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Blood Brothers: 1995 London Cast [SOUNDTRACK]

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: First Night Records

October 09, 1995
I strongly urge anyone who hasn't seen or heard Blood brothers to do so; even if you don't usually like musicals you can't fail to be entertained and moved by this one. It has to be one of the best. A great story, well observed, fabulous songs, good character development and a really moving experience. Although this was a great production and cast, unfortunately I found the sound quality really let the recording down. It is echoey and hollow as if it had been recorded in a bathroom and 'Tell me it's not true' the most moving song lacks the roundness and big build up of the original soundtrack. Stick to the original recording.

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Wagner - Mastersingers

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Richard Wagner

June 30, 2008
The previous review sums it all up. The conducting, playing and singing is sublime. The recording/ remastering quality for a radio broadcast is brilliant.

I played all 4 cds in one sitting the day I bought it.

The only slight negative is the singing in an english translation it does take a bit getting use to (the composer probably would turn in his grave)

If you want to have only one recording of this great masterwork it is well worth considering

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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 ... Read More:

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Harmonia Mundi 50 Years : 50 Milestones of Western Music Boxset (COMPLETE AND UNCUT)

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

October 29, 2007
This collection is a box of delights. From the spine-tingling antiquities of Byzantine chant to the modern edginess of Shostakovich, Janácek and Bartók, by way of the familiar and the less well-known, the set does nothing less than present the listener with a compelling and beautiful journey through more than seven centuries of Western music. Other reviewers have picked out individual highlights, so suffice to say here that performances and recordings are of a consistently high standard, while special mention must be made of the presentation box, complete with CD of libretti and words, and a stunning book interweaving notes on the music with the story of Harmonia Mundi. Buy it!

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Vivaldi: Four Seasons & Concertos RV257, 376 & 211

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

June 18, 2002
Most people reading reviews of this disc are probably more interested in The Four Seasons than anything else. As the most frequently played work in the 'classical' repertoire, it has become something of a cliché. How can any new recording offer something different? Well, Carmignola and the Venice Baroque make every effort to do so and this CD fizzes with energy. The storm in the allegro of 'Summer' really does have some clout. Carmignola's playing of the big four is virtuosic and impassioned, while the orchestra contributes massively (theirs is no mere accompaniment).The VBO always offer a multi-layered sound, recorded here in incredible detail.

But my interest lies primarily in the three world-premiere recordings also offered here. It might be imagined ... Read More:

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Best Worship Songs... Ever Vol.1

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

March 29, 2004
This album remains one of the best, Anything but dull, real joy in worship with many favourites. I love this style of music and it does justice to the wonder of God's mighty works.
Great when you have friends round or just listening in the car or at home.
Wonderfully inspirational tracks.

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Tales from the Greek Legends (Junior Classics)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Edward Ferrie

March 21, 1995
At once i loved this Talkingbook It was a brilliant find and i really loved it

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Vaughan Williams: The Collectors Edition

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

April 28, 2008
This set of recordings represents good value and an excellent way of obtaining many of Vaughan Williams' works. In my opinion it is let down by several things. Although the set comes in a handsome box, the cds within are in flimsy paper sleeves which soon become damaged with use. The information in the booklet is minimal and at times confusing and there is no biographical note about the composer. There are some pieces that are repeated - albeit in slightly different versions and some glaring omissions. My main critiscism is that the quality of some of the recordings, particularly the choral works, is poor, sometimes so much so as to render them unlistenable. If they had an historic interest that would be forgiveable, but that is not the case. They are digital remasters in many ... Read More:

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The Only Opera Album You'll Ever Need

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

March 31, 2001
The tracks on this cd are excellent and well worth the money. I get worried about the packaging of this sort of disc though because it reminds me of Tesco's attempt to sell wine to the masses by renaming a mediocre chablis as 'Good with meat' or whatever. If this was called 'Fine Opera' or 'An Opera Sampler' then I'd be a lot happier but the dumb approach of 'The Only Opera Album You'll Ever Need' makes me cringe. Once again though: the music is very good and the performances are excellent on the whole.

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Baby Einstein: Baby Mozart

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: The Baby Einstein Music Box Orchestra

February 06, 2006
The tracks on this cd are excellent and well worth the money. I get worried about the packaging of this sort of disc though because it reminds me of Tesco's attempt to sell wine to the masses by renaming a mediocre chablis as 'Good with meat' or whatever. If this was called 'Fine Opera' or 'An Opera Sampler' then I'd be a lot happier but the dumb approach of 'The Only Opera Album You'll Ever Need' makes me cringe. Once again though: the music is very good and the performances are excellent on the whole.