City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music

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.Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore [Wiener Staatsoper 2006]
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, Alfred Eschwe
starring: Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Leo Nucci
directed by: Otto Schenk

November 06, 2006
This is a great performance with lots of fun. Anna Netrebko is a stunning Adina. Rolando Villazón is a clumsy but charming Nemorio. Ildebrando D'Arcangelo is a credible fraud and a great actor. L'Elisir d'Amore is a funny story with a happy end. You will enjoy it.
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.Mozart - Don Giovanni
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Eberhard Wächter, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Piero Cappuccilli, Gottlob Frick, Luigi Alva, Carlo Maria Giulini

September 02, 2002
How could anyone resist a recording that brings together the vocal talents of Joan Sutherland, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Graziella Sciutti and Gottlob Frick? It's worth buying for the Act 1 finale alone, when those three exquisite soprano voices entwine in harmonic perfection. This is a deservedly classic production.
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.Rutter - Requiem; Magnificat
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Collegium

October 05, 1998
This recording of the Cambridge Singers has them recording pieces composed by their own director, John Rutter. The Magnificat is Rutter's version of a standard piece of liturgical music, an intersection of old and new. This was recorded at one of the Cambridge Singers' favourite venues, the Great Hall of University College School, London; the Requiem was recorded in 1986, and the Magnificat in 1991.

--Music--
'The Magnificat' is one of my favourite pieces of the liturgy, and one I enjoy hearing set to different kinds of music. This is a very lively and spirit-filled rendering, with magnificent vocals expressing the joy that is found in the prayer of Mary - 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour'. The repetition ... Read More:
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.Bach - Complete English Suites
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Sony Classical

August 04, 2008
This recording of the Cambridge Singers has them recording pieces composed by their own director, John Rutter. The Magnificat is Rutter's version of a standard piece of liturgical music, an intersection of old and new. This was recorded at one of the Cambridge Singers' favourite venues, the Great Hall of University College School, London; the Requiem was recorded in 1986, and the Magnificat in 1991.

--Music--
'The Magnificat' is one of my favourite pieces of the liturgy, and one I enjoy hearing set to different kinds of music. This is a very lively and spirit-filled rendering, with magnificent vocals expressing the joy that is found in the prayer of Mary - 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour'. The repetition ... Read More:
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.Brahms: The 4 Symphonies
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Universal Classics

April 14, 2003
Karajan recorded the four Brahms symphonies three times for DG and for me the earliest (1963 or thereabouts) is the best by a fair margin, and although not perfect, the sound quality is better - more natural and open. There's more life, spontanaity and drama in the 60s cycle, which by comparison his later efforts sound somewhat mannered. Like much of Karajan's output, his earlier years with the BPO give better performances. Later repeats (say 1970 onwards) are generally marred by a BPO which had been over-refined by Karajan's influence in the way it sounded - plush and too 'well-rounded' - a good anology would be a typical German big car; smooth and comfortable but ultimately bland and boring. The approach might suit Richard Strauss but not Brahms or Beethoven. ... Read More:
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.Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Philips

May 13, 2002
A CD that has so much beauty it moves you from beginning to end. His voice portrays so much emotion that you don't just appreciate the sound, you feel every note that he sings.

There are some CDs that are simply labelled "mood music", and this for me is one that I file under such a category. Every time I listen it lifts me and transports me to places only I can go to. Somewhere that escapes the modern world.

The choice of arias is perfect. Many of which I was unfamiliar with. However, I have since introduced this CD to a number of people, many who listen to an entirely different genre of music; nearly all have been captivated by it.

All I can say is buy it and soak up the rich fare on offer.

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.Mansell - Requiem for a Dream
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Nonesuch

November 06, 2000
Of course the much-heard Requiem theme is absolutely brilliant, and this soundtrack centres largely upon that theme. It combines the wonderful ringing of the string quartet with electronic beats and mellower moments and this creates quite a unique soundtrack. It's highly recommended! In my opinion, it could have branched out a bit more. I ADORE the main theme of course but I think more variations on it would have been good - so much could be done with it and sometimes I felt the tracks didn't go far enough to expand on the original thematic content, but it's still a great CD.
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.The Best of Vanessa Mae
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Vanessa-Mae

March 10, 2003
I'm not against pop/classical albums and artists per se, because I quite like to hear some of the world's greatest tunes given a good roll-over, but Vanessa Mae's contributions to the genre have always seemed far too forced and mechanical.

She is undeniably a gifted and technically brilliant violinist, and she is shown at her best when letting rip on Bach's Toccata, I'm A-Doun, Storm and Devil's Trill. However, Vivaldi's Four Seasons is such an overworked piece and the two movements included here are coarse and lacking in any musical feeling, certainly nowhere near the league of Kennedy for ostentation or Vengerov for warmth. And I'm sorry but her own compositions (Destiny, Aurora, Solace) are so bland they could be TV test card music.

Above all ... Read More:
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.Moments of Time
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Phamie Gow

September 03, 2007
I first heard War Song played on Classic FM & was convinced it was an Einaudi piece that was new to me. Phamie Gow plays her own compositions in a similar style - fresh & soothing. A perfect choice for a Summer's evening with a glass of wine to chill out. My only complaint? It's just 42 minutes long...
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.My Fair Lady - Original Soundtrack
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Sony Classical

November 01, 1999
Most musical recordings seem choppy mostly because they are, and are rendered from the stage play, so of course they wouldn't make that much sense. MY FAIR LADY holds up well and you don't get this sense. The entire ablum is a gem and there's not a sour note in it.
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Used Price: £3.49