Classical > Wagner, (Wilhelm) Richard Classical

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 ... Read review

Advantages: best time of you lifetoo tired
Disadvantages: to tired to leave

The first time ,by the way that was many years ago my husband introduced me to the rocky horror picture show by Richard o brian, my reaction at first what am i watching ,then we watched it again i began to love. Then there was a knock at my door with my brother in suspender,basque and high heels,all he says will you do my make up i,m off to the rocky horror show audiece participation. You cannot imagine the look on my face when i realised he walked ...
...and told him to let us know when the next show was,unfortunately this was the last in the run.so i,ll have to wait a year. In that next year my brother went on and on about and how billiant it was live,aswell as saying most of the people going dress in the characterd of the film. so a year on i get four tickets my brother and his freind,myself and my husband i chose the character janet a straight laced girl in a pink suit my husband decided on ... Read review

Advantages: Everything you could ever want from a classical CD
Disadvantages: none

...Richard Strauss 39. (The) Planets Composed by Gustav Holst 40. Toccata and Fugue in D minor Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach 41. Symphony No. 40 in G minor Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 42. Symphony No. 5 in C minor Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven 43. Romeo and Juliet Composed by Sergey Prokofiev 44. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor Composed by Edvard Grieg 45. Boléro Composed by Maurice Ravel 46. Fanfare for the Common Man Composed ...
...by Richard Wagner 48. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B flat minor Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky 49. (6) Brandenburg Concertos Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach 50. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in D minor Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov 51. 1812 Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky 52. Symphony No. 9, 'Choral' in D minor Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven 53. Carmen Composed by Georges Bizet 54. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra ... Read review

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 ... Read review

Advantages: All the hero's in one
Disadvantages: Mixed sound recordings Sound louder and quieter in places

...first glance you would imagine the CD to be the normal mainstream nonsense with Russell Watson singing Amor ti Vieta, but when looking at the back you do see that this is a quality CD. So lights down low CD player on high and a nice Glass of wine and you are ready for an audio trip through operatic tenor modern history. Track List: (THERE ARE 27 TRACKS IF YOU WANT A SUMMARY OF EACH ONE THEN READ ON OTHERWISE HEAD FOR BOTTOM OF REVIEW) Track 1: O ...
...the Cd. Nothing but quality technique and voice on show here, one of the best renditions you'll ever hear Track 2: Morgenlich leuchtend sung by Peter Anders Not my favourite song and a big jump in quality from the first track but still an adept singer, the first sign that there is going to be a wide variation of voice and style on this record Track 3: Bimba, dagli occh sung by Hedwig von Debicka and Helge Rosvaenge The first Duet we hear on the ... Read review