Szymanowski: Piano Works, Vol. 1

Advantages: Excellent selection and performance of piano works by Frank Bridge
Disadvantages: A few pieces are not very interesting

...Frank Bridge was an early twentieth century English composer. His works are not widely known, but are played increasingly, and more recordings are becoming available. Some of his later works, such as his piano sonata, were influenced by Scriabin. This CD is the second of three, and covers a wide range of styles, but mostly in his earlier style. Most of the pieces on this CD are fairly easy to listen to, and can be enjoyed by the majority of classical music lovers. The opening piece, Etude Rhapsodique, is an etude appropriately played by Jacobs, in the grand manner (of Liszt and other nineteenth century virtuosi), full of late nineteenth century panache, but with Bridge's own distinctive voice. The second piece, Berceuse, is played beautifully, a gentle piece as the name would suggest (a lullaby) but again with Bridge's own... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Absolutely delightful with plenty of different musical styles to keep things varied
Disadvantages: "Asuka Strikes!" is really horrendous

...Circumstances," "Nadia" and "Macross II" being among his accomplishments, of which "Evangelion" is perhaps his best known work. By the appearance of the guy he seems to be somewhat of a cross between a struggling bohemian artist and a leftover from the '60s hippie era, only being Japanese. His score for Neon Genesis Evangelion is definitely one of the most diverse I have ever heard in either the movies or on TV. With a deft mix of traditional orchestral writing combined with many modern licks like electric guitars and rock percussion, loungy jazz music, intimate acoustic guitar and romantic piano, the diversity on display is impressive while it could easily make the score disjointed and fall apart. In a TV score that has to provide music for 26 episodes this kind of disjointedness is easier to get away with as it would be in a movie, but when... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Oral Fixation Vol 1
Disadvantages: Nothing

...La pared La tortura Obtener un si Un dia especial Escondite ingles No Dia de enero Lo impresindible La pared (version piano) La tortura (Shaketon) Las de la intuicion There's a secong part "Fijacion Oral Vol II" or "Oral Fixation Vol II" with English song that isn't a part of this opinion... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful