One of a Kind [Import]

Track Listings

1. Cualquiera

2. Besito Pa Ti

3. No Pienses Mal De Mi

4. Todo Aquel

5. Duena Del Cantar

6. Por Accidente

7. Lupe Se Ha Enamorado

8. Canta Bajo

9. Tu Vida Es Un Escenario

10. Esta Es Mi Vida

One of a Kind,La Lupe,Fania,Latin

Tracks:

Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
Swanee- Al Jolson
When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
My Man- Fanny Brice
Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
Body And Soul- Libby Holman
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
Night And Day- Fred Astaire
Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
You're The Top- Ethel Merman
Summertime- Anne Brown
September Song- Walter Huston
My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
People- Barbra Streisand
Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
Come Follow The Band
Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

Memory- Betty Buckley
I Am What I Am- George Hearn
Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
With One Look- Glenn Close
On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
Seasons Of Love-
Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating:

A fusion masterpiece
Just Go for it
one of the essentials
IF you have stumbled onto this, BUY IT NOW!
Excellent album, excellent musicians.

One of a Kind
Bill Bruford
Manufacturer: E.G. Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Feels Good to Me
Gradually Going Tornado
U.K.
Danger Money
Unorthodox Behaviour

ASIN: B000003S15
Release Date: 1990-08-31

Tracks:

Hell's Bells
One Of A Kind-Part One
One Of A Kind-Part Two
Travels With Myself-And Someone Else
Fainting In Coils
Five G
The Abingdon Chasp
Forever Until Sunday
The Sahara Of Snow-Part One
The Sahara Of Snow-Part Two

Customer Reviews:

A fusion masterpiece.......2007-06-06

After listening to lots of fusion records for more than thirty years, this is the one I play the most, and is, in my opinion, one of the finest fusion records ever recorded. Brilliant songwriting with melody, great solos, vibrant... a disc you wish would never end. Between 1977 and 1980, Bruford focused on solo material. This disc was the second of four releases. Every song is innovative, this still sounds modern, and the engineering is amazing. Check out the crisp sparkle of the cymbals and the perfect overall balance between players. There are some spoken passages on this disc but they don't detract from the music like the vocals on his first disc did. Some of my favorite musicians play on this - Dave Stewart, keyboard/composer extraordinaire; Allan Holdsworth, guitar whiz; Jeff Berlin, bass guitar monster; and Bill Bruford, whose drum style is unrivaled and totally original. A must have for any fusion collection and truly warrants a five star rating.

Just Go for it.......2006-07-20

This is a once in a lifetime experience. Like UK's first album, like Yes's Drama. You will never listen to something like this. It has a great mixture of styles, "jig-saw music" as Allan Holdsworth used to call it, so just feel free to blend inside. Feel "The Sahara of Snow", get kicked by the guitar solo in "Hell's Bells". A Jewel, a hidden jewel.

one of the essentials.......2006-01-29

this one is for me the best progressive jazz/rock album ever made , every tune is a masterpiece , this is the best record this group ever did ( but u have to have the other ones too , specially gradually going tornado ) .......I'm a pro drummer , i've toured and played for more than 20 top latin artists , when i was studying drums at drummers collective in nyc there was a discussion about the 5 best fusion albums ever ........ several records came to mind in every style ...but after serious discussion ....... i picked ( and some others too ) .
1 - bruford - one of a kind
2 - weather report - night passage
3 - herbie hancock -trust
4 - allan holdsworth - secrets
5 - tony williams lifetime - beleive it .

if you love fusion u have to hear this 5 records .

IF you have stumbled onto this, BUY IT NOW!.......2005-07-16

This CD is the apex of the broiling fusion scene in 1970's. One of the most imagininative, compelling groups EVER. And THIS IS THEIR BEST ALBUM BY FAR!!!!I saw these guys live at "My Father's Place" on Long Island in 1980. Jon Clark replaced Holdsworth for the tour, but it hardly mattered (I WAS initially dissapointed of course). This collection of tunes is listenable, exciting rock/jazz. It has part of it's genesis in albums like Yes' "Close To The Edge". Momentous. Just as the Beatles dragged their version of Chuck Berry across the Atlantic, Bruford's absolute love of the smokin' Blue Note albums from late 50's and early 60's is the origin of this fine collection of tunes. Nothing better, I don't care what you say; by this point in history of Prog, they were ALL chasing Allan Holdsworth and Bill Bruford. They still are! Drink right from the source! Ahhhhhhhhhhh-refreshing!

Excellent album, excellent musicians........2005-02-04

This is a review more for links than for other purposes. So, for a start, I recommend this album highly, allowing my readers not interested in links to stop their reading here.

I like sophisticated, complicated music. The kind that deserves the adjective "unbelievable". This album, even for musicians, is almost unpredictable, difficult to analyze. But it is not just noise. It is very much "written" (in the music theory sense).

The main reason I am writing this review is that when I read the other reviewers of this album, I feel Dave Stewart is not enough rewarded/quoted for the influence he might have had on the final product. (I feel his influence was very important. I'm guessing a little bit on that, I have to admit.) But I think that one who like me also knows his work with bands like "Hartfield and the north", "Egg", "National Health" cannot avoid to recognize his very personal touch on this album.

On this album, I think that the other musicians, being so talented, are obliging him to really do his best in a sense, and to stay focused just on doing that, not allowing him to go too far. (My personal feeling is that Dave Stewart, with his other work with the other groups I mention, is just a little bit too far in the direction of the frontier between free jazz and progressive rock. (His music being a mix of things very "written" and improvisation: it's the improvisation aspect that might sometimes be too "free" at moments). But I like these other works a lot, especially with "Heartfield and the North" with bass guitarist Richard Sinclair (ex Caravan member, another excellent group).

But this album (one of a kind) is the quintessence. I'm very glad to have it, and for me it is pure prog rock.

The Dave Stewart on this album is not to be confused with another that plays guitar (with "Dave Stewart and the spiritual cowboys", among others, and is perhaps (unduly?) more notorious). (I once read in an interview of the latter a confession that he might have received unduly in his early carrier some postal checks from the people distributing the money because of both having the same name)
For those more interested in Bruford's work, an interesting link is his work with King Crimson, available on the DVD "King Crimson": "Neal and Jack and Me". Recommended.

After having listened to this album, more than 20 years ago, Bill Bruford became my preferred drummer, Dave Stewart my preferred keyboard player (ex-aecquo with Tony Banks, Kerry Minnear, Kit Watkins, Dave Sinclair, Kate Bush, Rick Wright, Jean-Luc Ponty (he also plays keyboards), and some others, like the guys at Saga).
Allan Holdsworth was perhaps already one of my preferred guitarist, perhaps for his work on Gong's album "Gazeuse", and also for his very distinctive sound and playing.
Voila. (and for Jeff Berlin, I don't know him as much as the others, but he is excellent too.)

A One of a Kind Love Affair: The Anthology

Average customer rating:

BOBBY SMITH ....THE SPINNERS' REAL LEAD SINGER !!
TY BESS(THE MUSIC MAN)
It's a reason Rhino is the best at reissues and compliations and this comp shows why.
Good Career Overview
If you love the Spinners this is it

A One of a Kind Love Affair: The Anthology
The Spinners
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Philly Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
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The Best of the Stylistics

ASIN: B000002ISF
Release Date: 1991-11-05

Tracks:

That's What Girls Are Made For
I'll Always Love You
It's A Shame
(Oh Lord) I Wish I Could Sleep
How Could I Let You Get Away
I'll Be Around
Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
One Of A Kind (Love Affair)
Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You
Ghetto Child
Mighty Love
I'm Coming Home
He'll Never Love You Like I Do
Love Don't Love Nobody
Then Came You
Living A Little, Laughing A Little
Sadie

Tracks:

Games People Play
I Don't Want To Lose You
Honest I Do
Love Or Leave
Sweet Love Of Mine
How Could I Let You Get Away (Live)
Wake Up Susan
The Rubberband Man
Me And My Music
You're Throwing A Good Love Away
Heaven On Earth (So Fine)
Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me, Girl
Funny How Time Slips Away

Amazon.com

Despite hailing from Detroit, the Spinners had only sporadic success as a Motown act, most notably with the Stevie Wonder-produced "It's a Shame." But with the early-'70s addition of Philippe Wynne as lead singer and new associations with Atlantic Records and producer Thom Bell, the group was transformed into one of the decade's key soul acts. With Wynne's gorgeous voice and ever-inventive improvisations riding Bell's smooth tracks, the Spinners made deathless single after deathless single while also committing must-own LPs like the self-titled one that featured "I'll Be Around." A One of a Kind Love Affair charts the great career of an outfit with truckloads of both R&B and pop credibility. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

BOBBY SMITH ....THE SPINNERS' REAL LEAD SINGER !!.......2007-01-24

I've always been one for giving credit where it's due...and in the case of THE SPINNERS, one person always gets way TOO MUCH, and another doesn't get NEARLY ENOUGH.That person is the fantastic BOBBIE SMITH. BOBBIE has been the REAL LEAD SINGER OF THE SPINNERS FROM DAY ONE !!! He sang lead on the SPINNERS VERY FIRST HIT BACK IN 1961... ( That's What Girls Are Made For )...and also their first million seller ( "I'll Be Around" ). In between ,he lead virtually ALL of their PRE MOTOWN HITS ("Too Young, Too Much, Too Soon","What Did She Use " ,etc.)and such MOTOWN CLASSICS AS "TRULY YOURS" (my favorite SPINNERS song },"I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU "(the group's second biggest Motown hit} ,"SWEET THING",AND TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE SUCH SWEET MUSIC "("IT'S A SHAME WAS LED BY G.C. CAMERON,who couldn't go with the group when they went to ATLANTIC,because he was still under contract to MOTOWN). And SMITH also led THEIR BIGGEST ATLANTIC HITS "COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE " ,"GAMES PEOPLE PLAY ","MIGHTY LOVE",(a shared lead} and "THEN CAME YOU"...Yet , Bobbie get's VIRTUALLY NO CREDIT FOR HIS PART IN THE SPINNERS' SUCCESS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS..AND NEVER HAS !! In newspaper & magazine articles, music history books , even in ATLANTIC RECORDS own liner notes... all the credit goes to PHLLIP WALKER {aka PHILLIPPE WYNNE )!! Some music writers have even gone so far as to credit Phillippe for songs BOBBIE ACTUALLY SANG LEAD ON!! While I don't take anything away from Phillippe (he was a fantastic singer & dancer ), the REALITY is that his initial single with the SPINNERS, "HOW COULD I LET YOU GET AWAY"(which he sang lead on), ONLY REACHED #77 ON THE BILLBOARD pop chart! It was only after the nations' disc jockeys TURNED THE RECORD OVER TO IT'S FLIP SIDE,"I'LL BE AROUND" which BOBBIE SMITH sang lead on,, that the group had it's FIRST MILLION SELLER !! BOBBIE ALSO SANG LEAD ON THE GROUP'S SECOND MILLION SELLER, " COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE ".By the time their 1st ATLANTIC ALBUM'S 3rd single , the WYNNE- lead "ONE OF A KIND LOVE AFFAIR" came out, (which also sold a million ),the two SMITH -LED SONGS had already established the SPINNERS as SUPERSTARS,and propelled the sales of that album to GOLD RECORD STATUS. The fact is that while PHILLIPE was hopping and skipping across the stage,driving audiences wild ,it was BOBBIE SMITH that was selling all the records,WYNNE having led on only one other million seller,the fun and funny novelty song "RUBBERBAND MAN "(Most of the WYNNE-led tunes were bigger on the R&B charts than on the POP. BOBBIE also sang lead (with DIONNE WARWICK}, on the million-selling # 1 smash,"THEN CAME YOU", and another million seller "GAMES PEOPLE PLAY".(Can you believe MOTOWN rejected his voice ? BIG MISTAKE !!) However , Wynne's powerful performance of "I COULD NEVER REPAY YOUR LOVE " was also a highlight of their INCREDIBLE FIRST ATLANTIC ALBUM,many radio stations having played the song right off the album.Sadly, Wynne's DAVID RUFFIN-LIKE attitude , demanding TOP BILLING, and causing turmoil within the group, and with their producer,THOM BELL,threatened to tear the SPINNERS apart. But the SPINNERS existed long before PHILLIPPE WYNNE,and they still exist today.....And,GUESS WHAT? BOBBIE SMITH is still their lead singer.It's time HE got the credit he deserves.

TY BESS(THE MUSIC MAN) .......2006-12-23

For those of you looking for the very best of the spinners this is the cd for you.It has every radio hit on it along with some unreleased songs this cd is for the people that are not sure about what spinners cd to buy.
This is it enjoy!

It's a reason Rhino is the best at reissues and compliations and this comp shows why........2006-08-17

I can't think of anything wrong with this set.The song selection is excellent,the sound quality is superb.The liner notes are...you get the ideal! It's just that good.Just look at the song listing and keep in mind that all these songs are in their full length/album versions.No chippy choppy single/radio edits here.If Phillipe Wynne was alive now,he'd even say "Damn! We were bad weren't we?" Thanks to Rhino records for showing yet again how a complation should be done.

Good Career Overview.......2006-08-12

Here's a good retrospective of the highlights of one of the most highly-talented aggregations in the annals of R&B/Popular music. Most 'old skool' music listeners know the Spinners' output well, as their releases from "It's A Shame" onward through most of the Atlantic Records albums and singles are now considered as true classics, ranking with the best music of the period. What you get here; besides the hits and some of their best album tracks, is a fascinating insight, via the well-written liner notes, into the progression of their storied career - both the 'ups' and the 'downs' - and a better understanding of what made for an exceptional combination of songwriters; singers and record producer/arranger with the Thom Bell connection. Philippe' Wynne is almost legendary as a singer and this package takes you from the early Motown sides before the 'Soul' man came on board thru the rest of their best years. Most longtime fans rejoice because all of their releases from the Atlantic period can now be obtained on CD, which makes for even better listening with the smooth rhythms, lush orchestrations and quality recording productions that still are hallmarks of what many believe are the greatest years of creative musical output in American music. If you can't afford to re-buy all the original works, then get this solid collection and you'll have more than enough to keep your soul satisfied! Hats 'off ' to Rhino, as well, for again doing the reissue thing the right way, as they always do.

If you love the Spinners this is it.......2005-12-10

If you are a Spinners nut like I am, you will be very satisfied with this cd. Even though a couple of songs I would have added does not appear( Cupid and a beautiful song called Just to be with you) I strongly recommend this anthology of hits. This group I feel was very under rated and almost got lost in the Motown experience. This is a group that should be ranked up there with the temptations, Four Tops and the Dells. Also Phillipe Wynne is one of the most soulful and talented singers ever. I am so sorry we could not enjoy him a little longer, RIP. I also enjoyed reading the background on them and their past and last lead singers. This is an awesome cd, so I suggest you go out and get it for your musical library.

Average customer rating:

A Grand Lady, A Grand Collection

Legend: Régine Crespin [CD & DVD]

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Songs by Mahler, Handel & Peter Lieberson

ASIN: B0009275XO
Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

I. Der Engel
II. Stehe Still!
III. Im Treibhaus
IV. Schmerzen
V. Traume
Einsam In Truben Tagen
Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen
Eine Waffe Lass Mich Dir Weisen
Ich Sah Das Kind
Dich, Teure Halle
Allmacht'ge Jungfrau
D'Amour L'Ardente Flamme
Nous Avons Vu Finir... Chers Tyriens
Ah, Je Vais Mourir... Adieu, Fiere Cite

Customer Reviews:

A Grand Lady, A Grand Collection.......2005-09-28

Few who have had the privilege of seeing and hearing Régine Crespin in person will be able to pass this fine album by. A beautiful voice, a beautiful presence, an intelligent and sensitive mind all informed her singing whether on the grand stages of opera or in recitals. Who could ever forget her inimitable Berlioz' 'Les Nuits d'été or Ravel's 'Shéhérazade'? Indeed, Crespin is a legend.

In this very fine album we hear a stunning 'Wesendonck Lieder' of Wagner with Georges Prêtre conducting the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française. While some singers find these songs matronly Crespin infuses the poems with frail and tender love. Staying with Wagner (she was after all a reigning Sieglinde in her day) she offers arias from 'Lohengrin', 'Die Walküre', 'Parsifal', and 'Tannhäuser' (with Otto Ackermann
conducting the Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris)
demonstrating that this very French singer could produce a huge sound that easily sails over Wagner's orchestration. Finally she is heard in Berlioz' 'Les Troyens' and 'La Damnation de Faust' (again with Otto Ackermann). There is not a weak moment in these selections.

Included with this CD is a well-produced DVD of Crespin singing French art songs, showing the poise and involvement she brought to every performance. This is a treasureable package and certainly commands the respect of the title 'Legend. It is brilliant! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 05

Average customer rating:

Applause for Applause!
Lauren Bacall !
Love it
Welcome CD edition of the original Broadway cast album
lauren

Applause (Original 1970 Broadway Cast)
Lee Adams
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

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Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
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ASIN: B00004ZDV0
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

Overture
Backstage Babble
Think How It's Gonna Be
But Alive
The Best Night of My Life
Who's That Girl?
Applause
Hurry Back
Fasten Your Seat Belts
Welcome to the Theatre
Good Friends
She's No Longer a Gypsy
One of a King
One Hallowe'en
Something Greater
Finale
Applause -- Charles Strouse (vocal and piano) (bonus track)
The Loneliest Man in Town -- Charles Strouse (vocal and piano) - bonus track
Smashing N.Y. Times -- Charles Strouse (vocal and piano) - bonus track
God Bless -- Charles Strouse (vocal and piano) - bonus track

Customer Reviews:

Applause for Applause!.......2006-07-13

I recomend this cd to all theater fans. Even the ones who love a great, toe tapping score. The song they sing in titled Applause can be seen in the Bonus Performances on the DVD titled Broadways Lost Treasueres. That is how I first heard of Applause. It was very entertaining!

Lauren Bacall !.......2005-07-09

Based on the classic movie "All About Eve", Lauren Bacall won a Tony for her performance in this great musical.

Best tracks include:

But Alive
Applause [Bonnie Franklin of "One Day At A Time" fame!]
Something Greater

Not all the songs are great, but totally worth the buy!

Love it.......2004-04-01

Love the CD ( I have had the vinyl recording ever since it came out), but wish it could be released on Video or DVD(does anyone out there know if this will ever happen?). I saw the television production with Lauren Bacall and Larry Hagman back in the early 1970's and saw an amateur production of it here in Melbourne as well and having always loved the whole concept of the movie, I feel that it transferred well to the stage.

Welcome CD edition of the original Broadway cast album.......2004-01-17

First... a request to people reviewing stage cast albums, Several reviews refer to these recordings as "soundtracks."

WRONG!!!!

"Soundtrack" recordings are records/cds transfered from from movies ONLY.

Live theatre does not use pre-recorded "soundtracks" - the casts perform live on stage and these "original cast recordings" are made in recording studios and designed for home listening.
PLEASE.... maintain your credibility by using the correct term!

************

Finally, after years of negotiation Decca Broadway is making the 1970 Tony winning musical APPLAUSE avaialble on Cd. Was it worth the wait? Well, yes and no. APPLAUSE is one of those late 60's musicals adapted from a hit play/novel/movie and offering lots of glitz and energy to cover up the deficiencies of the show itself.

Star Lauren Bacall provided the "star" quality though she has no real singing voice but as an actress she rises above it bringing the character to vivid life. Len Cariou sings well as Bacall's boyfriend but has very little to do.

Bacall gets the key gems and with two major exceptions any of the numbers in which she does not appear can be ignored. The first exception is the lively title song - a tribute to the power of applause. It has almost nothing to do with the plot but still stopped the show nightly. The other,is a dramatic soliloque for Penny Fuller in the (virtually) non-singing role of Eve: "One Hallowe'en." This is Eve's big moment to really show her true colours and Fuller makes the most of it. Missing from the recording - becasue it is a dialogue scene - is the following moments when Eve recieves humiliating comeuppance.

The original Lp release was done by ABC records and had an annoying "boxy" sound quality that has not been corrected on the cd. The very short selection has been filled out with demo recordings by composer Charles Strouse and a couple of the cut songs sound quite interesting. Packaging is up to Decca Broadway's usual high standards.

lauren.......2003-12-04

i have a copy of this recording on LP, and have enjoyed it for approx 25 yrs. couldn't wait for the cd. bought it the first time i saw it.
i am wondering if anyone has seen the tv production of APPLAUSE starring LAUREN broadcast circa 1974 on tv? and is there any possibility of obtaining a copy on anything? the production was FANTISTIC, to say the least!!!

Average customer rating:

Superlative collection
Great value for the money
Great for the money and a good starter on opera....
Amazing Value

100 Best Opera Classics

Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Most Famous Opera Arias
Best Classics 100
The Most Famous Opera Duets
The Best of Italian Opera
The #1 Opera Album

ASIN: B0007QOERC
Release Date: 2007-05-14

Tracks:

Voi Che Sepate - Teresa Berganza
Porgi Amor - Heather Harper
Deh, Vieni Alla Finestra - Thomas Allen
Batti, Batti, O Bel Masetto - Elizabeth Gale
Der Holle Rache - Edda Moser
O Isis Und Osiris - Cornelius Hauptmann
Temerari...Come Scoglio - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
La Calunnia E Un Venticello - Ruggero Raimondi
Nei Giardin Del Bello - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Casta Diva - Maria Callas
Se Quel Guerrier...Celeste Aida - Franco Corelli
Tenesta La Promessa...Addio Del Passato - Beverly Sills
Niun Mi Tema - Jon Vickers
Un Bel Di Vedremo - Renata Scotto
E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi - Mirella Freni
In Quelle Trine Morbide - Montserrat Caballe
Signore, Ascolta - Kiri Te Kanawa
Recitar...Vesti La Giubba - Jose Carreras
Amor Ti Vieta Di Non Amor - Roberto Alagna

Tracks:

Le Veau D'Or Est Toujours Debout - Boris Christoff
Ou Va La Jeune Hindoue? - Mady Mesple
L'Amour, L'Amour...Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil - Alfredo Kraus
Allons! Le Faut...Adieu Notre Petite Table - Ileana Cotrubas
Toute Mon Ame Est La Pourquoi Me Reveiller - Nicolai Gedda
Quand La Flamme De L'Amour - Jose Van Dam
L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Victoria De Los Angeles
A Cette Voix...Je Crois Entendre Encore - Alain Vanzo
Une Puce Gentille - Gabriel Bacquier
Je Vais Mourir...Adieu, Fiere Cite - Regine Crespin
Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix - Rita Gorr
Wie Todesahnung...O Du Mein Holder Abenstern - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Johohoe! Traft Ihr Das Schiff Im Meere An? - Anja Silja
In Fernem Land - Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper
Heil Dir, Sonne! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Mild Und Leise - Helga Dernesch

Tracks:

Che Faro Senza Euridice? - Agnes Baltsa
Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja - Walter Berry
Finch'Han Dal Vino - Nicolai Ghiaurov
E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono - Barbara Hendricks
Abscheulicher! - Christa Ludwig
Ne M'Abandonne Pas, Espoir De La Vengeance...Asile Hereditaire - Nicolai Gedda
Largo Al Factotum - Tito Gobbi
Ella Giammai M'Amo! - Ruggero Raimondi
La Donna E Mobile - Alfredo Kraus
Di Quella Pira - Franco Corelli
Esultate! - James McCracken
Dio! Mi Potevi Scagliar - Placido Domingo
Vissi D'Arte, Vissi D'Amore - Maria Callas
In Questa Reggia - Ghena Dimitrova
Tanto Amore - Janine Micheau
O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
Ed Anche Beppe Amo - Luciano Pavarotti
Poveri Fiori - Maria Callas
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Roberto Alagna

Tracks:

Les Grands Seigneurs...Ah! Je Ris De Me Voir Si Belle - Victoria De Los Angeles
Marie, Avec L'Enfant Jesus - Jules Bastin
Heureux Petit Berger - Janine Micheau
Connais-Tu Le Pays - Jane Rhodes
Elle Ne Croyait Pas Dans Sa Candeur - Nicolai Gedda
Votre Toast, Je Peux Vous Le Rendre...Toreador - Victoria De Los Angeles
Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille - Mady Mesple
Maintenant, Chantons...Devant La Maison De Celui Qui D'Adore - Gerard Souzay
Depuis Le Jour - Beverly Sills
Da Geht Er Hin - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Einsam In Truben Tagen - Regine Crespin
Dich, Teure Halle - Hildegard Behrens
Leb Wohl, Du Kuhnes, Herrliches Kind - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Hojotoho! Hojotoho! - Ute Walther

Tracks:

Non Piu Andrai - Thomas Allen
La Ci Darem La Mano - Graziella Sciutti
Duo: Pa-Pa-Pa - Andreas Schmidt
Soave Sia Il Vento - Delores Ziegler
Mira, O Norma - Maria Callas
Il Dolce Suono - Edita Gruberova
Com'e Gentil - Alfredo Kraus
Una Voce Poco Fa - Maria Callas
Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - Alfredo Kraus
Gualtier Malde!...Caro Nome - Michele Pertusi
Ritorna Vincitor - Birgit Nilsson
Ave Maria - Katia Ricciarelli
Nessun Dorma - Franco Corelli
Che Gelida Manina - Nicolai Gedda
Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana - Barbara Hendricks

Tracks:

Mes Amis, Ecoutez L'Histoire - Nicolai Gedda
Mieux Vaut Mourir...Amour Sacre De La Patrie - Alfredo Kraus
Ah! Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve - Mady Mesple
Puisqu'on Ne Peut Flechir...Vainement, Ma Bien-Aimee - Henry Legay
Suis-Je Gentille Ainsi?...Je Marche Sur Tous Les Chemins - June Anderson
Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Jessye Norman
La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee - Jose Carreras
C'est Toi!...Au Fond Du Temple Saint - John Aler
Werther, Werther, Qui M'Aurait Dit...Ces Lettres! - Tatiana Troyanos
Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
Ah! Je Suis Seule Enfin...Dis-Moi Que Je Suis Belle - Beverly Sills
Alerte, Alerte!...Anges Purs, Anges Radieux - Nicolai Ghiaurov
Boris's Farewell - Boris Christoff
Schreckensschwur! - Gary Lakes
Die 'Selige Morgentraum-Deutweise'...Selig, Wie Die Sonne - Peter Schreier
Was Am Besten er Kann...Nothung! Nothung! - Siegfried Jerusalem

Customer Reviews:

Superlative collection.......2006-10-11

A collection of 100 individual arias and ensembles from the EMI catalogue of complete works recorded between 1955 and 2003. It includes selections from operas by Italian, Austrian, German, Russian and French composers. The French composers are especially well represented unlike most such anthologies. And there are several more obscure contributions, such as an aria from Catalani's La Wally. A well-judged balance of musical periods and styles, and the very best singers of the last half of the last century. And remarkably, the whole collection of 6 CDS, over 7 hours of music, is being sold for the cost of only 1 CD !

Great value for the money.......2006-04-23

This is simply the best collection of opera arias that I have seen. It's not 100% in that there are a few well-known arias that are not here, but what is here is simply a treasure. The organization is a bit strange, but there's some logic. For example, Disk 6 is mostly from French operas. A seemingly endless amount of glorious music. Just fabulous. You won't be disappointed.

Great for the money and a good starter on opera...........2006-01-07

This cd is a splendid collection of songs, and the price is unbeatable; I have but a few minor complaints about the overall product. The cd would have been much more enjoyable if they had put the music in some sort of order, rather than jumping around from artist to artist sporatically. My only other complaint would be that they could have chosen some better vocalists to play some of the songs. For example, in CD 6, track 3: Romeo et Juliette, the singer was not nearly as strong and definative as she should have been and I've definately heard in various other versions that were way better than this. This disappointed me greatly. But even with these few small complaints, this collection is still great and the price is amazing. It includes MOST of the famous opera pieces, as well some great songs that are often overlooked such as the beautiful song from Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg (CD 6, track 16) along with others.

Amazing Value.......2005-08-23

I am so impressed by this collection that I must share my joy at getting so many beautiful arias, duets, et al in one collection. It captures many of the great operatic voices in stellar performances spanning the last 50 years. If you are enchanted by beautiful operatic highlights, removed from their operatic storylines, this set is for you. Hours of gorgeous music for practically pennies!

Average customer rating:

One Hopeful Day
Mark Soskin
Manufacturer: Kind of Blue
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Pilgrimage
For Sentimental Reasons
Dear Miles
Live at the Village Vanguard
Night & the Music

ASIN: B000P7V4J4
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

On The Street Where You Live
Bemsha Swing
Innerspace
One Hopeful Day
Step Lively
It's Easy To Remember
End Of a Love Affair
Strive
Pensativa

Average customer rating:

The penultimate collection ...
Muisic of the Spheres
The Ulllllltimate Sci-Fi Music Collection
SciFi Album gift
Away From to be a Collectible Peace

The Science Fiction Album
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Science Fiction Album, Vol. 1
Sci-Fi Channel - Sci-Fi's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1: Final Frontiers
Fantastic Journey
Sci-Fi Channel - Sci-Fi's Greatest Hits, Vol. 4: Defenders Of Justice
Sci-Fi Channel - Sci-Fi's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2: The Dark Side

ASIN: B000066HE5
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

2001: A Space Odyssey
Aliens
Sound Effect - The Nostromo
Alien
A.I.
Armageddon
Sound Effect - Apollo 13 Lift-off
Apollo 13
Back To The Future
Battle Beyond The Stars
Battlestar Galactica
The Black Hole
Contact
Capricorn One
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The Day The Earth Stood Still
Dune

Tracks:

Galaxy Quest
Sound Effect - Dogfight in Space
Enemy Mine
Ghostbusters
Gremlins
Heavy Metal
Independence Day
E.T.
Judge Dredd
The Last Starfighter
Lifeforce
Sound Effect - Crash Landing
Lost In Space
Mars Attacks
The Matrix
Predator
The Right Stuff

Tracks:

Moonraker
Robocop
Silent Running
Sound Effect - Alien Organism
Species
Stargate
Starship Troopers
Starman
Star Trek - TV Theme
Star Trek: The Motion Picture End Title
Klingon Attack
Sound Effect - Warp Drive
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Generations
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Tracks:

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Sound Effect - Transporter Crew
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Main Theme
Star Trek First Contact
Star Wars
The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
Sound Effect - Battle Stations
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace - The Flag Parade
Anakin's Theme
The Adventures of Jar Jar
Duel of the Fates
The Time Machine
Things to Come
The Thing From Another World
War of the Worlds
When Worlds Collide
Total Recall
You Only Live Twice
Superman

Customer Reviews:

The penultimate collection ..........2006-12-07

Generally I agree with Strategos in his ecstatic Spotlight Review above. It is a joy to here some of the most memorable themes and cues from some of the most memorable science fiction and fantasy movies (re)recorded in great sound and in lavish (re)orchestrations, played by renowned classical orchestras, namely the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra, no less.

I have always had a weak spot for (good, or maybe even intelligent) science fiction/fantasy and film music, especially its way of evoking mystery, grandure and wide open spaces. Call it a weakness if you want. But it was maybe really kick started off, for as far as I can remember, with Star Trek. But especially Star Trek II, III and IV - essentially a trilogy - because of their very romantic but very warm, human core, set on the broadest canvasses of unlimited and mysterious outer space. But then there was the music for adding that essential extra dimension of emotion and atmosphere. I am happy that much of the music on this album is from the Star Trek series and films, often equaling or sometimes even outclassing the original recordings.

This kind of music (for the movies) should be seen as an art on its own rights with its own merits and qualities. As such, the musical sequences on these CD's are a beautifully played cross section of some of the most evoking orchestral music for science fiction/fantasy film ever created. And I very much like the nicely blended, wide and deep orchestral soundpicture with enough reverberation to evoke a sense of wide open spaces.
I am quite thrilled by tracks like the evocative music from Dune, truly transporting one to the vastly sands of Arrakis (the music is wonderful, but to my great regret I think the movie itself is a flawed masterpiece at best, alas.). And then there is the very different, goofy music for Ghostbusters (memories of childhood), the spoofy but electrifying music from Mars Attacks (lovingly parodist music, this, with not a little touch of irony) and the happily adventurous, forward driving Theme from Galaxy Quest ('Never give up, never surrender!'), now also used for the internet-based fan-series Star Trek: The Hidden Frontier. On the other side of the spectrum we have the atmospheric music for Enemy Mine (an underestimated 'little' movie), the Theme from The Right Stuff (actually science FACT, not fiction, this film, just like Apollo 13, of course), the eerily attractive music for Species, the original End Title for Alien (not used in the theatrical version of the movie, where it was replaced by music from howard Hanson's Second Symphony), the exquisitely exotic music for Stargate, the sweet and warmly sympathetic, beautifully re-orchestrated, theme for Starman, the title cue for Star Trek: TOS (much more melodiously played than the original! If only a series nowadays could continue to be as thought provoking and as original as Star Trek was during its launch, fourty years ago ...) and a truly overpowering End Titles Suite from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. I especially like the thrillingly grandiloquent rendition here of the music for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. And how nice it is to hear the (thematic) similarities between James Horner's music for The Wrath of Khan, his great break-through as a film music composer, and his (two years) earlier music for Battle Beyond the Stars (which did indeed help him earn the job for writing the music for Star Trek II) ...

But on the 'down side', if one is looking for - for example - the gorgeously expansively played End Titles from Cocoon, it is not included here: one has to acquire the album that 'kicked it all off', so to say, namely 'Space and Beyond', also on Silva Screen. I was very pleased also with the inclusion on that album of some of the music from the series Star Trek: The Next Generation, namely where one of the characters, Tasha Yar, in one of the episodes (Skin of Evil) is saying goodbye to her crewmmates: sweetly sentimental and simple music which I have always wanted to own on CD. I guess that a few cues from the other two sequals ('Alien Invasion: Space and Beyond II' and 'Space3: Beyond the Final Frontier') didn't make it onto this 4 CD collection-album as well, but I guess that it would be the 'better part of the bargain' to opt to buy this 'The Science Fiction Album' instead of buying all three albums separately. Well, of course it is for yourself to ultimately decide what you really want ;-)

If I were to nitpick (which is not easy with such a marvellous project as this one), then I would say that while all music is performed with magnificent grandure and with style, some of it is not performed as crisply and as technically 'on the spot' as some of the original recordings: ensemble is a little slack and the playing somewhat stilted sometimes, losing some of the edge and the originality of the writing. ET and Star Wars spring to mind, but then the soundtracks for Star Wars are traditionally recorded with the magnificent London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro John Williams himself, and these superior recordings (especially the ones for Episode I, II and III) can't really be bettered, IMHO. Likewise for the music from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, I believe that in the end one really has to resort to the ultimate reference, namely the original recording (which is true in many other instances of 'original recordings'), and then the 20th anniversay colector's edition of this soundtrack on Columbia/Legacy (truly unmissable, this veritable classic of sci-fi/film music soundtracks!).

But all in all this 4CD-collection amounts to probably being the penultimate high quality sci-fi music album collection (I certainly know of no other project that comes as close quality as well as quantity wise), with some of the most memorable musical moments from classic to modern sci-fi/fantasy film captured in lavish orchestrations.
Collection-wise: five *stars*. Playing: generally four *stars*, sometimes more. The recording quality: five *stars*. The music (qualified on its own merits as film music) and its (re)orchestrations: generally five *stars*. In the end this is all highly recommended, and certainly not to be missed by science fiction and fantasy film music fans. Klaatu barada nikto.

Muisic of the Spheres.......2006-11-06

You wonderful four disk collection of SF music. It startsa up the the grand master of SF music, 2001: A space Odyssey all the way to Superman. This is all American SF music and several themes I would have liked to have included are not there. All in all though, a collection you will enjoy.

The Ulllllltimate Sci-Fi Music Collection.......2005-10-23

If one person gives great gifts, it's the illustrious Codemaster Talon. I've received a fair number of gifts in my lifetime, but so far, my older sister's take the cake. Take this one for instance. I'm real big on orchestral music, to the point where I listen to them more than any other kind of music. I've got orchestral versions of video game themes, orchestral soundtracks to truck-loads of anime shows (Big O, Escaflowne, and Giant Robo are incredible), and could probably spend the rest of my life just trying to study the nuances of all the classical music I've got. Being such a huge fan of orchestral music, I also have come to believe that orchestra music produced for movies and television is the new classical music (or as someone once said, Mozart would be making music for movies if he were alive today). Being a huge sci-fi fan, that kind of music has always been particularly near and dear to my heart. But were I to buy each and every soundtrack for every sci-fi I liked it would cost quite a bundle, and would include a lot of sub-par music along with the grandiose and fantastic main and memorable themes. That's where this beauty comes in.

The moment I ripped off the shrink-wrap and popped it into my cd player was a moment of great trepidation. Believe me when I tell that I've seen my fair share of sub-par orchestral recording in my lifetime. Very often they are in those big super-packs of music, and suffer from poor direction, improper mastering, and sometime even pathetic orchestration (or worse yet have something sounding like a cheap synthesizer and a kazoo in place of a full orchestra). I needn't have worried though. This sucker is fantastic.

Many people who are not audiophiles will probably miss the point of this cd collection. It is not the original versions of the pieces. It is re-orchestrations, mostly by the phenomenal Prague Symphony Orchestra. Many of these themes didn't sound all that hot in there original versions because they were low budget films or were not recorded in high-fidelity. Here they are given the full treatment, mastered with the most loving care imaginable. Often the version found in these cds is SUPERIOR to the original.

Remember the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey? Of course you do. But how many times have you heard a cheap imitation of the original version from the movie, starting too low in volume and ending too high (and missing the essential pipe-organ that gives it that extra oomph)? Well, this first track in the entire collection is not only everything it should be instrumental and timing-wise, but it also has been oh-so-carefully adjusted during the mastering process so that at no time is the music either too low or too high in volume (surely a benchmark for every other recording ever to be made of the piece).

Or what about the theme from the (at-the-time) uber-creepy The Black Hole? The orchestration of this piece of music goes from tiumphant to terrifying and back again, with a splendor and cleanness that I CERTAINLY don't remember being in the original recording.

Then there's the new version of the theme from Independence Day, complete with a violin solo, a far more electrifying ending climax, and a chorus so thunderous that you feel like applauding at the end. Simply indescribable. Kind of like the MIND-BLOWING rendition of the theme from The Last Star Fighter. This has been one of my favorite themes for a long time now, but I've never heard it played like this. I think the original version of the theme is something like 1 minute long, but this new version doesn't just fade out (HAHAHAHA!!!!) THIS version is THREE minutes long, goes through the main theme THREE times, with the final strains being so triumphant and joyous I could not help but feel an electrifying charge the first dozen or so times (come to think of it, I still feel that way). This is superior to the original in EVERY way. AWESOME.

And let's not forget the incredible new rendition of Stargate with it's heavy use of clarinets (for Egyptian effect!) and a triumphant new ending (completely lacking the chanting from the original version. This version is so different that for the first minute it is very hard to tell that it is in fact Stargate. But then the main theme kicks in, and then you get this incredible flute solo for my favorite part of theme (the whole thing is played slower, but arguably more powerfully than the original). My goodness. At first I found the thing so different I didn't like it. But then I listened to it again. And again. And again.

I could go on and on, talking about the fantastic new rendition of Moon Raker, the ear-popping Battlestar Galactica, the classic Star Trek (First Contact has a minute or two of the theme from Star Trek:The Motion Picture before going into the main theme), or the sweet renditions of music from the Star Wars movies (or the music from E.T.).

I have to mention though that this collection was not picked based merely on what people want, or on what is popular. No, the people who made it obviously thought a GOOD music collection was better than a popular one. That's why you get a heartbreakingly beautiful theme from A.I. instead of the main theme. It's why you get music from movies that you probably never gave a second thought to the music (because the movie was lousy). It's why you get Armageddon, Judge Dredd, and Robocop (who would have guessed their music was so COOL when there was all that crazy action and bad-acting going on on-screen).

I said it before and I'll say it again. This cd-set was mastered with tender-loving-care, and it shows BIG-TIME. High-fidelity the likes of which I have not seen since the days when cds were brand-new in the world. Dolby Surround. Perfectly balanced. BEAUTIUFL orchestrations. About the only thing that makes me scratch my head is the weird sound-effect tracks (Oooookay.....). Other than that, it's PERFECT. Obviously they could not include every sci-fi theme ever (no one can), but this collection is REALLY GOOD. A lot of great themes that got away (forgotten gems :), new versions of old favorites, and under-appreciated classics aplenty, but ALWAYS the full and complete versions with nothing cut-out (the theme from Dune is quite extended).

If you love movie music (and sci-fi movie music in particular) you MUST buy this awesome collection). It is not the original recordings. Almost always the new ones are better (if they aren't better they're just equal). This is what you have been waiting for. I for one am going to be buying quite a few cds from this company in the future. Give your ears the treat they deserve. Buy it NOW.

SciFi Album gift.......2005-07-20

I bought the Science Fiction Album as a gift for my son who is twenty-one years old. He is a musician, and also a huge fan of many SciFi shows and movies. I thought this would be the perfect thing for him and I was right. He loves it!

Away From to be a Collectible Peace.......2004-12-16

If you like Sci-Fi movies and want a compilation of their important scores, this is the CD-set to buy. But let me warn you about that very few songs in the cds are from the original soundtracks. Most of them is re-recorded by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. But the sound quality of cds are very good, because they have HDCD and Dolby Surround labels. This set is away from to be a collectible peace, but it is a good general compilation of favorite Sci-Fi movie scores.

Arleen Auger - Love Songs / Dalton Baldwin

Average customer rating:

Arleen Auger and Dalton Baldwin-Love Songs
Voice of experience
Auger at her best
Hidden Treasure
Gorgeous, sensitive music

Arleen Auger - Love Songs / Dalton Baldwin
Frank Bridge , Benjamin Britten , Pietro Cimara , Aaron Copland , Sir Noel Coward , Stefano Donaudy , Stephen Foster , Charles Gounod , Eduoard Lippe , Frederick Loewe , Gustav Mahler , Joseph Marx , Fernando J. Obradors , Jaime Ovalle , Francis Poulenc , Roger Quilter , Franz Schubert , Robert Schumann , Oscar Straus , Richard Strauss , Joaquin Turina , Dalton Baldwin , and Arleen Auger
Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

American Soprano
Arleen Auger - Handel · Bach Arias / The Mostly Mozart Orchestra · Gerard Schwarz
Strauss: Ein Heldenleben - Four Last Songs / Auger, Previn
Stefano Donaudy: Amor mi fa cantare
Haydn - Arias & Cantatas / Auger · H&H · Hogwood

ASIN: B0000006VP
Release Date: 1992-05-22

Tracks:

Love Songs: Pastorale
Love Songs: Del Cabello mas sutil
Love Songs: Azulao
Love Songs: Standchen
Love Songs: Selige Nacht
Love Songs: Fleurs
Love Songs: Stornello
Love Songs: Music, When Soft Voice Die
Love Songs: Je t'aime
Love Songs: Love's Philosophy
Love Songs: Widmung
Love Songs: Du bist wie eine Blume
Love Songs: Das Rosenband
Love Songs: Liebst du um Schonheit
Love Songs: Cantares
Love Songs: How Do I Love Thee?
Love Songs: I'll Follow My Secret Heart
Love Songs: Serenade
Love Songs: Liebe Schwarmt auf allen Wegen
Love Songs: Love Went A-Riding
Love Songs: Why, No One to Love
Love Songs: O del mio amato ben
Love Songs: The Salley Gardens
Love Songs: Heart, We Will Forget Him
Love Songs: Before I Gaze at You Again

Customer Reviews:

Arleen Auger and Dalton Baldwin-Love Songs.......2007-01-29

A lovely collection -very varied. Arleen Auger has a beautiful voice and Baldwin's accompaniment is wonderful. The 3rd track, by Jayme Ovalle, is, as it says in the accompanying notes, bewitching, and is actually the reason I bought the CD.

Voice of experience.......2006-01-28

There isn't much I can add to the praise bestowed on this album by earlier reviewers. I do think though that a special poignancy is undeniable since Auger's voice, while still beautiful, clearly is not that of a young singer. Her maturity makes her interpretations of these love songs all the more touching. I've probably played this CD a dozen times through the years, far more than any other in my collection. It remains consistently and deeply satisfying.

Auger at her best.......2005-04-26

This is a disc that I recommend to my graduating seniors/graduate students who are pursuing a graduate degree or career options in Vocal Performance.
From the standpoint of technique, Auger is practically flawless---"harsh" is not a word I equate with Ms. Auger's singing. She and Dalton Baldwin are impeccable performers on this disc. All the material was wisely chosen and presented, including one of the slowest "O del mio amato ben's" and one of the slowest "Salley Gardens", indicative of the beautiful breath control this artist had. I have to take exception to one of the comments made by one reviewer, of the "lack of sesitivity to the music that most classical singers possess". This is plain ignorant. This reviewer clearly does not understand the great artistic endeavor that classical singers have to have with Song literature---only a non-singer could have said this. Our finest classical singers of memory have all been outstanding musicians. They also have texts to interpret in many languages. I, as a singer-performer-teacher take great umbrage at comments like this which serve only to degrade the richness of so much repertoire.
I too hated the untimely passing of this fabulous singer. She is one of four famous women singers who all died at the age of 53. I think this disc was recorded not to long before she passed away and does reflect her "goodbye" to her audience. However the disc will remain as timely as the repertoire in it.
Marcia M.Baldwin, Gig Harbor, WA.
Professor Emeritus, Eastman School of Music, Rochester,NY

Hidden Treasure.......2003-11-04

This recording is possibly one of the best examples of beautiful singing one will ever find. The repertoire, the artfulness, the line and the sheer beauty of Miss Auger's voice is a rare find. I've just recently purchased another copy as I loaned mine to a friend who begged to keep it! One note on the cover - this new cover art seems to imply this CD is some light version of 1970's Montovani romance music. Nothing could be further from the truth. Though the previous jacket (a photo of Miss Auger on pale pink) did look dated, I hope the next pressing of this (& I'm sure they'll be many more to come!) will give this collection the class packaging it deserves. This is a collector's item. Enjoy!!

Gorgeous, sensitive music.......2001-06-15

So first of all, ignore the cheesy cover art and album title. This is a beautiful collection of songs, beautifully performed. Since I concur with the other reviews that laud Auger's performance (though don't forget the accompanist Dalton Baldwin, who is also outstanding), I'll add only the comment that there is a certain melancholy surrounding a lot of the songs and performances that (a) I find haunting and appealing, and (b) you would never know simply from looking at the album.

Tracks:

Das Rheingold: Prelude
Das Rheingold - Scene One: Weia! Waga! Woge, du Welle!
Das Rheingold - Scene One: Garstig glatter glitschriger Glimmer
Das Rheingold - Scene One: Wallala! Lalaleia! Leialei!
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Bin ich nun frei?
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Schwules Gedunst schwebt In der Luft
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Zur Burg Fuhrt die Brucke
Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Rheingold! Rheingold!
Die Walkure - Act One: Prelude
Die Walkure - Act One, Scene 3: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond
Die Walkure - Act One, Scene Three: Wehwalt heisst du furwahr? Siegmund heiss ich
Die Walkure - Act II: Prelude to Act II
Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Siegmund! sieh auf mich!
Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Du sahest der Walkure sehrenden Blick
Die Walkure - Act III, Scene One: Hojotoho! Heiaha!

Tracks:

Die Walkure - Act III, Scene Three: Leb wohl, du k herrliches Kind!
Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Loge, hLausche hieher!
Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Hoho! Hoho! Hohei!
Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Den der Bruder schuf, den schimmernden Reif!
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Aber, wie sah meine Mutter wohl aus?
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Du holdes Vin! Dich hort' ich noch nie
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Es schweigt und lauscht
Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Siegfrieds Horn-call
Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich
Gotterdammerung - Prologue: Orchestral Interlude
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Brde, heilige Braut
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Orchestral Interlude: Funeral March
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Mein Erbe nun nehm ich zu eigen
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Grane, mein Ross, sei mir gegr
Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Zurm Ring

Customer Reviews:

The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording.......2006-03-23

CAST: DAS RHEINGOLD:
Gustav Neidlinger (baritone, Alberich) Theo Adam (baritone, Wotan) Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor, Loge) Annelies Burmeister (mezzo-soprano, Fricka) Hermin Esser (soprano Froh) Ruth Hesse (soprano Flosshilde) Helga Dernesch (soprano Wellgunde) Dorothea Siebert (soprano, Woglinde)

DIE WALKURE: James King (tenor, Siegmund) Leonie Rysanek (soprano, Sieglende) Theo Adam (Wotan) Birgit Nilsson (soprano, Brunhilde) Danica Mastilovic (soprano, Fricka) Sieglende Wagner (soprano, Schwertleite) Liane Synek (soprano, Helmwige) and the Valkyries Elisabeth Schartel (Grimgerde) and Anneliese Burmister (Siegrunde)

SIEGFRIED: Wolgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Erwin Wohlfahrt (Mime)

GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Josef Greindl (bass-baritone, Hagen)...* Conductor Karl Bohm, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra

If you're already an opera fan but have not yet discovered Wagner and wish to be introduced to his biggest most famous opera cycle- Der Ring Des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs) then this CD is one you should definately own. From live performances at Bayreuth on July of 1967, these same operas are available on seperate CD's and on a box set from the Phillips label. With a cast of brilliant, experienced Wagnerian singers such as baritone Theo Adam (Odin) soprano Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) and tenor Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) you can't go wrong with this set. These singers represent a style of Wagnerian singing that no singer alive today can measure up to. Powerful, invective yet lyrical, passionate voices are equally in balance with dramatic acting. They lived their roles so that everytime I hear the Ring operas, I can't think of a greater Brunhilde than the unbeatable Birgit Nilsson or a greater Odin than that of Theo Adam. Maestro Karl Bohm was a prominent Wagner conductor and a Bayreuth icon in the 60's. He allowed enough natural "fresh air" for his singers, and the orchestra never truly drowns out their voices nor becomes overpowering. Nevertheless, Bohm provides the score, layered with dozens of leitmotifs, with spirituality, grandeur, nobility and the typical Wagnerian fatalism. Bohm understood Wagner more than any other conductor of his time. Although the George Solti studio Ring set is largely considered the greatest, I think this set is possibly better. There is more of a sense of tradition in this recording, since, after all, these are Bayreuth performances. The music and singingremains true to Wagner's original concept and this is not a "conductor's Ring" it is truly Wagner's Ring. The Ring of the Nibelung can become a complex, overanalyzed work of music but beneath its many layers it is an epic panorama of heroes, gods and villains. Its theme is the folly of man in his greedy lust for power, as represented by the titular ring.

Das Rheingold: The first opera deals with the greedy, deformed dwarf Alberich, who foresaking any chance of ever finding love, steals the Gold of the Rhine River from the Rhinemaidens. Baritone Gustav Neidlinger is possibly the greatest interpretor of Albrecht. This is a baritone role that is not in any way meant to be sung beautifully. Neidlinger sounds harsh and ugly, he is in full character. The music for Alberich is equally ugly and dissonant. In contrast, the Rhinemaidens are sung by beautiful, lyric sopranos who must evoke youthfulness, playfulness and a slight sexual flirtation. Their music is at first playful and flirty but after the gold is stolen, their song becomes a lament and remains melancholy in consequent motifs even up to Gotterdammerung when they reappear to reclaim their stolen gold from "the ashes of Brunhilde's Immolation". Donner, the Bridge Keeper of Valhalla, is a high bass who must step up to the exclamations of "Heda! Heda Hedo!", one of the great scenes in this opera, in which the gods enter the newly built glittering palace called Valhalla. But Odin, king of the gods, and suposed god of oaths, has broken his own oath (he promised the spring goddess Freya to the Giants who built Valhalla but didn't keep his word) And the tragedy is set in motion......

Die Walkure: In tenor and soprano James King and Leonie Rysanek, we get the most dramatic and golden Siegmund and Sieglende. More than others who have sung this romantic pair, King and Rysanek become involved, even lost in the music of their characters and are by far the most passionate interpretors. First of all, James King was endowed with a huge, heroic voice so perfect for Wagner. He is also featured in the Solti studio Ring recording but here, he is in better shape and sings with intensity, vocal heft and dramatic prowess. Also, his Siegmund is romantically sung, as if he could just as easily be a Verdi hero. His German diction never falters and he has command of the voice and melodic line. He passed away recently and left behind numerous recordings, including a Parsifal he recorded late in his career, which is still quite amazing. Leonie Rysanek actually screams out during the Love Duet in which Siegmund shows her his great sword Nothung. She was made famous not only for that hair-raising scream but for her powerful, dramatic voice and her first-rate performances as Strauss' Salome (also under Karl Bohm) Elektra and Verdi's Lady Macbeth which she first sang as a replacement to an ill and indisposed Maria Callas. Rysanek died of cancer in the mid 90's, and she was still singing then. In Die Walkure, we are first introduced to Odin's daughter, the lead Valkyrie goddess Brunhilde (she's the gal in the winged helmet, wielding a spear and flying on a horse). Birgit Nilsson owned this role, no doubt about it. Long after she had retired, she could still belt out the Hojo-to-hos (Valkyrie War Cries). She identified with Brunhilde's Nordic roots (Nilsson was born in Sweden) and she understood Wagner and dramatic German opera. All her huge successes were in German opera- Salome, Elektra most notably. She is also the Brunhilde of Solti's ring but here she is singing a hell of a lot better and she isn't overpowered by the Vienna Phil and its gargantuan musical forces. At the end of the opera, Odin punishes Brunhilde for sympathizing with the lovers Siegmund and Sieglende and saving Sieglende (pregnant with Siegfried). She is to sleep inside a ring of fire on a mountain or rock and only a great hero can awaken her and claim her as his bride. Theo Adam as Wotan is by far the best. He has a huge voice and is able to stir our emotions as he bids his daughter farewell in that great final scene.

Siegfried and Gotterdammerung: The son of Siegmund and Sieglende, he grows up not knowing his heritage as a hero. He discovers Nothung, his father's sword, kills Mime, yet another greedy, power-hungry dwarf and slays the dragon Fafner. He is now able to communicate and bond with nature as one of his special powers. He confronts Odin himself and saves Brunhilde from her nearly eternal sleep. Wolfgang Windgassen sang in the old-school Wagnerian tenor style which meant he had the "Bayreuth bark". He could throw his voice high above the big Wagnerian orchestra but it was a voice that was in no way attractive or emotional. It was cold and at times too harsh. But he is the only tenor to truly master the difficult role of Siegfried. Nowadays, some tenors can either sing the Siegfried of Siegfried or the Siegfried in Gotterdammerung, but rarely can they sing both like Windgassen. In addition, Windgassen achieved success in other Wagner heroic roles like Tristan and Tannhauser. In Gotterdammerung (Twilight of the Gods), Wagner's music has never been more fatalistic. Siegfried bids farewell to Brunhilde and sets out on an adventure down the Rhine river. He is captured by the vindictive and evil Gibechung giants, drugged and forced to wed Gutrune. And it gets worse. The Gibechungs also kidnap Brunhilde and force her to marry one of the giants. Eventually, Siegfried is slain by the cruel giant Hagen. The last minutes of singing are left to Brunhilde (it aint over till the fat lady sings). And what great singing it is. In the Immolation Scene, Brunhilde orders for a funeral pyre to be made for Siegfried. She curses the gods for breaking their oaths, declares that the end is near and summons Grane her old Valkyrie horse. Straddling him, she leaps into the funeral pyre and brings about the Ragnarok- the end of the gods. Valhalla is consumed by a firestorm, the Rhine overfloods and the world of man is destroyed. Birgit Nilsson's high, heroic voice has never sounded better in this scene.

Affordable price, great music, great singing. Please don't hesitate to get this recording if you are interested in hearing The Ring the way it should be sung and if you wish to get only chunks and pieces from an otherwise long 4 opera cycle. Enjoy!!

Incredible, even if only highlights.......2004-12-20

I have to say, usually I HATE highlights of anything, but in this case, I will say, I am impressed. It is so hard to choose what should be included, and often the things I want in highlights are the things that are NOT there (example is the highlights of Nabucco with Sintow, the really hard arias are gone; the same with her highlights of Macbeth, no sleepwalking scene). In this case, I was gladly surprised. Most all the really telling moments of the various operas are there. It is a great introduction for those who are just coming to Wagner's Ring. I would say like the Tolken books of Lord of the Rings (stories completely not related, though elements of this are in that), one has to prepare to enjoy them to get the full affect. Wagner is the same. His operas are extremely long, and there are long moments where nothing much is actually happening at all. To come to him unprepared can prove the end of even trying to understand his works at all. This highlight version is simply great. We are introduced to the Rhinemaidens right off and the drama begins. Just enough of each opera is there to give a really good feel for the works, and unlike most highlights with an aria or two, these are full scenes that are presented to us. I have to say, the editors did a masterful job at choosing the "exciting parts" to whet our desire for Wagner. Ending the entire set with the uncut version of the Immolation Scene is simply wonderful. So often when it is recorded as a highlight we begin only on the ending pronouncements where Brunhilde addresses her horse thus bringing the end to the opera. Here we are treated to the entire scene from beginning to end so we can follow the drama (interestingly, while singing the scene, stage actions are going on, for the pyre is prepared, Siegfried's body brought in, Brunhilde removes the ring, his body is put on the pyre, Grane, Brunhilde's horse is brought in -- well, in the score he is called for, but in most performances one has to imagine him being there, and if there, the singer never rides him into the fire as Wagner wanted; I think the only time that happened was with Marjorie Lawrence --- and the entire world is destroyed, including Valhalla, the Rhine overflows and the rhinemaidens get their ring/gold back).

This is a masterful choosing of highlights and they work to present the work as a whole in a wonderful way. When one then buys the entire ring, there are going to be many wonderful parts now fully appreciated and loved that will come up and the work will not seen as long.

For those of us who love Wagner, well, there are days we don't wish to get out all the CD's of each opera to listen to the few scenes we want to hear, and this highlight set is great to hear those moments that one would find exciting to hear when not in the mood to listen to the whole. The only scene I would have added, because it is exciting and good to listen to, is the oath scene (trio between Gunther, Hoggan, and Brunhilde) that ends Act 2 of Gotterdammerung. It is quite exciting and makes a wonderful contrast to the orchestra of the Rhine Journey that begins the Gotterdammerung highlights and the death of Siegfried which on the highlights follows the Rhine Journey. I know only so much can fit on a CD, but one could have begun that trio with the words "Siegfried's Todd" sung by Gunther and then the trio would not have been so long.

However, great introduction of a massive work.

Highlights From The Classic Live Performance.......2003-12-30

In the sixties, conductor Karl Bohm found himself treading on the ground that most conductors would think twice because of the huge risk factor - conducting Richard Wagner's The Ring Of the Nibelung (Das Ring Des Nibelungen) a series of four operas dealing with the ancient Norse saga of the legendary ring of power coveted by gods, mortals and giants. The myth also tells the love story of Siegfried and Brunhilde and the end of the world. For Wagner, this would be his ultimate masterpiece. These four opera cycle goes beyond everything he had ever composed musically and for the theatre. Only Tristan and Isolde and Parsifal reach such dramatic heights and is as musically masterful.

This classic recording has value, even if it is the highlights and excerpts from the operas. There is a full recording in its entirety with Karl Bohm conducting and with the same singers- Birgit Nilsson as Brunhilde, Wolfgang Windgassen as Siegfried, Leonie Rysanek as Sieglende, James King as Siegmund and Theo Adam as Wotan, king of the gods. These singers were regarded as the best interpretors of their day. Certainly, Birgit Nilsson was born to sing Brunhilde. She has all the drama just in her voice. The inflection is dramatic, her stage presence was commanding, and a voice that even Maria Callas would kill for. Maria Callas sang Brunhilde once in the 40's, but it was never good nor became her signature role. Callas was primarily an Italian singer and she had complications singing German. In Callas' day, Kirsten Flagstad was the reigning Brunhilde interpretor. But Birgit Nilsson's voice far surpasses even Flagstad. Birgit Nilsson has all the heigh notes, the passion, the fire and the Wagnerian touch to a fine art. Theo Adam makes a superb Wotan- imperious, commanding, greedy, regial. His voice was well-trained in German and in the art of Wagner music drama. The same applies to James King, a top-notch German heldentenor who made such roles as Siegfried and Theseus (from Strauss' Ariadne) his own.

To sing Wagner is no walk in the park. Only the best heldentenors and Wagnerian soprano divas are employed in this recording. Among them the diva Leonie Rysanek, whose vocals and theatrics on stage was always to her advantage. Here she sings the role of Sieglende- Siegfried's mother and wife of Siegmund. In her dramatic duet with Siegmund, Leonie Rysanek heightens the drama of the moment by actually SCREAMING. It's brilliant. It was well known that Rysanek would always scream her lines when warranted. She has sung other heavy German repertoire- such as Strauss' Salome.

Karl Bohm has been criticized for overemphasizing the music, for directing at lightning speed and making a "sloppy", disappointing score for Wagner's Ring. Most fans of the Ring favor George Solti, who was the first to produce the first studio recording of the Ring. Still others prefer Furtwangler, who was a native German and who knew the music so well because for a long time he had been associated with Wagner's descendant family who operate the Bayreuth Festival Opera House. But Karl Bohm, despite his failure in some portions, has his moments. His strength lies in conducting Gotterdammerung's final scene- the Immolation and end of the world. Brunhilde, the last bearer of the cursed ring, has lost her beloved Siegfried to death by traitorous murderer- giants, curses the gods and commits suicide by throwing herself into Siegfrie'ds funeral pyre. The curse of the ring is lifted, the palace of the gods in Vallhalla is consumed in a devastating fire and the world is flooded by the overflowing Rhine river.

The theme of the Ring is not too complicated to understand. In much the same vein as J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" novels, and the recent film adaptations, the curse of a powerful ring is that of corrupted power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, in the words of philosopher John Locke. The ring, who entitled its beare to total power, was desired by everyone in the opera- from an ugly dwarf (Albrecht) who was willing to sacrifice sexual relations and love for possession of the ring. Albrecht is the instigator. Stealing the gold of the Rhine from the mermaid-like Rhinemaidens, he begins to build a mine and city under the earth. The gods of Valhalla have their own troubles- the giants who built Valhalla want to claim their promised reward- Wotan's wife, the goddess Freya. The powerful god Wotan will not accept the terms. This occurs in the first opera - Das Rhinegold (The Rhinegold). In the second installment, "Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) we are introduced to Siegmund and Sieglende. Because theirs is an illicit romance, Freya convinces Wotan to decree their deaths. But Brunhilde, Wotan's divine daughter opposes the decree and even saves the life of Sieglende who gives birth to the hero Siegfried. Brunhilde is the Valkyrie warrior woman (she is the stereotypical Wagner opera singer wearing a horned helmet , spear, shield, breast plate and battle costume. When Brunhilde's defiance is discovered, Wotan puts a spell over her. She is to sleep inside a ring of fire until the kiss of a demi-god hero awakens her. In this opera, the famous "Ride of the Valkyries" is featured, a dramatic music which has been used time and again in movies and television, most notably in the film "Apocalypse Now". In Siegfried, we follow the quest of Siegfried. He pulls his father's sword from a tree (like King Arthur does in Excalibur only Arthur pulls the sword from a stone and anvil). Siegfried, with the help of the mentor dwarf Mime, journeys into Albrecht's layer, defeats him and slays the vile dragon Falfner. Of course, he kisses Brunhilde and breaks the spell. In the last opera, Gotterdamerung or "Twilight of the Gods", the saga comes to an end when Siegfried is slain by the Gibechung giants. Brunhilde has her famous Immolation Scene and the world of mortals, and even the gods, die during the end of the world. The highlghts here include Siegfried's Rhine Jounrey and Siegfried's Funeral March (this March was used in John Boorman's Excalibur) and the concluding music.

Good introduction to the Ring; good value........2001-09-11

I'm recommending this 2-disc set because it's the best way I know of at the present time to get an inexpensive, manageable, accessible introduction to Wagner's masterpiece, Der Ring des Nibelungen, commonly called the Ring. The Ring is a sequential cycle of four operas, Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, and Gotterdammerung. With the exception of Das Rheingold, they are all of great length (Wagner was a colossal egotist who seemed to believe that no opera could be too long if he was its composer). As a result, acquiring and getting familiar with the entire Ring is an expensive and time-consuming proposition (my choice among complete Ring recordings, the landmark Solti/Vienna Philharmonic set on Decca/London, is 14 CDs costing around $145-$160). Wagner purists will object to any attempt to excerpt "highlights" from the Ring, and they do have a point: unlike the standard Italian and French operas, which are readily divisible into recitatives, arias, duets, etc., the Wagner operas do not lend themselves to excerpting, with the result that "highlights" sets like this one are a collection of "bleeding chunks" torn from the body of the whole work.

Nevertheless there is a need for a way to approach the Ring, to be introduced to it and to get its flavor, and this generously filled (2 hours 28 minutes of music) 2-disc set fills that requirement reasonably well. These are excerpts from all four Ring operas from live 1966-67 performances (the second Wieland Wagner production) at Bayreuth, the famed Wagner Festspielhaus in Bavaria; they are not studio recordings. They are not great performances, but they are good, capable, workmanlike ones. The sound is not the equal of the better studio recordings (like the Solti and von Karajan cycles), but it is good enough: clear and never objectionable. The conductor, Karl Bohm, was not a great Wagnerian; he gives a competent reading, favoring brisk tempos, generally lacking repose, keeping things moving along in a business-like manner, but the result is that he seems more interested in moving on to the next scene than in shaping the scene at hand to realize its full potential. His performance overall is characterized by persistent, even relentless, forward pressure. Sometimes this works, sometimes not; if he can be accused of insensitivity, of failing to make the most of his opportunities, he can't be accused of lingering, melting, dawdling, going slack. He is certainly not in the class of Solti or Furtwangler as a Wagner conductor. The notes all get played, but there is little magic fire coming from the pit here.

Most of the singers are able and well suited to their roles, and they are all singers who actually sang their roles on the operatic stage (not just in the recording studio). Outstanding are Birgit Nilsson and James King. Here is a chance to hear Nilsson, the greatest Wagne