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Nigel Kennedy - A Very Nice Album

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Nigel Kennedy

June 16, 2008

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Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Dame Edna Everage

September 29, 1997
I'm 37 years old and this is on my iPod. I love it.

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Voices of the Valley

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: The Fron Male Voice Choir

November 20, 2006
I was disappointed with this CD. It felt all very studio-managed. Yes, the songs are nicely sung; but there seemed to be no great emotion or force to the singing. I also I agree with one of the other reviewers that the accompaniment was too pronounced. For a male voice choir you want some power and energy. This might have set the hairs rising on the back of a small dog, but not me. Maybe in the 21st century it has to be sufficiently bland to appeal to a wide audience in different countries.

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Anderson - Orchestral Works, Vol 3

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

June 02, 2008
I was disappointed with this CD. It felt all very studio-managed. Yes, the songs are nicely sung; but there seemed to be no great emotion or force to the singing. I also I agree with one of the other reviewers that the accompaniment was too pronounced. For a male voice choir you want some power and energy. This might have set the hairs rising on the back of a small dog, but not me. Maybe in the 21st century it has to be sufficiently bland to appeal to a wide audience in different countries.

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Hannibal

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

March 11, 2002
There are few occasions these days where music will take your emotions to the depths of despair and up to the highest cloud and back before the album is finished. Mostly this happens in film soundtracks and Hannibal is easily one of the finest. There is humour, sadness, heart-pounding atmosphere and some pieces that will make your heart sing and sent your soul alight as the finest music does, and should.
The highlight of the album is Vide cor Meum by Patrick Cassidy - the album is worth buying for this alone. When I first watched the film I became determined to discover which great opera that piece was from, not realising that it was written specially for the film. Rarely will you find a piece of music that makes you want to simply sit back, ... Read More:

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Vaughan Williams - Complete Symphonies

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

September 20, 2004
and I like the box too: I can always pick it out among the other VW sets ;-)
A wonderful evocative 3rd, a tense war study. Not very pastoral, nor bucolic or lyrical: I do not agree much with Vernon Handley's interpretation. Rather it is the past remembered, resigned melancholy that something is not quite right, yet with self-discovery and steely determination that is discussed and evolved by the soloists. Never forget that a war demands and makes a different mindset we do not understand. I find Rued Langgaard's deeply disturbing 4th Symphony, "Leaf Fall" 1916, to be in good company here.
Haitink's take on things generally differs just a bit from the English conductors, but I think "In the Fen Country" in particular justifies buying the set. ... Read More:

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Crystal Tears - John Dowland and his contemporaries (Andreas Scholl/Concerto di Viole))

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Harmonia Mundi

May 26, 2008
Delightful, exquisite. Some echo, but otherwise lovely sound. It took me a while to accept the countertenor sound as anything other than a good party trick. But I now love the sound as much as the output from any decent tenor, baritone, saoprano or mezzo.

There's been some criticism that Scholl might be overstylised for this material - but that is just Scholl's wonderful technique. If you want a more informal style, then try Sting's take on Dowland. Personally - I like both.

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One Chance

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Paul Potts

July 16, 2007
Isn't it amazing what TV and a whole bucket load of hype can do.
This guy would not get a part in an amateur production of Gilbert & Sullivan!Of course it's all a question of "the kings new clothes",if we criticise him we don't have a heart/cannot hear how well he sings, or just don't appreciate talent.(Where is it?)
Well, Mr Potts sings off key(often)and when he finds the key he continues by singing flat.
Make the best of it Mr Potts because the fickle world of "popular" music will soon tire of you,and when they do they will tear you to pieces, as they discover the fabrication that has been passed off as talent.
Talent cannot be invented,as has Paul Potts,it comes naturally;and this voice is decidely unatural.

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The Best of Arvo Pärt

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

May 03, 2004
This is a music from the another dimension. Absolute clearity of the mind. A fragile balance you are looking... A touch of something beautiful that's uncomparable bigger than you.

Simple, but in very different way.

Must have!

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Lorraine at Emmanuel - Celebrating the lives of Craig Smith and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson

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

June 16, 2008
as with her bach (ASIN: B0000AOVTI) and handel (ASIN: B00022LZW8) recitals, the late (and very much lamented) lorraine hunt lieberson reaches heights in interpretation here that go beyond singing, one can really speak of identification. captured in live recordings of items she has not recorded elsewhere (two bach arias and most of the role of dejanira from handels hercules), this is singing that not only moves the heart but captures the soul of the music. perfectly partnered by the orchestra of emmanuel music (where she started off as a viola player!), it is an experience profoundly moving. one can only hope that there will be more live recordings to emerge in the coming years, as sadly mrs hunt lieberson passed away two years ago and this cd only shows us once again what a wealth of ... Read More: