簡介:

專輯介紹:
天籟慢闆耶穌，吾民仰望的喜悅！、吉姆諾培迪、泰伊思瞑想曲、天鵝甯羅德、孔雀舞曲、天使的麵包、懷念的樹蔭、雲雀飛翔、月光羔羊將安然放牧、聖母悼歌、聖體頌、受佑精靈之舞、搖籃曲Ｇ弦上之歌 等
在這一套兩張的ＣＤ專輯中，完整收錄所有古典音樂中最能舒緩情緒的音樂。超過兩個半小時悠揚宛若天籟的錄音，包括馬斯奈、薩提、巴哈、莫劄特、貝多芬、拉赫曼尼諾夫、德布西等人的27首名品。這些動人心弦的名作將舒緩您緊張與焦慮的情緒，重新獲得昂揚充沛的精神與活力。Decca與Philips兩大廠牌音樂名家精湛的演奏，亦將帶給您前所未有的感動。
by Blair Sanderson
As its title implies, Heavenly Adagios is a collection of slow, reflective pieces of an inspirational nature, though it is not limited to sacred works. The two discs offer a sampling of religious music, excerpts from symphonic movements, intermezzos from operas, and orchestral arrangements of piano pieces, all of which are presented with an emphasis on beauty and tranquility. The quality of the performances is high, and Decca's roster of artists is stellar, with many great conductors, soloists, and orchestras turning in good work. While some of the arrangements will not satisfy purists -- the Bach chorales and Handel's Ombra mai fu are too lush -- the playing is polished and consistent with the album's generally romantic tone. Another concern is the variability of recording quality between the tracks, which is noticeable on a superior sound system. As is sometimes the case with such compilations, the dynamic range and variety of ensembles may be problematic for the listener, calling for occasional volume adjustments. There are a few jarring surprises, such as the great crescendos in Walk to the Paradise Garden by Delius and the fortissimo passages in Fauré's Pavane and Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending. However, if played at a moderately low level, this album works fairly well as music for contemplation.
Well, a lot! And since no one else has taken the trouble to review my favorite Adagios collection, I'm just gonna hafta go an' do it myself, won't I?
Starting with the stunningly gorgeous 'Jesu, joy of man's desiring' by Bach, this tape reels you in instantly. I'm not much of a fan of 'slow' and 'peaceful' music; I like the beautiful, sublime type that just makes you tingle all over whenever you hear it. (If only Canon in D was in this tape my cup of joy would overflow) Anyway, don't stop listening because Delibes' 'Flower Duet' comes soon after and it is the very meaning of divine. I listen to the taoe just to hear that one song over and over--but not too much, or it'll loose it's touch. This is a Opera duet (sorry, don't know technical terms, my passion is music, not the science of) sung by two women, for those of you out there like me who know practically nothing!! Gorgeous! Sugoi!! (That's Japanese)
Ahem.
The lovely 'Ombra mai fu' (which, I believe Elizabeth Bennet's sister horribly sings in the BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries) is another memorable piece (hear the previews of these titles, please) and finally, William Vaughan's 'The Lark Ascending' a sixteen minute piece of violin heaven played so expertly you will see larks flying in circles about your head--or is that because your noggen got whacked?
Well, as for the second CD, it wasn't quite as memorable, but it's up against perfection, ok? Brahms' 'lullaby' (yes, THAT lullaby) is really sweet and of course there's 'Claire de Lune', a favorite of the Adagios collection, besides 'Sheep may safely graze' and 'Air on a G string'. (Honestly, does EVERY Adagios collection have that one? It's not even that wonderful.)