Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Recorder Collection

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this as wallpaper music - and got a very pleasant surprise!

Several of the pieces stopped me in my tracks, made me sit down and forced me to listen.

Michala Petri demonstrates a masterly control of her instrument and a high level of musicianship in a wide ranging selection of material - from reconstituted Bach to specially composed 20th Century pieces.

Outstanding for me was the Sammartini Concerto: Ms Petri shows a lightness of touch combined with serious enthusiasm and an obvious delight that literally stopped me from working and made me listen. The support given by the Moscow Virtuosi also deserves mention.

Koppel's pieces are fun, as are the arrangements from Grieg and Satie.

Overall, although this could be taken as a glorified sampler... it is much more - there are complete works played intelligently and lighter, throw away pieces you'll want to chase after and listen to again.

I must confess up front to being a Michala Petri fanatic. I also play the recorder, although after listening to this album, I feel like throwing my instruments into the nearest dumpster.

Michala Petri is a national hero in Denmark, and a recognized name among classical music fans in Europe, Asia, and Canada. If you listen to this album, you will ask yourself how the music business in the USA can frantically promote "The Three Tenors" while mostly ignoring the genius of this amazing young woman.

This is not your kid's recorder. Ms Petri's complete technical and musical mastery of her instrument transforms the recorder into the equal of other familiar solo instruments, but with its own peculiar sound, penetrating but sweet, that sets it apart.

This album is made up mostly of tracks from her many earlier recordings. Some are transcriptions of well-loved piano miniatures (the Grieg numbers are perhaps more charming here than on the piano, if that is possible); of baroque works for flute, recorder, or strings; of modern recorder music written for Ms Petri by contemporary masters. Some are accompanied by small orchestra and others by Ms Petri's husband, the excellent guitarist and lutist Lars Hannibal. The combination of recorder and guitar is an intimate match made in heaven, and I recommend also this duo's complete album, 'Air'.

After falling in love with the recorder, I started searching for CDs and this was the first I bought. It quickly became a favorite CD. I like the fact that it ranges over a wide period--Baroque to Modern, and showcases the instrument in different settings. The liner notes are quite comprehensive as well. In a word--enchanting.

This is by far the best "sampler" I have ever heard. The playing is so superb and the recorder so perfect a vehicle that I found myself listing to too often played pieces like Satie's Gymopedie No.1 as if for the first time. Same for the Grieg. It is very hard to believe these renderings aren't the original intention of the composers. This is a guaranteed winner.

As a relatively new recorder player, I wanted to listen to an experienced professional, to hear the techniques and phrasings an experienced recorder player can utilize.Even after reading the other rave reviews, I was not prepared for the virtuosity I was to experience.Michala Petri did for my musicality now, what Andres Segovia did many years ago when I learned to play classical guitar.I was inspired,humbled, and totally blown away by her shear talent! Her ability to create bird-chirping sounds with a sopranino recorder on the baroque pieces is uncanny.I think my favorite out of all the incredible tracks is her rendition of Bach's Air For G-String.The sound of her playing with her husband, Lars Hannible,as he plays the classical guitar,is a heavenly experience.Not only does this lady obviously own some of the best recorders ever made, she knows how to get the best tones out of them as well.I can recommend this two cd set as one of the best musical collections ever sold.

The Recorder, a woodwind instrument, is usually associated with young school children. It is relatively easy to play (at least on a casual level) and with just a little bit of practice, one can make relatively pleasant sounds. It's popularity reached its peak in medieval times until more sophisticated orchestral woodwinds displaced its use from the 18th century onward. Its wholesome sweet natural sound evokes pastoral imagery and the simplicity of earlier times. Yet, in the hands of a virtuoso, it is an instrument of great complexity, versatility and pristine beauty.

Michala Petri hails from Denmark and is one of the most highly regarded masters of the Recorder. She has toured extensively, displaying her talent before world audiences. THE ULTIMATE RECORDER COLLECTION is a two-disc collection of inspired performances of works by classical and contemporary composers. In her gifted hands, the recorder soars with unique harmonics, transporting the listener to a new appreciation of often heard works. The technical aspects of the 2 CD set are excellent, yet the performances are individually and collectively warm and inviting. There are 45 selections in the collection, all of which are performed exquisitely. Ms. Petri is a gifted performer, an artist who elevates a humble instrument to lofty heights.

(This is from the ears of an amateur)
Expected the sky (ultimate) but was rather disappointed with CD#1. Execution was technically perfect but felt that the rendition lacked expression. CD#2 was livelier and flowed better. I much prefer (in fact LOVE) Handel's Sonata by Jarrett/Petri - Petri here is simply amazing - the pieces were alive! In this production in CD#1,the recorder was largely drowned out by the accompaniment where played concurrently, whilst the solo parts came through as a little mechanical and lacking soul and conviction. In the other production, the same soloist did and amazing amazing job with the Sonatas.

I bought this as I am new to the recorder world and Petri is the best. Wanted to increase awareness of the repertoire and hear what the best sounds like. This is a little flat for me.

I absolutely love this CD and have practically played it to death. I have three Michala Petri CDs and this one is by far the best. The recorder instrument takes center stage and is heard clearly above the other instruments. In my other two CDs though pleasant to listen to, the strings and other instruments sometimes drown out the recorder music. So if you are looking to hear the recorder itself, this is the CD is buy. Tracks 4 and 5 are absolutely sublime.

The best recorder collection I've ever heard...excellant long-play CDs. I highly recommend for those who appreciate fine recorder music.

Unlike others, I cannot be excited about this CD. It is a wallpaper music CD indeed with pieces that are WAY too familiar. The flute is sometimes so high that it makes you want to turn down the volume, or even stop the CD player. I played it once, and won't play it again I am afraid. I give it a 2 stars because the musician is probably an accomplished flutist.