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The Very Best of Janet Baker
 
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The Very Best of Janet Baker

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Benjamin Britten (Composer), Henri Duparc (Composer), Maurice Durufle (Composer), Edward Elgar (Composer), Gabriel Faure (Composer), George Frideric Handel (Composer), Gustav Mahler (Composer), Janet Baker (Performer)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews) More about this product

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Frequently Bought Together

The Very Best of Janet Baker + Great Recordings Of The Century - Janet Baker Sings Mahler / Barbirolli, et al + Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Price For All Three: $39.95

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Product Details


Listen to Samples

To hear a song sample, click on "Listen" by that sample. Visit our audio help page for more information.
Disc: 1
1. Bereite dich, Zion
2. He Was Despised
3. O Rest in the Lord
4. Pie Jesu
5. Sea Slumber Song
6. In Haven
7. Sabbath Morning at Sea
8. Where Corals Lie
9. The Swimmer
10. The Angel's Farewell
Disc: 2
1. Prison, Op. 83/1
2. Soir, Op. 83/2
3. Mondnacht

On this CD:
  1. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7) Bereite dich, Zion
    Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Neville Marriner

  2. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56 He Was Despised
    Composed by George Frideric Handel
    with English Chamber Orchestra, Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras

  3. Elijah (Elias), oratorio, Op. 70 O Rest in the Lord
    Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
    Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos

  4. Alto Rhapsody, for alto, male chorus & orchestra, Op. 53
    Composed by Johannes Brahms
    Performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult

  5. Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, song for voice & piano (or orchestra) (No. 5 of 7 Songs)
    Composed by Gustav Mahler
    Performed by Halle Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli

  6. L'invitation au voyage ("Mon enfant, ma soeur"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra)
    Composed by Henri Duparc
    Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Andre Previn

  7. Requiem, for orchestra, organ & chorus; for organ & chorus; for small ensemble, organ & chorus, Op. 9 (3 versions) Pie Jesu
    Composed by Maurice Durufle
    with John Butt, Dame Janet Baker, Timothy Hugh
    Conducted by Philip Ledger

  8. Sea Pictures, song cycle for alto, organ & orchestra, Op. 37 Sea Slumber Song
    Composed by Edward Elgar
    Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli

  9. Sea Pictures, song cycle for alto, organ & orchestra, Op. 37 In Haven
    Composed by Edward Elgar
    Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli

  10. Sea Pictures, song cycle for alto, organ & orchestra, Op. 37 Sabbath Morning at Sea
    Composed by Edward Elgar
    Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli

  11. Sea Pictures, song cycle for alto, organ & orchestra, Op. 37 Where Corals Lie
    Composed by Edward Elgar
    Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli

  12. Sea Pictures, song cycle for alto, organ & orchestra, Op. 37 The Swimmer
    Composed by Edward Elgar
    Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli

  13. The Dream of Gerontius, oratorio for soloists, chorus & orchestra, Op. 38 The Angel's Farewell
    Composed by Edward Elgar
    Performed by Halle Orchestra
    with Dame Janet Baker
    Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli

  14. Linden Lea, song for voice & orchestra ("In Linden Lea;" "A Dorset Song")
    Composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker

  15. Corpus Christi Carol, for voice or unison chorus & organ
    Composed by Benjamin Britten
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker

  16. Pretty Ring Time, for voice & piano
    Composed by Peter Warlock
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker

  17. Songs (2) for voice & piano, Op. 83
    Composed by Gabriel Faure
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker

  18. Clair de lune, song for voice & piano (or orchestra) in B flat minor, Op. 46/2
    Composed by Gabriel Faure
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker

  19. Ellens Gesang III ("Ave Maria"), song for voice & piano, D. 839 (Op. 52/6)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker

  20. Gretchen am Spinnrade ("Meine Ruh'..."), song for voice & piano, D. 118 (Op. 2)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker

  21. Wiegenlied ("Schlafe, schlafe, holder süsser Knabe"), song for voice & piano ("Mille Cherubini in Coro"), D. 498 (Op. 98/2)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker

  22. Die Forelle ("In einem Bächlein helle"), song for voice & piano, D. 550 (Op. 32)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Geoffrey Parsons, Dame Janet Baker

  23. Auf dem Wasser zu singen ("Mitten im Schimmer der spiegelnden Wellen"), song for voice & piano, D. 774 (Op. 72)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Geoffrey Parsons, Dame Janet Baker

  24. An die Musik ("Du holde Kunst..."), song for voice & piano, D. 547 (Op. 88/4)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Geoffrey Parsons, Dame Janet Baker

  25. Gesang ("Was ist Sylvia,..."), song for voice & piano, ("An Sylvia"), D. 891 (Op. 106/4)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Geoffrey Parsons, Dame Janet Baker

  26. Nacht und Träume (Heil'ge Nacht, du sinkest nieder!"), song for voice & piano, D. 827 (Op. 43/2)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Geoffrey Parsons, Dame Janet Baker

  27. Heidenröslein ("Sah ein Knab..."), song for voice & piano, D. 257 (Op. 3/3)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Geoffrey Parsons, Dame Janet Baker

  28. Du bist die Ruh, song for voice & piano, D. 776 (Op. 59/3)
    Composed by Franz Schubert
    with Geoffrey Parsons, Dame Janet Baker

  29. Auf Flügeln des Gesanges (On Wings of Song), song for voice & piano, Op. 34/2
    Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
    with Geoffrey Parsons, Dame Janet Baker

  30. Liederkreis, 12 songs for voice & piano, Op. 39 Mondnacht
    Composed by Robert Schumann
    with Dame Janet Baker, Daniel Barenboim

  31. Du Ring an meinem Finger, song for voice & piano (Frauenliebe und -leben), Op. 42/4
    Composed by Robert Schumann
    with Dame Janet Baker, Daniel Barenboim

  32. Geistliches Wiegenlied ("Die ihr schwebet"), song for alto, viola & piano, Op. 91/2
    Composed by Johannes Brahms
    with Cecil Aronowitz, Dame Janet Baker, Andre Previn

  33. Befreit ("Du wirst nicht weinen"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 39/4 (TrV 189/4)
    Composed by Richard Strauss
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker

  34. Morgen ("Und morgen wird die Sonne wieder scheinen"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 27/4 (TrV 170/4)
    Composed by Richard Strauss
    with Gerald Martin Moore, Dame Janet Baker


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
While it is impossible to really squeeze The Very Best of Janet Baker onto just two CDs, this two and a half hour anthology is a fine portrait of the British mezzo-soprano. Central to CD 1 is Elgar's Sea Pictures, a definitive account with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. While other British music is represented by Vaughan Williams's "Linden Lea," Britten's "Corpus Christie Carol," and Warlock's "Pretty Ring Time," CD 2 balances the program with 10 Schubert songs accompanied at the piano by either Gerald Moore or Geoffrey Parsons, which range from "Ave Maria" to Shakespeare. The set lends equal weight to orchestral and more intimate song, as well as to works in English--a very moving reading of Handel's "He was despised" from Messiah--and European landmarks, including Mendelssohn's On Wings of Song and Brahms's Alto Rhapsody, the latter with a superlative London Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult. In an age of technically dazzling but sometimes bland singers, this release is a reminder of emotionally intense musicianship that retains vocal clarity and commitment to the composer's intentions over superstar ego. The word great is often used all too easily, but it could not be more appropriate for this outstanding collection of a great singer. --Gary S. Dalkin

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Rare & Glorious Singer, June 10, 2002
This is a pretty good cross-section of Dame Janet's output from the prime of her career. There are few if any singers like her around today. There are many mezzos who can sing beautifully, with great articulation and finesse, but they lack the moral and musical integrity Dame Janet always brought to her singing. The voice is ardent, seeking, yearning, finding, exulting. Listen to the excerpt from "Dream of Gerontius" or the third of the "Sea Pictures" to see what I mean.
She does not sing to show off. She sings to enlighten, to illuminate, to reveal, to enter into. Her voice carries us off, near to Heaven.
Dame Janet has been neglected of late. This recording shows us why, in these perilous times, we need her more than ever.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Grace Incarnate, September 1, 2002
If there is one singer who has ever truly been able to master the singer's art of interpretation, this is her. She is a gift to music, I truly believe this. A few words, or glowing adjectives could not accurately describe the singing of a woman who epitomizes art. And music. Grace and beauty.
Each track on this cd is a perfect union of poetry, melody and technicality. Dame Janet Baker fully immerses herself into each piece, and delivers highly commited, intelligent & emotional performances.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Janet Baker, February 19, 2009
Very good voice. She has given the best rendition of Elgar's Sea Pictures that I know of.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Very Best of Janet Baker is simply the very best!
This cd and this amazing musician are an absolute must have for any music lover or music snob alike! Her voice is amazing!
Published on February 8, 2005 by Jennifer Kalscheuer

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