Customer Reviews

World's Greatest Choruses

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

 

 

I've had to order a 2nd copy of this CD because I've listened to my 1st one so often, it's worn out. It is wonderful! This music always puts me in a happy mood. It is truly 'food for the soul'.

I love rousing choral music and this really filled the bill. Listening to the likes of Carmina Burana totally sweeps you away....gives you goose bumps....I HIGHLY recommend this CD. Great for people who are not very knowledgeable, because it has the BEST known choruses.

Pros: This is a pretty good collection of some of the more famous choral works in the classical canon. It would make a decent introduction to classical choral works, and it's a decent value for the price.

Cons: I got this CD for two tracks recorded by Leopold Stokowski and the Norman Luboff Choir--Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' and Wagner's 'Pilgrim's Chorus'. I have these on an LP, 'Stokowski's Greatest Hits' (RCA Red Seal VCS-7077). They're wonderful. Sadly, the analog-to-digital transfer for the CD wasn't the greatest. I cued up the tracks on the LP and started the CD track at the same time and switched back and forth, listening to the differences. The thirty-five year old LP had a much better imaged soundstage and presence.

That minor disappointment aside, the CD sounds okay. Worth the price.

I admit that I am not a great opera fan. I love orchestral music. I am also not at all a fan of collections of excerpts and tidbits from major works. I like my classical music to be complete and in context. I bought this disc for "Va Pensiero" from Nabuko and "The Pilgrim's Chorus" from Tannhauser, both favorites of mine in spite of my prejudices. I have been delighted by this compilation of choral works, in spite of myself! All of the selections are excellent choices, and the sound is magnificent! I strongly recommend this terrific disc to other doubters like myself or even the most devoted opera lovers. It may open your eyes and ears!