Reviews (2)

British Bells
A delightful carillon recording, although I think I would have enjoyed it more if I knew some of the British folk tunes played. The CD is made interesting by including five different British carillons and five carillonneurs, the best being Trevor Workman. Also included is a track of domestic clocks playing the familiar "Westminster" chimes, and the very unfamiliar "Cambridge" chimes, plus a cuckoo clock!

Corrections to Amazon's data
Title is simply "Carillon Bells of Britain". Performers are "Aldington, Gebruers, Leith, Stratfold, Workman" ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Most neglected Dichterliebe by Fischer-Dieskau
All lovers of Lieder seem to have a certain passion and veneration for Fischer-Dieskau's interpretation of Schumann's Dichterliebe. It is appearant that this singer's understanding of the music, his vocal capacity, his beautiful phrasing, clear diction, and his general (outstanding) musicianship enable him to communicate these Lieder in a way nobody else has done before (save maybe Hotter) or since.

In this live-recording he is supported by no other than Vladimir Horowitz! And the inspiration between these two artists works wonders. Horowitz' playing in crucial moments of the cycle fx "Ich Grolle Nicht" adds a spiritual dimension to the interpretation that you do not get from Moore, Brendel or Demus. We are dealing with the best interpretation of this cycle ever conveyed to disc.

So many years in the catalogue (22years?) - why is it overlooked? Because it is a part of Live Concert from Carnegie Hall and on two discs. The rest of the program is much less interesting - though other artists contributing include Bernstein, Stern and Menuhin - and it is not apparent at all from the cover what treasure is enclosed. Sony, please get some sense and re-arrange this Dichterliebe on a single disc, a nice photo of Horowitz and Fischer-Dieskau on the cover and you will have a best-seller of a CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

There's been a good deal of fanfare heralding the re-emergence of avocal species once considered endangered--namely, thecountertenor. This portraitrecital of one creamy-voiced exponent,Daniel Taylor, comprises the highlights of four previous recordings and shows togreat advantage the various aspects of his remarkable voice. Bravely, Taylorbegins the album with one of the greater challenges in the countertenorrepertoire, "Erbarme dich," from Bach'sSt. Matthew Passion. Hisbravery pays off: this is a beautifully modulated account of a suffering soulcrying out for comfort. He can hit a note with icy purity and warm it throughwith a careful vibrato, never letting the effect seem like a trick. His voice isnot as full-on luscious as that ofDavid Daniels, nor quite as melting as that ofAndreas Scholl, but Taylor does have an intelligent approach to the drama of themusic and a warm precision all his own. The Purcell selection (fromOn the Muse's Isle) and theDowland songs (from Tears of theMuse) are exquisite; Taylor's delicately breathless account of "Comeagaine" only makes this naughty song all the more teasing. There is onedisappointment--"Saget, saget" from Bach'sEaster Oratorio--which isrushed and careless. But it's a blip on an otherwise beautiful album.--Warwick Thompson ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Impeccable singing - stylistically and technically
Although I mostly agree with the above reviewers, I do have a different opinion about Easter Oratorio, BWV 249/8. The speed of this aria may be on the fast side, but Dan is neither careless nor too rush. One should have a close look at the text itself as this is NOT a rhetorical dacapo aria from the Baroque opera. The text starts with the following phrase: "Saget, saget mir geschwinde" (Tell, tell me quickly). Then it continue to ask where one can find Jesus and declare his/her desire to be embraced by Him. It is appropriate to be in a slight haste to convey the urgent nature of the ardent desire.

As for "full-on luscious" nonsense, all I can say is Baroque repertoire is NOT a Wagnerian opera. Highly romanticized singing style has no place here. The phrasing, diction, voice colour (Stimmfaerbungand), and vibrato should be carefully chosen so that one can clearly communicate the composers' intention and message. If one wants to adhere to the musicological correctness, there should not be much vibrato for music before ~1800.

There is no week point in this sampler CD. It is impeccable all way through - stylistically and technically. If one wants to proceed from here, Dan's complete discography is available on the net. Just run a search with a keyword "daniel+taylor+discography" with Google.

A must-have CD for an outstanding price
I first read about Daniel Taylor on the SchollSociety messageboards and Amazon.com and I was intrigued. A Canadian countertenor with a voice comparable to Andreas Scholl's? ...I couldn't resist. I took it along on a three-hour bus ride to Tadoussac, Québec.

As the mournful opening strains of Erbarme Dich commenced, the haunting, sweeping violins and viol carried me along the winding roads through the mountains. The sky was overcast, and as I heard Taylor's voice for the first time the sun came out. I was in Heaven; beautiful vistas of mountains on one side, jagged cliffs plunging into the St. Laurent on the other and Daniel Taylor's voice in my ears. Erbarme Dich is deep, passionate, and so achingly beautiful. I am an avid lover of Bach but it was the first time I had heard anything from St. Matthew's Passion. I was more familiar with many of the other Dowland songs: Time Stands Still, Come Again, Flow My Tears, and I Saw My Lady Weep, all of which are present on Andreas Scholl's "English Folksongs and Lute Songs."

I have to disagree with the reviewer: the words "full-on luscious" and "David Daniels" should never go in the same sentence in my humble opinion. David Daniel's tone, to my delicate ears, is completely mezzo-soprano, lacking the delicacy of Scholl, Mera, and Taylor, and with poor vibrato control on the top notes. Yes, Daniels can turn out a beautiful tune but at times it sounds like a painful effort.... But I digress. On to Daniel Taylor's voice. Exquisite. Haunting. Ethereal. A creamy, lush, pure sound, more feminine than Scholl's tone, reminiscent of brilliant Japanese countertenor Yoshikazu Mera. As with Scholl, the effect sounds effortless and angelic. His vibrato is carefully controlled, his coloratura impeccable, his diction is perfect. My only disappointment with this CD was track 9, Saget, Saget, which, as reviewer Warwick Thompson stated, is rushed and careless. It sounds like Taylor and the orchestra are racing and they don't match pace frequently. But that didn't spoil my enjoyment of what is undoubtedly a remarkable album at a giveaway price. I hope that someday Daniel Taylor will receive the worldwide recognition he deserves and become better known outside of Canada. He has recorded Bach arias, Dowland, a fascinating Christmas album called "L'étoile d'orient" which includes the song "Ding dong merrily on high," and Rinaldo with Cecilia Bartoli. He also had a cameo in the recent Canadian film "Five Senses." "Daniel Taylor: Portrait" is an excellent introduction to an amazing talent. Ten stars. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

So you thought Bach couldn't dance!
If you think of Bach as a dry-as-dust, longhair composer you should stay away from this album, for it will prove you wrong, time and time and time again.On the contrary, this is one of the most exciting recordings around, featuring matchless performances by the superlative Empire Brass (my favorite brass group) and the talented Douglas Major playing the great Aeolian-Skinner organ of the Washington Cathedral (in D.C.) in some of the best-loved works of the old master, Johann Sebastian Bach.

But unfortunately this disk seems not to be in EMI's (Angel's) current catalog, so if you want to enjoy it, you'll probably have to try to track down a used copy.If you like Bach and brass and organ as much as I, you'll find it worth the effort.And we may hope that it will be reissued again soon.

In general, the music here is lively, tuneful, and joyous in character, starting from the very first selection, a fully satisfying transcription of the well-known "Jauchzet, frohlocket" (Exult, rejoice) from the Christmas Oratorio.But there are a few more somber pieces, such as the chorales "Christ lag in Todesbanden," (Christ lay in the bonds of death) and "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden," (O bloody and wounded head).

The music features basically three kind of excerpts from Bach's cantatas: choral preludes, chorales, and sinfonia.The choral preludes were written as organ introductions to the sung chorales (here "sung" by the brass quintet alone); the sinfonias were instrumental interludes in the cantatas.Most of the choral preludes here are played by the brass with the organ, though there are a few played by the organ alone.This combination of performances by the brass alone, the organ alone, and the two together offers delicious variety.

As a glance at the program will show, most of the big favorites in this genre are included, the best known being titled in English, as "Sleepers, Wake," "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," and "Sheep May Safely Graze."The others are titled in Latin ("In Dulci Jubilo") or, mostly, German ("Nun danket Alle Gott," [Now let all thank God], "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern," [How beautifully the morning star shines], and "Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten" [We hasten with feeble, but eager footsteps].

It is the last-mentioned piece that suggested the title of this review, for in interpreting the text Bach and the performing artists give us such a rhythmic and lively bit of music that I find it hard to sit still while listening.This piece rocks!

The recording is excellent in all respects: the balance between organ and brass is right, the sound quality is all you could want, and the acoustics of the Washington Cathedral provideabout the right amount of reverberation.(You will, by the way, hear the brass players taking breaths at several points, especially in the chorales.

The sound of the Empire Brass seems uniquely fine to me; though there are several other excellent brass groups around, this one I can usually recognize almost immediately because of the quality of their sound.And the 10,650-pipe cathedral organ presents under Douglas Major's fingers all you could wish for.

Outstanding Music
This is certainly one of the finest recordings produced by the Empire Brass.Unfortunately, it appears to be out of print.Anyone who enjoys JSB, goods organ works or outstanding brass works will enjoy this recording of some Of Bach's finest works.The artists seem to be able to show off their virtuosity without it being obvious and still remain true to what you would imagine that Bach himself would have written had he had these instruments available to him.The addition of the might Skinner organ of the National Cathedral is just icing on the cake.I heartily recommend this to anyone who can find a copy.

Rich and Powerful
The Empire Brass and Douglass Major do an excellent job in the performance of these works.There is nothing better than brass and organ, this ensemble shows it!

The definitive Bach Brass CD!
This is certainly one of the best CD's I own.The technique is flawless and the dark rich sound of the brass is a perfect match with the pipes.Not only are these players phenomenal, but the recording quality is superb. Sounds great in the car on the way to work!

wonderful brass & organ CD!
This is one of my favorite CDs!

Take some magnificent brass, add a majestic pipe organ, play some of Bach's finest, and you end up with 66 minutes of excellent music.

Some brass quintet CDs are just plain fun(which is fine).This one, however, is quite serious (no tubas playingpiccolo or clarinet parts).The result is beautiful.

If you like Bach,or brass, get this one. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

sometimes you get more than you pay for
well they say you get what you pay for - meaning $5.98 might not be such a good cd !!! you couldn't be more wrong. this is a close up look and sound of kathleen. and we love her. not to be missed. voice/humor/not forgotten

Sing Low
What a beautiful recording. It is wonderful to hear a contralto in all of her glory. Doing what suits her voice. The dramatic expression is the most exciting I have heard in years! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

over all, very good
I think the mix was good and it will help with there collection because it contains music from there other CD mixes such as "Mozart on the Munu", "Rachmaninoff for Romance", and "Bach at Bedtime". ... Read more

Reviews (2)

It's different.
I'm not into Classical music, but I'll listen to it from time to time. However, this album adds fast tempo to the music. It makes it fun to listen to. The music is light hearted, but the fast beats in the song really draws attention. Listen to the samples. You'll probably either like it or you won't. If you listen to two song samples and you like those samples, then you will like the rest of the album. In one way, all the songs are kind of the same.

CONS:
Wish they could have added more songs. :-)

fun music
I think this cd is very fun and entertaining. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Mera + Bach = Perfection
A gorgeous, moving CD by one of the most remarkable singers of our day. Countertenor Yoshikazu Mera has a voice of delicate, other-worldly beauty and the most natural and sensitive musical instinct, which here are equalled or surpassed by his lyrical artistry and emotional depth. The all-Bach selections make for a coherent program, though on the sad and serious side due to the preponderance of minor keys. This is a must-buy, and thanks to Amazon for carrying it .... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Makes you feel like your in heaven
I wish I could hear these musical pieces live. This, though, is the closest thing to doing that.

Yee haw whut fine moosic
ah pow'ful injoy this hyar CD. It soun's fine an' ah love th' sin'in' an' sco'es. A fine colleckshun af'er th' fust CD. ah particularly liked th' rendishun of that there Sergei Rachmaninov boys tune. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a little correction
this is not a review, I just wanted to correct something, Pinza is not the most comtemporary since he died in 1950, Mark Reizen died in 1992, and sang gremin in eugene onegin in 1985 (his 90th birthday!)

A Great Collection of Historic Basses
As a developing singer and lover of bass arias, I have enjoyed this great collection of historic bass recordings. It is a fantastic opportunity to hear some of the greatest opera basses of the 20th century in some rare and hard to find recordings. Since many of these recordings are from the early part of that century (I think the most contempory of the basses is Ezio Pinza who died, I beleive in the 1950s), the sound qulaity may be lacking at times for our modern tastes. The performaces, howver, are well worth it. There are some real gems on this cd and a must for any affecianato of the operatic bass repretoire. ... Read more