The Magic of Satie
Don't judge this splendid disc by its silly title. Jean-Yves Thibaudet has put together an imaginatively programmed and gorgeously played Erik Satie recital that is certain to acquire reference status alongside the classic Satie recordings by Aldo Ciccolini, his one-time mentor. The difference lies in Decca's far superior sonics, and Thibaudet's warmer, more robust piano sonority. He imbues the music with subtle dynamic gradations and varied articulations that keep Satie's sparse textures vibrant and fresh, without any of the ... Regular Price : $16.98
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Messiah (Complete Traditional)
George Frederick Handel's Messiah is certainly one of the World's most beautiful musical compositions, and this recording is one of the best performances of this work. Conducted by John Aldis, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir are absolutely heavenly. Equally wonderful are the soloists: Felicity Lott, Alfreda Hodgson, Phillip Langridge and Ulrik Cold. While not performed on period instruments or exactly in the manner which Handel had in mind when he composed The Messiah, (for a more faithful performance I recommend ... Regular Price : $
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Essential Mozart: 32 Of His Greatest Masterpieces
This is a great sampler of the world's greatest composer! Rather than deciding where to begin -- operas? symphonies? concertos? sonatas? -- you can begin everywhere at once. The performances are not second-rate, they are excerpts from world-class recordings. You can use this set as the basis for further listening adventures, or you can use it as an end in itself. As such, it is surely a contender for Best CD In The World. If you bought ... Regular Price : $17.98
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Sing We Christmas
Christmas is the season for whipping out those holiday-specific standard recordings. This splendid gift by Chanticleer should top the list, for one will never tire of this a cappella choir's interpretations. With selections spanning the last five centuries of Latin, German, English, Spanish, and French festive fare, this recording exemplifies the sacrifice of the ego to the higher form of choral sound. Jacob Handl's 'Mirabile Mysterium' takes you on a trip into the chromatic ... Regular Price : $16.98
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Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker - Complete Ballet
Although Gergiev is highly experienced in the theater, and he is leading an opera-ballet orchestra, this is definitely a concert Nutcracker. Tempos are brisk, textures streamlined, and dancers might have a good deal of difficulty keeping up with the music. For us home listeners, though, this is a superb way to hear Tchaikovsky's complete score and to remind ourselves of how much good music isn't included in the familiar suite. Gergiev justifies his reputation as an interpreter and as ... Regular Price : $16.98
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Christmas with Chanticleer (Featuring Dawn Upshaw)
The absolute highlight here is Distler's setting of 'Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming', a fantasia based on the familiar tune. Dawn Upshaw's solo on the third verse is especially appealing.
Also especially notable is Healey Wilan's 'The Three Kings' with its hushed, reverent opening building to an ecstatic climax.
And also especially appealing is the 'Mary and the Baby Medley' which includes 'What Child Is This' along with a traditional German carol and two African-American ... Regular Price : $17.98
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Tabula Rasa
This seminal disc now almost seems like the manifesto for a whole new strain of minimalism that has found an enormously receptive audience. It represented a breakthrough for Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, whose music--like that of his European colleagues John Tavener and Henryk Górecki--pursues an austerely beautiful simplicity that suggests spiritual illumination. Fratres, given here in two versions, one for piano and violin and the other for 12 cellos, repeatedly intones a sequence ... Regular Price : $17.98
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Sacred Treasures III: Choral Masterworks From Russia and Beyond
What could be more sublime than a wall of dark, rotund Russian voices shimmering against the rising, ornate walls of a great cathedral? Not much, and this compilation of absolutely magnificent music proves it. The label Hearts of Space returns on this third choral collection to the ominous Slavic chant of their first choral album, Sacred Treasures I, which gathered together recordings of stunning Bulgarian and Russian choirs portraying the sacred works of Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, and ... Regular Price : $16.98
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Arias for Farinelli
'Farinelli' was the stage name for the greatest castrato--and arguably the greatest singer--of his era, the 1720s and '30s (he inspired the film of the same name ). His range was enormous--three octaves, by some reports--with a deep, resonant chest voice that was perfectly wedded to strong, sweet high notes. His breath control seemed superhuman, his ability to execute florid runs at high speeds astounded the audience, and he could leap from one octave to another as naturally and ... Regular Price : $17.98
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The Pianist (Music from the Motion Picture)
I've never reviewed anything on Amazon until now. This beautiful soundtrack of the movie, The Pianist, is simply amazing. All the songs are of Frederic Chopin, except track 10. The nocturnes (meaning 'night song') in this soundtrack are filled with mystery, melancholy, remorse and even romance. Roman Polanski couldn't have found a better pianist, Janusz Olejniczak to honor Wladyslaw Szpilman and Frederic Chopin. The ballades are very uplifting, despite the darkness of the movie. ... Regular Price : $18.98
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