Classical > Instrumental Classical

Advantages: The most beautiful performance of a superb collection
Disadvantages: The CD has an end!

From the second that the left hand begins the oscillating theme in the first track of Fantaisie Impromptu it is clear that Naxos have made a fantastic decision in the use of Idil Biret as the pianist for this collection. The pianist plays with more human regard for the pieces than I have ever heard from another- she is never rushed, even through the mad vivace tempo marking the Minute Waltz- even in that she plays with a beauty and subtle tone that ...
...The collection is superbly recorded and sourced- there is a wide variation of the Chopin favourites here, and they can all be excused their vast notereity solely as Biret's interpretations are so secure and novel. For any Chopin fan this CD takes you through all forms of his works- from the surprising anger of the Revolutionary Etude to the perfectly executed militarism of the Polonaise Militaire, and breathing new life even to the most over-played ... Read review

Advantages: Large variety of music
Disadvantages: none

I bought this bos set of 5 CDs from Asda for £5, what a bargain. I'm not usually a classical music fan, but it is great as backbround music for the class of children I teach, plus provides lots of inspiration for Art and Drama. The set contains 5 CDs. The first is classical favourites, most people will know a few from this disk which has 16 tracks. The 2nd disk is Classical Chillout and is all music that is fairly slow, soft and relaxing. This also ...
...16 of them. The 4th has only 11 tracks of Romantic classics, and the 5th has 16 tracks again titled tracks from the movies. I was very surprised to see music such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings on this album! So there are a total of 75 tracks to listen to, which I have done all in a row so I cant say what the total running time is, but there is a track for everyone on this album. I find it particularly useful as most classical ... Read review

Advantages: to add great music in to your collection
Disadvantages: None

Steven Isserlis is an outstanding cellist. When you listen his playing alive, which I did, you can see how he captures you with his playing. I am a professional viola player for twenty years. I have listened many recordings of Bach cello suites from Rostropovich to Peter Bruns. Isserlis plays the suits in a way that you can find something different in his interpretation. Specially the 6th suit. That suit is very difficult to play actually. You should ...
...to also add the price is actually not that expensive. Because you are going to have the six suits which are usually come in two cds and plus interesting piece again by Bach , Cant del Ocells, ( Song of the Birds'). I highly recommend the cd who are interested in solo cello music, Bach or classical music. ... Read review

Advantages: Exciting and moving performance, fine singers, orchestra and conductor
Disadvantages: None really

Introduction: There is nothing to beat the thrill of a top quality live concert. Once in a while an audience will get drawn into the music, creating an unbeatable emotionally meaningful experience. It doesn't happen often, even with the best combination of artists, one can still fail to press that "X Factor" button that provides everything needed for something special. It happens even less frequently in the recording studio, and so when both the ...
...that special thrill - you know that you've got a special event in your hands. One of the things I really enjoy doing is persuading people to try music they might not otherwise have explored and when it comes to Joseph Haydn - this is the recording which makes me jump around my friends and acquaintances with the over-excited exuberance of a puppy that has treed its first cat! Background: Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) enjoyed a prolific and highly successful ... Read review

Advantages: One of the finest casts ever
Disadvantages: Mono Sound, that's all

MOZART - COSI FAN TUTTE - KARJAN EMI PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW SO I CAN IMPROVE MY REVIEWS IN THE FUTURE!!! When critics line up the best available recordings of Mozart's superb comic opera "Così fan tutte" two recordings are almost invariably up there, Karl Böhm's second recording from 1962 (EMI - Stereo) and Herbert von Karajan's recording from 1954 (EMI - Mono). The remarkable Elisabeth Schwarzkopf is present in both recording as the charming ...
...like the other artists in the Böhm recording, benefit from the fresh stereo sound. One of the glories of the gramophone is Schwarzkopf, Merriman and Bruscantini in "Soave sia il vento" - simply breathtaking as regards phrasing, beauty of tone and the organic feeling to the ensemble. Giuseppe Taddei (Böhm) and Rolando Panerai (Karajan) had long brilliant careers, sharing somewhat similar repertoires, and are equally magnificent in the baritone role ... Read review