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The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Virgin Records

December 01, 2003
I just had to give my opinion on this cd as I had ordered it on the recomendations of the other reviewers,
first of all if you are not a fan of david bedford then give this a miss as it sounds to me like it was cheaply put together, I know this was recorded in the 70's but there are better alternatives out there from that decade. robert powells voice as the narator gives it some credit but is drowned out too often by the music, I gave this cd a few plays just to see if it would grow on me but I have just taken it to the charity shop.

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Salve Regina - Gregorian Chant

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Benedictine Monks of the Abbey of St. Maurice & St. Maur, Clevaux

February 14, 2000
This is a must for lovers of Gregorian Chant, listen to the Te Deum, is not one's heart transported to heaven by the chant? And,the hymns, the tantum ergo, and the salutaris hostia and the salve regina. Wonderful, one's spirit is moved unto a sober inebriation

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Bryn Terfel - Don Giovanni - Mozart [2000] (NTSC)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
starring: Bryn Terfel, Solveig Kringelborn, Paul Groves, Hei-Kyung Hong, John Relyea
directed by: Gary Halvorson

March 14, 2005
This is one of the best versions of Mozart's masterpiece presently available in DVD. Its greatest attraction is obviously the presence of Renée Fleming and Bryn Terfel. Ms Fleming's interpretation of Donna Anna is truly exceptional: the candor and purity of her voice make a perfect expression of the pain and suffering of that noble woman who's father has been killed by the man who tried to rape her. Bryn Terfel is undoubtely a great singer, but he is not a credible Don Giovanni. His voice lacks that touch of evil that makes of the Don the seductor that everybody admires and fears at the same time, specially when he seduces Zerlina and sings below Donna Elvira's balcony. Mr. Terfel's physical appearance is the other factor that prevents us from ... Read More:

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Abide with Me - 50 Favourite Hymns

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Double Decca

July 08, 1996
I have often listened to church music thinking to myself is it all manifested in the same place and released under different titles? However this selection 'hits the spot' with some great renditions of worshipful music and if you like to listen to part singing then cd 1 is excellent. There also some lovely descants some of which i had not heard before, an inspiring selection. Excellent.

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Music for Weddings

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Classic FM

February 20, 2006

Weddings often bring out the best in music, and this `Classic FM Music For Weddings' certainly reflects the type of music being played at today's happy occasions.

It has though been superseded by the 2CD Classic FM `Weddings 2008' which not only gives a little more choice but more importantly divides the music into two categories - religious weddings and church weddings, for it is easy to forget that sacred music (loosely termed as that which was written for the church or a religious occasion) is not allowed to be played at civic weddings while the registrar is present.

With that in mind, this is still a good album of lovely music, and although suitable for all church services, you should check with the registrar before playing ... Read More:

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That's Life

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Russell Watson

March 05, 2007
Hmm, Yes! He's obviously got a good voice-or he wouldn't have got a recording contract or the backing for tours.
But I WISH someone would polish up his on-stage persona.(Made me cringe!)
His 'cheeky winks' and thumb waving put me in mind of someone saying
"Ayoop Lad, Ow's t'pijjinns? (with his Whippet somewhere in the wings)
Hopefully Russell's pencil-thin figure will appeal to the younger, more health conscious set (Unlike someone we used to love...)

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Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Venture

May 15, 1995
I was first introduced to Adiemus through the realm of advertising, as was most of the world. I did not know then that the music was available to buy, until I heard it on the radio. I noted down the title (unfortunately I did not hear the composer) and bought the album not entirely sure if I had made a good purchase or even if it was the same as I wanted. When I listened to it I had no need to worry. It was fantastic! I had never been into world music before hearing this but I wouldn't mind giving it a go now; for those of you who don't like that genre, it's still worth the buy as there is enough of the classical style in there.
The album has now become mega successful and is definitely an essential album for any classical or world music fan. This is composed ... Read More:

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Operas of Gilbert and Sullivan (D'Oyly Carte Opera Company)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Gilbert and Sullivan

February 09, 2004
I agree wholeheartedly with the review by J.J.Rhodes, but feel I should make the point that the whole set is recorded in full glorious MONO! Once you have got over the shock of the sound stage collapsing into a point source however, the music really is delightful, and takes me back to the days when I used to pay 9d to sit up in the gods at the Golders Green Hippodrome to hear the D'Oyly Carte company sing their way through all those charming numbers. This set has a distinctly dated feel about it, and makes one realise just how much performing styles, as well as recording techniques, have changed in half a century (and some of the artists were clearly chosen for their ability to act rather than their ability to sing!). But for all that, I'm glad I bought it. This is authentic ... Read More:

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Pärt: Alina

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: ECM New Series

October 25, 1999
If someone was to ask me to go through my music collection and pick out the perfect piece of music, Alina would be it. Neither offensive nor boring or shallow, it's uncomplicated with thought provoking phrasing, holding one's attention time after time without growing tiring. Yes, the tracks are slightly repetitive and the CD only has 2 tracks (albeit varied), but believe me you could stick your player on repeat and have this running for a couple of hours without wanting to change it.

What is interesting is that everyone who has heard this CD playing has complemented the music and asked for the details. It's a winner with my wife, who despises at least 90% of my music taste. It even manages to calm my baby down.

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Vaughan Williams - Complete Symphonies

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Cfp

September 09, 2002
I had seen many of the performances in this set recommended separately so to have them all together in one set at such a low price is great.
The sound is very good and even if you only like half the music on these CDs, this is still a fantastic bargain.