Best of Handel

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

...(methinks Ciao should 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A large selection of great tracks
Disadvantages: Just a couple of bad ones thrown in, but it all really depends on your taste

...Before I start can I just say that I have never tried to review a CD before so please cut me some slack!!! I first heard this CD in a music lesson. We had to practice our listening skills because part of the music exam is a listening section, where you have to listen to a piece of music and write about it. Our teacher played a couple of pieces of this CD, and I instantly wanted it! I ordered it off a website and the day after it arrived, I was so pleased that I could listen to all the tracks myself. When the cover of the box says The best cinema classics ever, it really does mean the VERY best cinema classics ever. This is a double CD pack, and to be honest, it is pretty impossible for you not to recognize at least one film or piece of music on the CD's. If you think you have seen a great film with great music... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A great diversity of famous works
Disadvantages: Not everything is perfect

...I am a huge fan of classical music, with a collection soon breaking the 700 marker. But where did it all begin? Well right here. When I got my first CD player, I played my parents CDs until making my first CD purchase. I stumbled along a 2-CD collection called "Simply the Best classical Anthems." Honestly, I had not the slightest clue about what music al the names on the back contained. But there were so many interesting pieces there so that I immediately decided to get it. And I have not regretted the buy. Unlike many other collections, this one features many top flight recordings of some of the most popular classical music. Some of them are still holding their own in the mass of my collection. It was also extremely useful for me in expanding my collection. TRACK LISTING AS FOLLOWS: CD 1 VERDI: Dies Irae from Requiem ORFF: O... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful