Le Rouge

Carl Baugher, Cadence Magazine June 1994
While absolute standards and preconceived expectations are always dangerous, particularly in an artform relying on extemporaneous inspiration, one "truth" I observe is that Kenny Wheeler is always worth hearing. And so he is...

Product Description
The debut disc by Duncan Hopkins and his "skilled and inspired ensemble." Featuring Kenny Wheeler on flugel, guitarist Lorne Lofsky, trombone player John Hasselback, John Sherwood on piano, Kevin Dempsey on drums and the leader on bass. Voted one of the ten best CD's of 1994.

Le Rouge,Duncan Hopkins

Average customer rating:

Music from le Serpent Rouge Various Artists Manufacturer: Cia - Copeland Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Gypsy | Eastern Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tribal Derivations Rachel Brice: Bellydance Arms and Posture Contemporary Bellydance and Yoga Conditioning with Ariellah Sawdust Bellydance Superstars: Introduction to Bellydance ASIN: B000OLHFWG Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

1. Egypto Fantasia - Henry Doktorski
2. Cirkus II - Accordion Tribe
3. Opa Cupa - Brass Menazeri Balkan Brass Band
4. Discovered - Beats Antique
5. Delicate Perceptions - Pentaphobe
6. Khawatem - Upper Egypt Ensemble
7. Bashraf Nawa'ather Yusuf Bey - Sami Al-Shawa, Rose Zahran
8. Outlandish 3 - Tobias Roberson
9. Izvorski Biseri - Boban Markovic Orkestar
10. Burkan Cocek - Kocani Orkestar,
11. Ya Msaharni - Al-Ahram Orchestra
12. Kitten Pig - Pentaphobe

Average customer rating: A winter"s night horrible Lovely indeed Uplifting

Mnemosyne / Garbarek, Hilliard Ensemble Manufacturer: Ecm Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Dufay | Dufay, Guillaume | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Hildegard of Bingen | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tallis | Tallis, Thomas | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tormis | Tormis, Veljo | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music ECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Officium In Praise of Dreams Witchi-Tai-To I Took Up the Runes Officium - Jan Gabarek & The Hilliard Ensemble ASIN: B00000K2AC Release Date: 1999-10-05

Tracks:

1. Quechuna Song - Anonymus
2. O Lord In Thee Is All My Trust
3. Estonian Lullaby
4. Remember Me My Dear - Anonymus
5. Gloria
6. Fayrfax Africanus
7. Agnus Dei
8. Novus novus - Anonymus
9. Se je fayz dueil
10. O ignis spiritus

Tracks:

1. Alleluia nativitatis - Anonymus
2. Delphic Paean
3. Strophe and Counter-Strophe
4. Mascarades - Anonymus
5. Loiterando
6. Estonian Lullaby
7. Russian Psalm - Anonymus
8. Eagle Dance
9. When Jesus Wept
10. Hymn To The Sun

Amazon.com

It's been six years since these same performers got together to create one of the decade's more unusual experiments in musical alchemy. Beginning with the raw materials of early music and modern jazz, the four male voices of the Hilliard Ensemble joined with jazz saxophonist Jan Garbarek to see what would happen when the proper measure of old music and new style were combined, shaped by the performers' considerable experience and collective aesthetic vision. The success of that recording, titled Officium, and subsequent concert performances paved the way for this second effort, continuing the performers' search for artistically meaningful, musically satisfying combinations of written music and improvisatory elements. The odd title of the new recording comes from a mystical poem by Friedrich Hölderlin, quoted in the liner notes and accompanied by pictures from Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal. Officium aficionados will notice that Mnemosyne is even more adventurous in its explorations, which range farther and farther from the printed page. Musical fragments and a general outline are the starting points for several pieces. Improvisation is more frequently and freely employed, but always adheres to an agreed stylistic framework. Alongside a Tallis hymn or a chant by Hildegard, we hear Iroquois and Peruvian song fragments, an ancient Greek tune, and a beautiful lullaby by Veljo Tormis. Garbarek's tasteful improvisations are appropriate additions, inspired commentaries. The Hilliards are even better than on Officium; their awareness and sensitivity brings everything together into a truly unified expression that shows the timelessness of music and reminds us that where rhythm, melody, and musical imagination join, different styles, centuries, and genres are not necessarily obstacles to compatibility. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

A winter"s night.......2005-07-23

Though I am not much of an expert in music as to write a good review, I have enjoyed Jan Garbarek's saxo for many years now, and most recently his previous work with the Hilliard Ensemble, "Officium".
What else can I say?
Just imagine a cold winter's night (and nights are cold these day in the Southern Hemisphere), cudled inside your home, by the fireplace, with the company of a good book, smoking your pipe, sipping some good french brandy and listening this marvelous music.
What else can compare to such an experience?
Tomás Linn

horrible.......2005-01-13

Cheesy saxophone and Gregorian chants do not go together, or if they do, they'll end up sounding like this. The Hilliard Ensemble is wonderful and I love to listen to it, but not with a bunch of tacky and unnecessary smooth jazz lines over top.

Lovely indeed.......2002-02-25

I was fortunate enough to see Garbarek and the Hillard Ensemble perform pieces from this disc in Tokyo; one of the true surprises and delights of the evening (which I haven't found on the CD yet) was Garbarek's decision to quote from Albert Ayler's "Ghosts" on one piece. You might wonder with a classical vocal group who focus on early music and modern avant-garde choral composition have to do with Albert Ayler -- it seems a difficult gap to bridge. Hearing this two disc set will do much to make it clear. There is something genuinely spiritually uplifting in this music; it never approaches the New Agey wallpaper of Garbarek's weakest disc, VISIBLE WORLD, however -- it's not a tritened, mass-consumable spirituality at work here. There is grief, suffering, sorrow, pain, and fear acknowledged and embraced in this music; and yet it is still life affirming and inspiring (and beautiful to dream to). The spiritual aspect of Ayler's music, of free jazz itself, deserved the acknowledgement; Ayler was one of the most spiritually uplifting jazzmen of the movement, which often spoke in the idiom of the spiritual -- it would have been just as well (though far less moving, somehow, and far less musically appropriate) to quote "A Love Supreme"). Don't be worried by the unusual combination of jazz and classical elements; as another reviewer notes, Garbarek's voice blends in perfectly with the rest of the group, sounds a part of the whole. You'll forget that choral music usually doesn't include a soprano sax in a surprisingly short time. (Note - Garbarek brought a tenor to do the Ayler bit; I really don't know if it's on these discs, as I haven't listened to them in completion yet, but he does play tenor sax on them, so we can hope). Highly recommended stuff. The art for the booklet, by the way, is taken from Ingmar Bergman's SEVENTH SEAL, which is very, very appropriate. People who like and admire Meredith Monk's music (particularly BOOK OF DAYS, her finest work, by me) will appreciate this greatly, too. And vice-versa.

Uplifting.......2000-02-21

A fantastic journey through time and space, ranging from ancient Greece to present-day compositions by Garbarek. No less spirited than Officium, but much more varied. Whereas Officium was very much the Hilliards with Garbarek adding (at times rather exhibitionist) comments, here they play together almost as a band - and what a band! With beautiful packaging and stunning production, this is immensely enjoyable and uplifting.

Average customer rating: Very Impressive... A pleasant overall experience

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos, Symphony Pathetique, The Seasons, & Piano Pieces; Mikhail Pletnev/Russian National Orchestra (4 CD's) Mikhail Pletnev , Piotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky , Vladimir Fedoseyev , Philharmonia Orchestra , and Russian National Orchestra Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Russian National Orchestra | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Pletnev Live at Carnegie Hall Tchaikovsky: The Seasons Tchaikovsky: 18 Pieces Mikhail Pletnev ~ Domenico Scarlatti - Keyboard Sonatas Brahms: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Haydn Variations; Tragic Overture; Academic Festival Overture ASIN: B00030FJG2 Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro Non Troppo - Allegro Con Spirito
2. II. Andante Semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo I
3. III. Allegro Con Fuoco
4. I. Quasi Rondo
5. II. Contrastes

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro Brillante
2. II. Andante Non Troppo
3. III. Allegro Con Fuoco
4. Allegro Brillante

Tracks:

1. I. Adagio - Allegro Con Brio
2. II. Allegro Con Grazia
3. III. Allegro Molto Vivace
4. IV. Finale: Adagio Lamentoso
5. Marche Slave Op.31
6. I. Prelude
7. II. Fugue A 4 Voix
8. III. Impromptu
9. IV. Marche Funebre
10. V. Mazurque
11. VI. Scherzo

Tracks:

1. Introduction
2. Danse Des Pages
3. Vision D'Aurore
4. Andante
5. La Fee-Argent
6. Le Chat Botte Et La Chatte Blanche
7. Gavotte
8. Canari Qui Chante
9. Le Chaperon Rouge Et Le Loup
10. Adagio
11. Finale
12. I. Janvier (Au Coin Du Feu)
13. II. Fevrier (Carnaval)
14. III. Mars (Chant De L'alouette)
15. IV. Avril (Perce-Neige)
16. V. Mai (Les Nuits De Mai)
17. VI. Juin (Barcarolle)
18. VII. Juillet (Chant Des Moissonneurs)
19. VIII. Aout (La Moisson)
20. IX. Septembre (La Chasse)
21. X. Octobre (Chant D'automne)
22. XI. Novembre (Course En Troika)
23. XII. Decembre (Noel)

Customer Reviews:

Very Impressive..........2006-10-10

this review concerns the piano concerto recordings. Pletnev and Fedoseyev and the Philharmonia play like a house on fire, and Pletnev delivers a refreshingly classical interpretation of the music..appropriate for music by a composer who loved Mozart.

Pletnev delivers a big performance that is, at the same time, utterly transparent at all times. No matter how treacherously difficult the music gets, he never comes close to losing his sange froide. But the performance is never cold. Pletnev and Fedoseyev capture Tchaikovsky's mercurial quality as well as anyone and better than most.

Most of all though, it just sounds as if Pletnev and Fedoseyev thought long and carefully about these performances..they understand this music from the inside out and nothing escapes them. Phrasing, in particular, has classical clarity and awareness that VERY few musicians every manage to find in these concertos. At the same time, this is deeply thrilling playing, especially in the outer movements. There is always a wonderful sense of occasion, and kudos to the Philharmonia, playing on the edge of their seats without ever breaking a sweat.

Additional kudos to the recording engineers, for making an ideal recording in every respect: ambience, inner-detail, attacks, dynamic range, overall perspective, solo perspective, are all simply perfect.

I have to confess to a soft-spot for Tchaikovsky's second concerto, which is, to me, a significantly better concerto than the first, although the first is much better-known...and Pletnev just plays the be-jeebers out of it, especially in the last movement, music and playing that would move a stone. You'll be on the edge of your seat yourself.

In short, this recording was when it was made, and still is, at the very top of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto recordings.

A pleasant overall experience.......2006-08-06

Mikhail Pletnev is best known as a pianist, and then for founding the Russian National orchestra and being its first conductor. Some of his recordings as a conductor (such has his symphonic cycle of Tchaikovsky, which I have never heard, by the way) have been reviewed as poor, but these are certainly not poor. Granted, Pletnev only conducts two and plays in the rest.

That said, they are, in general, wonderful recordings. The playing in each of them is excellent, and the conducting in the Pathetique, despite Pletnev's reputation for being a better pianist that conductor, is very good. The symphony is excellent, worth the price of the set alone, and is reminiscent at times of the Mravinsky/Leningrad recording that has become something of a legend. In fact, I daresay this is better than the Mravinsky. He gets the tempi about right in it, as well, taking a bit faster tempo than I'm used to in the third movement, which I find I actually prefer. That is not as true for the Serbo-Russian March, which seems a bit fast to me. It's a fine recording, to be sure, and at times the tempo is actually very appropriate, and the playing more than makes up for the times when it isn't.


To be honest, many of the piano works I have little experience with, except the first concerto. However, I can say that the playing in the piano concertos is excellent, and Fedoseyev seems to have less of a problem with tempi than Pletnev. I have become quite a fan of Pletnev's version of the first concerto, and the second, while just as well recorded, I find to be less engaging. It is nonetheless a striking work and deserves a place in anyone's collection, and this is a good start. The Seasons (or 'musical pancakes', as Tchaikovsky put it), I find, are good pieces to listen to when I need some quiet music that doesn't distract me. The playing in them is nearly flawless, and they are pretty good pieces, given that each was written in one sitting ('quick to prepare and serve', Tchaikovsky said). Actually, nearly all of Tchaikovsky's piano music is like this. He wrote them for the money only, and considered them to be amateurish and unremarkable (though he cared little for the 1812 Overture and Fifth Symphony, as well, so don't take that to mean they are bad pieces). As such, they are considered to be nonessential, extraneous pieces. They are good to have in your collection, however, and given the quality of the other pieces, even if you're unimpressed with them, it is well worth the price. Finally, there is the arrangement of the Sleeping beauty. I can say little about the arrangement itself, not being all that familiar with the ballet and how it originally sounded, but I will say what I've said for the rest. It's played nicely. That pretty much sums up the set as a whole. I'm sure there are better, but the Pathetique justifies the price alone.

Average customer rating: Melodies to miraculously cure the moribund!!! FROM OFFENBACH TO LOPEZ

Le Meilleur de l'Opérette Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music ASIN: B000053W6K Release Date: 2002-04-02

Customer Reviews:

Melodies to miraculously cure the moribund!!!.......2005-09-10

This 2000 3-CD set is a new edition of 2-CD set from 1990 titled "Opérette-Passion" from EMI France. By popular request, this adds to the already mirific collection a third CD containing some of the real glories of mid-XXth century French operettas: Maurice Chevalier, Tino Rossi, Fernandel, Alibert, Denise Duval, Luis Mariano, Georges Guétary, Bourvil, Mathé Altéry, Anny Cordy, Gise Mey and Armand Mestral. The selection is not exhaustive - that would be impossible* - but it does give any listener a major incentive to go ferretting for more of the same and the complete score of some of those genuine masterpieces of charm, humour and melody by Fancis Lopez or Maurice Yvain (among many others). For students of the French language and French opera, this collection is priceless as it gives a very good impression of what makes the French singing voice different from any other: something called "le phrasé", which unfortunately cannot be duplicated or improvised by international stars who simply dabble in French (except maybe the multi-talented Petula Clark). The recordings range from a restored antique of the 20's by Chevalier to full stereo scores from the 70's. The result is a package whose value will never be duplicated in discriminating choice, sound quality and sheer listening enjoyment. One very minor reservation : The dates of the recordings are not indicated as they were in the "Opérette-Passion" collection and the names of the lyricists are not given. The liner notes are composed of a 2-page essay which gives a general outlook of the evolution of French operetta (in French) but could have been a little longer, in my humble opinion. Details like this would have made the difference between a wonderful album for connoisseurs and a genuinely educational tool. * The operettas of Vincent Scotto are not represented. WARNING: These recordings are genuine treasures and are never available for long either individually of collectively, so buying this collection is an absolute no-brainer.

FROM OFFENBACH TO LOPEZ.......2002-08-16

Yesterday ,before going to sleep,you told your wife:I have nothing against FRENCH operettas,but what i want to hear is the songs ,not the dialogue that goes with the genre when you listen to complete works.Here in that collection,all the composers who created that particular form of light music are represented.It is so much more entertaining than traditional opera.Among the highlights are songs from OFFENBACH's works like LA BELLE HÉLENE and LA PÉRICHOLE;MESSENGER's VERONIQUE and MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE;the famous LA VEUVE JOYEUSE that was successfull around the world;CHRISTINÉ's PHI PHI created the day after armistice in 1918.One of the pleasant surprize for me was hearing songs from LES MOUSQUETAIRES AU COUVENT and one from LA FILLE DE MADAME ANGOT (JADIS,LES ROIS)and another from CIBOULETTE(NOUS AVONS FAIT UN BEAU VOYAGE).MADY MESPLÉ,one of the best singers of the genre is featured on seven songs,and she is always a joy to hear in any role of the repertoire.FRANCIS LOPEZ, who is remembered as the last important composer is well honoured with eight selections with singers like BOURVIL,GEORGES GUÉTARY and LUIS MARIANO.Don't try to resist THE MERRY WIDOW ,she'll get to you one way or another.

Average customer rating: Ever heard of Dead Can Dance? Evolution First-Rate Arcana, with a warning

Le Serpent Rouge Arcana Manufacturer: Projekt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music | Goth | Industrial General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ishati Summoning Of The Muse: A Tribute To Dead Can Dance Black Tears (An Anthology) The Last Wave Astronomica ASIN: B0009PLMCG Release Date: 2007-07-16

Tracks:

1. In Search of the Divine
2. Le Serpent Rouge
3. Cathar
4. Under the Sun
5. Amber
6. Seductive Flame
7. Serpents Dance
8. The Passage
9. The Nemesis

Album Description

On their sixth full-length release, Sweden's Arcana leaves behind ancient Western ruins and cathedrals for Arabian deserts filled with magic and mysticism. The sound of the Middle East flows through this amazing album; Armenian duduk, dulcimer, Egyptian finger cymbals, timpani and cabasa are just part of the musical arsenal on Le Serpent Rouge, taking Arcana to a higher dimension, exploring new melodies and realms. This is Arcana as you have never heard them before!

With their lush blend of spirituality and earthly emotions, Arcana has always been compared to Dead Can Dance. At Arcana's heart is Peter Bo started over 10 years ago making music that captivated the ambient / neoclassical scene. The traditional sound with strings, bells and timpani, the angelic female tunes, Peter's dark voice and the emotions behind the music have made Arcana one of the leading bands within this genre.

Now Peter boldly ventures into the hot Arabian desert, breathing life from the baking sun and the serpent's dance. Le Serpent Rouge envelops the listener in a powerful rhythmic sensuality; one feels the sands of the desert slowly begin to swirl, twilight falls across the dunes and in the distance perhaps a lonely nomad's fire burns . . . just beyond its reach, one can make out the subtle movements of a great red serpent . . . edging ever closer . . .

Projekt is proud to bring Arcana's music to a wide American audience via the release of Le Serpent Rouge. Arcana's albums on Sweden's Cold Meat Industry have developed a loyal underground following for the band here in America.

Customer Reviews:

Ever heard of Dead Can Dance?.......2007-05-01

I'm a huge fan of Arcana and I own all of their recordings. I was very excited that they'd come out with a new CD. This CD is nothing like any of their previous music. Gone are the kettle drums, church bells, and Gregorian chant-like vocals. This new CD sounds extremely similar to Dead Can Dance. Although I am a Dead Can Dance fan and own all of their recordings as well, I've grown rather bored with their sound and was disappointed to see Arcana emulating a style that's been around for over two decades and is on it's way out, in my humble opinion.

Still, if you've never heard Dead Can Dance before and aren't burned out on the whole middle-eastern, belly dance, street bazaar, ambient thing, then this may be just the CD for you. In typical Arcana style, it is well produced and is filled with great musical imagery.

Evolution.......2006-04-29

Well, this will be a short review; first of all, this is a very good album: excellent artwork, production and atmosphere. However this stuff is very different compared to their previous works. If you're waiting for a Medieval feeling, you're not going to find it here. Think about Dead Can Dance or Rajna, with their 'indian' touch and their ethnic and haunting sounds. Not original at all, but quite interesting.

The best: perfect for an astral journey.
The worst: very homogeneous.

First-Rate Arcana, with a warning.......2005-10-06

This is possibly my favorite Arcana album. Arcana has always been known for creating a melancholy, epic neoclassical sound, and is one of the flagship artists of the excellent Cold Meat Industry label. If you found yourself on this page you probably already know that, but the reason i mention it is that this album is very different from all the others. This feel of this album reminds of the middle east, with waves of heat creating ocean mirages across the vast unending dry desert. The imagery is not unlike that of Peter Gabriel's soundtrack for the movie Passion: The Last Temptation Of Christ.

It begins with In Search Of The Divine, one of Arcana's most ambient pieces, sounding like the cry of some ancient forsaken mummy. Very haunting, and one of my favorites from the album. From there the album picks up with the title track, using traditional middle eastern percussion and instrumentation. This tune sets the pace for the rest of the album, which all use similar instrumentation to transport you into the heart of the desert (or your living room home theater setup, whatever :)). Perhaps the biggest fault in the album is how similar the feel is for most of the tunes. I personally don't mind it so much, as often i'll put this on without really devoting my full attention to it, but I still would have liked to see a bit more variety thoughout the album.

One important thing to note is the vast improvement of production on this album! I don't know if it's just my ears or what, but this album sounds so much richer and fuller than most of their stuff, which is sometimes plagued with a bit of an "artificial" sound... On this album, the sounds are very organic and feel much more "alive" when compared with past albums. This is probably the main reason i consider it my favorite Arcana album. Sure, it's not as melodic, and sure, it's maybe they "lost" the epic neoclassical feel they had, but i am VERY glad they took the turn to explore this middle eastern sound. Not that i'd wish them to continue with it herein, but simply because it proves the mind of Peter Bjargo (didn't it used to be Peter Petersson? Did he change his name? I guess i should know my facts a bit better hehe...) is not one dimensional, and he's willing to explore other areas rather than repeat what's already been achieved. Of course, his martial industrial project Sophia very well proves this anyway, but I hadn't expected an album like this from Arcana. Highly reccomended album for those into dark ambient or neoclassical music, and essential for the Arcana fan.

Average customer rating:

Music of Matisse & Picasso Manufacturer: Naive ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Paris Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music ASIN: B00006IWQS Release Date: 2003-01-14

Average customer rating: Tribal Industrial: Finally Nailed! yes, oh yes White Snake - Red Snake

Le Serpent Blanc - Le Serpent Rouge Manufacturer: Ant-Zen ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Drake Equation 7 Years Of Famine ASIN: B0000BY7OP Release Date: 2003-05-05

Tracks:

1. Epoch
2. Suneater
3. (The) Ninth Key
4. Taliesin
5. The Immutable Sphere
6. Toltec
7. Son of Fire
8. Uraeus
9. Aquarius
10. Pisces
11. Aries
12. Taurus
13. Gemini
14. Cancer
15. Leo
16. Virgo
17. Libra
18. Scorpio
19. Ophiuchus
20. Sagittarius
21. Capricorn
22. Video: Shiftwind [live].

Album Description

le serpent blanc and le serpent rouge are the antithesis of one another - as simple as the serpent's split tongue or left and right, positive and negative, good and evil - whereas the former delves deeper into the cause and effect of saccidic movement, the latter is of an introspective nature.

Customer Reviews:

Tribal Industrial: Finally Nailed!.......2005-10-27

Mika Goedrijk's This Morn' Omina finally nailed the tribal influenced industrial sub-genre with this two disc album, and I honestly have used this album to introduce people to this style of music.

The second disc is easier to describe (and is listed as tracks 9 - 20 above), as it is a concept piece telling the story of each of the thirteen signs of the zodiac. Yes, I said thirteen signs, and Mika is correct to point out that the sun obscures thirteen (not just twelve) different astrological constellations through the zodiac band. In fact, both albums are named after the hidden zodiac sign "ophiuchus", which is the constellation of the snake handler (hence the serpent) who was known to cure and cause death (white and red). In any event, though this second disk has a short run time (around 40 minutes), Mika has done an amazing job bringing the common conceptions of the zodiac signs to life via sound. For example, Leo comes across as proud and straight forward, Libra is measured and cautious, Sagittarius feels as though it is racing in a celestial hunt, etc.

However, the first disc is among one of my favorite CDs. Though there are only eight tracks, this disc is over an hour long. The third track, "(the) ninth key", stands out as the perfect example of what industrial music is about. It starts off with a rather slow and ritualistic feel, then to a more ambitious and recognizable modern beat structure and minimal hypnotic voice-overs. This particular track has become something of a regular amongst many industrial DJs sets. The next track, "Taliesin" features some amazing drum work and illustrates the diversity of sound that le serpent blanc features. I must admit that I grin every time I listen to the fifth track, "the immutable sphere", because of its use of the famous line "Klaatu barada nikto" from the 1950s film "The Day the Earth Stood Still".

Star Trek fans will also recognize Mr. Spock's famous quote, "Infinite diversity in infinite combinations, symbolizing the elements that create truth and beauty", in the track "Suneater". In fact, I'd argue that this one sample actually summarizes the entire album. Le serpent blanc, le serpent rouge is designed to blend a diverse variety of styles of music into a single collection and does so well. Even if you are not a fan of industrial or ambient music, I think you'll enjoy this CD.

yes, oh yes.......2005-04-01

I first learned of this group after buying Six Ways From Sunday by Pow[d]er Pussy. That CD is a fantastic & super-charged Sci-Fi disc of edgy club music, and it's a collaboration between This Morn Omina and Ah Cama-Sotz. Which brings me to THIS 2xCD, which completely shifts gears.

Of the two discs, my favorite would have to be Le Serpent Rouge. It's a very precise and sensual affair, stuffed full of Middle Eastern percussive influence that's presented in a stripped back, atmospheric, electronic, and vaguely industrial sort of way. It's a laid-back sort of disc for laid back sorts of things. It's what a modern art troupe might belly dance to. It's what a modern vampire might have sex to. It's what you might hear if you awoke one morning from that vampire's trance, well-satisfied and covered in the diffuse light of the morning Sun.

On the other hand, Le Serpent Blanc is far more uptempo. Some of its tracks are tribal club music, but they're far too cool to appear in most clubs. Others are a bit crunchier, and don't have the 4/4 beats. All in all it's a good disc and a bit more uptempo than the Rouge disc, but it's overall mood doesn't make it a dance release. This disc offers tantalizing hints of the Pow[d]er Pussy side-project, but it's really a different ball of wax.

And did I mention that the artwork is really cool, and the bonus video on disc 2 is... nothing special but I guess you could look at it as a peek into an apparently good live show.

White Snake - Red Snake.......2004-03-18

Yeah, so the title sounds like a Dr. Seuss book...

This album is the first I heard from This Morn' Omina. A friend thought I would enjoy the snake-ish theme. I want to say that enjoy is an understatement.

The first half, Le Serpent Blanc, hits hard with tribal-sounding street techno, and has managed to perfectly mesh solid beats with etherial music...

The second, Le Serpent Rouge, follows up with a barrage of smaller tracks with a Zodiac theme, as well as a very cool video!

As I said, this album was my first experience with This Morn' Omina. I guarantee it won't be my last.

Average customer rating: I love this CD!!

Le Poisson Rouge Disiz la Peste Manufacturer: Universal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Quelques Gouttes Suffisent Paris Sous les Bombes ASIN: B0000501CD Release Date: 2001-01-15

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Le Challenger
3. Un Scratch, Un Beat, Un Rap
4. J'P Les Plombs
5. C'Est Ca La France
6. Dieu Seul Sait Quand Le Glas Sonne
7. J'Irai Cracher Sur Vos Tombes
8. Ghetto Sitcom
9. Fuck Disiz
10. Klash Pas Quand M
11. Plus Le Temps
12. L'Associu Diable
13. L'Avocat Des Anges
14. Lyrics De Gamin
15. Gnibi
16. La Philosophie Du Hall
17. Le Poisson Rouge
18. Les Rumeurs
19. Le 6Eme Sens
20. Outro (Disiz)

Album Details

French rap band.

Customer Reviews:

I love this CD!!.......2003-04-25

If you don't know this guy, you really have to buy the cd, or you can download some songs on the internet ... but you really have to listen to him! His songs are funny and just like other hiphop songs, about money and girls. The only difference is that he raps in French. Most of you won't understand what he says, but the songs are good to listen, even if you can't understand French.
My favorite song is number 7 :J'irai cracher sur vos tombes.
So, buy this album, or whatever, but you have to listen to him!

Average customer rating:

Le Cercle Rouge Eric Demarsan Manufacturer: Sunny Side ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000501BH Release Date: 2002-07-16

Tracks:

1. Cercle Rouge
2. Quand Les Hommes Ont Rendez-Vous
3. Mattet Santi
4. Avant le Casse [Version 1]
5. Voyage de Corey
6. Vogel S'Enfuit
7. Avant le Casse [Version 2]
8. Sur Les Toits
9. Corey et Jansen
10. Habitants du Placard
11. Cercle Rouge [Version Rapide]
12. De la Prison au Train
13. Barrage Policier
14. Corey et Vogel
15. Cercle Dncarn
16. Avenue Paul-Dourmer
17. Razzia Chez Boucheron
18. Indicateur Scrupuleux
19. Melvillade
20. Final Int [Version 1]
21. Blonde Indicatrice
22. Corey et Matt
23. Corey Revient Chez Lui
24. Parc
25. Final Int [Version 2]

Average customer rating: Pristine musicality! Expert theatrical conducting from Kurtz Tchaikovsky From One of The Great Ballet Conductors Terrific Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, etc. [Highlights] Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005B5NV Release Date: 2001-07-03

Tracks:

1. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Intro (Moderato Assai)
2. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.2: Valse - Intrada (Tempo Di Valse)
3. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.4: Pas De Trois - Intrada
4. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.4: Pas De Trois - Adagio (Andante Sostenuto)
5. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.4: Pas De Trois - Allegro Semplice - Presto
6. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.4: Pas De Trois - Moderato
7. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.4: Pas De Trois - Allegro
8. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.4: Pas De Trois - Coda (Allegro Vivace)
9. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.5: Pas De Deux - Tempo Di Valse
10. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.5: Pas De Deux - Andante - Allegro - Molto Piu Mosso
11. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.5: Pas De Deux - Tempo Di Valse
12. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act One, No.5: Pas De Deux - Coda (Allegro Molto Vivace)
13. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act Two, No.10: Scene (Moderato)
14. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act Two, No.13: Danse Des Cygnes - Tempo Di Valse
15. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act Two, No.13: Danse Des Cygnes - Moderato Assai - Molto Piu Mosso
16. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act Two, No.13: Danse Des Cygnes - Allegro Moderato
17. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act Two, No.13: Danse Des Cygnes - Andante - Andante Non Troppo
18. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Act Three, No.20: Danse Hongroise - Czardas (Moderato Assai - Allegro...)
19. Swan Lake, Op.20 (Hlts): Appendix II: Danse Russe (Cadenza - Andante Semplice - Allegro Vivo)
20. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Intro
21. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Prologue, No.2: Scene Dansante/No.3: Pas De Six
22. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Prologue - Adagio
23. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Prologue - Var IV.
24. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Prologue - Var V.
25. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act One, No.6: Valse/No.8: Pas D'action
26. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act One - Adagio 'A La Rose

Tracks:

1. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Var D'Aurore
2. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.22: Polonaise
3. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.23: Pas De Quatre
4. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three - Var II. (La Fee-d' Argent)
5. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three - Var IV. (La Fee-diamant)
6. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three - Coda
7. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.25: Pas De Quatre - Intrada
8. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.25: Pas De Quatre - Var I.
9. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.25: Pas De Quatre - Var II.
10. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.25: Pas De Quatre - Coda
11. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.26: Pas De Caractere - Chaperon Rouge Et Le Loup
12. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.28: Pas De Deux - Entree
13. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.28: Pas De Deux - Adagio
14. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.28: Pas De Deux - Var II.
15. Sleeping Beauty, Op.66 (Hlts): Act Three, No.28: Pas De Deux - Coda
16. The Nutcracker, Op.71: No.30, Finale & Apotheose
17. The Nutcracker, Op.71: Ov
18. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.2: Marche
19. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.3: Petit Galop Des Enfants Et Entree Des Parents
20. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.8: Scene
21. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.9: Valse Des Flocons De Neige/No.12: Divertissement - Le Chocolat...
22. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.12: Divertissement - Le Chocolat
23. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.12: Divertissement - Le Cafe
24. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.12: Divertissement - Le The
25. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.12: Divertissement - Trepak
26. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.12: Divertissement - Danse Des Mirlitons
27. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.13: Valse Des Fleurs
28. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.14: Pas De Deux (La Fee Dragee Avec Le Prince Orgeat)
29. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.14: Var I. (Trantella)
30. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.14: Var II. (Danse De La Fee Dragee)
31. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.14: Coda
32. The Nutcracker, Op.71 No.15: Valse Finale

Customer Reviews:

Pristine musicality!.......2006-08-10

Despite of the fact I have always wondered around the prestigious performance of Efrem Kurtz as suggestive depicter of atmospheres and dreamy sonorities, the time has not placed him in a better place at the moment to make any account of genuine brilliantness and sheer musical architect. Kurtz was undeniably, a genuine colorist, one of these directors of the lineage of Anatole Fistulari or Isaac Dobrowen for instance, a fine conductor whose radiant imagination fitted as ring to finger in this peerless and gild version. The Philharmonia Orchestra as always featuring a remarkable performance.

This record constitutes by itself a magnificent opportunity to approach him. Don't miss this celebrated performance.

Expert theatrical conducting from Kurtz.......2006-05-22

The Russian-born Efrem Kurtz was a famous conductor in the ballet pit, as the review below makes clear. Like antal Dorati and Robert Irving, two other estimable conductors who had a precise feeling for danceable rhythms, Kurtz puts a spring in every number on this bargain two-fer. But the late-Fifties sound is a bit thin and edgy, and since these are excerpts and not complete ballets, they compete against some great Tchaikovsky conductors in the symphonic vein: Karajan and levine are faovrites of mine in this repertoire (their selection of excerpts is only half as long as Kurtz's, however).

Certainly I would prefer Kurtz over Andre Previn, who also has bargain offerings of these three ballets on EMI but sounds earthbound by comparison. John Lancbery's super-bargain disc of excerpts from Swan Lake is another good alternative--EMI is bursting at the seams with Tchaikovksy ballets once you count in the Sawallisch accounts from Philadelphia, which are at least as good and better played than the Previn.

Tchaikovsky From One of The Great Ballet Conductors.......2005-05-09

Efrem Kurtz (1900-1995), born in St. Petersburg and a student of Glazunov, was one of the great Russian ballet conductors. This excellent 2-disc EMI set contains excerpts from Tchaikovsky's three great Ballets: Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. Recorded 1958-59 in London's late lamented Kingsway Hall, these performances sound better here than they did on my old Seraphim LPs. Frankly, they sound better than most recent digital recordings, too: warm and clear sonics, with realistic balances. These are beautifully-shaped and subtly-phrased readings, and the Philharmonia back then was one of the world's greatest ensembles. The violin solos in Swan Lake are played with great sensitivity by Yehudi Menuhin.

Kurtz made too few recordings. Most of them were with the Philharmonia and included a scorching Shostakovich 10th (on Testament - see my review). Another indispensable example of his mastery was a 2-disc CD set of Russian music in EMI's deleted "Artist Profile" series, which I felt was generally a more successful recording enterprise than the recent IMG "Great Conductors" series.

Besides Kurtz, here are some other conductors who had a great affinity for Tchaikovsky's ballet music:

1. JOHN LANCHBERY, born 1923 in London, was head of Sadler's Wells and was chief conductor at the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden. He recorded my favorite complete versions of all three Tchaikovsky ballets for EMI (1982, with the Philharmonia) . They were later issued on 8 well-transferred CDs by MHS (currently out of print). Many serious ballet connoiseurs (I'm just a casual listener who doesn't attend ballets with any frequency) feel that Lanchbery had the most unerring sense of DANCEABLE tempos and theatrical drama in the business. I definitely prefer Lanchbery to Previn, who bores me to tears, and to Dorati's fast and hard-boiled Mercury recordings (although his readings are highly regarded in some quarters). Some excerpts from Lanchbery's sets have appeared on Seraphim CDs, but they suffer from that budget label's typically dull transfers .

2. ROGER DESORMIERE (1893-1963), France's leading ballet conductor, recorded (early 1950's) excerpts from all three ballets. The performances have a sophisticated elan that remains unique. The EMI CD issues of Swan Lake & Nutcracker (the latter is my favorite version of just the suite) are out of print, but some wonderful Sleeping Beauty selections are still available on Testament (see my review).

3. ANATOLE FISTOULARI (1907-1995), a child prodigy who conducted Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" Symphony in Kiev when he was age 7 (!), recorded lovely excerpts from Swan Lake & Nutcracker in the 1950's with the London Symphony. Those fine mono Decca recordings have yet to make it to CD (mine are part of a 5-LP Richmond set called "The World's Greatest Ballet Music"). Sidenote: Fistoulari married Mahler's daughter Anna.

4. YURI FAYER (1890-1971), another Kiev-born conductor, was chief conductor of the Bolshoi Ballet for about four decades before retiring in 1963. He conducted over 400 (!) performances of Swan Lake, and in the early 1950's he made largely complete recordings of all three ballets. These appeared in the U. S. on the Colosseum LP label (pretty lousy dubs of Soviet originals). Hopefully, some reputable label will get them out on CDs in decent sound. They are marvelous performances.

Stokowski recorded Tchaikovsky on various labels - his Sleeping Beauty excerpts on Cala 0522 are outrageously mannered and absolutely GREAT fun. Knappertsbusch's Nutcracker Suite with the Vienna Phil. (Decca) is surprisingly engaging. Beecham's witty 1958 live Nutcracker Suite (op. 71a) can be heard on M&A CD 631. Tchaikovsky's ballet music is a very pleasant way to compare the merits of various conductors from the past.

Highly recommended.

Terrific Tchaikovsky.......2003-07-19

This is a terrific CD of highlights from Tchaikovsky's great ballets, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, by Efrem Kurtz and the Philharmonia Orchestra, originally recorded in the late 1950s. There are many great recordings of the ballet highlights available on one CD -- some notables are by Karajan, Previn, Bernstein, Rostropovich and Ansermet (see my review of the latter) -- but few that stretch the highlights out over two CDs. This is great for someone who does not want the complete ballets (which occupy five to six discs), but does want a little more music than the oft-heard nuggets. This Double Forte set also has appeal for the serious collector because Kurtz and the Philharmonia always made memorable music together. I have enjoyed comparing this disc of highlights to those by Markevitch and Weldon with the Philharmonia (see my review of the latter) in order to listen to the same orchestras play the same music from approximately the same time period, yet with different conductors. There are many great choices available when it comes to excerpts of the Tchaikovsky Ballets, but if you are a novice or a connoisseur you won't be disappointed with this account by Kurtz.

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