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This is one of my favorite cd's. He has such a beautiful and soothing voice.

The music and songs are wonderful. I have this CD in my car and listen to it over and over. It is especially well done. I am enjoying every song the more I listen to them. "The Prayer" with Charlotte Church is one you can sing to.

I specifically purchased this album after seeing a video on Youtube. It was a song that briefly was played on the radio, I never could catch the title. The song is "To where you are." I abosolutely love the song and was happy to finally find it.

When Josh first appeared on an episode of Ally McBeal, I was mesmerized. The boy (at the time he was 16) can sing!! I love his work... he does not disappoint!

There is nothing you can say about Josh Groban except that his voice is like a piece of heaven...

Perhaps you've played this game at a party or something: if you were trapped on a desert island with only one book/record/painting/etc. -- what would it be? When it comes to music, this record is my "desert island" choice. I've had my copy of the old original "red album" since it first came out, and after hundreds of listens, this sublime music keeps renewing itself. Ma's performances are heartfelt, technically flawless, and riveting throughout. I don't think it's a stretch to call this disk one of the high points of recorded music in the 20th century.

Ma plays the Suites with passion and grace. The cello is recorded wonderfully. Often in solo performances, hearing the artist breathe can be annoying, but that is minimal in this recording.

I would also highly recommend Bach: Lute Suites performed by John Williams. Lute Suites 1 - Essential Classics

The way Ma plays the cello suites is like listening to perfection in musical form. Unlike many cellists, Ma does not rush through the pieces but rather allows the tempo and sound to rise and fall as Bach intended. A must-buy for both classical aficionados and those just beginning to love classical music.

Not exactly sure what I would do without these recordings. A world without Bach: a scary thought. My pulse slackens a bit each time I put these on. Relaxing, sure, but also tremendously moving. A perfect antidote for the trivial drone, distraction, and bustle of our post-capitalist world. No need to go buy new-age computer glitch world-music ambience; this is sonic therapy, written centuries before we needed it.

Yo-Yo Ma is one of the greatest cello players of all times and he's playing Bach. Is there really anything left to say? I think not :)

This DVD provides a glimpse of Josh Groban when he was 21 or 22 years old, a world of difference from him today. His music is sweet and tender, as is his demeanor. A few differences exist in the music shown on this DVD when compared with his CD that came out in 2001; otherwise they are the same. My earlier comment isn't meant to detract from Josh today; he has evolved as stardom has made him a truly bigtime item in the firmament. But if you want to see him when he was a relatively fresh face, you shouldn't miss this album.

For those of you unfamiliar with Josh Groban this is a great way to start. It is his first cd - self titled - What a voice. He has several other cd's as well as dvd's (awesome by the way) He changed my life - We call ourselves Grobonites a proud name to bear. Whatever you've heard about the music - if you haven't listened you truly need to. You will not be sorry about the investmant you've made. He has a charitable foundation that helps bring medicine and drinking water to villages in Africa. His foundation also works with AIDS patients. I've actually met him and was able to tell him that he helped me thru Cancer his voice kept me going thru some tough times. Please just listen once. (and it doesn't hurt that he's cute too!)

I was given "Noel" by Josh Groban as a gift. I immediately realized that a "this is a voice unlike any other." After receiving the Josh Groban in Concert DVD and the accompaning CD, I realized that even this had been an understatement. Josh's voice lends itself equally to the classical, near operatic songs, and to the sweet, pop like love ballads. The DVD is well over an hour of nonstop music, and also has backstage coverage which was shot by Josh's brother, Chris, and other coverage of the making of the DVD. If you're a Josh fan, this is a must have. If you are not as yet acquainted with this great talent, try this DVD and I guarantee you will be wanting more of this amazing voice.

This DVD will be always betwen my tresures.
I Love it.

Maria

Very disappointed in the product I love the artist but was not impressed with the DVD It needed to be stated that it was not in English

The BBC session songs do not sound that much different than those on the studio albums. There are a few previously unreleased tracks, however none of these really stuck out to me. The real find here is the bonus live CD. The band just sounds like they seem to have a blast playing in front of an audience. It gives you a completely different appreciation for the band, and in particular Stuart Murdoch. He is a very uplifting performer. Very different from the feel of the studio recordings and the BBC recordings included on the first CD in this set.

In the very depth of our hearts we all have certain things that, either obscure or shiny, stand there waiting for the time to show up. I guess thats the "essence" of this 14 tracks: pieces of something quite intimate that writting down a critic seems to be almost profanic.
The 14 tracks that constitute the first part of THE BBC SESSIONS are not only rareties but pieces of museum. Some may like them, some may not. One thing is certain: no non-bowlies are allowed here. If you are a real, true fan of Belle and Sebastian you're gonna tremble at every track; you're gonna miss some words in this "primitive" version of "The Wrong Girl" called "Wrong Love" or Monica Queen's voice in "Lazy [Line Painter] Jane". But still, the trembling will not stop until you listen to those never before released tracks. I loved two of them: "Nothing In The Silence" and "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique". They just make you wonder why did Stuart Murdoch and the rest of the collective did not put them in some of their albums.
Now, about the "Live in Belfast 2001" album, the second part of THE BBC SESSIONS, there's no much to say: again, if you are a real Belle and Sebastian fan you've already seen the FANS ONLY DVD, and thus you've seen how they get so excited performing in front of an audience that some times they can make some terrible mistakes. But, again, if you are a bowlie you can understand that too.
The fact of Isobel being in the front cover gives you an idea of how much nostalgia and saudade goes within THE BBC SESSIONS.

Both discs are a real pleasure to hear. The bonus for me were the 3 covers on the green CD (the Belfast, Ireland concert). This was a A+ purchase!

If you love B&S, why wouldn't you want this? A clutch of cool "unplugged" BBC session tracks, including some unreleased songs, plus the great bonus LIVE CD featuring some inspired remakes of WAITING FOR THE MAN and THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN and HERE COMES THE SUN, among others - if you're going to get this, spring for the deluxe version with the extra CD - it's worth it for the fans!

Call me a chump, but with the exception of Storytelling, I put everything that B&S has put out (all the E.P. releases too) on the highest ebb of all musical performances, with an emphasis on their earlier work from the 90's. I think a real turning point for this band's sound happened with the release of Dear Catastrophe Waitress. Isobel Campbell, the female accompanying vocalist and part time writer for the band has her last appearance in a few songs on that album. She leaves later, forever changing the sound of the band. Following, comes the CD The Life Pursuit and it's accompanying E.P.s, which have a much more upbeat, pop-rock feel to them; Good in it's own right, but very different. Only seldom do you hear a song that could be preformed in a cafe on any of that stuff.

I have been a fan since the beginning. My heart is with the earlier stuff that this band has produced. One of the things about B&S that I hope will never change is their ability to catch you listening closely to a song you may have heard 100 times before, but never quite understood until the circumstances of your life situate you correctly. I love listening to the older albums because, often times, I still find new meaning in them.

This album was particularly important to me because It offers some of their older music in a new and different way, and this CD marks the release of several songs from their Jeepster record label days. I don't know how many more little songs from the early days remain unreleased - this may mark one of the last times that you will be able to hear new songs from the band in its original form. Take it in.

We always play this cd during the evening routine, just right before the baby's falling asleep and he really likes it. The light tunes are really efficient for this purpose. It is a mixture of songs from the big classics like Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach, Debussy. Worth the money!

We began playing this CD for my daughter as we fed her a bottle in her nursery before naptime and bedtime. I believe it was beneficial to both mom/dad and baby. It was very soothing. Now, two years later, we still play the CD every night before bed and often will play it in the car on long trips to recreate a naptime scenario in the car. Today I am buying a second CD as I am due with another baby in just a few weeks. I expect that the CD will be loved equally by this new baby as it is by my two-year-old.

It has different composers in this CD. I enjoy it a lot since I love classical music; however, it has repeats if you already have Baby Bach & Baby Mozart 1 & 2 CDs.

My three girls grew up watching the video's it is great to see the legacy live on! You are making a difference. Thank you and keep it up! [...]

Perfect music to relax little boys and quiet them after their hectic day.
Solves sleep problems.
Good for oldies as well.
Denise

There's not much more I can add to the glowing reviews of this CD except to say that I'm surprised that "A un nino llorando" doesn't get a mention! It became my favorite on the album, even though the rest are excellent also.
"A Christmas Carol" is quite serene and nice, as well as "A Virgin Unspotted". Perfect! These guys are the musical male answer to Anonymous 4.

Someone who likes my music reviews has requested a Christmas album. Well, here it is. Imagine a silent darkness with reflections of colored lights twinkling on the snow banks. Suddenly a group of carolers can be heard making their merry way toward your own front porch, where you await them with a punchbowl of wassail. That group is Chanticleer, and this is the best musical evocation of the spirit of caroling you'll ever hear.
Chanticleer has produced lots of CDs by now, of Christmas music, Renaissance polyphony, and modern music. The quality of their performances ranges from excellent to mediocre. If you've purchased one of the latter, don't let that deter you from trying them again. I had the pleasure of hearing their performance of Brumel's "Earthquake" mass for 12 voices, and it was superb. I'm hoping a CD of it will appear some day. Anyway, this is the most traditional and the most celebratory of their Christmas albums, and the one I recommend above all other choral holiday disks.

If you are looking for traditional madrigal sounding holiday music, this CD is for you. I have purchased this CD several times because I just keep giving them away. Everyone I've ever introduced it to has loved it. This finely polished group has a pure sound matched by no other. If you weren't looking at the CD notes you would never know this is only a group of 12 men.

A CD evocative of Christmas past and present. Beautiful harmonies both wistful and ringing with joy. Buy it for next Christmas!

'SING WE CHRISTMAS' IN EVERY GENRE KNOWN TO MAN - INCREDIBLY REFRESHING!!

Chanticleer, the U.S. equivalent of the British King's Singers, is a full-time classical vocal ensemble named for the rooster in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'. It was founded in 1978 by Louis Botto, a tenor, and for a while was its artistic director. They have achieved critical acclaim all over the world and their repertoire is very extensive and varied.

Just commenting on a few of the selections on this disc:
'Es ist ein Ros entsprungen' is a hymn that originated in western Germany around 1500, and is best known in the harmonization by Michael Praetorious published around 1609. The poem used biblical imagery that pictures the newborn Christ growing forth from the "stem of Jesse'(the father of King David), as foretold in Isiah 11. The metaphorical writings of the Middle Ages depict the patriarchal figure of Jesse as a rose bush.

'O Magnum mysterium',Victoria's most famous motet, uses a subline text from the Christmas Vespers. This is incredibly beautiful with its interweaving polyphony which leads to a hushed choral declamation at the words "O beata Virgo"(O Blessed Virgin) ending with a Alleulia Section.

'Here is the Little Door' is from a set of three "carol anthems", dating from 1918-1920. Herbert Howells was revered as one of the 20th century's most distinguished Choral composers, and I recently discovered him thru the album " by the Corydon Singers conducted by Matthew Best. It includes Howells Requiem in addition to the Vaughan Williams Mass in G Minor. It is the most heavenly somewhat exotic choral music I think I have heard in many years of listening; I highly recommend it.

'Glory to the newborn King'. Joseph Jennings, Georgia native and present musical director of Chanticleer, has often drawn upon his roots to create special gospel and spiritual arrangements of familiar songs. 'Glory to the newborn King' features four traditional songs combined to showcase Chanticleer's unique choral virtuosity!

This is an excellent group of carols,and it is always refreshing to hear 'new' melodies, arrangements; a joy for the ear!!!!

Bought this product for my grandchild to introduce him to classical music. It was perfect. Thanks

Overall an excellent collection of classical favorites and for $3.99 its a steal, but strangely there is not a single Beethoven composition in the CD.

This turned out to be the right pace and type of classical music that I was looking for. (I like and appreciate classical music but can't stand, nor understand, a lonesome violin screeching away for 55 minutes).
I think this set is a great gift and/or as an introduction to classical music especially to younger audiences.
As for the sound quality - it sounds like...well..a regular "Digital Audio" CD. Nothing to write home about. Its not the audiophool quality recording you might be looking for. Some tracks are recorded better than others. But if you think MP3 sounds freakin' awesome, don't worry about what I said about sound quality.

The CD was well represented by the clips on the Amazon website and came in time for our event. We did have a problem with the charge but that was taken care of promptly. Great service.

It is an excellent collection of classical music. I would recommend this CD if you have a friend who don't like classical music, since it has the most beautiful overtures and portions of famous artists. If you are a Classic Music Savvy you probably will not be impressed by it, unless you want to play the CD as background music in a friends gathering.

This CD, is fabulous. I have seen The Philadelphia Orchestra perform, and the CD is as good as they are in person!

This music represents what Christmas joy is all about,the thrill of old favorites presented in top quality form. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I have always preferred classical Christmas music as opposed to something like Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You" and the 10,000 versions of "Silver Bells" so this album really fit the bill. Great pick if you prefer classical music to pop Xmas songs.

Since I am a musician and director of music also, I really get into the listening of music. Christmas music is my favorite next to religious choral pieces we do in my church. This particular CD ranks quite high on my list because of the fullness of the music and the selection of pieces. The use of dynamics is quite effective as well. It really puts me into the spirit of Christmas and in particular, the reason for Christmas, the birth of Christ. Enjoy!!

This wonderful CD has everything to celebrate the great joy of the Christmas season. Recorded in the early 1970's it still sounds as fresh and timeless as it did way back then.
The orchestrations are majestic and imaginative without being mushy or too symphonic in structure.The addition of the chorus in most of the carols is an added bonus. The singers and orchestra blend wonderfully without either dominating the other too much. The programme of selected songs is excellent and with some lovely orchestra only tracks the CD is not tiring to listen to creating a well balanced programme.
Maestro Eugene Ormandy conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra with great zeal and a passion for the music that is felt by the listener.The chorus master is the very talented Robert Page and the carols are arranged and orchestrated by the great Arthur Harris.
The sound quality is excellent and the CD has been beautifully remastered without any loss of crispness or dynamics.The stereo balance and instrument placement sound superb with the singers centre stage.
This is a remarkably good CD from the RCA Gold Seal range and is a must for lovers of really good seasonal music played with love and passion for the joys of the Christmas season.
Thank you for taking the trouble to read my review and I wish one and all much enjoyment from this lovely CD.

Happy listening!

I just love him... I love his music..
Just a fact that CD case was all broken, it's all good as long as I can hear his music.

My nephew mentioned his desire to hear some classical music (Yo-Yo Ma, especially) on the boring trips back & forth from college. He really seemed to enjoy receiving the CD for Christmas!

The ratings on this 2 CD set are inflated. The first CD is enjoyable, but no more than an assembly of tracks from other Yo-Yo Ma albums. The second disc is uninteresting. I think there are much more enjoyable Yo-Yo Ma albums to invest in than this one.

This is one of the best CD's for Cello that I have heard.
Yo-Yo Ma is such an artist.

Love It!

Great for studying, however if listening in your car the sound can be a bit repetitive.

This CD compilation lives up to its titled billing: it IS the most relaxing classical music in the universe! A caveat, however: consider the source of this opinion. My classical music background derives from a single music appreciation class at LSU-Baton Rouge in 1972--in which I made a B. (A bunch of LSU band kids were in there, though, and they drove up the grading curve.) However, I've attended a few symphonies in my time, and I do think this is a superb product for the generally uninformed but appreciative listener such as myself.

Who needs Zoloft when you've got Leos Janacek? (...though I suspect, of all the composers snipped and included in this prescription CD, Janacek would be the most astonished to find his music classified as relaxing...)

So I ran into this guy, see, while I was cross-country skiing in Minnesota, by the way, and he came out and asked me what I did for a living and I told him I was a musician, and he says 'what kind' and I says 'mostly Baroque but a little modern' and he looks puzzled and says 'is that something like classical' and so then we get into this long discussion of why 'classical music has never been popular' as we go wheezing over the frozen turf, me singing silently "Good King Sauerkraut looked out / on his feets uneven / when the snoo lay around about..."
"Snoo? What's snoo?"
"I don't know. What's new with you?"

As you may have guessed by now, the idea of using music as an analgesic gives me the willies. Through most of history, except for a very small number of pampered rich folk, the chance to hear music at all was a rare and exciting treat. The invention of the phonograph - my teenage son smirks and snorts when I use the word phonograph - has cheapened music ... for better and for worse. These days, for a few dollars, you can hear most of the greatest music of all eras and all cultures in the comfort of your home. That's the better. But you can also treat it as wall-paper or else as a 'relaxing' foot bath.

The sound you hear is not distortion on the CD; it's me, tearing my hair.

Title...The Most Relaxing Music in the Universe (not Feminine Mystique(?). Music is beautiful, very relaxing yet energizing.

A lovely mostly Baroque montage with recognizable favorites including classical pieces from Mozart and Beethoven.

This CD is wonderful! After a long stressful day at work, my husband and I like to put this CD on and cook supper together and relax. Great relaxing music and we just love it.