City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z

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.Beethoven Symphonies 1-9 (1963 recordings)
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: Universal Music Group

January 01, 1990
this is a review of the much-maligned pastoral symphony is this set. most find fault with its fleet tempos but after listening to the much lauded bohm and walter, i find this is the only pastoral that doesn't put me to sleep, especially in the first movement. where with bohm you feel like it's a funeral march through the countryside, with karajan it actually feels like a joyous outing, full of sunshine, blue skies, and fresh air. it captures the sense of coming alive upon entering nature that the other recordings miss. my only gripe with this recording is that it has the karajan trademark string-laden sound. for the pastoral, i'd prefer a better balance with the winds. other than that, this is an excellent 6th. oh, the the rest of the cycle ... Read More:
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Used Price: CDN$ 25.48

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.Cello For Relaxation Featuring Steven Isserlis, Ofra Harnoy & Janos Starker
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: RCA

July 10, 2001
I bought this CD solely based on the fact that I love the cello. I do not pretend to know classical music - I buy what I like to hear, and this CD exceeded my expectations. It is such a pleasure to listen to this disk; it is soothing and every track is worth it!
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Used Price: CDN$ 8.45

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.The Great Pianists
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: Nh

September 23, 2003
This 2-CD compilation of historical recordings of great pianists doesn't have a single bad performance on it, and most are exemplary. Indeed, it makes one want to hear more from these men and women. That is probably Naxos's idea, too: they are in the midst of releasing a series called 'Great Pianists' and this disc is culled from that series. I'm sure they'd love you to buy the whole series! Understandably there are 'bleeding chunks' here; that is to say, we get single movements of concerti, single pieces from sets of works (like Chopin nocturnes or a single prelude and fugue from the Bach Well-Tempered Clavier). But these are well-loved recordings and serve the purpose of whetting one's appetite. As a former pianist with over fifty years of collecting ... Read More:
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Used Price: CDN$ 44.54

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.Goldberg Vars
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: CBS

November 15, 2006
Gould was more than one of the great pianists in recorded history, he was a world teacher through sound. Both of the famous recordings of what has to be regarded a his signature performance (1951/81) are worth far more than what you would pay for the disc. Technics aside (and they are dazzling, as always with Gould), the purpose of music is to remind you that you do feel, to engage you in what is being communicated. Melancholy, in the richest sense, and then, at moments, the eptiome of serene dispassion, always profound, this performance is a deep exploration of feeling and truth, and creates a meditative ambience which can evoke in the listener higher realizations. An immortal rendering of great music.
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Used Price: CDN$ 9.32

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.The Symphonies
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: London

March 17, 2008
If you like your Brahms on the lame side like Georg Szell then this might not be for you. However, I love the freedom and emoting this orchestra does for Solti...much more exciting then the Cleveland orchestra foray.
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Used Price: CDN$ 31.48

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.Best (W/3 Bonus Tracks)
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Luciano Pavarotti

September 13, 2005
Luciano Pavarotti will live on forever.
His powerful voice is so uplifting and soothing.
I love this music, because it sparked my interest in learning the Italian language.
My favorite track is the lively "La Donna E' Mobile" composed by Verdi.
I also love Pavarotti's rendition of Verdi's "Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici"(Let's make a toast). This song is a celebration of life.
"La Danza" (The Dance) is an up tempo track from Rossini.
"O Sole Mio" is such a pretty romantic song, a hymn to the Sun.
This track is a pure gem.
His voice sounds so elegant on the track "Nessun Dorma" (Let nobody be asleep}.
"M'appari" (She appeared to me) is another standout track.
Pavarotti sounds so peaceful here singing about a ... Read More:
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Used Price: CDN$ 13.14

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.Most Relaxing Classical Album
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: EMI Music Canada

September 14, 1999
I was not interested in becoming a classical expert, just looking merely for SOMETHING in the classical realm to add to my collection and this double CD is perfect.
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Used Price: CDN$ 26.87

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.Simple Gifts
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
by: Bryn Terfel

November 08, 2005
I was not interested in becoming a classical expert, just looking merely for SOMETHING in the classical realm to add to my collection and this double CD is perfect.
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Used Price: CDN$ 12.96

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.Vln Adagios
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: Universal Music Group

September 04, 2001
These CDs have the most incredible selections of music on them. Listening to the violins has enabled me to complete papers for my doctoral level classes without the usual neck aches. This is soothing, exquistie music for the soul! Lovely!!
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Used Price: CDN$ 12.36

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.Movie Adagios
City Travel Guides > Classical > Featured Performers- A-Z
from: Universal Music Group

February 19, 2002
This is an excellent selection of music. I listen to it every chance I get. It is great just to put in your CD player on "repeat" and allow it to soothe and inspire you for a few hours, for an evening, or an for entire day.

One reason I chose it was that I was looking for music that could simply be a nice background noise for when I'm working on things that require reading and concentration. I wanted music that would not be a distraction, and this does a good job. It is also great to listen to when doing almost anything, like even cleaning the house or doing laundry. I will admit though, that listening to the selection from Swan Lake might make you want to dance around the living room.

Also, besides the obvious ones that everybody knows ... Read More:
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Used Price: CDN$ 13.77