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Land of My Fathers: the Best of Welsh Male Voice Choirs

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

May 13, 2006

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Thomas Tallis: Spem in alium

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Magnificat

March 08, 2004
This is a remarkable piece of music by any measure and should be in everyone's classical collection even if you are not normally a fan of vocal or religious music. You'll see many people lavish superlatives on this piece of music - and with absolute justification. In my view no superlative would be over-the-top.

For my part, I could say that it is sublime, superb, even peerless. But actually, I think it is other-worldly. It is quite simply staggering, for several reasons...
1) The ambition of Spem in alium is audacious. Composed circa 1570, written for 40 voices arranged in 8 independent choirs of 5 voices, each voice having a separate part, but all adhering to an overarching sense of cohesion. It is amazingly complex, mesmerisingly ... Read More:

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Songs my country taught me

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Agnes Baltsa Athens Experimental Orchestra Stavros Xarhakos Kostas Papadopoulos

June 09, 2008
This is a remarkable piece of music by any measure and should be in everyone's classical collection even if you are not normally a fan of vocal or religious music. You'll see many people lavish superlatives on this piece of music - and with absolute justification. In my view no superlative would be over-the-top.

For my part, I could say that it is sublime, superb, even peerless. But actually, I think it is other-worldly. It is quite simply staggering, for several reasons...
1) The ambition of Spem in alium is audacious. Composed circa 1570, written for 40 voices arranged in 8 independent choirs of 5 voices, each voice having a separate part, but all adhering to an overarching sense of cohesion. It is amazingly complex, mesmerisingly ... Read More:

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Gorecki - Symphony No.3: Sorrowful Songs

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

July 06, 1992
I can't judge this from a musicians point of view, or from anything apart from that this music connects with some bit inside of me that I can't explain in technical language.

Sorrowful yes, you certainly feel that raw emotion from this album. It is also very peaceful and grounding - not great over-worked symphony that makes you wallow in your own depression. Very simple and beautiful.

All I can say is that this music connects with some inner part of me and that I love it. It's rather personal and you should take a listen to it before you buy it - but I'm sure you'll love it.

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The Ultimate Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Pavarotti

September 06, 2007

This 2007 single CD release is a compilation of opera's best known arias performed by one of our generations most popular and successful tenors.

None of the recordings are particularly new, ranging from the 1973 version of 'Nessun Dorma' (long before the Three Tenors era) to slightly newer releases like the 1989 'Live like Horses' duet with Elton John.

In between these two are all the favourites like Verdi's 'Brindisi' and 'La Donna e Mobile', and of course Lara's 'Granada'.

Whether this is, or if in fact any 1 CD of just one hour of music could be, the ultimate Pavarotti collection I'm not certain, for there are several other such titled releases available (most notable being Decca's 2 disc compilation which guests stars Cecilia ... Read More:

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Bizet: Carmen

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Teresa Berganza Plácido Domingo Claudio Abbado

March 07, 2005
I have the highlights of this on casette and cannot find a more satisfying version of "Carmen".

It was exceptionally well cast. Domingo (Don Jose) and Milnes (Escamillo)are both fabulously in full voice and Ileana Cotrubas the most moving Micaela I have ever heard. The greatest applause though must go to Teresa Berganza who really sings the title role to perfection with hot-blooded Spanish passion but also a confidence which commands our respect and sympathy, retaining musicality in every last note.

I really do hope that Deutsche Gramaphon will re-release this because it well deserves another opportunity.

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Bach - Goldberg Variations (1981)

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

July 26, 2004
Gould's Humming is the most annoying thing. I will never listen to this CD again, although Gould is clearly a master of the instrument.

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Puccini: La Bohème

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Victoria De Los Angeles

March 11, 2002
Away with revisionist deviationism, say I. For most of my life Beecham's has been regarded as the Boheme to end all Bohemes, and I maintain resolutely that it still is that, for all the advances in recording techniques since 1956. The digital remastering dates from as recently as 2002, but Beecham used to obtain very good technical quality of sound for his day, and for the usual reason that he demanded it and there was no use in arguing. I also offer the following consideration as regards sound-quality - when it is a matter of large forces, say a symphony orchestra let alone the battalions necessary for grand opera, the nature of the sound that can be offered to us in our sitting-rooms simply cannot resemble other than distantly their real sound in the concert hall or opera house. The ... Read More:

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Classic FM Music for Driving

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Classic FM.(Export

July 12, 2004

The `Classic FM Music For' series of CDs, released during 2004 to 2005, aims to provide classical music to suit a variety of moods and occasions, including music for Babies, Bath time, Christmas, Dinner Parties, Driving, Fitness, Romance, Mums, Studying and Weddings.

This collection of well chosen short pieces, intended to be played while driving, is more of a cross section of classical music's most popular hits (they will be familiar to most non-classical fans) than a good listening accompaniment for driving - musical taste will surely dictate the most suitable music for that.

Some of the albums in the series are appropriate for the occasion, but this one is simply a very good selection of classical music suitable for listening to any time.

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Mozart for Meditation

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

February 10, 1997
I really enjoyed this CD and I did find the music relaxing. However as someone who meditates regularly I do not think that it is music that would be used to meditate to. One can sit and relax to this CD but if you want to meditate this CD, in places, can be quite stirring and would not lend itself to an actual meditation practice.