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Amore

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

December 04, 2006
Andrea Bocelli simply has one of the most beautiful voices in the world. Amore is a collection of fine love songs, which Bocelli sings absolutely beautifully. These tracks are really suited to his style - they just sound so rich and you can really feel the emotion in his voice. The production on this album is equally great and Amore really is one of the most beautiful albums of the year.

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Beethoven: The Piano Concertos

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

November 20, 1995
Vladimir Ashkenazy must rank as one of the greatest pianists of the modern era. His blend of flawless technique and sensitive interpretation marks him out as being uniquely placed to deliver as near to definitive performances as it is possible to get. This set of piano concerti was my introduction to his work, and I remain as impressed now as I was when I first heard them. He is ably supported by a rich and warm sound from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by the incomparable Sir Georg Solti. Ashkenazy was apparently apprehensive about approaching Beethoven and attempting to play him in the West when he emerged from the Soviet Union as a young man in the sixties; he need not have been. His command of the tonal energy and colours of the ... Read More:

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Ikon

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
by: Sixteen

April 03, 2006
It has to be said that there is little more versatile as the human voice as an instrument. This proves the point beyond measure.
Clarity, emotion and total respect for the piece are in abundance throughout the album.
Wonderful.

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Rutter - Requiem; Magnificat

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
from: Collegium

October 05, 1998
This recording of the Cambridge Singers has them recording pieces composed by their own director, John Rutter. The Magnificat is Rutter's version of a standard piece of liturgical music, an intersection of old and new. This was recorded at one of the Cambridge Singers' favourite venues, the Great Hall of University College School, London; the Requiem was recorded in 1986, and the Magnificat in 1991.

--Music--
'The Magnificat' is one of my favourite pieces of the liturgy, and one I enjoy hearing set to different kinds of music. This is a very lively and spirit-filled rendering, with magnificent vocals expressing the joy that is found in the prayer of Mary - 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour'. ... Read More:

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Classic FM Music for Driving

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
from: Classic FM.(Export

July 12, 2004

The `Classic FM Music For' series of CDs, released during 2004 to 2005, aims to provide classical music to suit a variety of moods and occasions, including music for Babies, Bath time, Christmas, Dinner Parties, Driving, Fitness, Romance, Mums, Studying and Weddings.

This collection of well chosen short pieces, intended to be played while driving, is more of a cross section of classical music's most popular hits (they will be familiar to most non-classical fans) than a good listening accompaniment for driving - musical taste will surely dictate the most suitable music for that.

Some of the albums in the series are appropriate for the occasion, but this one is simply a very good selection of classical music suitable ... Read More:

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Beethoven - Complete Piano Sonatas

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

September 28, 1998
Of course you'll find better renditions of this or that sonata played by other people. I think I'd rather have Christoph Eschenbach's recording of those staring-God-in-the-face last four sonatas #30-#32 (Beethoven - Piano Sonatas Nos 29-32), for example. But as a complete set, as an all-round summation of the Beethoven sonatas, will you find anything better than this?

I've owned this set for about a year now and hardly a day goes by when I don't listen to at least one of the 32 sonatas played by Maestro Barenboim. Another favourite activity of mine is listening to the entire 32-sonata set, one per day, for a month. Divide the month's pleasure you'll get by the price of these CDs and--I think you'll agree--this is an utterly amazing bargain. ... Read More:

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Allegri - Miserere; Lotti - Crucifixus; Palestrina - Stabat Mater Dolorosa

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
from: Coro

May 05, 2003
Allegri's Miserere is given the top billing on this disc, perhaps because of some celebrated special effects, explained in the liner notes, that it contains. The first track is devoted to a sombre and beautiful Crucifixus (from the Nicene Creed) by one Lotti, an older contemporary of Bach. Admirable and compelling, both of these, but what I bought this disc for was the two items by Palestrina, his Stabat Mater and the celestial Missa Papae Marcelli.

It is not just the quality of the early music specialists these days but the sheer profusion of them that continues to astonish me. I looked through the list of singers (18, not 16) and while I did not recognise most of the names offhand that may simply be because I did not investigate my large record ... Read More:

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Shostakovich - Jazz Suites Nos 1 and 2

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
from: Naxos

April 02, 2002
There are two sides to Shostakovich's music and most listeners tend to know only the darker side. There is wit in Shostakovich's music although usually in acidic or sardonic way. There was a time before the Stalinist purges and the Second World War when the wit really flourished and Yablonsky and the Russian State Symphony Orchestra (formerly the U.S.S.R Symphony Orchestra) give us some very fine examples of it.
The plot of "The Bolt" (evil capitalist industrialists brought low by rightous socialism) so embarassed the composer that he rarely spoke of it and never pushed for a revival after its initial run. He did realize that he wrote some very good music for it and from it he made this nearly half hour suite. The Jazz Suites are really works with jazz influences ... Read More:

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The John Rutter Collection

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

October 21, 2002
The John Rutter Collection

Quite simply pure joy. This music is an experience that will inspire you, transport you and delight you. John Rutters arrangements are special and this particular collection is one treat after another. Buy the CD and you will appreciate all that lies within. I enjoyed it so much I bought two (in case one ever got damaged). Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

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Gorecki - Symphony No.3: Sorrowful Songs

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > General
from: Nonesuch

July 06, 1992
I can't judge this from a musicians point of view, or from anything apart from that this music connects with some bit inside of me that I can't explain in technical language.

Sorrowful yes, you certainly feel that raw emotion from this album. It is also very peaceful and grounding - not great over-worked symphony that makes you wallow in your own depression. Very simple and beautiful.

All I can say is that this music connects with some inner part of me and that I love it. It's rather personal and you should take a listen to it before you buy it - but I'm sure you'll love it.