Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Classical: Instrumental Editor, Jason Verlinde FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: Michael Tilson Thomas * New and Notable: Zelenka, Arcadi Volodos, Yo-Yo Ma, Ives, and Schiff/Serkin * Amazon.com Presents the Best of the Century * Digital Download: Goetterdaemmerung * New: Orchestra & Opera Schedules * Get Started in: Arvo Part WORD FOR WORD: MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS ************************************ "I'm heading toward performances which are much more colorful, personal, in which every member of the orchestra is treated as a lieder singer who is given lots of opportunities to shape and really interpret this music. It's all about the inflection and confessional aspect of the music, and, of course revealing its sources of the music." --Michael Tilson Thomas on his interpretation of Mahler (particularly his new recording of the Seventh Symphony) Read more of our interview with Michael Tilson Thomas: Classical You can find Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra performing Mahler's Seventh Symphony at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K2EP/entertainmentsit NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Zelenka: Trio Sonatas" Heinz Holliger, Maurice Bourgue, oboes; Thomas Zehetmair: violin; Klaus Thunemann, bassoon; Klaus Stoll, double bass; Jonathan Rubin, lute http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K2KR/entertainmentsit Zelenka's impossibly difficult, oh-so-complex, and utterly gorgeous Sonatas for Trio have been recorded here by the musician who made them popular the first time around (in the early '70s)--Heinz Holliger. You can't ask for better performances of these inventive and fun works. For baroque fans, this is as good as it gets. "Live at Carnegie Hall" Arcadi Volodos, piano http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000IPZ9/entertainmentsit In his Carnegie Hall debut concert from last fall, Russian pianist Arcadi Volodos brings a Horowitz-like athleticism and giddy power to showpieces from Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Schumann, and Scriabin. It's easy to get excited about a performer with this much promise. Filled with power and a stunning variety of tonal color, he's one to watch. Just listen to that frenzied audience.... "Solo" Yo-Yo Ma, cello http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K4II/entertainmentsit Yo-Yo Ma's latest endeavor finds the cellist serving as a musical travel guide, with music from Asia, Europe, and America. Mark O'Connor's "Appalachia Waltz" is the down- home opener, Bright Sheng's "Seven Tunes Heard in China" is gorgeous but varied, and David Wilde's "The Cellist of Sarajevo" is a somber elegy. It's a diverse, easy-to- recommend album from the cello superstar. "Ives Plays Ives" Charles Ives, piano and vocals http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K2FD/entertainmentsit In his lifetime, composer Charles Ives entered the recording studio only four times, usually just to tinker with his works in progress. But the resulting recordings--42 takes of 17 different pieces--are revelatory. On this disc from CRI (featuring all of his known recordings), we finally get to hear the composer pound away at the piano, struggle with recording techniques, and even sing along (horribly, it should be noted) to his anthem "We Are There!" A must-have and an unforgettable item for fans. "Music for Two Pianos: Mozart, Reger, Busoni" Andras Schiff, Peter Serkin, pianos http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K2KP/entertainmentsit Piano lovers will rejoice at this double CD from ECM featuring piano superstars Andras Schiff and Peter Serkin. Mozart's sublimely compressed Fugue in C Minor wonderfully sets the mood for the elaborate contrapuntal proceedings to follow, courtesy of works from Max Reger and Ferrucio Busoni. AMAZON.COM PRESENTS THE BEST OF THE CENTURY ******************************************* As the century comes to a close, Amazon.com takes a look 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. But don't just take our word for it; cast your 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 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: GOTTERDAMMERUNG ********************************* 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. Music You can find the newly issued "Gotterdammerung" from 1951 at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001NTLL/entertainmentsit NEW: ORCHESTRA & OPERA SCHEDULES ******************************** Amazon.com's staff of music editors has recommended recordings for all the major symphony and opera performances in the U.S. during the first half of the 1999-2000 season (don't worry, we'll add the second half in a few months). See what's playing in your town and what CDs you should hear before you attend. Classical GET STARTED IN: ARVO PART **************************** The austere but beautiful simplicity of Arvo Part's music touches a deeply resonant chord in listeners. With the breakthrough compositions included on "Tabula Rasa," Part mapped out a unique brand of minimalism known for its spiritual depth. Check out our Get Started in Classical feature, which includes an audio tour and essay, and let Amazon's classical experts introduce you to Part's mystical minimalism. Classical ****** 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 Classical Music section at Classical
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