The Classical Album 2001

The Classical Album 2001 – 2CD

Originally issued in 2000 ahead of the 2001 campaign, The Classical Album 2001 is a lavish 2CD classical compilation bringing together 36 performances from some of the best-known names in classical music, opera and classical crossover. Released on the EMI/Virgin/Universal family of labels as CLCD2, the collection became a major UK classical compilation success, reaching No. 1 on the Official Classical Compilation Albums Chart.

The compilation reflects the changing face of classical music around the turn of the millennium, placing traditional opera and orchestral repertoire alongside classical crossover, film scores, contemporary instrumental music and modern electronic interpretations. The opening track, Russell Watson's "Caruso", sits alongside Nigel Kennedy's Bach Double Violin Concerto, Andrea Bocelli's "E Lucevan Le Stelle" from Tosca and an extract from Tuesday. The combination gives the set broad appeal, moving easily between opera, orchestral music and contemporary crossover.

Disc One includes a particularly strong selection of vocal and cinematic material. Lesley Garrett performs Dvořák's Songs My Mother Taught Me, while Ennio Morricone's "Gabriel's Oboe" from The Mission and Adiemus' "The Eternal Knot" introduce two of the most recognisable film and television-associated pieces in the collection. Further highlights include Kiri Te Kanawa's "Summertime", Jacqueline du Pré's "The Swan", James Galway's "Annie's Song", Bryn Terfel's "We'll Keep A Welcome" and Angela Gheorghiu's "O Mio Babbino Caro".

The disc also demonstrates the growing crossover between classical repertoire and contemporary production. William Orbit's "Adagio For Strings" is an extended electronic interpretation of Samuel Barber's famous work, while "Now We Are Free" from Gladiator brings the atmospheric film music of Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard into the collection. Luciano Pavarotti's "Granada" closes the first disc with one of the compilation's most recognisable tenor performances.

Disc Two moves further into opera, violin, choral music and soundtrack material. Maria Callas' "Habanera" from Carmen, Vanessa-Mae's "Devil's Trill", José Carreras' "Kyrie" from Misa Criolla and Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu's "Libiamo" provide a strong operatic and vocal presence. Meanwhile, Bond's "Victory" represents the contemporary classical crossover movement that was becoming increasingly prominent around the start of the 2000s.

The second disc continues with performances by The King's College Choir of Cambridge, Andreas Scholl, Yehudi Menuhin, The New College Oxford Choir and Plácido Domingo, alongside modern film music from Michael Nyman and John Williams. Williams' "Hymn To The Fallen", from Saving Private Ryan, provides one of the collection's most cinematic moments, while The Three Tenors' "Memory" from Cats brings the album to a suitably crossover-oriented conclusion.

With material ranging from Bach, Dvořák, Puccini, Handel, Barber, Fauré and Verdi to Morricone, John Williams, Michael Nyman and contemporary classical crossover artists, The Classical Album 2001 provides an accessible snapshot of the classical market at the beginning of the 21st century. It is particularly suited to listeners looking for opera favourites, classical crossover, film themes, orchestral classics and famous vocal performances in one substantial collection.

Disc 1

1. Russell Watson – Caruso – 5:37
2. Nigel Kennedy – Double Violin Concerto – 3:15
3. Andrea Bocelli – Tosca – E Lucevan Le Stelle – 2:55
4. London Symphony Orchestra – Tuesday (Extract) – 6:47
5. Lesley Garrett – Songs My Mother Taught Me – 2:20
6. Ennio Morricone – Gabriel's Oboe – From The Mission – 2:12
7. Adiemus IV – The Eternal Knot – From The Celts – 4:02
8. Vladimir Ashkenazy – 'Minute Waltz' – 1:52
9. Kiri Te Kanawa – Porgy And Bess – Summertime – 2:40
10. The Grimethorpe Colliery Band – Danny Boy – From Brassed Off – 3:08
11. Izzy – The Pearl Fishers – Au Fond Du Temple Saint – 3:39
12. Jacqueline Du Pré – The Swan – 2:49
13. Secret Garden – Nocturne – 3:11
14. James Galway – Annie's Song – 3:06
15. Bryn Terfel – We'll Keep A Welcome – 3:09
16. Angela Gheorghiu – Gianni Schicchi – O Mio Babbino Caro – 2:04
17. William Orbit – Adagio For Strings – 9:32
18. Gladiator – Now We Are Free – Music From The Motion Picture – 4:15
19. Luciano Pavarotti – Granada – 3:09

Disc 2

1. Maria Callas – Carmen – Habanera – 4:19
2. Vanessa-Mae – Devil's Trill – 3:41
3. José Carreras – Misa Criolla – Kyrie – 3:49
4. Julian Lloyd Webber – Jackie's Song – 3:39
5. Lesley Garrett – Ave Maria – 5:37
6. Roberto Alagna & Angela Gheorghiu – Libiamo (Brindisi) – 2:53
7. Bond – Victory – 4:41
8. Filippa Giordano – Tosca – Vissi D'Arte – 2:56
9. The King's College Choir Of Cambridge – Requiem – In Paradisum – 3:25
10. Michael Nyman – Molly – From Wonderland – 2:52
11. Andreas Scholl – Serse – Ombra Mai Fu – 3:00
12. Yehudi Menuhin – Violin Concerto No. 1 – Adagio (Opening) – 4:21
13. The New College Oxford Choir – Lugebat David (After 'Pavane') – 5:58
14. Plácido Domingo – Aida – Celeste Aida – 4:20
15. John Williams – Hymn To The Fallen – From Saving Private Ryan – 6:10
16. Emma Kirkby – Laudate Dominum – 4:30
17. The Three Tenors – Cats – Memory – 2:39