This is a much-talked-about live recording, long thought lost, of a BBC broadcast in 1968 of an English-language production of Wagner's 'Die Meistersinger' from the Sadler's Wells Opera (now called the English National Opera). It was conducted by Reginald Goodall who was all but unknown then but who soon became known and much lauded for his conducting of Wagner's operas. It has an all-English cast, all but one of whom were singing their roles for the first time; the exception was Norman Bailey, who had sung Hans Sachs in Germany (in German, of course).
First, the bad news: Sound quality is not the best. There is some tape hiss, occasional poor balances, a good deal of stage noise (my goodness, you can really hear a lot of clumping ... Read More:
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I bought this cd because Amazon offered it as a double deal for under a tenner! I loved the last song - Somewhere over the Rainbow and thought why not treat yourself to it, it costs nothing! Anyway,it is such a beautiful collection and I totally love it. Very relaxing to listen to but in no way boring, it lulls you, then teases you, then absorbs you - superb. I think it allows you to have a glass of wine and ponder or as I just did peel the potatoes and ponder!!! There's more than one gem on this cd - it is a collection of gems. Treat yourself!
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I have grown to love Katherine Jenkins during the past few months for I think she is one of the best singers around at the moment.
I bought this CD for one reason, and one reason only, the track Vide Cor Meum. This duet was used in the film Hannibal, and also during the death scene of the Leper King Baldwin IV in the film Kingdom of Heaven. Here, Katherine sings the duet along with the Welsh singer Rhys Meiron. It is a divine work, beautifully played and sung.
But, to my absolute joy, I also discovered that this CD has numerous other wonderful tracks which are a joy to listen to. I loved it throughout, especially the tracks:
Time To Say Goodbye; O Sole Mio; Song To The Moon; and Mozart's little gem: Laudate ... Read More:
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I am never one to fall for the pure marketing artists that are spewed out by record companies jumping the crossover bandwagon these days, and whilst these girls are yet another product thrust into our faces around Christmas time and Mother's Day I find myself enjoying their music immensely.
When they first appeared, I was quick to throw them in with your Angelis and your Il Divo. Their album is sure to be pretty, I thought to myself, but there will not be much else to it. Yes, Universal Classics are still trying to get their cash in whilst the fad is still in fashion, and yes, the girls are just puppets at this point, with polite nods to their record company that jump when they are told to. Yes, the format is set, there and ready, for Christmas ... Read More:
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i too am a fan of nigel kennedy , but this recording doesnt do anything for me though as ever it is exceptionaly well played...but the combination of "modern" bits in among the classical music only distracts me..i like one or the other but if you are more adventurous than me,i highly recomend it!
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I recently listened to my copy of the Braveheart soundtrack and I can say that it is easily one of my favourite film scores that James Horner has composed and I will certainly be purchasing the second album with the DVD. There are many film soundtracks that I plan to buy and even re-buy for James Horner but Braveheart is certainly one that I recommend for people who are unfamiliar with his work as his other best scores are also good but for me the Braveheart music stands out on it's own.
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Read all the other reviews for soloist analysis etc. What I wish to add is do not be put off by the age of this recording. This was recorded by Decca in their glory days.The dynamic range, frequency range, soundstaging, capture of the hall sound, can (and does) put many a modern recording to shame. The breathing sounds and creaking stage boards only cement the performance. If you want to know how good your system is, can you hear the tube trains passing underneath and the birds outside.
For many including myself this is and will always be a definitive/landmark recording/performance.
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Hayley Westenra's voice is breathtakingly soulful, and the choicest of superlatives I can think of fail to do justice to her music. 'On Both Sides Now' is delightful, soothing the listener with a gentleness one can hardly ever grow tired of.
'Prayer' is fantastic...and I could go on like this for ages....Hayley is surely a phenomenon.
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Hayley Westenra's voice is breathtakingly soulful, and the choicest of superlatives I can think of fail to do justice to her music. 'On Both Sides Now' is delightful, soothing the listener with a gentleness one can hardly ever grow tired of.
'Prayer' is fantastic...and I could go on like this for ages....Hayley is surely a phenomenon.
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