Reviews (5)

Very good quality music
I had purchased an abundance of the "Favorites" collection, and some were better than others.

***This one stood out from many of them.***

Only flaw:
I was kind of perturbed when some same tracks on this CD were on another CD, and visa versa.

Excellent price for this CD.

The best of the classics - timeless
The Cd is "Classical" favorites so the emphasis is not so much on emotions but rather on instrumentation and orchestration. These are all very exceptional and I guarantee satisfaction. Anyways, I am not a classical listener as far as radio stations go but my musical tastes vary dramatically. I found this album to be a phenomenal bang for the buck as I can, on occasion, listen to the classics of which I have heard and thoroughly enjoy listening to. This album has it all.......Mozart, Brahms, Chopin, Bach, Pagony, Tchaikovsky, etc.

I really like listening to this CD........

Musical tastes vary dramatically which, if you think about it, is kind of ironic given that a CD is anywhere from 60-90 minutes and a book may take 3-5 hours to read but, for some reason, people tend to be socially grouped more by music than books. Just something to think about.

fabulous collection
Mozart, Brahms, Chopin . . . need I say more? This offers a great introduction to anyone who has not yet given classical music a try. And, if you absolutely love classical pieces, then you won't regret purchasing a cd that includes varying composers and well-known pieces.

25 Famous Classics
The 25 selections are all well performed and are popular classical compositions. Mozart's music, Tchaikovsky ballet music, including the beautiful finale to Sleeping Beauty "the Panorama" scene. The music of J.S. Bach, his 1st violin concerto and Rachmaninoff's piano classic Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini. These are a great collection of music for a beginner or a fan of classical music. I recommend it highly. I am a fan of Mozart, Grieg, Mendelsshon, Wagner and Tchaikovsky. Grieg and Wagner are not to be found here. That would usually be under the Romantic Era composers. There are many cd's under that category. The Cd is "Classical" favorites so the emphasis is not so much on emotions. The emphasis is on instrumentation and orchestration. These are all very exceptional and I garauntee satisfaction.

Priceless masterpieces for an affordable price.
If this record costed ten times more it would have still a small price.

The selection is excellent. In my opinion, the record has some of the most remarkable works of art ever created.

Some of my preferred are Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Symphony in D, Tchaikovsky's Russian Dance, Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and Violin Concerto No. 1 and Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.

It was a pleasant surprise to see a so good record costing so little. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For those who want the most remembered passages of classical music's best-loved works, here's a package for you. On this bargain priced double-CD, you'll find music from 40 different classical composers; for the most part, the recordings excerpted here are some of the very best. Of course, you only get one Bach sampling (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, played by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra) and one Mozart (A Little Night Music conducted by Herbert von Karajan), but this is still a nice collection--perhaps the starting point for a budding collection of classical music. This set's downfall? Unfortunately, though the liner notes discuss the evolution of classical music chronologically, the tracks are programmed in alphabetical order by composer's last name. This makes for some startling transitions! Emil Gilels's reflective performance of the Adagio from Beethoven's "Moonlight" sonata is followed by the crashing cymbals and bombast of Carmen's "March of the Toreadors," a recipe for a heart attack if there ever was one. Still, there's something here for everyone and the liner notes even explain what movies this music can be found in. A nice touch. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Reviews (19)

A solid sampler to get one started
As a simple beginning introduction to classical music, this affordable dual CD is a solid sampler.

Taking many easy to recognize pieces, the editors have identified where one may have heard them before. Certainly almost all these works have been heard in several famous and well known films.

I bought it solely to be able to hear a full orchestration of one of Satie's Gymnopodea's. And needless to say the performance of that particular piece is exceptional here.

I have also used this CD and its many selections in my drama classes to provide stimuli for many types of scenes: improvisational and formal alike. It also helps greatly as mood music for rehearsal and preparation. Certainly "Carmina Burana" really makes Shakespeare's "Once More into the Breach" speech from Henry V rock and roll.

Is this an end all and be all collection? Absolutely not. But it is a great place to begin.

Simply Magnificent!
This is one of the (if not THE) best, well-rounded classical CDs ever made. It is great for anyone that is just being introduced to classical music, because they will probably have heard some of the songs on here. Also, this CD is great for classical music lovers, as it is a good mix of their favorite songs. I'm 13, and own a few other classical CDs, but this one will always stand out above the rest. It is also a bargain price for 2, absolutely jam-packed (77min. each!) CDs.

Disappointing
The only reason I wanted this CD is for Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. However March of the Toreadors immediately follows it. I see that it was arranged in alphabetical order but I wonder if it wasn't also a cruel joke. I now am conditioned to have my nerves jolted every time I put in the CD and listen to the Moonlight Sonata.

Not that good.
The only good thing I can say is that it includes about 10 songs I personally love.
But I can also say it includes at least 5 songs that are extremely cheesy.
The rest of the songs are in the so-so category :)
But what I find really dissappointing is the volume leveling, its terrible!
Just to mention a few, Monlight Sonata (Beethoven) and Clair De Lune (Debussy) are barely hearable, increasing the volume not only causes white noise but it will break your ears when playing one of the loud songs (like the March Of The Toreadors).

Some say worn out, i say thats because its a classic...
I bought this cd not expecting to recieve such joy from it. the recordings are flawless and beautiful, and they go very well together on this cd... though i felt it was missing something.
personally, out of openion, these wold not all be on my 40 greatest compositions of the millenium. i was quite surprised that Bach's tacatto in D minor was not featured on this cd. my true feelings for this song are not the greatest, but many have argued it was one of the best compisitions written (i think i'll leave that to personal openion myself).
i read a review of someone saying it was just tired music from comercials... pitiful review i might add. just because something is worn out is not a horrible thing... we must defien what a classic means, and to me, if almost every person who has ever watched television knows this music from comercials, or for any other reason, then i would call it a classic. to tell you the truth, i don't think the world would be quite the same if all this calssic music hadn't been composed, and this cd is just a living reminder of that. Some of these reviews are also just a reminder of how narrow minded some people can be toward true classical music.
i loved the cd, but i only gave it 4 stars for my own personal reasons. i think that no cd should claim it has the best of something, becuase you might be minorly disapointed with the selection (i was, and if that offends any one, i am truely sorry). But it didn't stop me from enjoying this beautiful, ageless, music. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

25 Wedding Favorite... Almost
As with many compilation CDs 25WF is long on music but short on musicianship. The performances are dull and lifeless with little or no attention to the subtleties necessary to perform these compositions. The recordings are reminiscent of a Jr. College Orchestra performing late in the day. The sound quality is thin and hollow which adds to the dreary atmosphere.
An unremarkable set of recordings to be avoided at all costs.

A Very Good CD
We are going to use many of the songs on this CD for our wedding. The quality is very good.
We also found on amazon.com "A Song For My Daughter" "A Song For My Son" and "A Wedding Thank You" all on the New Wedding Traditions Volume I CD.
Thanks Amazon for making our wedding planning much easier.
The Bride and Groom

A Good CD
We got this CD for our wedding it was a great help.
We also got "A Song For My Daughter" and "A Song For My Son" and some other great reception songs on the
New Wedding Traditions Volume I CD
which we also found on Amazon
Thanks Amazon you have made our wedding planning a little easier.
The Bride and Groom

A Good Source of Ideas But ...
The best I can say about this CD is that there are many different styles represented & one can at least get a sense of which pieces merit further investigation. My overall impression is that most of the selections are given a heavy-handed treatment(one might say ultra-formal) or are downright silly--I could swear I've heard 2 of the tracks in Disney's Electrical Parade. I don't blame the composer, of course, but the arranger & compiler. I'm planning my own wedding & found a few ideas of songs I'd like to hear in *other* versions, but nothing on this CD sounded like what I wanted to hear at my wedding, let alone anyone else's. If you have limited exposure to classical music, or don't know where to begin in planning your wedding selections, this might be a good place to begin, simply because of the variety. But I wouldn't recommend it as the source of your wedding music.

A nice selection
I needed some classical music for my wedding so I pruchased this CD and it is very nice.
I also purchased "Classical Wedding Traditions" (also from amazon.com) I really like that CD too. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It is not possible to fit 36 Bach masterpieces on two CDs, so what Essential Bach does is present individual movements from across a range of the composer's work. The anthology is clearly aimed at the newcomer, and the absence of booklet notes to put the music in context is disappointing. We are only given titles, performers, and what films the extracts have been featured in, from Rollerball to The English Patient.

On the plus side, most if not all of the music is instantly recognizable, by melody if not by name. Everything from the Brandenburg Concertos to "Air on a G String" to the B Minor Mass and St. Matthew Passion is represented. Performances range from 1960 to 1993, encompassing both early instrument and modern orchestra interpretations by a wide variety of forces, including Sir Neville Marriner with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Raymond Leppard leading the English Chamber Orchestra. Given such diversity the result is unavoidably a patchwork, albeit one made from the finest materials, and as such is perhaps best treated as a sampler to aid exploration of the vast legacy of one of the very greatest composers who ever lived. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good
This is a good album but for information on real choral music visit www.freewebs.com/bachster67/

Off da hook
this cd is real hot. i think that in this cd, bach really shows some stuff he went through. the beats are real hot. the piano are the best too. i recommend you buy it.
1. Toccata And Fugue - it tells all about a beautiful place dat i bet everyone will want to live in and bach is the mayor
3. Das Wohltemperierte Klavier- hot chords and the beat is bangin
7. Vn Con No. 1 - this song made me go out and by the shoes. the beat is hot
10. Vc Ste No. 3 - real slow jam dat makes u feel like thinking about your life.
14.French Ste No. 5 - real nice beat while hes talking about a girl leavin him and takin his stash and then it comes back real hard on the beat. this is one of my favorites

I think you should really buy this cd. even though i got this cd has a gift, it is still worth buying. i cant wait to get the dirty versions cd he came out with.
bach, juss keep doing your thing and i love you word up my man

The greatest composer of all time!
This is truly a splendid collection of works by J.S. Bach. Covering a wide variety of sounds, tempos and textures, there's something here for everyone.

CD 1 begins with a dramatic orchestral version of Toccata in D minor, which is more commonly known as an organ piece. Then it shifts to the soft and soothing sound of Air (Orchestral Suite No. 3), followed by the heavenly melodies of Prelude in C major (a beautifully-played harp solo). Next comes the joyful-sounding Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 (1st movement), followed by a serene piano solo called Aria.

Other highlights on CD 1 include the cinematic-sounding Allegro moderato (Violin Concerto No. 1), the upbeat, richly textured Brandenberg Concerto No. 5 (3rd movement), and the exquisite guitar playing in Bourrees I & II (from Cello Suite No. 3) and Prelude in D minor.

Highlights on CD 2 include the respective 1st movements of Brandenburg Concerto Nos. 2 and 3, the brilliant, uplifting guitar melodies in both Prelude (Lute Suite No. 4) and Gigue (Partita No. 1), the cheerful piano solo in Allegro (Italian Concerto), the touchingly subtle harpsichord playing in Largo (Keyboard Concerto No. 5), and the mesmerizing Organ solo in Allegro (Concerto in A minor for organ).

For me, the only thing that prevents this album from being perfect is the omission of the 3rd movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and the 1st movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. But it is still well-deserving of a five-star rating.

Quite simply the best sampling of J.S. Bach available. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When he was growing up, Andrea Bocelli recalls finding inspiration in a favorite recording of sacred music performed by tenor legend Franco Corelli. Bocelli--who in the meantime has come to inspire millions of fiercely loyal fans himself--returns to the genre as the guiding theme of Sacred Arias, the release of which coincides with the first English-language biography of the singer. These performances are filled with the singer's phenomenally well-known vocal signature: his flair for long, sweetly floating high notes and the gentle sense of cadence he brings to a melody.It's a mistake to compartmentalize Bocelli into a singer of "operatic" versus "popular" styles: in truth his approach is at heart the same. Lack of color and control in his phrasing remains a drawback, but the emotional empathy Bocelli evokes is never in doubt. The arias collected here sample some of the most famous devotional pieces: Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's transporting "Ave Verum," as well as an arrangement of "Silent Night" in which Bocelli tries out his English. There's also a decidedly odd choice of bedfellows for a program of "sacred" music, such as a song from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder (whose "angel" is the object of an overpoweringly erotic attraction) and Handel's figurative ode to a tree, "Ombra mai fu." Still, Bocelli sings with an unfeigned directness that is sure to expand his already enormous following even further. --Thomas May ... Read more

Reviews (111)

The Tenor Sings Gregorian
This is a very fine album which I enjoy immensely. Andre Bocelli's tenor voice is a pleasure to listen to. He has scored 5 Stars with me. His various versions of "Ave Maria" are splendidly performed. It is a best-loved religious song. "Panis Angelicus" is sung so well, so meaningful, which is the way the song is to be sung. The song is from 1871, when Franck was a resident organist at St. Clotilde in Paris. The work was originally scored for tenor, organ, cello, harp, and double-bass. Mr. Bocelli has done an album worthy to be in anyone's collection, especially if you are a 'music lover.' The material that is covered on the album is directly related to 'The Mass' as it has been sung in the past generations of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, most specifically done in Gregorian Chant. The listener is taken back to a time pre-Vatican II. A most pleasing voice has taken me back to my childhood singing in the choir, as I have sung most of these songs also. And, I was pleasured by these wonderful songs then and now. Another beautiful song is "Pieta, Signore." Someone whom may enjoy this album may also enjoy listening to Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavorotti, and also, Michael Bolton. They all are tenors with beautiful voices. The song "Ave Maria" has also been sung by the three above-mentioned artistes. This album is comparable to the other artistes' rendition's of "Ave Maria" that has been sung also by the above. I would highly recommend this album to any one who appreciates the sound of an excellent tenor such as Andre Bocelli.

Spiritually uplifting
"Sacred Arias" was my first Bocelli CD (it hasn't been my last!). As a pastor, seminary student, and lover of classical music (especially sacred music) I was drawn to it the moment I saw it. And, when I first listened to it, I was not disappointed. I find each of the arias to be tremendously inspiring. But, the "Sancta Maria" brought tears to my eyes when I first heard it. This CD provides me with 62:22 minutes of worship as I listen to each of these beautifully sung praises and prayers that have served as a testimony of faith over time. It is obvious that these pieces are dear to Bocelli's heart because his heart is definitely in his interpretation of them.

A note for reviewer Nicole Kimberly of January 25, 2000. She had asked for the choral music for the "Gloria a te, Christo Gesu." It probably is not available yet. If I am not mistaken, this piece was written specifically for the Roman Catholic Jubilee Celebration of the new milennium, and Bocelli publically debuted this hymn at the start of the Vatican Christmas Service Christmas day, which marked the beginning of the Jubilee Celebration. Bocelli was honored by being selected by the Pope to sing this hymn for that special celebration.

Outstanding CD
This was the first Bocelli CD I heard. A friend thought I would like it and got it for me for Christmas. I loved it the first time I heard it. It was an outstanding collection of Christmas hymns, we actually sang one in my church choir and one in my school choir. It has helped expanded my library of songs, since I sing Tenor. So now when I go to sing at Christmas and Holiday shows I can now do more than Jingle Bells, and Away in a Manger.

With Andrea's outstanding Tenor range this is an excellant addition to anyone's music collection.

Excellent!
Genuinely uplifting and spiritual. If you liked this, you'll love:

50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Marylin Mansun - Antichrist Superstar
Eminem - Slim Sahdy LP

Special Edition with both DVD & CD is available
Instead of this CD alone, I suggest the Bocelli, Andrea : Sacred Arias CD & DVD Special Edition (ASIN: B0000CE9VO). It includes the full 77 minute concert on DVD, plus the two bonus tracks on the DVD, plus the full 72 minute CD. This includes two bonus tracks on the CD not available on the original CD. Amazingly, the Special Edition is a few dollars less than the DVD alone and only a few dollars more than the CD alone. What a bargain! This is an amazing concert with a tremendous picture quality on a big screen TV. It is one of those DVD's that captures the feeling of "being there". A must-see for any Andrea Bocelli fan. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Sir Robert with ASO and Chorus at their Best!
After Mr Shaw spent many years in NYC and Cleveland with RCA Red Label,he came into Atlanta for a big change! Soon he switched to TELARC DIGITAL! I still Joyfully remember our Recording of the Christmas Nativity in Dec of 1975! Sir Robert, conducting with earphones encasing his head shouted: "Stop the taping, there is some Darn Sizzling noise in those Lights!" We may have not heard the word "Damn" lights, that he employed at times!

On both this newer release of TELARC and the older Recording of The Christmas Nativity, there are Bach's Chorale, Break Forth, Dona Nobis Pacem from the B-Minor Mass, Handel's Hallelujah! Plus the exquisite, Shepherds's Farewell to the Holy Family of Berlioz's The Infant Christ!

Those who may not be familiar with Berlioz from both recordings, will be richly rewarded by hearing them plus the Rex Tremendae from Berlioz''s Requiem and the other Kyrie from the Bach B-Minor! Absolutely, no other Christmas Music can ever approach these two splendid recordings, which are the basis of the ASO celebrating every Christmas with "Robert Shaw in the Spirit!"

Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

Celestial melodies
No matter what mood you are in, the gorgeous chorals will draft you through the paths of holiness, and you will find yourself situated in the Elysium, land of eternal joy, yet you are far from dead. The past grief, weariness, and worries will fade and torture your soul no more. You are set free.

Unfortunately, Nobody can be told what this heavenly experience is like. You have to listen to it yourself.

A must buy for any lover of choral music!
I first bought this CD because my mother wanted one of the songs. It is now one of my favorite CD's. Can't go wrong with this one.

Fabulous Sacred CD
This is one of my favorite CDs - I go back to it again and again. The Shaw Chorale is absolutely one of the best. Robert Shaw has such a feel for sacred music, and has really ministered to people through his interpretations. I just heard he recently passed away. What a tremendous loss!!! You will not regret buying this special CD.

This cd is fantastic and has an excellent selection of songs
Robert Shaw again did an excellent job of bringing out the best of choral music, and he did it on just one cd. The energy from the chorus vibrates throughout all the songs. The chorus and conductor obviously have an excellent feel for the music, as evidenced by the dynamics. I thoroughly enjoyed the music. If you have any appreciation for choral music, you will too. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Hundreds of compilation recordings have been thrust on the market in recent years on the theory that classical music makes a nice, non-threatening accompaniment to everything from working out to making love. And here we have one compilation promising to make your baby smarter. It's offensive enough that the music featured on these compilations is spliced up so that the most you hear of any work is a single movement; what's really annoying is the poor quality of so many of the featured performances. So it is some consolation that the artists here include such 20th-century legends as the Cleveland Orchestra under Szell and the Budapest String Quartet with Mieczyslaw Horszowski. Of course if these folks were alive, one can imagine their violent objection to this presentation of their work. --Gwendolyn Freed ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Happy Baby means Happy Parents!
We were presented with this CD at the hospital when my son was born - under former Georgia governor Zell Miller's program for newborns. My son is 14 months old now and listens to it several times a day. I made a copy to put in the car and one day we were driving along and he was getting very upset and began screaming, since we were trapped in traffic and I was unable to pull over immediately I turned on the music in hopes of "drowning him out" and to my amazement in less than a minute he had calmed down and even waving his arms in time to the music. I don't know yet if it will improve his SAT scores (we have a few years yet to worry about that!) but I do know that he enjoys it and has an early exposure to classical music and hopefully a later appreciation, but for now it helps us relax and enjoy each others company! I would recommend it HIGHLY for any parent and/or child and the sooner you play it the better! It's well worth the $!

You could do worse, but....
This CD was a sweet, daffy idea from the office of our former governor of Georgia, Zell Miller. And copies are still being handed out to every new parent in Georgia (including me), courtesy of Zell's successor. As a freebie, it's great, but if you're going to spend money, may I suggest that there are better choices? Anything by Elgar, Vaughan-Williams, or Mozart seems to entertain and soothe my two-month-old. Incidentally, he also enjoys Scottish folk music (although I have yet to expose him to bagpipes...). Basically, the jury's still out on whether classical music will make him more intelligent. But any exposure to music will certainly enrich his life, and any classical music will serve to introduce you and your baby to its beauty.
Alas, however, this is one of the worst compilations I think I have ever heard, so if you would prefer a compilation, why not spend a few minutes checking around on Amazon for another?

You're Never Too Old to Build Your Brain!
This is the finest and most enjoyable collection of classical music I have ever found on a single CD. Whoever was in charge of compiling the songs for this CD must have really had an amazing taste in music as well as a thorough understanding of the kinds of musical quality which really put the human mind at ease.

I personally don't have any children. If I did, they would be hearing this CD from the time I bring them home from the hospital. It's not because it "builds their brains". I'm for one am not certain that any particular kind of music, no matter how good it is, will actually make a baby smarter than if they had not heard it. If child psychologists out there say I'm wrong, then I probably am. But whether it builds or not, it certainly relaxes. It certainly eases the stress. If you're buying this for your child, don't think that it will necessarily cause your child to get potty trained faster than your neighbor's kid; or that your kid won't grow up to become manager of McDonald's. (Can you imagine him coming back twenty years later? "If only you would have played me some Bach when I was a baby, I'd be making six figures! Well, I hope you're happy!")

Speaking of Bach, he's all over the place on this CD. There's also some good Mozart along with other classical greats, including "Fur Elise" and Pachelbel's "Canon in D." Buy this CD. If you don't like it, then classical music probably isn't for you.

A CD is just a CD...
...But intelligence is hereditary.

Doesn't bode well for the people who flocked to buy this disc to "raise baby's IQ."

P.S.: You don't get muscles like Popeye's from eating spinach either, and there is no Tooth Fairy.

Forget Baby - it's Mine!
I love my child, but the first time I heard this CD, It immediately went from her recorder to mine. I take it practically everywhere I go. I know it's technically "Her" CD, but the selections are so soothing; and you need that type of comfort when stuck in traffic. Honestly, we both enjoy it - and I'm glad someone thought enough to give it as a gift. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

**An Exquisite Album**
Simply The Best Classical Anthems

Simply The Best Classical Anthems is a compilation album of '36 of the most powerful Anthems on Earth'. But, it is also said to be something else. It is said to be a gateway. A gateway to another world. A world where our imagination can run free without being shackled down by any borders or boundaries or rules or limits. A world that we have all seen or perhaps more accurately have all heard of but for many of us a world that we have never dared to enter. Never dared to enter because of fear. The fear of being ostracised and shunned by our community.

THE MYTH
'Classical Music!', I can hear some of you cry. 'That isn't another world. That's just music for the upperclass, the high-brow, and the pompous.' Surprisingly, I too felt this way for a long time until I accepted the invitation made to me by Simply The Best Classical Anthems. I always felt that Classical Music was nice to listen to as background music for a Levis ad or a Car ad but I would consider people strange if they chose to hear it on its own. However, after having listened to this album I realised how wrong I was in my assumptions.

THE TRUTH
Music as with all forms of amusement helps to take you away from where you are now. It helps to relax you when you are stressed with anger; it helps to give you strength when you are vulnerable; it helps to keep your spirits up when you have faced tragedy or loss. It helps. And, for me the type of music that best conjures up the most passionate emotions (love, hate, courage and anger) at our most testing times is Classical Music.
How? I don't know.
Why? I don't know.
I can only promise you that in my experience it does.

THE CHEST
The album, in visual terms, is very difficult to overlook amongst the plethora of records that may surround it. This is because the album has a very distinct purple sleeve cover. Not any kind of purple mind you but the Cadbury's kind of purple. The kind of purple that carries with it an invitation. An invitation that if accepted promises you a treasure inside.
And since, I have always enjoyed the treasure within the purple Cadbury's Dairy Milk wrapper, I asked myself why would an album carrying the same invitation promise to be anything different? Thus, I parted with my tuppence worth and went back home to open this purple chest of promised treasures.

THE PROMISED TREASURE
As you may have guessed, the contents of the album are somewhat different to the contents of a Cadbury's bar. When I opened the album, I was presented with two compact discs. At first glance, there did not seem to be anything special about them. They were just your average, everyday, run of the mill compact discs. To tell you the truth, I was a bit disappointed because I suppose I had hoped for something more.
However, looks can be deceptive. (Afterall, a Cadbury's Dairy Milk does not seem very appetising until you taste it!) And, also come November each year, I am always bemused and surprised at how the shabby contents of a cardboard box can both light up the sky and light up the faces of the neighbourhood. Thus, I pushed aside my assumptions and I ignited the discs (not literally of course, I just pressed the play button on the CD player). And, I let the fireworks begin.

THE KEY
From the very beginning, you will feel like you have unlocked the doorway to something special. And, after a full two hours of listening to both discs, you will feel like you have been taken out of this world and transported to another. Welcome to the world of Classical Music.

GUIDANCE
In the beginning, continue to listen to both discs in one go (i.e. one after the other). After a while, you will know which tracks you enjoy listening to the most. For those tracks you enjoyed the most make a promise to yourself that you will listen to the whole of the piece from which that track came from.
Good Luck on your quest if you choose to accept it.
Ride amongst the Valkyries, listen to the Flight of the Bumblebees, and use The Planets to keep you on the path.

I am not a good reviewer because as with all of my reviews I refuse to comment too much about what is inside the product but rather more about what effect the product has had on me. (Me, me, me. Vain & Egotistic, I know, so my friends and family keep telling me). But, I just want to cause a raucous about the product, enough not to spoil but enough of a raucous to let you experience it for yourself.

So my final words are:
Simply The Best Classical Anthems is an invitation. An invitation to the world of classical music. A world where you can begin a never-ending quest of curiosity. A curiosity that will always be rewarded with fulfilment.

Do you accept such an invitation?

Hope you found this review helpful.

Samples
The samples are too short and the quality leaves a lot to be desired. Having said that the choices are wonderful and the price is great. If you're looking for a overview of the best of classical music then this is for you. However if it's quality you're looking for then spent the extra money and look at other choices.

Great Sampler!
This is a good sampler, since it covers what you would want in a classical music CD. Looking at the tracks, it has the classic hits, such as "Ride of the Valkyries," "Toccata and Fugue," "Fanfare for the Common Man," "'Jupiter' from 'The Planets,'" "Eine Klein Nachtmusik," and "Hallelujah Chorus."

There are also some new pieces that I have fallen in love with, such as "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," "'Promenade' from Pictures at an Exhibition." The compilers did an interesting double take by including both Verdi's and Mozart's "Dies Ire." I'm not sure which is better.

This music is good for the brain and good for the soul. There is a power and passion that the blaring and glaring music that makes up most of the FM band. I'm reminded of the religious man who said that there is no music in hell. Probably because they wouldn't appreciate it there.

These CDs has a good transfer from the analogue tapes; there is no hiss or fuzziness. The packaging hearkens back to 2001: A Space Odyssey, with the black monolith. And appropriately, "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is the opening track on Disk 2.

Everything I expected
Great arrangements - really enjoyed this to know end, even the pieces that you here all the time are still fresh. Love to listen to it at dinner, in the car or when running. Great CD and good price as well.

Excellent
Playing this Cd really outs you in a good mood for the day. A loud chorus of Dies Irae is performed and really makes you alert of the loud bass signalling the day of judgement. The rest of the CD differs dramatically, you have your soft clarinet pieces, to your loud, proclaiming songs (Jerusalem) This CD is ideal if you want to listen to the different aspects of classical music. I thoroughly endorse it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Wynton Marsalis may not have an easily recognizable or even particularly handsome tone, but this erstwhile jazz trumpeter is an amazing virtuoso with a fine sense of classical style. If you've never owned/heard any of his classical CDs, and you love (mostly baroque) trumpet music, this compilation--a sort of "greatest hits"--is for you.From such cruddy, sensationalistic works as Carnival of Venice to the glories of Haydn's E-Flat Concerto, this is grand entertainment. Marsalis is joined by Kathleen Battle in an exciting version of Handel's "Let the bright seraphim," and the treat there is doubled. A fine piece by Hovhaness for trumpet and organ, never before released, is another surprise. Come listen to the endless, seemingly casual roulades that come out of this guy's trumpet--they'll wake you right up. --Robert Levine ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Too Much Fluff
The trumpet-playing here is, as always with Marsalis, brilliant, but there's too much "trumpet lite" on this CD - classical elevator music, like the Masterpiece Theater theme. I recommend you get Marsalis' original releases if you'd like to hear great trumpet playing AND a disk full of interesting music. Here you get only one movement of the Haydn concerto, one movement of the Brandenburg, one movement of the Thomasi; the rest of the disk is filled, mostly, with simple, uninteresting D major wedding-music.

This is an excellent CD
I have bought this Cd and I have found it shows the agility of the Player Wynton Marsalis. He has really hit the trumpet world hard (and I mean hard) I met him once and one thing I really noticed is that he always Strived for perfection in his music . when I was in the listening room with him for the Duke Ellington rehersal at Live from Licoln center I thought that it sounded Great, But he tried to aachive one step higher and he did. So I believe that if you really want to hear someone play the trumpet with an amazing tone, and great skill you should really get this CD. -Joe

Clear and Open Trumpet Solo Work
Here the jazz trumpeter excellent shifts to classical numbers, and pulls them off with a vibrancy and clarity that makes for great listening enjoyment.

Many, especially J. Clarke's are Processional type pieces, so they are royal and magnificent. Marsalis is very crisp and clean in his phrasing. His sound is crystal and sharp.

Especially enjoyable is his work on J. Haydyn's Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major, which moves and showcases his allegro abilities.

The delicacy emitted on the piece with soprano superb Battle is magnificent, a rendering of Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim."

Truly the versatility of this premier trumpeter pours forth for the near seventy minutes of this collection, from Vivaldi to Bach's Brandenburg, to Mozart to Bernstein's Rondo for Lifey.

the other side of the incomprable wynton marsalis
I've been a fan a wynton for a few years and have the greatest respect for him. I am a college trumpet player who listens to a lot of different players and genres, but i find him to be my absolute favorite. This classic album has a great list of some of the most frequently performed classical works for trumpet ever. It has been very helpful for auditions and just plain entertaining.
Also, he is incredible live! Check out his jazz.

Winton At His Best!
This is Winton at his best I say. (I only heard one cd of his) I love his tone and the given songs. I picked the cd cause I play Trumpet. The first few songs weren't that great but towards the end it was the best he played. Never being out of tone. It is long. It has a perfect 20 songs. I haven't seen him better. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Courante from Three Lutes Dances
This CD has wonderful music but if you want these selections played on a live instrument be careful. There is no sheet music available for some of these. This is distressing because the happy couple in search of a perfect wedding are set up for disappointment when their musician cannot provide them with the piece they want.

Very Helpful
We were glad to find this CD so that we could review the music we wanted our ceremony musicians to play. It was very helpful.
For the special reception songs we used the CD "New Wedding Traditions Volume I" It had "A Song For My Daughter" for my father bride dance "A Song For My Son" for the mother groom dance and other special wedding songs.
Thanks Amazon for helping us with our wedding music.
The Bride and Groom

Why waste your money?
I know you're excited, and you want everything to be perfect and planned down to the tiniest detail, and you're working on [probably] the biggest budget you've ever had to work with, but PLEASE save the $__.__ and buy yourself a new 8-hour lipstick instead. Then go to the library, and oogle over how many of these ridiculous CDs they have for you to listen to for free. Trust me, once you decide on your songs, you'll never listen to the CD again.

Never used it
I bought this CD thinking I was going to play it at my wedding but I never used one song because I was not happy with the sound. I'm glad I kept looking (and buying!) because I did find another CD at Amazon.com which is much better it's called
"Classical Wedding Traditions" this CD is really fantastic. It was like having great classical musicians for our wedding.

Great For Any Bride To Be!!!
This CD encompases every classical piece of music that will need to fill your special day with happy memories.I actually bought two (one as a back up) and they were invaluable. The CD is worth it just to hear Canon in D (brilliant for the bridal party to walk down to). Even has suggestions for what to play when with a history of each piece. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful and varied compilation of Sacred Choral Works
This is a 2 CD set and is one of my favorites. While this CD contains several pieces that the general public probably hears often (Handel's Messiah, Bach's Jesu Bleibet mein freund) it also contains some not well known pieces. Of particular quality is the recording of Gregorio Allegri's MISERE MEI DEUS, a piece composed at the end of the Renaissance era. This piece, lasting roughly 13 minutes, is a master stroke of pure choral music. The piece is repetitive but Allegri builds up to a fantastic ending. Also of note is the glorious recording of Mozart's AVE VERUM CORPUS, Hadyn's DIE SCHOPFUNG, and Brahm's EIN DEUTCHES REQUIEM. A MUST for any choral music fan. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great for kids!
I bought this CD for my daughter when she turned six. It's been a year and she still listens to it a lot. Yes, she also listens to Britney and Christina, but on many nights she will request Bach (aka: that one with no words). It's great to know that they selected soothing, relaxing pieces. It's a wonderful way to broaden my daughter's horizons while also getting her to sleep.

My Kind of Bedtime
This CD is lovely and soothing, and I have to take exception to R. Loam's contention that the entire CD is in the minor key. I can determine from listening to the samples that certainly #1 and #5 are in the major key, and there are probably more. The minor key does not have to invoke meloncholia - it is many times in the eyes of the beholder.

Amazing & Relaxing!
Incredibly beautiful! that's what everyone says after hearing such album. And it is true! Here is an excellent compilation of famous arias played with solo of oboe, violin,harpsichord.... with chamber orchestra driven by Leppard, Jochum or Marriner to list few of them... Interesting to note the larghetto of the Bach's concerto for oboe d'Armore by Heinz Holliger. This artist is phenomenal and we may appreciate his contribution as an added gift! For people who appreciate the larghetto of this concerto of Bach, i can only recommend the complete CD with the three concerto for Oboe (same artist with the ASMF, an outstanding record with the wellknown masterpiece in D minor BWV 1059). Breathless interpretation, ie the time this artist can play without interruption! He is magic. The Oboe d'Armore has a soft & deep sound which contrasts with the conventionnal instruments. Also the extraits with Grumiaux are magnificent with a violin full of emotion and sensitivity. We can highly recommend this record for people who love beautiful classical music, played with top class artists and for relaxing everyday! By the way this collection by Philips seems quite an achievement for its selection and quality of sound. Look also after the fantastic "Baroque at bathtime" or other albums of the same collection.....for discovering classical music there is nothing better. Then you may investigate and look for complete record of the one you appreciate the most.

Minor Keys Make Melancholy
While there is no disputing that the selections on this disc are top notch recordings, the fact that they are all--every one, unless I'm mistaken--in minor keys is to its great detriment. There is in the minor keys an underlying anxiety, which would seem to be counterproductive to the cd's theme of "bedtime", unless your name happens to be Bram Stoker or Edgar Allen Poe. Go instead with "Beethoven At Bedtime" if you're in search of an aesthetically excellent sleep aid.

Sublime music, beautifully played.
A wonderful recording. Carefully chosen works, beautifully played--this CD will transport you.We listened to it while driving through Tuscany this summer. A perfect marriage of sight and sound. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

40 Famous Marches - a great collection!!
This is a wonderful collection. What a wide collection of exciting pieces, all in one affordable package!! It encompasses so many composers and styles, from the majesty of Elgar and Walton, to upbeat Sousa to schmaltzy Strauss. It also includes such classic marches as Meyerbeer's Coronation, a pinnacle of the French opera style, the timeless Wedding March of Mendelssohn, and the brilliant organ piece, Marche Triomphale of Sigfrid Karg-Elert. There are also some interesting oddball selections like the mysterious Things to Come of Bliss (composed for the H.G. Wells film), the jaunty Chabrier marche, and oriental flair of Nielsen's Aladdin.
In reading some of the other criticisms, it is true that the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble perhaps is not the best or most noted ensemble. However, overall, the pieces they play are either Sousa or patriotic-sounding tunes. Their only forays into the true classical realm are the Grand Marches from Tannhauser and Aida, and they are not half bad. So don't let those pieces keep you from buying the CD - 1) because most of the songs they do play are great and 2) they only play in 1/4 of the music....

Classics on Parade
If you're looking for a collection of marches from classical music, this would be a fine one to get.
It contains recordings made from 1958 to 1996 by some of the world's great orchestras, plus several numbers by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, and four arranged for organ.
The first 35 marches include many of the best-known classical marches, plus three "coronation" marches, written as far back as the end of the seventeenth century (The Prince of Denmark's March) up to 1954 (The Dam Busters). The last five pieces are "popular" marches played by the Jones Ensemble.
The liner notes give a nice history of marches, including where most of the ones in this collection fit into that scenario.
A great collection of marches by classical and popular music "masters".

Too, too much Philip Jones Ensemble
A mixed bag of music, 40 FAMOUS MARCHES compiles a good many marches - some not too common.

The CD has it's high points:
1. Chicago Symphony (under Solti!) playing Berlioz's Hungarian March (love that trombone excerpt - BAM!)
2. London Philharmonic playing Prokofiev's "The Love for Three Oranges" March
3. Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 (also London Philharmonic)

BUT... There's some real stuff on here, too. I must concur with a prior reviewer: FAR TOO MUCH Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. Case in point - Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever, as played by PJBE is completely devoid of the energy and fire it needs. The trombone countermelody at the end is just NOT THERE (you'll strain to hear it). There's just no way this is right. PBJE is great in their setting, but this is just not it.

Overall, this CD might be a good compilation for the novice listener, but I would recommend the more experienced (or trombonists, like myself) purchase works by individual symphonies that include the music you desire - a more expensive, yet more expressive alternative.

An excellent choice
It is very difficult to find so many marches in one place, especially when you take into account that so many of them are so good. While over 40 years old, the 1960 recording of the orchestral transcription of Schubert's Marche Militaire is fantastic. Others are wonderful as well, such as Solti's versions of Pomp and Circumstance Nos. 1 and 4, Walton's majestic Crown Imperial, Berlioz's Hungarian March (here, Solti again has the magic touch), and a collection of some rarely heard, but delightful, J. Strauss marches. This is not a CD for a Sousa fan, it only has two of his marches. However, the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble is no garage band. Marches from Sousa, Fucik, Alford, etc. were meant for wind band only, and that's what the PJBA is. And they're one of the best.

There are some interesting surprises, like Purcell's march for the Funeral of Queen Mary (Kubrick fans might know that a techno version of the piece was the theme for A Clockwork Orange), but there are also a couple (not very many) very bad recordings. Beethoven's Turkish March on the organ stimulates an involuntary vomit reflex, and the tape used for Rimsky-Korsakov's Procession of the Nobles makes the voices crack noticeably.

Overall, this is a worthwhile disc for all the great on it, and it's not too hard to skip the bad.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!
Some of the selections which have been gleaned from various other recordings are quite good. The disappointment comes with the numerous selections performed by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. I am sure the performers are accomplished musicians in their own right. Unfortunately, the end result is somewhat akin to listening to Wagner, Fucik, Sousa, etc. being performed by a three-piece combo who have as of late finished an eight-week engagement in the lounge of the Holiday Inn on Route 39. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent Compilation of Brilliant Music for Home Listening
You will love this CD! Like many of the CD's from this series, the music was carefully chosen for home listening. I just love playing this CD at home.

The "songs" on this CD and from the series were chosen from the vast and excellent Phillips classical music catalog. The sound, performances, and song selections are world-class.

A lot of great classical music is great for an evening at the concert hall but not very good for listening at home. The crescendos can be loud and the themes too intense. I would rather listen to a breathtaking Mozart piano sonata (solo piano) at home than a grand Mozart symphony (large orchestra) at home. The music on this CD was chosen for home listening, such as when reading a book.

This music appeals to everyone. Classic musicians may snub this music because it's not grand like a full-blown opera. They ignore the fact that the great composers, like Bach recognized different musical genres such as chamber music for at home or the kings court, and grand symphonies for an evening at the concert hall.

The music on this CD is EXCELLENT for listening at home. It's both brilliant and mellow. When I listen to this music I marvel at the brilliance of Bach. I am very grateful for this music and other CD's in this series.

A fantastic CD!

Bach for any meal!
By far, one of the best "collection" CDs of Bach's music. On a couple of tracks, some liberties are taken, but overall, this is a must-have. It includes 6 tracks from the Flute Sonatas, and features a soloist with whom I was not familiar - Irena Grafenauer gives THE MOST EXQUISITE performances I have ever heard - Galway and Rampal, step aside!

Lovely!!!
Worth every penny! A must have in the car if you commute on busy highway daily to and from work -- help to ease road rage! It's great for relaxing after a long day of programming too!

Easy listening for first timers
If you want to get initiated to the classics, this CD has an excellent selection of radio friendly pieces from Bach. The recording is good and comes off well off most systems, and there are excellent references to great conductors and orchestras, like sir Neville Marriner and St. Martin in the Fields. The selection includes the "common" pieces like Air on the G string and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring as well as invigorating pieces like Heinz Hollinger's Oboe Concerto in A, which to date is still the best performance of that piece I have heard to date.

Great great great!
This CD is excellent music with which to get all my work done. I would highly recommend this to anyone who needs background noise and does not want to turn on the TV. It provides the right mood and amount of sound to breeze through any tedious job! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Masterpiece
The music of J. S. Bach seems to bring out the best in Christopher Parkening. Mr. Parkening understands Bach, and plays his music with grace, intelligence and sensitivity. He displays those qualities magnificently on this collection.

The selections here represent a wide variety of Bach pieces: portions of cantatas, solo cello works, and pieces from the Well-Tempered Clavier. All of the pieces are transcribed skillfully for solo guitar, and every track flows naturally into the next. Standouts among the Bach pieces include "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Sleepers Awake"--two meditative cantata selections which were so brilliantly arranged and performed that you'd almost think they were originally written for guitar.

And the additional baroque works presented here are not just "filler." Mr. Parkening gives stunning performances of great pieces composed by baroque giants like Handel, and he closes the recording in great style, with a passionate performance of Scarlatti.

Music doesn't get more enjoyable than this.

Great Classical Guitarist Plays Great Classical Composers
What is wonderful here is that a dedicated Christian classical guitarist plays the lute music of one (if not the tops) of Christian composers, Bach.

His rendition of my favorite song (Sheep May Safely Grace) is wonderful. Accompanying notes describe careful craft of transcripting such ominous works as Bach for guitar, and the work here uses those of Segoia, Foster and John Williams, as well as Parkening's own.

This is tranquil and captivating music. Nothing as clear and crisp as great classical guitar. Parkening is at the top of his art here. Having seen him a number of times with the Detroit Symphony, he is truly a diamond of a follower to the likes of Segovia.

Must have to one's collection.

Precise, Pastoral and Pure
I bought this album in the late 80's and practically wore it out. Parkenings technique and tone for the time were remarkable. Certainly on a par with Breem and Williams. His Jesu, I think might be the best ever recorded. A reviewer mentions his spirituality and reverance for both the guitar and God. In Parkening's case it's obvious the two go hand in hand. Clearly time has marched on and there are many newcomers who are marking their territory with different and dynamic approaches to the classics. But at the time this album was made, no one on the planet was in the same building as Parkening.

You Can't Go Wrong On This One
The fluidity and tonal control Mr. Parkening displays in these pieces is ASTOUNDING and an absolute joy to listen to. I have been listening to these recordings for almost 20 years and I continue to love them. If you have any interest in classical guitar this record is a must have.

A must own. Period.
This is one of my top 5 albums, ever. The peices by Bach selected for this album are, of course, amazing. But Bach played poorly can be unbearably boring and slow. Christopher Parkening knows how to play Bach better than any other guitarist I have ever heard a recording of, and this includes players I like and or consider better than Parkening, like Bream and Williams. Bach was a man of deep faith, as is Parkening, and I believe this has something to do with his perfect interpretation of the Germans work. This is pure pleasure, every track. In addition, he slapshes in some other composers for flavor, i.e. his faster version of Scarlatti's rondo is unreal.

You have no choice. You must buy this album. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Medievalish
This CD is good. My parents listen to it. I think it's interesting to listen to. It's sort of soothing too. It is simple music, so it's nice to listen to. I recommend this CD for people who like classical without the piano, because this CD is guitar.

Just lovely!
The rich, mellow strains of four virtuoso guitarists playing together is both relaxing and intriguing. It is refreshing to hear these Baroque favorites rendered by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet with a different texture and timbre that one normally hears. All four players--John Dearman, Scott Tennant, Bill Kanengiser and Andrew York--master their parts with incredible agility. This quartet is not above having a little fun with their subject matter too; their encore rendition of Pachelbel's famous canon incorporates percussion and interprets the piece in a variety of modern styles, taking full advantage of the adaptability of their instruments.

baroque music as music for the soul
baroque music is one of the most soothing of genres when well played. this cd collection is well played. purcell's rondeau evokes images of the power of the genre and is my favourite.

for those who are just starting to appreciate classical music, begin with pachelbel's "loose" canon and go from there. this rendition is brilliant.

More than pleasure: it takes my breathe away !
Absolutely astonishing, this exquisite collection of classical pieces come to cheer me up.
Listen to "The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba" and you know what I mean !!!

Baroque Guitar Renditions of Bach to Telemann Et Al
This is quite the collection of Baroque compositions played and recorded superbly by this quitar quartet.

From such exquisite works such as parts of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 to Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, they pull the transposition to strings with dignity and quality of the music.

The Monteverdianna piece is superb in its chamber quality, touched by its would seem court jester type style. It is delightful in its upbeat transitions. The Telemann work for violin quarter is marvelous done on guitars, especially the Vivace which spins and darts around on one's ears with zeal and passion!

The closing Pachelbel "Loose Canon" is a soft, soothing rendition of this fabulous Baroque composition which looms among the all-time classics!

LAGQ is definitely top-notch! Definitely this is superb example of classical guitar well-done in the Baroque era. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This compilation features excerpts from some of the greatest sacred works in the literature--including Bach's Mass in B Minor, Handel's Messiah, Beethoven's Missa solemnis, and Verdi's Requiem--all led by Robert Shaw. The selections, from recordings made between 1983 and 1997 by Shaw and various ensembles including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, are presented more or less in order of their composition, from Vivaldi's Gloria to Arvo Pärt's Magnificat. Especially thrilling is the complete "Gloria" from the Missa solemnis, 17 minutes of sheer grandeur, and the Sanctus movements from the Requiems of Verdi and Maurice Duruflé. --Ted Libbey ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Glorious
If I had to choose one conductor to compile exerpts from the greatest masses and works in choral literature and history, I would only bestow that duty to Robert Shaw and his choruses. Once again he displays his uncanny ability to not only choose beautiful music but also perform it in a spellbinding manner. Even with the pieces the average listener has heard or performed, such as Vivaldi's Gloria or portions of Handel's Messiah, one cannot help but become enthralled with the recordings of Shaw's interpretations of those works. Although Shaw never followed through on his early-life ambition to be a minister, I still believe he does so and perhaps to a greater extent through his music ministry. One cannot help but feel closer to understanding what heaven is about after having finished listening to this CD. This is well worth buying for it will live up to the english interpretation of its Latin title: Glorious. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Worthy of Purchase
As a musician and music lover, I have looked extensively for the right music for my traditional wedding ceremony with a couple of twists. So tired of the traditional bridal march, I chose Rigaudon as my entrance. This CD has good-quality sound, able musicianship, and 28 selections from which to choose. The organ is the best instrument in a cathedral to inspire the congregants. The bass tones are not too throaty, and the high pitches are clear, yet pleasing to the ear.

This compilation is better than some others in that it is all played on organ, has so many selections, and the overall feel is regal and celebratory.

Serious Classical Wedding Music
Most of the "wedding" albums are filled with a 15 - 30 of the 50 or so greatest classical wedding hits. Sample the albums on line before you buy. In fact, if the budget is tight, you can do the whole selection process on line by just playing the samples. First consider the instruments that you plan to use - organ, piano, guitar, brass ensemble, whatever. The instrument of course will have much to say about what to consider. Then select albums that have the selections played on the instrument(s) you are expecting to use. An organ is quite versatile of course and can handle anything for a keyboard and even does nicely for the festive trumpet in case your marching band first trumpet is tied up doing lifeguard duty.

My daughter and I have been serious music lovers and amateur pianists, violinist (she only), organist (I only), and singers. Since our church has a very good new electronic organ that can simulate very well the rich tones of a real pipe organ, we are looking for some heavy duty music for organ.

Listen to the sample from item 5, the Rondeau from Abdelazer by Henry Purcell. Play it loud and imagine it as a recessional - with the bride and groom waiting to turn around until the first repetition of the magnificent theme.

This is the only wedding album I found with this Rondeau arranged for organ. Many other albums have this selection played by a small chamber orchestra. That's the way it was written, but we won't be paying for an orchestra in church. And it's magnificent on organ.

We will be using item 21, Where'er You Walk from Handel's Semele as well. It is a beautiful tenor aria with words that are just right. Look around for the words on the Internet - great poetry, and a great love song with stong religious meaning as well. ... Read more