Boehm/Schubert: Flute Works

Advantages: Good introduction to the Opera and Mozart
Disadvantages: Narrative breaks up the musical flow

...In a promotion aimed to make Opera more understandable and accessible, Naxos have produced a series of CDs entitle “Opera explained”. The ninth in the series released on 22nd October 2002, is The Magic Flute composed by Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart. All the CDs in the series roughly follow the same format. The first section of the CD, lasting for approximately quarter of an hour, provides a brief and basic biography Of Mozart and illustrated by excerpts from a variety of his works. The recording continues with musical highlights from the Comic Opera interspersed with explanations of the plot and music. Mozart composed the Magic Flute in 1791 as a commission from Emanuel Schikaneder who provided the libretto. It’s debut performance took place on December 5th just a few weeks before Mozart’s death. The plot is basically that... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Mellow, solid playlist, and a good introduction to the band's style
Disadvantages: Ummm , you might become so relaxed that you fall asleep?

...them after Rick Springfield? The CD, like the record issued long before it, is simple in its packaging. The bold black, white and reflective, construction work yellow of the cover manages to be both eye catching, and evocative with an economy of image. The flip side gives us the play list and an amusing black and white photo of the band. Inside they have given us the one thing I really like to see included in any album, the lyrics, and tacked on at the end is an amusing intro to the musicians, special thanks and of course credits. Thanks to these helpful additives we now know that a special thanks was give to quite a few folks including Greg Gaunt (sound) and Bruce Penberthy (Unsound), and the group consists of: "Colin Hay...Vocals, Guitar Ron Strykert...Guitar, Vocals Jerry Speiser...Drums, Vocals Greg Ham..,Sax, Flute... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: professional playing, excellent quality, 4 CDs
Disadvantages: doesn't contain list C pieces

...A must have for any flautist approaching their grade 8 examinations! I have been playing the flute for four years, and every time that it has come around to choosing exam pieces, I found it increasingly difficult to be able to select pieces that I liked, without having to buy several books. My first problem was that I had a newly qualified teacher, who was young and hadn't heard of many of the pieces that were offered on the ABRSM list, never mind played them. Therefore, she had no idea what to expect from them, and nor did I. Each time it came to selecting exam pieces, off I would go to my local music store. There I would sit for hours, looking through all of the books, desperately trying to find something that looked quite simple! Not being a great sightreader, this would often leave me buying several pieces that I absolutely... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful