Beethoven:9 Symphonien
By general consensus, Herbert von Karajan's first (1963) Beethoven cycle for Deutsche Grammophon is the best of the four (!) that he recorded. The Berlin Philharmonic was in top form, and they had not yet made an artistic fetish out of the bland smoothness that typified the conductor's later recordings of this music (and just about everything else). Karajan's squeaky clean, emotionally cool Beethoven will always be something of an acquired taste, but this set makes the best possible ... Regular Price : $39.98
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David Russell Plays Bach
David Russell is a great guitarist, and this CD handsomely showcases his affinity for Bach. Without leaning toward Romanticism, Russell gets to the emotional content of the pieces, lingering nicely, for example, on the warmth of the lengthy Chaconne from the Partita No. 2. It would be easy to get bored with the sound of a solo guitar after an hour, but Russell won't permit it--sometimes his tone glistens, sometimes it caresses, always ... Regular Price : $17.98
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Happy Birthday
To celebrate its sixth anniversary as an ensemble, Kremerata Baltica presents a light, loving, and musically interesting confection. After an opening polka by Schnittke (who knew he could be so frothy?), we get 11 variations on the song 'Happy Birthday' by Peter Heidrich, ŕ la Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, and some dance movements. Delightful. Elsewhere, Franz Waxman's Variations on 'Auld lang syne' are as clever as they are unexpected and charming. More variations--this time ... Regular Price : $16.98
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The American Tenors
Driven by equal amounts marketing savvy and American pride, the rousing efforts of these three young winners of a national talent search were introduced to the world via a well-received PBS television special. Its companion CD release variously showcases the young voices of Nathan Granner, Daniel Montenegro, and Mauricio O'Reilly (and has there ever been a more quintessentially American name than Mauricio O'Reilly?) in solo turns and bracing harmony, meets the challenge of its more ... Regular Price : $18.98
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The Pianist: Original Recordings by Wladyslaw Szpilman
I saw Polanski's 'THE PIANIST' last weekend and was very impressed and wanted to learn more about the real hero of the movie. I searched online for his recordings. After two days I received two CD's from Amazon.com related to Wladyslaw Szpilman: One with his beautiful songs by Wendy Lands and another one with his Original recordings. He plays wonderful Chopin ( i.e. the Nocturne from the final scene of the movie ), Rachmaninoff, Bach ... Regular Price : $
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My Life Belongs to You
It seems pretty clear that Ronan Tynan has no intention of resting on his laurels. Despite a stunning string of world-dominating, top-selling releases as a member of the much-loved Irish Tenors--not to mention his accomplishments as a champion athlete, an M.D., and a memoirist (see his recently published Halfway Home: My Life 'til Now)--the singer has now released his debut solo effort on Sony Classical. No matter which member of the Irish Tenors happens to be your favorite, My Life ... Regular Price : $13.99
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Bride of the Wind / Fleming, Thibaudet, Endelman (2001 Film)
In telling the story of Gustav Mahler's socially tempestuous wife and fellow composer-songwriter Alma, director Bruce Beresford faced great challenges. But they would seem to pale in comparison to the task of composer Stephen Endelman, who was variously asked to highlight Alma's largely unfamiliar songs, economically echo Mahler's most sweeping works, and compose an original score that meshed seamlessly with the Mahlers' music. Though purists may grumble somewhat, Endelman has largely succeeded here, capturing the rich drama and ... Regular Price : $18.98
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Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Opp 46 & 72 / Kubelik, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Dvorák's music is often a source of sheer warmhearted joy. Even the sadder moments in these gorgeous dances come with a hidden smile and a gracious sense that all is right with the world. The late Rafael Kubelik led his German orchestra in a wonderful recording of these Dances, beautifully played with great affection and idiomatic rhythms (which the conductor must have taught the orchestra). As performances, these are comparable with the legendary 1950 set by Vaclav Talich and the ... Regular Price : $11.98
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Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35-41
Karl Bohm was one of this century's great Mozart conductors--a fact that's apt to be forgotten in the flood of authentic instrument productions, many of them on DG's associated labels. He conducted Mozart with real love and affection, maintaining moderate tempos, allowing each work's gorgeous melodies a chance to sing and breathe. Mozart's symphonic music has its roots in the opera house, and so did Bohm. Listening to the witty woodwind interjections in the finale of Symphony No. 39, ... Regular Price : $23.98
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300 Years of Guitar Masterpieces
Manuel Barrueco is one of the best guitarists I've ever heard. Listen to his own arrangement of Albeniz's Suite Espańola and you'll have trouble believing it's only two hands on one guitar. But Barrueco doesn't use his technique to show off. He's a solid musician, as expressive in Bach as in Villa- Lobos. He also makes transcriptions that respect the origins of the music. This is a wide-ranging guitar collection, but all the music is ... Regular Price : $15.98
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