Allegri: Miserere

Advantages: A great way to get the best of the Tallis Scholars on one double CD
Disadvantages: are you joking?!

...Sheer delight! If you're already familiar with the work of the Tallis Scholars, then this 25th anniversary CD will need no recommendation from me at all. If not... then let me just say that this group of singers has not and will not be bettered at this kind of music. Their repertoire is mostly but not exclusively mediaeval, and this CD contains some of their best-known works, in particular their rendition of Allegri's Miserere, in my opinion by far the best version *ever* of this beatiful composition. The pure soprano voices render this piece achingly beautiful. If you don't already have an extensive Tallis Scholars collection, or - like me - want to start replacing your old vinyl collection with CDs, this is an excellent place to start.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: Everything you could ever want from a classical CD
Disadvantages: none

.... The Nutcracker - Suite Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky 17. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor Composed by Felix Mendelssohn 18. Cavalleria rusticana Composed by Pietro Mascagni 19. Gloria in D Composed by Antonio Vivaldi 20. Coronation Anthems Composed by George Frideric Handel 21. Cantata No. 147, 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben' Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach 22. Requiem in D minor Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 23. Ave Maria Composed by Charles Gounod 24. Miserere mei Composed by Gregorio Allegri 25. Requiem Composed by Gabriel Fauré 26. Lakmé Composed by Léo Delibes 27. Les contes d'Hoffmann Composed by Jacques Offenbach 28. Pavane Composed by Gabriel Fauré 29. Gianni Schicchi Composed by Giacomo Puccini 30. Madama Butterfly Composed by Giacomo Puccini 31. Nabucco Composed... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Many great songs
Disadvantages: There are a few disappointing songs though

...on Earth (Sy Miller and Jill Jackson) This song really is lovely. All 3 choirboys sing in it with a simple piano accompaniment and in the 2nd verse one of the boys sings a nice countermelody which adds to the feeling of the piece and makes it sound even nicer. This is another of my favourites and brings a happier ending to the CD as the previous songs aren't exactly the best - but this would nearly make up for it (it's just a pity this is quite short.) 16. Miserere (Gregorio Allegri) This is, in my opinion, a very disappointing ending to a very good CD. This unaccompanied chant like song is really nice in places and then in others is just rather awful. The fact that this track is almost 12 minutes long really doesnt help it much either - it just seems to be the same sort of thing sung (with choir accompanying) over and over and over again... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful