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Jenkins: The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
from: Virgin

September 10, 2001
I would guess that the Amazon reviewer Warwick Thompson is under 25.
Anyway, he writes as if he is, judging by his use of the English language
("think Goldfinger", eeeeeeeeh!).
He also believes that L'Homme Armee is 16th century. Oh dear.
I find the reviews of the actual buyers much more to the point, wheher positive or negative.
Pity that the text of the Amazon reviewer is displayed at the top.
OK?

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L. Van Beethoven - Mass In C Opus 86

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
from: Universal Classics

May 20, 1996
This quite gorgeous setting of the mass has always dwelt most unfairly in the shadow of the mighty "Missa Solemnis".Of course,the latter is a most glorious thing to exist upon the Earth at all,and when it is spectacularly confined on record,by someone like John Eliot Gardiner,then it's not surprising that many other settings of the ordinary are cast into the shadows,by it's sky-scraping,monumental edifice.However,the Mass in C is,by no stretch of the imagination,a dry run for that miraculous force of nature,and should be taken upon it's own terms as a fully-formed masterpiece in it's own right.Similar in scale and feel to Haydn's wonderful "late" masses (you MUST hear these if you like music at all),it is a deeply felt ... Read More:

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Ludford - Missa Benedicta; Antiennes Votives

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
by: Choir of New College Oxford

March 31, 2008
This quite gorgeous setting of the mass has always dwelt most unfairly in the shadow of the mighty "Missa Solemnis".Of course,the latter is a most glorious thing to exist upon the Earth at all,and when it is spectacularly confined on record,by someone like John Eliot Gardiner,then it's not surprising that many other settings of the ordinary are cast into the shadows,by it's sky-scraping,monumental edifice.However,the Mass in C is,by no stretch of the imagination,a dry run for that miraculous force of nature,and should be taken upon it's own terms as a fully-formed masterpiece in it's own right.Similar in scale and feel to Haydn's wonderful "late" masses (you MUST hear these if you like music at all),it is a deeply felt ... Read More:

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Beethoven - Missa Solemnis

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
from: EMI Classics

February 05, 2001
I have to admit I was not that acquainted with Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis". But I was acquainted with Klemperers Beethoven, so I was looking forward to seeing how the maestro would attempt this monumental choral piece! Well! I was not disappointed!!..
Klemperer and his performers gave an electrifying account of, what Beethoven described as his greatest work. And it's easy to see why. We are subjected to eighty minutes of some of the most exquisite music making ever written: Moments of high power and drama lying besides moments of extreme delicacy. And it never goes dull!

Klemperer, to me, has hit the pulse of this work. Orchestral playing, Chorus singing and soloists are all first rate and well balanced.
Recording also sounds ... Read More:

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Beethoven: Missa Solemnis /Monteverdi Choir · English Baroque Soloists · Gardiner

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
from: Deutsche Grammophon

January 08, 1991
This is a wonderful recording of what must rank as one of the most awesome pieces of music ever written. Personally I can listen to this 3 times in a row, and will have goose pimples all the way through, for 3 hours solid, every time. This music is just so jaw-droppingly, humongously, enormously, epically BIG!!! If this music was a painting it would cover a canvas the size of a football field. If this music was a sculpture it would dwarf the Eifel tower. It is truly incomprehensible. Luckily you don't have to comprehend, it's enough to fasten your seat belt, turn up the volume, and prepare to take leave of planet humdrum for an unforgettable ride.

One remark on this particular recording: some reviewers (e.g. Milan) think this recording compares ... Read More:

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Mozart: Mass in C Minor

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
from: L'Oiseau Lyre

July 13, 1998
When Richard Maunder's editions get together with Christopher Hogwood and co, you know instantly that the result will be spot on.

The sound of the boy treble line (singing alto as well) is earthy yet in tune, and well complemented by the strong lower parts. The orchestra is supportive yet unobtrusive. The dynamics and phrasing are all well chosen and executed. The choice of soloists is inspired, especially Arleen Auger - such a beautiful voice.

It is just a pity that there is not more on the disc - some have argued in the 'Dona ut Kyrie' tradition that an Agnus Dei could be tacked on at the end using the music of the Kyrie.

An excellent recording.

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Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli; Missa Aeterna Christi Munera /Oxford Camerata · Summerly

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
by: Oxford Camerata, Jeremy Summerly, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

December 31, 1993
--Palestrina--
Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina is sometimes called the greatest composer of the Roman Catholic church. Born in 1525 near Rome, he spent the better part of his career in service to the church as a choir member, choir master, conductor, composer and school master. He was sought after by many churches, and sometimes his popularity and skill got him into trouble both with his clerical patrons and with fellow musicians. He was offered prestigious positions in Rome and Vienna which were ultimately withdrawn because Palestrina's salary and conditions requirements were too high. He had some influence on the Council of Trent's musical decisions for reform of the Catholic worship practices, and was involved intimately with revising the Gradual and ... Read More:

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Mass Effect: Original Video Game Soundtrack

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
by: Various Artists

October 13, 2008
--Palestrina--
Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina is sometimes called the greatest composer of the Roman Catholic church. Born in 1525 near Rome, he spent the better part of his career in service to the church as a choir member, choir master, conductor, composer and school master. He was sought after by many churches, and sometimes his popularity and skill got him into trouble both with his clerical patrons and with fellow musicians. He was offered prestigious positions in Rome and Vienna which were ultimately withdrawn because Palestrina's salary and conditions requirements were too high. He had some influence on the Council of Trent's musical decisions for reform of the Catholic worship practices, and was involved intimately with revising the Gradual and ... Read More:

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J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio · St. Matthew Passion · St. John Passion · Mass in B minor

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
from: Universal Classics - Archiv

April 14, 2003
The other reviews here show that this is obviously a Marmite set - you either love it or you hate it. Me, I love it I treasure it and play it often. In such circumstances another review may not be of that much help to an undecided prospective purchaser because you can't know in advance whose taste you share, but for what it's worth:

The treasure of this set for me is the B Minor Mass. It has been described as the greatest work of art in any medium ever and while that may be a rather overblown claim it isn't wholly indefensible. Gardiner's interpretation does it proud. It has intensity, intellectual weight, a deep respect for the work and, above all, radiant beauty. I love it. I also have the Andrew Parrott recording (now available very reasonably ... Read More:

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Bach - Mass in B minor

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Mass
from: EMI Classics

May 09, 2005
The other reviews here show that this is obviously a Marmite set - you either love it or you hate it. Me, I love it I treasure it and play it often. In such circumstances another review may not be of that much help to an undecided prospective purchaser because you can't know in advance whose taste you share, but for what it's worth:

The treasure of this set for me is the B Minor Mass. It has been described as the greatest work of art in any medium ever and while that may be a rather overblown claim it isn't wholly indefensible. Gardiner's interpretation does it proud. It has intensity, intellectual weight, a deep respect for the work and, above all, radiant beauty. I love it. I also have the Andrew Parrott recording (now available very reasonably ... Read More: