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Officium

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: ECM New Series

September 05, 1994
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!

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Opera

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Anna Netrebko

September 10, 2007

Anna Netrebko's `Opera' album I think successfully builds some bridges to satisfy today's broad range of opera listeners.

There are a growing number of singers who are taking on opera music and including it in their repertory, often to the dismay of those dedicated followers of `real' opera who believe it should be left to those able to perform an entire on-stage theatre performance. Undeniably though there is a public desire to hear short, familiar opera arias and excerpts which provide enjoyment as stand alone pieces, and I am fully in favour of any artist, whether truly qualifying as an opera singer or not, taking on anything providing they do it well - a good singer can sing a three minute aria, an opera singer is required to ... 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

Anna Netrebko's `Opera' album I think successfully builds some bridges to satisfy today's broad range of opera listeners.

There are a growing number of singers who are taking on opera music and including it in their repertory, often to the dismay of those dedicated followers of `real' opera who believe it should be left to those able to perform an entire on-stage theatre performance. Undeniably though there is a public desire to hear short, familiar opera arias and excerpts which provide enjoyment as stand alone pieces, and I am fully in favour of any artist, whether truly qualifying as an opera singer or not, taking on anything providing they do it well - a good singer can sing a three minute aria, an opera singer is required to ... Read More:

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Carnival Of The Animals - Narrated by Johnny Morris

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Johnny Morris

October 05, 1998
I wish that I had read BNW's review before I bought this (not through Amazon). I though I would be able to skip the narration, but this is impossible because it goes on over the music. It is so bad, I didn't bother to listen to the whole CD. I am not going to give it to my 6 year old neice. I do not want to hinder her growing appreciation of music. I will not give it to a charity shop. It would be unfair to unload my dissapointment onto someone else. The disk is in the bin.

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Shine

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

November 04, 2002
Better than 'Born'. The quartet have reached new heights. The music will not appeal to everyone but it appeals to me. This album would be a good match to 'Bombay Jazz Palace' the music has the same mystical east undercurrents. Gone are the 'Hooked on Classics' mixes in are sitars and bongos.
I was quite hesitant at giving the album a full 5 Stars as I normally reserve that for Albums that have stood the test of time, but this is definitely a good one.

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Piazzolla: Tango Zero Hour

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

April 03, 2000
This as hands down one of the most astonishing recordings I have ever heard. I bought it knowing a bit about tango, and a bit about Piazzolla, but regardless of that, this is incredible music. The music itself is gorgeous - dark, beautiful, ominous, brooding and deeply passionate. The playing is beyond compare - laser precise and yet at the same time gritty and rough. This is very much a band effort, and what a band - they swing, caress and whip up thunder.

Apparently this angered the tango purists in Argentina, as did much of Piazzollas output, and I can see why - this is modern, vital music, with clear influences from jazz, classical music and even the rush of punk. I must emphasise that you do not need to know much about tango to enjoy this, and ... Read More:

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Beethoven: Favourite Piano Sonatas

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

January 18, 1994
The original recordings may be over thirty years old,but the combination of first-rate transfer to CD and Alfred Brendel's superb interpretation of Beethoven's piano sonatas,make this collection,in my opinion,the benchmark by which other recordings should be judged. The price is amazing value.For me,the Moonlight especially the challenging Presto was simply wonderful.

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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 Music
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: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: C. VPO/Kleiber

April 04, 1995
I am not musically literate, i.e i dont know a crotchet from a quaver but i know what i like, is it an exagerration to say that if we had to show one example of the greatness and potential of human culture, to say some visiting aliens, would it be reasonable to play them these recordings?

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Spamalot

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

May 16, 2005
I have just listened to the cd and it is fantastic. It doesn't matter if you are a "python" lover or not. Fantastic song writing, arrangements, great vocal performances and the production on this cd is first class. Tim Curry is as always delivering a great vocal performance, as are the rest of the cast. It is brilliant. Buy it, you wont be dissapointed!