Customer Reviews

The Best Classical Album in the World... Ever!

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a nice recording for folks who don't know much about classical music, and would serve as a wonderful introduction. It covers centuries of great music in a very listener-friendly format. I am sure that I will use this CD in my music classroom. For a seasoned classical music lover, however, the CD proves a bit frustrating, including only segments of masterworks (not even the entire movement of the Holst). I bought the CD for a few recordings, which I truly enjoy and make the CD a worthwile purchase. But I found (and I think that most classical musicians will find) that I already had many of these works in their entirety.

It should probably go without saying that it's not just a matter of finding a classical CD with the songs you want, it has to be the ideal recording of the song. For example, you don't just want to buy any random recording of "Beethoven's Ninth"; you want to get the recording that has the right accoustics in the theater where it was recorded, the full orchestra, the conductor making the perfect dramatic emphasis during the critical moments in the music.

That's one of the best reasons to buy this particular CD. It's not just the fact that so many essential pieces of classical music are on this CD; it's the fact that they are some of the greatest versions of these pieces you will ever find.

If I have any complaints about this compilation, it's the manner in which some of these recordings are shortened down so as to accommodate 40 tracks on to the CD. The most frustrating track is a beautiful recording of my all time favourite Puccini song "Nessun Dorma" which fades out just before arriving at the dramatic final bars.

Nevertheless owning this CD became a must for me, after hearing the incredibly stirring version of Albanoni's "Adagio in G minor"; one of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard!

This CD is the first thing I ever returned to Amazon. It is an inferior product--selections cut off abruptly before the end, volume fades and returns in the middle of a cut...production values are pure schlock here. Maybe I should have expected as much from such a sophomoric title.

This collection is an absolute masteripiece for those who prefer to listen to extremely well performed classics. Covering boroque, classical and romantic styles these CDs are a mix of fragmens from such classics as Grieg's first piano concerto, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture or Rachmaninoff's Variations on the theme of Paganini. These CDs would make you want to listen to the complete works of these great composers. A stunning performance from such conductors as Previn, Karajan or Sir Simon Rattle and from performers like Nigel Kennedy, Jacquelin du Pre, Cecile Ousset and many more. This album is 100% worth its price.

I purchased this CD because I am new to Classical Music and thought this would be a good introduction CD. There is some wonderful music on this CD. The only problem I have with this CD is every other track is Opera of one form or another. As a new listener I found that after the Opera tracks I felt I had been yelled at and it was a distraction to the other music contained on the CD. I now know to hit the skip button on my CD player just about every other track. I only gave it 3 stars because I felt put off by the vocal tracks. I believe that when someone is new to Classical Music they do not think of Opera. If you don't mind hitting the skip button a lot or if you like Opera this CD is for you!

Many of these prior reviewers complain that the abundance of operas and vocals degrate this compilation. They don't know what they're talking about. These genres are what made Classical music popular in it's age. In that era the forum for showcasing "classical music" was operas! Hence why most of these works are lost in the shuffle. Most of us know Mozart and Beethoven's compositions by ear but there are so many other great composers that existed and these CD's will show you but a PIECE. But, fair warning, these CD's show only a small fraction of the whole movement (song). If you truly dig the genre you're in for a treat, investigate!

Good job to all who made this CD possible. I wouldn't call it the best ever, but it is one of the best.

I don't deny the possibility of this CD being a launching pad toward more applied classical recordings, but it seems more likely to me that people will content themselves with this, more a packaging of 'melodies' than anything else, and never think of picking up some Schnittke Concerti Grossi, since they have not been carefully packaged, marketed, and sold in an insipid 'lifestyles'-related package.

I haven't listened to every classical album in existence, yet I still feel compelled to prefer my Boulez recording of Mahler's 6th. And speaking of Mahler, I note that he is woefully missing from this compilation, even though anyone who would think him to be a less profound composer than Holst would be what is referred to in classical music circles as a nimrod. The reason for this, of course, is that Mahler did not write 'pretty' music. And really, what more can any sane person desire of music than a 'pretty tune' that is easily apprehended and digested at first listen?

Sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy! This is the best classical album in the world, ever!

A recording of the most beautiful compositions, with the best artists, instrumenlists & orchestras, & technical tools performed in 20th Century.