Customer Reviews

Sentimental Favorites (25)

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

 

 

I used to think that classical music is boring, but this CD has changed my mind. The first time I listened to this CD I said, its OK. Later every time I listen to it I discover a new beautiful music. I feel calm and relaxed. I mostly liked the Borodin, Mozart and Faure songs. It is really 25 sentimental favorites. Now, many titles of the 25 "?" Favorites are on my wish list....

As revealed with SONY MDR-7506 Studio Monitor headphones, transfer quality of the contents of VOX's 25 SENTIMENTAL FAVORITES is generally full-range, distortion-free, and with such clarity for example you can hear one musician's regular inhalations on the second cut (BORODIN String Quartet #2). Occasional tracks do reveal their magnetic tape sources, but this white noise is minimal, except for #24 (perhaps it's a multi-generational dub). Only the very last number ('Cavalleria Rusticana') is monaural.

Musicianship and editing are another matter, however.

Edits:
These all obviously fade out before the movement or piece ends: #2, #3, 11 and 18.

Technique:
The crucial soloist on MASSENET's 'Meditation from Thais' is ever-so slightly sour.
On STRAUSS's 'Artist's Life' the orchestra slurs some faster runs.
Strings on MOZART's 'Elvira Madigan' render a wooden intro.
The anonymous 'My Lady Greensleeves' shows dissonance in left hand chord runs.
BORODIN's 'Polovetsian Dance #8' has a few imperfect moments that make you wince.

Noteworthies:
KREISLER's 'Liebeslied' is positively beautiful as is his 'Schön Rosmarin.'
The MOZART Flute and Harp Concerto couldn't be better.
TCHAIKOVSKY's 'Waltz of the Flowers' is a standout.
Outstandingly captured bass on the MOZART 'Marriage of Figaro' excerpt.
The 'Arab Song' from Rimsky-Korsakov shows wonderful spirit.
Grieg's 'Wedding Day' has a pleasant airiness.

The recordings are fair at best. The performances poor to better.

I will dispose of this one.