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The John Rutter Christmas Album

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

November 04, 2002
I thought this CD had got lost in our recent house move and was delighted when it turned up in one the last boxes to be opened. I immediately rushed to listen again even though it is early March and am once again entranced by the warmth and beauty of the music and the singing. You really can play this CD anytime in the year and that is what I am doing now! If you buy it you will not be disappointed!

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The Essential Philip Glass

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

October 07, 2002
If you have never listened to minimalist music this should be your point of departure. I have played this CD to the unsuspecting, as background music, and in the process won over the even the most ardent sceptics.

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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 ... Read More:

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Bernstein: West Side Story

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

August 10, 1998
This recording is simply superb. What some of the reviews seem to forget is that this is a recording of the *music*, not the musical. And in this sense, to my mind at least, the performers' accents are irrelevant. What matters is the fact that this recording brings together a group of some of the most talented singers of the time, and boy does it show.

The luscious soprano voice of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is, as always, simply superb, as is the rich tenor sound of José Carreras; these are complemented nicely by Troyanos' mezzo and Ollmann's baritone voices. The orchestra, featuring Miles Davis on trumpet, is similarly exceptional - their prowess and cohesion is demonstrated particularly in tracks such as "Jump".

Finding faults with this recording ... Read More:

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Les Miserables

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


shonberg and boubile really outdone there selves on this one. les miserable has been my favourite musical since the age of 7 (now 17) this fabulous CD has made a My collection complete...The opening song to the finale...be sure be amazed...in this you will find humour from the theanidares...pasion from the love struck cosette, marius and eponine. you will find Gut wrenching kindness and compasion from the star of the show Jean Val Jean...and what is a show with out a villan...Officer Javert is the piest de resistance!!! Listen out for On my own, Master of the house, stars, empty chairs at empty table

Your musical life has not yet begun until this show has been listened to!!!!!!!

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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 ... Read More:

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A Song in my Heart

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Bryn Terfel

October 01, 2007
I heard 'Shenandoah' on Classic fm recently and couldn't get it out of my head. I just HAD to have it for myself. Do listen to the clip on the listing above and melt away to the beauty of sound that this man produces.

This is like a box of Bendicks Finest Chocolate Selection: a wide range of tastes is catered for yet the quality is universally sublime. It's more in the tradition of leider than opera but there are a few cracking arias, some hymns and an amazing bonus of 12 year old Bryn wowing them at the National Eisteddfod.

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Favourite Welsh Choirs

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

July 03, 2000
The quality of the accompanyments and the production quality are outstanding. This is undoubtedly the best Welsh Male Voice choir recording in my collection.

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New Dawn

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

March 03, 2008
I am a new fan of Libera and am certainly not dissapointed. I heard them on a chat show on TV and immediately ordered the CD. I have had to wait a while for it - almost two months - but wow! was the wait worth it. The Solos are second to none, these boys have awesome voices. I will order some of the earlier CD's and am finding othert reviews very helpful in this. I would love to hear them sing The Wind Beneath My Wings. Ever hopeful.
JOYMARNew Dawn

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Katherine Jenkins / Premiere

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

April 05, 2004
The singing is very poor. Her voice is weak. Please try Renee Fleming or Anne Sofie Von Otter. They wipe the floor with Katherine vocally. I brought this CD to see what all the hype was and I can only assume it is because she is very pretty.Shame we cant say that about her voice