Complete Classical Music (4 CD-ROM)

by TOPICS Entertainment

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000326NT
• Item model number: CS-22
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 24, 1999
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,405 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

CounterTop Software's Complete Classical Music: The Ultimate Multimedia Collection is an interactive way to deepen your appreciation for some of the world's best classical composers and their music. This five-CD application includes two reference discs, the Hutchinson Encyclopedia of Music and Classical Orchestra Notes, and three discs that study specific composers in depth (Mozart, Chopin, and Vivaldi). Whether you are already a lover of classical music or you have never been able to sit still for a single movement, this program will help you explore the music in ways you never have.

Both of the reference discs are full of easy-to-understand, linked explanations of composers, their music, musical terms, and historical movements. The other three discs each feature one of the composers and some of his most important and beloved works, including an explanation of the historical and musical context in which they were composed.

The program allows you to listen to the pieces while learning about their significance. For example, you can simultaneously listen to Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, read interpretations of what the different musical elements in the piece evoke, and watch vibrant scenes of springtime pop up on your computer screen. Each disc provides biographical information, complete with illustrations, video clips, samples of the sheet music, and more to keep you interested. --Cintra Pollack

Amazon.com Product Description

Complete Classical Music is the ultimate multimedia collection for any classical music fan. The five CD-ROMs feature photos, history notes, and other details about more than 4,000 classical music personalities. The first disc focuses on Frederyk Chopin. The second disc contains The Hutchinson Encyclopedia of Music with 11,000 entries, 200 photographs, 500 music clips, and information on 3,000 operas. The third disc, Vivaldi, The Four Seasons, is an interactive multimedia experience. Disc four contains Classical Orchestra Notes, a fun and educational package that can serve as a nice introduction to classical music. Disc five is full of information about and performances by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It even features a trivia game.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Very Bad Trend, April 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Classical Music (4 CD-ROM) (CD-ROM)

If you look at the reviews for the bundled art history software by CounterTop, you will see multiple mentions of software problems. One can only use 2 of the 5 bundled CDs. It's a shame because you can see where the software creators were headed but one cannot get the programs to run correctly. It's almost as if CounterTop doesn't care; they just bundle old software together and provide no support for known problems at their website.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars You Get What You Pay For, October 2, 2000

By 

Stephen H Vlam (Philadelphia, Pa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Classical Music (4 CD-ROM) (CD-ROM)

You will get about $20 worth of use from this product. What you can bring up from the software is entertaining and interesting. However you will not get 1/100th of what you think is promised by the packaging and titles. The software is often difficult and unattractive. The musical examples are limited and not well recorded. The Musical Dictonary gives you precise definitions but not any great commentary. If you expect a great bargain, you will be unhappy. CounterTop is the software equivalent of the Dollar Store. You get what you pay for.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Well, it was cheap, January 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Classical Music (4 CD-ROM) (CD-ROM)

The CD set has a wealth of information- but the media itself (how it loads, how the program plays, how you access info) is dated and VERY basic. It was also a bit surprizing that it takes a bit of doing to ever hear the music. Very "reference text" feeling.

If you are looking for a way to READ more about music, this is a fine set. If you are looking for an interactive experience, keep looking.