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Spanish Guitar Music

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
from: Essential Classics

November 19, 2001
This is a clasical guitar album recorded by John Williams in his style of ultimate perfection. Don't confuse this with Flamenco Spanish guitar.

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Elgar - Cello Concerto; Cockaigne; Sea Pictures

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
from: EMI Classics

August 02, 2004

There are now many releases in the EMI 'Great Recordings of the Century' series, and this has to be one of the best I've heard.

The three pieces on this CD date from the 1960's and all have benefited from recent remastering.

The 'Cello Concerto' is a 1965 recording performed by Jacqueline du Pre (who else would you expect?) and remains today, more than 40 years on, the standard to which all other performances of this work are measured. I'm sure I am amongst many others who regret not having seen such a gifted musician play live. I've seen several performances of Elgar's cello concerto, and always find that the best are when the soloist totally immerses him/herself into the music and brings out the emotions from somewhere ... Read More:

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Vaughan Williams: Fantasia On Christmas Carols, Hodie

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
from: British Composers

October 02, 2000
I bought this a couple of years ago and return to it regularly - a sure sign of a good recording. I like the music of Vaughan Williams and this is a good example of his music. The Fantasia was a big surprise - its a lovely setting of some well known carols. John Barrow has a superb baritone voice. The Hodie takes a little more getting into but it is worth the effort. Both choirs and orchestra have good sounds. At this price you can't go wrong!

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Beethoven - Violin Concerto

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
from: EMI Classics

October 05, 1998
In my opinion it is very difficult to identify one version of a work as great as this . Different interpretations can tell you so much more about a work .

That said this marvellous recording from the early 1980s was my introduction to a 25 year long love affair with this piece . Perlman spins tone of gold whilst also allowing introspection in the slow movement .

That said I wouldn't be without Menuhin/Furtwangler on Testament, Oistrakh/Cluytens on EMI or Hilary Hahn on Sony either

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The Only Guitar Album You'll Ever Need

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
from: RCA Victor

October 06, 2003
as the old saying goes{i may not know art but i know what i like}. i may not be an expert on spanish classical guitar music but this cd is excellent. track 5 disc 1 is 10 minutes of heaven.you may recognise it as the music from the film el cid.there are 1 or 2 tracks that dont quite hit the mark but mostly this is a fantastic compilation album and will satisfy most peoples needs. just relax with a bottle of rioja,turn off your phone and dont answer the door bell. you will be transported back to that little secret tapas bar that only you and your loved one know about. the sevilla feria 05 is where it takes us.

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Elgar - Enigma Variations; Cello Concerto

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
from: Unknown Label

July 03, 1995

Of all Elgar recordings by Du Pre, this live recording is no doubt the most deeply moving one. The slow movement is probably the slowest interpretation, yet it never loses tension as she gives everything to express the heart-breakingly poignant Elgarian longing. Despite the almost fierce outpouring of emotion, this performance never gives an impression of vulgar sentimentalism, as the sheer depth of music making transcends everything else!

Barenboim's account of Enigma is equally great recording. No over-emotionality here, yet full of grace, magical moments and noble beauty presented in Wagnerian grandeur. The famous Nimrod is played most beautifully.

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Vaughan Williams: The Ultimate Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
from: Unknown Label

February 02, 1998
Ralph Vaughn Williams music is centred in the very heart of the English character. If you can experience the presents of England in the works then you have felt your home. And known the love for its great past without regreting its loss of greatness.

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Jacqueline Du Pre - In Portrait [2004] (NTSC)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
starring: Jacqueline Du Pre
directed by: Christopher Nupen

August 02, 2004
An excellent package. I particularly enjoyed the fact the DVD combines both documentary and performance.

The footage is, of course, dated but Jacqueline Du Pre's energy shines through, reflecting a love of both life and music that is, frankly, remarkable. There's nothing voyeuristic - though it is quite harrowing at times by virtue of the emotion her playing evokes. The content complements the film "Hilary and Jackie", by using interviews with Du Pre herself, which are particularly interesting.

The recordings of her performances are also excellent. I'd recommend it to all Du Pre fans and indeed anyone who loves cello music.

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Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
from: EMI Classics

May 08, 1997
I am constantly playing this in the car because I love it so much, other recordings are good but this is just a little bit different, in the Allegro movement of Spring if you listen to the bit before the whole violin and viola section thunders it's way to the tumultuous tweeting solo, you will notice that Nigel bow's 4 times in quick succession instead of the usual 2, the cadenza allows for this and Nigel exploited it with typical panache. It's good to see him back in the limelight once more with his new recording, now lives in Krakow with his Polish missus.

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Pärt: Tabula Rasa

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Strings
from: ECM New Series

July 01, 1988
Arvo Part's "Tabula Rasa" is an absolutely astonishing piece of music. It is part prayer, a part meditation and a part love letter, burning with passion and sufferring. It is at the same time filled with yearning and longing for a higher state of being and every listening puts my mind in a very unique, spiritual and meditative state. I can't recommend this CD more, for the perfromances on it are all absolutely astounding, especially the live recording of the title track, with its sounds of the audience and the resonances from the hall where it was recorded. Its like a piece of music made in heaven and completely transcends our normal mundane experiences........