Monument [Box set]

Monument [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Limited edition of the German dance act's 2004 album features 17 tracks including a bonus disc with five remixed tracks, 'A Forest' (Ron Van Den Beuken & Exor Remix/B&J Vocalized Edit), 'Zero Gravity' (Envio Remix), 'Mind Of The Wonderful' (Martin Roth Re

Tracks:

Yakety Sax
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Gentle On My Mind
Stardust
Big Daddy
Hey, Jude
Charlie Brown
Proud Mary
Danny Boy
Wabash Cannonball
You've Lost That Loving Feeling
The Shadow Of Your Smile

Customer Reviews:

Boots will always be king........2007-04-12

Nobody will ever plan like Boots Randolph. He's the king. And this CD ois incredible.

A great CD.......2004-08-16

Boots Randolph is probably one of the best sax players on the planet. His articulation, tone, everything is awesome. Yakety Sax is a great song. One of my favorite Jazz songs. Get this CD if you like jazz or sax. Or just get it anyway.

Boots still knocks out the competition........2003-09-28

Boots is still the best Tenor Sax player alive! Kenny G does not even come close to him. Nobody has matched his incredible tone quality(quality of his sound). This was one of his best Cds. I hope I will get to see him perform live once again.

Pianist: Original Recordings of Wladyslaw Szpilman

Average customer rating:

A wonderful encore to the movie soundtrack!
The Pianist Original Recordings
Impressive CD by the Pianist
The original recordings by THE PIANIST W. Szpilman

Pianist: Original Recordings of Wladyslaw Szpilman
Wladyslaw Szpilman
Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Pianist: Music from the Motion Picture
The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945
Original Recordings
The Pianist
Schindler's List: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

ASIN: B00007KFRG
Release Date: 2002-12-17

Tracks:

Frederik Chopin (1810-1849): Nocturne, No.20 Op.Posthumous in C sharp minor Recorded 1980
Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)Year Composed: 1916, Daisies Op. 38 Nr.3 Recorded 1954
Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943), Prelude in G-sharp minor op. 32, Recorded 1954
Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Fantasie C-dur op 17 (Sonata for Beethoven) Part 3 (slowly plangent) Recorded 1960
Wladyslaw Szpilman Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1940) Recorded 1969
Claude Debussy (1888-1905) The Girl with the Flaxen Hair Recorded 1948
Claude Debussy (1888-1905) Images No 3 - Reflections in the Water Recorded 1948
Isaac Albiniz, (1860-1909) Cordoba (Cantos de Espaqa No.4, Op. 232) Recorded 1948
Alfred Gruenfeld, (1852-1924) Paraphrase on theme from Johann Strauss (1825 - 1899) Die Fledermaus Recorded 1948
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 - Arr. Busoni (1866 - 1924) Recorded 1972
Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) Arr. Rachmaninow (1873-1943) Liebesleid Recorded 1948
Frederik Chopin (1810-1849) Mazurka in A-Flat op. 17 nr. 3 Recorded 1980
Frederik Chopin (1810-1849): Nocturne, No 20 op. Posthumous in C sharp minor Recorded 1948

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful encore to the movie soundtrack!.......2003-07-20

After I listened to the CD 'Music from the motion picture The Pianist', which had one piece played by Wladyslaw Szpilman, it was only natural to want to hear more recordings of this great musician and person. This CD has 13 music pieces by Szpilman, and they are wonderful. The movie used mainly Chopin's music, but Szpilman's repertoire- which he preserved through mental piano practice during the war- is quite varied. The CD has him playing Rachmaninov, Schumann, Debussy, Albeniz, Gruenfeld, J.S.Bach, Kreisler, and of course Chopin (Nocturne in C sharp minor appears twice- recorded in 1980 and 1948 respectively).

The highlight of the CD is Szpilman's own composition- Concertino for Piano and Orchestra which he mentions in his book, and which he wrote in 1940- just when the difficult times began.

Szpilman's piano style is different from that of Janusz Olejniczac, whose performances are on the other CD. They both are wonderful in their own way, but it was exciting for me to listen to the real life Pianist. I will look for more works by Wladyslaw Szpilman, including his songs.

The Pianist Original Recordings.......2003-03-26

THe Pianist won 3 Oscars on Sunday
This classical recording inspired Roman Polanski to direct this great movie about a pianist, Szpilman who survived the war.
Everyone should have this cd in their collection.

Impressive CD by the Pianist.......2003-01-06

Could not wait to get my hands on this one. Sorry, but did have to buy it elsewhere. Could not wait. After seing the movie I wanted to know more about this man and what he played. It includes his version of Chopin's Nocturne as performed on the end credits. Great !
Only sorry that I did not get such a good deal as from Amazon. This is a keeper !

The original recordings by THE PIANIST W. Szpilman.......2003-01-06

I saw Polanski's "THE PIANIST" last weekend and was very impressed and wanted to learn more about the real hero of the movie. I searched online for his recordings. After two days I received two CD's from Amazon.com related to Wladyslaw Szpilman: One with his beautiful songs by Wendy Lands and another one with his Original recordings. He plays wonderful Chopin ( i.e. the Nocturne from the final scene of the movie ), Rachmaninoff, Bach and his own music - Concertino for Piano and Orchestra composed in the Warsaw Ghetto in a time of deepest repressions by the Germans. He was a great pianist but I was surprised how optimistic is his music and indeed how American it is. After I learned his story through the movie, now I also got in touch with this man personally, trough his artistry. Great feeling!!

Horowitz Live and Unedited [includes Bonus DVD]

Average customer rating:

A historical legacy!
Masterpieces played by the great Horowitz
Insert Here Any Superlative You Can Think Of
WHAT IS GOING ON?
Just the Facts...

Horowitz Live and Unedited [includes Bonus DVD]

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Magic of Horowitz
Horowitz: The Last Recording
Horowitz in Moscow
Horowitz in Moscow
Horowitz Encores

ASIN: B0000CF314
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Organ Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564 I. - J.S. Bach
Organ Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564 II. - J.S. Bach
Organ Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, BWV 564 III. - J.S. Bach
Fantasy In C Major, Op.17 (I)
Fantasy In C Major, Op.17 (II)
Fantasy In C Major, Op.17 (III)
Piano Sonata No. 9 In F Major, Op. 68 'Black Mass' - Scriabin
Poeme In F-Sharp Major, Op. 32, No. 1 - Scriabin

Tracks:

Mazurka In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 30, No.4 - Chopin
Etude No. 8 In F Major, Op. 10 - Chopin
Ballade in G Minor, Op. 23, No.1 - Chopin
Serenade For The Doll No.3 - DeBussy
Etude In C-Sharp Minor, Op.2, No.1 - Scriabin
Etude No. 11 In A-Flat Major, Op.72 - Moszkowski
Traumerei
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (1)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (2)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (3)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (4)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (5)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (6)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (7)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (8)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (9)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (10)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (11)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (12)
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (13)

Customer Reviews:

A historical legacy!.......2006-03-28

Despite I am not a Horowitz admirer, it 's worthy to underline and emphasize the colossal pianism and thunderous fingering around every one of its different performances.

The special distinction around this album is the fresh inspiration and notable musicality emanated in this Recital, that deserves to be catalogued as a cult recording among the impressive and even excellent live recordings in the Sixties.

A bravura performance and a genuine expression make of this album a very special recommendation.

Masterpieces played by the great Horowitz.......2004-12-12

This Carnegie Hall return recital is one of the greatest recordings by Horowitz. With a huge audience, Horowitz did not disappoint. He plays the Bach/Busoni as only he can play; it is eternally beautiful. Schumann has some mistakes, but those mistakes make the playing even more fascinating. The Scriabin is also excellent.

I am confident in saying that Horowitz's mazurka here is the best recording of op. 30 no. 4. Horowitz takes his time and does not rush the tempo, which is soooo easy to do with this piece. The etude is played awesomely, but the real treat is the Ballade no. 1. Horowitz played this piece all his life and played it very different many times, but this ballade is the best, most musical he ever played, mistakes and all.

The encores are also a treat, and the complete Kinderszenen bonus is another reason to buy this cd. The bonus dvd contains Liszt's Au Bord D'une Source, Chopin's Black key etude, and Moszkowski's etude in f major, op. 72, no.6.

This cd is my favorite, and I have a lot...

Insert Here Any Superlative You Can Think Of.......2004-06-10

For those of you who don't enjoy reading long drawn-out reviews: This is the best CD set I could possibly imagine buying before I bought it. After I bought it, I wept twice in the first listening of just the second disc. The Chopin recordings on this disc are simply legendary, definitive, and indescribably beautiful.

Horowitz out-did even himself at this concert. Sure, wow, wrong notes, even in the first couple measures. Who cares. You had better not. I noticed two exposed wrong notes in my first listen of this disc. It is by far the best CD set I own.

Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major: Sure, wrong note. Grand. I'm not too large a fan of this piece, but, regardless, if you like Bach, you like Horowitz for this recording.

Fantasy in C Major: True to its title, this performance was indeed fantastic. Horowitz is acclaimed most for his different tones on the piano. Let me tell you, that is for a reason.

Scriaban: I, personally, do not like Scriaban. An acquired taste. If you do like him, however, you will by all means enjoy these two recordings of the Black Mass Sonata and the Poeme in F-sharp Major.

The Chopin: The Mazurka is the greatest mazurka recording I have ever heard, period. The Etude is technically flawless and musically flawless. The Ballade. One of my favorite pieces of all time. This is my favorite recording, simply. It is quite, quite unbelievable. I wept. Every theme Chopin includes, Horowitz includes with care. This piece is one that takes a long long long time to figure out. Musically, it is one of the hardest. Horowitz seems to finally understand it after having played it for almost forty years undoubtedly. I have heard roughly 10 or 12 recordings of this piece, and Horowitz's trumps all.

The encores: Debussy, Scriaban, Moszkowski are all wonderful in their own right, but Traumerei is practically Horowitz's child. People in the audience were weeping when they heard this piece. I went in with the intention of not weeping, and failed miserably. It is the singly most beautiful performance I have ever heard.

Buy this set. You will absolutely not regret it.

WHAT IS GOING ON?.......2003-12-27

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? WHY CANT YOU JUST LEAVE THE POOR MAN ALONE? I AM A PIANO STUDENT WHO JUST FINISHED A CONCERT SERIES OUTSIDE OF MY OWN COUNTRY AND I HAVE JUST READ SOME OF THE OTHER REIEWS ABOUT HOROWITZ HERE AND I AM FRANKLY DIGUSTED.
ARE WRONG NOTES ALL YOU PEOPLE LISTEN TO?
HOROWITZ WAS BRILLIANT, YES, BUT HE WAS ALSO HUMAN LIKE ALL OF US. I MAKE MY FAIR SHARE OF WRONG NOTES AND WOULD HATE TO THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE THE ONLY THING THAT AN AUDIENCE WOULD REMEMBER AFTER A CONCERT. WRONG NOTES ARE A PART OF LIFE AND SOMETIMES ITS MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE RISKS, EVEN IF IT RESULTS IN FAILIURE. ITS WHAT BREATHES LIFE INTO A PERSONS PLAYING, KNOWING THAT ONE SPLIT NOTE OR TWO IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN BEING MORE MUSICAL OR MORE TECHNICAL, I WOULD RATHER BE A MUSICIAN AND NOT A ROBOT.
IN HOROWITZ'S PLAYING, THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO LISTEN TO. SO NEXT TIME YOU SWITCH ON ONE OF HIS RECORDINGS, WHY NOT TRY TO FORGET EVERYTHING YOU HAVE HAD BRAINWASHED INTO YOU ABOUT PERFECTION AND JUST LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART INSTEAD OF YOUR HEAD.

HOROWITZ WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST PERSON TO TELL YOU THAT A PERFECT TECHNIQUE IS A COMPLETE MYTH. EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES, WE CANT BE PERFECT FOR YOU ALL THE TIME, SO JUST GIVE US A BREAK.

Just the Facts..........2003-11-29

This is not a review per se. My review is elsewhere on this page. But I wanted to follow-up and correct a few errors, which have been circulated in regard to this recording.

First, the corrections used on the original version of Horowitz at Carnegie Hall were not made at a "patch session at Carnegie a few days" after the concert. Columbia's engineers had already recorded Horowitz's rehearsals and used that material for the editing.

Second, the editing in the album was neither as extensive as some have suggested, nor as insignificant as the anonymous reviewer from Baltimore states.

Here is a (mostly) complete list of the patches on the original album, which have been removed from this new edition:

Bach-Busoni: Preludio: Measures 2-12 and parts of the coda (Horowitz, by the way, does not play the ossias at bars 8, 10, and 12); Intermezzo: Small patches at bars 7 and 11; Fugue: Several edits between bars 97 and 110, and again in the coda.

Schumann Fantasy: 1st Movement: patches at 7:32 and 10:21; 2nd Movement: small patches at 2:44 and 4:32, and a series of patches in the coda 6:58-7:39; 3rd Movement: No edits.

Scriabin: Sonata No 9: No Edits. Poem in F-sharp: Patch from 2:16-2:26

Chopin: Mazurka: Small edit at 2:02; Etude: Patched sections from 1:27-1:33 and 2:15-2:20; Ballade: Small edits at 2:04 and 4:52, at least four patches in the coda.

None of the encores were edited.

Patched or not, the 1965 return concert contains some stunning piano playing. Can anyone imagine the pressure Horowitz was under on that day? To prove you have not just retained your original greatness, but have deepened and become even greater cannot have been easy. The new, unedited version of the concert is not a revelation, but serves as a reminder of Horowitz's all too human frailty.

Monument to the Masses
Average customer rating:

Jello Biafra wants his vocal style back

Great, but play it more than once to notice.

This one sneaks up on you

Ima Robot continues to surprise and delight

Great!!!!!!

Monument to the Masses
Ima Robot
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ima Robot

Pieces of the People We Love

Waterloo to Anywhere

Black Holes and Revelations

Sam's Town

ASIN: B000GUK2XE
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

Disconnect
Creeps Me Out
Cool Cool Universe
The Beat
Eskimo Ride
Chip Off The Block
Happy Annie
Pouring Pain
Stick It To The Man
What Comes Tomorrow
Lovers In Captivity
Dangerous Life

Customer Reviews:

Jello Biafra wants his vocal style back.......2007-07-06

This bands' debut was one of my favorite records of that year, and after an initial wave of disappointment, this album has been growing on me. The tempo has slowed considerably, and the pace lends itself well to catchy hooks that stick in your head like peanut butter on the roof of a dog's mouth. Wait, the last time I mentioned peanut butter and my dogs' mouth I was talking about that day when I was real lonely and...nevermind.
The only gripe I have is w/ Alex's lyrics. You've heard of the hip-hop rhyming dictionary? Somebody must have published the indie/dance rock version, because some of the couplets here are truly cringe-worthy. "Hmmm...what rhymes with insane? Pain? Brilliant!!!"
A little more effort w/ the lyrics, and this would be a near perfect sophmore release.

Great, but play it more than once to notice........2006-12-01

I came on the bandwagon for this band a little late, and it took no time for me to learn I'd buy this album the day it came out. I was at first a bit disappointed, it was much more pop-like when compared to their earlier work. Still, if you give it more than one chance it grows on you, and songs such a Disconnected, Creeps Me Out, and Stick It To The Man are instant classics. The reason I only give it four stars is because I picked up the Search and Destroy EP at a show before hand and I find that album to be much better (I also think that album is close to perfect and any IMA Robot fan needs that in their collection). Still, listen to the samples on this page and if you have any slight interest buy the album. It only gets better.

This one sneaks up on you.......2006-11-13

Ima Robot has become one of my favorite bands with this album. I got started with them on their last album with songs like Scream and Alive And I purchased Monument to the Masses becuase I thought that Creeps Me Out was a fun song. But this is one of those great albums where the song you baught it for isn't your favorite for long. After I had this CD in my car for few days I realized I was hooked. Chip Off The Block is probably my favorite track. While the sound might be a little bit 80's for some tastes Ima Robot pulls it off well. Monument to the Masses rocks with only 1 or 2 songs that I don't care for all that much, and even those are alright. If you've heard Creeps Me Out and liked it, give this album a try!

Ima Robot continues to surprise and delight.......2006-10-05

I have been a Ima Robot fan since I heard them some odd years ago, and I've been a loyal follower and listener since. However, I noticed a re-occuring trend: either people love them or they hate them, there really is no middle ground. Their self-titled debute album in 2003 exposed the masses to Ima Robot, and their follow-up "Monument To The Masses" is a superb sequel.

The first 3 tracks, 'Disconnected', 'Creeps Me Out', and 'Cool Cool Universe' really set the tone for the album, but doesnt set the standard, since tracks like 'Happy Annie' and 'Lovers in Captivity' push towards the more abstract side. Tracks like 'The Beat' and 'Dangerous Life' remind veteran Ima Robot fans of the signature sound that got them hooked on the band in the first place. There isn't a dull moment amongst the 12 tracks. My personal favorite on the album is 'What Comes Tomorrow'.

Ultimately, "Monument to the Masses" really shows how Ima Robot has matured as a band. There are subtle things on this album that a trained ear can pick up, such as the use of shaker percussions on alot of the tracks, something different from the debute album 3 years ago. David Blendeth was the head producer on this album (different from Josh Abraham on the debute album), so obviously a new sound was going to be brought to the table. The lyrics on "Monument To The Masses" also possess more political undertones, which again is either a turn-on or turn-off for the listeners, but I truthfully dig it.

Loyal fans of Ima Robot can aruge some of their best stuff is the 'lesser-known' work, such as the PrinceHouse Records release "Search And Destroy E.P" (which includes stellar tracks such as 'Paint The Town Red', 'Tumbling Down', 'Good Girl'), or the B-Sides (such as 'STD Dance', 'I'm Your Bitch', 'The Beat Goes On' ect)...but the title of "Monument to the Masses" says it all. Ima Robot pulls off cross-over appeal, something fans of both the electro/rock clash movement (that seems to be present in both LA {Ima Robot's hometown} and the UK oddly enough) and fans of the present emo/punk/pop movement can appreciate. You can only push the envelope so far musically before its becomes a turn-off on either end of the spectrum, and Ima Robot falls right in the middle.

Some side notes: members of the band, such as the keyboardist/bass player Filip Nikolic and guitarist Timmy The Terror have side-projects in which they produce electro dance/rock music that has gained popularity internationally on the dancefloors under the pseudonym of "The Hammers". The former bass player Justin Meldal-Johnsen (who is the bass player for Beck and is also a producer/song-writer/session musician for numerous musical groups: Macy Grey, Garbage, Tori Amos, ect) was involved with the production of "Monument to the Masses", but is no longer touring with the group.

This album is a must own, not only for fans of Ima Robot, but also for anybody who claims to be a fan of the current punk/pop movement that is dominating the radiowaves and MTV.

Great!!!!!!.......2006-09-26

This to me is even better than there self titled album. Alex voice sounds 100% better and the lyrics are amazing. This is a must have for all Ima fans!!! Go get it!!!!!

They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on Top

Average customer rating:

Holy crap
hooked on this one for over a year now
it's only original if you know jack about music
Sorry...I tried...I really did.....
No, you're not Gang of Four

They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on Top
Liars
Manufacturer: Mute U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Drum's Not Dead (CD + DVD)
Fins to Make Us More Fish-Like
Atheists, Reconsider
Sung Tongs

ASIN: B00006HCW1
Release Date: 2002-08-20

Tracks:

Grown Men Don't Fall In The River, Just Like That
Mr Your On Fire Mr
Loose Nuts On The Veladrome
The Garden Was Crowded And Outside
Tumbling Walls Buried Me In The Debris With ESG
Nothing Is Ever Lost Or Can Be Lost My Science Friend
We Live NE Of Compton
Why Midnight Walked But Didn't Ring Her Bell
This Dust Makes That Mud

Customer Reviews:

Holy crap.......2006-02-16

Probably the best album of its kind since Gang of Four's Entertainment! Forget Franz Ferdinand, the Futureheads, Bloc Party, and the virtually countless other bands ripping off Go4; this is fantastic. Liars are probably the only band doing this formula right AND nailing the attitude that should go along with it. Great stuff for the post-punk fan who's less than thrilled as to where the style's heading.

hooked on this one for over a year now.......2006-01-19

light, bouncey, fast and fun... sludgey, wet and creepy-- this record is totally visceral. there's speed to it, there's groove to it... its catchy, garagey and trashey. thematically dark for the most part, but never losing its sense of humor.

there's nothing technically stellar about any of the instrumentalists, so if you're into virtuosity then obviously you won't like this cd. maybe check out the dave matthews band. however if you like good song writing with that communicates mood and attitude quite effectively, this is a great record for you

it's only original if you know jack about music.......2005-03-02

While I respect their nihilistic musical outlook and punkish approach to making a satire of pop music, so far Liars have really only succeeded at being one of the new models of psuedo-intellectual pretension and avante-garde wankery. Let's face facts. No one could dispute that when John Cage was performing four minutes of pure silence or randomly plucking musical notes out of hat, that he had the musical right to, and, in his own way, was proving that anything could be music. But just because anything can be music (or art in general), doesn't mean that there can't be levels of quality. Anyone could do what Cage did (and countless of idiots who can barely play their instruments do---they call it noise), anyone could do what the SEx Pistols did (and tons of boring generic punk bands are now in the surplus of millions), and---if more people were aware of bands like Gang Of Four---anyone could do what Liars have done here. It's not original, it's not interesting, and there's no talent whatsoever put into it. Wake up, Liars fans. THe only way to make music that is truly interesting and different is too learn as much about music as you truly can---not the other way around. By knowing as much about music as is possible, you can thereby discern what has and hasn't been done, and as a consequence, pull off good music that is both intriguing and talented. If you want music that is truly nihilstic and insane, I suggest the all-over-the-place music of Mr. Bungle and John Zorn. If you want something that's more stylistically rock-based but maintains the same unorthodox unable-to-be-pigeonholed style, I suggest Thinking Fellers Union and Polvo. In the meantime, these underappreciated and truly forward-thinking bands will continue to get neglected because of no-talent hacks like Liars. You can almost hear someone saying "LIke, oh my god, these guys are so different because they don't care about their music and make a bunch of sloppy, half-assed songs." If you've ever said this, turn off your MTV2 and start doing some honest musical searching.

P.S.: Following your debut album up with a sophmore effort full of noisy ambience and experimental peices is not original. It was done with Sonic Youth's "Bad Moon Rising". Strait-up noise is boring anyway. ARtists like Merzbow have already drained that genre for all it's worth.

Sorry...I tried...I really did............2004-03-05

After reading the reviews for this album and hearing about it over and over from friends, I decided I would buy it and give it a listen. It seemed to be right up my alley....I am usually very pleased with anything that comes out on mute....So I listened...and listened and listened...I really wanted to like this disc...I tried....I really did...but this is so awfull...so boring...so completely unoriginal....Its been done 100 times before by better...much better...but then it wouldnt be too hard for anyone to do better than this....an excruciatingly painful listen...no redeeming quality what so ever.

These guys need to stop mimicing their influences and have an independant thought or two..then give it another go.

No, you're not Gang of Four.......2004-01-30

Brothers and sisters, there's a new sound rattling the streets of our beloved city. It's the sound of punk-funk revolution, returning the indie crowd to the glory days of John Lydon's Public Image Ltd. and Nick Cave's The Birthday Party. The genre is a distant cousin of electro-clash (which is now officially so ten minutes ago in indie circles), an incendiary mold of hardcore, avant-punk dynamics and pounding disco rhythms. It's like a bizarre orgy involving seminal 70s punk group Wire and seminal 70s disco superstar Donna Summer.
In one corner of the ring, we have damaged poets Liars. Their debut LP, They Threw Us In A Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top is a career-opening manifesto. Every single barked lyric is a fiery salvo, and likewise every single thrashed drumbeat is phlegm, spat into the face of anyone who doesn't care. Anyone who doesn't understand.
Opening track "Grown Men Don't Fall Into the River, Just Like That" (behold the massively pretentious song titles) begins with a bit of murmuring about how everybody needs a hobby. Or something like that. But this is merely foreplay and the track quickly explodes into a thunderous, pounding rhythm. Then, singer Angus Andrew (who is actually Australian) brings out the bomb - "We've got our fingers on the pulse of America!" he squeals, perhaps overoptimistically considering the recent Republican takeover of our country.
From there on, it just gets better. The record is equal parts earsplitting guitar noise, chunky funky bass and (gasp) danceable drum parts. "We Live NE of Compton" is a startlingly malicious piece of punk which seems to be grabbing the listener by the throat, shoving him against the wall and proceeding to beat the living daylights out of him. Then, it suddenly all ends, and Angus mournfully whispers "the city loves you." Wow.
Despite all this, easily the best moment on the record is when they unleash the synthesizers and go into full-blown Gang of Four style with "Mr. You're On Fire Mr." It's ridiculously catchy, computerized drum beats and silly "ooo--weee-oooh" sounds popping up where it sounds like guitar should be. In what is perhaps a nod to Nirvana, it begins with the soon to be immortal line "Do the twist!" before dissolving into an incredible call-and-response chorus.
However, all is not well in Liars' world. The record at times falls into self-indulgence - witness the 20 minute repeated loop that closes out final track "This Dust Makes That Mud." Also, while Angus and crew have agitprop grooves down-pat, they have not yet mastered the art of song writing. "Loose Nuts on the Veladrome," while powerful, holds the promise of highs that it does not attain due to the lack of nuance throughout the song.
These quibbles aside however, They Threw Us In A Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top is a promising document from a band that you know will keep on getting better. For now, it's enough to make us dance and think at the same time - and in these troubled times, what more could you ask for?

Schumann: Fantasy; Liszt: Transcendental Etudes

Average customer rating:

Powerful yet poetic interpretation
An achievement, though mainly negative
Greatness personified--a Kissin we may never hear again
Liszt is celebrating in his grave...
Fantastic piano

Schumann: Fantasy; Liszt: Transcendental Etudes

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Chopin: The Four Ballades, Berceuse, Barcarolle, Scherzo No. 4
Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-flat; Schubert-Liszt: Four Songs; Liszt: Mephisto
Schumann: Piano Concerto
Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven, Franck, Brahms
Chopin, Volume 1

ASIN: B000003FY4
Release Date: 1996-03-26

Tracks:

Fantasy, Op. 17 In C Major: Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftli
Fantasy, Op. 17 In C Major: Massig: Durchaus energisch
Fantasy, Op. 17 In C Major: Landsam getragen: Durchweg feise zu hatten
Etudes d'execution transcendante: 12. Chasse - neige
Etudes d'execution transcendante: 11. Harmonies du soir
Etudes d'execution transcendante: 5. In F Minor
Etudes d'execution transcendante: 5. Feux follets
Etudes d'execution transcendante: 8. Wilde Jagd

Amazon.com essential recording

These works present severe challenges even to the most accomplished virtuosi, and Kissin comes through with flying colors. He responds to the Schumann, which requires both tenderness and passion, with exquisite sensitivity and power. If Kissin doesn't quite match the excellent versions by Richter, Arrau, and Horowitz, he does convey the ardent passion and volatility of the score. Kissin's Liszt is on a similar level; what it occasionally may lack in moments of tranquility is more than made up for with spontaneity and daring--few pianists before the public today take so many risks and emerge unscathed. Above all, this disc illustrates Kissin's pianistic mastery, his affinity for drama and color, and his sheer delight of engagement with the instrument. An immensely enjoyable disc. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Powerful yet poetic interpretation.......2007-01-15

A highly recommended recording. I have played Schumann's Fantasy and Liszt's Transcendental etudes, and have listened to numerous recordings, yet Kissin's performance really caught my attention. Dazzling technique with inspiring, refreshing artistry!!! A collection not to miss!!

An achievement, though mainly negative.......2006-10-28

I can see how a person with no musical history in "classical" music would be impressed with Kissin; his technique is flawless and his playing arresting. However, I can find no understanding in how one singles out Claudio Arrau's masterful recording of the entire set of Transcendentals in his seventy-fifth year to attempt to compare with this sophomoric, ritalin-inspired perusal. Indeed, Kissin manages to zip through Feux Follets without bringing out a single musical nuance in the score; his shading is non-existent. Compared with Arrau's version, which actually makes one SMILE while imagining the little devilish will-o'-the-wisps gleefully misguiding their unfortunate victims, there simply is no comparison. Kissin's playing, on the other hand, actually sounds like a parody of itself; as if he were accompanying a 20s-era silent film starring himself running about frantically (and aimlessly) from place to place. While initially awe-inspiring, such playing is without genuine musical insight and thus, exists less to be enjoyed than endured.

Greatness personified--a Kissin we may never hear again.......2006-03-18

"Come back, Shane--I mean, Yvgeny." Apparently the great Kissin has ridden away from his role as the ideal virtuoso, a lion of the keyboard with a poet's touch. Now his recitals are drastic ups and downs--the moments of coarseness and grandstanding outnumber those of finesse and beauty. On this CD from 1996, however, his Schumann is perfection, an example of controlled abandon and inward feeling tied to supreme technique. I can't imagine a better C major Fantasy in the grand manner of Horowitz and Rachmaninov.

Even better are the breathless Liszt Transcendental Etudes. The piano is a supremely egotistical instrument, thanks in large part to Liszt's bombastic heroics. Kissin adds a touch of genuineness to his world-dominating technique. As a result, this is the most satisfying Liszt I've heard since Richter's great days. The Harmonies du soir alone would put Kissin in the pantheon. Indeed, only Richter surpasses him here, and that's only because Richter showed a more idiosyncratic personality, one large enough to overwhelm even Liszt's titanic ego. Will we ever hear Kissin in such form again? Time awaits with the answer.

Liszt is celebrating in his grave..........2006-01-06

Ok lets do a very quick simple excercise - blindfold yourself and think of Arrau as X. Listen to the fifth etude " Feux follets". Then listen to Kissin (Richter and Berezovsky if you wish). You will notice that Kissin plays it about 4 times faster and with more precision (and in my opinion also beautifully though this point is not necessary to get my message across).
Only in the most Orwellian of Orwellian worlds can you call Arrau's performance better than Kissin. The main point of these pieces by Liszt is to show command and virtuousity at the piano (and even an argument as to some type of emotion that Arrau has that is lacking in the Kissin would be real embellishment).
Now don't get me wrong... not all pianists have to have superb techniques. But when it is blatantly obvious that Y pianist has a superior technique to X pianist.... there are a number of implications as far as I am concerned:
1. a pianist with a noticeable lesser technique will most likely never be considered a mega pianist. I am sorry but there are just too many good pianists out there who have a combination of technique and other attributes.
2. Said pianist should avoid pieces such as Chopin and Liszt etudes and pieces that display virtuosity.
3. When running comparisons, in the framework of reviews or talk, discrepancies in technique must be pointed out and illuminated.
No different is done with gymnasts in the Olympics... no matter HOW elegant they are....if they make technical mistakes they lose out from the get go.

The crux of all this is that we have to set a clear standard. The first thing that is imperative for a pianist is:
1. mastering the technique of a piece
2. not making mistakes (wrong notes) within reason.

ONLY AFTER this can we start to delve into the complex world of interpretation, musical intelligence, etc.

Don't get me wrong I am at times dissatisfied with Kissin because of his lack of insight/intelligence/expression (sometimes he is too quick, intense and bangy even when playing the nocturnes for example). I am sorry but the technique in the etudes here are beyond any other rendition that I have heard. Although the Schumann falls short I challenge someone to present a more technically brilliant and explosive rendition of these etudes than Kissin. In addition I would reccommend Richters performance in the famous Sofia Recital. Also Busoni recorded this in the 1920s.

Fantastic piano.......2005-12-28

A fantastic recording. The pieces are difficult to play but by Kissin, he masters it. The CD came this afternoon and I've played it 4 times already.

Average customer rating:

Ok for Indian flute music, but I've heard better
inside monument valley
Music that takes you to another place
Wonderful for relaxation/meditation

Inside Monument Valley
Paul Horn & R. Carlos Nakai
Manufacturer: Canyon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Inside Canyon de Chelly
Canyon Trilogy: Native American Flute Music
Mythic Dreamer: Music For Native American Flute
Earth Spirit
In Beauty, We Return

ASIN: B00000I17O
Release Date: 1999-02-16

Tracks:

Eye Of The Wind
Spider Web
Three Sisters
Full Moon
North Window
Holy Ones
Big Hogan
Rain God
East Mitten
West Mitten
The Hub
Alhambra
Dinetah
God's Eye
Totem Pole
Shinarav
Cly
Algathla
Monument Pass
Mystery Valley

Product Description

1. Eye of the Winds
2. Spider Web
3. Three Sisters
4. Full Moon
5. North Window
6. Holy Ones
7. Big Hogan
8. Rain God
9. East Mitten
10. West Mitten
11. The Hub
12. Alhambra
13. Dinetah
14. Gods Eye
15. Totem Pole
16. Shinarav
17. Cly
18. Algathla
19. Moument Pass
20. Mystery Valley

Format: CD

Amazon.com essential recording

The sublimity of Inside Monument Valley isn't in the lovely flute music created by jazz musician Paul Horn and Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai, or in the informative, clear liner notes and crisp photos, but rather in the exquisite interplay between Arizona's Monument Valley (the birds, insects, rain, thunder, and echoing canyon walls) and the highly inspired, all-improv music created by two immensely talented artists. The 1998 release Mythic Dreamer was special for the lyrical, spiritual music Nakai created on his first solo flute album after several years, and Inside Monument Valley picks up where Nakai's inspiration left off, like the inhalation of one breath after the exhalation of the last. Horn adds an interesting texture playing European-style transverse flutes and soprano sax. He complements Nakai's Native American flutes perfectly too, never overwhelming the listener with busy or distracting notes. The two musicians wandered into Monument Valley ready to record whatever their muses gave them, and the field-recording aspect of this CD worked wonderfully--probably because in some instinctual way the two artists knew it would. The power of bubbling thunder makes itself heard on "Rain God"; a fly makes a sizzling cameo past the mic on "Alhambra"; even Horn's doggy has something (quite comical) to say. But the recurring playful duels between the ravens' assertive calls and Nakai's flute are the best highlights--and well typify the beautiful essence of this album: living beings speaking to one another through song. --Karen Karleski

Customer Reviews:

Ok for Indian flute music, but I've heard better.......2007-01-06

All of R. Carlos Nakai's albums sound very similar. If you own one album already, then this won't take you by surprise. You'll recognize the rhythms and sounds right away.

inside monument valley.......2005-07-30

Another GREAT one by Paul Horn & R. Carlos Nakai
I enjoy listening to it for hours at a time.
You can not go wrong with this one.
get it, listen, and i know you will like it.

Music that takes you to another place.......2005-05-09

I find it hard to beat the editorial review of "Inside Monument Valley" by Paul Horn and R. Carlos Nakai. For anyone who's been to canyon country, this cd will conjure up images of an otherworldly landscape. Horn and Nakai ably complement one another, Nakai on Native American flute and eagle bone whistle and Horn on transverse flutes and alto sax. What makes their music so compelling is the fact that it is purely improvisational, each musician responding to the sights and sounds of this magnificent place. And, since it was recorded live, their music incorporates the natural sounds of Monument Valley--thunderstorms, raven calls, and the buzzing of insects. This is more than just music to relax to; it demands that one listen, and the listener will be amply rewarded.

Wonderful for relaxation/meditation.......2000-03-10

My yoga teacher played this last night, and it was so amazing that I had to obtain it for myself. Wonderful haunting flute music that helps create a meditative space.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful music, great playing, even better price
This is well worth the price
Not Ashkenazy's forte (pun on forte intended)
beautifully played, wonderful and overlooked pieces

Works for Solo Piano
Schumann , and Ashkenazy
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Liszt: Piano Works
Chopin: The Piano Works
Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Haydn: The Complete Piano Sonatas

ASIN: B00006IU8T
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Tracks:

Arabeske In C, Op.18
Papillons, Op.2
Symphonic Studies, Op.13
Carnaval, Op.9
Humoreske, Op.20
Noveletten, Op.21
Waldszenen, Op.82
Kinderszenen, Op.15
Piano Sonata No.1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.11
8 Fantasiestke, Op.12
Blumenstk, Op.19
Davidsbdlertze, Op.6
Kreisleriana, Op.16
Noveletten, Op.21
Piano Sonata No.2 In G Minor, Op.22
Abegg Variations, Op.1
Fantasie In C, Op.17
Faschingsschwank Aus Wien, Op.26
Bunte Blter, Op.99
Nachtstke, Op.23
3 Romanzen, Op.28

Amazon.com

For less than $60, this seven-CD set brings the buyer almost all of Schumann's important works for solo piano performed by one of the great pianists of the last 50 years. Ashkenazy is nearly as insightful an interpreter of Schumann as he is of Chopin and the quality of these performances, which were recorded between 1984 and 1995, is generally high. The gnarled F-sharp Minor Sonata is beautifully organized, as well as emotionally compelling; "Papillons" has style, color, and flexibility; "Waldszenen" displays poetry, strength, and simplicity; the G-Minor Sonata is clearly outlined and impeccably delivered; "Kinderszenen" is played with fluidity and nuance; and "Carnaval" is delivered with bigness of conception, virility, and authority that make it among the finest ever recorded. Even on those occasions when Ashkenazy fails to reach such heights--as he does, for example, in a "Davidsbundlertanze" that is a mite too solemn and deliberate for the music's helter-skelter whimsy--his performances still achieve a distinguished standard. Nevertheless, it is Ashkenazy's misfortune that he must compete against his younger self. The readings in this set of the Symphonic Etudes, the Fantasy in C Major, "Kreisleriana," and the "Humoresque" fall short compared to those Ashkenazy recorded in the 1960s and early 1970s. In those earlier performance--reissued on a Double Decca set--the notes roll off the pianist's fingers in a dazzling and melting manner, with a singing tone and a sense of rapture, that he was unable to match 20 years later. --Stephen Wigler

Album Details

Few Pianists have Explored and Recorded Such a Wealth of Keyboard Literature as Vladimir Ashkenazy. During an Association with Decca which Stretches Back Almost 40 Years Now, Ashkenazy Has Completed Cycles of Some of the Most Important Concertos (Mozart, Beethoven, Prokofiev, Bartók and Rachmaninov), as Well as an Extensive Amount of Solo Literature.two Of the Greatest Figures in 19th-century Piano Music Are Chopin and Schumann, and Music by Both Composers Has Featured, and Continues to Feature, in Ashkenazy's Recitals. He Has Recorded Almost all of Chopin Solo Works and During the Years 1984-95 Undertook a Major Survey of Schumann's Solo Literature (Some Works Including the Sinfonische Etüden, Fantasie, Kreisleriana and Humoreske) Ashkenazy Had Recorded Earlier in his Career). These Digital Recordings Are Now Presented as a Box Set for the First Time and Are an Invaluable Collection of the Composer's Most Important Keyboard Works, Performed by One of the Greatest Pianists of his Ge

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful music, great playing, even better price.......2007-07-03

I keep reading reviews that say things like: "Well others have played this piece better than Ashkenazy..." or "If you want a complete set of Schumann piano works then Ashkenazy is adequate and a good bargain..."

I may not have heard every version of these Schumann pieces played by every pianist in the 20th century, but I can say that Ashkenazy plays these pieces absolutely wonderfully- with both technical virtuosity and emotional depth. If you really want to cobble together a collection of the "absolute best" Schumann pieces, and spend a couple hundred dollars in the process, that's certainly your prerogative.

I just can't see how anyone can fault Ashkenazy's playing of these pieces as being lesser than others. To my ears, he plays them faultlessly. There are times during the recording where I want to stand up and applaud, others when I want to weep.

For about $5-$8 per disc (depending on who you purchase it from) you can have this wonderful music. Buy it now, and listen often!

This is well worth the price.......2005-12-03

On the whole, this set is very good. true, ash's doesnt quite match up to pollini's recent dg david or kreis, but few do. There are still many gems here, some of which i rank as the top of the list in terms of interpretation. Firstly, waldszenen is giving an account here which in a word, is simply miraculous. Listen to how well he shapes the theme in the second piece, while most are struggling just to pull off the ferociously difficult chord jumps, yet ash does it with civility. Not even richter's fifities account is as well played or shaped. The kinderszenen is also marvelous, though not the best ever, or the second best or third(or fourth).....
But what every piece does give you, what ash himself seems to offer now, is a high standard of playing, though little over the top. But dont take that the wrong way, this set is a perfect way for anyone, even those pianophiles, to imburse or reimburse themselves in Schumann's wonderful world.
1.Wald-ash,haskil, richter, kempff
2.Kinder-moise, cortot, horsz, kempff
3.Davids-Giese, Pollini
4.Carnaval-Rach, Arrau
5.Sonata 1-Gilels, Ash
6. Symph Etudes- Richter, Richter, Richter, anda
7. Fant in C-Moise, Backhaus, Cohen, Richter
8. Humoreske-Richter-56 moscow, kempf. F

Not Ashkenazy's forte (pun on forte intended).......2004-11-21

On the whole, Ashkenazy just does not seem to be a gifted interpreter of Schumann. These readings, to my ear, are heavy handed, pedantic, burdensome, and lacking in the mysterious joy that pervades so much of the work of the Romantic master. Some performances are OK. The Sinfonische Etuden would probably the best of the lot. But in works like Carnaval, the Novelletten, Faschingschwank aus Wien, and the Kinderszenen Ashkenazy to my liking totally misses the target.

I much prefer the more introspective approach of Arrau, or the wild and intriguing Pollini. Even Barenboim comes closer to the heart of Schumann than Ashkenazy.

The recorded sound is often disappointing also. The sound on some pieces is so muddy I thought the microphone was behind a wall.

beautifully played, wonderful and overlooked pieces.......2003-04-29

This set is a remarkable value. Yes, you could choose some individual performances of certain works that are better, but for the price, this is a remarkable set. Ashkenazy is sympathetic to these wonderful and often overlooked solo piano compositions. Highly recommended.

György Ligeti Edition 6: Keyboard Works (Piano, Harpsichord, Organ) - Irina Kataeva / Pierre-Laurent Aimard / Elisabeth Chojnacka / Zsigmond Szathmáry

Average customer rating:

More 'sci-fi' inspired music
Piano pieces are lesser works, but the rest is fantastic
Some gems in this uneven keyboard music collection
brilliant music
Delightful

György Ligeti Edition 6: Keyboard Works (Piano, Harpsichord, Organ) - Irina Kataeva / Pierre-Laurent Aimard / Elisabeth Chojnacka / Zsigmond Szathmáry

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Inventions | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Caprices | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Ligeti: Mechanical Music
György Ligeti Edition 3: Works for Piano (Etudes, Musica Ricercata) - Pierre-Laurent Aimard
György Ligeti Edition 4: Vocal Works (Madrigals, Mysteries, Aventures, Songs) - The King's Singers / Philharmonia Orchestra / Esa-Pekka Salonen
György Ligeti Edition 1: String Quartets and Duets - Arditti String Quartet
György Ligeti Edition 2: A Cappella Choral Works - London Sinfonietta Voices

ASIN: B0000029OZ
Release Date: 1997-05-20

Tracks:

Indulo - March - Allegro
Polyphonic Etude - Allegro comodo
Three Wedding Dances: The Cart Is At The Gate - Allegro
Three Wedding Dances: Quickly Come Here Pretty - Andantino
Three Wedding Dances: Circling Dance - Allegro
Sonatina: Allegro
Sonatina: Andante
Sonatina: Vivace
Allegro
Capriccio No. 1 - Allegretto capriccioso
Invention - Risoluto
Capriccio No. 2 - Allegro robusto
Monument
Selbstportrait mit Reich und Riley (und Chopin ist auch dabei)
In zart fliessender Bewegung
Passacaglia ungherese - Andante
Hungarian Rock - Vivacissimo molto ritmico
Continuum - Prestissimo
Ricercare - Omaggio a Girolamo Frescobaldi
Two Studies For Organ: Harmonies - Rubato, sempre legatissimo
Two Studies For Organ: Coulee - Prestissimo, sempre legato
Volumina

Customer Reviews:

More 'sci-fi' inspired music.......2006-08-31

This 6th installment of the Gyorgy Ligeti Edition contains one (Harmonies) of Ligeti's three pieces used by Stanley Kubrick in the '2001' soundtrack. For that reason alone, this CD is a bit more interesting than some of the others in this series. To me, as a representative of the average listener who happens to like a very broad range of musical styles, this CD is more interesting than Ligeti's string compositions, but not as interesting as his choral works.

Part of the attraction may be the mystery of exactly what instrument is it which is performing some of these pieces. This mystery is simply not there when the pieces are done by violins and their relatives.

While the mystery instumentation is nothing more than an organ, the performers make this hoary monster do a lot more than I am used to hearing in my local church.

The whole series is a wealth of 'new' or 'alternate' music, but this disk is just a bit more rewarding than some of the others.

Piano pieces are lesser works, but the rest is fantastic.......2004-03-22

Gyorgy Ligeti Edition 6 "Keyboard Works", a installment of Sony's attempt to present Ligeti's collected works, includes the composer's pieces for harpsichord and organ, as well as a number of piano works which were not previously included in Gyorgy Ligeti Edition 3 "Piano Works". As on that third volume, the piano works are performed by Pierre-Laurent Aimard, whom Ligeti considers the ideal pianist for his works, and this time accompanied by Irina Kataeva. Elisabeth Chojnacka performs on harpsicord, and Zsigmond Szathmary on organ.

Some of "Five Pieces for Piano Four-Hands" are among the earliest of Ligeti's works, written when the composer was a mere 20 years old. All these early piano pieces are rather immature, a simple exploration of an instrument Ligeti encountered later in life than usual. Some, like "Three Wedding Dances" show much progress, but are rooted in peasant folk rhythms and bear little resemblance to the Ligeti of later years. I am a great fan of Ligeti, but frankly these first piano works are dull. One notable exception is the sequence "Capriccio No.1-Invention-Capriccio No. 2" which, although written in 1947, is reminiscent of Ligeti's superb "Musica Ricercata" series for piano featured on volume 3.

"Three Pieces for Two Pianos" dates from twenty-five years later, when Ligeti had already made his micropolyphonic breakthrough (and was in some cases beginning to abandon it). The halting, jerking "Monument" is, I think, the first appearance on this disc of the Ligeti we all know and love. "Selbstportrait mit Reich und Riley (und Chopin ist auch dabei)" is a tribute to the two American minimalist composers and includes a brief allusion to Chopin's music, which Ligeti considers protominimalist. It is indicated to be played "Presto: so schnell und so gleichmaessig wie moeglich", and Aimard and Kataeva really handle the unforgivingly flowing nature of the piece.

The three harpsichord pieces are quite interesting because they are generally unknown. The highlight is "Hungarian Rock" (1978), a frenetic piece which sounds like video-game music gone horribly wrong. Chojnacka really shines here and on the following "Continuum" (1968), which in its eerie micropolyphony stands with the best of his works of the 1960's.

Ligeti's organ pieces are subtle and I'm not sure I "get" them yet. "Ricercare" (1951) is Ligeti's first exploration of the instrument. "Harmonies" (1967) is rather reminiscent of the Ligeti's "Atmospheres" in its waves of sound and concentration on pure timbre, and the following "Coulee" continues this in a considerably higher range.

The organ pieces, and the disc, end with "Volumina" (1961/62), one of Ligeti's earliest hits in the West. This is one of Ligeti's finest works, and the sound quality of this performance is much better than the 1968 recording recently reissued by Deutsche Grammaphon. (This is in itself surprising, as DG's reissues usually sound better than more recent recordings.) It might even be a better performance, as I find it difficult to judge the earlier recording because of its inaudibility.

The booklet contains, as usual, notes written by Ligeti himself and, as always, they are full of enlightening anecdotes and humorous remarks. Here you can read about how the first rehearsal "Volumina" burnt out the organ of Gothenburg's cathedral, and how--in a parenthetical remark that could be dead serious or a joke--Ligeti "will be overcome by revenge fantasies" forever eagainst the repressive regimes of Hungary.

While I think Ligeti is the greatest living composer, and the two series collecting his works are certainly worth getting, the unexciting piano pieces make this a lesser installment in Gyorgy Ligeti Edition. This should wait until one already has, for example, the first volume "String Quartets" or the second "A Capella Choral Works."

Some gems in this uneven keyboard music collection.......2003-11-26

Volume 6 of Sony's Ligeti Edition is largely devoted to piano pieces not included in Volume 3 (Etudes, Musica ricercata), along with his harpsichord and organ pieces. This means that it doesn't have as consistently high a standard of music, but there's still enough meat here to keep the listener interested.

The disc starts with a collection of previously unrecorded early pieces for two pianos. Most of them aren't particularly interesting, but the Polyphonic Etude (written as early as 1943) is a striking premonition of Ligeti's later preoccupations. For that matter, fans of the Musica ricercata (or the Six Bagatelles) will recognize the first two movements of the 1950 Sonatina. Kataeva and Aimard bring off these minor pieces with aplomb.

Following this, we hear the Invention (a rather dry attempt at writing hyper-chromatic Bach) and the two somewhat Bartokian Capriccios. Again, these are minor Ligeti; Kataeva's recording of them probably isn't quite as good as Ullen's on BIS (fill-ups to his underrated reading of the first two books of Etudes), but it's still perfectly acceptable.

After this, we reach mature Ligeti. The three pieces for two pianos are amongst the closest Ligeti got to American minimalism--indeed the middle movement is somewhat clumsily entitled Selbsportrait mit Reich und Riley (und Chopin ist auch dabei). Kataeva and Aimard play well here, without entirely erasing memories of the Kontarsky brothers on a now-reissued recording for DG.

No complaints at all about Elisabeth Chojnacka's rendition of the harpsichord pieces. The mean-tone tunings of the Passacaglia ungherese and Hungarian Rock counterpoint their intentionally bland rhythm. The gem amongst the three pieces, though, is Continuum, a frantic toccata throwing up strange patterns and illusions, which comes off wonderfully here.

The four organ pieces end this disc. The Ricercare (the organ version of the last piece in Musica ricercata) is a gloomy chromatic Frescobaldi pastiche, while Harmonies is an apparently simplistic set of chords distorted by tampering with the organ's pressure mechanism. Coulee, by contrast, is an organ version of Continuum, which sounds remarkably different from the original. Last of all, is the graphically scored tone-cluster piece Volumina. This is a phenomenal, apocalyptic piece, a clear ancestor of the Requiem, and is exceedingly powerful in live performance. Unfortunately, I don't feel Zsigmond Szathmary's performance here comes close to matching Gerd Zacher on DG or the phenomenal Hans-Ola Ericsson on BIS (my own favourite for the complete organ works, coupled with an excellent Schoenberg Variations on a Recitative).

Despite reservations, then, this disc is still worth considering--particularly as Sony's website indicates that the company is in the process of deleting the entire Ligeti Edition.

brilliant music.......2003-06-17

just listen to the five pieces for piano four hands, and you will know what i'm talking about. I'm going to try and get all this editions of ligeti.

Delightful.......2003-05-04

A delightful introduction to Ligeti, for me--very accessible and winning, from student work for piano that recalls Stravinsky, to "Self-Portrait with Reich and Riley" (one reason I bought this) to "Volumina" (the other reason). A wonderfully diverse keyboard CD, from simple to profound. If it's not Ligeti's most momentous work, I wouldn't fault the CD: the performers are excellent, and so's the engineering.

Average customer rating:

Sonny James is now in the Hall of fame!!
Ron Pruitt
the complete columbia & monument hits
70's and 80's recordings

Complete Columbia & Monument Hits
Sonny James
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Young Love: The Classic Hits of Sonny James
The Best of David Houston
The Complete Capitol Hits of Faron Young
Golden Classics
Sonny James - Greatest Hits

ASIN: B00006BCNX
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Tracks:

When The Snow Is On The Roses
White Silver Sands
I Love You More And More Everyday
If She Just Helps Me Get Over You
Is It Wrong (For Loving You)
A Mi Esposa Con Amor (To My Wife With Love)
A Little Bit South Of Saskatoon
Little Band Of Gold
What In The World's Come Over You
Eres Tu (Touch The Wind)
The Prisoner's Song
Back In The Saddle Again
When Something Is Wrong With My Baby
Come On In
You're Free To Go
In The Jailhouse Now
Abilene
This Is The Love
Carribean
Building Memories
Hold What You've Got
Lorelei

Album Description

Full title - The Complete Columbia & Monument Hits. This is the first serious anthology to examine this missing chapter in the career of one of Nashville's great singers. Offering every hit, most of which have never been on CD, along with notes and pictures. Collectors' Choice Music. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Sonny James is now in the Hall of fame!!.......2007-01-11

I wanted Sonny's music before he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was always on my stereo during the 60's and then I kind of lost him. Now he is back.

Ron Pruitt.......2005-09-30

It is getting harder to find real country music these days; it is refreshing to be able to here what the genre should sound like or at least resemble. This is well mastered and a treat to listen to. If you like Sonny's music this is a must.

the complete columbia & monument hits.......2005-08-14

I was looking for some of the "oldies" and these are great!
Brings back lots of good memories

70's and 80's recordings.......2003-10-03

The southern gentlemen Sonny James was a major hitmaker in the 50's thru the early 80's. This collection begins in 1972 when Sonny left Capitol for Columbia. Sonny had a long string of hits for the label in the 70's and then went to Monument with moderate chart sucsess. This collection is very good but not as good as his vintage Capitol recordings. Collector's Choice music is excellent in providing collectors with music they want but can't find elsewhere. Sonny James should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Music:

Music

music

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