While Hooked on Classics does not contain the full symphonies ...
595560
While Hooked on Classics does not contain the full symphonies it does give the listener a taste of many classics inspiring the listener to seek them out.
3321878
The Amazon listing shows the works but not the composers.  The 100 works were written by the following composers:

Chopin (24 works), all 24 are performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Brahms (11)
Liszt (7)
Mendelssohn (7)
Debussy (6)
Albeniz (3)
Bach (3)
Beethoven (3)
Dvorak (3)
Grieg (3)
Schubert (3)
Schumann (3)
Granados (2)
MacDowell (2)
Mozart (2)
Rachmaninoff (2)

Plus 16 more composers contribute one work each.

As you can see this list is heavily oriented to Romantic era composers.

More observations:

- Sound quality is very good.
- There are 20 works on each disk and each disk is about 75 minutes long.
- The works are in random order. Works by a single composer are NOT grouped together.  For example, 4-5 works by Chopin appear on all five disks and then are evenly distributed within each disk, with a work at the start of the disk, some in the middle, and one at the end.
- There are no liner notes.

For more info web search for "Ultimate Classical Piano" and click the link to Decca's web site.

Overall, a good sampler at a great price, but hardly "Ultimate" or all "the essential masterpieces", thus the 3 stars.  Yet, I enjoyed this set and wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.
1808132
Here are alternative recordings of Beethoven symphonies 3,5 and 7 as well as recordings of the Creatures of Prometheus and Grose Fuge which to my knowledge have not been available before. There are alternative recordings of some overtures as well, with a total of at least 2 cds' worth of previously unavailable recordings. The remastering sounds better than that on some 'Great Recordings of the 20th Century' discs I already owned, and the price is hard to beat. Grab it while you can, in today's 'here today, deleted tomorrow' classical recording environment.
3678050
This collection was gathered to show off the capabilities of today's surround sound systems. In that express purpose it passes acceptably but not fantastically. Sound does indeed come out of the surround speakers but the demonstration is hardly wonderful. The music gathered for the demonstration on the other hand is exceptional. Numerous tracks from Erich Kunzel and the Cinncinati Pops Orchestra are scattered among the songs and should let anyone listening know that they should definitely be collecting numerous recordings from them. All of the other tunes are very well done and should serve as a demo disc for you to gain exposure to them. While this is a nice collection, I would honestly recommend that the buyer seek out the works of Kunzel and the CPO. These recordings alone will stretch your system and show you some quality music.
2417053
I was delighted to get this excellent set of transfers from Archeophone. The hit of the week holds a special place in the hearts of collectors of early 1930's music. They sound great and Archeophone is turning into a major player in remastering and ancient recordings. The problem is that these are not essential performances. The orchestrations lack inventiveness or anything of interest (except for the circumstances of the hotw series) in many cases and my reaction to many of these was, "ho hum." If it wasn't for the unique cultural history of these recordings, I doubt that I would have sprung for this collection. There are enough good songs and performances here but plenty of drab ones, also. I will get volume 2 since I collect this type of music, but I am not expecting much. The hits of the week may not have had what it takes to be hits of the century.
2044597
I'm not much of a classical music buff, but I realized not too long ago that I do like many of the "popular" classical music tracks. Since then I have been on the lookout for a collection of "famous" classical music tracks that would appeal to the layman (so as to develop my interest in classical music further, and also to familiarize myself with some of the more famous classical tunes). Saw this CD on sale and bought it on a whim, and I haven't been disappointed. The collection is indeed very nice, and my only gripe is that there isn't a single Beethoven track!! (and I wonder why non of the other user reviews mention this).
2532676
When I ordered this I thought that it would be the entire Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2, but once It was downloaded and I could see the tracks, it included only two movements of the symphony.  I'm sure the music is beautiful (I haven't listened yet) but there was no way to check the exact contents before purchase.  I really wanted the entire symphony.
3474682
Apart from the popular Op. 37 Lieder these are sadly less commonly recorded works.

Oddly, Naxos has decided to record each cycle incomplete on this CD.  One assumes that those by Clara (Schumann's wife) in Op. 37 were dropped as this is part of the "complete Schumann Lieder series".  How silly though that they should delete the opening Lied of the important Op. 98a cycle.  The notes try to justify this by telling us that it can be heard on another Naxos recording of the Lieder-Album fur die Junend as the final song in that series (using a different soprano).  Not good enough.  As for why the Op. 101 is incomplete, there is no mention.  At around 64 minutes playing time, there should have been room at least to complete the last two cycles.

Regarding the artists, the soprano, Susanne Bernhard (though slightly shrill and edgy at times) does a good job, while the baritone, Thomas E. Bauer is excellent with a warm and expressive voice.  Fine playing from the pianist, Uta Hielscher.
912995
Great music and a complete collection of symphonies to boot, but with conducting that can hardly be called inspiring, this set is very disappointing.
2791732
Schubert's &#8220;Unfinished&#8221; on period instruments promises to be a treat, especially with the high-profile team on this disc, the famous Australian conductor Sir Charles Mackerras and the equally well-known British historical-performance ensemble Orchestra of the Age of the Enlightenment. Where opinions will differ is as to the idea of completing the symphony. Brian Newbould, who also authored the notes to this recording, has undertaken the &#8220;audacious&#8221; task (that is his own word), using a manuscript sketch that has been found among Schubert's belongings for the beginning of the third movement, but daring to compose the second half of the trio &#8220;from scratch&#8221;, so to speak, although being careful to refer to Schubert's first half. And for the last movement, Newbould has taken up Henry Grove's suggestion that the Entr'acte music for &#8220;Rosamunde&#8221; was, in fact, originally Schubert's idea for the conclusion of the symphony, in which case one can assume, either that Schubert was dissatisfied with it and re-cycled his material, or that Schubert needed music for &#8220;Rosamunde&#8221; in such a hurry that he &#8220;stole&#8221; his own finale, which he had been waiting to orchestrate until the third movement was ready (which was never to happen). But whatever one thinks about this, a modern CD player does allow one to listen selectively, so if you don't like the Newbould version, just programme your player with the first two movements, which are pure Schubert, and then listen to both parts of Rosamunde as a separate work.

The disc also contains Schubert's Symphony No. 5, a work that is eminently cheerful and reminds one constantly of Haydn and Mozart with perhaps a slight dash of very early Beethoven. &#8211; The playing and recording (made at London's Abbey Road studios in 1990) is impeccable and deserves highest marks, a real pleasure for the ears.
3247224
Many of the classical albums that sell well on Amazon are priced under $2.  Those are a good place to start a classical collection.  This album costs a little more, but is still an amazing value.  The price is low, and you get all of Mendelssohn's symphonies, including alternate recordings of a couple.  None of the performances on this disc are ground breaking, they aren't doing anything new with the music, but they also aren't getting in its way. Well played music that is enjoyable to listen to. If you are looking for these symphonies, this is a great collection.  If you are taking the time to examine these reviews, you probably have enough interest that you should pick up this album.
787203
I got this because of the egmont overture. Also the symphony 5 version here is shorter. The third movement here do not do the return of the game. It just skips to the final movement. They symphony is great though.
2924728
One of the problems with producing a highly refined classical musical performance is the performance may lose spontanaiety.  That is the problem with both performances here.  The playing is very beautiful but its lacks drama and passion, especially the Beethoven.  The soloist is a great technician but she rarely lets herself go and simply have fun.  Only in the finale does she allow herself some interpretive freedom.  The first two movements are basically dull, although played almost perfectly.

The Mahler does not reach any great heights either. The performance is exciting for only the last 10 minutes.  The orchestral playing is exceptional but this is not fully realised Mahler.

The technical side of this DVD is outstanding with great photography and direction, the best I have yet to see. The Munich venue is simply gorgeous.

Mahler's 100th anniversary of his death is coming in 2011.  Maybe that will generate some great Mahler DVDs.
1161018
Strauss was always an interesting conductor of both his own works and those of other composers, and it shows in these early performances.  As you might expect, the sound in some of these works is not as good as in later performances recorded by Strauss and available on Music and Arts, Naxos, etc.  Also, it takes a lot of digging to find the dates of the performances.  So, not perfect but important for those interested in Strauss as a conductor.
640457
Yes, these are very fine performances, but they tell only one side of the story.  Klemperer's famous line about Walter being a "moralist" while he was an "immoralist" points up what I see as the one deficiency in Walter's Mahler:  They are very tame.  This is not a bad thing in itself, but I think there is a lot more to Mahler that is lost with Walter's brand of classicism.  You need a bit of the wild side that you get with Klemperer, Abravanel, or Scherchen.
802730
These Classic Albums shows on DVD are very cool for fans of the artist, the specific album, musicians, and those who enjoy rock music history. However, not all of the DVD's are equally good in terms of thorough coverage of the material. This episode focusses on 2 key albums by Rush, 2112 and Moving Pictures. The main show is about 54 minutes long and about 36 minutes are on the 2112 album, so there's barely 20 minutes on Moving Pictures, which is the album I really wanted to see. There is not ample time to cover 2 classic albums, they should have each been given a full episode's time.

However, there is also another 50 minutes of bonus material that covers more material. It is well filmed and Rush's interviews are enlightening and you get to see them demonstrate a lot of their instrumental parts. And the DVD usually sells for only about $10.

Still, as is the case with many of the shows in this series, not every song on either album is covered. I wish it was more thorough. You can likely find this on YouTube, although maybe not with the bonus footage, so check it out before you buy it. I think the "Beyond the Lighted Stage" DVD set is a far better purchase, and it is far more thorough on the Moving Pictures album.
1031681
The great popular success of his 3rd Symphony "with organ" has apparently overshadow Saint Saens' earlier symphonic efforts, which are seldom played or recorded - and it is really a pity. Granted, they are youthful works - very youthful even, in the case of the unnumbered A-major Symphony from 1850, composed when Saint Saens was 15. With the first numbered, opus 2, he was 18, the second unnumbered one, "Urbs Roma" (City of Rome), 22, and # 2 op 55, 24 (1859).

Granted, all these works betray the influence of Beethoven, Mendelssohn (the finale of the A major is striking) and Schumann (inasmuch as Schumann betrays in his Symphonies the influence of Beethoven - but who didn't in those years?). And so what? If you enjoy the Symphonies of Beethoven, Schumann and Mendelssohn, and even more if you are an explorer of the second or third-tier Romantic composers like, say, Raff or Berwald,  if you enjoy the youthful Symphony of Bizet or those of Gounod, Saint-Saens' will offer many rewards. His symphonies are wonderfully crafted, they offer moments of uplifting heroism, of intense drama, of lithe and graceful dance spirit, of moving pathos that never turns into the sentimental or cloying.

Do my ears deceive me in hearing a Tchaikovsky likeness in the famous 3rd Symphony with organ, composed 27 years after the previous one, in 1881 (Saint Saens was 55 then)? I'm not talking about imitation or derivation. Styles evolve along parallel and sometimes joining lines. I don't know why the organ is singled out in the Symphony. It is certainly not a "Symphony concertante FOR organ and orchestra", the organ is treated as an orchestral instrument (as the four-hand piano) and comes out soloistically only very rarely. Anyway, what a fine composition (if you like Tchaikovsky, that is).

I won't attempt a judgment on the interpretive merits of these recordings, as they are, for the early Symphonies, my first acquaintance with them. I have the feeling that the finale of the A-major could have been swifter and lighter - more Mendelssohnian, that is. As for the "Organ" Symphony, it is not a composition for which I have the score and have done comparative listening. But suffice to say that these recordings have been recognized classics since their first LP release (they were recorded between 1972 and 75), that Martinon was a fine conductor who knew how to elicit both punch and grace from an orchestra. And anyway, sometimes it is just good to enjoy the music, all considerations of interpretation aside. For the record, Bernard Gavoty, the organ player, was in those days, under the name of Clarendon, one of the most famous music critics of the French press, writing for the daily Le Figaro.