This review only gives 4 stars because most of the tracks have already been included on one or two of Rutter's previous CD's. Having said that, this is the Ultimate Collection, so that is to be expected. So if you have most of the previous releases, there's maybe not much point in buying this, except of completeness, however, if you don't have them, I'd definitely recommend it.
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For months I had been waiting for some new kind of music to place on my ipod and I became bored of most mainstream chart music.
Blake is a breath of fresh air. Okay, so it is a bit operatic, but they are far better than Il Divo. My own personal favourites is their version of "Take My Breath Away", "Gladiator" and "Vide Cor Meum" (which is from the movie Hannibal). The songs that are sung in Italian are a treat, especially if you like to romance things up with your missus... I would say this is a great CD for Christmas as well.
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Excellent voices overpowered by incongruous orchestral accompaniment.The richness of the voices was spoiled for one who wants a male voice choir to be just that.This cd does more than it says on the tin,unfortunately.
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I'm surprised by the number of reviewers who criticise Katherine because she has not performed in opera and then compare her unfavourably with leading opera singers. Nowhere on this CD (or any of her CDs and DVDs) is she described as an opera singer and her recordings do not claim to be opera. Her recordings do include some arias from opera (though not here) and these are sung very well, but she also includes Welsh songs,(again sadly none on this disc), hyms, songs from musicals and other works. This variety increases that buyers might not like every track. I bought this CD because it contains 'Samcta Maria' set to the music of the Intermezzo from Mascagmi's Cacalleria Rusticana' 'Be Still My Soul' the hymn set to the main theme from Finlandia ... Read More:
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This is still a good compilation of carols however a number are variations of the most recignised version. Hence, some of them I didn't recognise even though I'd heard the original carol before! Having said that, this shouldn't put you off as it's always good to have a change!
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Having just heard the CD, I am warmed by the quality of ALL the tracks, the singing is beautiful and sung so professionally.
If you are looking for a traditional Carol CD, then I would definately recommend this one,
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I thought this CD had got lost in our recent house move and was delighted when it turned up in one the last boxes to be opened. I immediately rushed to listen again even though it is early March and am once again entranced by the warmth and beauty of the music and the singing. You really can play this CD anytime in the year and that is what I am doing now! If you buy it you will not be disappointed!
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This disc is simply beautiful. Two are its main characteristics:continuity and change. Continuity relates to individual tracks which display a pronounced element of recursion that is repetition with slight variation of the same theme which promotes a feeling of soothing, calm and relaxation. Recursion is something employed successfully in distinctly different areas:in music famously employed by J.S.Bach to excellent effect in his baroque compositions, in graphics by Escher and in Mathematics by Goedel while it forms the basis of fractal Geometry. The change is provided by the eight tracks each exploring a different theme or to use the more sophisticated word of the liner note a different 'soundscape'. This combination of continuity and change along ... Read More:
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I would guess that the Amazon reviewer Warwick Thompson is under 25.
Anyway, he writes as if he is, judging by his use of the English language
("think Goldfinger", eeeeeeeeh!).
He also believes that L'Homme Armee is 16th century. Oh dear.
I find the reviews of the actual buyers much more to the point, wheher positive or negative.
Pity that the text of the Amazon reviewer is displayed at the top.
OK?
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