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D Amore

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: ECM

June 30, 2008

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The #1 Classical Guitar Album

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
by: Sean Kelly

November 06, 2007

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Four Seasons

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Sony Classical

September 02, 2008

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La Traviata

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
starring: Thomas Hampson, Rolando Villazon, Anna Netrebko, Helene Schneiderman, Diane Pilcher

July 04, 2006
This version of La Traviata is set on an all white stage with the male singers in black, and Anna Netrebko in red. She is her usual dazzling self, great singing and acting. The best ever version of this opera, in my opinion.

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Gustav Mahler, The Complete Symphonies / LPO, Tennstedt

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: EMI Classics

April 01, 1999
I agree with reviewers who comment that the LPO sometimes lacks the polish of other orchestras, and that Tennstedt sometimes lacks the kind of concentration that Solti can bring (for better *and* worse), but more than any other conductor Tennstedt's Mahler sounds fresher, clearer, and less emotionally contrived. Tennstedt takes a spacious view of Mahler, and his slightly slower tempos often bring a clarity that I find most welcome. It is true that in Nos. 2 and 5, the intensity could be greater, and in No. 9 the more direct view seems a bit too understated (if you're used to Bernstein, like myself). However, Nos. 3, 4, 6, and 8 are absolutely fantastic! Powerful and lyrical, these accounts reveal a depth of musical composition and emotional ... Read More:

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Angel Voices: The Concert

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
directed by: Phillip Byrd

November 27, 2007
I agree with reviewers who comment that the LPO sometimes lacks the polish of other orchestras, and that Tennstedt sometimes lacks the kind of concentration that Solti can bring (for better *and* worse), but more than any other conductor Tennstedt's Mahler sounds fresher, clearer, and less emotionally contrived. Tennstedt takes a spacious view of Mahler, and his slightly slower tempos often bring a clarity that I find most welcome. It is true that in Nos. 2 and 5, the intensity could be greater, and in No. 9 the more direct view seems a bit too understated (if you're used to Bernstein, like myself). However, Nos. 3, 4, 6, and 8 are absolutely fantastic! Powerful and lyrical, these accounts reveal a depth of musical composition and emotional ... Read More:

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Appalachian Spring/Rodeo/Billy

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Sony

April 03, 2006
These pieces are now availible on SACD, and as great as the CD is, the SACD version is breathtaking. I have owned these pieces on LP and cassette in my youth, but these works really "open up" in multichannel SACD with an extremely wide dynamic range and soundstage. Lenny was a personal friend of Copland and was a great admirer of his works. The performances here show his love and respect for these works. I have heard other conductors, but none come close to the exciting interpretations given here. Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony come a close second...but these are the definitive interps. The SACD multichannel version really out classes the CD version...but, alas, it doesn't seem to be offered on Amazon!

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Doctor Atomic

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
starring: James Maddalena, Ellen Rabineer, Gerald Finley, Eric Owens, Thomas Glenn

September 30, 2008
These pieces are now availible on SACD, and as great as the CD is, the SACD version is breathtaking. I have owned these pieces on LP and cassette in my youth, but these works really "open up" in multichannel SACD with an extremely wide dynamic range and soundstage. Lenny was a personal friend of Copland and was a great admirer of his works. The performances here show his love and respect for these works. I have heard other conductors, but none come close to the exciting interpretations given here. Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony come a close second...but these are the definitive interps. The SACD multichannel version really out classes the CD version...but, alas, it doesn't seem to be offered on Amazon!

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Cistercian Chants

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Harmonia Mundi

July 27, 1999
These pieces are now availible on SACD, and as great as the CD is, the SACD version is breathtaking. I have owned these pieces on LP and cassette in my youth, but these works really "open up" in multichannel SACD with an extremely wide dynamic range and soundstage. Lenny was a personal friend of Copland and was a great admirer of his works. The performances here show his love and respect for these works. I have heard other conductors, but none come close to the exciting interpretations given here. Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony come a close second...but these are the definitive interps. The SACD multichannel version really out classes the CD version...but, alas, it doesn't seem to be offered on Amazon!

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Lumpy Gravy

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
by: Frank Zappa

March 17, 2008
Okay, so I wish I could skip over some of the dialog, mostly because words become tiresome with repetition long before music does, but parts of the monologues and dialogues are brilliant: they alternate between evocative/elusive musings on cosmic fears and hopes and affectionate verbal snaphots of the mindless mass-American mind. The symphonic comp's and connecting pop and found-sound segments that make up 85% of LG are some the best music FZ put to vinyl. I just wish someone would issue an LG CD that makes the spoken word separate tracks, so one could choose to skip them.
I find most of the later FZ busy, musically uninspired jazz-rock fusion--with inferior, sophomoric lyrics--that can't hold a candle to the first 4 albums, Hot Rats, and parts of Uncle ... Read More: