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Vaughan Williams: Choral Works

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: British Composers

August 23, 1993
Neither work is particularly well known, even among enthusiasts for Vaughan Williams music. Don't let that put you off. Both are original and gripping works and Sancta Civitas is an extraordinary piece unlike any other work I know. It is the work in which the composer found the unique colours and dissonance that would lead to works like Job and the Fourth Symphony and is, perhaps, even finer than those great works. It is certainly original. The only previous recording that came anywhere near to doing the work justice was that conducted by Sir David Willcocks. This new account is in the same class and has the benefit of a superb modern recording that the earlier record cannot match. I genuinely believe that Sancta Civitas is one of Vaughan Williams' ... Read More:

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Classical 2008

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

October 15, 2007

This 2CD release is a great collection of classical music which bears no real relevance to the 2008 in the title other than being released almost (!) in 2008.

The only common factor between all the tracks is that they are all, without exception, performed by top artists, making the album both highly recommended and, considering the numerous different performers who are included, guaranteed to please most listeners.

The album doesn't make any 'Best of', 'Ultimate' or 'The Only One You'll ever Need' claims because quite simply anyone who likes it will probably want more, the obvious choice of course is the inevitable 'Classical 2009' release next year.

It should be noted that not all the recordings are from 2007, ... Read More:

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Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations

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

March 11, 2002
This version of The Planets has replaced my recent LSO version.
Why? Well, the balance between the contributing elements is the best i've heard so far: The bass is thunderous analogue and the high woodwind/strings are like crystal in equal measure. This is a superb achievement and exceptionally important for, 'large orchestra' where Dynamics become a recording engineer's delight or problem depending on how good they are. And these people are the best: Abbey road have done a fantastic job on the remastering of a late 70's classic, although there is one thing they could never tackle: Is this as Holst intended?

Bolt was a friend of Holst and was given the opportunity to first conduct the piece; Bolt read and heard the original 'two piano' score ... Read More:

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Les Miserables

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


This version of The Planets has replaced my recent LSO version.
Why? Well, the balance between the contributing elements is the best i've heard so far: The bass is thunderous analogue and the high woodwind/strings are like crystal in equal measure. This is a superb achievement and exceptionally important for, 'large orchestra' where Dynamics become a recording engineer's delight or problem depending on how good they are. And these people are the best: Abbey road have done a fantastic job on the remastering of a late 70's classic, although there is one thing they could never tackle: Is this as Holst intended?

Bolt was a friend of Holst and was given the opportunity to first conduct the piece; Bolt read and heard the original 'two piano' score ... Read More:

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Over the Hills and Far Away: The Music of Sharpe [SOUNDTRACK]

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

April 29, 1996
Before watching Sharpe I had never heard of John Tams, and quite frankly my music collection was the poorer for it! This album is a fantastic mix of score from the shows and traditional folk songs of the period performed by Tams and his mate Barry Coope with an amazing guest performance from the wonderful Kate Rusby. A must have for all fans of John Tams, Kate Rusby, Sharpe and great British folk music!

Nar x

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Meet Joe Black: Original Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

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

March 20, 1999
I bought this cd because Amazon offered it as a double deal for under a tenner! I loved the last song - Somewhere over the Rainbow and thought why not treat yourself to it, it costs nothing! Anyway,it is such a beautiful collection and I totally love it. Very relaxing to listen to but in no way boring, it lulls you, then teases you, then absorbs you - superb. I think it allows you to have a glass of wine and ponder or as I just did peel the potatoes and ponder!!! There's more than one gem on this cd - it is a collection of gems. Treat yourself!

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Rejoice

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

November 19, 2007
I'm surprised by the number of reviewers who criticise Katherine because she has not performed in opera and then compare her unfavourably with leading opera singers. Nowhere on this CD (or any of her CDs and DVDs) is she described as an opera singer and her recordings do not claim to be opera. Her recordings do include some arias from opera (though not here) and these are sung very well, but she also includes Welsh songs,(again sadly none on this disc), hyms, songs from musicals and other works. This variety increases that buyers might not like every track. I bought this CD because it contains 'Samcta Maria' set to the music of the Intermezzo from Mascagmi's Cacalleria Rusticana' 'Be Still My Soul' the hymn set to the main theme from Finlandia by Sibelius and 'Somewhere' from ... Read More:

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Pure

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Hayley Westenra Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Ian Dean

November 15, 2004

The original `Pure' album was released in 2003, and despite there now being a confusing number of variations of it (special edition, import, bonus tracks & bonus discs) there are basically two editions - the original single disc and this 2CD Special Edition which adds a bonus disc to the original one.

The songs are a mixture of classical, popular and traditional, with some highly original and unexpected choices such as `River of Dreams' which is a transcription of Vivaldi's lovely violin solo 'largo' from `The Four Seasons', and a powerful recording of `Benedictus' from the Karl Jenkins' album `The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace'.

The New Zealand traditionals, predictably chosen because of Hayley's origin from that country, are the beautiful love ... Read More:

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Wanted

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Original Soundtrack

June 24, 2008

The original `Pure' album was released in 2003, and despite there now being a confusing number of variations of it (special edition, import, bonus tracks & bonus discs) there are basically two editions - the original single disc and this 2CD Special Edition which adds a bonus disc to the original one.

The songs are a mixture of classical, popular and traditional, with some highly original and unexpected choices such as `River of Dreams' which is a transcription of Vivaldi's lovely violin solo 'largo' from `The Four Seasons', and a powerful recording of `Benedictus' from the Karl Jenkins' album `The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace'.

The New Zealand traditionals, predictably chosen because of Hayley's origin from that country, are the beautiful love ... Read More:

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Into Paradise

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: All Angels

November 26, 2007

Into Paradise, released in November 2007, is the second of the five album deal which All Angels signed with Universal Classics and Jazz in 2006.

Good follow-up albums often prove more difficult to produce than the debut, particularly as the self titled album 'All Angels' released in 2006 was such a commercial success in a market dominated by the likes of G4, IL Divo and Blake.

This album is another varied collection of classical and contemporary music, to which the four girls apply their lovely vocal harmony skills to provide a combination of calming and uplifting moods.

Most of the classics are well known favourites (which I think is essential to keep a young fan base satisfied), and the popular songs like Paul Simon's `Sound of Silence' ... Read More: