Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium - Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 Cantatas 1 To 3 DVD

Advantages: J. S. Bach; all musicians and vocalists; Karajan.
Disadvantages: Karajan's big, ponderous sound and historical inauthenticity, for some.

...enjoy some first-rate performances of two works that again serve to remind us of the towering genius that was Johann Sebastian Bach. Four-and-a-half stars (rounded off to five). = DVD Notes: (This DVD is available for purchase at few places. Here's one, sendit.com, for £10.99/ list is £14.99: http://www.sendit.com/video/item/7000000062208.) This being a musical performance DVD, some criteria rated above do not apply, but Ciao forced me to make a selection, anyway! = NEW YEAR'S EVE CONCERT 1984 JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685 - 1750) Concerto for Violin, Strings and Continuo in E Major, BWV 1042 I. Allegro 7.54 II. Adagio 7.02 III. Allegro assai 2.39 Anne-Sophie Mutter, Violin Magnificat, BWV 243 Judith Blegen, Soprano Helga Müller Molinari, Alto/Contralto Francisco Araize, Tenor Robert Holl, Bass RIAS... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: easy to watch
Disadvantages: 1 characterisation, abrupt ending,plot holes

...by BRIAN TYLER, Performed by JA WAH Sweet Remembrance - Written and Performed by WERNER DREXLER 4 Seasons/Spring - Written and Composed by VIVALDI, Performed by THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC BulBul - Composed by ANDREW LOCKINGTON, Performed by MARYEM TOLLAR Bye Bye - Written by WILLIAM HERMES, Performed by LIGHTIN' WILLIE and the POORBOYS Violin Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002 - By JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, Performed by LUCY VAN DAEL... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Witty, great graphics, silky voices, memorable characters
Disadvantages: Not the most original possibly

...are given is the incongruity of fairy tale characters acting out real life in accordance with the traits of the fairy tales. At the same time they are playing out new scenes with a more real-life feel, which gives an interesting and amusement contrast. This is particularly true of the princesses we know from Disney films, such as Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. The voices are excellent. It is not just Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy who inject vibrancy and humour to the characters they voice. The whole ensemble is first rate, although if I might single out one part, I would choose Eric Idle as Merlin. The soundtrack is good, although with fewer stand out moments than the previous two. I enjoyed the irony of Shrek and Fiona’s early morning sleeping being set to ‘Sleep may safely graze’ (Bach Cantata 208), whilst the modern tracks... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful