City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music

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.Puccini: Tosca
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Callas Edition

March 10, 1997
Sorry, this might upset some other reviewers and 'purists' but I have to say as good as this recording is, and it is, callas does give a good performance, but it doesn't light a candle to the 1962 Karajan recording on decca legends with Leontyne price as Tosca she is absolutely stunning in the role, I defy anyone not to be moved and have the hairs go up on the back of their neck when they listen to her vissi d'arte(my ultimate favourite opera aria), so do yourself a favour and get that cd now! You won't regret it.
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.Born
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Bond

August 25, 2003
I'm a hardened, dyed-in-the-wool classical music lover. I have hundreds of classical cds and maybe one shelf of what you'd call pop.

This cd, as has been said, is not classical. Oh sure, the tunes are familiar, but there's a disco beat to them and they've been heavily arranged. When I first saw this group, I did wonder if they were following the lamentable modern trend of looks over talent.

But you know what? I actually really enjoyed it. These ladies can play. Very well, in fact. It's perfect if you like classical, but are in the mood for something a little wilder, or maybe if you are not at all into classical but want to dip your toe in the water.

In short, this was the first Bond album I bought. I now own ... Read More:
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.Beethoven - The Complete Piano Concertos /Evgeny Kissin
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: London Symphony Orchestra

September 01, 2008
I'm a hardened, dyed-in-the-wool classical music lover. I have hundreds of classical cds and maybe one shelf of what you'd call pop.

This cd, as has been said, is not classical. Oh sure, the tunes are familiar, but there's a disco beat to them and they've been heavily arranged. When I first saw this group, I did wonder if they were following the lamentable modern trend of looks over talent.

But you know what? I actually really enjoyed it. These ladies can play. Very well, in fact. It's perfect if you like classical, but are in the mood for something a little wilder, or maybe if you are not at all into classical but want to dip your toe in the water.

In short, this was the first Bond album I bought. I now own ... Read More:
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.Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Universal Classics

September 18, 1995
The opening organ chord lasts eighteen seconds on this 1973 recording of Also Sprach Karajan. I prefer the 1984 version (also reviewed on Amazon), to which I give the full five stars. Here, the timpani are more to the fore, the sound is loftier, more stately, but not lush. One often feels in a trance as the music hangs in the air, for example at the end of the measured descent at the end of the `Song of the Grave' - and of course at the music's very end.

The performance is more restrained (if that is possible) with a greater contrast in volumes. The Midnight Bell chimes suitably loud but is less resonant than in 1984, more of a clang than a reverberative dong.

But if you simply must have Karajan (and why not? In the sleeve notes ... Read More:
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.Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Ibrahim Ferrer

May 24, 1999
From the first track 'Bruca Manigua' (which you will replay over and over) to the last. This album is simply Unbelievable. I only discovered Buena Vista with the free Movie cd with my Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago and Ibrahim Ferrer is just an undiscovered Legend in my books. Well, up till the last few years of his life. GET THIS!!!
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.La Fille Mal Gardée, [2005]
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
starring: Carlos Acosta (Colas), Marianela Nuñez (Lise), William Tuckett (Simone), Jonathan Howells (Alain)
directed by: Frederick Ashton (Choreographer);Anthony Twiner (Conductor)

June 02, 2008
One of the all time great performances of 'La Fille' - thankfully captured on film for us all to savour forever.
A perfect partnership for this ballet where both dancers share perfect chemistry. Carlos Acosta already an international ballet star is in perfect form - his sense of timing and comedy blends well with the complex Aston style. The beautiful, cheeky and sunny Marinella Nunez shines gloriously as Lise - a role she was born to play. Make no mistake, Argentine born Nunez is one of the finest dancers of her generation. Covent Garden and the british ballet world has already fallen head over heals in love with this lovely lady - apart from her obvious elegance and talent she also possesses the likeability factor - her genuine warmth makes people smile. ... Read More:
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.Goodall: Choral Works
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: ASV

June 09, 2008
I have to admit I'd never heard of Howard Goodall before searching on Amazon. I'm a fan of choral music, and for a long time I've had "find Mr. Bean music" on my to-do list.
I was surprised to learn it was by a contemporary composer, and ordered the CD.

It's quite a revelation; each piece is thoughtful, deep, and quietly masterful. I love choral, but I prefer Renaissance to contemporary. In just 24 hours, however, this recording has changed all that; a beautiful collection of pieces - I'd put this album right at the top of my favourites list.

So far my favourite is 'Palm 23' - I've never actually watched 'The Vicar of Dibley', so I don't to have to disassociate the music from a TV show. It's sublime, sheer comfort; a real indulgence, but ... Read More:
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.Dudamel - the Promise of Music (Bolivar, Yo of Venezuela) [2008]
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
directed by: Enrique Sanchez Lansch

August 11, 2008
I have to admit I'd never heard of Howard Goodall before searching on Amazon. I'm a fan of choral music, and for a long time I've had "find Mr. Bean music" on my to-do list.
I was surprised to learn it was by a contemporary composer, and ordered the CD.

It's quite a revelation; each piece is thoughtful, deep, and quietly masterful. I love choral, but I prefer Renaissance to contemporary. In just 24 hours, however, this recording has changed all that; a beautiful collection of pieces - I'd put this album right at the top of my favourites list.

So far my favourite is 'Palm 23' - I've never actually watched 'The Vicar of Dibley', so I don't to have to disassociate the music from a TV show. It's sublime, sheer comfort; a real indulgence, but ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Dudamel - the Promise of Music (Bolivar, Yo of Venezuela) [2008]

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.The Ultimate Collection
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Pavarotti

September 06, 2007

This 2007 single CD release is a compilation of opera's best known arias performed by one of our generations most popular and successful tenors.

None of the recordings are particularly new, ranging from the 1973 version of 'Nessun Dorma' (long before the Three Tenors era) to slightly newer releases like the 1989 'Live like Horses' duet with Elton John.

In between these two are all the favourites like Verdi's 'Brindisi' and 'La Donna e Mobile', and of course Lara's 'Granada'.

Whether this is, or if in fact any 1 CD of just one hour of music could be, the ultimate Pavarotti collection I'm not certain, for there are several other such titled releases available (most notable being Decca's 2 disc compilation which guests stars ... Read More:
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.Bizet - The Pearl Fishers - highlights
City Travel Guides > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Rebecca Evans, Barry Banks, Brad Cohen, Alastair Miles, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra

September 01, 2008
Most of what I would have wanted to write as my review in response to the previous one by Ralph Moore I have said in the comments below the previous review. Apart from his view on translation in general, I am in agreement with his review.
I am glad that put my response in the 'comment sub-text' because it generated an interesting correspondence on the subject of opera in translation and some other matters.
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