[Dave C]

Hi Jim / Nightfly,
First off, I absolutely agree with what you both say about giving albums several listens before passing judgment on them. I think this is something I have been very guilty of, particularly when I first got introduced to allofmp3. I was regularly downloading two or three albums a night, giving them one listen while driving to work and then, if they were not immediately likeable, putting them to one side and getting on with the next set of downloads. In a way, it was quite fortunate when I had an account with no money in it for two months as it gave me a chance to go back over some of the stuff I had downloaded and give it a proper listen. I try not to make this mistake now and always give things three or four listens before deciding to ditch it.
I will give the Amadeus soundtrack a bash and next time it is on telly, give it a watch (I have had several people say this is an excellent film and am surprised I have not seen it),
Cheers,
Dave C

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by JimZipCode

This is a really good point. I notice that with regular albums (NON-classical albums), it usually takes me a few listens to get into the album. You know: it takes a few times thru to identify songs I like, to start to know the album and anticipate what comes next, maybe have some clue of songs I don't like as much and might like to skip. Since it takes that much, uh, investment of effort to get to know a regular album, I would say don't shortchange a classical piece by giving it LESS of a chance than you would a regular album. Listen a few times, start to identify passages you like or movements you like, start to get a feel for what gets repeated and when a prior melody that's been gone for a while returns to the forefront, start to anticipate what comes next.

NB, don't cripple yourself by trying this with some massive compilation, like the complete Bach cello sonatas (on 3 discs) or a complete opera or anything. You're not even giving yourself a fair chance. Try it with a classical release that occupies just a single disc (except the Amadeus
soundtrack, or course ;-).

Jimz...I totally agree with you when I wrote my initial review it was geared
for some new listeners but mostly taking into consideration regular listeners like yourself..your Basic Guide Link is a wonderful Link for those who are
interested in developing a interest in Classical music...and as I said in my initial review The Bach Suites are not for everybody.. but for the seasoned
listener there are many pleasures to be found..and your recommend of Amadeus is perfect.. what a wonderful sampler of Mozart's music played
by one of my favorites ..The Academy with Neville Marinner...beautiful
Take care,
Nightfly

[Mellifluous]

Just a quick reply - some of my favourite classical music on Allofmp3 include the Amadeus soundtrack and Anna Netrebko (sexy opera). I also like violin so Sophie Solomon and Maxim Vengerov are also favourites.

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by Mellifluous

Just a quick reply - some of my favourite classical music on Allofmp3 include the Amadeus soundtrack and Anna Netrebko (sexy opera). I also like violin so Sophie Solomon and Maxim Vengerov are also favourites.

Thanks for the recommends....I will check them out.

[vikulenka]

For those listeners who are not classical music purists, and enjoy classical-to-pop crossover artists, I would recommend Sarah Brightman's album "Harem". I think it's just lovely. I saw a special on TV a couple of years back,and loved it enough to have bought the album.

[squash54]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

For those listeners who are not classical music purists, and enjoy classical-to-pop crossover artists, I would recommend Sarah Brightman's album "Harem". I think it's just lovely. I saw a special on TV a couple of years back,and loved it enough to have bought the album.

Another standout Brightman album is the one she did of LLoyd-Webber songs. However, one of my favorites of this genre is Sissel's "Into Paradise". A voice as pure and clear as the Norwegian air (from whence she hails).

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by squash54

Another standout Brightman album is the one she did of LLoyd-Webber songs. However, one of my favorites of this genre is Sissel's "Into Paradise". A voice as pure and clear as the Norwegian air (from whence she hails).

There are moments when one grows slightly weary of Lloyd-Webber (Never was a big fan of his "Phantom of the Opera" or "Cats" productions. Don't like the repetitive monotony of them much. Much prefer to hear the songs in a concert setting and not during the show. I know I've probably singlehandedly attacked the world's most famous musicals... but I do love my Broadway. I really do. )

"Harem" was very lively and refreshing. I actually enjoyed the material. And voice obviously is amazing.

[squash54]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

There are moments when one grows slightly weary of Lloyd-Webber (Never was a big fan of his "Phantom of the Opera" or "Cats" productions. Don't like the repetitive monotony of them much. Much prefer to hear the songs in a concert setting and not during the show. I know I've probably singlehandedly attacked the world's most famous musicals... but I do love my Broadway. I really do. )

"Harem" was very lively and refreshing. I actually enjoyed the material. And voice obviously is amazing.

I take your point about L-W being somewhat formulaic (the commercial imperative at times also infected the music of Verdi and Puccini). Although, unlike yourself, I find that much of this vice is dissapated by being sung in the context of the play for which it was written.
I didn't 'get' the music of Benjamin Britten until I saw productions of his operas, 'Peter Grimes' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Simply put, the music and the drama need and support each other.
However, for most of us, live performances of complete operas are a rare pleasure and Brightman's stunning voice, and her interpretation, removes much of the blandness from the recorded versions of many of these songs.
If you want to hear another 'amazing' female voice, have a listen to the first track off the Sissel album I mentioned in my post. (To my mind, a truly 'dreamy' Scandanavian)

[Mellifluous]

I think Sissel may be the voice on the beginning of Titanic. Beautiful voice...already have her album

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Mellifluous

I think Sissel may be the voice on the beginning of Titanic. Beautiful voice...already have her album

It's not really that I don't like Lloyd-Webber's melodies so much that's the problem. I think I don't like the fact that they get repeated a dozen time throughout the show. I get thoroughly bored if I have to listen to the same song over and over again, wonderful though it may be. I guess what I feel is that his musicals are more formulaic than his music. Moreover, I've heard his songs so many times, I don't feel effected by them at all anymore; not even "Memory", which I once thought one of the most stunningly touching melodies I've ever heard.