Category: Classical, Electronica, & New Age

SUMMARY:   COMBINED RUNNING TIME: 3 Hours, 12 Min.

Released by EMI Records in 2000, Vanessa-Mae’s The Classical Collection, Part 1 is a three-disc cover compilation with a total of thirty-two tracks.  The tracks per each disc are:

DISC 1:

Tracks 1-3 include conductor Anthony Inglis & The London Mozart Players.

1. Kabalesvsky: Violin Concerto in C, Op. 48 – Allegro (4:30)
2. Kabalesvsky: Violin Concerto in C, Op. 48 – Andante (5:02)
3. Kabalesvsky: Violin Concerto in C, Op. 48 – Vivace Giocoso (5:58)

Tracks 4-7 feature conductor Kees Bakels and The London Symphony Orchestra.

4. Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake – Russian Dance  (4:07)

5. Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35 (Allegro Moderato) (17:22)

6. Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35 (Canzonetta – Andante) (5:46)

7. Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35 (Finale – Allegro Viviacissimo) (9:05)

Disc 1’s Running Time: Approx. 51 Minutes.

DISC 2:

Tracks 1-3 include conductor Nicholas Cleobury & The New Belgian Chamber Orchestra.

1. Kreisler: Schön Rosmarin (1:57)
2. Kreisler: Liebeslied (2:54)
3. Kreisler: Liebesfried (3:10)

Tracks 4-6 include conductor Anthony Inglis & The London Mozart Players.

4. Mozart: Violin Concerto in D, K. Anh. 294A 1. Allegro (7:22)

5. Mozart: Violin Concerto in D, K. Anh. 294A 2. Adagio (7:14)

6. Mozart: Violin Concerto in D, K. Anh. 294A 3. Allegro (7:22)

Tracks 7-9 feature conductor Kees Bakels and The London Symphony Orchestra.

7. Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61 – 1. Allegro Ma Mon Troppo (22:47)

8. Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61 – 1. Larghetto (8:05)

9. Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61 – 1. Rondò (9:46)

Disc 2’s Running Time: Approx. 66 Minutes.

DISC 3:

1. Salut D’Amour (2:26)
2. Lullaby (2:00)
3. Bach: On the G String (2:26)
4. My Favorite Things (1:16)
5. Mancini: The Pink Panther (2:27)
6. Les Parapluies De Cherbourg (1:51)
7. One Moment in Time (4:36)
8. The Beatles: Yellow Submarine (1:43)
9. Frères Jacques (8:54)
10. Paganini/Kreisler: La Campanella (5:22)
11. Chinese Folk Tune (2:23)
12. Tambourin Chinois (4:04)
13. Figaro (5:29)
14. Summertime (1:52)
15. Concert Fantasy on Carmen (13:36)
16. Wieniawski: Fantasy Brillante on Gounod’s “Faust,” Op. 20 (16:19)

Disc 3’s Running Time: Approx. 75 Minutes.

REVIEW:

As one might expect, Vanessa-Mae’s violin work is exquisite. Combined with such flawless instrumentals, she is at the top of her classical game.  After two discs of traditional covers, the third disc is a musical potpourri, with wonderful homages to pop culture.  Given its timeless entertainment value, this cover compilation is highly recommended!   

PACKAGING:

As a box set, all three discs are well-protected.  The tracks are conveniently listed.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       10 Stars

SUMMARY:                   RUNNING TIME: 77:00 Min.

In 2016, Sony Classical released this album showcasing South African operatic soprano Pretty Yende.  Backing Yende is the RAI National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marco Armiliato.  The eight selections are:

1. II Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), Act 1, No. 5

Composer: Gioachino Rossini        Running Time: 6:08

2. Lakmé, Act 1, No. 2

Composer: Leó Delibes                   Running Time: 6:13

3. Lakmé, Act 2, No. 10

Composer: Leó Delibes                   Running Time: 8:08

4. Beatrice di Tenda, Act 1, Scene 6

Composer: Vincenzo Bellini           Running Time: 12:36

5. Le Comte Ory, Act 1, Scene 8, No. 4

Composer: Gioachino Rossini         Running Time: 9:46

6. Lucia di Lammermoor, Act 1, No. 3

Composer: Gaetano Donzetti           Running Time: 12:59

7. I Puritani (The Puritans), Act 2

Composer: Vincenzo Bellini           Running Time: 15:2

8. Roméo et Juliette (Romeo and Juliet), Act 4, No. 17

Composer: Charles Gonoud            Running Time: 5:57

REVIEW:

A Journey is a treat channeling old-school Italian opera through Pretty Yende’s youthful and undeniably vibrant sound.  Reminiscent of Cecilia Bartoli, Yende excels as a vocal storyteller, as far as shifting from one dramatic emotion to another, let alone playing light-hearted comedy.  Hence, this album offers a wonderful chance to inspire a new generation of aspiring opera buffs.  The same applies attracting experienced listeners in need of a fresh jolt of energy.

Showing off Yende’s creative versatility without going overboard, Sony Classical effectively blends familiar opera tracks with some of the more obscure.  Ultimately, Yende’s Journey proves a musical gem for any age. 

PACKAGING:

Unsurprisingly, Sony Classical’s quality control is first-class.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      10 Stars

SUMMARY:               RUNNING TIME: 75:00 Min.

In 1995, Decca (or Decca Records) released this first compilation album celebrating Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano, Cecilia Bartoli.  On various tracks, her musical collaborators include: Lesley Schatzberger; Christopher Hogwood; György Fischer; András Schiff; Charles Spencer; Ion Marin; & Riccardo Chailly.  Also participating are The Vienna Chamber Orchestra; Orchestra of La Fenice Venice; and the Bologna Teatro Communale.

Grouped by composer, Bartoli’s sixteen tracks are:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:

1. La Clemenza Di Tito K 621 – Parto, Parto, Ma Tu, Ben Mio     Running Time: 6:15
2. Così Fan Tutte, K 588 – Temerari! … Come Scoglio      Running Time: 5:48
3. Così Fan Tutte, K 588 – In Vomini, In Soldati            Running Time: 2:39
4. Le Nozze Di Figaro, K 492 – Voi Che Sapete             Running Time: 2:48
5. Le Nozze Di Figaro, K 492 – Giunse Alfin II Momento… Deh Vieni  Running Time: 5:24
6. Don Giovanni, K 527 – Batti … O Bel Masetto           Running Time: 3:45
7. Ch’lo Mi Scordi Di Te … Non Temer, Amato Bene K 505     Running Time: 10:15

Alessandro Parisott

• Se Tu M’Ami                                      Running Time: 2:33

Umberto Giordano

• Caro Mio Ben                                     Running Time: 2:46

Guilio Caccini

1. Amarilli                                            Running Time: 3:12

Franz Schubert

1. La Pastorella                                        Running Time: 2:14
2. Vedi Quanto Adoro Ancora Ingrato! – Didone Abandonetta  Running Time: 4:53

Gioachino Rossini

1. Belta Crudele                                                     Running Time: 4:42
2. Semiramide – Bel Raggio Lusinghier                     Running Time: 7:58
3. Maometto II – Giusto Ciel, In Tal Periglio            Running Time: 3:26
4. La Cenerentola – Nacqui All’Affanno, Non Piú Mesta    Running Time: 7:14

REVIEW:

Enjoyable for either experienced or aspiring opera buffs, Bartoli’s impressive vocal talents as a storyteller are given their just due.  Decca ensures that listeners get their money’s worth, as far as the diverse track selection goes.  Filled with Bartoli’s vibrant sound, A Portrait is absolutely well-played!

PACKAGING:

Decca delivers high-quality production values.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      9 Stars