Mix of easy listening and classical
359389
I received this dvd two weeks ago and cannot get enough. Music is outstanding. Mix of easy listening and classical. Just terrific. Spurred me onto getting soundtrack. Robin Williams does a great job with his acting ability in this film.
3014472
I highly recommend this cd to anyone who loves classical music and has a great pair of speakers. You need to turn up the volume to appreciate the
nuances of the Sinfonia for Three Trumpets,Timpani,Two Violins,Viola and Basso Continuo No. 3 in D and No. 1 in D (the louder the better); but too loud may result in blown speakers.

When I hear these two concertos I envision royalty (Dukes and Kings) entering great large halls acknowleging their subjects.

The other pieces are terrific and can be played at normal levels.
High fives to Wolfgang Bauer the soloist and the director.
4836312
I heard the Ward-Steinman on a local radio station and was struck by its immediate appeal.  I was further pleased to see that the album contained fine scores by Cowell, Creston, and Dello Joio that are not easily found elsewhere (or unique to this disc.)  Paul Turok is perhaps best known for his prolific classical music reviews.  All the music on this CD is relatively conservative, easily approachable fare, lovely slow material as well as catchy, more animated sections, very well played and recorded.
4698377
Wonderful music for the classical music lover. What a great value!
478011
This large compilation of tracks has just about every decent classical chill out song I could think of. I would recommend this selection to anyone who enjoys relaxing to some great classical music.
2086661
"The Bells of St. Genevieve" is a compilation of Baroque pieces that would serve as an excellent introduction for someone who would like to hear more of the Baroque style beyond "Spring" from "The Four Seasons" or "Canon" by Pachelbel.  Granted, this cd does contain "Canon" (what Baroque compilation could resist including it), but it doesn't stop there.
I'm not an expert when it comes to Baroque music, but I am something beyond a beginner; I guess I'd consider myself a moderately knowledgable amateur.  However, before purchasing this album, I had never heard the title piece, "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba," or track # 10 "Guitar Concerto" by Vivaldi.  Some of the other tracks were familiar but not well-known to me.  I was also pleased to see the inclusion of the turbulent Presto from "Summer" instead of the ubiquitous "Spring."
Compilations are often quite useful in helping neophytes get a better understanding and appreciation for classical music (I know they've helped me over the years).  Not all compilations are a good mix or contain decent recordings; many seem like carbon copies of each other.  This one, however, has good sound quality and great recordings from the likes of James Galway, Pinchas Zukerman, Canadian Brass, and James Levine.
I recommend this album to anyone wishing to branch out a bit in Baroque music but who is not sure where to start.  I've discovered new favorites from listening to this album.
845474
First, let me start with the confession that in general, piano concertos are not really my kind of music. In general I'm quickly bored with this typical kind of music. The only reason I bought this CD is that I obtained the pocket scores from the two concertos at a less than bargain price... So, I was surprised in a good way when I listened to this recording. In general I like Mendelssohn's music, although I can understand the general objections to it (it's too tame and polite and the classical form is retained in too rigid a manner). As for the overall style, these concertos are no deviation from what is to be expected of Mendelssohn. It's gentle pleasant music that nowhere gets really emotionally involved. On the other hand, it's not to be seen as light, unsubstantial music.
The first concerto begins with a very short introduction by the orchestra in an upward movement, resulting in the ff entering of the soloist. Right from the start the rapid pace for the rest of the piece is set. And right from the start the main objection I have to this recording is apparent. Since Mendelssohn is historically known to be a superb pianist with a very clear, clean style, refraining as much as possible from the heavy use of the pedal, promoted by contemporaries like Liszt, I'm always surprised by the extremely heavy way in which Frith opens the concerto. Although I'm not one to criticise piano playing technique I'm somewhat bothered by the way Frith can ramble in the forte and fortissimo passages, sometimes the balance is completely lost and minor details in the orchestra (like a subtle accompaniment in the woodwinds) become all but inaudible. In the slow movement of the concerto, Frith adopts a wonderful technique and combines it with great tenderness and musicality. The accompaniment by the viola's and celli of the orchestra is breathtaking. After the tenderness of the second movement, brass introduces the fast and very humorous third movement, in which the balance between piano and orchestra is much better than in the first movement, although here also the playing of Frith gets too heavy once in a while as if he is trying to push the keys of the piano through the keyboard!
Where the opening of the first concerto is enthusiastic, the tone of the beginning of the second movement is much darker en indeed this movement is characterised by a more ponderous main theme. Frith is clearly at home in the virtuosi writing of Mendelssohn but again I can't suppress the feeling that sometimes his virtuosity overtakes the musical sense of the work. The rendition of the slow movement is again of a very high standard. The fast last movement (reminiscent of the last movement of Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony) is a very tight interplay between orchestra and piano, but it clearly misses the humour and light-heartedness that is the charm of the first concerto's last movement.
The two other pieces are nice fills, but are not really much more than virtuosic show pieces.
1566705
Modern renditions of classics plus new fun Christmas music.  Loved the duets  The download is so easy, and I could start enjoying the music immediately.  I have always loved Rod Stewart's music and this album is a great Christmas mix.
1424011
There is some very good music in this mostly classical sampler. After listening to all of the pieces, I deleted several but kept 8 to add to my collection. The best piece is "Diferencias Sobre La Guaracha (Mexique S. XVII)" which I rated at 4 stars. Worth the download and the time to find your own favorites.
903052
it's classical music, surely something here for everyone, whether you listen to it as you read, while you're having a party, or just a cozy twosome.
1922524
This album has a great variety of styles that makes it easy to listen to over and over again.
3020274
Mr. Bennett's smooth voice and creative guitar picking make this album easy to listen to and appreciate, even though I don't necessarily buy into the dogma. It isn't overly preachy. The music is relaxing and peaceful. I especially love the hammered dulcimer on "Mountain Cathedrals".
2087399
Baroque is such a wide and wonderful musical discovery for us modern types.  It is soothing and quieting to the soul, and in this case for the body as well.
Whether used as lullaby inducing or just listening pleasure and relaxation, this is nice collection.  Including wide array of instruments: strings, flute, panpipes, oboe, flute, harp, guitar, recorder, piano, and voice --- this is truly enjoyable.
There is wide array of baroque composers as well --- Rephighi, Vivaldi, Bach, Albinoini, Telemann, and more.
Great price, great variety, great addition to your CD collection.
78779
Roger Williams demonstrates piano keyboard artistry in his presentation of Christmas songs on this album.  This easy listening Christmas album has Williams playing classics like, Let It Snow, and, Jingle Bells.  Although there is no mention in the album notes as to who the accompaniment orchestra is (in fact, there are no program notes at all), the orchestration for the accompaniment is superb; Williams plays along with the background music expertly.  The sound quality here is also excellent; the balance between accompaniment instruments and the soloist are in their proper sphere. All said, I highly recommend this album to those desiring a classy presentation of Christmas classical songs with broad appeal.
1633027
If you like classical, this one is good to add to your collection. Not all songs are as impressive as others, but overall very nice light music.
4732070
The wolf's song (with his pack joining in) is beautifully accompanied by natural water sounds and classical string and piano compositions.  The first time I listened to it I was not "in tune" with it and wondered what I had purchased.  Subsequent playing of this album revealed that the wolf solos and relaxing classical strings are absolutely lovely and actually blend splendidly for a "natural" and "classical" album. The wolf's song with classical strings is entirely relaxing and enjoyable.
1658049
When I saw this in my recommendations, I thought the price was a typo.  How can you get 99 songs for a dollar?  All I can say is, I'm glad I downloaded it.  I'm a fan of classical music, especially the subtler stuff.  The playlist is broken down into 2 or 3 works by one artist, followed by 2 or 3 more by another.  It's a good way to get a feel for the different styles and works, if you're not familiar with them.

The collection IS relaxing, without being sleep-inducing, and there are a few interestingly quirky selections mixed in.  Overall, how can you go wrong with so many songs for just a dollar?  You can't.