Holst/R. Strauss/Williams: Orchestral Works

Advantages: Great performances of popular favourites and some rare gems
Disadvantages: Barely none, with perhaps slight issues with sound.

...Compilation albums of classical music are often a somewhat hit and miss affair. Great for the beginner, not so much for a seasoned collector. Therefore finding compilations that step outside of the norm in offering something else from the evergreens like Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Vivaldi's Four Seasons, or Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and include some rarer gems is a thing that is ever so more interesting. Such was the sensation when I chanced upon this album, entitled "Colours of the Orchestra", a collection of orchestral treats that in various ways showcase the versatility and richness of a symphony orchestra. There is a number of composers included, all sequenced alphabetically, this set containing people from A to G. This album was then followed by a second collection that continued from where the first one ended, but personally I haven... Read review

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Advantages: A stunning soundworld
Disadvantages: It is a long work

...Steve Reich has often said that writing for the orchestra was difficult. This is in part to difficult personal times but also aestetically it hindered the rhythmic agility that his music requires. However, despite reservations by many about his orchestral works (they are often considered his weaker works) I find myself continually fascinated by what he makes the orchestra do. The Desert Music is music on an epic scale featuring huge sweeping textures and turbulent chorales set to text by Wittgenstein (whom steve studied during his philosophy major). The piece lasts some 48 minutes and is sectioned into contrasting moods and tempi. The very opening and closing movements are like giant pulsating waves that literally crash down over you, it truely is an amazing feeling. The orchestra pulsates to steady quavers as the harmony morphs slowly... Read review

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Advantages: It's Floyd
Disadvantages: Alans Breakfast

...Atom Heart Mother Issued in 1970, Atom Heart Mother was Pink Floyd's first album to top the album chart, yet it is probably the most hated by the band's members, this is mainly due to the albums 27 min long title track, which the band found difficult to perform live, as they often forgot where they were in the song. Yet with the Floyd faithful, it is a must!! Personally, I feel that the title track is an excellent piece of work, although some of the brass instruments sound rather harsh, and the piece has dated somewhat, over the years. But, as an orchestral/rock piece it works well. Two other rock bands; Deep Purple and Uriah Heep both had dabblings with rock/orchestral composotions at that time, so it was not something that would have taken the nation by surprise. The other tracks on the album seem to be just filling up... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful