Classical > Wagner, (Wilhelm) Richard Classical

Quite a versatile album, if not totally so.

Advantages: Good packaging, good performances.
Disadvantages: Not the artist's strongest performance.

Jonas Kaufmann isn't an Italian singer. He owns a large, dark lyrical tenor voice bordering on 'spinto'. Many of the tracks in this album feature Italian operatic arias that could only be termed his 'second best' (his best lies with German composers like Schubert, Strauss, Mahler, Mozart et al). Even so, this album offers considerable joy to the listener since Kaufmann owns not only a sizeable and expressive instrument, but also owns considerable ...
...these recordings. You may find his voice not entirely Verdian or Puccinian, but his interpretation of works of this genre is more than acceptable. The best tracks on this album are those arias from French operas. Kaufmann's French and Italian are both idiomatic, as well as his English, considering that his native tongue is German. Of these foreign languages, he is strongest in French. For lovers of French opera, the arias by Massent, Bizet et al ...

shinabel 26.06.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Jonas Kaufmann - Romantic Arias

HISTORY OF TENORS ON ONE CD

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 ...

jameslucjan 19.09.2006 · Read full review
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Review of The Greatest Tenors of the 20th Century

Does exactly what it says on the tin!

Advantages: easy to find the piece of music you want
Disadvantages: maybe too familiar for the expert listener

...I have begun to explore the world of opera, deciding to inject a little culture in my life! My uncle had definitely been listening to my interests as this CD was one of the great gifts I had. It is a double disc album, cleverly titled 'The Only Opera Album You'll Ever Need! And I can honestly say that this may be a very true claim! Only the most famous arias are included on these cds, covering many composers including Mozart, Wagner, Verdi, Puccini, ...
...with the place you'll recognise the song from, such as the British Airways advert, the films Fatal Attraction and Moonstruck and the Baileys tv advert. This is extremely helpful for those times when you just can't place where you know a song from. In my house this has also settled many arguments about which composers feature on which advert! The songs are beautifully performed by Luciano Pavarotti, Lesley Garrett, Placido Domingo and many other ...

fluffyfreak 08.01.2004 · Read full review
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Review of The Only Opera Album You'll Ever Need, Volume 2

(A) Bride's Guide to Wedding Music

Advantages: Its a bridal musicopedia!
Disadvantages: It could be overwhelming

(A) Bride's Guide to Wedding Music, is firstly, a CD worth more than the stated price. Not only does it serve the purpose of a songbook, but also acts as a complete resource for planning wedding music. Secondly, there is a myriad of songs which gives you the liberty to pick and choose. As compilation CD's go, this one surely falls in an above average category. The collection varies from traditional sacred songs to classicals varying from Wagner, ...
...of other ever-green composers. The relaxing elements in the songs add another dimension to the scenario, which may be played for several other events, like formal get-togethers, spas, or even while you're sitting back relaxing at home. It inspires a mood of love and happiness, and succeeds wonderfully. Its absolutely user-friendly and categorized according to need. Its an anthology of the best soothing songs ever! And last but not the least, this ...

THEwordwitch 23.09.2008 · Read full review
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Review of (A) Bride's Guide to Wedding Music

Sumptuous works by a little-known composer

Advantages: Good recordings of unfamiliar, but rewarding works
Disadvantages: None

Karlowicz is a relatively unknown composer whose chief claim to fame was his untimely death in a skiing accident just before the First World War. He left a small collection of works, the later of which (figured in this disc) show a talent that was tragically snuffed out before he could achieve greatness. The Symphonic Poems featured here reveal a composer adept at interesting orchestral effects (try the sad theme at the start of the Lithuanian Rhapsody, ...
...writing for the lower-toned instruments of the orchestra. Karlowicz has clearly learnt a lot from Richard Strauss, whose shadow fell across much pre-1914 music, but it often lacks the extrovert quality of the Gernman composer's tone poems; as the inlay notes say, there is a 'brooding' quality to much of this music, particularly evident in the middle sections of these works. Another feature of Karlowicz's writing is his tendency to pick himself up ...

chivhu 15.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Karlowicz: Symphonic Poems Vol 1