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Handel: Parnasso in Festa

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

September 29, 2008

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Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Ibrahim Ferrer

May 24, 1999
From the first track 'Bruca Manigua' (which you will replay over and over) to the last. This album is simply Unbelievable. I only discovered Buena Vista with the free Movie cd with my Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago and Ibrahim Ferrer is just an undiscovered Legend in my books. Well, up till the last few years of his life. GET THIS!!!

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Beethoven for Babies: Brain Training for Little Ones

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


the music is a mellow compilation of beethovens work, and when the baby doesn't sleep it helps the mother.

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Myaskovsky - Complete Symphonies and Orchestral Works

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Warner Classics Svetlanov Edition

May 26, 2008
In 30 years of listening I had only heard just four of Miaskovsky's 27 symphonies. To explore them all has been a wonderful voyage of discovery. They are far more various and original than the usual critical summaries would suggest, with the 'middle period' works from the late 20s and early 30s as 'modern' as anything that, say, Copland, Honegger or Walton were writing at that time. And then the later works have a marvellous autumnal glow, suffused with melancholy.

Svetlanov's performances present each work with great vigour and character. The recording quality is a bit congested, but has been mastered to give reasonable consistency for performances that must have been spread over 15 years or more of studio sessions. And of ... Read More:

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Mahler - Symphony No. 7 (LSO/Gergiev)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: London Symphony Orchestra

July 28, 2008
In 30 years of listening I had only heard just four of Miaskovsky's 27 symphonies. To explore them all has been a wonderful voyage of discovery. They are far more various and original than the usual critical summaries would suggest, with the 'middle period' works from the late 20s and early 30s as 'modern' as anything that, say, Copland, Honegger or Walton were writing at that time. And then the later works have a marvellous autumnal glow, suffused with melancholy.

Svetlanov's performances present each work with great vigour and character. The recording quality is a bit congested, but has been mastered to give reasonable consistency for performances that must have been spread over 15 years or more of studio sessions. And of ... Read More:

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Goodall: Choral Works

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

June 09, 2008
I have to admit I'd never heard of Howard Goodall before searching on Amazon. I'm a fan of choral music, and for a long time I've had "find Mr. Bean music" on my to-do list.
I was surprised to learn it was by a contemporary composer, and ordered the CD.

It's quite a revelation; each piece is thoughtful, deep, and quietly masterful. I love choral, but I prefer Renaissance to contemporary. In just 24 hours, however, this recording has changed all that; a beautiful collection of pieces - I'd put this album right at the top of my favourites list.

So far my favourite is 'Palm 23' - I've never actually watched 'The Vicar of Dibley', so I don't to have to disassociate the music from a TV show. It's sublime, sheer comfort; a real indulgence, ... Read More:

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Angel Voices

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

November 06, 2006
I never buy albums but Libera have made me want to buy all of theirs! Their voices are angelic! after i heard them for the first time, i never found a choral group who could sing as well as Libera! This is truly one of Libera's best albums! I recommend these songs:
-Sanctus
-Ave Maria
-Salva Me
-Voca Me
...especially 'Voca Me' and 'Salva Me'. There aren't any downsides to their music...unless you hate classical music...

Beth
14
UK

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Handel - Coronation Anthems

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Cambridge. Choir of Kings College

October 01, 2001
Benchmark recording of both the anthems and the Ode which is a delicious treat. Even though the Hyperion cd of the Ode is good this is far better. You need no other version of these works. This is it.

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Bryn Terfel - Don Giovanni - Mozart [2000] (NTSC)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
starring: Bryn Terfel, Solveig Kringelborn, Paul Groves, Hei-Kyung Hong, John Relyea
directed by: Gary Halvorson

March 14, 2005
This is one of the best versions of Mozart's masterpiece presently available in DVD. Its greatest attraction is obviously the presence of Renée Fleming and Bryn Terfel. Ms Fleming's interpretation of Donna Anna is truly exceptional: the candor and purity of her voice make a perfect expression of the pain and suffering of that noble woman who's father has been killed by the man who tried to rape her. Bryn Terfel is undoubtely a great singer, but he is not a credible Don Giovanni. His voice lacks that touch of evil that makes of the Don the seductor that everybody admires and fears at the same time, specially when he seduces Zerlina and sings below Donna Elvira's balcony. Mr. Terfel's physical appearance is the other factor that prevents us from believing that he can make ... Read More:

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Battlestar Galactica: Season Three

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Bear Mccreary


As soundtracks go, this has to be one of my favourites, and I would go as far to say that it is up among the ranks of Hans Zimmer and co. What makes this soundtrack so wonderful is the variety of music genres incorporated within the album. From celtic bagpipes to eastern flutes with beautiful vocals.

Some soundtracks lose their emotive power when played without the support of the film/program to which they were made, however the BSG album manages to provide the same emotive and adrenalin sensations you feel when watching it.

Overall the tracks are beautifully composed, each one drawing you in until the very end, and the variety of styles within the album are enough to keep you interested all the way through the album.