Customer Reviews

Classical Hits: The Best Music from Today's Classical Superstars

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

CLASSICAL HITS has given me a rival for Sarah Brightman's EDEN cd. Russel Watson's stirring rendition of one of my all time favorites, Nella Fantasia, is the best I have ever heard. Pavoratti may have technical ability, but the emotional and smooth voice of Russel Watson's only do this classic justice. There are not more than two of twenty tracks that just simple don't inspire me.

Steve

This album contains many of contemporary classic music's finest songs sung by many of the finest singers in the world. Bocelli, Brightman, Fleming, Watson, just to name a few. The problem here is with the opener, where the song is sung by the execrable Charlotte Church. Its a mystery to everyone I know who has heard this CD why this song is not sung by Sarah Brightman who did the original and defining version. The rendition by Church simply demonstrates her lack of vocal control and emotion. Even a cover by Renee Fleming is far superior to that of Church's. The only thing I can think of here is that since the album is put out by Sony, and Charlotte is owned by Sony, they had to find some place for her songs after paying her so much money.
If not for Church poisoning the well on track 1, this album is an absolute 5-star

If you enjoy music, this CD is for you. The pieces on this CD are some of the musical masterpieces of our time. Many classics remastered by current genius' are included on this CD. From the first song to the last, this CD is certain to evoke a wide-range of emotions. Whether, you've slipped into the wedding scene in The Godfather, or are in Medieval Scotland, you are certain to recognize and enjoy these works. Pavarotti's 'Nessun Dorma' is heartbreakingly well-done, as is O Fortuna [from Carmina Burana] by John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra. This CD will not disappoint, it is passionate, beautiful, and extremely well put together. Enjoy!

I bought this album for the tracks with Russell Watson and Pavarotti, and, as usual THEY didn't disappoint me. I really didn't care much for the other tracks.

This CD contains an outstanding collection of classical music over the course of two-three years. You will get nothing but beautiful music and sound performed by some of the best classical artists in the industry. Charlotte Church's Pie Jesu is a great "opener" for the CD. The flow from one song to the next is dynamic by way of it flows with the pace. John Williams and Hans Zimmer performs strong heavy pieces while Renee Fleming, Yo-Yo-Ma and many other provides smooth sound to the ears. This music gave me better hope as we deal with day to day struggle with the terrorist. A great way to get your mind off of current issues! Highly recommended!

The beautiful voice of Charlotte Church lulls you into a calm state and then all of a sudden you are in the middle of "Victory" by Bond which is radiant. The intensity of the songs keep increasing through "Duel of the Fates" and then returns to a sweet and sorrowful "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again."

"Rose" is haunting and gets better each time you hear it. When listening to "Nella Fantasia" you simply must close your eyes, it is so spiritual and makes your spirits rise, in fact it makes you feel joy.

"Pavane" is a combination of guitar and string orchestra and could simply lull you to sleep. Renee Fleming is adored and here she sings the popular aria "O mio babbino caro."

Yo-Yo Ma explores some of Bach's most beautiful melodies with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and this CD includes the moving performance of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" from his Simply Baroque CD.

"O Sole Mio" is pretty intense in itself and "Maria" from West Side Story was a welcome instrumental recess. "The Second Waltz" makes me want to travel in Europe again!

"Now We Are Free" is commanding and you can almost hear an echo from the past calling to your most inner desire to be liberated in spirit. "The Eternal Vow" is exotic and gripping. The type of music you would expect from a dreamy fairy-tale like story of love and betrayal. You will want the entire soundtrack, which is a blend of East meets West.

Be prepared for the next selection and be ready to turn down the volume! In fact, throughout this CD, I was changing the volume because some of the music is just quite vibrant to say the least. Followed by a memorable piece from Braveheart.

The next selection is royal and filled with dignity and respect. Just when you think it simply can't get any more classic "The Four Seasons" is lusciously performed by virtuoso violinist Gil Shaham.

The Appalachia Waltz is serene and celebrates the American musical tradition. Yo-Yo Ma fans will enjoy a second selection. Luciano Pavarotti completes the selections with a romantic "Nessun dorma!"

This CD just keeps getting better each time I listen to it!

If you love this music, you might enjoy:

Charlotte Church Enchantment
Alex De Grassi's The Water Garden
Celtic Fantasy
Bach's Adagios

~The Rebecca Review

I was impressed with the selection of songs included in this compilation. It includes a nice mix of classics (symphonic and operatic) - such as Pie Jesu, O Fortuna from Carmina Burana and Nessun Dorma - as well as recent movie themes from "Gladiator," "Braveheart," "The Phantom Menace" and "Titanic." The movie themes are the original compositions by Oscar winners Hans Zimmer, John Williams and James Horner. Among the artists contributing to this disc are the talented Charlotte Church, the 3 tenors and Sarah Brightman.

I thoroughly enjoyed this top-notch CD. Highly recommended!

I have listened to this compilation over and over again in my car when the world has become too much. These are artists at their best. Even if the only music on this CD were Lucianno Pavarotti's signature masterpiece, "Nessun dorma!", it would be priceless.

I must say I enjoyed pretty much all of the songs on this album. "Victory" by Bond was the only thing they shouldn't have included, since it doesn't quite qualify as "classical" and wasn't what I would call a hit, anyway. True, it was instrumental, but real classical music is of a higher caliber. ("Now We Are Free" isn't quite classical either but it's not 'commercialized' like "Victory.") I really liked "Duel of the Fates," "Maria," "Now We Are Free," and "O Fortuna." Those were my favorites out of a great selection of songs. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't really care for full-blown classical.

I bought this cd when it first came out, as my first real taste of anything even remotely classical. And for that purpose, it works. For someone getting into classical seriously though, I'd start somewhere else.