Albinoni: Cantate a Voce Sola Op 4

Advantages: Relaxing, serene, dreamy
Disadvantages: The first track is not actual Albinoni

...to the rest of the music – actual Albinoni. Many of the tracks are concertos for solo violins against the typical larger string orchestra of violin, viola, cello and continuo (tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20). The continuo instrument, usually being a harpsichord or organ. The baroque era is dominated by the use of strings and here they can be appreciated for their outstanding qualities. The adagios are slow, smooth and serene decorated with trills and turns. Albinoni was also credited for being the first Italian composer of Oboe concertos. A number of the tracks on the album feature solo oboes against the larger string orchestra (tracks 4, 7, 10, 13). Albinoni's uses the oboe almost like a singer creating a lyrical and pleasant melody to the accompanying strings. Also on the album are three sonatas (tracks 21, 22... Read review

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Advantages: Distinective French music at it's most brilliant
Disadvantages: At some point it has to end

...Long Live Noir Desir! Noir Desir is dead! Well, kind of. It’s probably not particularly PC to like Noir Desir as their charismatic singer, Bretrand Cantat is currently about to stand trial for manslaughter (of then girlfriend, actress Marie Trintignant), the story behind which is rather hazy; but this should not get in the way of recognising what an utterly sublime band Noir Desir were. It is very easy to dismiss European rock music and often it is pretty bad; mainland Europe flourishes in all other art forms but contemporary rock music seems to be one item that is missing. So it is just as easy to accept something slightly less than great as great because of general paucity of skill. Not so with Noir Desir and especially Des Visages des Figures, for this has to be one of the great albums. In truth I’ve been listening... Read review

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Advantages: everything
Disadvantages: nothing

...Conductor Iain Sutherland Conductor Bryden Thomson Conductor Sir Neville Marriner Conductor Pierre Dervaux Conductor Alberto Lysy Conductor Jerzy Maksymiuk Conductor Tracklist Disc 1 76:32 1 Johann Pachelbel: Canon in D major for strings & continuo 4:59 2 Johann Sebastian Bach: Aria (Goldberg Variations, BWV 988) 4:45 3 Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni: Adagio in G minor 5:48 4 Johann Sebastian Bach: Aria (Goldberg Variations, BWV 988) 3:02 5 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Adagio (Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in A major, K. 622) 6:35 6 Ludwig van Beethoven: Allegretto (Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 "Pastoral") 6:41 7 Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings op.11 6:20 8 Sergei V. Rachmaninoff: Adagio sostenuto (Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18) 4:29 9 Max Bruch: Adagio (Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op... Read review

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