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Product Description
Review
The most famous nautical disaster in history has received many interpretations over the years. On the whole they conclude that, yes, it was very much a tragedy, officially a bad thing to have happened. Consequently, the news that Bee Gee Robin Gibb and his son R.J. were to collaborate with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (and feature vocal guest spots from Isabel Suckling and Mario Frangoulis) to create the latest artistic re-imagining of the event was at least interesting. Gibb the elder’s performances for the Bee Gees were often marbled with a yearning or a wistful glance over the shoulder at sad things in the past – perhaps this could be ripe territory for a creative re-awakening.
Well, don’t get your hopes up. As soon as the clang of bells (shamelessly nabbed from Shostakovich and supposed to mimic the swelter and grubby grind of industry) is heard giving way to a murky male choir on the opening Shipbuilding, we’re in disappointingly safe waters. Shipbuilding is followed by The Immigrant song – neither of them covers, immediately a disappointment to both Costello and Zeppelin fans – which is brighter but no less thievish in its plundering of classical timbres, themes and moods. Facile approximations of Beethoven at his most pastoral evoke very little in the mind of the strong narrative source, no matter how sweetly executed they are.
That the melodies are so plain and, at worst, unmemorable highlights how pop writers can be sunk without their poetry to engage the listener. The Gibbs (it’s unclear exactly which has written what) appear comfortable in this medium, certainly, but there’s little display of verve, terror or anything that might be considered either exciting or relevant to the Titanic. Maiden Voyage sounds like a canter around the maypole rather than a ship launching into virgin waters, and even the final moments of the whole disc reveal an overwhelmingly positive, predictable plagal cadence.
The biggest niggle, though, is that rather than creating a work that reacts to the movement of its narrative, the Gibbs have elected to shoehorn it into a classical requiem form. Rather than lend gravitas or a quasi-religious, spectral quality to the drama, it actually makes it rather segmented and lumpy. Even Robin’s dramatic vocal on Don’t Cry Alone (easing back into singing a new composition after a well-documented break) sounds over-wrought and too sentimental. It’s encouraging to hear him have at it so convincingly but, like much of this disc, it is energy misspent.
--Daniel Ross
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CD Description
This brand new symphonic concept-album marks the first collaboration between father and son robin and Robin-John (RJ) Gibb. The Titanic Requiem was written and completed in time to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the catastrophic loss of life of the oceanic legend RMS Titanic. It is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and features the RSVP Voices Choir, lead vocals from such opera notables as tenor Mario Frangoulis and British choirgirl, Isabel Suckling. ‘Don’t Cry Alone’, features a lead vocal from Robin Gibb - the first new song released with Robin's vocals for many years.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a breath-taking piece of music by Robin Gibb and his son RJ! I think this is going to be a real grower on multiple listens. New York Suite In C Major is a real stunner of a piece as is the thumping Triumph (Shipbuilding). When we get it the haunting and moment when the Titanic ill fatefully hit the iceberg - Kyrie was the moment i thought this is an outstanding piece of work, beautifully conducted by Cliff Masterson and played by the R.P.O! The vocal tracks Daybreak, Christmas Day and Don't Cry Alone should all be massive hits, Daybreak itself sounds like one of Robin Gibb's best ever songs, not bad for a 63 year old known as one third of the BeeGees. Check out Robin's vocals on Don't Cry Alone, shear class! Isabel Suckling does a stunning job on Christmas Day. I fear this album will be overlooked and maybe snubbed by some classical enthusiasts but in my view this is a GREAT piece of musical work! I hope Robin and RJ will do another classical album in the future.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Rock/Pop artists have tried producing classical works in the past with competent to mediocre results. Sir Paul McCartney comes to mind, being one of the most melodic songwriters of all time. His "Liverpool Oratorio Suite" and "Ecce Cor Meum" received modest reviews. So when former Bee Gees member Robin Gibb and his son RJ stepped up to the plate to honor the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the skeptics were waiting.
The work is not a rock opera, an Andrew Lloyd Weber production, nor even a purely classical piece. It takes the strengths of all these elements and produces one unique experience. Its actually an ingenious idea that Robin Gibb would take his fascination of the Titanic and use it to emote an interweaving composition of absolute drama. Using the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, forty-two strong chorus members bursting forth in Latin ('Latin Mass for the Dead') and three unique soloists, 'The Titanic Requiem" comes very close to nailing a perfect movement that easily pulls emotion from the listener. The layered mixture of vocals and orchestration can be startling given that this is the first work of this kind from Robin Gibb.
Most of the pieces are somber and heartfelt without much levity. In fact, only "Farewell (The Immigrant Song)" and "Maiden Voyage" contain glimmers of happiness and hope. Soon, pieces like, "Kyrie" and "Sos (Tract)" give way to a more serious and foreboding sense. A listener may find a few of the pieces ponderous or even too grave, but perhaps that was the point; to give the listener no chance for composure given the severity in the wake of this most famous disaster. The three solo vocalist songs are truly beautiful, and the lyrics (particularly "Daybreak" and "Don't Cry Alone") suck sorrow from the gut with surprising ease. In fact, Robin Gibb's trembling "Don't Cry Alone" is one of his most startlingly aching vocals to date.
To compare the "The Titanic Requiem" to anything other than itself would be a disservice as it truly does not easily fall into any one category. It is a work from a father and son who let out all emotional stops, in severe illness and health, to deliver a truly unique and satisfying hybrid of musical compositions. "The Titanic Requiem" begs numerous listening.
The work is not a rock opera, an Andrew Lloyd Weber production, nor even a purely classical piece. It takes the strengths of all these elements and produces one unique experience. Its actually an ingenious idea that Robin Gibb would take his fascination of the Titanic and use it to emote an interweaving composition of absolute drama. Using the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, forty-two strong chorus members bursting forth in Latin ('Latin Mass for the Dead') and three unique soloists, 'The Titanic Requiem" comes very close to nailing a perfect movement that easily pulls emotion from the listener. The layered mixture of vocals and orchestration can be startling given that this is the first work of this kind from Robin Gibb.
Most of the pieces are somber and heartfelt without much levity. In fact, only "Farewell (The Immigrant Song)" and "Maiden Voyage" contain glimmers of happiness and hope. Soon, pieces like, "Kyrie" and "Sos (Tract)" give way to a more serious and foreboding sense. A listener may find a few of the pieces ponderous or even too grave, but perhaps that was the point; to give the listener no chance for composure given the severity in the wake of this most famous disaster. The three solo vocalist songs are truly beautiful, and the lyrics (particularly "Daybreak" and "Don't Cry Alone") suck sorrow from the gut with surprising ease. In fact, Robin Gibb's trembling "Don't Cry Alone" is one of his most startlingly aching vocals to date.
To compare the "The Titanic Requiem" to anything other than itself would be a disservice as it truly does not easily fall into any one category. It is a work from a father and son who let out all emotional stops, in severe illness and health, to deliver a truly unique and satisfying hybrid of musical compositions. "The Titanic Requiem" begs numerous listening.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I DONT KNOW WHAT CD BBC REVIEW WAS LISTENING TO BUT IT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT NOT THIS ONE. I HAVE JUST FINISHED MY FIRST LISTENING OF THE ENTIRE CD AND IT IS MAGNIFICIENT. I AM USUALLY A VERY HARSH CRITIC ON FIRST PLAY BUT NOT HERE. THIS IS OUTSTANDING AND I AM PROUUD TO HAVE IT IN MY COLLECTION. THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IS WONDERFUL . A VERY MELODIC TOUCHING PIECE OF WORK COMPLETELY RELATED TO THE SUBJECT. PLEASE PLEASE IGNOR BBC REVIEW IT IS A WASTE OF SPACE. BUY THIS.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
amazing
Heard it for the first time today. Wow, its amazing. Such a shame it came with sadness with robin gibb passing, this will be etched in minds for a very long. Read more
Published 4 days ago by heather
Superb from the beginning to the end.
This is an outstanding piece of work (BBC reviewer you don t know what your talking about)
Classical music is my thing and this certainly is up there with the best. Read more
Classical music is my thing and this certainly is up there with the best. Read more
Published 8 days ago by mamsy
SUPERB! INCREDIBLE! FANTASTIC!
The TITANIC REQUIEM by Robin & RJ Gibb is amazing from the first to the last note!
Words really fails when it comes to describe this master piece! Read more
Words really fails when it comes to describe this master piece! Read more
Published 9 days ago by Dille
Titanic
A lovely CD from Robin Gibb i do hope its not his last his voice has always been very special and this Cd shows him at his best
Published 13 days ago by Linda
Excelent music
A very up to date emotion of an enigmatic myth. Hearing the music you feel in the nightmare of the Titanic.
Carlos
Carlos
Published 15 days ago by Carlos Enrich
Titanic requiem CD
The CD was absolutely fantastic. I do not usually buy this type of CD but keep playing it over and over.
You can almost hear the ship being built on the first track.
You can almost hear the ship being built on the first track.
Published 16 days ago by sandybeach
An extremely moving CD
Needs more publicity. Well written by Robin Gibb albeit in a different vein to the BeeGees usual style.
Quite a variety of tracks within the Requiem.
Quite a variety of tracks within the Requiem.
Published 17 days ago by Mr. R. J. Stephenson
Titanic requiem
I did not know what to expect from Robin Gibb and his son. I found this to be a good cd, after reading the inner sleeve I got an idea of the music. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Christine faulkner
Beautiful ...
I bought this for my husband's birthday and he is thrilled with it. I'm not a classical music fan but I've listened to it myself and I think it's emotive and beautiful. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Trudy Bradburne
Simply beautiful!
Take no notice of the BBC review, but beware! This piece of music grows on you. The first time I played this I liked it, by the fifth time I loved it and now I am totally hooked! Read more
Published 26 days ago by Carole
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