Artist: Myung-Whun Chung, Géza Anda, Rudolf Baumgartner, Trevor Pinnock, Karl Böhm, Eugen Jochum, Ferdinand Leitner, Ferenc Fricsay, Neeme Järvi, Claudio Abbado

The Essential Classics Collection, 2010-07-05
This set is an excellent introduction to the various facets of Classical Music, or as a collection of old favourites easily accessable. Each of the 6 CDs are arranged according to mood.(1) Meditation; featuring Albinoni, Bach, Faure, Rodrigo, Mahler, and Elgar. (2)Orchestral Fireworks; featuring a rousing excerpt from Tchaikovsky's 1812, Gershwins's Rhapsody In Blue, and the complete Ravel's Bolero.(3)Invitation to the Dance; with Weber, Handel, and Borodin.(4)Nocturne; featuring Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Debussy-Clair de Lune.(5)Pomp and Circumstance; with Elgar, Holst, and Sibelius. (6)Grand Opera; with Puccini-One Fine Day, Bizet-Carmen, Verdi-Il Travatore, and Wagner-Liebestod. Each disc has between 10 and 15 tracks playing for approx 70 minutes. They are compiled by Deutsche Grammophon 1990, usually an indication of excellent artistic and recording quality. The number of well known orchestras and musicians are too many to list in this space, and for quality it is unfair to ignore any, but as a guide- Placido Domingo, Mirella Freni, Pierre Fournier(cello), Goran Sallischer(guitar), Berlin Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Orchestra of La Scala, Boston Symphony orchestra, Orchestra of the Bastille, Daniel Barenboim(piano), Simon Preston(organ), and The English Concert Orchestra with Simon Standage(violin)-are included.
This collection is also very good value for money, and very pleasently presented in magnolia and black with various images from a painting by Martin Mooney inspired by classical Corinthian Architecture.

The cheesy title may raise a smile and may make you slightly dubious about this two-disc set. But The Only Choral Album You'll Ever Need is a combination of fine vintage recordings and (sometimes) cheeky programming. For example, Mahler's Symphony No. 8--the ultimate in late-romantic hyperbole--is followed by the opening of Monteverdi's Vespers, effectively a baroque composer's attempt to capture the same massive grandeur. The juxtaposition is startling and amusing, but it also provides a fascinating and unexpected link between Monteverdi and Mahler. There are some great choirs on offer here, with a rich variety of styles: the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge (singing Barber, Fauré, Allegri, John Tavener and others) is an excellent mixed-voice ensemble in the Anglican tradition, while the Bolshoi Chorus and Orchestra (Borodin's Polovtsian Dances) offers a much throatier sound. There's Viennese polish (Karajan conducting March of the Toreadors) and German lustiness (the Bavarian Radio Choir and Orchestra singing Mahler). If you're new to choral music you could do a lot worse than start here. --Warwick Thompson
Choral Music, 2009-10-28
If you like choral music, this is a must. It contains so many of the most popular pieces that a lover of will just want to keep playing them, and very reasonably priced.

Strauss fabulous waltzes., 2010-03-16
Absolutely fabulous music, and excellent service from the seller and Royal Mail.
Well done everyone.

Artist: Ralph Benatzky, Johann II Strauss, A. Wunsch, Various, Ludwig Gruber, Imre Kálmán, A. Karás, Franz Lehár, Dmitry Shostakovich, A. Sleczynski, André Rieu

King of the Waltz by Royal Command, 2009-12-08
My copy of this CD and for which I did the review is called 'Andre Rieu Waltzes' with a different cover picture and now offered under this item. This is a splendid collection of cheery Waltz favourites with the odd Polka and March making a well thought out programme. The sound quality is excellent. It is ideal for playing on festive occasions or as a special gift now that Andre Rieu and his orchestra is appearing by Royal Command on the Royal Variety Show 2009 and is sure to capture even more fans. I was delighted to have the romantic Vilja Song and the charm of Village swallows with it's tinkling bells among other delights on this CD. If you like this CD you might also like the sensational 3 CD compilation 'Andre Rieu Eine Musikalische Traumereise' (an absolute bargain) which I have also reviewed

Artist: Covent Garden Royal Opera House Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra

Just what I wanted!, 2010-04-08
Many years ago I used to enjoy Strauss waltzes and thanks to my purchase I'm revisiting a very happy time in my life.
Wonderful music.

Artist: Andre Rieu

Great Fun, And Relaxing, 2010-05-22
I bought Forever Vienna earlier on this year, and it was the first time I had really heard Andre Rieu. I love classical music, indeed when I was a mere nipper I had some of my dad's classical albums to play on an old record player. But I was also around when such things as the 'Classics go Pop' was starting up. I love listening to opera as well as just symphonies, etc. But some of the reviewers seem to be missing the point here.

Andre Rieu is trying to put the 'fun' back in music here, and give us something a little different, which he does with consummate ease. When the actual waltz was first introduced into this country it caused quite a stir. Men and women touched each other, and for a whole dance they could actually talk to each other. Nowadays that seems ridiculous with modern dance that is sometimes highly erotic.

People got over that, so come on everyone get over Andre. Like all types of music people have been tinkering with the classics since they first came on the scene, and many have their own interpretations. It is like going to see a play twice with different actors, they will inevitably be slightly different in interpretation.

I always believe that music should be fun and that is something that you should always enjoy, and Andre Rieu gives us that. His style is brilliant for sitting in traffic jams or commuting as well as sitting with your feet up relaxing with a cuppa at home. I find this album relaxing and fun, and as I suffer with severe depression I find that this makes things life feel that little bit better.

Artist: Various Artists

Good Collection of Classical Music, 2010-06-16
This collection was an inexpensive way to get a large amount of the most popular classical music items. Perfect for someone who does not want to spend money on buying a number of albums, but would like a varied choice of popular classics to listen to.

Artist: Renée Fleming, English Chamber Orchestra, Jeffrey Tate

Soprano Renée Fleming is unquestionably one of the outstanding artists of our time, and she does indeed have a beautiful voice. It is well and interestingly displayed in this decidedly eclectic collection. That eclecticism may prove a problem for some listeners; Ms. Fleming's singing is the only motif the album could be said to have. There are assorted arias by assorted composers, a brief chunk of Orff's Carmina Burana, one lone number from Canteloube's Songs of the Auvergne, a bit of operetta, Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, and a single song by Richard Strauss. Thematically it's a jumble, but it's all exquisitely performed. --Sarah Bryan Miller
Great singing from a great artist., 2001-07-26
No quibbles here - it is a beautiful voice, no matter what standards you apply. Fleming's glory is essentially vocal, and this is not a recital geared to showcase Fleming's gift for characterisation. That matters little in this exquisite selection of melodies, for the soprano is quite adept at matching the musical styles of her composers, and a canny interpreter of the texts. One's interest is aroused by a beautifully spun "Songs my mother taught me", which she cements with the following "Last rose of summer", perfectly balanced verses making more sense of the piece than usual. If Strauss' "Morgen" is a trifle slow, it suits the mood of the album well and the words really mean something. Fleming is on top form throughout, and is well matched by the English Chamber Orchestra under Jeffrey Tate. Buy it, if only to hear Fleming let loose on Puccini's lollipop "Chi il bel sogno". Great singing from a great artist.