Mozart: Chamber Works

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 Fiordiligi. I prefer her fresher voice in 1954 but she, 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good example of early 20th century French/European music. Cheap price
Disadvantages: Not distinct or ground-breaking enough

...--- INTRODUCTION --- -QUICK FACTS- Nationality: French Born: Paris 1899 Died: Paris 1963 Specialist genres: Stage works, concertos, piano music. Francis Poulenc had a relatively well-supported life, being born into a family of pharmaceutical manufacturers he never had to earn a living. Like many famous composers he began learning his skill at a very young age, at five he started the piano. He specifically tried not to in his learning process to be influenced by other major composers, so to keep his music as much his own as possible as stated by his self-description "I am a musician without a label". Influences which did affect him though were the immediate post-ww1 years which in certain parts of France had created a new atmosphere of hope and vision away from the horrors of war. Additionally the Parisian street life of cafe... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fun, comic, lyrical
Disadvantages: Sung in italian

...The Composer Wolfgang Amadus Mozart was born in Salzburg on the 27th January 1756. A child protegy, he began composing from a very early age. He was at ease writing in every genre of music but it was in opera that Mozart’s chief passion lay. He composed Don Giovanni in 1787 whilst in Prague. The Music Don Giovanni is a comic opera dealing with the contemporary tensions of class and sex. Giovanni is a Spanish nobleman with an insatiable desire for sexual conquests. The scene is Seville, Giovanni arrives masked persued by Donna Anna who he has tried to seduce. Her father hears her cries and is killed in a duel by Giovanni. The music falls into a dramatic silence followed by a trio of male voices baritone and bass which combine to express the sadness and shock of the death. Ultimately Giovanni is consigned to eternal damnation in... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful