- Audio CD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Import
- ASIN: B0006OSA0C
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 709,062 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
'Choreography' marks somewhat of a departure for Vanessa-Mae. Although having established her musical career through the impressive proclamation of being a child prodigy, the talent that belied this epithet was channelled in previous albums into a division of 'classical' works and her genre-challenging 'techno-acoustic fusion'. She successfully carried off this balancing act, but it always seemed latent that at some point in the future this division might become difficult to sustain.
As it is, Vanessa-Mae's shift to the Sony Classical label seems to have deftly overcome this potential pitfall. The album sees Vanessa-Mae taking centre stage, with the support of the philharmonic orchestra and a variety of world music instruments and voices to complement. The result is a captivating fusion of ethnic sounds merged with virtuoso playing, and whereas on her previous pop-oriented albums there was a tendency for the violin to be displaced by the soaring accompanying beats, the balance is more accomplished here. And, as with her previous albums which saw Vanessa-Mae not only playing but singing and taking an active role in production, 'Choreography' resonates with the sense that the violinist is not only pushing musical limits, but is also exercising the boundaries of her talents.
It must be acknowledged that once again it is the quality of the musicians and composers that Vanessa-Mae is working with here that are the foundation of the album, and this is made quite clear in the accompanying sleeve insert to the album. As such, Vanessa-Mae's talent is somewhat overshadowed, and it's a shame that we aren't seeing more of her own compositions to bolster her talented execution. It could also be complained that what talent is on show here is underdeveloped - the album is a disappointing 43 minutes long.
However, having said this, the combination of classical reworking and contemporary inspiration is achieved without strain or imbalance, and exhibits Vanessa-Mae's ever-developing technical ability at it's most impressive yet. These are all inspiring compositions that merge seamlessly in their arrangement, and effortlessly encompass an emotive quality that is often difficult to achieve. In fact, the expressive nature of this music is of such a quality that many of the tracks resemble movie soundtracks in their imaginative depth, and it's very easy to get lost in this whilst listening. This truly is an example of inspired choreography.
As it is, Vanessa-Mae's shift to the Sony Classical label seems to have deftly overcome this potential pitfall. The album sees Vanessa-Mae taking centre stage, with the support of the philharmonic orchestra and a variety of world music instruments and voices to complement. The result is a captivating fusion of ethnic sounds merged with virtuoso playing, and whereas on her previous pop-oriented albums there was a tendency for the violin to be displaced by the soaring accompanying beats, the balance is more accomplished here. And, as with her previous albums which saw Vanessa-Mae not only playing but singing and taking an active role in production, 'Choreography' resonates with the sense that the violinist is not only pushing musical limits, but is also exercising the boundaries of her talents.
It must be acknowledged that once again it is the quality of the musicians and composers that Vanessa-Mae is working with here that are the foundation of the album, and this is made quite clear in the accompanying sleeve insert to the album. As such, Vanessa-Mae's talent is somewhat overshadowed, and it's a shame that we aren't seeing more of her own compositions to bolster her talented execution. It could also be complained that what talent is on show here is underdeveloped - the album is a disappointing 43 minutes long.
However, having said this, the combination of classical reworking and contemporary inspiration is achieved without strain or imbalance, and exhibits Vanessa-Mae's ever-developing technical ability at it's most impressive yet. These are all inspiring compositions that merge seamlessly in their arrangement, and effortlessly encompass an emotive quality that is often difficult to achieve. In fact, the expressive nature of this music is of such a quality that many of the tracks resemble movie soundtracks in their imaginative depth, and it's very easy to get lost in this whilst listening. This truly is an example of inspired choreography.
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A Friend from Italy brought me the CD last weekend and although he couldn't say enough good things about it I remained skeptical some cheesy music (Bond)... until I listened. I was amazed. What an ambitious album!
Vanessa Mae who was know to vulgarize classical music, this time redeemed herself with new appealing original compositions written for large symphonic orchestra and performed by the Royal Philharmonic. There are a few jewels on this album. Emerald Tiger is an exiting composition by Riverdance's Bill Whelan, a sort of Irish/Asian fusion. Raga's Dance by Bollywood's AR Rahman is a fun and exiting piece mixing Indian instruments and vocals to a large symphonic orchestration. Vangelis' Roxane's Veil has a very nice melody and should become a chill out classic. After a few listening my favorite tracks are the one composed and produced by Walter Taieb. The credits on the booklet show that he is also the only composer who did his own orchestration. Bolero For Violin And Orchestra is kind of a tribute to Ravel's Bolero, using a Darbuka (a north African instrument ) as the rhythm base. This piece in my opinion deserve to be performed by orchestras for years to come. Tribal Gathering is a minimalist composition in the vain of John Adams but with a live afro percussion rhythm beneath. My favorite being Tango De Los Exilados. It's a Symphonic Tango and it's beautiful.
Vanessa Mae's Performance is solid especially on Tango De Los Exilados and Emerald Tiger. Although I am not too crazy about the metallic sound of the recording.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Vanessa Mae's "Choreography" is a masterpiece, as was her previous CD "Subject to change". I bought the CD on its release date in Kuala Lumpur and listened to it all during my 11 hour flight back to England. It's a great fusion of classical and contemporary sounds, bringing in various worldwide influences (Indian, Morroccon, Irish, English, Spanish etc). Wonderful!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Vanessa Mae Coreography
I think the album of Vanessa Mae - Choreography is very very good for young teenagers and adults alike. I would strongly recommend it to be one of the most sold items ever.
Published 23 months ago by Ms. A. E. Haddock
Excellent her best yet!
I think this is Vanessa Mae's best CD to date; the arrangements are excellent and imaginative. The 3 last tracks (and the first one) are enough to buy the CD alone for each of... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2007 by Mr. Kevin Burns
An excellent album
A fabulous album, with a lot of depth.
Published on 18 Oct 2004
A Great Surprise
A Friend from Italy brought me the CD last weekend and although he couldn't say enough good things about it I remained skeptical some cheesy music (Bond)... until I listened. Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2004 by "jenny_blck"
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