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Ben Heppner - Airs Français / LSO, Myung-Whun Chung

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Universal Music Group

November 13, 2001
Ben Heppner is a great tenor. Contrary to some reports, he is not a heldentenor. He is an unusually large-voiced lyric. His voice is very fine indeed. This recital contains some nice renditions of French arias. A few arias were not that great. He has the pronunciation down pat. I loved the aria from "La Juive". Heppner is perfect for the role of Eléazar. The aria benefits greatly from having the chorus present and the inclusion of the rousing and tuneful cabaletta. The "Le Cid" arias also benefitted from the chorus being present. Some high notes of his are quite unpleasant. One such high note was the high D in the "Benvenuto Cellini" aria. His voice is really not light and high-placed enough for some of the arias he sings. One ... Read More:

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Schubert: Sonata in A Minor "Arpeggione"; Schumann: Marchenbilder, Op. 113; Adagio & Allegro, Op. 70; Bruch: Kol Nidrei; Enesco: Konzertstuck

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: RCA

October 31, 1990
Yuri Bashmet's recording of the Arpegionne sonata and the Marchenbilder are excellent, as with the other pieces on this disc. Although the Arpegionne sonata is mostly heard on cello, I think the viola transcription has a distinct, touching, aura to it, particularly the slow second movement. The Marchenbilder, or Fairy Tales, is one of the few works from the Romantic Period written for viola, which is too bad, because as you can hear in this recording, the viola is very well suited to the style of this period. Yuri Bashmet's playing is impeccable, and this recording is my favorite of the Marchenbilder. The last three works on this disc are interesting as well, although they do not compel constant, repeated listenings. The Bruch Kol Nidrei on this disc ... Read More:

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Art Of Finger Dexterity

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: VAI

May 02, 2006
Yuri Bashmet's recording of the Arpegionne sonata and the Marchenbilder are excellent, as with the other pieces on this disc. Although the Arpegionne sonata is mostly heard on cello, I think the viola transcription has a distinct, touching, aura to it, particularly the slow second movement. The Marchenbilder, or Fairy Tales, is one of the few works from the Romantic Period written for viola, which is too bad, because as you can hear in this recording, the viola is very well suited to the style of this period. Yuri Bashmet's playing is impeccable, and this recording is my favorite of the Marchenbilder. The last three works on this disc are interesting as well, although they do not compel constant, repeated listenings. The Bruch Kol Nidrei on this disc ... Read More:

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Etudes/Erasmus Montanus Ovt

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Chandos

February 09, 2005
The music on this disc is among the most infectious and light-hearted I know; he's a kind of Danish Françaix. As the Gramophone review indicates, this may not be music for the adventurous, but it certainly is music for those who need a lift. Sprightly, insouciant, well-crafted, beautifully orchestrated, nicely played and recorded.

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Sons/Partitas For Solo Vln

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Universal Music Group

March 03, 1998
I have heard the Enescu, Menuhin, Heifeitz, Szerying, Grumiaux, Hahn and numerous other versions...

none reaches the level of this recording.
It is not for nothing that he was donned the "prince of the bow." Ysaye the celebrated virtuouso even refused to teach Milstein he was so extraordinary, saying,
"you can play Bach and Paganini well...what else!"

Milstein lived with these pieces. He talks of how, in his youth Bach's work was not often admired, and thus he explored his sonatas and partitas finding the artistic world they inhabit to be unique.
One can tell Milstein has lived with these pieces. Every nuance is carved to perfection, in the most spontaneous grace. The flow is mellifulous and ... Read More:

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Walter's Mixed Bag

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Atm

May 05, 2008
I have heard the Enescu, Menuhin, Heifeitz, Szerying, Grumiaux, Hahn and numerous other versions...

none reaches the level of this recording.
It is not for nothing that he was donned the "prince of the bow." Ysaye the celebrated virtuouso even refused to teach Milstein he was so extraordinary, saying,
"you can play Bach and Paganini well...what else!"

Milstein lived with these pieces. He talks of how, in his youth Bach's work was not often admired, and thus he explored his sonatas and partitas finding the artistic world they inhabit to be unique.
One can tell Milstein has lived with these pieces. Every nuance is carved to perfection, in the most spontaneous grace. The flow is mellifulous and ... Read More:

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Music For Two (Bonus Dvd)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
by: Bela / Edgar Meyer Fleck

July 31, 2008
I don't know what CD the last reviewer (June 25, 2004) listened to, but surly he got that confused with "Music for Two"!

Béla and Edgar, as always, has demonstrated their unequivocal wizardry on their instruments in this fine work. They've busted thier butts to get to where they are at now and it shows. Watch the DVD and see what they go through rehearsing the song "Cannon" during break from one of their shows and after, etc...

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Bucket List

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
by: Soundtrack

January 22, 2008
I don't know what CD the last reviewer (June 25, 2004) listened to, but surly he got that confused with "Music for Two"!

Béla and Edgar, as always, has demonstrated their unequivocal wizardry on their instruments in this fine work. They've busted thier butts to get to where they are at now and it shows. Watch the DVD and see what they go through rehearsing the song "Cannon" during break from one of their shows and after, etc...

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Very Best Of Bach

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
by: Bach

May 29, 2007
I don't know what CD the last reviewer (June 25, 2004) listened to, but surly he got that confused with "Music for Two"!

Béla and Edgar, as always, has demonstrated their unequivocal wizardry on their instruments in this fine work. They've busted thier butts to get to where they are at now and it shows. Watch the DVD and see what they go through rehearsing the song "Cannon" during break from one of their shows and after, etc...

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Mozart: Lieder

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Atm

May 05, 2008
I don't know what CD the last reviewer (June 25, 2004) listened to, but surly he got that confused with "Music for Two"!

Béla and Edgar, as always, has demonstrated their unequivocal wizardry on their instruments in this fine work. They've busted thier butts to get to where they are at now and it shows. Watch the DVD and see what they go through rehearsing the song "Cannon" during break from one of their shows and after, etc...