I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!
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I have been picking up pieces of Jenkins' pieces for a while now but i must say that for anyone new to his work or just interested in hearing some really great music then this album hits the spot. A good collection of many highlights. I recommend it as a great general listening piece and thoroughly worth buying just for adiemus alone! Super!
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This is a great low cost box set which does exactly what it says on the box - it gives you 100 classical music hits, covering all the styles such as baroque, classical, romantic and modern, and includes music from all the popular composers.
Some of the tracks are simply excerpts from the full piece, for example Beethoven's Ninth symphony, originally over 60 minutes long, is reduced to a two and a half minute rousing chorus of the popular `Ode to Joy'. Likewise, Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture is cut from 15 minutes down to the last few minutes of the exciting thunder and fireworks finale.
This editing enables a great range of `hits' to be squeezed onto five discs, and gives the classical music novice a chance to dip their ... Read More:
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At £2.98 this has to be one of the best bargains I've ever had. Bryn Terfel is world class and this album is simply sublime. Every track is a joy. This is my favourite of his albums.
I first heard Bryn many years ago when he took part in the 'Cardiff Singer of the World' & won his class. His continued success has been a pleasure to see & I just can't get enough of his glorious voice.
Buy it for someone you love!
Ardderchog Bryn! I would dearly love him to record 'I'll Walk With God' too.
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This audio CD book, alongside with other Naxos educational CDs for children, is absolutely fantastic. It contains loads of information, so adults interest is guaranteed as well as children's fascination. It's a must for curious little minds. Presented in an easy listening format, it educates and enterntains at the same time. Boring car journeys became a highly enjoyable and educational experiences in our family since Naxos CDs were purchased. Being non-fiction, they can be listened to over and over again, offering a chance for the child to remember and/or understand more details each time.
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This is the opera that shot Georgiu to stardom. It's easy to see why, with her combination of acting, looks and singing. Violetta is a very difficult role, it places very different demands on the singer in each act. Georgiu isn't quite ideal for act 1, but after that she's really in her element. You can practically see the paternal pride in Solti's face as he watches his young protegee bloom. Surely the definitive Traviata.
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I heard 'Shenandoah' on Classic fm recently and couldn't get it out of my head. I just HAD to have it for myself. Do listen to the clip on the listing above and melt away to the beauty of sound that this man produces.
This is like a box of Bendicks Finest Chocolate Selection: a wide range of tastes is catered for yet the quality is universally sublime. It's more in the tradition of leider than opera but there are a few cracking arias, some hymns and an amazing bonus of 12 year old Bryn wowing them at the National Eisteddfod.
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The original `Pure' album was released in 2003, and despite there now being a confusing number of variations of it (special edition, import, bonus tracks & bonus discs) there are basically two editions - this original single disc album, and a 2CD Special Edition which is the original album plus a bonus disc.
The songs are a mixture of classical, popular and traditional, with some highly original and unexpected choices such as `River of Dreams' which is a transcription of Vivaldi's lovely violin solo `largo' from `The Four Seasons', and a powerful recording of `Benedictus' from the Karl Jenkins' album `The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace'.
The New Zealand traditionals, predictably chosen because of Hayley's origin from that ... Read More:
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