18 reviews

Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5

MPN: 62035
UPC: 074646203521
EAN: 0074646203521

Release Date: March 18, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Case shows wear. Disc is scratch-free.

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Tracks:

•	Rejoice Greatly
•	Laudate Dominum
•	O Had I Juba's Lyre
•	Seufzer, Traenen, Kummer, Not
•	Schafe koennen
•	Laudamus Te
•	Mein glaeubiges Herze
•	Pie Jesu
•	Floesst, mein Heiland

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•	Classic Kathleen Battle: A Portrait
•	Kathleen Battle at Carnegie Hall
•	Angels' Glory - Christmas Music for Voice & Guitar

Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

not realy an "amazing grace"... September 3, 2008
low (Switzerland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Of corse, an amazing voice of Kathleen battle... but for this title, I was expecting "more grace", the titles are short and very different, more a "overview" low

5 out of 5 stars

A voice teacher and early music fan April 29, 2008
George Peabody (Carlisle,Pa. USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

'BATTLE'S VOICE IS LIKE A DIAMOND-PURE,CLEAR,RADIANT, AND BEAUTIFUL'.
Critics often comment of Battle's ability to communicate directly with her audience, and that is certainly much in evidence in this recording. We all rejoice with her as we hear her sing 'Rejoice Greatly' and experience her sorrow as she renders the lovely 'Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?'

Versatility is a hallmark of Battle's artistic personality, a trait that is demonstrated by the range of period styles in this new recording of sacred music. Half of the program consists of selections by Bach and Handel, the greats of the Baroque Era. I am personally reminded of that wonderful performance of 'Semele' at Carnegie Hall; there is presently an award-winning recording of this opera that is still available on Amazon; features a star-studded cast that includes Battle-Horne-Chance and Ramey. Over the years she has included in her recitals arias from Bach's oratorios, and has performed on a recording with Wynton Marsalis:Baroque Duet.

The operas of Mozart have been a staple in her career; her roles include: Pamina in 'The Magic Flute' etc. I loved her in that one, as well as her performance with von Karajan in Mozart's 'Coronation mass'.

Echoes of Italian 'bel canto' and 'verismo' enhance this program with selections by Rossini and Mascagni, and further variety is added with songs by Wolf and Faure.

This recording has it all: an incredibly lovely voice, a variety of music by the 'greats' under the capable direction of Robert Sadin.

5 out of 5 stars

My favourite collection of sacred music March 31, 2006
Zenka B.
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

For anyone who loves Kathleen Battle's voice, this is a real treasure, she never sounded better and more radiant.
This is a selection of well known sacred songs but they sound fresh and lovely when sung by Kathleen. She performs two Ave Marias, one very famous, by Bach, and another which is rarely performed, written by Mascagni, and this one is really stunning. Mozart's Laudate Dominum and Pie Jesu from Faure's Requiem are also oustanding. The spiritual "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" is another highlight. There are several movements from Bach cantatas, including the famous Bist du bei mir, and Handel's "O Had I Jubal's Lyre" and "Rejoice greatly", they will remind you of how incredible Battle is when she sings virtuosic Baroque music.
And isn't the cover just beautiful? But get this album for the music, and you will rejoice greatly.

5 out of 5 stars

Battle at her glorious best March 14, 2005
Robert Sherman (Gaithersburg MD)
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

While I agree with an earlier reviewer who recommends her Levine disk, I must disagree with the claim that this "Rejoice Greatly" is inferior to her two other recordings of it. Her conception is identical in all three performances, but to my ear this is by far the best. In her full Messiah with Andrew Davis, the recording has her so recessed there is no feeling of intimacy. In her Handel recital disk, she is better placed and in better voice, but her rhythm is insecure in the sixteenth-notes; she seems to be nervously pushing ahead of the beat. But on "Grace" she gets it just right. For whatever it may be worth, a fellow fan once had the chance to ask Battle herself about this, and as I understand it her response was, "Yeah, I don't know why, but I haven't been able to do Rejoice before or since as well as it went on Grace."

4 out of 5 stars

The music soars July 22, 2004
H. Katz
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Kathleen Battle's voice is exquisite and is suited for most of the pieces on the CD. Her rendition of Mascagni's Ave Maria is perhaps the best track, with the Schafe Konnen from Bach's Cantata No. 208 coming in a close second. Another highlight is the Laudate Dominum, delivered with so much skill and feeling.

Less successful was Rossini's Laudamus Te. Battle has a flexible, clear and delicate voice, but not one that's full-bodied enough to accommodate the style of music found in a piece as grand and strident as the Laudamus Te. There is a sense of strain when she sings it, though it is by no means entirely unsuccessful.