Average Rating:

.

Classic FM Anthems 2008

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
by: Various Artists

July 14, 2008
I have a number of classic fm albums, and this one was the first real disappointment. Less of an 'anthem fest', more of an 'oh yes, that is not a bad tune'.

For me it is the audio equivalent of a film I saw many years ago called 'good guys wear black'. The advertising poster looked great - 6 scenes of excitinbg action portrayed. When I watched the film, they were the only scenes of any interest in the entire movie.

The adverts for this album were a bit like that for me.

Average Rating:

.

Bach - Goldberg Variations (1955)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
from: Sony Classical

July 26, 2004
This is a truly iconic disc, the legendary performance that introduced an eccentric Canadian pianist to the world at large. Gould had made a sensational debut in New York with a programme that included Beethoven's Op 109 sonate, a Sweelinck fantasia and the Webern variations. Snapped up by a CBS talent scout, he requested his first release should be Bach's Goldberg Variations, a seldom performed work the Leipzig cantor wrote for an aristocratic insomniac. As the recording took place, Gould sat on his pigmy stool, swaying, groaning, humming and playing like a god. Inbetween takes he popped pills, donned his overcoat and ate arrowroot biscuits washed down with spring water as the press gathered curiously to see the spectacle. The resulting LP ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

A Classic Christmas: the Ultimate Collection of Christmas Classics and Carols

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
from: EMI Classics

November 03, 2003
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Average Rating:

.

In tempus praesens - Bach, J.S.: Violin Concertos BWV1041 & BWV1042; Gubaidulina: Violin Concerto In tempus praesens

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
by: Anne-Sophie Mutter Trondheim Soloists Anne-Sophie Mutter London Symphony Orchestra Valery Gergiev

September 22, 2008
This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.

Average Rating:

.

Handel: Messiah

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
from: Duo

May 10, 1993
In the same way that Naxos' New College Oxford recording of "Messiah" is an example of the English Cathedral tradition, this recording is a great sample of the choral society tradition. Although the recording includes some huge names from the world of classical music, I was not over-enthralled by the recording as a whole. The age of the recording (1966) is made obvious in the quality of sound, and the entire ensemble is too big to hear the words properly, and of course this is reflected in the acoustic. The presentation is acceptable, but there are few programme notes and no copy of the text. However, what this recording does have is drama and vigour in abundance.

Both the choir and orchestra sing well and accurately enough, and ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

The Complete Flanders and Swann: at the Drop of a Hat/at the Drop of Another Hat/the Bestiary of Flanders & Swann

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
by: Flanders & Swann

October 14, 1991
... of buying three CDs of two men singing comic songs.

Don't be.

Flanders and Swann's "comic songs" are different from most. They have bite, wit, character, fire and - just below the surface - sometimes profound meaning. These are no "ordinary" comic songs.

Neither is Swann's accompaniment at the piano ordinary.

These are CDs that contain true gems. Buy them.

Average Rating:

.

Katherine Jenkins - Katherine In The Park [2007]

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
by: Katherine Jenkins

November 19, 2007
The venue of course is Wales, Margam Park, and this 75 minute edition of Katherine's homecoming nicely promotes her Rejoice album which was also released in 2007.

The songs are a mix of Rejoice hits plus concert favourites, and Katherine provides plenty of audience chat, and of course those giggles, to make this a comfortably familiar and entertaining experience. Good sound, plenty of camera angles, a few extras (four extra songs recorded previously) make this an excellent KJ experience.

High points are a `Delilah' good enough to please fellow Welshman Tom Jones, a lovely duet with Juan Diego Florez of the popular `La Donna e mobile', and an emotional `Requiem for a Soldier' tribute to the war casualties of recent years. ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

One Chance

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
by: Paul Potts

July 16, 2007
Isn't it amazing what TV and a whole bucket load of hype can do.
This guy would not get a part in an amateur production of Gilbert & Sullivan!Of course it's all a question of "the kings new clothes",if we criticise him we don't have a heart/cannot hear how well he sings, or just don't appreciate talent.(Where is it?)
Well, Mr Potts sings off key(often)and when he finds the key he continues by singing flat.
Make the best of it Mr Potts because the fickle world of "popular" music will soon tire of you,and when they do they will tear you to pieces, as they discover the fabrication that has been passed off as talent.
Talent cannot be invented,as has Paul Potts,it comes naturally;and this voice is decidely unatural.

Average Rating:

.

Navarrete - Pan's Labyrinth - OST

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
by: Jaroslava Eliaasova, . Lua, City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

November 20, 2006
A magical soundtrack to a truly magical film.Like all the best scores,the main theme will be buzzing around your head long after you've switched off the cd player.Stunning!

Average Rating:

.

Strauss, R.: Four Last Songs

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical
by: Renée Fleming Münchner Philharmoniker Christian Thielemann

September 08, 2008
Many people will be surprised by the negativity of the comments by bert1761, the first and previous reviewer of this disc on Amazon.com. First, let me say that I deplore the practice of some Amazon readers who give another reviewer a negative vote simply because they do not agree with the opinion expressed. I think "bert" writes honestly, more in sorrow than in anger, and that his is a thoughtful, intelligent, sincerely held opinion that deserves careful consideration. I know what he means by the overt expressiveness of Fleming's interpretation but I do not agree that it is obtrusive or excessive. The voice is in wonderful condition and she is able to sustain the line with apparently effortless ease - except when she clearly chooses to disrupt it deliberately for ... Read More: