Bridge: Piano Music, Vol 2

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... Read review

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Advantages: One of the most Romantic concertos around, full of beautiful melodies and passion
Disadvantages: over-recorded

...major on violins and flutes. After that the music moves in a very similar way as before with the piano taking the theme over, followed by the cymbal accompanied triplet bridge passage that leads to a momentary hint at the first movement's first theme along with references to the Finale's main theme. There is another brief cadenza that culminates with the broad theme in a triumphant C major (Maestoso) with the piano strumming at the top of the orchestral glamour. Now all that is left is to bring the work to a close. With several upward runs on the piano (Risoluto), the scintillating piano is joined by cymbal clashes that finally culminate with Rachmaninov's favourite YUM-pa-ta-TUM cadence in the orchestra. RECORDINGS The Second Concerto has been recorded many times, almost to the point of over-familiarity. But there are some standout... Read review

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Advantages: Some good tunes, suitable for anyone any age
Disadvantages: Also some poor quality tunes, getting worse each time a new ones out

...Now That's What I Call Music Vol.69 Complication Album This is the 69th United Kingdom version of the Now That's What I Call Music volumes as the title would suggest. I had been waiting for this album to come out for a while as I usually buy the Now albums for something to listen to in the car, this album came out on the 17th March 2008, all of the music on these albums is from the recent official chart listings. Now That's What I Call Music albums come out every 6months and have the Number 1 charts singles over that time as the contents, these albums are usually just known as Now 69 etc as it's easier and not as long as the full title! Now69 is the latest version of this set to come out. It was bought out by the record labels EMI and Virgin. This album as like the other previous volumes consists of two disks with the following... Read review

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