A great collection of classical tracks in a box set of ...
354045
A great collection of classical tracks in a box set of 3 CD's. Various composers and a good variety of sopranos and classic tracks. Would recommend the CD from the Endeavour Morse TV show to compliment this.
1860913
I love classical music and I also like a lot of the orchestral music that is meant to sound errie. So 99 cents for 34 classical tracks sounded like a great deal to me. And I was not disappointed at all. Though the tracks are not performed by the most famous orchestras still the performances are of fine quality and I enjoyed every track. there are a few songs I don't understand why they are considered creepy like mozart's requiem or the beethoven symphonies while others like the works by bach especially and most of the other tracks but musicwise they are all equal. So if you are a classical music fan like me I would highly recommend it. Only 99 cents for a collection that I know I'll listen to again and again.
389899
This 22-disc set pulls together Gardiner's Bach recordings made for the Archiv label over a 17-year period.  Included are 36 of Bach's more familiar cantatas, along with the Christmas Oratorio, St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, B-Minor Mass, and Magnificat.  The highlights of the set are the large-scale works, with highly distinguished singing by soloists like Anne Sophie von Otter, Barbara Bonney, Olaf Bar, and Anthony Rolfe Johnson.  The cantatas are not quite up to the same standard, but are still very fine.  I believe Gardiner originally planned to record all of the cantatas with Archiv, but the project was abandoned with only about a fifth of the cantatas completed.  Since then he has recorded all the cantatas for the SDG label, now available in a complete box.  Notes are not included with the set, but it is still a remarkable bargain.  Listeners interested in the cantatas should also consider the consistently excellent Suzuki recordings on BIS.
500810
This is an excellent collection of pieces for students who are beginning to study classical repertoire. I also like the preparatory book that precedes it.
1230195
After listening several times to&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Telemann-36-Fantasies-for-Harpsichord/dp/B00CAEQCNS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Telemann: 36 Fantasies for Harpsichord</a>&nbsp;and discovering the charm of those pieces, I came across this other set of Telemann harpsichord music, I sampled a few tracks, and I promptly added it to the cart. This is beautiful music!

Together, these two sets cover the majority of Telemann's keyboard music: this set includes TWV 30-32 (fugues, chorale preludes, suites), whereas the previous one covered TWV 33 (fantasias). Besides these works, Telemann's keyboard output also includes TWV 34 (minuets) and TWV 35 (individual pieces) - perhaps these will make the subject of another recording project.

I already knew Roberto Loreggian from his recordings of Handel music on harpsichord and Frescobaldi music on organ. He does another great job in Telemann's music. The small fugues and the chorale preludes are played on an organ, while the rest of the compositions are played on a harpsichord. The recording quality is excellent, as I came to expect from Brilliant Classics.

If you've enjoyed the first collection of Telemann music, then this second set can be an automatic purchase. And even if you didn't, try sampling this music - you may enjoy it more.
1265994
This contains a lot of diverse music which actually is a good sell point.  All very well recorded.  Since I am into box sets now, this is a great box to have included in my collection.
2300443
For lovers of serious classical music, especially with an European flair, I highly recommend this set. You will find hours of joy and amazement at his phrasing and melodic melodies.  This set is priced very favorably.  I highly recommend it
3269365
I am very glad I bought this and highly recommend it. All of the recordings are from 1950's and early 60's. The quality and the breadth of this box set make it a wonderful way to start or quickly expand and a top-tier classical music collection. For me, the biggest revelation in the set was the recordings of Hayden symphonies, 19 in all. They are lively, fresh, balanced, and not overly romanticized. I had no idea that Bernstein recorded Hayden so often and so well. It also includes great recordings of all 9 Beethoven Symphonies and 4 of the 6 Symphonies by Nielsen. There is nothing in the set that is particularly modern, which I would have liked more of. The most modern pieces in the collection might be 3 Symphonies by William Schuman, again, wonderful recordings. One correction of a previous review: only Symphony 9 by Bruckner is included, not all of his symphonies.

Some of his best recordings of Mahler Symphonies, which I was hoping would be in this box set, were made later with the NYP and the Vienna Philharmonic and are in other box sets from Deutsche Gramophone. My biggest problem with these earlier recordings is with the sound of lead trumpet player in many of the Mahler symphonies, particularly 2 and 5. He has a somewhat warbly, overblown sound that might have been in vogue then, but it is annoying to me now.

I don't care for the packaging. I assume they wanted to do something big and different, but it can be difficult to find a specific recording, and sometimes it is hard to remove the CD that is at the very bottom of one of the four compartments. I would have preferred the common block-style container, with all CDs back to back.
2626124
I love Classical music for my desk at work.  This series is great!  The quality is good and makes for a great collection.
1574526
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Most-Relaxing-Classical-Music-in-the-Universe/dp/B005GLRTPM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe</a>&nbsp;is one of many MP3 classical music compilations being featured on the site.  The clicking noise that was formerly audible in the background of most of the tracks has indeed been removed from the MP3s.  It still  has not been repaired in the sample tracks.  But I was curious enough to download it anyway, and the tracks have indeed been fixed.

THE MUSIC

I own a large library of classical music.  There are two primary reasons to purchase a compilation like this.  It can either be used an introduction to a variety of classical music or out of the laziness of not wanting to make it yourself by picking the more relaxing movements from your collection.  I gave in for the second reason.  The music is excellently selected.  It's always nice to listen to complete works in their entirety.  But sometimes it is nice to have a relaxing playlist that won't surprise you with the occasional loud or fast movement.  Then again, this compilation does have a few that could fit that category, such as "Sylvia" which is track 11 on disk 2.

For some reason, half the tracks list the performers and the other half list the composers.  Here are the composers for all.

Disk 1

Track 1 - J.S. Bach
Track 2 - Debussy
Track 3 - Beethoven
Track 4 - Janacek
Track 5 - Handel
Track 6 - J.S. Bach
Track 7 - Saint-Saens
Track 8 - Saint-Saens
Track 9 - Saint-Saens
Track 10 - Paillard
Track 11 - Chopin
Track 12 - Sibelius
Track 13 - Tchaikovsky
Track 14 - Mozart

Disk 2

Track 1 - Brahms
Track 2 - Beethoven
Track 3 - J.S. Bach
Track 4 - Boccherini
Track 5 - Johann Strauss II
Track 6 - Mozart
Track 7 - Mascagni
Track 8 - Mussorgsky
Track 9 - Tchaikovsky
Track 10 - Johann Strauss II
Track 11 - Delibes
Track 12 - Carl Off
Track 13 - Shostakovich
Track 14 - Mendelssohn
Track 15 - Rimsky-Korsakov

CONCLUSION

The performances are good quality and the sound quality is acceptable.  The title is absurd.  But maybe they were going for irony.  Maybe they meant this was the most relaxing classical music in the entire multi-verse.  One or two track changes might be necessary for that claim.

Enjoy.
3344792
While not my favourite body of work by an awesome artist, I did find the tracks on this set very interesting to re-visit.
Especially after such a long time since hearing the original album versions.

All in all a great addition to the bootleg series
1883581
Great Box Set about strings and their beginnings; here we have 3 CDs.:

1) Birth of the Cello / Julius Berger / playing works by Domenico Gabrielli and Gianbattista Degli Antonii, who are among the first compositions for the Cello in Bologna, Italy.  Recorded here in his 1566 Amati Violoncello.
2) Birth of the String Quartet / CasalQuartett / playing Quartet pieces by Scarlatti and Sammartini from the Baroque era, and Boccherini, Hayden & Mozart from the pre-Classical- Classical era on 4 instruments by Jacobus Stainer; 1659 Violins, a 1660 Viola & a 1673 Violoncello.
and...
3) Birth of the Violin / Rebekka Hartmann / playing, and world premier recordings of mainly, Baroque pieces from Pisendel, Westhoff, Biber, Geminiani, Matteis, Guillemain & Rust on a 1669 Amati and a 1675 Stradivari violins.

The Concept, the Performers, the Composers and their Compositions and mainly the timeless Instruments are the perfect combination to entice you to get this, one of a kind Box Set; and on top of that, CD number 3 has an additional free download and a Video of the "making of" the Birth of the Violin.  All in all, a superb item for the little money; I couldn't recommend it any more.
2343538
A great collection, the tracks have been remastered and the sound it great.
1697748
In the wake of renewed interest in Italo Disco (non-UK European dance music from the 1980s), German based ZYX Music has released a series of multi-disc sets. Dubbed I Love ZYX Italo Disco Collection, the collections are a mixed bag, ranching from very good to just over average.

Volume 10, the most recent release in this series is one of the best sets thus far, with 36 songs spread over 3 discs, with most being very good along with a couple that rarely, if ever been on CD format before.

The songs were processed with 32-Bit digital sound restoration. Thus everything sounds crisp & clear esp. as some of the songs here may have came straight off of vinyl records.

Unfortunately this page lacks a track list, so below is a list of the songs that's on this set with additional info on certain tracks. All tunes are 12'' or Vocal 12'' versions unless otherwise indicated.

DISC 1:
1. My Mine- Hypnotic Tango (Extended Player `89) (NOTE: 1989 remix of the 1983 Italo disco classic.)
2. Robert Camero- Lady Surprise
3. Broken Dreams-Broken Dreams
4. Taco- Got to be a Lover (Special DJ Remix) (NOTE: Artist is best known in the US for "Puttin' on the Ritz")
5. Alan Barry- Tell Me the Reason
6. Ken Laszlo- 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8. (Extended Vocal Remix) (Swedish Remix)
7. Mr. Zivago- Little Russian
8. Caron- Out of the Night (The First Step)
9. Milou- Change Your Mind (Dance Floor Version)
10. Mike Mareen -Dancing in the Dark (Galactica Remix)
11. Mayte Matee- I Do, I Do (B-Side 12'' Version) (NOTE: The B-Side of the original 12'' single. The A-side version, which is a minute shorter can be found on&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Zyx-Italo-Disco-Collection-Vol-8/dp/B0017YNIEI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Zyx Italo Disco Collection, Vol. 8</a>
12. Joy- Lost in Hong Kong

DISC 2:
1. Raggio Di Luna- Comanchero (Special Disco Mix) (NOTE: A rare & interesting remix. The original 12'' version is also on Vol 8. Group's name is Italian for "Moon Ray".
2. Neil Smith- Help Me Through the Summer
3. Radiorama- Yeti (Special R.E.M.I.X.) (NOTE: A rare remix with additional drum & bass not heard in the original version, which can be found on&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Italo-Disco-Collection-Vol-3/dp/B00062I6UI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Italo Disco Collection, Vol. 3</a>
4. New Romantique- Shy Like an Angel
5. OP.8- Butterfly
6. Silver Pozzoli- Pretty Baby (Swedish Remix)
7. Glamour Station: Ev'rybody Does It
8. Nove- Ride My Bike
9. Cliff Turner- Sunset Rendezvous (Maxi Version) (NOTE: Originally from the B-side of "Moonlight Affair", this previously released version is a minute longer than the one from the 12'' record.
10. Mr. Freaky- Out of My Mind
11. Jeanne- Freedom (Die Antwort) (NOTE: A woman & later a man are talking in German over a Hi-NRG beat. The chorus are in English.
12. Savage- Love is Death (Extended Version)

DISC 3:
1. Doctor's Cat- Feel the Drive
2. New Romance- You're My First Love (Head Over Heels)
3. Fantastique- Everybody Loves the Sunshine (Special Extended Version)
4. Chikeria- Le Freak (Chikeria Mix) (NOTE: A cover of Chic's classic disco song...it's better than you may think...)
5. Miko Mission- I Believe (NOTE: An edited down version of this song)
6. Lucia- Marinero (Swedish Re-Edit)
7. K.Barre- Right By the Moon
8. Rick Rock- Take Me Away
9. Primadonna- Flashing on the Floor
10. Hugh Bullen- Alisand
11. Ray Cooper- Breakdown
12. David Gray- Let's Down Tonight (NOTE: One of my personal favorite Italo Disco songs. This is a different David Gray from the UK-based singer/songwriter who bears the same name.)
4155825
This is a behemoth of a set; 14.5 x 5.0 x 6.0 inches of Furtwangler! I have dabbled my way through about 30 of the 107 (plus DVD and CD-ROM) discs here, mostly the recordings I have not heard before. All of them sound great given their age and the circumstances under which they were made. A few quibbles: I would have liked to have had the La Scala Wagner Ring complete, rather than 2 discs of excerpts; these two excerpt discs prove the La Scala performances to be superior to the (included complete) RAI Rome ones, though the Rome recordings DO have superior sound. Also, much as I love the Bayreuth 1951 Beethoven 9, I love the 1942 9th, and other wartime Beethoven recordings (a few excerpts are included on the "bonus" discs). Of course, I already have those sets, so this is just quibbling. This set is all the Furtwangler neophyte needs until they become a fanatic about it and "need" to become OCD completists (which, ironically, is why I bought this set). The long (literally) and short of it is, this is a fantastic box set at a great price, organized REALLY well in sturdy boxes. Even if you have half of these recordings in other incarnations, this set is STILL a deal!
3372497
This collection traces Kenny's music from his hits with the First Edition up to his comeback with Buy me a rose. It does not contain all his hits - there are too many to include in a double CD - but it includes all the classics such as Ruby don't take your love to town, Lucille, The gambler, Coward of the county and Lady. A 4-CD boxed set (Through the years) is available for those who want a more comprehensive collection, though it doesn't contain any of his comeback hits.

The collection contains many of Kenny's American country and pop hits of the seventies and eighties, a few of which also made the British pop charts (and all his British hits are included). The set includes five duets with Dottie West (a vastly under-appreciated singer) and one duet each with Kim Carnes (Don't fall in love with a dreamer), Dolly Parton (Islands in the stream), Sheena Easton (We've got tonight) and Ronnie Milsap (Make no mistake she's mine). Among his solo tracks on this CD, you will have your own favorites. Lucille is the song that turned me on to Kenny's music and I still think it's his best - but not by much. I particularly like Scarlet fever and Blaze of glory. Note that Daytime friends is a solo track, not a duet wth Dottie.

If you only want one Kenny Rogers collection and don't want to buy the boxed set, this set is the one to buy. I still get immense pleasure from listening to him, even though I've heard some of the songs hundreds of times.
1826011
I am a huge classical music fan, always looking for that perfect recording and being most critical when it doesn't suit my taste. Even so, I had a lot to learn about composers and pieces of great music that I was unfamiliar with. It delights me to report that I have found most of what Ted Libbey has said about building a classical CD collection to be true. He offers a list well thought out; not just according to sales but more in terms of history and attention to detail. Since buying, reading, and rereading this book, I have increased my classical collection considerably. What I find most surprising is how often I agree with the selections and comments the author makes here. Obviously, not all of the time but more often than not, I find his selection to be worthy. I would love to make recommendations for more music to add to the list; such as Mendelssohn's "Songs without words." But the author himself mentioned his difficulty in limiting the list to just 350. I appreciate his insite and have learned a lot from this book. I highly recommend it.