Total Classics

Romano Musumarra (Composer), Maori Traditional (Composer), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Alfredo Catalani (Composer), American Traditional (Composer), M. / Kerr, R. Bond / Glover (Composer), Andrew Lloyd Webber (Composer), Ernesto de Curtis (Composer), Doors (Composer), Ludovico Einaudi (Composer), Jules Massenet (Composer), James Horner (Composer), Johann Pachelbel (Composer), Tomaso Albinoni (Composer), Erik Satie (Composer), Luigi Denza (Composer), Eduardo di Capua (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Gaetano Donizetti (Composer), Karl Jenkins (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Romano Musumarra, Maori Traditional, Giuseppe Verdi, Alfredo Catalani, American Traditional, et al.
• Audio CD (February 8, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0002L2ZUU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,411 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #34 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750) > Vocal & Song

Editorial Reviews

2-CD compilation featuring the greatest stars including Bond, Hayley Westenra, Russell Watson, Pavarotti, The Three Tenors, Sarah Brightman and many others. Decca. 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful sounds, May 13, 2007

By 

Frank Lucas (so.or) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Total Classics (Audio CD)

Nice eclectic collection - Russel Watson presentation of Nella Fantasia using guitar interlude instead of traditional oboe is special piece.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent crossover classical assortment, June 10, 2009

By 

Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Number One Classical Album 2004 (Audio CD)

The 2003 release in this annual series (always titled one year later, just like children's annuals, because they come out in time for Christmas) provides a nice sample of the most popular classical crossover music of the year although not all of it was new that year. The music in these compilations doesn't fit my former stereotypical idea of what classical music is all about. It mainly features vocalists but they don't necessarily sing traditional operatic pieces though some do. Often they sing covers of pop, folk or gospel songs, albeit in an operatic style. The few instrumental tracks here feature soloists rather than symphony orchestras. The credits give pictures of album covers together with titles and catalog numbers to tempt you to pick out your favorite artists and buy their individual albums.

The featured artists here include Hayley Westenra, Luciano Pavarotti, Bryn Terfel, Sarah Brightman, Aled Jones, Lesley Garrett, Nigel Kennedy, Charlotte Church, Russell Watson, Bond, Renée Fleming and Placido Domingo among others. Highlights among the tracks include While my guitar gently weeps (performed by Nigel Kennedy), Shenandoah (performed by Bryn Terfel), Your song (performed by Julian Lloyd Webber with Elton John), She moved through the fair (performed by Izzy) and Hymn to the child (performed by Paul McCartney).

This series is aimed at those who don't take classical music too seriously, but who like to dabble in it. On that level, it works brilliantly.