Swap a CD: 15 Recently Posted CDs

Magnificat - Chanticleer

Chanticleer — 2009-11-24T11:23:16-05:00

Belle Epoque - Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma — 2009-11-23T23:30:12-05:00

Charlotte Church - Charlotte Church

Charlotte Church — 2009-11-23T21:29:17-05:00

Charlotte Church's debut album Voice of an Angel won a large crossover audience -- an audience much larger than the average opera record gets, let alone a record made by a 12-year-old. So, for her second album Charlotte Church -- which followed the debut by a matter of months in the U.S., showing just what a huge hit it was -- it would have made sense to simply offer more of the same, since that would satisfy her large audience. And, to a certain extent, that is what the second album does. However, the opera pieces are now not the focus of the record; they're just part of the tapestry. pop standards like "Summertime" and traditional songs like "She Moved Through the Fair" rub shoulders with Brahms and Puccini. Most notably, the record kicks off with "Just Wave Hello," a new age crossover item underpinned by a vague trip-hop beat that was borrowed from Enigma. Written by her producer Danny Beckerman, it is a clear bid for a new, even larger audience -- one who normally doesn't buy opera albums but likes classy, quality singers. Of course, that's Church's audience, but this time she and her colleagues are reaching for an even broader base, and on those terms, they succeed. Naturally, that will just irritate the classical and opera purists who were ready to criticize her anyway, given that they believe she, at her tender age, simply isn't mature or skillful enough for much of this material. They may be right -- she doesn't really offer interpretations as much as readings, and for how charming and pretty her voice is, she's not really schooled. The thing is, that doesn't distract from the effectiveness of Charlotte Church. Yes, "Just Wave Hello" already sounds dated, but the rest of the record boasts accomplished, professional (albeit mainstream) production and arrangements and, lest we forget, a very gifted, endearing vocalist called Charlotte Church. She has a sweet, pure soprano voice that will charm and win over listeners who don't consider themselves opera fans. Whether it wins opera fanatics is another matter entirely, but this album wasn't made for them anyway. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Classical Treasures Best of Classic Violin - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-23T16:59:33-05:00

The Glory of Christmas Sony Special Products - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-23T15:02:54-05:00

The Glory of Christmas is aimed at listeners seeking a more traditional holiday alternative to pop and novelty fare -- culled primarily from performances by the London and Royal Philharmonics, its highlights include dramatic orchestral readings of "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "What Child Is This?" and "Joy to the World." ~ Marvin Jolly, All Music Guide

In the Fiddlers House - Itzhak Perlman

Itzhak Perlman — 2009-11-22T19:45:34-05:00

In the Fiddler's House is a collection of traditional klezmer music performed by the acclaimed violinist Itzhak Perlman. Perlman captures the careening, infectious spirit of klezmer with style and grace, making In the Fiddler's House an intoxicating listen. ~ David Jehnzen, All Music Guide

Peace of Mind Allegro 1 - Peace of Mind

Peace of Mind — 2009-11-22T18:09:45-05:00

Classical Highlights Bach - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-22T16:04:29-05:00

Natures Noel - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-22T15:59:40-05:00

Melodies The Ultimate Collection - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-22T14:21:14-05:00

Mistero Dell Amore - Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli — 2009-11-22T10:35:26-05:00

Dinner Classics The French Album - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-22T01:36:42-05:00

The Dinner Classics series from CBS flavors your main course with the stirring sounds of classical music. This edition of the set features all things French. Music from Debussy, FaurÉ, Ravel, and Satie is performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra (conducted by Eugene Ormandy), as well as the Cleveland Orchestra, with its conductor George Szell. Accompanying the set, which runs just over an hour, are relevant recipes from Martha Stewart. The French Album doesn't dig very deep musically, tending to stick closely to each composer's representative sound. But as background music for preparing (and eating) dinner, it's just right. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide

Christmas with Kiri - Kiri Te Kanawa

Kiri Te Kanawa — 2009-11-22T00:52:26-05:00

Chant - Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos

Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos — 2009-11-21T23:19:02-05:00

The Gregorian chant has been a part of Catholicism since at least the ninth century, and continues to be embraced at Catholic monasteries in the 1990s. One such monastery is the Monasterio de Santo Domingo de Silos, located in northwestern Spain. It was at that monastery that this enriching collection of Gregorian chants was recorded by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos. One needn't be Catholic to appreciate the richness of Verbum Caro Factum Est, Imroperium, Veni Sancte Spiritus, Spiritus Domani, and other time-honored chants heard on this CD (which was first released by EMI in 1994, and reissued as a gold-audiophile CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab in 1998). All of these serene, tranquil chants are performed a cappella, and all of them are in Latin, the original language of Catholicism. Chant's digital sound quality is superb. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Art of Cecilia Bartoli - Cecilia Bartoli

Cecilia Bartoli — 2009-11-21T15:55:40-05:00