I've always loved the Rachmaninov Cello sonata and Isserlis and Hough give it a spendid reading. The Franck has, in the past, kind of bored me (whether with violin or cello); however, Stephen and Steven, in this recording, give it fire, passion and emotional depth. They play it wonderfully snatching dear ole pious Franck out of the church's organ loft.
If you are into romantic chamber music, as I am, buy this disc. Believe me, you will love it. These boys can sure play!

THE BEST

I own many recordings of the Rachmaninoff Piano Preludes; however, Alexis Weissenberg's playing of them is the very best. The thunderous ones are delivered with jaw-dropping bravura and the tender ones are delivered with great emotional restraint and depth coming from his very soul. Your won't believe Alexis' technique.

Many pianist have complained that Rachmaninoff's piano works are almost unplayable due to the fact they were written for Rachmaninoff himself whose hands were physically enormous. I can remember many years ago an interview with a world famous pianist that had just recorded the Preludes and he was almost in tears recounting the demands of the works he had just recorded. Well, from listening to Weissenberg's recording, I don't think he shed any tears over the demands of the works. His playing is truly exciting in every way.

If you want to hear the Rachmaninoff Preludes played as no one else can play them, buy this disc.

What a pleasant surprise! Honestly, I have had the feeling for many years that a move like "Relax, It's just Sex" would never be made here in America. This movie is about a group of very intriguing good friends comprising of both gay and straight characters where, for once being gay is NOT the problem. It is not a "coming out" or a "is he or is she gay?" film; everyone is very comfortable with his or her sexuality to the point that they are able to be very supportive of each other no matter what is going on in a particular person's life at any particular moment.

There are many very funny moments intermingled with "real life" serious situations, which are dealt with--including love, HIV infection, commitments, a miss-carriage, and a "gay bashing". The "gay bashing" for me, really hit home. For once, in this movie, the "victim" had opportunity to get immediate revenge and did so to the shock and horror of his friends who had problems dealing with his anger and his execution of revenge on one of the bashers. (In all honestly if given the opportunity to get revenge on a "gay bashing" punk, I think that I would take advantage of that opportunity as the character, in the film, did!)

All of the actors in the film are great with Jennifer Tilly giving, to me, an Oscar winning performance-she's hysterically funny at one moment and "heart breaking" the next moment. I just wish I had a group of friends as portrayed in this movie.

If you are into good films, buy this DVD

This is a wonderful album of acustic guitar music. I've always loved the Tango and the so-called "classical" guitar. This album brings them together delightfully. The album transports me to a smoke-filled Argentinean nightclub where the Tango is danced very passionately. I agree with the review to this album; tract 13 is wonderful.
If you are into the Tango or guitar music or just want to be transported, in your mind, to a different time and place, buy this disc.

This BBC-PBS T.V presentation is superb. It is not something that you can look at while darning socks, knitting, washing dishes, talking on the phone or having an evening party-it is NOT light entertainment. Go to commercial TV for that. You've got to sit-down, shut-up and concentrate on what is going on. In fact, it took me two viewings to fully understand what actually was going on. LISTEN closely; the script is fantastic.
All of the actors are superb with Tom Hollander as Guy Burgess a standout. The production is on a par with some of the best BBC productions that I have had the privilege of seeing. With the gorgeous sets and costumes, it creates a feeling of the era that is being portrayed.
If you are into historical presentations and love superb acting buy this DVD.

How could so many wonderful actors including some of my very favorites (i e., Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth) be in such a sappy movie? (I guess it had to be for the money-I hope they made lots!) I purchased this movie on DVD simply because it featured actors that I hold in high regard, and with the expectation of a non-run-of-the-mill Hollywood-type holiday movie. I WAS WRONG. This has to be the most Hollywood-type, Hallmark made-for-Television move that I have ever seen (something I try to avoid, at all costs)-with even the ubiquitous black-gospel choir singing dippy love songs and Xmas carols. While at the same time it is a movie about the most un-diverse group of dreary people that I have seen in a recent film for a very long time. I had hoped for, at least, an ethnic couple of some sort or a gay couple of some kind. Instead we are served up a bunch of very boring people having love problems including a cherubic grade school boy in love with another cherubic girl who OF COURSE leads the kiddies, in school, at Xmas time, in song with not one word of the song being intelligible. Which brings me to another point-why did every featured seasonal musical number have to disintegrate into some pseudo rock, gospel type (come to the Lord) song? Was it to appeal to the masses or to show that the people making this clunker were very very hip? Anyway buy this film if you are into sappy holiday movies and would love to see Hugh Grant dance (which is actually the best part of the film).

"Martha, sell all my clothes I've just died and gone to heaven!" (That was my reaction after viewing and hearing this performance of Verdi's Requiem.) My god what a performance this video is. The words "Golden age" does NOT begin to describe what is on this DVD. If Leontyne Price's glorious voice does not dissolve you to tears you do not have a heart!! The sound of her voice soaring over (and I mean over) the orchestra and chorus had me prostrate on the floor completely dissolved in tears. (Good thing I wasn't at a live concert; it would have been rather embarrassing.) In this performance, she proves, once again that she was the greatest Verdian soprano that there has ever been-period. (END of the discussion!)
Cossotto has never been a particular favorite of mine; however, she truly shines in this video giving a most moving account of her music. Perhaps Karajan kept her in line getting the very best, from her that she had. Her voice blends very well with Price's voice. Their duet is exquisite.
A very young (pre-superstar status) Pavarotti looks scared to be in front of Karajan and surrounded by some of the world's greatest singers, of the time, gives a wonderful performance singing with sweetness and care even if he is glued to his score. He shows why he was to become superstar material.
Ghiaurov sounds like rolls of thunder anchoring the whole quartet of soloist with his deep resounding bass voice.
Karajan seems to be literally pulling out the beautiful sound of the orchestra, soloist and chorus, with his bare hands. He even sheds tears when Leontyne is singing-who wouldn't?
If you love beautiful music and want to hear what a once-in-a-lifetime performance is all about, run (don't walk!) and get this DVD. It will change your life or in the least make it so much better, and isn't that what music is all about?

For a truly riveting operatic experience, you must see/hear this DVD! Eva Marton is at the very height of her operatic career giving vocally and dramatically everything she had (and that was a lot in the 1980's when this performance was taped). I don't feel that any other singer could give more than she does in this role. Cheryl Studer is awesome and also at the height of her powers. This performance proves that Cheryl should have stuck with the Germans and avoided, like the plague, Lucia and Violetta. What a career she could have had!! Fassbaender is down right scary playing a truly demented and crazed mother. All of the aforesaid singers are really into their roles giving performances of a lifetime.

The production, at the time, was controversial and was booed at this performance. Now it is simply exciting providing a memorable Elektra. After all, this ain't no fairy tale and this production does NOT treat it as one.

With Abbado directing the hell out of this score, this operatic performance will stick with you for the rest of your life. So if you want to see opera at its most exciting and at its very darkest buy this DVD.

This film (T.V. program) is fabulous (and I don't use the "F" word lightly). The production is wonderful as are the sets and recreation of the era. MOST OF ALL the actors are superb! However, the true stand out, as far as acting is concerned, is Diana Rigg--when she is on the screen all others are simply blown off of the screen! That is some accomplishment since she is surrounded by great actors that are really into their roles.
This production is a treasure. Buy it!

Next to the Nocturnes, the Ballades and the Scherzos are my favorite works by Chopin. I own many fine recordings of both works. Stephen Hough's recording of the Ballades and Scherzos have become, to me, "Dessert Island" material. He plays the works with sublime elegance and poetry. There is no shortage of bravura; however, he plays the works with much introspection. I "felt the music" in my soul. Bravo Mr. Hough!
The recording is wonderful. The Hyperion lable proves one again why it is considered the "Rolls Royce" of labels.