[Classical] Various Artists - 100 Best Relaxing Classics (2008) (6CD) [FLAC]

Various Artists - 100 Best Relaxing Classics (2008) (6CD)

| FLAC+CUE | 1.8GB | Classical, Instrumental | Label: EMI Classics |

As a compilation of soothing classical pieces, EMI's Best Relaxing Classics 100 should work as a satisfactory chill-out collection, at least theoretically, because it is full of slow, soft, and atmospheric music that most people will find very tranquil and pleasant, if played at a moderate-to-low volume. However, this six-disc set of recordings from EMI's extensive backlist has one obvious feature that seems to work against its calming qualities, and that is its striking variety of genres, instrumentation, and performance styles, which may be too changeable for the average person's relaxation needs. While most tracks are indeed peaceful -- especially the Baroque pieces on Disc 1 that favor small forces, uniformity of textures, and steady dynamics -- there are enough Classical and Romantic pieces that rely on sudden contrasts of mood, tone, and volume to make relaxation a bit more challenging. And if all six discs are lined up in a CD changer for continuous play, the stylistic variety of the thematically arranged programs may be sufficiently diverting to make one sit up and take notice, rather than kick back. Furthermore, there are a few vocal selections included, which some may find appealing for their beauty, though most listeners probably would favor instrumental music for rest, leisure, or meditation. (Blair Sanderson)

Tracklist:
Disc 1 - RELAXING BAROQUE
1. J.S. BACH: Sheep may safely graze (Cantata No.208) (arr. Marriner), Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner (P) 1984
2. PACHELBEL: Canon in D, Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner (P) 1974/1997*
3. J.S. BACH: Air 'on the G string' (Suite No.3 in D BWV1068), Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner (P) 1974/1997*
4. VIVALDI: The Four Seasons − Concerto No.4 in F minor 'Winter' (II. Largo), Yehudi Menuhin violin · Camerata Lysy Gstaad / Alberto Lysy (P) 1981
5. HANDEL: Ombra mai fu (Largo) (Serse) Gérard Lesne alto ∙ Il Seminario Musicale (P) 1995 EMI France,
6. HANDEL: Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.12 - III Larghetto e piano, Bath Festival Orchestra / Yehudi Menuhin (P) 1964/1999*
7. J. S. BACH: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Cantata No.147), Choir of King's College, Cambridge , Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir David Willcocks (P) 1972/1989*
8. HANDEL: Sarabande (Keyboard Suite in D minor), Andrei Gavrilov (piano) (P) 1982/1996*
9. J.S. BACH: Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F minor BWV1056 - II. Largo, Andrei Gavrilov (piano) , Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner (P) 1987
10. VIVALDI: Concerto for Two Mandolins in G RV532 - II. Andante, Europa Galante ∙ Fabio Biondi (P) 2002 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics
11. J.S. BACH: Double Violin Concerto in D minor BWV 1043, II. Largo ma non tanto , Jonathan Rees & Jane Murdoch (violins), Scottish Ensemble / Jonathan Rees (P) 1991 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics
12. HANDEL: Lascia ch'io pianga (Rinaldo) (arr. Craig Leon & Isobel Cooper), Izzy soprano , Fabio Zanon guitar ∙ Julia Thornton harp, National Radio Orchestra of the Netherlands / Erno Olah (P) 2002 Virgin Records Ltd
13. GLUCK: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Orfeo ed Euridice), Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner (P) 1977/1984*
14. J.S. BACH: Zion hört die Wächter singen (Cantata No.140), Süddeutscher Madrigalchor ∙ Consortium Musicum , Wolfgang Gönnenwein (P) 1967/1990* EMI Electrola GmbH
15. HANDEL: Water Music - Air from Suite No.1 in F Berliner Philharmoniker / Riccardo Muti (P) 1985
16. VIVALDI: Guitar Concerto in D (arr. Emilio Pujol; ed. Isbin) - II. Largo, Sharon Isbin guitar, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra / Lawrence Foster , (P) 1991 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics
17. J.S BACH: Viola da Gamba Sonata in G minor BWV1029 - II Adagio (opening), Jordi Savall viola da gamba ∙ Ton Koopman harpsichord, (P) 1978/1989* EMI Electrola GmbH
18. ALBINONI (realised Giazotto): Adagio in G minor (extract), Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner (P) 1974/1986*

Disc 2 - RELAXING MOZART & BEETHOVEN
1. MOZART: Serenade in G 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' K525 - II. Romance (Andante), Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner (P) 1977/1997*
2. MOZART: Flute & Harp Concerto in C K299 − II. Andantino (extract), James Galway flute ∙ Fritz Helmis harp, Berliner Philharmoniker / Herbert von Karajan (P) 1972/1985*
3. MOZART: Soave sia il vento (Così fan tutte), Margaret Marshall soprano ∙ Agnes Baltsa mezzo-soprano ∙ José van Dam bass, Wiener Philharmoniker / Riccardo Muti (P) 1983, Live recording
4. MOZART: Piano Sonata No.11 in A K331 - I. Andante grazioso (Theme), Andrei Gavrilov piano (P) 1990
5. MOZART: Un'aura amorosa (Così fan tutte), John Aler tenor, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Bernard Haitink (P) 1987
6. MOZART: Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor K466 - II. Romance (extract), Annie Fischer piano, Philharmonia Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult (P) 1960/1990*
7. MOZART: Canzonetta sull'aria (Le nozze di Figaro) Dame Felicity Lott & Gianna Rolandi sopranos, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Bernard Haitink (P) 1988
8. MOZART: Clarinet Quintet in A K581 − II. Larghetto, Sabine Meyer clarinet, Members of the Vienna String Sextet (P) 1987 EMI Electrola GmbH
9. MOZART: Ave verum corpus K618, Stockholm Radio Chorus ∙ Stockholm Chamber Choir, Berliner Philharmoniker / Riccardo Muti (P) 1987
10. MOZART: Serenade No.10 in B flat K361 'Gran Partita' − III. Adagio, London Philharmonic Orchestra Wind Ensemble (P) 1985
11. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor 'Moonlight' Op. 27/2, I. Adagio sostenuto (extract) , Dame Moura Lympany (piano) (P) 1991
12. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Minuet in G, Dame Moura Lympany piano (P) 1988
13. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat 'Emperor' Op.73 - II. Adagio (trans. Craig Leon), Julia Thornton harp , National Radio Orchestra of the Netherlands / Erno Olah (P) 2003
14. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor 'Pathétique' Op.31, II. Adagio cantabile Stephen Kovacevich piano (P) 1998
15. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Für Elise (Bagatelle No.25), Dame Moura Lympany piano (P) 1988
16. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Symphony No.6 in F 'Pastoral' Op.68, V. Allegretto (Shepherds' Hymn after the Storm) , The Philadelphia Orchestra / Riccardo Muti (P) 1988

Disc 3 - RELAXING FILM CLASSICS
1. ELVIRA MADIGAN: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C K467 (Mozart) - II. Andante, Stephen Hough piano, Hallé Orchestra / Bryden Thomson (P) 1987
2. THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY: Casta Diva (Norma) (Bellini), Maria Callas soprano, Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano / Tullio Serafin (P) 1961/1997*
3. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS: Goldberg Variations (J. S. Bach) - Aria, Maria Tipo (piano) (P) 1986 EMI France, 100 BEST FILM CLASSICS 3 74283 2 CD 6 [9]
4. CHARIOTS OF FIRE: Miserere mei, Deus (vv 1-4 & 17-20) (Allegri), Timothy Beasley-Murray treble ∙ Gerald Finlay cantor, Choir of King's College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury (P) 1984
5. THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY: Stabat Mater (Pergolesi), Lesley Garrett soprano ∙ Robin Blaze countertenor, London Session Orchestra / Paul Daniel (P) 2003
6. CARRINGTON: String Quintet in C D956 (Schubert) - II Adagio opening, Hungarian Quartet ∙ Laszlo Varga cello (P) 1972/1992* EMI Music France
7. OUT OF AFRICA: Clarinet Concerto in A K622 (Mozart) - II. Adagio, Sabine Meyer basset clarinet, Staatskapelle Dresden / Hans Vonk (P) 1990 EMI Electrola GmbH
8. BRIEF ENCOUNTER: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor (Rachmaninov) - II Adagio sostenuto opening, Cécile Ousset piano, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (P) 1984
9. THE DEER HUNTER: Cavatina (Stanley Myers), Manuel Barrueco & Steve Morse guitars (P) 2001 Angel Records
10. DEATH IN VENICE
11. PLATOON: Adagio for Strings (Barber), The Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy (P) 1985/1985*
12. THE PIANO: The Heart asks Pleasure First / The Promise (Michael Nyman) Music composed, directed and produced by Michael Nyman, (P) 1993 Michael Nyman Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd
13. AMERICAN BEAUTY: Any Other Name (Thomas Newman), Produced and performed by Nikolaj Bloch & Sally Herbert (P) 2001
14. SCHINDLER'S LIST: Schindler's List Main Theme (John Williams), Tasmin Little violin , New World Philharmonic / Iain Sutherland (P) 1994
15. THE MISSION: Gabriel's Oboe (Morricone), Ennio Morricone and his Orchestra (P) 1987 Virgin Records Ltd
16. SIDEWAYS: Memories of the Alhambra (Tárrega), Christopher Parkening guitar (P) 1976/2005* Angel Records
17. TITANIC: My Heart Will Go On (James Horner), Orchestra / David Abel (P) 1998

Disc 4 - RELAXING ROMANTIC CLASSICS
1. BIZET: Entr'acte to Act III (Carmen), Orchestre National de France / Seiji Ozawa (P) 1984
2. MASSENET: Méditation from Thaïs, Hans Kalafusz (violin) , Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra / Sir Neville Marriner , (P) 1987 EMI Electrola GmbH
3. FAURÉ: Cantique de Jean Racine, Stephen Farr organ, Winchester Cathedral Choir / David Hill , (P) 1998 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics
4. MENDELSSOHN: Nocturne (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment / Sir Charles Mackerras , (P) 1988 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics
5. FAURÉ: In Paradisum (Requiem Op.48), Choir of King's College, Cambridge, New Philharmonia Orchestra / Sir David Willcocks (P) 1968/1997*
6. SAINT-SAËNS: The Swan (Carnival of the Animals) (arr. Chris Hazell), Hah-Na Chang cello ∙ Philharmonia Orchestra / Leonard Slatkin (P) 2000
7. ELGAR: Cello Concerto in E minor Op.85 - III. Adagio, Jacqueline du Pré cello , London Symphony Orchestra / Sir John Barbirolli (P) 1965/1997*
8. BRUCH: Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor Op.26 - II. Adagio opening, Yehudi Menuhin violin , Philharmonia Orchestra / Walter Susskind (P) 1959/1997*
9. GRIEG: Morning (Peer Gynt Incidental Music Op.23), Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner (P) 1983
10. FAURÉ: Pavane, Gareth Morris flute , New Philharmonia Orchestra / Sir David Willcocks (P) 1968/1997*
11. MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E minor Op.64 - II. Andante (extract), Yehudi Menuhin violin , Philharmonia Orchestra / Efrem Kurtz (P) 1959/1997*
12. DELIBES: Dôme épais (Flower Duet) (Lakmé), Mady Mesplé soprano ∙ Danielle Millet mezzo-soprano, Paris Opéra-Comique Orchestra / Alain Lombard (P) 1971/1987* EMI France
13. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No.9 'From the New World' - II. Largo opening, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra / Mariss Jansons (P) 1989
14. OFFENBACH: Belle nuit (Barcarolle) (Les Contes d'Hoffmann), Jessye Norman soprano ∙ Ann Murray mezzo-soprano, Orchestre Symphonique et Chaeurs de l'Opéra National, du Théatre Royal de la Monnai, Bruxelles / Sylvain Cambreling (P) 1988
15. ELGAR: Nimrod ('Enigma' Variations), London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult (P) 1971/1986*
16. DVOŘÁK: Song to the Moon (Rusalka), Lucia Popp soprano, Münchner Rundfunk Orchester / Stefan Soltesz (P) 1988
17. MASCAGNI: Intermezzo (Cavalleria rusticana), Philharmonia Orchestra / Riccardo Muti (P) 1980/1987*

Disc 5 - RELAXING PIANO FAVOURITES
1. RACHMANINOV: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini - Variation 18, Cécile Ousset piano, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (P) 1984
2. FAURÉ: Berceuse (Dolly Suite Op. 56 ), Jean-Philippe Collard & Bruno Rigutto pianos (P) 1983 EMI France
3. CHOPIN: Nocturne No. 2 in E flat Op.9 No.2, John Ogdon piano (P) 1969/1992*
4. LISZT: Liebestraum No. 3 in A flat, John Ogdon piano (P) 1968/1988*
5. CHOPIN: Berceuse in D flat Op. 57, Peter Donohoe piano (P) 1993
6. GRIEG: Piano Concerto in A minor - II. Adagio, Cécile Ousset piano , London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Neville Marriner (P) 1985
7. SCHUMANN: Träumerei (Kinderszenen) Dame Moura Lympany piano (P) 1988
8. CHOPIN: Étude in E 'Tristesse' Op.10 No.3, John Ogdon piano (P) 1969/1990*
9. BRAHMS: Waltz No. 15 in A flat, Moura Lympany piano (P) 1988
10. CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor Op.11- II. Romance: Larghetto opening, Martha Argerich piano , Montreal Symphony Orchestra / Charles Dutoit (P) 1999
11. DEBUSSY: La Fille aux cheveux de lin (Préludes Book I), Dame Moura Lympany piano (P) 1991
12. CHOPIN: Prelude No.15 in D flat 'Raindrop', Dmitri Alexeev piano (P) 1986
13. DALLA: Caruso (arr. Bayless), John Bayless piano (P) 1999 Angel Records
14. SATIE: Gymnopédie No.1 (Lent et douloureux) Anne Queffélec piano (P) 1988 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics
15. SATIE: Gnossienne No.1, Anne Quefféllec piano (P) 1988 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics
16. DEBUSSY: Clair de lune, Dame Moura Lympany piano (P) 1988
17. SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Op.102 - II. Andante, Dmitri Alexeev piano , English Chamber Orchestra / Jerzy Maksymiuk (P) 1983

Disc 6 - RELAXING CLASSICS OF MODERN TIMES
1. KARL JENKINS: Agnus Dei (The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace) National Youth Choir of Great Britain musical director Mike Brewer, Paul Beniston principal trumpet ∙ London Philharmonic Orchestra / Karl Jenkins, (P) 2001 Karl Jenkins Music Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd, Taken from the album 'The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace)'
2. ORFF: In trutina (Carmina Burana) Janice Watson soprano, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / David Hill (P) 1995 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics
3. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' (Sir John in Love) (arr. Greaves), Sinfonia of London / Sir John Barbirolli (P) 1963/1986*
4. CANTELOUBE: Baïlèro (Chants d'Auvergne), Arleen Auger soprano, English Chamber Orchestra / Yan Pascal Tortelier , (P) 1988 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics
5. UNGAR & MASON: The Ashokan Farewell, Jay Ungar violin ∙ Molly Mason guitar, Nashville Chamber orchestra / Paul Gambill (P) 1999 Angel Records
6. RUTTER: Pie Jesu (Requiem), Edward Saklatvala treble · Choir of King's College, Cambridge, City of London Sinfonia / Stephen Cleobury (P) 1998
7. RODRIGO: Concierto de Aranjuez - II. Adagio, Julian Bream guitar ∙ Peter Walden cor anglais, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (P) 1993
8. LLOYD WEBBER: Pie Jesu (Requiem), Jane Gilchrist soprano ∙ Fergus Thirlwell treble, Simon Gibson organ ∙ Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra / Kirk Trevor (P) 2004
9. SHOSTAKOVICH: Romance (The Gadfly), Tasmin Little violin · Piers Lane piano (P) 1992
10. DUDLEY: The Crying Game Love Theme Anne Dudley piano & keyboards, The Quartet of London (P) 2001 Angel Records
11. CANTELOUBE: Brezairola (Chants d'Auvergne) (arr. Tolga Kashif), Lesley Garrett soprano ∙ Marcia Crayford violin ∙ Jonathan Williams cello, Orchestra conducted by Philip Ellis (P) 2002
12. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: The Lark Ascending opening, Hugh Bean violin , New Philharmonia Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult (P) 1967/1987*
13. LENNON & McCARTNEY: Michelle (arr. Ron Goodwin), Rostal and Schaefer pianos, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Ron Goodwin (P) 1979/2000*
14. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS 1872-1958: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis opening, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult (P) 1976/1985*
15. HOLST: Venus (The Planets) conclusion, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult (P) 1979/1987*

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