Beautiful Orchestra version of "Bless This House"
351994
Beautiful Orchestra version of "Bless This House".  Have been collecting this type of music for years. It's a nice addition to my collection.
8497
This is by far one of the best choral performances I have ever had the pleasure to listen to.  I am somewhat of a newcomer to the world of English anthems, but this recording has become my all-time favorite. The sound mixing is amazing: the baritones, altos, and trebles are always at their proper level and the pipe organ never overpowers.  The singing is not only flawless, but moving and inspiring.  Standout selections are "Insanae et vanae curae" by Haydn (I can hear the ancestral beginnings of Yes and Led Zep and have played this everyday for about 3 weeks), and "Bring Us, O Lord" by William Harris, a beautifully toned acapella arrangement (there are so many different sounds going on at the same time, you will swear you hear an instrument in the background, but it is only the pitch-perfect voices of the choristers ringing out complete 5 part harmonies)!

kc
1075816
I have owned and enjoyed a lot of different Rite recordings.  Currently, I've whittled down my collection to only Cleveland/Maazel, Ozawa/Chicago, Tilson-Thomas/Boston, Rattle/Berlin Phil., Stravinsky's own stereo recording (kind of boring), and this new one from an orchestra I'd never heard of.  It's really interesting to hear this piece played by an orchestra with, so far as I can tell, somewhat reduced string forces.  The textures are much clearer; the inner woodwind voices are much more easy to discern.  It's a bit different, in a good way.

The playing is fantastic (something I frankly worried about with this non-famous ensemble), and the energy is exceptional.  This may be the most hair-raising, electrifying Rite I own (with Ozawa/Chicago making a strong showing, too).  The propulsion and drama are absolutely gripping, with fantastic pacing and great, loud playing just where it should be.  So, 5 stars for this Rite.

The Bartok compares to other recordings I've heard of it, which is to say it's fine.  It's just not a piece I've ever liked.  It's interesting to pair it with Stravinsky; the pairing can't help remind you of the neo-classical path that Stravinsky took after World War I.  Anyway, if you like this piece, you'll probably enjoy this performance.  Since I don't, my 5-star rating is really for the Stravinsky which, again, I think is fantastic.
1006682
I was present during both sessions where this recording was made before a live audience. I loved the live performances, but after downloading a lossless version of the recording I have to say it is the best sounding orchestral recording I have heard. Especially the Copeland. The last movement is superb and makes you feel as if you were in the middle of the orchestra. Outstanding. Don't wait, get this recording!
2486189
I have had both Karajan versions of the Shostakovich #10 since they were first issued on LP, in the sixties and again early 80's.  The 80's version has slightly better sound but the "sound world" of the 1960's version sounds to be just a bit better; the dissonant harmonies particularly in the strings seem to come out more forcefully in the earlier version.  Again, this is not so much a question of execution by the orchestra as in engineering, how to capture the orchestral choirs, and so on. But again, conducting plays a role, too: the first movement climax where the strings play a toccata sequence against the sustained winds while the double bases growl stepwise in the background is just sprung a little better and snaps the cadence at 14.00 better in the 1960's version.

To my tastes, the first and third movement of this symphony are the best, and wonderful meditative or "think-through" music.  That being the case, the two elements which are paramount are the handling of the DSCH motif (in the horn, third movement) and the stepwise sequence of three notes in four packets that opens the symphony, which is usually assigned to the double basses or bassoons.  Contrary to another, I have no problem hearing this ruminative theme at any point. (It should be compared to the 12 note fugue sequence in the Science section of Zarathustra, the opening motif to the final scene of Act II of Walkure, and the opening of Liszt's Faust symphony.)

Just a wonderful recording, and if you prefer some grip and control in this symphony, either Karajan version will do: but I still prefer the first.
1566254
First, the 4 stars do not reflect in any way on this elemental, amazing performance; it's a 5 stars plus.

However, I have questions about the sound in this transfer.  I have an LP pressing by DGG/Germany from the mid-1960's (in the "Furtwangler in Memoriam" set), and, despite some overload distorion, it has much more presence than this digital version.  The winds and brass have more color, the bass and tympani jump out, and the strings, while a bit shrill, have a brightness missing here.  In this transfer,  I almost feel as though I'm listening through a veil.  There is more sound in the original tape than comes through here.

The problem is, this is the only currently available version.  And it is available on iTunes (yes, iTunes!!), so when the Amazon marketplace runs out of copies you can download from there.

I never did hear the M&A transfer but I understand it's better.  I am hoping M&A will put their master into their Pristine Audio remastering program for download so that version will be available again.  This performance is too good and too important to be out of print.
593203
Even tough it is a very light orchestation, it is an extremely powerfull interpretation.  When you listen to this recording, you are taken to heaven and brought back with a vivid impression of your experience.  The sound of  the orchestra is clear and beautiful, lovely.  The soloist are great and  the choir sounds like a choir of angels.  A great choice of Handel's  Masterpiece.
1104099
As many renditions I have heard of this magnificent majestic Symphony this would be the very best. Celibidache has captured the true feeling.  The orchestra is flawless and the interpretation of the work is soul stirring.  The entire performance has left me on a spiritual high as Bruckner so often  does.  Highly recommended for serious Bruckner collectors.
1349872
Another review here finds much to like about this set, as well they should.  The sound is uniformly glorious, reminding us of why the Royal Concertgebouw is often the first choice among world class orchestras, and why Phillips was such an admired recording company. I agree that the symphonies are well done; I even enjoyed the Second very much.  I disgree with the reviewer about the violin and piano concertos.  I played several other excellent recordings for comparison and find that these versions are very much to my liking.  I think that anyone looking for a set including the concertos and symphonies with wonderful sound and performance will be more than happy, and at this price, as gratified with this re-issue as I am. It deserves 5 stars.
4019144
Great song. The orchestra supporting it just ties it all together into one big ball of awesomeness. Looking forward to more from this group.
3656688
I loved this rendition of classical music. I am new to classical but this is making my transition easier and more pleasant
503871
You will love this CD! Like many of the CD's from this series, the music was carefully chosen for home listening. I just love playing this CD at home.
The "songs" on this CD and from the series were chosen from the vast and excellent Phillips classical music catalog. The sound, performances, and song selections are world-class.
A lot of great classical music is great for an evening at the concert hall but not very good for listening at home. The crescendos can be loud and the themes too intense. I would rather listen to a breathtaking Mozart piano sonata (solo piano) at home than a grand Mozart symphony (large orchestra) at home. The music on this CD was chosen for home listening, such as when reading a book.
This music appeals to everyone. Classic musicians may snub this music because it's not grand like a full-blown opera. They ignore the fact that the great composers, like Bach recognized different musical genres such as chamber music for at home or the kings court, and grand symphonies for an evening at the concert hall.
The music on this CD is EXCELLENT for listening at home. It's both brilliant and mellow. When I listen to this music I marvel at the brilliance of Bach. I am very grateful for this music and other CD's in this series.
A fantastic CD!
3540566
I am a big Concertgebouw Orchestra fan, and certainly no one can argue that their hall of the same name is not anything less than glorious.  I normally tend to complain that recordings of my favorite orchestras (Vienna Phil. and Berlin Phil. being the other two) often do not give enough sense of the hall they are playing in - especially when these are some of the very best halls anywhere - almost another instrument along with the orchestra. Many recordings mike the orchestra so close that there is no sense of the space at all and the result is that of hearing the piece in a dry studio with no bloom whatsoever.  To get to the point- these recordings are splendidly played and splendidly conducted, but the engineers over did it by allowing too much of the Concertgebouw's acoustics to blur the lines of the piece, the overall sound of the orchestra, and the clarity of the orchestra's choirs.  The overall effect is that of hearing the piece in a huge stone cathedral:  very boomy, overly echo laden, unfocused, and muddy.  So my criticisms of the recordings are really just based on the overall sound and engineering, not the performances.  Ashkenazy does a great job with these beautiful pieces.  I had the great pleasure of hearing the Concertgebouw Orchestra live in the wonderful acoustics of  Dallas' Meyerson Symphony Center, and so there is no doubt they are one of the top three ensembles playing anywhere today.
3967644
This is a wonderful rendition of the piece. Easy to play for any level of experience on the piano. I'm personally not a huge fan of opera, but I simply love this piece of music and was extremely happy to have found a simple to understand version without a lot of orchestral notes in the arrangement. Beautifully elegant in its simplicity.
278114
This release will not disappoint.  While it is difficult to find poor renditions of this, the most war-horse of Mahler symphonies, this recording stands out for it's atmospheric, fine audio engineering, and deep stereo soundstage.  It won't replace my favorite Bernstein version on DG, but it does get everything right as to interpretation and orchestral execution.  Actually it is a very pleasant surprise and deserves a permanent place on any Mahler enthusiast's cd bookshelf.  Recommended.
2378211
I really enjoy this version of the song both musically and vocally.
1728050
I will add my two-penneth to Stewart Crowe's glowing encomium of this wonderful recording, only to endorse his judgement and urge lovers of this, the most joyful, life-enhancing and uplifting of Mahler's symphonies, to add it to their collection.

It dos not necessarily displace other favourite versions - of which I have some dozen or so - but it certainly rivals any and is in some respects desirable because it is different and in that regard joins the fascinating Hengelbrock recording of the 1893 edition, also enthusiastically welcomed by Stewart and me, and also in superb digital sound. I don't think this one generates quite the same degree of magic and mystery in the fairy-tale opening as versions by Solti, Urbanek and the aforementioned Hengelbrock recording, but it sets out to create something rather gentler and more pastoral and succeeds, providing enormous clarity and chamber-like detail, profiting from the lucidity of the acoustic of the Herkulessaal but also generating enormous excitement in the finale, which had me punching the air. The standard of orchestral playing is phenomenal: unified, error-free and so warm of tone.

Solti is grander, Bernstein more overtly emotive, Boult breathless and propulsive, Kubelik on Audite so idiomatically and effortlessly "Mahlerian", and for a modern recording including "Blumine" I favour the lovely Jurowski live LPO recording, but this latest issue is a real triumph for Nzet-Sguin and the best thing I have heard from him. (For a super-bargain recording, the Urbanek one on Laserlight is a steal - currently available for a penny plus p&p!)