Symphony - Classical Music

This album, which catapulted Polish composer Henryk Gorecki to into the international spotlight, takes texts born in pain and turns them into statements of affirmation through the use of music that ebbs and flows in mystic minimalism. The clear voice of soprano Dawn Upshaw, singing the Polish texts, is a large part of the success of this particular recording, but the music, contemporary without either dissonance or movie-music mawkishness, clarifies and uplifts the words. This is a moving and essential element of the modern repertoire. --Sarah Bryan Miller - $10.88

Long regarded as the quintessential interpretation of the most popular and best-loved symphony ever written, this performance of the Fifth has everything: passion, precision, drama, lyric beauty, and a coiled fury in the first movement that sets your pulse racing from the very first note. Carlos Kleiber has made very few recordings in his distinguished career, but almost all are special. If you own no other copy of this symphony, this is the one to get. It comes with an exceptional performance of the Seventh--not quite as gripping as the Fifth, but definitely one of the great ones. There is classical music, and there are classic recordings of classical music. This one's a classic. -- David Hurwitz - $7.11
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 1
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 2

Limited two disc (CD + DVD (NTSC/Region 0) pressing of this 2008 holiday release from one of the most famous voices in the world, including a bonus DVD that includes live performances from this British diva. Featuring many of the season's classics. including 'Silent Night', 'In the Bleak Midwinter' and a resplendent performance of 'Ave Maria'. On 'Arrival', Sarah adopts the originally instrumental track by pop genius's ABBA and adds vocals to create her own winter classic. EMI. - $7.04
Brahms: The Four Symphonies (NBC Symphony Orchestra Vol. IV)
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos No. 1-4; Neville Marriner; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

Maestro Herbert von Karajan leads the Berlin Philharmonic in a live performance from 1973 of all 4 Brahms Symphonies. - $28.46
Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9; Te Deum [DVD Video]
Herbert von Karajan: Beethoven - Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123

These 1977-78 recordings are Karajan's best Brahms--better than his somewhat mannered digital set. The Berlin Philharmonic, as ever, is amazingly smooth and accomplished, playing with great class without losing any power--as an example, just listen to the finale of the second symphony. DG's engineers have turned this always-good recording into something truly magnificent to hear, and, at the price, this is a sure bet. --Robert Levine - $9.56

- $40.93