The recordings found on this disc are some of the best available (...in fact, the Britten conducting Britten is the Gramophone's Recommended Recording!). Add to that the most delightful account of Schumann's "Scenes from Childhood", and you find a fantastic disc. Then look at the price! 5 stars for a well rounded CD, which wont break the bank.
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If you want an honest, straigtforward yet beautifully played account of these lovely works then you won't go far wrong with this set. And such good value for money too!
Barenboim's legendary cycle recorded in the 1960's and 70's, both soloist and conducting the English Chamber orchestra. Which was, and still is, a superb Mozart orchestra. And Barenboim being one of the best exponents of Mozart and Beethoven I've heard.
Barenboim never rushes these works. Giving breadth, structure and feeling to all of them. Infact he slows right down in some of the slow movements. (I love the very slow tempo of second movement of PC No.21 for example).
My wife (for whom I bought it) says that this CD set is very restful and soothing and I have to say that I quite like to hear the singing in the background whilst I slave away at the computer. And, of course, the great thing is that we got two CDs for about the price of one. Excellent!
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Everyone who has reviewed this album so far remembers where they first heard it, which says a lot for it's impact. My own awakening to Tomita's extraordinary interpretation was at Vancouver Planetarium in 1977. Some of the tracks accompanied a wonderful show, and I was so impressed that I asked the operator to tell me the name of the artist. I bought the vinyl edition in Vancouver and still have it. I am delighted to find a remastered CD available. Debussy's music is normally delicate and sparkling with sunlight. Tomita gave the themes operatic depth which, to me, swell the richer colours while preserving Debussy's magical qualities. As a frustrated film-maker i'd love to use these versions as a background to romantic scenes.
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I first bought this Elijah set on old LP records in my first year at university and it positively blew me away. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau comes booming in as the prophet right from the outset and the power of his characterisation of this greatest of the Old Testament prophets holds up for the full duration of the recording. The other thing I liked about this version of the oratorio is the all round clarity of the diction. All of the soloists excel here and the choir is likewise very good even in some of those chorus numbers when there is an awful lot going on both vocally and with the orchestra. The price for this album is an absolute snip, so why pay more when this recording will clearly continue to give value for years to come.
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Mitsuko Uchida is not my kind of pianist, once very disappointed by her wishywashy rendition of Debussy's 12 etudes, but when she plays Mozart, few pianists can match. This set includes all of my favourite Mozart concertos and is sheer bliss to your ears from begining to end, filled with magical moments and noble poise.
Check out A.Rubinstein's RCA 2 disc set as well, quite a contrast to Uchida and Perahia's style but outstanding in its own right.
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Great cd. Some tracks are quite rustic and refrehingly simple while being thoroughly enjoyable. Others are sweetly exquisite. And they all go together in a wonderful cohesive whole. One of my favourites from The Sixteen.
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Great cd. Some tracks are quite rustic and refrehingly simple while being thoroughly enjoyable. Others are sweetly exquisite. And they all go together in a wonderful cohesive whole. One of my favourites from The Sixteen.
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This is very enjoyable, and Dido's 'When I am laid in the cold ground' is especially moving, especially at this time of year! (England in a damp November!)
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The Allegri Miserere has now been recorded many times, but this recording is just superb! The programme is a wonderful 'Best of' If you only ever want one recording of the Allegri, I would urge you to buy this 'classic' and marvel!
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