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Classic FM Anthems 2008

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Classic FM
by: Various Artists

July 14, 2008

Classic FM has attempted to provide the classical music version of `rock anthems' to shake your head and punch the air to, an equivalent of Rainbow's `Long Live Rock 'n' Roll' anthem of the 1970's. Does it work? Yes of course it does because the Classic FM marketing team are in touch with the needs of today's classical music listeners.

The track list is comfortably predictable - Ride of the Valkyries (Wagner), Carmina Burana (Orff), Jupiter (from Holst's Planets), Pomp & Circumstance (Elgar's Land of Hope and Glory), A Night on a Bare Mountain (Mussorgsky) and many, many more.

Those `many more' include three outstanding performances - Alfie Boe's version of Nessun Dorma, David Garrett's virtuoso (and breathtakingly ... Read More:

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Classic FM Guitar - The Ultimate Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Classic FM
by: Various Artists

June 16, 2008
As the previous reviewer said, this is a great introduction to the world of classical guitar music. As usual with ClassicFM Cd's, the quality of the music on offer is superb, with a few well known pieces that have been arranged for the guitar; like Elgar's Nimrod etc.. As said before, if your new to this style, or you want something to just relax to, then you can't go wrong with this.

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Classic FM Babies

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Classic FM
by: Katherine Jenkins, Elin Manahan Thomas, Julian Lloyd-Webber, Pascal Roge, Herbert Von Karajan, Charles Dutoit, Harry Christophers, London Symphony Orchestra

July 23, 2007

A lovely 2CD Classic FM compilation of relaxing music - for mothers as much as their babies - consisting of an interesting assortment of baroque, classical, romantic and modern music with the underlying theme of aiming to relax the listener.

Some pieces are chosen partly for their title as well as the soothing effect they have, these include the 'Lullaby' by Brahms and 'The Swan' from 'Carnival of the Animals' by Saint-Saens. The more contemporary offerings are by popular composers such as Patrick Hawes. These are good recordings, as expected by Classic FM, many of which will be comfortably familiar to most of the radio shows listeners.

Comfortably safe by Classic FM maybe, but comfortably relaxing too.

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Feel Good - Classic FM

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Classic FM
by: Various Artists

September 29, 2008

A well chosen selection of 26 mostly familiar pieces of orchestral music on 2Ds which, judging by the title and the album cover, is intended to make you feel good and smile.

I found the choices a good mix of familiar, like Handel's Zadok the Priest, Haydn's Cello Concerto No.2 and Vivaldi's Gloria, along with slightly less familiar but equally welcome pieces such as the orchestral arrangement of David Bowie's Life on Mars and Elgar's lesser played Finale from his Enigma Variations (it will be instantly recognisable to Classic FM listeners as one of the short jingles used on their radio show).

As usual Classic FM have introduced the big names, Hayley Westenra and David Garrett included, and chosen good recordings of recognised orchestras. ... Read More:

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Classic FM Music for Dinner Parties

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Classic FM
from: Classic FM.(Export

July 12, 2004

Such is Classic FM's marketing team's enthusiasm for releasing these 'Music For' compilation albums we should soon have a CD in our collection to cover every eventuality in our lives!

This one is for dinner parties - although being a single CD it may need to be played several times depending on how quickly your guests eat - and the intention is to create a calm, relaxed atmosphere with perhaps an air of sophistication to those social events.

There should be something on this album to please everyone round the dinner table. Satie's 'Trois Gymnopedies' is soothing and familiar, Haydn's 'Cello Concerto no. 2' is more lively and Handel's 'Water Music' adds a bit of ceremony to the event.

The recordings, as ever with Classic FM, are ... Read More:

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Smooth Classics

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Classic FM
by: London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

October 19, 2002
Every year at this time Classic FM bring out a new triple CD set - and this year's is even better than the ones that have come before. I didn't think they'd be able to better "Time to Relax", which was last year's album - but they have! And they've done it in some style too by choosing music from their evening programme "Smooth Classics at Seven", which is presented by the legendary John Brunning. I can't recommend this album enough. And it does just what it says on the box. I've got my copy in the car at the moment - it's perfect as an antidote to a journey from Hull to Manchester on the M62 every morning. I'm seriously considering ordering two more copies - one for the office and one for home - the music choice really is that good. This is excellent stress-busting stuff ... Read More:

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Classic FM - Hall of Fame Gold

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

April 05, 2003
As a younger listener of classical music, I have found this album to be a wonderful collection of well loved pieces, all in one place. Perfect. Although previously I did not have much interest in opera, I have found the compositions on this album to be fantastic and I now have a greater appreciation for pieces like Bellini's Casta Diva, and Dvorak's Song to the Moon.
I am only disappointed by one thing, and I am afraid that must be the appalling attitude of anon1659, who thinks that music must be serious to be enjoyed. I have played classical violin since a young age, and find it to be anything but serious. Classical music is beautiful, but you don't need to concentrate when you listen. It has been written to convey emotion, and to be appreciated. You do NOT have to be ... Read More:

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Classic FM Music for Studying

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Classic FM
from: Classic FM.(Export

July 12, 2004

A lovely collection of music for relaxing or studying, most of the tracks are just a single movement or piece from the full score, which is probably all that is required for most listeners as it does make the music instantly recognizable and familiar.

There is an abundance of these types of collections though and many are box sets offering better value than this single CD. It forms part of a series by Classic FM (including albums dedicated to Babies, Mothers, Studying, Driving, Bathtime, Dinner Parties, Christmas, Romance, Weddings) so it may appeal to those wanting to get the entire collection and build a modest library of varied classical music.

A good selection of classical music, but probably not the best value for money of its type.

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Great Organ Classics

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

November 01, 1997
This is an excellent recording of some old favourites and some new ones too. Far from being too loud and too fast, this is well judged, musical playing and an excellent introduction to the wonderful variety of music written for the organ.

If you want to hear playing that is truly too fast and too loud, then try any from Wayne Marshall! This is playing of the very highest order which deserves a wider audience.

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Classic FM Music for Fitness

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

July 12, 2004

Getting fit and working out surely conjures visions of Rocky Bilbao pounding the streets to `Eye of the Tiger' or the gym sound-system pumping out the latest dance music hits rather than classical music?

Even if the intention is to take a bit of exercise in the home we would surely reach for the latest `I'm a Celebrity Look How Slim I've Got' DVD, so I think this collection of short classical pieces, stirring as they may be, has a slightly tenuous link to any form of activity for losing weight or toning up.

Nevertheless it is a good collection of classical music highlights, most will be familiar ones so it's a CD to get instantly into and enjoy, but anyone with more than a few `Best Of' classical collections will have most of the music here already covered.
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