Artist: Various Artists

A Superb Collection, 2009-01-24
The complete third volume of 'The Record of Singing' reissued here contains, with a few exceptions, artists recorded between the introduction of electrical recording in 1925 and 1939. The remastering is quite superb and shows - what may be surprising to some - just how good a sound quality was achieved by the engineers of the time. The orchestras may sound somewhat restricted in range but the voices come through with remarkable fidelity and richness.

The various tracks, rather than being arranged in chronological order, have been grouped into various schools - German, Italian, French, etc - and this certainly is a great aid to listening pleasure. All the great names are represented - Gigli, Melchior, Leider, etc - but their work is placed in the context of other, less well-known, singers in the same style. This shows, firstly, how well deserved their reputations are but, secondly, just what a high average standard was achieved during this period. It is difficult to single out individuals among the lesser known voices but I especially enjoyed Florence Austral and Nanny Larsen-Todsen among the sopranos and, among the male singers, Heinrich Schulusnus, Peter Dawson and Walter Widdop.

In spite of its comprehensiveness, I was surprised to note that no recordings of Gilbert and Sullivan were included. During the 1920's and 1930's some of the finest of all G&S specialists were recording for HMV and it is, in my mind, a great pity that room could not have been found for the likes of Henry Lytton, Bertha Lewis, Winifred Lawson and many other fine singers.

However, the set as a whole is quite superb and thoroughly enjoyable. It is an essential purchase for all lovers of fine singing.

Artist: Artistes divers, Original Soundtrack, Soundtracks & Original Casts, Various

A must have too the movie lover, 2006-03-30
Quality recording and all the tunes from barry lyndon you loved in the movie. Also some great military tunes for collectors of millitary music from the 7 year wars era and tabel topp/minature gamers wanting some background music.

Dr Hilary Jone's Classic Relaxation Programme, 2010-02-22
Well worth listening to, helps to ease your mind before sleeping, also to be a bit more patint during any time of the day. I had this before, but the original was scrathed in places.

Artist: Rudolf Baumgartner & Lucerne

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.

Artist: Academy of St Martin in the Fields