, but not entirely comfortable. As the piece unfolds, it explores several themes, gradually brightening until it breaks into the light as the darker theme fades out. "Northern Lights" gives the feeling of floating in darkness that is deep, but also very peaceful and beautiful. Various sounds suggest the changing colors of the Northern Lights as they melt from one breathtaking hue to another. Gorgeous! "Letting Go/Afterthought" is much more introspective and melancholy. The middle section of the piece is solo piano, personalizing it even more. One of my favorite tracks is "Longing," which begins with a very simple but compelling rhythmic theme that suggests a plucked stringed instrument. That theme continues throughout the piece as string washes add fullness and color. Becoming more orchestrated as it evolves, the simple theme comes to the forefront from time to time. As feelings of longing are, the piece is tinged with sadness and loss, but is not without hope. Very effective! "Glory and Honor / A Glimpse Beyond" begins on a jaunty, upbeat note. More melodic than most of the works, it also has an infectious rhythm and a playful spirit that segues later to the ambient feeling of crystalline open space and of floating peacefully on air.

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is a fascinating musical journey and one that I really enjoyed. Recommended!
The Harry Partch Collection, Volume 1
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Now it's possible to get your Partch all in a row
The Harry Partch Collection, Volume 1

Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

BalletsBallets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Ballets & DancesBallets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. The Harry Partch Collection, Volume 2
  2. The Harry Partch Collection Volume 3
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  4. Genesis of a Music: An Account of a Creative Work, Its Roots and Its Fulfillments (Da Capo Paperback)
  5. Harry Partch: Enclosure 7

ASIN: B0002WZTKC
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

  1. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  2. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  3. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  4. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  5. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  6. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  7. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  8. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  9. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  10. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  11. Eleven Intrusions (1949-50)
  12. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Castor & Pollux---A Dance for the Twin Rhythms of Gemini
  13. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Castor & Pollux---A Dance for the Twin Rhythms of Gemini
  14. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Ring Around the Moon---A Dance for Here and Now
  15. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Ring Around the Moon---A Dance for Here and Now
  16. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Ring Around the Moon---A Dance for Here and Now
  17. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Ring Around the Moon---A Dance for Here and Now
  18. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Even Wild Horses---Dance Music for an Absent Drama
  19. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Even Wild Horses---Dance Music for an Absent Drama
  20. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Even Wild Horses---Dance Music for an Absent Drama
  21. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Even Wild Horses---Dance Music for an Absent Drama
  22. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Even Wild Horses---Dance Music for an Absent Drama
  23. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Even Wild Horses---Dance Music for an Absent Drama
  24. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Even Wild Horses---Dance Music for an Absent Drama
  25. Plectra and Percussion Dances-Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theatre (1952)- Even Wild Horses---Dance Music for an Absent Drama
  26. Ulysses at the Edge (1955)

Album Description

This newly remastered reissue marks a welcome return to the catalog of the first volume of the classic 4-CD collection that was formerly available on the CRI label. The works recorded on this disc span the first six years of what Harry Partch (1901-1974), slightly tongue-in-cheek, called the "third period" of his creative life. They show him moving away from the obsession with "the intrinsic music of spoken words" that had characterized his earlier output (the vocal works of 1930-33 and 1941-45) and towards an instrumental idiom, predominantly percussive in nature. This path was to take him through the "music-dance drama" King Oedipus (1951)—-the culmination of his "spoken word" manner—to the "dance satire" The Bewitched (1954-55), in which his new percussive idiom manifests itself. The three works on this disc show Partch before, during, and after this period of transition. In their quiet, forlorn way, the Eleven Intrusions are among the most compelling and beautiful of Partch's works. The individual pieces were composed at various times between August 1949 and December 1950, and only later gathered together as a cycle. Nonetheless they form a unified whole, with a nucleus of eight songs framed by two instrumental preludes and an essentially instrumental postlude. Although foreshadowed by the dance sequences of King Oedipus, the Plectra and Percussion Dances (1952) are the first of Partch's major works to be wholly instrumental in conception. They stand in relation to Oedipus as a satyr play in relation to a Greek tragedy—hence the work's subtitle, "Satyr-Play Music for Dance Theater." He felt that after the prolonged period of composition and production of Oedipus it was "almost a necessity to give vent to feelings and ideas, whims and caprices, even nonsense, that seem to have no place in tragedy." The final work on this disc is Ulysses at the Edge, written at Partch's studio at Gate 5 in July 1955. Ulysses, which Partch describes as a "minor adventure in rhythm," is unique among his mature compositions in that, in its original form, it did not call for any of his own instruments. The version recorded here, for alto and baritone saxophones, Diamond Marimba, Boo, Cloud-Chamber Bowls, and speaking voice, is considered the third version of the piece.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Now it's possible to get your Partch all in a row.......2006-02-20

Harry Partch is the quintissential mad genius of music--his image of music that was non-Eurocentric led to him devising his own tonal scale based on ancient Greek and Asian methods and then creating his own instruments. This series release of Partch music lets one organize his Partch tastes and get a real sense of his progress through time. This disc is superb for the Intrusions, ghostly little pieces that were my first introduction to this fine composer. I would also highly recommend volume 3, which has Barstow, one of my favorite Partch pieces.

Be prepared. This is classical music you have not been prepared for. If you're already a fan of Partch, aren't you glad SOMEONE is getting all his amazing stuff together in one tightly knit package?
Reach Out of the Darkness
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Hard to find item.
Reach Out of the Darkness
Friend & Lover
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Will You Be Staying After Sunday
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ASIN: B000BR6D94
Release Date: 2005-12-06

Tracks:

  1. Boston Is a Lovely Town
  2. I'm a Woman, I'm a Man
  3. Zig-Zag
  4. Saturday's Hero
  5. Room to Let (To Rowena with Love)
  6. Reach out of the Darkness
  7. Wise Man Changes His Mind
  8. Ode to a Dandelion
  9. If Love Is in Your Heart
  10. Weddin' March (I Feel Groovy)
  11. Way We Were in the Beginning

Product Description

1. Boston Is a Lovely Town
2. I’m a Woman, I’m a Man
3. Zig-Zag
4. Saturday’s Hero
5. Room to Let (to Rowena with Love)
6. Reach Out of the Darkness
7. A Wise Man Changes His Mind
8. Ode to a Dandelion
9. If Love Is in Your Heart
10. The Weddin’ March (I Feel Groovy)
11. The Way We Were in the Beginning



Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Hard to find item........2006-11-11

I was having a pretty hard time looking for several of the songs on this CD. I tried several music services and finally found it at Amazon. The CD is very good quality and plays perfect. There are only three songs on it that I care for but that is typical of CD's and me. If you are looking for the song "Reach out of the Darkness" this is the CD for you. This was the only place I could find that song.
Darkness Out of Blue
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Nice discover !
  • Scandinavian laid-back
Darkness Out of Blue
Silje Nergaard
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Nightwatch
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ASIN: B000NQDCEM
Release Date: 2007-05-14

Tracks:

  1. Paper Boats
  2. Darkness out of Blue
  3. Diner
  4. Wastelands
  5. When Judy Falls
  6. Beachcomber
  7. What Might Have Been
  8. Aren't You Cured Yet
  9. Who Goes There - Mio Faraco, Silje Nergaard
  10. Before You Called Me Yours
  11. How Are You Gonna' Deal with It
  12. Let Me Be Troubled

Album Description

2007 album from the Norwegian Jazz vocalist, the follow-up to her 2004 album Nightwatch. Silje has been through many changes in the interim including working with an entirely new band that Nergaard says challenges her to leave comfortable warm waters and dive into the deep end, expanding her musical horizons and artistry. 12 tracks including 'Paper Boats', 'Wastelands' and 'What Might Have Been'. Universal Classics.

Album Details

2007 Release that Arrived Over Three Years after It's Predecessor "Nightwatch". The Norwegian Jazz Singer Has Assuredly Been Through Many Changes in the Interim, Not the Least of These is the Presence of an Entirely New Band that Nergaard Says Challenges her to Leave Comfortable Warm Waters and Dive Into the Deep End, Expanding her Musical Horizons and Artistry. This Album Debuted at No. Three on the Charts of her Homeland.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Nice discover !.......2007-05-25

I was really pleased to discover recently in Hong Kong this norwegian singer with an excellent group of talented musicians . Silje write her own music and has the feeling to take you in this jazzy mood waters, but please don't compare her to Norah Jones , because Silje is much more talented than the annoying Norah ! I will check for her previous CD's ! Thanks for those northern feelings .

5 out of 5 stars Scandinavian laid-back.......2007-05-19

'Space', Norwegian jazz-singer Silje Nergaard tells, 'is perhaps the best asset Norway has to offer'.

Her music on 'Darkness Out of Blue' fully reflects this view. Nergaard deliberately sings in a minimalist style, leaving as much as possible to the imagination of her listeners. 'A typical approach from Northern Europe', she reveals. Nergaard's modest & laid-back ways are quite in line with her thinly populated country, where the breathtaking nature sometimes overwhelms the human factor -- coming with dark winters that last for nine months a year.

However, you cannot be more wrong than by taking Silje Nergaard's modesty for incompetence. On 'Darkness Out of Blue' her very good, versatile voice excellently harmonizes with the high-quality performance of her musicians. Producing alltogether a very well balanced jazz, influenced by folk and pop. A great CD, earmarked by Silje Nergaard's special Scandinavian approach.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Another great trip down the MFU memory lane
  • The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release
The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  4. Honey West
  5. The Saint/Secret Agent

ASIN: B0006SSQ7U
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

  1. First Season End Title
  2. Vulcan Affair (Suite No. 2)
  3. Iowa-Scuba Affair
  4. Shark Affair
  5. Deadly Games Affair (Suite No. 2)
  6. Meet Mr. Solo
  7. Giuoco Piano Affair
  8. King of Knaves Affair: Suite No. 2
  9. First Season Main Title [Revised]
  10. Deadly Decoy Affair
  11. Spy With My Face
  12. Second Season Main Title
  13. Alexander the Greater Affair
  14. Ultimate Computer Affair
  15. Very Important Zombie Affair
  16. Dippy Blonde Affair
  17. Seadly Goddess Afair
  18. Moonglow Affair

Tracks:

  1. One of Our Spies Is Missing
  2. Third Season Main Title
  3. Sort of Do-It-Youself Dreadful Affair
  4. Galatea Affair
  5. Pop Art Affair
  6. Come With Me to the Casbah Affair
  7. Off-Broadway Affair
  8. Concrete Overcoat Affair
  9. Napoleon's Tomb Affair
  10. Alternate Fourth Season Main Title
  11. Fourth Season (End Title)
  12. Test Tube Killer Affair
  13. Prince of Darkness Affair
  14. Seven Wonders of the World Affair

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Another great trip down the MFU memory lane.......2005-10-19

Volume 2 (comprised of 2 CDs) is another first rate compilation of the series' original music and not to be missed by U.N.C.L.E. fans. The liner notes are wonderful and add a lot to ones appreciation of the music.

My only problem is that THE CDs ARE COPY PROTECTED! Considerable work is needed to get the music onto your iPod, if you really want the music in your mp3 collection. This is a major hassle and a surprise, since the first set in the series was not copy protected.

5 out of 5 stars The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.
Handel - Messiah / Vyvyan · Sinclair · Vickers · Tozzi · Royal PO · Beecham
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Beecham's noisy Messiah
  • The Big Victorian Handel 'Messiah': Indulge Yourself!
  • Comfort Ye!
  • Familiarity hasn't bred much affection
  • Thanks to Jon!
Handel - Messiah / Vyvyan · Sinclair · Vickers · Tozzi · Royal PO · Beecham
George Frideric Handel , Sir Thomas Beecham , Jennifer Vyvyan , Monica Sinclair , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Jon Vickers , and Giorgio Tozzi
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  4. Messiah (Complete)
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ASIN: B000003FB8
Release Date: 1992-07-14

Tracks:

  1. Messiah: Overture - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  2. Messiah: Recit: Comfort Ye, My People (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  3. Messiah: Air: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  4. Messiah: Chorus: And The Glory Of The Lord - John McCarthy
  5. Messiah: Recit: Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
  6. Messiah: Air: But Who May Abide (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
  7. Messiah: Chorus: And He Shall Purify - John McCarthy
  8. Messiah: Recit: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
  9. Messiah: Air & Chorus: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings (Contralto) - John McCarthy
  10. Messiah: Recit: For, Behold, Darkness Shall Cover (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
  11. Messiah: Air: The People That Walked In Darkness (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
  12. Messiah: Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born - John McCarthy
  13. Messiah: Pastoral Symphony - Royal Philharmonic Chorus
  14. Messiah: Recit: There Were Shepherds Abiding (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
  15. Messiah: Recit: And The Angel Said Unto Them (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
  16. Messiah: Recit: And Suddenly There Was (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
  17. Messiah: Chorus: Glory To God In The Highest - John McCarthy
  18. Messiah: Air: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
  19. Messiah: Recit: Then Shall The Eyes (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
  20. Messiah: Air: He Shall Feed His Flock; Come Unto Him (Contralto & Soprano) - Monica Sinclair
  21. Messiah: Chorus: His Yoke Is Easy - John McCarthy

Tracks:

  1. Messiah: Chorus: Behold The Lamb Of God - John McCarthy
  2. Messiah: Air: He Was Despised (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
  3. Messiah: Chorus: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs - John McCarthy
  4. Messiah: Chorus: And With His Stripes We Are Healed - John McCarthy
  5. Messiah: Chorus: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray - John McCarthy
  6. Messiah: Recit: All They That See Him (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  7. Messiah: Chorus: He Trusted In God - John McCarthy
  8. Messiah: Recit: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  9. Messiah: Air: Behold, And See If There Be (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  10. Messiah: Recit: He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  11. Messiah: Air: But Thou Didst Not Leave (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  12. Messiah: Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads - John McCarthy
  13. Messiah: Air: How Beautiful Are The Feet (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
  14. Messiah: Chorus: Their Sound Is Gone Out Into All Lands - John McCarthy
  15. Messiah: Air: Why Do The Nations So Furious Rage (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
  16. Messiah: Chorus: Lets Us Break Their Bonds Asunder - John McCarthy
  17. Messiah: Recit: He That Dwelleth In Heaven (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  18. Messiah: Air: Thou Shalt Break Them (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  19. Messiah: Chorus: Hallelujah! - John McCarthy
  20. Messiah: Part III - Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
  21. Messiah: Chorus: Since By Man Came Death - John McCarthy
  22. Messiah: Recit: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
  23. Messiah: Air: The Trumpet Shall Sound (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
  24. Messiah: Chorus: Worthy Is The Lamb - John McCarthy

Tracks:

  1. Messiah: Recit: Unto Which Of The Angels (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
  2. Messiah: Chorus: Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him - John McCarthy
  3. Messiah: Air: Thou Art Gone Up On High (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
  4. Messiah: Chorus: The Lord Gave The Word - John McCarthy
  5. Messiah: Recit: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
  6. Messiah: Duet: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting? (Contralto & Tenor) - Monica Sinclair
  7. Messiah: Chorus: But Thanks Be To God - John McCarthy
  8. Messiah: Air: If God Be For Us (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan

Amazon.com essential recording

Sir Thomas Beecham's Messiah has become notorious among baroque purists (like this writer) for embodying the worst excesses of pre-1960 Handel performance: ponderous tempos, stentorian opera singers, huge lumbering choruses and orchestras, crashing cymbals, clanging triangles.... Well, we'll need a new straw man: this performance is WONDERFUL. Jon Vickers and Giorgio Tozzi negotiate Handel's writing surprisingly well; Jennifer Vyvyan takes to it naturally. The chorus and orchestra (yes, including trombones, tuba, triangle, and cymbals) may obscure the part-writing, but they fill the music with power, grandeur, and faith. If Mozart could re-orchestrate Messiah, why not Beecham? This may not be Handel's Messiah as such, it may even be a period piece itself--but it's magnificent. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Beecham's noisy Messiah.......2006-12-23

Here's the famous Messiah from Thomas Beecham and forces that uses crashing cymbals, enhanced timpani and brass to make it sound like a collusion between classical forces, a rock band and Canadian Brass. Listen to second CD excerpt from "Hallelujah!" for the opening cymbal crash to get an idea of what's going on.

This performance has been debated for 40 years as to whether it is musically adept, musically correct, an exemplar of the English choral tradition, or just a big old batch of fun at Handel's expense. I first owned this during a time when I also owned a recording Handel's "Royal Fireworks Music" featuring 40 woodwinds. The two made roughly an equal amount of noise.

There isn't much question this performance is completely out of step with the way Handel is performed in most venues today. Check out the wonderful Jon Vickers' highly operatic opening aria, "Comfort ye", then compare that to any leaned-out period group you've heard. You'll get another idea of the dimension of Beecham's project.

While not on the agenda of the Flat Earth Society, the only real interest in a performance like this -- especially having to endure it on three CDs when just about everyone else puts it on two -- is nostalgia or history, whichever happens to be the case for you.

My personal favorite version is in the 4-CD box of "Messiah" and "Israel In Egypt" where Andrew Parrott leads his Taverner Choir & Players and some of the best early music singers including Emma Kirkby, Emily van Evera, Margaret Cable, David Thomas, and Joseph Cornwall. HIs Messiah isn't perfect -- it uses a countertenor for a bass in one aria -- but it is more moderate than most PPP recordings and has a wonderful romantic edge to most of the score. It comes with a top notch recording of "Israel in Egypt" and still costs less than the Beehcham.

5 out of 5 stars The Big Victorian Handel 'Messiah': Indulge Yourself!.......2006-12-16

We live in an era when purity of intent and respect for composers' works is at an all time high. Not only are we blessed with superb 'authentic' performances on period instruments and with small choruses and countertenors and state of the art bel canto singers for Handel's evergreen "Messiah", there are many superlative recordings that are as polished as any one work on current recordings. Supposedly we are hearing Messiah the way Handel envisioned it. Perhaps so, but who is to say that had Handel the resources available today he wouldn't have jumped for joy at the drama of the old British Choral Societies version that Sir Thomas Beecham conducts on this anything but dusty recording from many years ago. The 'Old School' had its good points.

Beecham goes all out with an orchestration, while attributed to Sir Eugene Goosens is also probably some of Beecham's own inimitable tinkering, that adds instruments not only in numbers but also in color and depth of sound. Winds double strings, percussion includes the full battery instead of just tympani, the big cello and viola sound stand equally with the big violin sound, etc. The chorus is huge, and while this allows the big dramatic moments to be intense, the fine diction Beecham demanded remains solidly intact.

The soloists are in an operatic class of their own. Jennifer Vyvyan and Monica Sinclair were major singers when this recording was made and their singing is big and well ornamented. Jon Vickers and Giorgio Tozzi bring Verdi into the room and he is a welcome visitor to Beecham's vision of this work.

For this listener, who prefers the 'correct, authentic' performance, this recording and others even older that celebrate the BIG Messiah are a delight. And that just proves that performance standards, no matter the interpretation of the conductor, are paramount: Beecham gives a solid, convincing interpretation to the operatic Messiah. It is lush, and huge, and absolutely wonderful to hear again! Grady Harp, December 06

5 out of 5 stars Comfort Ye!.......2006-10-30

If your not familiar with "Messiah" don't let the reviews scare you - this is certainly a great choice for your first or only recording. There is a lot of feeling in the playing and singing, and i feel it is quite respectful not only of the composer, but the subject matter. It includes a booklet with all the lyrics, and an essay by Beecham himself about the piece. It is a complete recording, with a "bonus cd" of extra verses not usually performed (as explained in the essay). The audio quality is great for the time it was recorded. Its much more worthy to be listened to and contemplated than to be put on as backround music at Christmastime. The price is certainly reasonable in light of the quality of the performance.

3 out of 5 stars Familiarity hasn't bred much affection.......2005-11-02

I first became acquainted with this recording at the tender age of 12 when I received the original Soria edition as a Christmas gift. I remember being intensely disappointed at what seemed to me then as more circus than music. Time has mellowed that negative reaction and gives a more balanced assessment of Beecham's achievement - I bought the CD reissue after all. It still doesn't inspire much affection in yours truly although I can appreciate the soloists' contributions, particularly Tozzi. The lamented Vyvyan was in better voice with Boult. Here she has a rapid vibrato and a curious way of articulating the high notes. The orchestrations seem to maintain more of the clarity of the writing by concentrating on the bass and the top without clogging up the middle voices in the manner of the Victorians. There are three pieces where it just doesn't work at all to these ears: the brassy "All we like sheep," "Hallelujah" (which summons visions of Fucik's 'Entry of the Gladiators' every time I hear it), and the disintegration of the obbligato trumpet into flute noodlings in "The trumpet shall sound," in a lightweight performance that is at odds with the grandeur of the text. I'll also admit that the splashy brilliance of "For unto us a Child is born" and the surging drama of "Surely, He hath borne our griefs" are very satisfying.

In the forty some recordings I own (and the many performances I've attended) there's no best and no definitive. This is one I respect but don't care to hear very often.

3 out of 5 stars Thanks to Jon!.......2005-03-08

This recording is worth having first of all beacause of the credible singing of Jon Vickers! Yes, he really sings on the words. The "Comfort Ye" and "Every valley..." have a knew dimension after Jons reading of the score. Of course I know that in tradition we want a very much more lyrical voice to this masterpiece. But he's not alone here, and now we are already into the problem; the choir! It's just terrible, yes terrible!
I'm just ending up with "Thanks to Jon!"




Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)

    Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B00062FLI8
    Release Date: 2004-11-30
    Light out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Wonderful Tribute
    • A Nice Tribute To Ray Charles
    • Terrific tribute to Ray Charles
    • My favorite Shirley Horn
    • Rare Sensibility plus a Unique Repertoire
    Light out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)
    Shirley Horn
    Manufacturer: Polygram Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B0000046QQ
    Release Date: 1993-09-21

    Tracks:

    1. Hit The Road, Jack
    2. Just A Little Lovin'
    3. You Don't Know Me
    4. Drown In My Own Tears
    5. Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp Of Savannah)
    6. Georgia On My Mind
    7. Makin' Whoopie
    8. Green (It's Not Easy Being Green)
    9. Bye Bye Love
    10. The Sun Died
    11. How Long Has This Been Going On
    12. If You Were Mine
    13. I Got A Man
    14. Just For A Thrill
    15. Light Out Of Darkness

    Amazon.com essential recording

    Shirley Horn's tribute to Ray Charles is typically idiosyncratic yet unaffected by a need to justify the critical hype. She plays organ as well as piano while Charles Ables doubles on bass and guitar and Gary Bartz adds soulful alto-sax obliggatos. Horn's versions of "Hit the Road, Jack" and "I Got a Man" replace the gospel fire of the originals with sexy, lighthearted swing, while "Drown in My Own Tears" is more torch ballad than bluesy hymn. The album's emotional centerpiece is "Green (It's Not Easy Being Green)," a tune Brother Ray borrowed from Kermit the Frog. Amazingly, Horn finds deeper meaning in the lyric than either of them. --Rick Mitchell

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Tribute.......2003-10-04

    The song selections and the heartfelt delivery make this a wonderful tribute to Ray Charles and his gift to the world! Add Shirley Horn to the mix, and you have an outstanding musical release!

    4 out of 5 stars A Nice Tribute To Ray Charles.......2002-07-27

    This is a departure from the usual material that Shirley Horn does but it comes off well. There are more uptempo tunes than she normally does and certainly, in spirit, you have to think of Ray Charles as you listen to her renditions of the songs associated with him.

    My favorites are the ballads because, in my opinion, that is her strength and in this area, I think she has few peers. She sings the way Miles Davis used to play a ballad with his trumpet, making extremely effective use of space within the melody. As such my two favorites on this cd are "The Sun Died" and the title song.

    Especially Ray Charles or Shirley Horn fans should enjoy this one.

    5 out of 5 stars Terrific tribute to Ray Charles.......2001-10-18

    This is a wonderful tribute album to Ray Charles. Shirley Horn is just fabulous as are the other musicians. "Green" happens to be my favourite track, which is just Shirley's voice and piano and is just wonderful. But each and every track on here is great, couldn't be better. She puts such feeling and meaning into each song, and I am so glad I finally discovered her. This may be my first Shirley Horn album, but it will not be my last. The 12 page booklet has great liner notes as well as a few photos.

    5 out of 5 stars My favorite Shirley Horn.......2001-09-19

    This is worth getting if only for her "It's Not Easy Being Green," the best reading of that song I have heard by anyone. It's one thing to read the lyrics and understand the meaning, but Shirley really makes you feel it. Just deeply beautiful. And in a perfect world, it would have ruled the radio in '93 and Ken Burns would've talked about the great Shirley Horn revival in these last 10 years. Ah, well. If the record couldn't sweep the nation, at least it could be a big hit in your house.

    4 out of 5 stars Rare Sensibility plus a Unique Repertoire.......2000-07-09


    Maybe some say it is not the most representative Ray Charles. Also maybe some say it did not tingle but Ms.Horn did hit the road and made it with the personal Ray Charles material. Great renditions of "Being Green" and Gershwin's "How Long Has This Been Going On". There is also an extraordinary rendition of "The Sun Died", a French song wonderfully recorded by Mr. Charles. Impressive!

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