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Power--power is the reason to buy this music. No classical composer captures the warlike, Nietzschean sense of glorified violence like Wagner; the gold-plating of the hard brass gives the music a brilliant, almost divine, armor. "Entry of the Gods into Valhalla" is so great that sometimes I play it again and again, reveling in its imperial grandeur.

This is a budget CD for a reason. However good George Szell was, I'm not szolld on this budget orchestral music. On my high-quality stereo system, the music plays like it's coming from the radio. The music is flat--its brass never busts out--meaning that this is merely a Wagner sampler; if you really like what you hear, you're going to have to buy another CD to maximize your listening experience.

Criticisms aside, this is a good CD. There are few Wagner CDs available with only orchestration, and none (except the other Sony Essentials) at this price. And it has a 76'44" run time. For the notes, Sony uses Wagner's own descriptions of the scenes he's depicting in music, which really helps me (at last I can almost see the Valkyries instead of Bugs and Elmer!) and makes me want to learn more about Wagner's wonderful mythical stories in addition to his majestic music.

Sony's "Essential Classics" line is not usually thought of as much of a hunting ground for audiophiles. In the eyes of the purists, the CBS engineers of the 60s and 70s were apparently guilty of all sorts of no-nos: compression, mid-band boosting, multi-miking the orchestra to bring out detail that wouldn't be heard in the concert hall, and so forth. But this recording defies all expectation, even in its budget incarnation. If you have a decent stereo system, this CD is magical. The illusion of concert-hall depth has to be heard to be believed. There is tremendous dynamic range and clarity to burn, even in the climaxes. The sound is detailed--occasional chair creaks are faintly audible--but not, to my mind, artificially so. And there is that sense of space around the instruments that sets apart the greatest recordings from the also-rans. (As an aside, I don't know how much of a role Bejun Mehta has in tweaking the sound of these old recordings, but I have noticed that if his name is in the engineering credits of a Sony CD it is likely to be well above average.) Anyway, this is a real sonic treat. And the music-making is of course superb!

For those who have the other CBS classic recording of overtures...this one is a must for any serious Ring collector. We have Szell on the top of his form giving an incredible performance...sonorities are clean and withouout the plodding sentimentality heard in the 20s. Szell is just the man to give us this music...he has a rather pristine view of Wagner textures...sound is always clean and the melody is allowed to come to the fore.


I have always liked this record...which far surpassed the crappy Ormandy Wagner album...that was a pretty banal attempt at Wagner. I found Ormandy more convincing in Sibelius.

one of slatkins best recordings.with copland hes on, the sound on this cd is ok,not as good as his telarc recordings witch i think are his better recordings but this one is one of them to.

When I purchased this collection I was already very familiar with Mr. Copland's more popular fanfaric motifs. I was astounded at how much I enjoyed the wonderful division of both sweeping dramatic themes and friendly, home-grown melodies. His film scores for the 1939 'Of Mice and Men' and the 1940 'Our Town' are a testament to classic films set in simpler times. The 'Red Pony' tracks for which the compilation is named are a magical digression from the listener's pre-conceived notions of Copland western fare. When one expects "Rodeo" (arguably one of Copland's most famous themes) one instead receives a gentler and sometimes powerfully moving score. The crowning jewel of this collection, however; is the beautiful suite from his Academy Award winning score for William Wyler's 1949 film of 'The Heiress.' When listening to this magnificent piece of musical history I am reminded how so many great scores are unavailable to listeners of today, and only through recreation and re-recordings can we re-capture those glimpses of film score artistry. I can only hope that many lost or hard to find works continue to be found or recorded so that film score and music lovers in general can continue to discover and rediscover the joy and beauty of our masters in film composing.

In a way, filmgoers have been listening to Copland's film scores nearly every time they go to the cinema, since film composers have been shamelessly ripping off Copland for the last half-century or so. When you listen to the "Our Town" suite, do you get the nagging feeling that you have heard this music somewhere before? No doubt you have, in dozens of derivitave film scores from the 1980's and 1990's, sometimes (shamelessly) right down to the exact chord progressions.

How nice it is then to be able to go back to the source, and have rendered in so superb a fashion as it is by Slatkin & the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Slatkin, as usual, upholds his reputation as one of the leading interpreters of American music.

This CD contains the premier recording of "The Heiress Suite," which is a delight to listen to, and of course the fairly well-known "Red Pony" music. Is their a more quintessential piece of "Western" music than the "Walk to the Bunkhouse?" How does a jewish boy from Brooklyn nail it on the head so perfectly, anyway?

Other selections include "Music for Movies," a collection of bits & pieces from an assortment of Copland-scored movies that Copland arranged in 1943, and "Music for Radio," an earlier composition that isn't really "movie music," but fits well with the rest of the compositions on this CD.

Instead of wasting your time on movie soundtracks that are nothing more than just derivitave hack jobs, listen to music by a composer who had truly mastered his craft.

This is the best Cronos-era compilation, track listing-wise. Sure, "In League With Satan" is remastered, while this is a mid-price release, but this has the ORIGINAL versions of "Black Metal", "Welcome To Hell", and several other well-known songs. On "In League..", "Black Metal" is a VERY abbreviated 40 second live version, and sounds much newer. Other songs are later live versions as well on that one. That one is supposedly the "official" comp. but this is best. Get this, and "The Collection", a mid-price comp. of the Demolition Man years, and you will not be disappointed!

this is a really good band. Cronos has such a great voice. The band can really play. if you want to listen to venom i would suggest getting this cd or one of there older ones first (especially if you have never heard them) such as: welcome to hell, black metal, at war with satan, and in league with satan. well in case you didnt know this band's music is black metal so that means it has to do with satanic lyrics. if that doesnt offend you then go for it. Venom is raw and fast. so yeah i would really recommend venom.

This cd is chalk full of venoms classic hits from when they first started.The production is bad but the songs are great and have lots of passion from this legendary band.I would recommend this cd to any fan of this band who doesnt already own all their albums.METAL RULES!!!

Marie-Claire Alain has recorded Bach's complete organ music 3 times, this set being the second time. She plays quite differently now, but these are some of the best interpretations. Each cd fearures a different organ dating from Bach's time, and all of the booklets are filled with pictures, history, and even the stop registrations for each of the pieces are given. Quite alot of research! If those of you who are new to Bach's organ works, I would recommend starting on a smaller scale, as some of these works can be quite intense to listen to. At any rate, this possibly may go down as one of the famous recordings of the century.

From this huge box set, it is quite obvious that Bach was a dedicated composer for the organ (and obviously a virtuoso organist for that matter). Bach was a very prominent composer who lived in the Baroque era, and to truely understand his works and their style you must have a general outline of knowledge of the timeframe in which he lived. And so the Baroque era, (1600-1750) was characterized by vastness of proportion, rich counterpoint, great splendor and a highly ornamented melodic line. (One should note that the era abruptly ended after Bach's death which actually shows his importance in it) Some of these pieces are examples of works that require performers at the very highest degree to play them. His works go way beyond the famous Toccata and Fuge in D Minor, and with a "Complete" edition you can listen and hear them all for yourself, hence grasping the full view of his genious. This set is of wonderful value and worth every penny. Unfortunately, the Master's version is not available in a CD store, and so we must indulge upon other's interpretations. This out of the others stands as one of the very best. It is also complementing to the experience to have an instrument of the period (which is so in this set). Bach devoted his entire frame of mind towards the spreading of God's kingdom, therefore one could derive that he felt that by creating enlightening and insightful music, he was doing a lowly service to his God. Overall--this is a fabulous interpretation, and it will deepen one's respect and awe for Johann Sebastian Bach, the greatest organist who ever lived.

Although I am partial to the Romantic Organ, particularly in the vein of Widor, Vierne and Rheinberger, it all begins with Bach. And in this case, one could say that it all begins with Marie-Claire Alain and her wonderful interpretations. Alain seems to understand that Bach was above all else a religious composer. Many "complete" works of Bach play short shrift with the liturgical works whereas these are some of the most satisfying of the group.

The sound is pure sonority, almost perfect, and the technical prowess is just awesome. Out of the millions of notes played, I never heard a miscue or slight jiggle. Still, keyboard wizardry is only part of the story. The registration is a work of art in itself. Alain understand the difference between the Baroque and the Modern, the French and the German and the old and the new. Just as she is a "natural" for Widor or Vierne, she also seems to have entered the Bach mind on some of these.

This is a fabulous collection worthy of any serious student of classical music. Nowhere can one derive such satisfaction that listenting to Bach played by Ms. Alain.

Este disco realiza un repaso bastante acertado a la carrera de la mitica contralto Kathleen Ferrier, una de esas voces que hicieron historia y que pasaron a la historia, y con razon.
Junto a unos duetos de Purcell y Mendelshon, y otras canciones, asi como unas arias de Haendel, en las que Ferrier ya va mostrando su gran talento, lo mejor de este disco esta indudablemente en la seleccion del 'Orfeo ed Euridice' de Gluck, tomada de unas funciones en directo a principios de los 50. La Ferrier sienta catedra en la interpretacion del personaje: lo lleva dentro, y lo canta de una forma admirable. Sin duda esta es una de las mejores encarnaciones de 'Orfeo' jamas escuchadas.
El otro pilar del disco son los 'Kindertotenlieder' de Mahler, otra de las maximas especialidades de Ferrier, de los que realiza una version antologica, por voz, diccion y expresion, magistralmente dirigida por Bruno Walter. Un lujazo, vamos.
El disco se consigue actualmente a precio medio, y las remasterizaciones son de calidades variadas (puesto que las grabaciones son de a�os diferentes) pero el nivel general de las mismas es bastante bueno.
Indudablemente este es un disco que hay que poseer, ya que quizas se trate de uno de los mejores documentos existentes para apreciar el tremendo talento de la gran Kathleen Ferrier.

Voice fans, rejoice -- EMI has finally remastered these recordings and released them as one CD at budget price!
While Mahler's "Kindertotenlieder" would be the chief reason for purchasing this CD right away, it also contains several morsels, equally fascinating. Purcell and Mendelsohn's duets, Handel's arias, Greene's spirituals, and 3 live arias from Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice". In general, particularly Mahler, the sound is nothing short of phenomenal. BUT why could not these engineers do the same for "Orfeo" selections? There's a lot of noise on these. On all the selection Ferrier's exceptionally dark mezzo (or contralto with a huge upper register) shines brilliantly. Of course, Mahler's songs bemoaning the death of children are not an easy listen by any means. But the melodies are amazingly harmonious and Bruno Walter's superb orchestra provides ideal background for them, with Ferrier's voice blending gorgeously with strings. Only Mussorgsky could take a subject such as this and make it so breathtakingly captivating. It's actually frightening in by itself. Gerald Moore (well-known for his collaboration with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau) accompanies expertly on Purcell and Mendelsohn's selections.
It would be a treat to hear Ferrier in more alto repertoire; I am just not sure how many were commercially available at the time. Right now, Vivica Genaux is the leading artist in this area, but it would be fascinating to compare these two.
For the sheer vocal marvel experience, do not delay in getting this CD.

Nothing will change my opinion that Mahler should be approached with caution. Like Wagner, the scale and power of his work means that it is simply not for everyone, but inspite of that, this recording is an indespensible part of any serious music lover's collection. Music like this simply is not made any more, but rather this is a glimpse into a past where artists and not accountants ran the music industry.

Mahler's wife Alma bitterly opposed his setting of Ruckert's Kindertotenlieder to music and considering the death of their daughter soon after, it's doubtful if she ever forgave him for it. But the finished work has an indescribable beauty that Kathleen Ferrier and Mahler's prot�g� Bruno Walter give full expression to in away that no other interpreter's have even approached. More than 50 years on this is both a lasting tribute to the artists involved and an indictment of the decline in standards since.

A composer/conductor at the peak of his energy level in some of his own most vibrant music, working with an orchestra that (in these recordings anyway) was an extension of his personality--what more could you possibly want? In later years Bernstein re-recorded most of this music for DG (including the WSS "Symphonic Dances"), and while those readings are technically fine, they miss a lot of the verve and New York atmosphere that this CD exudes. The version I'm writing about is a 2004 reissue with remastered sound and a bonus in the form of Three Dance Episodes from "On the Town."

I am not a hard fan of Leonard Bernstein , but there are exceptional cases like this in which you simply have yo say : Bravo Maestro !
The Candide overture is terrific . Based on the Voltaire work , the overture of almost five minutes is a tribute to the life . played with dyonisiac enthusiasm and overpassing passion .
The West Side Story Suite is extraordinary played . Personally I do not know about any other performance which can match with this one .
On the waterfront is simply brilliant . This is the soundtrack of that brave film of Elia Kazan of the early fifties .
And Fancy free performing only matches with another version of the same director with the Columbia Symphony of 1950 . I hace it in vynil , because believe or not ; this recording has not transfered to CD .
But this set is simply fundamental for you . Be or not a fan of Bernstein , because that inspired music represents the golden years of Bernstein as composer and conductor .
The New York Philarmonic members played as real Greek Gods .
Supreme majesty and overwhelming passion .

I bought this CD a few years ago just to for the "Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront," which is one of my all-time favorite classic film scores. The NYPO's performance is very robust and energetic, and easily the best version available of the piece. Bernstein recorded this same piece again many years later with the Israel Philharmonic, but I found it lacking the same drive and passion as the earlier one. The NYPO really captures the mood of New York and the struggle of the dockworkers, as Bernstein envisioned for the film. And they also splendidly perform the love theme, too.

The rest of the album is also very good, but they're largely his standards that you've probably once too often. "On the Waterfront" is certainly a treat for any fan of film music from Hollywood's Golden Age. One can only imagine what it would have been like had Bernstein scored more films, but apparently the experience he had (music was cut or removed around in the film) made him think twice. But this CD is a winner.

Anyone that likes solo piano, must have this one in their collection. Feyer was a superior pianist, and arranger. These are performances to LISTEN to. For alot less than a carton of ciggies, you can buy something good for you! Aloha

Hours sped like minutes when sitting next to the keyboard of Feyer's Piano in the Stanhope. I only wish all of his albums could be re-released and a new generation might experience this rare talent. He played with consummate skill, gentle humor and a panache that I've been unable to find anywhere.

This is undoubtedly one of the best recordings of popular Gershwin tunes. They are played with Feyer's european touch, but amazingly american in spirit. All his collections since 1951 ("Echoes of Paris", "Echoes of Broadway", "Echoes of Rome" etc.) should be re-mastered and released again, as well as his famous recordings collected in album "Cafe carlyle". It is a real music treasure.

I don't care who knows it--I've been in love with Teresa Stratas since I was a senior in high school and saw her as Mimi in La Boheme one Friday night in 1961. That obsession preceded and outlasted my marriage:-). I lost a lot of years away from opera, then discovered that Stratas' recorded output is shamefully small. A difficult performer, probably, renowned for some unendearing quirks. But. What's there is gold. I have heard recordings I should not of her as Suor Angelica, Butterfly, and Melisande. I have seen her famous Zefirelli Boheme and Traviata. And Amahl. But the Weill material...it's unbelievable. When Lenya "ordained" her as her successor after seeing a performance of Mahagonny, the old lady knew what she was doing. Stratas has the perfect temperament for Weill's music. The voice coos, snarls, belts, and weeps. My favorite of all Weill songs, "Surabaya Johnny," is a mini-drama of love, hate, rage and despair. The only person who comes close to her in that song is the late Cathy Berberian.

Yes, get this. Get "The Unknown Kurt Weill." Lobby the Met to release her broadcasts, esp. The Bartered Bride. She was absolutely magnetic and the field isn't quite gone yet.

Teresa Stratas is one of those singers whose reputation as a temperamental diva precedes her. Well, in my book, if it takes being temperamental to accomplish a collection like this, the end justifies the means. She is a singer of tremendous vocal and emotional range, and Weill's music provides what seems to be a perfect vehicle for both.

I've had this CD for at least 12 or 13 years and, no matter how many times I listen, I still notice new details in her interpretations.

Stratas's interpretations make one rush headlong into that danger.

Many singers have done beautiful Surabaya Johnnys but have any been as shattering as Stratas? Though years later she stumbled with her ill-concieved and eccentric Seven Deadly Sins, this CD is Stratas at in her prime, making bold choices about the material that blows the cobwebs off song we thought we knew. Even 15 years later, this album is fresh, uncliched, deeply affecting, and enthralling.

Stratas proves herself not only a great singer, but a great actress as well.

Now I admit that I've never heard any other Philip Glass music prior to obtaining this CD. However, I was hooked on the "Candyman theme" song (actually titled "It Was Always You, Helen", track 6) from the first movie, so I figured there would probably be additional good tracks on the CD. Ok, made me look! To paraphrase Dr. Phil, I was "stupified" as to how awful this CD is, other than track 6 and a not-too-bad track 10 (Annie's Theme). Repetitious organ melodies and unrelenting, overbearing choral vocals (drowning out most of the music) comprise most of these songs. Maybe it can be blamed on the producer for a bad mix, I don't know. What I do know is, after getting about halfway through this CD while listening to it in my car, I was looking into my rearview mirror saying "Candyman, Candyman, Candyman", hoping he'd show up in my backseat and relieve me from listening any further. Sorry, but other than the "Helen" track so memorable from the first movie, this CD is probably just for hardcore Glass fans.

It's evident from the very first notes that this is a re-recording, and not a very good one at that. If you absolutely must have this music in some form, get this CD. To be honest, you'd be better off just playing the tracks from the DVD.

Quite possibly the best horror soundtrack to the greatest slasher movie of all time. Candyman is one of my all time favorite movies you see, and the soundtrack is one of the main reasons why. It is truly one of a kind. Pick it up. Now.

Why do they keep making these "Mozart (and other composers) for..." CDs? I know I know. For idiots to buy them of course so the record company can make tons of money. But I feel it's an insult to classical music. No offense but Mozart didn't write this music for your unborn child. He couldn't care less to tell you the truth. I think he'd be pretty mad seeing how his music is being exploited these days. Why can't people just buy and listen to classical music as it was intended. Buy a set of Mozart's violin concertos or maybe Don Giovanni if you're so inclined. But not this "potpourri excerpts from his work" trash. Another option is to listen to the local classical radio station. Gosh, these kinds of CDs have gone too far. What's next - "Tchaikovsky for Taking a Dump"? Sheeesh....Don't suport this if you care about preserving an art...

Beyond sheer musical appreciation and enjoyment, Mozart's music in general is ideal for gently stimulating the "creative centers" as well as instilling a sense well-being. While there is much academic disagreement about the extent or reality of the so-called "Mozart Effect," it doesn't take a genius to observe how Mozart's music puts most people (and probably babies-to-be) in a happy mood ready to take on the day's challenges. There is a simplicity - yet elegance and musical brilliance - in his music that is also well-suited for the youngest of children.

The selections on this CD are all excellent and represent a nice range of Mozart's compostions, emphasising those that are ideal for creating a pleasant backdrop for leisure, dining and social occasions ("divertimentos"). The recordings are from the creme of musicians famous for their Mozart. Few works are as elegant and soaring as the Serenade #10 for winds - an astonishingly beautiful tune made famous from the early scenes of the movie, "Amadeus." Mozart supreme gifts of music are even seen in such humble "background music" as these pieces. And such continuity of warm, leisurely tones as these over 70 minutes is ideal for inspiring the baby to-be if that is why you are considering this CD. Better to expose a baby to the gentile, lyrical music of Mozart than to the dissonant, loud and disturbing tones of some classical music written well after Mozart.

As the reviewer below rightfully notes, compilation CD's of various unrelated works like this one is not quite how classical music is best meant to be heard. But in a way it is better for many to start with such collections like this - especially for those who just want the more quiet selections that are unintrusive. In that respect, this collection can be satisfying for most anyone (not just moms or babies). I have a huge classical music collection, but still really enjoy listening to one full CD of similar-temperament music like this one that flows easily and smoothly that doesn't demand my attention but only seeks to delight. And, in the end, that was the simple and primary goal of many of Mozart's compositions - to be purely enjoyed and delighted.

Just had to take a moment to write this review. I bought this CD 9 months ago right before the due date of my first baby. Being a new mom and nervous and trying to do everything right, I played this CD the first week home from the hospital. It would totally calm both me and baby and we would rock and rock until he was asleep. I've always loved all kinds of music but having such a peaceful CD to listen to helped me gain my perspective and take a deep breath and just enjoy this new little one I had in my arms. Music does that to me but this CD has something extra special.