David Garrett: Live In Berlin (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have seen this twice on PBS. They use it in their pledge drive, which is annoying because you do not want this music to stop while public television tries to get into your wallet. Here we have an all new approach to music. When Josh Groban hit the airwaves, I think someone decided to call him symphonic pop. I don't think anyone will be able to pin down what David Garrett performs. In the US, we are late comers to his talent. You can surf the net and read the news from across the world and David Garrett makes headlines. I don't know that anyone else could have me put on the "Summer" (Vivaldi) track and turn the volume way up. Just about everyone has heard "Dueling Banjos" (the Deliverance soundtrack), but they have never heard it like this. Everyone I've played it for, breaks into a big grin because it is such a fun sound. He also did justice to Michael Jackson in his rendition of "Smooth Criminal".

In Europe and Asia, this guy fills stadiums because his sound is powerful, beautiful, and enchanting. Who else has ever considered composing an album with everything from Vivaldi to Metallica? He has a website and I encourage folks to look it up. On the website you have the option for International or US and a media player will let you listen to this astounding young man.
It would be so very helpful if Amazon might tell us WHEN will this DVD be available?

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Performed in concert at Berlin's exquisite Tempodrom Arena in January of 2009, this DVD showcases David Garrett's unique and wholly individual style which pays as much homage to Metallica as to Bach. This concert covers an incredibly diverse selection of repertoire, representing David's love for many genres and his remarkable ability to tackle each with unsurpassed enthusiasm. Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" is cleverly reinterpreted, as is Queen's ballad, "Who Wants to Live Forever." AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" is given a memorable new twist, alongside "He's a Pirate" from "Pirates of the Carribean." Given his enduring commitment to his first musical love, watch as David performs classical selections including the last movement of Vivaldi's "Summer" from The Four Seasons, and Bach's "Air." Not to be satisfied with only imaginative covers, David also displays his own deft writing skills with notable originals, including "Chelsea Girl."

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Sissel: Northern Lights (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a seasonal concert marking the arrival of winter. It isn't really a Christmas celebration. For the latter, you should get the companion DVD, "Christmas with Sissel and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square". This particular programme was staged for America's PBS in yet another valiant attempt by Norway's singing sensation to carve herself a place on America's crowded musical stage. The programme was filmed in the Norwegian mountain town of Røros, currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sissel sings in the local church where the audience can be seen sitting quietly in the pews. It is generally subdued in tone, quietly reflective and peaceful. Most of the songs are tied to the season or are hymns with a spiritual or religious bent.
Most of the songs are in English, including several penned by Sissel herself. My favourite amongst her own compositions is "Sarah's Song" a lullaby she wrote for her youngest daughter. "Like an Angel Passing Through My Room" is another exquisite song about a mother contemplating her child growing up and leaving. I especially loved the line "Love is one prolonged goodbye." Now who says Andersson & Ulvaeus couldn't write good lyrics.
Like most of Sissel's output, this is a wide ranging mix of semi-classical, folk, traditional and pop music in languages ranging from English, Norwegian, Danish, Italian and Latin. Sadly it is an extremely short concert. The entire DVD including the 2 bonus tracks and the slideshow of her trip, lasts barely 65min in all. Still, with 17 songs in total, it is packed with lovely music and absolutely gorgeous singing. I adored the Norwegian Christmas hymn "Mitt Hjerte Altid Vanker" (My Heart Always Wanders/To the Stable Where Jesus Was Born). I especially enjoyed the Danish folksong "Der Er Ingenting I Verden Så Stille Som Sne" rhapsodising on the quiet stillness of snow. Sadly the lovely Swedish Christmas hymn "Koppangen" is not included on this DVD. It can only be found on the "Northern Lights" audio CD sold separately. Sissel is as shrewd a businesswoman as she is a gifted artist. My hat off to her.
Jose Carreras sings two numbers here. First a solo, "Amore Perduto," an Italian song set to Albinoni's/Giazotto's famous Adagio for Strings and Organ. Then a pop duet with Sissel "Quando Sento Che Mi Ami" where he sings in Italian and she replies in English. Carreras' duet highlights something you don't usually notice about Sissel; just how tall she actually is in real life - she towers over him; a stunningly statuesque example of Viking womanhood.
Through most of the songs Sissel is backed by the Trondheim Soloists and the Nidaros Cathedral's Girls' Choir. In their arrangement of Bach's famous "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", Sissel sings the instrumental part along with the rest of the orchestra while the choir sings the actual chorale (in English). Two traditional English folksongs are included, "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." I'm not too keen on the modern arrangements but Sissel can make anything sound beautiful. In the clearest sign that this was meant for the American TV audience, Sissel ends her concert with a folksong most Americans would be familiar with - "Going Home" (the rest of the world will know this as the Largo from Dvorák's New World Symphony).
The programme is shot and presented in 1.78:1 widescreen (anamorphic). Picture quality is fine for what is essentially a very subtly lit film, mostly church interiors and the dusky Norwegian landscape that presages the imminent arrival of winter. Sound is excellent but strangely only available as either 2.0 Stereo or 5.0 Dolby Digital Surround. No subwoofer channel. Make sure your main speakers are good enough to carry the lowermost notes of the double-basses and drums, of which there is a surprisingly large amount. An altogether enjoyable concert and well worth the price. For those wanting to watch it first before deciding on a purchase, PBS is scheduled to broadcast it during this 2007 Christmas season. You can check with their transmission schedule online.

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NORTHERN LIGHTS - DVD Movie

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Sting: A Winter's Night...Live from Durham Cathedral (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had the pleasure of attending this concert in Durham and it was like nothing i have experienced before. The beauty of the cathedral, along with the lighting and soulfull music was outstanding. If one tenth of that comes through on this dvd, grab one asap!! Sting fan or not, this is a perfect companion on a cold winter night.

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Disc One: Sting: A Winter s Night...Live from Durham Cathedral places the artist in the unique setting of England s most famous cathedral. This majestic live performance captures the mood and spirit of the season with a diverse collection of songs, carolsand lullabies spanning the centuries.Disc Two: Sting: A Winter s Night...the Documentary features a behind-the-scenes look at the concert s genesis, beginning with the album recording sessions at Sting s homein the Italian countryside, leading up to the final rehearsals at Durham Cathedral. Along the way, Sting revisits places from his childhood and reunites with old friends and band mates, swapping stories and reminiscing.

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Live In Dresden: The Wedding at the Opera (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)After seeing André Rieu's "Live in Vienna" and thinking "it doesn't get any better than this, the World Music King pulls another one out of his hat! . It was not just excellent music - it was excellent entertainment - especially in the "Figaro" aria, where, by weaving in the comical "barber chair" segment, he turned what for some "modernists" was too "dated" a piece into an entertainment delight. Besides the orchestra doing their usual excellent job, the singers - both male and female - were superb, with the Platin Tenors's rendition of "E Lucevan le Stelle" perhaps the best that I have ever heard.
The whole program flowed seamlessly from start to finish, with the two themes (marriage and opera) combined cleverly and tastefully throughout the show; and nothing could have been a better backdrop for such than Dresden's beautiful Semperoperhaus. The mix of tunes, the costumery, and André's witty commentary made for a perfect blend; there wasn't a tedious moment in the whole program. I would recommend this DVD for not just for "André-philes" but for ANYONE.

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You are most cordially invited to a wedding celebration concert with André Rieu in one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world, the famous Semper Opera in Dresden.As well as the charming bride and bridegroom of this joyous occasion, there are 40 more fabulous pairs of dancers from the famous Vienna Debutantes of the Elmayer Dance School in Vienna. Together with the beautiful sopranos Mirusia Louwerse and Carmen Monarcha, the bombastic Platinum Tenors, the Johann Strauss Orchestra and the inspirational direction of André Rieu, this is sure to be one of his most festive concert performances ever! This DVD includes tracks not shown on the television special.André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra have performed throughout Europe, in North America, and Japan. They have won a number of awards including two World Music Awards and have recordings that have gone Gold and Platinum in many countries around the world. André Rieu plays a 1667 Stradivarius. His repertoire includes a wide range of classical music as well as popular and folk music plus music from famous motion picture sound tracks and theatre musicals. His lively and colorful orchestral presentations have attracted worldwide audiences to classical music.1. Wiener Melange2. The Wedding March3. Hoch Sollen Sie Leben4. Vienna Blood5. Plaisir d'Amour6. Figaro Cavatina7. Dancing Through The Skies8. E Lucevan Le Stelle9. I'm Off To Chez Maxim10. Espana Cani11. I Hear The Sound of Cymbals12. Wer Uns Getraut13. You and You Waltz (Du Und Du)14. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again15. All I Ask of You16. The Beautiful Blue Danube17. Radetzky March18. Strauss & Co.19. Adieu, Little Captain of My Heart20. Dancing Through The Skies II

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Andre Rieu: Live in Vienna (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a 2007 mid-summer concert which took place in front of imperial Hofburg Palace in the center of Vienna.
DVD (DVD9) is in Widescreen (16:9) format with DD5.1 and DD2.0 sound option. Andre Rieu speaks in German but subtitles are available. Main feature runs for 135mins. There are no extra features.
Playlist selection is wonderful with 25 classical hits. Some of them we know from other DVDs of Rieu, but there are some new pieces we will hear in this DVD. There are waltzes, polkas, arias and musical pieces. According to me highlights are All Strauss Waltzes, Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart Medley), The Sound of Music, and Arias. The Johann Strauss Orchestra is accompanied by Choir and joined by guest stars namely The Platine Tenors, Dogmar Koller, Carmen Monarcha, Carla Maffioletti, Mirusia Louwerse and Suzan Erens. They all have wonderful performances. Also the Ballet of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna debutantes from the Elmayer Dance School joins the Viennese ambient with their waltzes.
One of the best of Andre Rieu's (according to me the other bests are Homecoming and the Schonbrunn Concerts). Especially if you love the waltzing themes, this one is for you with lots of waltzes in the heart of waltz-capital of Europe, Vienna. You will enjoy a real Viennese Night in your homes.
Tracklist:
1.Wiener Burger
2.Tritsch Tratsch Polka
3.Facher Polonaise
4.Fledermaus Quadrille
5.Komm Zigany
6.Csardas
7.Gold und Silber
8.Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart Medley)
9.Mein Herr Marquis
10.Wolgalied
11.Perpetuum Mobile
12.Porgi Amor
13.Im Prater bluh'n wieder die Baume
14.Lippen schweigen
15.Schatzwalzer
16.Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
17.Ganz ohne Weiber geht die Chose nicht
18.Meine Lippen sie kussen so heiss
19.Morgenblatter
20.Ich muss wieder einmal in Grinzing sein
21.The Sound of Music
22.An der schonen blauen Donau
23.Radetzkymarsch
24.Strauss & Co
25.Wien du Stadt meiner Traume
26.Adieu, mein kleiner Gardeoffi zier

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Live In Vienna: A concert with Andre Rieu on the square in front of the imperial Hofburg Palace in the heart of Vienna. This DVD includes superb compositions from the most famous Viennese composers: Johann Strauss, Franz Lehar, Emmerich Kalman, W.A. Mozart, Robert Stolz and many others, set against the background of the most beautiful, stylish scenery imaginable. This DVD includes tracks not shown on the television special.

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