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 ...
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Advantages: Great songs - wonderful, popular tunes Disadvantages: A few songs aren't as good as the others
...good and is really good value as well - it only cost me £4.97 and in my opinion it was well worth it. This is my first experience with a Classic FM CD and as a result of listening to this one I can't wait to listen to another. ...
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Advantages: Superb collection of beautifully recorded pieces Disadvantages: Nothing particularly abstract, few 'original' interpretations
The Classic FM CDs tend to excel particularly in the regions of recording quality, original and varied choices of music from all periods, and a well-enforced central theme.
This CD is no different-from the most ancient of Baroque composers to Modern Film pieces each style is well-represented here. As ever, the recordings are crystal-clear, which is to be expected from this franchise.
However, the music, though varied in period and musical aspects, ... ...Classic FM style the music is recorded for the casual listener, and as with all compilations the educated musician will often be frustrated at the incompleteness of full works, and also perhaps the often unoriginal interpretations of the pieces. This is definitely a compilation again aimed at the listener with a piece in mind who doesn't particularly wish to delve into the academic realms of study but is perfectly content being able to listen to ...
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