Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2

Frank Bridge - Piano Music rediscovered

Advantages: Excellent selection and performance of piano works by Frank Bridge
Disadvantages: A few pieces are not very interesting

Frank Bridge was an early twentieth century English composer. His works are not widely known, but are played increasingly, and more recordings are becoming available. Some of his later works, such as his piano sonata, were influenced by Scriabin. This CD is the second of three, and covers a wide range of styles, but mostly in his earlier style. Most of the pieces on this CD are fairly easy to listen to, and can be enjoyed by the majority of classical music lovers. The opening piece, Etude Rhapsodique, is an etude appropriately played by Jacobs, in the grand manner (of Liszt and other nineteenth century virtuosi), full of late nineteenth century panache, but with Bridge's own distinctive voice. The second piece, Berceuse, is played beautifully, a gentle piece as the name would suggest (a lullaby) but again with Bridge's own ...

skriabini 02.04.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Frank Bridge: Piano Works Vol.2

Mr Bean - Vol. 2 DVD

Advantages: Hilarious comedy, good viewing
Disadvantages: only 3 episodes, expensive to buy whole set individually

Another installement to my DVD collection - the epic and classic comedy hero - Mr Bean. I love Rowan Atkinson, especially in Black Adder and also in the classic Mr Bean episodes. Despite my mood before hand, after watching Mr Bean I always feel much better, he always manages to intrigue my imagination with his biazarre mannerisms and abilty to turn the most straight forward of tasks into complete disaters! Having not being able to buy the whollebox set I have had to purchase and review each DVD volume one by one. This DVD contains 3 episodes, each with 3 or 4 sketches in them. All of whihc are brilliant and this DVD includes one of my favourites - the one where he goes to the swimming pool and clings to the diving board. The three episodes are entitled: Episode 1. 'The Curse Of Mr Bean', Episode 2. 'Mr Bean Goes To Town ...

mints4merlin 27.11.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Mr Bean Vol.2 (DVD)

THE PIANO TEACHER - (LA PIANISTE)

Advantages: Excellent physcological study of character.
Disadvantages: Grim, brutal, shocking scenes of a sexual nature.

Haneke is well known for implementing the shock element into his films. He likes to leave his audience felling unsettled. Cinematography is brilliant with subdued colouring reflecting the drabness of Ericas life, and the greyness of the storyline. I have watched this film a few times now, and with each viewing I am stunned by the perfection of Isabelle Hupperts performance. Annie Girardot as the mother also gives a strong, convincing performance with the elements of smothering, and control in the right balance. In my opinion, I think this is a great film. It won many awards, and well deserved accolades. The Piano teacher has a very basic storyline,contains subtitles, and is very graphic in it's content, so it will not be to everyones taste. The musical score is brilliant throughout with the of sonatas Schuman, Schubert Bach ...

Morning_Becomes_Electra 20.01.2008 (25.01.2008) · Read full review
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Review of The Piano Teacher