Timeless Performances!
341180
I've waited years to get my hands on a copy and it didn't disappoint.  Video and sound quality are excellent.  And the performances themselves are still fresh and exciting.

Only thing preventing five stars is the set-up of the DVD itself: lack of indexing by individual performance.  Instead, you can only move forwards and back by 10 minute increments.  Almost as inconvenient as the original VHS.
3870469
What is there to say? These two musicians have withstood the "test of time" simply because their music transcends all generations and has an incredibly broad popularity base. Their music never goes out of style and sounds as great today as when it was originally first introduced. "The Sound of Silence" is no exception here!!
280671
The performances, needless to say, are simply unbeatable. The transfer, by Ward Marston, is very well done (although the Schubert sounds even fresher on the newly re-mastered "Great Recordings of the Century" version, which I have also reviewed). This release includes not only the Schubert, which is the greatest of all the Cortot, Thibaud and Casals recordings, but also the Haydn " Gypsy Rondo" trio and the Beethoven "Kakadu" Variations (recorded at the same sessions as the Schubert, but never released on 78s). At Naxos' bargain price, you should buy it. And the other releases in the series as well. Music making such as this is not heard today. It comes from a world which has gone - forever. Strongest recommendation.
3433620
This performance recorded at the famed Apollo Theatre is electrifying! The JB Horns fronted by Fred Wesley are in a tight, funky sync.
Throw in Lyn Collins and Bobby Byrd's respective selections and this show sizzles!
The main attraction is of course The Godfather of Soul and he definitely does not disappoint!
Cop this classic performance from 1972--- you will not regret it!!!!
4769652
Classic music from one of the greatest TV series of all time!
941184
I must admit that I am not usually a fan or Perlman (don't hate me!), but after hearing his performance with Ashkenazy (who is one of my favorites!), I was amazed!  The performances were recorded in October 1973 and June 1974.  They have been since digitally remastered.  The sound quality is amazing.  Turn the volume up on this one folks!  A lot of people say that these two musicians are powerhouses, and they do bring a certain depth and richness to these pieces.  It is a personal preference of course, many other fine recordings do exist - most are more elegant or fluid - but this recording has the power and emotion I feel Beethoven would have appreciated.

Beethoven:
Violin sonata No. 9 in A major, op 47 "Kreutzer"
Violin sonata No. 5 in F major, op 24 "Spring"

These are two of the finest sonatas that Beethoven composed, and this collaboration and recording definitely do justice to these fine works!
4666463
Judging from the soloists and the timings, this is a re-release of the legendary 1951 Furtwangler performance of this symphony which the petroleum products company that now owns EMI, apparently recently chose to delete (!)  This has long been my favorite recording of the work and I still have copies of both the EMI CD and the 2-disc Seraphim re-issue of the LP. I also once owned a copy of the short-lived stereo (double-mono) release of this recording. This was apparently not released by EMI  but from another take recorded by "Der Bayerische-Rundfunks". I lost this recording in 1983, along with a lot of other treasures, when my house burned down (Vinyl was definitely final!).
I bring this up because this issue, played through my 5.1 Surround system definitely sounds like it was mixed in stereo! To my ear, the sound of this MP3 issue is better than the CD! It was good enough to prompt me to buy this MP3 album (a "steal" at $1.99!)

I strongly suggest that anyone with an ear (heart?) for a great performance (especially the wonderful Third Movement Adagio molto e cantabile), should scoop this one up!
I included this piece in a program I created for one of my hospice patients that can be found here: https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/1e88557c619341079c13b08e23b7959bsune?ref=dm_sh_196f-685f-dmcp-09c5-4cea7
This collection is what I call an "Experiential Playlist". In an EPL, the "message" is generally in the music and in selections like the Korngold, the lyrics can and should be ignored. One should focus his or her attention on the emotions and images the music evokes. Enjoy!
23835
These are superb performances of this music in the best sound (on SACD) they have been given.  Earl Wild has this music in his bones; he toured the Rhapsody in Blue with Paul Whiteman and played it more than 50 times in as many different cities.  In 1942, Wild performed it with Toscanini and the NBC Symphony the only time it was performed by that conductor and orchestra.  During his 50 seasons with the Boston Pops, Arthur Fiedler performed music by Gershwin more times than nearly any other conductor.  These performances give vivid testimony to his skill with this music

These are as close to definitive performances of the Rhapsody in Blue, Concerto in F, and Variations on "I Got Rhythm" as we are likely to hear, and they have outstanding sound.  Their only real competition is any Gershwin music performed by Leonard Bernstein, Gershwin's piano pieces played by his friend, Oscar Levant, the famous Paul Whiteman led performances, and of course any old recordings by Gershwin himself.

The piano/orchestra performances all rate more than 5 stars.  These are exceptionally good performances in exceptionally good sound.  I have owned these performances in every medium since they were first released over 55 years ago.  This disc is a must-own for anyone who likes this music.  Containing almost 80 minutes of music, this disc is one of the great bargains currently available.  Buy it before it disappears, you'll be glad you did.
2566853
Five BIG Stars!! These powerful performances of Rachmaninov's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra #2 in C Minor, Op 18 and #3 in D Minor, Op. 30 are AWE-INSPIRING: recorded almost a decade apart in the 1960s with the same orchestra but with different legendary conductors. These certainly are two of the most beautiful compositions ever written. Both Philippe Entremont and Andre Watts were at the very top of their game on these occasions, small wonder considering the company they were in, and it's just too bad audiences weren't there to enjoy them. These two piano virtuosos knocked it out of the park on these occasions, thanks in great part to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and maestros Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. There are other great performances of these compositions out there, but these two are my favorites.

Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto is beautifully rendered by Entremont/Bernstein using great technique, patience, and control: in particular during the 'Adagio' as Bernstein wrings each orchestral note for all it's worth, heightening the emotions wrought by Mr Entremont's artistry. Then comes the beauty and intensity of the 'Allegro' (with it's 3 beautiful passes through the theme which inspired popular music's "Full Moon and Empty Arms" ramping up the intensity and density with each pass) with Entremont brilliant both there and in the cadenza.

The powerful Watts/Ozawa interpretation of Rachmaninov's Concerto #3 is wonderous in it's beauty and deft navigation of this magnificent piece. The `Allegro ma non tanto' in particular is absolutely stunning. I've listened to it for decades and the effect is no less stunning each time. Some of young Mr. Watts' searing, clearly emotional two-handed power passages and arpeggios with the orchestra in direct support, or in planned hot pursuit, or Watts alone in the `split' cadenza are mesmerizing. Considering Rachmaninov's melancholy mood about the results of his first piano concerto, he more than recovered from it with these two amazing "tour de force" compositions and others. Absolutely brilliant and evocative, as presented here! The sound and presence are excellent. The multi-language liner notes are historically Rachmaninov-centric. Bravo, Philippe and Andre, and ladies and gentlemen of the orchestras! My Highest Recommendation! Five Brilliant Stars!!
3599015
I first heard this performance by the Vienna Philharmonic back in 1975. It was off of a London Stereo Treasury LP with the famous Edward Hicks painting THE PEACEABLE KINGDOM featuring animals with big eyes living in harmony with humans. It instantly became my favorite and has remained so even after almost 40 years. I have to chuckle when I see the cover of this London Weekend Classics budget CD which has a cartoon drawing of the Statue of Liberty with Dvorak's face. Covers come and go but the quality of the performance and the recording will always be with us.

My first recording of the "New World" was an old Vox LP (when it was still called the Symphony #5) featuring the Bamberg Symphony led by Heinrich Hollreiser which I purchased at a college bookstore for 99 cents back in 1970. It taught me the piece and I still have a fondness for that version (also on CD) but once I heard this one, that was it. I have heard more than a dozen recordings over the years but the clarity, the power, and especially the revelation of inner orchestral details found in this one, puts this version IMHO head and shoulders above the others.

It's clearly a case of the stars being in their proper alignment regarding the conductor, the orchestra and the engineers. Istvan Kertesz would record the 9th a few years later with the London Symphony (as part of a complete cycle) but lightning failed to strike twice. It's rather ironic that this performance has been downgraded to London/Decca's most budget label and, in fact, has been deleted altogether. The up side is that there are still copies available at an ideal price. If you love the "New World" Symphony or want to discover it, you can't do better than this.
2342163
I liked this recording from the very first listen! The score is a bit old fashioned but it certainly works for the time period and for the story it is telling. Definitely full of lovely and immediately accessible melodies - especially "How The Other Half Lives" ( a great opener by the way!), "Give", "First You Serve Your Husband" (Rita Gardner still in wonderful voice!), "The Life of the Party", and "If We Go On". And the performances are all all top-notch! We should always be thrilled by new musical theatre scores and make sure they are heard and shared.
330566
Back in the mid fifties I borrowed a Bruckner 7th from the Enoch Pratt Library.  It was an old Vox recording and well worn.  I didn't get much out of it, but tried again when the Solti in stereo with the Vienna Philharmonic was offered on London Records.  That was better.  Still I never thought the remaining 3 movements lived up to the promise of the first movement - not through 40 some years of buying each new recording as it became available, Bohm, Karajan, none of them seemed satisfying beyond the first movement.

I almost didn't buy this one, but I am ever glad I did!

Here is the performance and the recording I had wanted to hear all along.  The performance is perfect with lovely strings and well characterized woodwind and brass.  The huge rolling climaxes are effortlessly reproduced without strain and Kreizburg has the feeling for this music that has eluded all others!

The most amazing thing is the "surround sound"!  We are not surrounded by instruments here - that is not what surround sound (as realized by PentaTone at least) means.  We are enveloped in the acoustic of the hall where the music was recorded, and this experience is absolutely phenomenal!  Go get it! If you need to buy some new equipment to augment your stereo so you can do this justice, well its about time you treated yourself to concert hall sound in your living room!
3598880
This was a live performance that was recorded and turned into a wonderful concert designed for listeners who are not afraid to be called hybrid listeners mainly because this is both classical music and Brazilian music intertwined neatly for the discerning ear. The quality of musicians is superb!

Now, this was recorded 11 years ago. It sounds fresh as ever.  I have the Yo Yo Ma CD of Obrigado Brazil and some of the selections also appear on this CD albeit performed live instead of in a studio. The musical talent of Rosa Passos, her voice and guitar playing are on display here. Paquito Rivera is another superior musician (clarinet) that showcases his talent and practically steals the show from Yo Yo Ma and Rosa Passos. All three of them combined with all the other superior musicians who make up the ensemble is worth the money for a great collection CD.
1152675
The beautiful voice of Jussi Bjorling shines in these live performances.  They are also beautifully mastered and the sound quality is really quite good.  For the price, this set is hard to beat!!
1185586
Folks, Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi really make this film, plus the Music Score is simply outstanding!  I think it was released in the late fifties, but this is a great film to watch, it's simply timeless!
1888173
I find it hard to understand that this disc has been listed here for over 3 years and hasn't been given a review!
Sir Charles' great reputation in Czech music is well known and these performances further justify it.
Infectious joy permeates through both works with abundance! There is a sense of discovery in the first movement of the 9th that I haven't heard since Kubelik's DG version. The largo with its lilting woodwind rhythms and songful cor anglais is beautifully played against a backdrop of shimmering strings and moves to a perfectly judged climax. There is no hint of the romanticism being over-blown here. The scherzo is full of snap and energy and is followed by a finale which has irresistible energy.
The eighth is no less memorable. A passionate and lyrical first movement, a slow movement which is so evocative of nature, a delectable waltz and a finale charged with vigor.
Mackerras and the Prague Symphony Orchestra have given us performances of rare eloquence and architecture, chock full of personality, insights and affection!
The sound allows all the detail to come through and has great presence.
In such a crowded field something special is needed and they deliver!
Go listen...
PS; also listen to his wonderful Dvorak 6th with the Czech Philharmonic also on Supraphon
3540825
Having seen this performance live in London -
the recording here is quite close and still of all the productions of the musical I've seen since - my favorite.

Stand Outs on the performances

Patti LuPone's Fantine - you will hear the sheer desperateness of her voice, the depth of her pain, all that is Fantine how it was meant to be performed.

Roger Allum -as Javert - the back and forth piece with his character and that of Valjean was pure magic... there is a musical term for that type of musical gymnastics, but it escapes me now -- well worth a listen

Colm Wilkinson- Jean Valjean - Look up "Irish Tenor" in the dictionary, Mr. Wilkinson's picture will be there. I read a recent comment from someone who noted that this recording was much better than the one at the 10th Anniversary - Please have some respect for the fact that this was done over 25 years ago. Of course his voice isn't as strong- and thus for the 25th Anniversary he was accompanied on many of the signature notes by subsequent Valjeans. It is out of respect for his craft and incredible talent that a fan of this music can 'forgive' any lesser quality on subsequent recordings. When you Understand the history your ability to appreciate the quality. Colm Wilkinson was 42 when this was recorded...he's 68 now.

Frances Ruffelle - Epponine - her sweet, sublime tones pulls you further into the story and encourages your emotions to want her to succeed, to have her true love  --- the rest of the story is for you to discover.

True collectors can't miss with this one - its a must have amongst "amazing musicals".