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Born

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Bond

August 25, 2003
I'm a hardened, dyed-in-the-wool classical music lover. I have hundreds of classical cds and maybe one shelf of what you'd call pop.

This cd, as has been said, is not classical. Oh sure, the tunes are familiar, but there's a disco beat to them and they've been heavily arranged. When I first saw this group, I did wonder if they were following the lamentable modern trend of looks over talent.

But you know what? I actually really enjoyed it. These ladies can play. Very well, in fact. It's perfect if you like classical, but are in the mood for something a little wilder, or maybe if you are not at all into classical but want to dip your toe in the water.

In short, this was the first Bond album I bought. I now ... Read More:

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Romeo and Juliet (Previn)

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Sergey Prokofiev

October 04, 2004
Ballet scores don't come any better than this. Prokofiev's score is an order of magnitude greater than Tchaikovsky's, and this classic version by Previn and the LSO does full justice to superlative music. It is intelligent, sensual and witty and offers outstanding value.

Prokofiev's score manages to match Shakespeare's drama in its intensity, complexity and economy. A notable feature of the play is its time compression. In the world of the play, all the action takes place in three or four days. In stage-time, this is reduced to a mere trice: 'the two-hour's traffic of our stage'. In Prokofiev's version, ideas come equally thick and fast - and enough of them to last most composers a lifetime. What's more, like the play, the ballet ... Read More:

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Gorecki - Symphony No.3: Sorrowful Songs

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

July 06, 1992
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.

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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 ... Read More:

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Local Hero

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Mark Knopfler

March 24, 1997
Still my favourite film almost twenty-five years after its release. Nice to see so many other people also rate it so highly. Makes you wish you were there on Scotland's west coast.

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Westlake - Miss Potter - OST

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

January 08, 2007
This cd is gorgeous, so lovely! Gentle, sweet music that was perfect for the film! BUY NOW or you will miss out!!!!!!!

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Mozart for Meditation

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

February 10, 1997
I really enjoyed this CD and I did find the music relaxing. However as someone who meditates regularly I do not think that it is music that would be used to meditate to. One can sit and relax to this CD but if you want to meditate this CD, in places, can be quite stirring and would not lend itself to an actual meditation practice.

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Janácek: Choral and Orchestral Works

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
from: Great Recordings of the Century

September 06, 1999
I really enjoyed this CD and I did find the music relaxing. However as someone who meditates regularly I do not think that it is music that would be used to meditate to. One can sit and relax to this CD but if you want to meditate this CD, in places, can be quite stirring and would not lend itself to an actual meditation practice.

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Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Ibrahim Ferrer

May 24, 1999
From the first track 'Bruca Manigua' (which you will replay over and over) to the last. This album is simply Unbelievable. I only discovered Buena Vista with the free Movie cd with my Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago and Ibrahim Ferrer is just an undiscovered Legend in my books. Well, up till the last few years of his life. GET THIS!!!

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The Ultimate Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Classical Music > Classical Music
by: Pavarotti

September 06, 2007

This 2007 single CD release is a compilation of opera's best known arias performed by one of our generations most popular and successful tenors.

None of the recordings are particularly new, ranging from the 1973 version of 'Nessun Dorma' (long before the Three Tenors era) to slightly newer releases like the 1989 'Live like Horses' duet with Elton John.

In between these two are all the favourites like Verdi's 'Brindisi' and 'La Donna e Mobile', and of course Lara's 'Granada'.

Whether this is, or if in fact any 1 CD of just one hour of music could be, the ultimate Pavarotti collection I'm not certain, for there are several other such titled releases available (most notable being Decca's 2 disc compilation which guests stars ... Read More: