City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )

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.English Medieval Christmas Car
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
by: Th New York Pro Music Antiqua

January 14, 2008
This recording may be almost 50 years old, but it still resounds as the classic that alerted an unsuspecting public to the beauty and joy of medieval music. The New York Pro Musica would go on to record much more medieval and Renaissance music (including re-recordings of these selections), but this is now the only of their recordings in print. Until the entire output is restored to the catalog, this lone example must suffice. It is hauntingly beautiful and rousing by turns. This is a recording that should please a wide range of music lovers, but particularly those who already have found a place in their hearts for music of the medieval court and countryside.
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Used Price: CDN$ 7.93

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.#1 Opera Album
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
from: Universal

November 14, 2000
In 2004, any recording by Luciano Pavarotti (Decca`s own house tenor) will seem great to many people. But not so much because of Pavarotti, but more so because there aren`t any really good tenors today. On this CD, there is however just too much of Pavarotti. He doesn`t sound romantic(Bohème or Madama Butterfly) and certainly not dramatic(Pagliacci).
His voice, although he sings with some freedom and brilliance in the upper register when his breathing allows it, does not evoke exstacy or other overwhelming feelings. But he is certainly famouse, no doubt about that. This CD is for beginners in Opera.
And therefore it is OK. But Pavarotti is merely one of many good singers, and there were better singers and greater artists before him. ... Read More:
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Used Price: CDN$ 16.33

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.Legendary 1965 Recording
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
from: EMI

September 10, 2002
I simply can't get over Chopin's 3rd Piano Sonata. This is the strongest piece on this old, hissy and somewhat muddy and garbled artifact, and they are right to lead off with it. I have no other recordings of the 3rd to compare with, but Argerich sells the piece very well, I think her aggressive approach is correct.

The 3rd movement just slays me. I want to orchestrate it and just bask in endless variations upon the central arabesque with a full symphony surrounding me on a sunny day. The piece is like an entire day, or an entire life, it is an 8 minute haiku that captures the entire universe and all that is worth living to appreciate.

This sonata I'm already convinced explains not only Debussy's style (he must have played ... Read More:
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Used Price: CDN$ 13.42

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.Die Mozart: Die Zauberflote
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
starring: Francisco Araiza, Edita Gruberova, Kurt Moll, Lucia Popp, Graham Wilson

December 13, 2005
This is a magnificent performance...

The stage direction is of an unbelievable astistic quality with paintings that will transfer you from Heaven to Hell and back...

Edita Gruberova is after Lucia Popp (in the Klemperer set) and Deutekom the most credible Queen of the Night with magnicicent acting and powerfull top notes (although the killer aria Der höller rach... is not easy for anyone)... after the fifth F in this aria her necklace falls off her neck... obviously the delicate metal did not stand the hyper-resonance tonality Edita was producing with her throat...

Lucia Popp -the Greatest Queen of the Night of the 20th century- sings here Pamina magnificently... her voice is full and expressive with lower registers that ... Read More:
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Used Price: CDN$ 24.75

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.Beethoven, Piano Concertos 1- 5; Choral Fantasy
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
by: Emanuel Ax

March 08, 2004
I bought this box set of Beethovens piano concertos on a whim about one month ago and what a nice surprise that turned out to be. The CD containing concertos 3 and 4 has been (by far) the most frequently played disc in our household ever since. Ax, with his sublime technique, really shines in these two and Previn is in perfect sync with him. I also have to commend the producers: The sound, balance etc. is excellent and puts a lot of more recent recordings to shame.
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Used Price: CDN$ 12.09

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.Rossini: La Cenerentola - Abbado
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

November 15, 2005
This production is originally from 1973, (it was the base for this 1981 movie version) when von Stade was at the top of her bel canto form. She is also adorable; no wonder the prince falls in love with her at first sight! Araiza, Montarsolo, Guglielmi, Zannini, Plishka are all wonderful, but for me, Claudio Desderi steals the show.

The acting, not a typical trait of opera singers, is superb - everyone is utterly believable.

Add to this the Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, under Abbado - what a combination!

Direction and production are unmatched. Imaginative; unusual; making the best of every situation. A two and a half hour delight!

The purists can stay away, and get the recent recordings. It is their ... Read More:
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Used Price: CDN$ 24.73

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.Portrait
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
from: Harmonia Mundi

September 26, 2000
I had heard of Andrew Manze but never heard him play. This CD is a very inexpensive introduction to an incredible Baroque violinist. He opens your ears to a completely different level of performance in this type of music. Highly recommended as an introduction, but be warned that you will soon be purchasing many more of his CDs.
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Used Price: CDN$ 8.71

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.Requiem
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
from: Universal Music Group

March 17, 2008
Fantastic recording. Hogwood and Emma are a great combination. I wish the company would reissue them with the Exultate Jubilate!
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Used Price: CDN$ 14.44

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.Cti Grossi/Son
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
from: Harmonia Mundi

March 05, 2007
Fantastic recording. Hogwood and Emma are a great combination. I wish the company would reissue them with the Exultate Jubilate!
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Used Price: CDN$ 19.32

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.Sings Handel/Arne/Haydn/Mozart
City Travel Guides > Classical > ( A )
from: Universal Music Group

March 17, 2008
This is not a muscial review. That would be beyond my talents. No, this is a "spiritual" review and here is the reason. I had experienced a personal tragedy and turned often to music to revive my spirits and maintain my hope that things would right themselves in my life. Works such as Hayden's "Creation," Beethoven's "Fidelio," many of Bach's cantatas, Vivaldi's "Glorias," etc. Then I bought this CD. Immediately, I couldn't get enough of it. I felt uplifted everytime I listened, and it wasn't the same track each time that gave me that small feeling of joy that only music can provide. All is well again in my life and I continue to adore listening to this CD. For me, it was, and continues to be, magical.
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Used Price: CDN$ 29.98