|
|
|
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
from: Compendia
|
|
|
Accardo Plays Paganini: Complete Recordings
from: Deutsche Grammophon
|
|
|
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas / Daniel Barenboim
from: EMI Classics
|
|
|
Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier
|
|
|
Beethoven: The Piano Concertos
from: Decca
: :Each of these performances has its own profile. The orchestra plays incisively in the First Concerto, but Ashkenazy's plush lyricism doesn't make a good match either with the orchestra or with the music, and he makes one weird ritard in the first movement. The Second Concerto is uneventful, rather bland and pleasant. The Third Concerto seems to be the best performance of the lot, with dramatic playing by soloist and orchestra, but it's sabotaged by blurry recorded sound, the only serious problem with sound quality ...
|
|
|
Sibelius: The Symphonies
: :Each of these performances has its own profile. The orchestra plays incisively in the First Concerto, but Ashkenazy's plush lyricism doesn't make a good match either with the orchestra or with the music, and he makes one weird ritard in the first movement. The Second Concerto is uneventful, rather bland and pleasant. The Third Concerto seems to be the best performance of the lot, with dramatic playing by soloist and orchestra, but it's sabotaged by blurry recorded sound, the only serious problem with sound quality ...
|
|
|
Schubert: The String Quartets
from: Deutsche Grammophon
: :Each of these performances has its own profile. The orchestra plays incisively in the First Concerto, but Ashkenazy's plush lyricism doesn't make a good match either with the orchestra or with the music, and he makes one weird ritard in the first movement. The Second Concerto is uneventful, rather bland and pleasant. The Third Concerto seems to be the best performance of the lot, with dramatic playing by soloist and orchestra, but it's sabotaged by blurry recorded sound, the only serious problem with sound quality ...
|
|
|
Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas
from: Decca
: essential recording:There are two really famous Beethoven violin sonatas, the Kreutzer and the Spring. The Kreutzer Sonata inspired the story by Leo Tolstoy, which in turn became the subject of Janácek's First String Quartet, so if you're into comparative studies in the arts, there's a thesis topic for you! The Spring Sonata was featured in Woody Allen's Love and Death, among other places. And perhaps most intriguingly of all, the scherzo of the late sonata, Op. 96, turns up quite clearly in the third ...
|
|
|
Star Wars Trilogy: The Original Soundtrack Anthology
: :There is no soundtrack composer working today more talented or consistent than John Williams, and the Star Wars trilogy represents some of his finest work. Though he uses few major themes (mostly tied to specific characters, signaling when they appear on the screen or do something important), there's also enough variety in the incidental music to keep things interesting. From the instantly recognizable opening music to the medley that accompanies the closing credits, this is excellent work that perfectly captures the innocence and sense of ...
|
|
|
Mozart: The Symphonies
from: Telarc
: :Musical scholar that he is, Charles Mackerras adopts period performance practice, but opts for modern instruments. The Prague Chamber Orchestra is one of the world's best small ensembles. They play this music with impeccable wit, sophistication, and style. Of course, Mackerras himself studied in Prague--Mozart's musical home away from home--and has long enjoyed an excellent relationship with the city's orchestras and musicians. With swift tempos, employment of a harpsichord accompaniment, and all the repeats taken in each work, these finely honed interpretations offer a uniquely ...
|
|
