This CD is a delight capturing the sparkle and fun of Xmas. It is light classical music at its very best. I play Troika and I know the festive season has begun.
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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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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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This version of The Planets has replaced my recent LSO version.
Why? Well, the balance between the contributing elements is the best i've heard so far: The bass is thunderous analogue and the high woodwind/strings are like crystal in equal measure. This is a superb achievement and exceptionally important for, 'large orchestra' where Dynamics become a recording engineer's delight or problem depending on how good they are. And these people are the best: Abbey road have done a fantastic job on the remastering of a late 70's classic, although there is one thing they could never tackle: Is this as Holst intended?
Bolt was a friend of Holst and was given the opportunity to first conduct the piece; Bolt read and heard the original ... Read More:
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The quality of the accompanyments and the production quality are outstanding. This is undoubtedly the best Welsh Male Voice choir recording in my collection.
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These are deeply felt and captivating performances of Pärt's best-known works. My favourite Spiegel im Spiegel is played a bit too fast, but Tasmin Little's playing is wonderfully refined and imaginative, if not so deep as Shaham's accliamed version.
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This has been eagerly awaited after hearing the Ebene perform the Debussy and the Ravel live at this summer's Salzburg Festival. They are a young group of musicians who also appear on the European jazz scene. This brings to their playing a buzz which may be linked to their ability to improvise freely. However, when playing these pieces there is a discipline evident in their interpretation as well. Hear also their interpretation of the first three Barok Quartets and subline live recordings of Haydn.
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This 2CD release is a great collection of classical music which bears no real relevance to the 2008 in the title other than being released almost (!) in 2008.
The only common factor between all the tracks is that they are all, without exception, performed by top artists, making the album both highly recommended and, considering the numerous different performers who are included, guaranteed to please most listeners.
The album doesn't make any 'Best of', 'Ultimate' or 'The Only One You'll ever Need' claims because quite simply anyone who likes it will probably want more, the obvious choice of course is the inevitable 'Classical 2009' release next year.
This 2CD release is a great collection of classical music which bears no real relevance to the 2008 in the title other than being released almost (!) in 2008.
The only common factor between all the tracks is that they are all, without exception, performed by top artists, making the album both highly recommended and, considering the numerous different performers who are included, guaranteed to please most listeners.
The album doesn't make any 'Best of', 'Ultimate' or 'The Only One You'll ever Need' claims because quite simply anyone who likes it will probably want more, the obvious choice of course is the inevitable 'Classical 2009' release next year.
There are now many releases in the EMI 'Great Recordings of the Century' series, and this has to be one of the best I've heard.
The three pieces on this CD date from the 1960's and all have benefited from recent remastering.
The 'Cello Concerto' is a 1965 recording performed by Jacqueline du Pre (who else would you expect?) and remains today, more than 40 years on, the standard to which all other performances of this work are measured. I'm sure I am amongst many others who regret not having seen such a gifted musician play live. I've seen several performances of Elgar's cello concerto, and always find that the best are when the soloist totally immerses him/herself into the music and brings out the emotions from somewhere deep ... Read More:
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