Advantages: Some great music Disadvantages: Compilations!
...on? I don't think Classic FMs listeners are quite ready for that yet. The track list for the Opera is:
1. Delibes: Flower Duet (Lakmé) 2. Rossini: Largo al Factotum (Barber of Seville) 3. Puccini: Nessun Dorma (Turandot) 4. Dvorak: Song to the Moon (Rusalka)
5. Bizet: Au Fond du Temple Saint (The Pearl Fishers)
6. Bellini: Casta Diva (Norma)
7. Puccini: Che Gelida Manina (La Boheme)
8. Mascagni: Easter Hymn (Cavalleria Rusticana)
9. Bizet: ... ...(Madame Butterfly)
12. Verdi: Celeste Aidi (Aidi)
13. Mozart: La ci darem la mano (Don Giovanni)
14. Verdi: Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Nabucco)
15. Puccini: O mio Babbino Caro (Gianni Schicchi)
The Opera CD is probably my least listened to of the three, not because I dislike Opera, to the contrary I love it, but after all I have said about background music I tend to use the CD's when we have people round and Opera is not everyone's cup of ...
Advantages: An excellent introduction to Classical Music Disadvantages: None
This is a companion set to Naxos' "The A~Z of Opera" (previously reviewed.. It follows the same format and is an ideal compilation for people who are new to classical music as well as classical music buffs. It contains a double CD with two and a half hours of classical music (as you would expect) and a 562 page book (not quite as thick as the Opera one) compiled and written again by Keith Anderson.
So what's in the pack?
~~ The Book
This contains ... ...same size as a CD and fairly thick. The text is concise and clear and informative, with portraits of composers throughout. After the index you get 450 pages of concise histories of composers, with recommendations of recordings from the Naxos catalogue. It is arranged in alphabetical order, and starts with Adolphe Adam and is completed by Bernd Alois Zimmerman. As well as details about the composer there are sections on the different types of music ...
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 ... ...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 Fortuna from Carmina Burana
HOLST: Mars from The Planets, Op.32
WAGNER: The Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walküre
...
Advantages: A definite easy listen Disadvantages: Maybe too easy
This CD was probably a strange choice for me as i've never bought a classical album before, but i was attracted by the front cover ( i know never judge a book by its cover, but it was a CD) which seemed to depict everything i was looking for. Something i could just lie back, listen to and drift away into my own little dream world.
Well it did exactly that. I drifted off to sleep after about track 6 and dint wake untill the CD had ended. This unfortunately ... ...but i soon listened to it again to get the full effect. It is definitely as described a very peaceful album. The music seems to lift you up and allow u to float above the world but i warn it does make u feel very drowsy.
Whether id advise u to buy it or not depends on if ur into classical music. Although saying that i wudnt exactly say im 'into' it, i jus fancied a change. Its a good CD if u want to relax or for background music if u have sophisticated ...
Advantages: I found this so relaxing I did fall a sleep the first time I played it, so it works for me. Disadvantages: Have to say again as I fell asleep the first time I played it I had to play it again, but I guess thats not that much of a disadvantage really.
If like me you like to have a Sunday relaxing with soothing sounds that can transport you anywhere you would rather be, then try this one out. Ok I like to have thos e Sunday moments any day of the week & I found this music brings me those moments.
I loved the pure sounds as they gently build to fill my mind with peace, sounds strange but that is what this music does. There is enough emotion in some of the music to inspire the heart, but most are ... ...to end your day off after a mad boss or raging family, come to think of it... nice item to give your made boss to bring them down, or give the family members that need chilling!.
Nearly 6 hours of chill time, with composers such as: Ralph Vaughan Williams & Alexander Porfir'yevich Borodin; Conducted by: Neville Marriner & Stephen Cleobury; amoung other proformers as: Stephen Hough (Piano); Danielle Millet (Mezzo soprano); Mady Mesplé (Soprano); ...
Package, to drive, nippy, economical, relaible (*)
