Advantages: Every tune's a winner
Disadvantages: Nothing new

...of them…. This box set from Classic FM is a balanced mix of some of the most enduring music ever written. On each of the 4 CDs you'll find a broad range of pieces, mostly instrumental but with a few choral pieces thrown in for good measure. There is no particular theme to each CD; they are not divided up into various moods, eras, styles or instrumentations. Each CD is simply a collection of great music. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Classic FM is frequently compared with BBC Radio 3, and an oft-cited criticism is that Classic FM only plays short pieces (excerpts, or single movements, rather than whole operas or symphonies). Radio 3 is considered by many (snobs?) to be superior in its talk about music, and more eclectic and daring in its selection of pieces. No doubt this is true, but I sincerely... Read review

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Advantages: Powerful, enmotional introduction to modern classical
Disadvantages: Genre specific - can't have everything

...50 minutes of spell-blinding classical music. Vangelis, perhaps best known for being 'the guy that wrote that tune on Charriots Of Fire' has displayed his great talent and intelligence in composing, arranging, performing AND producing this entire soundtrack (and he did it in a style consistent with the movie!). The film, if you haven't seen it, is about Columbus' journey and discovery to the 'new world'. Throughout the movie the music is a quintessential part of the back-ground, enhancing the directors' (Ridley Scott) shot-choice and the acting skills of the cast (Gerard Depardieu & Sigourney Weaver amongst others). As a musical piece alone however, this soundtrack can and does stand alone. Each piece can be both powerful and emotive, relaxing and exciting but all are thought-provoking. The sheer brilliance of the creation drove... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful music.
Disadvantages: Not listened to enough.

...For those who are unfamiliar with the works of Satie, he is a French composer who composed music for the Piano. His work is wonderful, and is really nice listening, not heavy like traditional classical, but classical in its own right. works that show you the versatility of the piano. I have always loved the music of Eric Satie, but with this album, there is a twist to the story because Steve Hackett has re-arranged the music to suit guitar and flute, and upon listening to it, you could believe that Satie meant this music to be played on those instruments. The original Satie compositions were very cleverly written and are not listened to enough, and in a way Steve Hackett has brought Satie's music to a larger audience which is a good thing. If people were to play Satie, they would instantly recognise the melodies... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to use, good for little update jobs
Disadvantages: very basic, a lot of web page extensions are not recognised

...Netscape composer is a web page design program that comes with the Netscape Communicator group of applications. This is a handy program that is great for people who want to learn how to design web pages. I use this program for my web site when I need do simple html pages. I really like this program and have been using it for about five years. I made my first web page with Netscape composer before I moved on to more advanced programs. I was able to learn all the basics of what this sort of program can do for a web designer. It is a basic program but still has a lot of features that I have outlined in this review. Main Toolbar **************** These are the buttons on the main tool bar and the most used features included. Remember this is a very basic program (the better your html skills, the more you will be able to do... Read review

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Advantages: good family movie
Disadvantages: none

...This is probably one of the most unknown Disney classic. Plot: London, 1897. Dr Dawson, just returned from overseas, finds young mouse child (Olivia Flaversham) crying in the streets. He goes to her aid in going to 221½ Baker Street to meet Basil, who is the famous mouse detective, to ask his help in finding her father. Basil soon begins to realize that her father, a toymaker, has been kidnapped by Basil's sworn enemy, the evil Professor Rattigan. Dawson and Olivia join Basil as he uncovers Rattigan's nefarious scheme to create an automaton that will replace the mouse Queen during her coming diamond jubilee celebrations At the time the movie was quite new and it doesn't quite fit in with the other movies Disney made in that period., perhaps that's the reason why it isn't as well known as other disney classics but "The Great Mouse... Read review

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Advantages: Top performance of range of virtuoso piano works
Disadvantages: A little too much virtuosity to listen to all in one sitting

...") condenses a symphony orchestra into two hands in a totally musical manner, complete with the crashing "surprise" chord from which the symphony was given its nickname. There is a taste here of Sorabji, the mystical composer who wrote music with so many notes that it looks as though it would need at least four hands to play it. Much of Sorabji's music is long and tiring to listen to, but the Hindu Merchant's Song from Sadko recorded here is short and beautiful, wrapping the melody in lush harmonies, which Hamelin plays with great sensitivity. Medtner's Improvisation has some of each: a beautiful melody, together with amazing twisting variations on it. Hamelin is often considered to be the greatest pianist since Godowsky, and Godowsky's Toccata is included here, with its beautiful melodies weaving effortlessly through the complex fabric... Read review

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Advantages: Incredible music for all films
Disadvantages: None

...John Williams the guitarist who has opened up the world of classica guitar to millions of people, Jonathan Williams the horn player. They get everywhere nowdays these John Williams'. However, the person who comes to mind for most people when you say John Williams is the soundtrack composer. He has composed the music for a huge variety of films, from Star Wars to Saving Private Ryan, From Indiana Jones to ET, from Close Encounters to Harry Potter, from Superman to Schindler's List. Born in 1932 in New York, the list of music that John Williams has composed for films is almost endless and virtually everyone recognises something he has written, even if they don't know his name. Before we look more closely at his film music I should mention the little known fact that John Williams actually composes music outside of films. Indeed, he... Read review

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