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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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Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 40 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.
32 of 32 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.... Read more ›
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.... Read more ›
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Spectacular work from all involved. Many congratulations!! When I first started listening to The Bee Gees in 1967 I could never have thought that, some 45 years later, I would still be able to listen to new work from one of the Gibbs. Lucky me!!
This CD is an unbelievable step for Robin & RJ into classical territory & what a great result.
The BBC reviewer must be deaf (& dumb?) with his "pop song writer can't do classical" blinkers firmly in place when he reviewed this - ignore what he says - Buy it, play it, you will love it!!
This CD is an unbelievable step for Robin & RJ into classical territory & what a great result.
The BBC reviewer must be deaf (& dumb?) with his "pop song writer can't do classical" blinkers firmly in place when he reviewed this - ignore what he says - Buy it, play it, you will love it!!
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Aurorablast
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
There's a nasty tradition of snobbery and snittery when a 'popular' musician attempts to stray into the 'classical' genre of music - I think the BBC reviewer exhibits this prejudice. The Bee Gees music has already survived and thrived over half a century. Heaven forfend, they even 'invented' disco in its most populist form, which love it or loathe it, shows real musicality. Many of us will have had our first dance at a wedding to a Bee Gees song, pieced together a broken heart, celebrated the birth of a child - 'Stayin Alive' is even recommended as the perfect tempo to perform CPR - their music is already firmly interwoven into the fabric of our lives. I suspect the 'Titanic Requiem' will be another such piece. From the sublime 'New York Symphony in C Major' with its divinely soppy theme to the glorious 'In Paradisum', this is a true classic. The love and understanding of the Ocean, and movement of 'Titanic' as she heads ever onwards to the iceberg and her doom, is both moving and profound. Listen without prejudice!
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Dino
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
DO NOT TAKE THE SLIGHTEST NOTICE OF THE BBC REVIEW Robin & RJ Gibbs Titanic Requiem is truly wonderful and extremely moving, a modern classical masterpiece. Buy it, listen and spread the word.
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By Tumnus
Format:Audio CD
This is a stunning arrangement, there is so much feeling to the music, close your eyes and let this music take you back 100 years. Kyrie and Reflections have to be my favourite tracks.
You will find it very hard not to be moved by this album.
You will find it very hard not to be moved by this album.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By deedee
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
With much anticapation, as soon as the CD hit my door mat it was swiftly put in the cd player. This is a lovely piece of work, the Orchestra sounded amazing. He and his son penned an emotional score not just musically but lyrically. Lyrics sung beautifully by the other male and female artists. Totally blown away that this was the same man who wrote and sang as one of the Bee Gees. You shouldn't pigeon hole an artist's career. This definately shows to me what a talented music writer he is. Would he turn his hand to film scores? Buy Titanic Requiem and then make your own mind up. I am no musical expert (just a child of the 70's whose heart came from 50's USA and hopes for the return of Top of The Pops) I know what I like and I like this.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
concert
I wanted to hear the music, and get used to it, before going to the actual concert in London, at Westminster hall.
Published 20 days ago by valerie ann turner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!!!
I bought this cd after seeing the BBC programme of Robin Gibb's Requiem. I wish there had been a dvd of it as I thought it was a really beautiful and moving Concert with CGI... Read more
Published 28 days ago by D.J.M
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought for my mum who loves it!
I bought this when it came out and gave it to my mum 6 months later. Sad that Robin Gibb did not live to see its impact. Amazed more has not been made of it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Windlewoo
5.0 out of 5 stars
It get to my heart
This requiem is so powerful that I cannot help to listen to it again and again. It is Robin Gibb opus magna. Never thought his creativity was so strong. Read more
Published 2 months ago by M parischewsky
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
I am not generally a classical music fan but this album is really beautiful. Having watched the orchestra playing live I just had to buy the album. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bonnygirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gift
My wife was thrilled to recieve this for her bithday so i have scored major brownie points for the future. thank you
Published 3 months ago by Kelvin Chubb
5.0 out of 5 stars
ROBIN GIBB & SON
F A B GREAT A WORK OF ART IN MUSIC HAUNTING YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO IT EMOTIONAL ONE OF THE GREATS
Published 3 months ago by les minshall
5.0 out of 5 stars
May God Bless You Robin
I write with sadness that we have lost a wonderful talent, this Cd is simply some of the best music that I personally have ever
heard of its type, Robin never professed to be... Read more
heard of its type, Robin never professed to be... Read more
Published 3 months ago by sanclew
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lived up to initial hearing on television and was even better second...
First seen on television but listening on own sound system and remembering visuals from tv programme added another dimension, very worthy buy
Published 4 months ago by Marilyn Tuppen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Watched it on Television before buying CD
The performance was just Great!!, I can listen to it over and over again. You can close your eyes and just visualize the tragic events.
Published 4 months ago by Mick
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