Comments on: Analekta: Classical Gems: Free Sampler

By: Anniepoo

Anniepoo — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:50:02 +0000

The composers (and my comments) are:

1. Beethoven (a bit fast – well executed)

2. Handel (cheerful – very full and well balanced)

3. Vivaldi (seemed fast to me – nicely done brief chorale)

4. Beethoven (slow, rich, full orchestra with piano)

5. Bach (emotive, melancholy, yearning solo violin)

6. Rachmaninov (romantic, piano with quiet orchestral backing)

7. Morricone (nostalgic, likely Strad violin, piano, string ensemble)

8. Peter Heidrich (amusing and well done)

9. Peter Heidrich (ditto above)

10. Anonymous (not Vivaldi – fun gypsy dance)

This Amazon offering is not well-connected to the originals, but some searching by artist or keyword found Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà – some highly rated CDs (especially her CD of devilish violin tunes), as well as a Happy Birthday CD with Card by her and her group which tracks 8 & 9 come from and which links back to this collection instead of a Happy Birthday CD download (tsk, tsk Amazon – Happy Birthday [Card & CD]). I think it might make a very fun birthday surprise for someone.

Track 10 came tagged with Vivaldi as composer – I went “What?!” – a bit of Google searching located two excellent info sources – the Analekta website and a CD called “Vivaldi and the Baroque Gypsies” (which is also on Amazon – Vivaldi: The Baroque Gypsies) and is likely where this cut originates; I also found earlymusic.bc.ca and their page on Ensemble Caprice, Kay Meek Concerts, and the Slovakian collection “Uhrovska zbierka” of 1730 which is apparently a huge collection of gypsy tunes noted down by an anonymous violinist. They explain how they believe Vivaldi (and Telemann) were influenced by gypsy music. It’s a great tune, by the way.

All in all, this collection is well worth downloading and pursuing these samples into further musical adventure. A search by artist and Analekta should do it.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: B. Campbell

B. Campbell — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:04:50 +0000

I have thoroughly enjoyed this Classical music sampler. I would highly recommend – especially since it’s free.

A perfect way for somebody who isn’t sure what they might enjoy to experience some beautiful music.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: M. Annabi

M. Annabi — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:49:43 +0000

I really enjoyed listening to this album all the way through. I recognized about half the tracks from previous experience with classical music and the rest was new to me.

This is free, so there is no reason that everyone shouldn’t snag this and add it to their collection.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Kevin Maze

Kevin Maze — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:41:24 +0000

This is a good classical music sampler. It’s not great, but it is free. The album is comprised of 10 tracks and the first track gets it off on the wrong foot. Tafelmusik Orchestra’s rendition of Beethoven’s 5th is faster than most versions, so much so that I almost expected to hear Walter Murphy’s “A Fifth of Beethoven.” And for some reason, the recording is much softer than the other tracks. Not a good way to start a sampler.

A strange addition to the collection of “classical” music is Ennio Morricone’s theme from “The Mission.” Morricone is a great composer and I love his music, but he seems somewhat out of place in the company of Vivaldi, Rachmaninov, Bach and Handel. But the most out-of-place pieces are tracks 8 and 9: two versions of “Happy Birthday”; one in the style of Beethoven, the other in the manner of tango. And both songs are only a minute each, which to me, seems like the sampler was doing a bit of cheating.

Overall, the sampler is good. The other pieces are good; again, not great. It is what it is: A good free music sampler.
Rating: 4 / 5