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Hickox Conducts Vaughan Williams

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

June 05, 2000
This double CD album, a mixture of Vaughan Williams's most popular and rarely-heard music, is a cherishable collection indeed for the excellent performances contained in it, the constant delight the music affords, and the fact that both discs are full to the brim with an embarrassment of riches.

Richard Hickox is a most gifted interpreter of RVW, and these performances see him - and the Northern Sinfonia - at their peak. The soloists in the concerti are also heard at their best - Bradley Creswick in the Concerto Accademico, and Roger Winfield in the Oboe Concerto.

The first disc has a most attractive mixture, much of it comparative rarities, starting with the orchestral version of the Serenade to Music, and includes ... Read More:

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Brahms: The 4 Symphonies

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

April 14, 2003
Karajan recorded the four Brahms symphonies three times for DG and for me the earliest (1963 or thereabouts) is the best by a fair margin, and although not perfect, the sound quality is better - more natural and open. There's more life, spontanaity and drama in the 60s cycle, which by comparison his later efforts sound somewhat mannered. Like much of Karajan's output, his earlier years with the BPO give better performances. Later repeats (say 1970 onwards) are generally marred by a BPO which had been over-refined by Karajan's influence in the way it sounded - plush and too 'well-rounded' - a good anology would be a typical German big car; smooth and comfortable but ultimately bland and boring. The approach might suit Richard Strauss but not Brahms ... Read More:

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Romanza

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
by: Andrea Bocelli

May 13, 2002
Romanza" was my first Andrea Boticelli album and still remains my favorite. I think this is the tenor's most definitive collection, showcasing his sweet, rich sound, powerfully held long notes, and exquisite sense of cadence. Supposedly, this was the CD geared to "bridge the gap" between pop and opera. Boticelli certainly exhibits a diverse style with this top-notch selection of romantic songs.

When I originally bought "Romanza," back in the 20th century, I did so because of Botecelli's interpretation of "Con te Partiro," (Time To Say Goodbye"), which is still an exceptional song after all these years. It is dedicated to German World Light-Heavyweight boxing champion, Henry Maske and was performed at his farewell contest. Botecelli begins the ... Read More:

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Una Mattina

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

September 06, 2004
Absolutely beautiful! I was first interested by Einaudi's work after hearing Dietro Casa in the concluding scenes of This Is England. Waited a couple of minutes and the credits revealed the artist and song. I haven't stopped listening to his work since. I am gutted to realise that he has recently been to the Royal Albert Hall, and that i missed it. Here's hoping for a hasty return to England...

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Eden Roc/I Giorni/Le Onde/Stanze: 4cd Collection

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

February 14, 2005
Each of the cds has a different theme but they are all very relaxing, evocative, moving pieces of music, mostly piano. Just imagine yourself lying back in a candlelit room (perhaps with a glass of wine in your hand)and let the music wash over you and let your mind wander. This selection is a wonderful addition to any music collection.

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Monteverdi: Vespers 1610 · Venetian Vesper Music 1642 /Tavener Consort, Choir & Players · Parrott

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
by: Taverner Consort, Andrew Parrott

January 24, 2000
I was very disappointed to find that Virgin/Veritas have not included the very full and interesting 68 page booklet, containing the libretto, essays and notes, which came with the original EMI publication.

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The Best of the Three Tenors

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
from: Decca

June 23, 2003
I am not really a classical music buff, but with my father in law being one its an obvious choice for presents. knowing that he likes the 3 tenors is a big help seeing as i do not really know much at all about classical music apart form the odd few bits world cup and films. I bought this disc for his birthday not really relishing the thought of hearing it, however I was pleasently supprised indeed. This was very easy on the ears indeed and shock horror on the whole i enjoyed cd there was the odd one i was not that overly keen on not to sure which one it was called i think it was track 4 Sous le ciel de Paris. By comparrison you'll never walk alone i thought was very enjoyable along with nessumdora the world cup anthum from a few years back now. Untill listening to this ... Read More:

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Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
from: EMI

September 16, 1996
This recording of the Young person's guide to the orchestra takes you right into the concert hall, the excitment, invigoration and sheer power of the recording leaves you breathless.

The transition of music from live performance onto disc is not an easy one and only a handful of recordings achieve it - but this is one of them

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The Very Best of Chopin

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
from: Naxos

October 03, 2005

This Naxos double CD is effectively a reworking of the original single CD release `The Best of Chopin', expanded to include more of the composer's music then attractively packaged with new artwork and a card slip-case cover showing an amusing caricature of the composer.

As with any `Best Of' compilation much of the composers work will inevitably be omitted - Chopin incidentally wrote around 219 works so the 24 pieces on these CDs represent only a small proportion of his lifetime works. There are however over 2 hours of music here to be enjoyed and it's a good cross-section of Chopin's music.

The sleeve notes are helpful for those wanting a little more than these highlights, for they provide recommended further listening (all Naxos label ... Read More:

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Holst: The Planets (LSO Davis)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
by: London Symphony Orchestra

May 06, 2003
Every time you listen to this CD you will be amazed at the quality of it. Excellent playing from the orchestra under the experienced direction of Davis- he makes the music shine; flexible and powerful playing from the LSO. The recording is surely demonstration quality; you cannot listen to the start of "Mars" - or any other section of the set -and not be amazed by the clarity of the sound.
For the price, this is an excellent set; it remains one of the best even compared to rivals that cost much more.