Music of the Spheres – two years after
Everything moves so fast today. This is nothing new of course, we still only have 24 hrs a day and what’s hot today is gone tomorrow. It is just the nature of our Brave New World I guess. That said, it is sometimes interesting to look back just a year or two and see if things that were important back then still has relevance. Do we even remember?
Looking at the most recent new age music history, the release of Mike Oldfield’s “classical music” album Music of the Spheres was a massive event. Not only did it promise brand new acoustic material well outside the crowded Tubular Bells-universe, but also a handful of world’s finest artists; pianist Lang Lang and soprano Hayley Westenra, conductor Karl Jenkins and the complete Sinfonia Sfera Orchestra, all participated on the album. Yes, it was massive.
Still I feel that the album came, got some nice PR and reviews in main stream media, and disappeared. (Yes, I know that this is the fate of many albums. There is just so much music being published today, and all music of the past is available at our fingertips too). Again; Brave New World.
But one year ago I saw this post over at the Tubular.net forums and it got me thinking, posted by the user: TheMann:
It is now about a year since I first listened to Music of the Spheres. Then, I was stunned by how ambitious this work really is, and I quickly felt in complete love with this masterpiece.
A year later, nothing has changed for me: I find nothing in Mikes output as emotional as this full-length, far-reaching orchester piece. Quite remarkable words, having in mind that Mike wrote (many) other eternal masterpieces, e.g., Ommadawn. Now, let’s not argue what work is his finest; It’s all down to taste.
Listening to it now, today, nothing has changed for me either; Music of the Spheres is still an awesome album in all respects. It is far-reaching and quite remarkable, like previous classics. Interestingly enough, the latest review of this album is written by Mike Oldfield’s wife, Fanny Oldfield – this too on fan page Tubular.net:
It is something that has to be said about Mike’s music, it always makes you feel something…it is not like any boring track that is almost invisible. Mike’s music stays with you, tells you a story, brings emotions and gets your heart to beat faster.
If it is love for Mike or his music that makes her heart beat faster remains unsaid. My point is only that Music of the Spheres is an album not to be missed. And if I dare to make a conclusion about music in general based on this; it is not that too much is being released – it is just that all the music of the past also is so accessible today. This is great news for anyone, like me, that enjoy to dive into oceans of music and experience what’s there. But we will not get new Tubular Bells – that is; famous works of art that live on and on – but we will get just as great albums that doesn’t get famous.
Even when they are awesome, and created by someone famous.
Just like Music of the Spheres.
See the 8 first minutes of the wonderful Spheres below:
One Response to Music of the Spheres – two years after
Leave a Reply
Visit New Age Music World
- Bob Ardern – Finger-style Folk guitar music
- New Releases from Sony Classical Label
- New Music – Family Values by Craig Karolus
- Marc Enfroy – Dreams of the Forest
- Cinematic Piano Music by Marc Enfroy
- Sounds from the Circle – New for 2012
- What is New Age Music ?
- Mysterium Tremendum by Mickey Hart Band
- Gandalf & Steve Hackett Live Album – Gallery of Dreams
- Gandalf & Steve Hackett – Live Concert
Hi BT, yes 2 years after its release, I find it as enjoyable to listen to today. It is unique, was a departure from Mike’s albums Light and Shade and Guitars. This work required intensive score work, a full scale symphony orchestra and classical guitar interludes. The result is harmonious. The classical guitar pieces are beautifully sequenced, add emotion after heady brass sections. On My Heart as sung by Haley Westrena really expressed Mike’s own emotions in word and music. Her vocals and Mike on guitar were magic. A rare union of word and music that makes you stop and listen. Its impossible not to feel something listening to this song. All the work, long hours in the studio, mixing, editing, getting every artist in sync worked. Mike’s insistence on perfection produced a masterpiece. It may have been forgotten in media circles, but is still regularly played in my home. His recent re-releases are welcome, in 5:1 surround sound. Enjoying them.