The Best of Fauré

Advantages: Sublime
Disadvantages: Ends too soon!

...This CD has pride of place in my collection. Why? Because it contains some of the best classical music ever composed and the playing of the English Sinfonia, conducted by Sir Charles Groves, is absolutely right. It begins with Masques et Bergamasques op. 122, by Faure, which is a charming and happy tune. I think it might have been used as the signature tune for a radio or television programme when I was a child, but I am not certain on this point. The Sinfonia play the Overture, Menuet, Gavotte and Pastorale from the Masques et Bergamasques, then effortlessly glides into Faure's Chanson de Nuit, an exceptionally charming piece which is an exemplary example of pastorale. Serene, noble and lush. Perfection! Next comes Chanson de Nuit, by Elgar. Dream-filled, thoughtful, evocative, questing, all reasons why the music of Elgar is still so... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: four Madonna tracks
Disadvantages: five non-Madonna tracks

...Who's That Girl is hardly a Madonna album, but they are obviously using her name to sell it. It is actually a soundtrack of the Who's That Girl film, which Madonna starred in. This album was released in 1987 and I was lucky enough to see her in concert in Leeds that year, when she toured Britain on the Who's That Girl tour. But this album is not indicative of her talents at all, it is very disappointing, but of course, if you are a fan of hers, you will want to add this to your collection. There are only nine tracks on the album, with only four of them being Madonna songs - Who's That Girl, Causing A Commotion, The Look Of Love and Can't Stop. Not only are there not many of her tracks on here, but the ones that are there are not amongst her best either. The other tracks are 24 Hours by Duncan Faure, Step By Step by Club Nouveau, Best... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautiful Requiem
Disadvantages: Better live

...This review is of the requiem itself rather than the entire CD as it makes up most of the music on the disc. Of all the classical requiems out there Faure's is perhaps the most emotive. Its movements are sombre without being morose and solemn without being boring. Listeners may be familiar with extracts used in recent television adverts particulaly the Agnes Dei whose middle passage and modulation are perhaps the most fantastic in the whole work. Another great is the Libere Me where a solo male voice is a nice contrast to the soprano solo in the Pie Jesu. My only qualm with the piece is the In Sanctum Spiritum where the staccato organ part conjures up images of the magic roundabout?! Defintely one to listen to very loudly after a long day. For a very tranquil experience give it a try...!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful