Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Daniel Barenboim (DVD)

Advantages: This is a recording containing excellent content, with wonderful sound quality due to top-notch recording technique, and the presence of stellarly talented artists.
Disadvantages: It is often disappointing to be listening to a wonderful piece of music only to discover that merely a portion of the piece is contained on the recording.

...This is an eclectic and, at the same time, fascinating recording. It contains some of the more interesting repertoire of one of the USA's most famous and talented symphony orchestras, along with an assortment of conductors long-attached to the CSO. In short, my favorite piece among all of those contained in this collection, is the Mahler Symphony No. 8. For anyone who knows this piece, they will be more than pleased by this performance. The conducting, orchestra playing, choral singing and preparation, and soloist singing is almost unmatched. Especially notable is the performance of the Mater Gloriosa, a somewhat thankless role, performed especially beautifully by soprano Jann Jaffe. Of course, anyone who knows the piece cannot help but be drawn to this music. This famous "Symphony of a Thousand" is a masterpiece whose listening... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: EXCELLENT , FUN, GREAT MUSIC
Disadvantages: NOTHING

...at the theatre with all of the vibrant outfits and lights and the singing. I think the music is great lots of brilliant songs. I would definitely see this film in theatre after watching the film. Renee Zellwegere is not someone I would have thought of for this part, she has lost so much weight and is skinny. There are lots of female dancers in this film and some pervert at the back of the cinema when Renee flashed her leg began a dirty laugh. I'm sure the men will also like this film even if they wouldn't admit it. This film begins in Chicago in the 30's I think when we see Velma Kelly (CZJ) arrive for her performance, her act is the Kelly sisters but unfortunately as explained later her sister has died so she is a solo act. Before she gets ready to perform we see her trying to wash blood off her hands. She sings the famous 'All That Jazz... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: great acting, wonderful songs, the costumes
Disadvantages: not for children, songs missed out from the original score

...Musicals. They are a genre of films that make some people break out in a cold sweat as their thoughts turn to cutesy precocious stage school brats, dodgy Cockney accents and sweeter than sugar nannies and governesses. However the musical has progressed and reinvented itself with Chicago the multiple Oscar winning Bob Fossey musical that stars Renée Zellweger. Catherine Zeta Jones and Richard Gere. The sexy, seductive feel to Chicago makes it one of my favourite musicals having seen the film, stage production, bought the soundtrack album and the DVD. Yes I like it that much. So why do I like it?? Chicago is set surprisingly enough in Chicago Illinois in the late 1920s. The era is one of gangsters, beautiful women in Flapper dresses, furs and elegant bobs dancing the Charleston to jazz tunes. Ladies and gentlemen the Jazz Era is in... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful