Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Opera and Vocal Editor, Thomas May FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: Lorin Maazel * New and Notable: Paul Hillier, Handel, Richard Strauss, Szymanowski, Monteverdi et al., and Jose Cura * New: Orchestra & Opera Schedules * Digital Downloads: "Gotterdammerung" and "St. Matthew Passion" * Video Stream: Anne-Sophie Mutter's "Four Seasons" * Amazon.com Presents the Best of the Century/Millennium WORD FOR WORD: LORIN MAAZEL *************************** "That's what music's all about. It's very autobiographical. My wife once said that hearing your music played is like hearing your personal diary read by an anchorman on the radio. Or, you know, on TV. Very embarrassing. And very revealing, because your person is expressed in that medium very, very clearly. That's what I find so touching in Strauss's music: there's a remarkable understanding of the human being." --Lorin Maazel on the significance of Richard Strauss Read the full interview with Maazel at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/2928 NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Paul Hillier: Home to Thanksgiving" Paul Hillier, Theatre of Voices, His Majesties' Clerkes http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000028TXS/entertainmentsit The impulse to take stock and give thanks has inspired music from the earliest times, and it lies behind some of our most enduring musical traditions. Gathered together from contemporary troubadour Paul Hillier's visionary recordings, "Home to Thanksgiving" presents a fascinating collection of centuries of thanksgiving. "Handel: Acis and Galatea" Sophie Daneman, Paul Agnew, Alan Ewing, Patricia Petibon, et al.; Les Arts Florissants; William Christie, conductor http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001SIBI/entertainmentsit The combination of William Christie and French baroque opera always promises a remarkable result, but his account of Handel's delightful English-language pastorale is equally felicitous. Gathered together here is a splendid cast of early-music specialists who add vitality to the composer's mythical cast of nymph, shepherd, and villainous giant. "Strauss Heroines" Renee Fleming, Barbara Bonney, Susan Graham; Vienna Philharmonic; Christoph Eschenbach, conductor http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JXYZ/entertainmentsit Richard Strauss has few peers when it comes to writing for the female voice, and his operas present a field day for serious artists interested in using vocal beauty to portray richly human characters. Renee Fleming's sensuous intelligence makes her a natural for the "Strauss Heroines" she brings to life on her new disc, on which she is joined by Barbara Bonney and Susan Graham. "Szymanowski: King Roger" Thomas Hampson, Elzbieta Szmytka, et al.; City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Simon Rattle, conductor http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K4EM/entertainmentsit If you haven't yet discovered the music of Karol Szymanowski, you're in for a special treat with the shimmering, fragile beauty of this neglected masterpiece from 1926. Characterized by thinly veiled homoeroticism, lush impressionist scoring, and a philosophical take on the story line of Euripides's "Bacchae," "King Roger" is more oratorio than opera but a work of unique vision in Simon Rattle's cogent interpretation. "Monteverdi, Vivaldi, et al.: Lamenti" Anne Sofie von Otter, Jakob Lindberg, et al.; Musica Antiqua Koln; Reinhard Goebel, conductor http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001IVOP/entertainmentsit Possibly the best solo recording Anne Sofie von Otter has yet made, "Lamenti" is a breathtaking compendium of mostly 17th-century music centered around the topics of grief and loss. Otter's sensuous mezzo conveys both the virtuosity and pensive dignity of these pieces by Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Purcell, and others, while the period-instrument Musica Antiqua Koln plays with exquisite grace. "Verismo" Jose Cura; Philharmonia Orchestra; Jose Cura, conductor http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K2WD/entertainmentsit The controversial tenor from Argentina has come out with an exceptionally impressive solo album of selections by Leoncavallo, Mascagni, Puccini, and other great "verismo" composers, just in time for his much-anticipated Metropolitan Opera debut in "Cavalleria Rusticana." Cura also appears in a dual role as conductor, and this off-the-beaten track program is replete with enjoyable singing. NEW: ORCHESTRA & OPERA SCHEDULES ******************************** Get an overview of what's playing this season across the country, or check out events in your own area. Amazon.com's new Orchestra & Opera Schedules section offers a listing of 22 major institutions as well as recommendations by our expert editors of recordings to accompany each program. It's a great way to enhance your enjoyment of an opera or concert you're planning to attend or have recently had the chance to hear. Opera & Vocal DIGITAL DOWNLOADS: GOTTERDAMMERUNG AND ST. MATTHEW PASSION ********************************************************** When the Bayreuth Festival first reopened after the war in 1951, it was a summer to remember. It produced a truly shattering account of the "Ring"'s cataclysmic finale under Hans Knappertsbusch. This legendary "Gotterdammerung," featuring one of the most powerful casts in Bayreuth history, has finally been released. You can download a track and listen to the unbelievable chemistry here between Astrid Varnay and Bernd Altenhoff as the lovers Brunnhilde and Siegfried, before the tragedy that strikes down the hero has run its course. Opera & Vocal J.S. Bach created sublime music, but his setting of the "St. Matthew Passion" stands out even in the lifework of this genius for its shattering power and narrative grip. Bach communicates the story of Jesus' death through a rich variety of musical styles, building the work up into a universal tragedy. Download excerpts from a brilliant new recording by Bach expert Philippe Herreweghe. Opera & Vocal VIDEO STREAM: ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER ******************************** Anne-Sophie Mutter always infuses her recordings with plenty of personality, and the violinist's latest disc, a recording of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," is certainly no different. Inspired by the vibrant paintings of German artist Gotthard Graubner, Mutter brings her trademark poetry and plenty of color to Vivaldi's dazzling masterpiece. You can stream the video of Mutter performing Vivaldi now at Amazon.com. Opera & Vocal AMAZON.COM PRESENTS THE BEST OF THE CENTURY/MILLENNIUM ****************************************************** As the century comes to a close, Amazon.com looks at the landmarks in books, music, and video of the past 100 years. Selected by our editors, our lists take you decade by decade from the turn of the century all the way to the end of the millennium. Our classical music staff has also put together a 100-item list of the best music of the millennium. Cast your own vote for the best book, video, and CD in our best-of-the-millennium poll for your chance to win our customers' 300 favorite music, book, and video titles. Music of the century ****** Give the Perfect Gift, Get the Perfect Gift Does Aunt Ida send polka CDs when you'd prefer pop? Create an Amazon.com Wish List and save everyone the agony of the unwanted gift. Wish list Clueless as to what to get your Kentucky cousin for Christmas? Send him an e-Card and tell him to set up an Amazon.com Wish List so you can easily find and send him his heart's desire. Wish card ****** You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Opera and Vocal Music section at Opera & Vocal ******
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