Best of Handel

Advantages: Great songs - wonderful, popular tunes
Disadvantages: A few songs aren't as good as the others

.... It is supposed to be depicting spring; with a generally happy main theme with other sections depicting birds singing, light breezes and a storm (I can't remember what it is they are supposed to be depicting but the scenes I mentioned sound quite right). This is a great uplifting piece and played in its glory and is one of the best tracks on the CD. 4. Handel: Water Music Suite No.1 - third movement (02:17) This is also played by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. This enchanting music by Handel was written to accompany a journey that King George I took up and down the river Thames. King George liked it so much that he had it played three times during the outward and return trips, though I don't think I would have done that as in my opinion it is nice enough but the two or so minutes of it is more than enough of it, without need of playing it again... Read review

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Advantages: Best of Borodin's compositions
Disadvantages: Extracts only

...’s talents. Containing extracts from his best known works, it is a kind of “greatest hits compilation”. Borodin composed only one opera, Prince Igor. Begun in 1869, Borodin spent almost eighteen years working on the music. The opera based on a Russian epic set in the 12th century, relates the tale of Prince Igor’s conflict with marauding Tartars and his capture by the Polovtsian leader Khan Konchak. The opening track of the CD is the overture, played by the London Symphony Orchestra ( 2 flutes, piccolo,), 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, glockenspiel, harp and strings). Based on material from the opera, the overture summarizes the story in a musical précis. The orchestral overture begins slowly with melancholic strings and woodwind portraying... Read review

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Advantages: Handel's music, Padmore's tonal beauty, excellent Manze & English Concert.
Disadvantages: Too much uniformity in rhythm, volume and tone.

...still give us the half-star option in the ratings!). ----------- Note regarding online audio samples: Frustratingly, I found no online vendors offering audio clips from this disc. The only option left to sample this album is to do a search in the iTunes store using the phrase ‘as steals the morn’. At least the audio quality on that site remains one of the best on the ‘net. Personal note: This review has been published by the author elsewhere on the 'net in modified form. CD Notes: As steals the morn. . . George Frideric Handel(1685 - 1759) Arias & Scenes for Tenor MARK PADMORE, tenor with Lucy Crowe, soprano Robin Blaze, countertenor Katharina Spreckelsen, oboe obbligato The English Concert ANDREW MANZE, director Track Listing: [- Please see Ciao's utterly complete info on the product information page! -] Recorded... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Handel's music, Padmore's tonal beauty, excellent Manze & English Concert.
Disadvantages: Too much uniformity in rhythm, volume and tone.

...still give us the half-star option in the ratings!). ----------- Note regarding online audio samples: Frustratingly, I found no online vendors offering audio clips from this disc. The only option left to sample this album is to do a search in the iTunes store using the phrase ‘as steals the morn’. At least the audio quality on that site remains one of the best on the ‘net. Personal note: This review has been published by the author elsewhere on the 'net in modified form. CD Notes: As steals the morn. . . George Frideric Handel(1685 - 1759) Arias & Scenes for Tenor MARK PADMORE, tenor with Lucy Crowe, soprano Robin Blaze, countertenor Katharina Spreckelsen, oboe obbligato The English Concert ANDREW MANZE, director Track Listing: [- Please see Ciao's utterly complete info on the product information page! -] Recorded... Read review

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Advantages: A great singer
Disadvantages: You may be but off by a male singing this high

...by castrati have usually either been given to female singers or transposed to lower male voices. In some cases this does not matter very much. However, in the field of Baroque and early Classical Opera castrati often played the main parts (double-entendre unintended). The two great themes of the opera of this time were religion and the myths and stories of ancient Greece and Rome. One can well imagine how the sexual ambiguity and transcendent vocal qualities of the castrato befitted these lofty figures. Andreas Scholl, the performer on this CD, is not a castrato but he is the next best thing. Scholl is what is described as a ‘natural’ countertenor. Most male altos (or countertenors) sing falsetto, that is they sing in a voice that is not their natural singing voice. In contrast, Scholl is naturally able to reach the same notes... Read review

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Advantages: Awe inspiring memorable music.
Disadvantages: Long - 2 hrs 20 mins

...Composed by George Frideric Handel Lyrics compiled from the bible by Charles Jennens Performed by Cambridge King's College Choir Academy of St Martin in the Fields directed by Sir Neville Marriner with James Bowman (Countertenor), Robert Tear (tenor), Benjamin Luxon (Bass) Conducted by Sir David Willcocks Label EMI Price £15.99 Available in most good music stores Handel is a German born English composer. He was born in Halle, Germany on 23rs February 1685. He first moved to London in 1710 settling there in 1712. He was eventually nationized English in 1726. In 1741 Handel was invited to visit Dublin and give concerts in aid of charities there. In the same year Jennens sent Handel a religious text and Handel duly composed the music to Messiah (not The Messiah). It debutted in Dublin in 1742. Messiah is the most famous and most loved... Read review

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