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Cecilia and Bryn at Glyndebourne - Arias and Duets / Opus Arte, Bryn Terfel, Cecilia Bartoli

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
starring: Cecilia Bartoli, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bryn Terfel, Myung-Whun Chung, Joakim Svenheden
directed by: Brian Large

August 19, 2008
I'd first seen this performance on CBC TV(Canada) in 2001 and immediately knew I was watching something special.

On this DVD one gets to see and hear not only two great virtuosos in what must be their absolute singing prime, but also two incredible actors who obvious absolutely love what they are doing: And if that wasn't enough you get to listen to a magnificent orchestra who has a conductor (Myung-Whun Chung)with impeccable timing. Also the camera work and film editing is wonderfully done (Brian Large): just the right facial expression, just the right cut to the next camera for the most appropriate view: just the right angle to see the cello player come in on a certain note to accompanying the vocalist.

I would like ... Read More:

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Violin Concerto

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Nam

May 01, 2000
This is the perfect CD for people who are curious about Glass but don't want to spend $20 on a CD they may wind up hating. For $6.99 this is a killer deal. Bear in mind that many of the people who have given this CD a poor review are already familiar with Glass' work. We'll assume that the reader is not. These pieces are interesting,beautifully played,and do provide an excellent introduction to Glass' work.If you've always wondered whether or not Glass is your thing, or even if you've never heard of the guy, how can you go wrong for $7? I say slap down your money and give him a chance. I've played this as often as I've played any of his symphonies and soundtracks.Go for it!

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Kiri Te Kanawa: A Celebration Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
starring: Kiri Te Kanawa, Dennis O'Neill, Andre Previn, Stephen Barlow, Waihirere Maori Group

August 14, 2007
This is the perfect CD for people who are curious about Glass but don't want to spend $20 on a CD they may wind up hating. For $6.99 this is a killer deal. Bear in mind that many of the people who have given this CD a poor review are already familiar with Glass' work. We'll assume that the reader is not. These pieces are interesting,beautifully played,and do provide an excellent introduction to Glass' work.If you've always wondered whether or not Glass is your thing, or even if you've never heard of the guy, how can you go wrong for $7? I say slap down your money and give him a chance. I've played this as often as I've played any of his symphonies and soundtracks.Go for it!

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V1 Keyboard Ctos

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Sony

April 03, 2006
This is the perfect CD for people who are curious about Glass but don't want to spend $20 on a CD they may wind up hating. For $6.99 this is a killer deal. Bear in mind that many of the people who have given this CD a poor review are already familiar with Glass' work. We'll assume that the reader is not. These pieces are interesting,beautifully played,and do provide an excellent introduction to Glass' work.If you've always wondered whether or not Glass is your thing, or even if you've never heard of the guy, how can you go wrong for $7? I say slap down your money and give him a chance. I've played this as often as I've played any of his symphonies and soundtracks.Go for it!

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Symphony No. 2; Pour Une Fete

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Ncl

April 29, 2008
This is the perfect CD for people who are curious about Glass but don't want to spend $20 on a CD they may wind up hating. For $6.99 this is a killer deal. Bear in mind that many of the people who have given this CD a poor review are already familiar with Glass' work. We'll assume that the reader is not. These pieces are interesting,beautifully played,and do provide an excellent introduction to Glass' work.If you've always wondered whether or not Glass is your thing, or even if you've never heard of the guy, how can you go wrong for $7? I say slap down your money and give him a chance. I've played this as often as I've played any of his symphonies and soundtracks.Go for it!

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Glass Box: a Nonesuch Retro

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
by: Philip Glass

September 30, 2008
This is the perfect CD for people who are curious about Glass but don't want to spend $20 on a CD they may wind up hating. For $6.99 this is a killer deal. Bear in mind that many of the people who have given this CD a poor review are already familiar with Glass' work. We'll assume that the reader is not. These pieces are interesting,beautifully played,and do provide an excellent introduction to Glass' work.If you've always wondered whether or not Glass is your thing, or even if you've never heard of the guy, how can you go wrong for $7? I say slap down your money and give him a chance. I've played this as often as I've played any of his symphonies and soundtracks.Go for it!

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Catholic Classics, vol. V: Simple Gift of Praise

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: GIA

January 01, 2000
Very beautiful and inspiring rendition of some favorite Catholic classics. The most beautiful: "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" which fades in the middle into a chant-like revery-inducing song only to flourish again with new-found faith at the end. Second most beautiful: "Holy God, We Prise They Name," which builds in three voices towards the end, one added for each person of the Blessed Trinity. Also noteworthy: "For the Beauty of the Earth," with its mix of Latin and English transitions and blending of Gregorian chant in between verses. Good rendition of "Ave Maria" and "Simple Gifts." A lot of steel-string guitar played strong and true, but not overwhelming the beautiful voice of ... Read More:

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Beethoven, Ludwig Van

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
starring: Daniel Barenboim, The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, Rene Pape, Itzhak Perlman

January 21, 2003
Three of the top American musicians met together to make music. I'm most attracted to Barenboim. Not so much because Arrau had ears for him (along with Argerich whom he also said was inconsistent) among the younger generation. I have heard/seen his Mozart Concertos where he was just short of the spontaneity of his mastercalss teacher Edwin Fischer. I've also seen/heard his Debussy-- Les Preludes, not much poetry I'm afraid despite a colossal technique and a very balanced and luminous piano sound. Nevertheless, I like his Beethoven Cello Sonatas with DuPre (CDs only). I like his Triple Concerto here. I like his Choral Fantasy even more which was just brilliant.

I'm not sure this is the right repertoire or right partners for Mr Perlman. There ... Read More:

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Joy Of Christmas (Rm)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
from: Sony

September 30, 1997
This beautiful suite of carols is perhaps one of the greatest Christmas albums of all time, if not THE greatest. The orchestrations and choral dynamics are nearly flawless, characteristic of Bernstein's meticulous attention to every detail of a performance. My only criticism is the rather plodding tempo of the Hallelujah Chorus, which just drags along much too slowly. But all of the other tracks are gems. For many Bernstein fans like me, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

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Verdi, Giuseppe: Otello

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical > Classical
starring: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, Richard Croft, James Morris

March 23, 2004
From all of Domingo's recorded live performances of Otello, this 1996 opening night from the Met is the one that I like the most. It is amazing to hear and see, more than 21 years after his debut in this role, such a well preserved voice, such a complete actor, and such a fantastic rendition of the most difficult tenor role from Verdi's opera. There are no transpositions, and there is only one brief moment at the end of Act 2, where his voice suddenly sounds tired, but this is the only such moment from the entire duration of the magnificent rendition of the score. Fleming, in one of her first Desdemona, sings very beautifully, and with a lot of passion, her opulent voice admirably suited to the role. Morris is trying to cope with notes lying to high for his ... Read More: