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More Than 50 Most Loved Hymns

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

March 15, 2005
A collection to be treasured. Very well done instrumentally and vocally. I recommend this very highly for general listening, meditation, therapy, and healing.

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The #1 Opera Album

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Léo Delibes, Georges Bizet, Umberto Giordano, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner, Gioachino Rossini, Alfredo Catalani, Jacques Offenbach, Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Charles Gounod, Gaetano Donizetti, Pietro Mascagni, Antonin Dvorak, Richard Bonynge, Herbert von Karajan, Alberto Erede, Lamberto Gardelli, Giuseppe Patane, John Mauceri, Zubin Mehta, Charles Dutoit, Gyorgy Fischer, Riccardo Chailly, Istvan Kertesz, Leone Magiera, Evelino Pido, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Renée Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli, Luciano Pavarotti, Jussi Bjorling, Renata Tebaldi

February 27, 2001
I heard this CD on a PBS pledge drive (it was a premium) and found myself loving every cut on it! I was in my car and just wanted to keep on driving and listening. This is by far my most-played CD - I've had to make it a weekend only listen to prevent getting burned out on it. HIGHLY recommend it. Even if you are unfamiliar with some of the pieces, you will quickly learn to love them. . . . I must end this review - I'm off to listen to the "flower duet" for the 100th time. . .

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Verdi - La Traviata

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
starring: Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Thomas Hampson, Helene Schneidermann, Salvatore Cordella
directed by: Carlo Rizzi, Willy Decker

June 13, 2006
I'm super bias on this make of La Traviata. It's the modern world of opera; besides, it's my favorite opera. I've seen the stage La Traviata over 15 times in 7 different states, and no matter where I see it, I just can't get enough. Anna and Rolando are just extraordinary. Who needs props when you have two of the greatest performers, and their voices can't be compared to any other in this world. If you like modern and are willing to take a chance on a totally different presentation of opera, I would highly recommend this DVD. LOVE IT!! LOVE IT!!!! The BEST!!!

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Art of Segovia

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Andres Segovia

October 08, 2002
The rare moments of solace I find these days are usually in the company of Segovia, but considering that so much has been said about this guy in the last sixty years, it's hard to add anything else without sounding superfluous.

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The Very Best of Maria Callas

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Maria Callas

February 12, 2002
I grew up on opera but not on Maria Callas. Joan Sutherland, Schwartzkoff, Victoria Los Angeles, and Mady Mesple (to name a few) crowded the airwaves of our home growing up. I had heard that Maria Callas was THE Diva of opera and bought one of her obscure recordings from a low budget bin while in Paris 10 years ago. It didn't impress me that much. Perhaps it was recorded during her voice decline. I could certainly tell she had a powerhouse voice but many of those arias were unknown to me and I didn't connect all that well with the CD.

After reading some of these reviews I decided to give her one more chance. Surely 50 million opera fans can't be all wrong! So I bought this disc and listened to it the other day. There are plenty of ... Read More:

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Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna, etc. / Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: M. Lauridsen

May 19, 1998
The Masterchoral is in top form on this recording. The recording was up for a Grammy a few years back, and it deserved the nomination.

This music is magical and these performances are wonderful.

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Wagner: The Great Operas from the Bayreuth Festival

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

June 17, 2008
There's not really a lot to say about a package containing all post-Rienzi operas from Bayreuth at less than $2/disc. I can't seriously imagine anyone being disappointed by this set: cast after cast of superb singers, conductors -- all bathed in that glorious Bayreuth sound. Some might argue over one performance vs. others, but there are no disappointments here. Decca deserves congratulations for making this available.

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Amparo

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

September 09, 2008
"Amparo" is elevator music with up-market pretensions. Pieces by Albinoni, Faure, Handel, Ravel, and Vaughan Williams, among others, have been arranged by Dave Grusin in a way that reduces them to an aural mush that blends with originals by Lee Ritenour and Grusin himself. The result calls to mind the term "air pudding" Gary Trudeau used in a "Doonesbury" strip about some harmless, undistinguished music. These classical composers have survived worse treatment and won't be scathed by their abuse in this release, which I give one star because I can't give none.

Appearances by classical performers Joshua Bell and Renee Fleming are also meant to give the disc cachet. Their names, in fact, got me to listen to it. They are two of the most gifted ... Read More:

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A Chorus Line (1975 Original Broadway Cast)

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

June 02, 1998
"Chorus Line" has to be one of the greatest of Broadway Musicals. It is particularly apropos to people who either are in show business or are well-familiar with the ups and downs of that craft. This recording just magnifies this!

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Pavarotti Forever

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

October 09, 2007
This CD proves what we've known for over 40 years. The Maestro has NO PEERS. A collection of all his famous arias - Che Gelida Manina, Cielo e Mar, Vesti la Giubba... they're all here. And every one magnificent. For new opera lovers - you won't find a better CD to start you on your discovery of the greatest tenor of all time. BUY IT - you will fall in love with the Grand Tenore!!!