Mozart: Don Giovanni

Product Details
Performer: Roger Soyer, Heather Harper, Geraint Evans, Helen Donath, Luigi Alva.
Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Daniel Barenboim
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Audio CD (November 8, 1991)
Number of Discs: 2
Label: EMI
Condition: Used (Very Good)
Rating: ####
Availability: In Stock
Price: RM31.00

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Track Listings

Disc 1

1. Overture
2. Act 1. Scene 1. Notte e giorno faticar
3. Act 1. Scene 1. Non sperar, se non m'uccidi
4. Act 1. Scene 1. Lasciala, indegno!
5. Act 1. Scene 1. Leporello, ove sei?
6. Act 1. Scene 1. Ah! del padre in periglio
7. Act 1. Scene 1. Fuggi, crudele, fuggi!
8. Act 1. Scene 2. Orsù, spicciati presto
9. Act 1. Scene 2. Ah, chi mi dice mai
10. Act 1. Scene 2. Madamina, il catalogo è questo
11. Act 1. Scene 3. Giovinette che fate all'amore
12. Act 1. Scene 3. Ho capito, signor, sì!
13. Act 1. Scene 3. Là ci darem la mano
14. Act 1. Scene 3. Fermati, scellerato!
15. Act 1. Scene 3. Ah, fuggi il traditor!
16. Act 1. Scene 3. Non ti fidar, o misera
17. Act 1. Scene 3. Povera sventurata!
18. Act 1. Scene 3. Don Ottavio, son morta!
19. Act 1. Scene 3. Or sai chi l'onore
20. Act 1. Scene 3. Finch'han dal vino
21. Act 1. Scene 4. Batti, batti, o bel Masetto
22. Act 1. Scene 4. Presto, presto, pria ch'ei venga
23. Act 1. Scene 4. Tra quest'arbori celata
24. Act 1. Scene 4. Bisogna aver coraggio
25. Act 1. Scene 4. Protegga il giusto cielo
26. Act 1. Scene 5. Riposate, vezzose ragazze
27. Act 1. Scene 5. Venite pur avanti
28. Act 1. Scene 5. Ecco il birbo
29. Act 1. Scene 5. Trema, trema, o scellerato!

Disc 2

1. Act 2. Scene 1. Eh via, buffone, non mi seccar!
2. Act 2. Scene 1. Ah taci, ingiusto core!
3. Act 2. Scene 1. Deh vieni alla finestra
4. Act 2. Scene 1. Metà di voi qua vadano
5. Act 2. Scene 1. Vedrai, carino
6. Act 2. Scene 2. Sola, sola in buio loco
7. Act 2. Scene 2. Mille torbidi pensieri
8. Act 2. Scene 2. Ah, pietà, signori miei!
9. Act 2. Scene 2. Il mio tesoro intanto
10. Act 2. Scene 4. Calmatevi, idol mio!
11. Act 2. Scene 4. Non mi dir
12. Act 2. Scene 5. Già la mensa è preparata
13. Act 2. Scene 5. L'ultima prova dell'amor mio
14. Act 2. Scene 5. Che grido è questo mai?
15. Appendix. Dalla sua pace
16. Appendix. In quali eccessi, o Numi
17. Appendix. Mi tradì quell'alma ingrata
18. Act 2. Scene 5. Or che tutti, o mio tesoro
19. Act 2. Scene 5. Questo è il fin

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This is a very inexpensive Don Giovanni done by Barenboim in the early Seventies. It's better sung than his remake on Erato, and the cast is good for that time. It represents what you could have heard at Glyndebourne on a summer evening outside London. Geraint Evans sounds a bit old as Leporello, the Commendatore is woolly, and the Donna Anna isn't always on pitch, but everything else works. Barenboim uses a relatively reduced orchestra but conducts in romantic style, often with slowish tempos. He was young a the time, but his idol Furtwangler conducted this opera quite slowly by modern standards, which must have influenced Barenboim's ideas. One big negative is that squeezing the opera on two CDs involved some cuts, mostly in recitatives and various additions that Mozart made for the Prague premiere.

Here is a rundown of the cuts: Now, it is not unusual for recitatives in Mozart operas to be shortened, and the practice doesn't upset me greatly, but there is a difference between trimming something and cutting it off entirely; and for the most part, that is what happens here. The recitatives in Don Giovanni are not filler; they are an important part of the action, as well as part of the characters' identities, and omitting them for the purpose of squeezing this recording onto two CDs is false economy. At times, the effect is ridiculous: the graveyard scene, for example, has been reduced to "O statua gentilissima" (3:36). Arias follow hard upon each other with an annoying abruptness--both musically and in terms of the editing, which doesn't disguise the hatchet job. Inconsistently, "Dalla sua pace" and "Mi tradì" (plus its recitative) are included in an appendix at the end rather than in their appropriate places within the opera--as if textual authenticity had any relevance at all in such a heavily cut recording! Apparently the original release also included the frequently cut scene in act II in which Zerlina shaves an unwilling Leporello. This, too, is missing from this new reissue. Clearly, it is no replacement for the original version.

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Average Customer Review: ###

Moll Flanders [SOUNDTRACK]

Product Details
Composer: Mark Mancina
Audio CD (June 4, 1996)
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Soundtrack
Label: Polygram Records
Condition: Used (Very Good)
Rating: ####
Availability: In Stock
Price: RM26.00


Track Listings
1. Moll: Moll of Flanders
2. Mrs. Allworthy: Devil Woman
3. Artist
4. Hibble: Hibble's Tale
5. Flora
6. Full of Grace - Sarah McLachlan
7. Bell Nuit, O Nuit d'Amour - L'Orchestre de La Suisse romande
8. Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068: Allegro - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
9. Concerto in C, RV 425: Allegro & Largo - Pepe Romero
10. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048: Air - English Chamber Orchestra
11. Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F major: Hornpipe and Andante - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
12. Moll: Moll Reprise


This is a wonderful soundtrack of both classical and contemporary tracks. The most outstanding of the original scores are "Moll of Flanders" and "Moll's Jig," which has a Celtic feel to it. There is also a great Sarah McLaughling song, and the classical tracks near the end of the CD cover some of the best composers of all time.
I have listened to the music from this soundtrack many times since and the feelings that it brings out are still the same, beauty, grace, love and passion. There is a very lovely selection of songs here and I highly recommend this CD.


Average Customer Review: ####

The Merchant Of Venice [SOUNDTRACK]

Product Details
Audio CD (January 11, 2004)
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Soundtrack
Label: Decca
Condition: Used (Like New)
Rating: ####
Availability: In Stock
Price: RM24.00


The Merchant of Venice is brought to life by the music of composer Jocelyn Pook and the extraordinary voices of singing sensation Hayley Westenra and counter-tenor Andreas Scholl. The Merchant of Venice original score CD (Decca) is a beautiful, stirring collection of old and new music, brought to life through old instruments, superb performers and original recordings. Baroque violin, lute, theorbo, qanun, cornet and sackbuts were some of the exotic instruments used in this music. Jacqueline Pook researched the instruments and tunes of this era. She has a blend of medieval, baroque and renaissance elements which is striking. The Baroque Singers add their voices to the extraordinary music.


Track Listings
1. With Wand'ring Steps - Andreas Scholl
2. Her Gentle Spirit
3. Ghetto
4. Blessing of the Boat
5. Synagogue Cantors
6. Portia
7. How Sweet the Moonlight
8. Song for the Bassanio
9. Feast (Propiñan de Melyor)
10. Bassanio's Palazzo (Tarantella)
11. Ring Returned - Hayley Westenra
12. Subdued Wedding
13. Courtroom Drama - Andreas Scholl
14. Jessica Escapes
15. Bridal Ballad - Andreas Scholl
16. Banquet for Shylock (Tourdion)
17. Unsuitable Suitors (Folias)
18. Song in Brothel ("Paseábase el Rey Moro")
19. Spectacular Procession
20. Fie Fie Gratiano
21. Bassanio Opens the Casket
22. Shylock Broken
23. Last Words
24. Floor of Heaven
25. You Drop Manna
26. With Wand'ring Steps [Recorder Version]


To an untrained ear this score is exquisitely beautiful. A piece of music that is atmospheric, moving, lyrical, hypnotic at times and seems to combine the old with the new. Jacquelyn Pook has written a magical score and sometimes that is all you need. Highly recommended.


Average Customer Review: #####

The Mask Of Zorro: Music From The Motion Picture

Product Details
Audio CD (July 7, 1998)
Original Release Date: July 7, 1998
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Soundtrack
Label: Sony
Condition: Used (Very Good)
Rating: #####
Availability: In Stock
Price: RM28.00


Track Listings
1. Plaza of Execution
2. Elena and Esperanza
3. Ride
4. Elena's Truth
5. Fencing Lesson
6. Tornado in the Barracks
7. Confession
8. Zorro's Theme
9. Mine (Montero's Vision)
10. Stealing the Map - Marc Anthony, Tina Arena
11. Leave No Witnesses...
12. Diego's Goodbye
13. I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You


Don't expect to find the aural sequel to James Horner's epic score to Titanic on The Mask of Zorro. On Zorro, Horner flavors his orchestrations with flamenco, lets some instruments have their solo turns, and goes for a distinct Latin flavoring on most tracks. In the theater it's a rare treat--the composer bridges the gap between the Zorro of long ago and the prerequisite sweeping orchestrations of today's cinema. A variety of influences--everything from his work on Willow to the frenzied stomping of Michael Flatley--seemingly creep into the work. Unfortunately, the vocals of Marc Anthony and Tina Arena on "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You" (Zorro's equivalent to "My Heart Will Go On") stick out like a sore Anglo thumb amid the rest of this fine score.


Average Customer Review: ####

The Man In The Iron Mask [SOUNDTRACK]

Product Details
Audio CD (March 10, 1998)
Original Release Date: March 10, 1998
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Soundtrack
Label: Milan Records
Condition: Used (Good)
Rating: #####
Availability: In Stock
Price: RM20.00


Track Listings
1. Surrounded
2. Heart of a King
3. The Pig Chase
4. The Ascension
5. King for a King
6. The Moon Beckons
7. The Masked Ball
8. A Taste of Something
9. Kissy Kissie
10. Training to be King
11. The Rose
12. All Will Be Well
13. All For One
14. Greatest Mystery Of Life
15. Raoul And Christine
16. It is a trap
17. Angry Athos
18. Raoul's Letter
19. The Palace
20. Raoul's Death
21. The Queen Approaches


The directing debut of Braveheart scribe Randall Wallace adapts the Alexandre Dumas classic for Leonardo di Caprio and--well, at least it doesn't hit an iceberg. The first full score by sometime Hans Zimmer collaborator Glennie-Smith is one of those instances of a composer outwitting his film material. Utilizing the fusion of the electronic, symphonic and choral music familiar from Zimmer's best work, Glennie-Smith manages the impressive feat of sounding classical and contemporary in the same moment.


Average Customer Review: #####

Luther

Product Details
Original Release Date: June 6, 2003
Label: BMG Records
Number of Discs: 1
Genres: Soundtracks/Movie Soundtracks
Condition: Used (Like New)
Rating: #####
Availability: In Stock
Price: RM23.00


Track Listings
1. In Nomine
2. Of God and the Devil
3. Journey to Rome
4. University - New Ideas
5. Death of an Innocent
6. The Glory, and the Power
7. Salvation for Sale!
8. A Faithful Day
9. Servents of God
10. Infinite Mercy
11. Heretic! - Luther Will Not Recant
12. A Wise Protector
13. Worlds Collide
14. The Love of the People
15. Here I Stand
16. To the Safety of a Distant Castle
17. A Nation in Flames
18. A Bitter Harvest
19. De Profundis/Katharina Von Bora
20. Luther's Wedding - A Moment of Joy
21. Libera Me - The Death of Leo
22. Aus Tiefer Not (Sixt Dietrich)
23. The Power of Good Men
24. A Brave Future


The music soundtrack for the Luther movie really provides emotional "punch" for the whole movie. It is powerful and stirring and has an "other worldly" quality that fits perfectly with the powerful events in the history of the world that the movie is all about.
If you loved the Luther movie, one big reason you did, perhaps without realizing it, is the music that is flowing underneath and around what you are seeing on the screen.
Highly recommended.


Average Customer Review: #####

Handel: Der Messias (Highlights)

Product Details
Audio CD (November 5, 2002)
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Import
Condition: Used (Like New)
Rating: ####
Availability: In Stock
Price: RM22.00


Track Listings
1. Overture
2.Mira, E Prendi l'Esempio, Act 1/Scene 2
3. Imagini Funeste, Act 1/Scene 3
4. Ho un Certo Rossore, Act 1/Scene 4
5. Fammi Combattere, Act 1/Scene 9
6. Se Mi Rivolgo Al Prato, Act 2/Scene 2
7. Verdi Allori, Sempr Unito, Act 2/Scene 5
8. Verdi Piante, Erbette Liete, Act 2/Scene 8
9. Ah! Perfida, Qui Sei!, Act 2/Scene 8
10. Sorge Infausta Una Procella, Act 3/Scene 6
11. Dorinda, E Perchè Piangi?, Act 3/Scene 7
12. Gia l'Ebro Mio Ciglio, Act 3/Scene 8
13. Coro (Finale) Trionfo Ogg'il Mio Cor


Agreed! the Messiah was originally written in English because it was considered that the English Choirs were superior to their European counterparts. But! I have always been interested in how it would sound in the German vernacular. Granted it's a fair age now, but it appeared the better of the odd couple offered. The soloists to start with, would have to be the best quartet I could think of. The late Andrew Davis has always been a favourite of mine, I have his in many operas. The sheer Acrobatical agility of her vocal technique always had me under it's spell. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir & Toronto Symphony Orchester are expertly guided by the competent hand of Andrew Davis and richly recorded by the engineers of EMI.


Average Customer Review: ####