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1.Bach - Brandenburg Concertos from: Universal Classics
March 03, 1995
Average Rating:  out of 5 stars

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Music : Bach - Brandenburg Concertos
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I don't know much about classical music unlike the other reviewers for this CD. However, I was fortunate in that my mother bought me a record (remember them?) of Concertos no 1,3 and 5. You get

1. all 6 Brandenburg concertos beautifully played by English Chamber Orchestra. Normally albums of Bach's Brandenburg concertos only have three of the concertos. Having listened to a few of these, the quality of this CD is at least equal to those recordings in my opinion.

2. two additional concertos: the Concerto for Oboe, Violin and Strings and the Concerto for Flute and Strings. The first of these, as observed in the other reviews, is stunning.

I think this CD is fabulous to listen to and is a complete steal for ... Read More:

2.Gorecki - Symphony No.3: Sorrowful Songs from: Nonesuch
July 06, 1992
Average Rating:  out of 5 stars

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Music : Gorecki - Symphony No.3: Sorrowful Songs
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I can't judge this from a musicians point of view, or from anything apart from that this music connects with some bit inside of me that I can't explain in technical language.

Sorrowful yes, you certainly feel that raw emotion from this album. It is also very peaceful and grounding - not great over-worked symphony that makes you wallow in your own depression. Very simple and beautiful.

All I can say is that this music connects with some inner part of me and that I love it. It's rather personal and you should take a listen to it before you buy it - but I'm sure you'll love it.

3.Beethoven: The Piano Concertos by: Vladimir Ashkenazy Chicago Symphony Orchestra Georg Solti
November 20, 1995
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Music : Beethoven: The Piano Concertos
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Vladimir Ashkenazy must rank as one of the greatest pianists of the modern era. His blend of flawless technique and sensitive interpretation marks him out as being uniquely placed to deliver as near to definitive performances as it is possible to get. This set of piano concerti was my introduction to his work, and I remain as impressed now as I was when I first heard them. He is ably supported by a rich and warm sound from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by the incomparable Sir Georg Solti. Ashkenazy was apparently apprehensive about approaching Beethoven and attempting to play him in the West when he emerged from the Soviet Union as a young man in the sixties; he need not have been. His command of the tonal energy and colours of the piano works is unrivalled. I like ... Read More:

4.Elgar: Enigma Variations from: Deutsche Grammophon
June 12, 1990
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Music : Elgar: Enigma Variations
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Norman del Mar was a much-loved and usually very effective conductor. He recorded very little, which is a pity, but his reputation was never front-rank whatever his qualities, and it's names that sell records of familiar repertoire. So it is very nice to have this excellent account of 'Enigma' backed by these spirited marches. The Variations are beautifully played and very well characterised with well-judged tempi and phrasing that is neat and/or lyrical as required. When I first heard the recording (on the radio years ago) I did not know who was conducting and immediately thought of some very big names. Well, del Mar wasn't one of those, but this is still one of the best versions in the catalogue.

5.Mozart: Great Piano Concertos by: Vladimir Ashkenazy Philharmonia Orchestra
July 07, 1997
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Music : Mozart: Great Piano Concertos
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Mozart is deceptively hard to play - everything is so exposed and must sound clean and polished. I have a lot of respect for Ashkenazy as a pianist, because in these Mozart concertos he has achieved just that. Perfect legato, even playing. I find these recordings so satisfying to listen to, as he is in utter control of everything.

The D minor concerto has to be one my favourites of Mozart's 27, and it is given an amazing performance here (as are the rest). The work is so good, Beethoven wrote a magnificent set of cadenzas for it! I particularly enjoy listening to how Ashkenazy executes these cadenzas with so much expression and real virtuosity.

Ashkenazy's performance of these works sound perfect to my ears. Go on treat yourself! Once I heard this selection ... Read More:

6.Vaughan Williams: (2CD) Lark Ascending, Tallis Fantasia, Greensleeves, Variations on Dives and Lazarus from: Double Decca
April 12, 1999
Average Rating:  out of 5 stars

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Music : Vaughan Williams: (2CD) Lark Ascending, Tallis Fantasia, Greensleeves, Variations on Dives and Lazarus
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Everything you would want as in introduction to Vaughan Williams is here and it sounds fabulous. Whilst not my favourite recording of "The Lark Ascending", its still a treat and more than compensated for by the magnificent recordings of the "English Folk Suite" and "Oboe Concerto".
Disc 2 is just a sheer delight from start to finish. Every track is sublime and you couldnt ask for a better selection of Vaughan Williams on 2 discs. The only comparison I can draw is the "Abba Gold" collection. Thats how good Vaughan Williams and this cd is. Just buy it and enjoy England's finest composer. It makes my day better whenever I put it on.

7.Mozart: Complete Violin Concertos from: Philips
May 10, 1993
Average Rating:  out of 5 stars

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Music : Mozart: Complete Violin Concertos
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I agree with the other reviewers here: this is a marvellous set, and a real bargain, too. Not only do you get all five of the Violin Concertos, but the sublime Sinfonia Concertante too, and all in impeccable performances.

Grumiaux was universally hailed as a truly great violinist and a wonderful interpreter of Mozart, and he shows why in this set. His technique is superb, he uses his virtuosity to show the music to its best advantage rather than to draw attention to the virtuosity itself and he has real feeling without ever slipping into schmaltz. For example, the well-known (perhaps over-exposed) Adagio of K216 is sublime, uplifting and heart-string tugging stuff without a hint of sentimentality; just sheer beauty, beautifully expressed. I have never come across recordings I ... Read More:

8.Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7 by: C. VPO/Kleiber
April 04, 1995
Average Rating:  out of 5 stars

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Music : Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7
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I am not musically literate, i.e i dont know a crotchet from a quaver but i know what i like, is it an exagerration to say that if we had to show one example of the greatness and potential of human culture, to say some visiting aliens, would it be reasonable to play them these recordings?

9.Dvorák: Symphony No 9 'From The New World'. from: The Originals
April 04, 1995
Average Rating:  out of 5 stars

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Music : Dvorák: Symphony No 9 'From The New World'.
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A splendid bargain in every way. This recording is, as the series suggests "A Legendary Recording from the Deutsche Gramophon Catalogue." Kubelik brings a sense of mystery, and a cheery air to Dvorak. I have heard the Karajan recording from 1965, and although it is good, this recording does win with flying colours.

In 8, Kubelik does not hesitate to slow down, indeed some bits are daringly slow, especially the third movement, but he then compensates by whipping things back up into a vigorous tempo in the finale. Watch out for some bouncy rhythms in the first movement, exciting fanfares, and bouncy timpani playing in the second movement.

In the almost too well known Ninth (From the New World), this makes outstanding value for money. An essential acquisition for any Dvorak ... Read More:

10.Vivaldi - The Four Seasons from: EMI Classics
May 08, 1997
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Music : Vivaldi - The Four Seasons
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I am constantly playing this in the car because I love it so much, other recordings are good but this is just a little bit different, in the Allegro movement of Spring if you listen to the bit before the whole violin and viola section thunders it's way to the tumultuous tweeting solo, you will notice that Nigel bow's 4 times in quick succession instead of the usual 2, the cadenza allows for this and Nigel exploited it with typical panache. It's good to see him back in the limelight once more with his new recording, now lives in Krakow with his Polish missus.

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