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Great Inventors and Their Inventions: Archimedes, Gutenberg, Franklin, Nobel, Bell, Marconi, The Wright Brothers, Edison (Junior Classics)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
by: David Angus

October 02, 2006
This audio CD book, alongside with other Naxos educational CDs for children, is absolutely fantastic. It contains loads of information, so adults interest is guaranteed as well as children's fascination. It's a must for curious little minds. Presented in an easy listening format, it educates and enterntains at the same time. Boring car journeys became a highly enjoyable and educational experiences in our family since Naxos CDs were purchased. Being non-fiction, they can be listened to over and over again, offering a chance for the child to remember and/or understand more details each time.

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Beethoven: The Piano Concertos

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Universal Classics

November 20, 1995
Vladimir Ashkenazy must rank as one of the greatest pianists of the modern era. His blend of flawless technique and sensitive interpretation marks him out as being uniquely placed to deliver as near to definitive performances as it is possible to get. This set of piano concerti was my introduction to his work, and I remain as impressed now as I was when I first heard them. He is ably supported by a rich and warm sound from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by the incomparable Sir Georg Solti. Ashkenazy was apparently apprehensive about approaching Beethoven and attempting to play him in the West when he emerged from the Soviet Union as a young man in the sixties; he need not have been. His command of the tonal energy and colours of the ... Read More:

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Vaughan Williams: (2CD) Lark Ascending, Tallis Fantasia, Greensleeves, Variations on Dives and Lazarus

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Double Decca

April 12, 1999
Everything you would want as in introduction to Vaughan Williams is here and it sounds fabulous. Whilst not my favourite recording of "The Lark Ascending", its still a treat and more than compensated for by the magnificent recordings of the "English Folk Suite" and "Oboe Concerto".
Disc 2 is just a sheer delight from start to finish. Every track is sublime and you couldnt ask for a better selection of Vaughan Williams on 2 discs. The only comparison I can draw is the "Abba Gold" collection. Thats how good Vaughan Williams and this cd is. Just buy it and enjoy England's finest composer. It makes my day better whenever I put it on.

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Debussy - Clair de lune

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Naxos

March 29, 2004
Everything you would want as in introduction to Vaughan Williams is here and it sounds fabulous. Whilst not my favourite recording of "The Lark Ascending", its still a treat and more than compensated for by the magnificent recordings of the "English Folk Suite" and "Oboe Concerto".
Disc 2 is just a sheer delight from start to finish. Every track is sublime and you couldnt ask for a better selection of Vaughan Williams on 2 discs. The only comparison I can draw is the "Abba Gold" collection. Thats how good Vaughan Williams and this cd is. Just buy it and enjoy England's finest composer. It makes my day better whenever I put it on.

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Virtuoso Works for Violin and Piano

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Antonio Bazzini Chloe Hanslip Caspar Frantz

September 01, 2008
Great virtuoso playing from Chloe Hanslip. And her first collection, I think, involving forces smaller than a symphony orchestra - much smaller!

I'm not qualified to give a technical review, but as a concert-goer over many years, one recognises a truly unique artiste and really outstanding playing. Amazing that you can buy such playing for so little!

At this price, buy it and judge for yourself! You'll end up wanting all of Chloe's recordings....

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Elgar - Enigma Variations; Cello Concerto

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Unknown Label

July 03, 1995

Of all Elgar recordings by Du Pre, this live recording is no doubt the most deeply moving one. The slow movement is probably the slowest interpretation, yet it never loses tension as she gives everything to express the heart-breakingly poignant Elgarian longing. Despite the almost fierce outpouring of emotion, this performance never gives an impression of vulgar sentimentalism, as the sheer depth of music making transcends everything else!

Barenboim's account of Enigma is equally great recording. No over-emotionality here, yet full of grace, magical moments and noble beauty presented in Wagnerian grandeur. The famous Nimrod is played most beautifully.

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Bach: Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Theta

September 17, 2001

Of all Elgar recordings by Du Pre, this live recording is no doubt the most deeply moving one. The slow movement is probably the slowest interpretation, yet it never loses tension as she gives everything to express the heart-breakingly poignant Elgarian longing. Despite the almost fierce outpouring of emotion, this performance never gives an impression of vulgar sentimentalism, as the sheer depth of music making transcends everything else!

Barenboim's account of Enigma is equally great recording. No over-emotionality here, yet full of grace, magical moments and noble beauty presented in Wagnerian grandeur. The famous Nimrod is played most beautifully.

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David Oistrakh - Complete EMI Recordings

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
by: David Oistrakh

August 04, 2008
What a wonderful collection - truly a definitive archive of one of the century's greatest artists. Oistrakh's combination of power and serenity, with that individual unmistakeable sound make this a must-have for anyone who enjoys listening to the violin. Even more so if you play - to hear just what the instrument is capable of. In particular, the accounts of the Beethoven and Brahms concertos are the finest I have ever heard. Recordings can be cold - you have to play a bit safe - but these recordings have all the magic of a live performance.
I had a number of these recordings on LP - if anything, the sound is better on these CDs and for the huge number of recordings - what a bargain.

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Karl Jenkins & Adiemus: The Essential Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
by: Karl Jenkins & Adiemus

March 20, 2006
I have been picking up pieces of Jenkins' pieces for a while now but i must say that for anyone new to his work or just interested in hearing some really great music then this album hits the spot. A good collection of many highlights. I recommend it as a great general listening piece and thoroughly worth buying just for adiemus alone! Super!

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Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Instrumental
from: Venture

May 15, 1995
Having your name extended through qualifications and growing a moustache Dali himself would be proud of does not grant you default access to the soul. High brow nothingness disguised as profound music easily sways sheep. Drop the education, open your heart, and wake up.