The Most Relaxing Classical Albums In The World... Ever!

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Annotation

this is a boxset released in 1999 which included 2 previous releases of the same name (from 1997 & 1998)

Annotation last modified on 2025-09-12 07:34 UTC.

Tracklist

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#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme, BWV 140: Zion Hört Die Wächter Singen
choir vocals:
South German Madrigal Choir (from 1967-07-15 until 1967-07-20)
orchestra:
Consortium Musicum (from 1967-07-15 until 1967-07-20)
conductor:
Wolfgang Gönnenwein (conductor) (from 1967-07-15 until 1967-07-20)
edit of:
Cantata No. 140, "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme", BWV 140 (BC A166): "Zion hört die Wächter" by South German Madrigal Choir, Theo Altmeyer (German tenor), Consortium Musicum, Wolfgang Gönnenwein (conductor)
recording of:
Kantate, BWV 140 “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme”: IV. Choral (Tenor) “Zion hört die Wächter singen” (from 1967-07-15 until 1967-07-20)
premiered in:
Leipzig, Sachsen (Saxony), Germany (on 1731-11-25)
composer:
Johann Sebastian Bach (German Baroque period composer & musician) (in 1731)
is based on:
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
part of:
Kantate, BWV 140 “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme”
Johann Sebastian Bach3:30
2Adagio for Organ and Strings in G minor
orchestra:
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
conductor:
Sir Neville Marriner (conductor)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1974)
partial recording of:
Adagio for Strings and Organ in G minor
composer:
Remo Giazotto
previously attributed to:
Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (Italian Baroque composer)
publisher:
Ricordi London (Casa Ricordi sublabel for Classical music) and Zomba Music Publishers Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Zomba Music Publishing)
Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni5:53
3Quintet for 2 Violins, Viola and 2 Cellos in E major, op. 11 no. 5/G 27
engineer:
Stuart Eltham (engineer)
producer:
John Fraser (UK producer)
orchestra:
Academy of St Martin in the Fields (in 1986)
conductor:
Sir Neville Marriner (conductor) (in 1986)
recording of:
Quintet in E major, G. 275, op. 11 no. 5: III. Minuetto (orch. Woodhouse) (in 1986)
orchestrator:
Charles Woodhouse (violinist, arranger, composer)
composer:
Luigi Boccherini (Italian composer) (in 1771)
orchestration of:
Quintet in E major, G. 275, op. 11 no. 5: III. Minuetto (con un poco di moto)
recording of:
Quintet in E major, G. 275, op. 11 no. 5: III. Minuetto (con un poco di moto) (catch-all for arrangements)
composer:
Luigi Boccherini (Italian composer)
arrangement of:
Quintet in E major, G. 275, op. 11 no. 5: III. Minuetto (con un poco di moto)
Luigi Boccherini3:58
4Concerto for Harpsichord in F minor, BWV 1056: II. Largo
producer:
John Fraser (UK producer)
piano:
Andrei Gavrilov (pianist) (in 1986-04)
orchestra:
Academy of St Martin in the Fields (in 1986-04)
conductor:
Sir Neville Marriner (conductor) (in 1986-04)
balance engineer:
Mark Vigars (engineer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1987)
recorded at:
Abbey Road Studios: Studio 1 in St John's Wood, Westminster, London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1986-04)
recording of:
Concerto no. 5 for Keyboard and Orchestra in F minor, BWV 1056: II. Largo (in 1986-04)
composer:
Johann Sebastian Bach (German Baroque period composer & musician)
part of:
Concerto no. 5 for Keyboard and Orchestra in F minor, BWV 1056
Johann Sebastian Bach3:29
5Thaïs: Meditation
producer:
Gerd Berg (producer) and Dietmar Wolf (Classical Music Producer)
solo violin:
Hans Kalafusz (violinist) (from 1987-03-09 until 1987-03-12)
violin:
Hans Kalafusz (violinist)
orchestra:
Radio‐Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart (Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra) (from 1987-03-09 until 1987-03-12)
conductor:
Sir Neville Marriner (conductor) (from 1987-03-09 until 1987-03-12)
balance engineer:
Franck Richter (engineer)
recorded at:
Studio Villa Berg in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (from 1987-03-09 until 1987-03-12)
recording of:
Thaïs: Acte II. Entr’acte “Méditation” (original; for solo violin and orchestra) (from 1987-03-09 until 1987-03-12)
composer:
Jules Massenet (French Romantic composer) (in 1894)
part of:
Classic 100: Music of France (2012) (number: 14)
part of:
Thaïs: Acte II
Jules Massenet5:07
6Sonata for Piano no. 14 in C‐sharp minor, op. 27 no. 2 “Moonlight”: I. Adagio sostenuto
piano:
Dame Moura Lympany (British pianist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1991)
partial recording of:
Sonata for Piano no. 14 in C‐sharp minor, op. 27 no. 2 “Moonlight”: I. Adagio sostenuto
composer:
Ludwig van Beethoven (German composer) (in 1801)
included in:
end of starchild (video game soundtrack)
part of:
Sonata for Piano no. 14 in C‐sharp minor, op. 27 no. 2 “Moonlight”
recording of:
Sonata for Piano no. 14 in C‐sharp minor, op. 27 no. 2 “Moonlight”: I. Adagio sostenuto
composer:
Ludwig van Beethoven (German composer) (in 1801)
included in:
end of starchild (video game soundtrack)
part of:
Sonata for Piano no. 14 in C‐sharp minor, op. 27 no. 2 “Moonlight”
Ludwig van Beethoven4:00
7Les Contes d’Hoffmann: Barcarolle
choir vocals:
René Duclos Chorus (from 1964-09-01 until 1965-05-27)
contralto vocals [une voix] and mezzo-soprano vocals [Nicklausse]:
Jeannine Collard (mezzo-soprano / contralto) (from 1964-09-01 until 1965-05-27)
soprano vocals [Giulietta]:
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (German-born Austrian/British soprano) (from 1964-09-01 until 1965-05-27)
orchestra:
Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire (from 1964-09-01 until 1965-05-27)
conductor:
André Cluytens (Belgian-born French conductor) (from 1964-09-01 until 1965-05-27)
chorus master:
Jean Laforge (choral conductor) (from 1964-09-01 until 1965-05-27)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1965)
recorded at:
Salle Wagram in Paris, Île-de-France, France (from 1965-05-26 until 1965-05-27)
recording of:
Les Contes d’Hoffmann : Acte IV. No. 17 Barcarolle « Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour » (Nicklausse, Giulietta, les invités) (from 1964-09-01 until 1965-05-27)
composer:
Jacques Offenbach (German-French composer, cellist and impresario)
part of:
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Acte IV (Giulietta) (Offenbach order; critical Oeser edition)
recording of:
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Acte III. Entracte (Orchestre) - "Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour" (Barcarolle) (une voix, Giulietta, Chœur) (from 1964-09-01 until 1965-05-27)
composer:
Jacques Offenbach (German-French composer, cellist and impresario)
part of:
Les Contes d’Hoffmann: Acte III (Giulietta) (alternate order)
Jacques Offenbach3:53
8Prayer From “Coppelia”
orchestra:
Paris Opera Orchestra
conductor:
Jean-Baptiste Mari (conductor)
recording of:
Coppélia : Tableau III, No. 20c. La Prière
composer:
Léo Delibes (French composer) (in 1870)
part of:
Coppélia : Tableau III
Léo Delibes3:45
9Concerto for Clarinet in A major, K. 622: II. Adagio
clarinet:
Jack Brymer (clarinettist)
orchestra:
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
conductor:
Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1960)
partial recording of:
Concerto for Clarinet in A major, K. 622: II. Adagio (Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in A major, K. 622: II. Adagio)
composer:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (classical composer) (from 1791-09-28 until 1791-10-07)
part of:
Concerto for Clarinet in A major, K. 622
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart4:42
10Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
orchestra:
Philharmonia Orchestra (London orchestra, known as New Philharmonia Orchestra from 1964–1976) (in 1979)
conductor:
Riccardo Muti (conductor) (in 1979)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1980)
recording of:
Cavalleria rusticana: Intermezzo (in 1979)
composer:
Pietro Mascagni (composer & conductor) (in 1888)
publisher:
Ascherberg Hopwood & Crew
part of:
Cavalleria rusticana
part of:
Cavalleria rusticana (German lyrics)
Pietro Mascagni3:44
11Serenade for Strings in E major, op. 22: I. Moderato
orchestra:
London Chamber Orchestra
conductor:
Christopher Warren‐Green (violinist and conductor)
recording of:
Serenade for Strings in E major, op. 22, B. 52: I. Moderato
composer:
Antonín Dvořák (composer) (from 1875-05-03 until 1875-05-14)
revised by:
Antonín Dvořák (composer) (in 1878)
part of:
Smyčcová serenáda E dur, op. 22, B. 52 (Serenade for Strings in E major, op. 22, B. 52)
Antonín Dvořák4:44
12Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
producer:
Christopher Bishop (conductor/producer)
soprano vocals [Lauretta]:
Montserrat Caballé (soprano) (from 1970-03-31 until 1970-04-10)
orchestra:
London Symphony Orchestra (from 1970-03-31 until 1970-04-10)
conductor:
Charles Mackerras (Australian conductor) (from 1970-03-31 until 1970-04-10)
balance engineer:
Neville Boyling (engineer) (from 1970-03-31 until 1970-04-10)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1970)
recorded at:
Kingsway Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (from 1970-03-31 until 1970-04-10)
recording of:
Gianni Schicchi: “O mio babbino caro” (Lauretta) (from 1970-03-31 until 1970-04-10)
composer:
Giacomo Puccini (Italian composer)
librettist:
Giovacchino Forzano
publisher:
Casa Ricordi BMG S.p.A. and G. Ricordi & Co. (London) Ltd. (UK division)
part of:
Gianni Schicchi
Giacomo Puccini2:45
13Fantasia on “Greensleeves”
producer:
Victor Olof
orchestra:
Sinfonia of London (original Gordon Walker formed orchestra) and Sinfonia of London (John Wilson’s session orchestra) (from 1962-05-10 until 1962-05-11)
conductor:
Sir John Barbirolli (conductor and cellist) (from 1962-05-10 until 1962-05-11)
arranger:
Ralph Greaves (in 1934)
balance engineer:
Harold Davidson (classical sound engineer, active from late 1950's)
recorded at:
Kingsway Hall in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (from 1962-05-10 until 1962-05-11)
recording of:
Fantasia on “Greensleeves” (from 1962-05-10 until 1962-05-11)
composer:
Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer) (from 1924 until 1928)
arranger:
Ralph Greaves (in 1934)
publisher:
Oxford University Press (in 1936)
is based on:
Greensleeves (generic entry for traditional and unknown arrangements)
is based on:
Lovely Joan (traditional English folk song)
is based on:
Sir John in Love
Ralph Vaughan Williams4:42
14Concerto for Piano no. 2 in C minor, op. 18: II. Adagio sostenuto
piano:
Cécile Ousset (French pianist)
orchestra:
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Simon Rattle (conductor)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1984)
partial recording of:
Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor, op. 18: II. Adagio sostenuto
premiered in:
Moscow, Russia (on 1900-12-15)
composer:
Sergei Rachmaninoff (Russian composer) (from 1900 until 1901-04)
part of:
Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor, op. 18
Sergei Rachmaninoff4:35
15Quartet for Strings no. 2 in D major: III. Andante “Nocturne”
orchestra:
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
conductor:
Sir Neville Marriner (conductor)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1984)
recording of:
String Quartet no. 2 in D major: III. Notturno (catch-all for arrangements)
composer:
Александр Порфирьевич Бородин (Alexander Borodin, Russian composer)
arrangement of:
String Quartet no. 2 in D major: III. Notturno. Andante
Alexander Borodin4:01
16Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar: II. Adagio
classical guitar and guitar:
Julian Bream
orchestra:
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Simon Rattle (conductor)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1993)
partial recording of:
Concierto de Aranjuez: II. Adagio
composer:
Joaquín Rodrigo (Spanish composer and virtuoso pianist) (in 1939)
part of:
Concierto de Aranjuez
Joaquín Rodrigo54:49
17Adagio for Strings, op. 11
orchestra:
The Philadelphia Orchestra (in 1957, in 1985)
conductor:
Eugene Ormandy (conductor) (in 1957, in 1985)
recording of:
Adagio for Strings (in 1957)
orchestrator:
Samuel Barber (American composer) (in 1938)
composer:
Samuel Barber (American composer) (in 1936)
premiered by:
NBC Symphony Orchestra (on 1938-11-05) and Arturo Toscanini (conductor) (on 1938-11-05)
premiered at:
[radio broadcast] (1938-11-05)
publisher:
Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.) and G. Schirmer Inc.
arrangement of:
String Quartet, op. 11: II. Molto adagio
partial recording of:
Adagio for Strings
orchestrator:
Samuel Barber (American composer) (in 1938)
composer:
Samuel Barber (American composer) (in 1936)
premiered by:
NBC Symphony Orchestra (on 1938-11-05) and Arturo Toscanini (conductor) (on 1938-11-05)
premiered at:
[radio broadcast] (1938-11-05)
publisher:
Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.) and G. Schirmer Inc.
arrangement of:
String Quartet, op. 11: II. Molto adagio
Samuel Barber36:25
18Carmen: Act 3 Prelude “Intermezzo”
orchestra:
Orchestre national de France (National Orchestra of France, RTF / ORTF / Radio France)
conductor:
Seiji Ozawa (conductor and composer)
recording of:
Carmen : Acte III. Entr’acte (intermission between Acts III & IV)
composer:
Georges Bizet (French composer)
librettist:
Ludovic Halévy (French librettist) and Henri Meilhac
part of:
Carmen : Acte III
part of:
Carmen: Act III (english lyrics)
part of:
Carmen: Akt 3 (German translation, Julius Hopp)
part of:
Carmen: Atto III (italian lyrics)
recording of:
Carmen Suite no. 1: III. Intermezzo. Andantino quasi allegretto (based on Carmen: Entr’acte between Acts II and III)
composer:
Georges Bizet (French composer)
is based on:
Carmen : Acte II. Entr’acte (intermission between Acts II & III)
part of:
Carmen Suite no. 1
Georges Bizet2:32
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