City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music

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.Duets
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon

March 19, 2007
I approached this CD with caution given the hype that has surrounded recent appearances of both singers. I must confess that contrary to my expectations I was deeply moved by the singing here which recalls other great operatic couples of the past, Callas and di Stefano, Tebaldi and del Monaco. The recording has rarely been far from my CD player for the past two weeks.

As with the legendary couples from the past, there is something uneven about the two voices. Netrebko's voice is not a warm voice but is beautifully focused, always on the note and has to my ears a dark unjuicy quality. It is a stunning voice. Villazon, by contrast, has a voice that could hardly be described as beautiful the way that Corelli's, Pavarotti's or Domingo's ... Read More:
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.Classical 2008
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Various Artists

October 15, 2007

This 2CD release is a great collection of classical music which bears no real relevance to the 2008 in the title other than being released almost (!) in 2008.

The only common factor between all the tracks is that they are all, without exception, performed by top artists, making the album both highly recommended and, considering the numerous different performers who are included, guaranteed to please most listeners.

The album doesn't make any 'Best of', 'Ultimate' or 'The Only One You'll ever Need' claims because quite simply anyone who likes it will probably want more, the obvious choice of course is the inevitable 'Classical 2009' release next year.

It should be noted that not all the recordings are ... Read More:
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.Kashif: Queen Symphony
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: EMI Classics

November 04, 2002
I heard a snatch of the Queen Symphony on Classic FM and bought it as soon as I could afterwards. I realised that it would not be a simply re-playing of the music of Queen by a 'big band'... otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.
I agree with another reviewer that at times the piece is a little strident - the piano and forte are difficult to control effectively in a fast moving car.
I wasn't sure about the piece, to be truthful, on first hearing. However, after three or four plays, I am totally sold. An excellent composition with some stunningly moving parts.

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.Beethoven - Violin Concerto
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: EMI Classics

October 05, 1998
In my opinion it is very difficult to identify one version of a work as great as this . Different interpretations can tell you so much more about a work .

That said this marvellous recording from the early 1980s was my introduction to a 25 year long love affair with this piece . Perlman spins tone of gold whilst also allowing introspection in the slow movement .

That said I wouldn't be without Menuhin/Furtwangler on Testament, Oistrakh/Cluytens on EMI or Hilary Hahn on Sony either
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.Gospel Greats
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: London Community Gospel Choir

April 02, 1991
this was a good buy. quite different in sound to the way the originals were sung. the background vocals were excellent. quite surprised it was londoners who did the music cos it sounded like Americans. a good album to listen to when chilling with friends and family.
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.Mahler - Symphony No. 7 (LSO/Gergiev)
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: London Symphony Orchestra

July 28, 2008
this was a good buy. quite different in sound to the way the originals were sung. the background vocals were excellent. quite surprised it was londoners who did the music cos it sounded like Americans. a good album to listen to when chilling with friends and family.
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.Mozart: Requiem
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Sony Classical

November 05, 2001
Mozart's Requiem has to be one his most famous pieces, and this recording does it many favours. The "Confutatis" is renowned as the most visual movement, and the Gächinger Kantorei and Bach-Collegium Stuttgart play with such passion, the emotions and visions of hell mustered up are clear in all senses. If anyone has ever seen the film Amadeus, the pictures from the film are instantly remembered as the orchestra plays the music written by Mozart to his death, resulting in his death. The soloists and chorus are as equally sensitive as they are passionate and harsh. The orchestra accompanying to perfection adding emotion, both destructive and eerie, especially in the "Dies Irae", with repetitive flourishes in the strings and the wind keeping ... Read More:
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.Gorecki - Symphony No.3: Sorrowful Songs
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Nonesuch

July 06, 1992
I can't judge this from a musicians point of view, or from anything apart from that this music connects with some bit inside of me that I can't explain in technical language.

Sorrowful yes, you certainly feel that raw emotion from this album. It is also very peaceful and grounding - not great over-worked symphony that makes you wallow in your own depression. Very simple and beautiful.

All I can say is that this music connects with some inner part of me and that I love it. It's rather personal and you should take a listen to it before you buy it - but I'm sure you'll love it.
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.Vaughan Williams - Complete Symphonies
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: RCA Red Seal

March 15, 2004
I was introduced to the symphonies of Vaughan Williams in my teens through LPs of the complete cycle by Andre Previn and the LSO. These LPs have now been transferred to disc and have been made available again. They remain, after all these years and having listened to a number of other cycles, the best of the bunch, in my humble opinion.

Before moving to London, part of Andre Previn's background was in the theatre. As an American showman, he proved capable - and still is capable - of bringing out the drama inherent in the symphonic form, whilst at the same time producing a deeper understanding of the traits that make up each symphony.

There are two anecdotes I like about Previn's relationship to the music of RVW. I do not know if either ... Read More:
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.John Barry: The Beyondness of Things
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Decca

April 19, 1999
I bought this after reading reviews here, and also on discovering one of my fav films "Somewhere In Time" had a CD soundtrack, which is priceless. This CD is good, but there is no magic, no soul, no free passage to another realm, unlike the film sountrack.

I also bought the book by Matheson on the back of the film, and boy is he a weird writer! His style sucks. The director of "Somewhere in Time" read the book and decided he must make a film of it, much to our good fortune.

It really was a question of being in the right place at the right time. A very rare alignment of director (film), J Barry (music) and Matheson (book) but sadly I dont think the magic could ever be repeated.

Still it was fun trying.
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