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Anderson, L - Orchestral Works, Vol 1

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: David McCallum, John Blackshaw, Derek Hannigan, Jenny McLaren, Neville Graham

December 31, 2007
To those of us of a certain age, the music of Leroy Anderson represents the ne plus ultra of American light symphonic music. From the mid-1930s on Anderson was encouraged and his music was played frequently by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. It wasn't long before his music was being played by practically every ensemble in the country. One of his pieces, 'Blue Tango', even topped the popular hit parade for almost four months in the early 1950s. This CD is said to be the first in a series that will present all of Anderson's extant works, and it contains not only such familiar pieces as 'Fiddle-Faddle', 'Bugler's Holiday', 'Belle of the Ball', 'Blue Tango', and 'The Classical Jukebox' but others that are almost completely unknown, including ... Read More:

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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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The Only Guitar Album You'll Ever Need

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: RCA Victor

October 06, 2003
Those at "The Only Album You'll Ever Need" studios have really succeeded in putting together an excellent arrangement of 34 masterpieces for the classical guitar in "The Only Guitar Album You'll Ever Need."

It is true that classical guitar playing attracts only a limited range of people, but even if you only mildly enjoy or are the slightest bit interested in hearing works by famous guitar composers such as Rodrigo, Villa-Lobos or even Bach, then "The Only Guitar Album You'll Ever Need" won't fail to please you.

I was content to see that the majority of the most famous guitar pieces were included here; including 'Concierto de Aranjeuz' (if only the second movement) and 'Cavatina' (this ... Read More:

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La Fille Mal Gardée, [2005]

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
starring: Carlos Acosta (Colas), Marianela Nuñez (Lise), William Tuckett (Simone), Jonathan Howells (Alain)
directed by: Frederick Ashton (Choreographer);Anthony Twiner (Conductor)

June 02, 2008
One of the all time great performances of 'La Fille' - thankfully captured on film for us all to savour forever.
A perfect partnership for this ballet where both dancers share perfect chemistry. Carlos Acosta already an international ballet star is in perfect form - his sense of timing and comedy blends well with the complex Aston style. The beautiful, cheeky and sunny Marinella Nunez shines gloriously as Lise - a role she was born to play. Make no mistake, Argentine born Nunez is one of the finest dancers of her generation. Covent Garden and the british ballet world has already fallen head over heals in love with this lovely lady - apart from her obvious elegance and talent she also possesses the likeability factor - her genuine warmth makes ... Read More:

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Divenire (Special Edition, BONUS DISC: 3 Brand New Remixes)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Ludovico Einaudi

November 05, 2007
I picked this up after I was transfixed by the track Otremare which was used in the film This Is England. I'd read that most of the music by Einaudi sounds similar, yet each track is unique. I couldn't agree more. This is hughly addictive stuff. Mostly piano with the occasional string instrument thrown in, this makes for a great listen while pottering about or just winding down. I don't listen to a great deal of music like this generally so I can't really compare it to anything else or even claim to understand why I like it. But I do really like it.

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Serenade

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

November 06, 2006
I will admit that when I first saw the track listing for this CD, I felt disappointed. "Come on!" I thought, "Katherine should be more original than this! Practically every soprano records 'O Mio Babbino Caro' at one point or another, and here are two common songs from the classical crossover genre, 'Nella Fantasia' and 'The Prayer'. Should I even invest in something that will only be a re-hash of things I have already heard many times?" In the end however, I decided that even with the unimaginative song selections, I would buy this CD.

I am very glad I did! There are so many gems here that I now consider this Katherine's best album. Surprisingly, "Nella Fantasia" instantly became a favorite of mine. Her rich, warm tones really brought this ... Read More:

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Treasure

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Hayley Westenra

February 26, 2007
Treasure is Hayley's third international outing, whilst her fifth album over all. So what has changed since her first release in NZ 'Hayley Westenra' and her fifth album 'Treasure'? Not that much really. Of course, her voice has grown immensely. Only natural for a girl back then who was thirteen, and the woman now who is at the end of her teens.

Her first album contained covers, mostly of musical numbers, traditional songs, pop covers and a few classical numbers. Her first international album (her third album) contained traditional songs, pop covers, a few classical numbers and the odd original song. Her fifth album had traditional songs, classical numbers and the odd original song. The growth based on material is pretty much non-existent. ... Read More:

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Nigel Kennedy - A Very Nice Album

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

June 16, 2008
Treasure is Hayley's third international outing, whilst her fifth album over all. So what has changed since her first release in NZ 'Hayley Westenra' and her fifth album 'Treasure'? Not that much really. Of course, her voice has grown immensely. Only natural for a girl back then who was thirteen, and the woman now who is at the end of her teens.

Her first album contained covers, mostly of musical numbers, traditional songs, pop covers and a few classical numbers. Her first international album (her third album) contained traditional songs, pop covers, a few classical numbers and the odd original song. Her fifth album had traditional songs, classical numbers and the odd original song. The growth based on material is pretty much non-existent. ... Read More:

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Puccini: Turandot

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

February 07, 1985
Read all the other reviews for soloist analysis etc. What I wish to add is do not be put off by the age of this recording. This was recorded by Decca in their glory days.The dynamic range, frequency range, soundstaging, capture of the hall sound, can (and does) put many a modern recording to shame. The breathing sounds and creaking stage boards only cement the performance. If you want to know how good your system is, can you hear the tube trains passing underneath and the birds outside.

For many including myself this is and will always be a definitive/landmark recording/performance.