Baroque Symphonies 1600-1750 music reviews
Music reviews for "Baroque Symphonies 1600-1750" sorted by average review score:
Greatest Hits of 1720 / Kapp, Philharmonia Virtuosi
Released in Audio CD by Sony (25 October, 1990)
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Artist: Richard Kapp
Tracks:
- Canon
- Sonata Op.5, No.9: Gigue
- Anna Magdalena Notebook: Minuet
- Suite No.3, BWV 1068: Air ('For The G String')
- Harpsichord Concerto In F Minor, BMV 1056: Largo
- First Symphonic Suite (Theme From Masterpiece Theatre): Rondeau
- Adagio
- Concerto For Violin And Oboe, BWV 1060: Adagio
- Suite No. 11 For Harpsichord (Theme From Barry Lyndon): Sarabande
- Tancrede: Triumphal March
Average review score: 
An Amazing YearThis Top 10 of 1720 is an awesome collection of fantastic songs. They are well-played; the sound is rich and sometimes haunting. The pieces are played slowly--they are long compared to most other albums with the same selections. For example, Albinoni's Adagio is 10:17 minutes long in this album. It's 8:24 on Essential Classics' "Baroque Masterpieces" (B00005YQL6) & 6:58 on The Eroica Trio's "Baroque" (B00002SWU0). However, Pachelbel's "Canon" is 5:40 here, 6:29 on "Baroque Masterpieces," and 4:28 on American Express' "Tranquil Seas." Perhaps my favorite selection though is Bach's "Air" BWV1068 which is 4:55 here but 4:03 on volume 2 (Bach) in the Masters of Classical Music collection (B000001VU5). This is, perhaps, the favorite album in my collection. Rivalled only by EMI Classics' Baroque Telemann, Concertos & Sonatas (B000002S5Z) and The Masterpiece Collection, volume 7: Baroque. Hopefully, the CD will become available again soon.
I'm apparently not the only one...It's amusing and kind of comforting to see others, here, writing about childhood associations with this album. In cassette form, it was a staple of family car trips back in my '70s youth. But I'm pretty sure it's not just nostalgia that makes this collection a swell anytime listen.
I confess that I am not a classical expert. I've got a few Mozarts, a few Bachs, a few Beethovens, just enough to make my collection seem "respectable" should someone of culture take it upon themselves to browse. Sometimes one of those classical cuts pops up on my iTunes shuffle-play, and I appreciate it and all... but I can't say it quite moves me the way a good pop tune does.
That's where this record comes in. The title is apt: these are the hits -- the classical tunes you know, whether you realize it or not. They're not epic, they're not bombastic... they're evocative, downright catchy, human-sized numbers played crisply and well. They are the pop tunes of their day.
Highly recommended for newcomers to classical. And since it's also a favorite of my classical-obsessed parents, I guess experts appreciate it, too.
I confess that I am not a classical expert. I've got a few Mozarts, a few Bachs, a few Beethovens, just enough to make my collection seem "respectable" should someone of culture take it upon themselves to browse. Sometimes one of those classical cuts pops up on my iTunes shuffle-play, and I appreciate it and all... but I can't say it quite moves me the way a good pop tune does.
That's where this record comes in. The title is apt: these are the hits -- the classical tunes you know, whether you realize it or not. They're not epic, they're not bombastic... they're evocative, downright catchy, human-sized numbers played crisply and well. They are the pop tunes of their day.
Highly recommended for newcomers to classical. And since it's also a favorite of my classical-obsessed parents, I guess experts appreciate it, too.
absolutely the best for the last twenty-five yearsThis recording/collection came out before I was born, and my mother used the record to soothe me to sleep as an infant, later purchasing my own copy when I was a bit grown so that I could listen to it to fall asleep every night, even when I spent the summers away from home. I continued to listen to it until intermediate school, when sleep stopped troubling me, but the music was etched on my brain. Just hearing any one of the magnificent pieces on this recording puts me inmind of the others.
Now, years later and with chronic insomnia, I find that this albim (along with Richard Satie's work) is one of the few things that can soothe my fractious soul to relaxation and sleep.
I highly recommend it for any fans of classical music, and even for those with young children. It is simply some of the most beautiful music ever written.
Now, years later and with chronic insomnia, I find that this albim (along with Richard Satie's work) is one of the few things that can soothe my fractious soul to relaxation and sleep.
I highly recommend it for any fans of classical music, and even for those with young children. It is simply some of the most beautiful music ever written.
Baroque: The Greatest Hits
Released in Audio CD by Compendia (13 April, 1994)
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Artist: Camerata Academica Salzburg
Tracks:
- 'Masterpiece Theatre' Theme
- Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
- Canon In D
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 5: Allegro
- Air For The 'G' String
- Water Music Suite: Alla Hornpipe
- The Four Seasons: Allegro From 'The Spring'
- Adagio
- Orchestral Suite No. 2: Menuet And Badinerie
- Allegro For Brass
- The Four Seasons: Allegro From 'The Fall'
- Concerto For Two Violins And Orchestra, 'Double': Vivace
- Canzona septimi toni No. 2
- Oboe Concerto: Andante
- Trumpet concerto: Allegro
- Rondeau
- Tune In D Major
- Royal Fireworks Music: Overture to Royal Fireworks Music
- Trumpet Voluntary
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: (Allegro)
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
- Royal Fireworks Music: La Rejouissance: Allegro
- Xerxes: Largo from 'Xerxes'
- Canzona per Sonare No. 2
- The Four Seasons: Allegro From 'The Spring'
- Orchestral Suite No. 3: Overture
- 'Little' Fugue
- Christmas Oratorio: Sinfonia
- Table Music Overture
- Gailliard Battaglia
- Messiah: Overture
- Messiah: Comfort Ye
- Messiah: Glory To God
- Messiah: Hallelujah!
Average review score:
Any classical music lover can't be without it !If you're a serious classical collector, this is a must have. Of course, even if you don't like classical but want to give it a try, this is also for you. The Baroque period was an important time in the development of music. Before Baroque, music carried only one melody or rhythim. With the arrival of the Baroque Guys: Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, music was able to have two rhythms go on at the same time. Without it, modern music would'nt exist. The music you will hear in this cd may be a bit slow but it is still very good. Oh, and may I add that the cover and the cd itself looks really classy, having a shiny jade color that makes it look like it costs a million dollars. The sound quality is very good and rich-sounding. Hey- the "Masterpiece Theatre" theme is here. I've always wanted it. It's track #1 called a "Rondeau" by Mouret. The Hallelujah choir is to be commended and the trumpet concertos, organ music and violin and string pieces are equally impressive. Some of the works are very familiar. In fact, listening to it, I recalled having listened to them before. This is great music to hear while doing assignments or reading. It has the "college" feel to it. I don't know. Maybe because in the movies you hear those trumpet tunes play whenever they show a university . Anyways, it's great.
That's my most favorite baroque musicEvery track in this CD is very famous and well known. I love it
Greatest Hits ~ Baroque
Released in Audio CD by Sony (13 June, 1995)
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Artist: Jeremiah Clarke and New York Sinfonietta
Tracks:
- Water Music Suite No. 2: Alla Hornpipe
- Violin Concerto In E Major, RV269 'Spring': I. Allegro
- Adagio
- Orchestral Suite In B Minor, BWV 1067: Badinerie
- Concerto For Guitar, 2 Violins & Basso Continuo In D Major, RV 93: II. Largo
- First Symphonic Suite: Rondeau
- Orchestral Suite In D Major, BWV 1068: Air (Excerpt)
- Mandolin Concerto In C Major, RV 425: I. Allegro
- Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria
- Te Deum In D Major: Introduction
- The Anna Magdelana Notebook: Minuet
- Canon For 3 Trumpets And Strings
- Xerxes: Largo ('Ombra mai fu')
- Abdelazer: Rondeau
- Le Tambourin
- Oboe Concerto In D Minor: II. Adagio
- Solomon: Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
- Canata No. 147: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
- Piano Concerto In F Minor, BWV 1056: II. Largo
- Lute Suite In E Major, BWV 1006a: I. Prelude
- Prince Of Denmark's March
- Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6 No. 8 'Christmas Concerto': II. Largo. Pastoral ad libitum
- Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Average review score:
The Best Of Baroque CollectionThis compilation album features some well-known Baroque Era musical works and serves as a perfect introduction to classical music. The great Baroque composers are showcased here - Bach, considered the greatest of them all, Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli and others. The Baroque period (from 1600 to 1750) was a time of great development and change in music. Before the Baroque Era, music was single-melody and primitive, in much the same way it had been since the Old World of the Greeks and Romans. Plaintive chorus was the only new invention of the medieval days- the Gregorian monk chant and Hildegard Bingen's nuns' chant. But during the Baroque Era, instruments were created and with them a new sound. Flutes, oboes, clarinets, drums, violins, violas and most significantly the trumpet, was played in a new medium called the orchestra. This music was played before royalty, kings of England, Germany and France, and often elitist aristocratic crowds. The same applied to Baroque Opera, which re-told Greek legends and classical heroes through music and the human singing voice of opera. Finally, music broke out from the old and into the new.
Johann Sebastian Bach is regarded as the best of the Baroque composers. He wrote prolifically for orchestra, for harpsichord (the earliest piano or keyboard instrument), as well as the organ. Among Bach's popular pieces are the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (which is the theme for "Dracula" and was made into an orchestra version by conductor Leopold Stokowski as seen in the Disney film Fantasia of 1940), his Brandenburg Concertos- a total of six concertos that showcase the tone color of several instruments of the orchestra and are considered the height of the Baroque musical style. The Brandenburg Concerti that are most famous are th 3rd and 5th. Bach's Golberg Variations for keyboard are also very virtuosic as well as his Organ Preludes. Bach's Orchestral Suites are the skeletons of the first symphonies, even if it it's not exactly a symphony form, and Bach's cantatas and Mass In B have long been hailed as the best works of chorus.
George Frederic Handel, a German-born composer, adapted the Italian musical technique, especially the new invention of opera, but performed publically in England, even writing the famous "Messiah" oratorio in English. Handel's skills were most keen in the orchestra. His "Concerti Grossi" which total a number of 12, are virtuoso and expressive of instrumental color. The Water Music and the Royal Fireworks music are also very famous and written in a grandiose style that was quintessentially Baroque. Vivaldi, a former priest, became a composer who specialized in small-scale chamber music. He created the "tone poem" long before it was even called that in the 19th century. His "Four Seasons" are his most acclaimed. The music expresses the four seasons of fall, winter, spring and summer. The violins, the woodwinds, the trumpets, each deliver a picture of pastoral scenes. Vivaldi also wrote numerous other concerti, including some for mandolin, an early guitar.
This collection is a must have for music lovers.
Outstanding samplerIt is impossible of course to capture Baroque music on a single CD, but if you want just one it doesn't get any better than this. Outstanding and generous selection of many of the best known excerpts of the period, excellent performances throughout, and superior sound quality. Even the casual listener will recognize many of these great works, such as the theme from Masterpiece Theater, Pachelbel's Canon, Handel's Water Music, and so on.
History of Baroque Music
Released in Audio CD by Harmonia Mundi (12 October, 1999)
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Artist: Angelo Ephrikian
Tracks:
For anyone with more than a casual interest in music, any music, A History of Baroque Music: Instrumental Music and its companion volume devoted to secular music will prove invaluable. Here, thoughtfully arranged as five thematic programmes, is an anthology that delivers exactly what the title promises, and in doing so lays out the foundations of Western music; not just classical music, but the folk tradition and most everything else that has developed since. Despite the budget price, the collection is attractively packaged like a miniature LP box set, each disc presented in its own tastefully designed card sleeve. There is an astonishing six and a half hours of music, from the emergence of instrumental forms in the early 16th century to the development of the baroque orchestra and the concerto, with the final disc being devoted to an exploration of the specifically German Lutheran and polyphonic tradition. The accompanying booklet sets the context with 25 pages of, clear, accessible English-language notes, making the collection appropriate for educational use as well as providing undiluted pleasure through the music of Bach, Corelli, Dowland, Handel, Monteverdi, Purcell, Telemann, Vivaldi, and many lesser-known composers. The recordings, taken from Harmonia Mundi's extensive back catalog, come from many of the top names in early music performance, including the Academy of Ancient Music, William Christie, Ensemble 415, René Jacobs, London Baroque, and Ton Koopman and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. In other words, this is an anthology of the very highest quality, a rich banquet of absolutely wonderful music. --Gary S. Dalkin
Average review score:
Incredible sound, incredible performancesThis 5-CD set, one of three parts of an anthology of baroque music originally called "Pathways of Baroque Music," is undoubtedly the best introduction to Baroque music that has been issued, and it should be in the collection of every lover of Baroque or classical music. Unlike most anthologies or single-disk samplings of baroque music, the works are arranged according to genre and in historical order. Thus the set is extremely useful for increasing our understanding of Baroque instrumental music and its development, while giving us a taste of many composers and works that even hardened Baroque music lovers like myself may never have heard of.
What is more, the quality of the recordings and of the disks is unmatched -- I have never heard better sound out of my stereo equipment than I have with these disks, except perhaps when playing DVDs with 5-track surround sound and DTS. While these are only "conventional" CDs, I think they even sound better than the small number of SACDs that I have purchased. I wish harmonia mundi would re-release the whole 15-CD collection in large quantity so that we can purchase them new instead of used!
History of Baroque Music: great sound, wealth of informationThis review is based on the French edition. The textual portion of the booklet is trilingual (French, English, German). The playlist is partly bilingual. The music is grouped and subgrouped by genre.
Disks:
The Emergence of Instrumental Music-transition from the earlier Renaissance: Improvisation, toccata, dance,etc.
Chamber Music
The Baroque Orchestra
Concerto
The Specifically German
All of the last four are similarly subgrouped.
The text is very informative about genres and specific compositions. This recording is refreshing in that it presents some lovely but lesser known music of the Baroque era.
Above all, Baroque music is a wonderful stress-buster. It is a shame this lovely collection has been so hard to get.
Sanctus: Baroque Music For The Nativity
Released in Audio CD by Gaudeamus (15 October, 1996)
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Artist: Jeffrey Skidmore
Tracks:
- Mass In B minor: Sanctus
- Noie, Noie est Venue - Nous Sommes En Voye
- Noe, Noe! Pastores, Cantate Domino
- Tous Les Bourgeois De Chastre
- 'In Nativitatem Domini Nostri Jesu Christe Canticum': Salve Puerule
- 'Lauda Spirituale Natalizia a Due Voci': Ecco Il Messia
- Magnificat a14
- Christe, Redemptor Ominum
- Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 8: Fatto per la notte di Natale
- Quando Nascette Ninno
- The Messiah: Pastoral Symphony: There Were Shepards - And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord Came Upon Them - And The Angel Said Unto Them - And Suddenly There Was With The Angel - Glory To God
- Thus Angels Sung: Song 34
- Christmas Oratorio: Wie Soll Ich Dich Empfangen
- Hodie Christus Natus Est
- In Dulci Jubilo
- Ehre Sei Gott
- In Dulci Jubilo
- Christmas Oratorio: Ach Mein Herzliebes Jesulein
Average review score:
outstanding!This CD contains some of the most beautiful sacred christmas music ever written. The performances are exellent, and each piece follows the next in a perfectly balanced flow. One thing worth noticing is that in addition to the the most commonly heard version of In Dulci Jubilo by Scheidt it also includes the rarer and even more beautiful version by Buxtehude. That version is followed by the last cut, my own favorite Bach choral Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein. If you can't make it to church this christmas, listening to this record might be the next best thing.
Magnificat!This is the most beautiful CD that I have ever heard. It has very religious overtones -- after all, it is "Music of the Nativity". Thus, it makes a delicious Christmas CD. The songs stir the deepest parts of my soul. The sound mix is prime and the performances, especailly the vocal and string renditions, are exceptional. The stand out songs are "Magnificat" and the two songs that follow it. This is like on a moonset/sunrise run on a big empty beach with the bright stars slowly fading in the violet hues of the gaining light. That is what this CD means to me. Check it!
17 Jewels in the Crown of the Baroque
Released in Audio CD by Omega Classics (07 April, 1993)
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Artist: Leonard Friedman
Tracks:
- Masterpiece Theatre Theme: Fanfare For Trumpet
- Adagio For Strings
- Solomon: Sinfonia Act III: Entrance Of The Queen Of Sheba
- Cantata No. 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
- 2nd Suite For Flute And Strings In B Minor, BWV 1067: Polonaise
- The Four Seasons, Op. VIII, Nos. 1-4: Winter: Adagio
- Concerto In G For Two Mandolins, R.532: 1st Movement: Allegro
- Canon In D
- Concerto In C For Two Trumpets, R.537: 1st Movement: Allegro
- Harpsichord Concerto No. 5 In F Minor, BWV 1056: Largo
- Orleo ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits
- Suite In A Minor For Flute And Strings: Rejouissance
- Cantata No. 208, Schleicht, spielende Wellen: Sheep May Safely Graze
- The Water Music: Alla Hornpipe
- Suite For Orchestra No. 3 In D, BWV 1068: Air
- Jeptha: Sinfonia
- Xerxes: Largo
Average review score:
Baroque music is not be fearedMusics of the Baroque Era is perhaps the most general of classical music. You can always find a vast quantity of baroque music in any classical store. Of course, the largest works composed by Mr. J.S. Bach. Here is his sinfonia and Arrival from the Queen of Sheba. The Arrival is very popular. Its allegro measure of strings is very festive, eventhough it is supposed to be the re-telling of the Solomon and Sheba encounter in the Bible. The works of other Baroque masters can be found here such as Handel and Gluck. The Dance of the Blessed Spirits is a magnificent piece. These are all famous Baroque works. If you're a beginner of classical music, and wish to hear Baroque, this cd is a good start-up cd.
Bolder Baroque
Released in Audio CD by Dorian Recordings (13 June, 2000)
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Artist: Johann Sebastian Bach
Tracks:
- Stes De Sym: Rondeau
- Fant in C, BWV 570
- The Art Of Fugue, BWV 1080: Cotrapunctis IX
- Lord Fitzwilliam Ste: The Earle Of Oxford's March
- Lord Fitzwilliam Ste: Wolsey's Wilde
- Lord Fitzwilliam Ste: Callino Casturame
- Lord Fitzwilliam Ste: The Bells
- Toccata
- Orch Suite No.3, BWV 1068: Air
- Fugue in g, BWV 578
- Ciaccona in f
- Cantata 147: Jesu, Meiner Seelen Wonne
- Komm, Susser Tod, BWV 478
- Passacaglia & Fugue in c, BWV 582
Average review score:
Great Brass PlayingGreat CD, I wish they (Boulder Brass) would put out more CD's. The Brass playing is top notch.
The Classic Christmas Album
Released in Audio CD by Deutsche Grammophon (14 October, 1997)
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Artist: Barry Rose
Tracks:
- Sinfonies de Fanfare: Rondeau
- O Holy Night (Minuit chretien)
- The Nutcracker: March
- O Tannenbaum
- Die Schlittenfahrt
- White Christmas
- Jesus bleibet meine Freude
- Ave Maria
- Meditation
- El Nacimiento
- Judas Maccabaeus: See, The Conquering Hero Comes
- Chorale From Cantata BWV 147: Jesus bleibet meine Freude
- Requiem: Pie Jesu
- Concerto Fatto per la notte di Natale: Concerto Fatto per la notte di Natale - Adagio
- The Three Kings: Die Konige
- Silent Night
- Ave Maria
- Dance Of The Reedpipes
- Magic Is The Moonlight
- Geistiches Wiegenlied
- Messiah: Hallelujah
Average review score:
The Classical Christmas AlbumThis is THE Christmas CD for the holidays. It has all the beautiful Christmas songs you want. Kiri Te Kanawa's version of Schubert's Ave Maria will bring tears to your eyes, Gabriel Faure's performance of Pie Jesu from Requim is simply beautiful, and the English Concert Choir's performance of Handel's Hallelujah from Messiah will take your breath away. This is a great buy and will be treasured all year long.
Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music
Released in Audio CD by Proarte (01 February, 1993)
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Artist: Camerata Academica Wurzburg
Tracks:
- Canon
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Allegro
- The Four Seasons: Largo - Allegro
- Fanfare
- Air On A 'G' String
- Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro
- Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante: 'Elvira Madigan' Theme
- Symphony No. 5: Opening
- William Tell Overture: Conclusion
- Aida: Triumphal March
- The Blue Danube Waltz
- Waltz Of The Flowers
- 1812 Overture - Conclusion
Average review score:
A Very Pleasurable MixI still consider myself a rock music fan, but received this CD/album as a Christmas gift in 1995, and have listened to it in my car countless times. It contains a very nice assortment of familiar arrangements performed brillantly by various orchestras. Even if the title doesn't ring a bell, chances are you've heard these songs before and can connect with them. My wife's favorite is "Canon" (she's a diehard romantic) and I'm partial to "Fanfare" (Masterpiece Theater's old theme). Guaranteed to mellow you out while stuck in rush-hour traffic.
Good for beginners.For those of us who think we would like classical music but have no idea where to start or what to buy, this is a good CD. I now have a small classical music library which gives me a great deal of pleasure, but this was one of my first selections. I still enjoy it. I recommend it to friends who are beginning to enjoy classical music and need a place to start.
Favourite Baroque Classics
Released in Audio CD by Hyperion (10 August, 1999)
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Artist: Sally Jackson
Tracks:
Average review score:
Another great Baroque compilation disc!This disc could aptly be described as a Baroque 'Greatest Hit's' release. Roy Goodman leads his Brandenburg Consort through some of the best-known Baroque pieces with grace and skill. The Hyperion label specializes in Baroque music, and this disc pretty much includes the best-known works from the period's most recognizable composers. There are a number of Baroque compilation discs out there, so the competition is stiff. Still, this 1992 release is DDD and offers 24 selections by 17 composers. It provides a comprehensive overview of Baroque music, and each piece has been expertly played and recorded. I can't think of a better and more affordable introduction to Baroque music.