Symphony Chorus

Haydn: The Masterworks (40 CD Box Set)
$169.98
Not so familiar with the various editions of Franz Joseph Haydn's works, I can only say that this set has helped me discover his genius and charm. Hitherto, I had thought him to be something like a "precursor" of Mozart and van Beethoven. This is simply not true! F. J. Haydn has his own unique style, lively, surprising, ingenious, charming, never aggressive. History reports that F. J. Haydn was the only person able to bring Mozart to laugh. Special thanks to the late master Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter for his warm recommendation of the music of Franz Joseph Haydn.

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5/Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis/Serenade To Music
$5.00
The Amazon.com Editorial Reviews here are absolutely on the mark altogether. The most recorded orchestra in America again proves its world class with these Grammy nominated performances. Vaughan Williams' mastery of choral craftsmanship is without peer. Mackenzie's ASO Chamber Chorus mellifluously and precisely nails it perfectly in every aspect along with top notch guest soloists. This is an album of sweet, pure, unrestrained expressions of the human spirit. Prepare to be transported to the heavens.

Elgar - The Dream of Gerontius / Philip Langridge, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Alastair Miles, Andrew Davis, BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, St. Paul's Cathedral
$29.99
The music seemed a lttle lost in the space of S. Pauls Cathedral. I cannot get a satisfactory Dolby rendition which is surprising given the recent recording. Andrew Davis is not a visual Sargent or von Karajan or even Abbado. Philip Langridge could double as CPA. Disappointed with this

Orff: Carmina Burana / McNair, Aler, Hagegard; Slatkin
$8.99
3 1/2

There is a reason the powerful theme sandwiched between this opera sticks out like a sore thumb. Even with beguiling vocal work and at least some impressive composition, much of what lies in between does not burrow into memory nearly as much.