Baltic Works for String Orchestra, Vol. 2

Advantages: Light, clear, could be played over and again
Disadvantages: Perhaps lacks a bit of magic or sparkle

...If I was to think of performers I would choose to play my favourite pieces of music, then I would not readily think of the Oregon Bach Festival Chamber Orchestra. But a friend of mine who played in the orchestra tipped me off that this was a good one. So I got hold of the CD, opened a bottle of red and sat back with an open mind. Surprise surprise, it's good. Enthusiastic playing for sure, with plenty of joie de vivre. The typical American attention to detail slightly grates with my British sense of spontaneity, but the flawless phrasing, breathing (and no doubt bowing too) and dynamics work in the overall performances because of the lack of indulgence in the tempi. Bach can all too easily sound like a mathematical exercise written out in notes, but there is a lightness and deftness of touch here in the conducting that lifts this out... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent modern music
Disadvantages: None

...Karl Jenkins became famous a few years ago with Adiemus. However, he has composed many more modern pieces, including Palladio. Many people will have heard it without knowing, as it has been used on the advert for Scottish Widdows, and a diamond advert. This beautiful piece for string orchestra is a definite must for any serious collection. The CD also features Adiemus variations, Passacaglia and String Quartet No. 2, all of which make interesting listening. The CD is worth buying just for Palladio alone, performed brilliantly by the London Philharmonic Strings. Highly recommended.... Read review

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Advantages: sees Sabbath beginning to experiment successfully with new textures
Disadvantages: lots of instrumental

...BLACK SABBATH VOL.4 1: Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener (8:14) 2: Tomorrow's Dream (3:12) 3: Changes (4:46) 4: FX (1:43) 5: Supernaut (4:45) 6: Snowblind (5:31) 7: Cornucopia (3:54) 8: Laguna Sunrise (2:52) 9: St. Vitus Dance (2:29) 10: Under the Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes (5:50) Yet another groundbreaking powerhouse recording featuring some excellent guitar work. This includes great classics like Tomorrow's Dream, Changes, Supernaut, Snowblind, and Laguna Sunrise Black Sabbath VOL. 4 is a must have addition to any Black Sabbath collection released: early september 1972 the album features some of Sabbaths most memorble tracks and sees Sabbath beginning to experiment successfully with new textures such as strings, piano, orchestration and multi-part songs.. Yet the classic Sabbath sound is still very much in evidence While... Read review

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